Neil Robertson secures first Players Championship crown

The 40-year-old Robertson produced four century breaks and five more half-century scores to secure a sixth straight win over Hawkins.

Hawkins, 11th in the world rankings, fired a brilliant 137-break of his own in the eighth frame to remain in the contest at 5-3 down at the interval, but was unable to stem the tide after the final session resumed.

At 2-1 up, Australian Robertson put together successive scores of 107, 105 and 130 to open up a 5-1 lead before Hawkins reduced the deficit to two.

Further breaks of 90 and 118 gave Robertson a 7-3 advantage before Hawkins rallied again to pull it back to 7-5.

But Robertson put together successive scores of 116, 51 and 69 to take the next three frames and seal victory for his 22nd career-ranking crown.

Robertson tolfd ITV: "I got off to an unbelievable start in the match with three centuries in a row to go 5-1."

"Many players in the world would have collapsed from there, but it inspired [Barry] to play his best snooker in those last two frames for 5-3. His safety was incredible.

"Yes [I am in very good form], but it doesn't last forever. People can just start putting your name on the trophy, and it doesn't quite work like that.

"This will inspire more players to get their hands on the trophies as well, and make the target on my back even bigger, but I'm well used to that and I enjoy that challenge.

"I've had an unbelievable season. I just can't wait to keep playing and, hopefully, add something else to the silverware."