Day 4 Masters Snooker Extra

Last time I played mark was in the 2008 final. It was the very first

time I won a major tournament and I played Stephen. What I remember, I

played observation in the first session and see vep didn't really

perform. The second session I played really well and didn't give

Stephen a chance. It can happen in a final. That's probably the last

time I played Stephen until coming here this year. Obviously I have

great memories of playing Stephen the last time and obviously beating

him in a major final. A cracking game. You don't get to be number 1

Stephen is a great player. For years he had been struggling, the

past few years, but obviously he has won four major tournaments.

Shows his class. But the last year or so he has shown he is back to

his best. When he gets to his best he is more than a handful for

everyone. It's going to be a tough game. Rpblgs I'm playing OK. Just

had some work done on the cue. I struggled over Christmas, didn't

really do anything so I'm really up for the match. I have a great

record at the masters but that was at Wembley. With it moving here, I

don't know. I'm not really superstitious like that. As long as

I play well and give myself the best chance, that's all I can ask

Hello and welcome to Masters Snooker Extra and day 4 of the

masters. Our feature match tonight is a repeat of the 2008 masters

final. How will this one unfold. We'll join it at the start of the

He gets the second frame under way. We mentioned early on there is a

lot of movement with Mark. We saw it very early there when he was

cueing up and breaking off. Just have a look at the movement. He

seems to get everything set, ready for the shot. Chose to play the

more attacking way. Off the black. It was a long way off. A slight bit

of safety there. Leaves the red just next to the black. Where is

this red going? It's not being left. I don't think there is any way that

-- well, he could play the pot off the red. There is a red just stick

out from that main bunch that was cut into the left corner. It's this

red. As long as he gets near the jaws of the pocket the red should

run safe. He needed to screw back a bit further than that and I'm sure

that was his intention. He has left That is good target, that yellow,

green and brown there. Get that cueball up off the cushion. That's

pretty good. He has covered the path down the right-hand side of

the table somewhat. The left hand path is quite congested. That

little shake of the head tells you Mark Selby not happy. So coming off

the side cushions and going into the main bunch. Miss judged this. -

Mark left his cue on the table. Wants to make sure the referee puts

the white in exactly the same place. Might be a millimetre further to

I have to say, for someone of Mark Selby's classs that is poor. To

attempt, he can't hit red -- he will be warned here because he can

hit reds on either side. If he doesn't hit one this time he

forfeits the frame. It's as simple He went for a red that he didn't

want to play and he's been very fortunate. The world number 1. He

was forced into playing the red. We said if he didn't play the red he

would forfeit the frame. He played a shot he didn't want to play. This

went off the second red, didn't leave the black safe. World number

1 form. Didn't leave the pot open for his opponent. They've all had

it. Stephen felt he could clip that one in. No such luck for Stephen.

He misses the red but leaves one. Well, that was a surprise. He will

be disappointed. There is the red over the far left corner. But he

would like to keep that in reserve. Surely he's not covered himself on

the blue. If he has he is on nothing. Surely not. The look on

his face, he probably has. That's amazing. Well, you couldn't imagine

that happening in a month of Sundays. You could say it's a bit

careless but in all honestly, the odds of that happening, he could

play that a thousand times and it wouldn't happen. All he can do here

is just cover the path to the red over the corner, but it wouldn't be

that difficult to come off the side cushion and possibly pot it. But

If he has cut off the one cushion escape which he may have done by

getting very tight to the green, that is a very good shot. The fact

that Mark is not playing off the right-hand side cushion across the

table, he has got tight enough to the green to cover the one cushion

escape. Considering his an annoyance and frustration that was

an excellent shot from Stephen. Apparently that pink is a lot

bigger than the other balls. It's like a magnet! All four shots by

both players have been, well, That's a poor shot. Never

guaranteed to get a nice position there if theed very so far into the

jaws of the pocket. But there is a lot of margin for error there.

The red closest to the left corner, well, he's not even looking at that.

Maybe he was hampered by the blue or maybe he thinks safety is a lot

easier and he could get his opponent in trouble. Well, he

(APPLAUSE) The Reds are nicely spread, but

once again as in the first frame we've got the pink and black out of

commission. So it's never easy to win a frame with just the blue --

you can build up a useful lead of course. The left-hand side of these

two reads he may be able to screw up for the black if he fancys it.

The fact it's too scrappy for him, he will want to get some points on

the board first by using the blue. If the blue goes into the left

corner, that's quite fortunate. I'm certain that's what Stephen is

He's not made the best job of that. I mean, I think this red goes to

the left middle but it depends on the potting angle. It's getting

down pretty quick so can he go for the blue? No, he is having to leave

himself a long blue. He will be slightly hampers. There is one red

near the left hand cushion that will make it slightly awkward. This

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

That puts Mark four points in front now. Still a lot to do to win the

Just got right side of the blue, with the follow through off the

This makes shots a lot easier. There is a lot more room to take

(APPLAUSE) There are two reds in easily

pottable positions, one close to the corner and one in the middle of

the table. He has decided to play the cannon and he could go wrong.

Don't know whether he went into that too much, but that speed was a

bit risky. That's what I was going That was a great shot. Back in

perfect position again. Yes. Now with a 28-point lead. He is looking

for three of these remaining reds. This time absolutely perfect on the

Stephen, nothing he can do. Just has to sit there. In his chair a

few times. I thought he was coming back to the table but by good luck

or good play he has been kept in his seat. A little bit too straight

on this red, though. 34 points the lead but still 59 remaining. He is

straight enough. If he plays a deep screw he has to be careful he

doesn't make contact with the red that's near his hand. Or the other

(APPLAUSE) That could not have worked out

better. I'm not saying he didn't have a thought that could happen by

screwing the cueball wide but to cannon the red and finish perfect

on the blue, you have to say that was a bit for tutious. Now the blue.

This is the one here, he was swinging it wide. But if he catchs

that red full he's on nothing. He is perfect on the blue. Now that

blue has gone in. He is 46 points in front with 43 remaining. If he

just roll this is red in and makes certain of it I don't think Stephen

will bother coming back to the No reason to try to power this in.

Just make certain of the red. To clinch the frame. It should be 2-0

to Mark Selby, the world number 1. Imperative now he gets on the black.

And an easy pot of the red. Where is the cueball going? Well, it was

a chance missed. It was a chance missed because if he had potted the

red and made a thinner contact he should have been nicely on the

black. Is asking the referee how he is looking with regard to touching

the pink. The referee won't tell him. Now the red has gone in.

(APPLAUSE) . Dots the Is and crosses the Ts in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

(APPLAUSE) The frame before the mid-session

interval. Wouldn't Stephen Lee like to win this one and. Going into

that interval 4-0 behind, the first of six. Not many positive thoughts.

Good pot. (APPLAUSE)

Again lovely pot but didn't play it with a whole lot of conviction to

get on the black. 3-0 down you need make things happen quickly. At the

moment Mark Selby is having a very Not the best of safety shots.

Another chance here for Stephen. He just needs, if you like, to fire a

big break in here just to build his confidence up.

(APPLAUSE) Just about. He is perfect on the

black. Finished awkward. The two red to the left, I don't think

either of them followed. He will go in the right centre. I think that's

the shot he would like to play off That's the trouble when you're not

absolutely in perfect you're trying to do a bit with the cueball. He's

got no excuse for missing that. A bad day at the office so far. His

percentage was 70%, which is well below what is needed and below

still after missing the black of I always think you need about 90%

off everything. But long pot success, I think that's reasonable

The only reason, I don't look at 90% is I think sometimes people are

playing long shots are erring on the side of a shot for nothing. He

will be disappointed with that. He has overrun that. He played for one

of those two reds in the left corner. Certainly not this one. I

know it goes. He is stooping. Wouldn't have done that a few years

A good pot. (APPLAUSE)

. Not quite. So he's not recovered The long one is made a lot easier

when you're 3-0 in front and not 3- 0 behind. If it didn't go in,

blocked pocket for the red he's about to play. And also, I think

when you're standing to chase Stephen Lee, it doesn't make you

feel any better... No, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a lack of

respect. But he's not too concerned about what is behind him. That's

how you feel, any way. It can be a psychological game, this. Well, it

is. There is no doubt about it. Not Be a good ask to pot the black and

go into the red. But he may, the way he is feeling at the moment,

very confident, he could play it. There is the loose red to play for.

He did play for it. He thought at the worst I will be on the loose

red. At the moment he has got the Just having a look to see if there

is a red in the middle. He's got a couple of reds he can play for.

There is no need play any cannons now, because that could go wrong.

Just basically chip away at what's A bit straighter on this red would

have been better. Then he could have just held for the blue nicely.

But may have to play for the bought colour here. Decided to come in out

of the balk and come on to the blue. But he underhit it slightly. I did

say there is no need to play any cannons but he may be forced into

playing one here. He is playing for the brown and he is playing for

Now, he did look to see if the red was available in the left corner,

the one immediately below the pink. If it does he won't have to play

any cannons. It does go. There is a nice angle on the blue to play for

it. That puts him 55 points in front. 67 remaining. So just a red

and a black. And Stephen Lee will Then the pink will do. 92%, 68% for

Stephen. That's very disappointing. That pink should definitely mean

now that Mark Selby will go into the dressing room with a 4-0 lead.

Stephen, as I say, he will be disappointed. But he has got to

start producing. Has he got it in him today to do that? Just finds,

particularly in this frame, that Mark Selby definitely growing in

confidence, Stephen. He is only going to get stronger. He will get

the world number 1 -- he didn't get to world number 1 without punishing

your opponent for his mistakes. Stephen has been looking forward to

this event but he is just not showing what he is capable of.

There was times last season when he really looked as though he was back

to his best. But was it a false Deep screw this with left-hand side.

He played that one nicely. (APPLAUSE)

. Still needs the yellow and the green. Nice break -- highest break

still stands with Shaun Murphy at 139. So he's not going to beat that.

Career high of 223 at the moment. Make it 224. Well played.

(APPLAUSE) Already, 25. He had 54 last season.

So he is nearly halfway there. We've only just gone past the turn

of the year. But the world PC tournament, the century list will

get higher and higher. He played a bit of an exhibition shot there,

playing with a lot of right-hand side. He is playing the double. Not

quite but he will be pleased with the first four frames which is not

what you can say about Stephen Lee. He will be very disappointed. Mark

Selby marches on. Goes in for a cup of tea. 4-0 in front. That's the

trophy they are playing for. think he has to attack a bit more.

(APPLAUSE) The long balls he has gone for he

has played with a degree of safety. I think 4-0 down you just go on the

attack now. Not so bad when it's a best of 11 and 9, which still

leaves two frames to run. There is a bit of leeway there, but not a

lot. Table time, two thirds Mark Selby and just a third of it to

Stephen Lee. Have a look at the total points. This will tell the

tale. 337 against 76. Four frames only scored 76 points. That's

usually his highest break or more Where is the red going? It's near

the pocket. I think he may be able to get past the brown. If he can.

He will have to bend this slightly with a bit of left-hand side. The

only problem is if he was to catch it a little bit too thick with all

the sides he has on he could take the cueball into a bunch of reds

and he could be on nothing. Maybe he doesn't have to bend it that

much, to be honest. He did. That was the problem. With the Reds on

either side he was always going to swing the cueball wide. He was

looking to see if he could get through to the black. Even if he

can, it wouldn't be the easiest of shots. Stkwhr and it would help if

he was to play safe, if he could He must feel as though he can hit

it. I don't think he would risk playing the pot. If he can hit it

As I say, if he can hit it, he can It's almost like a guide.

(APPLAUSE) He was a little unlucky not to

finish up on a red. So a good pot. But it will only give him the extra

That was a loose safety. It was a good target there behind green and

brown. He must be in with a chance Just not happening, I'm afraid, for

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

Well, that's unlucky. It can always happen, of course, going into a red

with such pace. Couldn't really envisage that happening. So is this

the Lifeline that Stephen Lee was looking for? I would suggest he

needs to win the frame at this visit. Not only for the confidence

booster but just to get some rhythm going. He has got none at the

Probably the best chance he has had in the match really. Nothing do.

Doesn't have to disturb anything. Just keep his mind on the job for a

Amazing, though, when you're 4-0 behind, even though the Reds are

set up almost like a practice row teep you see problems there when

they are not really there. You also can't get the scoreline out of your

mind, either, 4-0. You want the games or the frames to be over as

quick as possible. You just need to hold your concentration one ball at

a time. He should get this. Just not pinpoint position. Good

recovery, though. He might choose to play a cannon here, right off

the cushion. Three reds to the right. The two reds to the left

don't pot to the right corner. Something like a line like that if

he could find it. He is OK I think... Just. He just needed to

either play it a little bit more to the side. He played it plain ball.

He is just about on this red but lucky to have it. I was thinking

red to the right corner, not thinking red to the far left corner.

He has got a nice little angle. With possibly the black in the same

pocket. The only thing is, he is close to the red and it's a tricky

(APPLAUSE) Gravity took over. It didn't look

in. Any more pace and I'm certain it wouldn't have dropped. Now back

on track with a 27-point lead. Three of these reds, they couldn't

be better situated. Looks like he will get his first frame on the

He does strike the cueball so well. As well as anybody in the game.

Just this red to go 41 points in front with 35 remaining. So the

red... Mark Selby was a bit unfortunate,

the black cannon into the red knocked a red into the middle. But

on balance in the first four frames, although you only deserve what you

get, but the run of the balls did Two blues, three pinks, five blacks.

So he has stayed on the high-value colours for this break. Obviously

he can get through to the green if he clears these five remaining

Well played Stephen Lee. It couldn't have come at a better time.

Still got a mountain to climb but he has got his first frame on the

That's a decent break. At least he hasn't left the possibility of a

red for one of the corners, which Well, it didn't look to be the best

of safetys but the flick on the Just come up a little bit too thick.

He can't afford to make any mistakes now, Stephen, because the

Although that's not the best of That's one safety shot. Wouldn't

leave much because the black is covering one red and the other two

reds are covering each other. You don't want to make it too thin.

Slightly thicker than he intended. So it's a mistake. How costly it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

That was a terrific pot. He is just far enough away from the cushion,

not much you can do about that, right in the heart of the pocket.

And long put success, I think about, well, maybe two thirds success rate.

About a good 66%, I think. He just was away from the cushion enough to

make that green easy enough to get the cueball down to the business

end here. This is a great opportunity. This visit for frame

and match. As with all the top players, when Mark sees a chance to

get over the winning line, he Looking to play for the black as

soon as possible. Possibly screw back to the black in the same

Looking to see if the black pots in the left hand corner. He really

wants to get rid of a red left to the black spot. It would really

I think the black is available to both corner pockets funnyly enough.

It's definitely available into the left corner and I think into the

The black now available into both corner pockets. He will be thinking

this is a quarter final place for Match time less than two hours.

First frame was quite a slow one. Just over 28 minutes. But we said

at the time that we didn't think it was going to get any longer than

that, just the way the game is played nowadays. You see average

Took the opportunity put another couple of reds into play. He would

He might have thought for a second he missed that. Once you cut near

those jaws invariably they stay out. That could probably have been

Stephen's last chance of getting Usual thing, when you getaway with

a shot like that, works up your concentration again. You think,

"I'm not gonna let that happen again." But as you say, John, the

first jaw of the pocket, normally they don't go in. I have seen a few

this week at the jaws and gone in. Sometimes if they are not played

with too much pace gravity takes over, but there was enough pace in

that to keep it out. He didn't play the best positional shot on the

pink but he has recovered it nicely. Doesn't have a lot to do. He may

have to get the extension out. Unless he plays the red to the left.

This basically boils down to a couple of reds and colours. This

ball to the right, always using the extension, doesn't have to do a lot.

If he gets good position on the I don't know. I'm like you, you

think the top players are not going to be trying when they get to the

finishing line. But the last three shots he looked a bit shaky. For

some reason. He shouldn't be. black he almost missed. He got down

without chalking the curbgs ue. It was a shot he would never have

expected to miss. It's as if it has This is Stephen Lee's last chance

to get back into this match. It is. We see in sport so many times how

things can turn around on just one shot. Not for one minute am I

thinking that. But he certainly let his opponent off the hook here.

This match should have been over Still 40 points behind which

equates to him needing all the balls on the table. That's what

it's gonna take to pull this frame out of the fire. But it's certainly

an opportunity Stephen would never have expected. I think whatever

colours he takes, he is gonna need them all. Just four reds, four

blacks would be 32 points. So to go into the colours two points behind.

So he will just concentrate and pot all the balls and he will win the

Again, just a little bit more angle than he would like on the black

than he would like to comfortably drop in these two reds. That's why

he has had to play on the red beside the pink. Someone

straightforward. He has to play for the ping here. Come past the pink.

He could play for pink or black. He may be able to run through here and

avoid the kiss on the pink. But if he plays for the pink he doesn't

want to... He decided to go through for the black. Once again in the

position where it seems the only surefire way to be on a red is to

play a cannon. Which can always go wrong. Mm. Delicate little shot

needed now. Of course in the position he is, he knows if he

misses it, he is out of the masters. But I think he can just about drop

it in. But will he want to play it with a little bit more pace so if

he miss it is it doesn't stay in the jaws?

(APPLAUSE) Another one that just caught the

near jaw. But that was a little bit Hmm. He has gone a little bit too

far for the blue. I don't know why he didn't stun that in then and go

up the left-hand side of the table. No matter which colour he played he

Ed too hard for the blue, you are... I think there was more chance.

Straight yellow. This should be frame over.

He probably cued it too well but it shouldn't cause a problem. I always

think this clearance, if he pots the brown and gets good on the blue

He is good on the blue. We're just going to roll this in. Only the

pink will be needed. Well, as I say, I'm sure he was in his seat

thinking he was out of this tournament. Not just yet. This pink

all that was required. In it goes. So Mark Selby will be thinking why

are we playing another frame? But we are. Because he missed a very

easy ball. Stephen Lee now, well, still a mountain to climb but he's

When you look at the way frames pan out and when you look at the 6th

frame when Stephen Lee was in and that straight ball, the red, to the

corner, it could have been 4-3 now. Ifs, buts and makes. I think Mark

Selby will be mildly irritated than too bothered by that last frame. He

will know he should have done his press conferences, signed his

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

autographs and be on his way home This is a path back to the ball,

Ken. But whenever there is a red in the middle of the table you have to

make certain you kept it just right otherwise you leave the pot open.

Don't think he can play safe off the red in the middle of the table.

Doesn't like the thought of playing off the red third in, if you like.

He is playing this in the middle of the table. Can he get back? It's a

thin one. Not quite certain what he has played there. Let's put it this

He was almost trying to to put that red into the pack and leave the

white on the top of the cushion. Screwing back to the black off the

same pocket. (APPLAUSE)

Beautifully played. The backspin you've got comes when you hit the

second red. Played it beautifully. Now, is he on anything? Has he

landed on anything? The bottom red will go but can he hit enough of

it? He has given it the one-eyed stare. What do you think at home?

Maybe just can get enough of this From behind the pocket it looked as

though he could hit enough of it. But hit it too thin. There is a red

available. The one in the middle of the table, it goes to the left

middle. Has to trust a lot with position. I don't think he has left

anything. Well, apart from the red that's near the baulk cushion. Not

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

sure whether that will count, Mark Try to bring the white back to the

baulk cushion, but just be careful where the red ends up. Played it

I thought he had played it well, but I'm just wondering, the red he

played has just come down far enough so Mark can get past the

yellow and pot it. You know I think He missed it. Got a good cueball,

though. I don't think there is a path back to the ball here. In a

bit of -- spot of bother here, Stephen. You try to pot your way

out of trouble sometimes in this situation.

(APPLAUSE) He may just be on the black here. I

reckon, his body language, he is either not on it or he doesn't

fancy it. It can only be one of the two. He was in so much trouble,

couldn't play the safety shot. How many times do we see that? Being

forced into playing the pot, he knocks it in. He is walking up

there now and it tells me he just can't get through to the potting

angle on the black. It's imperative here he gets the cueball tight.

also he would like to cover the right hand side of the pack for the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

easy escape back. Which I don't For the first time, too thick on

the safety. It's a painful thing when you leave your opponent with

his hand on the table this side of the baulk line. Stephen knows that.

There are a couple of reds that are pottable. Maybe he finished short,

but the brown is probably the mark Much too thick. Much too thick. Big

shot, this. Mm. It was one you felt he needed to get. Because with the

Reds open as they are, any miss at this end of the table could cost

him. It's amazing, sometimes a bad safety gets you an opening, forces

your opponent to take on a red that they're not entirely comfortable

Well, I think he may have been a little bit fortunate here. Not

certain whether Stephen can -- well, he's looking at this red to see if

it will go past. Certainly not all the pocket available. If he knocks

it in he will automatically go on the black. Needs to get it. Good

shot. Good shot. And on the black. (APPLAUSE)

Fully committed. Like I say, there wasn't the all the pocket but he

slotted it in lovely. This is a terrific chance to put the

scoreline out of your mind and concentrate on one ball at a time.

Who is to say where that could take him? I agree with you, Stephen, to

start this frame losing the last one Mark Selby would be slightly

irritated. But if he was to lose this one he may be getting a bit

concerned. Every mistake he makes now, his mind goes back to the red

he missed. And the match should have been over. Very tough to put

these things out of your mind when your opponent starts creeping back

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

Mark Selby can only look on. This was the red that Stephen was

referring to. If he rolls that in he needs a black and one more red

for a place in the quarter final. And he has made a few mistakes in

this frame as well. Doubts will start to trickle into his head.

That trophy may not look as far away from Stephen Lee as it did a

few frames ago. He has to hold himself together of course. But he

has every chance in this frame now. Up for the blue. That's OK. Left

himself a nice angle on the blue. He can hold the cueball and do

nicely on the next red, 26 points Stephen Lee missed a very easy red

a couple of frames ago and looked demoralised but now he looks

There are a few things you need when you are playing catch-up. You

need to start raising your game. You need probably a little bit of

luck. What does help, it -- you need help from your opponent and he

has certainly had that for the last couple of frames. Decided to play

for the red along the top cushion. Some people spurn these but he

knocks it in. (APPLAUSE)

Left a little bit too much on. It just wonder what sort of an angle

he has on this black. He just wanted to be a little bit lower,

just an inch, that's all. Looks like a screw back for the red.

pairs of red into the same pocket. The top one of these two must go

Just the pink needed to go 62 points in front with 59 remaining.

I'm daring to suggest this match is back on.

(APPLAUSE) Well, Mark can have a little bit of

a laugh. What a fluke that was. But of course the frame was well and

truly over. But that's what he has always been capable of, Mark Selby.

Having a sense of humour. Will he need a sense of humour, though, if

Stephen Lee wins the next frame. Stephen Lee is -- has already made

a hundred break in frame 5. That was the 9th of the tournament. This

could be the 10th. Could have done without the kiss on the pink. It's

Starting to get that silky smooth cue action going. Probably for the

first time in the match he can see a light at the end of the tunnel. A

pity. He won't be too unhappy with that. I don't know what mak Selby

is thinking but Stephen Lee will be thinking he is back in this. Just

The break, this time he has left a possibly red to the right corner,

which may temp Mark Selby. He doesn't want to government too much

in his shell here. He is going to play the safety. You don't want to

err on the side of protecting your lead too much. I agree. I think the

red on the right side of the table is a red he would normally take on

90 per cent of the time. Put it this way, the match tomorrow

between Sullivan and Trump I don't think you will see that.

(APPLAUSE) That was the red you were referring

to. A good pot from Stephen. He didn't fully commit. I don't blame

him for that, being 5-3 down. Now he has knocked it in, a good

snooker behind the yellow, tight as you can, cut off the escape down

the left-hand side, you would have thought. No! No, it didn't reach.

Would you believe it. So many players play their shots and drag

them in the bottom of the right. I always play high off the white. I

never liked the drag shot. Not saying it's the wrong way, everyone

is different, but I couldn't play it that way. You feel as though you

can get it harder, with a bit of drag, but obviously he didn't hit

it hard enough. Well, that's careless, whatever you want to call

it. But that could be a real turning point. Being so tight to

the yellow, he did cut off the escape down the left-hand side of

the table, which I was suggesting was the way to do it. It's very

difficult to know how much he can hit here. That is a possible way.

Come off very square off that first cushion and not for the first time

-- I was going to say he hit the pink. He hit the red with you I --

but I think he may have left it. Seemed to come off very square off

that first cushion. That's at least the fourth or fifth time neither

player has escaped that first cushion. It hasn't split at all.

Has to be careful with this. Very close to the red. This is it. He

did come off very square. You expect him to be at least a foot

down past the middle pocket. Any way, it was his own fault for not

Can Mark Selby now clinch this If he can leave a nice angle on the

black here by potting this red, he has got the red to the right corner,

play the black, cannon into the cluster, still be on the red in the

open. If he can hold for the black and, as I say, leave a nice angle,

well, he obviously felt he couldn't because he won't be cannoning off

Well, he did. The reason I suggested he wouldn't, because he

could finish up on nothing. Just about got through. The danger of

playing it that way and forcing the angle, I thought he might finish up

Stephen Lee would be sitting there thinking all of that hard work to

get back to 5-3. To throw it away with a careless little roller

behind the yellow. He would be There are many ways you can lose a

frame of snooker, missed pots,a bit of bad luck. But, well, only had to

roll the cueball four inches. Instead of that, he rolled it, what,

3 and 1/32, as we used to say at my old school. Millimetres.

(APPLAUSE) Now, if he can -- he has got one to

the middle as well. It's all looking very good now for Mark

Selby. Might have had a little negative thought at one time but

they will be disappearing with Maybe a few negative thoughts will

come back here. I suppose he played the cannon because he doesn't want

to put right-hand side on the cueball and play for the red that

was in the open. What is he on? Is that end the break? I think it is.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds

Obviously wanted to put a red safe. It was a decent target that yellow

being so close to the baulk cushion. Might be putting a pot on here. If

he does, can he avoid a kiss on another red? Hmm. That's the last

thing you need when you're 55 points behind, the black getting

tied up. Maybe if he had got the right angle to pot it he wouldn't

have kissed the red but it's a He was so far away I can only

assume he didn't play the pot. I can't believe he played the pot and

then he just played safe. He knows it's a good lead particularly, as I

(APPLAUSE) He has left a nice angle on the

blue. Hoping at some time he will bring it back into play. Here at

He is just having a look. Don't necessarily leave blacks. Well, he

will obviously because the last red is tied up by the black. Let's have

a look. If he could roll this in and leave a nice angle on the pink

that wouldn't be too bad, I don't think. Is it worth the risk playing

the cannon on the three reds? The lower one will pot to the corner.

Depends how he see it is. He played for the one red. You see that pink,

it didn't go in the middle of the pocket. So that meant he hit it a

little bit too thick and that's why he is short of pace on the

positional side of the shot. He is playing cut here but I don't know,

why not play the safe off the red on the left-hand side of the table?

And try and get a good snooker? His choice. I'm with you, John. I would

be playing a red on the same cushion. Quite a big target here, a

snooker behind the yellow and green. He is guilty of the jealously thing

thinking, "I've got to win the frame at this visit." That was a

nothing shot in all honesty. I think he has left this chance of a

pot on the red. You can clearly see he can get past the blue.

(APPLAUSE) As far as Mark is concerned he is

quite happy with that black still tied up. He wasn't bothered about

bringing the black into play. Pots the blue, gets 48 points in front.

Still 59 remaining. Not certain where the next red comes from. Well,

he has played the cannon but missed the blue. Has he got the cannon? He

has. Well, another turn. Another twist. Playing that with a lot of

left-hand side. That's what caused him to miss the pot. Stephen, if he

has stunned the left hand of these two reds into the left corner,

could he stun the other red down to No. Might have this red in the left

corner. Have to cut that red away from the black. It's not gone high

enough. It would be a little bit risky if he was to play this red

and bring it back from the left- hand side cushion, he could finish

up on no colour at all here. The only advantage, he has the blue

near the middle pocket, catching the red as he did, as long as he is

on a bit of an angle it's not too bad. He has got a bit of an angle.

So Mark Selby may not be sitting as I must admit, if I felt I could get

the cannon off the red and the black off the blue I would

definitely risk it. Because if he tries to do it off the red then it

could go wrong. Into, decided to play for the red. He has not done

it. Well. 30 points behind, 43 Decision time. I'm certain if this

brown passes the green -- oh, neighbour doesn't. If it doesn't,

then play the snooker. He is 29 points behind. There is still a

possible 35. He is going to play the snooker. Make it a tough one to

hit, though. It's pretty good. That's pretty good. He has covered

the easy one cushion escape down the left-hand side of the table. Of

course with that red being so close to the black, free balls can come

into it here and also of course the dreaded miss rule. We're not in the

snooker's required stage. You have to be very accurate with this. He

is playing it dead weight and he is Nowhere near. It's that dreaded

side cushion again. Amazing. It seems to be coming off very square.

I know it's still very much possible but the left has been

pushed into a less pottable position than it was before.

Whatever colour he takes off the last red is a bit more of a

difficult positional shot. Stephen Lee has said, "I have definitely

covered the escape down the left- hand side." Which he did. That's

why he came through. It's so far away. It will take a bit of an

adjustment. The pace he played it, if he was to hit it he would feel

he would be in trouble again. There is always the fear if he plays it

with pace he will leave a free ball. But I would be taking a bit of a

That's what I'm thinking of. This way you can play it -- all right,

mightn't want to play it too firm but he wants to hit it. Good shot.

Very good shot. (APPLAUSE)

But he has left a chance for I don't think he is cannoning the

brown from the green. I think he can concentrate fully on the pot.

Come back down possibly for the (APPLAUSE)

In it goes. I suppose he is just happy to see that red. But the

brown going safe, that's going to be one big hurdle to overcome if he

is going to win the frame at this visit. Couldn't have played that

pink any better. But because the brown is such a distance from the

blue, it's going to be very difficult to pot that brown with

any kind of pace. It's right in the middle of the ball cushion. It's

not as if it favours one side or the other. The way he played the

last red, you usually find players under pressure would rather stand

the ball than play follow through shots. The brown is the key shot.

Has an angle. He could cannon it here. I think I would be temped to

play the cannon. Because even if you were perfect on the brown it's

a tough shot along that baulk cushion. Played the cannon, called

it wrong. 11 points behind, 22 on the table. So his opponent needs

the brown and blue. So a good Well, it's safe but no real

pressure. Although I think Mark Selby has introduced his own

pressure in this match. Another frame he almost looked certain to

Much too thin. He has caught the middle pocket. I suppose in a way

he is a little bit fortunate he has left this straight. If one man

could pot this and screw back with any amount of ease, that's Stephen

Lee. It has to be accurate because he is going to be playing it with a

little bit of pace. Uhe certainly has the cue action to make this

shot look comfortable. Zoo well, has he left it, as he left it? I

think he has. Selby was a little bit fortunate as well that the

brown was tight on the cushion, which made that pot a little bit

more difficult. AUDIENCE: Oh! Well, well, I have

seen it all now. I thought there was nothing in this game that could

surprise me. I have seen it all. Unbelievable. He just wants brown

and blue for victory. Pot the brown Needs to bounce because he needs

the pink and the black. Sorry, my mistake. He just needs the pink. In

it goes. I can't believe it. I don't know whether Stephen Lee can.

I'm sure Mark Selby can't. Stephen Lee is now within one frame.

Just a little bit straighter. It's hard to play this in a neglect

testify way. All or nothing here. - negative way. Probably choose to

(APPLAUSE) He didn't fully commit. What a

tremendous pot this was. I think he may have wanted to come through a

little bit more but he is OK. He has overcut it. He has overcut it.

He would be annoyed. I think the pocket is covered. Which in a way

makes it a worse miss, because there was no real pressure on that

black. As you said, he is now back in the match. Takes on a completely

different aspect from Stephen Lee's point of view. Prior to that he was

just taking the scraps and taking what was there. Now he has got

expectations of winning it. Different ball game.

Thought this may have been a little bit of a swerve. But going over to

the left corner, that's the problem when you try to swerve it. Caught

it much too thick. Checked the AUDIENCE: Oh! This game can do that

to you. Believe me. It's all in the mind. His mind will be scrambled at

the moment. Could play this red to the centre. The only red he could

He got too close to the miss, didn't he? For a moment I thought

it was going to turn and drop in but it stayed up. So a let-off for

mak Selby. Now, what can he make of this opportunity? Easy starter,

Committee put all of those negative thoughts -- can he put all of those

negative thoughts behind him now? The yellow into the pot. That's --

Certainly think he can pot this red into the left hand corner. Let's

put it this way, if he doesn't pot Just looking to not leave Stephen

Lee a chance to put this in the Mm. A little unlucky to finish

there. But sometimes you have your opportunities and they say at cards

the cards never forgive you. Well, sometimes the balls never forgive

you. It was a good pota good pots never certain where the cueball was

going to finish and it couldn't have finished in a worse place. He

is playing the pink but he could leave a red to the left middle here.

I don't think he is certain to leave it safe if he doesn't hit the

pink. I would be surprised if he The reason, the rest of the table,

because of the black being close to the corner, that becomes a big

pocket. (APPLAUSE)

I get the feeling that red is pottable in the left middle. If not

it's easy enough to play safe off it. The way he is pointing his cue

that's his intention. But as you said with Mark Selby's shot,

Stephen, you wouldn't want to leave a red pottable into this left

corner. Just the black being near the pocket always makes the pocket

The main thing he needed was a good length with the cueball and that's

I think he will take on this red. It's the only red committee leave.

But he will try to leave the white on the top cushion, which will

leave him on the black. That's a nice shot.

(APPLAUSE) . That was a tremendous shot.

Stephen Lee couldn't have done much more. Left the cueball very close

to the baulk cushion, you just It was a great pot but it wasn't a

great positional shot off the black. What is he on? Drop the black in,

force the red off the black from the top cushion into the right

corner. Obviously didn't feel comfortable playing the black as a

dead weight. Or he was looking for something easier. Whatever. He is

playing this red to the left corner and he could get position on the

black. But boy, this is a tough pot. (APPLAUSE)

He played it well. Every credit. That's a couple of good pots now he

has pulled out. He is under pressure now, believe me. He has

played that well as well. Could not have played that any better if he

put that there with his hand. match has taken some twists and

turns the last few frames but I would say that there is the match

whening shot. I would be very surprised if he doesn't win the

match from here. A tremendous opening red. And then that

tremendous red into the left corner. On the cannon. Gives him that

opportunity that -- well, didn't feel he needed a while ago. But

things conspired to open this match up. Just flicked the near job but

it's well inside. He is potting them a lot cleaner now. But with

what has happened before, I'm not going to count my chickens. Twists

and turns that you can't believe. Will Stephen get back to the table)

It's looking doubtful but stranger things have happened. And in this

match. That little shot has not gone past the blue. It's slightly

right of the blue but it wanted to Able to stand-off one cushion for

That puts him 51 points in the lead. But he has underhit that, he has

underhit that by a long way. He played the red for the right corner

but he wanted to be almost straight on it now. Stephen Lee may be

thinking he could be getting back But he has recovered the situation.

It will be a little bit more difficult to get position on one of

these reds. They look to be Are Stkpwhr This yellow, I assume

he plays the yellow, or even if he played the brown it still won't

make any difference, he is still look for one more red. Does the red

pot or does he have to disturb something? He has to disturb

something. Oh, that's worked out nice. That will make Mark Selby

Goes. (APPLAUSE)

He has put himself through the wringer this afternoon. A little

rye smile there from Stephen Lee. It looked for all the world that he

was going to come back and create one of the biggest upsets I have

ever seen on a snooker table, but (APPLAUSE)

The red doesn't go in but it shouldn't matter. Stephen Lee

shakes his hand and says "well played". I can only say it wasn't

down to Stephen Lee, I think Mark Selby put himself through the

wringer but he scrapes through in the end. I'm playing really well

actually. I was looking like I was going to win the match 6-1.

Probably missed a red that I should have got. If I potted that I would

probably be sitting here 6-1. But I missed that. Probably lost

confidence. It come back to 5-4 and it could have gone either way. That

match obviously I showed some good form and towards the end I seemed

to fade away. If I'm going to go on be

a lot stronger and clinical. It's early days. I have got through the

first round which is the main thing. Obviously I can go back on the