Neil Robertson survived a gutsy fightback from Stuart Bingham to win the Welsh Open final 9-7 at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

The Australian claimed the 15th ranking title of his career despite being pegged back from a 7-3 lead as Bingham levelled the match on Sunday evening.

The pair of former world champions were just shy of their very best form, and it was Robertson that won a scrappy 15th frame to move within one of victory, which he grabbed with an 83 break in the next.

The 2010 Crucible king is now level with Mark Selby on ranking wins and was winning his second Welsh crown, a dozen years on from his first.

“When you hear it is 12 years later it certainly makes you feel old. It is an amazing feeling because Stuart’s safety throughout the whole match was unbelievable,” said Robertson.

“It is incredible to win. It is very satisfying when you blitz a final and play really well. However, it is more rewarding the way I had to fight throughout. I wasn’t at my best. I didn’t do a lot wrong, but I just hung in there. From 7-3 to 7-7 I had to dig really deep.”

The win ensured Robertson’s career earnings went through the £4m barrier and the ‘Thunder From Down Under’ is already targeting a bid for his second world crown this spring.

Robertson knows how he must approach the World Championship if he wants to taste the ultimate success come May.

“I think I am definitely a player who is more than capable of being a multiple World Champion. I just need to play with a lot of positivity and play matches on my terms,” he added.

“You look at the World Championship winners in the last few years they have all won it playing their game. I need to develop my style better to make it more threatening for the 17 days of the World Championship.”

Robertson is 15.00 to win the World Championship this season. Ronnie O’Sullivan remains favourite at 4.20 while Dafabet Masters champion Judd Trump is 4.75.