The Australian Triple Crown winner is naturally the odds-on favourite against the Chinese, who has never won a ranking title
The final of the Betway UK Championship will be contested by two overseas players for the first time in its 38-year history.
Neil Robertson, from Australia, is the 1/8 favourite to defeat China’s Liang Wengbo (13/2).
It is with good reason, too.
Not only is Robertson a Triple Crown winner – he achieved that feat by winning this tournament two years ago – but he has also reached the final by defeating some of snooker’s most gifted players.
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Stephen Maguire, John Higgins – the game’s in-form player this season – and world No. 1 Mark Selby have all been despatched with relative ease.
But despite recording a 6-0 win over Selby in the semi-finals, the Australian is remaining relaxed at the prospect of winning one of the sport’s most prestigious titles for the second time.
“It’s just like any other day,” said Robertson, who is aiming to become only the eighth player to win the event more than once.
“I’m too experienced for that – it’s just another match.”
The 33-year-old, who is a stablemate of Liang, was asked about the final being contested by two players from outside the UK.
“The UK Championship won by an Australian or someone from China,” laughed Robertson.
“It’s great for him and I think that speaks volumes for where the game’s going now. It’s fantastic.”
Liang, meanwhile, has the opportunity to win the first ranking event of his career after overcoming David Grace 6-4 in what was, to borrow one of sport’s popular cliches, a nervous encounter.
The victory secured Liang’s place in the world’s top 16, thus guaranteeing him a place at next month’s Masters.
That pressure – plus his status as the favourite for the match – prevented the Chinese from playing the bold snooker he displayed when beating Marco Fu and Judd Trump earlier in the event.
“I was thinking too much,” said Liang when asked about his last-four display. “My head was gone.”
Returning to the position of second favourite in the final might liberate the 28-year-old, who feels he is good enough to trouble Robertson.
“Everybody’s got a chance if you do well,” said Liang.
And what will he have to do if he is to achieve that?
“Control the table, score good and concentrate to play.”
Doing so over 19 frames against a player who is establishing himself as one of snooker’s all-time great players is improbable.
