You don’t see that every day.
Neil Robertson claimed a dramatic Scottish Open final victory on Sunday, after winning the last five frames to defeat Cao Yupeng 9-8.
And while Robertson ultimately came out on top, despite failing to lead in the match until the final frame, it was a shot from his opponent which provided one of the final’s biggest talking points.
"That's a first"
Certainly unorthodox from Cao Yupeng! @Eurosport_UK #ScottishOpen pic.twitter.com/WnTawmpmwZ
— WST (@WeAreWST) December 17, 2017
1985 world champion Dennis Taylor claimed he’d never seen anything quite like what Cao nonchalantly attempted towards the end of the thrilling encounter in Glasgow.
In 60 years of playing Snooker, I have never seen a shot played like the one Cao Yupeng played on @Eurosport_In the Scottish Open Final.
— Dennis Taylor (@dennistaylor147) December 17, 2017
Viewers weren’t sure Cao’s safety shot was even legal as he held the very tip of his cue between his thumb and finger, rested the butt of the cue on the table and just gently nudged the cue ball forward.
Authorities will b looking at the rules after that 1 Ul no c that again..never a snooker shot in its life
— Jp Kenna (@JpKennajp) December 17, 2017
@janverhaas are you allowed to leave the but of the cue on the table and do this? Wouldnt that be a push shot as the tip would be pushing the ball not striking??
— OscarDaCat (@OscarTheRetard) December 17, 2017
Illegal surely
— John Colclough (@jtccolclough) December 17, 2017
However, with the referee over his shoulder, Cao’s piece of innovation was allowed but it mattered little in the overall scheme of things as a stunning Robertson comeback gave the Aussie the win.
“I don’t know how to say my feelings just now. I put too much pressure on myself,” Cao told BBC Scotland after his defeat.
“My heart needs to be stronger. That’s what I need to learn from Neil and the top 16 players.”
