Day 3 Masters Snooker Extra

You can e-mail us at Hello on day three of the Masters,

all eyes were on two players, who between them have won this title

three times. But both of them were hoping a change of venue, to

Alexandra Palace, would mean a change of fortunes. For the current

world champion John Higgins, his record recently at Wembley has been

nothing short of woeful. Having been knocked out four times in the

last five years in round one. As for Matthew Stevens, he hasn't won

a match on the television in the Masters since lifting the trophy in

2000. Who would win today? Let's find out in the company of Steve

Because as we said Prior, although John Higgins is the world champion,

Matthew Stevens of course is one of the best players ever to come out

of Wales. He is on the way back as well. He will be disappointed with

that one, though! Obviously Steve, there will be nervous out there.

Probably more from Matthew than John Higgins you would have thought.

-- there will be nerves. Yes, I suppose Matthew has been off the

big stage slightly more than John Higgins. Although Matthew has been

having experience in the Premier League recently and that can stand

kind of shot, if the red doesn't go in you can always get the double

kiss. And that's what happened. He has left a comfortable starter for

get the far side of the blue, and then pop the Blue Ball and smashed

into the reds. -- pot the blue. But he has under hit that by a fair way

really at this level. First couple of shots on a new table, you never

exactly know the speed. He will have to choose a different shop now,

the loose red looks favourite. -- bouncing off the cushion. This is a

most of that opportunity. As Steve said, it is an early on in the

match, they have got to get used to the pace of the table and get

has run off there, he couldn't play off that and go back to the baulk

end. A containing safety but it gives John Higgins the advantage

here. Just before these matches start, for a bit of fun, our MC,

Rob Walker, normally get somebody to volunteer and represent an look

at this, Freddie Stevens, Matthew's son, eight years of age. I wonder

if he will be walking down for real there, just like his dad. Good

safety from Matthew Stevens, that is the best strike he has hit so

Higgins will be delighted to see that ball go in the pocket rather

than staying at the top half of the That is why he caught the second

retched far too thick. -- second red. This is a tough one.

Particularly early on in the match. But if he knocks it in, it will be

with an element of safety in mind. But I'm not sure he can so he has

just got to completely commit. Unfortunately he missed that by the

proverbial mile. So I think there's he's going to be hampered somewhat.

But he does not have do to their lot with the cue ball. If he drops

the pink in he will be on a red. If he does need to do a bit more work

with the cue ball it makes the shot option of two reds. The two reds on

the top cushion, he would like to play the one furthest away from the

cushion, because of course that will enable him to manoeuvre the

cue ball up the table for blue or Paul can colour really. -- baulk

colour. So a decent chance the way black into the same pocket, which

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

will be an important part of this here, actually, he couldn't be

straighter! He had the option of course of playing for the red just

below the black, but if he had a nice angle, he could have gone for

one of the reds in the middle of has put him in the perfect position

to win the frame at this visit. He would be very difficult

just this red and another black. That will put him 69 points in

trademark rhythm. A couple of Waghorns before he gets down on to

the ball. -- waggles. Nice pace around the table, made light work

of this break. Matthew Stevens has yet to get close to the pocket. A

nice start for John Higgins. Yes, it doesn't matter how much

experience you've got, it is nice to get your hands on the table in

the first frame. There's every possibility here that he could kick

completely forgotten now. I know, it's amazing this game. He played a

poor safety but as we said at the time, he was fortunate to not leave

Matthew an easy opening. Matthew's long effort was a long way away but

at least Matthew now knows that John Higgins is playing well so

only his best is going to be good enough. So that can relax you a

little bit in a way. What a pity, no century. Very convincing, though,

from the world champion, John Higgins. Matthew Stevens will have

not the best effort, he has knocked out of the baulk cushion -- he has

not found. I think actually Matthew was a little put off by some of the

photographers behind the camera, looking in the same direction

obviously. And there is some sort of residue crowd in that area. I

think the press photographers' bit camera lenses might be behind the

That will make him feel a bit just be on this red. I don't know

if he played for that gap but he would imagine he would try to

disturb some reds here. There's obviously the loose red. I think

perhaps into those two to the left of the pack would be a nice way to

go about things. Lots of backspin on that. His wrist covering a few

of the balls up, but it has worked out, he has given himself a nice

opening should he cut this red in. A big shot coming up here. If he

can knock in the red and get position. He has opened up a enough

reds to make it a frame-winning opportunity. That is way the

players look at it these days. He always gets behind the line and

fries to pick out the spot he needs to hit. -- tries to. Is he going to

be on a colour? He is. This is a shake off any nerves. Once he has

been among the balls he has been because he thought it may get tied

up. He needed to be just of straight on the blue and he has

just can't too far. He has got to be careful here. -- just can't too

far. He will probably try to played on the two reds to the right middle

on the left of the table. Exactly as you said, Steve. Could not have

it better. Stephen Hendry said at the top of the show, he's got a top

16 game. Once he starts flowing he title before, he has won the UK,

have run up in the World Championship when in all honesty it

looked like he was going to win it that year -- runner up in the World

Championship. He let a big lead slip against fellow-countryman,

Mark Williams. He is not great on red, for one of the reds in the

left corner. He got a bit of a kick and its slow down the pace of the

cue ball. -- it slowed down. can see the heavy contact. Now I

don't think he has got anything to go for. He has got a 45 point lead.

Well that red past the Sheikh Hamad how the balls are situated, if John

Higgins got in amongst them, it is not that part of a need. -- not

that much of an advantage. The only red Matthew can get to is the one

on the right-hand side of the table. He would not like to take it on.

But he could play the containing safety and mead the cue ball at the

top cushion. -- believe the cue ball. Judd Trump and Robertson

would play it to come back to the baulk. Matthew Stevens has got

plenty of cue power. He could not have played it much better. So at

Matthew Stevens to the Judd Trump/Robertson list. That was the

add. He is going to need another one here, John Higgins has just got

the advantage in this safety battle. Matthew had a wry smile to himself.

He has got two more or less play the same shots straight away. Has

the tip recovered? -- they shot. -- the pot to keep the red at this end

of the table. I don't think he has left anything on. You would expect

John Higgins to find the baulk cushion with this safety. Just a

little bit quick. But he has not left an easy safety shot for his

opponent. If he was just of straight on this red on the right-

hand side of the table, he could play the pot and run through. Just

having a look at that option. I was thinking a run through back to

baulk, but he feels he can just dropped it in. Cash drop it in.

he plays it deadweight rolling the red to the pocket, you would be

very unlucky if you left this kind of shot on. If you played it like

that anything can happen. And it has. He holds his hand up there

apologising to John Higgins. But John has a chance of this red into

the middle pocket. It was another He will be disappointed to have

I think if he plays off this red he can knock a couple near the top

cushion. The reds now are looking a little bit awkward. It is not the

John, should he so wished, could play the four cushion safety off

Good choice. And still keeping the heat on Matthew Stevens, but more

reds going safe. You would be happy to see that one go on the side

cushion. That's the problem, John Higgins had the advantage in this

safety battle, but the longer it has gone on, it takes a bit of

pressure off this shot. (APPLAUSE). It is a great pot. It wasn't a case

of making a mistake and the frame being there for his opponent. But

take nothing away from a terrific He has got a 50 point need now so

he will need three of these He wants to be straight here,

because if not, he will have a problem going down for the black

here. Just slightly the wrong angle. You have got to say that is a

little bit careless. I don't know if he can screw back to nudge off

one of the reds to get position on the black for the pink. But he

definitely needs position on a colour. That was a lot better than

it looked. Excellent shot. So this black, there you see it, 66 ahead,

67 remaining. Get this red, 67 Thoroughly deserves this frame. He

was a fraction unlucky to get the kick that ended the break at 45,

but a great standard of potting has won him this frame. Matthew Stevens

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

Certainly a chance of this pot, it depends on how you want to play it.

Do you fully commit and go for the black? He has stunned round the

back of the black. That double kiss on the red has not done any harm

Has we often say, there is so much skill in this game, but the run of

the balls at times is vital. For Matthew, who missed the red, he

could easily have missed it. That was a very attacking safety shot.

He's not quite tight on the baulk cushion, but he has certainly

opened the reds up and asked a John Higgins will be disappointed

with that. He's not really put Matthew in any real trouble and the

reds are nicely spread. Choosing safety. Called it a bit too fat.

Has it stuck behind the green? No - - caught it. There is the

possibility of the red by the middle pocket being somehow played

as a shock to nothing. Matthew did look at it and all of a sudden John

is attempting it -- shocked to nothing -- shot to nothing. Screw

back for one of the baulk colours possibly? The danger is if he tries

to screw back and there's a possibility he could go in off.

Funny, it wasn't the best safety shot from Matthew, but he hasn't

left the safety shot which is why he is forced into playing this part.

That was terrific. At that Speed -- He will be answered without. He

wanted to be over to the right. End of break -- he will be upset with

that. He will be very disappointed with the outcome of that positional

shot. Only four points scored from that excellent long red. He has

left Matthew Stevens a tent her here with an escape route. I

Matthew will be taking this on. You can see the big gap through the

reds, the plot into the right corner, and down the table with the

Her little bit inconsistent. And when you miss by that far, the reds

can go anywhere -- a little bit. A Just checking to see if he can get

past to see the black, because he is not really on these baulk

colours, he has overran it. Bridging over the YELLOW makes the

ground a lot more difficult. -- the brown. As we can see there, the

black isn't available. Very rarely use the John Higgins have two

excellent chances and the only score five points -- you see John

Higgins. Maybe the table is playing a bit quicker than the practice

table. We saw in Ronnie O'Sullivan's came, he overran a

couple of positional shots. Does not look too different to what we

have seen on our TV screens, but you never know. It has got a bit

scrappy, though. Certainly John Higgins with the advantage. Is it

time for some line drawing? I would love to draw one... But you can't

see one? The one that I think he could get safe was to hit that red.

But can he get to that red? I don't think she can?. -- I don't think he

can. That is the only red I can see that he could hit and not leave

anything. Hit and hope. Hit and hope! Where's the red going?

great shot from Matthew Stevens, whatever happens. He stuck it up

between the Brown and the Green. tried to hit the red half ball. In

a way he hit it reasonably well. Considering it was right over the

pocket, that was an excellent positional shot from John Higgins.

He would have liked to have hit it half ball on the baulk end side,

and the red would not have caught the chore of the middle. A bit

unlucky. -- the jaw. This is a slightly unusual break, a few of

the reds around the black poor area. Does not necessarily want to pot

If he were to pot the black now, it would go closest its own spot and

made the out of commission. Not the perfect chance but one you would

think he would think he could convert into a frame winner.

judged that nicely. Perfect on the blue. Of course the black, which he

will not really want to be plotting, but it is blocking that right

corner pocket for at least two or three reds -- potting. He doesn't

need the black. He may well pot it That is why he has decided to play

like that, he is not bothered about the black being tied up, there are

enough reds available. The Black may still be available but he has

got a 32 point lead. He will just be thinking of the reds in the open.

With pinks preferably and this should be enough to finish the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

Two more loose reds, if he were to clear those he would be over the

line. No need to disturb the other He was looking for the pink. Just

the red to go 60 in front with 59 Every time the Red Balloon is

potted of course it reduces what's remaining by eight, so this to go

50 ahead with 59 remaining. Wasn't straight forward, but he has taken

them very well. Pop the blue here and can and the two reds -- Canon

the two reds. Did not play the canon, this red obviously goes.

that red had gone in I think Matthew Stevens would have remained

in his chair. Regardless what had happened. There is still a chance

now for Matthew Stevens. Yes, two snookers needed, but it wouldn't be

the first time we have seen it. Everybody seems to do it nowadays.

You get the feeling if Higgins had rolled in the Red, Matthew would

Another example of a player playing a pot and screwing back to the

baulk end. That time he did not get too close to the pocket with the

red. But it is safe enough. If he doesn't cover this I think Matthew

will turn around and can seek. He has done that. He has looked at

John Higgins Ansett, "That's enough -- and concede. -- John Higgins,

Midsession interval after this frame. Matthew Stevens would be

delighted to level it. Not the best break. He is going to have a chance

He caught it to there. -- too thick. It wasn't far off being a great pot.

Judging by the pace and the angle, he was totally committed to the

shot. Matthew is obviously going to go for a pot. He has got a couple

of choices, this one to the right of the table looks the obvious one.

He will try to get correct side of Matthew calling a foul on himself.

That is what we expect in our game. He must have just caught the brown.

Could not see it myself but as a Not exactly as he played it but

actually it has worked out very I assume that the black hasn't been

moved off its spot. John has to make sure it hasn't because he

wants to know exactly where the Yes, it's OK. The red will go past

the black. Matthew was only a fraction out, but this game is all

about fractions. And John Higgins has looked very capable once he

gets in and around the black spot area of clinching the frame in one

visit. And whether he can win in this visit is in the lap of the

shots where he pops the black and goes into the pack of reds -- pots.

It is a fairly tough pack to go into to guarantee a result. Off the

black anyway. Is there another way Not sure where the pink is going to

go. I assume it is not going on its own spot. You could quite

comfortably go with the red. Maybe he could leave for a slight angle

to pot the red and much on the side of the cluster. -- and brush.

could probably play this with a bit of power. He might use a hard stun

shot with a bit of follow-through to try and loosen the reds up, and

stay on the black. That was the danger with that shot, though. If

you caught the reds to quick, you would drift by them, and that is

what he has done. He obviously now takes on a very risky blue to save

Not perfect with the green but good enough. Of course when you are

putting a baulk colour safe, it is always worth taking into

consideration which hand your opponent plays with. For a right

hander, put the green on that side This is a pretty good safety.

Couldn't have done much better. What will you do with Ronnie

O'Sullivan then, Steve? That is another story when somebody is as

good as Ronnie with two hands. did not realise he could get past

the blue, he could sneak this red in. He has done. Now, does not want

a bad case on the ELO. Could not have been any worse really. -- bad

kiss. I don't think he will go for it here, I can't see it myself.

can he get the cue ball behind the green? Well played. Big favourites

for this frame now. -- big Matthew's looking at... well,

desperation he's looking at really. Is he looking at two cushion to

plant into the middle pocket? What a great shot this would be. He's

trying it. Hold on to your hats! Set the video! Great effort! Great

great effort! Unfortunately he has left it for John with a nice easy

frame-winning opportunity. But he could not have got much closer,

great try. But now, this 4th frame, the one before the midsession

interval, at the mercy of the world When Ken was asking us earlier in

the commentary box, we mentioned the fact that this then you may sue

John Higgins more than the big conference centre or Wembley Arena

arena, it is more intimate. certainly is. Quite a distance for

the players to walk from the seats to the table and of course the

crowd were a bit further back. I remember he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan

in the final, one of the great matches of any tournament, never

mind the Masters. What a clearance he made there to beat Ronnie. He

did produce some great stuff at Also it would be unthinkable if

John Higgins didn't go through the whole of this season without

winning something. Absolutely. Because his all-round game, as you

alluded to before the start of the match, his second to none. -- is

I suppose from a Scottish perspective, Stephen Hendry had

such a record in the Masters, maybe you're comparing the two of them.

Stephen was practically unbeatable here. Or there, whereat the

John Higgins has had the majority of the table time. It must be said

that he is looking pretty decent on the shot. Nice rhythm. As I said in

the first frame. Any pre-match nerves have now gone. That is the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

frame. John Higgins will be very Basically as played. I think there

may be a possibility for the red to It's the type of shot that he is

back people said was risky but actually the only red you're going

to leave on is the one you're going to miss. John Higgins decides to

play the old fashioned way. Just look at that pot success,

incredible. I always say you have got to be 90% at least if you're

going to win one of these matches. Only 74% for Matthew Stevens. He's

got to up that. Long pop success, 22%, that is far too low -- long

pot. His safety success will be not He has just about got away with

Unless John Higgins can pick something out, I really don't see

anything he can play here other Bought -- That was a great effort.

It really was. 31 minutes since Matthew Stevens

last potted a ball. It's funny that. Matthew played a safety shot. Very

thick and really opened the reds. He got a good length. I watched a

few more of his safety shots and think it wasn't on purpose. I think

he might be slightly hitting across the ball here. He looked very good

in the frame he won. But I suppose we all do. If you don't look good

in the ones you win, then you are Didn't get away with it. John

Higgins back in the office. Obviously the interval could have

changed things but you'd expect John Higgins to score a few here.

Players have the choice of either chilling out or going to the

practice table. I was in the players' room for a short spell and

saw Matthew in there. I didn't see John. You can go for tea or coffee.

And he went in to his dressing room. Of course, he's a confirmed winner.

And you can't afford to give him too much rope. He's not going to be

frightening of the winning light. - - frightened of the winning light.

Sometimes you don't realise and then I saw the pot success from

Matthew. He's got to improve on He's OK. He can play for pink or

black here. With so many reds around the black, you have to be

Purposely played the cannon. He's left himself nicely on this red. He

could play for the pink or decide to play up for the blue here. A

slight problem if you play for the blue, sorry, the pink, you had to

be perfect. But he's got down quick enough. He must be nicely on it.

Black, of course, only available in to the left corner. This is a real

good chance, this. He's looked solid enough when he's gone in

He lost position on the black but the pink is always available. This

will be a nice frame for John Higgins to pick up in this one

We see them make it look so easy that you're surprised when they

miss 'em. It wasn't that easy. Matthew has really got to seize

this opportunity. It's far from It would be very easy to miss this

break. A lot of work to do to win this in the one visit. He can

certainly get back in to the frame but at this level you'd expect to

win from here. He made a good start. He got perfect position on the blue

but he might have underhit that slightly. He's got to manoeuvre the

cue ball and find the gap, possibly Couldn't have played that much

He may have the red closest to the cue ball here. It isn't easy.

killed the white ball a bit. He didn't really get enough off the

cushion. He was trying to look at more movement with the cue ball.

Tough to reach from here. Obviously, it's a long reach, even with an

extension on the cue. He wants to go for it, that's for certain. It's

cutable but it's a long way away. It's a long way. He might need an

extension on the extension. The two reds that are in line to the right

of the black, the bottom one will go to the left corner. It's very

risky, but I think that's what he's decided to play. He's had a look at

it, let's put it that way. I think it goes. If he takes it on, he's

got to get it. Well played! (APPLAUSE)

He would have wished the cue ball would have stopped maybe a foot

short she could have played the pink here but nevertheless that was

a big hurdle he's got over there. It could have been a frame-winning

shot. Still some work to do but less work. Once he gets a rhythm

going, Matthew Stevens, he looks a completely different player. Never

struggled amongst the balls. Great This wed rill put the points level.

He'd be disappointed for that. Played for the red in the left

corner. He will have to play it in the left middle. It's left middle.

If he pots it, it should be on the black. But it will be tricky. He's

got it. He's down quick. It must be 13 points the lead. And two reds

and two blacks would put him in the snooker's required stage. It will

A bit too straight, yes. But he's played a beautiful shot. A deep

screw. He's overstretching. The red and the black needed. It's there.

Great shot. There was lots of pressure on that one. And this to

go 29 points in front with just 27 remaining. Well played. He needed

to take that opportunity and he has. His back was to the wall and this

is a tremendous reply. He's done well to take this. The pink was far

enough at speed. What a difference 4-1 or 3-2 makes. That's careless,

isn't it? That's careless. He wasn't trying to do a lot with the

green. OK. Two snookers needed but the frame should have been over. If

he had potted the green, John Higgins wouldn't be coming back to

the table. Very good snooker. wants to play with speed, he has to

find a route where he doesn't miss the ball. Dangerous if he is

playing with speed. The problem is, if he doesn't play with speed, he

I know we think the frame is over and a couple of snookers needed,

but you're never certain to be over and that's another excellent

snooker from John Higgins. That really is. Actually, it's debatable

whether going off the side cushion is the best route here. Straight up

That's the way I prefer to play. Straight up and down is better for

All of a sudden the easy green he missed, when he didn't think it was

important, has turned around to bite him. This was the green. He

just makes certain of that. That's It's a big swerve. The problem is

now he's got all these negative thoughts in his head. Little pocket

may be in the way for off the left side cushion. This is a big swerve.

Ken was explaining this in the interval. Well played indeed.

Theioid of that shot is to not hit it too hard. If you don't hit it

too hard you get more chance for the spin to grip on the cloth. The

spin wouldn't have had time to come in to effect if he had hit it hard.

But one snooker and John Higgins is the master at this. Purposely

potting the green. And he could play a good safety shot on the

green or get the snooker. snookering ball is going to be the

The one thing you must do is make I would suggest this is a frame

that could have got away. I think that was a relief the way he bashed

the ball in. John Higgins will have been a bit disappointed to have

lost this frame. He made an excellent break of 65. He's had a

few nervous moments since but that's what he needed to do. Win

the first frame up to the mid- session interval. Right back in it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

I sometimes wonder whether the break-off shot isn't a poisoned

chalice. This is a fine line at this level. That was a good break-

off from Matthew but one good pot and there's nothing he can do now.

He's just got to sit in his seat A nicely controlled pot by John

Higgins. Also an element of safety in that had he have missed it. The

reds are not tightly packed. But it would be very easy to come unstuck

here. A nice stun in to them perhaps. Nudging a ball out at the

moment. That was nicely done. it was. And in playing this, he may

be able to nudge a few more open. That's the fourth red and this is

Of course, every player has his own way of going about disturbing reds

and opening up the pack. Some like to courier in to them. John Higgins

in this instance has so far just nudged a few out. A very difficult

thing to teach. Every pack of reds Obviously, if you don't go in to

them hard, like John did with that last black, at some stage you have

to disturb them again. So I do think the modern day way of the

first chance you get to smash them Now the opportunity he's been

waiting for - pot the blue, cannon the pink full in the face. Just

didn't catch the pink full enough. And it's not perfect that. A bit of

He's not happy with that one. A tough shot coming up now. And he

knows that Matthew Stevens is there ready and waiting should he make a

mistake. And after messing up a break in the last frame, that's

even a bit more pressure on this. He's got away with it, or has he? A

very thin cut. He may be hampered by the red. It looks like a safety

shot. Can he get past the black here? I think the problem is he has

to put the right-hand side on which makes the pot a bit harder, really.

Could square the red up. In the end he decided against it. Just need to

run on a fraction. That's pretty good. I think John's got an escape

Well, I don't think he's got the snooker. He can just get through to

the edge of this red. He needs to be careful he doesn't knock the red

over the corner here. If it misses That's about the best you could do

with that. So no real pressure on Matthew Stevens. He's got a chance

to play a good safety. I'm just wondering whether he will think

about the pot here. It may go. only problem with this type of shot

is because it's slightly more than half ball, if you miss it, the red

could go back up the table with the Well, that's an excellent shot.

That was so difficult. He could not Well, the safety shot goes astray

from Matthew Stevens. Has he done any damage? On thirst glance, no,

until you see -- first glance, no, until you see what John Higgins is

lining up. I would say this is no worse than 75-25 he gets it.

Perhaps more of a certainty he gets He would be very disappointed with

the positional side of that. Especially if he considered it was

nailed on as a pot. But he has got the yellow in to the middle. May be

I guess he just needs any sort of angle on this yellow. And he's just

He forced the angle more than anything. It was a very good

accurate pot. Once again, we talk about heavy contact but when you

hit the ball at that pace, the cue ball will be there. And the object

ball and it's a bit close to the cushion for comfort here. This is

very missable. He has choices of reds. Running to the middle.

Running to the corner. Middle pocket is more open. That's why

He's on the black. He'll take it if The frame at his mercy now. 45

ahead. 83 remaining, but not for long. He missed the red earlier in

the frame and he didn't leave Matthew Stevens a nice opening one,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

otherwise we could be looking at 3- He hasn't developed anything, so I

don't think this break, unless he cuts the red back in, the frame

well and truly over now, of course. 74 points in front. 59 left. John

Higgins opens up a two-frame My wife is big in to star signs. I

don't show the nerves. I always love to play. I ate too many crisps

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

John Higgins gets frame 7 under way. And he sat next to the scorer. Mark

Allen is trying to get a feel for this new venue. Beautiful. Not

lacking cue power is Matthew Stevens. Missable brown in to the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 41 seconds

A bit of pressure on this one. But Do you know what causes that? It's

been a failure of the snooker player ever since it began. You're

playing one and you put a trace aside and you think you're going to

help it. He's put a trace on the left-hand side and pushed it in.

Only a fraction but it caused him to miss the pot. Looks like John

Higgins has not left an easy red. I think Matthew Stevens will be happy

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to be back at the table and that The idea was to screw the cue ball.

He's just about worked it. really was a most fantastic shot.

He was in all sorts of trouble. It would have been considered to be

very unfortunate had the double kiss had stuffed the red up. He got

away with it but deserved it. It's those types of shots as a top-class

player you need to understand. It's He may have put Matthew in a bit of

trouble. I'm sure he can get roun the back of this red to the left --

round the back of this red to the left. It's not as much trouble as

That was one of the best safety shots Matthew has played so far

this afternoon. John Higgins It makes it tough. Even though

players are so good off the cushion, when you do get the ball tight on

the cushion it does make the safety It was a decent effort there. I

think he can find a pot for the cue ball. So it may tempt him to take

Nicely. He will be lucky enough not He can hit the cue ball a bit

harder. Others like to play with top spin and roll on to it. He's

playing the two-cushion escape. I think I would have tried to come

off two cushions and maybe nestle on the red here. Give that a chance

He got down pretty quickly on the shot. I think it was very

He could have gone the other side. And made the angle. But I think his

choice was, as you say, adventurous. It could be very costly. Trouble is,

Hawkeye doesn't know that the cushions slide. Now he knows

Won't be too happy with that. Mainly because when he pots the

black he can't afford to run in to the red to the left of it. Can he

control the cue ball? Well, ited to stay there for an age -- it seemed

to stay there for an age. Gravity took over in the end and he's on

the red. Well, I have noticed on a few of these star tables that it

does appear like a fall of the slate is not as sharp as it has

been on occasion during tournaments. When the fall of the slate is made

with the slate, it can be very, very sharp or rounded a fraction.

It makes a big difference how the ball gives up and drops in. You can

do a whole feature on it. Very Always one from away from victory

in this -- frame away from victory in this context. He would be a bit

I'm not counting out the big matches yet. But he needs to raise

his game and quickly. And that 79% pot success just isn't good enough

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Overran the cue ball. So a change So one good pot gets him over the

line, really. He's looking for the red yellow. This black to go 59

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Not quite there. He couldn't succeed. John Higgins with two

visits has won that frame The cue ball is not there. It could

He doesn't let you down often with that type of shot, John Higgins.

Matthew Stevens was very frustrated with the break-off. Safety has not

been up to scratch. He will be disappointed with the accuracy on

those types of shots. You really have to keep a player like John

Higgins nailed to the bottom He's playing it with a trace of

left-hand side. He may have pushed it in. There's a bit of movement

there in the cue. I think that's where he's been doing a lot of his

He's worked very hard to get back in the top 16. That's earned him a

place at the Masters this year. That isn't the end of it, is it?

He's got to play well. Because now In a situation like this, the blue

would be a nice ball to break open Not marvellous but one has poked

its nose out. Flicked off more than Anyway, he's got a red on. He's got

a bit to do with the cue ball. Maybe stun around the back of the

black. Where is this red ball going? Well, he can't believe it.

That's the last thing he needed. The dreaded fluke. It would be a

killer blow. John did the Hawnable He didn't make the most of it.

opened up all the reds. He has a 30-point lead. Matthew has got to

He needs a good safety here. Coming up to 17 minutes since he last

potted a ball, Matthew. There's a little gap in between the reds

there. If he takes it on, he's got to get it. He may be thinking that

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could be his last shot in the It's looking like a very

comfortable path through to the next round for John Higgins here.

Not something you always get at the One good pot away. Lost position

slightly. You'd expect him to get You can always tell when a player

is a bit edgy. They hit it a bit harder than is necessary. A last

If the black had been on the start, it would have been a realistic

chance. It's a bit harder that because of the situation. This is

more of a risk. Would you want to risk playing for the black? In an

ideal world, that's where the difference is between the practice

table and the competition. If he was in the Snooker clun -- snooker

club now, you'd play for the black all day long. He doesn't wants to

Quite a way out there. He will be upset with that. And that could be

his last chance. I don't think he's got away with it. He's left a nice

easy chance for John Higgins. He comes to the table with a 29-point

lead. And the reds couldn't be in a better place to clinch set, frame

and match. He's on the comeback trail. It's great to see him back

here. He will have to sharpen up his match play a little bit more

for me. He's got all the ability in the world. So 43 ahead. 51

What we've got here is what we expect from John Higgins - a

professional performance. Taking advantage of his opponent's

mistakes and that's what he does. You can't argue from this

performance. He will be pleased. He As we saw in the world championship

final, when the other man does start to play well against him, he

can always go up a gear. But that's it. John Higgins very professional.

He is delighted. Didn't use too much excess energy as he goes

through to the quarterfinal a 6-2 winner. Normally I manage to get

winner. Normally I manage to get going. It's a big win because I've

lost 10 first rounds. It's good to win. I enjoyed playing here. It's a

great venue. It was really good. It's not the same atmosphere as

Wembley, but I don't think anywhere can generate that. But it was great,

great to play there today. I missed a bad pink. It could have been a

big turning point. Luckily for me I got up the next couple of frames.

There were a couple of mistakes to close the frame out. I played OK.

Would you believe that's John Higgins's first victory at the