Day 9 World Championship Snooker Extra

Good evening. On Snooker Extra tonight, a second session of a match

which features John Higgins and Ricky Ward. There's not much between

these guys in so many ways. Only one place in the world rankings

separates then, John, 8, Ricky, 9. Three wins each in head-to-head.

It's John 5-3 in front as we join John Parrott and Ken Doherty.

So, John Higgins breaks off in this second session of this second-round

match. A little grimace from that break-off. Not the best break-off

he's played this week so far. Left a chance for Ricky Walden. Into the

corner pocket. Is didn't touch the jaws of the

pocket, this one. Now, half a chance here for John

Higgins. He can get on the black here as well.

APPLAUSE I'm delighted to be joined in the

commentary box, and our MC today, a jack of all trades, John Parrott.

Thanks, Ken. Yep an intriguing session coming up. You always know

that you're in for a tough examination. When you're playing

against John Higgins. Ricky will be looking for a good start this

afternoon. Yeah. I didn't see the first session

of this match. But speaking with Willie Thorne this morning, who

commentated on this first session yesterday, he said both players were

in top form. A century from Ricky Walden, a century from John Higgins

to finish. But he said it was a high-quality match.

Yeah, they played only a few weeks ago, didn't they, in the semifinal,

in a tournament in China. It was Ricky that won 6-5 in a thriller.

But today's another day. And John Higgins with that Crucible record,

well, over a distance of ground, he's a hard man to beat.

I know that only too well from playing him over the years. In the

Crucible. OK, we all miss pots, but very

rarely you see him make the wrong decision.

Yeah, you just don't seem to get much when you play him, do you? I

mean, a decent shot there. Unlucky. A split didn't work out in his

favour. Yeah, when you play him, Ken, you just know every single

safety sholt seems to get matched. Misses very few -- shot seems to get

matched. Misses very few easy pots. Just an all-round tremendous

competitor. You knew when the draw came out, if

you got him, you were in for a hard day's work. Absolutely.

UMPIRE: Higgins, 24. Just left this cue ball slightly off

this top cushion. May present an opportunity for Ricky Walden for a

possible red to the right centre. He's just come around this side of

the table, just to see if he - where he can leave the cue ball so as not

to leave John a pot should this red miss the target.

Such a difficult pot. And particularly at that angle, John.

Excellent shot. Yeah, obviously you're looking at that shot, you

could hardly see any of the pockets. That was absolutely wonderfully

cued. Unlike John Higgins to leave the cue

ball there. It has to be said, we were talking about how he's

difficult to play against. Nevertheless, that was just one

really good shot. Now, he's nicely low on this red.

So, he's got to put a bit of pace on the cue ball here, try and screw

back possibly the blue. Bringing more reds into play. This could

really open things up. It has done. An excellent shot from Ricky Walden.

We've extolled the virtues of John Higgins' game. Ricky is a really

high, quick-scoring player. Very fluent. When he gets going, he can

rattle up frames very quickly. Yeah, he's nice to watch, isn't he, when

he gets in around - when he starts to score. He's got a lovely touch.

He's very fluent, as you say. He's got a nice cue-action.

Funnily enough, all his best performances have come overseas in

China. Yeah, it can happen, Ken, can't it?

APPLAUSE Yeah. Stuart Bingham, after winning

the World Championship, hadn't managed to win at home. He managed

to win the biggest one. Most of his success has been in China,

Australia, and those places. So, it can happen.

Yeah, just looking at his record here, he's won three ranking titles.

One in Shanghai, which is obviously in China as well. And the

International Open in 2014, which, again, in China. Probably likes the

Chinese food over there! Semifinalist in the World

Championship here a few years ago. Lost to Hawkins in the semifinal.

Yeah, and looked like winning that one. He was ahead, until he was

pegged back. But it was a fantastic experience for him. You know, at

this great venue that we're in, it takes on a whole different persona

when it goes down from the two tables to the one. And it was all

new for Ricky at the time to play in that situation. I think he enjoyed

it. But obviously didn't enjoy the result. But a fantastic experience.

APPLAUSE Also became a father for the first

time this year, hasn't he? 35. 36. Obviously gonna take the pink

now in the centre pocket. And be hampered for the black with the cue

ball. Having a little look, hampered for the black with the cue

the angle will be like when he just plays - probably just a little soft

stunt to go to the other side of the red. There's a couple of options,

but not maybe the one he's looked at there.

Well, he tried to hold the cue ball, put the red in the same centre

pocket. Because of that, just tried to pinch it a little bit. Just

trying to hold the white. Probably a little bit more angle on it than he

wanted. But he still shouldn't have missed the pink.

APPLAUSE That was a surprising miss from John

Higgins. We were talking him up earlier, at

the beginning of this frame. He doesn't give you much, but, wow, you

don't see many of them. Yeah, a bit of a collector's item, that one.

I don't know what's going on at the minute, but you've caught it.

Hmm. Nice little flick on the green. After the brown pots anyway. Oh, it

doesn't. So, testing blue. APPLAUSE

And, of course, he just missed a relatively simple red in theile

middle pocket. This is much more difficult. A bit of pressure on

this. It's not there. And he may have got away with it. John Higgins,

1. Well, he's had a right result there. I don't think this red passes

the red, does it, to the right centre.

Believe it or not, that might be the first blue that John Higgins has

missed. That's an incredible statistic.

He has been very fortunate. Funny how the psychology works in this

game, Ken, doesn't it? He's come out, 5-3 in front. If anything, he

looks more nervous. The significance of getting a good start in the

second session. But, yeah, very fortunate there to leave the cue

ball where he has. Make sure the phone is turned off,

please. Well, that was close. But, again,

hasn't left anything straightforward for Ricky Walden. OK.

He's got that red along the ball cushion into the green pocket. But a

bit tricky. Yeah, I think if he was - if he wasn't gonna get a natural

angle to cannon the green off the top cushion, you'd play that all

day, because it would just be basically shot or nothing. Bring the

cue ball down towards the black spot. The one he's looking at now,

if that green wasn't where it was, he would be playing that shot all

day. May end up taking it anyway. But

you've gotta be full-blooded with it.

Yeah. And he's missed that, because he's put running side on the red the

way he's played. If he had played that plain ball up and down the

table. But he's played it with a little bit of running side to avoid

the green. Because of that, he's missed the pot.

Oh, John Higgins hasn't got his potting boots on at the moment.

Can only knock this red, can't he, up to the baulk area and try and

leave the cue ball tied to cushion. ..Top

A couple of things could have happened then. Could have got a

flick off the blue and gone in, hit the blue and gone safe, but it's

come back. This is a chance for John Higgins. So, I was with you, Ken, I

thought he was just gonna play the cue ball shot and leave is tight on

the cushion. Because he's played that shot and not got it, it's a

little bit easier for John to cue. Six.

APPLAUSE Obviously trying to flick these reds

out. Couldn't have got much more out of it.

Had to make sure that he hit that hard enough, so it went at least

past the green. If he played that softer, the green could have been a

blocker, so that's why he had to do it. 12.

Mmm. Straightforward to get on either of the two reds that are left

at the moment. So, he may just take the blue, chip that in, top cushion,

side cushion, come for the red and the baulk. The one that's near the

middle pocket isn't really pottable. The one he's on now isn't at all a

gimme, but you'd think John may knock that in. What angle would you

like for the last red? Just looking at the angle he has now, John, he

could possibly take the red into the green pocket. Buff he hasn't had a

look at the double-cross, double on that red. Obviously he's gonna come

around and have a look at it now. It may be an option. No. Doesn't like

it T It's funny, because it absolutely looks perfect, doesn't

it, if you were gonna do it. I know it's sometimes tempting if

it, if you were gonna do it. I know red was more available than the

other one. If he did get that double, the total

other one. If he did get that definitely be on. That's an

excellent pot. APPLAUSE

Particularly with the extension on the end. A nice, clean pot. What

sort of an angle has he got on the brown? Can he screw right into the

red, bring it off that cushion? It's not there. 22, John Higgins.

know if this is in before It's not there. 22, John Higgins.

Yeah, a funny It's not there. 22, John Higgins.

You live and die It's not there. 22, John Higgins.

It looked absolutely perfect on the back double

It looked absolutely perfect on the It's amazing. Sometimes you leave

that to be the last one, when you've actually come perfect on a shot

before. And it's never ideal, is it, when you're sort of cutting it back

into the pocket as opposed to if it's dead in line. Listen, I'm never

gonna question John Higgins' shot selection, because it's been

fantastic for so many years. But just an option. And Ricky

fantastic for so many years. But shot. Because it isn't one.

He's just appearing a little bit tight at the moment

cue-action, John, this afternoon. He's, you know, that wasn't

particularly cued well. A little bit surprised the way he played this. I

thought he might just play with topspin as opposed to trying to hit

it with a bit more pace. Yeah. Ricky on the other hand played the shot

with topspin. Just makes the shot. A little bit more easier to execute.

He's come the wrong side of the blue here.

One ball he won't be taking is the green, because obviously that may

just spot, go next to the brown. That will stop it. He won't be

potting the green, I wouldn't think. Maybe just dropping the blue in and

taking on a middle-distant Yellow. If he can punt this and get it on

the green, this could be frame ball. Oh!

Another chance for John Higgins in this frame. Not totally

straightforward. Yellow to green position. Obviously the pot is not a

problem. It's just getting that cue ball in a good spot for that green.

Oh, he couldn't hit that any better. Cued that beautifully. Yeah, he

couldn't have placed it better. Perfect. Ricky would be kicking

himself. He's had a couple of bites of the cherry in this frame. Five.

Yeah, he was saying earlier that John Higgins doesn't give you much.

But he's given Ricky lots of chances in this frame. He hasn't taken them.

He hasn't been at his best in this frame, John Higgins. But he's

managed to find a way to the winning line in this frame. And in goes the

pink. And he won't bother about the black. And John Higgins continues

where he left off yesterday. He wins the opening frame and now leads

Ricky Walden by six frames to three. APPLAUSE

There's' very unusual break-off. Don't see that very often in

professional snooker. Usually the one where they play the running side

around the angles inside the blue. But there's none of it there. Maybe

Ricky is fed up playing that break-off. He thinks he's sticking a

red up or something. Mmm. John's covered that on the right-hand side,

he will be more than happy. It's pretty tricky down the other

side of the table to get safe off this. Of the red that's on the

left-hand side cushion as we see the screen is the one that's the

problem. If that wasn't there, it would be pretty easy to get back

down to the baulk area. The red to the left of the black

that's closest to the cushion, may be very thin, could be a shot.

I will just put this line in, John, and I'm not sure if he has that

line, possibly. Tried to cut that one in. And come around the back of

that red, but I think your shot was the right one, Ken.

It was certainly a lot better than that one. That was a complete

mis-hit. So, evidence in the first frame and a bit that neath player

has really -- neither player has really settled down.

Just got enough of the cue ball, where he can just drop the blue in.

Just coming around to have a look at the red that's in the middle of the

bunch of five reds around the pink spot, he's just come around to see,

into the bottom left-hand corner pocket. The one below that bunch of

five certainly does pot. APPLAUSE

Down for the corner pocket and considering being slightly hampered

by that red, that was an excellent shot. Good, wasn't it? Yeah. Easy,

when you've only got a side or a quarter at the ball. Generally

easier to put side on, isn't it? You're just trying to hit the middle

of the white and sometimes you can't get to it.

APPLAUSE The noise coming from the other

table. Just waiting for it to die down.

In this great awedum. As he looks back on the Sunday afternoon at the

World Championship. Meanwhile, John Higgins has gone about this nicely.

And these really are split very well for the sizeable contribution here.

He's just gotta try and tidy up these two reds around the black

spot. So the black will... Well, he didn't get out with the cue ball

high enough. Wanted to be higher on that black so you could just drop

the black in and take the red to the right, the black next, but he can't

do that now. So, maybe that red right in the middle of the five. You

can see from that angle there, it does pot. The funny thing is as

well, the set of two reds, like a little corridor down there as well.

You can run through the middle of them and you just know you're gonna

be on a ball. Funny how they're set up. He's decided to play the screw

back and screw out of them instead. Hit that lovely as well, didn't he?

Nice little touch, that was. A beautiful, little, deft cannon. He

couldn't hit it too hard, because that red would have blocked the

pink. He judged it really nicely. Starting to look more like himself

now on this frame. Got the cue ball on a string at the moment.

APPLAUSE 37.

Nothing settles you down quite as much as your opponent, given your

chances in missing his. It was important for Ricky to get

off to a good start here, in the second session. Particularly with

the 2-frame deficit. Can't be giving John Higgins chances

like this. 44. 45. Yes. I thought he was struggling

to look like the old John Higgins a couple of seasons back, Ken. His

long game wasn't particularly good. He was having trouble with cues,

messing around with this, that and the other. He looked like he was

bereft of any of confidence. He's certainly turned it around. He has

become a tournament winner again, having a fabulous season and

competing like he always did. Like his good practice partner, Alan

McManus. Reached the quarterfinals at 45 years of age. There's some

good stuff in the old boys yet. That was well played.

APPLAUSE 51. Alan due to meet the winner of

this match in the quarterfinals. He was upstairs in the Players' Lounge

earlier on. Taking a break from his usual six hours' practice every day.

And he probably has a keen eye on the proceedings this afternoon.

Between these two. He has been a top, top player, Alan.

A great-quality match player. A slight problem with the break

here. Because I'm just having a look to see if the two reds are

here. Because I'm just having a look Once he pots the red and he's on

that side of the blue, just looking to see - well, it can be

that side of the blue, just looking That's a little awkward down one

side of the table. He's satisfied himself that it is a

plant and can be made, so he's gonna drop the blue in and just leave

himself the angle to make the plant. The cameraman, I'm sure, will pan

around to see if these two were dead set into the carne pocket. They

don't look dead set -- set into the carne pocket. They

pocket. They don't look dead set. Towards the left-hand side of the

pocket, but should be OK. Yeah, he just sort of...

APPLAUSE Nice shot.

One of those bizarre things, plants. You used to see in the amateur

comps, as soon as you saw a plant, forgot to play position off it.

Just this pink to put another frame on the board.

APPLAUSE Make a nice century. Certainly got a

nice angle on the pink here. Just to nudge one of these reds out of the

way and into a pottable position. Well, he tried to, but didn't make

it. 79. That's amazing, John. He's had 40 centuries already this

season. Five in the tournament so far.

APPLAUSE Yes, as I mentioned earlier, his

game is back in fine fettle. Bottom red pot in the centre pocket

here, that would be the shot he takes. Difficult when they're in a

blind pocket like this. But not this time.

83. John Higgins, 90. Not to be. Didn't

make the century. A fantastic break of 90 from John Higgins and he

extends his lead. It's now 7-3 to the Scot.

Played each other on six occasions previously.

And it's been all square. In the latest meeting, as you said, was

only last month in China. I tell you what, Ken, that's a

pretty good record, John Higgins. 3-3 with him is very good. Lots of

players would take that record. A little puff of the cheeks from

John there! Didn't even get near a jar, that one.

Yes. Interestingly, John only missed one long pot yesterday when he

played. He's missed four already now.

It wouldn't be too bothered yet, because he's won both of the opening

frames, but worth noting. Now, Ricky, come on, you've gotta start

scoring. Wonderful lad, is Ricky. Very nice

lad. Yeah, loves his football as well. He's been very kind to me this

week after what happened midweek on Wednesday with Liverpool. He's a

Liverpool fan. Hasn't rubbed it into too much. Unlike some of our

directors! LAUGHS

APPLAUSE I can't believe you haven't

mentioned Manchester United after yesterday's wonderful result. All of

a sudden, the commentary box has gone very quiet. It's been a bad

week! LAUGHS

Ricky's just coming around to have a look, to see if there's this pink

pot into the bottom right-hand corner pocket. You can see it's

extremely tight. I think it might drop in. This shot will tell the

story. Well.

APPLAUSE Well. It's not a good sign, John.

No. Not like him at all swell. -- as well. Doesn't seem to have settled

this afternoon. It knocks your confidence when you miss one of

those. And by that much. The pot success in this session - 71

for Ricky, 85 for John. Usually generally need to be up in

the 90s, really. Funnily enough, Ricky was on the end

of one of the most bizarre statistics. Shows how wrong they can

prove you. He had 100% pot success rate in the march with Ronnie

O'Sullivan in the Masters. Lost 6-0. And O'Sullivan's 98%. Work that one

out! I would say the safety Perez wasn't too good. -- safety percent

wasn't too good. There are two balls up the top of

this pack. Ricky is coming around to have a look. There may be a plant

into this corner pocket. Just gone to the left-hand side. Can't make

them from the position of the cue ball. But he's gotta be careful. He

doesn't want to be knocking a red over this left-hand corner pocket

here. That's a nice target, that green and

blue. That's a nice target, that green and

not getting there. Wow. The red on the

cushion is a little built of a problem for John's safety. -- a

little bit of a problem for John's safety. One of those balls you could

cannon on the way back down to the baulk area. You can either play it

thick baulk area. You can either play it

which is what he looks like doing. Yeah. The trouble with that is, if

you get it too thick, you hit the other one on the way back. So, a

very unlikely mistake in the safety department.

An chance for Ricky, OK, pink and black are tied up. But there's a

chance of this initial red, try and get the blue back on the spot. He

really needs this blue back on its own spot. He's got a chance to try

and get it here, if he can, if he's got an angle. Or maybe the angle is

a little bit too straight for that red.

I'm with you, though, Ken. You've gotta get that blue down there as

quickly as possible. It might be worth a chance, if you can get on

the blue and come down the side cushion and try and play into the

pink and black and try and get some in play. Because it would be worth a

shot at it. Yeah, if he can somehow get on this

red that's close to the yellow, rather than come back up the table.

It's just gonna be so hard to score. Oh, that was a nice little nudge,

wasn't it? It's a help. But we're back to the same thing again, aren't

we? He just needs to get that blue into play as soon as possible. If he

can. Four. I think he really needs to try and

get on that red that's close to the yellow, because if he can do that,

he can get on to the blue then. He can drop the yellow in, take the red

into a black pocket, or try and take the red into the middle. He's got

plenty of options. Well, just taking it into the yellow pocket and he's

absolutely perfect now. APPLAUSE

Couldn't have come nicer. I think - I'm saying, yes, it looks like he

can just run this through. As long as he doesn't cannon the yellow.

He's actually looking to leave the angle the other way. He's gonna

leave it and stun it in and play the blue. In a perfect world, I would

like to drop it in and be lower, pot the blue and come down and try and

get pink and black in play. Well, he's doing that now. First he looked

like he was gonna play the stun shot. This is worth taking a chance

on here rment pot the blue, side cushion, come down and try and

scatter a few balls. But hopefully get pink and black in play, because

you won't win the frame without them. Well, he's got the angle, as

you said, just before the middle pocket. Try and pot the blue. And a

lot of right-hand side. And hard as you can here, really.

Still, pink and black are not possible.

A good pot, that. He couldn't really get into his position there. Just

had to make sure he got the pot, which was difficult enough in

itself. Couldn't do anything with the cue ball.

And just rolling behind these balls are really difficult, just to get

them dead weight. On these superfine cloths, the balls are so reactive

that just dropping in behind the ball collar is just difficult to do.

Maybe he is taking it head on. Attacking shot, this.

Well played. APPLAUSE

Positive shot, Ken. Yeah. He needs to get something going. A good idea

to take the brown up. He's certainly having to work hard

for this Graham. -- for this break. APPLAUSE

23. Now, what's your angle like? He would love to be just above the blue

here. Could have done a touch more, play cannon into the reds and get

that pink and black in play. I don't think he's come quite far enough for

that. Yeah. He's a bit straight and across

that red. That's on the left-hand side cushion. That red is in the way

to try and come off that cushion and go into the black, pink and the

reds. So, he might just have to just track the loose red and try and get

top side of the blue once more. 29.

Did well to get into those there. A difficult shot, that was. But he

hasn't really got much. 35 break from Ricky, but it's a very

good #35rks that's for sure. Did as well as e -- 35. That's for sure.

Did as well as he could then. Absolutely. He's got one red save as

a bit of insurance. He doesn't want to come off a red and bring the

black and pink into play. He would love to get another red safe. But he

can't from this safety shot. So, take your medicine. Get a good cue

ball and wait for your next chance. Put himself in a good position, in

this frame. John Higgins uneasily having a look

at the red on the right-hand side cushion. Possibly take that off.

That's a safe red. Wants that back in the open. Just wondering, Ken, if

he plays a little thick, he might split the reds up near the pink. I

know it's dangerous. Mmm. That's more dangerous, though, sticking it

right over. How's the cue ball? Oh. APPLAUSE

That's a result. Having a look. If he left of the cue

ball down in the jaws of this right-hand corner pocket, what would

he be leaving? But the red left a black. He's gotta try and maybe

disturb this red away from the corner pocket. And he's playing the

safety shot. Tried to flick it away and missed it

and now he's left a chance for John Higgins. It was a decent effort but

he was in a lot of trouble there. Yeah, John had a good run of the

ball, that cannon. Sometimes there's not much you can do about it. He

certainly didn't play the safety shot the way he got it. But now he's

got an opportunity because of it. APPLAUSE

And look at this already. Half ball on the blue and straight into the

pink, black and the two reds. And although he's 47 behind, if this

goes in, I think it will be a good chance. Just needs a good one of the

balls off this cannon here. Yeah, just put a line up there. He could

split everything into the play here. Oh, just didn't hit it hard enough

and didn't get a full-ball contact. Six. Really wanted full ball.

Contact on that first red. Doesn't want to leave touching ball here.

Higgins, six. Yes, he's unlucky with the split there. This is looking

like a dangerous table for Ricky. He's got a 42-point lead, which is

great. But, really, there's not a safe ball on the table. Once a

couple of safety shots have taken place, these two reds might not be

here for a while. The problem is there's a bit of tip-tap going on,

because there's a red in the other corner. Touch and ball. Well, John

Higgins not entertaining sticking the red up into the baulk and trying

to cover that red over the corner pocket.

Looks like touch and ball. Looks like the red rocked back on to

the... Yeah. On to the cue ball. What would you do here, John? It's a

hell of a situation, Ken, isn't it? I was just gonna throw the same

question to you. If you're Ricky, you're not two-bobbed, because

you're -- you're not too bothered, because you're 42 points ahead.

Because that red is on the right-hand side of the table and you

can't really move it, the only thing that's open to John, really, is just

to keep playing the tactical safety. Unless he decides there's something

he wants to have a go at. Mmm. This is interesting.

Played it with an element of safety, didn't he? Yeah. He knew he'd have

the cover from the pink. But as I mentioned earlier, Ken, this is a

very dangerous frame. This is rife for a counterclearance if you're not

careful. Because three or four shots ago, the frame was looking all tied

off. And it's not now. Every ball is pottable. So, the next red is

crucial. Just looking - it's a bit dangerous,

but you could try and slip off that red just before the middle pocket,

try and get it up behind the green. The red may come off the side

cushion, may block the path of the red that's over the corner pocket.

He's got a lead, he's loathe to play that shot. He's thinking, "Why

should I play it? I'm in front." And John Higgins is hoping he plays it

and makes a mess of it. His feather in his nest, as they say, John.

John Higgins is teasing Ricky Walden here, almost to say, "Listen, I'm

trying to force you into playing this shot." But Ricky is having none

of it. And John's almost used the scoreboard - because he's 7-3 ahead,

he's thinking, "I'm not in any hurry. I'm in front." Ricky is in

front in the frame and he doesn't want it, so it's an impasse at the

moment and there's not much you can do. He's forcing Ricky. The referee

will give them a few shots each, because you can't keep playing this

particular type of shot. So, Ricky, he's sort of forcing Ricky. There's

a bit of psychology going on here. He's sort of forcing Ricky in to

say, "Well, you've got the lead. You're gonna have to make the

initial shot to break up this sequence."

Interesting, that one. Now, if John Higgins could get thin off this and

not contact the middle pocket, the bump in the middle, he may

not contact the middle pocket, the behind the yellow. You've got

yellow, blue and the red that's above the

yellow, blue and the red that's blockers here. If he can

yellow, blue and the red that's nice and thin, he

yellow, blue and the red that's advantage in the safety exchange.

Well, he's completely And that is a stinker! Oh! He hasn't

mis-hit it. He's absolutely butchered it. Now, does the black

pot? That's a funny one. Goes to the butchered it. Now, does the black

expense to tap it in, got himself the opportunity once and just made a

mess of the shot. Well, that is an unbelievable shot.

Honestly, anything that can happen, happened in that shot. The only

thing that didn't happen is the lamp shade didn't move.

Well, if you don't win the frame from here now, Ricky, you will be

kicking yourself. 42-point lead. Reds in the open. Every chance.

He's played that so casually. I can't believe he's left the cue ball

there. That is possibly the worst shot you will see Ricky Walden play

in this year's World Championship. Boy, he can't go for the blue here,

I don't think. I think he's gotta play a safety shot after that. I

mean, what...? The thing is that you've got to err on the side of

going up the table. If you're not on the blue, you don't have a colour.

Black is in a slightly awkward position where it is. Pink is not

possible. Just a poor shot. And he's doing his best to lose this frame,

or at least give John Higgins a chance of winning it. Well, will he

take this blue on? I mean, the way his head is at the moment, I mean, I

wouldn't advise it. No. I would be putting the baulk safe. The way it's

gone, he's missed a few shots, missed a couple of chances. You can

throw the frame here by getting reckless with the blue.ise know the

game is played more attacking than it was, but the way this game has

gone, you've got a 43-point lead. Stick a ball colour safe. At least

give you an insurance policy. Yeah, I'm with you. He could try and take

the blue into the centre pocket, but, for our money, it looks like

the cue ball will be careering into the brown. He could try and take it

up into the yellow pocket, but... Well, a big shot. I don't fancy him

for this, to be honest. Not after the shot he's just played. But well

done, Ricky Walden! That took a lot of courage.

APPLAUSE Great shot. You're dead right, Ken.

That was the word - courage. Because I didn't fancy him for it. I was

like you there, I thought, "No. That's too big a shot, with what's

gonna on before." That was brilliant. That was his best shot of

the session so far. And that's a confidence-builder. It

really is. It's one of those shots that's that much pressure on it

could go one way or the other. You miss it, you feel terrible because

you didn't get position. When you knock it in, it gives you great

belief. A brilliant pot, that was. Want to pot this red, just to make

sure. Well, that's for security. First

frame for Ricky Walden. He would be so relieved, won't he,

as well? Had a few chances at it. To finish up possibly playing the worst

shot that he's played this week to play possibly the best shot straight

after. Seems to be cueing a little better

now. Obviously well over the line in this frame. Can relax a little bit.

But a good idea to clear up here. If he can. Not quite. Not quite hard

enough with the cue ball there. He's gonna pot the green, either right

around the table or check side. No position there, but he won't be

too worried about that. A little trick shot. 30. Didn't quite get it.

John Higgins concedes. APPLAUSE

And Ricky Walden will be breathing a sigh of relief. Wins his first frame

this afternoon and trails by four frames to seven.

Last frame before the mid-session interval. Ricky Walden breaks off.

Let's see if he breaks off like he did in the previous opportunity.

He's done that. Come on the outside of the blue but he hasn't played it

very well. It's only a good break. It's only a good break. If you don't

stick a red. And unfortunately for him, that's exactly what he's done.

There's obviously something he's not happy with, playing the quensal

break. Maybe the side and the cushion -- quensal break. Maybe the

side and the cushions break a bit. I've seen that before, where the

players say the cushions are sliding so much, they decided to try other

break-offs. Maybe Ricky thinks, he's not quite getting it right. I

haven't seen anyone come up with an alternative that's better yet. No.

The only problem with that break-off is you're not injecting enough pace

off the cue ball for when the red comes out from both corners of the

pyramid. There's not enough pace on it, so the red doesn't come back out

of the pack. It always stays out there T that's what I would always

be afraid of. Yeah, that's right. Now, screw back and try and bring a

few reds into play. Oh. Didn't want that. Full ball on the pink. He was

looking for just on an angle there. Great screw back. Just see. Just got

the pink too. Well, actually hit that one too

good. Hit it really well. Loads of work on the white. And too much.

A funny little shot he's left with here. These are ones you have to be

careful with. The amount of times people have lost frames off things

like this. You've just gotta try and drop into the correct red here. He's

just gotta be careful. Well, he's hit the wrong red. It's OK, though.

But you're right - they can take them for granted, those little

shots, just off one cushion. Sometimes it slides and there's a

red popping out. But on this occasion, he's OK.

John is just checking to see whether the bottom - there's three reds in a

little triangle there. He's just looking to see if that's actually a

plant into the right corner pocket. Because he's loathe to play a safety

shot down the table and leave that. No. He's just playing up here.

Sacrificing the cue ball down in the baulk area just to make sure that

plant wasn't available for Ricky. To find himself in the green pocket

here, or somewhere close to the pocket, with the pink as a blocker

Both players, last couple of shots, struggling to get the cue ball back

down to the ball cushion. And because of that, leaving tempters.

But the problem here is pink is knocked up the table and the black

isn't possible. Unless you can get back for a blue or a ball colour,

it's tricky. Lovely cueing. Lovely cueing.

Not what you could call a good chance, this. It's very tricky, and

veng poor contact with that screw back there -- and, of course, poor

contact with that screw back there. John is just the wrong side.

Black tied up down there and pink up the table. Make it very difficult to

score a sizeable contribution in this frame.

Nine. In fact, that might be the end of break now.

Just looking, plenty of distance between those two balls. Yeah. And

should he miss it, that red could come back up into the middle of the

table. Oh, great shot.

APPLAUSE Fantastic shot. A wonderful angle on

the blue as well. What a shot that was. Fabulous.

That amount of distance between those two balls, and to play perfect

position, brilliant shot. Now, can he somehow get through a

gap here to bring the black into play? Didn't fire on this occasion.

Wasn't a great angle on this red now.

22. That's a little Brucy, isn't it? Chipping one over the corner is a

big help. Just the wrong side of the blue slightly. He's doing well to

keep this break going. It's been fabulous. I mentioned it was always

looking like it was gonna be difficult in this frame, but he's

doing well so far. 27. Seemed to be getting the cue ball

cleaned every other shot. Obviously not happy with the chalk or

something. That's three times in this break already.

One good pot required here on the blue. Plain ball. Top cushion, side

cushion. Just got to guard against snookering himself behind that loose

red on the right-hand side. And missing the blue. John Higgins, 28.

It was a very tough break, that. A little bit more difficult than it

looks on the screen. Nice thin contact required for that one. And

because that red on the other side could have been a problem, it

sometimes makes the pot more difficult.

APPLAUSE That was a good shot from Ricky.

Funny frame, this. Just one of those awkward ones where the balls have

just gone difficult to score from. Well, he's having a look at the

blue. He potted a tremendous blue on the last frame. This is just as

difficult. He's got to hold it as well for the two reds in the left

corner. Oh, fabulous. APPLAUSE

Just that blue in that last frame has given him that bit of confidence

now. That was a magnificent pot. And he just stroked it in. Didn't try to

force it, just trusted his cue-action. Government an option

here to try and get the black in play. It's -- got an option here to

try and get the black in play. You might develop the black into play,

but if you don't, at least you try and get up on the blue.

APPLAUSE He tried it. Didn't quite get into

it. One of those he needed a thicker

contact on the black there to open it upment but the black now pots.

The trouble is, can he get another red after taking the blue? A big

shot. He's potted a couple of great blues in the last frame or so, but

asking a lot of things to pot that one and screw back. Yeah. I think it

might be an idea to bring the pink back up into the middle of the table

and try and get a good cue ball. He's gotta be a little careful with

this shot. The problem playing off this around the angles, but you've

gotta try and avoid cannon on red and pink on the way back. And also

you don't want to chip a red towards the other corner. He may be taking

the thin one next to the pink. Don't hit the blue. Hmm. At least he

got the red safe. Hmm. A little dangerous, this,

because that target behind the yellow is pretty big. And John

Higgins will be jumping all over this, trying to get in there.

APPLAUSE as he got the cue ball where he want

it is? You betcha. Ricky is playing the red that's next

to the black thin, side cushion, top cushion, back to baulk. Yep. Good

shot. Very good shot. Excellent shot.

APPLAUSE APPLAUSE

I think he may be just on and off on this red. Just to pot it. Come up

the same line as John Higgins' last attempt.

Looks good. Excellent shot. APPLAUSE

Left him perfect on the blue in the centre. Pots this beautifully. But

if this cue ball would have cannoned the green full baulk, it would have

been nice. I would be surprised if he doesn't take this brown on into

the left strxt it's a natural angle to take it down towards -- centre.

It's a natural angle to take it down towards that.

Looks like it's behind the green. Green ball.

John Higgins, one. OK. Maybe he just wants to keep the pressure on. He's

played that in the way, and he's trying to stop Ricky getting to the

red that's on the top cushion. Purposely left the cue ball in a

space behind the green, which is blocking it off to drop on the loose

red. I can't see a way he can get to that, really. It's forcing him more

or less to try and play for another red. And, of course, they're all

really pottable, those three. Tough position here, Ken.

Yeah. Extremely tough. I'm going to try and see if I can find a way for

Ricky Walden to get this safe. I'm not quite sure whether it's there.

He must have a way out of there! I just happened to look at the line

there. I will just put a line up there. Some sort of par between the

blue and the pink. Ricky was having a look at that earlier. I'm not

quite sure if he can get enough. Enough of the cushion on the

right-hand side to just nestle on to that. I just wonder if he's gonna

play the screw into the cushion, hit the red and try and screw back.

Well, we can actually see it. He's gonna play a screw back. A

magnificent shot. Wow. It's a great shot anyway, isn't it? What a

cracking shot that was. APPLAUSE

Absolutely brilliant, that was. The way he was cueing that, I thought he

was gonna play a screw back into the baulk area. But that was fabulous.

Very thin. Lots of running side. Excellent. Really good pot. And

considering he was in all sorts of trouble two shots ago, he's done

very well to be in this position. Brilliant, that was.

Obviously the one red that's near the top cushion is going to be a big

problem. And more so of a problem because the black is not on its

spot. It's one of those ones if you can get behind it and drop it in and

get on the black, it's OK. But it's a bit more difficult when there's no

black on the spot. Yeah, and he hasn't hit that last

red the best. Would have liked to have been a little bit closer to

this red. There's a chance. He just needs to

be between the black spot and a cushion. He needs a little bounce

off this top cushion and as close to the red as possible. There's a nice

angle and he's got it. He doesn't have to do too much. I mean, he can

drop this in. He will be on the pink, but also... The yellow is

there waiting for him. Well played, so far. But this is a

big pink. Because if you knock it in, you're a

massive favourite for the frame. Oh. I bet you when that cue ball was

running towards the blue, his heart stopped for a second.

Yeah. The only problem, just have a look at this. He just kissed the

blue, but the blue was nice and open and near that middle pocket. And now

just maybe a little bit more trickier to get. From blue to pink.

And particularly now that he's a little bit slow with the cue ball

there. Wanted to come up another six or eight inches to be almost dead

straight on this green. He's got a bit more work to do.

33. Now the problem is because the blue has been knocked down the table

a few more inches, just makes it a bit more difficult now. Brown to

blue is OK. But from blue to pink is gonna be a problem.

37. Well, he put a nice little bit of left-hand side, so he's OK.

Couldn't have played that much better, could he? Beautiful shot,

that was. Nothing but perfect. And he's done very well here, Ricky

Walden. It was 5-3, now it's 7-3. He was looking in big trouble. I said

if he could win the next two of the session, he will have done himself a

favour. That's exactly what he's done. Great long red. Manages to win

the frame with a break of 48. But he trails John Higgins by seven frames

to five. Again decided just to come off two

cushions with the safety shot. Ricky Walden. As opposed to trying to

swing it around off four cushions. Back to straightforward shot. OK,

slightly hampered by the green. Just makes the pot that little bit

more tricky, doesn't it, Ken, when you can't cue like that? Yeah, when

you don't have the sort of quarter ball, aren't you? Sort of just takes

your attraction away - your attention, away, I should say, from

the potting angle. Because of that, far too thick. But quite fortunate,

really, not to stick one of those two reds up that are sticking up on

the right-hand side. A disappointing safety shot from

Ricky Walden. He's just not getting that cue ball tight on the baulk

cushion. He's giving John a few chances in similar shots. No

pressure on him. He's bound to get one of these.

I'm surprised the way he played that. He played too confidently.

Yeah, just slightly off-angle with the blue. Six. Another good pot

required. Plain ball. On to at the time black.

So, still not perfect just to get Plain ball. On to at the time black.

ideal position at the start of this break. Three reds up to the left of

the black. The middle one definitely pots in the opposite black pocket.

To what he's gonna knock this one into. But can you get position

there? And slightly hampered? There's a couple of reds available

into the left centre. He doesn't want to make a cannon here. He's

gonna play one of those. Yeah, I think if he was cueing it, it would

have been a little easier there. He would have been playing for that the

other way. This is a much tougher pot here into the middle. OK, the

object ball and cue ball are fairly close, so you would think there

would be an easy pot. But these middles need respect.

Just that brush off the reds was -- has just curtailed his position

slightly. Can he dig enough into the cue ball

to - well, he's gonna go inside brown and green here.

It's not good. 20.

It will take a good pot to keep this break going. Down the side cushion

here - far from easy. Quite easily catch the jaws with these.

No great surprise. That was a tough shot. We just get used to seeing

people of this level knocking those in. Trust me, they're difficult. The

good news is I don't think he's left anything.

As ever with the safety shots, the players are loathe to play thick

contacts on these, because you can promote a red towards a corner. So,

all the time they're trying to guard against this. Actually, a little

shot to nothing here at the bottom of the pack if John wants to take

the loose red. Had a go at it but, of course, the main priority there

was safety of the cue ball. And I think he's blocked off a path

down the left-hand side. A tap of the table suggests he has, from

Ricky there. Appreciation of that good shot. This is what he's got

left. Yeah, I don't think he can hit the red behind the pink.

Really, he's almost gotta take the paint off the red down the

right-hand side to try and avoid the in-off. Gotta be so precise with

this shot. Well, there's the cue - there's the red ball. Oh. Wow. A bit

unlucky. Yes. That's the point we were making

before, that always worry about knocking a red ball towards another

corner. It's happened there. Interesting to see what shot he will

play here, Ken, because sometimes he can play a banana shot, a bit hard

and topspin. He's just decided to play the dead weighter, just to tap

it in. He's hit that really well. Looked like nothing, that, but took

control. Well, the cannon onto the red that's

immediately above the black here, that screw cannon in, just leave

yourself on the red. Well, he's shaking his head a little bit there,

John. I just wonder if he's come up far enough. Hasn't probably come out

off that last red. Kept the cue ball a bit too low there. And we can try

and make a little cannon on that red. Maybe that other red just below

that doesn't pot into the bottom right-hand corner pocket. So, yeah,

he's just not high enough with this cue ball here to dig into the four

reds and try and hold for the red into the bottom corner pocket.

Yeah, because of that, he's had to try and leave himself a long red in

the gap between the blue and the pink spot, for that red on the

right-hand side. So, he's had to leave himself this one as the only

available opportunity. So, that simple little shot that he

had, with the last red near the top cushion, because that's gone wrong,

this is what he's got left. 17. Good pot. Mmm. What's the angle

like on the green? Can he get into the pack? Or is

there one available? We'll soon find out.

Oh, well, that's a wonderful shot. APPLAUSE

20. A great pot. And also a nice connection on those reds, just above

the black. At least three reds into play.

Nicely judged. Just trying to leave the black slightly higher than the

cue ball, and that's exactly how it's worked out so it's a natural

angle to go back towards the reds. Finishes straight or the other way

around, sometimes it's much more difficult. But this is nice.

Not straight enough to get back on the black, so back possibly on the

pink or blue he can try and get on. 29. Interesting choice there, Ken.

As well, he's got one red he can play on the back. And he's also got

a lovely angle to get into the pack. It depends how the players see it.

Probably drop it in, loose red and then get into the pack off the back.

The way the pack looks off the back of it, coming in off the black

probably looks a better option. But we'll see.

Yep. That's the way he's gone about it. 34. Just needs to leave himself

a nice little half ball angle on this black. Because the way the

cluster is, and if he can get in the gap here, these should open up

really nicely. So, he's trying to get right in the middle of that gap

and split them up. He didn't get into the middle. He

hit the side of them. And because of that, it's gone wrong.

APPLAUSE 42.

It's not often you might criticise John Higgins on his choice of shots.

On reflection, maybe going back to that blue, he could have gone back

into the pack and maybe opened up the reds from there? Yeah, he had an

option. I just think when he got on the black

option. I just think when he got on quite leave the right angle to get

in the middle of that pack. It's a shot, you know, you can go either

white, blue or black, but really the object was to get into that pack

with plenty of pace. Still, it didn't happen.

He would have got away with it just for that little kiss on the red, at

the bottom of the pack. Worth a go as well, because the only

one you could possibly leave, and you would be unlucky to leave this.

No. Not easy. Close together, blind

pockets. But it was worthwhile having a go.

I don't think the three reds below the pink are pot, so so, he

may..... Just try and get on the loose one. And then try and split

them with possibly the black after this red. Yeah, he's had a couple of

goes in this frame already, Ken. Just guesting half ball on the

black. Both of them have ended up a little bit low. Because of that, he

hasn't been able to get into the pack how he wanted. But he's fine

now. A good pot on the black and one good cannon.

APPLAUSE Well... A little awkward. The reds

in the bottom right-hand corner pocket, he's gonna be having to use

a spider. Yes. And, of course, he's not over

the line yet in this frame. Needs a couple of reds and a couple of

colours to make sure of that. Can't do anything with these, really. Just

got to drop them in. Or plain ball them, anyway. Easy to bounce the cue

ball in and put side on these. So, just don't get overambitious. Good

shot. Played well. Nicely played, wasn't it?

36 points already in the lead. So, black will be 43. Just one more red

after this and Ricky Walden will be needing snookers. But I can't see

him going back to the table from this position.

Yes. Slowly but surely John Higgins is just getting the stronghold in

this match. 21. Hasn't been his absolute best, but you can't be like

that in every session at the Crucible. But what you can be is an

exceptional match player, which is what he is. And even when he's not

with his A-game, he's incredibly difficult to beaxt -- beat.

There's an art to winning, and John Higgins cracked it a long time ago.

29. APPLAUSE

John Higgins, 35, and a frame. Ricky Walden says, "That's enough."

Higgins leads eight frames to five. It's Ricky Walden who breaks off.

Let's see if he can make this break-off a bit better. He's been

playing it plain ball, which he has been doing most of the game. And

he's got a good cue ball this time. Well, that's not the best shot John

Higgins ever played. This red definitely pots into this corner

pocket and just wondering whether he's got the angle to pot this. And

try and get out the other side of the black to have the black in this

bottom left-hand corner pocket. Well, he's just dropping it in and

playing it into the same pocket. It's OK. One.

APPLAUSE Yep. About as good as he could do.

But that was a good pot. He needs another one. This is very fine on

this black. They look easy. Trust me, they're

not. Yeah, I'm thinking when that black

goes past the red it's gonna be very close, Ken, isn't it? It looks like

there's a lot of room from behind the pocket, but you can always make

it look like that. Yeah, and that's why he's missed the

black. He left this red to the left centre.

Trying to guard against getting too close to that red and hitting it.

And because of that, he put the black on the bottom.

A possible attempt at a double or the red into the yellow pocket is an

option. I wouldn't be leaving the cue ball

there. I would like to be taking this double on and bringing the cue

ball back to the middle of the top cushion.

He's exceptionally close to this, John Higgins. I'm just wondering

whether he can raise the butt of the cue and actually pot this. He looked

on aghast that he left the cue ball there. But it's a possibility. Oh.

LAUGHS That is a very good shot.

APPLAUSE That really is a very good shot. He

had two goes like that. He had a fresher... If it was in golf, that

would have been a foul! Eight. Just wondering, has he left

the touching ball? That was the red he potted. That was a much better

shot than it looked. That was all he could do, drop it in with that pace.

Anyway, I think John is satisfied that this red goes.

Mmm. He would love that pink to have stopped a little shorter, because it

would have been just a drop-in. I don't think that cuts anymore.

Nine. John Higgins. Not there. And because it wasn't as close as it

shoufen, he hasn't covered the pocket -- should have been, he

hasn't covered the pocket either. He didn't get any part of that shot

correct there. Well, I don't know... I mean, that

looked like it was an easy shot for Ricky.

It must have gone. He wouldn't have taken the shot on.

So, to say I mentioned it - I mean, it looked like there's massive

amounts of pocket to go in there. And he's just hit it straight into

the black. He missed a shot before that looked

like a sitter. And that was very difficult and he's floated it

straight in. Great shot, that one. Very good shot, this. You can see

not a lot of pocket to aim at there. But well played. Yeah. Nice opener.

It might suit Ricky if this pink, when he pots it, won't respot on its

own spot. It will go on the black spot. But I'm just wondering where

his next red is gonna come from. Maybe the red that's on the baulk

cushion into the green pocket. Needs a good angle. He's got it.

Tricky. I think with a bit of pace, you can miss these. Gotta be so

careful with them. Nice shot. Interesting the way he

played that as well, Ken. A little screw. A lot of people would be

playing the plain ball and dropping it in. He actually screwed that in,

which was a very brave way of playing it, and obviously a

confident way. He likes that shot. And where he's finished here is

perfect. You'd have to be very unlucky not to

land on one there. APPLAUSE

So, despite the fact he missed that earlier chance where he hit the

black with the red, he's now got the best chance of the frame so far.

Yeah, and I think when he pots this red and pink, I think the pink will

pot into this bottom right-hand corner pocket as well. So, it's not

too bad. It's not gonna be tied up, the pink. Because with the black

spot, with the pink was tied up, wouldn't be a frame-winning

opportunity. But now I'm sure the pink, when it spots, will pot into

this right-hand corner pocket. Ricky's just come around to have a

look. 20. 21. Just slightly hampered with his

cueing, if he's taking the pink there. Because he will be bridging

over the black. Got a little bit of a problem. Because ordinarily he

would like to play the pink, a little cannon, move the red that's

above it. But, of course, he snookered himself on the other one.

So might have to play a little run-through here and try and move

both the reds out of the way. That's why he played it the way he did.

Just having a look - the pink pots into the left-hand corner pocket as

well. When he pots this pink, he will just

try and get on to red just to the right of the pink and that will free

up another red. Below the pink. 34. Just gone a little bit too far

with the cue ball there. He wanted tighter control. He's gonna have to

use the rest. He's played that nicely. Very, very

nicely, indeed. APPLAUSE

Yeah, he played it. He leaves himself options of either pink or

black, the way that worked out. And because he was so good on the pink,

no need to play anything else. So, he's taken these very well, Ricky.

He knows the importance of this frame. Lose it and go four frames

behind against somebody of John Higgins's capabilities and you are

in big trouble. 42. Hmm. Just ran a little bit too

far with the cue ball. He's got the black into the left strxt gotta --

centre. Gotta be careful here. Foul. Oh. 42. Well, would you

believe it? John Higgins. Would you believe it?

He's just - the referee has just confirmed he's just touched a cuff.

The cuff, on the pink. Wow. You don't see that very often,

do you? See if we can have a look at this. Yeah, there you see it. It's

touched it, pink, a couple of times. APPLAUSE

One. I tell you what, Ken, the match player that he is and the

experienced campaigner he is, John Higgins will be thinking, "If I can

clear up from here, this is gonna be a major body blow."

I've played him in far too many matches to know exactly what he

would be thinking. Four. Try and get a nice angle on the pink here, while

potting this red. There's one safe red and that's the one tied to the

right-hand side cushion. Five. Gone too far just to knock it out

from this shot. A chance to get behind the loose red.

You can see the determination in John's face. Honestly, he is just

absolutely desperate to try and win this frame with this contribution.

It's gonna be difficult, as you say, Ken. I mean, reds near the side

cushion are awkward. But he knows that Ricky Walden will be sitting in

his chair and he will be absolutely squirming. Because he was in there

amongst the balls. Oh. Wow. 12. Oh. And he's come an

absolutely perfect angle off the pink to move the red on the side

cushion. This one wiped his feet. Yeah. Thought he missed it for one

minute. Knock three times and need a password!

LAUGHS But as you said, he's got a perfect

angle. He's gotta try and get the black on the spot.

Well, he had a chance there to move the red off the side cushion with

the pink, but once he drops this red in, it will be a natural angle to

come off the black with a loose red. This really could be a hugely

pivotal frame in this match. Yeah, if he can get somewhere inside

the circle, he's gotta have that type of angle on the black, so he

can knock out that last red. Oh! Well, a couple of reds. Avoid

defeat. But they've gone in. And this frame, Ken, is all about this

cannon. I mean, this one again, like the other one, just about got there,

gravity took over. Can he pot the black and get the cannon? He doesn't

want to hit it too hard. Just wants to knock this red over the right

centre. Nice pace. Oh! Not there. Now, he played a back cross double

and one of the area frames and missed it -- one of the earlier

frames and missed it. Will he try it again? I don't think the angle is

there this time. It may be more prudent to play a good, telling

safety shot. All about the player's choice here.

APPLAUSE He played a safety shot but not very

well, Ken. Got himself back in the frame. But he's left Ricky Walden a

chance at this, I think. Well, to be fair to Ricky, he got a

kick on that red. And that's unlucky. Yep, nothing you can do

about that. That's just bad luck. Just come off completely the wrong

angle. He knew it as soon as it was done and hit the contact with the

object ball. He knew that red was hit badly, through no fault of his

own. He might not have done it in one, Ken, but this clearance, but

John Higgins has got a wonderful chance to complete the body blow in

this frame. Yeah, only a couple of moments ago

that Ricky was in amongst the balls and felled a pink with the cuff of

his short. And it looked like he was going to go on and win that frame

from that position. What a turnaround. And of course, John wins

this frame, goes to 9 on the skooshed and that's 2 bites of the

-- on the scoreboard and that's 2 bites at the cherry to make

Yeah, how much of a detrimental effect will this have on Ricky

Walden? He won't be in a good place, that's for sure. Be hard to come

It's a great steal from John Higgins. And Ricky Walden looked

like taking the frame. That fell on the pink cost him. But John Higgins

like taking the frame. That fell on was ready to pounce and extends his

lead now to 9 frames to 5. John Higgins who breaks off. Leading

by 9 frames to 5. Stole the last frame from Ricky Walden. Two frames

left in this second session and Ricky Walden will be desperate to

win both of them. Good pot. Look to try to salvage

something from this session. A little bit fed from John there.

Knew as soon as he hit it, had to put the side on it and just, never

too hard. Chance for Ricky in the centre.

Cued nicely. APPLAUSE

What he wouldn't give for two quick frames, scoring heavily and getting

out of there, 9-7 down. Looks pretty determined at the

moment, stepping up a bit, increase the tempo. See the average shot time

from both players, don't think that John Higgins would be quicker than

Ricky, really, not that John is slow, but Ricky gently buzzes around

the table, doesn't he? He walks at a faster pace around the table.

Tends to walk a lot more than John Higgins around the table. That is

where the time is being eaten up. Yeah, played off for a red slightly

higher up. If he can leave himself a little cannon there, just needs to

cannon into the 2 reds to the right of the black. Just up on the right

of those, that would be perfect. Leaving reds on the same pocket as

this black. Yep, that's fine. Or is it? He's just had a look there, I

thought he would've playing on the bottom one. And they are tight,

aren't they? If he has a look around from the pocket itself, I think that

red does pot. Not too confident. He has to play a nice little cannon on

the black here, bounce it off the top cushion. Not too hard.

That red that is at the bottom of the main cluster on the right is the

only one he can knock in from here. He can't hold the cue ball for the

others. Yeah, this is the time to go into

the pot. If you skew into the pack here, plenty of backspin, open the

reds up and you should be on the one that's just above the black. He went

the other side instead, but it will go. He stunned it. And that's how he

lost the cue ball to the left. He stunned it but still in very good

position. Shouldn't take too much time, this

frame, the way he's going. The balls have been nice. Still four very

pottable reds. He's got a 47-point lead. He was kicking himself after

the last frame, when he fouled the pink with his cuff. He would be

really kicking himself if he doesn't win the frame from here. Just to

stay on the black, he's got an angle on the red, and now he's straight on

Straight in the centre of the pockets. It's always a nice sound

when it hits the leather at the back of the pocket, makes you feel good.

Can't remember! . . Just come a little bit off

straight on that plaque. So now he's had to force that in. And this is a

much trickier pot. These can be missed.

Good pot, that. Very good pot. Just got to drop this in and loose red on

the right-hand side. Just the angle on the blue is slightly wrong, as

you can see there. So drop it in. 67 ahead. With 67 on. So this red,

Ricky, knock it in. Should be 9-six. -- 9-6.

A great response, considering the way he lost the last frame.

Test of very good temperament. Must have been sitting in the chair, sick

as anything, leaving the last frame. You wouldn't know it here.

He won't wurt 2 much -- he it's still John Higgins who leads by 9

frames to six. Best of 25, second round match. Just

thinking with that break he plays, Ken, maybe he played John Higgins a

few times, and every time he breaks off, he leaves John the red. And

maybe he got fed up of it and thought I will play another break

instead. Can happen like that. You get some opponents who are

particularly adept at the long shots, one side of the table rather

than the other. Maybe Ricky has previous and said I won't be doing

that again. That green being where it is, has

become slightly better for the cue ball to be behind, because it's gone

close tore the baulk cushion. The yellow and green area will be where

Ricky is trying to leave the cue ball, hence the thicker contact.

Yeah, nearly got him. Because he hasn't, John can see this red

Yeah, nearly got him. Because he near the top left-hand pocket or

close to it. A big shot, though. Might be able to swing it out, Ken.

Yeah, there's a gap between the red that's just on the black spot, and a

couple of reds above there. Yeah, nicely played.

APPLAUSE Doesn't want to be straight on this

brown. Just a slight angle on it. That's unlucky. He doesn't want to

be hampered like that, cueing wise. Put up a possible escape for Ricky

Walden here. Yeah, a little bit wide. So get

close tore the blue. He did well not to leaf that red he

finished close to, because he was so far away there. Expect them to get a

lot closer with this one, now he's had a look at it.

Looks a bit better, a bit harder though.

APPLAUSE Yeah, just the pace, the direction

was OK, but just the pace was a little bit too hard and let's left

this red again. To give John a shot to nothing here, doesn't he? He'll

be definitely taking it on. A little bit of screw, go up and play for the

brown if he wants. John having a look before hand. Can you see him

taking this one on. Can he knock anything onto it, Ken?

From first glance, the only red he can knock on is the one that's right

on the black spot, almost. Looks such a fine cut, this. May be not

attempting it. What a surprise, he didn't attempt

it. Well, he's OK. I say he's OK, but there's a possibility of the red

just to the right of the black, that will pot and the red that's only the

corner pocket, it does make the pocket a lot bigger, doesn't it?

It's what we call a big hole, isn't it? Simple as that. Very difficult

to see him not potting this. You think this is a big hole, and

you flush straight in without hitting the other red. The funny

thing is, Ken, I don't know whether you can see it, but the black is

actually a good shot, because there's a big pocket. If the red, if

it was a big pocket for the red, it's certainly a big one for the

black. A good shout. The blue is a possibility as well. He could go off

2 cushions ask try to bring the pink into play. If the black, there's a

red just below the black, and if it was passing there, it a big pocket.

You wouldn't fancy John Higgins missing the black. Yep, it's on.

Well, I'm absolutely stunned. He didn't even look at it! No. , still

a good shot, don't get me wrong. He's still in trouble, but there was

a great chance to score there. He's got to be very careful here,

Ricky Walden. John was tapping the table if he

can. Surely there's enough round there to pot the red on.

A chance behind the yellow or blue though. In fact, that was such a

good shot that Ricky played, it stopped at nearly every shot. The

best that John could do was that. The only thing he had to play,

couldn't have put that any better. Our first look, Ricky may be forced

to take into the red. The red to the left of the black, it's the

right-hand side as we look at the screen, from our commentary

position, the red to the left of the black and below it, may be the only

shot he's got. As we mentioned, it's a big pocket, but what else can

Well, if this rolls off... It was nearly good. A funny situation,

this, the red being over the corner pocket.

Trying to brush down the table there because it may have gone over a few

finger marks. He is trying to land the cue ball right on this red here.

Again, this could roll off. APPLAUSE

Oh, that was brilliant! What a touch that was! Absolutely brilliant!

Yeah, definitely cat and mouse at the moment. The

Just wondering will Ricky opportunity to try and chip that

red. Down towards this corner pocket. And try to get back

Just trying to come off the red that he's closest to, the right-hand

side. And try to block the red that's over the corner pocket with

yellow and blue. Doesn't like it. Not bad at all. Clearly good from

there. Yeah, it wassite a clever shot there, a shot to nothing. A cue

ball in an area that is pretty tricky for John. If you get John

Higgins to tap the table after a safety shot, it's a good one.

There's a safety shot down the right-hand side side of the table

here, the red on the right. He can play off 2 cushions but just about

get past the pink. Good cueing needed for this though. It's pretty

fine. And that's what happens when it's pretty fine. How is your luck,

Ricky? Not very good. He made a mistake there.

Yeah, what is worse for him, he knocked the pink into a pottable

Didn't want that. Wicked kiss on the into play.

Didn't want that. Wicked kiss on the red.

Didn't want that. Wicked kiss on the the green? Looks like he can. A bit

of contact on the cushion just between the green and the corner

pocket, by the look of it. Yes, he can get past it.

The red just to the left of the pink pot to this corner pocket... Maybe

his choice, although he overscrewed that. Still OK.

APPLAUSE Not too bad. The one below is as

well. He is playing on a choice of reds there. Just woirpding if the

pinks goes in the -- just wondering if the pink goes into the middle

pocket, it's a pretty good shot he played there.

Yep, not that one, obviously, the other corner pocket, the centre

pocket, I should say. He's going back up. Yeah, it

obviously goes in the corner as well. A couple of pockets available

for it. Negotiating these very well so far.

It wasn't easy when he came to the table. The opening red was fine, but

the rest... Positional shots he's had to play here, to negotiate so

far, has been top-class. He drops this in, will have enough pace on

the cue ball just to come back out for the pink.

He's some match player, this boy, he really is. I have seen sessions of

snooker where he's played and not missed. It hasn't been like that

today. He still played good, don't get me wrong, but not on this A-game

today. But what a player he is. So hard to beat even when he's not at

his best. Try to stun this red in and have the

pink on the left centre. All the time he's... Building up a nice

little lead and reds are disappearing fast.

Yeah, this would've been fabulous, cue ball control has been xempl hear

on the break. But leaving the perfect angle to keep the break

going. Every time he pots one red it will

clear a path for another one. Nice little full ball cannon on the

red. He has to be careful here - just

going to try and hold for the pink into the opposite right-hand corner.

Just to negotiate a little cannon off the red, to the right of this

one. He didn't fancy it. He thought it might have been a bit too

delicate and that's why he's gone for the yellow. Still OK.

Coming around to see the 2 reds, left of the pink in the bottom

right-hand corner pocket. I don't think they do. He may have to,

doesn't have to get too close to the red here, may have to leave a

possible rest shot. Well, maybe the bottom one of those

2 reds does pot in the bottom right-hand corner pocket. I'm not

quite sure whether he's hit the cue ball far enough down.

Oh, no. Wasn't very confident with that one. Put in a bit of a quick

one. But still... There was a good consideration. -- contribution.

Yeah, certainly a tough break to make. A nice 51-point lead. Will be

very tough for Ricky to score here, even if they gets the initial red.

-- if he gets the initial red. John will be taking this on the go

to obviously avoid the pink if they plays this with top spin and comes

back. Doesn't want to cannon that in case he misses it. And because he's

played it the way he has, he missed the red by quite a way. Look at

where the cue ball is. That was always going to be the case. He

didn't miss it by white a way, but look where the cue ball it. Is. --

cue ball Ricky's contemplating his next shot

and you do a lot of that, playing John.

Good sholt that, Ricky. Did -- shot that, Ricky. Did well to get out of

that. And he's brought the pink back into play. Which he'll definitely

need, should he get another chance in this frame.

Excellent again from John. No shot wasted.

Too good an opportunity for John to waste. Blue and yellow close

together. Safety play is far too good to miss that opportunity. Ricky

- he is in more than a spot of bother here. Already 51 points

behind in this frame. Too loose reds and if John gets those and colours,

well, he's more or less over the line. Just having a look to see if

he can play a 2-cushion escape ask clip off it, Ricky. Not easy,

whatever he chooses here. Yep, that's what he's trying.

Doesn't want to leave a free ball behind the brown though. Nearly did.

Obviously, Colin Humphries just needs to move the ball back. There

you go, he's onto it, Colin, no problem at all. Just checking the

monitor. Not massively important, but you like it back where it was.

This is where it was beforehand. And this is where it is now. That is

pretty much perfect where the brown is. Not massively important part off

aspect of this shot. LAUGHTER

Mr Particular, Colin Humphries. Happy with the cue

LAUGHTER OK, thank you. Everybody is happen.

Here we go. Take 2. Goodness me. What a great shot he's

played there. That's unlucky, isn't it? Very

unlucky and the problem not only with... He left the possible cut on

this red. John Higgins, missed it. Where has

the cue ball gone here? Only on-Virgo can say that

popularly. "Where has the cue ball gone?" You haven't been in too many

pantomimes, Ken. Good safety from Ricky, this.

Excellent. APPLAUSE

Good cue ball, from John, that. Now into the longest frame of the

match so far. Over half an hour already. And still plenty of meat on

this bone. Could go on for a little bit longer.

Quite brilliant for John Higgins, how far he missed a few of these

long pots. Just wondering here whether Ricky is

going to play the attacking safety here. Play off this red, knock them

all out, and try and get the cue ball bur jihad and hope you don't

stick -- buried and hope you don't stick a red. You're behind in the

frame and you need some points. Well, it's a decent cue ball, but

the red over the corner, what's the angle like? Mmm, nearly dead

straight. A bit of pressure on it. APPLAUSE

Excellent cueing from John Higgins. He's just come off the table a

little bit too far for that pink. A fine cut in the centre, he's going

to take it on. But it's tricky. It's worth having a go at, though, isn't

it? If he pots it, he is 66 ahead. Yeah, good shot. And gets it nicely.

A kiss on the black as well. It's frame over. Should have to write

away for a kiss like that. What a beauty that was. In fairness, Ken,s

he's gn in charge in this frame, all the way through it. His matchplay

has come to the forefront yet again. He always looked like winning the

frame. And Ricky shakes hands with the

referee, and once again, the master tactician that is John Higgins wins

that session and he leads by 10 frames to six. Yes, 10-6 to the 4

times world champion John Higgins. He and Ricky Walden will return to

scrap it out on Monday evening. An intriguing situation in the other

afternoon match, between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins.

Hawkins has had his nose in front the entire way in this match,

leading 5-3 after that first session, and going into the last

frame of their second, 8 frames to 7 in front. A huge frame in the

overall context of the match, this one.

He is looking at the green as a possible target with his safety.

A little bit too thick. And that's why he caught the brown full in the

face. But the first look, no harm done.

Purposely running that red into the pink. You never know what the pink

might run into and bring something up. There's a red over the corner,

but looking at Ronnie's body language, I think thank red doesn't

near the baulk line has covered the path to it. He had a result there.

When he first played it, he thought he left the red. Can that welcome

Barry intent on trying to move that back

Barry intent on trying to move that red away from the corner. He decided

to play the red into the blue. Strange choice! If he's turn to have

a bit of a luck! And Ronnie said something to Barry.

a bit of a luck! And Ronnie said opponent, but I think he just said

something. Caused them both to have Oh! Not like Ronnie. Mis-hit that

completely. He is coming round to have a look at what he's left. That

tells you, he left a red that Barry can drop in. You would think... He

would play for the blue here. He's looking at the table to go up to the

baulk end and just drop this in. Surely, it looks like a big pocket

to me. Well, he made it a big pocket. But playing at that pace,

all right, you think he's bound to be on the pink, but he played it.

Possibly missable. Yeah, going to be cannoning in on the red near the

right-hand corner pocket. At first glance, you thought he was going to

play for the blue. In the end, it's turned out lovely. The baul wriggles

in. And now he got the pink back in the spot. Could be a decent

opportunity. SMIT could be a decent opportunity. Pretty reliable so far.

A lot of pressure on him now. He would be decided to -- delighted

Yeah, there is Ronnie at 97%, but Barry not far behind - 96%. Just

landed a bit awkward. You don't expect him to miss this

red in the middle, but he doesn't want a heavy contact. Got to drop it

in dead weight. OK, liked to have been a bit

straighter, but being left-handed, more comfortable.

Think the blue is available, the right corner.

Should like to get that back in its own spot.

Just go to concentrate, 100%. No careless shots. And he certainly

picked up his pace for this visit, hasn't he, Barry?

APPLAUSE There's the target. 68 points. When

he gets to that, Ronnie will need a snooker.

Yes, he has looked confident around the table. Hasn't looked tentative

at all. Well that shot tells me the blue

doesn't go to the right corner. He overhit that by almost a foot. Was

surprised he played it like that. The easiest way is to come off the

top cushion and play for the pink in the middle.

And you know, Stephen, the last time he played on the pink, I said, I was

gonna say hundreds of lucky he didn't -- he was lucky he didn't

catch the red full in the face. This time he has done, and completely out

of position. Yeah, it was careless. A poor shot. He knows it. 54 points

in front. But still 75 remaining. Hiel he'll have to put a colour

safe. Easier said than done here. Yeah, he'll be disappointed he

didn't win the frame at that visit. OK, still favourite, but you know

how quickly these frames can turn around. Now you see it, Barry

Hawkins, 54 ahead, 75 left on the table. O and a not a bad safety shot

from Ronnie. That one will surely cost him this frame. Two in a row!

Yeah, maybe just a sign of the pressure starting to get to Ronnie.

Unusual error from him in the safety department. He plays every shot with

lots of side on it. If you don't cue it properly. It beaten the easiest

of returns to baulk, in all fairness, but we expect so much from

Ronnie. And it looks now... As though Barry

Hawkins has started this very important second session, as we

said, moving day. Well nothing's moved really, in regards to the

scoreline. He is still two in front but #450e8 be over the moon with

that, going -- but he'll be over the moon with that, going into in final

session, tomorrow evening. Yeah, he stood up to everything that Ronnie

has thrown at him this afternoon. To everything that Ronnie has thrown at

him this afternoon. Yes, high quality snooker from two high

quality players. APPLAUSE

Nice little cannon. Can he pot the red along

Now, they are tough! But Ronnie will shake his hand and say well played.

Well, we've got everything to look forward to. Barry Hawkins will be

very pleased. And he will take a 2-frame advantage in that important

third one. Can't wait for that. So Hawkins 9-7 in front, and he takes

the 2-frame cushion into the decider. Hawkins trying to beat the

Rocket for the first time in 14 years. A lot to look forward to on

Monday evening. Until then, sleep well. Bye-bye.