Seven-Up for Robertson

The Melbourne Machine beat Andrew Higginson 9-8 in a thrilling final at the Newport Centre to win his second ranking title of the season, having captured the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in October.

"There are not many players to win two titles in the same season so it's great to join them. My aim is to cement my place in the top eight, although the top four might be possible," said the Cambridge-based Australian, who jumps four places in the rankings.

Higginson, considered the most unlikely ranking event finalist in snooker history, missed out on the top prize but is up to 40 having leapt 37 places in the last two tournaments.

"I've had a dream week and to be up to 40 is brilliant," said the 29-year-old from Widnes, who also collected a £22,000 bonus for making a maximum 147 earlier in the event.

The top six in the list remain the same, though third-placed John Higgins has lost ground on Ken Doherty and Graeme Dott having lost to Higginson in the first round.

Veteran Steve Davis is up to 12th after a superb run to the semi-finals and now looks certain to achieve his goal of retaining his top 16 place when he turns 50 in August.