Day 7, Part 1

:01:18. > :01:23.Good afternoon. If you are up to your ears in snow and you have done

:01:23. > :01:26.your sledging and Snowman making, you are probably ready for an

:01:26. > :01:31.afternoon indoors in Alexandra Palace with us at the Betfair

:01:31. > :01:36.Masters. What a week we've had. Some fantastic fight backs, no

:01:36. > :01:43.fewer than six of the 12 matches that have gone the distance to

:01:43. > :01:47.final frame deciders and now we are at the semi-final stages of this

:01:47. > :01:51.exclusive Invitational event. All four participants in the semi-

:01:51. > :01:56.finals have won at least one of snookers big major titles, the

:01:56. > :02:00.world, the UK of this Masters event. This evening we've got Mark Selby

:02:00. > :02:05.against Graeme Dott, but this afternoon in a packed arena we got

:02:05. > :02:12.a repeat of last year's final. 12 months ago it was Shaun Murphy who

:02:12. > :02:19.came off second best against Neil Robertson. By gum, the Aussie would

:02:19. > :02:24.love an action replay today. atmosphere last year was just

:02:24. > :02:28.breathtaking. I can still remember the hairs on the back of my neck

:02:28. > :02:32.standing up, my nerves were jangling. That is what we are live

:02:32. > :02:35.for as snooker players. atmosphere was absolutely

:02:35. > :02:42.incredible for the final. It matched what it was like in the

:02:43. > :02:47.He took I think I've done it -- definitely learned things in the

:02:47. > :02:51.last year. I've learned where my strengths lie and I've tried to

:02:51. > :02:59.rely more on my strengths rather than trying to go toe-to-toe with

:02:59. > :03:05.people better at things than I am. I dominated the tactical exchanges.

:03:05. > :03:10.I had to capitalise on the second session when Shaun was a little bit

:03:10. > :03:14.unfortunate, he was on 30 or 40 twice in a row and I made 70 or 80

:03:14. > :03:23.after he made a mistake. It gave me a cushion that I needed and I could

:03:23. > :03:30.I think a little bit wasn't the allowing the game to be played

:03:30. > :03:36.under his terms -- a wasn't me allowing. I'm a year older and a

:03:36. > :03:40.bit more experienced. If I sense the matches going that way again,

:03:40. > :03:46.perhaps I won't go down on a sinking ship. It is easy to get

:03:46. > :03:55.sucked into playing proper snooker. Unfortunately last year I fell for

:03:55. > :04:00.it. He is perhaps having a more consistent season this year. He has

:04:00. > :04:05.made quite a few semi-finals, he got to the final of the UK. He will

:04:06. > :04:11.be hungry to get another trophy, particularly this one, the last of

:04:11. > :04:16.the three that he needs. Revenge is a strong word. It was tough to lose

:04:16. > :04:22.this final last year. It would have been tough to lose it to anybody.

:04:23. > :04:28.But Neil is a great champion. don't get that many chances to win

:04:28. > :04:31.tournaments, let alone defend them. Defending his title would be

:04:31. > :04:35.absolutely amazing. -- this title. absolutely amazing. -- this title.

:04:35. > :04:44.Last year's final is the most significant occasion on which these

:04:44. > :04:50.two have met. The Aussie left- hander has shaded the last 14

:04:50. > :04:56.meetings. It has been over two years since Murphy last got the

:04:56. > :05:00.years since Murphy last got the better of Robertson. Neil Robertson,

:05:00. > :05:04.defending champion, one of the best break-builders in the game and now

:05:04. > :05:09.one of the best match players. He has got all that bottle. He has won

:05:09. > :05:13.the championship before and he will not let go easily. What has Shaun

:05:13. > :05:18.Murphy got to do? He has to rely on that laser-like cue action, he has

:05:18. > :05:21.to score heavily, but more importantly, he has to match up

:05:21. > :05:25.begins the Aussie tactically. If he can do that, he can reach his

:05:25. > :05:30.can do that, he can reach his second final in a row. This is how

:05:30. > :05:38.they have played so far this week. Attacking and exciting players,

:05:38. > :05:43.Robertson has been in great scoring form. His trademark long potting

:05:43. > :05:51.has been impressive. Don't expect too many long safety battles, but

:05:51. > :05:55.Shaun has proved himself pretty adept in that department. Both men

:05:55. > :05:57.have come through final frame have come through final frame

:05:57. > :06:01.deciders this week. Robinson has had two, against Ding Junhui and

:06:01. > :06:05.Mark Allen. The tour at up to it something

:06:05. > :06:11.special this afternoon. Stephen Hendry and Dennis Taylor are up for

:06:11. > :06:15.it. Dennis Taylor's birthday. We use still need me? Will you still

:06:15. > :06:21.feed me? Happy birthday. What's your take on this? Pit might be the

:06:21. > :06:25.best match of this year's Masters. It will be fascinating. Shaun

:06:25. > :06:29.Murphy want this on his CV. This is the big one he's been after and

:06:29. > :06:33.he's up against a player in tremendous form. We will have the

:06:33. > :06:38.best seat in the house. What better to do on a Saturday afternoon with

:06:38. > :06:43.the weather the way it is. Totally agree and it will get very warm in

:06:43. > :06:46.here. You had plenty to say about the way Shaun Murphy tackled John

:06:46. > :06:51.Higgins the other night in the tactical department. How does he

:06:51. > :06:55.have to tweak that to face Neil Robertson? The first half of that

:06:55. > :07:01.match, he seemed to out think himself, he was trying to be too

:07:01. > :07:06.clever, he refused a lot of pots. You don't change your game to other

:07:06. > :07:10.players, you played your advantages. Play his natural game, attack.

:07:10. > :07:14.Particular strengths of Neil Robertson? Both these guys are

:07:15. > :07:19.probably the most consistent long potters on the tour. It could be

:07:19. > :07:25.who get the most long pots that will win. There's a lot riding on

:07:25. > :07:30.this. Shaun Murphy needs this one for the Triple Crown. To complete

:07:30. > :07:36.that fabled s three major titles in the game. As for Neil Robertson, he

:07:36. > :07:43.could be only the fourth man in history to defend his title. He has

:07:43. > :07:48.a remarkable record, Stephen! The way Neil won his match against Mark

:07:48. > :07:52.Allen, that red. He made three centuries in that match. He will

:07:52. > :07:57.take some beating. If anybody can beat him, it is Shaun Murphy. If

:07:57. > :08:03.Shaun goes for his shots, he could make it very, very difficult for

:08:03. > :08:09.Neil Robertson. Enjoy it. I know that a coiled spring in the arena

:08:09. > :08:15.is our MC, Mr Rob Walker. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

:08:15. > :08:21.What a way to kick-start semi-final Saturday. Co the air fare Masters.

:08:21. > :08:25.What an atmosphere we've got. 12 months ago, these players went toe-

:08:25. > :08:31.to-toe in the final, today they meet one round earlier. Both very

:08:31. > :08:35.much on top of their game. Please welcome the man who 10 years ago

:08:35. > :08:40.arrived from Australia with barely a penny in his pocket. Fast forward

:08:40. > :08:44.a decade and he is one of the do very best players on the circuit. A

:08:45. > :08:50.thrilling 6-5 win over Mark Allen in the quarter-finals, for world

:08:50. > :09:00.champion in 2010, the defending Masters champion, can you hear the

:09:00. > :09:19.

:09:19. > :09:22.thunder from down under? Neil A brilliant reception and

:09:22. > :09:28.deservedly so. You're getting used to these big occasions at the

:09:28. > :09:33.Masters. Yes, I am. Last year's run was great. I am well on my way this

:09:33. > :09:37.year. It doesn't get any easier against Shaun, he is a fantastic

:09:37. > :09:47.player, one of the best in the world. I'm sure of the crowd are in

:09:47. > :09:49.

:09:49. > :09:53.for a treat. Very best of luck, His opponent, a player bidding for

:09:53. > :10:00.a second successive Masters final. Here after a brilliant win over

:10:00. > :10:02.John Higgins in the quarter-finals, winner of four ranking event titles,

:10:03. > :10:12.including the 2005 World Championship. He is a class act on

:10:13. > :10:35.

:10:35. > :10:39.and off the baize, he is Shaun How much confidence do you bring

:10:39. > :10:44.from that epic quarter-final? Enough to wear a pink shirt!

:10:44. > :10:54.this the lucky omen? We will find out. Ladies and gentlemen, Shaun

:10:54. > :10:59.

:10:59. > :11:08.What a fabulous atmosphere for the semi-final. A packed house at the

:11:08. > :11:18.Alexandra Palace. Shaun at sporting that pink shirt. Looks as if shaun

:11:18. > :11:32.

:11:32. > :11:35.Off we go. It should be a When you hear that reception to

:11:35. > :11:41.players get, Stephen, do you not miss it a little bit having

:11:41. > :11:51.retired? Yes, this is what you play snooker for. The semi-finals of

:11:51. > :11:55.

:11:55. > :12:05.major events like the Masters. You All the hours and hours of practice

:12:05. > :12:09.And all the hours and hours of practice going -- go into being

:12:09. > :12:16.able to knock something like this in. What a fantastic start and

:12:16. > :12:26.perfectly on the black. It shows you the importance of the break off

:12:26. > :12:36.

:12:36. > :12:45.This was that break off shot. It looked to be OK, but then it

:12:45. > :12:50.bounced off the baulk cushion and it was still a fabulous opening red.

:12:50. > :13:00.But he is one of the best pot as we've ever had in the game. --

:13:00. > :13:04.

:13:04. > :13:11.A lot of people talk about single ball potting. I've never understood

:13:11. > :13:20.that saying. I believe it is who consistently get them for most an

:13:20. > :13:30.these two men are right up there. I believe the winner today will Beith

:13:30. > :13:34.

:13:34. > :13:39.the guy who gets the most long pots. It is what creates opportunities

:13:39. > :13:45.like this. Obviously the safety has to be excellent to prevent the

:13:45. > :13:55.other guy potting the long balls. Absolutely. He got himself into a

:13:55. > :14:03.

:14:03. > :14:09.good position, it was not easy to That was about the best positional

:14:09. > :14:19.shot he could play. The way he finished on the black, he could

:14:19. > :14:20.

:14:21. > :14:30.If he tries to get the snooker behind the yellow and brown, the

:14:31. > :14:38.

:14:38. > :14:44.red will go near the left corner I'm sure he was trying to cover

:14:44. > :14:48.that red with the yellow, green or brown. But it is still OK. If he

:14:48. > :14:58.sends this red around the angles, he could cannon into the green.

:14:58. > :15:27.

:15:27. > :15:31.Has he left a tempter? Will he take this on? There's your answer. He

:15:31. > :15:36.has put himself in a little bit of trouble. He has given me all the

:15:37. > :15:46.advantage. But at least with this red coming back up the table, the

:15:47. > :15:53.

:15:53. > :15:59.But he did give the advantage to Neil with the last shot he played,

:15:59. > :16:09.sure Murphy. There's no way back down the table here. He will have

:16:09. > :16:11.

:16:11. > :16:21.That is what he is faced with. He can only go between blue and pink

:16:21. > :16:28.

:16:28. > :16:32.to hit the reds, but not a lot of He is a bit frightened of playing

:16:32. > :16:41.for one cushion escape. You would think that would be his best bet.

:16:41. > :16:51.He is worried about leaving one on. That is the one-shot available to

:16:51. > :16:53.

:16:53. > :16:59.him, but I don't think he is taking Well played. I don't think he can

:16:59. > :17:09.see enough of this red. Always the possibility of leaving a pot, but

:17:09. > :17:24.

:17:24. > :17:30.He is well short this time with the cue ball. There's a red at the top

:17:30. > :17:40.of the pack that will pot into the left corner. He will be cannoning

:17:40. > :17:42.

:17:42. > :17:50.into other reds so he needs to get Just didn't get enough action on

:17:50. > :18:00.the cue ball to make this pink easier to the middle. I still

:18:00. > :18:10.

:18:10. > :18:14.expect him to get it. It is never He may have a natural angle to

:18:14. > :18:24.bring the cue ball off for two Group or three cushions behind the

:18:24. > :18:25.

:18:25. > :18:30.black for a red into the right As you mentioned, Stephen, because

:18:30. > :18:34.he was so close to the pink, it is difficult to pick that angle out.

:18:34. > :18:40.He got the positional side of the shot as he intended, but when

:18:40. > :18:50.you're that close, it is difficult to judge the angle. A second chance

:18:50. > :19:07.

:19:07. > :19:13.Both players had a look at a red at the back of the bunch. He has got

:19:13. > :19:19.one to the right here. Neil had a quick look at that just to see if

:19:19. > :19:22.it was available into the right corner pocket. Red, black and

:19:22. > :19:32.hopefully on to that red at the back of the bunch. It looks a

:19:32. > :19:40.

:19:40. > :19:44.It will have to go because he can't really stun straight into the reds.

:19:44. > :19:54.The only possibility would be to come off two cushions and into the

:19:54. > :19:58.

:19:58. > :20:01.There's your answer. It does pot. One of them will definitely go.

:20:02. > :20:11.Sometimes when they are close together, you have to pick out

:20:12. > :20:17.

:20:17. > :20:22.The table would have been recovered, as it always is between the semi-

:20:22. > :20:32.final and final. It will take a few shots to get used to the pace. But

:20:32. > :20:42.

:20:42. > :20:48.Yes, he played fantastic against Mark Allen, as I mentioned to Hazel.

:20:48. > :20:58.Three centuries he made. He got a bad contact there. It now means the

:20:58. > :21:02.He wanted to leave an angle to be able to split the reds. He wanted

:21:02. > :21:12.to be a bit further across the table. A key shot coming up, 37

:21:12. > :21:22.

:21:22. > :21:32.shots in front if this works out. A Up the blue almost went into the

:21:32. > :21:37.

:21:37. > :21:47.But he is OK. A thin cut on the black, but he has a red at the

:21:47. > :21:52.

:21:52. > :21:57.He looks super focused. I did the match yesterday with Judd Trump and

:21:57. > :22:07.he was the exact opposite, he did not look focused. Neil looks bang

:22:07. > :22:32.

:22:32. > :22:36.on it right from the beginning of He was made favourite for this

:22:36. > :22:41.semi-final, Neil Robertson, although he is number five in the

:22:41. > :22:51.world. Shaun Murphy is number four. But on the basis of form, they made

:22:51. > :22:53.

:22:53. > :22:55.him the favourite. 4-6 means you get �6 to win �4. -- Beth �6.

:22:55. > :23:01.when you are defending champion, you don't want to give up your

:23:01. > :23:04.title. It makes you try that little bit extra. Can you feel it is

:23:04. > :23:14.something that belongs to you and you don't want anybody else taking

:23:14. > :23:36.

:23:36. > :23:42.He does play that type of shot so well. You can hear the ball

:23:42. > :23:52.thundering into the pocket. He is introduced as the thunder from Down

:23:52. > :24:08.

:24:08. > :24:15.He needs a couple more pots. A quick glance at the scoreboard to

:24:15. > :24:21.see how many he needs. Cred and black would be enough. Dashed red

:24:21. > :24:31.and black. If he pots this red, a possible 67 on the table. If he

:24:31. > :24:40.

:24:40. > :24:50.pots red and black, he would be 68 If he rolls this red in, being a

:24:50. > :24:59.

:24:59. > :25:03.left-hander, it is a bit more He will be playing this black in

:25:03. > :25:07.such a way that if he misses it, he will leave the black over the

:25:07. > :25:17.pocket. The red he is playing for at the bottom of the four will not

:25:17. > :25:32.

:25:32. > :25:37.Just looking at the balls that Neil is potting, they seem to be going

:25:37. > :25:41.right in the centre of the pocket. That is always an indication that

:25:41. > :25:51.the player is cueing well. Sometimes they go in-off the jaw.

:25:51. > :26:21.

:26:21. > :26:25.Everything going into the heart of It will be difficult to make a

:26:25. > :26:31.century with the red near the cushion, but he is a left-hander

:26:31. > :26:41.and he has also made five centuries this year in the Masters. He has

:26:41. > :26:56.

:26:56. > :27:01.He can cannon to read out now if he Does it go past the black? That is

:27:01. > :27:11.very tight. He has just got the right side of the pocket. If you

:27:11. > :27:19.

:27:19. > :27:29.were directly behind the red, it Not quite. No century, but what a

:27:29. > :27:29.

:27:29. > :27:33.start for the Australian. He opens STUDIO: Earned interesting start to

:27:33. > :27:43.the semi-final. If you want to get in touch with Ken and John you are

:27:43. > :27:48.

:27:48. > :27:54.There were some cracking responses yesterday when you were bunking off

:27:54. > :27:58.work and had a day off because of the snow! An interesting insight

:27:58. > :28:04.into the mind set, the tactical thinking early on of Shaun Murphy

:28:04. > :28:08.in that frame. He has to play his own game and we know he is a great

:28:08. > :28:10.scorer. I said he had to match him up. I don't think he has to turn

:28:11. > :28:14.into the world's greatest safety into the world's greatest safety

:28:14. > :28:19.player, but if somebody plays a good shot, you have to reply. He

:28:19. > :28:24.can flick off the top red of the back red. He chose to go off three

:28:24. > :28:29.cushions. He got a chance of that because Robertson played it poor

:28:29. > :28:34.safety shot. But then he missed his chance. A bar Robertson dutifully

:28:34. > :28:41.took his chance and it shows you the kind of form he has been an.

:28:41. > :28:46.made three centuries in the Mark Allen match. It is all about those

:28:46. > :28:50.pots, they are going into the centre of the pocket. He is cueing

:28:50. > :28:55.beautifully. When he gets in around the balls, he scores very, very

:28:56. > :29:05.heavily and very, very quickly. Robertson made that break from

:29:06. > :29:13.

:29:13. > :29:18.He can't take on the pot because he A little bit too much pace. His

:29:18. > :29:24.safety will have to be a bit better than this. He was looking for the

:29:24. > :29:27.baulk cushion. OK, he hasn't left one this time, I don't think, but

:29:27. > :29:34.against Neil Robertson, his safety has to be a little bit better,

:29:34. > :29:40.Stephen. It has got to be as good as it can be, basically. If Neil is

:29:40. > :29:45.playing like this, he doesn't miss many long balls. As we've seen

:29:45. > :29:55.already in the first frame, when he gets in, the frame is going to be

:29:55. > :29:58.

:29:58. > :30:02.over. Very impressed with that It is so important in these by

:30:02. > :30:12.eight matches to stand or authority as quickly as possible. -- these

:30:12. > :30:36.

:30:36. > :30:41.You cannot pot many balls if you are in that position. Good safety.

:30:41. > :30:51.With the reds slightly open, you have got to be careful. Not a

:30:51. > :30:55.

:30:55. > :31:00.straightforward escape. That is what he has faced with. There is no

:31:00. > :31:09.easy shot to just come off the side cushion nestled next to the bunch.

:31:10. > :31:19.If he landed on one beside the pinky will be OK. -- beside the

:31:20. > :31:48.

:31:48. > :31:58.pink, he would be OK. Oh, what a No touching ball, but he can play

:31:58. > :32:13.

:32:13. > :32:23.off this one, get twice across the This is a turnaround in the space

:32:23. > :32:23.

:32:23. > :33:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:33:04. > :33:12.of two shots. Now Shaun Murphy is This is a similar type of shot for

:33:12. > :33:19.Murphy. You can see enough ready to take the pot on. He looked to see

:33:19. > :33:28.if there was a gap. It would be risky but that is the one he can

:33:28. > :33:33.play safe off. He can swing is around the ankles if he wants. He

:33:33. > :33:38.needs more pace on it. He has purged one over the corner pocket.

:33:38. > :33:45.If he does pop this, Key Ben Knight on the cue ball, because it is

:33:45. > :33:51.going to go towards the reds. -- keep an eye on the cue ball. He

:33:51. > :34:01.would not have a great deal of idea where the cue ball is going to

:34:01. > :34:10.

:34:10. > :34:20.He had to trust a little bit to lock their of with be cue ball. --

:34:20. > :34:59.

:34:59. > :35:07.plus a little bit to luck with the He is sitting upright in his seat.

:35:07. > :35:17.That is an indication of a confident person. He looks very

:35:17. > :35:30.

:35:30. > :35:34.focused and he is certainly up for That is not the best safety shot.

:35:34. > :35:38.There is one available to the corner, but can he find the space

:35:38. > :35:48.to get himself on the black for the same pocket? There is not much of a

:35:48. > :35:48.

:35:48. > :36:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:36:56. > :37:06.He is playing the safety shot. Very Certainly, Robertson definitely has

:37:06. > :37:22.

:37:22. > :37:32.the upper hand in the tactical I think he felt the YT drifted as

:37:32. > :37:32.

:37:32. > :37:42.soon as he played it. -- the white. Did it drift a little bit? You can

:37:42. > :37:46.

:37:46. > :37:56.see clearly, it went off to the right. There has been a few of

:37:56. > :38:02.

:38:02. > :38:12.I do not know whether the floor is not level here at the Ally Pally?

:38:12. > :38:14.

:38:14. > :38:19.They should make -- not have any problems getting the tables level.

:38:19. > :38:28.They use spirit levels and there are five slates on a snooker table.

:38:28. > :38:33.They are usually top class, but that one did seem to drift a little.

:38:33. > :38:39.Very frustrating for Robertson. He is in such a positive state of mind,

:38:39. > :38:49.he would have been thinking it was a chance to win the frame. For that

:38:49. > :38:50.

:38:50. > :38:59.to happen when it is not his fault Yes, but I usually put a little bit

:38:59. > :39:09.of packing underneath the frame to leaven it up. -- they usually put.

:39:09. > :39:14.

:39:14. > :39:24.It was usually beer mats that they What a chance for Shaun Murphy, a

:39:24. > :39:26.

:39:26. > :39:31.It also put you off the rest of the match. You do not want to play any

:39:31. > :39:41.slow shots if that is what is going to happen. You have to change your

:39:41. > :39:41.

:39:41. > :40:34.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:40:34. > :40:40.You do not want to get to his stage where it is like golf and you have

:40:40. > :40:44.got to start reading the table! have been informed that the table

:40:45. > :40:54.fitter has had to put packing under one side, so maybe the floor is not

:40:55. > :40:58.

:40:58. > :41:05.Do you remember when used to do the exhibitions? The club floors were

:41:05. > :41:11.certainly not level. I used to like a table that was not very high. You

:41:11. > :41:21.could end up with the black around your chest. You needed a rest to

:41:21. > :41:32.

:41:32. > :41:39.He is taking these well, Shaun Murphy. He has kept his progress.

:41:40. > :41:48.He did not have much chance in the first frame. He has over screed

:41:48. > :41:52.that, played a cannon on the pink, I think. -- overscrewed. He is

:41:52. > :42:02.probably one of the best players in the world, so I do not expect him

:42:02. > :42:15.

:42:15. > :42:25.That is amazing, as soon as you said it! But you are absolutely

:42:25. > :42:46.

:42:46. > :42:50.right, he very rarely misses. On Ever since I started commentating,

:42:51. > :42:58.and commentating on Shaun Murphy's matters, how many times he plays it

:42:58. > :43:06.careless shot and ends on the break? It is definitely a weakness

:43:06. > :43:14.of his, not finishing enough frames on one visit. That is a very good

:43:14. > :43:22.point. It is perhaps something he could work on. It is probably

:43:22. > :43:32.concentration. It does make a difference. You and Steve Davis

:43:32. > :43:33.

:43:33. > :44:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:44:13. > :44:17.were masters at finishing the frame That is a long time to think over a

:44:17. > :44:27.black off the spot, but he wants to make absolutely sure he gets on to

:44:27. > :44:32.

:44:32. > :44:36.It has just finished in the worst possible position, not a good angle

:44:36. > :44:41.on the pink or the black. You would think he could manufacture

:44:41. > :44:48.something. In the end, he just rolled it in to leave this one to

:44:48. > :44:58.the left corner. You would think he would still finish on the black,

:44:58. > :45:11.

:45:11. > :45:17.Now, a cannon on the triangle of reds. If he could cannon the right

:45:17. > :45:27.hand when it would open them up perfectly. -- the right hand one,

:45:27. > :45:31.

:45:31. > :45:41.And after all of that, he has missed a straightforward pink. He

:45:41. > :45:50.

:45:50. > :46:00.has not missed many of those in the Maybe that shot where it seemed to

:46:00. > :46:06.

:46:06. > :46:13.It is amazing, when you're 100% in June, some little thing Ken just

:46:13. > :46:23.brigade and it takes you a while to get it back. -- some little thing

:46:23. > :46:28.

:46:28. > :46:33.Karen just break it. He needs the If he rolls the black, I do not

:46:33. > :46:43.think he will go into the right pocket. He is playing it with a

:46:43. > :46:43.

:46:43. > :47:32.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:47:32. > :47:42.little bit of stun to avoid that. Shaun Murphy has settled down and

:47:42. > :47:48.

:47:48. > :47:55.An interesting point in that frame, the roll-off. It cost points

:47:55. > :48:05.against Ding Junhui. I do not think the floor is level out there.

:48:05. > :48:10.

:48:10. > :48:16.Gulbis. Obviously, the table at his off -- is off. Tables -- players

:48:16. > :48:20.should be able to go out and play a few shots so they know how the

:48:20. > :48:24.table is, it should not cost them frames. That is a good point. In

:48:24. > :48:28.every other sport, tennis, you are allowed to play beforehand, golf as

:48:29. > :48:34.many practice rounds is you can muster, and many other sports. At

:48:34. > :48:39.Wembley, you inspect the pitch. Should there be a chance for

:48:39. > :48:49.players, maybe even 20 minutes before, to have a look. Steadily,

:48:49. > :48:49.

:48:49. > :48:52.five or 10 minutes each. It would not take a lot to just have a look

:48:52. > :48:57.and scene where the rolls are. You cannot blame the table when

:48:57. > :49:07.sometimes the floor is not level. Is it something snooker should be

:49:07. > :49:12.looking at going ahead? Absolutely, yes.

:49:12. > :49:16.One of the tournament directors and a former top 16 player, I have seen

:49:16. > :49:21.him in that the arena will link the balls up and down the table. They

:49:21. > :49:27.do check it. It is a good point, whether it should be checked before

:49:27. > :49:30.every session. I agree. There is nothing against it as long as both

:49:30. > :49:40.players are allowed to have 10 minutes from the table and the

:49:40. > :49:44.

:49:44. > :49:54.wording. -- on the table in the Many years ago, there was no

:49:54. > :49:55.

:49:55. > :50:05.practice table. The only practice table was the match table, so you

:50:05. > :50:12.

:50:12. > :50:21.were allowed 20 minutes, half an All you would need to do would be

:50:21. > :50:31.to play some slow rolls with the cue ball. You would just need to

:50:31. > :50:37.

:50:37. > :50:44.roll dead weight shot to see what Let's have a look at what happened.

:50:44. > :50:54.You can see the white leaving the line slightly. It is only a

:50:54. > :50:58.

:50:58. > :51:08.fraction, but it is amazing the Both players will be reluctant to

:51:08. > :51:24.

:51:24. > :51:34.He has decided against going into the pink because there is a red

:51:34. > :51:36.

:51:36. > :51:41.clearly available. There are three pottable reds also. He is such an

:51:41. > :51:51.experienced player. He will have forgotten that incident. It might

:51:51. > :52:06.

:52:06. > :52:09.have cost him the second frame, but If anything, the pink in the middle

:52:09. > :52:19.would have annoyed him more than the one that rolled off, because

:52:19. > :52:41.

:52:41. > :52:45.Normal snooker has resumed for the Australian. He is purposely leaving

:52:45. > :52:55.himself almost read in such a way that he can break a few more reds

:52:55. > :53:00.

:53:00. > :53:10.out. You would think he might Freda Payne, but he should finish under -

:53:10. > :53:15.

:53:15. > :53:21.Dead straight on the blue would have been ideal. He is running away

:53:21. > :53:25.from the reds from that angle. awkward angle on the pink, taking

:53:25. > :53:35.the cue ball away from the Ritz. He could just play it into gooey

:53:35. > :53:57.

:53:57. > :54:02.yellow pocket, but a more difficult Well, that looked quite easy but it

:54:02. > :54:12.was a delicate shot, bridging over the red and playing a delicate shot

:54:12. > :54:45.

:54:45. > :54:55.He would have rather been the other side of the pink with this angle.

:54:55. > :55:08.

:55:08. > :55:13.Screwing back, the cue ball is I wonder if he has the angle to

:55:13. > :55:20.play a delicate little screw between the reds? I am not sure if

:55:20. > :55:30.that is on. It would be nice if it was, but it might be too thin to do

:55:30. > :55:38.

:55:38. > :55:48.He wasn't able to, but he got the same result by getting through the

:55:48. > :55:50.

:55:50. > :55:57.gap in the raids. -- in the reds. The red closest to the pink is his

:55:57. > :56:01.problem, it is stopping him playing be easy shots. You are never 100%

:56:01. > :56:05.sure what is going to happen when you can and other red, but is why

:56:05. > :56:15.he is taking the blue in between the yellow under Brian on to

:56:15. > :56:22.

:56:22. > :56:26.cushions. -- the yellow card for There at the action, he just played

:56:26. > :56:36.with a little bit of left hand side to swing at the white off to mic

:56:36. > :56:37.

:56:37. > :56:45.cushions. He played it to He only needed one chance in the

:56:45. > :56:50.opening frame. He had been -- and opening break of 84. Looks like he

:56:50. > :56:54.is only going to need the one chance in this frame. He is cueing

:56:54. > :57:04.beautifully, Robertson. Just that one incident where he missed the

:57:04. > :57:37.

:57:37. > :57:47.One of the reasons I like watching Neil Robertson, he wants to clear

:57:47. > :57:50.

:57:50. > :57:55.the table. The other player relaxes, and a concentration slips, so he

:57:55. > :58:00.wants to clear up every time. has got one difficult red that

:58:00. > :58:10.might prevent that. He made 54 centuries last season. He has

:58:10. > :58:18.

:58:18. > :58:24.Both of these players turned professional in 1998. Shaun Murphy

:58:24. > :58:34.has made 250 earned the Robertson has made 246, so they are pretty

:58:34. > :58:43.

:58:43. > :58:53.Being a left-hander, if he cannot cannon the red out if he can get a

:58:53. > :58:55.

:58:55. > :59:05.white in position, he can get a chance. And that is the 16th

:59:05. > :59:09.

:59:09. > :59:19.century in this year's Masters. That is number 247 in his career.

:59:19. > :59:30.

:59:30. > :59:40.In fact, that was his 17th century Mark Allen still holds the highest

:59:40. > :59:50.break, 138, against Neil Robertson. �8,000 for the highest break up

:59:50. > :59:54.

:59:54. > :00:04.He has potted all sorts. Yellows, greens, browns, blues. He has been

:00:04. > :00:11.

:00:11. > :00:16.that all over the table four That is absolutely superb from the

:00:16. > :00:26.Australian. He only needed one chance. What a magnificent break of

:00:26. > :00:28.

:00:28. > :00:31.Quite brilliant, especially the way he went about that. And you've been

:00:31. > :00:36.tweeting about the situation with the table. World Snooker have

:00:36. > :00:41.assured us that they don't just come in and plonk the table down

:00:41. > :00:46.and let it stay there, there's a lot of work that goes on. Martin

:00:47. > :00:51.Clark was out there until 3am with a spirit level. He is a former

:00:52. > :00:57.player, he's been in the top 16, he works for World Snooker. He tests

:00:57. > :01:05.the table. Co t rolls the balls around the table to make sure they

:01:05. > :01:10.are not rolling off. But this floor is not unstable, but uneven. It is

:01:10. > :01:15.very, very difficult, no matter how much the table has been worked on,

:01:16. > :01:20.it is difficult. I've never played on a straight table. Any table we

:01:20. > :01:26.play on, you'll always find it... It is a tonne and-a-half and it has

:01:26. > :01:31.to settle. There's a spring floor at the Crucible. I had a match and

:01:31. > :01:37.I got Dr frame for missing a red three times. It was missing a for

:01:37. > :01:43.to it -- that and a half each time. It was like somebody had put a

:01:43. > :01:47.brick under the table. Peter put in an hour overnight. He was rolling

:01:47. > :01:52.balls everywhere. They've done as balls everywhere. They've done as

:01:52. > :01:56.much as humanly possible. They know where the potential trouble spots

:01:56. > :02:06.are on this table. They will have to compensate for the rest of this

:02:06. > :02:10.I suppose the angle... It is not the sort of place where you would

:02:10. > :02:20.roll the ball to see if it was drifting. They all settle in.

:02:20. > :02:23.

:02:23. > :02:27.Especially when you get the crowd In the Crucible, you get the crowd

:02:27. > :02:31.in on a sprung floor and everybody would be level. If there were more

:02:31. > :02:36.people sitting on one side of the arena, it is amazing. It is only

:02:36. > :02:46.fractions. But it doesn't affect it that much. There's only certain

:02:46. > :03:13.

:03:13. > :03:19.It is always a surprise to see Neil miss one of those. There's a chance,

:03:19. > :03:29.the first chance in this frame to Shaun Murphy. He has to try to win

:03:29. > :03:30.

:03:30. > :03:34.He was a long way away. Surprising. The reason I say he has to try to

:03:34. > :03:41.win it in one visit, if your opponent doesn't believe you can

:03:41. > :03:48.win when he makes mistakes, it gives him warmth confidence as well.

:03:48. > :03:58.-- more confidence. In a couple of shots time, you will see Shaun

:03:58. > :04:06.

:04:06. > :04:16.trying to get on the red next to He might have to come up for the

:04:16. > :04:18.

:04:18. > :04:27.black on this occasion and then He shouldn't be a problem to stun

:04:27. > :04:37.off the cushion and leave that red. -- it shouldn't. In fact, he is

:04:37. > :04:38.

:04:38. > :04:42.If he gets on the black in such a way, it is a good pack to go into.

:04:42. > :04:52.Look at the gap between the two reds. If he gets a good angle on

:04:52. > :04:53.

:04:53. > :04:59.the black, he has a lovely gap to Might have got a heavy contact, but

:04:59. > :05:04.it doesn't matter, he still has the angle to cannon into the bunch.

:05:04. > :05:11.That is what he wants, with plenty of pace. He is guaranteed to be on

:05:11. > :05:17.He didn't quite get the cannon as he intended and it has finished a

:05:17. > :05:27.little awkward for him. He hit the red on the right, he wanted to

:05:27. > :05:55.

:05:55. > :06:03.We said we thought this would be a great semi-final, it is building up

:06:03. > :06:07.nicely, isn't it? Neil Robertson has already had breaks of 84 and

:06:07. > :06:17.that magnificent 132. Shaun had a 48 in the second frame and he is on

:06:17. > :06:18.

:06:18. > :06:24.But he has to do what Stephen Hendry was saying. He has to finish

:06:24. > :06:28.it off in one visit. Stephen mentioned at the number of times

:06:28. > :06:38.Shaun has got to 40 and 50 and then suddenly missed one you would not

:06:38. > :07:05.

:07:05. > :07:09.He may choose to go up for the blue because he is dead straight on this

:07:09. > :07:15.red. If he stands for the black, the cue ball will be fairly close

:07:15. > :07:25.to the cushion. -- stuns. I don't know if he can force an angle off

:07:25. > :07:40.

:07:40. > :07:44.Amazing, that is two he has missed with the rest. He hit that all

:07:44. > :07:49.wrong. It was the previous shot when he played the cannon that left

:07:49. > :07:57.him having to use the long rest. Not often you see that happen.

:07:57. > :08:02.Amazing. He hasn't killed for frame off in one visit. A little wry

:08:02. > :08:09.smile, he can't believe what he has just played. It is a big pocket

:08:09. > :08:13.here, that is what Neil is looking at. This red, if he gets anywhere

:08:13. > :08:23.near it, you think it would go in- off that red if he doesn't go

:08:23. > :08:36.

:08:36. > :08:42.I don't think there's enough room to wobble the red and had it not

:08:42. > :08:49.going off the other red. If he'd just missed that red on the right

:08:49. > :08:59.as we look at it, he might wobble it in the jaws. Much better if he

:08:59. > :08:59.

:08:59. > :09:09.hits the cushion first and then the He has got the one into the left

:09:09. > :09:12.

:09:12. > :09:22.I wonder if he will be tempted to try this down the cushion and hold

:09:22. > :09:29.

:09:29. > :09:34.for the black. Or will he play it The percentages with this shot, I

:09:34. > :09:44.would say, is that he would go in- off the other red maybe six or

:09:44. > :09:49.

:09:49. > :09:53.seven out of 10. Let's see what Team minutes' thinking about this.

:09:53. > :10:03.-- two minute. Tony Drago finished a game of snooker in just over

:10:03. > :10:07.

:10:07. > :10:12.Now he is going to cut the red in I just think he took so long over

:10:12. > :10:18.that, he confused himself. REFEREE: Foul, and a miss., Shaun

:10:18. > :10:26.Murphy four. He just couldn't make his mind up and in the end he

:10:26. > :10:29.missed it completely. I think the shot you were saying, down the

:10:29. > :10:39.cushion, he easily had enough cue power to play it as a safety shot

:10:39. > :10:44.

:10:44. > :10:50.and screw the cue ball back to Obviously this is made slightly

:10:50. > :10:54.easier for Shaun because he at more angle. He missed it completely and

:10:54. > :11:02.he calls a miss, where do you put the white if you ask for it to be

:11:02. > :11:11.replaced? A good question. We will leave that to John and Ken. I've

:11:11. > :11:21.never thought about that before. It's the first time it has arisen.

:11:21. > :11:29.

:11:29. > :11:34.Where would you replace it? We will That's OK, he's left an angle on

:11:34. > :11:41.this red so a great chance for Shaun Murphy to go on and get

:11:41. > :11:51.himself all square. He will be pleasantly pleased with 2-2 at the

:11:51. > :11:55.

:11:55. > :12:00.If that red to the right of the bunch is available, not a problem.

:12:00. > :12:10.He has got an easy red available and that goes. It shouldn't be a

:12:10. > :12:11.

:12:11. > :12:58.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:12:58. > :13:04.He chose to play the cannon and he is just about on this red to the

:13:04. > :13:11.left corner. Although he is close to the red. There was a shot that

:13:11. > :13:15.Neil had earlier. He played to the right of the pink that time. When

:13:15. > :13:25.they are close together, it is difficult to judge. But he will put

:13:25. > :13:32.

:13:32. > :13:42.everything into this pot. He has He needed that red and at least the

:13:42. > :14:19.

:14:19. > :14:29.brown to leave Neil needing a Well, it looks as if he has got

:14:29. > :14:33.

:14:33. > :14:43.away with that. He hit it far too Not that easy to play a good safety

:14:43. > :14:55.

:14:55. > :14:58.That last shot was a good bad one, Yes, he was able to take the red he

:14:58. > :15:02.played off the shares went -- cushion and then took the other one

:15:02. > :15:12.off the cushion. Now the balls are in the open. This is not easy to

:15:12. > :15:16.

:15:16. > :15:26.get safe with the cue ball close to Co that is a super pot! It really

:15:26. > :15:26.

:15:26. > :15:34.Under the circumstances. He couldn't see any easy safety shot,

:15:34. > :15:38.but what a pot he has pulled out to more or less clinch this for frame.

:15:38. > :15:48.-- 4 frame. He needs the brown, that is why he is not taking the

:15:48. > :16:15.

:16:15. > :16:25.Not quite safe just yet. Only one Had the red gone in, we would have

:16:25. > :16:43.

:16:43. > :16:48.been off to the mid-session I think he might be able to see

:16:48. > :16:58.enough of this red to take on the pot. He would go round the back of

:16:58. > :17:05.

:17:05. > :17:14.It is all OK at the moment, but Neil is looking at the two reds as

:17:14. > :17:20.if he can make a plant can somehow stay on the pink or black. He has

:17:20. > :17:24.to hit the first red as if he were just trying to pot the first red

:17:25. > :17:32.and coveted into the pocket. He is not even playing that, he can see

:17:32. > :17:37.the one to the left of the pink. All of a sudden, he could be right

:17:37. > :17:43.back in this fourth frame. We know the plant is on. The other two reds

:17:43. > :17:53.are on. This is far from over, Stephen. Shaun will be very annoyed

:17:53. > :17:58.with himself. A carelessness on that red. -- a careless miss. Not

:17:58. > :18:03.been easy shot, but he should still have potted that. Now he has given

:18:03. > :18:13.himself stressed that he didn't need! He should be having a cup of

:18:13. > :18:19.

:18:19. > :18:27.A slip up from Neil, though. Not He doesn't have to stay on the

:18:27. > :18:32.black. With pinks, he would still only need one snooker. If the pink

:18:32. > :18:42.was on its spot, he would have a red in a terrific position to get

:18:42. > :18:45.

:18:45. > :18:52.If he can pot the pink and take the red to the right, high-value colour,

:18:52. > :19:02.he can put Shaun in all sorts of trouble. If he pots this pink,

:19:02. > :19:24.

:19:24. > :19:28.either of these reds are good for The chance is going to be there. If

:19:28. > :19:33.he can get the white tight behind that pink off that last red, it

:19:33. > :19:39.could be a very difficult snooker to escape from. Just make sure you

:19:39. > :19:47.get the cue ball where you want it. Anywhere in between the black and

:19:48. > :19:54.the cue ball at the moment would be He could have played that a lot

:19:54. > :19:57.better. He should have had the white further up the table and he

:19:57. > :20:03.could have sent the red up towards the baulk colours and got tight in

:20:03. > :20:09.behind the pink. That was a slip up. I don't understand why he chose to

:20:09. > :20:19.screw the cue ball off the cushion. He could have been perfect if he'd

:20:19. > :20:31.

:20:31. > :20:35.screwed it back a for two-and-a- He has still got the snooker, but

:20:35. > :20:39.if he had had the red up the other end of the table, behind the blue

:20:39. > :20:44.and brown, what a tough escape it would have been. You would think

:20:44. > :20:47.Shaun would be able to hit this That's all from the News at One

:20:47. > :20:50.this lunchtime. On BBC One we now join the BBC's news team where you

:20:50. > :20:55.are cushion, but when the red is in the middle of the table, it is so

:20:55. > :21:01.easy to slip by it on two occasions. A few have to use side on the white

:21:01. > :21:10.ball, if it is not a natural angle, it can go wrong. He has slipped by

:21:10. > :21:19.it. If this red passes the pink, all of a sudden, Neil Robertson

:21:19. > :21:29.might have gone favourite. Looks to be just enough room. Yes, it will

:21:29. > :21:37.

:21:37. > :21:46.What a steal this would be. I think he has an angle to get onto the

:21:46. > :21:56.yellow. He could screw back off the cushion. Screw back with left-hand

:21:56. > :22:03.

:22:03. > :22:13.side. That is the angle he should What a terrible frame for Shaun

:22:13. > :22:19.

:22:19. > :22:24.Murphy to lose. He has had three or Did he get a bad contact or did he

:22:24. > :22:28.mishit that? He is having the cue ball cleaned so we will give him

:22:28. > :22:38.the benefit of the doubt. He seemed to stun that. He was just rolling

:22:38. > :23:15.

:23:15. > :23:19.it through and it did kick. It gave Neil looked at the potting angle. I

:23:19. > :23:28.don't know if he is playing for pot into the centre and coming across

:23:28. > :23:38.for the brown into the same pocket. It is a tough shot to take on.

:23:38. > :23:47.

:23:47. > :23:57.A good shot in the end. He gave it plenty of thought. It was worth it.

:23:57. > :24:05.

:24:05. > :24:09.A clever shot. Using the blue to He's got to be careful here, Shaun.

:24:09. > :24:19.Got to get to a little touch of side on it and go close to the

:24:19. > :24:21.

:24:21. > :24:25.But this will go nearer the black, the way he is playing it.

:24:25. > :24:35.REFEREE: Foul, and a miss.. surprised he didn't go the other

:24:35. > :24:36.

:24:36. > :24:39.side of the middle pocket with a little bit of right hand side. Jan

:24:39. > :24:44.Verhaas will maybe need the assistance of the monitor. But he

:24:44. > :24:52.is usually pretty good. He doesn't miss many tricks. The one of the

:24:52. > :24:56.top referees for a lot of years now. I was never the best at getting out

:24:56. > :25:03.of snookers, but I agree with you, that angle didn't look on.

:25:03. > :25:13.Sometimes you can hit it hard and square up the angle. Maybe he is

:25:13. > :25:15.

:25:15. > :25:19.He first thought about going the other side of the middle pocket

:25:19. > :25:23.with a little bit of side to try to hit the green, which would be

:25:23. > :25:27.slightly easier. The way he was trying to do it was get around the

:25:27. > :25:32.back of the black to hit the green and send it up the table, but the

:25:32. > :25:42.angle didn't look right. The angle that he played, sometimes if you

:25:42. > :25:48.

:25:48. > :25:57.play bottom of the cue ball, you Two or three cushions if he is

:25:57. > :26:07.going that way. That is probably even more difficult. Can he hit it?

:26:07. > :26:14.

:26:14. > :26:20.Good shot! He is a little unlucky. But it's amazing, this frame should

:26:20. > :26:30.have been over seven or eight minutes ago. Now he has to sit and

:26:30. > :26:50.

:26:50. > :27:00.It's best of 11, first to six. The mid-session interval is coming up.

:27:00. > :27:00.

:27:00. > :27:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:27:40. > :27:45.3-1 behind, Shaun Murphy would be It didn't seem to jump, but it

:27:45. > :27:52.certainly has pulled up the cue ball. I wonder if we will see Neil

:27:52. > :28:02.show a bit of emotion after stealing this frame. He knows what

:28:02. > :28:05.

:28:05. > :28:15.Shaun Murphy had an earlier break of 45 and he should have held on,

:28:15. > :28:18.

:28:18. > :28:25.but in the end Neil Robertson kept Neil just checking the roll of the

:28:25. > :28:30.bed down the left-hand side. That was an issue for him. But overall,

:28:30. > :28:37.he has to be absolutely delighted with that last frame. A bad blow

:28:37. > :28:42.for Murphy. If you were analysing players, the reason why Shaun

:28:42. > :28:47.Murphy hasn't had more trophies was encapsulated in that frame. He was

:28:47. > :28:55.so careless, beyond belief. The frame should have been done and

:28:55. > :28:59.dusted. What he has done in this frame is incredible. The red he

:28:59. > :29:03.missed at the back of the black, when he has played and he thinks he

:29:03. > :29:13.is already over the line. It doesn't matter about position,

:29:13. > :29:21.knock it in. That is unforgivable. Stephen Hendry mentioned he's had a

:29:21. > :29:26.48 break, 45 in that one, but is it a positional looseness in the

:29:26. > :29:31.middle of the break? A momentary aberration? A moment of aberration,

:29:31. > :29:35.a lack of concentration. Sometimes he gets carried away with a break

:29:35. > :29:40.and he doesn't concentrate on the initial pot. That is what happened.

:29:40. > :29:45.He loses position sometimes when he looks so good in the balls and all

:29:45. > :29:51.of a sudden he plays a loose shot. Kit is a cardinal sin. We've all

:29:51. > :29:54.done it, you think you have reached the winning line. A little lack of

:29:54. > :29:59.concentration, you take your eye off the ball and it comes back to

:29:59. > :30:09.haunt you. Can we always say the snooker gods never forgive you.

:30:09. > :30:12.

:30:12. > :30:17.When you make a cardinal sin like 90 pay for it with Roberts and

:30:17. > :30:20.around. Every time you play him he is never worse, and sometimes he is

:30:20. > :30:26.better. You have always got to match him for safety and take your

:30:26. > :30:30.chances and you must not be careless. That is why the scoreline

:30:30. > :30:36.is 3-1, because Shaun Murphy has been. Neil Robertson played a

:30:36. > :30:41.terrible shock. Even then, it was not a difficult snookered hit. I

:30:41. > :30:49.said to John, if he hits this hard, the white always straightened up.

:30:49. > :30:54.When you hit it hard off straight, it always straightened up. You

:30:54. > :31:00.should never have missed that red off one cushion. It is another

:31:00. > :31:03.point of Cairness this form Shaun Murphy. -- point of carelessness

:31:03. > :31:06.from Shaun Murphy. It is the difference between winning and

:31:06. > :31:11.losing, it is the little things that make up the overall picture.

:31:11. > :31:15.It is why he has not won as much as he should. He strikes the ball as

:31:15. > :31:24.good as anyone, but he gets beaten in a tactical department time and

:31:24. > :31:32.again by people better than him. am feeling of frustration! If he

:31:32. > :31:36.just tidy it up he would be there. His cue action is so good when he

:31:36. > :31:45.is in a four-month the boss. Peace breaks it so well. Sometimes he

:31:45. > :31:53.gets into the cue ball so much, that is why he runs out of position.

:31:53. > :31:57.You get such a reaction of these cloths. It is the little things we

:31:57. > :32:03.are measured on at this level. is not over yet. There is a long

:32:03. > :32:12.way to go. A long way to go. Apart from that, he has a great

:32:12. > :32:16.temperament to go -- as well. talk about Neil Robertson. All this

:32:16. > :32:26.week, our experts have been doing their Paxman impressions, or it

:32:26. > :32:40.

:32:40. > :32:46.should be Frost a mess when! -- in What does this tournament, the

:32:46. > :32:51.Masters, mean to you? It was the first tournament I ever watched on

:32:51. > :32:56.television. My dad's partner in snooker was sparred it -- Scottish.

:32:57. > :33:03.He used to always play beat Stephen Hendry and McManus final. I must

:33:03. > :33:10.have watched it about 50 times. It increased my interest in the game,

:33:10. > :33:20.watching that much. What is your most special memory of watching the

:33:20. > :33:30.Masters? Which much to do think it was superb? -- which much did you

:33:30. > :33:32.

:33:33. > :33:36.think was sued her? When O'Sullivan and Higgins played. It was close to

:33:36. > :33:41.perfection. Ronnie in that final was about as perfect as any

:33:41. > :33:45.sportsman in the world could get. He was up there with Roger

:33:45. > :33:50.Federer's performances and things like that. It was not easy for you

:33:51. > :33:55.to start off here, were you homesick? Being 16 in the UK are my

:33:55. > :34:00.own, there was no place for overseas players. I would fly over

:34:00. > :34:04.to qualify for the UK Championship and I would fly over the day before

:34:04. > :34:10.it the day I was going to play. I would fly to Heathrow, work out the

:34:10. > :34:14.best way, get to the train station, ask the taxi driver to take me to a

:34:14. > :34:20.B&B and gets settled in and pay may match the next day. Looking back, I

:34:20. > :34:25.had no chance. I fell off that the tour and it was not until a couple

:34:25. > :34:33.of years after that I made progress. You had a wide part in 2004 and it

:34:33. > :34:38.was a nice baptism. You got Jimmy White in London to! Yes, that was

:34:38. > :34:45.the first time I had played on TV and in the top 16 and I played one

:34:45. > :34:54.of the legends of the game. It is something I will always remember.

:34:54. > :34:58.Was the crowd difficult to get used to? Yes, the crowd was amazing. It

:34:58. > :35:03.was the most overwhelming thing I ever experienced in my life. I will

:35:03. > :35:13.always remember it. We are going to move to 2010 and a very special

:35:13. > :35:14.

:35:14. > :35:16.year for Neil Robertson, why? couple of things! Winning the World

:35:16. > :35:24.Championship when my partner was due a couple of days after the

:35:25. > :35:29.final, due to give birth to our son, Alexander. It was an amazing year

:35:29. > :35:35.for me. Chelsea won the Premier League, I won the World

:35:35. > :35:40.Championship. World No. 1 by any chance? Yes, I won the BBC event,

:35:40. > :35:44.the World Open. It was the most perfect year. I was very privileged

:35:44. > :35:49.to be a player and achieve those things in such a short space of

:35:49. > :35:57.time. You have mentioned you have got a young son. It is hard to be

:35:57. > :36:01.away from home. How do you balance it? Is the dog would? Yes, it is.

:36:01. > :36:08.Meir Alexander was born was a fantastic year for more that -- for

:36:08. > :36:14.be. The second half of 2010 was rough. Alexander was just a few

:36:14. > :36:23.months old. I was world No. 1, so I was not overly keen on going away

:36:23. > :36:30.and playing. The hardest part is juggling the PTCs. Maintaining a

:36:30. > :36:40.focus during the PTC tournaments is important and it is pretty hard.

:36:40. > :36:41.

:36:41. > :36:45.You cannot think during a match. Up on her last season I had a terrible

:36:45. > :36:51.record in China because I thought, at least if I get beaten I can see

:36:51. > :36:56.my son. Going away has been tough but I think I have got it now. I

:36:56. > :36:59.have not ended everything this season and I think I have benefited.

:36:59. > :37:07.I read something about Stephen Hendry helping you. What has he

:37:07. > :37:14.said? I have had a few drinks with Matt sell than he is friends with

:37:15. > :37:20.Hendry. I thought, stuff it, I will ask him questions about snooker. I

:37:20. > :37:27.said, can I ask you as knitter question? He said, go ahead. I

:37:27. > :37:31.thought, I will not pull him down. I was talking to him about break-

:37:31. > :37:36.building and has sometimes I do not play position but just how to land

:37:36. > :37:44.on the next ball. I was talking to him about different practice

:37:44. > :37:53.routines. It was a difference. Protect -- process about break-

:37:53. > :37:57.building. There were a different teashops where I was getting lazy.

:37:57. > :38:06.Overall it was about position. When I explain my thought process he

:38:06. > :38:12.said, you sound amateurish. To hear that from him... Was that easy to

:38:12. > :38:18.take? As good a player eyes you are, if you are taught you are

:38:18. > :38:24.amateurish, were you are right with that? -- were you all right with

:38:24. > :38:29.that? He was such a great positional player, I will never be

:38:29. > :38:33.as good as that, but I can definitely improve. It is going to

:38:33. > :38:39.take time before it will become natural. The signs Senedd that it

:38:39. > :38:43.is happening. The defending champion this year, but what was

:38:43. > :38:50.last year like? Last year was amazing. I have played well in the

:38:50. > :38:54.Masters for a lot of years but not really progressed. This was the

:38:54. > :38:59.first time I had reached the semi- final. I had a fantastic match with

:38:59. > :39:02.Ronnie O'Sullivan a couple of years ago, and Maguire. If I will always

:39:02. > :39:05.run into somebody playing great snooker and that is what you get in

:39:05. > :39:09.this tournament and why it is so hard to win. Last year I played

:39:10. > :39:17.Mark Allen, who had just reached the final of the UK Championships

:39:18. > :39:23.and was one of covenants. I played Mark Williams and Judd Trump. The

:39:23. > :39:27.final was Shaun Murphy, trying to win all three. An amazing

:39:27. > :39:34.atmosphere every week, every match. Probably the best I've played from

:39:34. > :39:39.start to finish, I think. Thank you. John and the boys have been getting

:39:39. > :39:43.great stuff out of these players. There was a lot of interesting

:39:43. > :39:50.stuff about his thinking with regard to break-building and the

:39:50. > :39:54.tactical situations he finds himself in, Neil Robertson. Ken is

:39:55. > :39:58.down at the practice table. There was one shot in that last frame we

:39:58. > :40:08.were interested in with regard to potentially missing a trick by Neil

:40:08. > :40:11.

:40:11. > :40:17.What was wrong with his thinking here? He had the red over the whole

:40:17. > :40:22.but also he had a red here, down the middle of the table. This is

:40:22. > :40:27.our big pocket. You do not have to head the ball directly because even

:40:27. > :40:33.if you hit because it should still going. He did have the ball-in-hand.

:40:33. > :40:38.Have a look at this. Hopefully we won't get this in one. This is

:40:38. > :40:48.called a big pocket. Try and grab the red in Office of the First

:40:48. > :40:56.

:40:56. > :41:01.-- off the other red and pot the We have had plenty of e-mails and

:41:01. > :41:11.tweets. We have one, are there any routines that have tuning in a

:41:11. > :41:20.

:41:20. > :41:26.pop the white straight after it. Also, players and may play a shot

:41:26. > :41:31.from here, particularly professionals. They went stun it or

:41:31. > :41:41.follow-through. You can start off by stunning it, something like that,

:41:41. > :41:50.

:41:50. > :41:54.Another good routine, take your cue on the Brian and make sure -- on

:41:54. > :42:01.the brown and make sure it is covering the baulk line and if it

:42:01. > :42:05.is covering the blog line it is on a straight line. Another one, why

:42:05. > :42:15.do the majority of players have their middle finger when setting up

:42:15. > :42:19.

:42:19. > :42:25.and after playing a shot by? It is they do it. We all have our own

:42:26. > :42:35.idiosyncracies. It is a nervous twitch. The Ding Junhui had his own

:42:35. > :42:45.at secrecy, he blinks. -- idiosyncrasy. Mark Selby moves like

:42:45. > :42:52.

:42:52. > :42:56.We have had another interesting question from Anthony Ward. I would

:42:56. > :43:02.like to ask, has anyone ever held off three BBC Triple Crown events

:43:02. > :43:08.at once and if so, he was the first? I have the details. There

:43:08. > :43:12.are seven guys in Toll Bar who have done it. -- in total who have done

:43:12. > :43:18.it. Four of them have done it at the same time. The first was Steve

:43:18. > :43:28.Davis, 87 and a beard, Stephen Hendry did it, John Higgins Tibet

:43:28. > :43:37.and Mark Williams did it in 2002/three. Let's underwrite the

:43:37. > :43:47.pedigree of our semi-finalists. They have all won at least one of

:43:47. > :43:55.

:43:55. > :43:59.them. Dott has reached three World

:43:59. > :44:04.Championship finals. They are all very well decorated men. The

:44:04. > :44:14.quality of what we are seeing is so high. But quality of the refereeing,

:44:14. > :44:20.always very high. Their man in the middle is Jan Verhaas. He is the

:44:20. > :44:24.first man from outside the UK to be in charge of a Crucible final. He

:44:24. > :44:28.has been a man in the middle for all three of the late Paul Hunter?

:44:28. > :44:38.Triumphs. This is the first time for over six months we have seen

:44:38. > :44:38.

:44:38. > :44:44.him at a major event after a scary experience.

:44:44. > :44:48.I have had a bad last six months. During one of the qualifiers in

:44:48. > :44:53.June in Sheffield I slipped in the bathroom in the morning and had a

:44:53. > :44:59.scan done and it turned out that a piece of bone had broken off and

:44:59. > :45:04.started blocking my nerve system in my left leg. I had an operation in

:45:04. > :45:12.July and recently I flew out to Chengdu for the International.

:45:12. > :45:17.Coming off the plane, my right leg was just going. After advice from

:45:17. > :45:21.my colleague who is a nurse in Germany, he advised me to go to

:45:21. > :45:31.hospital and have it checked. Turned out it was the brain

:45:31. > :45:32.

:45:32. > :45:37.thrombosis. -- DP being -- the bane of thrombosis. I had to have blood

:45:37. > :45:43.tests three times a week and had to invest -- inject myself with

:45:43. > :45:47.thinners. The language barrier was immense. Nobody really spoke any

:45:47. > :45:50.English, not in the hospital or anything. It is a beautiful city

:45:50. > :45:59.but when you are alone and something is wrong with you, you

:45:59. > :46:04.just want to go home. When I was young and watched

:46:04. > :46:10.snooker on TV I always looked up to Steve Davis, the ambassador for the

:46:10. > :46:16.game. Then came Hendry and his battles with Jimmy White. She I

:46:16. > :46:26.love snooker so much as a reviewer of the game. My favourite memories

:46:26. > :46:26.

:46:26. > :46:31.go West the Paul Hunter finals at Wembley. He is not with us any more,

:46:31. > :46:35.so they are the memories I treasure the most. This is the first

:46:35. > :46:40.television tournament since the Crucible for me. I have had a lot

:46:40. > :46:46.of support from players and colleagues. It is a good feeling to

:46:46. > :46:56.see them again after such a long time.

:46:56. > :46:58.

:46:58. > :47:01.Good to have him back. I was looking up his record, he has

:47:01. > :47:07.appeared in four Crucible finals, three UKs and eight Masters and he

:47:07. > :47:10.would not what you to remember he has been there at all. That is the

:47:10. > :47:18.beauty of a good referee. Thoroughly respected by other

:47:18. > :47:28.players. He is absolutely top-class in the game. He is just going into

:47:28. > :47:28.

:47:28. > :47:38.the shadows. He will be calling the shots. This is the first a six --

:47:38. > :47:52.

:47:52. > :47:56.the first of six will be going Shaun Murphy hoping to put in the

:47:56. > :48:01.back of his mind the frame from before the midsession interval. He

:48:01. > :48:11.is an experienced player, he will forget about that. Just an

:48:11. > :48:24.

:48:24. > :48:29.interesting point about Jan Verhaas, earlier when there was a question

:48:29. > :48:32.about a whether he should have called a fire might, he could not

:48:32. > :48:42.have replaced the more, so be cleared up immediately. -- he

:48:42. > :48:42.

:48:42. > :49:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:49:44. > :49:52.There is not a lot of value if he rolls that red in. The other red

:49:52. > :49:59.was possible, but he was just running into a bunch. He has only

:49:59. > :50:03.made six from that opening pot. It was just a shot that he played on

:50:03. > :50:13.the blue, he didn't hit it hard enough to get the wider way from

:50:13. > :50:29.

:50:29. > :50:37.the cushion. -- to get the white Good lying if it needed on his

:50:37. > :50:47.safety shot. Is he playing missing a red? Yes, looks as if he is. --

:50:47. > :50:54.

:50:54. > :51:04.the single red. I thought he would He might have avoided the cannon on

:51:04. > :51:04.

:51:04. > :51:53.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:51:53. > :52:03.When the cue ball is on the cushion Not a great angle on the blue but

:52:03. > :52:11.

:52:11. > :52:18.enough to play a cannon into the The harder you hit that type of

:52:18. > :52:25.shot the more angled you make and he just made a bit too much. It has

:52:26. > :52:35.turned into a good safety, hasn't it? The pack is intact so there is

:52:36. > :52:36.

:52:36. > :53:17.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:53:17. > :53:24.He could not get over behind the green so he had to concentrate on

:53:24. > :53:34.getting the cue ball close behind a cushion. You can tell that that is

:53:34. > :53:35.

:53:35. > :53:45.his brother. He is not a bad player himself. Not quite as good, but not

:53:45. > :54:10.

:54:10. > :54:19.That is very uncharacteristic from Robertson. He never got anywhere

:54:19. > :54:27.near that. He was hoping to be right on the blue or black. They

:54:27. > :54:37.must have been some unintentional side on the cable. -- on the cue

:54:37. > :54:58.

:54:58. > :55:08.That miss that Robertson made, it will give Murphy a little bit of a

:55:08. > :55:30.

:55:30. > :55:39.bruised. But he will have to play He has to find the gap. The one to

:55:39. > :55:49.the left of the three is not possible. In fact, that one does

:55:49. > :55:49.

:55:49. > :57:31.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:57:31. > :57:36.There are still a few more reds Once again, we get to the 40 mark

:57:36. > :57:46.on the break and Murphy has played a careless positional shot. He

:57:46. > :57:53.

:57:53. > :57:57.should not have been anywhere near If he is going to play for the red

:57:57. > :58:00.back he is looking at it is nothing to do with the cue ball, just

:58:01. > :58:10.concentrate on the pot. The cue ball will automatically go on the

:58:11. > :58:14.

:58:14. > :58:21.Amazing, isn't it? Breaking down in the middle of the frame, really.

:58:21. > :58:27.really is extraordinary. It can only be concentration, he has not

:58:27. > :58:33.been able to keep his concentration 100% throughout the break. It is

:58:33. > :58:39.one of those little lapses. In the UK, he did it so many times, got to

:58:39. > :58:49.40 or 50, did a careless positional shot and broke down. This standard

:58:49. > :58:55.

:58:55. > :59:05.of snooker you have to win frames Maybe he will have to have a chat

:59:05. > :59:06.

:59:06. > :59:12.with you. I believe Robertson was talking to you about break-building,

:59:12. > :59:19.is that correct? Yes, after he lost in the UK. That was a surprising

:59:19. > :59:25.miss, the blue. Yes, he was chatting to me after he lost to

:59:25. > :59:29.Mark Selby. He described the way his thought processes were during a

:59:29. > :59:34.break. I said that I find it amateurish. He said a lot of that

:59:34. > :59:39.time, he does not plan, he would just make sure they pot and hope to

:59:39. > :59:49.plant a bomb and nice angle. Strange, considering how well he

:59:49. > :59:49.

:59:49. > :59:59.He certainly played well against Mark Allen, three century breaks.

:59:59. > :00:03.

:00:03. > :00:08.Iping he got a bit of kick on the That is a bit unlucky. That is a

:00:08. > :00:18.very unlucky, he is almost over the winning line in this frame and get

:00:18. > :00:22.

:00:22. > :00:32.He only needed a red and a colour, he played the cannon nicely. A bit

:00:32. > :00:34.

:00:34. > :00:40.I it just what to clarify, in no way it would think he plays like an

:00:40. > :00:46.amateur, he is one of the best players in the world! Yes, the

:00:46. > :00:56.Australian has one six ranking titles, the greatest player to ever

:00:56. > :01:10.

:01:10. > :01:20.Eddie Charlton held that mantle for This is a totally different player

:01:20. > :01:47.

:01:47. > :01:52.He holds his hand up, just to He doesn't have to pot a colour,

:01:52. > :02:02.still would be enough points on the board, he is 54 behind. Still a

:02:02. > :02:07.

:02:07. > :02:13.I was wondering if he had a chance to play the yellow on to the blue

:02:13. > :02:23.and red, to open them up, leave the cue ball somewhere near the brown.

:02:23. > :02:23.

:02:23. > :02:29.It looks as if the way he is lining it up, he can get past the green to

:02:29. > :02:33.hit that red. It is a red he wouldn't have wanted to bring into

:02:33. > :02:40.play, he would have liked to have left it safe as a bit of insurance,

:02:40. > :02:50.but it is the only one he can see. When he removes that come he will

:02:50. > :03:02.

:03:02. > :03:06.put them all in pottable position, He doesn't have to play that red.

:03:06. > :03:16.He could leave it there as a little bit of insurance, but it is a bit

:03:16. > :03:41.

:03:41. > :03:51.risky to play off the cushion to Well, in the end it has cost him

:03:51. > :03:54.

:03:54. > :04:00.five points. Jan Verhaas we just He's usually pretty good, even

:04:00. > :04:10.without a monitor, he seemed to know exactly where they are off.

:04:10. > :04:12.

:04:12. > :04:17.I am not sure how much you could see of that. He's just saying, he's

:04:17. > :04:23.not sure how much Shaun could see. But the players are pretty fair.

:04:23. > :04:33.They will assist the referee as they can do. You can hold the

:04:33. > :04:37.

:04:37. > :04:45.referee but you cannot touch the Deeper in the table, yes? He could

:04:45. > :04:53.see a little bit more of it than that, I feel. Was it not a bit

:04:53. > :04:59.higher up? Is the blue right, or should be higher? That is the way

:04:59. > :05:09.it was. It is only a fraction, I think he could see a little bit

:05:09. > :05:15.

:05:15. > :05:19.It is only fractions, but in this case, it makes a bit of a

:05:19. > :05:22.difference. He is reluctant to move the red too far. He could play it

:05:22. > :05:32.off two cushions and back down the table but doesn't want to bring

:05:32. > :05:36.

:05:36. > :05:46.Are you happy with that? I think everybody is happy. They will just

:05:46. > :05:55.

:05:55. > :06:00.He is making it more awkward for himself, saying that the white was

:06:00. > :06:04.nearer the green. I think that is right. I thought he was going to

:06:04. > :06:14.play thin off it and back down the table, he didn't want to move the

:06:14. > :06:41.

:06:41. > :06:51.red very much. Let's see what He is looking at the angle, but

:06:51. > :06:54.

:06:54. > :07:04.surely that red doesn't pass the If you were in behind the red you

:07:04. > :07:23.

:07:23. > :07:26.might be able to drop it in past There are a few shots available. He

:07:26. > :07:36.could play of the one to the right off the blue and try and get the

:07:36. > :07:36.

:07:36. > :09:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:09:26. > :09:36.There is this red to the left centre. He can play a safety to put

:09:36. > :10:03.

:10:03. > :10:13.the cue ball in behind the brown Now he has the chance to steal this

:10:13. > :10:15.

:10:15. > :10:21.He certainly giving some of the shots could from -- thinking time

:10:21. > :10:31.come he's putting everything into this effort. He pinched the

:10:31. > :11:08.

:11:08. > :11:11.previous frame and he has got his He's back looking at that red to

:11:11. > :11:15.see big well past the blue and he is also looking at the blue to see

:11:15. > :11:25.if he can pot it and get out of the way. He can get easily on to the

:11:25. > :11:35.Get the black, the other red and then get a little bit closer to the

:11:35. > :11:40.

:11:40. > :11:43.blue, you can just drop the blue in He is now looking at the red that

:11:43. > :11:48.is near the blue, I thought he would have played for the one near

:11:48. > :11:58.the pink spot. Because we know that that red will pass the blue but

:11:58. > :12:09.

:12:09. > :12:14.there is only half a pocket there. Now Neil Robertson has definitely

:12:14. > :12:24.become favourite for this frame. You think brown blue is going to be

:12:24. > :12:40.

:12:40. > :12:43.I don't think he has got the angle He kept looking up at the

:12:43. > :12:53.scoreboard, and he is still looking at it, sometimes it is difficult

:12:53. > :12:55.

:12:55. > :12:59.work out the score when you're an Easy to get on to the black or pink

:12:59. > :13:03.here, but he was looking at the blue to see if he could get on that,

:13:03. > :13:08.it would be much more difficult than to get onto the yellow from

:13:08. > :13:16.the blue, that is the only downside to that. He is well ahead of

:13:16. > :13:26.himself. He has surveyed the whole of the table and he is certainly

:13:26. > :13:30.

:13:30. > :13:34.looking a bit of leather on the old He has not come far enough to play

:13:34. > :13:44.that shot, he will have to play this blue with a bit of pace. It is

:13:44. > :13:45.

:13:45. > :13:48.He will have to play with a touch of right hand side. If he hits the

:13:48. > :13:54.cushion and then out somewhere along the line anywhere, it doesn't

:13:54. > :14:04.have to be right down the line, but somewhere with a bit of right-hand

:14:04. > :14:08.

:14:08. > :14:12.side will get and there. He hasn't A delicate little one needed now.

:14:12. > :14:22.That is if he's going to take the pot on and try and hold for the

:14:22. > :14:23.

:14:23. > :14:33.For right handed player, this would be comfortable, but with the rest

:14:33. > :14:48.

:14:48. > :14:53.come of this is much more difficult. I would suggest there will be a

:14:53. > :14:57.safety shot now. No way he can pot this green and holed for the brown.

:14:57. > :15:02.The only way you can do that will be to pot the green to the left

:15:02. > :15:05.hand corner and come all the way around the table and back up again.

:15:05. > :15:15.And there are three colours to contend with. Maybe he will not

:15:15. > :15:19.

:15:19. > :15:29.even bother with the pot here, as Is he going to try and go round the

:15:29. > :15:46.

:15:46. > :15:56.table or is it just a safety? Just Such a key frame, this. They all

:15:56. > :15:58.

:15:58. > :16:08.our key frames but this is, but Ford one instead of three to. It is

:16:08. > :16:29.

:16:29. > :16:34.a huge difference in the first to A first-class shot there from Shaun

:16:34. > :16:41.Murphy. All of a sudden, the advantage is with him again. This

:16:41. > :16:45.is much more difficult for Neil. I don't know if he can hit enough of

:16:45. > :16:48.the cushion from behind and send the green back up the table, keep

:16:48. > :16:54.the white near enough to wear the green is, there might just be

:16:54. > :17:04.enough room to do that. As long as he doesn't hit the pink with the

:17:04. > :17:29.

:17:29. > :17:39.No, just a straightforward run to He just got down and he dad, and he

:17:39. > :17:46.

:17:46. > :17:56.could have given it a bit more There was a natural safety shot

:17:56. > :18:33.

:18:33. > :18:36.around the angles so long as he He's going to have to come off the

:18:36. > :18:42.cushion with right hand side command you can never be guaranteed

:18:42. > :18:52.to knock this stage. -- to knock this stage. And I don't think he

:18:52. > :18:56.

:18:56. > :19:06.If it cuts, he can finish on the brown come he can come back down

:19:06. > :19:35.

:19:35. > :19:39.It is curling! And it is in the pocket! So that is a reprieve for

:19:39. > :19:49.Shaun Murphy. Although I think Neil was trying to get down the right

:19:49. > :19:54.

:19:55. > :20:04.side of the blue it as we look at Just checking the scoreboard, the

:20:05. > :20:44.

:20:44. > :20:54.So a Shaun Murphy special, and we will be setting them up for the

:20:54. > :21:03.

:21:03. > :21:13.Might be worth putting the brown here, because he can win with two

:21:13. > :21:48.

:21:48. > :21:58.Snooker's there. Five points for a I would suggest just to roll this

:21:58. > :22:07.

:22:07. > :22:17.He tried to pot it. Maybe he has But I was with you, I would have

:22:17. > :22:55.

:22:56. > :23:01.rolled the blue in or over, as they Just got to be a little bit careful

:23:01. > :23:05.here, Shaun. I don't think the middle pocket is in the way of the

:23:05. > :23:15.one cushion escape. The two cushion escape, the black is likely in the

:23:15. > :23:20.

:23:20. > :23:30.way. But there is a gap between the Should be OK as long as he just

:23:30. > :23:32.

:23:32. > :23:36.misses the middle pocket. Looks to Just along that line or nearer the

:23:36. > :23:44.middle pocket, if he tries two cushions, he could clip the black.

:23:44. > :23:54.I think he could get it off one. He has found the gap, believe it or

:23:54. > :24:00.

:24:00. > :24:08.We're at the snookers-required stage, and all of a sudden, the

:24:08. > :24:14.frame is not safe. Only one snooker needed, and the black is an acre

:24:14. > :24:24.position, if he can keep the blue safe. -- it in a good position. The

:24:24. > :24:29.

:24:29. > :24:33.pink is not ideally placed above He didn't mean to pot that. He

:24:33. > :24:40.tried to just get a snooker in behind the black there. So it is

:24:40. > :24:43.much more difficult now but the reds a possibility -- there is a

:24:43. > :24:53.possibility, but he would have to be so precise to get in behind the

:24:53. > :25:28.

:25:28. > :25:34.He has got to be so careful here, because as I mentioned the black

:25:34. > :25:38.isn't a perfect position to get the snooker in behind. -- he's in a

:25:38. > :25:45.perfect position. So he is trying to figure out where to put the pink

:25:45. > :25:49.that will make it difficult for Neil to attempt the snooker.

:25:49. > :25:59.these are all problems he didn't need to have. He could have

:25:59. > :26:12.

:26:12. > :26:22.This is a comfortable shot just screw the cue ball in behind the

:26:22. > :26:24.

:26:24. > :26:27.black, and the frame is over. Just I'm just wondering if he can come

:26:27. > :26:37.off the pink and possibly get in behind the black maid would be some

:26:37. > :26:47.

:26:47. > :26:54.shot. He tried that, but he caught This time it is in or over. Ind

:26:54. > :27:04.would be better. Safely in the pocket, so he almost let it slip

:27:04. > :27:09.

:27:09. > :27:13.A 39 minute frame and both men, giving it such care and attention.

:27:13. > :27:20.A very important point in the match. Shaun will be delighted to have one

:27:20. > :27:23.the frame. He is not winning in one visit, so consequently the frames

:27:23. > :27:30.are a bit more drawn out. It takes a bit more out of you, but if you

:27:30. > :27:37.win them, it is fine. That progression we talked about before

:27:37. > :27:42.the interval, breaks of 40 yet come a 45 and 41, it is all easy for us

:27:42. > :27:48.to analyse, but when you're out there, had you result for an issue

:27:48. > :27:56.like that? It is difficult, he knows he should have had that frame

:27:56. > :28:01.in the bag maybe 15 minutes ago. So it does take it out of you, and it

:28:01. > :28:07.does instil you... He will be more relieved than feeling really good

:28:07. > :28:11.about himself winning that frame. But as Stephen says, he has to

:28:11. > :28:16.concentrate harder when he is in amongst the balls, to kill the

:28:16. > :28:19.frame in one visit, because it you don't come made gives your opponent

:28:19. > :28:24.extra confidence and he can relax a bit more because he knows if you're

:28:24. > :28:28.not going to kill the frame in one visit, it will take you more visits.

:28:28. > :28:38.So you're not confident, it looked your opponent relax a bit and play

:28:38. > :28:44.more shot you wouldn't want to play. I make the point that it is worth

:28:44. > :28:48.reiterating, Stephen Hendry used to make 70, 80, 90, so the tactics

:28:49. > :28:53.with one red on the table were all over, he didn't have the 15 minutes

:28:53. > :28:57.of brain damage, if you like, it was already all over. So if you

:28:57. > :29:01.stop your opponent to be back to the table, the score line changes a

:29:01. > :29:06.lot quicker and you don't get the mental anguish. But if he starts to

:29:06. > :29:11.win the frame at one visit, that puts the pressure on your opponent.

:29:11. > :29:14.He's going to be on top of the game, he doesn't want to miss, it puts

:29:14. > :29:20.pressure on the safety shots as well. He has to be on top of his

:29:20. > :29:24.game, that is a double-edged sword. In terms of safety, to wrap this

:29:24. > :29:34.championship, Murphy has had the better of the Exchange's -- thrall

:29:34. > :30:02.

:30:02. > :30:10.A little spring in his step as he knocked back in. He played

:30:10. > :30:20.perfectly. He made sure he finished on one of the baulk colours. With

:30:20. > :30:20.

:30:20. > :32:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:32:07. > :32:17.four or five reds available, it He purposely left himself short on

:32:17. > :32:28.

:32:28. > :32:37.this Dobbie so that he could open The cannon on the pink worked out

:32:37. > :32:47.perfectly for him. Now, that is so careless, and that is what he has

:32:47. > :33:10.

:33:10. > :33:20.And he looks as if he is up for it now. He means business. Will he

:33:20. > :33:29.

:33:29. > :33:39.This time, can he finished a frame in one visit. I am going to stick

:33:39. > :34:03.

:34:03. > :34:13.my neck out and say he will. Curse He has left himself straight on the

:34:13. > :34:13.

:34:13. > :34:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:34:57. > :35:07.He is going to start having a few We do not expect him to miss these.

:35:07. > :35:07.

:35:07. > :35:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:35:56. > :36:06.He might just be able to get through to this one in the middle.

:36:06. > :36:45.

:36:45. > :36:50.There is a gap to screw back for When you are playing the top

:36:50. > :37:00.players, you want to put your stamp on the match as soon as possible.

:37:00. > :37:08.

:37:08. > :37:18.You need to get your opponent on There is only one red that can come

:37:18. > :37:18.

:37:18. > :38:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:38:33. > :38:43.He went too far into the corner, but he was always going to have

:38:43. > :38:43.

:38:43. > :39:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:39:24. > :39:34.Just wondering if he will leave an Moving back last red will be

:39:34. > :39:34.

:39:34. > :40:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:40:37. > :40:47.He has deliberately left himself It will go up past the yellow. He

:40:47. > :40:47.

:40:47. > :41:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:41:48. > :41:58.was looking at it. This could be He just missed it and he played it

:41:58. > :41:58.

:41:58. > :42:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:42:44. > :42:54.Shaun Murphy has missed a golden He will have to keep concentrating.

:42:54. > :43:11.

:43:11. > :43:17.He has been making careless He has done it again. Shaun Murphy

:43:17. > :43:27.had a chance to take the frame, but he did not do it. It was a fabulous

:43:27. > :43:33.

:43:33. > :43:37.You have got to salute the instincts of nil Robertson. He has

:43:37. > :43:45.got to pot the balls after the mistakes Shaun Murphy has been

:43:45. > :43:55.making. He is good at that. That was a super clearance. A couple of

:43:55. > :44:02.

:44:02. > :44:09.grape shots. Just look at this blue. Look how well he strikes it. That

:44:09. > :44:15.was a brilliant shot. He also missed the cannon on the green.

:44:15. > :44:21.That was super. Shaun Murphy is suffering from a condition that has

:44:21. > :44:31.just been brought to my condition. Every time he makes a faulty, he

:44:31. > :44:39.

:44:39. > :44:46.leaves himself open. -- makes 40. He started off the break with some

:44:46. > :44:56.great shots. He split the pack a lovely, all the reds were out in

:44:56. > :45:00.

:45:00. > :45:09.the open. He careless the got on to the blue. He had to drop it in,

:45:09. > :45:19.play the shot with the rest and then he misses it. He is brilliant

:45:19. > :45:25.with the rest bow. -- he is brilliant with the rest, but he has

:45:25. > :45:31.missed a couple of great shocks today. He has only got himself to

:45:31. > :45:35.blame for being behind. He is struggling out there and in the

:45:35. > :45:41.overall context of the match, you have got to see Neil Robinson

:45:41. > :45:49.getting stronger and stronger. can say that, but Shaun Murphy is

:45:49. > :45:54.still getting chances. He just needs to take it up a notch or two.

:45:54. > :46:03.He is cueing really well, but there have been some lapses. He needs to

:46:03. > :46:13.raise his game and there is plenty of life left in this match. At what

:46:13. > :46:23.point does this, semi-finals at the Masters, finally start to seek in -

:46:23. > :46:24.

:46:24. > :46:34.- to sink in? It is difficult. This is a huge frame. If it's 5-2 behind,

:46:34. > :46:55.

:46:55. > :47:05.Shaun Murphy could have been in front if he had converted his

:47:05. > :47:29.

:47:30. > :47:39.He can see the edge of the pack, but he would have to find a gap to

:47:40. > :47:40.

:47:40. > :49:14.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:49:14. > :49:24.get back down to the other Ken of He might need a touching ball to

:49:24. > :49:49.

:49:49. > :49:59.I think this will resolve this self without it being racked up. --

:49:59. > :50:00.

:50:00. > :50:10.I can't see a way out of this, unless someone leaves a touching

:50:10. > :50:10.

:50:10. > :50:58.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:50:58. > :51:08.Time for the balls to be racked. We have had everything so far. He

:51:08. > :51:16.

:51:16. > :51:23.would have liked to have kept it That is what they are playing for -

:51:23. > :51:33.that beautiful Waterford crystal trophy. Shaun Murphy would dearly

:51:33. > :51:33.

:51:33. > :52:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:52:37. > :52:47.A good opener. The white is a little further than he would have

:52:47. > :52:47.

:52:47. > :54:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:54:37. > :54:47.Shaun Murphy knew that was not Last time I looked, he didn't get

:54:47. > :54:47.

:54:47. > :56:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:56:42. > :56:49.any points for a safety shot, but He has got the right side of the

:56:50. > :56:59.blue. Just making sure there are no plants. There might be a

:57:00. > :57:16.

:57:16. > :57:26.possibility a red off of the pink He has held his hand up to

:57:26. > :57:26.

:57:26. > :58:34.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:58:34. > :58:42.apologise. That is not the way he There might be a road that can

:58:42. > :58:52.flick off the pink, although it is highly unlikely. -- there might be

:58:52. > :59:10.

:59:10. > :59:20.a red. He has done it again. He has It looks as if people clinch the

:59:20. > :59:37.

:59:37. > :59:47.frame with one chance. He is giving He knows everything that is going

:59:47. > :59:57.

:59:57. > :00:01.on. He is doing a real professional And of course, he is the defending

:00:01. > :00:08.champion, that is standing him in good stead. He doesn't want to let

:00:08. > :00:18.go of this title. That is why he's giving everything 100%, as you say.

:00:18. > :00:24.

:00:24. > :00:28.He certainly hasn't played any Just slightly off straight with the

:00:28. > :00:38.black here, he is looking at the pink now, he is back looking at the

:00:38. > :00:40.

:00:40. > :00:48.It is amazing on the superfine cloth this, look at the angle he

:00:49. > :00:58.was able to achieve just buy it pure power. -- has just by pure

:00:59. > :00:59.

:00:59. > :01:49.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:01:49. > :01:59.We're at 17 centuries in the Masters so far, and a good chance

:01:59. > :02:02.

:02:02. > :02:08.He has already had five centuries, Neil Robertson. Three of them

:02:08. > :02:18.against Mark Allen in the quarter- final. This is to put stuff from

:02:18. > :02:31.

:02:31. > :02:41.The crowd always love to see a century break. And there is another

:02:41. > :02:41.

:02:41. > :03:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:03:23. > :03:33.one! Absolutely superb from Neil He has only needed the one chance,

:03:33. > :03:38.

:03:38. > :03:46.and what has he done? He has potted He's just one frame away from a

:03:46. > :03:52.place in this year's final. It has to be said, Shaun was in first, he

:03:52. > :03:57.potted a superb long red, got himself on to the black and he had

:03:57. > :04:00.a cannon onto the edge of the pack come he was concentrating on that,

:04:00. > :04:09.and the number of times you just take your eye off the pot, that is

:04:09. > :04:12.You're potting the black into a blind pocket so you're always are

:04:13. > :04:19.not on the pocket when you're playing the shot. It was a delicate

:04:19. > :04:24.cannon that he played. The difference between the two players

:04:24. > :04:28.is when Shaun has been missing, the frame has been over. When Neil has

:04:28. > :04:32.missed, Shaun has taken three of four chances to win the frame, so

:04:32. > :04:40.it gives Neil more confident if you know your opponent is not punishing

:04:40. > :04:50.you. There is not a great deal of difference if you think about it.

:04:50. > :04:58.

:04:58. > :05:04.Neil has been kidding the frames Shaun was 5-3 down to John Higgins

:05:04. > :05:09.in the last round and came back to win, so the difference I would say

:05:09. > :05:19.it is Jamaicans was not playing as well as Neil Robertson is today --

:05:19. > :05:58.

:05:58. > :06:06.John Higgins was not playing as You will hear most the players say

:06:06. > :06:13.this the second most difficult tournament to win, Neil Robertson

:06:13. > :06:18.had three quarter-finals, two last 16, got beaten in the wild card

:06:18. > :06:28.round in 2004, then all of a sudden he was the winner here last year

:06:28. > :06:33.

:06:33. > :06:37.and would a defence he is putting Something has always been special

:06:37. > :06:47.about the Masters, it has always been the best 16 players in the

:06:47. > :07:08.

:07:08. > :07:12.world and you always want to prove We cook about the best 16 players

:07:12. > :07:18.in the world, but the world champion is not here -- we talk

:07:18. > :07:23.about. So it does take a little bit away. I think he is on a farm, with

:07:23. > :07:33.a pitchfork, the last I heard a bit! Ronnie O'Sullivan, helping out

:07:33. > :07:42.

:07:42. > :07:46.and relaxing. A bit cold to be down He has hit that much too hard. I'm

:07:46. > :07:56.not sure what he was trying, didn't look as if he could get on the

:07:56. > :07:56.

:07:56. > :08:01.black. I thought he was going to He just stunned it, very unlike

:08:01. > :08:06.Shaun. Maybe the pressure has got to him. He has got a fabulous

:08:06. > :08:10.temperament, Shaun Murphy, that is why he has been a world champion

:08:10. > :08:20.and a UK champion, but maybe he just looks a little rattled by what

:08:20. > :08:25.

:08:25. > :08:35.Well, there is a lifeline for Shaun! What a chance Neil Robertson

:08:35. > :08:35.

:08:35. > :09:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:09:21. > :09:24.Some of the best snooker that Shaun Murphy is ever played was when he

:09:24. > :09:30.one the world championship back in 2005. I will never forget that

:09:30. > :09:34.performance against Matthew Stevens, he just potted them from everywhere.

:09:34. > :09:44.He could do with that sort of form now to try and get back into the

:09:44. > :09:54.

:09:54. > :10:00.In December, he was 8-4 down against Ali Carter, best of nine,

:10:00. > :10:10.and he won't macro five incredible frames, never missed a ball. -

:10:10. > :10:11.

:10:11. > :11:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:11:08. > :11:13.Megrahi won 5 incredible frames. So He just finished a bit awkward,

:11:13. > :11:22.sometimes that happens when you are struggling. He went into the pack.

:11:23. > :11:26.When you are playing well, there is always two or three easy shots, at

:11:26. > :11:29.the one to the right middle looks to be dead straight, the one to the

:11:29. > :11:39.left middle, he is hampered. The one to the right corner is the

:11:39. > :12:01.

:12:01. > :12:07.He should be able to hold for the When he cannoned into them, it

:12:07. > :12:17.wasn't a deal for him. He would like to play for the reds to the

:12:17. > :12:27.right corner, but he has too much They would clear up blacks to both

:12:27. > :12:40.

:12:40. > :12:49.It is well played. Used the red to Played for the black this time. And

:12:49. > :12:55.day you go, careless shot again. -- there you go. Absolutely amazing.

:12:55. > :13:05.He didn't missed the pot, it was unmissable, really, but what --

:13:05. > :13:36.

:13:36. > :13:40.that was another little lapse in If Shaun goes on to lose this match

:13:40. > :13:46.and he will look back on it and be so frustrated. It is fine when your

:13:46. > :13:56.opponent doesn't give you a chance, but he has had chances. That always

:13:56. > :13:58.

:13:58. > :14:08.The plant, you can see, is not on. He has could try and make it by the

:14:08. > :14:15.

:14:15. > :14:21.He couldn't avoid the cannon, but it was a good plant to make. He

:14:21. > :14:26.could never stop himself from cannoning into that red. Needed a

:14:26. > :14:36.bit of good luck, and done this occasion didn't get it. -- on this

:14:36. > :14:52.

:14:52. > :14:59.The easy safety would be off the He would normally like to play off

:14:59. > :15:02.two cushions, behind the green somewhere. That is what Stephen was

:15:02. > :15:10.suggesting, the shot is on, the only thing is the pink would be

:15:10. > :15:20.hitting the red, you would feel. But he needed paid-up -- if he did

:15:20. > :15:33.

:15:33. > :15:43.He is now thinking about that, I feel, because he was looking to see

:15:43. > :15:51.

:15:51. > :16:01.They have been a few shot today when he is thought for almost two

:16:01. > :16:12.

:16:12. > :16:22.He has got the pink nicely in play, he was always going to put Shaun in

:16:22. > :16:22.

:16:22. > :17:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:17:06. > :17:14.He has got the required side, that A free shot for Shaun, the one near

:17:14. > :17:24.the pink spot, he can take that on and get back down the table. He has

:17:24. > :17:34.

:17:34. > :17:44.Might have a go at it up into the corner, he could get himself on the

:17:44. > :17:53.

:17:53. > :17:58.Good opening pot, but not a lot to go at. Just a couple of shots ago,

:17:58. > :18:08.all those reds were in pottable positions but then a few shots,

:18:08. > :18:11.

:18:11. > :18:16.they were all knocked safe, most of Maybe there's two over the left-

:18:16. > :18:26.hand side of the table on, with Neil been and left hander,

:18:26. > :18:41.

:18:41. > :18:46.shouldn't be a problem. -- being a He didn't want to have to use the

:18:46. > :18:50.rest. Did you know he's going to be in the way for enriching over the

:18:50. > :19:00.table. -- that yellow is going to be in the wake for him reaching

:19:00. > :19:09.

:19:09. > :19:12.He just wasn't comfortable on that He wobbled the brown when he potted

:19:12. > :19:22.it and that stopped him from getting a little bit closer to the

:19:22. > :19:22.

:19:22. > :20:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:20:02. > :20:08.Just looking at the score board Still a couple of reds available

:20:08. > :20:18.and he has a couple of typical won't close to the cushion. --

:20:18. > :20:34.

:20:34. > :20:44.If he stays on high-value colours he might be able to get himself

:20:44. > :20:54.

:20:54. > :21:04.That has opened a few more options. I say it has opened few more...

:21:04. > :21:08.

:21:08. > :21:15.Could have worked out a little bit He needs two red Work and Pensions

:21:15. > :21:25.Select Committee colours to make absolutely sure of the frame. --

:21:25. > :21:59.

:21:59. > :22:09.It should have been over again, he let the cue ball bounce off the

:22:09. > :22:29.

:22:29. > :22:37.cushion too far. He is going to I don't know if it is the red to

:22:37. > :22:47.the right to these two, he's looking to see that pot. He can see

:22:47. > :22:59.

:22:59. > :23:09.it clearly does. Shouldn't have Too thin. So red and any colour

:23:09. > :23:13.

:23:13. > :23:16.will leave Neil and needing a Well, what has he done there?! He

:23:17. > :23:24.didn't have to stun it in. He could have just play it with a touch of

:23:24. > :23:34.side come he wouldn't have cannoned into the red. I think he is

:23:34. > :23:53.

:23:53. > :24:00.comfortable playing that stun shot, One black available, if the red

:24:01. > :24:04.doesn't pot past the other two, he will have to come back across and

:24:04. > :24:09.leave the red for the same pocket as the black. But he has got a bit

:24:09. > :24:13.of angle, I don't know if he could even cannon the two red to made he

:24:13. > :24:23.has the angle to do that, that would open things up. Doesn't have

:24:23. > :24:29.

:24:29. > :24:38.It does pass the two reds, so one good pot, one good positional shot

:24:38. > :24:48.on the black may could have done it does two reds. -- develop those two

:24:48. > :24:55.

:24:55. > :24:59.He is going to have to run through off the cushion now, and he could

:24:59. > :25:09.still move them, but that is not where he intended to be, but there

:25:09. > :25:09.

:25:09. > :25:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

:25:56. > :26:06.Looks like he got too much time on Neil, making sure he didn't leave

:26:06. > :26:08.

:26:08. > :26:17.those touching there. He would have I don't know if he can hit this

:26:17. > :26:27.been enough. -- thin enough. He has done well, that is about as well as

:26:27. > :26:38.

:26:38. > :26:45.he could do. He has played it He has blot the easiest path to the

:26:45. > :26:54.reds with the blue. -- blocked. That would be the easiest escape to

:26:54. > :27:04.come off the right-hand side As long as he plays the tip -- this

:27:04. > :27:10.

:27:11. > :27:18.dead weight he is not going to He got close to the black as well

:27:18. > :27:28.Well touch, though, but I don't think he was expecting to get as

:27:28. > :28:00.

:28:00. > :28:10.close to the black as he did -- Shaun Murphy, battling away to stay

:28:10. > :28:19.

:28:19. > :28:26.He has put himself bring in trouble here. -- Bank in trouble. That

:28:26. > :28:36.wasn't the best shot he has made. He shouldn't have left that short

:28:36. > :28:59.