Neil Robertson was crowned 2012 BGC Masters champion after defeating Shaun Murphy 10-6 in Sunday night’s final at London’s Alexandra Palace.

The Australian, 29, was in magnificent form during a dominant second session, winning four successive frames to establish an unassailable position.

A high-quality and tense first session ebbed and flowed, but it was Robertson who finished the stronger, winning the final two frames to secure a confidence-building 5-3 lead.

And the man from Melbourne grew in confidence as the match progressed to complete his seventh victory in the seven big finals he has contested.

“I think that a good start was really important,” Robertson said.

“I was quite lucky to be in there at three-all and after that I think I played some really good match snooker. It means a lot.

“After the World Champion-ship this is the tournament I really wanted to win.

“My path to the final definitely hasn’t been easy but I’ve stuck to it, played some really good stuff and I’m over the moon.”

Ranked number four in the world, Robertson displayed few chinks in his armour with a fleeting late fightback from Murphy failing to halt the procession.

Murphy needed to respond early in the second session after slipping 5-3 behind but Robert-son extended his lead to 8-4 and, worryingly for Murphy, he was showing no weaknesses in his game.

Murphy made an encouraging start to the 13th, but once more his lack of accuracy cost him with Robertson not needing a second invitation when a mistake brought him to the table.

Refusing to throw in the towel, Murphy won the next frame and then produced a stunning pot of the blue, complete with screw back, on the way to winning the 15th frame with a break of 86.

Robertson was on course to romp home in the 16th after amassing a break of 70, only to miss a simple red.

Murphy could not capitalise, however, and upon his return to the table the Australian closed out the game, raising his hands and cue aloft as he celebrated his first Masters title.