First Round: O'Sullivan v Williams Masters Snooker

well for years. Still, nobody likes to lose such a great talent. How did

he change the music scene all these years ago? He used to do what he

thought. No matter how bizarre it was. He would see it through whether

it was mine, outrageous clothing, make up, CNET through as a natural

thing -- see it through. Were you influenced by him? We used to have a

great laugh, he had a great sense of humour. He used to write words by

ripping up a newspaper, throwing them up in the air and seeing how it

landed. It always intrigued me. I did a few sessions with him. He will

be missed, you remain a creative force and we wish you the best.

Going to places inside America I had never been to, it will be fun. Great

to see you, thank you. Quick reflection on the season so far of

Mark Williams before they get back out there.

You can see the pedigree of both players and here they come, both

turning professional in 1992, both there 24th season and they have met

on scores of occasions. And in this latest one we are absolutely

engrossed. COMMENTATOR: Great interview with Ronnie Wood, lovely

to hear. Colin Humphreys trying to get the

crowd to settle down. Ronnie gets the first frame after

the mid-session interval underway. A little bubble kiss. -- double. We

have seen it happened so many times, pretty good break off shot. Not the

first time he has got that red to stay on the side cushion. Not even

giving Mark Williams the temptation. He has played those well today. Even

better! APPLAUSE He had to swerve it and has put a

red over the pocket. The black and pink are tied up, how does Mark

Williams get to the blue from here? Does he have a slight angle? That is

how you get to the blue. Absolutely fabulous shot, and an

angle on the blue if he wishes to bring the pink and reds into play,

might even free the black. How many times do we see that, a

player forgets about the pot. But at least he didn't leave

anything. But that first pot, the action was terrific.

Getting a fair slice of luck early on in this frame.

The course of this match seems to have turned. Seems to have changed

after the miss cue from Ronnie O'Sullivan. I was talking to Mark

Williams during the interval about this shot, it was as if Ronnie had

not made his mind up, Mark said why did he not just stunned the black?

That little bit of indecision caused him to dip the cue and that is why

he jumped over the top of it. It is a chance, but not a clear-cut

chance, yet. Mark Williams looks to be pretty fine fettle in the potting

department. Is he going to be forced to try and open some reds up here?

He has undergone that, played for the red at the back of the bunch and

he has let himself snookered. We'll have to try and get a snooker behind

the green and blue. Leave the white tight to the cushion. Was going to

be hard to guarantee. Perhaps he could have considered going into the

pack of reds but was not guaranteed also to get on a red anyway. Quite

critical, had to try and get the right angle on that.

Difficult to control the cue ball from that type of shot, was hoping

to possibly be on the pink but he knew if he got it thinner they had

the baulk colours. Overscrewed a little. Should be able

to develop reds. A couple have poked their nose out.

Brown was a two cushion choice to get on the reds. If he had played

the brown he would have been guaranteed straighter on this red.

I think you should have played the brown, Dennis. Yes, he left the

white in a terrible spot. Almost pulled it off and brought the black

interplay but did not get on the red as you said, as he intended -- into

play. Ronnie immediately taking the

opportunity of opening up all the balls. Will be lots of twists and

turns in this match. That really has opened things up. Mark Williams had

a great chance. Just thinking, having lost the two opening frames

and then winning the last two, if he had gone on and won three in a row

they would have been a handful. Still an awful lot for Ronnie to do

here. Two reds and they are not really

safe. The one along the top cushion is

certainly not safe. Chance, should he wish, to get on

the red on the side cushion. Has taken the opportunity early.

Could also take the opportunity to get on the red on the top cushion as

the second last red. No! I know this top cushion, the

balls are clinging to it but if you don't hit it correctly they want go

in. That was nowhere near. Sent that away from the pocket. There is a

chance for Mark Williams to win three frames in a row and get

himself in front. Chose the red into the middle pocket. Nicely on it this

time. Couldn't ask for the balls any

better. Yeah, doesn't have to worry about getting from blue, to pink.

The green, the brown and the blue would be enough.

He is not bothered about the black, it is a frame which could have gone

either way but in the end it is the Welshman who takes it and that is

three in a row, Mark Williams now Reid 's 3-2. -- now leads 3-2.

Ronnie looked like he was right back in, a couple of reds safe, removed

one of them and then he played for the swan, on this occasion and they

have been going quite comfortably but you still have to hit them

correctly and Ronnie, maybe a little lapse in concentration. Just didn't

hit it correctly and I am sure that would have given him the frame

because it is a chance that he maybe should not have had because Mark

Williams was in and tried a tough red, didn't quite get on it as he

intended. He played the yellow, he could have taken the brown but he

just didn't hit this hard enough. Left himself a long way short. Had

to finish up to try to pot this and develop the black and it didn't

work. This was the shot that led Ronnie in. Yeah, a fascinating

match. It's been a decent standard but if you looked at the breaks, the

highest break of 47 so far for Ronnie O'Sullivan. And he is on the

back foot all of a sudden. 64 the highest break for Mark Williams.

It's been a very high standard and it shows you that sometimes you

cannot just assume just because the breaks are low that it hasn't been.

Mark Williams, one of the greatest predators the game has ever seen, he

will smell the weakness, he will smell some blood.

This isn't an easy starter for Ronnie O'Sullivan, has to get the

cue ball nicely back down the table otherwise Mark will have a sniff at

the red. Short of pace. But only just. If he has left it absolutely

dead straight it's not so bad. Slight angle and he is pretty good

at this type of shot when you run through the pink and black. Can get

back up towards the blue. Seen that a lot so far in the Masters, the

forcing shots, if you get a touch of side, the cloth is so lively, you

can see the players hitting the ball underneath the wrong side. Did that

big interview with Mark Williams and he was saying that perhaps part of

his game that he feels isn't as strong as it used to be is the long

game. Arguably the same for all of us. But it is nice when you're

striking was long shots correctly. He has overhead that, don't tell me

he has snookered himself? He struck that so well. Got so much action on

the cue ball. Will consider self a little bit unlucky but now I'm the

cue ball was taking was always towards the pink. -- the line the

cue ball was taking was always towards the pink.

He never dreamt once he went past the blue, he thought he was bound to

be on the red, but it just shows you what can happen. It's all about

fractions at times, this game. Not the greatest shot in the world.

Hit it as well as he could have done without potting it.

Four cushion safety, and an excellent one as well.

Looked like he might slip in buying the green but he hasn't, can he get

a long one in? APPLAUSE Terrific chance, if he can drop on

the red, probably that is near the black spot which would be ideal.

Didn't want to cannon that, but he has missed it and come out onto the

red. Out of position. He would like to have that one again, perhaps

choose a different path for the cue ball.

Asked for trouble little bit. A bit wide on the blue.

Ronnie has gone off the boil completely here.

He has had a few chances already in this frame, Mark, can he make a few

more this time? That hasn't worked out. Might have a

gap through to a possible plot but just didn't get into it as he

intended. It was a very advanced shot he was playing, drank to curve

the cue ball around the pink. With that red by the black spot, I'm

pretty sure the right shot was to play to clear the black spot. He is

letting Ronnie off the hook. The chances he has had in this frame, to

only have 12 points on the board... It is frustrating for him.

Does the yellow go? I don't think it does. No, little things happening

here, faced with a very difficult... Big black, big blue, what do you

fancy? Safety? I don't think I would have the safety shot. It depends

which would get him onto the red, they are both difficult pots.

But, signs that Ronnie certainly has lost a little bit of focus, it has

to be said. Since that miss QC has not quite been the same player. --

that miss cue. Will have to dig deep and get his focus back, because Mark

will not keep missing the opportunities. Clever little safety

shot keeping the advantage, not necessarily going to get anything

out of this but can then play a good safety down the table.

Can probably get in behind the yellow. Just across the face of the

pink. Looks as if that shot is available,

just a little thin one, miss the pink and yellow.

Whilst Ronnie O'Sullivan did look in trouble he had that one escape route

which I don't think Mark Williams now has. Perhaps... Round the back

of the blue? Nicely played. Some good safety here.

He has got a route of the two reds which are nearly touching in the

middle of the table. Not choosing that shot, the possibility to get

behind the green off the loose red. Close. But not close enough.

Good safety here, what we do know about Ronnie O'Sullivan is... He is

prepared to fight and play his way back into the game. That was

debatable. He's got away with it. Very fortunate, took the pot on and

once he missed it, a little smile from Ronnie, he knows he's had a

result. Could have quite easily put Mark Williams right in amongst the

balls and it would've been a terrific chance.

As long as he played from the outside jaw it was a low risk.

Tough these days to get your opponent in real trouble from the

safety Department, that is why one of the reasons the game has become

so much more attacking, I think. Players, both players now finding

that bottom cushion pretty well. It has got a bit awkward, seven reds

towards the left edition. This is shocked to nothing. He would have

thought that was in. -- this is a shot to nothing. When he saw that

wide ball going down the table and saw the contact from the red he must

have bought it was in. Three conditions behind the yellow.

A bit unfortunate the red ball has come out.

When Mark Williams is playing the length of the table it is not seem

to have any trouble. There is no better player at that pace. He is a

bit unlucky not to have dropped nicely on the pink. Has he got an

angle? Not much. Just enough. To get the cue ball back-up the table. How

is your luck? Not bad. Obviously the yellow was relatively close to the

pocket but how well did he strike that? Can he manufacture a break

from this position? He is now giving himself a chance at

making the frame-winning break. I think he's beginning to fancy the

job here today. Obviously he would have been the underdog in the match

but Mark Williams those how effective it can be. Fashion Aquino

's. I wonder what the betting would be,

Dennis, if the scoreline was 4-2. I know Ronnie has had the better of

Marco Fu the years but the last time they met, last season -- the better

of Mark over the years. Mark Williams on in the quarterfinal of

the International championship. Excellent rest player. It is getting

crowded and the top. He just flipped the ball into the

pockets. He needs to get a few high value colours with the reds to have

the chance of getting over the finishing line. If he can get on the

black in such a way here he could play a cannon onto the blue and free

the two reds that are close to it. He has already worked out his

strategy. Players think at least two or three shots ahead.

He has got into that too much. That has spoiled it. He will be a bit

disgusted with himself, the way he played that shot. Really did not get

enough back spin. Touching ball helps, camp of the yellow safe. The

ball looked like it rolled off a fraction. -- the camp at the yellow

safe. That is when you have to nominate, he is touching the blue.

The referee will always ask in that instance, name your colour.

It would have been in his advantage to put the yellow safe, and would

have meant Ronnie O'Sullivan needed to get the yellow back out again.

Can he get it in behind the green? There is a chance he can do that.

Has he got enough pace on it? It looks pretty good to me. APPLAUSE

Relatively easy to contain the situation from here. It is going to

be hard for a while to be the player to force an opening.

Just another roll-up at the moment. It will take a little bit of sorting

out because of the way those rates are situated. 27 point advantage --

those reds. That is a stronger advantage than if the red were all

in the open. That is not to say somewhere down the line they won't

be. He has a shot on that he is

reluctant to play yet. He could come off the top grade of the three on

the fission and try and get behind the green but he would be opening up

the red. It is too risky. In this situation, Mark Williams is saying

to Ronnie O'Sullivan, you are going to have to pay the riskier safety

shot, you will have to try to open them up and take a chance that they

don't manoeuvre into puttable positions. I am quite happy to

contain the situation. What they flick that was. Full ball

on the yellow. This is tough. Where is the black? Unbelievable. Played

it well. But you cannot anticipate something like that happening. Has

not changed things massively. This reds over the red corner has to

be played, really. He will not like it much. He will like it a lot more

now, great shot. It needs to pull up and it is just

about anything, it yellow bit thinner than he is a disfigured. He

is looking great shape there. -- he hit the yellow bit thinner than he

anticipated. The whole match has swung round ever Ronnie miscued on

the black off the spot. We have shown it a couple of times.

Looks like he was a bit in decided and you do not see that very often.

46 ahead, just this reds and it will be four in a row. -- this red. It

was always going to be a tough match for one year someone having had so

many months off but he started so well. All of a sudden it is Mark

Williams that is doing all the damage. Amazingly I suppose from

Ronnie O'Sullivan's perspective, looking at the draw coming into this

match, while Mark Williams may not be the force he was at the turn of

the century, he is a big occasion player itself. It was a tougher draw

for Ronnie O'Sullivan and mothers in the tournament. -- than some others.

It does not matter. The Welshman marches on. Ronnie stays in his seat

and Mark Williams has taken another frame and he now leads 4-2. STUDIO:

John Parrott, do you sense that believe in Mark Williams is

beginning to flow? Off there we were saying he lived nervous when the

chances kept coming. I am in front, great opportunity, Ronnie is not

quite at it. He only made 12 from the first couple of opportunities

but what I will say about him is that is no one better at scrappy and

awkward frames than Mark Williams. He's brilliant at everything else

but when it gets awkward he is top class. He gets down to it quickly

from the safety shots. Really rapid safety exchange. He was playing the

cat and mouse game like Steve Davis said, trying to force Ronnie into

making, bringing the ball is out. Those type of frames are perfect for

Mark Williams. Reds on the side cushion, Ronnie getting frustrated.

It goes to show, no matter happy times you take off, -- no matter how

much time you take off, you will struggle. You will be rusty and you

will get found out and he has two really raise his game because he is

in trouble. In the commentary box they were winding back the clock to

the miscue on the black. Denting his momentum, would you agree? Could be

a factor, they'd be a bit fragile coming back. You would not think

somebody is capable would be as affected. As long as the tip is all

right it should not be a problem. He is a little bit rusty and his

opponent is particularly adept at very scrappy games. It will interest

you to know that 47 is the high break from Ronnie, 64 from Mark. It

does not feel like that because it has been so absorbing. The reality

is that O'Sullivan is trailing. COMMENTATOR: And the reality is he

has to win this frame and that is not the best way to go about it,

catching the blue. The focus not quite back yet.

He had to screw back, the pink and black were tied up and now they are

certainly tied up. He had to get back for people -- for the baulk

colour. Every indication that could be another scrappy frame with the

black in the back. As the boys in the studio said Mark Williams does

not mind that. He can mix it up whatever way you want.

He butchered that one. And he got the pink and black out. All four

outcome for Mark Williams. From something that looked a lot like it

was a reasonable chance of not too much danger.

Now Ronnie O'Sullivan needs to flick the switch, move through the gears.

If anybody can go from zero to hero it is Ronnie O'Sullivan. It usually

does not take him very long. This is fascinating to see. He has got

another three or four reds available to him. Let's see if he has the

focus back. Can he start playing the way he started the match? Little bit

underhit, perhaps. Beautifully controlled. Did not give

it everything in the back spin department. The cue ball in the

middle of the table, that is the art of smashing into the pack. When he

opened the reds up there was every chance he could stay on the back but

he has had to go for a baulk colour. It is a massive frame, he has to win

this frame, Ronnie. All of sudden normal service looks

to have been resumed, striking the ball beautifully. One of his great

strengths is the ability to reel off frames were quickly. How well did he

strike that left-handed? He has had to play it with top spin. Top spin

and left-hand side with the opposite hand. That was special. He made it

look so easy. No reason now why he cannot go on to secure the frame.

But we have seen what happened on the black earlier on but this shot

here, loads of top spin. Loads of left-hand side. Played to

perfection. We do not usually think about Ronnie O'Sullivan terms of

having to fight his way back into a mad because he makes it look so easy

but he is digging deep here and showing great character. -- back

into a match. The Wayne range of shops is absolutely

wonderful. He has not come to this event just

four of practice. When Ronnie O'Sullivan comes to an event like

this he has come to win. APPLAUSE What a recovery that was, he played

a pretty poor shot to leave himself straight on the Scala and then to

knock it in at that pace and screw back of the commission was quite

something. -- on the red'. APPLAUSE

The frame well and truly safe now. He has already made 802 century

breaks. That was quite astonishing. And it has not taken him very long

to knock these in. There is no rest I can tell you in the way he has

taken these. Possible 139 although you would assume he might play it as

137. I think the highest break is still 137, Mark Allen. ?10,000 for

the high break prize. I don't necessarily think running with the

aware of that or even think that 137 would end up winning. CHEERING

It is irrelevant now. That may be the end of break but what a fabulous

century break. With his back against the wall, 4-2 behind, he got one

chance and he made a century break. But he still trails by one frame.

You have just seen his 58th Masters century had the 800 and one third of

his long career. He talked about getting to 1000 and maybe needing

three or four seasons with four fans is positive. Certainly one of his

goals. It could not have come at a better time because he needed

something to get him going. The frames have been so scrappy, colours

going safe, it has been difficult to get any sort of momentum. He needed

a century and he is up and running and I really will be the start.

Underline how important now frame was in the minds of the bookmakers,

Mark Williams was favourite but now Ronnie is favourite. It can change

that quickly and it was a fantastic break, brilliant yellow with his

left hand which he played with top spin and some running side. You

would be struggling with your ordinary hand. Extraordinary, just

one frame in it as we go over to frame eight of a possible 11.

COMMENTATOR: He has sent the red over the corner pocket, not good.

Good cue ball but did not think he would double the red over the corner

but he did. It am lucky, he tried an exhibition type shop with a lot of

top spin. -- it unlikely. He was hoping to stay on the black and it

kept on creeping. This is thin, surely he cannot cut that in. Boy,

this is some shot he is taking on here, I can tell you. Look at the

angle from there. He has got it! APPLAUSE

What a cutback that was and he is a bit unfortunate by the looks of

things. DMA, dear me, they do not come any

thinner than that. He would have to get a bit of side on that. How

unfortunate was that? Once he pulled off that unbelievable cutback he was

very unfortunate not to drop nicely on the red. Nowhere to play safe.

Has he picked out an area to make it difficult for Ronnie O'Sullivan? I

think he has. It is not clear-cut. It may have looked reckless from

Mark Williams but that is one of his greatest strengths, being able to

work out an aggressive shop to nothing. Obviously this one goes. --

aggressive shop to nothing. APPLAUSE

How well did he strike that? Perfect and he has an angle to stun down

between the brown and yellow. And an early chance, after that century

break in the previous rain, what is in store for us here? -- previous

frame. The black is in the open, the pink is out of commission but that

will not concern running at this stage. -- Ronnie.

Red, blue, then up for the reds that are close to the black. He has got

other choices but if you can get to the ones near the black and Whites

help. He is going to leave that for the time being. This one will help

to clear the pink. He can still get through to the black but removing

that has opened think up somewhat also. -- the pink.

The previous frame lasted just over seven minutes. How long is this one

going to last? If he can get to 68 points, the

frame will be safe. I think that kicked slightly, took

some pace out of the cue ball. He finished dead straight on the blue

because of the contact. You can see the red jumping but still OK.

I mentioned I was having a chat with Mark Williams and he was saying, how

well is Ronnie hitting the ball? Not often you hear an opponent saying

that. I think the main burners have been ignited.

It is always risky when you are having to play a cannon but he had

two that time and it has not worked out. He is 52 in front, he needed a

few more putts to secure the frame in one visit. -- pots For the

quickfire 60 break but he is not over the line yet.

That is unfortunate. He may be forced into taking a very difficult

green now, without the jaw of the middle pocket. He would have been

nicer on the colour, but because he is behind by so many, he has to take

this on. Great shot. He has come up a bit

short but he puppet everything into the pot there. That is one of best

shots I have seen for a long time. I think Ronnie O'Sullivan can get to

this. Mark Williams took a risk trying to

cut that red in. He could have played a nailed on safety shot. Kept

the frame on the boil, but, it is all over now.

Two frames behind in a matter of some 14 minutes.

Got a bit of a kick on that but he wasn't really concentrating on the

pink. It was a magnificent effort of 60. But it has to be said Mark

Williams was very unfortunate when he cut that black in but Ronnie

O'Sullivan is back. It is four frames all.

HAZEL IRVINE: He is beginning to turn it on out there. In the blink

of an eye he is level. He has that momentum. Mark look like he has gone

off the boil a bit. Had a chance in the end but took on a very strange

red. He played it as a shot to nothing, and left it in the jaws,

almost in the jaws of the pocket. But it is in the balance, still, you

know it is anybody's game but Ronnie is the momentum has swayed back to

his camp now. It is close, in terms of the possession out there, if you

like, of who is in on the balls and wafer thin cut that Mark Williams

managed. We were purring over that one, it was a beautiful shot.

Unbelievable. He is good at everything. The awkward frames, but

shots that no-one else plays or takes on, he is brilliant at it. It

used to annoy you playing him. He would come up with a shot like that.

He split the reds. Where he landed was in no-man's land. It could have

been on a red and could have win the shot You think you

been on a red and could have win the another ball, because it

been on a red and could have win the good. Williams won four in a row.

Suddenly it is two for Ronnie, how do you read the situation? If it is

open Ronnie will win it. If it goes scrappy, we will be hard to shake

Mark Williams off because he loves the frames. Back we go, this is

frame nine. Great buzz round the crowd again,

after those two frames from Ronnie O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan. They have

backbench very fair the crowd, Mark Williams has had a terrific

reception from them also, with some of the snooker he has produced.

Well acknowledged by a tap of the table there, from Ronnie for that

great shot. Oh double-kiss. Oh eer he has got

away with it. Who's a lucky boy! ! Once he got that double-kiss, think

Ronnie thought he would have left quite a few on. Touching ball.

Little smile from Mark, keep telling you how laid back he is, this

Welshman. And have a look at this. That gentleman shouldn't be allowed

there to have that, that shows you what Mark Williams is like.

Imagine coming up and asking you for a selfie Steve, if that had been

round in your day! Thankfully even the -- I don't think

the brick phone was invented then. What has he spotted. Is there a

plant on? Can he make it into a plant? Possibly. No, he made it not

into a plant. It was a plant, until he overcooked it. He had to hit it

forward. It is like a squeeze effect when you hit the first ball.

That is is a great opening red. Never easy. He didn't get on the red

as he intended, and difficult to judge when you are screwing back,

hitting other reds. That was a great attempt to keep on the black. He

overcooked it. Some action on the cue ball there.

Once again Mark Williams forced to play a thin escape. Shouldn't be too

difficult. Not that thin. Oh, he has missed it completely.

He has missed a couple up and down the table, hasn't he. A lot of shots

he has played well. Yes, Colin Humphreys asking the

referee to get the screen up, to show him exactly where the cue ball

was. Left a bit. He is on the scoring today. Just fraction the

other way he is saying. Can he just catch the edge of the

red this time? Not great. But could end up great, if he just

gets behind that green. Ronnie O'Sullivan seems to have cut

off paths back to the baulk area for Mark Williams. So what can Mark work

out? To the top cushion? I tend to say the top cushion, which

is it on the snooker table but for people watching at home it's the

bottom cushion. I say the cushion behind the black spot. I am waiting

to hear from you Steve. Yes. Yes. So what should we call it, the top

cushion, the bottom cushion? The baulk cushion. Let us make a

committed decision. That is the gaution. You can see -- the baulk

cushion. That is not an easy starter for

Ronnie. Ronnie. Especially if he is straight on this. If he has a slight

angle he can get on to the black. He is just off straight. Not easy this.

One good pot here and a cannon and he is right in business again.

So here we go. Ronnie is in first again. And he made breaks of 60 and

104 in the two previous frames. A superb opening red.

He started off this match looking in fine form.

As things are currently, it looks like, he is going to finish off the

match in fine form. Never know if there is another twist

in the tale though. A tricky spotting process for Colin

Humphrey, one of our top referees now.

Another cannon needed. Could have worked out better.

Closer than he would have liked to this red. Made it very easy.

Easy to jab at those ones. Looks like Ronnie O'Sullivan is

going to get over the line here. Interesting to see how Mark Williams

will perform on the back foot. I suppose you can only perform if you

get a chance. He is not getting any chances in these frames.

Ronnie didn't clinch the last frame with a break of 60, but, it paved

the way for it, but Mark's had precious little to go at. He had

that cut back the boys were talking about. Fantastic cut back and was

unlucky not to drop on a red. But this is not far from being over

this frame, just one more good shot. He hasn't cleared that too well. He

has to be careful with the reds, he is leaning over there, bit of a

distraction. If he cannons this red he is OK. If

he drops in behind it he is not OK. Just can get to the potting angle.

Moving that difficult red. With the frame safe, he's set himself a

target of a possible 1,000 century breaks in his career. He is 197

short of that. What a fete that would be. You wouldn't put anything

past this player. He is is a delight to watch. He really is.

-- a feat. Great to see him back and playing

like this, missed the UK and the Champion of Champions where he could

have defended both of those titles but chose not to. He is back at his

brilliant best here. We have had five centuries so far in

this year's Masters. 804 century breaks for Ronnie

O'Sullivan. And a little exhibition shot to

finish it up with. And this crowd at Alexander Palace enjoying every

minute of this. The Rocket really is on fire, as

both players leave the arena, Mark Williams has got something to think

about. He can't get to the table. Ronnie O'Sullivan leads 5-4 P HAZEL

IRVINE: In the small matter of 27 minutes he has turned the match on

its head. The tale of his new book, how to turn a match round in 20

minutes. All of a sud the match you look like you are going to win you

are 5-behind if you are Mark Williams. You see Mark getting

himself together to form a decider. I think he will get a chance, but

you know Mark, had that half chance, a long red he normally get, you

know, he has missed it by quite a bit. But he has got chance, as John

said, when he got a bit ahead it looks like he started to close up a

bit. He has not been used to that position for a while, particularly

at the Masters, I think he will get a chance but whether he will take it

now the way Ronnie has played it is difficult. He lost four frames in a

row. How is he able to produce ass quickly and dramatically as that?

Talent. Simply talent. He is a class act. He has been obviously, he is

massively experienced. Won five Masters, he knows what to do but it

is just the ability to switch it on and go through the gear books box

that a lot of other plays don't have. It a beauty to be able to do

that, to be able to switch, get into gear like that, he is one of the few

players who can do it. When he is in full flow there is nobody better.

Playing against, when you are sitting in the chair, I bet Mark

Williams is just enjoying it, watching it, it is beauty at work.

It is what makes you a bit uncomfortable being in front. You

know he is capable of that, so sometimes when your chances come you

can be too careful. Is In that respect, maybe not in style it

remind you of that brink man ability of Mark Selby who never ever gives

up. It fact he is more dangerous coming from behind. Ronnie will be

aware of Mark Williams's experience as well. He knows he won't, he will

have to produce when he gets a chance, Ronnie O'Sullivan, but I

wouldn't count Mark Williams out. He is a champion and he never throws in

the towel. I would love to see the match go, to a final frame decider,

for everybody's enjoyment to watch it. Just to see what is going to

happen. I would love to see it go five each. Many people at home would

as well. Mark Williams is still out. Collecting his thoughts before the

next frame. The tenth. It is interesting. I am sure there are

some interested spectators in Mark Selby and Ricky ward who will play

tonight, the winner of that one will meet the winner of this one. Either

way it has a high quality written on it. This is frame ten. Is there

something left, is there not chapper terse of this brilliant match to be

-- chapter of this brilliant match to be written by that man, Mark

Williams. He has to do it now or it is all over for his year at the

Masters. And Mark still having a bit of fun

with the crowd. So he is still the relaxed Mark Williams and he looks

comfortable there. In his seat. That is the beautiful Waterford

crystal trophy they are playing for. Who is going to be picking that

little beauty up next Sunday evening? That the big question.

Well... He has a chance. It was a similar type shot to the one that

Mark missed the other side of the table in the previous frame. Now,

what, what can the Welshman produce here? And John Parrot wants to see a

decideling frame. I think -- deciding frame. Everyone would love

to see that but I don't think Ronnie O'Sullivan would like a last

deciding frame. He wouldn't mind it but he would

rather get it over with in in frame. These two reds close to the black

have to be sorted out. Could easily go wrong if he cannons on those.

The outside red is very handy. A nice little settler to the start

of this frame for Mark Williams. He hasn't had much table time, so the

way this is turning out, just get his arm going. At some stage he will

have to go into the pack. This is his fourth black coming up, as you

can see there. Think he can run through for the

black again, looking at that angle. Just about... Getting a bit more

difficult now. As the red goes through the gap near the pink. Chose

to go into them. Not ideal cueing. He will have to play for the blue

this time, so he will quickly forget all about the blacks.

It is handy, he could get his cue low there through a gap. He is a bit

underpacedings, but he should be able to control this blue. Screwing

out of baulk. A bit short as well but just about

got there. He is an amazing player, Mark

Williams, he really is. His temperament is superb, as we

mentioned a few times, he is the sort of player he could have won a

match 6-0 or lost 6-0 and his expression would be the same. He

would still look so relaxed and laid back.

Is that a plant? That is massive, if it is.

Oh, he is not even on the plant. Oh no.

Well, that is so unfortunate, because the white has come back, no

distance at all, and I don't think he can get to that plant that you

mentioned, Steve, Not certain. He could squeeze it away from the

pocket. If he was playing the three ball plant. There is is a gap

between the two reds, but it is risky to play it nowt.

He can't really get a ball safe. Can he see enough of that? Might have,

possibly. I don't think the plant is on, you would have to play it a

three ball plant, youn't play it if you can see it. I don't think he

would squeeze it away from the pocket. Perhaps he was playing that

red all along,s that wasn't a plant, but felt like he was playing for a

plant. Mark Williams is going to be forced

to go up and down the table off the top cushion and thin snick one of

the three reds in a line. Terrific judgment there from Mark.

He has pushed one over the pocket and he hasn't covered it. Great

chance for Mark Williams now. One good positional shot here and we

could have a deciding frame. Oh, he played it. He played the shot with

loads of drag and bottom. He thought he had got it.

Well if Ronnie O'Sullivan gets on a baulk colour easily there I there he

is favourite in the frame to win the match, but, now what? Green is hard.

There is is a red begging to be potted over the pocket. He has to

strike it well. How good was that? He made that look so easy, with the

balls so close together. So difficult.

Well, there is not a ball safe on the table. And that missed red from

Mark Williams could be so costly. It looked almost a certain to pot

this. Played it with lots of bottom, thought he potted it. Then all of a

sudden... Shock, horror, it didn't drop.

There is usually no better player in the game than a counter attacking

part of Ronnie O'Sullivan's armoury. The referee was wagging his finger

at one of the spectators there. We have nearly 2,000 people in here.

They have had a superb match to watch.

A bit of work to be done with those three reds.

It has gone deathly quiet now at theally pale.

-- the Ally Pally. Can't do anything about it, you have

to sit and watch and hope that something goes wrong for your

opponent, but the way he has played in the three previous frames, breaks

of 104, 60, He has underscrewed that. Just left

himself the wrong side of the blue, so having to take the pink. Now what

sort of a cannon has he got here? It is not perfect. There is a bit of in

between, the middle or the corner, so one more good shot needed here.

It is not there. It is not over just yet.

It should have been, but he went slightly out of position there.

Well he knocked it in but he would have liked it further away from the

cushion than this. What a pressure pot this will be.

One good screw back now. Has he more of an angle?

Well, it looked like it was all over. What twists and turns we have

had in this train. Mark missed that sitter of a red, Ronnie looked like

he was going to clear up and clinch the match but it looks like we could

have a decider. John Parrott gets his wish!

Absolutely fantastic from Mark Williams. The scores are all square.

Who is going to go through to the next round? That is the big question

and we have a deciding frame. Well, we had all sorts in that particular

frame. Mark looked like he was going to clinch it comfortably with a red

right over the pocket, he played it with a lot of drag and Ronnie

thought it was over but when he missed the shock, we will show you,

he played it with a lot of bottom. He thought it was in, he was on his

way around the table and at the last minute, whether the white drifted,

he stopped in his tracks. Ronnie looked certain to win the match, he

was flying but ran slightly out of position. He was the wrong side of

the blue and had to take the pink. He went round two cushions but

collided with the red and left this, everybody expected him to get it. I

thought it was a good strike but it went to the far jaw and Ronnie would

have known it wasn't in. Mark Williams made sure of it and potted

an excellent black and cleared up in great style. Under pressure

conditions. Superb match. He has done that for the second

time. The break-off shot catching the blue but at least it is not

going to be costly because the black is not available. He just hit it too

thin. This is a big shot to take on, especially if he has to use his

extension to pot this red and screw back for a baulk colour. It is a bit

of a stretch. That red is dead straight I think so

Ronnie is turning it down but it will be available so he has to get a

good cue ball. He has left that red that you

mentioned and there is a path around the back of the black and Mark

Williams will take it on, that's for sure. But tensions are rising. And

he has got away with it, the red will run safe. Welcome to the

Twilight zone! This is pottable but it's not really

worth playing because he can't get on a colour. This is the time for a

clear mind. Surely this doesn't cut in? Is he playing it?

I thought the safety shot was nailed on. It is going to be hard to make a

break with the blue off its spot at the moment. What sort of power can

degenerate? He threw everything into it. What a great shot!

Two incredible screw backs from Mark Williams. He has got the pink in to

play. Superb cue power, the type of stuff you normally see from Judd

Trump or Neil Robertson and he got the pink in the plane and this is a

real chance. -- into play. And still he looks as cool as a cucumber but

inside there has to be a bit of tension and a few butterflies

fluttering around. We mentioned earlier, the last time

these players met in 2014, the quarter final of the International

Championship, Mark won 6-5. He has played for the blue but left himself

a chance to open up the pack if he wants to. He is the Twix time

between whether to play it -- the quickest and between.

He didn't go in hard enough, he should have committed more but does

this go in the middle? If he does, he could be on the pink and he might

be OK. Perhaps he knew that. You can see the look on his face, he

is completely fired up. He has to be careful with this. And he was but he

has just let the white ball run away. This red is cuttable but there

is no control on the cue ball. He doesn't want to just cannoned

into the red that is near the cushion, that is what he is looking

at, if he hit it the wrong way, he will not finish on anything. It is

hard to avoid, it is a natural cannon. And he managed to get around

the back of it but he doesn't want to be straight on the blue, he needs

a bit of angle and I think he's got it to get up to the reds. No. He

tried to cannon the pink. I said he was as cool as a cucumber, I know

there is one person, his wife is here, and she won't be as cool as a

cucumber! Delightful lady and their three boys are at home and they will

be watching. It is a superbly controlled safety

shot although Ronnie has a path back down the table between blue and

brown. We did manage to find Jo, there she

is, she will be so nervous. Ronnie will be happy to get this red

away from the black and screw to the top cushion. Has he got the snooker?

He was quickly there to see. Mark Williams, it could be argued that he

asked for that. He maybe had no other chance of safety. It was a

clever shot because there is no easy escape, if you go off and land on

the red he will leave one on. Just catching the edge of the red but

where has he put this? He must have been in severe trouble to risk that

kind of shot. Great strike. He is on the green, is he? What a superb

strike that was, it didn't look much but off the cushion.

He is not sure he can get to it. It is just a roll-up. A small reprieve

for Mark Williams. He can probably find a way into the pack to keep

things contained. Yes, not straightforward to get into

the pack, though, because there are a couple of reds he could leave on.

Coming off a couple of cushions rather than directly into them. Is

that hard enough? Yes, plenty of pace but he could still push it on.

He might have. That wasn't a straightforward escape for Mark

Williams. Wow, how close was that? I thought

it was in and it just catches the right jaw. If he had been further

out to the left of the pocket it would have gulped it in but the near

jaw is the one you always don't want to hit, especially on these match

tables. Perhaps on a club table it will slide in. Advantage Mark

Williams, but not much. I like that shot a lot, it was quite

clever from Ronnie O'Sullivan. He is 27 behind, he didn't want to be

behind the black as a safety zone, he wants to get the game back to

normality and picked out a very good shot. Mark Williams can obviously

see the left-hand side of the pack but what he is frightened of doing

is opening up the reds. He really does need to get the cue ball back

on the baulk cushion if he is going to play back down the table. He's

having a quick look to see where it's safe. There were all sorts of

shots available and it was such a clever shot he picked out, Ronnie.

I'm not sure if Mark Williams is considering playing a slow, half

ball thin snick to keep it on the top cushion.

That is a weird plant to be even considering. I think he just has to

play a half ball safety and hope he doesn't open up the reds. I can't

see any other shop, the cue ball will come act to roughly behind the

yellow and he just has to hope that the balls don't go into a pottable

position -- come back. He is not going to go for the plant? He just

can't see an easy safety shot. Surely not. That is what Jo thinks

of the plant! Well... In the end, what did he play? That was

definitely the wrong choice. He thought long and hard and what a

shot he took on. Well, it was always pushing to the top cushion. Surely

the safety shot would have been a better option. He knew that if he

pulled that tough plant off, he could have won the match. Can Ronnie

O'Sullivan hold himself together as someone's phone goes off? It has

been terrific all afternoon and somebody has forgotten to switch off

their phone. I was going to say, if Ronnie

O'Sullivan can keep himself together here. It seems a strange thing to

say with a player like Ronnie O'Sullivan and all he has won in the

game but even the greatest players suffer from a bit of pressure at

times. He might well need that last red on the side cushion.

Everyone was looking forward to this match, to Ronnie O'Sullivan coming

back after that eight-month lay-off, but I did not think we would get a

fabulous match like this. It really has been very special. And you see,

little things, that cannon, he is just about OK but this is a stretch.

But he made it look easy. Fascinating to see how he goes about

moving that difficult red that Steve mentioned. He can get an angle on

the second last red and flipped it into play and he would be guaranteed

on a baulk: -- flick it. He still has to play the shot right but maybe

a bit wider than he would have wanted. If he can flick it into

play, he will do. He has got to do it from the green. It needs to pull

up, he doesn't want to be straight otherwise he can't yet to it. -- get

to it. A little bit of angle and what a shot he has played! CHEERING

He was almost straight. And he forced it over to knock out the red,

it was a fabulous shot. Mark Williams thought long and hard about

that plant that he took on. Ronnie is saying, the yellow has to come

back up! But what a match, Mark Williams has been superb. 32 ahead.

And Ronnie now will play the winner of Mark Selby and Ricky Walden who

play this evening. It doesn't matter about the brown. He looks at the

scoreboard. Mark Williams is deciding whether to shake hands, he

is having a think, not finished quite yet. But the Rocket is in the

next round. That is one of the snookers.

The brown is heading over the corner pocket, he needs four snookers at

the moment. It has been three years since Mark has been at the Masters

and he doesn't want to leave yet. And now we will get the handshake.

He congratulates the Rocket, it has been a fabulous match, these two

players have put on a fantastic show this afternoon at the Alexandra

Palace and, in the end, Bonnie O'Sullivan is back and he takes the

match 6-5. Well done to both players -- Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Congratulations to Ronnie, what a match on his return to the big-time.

Had not seen him in one of the big three since losing at the Crucible

in April. How would you sum that up? Absolutely brilliant and what a way

to finish, we would all hope it would go to the last frame and what

a frame and what a clearance. Mark was in a precarious position. It was

a dangerous plant, particularly with a bit of a lead and if it goes in,

he wins the match but he missed it and Ronnie wins. Great composure

from Ronnie. It was and here he is. Congratulations, welcome back. Eight

months out of the heat of competition and you come back to

eight final frame decider. Happy to be back and through? It was all

right! A bit poor, wasn't it! It was all right. It wasn't poor from our

perspective, it was thoroughly entertaining. You were 2-0 in front

and suddenly Mark hits four in a row and your back is against the wall. I

flicked agreeing to go 2-0, he could have had that one -- indefinite

macro green. A few started to go in. We both missed a lot of balls, I was

a bit lucky to get through. It was twitchy in the end. When you know

the pressure is on, did you enjoy being in that atmosphere again? I

didn't really feel nervous, it's a bit of a nightmare of a tournament,

I lived round the corner and everyone is here. I played last week

and there was no hassle, you just turn up. Nobody wants a ticket, you

just sit down and chill out and you come here and this is mayhem! It is

a circus, it's a bit like Sheffield. It must be good to blow the cobwebs

away, you have to be looking forward to the rest. To be honest, I did my

back in a couple of months ago and I was playing all right until then,

playing in exhibitions and my form was great. I was cueing as well as

ever at and I did my back, I'm cueing round corners! Your cueing

round corners very well! I had no finish on my shot. But I managed to

wangle it. Is it causing you a real problem? It isn't painful, I'm just

not able to get on a shot properly. I'm out of balance. If you are

slightly off, one shot goes wrong, you are chasing the cue ball and I'm

not very good at that, I need to be in total control. I can't play like

some of these who can keep rescuing breaks. I like to be close in and if

I'm not, I'm pulling my hair out. Did you think you were going to get

a chance in the last frame? I always thought I would, I didn't feel

nervous, when you are flying and you think you've got prospect of going

far in the tournament, you're thinking, please don't go out! When

you were deciding that you would come back, take us through the

thought process about why you had taken time out and white it was

right to come back? I only missed two tournaments and I wouldn't have

been able to play them because of my back. This was the only one I could

have played in. I missed two tournaments. If you miss a couple of

games in football, nothing is said, but because I missed a couple,

suddenly I'm retiring! Did you miss them? Not really! Even though you

were defending? I didn't really miss it and if I carry on playing like

that I would be missing it at all. Unless I play well, there is no joy

in it. I have had a lean 18 months, I haven't done much since I won the

UK, a couple of quarters but nothing to be happy about. How close to your

best do you think you are? Miles away but I am pleased to have won a

match. If you start winning matches and picking up momentum, you have a

chance of it clicking. It is nice to get a close game to start off. You

have come through a tough match. The next game... I always think, unless

you are playing really well, you aren't going to win tournaments

unless you are Selby, he can win playing bad because he can make it

hard for you but I'm not that type of player. If I'm scoring and I got

my potting boots on, I have a chance but if I don't, I will get picked

off. I should have lost today. If Mark had been a bit more clinical

the wood had got through and he will because appointed but I got lucky.

-- he would have got through. Well done, you came through, it is lovely

to see you back. And I am sure Mark Selby and Ricky Walden would have

been interested to watch today because either of them will be

playing this man in the quarterfinal. Let's talk about Mark

Selby, these two have had some tussles over the years and let's get

an idea of his form. I played him at Wembley a few years ago. Ricky won

the wild card match. I think I beat him but we have played quite a lot

in other tournaments. Great friends off the table, we more or less grew

up together through the junior ranks, fantastic lad and I had a

thick player. He is a bit like O'Sullivan,, he plays on rhythm and

he can steam roller you. Even though I haven't won anything this year

come it is a bit disappointing, but the standard is high, nobody has a

divine right to win anything. It's not like I've been playing Adley, I

lost to John Higgins in the semifinals in China, and to Neil

Robertson who is probable in the best player on tour at the moment --

playing Adley. It would be nice to do a semi final into a win. And

significantly, in the five major event they have played in, Selby and

Walden, it is Selby with the best record. How do you assess this one?

You would have to say that Mark Selby would be favourite. Ricky

Walden on his day is very good, quick scorer, lovely to watch. He is

a handful for anybody when he is at the top of his game also when we

last saw Mark he was getting thumped by Neil Robertson at the UK

championship and that was unusual will stop it hadn't happened since

1999. He was getting 50s and 60s and losing. He just has too up his

scoring slightly, he could go close. What a fascinating afternoon it has

been. I hope you have enjoyed it at home. Jason will be here with the

highlights tonight's matches later on. Otherwise, we will see you again

shortly. We hope you have enjoyed it, it is good to see Ronnie back.

Goodbye for now. So, no-one pays tax here?

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