Day 3 Masters Snooker

Hello, it is day three of the Masters at Alexandra Palace. This

must be the most impressive players lounge in the world. A perfect

place for something sparkling after victory. There is not much time for

relaxing. Our first round matches have been coming thick and fast.

Four of the 16 contenders for whom the champagne is on ice, have left.

They have packed their bags and gone home. Defending champion Ding

Junhui jumped on a aeroplane to the Far East for the Chinese New Year.

There is an enticing quarter-final against Judd Trump on Thursday. He

beat Stuart Bingham. Mark Allen lived up the UK final last month,

but fell short. A great match in prospect tonight against Neil

Robertson. Double Masters winner Mark Williams at to work hard to

get into the quarters against Stephen Maguire. This is Mark

Selby's favourite event with two wins in the last four years. Shaun

Murphy's match against Martin Gould took place last night. We will

reflect on it later. Neither Ali Carter and Graeme Dott have enjoyed

their previous visits to the capital. They have not been further

than the quarters. They play tomorrow night. And we are

preparing for John Higgins against Matthew Stevens today. With three

Masters titles between them, John Higgins against Matthew Stevens

today. It is great that Barry Hearn got two specially-commissioned

paintings of the boys to make them feel at home. The world champion

admits he has not enjoyed a capital time in this event of late. Made

the change of venue inspire him? -- Navy. Welcome back Matthew Stevens.

He lifted the trophy in 2000. We will reflect on sparkling play with

Shaun Murphy as he bids to at the Masters to his UK and world crowns.

After his pugnacious performance in pushing Judd Trump in York before

Christmas, will Mark Allen fancy his chances? Ken Doherty will be

sent to the Cue Zone that later, answerable to you and your

questions. The afternoon match feels like a blast from the past.

It is not long since John Higgins and Matthew Stevens met one another

in the later stages of big events. But Matthew dropped out of the

elite 16 and so has not appeared in the Masters since. The move to

north London might suit John Higgins. His record at Wembley

Arena was pretty terrible. In four of the last five years, he has gone

out in round one. The atmosphere is fantastic. Ronnie O'Sullivan was

playing. That is a big match. A big crowd expects a lot. It is better

to play in front of a big crowd than nobody. I always felt I was

over awed. I do not know why. I have won a couple of times, but

overall, I felt over audit in the arena. -- over awed. I was

delighted with the change. Matthew has won of this before. He is back

into the top 16. He is playing the way he can play. He deserves to be

in the tournament. Stephen Hendry clearly loved Wembley. It is

strange to hear somebody for such as John Higgins to say he was

overwhelmed by the venue. credible, especially when you look

at those success he has had in his career. It is surprising to hear

that the second biggest tournament, with the best players, that he was

overawed by big venues. Four of the last five years, to go out in the

first round, I can only think he is celebrating too much at Christmas!

Will be change help? It is a clean slate for everybody. It is a brand

new tournament. The top 16 changes all the time. It is not familiar

faces now. Everybody starts with the brand new tour. A everybody is

delighted to see Matthew Stevens back. He made his first maximum the

same day Ding Junhui made a maximum in a small event. How close is

Matthew to his former glory days? He has always been in the top eight.

His technique and style of play is fantastic. He is a natural talent.

It is incredible. A tremendous waste of talent to see him go out

of the 16 and into the wilderness. He is back where he belongs.

said that he values being back in the 16th more than ever. The

calendar has expanded, he does not have to expend energy qualifying.

Something you do. I am here, there and everywhere. It is tough. I am

finding it really tough. I am enjoying playing a lot of snooker,

but it is tough. Yes, if you get back into the 16, the second time,

you appreciate it more. I'm sure they will serve up something decent

today. You are in the studio today. He will be commentating today? I am

delighted to be joined by Steve Davis and John Virgo. The

bookmakers and the history suggests a John Higgins' victory. But

Matthew Stevens is capable of beating anybody on his day.

Yes, it is reward for hard work and getting back into the top 16. He is

playing the world champion. It will not be easy.

After fantastic season, it has not kicked off for John Higgins this

year. It is understandable. He put every

effort into last season. John Higgins is always dangerous. He is

the greatest player that has ever held a cue. I think the venue might

suit him slightly better than Wembley. It is more intimate. He is

up against a player coming back to form. Probably because he has been

playing more snooker recently. Some of the PTC events have helped

Matthew Stevens. I do not think he is ever outclassed on a snooker

table. A prediction? Close. I think Matthew will get every

chance. I think the venue will suit him off.

A we are looking forward to it. Over to Rob Walker. Good afternoon.

It is the battle of the Celts. There is any room for one of them

in the quarter-finals. -- only room. Please welcome one of the finest

Welsh players to grace the game over the last two decades. Twice a

World Championship finalist. He won the Masters in 2000. Making his

first appearance here five years after getting back into the top 16,

the Welsh Dragon, Matthew Stevens. If that was almost as good as

Freddie's a few moments ago. How nice is it to be back on the big

stage. Fantastic. It has been horrible watching it on the

television the last few years. A lot of hard work has paid off.

And his opponent. One of the finest exports in Scotland. When up of 24

ranking events and twice winner of the Masters in 1999 and 2006, the

reigning champion of the world, the Wizard of Wishaw, John Higgins! A

great reception. You have had fabulous moments in the Masters.

Probably happy to be at Ally Pally. The first two days and the crowd

today, it is great. It will be a good game. It certainly will be.

John Higgins! HAZEL IRVINE: You heard mention of

Freddie. That is so his son, Freddie, who played the pot of his

dad in the rehearsal. -- part. Which one of them can rekindle the

Which one of them can rekindle the Magic today. Back to Steve Davis

and John Virgo. JOHN VIRGO: This promises to be a

cracker. As we said, although John Higgins is the world champion,

Matthew Stevens, of course, he is one of the best players to come out

There will be nerves out there, probably more from Matthew than

Yes, I suppose Matthew has been of the big stage more than John

Higgins, although, Matthew has been having experience in the Premier

League recently, and that can stand That is always the problem with

that shot. If the red does not go A comfortable starter for John

Ideal situation here to pot the red and get the far side of the blue

and pot the blue and smashed into He has underhit that by a fair way,

at this level. The first couple of shots at the new table. You do not

know exactly the speed. He will have to choose a different shot.

The loose red looks favourite. This He could have done but the cue ball

bouncing off the cushion. This is a Yes, always tricky, that. He did

not make the most of that opportunity. It is early in the

match. Getting used to the pace of The red he ran off, he could not

play off that and go back to the baulk end, otherwise he would have

done. Just a containing safety, but it gives the advantage to John

Just before these matches start, for a bit of fun, Rob Walker

usually get somebody to volunteer to represent and look at this.

Freddie, Matthew Stevens' sound. Eight years of age. -- his son. I

wonder if he will walk down for He looked relaxed and laid back,

just like his father. That was a good safety shot from Matthew

Caused the mistake. John Higgins will be delighted to see it going

into the pocket rather than staying at the top half of the table.

is somebody in this area whose earpiece is ready now. Can you turn

it off? I think he hit the wrong red. That is why he caught the

second red too thick. If it did not go in the pocket, it would have

been an easy starter for Matthew. This is tough, particularly early

Shots like this, you try to play with safety in mind, but I am not

Unfortunately, he missed by the I think there is tension in his cue

He will be hampered. As long as he does not have to do a lot with the

Just dropping it in gave him an option of two reds. He would like

It would enable him to manoeuvre This is a decent chance, the way

This red clears the path for the black into the same pocket, which

will be an important part of the He could have done with an angle on

He had the option of playing the red below the black. If he had a

nice angle, he could have played for one of the reds in the middle

That has put him in perfect position to win the frame at this

visit, and he would be disappointed Just this red and another black.

That will put him 69 points in He has been quickly into his

A nice pace around the table. He has made light work of the break.

With Matthew Stevens yet to get close to the pocket. This is a nice

start for John Higgins. Yes, it does not matter how much experience

you have got, it is nice to get your hand on the table for the

first frame. There is every possibility he -- he could start

The safety mistake is completely forgotten. It is amazing this game.

You can play a poor safety but as we said at the time, fortunate not

to leave Matthew an easy opening. Matthew's long pot was a long way

away. Matthew knows that John Higgins is playing well and only

his best is good enough. Sometimes that can relax you. That is a pity.

No century. Very convincing from HAZEL IRVINE: As statement of

intent from the world champion. Welcome to the studio. We have a

terrific view. Lovely to have you both in here. From the point of

view of Matthew Stevens, he knows what John is all about. There were

a couple of long pots that were a a couple of long pots that were a

long way off. He looks the more rusty of the two. This cost him the

frame. He was a long way off. He is normally good at long pots. He let

John in. He looks rusty. You would expect, after a five-year absence

from this tournament, there would be nerves. But enthusiasm to be

back. Both will have nerves. The long shots are so important in the

game. How debilitating is it when you miss a couple in the first

frame? He had a look at the camera month. He was not happy with the

position of the cameraman. It knocks your confidence for the next

time you get one. JOHN VIRGO: Matthew has broken off,

and it is not the best break-off shot. He has not found the baulk

cushion. A shot to nothing for John Matthew was a little put off by

some of the photographers behind There is also residue crowd around

that area. There are press photographers behind the black

right-hand pocket. That might have If he misses the pink he might be

on the red. I do not know whether he played for that gap, but he will

He has choices of what to do. I imagine he would try to disturb

There was a lot of back spin on that. That has worked out. He has

He has opened enough reds to make a frame-winning opportunity. He

always gets behind the line of the pot and tries to pick out the spot

He is on a colour. This is a good So far, this has been a great way

to shake off any nerves. Once he has been amongst the balls, he has

Decided not to play for the pink because he thought he might get

tied up. The problem with the blue, he needed to be off straight and he

has gone through too far. He has to He will probably try to play on the

Exactly as you said. He could not Now he is better on the blue, he

can control the cue ball. He does not have to have that running a

As Stephen Hendry said, he has got a top 16 game and when he starts

flowing, he plays already well. -- He has won this tournament before

and he was the runner-up at the championships when it looked like

he was going to be the winner. A final frame slip against Mark

Williams. He is not on this black. He was playing to come past that

red. But he got a kick and that slowed the cue ball. Short of

distance. You can see the black to the left of the table. It was heavy

contact. I do not think he has got a lot. He has got a 45 point lead.

It might get past the pink. But 45 points on the board but with the

situation of the balls, it that John Higgins gets among them, it is

The only red he can get to is on the left side of the table. I

suppose he could play the containing safety and try and leave

the cue ball by the top cushion. Judd Trump and Neil Robertson would

be playing that shot back into baulk. Stevens has got plenty of

cue power but he is looking for He played the deep screw back to

baulk and could not have played it better. And Stevens two Judd Trump

and Neil Robertson. -- include Stevens with Judd Trump and Neil

Of course, you have got to get close. If you do not, there is a

chance the red will come back up the table with the cue ball. John

Higgins has got the advantage in this safety battle. Matthew smiled

to himself. He will have to play a Again, he got close enough to keep

the red at this end of the table. I do not think he has left a pot.

Expect him to find the baulk with Just a little bit fast but he has

not left an easy shot for his opponent. If he was straight on the

red, he could play a pot and get through. He will look at that

option. I was thinking of running back to baulk. But if he feels he

If he plays dead weight towards the pocket, you would be lucky to lead

If you play like that, anything can happen. And it has done. He held

his hand up and apologised to John Higgins. He has got a chance to the

middle pocket. Another one that was Half a chance. John will be

He is playing of this red and knocking to the top cushion. But he

is not close to the top cushion. The reds are looking a bit awkward.

If he wished, he could play the That was a good choice. Keeping the

heat on Matthew Stevens but more reds going safer. He will be happy

for that to get to the side cushion. That is the problem. John Higgins

had the advantage but the longer it has continued, the reds are going

sake and it takes a bit of pressure That was a great pot and it took

the pressure off. It was not a case of making a mistake and the frame

being there for his opponent but a He has got a 50 point lead. He

Usually we say that we do not want to be too straight but he does want

to be straight here. Just slightly the wrong angle. A little bit

careless. Can he screw back and nudge off the reds to get position

on black or possibly pink? He needs He could do it without that. That

was better than it looked. Pot this red to go 67 ahead with 59

He thoroughly deserves this frame. He was unlucky to get a kick that

ended the break at 45. But a great standard of playing has got him

this frame ball stopped 1-1. --. 1- We take it all back. Long potting

was sensational. He is settled now. It has taken him a while to get

into his stride. A tremendous action and a great effort to get

back to baulk. He will have to apologise to be cameraman. A great

example of fantastic action. does look very sharp among the

balls. He is one of these players that is a player's player. He is in

and around the balls and he plays the right shots and opens them up

quickly. Very fluent and nice to watch. Easy on the hype. Speaking

on behalf of a lot of players, it is good to watch him play it. He

has got a good standards that he should be playing to. This match is

actually a version of therapy for you. You were both in the final on

consecutive years. It was a fantastic final. He was just as

good as I was. Then I missed the black. All done and dusted. Water

under the bridge! It is not! JOHN VIRGO: It will never be water

under the bridge, Hazel Irvine. At a different venue, maybe he does

not have too many nightmares about Certainly a chance of this pot. It

depends how he wants to play it. Stun around the back of the black?

As we have often said, there is so much skill in this game. But you

have got to get position at vital That was a very attacking safety.

He is not quite tight on the baulk cushion. But he has opened the reds

up and asked the question of John John Higgins will be disappointed.

He has not left anything easy. But he has not put Matthew in any

trouble and the reds are nicely Choosing safety. Four-cushion. Side

spent. A bit heavy. Has it got behind the green? It has not. He

will not be pleased with that I did. -- I but. We have got a chance with

the red at the middle pocket. Matthew looked at it. John is

Screw back for one of the baulk Be danger is if he tries to screw

back, he could go in and off. It was not the best safety but he has

not left an easy safety which is why he is forced into playing this

Well, that was terrific. At that pace, to be accurate, look at that.

He will be upset with that. He He will be very disappointed with

the outcome of that position. Just four points scored after that

excellent long red. He has tended Matthew Stevens with an escape

route. I think he will be taking We can see that big gap through the

reds and the pot into the right corner. Down the table with the cue

A little bit inconsistent and when you miss by that far, the reds can

go anywhere. Fortunately, one has An easy starter for John Higgins.

Just checking to see if he can get past the black. He is not really on

the baulk colours. He has run too far. Bridging above the yellow

makes the brown more difficult. black is not available. It is very

rare we see John Higgins have excellent chances and just score

five. Both times he has just run slightly too far. The table playing

a bit quicker than the practice table. We saw with Ronnie

O'Sullivan, he ran too far with a couple of positions. It does not

look far on television. But it has gone a bit scrappy. Certainly, John

Higgins with the advantage. Is it time for line drawing, John? Can

you see one? Yes, I can. The one where I think he can get sake is to

hit that red but can he get there? He will do well not to lead a pot

here. Hit and hope. Where is the red going. It was a superb shot. He

stuck it up between the brown and He tried to hit the red off baulk.

He hit it reasonably well but was just unlucky that it went right

about the pocket and considering it was above the pocket, that was an

excellent position from John Higgins. He would like to have hit

it on the other side and then the red would not have caught the jaw

Be Blake -- break is slightly unusual. He does not necessarily

want to pot the black. Ideally he would be paying for pink and blue.

If he was to pot the black it would go back to the spot and might be

out of commission. The pink only pots into one corner. Not the

perfect chance but one that you think he would convert into a

He judged that nicely. Just about Of course, be black, which he will

not want to be potting, it is blocking the right hand corner for

at least two or three reds. doesn't need the black. He might as

well pot the black and put it among And that is why he has decided to

play the black. He will not be bothered about that getting tied up.

He has got enough reds and knocking the black away made a couple of

reds available to the right corner. The black might be available but he

has got a 32 point lead. He might as well concentrate on be reds in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

the open and the pink. That should A couple more loose reds and if he

cleared them, he would be over the line. Name need to disturb any

He played for the pink. He is looking for the pink. Just the red

to get 60 points in front with 59 Every time he red is potting, that

reduces the points on the table by eight points. It was not

straightforward but he has taken his chance very well. Pot the blue

and cannon the reds to the right of the black, that is the best option.

But he did not play the cannon. This red obviously does. -- is

If that had gone in, I think Matthew Stevens would have remained

in his chair, regardless. Still a chance for Matthew Stevens.

couple of snookers kneaded but it would not be the first time. --

needed. You have just got the feeling that if John Higgins rolled

the red in, his opponent would not have come back. He has set him up.

He has screwed back and played for Another example of a player playing

a pot and screwing back to the If he does not cover this, I think

Matthew will concede. He has done that. That is enough. John Higgins

is comfortable. A good break. A bit I did not know if the temper comes

out. My wife is big on star signs. I am eight tourists and she says I

am a typical tourist. It might affect you a little bit more. The

young players are just potting everything and they do not show

nerves. I always loved the American Civil War and the films about that.

Civil War and the films about that. I eat too many crisps. That is why

I am putting weight on. I sleep on planes. Snoring. Terrible. I have

woken up a few times. Any time that he win a tournament. Obviously the

World Championships are special. But just winning, any time you are

winning, that is special. You My colleagues were nodding in

agreement about snoring on aeroplanes. I am guilty of that

myself. Some interesting little confessions from John Higgins, the

four-time world champion. He has JOHN VIRGO: Middle session interval

after this frame. He will be delighted to level it, Stevens. Not

the best break. He has left the He caught it too thick. A little

bit fortunate. The blue has come to It was not far off being a great

pot. Judging by the pace he played it at and the angle, he was totally

committing to the shot by playing short of the baulk colours. Matthew

will go for a pot. He has a couple REFEREE: foul. John macro he called

the foul on himself. That is what JOHN VIRGO: I could not see it

myself, but as a player, you can Not exactly as he played it.

I assume the black has not been moved off its spot. John has to

make sure it has not because he wants to know exactly where the

It will pass the black and open it up. Matthew took on the long red.

He was a fraction out, but this John Higgins has looked very

capable when he gets around the black spot area. He looks capable

of pinching the frame in one visit. And whether he can win in this

visit, is in the lap of a shot where he pot the black and goes

into the pack of reds. It is a fairly tough had to go into to

Off the black, anyway. Is there I am not certain where the pink

He can probably play this with A hard stun shot with a bit of

That was the danger with that shot. If you caught the reds too thick,

Unless he takes on the risky blue, Not perfect with the green, but

good enough. When you put a baulk colour safe, it is worth taking

into consideration which hand your opponent plays with. For a right-

handed player, but the green safe, on that side of the table. -- put

This is a pretty good safety. What would you do with Ronnie O'Sullivan,

Steve? That is another story when somebody is as good as him with

both hands. You have to make sure you get everything safe! Luckily,

he can get to the red. By did not That kiss could not have been any

I do not think he will move the yellow now. He will probably try to

He has played it perfectly. A big Matthew is looking at it...

Desperation, he is looking at, really! Is he looking at the two-

cushion plant into the middle pocket? What a great shot this

That was a great, great effort. And But, now, this fourth frame, the

one before the mid-session interval, is at the mercy of the world

When Ken Doherty asked us earlier in the commentary box, mentioning

the fact that this then you might suit John Higgins more, rather than

the big Wembley venues, it is more I remember when he beat Ronnie

O'Sullivan in the final. One of the great matches. Of any tournament,

never mind the Masters. The He did produce some great stuff at

Also, it would be unthinkable if John Higgins did not go through the

whole season without winning something. Absolutely. His all-

round game, as you alluded to, it Stephen Hendry had such a record at

the Masters. Maybe he is comparing what Stephen Hendry did and what he

should be doing. Stephen Hendry was practically unbeatable here. Or,

fair! We are at the Alexandra John Higgins had the majority of

He is looking decent on the shot. He has a nice rhythm. Any nerves

have gone. That is the end of that frame. 3-1 at the interval. John

Higgins will be pleased with his Higgins will be pleased with his

Higgins will be pleased with his Higgins will be pleased with his

morning's work. HAZEL IRVINE: John Higgins goes

back to the dressing room. What has been the difference between the

two? John has had the upper hand in the safety exchanges. His safety

has been a more clinical. He has found the tricky spots. He had a

great shot to snooker Matthew in the last frame. Matthew tried the

plant from two cushions which did not work out. John Major an

interesting point in commentary as regard to the standard and you set

for Scottish players. Five in a row and then a couple of years later,

you won it for a sixth time. He is chasing you in the world titles

department, too. His is good to have somebody to set your standards

by five. -- it is good. I had Steve Davis. I wanted to better his

records. It is healthy. Absolutely. We have dispatched Ken Doherty to

the Cue Zone. He wants to get the cue in hand. We have been getting

messages four-year and there are a lot of people with questions. The

first is from J Prince. He wants to know how to play a swerve shot. He

said that no matter how much he tries, it does not work.

Here we are in the Cue Zone. We will put the red over the middle

pocket. This swerve shot can be complicated. We are snookered by

the blue. You address the cue ball. Raise the butt of the cue slightly.

Not too much power. The harder you hit it, the last word. Hit down on

the cue ball. Look at the cue ball. There you go. And of course, you

are going to miss as well! That was just a demonstration. Down on the

cue ball, slight swerve. And over swerve it. You get the idea!

HAZEL IRVINE: The next message is from Ricky, who asks, can you

please ask if Ken can explain how to do the stun run-through. He said

this takes years to perfect. Again, we will take the blue.

Address the cue ball in the middle and just a slight bit of power.

Watch the cue ball after I have caught the blue. I wanted to travel

past the red. Just a little bit of power.

Pretty simple. Thank you very much. The next is from Catherine. It is

cheeky. How are you supposed to cope with the full-size table if

you are short? Back is a good question. When I

started at 11, I used a biscuit tin. I was small. I stopped using it a

couple of years ago! We have a box. If you are short, you could use a

box. When I started beating players, somebody stole the biscuit tin. You

could use something like that to start with.

Stephen, did you ever use the biscuit tin? I did not. It helped

me with my rest play. I was using the rest every second shot and over

the years I got very good using the rest. We have another that does not

require a demonstration. It is from Chris Jones. Do the guys think that

the days of one man dominating a snooker season has gone? Stephen

Hendry dominated the years, what are your feelings? Certainly, the

years of the prolific winner have gone. What I disagree with with

Steve Davis, I think the standards of the top players are much the

same as the last 20 years. I think we can still hold our own. But down

the rankings, the standard has gone up. If you play number 32, he will

be a fantastic player. So it is difficult to dominate because so

many players are at a high standard. Judd Trump said after the UK

Championship that he clearly won that by not playing at his best. I

think he feels he has an eight-year start on the gap to the better

players. I think he fancies the job of dominating this. If he sets his

career out and his life out, and he is determined to do it and he is

disciplined, he has a great chance. He is the youngest of the top 16.

He has a fantastic future. That is interesting. Thank you for your

messages. We will ask in due course for more answers to your questions.

This evening, we have a match between Neil Robertson and the man

who performed heroics last month at the UK Championship, knocking in

four centuries in the final of the UK against Judd Trump. That week in

your key made headlines for other reasons. You remember his comments

about Barry Hearn and the running of the game. That is ongoing. Those

two have had the meeting. I am not sure if they resolved their

differences. Barry Hearn said it was a frank and friendly exchange

of views. He has withdrawn his threats about legal action over

those comments. But Mark Allen, clearly, he is still making

headlines. I suppose if you read the headlines,

we have settled our differences. But, there are still a few areas

But, there are still a few areas But, there are still a few areas

where I am not happy. But we have chatted about it and got things of

our chest and we will move on from there. There will be things Barry

does that I will not agree with, but we get on with it. The way I

work will not appeal to everybody. I have to take the view for the

sport. Every individual, Mark Allen, Ronnie O'Sullivan, will take a view

on how it affects them. I cannot have that. I have to look at what

takes it forward to the global celebration of snooker I believe it

can become. I think I know the way through. But we have to be creative.

We have to take risks. They can come with a screaming, or they can

go back to the billiard halls and eke out a living. Snooker is one of

the fastest growing sports. I know where he is going and his plans for

the sport. I am not 100% sure he will achieve those plans, but he is

confident he will. I will play my snooker and let him do what he does

best. It was disappointing to lose. I came out of it with positives. I

was two frames away from winning the second biggest tournament. And

the way I played in the final session, it was up there with the

best I have played on television. I am still disappointed to lose. This

tournament should be good. The venue looks good. Ticket sales have

been good and the crowd should create a good atmosphere. Playing

one of the form players it is tough. I will look back on a previous

match and use it. I got engaged on Christmas Day. Everything is going

very well. We will go abroad to get married. She has a big family. As

long as I am there and she is there and our families, that is ideal.

Congratulations. That is lovely news. He will have to learn some

money if he is to take the whole family somewhere to get married.

The spat with Barry Hearn seems to have been smoothed over. Everybody

is entitled to their opinion. But, I think before the board meeting in

December, Barry and Mark sorted out their differences. Barry gave his

version of his vision for the future of snooker. I think 99% of

snooker players on the circuit are happy with what is going on. The

PTCs are not ideal for everybody, us included, but the future of the

sport is bright. Two years ago it looked very grim. Since Barry has

taken over, it looks positive. He has opened snooker in new

territories, such as Brazil. There are good things happening. It looks

a lot better. He would admit that maybe tweaks the need to be made.

As for this match, between Mark Allen and Neil Robertson, it is a

repeat of the quarter-finals last year. Neil Robertson is having a

very good, if slightly underrated season, if you look at the world

ranking events, he is number-one ranked after his performances in

those events. He feels he is playing strong day. He is

consistent. He loves the big stage. We all do, but he loves to perform

in front of big crowds. Mark Allen is coming off the back of his

performance as a professional, his best. It was the best I saw him

play. Arguably, he played the best snooker of the night session.

wonder what that does, looking back at a session like that, knowing you

can handle yourself on the big occasion? He will be disappointed

not to have won. Unless you get their hands on the trophy... I

think he will take the positives out of it. I would say look at how

well you played. Learn from it. Be more confident. It will give him

more confidence. It is great to play well in a major final, with so

much at stake. It is comforting. I am sure it will hold him in good

stead. I am sure he has more admirers after that performance in

York. If you want to see Mark Allen York. If you want to see Mark Allen

against Neil Robertson, you can do so on the red button. There will be

highlights thereafter. That is at 11:20pm tonight. Some very good

snooker in prospect this evening. And indeed for the rest of the

afternoon. We have two former champions of the event. John

Higgins is in front at the moment, 3-1. We can get back out there and

see how it pans out. Before we do that, we can have a look at how

that, we can have a look at how that, we can have a look at how

Matthew Stevens is viewed by his fellow professionals.

A lot of players in the game are predicting that -- were predicting

that Matthew would go down the pan. He proved them wrong. He is similar

to Mark Williams, he slipped down the rankings. We did not know if he

would come back. He showed what a great player he is an showed his

class and get -- got back into the top 16. He is one of the greatest

players but he has under-achieved. I thought he would win numerous

tournaments. He has, but not as many as I thought. Before he got

back into the 16, I said it was the biggest waste of talent in the game.

His talent has no limit. His game has everything. He might not win

what his talent deserves, we will have to wait and see. He is a top

player again. I hope he fulfils that and wins tournaments. He is a

fantastic player to watch. When you are on the receiving end and he is

playing well... But I love to watch him. It feels like his ability is

so strong. He is probably a player who perhaps was getting

disheartened with the game. When we had half a dozen tournaments each

season. Basically, he would have three months of. What can you do in

that time? It is hard to practise for that amount of time without

playing in a tournament. I think he has benefited from playing in all

these tournaments. It is forcing him to play. He is probably playing

more now than in the last five years. He is a wonderful talent and

player. He is absolute class around the table. It is great to see him

playing well. His rankings are heading in the right direction.

of the best players never to have won a World Championship? Without

doubt. Matthew enjoy his life. He has a good time. Who can blame him?

Everybody is different. Doing nothing but playing snooker seven

days a week, everybody is different. But he takes his snooker seriously.

But he takes his snooker seriously. HAZEL IRVINE: He comes John and

here comes Matthew. Plenty to talk about with these boys. It is a

familiar and comfortable line-up. It takes us back when these two

were contesting in the later stages of tournaments. It is good to see

them here. John Higgins 3-1. The first to six will get into the

quarter-finals. John -- JOHN VIRGO: No need to tell you that Matthew

Stevens has got to produce in these first couple of frames. They are

very important. You do not want somebody of the class of John

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

Higgins stretching a big lead. The That was basically as played. I

think there may be a possibility of It is the type of shot that years

back people said was risky. But the only red back-row you leave on is

the one you miss. -- red you leave. John Higgins decides to play the

The pot success is incredible. You have to be 90% at least, I say, 91%

John Higgins, 74% Matthew Stevens. Matthew's long pot success is far

too low. And his safety success will not be so good after that. He

He has just about got away with Unless John Higgins can pick

something out. I do not see That was a great effort, it really

31 minutes since Matthew Stephen's last potted a ball. I can't

remember if it was the frame before the interval, but Matthew played a

safety shot and I thought it was an attacking safety shot, it opened

the reds and got a good length, but having watched some more of his

safety shots, I think it was not on purpose that he did that. He might

be slightly hitting across the ball here. He looked very good in the

frame that he won but I suppose we all do! If you don't look good in

the ones that you win, you are in He was always screwing back to the

baulk end, but now the red has gone with it, and he has missed it.

don't have to be far-off the middle the ball to miss those on these

fast cloths. Didn't get away with it. John Higgins, back in the

office. Obviously the interval could have changed things but you

would expect John Higgins to score some here. The players have the

choice of either a chilling out or going to the practice table. I was

in the players' room for a short spell, I saw Matthew in there but I

didn't see John. He won to his dressing room, I saw him with a tea

or coffee, going to his dressing room. Of course he is a confirmed

winner, John Higgins. You can't afford to give him too much rope,

he is not frightened of the winning line. Sometimes you don't realise.

When I saw the pot success from Matthew, he has got to improve on

that, big-time, to have any chance Just about OK. Newly over -- Nearly

With so many reds around the black, he has got to be pretty careful to

keep in good could -- in good Purposely played the cannon, left

himself nicely on the red. He could play for the pink, or he might even

decide to play for the blue here. A slight problem, if you play for the

pink you have to be perfect, but he got down quick enough so he must be

nicely on it. And he was. Lack of course only available into the left

corner, but this is a real good chance. He has looked solid enough

when he has got in amongst the Lost position on the black but the

pink is always available, and this will be a nice frame for John

That was missable. A lifeline for Matthew Stephen's in this match.

A lot of work to do to win this in one visit. At this level, you

expect him to win from here. made a good start. He got perfect

position on the blue, but he might have on the hit that slightly. He

has got to manoeuvre this cue ball and find the black. As you see,

those four reds will make this Couldn't have played that much

Could have played that one slightly better. He may have this red that

is closest to the cue ball, it may cut into the right corner but it is

anything but easy. He killed the white ball a bit. He didn't really

get enough off the cushion. He was trying to get a bit more movement

with the cue ball. Tough to reach from here. Obviously that is a long

reach, even with an extension on the cue. He wants to go for it,

that is for certain. He can cut it. Yes, but it is a long way away. It

is a Tipperary shot! He might need an extension on an extension.

two reds that are in line to the black, the bottom one will go to

the left corner. It is very risky, but I think that is what he has

decided to play. He has had a locker tip, put it that way. I

think it goes, but if he takes it Well played. That was a terrific

pot. He would have wished the cue ball stopped may be a foot earlier

but nevertheless that is a big hurdle he has got over there.

from the other red that he collided with going safe on the cushion, it

could have been a frame-winning shot. Still some work to do, but

less work. Once he gets a rhythm going, Matthew Stevens, he looks a

completely different player. Never struggled amongst the balls. A

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

He will be disappointed with that. He played for the red in the left

corner, now he will have to play If he pots it, it should be on the

black. Tricky. What sort of an angle has he got on this black?

It now desperately looking for an angle on this black to either

disturb this awkward last red... I think he has come a little bit too

straight. He has played a beautiful shot, deep screw. He would like to

play this left handed. He is overstretching, the red around the

black needed. A great shot, there was a lot of pressure on that one.

This to go 29 points in front, with 27 remaining. Well played, Matthew

Stevens. He needed to take that opportunity, and he has. The yellow

His back was firmly against the wall and this is a tremendous reply.

OK, he was given the opportunity by his opponent, missing the pink in

the middle, but he has done well to take this. The pink was not far-out,

but far enough at speed. What a difference 4-1 or 3-2 makes. That

is careless, isn't it? He was not trying to do a lot with the green.

If he wants to play this at speed, he has got to find a route where he

does not risked leaving a free ball. He can go on the outside position,

but slowly. Dangerous if he plays this at speed. The problem is, if

you don't play this at speed, you set yourself up to be snookered

again. Anyway, that is out of the equation. We see it so many times

when players just need that one ball to keep their opponent in his

seat and they miss it. I know they think the frame is over, a couple

of snookers kneaded but you are never certain to be over. That is

another excellent snooker from John Higgins, it really is. At actually

it is debatable whether going off the side cushion is the best way

here. Baulk cushion. That is the way I would prefer to play it. I

know what you are saying. Straight up-and-down is better for me.

can't be missed because there was so much room around of the green.

All of a sudden, that easy green he missed, when he didn't think it was

important, can turn around to bite him because there was only one

snooker needed. It was one of those shots, if you said "he was �100,

don't miss the shot", he would not have missed it. If I offered you a

fiver, you wouldn't have missed it! I would settle for two pounds 50. A

straight swerve? Yes, right down the line of it, I can tell you it

is a big swerve. The problem is now he has all these negative thoughts

in his head. The middle pocket maybe in the way, off the left side

Ken Doherty was explaining this in the interval, he didn't do it as

well as that! Well played. It was excellent. The idea of that shot is

not to hit it too hard. Otherwise you give more chance for that spin

to grip on the cloth. If he had hit it hard, the spin would not have

had time to come into effect. One snooker, and John Higgins is a

master of this. Purposely potting the green. He could play a good

safety shot, or get the green, so now he will concentrate on the

brown. The snookering all will be the black. A bit short of pace, he

The one thing you must do is make certain you get the object ball

safe. And he didn't, and now a very relieved Matthew Stevens, I would

suggest, because this is a frame that could have got away. Where

will the cue ball finish? I think that was a relief, the way he

bashed the ball. 28 behind, so basically two 5 point snookers to

tie. John Higgins will be disappointed to have lost this

frame. He had a great chance. He has lost it now, that is for

certain. Matthew made an excellent break of 65. He has had a few

nervous moments since, but he needed to win the first frame after

the mid-session interval. Just one behind at 3-2.

That was a key frame for Matthew Stevens, who is attempting to win a

match for the first time on television at the Masters for 12

years. He's four this title in 2000, but ever since he has been bundled

out on every occasion since round one. No wonder he is so keen to

make a men's. It is nice to be back. I have not played for five years

and I had to qualify to get back in the top 15. It is nice to be back

playing against the big boys again. It does seem a bit different to

Wembley but the crowds have been great so far when I watched it on

television so hopefully it will be no different today. He is probably

arguably the best match player there has ever been, and he is a

formidable opponent. He has one of the best all-round games. He pots

as many long balls as anyone else and his safety game is good so it

could be hard work. But if I play He will be looking for a good

safety shot here. This is pretty good, but he has left a chance with

this red to the left corner. He may be able to drop it in dead weight

Good shot, and nailed the cue ball perfectly. I sometimes wonder these

days if the break off shot is not a poisoned chalice! This is a fine

line at this level. That was a good break off from Matthew, but one

good pot and there is nothing he can do now. He has just got to sit

in his seat and watch. As I say, it was pretty good. Ronnie O'Sullivan

always says you have got to get a foot this side of the baulk line to

Are nicely controlled pot by John Higgins. Also an element of safety

in that, if he had missed it. The reds are not tightly-packed. It

would be very easy to come unstuck Nudging the ball out, that was

nicely done. He may be able to get Every player has his own way of

going about disturbing reds under opening up the pack. Some like to

career into them. John Higgins in this instance has so far just

nudged a few out. It is very difficult to teach. Each pack of

reds has its own signature. If you don't go into them hard, like John

did with the last black, at some stage you have got to disturb them

again. I do think the modern day way of the first chance you get,

smash them across the table, has Now the opportunity he has been

waiting for - pot the blue, cannon the pink full in the face. Just

didn't catch the pink fully enough, and it is not perfect. A bit of a

disappointed look from John, as he walked around the table. Not happy

with that one. A tough shot coming up now, and he knows that Matthew

Stevens is there, ready and waiting, should he make a mistake. And after

messing up the break in the last frame, perhaps even a bit more

He has got away with it. Or has he? Can Matthew Stevens caught the red

Can he get past the black? It looks like a thin one. If the problem is,

he has to put right hand side on it, A good safety. A excellent. Just

needs to run on a bit, and it is pretty good. If I think John has an

I don't think he has got the snooker. He can just get through to

the edge of this red to get the cue ball back to baulk. He has to be

careful not to knock the cue ball over here... That was an excellent

shot. Just could have done with it That is about the best you can do

only that, so no real pressure on Matthew Stevens. He has the chance

to play a good safety. I and just wondering if he will think about

the pot here. Does it go? problem with this type of shot,

because you are just slightly more than half ball, the red could go

back up the table with the white. He did play the pot. It is not a

That is an excellent shot. That was so difficult. Hampered as he was,

he could not have played it any The safety shot goes astray from

Matthew Stevens but has he done any damage? At first sight, no, until

you see what John Higgins is lining He will be very disappointed with

the positional side of that. Especially if he considered it was

nailed on as a pot, but he has got the yellow into the middle. He may

He forced the angle more than anything, and that was a very good

accurate pot. We talk about heavy contact, but when you hit the ball

at that pace the cue ball can leave the table, and it is always the

object ball. Just a bit close to the cushion for comfort. Yes, this

is very missable. He has a choice of reds - one into the middle, one

into the corner. The middle pocket He is on the black. He will take it

He had the perfect gap and he controlled the cue ball. The frame

is at his mercy. 65 ahead, 83 A bit lucky when he missed that red

earlier that he did not lead Stevens an opening. We could have

Usually when it you miss when it you are in, as John Higgins did in

the last frame when he missed the pink, he left an easy opening and

Matthew Stevens won the frame but If you are playing for a red and

you play for a colour, you might not be on another red but if you

miss, you do not know where the Yes, that was a very small.! --

point! He tried to disturb this but he has not developed. Unless he

cuts the red back. But the frame is He has conceded. John Higgins opens

And when we were in a situation earlier and Matthew Stevens had to

earlier and Matthew Stevens had to play a big shot, just watch. You

cannot hit that too hard but when you strike down, the ball leaves

the table and the right hand side, that is spinning. He is certainly

getting some action. Look at the ball, spinning, spinning. The

slower you hit it, the more chance you did that the grip to take

Ken Doherty said that is exactly what I did at the interval. In the

grand scheme of this match, this is the nitty-gritty. What is

separating the players? It was a fantastic break to get to 3-2. John

missed a difficult red and was fortunate to get away with it. If

he let a chance, Stevens would have taken it. Your perspective? I think

John is more consistent with the balls and the safety. The all round

game comes into play. Particularly when it gets a bit tight. John is a

bit more consistent. But Stevens has flashes of brilliance and when

he gets a chance like he did in the previous frame, he took it. But

when it comes down, John plays clever shots and but smack you in a

difficult situation. Not straight forward safety shots but he is

trying to put him in a situation where it is difficult. When he

dances, if he does miss, he keeps the pressure on all the time.

looking at that, 85 % for John Higgins and 74 %, Matthew Stevens.

It really is just a slight lead and that is manifesting itself. Two

JOHN VIRGO: John Higgins gets frame Sat next to the scorer, Mark Allen.

He is trying to get a feel for the new venue for his match tonight

That should be a cracker. Watch As was that. Struck you should

leave. Not lacking few power, Michie Stevens. -- Matthew Stevens.

Missing the brown into the pocket but a shot he had to default. A

A bit of noise in the crowd. Fortunately he has got time. But

pressure on this shot. But well 8 little trace of unwanted side.

That has been a problem since the game began. You think you are going

to help it. A bit of left-hand side and pushed it across. Just a

What a let-off. He has not left an easy red which he could have done.

He will be pleased to be back at the table and that miss cost

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

The idea was to hit one red onto the other and screw back to the

baulk. It has just about worked. was a fantastic shot. He was in all

sorts of trouble. He would have considered himself unfortunate it

that red had stuck but he got away with it. He deserved it. It is

these types of shots which you must understand as a top player. Play

the percentage game. He might have put Matthew in a bit of trouble. I

am sure he can get to the back of Not as much trouble as it looked.

Great shot. I thought, looking at the body language bit for the shot,

I thought he was in trouble. Four- That is the thing for John Higgins.

That is one of the best safety shots Matthew Stevens has played.

John Higgins replies with an even better safety. That is what makes

it tough. Even though players are very good off the cushion, when you

get it tight on the cushion, it He needs to avoid kissing the blue.

And the brown, if he can. A decent effort but a possibility of a red

to the left corner. I think he can find a path for the cue ball. He

He played it nicely and firmly screwed back in and out of baulk.

That was all he was left with that. A snooker. When it rolling the ball

to the yellow like that, John Higgins prefers to play below

centre. He can hit the cue ball a bit harder and kill the white. Some

players like that shot but others He is playing the two-cushion

escape with pace. I think I would have tried to come off two cushions

and get just below the black. Give that a chance. I think as a safety

shot that was too aggressive. He He got down pretty quickly on that

shot. He should have looked for a place to drop. That was very

The Daily thing in his defence was the middle pocket. -- the only

thing. But he could have gone the other side with a lot of side spin

and made the angle but whatever, I think his choice was adventurous.

But it could be costly. But the computer does not know the system

He will not be happy with that. Mainly because when he pots the

black, he cannot avoid the red. Can he control the cue ball? Well! It

seemed to stay there for ages. Matthew must have thought it was

going to stop but gravity took over I have noticed on a few of these

tables that we have played on, it does appear like the fall of the

slate not been as sharp as it has been on some occasions. It can be

very sharp or it can be very rounded. That makes a difference to

We could do a whole feature on that. Of course, if he was to win this

frame, he would be one away from victory in this match. That would

really mean trouble for Matthew. He will be a bit disappointed. He knew

when he came out today that's nothing but his best would be good

enough against John Higgins. He has not quite produced. Understandable.

It is a long where way from the spotlight. I am not counting him

out just yet. But he needs to raise That 79 % is not good enough at

He ran too far. A change of Just about retained position. But

not as he would have liked. One good pot getting across the line.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

Played that nicely. Black to get 59 Not quite dead but the frame is

over. Matthew Stevens did not get a chance. He played an adventurous

escape but did not succeed. John Higgins in two visits has an won

that frame comfortably. 5-2 in front. That was all from that

escape from Matthew Stevens from behind the yellow. He decided to

play the two-cushion escape. Looking at the table, we were

talking about getting behind the black. Perhaps just before the

middle jaw of the pocket and it would possibly have gone up. I did

it was worth a try. But he did not, did he? It was a very tough shot to

judge. It was a bit thick and he had an excellent chance, John

Higgins will stop --. It needed a That trophy is looking quite a long

way away for Matthew Stevens at the moment. One frame needed for John

Higgins. He has caught that break much too full. The cue ball is not

close to the baulk cushion. Could He does not let you down often but

that type of shot, John Higgins. Matthew Stevens was frustrated with

the break. His safety has not been up to scratch. He has not played

badly but he will be disappointed with the accuracy of these types of

shots. You must keep a player like John Higgins nailed to the bottom

I can only assume that the break, he was playing with left-hand side

and he might have played it with too much. We had a little bit of

movement. That is what he has done with a lot of safety shots, he has

not pushed through straight like he He has worked very hard to get back

into the top 16 and to get a place at the Masters. But that is not the

end, is it? You have got to play well because you are in the real

Pink spot available. We do not have any other spot available. In a

situation like this the blue would be a nice ball to break the pack.

He has not chosen to play that shot and I would imagine he is going to

Not marvellous but one has put the nose out. Just click of them up

more than anything. -- flicked off them. He has got a little bit to do

with the cue ball. He might be able Where is the red ball going?! You

cannot believe it. That is the last thing Matthew needed. Not after the

position that he is in. The dreaded fluke. A chance to smash into the

reds if he wants as well. It could be a fatal blow. But John did the

honourable thing. Yes, he missed As soon as I saw it get near that

brown, I thought, it is going in the pocket. It did. But he did not

A very attacking safety shot. He has opened up all the reds. He has

got a lead and Matthew must produce something here. I am not sure if he

can play a part but if he cannot, It is coming up to 17 minutes since

he last potted able. -- a ball. Well at get back to baulk? He is

looking at the two red. They are not far from a plant. A little gap

in between but it is one of those, if you take it on, he has got to

A red went back to baulk. That could be his last shot in the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

It is looking like a comfortable path through to the next round for

John Higgins. Not something you always get at the Masters. But they

One good pot a way, perhaps? Lost position slightly. You would expect

You can tell when a player is a bit edgy, when they hit harder than

necessary. It is not like him to be frightened of the winning line. He

did not hit that smoothly at all. A last chance for Matthew. If the

black had been on the spot it would have been a very realistic chance.

It is a bit harder because of that He cam pot the red and get the

black on the spot but it is a risk. Would you want to risk the black?

That is where the difference is between the practice tables and

for the black, all day long. He has taken the chance. A little bit

straight on hit. How is it looking? Straight enough. He can play for

one of the reds in the middle pocket if he cannot escape from the

A lot harder than he would have liked on this red. But with his

back to the wall, not exactly caution to the wind, but before it

and see what happens. -- but see what happens. He will not be happy

with that. I said that could be his last chance. I do not think he has

got away with that. He has left a nice and easy starter. John Higgins

has got a 29. Lead coming to the He will be a bit disappointed. But

he is on the comeback trail and it is great to see him back. He just

has to sharpen up a little bit more. I have referred to his safety. A

couple of shots might need a little bit more thought and would have

helped. But he has got all the Just basically this red. You would

be surprised if Matthew Stevens had a chance to come back to the table

I think what we have got is what we expected from John Higgins. It was

a thoroughly professional performance. Taking advantage of

mistakes and that is what he has done. You cannot argue with this

performance from John Higgins. Pretty solid for the First round.

He will be pleased he got past this Going through the gears as the

tournament progresses, that is what The yellow will not go in, but

Matthew is on his way back, just needs to tighten up a bit. John

Higgins does not need to use too much excess energy, as he goes

through to the quarter final. Would you believe that is his first

victory at the Masters since 2009. He made a run to the semi-finals

there, but we have been talking about his record. He has not been

happy with his last few years and he will be relieved. Ken and

Stephen, your assessment of the way he played? No not his best. We are

used to seeing him make more century breaks, but he was solid.

don't think... I mean he will be happy to have won. A bit like Judd

Trump yesterday, happy to have got through but he didn't make any

great waves. I don't think he will be best pleased with the way he won

but he will be happy with the result. John Higgins is so

consistent, he plays the right shots. As they said in commentary,

when the pressure is put on him, he can move through the gears and he

does it easily and politically. could have been 4-1, and suddenly

he was being pushed. That is what he is so good at. Yes, when he sees

the winning line, there is never any doubt in his mind who will win.

And he had a lot of good luck! were just saying your first victory

at the Masters since 2009. Obviously I played OK. I missed a

few, I was a bit nervous at the end. Obviously the last game I played

was at the UK Championships. I was lucky Matthew missed his shot. When

you have missed a chance like that, you always think your opponent will

clear up. Nevertheless, we were just saying you had a chance to go

4-1 ahead, but you seemed to be able to find something to Paul away.

I knew that the pink was a big shot. I knew then after that you are

really in control of the game, and that is your chance. Matthew didn't

play great, he potted some long balls but he missed a couple he

never normally will miss. I know you have won this a couple of times

but it is not one of the tournaments you have played

consistently it in over the years. Is there a reason for that? Is it

because it is January, after Christmas? Too much turkey! I just

could never settle down. When it went to Wembley Arena, this is a

lot better atmosphere. You are more enclosed. I don't know, I am

delighted I have won it twice. knew consider the crowd in there

today, you were enthusiastic about finding out what it was like, but

there are 1500 seats in here. What does it feel like in the arena?

feels a lot better. You are not as enclosed as at the Crucible but

more so than at Wembley Arena. I think it is great. It is fantastic.

I love for the conference centre, I have had great success there, but

you always like it when the crowd is closer. So many people have come

here and the crowds have been fantastic. That is always a great

welcome for the players. There is nothing worse than playing in an

empty venue. Even the importance of this tournament, it is difficult to

get excited about those games. It gives every player more to get

excited about. Is it difficult to come back and relying your goals

and ambitions after such a successful time? I always thought

something like that would happen because you put a lot of mental

preparation in to it, but I always knew there would be a dip. At the

start of the season, it takes a while to get yourself into it. In

the tournaments, all the players are a bit off in the air, trying to

keep yourself as fresh as you possibly can. Everybody always

looks at the world championship, it is only natural. Look no, it is

great the amount of tournaments we have got to enter into, but the

older players with a family, you will probably pick and choose your

tournaments. Younger players like Judd Trump will be loving it, but

all the players will be choosing more. Are you consciously stepping

up your preparation ahead of the bigger ones? Yes, we have three or

four big events, the Welsh and the China open, and a brand new event

just off China as well. Some big events to sharpen up your game for

the World Championship, and this one as well have course. We were

chatting to Stephen in the interval about someone who wrote in and

asked if anyone would dominate as Stephen has over the years, and

Judd Trump was suggested. What is your view on his potential?

likes of him will bring through people like Mark Allen quicker,

Mark Selby, they have been there for a few years. Mark Selby is the

world number one, but they were the people who a lot was expected from,

but now Judd Trump has taken the limelight. It won't affect the

likes of the older players because we have been there for so long. He

say hat off to Judd Trump, but people like Mark Allen will be

jealous because he is getting all up the plaudits right now, rightly

so. I know Judd Trump has a lot of years on him, but the standard is

very high. Not only at the top, but all the way down. It will be

difficult for someone like Judd Trump, marker learnt or even Mark

Selby to dominate in the way some players have before. There are too

many good players now, all the way down the list. I don't think the

snooker standard has got that much better than the 90s, but the

standard ball the way down is much higher. Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy,

although they are quite high up the rankings, they have got to step up

and start winning. Mark Selby has never been a prolific winner of

tournaments. The way the rankings change so quickly, if you are not

getting results quickly, you see them go down. Ali Carter and Graeme

Dott is your next opponent. An interesting match. Obviously the

way Graeme Dott has played, this is the best he has started off this

season. He got to the Brazilian open final and has been very

consistent in other events. The way he has been playing, he has got to

be favourite for that match. As you say, if Ali Carter can get his head

right, he can be a contender. you stay? Dinner tonight, he just

doesn't know it yet! Lovely to see you. We have some time before we

are due to come off there so we will reflect on last night's match.

We will pick this up one frame apiece. This is an intriguing match,

and it is John Parrott and Dennis Taylor: this one. -- commentating

He tried it, simply because he knew he was not going to leave anything

I'm not sure if the red goes into the middle pocket. He can get

through to that one. And what a Just signs that Shaun Murphy is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

starting to cube a little better. - He had an option, one in the right

hand middle, but this one to the left corner is perfect. He will

leave himself on the black. He's For you can count on one hand in

the world of snooker people who cue better than this man. Absolutely

Just before I finished playing, I remember having three days practise

with Shaun. He had not long turned professional and he used to play

with a strange tip, one that was really spongy. In fact it was

faulty, but he used to play with this. I remember thinking he could

cue the ball as nicely as any player I had ever seen. People who

are interested technically in the game, watch how far he takes the

cue back. It does all the work. Plenty of time, get your arise

transferred on to the object ball, but it also gives you a tremendous

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

amount of cue power. It is very It is lovely to watch the way he

break builds. He made 36 centuries last season, and 22 already this

season. He is getting plenty of That was a great example of how to

He is hitting it very well now. I know we half-back, but missing that

green from Martin might have changed this match a little bit. He

started off very well, but he let How many times does it happen that

you miss a shot like that and you never get another chance. Martin

will be hoping that is not the case here this evening, but Shaun Murphy

is starting to look very fluent. It is not going to be easy to make a

That is perfectly played, a terrific shot. He could flick the

other red out when he pots this in. Just about! I don't think he can

move this red but he can screw up in behind it. He could, but he

screwed in behind it! I'm no a man That is another century. Ronnie

O'Sullivan still has the highest break, a break of 125. If he could

pot the brown and develop the blue, he could equalled that high break.

He played to leave it down the cushion. We know he will have no

problem getting back on to the pink with his cue action. He did make

the century, and he gets himself 2- 1 in front.

Shaun Murphy clearly in good nick and he knocked in and 82 en route

to a 4-2 advantage. We are going to join them again in frame seven

early on. This is not a straight forward

escape shot here. I think there is a gap on the one to the right of

I wonder if the black will pot. Where he has the tip of his cue, if

he could pot the red, you can see the black would be available but he

will have to pot that because he would put Shaun Murphy right in

among them. This, in the context of the match, is a massive shot. If he

knocks this in, it could be a frame winner, but otherwise he could lose

the frame. Martin will need a little bit of good luck. He will

need his opponent to miss. He may have to take one into the middle

pocket because he didn't get the cue ball where he wanted. If he had

potted that red, he would not have finished on the black. This should

be pretty comfortable. The chance is certainly there. There was a lot

riding on that last shot that It is not bad. He has the one into

the middle pocket and he can get on to the black. He will come round to

make sure, but we know from the picture we showed you recently that

The red immediately above the black spot will be moved now, so all the

while he is developing the reds Finished a little awkward. He is

Not a problem. He has got himself back into positive mode here. He

looked a bit shaky from the frame before, but he has recovered well

You can get matches were your long potting is off, but once you get

amongst the pink and black, there is not really a problem. Simply

because you are not having to force anything. It is all pretty close

There is the thing to do - when in doubt, get back up off the shot. It

is a bit like a golf shot, if you carry on when you haven't made your

mind up, you usually make a mess of it. If you start again, just

working out what to do. Those three reds on the right side of the table

He can just leave the white in the middle of those three reds and he

will have a few options available. That is just about perfect. He can

drop this black in. If he can avoid the cannon, it will be better. He

will just finish in the middle of the three reds. He has stunned it

We said at the start of this break, Dennis, that was a massive red that

Martin was taking on. When it came to fruition, it is either one of

those that you get and you take the frame, or you miss and you lose the

frame. Here is the long red, and he has had to watch as Shaun Murphy

That shot we are talking about, it is the type of shot, if you are

working with the sports psychologist, and there are a lot

coming into the game, you have got to think if final kick in I am

going to win the frame, but it is sometimes the case that you think

He has had 107, 59, 82, and three frames in a row. That one just went

a bit too far. He wanted to pot it missed a few balls this evening but

his scoring has still been very good. I don't think that will go in.

Martin has made one mistake and that is all that talk. Shaun Murphy

extends his lead to 5-2, just one away from a place in the quarter-

REFEREE: Don't call out when I think this cloth is slipping

quite a bit. They are not getting round behind the yellow. It has

been prominent all night, this red. The trouble is, Martin has not

potted to many of them. He is looking a little bit disillusioned

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

Her absolutely spot-on. A couple of reds to the left, one to the right.

No need to play it any cannons yet. He could go into the pink if he

wanted to, but there are three reds available. So, it is into the pink.

He has finished on one, but it could have been a lot better. He

didn't quite hit the pink full ball. If this one goes into the middle,

I am not so sure that one in the centre goes, to be honest with you.

It is not like the old days, with the nap on the jaw when you could

bend it in. That is because the cloth is so thin, there is not that

much nap on the cloth. Shaun Murphy will be trying to get this match

over with as quickly as possible. They played in the UK, and it

looked like he was winning quite comfortably. I know that because

Willie Thorne had booked his table for dinner and it looked like his

commentary stint was over. Then Martin came back and made it a

tough match, 6-4 in the end. Willie was late for dinner, so he won't

That is a classic of Shaun Murphy's cue action. Watch the cue ball. It

stops and then it keeps on spinning. He scores heavily, Shaun Murphy. He

has missed one and two balls he would not expect him to miss, but

when he is in amongst them, he looks like he will score and he has

That was an interesting shot. By thought he was going to play up for

the blue. If he had a choice again, he would do. It has not quite

worked out. He has hampered himself. I do not know what shot he played.

He left himself high on the black. The only shots he has missed are a

couple of long ones. But not this time. He still has to make another

one. He already looked to see if he potted the blue, there was a gap

That was no problem. He is pretty good with the rest. He does not

That is the type of shot he hits as good as anybody in the game. He