Day 1 Masters Snooker Extra

Always as darkling start to any new year is the Snooker Masters. Only 16

of the world's top players receive those invitations, and amongst them

this year will be Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is returning after yet another

self-imposed sabbatical from the big-time. But the first match on the

opening afternoon feature the defending champion, Shaun Murphy,

playing against Northern Ireland's Mark Allen. This was a repeat of

last year's semi-final. It was won by Shaun Murphy in the end, 6-4. How

would round to go? 12 months later, we can find outcome in the convent

-- in the company of Ken Doherty and John Virgo.

COMMENTATOR: Just looking at the record, ten victories to Shaun

Murphy, and just two to Mark Allen. We have spoken about the atmosphere,

it is just absolutely fantastic. They have increased the capacity

here by an extra 500 seats, almost 2000 people on a Sunday afternoon.

Where else would you want to be? Butcombe yes, I totally agree. It is

going to be a tough match. Obviously Shaun Murphy, the defending

champion, you have to say he is slightly favourite in this game.

Mike Allen on his day can be the best in the world. There is no doubt

about that. But we have talked about his consistency many times, and in

some matches he gets himself up for it, and sometimes you just don't

know what you are going to get from him. Absolutely. He is one of those

streaky players, to me. He can go through a number of frames where he

never looks like missing the ball. At other times he can make the

simplest of errors. This first frame, best of 11, these matches.

First frame, always important. Couldn't get in behind the colours,

but that a good length with the cue ball.

And that's good length. The safety shot from Mike Allen has forced a

mistake, but just having a second look, I think the blue might just

have come to his rescue. The cut to the right corner isn't on.

A possible opportunity, Alan coming off outside cushion. He wouldn't

have left anything here. Just look at where the cue ball finishes here.

Just jacks off that side cushion and puts an opportunity into this corner

pocket. Also into the left-centre. He needed to be down just a a few

more inches, and it could have been played as a shop to nothing. He

could play the thin cut, but he is looking at the red that is in the

middle of the table, to the left corner. The problem with that is

that the cue ball is bound to be running into other balls. So he is

not guaranteed to be on a colour. Well, I didn't realise there was a

gap to that one. He has stopped short of the line, so it leaves him

nicely on green or brown. Yes, he would just love to get onto

this red, on the right of the bottom corner pocket. There is another read

in the middle of the bunch as well but he can lie on, and that is what

he has got to get onto. But that red that is close to the bottom

right-hand corner pocket, that is the problem ball. He wants that out

of the way so that the black is open to both corner pockets. Red and

black here, and then he will possibly take that red over to the

bottom right-hand. That was heavy contact. I would have to give him

the benefit of the doubt there. It looks like he got a bit of a kick.

It looks like it to me. The red initially just went straight on. You

can see the disappointment in his face. That was a real good

opportunity to get your hand on the table and score heavily, and that

bad contact could cost him dearly. Judged that very well. Perfect. On

the right-hand side of the blue. See that, the new blue line that he

has passed. He needs a mangled to get back down to the reds. -- needs

some angle. Putting this red, he cannot

check-in, just above the black to the left. -- he can nudge it in.

After this, the Black will be open to both corner pockets. This will be

an excellent opportunity now for Mark Allen.

And of course Shaun Murphy will be sitting in his seat thinking that,

but for that bad contact, these would have been his. Frustrating.

I think that is one of the most frustrating things, isn't it, as a

player. Perfect position, just dropping the red in, putting the

black into the straight pocket. -- same pocket.

Doesn't have to go into the reds, he has got three or four reds available

still. OK, it is the first frame, you are going to be a bit nervous.

You are betting yourself in. There is his target, 70.

Just a little bit short of pace they are. They wanted to be straight on

this thread. -- red. Well, has he gone far enough? I

think he is just about OK. His heart must have been in his mouth for a

moment. Yes, there were a few gasps in the crowd. They didn't think the

cue ball was going to get far enough pass that pink. He isn't out of the

woods yet. That's the problem, as Ken said, previously when he was

playing for the blue, he could have rolled on through, around the black,

and now, this time, the wrong side of the blue, he would do well to

keep this break going now. This is a tough shot he has to play. In an out

of balk. Well, he has made a pretty good fist

of it. The bottom red in that cluster of five will pot. 40 ahead,

75 still remaining. Nope. Well, he hasn't left anything,

but still... He would still be disappointed.

The ball came, as you said, John, out of position. It was on the wrong

side of blue. Well, at least from Shaun Murphy's

spectre of -- perspective, he has played a really good safety shot

there. It hasn't cost him the frame. He may get another chance. He

certainly played an excellent safety shot. Good length. I cannot see a

path back to baulk. The red on the right-hand side of the table, that

is covered by the Brown. He can probably just get past the blue. As

we look now, second left, but he would have to catch it very thin.

Well, he thinks he can get past the yellow. But he has got to catch this

just right. Bit thick. Much too thick. It is a

mid-range pot for Shaun Murphy. He is usually very good at these, but

it is the first frame, and he knows one more mistake will cost in it.

Well, we always talk about good starts in matches. It is very hard

to call a winner. Certainly he would be delighted to get a start like

this. The first came from a kick, but Shaun Murphy was quite a long

way away from that pot. A perfect start for Mark Allen.

You could tell that pot from Shaun Murphy, it was a real force frame

type of shot. You know, you are under pressure, 30 odd points

behind. Yes, I think he trying to do a bit too much with the cue ball. He

just sort of the accelerated. That is usually when you catch them too

thin. Mark Allen will be pleased. Very important to get the first

frame on the board, particularly, as we said, with his overall record

against Shaun Murphy. Nice to get a good start.

Well, he has not got the double. But that one should be enough to Shaun

Murphy. Needed a couple of chances, but in the end, he takes the first

frame and leaves the defending champion 1-0.

I think there are still a few nerves out there.

He tried to get up behind the red that he is going to take on now. He

wanted to be straight. Back into the right centre pocket.

He didn't play that with a lot of confidence, you can tell, from where

the cue ball has finished. A bit of pressure on this now. He

has to catch this just right. A little bit thinner than intended.

But, well, I think Mark Allen might be tempted by this red now. I think

the only red he can leave as the one he is going to play. If you knock

sitting, of course, valued beyond the blue. -- if he knocks it in.

Superb shot! Played it beautifully. Even with behind him the sound of

the dreaded mobile phone. That was good focus and concentration. MOBILE

PHONE RINGS. Turn it off, please. He never touched the side. This is a

good chance. Would have liked to be a little

straighter on this red. I don't know whether he can just stun it in and

hope for the pink in the opposite corner. MOBILE PHONE RINGS. Another

phone ringing. Switch it off, please. I recognise the tune,

anyway. Name that tune. That makes life a little bit easier.

It is not a straightforward break building opportunity, particularly

with the blackout of commission. I am not sure where the pink is going

to go when it is re- spotted. Well, there is plenty of room to the

pink. We will just roll this red in and play for the pink into the right

middle. He has misjudged that. He played a little stunt for some

reason. Trying to just wide in the angle, but he didn't want to kiss

that red. -- widened. Now he is hampered, he is on the pink, but

even if he potted the pink, I don't know whether the next Redwood come

from. Good chance, and it has gone begging. Yes, normally he is so good

in and around the pink and black, playing those delicate little stunt

shots. But he will be very disappointed

with that. He could have just rolled it in, as

you said. It definitely would have avoided that red. But by stunting it

in, he has tried to get it a little bit closer to the pink.

In an ideal world, Shaun Murphy would love to try to get this

cueball in behind the Brown. But he has to be careful he doesn't knock a

red towards the left corner here. And that is why he purposely played

it a bit thick. IT has only just reached the bulk line. No pressure

on Mark Allen to play a better safety shot than that.

I said he should have played a better safety shot and I fully

expected him to. But he has had what we call a right result. He can

smile. He has it that completely all wrong, much too thick, and then he

is trying to get past the balk line, and he only just got past the blue.

I don't think even got past the blue. This is possible, but it is

tricky. But a good shot! Excellent shot.

Regarded now is one of the best players in the game, and that is one

of the reasons why. Digitally controlled, as well, for the pink.

-- beautifully controlled. Now, we know that Sean had a chance

in the first frame when he got a bad contact. He missed the mid- distance

red in that frame as well. At Mark Allen has had a couple of chances.

Can Shaun Murphy win this frame in one visit? It is not going to be

easy. But that is when Shaun Murphy is at his best. Taking his

opportunities. Well, he has gone a little bit more

forward than he would have liked, with the blue. But he can still drop

the blue in and just get on that red that is below the pink, to the left

corner pocket. Just got to judge it off the cushion on the right-hand

side. Judged it nicely. First glance, John, the table looks to be

playing absolutely beautifully. Lovely pace and speed to it. You

took the words right out of my mouth. I was just going to say, it

looks very quick. But the modern-day players prefer that.

And usually, if a table is not going to play it, it is usually the first

day of the first session, you know, until it has got buried in. I agree

with you, the table looks to be running beautifully.

A little bit of work to do with the cueball here. Just coming around to

see where he could leave the cueball, and maybe get on that red

that is closest to the left corner. Got to be pretty precise.

Got to get that somewhere around that, if you can. He has overhit it.

But he is OK, he is on the red that is just above the blackspot. Believe

it or not, he has got a lovely angle. This could work out a treat,

because he has a nice angle just to bring the two reds above this red

into play. Easy on the pink of the blue? That is really picking the

game up a bit now. He just could have done with that

cueball running a bit further down now. He has just got a bit of work

to do with the cueball. I don't think it is a straightforward pot.

Certainly not on the one below the pink. I don't think you would want

to play the other one, the one to the right. That could go wrong. I

mean, listen, if you were on the practice table, you would pop the

red below the pink, can and the red below the top cushion, and get the

black. But they don't like playing those types of shots from these

match tables. That is why he is giving it a bit of thought. He has

got a little bit of work to do with the cueball. He is playing the more

difficult red. And he has played it nicely. Got one, couldn't have

played it any better. You can see how he still kept his

head on that shot. So important. Keep the cue nice and straight. I am

sure the red below the pink pots into the corner pocket, but he has

just gone little bit straight on the pink.

Judged it nicely. Because he was so straight on the pink, that could

have gone wrong. He has judged that very well. I was a little surprised

he didn't screw back, but he didn't fancy the potting angle.

So, this pink, this will put him 34 points in front, with 51 remaining.

So he is still looking for two of these remaining three reds. It is

not that straightforward. From now on, if he screws back towards the

back cushion as we look, he could snooker himself on this thread. --

this red. He has to be so precise if he screws back. That is why he is

looking at the red from above the pink spot. Now there is no problem

potting this red, but it looks like he is going to be going into the red

that is close to the top cushion here. He has got to judge the cannon

here. Well, I said judge it, but he

couldn't have done it much better. Very happy with that result. That

looks like frame now. You can see at 41 ahead, 43 remaining. This is a

good response from Shaun Murphy. And that kicks, some players, that

could have affected them for a couple of frames. Nice break so far.

Yes, terrific opening red. It would be interesting to see how

strong he goes on when he gets a chance. This was his first real

chance, apart from the first frame, and this was the opening red.

Cracking shot with the rest. He has won the frame in one visit. That is

what you need to do at this level, if you are going to get consistent

results. Well, the red doesn't go in. And that will be more than

enough. So the defending champion, Shaun Murphy, levels 1-1.

Not the best break of shot from Mark Allen. He left Shaun Murphy with his

hand on the table, and they've three quarters ball popped to the corner.

He was looking, Shaun Murphy, to see if there was any way he could play

to develop the black. Welcome in the end, maybe he did try

to play the black. I'm not certain about that choice. The worst thing

has happened. He's left a nice, easy starter for his opponent. So, Mark

Allen. Can you make this opportunity count? Shaun Murphy has brought the

black into play, and there is a nice easy red to start with. You have got

to make the most of these chances. Purposely played to be low on this

black, now. Just potting the black, make a little cannon into the two

reds. You could still be on the red closest to the black. There you see

it. Very nice, it opens up everything now.

Yes, fancied the rest there. The couple still available. -- red. Red

into the left centre will corner. If he has a nice angle on the blue,

he could go into the pink and there are a couple of red he could play.

He has a look. I think he is OK. The pink is open as well into the left

centre. Just that one shot. Let's have a look at these. It hits the

pink perfectly. That one shot has opened this game for a frame winning

chance. Yes, and this will make him feel good if he makes the most of

this opportunity. A little ambitious trying to ring the black into play,

might be better to go back up the table.

This was the red... I surprised to try and get the black into play. He

could have waited a few shots. Meanwhile, Mark Allen has played

that nicely. Just looking now for one precise positional shot and the

frame is in the bag. That looks like it. 48 points at the league now.

Three reds, three Colours will be more than enough.

If it does not see anything better... Always wary playing for

breath along the cushion. There are permissible shots. -- missable. He

has under heat that. He played for the red. It is a real tester. Red

into the left centre. Played it well. Played it very well.

APPLAUSE. Could not have worked out better. Always a bit of a risk but

just read and the black to go ahead. -- red. And a possibility,

once he secures the frame with this black, to head for a century. These

four reds and four blacks will be enough.

I was just thinking, this typifies... When you consider it was

a poor break off shot for the market and Shaun did not take advantage and

he has sat down for the for the rest of the flame. It is a fine line

between success and failure at this level. It will cost you. Good

response. We talked about how good he is around the pink and black,

small little stone shots and cannons, developing reds as well.

Very proficient when he is on his game. OK, he made a mistake in the

last frame but he looks in fine shape here.

APPLAUSE Very well played indeed by Mark Allen. That is what he needs to

do, win frames. Now, how are these balls along the crucial in? Very

nicely! -- along the cushions. Possible 137. This will set the

target, the highest break.. Used to get the gold medal for the

highest break... Did they still do it? Not quite sure. I do not like

mentioning high breaks at the Masters when I'm in front of you. It

was a long time ago, completely forgotten, not. This is Mark

Allen's 56 career century. The first one will this year. How the crowd

love a century break here. A total clearance would be even better. A

wonderful break. Fantastic, 127 for Mark Allen. If set the mark all the

rest of the tournament. -- it sets the mark for the rest of the

tournament. A very good break from Mark Allen.

And, for once, the black is in the open. That does not make this shot

for Shaun Murphy any easier. He may try to pop this red on the

right-hand side of the table but he will be hoping if he misses it he

gets away with it. (CROWD GROANS). I think he will be pretty pleased with

that outcome. At first glance, it does not look like he has left

anything for Mark Allen. As I say, the black is in the open

and there is a red that will tempt Shaun. It is a tough pot. If he

knocked it in, he would be on the black. I do not think there is any

other red he can see, to be honest with you. He could play safe off

that red but that is risky, he would have to play within awful lot of

right-hand side. He is tempted. Decision time.

One out of five with his long potting. And that is why he gave it

a lot of thought. He did not fancy it but he thought it was the shot to

play and the worst possible outcome, he has left his opponent with an

easy start. Right above the black. That will

release the one just above it as well.

Now, it looks like he is going to go into the pack of reds here. Needs a

bit of pace on it. Not too bad. Try to hit the middle red of the bunch.

It has worked out OK.. Just over done that a little. He

will have to go back for the blue. Just on the hour mark, it has been

excellent snooker so far. May be tempted to play the cannon. He is

playing with top spin so he is not playing the cannon. So maybe that

cluster of red, the top one will go to the right corner.

Once again, he has not really got the perfect angle on the blue.

Hampered slightly by the pink but it should not make the pot to too

difficult. Now, he does not want to be too

straight on this red because if he is too straight this will be tricky

and he is a very straight, as you can see. He might try a screw shot

to hit the red at the back. That is exactly what he has done. Couldn't

have played it better. He have to be careful with those shots and he did

it to perfection. Tried to get on that red you were

talking about. The hand went up as the gestures to say sorry because he

did not play for this red. The cannon has put the bottom red into

play. This has opened all the reds. Lovely shot stop youth of all.

APPLAUSE. He had a bit of fortune but if you have a bit of luck, take

full advantage of it. Because it can always turn the other way. Just a

black and red needed to get to the snooker required stage.

A litany of good breaks so far. This is a good staff as a starter to the

tournament. He is going to need that Brad close

to the pink if he is going to go on and make a century as well. -- red.

He is played for the pink but he's not going to be on it will stop --

has played.. Well, he tried to top the blue and

develop the red that he has missed it. Another frame onto the board and

goes into the lead, one small. -- once more. Six the target, remember

stop and I think that tells a story. In fact, without success, 82%. You

need to be 90% or above. Shola Ameobi has really only been one

frame of behind. -- Shaun Murphy. APPLAUSE. Decent length. He caught

this just right. He has been catching some of this is a bit

thick. He cannot cut that one scene in hour. It needs to miss the brown

for it to be a good shot and he has not and Shaun Murphy immediately

coming down to the table to see if the black is available. A

straightish red. Long potting has not been his forte. Just one out of

six, at the moment. He tells me he thinks he can get position on the

black. Seven foot 11 inches between cue ball and object ball. (CROWD

GROANS). Another one missed. And funnily enough, he did that too.

Overcompensating. He did play it with top spin to try and get it back

for the blue but it is one we are expecting him to knock in. They are

the type of ones that really is that your confidence as well. -- Zap.

Now, another little tester for Shaun Murphy. The black looks like it is

on to the back right-hand pocket. APPLAUSE. Well, it went in. Not

perfectly on the blue but nicely on the green.

He has come down to have a look at that red behind the black.

Right-hand corner pocket but you have to be dead behind it. Yes, it

is one of those, if you are straight on, you would not fancy missing it

but if you are just off straight, you could certainly run into the

black and, obviously, if it can get the red away from the black it makes

the black available on both corners. Did not want to risk it. He cannot

play for the black now. The problem is, when it you manoeuvre the tubal

distance, as it happens, finished absolutely plumb on the blue. -- the

cue ball. That is the line of the blue. This is the beauty of this one

table situation, we can give you all the shots, all the angles.

Well, it does not look like he is totally convinced of the red into

the corner pocket. The red directly above the black, he could go on that

ought to the right of the black. He has gone the red directly above

the black. Just watch the cue ball because he has to put a lot of top

spin on this and this could go wrong. He has to be most careful.

Absolutely. He did it but he has had no luck. He has had no luck and what

has made it worse, there is a red neither Kush and so there is no

safety around that area of the table. He may have to play a pot

here. It is not one you would like but I do not see where any safety

shot comes from here. The blue, if he could cue past the red, you could

see him taking add-on. He is now looking at the yellow. -- taking it

on. Yes, he is hampered by both of reds, for the blue. I think the

yellow, at least he has got, you know, straight cueing, no balls in

their way. That would probably be my choice but it is fraught with a lot

of danger. I mean, look at the red. He has decided on the yellow. There

is no safety so he has to take this on. Big shot. Big shot that. But as

I say, he had to take it on because there is no real safety. It does not

look like he has left anything easy, having said that. This red will

cut. But no real idea where it is going to finish with the cue ball

travelling loose. So in it goes. The fleet on the green. Don't tell me,

he's going to finish up perfect on the black? If it would have just

stopped a fraction of... You can see him looking up and shaking the

head. That would have been a result. But not on it. Unlike

Shaun, Mark has an easy safety. be as thin contact. It could be

taken. No hesitation. The ball is replaced. Of course, the situation

in these circumstances, hits the ball very thin to get a good safety

but he could always miss it again but we know that if you miss it

three times, you lose the rain. -- frame. The first couple of times...

As you say, the first time is a guide, the second time you are

expected to hit it will stop the next time, if you do not hit it, you

lose the frame. We will heed the warning now. I have to warn you, you

have to hit it this time otherwise you forfeit the frame. Thanks. And

the first person to ever lose the frame under this rule at the Masters

is sitting right next to me. Cheers, John.

Always a pleasure working with you. So do you risk it. Would you believe

it! Well, it is such a harsh rule but the players know why the

situation it is and I cannot believe he has missed that. Would you

believe it! What a way to lose a frame. Unbelievable.

Mark Allen gets frame seven under way and what a bonus that was, he

did not have to do anything. Just played one good safety, that was all

and he won the frame. Tough rural. Yes, tough rule but it will be

interesting to see how he copes with it now. -- tough rule.

APPLAUSE. How about that for an answer! Great fight! Under these

circumstances, absolutely majestic. and in all fairness it was, but he

wasn't certain he was going to be on the red. He was just trying to drop

it in and just hoped to get a nice little cannon. If it had been

another inch away from the side cushion the black would have been

unmissable. But what a chance now for Mark Allen. He can really press

home the advantage. You would want to be straight on

this red. Of course he wasn't, and he hasn't played that very well at

all. That was poor. Could be in the break, because even

if he pots the black here, there is nothing into the right-hand corner

pocket. So maybe just a safety shot here. He would be kicking himself,

because at the moment he has got Shaun Murphy on the rack.

It may need a little bit of a safety belt for Shaun Murphy, just to clear

his head a little bit. Because when you lose a frame in a manner that he

lost his last one, you can see, the first bomb was quite a long way

away. -- first one. In the interval of the frame he was looking over to

Mark Allen. If he thought the cueball was just drifting over

slightly, then you make an allowance. Very hard to understand

that a player of his ability and his long potting prowess that you cannot

hit a ball just less than quarter. As I say, he was looking over to

Mark Allen, and sort of gesticulating, sort of drifting over

slightly. If it was, then you just make an allowance. Anyway. Snooker

do here. -- Personally I would prefer to come

down the left-hand side of the table. Playing it with pace. Of

course, the fact that he has snookered all the balls, he can have

as many attempts as he wants at this. No reason for Mark Allen not

to have the balls replaced. I always feel with this shot, you

feel more comfortable if you play it with traces aside, but being close

to the cushion, it is not that easy to get the side on. Yes, he has

played that pretty well. I think the pot is in this corner

pocket. Mark Allen, being a left-hander, can reach this.

He certainly can reach it. Well, he is not perfect on the colour, but

the way that the balls are situated, and the way that the reds are

spread, one good pot here could give him a frame winning chance.

This could win him the frame, this pink.

Right in the heart of the pocket! So, the frame is about the taking.

-- therefore the taking. It was a wonderful shot.

In the previous shot, the red, potted into the corner pocket, but

was so nice. Just spreading the reds into portable positions.

There is a little gap between the reds. If he could hit that one just

to the right of the pink. That falls into place, he would have a choice

of reds. But didn't get the cannon Wright. I always knew there was

always a chance of being on the red to the left middle. At that cannon

was nothing like he played. He didn't want to hit that red, he

wanted to get the one further up. As I say, always second prize with this

red to the middle. Still a great opportunity. He could

take a three frame advantage here. More importantly, B1 frame away from

victory. When he gets to 69 points, that will

mean that snookers is required from Shaun. Once again, he played a

cannon on that same red, finally enough, and didn't get it right. --

funnily enough. Needs to hit that red fullbore, it would have been

perfect then. Making hard work of it. The red directly above the black

doesn't pot into this corner pocket, so he is going to have to do pull

out a good pot year. Two tricky reds. The red down the rail into the

right-hand corner pocket is tricky, and the red that is on the top

cushion, as we looked just behind the black, that is very dangerous to

the left-hand corner pocket. Of course it is in the player's mind

that this was a golden opportunity to win the frame at this visit. This

is where the player has the tendency just to push the bolt out. He has

cut a 51 points lead. You do not have to play the pot. But as I say,

he fell 20 was in amongst the balls that this was a chance to win it. --

he felt when he was in amongst the balls.

Could rescue shot. -- good. Shaun Murphy now fearing the worst that he

will not get back to the table with a winning chance in this frame.

So, 67 points to lead, 67 remaining. No heroics with this red. Just drop

it in. Two snookers will be needed. Well, the pockets are swallowing

them up! So it goes without saying that Shaun

Murphy, the defending champion, has got it all to do now. Absolutely.

Particularly the way that Mark Allen is playing now as well. How crucial

that friendly -- that frame be? Already made high breaks of 137 and

91 in frame five. Didn't have to do anything in the six frame. It was

gifted to him. So, yellow and green would be enough

to get to the century mark. Well played! Second century of the

match. Run out of position a couple of times, but his opening red was

the key to this. A tremendous opening red. Good shot with the rest

on the pink. Well, it didn't really matter. He

couldn't make the 137 he'd made earlier. Shaun Murphy back against

the wall, the defending champion Mark Allen just one frame away from

victory. One more frame for a place in the

quarter-finals. He is not pushing the boat out. He is certainly going

to keep the pressure on his opponent.

Here is the exchange, maybe Shaun Murphy are saying to Mark Allen but

the ball had drifted a little bit. But Mark Allen scene, thank you.

Great place to get a frame that easy. It happened to me in the Irish

Masters, John. I was playing Steve Davis, and he lost the final red

three times. It was the final frame of the match as well. He

subsequently lost the match. I don't know whether that has ever happened

since. Didn't you lose a frame in the Masters with three misses? No,

it was the world championship. I'll, the world championship. Just the

world championship. Your, OK. The decision that one was, can. -- good

decision that one was, can. On the surface, Shaun Murphy looks

cool, calm and collected. What he is feeling like underneath, I don't

know. This is not the start he was looking for in defence of his title.

He is going to have to get to the stage now. It is no mistake,

snooker. He just hasn't looked on it from the first ball, and those

couple of long pots, maybe, just shook his confidence in the first

frame. When he has gone around the balls in

amongst the pink and the black that is OK. It is really the long balls

that really test you. Well, he has been given a chance here. That red

has just crept past the blue and let Shaun Murphy a nice, easy starter.

This could give us a little clue. OK, the black is tied up, that he

has still got the colour is blue and pink to work with. That pot

successful somebody like Sean, a very low 80%. Reconsider potting is

his strength, you wouldn't say that his safety plays his strength. It is

his potting. Shaun Murphy now in a situation

where he can't afford any mistakes, can't afford to miss when he is in.

That is not the best positional shot on the blue. Wrong side of the blue.

That means you cannot get close to the next contended red as he would

like to be. There you can see it. Just the wrong side. The problem is

that if he tries to run in and out of all, that yellow comes into play.

So, just deciding to drop the blue in and leave this red. But when you

are just one frame away from defeat, these are testing.

Cued it beautifully. Well played. Very well played indeed.

Yes, played confidently to stay on the pink.

Well, a pause, can he get through to this red when the pink is back on

its spot? He can get to the one on the top cushion. No harm done.

When he has been in this position in the couple of friends that he has

one, he has looked as good as ever. Those few safety shots, and

particularly a couple of the long pots that he has missed. Easy

opportunities to get frames on the board.

As you say, John, every pot is crucial now for Shaun Murphy. Mark

Allen has a little bit of leeway. He knows that you can get a couple of

chances. Could have played that a bit better.

Straight would have been ideal, but he has got to be careful, if he runs

into the other red, that he doesn't affect the position. He did flick

off the other red. Needs to run. Has he got the angle on the blue?

Just about makes all the difference. Didn't he cue that

well? That was beautiful cueing. Beautifully played.

So as you say, he is cueing well when he is in the balls. It is just

sort of his long-distance shots that haven't been great. He wanted a

better angle on the pink ball than this. But such is the cue power of

Shaun Murphy, no problems, straight on and off the side cushion. Looking

for red, colour red, because I don't think he can play for the black. And

if he plays for the pink, that will put him 67 points in front, with 67

remaining. Well, he tried to get on the black,

and he is not on the black. So he will have to play the difficult

thing -- difficult pink. Still looking for one more red. If he

could have gone on the black, that would put him in the snookers

required stage. Two Lacey can play this. He can play it up into the

green pocket, or just try to make sure it enters the right centre.

Decent contribution from Shaun Murphy. This frame is still not

over. Tall order for Mark Allen. That is even more difficult, if he

is not on this thread. -- red. Well, he didn't feel as though he

could do much with that red. Of course, that now means he needs

snooker, because he needed a black off the red to be able to tie. And I

think he may look and nod a concession that, although it is

usually adequate not to concede when it is your opponent's turn at the

table, but that should be enough. Ash max usually adequate.

And he said don't bother with the rest, I'll give you the frame.

That's a good response from Shaun Murphy. He is still up against it,

obviously. Well played. Played that very confidently. There

was no air of a shortfall nothing in that one. He played at such a place

he was bound to be on blue walled baulk colour. He is on the wrong

side of the blue, but as I always say, you would rather be well on the

wrong side of the blue than just off straight.

As I say, in this situation, you cannot afford to miss, particularly

when you are in. Pink pops pass the green into the

top right-hand corner pocket. The only problem here for Sean is that

you get tied up and it is re- spotted. And of course the black is

tied up as well. Lots of work to do. Could play a couple of shots here.

Maybe pot the red and go around the back of the black, up for the blue

and baulk. Or try to develop the black and red here.

A nice angle on the red into the bottom left-hand corner pocket. The

bottom of the cue ball could career into the red and black, and maybe

bring the black into play. If he wishes. He has got this opportunity

as well. That's a good shot. Excellent shot.

He wanted to bring the black and the red into play. A lot will depend now

on where this black goes. I think if it doesn't go in its own spot, then

that red meat just be available. -- red may just. Hard to tell at the

moment. Shaun Murphy doesn't think that it was. Does the black go on

its own spot? If not, it were to go as close to its own spot as it can

in a direct line with the middle of the top cushion. Which tells me that

that red could possibly be pottable. I'm never quite certain what that

tells us, you know? Does that mean it goes up? No? You would think that

that cross was right in the middle of that market, it would go on,

wouldn't it? But it doesn't. It cannot be touching the red. Shaun

Murphy just coming to have a look around now. He doesn't want this red

and black to be attached to the corner. I tell you what, it is a

very close to being one. So if he does try to play the cannon he has

to be careful that he doesn't hit it hard enough for the black to go in

the corner pocket. Again, nice angle on this red.

Needs the bounce. He couldn't play it any harder. There was always a

fear that if he caught it wrong he would knock the black in. But this

is a tricky one hour. Just got to drop this in, as you say, he just

needed that black to bounce a fraction.

Couldn't do much with the cue ball. So he couldn't get the cue ball as

far away from the cushion as he would have liked. So this is another

test. As I say, he cannot afford to miss when he is into the balls like

this. Could cueing again. Lovely angle on

the black. Stung up into the two reds, try to split some more raids

into play. That is OK. He has got the red into the centre.

Nice angle again on the black. He could play the cannon again just to

nudge them some more. He has got the red to the right of the blue, that

is easy to get on. He decided to take the no risk route. Now, can he

play this red and leave himself a nice angle on the blue. He is down

quicker, so obviously he can. Now this could be the key to this

frame. He will be playing the cannon this time, but you will always need

a little bit of luck. That red just above the pink, hitting it full in

the face. In it goes! And he is on the red. Superb.

It has been a good response, hasn't it? Are you reading my script here?

I was just going to say exactly that. You cannot help but be

impressed by the response here from Shaun Murphy after what happened in

that frame when he was, well, conceded. He missed the ball three

times, and then Mark Allen in the next frame made 104.

That looked a bit wide. But it just lacked that pace. A bit more pace, I

don't think that would have dropped. So that puts the frame well and

truly in the erg, you would have thought.

As you said a few moments ago, can, you always feel you are going to

have one or two chances to get the frame. Maybe a bit of doubt creeping

into Mark Allen's mind now. Absolutely. Given great confidence

in the last couple of frames. Knowing that one chance he gets is

going to win the frame from but the first few reds were superb, the way

the pink was tied up. He developed it very nicely indeed. I tell you

what, the crowd have been in for a wonderful treat. This red will make

it another century. It has been a high-quality match and not without

incident. Well played, Shaun Murphy.

APPLAUSE. (CROWD GROANS). Well, he has missed the black but he will not

be too disappointed. Another frame in the back and he is only one

behind now. -- bag. A bit heavy-handed with the break from

Shaun. As I said in previous occasions, he cannot afford any

mistakes and this is one. OK, this red needs watching. Well, he is not

taking it on. Is that of three ball play? To the corner? It was not. I

cannot believe he did not take that red on. I mean, OK, those safety and

I do not doubt the quality of the length but refusing to red like

that! You do not want to go too much into your Shell.

Well, he has covered it but it looks pretty straightforward off the

cushion. The only problem is, it is going to be heading towards lack and

bread. -- red. He has to hit this with a lot of pace but he does not

seem to have the angle to go back for the blue. Well, he has found a

little gap there. He will certainly the happy with that result.

(CROWD GROANS). Wow. He is a long way away from that. Have a look at

this, John. He has put a lot of right-hand side on it but he has

pushed the cue ball away from the object all. It amazes me that he can

play an attacking shot like that and he refuses red as the first shot.

Maybe a little panic set here. You know, when you're 5-2 in front, you

can be forgiven for thinking this game is in the bag but never take

anything for granted, particularly not in this level and opposition. I

am sure the pink will pot. It clearly does. Good cueing needed,

though. Right in the heart of the pocket. He is certainly not wilting

under the pressure, fair play. His pot success was down to nearly

81% at one stage but it is rising rapidly, 87%. Still a lot of work to

do so. The fact that pink is covered, it helps his cause here.

Nice angle on the pink after potting this red. Leave it low, pink into

the corner, tried to bring some more reds into play. He will be

guaranteed to be on the red on the corner pocket. Actually got too much

into it but he is still OK. Mmm. I am surprised he played it so hard. I

thought he could have played at more gently to bring the black into play.

He needed a few reds in. He has used the other red nicely.

Very well controlled. Just used that red. Has to catch the ball. One of

those situations where it is just perfect to play that shot. Did not

have to do a lot with the cue ball. Well, it just shows you, once again,

we have seen a few balls knocked against the cushion but trying to

force the pink to make an angle which was almost impossible but he

did not want to play for the red along the top cushion. And, as I

said, you cannot afford to miss when he is in and amongst the balls. And

that is exactly what he has done and this is a chance will Mark Allen.

Yes, this is the chance he has been waiting for. -- fall Mark Allen.

Excellent read. To even get it close to that sport.

(CROWD GROANS). Both players feeling it a little bit now. Wow. He was not

missing those earlier in the match. He did not see it coming. Just like

Shaun, he was trying to pinch it a little bit. But Shaun was trying to

pinch a lot and Mark was just trying to stun down for the black. He needs

a good shot here. Black again. He does not have to use too much screw

just has too judge it nicely. He has hit that nicely now. And he has a

red, more importantly, that he can play position to the black.

(CROWD GROANS). Wow. Well, we have seen everything in this match that

bad. We have seen great century break, some misses, but both players

really feeling it. Yes, that was a head scratcher. (CROWD GROANS).

Well, it looks like the pockets have shrunk a little. Sometimes these

players make it look so easy at yet, anyone who has tried to this game,

you know how accurate you need to be. As I say, they make it look so

easy most of the time but it is not looking easy now. Well, he has had a

look at these two reds that are very close together. He looks to the

corner pocket here. That is unmissable. He does not have to do

too much with the cue ball. Got to play the plant, surely.

It is of their. APPLAUSE. He got a double-kiss on

the red. The red stayed there. He's on the black that it is then cut. He

just cut the first red twice and that is why it is not perfect on the

black but he has got it and after some of the balls that have been

missed, there was a lot of pressure on that. He still has a bit to do.

Yes, he has been so good with the rest. 91% with the rest. He has only

missed one from 11. Once again, refusing to play for the

red along the cushion. And he is not perfect here. He has a pot on a

couple of reds but it is not a straightforward plot position. Mark

Allen will be wondering what has gone wrong.

Looks like he has to go off the ball here. He has to avoid the red. Is he

going to stay for the black? Thinking about it. Thinking about

using a lot of right-hand side to try hold for the black. But he might

be better off going for a green or brown. (CROWD GROANS). Would you

believe it? Indecision, wasn't it? Indecision, that was the problem.

OK. He has covered the red over the corner but it is easy to knock one

red on to the other and get back for the brown. That was a nice. The

other one hanging over the pocket. Still a lot to do fall Mark Allen.

Still a few awkward balls to go through if he wants to win the frame

and match. I wonder if he is contemplating taking the blue into

play. Putting the blue into play. Looking at the school, he decided

against it. -- score. APPLAUSE. Played that well, always

tricky when a ball is in the jaws of the pocket. He played it perfectly.

We have seen a couple of times, Shaun Murphy has, well, made things

awkward for himself by not wanting to play this red along the top

cushion. Mark Allen is paying for it. It created difficulty. If he is

too opt the cushion. If he's tight after cushion you don't fancy

missing it. I fairly surprise, Shaun Murphy had two opportunities to play

for that read but didn't. Again, looking at the scoreboard, like

Allen, he could play at cannon after potting the black into the blue and

red into the middle. The target to hit the blue from the black year. --

here. He needs a bit more place. A bit more pace and he would have

brought the blue into play. He's going to need that blue to be opened

to win this frame. APPLAUSE. World, he has rolled the

red in but he is not onto a colour. He is three points behind now. But

we know, if you can lay a good snooker at this stage of the frame,

how much value he can get with the best rule. -- miss rule.

Yes, it is straightforward. One question possibly is he may hit the

cushion before but he does not want to bring the red into play.

APPLAUSE. Not too bad. He could play a delicate little shot here, Mark

Allen, just stun the red past the yellow, put it around the black

somewhere and snooker behind the yellow here. Nice shot.

APPLAUSE. He would have preferred to have that read in the open, though.

He could have played it harder and kept the red into the open.

In an ideal world, you would like to come off two cushions but I do not

think there is. You have to catch this read full because the one thing

you need is distance between cue ball and object ball. Just nestling

up to the red, you give the advantage to your opponent stop

(CROWD GROANS). That read would have run the face. You can see the

disappointment in Shaun's face. -- that red. (CROWD GROANS). Just

getting the feeling at the moment, Kent, that anything half difficult

for Mark, you do not fancy him potting it. A bit of movement on

that red. I thought the cue ball was going towards the blue. Played with

a lot of payees. -- pace. It is not going to be that easy to get it

safe. I think he would like to send the red in between the blue and

green but the problem is with that is he could be sending it towards

this corner pocket up at this end of the table. Cross double is

dangerous. It takes a bit of pressure the fact that the yellow is

not in its spot and not in a good position. But you do not want to

leave your opponent the chance of this red. Taking thinking time, and

I can understand that. Does not want to leave a pot on here. There is one

shot he could play, tried to play the red onto the blue. But, again,

very dangerous. Mmm, he has not played it well. He did try to bounce

it in between the green and blue but it caught the green and this red is

possible. APPLAUSE In it goes and it looks as

though it it is falling nicely on the black and this black will take

him six points in front. So he is still going to need yellow, green,

brown and blue four feet tree. -- victory.

Just overran it. A couple of inches. Try to get the cue ball close to the

inside cushion and take yellow open to its pocket on the top left-hand

corner. He may still take it on but it is more difficult.

Not going to bother. Trying to keep the pressure on. You can just about

see the outside edge of that yellow. Well, you say that, I think

he may have to play a little swerve here, straight down the left-hand

side. Maybe he feels he can just get past the brown. (CROWD GROANS). He

gives seven points away, seven valuable points. And is has been

called but this is very, very important replacement of this poll

ball. I thought he needed a little bit of a swerve. Now, it is so

important to get this absolutely spot-on where it was before. I think

he can just about hit the corner side. It is a little bit of a swerve

but it will definitely hit the yellow. The fact he missed the

yellow the first time around and hit the black, it means that if Mark

Allen gets a chance, he does not need the awkward blue. He just need

yellow, green and brown. That is a big, big difference in this frame.

He needs to get that curable tight to that cushion.

APPLAUSE. The fact that it is so close to the cushion, Mark Allen

will not be taking this yellow on. Not the best safety from Mark so a

chance for Shaun to gain if the initiative in this very important

safety exchange. The target behind green or brown. Might decide to send

the ball round the angles. Well, a little tap on the table from Mark

Allen but he is under no pressure. Just send the yellow up and down the

table. That would be safe enough.. APPLAUSE. I cannot believe he has

played it that way. Amazing. I mean, it looked a straightforward

up-and-down safety, run the cue ball into the green. You have to leave

the yellow say. You could not leave it like this.

APPLAUSE. Well, to me, that was a bit careless from Shaun. He should

be avoiding the blue at all costs. The frame is in the balance. Now, he

is so close to the cushion, it makes you asked the question, can hit pop

the green and get position on the brown?

(CROWD GROANS). And of course, being so close of the cushion, it did not

help. Both players making uncharacteristic errors and I can

only put it down to nerves. Mark Allen, ten points ahead. He going to

need that blue. He has a nice angle on the brown now.

You can try and get the curable over towards the blue but this is not

straightforward. Curable. Well, the brown has gone in. He wanted the cue

ball a bit closer to this blue. To the corner pocket. For a place in

the quarterfinal. APPLAUSE. And it is of their! Look

at the determination on that face. And the opposite for Shaun Murphy.

And just rolling the yellow towards the corner. To snooker is required

to, the defending champion looks as though he is on the way out. -- two

snookers. It is difficult enough to get a snooker with just the two

balls of the table, to get two, almost impossible.

(CROWD GROANS). Well, he nearly gave him one 4 three. LAUGHTER. That is

good to see, good sportsmanship. He knew marks heart would have been in

his mouth. This match played in good spirit. These two good mates. This

is a good effort. Just did not run and, of course, now it looks as

though he has left the pig which would dot the eyes and cross the

Tees. -- peak. Shaun Murphy will be ruing the one frame he absolutely

gifted to Mark Allen. It was not easy to day. Two centuries, a high

one of 137 and that if ending champion is not doubt by the young

man from Ireland. He wins by France to fall. The first big shock at the

Masters. It is Mark Allen who will now face either Perry all Hawkins.

Our next match is at one o'clock in the afternoon, and it will be a

repeat of a first round match from last year.

Always a very interesting matchup between those two. Hope you can join

us, in the MUSIC: (They Long To Be) Close To You

by The Carpenters