:00:07. > :00:41.Hello. It is semifinals day here in the Daph best Masters. Our defending
:00:42. > :00:46.chavm, Ronnie O'Sullivan, in the semifinal, and still on a that ject
:00:47. > :00:53.write as the rocket -- trajectory as a Rocket that might take him to a
:00:54. > :00:57.record 7 victories. Now, it was Marco Fu who is facing them. This is
:00:58. > :01:03.a man who is arguably in the career form of his life! He'd made four
:01:04. > :01:07.centuries to get into this semifinal, and this promised to be
:01:08. > :01:10.the match-up of the day. It was watched by Stephen Hendry and Dennis
:01:11. > :01:32.Taylor. Can Marco start the match with a
:01:33. > :01:39.long pot? APPLAUSE
:01:40. > :01:46.He is OK. So he's got a couple of loose reds. He is on a clear. So, an
:01:47. > :01:48.early chance. Can he continue playing in the form that he showed
:01:49. > :02:00.us throughout the week, Stephen? Since the UK Championship, when he
:02:01. > :02:06.was - I think it was a green or the brown, with the rest away of beating
:02:07. > :02:13.Ronnie in the semifinal of that event, since then, I think he's had
:02:14. > :02:17.a couple of tweaks technically Might get a chance to see a slightly
:02:18. > :02:21.longer back swing than normal. He is starting to look the real deal when
:02:22. > :02:25.it comes to the biggens. I mean, he's always been a fantastic player.
:02:26. > :02:31.Everyone in snooker knows that, but he would sort of go maybe one or two
:02:32. > :02:36.months, you know, of playing well and then disappear. If he keeps
:02:37. > :02:43.playing like this he will be competing at every big event. A
:02:44. > :02:50.nice, aggressive shot. Might just be OK, you know. Caught the pink half
:02:51. > :02:56.ball, instead of fall ball. I think the white might cannon into the
:02:57. > :03:00.pink, which couldn't be a bad thing. It looks a natural... Well, he's
:03:01. > :03:12.taking - this is much more difficult, the one he is taking, to
:03:13. > :03:13.stay on the black. Oh. He didn't... CROWD:
:03:14. > :03:17.JEERING I thought he may have taken the
:03:18. > :03:22.other one which was an easier pot. Yeah. Aggressive red to take.
:03:23. > :03:25.Started off straight into the bunch straightaway. Maybe that's his plan
:03:26. > :03:48.- take the game to Ronnie. APPLAUSE
:03:49. > :03:53.That's a very good shot. The fact he's covered the red that's near the
:03:54. > :04:00.right corner. He had the yellow and the blue there to use as Snookering
:04:01. > :04:06.balls, and he played it well. Can particular # -- can Marco return the
:04:07. > :04:08.compliment? No. He's just playing dead weigh. But he still covered
:04:09. > :04:46.that red that's near the pocket. Nicely picked out there, but a bit
:04:47. > :04:48.of pressure on the next pot. He's certainly opened the reds up, if
:04:49. > :04:55.this blue goes in. A great chance. CROWD: Oh! A bit of pressure on that
:04:56. > :05:07.one early on in the match. Still expected Ronnie to knock that
:05:08. > :05:48.in. But it is the opening frame. This is a nice opportunity now for
:05:49. > :05:53.Marco Fu. Maybe just taking a few moments just to calm down. Such a
:05:54. > :05:59.massive entrance for both players at the semifinal. Important he plays at
:06:00. > :06:16.his own pace. Getting the blue back up on to its
:06:17. > :06:26.own spot will help the situation, because the pink's out of
:06:27. > :06:30.commission. Marco turned professional in 1997 and based
:06:31. > :06:33.himself in Scotland. Well, he was with your team at the time. Did you
:06:34. > :06:37.used to practice with him at Spencer's Club that is no longer
:06:38. > :06:42.there now in Stirling? Yeah. There was two or three professionals. Used
:06:43. > :06:50.to have some games with Marco. He's always been a big solo practiser.
:06:51. > :06:57.Doesn't practice a lot with other players. Used to have the odd game.
:06:58. > :07:02.He used to be... 3, 4, 5 frames and he would just never miss.
:07:03. > :07:08.Of course, he learned the game in Canada. He was based out there for a
:07:09. > :07:25.while. Goes without saying the red to the
:07:26. > :07:30.right of the black is the one he wants to move. Wants the black
:07:31. > :07:35.available to both corner pockets. A nice angle. The red directly above
:07:36. > :07:39.the black. He will want to cannon that. He will want to play it at a
:07:40. > :07:48.decent pace, because there's every chance he could snooker himself on
:07:49. > :08:17.the red to the right corner. Played it a little bit harder.
:08:18. > :08:24.I have just got a feeling today it will probably be a high-scoring
:08:25. > :08:28.match. So, chances like this, taking them at your first opportunity, I
:08:29. > :08:38.think, are going to be very important.
:08:39. > :08:45.O'Sullivan hasn't been in his best-scoring form this week, but you
:08:46. > :08:53.get the feeling it is going to come out sooner or later. I think it will
:08:54. > :08:58.have to today, Dennis, for him to meet Marco. Absolutely. And the fact
:08:59. > :09:04.he missed that medium-length blue. That is an early worrying sign.
:09:05. > :09:10.Because Marco's going to take full advantage. He's had to have two
:09:11. > :09:18.chances in this frame. He missed a red along the black cushion here.
:09:19. > :09:23.Had he knocked the long blue in, I am sure he would have gone on - this
:09:24. > :09:28.is the blue. Had he have potted that I'm sure he would have made a
:09:29. > :09:34.sizable break. Yeah. You mentioned, Dennis, the first frame. But
:09:35. > :09:43.normally we're used to seeing O'Sullivan start so quickly.
:09:44. > :10:02.So that black is the first frame. APPLAUSE
:10:03. > :10:19.Yeah. He's made 439 centuries in this career. That's terrific! 41
:10:20. > :10:25.centuries last season. APPLAUSE
:10:26. > :10:54.Already on 31 this season. APPLAUSE
:10:55. > :11:04.The kiss on the black's OK. Where we've had 20 centuries so far in
:11:05. > :11:08.this year's Masters. APPLAUSE
:11:09. > :11:13.I will tell you what - if you want to get a crowd on the side - this is
:11:14. > :11:28.the way you do it. Oh! He's missed it.
:11:29. > :11:32.CROWD: Oh! He's missed it. Unlucky! Almost a certain century. What a
:11:33. > :11:36.start for the man from Hong Kong. Ronnie missed that blue and that was
:11:37. > :11:39.tend of the frame -- that was the end of the frame. Marco Fu leads
:11:40. > :12:09.1-0. APPLAUSE
:12:10. > :12:13.It isn't a snooker. He can see the one to the left. If he takes this
:12:14. > :12:18.pot on - he will have to because there is no easy safety shot - we
:12:19. > :12:24.saw him miss a blue which cost him the opening frame. Can he knock this
:12:25. > :12:37.one in? CROWD: Oh! No! Marco Fu can punish
:12:38. > :12:42.Ronnie. He will still be thinking about that poor positional shot he
:12:43. > :12:45.played when it looked like he was going to make quite a big break.
:12:46. > :13:08.This wasn't easy. Early in the second frame, but this
:13:09. > :13:15.is a massive visit to the table for Marco Fu.
:13:16. > :13:24.Such a psychological game, snooker, at the top level. You can put one on
:13:25. > :13:39.your opponent early on... This is where he just ran a little
:13:40. > :13:43.bit too far. Very annoyed with himself. Yeah. I think he was trying
:13:44. > :13:51.to play the cannon on the red to the right. This is... Just didn't get
:13:52. > :13:55.the side. Just playing those little left-hand side, just cannon the red
:13:56. > :14:00.to the right there, as the cue ball goes past it. Very unlike
:14:01. > :14:31.O'Sullivan. He needs the black back on that spot
:14:32. > :14:36.in a couple of shots' time. The reason I say that is that red that's
:14:37. > :14:41.on the cushion, it will be a lot easier to get on to the black if it
:14:42. > :14:48.was sitting on its own spot. Yeah. Dennis, so important not to leave
:14:49. > :14:52.that red until last. Every chance you don't get on to it properly,
:14:53. > :15:02.then you have to play safe. So, I would be playing for it now. Screw
:15:03. > :15:09.off the side cushion. Well, he's not done... He can play now the thread
:15:10. > :15:11.he is playing now, finish high on the black and then play for the red
:15:12. > :15:32.on the cushion. Travelled too far. Nope, he's fine.
:15:33. > :15:36.So, this is a shot for the frame, Dennis, you feel. Just has to drop
:15:37. > :15:43.it in dead weight, and give the pocket a chance. We have seen a lot
:15:44. > :15:47.easier black than this. Wenbo had to knock O'Sullivan out of this year's
:15:48. > :15:51.Masters, and he just hit it a little too hard. But this is much tougher.
:15:52. > :15:53.So dead weight will give the pocket a chance. You have got the perfect
:15:54. > :16:00.picture there. No! No!
:16:01. > :16:05.CROWD: Oh! APPLAUSE
:16:06. > :16:15.Now, that is quite a big turning point so early on in this match.
:16:16. > :16:23.Provided Ronnie goes on and takes the frame.
:16:24. > :16:31.Just a little awkward with the pink sitting on the yellow spot. So, he
:16:32. > :16:40.might even play for the pink this time.
:16:41. > :16:48.A big opportunity missed, though, by Marco Fu.
:16:49. > :16:56.If you touch the cushion and you don't usually see any reaction from
:16:57. > :17:14.Marco, but he knew that was a big shot that he just missed there.
:17:15. > :17:23.Green, brown and blue will be enough.
:17:24. > :17:30.Yeah, what it's done, by Marco missing that opportunity, is it's
:17:31. > :17:34.given Ronnie O'Sullivan the chance to forget all about that frame,
:17:35. > :17:42.because he's won it. If Marco wins it... Then he still thinks about it.
:17:43. > :17:59.Quite a tense frame this second frame!
:18:00. > :18:03.APPLAUSE In the send Ronnie O'Sullivan - not
:18:04. > :18:06.surprised he is leaving the arena. Lost his cool. He got the chance and
:18:07. > :18:28.took it. It's been a fascinating start to
:18:29. > :18:35.this semifinal. Oh! What was that, Marco? A long way
:18:36. > :18:53.short. Well, maybe he can't see enough of
:18:54. > :18:57.the red that's just to the right of the black to cut it in. The other
:18:58. > :19:17.red's preventing that. The red the left side of the table
:19:18. > :19:20.is just a little awkward for the safety shot. You have to make sure
:19:21. > :19:24.you don't cannon into that on the way back down. That's why he's not
:19:25. > :19:29.coming off the side of the pack. He may attempt this, to get on to the
:19:30. > :19:38.black as a shot to nothing. Now, just a... Straightforward up and
:19:39. > :20:03.down safety shot. APPLAUSE
:20:04. > :20:20.An opportunity to drop the thread in for the black.
:20:21. > :20:32.That's Marco's daughter there. Isn't she beautiful?
:20:33. > :20:41.That's your daddy out there playing, and I think she's just seen herself
:20:42. > :21:33.on the screen. Yeah! LAUGHS
:21:34. > :21:54.Yeah, Marco smiling up at his family, but he has to get his mind
:21:55. > :21:57.on the job. Semifinal of the Masters, one frame each, against
:21:58. > :22:06.Ronnie O'Sullivan. APPLAUSE
:22:07. > :22:16.Little bit of a stalemate now that red has gone up the other end of the
:22:17. > :22:20.table. Not a lot for Ronnie to play, only just roll into the reds and we
:22:21. > :22:44.might - possibly - get a rerack. What has he spotted here? Just a gap
:22:45. > :22:45.to get him back to the cushion. APPLAUSE
:22:46. > :23:07.Played that well. Just take a few shots to resolve
:23:08. > :23:47.this situation. Yes. As long as the cue ball keeps
:23:48. > :23:51.getting up to the cushion, there isn't a lot you can do. If the cue
:23:52. > :23:56.ball is away from the cushion, you can play a more aggressive shot, you
:23:57. > :23:59.can open the reds up and bring the kaubl back. But even -- cue ball
:24:00. > :24:05.back. But even that, you are sometimes knocking the red into one
:24:06. > :24:18.of the middle pockets. So, it could be a while here.
:24:19. > :24:26.Enjoying this kind of snooker? Wasn't your favourite type of frame,
:24:27. > :24:31.this. Neither player will like this, but sometimes the run like that, and
:24:32. > :24:39.you get the balls up the other end of the table... But what does happen
:24:40. > :24:44.when a player gets in, there is going to be plenty of reds there to
:24:45. > :24:58.score from. Now, that one to the left-middle is quite a risky one,
:24:59. > :25:04.but... He's had a quick look at it, and he's decided definitely against
:25:05. > :25:09.taking it on. But that's a bit careless. He's made a complete hash
:25:10. > :25:14.of the safety there. OK. A little bit unluck I yes. You inform know
:25:15. > :25:19.where the reds are going to finish but he didn't get the white where he
:25:20. > :25:24.wanted. Now the chance is there for Marco.
:25:25. > :25:37.APPLAUSE Oh!
:25:38. > :25:51.Marco has just put himself in a bit of trouble here.
:25:52. > :26:02.Doon he might have to play a safety shot off the green and go off the
:26:03. > :26:36.black with the cue ball. One of the golden chances let slip there.
:26:37. > :26:45.APPLAUSE When you bring the cue ball back to
:26:46. > :26:49.the black cushion, there's always chances with middle pockets. Ronnie
:26:50. > :26:54.has done that with the last two shots now. Again here, no good
:26:55. > :27:01.afternoon tee where the -- guarantee where the cue ball will end up. Just
:27:02. > :27:15.make sure of the pot. He will settle for that.
:27:16. > :27:22.It isn't a gimmee, this blue, but there is pressure on it with the way
:27:23. > :27:30.the reds are situated. But get this in, and what an opportunity.
:27:31. > :27:38.APPLAUSE Didn't cue that smoothly as he was
:27:39. > :27:41.in the first frame. Popped it in the right-hand side of the pocket, and
:27:42. > :27:43.didn't get correctly on the red. That is why he is having to play
:27:44. > :28:32.this around the angles. Overscrewed it slightly. He wanted
:28:33. > :28:45.to be straighter on this brown. Shouldn't be a problem.
:28:46. > :28:57.He is going to have to pot an awful lot of balls here to get a sizable
:28:58. > :29:30.number of points. Because they're all low-value colours.
:29:31. > :29:36.He's had a look at that just to see what's available there. So, he's way
:29:37. > :29:41.ahead of himself. And he feels that maybe he can drop the blue and he's
:29:42. > :29:44.back looking at that red to the right of the pink. And it looks as
:29:45. > :30:03.if it's on. That just shows you far ahead the
:30:04. > :30:06.player's thinking. It is usually a couple of shots. Rarely more than
:30:07. > :30:11.three shots ahead, four shots. You are just playing the cue ball into
:30:12. > :30:15.an area each time, but you weigh up the table and you know that it's
:30:16. > :30:25.going to be there, and he had looked at this red about three shots ago.
:30:26. > :30:40.Didn't get into the kaubl # cue ball like -- cue ball like he wanted. He
:30:41. > :30:47.wanted to be much straighter on this blue. This is now awkward. He's
:30:48. > :30:59.playing a cannon on a red directly above the blue. It will go around,
:31:00. > :31:02.but he's had natural angle... So... A little bit fortunate to have that
:31:03. > :31:26.natural angle. They seem to be all covering each
:31:27. > :31:33.other, the four reds around the pink. He's potted seven reds, but
:31:34. > :31:37.he's only accumulated 34 points because he's had to take
:31:38. > :32:05.lower-valued colours. Just going slightly to the left side
:32:06. > :32:23.of the pocket, but he can make that. APPLAUSE
:32:24. > :32:30.I think it is important for Marco to win this frame now, just to forget
:32:31. > :32:35.that red that he missed along the cushion. That could have given him a
:32:36. > :32:38.2-0 lead. But he's always been blessed with a terrific temperament
:32:39. > :32:58.also. That was an awkward frame at the
:32:59. > :33:05.start with the reds going up the other end of the table. And then the
:33:06. > :33:16.end, Ronnie attempting to get back to the black. Well, he did do but he
:33:17. > :33:19.left one to the middle. It's the frame well and truly saved now.
:33:20. > :33:27.APPLAUSE Be of 11. The interval still after
:33:28. > :33:54.four frames. Yep, daddy's clearing up. That is
:33:55. > :33:54.his wife Shirley who is there with their daughter.
:33:55. > :34:00.APPLAUSE Almost made a century in the opening
:34:01. > :34:43.frame. He's got another chance here. I have noticed Ronnie is looking at
:34:44. > :34:48.the tip of his cue there. I know he... He made a gesture as if he was
:34:49. > :35:04.going to bite the tip off, but I think that was a bit of
:35:05. > :35:07.You would have to say from Marco Fu, this is great stuff. Yeah, he's
:35:08. > :35:30.looking very composed again. That's his fifth century. Absolutely
:35:31. > :35:41.terrific stuff from the man from Hong Kong and in he goes. Absolutely
:35:42. > :35:46.secure. This third frame. Marco leads and Ronnie has left the arena
:35:47. > :35:51.and I'm wondering if there's a slight problem with the tip. We'll
:35:52. > :35:55.find out shortly. How will he react to the new tip. If anyone can do it,
:35:56. > :36:00.Ronnie O'Sullivan can do it. He seems to be just able to get the tip
:36:01. > :36:08.on and not the sort of thing that the player would want but he's
:36:09. > :36:13.pretty good at doing it. The way that they make tips these days. 15
:36:14. > :36:18.or 20 years ago, it used to take me three or four days to knock a tip
:36:19. > :36:22.in. They seem to be able to make them a lot firmer. You can get
:36:23. > :36:26.grades of how firm the tip is and the last time that I had it last
:36:27. > :36:31.year, I was able to play with it straightaway. It is just the way
:36:32. > :36:35.that the tips are made now. Not quite the drama I think that
:36:36. > :36:51.everyone is making out. But still in a semifinal of a major event, not
:36:52. > :37:07.ideal. Meanwhile, Marco has made a terrific breakoff shot.
:37:08. > :37:13.It's not going to be hard enough. Coming up a little bit short so I
:37:14. > :37:23.suppose on that type of shot, difficult to judge at the best of
:37:24. > :37:24.times. Well, you would say, a a we bit of pressure on whoever put the
:37:25. > :37:44.tip on, wouldn't you. We thought that he would take the
:37:45. > :37:49.double on and he wouldn't leave anything. Only the red that he was
:37:50. > :37:53.trying to double and he has left it. So a little bit of a tester, a long
:37:54. > :38:00.pot. Let's see if he can knock this in and give himself a little bit of
:38:01. > :38:14.confidence in that new tip. APPLAUSE
:38:15. > :38:41.Judging by the sounds that made, it's a little bit on softer side.
:38:42. > :38:51.Coming up a little bit short but can still play the cannon. Yes, as if he
:38:52. > :38:57.wasn't happy with the tip that was on it and you now he finds a tip
:38:58. > :39:03.that he is happy with, we can see a different Ronnie O'Sullivan. That
:39:04. > :39:13.could give him a massive boost of confidence.
:39:14. > :39:19.Just about OK. He can hold for the red that's up to the right of the
:39:20. > :40:15.blue here. Well, surely, he can't make a frame
:40:16. > :40:58.when he went with the brand new cue. You wouldn't put it past him.
:40:59. > :41:04.Well, that got a terrible contact there. He's still on the black but
:41:05. > :41:40.not as nicely as he would have been without the kick. Just watch this.
:41:41. > :41:46.He certainly looks a lot happier around the table? Yes, there's no
:41:47. > :41:58.doubt that he's more comfortable there than the one that was on
:41:59. > :42:03.previously. He did mention in the studio after the last match that was
:42:04. > :42:08.very hard on his cue. So that was a tiny little bit softer and it just
:42:09. > :42:22.gives you more feel. Perhaps that's why a couple of the positional shots
:42:23. > :42:56.have been going array. He looks a different player.
:42:57. > :43:01.Quite remarkable, it has to be said. Going a little bit too far here on
:43:02. > :43:09.the red. But you wouldn't see it being a problem.
:43:10. > :43:23.He's only made one century so far this this year's Masters.
:43:24. > :43:34.S not going to be easy to make a century. Certainly with the left on
:43:35. > :43:42.the side cushion. And this frame has only been going
:43:43. > :43:52.just over seven minutes. Everything is going in!
:43:53. > :44:02.I don't know if you can square this up and play the double. No double,
:44:03. > :44:07.no century but I'll tell you what, with a brand new tip on the cue,
:44:08. > :44:08.he's come out and knocked in a 95 with it. Absolutely incredible.
:44:09. > :44:33.We're all square - two frames each. That's a pretty good break off as
:44:34. > :44:45.well. Can't really take this pot on and play for the black. It's just
:44:46. > :44:51.the wrong angle for that. Didn't manage to get around the back. Good
:44:52. > :45:04.cue ball. There are the tools of the trade
:45:05. > :45:09.from the snooker player but not sure about the lighter - what he's going
:45:10. > :45:14.to do with that? Maybe burn a few of the fibres off. He was polishing the
:45:15. > :45:16.side of the tip so that you don't see it when you're looking down the
:45:17. > :46:08.cue. He may have just held for the pink
:46:09. > :46:12.there. OK, the red is near the pocket but look at the cueing. He
:46:13. > :46:17.won't be potting that one, you wouldn't think. But he has to remove
:46:18. > :46:22.it from the pocket. But if he bridges over all these reds and
:46:23. > :46:39.knocks this in, it will be some shot.
:46:40. > :47:05.Very tough situation there. He might just have gotten away with it
:47:06. > :47:10.slightly. Wanted to hit it full ball when he hit the cushion. It is a
:47:11. > :47:51.long one and he can get on the black.
:47:52. > :48:01.So a chance for Marco to get back to work. Obviously he's had that
:48:02. > :48:06.interval after the third frame, which wasn't planned. When Ronnie
:48:07. > :48:08.won the last one on the visit so we'll see if that's interrupted
:48:09. > :48:52.Marco's rhythm. This has developed into quite a good
:48:53. > :49:02.opportunity for him here. Just over screwed it slightly. Wanted to be
:49:03. > :49:20.straighter on that red. Closer to the pink so it was a change of plan.
:49:21. > :49:57.It's OK with the cue ball there. He's got a choice of reds for the
:49:58. > :50:02.left corner. I think we said at the start of the match, there were quite
:50:03. > :50:06.a few high breaks here. I think that the prediction is going to come
:50:07. > :50:13.through because he's had an 9 in the opening frame, 110 in frame three.
:50:14. > :50:15.And a 95 in the previous frames. So it's building up very nicely, this
:50:16. > :50:51.semifinal. It could be a cracker. Just an inch too short. May have to
:50:52. > :50:55.play there and when you see it playing to the left of the two. I
:50:56. > :50:57.don't know if he's straight on the bottom one to fall through for the
:50:58. > :51:15.black. I think it looks like it's OK. Just
:51:16. > :51:19.a bit more face to make sure that he follows through. And again, a couple
:51:20. > :51:34.of inches further. So he's going to have to cannon that red and that's
:51:35. > :51:39.there to the end of the bunch. Perfectly played.
:51:40. > :51:40.That was the key shot to paving the way to making a frame-winning break
:51:41. > :52:24.here. And he's judged a couple of the
:52:25. > :52:32.shots on the cannons. He's played them perfectly, hasn't he? Yeah,
:52:33. > :52:42.lovely touch. Very economical. He's starting to look like a machine when
:52:43. > :53:17.he gets in a the balls. -- gets in amongst the balls.
:53:18. > :53:25.He's in line for the high break Masters here. He's in line for 140.
:53:26. > :53:32.He's had five centuries so far this week.
:53:33. > :53:37.I think that he made 11 or 12 in winning the Scottish Open just
:53:38. > :53:48.before Christmas. He's turning into a scoring machine.
:53:49. > :53:53.That's the biggest attribute that you can have as a top snooker to be
:53:54. > :54:03.able to win frames in one visit like this on a regular basis.
:54:04. > :54:07.And from a psychological point of view, after watching Ronnie win the
:54:08. > :54:15.last frame with a 95 break and a new tip, this is just what the doctor
:54:16. > :54:20.ordered for Marco Fu. And also, how quickly is he playing! It helps when
:54:21. > :54:32.you're in perfect position every shot. Brilliant! Absolutely superb
:54:33. > :54:55.from Marco Fu. It's the 22nd century so far this week.
:54:56. > :55:00.It's not often there's a quicker shot time than Ronnie O'Sullivan.
:55:01. > :55:04.But again, down to the fact that he's got the cue ball on the string.
:55:05. > :55:10.It's not down to the coach, that's for sure. Well, his coach is Wayne
:55:11. > :55:24.Griffith but originally he was with Terry Griffith so he didn't get that
:55:25. > :55:27.16-shot selection from Terry. He could beat his own high break by one
:55:28. > :55:48.point. What an effort. Zbler made absolutely sure of the
:55:49. > :55:52.black. What a response from Marco Fu. He quietly gets the balls out of
:55:53. > :55:57.the pocket but he's just cleared the table with a magnificent break of
:55:58. > :56:43.141. And he's back in the lead at 3-2.
:56:44. > :56:49.Quality opening here with Ronnie O'Sullivan. Has to aim down slightly
:56:50. > :56:51.from the cue ball to create that angle to get around the back of the
:56:52. > :57:07.black. He enjoyed trying to get the better
:57:08. > :57:24.of it. He would enjoy it. Sitting in the
:57:25. > :57:52.chair to... He will have appreciated the skill of it.
:57:53. > :58:01.The match with Judd Trump was extraordinary but this is building
:58:02. > :58:06.up to an extraordinary match. Judd had two high Septemberuries but
:58:07. > :58:09.Marco was awesome. -- centuries but Marco was awesome with three
:58:10. > :58:14.centuries in that match. He's already had two in this. But Ronnie
:58:15. > :58:20.looks a different player, it has to be said. And he certainly feels
:58:21. > :58:57.comfortable with this new tip. Tough bunch of reds to go into from
:58:58. > :59:03.this angle but he's one of the best in the business at picking out the
:59:04. > :59:13.right cannon. It's so easy to stick on these. When you see that and it
:59:14. > :59:17.just goes absolutely perfectly. He needs to hit the red, the third red
:59:18. > :59:27.on the right-hand side of that red and push it is into the bunch. He
:59:28. > :59:32.could not hit that any better. That one, it has to hit on the right-hand
:59:33. > :59:46.side side of it. Any other red and it won't work. Fantastic shot.
:59:47. > :59:51.I tell you what, it's an absolute pleasure to be sitting and
:59:52. > :59:54.commentating on this kind of match. It really is fabulous to watch. Look
:59:55. > :00:19.at the pot success rate. Apart from he like he loves this new
:00:20. > :00:22.tip on the cue, but like I said already, he'll be enjoying this
:00:23. > :00:26.challenge that's up against him today. Playing the man at the top of
:00:27. > :00:41.his form as Marco Fu is. These frames are not lasting very
:00:42. > :01:05.long, are they? That's the frame safe. Now, full
:01:06. > :01:16.concentration to see if he can respond with a century break. You
:01:17. > :01:21.can't beat the high break, that's for certain. But even if he doesn't
:01:22. > :01:35.make a century, it doesn't really matter. But, great response this.
:01:36. > :01:37.Marco can't do anything about it. And this Alexandra Palace crowd are
:01:38. > :02:01.being royally entertained here. Might be able to pot the red closest
:02:02. > :02:16.to the black. If not, the cannon. No, it will go.
:02:17. > :02:39.Well, this is stunning, absolutely stunning snooker.
:02:40. > :02:50.In between the yellow and brown. That's another century. Ronnie's
:02:51. > :03:07.first of the match. And he's made 858 centuries now in
:03:08. > :03:12.his career. And who's going to bet against him getting to that magical
:03:13. > :03:42.1,000 centuries. Wouldn't that be something in a career!
:03:43. > :03:48.Oh, it doesn't matter that the black hasn't gone in. What a response from
:03:49. > :03:53.Ronnie O'Sullivan. Marco Fu made a magnificent break of 141. The
:03:54. > :03:56.response was - that superb century, 122. We're all square - three frames
:03:57. > :04:31.each. I can't wait for more of this. Now, how much quicker can the two
:04:32. > :04:36.players get. Just equalled Marco down to 16 seconds a shot. Oh, Marco
:04:37. > :04:39.played that red thinking that it was the only one that could lead. And
:04:40. > :04:59.how often does that happen? Now, one red, one black, Dennis.
:05:00. > :05:32.What do you think? You are naughty, Stephen!
:05:33. > :05:39.For a practice for exhibition, you brush off there for the black. He
:05:40. > :06:28.can still play it for this shot. Yes, he has done.
:06:29. > :06:38.Concentrating on the frame. Yeah, the crowd were buzzing there but
:06:39. > :06:42.Ronnie... Even Marco was smiling. Ronnie, as all players, the main
:06:43. > :06:52.concern is the frame. But that's nice to see. Of course, he made that
:06:53. > :06:54.magical maximum break on 13 occasions, just did that. 12 you
:06:55. > :07:17.made. Never been in front this this
:07:18. > :07:34.semifinal. Would be a good time to take the lead.
:07:35. > :07:40.Well, we didn't see that coming. It was just a little bit of a
:07:41. > :07:45.distraction from the red there having to bridge over it that caused
:07:46. > :07:50.him to miss that. That's the only reason. That I can think of why he
:07:51. > :08:14.missed the black. And there's the red to the right of
:08:15. > :08:19.the bunch that goes to the right of the corner. But it's a big corner if
:08:20. > :08:21.you want to go into it and really open things up. He's going to go for
:08:22. > :08:59.the red first. Another big moment in this match. So
:09:00. > :09:03.often, the deciding factor in these matches are not the frames that you
:09:04. > :09:06.should win, it's the frames that you shouldn't. The ones that you can
:09:07. > :09:12.pinch. Such a fine line between winning and losing when both players
:09:13. > :09:17.are playing so well. He's just finished a little awkward. He took
:09:18. > :09:20.the opportunity to open more of the reds up there and just having to
:09:21. > :09:35.stretch quite a bit here. A little straighter on the black
:09:36. > :09:42.than he would have liked, but that shouldn't be a problem.
:09:43. > :10:42.Let's see him pot this red. This clears everything. No excuses, now.
:10:43. > :10:45.He doesn't want to be playing a cannon, because they are all
:10:46. > :11:08.available. Rather than forcing me in, he
:11:09. > :11:10.displayed a nice little shot to leave that one next to the pink in
:11:11. > :11:31.the middle. 39. This would be quite a frame to pinch
:11:32. > :11:37.for Marco Fu, here. Ronnie O'Sullivan is shaking his head. He
:11:38. > :11:45.knows that this standard, he cannot afford any mistakes.
:11:46. > :11:52.We showed you the shot that Ronnie O'Sullivan nest because he was
:11:53. > :12:05.bridging of the red, it was a little awkward. This was the one.
:12:06. > :12:18.You don't see him shake his head often, but he knows that Marco Fu is
:12:19. > :12:20.not going to miss. He is thinking very clearly at the moment, Marco
:12:21. > :12:37.Fu. Just a little bit harder than he
:12:38. > :12:41.intended. 56. Yes, he's hoping for the top spin, and just as the angle
:12:42. > :12:50.to get over it. 58. 65. Just the blue to make absolutely
:12:51. > :13:40.certain. And it is straightforward. He just can't make a mistake in this
:13:41. > :13:49.game, the way these boys are playing. Another fabulous frame of
:13:50. > :13:54.snooker. Ronnie O'Sullivan had the 47 break, a little awkward, misty
:13:55. > :14:02.black, and that was the end of it. Marco Fu, without break of 83, is
:14:03. > :14:20.back in the lead again 4-3. -- missed the black.
:14:21. > :14:26.Both players are getting the breaks to perfection, get close to the
:14:27. > :14:31.question, which means that the red is normally either side, a difficult
:14:32. > :14:35.pot if you are a way from the question it is easier. -- if you are
:14:36. > :14:51.away from the cushion. It looks quite a thin snick, this.
:14:52. > :15:11.But maybe he is OK. A little bit too pacey, so he is
:15:12. > :15:14.restricted now with what he can do with the cue ball. The red is still
:15:15. > :15:42.left of the bunch. A bit of movement in his body there,
:15:43. > :15:51.on that shot. That was in his normal smooth playing style.
:15:52. > :16:53.Just a little bit of movement, that time, but he normally does that. But
:16:54. > :17:00.the fact that he was tight on the cushion, almost, made that slightly
:17:01. > :17:10.more difficult. Finishing short on this thread, so more reds can be
:17:11. > :17:31.brought into play when putting this. -- potting. Just a similar black to
:17:32. > :17:47.the previous frame, but he was bridging over a red, that time.
:17:48. > :18:39.Just managed to avoid eating that red Devils that could have spoiled
:18:40. > :18:52.things, but he judged it to perfection.
:18:53. > :18:55.-- Just managed to avoid hitting that red ball -
:18:56. > :19:05.things, but he judged it to perfection.
:19:06. > :19:23.When he is this red, he wants the cue to keep going through. -- hits.
:19:24. > :19:27.He will need some special here. We saw what happened in the previous
:19:28. > :19:31.frame. He got a 47 break, and it was not enough. This is a very tough...
:19:32. > :19:52.Oh, what a shot! 47. Just red to get it through the gap.
:19:53. > :19:59.He was listed finish low on this red. 54.
:20:00. > :20:36.So a good positional shot required, here.
:20:37. > :20:48.55. Just didn't quite judge it. When you are counting on the reds, there
:20:49. > :20:59.is always a possibility you can finish on the cushion. Shouldn't be
:21:00. > :21:07.a problem covering that red that is over on the left, on the right
:21:08. > :21:15.corner pocket. Just to make sure, he locks the pass through to that.
:21:16. > :21:26.Anthony brown near the cushion is a little bit of insurance. -- and the
:21:27. > :21:44.brown. It is a healthy lead, 54 points, but not the man in the form
:21:45. > :21:47.that Marco Fu is. When you get a chance, and he has a little bit to
:21:48. > :22:09.think about, here... Very clever indeed! Acknowledged by
:22:10. > :22:13.Ronnie O'Sullivan tapping on the table. OK, there is a possible red,
:22:14. > :22:54.there. -- pottable. Didn't want the cannon on the
:22:55. > :23:03.ground. -- round. But that shot that Marco Fu just played... Now,
:23:04. > :23:17.brilliant shot! He should miss that red. Just
:23:18. > :23:24.floated it in. Everything is coming very easily will stop the complete
:23:25. > :23:28.his cue ball down for the black, possibly not leaving Ronnie
:23:29. > :23:38.O'Sullivan anything as easy. Taking the difficult red, first.
:23:39. > :23:48.Decent! He chose to take the most difficult red.
:23:49. > :24:01.That is what happens when you decelerate. They could have been a
:24:02. > :24:03.huge turning point, had he had pinched that frame after pinching
:24:04. > :24:46.the previous one. They are just so evenly matched,
:24:47. > :24:50.now, in this semi-final. That was the first small sign of weakness
:24:51. > :25:04.-- we've seen from Marco Fu in a long time in this match.
:25:05. > :25:16.12. He would have been a strong favourite had he taken the frame,
:25:17. > :25:20.but you just sensed this could go to a deciding frame. We've had some
:25:21. > :25:33.fabulous matches all week, and quite a few of them going the distance.
:25:34. > :25:51.Yes, an average frame time of under 12 minutes. That just shows you the
:25:52. > :26:45.quality of snooker. 41. He had the nerve to make a 55! He
:26:46. > :26:51.finished the frame off with a break of 63. Marco Fu did have a chance,
:26:52. > :27:08.missed that red, and we are back square again. 4-4.
:27:09. > :27:17.Once again, a good pace with the break off shot. If he has a slight
:27:18. > :27:25.angle on this red, he might just be tempted, because he could drop on
:27:26. > :27:32.the black and the only thing he could possibly leave would be the
:27:33. > :27:41.red. But now that it is down to the best of three...
:27:42. > :27:54.Just decided against risking that. The crowd have been fabulous
:27:55. > :27:57.throughout this match. We just don't need the single one shouting out at
:27:58. > :28:07.the wrong time. It is bolstered for both players.
:28:08. > :28:15.-- it spoils it. Hopefully he can bring patent black into play as
:28:16. > :29:03.well. -- bring that black. That was a risky one just to nestle
:29:04. > :29:08.them their. You are trusting that the table will run perfectly true.
:29:09. > :29:19.With the knack of the cloth, it can get a little deviation. Yes, it was
:29:20. > :29:23.the first negative shot that Marco Fu has played in a long time. He
:29:24. > :29:29.brought the cue ball back to where it was, at the table. In the Bisley
:29:30. > :29:37.thought that was the easy one to play. -- but he obviously thought. I
:29:38. > :29:41.think there is someone in the front row who is moving around, having a
:29:42. > :29:56.drink, and probably brought some water in with them.
:29:57. > :30:03.It is not that difficult a shot to take the cue ball back up to where
:30:04. > :30:05.he was playing from, so as I said, not the way he has been playing so
:30:06. > :30:22.far this afternoon, that shot. I am just wondering if that missed
:30:23. > :30:32.red in the last frame is affecting him. 70. This was the one that, if
:30:33. > :30:37.it goes in, you can see him dropping the cue. It was a great chance.
:30:38. > :30:41.Meanwhile, he knows that Ronnie O'Sullivan has not finished on the
:30:42. > :30:47.red as nicely as he would have liked, and it is all about the
:30:48. > :30:54.cannon, here, when he has the black. Can he avoid that? He could, and
:30:55. > :31:04.left-handed, as well! I mean, to get that sort of action
:31:05. > :31:07.on the cue ball with your opposite hand, to avoid canyoning the black,
:31:08. > :31:49.was excellent. -- cannoning. Since the interval, and we had the
:31:50. > :32:00.end of it after three frames, that new chip on the cue, that had breaks
:32:01. > :32:03.of 95, 122, 47, 55, and 62 in the previous frame. And Marco has had
:32:04. > :32:38.breaks of 141 and 83. 39. He has gone too far. 46. A big smile
:32:39. > :32:47.on, but about six inches farther than he expected. Ronnie O'Sullivan,
:32:48. > :33:01.46. This was the one that he just
:33:02. > :33:03.misjudged slightly. He knew straightaway that he hit it too
:33:04. > :33:36.hard. I think it can see enough of the
:33:37. > :33:44.red, but the brown is quite a destruction. A very awkward cue
:33:45. > :34:18.along this side of the brown, there. -- is quite a distraction.
:34:19. > :34:24.Managed to cover that red. It was a tricky situation he was faced with,
:34:25. > :35:16.there. There is Nick Van there. His dad to
:35:17. > :35:26.the side of them. -- Nick "Peanut" Baines. Keyboard layout with the
:35:27. > :35:34.Kaiser Chiefs. -- play out. Loves his snooker.
:35:35. > :35:40.-- Keyboard player with the Kaiser Chiefs.
:35:41. > :35:46.If that red kids running, it is safe, all relatively safe. He got
:35:47. > :35:56.away with that one. There is only one pottable red, the one that is
:35:57. > :36:06.just between the pink and black. That is the only possible red he
:36:07. > :36:13.could pot. But he might cannon into other reds, so it is very difficult.
:36:14. > :36:41.This is a safety shot. Don't blame him.
:36:42. > :36:46.We have had everything in this match, only bouts of safety, and now
:36:47. > :36:50.we're getting that. Just been a of breaks. Nice to see the tactical
:36:51. > :37:07.side of the game, also. Oh! One. He got a good cue ball, but
:37:08. > :37:09.if it get tighter behind the cover, he could be in a good advantage. We
:37:10. > :37:16.wish you this -- we will show you this foot plant.
:37:17. > :37:32.Oh, that cue ball ran off. It only -- it only moved the space of about
:37:33. > :37:49.a foot. That is shocking. Well, there is nothing Marco Fu
:37:50. > :37:58.could have done about that. Sometimes you get it along the ball
:37:59. > :38:03.line. But instead of being snookered, if these gringos in, it
:38:04. > :38:09.could be the end of frame. But it is not easy.
:38:10. > :38:25.-- green goes. A fabulous pot. Lucy Wood he is leading. Should have
:38:26. > :38:33.missed it. -- you see what he is leaving.
:38:34. > :38:48.What a difference that would have made, though, Denis. Tight behind
:38:49. > :38:53.that round ball. -- brown. It is a little bit awkward here for the good
:38:54. > :39:04.positional shot. He cannot make his mind up.
:39:05. > :39:12.Sometimes you are faced with a shot and you know it is just not a matter
:39:13. > :39:17.of potting the ball and getting a nice colour... Still can't decide
:39:18. > :39:40.which way to play it. In the end, he made it look very
:39:41. > :39:48.easy. Very delicate screw shot. Puff of the cheeks. Good to get that one
:39:49. > :39:57.out of the way. Very unfortunate for Marco Fu. OK, he was a long way
:39:58. > :40:00.behind, but had the have got the snooker, which you normally would
:40:01. > :40:11.have done without the ball drifting, as we show you again, and suddenly
:40:12. > :40:18.things are just going in Ronnie's favour. He has played fantastic
:40:19. > :40:24.stuff. I think that turning point in the previous round when Marco missed
:40:25. > :40:35.the one with the rest, that would have given him a 5-3 lead if he
:40:36. > :40:42.pinched that frame. The enormity of the occasion got to him. He had the
:40:43. > :41:29.opportunity to be 5-3 ahead. He won the previous frame with
:41:30. > :41:34.breaks of 55 and 63. This is following a similar pattern. Breaks
:41:35. > :42:36.of 46 and now this. What a shock that was! Using the jaw
:42:37. > :42:46.to get under the pink. You don't see that very often. -- shot that was.
:42:47. > :42:53.You don't see that shot played very often. And the black is in as well.
:42:54. > :42:59.So we have a break of 46. Followed up with a break of 82. The Rocket
:43:00. > :43:01.really has lifted off, now he is one frame away from a place in the
:43:02. > :43:22.final. It is 5-4. Once again, could break of shot.
:43:23. > :43:28.Both players raking very well. Finding that cushion, leaving short
:43:29. > :43:35.of a half chance. But because the white is so close to the cushion, it
:43:36. > :43:43.makes it very difficult. -- good break off the shot. Both players
:43:44. > :43:51.breaking very well. You can see if he misses it, he would have to be
:43:52. > :43:55.leaving Marco Fu a chance. Aiming the tip of history there. Looks like
:43:56. > :44:08.he going to leave the cue ball on the top cushion. The tip of the cue.
:44:09. > :44:14.Or is he taking the pot on. Fantastic. Always looked like a
:44:15. > :44:25.natural angle for the cue ball to go. Tremendous pot. He almost went
:44:26. > :44:48.off the side of the pack and finished on the black. He may have
:44:49. > :44:53.left a red to the right of the pocket the way he played. I think it
:44:54. > :45:02.was plain to lend on that red. -- planning to land on the red. No easy
:45:03. > :45:09.colour available if he takes it on. Quite clever really. It will take
:45:10. > :45:16.some shot from Marco to get on the black. An element of safety as well.
:45:17. > :46:57.You can see where the cue ball is. That is a little bit on both excite
:46:58. > :47:03.but I think the pace of the table will take the side of the yellow. He
:47:04. > :47:09.would have been trying to get the cue ball tight on the cushion, but
:47:10. > :47:32.that will do very nicely. That is all he can see. No easy way
:47:33. > :47:40.back to the safety zone from that position. That was all he could do
:47:41. > :47:59.there. I think this crowd have taken the
:48:00. > :48:03.Marco Fu. I think the snooker he has produced this week has been
:48:04. > :48:10.scintillating, especially against Trump. If you knock the ball seemed
:48:11. > :48:14.and you play great snooker you will get the support of the crowd. Just
:48:15. > :48:26.look at that crowd. What an atmosphere these two players have
:48:27. > :48:30.had this afternoon. 2000 people. Noise when it is needed, silence
:48:31. > :49:18.with the player at the table. Where is the cue ball going? It is
:49:19. > :49:20.OK. Have a look at the raids! That is what you call an attacking safety
:49:21. > :49:48.shot. -- red Certainly no easy escape back to the
:49:49. > :50:01.table from that position. Have to be very accurate indeed. If he left the
:50:02. > :50:07.white tight on the cushion to the left of the black a to cover the
:50:08. > :50:20.red, on for the right corner. But he has thought of quite a few options.
:50:21. > :50:26.Not often Ronnie thinks about the shot this length of time, but very
:50:27. > :51:03.understandable here. It was worth waiting on! I said he
:51:04. > :51:09.will do well to find a path down the table. He did, and he is on the
:51:10. > :51:16.brown to get back on the reds. That is the shot, probably, of the
:51:17. > :51:31.tournament. The pot that and find the gap.
:51:32. > :51:43.To pot that. Talking about the whole tournament, it could have been so
:51:44. > :51:49.different if Adam had potted that black in the first round. This man
:51:50. > :51:56.at the table was within a black ball of being knocked out. Now it is odds
:51:57. > :52:04.on to be making tomorrow's final. Going for a record seventh Masters
:52:05. > :52:12.final two overtake Stephen's six Masters.
:52:13. > :52:35.Still at 97%. Someone in his line of sight there.
:52:36. > :52:46.He is doing the right thing. Just settling himself. He knows the
:52:47. > :53:36.importance of this visit. He is really fired up here.
:53:37. > :54:17.He has just asked someone to keep still. It must be a photographer.
:54:18. > :54:24.Marco Fu just has to sit there and hope that something can go wrong for
:54:25. > :55:17.Ronnie. But he looks very focused does Ronnie O'Sullivan.
:55:18. > :55:31.It has been an absolutely fabulous semi-final match between two players
:55:32. > :55:40.at the top of the form. Very few mistakes being made. Just the odd
:55:41. > :55:52.error that was costly because of the way either player are playing. A
:55:53. > :55:53.little bit of misfortune with that ball rolling off that he was going
:55:54. > :56:12.to put behind the brown. I don't think I have ever seen
:56:13. > :56:18.Ronnie O'Sullivan as animated as he is today. Every shot is a different
:56:19. > :56:20.facial expression. The will to win is ferocious at the moment to get
:56:21. > :56:47.into that final. This is going to finish a little
:56:48. > :56:50.awkward. 51 in front, not many pots away from securing a place in the
:56:51. > :57:20.final. It is the! -- there! LAUGHTER is going to play
:57:21. > :57:37.left-handed if he can reach. Why not? Just needs the pink!
:57:38. > :57:50.APPLAUSE. That is a lovely gesture from Marco Fu. It has been a
:57:51. > :57:54.fabulous semi-final, as I mentioned. We set Marco Fu would have to play
:57:55. > :58:00.at the top of his game. He did that, he is still applauding. That is the
:58:01. > :58:06.type of character he is. But they have treated this Alexandra Palace
:58:07. > :58:13.audience to some brilliant, brilliant snooker. Doesn't matter
:58:14. > :58:16.about the red. Marco comes forward, Weeks Malla and congratulations for
:58:17. > :58:22.Ronnie O'Sullivan. Lovely to see both players. Fabulous semi-final.
:58:23. > :58:31.In the end, Ronnie O'Sullivan, he was just brilliant. He goes on to
:58:32. > :58:36.beat Marco Fu by six frames to four. He is in the final.
:58:37. > :58:43.In the end it was tipped Gate in Frank three which turned the tide
:58:44. > :58:48.for a O'Sullivan. He is into his 12th Masters final in 23 attempts.
:58:49. > :58:53.He goes for the outright record of seven victories. We will be on air
:58:54. > :58:58.to see how this all starts at one o'clock. I am sure you will join us.
:58:59. > :59:04.20th of January, the day of the inauguration of Donald Trump
:59:05. > :59:07.Do you reckon he'll invite the North Korean guy over?