Wuxi Classic 2014: Neil Robertson beats Joe Perry in final

Neil Robertson made breaks of 87 and 78 in the last two frames to win

Neil Robertson beat Joe Perry 10-9 to successfully defend the Wuxi Classic in China in the first snooker ranking event of the season.

The thrilling final saw Robertson, 32, recover from 9-8 down to claim the £85,000 top prize.

It is the Australian's 10th ranking title of his career, which puts him level with Jimmy White at seventh on the all-time winners' list.

A tearful Robertson said: "At the end I was really emotional."

He told WorldSnooker.com: "Maybe people thought it was because I'd won, but in fact it was for Joe as he was there at the start of my career.

"He should be winning tournaments and hopefully this experience will help him push on and win a big one and get into the world's top 10 where he belongs."

Perry, ranked 15th, had been bidding for only his second tournament victory.

World number three Robertson, who earlier in the week criticised the "unpredictable" playing conditions in China, lost the opening three frames to the 39-year-old Englishman.

Perry also held 5-3, 6-5 and 9-8 leads, before Robertson compiled breaks of 87 and 78 in the last two frames to take the title.

"So happy to win the final but without Joe Perry I would not be where I am today," tweeted Robertson. "He is a great friend and an all round class guy."

Perry said he was "too distraught" to take any positives from his performance.

"Neil showed his class," Perry said. "He showed why he's probably the best player in the world and one of the hardest to beat.

"In a few days time I'll be pleased with what I've done this week, but at the moment I'm absolutely gutted."