:00:36. > :00:41.You can e-mail us at Hello on day three of the Masters,
:00:41. > :00:45.all eyes were on two players, who between them have won this title
:00:45. > :00:49.three times. But both of them were hoping a change of venue, to
:00:49. > :00:53.Alexandra Palace, would mean a change of fortunes. For the current
:00:53. > :00:58.world champion John Higgins, his record recently at Wembley has been
:00:58. > :01:03.nothing short of woeful. Having been knocked out four times in the
:01:03. > :01:10.last five years in round one. As for Matthew Stevens, he hasn't won
:01:10. > :01:15.a match on the television in the Masters since lifting the trophy in
:01:15. > :01:25.2000. Who would win today? Let's find out in the company of Steve
:01:25. > :01:31.
:01:31. > :01:36.Because as we said Prior, although John Higgins is the world champion,
:01:36. > :01:46.Matthew Stevens of course is one of the best players ever to come out
:01:46. > :01:47.
:01:47. > :01:57.of Wales. He is on the way back as well. He will be disappointed with
:01:57. > :02:03.that one, though! Obviously Steve, there will be nervous out there.
:02:03. > :02:13.Probably more from Matthew than John Higgins you would have thought.
:02:13. > :02:21.-- there will be nerves. Yes, I suppose Matthew has been off the
:02:21. > :02:25.big stage slightly more than John Higgins. Although Matthew has been
:02:25. > :02:35.having experience in the Premier League recently and that can stand
:02:35. > :02:53.
:02:53. > :02:59.kind of shot, if the red doesn't go in you can always get the double
:02:59. > :03:09.kiss. And that's what happened. He has left a comfortable starter for
:03:09. > :03:40.
:03:40. > :03:50.get the far side of the blue, and then pop the Blue Ball and smashed
:03:50. > :03:51.
:03:51. > :03:56.into the reds. -- pot the blue. But he has under hit that by a fair way
:03:56. > :04:02.really at this level. First couple of shots on a new table, you never
:04:02. > :04:12.exactly know the speed. He will have to choose a different shop now,
:04:12. > :04:17.
:04:17. > :04:27.the loose red looks favourite. -- bouncing off the cushion. This is a
:04:27. > :04:38.
:04:38. > :04:42.most of that opportunity. As Steve said, it is an early on in the
:04:42. > :04:52.match, they have got to get used to the pace of the table and get
:04:52. > :05:10.
:05:10. > :05:15.has run off there, he couldn't play off that and go back to the baulk
:05:15. > :05:25.end. A containing safety but it gives John Higgins the advantage
:05:25. > :05:29.here. Just before these matches start, for a bit of fun, our MC,
:05:29. > :05:39.Rob Walker, normally get somebody to volunteer and represent an look
:05:39. > :05:40.
:05:40. > :05:50.at this, Freddie Stevens, Matthew's son, eight years of age. I wonder
:05:50. > :05:57.
:05:57. > :06:01.if he will be walking down for real there, just like his dad. Good
:06:01. > :06:11.safety from Matthew Stevens, that is the best strike he has hit so
:06:11. > :06:19.
:06:19. > :06:29.Higgins will be delighted to see that ball go in the pocket rather
:06:29. > :06:36.
:06:36. > :06:46.than staying at the top half of the That is why he caught the second
:06:46. > :06:48.
:06:49. > :06:53.retched far too thick. -- second red. This is a tough one.
:06:53. > :07:03.Particularly early on in the match. But if he knocks it in, it will be
:07:03. > :07:14.
:07:14. > :07:24.with an element of safety in mind. But I'm not sure he can so he has
:07:24. > :07:26.
:07:26. > :07:36.just got to completely commit. Unfortunately he missed that by the
:07:36. > :08:04.
:08:04. > :08:09.proverbial mile. So I think there's he's going to be hampered somewhat.
:08:10. > :08:15.But he does not have do to their lot with the cue ball. If he drops
:08:15. > :08:25.the pink in he will be on a red. If he does need to do a bit more work
:08:25. > :08:32.
:08:32. > :08:38.with the cue ball it makes the shot option of two reds. The two reds on
:08:38. > :08:42.the top cushion, he would like to play the one furthest away from the
:08:42. > :08:52.cushion, because of course that will enable him to manoeuvre the
:08:52. > :09:02.cue ball up the table for blue or Paul can colour really. -- baulk
:09:02. > :09:17.
:09:17. > :09:27.colour. So a decent chance the way black into the same pocket, which
:09:27. > :09:27.
:09:27. > :10:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:10:08. > :10:15.will be an important part of this here, actually, he couldn't be
:10:15. > :10:21.straighter! He had the option of course of playing for the red just
:10:21. > :10:31.below the black, but if he had a nice angle, he could have gone for
:10:31. > :11:02.
:11:02. > :11:08.one of the reds in the middle of has put him in the perfect position
:11:08. > :11:18.to win the frame at this visit. He would be very difficult
:11:18. > :11:52.
:11:52. > :12:02.just this red and another black. That will put him 69 points in
:12:02. > :12:12.
:12:12. > :12:21.trademark rhythm. A couple of Waghorns before he gets down on to
:12:21. > :12:27.the ball. -- waggles. Nice pace around the table, made light work
:12:27. > :12:35.of this break. Matthew Stevens has yet to get close to the pocket. A
:12:35. > :12:39.nice start for John Higgins. Yes, it doesn't matter how much
:12:39. > :12:45.experience you've got, it is nice to get your hands on the table in
:12:45. > :12:55.the first frame. There's every possibility here that he could kick
:12:55. > :13:28.
:13:28. > :13:35.completely forgotten now. I know, it's amazing this game. He played a
:13:35. > :13:42.poor safety but as we said at the time, he was fortunate to not leave
:13:42. > :13:46.Matthew an easy opening. Matthew's long effort was a long way away but
:13:46. > :13:50.at least Matthew now knows that John Higgins is playing well so
:13:50. > :13:59.only his best is going to be good enough. So that can relax you a
:13:59. > :14:02.little bit in a way. What a pity, no century. Very convincing, though,
:14:02. > :14:12.from the world champion, John Higgins. Matthew Stevens will have
:14:12. > :14:32.
:14:32. > :14:42.not the best effort, he has knocked out of the baulk cushion -- he has
:14:42. > :14:47.
:14:47. > :14:52.not found. I think actually Matthew was a little put off by some of the
:14:52. > :14:58.photographers behind the camera, looking in the same direction
:14:58. > :15:03.obviously. And there is some sort of residue crowd in that area. I
:15:03. > :15:13.think the press photographers' bit camera lenses might be behind the
:15:13. > :15:40.
:15:40. > :15:50.That will make him feel a bit just be on this red. I don't know
:15:50. > :16:19.
:16:19. > :16:26.if he played for that gap but he would imagine he would try to
:16:26. > :16:30.disturb some reds here. There's obviously the loose red. I think
:16:30. > :16:40.perhaps into those two to the left of the pack would be a nice way to
:16:40. > :16:41.
:16:41. > :16:47.go about things. Lots of backspin on that. His wrist covering a few
:16:47. > :16:56.of the balls up, but it has worked out, he has given himself a nice
:16:56. > :17:01.opening should he cut this red in. A big shot coming up here. If he
:17:01. > :17:06.can knock in the red and get position. He has opened up a enough
:17:06. > :17:11.reds to make it a frame-winning opportunity. That is way the
:17:11. > :17:18.players look at it these days. He always gets behind the line and
:17:18. > :17:28.fries to pick out the spot he needs to hit. -- tries to. Is he going to
:17:28. > :17:57.
:17:57. > :18:07.be on a colour? He is. This is a shake off any nerves. Once he has
:18:07. > :18:12.
:18:12. > :18:19.been among the balls he has been because he thought it may get tied
:18:19. > :18:24.up. He needed to be just of straight on the blue and he has
:18:24. > :18:32.just can't too far. He has got to be careful here. -- just can't too
:18:32. > :18:42.far. He will probably try to played on the two reds to the right middle
:18:42. > :18:43.
:18:43. > :18:53.on the left of the table. Exactly as you said, Steve. Could not have
:18:53. > :19:06.
:19:06. > :19:16.it better. Stephen Hendry said at the top of the show, he's got a top
:19:16. > :19:28.
:19:28. > :19:31.16 game. Once he starts flowing he title before, he has won the UK,
:19:31. > :19:37.have run up in the World Championship when in all honesty it
:19:37. > :19:42.looked like he was going to win it that year -- runner up in the World
:19:42. > :19:52.Championship. He let a big lead slip against fellow-countryman,
:19:52. > :20:01.
:20:01. > :20:08.Mark Williams. He is not great on red, for one of the reds in the
:20:08. > :20:15.left corner. He got a bit of a kick and its slow down the pace of the
:20:15. > :20:24.cue ball. -- it slowed down. can see the heavy contact. Now I
:20:24. > :20:34.don't think he has got anything to go for. He has got a 45 point lead.
:20:34. > :20:56.
:20:56. > :21:03.Well that red past the Sheikh Hamad how the balls are situated, if John
:21:03. > :21:13.Higgins got in amongst them, it is not that part of a need. -- not
:21:13. > :21:22.
:21:22. > :21:27.that much of an advantage. The only red Matthew can get to is the one
:21:27. > :21:32.on the right-hand side of the table. He would not like to take it on.
:21:32. > :21:42.But he could play the containing safety and mead the cue ball at the
:21:42. > :21:43.
:21:43. > :21:51.top cushion. -- believe the cue ball. Judd Trump and Robertson
:21:51. > :22:01.would play it to come back to the baulk. Matthew Stevens has got
:22:01. > :22:07.plenty of cue power. He could not have played it much better. So at
:22:07. > :22:17.Matthew Stevens to the Judd Trump/Robertson list. That was the
:22:17. > :22:34.
:22:34. > :22:39.add. He is going to need another one here, John Higgins has just got
:22:39. > :22:47.the advantage in this safety battle. Matthew had a wry smile to himself.
:22:47. > :22:57.He has got two more or less play the same shots straight away. Has
:22:57. > :23:13.
:23:13. > :23:18.the tip recovered? -- they shot. -- the pot to keep the red at this end
:23:19. > :23:27.of the table. I don't think he has left anything on. You would expect
:23:27. > :23:33.John Higgins to find the baulk cushion with this safety. Just a
:23:33. > :23:42.little bit quick. But he has not left an easy safety shot for his
:23:42. > :23:46.opponent. If he was just of straight on this red on the right-
:23:46. > :23:52.hand side of the table, he could play the pot and run through. Just
:23:52. > :24:02.having a look at that option. I was thinking a run through back to
:24:02. > :24:04.
:24:04. > :24:08.baulk, but he feels he can just dropped it in. Cash drop it in.
:24:08. > :24:14.he plays it deadweight rolling the red to the pocket, you would be
:24:14. > :24:21.very unlucky if you left this kind of shot on. If you played it like
:24:21. > :24:26.that anything can happen. And it has. He holds his hand up there
:24:26. > :24:36.apologising to John Higgins. But John has a chance of this red into
:24:36. > :24:51.
:24:51. > :25:01.the middle pocket. It was another He will be disappointed to have
:25:01. > :25:19.
:25:19. > :25:26.I think if he plays off this red he can knock a couple near the top
:25:26. > :25:36.cushion. The reds now are looking a little bit awkward. It is not the
:25:36. > :25:48.
:25:48. > :25:58.John, should he so wished, could play the four cushion safety off
:25:58. > :26:06.
:26:06. > :26:12.Good choice. And still keeping the heat on Matthew Stevens, but more
:26:12. > :26:18.reds going safe. You would be happy to see that one go on the side
:26:18. > :26:23.cushion. That's the problem, John Higgins had the advantage in this
:26:23. > :26:33.safety battle, but the longer it has gone on, it takes a bit of
:26:33. > :26:38.
:26:38. > :26:42.pressure off this shot. (APPLAUSE). It is a great pot. It wasn't a case
:26:42. > :26:52.of making a mistake and the frame being there for his opponent. But
:26:52. > :27:04.
:27:04. > :27:14.take nothing away from a terrific He has got a 50 point need now so
:27:14. > :27:22.
:27:22. > :27:27.he will need three of these He wants to be straight here,
:27:27. > :27:32.because if not, he will have a problem going down for the black
:27:32. > :27:38.here. Just slightly the wrong angle. You have got to say that is a
:27:39. > :27:44.little bit careless. I don't know if he can screw back to nudge off
:27:44. > :27:49.one of the reds to get position on the black for the pink. But he
:27:49. > :27:59.definitely needs position on a colour. That was a lot better than
:27:59. > :28:02.
:28:02. > :28:12.it looked. Excellent shot. So this black, there you see it, 66 ahead,
:28:12. > :28:46.
:28:46. > :28:51.67 remaining. Get this red, 67 Thoroughly deserves this frame. He
:28:51. > :28:59.was a fraction unlucky to get the kick that ended the break at 45,
:28:59. > :29:09.but a great standard of potting has won him this frame. Matthew Stevens
:29:09. > :29:09.
:29:09. > :29:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:29:56. > :30:02.Certainly a chance of this pot, it depends on how you want to play it.
:30:02. > :30:07.Do you fully commit and go for the black? He has stunned round the
:30:07. > :30:17.back of the black. That double kiss on the red has not done any harm
:30:17. > :30:39.
:30:39. > :30:44.Has we often say, there is so much skill in this game, but the run of
:30:44. > :30:54.the balls at times is vital. For Matthew, who missed the red, he
:30:54. > :30:55.
:30:55. > :31:02.could easily have missed it. That was a very attacking safety shot.
:31:02. > :31:12.He's not quite tight on the baulk cushion, but he has certainly
:31:12. > :31:25.
:31:25. > :31:35.opened the reds up and asked a John Higgins will be disappointed
:31:35. > :31:35.
:31:35. > :31:45.with that. He's not really put Matthew in any real trouble and the
:31:45. > :31:56.
:31:56. > :32:06.reds are nicely spread. Choosing safety. Called it a bit too fat.
:32:06. > :32:07.
:32:08. > :32:11.Has it stuck behind the green? No - - caught it. There is the
:32:11. > :32:16.possibility of the red by the middle pocket being somehow played
:32:16. > :32:25.as a shock to nothing. Matthew did look at it and all of a sudden John
:32:25. > :32:35.is attempting it -- shocked to nothing -- shot to nothing. Screw
:32:35. > :32:36.
:32:36. > :32:46.back for one of the baulk colours possibly? The danger is if he tries
:32:46. > :32:50.to screw back and there's a possibility he could go in off.
:32:50. > :33:00.Funny, it wasn't the best safety shot from Matthew, but he hasn't
:33:00. > :33:10.left the safety shot which is why he is forced into playing this part.
:33:10. > :33:31.
:33:31. > :33:40.That was terrific. At that Speed -- He will be answered without. He
:33:40. > :33:50.wanted to be over to the right. End of break -- he will be upset with
:33:50. > :33:51.
:33:51. > :33:57.that. He will be very disappointed with the outcome of that positional
:33:57. > :34:03.shot. Only four points scored from that excellent long red. He has
:34:03. > :34:09.left Matthew Stevens a tent her here with an escape route. I
:34:09. > :34:15.Matthew will be taking this on. You can see the big gap through the
:34:15. > :34:25.reds, the plot into the right corner, and down the table with the
:34:25. > :34:37.
:34:37. > :34:47.Her little bit inconsistent. And when you miss by that far, the reds
:34:47. > :35:04.
:35:04. > :35:10.can go anywhere -- a little bit. A Just checking to see if he can get
:35:10. > :35:15.past to see the black, because he is not really on these baulk
:35:15. > :35:25.colours, he has overran it. Bridging over the YELLOW makes the
:35:25. > :35:32.ground a lot more difficult. -- the brown. As we can see there, the
:35:32. > :35:37.black isn't available. Very rarely use the John Higgins have two
:35:37. > :35:44.excellent chances and the only score five points -- you see John
:35:44. > :35:51.Higgins. Maybe the table is playing a bit quicker than the practice
:35:51. > :35:56.table. We saw in Ronnie O'Sullivan's came, he overran a
:35:56. > :36:02.couple of positional shots. Does not look too different to what we
:36:02. > :36:08.have seen on our TV screens, but you never know. It has got a bit
:36:08. > :36:15.scrappy, though. Certainly John Higgins with the advantage. Is it
:36:15. > :36:25.time for some line drawing? I would love to draw one... But you can't
:36:25. > :36:26.
:36:26. > :36:35.see one? The one that I think he could get safe was to hit that red.
:36:35. > :36:40.But can he get to that red? I don't think she can?. -- I don't think he
:36:40. > :36:48.can. That is the only red I can see that he could hit and not leave
:36:48. > :36:53.anything. Hit and hope. Hit and hope! Where's the red going?
:36:53. > :37:03.great shot from Matthew Stevens, whatever happens. He stuck it up
:37:03. > :37:07.
:37:07. > :37:15.between the Brown and the Green. tried to hit the red half ball. In
:37:15. > :37:19.a way he hit it reasonably well. Considering it was right over the
:37:19. > :37:25.pocket, that was an excellent positional shot from John Higgins.
:37:25. > :37:30.He would have liked to have hit it half ball on the baulk end side,
:37:30. > :37:40.and the red would not have caught the chore of the middle. A bit
:37:40. > :37:42.
:37:42. > :37:49.unlucky. -- the jaw. This is a slightly unusual break, a few of
:37:49. > :37:59.the reds around the black poor area. Does not necessarily want to pot
:37:59. > :38:22.
:38:22. > :38:31.If he were to pot the black now, it would go closest its own spot and
:38:31. > :38:41.made the out of commission. Not the perfect chance but one you would
:38:41. > :38:48.
:38:48. > :38:58.think he would think he could convert into a frame winner.
:38:58. > :39:04.
:39:04. > :39:10.judged that nicely. Perfect on the blue. Of course the black, which he
:39:10. > :39:17.will not really want to be plotting, but it is blocking that right
:39:18. > :39:27.corner pocket for at least two or three reds -- potting. He doesn't
:39:28. > :39:56.
:39:56. > :40:04.need the black. He may well pot it That is why he has decided to play
:40:04. > :40:09.like that, he is not bothered about the black being tied up, there are
:40:09. > :40:19.enough reds available. The Black may still be available but he has
:40:19. > :40:19.
:40:19. > :40:24.got a 32 point lead. He will just be thinking of the reds in the open.
:40:24. > :40:34.With pinks preferably and this should be enough to finish the
:40:34. > :40:34.
:40:34. > :41:53.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:41:53. > :42:03.Two more loose reds, if he were to clear those he would be over the
:42:03. > :42:24.
:42:24. > :42:34.line. No need to disturb the other He was looking for the pink. Just
:42:34. > :42:38.
:42:38. > :42:44.the red to go 60 in front with 59 Every time the Red Balloon is
:42:44. > :42:53.potted of course it reduces what's remaining by eight, so this to go
:42:53. > :43:03.50 ahead with 59 remaining. Wasn't straight forward, but he has taken
:43:03. > :43:08.
:43:08. > :43:18.them very well. Pop the blue here and can and the two reds -- Canon
:43:18. > :43:22.
:43:23. > :43:26.the two reds. Did not play the canon, this red obviously goes.
:43:26. > :43:36.that red had gone in I think Matthew Stevens would have remained
:43:36. > :43:42.in his chair. Regardless what had happened. There is still a chance
:43:42. > :43:52.now for Matthew Stevens. Yes, two snookers needed, but it wouldn't be
:43:52. > :44:02.the first time we have seen it. Everybody seems to do it nowadays.
:44:02. > :44:06.
:44:06. > :44:16.You get the feeling if Higgins had rolled in the Red, Matthew would
:44:16. > :44:20.
:44:20. > :44:25.Another example of a player playing a pot and screwing back to the
:44:25. > :44:35.baulk end. That time he did not get too close to the pocket with the
:44:35. > :44:38.
:44:38. > :44:42.red. But it is safe enough. If he doesn't cover this I think Matthew
:44:42. > :44:50.will turn around and can seek. He has done that. He has looked at
:44:50. > :45:00.John Higgins Ansett, "That's enough -- and concede. -- John Higgins,
:45:00. > :45:07.
:45:07. > :45:17.Midsession interval after this frame. Matthew Stevens would be
:45:17. > :45:18.
:45:18. > :45:28.delighted to level it. Not the best break. He is going to have a chance
:45:28. > :45:59.
:45:59. > :46:05.He caught it to there. -- too thick. It wasn't far off being a great pot.
:46:05. > :46:11.Judging by the pace and the angle, he was totally committed to the
:46:11. > :46:16.shot. Matthew is obviously going to go for a pot. He has got a couple
:46:16. > :46:26.of choices, this one to the right of the table looks the obvious one.
:46:26. > :46:41.
:46:41. > :46:48.He will try to get correct side of Matthew calling a foul on himself.
:46:48. > :46:58.That is what we expect in our game. He must have just caught the brown.
:46:58. > :47:26.
:47:26. > :47:36.Could not see it myself but as a Not exactly as he played it but
:47:36. > :47:50.
:47:50. > :47:56.actually it has worked out very I assume that the black hasn't been
:47:56. > :48:06.moved off its spot. John has to make sure it hasn't because he
:48:06. > :48:22.
:48:22. > :48:32.wants to know exactly where the Yes, it's OK. The red will go past
:48:32. > :48:32.
:48:32. > :48:40.the black. Matthew was only a fraction out, but this game is all
:48:40. > :48:45.about fractions. And John Higgins has looked very capable once he
:48:45. > :48:55.gets in and around the black spot area of clinching the frame in one
:48:55. > :48:57.
:48:57. > :49:07.visit. And whether he can win in this visit is in the lap of the
:49:07. > :49:07.
:49:07. > :49:14.shots where he pops the black and goes into the pack of reds -- pots.
:49:14. > :49:24.It is a fairly tough pack to go into to guarantee a result. Off the
:49:24. > :49:35.
:49:35. > :49:41.black anyway. Is there another way Not sure where the pink is going to
:49:41. > :49:46.go. I assume it is not going on its own spot. You could quite
:49:46. > :49:56.comfortably go with the red. Maybe he could leave for a slight angle
:49:56. > :50:03.
:50:03. > :50:12.to pot the red and much on the side of the cluster. -- and brush.
:50:12. > :50:17.could probably play this with a bit of power. He might use a hard stun
:50:17. > :50:27.shot with a bit of follow-through to try and loosen the reds up, and
:50:27. > :50:28.
:50:28. > :50:32.stay on the black. That was the danger with that shot, though. If
:50:32. > :50:39.you caught the reds to quick, you would drift by them, and that is
:50:40. > :50:49.what he has done. He obviously now takes on a very risky blue to save
:50:50. > :51:00.
:51:00. > :51:05.Not perfect with the green but good enough. Of course when you are
:51:05. > :51:09.putting a baulk colour safe, it is always worth taking into
:51:09. > :51:19.consideration which hand your opponent plays with. For a right
:51:19. > :51:27.
:51:27. > :51:33.hander, put the green on that side This is a pretty good safety.
:51:33. > :51:38.Couldn't have done much better. What will you do with Ronnie
:51:39. > :51:44.O'Sullivan then, Steve? That is another story when somebody is as
:51:44. > :51:54.good as Ronnie with two hands. did not realise he could get past
:51:54. > :52:04.the blue, he could sneak this red in. He has done. Now, does not want
:52:04. > :52:13.
:52:13. > :52:21.a bad case on the ELO. Could not have been any worse really. -- bad
:52:21. > :52:31.kiss. I don't think he will go for it here, I can't see it myself.
:52:31. > :52:35.
:52:35. > :52:45.can he get the cue ball behind the green? Well played. Big favourites
:52:45. > :52:55.
:52:55. > :53:02.for this frame now. -- big Matthew's looking at... well,
:53:02. > :53:07.desperation he's looking at really. Is he looking at two cushion to
:53:07. > :53:16.plant into the middle pocket? What a great shot this would be. He's
:53:16. > :53:26.trying it. Hold on to your hats! Set the video! Great effort! Great
:53:26. > :53:27.
:53:27. > :53:32.great effort! Unfortunately he has left it for John with a nice easy
:53:32. > :53:40.frame-winning opportunity. But he could not have got much closer,
:53:41. > :53:50.great try. But now, this 4th frame, the one before the midsession
:53:51. > :53:59.
:53:59. > :54:06.interval, at the mercy of the world When Ken was asking us earlier in
:54:06. > :54:12.the commentary box, we mentioned the fact that this then you may sue
:54:12. > :54:17.John Higgins more than the big conference centre or Wembley Arena
:54:17. > :54:23.arena, it is more intimate. certainly is. Quite a distance for
:54:23. > :54:29.the players to walk from the seats to the table and of course the
:54:29. > :54:35.crowd were a bit further back. I remember he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan
:54:35. > :54:42.in the final, one of the great matches of any tournament, never
:54:42. > :54:52.mind the Masters. What a clearance he made there to beat Ronnie. He
:54:52. > :54:57.
:54:58. > :55:00.did produce some great stuff at Also it would be unthinkable if
:55:00. > :55:07.John Higgins didn't go through the whole of this season without
:55:07. > :55:16.winning something. Absolutely. Because his all-round game, as you
:55:16. > :55:26.alluded to before the start of the match, his second to none. -- is
:55:26. > :55:30.
:55:30. > :55:38.I suppose from a Scottish perspective, Stephen Hendry had
:55:38. > :55:47.such a record in the Masters, maybe you're comparing the two of them.
:55:47. > :55:57.Stephen was practically unbeatable here. Or there, whereat the
:55:57. > :56:07.
:56:08. > :56:12.John Higgins has had the majority of the table time. It must be said
:56:12. > :56:19.that he is looking pretty decent on the shot. Nice rhythm. As I said in
:56:19. > :56:29.the first frame. Any pre-match nerves have now gone. That is the
:56:29. > :56:29.
:56:29. > :58:09.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:58:09. > :58:19.frame. John Higgins will be very Basically as played. I think there
:58:19. > :58:26.
:58:26. > :58:30.may be a possibility for the red to It's the type of shot that he is
:58:30. > :58:36.back people said was risky but actually the only red you're going
:58:36. > :58:41.to leave on is the one you're going to miss. John Higgins decides to
:58:41. > :58:46.play the old fashioned way. Just look at that pot success,
:58:46. > :58:52.incredible. I always say you have got to be 90% at least if you're
:58:52. > :59:02.going to win one of these matches. Only 74% for Matthew Stevens. He's
:59:02. > :59:06.
:59:06. > :59:16.got to up that. Long pop success, 22%, that is far too low -- long
:59:16. > :59:24.
:59:24. > :59:34.pot. His safety success will be not He has just about got away with
:59:34. > :59:40.
:59:40. > :59:50.Unless John Higgins can pick something out, I really don't see
:59:50. > :59:58.
:59:58. > :00:08.anything he can play here other Bought -- That was a great effort.
:00:08. > :00:11.
:00:11. > :00:21.It really was. 31 minutes since Matthew Stevens
:00:21. > :00:22.
:00:22. > :00:26.last potted a ball. It's funny that. Matthew played a safety shot. Very
:00:26. > :00:32.thick and really opened the reds. He got a good length. I watched a
:00:32. > :00:39.few more of his safety shots and think it wasn't on purpose. I think
:00:39. > :00:46.he might be slightly hitting across the ball here. He looked very good
:00:46. > :00:56.in the frame he won. But I suppose we all do. If you don't look good
:00:56. > :01:29.
:01:29. > :01:38.in the ones you win, then you are Didn't get away with it. John
:01:38. > :01:43.Higgins back in the office. Obviously the interval could have
:01:43. > :01:47.changed things but you'd expect John Higgins to score a few here.
:01:47. > :01:51.Players have the choice of either chilling out or going to the
:01:51. > :02:01.practice table. I was in the players' room for a short spell and
:02:01. > :02:01.
:02:01. > :02:11.saw Matthew in there. I didn't see John. You can go for tea or coffee.
:02:11. > :02:12.
:02:12. > :02:19.And he went in to his dressing room. Of course, he's a confirmed winner.
:02:19. > :02:25.And you can't afford to give him too much rope. He's not going to be
:02:25. > :02:34.frightening of the winning light. - - frightened of the winning light.
:02:34. > :02:44.Sometimes you don't realise and then I saw the pot success from
:02:44. > :03:23.
:03:23. > :03:33.Matthew. He's got to improve on He's OK. He can play for pink or
:03:33. > :03:41.
:03:41. > :03:51.black here. With so many reds around the black, you have to be
:03:51. > :04:07.
:04:07. > :04:14.Purposely played the cannon. He's left himself nicely on this red. He
:04:14. > :04:19.could play for the pink or decide to play up for the blue here. A
:04:19. > :04:28.slight problem if you play for the blue, sorry, the pink, you had to
:04:28. > :04:34.be perfect. But he's got down quick enough. He must be nicely on it.
:04:34. > :04:39.Black, of course, only available in to the left corner. This is a real
:04:39. > :04:49.good chance, this. He's looked solid enough when he's gone in
:04:49. > :05:03.
:05:03. > :05:09.He lost position on the black but the pink is always available. This
:05:09. > :05:19.will be a nice frame for John Higgins to pick up in this one
:05:19. > :05:32.
:05:32. > :05:39.We see them make it look so easy that you're surprised when they
:05:39. > :05:49.miss 'em. It wasn't that easy. Matthew has really got to seize
:05:49. > :05:56.
:05:56. > :06:04.this opportunity. It's far from It would be very easy to miss this
:06:04. > :06:10.break. A lot of work to do to win this in the one visit. He can
:06:10. > :06:18.certainly get back in to the frame but at this level you'd expect to
:06:18. > :06:24.win from here. He made a good start. He got perfect position on the blue
:06:24. > :06:34.but he might have underhit that slightly. He's got to manoeuvre the
:06:34. > :06:58.
:06:58. > :07:08.cue ball and find the gap, possibly Couldn't have played that much
:07:08. > :07:26.
:07:26. > :07:31.He may have the red closest to the cue ball here. It isn't easy.
:07:31. > :07:41.killed the white ball a bit. He didn't really get enough off the
:07:41. > :07:41.
:07:41. > :07:48.cushion. He was trying to look at more movement with the cue ball.
:07:48. > :07:54.Tough to reach from here. Obviously, it's a long reach, even with an
:07:54. > :08:04.extension on the cue. He wants to go for it, that's for certain. It's
:08:04. > :08:08.
:08:08. > :08:14.cutable but it's a long way away. It's a long way. He might need an
:08:14. > :08:19.extension on the extension. The two reds that are in line to the right
:08:19. > :08:24.of the black, the bottom one will go to the left corner. It's very
:08:24. > :08:31.risky, but I think that's what he's decided to play. He's had a look at
:08:31. > :08:41.it, let's put it that way. I think it goes. If he takes it on, he's
:08:41. > :08:44.
:08:44. > :08:48.got to get it. Well played! (APPLAUSE)
:08:49. > :08:53.He would have wished the cue ball would have stopped maybe a foot
:08:53. > :09:03.short she could have played the pink here but nevertheless that was
:09:03. > :09:09.
:09:09. > :09:19.a big hurdle he's got over there. It could have been a frame-winning
:09:19. > :09:21.
:09:21. > :09:26.shot. Still some work to do but less work. Once he gets a rhythm
:09:26. > :09:36.going, Matthew Stevens, he looks a completely different player. Never
:09:36. > :10:07.
:10:07. > :10:17.struggled amongst the balls. Great This wed rill put the points level.
:10:17. > :10:57.
:10:57. > :11:06.He'd be disappointed for that. Played for the red in the left
:11:06. > :11:16.corner. He will have to play it in the left middle. It's left middle.
:11:16. > :11:21.
:11:21. > :11:31.If he pots it, it should be on the black. But it will be tricky. He's
:11:31. > :11:38.
:11:38. > :11:47.got it. He's down quick. It must be 13 points the lead. And two reds
:11:47. > :11:57.and two blacks would put him in the snooker's required stage. It will
:11:57. > :12:09.
:12:09. > :12:19.A bit too straight, yes. But he's played a beautiful shot. A deep
:12:19. > :12:23.
:12:23. > :12:27.screw. He's overstretching. The red and the black needed. It's there.
:12:27. > :12:37.Great shot. There was lots of pressure on that one. And this to
:12:37. > :12:40.
:12:40. > :12:50.go 29 points in front with just 27 remaining. Well played. He needed
:12:50. > :13:03.
:13:03. > :13:13.to take that opportunity and he has. His back was to the wall and this
:13:13. > :13:15.
:13:15. > :13:24.is a tremendous reply. He's done well to take this. The pink was far
:13:24. > :13:29.enough at speed. What a difference 4-1 or 3-2 makes. That's careless,
:13:29. > :13:34.isn't it? That's careless. He wasn't trying to do a lot with the
:13:34. > :13:40.green. OK. Two snookers needed but the frame should have been over. If
:13:40. > :13:50.he had potted the green, John Higgins wouldn't be coming back to
:13:50. > :13:58.
:13:58. > :14:08.the table. Very good snooker. wants to play with speed, he has to
:14:08. > :14:16.find a route where he doesn't miss the ball. Dangerous if he is
:14:16. > :14:26.playing with speed. The problem is, if he doesn't play with speed, he
:14:26. > :14:34.
:14:34. > :14:39.I know we think the frame is over and a couple of snookers needed,
:14:39. > :14:44.but you're never certain to be over and that's another excellent
:14:44. > :14:49.snooker from John Higgins. That really is. Actually, it's debatable
:14:49. > :14:59.whether going off the side cushion is the best route here. Straight up
:14:59. > :15:05.
:15:06. > :15:15.That's the way I prefer to play. Straight up and down is better for
:15:16. > :15:20.
:15:20. > :15:27.All of a sudden the easy green he missed, when he didn't think it was
:15:28. > :15:37.important, has turned around to bite him. This was the green. He
:15:38. > :16:07.
:16:07. > :16:13.just makes certain of that. That's It's a big swerve. The problem is
:16:13. > :16:22.now he's got all these negative thoughts in his head. Little pocket
:16:22. > :16:32.may be in the way for off the left side cushion. This is a big swerve.
:16:32. > :16:37.
:16:37. > :16:42.Ken was explaining this in the interval. Well played indeed.
:16:42. > :16:48.Theioid of that shot is to not hit it too hard. If you don't hit it
:16:48. > :16:55.too hard you get more chance for the spin to grip on the cloth. The
:16:55. > :17:01.spin wouldn't have had time to come in to effect if he had hit it hard.
:17:01. > :17:06.But one snooker and John Higgins is the master at this. Purposely
:17:06. > :17:16.potting the green. And he could play a good safety shot on the
:17:16. > :17:18.
:17:18. > :17:28.green or get the snooker. snookering ball is going to be the
:17:28. > :17:50.
:17:50. > :18:00.The one thing you must do is make I would suggest this is a frame
:18:00. > :18:05.
:18:05. > :18:15.that could have got away. I think that was a relief the way he bashed
:18:15. > :18:29.
:18:29. > :18:38.the ball in. John Higgins will have been a bit disappointed to have
:18:38. > :18:42.lost this frame. He made an excellent break of 65. He's had a
:18:42. > :18:47.few nervous moments since but that's what he needed to do. Win
:18:47. > :18:57.the first frame up to the mid- session interval. Right back in it
:18:57. > :18:57.
:18:57. > :19:39.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:19:39. > :19:49.I sometimes wonder whether the break-off shot isn't a poisoned
:19:49. > :19:52.
:19:52. > :19:56.chalice. This is a fine line at this level. That was a good break-
:19:57. > :20:06.off from Matthew but one good pot and there's nothing he can do now.
:20:07. > :20:30.
:20:30. > :20:38.He's just got to sit in his seat A nicely controlled pot by John
:20:38. > :20:45.Higgins. Also an element of safety in that had he have missed it. The
:20:45. > :20:53.reds are not tightly packed. But it would be very easy to come unstuck
:20:53. > :21:00.here. A nice stun in to them perhaps. Nudging a ball out at the
:21:00. > :21:10.moment. That was nicely done. it was. And in playing this, he may
:21:10. > :21:12.
:21:12. > :21:22.be able to nudge a few more open. That's the fourth red and this is
:21:22. > :21:31.
:21:32. > :21:39.Of course, every player has his own way of going about disturbing reds
:21:39. > :21:44.and opening up the pack. Some like to courier in to them. John Higgins
:21:44. > :21:54.in this instance has so far just nudged a few out. A very difficult
:21:54. > :21:56.
:21:56. > :22:02.thing to teach. Every pack of reds Obviously, if you don't go in to
:22:02. > :22:08.them hard, like John did with that last black, at some stage you have
:22:08. > :22:18.to disturb them again. So I do think the modern day way of the
:22:18. > :22:24.
:22:24. > :22:34.first chance you get to smash them Now the opportunity he's been
:22:34. > :22:35.
:22:35. > :22:42.waiting for - pot the blue, cannon the pink full in the face. Just
:22:42. > :22:52.didn't catch the pink full enough. And it's not perfect that. A bit of
:22:52. > :22:57.
:22:57. > :23:03.He's not happy with that one. A tough shot coming up now. And he
:23:03. > :23:07.knows that Matthew Stevens is there ready and waiting should he make a
:23:07. > :23:17.mistake. And after messing up a break in the last frame, that's
:23:17. > :23:27.
:23:27. > :23:33.even a bit more pressure on this. He's got away with it, or has he? A
:23:33. > :23:43.very thin cut. He may be hampered by the red. It looks like a safety
:23:43. > :23:51.
:23:51. > :24:00.shot. Can he get past the black here? I think the problem is he has
:24:00. > :24:08.to put the right-hand side on which makes the pot a bit harder, really.
:24:08. > :24:15.Could square the red up. In the end he decided against it. Just need to
:24:15. > :24:25.run on a fraction. That's pretty good. I think John's got an escape
:24:25. > :24:39.
:24:39. > :24:45.Well, I don't think he's got the snooker. He can just get through to
:24:45. > :24:55.the edge of this red. He needs to be careful he doesn't knock the red
:24:55. > :25:23.
:25:23. > :25:28.over the corner here. If it misses That's about the best you could do
:25:28. > :25:36.with that. So no real pressure on Matthew Stevens. He's got a chance
:25:36. > :25:42.to play a good safety. I'm just wondering whether he will think
:25:42. > :25:47.about the pot here. It may go. only problem with this type of shot
:25:47. > :25:57.is because it's slightly more than half ball, if you miss it, the red
:25:57. > :26:26.
:26:26. > :26:36.could go back up the table with the Well, that's an excellent shot.
:26:36. > :26:48.
:26:48. > :26:54.That was so difficult. He could not Well, the safety shot goes astray
:26:54. > :26:59.from Matthew Stevens. Has he done any damage? On thirst glance, no,
:26:59. > :27:05.until you see -- first glance, no, until you see what John Higgins is
:27:05. > :27:15.lining up. I would say this is no worse than 75-25 he gets it.
:27:15. > :27:19.
:27:19. > :27:25.Perhaps more of a certainty he gets He would be very disappointed with
:27:25. > :27:30.the positional side of that. Especially if he considered it was
:27:30. > :27:40.nailed on as a pot. But he has got the yellow in to the middle. May be
:27:40. > :27:46.
:27:46. > :27:56.I guess he just needs any sort of angle on this yellow. And he's just
:27:56. > :27:59.
:27:59. > :28:03.He forced the angle more than anything. It was a very good
:28:03. > :28:09.accurate pot. Once again, we talk about heavy contact but when you
:28:09. > :28:14.hit the ball at that pace, the cue ball will be there. And the object
:28:14. > :28:21.ball and it's a bit close to the cushion for comfort here. This is
:28:21. > :28:27.very missable. He has choices of reds. Running to the middle.
:28:27. > :28:37.Running to the corner. Middle pocket is more open. That's why
:28:37. > :29:06.
:29:06. > :29:14.He's on the black. He'll take it if The frame at his mercy now. 45
:29:14. > :29:19.ahead. 83 remaining, but not for long. He missed the red earlier in
:29:19. > :29:29.the frame and he didn't leave Matthew Stevens a nice opening one,
:29:29. > :29:29.
:29:29. > :30:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:30:25. > :30:30.otherwise we could be looking at 3- He hasn't developed anything, so I
:30:30. > :30:40.don't think this break, unless he cuts the red back in, the frame
:30:40. > :30:41.
:30:41. > :30:51.well and truly over now, of course. 74 points in front. 59 left. John
:30:51. > :31:22.
:31:23. > :31:32.Higgins opens up a two-frame My wife is big in to star signs. I
:31:33. > :31:46.
:31:47. > :31:56.don't show the nerves. I always love to play. I ate too many crisps
:31:57. > :31:57.
:31:57. > :32:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:32:45. > :32:55.John Higgins gets frame 7 under way. And he sat next to the scorer. Mark
:32:55. > :33:14.
:33:14. > :33:20.Allen is trying to get a feel for this new venue. Beautiful. Not
:33:20. > :33:30.lacking cue power is Matthew Stevens. Missable brown in to the
:33:30. > :33:30.
:33:30. > :34:17.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:34:17. > :34:22.A bit of pressure on this one. But Do you know what causes that? It's
:34:22. > :34:27.been a failure of the snooker player ever since it began. You're
:34:27. > :34:32.playing one and you put a trace aside and you think you're going to
:34:32. > :34:42.help it. He's put a trace on the left-hand side and pushed it in.
:34:42. > :34:50.
:34:50. > :34:54.Only a fraction but it caused him to miss the pot. Looks like John
:34:54. > :35:04.Higgins has not left an easy red. I think Matthew Stevens will be happy
:35:04. > :35:04.
:35:04. > :36:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:36:08. > :36:15.to be back at the table and that The idea was to screw the cue ball.
:36:15. > :36:20.He's just about worked it. really was a most fantastic shot.
:36:20. > :36:24.He was in all sorts of trouble. It would have been considered to be
:36:24. > :36:31.very unfortunate had the double kiss had stuffed the red up. He got
:36:31. > :36:41.away with it but deserved it. It's those types of shots as a top-class
:36:41. > :36:45.player you need to understand. It's He may have put Matthew in a bit of
:36:45. > :36:53.trouble. I'm sure he can get roun the back of this red to the left --
:36:53. > :37:03.round the back of this red to the left. It's not as much trouble as
:37:03. > :37:32.
:37:32. > :37:42.That was one of the best safety shots Matthew has played so far
:37:42. > :37:43.
:37:43. > :37:49.this afternoon. John Higgins It makes it tough. Even though
:37:49. > :37:59.players are so good off the cushion, when you do get the ball tight on
:37:59. > :38:16.
:38:17. > :38:25.the cushion it does make the safety It was a decent effort there. I
:38:25. > :38:35.think he can find a pot for the cue ball. So it may tempt him to take
:38:35. > :39:10.
:39:10. > :39:17.Nicely. He will be lucky enough not He can hit the cue ball a bit
:39:17. > :39:24.harder. Others like to play with top spin and roll on to it. He's
:39:24. > :39:30.playing the two-cushion escape. I think I would have tried to come
:39:30. > :39:40.off two cushions and maybe nestle on the red here. Give that a chance
:39:40. > :40:07.
:40:07. > :40:17.He got down pretty quickly on the shot. I think it was very
:40:17. > :40:29.
:40:29. > :40:37.He could have gone the other side. And made the angle. But I think his
:40:37. > :40:43.choice was, as you say, adventurous. It could be very costly. Trouble is,
:40:43. > :40:53.Hawkeye doesn't know that the cushions slide. Now he knows
:40:53. > :40:56.
:40:56. > :41:02.Won't be too happy with that. Mainly because when he pots the
:41:02. > :41:12.black he can't afford to run in to the red to the left of it. Can he
:41:12. > :41:18.control the cue ball? Well, ited to stay there for an age -- it seemed
:41:18. > :41:28.to stay there for an age. Gravity took over in the end and he's on
:41:28. > :41:34.
:41:34. > :41:40.the red. Well, I have noticed on a few of these star tables that it
:41:40. > :41:43.does appear like a fall of the slate is not as sharp as it has
:41:43. > :41:49.been on occasion during tournaments. When the fall of the slate is made
:41:49. > :41:56.with the slate, it can be very, very sharp or rounded a fraction.
:41:56. > :42:06.It makes a big difference how the ball gives up and drops in. You can
:42:06. > :42:33.
:42:33. > :42:43.do a whole feature on it. Very Always one from away from victory
:42:43. > :42:43.
:42:43. > :42:53.in this -- frame away from victory in this context. He would be a bit
:42:53. > :43:08.
:43:08. > :43:17.I'm not counting out the big matches yet. But he needs to raise
:43:17. > :43:27.his game and quickly. And that 79% pot success just isn't good enough
:43:27. > :43:27.
:43:27. > :44:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:44:08. > :44:18.Overran the cue ball. So a change So one good pot gets him over the
:44:18. > :44:25.
:44:25. > :44:35.line, really. He's looking for the red yellow. This black to go 59
:44:35. > :44:35.
:44:35. > :45:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:45:25. > :45:34.Not quite there. He couldn't succeed. John Higgins with two
:45:35. > :45:49.
:45:49. > :45:59.visits has won that frame The cue ball is not there. It could
:45:59. > :46:18.
:46:18. > :46:24.He doesn't let you down often with that type of shot, John Higgins.
:46:24. > :46:29.Matthew Stevens was very frustrated with the break-off. Safety has not
:46:29. > :46:34.been up to scratch. He will be disappointed with the accuracy on
:46:34. > :46:44.those types of shots. You really have to keep a player like John
:46:44. > :46:57.
:46:57. > :47:01.Higgins nailed to the bottom He's playing it with a trace of
:47:01. > :47:07.left-hand side. He may have pushed it in. There's a bit of movement
:47:07. > :47:17.there in the cue. I think that's where he's been doing a lot of his
:47:17. > :47:21.
:47:21. > :47:26.He's worked very hard to get back in the top 16. That's earned him a
:47:26. > :47:36.place at the Masters this year. That isn't the end of it, is it?
:47:36. > :48:10.
:48:10. > :48:20.He's got to play well. Because now In a situation like this, the blue
:48:20. > :48:38.
:48:38. > :48:48.would be a nice ball to break open Not marvellous but one has poked
:48:48. > :48:50.
:48:50. > :48:57.its nose out. Flicked off more than Anyway, he's got a red on. He's got
:48:57. > :49:07.a bit to do with the cue ball. Maybe stun around the back of the
:49:07. > :49:11.
:49:11. > :49:21.black. Where is this red ball going? Well, he can't believe it.
:49:21. > :49:27.
:49:27. > :49:37.That's the last thing he needed. The dreaded fluke. It would be a
:49:37. > :50:02.
:50:02. > :50:08.killer blow. John did the Hawnable He didn't make the most of it.
:50:08. > :50:18.opened up all the reds. He has a 30-point lead. Matthew has got to
:50:18. > :50:30.
:50:30. > :50:40.He needs a good safety here. Coming up to 17 minutes since he last
:50:40. > :50:45.
:50:46. > :50:55.potted a ball, Matthew. There's a little gap in between the reds
:50:56. > :51:02.
:51:02. > :51:12.there. If he takes it on, he's got to get it. He may be thinking that
:51:12. > :51:12.
:51:12. > :52:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds
:52:02. > :52:06.could be his last shot in the It's looking like a very
:52:06. > :52:16.comfortable path through to the next round for John Higgins here.
:52:16. > :52:39.
:52:39. > :52:49.Not something you always get at the One good pot away. Lost position
:52:49. > :52:59.
:52:59. > :53:09.slightly. You'd expect him to get You can always tell when a player
:53:09. > :53:15.
:53:15. > :53:25.is a bit edgy. They hit it a bit harder than is necessary. A last
:53:25. > :53:27.
:53:27. > :53:37.If the black had been on the start, it would have been a realistic
:53:37. > :53:40.
:53:40. > :53:46.chance. It's a bit harder that because of the situation. This is
:53:46. > :53:50.more of a risk. Would you want to risk playing for the black? In an
:53:50. > :53:56.ideal world, that's where the difference is between the practice
:53:56. > :54:06.table and the competition. If he was in the Snooker clun -- snooker
:54:06. > :54:07.
:54:07. > :54:17.club now, you'd play for the black all day long. He doesn't wants to
:54:17. > :54:49.
:54:49. > :54:57.Quite a way out there. He will be upset with that. And that could be
:54:57. > :55:06.his last chance. I don't think he's got away with it. He's left a nice
:55:06. > :55:13.easy chance for John Higgins. He comes to the table with a 29-point
:55:13. > :55:19.lead. And the reds couldn't be in a better place to clinch set, frame
:55:19. > :55:24.and match. He's on the comeback trail. It's great to see him back
:55:24. > :55:34.here. He will have to sharpen up his match play a little bit more
:55:34. > :55:53.
:55:53. > :56:03.for me. He's got all the ability in the world. So 43 ahead. 51
:56:03. > :56:29.
:56:29. > :56:32.What we've got here is what we expect from John Higgins - a
:56:32. > :56:42.professional performance. Taking advantage of his opponent's
:56:42. > :56:43.
:56:43. > :56:53.mistakes and that's what he does. You can't argue from this
:56:53. > :56:59.
:56:59. > :57:04.performance. He will be pleased. He As we saw in the world championship
:57:04. > :57:14.final, when the other man does start to play well against him, he
:57:14. > :57:20.
:57:20. > :57:25.can always go up a gear. But that's it. John Higgins very professional.
:57:25. > :57:35.He is delighted. Didn't use too much excess energy as he goes
:57:35. > :57:36.
:57:36. > :57:38.through to the quarterfinal a 6-2 winner. Normally I manage to get
:57:38. > :57:48.winner. Normally I manage to get going. It's a big win because I've
:57:48. > :57:49.
:57:49. > :57:58.lost 10 first rounds. It's good to win. I enjoyed playing here. It's a
:57:58. > :58:03.great venue. It was really good. It's not the same atmosphere as
:58:03. > :58:10.Wembley, but I don't think anywhere can generate that. But it was great,
:58:10. > :58:20.great to play there today. I missed a bad pink. It could have been a
:58:20. > :58:21.
:58:21. > :58:29.big turning point. Luckily for me I got up the next couple of frames.
:58:29. > :58:37.There were a couple of mistakes to close the frame out. I played OK.
:58:37. > :58:43.Would you believe that's John Higgins's first victory at the