Neil Robertson. Picture by Monique Limbos

NEIL Robertson said he is determined to keep hold of his Wuxi Classic title after the defending champion beat Barry Hawkins to reach the grand final.

The Australian, ranked number three in the world, stands just one win away from defending the trophy he won twelve months ago after completing the 6-3 semi-final win earlier today (Saturday).

Robertson will face either Joe Perry or Martin Gould in Sunday’s first major finale of the 2014/15 campaign – a match which will see the winner net prize money of £85,000.

And victory in the best-of-19 final would give the 32-year-old the tenth ranking title of his career which would move him level with Jimmy White on the all-time list going into next week’s Australian Goldfields Open.

“I’m going to be very determined tomorrow and nothing less than a win is acceptable,” Robertson said after booking his place in the final.

“It’s nice to get to the final of the first event of the season. But I don’t want to come this far then get beaten in the final, especially as defending champion. I want to go to Australia with this title under my belt.”

Breaks of 128 and 59 handed Robertson the perfect start in the semi-final taking a 2-0 lead before 2013 World Championship finalist Hawkins pegged back winning three of the next four frames.

But Robertson stood firm to win the next three frames, sealing the match with a long pink in the ninth frame.

Top Ranking Event Winners

1. Stephen Hendry 36
2. Steve Davis 28
3. Ronnie O’Sullivan 26
4. John Higgins 25
5. Mark Williams 18
6. Ding Junhui 11
7. Jimmy White 10
8. NEIL ROBERTSON 9
9. Peter Ebdon 9
10. John Parrott 9