Final, Part 2 Masters Snooker

Good evening. Of the defending champion, Neil Robertson, and the

world No. 1, Mark Selby, want to be top of the pile this evening. On

this cold, wintry evening, they are guaranteed to generate some heat

and some tension. Robertson is bidding to join a small and

exclusive group of men who have successfully defended this Holt

title. But Mark Selby from Leicester is going for back-to-back

major trophies. He started the So it is the Australian who gets

the opening frame underwear. -- The Jester from Leicester, 3-0 in

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Neil Robertson will be quite pleased. Mark Selby does not have

to come back this evening because he has got a two frame advantage at

The most important thing on finals night is to forget what happened in

the afternoon. Put your opponent under pressure. Maintain that

pressure on your opponent by making the most of every opportunity.

Score heavily, win friends in one visit. Do not let Europe on and off

the hook. -- your opponent. Now has always play a big part. Experience

is key. -- nerds. Trust your And if you are first to see the

winning post, go for it for all you're worth. Never look over your

shoulder. Otherwise, your world The two players at the top of the

pile, the defending Masters champion, Neil Robertson.

MUSIC: "Heart Of Courage" by Two And his apartment, the world No. 1,

Mark Selby! -- the world No. 1. Yes, a possible 11 more frames to

play this evening. We will join John Patten and John Virgo. -- John

Parrott. We have no idea what we are in for. Isn't that what we

love? Absolutely. What an atmosphere we

have got here. Absolutely packed to the rafters. The crowd up for it.

The match is finely balanced. I have never read an atmosphere quite

like this. This is great. Absolutely superb. What a walking

Doesn't that some snooker or? -- some snooker up. At tremendous

ovation. As soon as the referee says, Play, it goes quiet. You

could hear a pin drop. Not a good break off by new Robertson. He has

I am just trying to think the last time an Australian got an ovation

like that. It would not happen at That was a good pot. Nice way to

start the evening session for Neil Robertson. Very clean. Straight in

the centre of the pocket. A little Good pot. He is down and looking at

the potting angle. That tells me he He has missed the pot. You need to

I would expect this first frame to be a little bit nervy because of

the significance of it. It will either be 5-4 or 6-3. It is pretty

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Mark Selby got off to a flier at the start of this match, winning

the first three frames. He led 5-1. At 5-3 he would have been a little

I'm not certain he has played that well. I'm sure his idea was to pot

the pink and run into the raids. -- reds. In the end he played for one

of the awkward raids on the right side of the table. -- reds. This is

I know he is pretty adept on the pool table as well. But he is

attempting a safety shot here that is very difficult. Just having a

look again. If you do play this shot, make sure you get a good cue

ball. It is a little bit In the end he decided that was not

the shot. The yellow has come to his rescue. That was a bit

fortunate. Saved by the yellow for It is a very big shot if he takes

it on. OK, the Blackwell pot, but you are virtually certain to lead

your upon and in if you miss this. Not really close. He got the

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He will have to bring that main bunch of reds into play if he is

going to win it at this visit. may pot the black and leave the cue

ball low on the next red. He does not have to. The reasoning behind

that is that if he plays that red, he will bring a few more reds into

He did not really had that as well as he would have liked. -- hit at

He nudged another red into play. This is quite remarkable, this

This is how Ray Reardon used to get his breaks, of course. The Balls

did not open up as they do now on this superfine cloth. He is on the

black and he has brought another At 53. League now. -- leading by 53

He is hitting the ball so much better, scoring Wise. You can tell

by the strike. He really struggled in the match against Graeme Dott

early on. A great start for him today. He was much the better

player Greer on. You could have forgiven him for having a slow

start today after finishing so late last night. But he has forgotten

all about that, straight into the By the Pinnacle put and 60 points

in front. -- This pink will bring Good solid pot. He has left himself

a tricky frame ball red. 59 ahead, 67 remaining. No problem. He is

perfect on the blue. You doubt Neil Robertson will be coming back to

It has been some break. Very cleverly constructed. He we did one

The perfect start for Mark Selby. First of all, what about the

intensity of the reception for these players? Up 200 per cent from

this afternoon. Unbelievable. And incredible atmosphere. It was

almost like a wrestling match at a boxing match. Amazing. Especially

since we're virtually snowed in, it has been a big effort for people to

get Pierre? Yes, it is the only event in the London area. People

want to see their snooker. It proves to me that snooker is not

going away. It is as popular a growing sport as anywhere in the

game. From my perspective, great to see the fans. They love their

snooker. It is good the UK Masters never stopped. I know it sounds

stupid but it could have gone up by the by at some stage. Out there in

for a long night? That was a big frame for Neil Robertson to lose.

If Mark's just plays his game, I think at three frame lead is a big

deficit to claw back. He has already had a couple of comebacks

Once again, not the best break-off shot. He has left a red on. If he

parted, the black will follow. -- Just about the right side of the

blue. Yes, beautiful cueing. It to be honest, when Neil has played the

run through his this week, he has had a higher percentage for me.

That one just goes but it is the wrong angle to get on the black. He

played it nicely. He has got to make the most of these

opportunities, of course. Yes, and I feel he has got to play at a

slightly quicker tempo. When he is playing well, Neil, he moves about

the table with authority. That is when he plays his best. I think

most players do. You do not think of what can go wrong. You approach

the shot with a positive attitude. Mark Selby takes 24 seconds a shot.

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Last night, it was 29-32nd to shot. He has got to be a little careful

Definitely one red available. There are two. The back Quan and the one

It could not have gone much more awkward than this. He purposely

left himself law that red. -- low. You know he wants to keep it going

It was tricky. A good chance that he did not make the most of it. --

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The red went in as well as the Kuyt. -- Kuyt. I suppose Neil will be

glad to be back at the table. Mark Selby did not make the most of that

opportunity. He never even give it a lot of thought before he played

that pot. It was a difficult one. It was just annoyance after the

previous shot. There is a red at the back. It is not easy. It is one

of those shots we call a guide. It was right in the heart of the

Straightaway he is not happy with the contact. Heavy contact. You

could see immediately that Neil was not happy but the path of the cue

ball. He has still got a chance at this red but it is dangerous now.

He will be running into other Balls. If he goes for it, he needs to get

it. Three of these remaining reds He cannot really refuse this. One

of those situations where you have got the brown and you think, this

is handy. He is refusing it. Interesting. What do you think of

that, John? Funnily enough, when he got the rest, I was looking at his

success percentage with the rest. It is about two-thirds. Maybe he

felt the safety was the easier option. Would he get a better

chance? -- will he get a better He probably has a few doubts about

Does this slipped past the blue? He just caught it on the way up. But

he is hampered, Neil, it doesn't make the shot any easier. It is

nearly as good a to snooker. -- as Decent shot, that. All he can do,

really. Just looking to see if the red can cut past the black. If it

does, he will take it, and with the blue we Ritter's over the corner,

he will be on a colour. -- we are I don't think that Mark can play

the pot on the red just below the pink and avoid the kiss on the red

near the top cushion. It would appear to be bang online, the

natural angle to pot that. You would be put to be certain to

cannon onto the red. -- virtually certain. Would you believe it! The

cannon looked obvious. You can't dispute the fact that the red went

right in the middle of the pocket, A fair bit to do, but if Mark Selby

could make this frame, this would He has just got to be a bit careful

with the next positional shot. He would like to have the cue ball on

the left-hand side to play the left behind the black to the opposite

It should leave him a natural angle to get down there. The only thing

he has got to guard against he is snookering himself behind the other

Not great. It was a very good line, but he has just underhit it. In

fact, it was the perfect line. But surely, these two reds are risky.

He has got himself back in the frame, he's just 12 behind. The way

he went for the first great in this break, he might have been refusing

this one either. -- the first red in this break, he might not be

A couple of options here, just a matter of which shot you prefer,

Unlucky, that. Yes, just looking at it, if he rolls the red income

which would be a dangerous thing to do, he would be kissing the black

and not certain on a colour, so he He cannot push the boat out too

often, he has got an attacking Is that hard enough? He will be

disappointed. He has not got the Just enough on that red to make it

impossible to pot. A little swerve Played it nicely. He could have

done with a better length on the cue ball, but the red could

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He caught the bomb, but he has got a good red. -- bump. In fact, he

can't get through to the potting angle anyway. How important was

that yellow a few shot ago that Mark Selby had? In this positional

shot goes anywhere bar tight on the cushion, you would have to fancy

He will be pleased with that result. If it didn't kiss the brown, I

don't know where the red would have finished. We say this game is all

about fractions, if that should have bounced off the cushion and

inched you would have fancied him winning the frame. -- an inch. He

can just about hit this red. The problem is, with what he can hit,

he will be knocking it towards the far right corner. The brown may

come and coverage but you wouldn't want to rely on that. -- come and

Quite a clever shot, that. He knew full well if he played it like that

and kissed the brown, it would stay How has that's not gone in? It

couldn't have been any closer! He was fully committed to the pot. I

thought it was going to drop. Will The only hope Neil Robertson has

got here is the fact that the brown is not on its spot. It is also

somewhat ironic that the safety shot Mark Selby played a couple of

shots ago actually moved the brown He left an angle so he could come

off the side cushion and nudge the And that is absolutely inch perfect.

This will really hurt Neil Robertson, this frame. He was in,

he had his chance. He lost position off the brown, made a decision to

play safe that was entirely his. Since then, he has had to watch

He won the first frames of this match, he has won the first two

frames of this final session. It is Some classic examples of risk and

reward shots in that match. This was a difficult one he tried here.

It was a difficult one, he knew he would cannon the red that was on

the black, if he misses that he is leaving the frame open for Neil

Robertson. But that one paid off and yet, in the end Neil Robertson

was forced to take on a tricky one to the top corner. Interesting,

risk and reward, take a look at this from Neil Robertson. He

decided that was the right one to go for, he was so close but he

missed. Earlier he had the chance with the rest and we were watching

thinking, perhaps this is the time to take on the red. He decided

against that and played the safety shot. Of the two shot, that shot we

have seen was by far the easier. But you have to make these ongoing

decisions as to what is the right shot and the wrong shot. You don't

get them right all the time but in the end sometimes you do live or

die by your decisions. When you are three frames behind it, you have to

take a bit of a risk, forced the issue about. If you are 6-3 in

front you can not take any risks but when you are chasing, you have

got to take opportunities and chase them. But also there is more

pressure on the decisions you are making and perhaps you can make the

wrong choices. You can, but when Neil looks back at the frame he

probably wishes he had taken it on. This has been a bit of a role

reversal in terms of scoring heavily because all week has been

Neil Robertson who has been the heaviest scorer, he has had six

centuries. Selby has now thrown in a century but 86 was his top break

before today. He has not been prolific at any stage, but he is

certainly winning more frames in one visit. He is certainly more

confident and he is inching towards Neil Robertson get the 11th frame

under way. He has got to win one of the two frames before the bid

session interval. First to 10, remember, will lift the beautiful

crystal trophy. They will become the competition macro -- the

What a terrific pot that was from Mark Selby. He's looking very

Before this match today, you would have said for this result to be

like it is at the moment, Mark Selby would have to improve and

Neil Robertson would have to dip. At the moment, that is what is

Mark's wife, doing well to watch. I It used to be bad enough when we

were amateurs, when the other men were playing we would get nervous,

it is like watching, with the amount of prize money on offer,

I know people laugh when you say it, you are not really speaking the

truth, but it is not the money, really. It is getting your name in

the record books, that is what will As my dear old dad used to say to

me, win the trophy, son, they send I think he has snookered me all on

all reds. -- at me all. There is a couple of lose reds, so not a

straight forward escape, this. He has to be very careful if he is

trying to get inside that cluster, he has to be careful not to slide

Just a fraction short. If there is no pot, it will be replaced. He has

got the line, but it is an inch His last attempt was almost perfect.

Can he repeat it would just a Is this going to slide off them? It

Certainly this red closest to the cue ball is pottable into this

corner pocket. Obviously, mark He has just left an easy shot for

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Some will shut to the one he had before. Shouldn't really need one

What is remarkable about to date is that Mark Selby hadn't absolutely

gruelling match last night, finished way after half past

midnight, such an effort to get over the line at 6-5, but there

have been no sign to be today. Turned up fresh as a day t! Da ASH

been easy. He said he had at trouble sleeping the night before,

I thought he would be able to get some sleep last night, he is

looking refreshed and looking very That is a very attacking safety

shot, it could be a good one as well. I don't think he has left the

pot on. Always very appreciative of other people's good shot, Mark

Selby, he taps the table there. A The red just above the black, Neil

Robertson could get through to it. He is not really looked at it

because he thinks it is too dangerous to go for -- he has not.

But he needs to cover the path to If he doesn't, I think Mark Selby

A helpful flick of the blue committed to the pace of the cue

ball there. -- it just took the pace off the cue ball. Just that

Mark just checking to see what will happen with the black, if it will

go on its spot. It certainly won't, but they are right no other spots

available, so it will go directly He has got to play the correct

position office black. -- off this black. He'd can't be touching the

red that is going to be close to, so it looked as though it will be

available into the pocket, he just went in to check. Can't be touching,

so well it part? -- so will it It does pot, and the way it has

gone, so does the red to the left He will not be too happy with that.

It was imperative, he decided to go for the blue, that he get a good

angle on it. Now you see, he's just off straight, he won't be able to

get to the next red to make it any He just had a look to see if the

red behind the pink would pot to the top right hand pocket. If he

rolls the cue ball in, he will be taking it away from that. You can

see that it does go. He would like Well, that is a shot of a man who

is very, very confident. What a superb shot that was! No holding

back, who played a red in the last frame, he has got his putting i it

Once again, well, maybe the pink will go, so it is not an important

he got the right side of the blue. Where does the pink go? That can be

end of break. -- that could be end of break. That goal cannon went

Not great to play safe off, either, He can be down, but it might just

be a case of dropping on this. -- a bit down. A think he has left a

touching ball. It is touching ball. So Mark, very disappointed that has

happened, it just leaves and nice clear a path to the baulk end for

Neil Robertson. He just stared at the baulk end, looking to see where

he can leave the cue ball and leave Mark in lot of trouble. I would to

just, if he wants to stop Mark Selby playing safe down the right

hand side of the table as we look, that may be an option. But he is

pointing way he would like the cue He has left a path to this red at

the top cushion. Very congested on the left-hand side of the table. He

may play the pot. He can play off Not the worst shot. It was a clever

shot. That is what you get with Mark Selby. He knows his way around

a snooker table. If you could pick a player to protect a lead, he

would be high on your list. would be up there with John Higgins,

wouldn't he? Two of the very best. That was a very careless safety

shot. Yes, and there may be a shot He missed that by a mile. And he

has been very fortunate. It's funny how many times we have said this

week when people play with a little bottom on, Howard throws it off-

line, the cue ball. Yes. And they do not come back. There is nothing

to grip on these cloths. You really have got to have good cueing. And

if you can, hit the middle. But with that kind of shot, you have to

put some Saigon. -- some side on. It can be a very cruel game. I do

not know if he was disappointed with the fact he was not left

anything, but that was a very average safety shot. It gives Mark

Selby a chance for that red to the right centre. If he can roll this

in, he has already got the 40 point lead, the Robertson may drop

another frame behind. -- Neil Brilliant. Really, really good pot.

That is one of the things of the modern game that has improved so --

improved the lot. Middle pocket plays outstandingly good. -- middle

pocket plays outstandingly good. There seemed to be more good middle

pocket players these days. Fabulous He would like to have been

He is OK. Neil Robertson will be kicking himself for that safety

shot. It was a fabulous red in the middle. But he really should not

have had it. Just get the cue ball If he wins this friend, he will

have done exactly what he did at the start of the match, won the

first three frames. Something that you think Neil Robertson should not

have allowed him to do. He has always laid in this match, of

course. If he wins this, he will have a five frame advantage. There

it goes. So Neil Robertson has really got it to do now. Nothing

but his best will be sufficient, This is the best he has looked in

the tournament, it really is. Great habit, playing your best when it

I do not know how the blacks stayed on the table but Neil Robertson

concedes. Now it is a five frame advantage for Mark Selby. He just

needs another two to claim the Betfair Masters Trophy. It just

shows you sometimes, John, when you come to the table disappointed,

negative thoughts. Yes. Obviously Mark Selby has missed a shot by a

mile and left in here. He has to make sure the one thing he does is

get the cue ball tight under the Cosson. This is a difficult red.

Mark Sobhi is good. He cues straight through it into the pocket.

That was the last Robertson saw of the frame. Absolutely. He was not

running into the pink. The only red he could lead was the one he was

playing. The best he has played in this tournament so far was when he

was trailing 2 Stuart Bingham. He was 5-1 behind. He got back to 5-3.

After that, he never missed a ball. I was very impressed. He has

brought his best game to the table in this final. Yes, it was his

persistence that got over the line against Graeme Dott. He was not

anywhere near his best but he refused to be beaten. He has got a

happy knack of winning matches when he is not at his best. So when he

does find his form, he will be a serious competitor. That is why he

That Trophy is getting closer and closer to Mark Selby. In all

fairness, he has a tremendous He has played here on five

occasions. This will be the 6th. The first year he played here, he

won it. Second year, lost in the final to Ronnie O'Sullivan. The

third year, he won it, beaten Ronnie Kosovan. It is only in the

last couple of seasons when he has not performed. Lost in the last 16

to Mark King. And last season lost in the quarter-final to Shaun

Murphy. It is not a bad record, is it? Two wins and a runner-up

position in the first three years. Big shot for Robertson. Great pot.

I bet you he is not on anything. Fabulous pop. It is one of those

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nights at the moment. He cannot That looks a little bit narrower to

me. -- narrowed. That was a mistake. He certainly will not be asking for

this to go back. He was probably expecting to be talked up in the

back of the pack before Mark Selby It was a kick her, it went straight

on. When you need a bit of luck, you never get it. Yes, it is one of

those things. He is not playing as well as Neil Robertson can play,

but he has spotted a screaming Long red, then he gets a kick. It is a

Not really got the perfect angle to go into the bonds with any pace. --

the bunch. Kenny Force India these? -- can he forced into these? That

is what he has tried. You could say It is difficult when you have not

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got the perfect angle, trying to He has not a red towards the corner.

-- knocked. The brown has not helped. There is an angle to run

around of two questions. If he did pot of the red, he is banned to be

on the black. -- he will be on the That is the problem when you do not

get in the jaws of the pocket. There is always a double-kiss on.

That has left Nia Roberts and with an easy starter. -- Neil Robertson.

It goes without saying, he has got to make the most of this

opportunity, just to give him a little bit of fire in his belly, if

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you like. Yes, John. I could not A lot of people in this audience

thought that was not going to be It does not look like you can stay

for the black here. A good angle required on the blue. There is part

of this match, watching it today, when you see Neil hitting the ball,

when you think he is back in it. A couple of shots later he has made a

mistake or at -- are it has not happened for him. It has been a

strange game. Snooker is like that, of course. On the one player can be

at the table at anyone time. -- only one player can be at the table

at any one time. This is a little bit awkward. You can be cueing well

put the balls do not run nice for you. -- but. It can creep into your

game that it is not your day, no matter how experienced you may be.

There is pressure, and there would be no matter what the circumstances

are, because this is difficult. Tremendous pop. Despite the pot.

He deserves all he gets after that Yes, excellent. More than likely he

would have lost the frame if he had missed that black. It would have

been 93. -- 93 and virtually good I am sure this packed audience

would law it to be a close match. They will certainly be rooting for

Neil Robertson. The mid-session interval after this. Fit to four is

not what he wanted. -- Keita 4. John, we are going to go on about

Neil hopefully trying to win this brain, but Mark Selby will be

delighted. -- to win this frame. He will have won this money session 3-

1. -- Minnie's session. It looks as though he can run through and play

for the black. Rather play for the black than go up for the blue and

get the wrong angle. I think this is OK. He could play for a red in

But sometimes when you're quite a way behind, it is hard to keep that

concentration and focus without letting the score line blow your

I also think the fact that Mark Selby is on a two is a little bit

of a difference. -- is on eight. The fact he has got to win two

frames, Mark Selby, is a little help. I do not feel as if it is

totally over. No. That red should be the friend clincher. 62 points

in front. That should mean that Mark Selby will not come back to

the table. He certainly will not at Neil can pot this red. -- If Neil

can pop is right. Very similar to the start of this match. After the

first four frames it was 3-1 to Mark Selby. He has won three of the

first four this evening. Neil That will be good enough. Mark

Selby led 5-3 at the start. Neil Robertson needed a good start. He

did not really get one. He is still hanging on. Mark Selby is the big

favourite. He only needs two for a place in the record books as a

Yes, Mark trying to become the first man in history to win this

event three or more times. Ken is Withe us. What has you're take on

this being? -- What Has your take on this Ben? No is certainly the

more nervous. He does not look assured. He has made a few mistakes

that normally be have not seen during this week, particularly in

the last frame. That simple shot, getting uptight on to the cushion.

It is such a margin for error. He will certainly feel better after

that. But for me he is not the player he was earlier in the week.

When his opponent is playing so well, and Mark Selby is playing

like a different player compared to the way he was during the week,

that has put a lot of doubt in his mind. Maybe as we said earlier,

that defeat at the UK Championship, when he was leading by four friends,

may have had an effect psychologically. What has brought

about the evident change in Mark Selby today? I have not got a clue,

really! You were provided that he would have been tired, burned out,

not looking forward to a final against a player of Neil

Robertson's capabilities, especially after not having

produced the night before. Every day when you start off at, you

never know what is going to happen. Even if Neil Robertson was fired up,

ready for today, as the game unfolded, the fire went. It was not

going his way. By contrast, what is missing from Neil's gain? He did

not get off to a good start. It is so important in these big matters.

As John said, he lost three of the first four this afternoon and

tonight. It is so important to get a good start. As far as Selby is

concerned, I do not know if somebody has said, enjoy it today,

you have had so many battles, you have not played your best, tried to

play your natural game, that is what it looks like. It has put him

within sight of the finishing line. This is always a marvellous event,

this Masters. It has been going since 1975. This is the second year

it has been at Alexandra Palace, a great new home. Amazing to think

that 12 months ago we did not have a single final frame decider, and

yet seven of the matches so far have gone the distance. And none

more so than in the opening round, four of them. A pulsating opening

Happy new year to everybody at home. We could not start off with a

better writer than this. -- a He is desperately having a look.

Sometimes the need things to go your way. When he ran out of

position at 5-4, that was my chance. Great pot under pressure. We are

It was a terrific match. Neil Robertson Deeds Ding Junhui A. --

beat Ding Junhui. He could probably You do not see it very often, but

he had to get the rest at are the ways so quickly. Sooner or later it

Being a snooker player is not as We did not expect those cues, in

all fairness. I wore them for the first couple of friends but then I

took them off when I started to slow down around the table. If he

wins the frame, he wins the match and Judd Trump will be out of the

Betfair Masters. Just twitched the blue. Everybody does it. It was a

A marvellous comeback from Judd Trump! Played the safety shot with

the rest and as I came back I felt something brush the cough. It was

obviously a foul. There was no way out was not going to call a foul.

It was devastating. It would have been very easy for him to carry on

but snooker player's habit ingrained in them from a young age

He has conceded. There is a rule that you're not supposed to concede

when the game is in play. He may finish up with a fine for that.

It was picked off one to take. It hurts, that one. As Mike it was a

It is what it is, this game of snooker. The Game of Two Hearts. No,

We are going into a decider. He was 5-1 down. He has come back. He is

in the quarter-final. To win it from 5-1 down the way Stewart was

playing his phenomenal. I still cannot believe it myself. I am

gutted to be going home. It has been a bad week for integrity in

some sports, but refreshing for Ricky Walden? Yes. When you start

off as a young player, you know that when you -- you know full well

when you foul the ball. There have been occasions when people have

been a question as to whether they have owned opera. Generally still

good players do. It is nice to see. You certainly get honest endeavour

from Stephen Maguire. He will get a fine for that. But you can almost

sense is paying. Yes, he is an angry man sometimes, Stephen

Maguire. You're afraid to shake hands with and sometimes after the

game. You could feel that bobbling over. It was 250 quid for that. He

did not really get his money's worth. I would have thrown it out

of the room. When you look back at the first match with Judd Trump,

the slippers, it was a big, big effort for him to come through

against Barry Hawkins. Hopkins must be sick? Yes. He is right. We have

all twitched on important balls. That was his big chance at the

Masters to beat Judd Trump. He missed it. That is part of the game.

Despite that problem with Barry Hawkins at the first round, Judd

Trump was expected to boost some of the flashy and flamboyant shot as

the tournament went on. -- to produce. He was still tournament

Prepared really well. Went in confident. It was just a bad day.

have come here a lot of times in good form and lose all the time.

This time I came here with no form I think he was on his way out of

You have got to take full advantage when your opponent is making

mistakes like that. It has been a poor display by the Welshman, he

will be so disappointed. The first three frames were really close and

could have gone either way. Thankfully for me I managed to win

That is the highest break in this The standard continues, and we have

How well did he judged that?! played one good safety in the end

and it cost me the match! Never in doubt, was it? A probably the best

shot I have played a mockery in terms of just pure judgement. --

played in my career. Neil Robertson takes the match. We have at some

thrillers here this week. We are I have seen that many matches with

the great players, when they get their chance, they stand there and

they do it. I walk to the table and I said, let's see what you have

John Higgins leads up to the sky and wonders. -- looks up. It is

What a fabulous atmosphere we have for this semi-final. Needs a kiss

Well, that is absolutely superb Shaun has played a careless

positional shot. I just couldn't control the white, so I was

vulnerable someone of his class. The difference between the two

players is when Shaun has been in, it has been over. Neil Robertson is

back in the final of the Masters. It is the second biggest tournament

we have, it would be incredible to win it again. Massive, massive part

And Graeme Dott, who led 4-1, has Can you believe it?! Look at his

face, he can't believe it. Mark Selby was out of his seat like a

greyhound. I have a never-say-die attitude. Another great chance gone

This red, the clincher. The shaking of the hands and a fist pumped from

You have to feel for Graeme Dott, he tried to play an open game, it

was a very late finish and perhaps he is still sitting at the airport

because of this no! What will your chief memory be? Probably the

reaction when at Robertson one the first match, you beauty! That first

match will live with me for a long time, because the but it was on the

other for it, we have seen John Higgins did that to so many people.

He was so close to getting over the line against Shaun Murphy and we're

so used to seeing him clinch of those situations, he was very

annoyed when he came off the table. It seems to have been the

tournament of what ifs, what if Ding Junhui had had the extra bit,

he would have knocked out Neil Robertson and he may be in the

final instead. Yet more lessons for Judd Trump, I'm sure his army of

fans will remember a first-round exit at York, what about this one,

what will he take away? I think he will be very disappointed. I think

he has to learn that when he is not firing on all cylinders, that

sometimes you should look at the likes of Robert son, Murphy and

Selby, and try and learn from them. We always say that we wish we

watched more snooker when we were younger. You learn more as you get

older. He should watch more and learn from other players when

they're not playing at their best. But he will be back. It has been

worthy Classic years here at Alexandra Palace but things are

changing in this board, because from next season, this will be one

of the very few event in which de world's top 16 are or do what it --

We are one away to the promised land. Even when the Red Sea parted

you still had to walk through the waves. I think that is a nonsense

if I'm perfectly honest with you. The game is in the hands of people

who know what they are doing, not the players any more. Barry Hearn

is going to do what he wants to do come here at -- a wins the game, we

don't have an opinion any more. This is being led from the front

not the back. I am very old school. They will be taken to the promised

land, whether they like it or not, Moses it is driving the flock

forward! Snooker's Pied Piper has revolution on his mind. For next

season, the first round will feature all of the world's top 128

players. This is a massive change in terms of the protectionism that

is in snooker, where the top 16 are seeded through to the last 32 in

most competitions. It is issued advantage and we are making major

strides to give equal opportunity to all players, with the Yori first

year Ricky already five times world champion. Every player will always

look at the situation and ask, how will this affect me? My job is to

say what is best for the game? have worked hard to get to No. 8 in

the world, No. 7, it is back to square one, it is a step backwards.

A would prefer it to stay as it is, because it is better for me. It

might be fairer for everyone else, but I am not everyone else, I'm in

the top 16. If you were inventing in the sport I understand that, but

a lot of players have worked hard, put the hours in over the last

years, to get where they are committing to be taken away from

them very quickly. For those out of the top 16, this decision could be

life-changing. Players like the world No. 44, and the world No. 40

can only dream of playing at the Masters, but that dream it could

become a reality next season if the proposals are implemented.

people who want to get to the top, it is a massive, massive step for

them to be able to get up fast and get into these great tournaments

that people see. People who off higher than me are not taking to it

well, that is understandable, for a game to grow you need to be on a

fairer playing field. It is like I have to win a tournament just to

get to a tournament. So why have no chance to come into the Masters.

You feel like a bit of an outsider. I'm sure there will be different

phases which I think is what Barry once, I have there is, I like

seeing new players -- new faces. There are 11 ranking events, of

those aged, one will be on the 128 places and three will be on the old

basis. When the contract comes up for renewal, it would be changed

and they will not be given the choice. Coming back to the 128 draw,

there is a risk element. The risk is losing household names before

the tournament in a far-flung country where the broadcaster

doesn't see the top names. assist the biggest problem icy. We

are looking for AA tournament, some of them they would be guaranteed a

top 16 players turn up, you can't guarantee the top 32 in this one. I

am not saying the players lesser doubt are not great players but

they are less well-known and you put bums on seats with the top

players. The move to 128 has received universal acclaim, because

we are being looked upon as a real game, not a boys' club. Not a

little group of players, sharing out the money. For some of the

world's best players, the decision is not all about the money. There

is a genuine concern that the first round of tournament could be played

among a rabbit warren of cubicles come away from the paying public

and TV cameras. I don't particularly want be playing in

front of five people again, that was the reason I practised so hard

to get out of that. I would be disappointed if that didn't happen.

What we're talking about is playing qualifiers, and I know this from

Jimmy White's point of view, playing qualifiers in what you can

only describe as squash courts. That doesn't favour the better

players, the better players need to be out there in front of a big

crowd, and with the adrenalin going, that is a test for any player, to

be able to do it on the big stage. There was a considerable level of

support for the proposals from some of the players in the top 16.

can come through that system, the flat system where I might be

playing someone ranked outside the top 64 first, then if I cannot, I

don't deserve to win tournaments. If you keep winning, you would be

fine and win the prize money, the idea is, if we progress to the last

16, we will be on guaranteed more money than we were in the first

place, so if you're a top player and you get find tournament, you

will be rewarded. This is the landmark decision that should have

been taking years and years ago. For the first time in snooker the

top players, wants to this system is introduced, will be able to look

everyone in the eye and say they are the top players because they

have had to beat everyone else. last word has to go to Barry Hearn.

They are either going to be a boys' club for a few chosen players, or a

global sport open to everyone to dissipate, built solely on ability.

I will not be moved on this, it is the great thing about ownership. I

will not be moved. I am going to listen to everybody to admire --,

and the longer to do what is right Could this yet to be blocked by the

playing membership? And if so, when? It could be, of course, if

enough of the player membership decide they don't like it. I doubt

that will be the case. It will boil down to the people who think that

they deserve to be further in an event of what they have done on

previous years and the one to don't think that needs to be done. A it's

Blitz abuse of commentators, analysts, whether they think you

have worked hard, you deserve to be further in the event, or whether it

is unfair, that is the only fair way, to start at 128. What do you

see as the most significant advantages of the new system?

from listening to Barry and the other members, they think it will

be a fairer system, more sponsors will come in and a moat will be

more money around. Particularly the Chinese players and players around

the world, it will give them a better chance of coming through

quicker rather than going through four or five matches before they

play at top 16 player. The system at the moment stops them giving

that and stops them progressing. From that point of view it will be

better for them. It is interesting to hear top 16 players in favour of

it, you would think they would want their protection. But as Steve said,

it could be split. It will go to a boat and we will see how it goes.

know where you stand on this, but it will present Energis to call

challenge for World Snooker because you need a venue big enough. -- a

logistical challenge. Barry doesn't think that is the problem. I

wouldn't like this if I was in the top 16 at all. I have put the hours

in, I have won all my matches, I have a ranking because I have

earned it, and I started off as scratch. When I turned professional,

I was the same as the other players, I got there because I was good

enough. This debate is going to run and run up I expect. For the time

being, this event remains untouched, it will be top 16. So, change is

afoot but I wonder if change is afoot in this match. Seven more

frames potentially to be played Down to the main business, it was

all very interesting about the top 120 it, but this is what this week

has been all about. That beautiful That was a terrific frame for Neil

Robertson to win, and you won it in Can he keep to come back on track?

-- the comeback? I would suggest it You knew all about comebacks, was

that's your attitude? All-out attack? Yes, especially playing

somebody like Mark Selby in is not going to give you anything easy.

You always feel that you're in with a chance when your opponent still

needs two frames. You have a bit of margin for error but Mark, already

faced with a difficult safety shot, and if he takes this on he's bound

to leave Neil Robertson in the It is amazing how he has turned

this play around. Played his best snooker in the final, but that is

what great players do. We knew what the world number one, you have the

confidence to do that. -- when you And that is a pretty good safety

shot. We heard one of the players talking at in the mid- session

interval, he was with Neil Robertson it is said, let's get to

the practice table. He is a very good friend of his. Neil did go off

to the practice table. Let's see We have seen a few of those. He

missed completely. We did see earlier, where the table was

turning slightly. Yes, that type of shot, a player will prefer to miss

it first time. If he caught it to fit, -- a too thick, that would be

bad news. So he's erring on the I think he can hit a ball on, so he

will be warned. In fact, he might not take the miss this time. He

will have to hit it this time, otherwise he will forfeit the frame.

Neil will be disappointed if he decides to take this red on and pot

it. I'm surprised he didn't get up He is now forced into taking this

Has he fluked it in the middle pocket? Unbelievable. It is amazing,

when things are going well, some of the luck you can have. He was lucky

to leave the white safe in the first place, it could have finished

And he is taking full advantage of Mind you, he hasn't dropped nicely

This red into the right centre, It was never going to be easy but I

suppose some would feel justice was done in the end, not that Mark will

be thinking that. If you get good luck in this game, you have to try

and capitalise on it. Great chance Pile as much pressure as possible

for Mark Selby to get over this winning line. There is a lot of

pressure on this tofu, a lot of He has had it twice before, he is

going for his hat-trick, Mark Selby. And Neil Robertson, going for his

second title. There are only a few players to have defended them

Masters title successfully. -- via Neil has been the most consistent

player over the past week. He has had six century breaks. But it was

as if he came out at the start of the final, maybe he was trying too

He's just about OK, but he didn't get the cannon on the red can he

wanted to hit it full ball and Always nice to see that stun shot,

where you hit the cue ball with Just hasn't got into that one as he

Just got a bit more solid and the cue ball than he would have liked.

That he is where he wanted to be, he would have been perfect.

wobbled that a few times, he made sure of the pot but he didn't get

the cue ball where he intended. Just need one good long blue and he

If he can clinch this frame at one visit, it will give Mark something

There is no better way of putting pressure on your opponent than to

say, if you make a mistake, the And I'm sure this packed house

I walked to the venue this evening, and it is pretty rough out there.

But they have all turned up to watch this final, and he is to say

how it is going to finish -- it who is to say. Could be a long way to

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

Just a stun off one cushion for the Terrific stuff from the Australian,

it really is. Mark Selby made one mistake and he had clinched the

frame, as he did in the previous one before the interval. He is now

starting to produce his best India has long match is it is all

about getting momentum. -- Indies There are difficult to make century

break, but you never know. -- very difficult. No century break but

Neil Robertson will not be too That break of 83 get him a little

That will definitely give Mark something to think about, he was in

there, he had a stroke of good luck when he fluked the ball and he was

in, but he didn't finish nicely on the red. It is into a blind pocket,

quite a bit of angle on the red and it is quite a tough shot to control

the position on the black. But such a late night last night, the last

thing he wants is probably another long match tonight. I don't suppose

he is bothered how long it will take if he can get his hands on

You would think he was feeling fairly comfortable, but if 83

suddenly becomes eight-6, it is a The first to 10 wins the Masters.

That was careless. Much to then. -- much to the end. And the early

That was a nice pot. But he could have played for the blow. Despite

That is the problem we knew after the cue ball travelling long-

distance. That guaranteed perfect position. This red looks pretty

straight. It will be top to get the cue ball away from the cushion for

the black. Yes, he needs to bring The white has gone a little bit

closer to the cushion. He is not tight on the cushion but it still

Strange the way he plays those shots. Mark Selby so raises his cue

and hit down on them. -- sort of He finished a little straighter on

the black than he intended. He got That is not a shot Mackie was after.

-- shot he was after. There was the shot previously when he did not get

on the black as he intended, that This was the shot were the Kuyt

kept on a rolling. He has played a good safety shot back. There are

some good safety players in the game and then there are some

extremely good safety players. He has put Neil in a position. He is

Just looking to see where he would like to put the cue ball on that

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

Interesting situation. Do you take the risky pot on or do you keep it

tight? I think you have to keep your foot on the pedal. Some

players try to take what is on and get the frame won in a bits-and-

He was not happy playing that, was the? He took a while to decide.

When you take that long, it is Did not quite get into that. Did he

get a slight kick? Just took a little bit of the pace out of that.

He is just underhitting them So once again it is as if he is not

just pushing the cue through as he No problem potting the brown, a

stunning up past the blue. The red is still available. He has got a

choice of shops if the pot the There may be another red in the

middle of that. That goes to the right corner. -- bunch. There might

just be one. That is the red I was talking about. Again he has got the

angle if he wants to go straight into the pink. Looking at that

angle, he may not be able to hold for that red. Into the pink this

time and teaching given such a great chance. As Bikey can give

himself a great chance. He would like to hit the left-hand side of

He played what you suggested, Steven. He has been a little

unlucky relief. -- really. He has still got one that he can cut end.

Be warned to the left of the pink. If he takes this on, he has to try

to get onto one of the baulk mack colours. -- baulk. He has played

A little unlucky to finish with the cushion. To finish near the cushion.

The blue can be potted. He will have to be pretty precise with the

positional shot if he takes the blue on. The only red I can see is

the red to the left of the black, into the right corner. It will have

to drop the blue in dead weight. Yes, there might be two he can get

on. The bond to the left would be the better. The blue is tricky.

is. I am still surprised he is not even looking at it. He is playing

the safety shot. He is looking to see we can leave the cue ball. --

I'm a little bit surprised at that. Maybe he just does not want to take

any risks. You cannot argue with that. He did not get the cue ball

where he intended. He wanted it near the cushion and he wanted to

block this escape route. I will tell you what, I think Mark thought

he had hit the other red. He got so close to the red to the left of the

black. He thought he was going to cannoned straight into that. --

cannon. He hit it too thick. He He has touched the green with his

sleeve. That is a bit careless. The referee was looking. You do not see

it very often. It is his first final, the referee, and he has done

a fantastic job, it has to be said. He must have just dip slightly as

he was about to deliver the cue. -- This is a half chance. The white

ball is off the cushion so he will I think Mark Selby thinks pressure

is for cuckoos. -- cookers. You do not get to world No. 1 in any Sport

if you cannot perform under Yes, two of the Kin's greatest

pressure players, Steve Davis, who dominated the game throughout the

Eighties, and the other one sitting next to me, who dominated the game

through the Nineties. I wonder if that will ever happen again, a

player dominating for virtually 10 seasons? Weale thought that maybe

Ronnie O'Sullivan might be able to do it. A bottle, of course, Ronnie

is not playing at the moment. -- but. We still do not know if he is

going to come back to defend his I am not sure about fat little

triangle of raids. -- that little triangle of reds. If one of them is

available into the bright corner, he does not have to play a cannon

into them. Mark knows whether it will go. And if it is tight, he

will play the cannon. He played the cannon onto the right of the three

reds. It should open beautifully What a time to get a heavy contact.

That was a kick. That was not a bad shot. You can see the red lift off

the table, straight and up. It has come a cropper the rescue of the

Australian. He has got to take full advantage. That was almost certain

to be Mark Selby's frame. He will only have been one away from

There are cakes and there are cakes. To get a kick at that stage... --

kicks. It is hard to take some times, isn't it? Yes. One of the

most frustrating things on a snooker table. I still believe most

kicks happen when you do not strike the ball as well as you could. A

little bit of frustration started to creep into Mark's arm. What a

chance for Neil Robertson. This would hurt. Neil has not come far

enough for the green. Yes, straight on the green would have been

perfect. He will have to come off the cushion. He has got his slight

angle. I do not think he can stun it in without using the cushion. He

He has let it slip away a little bit. He could have made absolutely

sure, coming off the cushion. The table is so fast. Now he has got to

go all the way around the table, There are a couple of ways of

playing this. He could play off the side cushion with a lot of right

hand side, which was straighten the cue ball. -- which would spread in

the cue ball. He did not avoid the pink and missed the yellow. At

The only consolation is that he did not stick the a la up. It was a

golden chance, wasn't it, to really pile the pressure on Mark Selby. He

still might be able to. That was always a tough way of playing that

Mark Selby knew it was very difficult to get his snooker behind

the baulk colour. He kept the object ball safe. That was a good

return from Neil. It would have been better without the kiss on the

Mark Selby has a five point lead, so he does not need the tricky pink.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

Neil Robertson would need yellow, And this judgment. -- misjudgment.

Clearly the green and moved and it rocked back again. -- the green

moved. Just checking to see if it is a free ball. If he can hit a bad

red fall ball, it is not a free ball. -- if he can hit and that

That was a cracking yellow at that pace. The cue ball has gone just

that little bit too far. The wide ball and the a ball jumping. --

wide ball and the yellow ball. This Does he take the brown on, or does

he play a good safety? He moved the pink slightly. It is a difficult

brown he is faced with. He looks as though he will take it on. He will

automatically come up towards the blue. It is not bad. He has not

stock the brown up. Once he decided to take the pot on, he would have

felt if he missed it he would have There was a shot... He would not

have cannoned into any of the colours. Yes, it just basically

That was a pretty good effort from Mark Selby. It was not an easy

safety shot. We have seen the a Roberts and knock these in. But

under these circumstances, we even tried to potted? A Corsi well! --

What a cracking pot. Look where he managed to get the cue ball. The

pink was always going to be the ball. That is still the case. What

a finish this would be if he leaves the white where the blue is. It is

almost straight. He has teapot and unbelievable pink. -- to pot and

He will play for the double on the pink. Just making sure that he is

13 in front before he plays the The crowd on one side thought that

was then. Surely we're not going to have a re-spotted black in this

friend? The crowd in line with the pocket were cheering. They thought

He has stuck the pink up. He won the last two frames with breaks of

74 and 83. No breaks in this frame but it has been exciting. In goes

the pink. The comeback continues. Neil Robertson leaves the arena. He

was 8-3 down. Of a sudden he is Game on indeed. He is beginning to

score. John, this is getting very exciting? That was a massive frame.

You're thinking at 9-5, Holman post. 8-6, came on. Such a great clean

pot here. He put himself in the driving seat. All of a sudden he

has got a spring in his step now. He has certainly increased the pace.

When somebody wins a frame like that, they get a competent. He

looks a bit sharper. He looks a bit more assured events off around the

table. Winning friends like that to your components no end of good.

frames. Howard USS Selby is playing? He is still playing all

right. He is still playing good stuff. His opponent is slowly but

surely doing to Selby what Sobhi has been doing to a everybody else.

-- Selby. This afternoon Neil Robertson was looking at a

difficult situation. That is right. He has had a chance to forge

further ahead, Mark. The kick did not help. It did make the

difference. He was probably potting it with a clean hit. It would have

gone into the far part of the pocket. The cake made the

difference. We now have that happens. -- the kick. That is not

the whole story of how near Robertson has got back into this.

He has fought his way back in. He has shown that the qualities

required. I did not think he would give up. This is the first time we

have seen him with a bit of fire in his belly. He believes now. To what

extent may -- might stamina and freshness, and at this? Mark Selby

was involved in a late night last night. It took a lot out of him,

evidently. I'm sure it did. These players run on adrenalin now. That

keeps you going. As the lads said, you're the chaser, and Mark Selby

has been doing that in this tournament. Now he is out in front

with a big lead and it has been cut to two. Let's see how you react.

think one of the biggest aspects of the modern game is how tough

mentally these boys are. They cope with big matches and long matches

very well. The players at the top of the game are very tough mentally.

It is great to see two players who evidently love this event. This is

Mark Selby's fourth final in six The worst thing for a snooker

player is when someone is coming back at you, that is the worst

feeling when you are sitting in your chair, in some ways it is

worse than being beaten in a match, very unnerving. He has done it too

plenty of people this week, Mark Neil left the arena for a few

minutes just to compose himself. Let's see if he could make a good

Even if you stick a red out when you are tight to the cushion, they

Just looking to see if he can play the safety shot, will he leave the

If that red keeps going he might have left it in the middle pocket.

I think he has. So that wasn't the best shot. White should have been

nearer the cushion and the red The Australian is off and running

He is definitely the most focused he has been in the match so far.

This has the look he had in his semi-final against Shaun Murphy. He

When you lot in Mark Selby's position, it is difficult not to

He potted the dealer into the left- hand side of the pocket. -- the

That is where he wanted to be, where the circle is. He didn't

catch the yellow as he intended. So that is an early chance that has

disappeared, but he has played a good safety although there is a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

path back down the left-hand side Selby is just not catching these

That is a much better pace. All these spectators are enjoying a

He was in the top 16, quite an accomplished player, he is doing a

great job with the Association at the moment, troubles all over the

world stop -- travels all over the Now the problem Neil has it he's

got -- stopping Mark seeing that red. To make sure he doesn't knock

Always nice to see the frame- winning breaks going in but

sometimes it is nice to see a good He may have a path through the gap

back to bald. -- baulk. It is risky, That is the one Stephen was talking

about, the one in the circle, if he was to take the pot on you wonder

if he could get some way near the line and had back up the table. He

might be able to hit the one behind He has got the white back up the

table, but not the best kiss on the brown. Look at the reds. If he

tucks them in behind the green, big The voice of snooker, who passed

away a couple of years ago. How can you get to those two reds behind

the black spot, close together? That is what he is looking for.

There may be a path through the bottom side, it is a tough one but

there is a path through to that, I I'm just wondering if he can play

somewhere along the path to me if he can get to those two reds. You

would have to be spied on it he was to go around that way. He can still

maybe get to them -- you would have And he has got them in such a way

that he didn't leave the red near Far too risky to play that in a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

Whereas that cue ball going? Safe He still looks pretty focused, Mark

Selby, even after that gruelling match that finished at half-past

midnight. A great comeback against Graeme Dott, he still looks pretty

It is turning out to be a little We haven't had many frames like

this today. They have all been a pretty good standard in terms of

winning frames in one visit. Neil has had breaks of 78, 45, 63, 83...

A pretty high standard. But he is Selby has had breaks of 102, 84, 67.

Can he find a path back up towards the blue? There is a gap as you can

He has hit it too hard, though, he is only going to get one point from

He has got a bit of angle on the I don't think you played to leave

this, but I don't think it is a bad idea, because there is no way he's

going to get on a colour. How about get down, knocked the red in,

cannon the red to the right of the black, it knocked the black over

the pocket and he clears up? Just like that! He has got an easy

He has left a red on. Now he is thinking, I may as well have had a

go at a pot, but that is the way the table has been drifting. It is

happening to him. He knows what has been happening this week. Unless he

He was planning to hit it on the right hand side, at the last minute,

And how costly is that going to be? You don't mind playing a poor shot

and losing a frame, but when that happens, especially at the stage

now where he has won three frames But an awful lot to do with the way

the balls are situated. We know it would Mark Selby is like, we have

seen him make breaks from worse One of the earlier frames can he

The red to the right of the black, he would like to leave himself

straight on this than he could play a little screw back into the same

pocket, and he would have an angle Just wondering if the black would

go into the same pocket, or he may have to leave it into the opposite

corner. He's going to be cannoning the black here anyway and come

Very difficult now. He is looking at the blue but that is a tough pot

at this stage. If he pots the pink it will only give him six points,

he's running away up the table. So he is back looking at the blue

Needs a good shot here. Just distracted, a bit of noise. And he

is doing the right thing, he is having the white cleaned, just

settling himself again. Yes, doesn't have to do anything with

the cue ball. Just concentrate on I just sensed he wasn't going to be

Clever. A clever indeed! I'm just wondering what sort of angle he has

got on the pink. If he has got an angle on the pink here, I'm

wondering if he could force this through and cannon the black and

reds out. If the angle is there, he might attempted. Because they are

Just playing for the single red. He has only got two more reds

available then he would have to get I'm surprised he didn't play that

shot. Two more open reds, you don't know if you are going to get as

good an angle on that as he did on He is going to have to leave an

angle on the green or blue to then cannon into the reds that are

Blue back on its spot would be better, but you would feel the

green is a slightly better angle to come off the cushion and into the

reds. If he plays for the blue, he So the green it is. If he can judge

to this he can certainly bring He can play on to the reds or he

can play on to the black if he gets He is a bit unlucky. In fact, he is

Onto the brown would be nice if he If he more or less cannons the

The most comfortable red, he doesn't want to knock this over the

corner. He could cannon and other red over the right corner. --

That is very fortunate indeed, he has finished on the yellow and Neil

Robertson, you can't do anything about that, that was just a bit of

Three reds now in pottable He is going to need the difficult

That is a clever shot comedy hit it harder he has the red to the left

of the black spot. He was just picking an area to put the cue ball

He hit that one really well. Absolutely perfect on this pink.

Nice angle to be able to stun the And all about the position on the

pink, if he had the white near that, he would be able to pot the pink

and cannon the black out and free the red. Let's see where he can get

He may have to force it and try and come across the table, and from

that angle, there is no way he can He doesn't have to pot the pink on

this occasion, he could play off the green and try and play the

snooker. He is 21 in front. A pink He might refuse the pink here, that

He knows if he pots the pink, screws back... If he plays the

safety shot off that red it would Has the pink got him full ball

snooker? If it is, he is going to have to come off the side cushion.

If he plays this dead weight, he could get himself in trouble. He

could escape off the side cushion. Somewhere near the line. But what

He might be OK. I don't think he can get the snooker in behind the

In the end, he could play it with lot of side. It has made it rather

awkward now for Neil Robertson. He may leave the pot on, I don't think

He might be in a more difficult one He's going to have to play this

with a lot of right-hand side. a trick shot. Brilliant. Brilliant!

That wasn't a natural angle. Lots of side. It was like a trick shot.

He wasn't far off knocking the red The red pot to the left centre but

I'm just wondering if it isn't enough to the left corner. Just

depends how thing it is. If he pots If he plays it with pace, he could

force the angle to make the white He just knows that he can't afford

to make another mistake. He would be 96 behind. Mark Selby would only

need one more frame, that is why he's debating whether to take this

difficult red on. If he potted this and followed through for the brown,

left the cue ball on the cushion, he could have an angle on the brown

to take the green on. I don't know if the yellow passes the blue.

know how you would go about it, Stephen, that is your thinking.

Neil is such a good potter, that maybe he should have a go at that

Decided on the safety. Wait for a This red cards, the white... It

won't go in the middle pocket commit will come back towards the

What sort of kiss is he going to get on the black? Well! It was a

fantastic pot, I always knew the white would go towards the black,

but when they work out like that, I just wonder if Neil will regret

not taking that read macro. -- that red on. He is such a good long

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

They are not badly placed for snookers. You always want a colour

near a cushion. He played the queen on to the black. He would have had

the snooker. -- he played the green. That looks like the end of this

Huge frame for Neil Robertson. It is a long way back now. He would

have to win four in succession. He is capable of doing that. It is a

30 points the difference. Two snookers needed to tie. He may pot

at the brown. If he pot the brown mac, he will need two snookers to

win. -- if the pot the ground. -- This is a natural angle to get it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

He should be able to escape from I am not sure what Mark is smiling

about. The referee is having a little smile as well. And not quite

sure what happened there. Maybe his wife, Vicky, has some sort of sign

language. She was having a little He has kept at the blue safe. And

in the middle of bowlers to lovely ladies is Gareth pots, one of the

top pool players in the world. Very trendy as well. I used to have a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds

This is a good effort. Not quite enough. But he has not only got to

keep trying to get the snooker, he asked to keep the blue safer as

well. -- he has to keep the blue Still a packed audience here,

coming up to five minutes past 11. You cannot blame Neil Robertson for

trying to get those snookers he needs. That was a half attempt at a

double and a half attempt at This time he did not get the blue

safe. So Mark Selby stops the rot. Neil Robertson won three frames in

succession. That was a hard fought frame. Just over 36 minutes. Neil

will sit in his seat at this time. So Mark Selby get that frame and he

is just one frame away from his Yes, he is on the verge of now.

What an affinity this man has whipped the Masters event. What

were the key shots? Robertson has to attack. He is a great potter.

Have a look at this Radovan Karadzic that he refused. This

actually cost him. -- have a look at this rowed mack. -- rape. -- red.

Those type of situations, sometimes, you have got to grab the ball by

the scruff of the neck, as I said before! You have to go forehead.

You know what I mean. This has been done before by an Neil Robertson.

What kind of form do you think he is in to be able to do that?

needs a little help. He did not get it in bad a friend. Mark Flint the

ball earlier in the frame. -- he did not get it in that frame. Mark

Fruit a ball. That can hold you in your progress. He now finds himself

in the situation where he has nowhere to run. It usually frees up

you are mad it. You have to play no miss snooker. You can afford to

give the other guy a chance. It is tight rope walking from the ring.

No mistakes? Yes. Beer packing. Be positive. If a shot comes up, just

go for it. -- be attacking. overall terms when we think about

Mark Selby's progress to this final, it was OK. He has not been heavily

scoring. He described his performance last night against

Graeme Dott has pathetic. How has he changed at around? I commentated

and his match against Mark Williams. He was three ahead against Mark

Williams and his highest break in the whole match was 28. He has that

ability. He plays such a tough match play snooker. He gives every

ball 100%. He clearly wants to win with style. That is the ambition

for every player, Shirley? Yes. But he wants to win. You could say

nobody deserves to win this tournament. Everybody has had a

chance. There was a bread-and- butter situation going on. There is

prize money at stake. It will go into the record books that he can

manufacture another frame. In the end, nobody really remembers long

term. It is another one to notch up. He has done it professionally,

sometimes from behind. You have got to take pride from that. He has

talked about his a game and his B game. Which won a voice in this

week? We have seen his a game in patches this week. He has certainly

done it in this final. He has a very happy knack and on hearing

ability of beating players whose games are better than his at the

time. It is an art. He is relentless. He has won frame away