:01:19. > :01:29.We have further highlights from the Extra highlights from the snooker
:01:29. > :01:54.
:01:54. > :02:00.On day two terrific match in prospect between number 1 John
:02:00. > :02:05.Higgins and former world No.1 Ali Carter. Higgins as two-time
:02:05. > :02:08.champion but Carter expected to be a real handful today best of 11,
:02:08. > :02:18.deny Chris Taylor and Stephen deny Chris Taylor and Stephen
:02:18. > :02:23.
:02:24. > :02:29.Hendry on duty in the box. A pretty good break-off shot from John. His
:02:29. > :02:35.very first shot this year. Another fascinating match, as they all are
:02:35. > :02:39.when you get the top 16 players together. Yeah, and probably two of
:02:39. > :02:44.the toughest match-players we have out there, these days. I would
:02:45. > :02:52.expect the all-round standard of play to be the highest class this
:02:52. > :02:59.afternoon. That is not a great start from Carter, who has come up
:02:59. > :03:03.a long way short. He has left Higgins an easy starter. A black
:03:03. > :03:13.available, but a long way short of landing on the back of the back of
:03:13. > :03:31.
:03:31. > :03:35.reds there. Yes, first shot on this table. Tkphr could not do a great
:03:35. > :03:45.deal with that because it was dead- straight so it needs a good
:03:45. > :04:06.
:04:06. > :04:10.positional shot here. The table yesterday looked to be playing
:04:10. > :04:20.beautifully. John got a great angle to go into the pink. Does not seem
:04:20. > :04:28.to be any plant-on, so could develop quite a few here. He has
:04:29. > :04:38.freed the black as well. (APPLAUSE) That turned out quite nice. Even
:04:39. > :05:18.
:05:18. > :05:22.though he did not hit the pink full Strange the record John has had in
:05:22. > :05:27.the Masters because he is one of the top 16 players in the world for
:05:27. > :05:37.the last 15, 16 years, so you would have expected him to have had more
:05:37. > :05:47.
:05:47. > :05:57.success. One of the greatest centres was at the new London
:05:57. > :06:19.
:06:19. > :06:25.Theatre in Drury Lane, and that was a terrific venue. This is the start
:06:25. > :06:34.you dream of. The first frame w the reds placed like a practice session.
:06:34. > :06:44.Once you get into your rhythm, as soon as possible, would not bother
:06:44. > :06:55.
:06:55. > :07:02.with the black just now. The pink is in the open. Can you wait until
:07:02. > :07:06.he has played the shot, please? Did not have a good UK championship,
:07:06. > :07:16.John Higgins. Went out earlier than he would have expected, so I think
:07:16. > :07:37.
:07:37. > :07:42.this week he will be really determined to do well. You are
:07:42. > :07:47.always looking to get a good starbgts aren't you? This is his
:07:47. > :07:57.first - - start. He is snookered. He came up a long way short. He did
:07:57. > :08:05.
:08:05. > :08:09.not want to think it reds too hard, but this has been the result. Furs
:08:09. > :08:15.Yeah, this is the thing about this tournament being the top 16 players
:08:15. > :08:21.in the world. Fit were a normal tournament, one of the lower-ranked
:08:21. > :08:27.players, they might have got away that mistake. But you have the be
:08:27. > :08:37.on your A-game right if the start in this tournament. - - right from
:08:37. > :08:57.
:08:57. > :09:07.the start. We had four centuries yesterday. Mark Allen with the
:09:07. > :09:45.
:09:45. > :09:49.highest, a total clearance of 136. Wow! He took his eye off the pot,
:09:50. > :09:54.there you know. It is just a lack of concentration. I cannot believe
:09:54. > :10:00.I. Scone cannot believe he missed that. He just took his eye off the
:10:00. > :10:04.pot. Mind you t black jumped a little bit there. Maybe it did
:10:04. > :10:07.throw it offline slightly. The slow-motion showed you there t
:10:07. > :10:11.black jumping slightly. There is enough there for Ali to pin much
:10:12. > :10:15.frame. Let's have another look. I'm sure the black just left the bed a
:10:15. > :10:25.little bit. Yeah, just jumped a little touch. Maybe that was not
:10:25. > :10:44.
:10:44. > :10:54.John's fault. A slightly careless shot by Ali. If he does not want to
:10:54. > :11:00.
:11:00. > :11:04.put one on the cushion. That first position shot he did not get on the
:11:04. > :11:14.cover. That is why he is having to struggle a little pit here. You
:11:14. > :11:20.
:11:21. > :11:25.have to be a bit careful. That is the problem when you have to play
:11:25. > :11:28.the canon. He is now slightly out of position. He needs a good pot to
:11:28. > :11:32.recover here. The black is the one that might get him onto the red. If
:11:32. > :11:36.he takes the pink off the middle pocket, he has come around two
:11:36. > :11:46.cushions but could have dropped on the red, but it could have been a
:11:46. > :11:47.
:11:47. > :11:50.lot easier than this. Mmmm - just! (APPLAUSE) It looked as if it was
:11:50. > :11:54.going to go onto the corner of the pocket there, but good recovery.
:11:54. > :11:57.Yeah, the good thing about that shot is that you could just
:11:57. > :12:04.concentrate on the pot, because it was a natural angle to land on this
:12:04. > :12:12.red. I think at that stage I thought it was going to go straight
:12:12. > :12:17.on, and think it jaw of the pocket. It just curved slightly. What a
:12:17. > :12:27.chance for an early psychological blow in this match. Higgins was
:12:27. > :12:42.
:12:42. > :12:52.cruising the first frame. He has a nice angle here, so he can just
:12:52. > :13:08.
:13:08. > :13:14.stand in behind red. I think Peter Ebden is here this afternoon with
:13:14. > :13:24.Ali. He has been doing a little bit of coaching with Ali. And there he
:13:24. > :13:26.
:13:26. > :13:30.is, always immaculate, Peter. In fact, Peter looks a bit like a bank
:13:30. > :13:36.manager there. A bit different to the early days when he had the old
:13:36. > :13:46.ponytail. Yeah, very smart. He can look after my money any time! If I
:13:46. > :13:46.
:13:46. > :15:15.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:15:15. > :15:24.straightforward now. Lots of left, now to come back on the pink. He
:15:24. > :15:32.might be able to hold it. I'm not sure. He has the use the cushion
:15:32. > :15:36.and half the pace. Just about perfect. (APPLAUSE) John Higgins
:15:36. > :15:40.Stephen Hendry said was cruising on this frame. If it was a bit of a
:15:40. > :15:50.bad contact, we are not sure. I think it was. But hasn't he done
:15:50. > :15:56.well here, Ali Carter? What an opening frame! John Higgins with a
:15:56. > :16:00.break of 59. Looked as if he was going to take the frame then Ali
:16:00. > :16:10.Carter clears World Cup that fantastic 64. Whole, we want plenty
:16:10. > :16:10.
:16:10. > :17:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:17:22. > :17:27.Needs to be a little bit careful there just a slight distraction.
:17:27. > :17:36.got a kick, but he is OK. He has choice of shots now. He can play a
:17:36. > :17:41.nice little can, so n here, as we show you the kick again. He is
:17:41. > :17:45.finished on the black. He could play a canon onto that red and it
:17:45. > :17:49.would open a few more up. He has to lose red, and that could hold. But
:17:49. > :17:52.that may be worth a risk. L he might just play it for the single
:17:52. > :18:02.red, but that is an option for him. Played for the single red on this
:18:02. > :18:05.
:18:05. > :18:15.occasion. There is not that much more available, so his going to
:18:15. > :18:29.
:18:29. > :18:35.have to go in for those four Reds at some stage. Find a pink pot for
:18:36. > :18:40.that and who can now canon those four reds, if that helps. Played
:18:40. > :18:50.with topspin here to make sure the white runs on through. Played
:18:50. > :18:51.
:18:51. > :18:55.beautifully. That red he has purchased to the left of the black
:18:55. > :18:58.might just be blowing the black so up for the blue, but all off a
:18:58. > :19:02.fluke now. Is all John Higgins would need after what happened in
:19:02. > :19:12.the opening frame. He is in with 36. A bit unlucky the run out of
:19:12. > :19:14.
:19:14. > :19:18.position and then Ali gets a fluke. Just thinking amazing balls do not
:19:18. > :19:28.forgive you, Dennis, isn't it? A careless shot in the first frame,
:19:28. > :19:33.
:19:33. > :19:37.in first and second frame, then Ali gets on with a fluke. Don't know if
:19:37. > :19:47.that red pass as brown into the yellow pocket. But that looks the
:19:47. > :20:11.
:20:11. > :20:21.Stephen, John Higgins pushed the red over here. This is here, he
:20:21. > :20:28.
:20:28. > :20:32.just pushed the red, tried to get it safe. That was a bit careless to
:20:32. > :20:42.canon into the pink, so he has not taken full advantage of his fortune
:20:42. > :21:12.
:21:12. > :21:18.there. He gets a round of applause for that, another fluke. He put his
:21:18. > :21:28.hand up to apologise. He got a good cue ball. Look where he put if
:21:28. > :21:31.
:21:31. > :21:38.white. But it might even be worse for John Higgins after this shot.
:21:38. > :21:48.If there is a gap he can get back down towards the brown and pink.
:21:48. > :22:07.
:22:07. > :22:10.Got to be careful he does not push a red over the corner. A little bit
:22:10. > :22:20.of pressure with this red. He is bound to leave something if he
:22:20. > :22:26.
:22:26. > :22:30.misses it. As you said, Stephen, if he missed it, he was almost certain
:22:30. > :22:40.to leave a pot on, and that is what happened. And he can run through to
:22:40. > :22:56.
:22:56. > :23:00.finish on that angle and finish on the black to the opposite corner.
:23:00. > :23:09.He has come up a little bit short. Head for the one near the cushion.
:23:09. > :23:13.He still may take that but he is going to need the extended rest.
:23:13. > :23:23.Does not need the difficult brown, he is already 10 points in front. A
:23:23. > :23:42.
:23:42. > :23:47.couple of Reds and blacks and the towards the red, he mites head
:23:47. > :23:57.towards the blue, which makes it much easier to get onto the yellow.
:23:57. > :23:58.
:23:58. > :24:01.It just depends how he feels. He will play for the blue on this
:24:01. > :24:11.occasion, which makes it pretty straightforward to get to the
:24:11. > :24:17.
:24:17. > :24:21.yellow then. And he will be mighty relieved to get this frame on the
:24:21. > :24:31.board. A great opportunity to pinch the second film as well, but looks
:24:31. > :24:34.
:24:34. > :24:38.like we are back level at one each. The sign of a real champion, isn't
:24:39. > :24:48.it, when you come back like this after what happen in the opening
:24:49. > :24:52.
:24:52. > :25:02.frame. There is a lot of experience under his belt, John Higgins. 29
:25:02. > :25:05.
:25:05. > :25:11.the difference. Not quite over the line but two snookers required, so
:25:11. > :25:21.it should be one each. The pink is in a good spot though to get those
:25:21. > :25:28.
:25:28. > :25:38.snookers. That's bit unlucky. Got a good cue ball, but the brown coming
:25:38. > :25:45.
:25:45. > :25:48.back across the table. Helped John Higgins on that occasion. Got to be
:25:48. > :25:58.careful here. If he tries to get behind the pink he can double-kiss
:25:58. > :26:30.
:26:30. > :26:35.the brown. Not the best effort he has ever made at a pot. No pressure
:26:35. > :26:45.on it w his opponent needing a couple of snookers. I expected John
:26:45. > :26:56.
:26:56. > :27:00.to knock that brown in. That is a cushion makes it quite difficult to
:27:00. > :27:10.escape from. It is so easy to go round the back of the brown an even
:27:10. > :27:10.
:27:10. > :27:15.catch the pink, which would not make a great deal of difference. He
:27:15. > :27:19.is just looking at the scoreboard to think, "If I mist pink, what
:27:19. > :27:25.would happen?" but he would still need a snooker. He would not want
:27:25. > :27:30.to put the cue ball close to the brown if he misses it, to leave Ali
:27:30. > :27:37.Carter an easy line on the pink. Ali Carter slips. All of a sudden
:27:37. > :27:40.Ali Carter is back in with a chance. 23 the difference, that is why John
:27:40. > :27:46.looked at the scoreboard before hand. Sometimes your opponent can
:27:46. > :27:49.need two snookers but if you had a high-value colour, it is only one
:27:49. > :27:59.snooker that is needed, and another chance to get a snooker behind the
:27:59. > :27:59.
:27:59. > :28:52.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:28:52. > :28:59.pink here. Not quite. John hinges with his good experience there. He
:28:59. > :29:08.does not want to give Ali an easy chance. Keep Ding cue ball and an
:29:08. > :29:14.object ball and keeping brown as far apart as possible. The pink
:29:14. > :29:17.still in a pretty good spot for snooker. It was even better before
:29:17. > :29:27.John Higgins just nudged it, but very difficult the way he has left
:29:27. > :29:40.
:29:40. > :29:50.the balls here. He tried to get him by on the pink almost, but got the
:29:50. > :29:50.
:29:50. > :30:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:30:43. > :30:49.snooker behind the blue. When you are in this situation you have to
:30:49. > :30:53.try to keep the object ball safe as well. Ali knew this as no chance of
:30:53. > :31:03.getting a snooker there, but he just concentrated on getting brown
:31:03. > :31:03.
:31:03. > :31:13.safe. A bit of a chance now, a dull kiss has given A li a chance.
:31:13. > :31:25.
:31:25. > :31:30.Probably from this position in behind the black would be better.
:31:30. > :31:40.Just come up a little bit short. A snooker, but I think he might be
:31:40. > :31:42.
:31:42. > :31:47.just able to swerve around the black. Too much. He has got into it
:31:47. > :31:57.too much and all of a sudden it is anyone's second frame. Amazing!
:31:57. > :32:01.
:32:01. > :32:07.What can happen to this game, Stephen. That is incredible. Just
:32:07. > :32:10.putting red next to the brown now. If he can hit the red next to the
:32:11. > :32:20.bounce, it is not free ball. You have to be able to hit the bun on
:32:21. > :32:58.
:32:58. > :33:02.both sides. Is why Ali has put the ball next to the brown. Look at
:33:02. > :33:07.this for a result, is he going to fall in behind the blue? He has had
:33:07. > :33:17.a few slices of good fortune, but I will tell you what, that is as good
:33:17. > :33:19.
:33:19. > :33:24.as it gets, dropping in behind the blue there! Look at this, he is
:33:24. > :33:32.going to finish on the blue. Well, I cannot believe what is going on
:33:32. > :33:36.there! All of a sudden John Higgins has had a pit of good fortune. - a
:33:36. > :33:44.bit of good fortune. He is going to finish the frame with that snooker,
:33:44. > :33:51.look at that. How amazing. And Joan Higgins thinks, "How unlucky have I
:33:51. > :33:56.been" -- John Higgins. Well, even that is a God angle there. To catch
:33:56. > :34:06.the angle has made it much better for Ali, because the white would
:34:06. > :34:14.
:34:14. > :34:18.have gone up chose to the cushion. I bet John is still having a little
:34:18. > :34:23.thought about that black in the first frame. If he had potted that,
:34:24. > :34:30.none of this would be happening. (APPLAUSE) Well, it is going to
:34:30. > :34:36.have to be very good cuinga long straight black or just off straight.
:34:36. > :34:40.It is all about. Delivering a cue in a straight-line. There is what
:34:40. > :34:50.he is faced with. Push the cue in a 'Stateline', get yourself settled,
:34:50. > :34:54.
:34:54. > :35:01.and you are 2-nil up. I don't know why he hit it like that. I still
:35:01. > :35:07.think he got away with it. Look how the black has finished. Why did he
:35:07. > :35:17.hit it so hard? That was a little bit of tension, I think there.
:35:17. > :35:26.
:35:26. > :35:35.is the perfect word, "Tension". Well, that is a pretty good shot
:35:35. > :35:40.under the circumstances. This is one are you end the black around
:35:40. > :35:44.the angles still there is a chance you can fluke it in to the middle.
:35:44. > :35:49.It is called a cock hat double. But if the white was a little off the
:35:49. > :35:59.cushion he might be able to have a go atthat. He is like at the
:35:59. > :36:05.
:36:05. > :36:11.cutting angle of the black, but that does not look on. What did he
:36:11. > :36:21.play there? I think he played the President and has completely missed
:36:21. > :36:22.
:36:23. > :36:31.pot was hard and he could have taken the pot. And John popped
:36:31. > :36:35.along black. Look where he has put the cue ball. That is telling you
:36:35. > :36:38.that right, just in case I missed the black I'm going to get a good
:36:38. > :36:48.cue ball. And I suppose when you put that little thought in your
:36:48. > :37:06.
:37:06. > :37:16.mind, it takes a little bit of confidence away from the pot.
:37:16. > :37:18.
:37:18. > :37:22.excitement here. In this match between these two great players.
:37:22. > :37:27.The black into the green pocket here. You want to tend to over-cut
:37:27. > :37:32.to it, to leave the black in the cushion.
:37:32. > :37:39.You do not want to miss a 6 but ideally you want to pot it of
:37:39. > :37:45.course. As you said, Stephen, that was the worst possible outcome for
:37:45. > :37:50.John or Ali, as another chance. Just a little touch aside will make
:37:50. > :37:54.sure he does not go off into the middle pocket. Keep the white well
:37:54. > :38:04.away from that. That is what it is all about.. It is all about. The
:38:04. > :38:08.
:38:08. > :38:13.black, here. John Higgins looked comfortable when Ali needed two
:38:13. > :38:23.snookers but it is amazing what can happen in this game. All of a
:38:23. > :39:01.
:39:01. > :39:05.sudden Ali Carter could be 2-nil thing little tactical battle which
:39:05. > :39:10.is very good play indeed, as Stephen said at the start of this
:39:10. > :39:16.match. Though are both good all- round players. They have a tactical
:39:16. > :39:20.game that is spot-on. The success rate, Ali Carter well ahead in that
:39:20. > :39:25.department at the moment. John looking for a path through to that
:39:25. > :39:29.red that is near the left corner pocket. It is not going to be easy,
:39:29. > :39:39.Stephen. No, just waiting to see where you were going to draw your
:39:39. > :39:43.
:39:43. > :39:47.line this time, Dennis. There is a line there that is very, very
:39:47. > :39:52.awkward. He could hit the line all the way back up the top of the
:39:52. > :40:02.table. Cannot play for the bunch of reds because he would be very lucky
:40:02. > :40:16.
:40:16. > :40:26.to get away with it. He was in a bit of a whole there, not easy to
:40:26. > :40:29.
:40:29. > :40:33.get it absolutely safe. Obviously this red pots into the right corner
:40:33. > :40:42.and he should be able to get himself onto the black. A little
:40:42. > :40:52.stun shot. If he negotiates the pot and the position, he has a great
:40:52. > :41:23.
:41:23. > :41:27.chance. Perfect. Absolutely perfect! What a chance now, two or
:41:27. > :41:37.three just up. You would not want to place the black into both corner
:41:37. > :41:42.
:41:42. > :41:47.pockets! But it should not be too difficult. He maybe has over-
:41:47. > :41:53.screwed that slightly. He may have to play a little kanon here, but
:41:53. > :41:57.that should not be likely, to play a canon at this stage. But it is
:41:57. > :42:01.amazing what can happen when you start having to canon into other
:42:01. > :42:08.balls but just because he did not get onto black as he intended, now
:42:08. > :42:11.he has made things a little awkward the position the cue ball is in now,
:42:11. > :42:21.after a couple of shots ago, looking as if it was in a perfect
:42:21. > :42:38.
:42:39. > :42:42.position. Amazing. He has let a golden opportunity slip past there.
:42:42. > :42:50.This is just a little awkward for John. I do not think he can hold
:42:50. > :42:57.for the black. Might be able to. Yes, delicately played. Now the
:42:57. > :43:04.chance fall toss John hiingings. As you say, -- Higgins. Stephen, as
:43:04. > :43:14.you say a great test of his them pre meant. Ali has to sit there to
:43:14. > :43:19.see what develops. It is one of these shots that if your opponent
:43:19. > :43:22.had left it there... It is not difficult pot. But the fact he is
:43:22. > :43:32.annoyed with himself he knows it should have been in a much easier
:43:32. > :43:38.
:43:38. > :43:48.the left of the black and clear the black from both corner pockets.
:43:48. > :43:48.
:43:48. > :44:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:44:42. > :44:52.Might be able to play on that off the black here. 16. Sad he did not
:44:52. > :45:02.
:45:02. > :45:06.play for this red to the right middle. He will take it. You just
:45:06. > :45:16.want to keep things as simple as possible when you are 2-nil down.
:45:16. > :45:23.
:45:23. > :45:33.You just want to get this frame won. A tricky little positional shot
:45:33. > :45:33.
:45:33. > :46:17.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:46:17. > :46:22.here playing for the black on the in a way. He could play the two
:46:22. > :46:32.reds near the black but he could not do it from that position
:46:32. > :47:02.
:47:02. > :47:12.because he clears the other two best shot he played in the brick up
:47:12. > :47:20.
:47:21. > :47:25.to that point. Does not have to play any canos here, he can score
:47:25. > :47:30.enough with the way the reds are sitting. Ali Carter has missed a
:47:30. > :47:34.golden opportunity of leading 3-nil. This was the one where he got
:47:34. > :47:44.slightly out of position, but as Stephen said f it had have been
:47:44. > :47:45.
:47:45. > :47:55.just his first shot, he would have knocked it in probably. The best of
:47:55. > :48:05.
:48:05. > :48:11.11, this has been a important frame and still is for John. A great
:48:11. > :48:21.chance to go-nil. He has taken this chance well. You - through the
:48:21. > :48:23.
:48:23. > :48:27.importance of it in the context of the match. A great shot there, a
:48:27. > :48:37.screw in the right-hand side. Created the angle for the cue ball
:48:37. > :48:41.
:48:41. > :48:47.to go up to the red. He won't be taking anything for granted here.
:48:47. > :48:53.Ali needing two snookers, so he will make absolutely certain here.
:48:53. > :49:03.Yeah, you still feel this is going to be a close encounter her. Both
:49:03. > :49:18.
:49:18. > :49:26.players look to be in pretty good form. Is a mentioned earlier, we
:49:26. > :49:31.have had four centuries so far. John Higgins one of the greatest
:49:31. > :49:37.break-builders the game has ever seen. He has 51 centuries in his
:49:37. > :49:41.professional career. Still a few hundred centuries behind my
:49:41. > :49:51.colleague, Stephen Hendry, who is way out in front with something
:49:51. > :49:55.
:49:55. > :49:58.like 150 centuries, I think it is. Made 25 centuries last season, John.
:49:58. > :50:01.Made 17 centuries so far this season, but this is going to be one
:50:01. > :50:11.of the most important ones you would have to say, two opening
:50:11. > :50:27.
:50:27. > :50:34.frames. That is the sign of a true champion, there John Higgins making
:50:34. > :50:44.a magnificent century break, the fifth of this year's Masters. Just
:50:44. > :50:52.
:50:52. > :50:57.a little exhibition positional shot here to finish it all off!
:50:57. > :51:07.(APPLAUSE) That was the last shot he had of this frame f closes the
:51:07. > :51:07.
:51:07. > :51:59.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:51:59. > :52:03.advantage of that for the good fortune. I expected him to knock
:52:03. > :52:13.that one in Yes, one of those shots you do not really want to take it
:52:13. > :52:31.
:52:31. > :52:36.on but you feel you have to. Such an all-or-nothing shot. I never
:52:36. > :52:46.thought you would say that, Stephen, you always rolled um in your career
:52:46. > :52:46.
:52:46. > :53:41.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:53:41. > :53:45.might need a bit of assistance. I do not know if he can stretch over
:53:45. > :53:52.to reach all the reds, or if he is going to need the spider. He has
:53:52. > :53:56.very little to to with the cue ball, but boy, has he left it awkward. I
:53:56. > :54:04.do not know if he can get over it with the normal spider. He is going
:54:04. > :54:11.to need the Swan-neck or the extended spider. Yes, I think this
:54:11. > :54:15.is really reactive. If Anything the times John Higgins has played shots
:54:15. > :54:25.today, he has over-screwed. Thinking back to the second frame
:54:25. > :54:25.
:54:25. > :55:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:55:23. > :55:29.though. He has a sought to go in if he wants. Choosing to may for the
:55:29. > :55:39.open red. Surprised there. A nice an fell he had. Running inside off
:55:39. > :56:03.
:56:04. > :56:13.two cushions. Is there a plant there? Possibly. Would be a little
:56:14. > :56:16.
:56:16. > :56:19.bonus if that plant is on. He has had a good look at it. It is not
:56:19. > :56:29.but he can screw back and leave the red, that is to the right of the
:56:29. > :57:07.
:57:07. > :57:11.bunch. He hit that very, very well. I think he is OK. Yeah t white
:57:11. > :57:20.jumped a little pit there and maybe that took a little bit of the pace
:57:20. > :57:25.out of it. But, as you say, he is just about OK. 36! A little bit
:57:25. > :57:35.more difficult now though, the fact that he canoned another ball. It
:57:35. > :57:47.
:57:47. > :57:57.has left him a bit closer to the cushion than he intended, so...
:57:57. > :58:20.
:58:20. > :58:26.Just slightly out of position now. I don't know what sort of angle he
:58:26. > :58:30.has. Might be no value in it. It is dead-straight, isn't it? He cannot
:58:30. > :58:40.believe the cue ball went through that gap. I think he was expecting
:58:40. > :58:43.
:58:43. > :58:53.the some sort of canon in potting between the pink an the red. Could
:58:53. > :58:55.
:58:55. > :59:01.do with a colour safe here! Sacrifice that, but he has a red,
:59:01. > :59:04.so that is a little bit of insurance. Yes, that was amazing.
:59:04. > :59:08.He was certainly going to canyon the red or the pink, but to find
:59:08. > :59:15.that gap, as you say, Stephen, absolutely amazing. Worth another
:59:15. > :59:25.look at that. You could try to shoot the white between that. And
:59:25. > :59:32.
:59:32. > :59:42.not find it! That will also help John, the other red going safe. Is
:59:42. > :00:08.
:00:08. > :00:16.total points there. John Higgins well ahead, but he is-1 down at the
:00:16. > :00:26.moment. Well, he has potted nearly twice as many, well, more than
:00:26. > :00:47.
:00:47. > :00:50.twice the amounts of ball that Ali Carter has popped. Only 2-1 behind.
:00:50. > :00:53.He is looking at the two reds to see if they are a possible plant.
:00:53. > :00:57.If they are close together, and they are not in line, he might be
:00:57. > :01:07.able to make it. Yeah, he could make this. It is going to the right
:01:07. > :01:07.
:01:07. > :04:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:04:08. > :04:18.of the pocket, but he could A delightfully good play of the
:04:18. > :04:47.
:04:47. > :04:54.shot to free the red off the side It shows you when the pressure is
:04:54. > :04:59.off, it's funny, the pockets seem to become bigger.
:04:59. > :05:05.He's so relieved now, after the way this match started.
:05:05. > :05:10.Doesn't matter about that. A very entertaining four frames.
:05:10. > :05:20.While this could have gone 3-1 either way, but they're 2-2, I
:05:20. > :05:57.
:05:57. > :06:06.before but the black wasn't open then, so he couldn't take it on.
:06:06. > :06:11.It's possible now. John Higgins looks to see where he
:06:11. > :06:21.can leave the cue ball. If he does miss the red, this is
:06:21. > :06:31.
:06:31. > :06:35.Terrific shot. Terrific cueing. Almost dead straight. That was the
:06:35. > :06:45.distance he had there. A stun run through, one of the toughest shots
:06:45. > :07:15.
:07:15. > :07:21.it's the easiest positional shot because he just needs to screw back
:07:21. > :07:31.from the black. He's hampered by the black.
:07:31. > :07:44.
:07:45. > :07:54.So easy to control the kue ball couldn't hit the centre of the cue
:07:55. > :07:55.
:07:55. > :09:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:09:44. > :09:48.Great to see one of our best referees back in action who had a
:09:48. > :09:52.rough time since June, he sliped in the bathroom at home, had an
:09:52. > :10:00.operation, did his vertebrae in. And he went off to China for
:10:00. > :10:07.refereeing and finished up with DVT. Deep Vein thrombosis and couldn't
:10:07. > :10:13.fly back from China. He was in China for four of five weeks all on
:10:13. > :10:23.his own. Not all on his own, there's plenty of people in China!
:10:23. > :10:30.
:10:30. > :10:40.He recovered and great to see him The red near the left corner pocket
:10:40. > :10:40.
:10:40. > :11:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:11:20. > :11:30.the blue there. Still got a couple cushions for the red that's next to
:11:30. > :11:40.
:11:40. > :11:50.have played it better. The red was just blocking the black
:11:50. > :11:50.
:11:50. > :12:38.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:12:38. > :12:41.on the red. There was every chance he could
:12:41. > :12:51.slip away off the reds because of the angle on the black. We will
:12:51. > :12:51.
:12:51. > :14:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:14:13. > :14:17.red in the right corner and get himself on the black.
:14:17. > :14:27.A free shot. The only one he could leave is the
:14:27. > :15:04.
:15:04. > :15:14.that type of shot. You're not aggressive way. It was easy to roll
:15:14. > :15:50.
:15:50. > :15:55.off the side of the reds but chose from Ali.
:15:55. > :16:05.He could have taken the other red and decided not to take that on.
:16:05. > :16:20.
:16:20. > :16:26.I'm sure the plant was more this frame. John Higgins is already
:16:26. > :16:36.35 ahead and the ball sitting like this.
:16:36. > :16:37.
:16:37. > :18:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:18:01. > :18:07.Could be three in a row for John UK championship, but didn't he play
:18:07. > :18:10.well in the Shanghai Masters to defeat Geoff Trump? He played well
:18:10. > :18:20.in that. Looked like he was going to kick on from there.
:18:20. > :18:36.
:18:36. > :18:46.He didn't have a good year. from winning the frame.
:18:46. > :19:04.
:19:04. > :19:10.66 up, 67 on the table. Heard you talking to John at the
:19:10. > :19:14.interval. That little canon, so lively. He
:19:14. > :19:20.wanted to play that, hit it full ball, three quarter ball and so
:19:20. > :19:30.lively. It plays as if the white ball, the
:19:30. > :19:30.
:19:30. > :20:11.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:20:11. > :20:21.the table was playing heavy, I would give a little polish on the
:20:21. > :20:21.
:20:21. > :21:38.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:21:38. > :21:42.white and it would play like a that fairly easy red.
:21:42. > :21:52.APPLAUSE John Higgins will have another
:21:52. > :21:52.
:21:52. > :23:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:23:26. > :23:36.interval, but he's done well, won would certainly have taken on, the
:23:36. > :23:49.
:23:49. > :23:59.one up ininto the right corner John Higgins, not with with the
:23:59. > :24:24.
:24:24. > :24:34.regards the safety shot. The green now near the yellow,
:24:34. > :24:49.
:24:49. > :24:57.meaning it's a target to try to get Not quite as big a target now, he's
:24:57. > :25:07.knocked the green near the cushion. He'd want something easier than
:25:07. > :25:08.
:25:08. > :25:18.back of the black, so not entertaining that one I mentioned.
:25:18. > :25:22.
:25:22. > :25:29.Not far off 40 minutes now since pace, I thought he could have
:25:29. > :25:39.dropped it two cushions for the black to the right corner. It's
:25:39. > :25:42.
:25:42. > :25:48.obviously making the pot more difficult the harder he hit those.
:25:48. > :25:56.Just look at the way the reds are situated here.
:25:57. > :26:01.A chance for John Higgins. Has he gone far enough to pot the
:26:01. > :26:11.red that's blocking the black to the left corner? He certainly has.
:26:11. > :26:37.
:26:37. > :26:42.He's got them all nicely situated to make a maximum, you couldn't put
:26:42. > :26:52.the reds in a better position than this. Maybe early to suggest?
:26:52. > :27:16.
:27:16. > :27:26.That's what he'll be thinking. It too much.
:27:26. > :27:26.
:27:26. > :31:18.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:31:18. > :31:24.45 minutes now. He's not getting any chances. He had a half chance
:31:24. > :31:29.and he missed the long red and that was his last shot.
:31:29. > :31:33.He seemed to force it in. Stephen mentioned he could have played it
:31:33. > :31:38.easier to mold for the black, but he wanted to make something happen
:31:38. > :31:48.because he's been frozen out. He will have to wait for the next
:31:48. > :31:48.
:31:48. > :32:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:32:38. > :32:47.there too, and John had one at Frame 3. Every chance of another
:32:48. > :32:48.
:32:48. > :39:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:39:51. > :39:58.middle pocket and hole for the Looking at the pink now. He played
:39:58. > :40:08.for the blue, but he's gone a bit too far.
:40:08. > :40:08.
:40:08. > :41:35.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:41:35. > :41:40.He think s it's the better ball for a bit awkward. He will still be
:41:40. > :41:50.able to screw back off the cushion. He has a slight angle.
:41:50. > :41:50.
:41:50. > :44:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:44:21. > :44:29.which he's full of. He is a little Good time to make your highest
:44:29. > :44:39.break in the match. A terrific clearance to pinch that
:44:39. > :44:39.
:44:39. > :46:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:46:03. > :46:12.but it's one of those situations - does Ali take the red into the
:46:12. > :46:20.white corner, there's a gap around the back of the black. He had a
:46:20. > :46:25.little bit of safety in mind also. APPLAUSE
:46:25. > :46:30.Very good, excellent shot. It was played with confidence,
:46:30. > :46:33.because he didn't play to get the cue ball on to the back cushion. He
:46:33. > :46:38.deserves to knock a sizeable break in here. We will show you this long
:46:38. > :46:43.pot. He's nine feet from the object ball.
:46:43. > :46:53.It's the sort of shot that the players practice as it is a shot
:46:53. > :46:58.
:46:58. > :47:01.that if they can knock in, it can positive way.
:47:01. > :47:07.You could clearly tell with the pace he played that shot, he wasn't
:47:07. > :47:11.going to try to get the cue ball back behiepbtd the bulk colours.
:47:11. > :47:15.He wanted to be on something had he potted it.
:47:15. > :47:25.I think that's the only way he can win this match is by taking the
:47:25. > :47:26.
:47:26. > :47:29.bull by the horns and playing a positive game, going for the shots.
:47:29. > :47:33.Snooker is probably one of the most difficult sports to play. Golf, if
:47:33. > :47:43.your opponent is playing well, you can play well F you play well, your
:47:43. > :47:43.
:47:43. > :49:12.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:49:12. > :49:22.difficult, but it will go. Well played.
:49:22. > :49:49.
:49:49. > :49:54.world but sometimes he remiepblds me of my good friend Ian Woosnam.
:49:54. > :50:04.In gosm, when he was playing well, little went wrong with his swing in
:50:04. > :50:04.
:50:04. > :52:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:52:44. > :52:48.missed a careless black. He won't Higginbottom Sig is normally
:52:48. > :52:58.tremendous at match--- John Higgins is normally tremendous at match-
:52:58. > :53:29.
:53:29. > :53:32.blue? Looks like it from his body
:53:32. > :53:42.language. Now what a great chance to take the
:53:42. > :53:48.
:53:48. > :53:53.It sounds easy but that's the way you've got to think. Ali Carter
:53:53. > :54:03.knows now that John Higgins has the opportunity - can he convert this
:54:03. > :54:03.
:54:03. > :55:47.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:55:47. > :55:52.He's having to struggle because he can't get into prime position. He
:55:52. > :56:02.will have to go for one of the bulk colours because he's over done that
:56:02. > :56:02.
:56:02. > :56:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:56:44. > :56:54.slightly. would be comfortable. He's used to
:56:54. > :57:25.
:57:25. > :57:35.There's one. This's the third cushion coming up.
:57:35. > :57:42.
:57:42. > :57:46.Just as Stephen Henry predicted! problem that I mentioned previously
:57:46. > :57:56.with the pink being up the other end of the table. Now it's a
:57:56. > :58:02.
:58:02. > :58:12.poor positional shot. He's going to have to take the green in the
:58:12. > :58:48.
:58:48. > :58:58.middle pocket. It shows you what That will hopefully get a kick at
:58:58. > :59:25.
:59:25. > :59:32.Carter - it looked like he was going to get back to one frame
:59:32. > :59:34.behind, but in the end, John Higgins comes through.
:59:34. > :59:38.APPLAUSE That is fantastic.
:59:38. > :59:41.A clearance of 65. He must be pleased with the way he performed
:59:41. > :59:45.after losing the two opening frames. It's John Higgins that goes through
:59:45. > :59:55.to the quarter finals. He wins the match six frames to