0:00:35 > 0:00:42Hello and welcome to Snooker Extra, extended highlights of the 2018
0:00:42 > 0:00:49masters. Two former champions go head-to-head, Mark Selby taking on
0:00:49 > 0:00:55Mark Williams, who won the title in 2003. A bit of a. At the very
0:00:55 > 0:00:59beginning with a re-rack but soon the fireworks began. Commentary from
0:00:59 > 0:01:06Dennis Taylor and Stephen Hendry.
0:01:17 > 0:01:23COMMENTATOR: And that is a pretty good rake off a shot.You didn't see
0:01:23 > 0:01:26his first attempt, he cut back way too thin and hit the blue of his
0:01:26 > 0:01:30first break up. That was a lot better. Flickr contact, fifth red
0:01:30 > 0:01:39the triangle. Lots of red hands -- right-hand side.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44right-hand side. What you don't see very often from these two players
0:01:44 > 0:01:49either is a very aggressive opening shot, splitting the reds open. They
0:01:49 > 0:01:57like to keep it pretty tight. He doesn't want catch this one thick.
0:02:28 > 0:02:36That was through the gap, and played at a nice pace as well, strike left
0:02:36 > 0:02:42hand side, stopped the cue ball short to have a pot at the baulk
0:02:42 > 0:02:48colour. Decent chance, this.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58That was an excellent positional shot.
0:03:00 > 0:03:09shot. He floats the balls in, Mark Williams. He is one of the few that
0:03:09 > 0:03:19just drops so many in dead weight.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13A chance to go into the bunch if he so wishes, but there are two or
0:04:13 > 0:04:19three loose reds, a nice angle on the black.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24the black. I think possibly Mark Williams wouldn't go into the reds
0:04:24 > 0:04:35as soon as some other players. The first frame very important, so he
0:04:35 > 0:04:41wants to get a good start in this match.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01He may have to usea touch of left-hand side here.
0:05:06 > 0:05:14Nice to see Joe here, that is Marc Trestman why. Jo hasn't been too
0:05:14 > 0:05:21well but -- that is Mark's wife. A delightful lady, an absolute gem,
0:05:21 > 0:05:28she is. And so is Kanan, as well.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Mark Williams oversleep played for the red the left middle, but he
0:06:13 > 0:06:19snookered himself on the blue. So the first tricky shot of the break
0:06:19 > 0:06:24coming up.If he can reach it, I think he can pot this and just go
0:06:24 > 0:06:31off the cushion for the black. It is a bit of a reach, this, though. He
0:06:31 > 0:06:40played it well, very good shot. Worth another look at that one, and
0:06:40 > 0:06:44he is perfect on the black to get onto the red just to the right of
0:06:44 > 0:06:54the back of the little bunch there. Just a slight bit of angle to work
0:06:54 > 0:06:58that way. He has played to leave one to the middle pocket, but what has
0:06:58 > 0:07:05he done there?I do know if that was a little bit of adrenaline or he got
0:07:05 > 0:07:14into that cue ball for too much. But it is there. Great shot. Exactly
0:07:14 > 0:07:21what you would have wanted.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32He made a look very easy, that was a tough shot. Just finished a little
0:07:32 > 0:07:38straight on the black this time.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42straight on the black this time. He has got into this well. He has
0:07:42 > 0:07:52played that beautifully.
0:07:53 > 0:08:02A good start for the Welsh potting machine, that's his nickname.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04machine, that's his nickname.I had a few different nicknames for him,
0:08:04 > 0:08:11but I don't think I can say what they are (!)
0:08:12 > 0:08:15they are (!)You are still at it, you two, winding each other? You
0:08:15 > 0:08:23have done it throughout your career, even before we came out, Mark and
0:08:23 > 0:08:32Stephen were winding each other up. Yep, when he was giving it to me, I
0:08:32 > 0:08:35said I will get my own back out there when I'm in the commentary
0:08:35 > 0:08:41box, but so far I have not been able to. This has been a fantastic start.
0:08:41 > 0:08:54He has pretty much had the cue ball on a string on this break.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10Looking at a player here who has made 404 centuries in his
0:09:10 > 0:09:19professional career. Made 21 this season, great to see Mark Williams
0:09:19 > 0:09:31back where he belongs, world ranked the button at the moment.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Another good shot.
0:09:47 > 0:10:01Absolutely brilliant. He makes the fifth century. There is a Mark
0:10:01 > 0:10:15Williams special. I have never seen any other player be able to do that.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Mark Selby said before the match if there was one player in the draw you
0:10:46 > 0:10:49wanted to avoid it was Mark Williams. You can see why, another
0:10:49 > 0:10:55shot played under Rahm. Remarkable, how does he do that, and screw the
0:10:55 > 0:11:01ball in the widget, cueing like that?
0:11:01 > 0:11:06that?Yes, that has been a phenomenal break. Before the re-rack
0:11:06 > 0:11:13it looked like it would be a really scrappy first frame. It has been
0:11:13 > 0:11:18fantastic.
0:11:20 > 0:11:30APPLAUSE
0:11:35 > 0:11:41Arrow, he has a kick that what a shame.
0:11:42 > 0:11:48shame. He got one chance and he made that magnificent break. He leads
0:11:48 > 0:11:541-0.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22Hardly ever see him overhit anything, in terms of taking a swing
0:12:22 > 0:12:29at it with his cue. Very controlled. Oh, he has got away with that. Very
0:12:29 > 0:12:36lucky.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41lucky.Mark Howard tapped the table for the shot and Mark Selby came to
0:12:41 > 0:12:47the table and tapped the table. Like to see a bit of humour between these
0:12:47 > 0:12:55two great players -- Mark had tapped the table.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20Didn't go for the pot, there was no value. Almost got the double-kiss.
0:13:20 > 0:13:28But safe.
0:13:41 > 0:13:52I like this shot here. That has cleared the black.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54cleared the black. Certainly thinking very positively, and why
0:13:54 > 0:14:02wouldn't he, after the opening frame?
0:15:04 > 0:15:11He hasn't really got the same escape route here. He could leave the one
0:15:11 > 0:15:15red to the right middle pocket, that is why he is walking round the
0:15:15 > 0:15:22table, making sure he covers that read, if he does play the shot.
0:15:22 > 0:15:31Doesn't like it.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Doesn't like it. Just a little bit of an awkward frame with the way the
0:15:34 > 0:15:41two reds are either side of the blue there.
0:16:13 > 0:16:25You won't see many mistakes made by the two players.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27the two players. Very few unforced errors today I think in the safety
0:16:27 > 0:16:34department.
0:16:34 > 0:16:45department.APPLAUSE Very unlucky. He picked one out
0:16:45 > 0:16:54there, and was very unfortunate indeed. The knock the yellowing.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05At least the penalty shot there hasn't left Mark Selby with a chance
0:17:05 > 0:17:13at a red. But a chance to get a telling safety shot here. Moving the
0:17:13 > 0:17:18cue along the question, trying to push -- pick the sport he would like
0:17:18 > 0:17:30the cue ball.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39And pretty clever as well, because he knocked the other one away from
0:17:39 > 0:17:46the middle pocket, the one that was pottable. And with a very clever
0:17:46 > 0:17:52little shot.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57little shot. Let's have a look at the way Mark played this shot.
0:17:57 > 0:18:08Trying to cannon that red away. Very clever.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40It is terrific to watch the Huybrechts going in but it is also
0:19:40 > 0:19:45very entertaining to watch a good tactical battle here, to see who is
0:19:45 > 0:19:52going to make the first
0:19:52 > 0:20:00going to make the first mistake. -- to see the high breaks going in.
0:20:02 > 0:20:10What an effort, what an effort! APPLAUSE
0:20:10 > 0:20:15Just screwed back just a little bit further than he wanted. The inn
0:20:15 > 0:20:19offers not on because there is a red over the middle pocket, so he
0:20:19 > 0:20:28controlled this. As I said, the in off wasn't on, the middle red but it
0:20:28 > 0:20:37has worked out perfect river mark. Almost knocked it in the pocket.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Almost knocked it in the pocket. I will just show you the shot. He knew
0:20:40 > 0:20:43he couldn't go in off. But he'll most planted that read in the
0:20:43 > 0:20:50pocket.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54pocket. And he is in first in the second frame. Can he continue where
0:20:54 > 0:21:04he left off in the opening frame? Yes, it was going to take something
0:21:04 > 0:21:09special to end that safety exchange, because both players were playing
0:21:09 > 0:21:16high-quality, tactical stuff. Obviously playing this with an
0:21:16 > 0:21:21element of safety, that he will be leaving Mark Selby a similar sort of
0:21:21 > 0:21:28shot, should he have missed it. If he continues the form of the
0:21:28 > 0:21:31previous frame, this should be a second frame over, from where the
0:21:31 > 0:21:41roads are. Felix in complete control, composed, focused. Cueing
0:21:41 > 0:21:51beautifully. -- he looks in complete control.
0:22:43 > 0:22:51The two reds are touching below the pick. -- below the pink. Nicely
0:22:51 > 0:23:01played.
0:23:19 > 0:23:29Can he get through to the red? It is quite tight. He has overran that.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32quite tight. He has overran that. He would like the one to the right,
0:23:32 > 0:23:40rather than that.
0:23:40 > 0:23:49rather than that. I think winning the Northern Ireland open in
0:23:49 > 0:23:54November has really given Mark Williams a boost. It was his first
0:23:54 > 0:24:02ranking title for a couple of seasons.
0:24:02 > 0:24:09seasons. He had a bit of kit trouble in that.
0:24:28 > 0:24:34One more good shot here. It will give him a great chance to secure
0:24:34 > 0:24:40the second frame but it is not perfect.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10I think the thing I thought was stopping him being a competitor, as
0:25:10 > 0:25:14far as winning the majors, was not winning enough frames in one visit,
0:25:14 > 0:25:19not scoring heavily enough. But that has been put to bed this afternoon.
0:25:19 > 0:25:27Awesome start.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39Yes, I think Mark is getting a great buzz out of this terrific start this
0:25:39 > 0:25:51afternoon. It really is helping him.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01It is all about that red, the left side of the table, and being a
0:26:01 > 0:26:07left-hander it might not cause a problem for the second century. He
0:26:07 > 0:26:14can drop in behind it or he can remove it. Being a left-hander, that
0:26:14 > 0:26:20is how he feels.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25is how he feels. APPLAUSE
0:26:30 > 0:26:41What a shame. Still, you have one chance, and this was all he needed.
0:26:41 > 0:26:51Now leads the reigning world champion two frames the mill. -- to
0:26:51 > 0:26:57zero.
0:27:38 > 0:27:45What a way to start a match, 135 break.
0:28:05 > 0:28:11Just a little distraction in his own line there.
0:28:15 > 0:28:21line there. A photographer in the background. The referee from
0:28:21 > 0:28:27Belgium. One of the top referees in the game and has been for many
0:28:27 > 0:28:36years, works in a hospital, and has time off for his refereeing duties.
0:28:36 > 0:28:51Oh, what a fluke. What a fluke. Awkward bridging.
0:28:52 > 0:29:02Awkward bridging. Caught the red too thick.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07I'm not sure if the black, it certainly would go in the right
0:29:07 > 0:29:10corner, things are red might be blocking it from the left corner.
0:29:10 > 0:29:20The pink is available.
0:29:26 > 0:29:31It would go in that pocket, and it certainly won't go in the other, so
0:29:31 > 0:29:38it is not a good chance for Mark Williams just yet. But what a body
0:29:38 > 0:29:46blow.
0:30:21 > 0:30:29I think it will be a red to the right corner. Four
0:30:29 > 0:30:35so the first piece of bad cueing. Mark Williams has put into this
0:30:35 > 0:30:43match. A lot of movement there.I don't think it will cost too many
0:30:43 > 0:30:46points, because the fact that he missed the yellow, he didn't get the
0:30:46 > 0:30:52cue ball anywhere near where he wanted. There is a red double pot
0:30:52 > 0:30:55between the pink and black but there is no colour available, so there is
0:30:55 > 0:30:59no value in it, really. That is why he is not even entertaining the
0:30:59 > 0:31:02pots.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11He could have played that a little better will
0:31:11 > 0:31:16He could have played that a little better will. Mark's target here will
0:31:16 > 0:31:20be hit the white somewhere near the yellow, and he might be able to take
0:31:20 > 0:31:30a shot to nothing. The red made pot into the right corner.
0:31:30 > 0:31:38APPLAUSE
0:31:38 > 0:31:43It all depends on the angle he's got on the brown as to whether he can
0:31:43 > 0:31:50get at to the reds. Well he's got the angle to get up to the red that
0:31:50 > 0:31:56Mark Selby had available, but it wasn't any use to him, because there
0:31:56 > 0:32:05was no colour available. That's well played, but he still got a lot of
0:32:05 > 0:32:11work to do here.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18work to do here.The red was closest to the black cushion, he could have
0:32:18 > 0:32:22possibly developed the black and flicked the red away, to the right
0:32:22 > 0:32:31of the black. Please this red to the right corner, he's trusting a bit to
0:32:31 > 0:32:42look with the position. -- if he plays this red to the right corner.
0:32:42 > 0:32:49He played that well. The cue ball has gone to the cushion, but that
0:32:49 > 0:32:55was pretty well controlled, the gap he finds here.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11Wasn't easy, tucked up on the cushion, so the first half chance
0:33:11 > 0:33:15falls to Mark Selby, as we show you the blue again. When you are tight
0:33:15 > 0:33:20on the cushion at that angle, it's never easy. But it's not a good
0:33:20 > 0:33:28chance for Mark Selby. Whether black is completely out of the game, the
0:33:28 > 0:33:34pink is awkward, the blue is off its spot.Yeah, he's looking at the red
0:33:34 > 0:33:36to the right corner, I think the pink is available to the left
0:33:36 > 0:33:39middle.
0:34:00 > 0:34:07I think at the moment it a half chance, but Mark Selby won't see it
0:34:07 > 0:34:12that way. He'll be looking at this as an opportunity to get his first
0:34:12 > 0:34:21frame on the board. The black is tied up, but everything else is
0:34:21 > 0:34:23pretty well situated.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23With only the pink to play for, pinpoint accuracy required with the
0:35:23 > 0:35:31position, every shot.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Could have done with a good two or three more inches there, to make
0:36:36 > 0:36:47this an unmissable pink. I think he can still hold, the two reds to the
0:36:47 > 0:36:55right, he can still hold for one of those to the left corner.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00APPLAUSE
0:37:02 > 0:37:06Could have gone wrong.
0:37:24 > 0:37:31As long as he's not dead straight on the blue, he's OK here, and he's got
0:37:31 > 0:37:41a slight angle to work with. APPLAUSE
0:37:48 > 0:37:56Still a couple more reds available, into the left corner pocket.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01And he's doing what Mark Selby does very well indeed when his back is
0:38:01 > 0:38:05against the wall. He produces his best, usually.
0:38:15 > 0:38:20Needs to get into the red trust above the black and cannon it away,
0:38:20 > 0:38:30leave himself on the black. Maybe too high, possibly.
0:38:34 > 0:38:40He's run slightly out of position there. We did see Mark's wife,
0:38:40 > 0:38:52Vicki, watching on. She knows now faced with a tricky shot.
0:38:52 > 0:38:59I think he took the risk out of covering the black and it went
0:38:59 > 0:39:05slightly wrong. Can he play a good recovery shot rushed Jamaat that's a
0:39:05 > 0:39:11pretty good recovery shot, if it keeps coming. Played to perfection,
0:39:11 > 0:39:18a brilliant shot. APPLAUSE
0:39:18 > 0:39:23Yeah, it was quite natural angle on the blue, just to drop on these
0:39:23 > 0:39:31reds, but still had to play, he played well, and it was. He's turned
0:39:31 > 0:39:36this half chance in a frame-winning visit, it looks like. He needed it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:58Just this red lead -- just this red needed. Wow, what a cracking match
0:39:58 > 0:40:04we have on our hands here. One mistake and the frame is over at the
0:40:04 > 0:40:06moment.
0:40:11 > 0:40:17APPLAUSE
0:40:49 > 0:40:57APPLAUSE
0:41:04 > 0:41:12APPLAUSE Lets see you pot the green, Mark,
0:41:12 > 0:41:23frame over. Can he flew the green? Just the one mistake.
0:41:23 > 0:41:30APPLAUSE Gives him his first frame. He now
0:41:30 > 0:41:38trails by 2-1 frames.
0:41:56 > 0:42:03That's a bit unlucky, to cannon one centred right over the pocket there.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07It always can happen. He played the shot well enough but couldn't
0:42:07 > 0:42:11envisage knocking this one over the pocket will
0:42:11 > 0:42:18envisage knocking this one over the pocket will.
0:42:22 > 0:42:28The first chance in this frame. Mark Selby.It was a very nicely
0:42:28 > 0:42:34controlled shot as well, a touch of drag on the cue ball to make the
0:42:34 > 0:42:36control easier. Nicely on the blue.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46Played a little cannon into the bunch, just to the right of the
0:42:46 > 0:42:55pink. Just pulled the cue ball away from the pack.
0:43:21 > 0:43:26May be reluctant to play for the pink. It is available to left corner
0:43:26 > 0:43:32but it's going to go on the black spot I think if he pots it and he's
0:43:32 > 0:43:35coming round now to look to see if it would be available to left
0:43:35 > 0:43:44corner.It's fascinating to watch different players, how they break
0:43:44 > 0:43:54and build their break. Stevens suggested putting the blue map
0:43:54 > 0:43:55and build their break. Stevens suggested putting the blue map,
0:43:55 > 0:44:04quite a few players would have played that shot. Bookmark is going
0:44:04 > 0:44:10about it in a slightly different route -- but Mark is going about in
0:44:10 > 0:44:13a slightly different route. The only concern is if you keep knocking the
0:44:13 > 0:44:20ball is in, that's what it's all about.I don't think this is a shot
0:44:20 > 0:44:25he was planning to play, but he's going into the bunch here. That's
0:44:25 > 0:44:28why, because you never guarantee control. He wanted to be straight on
0:44:28 > 0:44:35the pink.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46APPLAUSE
0:44:51 > 0:44:57He made that look very easy, but almost tight to the cushion, then
0:44:57 > 0:45:04you need extremely good cueing.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08you need extremely good cueing. And now he's got the pink in the open
0:45:08 > 0:45:12and gradually it is developing into quite a decent chance.
0:45:31 > 0:45:36And that yellow, if the yellow is on its spot, that's almost exactly the
0:45:36 > 0:45:40one where it hit the cushion, with the cue ball, whether yellow is now,
0:45:40 > 0:45:47so has to play off the Bolt cushion, it's made the shot a little bit
0:45:47 > 0:45:53awkward. If you squeeze past the yellow he can get too much side on
0:45:53 > 0:46:00it. -- if he screws past the yellow, he can get too much side on it and
0:46:00 > 0:46:05that's why he's played to get the cue ball down the right-hand side of
0:46:05 > 0:46:14the table and pretty good. APPLAUSE
0:46:15 > 0:46:21He's just finished a little awkward with that angle he has here.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25Straight would have been better, just to screw back off percussion
0:46:25 > 0:46:34for the pink. He can still do it but it's a slightly more awkward angle.
0:46:34 > 0:46:41And that's... Well, I think he's OK. He can hold from the right of the
0:46:41 > 0:46:48three reds there.
0:46:48 > 0:46:53Yeah, he actually hit that last shot really well. Quite a good angle on
0:46:53 > 0:47:00the red, a big angle. You can see by the reaction of the cue ball how
0:47:00 > 0:47:03well he timed that.
0:47:19 > 0:47:25APPLAUSE He just seems to have moved up a
0:47:25 > 0:47:31gear, Mark Selby. Seems to be just slowly starting to dominate this
0:47:31 > 0:47:33match.
0:47:40 > 0:47:46Couldn't do much in the first two frames that he lost, just sat in his
0:47:46 > 0:47:50chair, but since then this has been an excellent reply.
0:47:52 > 0:47:59I think it hurt him really badly, losing the first round of the UK
0:47:59 > 0:48:01championship. He wants to be involved in the biggest events,
0:48:01 > 0:48:08right to the end. I think he's absolutely piled the hours on the
0:48:08 > 0:48:15practice table since then.Yeah, when your reigning world champion
0:48:15 > 0:48:24and world number one, those defeats don't half hurt.
0:48:36 > 0:48:41You can see the head movement very slight now from Mark Selby. Stephen
0:48:41 > 0:48:45Hendry was talking about five or six years ago, movement was much more
0:48:45 > 0:48:51than it is now. You can see that eyes, just focused on the object
0:48:51 > 0:48:57ball, just before he delivers the cue. Just watch the eyes glance up
0:48:57 > 0:49:06there to the object ball.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08there to the object ball.Top snooker players, still an incredible
0:49:08 > 0:49:18amount of shaking in the head, but I bet he doesn't even feel it.
0:49:21 > 0:49:27APPLAUSE Will he risk going into the bunch
0:49:27 > 0:49:35from the blue? If he wants to keep the break going, he has to.
0:49:40 > 0:49:45Yeah, he's a bit unlucky there, isn't it? But he made sure of the
0:49:45 > 0:49:49blue. He's glancing at the scoreboard there. He knows that Mark
0:49:49 > 0:50:01Williams now needs a snooker. A bit unlucky to get the double kiss here.
0:50:03 > 0:50:08APPLAUSE
0:50:38 > 0:50:41That red is going very close to the corner pocket. It's in.
0:50:41 > 0:50:49APPLAUSE
0:50:55 > 0:51:00I think he thought the red would probably cannoned into the blue, or
0:51:00 > 0:51:05maybe the yellow. Kept on going. A good thing it did drop in because he
0:51:05 > 0:51:10could have left Mark Williams with a chance. He could have got through to
0:51:10 > 0:51:15that red with a little bit of swerve will stop just trying to get the cue
0:51:15 > 0:51:24ball is tight on the baulk caution as possible.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27APPLAUSE
0:51:56 > 0:52:04Left attempt to the far right corner. -- left attempting one to
0:52:04 > 0:52:09the far right corner.Just wondering if that's the one that he could be
0:52:09 > 0:52:12tempted with, but there might be another one to the right middle
0:52:12 > 0:52:16pocket, if it passes the reds, could play it in such a way that he'd
0:52:16 > 0:52:22finish on the black and he'd leave it fairly safe if you missed it. I
0:52:22 > 0:52:33think that red must pot.Yeah, you are right, that's the shot.
0:52:40 > 0:52:46It's there. APPLAUSE
0:52:47 > 0:52:52It's a lot easier when you know you are not leaving a lot but still a
0:52:52 > 0:52:59great pot into the two reds. Hold for the red to the left corner and
0:52:59 > 0:53:08all of a sudden he's turned this into a great opportunity will --
0:53:08 > 0:53:16great opportunity. Definitely start to take a hold of this match, Mark
0:53:16 > 0:53:23Selby.
0:54:18 > 0:54:21Steve Davis mentioned at the start of the match that the table seems to
0:54:21 > 0:54:28be very, very quick. That's how the players prefer it. The last shot he
0:54:28 > 0:54:37played, timed it so well, the quick cloth much easier to play.
0:54:37 > 0:54:39cloth much easier to play. When you are playing well, these fast tables
0:54:39 > 0:54:43are terrific to play on.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45are terrific to play on.
0:54:50 > 0:54:56It's been such an entertaining match so far, Mark Williams with breaks of
0:54:56 > 0:55:13135 and 89, two 70 breaks and there could be a few more here.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28It's amazing, just one point, the difference with a total points
0:55:28 > 0:55:33scored.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36scored. There's a little fly on the white, I think it's gone.
0:55:41 > 0:55:49You could see it, just crawling along the white their! It's up
0:55:51 > 0:56:02little ant, a baby ant! I think that's a first.
0:56:37 > 0:56:41Didn't hit that one as well as he would have liked. Got a slightly
0:56:41 > 0:56:46heavy contact, but didn't get the action at all and the cue ball, a
0:56:46 > 0:56:54little bit of a jump from black. Maybe that's what caused the lack of
0:56:54 > 0:56:59pace.
0:56:59 > 0:57:06He's just a bit in between both shots here. The red that he looked
0:57:06 > 0:57:12at first to the right middle, he's going to create a path for the cue
0:57:12 > 0:57:19ball to miss the yellow.
0:57:28 > 0:57:34I think he thought he was going to get a full ball cannon...
0:57:34 > 0:57:42APPLAUSE
0:57:52 > 0:57:59That red won't pass the other red into the middle pocket and the brown
0:57:59 > 0:58:09is blocking the path through to the red that's near that pocket.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11red that's near that pocket. What a shot, what a brilliant shot.
0:58:11 > 0:58:18APPLAUSE Probably, I have to say, one of the
0:58:18 > 0:58:29best in the business that that type of shot, just dropping it in.
0:58:29 > 0:58:35Yeah, people say the best single point, I still don't know what that
0:58:35 > 0:58:38means but it's definitely a Mark Williams special, when he just
0:58:38 > 0:58:44dropped it in, dead weight. It's the sort of shot when you are sat in the
0:58:44 > 0:58:48chair that Mark Selby, you don't think he's going to go for it. As he
0:58:48 > 0:58:55put himself in a bit of bother here? He was a wee bit unlucky with that
0:58:55 > 0:58:59cannon, he opened all the game up and it's finished a little awkward
0:58:59 > 0:59:04for him. I'll show you again, probably just hit that red a little
0:59:04 > 0:59:08fuller than he wanted but still unlucky not to be nicely on an easy
0:59:08 > 0:59:14red. This one that's near the other red it's an awkward one. Might have
0:59:14 > 0:59:25to play it with the trace aside to make the potting angle.
0:59:33 > 0:59:36I think in practice he would probably have already been playing
0:59:36 > 0:59:44that red with a touch of right-hand side to square up the angle.
0:59:44 > 0:59:52APPLAUSE What a chance, a fantastic opening
0:59:52 > 0:59:54red.
1:00:09 > 1:00:12Got a bounce there, stopped in his tracks when he walks around the
1:00:12 > 1:00:14table.
1:00:21 > 1:00:25That doesn't look as if it pots from that angle.
1:00:34 > 1:00:39An important visit to the table this, for Mark Williams, if you can
1:00:39 > 1:00:44win this in one visit. He's pretty much sat out for three frames. Mark
1:00:44 > 1:00:48Selby started to dominate the match. This is a big moment.
1:01:05 > 1:01:10Back looking at those two roads again. He still has two easy --
1:01:10 > 1:01:22reds. That is not a bad choice of there. Brilliant shot.
1:01:22 > 1:01:24there. Brilliant shot. The refit thinking because he knew he was
1:01:24 > 1:01:31bound to be on a red.
1:01:31 > 1:01:33bound to be on a red. And he thought it was very, very tight. They still
1:01:33 > 1:01:38need potting.
1:01:41 > 1:01:45need potting.Yes, we talk about top players having great touch, that
1:01:45 > 1:01:52cannon was excellent example, the pace he played at.
1:02:21 > 1:02:28The yellow is obviously the only problem he could see for Mark
1:02:28 > 1:02:34Williams winning frame at this visit. Good idea to play brown or
1:02:34 > 1:02:43think here.
1:02:43 > 1:02:46think here.It is one of those can play the drop in behind the yellow,
1:02:46 > 1:02:54rather than try to move it, see how he has finished. Yes, just dropped
1:02:54 > 1:03:06in behind it. He has played it really well.
1:03:10 > 1:03:15Oh!
1:03:25 > 1:03:30From the opening long red he dropped in dead weight, this has been a
1:03:30 > 1:03:32tremendous response from Mark Williams to losing three frames in a
1:03:32 > 1:03:40row.I think it's the reason he has been one of the top players in the
1:03:40 > 1:03:43game for so long, as we show you the shot that Stephen mentioned. This
1:03:43 > 1:03:51was the one that paved the way for this effort.
1:03:51 > 1:04:00this effort. The comeback and produce this is absolutely superb.
1:04:06 > 1:04:14Just at the right time, Mark Selby was getting hold of that much. Mark
1:04:14 > 1:04:20Williams is all square. It is three each.
1:04:47 > 1:04:53So never write the Smirnoff.
1:06:09 > 1:06:16While come what a cracking pot on the red, but isn't it amazing how he
1:06:16 > 1:06:19can knock the black in, sort of hoping he might go back around the
1:06:19 > 1:06:33back of the black, and then to knock the black in, amazing.
1:06:33 > 1:06:38So a little bit of mixed fortune, it might just open the door slightly
1:06:38 > 1:06:50for the Welsh sporting machine -- potting machine.
1:06:50 > 1:06:53potting machine.Again, you might have seen a lot of players stunned
1:06:53 > 1:07:07into the black. But Mark has a different way of playing the game.
1:07:29 > 1:07:40Just likes to pick the reds off almost one by one.
1:07:45 > 1:07:51A little bit unlucky here, to be honest.
1:07:51 > 1:08:01honest.Again trusting a little bit to luck with the cue ball.
1:08:01 > 1:08:02to luck with the cue ball. As happens so often with the
1:08:02 > 1:08:06follow-through shot when you are going through the bunch, and the cue
1:08:06 > 1:08:12ball jammed in the side cushion. Yes, I don't think there is much use
1:08:12 > 1:08:16in taking the black on, unless he has a bit of angles, as we show you
1:08:16 > 1:08:19that well played and well executed shot, but lucky to finish near the
1:08:19 > 1:08:29cushion. A slight bit of angle. Not much there.
1:08:38 > 1:08:45Just decided to take the seven points. Could have played a safety
1:08:45 > 1:08:48shot of a baulk colour but decided the points might prove valuable
1:08:48 > 1:08:54later on.
1:08:57 > 1:09:07That is a brave shot. Of the cushion.
1:09:07 > 1:09:13cushion. He has the upper hand now but what a terrific attempt from
1:09:13 > 1:09:22almost typed on the cushion.Is it all out attack? No, I think this is
1:09:22 > 1:09:30the shot.
1:09:30 > 1:09:33the shot. Has to be more aggressive, take the shots on. That was an
1:09:33 > 1:09:39excellent shot. A clever shot, you could say. There was the only red he
1:09:39 > 1:09:46could leave.If he hadn't slipped past the yellow there, he would have
1:09:46 > 1:09:57won the frame. OK, he has got Mark in all sorts of trouble here. I
1:09:57 > 1:10:02think he was so determined, when he hit the yellow, that is what he
1:10:02 > 1:10:10thought about it. But, as I mentioned. You would do well to get
1:10:10 > 1:10:16safe here.
1:10:40 > 1:10:47That is about the best he could do.
1:10:47 > 1:10:53From that position, it was excellent.
1:10:56 > 1:11:02Not bad. He needs to keep on running, otherwise he will leave
1:11:02 > 1:11:07this red to the right to the black. I think he has left that, and also a
1:11:07 > 1:11:16red to the right middle. So that point advantage could disappear
1:11:16 > 1:11:21rapidly.
1:13:52 > 1:13:58It is starting to look ominous now for Mark Williams.
1:14:00 > 1:14:08for Mark Williams. It is hard to see where Mark Selby will go wrong here.
1:15:02 > 1:15:09Looking better by the shot from Mark Selby.
1:15:10 > 1:15:14Selby.If he does go to convert from this opportunity, this is a good
1:15:14 > 1:15:19win, a very good win this afternoon fervour Mark Selby. He will be
1:15:19 > 1:15:22disappointed he did not win in the first round of the UK. This is the
1:15:22 > 1:15:28second of the Triple Crown. He was 2-0 down, didn't do anything wrong,
1:15:28 > 1:15:32but as I say if he does convert, he has won six of the last seven
1:15:32 > 1:15:42frames. Very solid indeed.
1:15:42 > 1:15:45frames. Very solid indeed.And if it is clinched the match here he has
1:15:45 > 1:15:48quite a bit of a break before his quarterfinal match. He won't play
1:15:48 > 1:15:57again until Friday. He will probably head home with his wife, Vicky.
1:16:03 > 1:16:08There is Vicky there, watching on. He knows he still has a little bit
1:16:08 > 1:16:17to do to clinch the match.
1:16:17 > 1:16:21to do to clinch the match. Got a kick, he got a terrible kick there.
1:16:21 > 1:16:31Just when he was about to clinch the match, this happens. You could see
1:16:31 > 1:16:40the red jump there. While, amazing. That is incredible, it really is. It
1:16:40 > 1:16:52looked for all the money that it was game over, 6-3.
1:17:09 > 1:17:14A slight grimace, he left soft edged rate in the.So having to play a
1:17:14 > 1:17:17yellow from further away than he would have liked. Nice angle, just
1:17:17 > 1:17:22didn't follow through the cue ball. Straight enough to be able to play
1:17:22 > 1:17:28over the bottom.
1:17:29 > 1:17:36Waterboard a little bit but safely in the pocket.
1:17:45 > 1:17:48I am sure he felt that he was in the quarterfinal. What a time to get a
1:17:48 > 1:17:55kick. But that is the sort of thing that happens at this game but when
1:17:55 > 1:18:07it is not your fault, it is pretty annoying.
1:18:07 > 1:18:12annoying. Have a look at it again. He would have been in the
1:18:12 > 1:18:18quarterfinal. As it is, Mark Williams is not finished yet. He was
1:18:18 > 1:18:22offered a lifeline there, and he took it, and he is still in this
1:18:22 > 1:18:34year's masters, but he still trails Mark Selby 5-4.
1:18:40 > 1:18:45Mark Selby get this tent frame under way, not the best break he has made
1:18:45 > 1:18:50this afternoon. He will want to put that heavy contact and kick he had
1:18:50 > 1:18:57out of his mind as quickly as possible. Easier said than done.
1:19:34 > 1:19:38He needs the brown to come to the rescue under the kit has. He played
1:19:38 > 1:19:44a pretty good safety shot.
1:19:56 > 1:20:11I think he might be tempted into taking this read on. A big shock.
1:20:14 > 1:20:21APPLAUSE
1:20:21 > 1:20:25Fabulous long pot from Mark Williams. Look where he put the cue
1:20:25 > 1:20:30ball.
1:20:30 > 1:20:37ball. Oh, would you believe it? He put the red and he left it in such a
1:20:37 > 1:20:41way that he wasn't leading the red. Played a shot to nothing, and then
1:20:41 > 1:20:46after that fabulous read, he misses a blue that he normally would knock
1:20:46 > 1:20:51in.
1:20:54 > 1:20:58But not an easy position shot here, the black only available into the
1:20:58 > 1:21:07pocket that is taking this red.
1:21:07 > 1:21:11pocket that is taking this red. Have to find a path of the cue ball here.
1:21:11 > 1:21:16Verse three roads were awkward, if the red, he will can end into one of
1:21:16 > 1:21:22those behind the pink. So he is getting plenty of work on the cue
1:21:22 > 1:21:36ball, look where he is striking down on it. Beautiful shot. Rimshot.
1:21:36 > 1:21:40-- brilliant shot. He won't see many better controlled positional shots
1:21:40 > 1:21:45than that.
1:21:47 > 1:21:50than that.Now this is exactly what he needed, after what happened in
1:21:50 > 1:22:01the last frame. A good chance, straightaway.
1:22:19 > 1:22:24Look how low he is, right down the bottom of the cue ball to get that
1:22:24 > 1:22:31action on it. Brilliant. You don't get to win three World Championships
1:22:31 > 1:22:35in the last four years without being unable to cope with that kick and
1:22:35 > 1:22:44then come straight back like this.
1:22:44 > 1:22:52Yes, snooker, or indeed any sport at this level, is about temperament.
1:23:54 > 1:24:00He trusted a bit to luck that shot. Thought he might have played to the
1:24:00 > 1:24:06right middle. Powered through of two cushions. Tried to play with a lot
1:24:06 > 1:24:16of left-hand side. Always going to be a tough shot.
1:24:54 > 1:24:58That has turned out OK. He was a bit short with his safety shot, but the
1:24:58 > 1:25:08fact he has finished in front of the brown makes it quite difficult.
1:25:58 > 1:26:03Mark Selby there you might have heard that just tapped the talk --
1:26:03 > 1:26:06chalk on the table, in acknowledgement of the safety shot.
1:26:06 > 1:26:09We have had some great battles down the years, they first played each
1:26:09 > 1:26:15other way back in 1999. Mark Williams has got ten wins to Mark
1:26:15 > 1:26:22Selby's nine.
1:26:22 > 1:26:25Selby's nine. In their first meeting, I'm sure Mark Selby has
1:26:25 > 1:26:31long forgotten, that was in the UK championship in 1999, and Mark
1:26:31 > 1:26:39Williams defeated the reigning world champion. 9-0, believe it or not.
1:27:21 > 1:27:36Far too thin. Much too thin a contact. Unusual fervour Mark Selby.
1:28:06 > 1:28:09The pink goes to the left corner so nothing to do with the cue ball
1:28:09 > 1:28:16here, just concentrate on keeping still.
1:28:51 > 1:28:57Got to get a thick contact on the bunch. Thiney the side he can lose
1:28:57 > 1:29:02the cue ball. Even going off, that is why he played it at a very soft
1:29:02 > 1:29:09pace but needs to be harder than that. He played it at that pace
1:29:09 > 1:29:14because it didn't want to lose the cue ball near either corner pocket.
1:29:14 > 1:29:24Surely that doesn't go.
1:29:24 > 1:29:28Surely that doesn't go. Is he looking at the plant?
1:29:32 > 1:29:36I don't think he can hit the first red thin enough to make the first
1:29:36 > 1:29:44plant. If he was in behind the first red you would have a good chance of
1:29:44 > 1:29:51making it, but this has to be struck so thin to send the other red onto
1:29:51 > 1:30:02the red to make the plant. I don't know if he can hit this hard enough.
1:30:02 > 1:30:06There you see, they are dead in line, so he would have to have that
1:30:06 > 1:30:10first red full ball. I don't think the shot is on, but he is looking at
1:30:10 > 1:30:20it.
1:30:36 > 1:30:44He's looking at the cut to the right middle pocket.
1:30:56 > 1:31:09APPLAUSE Lovely shot, lovely shot.
1:31:09 > 1:31:13Lovely shot, lovely shot. Look at the side, the cue ball, killed the
1:31:13 > 1:31:25pace. Don't take your eye off the pot. Playing the cannon. Great shot.
1:31:25 > 1:31:32APPLAUSE
1:31:32 > 1:31:36Well, that little smile tells me he's going to have to bend it
1:31:36 > 1:31:40slightly. He's playing it with side, to make the pot.
1:31:53 > 1:32:01Every difficult with the reds as they are. -- very difficult.
1:32:04 > 1:32:09Could try and bring one of them into play, if he's got a good enough
1:32:09 > 1:32:14angle, but I don't think he has, here. A little bit more angle, he
1:32:14 > 1:32:17could have cannoned the one near the middle pocket and he'd be guaranteed
1:32:17 > 1:32:27to be on the one to the left of the blue spot there.Had a long hard
1:32:27 > 1:32:32look at the red near the right middle. He's not going to take the
1:32:32 > 1:32:34double on.
1:33:12 > 1:33:22A wee bit unlucky. Is he going to risk this with the other reds being
1:33:22 > 1:33:27safe? This is tough, if he's taking this on. Brilliant.
1:33:27 > 1:33:36APPLAUSE
1:33:38 > 1:33:43Is it unnatural to cannon that red out? It might be. The black is in.
1:33:43 > 1:33:49Is he going to cannon that red out?
1:33:49 > 1:33:5727 in front, as we show you this attempt just to develop that red.
1:33:57 > 1:34:05The other one will pot, but it's a tough one.
1:34:05 > 1:34:10If he was to pot the red and the black, he'd be 35 in front, with 35
1:34:10 > 1:34:20on the table. And he's going to play at... Changed his mind.
1:34:33 > 1:34:37Well, there's a bit of a chance now for Mark Selby.
1:34:37 > 1:34:45APPLAUSE As we show you the rest, once you
1:34:45 > 1:34:52touched the near jaw, they don't go in. But if you can pot this read and
1:34:52 > 1:34:56get on the black, if that red doesn't pot into them, he could have
1:34:56 > 1:34:59an angle to just nudge it out.
1:35:13 > 1:35:20GROANING
1:35:20 > 1:35:24An anxious look to see if he's covered that one and I think he has,
1:35:24 > 1:35:31has he? Yeah.
1:35:45 > 1:35:53He had to bring that red into play, and now although he's got that 27
1:35:53 > 1:35:58point advantage, you'd think whoever pots the first red here will take
1:35:58 > 1:36:09the frame and in Mark's case, the match.
1:36:36 > 1:36:42Just looking to see if he can see enough of it to cut this red in. If
1:36:42 > 1:36:49he hits it correctly, he went cannon into the black. -- won't come into
1:36:49 > 1:36:53the black. A tough shot though.
1:36:59 > 1:37:05Allgood effort and he's left it over the pocket, so we could have our
1:37:05 > 1:37:23deciding frame. APPLAUSE
1:37:23 > 1:37:27He's in his chair, thinking about that kick on the red, when it looked
1:37:27 > 1:37:31like he would win 6-3. He's thinking, shouldn't still be in this
1:37:31 > 1:37:33arena.
1:37:41 > 1:37:51All credit though to Mark Williams, for keeping this match alive.
1:37:54 > 1:38:00Well, it has been a cracking match. The standard has been superb. It's
1:38:00 > 1:38:04fitting, the deciding frame, although as Stephen said it looked
1:38:04 > 1:38:14all over until that bad contact on Mark Selby. But it's now one frame
1:38:14 > 1:38:31shoot out. Here that special shot that he has made his own.
1:38:33 > 1:38:42APPLAUSE A terrific performance from this
1:38:42 > 1:38:44Welsh potting machine, as he's known.
1:38:44 > 1:38:52APPLAUSE What much we've had here this
1:38:52 > 1:39:02afternoon. It's all it's 5-5 frames. REFEREE:Lessons and deciding frame,
1:39:02 > 1:39:09Mark Williams to break. -- 11th and deciding frame.
1:39:50 > 1:39:56Very little tactical play earlier on in this match. Both players playing
1:39:56 > 1:39:58some superb snooker.
1:40:03 > 1:40:09And as John Parrott always says, the deciding frame, you just want to get
1:40:09 > 1:40:19one chance. That's all you want. Either you take it
1:40:19 > 1:40:28Either you take it on -- or not, it's another story.
1:40:37 > 1:40:43Well, that's an attacking safety shot, catching the green wasn't the
1:40:43 > 1:40:47order of the day, but he played it in such a way that he was opening
1:40:47 > 1:40:58the reds right up.
1:41:00 > 1:41:08APPLAUSE
1:41:08 > 1:41:22Boy, does he pot some fantastic long balls. Potted nine out of ten.
1:41:22 > 1:41:26balls. Potted nine out of ten.I was just watching Mark Selby when that
1:41:26 > 1:41:30red went in and there was a little shake of the head. It was almost
1:41:30 > 1:41:36like one of them resigned shakes of the head. You think after that kick,
1:41:36 > 1:41:47is it destined for me to lose this match.
1:41:48 > 1:41:55Mark Williams is normally very good at taking match-winning chances.
1:42:04 > 1:42:13An excellent shot, excellent shot.
1:42:41 > 1:42:48As we've mentioned, he lost 6-5 to Mark Selby last year, 2016 at this
1:42:48 > 1:42:53stage she lost 6-5 to Ronnie O'Sullivan will stop is it going to
1:42:53 > 1:43:03be the Welsh man's year? A long way to go.
1:43:11 > 1:43:17He'd love to get on that red just to the right of the black but he can't
1:43:17 > 1:43:23at the moment.
1:43:28 > 1:43:32at the moment. He tried to, he tried to drop on its there and it's gone a
1:43:32 > 1:43:35little bit far. It was very difficult. He had to find the gap
1:43:35 > 1:43:40there but if he had have finished in that gap and been able to pot that,
1:43:40 > 1:43:50he would have freed the black and it would have been a terrific chance.
1:44:04 > 1:44:14APPLAUSE
1:44:14 > 1:44:18Well, he's rescued the situation with an excellent pot. A clever
1:44:18 > 1:44:19shot.
1:44:29 > 1:44:34He may have a red, I thin cut back, to this right corner. Again, he can
1:44:34 > 1:44:40play it in such a way that he can put the cue ball near the baulk
1:44:40 > 1:44:47caution, the green is available. -- the baulk caution, the green is
1:44:47 > 1:44:56available. APPLAUSE
1:44:56 > 1:45:00The green certainly is available and he's got the angle to get back up to
1:45:00 > 1:45:06the reds.
1:45:06 > 1:45:13This is finishing a little bit awkward here.Certainly not making
1:45:13 > 1:45:20it easy.
1:45:24 > 1:45:31But he keeps potting the balls. APPLAUSE
1:46:06 > 1:46:18And untimely cough there, just on his backswing.
1:46:22 > 1:46:29Just enough to upset Mark Williams' concentration there. He got up from
1:46:29 > 1:46:34the shot and back down again.
1:46:45 > 1:46:52Yeah, that wasn't good timing there. Just enough to put him off.
1:46:59 > 1:47:05He hasn't played the best positional shot there, so he needs a good
1:47:05 > 1:47:14recovery here, that's for sure. Yeah, that was a shocker, really. So
1:47:14 > 1:47:24much margin for error. Pink, blue ball colour. He's not even going to
1:47:24 > 1:47:27go for a pot now.
1:47:32 > 1:47:36Just seems to have lost a little bit of composure at the moment, Mark
1:47:36 > 1:47:43Selby.
1:47:46 > 1:47:48APPLAUSE
1:47:54 > 1:47:59There is an escape route, he has to be careful he doesn't push a red
1:47:59 > 1:48:09over the right corner. It it soon enough. Two of -- hit it thin enough
1:48:09 > 1:48:15to avoid doing that, come up a little bit short but he didn't want
1:48:15 > 1:48:21to hit it with any more pace. So 38 points, the difference. Come Mark
1:48:21 > 1:48:31Selby create a chance for himself with a very good safety?
1:48:49 > 1:48:55Mark Selby is worried about doing exactly what Mark Williams was
1:48:55 > 1:49:01concerned about, pushing a red towards the right corner. He knows
1:49:01 > 1:49:12that one mistake and this Masters could be over.
1:49:28 > 1:49:38APPLAUSE
1:49:46 > 1:49:50At first glance, Mark Williams may be forced into taking this red on in
1:49:50 > 1:49:55the far corner. I don't see shot to the cue ball, on the left-hand side
1:49:55 > 1:50:01table, to get the cue ball back to baulk. He'll have to pot himself out
1:50:01 > 1:50:07of trouble here.
1:50:16 > 1:50:21APPLAUSE
1:50:21 > 1:50:29A very generous round of applause for that excellent safety shot. Now
1:50:29 > 1:50:34with the black in the situation that it is, that's a big advantage for
1:50:34 > 1:50:38Mark Williams cover with that 38 point advantage.
1:50:55 > 1:51:01APPLAUSE
1:51:05 > 1:51:18A terrific long pot there. And look at the Gap he had to find.
1:51:20 > 1:51:30So two fairly easy reds and then we've got four reds almost tight on
1:51:30 > 1:51:33this cushion behind the black.
1:51:39 > 1:51:47This could go right down to the colours.
1:52:00 > 1:52:05He's left himself straight on the red, but as the black go to the left
1:52:05 > 1:52:09corner? That's the reason he's left himself straight. He's not even
1:52:09 > 1:52:13straight. It's not the best angle on this red.
1:52:17 > 1:52:27He's playing the cannon, he's trusting to look with position.
1:52:35 > 1:52:44That will do. APPLAUSE
1:53:00 > 1:53:06It will be some effort to win the match from this visit to the table.
1:53:10 > 1:53:16He'd like to pot at least a couple more reds and blacks, get right back
1:53:16 > 1:53:22into this frame.
1:53:22 > 1:53:27This time there was a bit of noise backstage that caused Mark to step
1:53:27 > 1:53:35away from the shot.
1:53:39 > 1:53:48APPLAUSE He may have an angle just to take
1:53:48 > 1:53:56that red out to the left of the other two.He just wants a half-ball
1:53:56 > 1:54:04contact on the red. To send, too thin, but he's got the red to make
1:54:04 > 1:54:09the corner but there is pressure on this.
1:54:13 > 1:54:19We've talked about possibly pockets being a little bit generous this
1:54:19 > 1:54:28afternoon. Mark Selby needs all of that now. Play for the far knuckle.
1:54:28 > 1:54:38Yeah, very good. APPLAUSE
1:54:38 > 1:54:45He can play the below the black if he wants, he may feel it's risky,
1:54:45 > 1:54:50he's got a lovely angle. If you leave yourself dead straight to the
1:54:50 > 1:54:57red on the left corner, it's a problem.
1:54:57 > 1:55:03Oh, he's played it well. APPLAUSE
1:55:03 > 1:55:15The reigning world champion, four reds tied up on this back
1:55:18 > 1:55:23reds tied up on this back cushion. He's got to get high on the black.
1:55:23 > 1:55:27He's dead straight, that's fine, he can just drop on this red. I don't
1:55:27 > 1:55:35know if he's got an angle to follow off two cushions, or if he's just
1:55:35 > 1:55:43going to drop it in.Another tricky little shot along the caution and
1:55:43 > 1:55:48the yellow being off its sport makes it slightly more awkward, but all
1:55:48 > 1:55:52this effort will be on the red.
1:55:55 > 1:56:02No! GROANING
1:56:03 > 1:56:16The ball was tricky. REFEREE:Quieten down, please.
1:56:16 > 1:56:22With the yellow being off its spot, makes it slightly awkward for the
1:56:22 > 1:56:30clearance.I wonder whether they risk the cannon on the brown.
1:56:30 > 1:56:35risk the cannon on the brown. If he plays a drop off the cushion other
1:56:35 > 1:56:38drop off the yellow, there's definitely brown, but the green as
1:56:38 > 1:56:42well, you could slip yourself behind. He could play it in between
1:56:42 > 1:56:49the yellow and brown for the yellow to the right-hand side corner. Or in
1:56:49 > 1:56:55actual fact he could hold it, that's a beautiful shot. As long as that's
1:56:55 > 1:57:09straight.Have a look at the scores, 5-5, 45 - 45. What an opening match.
1:57:09 > 1:57:18And look at the points, just six points separating them.
1:57:31 > 1:57:38It needs to pull up or it needs to run on a bit further...
1:57:38 > 1:57:41APPLAUSE
1:57:48 > 1:57:50Well he couldn't have landed it any better.
1:57:50 > 1:58:03APPLAUSE Just the blue.
1:58:06 > 1:58:14APPLAUSE A cracking match from these two
1:58:14 > 1:58:16players this afternoon.
1:58:19 > 1:58:27CHEERING Its own. Mark Williams has won the
1:58:27 > 1:58:34last three frames. Mark Selby was unlucky. But the Welsh potting
1:58:34 > 1:58:42machine has made a terrific comeback and takes the match by 6-5 frames.
1:58:47 > 1:58:50Congratulations to Mark Williams. The Welshman is through to the
1:58:50 > 1:58:54quarterfinals of the 2018 Dafabet Masters. We are back later today,
1:58:54 > 1:58:58with live action from Alexandra Palace as Ding Junhui takes on Ryan
1:58:58 > 1:59:00Day. We'll see you then. I for