:00:38. > :00:44.Always as darkling start to any new year is the Snooker Masters. Only 16
:00:45. > :00:47.of the world's top players receive those invitations, and amongst them
:00:48. > :00:49.this year will be Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is returning after yet another
:00:50. > :00:54.self-imposed sabbatical from the big-time. But the first match on the
:00:55. > :00:57.opening afternoon feature the defending champion, Shaun Murphy,
:00:58. > :01:03.playing against Northern Ireland's Mark Allen. This was a repeat of
:01:04. > :01:09.last year's semi-final. It was won by Shaun Murphy in the end, 6-4. How
:01:10. > :01:13.would round to go? 12 months later, we can find outcome in the convent
:01:14. > :01:33.-- in the company of Ken Doherty and John Virgo.
:01:34. > :01:42.COMMENTATOR: Just looking at the record, ten victories to Shaun
:01:43. > :01:46.Murphy, and just two to Mark Allen. We have spoken about the atmosphere,
:01:47. > :01:50.it is just absolutely fantastic. They have increased the capacity
:01:51. > :01:53.here by an extra 500 seats, almost 2000 people on a Sunday afternoon.
:01:54. > :02:09.Where else would you want to be? Butcombe yes, I totally agree. It is
:02:10. > :02:14.going to be a tough match. Obviously Shaun Murphy, the defending
:02:15. > :02:18.champion, you have to say he is slightly favourite in this game.
:02:19. > :02:21.Mike Allen on his day can be the best in the world. There is no doubt
:02:22. > :02:25.about that. But we have talked about his consistency many times, and in
:02:26. > :02:28.some matches he gets himself up for it, and sometimes you just don't
:02:29. > :02:34.know what you are going to get from him. Absolutely. He is one of those
:02:35. > :02:37.streaky players, to me. He can go through a number of frames where he
:02:38. > :02:42.never looks like missing the ball. At other times he can make the
:02:43. > :02:45.simplest of errors. This first frame, best of 11, these matches.
:02:46. > :02:57.First frame, always important. Couldn't get in behind the colours,
:02:58. > :03:16.but that a good length with the cue ball.
:03:17. > :03:27.And that's good length. The safety shot from Mike Allen has forced a
:03:28. > :03:34.mistake, but just having a second look, I think the blue might just
:03:35. > :03:51.have come to his rescue. The cut to the right corner isn't on.
:03:52. > :03:57.A possible opportunity, Alan coming off outside cushion. He wouldn't
:03:58. > :04:03.have left anything here. Just look at where the cue ball finishes here.
:04:04. > :04:08.Just jacks off that side cushion and puts an opportunity into this corner
:04:09. > :04:12.pocket. Also into the left-centre. He needed to be down just a a few
:04:13. > :04:19.more inches, and it could have been played as a shop to nothing. He
:04:20. > :04:22.could play the thin cut, but he is looking at the red that is in the
:04:23. > :04:25.middle of the table, to the left corner. The problem with that is
:04:26. > :04:27.that the cue ball is bound to be running into other balls. So he is
:04:28. > :04:41.not guaranteed to be on a colour. Well, I didn't realise there was a
:04:42. > :04:43.gap to that one. He has stopped short of the line, so it leaves him
:04:44. > :05:20.nicely on green or brown. Yes, he would just love to get onto
:05:21. > :05:25.this red, on the right of the bottom corner pocket. There is another read
:05:26. > :05:29.in the middle of the bunch as well but he can lie on, and that is what
:05:30. > :05:31.he has got to get onto. But that red that is close to the bottom
:05:32. > :05:35.right-hand corner pocket, that is the problem ball. He wants that out
:05:36. > :05:40.of the way so that the black is open to both corner pockets. Red and
:05:41. > :05:43.black here, and then he will possibly take that red over to the
:05:44. > :05:49.bottom right-hand. That was heavy contact. I would have to give him
:05:50. > :05:53.the benefit of the doubt there. It looks like he got a bit of a kick.
:05:54. > :05:58.It looks like it to me. The red initially just went straight on. You
:05:59. > :06:01.can see the disappointment in his face. That was a real good
:06:02. > :06:05.opportunity to get your hand on the table and score heavily, and that
:06:06. > :06:27.bad contact could cost him dearly. Judged that very well. Perfect. On
:06:28. > :06:44.the right-hand side of the blue. See that, the new blue line that he
:06:45. > :06:47.has passed. He needs a mangled to get back down to the reds. -- needs
:06:48. > :06:58.some angle. Putting this red, he cannot
:06:59. > :07:07.check-in, just above the black to the left. -- he can nudge it in.
:07:08. > :07:12.After this, the Black will be open to both corner pockets. This will be
:07:13. > :07:28.an excellent opportunity now for Mark Allen.
:07:29. > :07:32.And of course Shaun Murphy will be sitting in his seat thinking that,
:07:33. > :07:43.but for that bad contact, these would have been his. Frustrating.
:07:44. > :07:49.I think that is one of the most frustrating things, isn't it, as a
:07:50. > :07:53.player. Perfect position, just dropping the red in, putting the
:07:54. > :08:00.black into the straight pocket. -- same pocket.
:08:01. > :08:08.Doesn't have to go into the reds, he has got three or four reds available
:08:09. > :08:12.still. OK, it is the first frame, you are going to be a bit nervous.
:08:13. > :08:39.You are betting yourself in. There is his target, 70.
:08:40. > :08:43.Just a little bit short of pace they are. They wanted to be straight on
:08:44. > :09:12.this thread. -- red. Well, has he gone far enough? I
:09:13. > :09:19.think he is just about OK. His heart must have been in his mouth for a
:09:20. > :09:23.moment. Yes, there were a few gasps in the crowd. They didn't think the
:09:24. > :09:30.cue ball was going to get far enough pass that pink. He isn't out of the
:09:31. > :09:36.woods yet. That's the problem, as Ken said, previously when he was
:09:37. > :09:39.playing for the blue, he could have rolled on through, around the black,
:09:40. > :09:44.and now, this time, the wrong side of the blue, he would do well to
:09:45. > :09:46.keep this break going now. This is a tough shot he has to play. In an out
:09:47. > :09:57.of balk. Well, he has made a pretty good fist
:09:58. > :10:03.of it. The bottom red in that cluster of five will pot. 40 ahead,
:10:04. > :10:17.75 still remaining. Nope. Well, he hasn't left anything,
:10:18. > :10:24.but still... He would still be disappointed.
:10:25. > :10:29.The ball came, as you said, John, out of position. It was on the wrong
:10:30. > :10:51.side of blue. Well, at least from Shaun Murphy's
:10:52. > :10:54.spectre of -- perspective, he has played a really good safety shot
:10:55. > :10:58.there. It hasn't cost him the frame. He may get another chance. He
:10:59. > :11:07.certainly played an excellent safety shot. Good length. I cannot see a
:11:08. > :11:10.path back to baulk. The red on the right-hand side of the table, that
:11:11. > :11:16.is covered by the Brown. He can probably just get past the blue. As
:11:17. > :11:23.we look now, second left, but he would have to catch it very thin.
:11:24. > :11:25.Well, he thinks he can get past the yellow. But he has got to catch this
:11:26. > :11:39.just right. Bit thick. Much too thick. It is a
:11:40. > :11:43.mid-range pot for Shaun Murphy. He is usually very good at these, but
:11:44. > :11:57.it is the first frame, and he knows one more mistake will cost in it.
:11:58. > :12:53.Well, we always talk about good starts in matches. It is very hard
:12:54. > :12:59.to call a winner. Certainly he would be delighted to get a start like
:13:00. > :13:03.this. The first came from a kick, but Shaun Murphy was quite a long
:13:04. > :13:13.way away from that pot. A perfect start for Mark Allen.
:13:14. > :13:19.You could tell that pot from Shaun Murphy, it was a real force frame
:13:20. > :13:25.type of shot. You know, you are under pressure, 30 odd points
:13:26. > :13:29.behind. Yes, I think he trying to do a bit too much with the cue ball. He
:13:30. > :13:35.just sort of the accelerated. That is usually when you catch them too
:13:36. > :13:39.thin. Mark Allen will be pleased. Very important to get the first
:13:40. > :13:43.frame on the board, particularly, as we said, with his overall record
:13:44. > :13:52.against Shaun Murphy. Nice to get a good start.
:13:53. > :14:13.Well, he has not got the double. But that one should be enough to Shaun
:14:14. > :14:16.Murphy. Needed a couple of chances, but in the end, he takes the first
:14:17. > :14:41.frame and leaves the defending champion 1-0.
:14:42. > :15:00.I think there are still a few nerves out there.
:15:01. > :15:10.He tried to get up behind the red that he is going to take on now. He
:15:11. > :15:23.wanted to be straight. Back into the right centre pocket.
:15:24. > :15:27.He didn't play that with a lot of confidence, you can tell, from where
:15:28. > :15:43.the cue ball has finished. A bit of pressure on this now. He
:15:44. > :16:00.has to catch this just right. A little bit thinner than intended.
:16:01. > :16:04.But, well, I think Mark Allen might be tempted by this red now. I think
:16:05. > :16:07.the only red he can leave as the one he is going to play. If you knock
:16:08. > :16:19.sitting, of course, valued beyond the blue. -- if he knocks it in.
:16:20. > :16:22.Superb shot! Played it beautifully. Even with behind him the sound of
:16:23. > :16:35.the dreaded mobile phone. That was good focus and concentration. MOBILE
:16:36. > :16:36.PHONE RINGS. Turn it off, please. He never touched the side. This is a
:16:37. > :16:45.good chance. Would have liked to be a little
:16:46. > :16:49.straighter on this red. I don't know whether he can just stun it in and
:16:50. > :16:54.hope for the pink in the opposite corner. MOBILE PHONE RINGS. Another
:16:55. > :16:58.phone ringing. Switch it off, please. I recognise the tune,
:16:59. > :17:21.anyway. Name that tune. That makes life a little bit easier.
:17:22. > :17:23.It is not a straightforward break building opportunity, particularly
:17:24. > :17:25.with the blackout of commission. I am not sure where the pink is going
:17:26. > :17:43.to go when it is re- spotted. Well, there is plenty of room to the
:17:44. > :17:50.pink. We will just roll this red in and play for the pink into the right
:17:51. > :17:54.middle. He has misjudged that. He played a little stunt for some
:17:55. > :18:00.reason. Trying to just wide in the angle, but he didn't want to kiss
:18:01. > :18:03.that red. -- widened. Now he is hampered, he is on the pink, but
:18:04. > :18:07.even if he potted the pink, I don't know whether the next Redwood come
:18:08. > :18:16.from. Good chance, and it has gone begging. Yes, normally he is so good
:18:17. > :18:17.in and around the pink and black, playing those delicate little stunt
:18:18. > :18:23.shots. But he will be very disappointed
:18:24. > :18:35.with that. He could have just rolled it in, as
:18:36. > :18:39.you said. It definitely would have avoided that red. But by stunting it
:18:40. > :18:54.in, he has tried to get it a little bit closer to the pink.
:18:55. > :18:59.In an ideal world, Shaun Murphy would love to try to get this
:19:00. > :19:04.cueball in behind the Brown. But he has to be careful he doesn't knock a
:19:05. > :19:09.red towards the left corner here. And that is why he purposely played
:19:10. > :19:15.it a bit thick. IT has only just reached the bulk line. No pressure
:19:16. > :19:53.on Mark Allen to play a better safety shot than that.
:19:54. > :19:58.I said he should have played a better safety shot and I fully
:19:59. > :20:03.expected him to. But he has had what we call a right result. He can
:20:04. > :20:09.smile. He has it that completely all wrong, much too thick, and then he
:20:10. > :20:13.is trying to get past the balk line, and he only just got past the blue.
:20:14. > :20:17.I don't think even got past the blue. This is possible, but it is
:20:18. > :20:29.tricky. But a good shot! Excellent shot.
:20:30. > :20:34.Regarded now is one of the best players in the game, and that is one
:20:35. > :20:36.of the reasons why. Digitally controlled, as well, for the pink.
:20:37. > :20:51.-- beautifully controlled. Now, we know that Sean had a chance
:20:52. > :20:56.in the first frame when he got a bad contact. He missed the mid- distance
:20:57. > :21:01.red in that frame as well. At Mark Allen has had a couple of chances.
:21:02. > :21:11.Can Shaun Murphy win this frame in one visit? It is not going to be
:21:12. > :21:12.easy. But that is when Shaun Murphy is at his best. Taking his
:21:13. > :21:43.opportunities. Well, he has gone a little bit more
:21:44. > :21:48.forward than he would have liked, with the blue. But he can still drop
:21:49. > :21:51.the blue in and just get on that red that is below the pink, to the left
:21:52. > :22:02.corner pocket. Just got to judge it off the cushion on the right-hand
:22:03. > :22:05.side. Judged it nicely. First glance, John, the table looks to be
:22:06. > :22:10.playing absolutely beautifully. Lovely pace and speed to it. You
:22:11. > :22:16.took the words right out of my mouth. I was just going to say, it
:22:17. > :22:27.looks very quick. But the modern-day players prefer that.
:22:28. > :22:33.And usually, if a table is not going to play it, it is usually the first
:22:34. > :22:39.day of the first session, you know, until it has got buried in. I agree
:22:40. > :22:47.with you, the table looks to be running beautifully.
:22:48. > :22:52.A little bit of work to do with the cueball here. Just coming around to
:22:53. > :22:56.see where he could leave the cueball, and maybe get on that red
:22:57. > :23:05.that is closest to the left corner. Got to be pretty precise.
:23:06. > :23:14.Got to get that somewhere around that, if you can. He has overhit it.
:23:15. > :23:19.But he is OK, he is on the red that is just above the blackspot. Believe
:23:20. > :23:23.it or not, he has got a lovely angle. This could work out a treat,
:23:24. > :23:29.because he has a nice angle just to bring the two reds above this red
:23:30. > :23:32.into play. Easy on the pink of the blue? That is really picking the
:23:33. > :24:00.game up a bit now. He just could have done with that
:24:01. > :24:04.cueball running a bit further down now. He has just got a bit of work
:24:05. > :24:09.to do with the cueball. I don't think it is a straightforward pot.
:24:10. > :24:12.Certainly not on the one below the pink. I don't think you would want
:24:13. > :24:16.to play the other one, the one to the right. That could go wrong. I
:24:17. > :24:20.mean, listen, if you were on the practice table, you would pop the
:24:21. > :24:23.red below the pink, can and the red below the top cushion, and get the
:24:24. > :24:30.black. But they don't like playing those types of shots from these
:24:31. > :24:34.match tables. That is why he is giving it a bit of thought. He has
:24:35. > :24:40.got a little bit of work to do with the cueball. He is playing the more
:24:41. > :24:45.difficult red. And he has played it nicely. Got one, couldn't have
:24:46. > :25:01.played it any better. You can see how he still kept his
:25:02. > :25:10.head on that shot. So important. Keep the cue nice and straight. I am
:25:11. > :25:13.sure the red below the pink pots into the corner pocket, but he has
:25:14. > :25:20.just gone little bit straight on the pink.
:25:21. > :25:28.Judged it nicely. Because he was so straight on the pink, that could
:25:29. > :25:34.have gone wrong. He has judged that very well. I was a little surprised
:25:35. > :25:40.he didn't screw back, but he didn't fancy the potting angle.
:25:41. > :25:51.So, this pink, this will put him 34 points in front, with 51 remaining.
:25:52. > :25:59.So he is still looking for two of these remaining three reds. It is
:26:00. > :26:02.not that straightforward. From now on, if he screws back towards the
:26:03. > :26:09.back cushion as we look, he could snooker himself on this thread. --
:26:10. > :26:12.this red. He has to be so precise if he screws back. That is why he is
:26:13. > :26:24.looking at the red from above the pink spot. Now there is no problem
:26:25. > :26:28.potting this red, but it looks like he is going to be going into the red
:26:29. > :26:29.that is close to the top cushion here. He has got to judge the cannon
:26:30. > :26:44.here. Well, I said judge it, but he
:26:45. > :27:01.couldn't have done it much better. Very happy with that result. That
:27:02. > :27:04.looks like frame now. You can see at 41 ahead, 43 remaining. This is a
:27:05. > :27:15.good response from Shaun Murphy. And that kicks, some players, that
:27:16. > :27:19.could have affected them for a couple of frames. Nice break so far.
:27:20. > :27:30.Yes, terrific opening red. It would be interesting to see how
:27:31. > :27:34.strong he goes on when he gets a chance. This was his first real
:27:35. > :27:40.chance, apart from the first frame, and this was the opening red.
:27:41. > :27:44.Cracking shot with the rest. He has won the frame in one visit. That is
:27:45. > :27:48.what you need to do at this level, if you are going to get consistent
:27:49. > :27:55.results. Well, the red doesn't go in. And that will be more than
:27:56. > :28:11.enough. So the defending champion, Shaun Murphy, levels 1-1.
:28:12. > :28:17.Not the best break of shot from Mark Allen. He left Shaun Murphy with his
:28:18. > :28:27.hand on the table, and they've three quarters ball popped to the corner.
:28:28. > :28:30.He was looking, Shaun Murphy, to see if there was any way he could play
:28:31. > :28:39.to develop the black. Welcome in the end, maybe he did try
:28:40. > :28:45.to play the black. I'm not certain about that choice. The worst thing
:28:46. > :28:50.has happened. He's left a nice, easy starter for his opponent. So, Mark
:28:51. > :28:55.Allen. Can you make this opportunity count? Shaun Murphy has brought the
:28:56. > :28:56.black into play, and there is a nice easy red to start with. You have got
:28:57. > :29:40.to make the most of these chances. Purposely played to be low on this
:29:41. > :29:45.black, now. Just potting the black, make a little cannon into the two
:29:46. > :29:50.reds. You could still be on the red closest to the black. There you see
:29:51. > :30:41.it. Very nice, it opens up everything now.
:30:42. > :30:57.Yes, fancied the rest there. The couple still available. -- red. Red
:30:58. > :31:11.into the left centre will corner. If he has a nice angle on the blue,
:31:12. > :31:23.he could go into the pink and there are a couple of red he could play.
:31:24. > :31:30.He has a look. I think he is OK. The pink is open as well into the left
:31:31. > :31:38.centre. Just that one shot. Let's have a look at these. It hits the
:31:39. > :31:46.pink perfectly. That one shot has opened this game for a frame winning
:31:47. > :31:52.chance. Yes, and this will make him feel good if he makes the most of
:31:53. > :31:58.this opportunity. A little ambitious trying to ring the black into play,
:31:59. > :32:05.might be better to go back up the table.
:32:06. > :32:21.This was the red... I surprised to try and get the black into play. He
:32:22. > :32:25.could have waited a few shots. Meanwhile, Mark Allen has played
:32:26. > :32:35.that nicely. Just looking now for one precise positional shot and the
:32:36. > :32:43.frame is in the bag. That looks like it. 48 points at the league now.
:32:44. > :32:56.Three reds, three Colours will be more than enough.
:32:57. > :33:09.If it does not see anything better... Always wary playing for
:33:10. > :33:28.breath along the cushion. There are permissible shots. -- missable. He
:33:29. > :33:37.has under heat that. He played for the red. It is a real tester. Red
:33:38. > :34:06.into the left centre. Played it well. Played it very well.
:34:07. > :34:18.APPLAUSE. Could not have worked out better. Always a bit of a risk but
:34:19. > :34:30.just read and the black to go ahead. -- red. And a possibility,
:34:31. > :34:43.once he secures the frame with this black, to head for a century. These
:34:44. > :34:53.four reds and four blacks will be enough.
:34:54. > :35:06.I was just thinking, this typifies... When you consider it was
:35:07. > :35:12.a poor break off shot for the market and Shaun did not take advantage and
:35:13. > :35:16.he has sat down for the for the rest of the flame. It is a fine line
:35:17. > :35:27.between success and failure at this level. It will cost you. Good
:35:28. > :35:35.response. We talked about how good he is around the pink and black,
:35:36. > :35:42.small little stone shots and cannons, developing reds as well.
:35:43. > :35:48.Very proficient when he is on his game. OK, he made a mistake in the
:35:49. > :35:57.last frame but he looks in fine shape here.
:35:58. > :36:03.APPLAUSE Very well played indeed by Mark Allen. That is what he needs to
:36:04. > :36:12.do, win frames. Now, how are these balls along the crucial in? Very
:36:13. > :36:17.nicely! -- along the cushions. Possible 137. This will set the
:36:18. > :36:33.target, the highest break.. Used to get the gold medal for the
:36:34. > :36:42.highest break... Did they still do it? Not quite sure. I do not like
:36:43. > :36:49.mentioning high breaks at the Masters when I'm in front of you. It
:36:50. > :37:00.was a long time ago, completely forgotten, not. This is Mark
:37:01. > :37:12.Allen's 56 career century. The first one will this year. How the crowd
:37:13. > :37:23.love a century break here. A total clearance would be even better. A
:37:24. > :37:36.wonderful break. Fantastic, 127 for Mark Allen. If set the mark all the
:37:37. > :37:37.rest of the tournament. -- it sets the mark for the rest of the
:37:38. > :38:01.tournament. A very good break from Mark Allen.
:38:02. > :38:12.And, for once, the black is in the open. That does not make this shot
:38:13. > :38:18.for Shaun Murphy any easier. He may try to pop this red on the
:38:19. > :38:34.right-hand side of the table but he will be hoping if he misses it he
:38:35. > :38:42.gets away with it. (CROWD GROANS). I think he will be pretty pleased with
:38:43. > :38:45.that outcome. At first glance, it does not look like he has left
:38:46. > :39:10.anything for Mark Allen. As I say, the black is in the open
:39:11. > :39:18.and there is a red that will tempt Shaun. It is a tough pot. If he
:39:19. > :39:27.knocked it in, he would be on the black. I do not think there is any
:39:28. > :39:34.other red he can see, to be honest with you. He could play safe off
:39:35. > :39:44.that red but that is risky, he would have to play within awful lot of
:39:45. > :39:51.right-hand side. He is tempted. Decision time.
:39:52. > :40:02.One out of five with his long potting. And that is why he gave it
:40:03. > :40:07.a lot of thought. He did not fancy it but he thought it was the shot to
:40:08. > :40:11.play and the worst possible outcome, he has left his opponent with an
:40:12. > :41:08.easy start. Right above the black. That will
:41:09. > :41:49.release the one just above it as well.
:41:50. > :42:02.Now, it looks like he is going to go into the pack of reds here. Needs a
:42:03. > :42:09.bit of pace on it. Not too bad. Try to hit the middle red of the bunch.
:42:10. > :43:02.It has worked out OK.. Just over done that a little. He
:43:03. > :43:06.will have to go back for the blue. Just on the hour mark, it has been
:43:07. > :43:15.excellent snooker so far. May be tempted to play the cannon. He is
:43:16. > :43:23.playing with top spin so he is not playing the cannon. So maybe that
:43:24. > :43:33.cluster of red, the top one will go to the right corner.
:43:34. > :43:44.Once again, he has not really got the perfect angle on the blue.
:43:45. > :43:49.Hampered slightly by the pink but it should not make the pot to too
:43:50. > :44:03.difficult. Now, he does not want to be too
:44:04. > :44:09.straight on this red because if he is too straight this will be tricky
:44:10. > :44:19.and he is a very straight, as you can see. He might try a screw shot
:44:20. > :44:28.to hit the red at the back. That is exactly what he has done. Couldn't
:44:29. > :44:30.have played it better. He have to be careful with those shots and he did
:44:31. > :44:45.it to perfection. Tried to get on that red you were
:44:46. > :44:53.talking about. The hand went up as the gestures to say sorry because he
:44:54. > :44:58.did not play for this red. The cannon has put the bottom red into
:44:59. > :45:05.play. This has opened all the reds. Lovely shot stop youth of all.
:45:06. > :45:14.APPLAUSE. He had a bit of fortune but if you have a bit of luck, take
:45:15. > :45:21.full advantage of it. Because it can always turn the other way. Just a
:45:22. > :45:58.black and red needed to get to the snooker required stage.
:45:59. > :46:16.A litany of good breaks so far. This is a good staff as a starter to the
:46:17. > :46:37.tournament. He is going to need that Brad close
:46:38. > :46:53.to the pink if he is going to go on and make a century as well. -- red.
:46:54. > :47:01.He is played for the pink but he's not going to be on it will stop --
:47:02. > :47:23.has played.. Well, he tried to top the blue and
:47:24. > :47:52.develop the red that he has missed it. Another frame onto the board and
:47:53. > :48:04.goes into the lead, one small. -- once more. Six the target, remember
:48:05. > :48:15.stop and I think that tells a story. In fact, without success, 82%. You
:48:16. > :48:16.need to be 90% or above. Shola Ameobi has really only been one
:48:17. > :49:36.frame of behind. -- Shaun Murphy. APPLAUSE. Decent length. He caught
:49:37. > :49:40.this just right. He has been catching some of this is a bit
:49:41. > :49:46.thick. He cannot cut that one scene in hour. It needs to miss the brown
:49:47. > :49:52.for it to be a good shot and he has not and Shaun Murphy immediately
:49:53. > :49:58.coming down to the table to see if the black is available. A
:49:59. > :50:05.straightish red. Long potting has not been his forte. Just one out of
:50:06. > :50:15.six, at the moment. He tells me he thinks he can get position on the
:50:16. > :50:28.black. Seven foot 11 inches between cue ball and object ball. (CROWD
:50:29. > :50:35.GROANS). Another one missed. And funnily enough, he did that too.
:50:36. > :50:41.Overcompensating. He did play it with top spin to try and get it back
:50:42. > :50:47.for the blue but it is one we are expecting him to knock in. They are
:50:48. > :51:03.the type of ones that really is that your confidence as well. -- Zap.
:51:04. > :51:16.Now, another little tester for Shaun Murphy. The black looks like it is
:51:17. > :51:27.on to the back right-hand pocket. APPLAUSE. Well, it went in. Not
:51:28. > :51:45.perfectly on the blue but nicely on the green.
:51:46. > :51:53.He has come down to have a look at that red behind the black.
:51:54. > :52:03.Right-hand corner pocket but you have to be dead behind it. Yes, it
:52:04. > :52:07.is one of those, if you are straight on, you would not fancy missing it
:52:08. > :52:17.but if you are just off straight, you could certainly run into the
:52:18. > :52:22.black and, obviously, if it can get the red away from the black it makes
:52:23. > :52:40.the black available on both corners. Did not want to risk it. He cannot
:52:41. > :52:48.play for the black now. The problem is, when it you manoeuvre the tubal
:52:49. > :52:57.distance, as it happens, finished absolutely plumb on the blue. -- the
:52:58. > :53:04.cue ball. That is the line of the blue. This is the beauty of this one
:53:05. > :53:12.table situation, we can give you all the shots, all the angles.
:53:13. > :53:27.Well, it does not look like he is totally convinced of the red into
:53:28. > :53:32.the corner pocket. The red directly above the black, he could go on that
:53:33. > :53:51.ought to the right of the black. He has gone the red directly above
:53:52. > :53:54.the black. Just watch the cue ball because he has to put a lot of top
:53:55. > :54:07.spin on this and this could go wrong. He has to be most careful.
:54:08. > :54:13.Absolutely. He did it but he has had no luck. He has had no luck and what
:54:14. > :54:18.has made it worse, there is a red neither Kush and so there is no
:54:19. > :54:23.safety around that area of the table. He may have to play a pot
:54:24. > :54:30.here. It is not one you would like but I do not see where any safety
:54:31. > :54:37.shot comes from here. The blue, if he could cue past the red, you could
:54:38. > :54:48.see him taking add-on. He is now looking at the yellow. -- taking it
:54:49. > :54:56.on. Yes, he is hampered by both of reds, for the blue. I think the
:54:57. > :55:00.yellow, at least he has got, you know, straight cueing, no balls in
:55:01. > :55:08.their way. That would probably be my choice but it is fraught with a lot
:55:09. > :55:12.of danger. I mean, look at the red. He has decided on the yellow. There
:55:13. > :55:21.is no safety so he has to take this on. Big shot. Big shot that. But as
:55:22. > :55:32.I say, he had to take it on because there is no real safety. It does not
:55:33. > :55:41.look like he has left anything easy, having said that. This red will
:55:42. > :55:51.cut. But no real idea where it is going to finish with the cue ball
:55:52. > :55:56.travelling loose. So in it goes. The fleet on the green. Don't tell me,
:55:57. > :56:03.he's going to finish up perfect on the black? If it would have just
:56:04. > :56:07.stopped a fraction of... You can see him looking up and shaking the
:56:08. > :56:14.head. That would have been a result. But not on it. Unlike
:56:15. > :57:28.Shaun, Mark has an easy safety. be as thin contact. It could be
:57:29. > :57:36.taken. No hesitation. The ball is replaced. Of course, the situation
:57:37. > :57:43.in these circumstances, hits the ball very thin to get a good safety
:57:44. > :57:49.but he could always miss it again but we know that if you miss it
:57:50. > :57:59.three times, you lose the rain. -- frame. The first couple of times...
:58:00. > :58:02.As you say, the first time is a guide, the second time you are
:58:03. > :58:11.expected to hit it will stop the next time, if you do not hit it, you
:58:12. > :58:20.lose the frame. We will heed the warning now. I have to warn you, you
:58:21. > :58:28.have to hit it this time otherwise you forfeit the frame. Thanks. And
:58:29. > :58:34.the first person to ever lose the frame under this rule at the Masters
:58:35. > :58:42.is sitting right next to me. Cheers, John.
:58:43. > :59:05.Always a pleasure working with you. So do you risk it. Would you believe
:59:06. > :59:10.it! Well, it is such a harsh rule but the players know why the
:59:11. > :59:17.situation it is and I cannot believe he has missed that. Would you
:59:18. > :59:30.believe it! What a way to lose a frame. Unbelievable.
:59:31. > :59:40.Mark Allen gets frame seven under way and what a bonus that was, he
:59:41. > :59:50.did not have to do anything. Just played one good safety, that was all
:59:51. > :59:53.and he won the frame. Tough rural. Yes, tough rule but it will be
:59:54. > :00:04.interesting to see how he copes with it now. -- tough rule.
:00:05. > :00:14.APPLAUSE. How about that for an answer! Great fight! Under these
:00:15. > :00:34.circumstances, absolutely majestic. and in all fairness it was, but he
:00:35. > :00:38.wasn't certain he was going to be on the red. He was just trying to drop
:00:39. > :00:43.it in and just hoped to get a nice little cannon. If it had been
:00:44. > :00:47.another inch away from the side cushion the black would have been
:00:48. > :00:50.unmissable. But what a chance now for Mark Allen. He can really press
:00:51. > :01:21.home the advantage. You would want to be straight on
:01:22. > :01:23.this red. Of course he wasn't, and he hasn't played that very well at
:01:24. > :01:37.all. That was poor. Could be in the break, because even
:01:38. > :01:42.if he pots the black here, there is nothing into the right-hand corner
:01:43. > :01:48.pocket. So maybe just a safety shot here. He would be kicking himself,
:01:49. > :02:03.because at the moment he has got Shaun Murphy on the rack.
:02:04. > :02:08.It may need a little bit of a safety belt for Shaun Murphy, just to clear
:02:09. > :02:13.his head a little bit. Because when you lose a frame in a manner that he
:02:14. > :02:21.lost his last one, you can see, the first bomb was quite a long way
:02:22. > :02:25.away. -- first one. In the interval of the frame he was looking over to
:02:26. > :02:27.Mark Allen. If he thought the cueball was just drifting over
:02:28. > :02:35.slightly, then you make an allowance. Very hard to understand
:02:36. > :02:41.that a player of his ability and his long potting prowess that you cannot
:02:42. > :02:45.hit a ball just less than quarter. As I say, he was looking over to
:02:46. > :02:50.Mark Allen, and sort of gesticulating, sort of drifting over
:02:51. > :02:53.slightly. If it was, then you just make an allowance. Anyway. Snooker
:02:54. > :03:06.do here. -- Personally I would prefer to come
:03:07. > :03:16.down the left-hand side of the table. Playing it with pace. Of
:03:17. > :03:20.course, the fact that he has snookered all the balls, he can have
:03:21. > :03:22.as many attempts as he wants at this. No reason for Mark Allen not
:03:23. > :03:39.to have the balls replaced. I always feel with this shot, you
:03:40. > :03:42.feel more comfortable if you play it with traces aside, but being close
:03:43. > :03:46.to the cushion, it is not that easy to get the side on. Yes, he has
:03:47. > :03:57.played that pretty well. I think the pot is in this corner
:03:58. > :04:07.pocket. Mark Allen, being a left-hander, can reach this.
:04:08. > :04:19.He certainly can reach it. Well, he is not perfect on the colour, but
:04:20. > :04:26.the way that the balls are situated, and the way that the reds are
:04:27. > :04:34.spread, one good pot here could give him a frame winning chance.
:04:35. > :04:41.This could win him the frame, this pink.
:04:42. > :04:52.Right in the heart of the pocket! So, the frame is about the taking.
:04:53. > :04:56.-- therefore the taking. It was a wonderful shot.
:04:57. > :05:07.In the previous shot, the red, potted into the corner pocket, but
:05:08. > :05:13.was so nice. Just spreading the reds into portable positions.
:05:14. > :05:49.There is a little gap between the reds. If he could hit that one just
:05:50. > :05:52.to the right of the pink. That falls into place, he would have a choice
:05:53. > :05:57.of reds. But didn't get the cannon Wright. I always knew there was
:05:58. > :06:00.always a chance of being on the red to the left middle. At that cannon
:06:01. > :06:04.was nothing like he played. He didn't want to hit that red, he
:06:05. > :06:09.wanted to get the one further up. As I say, always second prize with this
:06:10. > :06:13.red to the middle. Still a great opportunity. He could
:06:14. > :06:23.take a three frame advantage here. More importantly, B1 frame away from
:06:24. > :06:45.victory. When he gets to 69 points, that will
:06:46. > :06:51.mean that snookers is required from Shaun. Once again, he played a
:06:52. > :06:59.cannon on that same red, finally enough, and didn't get it right. --
:07:00. > :07:02.funnily enough. Needs to hit that red fullbore, it would have been
:07:03. > :07:09.perfect then. Making hard work of it. The red directly above the black
:07:10. > :07:14.doesn't pot into this corner pocket, so he is going to have to do pull
:07:15. > :07:20.out a good pot year. Two tricky reds. The red down the rail into the
:07:21. > :07:24.right-hand corner pocket is tricky, and the red that is on the top
:07:25. > :07:26.cushion, as we looked just behind the black, that is very dangerous to
:07:27. > :07:42.the left-hand corner pocket. Of course it is in the player's mind
:07:43. > :07:46.that this was a golden opportunity to win the frame at this visit. This
:07:47. > :07:50.is where the player has the tendency just to push the bolt out. He has
:07:51. > :07:55.cut a 51 points lead. You do not have to play the pot. But as I say,
:07:56. > :07:59.he fell 20 was in amongst the balls that this was a chance to win it. --
:08:00. > :08:06.he felt when he was in amongst the balls.
:08:07. > :08:20.Could rescue shot. -- good. Shaun Murphy now fearing the worst that he
:08:21. > :08:30.will not get back to the table with a winning chance in this frame.
:08:31. > :09:12.So, 67 points to lead, 67 remaining. No heroics with this red. Just drop
:09:13. > :09:13.it in. Two snookers will be needed. Well, the pockets are swallowing
:09:14. > :09:25.them up! So it goes without saying that Shaun
:09:26. > :09:30.Murphy, the defending champion, has got it all to do now. Absolutely.
:09:31. > :09:33.Particularly the way that Mark Allen is playing now as well. How crucial
:09:34. > :10:19.that friendly -- that frame be? Already made high breaks of 137 and
:10:20. > :10:21.91 in frame five. Didn't have to do anything in the six frame. It was
:10:22. > :10:26.gifted to him. So, yellow and green would be enough
:10:27. > :11:01.to get to the century mark. Well played! Second century of the
:11:02. > :11:05.match. Run out of position a couple of times, but his opening red was
:11:06. > :11:08.the key to this. A tremendous opening red. Good shot with the rest
:11:09. > :11:21.on the pink. Well, it didn't really matter. He
:11:22. > :11:25.couldn't make the 137 he'd made earlier. Shaun Murphy back against
:11:26. > :11:27.the wall, the defending champion Mark Allen just one frame away from
:11:28. > :12:20.victory. One more frame for a place in the
:12:21. > :12:25.quarter-finals. He is not pushing the boat out. He is certainly going
:12:26. > :12:32.to keep the pressure on his opponent.
:12:33. > :12:38.Here is the exchange, maybe Shaun Murphy are saying to Mark Allen but
:12:39. > :12:44.the ball had drifted a little bit. But Mark Allen scene, thank you.
:12:45. > :12:54.Great place to get a frame that easy. It happened to me in the Irish
:12:55. > :12:58.Masters, John. I was playing Steve Davis, and he lost the final red
:12:59. > :13:02.three times. It was the final frame of the match as well. He
:13:03. > :13:05.subsequently lost the match. I don't know whether that has ever happened
:13:06. > :13:12.since. Didn't you lose a frame in the Masters with three misses? No,
:13:13. > :13:18.it was the world championship. I'll, the world championship. Just the
:13:19. > :13:22.world championship. Your, OK. The decision that one was, can. -- good
:13:23. > :14:32.decision that one was, can. On the surface, Shaun Murphy looks
:14:33. > :14:38.cool, calm and collected. What he is feeling like underneath, I don't
:14:39. > :14:46.know. This is not the start he was looking for in defence of his title.
:14:47. > :14:54.He is going to have to get to the stage now. It is no mistake,
:14:55. > :14:58.snooker. He just hasn't looked on it from the first ball, and those
:14:59. > :15:00.couple of long pots, maybe, just shook his confidence in the first
:15:01. > :15:10.frame. When he has gone around the balls in
:15:11. > :15:15.amongst the pink and the black that is OK. It is really the long balls
:15:16. > :15:20.that really test you. Well, he has been given a chance here. That red
:15:21. > :15:24.has just crept past the blue and let Shaun Murphy a nice, easy starter.
:15:25. > :15:30.This could give us a little clue. OK, the black is tied up, that he
:15:31. > :15:36.has still got the colour is blue and pink to work with. That pot
:15:37. > :15:40.successful somebody like Sean, a very low 80%. Reconsider potting is
:15:41. > :15:42.his strength, you wouldn't say that his safety plays his strength. It is
:15:43. > :15:57.his potting. Shaun Murphy now in a situation
:15:58. > :16:01.where he can't afford any mistakes, can't afford to miss when he is in.
:16:02. > :16:08.That is not the best positional shot on the blue. Wrong side of the blue.
:16:09. > :16:12.That means you cannot get close to the next contended red as he would
:16:13. > :16:18.like to be. There you can see it. Just the wrong side. The problem is
:16:19. > :16:25.that if he tries to run in and out of all, that yellow comes into play.
:16:26. > :16:30.So, just deciding to drop the blue in and leave this red. But when you
:16:31. > :16:38.are just one frame away from defeat, these are testing.
:16:39. > :16:53.Cued it beautifully. Well played. Very well played indeed.
:16:54. > :17:07.Yes, played confidently to stay on the pink.
:17:08. > :17:13.Well, a pause, can he get through to this red when the pink is back on
:17:14. > :17:35.its spot? He can get to the one on the top cushion. No harm done.
:17:36. > :17:41.When he has been in this position in the couple of friends that he has
:17:42. > :17:45.one, he has looked as good as ever. Those few safety shots, and
:17:46. > :17:52.particularly a couple of the long pots that he has missed. Easy
:17:53. > :18:08.opportunities to get frames on the board.
:18:09. > :18:15.As you say, John, every pot is crucial now for Shaun Murphy. Mark
:18:16. > :18:17.Allen has a little bit of leeway. He knows that you can get a couple of
:18:18. > :19:18.chances. Could have played that a bit better.
:19:19. > :19:22.Straight would have been ideal, but he has got to be careful, if he runs
:19:23. > :19:28.into the other red, that he doesn't affect the position. He did flick
:19:29. > :19:39.off the other red. Needs to run. Has he got the angle on the blue?
:19:40. > :19:48.Just about makes all the difference. Didn't he cue that
:19:49. > :19:54.well? That was beautiful cueing. Beautifully played.
:19:55. > :20:01.So as you say, he is cueing well when he is in the balls. It is just
:20:02. > :20:04.sort of his long-distance shots that haven't been great. He wanted a
:20:05. > :20:11.better angle on the pink ball than this. But such is the cue power of
:20:12. > :20:16.Shaun Murphy, no problems, straight on and off the side cushion. Looking
:20:17. > :20:20.for red, colour red, because I don't think he can play for the black. And
:20:21. > :20:22.if he plays for the pink, that will put him 67 points in front, with 67
:20:23. > :20:35.remaining. Well, he tried to get on the black,
:20:36. > :20:40.and he is not on the black. So he will have to play the difficult
:20:41. > :20:43.thing -- difficult pink. Still looking for one more red. If he
:20:44. > :20:50.could have gone on the black, that would put him in the snookers
:20:51. > :20:54.required stage. Two Lacey can play this. He can play it up into the
:20:55. > :21:07.green pocket, or just try to make sure it enters the right centre.
:21:08. > :21:36.Decent contribution from Shaun Murphy. This frame is still not
:21:37. > :21:38.over. Tall order for Mark Allen. That is even more difficult, if he
:21:39. > :22:00.is not on this thread. -- red. Well, he didn't feel as though he
:22:01. > :22:05.could do much with that red. Of course, that now means he needs
:22:06. > :22:12.snooker, because he needed a black off the red to be able to tie. And I
:22:13. > :22:16.think he may look and nod a concession that, although it is
:22:17. > :22:19.usually adequate not to concede when it is your opponent's turn at the
:22:20. > :22:26.table, but that should be enough. Ash max usually adequate.
:22:27. > :22:32.And he said don't bother with the rest, I'll give you the frame.
:22:33. > :22:35.That's a good response from Shaun Murphy. He is still up against it,
:22:36. > :23:23.obviously. Well played. Played that very confidently. There
:23:24. > :23:27.was no air of a shortfall nothing in that one. He played at such a place
:23:28. > :23:34.he was bound to be on blue walled baulk colour. He is on the wrong
:23:35. > :23:37.side of the blue, but as I always say, you would rather be well on the
:23:38. > :23:51.wrong side of the blue than just off straight.
:23:52. > :23:55.As I say, in this situation, you cannot afford to miss, particularly
:23:56. > :24:25.when you are in. Pink pops pass the green into the
:24:26. > :24:33.top right-hand corner pocket. The only problem here for Sean is that
:24:34. > :24:34.you get tied up and it is re- spotted. And of course the black is
:24:35. > :24:53.tied up as well. Lots of work to do. Could play a couple of shots here.
:24:54. > :24:57.Maybe pot the red and go around the back of the black, up for the blue
:24:58. > :25:03.and baulk. Or try to develop the black and red here.
:25:04. > :25:12.A nice angle on the red into the bottom left-hand corner pocket. The
:25:13. > :25:16.bottom of the cue ball could career into the red and black, and maybe
:25:17. > :25:23.bring the black into play. If he wishes. He has got this opportunity
:25:24. > :25:31.as well. That's a good shot. Excellent shot.
:25:32. > :25:38.He wanted to bring the black and the red into play. A lot will depend now
:25:39. > :25:43.on where this black goes. I think if it doesn't go in its own spot, then
:25:44. > :25:50.that red meat just be available. -- red may just. Hard to tell at the
:25:51. > :25:55.moment. Shaun Murphy doesn't think that it was. Does the black go on
:25:56. > :25:58.its own spot? If not, it were to go as close to its own spot as it can
:25:59. > :26:04.in a direct line with the middle of the top cushion. Which tells me that
:26:05. > :26:08.that red could possibly be pottable. I'm never quite certain what that
:26:09. > :26:13.tells us, you know? Does that mean it goes up? No? You would think that
:26:14. > :26:17.that cross was right in the middle of that market, it would go on,
:26:18. > :26:25.wouldn't it? But it doesn't. It cannot be touching the red. Shaun
:26:26. > :26:29.Murphy just coming to have a look around now. He doesn't want this red
:26:30. > :26:35.and black to be attached to the corner. I tell you what, it is a
:26:36. > :26:39.very close to being one. So if he does try to play the cannon he has
:26:40. > :26:44.to be careful that he doesn't hit it hard enough for the black to go in
:26:45. > :26:49.the corner pocket. Again, nice angle on this red.
:26:50. > :26:57.Needs the bounce. He couldn't play it any harder. There was always a
:26:58. > :27:01.fear that if he caught it wrong he would knock the black in. But this
:27:02. > :27:05.is a tricky one hour. Just got to drop this in, as you say, he just
:27:06. > :27:14.needed that black to bounce a fraction.
:27:15. > :27:21.Couldn't do much with the cue ball. So he couldn't get the cue ball as
:27:22. > :27:26.far away from the cushion as he would have liked. So this is another
:27:27. > :27:28.test. As I say, he cannot afford to miss when he is into the balls like
:27:29. > :27:46.this. Could cueing again. Lovely angle on
:27:47. > :27:53.the black. Stung up into the two reds, try to split some more raids
:27:54. > :28:17.into play. That is OK. He has got the red into the centre.
:28:18. > :28:23.Nice angle again on the black. He could play the cannon again just to
:28:24. > :28:27.nudge them some more. He has got the red to the right of the blue, that
:28:28. > :28:33.is easy to get on. He decided to take the no risk route. Now, can he
:28:34. > :28:40.play this red and leave himself a nice angle on the blue. He is down
:28:41. > :28:46.quicker, so obviously he can. Now this could be the key to this
:28:47. > :28:53.frame. He will be playing the cannon this time, but you will always need
:28:54. > :28:58.a little bit of luck. That red just above the pink, hitting it full in
:28:59. > :29:04.the face. In it goes! And he is on the red. Superb.
:29:05. > :29:23.It has been a good response, hasn't it? Are you reading my script here?
:29:24. > :29:27.I was just going to say exactly that. You cannot help but be
:29:28. > :29:33.impressed by the response here from Shaun Murphy after what happened in
:29:34. > :29:39.that frame when he was, well, conceded. He missed the ball three
:29:40. > :29:45.times, and then Mark Allen in the next frame made 104.
:29:46. > :29:51.That looked a bit wide. But it just lacked that pace. A bit more pace, I
:29:52. > :30:42.don't think that would have dropped. So that puts the frame well and
:30:43. > :30:50.truly in the erg, you would have thought.
:30:51. > :31:02.As you said a few moments ago, can, you always feel you are going to
:31:03. > :31:09.have one or two chances to get the frame. Maybe a bit of doubt creeping
:31:10. > :31:25.into Mark Allen's mind now. Absolutely. Given great confidence
:31:26. > :31:32.in the last couple of frames. Knowing that one chance he gets is
:31:33. > :31:40.going to win the frame from but the first few reds were superb, the way
:31:41. > :31:47.the pink was tied up. He developed it very nicely indeed. I tell you
:31:48. > :31:57.what, the crowd have been in for a wonderful treat. This red will make
:31:58. > :32:04.it another century. It has been a high-quality match and not without
:32:05. > :32:15.incident. Well played, Shaun Murphy.
:32:16. > :32:23.APPLAUSE. (CROWD GROANS). Well, he has missed the black but he will not
:32:24. > :32:35.be too disappointed. Another frame in the back and he is only one
:32:36. > :32:42.behind now. -- bag. A bit heavy-handed with the break from
:32:43. > :32:47.Shaun. As I said in previous occasions, he cannot afford any
:32:48. > :32:56.mistakes and this is one. OK, this red needs watching. Well, he is not
:32:57. > :33:02.taking it on. Is that of three ball play? To the corner? It was not. I
:33:03. > :33:11.cannot believe he did not take that red on. I mean, OK, those safety and
:33:12. > :33:18.I do not doubt the quality of the length but refusing to red like
:33:19. > :33:35.that! You do not want to go too much into your Shell.
:33:36. > :33:46.Well, he has covered it but it looks pretty straightforward off the
:33:47. > :33:55.cushion. The only problem is, it is going to be heading towards lack and
:33:56. > :34:00.bread. -- red. He has to hit this with a lot of pace but he does not
:34:01. > :34:10.seem to have the angle to go back for the blue. Well, he has found a
:34:11. > :34:23.little gap there. He will certainly the happy with that result.
:34:24. > :34:41.(CROWD GROANS). Wow. He is a long way away from that. Have a look at
:34:42. > :34:45.this, John. He has put a lot of right-hand side on it but he has
:34:46. > :34:52.pushed the cue ball away from the object all. It amazes me that he can
:34:53. > :35:03.play an attacking shot like that and he refuses red as the first shot.
:35:04. > :35:09.Maybe a little panic set here. You know, when you're 5-2 in front, you
:35:10. > :35:16.can be forgiven for thinking this game is in the bag but never take
:35:17. > :35:28.anything for granted, particularly not in this level and opposition. I
:35:29. > :35:39.am sure the pink will pot. It clearly does. Good cueing needed,
:35:40. > :35:44.though. Right in the heart of the pocket. He is certainly not wilting
:35:45. > :36:09.under the pressure, fair play. His pot success was down to nearly
:36:10. > :36:19.81% at one stage but it is rising rapidly, 87%. Still a lot of work to
:36:20. > :36:27.do so. The fact that pink is covered, it helps his cause here.
:36:28. > :36:35.Nice angle on the pink after potting this red. Leave it low, pink into
:36:36. > :36:40.the corner, tried to bring some more reds into play. He will be
:36:41. > :36:56.guaranteed to be on the red on the corner pocket. Actually got too much
:36:57. > :37:03.into it but he is still OK. Mmm. I am surprised he played it so hard. I
:37:04. > :37:06.thought he could have played at more gently to bring the black into play.
:37:07. > :37:33.He needed a few reds in. He has used the other red nicely.
:37:34. > :37:41.Very well controlled. Just used that red. Has to catch the ball. One of
:37:42. > :37:47.those situations where it is just perfect to play that shot. Did not
:37:48. > :37:51.have to do a lot with the cue ball. Well, it just shows you, once again,
:37:52. > :37:58.we have seen a few balls knocked against the cushion but trying to
:37:59. > :38:04.force the pink to make an angle which was almost impossible but he
:38:05. > :38:16.did not want to play for the red along the top cushion. And, as I
:38:17. > :38:19.said, you cannot afford to miss when he is in and amongst the balls. And
:38:20. > :38:26.that is exactly what he has done and this is a chance will Mark Allen.
:38:27. > :38:36.Yes, this is the chance he has been waiting for. -- fall Mark Allen.
:38:37. > :38:47.Excellent read. To even get it close to that sport.
:38:48. > :39:00.(CROWD GROANS). Both players feeling it a little bit now. Wow. He was not
:39:01. > :39:05.missing those earlier in the match. He did not see it coming. Just like
:39:06. > :39:14.Shaun, he was trying to pinch it a little bit. But Shaun was trying to
:39:15. > :39:22.pinch a lot and Mark was just trying to stun down for the black. He needs
:39:23. > :39:29.a good shot here. Black again. He does not have to use too much screw
:39:30. > :39:36.just has too judge it nicely. He has hit that nicely now. And he has a
:39:37. > :39:51.red, more importantly, that he can play position to the black.
:39:52. > :40:03.(CROWD GROANS). Wow. Well, we have seen everything in this match that
:40:04. > :40:09.bad. We have seen great century break, some misses, but both players
:40:10. > :40:22.really feeling it. Yes, that was a head scratcher. (CROWD GROANS).
:40:23. > :40:30.Well, it looks like the pockets have shrunk a little. Sometimes these
:40:31. > :40:38.players make it look so easy at yet, anyone who has tried to this game,
:40:39. > :40:45.you know how accurate you need to be. As I say, they make it look so
:40:46. > :40:54.easy most of the time but it is not looking easy now. Well, he has had a
:40:55. > :41:04.look at these two reds that are very close together. He looks to the
:41:05. > :41:13.corner pocket here. That is unmissable. He does not have to do
:41:14. > :41:19.too much with the cue ball. Got to play the plant, surely.
:41:20. > :41:30.It is of their. APPLAUSE. He got a double-kiss on
:41:31. > :41:37.the red. The red stayed there. He's on the black that it is then cut. He
:41:38. > :41:43.just cut the first red twice and that is why it is not perfect on the
:41:44. > :41:47.black but he has got it and after some of the balls that have been
:41:48. > :41:58.missed, there was a lot of pressure on that. He still has a bit to do.
:41:59. > :42:08.Yes, he has been so good with the rest. 91% with the rest. He has only
:42:09. > :42:23.missed one from 11. Once again, refusing to play for the
:42:24. > :42:27.red along the cushion. And he is not perfect here. He has a pot on a
:42:28. > :42:31.couple of reds but it is not a straightforward plot position. Mark
:42:32. > :42:43.Allen will be wondering what has gone wrong.
:42:44. > :42:52.Looks like he has to go off the ball here. He has to avoid the red. Is he
:42:53. > :43:00.going to stay for the black? Thinking about it. Thinking about
:43:01. > :43:05.using a lot of right-hand side to try hold for the black. But he might
:43:06. > :43:15.be better off going for a green or brown. (CROWD GROANS). Would you
:43:16. > :43:23.believe it? Indecision, wasn't it? Indecision, that was the problem.
:43:24. > :43:28.OK. He has covered the red over the corner but it is easy to knock one
:43:29. > :43:36.red on to the other and get back for the brown. That was a nice. The
:43:37. > :43:44.other one hanging over the pocket. Still a lot to do fall Mark Allen.
:43:45. > :43:51.Still a few awkward balls to go through if he wants to win the frame
:43:52. > :43:57.and match. I wonder if he is contemplating taking the blue into
:43:58. > :43:58.play. Putting the blue into play. Looking at the school, he decided
:43:59. > :44:20.against it. -- score. APPLAUSE. Played that well, always
:44:21. > :44:29.tricky when a ball is in the jaws of the pocket. He played it perfectly.
:44:30. > :44:54.We have seen a couple of times, Shaun Murphy has, well, made things
:44:55. > :44:59.awkward for himself by not wanting to play this red along the top
:45:00. > :45:09.cushion. Mark Allen is paying for it. It created difficulty. If he is
:45:10. > :45:16.too opt the cushion. If he's tight after cushion you don't fancy
:45:17. > :45:23.missing it. I fairly surprise, Shaun Murphy had two opportunities to play
:45:24. > :45:27.for that read but didn't. Again, looking at the scoreboard, like
:45:28. > :45:34.Allen, he could play at cannon after potting the black into the blue and
:45:35. > :45:49.red into the middle. The target to hit the blue from the black year. --
:45:50. > :45:54.here. He needs a bit more place. A bit more pace and he would have
:45:55. > :46:02.brought the blue into play. He's going to need that blue to be opened
:46:03. > :46:14.to win this frame. APPLAUSE. World, he has rolled the
:46:15. > :46:21.red in but he is not onto a colour. He is three points behind now. But
:46:22. > :46:26.we know, if you can lay a good snooker at this stage of the frame,
:46:27. > :46:46.how much value he can get with the best rule. -- miss rule.
:46:47. > :46:56.Yes, it is straightforward. One question possibly is he may hit the
:46:57. > :47:06.cushion before but he does not want to bring the red into play.
:47:07. > :47:13.APPLAUSE. Not too bad. He could play a delicate little shot here, Mark
:47:14. > :47:17.Allen, just stun the red past the yellow, put it around the black
:47:18. > :47:25.somewhere and snooker behind the yellow here. Nice shot.
:47:26. > :47:32.APPLAUSE. He would have preferred to have that read in the open, though.
:47:33. > :47:48.He could have played it harder and kept the red into the open.
:47:49. > :47:59.In an ideal world, you would like to come off two cushions but I do not
:48:00. > :48:03.think there is. You have to catch this read full because the one thing
:48:04. > :48:09.you need is distance between cue ball and object ball. Just nestling
:48:10. > :48:19.up to the red, you give the advantage to your opponent stop
:48:20. > :48:32.(CROWD GROANS). That read would have run the face. You can see the
:48:33. > :48:45.disappointment in Shaun's face. -- that red. (CROWD GROANS). Just
:48:46. > :48:50.getting the feeling at the moment, Kent, that anything half difficult
:48:51. > :48:59.for Mark, you do not fancy him potting it. A bit of movement on
:49:00. > :49:09.that red. I thought the cue ball was going towards the blue. Played with
:49:10. > :49:15.a lot of payees. -- pace. It is not going to be that easy to get it
:49:16. > :49:20.safe. I think he would like to send the red in between the blue and
:49:21. > :49:24.green but the problem is with that is he could be sending it towards
:49:25. > :49:34.this corner pocket up at this end of the table. Cross double is
:49:35. > :49:39.dangerous. It takes a bit of pressure the fact that the yellow is
:49:40. > :49:46.not in its spot and not in a good position. But you do not want to
:49:47. > :49:54.leave your opponent the chance of this red. Taking thinking time, and
:49:55. > :49:59.I can understand that. Does not want to leave a pot on here. There is one
:50:00. > :50:10.shot he could play, tried to play the red onto the blue. But, again,
:50:11. > :50:16.very dangerous. Mmm, he has not played it well. He did try to bounce
:50:17. > :50:24.it in between the green and blue but it caught the green and this red is
:50:25. > :50:32.possible. APPLAUSE In it goes and it looks as
:50:33. > :50:38.though it it is falling nicely on the black and this black will take
:50:39. > :50:46.him six points in front. So he is still going to need yellow, green,
:50:47. > :50:54.brown and blue four feet tree. -- victory.
:50:55. > :51:01.Just overran it. A couple of inches. Try to get the cue ball close to the
:51:02. > :51:08.inside cushion and take yellow open to its pocket on the top left-hand
:51:09. > :51:17.corner. He may still take it on but it is more difficult.
:51:18. > :51:33.Not going to bother. Trying to keep the pressure on. You can just about
:51:34. > :51:43.see the outside edge of that yellow. Well, you say that, I think
:51:44. > :51:49.he may have to play a little swerve here, straight down the left-hand
:51:50. > :51:58.side. Maybe he feels he can just get past the brown. (CROWD GROANS). He
:51:59. > :52:10.gives seven points away, seven valuable points. And is has been
:52:11. > :52:20.called but this is very, very important replacement of this poll
:52:21. > :52:26.ball. I thought he needed a little bit of a swerve. Now, it is so
:52:27. > :52:32.important to get this absolutely spot-on where it was before. I think
:52:33. > :52:37.he can just about hit the corner side. It is a little bit of a swerve
:52:38. > :52:46.but it will definitely hit the yellow. The fact he missed the
:52:47. > :52:50.yellow the first time around and hit the black, it means that if Mark
:52:51. > :52:57.Allen gets a chance, he does not need the awkward blue. He just need
:52:58. > :53:08.yellow, green and brown. That is a big, big difference in this frame.
:53:09. > :53:20.He needs to get that curable tight to that cushion.
:53:21. > :53:23.APPLAUSE. The fact that it is so close to the cushion, Mark Allen
:53:24. > :53:46.will not be taking this yellow on. Not the best safety from Mark so a
:53:47. > :53:53.chance for Shaun to gain if the initiative in this very important
:53:54. > :54:01.safety exchange. The target behind green or brown. Might decide to send
:54:02. > :54:08.the ball round the angles. Well, a little tap on the table from Mark
:54:09. > :54:09.Allen but he is under no pressure. Just send the yellow up and down the
:54:10. > :54:39.table. That would be safe enough.. APPLAUSE. I cannot believe he has
:54:40. > :54:43.played it that way. Amazing. I mean, it looked a straightforward
:54:44. > :54:47.up-and-down safety, run the cue ball into the green. You have to leave
:54:48. > :55:03.the yellow say. You could not leave it like this.
:55:04. > :55:09.APPLAUSE. Well, to me, that was a bit careless from Shaun. He should
:55:10. > :55:14.be avoiding the blue at all costs. The frame is in the balance. Now, he
:55:15. > :55:18.is so close to the cushion, it makes you asked the question, can hit pop
:55:19. > :55:25.the green and get position on the brown?
:55:26. > :55:37.(CROWD GROANS). And of course, being so close of the cushion, it did not
:55:38. > :55:45.help. Both players making uncharacteristic errors and I can
:55:46. > :55:53.only put it down to nerves. Mark Allen, ten points ahead. He going to
:55:54. > :55:58.need that blue. He has a nice angle on the brown now.
:55:59. > :56:08.You can try and get the curable over towards the blue but this is not
:56:09. > :56:16.straightforward. Curable. Well, the brown has gone in. He wanted the cue
:56:17. > :56:20.ball a bit closer to this blue. To the corner pocket. For a place in
:56:21. > :56:37.the quarterfinal. APPLAUSE. And it is of their! Look
:56:38. > :56:45.at the determination on that face. And the opposite for Shaun Murphy.
:56:46. > :56:56.And just rolling the yellow towards the corner. To snooker is required
:56:57. > :57:04.to, the defending champion looks as though he is on the way out. -- two
:57:05. > :57:09.snookers. It is difficult enough to get a snooker with just the two
:57:10. > :57:16.balls of the table, to get two, almost impossible.
:57:17. > :57:32.(CROWD GROANS). Well, he nearly gave him one 4 three. LAUGHTER. That is
:57:33. > :57:38.good to see, good sportsmanship. He knew marks heart would have been in
:57:39. > :57:47.his mouth. This match played in good spirit. These two good mates. This
:57:48. > :57:55.is a good effort. Just did not run and, of course, now it looks as
:57:56. > :58:03.though he has left the pig which would dot the eyes and cross the
:58:04. > :58:13.Tees. -- peak. Shaun Murphy will be ruing the one frame he absolutely
:58:14. > :58:18.gifted to Mark Allen. It was not easy to day. Two centuries, a high
:58:19. > :58:25.one of 137 and that if ending champion is not doubt by the young
:58:26. > :58:31.man from Ireland. He wins by France to fall. The first big shock at the
:58:32. > :58:40.Masters. It is Mark Allen who will now face either Perry all Hawkins.
:58:41. > :58:45.Our next match is at one o'clock in the afternoon, and it will be a
:58:46. > :58:51.repeat of a first round match from last year.
:58:52. > :58:58.Always a very interesting matchup between those two. Hope you can join
:58:59. > :59:00.us, in the MUSIC: (They Long To Be) Close To You
:59:01. > :59:02.by The Carpenters