Quarter-Final: Trump v Robertson Masters Snooker

Hello, good afternoon, welcome to Alexandra Palace, home of the 2016

Dafabet Masters. It is a beautiful day in North London, will it be good

for two of the four men looking to book their place in the semifinals

of this tournament to join Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins? By

Sullivan reached the last four with an impressive 6-3 win over former

number one Mark Selby, the match-winning clearance described by

Steve Davis as the greatest of all time. In the evening quarterfinal,

Barry Hawkins one only his second match here at the Masters, beating

Mark Allen 6-2 to book his place in Tamara's first semifinal. Wilkins

will play the winner of the quarterfinal today between Judd

Trump and Neil Robertson, it it is Trump's first quarterfinal here at

the Masters since 2013 but he takes on winner of the champion of

champions and winner of the Championship in York, Neil

Robertson, and for many, the man to beat.

The target on my back must be the same size as the table. Nobody on

the tour likes to the one guy cleaning up. I am fully aware I am

the target and everybody wants to beat me now and stop the run I am

on. I feel like this is a tournament I should be winning here and to be

remembered as a great player, either have to win these tournaments. I

have only got to one semi which is not good enough.

I definitely have that confidence were I am walking around the table,

I know if I am playing well, I will create my own chances.

The confidence is nowhere near what it was when I first broke through. I

think my all-round game is 100 times better but the confidence is the big

thing stop it is going to be a really top match, we have had more

top bottles of years. He has not got the best record you so I am sure he

has all the motivation he needs, not just plainly to try to get a good

result this week. The London crowd get into it more and it gets you all

for it and sometimes I want to win so badly here that I tried to hard

as I take you long and I think too much, it is getting that compromise

back and enjoy myself, not worry about losing and putting on a show

but also getting through to the next round.

Judd Trump has one of the most explosive games in World Snooker

today with an ability to blitz his opponents. Has not won a tournament

since March and he will need to bring his a game to get past

today's, double opponents. You'll Robertson in my opinion is that best

long putter in the game and one of the best break-builders. What I like

most, he is one of the greatest winners, able to save his best form

for the biggest events. Expect fireworks. It is going to be

a cracking afternoon at Alexandra Palace. But some's 11 appearances at

the Masters, the Shaun Murphy 2012 to win loss last year. The

Australian won the last meeting in a European tour event last season. The

players are ready, let's join our MC, Rob Walker.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. There has been so much

banter into the build-up of this match, it is a rerun of a great

semifinal in 2012, a cussing sporting rivalry. It is England

against Australia for a place in the semifinals and this -- at this

year's Dafabet Masters. APPLAUSE.

Please welcome the most exciting player of his generation. Winner of

four ranking titles including the UK and International Championships.

When he is in the groove and in the balls, he is great to watch. Here he

is with his own brand of naughty Snooker, the ace in the pack, Judd

Trump! WALK-ON MUSIC.

And his opponent, what an impact he has had since his arrival from

Australia just over a decade ago. World champion in 2010, Masters

winner in 2012 and he is on a roll this season, having already won the

Champion of champions and UK title. Ladies and gentlemen, can you hear

the Thunder from Down Under? Here comes Neil Robertson! WALK-ON MUSIC.

Just one previous meeting at the Masters in the semifinals of the

2012 event that Neil Robertson beat Judd Trump by 6-3 and this will be

great. Sit back, relax and enjoy the company of John Virgo and Steve

Davis. Good afternoon, everybody. As John Parrott said, look out for some

fireworks. This has all the makings of a classic match. Not able to

choose between them. When you look at the records, in some of the

longer matches, Judd has the slight edge on Neil Robertson. Yes, but it

has been very tight. What is certain is the reds players have been

regular features on our major tournaments -- these players. In the

final stages. So you would expect them to be experienced enough to get

off to a good start. Not to be overwhelmed by the occasion of the

Masters. Yes, the new breed. A packed house, great atmosphere. Both

players great potters. You are going to see outstanding shots played

today. Just playing the containing safety

but did not catch it quite right so he may have left a pot for Judd

here. Just sticking out of the main cluster. I do get to the far right

or this led to the corner and a cannon to the right of the black. --

red. Not quite, half a chance. And sometimes at this level, those half

chances can make the difference between winning and losing a frame.

Not easy for Neil Robertson to play this loose red in the bottom half of

the table and guarantee any path back to the top of the table. It

could collide with brown or green. That red does pot into the middle

pocket even at that angle. When you'll Robertson has left that, he

is hoping if Judd does get it, he gets on a colour.

Somebody's earpiece is quite loud, could you check them and turned them

down? Thank you. Strange choice of shocked

to read an opportunity to leave this red. It would have been better had

he got it tight on the baulk cushion. Yes. As you say, Steve, he

was not guaranteed a colour. He played it well but a surprising

choice of shot from Neil. Where has the cue gone? It is tough

to get it in their past the yellow. I know, it is amazing. It must have

checked a bit off the first cushion. Normally, you would think the yellow

wood block the path. I don't think... Maybe he can play

with just a trace of side to get to the potting angle.

That trademark alignment of Judd Trump, looking like he was aiming to

miss the red to the top cushion to start with and then he readjusted

and he missed it to the side. Top weight of Lake Snooker going across

the line of the shot, but it works for him -- a tough way to play

snooker. Keep an eye on the straight cueing. Robertson.

That is an easier way to play, I feel! Yes, I don't think anybody in

the game wishes the cue a straight as Neil. -- pushes. That is why he

is one of the best potters in the game. A bit careless, that. From

Judd. That might be the slight difference between the two players.

If it came to a tactical battle which I do not expect it to, but it

just slightly favours Neil Robertson. If you look at longevity

within the game, I would say that Neil Robertson's straight cueing

holds him in better stead. Judd did come into the studio after

his first match and he was sort of saying he was not especially

confident at the moment. Yes, it has been a long time between

drinks. With regards to winning events. He has taken a bit of a risk

here. Yes, this looks like a gift. Not sure what he was playing. Surely

not that. The reds have spread out a bit but

there are a lot of them and not easy to guarantee position. Although if

he was to open them up, he would feel a bit aggrieved if he did not

get on something. He will settle for that.

Just having a look. He has already looked past this red and probably he

will run through for the black. Just looking at the sort of angle he

needs on the black. He may be playing for the pink here. He

decided to go back for the blue but with the red, having to avoid the

second, I do not see how he could have got the right side of the blue.

No, it was tough. He was loath to tie up the pink.

He would have liked the cue ball to come of that second cushion a bit

wider. Well, he will be usually -- well, we

have been eulogising about his straight cue, that was not very

straight. That little piece you put on the end of the cue is not massive

but it does change the throw of a shot, the dynamic of the cue. Nicely

played. He controlled the cue ball, affect on the black. -- perfect.

He does not want that cue ball going to close to the cushion, it is just

about all right. That was not an easy black so he did

not risk very much the positional side of things but he has to put

into the middle, obviously. He was out opposition enough that it was

admissible. -- out opposition. He has had a couple of mistakes to

begin this all-important match for a place in the semifinals. That is not

the greatest shot. That has got a bit of side spin, that is handy, I

thought it would end up on the side cushion.

Well! This is a surprise! Not too sure that was totally his fault. A

puzzled look on his face, that is for certain. Isn't it funny? You

expect a match and I suppose the reds came out expecting the match to

be a bombardment, you never know what is going to happen any snooker

table. No, as we always say, no two frames alike. But both players a bit

tight in the arm. It is a big match. They respect one another's ability.

He struck that well. I think he has just got a slight angle on the blue.

You would have liked more. He has not got many opportunities to go

into the pack. And that is always going to be a risk, coming from that

side, but he has got a good result. Just got enough pace on that cue

ball. Now, can he dropped this blue in and

go for the red? He can do it comfortably. He has already spurned

one decent opportunity. Can he make the most of this one?

He just seems to be now getting the cue through a lot better. Not the

right side of the blue this time. He decided to go in and out of

baulk, I am not certain that was a good idea. No, it if he could just

screw back, he would have left himself a possibly easier one. As he

is left-handed, that makes this shot a lot easier. That is why I thought

he would play that red. He was only fractions away to snooker himself

behind the blue, so it was a risk playing in and out of baulk on such

a straight blue. I agree, he looks like he is all of a sudden settling

his cueing down in what could be an all-important first frame.

Especially as both players looked a bit tense. This blue and one more

red to leave Neil Robertson needing snookers. This red will put 1039

points in front, just 35 remaining. -- will put him 39. Bless you!

Somebody sneezed just on the shot. But it did not put him off! As you

should do when something distracts you, at get up and go through your

routine again. Neil Robertson missed a black of the spot. That is usually

a costly thing to do at this level. And as Steve and I just remarked, he

just seems to be getting the cue nice and smooth now, Judd Trump.

Well, two snookers needed, you would think being the first frame, Neil

Robertson would carry on. Relatively nice little area behind black and

pink at some stage, not sure he could get it from the shot. He will

have to be tight behind one of them. Yes, my mistake, it it is three

snookers at the moment, 34 point snookers required. -- three, four

point. More likely to need a free ball.

That object ball was so close to the cushion, he realised by claiming it

with the top spin, it would check. That is what it did and he had right

hand side on the cue ball, it could not have worked out better. Judd

just has to be careful he does not leave a free ball. Good hit. Very

good hit. Neil Robertson will not be potting

this red. It just ran past. He has got the

double! And that is the end of any thought of Neil Robertson getting

the snookers now, he will not be coming back to the table in this

first frame. A little bit of Judd's naughty snooker now. Didn't he cue

that beautifully? It is funny, the first shots he played, I thought

maybe he is not quite on it today. Neil Robertson missed the black off

the spot and it seems to have invigorated Judd somewhat. I think

that can happen. You can walk out and play some rotten shots and feel

rubbish. And then your opponent lets you off the hook, you get some nice

starters under the belt and the next minute, you are a world-beater.

Well, he has certainly entertained the crowd with this little break!

That was a seven cushion positional shot! Fantastic. It is a pity but in

the end, it started a bit scrappy but when Neil Robertson missed a

black, he seemed to inspire Judd and he flew away with it. He wins the

first frame 1-0. Usually tense encounters between

these two but a shaky start. That was an entertaining first frame.

Yes, sometimes it just sets the tone for the match, first frame. Stephen

in the commentary box was one of the best at winning that first frame and

it is very important and I have seen Neil Robertson missed more balls in

the opening frame than I have seen in the last six matches he has

played, he has been flawless mostly. He looked nervous so although he won

the Champion of champions in the UK, he knows this is dangerous and

potentially a stun in his shoe. What is your assessment of the opening

exchanges? The same ash -- as John. Disappointed with Neil Robertson,

one of the greatest winners and very reliable at starting quickly in

major events. That can affect you, the start he has had and it can take

a couple of frames to get going. Judd is an inspirational player and

the last thing you want to do is give him confidence. Like Jimmy

White, if you do not take your chances and let him know you are

there to play, it will be a tough afternoon. Neil Robertson thinks, it

you are not afraid of me and I think Judd thinks he can beat Neil

Robertson and that is why he has a good record. He needs to get going

in this match early on and on the next frame because Judd is the type

to just run away. When you see and hear Judd, talking about not going

out any more and concentrating on his game, DC a different Judd Trump?

If he wants to be the best in the game and be number one and win more

titles, he has to dedicate himself to the game.

Decent break-off shot from Neil Robertson. Judd on all reds. It is a

pack with loose reds on either side, it is not straightforward to come

off the side cushion and nestle into them. You have to be a little

careful here. Good break off as well and it did not tie up the black.

Although that is not exactly easy to control. Speculative play from Judd,

getting the light and he will have another couple of attempts. He will

be happy with that first attempt, it will be quite close. You expect him

to readjust with the second. The one thing you wary of, especially on the

first is catching the 59 -- red too thick.

He could not have played that better. Well played.

Much too thick, and very fortunate. Having caught that red so thick and

gone into the jaws, very lucky not to leave a red on. Touching ball is

a help to Acra Temple one. A little bit short of pace, but the

yellow has come in very handy. It looks like once again Judd is

snookered on Allred 's but not too hard to come into the reds just

below the pink. -- snookers on all reds.

Neil Robertson could risk trying to get tight behind the yellow, but

it's still going to be hard to force an opening. Arguably he could play a

shot that gets Judd to open a few red balls up. You could swerve

around the pack but it is a tough judgment shot. You could catch it

too thick. So he is going up and down. That is risky as well. So well

played. APPLAUSE

That was another terrific shot. To judge it so well coming off a

cushion, excellent. This red is going to be pottable to the bottom

left corner, and kissing the yellow makes it that much easier. Judd with

his hand on the table can manoeuvre the cue ball.

Well, from such a thin cut to actually get a bit of screw back on

there to hold the cue ball was superb. One of the strengths of Judd

Trump's game, he gets a lot of action on the cue ball.

Coming down for the black. I can only assume that that red that is

just above and to the right of the black spot will go into the opposite

corner here. Of course that is very handy for Judd. Now of course he has

got the black on its spot and available into both corners, this is

an excellent opportunity. You always need a bit of luck when

you go into them, and having a look at his body language, what is he on?

He could just get through to that red. He had to play it with a trace

of right-hand side just to turn the red over slightly. Played it well.

No need to go into the reds again from that shot. There would have

been a bit of danger involved in that.

A little bit straighter on the blue would have been ideal. As Steve

said, he didn't really need to have to play any more cannons. OK, he's

on this red, but it was all about the positional play. If he had got

that, pot one red and clear the path for another.

But he landed on a red. This is a frame-winning opportunity, no doubt

about that. We know that Judd is not frightened

of winning! It would be an interesting scenario to have the

player in form asked a few questions here, at 2-0 down, should that be

the case. He can't keep in form all season. Somewhere down the line, the

wheels have to fall off. I suggest, John, he has to get his B

game going as we say. He's certainly capable of that. And when we say the

B game, of course he is a very good all-round player, but I don't think

he's going to get any more opportunity to do anything more in

this frame. So, a red and a black, that is all

that is needed. APPLAUSE

And amazingly enough, that is his highest break of the tournament so

far! It's hard to believe with someone like Judd, a big scorer at

the best of times. There is Jud's brother Jack and his

girlfriend. Well, you would be amazed if he did

not make the century year. But this has been excellent play from Judd.

He was in trouble a couple of times and played two excellent escapes

from snookers. Well, they both looked wobbly at the

start of this match, but Judd is now free of that. He's just having a

look at the scoreboard. The highest break at the moment is held by Mark

Allen at 137. And he can better that. Well, he could have done if he

had got pink or black. If he gets the blue, he can only equal the

highest break. That's why he's playing the black! Not bothered

about the hundred, he's trying to beat the 137. He's got it, you know!

He's got it! But he will need another good shot on this last red.

Possible 139. What a pity. Well, he gave it his

best shot. He kept Neil Robertson in his seat for most of that frame. A

couple of great escapes early on. And Judd Trump marches on, 2-0.

So still Mark Allen has the highest break of the tournament so far, 137.

We will talk to Stephen and John about that frame in a moment. But we

like to have a bit of fun here at the Masters on our coverage. Someone

in the audience handed our MC Rob Walker a photograph of one of our

team today. That is Steve Davis who is looking very slender standing

next to a horse! The man handed the photo to Rob Walker and said it's

basically his dad on horseback. Steve, we're just wondering what on

earth you are doing in a Coventry City shirt next to a horse! You're

also wondering what those two pieces of cotton hanging from my shorts

are! I think back in the 80s, before the FA Cup final they used to have a

celebrity football match. Dennis Taylor played in it, loads of

celebrities. I think it was Coventry versus Tottenham. 3-2, Keith

Houghen. I played with Rod Stuart! He lent me his shin pads! You were

probably the only one they would fit! He passed the ball to me and I

kicked it out into touch because I was rubbish, and he never passed me

the ball again! Breaking news everybody, Rod Stewart handed Steve

Davis his shin pads! Tell you what, Coventry have never been so glad

they didn't sign him! Fantastic frame, brilliant

performance from Judd, and for the first time in a good while, Neil

Robertson is under the cosh. Back to the man with fantastic legs!

COMMENTATOR: I wasn't going to speak first! Yeah, it's going to be

interesting now. We keep saying that Neil Robertson has been the man of

the season. As Steve alluded to an John Parrott has just done there,

he's being asked the question here. OK getting results when everything

is running your way, but can he get a foothold in this match?

He likes a challenge. Also on some occasions when he has had to dig in,

he has slowed things down. Not necessarily deliberately, but just

perhaps making double sure. No player likes to have to disrupt

the pace of the game, but if your opponent is flying, sometimes it's

needed. I would suggest, John, that from 2-0

behind, as a player, you wouldn't necessarily want to take on too many

50-50 risky shots and present your opponent with a 3-0 possibility, you

want to make sure of the pot and get started at the very least. Yes, and

particularly with the form that Judd has shown in the second half of the

first frame and that last frame, he is in a mood where one chance would

be all he needed. As you say. But Neil, that is the strength of him,

his all-round game. He's going to have to start to play his way into

this match. As he knocked that red over the middle? Well, it's just run

far enough. -- has he? It is not pottable. But it looks for all the

world like this frame is a safety battle to the top cushion, the black

cushion. Unavoidable, now. It is who dares risk one into the middle

pocket. That is a very good safety shut, though. Oh! It just goes.

That's the type of shop I was talking about, really you don't want

to be playing this shot. On another day perhaps you would go for it.

Well, he's playing the safety. He needs a good length here with this

cue ball. He needs to find the baulk cushion.

He is judged it well. I don't know whether he gets that much advantage

out of the shop. -- he has judged it well. -- out of the shot.

Even more of a tempter into the middle pocket. A round of applause,

he got the cue ball bang on the baulk cushion. The red closes to the

brown doesn't go in the middle pocket. The other does, but I don't

see where the colour comes from. A risky pot with no reward, I don't

think he would take it on. risky pot with no reward, I don't

safety. Yeah, not automatic by any means.

Hard to see one from here. I assume the red goes past the brown into the

green pocket, so he could just replace the cue ball with the red on

the left side cushion. Obviously if you cannot see a safety shut then

this red becomes more viable. Deserves a bit of thinking. This is

the type of shot, I think, where whilst they talk about things like

shot clocks, it would ruin the game of snooker. Because you need to

think about a shot like this. The crowd know it's a big moment in the

frame. Yeah, and in the majors. OK, maybe there is room for shot clocks

in different types of tournament. He's gone for it and eight horrific

pot! Considering he was tied up against that baulk cushion, it was

worth the wait. -- a terrific bop. A shot clock would have ruined the

moment there. It made it all the more special. What a great shot. Now

is a great chance. It was funny, as you said, there was

no easy safety on. He was almost forced into playing the pot. How

many times do we see that? When a player can see no alternative but to

take a risky pot on. It was a great shot. I assume the black goes into

the right corner. It makes things a lot easier if it does.

It does, but that red to the left corner obviously not straight enough

to drop it in and to be on the black. So this is the alternative.

He's OK, because there is a red available which he would like to

just pot the blue, screw back a couple of inches, leave himself

straight on the red in the open, just roll that in and be on the

black into this pocket that he is playing the blue.

If he wins the frame in this visit, you can't praise him enough. Act

against the wall, horrible opening read. -- back against the wall,

horrible opening red. Digging himself out of a hole here. Yes, it

will still take some doing to win the frame at this visit, but we were

asking what would be his response to losing the first two frames... He

obviously wants to play for the red just to the right of the black. Once

he clears that out of the way, the black is available into both

corners. So, immediately on that red.

That little cluster of five in between the pink and black, he's

going to have to bring those into play if he's going to win the frame

at this visit. Three reds and three blacks will not be enough.

He should be going into them now. I thought he would screw into them and

with the back spin he could hold for more reds. Perhaps he could use the

pink to open them up with. A screw back into the pack their would have

guaranteed the cue ball would stay up the top part of the table.

There must be something goes that I can't see, here. I can only assume

that the pink will go back on its own spot and the is a red available.

-- the pink will not go back on its own spot. He can not really studied

from over it, he has to leave himself an angle to get off the side

cushion. Well, there you go. I honestly think that he chose the

wrong choice, there. He wanted to keep it all very neat but the

problem was, as you said, he had a good angle to play on the pink to

run into the reds. Why play for the pink as he did and leave himself

hampered? He has left himself open for the counterattack here. I think

if he had played it again ten times and screwed into the pack off the

black, he would have got a good percentage of good outcomes. Yes,

it's a case of just trying to be a bit too precise. Well. There's

another problem now because he has not got the right angle on this

blue. Just a slight angle. Can he run it in-off the side cushion and

across to disturb the four reds? No, he's missed the line.

Judd thought the cue ball was going in. I didn't!

CHUCKLES Yeah, just striking down, probably

widened the angle a bit. Excellent length on the safety. Judd

will just be glad to still be in this frame. 33 points behind but

there are 67 remaining. Nicely controlled. I mean, Judd

would love to get this red away, the one that is near the middle pocket,

but I'm not certain he can guarantee a good safety off that red.

So he has decided to play a containing one, but it was never

going to be that good, to me, unless he got the cue ball tight to the

cushion, and I can't see Neil Robertson here refusing the pot.

Because that is his insurance, that awkward red near the side cushion.

Well, he is nearly over the line. But he needs another red to get

going, obviously. A fair way out, but was concentrating on a good cue

ball. But this is a chance for Judd Trump. Going back to that part with

the splitting of the reds, I think he might have been able to get over

the line with those reds and he felt he didn't need to go into the pack.

That's a great shot from Judd Trump. And now only that red by the Centre

pocket is saving Neil Robertson from, at this level, another loss.

Can Judd Trump somehow get that red off, and retain position? I think

that is the important thing, retain position. With the red being so

close, it's quite easy to push it past the middle pocket. Well, I

think he was looking for an angle on the yellow to maybe try to nudge

that red into play. Too straight on the yellow to attempt that now. So,

the red on the side cushion could be the key to this frame.

Might come down for a baulk colour if he can. But even so, as you say,

John, if he doesn't get the red off vacation... He needs an angle on the

yellow or brown, which is guaranteed.

Probably worthwhile hitting this harder, to try to push it up the

table. It would be very hard to try and get it to stay over the middle.

Well, he's notched it is an absolute fraction of the cushion, which would

make it a little bit easier. What a shock this would be.

Well, he looked away in disgust. That was a half chance. Neil

Robertson comes back to the table. Look at Judd the thing away, he knew

that was an opportunity. Neil Robertson 15 points in front.

But this is no easy shot. And being a left-hander... I'm not sure he can

see all of the ball either. The bump of the middle pocket might be in the

way. Gosh it's hard to say, isn't it? I

think it's one of those, you would only know if you were right behind

the shot. We will soon know but a tough pot anyway. He didn't play the

pot, he played the safety. Well, it wasn't a bad case on the black from

the red, was it? Controlled the cue ball well. Must have been a bit

worried possibly about double-kissing.

It was pretty tight for the double-kiss. There is a gap. The

only thing is, the King at that, -- looking at that...

He is asking Neil to have a look. I've never seen that one before!

Does he not trust the referee's eyesight rest room at its normally

the referee that keeps an eye on it. APPLAUSE

I have never seen that before! I didn't really think there was much

chance of Judd missing it really. He gave it a fair portion of it. He

hasn't got it safe. A chance for Robertson. Yes! Right in the heart

of the pocket. With that gap which he had, he was always hitting, for

him, the wrong side of the red, and you can't leave Neil Robertson that

type of long pot. He invariably knocks them in. OK he hasn't been

doing so this match, but that wasn't going to last, and now just yellow

and green needed to get his first on the board.

Played a lot better this frame. But having missed an easy enough pink,

he gave Judd a chance of getting back into it.

Judd frame is over now. -- Judd knows this brain is over now.

The next frame will be the one before the mid-session interval so

he's going to take on a bit more importance. And Neil Robertson

knocks it in so Judd Trump had a chance, he was disappointed, but a

good long pot from Robertson and he gets a score on the scoreboard but

he still trails 2-1. We said it would be top class

snooker and we are seeing great shots. Not much better on this.

His opponent has just had 100 from his miss mistake -- less mistake and

he misses this and he could easily be down. What a shot that was off

the cushion. We are not seeing the top-class snooker we expected from

these two. Yes, it is very interesting matchplay.

Robertson normally likes to prance around and to boss matches, with

real authority, he has not got that yet. Another great shot that last

red, his long potting is always so reliable and to win that, it is a

very important frame. When you play Judd, it is not uniform. You cannot

boss a match? The shot that other players do not play or do not get,

so the game does not have the same uniformity. If you face a good

matchplay, you say, he will play this. Judd does something different

and unexpected and he's attacking today. The safety has improved. And

he just attacks and he's not worried about playing Neil Robertson. What

we saw at the UK Championship in York was very much Neil Robertson

going around the table in complete control of matches. Yes, but this is

a different opponent with a good record against him.

That is the trophy that one of these players will be hoping to get their

hands on. Neil Robertson has already lifted it once. Judd Trump yet to

win a Masters. He caught that much too thick and

that is why the cue ball has not gone back to the other half of the

table so a nice easy starter for Neil Robertson here.

Black got a bit tied up during the shot.

Red to the right of the black, that will be nice to get on and the

correct angle, he could get black out straightaway if he gets right on

the red. Great shot to get the correct side

of the blue. And now nicely on this red, to get

the black on the spot. And both corners. We asked what the response

from Neil Robertson was going to be and it looks like a positive one. He

did not waste much time getting that black back into open play. Not a

fantastic pack. At the moment. There's a loose red at the bottom of

the pack. He could play to leave himself low on that. Release some

reds. It depends. I think he feels that there's a lot

of chance of losing the cue ball. On the shot.

That is why he did not hit it with much pace. Is he on the red? That is

what he has played for. It is tight. He may have to just play with a bit

of a trace of a right-hand side and just turn this red over.

I am not sure he's happy with it. He's going for it.

He made that with side spin. You can see where the cue ball hit the red,

it was not going to pocket on the right-hand side. Flicked left. Great

judgment. Another good shot. To force that

angle. Coming round from two cushions, absolutely perfect on the

red. Just lining up the pink. That is to try and open the reds here.

If he's going to play this with any pace, which he has got to, he has to

be pretty accurate with the pink. And he was and it has worked out

absolutely perfect. He has not a red to the side of the black, he has

finished with a red to the left corner. He could not have played it

any better. Even the pink does not hamper is cueing. -- his cueing. I

would be amazed now if we are not going into that mid-session interval

two games all. This is so impressive from 2-0 down. And back against the

wall in the third frame. So 59 points is believed. Not

certain, those two reds close together just below the pink, I do

not know whether the left-hand one of them will go to the right corner.

If it does not, he may have to be thinking, and I don't think it does.

So he has got to be thinking of potting this red and getting a nice

angle on a 20 mile -- any colour to get the reds into play. He needs

another red, to the middle. Maybe. He looks to have a decent angle on

the black to get it relatively close to the middle, should that be the

choice. And that is what he has played. I am

looking at his body language and I think he's happy with the result.

This would put 1068 points in front with just 67 remaining. -- put him

68. Clue as a whistle. -- clean. All

square. Trump got off to a flyer and he raced to a 2-0 lead. But we all

knew that dirty ball, the way he has been playing this season, would

start firing on all cylinders sooner or later -- Neil Robertson. So both

players will go into the mid-session interval with good thoughts to take

from these first four frames. I suppose Judd would be the more

disappointed, having held a 2-0 lead. Yes. And also, perhaps Neil

Robertson feeling like he's Superman, that he's never going to

be taken apart. That he has the ability in all departments of the

game, from any position. That is always a nice feeling. We keep

saying he has been the man of the season so far, winning the Champion

of Champions, the UK Championship. And he's such a beautiful cue and

Potter and a good all-round game, as he has proved to claw his way back

into this match. He hit the first red and it did not stop him getting

to the potting angle so still a chance of a century, we have already

seen one in the second frame from Judd Trump. And a chance of a big

break here. If the pots the blue, there's a possible 140. And as I

said earlier, the highest break at the moment is held by mark Allen. --

Mark Allen. 137. Not often these days -8 is by the end of the

tournament get less than 140. -- the high break is.

That was the 15th century of the tournament. The black and the six

remaining colours for a 139. Stephen Hendry, in the studio before

the spring, said Neil at the moment has not been strutting round the

table. He's strutting round it now. This has been a marvellous break, he

never put a foot wrong. And this black and the high break prize is

?10,000. And that is it! 139! And Neil Robertson absolutely responded

as we knew he would do, Judd Trump led by 2-0, Neil Robertson one a

second scrappy frame but nothing scrappy about that. The highest

break of the tournament. Interval, two games each. 139 the highest

break of the tournament so far and it is Neil Robertson with a ?10,000

in his back pocket. Mark Allen came and he has to get an evening flight,

he got beat us made. He was watching and Judd broke down so he thought,

that is handy, and he took ?10,000! That is what you expect from Neil

Robertson Mr Mark --? Yes, he's supposed to sense danger and react

to it. That is a lot more like it, more what you expect from him.

The tactic is to keep Judd quiet but that is incredibly difficult.

You have to do what he did there, that is to school. He had chances in

the first frame which he did not take but that is what he should be

doing. He was doing that in the Champion of Champions, every time he

got an opportunity, severe punishment and that is Neil

Robertson at his best. Are you surprised when you look at the roll

of honour at the Masters that Judd has not made finals and won this

tournament? He has not won anywhere near what he should. He's at the

right age to dominate snookered if he wants to, his mid-20s. He has

another ten, 15 years in the game and he needs to watch out he does

not miss the boat. What is it, what is his problem? I think probably the

style of play on occasions has held him back a bit, sometimes a bit too

open, his safety play has improved. When he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in

the final, I thought that was it and the kick-start to get going, he had

been getting closer in finals. He got him and I thought, kicked on now

and it has not happened. He's at his peak, it should be the next five

years, winning events. He needs to start converting. But you are

playing the best here. For the moment, thank you. While the players

have a cup of tea, let's hear from Judd Trump, he has been talking to

Ken -- to Ken Doherty. You are a man who plays with a lot

of confidence, you go for shots and you try to entertain. What has been

missing the last couple of months? The standard is so high. As soon as

you lose a game or a couple of games in a row through no fault of your

own, there's no easy draw. You have people playing really well now. You

start in the first round and it is hard to get a run going. You have to

win a lot of matches to get to the last 16 and then you play people you

would normally only have one game to play before. It is very hard to keep

the momentum for seven games in a tournament. You are a top player and

every time, you are one of the favourites to win any tournament. Do

you feel you have that confidence you might have had a couple of years

ago, are you trying to search to get it back a bit? The confidence is

nowhere near what it was when I first broke through. My all-round

game is 100 times better but the confidence is the big thing for me,

I do need that confidence. If I can get that back, I can go through a

season winning four or five events. When you look back at the World

Championship nine months ago, that semifinal, had you got through and

you had won the World Championship, do you think those matches linger in

the back of your mind or do you look back and say that has gone now, look

forward? No, that was a great chance to win it. And in the end, the

reason I lost was I put too much pressure on myself. The only reason

I lost that and 90% of the Games I lose is because I feel I should not

be losing. I have set an expectation of myself that a lot of the times,

it is a hindrance and I need to let that go. These players in the

Masters, for me, every game is 50-50. So for me, it is better I

have not put as much pressure on myself. Sometimes I feel like I am

playing people I should beat quite easily and when it gets close, I get

a bit embarrassed and get bad thought I should not be getting

through my head. I should go back to when I was enjoying it at 21-22 and

go for my shots rather than trying to win too much. Is it the fact that

you were -- you are an entertainer and you put yourself under more

pressure to entertain the crowd and go for shots that sometimes cost you

matches? Yes, some of the shots I go for can be real confidence dentist

if I miss them or I50 macro them badly but if they go in, I am

playing perfectly. Or I cue them. It can be hard but it is what I am

about and I probably will never change it. I play a bit more

defensive than I used to but if I can get my confidence back to where

it was, I will change my game to where it was. Do you sometimes have

to live up to that title? All the time, basically? No, I just feel

like there's a gap now, I feel like even though a lot of the players are

playing well, if I can improve to the next level, I can sort of take

the game by storm and when four or five events. At the moment, not

practising hard enough and a lot of things I needed to change, my

technique would slip up under pressure and I would get twitchy. I

went away and I worked at that and hopefully that is sorted. Judd

Trump, around the circuit, you quiet, shy, and assuming. What are

you like away from the table, what do you like to do? We know you like

flash cards! Nice holidays! I have kind of gone off that a bit. I have

met toward a little bit and now I am trying to invest my money. Hopefully

the next thing is a nice big house I can stay in for a while. Other than

that, I like to enjoy myself. I do not go out as much now, I like to go

shopping and to watch other sports and take inspiration from the

leaders of other sports. If you follow you on Twitter, it you used

to post a lot at parties. You comment down now, a more mature

side? -- are you calming down. I have wasted a lot of money on that

lifestyle. It is not going out in London as much as I used to, I used

to go out every week and now I have been out one since my birthday in

August. I am still 26 and if you look at the ages of a lot of the top

players, still 35, 40, so I feel I have a lot of time left in the game

but I want all my achievements out of the way so I can relax from 30

onwards rather than trying to win the World Championships later in

life. As somebody had a more comment influence on you? Not really. I go

through spells. -- calming. Defeat in the last tournament, it's sunk in

and was not practising hard enough. A lot of the other players have

overtaken me and I feel everybody is working much harder than I am. So I

went away after that and I decided to practise every single day, even

just for one hour, even over Christmas and on days off. Just to

get my mindset that I know I am working harder than everybody else

so when it comes to the nitty-gritty, I have the confidence

I have worked harder and I deserve this more. Will the nerves still be

there? Always. At the end of the frames, I really enjoyed... I watch

a lot of snooker and television and I think sometimes it can be a bit

slow at times. Just for the crowd to shout out and get involved, I know

the crowd get a bit of excitement and that gets me going as well. Good

luck. Thank you. Fascinating interview. What happens

in Vegas stays in Vegas, a couple of references to parties Judd has

posted on Twitter. Interesting to hear his thoughts during the match.

How did you handle the big match environment? I just loved it, all I

wanted to do was placed on ago. Everybody is different and if you

want to enjoy life, fair enough. If you want to be the best and dominate

the game. When Judd got to the final of the world, he had a real

opportunity to take the game by the scruff of the neck. It sounds like

he has wasted his career a bit. Says he's looking at other players

working harder than him and he does not practise enough, it is what you

want. There's plenty of time later in life to enjoy these things but in

any sport, you have to sacrifice and dedicate yourself 100%. But in many

sports, you hear about psychologists working with players of all sports

these days. Especially individual sports. Does Judd need to look at

that side? It must be alarming for any Judd fans hearing about his

thoughts during the game and he gets shaky and cannot handle the moment.

At his age, he has no need for a sports psychologist and it should be

automatic, his focus in the arena. He has all the talent in the world

to dominate this game. I started talking to people later on when I

wanted to recreate that feeling of what I had in my mid-20s. He should

be at his peak and winning three or four titles a season. Especially

given his reputation of being the great entertainer, you would be

thriving on venues like this. Absolutely. Doing something the get

well paid for and these events, it you cannot wait to get out there,

that is what I was like, it is another title. Thank you. Let's

cross to John Parrott who has picked up on things from the opening

frames. Fantastic match between Neil

Robertson and Trump and a couple of interesting opening sessions and we

will help you with a couple of opening shots. The first was Neil

Robertson, he played a pink into the corner pocket and look at what

happened. He played across the ball, got

unwanted side and he flicked the pink onto the top jaw. What you need

to do? When you play your ordinary shot, you have your cue near the end

of the cue. Not for this. You shorten it for more control. The

biggest thing you need to do over the ball is to ensure when you have

worked out your angle, you are right on the line of the shot and in the

centre of the keyboard. You cannot do much with this, you just have to

raise the cue and drop it onto the ball and ensure you are right on the

angle. It is a half ball pot and it should not be to the left or the

right but in the centre as you hit down and it should stay in the

centre. Any unwanted side flicks the ball away. It is about half ball. I

flicked it and raise it in the, and now I know I cannot do anything else

but drop the cue on the ball and bounce it off and it should go like

that. Another great shot in the break Eddie ball made, this is very

clever, it is the use of side to carry on. Look at what he plays.

What he has done, he has flicked a load of right-hand side on the ball

and when it contacts with the object ball, as it spins, it flicks the red

to the left. You sometimes think, this is really tight. You have to

put a loaded right-hand side on, hit as much of the red as you can

without contacting the first red, it should spin and throw it to the

left. A load of side on it. Play as much as you can, flicked it over. It

misses! We will have another go. We need to get a bit more side on it. A

bit more side. Just to flick it over, as much as you can see. It

goes over. And in it goes, something like that. Unfortunately, it you do

not get two attempts! Good to see Charles powerful

manager! Thank you very much. 2-2 between Neil Robertson and Judd

Trump. Players will be out shortly but we have another cracking match

this evening as twice Masters champion John Higgins takes on

Stuart Bingham. Stuart Bingham has come into this tournament asking of

the Crucible? -- has come into this tournament as the King of the

Crucible! World champion. Fully deserves

everything from snooker on and off the table. It goes to show you do

not have to be in your early 20s to be world champion. The people's

champion as well, a lot of fans wanted him to win. My family wanted

him to win. The probably highest quality final the World

Championships has ever seen. When you think of something like that,

you have to give him every credit for that. He works hard, great

scorer, we have had our history off the table but great guy. Great

player, showed his capability last year being world champion and

probably one of the friendly skies on the tour. He can be annoying, he

has these traits, to come behind you and to flick your ear! Do annoying

things like that! It is all right if you are in a good mood. In a bad

mood, go away, Stuart! Playing some of the best snooker of his life and

he's getting the he deserves. I am not saying anything nice about him

because I do not like him! What can you say? He has given us all hope,

if he can win it! Just grind away and form will come

back. Let's look ahead to the afternoon match. How'd you see this

going? Neil Robertson, I can only see him getting stronger so Judd

Trump needs to keep scoring and keep out the unforced errors. Thank you,

we are about to get under way, let's join Steve Davis and John Parrott.

So Judd Trump gets the fifth frame under way. No more intervals. We

play to the finish now. The best of 11, the first to 6 frames. Nice

clean opening red and it looks like it. Short of the baulk which gives

him a choice of colours. So an early chance as Judd decides to reach for

his glass of water. He might get a chance to drink quite a bit of it.

Not a bad safety shot. Not a bad opening break. This was too hard. He

has overscrewed it. He's on nothing. That is a surprising choice of shot.

He did not want to come off the main bunch of reds and bring the reds

into play. And keep it tight. No pressure on Judd whatsoever. All

that considered, that is not the best shot from Judd. Maybe he could

not have got behind the yellow, that he should have had this cue ball

tight to the baulk cushion. That shot was interesting. He has decided

once again not to open the pack and risk leaving Judd and easy starter.

Great pot! He caught it to them. He will play a cannon he and he has

played it perfect. So well that he does not need to play another

cannon. He just needs to rely on good tubal control. For a

match-winning contribution. Don't get ahead of yourself, sorry,

frame-winning contribution. Nicely on the blue.

It wonderful shot to split the pack. So much back spin on the cue ball.

It powered back to the reds. It opened that up beautifully. It did

not really hit them that hard. So much back spin on it. He will be a

little bit disappointed with that. It should have been straight on that

red and played for the black. The cue ball travelling up and down the

table. You can lose control of it. And in many ways, the baulk colours,

yellow and green, they are better suited to getting up the table than

the blue sometimes. He played for a choice of reds. He

always knew if the overhit it slightly, he would have one to the

left. As we were saying, such a good pack Raker that he does not have to

play any more cannons. Just keep good control with the cue ball. And

the frame is at his mercy. You would not expect him to miss

this. It depends whether it is natural to drop it in on the black.

He's going back up to the blue again. Good clean pot. He just about

got the angle required. Red Andy colour required. -- and A. 57 ahead,

67 remaining. I think his heart was in his mouth for a second. It was

onto the jaw, that is why he stayed down. Just enough of the pocket to

go in. And that black should be the clincher. 65 ahead now, 59

remaining. But he would love to pot this and keep Neil Robertson in his

chair. And in it goes! Neil Robertson got a bit negative with a

couple of safety shot early in this frame. Whether it was a game plan

just to keep the balls tight. But somebody like his -- like Judd Trump

and his cue power, he got a nice angle and he opened up the reds

beautifully. Good standard, Steve. The third century of the match. Yes,

it is turning into a cracking match. We thought it would be, and that was

after a nervy opening frame. No chance of the highest break of the

tournament with this break. Expect something naughty, John, especially

after that to chat with Ken Doherty. Let's see the 101st. Well played.

Very well played. -- the 100, first. A great opening cue, tight under the

cushion. I don't think there has been

anything naughty on the screen. A good start with brown, I feel. -- on

this green. I think if you played it too hard, you would not get position

on the brown. Drop in the green, get position on the brown. It looks like

he has played for the brown in the middle. This is where the Nautilus

begins! -- naughtiness. A bit of an anti-climax but he did

what was necessary. Neil Robertson, I do not know about his tactics, but

that was an excellent century from Judd Trump and he's in the lead

again. This time, 3-2. Judd with a smile on his face. That

is why he was saying he was lacking a bit in confidence. As we saw with

those statistics. The best form and is this season is runner-up in the

Shanghai Masters. With his ability, you expect him to have won something

this season. He may be saving his best for the second-half.

You can only try your hardest on the table. In any given match. You

cannot make things happen. But as we discussed in the interval, you can

work hard in practice, you can give yourself the best possible chance.

To convert a tournament. He has nearly got this behind the yellow.

It is tempting for Neil Robertson. It would be better if the red behind

the black was not there, and escape path. He cannot get past it. So a

problem now for Neil Robertson. He can hit the red but cannot get to

the potting angle. And as you say, he's just looking at replacing the

cue ball. But with that red. To play it hard, it is tough. Similar to

what John Parrott was talking about. Making the shot with a bit of side

spin. But he does not fancy it. A lot easier to get the ball to turn

over if you are close to them about from that distance... Does it reach?

Not quite. He got it close enough to stop judge from porting a red into

the middle pocket. For a bit of time there, I thought he may have made a

glaring error. Colin Humphries has got to get this absolutely dead on.

Because that red was available, only just. I think he will play exactly

the same shot. Just explain about the miss rule. If he can see that

red full in the face, if he doesn't hit it that time, will he get one?

Yes, if he can hit a full all. Well, he will hit them this time, that's

plenty hard enough. Hard to get out of this at the

moment. Perhaps Neil Robertson can place in-off a red, with awkward

bridging. When Neil got out of this his seat, he would have been hoping

for the word from the referee of touching ball, which it wasn't. He

had to go is at that, but it's not a foul for and has shot in snooker. A

twitchy one for the first one. Just did it as a guide! There you go...

Oh! A bit harder than he wanted. This has resolved the stalemate,

anyway. The one thing I did notice that the

World Championship, last season, I felt that Judd Trump's all-round

game was improving. His tactical mouse,

-- his tactical nous, if you like. As we say when watching the stats

between frames, he hasn't been getting the best of the battles. I

don't think you can be just a potter and break-builder now, to get

consistent results. I don't think the two ball plant is

on. It could be made, but it is risky. It is too far off line really

to be able to make that. At least Neil Robertson thinks so. I wonder

if Judd Trump thinks the same! Not even considering it. That could

be made as a potential plant. He will be more concerned he doesn't

want to knock a red towards this middle pocket. He doesn't need the

bump of the middle pocket! Well, sometimes it can work out as a bad

hump, but he may not have left anything. A little bit fortunate.

Very difficult to get that cue ball tied to the baulk cushion, as he was

so close to the cushion as he was hitting the white. So no real

pressure here on Judd. This looks a good length.

It was an excellent safety shot, and considered quite unlikely really to

have kept the black safe. He was trying to open things up with that

safety shot. He still put it a bit on Neil Robertson, who has got an

ultra-thin red. Never nice. We saw Shaun Murphy missed three of these

on the trot earlier in the tournament. Yes, and funnily enough

last evening Mark Allen did exactly the same with a red on the side,

just like that. The table doesn't have to roll off that much for it to

be missed. No table on the planet has ever been totally level.

And of course, if he catches the red he is playing a fraction too thick,

he will run into the red that is on the left-hand side cushion. So he's

got to hit it thin, but... It was this almost similar shot that Shaun

Murphy forfeited a frame. And Mark Allen, last evening, missed it

twice. As I say, he doesn't want to hit it too thick, but he wants to

hit it. And he has not hit it! Foul and a miss, Judd Trump four. No way

Judd will get out of his seat now. They were questioning whether Shaun

Murphy should have played the shot for the third time. Mark Allen

suggested that perhaps he would not have -- should not have risked

missing it again, so we'll Neil Robertson play the same shot, or

choose a more containing safety. Funnily enough, that incident last

night when Mark Allen missed the red twice, he then went and hit a red

full ball and did not get it safe, so Barry Hawkins ended up clinching

the frame and match. That was the warning, "If you don't hit a red

this time, you forfeit the frame. Those quote so he's not playing the

thin one now. He will certain -- he is making certain he hits this red.

Now, where is that cue ball going to finish? Well, I think there is a red

to the middle. I think there is just a red to the middle. There is one to

the corner, but being hampered as he is, it doesn't make it easy. That is

why he didn't want to play that kind of shot, but he was forced into it

because of the two misses. Yes, he played a very positively. I thought

he could have trundled the ball towards the pocket, make it hard for

Judd Trump, but in a different way he has made it very awkward for Judd

Trump. That red just below the pink, for me, definitely goes to the right

middle. It's a bit more of a cut than it looks, but... Well, never in

doubt was it? Has he got on the black? That is the question. He's on

the black! Not the easiest of opportunities,

this, mainly because the black is now unavailable. Wait a minute, the

black pearls go. It didn't look as though it did go, but it does go to

the opposite corner to this red. You wouldn't play for it off this red, I

would have thought. But to get back up for the blue, he's got to play

this with quite a lot of right-hand side on the cue ball. He did play

for the black and he has judged it to perfection! Beautifully played.

Turned out to be an absolute natural. So now it's a chance.

Judged the cannon perfectly. At the moment, the black is still only

available into the right corner. Putting this red to the right corner

won't release the black, but if he gets rid of the other red, the black

will be available to both corner pockets. He can play for the red to

the left of the black this time. What a chance this has turned out to

be. I don't suppose Neil Robertson in

his wildest dreams would have thought when he went for that red

with pace down the left cushion as his third attempt after two Mrs that

he was going to get the black into play. He missed it by some distance

and look how that cue ball went around there and this red bumped

into it and the black was opened up. A careless positional shot, it

appears, from Judd. He has tied up the pink and black now. So from what

looked like a good opportunity, he would now do well to get past the

winning line at this visit. Even more so now. He will be very

disappointed with his last two shots. Last three shots. As you can

see, there is a straight red here. If it were just off straight and he

could nudge the pink and black into Blakey may be tempted, but it will

only be a safety. And not the best of safeties. So maybe he was just a

little upset at breaking down, and he has not hit that at all. This was

the shot, where he finished upholding the black spot and he was

trying to play a little stunt run through. He misjudged it.

You just saw his reaction, he was disgusted at holding the black spot.

Neil Robertson once again playing very thin on the red, trying not to

disturb much from his safeties. It nearly is a plant. This is a far

better safety shot, cutting off the route back down the table.

It's tough playing Finn safety -- thin safety. This isn't as thin as

the last time. Yeah, that was an excellent safety

shot, his best for some time. This time Judd, who has a chance of

playing a thin one onto the black, I was going to say that but he won't

want to disturb the black from this position, I think the green is

stopping him. He's just a bit wary. There is a gap between the yellow

and green to play this red, but if he hits it thin on the left-hand

side as we look, he would be sending it towards the corner. If he tries

to play it safe of the one tied to the cushion, if you catch these too

thick, he would come up the table with the white. Oh! He has hit that

beautifully. He has hit that absolutely beautifully. Tremendous

safety, well played. Well, he's giving this plenty of

thought. He can get through to this aggro crimson on the top cushion,

but these are very difficult to get safe off. If you don't hit them thin

enough, the cue ball goes nowhere. There is my old mate Patsy Fagan.

He's keeping it a secret, but he is 65 today. You don't look it, Pat!

1977 UK champion. Great player. Well, he took a long time to decide

on the shot and he messed it up completely. That is putting it

mildly! Broke the black up again. He obviously wasn't playing the pot,

said he needed to hit it a lot thinner than he did. Good black.

Looked easy, but was missable. Particular you when you're playing

those delicate little screws, you have to be careful on these

superfine cloth is that the cue ball doesn't slide away. He would be

pleased to see that go in. He's not inch perfect but I think there is a

gap. That's what he will be playing for. For the blue, I think. Yes,

either blue or pink. He wouldn't want to risk trying to play for the

black. Could have gone funny on the blue.

He's played that well. If it was straighter he could have played for

the red that is just up and the left of the pink spot. One of them will

go to this right corner. That will give him good position on the black.

Has he gone far enough? Yes. He's just about OK.

For a split second there Neil Robertson would have been hoping by

Judd Trump's body movements that he'd not got on it.

Now, he's only a few pots away from the winning line in this frame now.

Won the first two frames, Robertson came back in good fashion.

Particularly, to make it two each with the highest break of the

tournament so far, a 139. It's Judd Trump who really has been

winning the safety exchanges, which has turned this round slightly. It

looks like - well, for certain now, Judd will win another two frames in

a row. Potential century. UMPIRE: Turn that

phone off please! Wasn't so much the fun ring, it was just such a bad

ringtone. Play the run through. Disturb these

reds near the top cushion. He didn't have to play it with too much pace,

and judged it to perfection. Already had three century breaks in the

first five frames. Every likelihood we could see a fourth one here. The

standard just gets higher and higher.

You can say it's a nailed on century.

Oh, he's played the cannon and missed it. So, good pot needed on

this red. Oh, and got. Sweet as a nut.

Don't let us down, Judd, just drop this in, bound to be on the black.

Well, played. May have to go in and out of baulk and find the gap in

between the yellow and the brown. Oh, he's took his eye off the black.

You said that we were going to ruin, it Steve. Well, it didn't really

matter, no century, another frame for Judd Trump. Once again, two

frames in front. 4-2 this time. 2 would have been 373 career century

breaks had he got that 100. John, I don't know how you feel about Neil

Robertson, he has a smile on his face when the mobile phone rings off

he is probably thinking - I might lose this today? A couple of shots

were #12r5e7bg. This red here. It's a difficult pot to play at dead

weight. Trying to play it the way he has done it there is asking for the

absolute ultimate. If he plays that dead weight, he pots the red, he can

play a safety shot if he doesn't he leaves it in the jaw of the pocket.

The second one, this one we will see now. This is bizarre. He is playing

this shot here. Miss-hit it. So much difficulty on it. He flicked the

black into play. If he comes off the side cushion and drops on that red

he left Judd a red near the top which is hard to pot. No pink and he

can't on the blue. He would only leave him one red. You can't do that

when you are playing Judd Trump He has been put under pressure. Judd

had a century. He could have had another century. On the balls he is

devastated. Ing. It doesn't matter who you are, you are pressure. When

you are looking at the match as it stands now do you think Judd has

enough to go on and win in? We know what Neil Robertson does he gives

himself a difficult mountain to climb and hauls himself back into

it? This is the biggest test in a long time hechl hasn't had the

bitter pill of defeat for a long, long time heaven won the Champion of

Champions he won the UK. He doesn't know what it's like to lose a match.

It looks like he will lose this one. Judd Trump is playing vital stuff.

You have room for error, Judd Trump goes 5-2 he is up against it. Judd

is low in confidence, nothing can affect your confidence like

something what he is doing against Neil Robertson today. Here comes

Judd. Thank you, frame seven, Judd Trump

to break. Judd just left the arena after that

frame. A grim mass there as he played that. It seems every time he

breaks off he loses this half-ball pot to the corner. He's done it

again -- grimace. Such a dangerous thing to do with a Potter of Neil

Robertson' quality. With the black available into both corners, it's a

decent chance. If you remember, in the frame after the mid-session

interval, Neil knocked a similar one in. Played the yellow, overscrewed

it, and run out of position. But I think the positional side of this

shot is a little bit easier than it was in that fifth frame.

Just underscrew that a little bit. I wouldn't expect him to miss it, but

he'd like to have been straighter. If he's straighter he has more

control of the cue ball. He has got into it too much much it's not a

great angle on the blue. If he was right handed the green would be the

ball toll play, but he's run out of position. Good shot needed to keep

this break going now. Well, he struck that absolutely

beautifully. Now, back in position. In potting this red, he should be

able to open up some more reds into play. He's got to guarantee being on

a colour. It looks like he's chosen the black. Trusting to luck a bit,

but I think he'll... I think he'll settle for that. He's a very

aggressive way of going about it. -- it's a very aggressive way of going

about it. Possibly could have played it softer and run through for the

black into the left corner. It wouldn't have been guaranteed. But a

fair bit of pressure on this black. Yeah, played it well. Now, is he on

this red to the right corner? Given it the one eye! -- giving.

I said at the time, when Judd Trump broke off, he grimaced, he left him

that long red on, and that could be the only shot that Judd's going to

get now. This was the break off shot. Now,

this side of the baulk colours. As you saw, that cue ball

sort knew, as soon as he hit it, that

he'd left a long pot on. This be the frame winner. It's hard to

see Neil missing here. be the frame winner. It's hard to

red and the black would put him 72 points in

red and the black would put him 72 himself a share of the (inaudible).

Can't get on the black off this red, but still a good chance of another

century. That cue action, Neil Robertson

right over his right eye. The cue dead in line with that. Plenty of

right handed players are over their left eye.

Arguable whether that's nature or nurture.

Red and black, Judd Trump's had two centuries already in this match.

This would be Neil Robertson' second.

Top quality. Even the break off shot is now becoming a poison chalice, if

you don't get it right. As I always say - no matter how good you are, if

you're sat in that seat, there's nothing you can do about it. OK the

red didn't matter. He has already made the highest break of the

tournament. He reduces arrears now to one. Judd Trump leads 4-3. 21

century breaks for Neil Robertson this season. We said at the start of

the programme it would be high quality. A slow start, look at this,

John? Honestly, these boys are good, aren't they? They really are good.

The standard they are producing is exceptional. I mean, absolutely

magnificent scoring. The standard is just stealar. 139 the highest break

of the tournament. Steve says he will share it with himself. It's

terrific stuff Yeah. What I like about Robertson, although he didn't

do it that time, Judd Trump will play the exhibition shots at the end

of the break, Neil wants to clear the table every time hechl is an

animal when it comes to potting every single ball. He will be

irritated he missed that red there. John mentioned the breakoff, it's

important and sometimes you can't, whatever you do, you can't get it. I

remember playing Steve in a UK semi-final I lost four frames off my

break. In the end I said to the referee, I would drop you a few

quid, can you leave the triangle on. No matter where you put the cue ball

he kept clearing up. It's so important. Sometimes the way the

cloth slides you can't get the cue ball behind it. It's massively

important. As you see it there. None of the players have complained about

the conditions here at Alexandra Palace. You remember about the talk

in the UK Championship in December? Nowhere near as many kicks. The

conditions look excellent. Obviously, that's proving it today.

Can he avoid the kiss on the black? Now, the red's gone in. He wants it

to stop short of the baulk line, I don't think it will. He wants a kiss

on the yellow. Just too hard. Now he would expect to roll behind the

yellow you will not get much out of it, that is the only thing, with the

packed cluster as they are. Well judged to decide that he could get

past the black with the cue ball. As you say, John, unlikely to get any

advantage from this. Touching ball has been declared by

the referee. That makes it much easier for Judd to play another good

safety. He'd like to cut off the edge of the reds, if he could, with

the green. And may well have done. A touch short. If he could have cued

past the red he maybe would have played the red, that's to the right

of the blue. Just asking for the screen up because he couldn't

remember where the cue ball was. No, it's a bit further over. Oh, a bit

further. Judged it better that time. No

touching ball. Just got to be careful here that you

don't just slide past these reds, otherwise you could leave the red,

that's just to the right of the black. Oh, he nearly slid past them.

A fraction harder and he'd have left the red.

Very difficult for Judd to get the whole pack hidden from this shot. So

getting the cue ball down into the corner. Will Neil Robertson try to

open the pack and play a safety shot? Or, is he still trying to

contain the situation? He's loathe to open the pack, isn't

he? Could he be forgiven for spreading them all over the place,

but you just don't know where the reds are going to go. He's playing a

very precise type of safety, not risking any unwanted reds going

towards the corner pocket. Careless that from Judd. So, he's

left a chance of a pot, that brown will make it slightly awkward

cueing. He's refusing it just because the brown's going to hamper

him. Trying to get this cue ball in behind the brown. Not quite. Good

length. I can understand the applause.

The snooker would have been the better result for Neil. He's got

enough of the side of the pack to flick off, but the red is inviting,

should he get it in. An element of safety to the top cushion. He's hit

it well, but he hasn't got away with it. Although this is a lot more

difficult than it looks. - on TV. Well, just got a slight angle, but

he doesn't have to do much. Roll the blue in, there is a red, just up

from the pink, leave himself straight on that. A nice run through

for the black. So first chance. First good chance.

The way these two players have been scoring today, you expect them to

get sizeable breaks. Wouldn't be able to play for the black here.

Probably didn't want to, probably thinking, leave a nice angle on the

blue and cannon into them. He could have done with a little more angle

than this. Just underthat slightly. Well, if he tries to go into the

pink direct to play the cannon he's going to have to generate the pace

and may decide to run round off two cushions. You've got to hit this

hard. Couldn't have hit that any better.

Should have got more reds open there. Count yourself a bit unlucky.

Can he spot one through the gap? That would be handy. A plant. Oh...

Well, if it goes, he can screw back for the black.

He put his hand up to apologise to Judd after this red went in because,

basically, he was lucky to find that plant.

Yeah, swings and roundabouts really. He hit the blue so well he could

have opened up more reds. Is this going to be another

frame-winning contribution? We've had so many here today. Power

snooker. This is why it's so hard to pick winners in these matches. You

know, last frame Judd just broke off, left a long red and bouts of

safety in this. Now Neil's in. Just gone slightly awkward. I don't think

the blue goes to the right middle. Or does it?

He tried to get perfect on the red by the blue and, once again, he

played on the yellow earlier and overscrewed it. Overscrewed it by

some way. So, well out of position now and not a frame-winning

contribution unless he can pull out something special. Good pot needed

here. Oh, and got. Now, what's the cue

ball control like? Not very good. He thought, pot the red, bound to be on

the black. He's overhit it slightly. Looks like he's lined up the black.

Surely not. A monstrous blue to take on. Thought

he was talking himself into the black for a second, there. Top

players love to cut their losses and play safe. -- loath to cut their

losses. But sometimes it is the right thing to do. He has a nice

half ball off the green to get the cue ball in behind the brown. He

played it perfectly. Not only got the snooker but got the

cream safe as well. He was not far away but the only

problem with that shot, you are going to go mighty close to the pink

if you are coming off the three conditions. Those three reds to the

left of the pink, he is frightened of nestling up to them, he could

leave a pot on the red to the right of the blue. But he's got to get

very close to the pink. He's mistrusted now completely. --

misjudged it. So that, you would think, is the end of this frame.

It's going to be all square again. Screwed it a little further than he

would have liked but shouldn't cause a problem. You'd think he would be

going up for the yellow, here. To reds to the left of the pink

available to the right corner, he would rather play for them than the

one close to the blue, you could snooker yourself, as he has done

already on that type of shot. But now in prime position, can't see him

missing from here. That applause signals that he's got

to the snooker is required stage. And that pink going in means there

is no way back to the table now for Judd. It has been a real topsy-turvy

match, hasn't it? Judd Trump won the first two frames, then Neil won two,

and then again. It is getting more and more important, with the target

at six. 4-4. Can somebody win two frames on the trot? In the near

future. That would put them over the line. Still no real signs of who it

may be. Doesn't matter about the red, the frame was well and truly

over. So Judd Trump keeps getting his to frame advantage, Neil

Robertson keeps clawing it back. Still all to play for, 4-4.

Neil Robertson handles these big occasions so well, doesn't he?

Considering he has been playing catch up all afternoon, a fantastic

performance. Just wonder whether he can get his nose in front. He has

done remarkably well. Every time he's been asked the question he's

had a response. Every frame has been very one sided, one player getting

in and dominating the other. If it goes to form then Judd should win

the next two frames. It will be interesting to see his reaction. Do

you get the feel momentum is shifting with meal or you simply

cannot call? It has gone from a Best of 11 to a best of three and a toss

of a coin. Both can score heavily. You've just got to hope it's your

day. At the level we are at it really is anybody's game. He breezed

past Marco Fu and in many ways that was not the ideal operation. Really

tough to call. This is what you expect with matches like this, it's

the best players in the world. When the players are getting in, they

just don't look like missing. The balls are going nicely as well which

is making for the high breaks. As John Virgo said in commentary, do

break off is becoming so important. If you let one of these players in,

it can cost you the friend. Given it is such a massive match, when one of

them wins, do you get the feeling that suddenly the momentum is then

with you in the build-up to the latter stages of the tournament? It

will give the win unbelievable belief. Both these players have the

utmost respect for each other and whoever wins, this is a great result

for whoever wins. Here we go, then. COMMENTATOR: Once again has left the

half ball red on. He may have to dig down a bit here, making the pot more

difficult. And that's what makes the difference. Where's the Red Bull

going? -- red ball. Well. Just shows you. That one he couldn't floating,

had to do a little bit with the cue ball and it made all the difference

to the pot. So, first chance to Judd Trump.

Beautiful. The perfect weight. Hit so crisply. Giving himself the

chance to win arguably the most important frame of the match so far.

Whoever wins this has two bytes to get over the line.

-- has two bites to get over the line.

Early days, of course. But if you were going to place balls all over

the table, there's always the possibility of a 147. But I think

winning the frame is the prime concern first. Oh, absolutely. And

Judd was a little disappointed he didn't get a better angle on this

red. There are other reds available, but of course they are miserable. --

missable. The red into the right corner would be the one to play for

the black but he must feel as if he can get on the black quite easily.

Slightly awkward cueing, Longbridge. But he's happy that he's going to be

able to control it. Screw through the gap between the two reds, is

that the plan? Welcome its risky. He's going for the blue. The frame

is the priority. It just went a little bit awkward, when you are

close by that it is difficult to get top spin. If he sends this cue ball

in and out of baulk he's got to avoid the kiss on possibly be green.

-- on possibly the green. Always difficult with that type of shot to

get the necessary top spin. So this could be the key to the frame. Right

in the heart of the pocket. Never any doubt. Not ideally placed on the

black, he's got to have some action on this cue ball, which is not a

problem for him, but I don't think he is judged the pace right. Got

away with it a fraction. I was going to say it looked for a moment he

would be on nothing, but he's got a choice of reds. You'd think the one

to the left middle is better. He's plainly the right. -- he's playing

the one to the right. Perfect position.

Didn't hit that in the middle of the pocket. This is not the red he

played for, I can assure you. Not wasting much time, here. Letting

his ability and natural talent do the work. This is what you practice

for, so that when it comes to the match you can flow.

Average shop time for Judd Trump is an astonishing 16 seconds -- shot

time. He's just not finding perfect

position at the moment, I've got to say that. He should have been

straight on the pink. Played the black before that didn't go in the

middle. Fortunate kiss on the red that left it on. He may be just

feeling it. He's only a few pots away. That's OK, but does the black

go? I don't think it does. And if it doesn't... It's very tight. I think

he's going to have to play the pink, and there is pressure on this. If it

goes in, it's a frame-winner. If he misses it, chance for Robertson to

counterattack. Tremendous shot. Absolutely top-class. We've seen

some snooker today, Steve. Shot of the match so far. So easy to have

missed that intention. -- missed that through tension.

In goes the black. Snooker is required. And if we're thinking

about it, Neil Robertson made a 139 in frame four. There's a possible

141 on here. Marvellous performance here by Judd

Trump. This is really going to set up the next frame nicely.

If he can convert this into a century break it would be five

centuries in nine frames. Oh, superb shot. Could have just

done with running past the pink but if he place the red and the pink

he's still got a 141. Neil Robertson was trying to look round Trump's

body. His third century of the match. Sensational stuff from the

Juddernaught. And he knows now, red, black and all the colours for the

highest break of the tournament. And he knows because he sat in his chair

and watched Neil Robertson make the 139 in the fourth frame. Right in

the middle of the pocket. Just the six colours standing between Judd

and the high break. All this practice over Christmas

Judd was talking about with Ken, paying off here. And of course a

double whammy for Neil Robertson. Not saying this break will stand by

the end of the tournament, but he is almost taking ?10,000 out of Neil

Robertson's pocket here if he can pot these three remaining balls.

Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. Judd Trump's third century of the

match and not only is it his third, it's the highest break of the

tournament, beating Neil Robertson's 139 with a 140. Absolutely

tremendous. And he now is one frame away from a place in the semifinal.

STUDIO: You are watching not just one of the matches of the tournament

but one of the matches of the season. When you see Judd play like

that, the talent, it is criminal that he hasn't won the amount of

tournaments he should have done. As we were discussing. Exactly, because

he's got the game to dominate the sport. One of the shots he played at

the start of the frame, you could argue only Judd could play this

shot. EQ power and the control with the Czech side. Perhaps those

Sullivan could play that, but he wouldn't even play it now. That just

shows the talent of the man, phenomenal shot. Played so

positively. But what about the pink into the middle pocket? So much

pressure on it, if you miss, you are throwing the game away possibly. And

the cueing on that was superb. He deserved everything he got after

that. A little slap to his opponent's chops with a 140. Losing

?10,000. During the mid-session interval we were talking about

Judd's psychological state. He admitted in the interview with Ken

Doherty that he has these thoughts that come in during pressure

moments. Now we will learn all about his big-game mentality. Sometimes

you can second-guess yourself. When you are playing somebody as good as

Neil Robertson and there is a rivalry there, you are focused from

ball one and everything else goes out the window. If you are not, you

are not doing your job properly. Here we go, frame ten, stand by.

COMMENTATOR: This looks like a better links off the break of shot,

but there is still this red available. Made more difficult with

the good length of the cue ball. There is an element of shot to

nothing about just rolling that red into the left corner, and only being

able to leave up. He's spotted one into the opposite corner that is the

same equation. Quite a way out, there. Think he played the pot. I

think he did play the pot. Probably making certain the one thing he

didn't want to do if he missed it was career into the other reds. And

it was tight, wasn't it? To in and get position on the plaque.

-- the black. Neil Robertson is desperately looking for an

opportunity. We know what he will do if he gets one. But who is going to

win this vital safety battle? Potential for the black to get tied

up a bit, here. Thought he could have played the pack, are far better

shot. Still could get a bit messy, this

frame. Neil Robertson has a big target behind the green and brown.

Shifting the reds around a bit. He's covered the escape down the

right-hand side of the table. So that gives Judd a slight problem.

The obvious one is to come off the side cushion and just nestle into

that little group of three just below the pink. That's the one. But

it's one of those, as we say Sunday Times, you've got to be careful. --

as we say so many times. You've got to judge it to perfection. Is he

going to reach? Foul and a miss, Neil Robertson four. Does anything

go? If it doesn't he will have it replaced. There is a gap for the

red. Definitely goes. He's not convinced. Never been one for

looking from behind the pocket. A lot of players do like to check from

that angle. So he's got enough room for manoeuvre, here. He just flicked

the red but he's still got it. He wins the safety exchange. And he

gets first chance. Didn't flick the red. Waiting for my glasses to come

through. He's obviously thinking about where

the pink is going to go when it's we spotted.

-- respotted. Now, where does the pink go?

Comfortable goes on its own spot. Available to the right corner? No.

So it is tied up, out of commission. He tried to stun a cross for the

black and I don't think he stunned far enough over. Yes, mistakes.

Court that a bit thicker than he wanted. Had a bit more room to play

with with the pocket. Big blue to take on, now.

Such a good potter, though. Not many balls are safe on the table when

Neil Robertson is playing. Has he got an angle to be able to get on

the black at the top cushion? Looks like he has. And plotting this red

clears the black spot. So it could not have worked out any better --

potting this thread. Don't tell me another century break.

What a performance that would be. Well this is just an incredible

standard. Didn't feel as though he could play

for the black, there. Isn't perfect on this blue. One thing you want to

try and avoid if you can is playing cannons, because then it can go

wrong. And the yellow, which is a straight one which he could play, he

has overscrewed that shot a couple of times. Not ideal position. He is

too wide on the blue to make this comfortable. Potting the blue and

screwing into the pack as you say is trusting a bit to luck. Difficult to

see exactly those two reds above the black, how they are placed.

Certainly out of position, that's for certain.

I assume that this bottom red of the two will go. This is tough but I

think he will get it. Oh, well played. Yes. It's such a high

standard. You don't expect these players to miss the pressure shots,

do you? Today it's just been superb. And every time you think that

somebody could wobble slightly, they just put in another tremendous shot.

Well, short of ideal. He's going to have to leave himself further away,

and for the left-hander, a bit more difficult.

Well, this time, slight angle on the blue, so you'd think he'd play for

the red on the left-hand side of the table, here. He's looking for a

couple of reds and a couple of colours after this blue, to take us

to a decider. I think he's just about OK to stun

this in, across the face of the black for the black into the same

pocket. Oh, he's underhit it. He's under hit it. A quick glance at the

scoreboard. He still needs the black and one more colour, and one more

red, sorry. It's gone wrong. Still a good chance of getting the black,

but the position makes it harder. What a marvellous shot that was. You

just can't fault them, can you? It's been an exhibition of snooker of the

highest standard. That's the ball that puts him 68 points in front,

with just 67 remaining. It's one chance snooker all the way. Well,

John, whoever loses this match has got every right to kick the dressing

room door in. Another lovely pot. That means that

Judd will not be coming back to the table. We are definitely into a

decider. It would be nice to see another century.

Needs a good angle off a colour here to split the three reds up.

Well, pity, century, but quite understandably now both players are