0:00:51 > 0:00:59MUSIC
0:01:22 > 0:01:26Hello and welcome to Snooker Extra extended highlights of Day three of
0:01:26 > 0:01:31the Dafabet Masters on a day many fans have been waiting for. Ronnie
0:01:31 > 0:01:33O'Sullivan, playing at
0:01:33 > 0:01:34fans have been waiting for. Ronnie O'Sullivan, playing at one of his
0:01:34 > 0:01:38favourite venues, Alexandra Palace taking on Marco Fu. Runner-up at the
0:01:38 > 0:01:47Masters in 2011. Commentary from John Parrott and Dennis Taylor.
0:01:54 > 0:02:04It is some record, John seven titles?I was on the end of a defeat
0:02:04 > 0:02:14by Ronnie in 1995. I have that table in my house. I had him in the first
0:02:14 > 0:02:18round and I let him go and he went on to win the tournament. Since
0:02:18 > 0:02:24then, his record has been phenomenal. Good event for him, he
0:02:24 > 0:02:31doesn't live far away. Play their matches, go home and sleep in his
0:02:31 > 0:02:35own bed. Not a good start from Marco, far too thick with his
0:02:35 > 0:02:48safety.He can't be leaving the cue ball in that position. Can he get
0:02:48 > 0:02:55off to a good start, Ronnie O'Sullivan?
0:02:55 > 0:02:58O'Sullivan? Brown is a bit of a distraction for him.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21That was a much better piece of cueing than it looked. Bit of excess
0:03:21 > 0:03:29top spin, bend the angle.
0:03:35 > 0:03:42It is Ronnie's first frame on the table. It is playing very quick,
0:03:42 > 0:03:47that is how the players like it. We have had something like ten
0:03:47 > 0:03:52centuries in the first two days.
0:03:58 > 0:04:05It is very intimidating to play against. It really is. Playing him
0:04:05 > 0:04:09in his own backyard, hitting the ball as well as he does. He starts
0:04:09 > 0:04:15like a rocket. He has played one poor shot, Marco and now this is
0:04:15 > 0:04:23looking like a great opportunity. There is no respite when you are
0:04:23 > 0:04:25playing.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33It's not a good chance just yet, there are a couple of reds available
0:04:33 > 0:04:40to Ronnie.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Straightaway he has left himself an angle on this thread to be able to
0:04:52 > 0:05:01develop a few more. -- red. Just a little nudge. That's all it took and
0:05:01 > 0:05:14it developed two reds. Now there are three or four reds available to him.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18As you can see, 69 points would get him over the winning line in this
0:05:18 > 0:05:24opening frame.
0:05:24 > 0:05:32opening frame.The players would have been a little nervous, but
0:05:32 > 0:05:41nothing settles you like hitting the ball like this in the first frame.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26The referee is restarting the pink.
0:06:33 > 0:06:41He has been refereeing 25 years, John.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50John.Yes, and he still here, Dennis because he is very good. Excellent
0:06:50 > 0:06:55referee.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08Not totally ideal, the bunch, the two reds at the top of the pack are
0:07:08 > 0:07:18a little bit tricky.He has got to be careful there isn't a plant when
0:07:18 > 0:07:25he cannons into the reds. I don't think there is, so he should be OK.
0:07:25 > 0:07:33He can hit it with a bit of pace. APPLAUSE
0:07:33 > 0:07:41He has got one red, but he was unlucky. He couldn't have hit that
0:07:41 > 0:07:46any better.He had to play it at that pace because the two reds were
0:07:46 > 0:07:51on an angle.
0:07:51 > 0:07:59on an angle. Good cueing required. Perfect.
0:08:03 > 0:08:10When you watched that type of shots, the cue is so close to the red you
0:08:10 > 0:08:16are bridging over.
0:08:16 > 0:08:26What a start this is. Stephen Hendrie and Steve Davis, they knew
0:08:26 > 0:08:36how to start a matches. This fella isn't bad. First visit to the table.
0:08:36 > 0:08:46Could be a century.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Could be a century.The frame is safe, just needs to concentrate on
0:08:49 > 0:08:59clearing the remaining balls. 139 is the highest break so far this year.
0:08:59 > 0:09:07Liang Wenbo made that against Judd Trump.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35The frame hasn't even been going eight minutes and it's almost
0:09:35 > 0:09:40completed.
0:09:54 > 0:10:07He has made 920 centuries in his career.
0:10:08 > 0:10:14career.You can't start a much better than this. And there was an
0:10:14 > 0:10:23inevitability about it. There is the century.
0:10:23 > 0:10:30century. I hope you enjoyed your one shot in this frame, Marco because
0:10:30 > 0:10:35the second frame is coming up in a minute.Cannot do anything about
0:10:35 > 0:10:43this. 47th century this season. He made 50 last year. Last season, I
0:10:43 > 0:10:48should say.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58£10,000 for the highest break in this year's Dafabet Masters. Nothing
0:10:58 > 0:11:06for a maximum break.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09for a maximum break. What a start from the Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15Poor safety shot from Marco Fu and he sat down for the rest of the
0:11:15 > 0:11:22frame. Ronnie O'Sullivan, 1-0.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40That is where he has got to keep that cue ball, as close to the
0:11:40 > 0:11:45question as possible. Just a few latecomers arriving, just caught
0:11:45 > 0:11:53Ronnie's I line.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Might be a slightly different frame now the black has gone close to the
0:12:00 > 0:12:08question.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12question. Which Marco won't mind, give him a chance to settle down.
0:12:12 > 0:12:19He's going to come up short again with this safety.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25with this safety. But not a great deal of value in the one to the
0:12:25 > 0:12:28right corner because he will beat cannon in into another read. So just
0:12:28 > 0:12:30a safety.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45This is the first possible chance for Marco Fu. The pink is awkward.
0:12:45 > 0:12:52The black isn't very well placed.
0:12:52 > 0:12:58He will have two screw this back.
0:12:59 > 0:13:06Sometimes he lacks that little bit of cue power. He has to force them.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11He is not as good as when he is in amongst them and stroking the ball
0:13:11 > 0:13:15nicely.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27Played more forcefully than he needed. Thought he would have put
0:13:27 > 0:13:37more screw back on that. But he is under the cosh at the minute.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41under the cosh at the minute. The black does pot. Ominous.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02That is a big bonus is the black being available into the left
0:14:02 > 0:14:11corner. It is now available into both corners. All of the sudden, he
0:14:11 > 0:14:22is right back in amongst them.
0:15:28 > 0:15:34Just looking to see if the pink is available. Think it is. That tells
0:15:34 > 0:15:42you it definitely is. If it doesn't spot and it goes on to the blue,
0:15:42 > 0:15:53that will be handy. The back red of the three.
0:16:03 > 0:16:10When he first came to the table, I thought it wasn't too bad. But the
0:16:10 > 0:16:16fact that black potted and a couple of shots later, he has manoeuvred
0:16:16 > 0:16:21them and this is turning into another brilliant chance. His cue
0:16:21 > 0:16:35ball control is exemplary. He is absolutely on fire at the minute.
0:16:57 > 0:17:04Let that one slip away. First mistake from Ronnie. Only a couple
0:17:04 > 0:17:10of pots away from securing the second frame and he just overhit
0:17:10 > 0:17:15that slightly. Just plan to drop it in dead weight and leave the one for
0:17:15 > 0:17:19the right corner. Now it is slightly more difficult, hampered a little
0:17:19 > 0:17:30bit as well. Safely in.
0:17:30 > 0:17:31bit as well. Safely in. That was awkward cueing. He'd thought about
0:17:31 > 0:17:34it.
0:17:51 > 0:17:59If that bounces, he is on the red he played for previously.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01played for previously. He just doesn't look like missing at the
0:18:01 > 0:18:05moment.
0:18:11 > 0:18:20Two mistakes from Marco Fu and it is 2-0 to Ronnie O'Sullivan, in no time
0:18:20 > 0:18:23at all.
0:18:40 > 0:18:50This used to be a tough game, John, didn't it?He is just the best
0:18:50 > 0:18:55player at the peak of his powers at the minute. Everything is just so
0:18:55 > 0:19:00easy.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03easy. OK, he lost position slightly when he had to take the red in the
0:19:03 > 0:19:07middle pocket but there was an inevitability he would get back up
0:19:07 > 0:19:14to the top of the table after he had potted the yellow. He cannot hit it
0:19:14 > 0:19:20any better than this.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24any better than this. You should all go and buy yourself a cue and have a
0:19:24 > 0:19:29go at it and see how hard it is. When he came to the table you
0:19:29 > 0:19:34couldn't see any more than maybe 30 or 40 of a break. This is some
0:19:34 > 0:19:44effort. Unbelievable. Two centuries to start his match.
0:19:47 > 0:19:58to start his match. And that is in as well.
0:20:01 > 0:20:17He needs to miss the brown. What a shot that is.
0:20:25 > 0:20:35If he does clear up, he will equal Liang Wenbo's high break, 139. I
0:20:35 > 0:20:45think it will go into the 140 is, the way these players are playing.
0:20:45 > 0:20:54He won't be too concerned.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57He won't be too concerned. 121 in the second frame. You are watching a
0:20:57 > 0:21:03genius, the Rocket.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20Ronnie reckons he was playing better when he was 17, but how can he do
0:21:20 > 0:21:27better than what he's doing the moment?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29moment? I remember Peter Ebdon saying to me after a few years
0:21:29 > 0:21:35Ronnie had been around, he said you haven't seen the real Ronnie
0:21:35 > 0:21:45O'Sullivan. He said, he can play better than that.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47better than that.What is so impressive is his longevity in the
0:21:47 > 0:21:55game. People going into their 40s, reckon they couldn't win tournaments
0:21:55 > 0:21:59any more. Ronnie has blown that out of the water and seems to be playing
0:21:59 > 0:22:06better than ever. He has great enthusiasm for the sport. He
0:22:06 > 0:22:12practices hard, he loves it.Not that many years ago people were
0:22:12 > 0:22:17saying it is a young man's game. They were all winning in their 20s,
0:22:17 > 0:22:23but a few players have proved that wrong. Stuart Bingham lifted the
0:22:23 > 0:22:31world title when he was 39.
0:22:43 > 0:22:55No real attempt at the pot from Marco. Just wanted the cue ball
0:22:55 > 0:23:01back-up in the baulk area.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04back-up in the baulk area. He needs to get a foothold in the match, if
0:23:04 > 0:23:09it is possible.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14it is possible. I thought the match last year in the semifinal was one
0:23:14 > 0:23:21of the best I have ever seen. Marco played unbelievable. If you remember
0:23:21 > 0:23:27Ronnie changed his tip in the middle of that match and still came back
0:23:27 > 0:23:40out to win. That was one heck of a batch last year. -- match.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51It was awkward. Very difficult to find the gap back down the table.
0:23:51 > 0:24:01That black was always in an awkward spot.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14If he finishes nicely on the blue he will probably play for the red that
0:24:14 > 0:24:23is near the black spot. If he can get the red away from the black spot
0:24:23 > 0:24:32area, it will help.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39That is the one he has played for. If he goes back up the table and
0:24:39 > 0:24:46gets on the black, it will be in the clear when it is put back on its
0:24:46 > 0:24:54spot. He is removing this red here. May have gone a bit too far. Played
0:24:54 > 0:25:05for the black. Slight change of plan.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17He has got a bit of an angle. Still needs a good shot to get onto the
0:25:17 > 0:25:23blue or the black here.
0:25:54 > 0:26:01The pink is awkward to pop the black and split into the pink and red is,
0:26:01 > 0:26:08because it is away from the bunch. That is why he has played for this
0:26:08 > 0:26:22one along the cushion.This is no gimme, this red. Very tricky.
0:26:22 > 0:26:29gimme, this red. Very tricky. To us mere mortals.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33mere mortals.This is not a good pack to go into, but he plays it so
0:26:33 > 0:26:40well, this type of shot.Honestly, we might as well go home now because
0:26:40 > 0:26:45this is crazy.
0:26:55 > 0:27:03Already, this is looking like it could be frame three gone.
0:27:03 > 0:27:09could be frame three gone. He is playing some phenomenal stuff.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16playing some phenomenal stuff. He has 98% pot success. Steve was
0:27:16 > 0:27:28mentioning when he beat Ricky Walden 6-0. Ricky Walden had a 97% success
0:27:28 > 0:27:35rate, but he had only potted three balls.What goes in this corner? It
0:27:35 > 0:27:40looks pretty tight. There is a gap there. When you are playing really
0:27:40 > 0:27:50well, that is the sort of thing that presents itself to you.
0:28:03 > 0:28:11Wonderful touch. Wonderful touch. Powered it in.
0:28:15 > 0:28:23Powered it in. Has left himself two reds. Obviously thinks he can pot
0:28:23 > 0:28:35this and flick another read out. He went through the gap.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38went through the gap. Got a little flick on the pink he probably could
0:28:38 > 0:28:44have done without.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46have done without. Still wouldn't expect him to miss this pink, the
0:28:46 > 0:28:55way he has been playing.Is just the position at the side of it. It is
0:28:55 > 0:28:57quite difficult.
0:29:09 > 0:29:15Has it gone far enough or is the pink going to block his path? It has
0:29:15 > 0:29:21come up a little bit short.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23come up a little bit short. He will not win this third frame with one
0:29:23 > 0:29:31visit. I don't think anybody has ever started the Masters with three
0:29:31 > 0:29:44century breaks. Have you got your record books with you?
0:30:00 > 0:30:10There is so much pressure on Marco. That was an excellent reply.
0:30:18 > 0:30:26Ronnie also tapped the table in acknowledgement.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31APPLAUSE
0:30:37 > 0:30:46His cueing is just wonderful.He really is in the group. Look at
0:30:46 > 0:30:51that. Superb.
0:31:23 > 0:31:31There are four frames to be played before the mid-session interval.
0:31:31 > 0:31:40Marco has not had much of a chance. You could not say his last shot was
0:31:40 > 0:31:50a bad shot, it was an excellent safety shot.
0:31:52 > 0:32:00Just over half an hour and it is 3-0.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17He has not potted a ball yet, Marco. That was five penalty points he had
0:32:17 > 0:32:24there.
0:32:24 > 0:32:33there.How are you playing? I have not had a shot yet.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31This brown will make it 100 ball spotted.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47Even that stunned run looked easy and it is such a tough shot to play.
0:34:02 > 0:34:11He started the third frame at the break with 50. It is 3-0 to Ronnie
0:34:11 > 0:34:21O'Sullivan.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58Marco Fu has a great temperament, but is he going to get any chances?
0:34:58 > 0:35:07He needs this frame before the mid-session interval.
0:35:10 > 0:35:16That is a pretty good cue ball tapped on the table again. But he
0:35:16 > 0:35:19tapped the cue ball in the previous game and Ronnie cleared up.
0:35:27 > 0:35:33He is one of the best tactical players in the game as well. Not
0:35:33 > 0:35:38only does he cleared the table with one visit, when needed he is as good
0:35:38 > 0:35:45as safety player as there has ever been.
0:35:53 > 0:36:00Not often you see 98% especially after three frames played. He has
0:36:00 > 0:36:06not missed a long pot.
0:36:08 > 0:36:19Not that there has been much safety playing.
0:36:32 > 0:36:37It goes without saying that this is a massive frame for Marco. If he
0:36:37 > 0:36:49could just scramble a frame and the 3-1 behind at the interval. I know I
0:36:49 > 0:36:56am asking a lot. He has to try and find it from somewhere. That was a
0:36:56 > 0:37:02good shot.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32I mentioned at the start of the show that you have to go back to 2015
0:38:32 > 0:38:40with Ronnie when he lost a match. Do you remember who it was too? I will
0:38:40 > 0:38:45give you a clue, it was on a Saturday afternoon.If it was a
0:38:45 > 0:38:53Saturday afternoon, it would be a semifinal.Correct. I probably
0:38:53 > 0:39:05commentated on the match. Was it an Australian? 6-1 to Neil Robertson
0:39:05 > 0:39:10and every time he has played in it since then he has defeated everyone
0:39:10 > 0:39:22he has looked at. It is on record. It is a brilliant auditorium. It is
0:39:22 > 0:39:32absolutely packed to the rafters on a Tuesday afternoon. Wonderful.
0:39:35 > 0:39:43Look at the way the balls are scattered all over the table now.
0:39:43 > 0:39:49Marco Fu is yet to pot a ball. When he gets a chance, there will be a
0:39:49 > 0:39:57few available. But will he get the chance?
0:40:00 > 0:40:05Tight on the cushion and it will be awkward for Marco. And it is. He
0:40:05 > 0:40:11cannot get any back spin to get back onto the black from that angle.That
0:40:11 > 0:40:17was such a good shot.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20was such a good shot. Absolutely tied to the back cushion that cue
0:40:20 > 0:40:27ball is.
0:40:29 > 0:40:36The only shot I can see is to come off the side cushion near the yellow
0:40:36 > 0:40:50pocket. But can he get their playing off this red?
0:40:50 > 0:41:01That is pretty good. Well played.
0:41:36 > 0:41:43He is in the driving seat in this exchange, Ronnie.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45exchange, Ronnie. Once he plays the one on the right-hand side is
0:41:45 > 0:41:53leaving the one near the yellow. Ronnie has not got his man, but he
0:41:53 > 0:41:59is certainly in the driving seat in this exchange. Marco is looking at
0:41:59 > 0:42:09the red on the right-hand side. That is the one he wants to play off.
0:42:19 > 0:42:26Thinking of playing the red in the middle. Wow, 3-0 down, some pressure
0:42:26 > 0:42:33on this one.
0:42:33 > 0:42:46He overtook at it. That was so difficult.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50difficult. The sort of pot that you would knocking if you were leading
0:42:50 > 0:43:043-0. But not the sort of pot if you have not had the ball.
0:43:16 > 0:43:22Yes, just a little awkward this chance. That red closest to the cue
0:43:22 > 0:43:26ball, he has to be careful he does not get an Buchanan. He has to be
0:43:26 > 0:43:38careful with this one. He is not entirely happy with the shot.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44entirely happy with the shot. -- get a cannon.
0:43:46 > 0:43:52a cannon.He knows he could run out of position. In the end he found the
0:43:52 > 0:43:57gap.
0:44:43 > 0:44:49The blue may go up into the corner and that will be a bonus. He is
0:44:49 > 0:44:58awkward on the brown, he is having to bridge over the red.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01This is a little bit awkward.
0:45:11 > 0:45:20He has not really had cue ball in any part of this break yet. It has
0:45:20 > 0:45:26been slightly off.
0:45:37 > 0:45:46Excellent.
0:45:57 > 0:46:05He is still at 16 seconds for his average shot time. With the balls
0:46:05 > 0:46:09all over the table you would think he would take longer, but sometimes
0:46:09 > 0:46:21you have to think a bit more than the rates are near the black.You
0:46:21 > 0:46:26practice what is up at the top end of the table. When they are spread
0:46:26 > 0:46:33around like this it needs a bit more concentration.
0:46:35 > 0:46:43Talking about record, John, I cannot remember a player playing four
0:46:43 > 0:46:47frames and not putting the ball in the Masters. That is a possibility
0:46:47 > 0:46:57at the moment.
0:47:03 > 0:47:14He may have landed on the other red.
0:47:25 > 0:47:31403 points and Marco has got five, which he did not score himself. It
0:47:31 > 0:47:37is tough to say the least.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41is tough to say the least.If there was any consolation for Marco Fu, it
0:47:41 > 0:47:44could be he is going into the mid-session interval and it is the
0:47:44 > 0:47:51best of 11. So he will have a chat with his coach Terry Griffiths and
0:47:51 > 0:47:58Wayne who is over from Hong Kong and probably head to the practice table
0:47:58 > 0:48:02because he has not had any chance whatsoever.
0:48:43 > 0:48:49He is just in the zone, totally focused.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53focused. As if the 2000 people in the auditorium are not here and he
0:48:53 > 0:48:59has just got one snooker table.
0:48:59 > 0:49:03has just got one snooker table. It was a big red for Marco to take on
0:49:03 > 0:49:08in the middle pocket, fraught with danger.
0:49:09 > 0:49:15danger. This is a massive shot to take on. When he missed it he just
0:49:15 > 0:49:22had to sit and watch this.
0:49:36 > 0:49:40Just the trick you read on the left side of the table that might prevent
0:49:40 > 0:49:52him from making his third century in four frames.
0:49:56 > 0:50:05Do you want a bet? Honestly he is just absolutely in the zone
0:50:05 > 0:50:11completely.
0:50:16 > 0:50:23It is not possible to play any better than this. What a treat they
0:50:23 > 0:50:29are getting this afternoon from a genius.
0:50:30 > 0:50:39genius.He is up to 99% pot success rate, incredible.
0:50:39 > 0:50:45That also might be a record, to make three centuries in four frames in
0:50:45 > 0:50:52the Masters.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55the Masters. Trying to use the jaw of the pocket to get up onto the
0:50:55 > 0:51:04pink. It does not matter if he does not get this in.
0:51:04 > 0:51:09not get this in.We have watched a genius at work here this afternoon.
0:51:09 > 0:51:16Ronnie O'Sullivan has three centuries. It is 4-0 to the Rocket.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20This is absolutely outstanding from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Today he was
0:51:20 > 0:51:25simply unstoppable.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28simply unstoppable. Looking at his results he has not won as much as
0:51:28 > 0:51:37you would think.My personal opinion is that when Ronnie's safety game is
0:51:37 > 0:51:43at its very best, he is the best player in the world by far. The last
0:51:43 > 0:51:46two World Championships he won he was virtually unbeatable, as
0:51:46 > 0:51:51unbeatable as I have ever seen any player and the quality of his safety
0:51:51 > 0:51:54has dropped a little bit and the standard is so high now I think it
0:51:54 > 0:51:59makes all the difference.When I have played Ronnie he came to the
0:51:59 > 0:52:04table in so much trouble most of the time and you think, we know about
0:52:04 > 0:52:08your scoring and we know how good you are on the balls and you are
0:52:08 > 0:52:13legal, the most centuries, so creative, the artistry is fantastic,
0:52:13 > 0:52:18but his defensive play when he wanted to be is unbelievable.In the
0:52:18 > 0:52:21last couple of years sometimes I thought he turned down more shots
0:52:21 > 0:52:28than other players. Perhaps he is to save.When he is on his game he does
0:52:28 > 0:52:31not have a weakness. If you are being ultra-critical because he
0:52:31 > 0:52:36plays everything with side, sometimes his long game is not spot
0:52:36 > 0:52:41on until he adjusts to the cloth and the speed and everything. I have
0:52:41 > 0:52:46noticed with Ronnie if it is a brand-new cloth and a brand-new set
0:52:46 > 0:52:50of balls, sometimes he can get it wrong by a long way early on and
0:52:50 > 0:52:55until he adjusts and when he adjusts he goes into his genius mode and can
0:52:55 > 0:53:00reel off a century. That would be a weakness for me because he plays
0:53:00 > 0:53:06everything with side.Can you switch motivation on and off like a tap? Or
0:53:06 > 0:53:11do you have it all season?Having not achieved the things he has
0:53:11 > 0:53:16achieved it is difficult to say. But at his level other things must
0:53:16 > 0:53:20excite him than excite me in the game of snooker. It must take a lot
0:53:20 > 0:53:26of challenges to get him out of bed in the morning. He might want to win
0:53:26 > 0:53:29a match a certain way and if he cannot win a match that way, he
0:53:29 > 0:53:34might lose interest a bit until another challenge raises its head
0:53:34 > 0:53:39and he thinks, I have another chance to do things in an exciting way
0:53:39 > 0:53:43entity is reinvigorated. But when you have achieved what he has
0:53:43 > 0:53:47achieved to keep coming and to keep trying is the mark of somebody very
0:53:47 > 0:53:53special.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58A pretty amazing performance so far from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Can he
0:53:58 > 0:54:02finished Marco Fu of awkward Marco Fu stage what would be a remarkable
0:54:02 > 0:54:09comeback.
0:54:15 > 0:54:22Will the mid-session interval change things?
0:54:23 > 0:54:27He did not play to get the white there, he hit it a bit harder than
0:54:27 > 0:54:33he intended.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49Touching ball which helps the situation.
0:54:56 > 0:55:07We saw Ronnie backstage with his friends and he has had a new tip put
0:55:07 > 0:55:10on and the first time he used was on the practice table today which is
0:55:10 > 0:55:22amazing.He will not be taking that one off in a hurry!
0:55:46 > 0:55:49This time it is not touching so there is not a lot Marco can do
0:55:49 > 0:55:50here.
0:56:03 > 0:56:12Just a little bit of a stalemate at present.
0:56:12 > 0:56:21present. He will be able to get up the table this time.
0:56:31 > 0:56:41Almost.
0:56:48 > 0:56:52You are just wondering whether those two read at the back of the pack are
0:56:52 > 0:56:58close to the corner.
0:57:33 > 0:57:42That is an excellent shot. Well played, Marco. Very good.
0:57:49 > 0:57:58You want to hit these good and thin. That was a bit too thin.REFEREE:
0:57:58 > 0:58:01Foul and a miss.
0:58:10 > 0:58:19But much better to miss the red together with the first attempt.
0:58:19 > 0:58:23If you were to play the same shot against and miss it, you would get a
0:58:23 > 0:58:25warning.
0:58:42 > 0:58:58That is about spot on. Anything thin is good.
0:59:22 > 0:59:29All the makings of being the longest frame in the match so far with the
0:59:29 > 0:59:40black tied up. Just going to little bit awkward, this frame.
0:59:40 > 0:59:48bit awkward, this frame. 15 seconds, his average shot time, Ronnie.
0:59:55 > 1:00:03Finding it difficult to find a path back to the baulk area, Marco. It
1:00:03 > 1:00:11does look a little awkward. There is a cluster of five by the black and
1:00:11 > 1:00:19he's going to play off those. Doesn't want to go in-off,
1:00:19 > 1:00:25obviously. He will settle for that.
1:00:59 > 1:01:06He will get at terrific round of applause because it will be his
1:01:06 > 1:01:10first point he scored in this match, believe it or not. How is he going
1:01:10 > 1:01:20to get on a colour?
1:01:23 > 1:01:24APPLAUSE
1:01:27 > 1:01:33He knew he was going to get his first pot, but he knew he couldn't
1:01:33 > 1:01:38get onto a colour.It always happens when you are at the end of a barrage
1:01:38 > 1:01:42when somebody is playing so well. He just couldn't do it from that
1:01:42 > 1:01:45position.
1:02:18 > 1:02:24That is OK. He will be pleased it went into the pocket because if it
1:02:24 > 1:02:28had wobbled in the jaws, he would have let Marco in with a decent
1:02:28 > 1:02:40chance. He can't cut this in. But he has to be careful with the cue ball.
1:02:45 > 1:02:51Going to be another point. Tough green, doesn't want to force this
1:02:51 > 1:02:57type of shot into get up to the reds. Maybe he has to try and make
1:02:57 > 1:03:03something happen. If you are rolling this in, it will be OK. Very well
1:03:03 > 1:03:12played.
1:03:13 > 1:03:21Still very awkward. Black tied up, pink, awkward. He just needs to get
1:03:21 > 1:03:26in amongst the balls to have a chance to knock a sizeable
1:03:26 > 1:03:33contribution in. Yellow and brown is a decent target to try and get in
1:03:33 > 1:03:39behind.
1:03:51 > 1:03:54That is as good as he could have done with the weight of the cue
1:03:54 > 1:03:59ball. It wasn't a brilliant situation for getting a good safety,
1:03:59 > 1:04:09but the way he has played it, it couldn't have been much better.
1:04:25 > 1:04:29Look at this, a fly landed on his head. He got down and played the
1:04:29 > 1:04:41shot, as if it wasn't there. Do you think he is trying hard?
1:05:11 > 1:05:16He has got away with that. Played that in such a way as to bring the
1:05:16 > 1:05:19black back into play and was hoping to get the white back down the
1:05:19 > 1:05:28table. But left very awkward for Marco here.Miss hit it. When you
1:05:28 > 1:05:34are on, you are on. Things go your way. Balls all over the place, he
1:05:34 > 1:05:42knows himself, Ronnie, he has had a right results.
1:05:42 > 1:05:48right results. Could have left something really simple.
1:05:49 > 1:05:56something really simple. Good shot. Right Marco, this is the chance you
1:05:56 > 1:06:10have been waiting for. Got to score now, my man.
1:06:14 > 1:06:24Not the best. Shouldn't have had the cannon into the blue. Already making
1:06:24 > 1:06:31it awkward for himself. Needed to build up a rhythm, but the white
1:06:31 > 1:06:38going into the blue has spoiled things.
1:06:44 > 1:06:51That was such a thin shot he took on. He would love to get the black
1:06:51 > 1:06:57back on its spot.It was one of those poor positional shots, the one
1:06:57 > 1:07:00before, that forced him into a shot that might get him onto the black.
1:07:00 > 1:07:12And that is what happened. Maybe it is to acute. He went for the brand.
1:07:12 > 1:07:23It is the shots when he has two power them in, he lifts on the shot.
1:07:23 > 1:07:29I didn't see him missing that. You can see it lifting up. It is a trait
1:07:29 > 1:07:34he has always had in his game. It has never stopped him that much, but
1:07:34 > 1:07:44that was disappointing.
1:08:06 > 1:08:18Not an easy chance. It is the first positional shot from the blue,
1:08:18 > 1:08:28trying to land on a red, is not straightforward.
1:08:40 > 1:08:49That has worked out lovely. Now he is on the pink.
1:08:49 > 1:08:55is on the pink. If normal service is resumed, you will be feeling a
1:08:55 > 1:09:05little bit for Marco Fu again.
1:09:43 > 1:09:48We mentioned earlier they had the brilliant semifinal last year when
1:09:48 > 1:09:59Ronnie beat Marco 6-4 stop Marco had a couple of. Breaks in the 80s. The
1:09:59 > 1:10:05only time they played again was in the quarterfinal in 2016 and Ronnie
1:10:05 > 1:10:15one that 6-1.
1:11:07 > 1:11:11There have been quite a few flies around over the last couple of days.
1:11:11 > 1:11:28But one stage, we had a little ant on the cue ball.
1:11:46 > 1:11:56Not straightforward here to clinch the frame. He is 30 in front.
1:12:14 > 1:12:17Going to need the blue and one more red. Just glancing at the
1:12:17 > 1:12:24scoreboard.
1:12:24 > 1:12:27scoreboard. He needs pinpoint accuracy if he's going to get nicely
1:12:27 > 1:12:35on the red that will take him past the winning post in this frame. And
1:12:35 > 1:12:44that is pinpoint accuracy.
1:12:53 > 1:13:04We are getting the full repertoire of the genius at work. Any type of
1:13:04 > 1:13:14break, up and around the black spot, he has been knocking those in.
1:13:14 > 1:13:24he has been knocking those in. This one wasn't totally straightforward.
1:13:25 > 1:13:31For Marco Fu, it is one of those days where he just has to sit and
1:13:31 > 1:13:40watch.It is just one way traffic. Marco had a bit of a chance in that
1:13:40 > 1:13:46frame but Ronnie O'Sullivan is just on fire and he now leads 5-0.
1:13:50 > 1:13:57So Marco, breaks off in frame six and not the best break off he has
1:13:57 > 1:14:02ever played. He will be hoping it won't be his last break off in this
1:14:02 > 1:14:16year's masters. But the odds are, Ronnie's favour of a whitewash.
1:14:39 > 1:14:44Land when you are playing well that is the sort of little flick that you
1:14:44 > 1:14:51get there.
1:15:07 > 1:15:13It looked as if he was going to play for the loose red. He might go
1:15:13 > 1:15:22straight into the pink now.
1:15:22 > 1:15:25straight into the pink now. I have a funny feeling when he parts of this,
1:15:25 > 1:15:33he will clear the path for the one to the right.Definitely.
1:15:35 > 1:15:38to the right.Definitely. Now both of them go. There is one on either
1:15:38 > 1:15:44side available. He will play this and leave the cue ball a little bit
1:15:44 > 1:15:50low so he can play at cannon. He will be able to pot this and forced
1:15:50 > 1:15:57another couple of reds into play.
1:16:21 > 1:16:37Lovely touch. Report this and he can play into the top of the pack.
1:16:48 > 1:16:49He is on the loose red.
1:16:55 > 1:17:02It is all about the split now.
1:17:29 > 1:17:38Ronnie was getting down to see if he could pot the long pink.
1:17:45 > 1:17:51That could be end of break unless he takes a double on. It is not what he
1:17:51 > 1:18:01played for. He could play a shot to nothing and get on the black. He
1:18:01 > 1:18:09fouled it.
1:18:09 > 1:18:13fouled it. He immediately walked away from the table and declared a
1:18:13 > 1:18:24foul on himself. He was going to take the double on there.
1:18:29 > 1:18:35He must have just touched it. You could not really see much. If you
1:18:35 > 1:18:41touch with your hand, in you know yourself straightaway.
1:18:45 > 1:18:53Player still do that, declare a foul on themselves.
1:18:56 > 1:19:08Surely not. That was difficult. Look where it is going. A bit of a chance
1:19:08 > 1:19:14for Marco.
1:19:23 > 1:19:31He has had no touch whatsoever, he has been kept off the table.
1:19:31 > 1:19:34Probably a little bit embarrassing for Marco. He cannot get any rhythm
1:19:34 > 1:19:39going.
1:19:47 > 1:19:52And even when he pots the difficult black and yellow is there to stop
1:19:52 > 1:20:01him from coming back up to the reds.
1:20:09 > 1:20:14I think that shot tells you a lot. I think Marco is ready to leave the
1:20:14 > 1:20:20arena.
1:20:21 > 1:20:29It is one of those days where he never got a chance.
1:21:19 > 1:21:23He can send the red backed up the table as long as he does not hit the
1:21:23 > 1:21:29green. He played it well.
1:21:30 > 1:21:34green. He played it well. Can Marco see enough of this red and possibly
1:21:34 > 1:21:35get round behind the pink?
1:22:08 > 1:22:18And once again look at the pace on the safety shot.
1:22:25 > 1:22:36I know I may sound like a bingo caller, but 120, 100 150, 112, 75,
1:22:36 > 1:22:44those are Ronnie O'Sullivan's breaks. That is phenomenal.
1:22:45 > 1:22:52Fantastic scoring.
1:23:22 > 1:23:27In the cluster of four, the one on the left-hand is available.
1:23:44 > 1:23:49When he removes this red, it will clear that the red, and those four
1:23:49 > 1:23:57are safe.
1:23:57 > 1:24:02are safe. This is looking like the end of match.
1:24:08 > 1:24:1197% pot success rate.
1:24:23 > 1:24:28Just looking there to see if that read on the pink spot will be
1:24:28 > 1:24:30available in a couple of shots time.
1:24:39 > 1:24:47You have to say it is all over here. 36 is the difference. That red feels
1:24:47 > 1:25:00a bit tight. He can always play the cannon. Which is what he has done.
1:25:00 > 1:25:04He did not take any chances. He thought if he went into them he
1:25:04 > 1:25:12would be extremely lucky not to take one.
1:25:12 > 1:25:17one. But Marco is still a top class player. It is one of those days
1:25:17 > 1:25:28where you run into something that is very special indeed.
1:25:33 > 1:25:39Ronnie O'Sullivan could not hope to start his defence of the title in a
1:25:39 > 1:25:49better shape. He has been superb, he really has. Every aspect.
1:25:49 > 1:25:50really has. Every aspect. He is already favourite for this
1:25:50 > 1:25:58championship this year. On today's performance he will be shorter in
1:25:58 > 1:26:04the betting, that is for certain.
1:26:10 > 1:26:17Surely he can't bring the read out and clear up from here.
1:26:19 > 1:26:23and clear up from here. That is even more clever. To develop the yellow
1:26:23 > 1:26:31and still leave the chance on this difficult read. No.
1:26:34 > 1:26:37difficult read. No. A big smile from Marco Fu. You have to feel sorry for
1:26:37 > 1:26:43him. Everybody is standing up in recognition of that performance from
1:26:43 > 1:26:53Ronnie O'Sullivan. Absolutely amazing. He takes the match 6-0.
1:26:53 > 1:26:57Marco had a couple of chances and he did not take them and I am pleased
1:26:57 > 1:27:01to be in the next round. It does not matter to me if I win another
1:27:01 > 1:27:07tournament. For me it is a good discipline. I have got a little bit
1:27:07 > 1:27:14of a purpose in life. I know if I perform well, then I know that I do
1:27:14 > 1:27:19it in a style and a manner that is different to the way most people or
1:27:19 > 1:27:24anybody else does it. There are one or two players who are a joy to
1:27:24 > 1:27:29watch. The rest to me are decent to watch. I know when I am on form I
1:27:29 > 1:27:36think people enjoy it.He played very well. He missed a few so it is
1:27:36 > 1:27:46not 100% I am sure. He put me under pressure. Yes, it is just one
1:27:46 > 1:27:54mistake and it seems to be frame over.I do not belong to one
1:27:54 > 1:27:58section, I feel like I belong to one snooker world and they show me
1:27:58 > 1:28:04around for the year.He is getting better. He has got the ability and
1:28:04 > 1:28:08the experience and the mentality and the hard work. Yes, he is doing very
1:28:08 > 1:28:16well.I do not come to the table and not feel like it. Some days the flow
1:28:16 > 1:28:21is stronger than others. That is why I played the sport, because of that
1:28:21 > 1:28:25feeling. Some people meditate to get that peace of mind or whatever they
1:28:25 > 1:28:32call it, I just pop balls. What ever it is going on and off the table
1:28:32 > 1:28:38gets forgotten about. It is like Gazza, the only time he felt relaxed
1:28:38 > 1:28:44was on the pitch because it stopped him from being driven mad. For me
1:28:44 > 1:28:50this is a nice place to be. A scintillating performance from
1:28:50 > 1:28:53Ronnie O'Sullivan setting up a quarterfinal clash with Mark Allen
1:28:53 > 1:28:58on Thursday at one o'clock. We are back with more coverage as Shaun
1:28:58 > 1:28:59Murphy gets his