0:00:36 > 0:00:41Hello and welcome to the extended highlights of the 2018 Dafabet
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Masters. We have reached the quarterfinals. First, Ronnie
0:00:45 > 0:00:51O'Sullivan taking on Mark Allen, who has a very good record against him.
0:00:51 > 0:01:00Commentary from Ken Doherty and Dennis Taylor.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05Ronnie did win the toss and he gets this first quarterfinal under way.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08They totally different match altogether to the one he had with
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Marco Fu, who never really got going. Well, he never got a chance
0:01:12 > 0:01:17to get going. Ronnie was awesome. But it's another game and another
0:01:17 > 0:01:24day and straightaway, Mark Allen will have a go at this read into the
0:01:24 > 0:01:29left corner.
0:01:41 > 0:01:50Great shot. What a great opening red. Maestri on the black as well.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Lovely angle. -- nicely on the black as well. A lovely angle into the
0:01:55 > 0:01:57pack.
0:02:03 > 0:02:12He needs a bit of luck here. Has he got it? Could have been a bit nicer.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17Wouldn't get into that bot red full ball. Still has this red to the left
0:02:17 > 0:02:26centre.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33The problem with this shot is that the cue ball is so close to the
0:02:33 > 0:02:36cushion he cannot dig down on the cue ball.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07It was a difficult one that Mark took. But look at the position. He
0:03:07 > 0:03:12was right on the black. He went full-blooded for it but it was very
0:03:12 > 0:03:19acute angle.
0:03:31 > 0:03:38He could just hold for the black.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50A couple of reds by the pink will pot.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02Not far enough for the one left of the pink, but he has that great
0:04:02 > 0:04:04ability, being able to play left-handed.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Contemplating whether he will go into the pack of reds here. There
0:04:32 > 0:04:40are still a couple of reds available.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12Decided it was a little too risky to go into the reds that time.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23But there are still a few reds available, at least four portable
0:05:23 > 0:05:25reds at the moment.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38Not as straight on the blue as he would like. Again, the two reds, one
0:05:38 > 0:05:46left, one right of the pink.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Those couple of pots have certainly settled Ronnie already. He cued them
0:06:04 > 0:06:11beautifully. Right into the heart of the pocket. A little bit short with
0:06:11 > 0:06:18the cue ball there, though.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24I think he can still hold for the black, screw off this red onto the
0:06:24 > 0:06:34side cushion and back out for the black. Perfectly played.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Well, that was a lovely little shocked, that cannon, to leave this
0:06:51 > 0:06:57red into the right centre.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04Again, just overscrewed it slightly. He wanted to be on the pink into the
0:07:04 > 0:07:11right centre. He has fouled. Fair play to Ronnie O'Sullivan. The
0:07:11 > 0:07:18referee didn't see it. Let's have a look. He just hit the red with his
0:07:18 > 0:07:25cue.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30Yes, it was hard to see. He did the same thing against Marco Fu. He
0:07:30 > 0:07:34walked away from the table, and no one had seen him touch the ball. We
0:07:34 > 0:07:40keep saying we are very proud of the game of snooker, that they do this.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46They will call the foul on themselves. That is not the best
0:07:46 > 0:07:52outcome for Mark Allen. He might have to have a go at the long read
0:07:52 > 0:07:57up into the right corner pocket. This one he is looking at, he would
0:07:57 > 0:08:02need an extension on the cue and on the rest. He is a bit close to the
0:08:02 > 0:08:10one, but I think...
0:08:10 > 0:08:14one, but I think... We will just show you what happened there, with
0:08:14 > 0:08:24Ronnie. He must have just slightly touched the red, just a fraction.
0:08:40 > 0:08:50No, not there. A good chance Ronnie O'Sullivan gave Mark Allen there. It
0:08:50 > 0:08:57was a simple cannon from potting the black on the red. It has gone wrong.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02I don't think Ronnie expected to get back to the table so soon.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36I might be able to show you Mark's shop, where he went astray. This was
0:09:36 > 0:09:40the one. He wanted to hit that red on the other side and he would have
0:09:40 > 0:09:46been perfect.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51been perfect. You can't afford to give Ronnie a couple of chances.You
0:09:51 > 0:09:54don't get many chances against Ronnie O'Sullivan, particularly in
0:09:54 > 0:09:59this form. And when you do, you really have to take them. Not a good
0:09:59 > 0:10:03start for Mark Allen. He has had a couple of good chance is already in
0:10:03 > 0:10:07this frame. He will be very disappointed. Part of his game that
0:10:07 > 0:10:12he is very, very good at, these little cannons around the pink and
0:10:12 > 0:10:20black. Normally bread and butter for him.
0:10:21 > 0:10:28him. But I would say he has gifted this first frame. Ronnie O'Sullivan
0:10:28 > 0:10:33just a few pots away from winning this first frame.
0:10:54 > 0:11:01Just this red and any colour will be enough. So it's the first frame
0:11:01 > 0:11:04going to Ronnie O'Sullivan. He just checked the scoreboard.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30A tricky red along the cushion. It doesn't matter, but he would like to
0:11:30 > 0:11:35clear the remaining balls here. He got an unintentional kiss on the
0:11:35 > 0:11:41pink.
0:11:42 > 0:11:50Not bad with the opposite hand there.
0:11:58 > 0:12:06Another great positional shot.That shot with his left hand, it's
0:12:06 > 0:12:10incredible how he can play those shots. It is so hard to play them
0:12:10 > 0:12:14with your right hand, never mind left hand. He is so good at it, and
0:12:14 > 0:12:21so natural.Anthony McGill, who lost to John Higgins after that great
0:12:21 > 0:12:24comeback, he played a few shots with his opposite hand and he looked to
0:12:24 > 0:12:32reflect. -- he looked terrific.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Well, he needed a couple of chances but he certainly took that second
0:13:01 > 0:13:06opportunity. That was a magnificent break of 75 and Ronnie O'Sullivan
0:13:06 > 0:13:14leads Mark Allen 1-0.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Raph take your seat as quickly as you can, please. Second frame, Mark
0:14:01 > 0:14:08Allen to break.
0:15:25 > 0:15:32Who is going to play the more telling safety shot? You want to be
0:15:32 > 0:15:35getting the white close to the baulk cushion, and the brown and green are
0:15:35 > 0:15:42not a bad target.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Nice little flick on the brown just makes this safety shot a little more
0:15:55 > 0:16:00difficult.
0:16:00 > 0:16:07He has played that very well indeed. Great pace with the cue ball. A tap
0:16:07 > 0:16:15of the table in technology that that was an excellent safety shot. And
0:16:15 > 0:16:18even better thing about that shot, not only close to the baulk cushion,
0:16:18 > 0:16:26but he has covered the pathway down the left-hand side. He can't hit any
0:16:26 > 0:16:31of the reds on the left-hand side of the pink, so...It looks as if he
0:16:31 > 0:16:36will have to come off two cushions and try to glance off the reds. He
0:16:36 > 0:16:44has to be very precise with this. Oh, he has played it well, but the
0:16:44 > 0:16:48cue ball has gone close to the corner. No, it is OK. To Riddick
0:16:48 > 0:16:55shot.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Excellent escape, and he has Ronnie in a little trouble here. He has to
0:17:04 > 0:17:10avoid the black. And he couldn't.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13avoid the black. And he couldn't. At first glance, it looks like he has
0:17:13 > 0:17:21got away with it slightly.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27Nothing pots into the left-hand corner pocket, so... Well, maybe
0:17:27 > 0:17:36there is one right in the middle of the pack. Yes, he spotted one.
0:17:42 > 0:17:48I know it is early in the match, Dennis, but this chance is extremely
0:17:48 > 0:17:52important for Mark Allen here, just to settle himself down. He had a
0:17:52 > 0:18:00couple of chances in the first frame and did not take them.It's not a
0:18:00 > 0:18:05good chance just yet. The black is available, but pink and black are
0:18:05 > 0:18:09off their spots. They are in portable positions, but it is not
0:18:09 > 0:18:12straightforward just yet.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32He has to be careful when he pots the black, and how he judges the
0:18:32 > 0:18:42cannon. I think he has a bit of angle to work with. Played nicely.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Can he take advantage this time? He had a golden opportunity in the
0:18:46 > 0:18:48opening frame.
0:19:01 > 0:19:09He has a terrific temperament, Mark Allen.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21After a couple of shots, he has got pink and black nicely on their spots
0:19:21 > 0:19:29and in the open. The black pots into both corner pockets.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51Wanted to be straight on this red so he could hold for the black.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03He is looking at leaving the cue ball high on the black, but the
0:20:03 > 0:20:07problem is that he has to avoid those reds below the black in
0:20:07 > 0:20:15playing that type of shot.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18playing that type of shot.The referee, just asking someone to
0:20:18 > 0:20:26settle down.
0:20:31 > 0:20:41The referee for this match from Germany.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52A nice angle on the black. He does not need to disturb the reds,
0:20:52 > 0:20:57because the bottom of that bunch of four pots. Maybe even the one in the
0:20:57 > 0:21:02middle of the bunch of four pots as well. So he does not have to do too
0:21:02 > 0:21:09much work here.
0:21:19 > 0:21:26And this all came, Dennis, from an excellent escape from Mark Allen, a
0:21:26 > 0:21:33two cushion escape, put Ronnie in a lot of trouble.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50He is one of the game's great break-builders, Mark Allen. He has
0:21:50 > 0:21:54made 40 centuries this season. That was the escape he judged to
0:21:54 > 0:21:59perfection. He made 36 centuries last season. He will be
0:21:59 > 0:22:03concentrating on making enough to win the frame here. But it is going
0:22:03 > 0:22:13to be difficult to clear up, the way the reds R.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18This will certainly settle him down. He looked edgy in the first frame,
0:22:18 > 0:22:27but this is exactly what he needed. Never easy, coming out here in front
0:22:27 > 0:22:31of a packed audience, playing the home favourite. And their use it.
0:22:31 > 0:22:37What a wonderful venue it is. -- their use it.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40-- their use it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:53Wanted to make sure of the black, frame ball. Why would you hit it
0:22:53 > 0:22:58that hard? 65 in front, the black would have put him 72 in front with
0:22:58 > 0:23:0667 on the table. So why did he hit it that hard? Well, he just thought
0:23:06 > 0:23:11he could not miss the pot, but it just shows you.
0:23:24 > 0:23:31Wasn't easy to pot that and get on a colour. Mark is now checking the
0:23:31 > 0:23:37scoreboard. I am sure he must have known before he played the black
0:23:37 > 0:23:42that he only needed the black. So he needs one red. I think he is just
0:23:42 > 0:23:49composing himself here. The two reds over the pocket, it is a tricky
0:23:49 > 0:23:55little safety shot.He could try and knock a red into the baulk and maybe
0:23:55 > 0:24:01put a baulk colours safe, green or brown.
0:24:01 > 0:24:10That's not bad. Ronnie is 65 behind, he needs five red 's and possibly
0:24:10 > 0:24:15five blacks.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18five blacks. So a read in baulk certainly helps the cause for Mark
0:24:18 > 0:24:27Allen. -- a red.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06The problem with missing the black, he did not win the frame in one
0:25:06 > 0:25:13visit. Instead of going back to his seat having won the frame, if he had
0:25:13 > 0:25:16potted the black and one more red, Ronnie would not have come back to
0:25:16 > 0:25:20the table. Now he has to put himself through the ringer a little bit
0:25:20 > 0:25:29here. Just make him a little more edgy.The red the left side of the
0:25:29 > 0:25:33table, he thought about doubling it into the right corner pocket, but if
0:25:33 > 0:25:37he tried that, he could kiss the red near the left corner, just to the
0:25:37 > 0:25:46right of it. That is why he is not playing that shot.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51I think he is just going to come off the top cushion and land on this
0:25:51 > 0:25:57red, by the looks of things. No, he is playing the cross of double, and
0:25:57 > 0:26:01he avoided that red. That is a terrific shot. He thought long and
0:26:01 > 0:26:09hard about it but it was worth it in the end.A big target behind Green
0:26:09 > 0:26:17and brown. He could be in a bit of trouble. If Ronnie gets a snooker
0:26:17 > 0:26:27here. Almost. Not quite.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57Well, that's an amazing pot, after missing a sister of a black. He
0:26:57 > 0:27:05knocks in a long red like that. Superb cueing. -- a sitter of a
0:27:05 > 0:27:11black.
0:27:15 > 0:27:26Ronnie says enough and he concedes. Mark Allen gets off the mark.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47He is a big-time player, Mark Allen. I don't think he will be scared of
0:27:47 > 0:27:50taking on the mighty Ronnie O'Sullivan. I think he will relish
0:27:50 > 0:27:51it.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03As I'm inch, I had about ten minutes with Mark Allen, chatting to him
0:28:03 > 0:28:09just before we came out. He was so relaxed. We were chatting about his
0:28:09 > 0:28:16family. We were chatting about his mum and dad, who used to always come
0:28:16 > 0:28:25and watch him. He is a great family man, Mark.
0:28:45 > 0:28:57My be looking at a possible plans. It is close.
0:29:02 > 0:29:10Left Ronnie a possible read here now.
0:29:15 > 0:29:23Got it.
0:29:41 > 0:29:57He lost the cue ball slightly. This is a test of cueing. No. It wasn't
0:29:57 > 0:30:00easy.
0:30:19 > 0:30:24Just a couple of reds available at the moment.
0:30:34 > 0:30:44Just a bit awkward. Not a good chance just yet.
0:31:29 > 0:31:35He can play a little cannon on the reds just above the black, or play
0:31:35 > 0:31:42for the loose thread, if he wishes.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36There is one more loose red available just to the right of the
0:32:36 > 0:32:43pink spot.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Not straight enough and that is why he is shaking his head. He wanted to
0:32:51 > 0:32:59be straighter on this thread. Watch the cue ball, it could go into the
0:32:59 > 0:33:08left middle. He judged it nicely. He has got a nice angle on the blue.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39Must need a nice angle on this blue now to go into the pack. No more
0:33:39 > 0:33:43loose reds available, and he has judged it to perfection. Just one
0:33:43 > 0:33:51nice split here and the frame will be at his mercy. Is this red on into
0:33:51 > 0:33:56the bottom right-hand corner pocket? He is having a quick look. His body
0:33:56 > 0:34:06language suggests it is. And there you see it.
0:34:19 > 0:34:26This time he has a quick look at the scoreboard to see how many he needs.
0:34:42 > 0:34:48He only needed one more, I don't think he needed the cannon. He
0:34:48 > 0:34:52planned to slip past the reds and leave the one to the right. Didn't
0:34:52 > 0:35:01intend to cannon that one.I think he has been lucky, Dennis. There was
0:35:01 > 0:35:10a bit of distance between the two reds.
0:35:15 > 0:35:24He got away with that one. Very fortunate.
0:36:00 > 0:36:06The next shot will open the reds up.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12Looks like he is screwing back for the blue. The white is close. It is
0:36:12 > 0:36:17OK, he really got into that. Gone further up the table, but that will
0:36:17 > 0:36:24do very nicely. He is throwing the gauntlet down for Ronnie O'Sullivan,
0:36:24 > 0:36:30who just missed the red when he was tight on the cushion.
0:36:42 > 0:36:5265 break in the previous frame. This was the one that Ronnie missed.
0:37:19 > 0:37:27We have had 20 centuries this year in the Dafabet Masters. He has made
0:37:27 > 0:37:31357 centuries in his career, Mark Allen. One of the great
0:37:31 > 0:37:39break-builders of the game. And that is another one. Superb performance
0:37:39 > 0:37:45from Mark Allen.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48from Mark Allen. Certainly going to make this quarterfinal very, very
0:37:48 > 0:37:55interesting indeed.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16He knew the black was in... It is not in. Lost the opening frame, but
0:38:16 > 0:38:25then he has had breaks of 65 and that magnificent break of 115. Mark
0:38:25 > 0:38:30Allen leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28COMMENTATOR: important frame for both players now. Last one before
0:39:28 > 0:39:35the mid-session interval. Ronnie would like to tie things up at 2-2.
0:39:35 > 0:39:43But Mark Allen will like to press on with his advantage. Ronnie looks a
0:39:43 > 0:39:47bit more edgy than he did in the first match, Dennis. He played so
0:39:47 > 0:39:56well against Marco Fu, didn't give him the chance. Hasn't found that
0:39:56 > 0:40:00formed just yet, but still a long way to go, of course. Best of 11.
0:40:06 > 0:40:14Going to hit the pink, is it? Very close. It is a touching ball so
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Ronnie can just play away from the red.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33Hasn't blocked the path. Mark Allen can get down off the left side of
0:40:33 > 0:40:40the table. As you can see.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Not a bad click on the yellow.
0:41:05 > 0:41:13That might be touching again. No, it's not.
0:41:13 > 0:41:24it's not. Not as straightforward to get back down the table now.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59Well, you are never quite sure what will happen when you play off the
0:41:59 > 0:42:04reds like that and it has flicked one over the corner pocket. It is
0:42:04 > 0:42:11all about the cue ball here.
0:42:11 > 0:42:17all about the cue ball here. That was the problem. Was never sure what
0:42:17 > 0:42:19would happen to the white.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41When we were chatting, he was telling me about his son Robbie, who
0:42:41 > 0:42:50is only 13. He made 133 break in a match. He was very proud of his
0:42:50 > 0:42:54stepson, Robbie. One to watch out for. Making breaks like that at 13
0:42:54 > 0:43:02years of age.
0:43:16 > 0:43:22That was an excellent safety shot.
0:43:22 > 0:43:34He clipped the red so fine. Excellent shot. Light tap on the
0:43:34 > 0:43:41table, an acknowledgement from his opponent.
0:43:41 > 0:43:49opponent. This looks pretty good. Not tight to the ball the cushion,
0:43:49 > 0:43:53but as you can see, blocked the path down the left-hand side. -- baulk
0:43:53 > 0:43:58cushion.
0:44:10 > 0:44:22It is a beautiful shot. Excellent.
0:44:40 > 0:44:41APPLAUSE
0:44:45 > 0:44:55Perfect length.He needs a similar sort of shot, Ronnie.
0:44:55 > 0:45:00sort of shot, Ronnie. He has hit it too thin because there is a red near
0:45:00 > 0:45:05the left corner and Mark Allen can get that I get himself onto the
0:45:05 > 0:45:09black. If this shot works out, an early opportunity in this fourth
0:45:09 > 0:45:14frame.
0:45:14 > 0:45:22frame. Played it well.
0:45:25 > 0:45:33Mid-session interval coming up after this frame. What a result that would
0:45:33 > 0:45:37be if this man can go there 3-1 in front after losing the opening
0:45:37 > 0:45:39frame.
0:46:00 > 0:46:05Not only that long pot, but the little kiss, knocks the red away
0:46:05 > 0:46:12from the black spot. Purposely played. That would open the black
0:46:12 > 0:46:26into both corner pockets. Double whammy, excellent shot.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45He would like to get one of these reds below the black, out of the
0:46:45 > 0:46:52way. He has the angle to do that now.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13Just a little bit short with the cue ball. Still, can just about hold it,
0:47:13 > 0:47:19I am sure. Just about.
0:47:24 > 0:47:35He is looking good, Dennis?Totally different action to Ronnie
0:47:35 > 0:47:39O'Sullivan, as Steve Davis was saying in the studio. Sharp, doesn't
0:47:39 > 0:47:46pull the cue back all that far. Is very effective on these very fast
0:47:46 > 0:47:58clots. Has finished a little awkward here. -- clots.
0:48:00 > 0:48:10Good recovery.
0:48:22 > 0:48:28I am sure a lot of this packed house here at Alexandra Palace came along
0:48:28 > 0:48:31thinking Ronnie O'Sullivan would carry on the way he played against
0:48:31 > 0:48:36Marco Fu. That was an incredible session. But snooker can change from
0:48:36 > 0:48:42day to day. The reason it is one of the most difficult sports to play,
0:48:42 > 0:48:50only one player can play at the table. In golf, if your opponent
0:48:50 > 0:48:54hits a good shot, you can hit a good shot. But in this game, you have
0:48:54 > 0:48:59this day in your seat. This is to reflect performance from Mark Allen,
0:48:59 > 0:49:06you have to say.He got the pink out of the way. That opened up those two
0:49:06 > 0:49:12reds. He covered that read, meant to kiss into the other one. That is why
0:49:12 > 0:49:19he's shaking his head because the red was open. Just by it slightly,
0:49:19 > 0:49:29he can't pot it now. This is Ronnie's you would have to say last
0:49:29 > 0:49:33hope.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44It is tricky for Mark Allen, but if he gets this bread, he will win the
0:49:44 > 0:49:55frame. If there. Good break.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15A lot of the spectators will be surprise, but none of the players
0:50:15 > 0:50:22will be. They know what he is capable of, this player.
0:50:35 > 0:50:46He can relax now and see if he can knock in another century.
0:50:55 > 0:51:01What a shame. No century break, but one visit was all he needed. He lost
0:51:01 > 0:51:05the opening frame but has played magnificent stuck to take the next
0:51:05 > 0:51:08three and he goes to the mid-session interval leading Ronnie O'Sullivan
0:51:08 > 0:51:163-1.
0:51:32 > 0:51:39Fantastic atmosphere, always at the Alexandra Palace. Although Ronnie
0:51:39 > 0:51:43O'Sullivan's supporters will be a little bit concerned, sometimes as
0:51:43 > 0:51:48Stephen said, and interval can change matches. It stops the player
0:51:48 > 0:51:59on the run. That is Mark Allen.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02on the run. That is Mark Allen.That wasn't the best safety shot, he hit
0:52:02 > 0:52:10it too thin. But he might not have a good angle on this thread to just
0:52:10 > 0:52:17run through for the black.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19run through for the black. Could just manage it.
0:52:24 > 0:52:30That was about the best he could do there.
0:52:41 > 0:52:47That was a very, very good shot. Playing the black into a blind
0:52:47 > 0:52:52pocket, going into the pack. Not too bad, onto this red in the left,
0:52:52 > 0:52:57corner pocket.
0:52:58 > 0:53:06corner pocket. Prime position now.
0:53:22 > 0:53:28Another surprising miss, from Ronnie. That was much easier than
0:53:28 > 0:53:40the one he missed a few frames ago. That was a sitter, really.
0:53:43 > 0:53:48If the next shot works out for Mark Allen when he plays a cannon here,
0:53:48 > 0:53:55he can bring quite a few reds into play here. Just a delicate cannon
0:53:55 > 0:54:01was needed, but I think he has ran out of position. That could be the
0:54:01 > 0:54:05end of break. He just played a delicate little cannon, thought he
0:54:05 > 0:54:09had brought three reds into play. He just wanted to hit that slightly
0:54:09 > 0:54:17fuller. He has been left with this tricky one, with the long rest.
0:54:17 > 0:54:25Extension on the cue. I think he missed one like this in the opening
0:54:25 > 0:54:32frame. Very difficult to judge. But safely in the centre of the pocket
0:54:32 > 0:54:37this time.
0:54:37 > 0:54:42this time. I was going to say back in prime position, but the white
0:54:42 > 0:54:51seemed to keep on rolling. He still OK though.
0:55:28 > 0:55:35If this red pots into the right corner, it will release the one just
0:55:35 > 0:55:40above it.
0:55:42 > 0:55:53above it. He could hold for the pink if he wished.
0:55:53 > 0:56:01if he wished. Decided to go through the reds for the black. Not bad.
0:56:24 > 0:56:35Didn't expect him to miss that. Possible plant for Ronnie.
0:56:35 > 0:56:40Possible plant for Ronnie. Lost the cue ball.It is amazing the number
0:56:40 > 0:56:46of times you see that when a player takes a plant on Com he tends to
0:56:46 > 0:56:52forget a little bit about the cue ball.
0:56:56 > 0:57:02That is one way of having a look.
0:57:10 > 0:57:17Got to keep one toe at least on the floor.
0:57:17 > 0:57:23floor. This must be very tight because he can't quite see it. Very
0:57:23 > 0:57:30unusual to see a player looking at the shot from that angle.
0:57:45 > 0:57:53This is very risky.
0:58:02 > 0:58:13It wasn't easy. I think this red will go up into the right corner
0:58:13 > 0:58:20pockets, the one he just cannoned into. The black is over the pocket.
0:58:20 > 0:58:32He can play for the blue. It is another good chance for Mark Allen.
0:58:33 > 0:58:41Nicely held for the blue. Get the black back on its spot in a couple
0:58:41 > 0:58:49of shots' time.
0:59:10 > 0:59:14Shouldn't be a problem getting on one of those reds. They are sitting
0:59:14 > 0:59:19very nicely.
0:59:27 > 0:59:33Well, I say it shouldn't be a problem, but that was an
0:59:33 > 0:59:37unintentional cannon onto the red. He still has a couple available to
0:59:37 > 0:59:41him but he did not intend to can that one. You should be able to
0:59:41 > 0:59:47recover the situation.
1:00:25 > 1:00:32Just a nice angle on the blue, to get on the two reds below the pink.
1:00:32 > 1:00:45And you can't really see Mark Allen Messing this up.
1:00:47 > 1:00:52That missed black earlier in the frame, maybe going back to his seat
1:00:52 > 1:00:56he thought that was his missed opportunity. But he didn't expect to
1:00:56 > 1:01:03come back to the table so soon stop it looks like he is going to go into
1:01:03 > 1:01:10a 4-1 lead. Just a couple of reds left needed.
1:01:15 > 1:01:24Ronnie is going to have to win five of the next six frames.
1:01:43 > 1:01:48Well, it wobbled a couple of times, but safely in the pocket, and that's
1:01:48 > 1:01:55another frame for Mark Allen.
1:01:57 > 1:01:59Worrying times for the Rocket.
1:02:06 > 1:02:15I mean, he has one three ranking titles, Mark Allen. He won the World
1:02:15 > 1:02:22Open twice in China, 2012, 2013. He would love to win a triple Crown
1:02:22 > 1:02:27event. He has done everything but that. He would love the Masters, the
1:02:27 > 1:02:37UK or the World Championship. And he has the game to do that.
1:03:08 > 1:03:15Well, he lost the opening frame but since
1:03:15 > 1:03:23since then, Mark Allen now leaves Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-1.
1:03:35 > 1:03:40Ronnie does look a little bit tired. He is yawning a little bit. Maybe
1:03:40 > 1:03:46the dizziness from the other day has rolled over to today as well. He is
1:03:46 > 1:03:50certainly not looking himself and not playing the way he was the other
1:03:50 > 1:03:59day even. There is another loose shot.
1:04:15 > 1:04:20He is faced with a tricky pot here. If the yellow goes past the red, he
1:04:20 > 1:04:31will take it on, just roll it in. And that looks pretty good to me. A
1:04:31 > 1:04:38tough chance, the first chance in this frame, falling to the man from
1:04:38 > 1:04:40County Antrim.
1:04:46 > 1:04:51He really has played some exceptional snooker here, winning
1:04:51 > 1:04:59those four frames with one visit.
1:05:44 > 1:05:50He has spotted something on the white.
1:05:50 > 1:05:55white. We had a little ant on the cue ball on the first day of play. I
1:05:55 > 1:05:57have never seen that before.
1:06:45 > 1:06:51Got a bit to do with the cue ball now, but there are 20 of loose reds
1:06:51 > 1:06:56available.
1:06:56 > 1:06:59available. -- plenty of loose reds available. He is timing the ball
1:06:59 > 1:07:05very nicely.He certainly is, and that was another good positional
1:07:05 > 1:07:18shot. He has got into a nice groove. His scoring has been fantastic.
1:07:57 > 1:08:05Could have gone wrong here. Did not have the ideal angle on the black. I
1:08:05 > 1:08:11don't think he is on the red, and that could be end of break. So, a
1:08:11 > 1:08:19reprieve for Ronnie O'Sullivan.
1:08:42 > 1:08:5239 break, but it could have been a lot more. He will be disappointed.
1:09:12 > 1:09:20Good pace with the cue ball there. Is he having a go at this? He
1:09:20 > 1:09:27certainly is. Great shot.
1:09:27 > 1:09:31certainly is. Great shot. OK, he played it as a shot to nothing, but
1:09:31 > 1:09:36it was later arrested pot, and if he rolls up tight behind the green,
1:09:36 > 1:09:45what an advantage. You would have to say this is a must win frame for
1:09:45 > 1:09:56Ronnie O'Sullivan. 5-1 behind, that would be a real mountains to climb.
1:10:05 > 1:10:11A good hit on the red. He has not left the one to the right centre,
1:10:11 > 1:10:16but he has certainly left two here to the bottom left-hand corner
1:10:16 > 1:10:24pocket. OK, he is using the rest, but under normal circumstances you
1:10:24 > 1:10:28would expect him to pot this. But this is not normal. But he has made
1:10:28 > 1:10:39a good job of it. Right into the heart of the pocket.
1:11:27 > 1:11:35He needed to come back another inch or two to be perfect. He is not many
1:11:35 > 1:11:45pots away from securing the frame. A slight change of plan here.
1:12:00 > 1:12:09Just looking for one more red. Is he going to drop on it? Quite a sense
1:12:09 > 1:12:16of humour. One person clapped and Mark said "Cheers". Just this red
1:12:16 > 1:12:25needed to make it five frames in a row.
1:12:26 > 1:12:32It is there, right in the centre of the pocket. At the moment,
1:12:32 > 1:12:35everything is going right in the centre of the pocket, not touching
1:12:35 > 1:12:42the sides.
1:12:42 > 1:12:47And Ronnie just signals to the referee that he concedes the frame.
1:12:47 > 1:12:52So Mark Allen, he is unstoppable at the moment. That is five frames in a
1:12:52 > 1:13:00row, and he leads the defending champion 5-1.
1:13:01 > 1:13:10REFEREE: Thank you, frame seven, Ronnie O'Sullivan to break.
1:13:41 > 1:13:44Good shot.
1:13:58 > 1:14:05If there is anybody in the game that could pull this back, it would
1:14:05 > 1:14:09certainly be Ronnie O'Sullivan. No doubt about that. But he is going to
1:14:09 > 1:14:12need a little bit of help, and at the moment he is not getting any
1:14:12 > 1:14:18help from his opponent. He is playing good safety, good matchplay
1:14:18 > 1:14:22snooker. And any chance he is getting, he is winning the frame
1:14:22 > 1:14:29from it.
1:14:44 > 1:14:48Well, that black going right over the pocket has put that pocket out
1:14:48 > 1:14:55of action now.
1:14:55 > 1:15:04Now then... There is a long red on for Ronnie. This could kick-start
1:15:04 > 1:15:07his comeback.
1:15:20 > 1:15:26It looked for a moment as though he was going to knock the black in as
1:15:26 > 1:15:29well. Beautiful pot, but he would have been anxious when he saw the
1:15:29 > 1:15:35white heading towards the black. He has fabulous support here. To be
1:15:35 > 1:15:39fair, they have always been a very fair crowd and they are appreciating
1:15:39 > 1:15:51Mark Allen, but they would love to see a comeback here.
1:16:14 > 1:16:20Well, that's not what he played. He is OK but he did not intend to
1:16:20 > 1:16:26cannon the reds. He is the wrong side of the blue now. And he did not
1:16:26 > 1:16:31intend to cannon the brow. And that makes things snowball. And
1:16:31 > 1:16:37gradually, you run out of position. This is a tough one he is faced with
1:16:37 > 1:16:45now.
1:16:45 > 1:16:48now. That is a terrific shot.
1:17:00 > 1:17:05Bridging over the red, having to force it, he got a slight bit of
1:17:05 > 1:17:08unwanted side, and that can happen when you are bridging over an
1:17:08 > 1:17:11awkward ball like that.
1:17:58 > 1:18:08Another chance for Ronnie.
1:18:16 > 1:18:20I did say he would need a bit of help from his opponent.
1:18:37 > 1:18:44Could have worked out better. I don't think he is on the red to the
1:18:44 > 1:18:48right of the pink. So he will have to take this with the rest and it is
1:18:48 > 1:18:53not straightforward to get on the black. I am not sure he could avoid
1:18:53 > 1:18:59that red.And look where the red has gone that he cannoned. It has
1:18:59 > 1:19:03blocked the path for the black. When you are playing well, you get the
1:19:03 > 1:19:07run of the ball. If you are struggling a little bit, this is the
1:19:07 > 1:19:14sort of thing that can happen.
1:19:18 > 1:19:27It was a super green, but... He still can take this. As we saw
1:19:27 > 1:19:32earlier, this terrific long pot. Another awkward little one. You see,
1:19:32 > 1:19:40he cued across it slightly.
1:20:24 > 1:20:29There is anyone loose reds, the one at the bottom of the pack, between
1:20:29 > 1:20:37pink and black. -- only one loose reds. That is what he has to try to
1:20:37 > 1:20:42get on, and that looks absolutely perfect. What a positional shot.
1:20:42 > 1:20:51Fantastic. He could not have played that much better.
1:20:53 > 1:20:58Yes, his last visit at the table, he missed a straightforward black. He
1:20:58 > 1:21:02just lost a bit of focus, thinking about the cue ball, and missed a
1:21:02 > 1:21:11fairly comfortable black. And maybe just... It's a frame that would take
1:21:11 > 1:21:20him to the winning post. And he just underscrewed that one. So a tiny bit
1:21:20 > 1:21:27of tension there.
1:21:27 > 1:21:32He has made a couple of mistakes in this frame. That's about all he has
1:21:32 > 1:21:34done. He has not made many more.
1:21:45 > 1:21:46That's a very good shot.
1:22:18 > 1:22:24He is good at that type of shot, Mark Allen. And if that pulls up, he
1:22:24 > 1:22:31is on the brown. So one good positional shot here, and he will
1:22:31 > 1:22:33have a great chance.
1:22:45 > 1:22:52He is not going to get a better opportunity than this, Dennis. Just
1:22:52 > 1:23:00having a look at the scoreboard.
1:23:02 > 1:23:07The two reds that are close to the pink, I think the bottom one of the
1:23:07 > 1:23:17two, I think that those pot. -- I think it does pot. They are there
1:23:17 > 1:23:22for the taking. He does not have to play any cannons, or bring any reds
1:23:22 > 1:23:28into play.
1:23:44 > 1:23:53Another good recovery shot with the rest.
1:23:55 > 1:23:59Can he close this quarterfinal match out here? Still quite a bit of
1:23:59 > 1:24:07pressure on him.
1:24:09 > 1:24:15Oh, look what has happened here. He decided maybe that red would not go
1:24:15 > 1:24:19and he thought he would nudge them and put them on. He thought he was
1:24:19 > 1:24:25bound to be on the black, and look what happened here.
1:24:37 > 1:24:44This looks good. He has played a good shot there.Ronnie O'Sullivan
1:24:44 > 1:24:49tapped the table. Even though he is 5-1 down, he still appreciated that
1:24:49 > 1:24:56good shot from Mark Allen.
1:24:57 > 1:25:08This could be a free ball. So he has all sorts of opportunities. He could
1:25:08 > 1:25:12put him back, he could take the brown as an extra red, get himself
1:25:12 > 1:25:17onto a colour. Yes, this could be frame ball coming up if this goes
1:25:17 > 1:25:25in.
1:25:29 > 1:25:34But we have seen previously what can happen, just a fraction of an inch
1:25:34 > 1:25:40he ran out of position.
1:25:40 > 1:25:42he ran out of position. He has got himself five points in front and
1:25:42 > 1:25:45they are sitting perfectly.
1:26:05 > 1:26:10Can he hold himself together for a few more pots, for quite a famous
1:26:10 > 1:26:17victory?
1:26:22 > 1:26:35It's amazing. It's amazing. That was just pure pressure.
1:26:46 > 1:26:52Where is the red going to finish? It is going to be right over the middle
1:26:52 > 1:26:57pocket. So at -- that last attempt from Ronnie, he did not get close to
1:26:57 > 1:27:05the pocket.
1:27:11 > 1:27:16Even that one, that is just a bit of adrenaline and pressure, two
1:27:16 > 1:27:21overscrew that one.He has gone a bit far but I think he can hold it,
1:27:21 > 1:27:32with a little left-hand side. No problem.
1:27:32 > 1:27:39problem. Yellow, green and brown required.
1:27:39 > 1:27:42required. Ronnie O'Sullivan looks on. He hasn't been at the races
1:27:42 > 1:27:50today.
1:27:52 > 1:27:57A lot of people will be surprised about this result but one person who
1:27:57 > 1:28:01will not be surprised is the boy who is knocking these balls in. He has
1:28:01 > 1:28:10great belief in his ability.
1:28:10 > 1:28:13great belief in his ability. He has beaten Ronnie on the big stage in a
1:28:13 > 1:28:21couple of occasions. And although Ronnie looked out of sorts, it has
1:28:21 > 1:28:27to be said, but Mark Allen has put in a fabulous performance against
1:28:27 > 1:28:34the defending champion, with a string of breaks. He acknowledges
1:28:34 > 1:28:38the crowd at Alexandra Palace, and in the end he has won the match very
1:28:38 > 1:28:40comfortably, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-1.
1:28:40 > 1:28:46comfortably, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-1.Ronnie O'Sullivan
1:28:46 > 1:28:51dumped out of the Masters but a huge congratulations to Mark Allen, 6-1
1:28:51 > 1:28:55victor. We are concentrating on Shaun Murphy against Judd Trump in
1:28:55 > 1:29:02the quarterfinals later today. Goodbye for now.