Day 2 Masters Snooker Extra

Halo and welcome to Snooker Extra,

extended highlights of the 2018

Dafabet Masters, an intriguing

match, as Ding Junhui of China,

winner in 2011 takes on Wales' Ryan

Day, the first Masters appearance

for him for eight years.

Commentary

from Ken

from Ken Doherty.

That could be quite a close one. In

the early exchanges and particularly

from Ding was my point of view, he

doesn't have the best records were

at the ali Paoli. Winner here in

2011, but his of late has been

great. You recently from

conjunctivitis, I hear. Just before

the UK Championship. Hopefully OK

and we're going to see what he is

all about and, of course, what this

young man is all about, Ryan Day.

The to see him winning his first

ranking tool that after being beaten

in four previous finals.

He's such

talent, Ryan, and comes from such a

hotbed of snooker, of course, Wales.

As usual at this level it is a case

of who can play the good safety to

create the first chance, and when

you get that chance, can you score

heavy? That is the secret of success

at this level. He played that with

the lot of left-hand side to try and

check the cue ball but the contact

was made much too thick and that is

why it careered into the the reds.

So the first chance to Ding Junhui.

Good opening red. You talked about

scoring heavily. There are not too

many better in the game than this

young man. He's had a 147, six

times.

times. On top of the cue ball. It is

hard to play when that's there,

isn't it?!

isn't it?! Steve Davis must have

open his wallet!

I don't know whether it was the fly

on the cue ball, but he has underhit

that. Maybe brokers concentration.

He can still pot this red that is to

the left of the black but he should

have been much further down the

table, and it is awkward now to play

it.

it. So a bit of a let off, there,

for Ryan.

Dink trying to get on that

red just above the black into the

bottom right-hand corner pocket. --

Ding.

Ding. There was a gap between the

red and the black. He found the gap,

but he was a long way away from the

pot. He has got away with it.

Are you surprised at Ding Junhui's

record here since 2011 when he won

the final, he only won one match

here.

It is amazing, really. He's

such a talent. But from the first

match here, you are playing the top

players, so you have got to be right

on your game from the start. If you

are just slightly below form, then

you will be out of it. In fact, the

last two meetings of these two

players, Ryan Day's won them both.

They've had some good battles in big

tournaments, like the World

Championships. The UK Championships.

It has not been best of seven

affairs. They've had some really

tough matches. Ryan Day, the word is

overuse, but you have to say that he

is an underachiever. He has got so

much ability.

much ability.

May be that when in

Riga at the beginning of this season

has given him an extra little bit of

belief. When you get that first

ranking tournament win under your

belt, you're always a little bit

nervous against the top players, but

maybe that will give him a bit of

belief and confidence against the

top players, and particularly on

occasions like this.

occasions like this.

He will play

the pot here, he knows he's going to

career into the second red and to be

on the black. In it goes. Maybe

should have played it with a little

bit more pace. So he is on the

black, but it's a tough one. A bit

more pace required, then.

I think that was a slight miscue. I

think that's why he's looking at his

tip. Didn't really connect with the

cue ball the way he wanted, that's

why he's missed it by quite some

margin.

Winnie is near the cushion,

most players just strike down

slightly to get a better contact but

he just keeps it very parallel, Ding

Junhui.

Junhui. This is an opportunity for

Ryan to get his hand on the table

and get a few points on the

scoreboard.

He's just having a look

at the two reds. Looks like the one

nearest the pocket will pot. These

also having a look to see if the

second one will pass, and it looks

like it pots, but it is quite tight.

He has hit this to heart. He wanted

to be a bit straighter on this red.

-- he has hit this too hard.

He got the double-kiss on the red,

but he still OK.

That was the

danger, the double-kiss, but as you

say, he is still on the black. He

has got a little bit of work to do

with the cue ball here. And that's

what the problem was. He had to play

it with a lot of right-hand side to

hold for the red in the opposite

corner. And when you put side on,

you have got to allow for the

swerve, and he didn't judge it well.

Went right over on the right-hand

side to the cue ball. -- to check

the cue ball.

He has a perfect little angle just

to stardom into the red above the

black and to the left.

-- just to stun into. He's one of

the best break-builders in the game.

He has beautiful touch around the

pink and black. And he gets a kick

on that cue ball. We saw the red

jump.

APPLAUSE

Good recovery. He has a lovely

touch, hasn't he, John, and that is

why he's such a break-builder. He

has some lovely moves in and around

the black spot area. It was a good

recovery from when he got the kick.

He's having to play a different red

from the one that he would like.

Going back up the table for the blue

ray baulk,. And has landed

absolutely plumb on the blue.

Reports this he will push another

couple of reds into play. This would

certainly open things up, here.

When he pots this red, the two reds

to the left and over the pink will

pot into the middle pocket or at

least one into the bottom right-hand

corner pocket, so not too much more

work to do with the cue ball.

He hasn't played for this red, but

he has got a nice angle on it, as

you can see. He made light work of

it, as you can see. One more red,

and the first train's in the bag. --

the first frame's in the bag.

Some applause from the crowd as they

recognise that was virtually frame

ball. His opponent needs a slick but

I don't think he will be coming back

to the table after being has

finished with ease. His cue ball has

been absolutely pinpoint. --

finished with these.

That he's going for this red to the

right middle tells me that,

possibly, possibly the red just

below the pink wasn't available, but

it is, now.

We spoke yesterday about how fast

this table was playing. Being has

certainly got the pace of

straightaway. -- Ding has got the

pace of it. He has made 462 century

breaks in his career, six times a

147, only nine centuries this

season, 26 last season and that will

probably be evidence of how his

standards have dropped this season.

But this is a nice way to start off

his campaign here at the Dafabet

Masters.

Masters.

He finished last season so

well, losing in the final of the

World Championships du Mark Selby.

He put up a great performance. So

maybe this is his kick-start to the

season, every has a good run in this

tournament.

APPLAUSE

That was a tricky black that he had

to play. A good start. And Ryan Day

just sat down and have to watch.

Eugh! And it was good watching. Ding

Junhui leads at 1-0.

That is the beautiful Waterford

Crystal trophy that they are playing

for this week. The Paul Hunter

trophy as

trophy as it is

--

REFEREE:

Foul and a must, Ding

Junhui, six. Of course, he won at

three times, 10-9 in every final

that he won, John, Paul Hunter. 7-2

down to Ronnie O'Sullivan and Fergal

O'Brien.

It wasn't as if he was just picking

up the pieces. Before he was taken

away so prematurely.

away so prematurely. So that's where

it was, and that's where it is now.

Perfect.

Perfect. It could make all the

difference at the end of this frame.

It could make the difference between

just needing the blue, rather than

the blue and the pink.

Or the blue,

pink and black?

Or the blue, pink

and black!

and black!

He has just got to be

careful, wine, make sure that he is

not knocking a red towards the left

hand corner pocket on playing this

shot. Well... He's got to hit the

reds first, I suppose.

REFEREE:

Foul, Ding Junhui, four.

Ding Junhui is probably thinking, I

would rather play from here, there

was a chance of getting in behind

the green off this safety. If not

the green, the brown. He played it

pretty well.

pretty well. He wouldn't have

expected Ryan to miss again, but is

looking to have a pot on here. If it

slows up, it needs to slow up...

It's always the way, isn't it? You

are desperate for a chance and it

keeps on running two or three inches

too far.

APPLAUSE

That was a lovely touch. He has left

Ryan Day little bit of trouble, he

can use the knuckle of the middle

pocket to try to get the cue ball

back down towards the baulk area.

That's a possible shot. Not sure if

he's good to try and, is she going

to try and use the knuckle? No, just

pushing it to safety.

This Red Bull cup, but he's got a

plate with a lot of left-hand side,

which is what he did, just to check

it out, does he have a result? A

little bit of one. The loose red

would definitely have tempted Ding

Junhui, but hampered by the brown,

he will not want to play it now.

Weak safety. Ryan just coming round

now to have a look at what's

available and whether the black

goes. Looking at the bigots

available, and the blue, but he

needs to knock this in. Big shot,

this. He's got it. -- looking at

what's available.

Yes, the black does go. It is a thin

one and it what we call a blind

pocket because you can see the cue

ball, the object ball, but you don't

have the pocket in line. So you have

to pick out the angle. That is too

thin. Much too thin.

It has to be said at the moment,

Ken, that Ding Junhui isn't having

to work too hard for his chances.

He's just picking up the pieces. And

most black in the first frame from

Ryan. A missed pot in the second,

cost him the frame.

I don't blame him for taking on that

black, of course. If he thought it

he has a good opportunity to try and

win the frame himself but it wasn't

straightforward, as you said,

looking at it, it was a blind

pocket, and it was hard to see the

angle.

You just let that slip slightly.

Just put a little circle, there, the

black is portable, but that the king

could on the red to the left of the

black after potting this red and the

next black, this would certainly

open this frame up completely. That

is what is going to try and target

here, try to get a nice angle on the

black, just a little bit off

straight, and if you post this

black, try to get on that break to

the left of the black. That will, in

turn, open up the two reds just

above it.

above it. And that will give him the

frame-winning chance now.

He's missed it!

Misted by a long way. -- missed it.

When you miss when you're amongst

the balls, what has he left?

Very fortunate, there, Ding Junhui,

but this looks like a good shot.

This looks like a good shot! Has he

got the snooker? Just about.

APPLAUSE

Of course that is another thing that

can happen in this game.

Every time

he misses and gives doing the chance

to get a major break, thing is in

amongst the balls and gets nothing.

-- Ding is in amongst.

He cannot

complain about the chances he's had,

Ryan Day. He's just not made enough

of them.

of them. This is a good line. This

is very good indeed.

is very good indeed. Ooh. He has

blocked the pot down the right-hand

side of the table.

It is an option to drop onto the two

reds that are close to the left-hand

pocket. Has taken a more expansive

route.

route. Doesn't want to leave a free

ball here.

Just short.

ball here.

Just short.

Why doesn't

he come off the left-hand cushion

and nestle into the two reds? Seems

like a straightforward shot. Big

target.

I cannot give you a reason

why not. The shot he is playing, you

have got to be perfect. If he

catches the reds too thick, you can

possibly leave the frame on. As you

say, that line, just past the middle

pocket, nestle onto these two reds

neither cushion. Strange choice.

He is now talking about the fact he

can hit this thread next to the

pink. He can always hit back, but it

might need a lot of side.

He just

hasn't even looked at that shot.

Maybe he feels the questions are

sliding and he cannot hit those two

reds. But from this angle where we

sat, it is a straightforward shot.

Just past the middle pocket.

Yes. If

he catches this too thick, it could

cost him the frame.

It could be a

free ball this time. Just gets a

kiss on the green, it might have

been a free ball, maybe.

Maybe just feels that shot, with the

two reds, just nestling into the

question, that the questions are

sliding and he will miss those two

reds.

This is where it was. This is where

it it is now. That looks perfect to

me.

Try number three. He got it this

time.

I am sure he had the rhetoric say to

him, am I boring you?

him, am I boring you?

No, I think he

said, I am not warning you.

>> guest-macro: Oh, I thought he

said I am not boring you.

Where is the black ball going? Now,

is this a free ball? Probably not.

He will have a look.

He will have a look. He cannot be

snookered by another red. So just

the fact he might not be able to hit

a red full-ball. If it is covered by

another red, then it wouldn't be a

free ball. He hasn't called it, the

referee, so assume it isn't.

referee, so assume it isn't. But

Ryan, of course, has the option to

make his opponent play from where

the ball is.

the ball is. Desperately needs the

next chance here, Ryan Day. Got to

try and get a foothold in this

match.

No, that's not good enough. He has

left a pot on here. Down to play

this thread to the left or right

corner. If he gets me the ball

Klein, he's bound to be on the

yellow. -- baulk line. Just got to

get past the green. Doesn't want to

nudge the green. He's OK, he is on

the yellow.

He looks to have a nice angle to get

up to the reds around the black

spot.

spot. It looked like it was going to

run out. But it slowed up to much.

Just wondering if he can play a

little cannon potting this red into

the left-hand corner pocket.

He played it very well. That was a

lovely shot. Nicely played.

Average uptime and Ding, 19 seconds.

Pretty quick. Nice angle on the

black. Can go into the reds. He

doesn't have to because he has a 46

point lead. Played it very well.

Excellent shot. Could be a

frame-winner. Such lovely touch.

To leave the jaw. But it is enough

for Ryan Day. Ryan at the moment,

desperately looking for a frame.

There is no sign of it just yet.

Ding Junhui, gets the fifth frame

under way. Just coming up to one

hour 14 minutes. Apart from the

third frame which took over 22

minutes, it's been pretty quick.

Average uptime, 19 for Ding, that is

about normal. 26 seconds for Ryan,

bit on the slow side. But he hasn't

had much to go at before the

interval.

If he's going to go back to the ball

ends he needs to find the cushion

with this cue ball.

-- baulk end. Now he gives Ding the

problem, puts pressure on the red in

the middle of the table, next to the

blue.

There is a pot on here.

He doesn't have to do much with the

cue ball to get a nice position on

the blue. He can fully commit to

this. And he did. He played it well.

Good shot.

Great shot.

Good shot.

Great shot. Right above

the black.

Straight on this red into the corner

pocket.

Ryan, what did you do?

Well, just trying to pinch a bit, it

looks. But you cannot afford to miss

when you are in. After the good

opening read, what an opportunity he

let go begging there.

Was in his

initial choice from the blue. Was

trying to get on the red just above

the black. He might have been better

taking that instead. But he still

shouldn't have missed that straight

red. That's gone wrong from Ding.

A let off for Ryan Day. Didn't

expect to be coming back to the

table so soon.

It is noticeable, since the first

frame, Ding has dropped his

standards somewhat.

standards somewhat. Hasn't been

flawless by any means. His pot

success was in the 90s, it's now

below 90, which isn't great at this

level.

level. And long pot success, very

low.

This red has somehow gone over the

corner. It's not going to be easy.

It's gone near the side cushion.

He's not even looking at it.

He hasn't got behind the yellow. As

the brown covered it? No. A chance

here for Ryan. Doesn't want to

overhit this. Has enough cue power

to stun this and screw back a couple

of inches. Played it well. Nicely on

the black. And the chance.

Nicely

controlled. Doesn't have to go into

the pack of reds here. Has played

that nicely.

Now, just like in the last frame,

he's got an opportunity. Made a nice

79 break. Enough to win the frame

from this position here.

from this position here. May have

detected a slight heavy contact on

the cue ball. A cause of that, he is

a bit straighter on the black now

than he would have liked. The red

jumped very slightly.

Just about stopped in time. I think

this red is on to the right corner.

He is playing another one. I thought

maybe the one that was in direct

line with the cue ball to this right

corner. But maybe that doesn't go.

Just about got there. The red, just

to the right of the pink, he only

has to roll it in the position.

Now he will have to go back up for

the blue once again. Needs to make

certain he has the potting angle for

the black.

Couple of loose reds. He has a nice

angle on the blue.

He has got to be

aggressive and try and go into the

pack of reds. Take his chance.

It

couldn't have worked out better.

As soon as he played that, he looked

at where he finished on the black

and he was smiling. No way he should

have been straight on this black.

This is careless.

He is in a little bit of bother now.

Anything but straight on the black

and it was a formality to get onto

the next red.

That is the difference

between the two players when they

are break-building. Ding, his cue

ball is more on a string. Never any

more than 18 inches away from his

next pot. Ryan is struggling with

the pace here.

Be careful here.

Couldn't do much with the cue ball.

Couldn't play the run-through.

Little bit of pressure on this blue

now.

now. Just talking in his waistcoat

because this red near the right

corner could come into play.

Good shot. Good shot.

Couldn't have

played that any better.

Quick check of the scores. 41 points

ahead.

ahead. Potting this red on the

left-hand side of the three reds

will open up the other reds into the

opposite corner pocket.

I suggest this match is completely

turned around on its head. He was

3-1 down, struggling, his safety

play wasn't good. Doesn't take much,

get in with one frame at one visit

and get your confidence going. And

Bingjie Li -- Ding had a good chance

in this frame but he won't be

getting another one.

Ryan is playing

with a bit of confidence. But there

will be a few doubts in his mind.

We had a century in the first frame

from Ding Junhui, 111. Possibility

for Ryan Day now, to respond with a

century of his own.

Needs to bounce. The yellow, for the

century.

century. Well played. Well played.

We have an match on now, John. We

certainly do.

certainly do. This looks good. May

nudge the pink into play. Have a

look at this shot... Of all four

cushions.

He was 3-0 down. He has now reduced

the deficit to just one frame. What

a magnificent frame.

125 break.

Ryan Day breaks off, frame six. Can

he completely recover it, win this

frame and then it is all square. His

potting success is now better than

Ding Junhui. Earlier on he was down

at 50%. Has been a bit of a

turnaround here.

There was half a chance. But the way

he has missed it commonly has left

it on. I am surprised he played it

so hard.

Let's see what Ding Junhui can make

of this chance. I agree with John

Parrott, he has gone a little bit

off the boil in the last few frames.

Need to go on to the pack of reds.

There is a loose reds there and also

a loose red at the bottom of the

pack as well. And if you get a nice

angle when potting this black com he

doesn't want to be straight on the

next red.

Gone too far. 40 might have left the

cue ball a little bit lower. --

thought he.

Played this with lots of top spin

off the top Russian and into the

pack. Not sure, but he will have two

generate a lot of power with this

shot. Didn't get the power, but may

have got second best. Have a look at

this... What a result.

this... What a result. Smile from

Ryan Day. He knows that was very

fortunate. Hasn't made the most of

it. Just trying to hold the cue

ball. Forgot about the pot.

He has

shown us in the last few frames, he

can miss. Normally when these

players are playing well, they don't

miss anything easily. Top players

don't miss easy shots.

Ryan has played that beautifully

just to cannon of the second red.

Nicely on the black. Big chance,

this.

Afraid of overscrewing it. He will

have to negotiate the cue ball back

up for the pink or the blue, here.

That little kiss on the red. The red

has blocked the path for the pink

into the right centre.

Yes, this

could have worked out better. It is

a pressure green, I think. He could

play safe, but you just feel at this

moment, I don't think the pink will

cut to the right middle. So you

think the green is the ball to take

on. Bit of pressure on it, the way

the reds are. He is taking it on.

the reds are. He is taking it on. I

would want my hand closer to the cue

ball than this. He is bridging long.

Just got to get yourself

comfortable. It is a big shot. But

it's a good one. It's OK.

Again, it's not straightforward

here. He's got to use the second red

to screw back for the pink.

to screw back for the pink. Overshot

for the pink and blue.

Didn't need the kiss on the red. How

does this look? He's on the red into

the corner.

the corner.

The worm is beginning to

turn.

The black doesn't go to the right

corner pocket at the moment.

corner pocket at the moment. Could

have done with a bit more of a

bounce, there.

bounce, there. Good visit, and this,

now in the context of the match.

Ding Junhui had a good chance for

the easy red the middle and could be

punished. The starting to cue very

nicely now, is Ryan.

One good positional shot here

possibly for the red to the right of

the black or the two reds to the

right of the pink spot. And he has

got on these nicely. Excellent shot.

I assume the black doesn't go to the

right corner. Every time he goes

after the pink audibly finishes on

the wrong side of the blue. It is

one of those. If you were right

behind it you would fancy the black.

With not all the pocket available.

Now playing for the red closest of a

cushion, the one that is making it

slightly tight for the black.

Decided to play for the other one. I

don't blame him.

don't blame him. It was natural to

try to get strict on this red with

30, 31 points from this position.

Doesn't work that difficult. You

take nothing for granted, though.

take nothing for granted, though. --

doesn't look that difficult.

He's

got an angle just to stun or screw

out into the middle of the table to

give himself a choice of a couple of

reds. He has overscrew down. By

quite some distance -- he has

overscrew that. The left and red

doesn't pot to the middle.

Orders

are? You would not expect him to

miss this. But when that cue ball

keeps going up and down the table

you can lose absolutely pinpoint

position. And who knows the

importance of this visit.

Played it nicely.

34 points in the league. -- lead.

Just looking for red, colour, red,

and it will be all square. What a

turnaround. Ding will be getting a

bit concerned.

This red, to go 43 points ahead, 35

remaining.

No problem.

APPLAUSE

Could see him getting another

century here.

Good comeback from

Ryan Day.

Ryan Day. 79, 125, this, and

counting, three frames in a row. And

Ding, of course, had a first

opportunity in this frame and Mr

straightforward red into the left

pocket. -- missed a straightforward

red.

Was looking to be on the red,

and to miss that was unforgivable.

Fair play to Ryan, he didn't have

complete control of the cue ball,

but he has dug in.

He potted a great

green when he was slightly hampered.

That was the big pressure pot in the

break.

Pink and black for back-to-back

centuries.

centuries. Wonderful, well played!

APPLAUSE

And maybe he has just got the edge

now. Three apiece.

APPLAUSE

The referee has called a miss, but

that would be taken. The angle he's

got surely he can run into the reds

along the top cushion.

He could stun

into the red sand still be on the

black, yes. A bit closer. He's in

trouble, here. He's in trouble here,

two reds going over the left corner

pocket. He's still on the black. He

may be forced into taking this black

on. It's so difficult.

on. It's so difficult.

He's got to

play up pot. Might as well be the

black. Just got to get down, play

the shot, keep your head down.

Is he

going to try and cut the blue in?

Does he think the blue is an easier

shot? Could be right. Got to get it.

He overcut it. Overcut it.

He overcut it. Overcut it. I don't

blame Brian for playing the shot he

did. The one previous. A little

unlucky to come tight onto the

cushion like that.

That was shot that if it went right,

could have won you frame.

could have won you frame.

Still a

bit of work to do here.

Just

thinking the same myself. He's not

shown any great form in the last few

frames. We will need to see what

Ding Junhui can make of this

opportunity.

Are looking to pot this

red and leave an angle on the black

to try and disturb this red. But the

way they have been going along this

black top cushion... Gets a nice

angle on it. Might not need to take

it out. But he has decided to, and

it can always go wrong, just like

that. Would rather red has finished.

He's a straightforward simple finish

year. And the pink over the middle

pocket.

APPLAUSE

As you say, he was fortunate to have

that red in such close proximity to

the pink. It has made it an easy

snooker. And if he's not hitting the

red, turn around and get it safe.

red, turn around and get it safe. As

I say, it wasn't hitting the red,

Kenny get it safe? Unfortunately,

because he cut it thin, he has left

the red to the corner.

That is the

red that is going to determine the

outcome of this frame, the one

closest to the right side cushion.

He has got a straightforward red

here, he's got to get nicely on his

next colour. And then try to get

close to that red. Pits on this

black. -- a bit straight on this

black. Will need to cushion to get

close to the red.

close to the red. Could have done

with another six inches. This shot,

with the rest, as going to be very

tough indeed. He could take it on

and bring the cue ball back into

baulk. 22 points ahead, so he's

going to need red and blue.

going to need red and blue.

Longest

frame of the tournament so far. He

has decided not to play the risky

pot, although it looked like it

could have been a shot to nothing,

but you never know. It looks easy

enough snooker to get out of, this.

With a one-cushion escape. But you

don't want to catch it to fall, and

knock it over into the far corner.

Got to get the safe otherwise you

lose the frame. Unforgivable to miss

the red. And if it is a free ball...

Well, it's not mentioned. I can't

believe he's missed this.

believe he's missed this. Just

doesn't get enough side on it. When

you can see him trying to get right

in the hide it and hit it fullbore,

that was a bad misjudgement, and he

was lucky not to leave a free ball.

The slower you hit the slopes, it

gives the cue ball a bit more time

for the swerve to take.

If you hit

it with a bit more pace, I think it

is more difficult where the referee

has put it, there, it has got to go

towards the cushion a little bit

more.

Having a word with the assistant

referee, the VAR man. And that's how

we wanted to head it the first time,

and the second time he has got it

safe, and that was the main object

of the exercise.

of the exercise. There is the VAR

man, Olivier Martin.

Too hard with the cue ball. A

possible chance for Ryan Day.

possible chance for Ryan Day. A long

way away. Didn't fully commit to

that.

You could sense that he was

edging on the side of, if I miss it,

don't leave it. It was a chance.

don't leave it. It was a chance. He

has shown good strength in the last

few frames. Miscue, now this could

be a free ball, and if it bouncers,

Ryan Day could be on the black.

REFEREE:

Miss, and a free ball.

Well, that's amazing. What a

turnaround this could be. There you

go. EVEL

we did say before when he

plays near the cushion, he does not

sort of elevate the butt of the cue

to strike down on the cue ball,

which most players do. But what a

chance.

Got a nice angle on the yellow or

brown. Just needs to bounce slightly

off the baulk cushion to be on the

red. Let's have a look. He's going

to need the pink, no matter what.

Just a quick glance at the

scoreboard. With the pink not being

on its spot just makes it a little

bit less straightforward.

I think this has come to a stage

where it is about holding yourself

together.

Yes, massive frame. Ding

will be worried that he may not get

another shot. The big shot in this

frame will be from blue to pink. No

doubt.

Anywhere but straight on the blue.

When he gets, the closer to the blue

he can get to the pink, the easier

the pink will be. And it will make

the comeback well and truly

complete. 3-0 down, and blue and

pink, to go 4-3 front.

pink, to go 4-3 front. -- in front.

This pink, for 4-3.

APPLAUSE

Ryan Day taking the next four frames

and worrying times for Ding Junhui,

4-3, to the man from Wales.

An interesting thing we were talking

about to start the match, when it

seemed relevant, looking at they had

their heads, Ryan Day winning it,

and Ding Junhui winning four, but in

the last few meetings it has been

Ryan Day who has come out on top.

Also down to the fact that Ryan Day

is a different sort of animal than

he was a couple of years ago.

Growing in confidence. We talked

about his ranking tournament win at

the beginning of this season, the

extra lift it would give him,

particularly against the top players

on the big stage here, at the UK and

World Championship of course. And he

has certainly grown in stature in

this match. Looked very nervous in

the beginning. And he has a lot more

confidence. Can use the red here to

bring more reds into play. Then on

the black.

Played it nicely.

Perfectly. The type of shot that UC

O'Sullivan playing a lot, bringing

the other reds into play. Couldn't

have played better.

have played better. Might have the

red to the right middle now to fall

back on.

I would take the red into

the left corner, stay on the black.

Just looking at how much work he's

got to do with the cue ball, he's

taking the chance, you don't have to

play for the black in the same

pocket as the red.

pocket as the red. Nothing but

straight on this black.

He should have gone up for the blue.

He was trying to make the angle. He

was just a little to the wrong side

of straight, if you like what he had

no need to play it with that amount

of pace.

of pace. It appears, unless there is

something that we can't see, that he

has not made the most of this

opportunity. And it was a good

opportunity.

APPLAUSE

Well, what a shot he's pulled out of

the bag, there.

Fantastic shot.

Nicely on the black now. Can he use

that as his inspiration to try to

get back into this match, to try to

get that spark back? He's certainly

lost it. Sometimes it just takes one

pot or break, just to get it back,

just to get your concentration and

confidence. Because at the moment,

he's lost it.

he's lost it. That shot might just

be the catalyst. We'll wait and see.

He's got to be careful here. There

are two reds in the middle of the

bunch. If he hits them too hard,

there is the possibility of a plant.

He played it very nicely. Perfect.

Role-played. -- well played.

That was a better shot than it

looked. Nicely on this black.

APPLAUSE

So, John, that double, may be just a

little bit of inspiration when he

needed it. Inspiration or

frustration, I don't know which, but

it went in.

it went in. This black will take him

15 points in front. He will need at

least four of these reds to clinch

the frame at this visit. Normally

you would say it was a formality,

but you wouldn't say so, just yet.

Hmm. That is a mistake. Wrong side

of the blue. He needs to get a

better potting angle on the pink and

avoid the baulk colours. He played

that well.

APPLAUSE

Played it well. Played it perfectly

and got the perfect line.

and got the perfect line.

That was a

beautiful positional shot. Look at

the cue ball negotiating between

green and brown. Perfect. And the

red.

30 points, the lead, now. Two

the reds, two high value colours and

we will be all square once again.

Could be a little straighter on this

black.

That little kiss on the red

has knocked those two reds into an

awkward position now.

He could play

the cannon on the pink, and he did,

but he didn't quite get it. OK, he

has got this red on the right-hand

side of the table, but he's going to

be hampered by the blue. This isn't

straightforward any more. 38 points,

the lead, 51 remaining.

the lead, 51 remaining. Referee Mike

Roe --

REFEREE:

Foul. Ryan Day, five.

REFEREE:

Foul. Ryan Day, five.

He

will be very disappointed, Ding

Junhui. Just that simple little

short, the red into the corner

pocket, and he urged the red into a

awkward position when it was already

in a portable position. And now,

what can Ryan Day? This is not

straightforward. Good shot, great

shot. Well...

shot. Well... How costly war that

foul be, that little blue with this

cue?

When the pink is spotted, no

problem, he is on this red. We have

a new favourite for this frame now.

Decided to go for the blue, but he

couldn't have played it better.

Absolutely inch perfect.

20 points behind.

Playing for the black means he will

need up to and including the pink.

Just saw it rocking. Careless to do

that will stop and Ryan has played

that absolutely inch perfect on the

yellow. He now needs up to and

including the pink.

including the pink. Having a two

frame advantage and just one frame

away from a place in the

quarterfinal.

Well, he must be bemused at what

happened. As I say, it looked all

plain sailing.

plain sailing. And when he got that

double and finished in amongst the

balls, you thought he was going to

win this frame and level the match.

But he's not going to get the

opportunity to do it now. Because

this pink is all that Ryan Day

needs. It is five in a row. From 2-0

down, he's won the next five. And

now, as he tries a trick shot, just

one frame away from a place in the

quarterfinal. Ryan Day leads Ding

Junhui 5-3.

Ding Junhui's that is firmly against

the wall here.

the wall here. Remaining three

frames to stay in this year's

Dafabet Masters. Very disappointed,

using the last frame. Ryan, on the

other hand, has completely turned

this match around.

this match around. All the stats

were very low down in those first

few frames, looked very edgy, very

nervous. Got the most important

frame for himself, just before the

interval. That was the springboard

for this amazing comeback. But as we

always say, the hardest one to win

is the last one. He will be aware of

that.

Just catching the yellow has left

Ding Junhui the chance of a pot. But

he is turning it down in favour of

safety. Thinking the yellow and

brown is a nice target to try to

snooker behind. The flick of the

yellow has brought the green into

play. But there is a red here that

will cut. He can't get through to

the one closest to the pocket, but

he can get to the one to the left of

it.

Not quite thin enough. He has left

this pot on for Ding Junhui but

where the colour comes from is

anyone's guess.

He may choose to take this red on

into this corner pocket. If he is

not on the pink, he certainly has

the green. It is worth having a go

at this. Good potting

at this. Good potting macro -- good

pot. He is on the pink. Excellent

cueing.

It looked nervous, that one. This

frame is always the hardest one. The

frame you need to get across the

line. But look very nervy Timmy. Has

got to keep himself together, has a

great opportunity to win this match.

He is going to get another chance.

This is an amazing turnaround. Talk

about football being a game of two

halves.

halves.

It is about night and day.

And Ding being night. Like it.

That was a bit more positive. Has

the red covered the middle for the

green? Unlucky. He played the right

shot, nothing wrong with the choice.

But the only way he can keep it

going now, he has every entitlement

to go into the pack. Was bound to be

on the green and then a red appeared

from nowhere.

He has got to take the

brown on.

Yes.

He put a tremendous

green under pressure a couple of

frames ago, when he was bridging.

He's not bridging this time.

He's not bridging this time.

Just

squeezes in. Now, can he get past

the brown? Looking at his body

language, he thinks he can.

That was

a great shot. Not a lot of pocket to

work with there, for the blue. Where

has he gone here?

He got a reaction

there from that. I don't think he

will be too happy to want to take

this black on. But what else can he

do?

do? Didn't expect the cue ball to

spring up the table like it did. He

doesn't have too played the black,

of course. Has a safety shot.

If he played the safety shot he

would have left the cue ball in the

jaws of the other pocket. But that

might have been the better choice

and I'm not been wise after the

event.

If the

event.

If the pots the black, the

red was waiting for him and it would

have been frame and batch. Now what

can Ding Junhui do? Straight on the

yellow.

He missed the red with the rest

earlier in this frame.

Not perfect

here.

Played that well. Played the cannon

nicely to leave himself on the

black. A few reds in the open, but

they all seem to be covering one

another. Needs a good positional

shots here.

Having a walk round, giving himself

a little bit of thought.

a little bit of thought. I don't

think it is straightforward.

think it is straightforward.

It is a

wonderful touch to get on the red

like that. Looked at the two reds

next to the black spot. Possible

plant into the corner pocket. Also

the two reds that are above the

black. They almost look like a plant

as well.

as well. The two reds to the left of

the black are definitely a plan to.

He doesn't want to do too much with

the cue ball here.

I have to say coming he could have

played that better. If he hasn't

gone far enough, can he get to the

angle of the first one? He thinks he

can. And he could.

can. And he could. He is OK. I

thought he might have come a

fraction short.

fraction short.

There may be another

plant at the bottom. He has had a

couple of it -- a good look at it.

The fact he has played that in such

a way as to not disturb those two

reds immediately above the black. As

you can see, they are a plant into

this corner.

Basically, what it means, the fact

it is a plant, he doesn't have to be

playing any cannons. He doesn't have

to trust the position to look. 30

points the lead, still needing at

least four of these reds.

Played it

nicely. Has got a couple of reds to

go out here. The one nearest the

black and the one nearest the pink

spot.

Almost got to the winning post in

the last frame. But failed. Only a

few more pots away from winning this

frame.

We have been blessed with a couple

of great matches already in this

year's championship. Mark Selby and

Mark Williams. High encounter. Mark

Allen against Luca Brecel last night

was another high-quality match. And

this one is the same. Fantastic

snooker. Exciting, lots of nerves,

lots of good breaks. Lots of Mrs.

Really engrossing as so often, the

Masters at the Alexandra Palace

seems to produce. This match is very

much alive.

As all great champions do, they

sometimes find something when they

are at a point of no return. And

that is what Ding Junhui has managed

to find in this frame so far. Still

got to do it in the next couple as

well, but in with a chance. Good

stuff.

stuff.

And the chance of the fourth

century of the match. Ding Junhui

has made wrong, the 111 he made in

the first frame. Ryan Day has made

105 and 125. Been a few scrappy

games, but you don't want everything

being potted.

So this pink for the fourth century

of the match. Quality. High-quality.

The black doesn't matter but Ding

Junhui steps up to the plate and

produced the goods. Now within one

of Ryan Day. But Ryan Day is still

one away from victory, 5-4.

Not the best break off.

Terrific opening red. And he has

finished on the black. It shows you

the difference now having that cue

ball near the baulk cushion. Where

is the Red Bull going?

is the Red Bull going? Well, that is

a result, in a way. I doubt whether

he would have been on anything, but

for knocking that read towards the

middle.

middle. -- red. Well, perfect on the

blue for the smash, if that's what

he feels like.

he feels like. It's not unlucky

comic he played to cannon the pink

full on the face but got into the

cue ball too much. That is what he

was after, just catching the red

half ball.

half ball. A few twists and turns

now. They all in magnitude.

now. They all in magnitude. Every

bit of bad luck, a bad run of the

ball could cost you the match. Now a

chance for Ryan.

Played it well. Played it with lots

of bottom and dragged it in to hold

for the black. Played it nicely.

Just needs to nudge the two reds.

Just above and to the right of the

black. Just urge into a pottable

position. Has played that very well.

Played it with a lot of power.

Watched the cue ball bounce through

the reds. It has certainly opened

things up lovely now. Two reds above

the black bar open. If he puts this

red come he may go back up for the

blue or a ball colour. -- baulk

colour. The pink is on as well. He

will get a better opportunity than

this.

We say it so many times, but it is

just a case of holding yourself

together now. He has produced some

good snooker in this match to get

back into a winnable position. So,

he shouldn't be doubting himself at

this crucial moment.

Just checking to see Will the pink

go into the left, centre pocket.

Really want to be straighter on this

red just so he can get closer to the

black. Can play the red closest to

the black but he has to play a

delicate cannon on the black and

that could go wrong.

He is certainly

giving it plenty of thought. But

don't overthink it and lose your

rhythm.

Looks as though he is on the black.

He's down quick, so he must like the

potting angle. He was absolutely

inch perfect. I agree with you,

couldn't ask for a better chance

than this.

The red, just by the pink is

available into the left middle.

Still in a good position.

Screw back for the two reds on the

right-hand side of the table.

right-hand side of the table. He

will have the two reds into the left

centre. Screw back in a straight

line.

line.

Just looking at Ding Junhui,

sat in his seat. You just wonder,

has his race been run? He will be

thinking coming he might not get

back to the table.

Played that nicely. So the frame and

the match at his mercy.

Well, it could have gone wrong, but

the full-ball kiss on the red has

left him, once again, in a good

position.

Over two hours and 15 minutes so

far. Has been high-quality,

entertaining first-round match.

entertaining first-round match. We

have already seen for centuries.

Because see another one. Ryan

certainly won't be thinking of that.

Glancing at the scores, he is 50

points ahead.

points ahead.

50 points ahead, that

equates to two reds, two pinks would

do it.

And a lesson for a lot of young,

aspiring snooker players. At 3-0 it

was a one-horse race. Brian wasn't

contributing to the match, not

putting Ding Junhui under any

pressure and now just a couple of

pots away from victory. Against the

world number four.

It just shows you

how quick a match can turn around.

You never give up, always keep

fighting.

Please turn it off.

He won't be

putting Ryan off, he is in his

comfort zone. He only needs another

red and a colour.

red and a colour. Another

disappointing performance from Ding

Junhui, it has to be said.

This has been a tremendous

performance from Ryan Day. One more

red, just to make sure.

It is there. Well played.

Lost the

cue ball slightly, but as you said,

just that read that will leave Ding

Junhui in his seat. I would like to

see this rolled in. I would like to

see another century. Every chance we

will now.

will now. Five centuries in ten

frames. That will be a very high

standard.

He certainly, live. We said, when he

won the frame before the mid-session

interval, would it give him the

impetus to go on? And it certainly

has.

Just the red and the black for

another century.

another century. In it goes. This

has been marvellous. What a

performance from Ryan Day. You have

got to take your hat off to him. 3-0

down, going nowhere and he is

finishing in style. Wonderful

performance. This will give him

great encouragement. His fellow

Welshman, knocked out, the world

number one yesterday. He is about to

knock out the world number four.

First time he has played in the mass

to since 2010. -- the Masters. And

never at the Alexandra Palace. The

way it started off, it did look as

though he was going to get much out

of it. But he stuck to his guns. And

in the second half of this match, he

has been superb. Three century

breaks, he's made. Against Ding

Junhui's two and it is Ryan Day, 3-0

down he was to Ding. But he hung on

and since the mid-session interval

he has outplayed Ding Junhui and is

through to the quarterfinal.

He wins

through to the quarterfinal.

He wins by 6-4. A fantastic

performance from Ryan Day. He is

through to the quarterfinals. That

visit, but joined us later for more

coverage from the Alexandra Palace

as Ronnie O'Sullivan gets his master

's campaign underway against Marco

Fu.