Quarter-Final: Ronnie O'Sullivan v Neil Robertson Masters Snooker

Good afternoon. The new Alexandra Palace, the people's palace, as it

was called in 1875, when it opened, and for the last 140 years, it's

been open to the public, the sort of fantastic entertainment for nearly

one and a half centuries. This is one of the main arenas. It's the

Masters. This week, we are going to be sharing Alexandra Palace, in

another part of the arena, with the model engineering exhibition. It's a

big event, and it takes all sorts, and there will be plenty of flasks

in evidence. It is called the finals day here in this fantastic arena,

which is filling up. We are going to have a full house of 2000 at the

start of the quarterfinals. The people's palace, and one of the

peoples champions, Ronnie O'Sullivan, is one of the star

attractions today. Many feel the defending champion was a touch lucky

to get through the opening round after a cracking match a final frame

finale against Liang Wenbo. He had a cold at the time and he will be

hoping that the remedies have kicked in. He words -- he will need a clear

head today to face the challenge of Neil Robertson, the 2012 Masters

champion from Australia. On paper, this quarterfinal is the pick of the

bunch. So it's The Rocket against the

Thunder. It could get pretty noisy in here. Marco Fu and Mark Allen

haven't met in almost four years. Joe Perry, meeting Ding Junhui. And

three-time Masters winner Mark Selby survived to play last year's

runner-up, Barry Hawkins. Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty are admiring

the newly renamed Paul hunter trophy. For you, Stephen, after the

opening round, who is favourite come Sunday night to lift this? It's hard

to pick a winner for the event. Talking about today, if both players

play the way they did in the first round, Neil Robertson wins, but I

think today will be a different kettle of fish. I think Ronnie will

be up for it. We have had quite a few deciders in the afternoon. 17

centuries so far, and the record without a wild card round is 28.

What do you make of it so far? Incredible stamina and matchups. 17

centuries so far, it's unprecedented in round one, but I think there will

be more to come. The table looks superb, lovely and fast. There

haven't been many kicks and bounces. That helps, so the players have more

confidence playing on the wonderful table. I think we have got some

mouthwatering clashes coming up, and this match has to be the tie of the

round. Mark Selby, world number one, still in this, after another decider

yesterday. It's been a costly few days for the top seeds. We have had

a lot of numbers two, three, four and five. This is only a 16 man

event. -- we have had the loss of. Does it surprise you? You could make

a case for anybody winning this tournament at the beginning. Almost

anyone, in my opinion. The standard of play has been phenomenal. It's no

surprise to me that these players have done it. It's been great

watching. If this isn't a January blues Buster, then nothing else is.

There is no bigger occasion than playing Ronnie in the Masters in

London. I will have to be on my game and I know what to expect. Most of

the crowd will be on his side. I don't really have a strategy. You go

out there and play the balls as they live. You've got to concentrate on

your own game. He is a wonderful player and he has won everything in

the game multiple times. This tournament is tough but Niall has

probably had a lean spell. People appreciate good snooker and will

applaud your shots. The standard is so good that if you are not on your

game are a passenger. I'm trying to stab my mark on the game and win

these sort of titles. I'm sure it's a matter of time. I've got to go out

there and play my game. He's a dangerous opponent. Ronnie has

beaten Neil the last toys they met, including the Welsh Open final last

February, the last piece of silverware that O'Sullivan won. He

also whitewashed Robertson in Romania last October, but Robertson

remembers his dismantling of The Rocket two years ago. I know which

way you have plugged, Stephen, you say that Robertson should win. On

first round form. How much does first round form count? I don't

think that players will look at previous form. They will both be at

forest. Ronnie in front of his home crowd is always difficult. -- will

both be up for this. Neil may look back at the 6-1 demolition that he

had, but any time that these guys meet will be fantastic. There will

be great breaks, great safety play and it will be very close. Neil

Robertson was keen to stress how hard he worked over Christmas. He

still considers himself a top player, and he is, but his world

ranking has slipped to seventh, as low as for five years. I couldn't

believe when I heard that. He believes he should be competing

these big events. There isn't a lot of difference between number two and

number seven points wise, but he belongs in the top one, two or three

players in the world. Robber what her, all yours. Good afternoon,

ladies and gentlemen. These are the matches that makes snooker great.

Welcome to the first quarterfinal of this year's Masters. This could be

absolutely epic. APPLAUSE

Please welcome, a player who has taken the game by storm since his

arrival from Australia over ten years ago. Three times a Masters

finalist, winner here in 2012, twice the UK champion, he is also a world

champion. He is the Thunder from Down Under, Neil Robertson!

And his opponent, a player who won the first of his six masters title

as a teenager in 1995. He has been entertaining snooker crowds here and

around the world for more than two decades. Five times a world

champion, the defending masters champion, The Rocket, Ronnie

O'Sullivan! Practically a guard of honour for

Ronnie at the top of those stairs. In the commentary box this

afternoon, joining John Parrott is the 1987 masters champion, Dennis

Taylor, who is celebrating his birthday. Many happy returns,

Dennis. Thank you, diesel. We always say

what an atmosphere, but that introduction was something special.

-- thank you, Hazel. Ronnie looks relaxed. He doesn't usually smile

like that. Ronnie won the toss, and he will get this quarterfinal match

underway. Very difficult to predict the winner

of this one. Yes, we were talking at the top of the show about their

records coming into this. In the Welsh Open, Robertson was 5-2 ahead

before Ronnie put the afterburners on to win seven frames on the trot.

I don't think anybody in the game would win seven frames on the trot

against Robertson, but since then there has been the semifinal in the

European masters, where Ronnie beat him 6-0.

. That was interesting, because the table has been flying. This is a new

cloth on. Even if it is off the same role of cloth, it will be

interesting to see if this table plays as quick. It is the same table

but, if the cloth laid as fast as the previous one, we will find out

in a couple' time. Good safety from Neil. Might be able

to get past the yellow and blue for that red. Looking at that angle, no

value in taking that on, because he would be careering into the reds. If

it was straight, he could have a go at it and get the black. -- get onto

the black. Just the crucial plots have been

changed, so the bed of the table will play the way it has been. --

just the cushion cloths. Strange, why would you do that? They are not

ready bouncing at all. Probably the jaws of the pockets. Safety from

Ronnie, a bump on the middle pocket. I didn't see much of Neil's match

with Ali Carter, but apparently he played very well. I was chatting

with Neil the other day before he played and he was saying, scoring

wise, he felt he was back to his best. He made 13 century breaks in

the little mini league think he was playing in. But one of the things

you really need to do if you are playing Ronnie O'Sullivan in what

could be deemed his backyard is you need to have plenty of character to

stand up to it. That is where the Aussie grit comes into it.

Two fabulous players. An abundance of natural talent in O'Sullivan, the

best player I have ever seen with AQ in his hand, and then you have got

the Australian with a laser-like cue action, tremendous break-builder and

all-round match player with that Aussie grit. A great matchup.

I mean, what this player achieved in the 2013-14 season might never be

done again, to make 100 centuries in one season.

Extraordinary. Still got a red in the middle before he has to play any

cannons. So he can stun this in. He is coming up a little bit short.

Might just be OK. Having to go away from the black

here. But he needs to pull up a little bit. That's OK. And he could

play a little cannon into the five reds here. Quite thin on the blue.

This could really open things up. He went delicately into the reds.

Got to avoid the cannon on the reds near the site cushion when you what

that one. -- the side cushion. Robertson knows the importance of a

good start in this match. He looks tuned up and ready to go right from

the off. He started the season of pretty well, he had a semifinal

early on, a couple of disappointing results by his own standards since

then, but then starting to make all of those centuries in the last

couple of weeks and the hard graft he put in over Christmas... If he

gets back to his best, he will take some stopping.

Yeah, I was surprised he had dropped to number seven in the world. As

Stephen Hendry said, he should be in the top three, you would think.

But that is how tough the game is these days. You can easily slip down

the rankings if you have a lean spell. He is taking his time here.

He's got to try and get the next positional shot. If he can get

straight on this, it will be perfect. Doesn't really want to be

playing any cannons. That isn't straight.

Not surprised he came up off the shot.

He didn't want to risk the delicate little cannon to hold on the black.

Just forced it in. Hoping to drop nicely on pink or blue. But it's not

absolutely perfect. He's got to avoid the Borg colours and get back

up to be scoring end of the table. -- the baulk colours.

In and out of the baulk area. I think those two reds definitely pot.

He couldn't have it that much better. That was a lovely shot,

beautifully controlled. He got round on those two reds with

the aid of a little flick on the brown, as you can see. You can

expect this from these two players, I think. If the other makes a

mistake, the way they are playing, every chance they will finish the

frame of. It is so important to stick your marker down in a match.

Many times in commentary, we would say that Steve Davis used to be

brilliant at winning the opening frame. Very important to let your

opponent know that you are here to play your best. That is what Neil

Robertson is doing. Hugely impressive.

Very difficult to start with a century break, but he is almost over

the winning line already in this opening frame.

He will have to wait for the next frame now. Ronnie needs a smoker,

regardless of what happens. -- a snooker.

He'll have to play a double if he is going to have a chance of a century.

But the frame is well and truly in the bag. Just checking that, looking

at the scoreboard. He may as well have a go at the double.

Well, no century break, but what a start from the Australian. He got

one chance and that was all he needed. And that lovely break has

given him the opening frame. Well, you can't do better than

getting a chance and making enough to get a frame. Very impressive. He

is the consummate match player. Slightly surprising where he has

been for a futile and is, because I rate him as highly as the boys were

saying. -- for a few tournaments. Look at the focus on his face. He is

really tuned in. Ronnie made a slight error and that was all it

took. This was the one. Just doubled the rate. A bit unlucky to catch the

jaw and leave that over the corner. But it was a good opening pot. A lot

more difficult than it looks on the screen, but beautifully struck. As

you say, the rest is history. It's a pity the break-off shot has

put a red next to the black and put it out of commission.

Neither player will have liked to have seen that. It means that Ronnie

can't take this reds on the left corner because there is no colour

available. Can you believe it, John? 25 years

since Jan Verhaas came on the scene as a referee. One of the very best,

and a lovely man. We have all got older together.

Touching ball again. Ronnie might as well just stay where he is.

This time, Ronnie can't play back down the table. He can see the edge

of the pack. Ronnie's good friend, Damian Hirst,

the artist. He didn't think he would be back today, because it look like

Liang Wenbo would pot black and Ronnie would be out.

Doesn't want to leave a free ball here. And he hasn't, but he has left

a long pot on. I wonder how Neil will take this. Will he go round the

back? He just caught the blue. But Neil could play around on the blue

or he could play too much the red away from the black. -- he could

play in to nudge. Usually, Neil's cue action goes straight through.

Not a great chance, obviously, but he usually manages to find a way

round these things. This could develop the pink and

reds, because the black is tied up at the moment.

Might just be able to get through. It's tight though. It's very tight.

In fact, I don't think he can get through to it. A bit unlucky with

the split. It wasn't totally ideal on the blue. He couldn't get loads

of power onto that. But he'll be very disappointed if he

doesn't cover it. He wouldn't be playing to leave the red there.

Just caught the pink half ball. Full-ball contact would have been

better, but he was still a bit unlucky.

The difficult thing for Neil is he is playing off the site of the pack.

The red on the left is the one he's got to get covered. Cue ball

virtually in the same place he played from. Should be ideal. Well,

he hasn't done that. And, if Ronnie can pot this red and managed to get

the cue ball out, then it's a chance.

Quick glance at the pink, cot get through to that, but the main part

of the shot was plotting the red and so a medium length blue, normally

very reliable with this type of shot. He hasn't had much table time.

Right the way through, beautifully struck.

Not a brilliant chance, this, the way the balls are commissioned. The

black is out of commission and the pink will get tied up back on its

spot, it looks like. Is there enough room? That is the

ball marker that will tell the referee whether it spots. The pink

is now tied up. He will have to play up for the blue. He had a look to

see whether the pink would go into the left corner, but we will find

out, the way he plays the positional side of this shot, whether it pots

or not. Well, it does. The pink does pass that read, by the looks of

things. Well, maybe not. Otherwise he would have played it.

He did look at it, so Ronnie would have known whether the pink would

go. Just can't quite get position he

likes at the moment. Slightly off with each shot, and the bump doesn't

help, putting him straight on the blue. He would have liked to have

been topside. Another good medium-range pot. To

screw back and back for the blue again. Might get close to the left

middle pocket. He'll have to be careful.

Really well struck. The best thing there is, in that position, three

reds below the pink and two of the bottom one is definitely pot now. So

there is an area to play in. Straightaway, that's where he is.

He is making a terrific job of this. When you see them having to work

hard like this, very skilful indeed. He has got a slight angle. So he can

force this in. Both the reds might pot. Isn't he

taking these well? The table, when he first came to it, wasn't

brilliant, but so far this has been superb.

Both players in good nick. That is what everybody wanted at this packed

house at the Alexandra Palace. And everyone watching at home. They

wanted to see both these players playing well and it looks as if we

are going to see that. There is always something a bit special about

Britain playing Australia at any sport. -- England playing Australia.

59 on, and the lead is 60, so he needs to make sure of this red. Not

many players would have come to the table and a won the frame from this

visit, but O'Sullivan has, absolutely brilliant.

Robertson has signalled to the referee that that is enough, so

Ronnie O'Sullivan has returned. One chance was enough to win the frame.

Great stuff. STUDIO: Fast start, great start. We were talking about

Neil Robertson's victory in the first frame, that was his first

frame he has taken off Ronnie in 14, he had lost the last 13 in a row.

Noticeable difference with Ronnie from the first run, he knows he's

playing one of the best in the world today. Against Liang Wenbo, he

looked like he did not want to be there. But this is the quality you

would expect from two of the best players in the world. They both look

up for this. That was a great break from Ronnie, when he came to the

table it did not look like he would win the frame from that visit, but

he brought the pink interplay, in and out of baulk, a great example of

potting and break-building, and keeping the cue ball straight. It is

brisk and a lot of fun. COMMENTATOR: I like that, Hazel, it is brisk, and

also brilliant. I suppose Ronnie has got away with that break a little

bit. He hit that far too thin, and you don't see that very often.

Excellent. Off the side of the pack and opened a few balls out.

Attacking safety, that was. What a terrific return from the

Australian. I think this is going to play a key part in this match, the

safety, the tactical side of the game, who puts in the better safety

shot that creates the better chances? If he can sneak past the

yellow, for the Boston bottom red. He's double-checking on that, and

maybe it also rather tight. Maybe he can leave the cue ball up this end.

If he is taking this amount of time about it, it is clearly difficult.

Some very good safety shots from both players. Absolutely top-class.

That path is blocked off now, the one can't clip of the one at the

side of the pink. In a perfect world, he would dump the cue ball on

the top rail, but he can't do that either because he can't see the

right side of it. This is a problem. He will try to find the safety shot.

There is a possible red, but he could miss that. Can he find the

correct spot at this end of the table? That is pretty good.

Sometimes you are in that much trouble you have got to play what

you call a containing shot. He did well and got himself out of trouble.

He needs to get this right. He wants wrote to cover the one on the corner

pocket and he has judged that to perfection -- he wants to cover the

one. He needed a good length of the cue ball. He needed a good length,

otherwise Neil Robertson would have taken it on, but you can't pot them

if you can't see them. Yes, 4-5 shots have been top-class, all

putting their opponent in the maximum amount of trouble.

snooker like to see this type of game, -- a lot of people who watch

snooker like to see this type of game, as well as the frame-winning

breaks going on. He's trying to drop dead weight on the cushion at the

top, Izzy? He hasn't judged that as he wanted it and that is a big

mistake -- is a? Hmmm. Not close at all to what he

was doing. Good opening red but pink and black

tied up, but after the break we saw on the previous frame, that break of

63 from nowhere, absolutely nothing on. In a few shots time he might

have the pink and black in the play. -- in play.

Funnily enough, he did not hit that one very well at all. Just about

sneaked in-off the right-hand jaw. A bit too close for comfort, missing

that one. So, change of plan with his positional play. He has got to

find the gap, to get round for the blue here.

He's not mind his mind up yet, as to what shot he's playing.

He will be very disappointed at this contribution. He had the table at

his mercy after the first red he knocked in. It is a bonus, that he

can just get through to the blue otherwise he was in a bit of a hole.

That's brilliant. Once again, he cued beautifully, and where the cue

ball has finished Mike the ideal. -- might be ideal. Far from easy from

the top cushion, but the fact he has an angle. The long pot straight in

the middle of the pocket. Can he falls an angle out from the green up

the table? Then the scoring opportunity is his. -- can he force

an angle. Anywhere near the circle and then he can force the angle. He

is OK. Coming on past. Another couple of red is available, I think.

I thought he would have to force it, but that was a perfect angle where

he finished. No problem getting back down the table. Ronnie had a first

look at these reds and colours. What can Neil Robertson make from them?

If he screws back of this one, almost wrecked he could catch the

other red and go completely out of position. Funny situation, not ideal

for either of them, and when he came down the table he must've he would

be on something, and he is, but it requires more positional play. -- he

must've thought he would be on something. It is his turn to make a

mess of it, I don't know what that shot was, and so both players making

a positional howler. He needs a thin one here to avoid the middle pocket.

That has opened up the game substantially now that the pink and

black are in play. One mistake now could be very costly. If you had

told me it would be 6-5 after those two chances they were given, I would

never have believed it. Very rare occurrence for these players to make

mistakes position me. -- positionally.

Looking at this table, whoever makes the next mistake, they won't be

making too much position on these balls the way they are now because

they are spread rigidly. -- they are spread beautifully. So, a big break

will be in the offing if you get the chance.

There's a couple of roots back down the table for Ronnie, if he

conceived the one on the right hand side of the table, but I prefer the

one on the left-hand side, two double back towards the black and

then the white will head back towards the yellow and blue. It

depends how he feels. He is going for the thin one on the right side

of the table. Oh! This could be a nice flick. Yes, he's extremely

adapted that shot, the thin clip, there is a routine where he

practices and place those shots. -- plays. Hmmm

hit be read, but no great pace on the cue ball. -- hit the red.

Don't think he will play the pot on this. No. It was a very thin clip

and he didn't fancy playing the pot. He is looking for the focus today, I

agree with Stephen Hendry in the studio. -- he's looking fully

focused today. He did not take any liberties with that shot. The first

time lasted just over ten minutes, the second just over 11 minutes, we

are coming up to nearly 14 minutes and there are still plenty of reds

left on the table, that is just the nature of how this frame has panned

out. Still very entertaining to watch, to see who is going to make

the first mistake in this safety exchange.

Oh! That's the first mistake. Even though you are as good as

O'Sullivan, that is your reward for the last shot. He could have played

a thin clip, but he refused it and made a safety, and this is his

reward for it. That shot was always looking like trouble. He nearly

flipped the red in the middle. -- flute. Still, he is tight on the

cushion. The only thing with potting the

black, it looks like the pink is in the open.

He could win this frame with just potting reds and pinks because the

black is out of commission. Five reds nicely placed. If he keeps

staying on the pink. It is lovely to watch, when you play

these little screw shots, it is the secret of break-building.

Going back to the situation of how he got the opportunity, that is how

good Ronnie is amongst the balls and his break-building, but the safety

exchange from both players, it was Roddy who forced the mistake from

Neil with a safety of the highest quality -- Ronnie. I love to see him

play when he's fully focused. It is not great to play against, but when

you are watching and he is fully focused on what he's doing, the

concentration levels are there, and he wants to win the match, he is

very special to watch. What he's done well here, he's

hand-4-macro -- he's had four pinks and this is the fifth coming up, it

is getting more difficult now. Playing into a gap, and that is

judged to perfection. He's going to need one more the difficult reds and

he's got a nice angle on the pink and he might be able to get on one.

Just the one more that's available and that is all he'll need. 51

ahead. That's 52, with 51 remaining.

Fascinating frame. Some good tactical play from both players.

Once again, a wonderful break. The second phone, 63, wonderfully

constructed. Mrs the pink. -- the second frame. That has opened up the

reds, so Neil will be carrying on. That's in concentration, he thought

he was over the finishing line. If he had parted that read -- putted

that red, Niall would have stayed in his seat. So easy to do that. You

think you have won the frame, and a little lapse in concentration.

That is the shot Ronnie play, he misses the pink. Fix the black out

of the way and that puts the two reds in play. -- flicks. Hmmm.

Because of that he might have given himself a headache for the rest of

this frame. You can see where he wants to put the cue ball so he can

send the red around the angles towards the green and leave the

snooker. This frame is far from over.

I know it's the best of 11 and we are only in the third frame, but

this could prove to be a turning point, this frame. It is not always

winning the frames you should win, it is nicking the frames you

shouldn't. If Neil Robertson can win this after a brilliant 51 from

O'Sullivan, if he can win this and nick it, that will be a boost to his

confidence. Neil, that is a shocker. I can't believe that. That is not

like him at all. It is what you call quitting on the shot, you never

delivered the cue. He was hoping to be behind the black and then sent

the red up towards the green, but he walked away in disgust. There is

another nice little flick. APPLAUSE Getting a round of applause, he

missed the pot by a mile. Trick shot, but the swerve never took.

Still only two snookers needed. Quite fortunate, Ronnie, to miss

that. It always seems the way, when you are given an opportunity like

Neil was, the balls don't tend to forgive you for missing a chance

like that. It was a very good chance for getting a snooker. There's

another one. Neil feels he can just sneak this

one. Yes, excellent shot, Ronnie has got

to play a little swerve. Just be careful.

Make sure you get the swerve on, coming on like, just as it got past

the pink. -- coming on late. He's decided he's going to knock the red

in and take his chances, adjust the colours on the table. The brown is

not very good, is it? Looking at the scoreboard, he will

still need a couple of snookers. Sometimes if you get to the blue,

you only need D1 but that is not the case here. -- you only need the one

snooker, but that is not the case here. He needs to start looking for

a snooker now. It can go up behind the black. Has he hit that hard

enough? He has hit that one again. Yeah, once again, not like him. He's

not just a little bit out with that one, as well. He's quite a way. That

was a jobs. -- that was a chance. If he could get a chance to pot the

brown and blue, he might take it, because then he could tie with one

snooker. He had a glance at the scoreboard and he worked that one

out. Yes, but if you didn't do it the first time when he had the

chance with the brown before, Ronnie is going to do it now.

One good long pot and that should be the end of this frame.

He's probably thinking to himself, what am I doing here? This frame

should have been over about seven minutes ago.

That's a snooker. But I think he can get enough side to miss the black

and swing it and it brown. -- and hit the brown. Oh, only just.

Yeah, I mean, Ronnie thought he'd won the frame. Normally wouldn't

miss this type of shot. Neil would have stayed in his seat, had that

pink bombing. This brown was close. Now, we'll Neil think about potting

the brown and blue? Can he see the brown to pot it? He can.

It's a possibility, but you know what it's like, Dennis. You can

virtually guarantee you're going to get the snooker of pink and black.

You generally get one shot at it. If you don't get it the first time,

most players are pretty adept at keeping them away from each other.

He played to pot the blue and he missed it. I think he was thinking

about where he was going to leave the cue ball to give himself the

chance of a snooker. Can Ronnie finished the frame off?

Doesn't matter about the pink. We won't see many frames lasting as

long as that one, am up for 29 minutes. Some brilliant tactical

play at the beginning of that frame, but Ronnie made a superb break of

51, paving the way for him to lead 2-1.

Nearly 20 minute minutes, that. A real contrast to the start of the

match was a very interesting safety exchange in the battle to gain

control. One shot in particular showed a lot of patience from

Ronnie. Ronnie had a pot on to the left corner, but refused it. He

played an excellent safety shot, which consequently let him in the

51. The safety exchange is almost show more than the breaks on how

someone's appetite for winning is, because you are determined to keep

the upper hand. Ronnie O'Sullivan is always going to make breaks, doesn't

matter how bad he is playing, because it's his bread and butter.

But the determination to win the safety exchange shows he is up for

it. Do you sense how focused he is? Absolutely. He is underestimated for

how a safety player he is, Neil. There were some great exchanges in

that frame. It was cat and mouse. So clever about that shot, not only

refusing a red, but the position of the cue ball, over the left-hand

side of the table, which made it even more difficult to get back.

Never plays a safety shot claim ball, Ronnie. He is always

manoeuvring the cue ball, putting some side on the cue ball to get it

to the position that the most difficult. Sometimes you look and

say, where do I not want to play the shot from, and that is where he will

put it. There were a couple of shots that he played left-handed. They are

almost interchangeable. You hardly notice he is doing it. I don't know

how he does it. We both tried to play left-handed and look like full

is doing it! But he does it so naturally. There is no ripple of

applause any more. They think, oh well, it's just Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Pretty good length with the break-up shot, but Ronnie may attempt a long

red into the left corner. It's the only one he would leave and he'd be

on the back. We saw Barry Hawkins knocking two or three of these in at

the start of his match when he beat Shaun Murphy last evening. 6-1.

That was a surprise to everyone. Not a surprise to Barry, though,

although Shaun had beaten him eight out of the nine times they'd played.

The red was dead straight. Yeah, very difficult shot, those. The one

thing you are hoping you don't do is get the double case. -- double kiss.

In some ways, it's a bit easier to judge when you are just plain claim

ball. Plain claim ball and taking the cue ball up and down the table,

it's just difficult to get the pace right. Playing around angles and

using a bit of side, you are almost guaranteed to get close to the

question. You have to practice quite a bit. Trust me, he puts plenty of

time in on the safety play as well. He's got away with that. He made a

complete mess. You see him egging himself on, going, come on! He hit

that far too thick. But this will cut back.

Given himself a bit of a telling off.

The funny thing is, we were talking about him using the side, and that's

the one downside. Sometimes you push the cue ball in a bit thick and

that's what happens. Not like him. A big, big frame for Neil Robertson to

try and level, going into the interval. He might play for the blue

hair, get it back on its spot. The pink is tied up, the black is off

its spot. He could pot this red into the left corner and finish nicely on

the blue and get it back on its spot. That would certainly help

things. If he's got a good enough angle, he

could even play into the pink and reds, but having said that it would

be a bad idea to play for the red that's near the black spot. He seems

to have enough angle to do what he wants with this.

So into the pink and reds, and it is misjudged. That a wide target.

I thought he would play on the loose red, Dennis. But there you go.

He'll be disappointed, from where he was on the blue, not to have scored

more points. I showed you when Ronnie went back

to his seat how annoyed he was. He was expecting Neil to make a few

more, so he hasn't been punished. I like that safety shot. That

brought the pink into play for is that OK, he didn't want to can the

green, but that's opened the game up. But he might be in a bit of

trouble here, if Neil Robertson can get behind the green.

That's what he tried for, but his safety has been a little bit off

today. When he has been laying snooker is today, he's been a little

bit off with his pace. Not massively so, but enough to be magnified in

this company. Another beauty. 92% safety success,

Ronnie O'Sullivan. He had to get that right, and he

has. Pinpoint accuracy there, because he could have left one for

the left corner, one for the middle. And it's not touching ball, so

awkward to get back down to the baulk area. A bit of tapping going

on here, trying to see what else he can do here.

Was that a cap or a tip? I'm not sure which it was. -- a tap.

Touching ball has resolved the situation, thankfully. No more

tapping. That is usually his forte, but

goodness me, a long way off. I don't think I've seen him miss one by that

far before. Well, it's not an easy starter for

Ronnie. The pot isn't so difficult, but the position is more difficult.

That was a better shot and it looked, to have to screw that check

side. It needs another good positional shot. Straighten up, keep

it away from the reds. He made sure of the pot. But didn't

avoid the yellow. He almost parted the yellow. --

potted. Well, not an easy chance, but Neil Robertson will be delighted

he only got six points off it. He must have thought, when he missed

that one pot why a mile, he was in big trouble.

Is still little awkward. He's looking at the brown, but I don't

think he's got enough angle to get up off the brown and yellow. He

needs plenty of side tonic to get up, at least passed the blues spot

area. He'd like to get closer to the reds. He's got to get -- he's got to

avoid the pockets. A big shot, just get position. He is an one, but can

he get any position off this red that he's landed on? Very tight on

the cushion. No good, that one. Have to play something a bit special

to get on the pink from that red. Very awkward.

I'll tell you what, what an effort that is! I mean, that is as good a

positional shot as you'll ever see. Loads of top spin. That was bit

special. We won't see a better shot than that one. Fabulous.

Played that just to try and clear the black spot. The red is still

covering it. Truly brilliant shot, that was. He

might need another one here, looking at this. He has a slight angle to

work with. In a perfect world, he'd like to get half ball off that blue

and come down and split the pack with the black, but he's just the

wrong side. Just look at the cue power of the

Australian. Loads of top spin and left-hand side, but he's got to

finish a bit close to the cushion. That could be end of break.

And you can see, all covering each other.

In fact, the way they've finished, it is very awkward to get good

safety shot in. The last two frames, the balls have

gone a little bit awkward. That's why the previous frame lasted 29

minutes. The first frame was ten minutes, the second 11, but

sometimes the balls dictate what happens, and we are back to tipping

and tapping again. I tell you what, that was nearly a bit too hard. His

heart was in his mouth for a second. They are going to keep playing until

an opportunity arises to do so. He thinks he could screw down off

this with some side and get it back to the baulk area. Got to be careful

though. Could play a push shot. Yeah, a push shot is where the tip

of the cue ball and object ball and the cue are in contact at the same

time. Tough for the referee to decide what is a push shot, but the

player normally would walk away from the table and declare it themselves,

if they push it. But look at this for a safety. Yeah, great shot.

All covered up. Nothing too appetising down either side. Ronnie

was looking to see if he could drop on the red that is nearest top

cushion. He'd tried something a bit special

to try and hit the cushion first and swing the ball around the angles,

but it was very difficult. Just looking to see if the black goes

into the pocket, but he's going to take the red here. Not sure if it is

available. It would be a big advantage if the black goes.

He's the wrong side of the blue. Maybe the black is just that little

bit too tight. If you were in behind the black, it

looks as if you would be able to pot it.

We might have to see a Neil Robertson special. We talk about cue

power, if he takes his red to the right corner, he's got to get a lot

of action on this. Oh, he had an angle, so he didn't have to screw it

back. He's just scrapping for position at the moment. He can't

quite get them how you want them. Slightly wrong all the time. -- how

he wants them. It's a hard work break at the moment.

Mid-session interval coming up after this frame. I mean, the first two

frames, both players got one chance and made enough to win the frame,

but the last two frames, the balls have gone so awkward.

And this is the key shot for the frame. Plot the black, should play a

little cannon onto the red when he runs through. Should leave the other

red available. A big chance. No real reason now from this

position, other than bad fortune or a kick or something, why he

shouldn't win this frame. Really good for Neil Robertson, and a good

effort, because he missed one or two shots in this frame and lost the cue

ball a couple of times. One attempt at a long pot was a long way away.

If he will go into the interval 2-2, he will be delighted.

He won't be coming back to the table here.

Sometimes the interval can change things around. As I said, the last

two frames have been very awkward. And I suppose 2-2 is a pretty fair

reflection, JP? Yeah, I would think so. As I say, just because they are

awkward frames it doesn't mean they are not important. They all count.

Doesn't matter about that. Ronnie's on his way out of the arena. A

couple of awkward frames, two very good opening frames, and they go to

the mid-session interval 2-2. We are enjoying this and I am sure

you are, too. Beautifully poised, some great stuff from both of them,

and in that last frame Neil Robertson looked like he was getting

into his stride. There was a particular positional shot. One red

sums up Neil Robertson's cue action. Not many players could play this.

Just get right through the cue ball and brings it back into play.

Marvellous. He had to hit it perfectly because, if he didn't, he

would have cannoned the red. If Ronnie had played it, talking about

it for years, but it shows you what a fantastic cue man and player Neil

Robertson is. Thoughts on this, enjoying it? Very good. Both players

are up for it. It is tense and intriguing. A couple of scrappy

frames, a couple of good frames. They are battling against each other

to force that opening. The balls have gone scrappy in the last couple

of frames but the first couple... You can see both players are up for

it and they are cueing well. Should Robertson fans be concerned about

his safety percentage? Ronnie seems to be in charge in that department.

That could be a deciding factor as the match goes on. If you are

creating the most chances, you are going to win the match, so maybe he

has to look at that. The last two frames, completely opposite to the

first two. I think it comes to who takes their opportunities and wins

the frames in one visit. Bring on part two. Before that, let's have a

chat with Neil Robertson. One thing I remember from a couple of years

back, when I went to his house and we had an interview, what a

fantastic room he had with all of his trophies, lots of photographs,

very proud of his 12 ranking titles, and the fact he is the first

non-British player to achieve the Triple Crown. Also in that room is

all his video gaming equipment because, when not practising, he is

in a parallel world. He came out of it to speak to John Parrott.

The most important thing. Good players, how is the form? If you

asked me in October, November, not great but, since then, I mean, I

worked very hard over Christmas and, just before Christmas, I lost my

last 16 to Marco Fu 4-3 in Scotland and he went on to win the

tournament. A fantastic match and I could have easily got to the final.

The form is back. I played well in the championship league, a couple of

groups, heading into the Masters now. So I feel really good. And you

make a lot centuries in that. Yeah. The way I started the season, it's

probably not achievable to get 100 this season, but I racked up a view.

I think I had 12 or 13 last week. The scoring is back. I feel really

good. I have never practised as hard as I did recently. The season

started well, a win early on and a couple of semifinals. But generally

you have been consistent. Any reason why it hasn't been happening? And I

went back home to Australia, I was back home four weeks. A period of

time when other players are getting back into things, I was taken that

time off. When I came back, I was still not ready to get back into

competing at the highest level, so I went to China, had a bit of a

nightmare out there. I didn't want to play the game. I had some bad

results, and that sort of form continued for another couple of

events. You couldn't practice properly. You get back from prying

-- China and then you are up to Preston for qualifying, going there

or wherever. It's hard to get momentum. It's good to have a period

of to focus on practice on the practice table. Playing as well as

ever. The UK must have been a bit of a second, getting first round. I

thought you would be one of the favourites. -- must have been a

sicken her. Definitely, but it wasn't a reflection on bad form. I

can't really put that match down as bad form. I was outplayed. Which was

fine. And then the match against Marco Fu could have easily gone

either way. So the form has been there, but obviously people won't

stop talking until I start picking up trophies. This tournament has

been good, certainly this venue. Three final say. What do you like

about it? The tournament in particular, the top players love

playing here. It's been positive to move here. Great crowds every game,

one-table set-up. That is what the top players really want to play in.

It has such a fantastic history. As for those finals, you remember them,

but you lost in two of them. One was Shaun Murphy, and that wasn't you at

all in the final. Two unbelievable performances to get there. What was

your take on that one? When I played Ali in the quarters, that was his

first big match since recovering from cancer, so that was a big one

to get up for. The match against Ronnie O'Sullivan, semis at the

Masters, he's never lost a semi-here before, so I really got myself up

for that, played fantastically and beat him 6-1. It's not that I didn't

treat Shaun the same and it's impossible to match those kind of

highs. I had a slight dip and Shaun took full advantage. Played some

fantastic stuff. I a bit below par than where I needed to be, and Shaun

can get on top of anyone when he is playing like that. To get beaten

last year, I don't think I have seen anybody play that well and lose.

What a match! What did you take from that? I was sick to lose. I had won

the champion of champions, the UK championship, and this was the third

big one and I really fancied winning a third in a row. The pattern that

happened after winning the UK last year was people would play their

best against me, which tends to happen. Not many other players like

seeing one particular player winning all of the trophies. Judd was pretty

determined to stop me picking up the third. He played fantastically well.

That's what can happen in snooker. What what is your expectation for

this week? To play as well as I can. I have prepared as well as I can.

Whatever happens on the table, I can't be disappointed because I have

put in the work. Just looking for a good performance, like in previous

years. Some players, things not going right, they will ease off the

gas, but you graft harder. Yeah, especially over the last couple of

months, I have been practising so hard. I played in Norway over

Christmas and I've never done that before. So I feel as though my game

is in really good shape and hopefully it's not going to be too

long before I picked up another good one. Thank you, good luck.

It's 2-2 in this match. We are discussing more about Neil Robertson

and Ronnie O'Sullivan later. What can you say to the kids when

they want to start on snooker? Well, I think you have to say start them

young and small. What's the deal here, Ken.

Welcome all. Chris, the first time I've seen

these tables in the Cue Zone, they look fantastic. Tell us about them.

Well, this is about cue to the end of school programme. It hopes to

bring the children to play in ranking events and eventually to the

Masters. Jason, tell me about the

anticipation for the young kids and what the WPCA are trying to achieve?

This is key to our sports development. The one thing about

full sized snooker tables, for the beginner or the junior, it is too

difficult to get started on them. So the idea here is we can Trons port

these smaller tables into a sports hall, a centre, or a youth centre,

and this is the key here. As you can see, it is proving popular.

Since the day it's been introduced, they have been cueing up for the

tables. It is fantastic to see the lads into it.

We are really encouraged. There has been a cue here all week to g have a

go on the tables. Here is a full-sized table but here behind us,

the young lads are on the smaller table, really enjoying themselves.

And for the juniors, it is great for them to play here.

Any sport has to make their sport accessible to everyone. This is

about introducing this sport to disability centres as well and that

take-up has been terrific. Do you fancy a game? You and me,

Ken? Just like the old days. My dad made our first snooker table.

He made it! He made it quietly, he cushioned it, covered it, clothed

it, and we would stick it on our dining table and play when we were

kids, my brother and I. But that is ancient history.

Now, Barry, this is fantastic, isn't it, how do you rate the quality?

This is fantastic. The great players. For me, it has been

breathtaking. Especially in the afternoon sessions. And I dare say

we are going into another one. Four, to six consecutive results. It is

brilliant playing it is the cream of the crop. The top 16 players are

here because they are the best 16 in the world. With the number of

tournaments that they are playing, there are no excuses.

These are the best of the best showing.

And there have been more seats added. It is pretty healthy.

So far. We can't be too complacent. Next year a few more. As long as we

satisfy the demands of the fans and give those watching or buying a

ticket value for money, then we're in a good place.

You are always trying to promote recognition of the sport around the

world. It struck me as looking at the statistics, there is a Qureia

layings to be made with other sports, this fellow, Mr Hendry is

top of the pile when it comes to majors. In the snooker, the

official, Triple Crown, the Masters, the unchampionship and the World

Championship. It is extraordinary. Look at that 18, in tenny, Federer.

A more direct correlation, it's a head-to-head sport. Should we be

referring to the achievements of these man more often in relation to

these sports? I think we should. I think there is a loft correlation

between snooker and golf. There are 120 events in snooker, as

there are in golf, roughly. Maybe the other events to put into

that, when the BBC had four events, there was the Grand Prix,

equivalent, to, slightly less than in the UK but the three you have

now, the tournaments, I think is a fascinating list to look at. Selby

is coming up on the bottom but how long before he is five or six more

years, he could be challenging the greats of the golf.

Or indeed Ronnie. Ronnie O'Sullivan could conceivably win this.

Ronnie could go beyond if his career in politic, of course, doesn't

progress! We know he is think being being a member of Parliament next,

there is no limit to what Ronnie O'Sullivan can achieve on that list

or in the world in general. It is seldom that we make direct

comparisons with other sports, is it a fair test? We call the three

major, those were the three at the start of the season, if I didn't win

one, I would have been disappointed with my season. I always prioritised

these three events, the World Championship, then the Masters, then

the UK. Every other events, maybe it is too black and white to call them

practice, as there are huge amounts of money in the events but these

three it is right to call them majors in my view.

Exactly. I'm not suggesting that we redesignate them as major but it is

helpful for the public to know that these are our majors? For the UK

market, without a doubt. But we are a global sport. I dare say that the

friends in China are looking to push the prize money. They would

definitely want the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh major. But it is

good to talk about these things and compare the greats of the past with

the current greats. Sports is about promotion and perception, the

promotion of the sport by statistics like that and perception of the fact

that we are an ongoing growing sport in a much better state than other

sports currently. Is there a huge history.

The history is longer with every year! It's a plus for u Hazel! True.

With the three big events, you notice that the live audiences are

in a different league to the other tournaments. People want to come and

see these three. Ne that is true. The bigger events

get bigger and bigger and bigger. The medium-sized events are bigger

than the smaller events, they tick on. But the World Championship, the

Masters, those two, from a crowd participation, are light years away

from others. The UK coming up third. The other issue I have to speak to

you about is ongoing, we touched on it at the UK Championship, a feature

of the 128. The fact that there are increasing Muralitharanings and

grumblings if it is viable for the people at the bottom end of the 128

to make a proper career and sport out of this. Even Ronnie O'Sullivan

and Neil Robertson have had something to say. Have you thought

about that? I am zoontly value waiting the state of the sport. That

is what I do. I disagree completely with any idea

about restricting the number of players, I'm in the world of dreams.

I'm trying to create opportunities, not to reduce them. At the same time

acknowledging that there is a problem for the lower ranked players

in term of survival. Sport has to be brutal to be attract I have. That is

it in a nutshell. Only a few players get the to top. We have a

responsibility to give opportunity first and as the game grows and the

prize money has trebled in six years if it trebles in another six years I

will not be surprised but what I have to do is edge a little more of

the prize money down to the lower levels, to give them something to

breathe but I don't want them thinking it is easy. It will is not.

I have had criticism, Ronnie said the other day, he change, as he

always changes, one minute there should not be 128 but 64, and then

the next, more money into the last echelons of the game. You cannot do

both. It takes time to develop a proper prize money structure. We on

that journey. In the World Championship, I am sure we will talk

about how there is a shift towards the lower ranked players, I will say

not enough, I will say it is enough to keep you alive and hungry to try

to achieve what the greats have achieved. The day of sport where

there is no opportunity, you may as well pack up and go home. Always,

great to hear and interest to hear what you have to say. Now, what this

man is to avail himself of is the seniors. We may see him back at the

Crucible? It will be a pleasure. Steve and I have crossed swords a

number of times. I always feel, I still feel, that he packed up too

early. So I'm pleased to see him back in some shape or form.

Barry, we are getting on with this cracking second match. Always lovely

to see you. Back we go, then. Frame five.

Well, with the mid-session, and we have changed things around. Two very

good opening frames. The players waiting while the spectators return

to their seats. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,

frame five. Ronnie O'Sullivan to break.

Two scrapping frames but intriguing. And talking about intriguing it is

always that to listen to Barry Hearn talking. And great to see that

Stephen Hendry is playing in the seniors, John. We are playing. I

would love to see Stephen Hendry back at the Crucible Theatre.

Yes, it should be a good tour and a bit of fun, which is what it should

be about. We have all been competitive all of our live but

nothing wrong with playing with something with a bit of fun

involved. I'm sure it will be. Well, the mid-session, and that may

change things around. Have a look at that for an opening

basmati. John, do you think he could drop on the red next to the black.

And he may have an angle up on to the brown to play on to that.

It depends on the angle on the brown, as you say. It is a natural

angle to split the back. But I'm sure he won't play that.

A loose red there. That's pretty good. He is on the

red. This opens the black up in play for the blue this time.

Still a few reds available but if he wants to, he could go into the pink.

The sort of shot that Ronnie would play himself. But other players tend

to do it slightly different. It depends on how he feels. The one at

the back of the pack, if he gets on that, John, then he can open the

reds. . Yes, he may play away from that

and leaf the cue ball low. Pots the reds and then the black. Depends on

how he goes about it. A lot more pressure on this shot

than there should have been. Excellent.

He must have read your book, John. That is probably the best play in

the game. Potting balls from being take on the cushion.

You can only just see the top of the ball.

Think being that first session, if I were the two players going into a

2-2, I would have been slightly happier had I been Neil Robertson.

Obviously 2-1 down in his match, so to level it, it is great. But on the

balance of play, Ronnie was better in the opening session but, what you

have done with Ronnie O'Sullivan, is to establish yourself in the match,

you have not let him runaway and kept the crowd fairly quiet. So 2-2

at the interval for Neil, would have been a pretty decent score. And he

started this frame like he started the match.

Still a couple of more reds available after that one.

He might leave himself with the black to cannon into the reds. He is

not that many pots away from securing the frame with one visit. A

visit that started with a Neil Robertson special.

as to whether he will win this frame at this visit.

He wants the cannon the red in the middle there. But he wanted to play

that with a bit of screw. He's stunned that in there. It

needed a bit of screw, so when he canoned that it would come from the

left-hand side of the table but he just stunned it in. He must have

thought when he played it, he was bound to be on one but if he had

played the screw shot, he would have guaranteed being in.

Now 59 points. A healthy lead but not with the way that the balls are

situated. That is far from being safe.

He could do with marking something on to a cushion if he is playing the

safety shot here as a little bit of insurance. But it will not be easy

to put the reds, to keep them safe, an guarantee a good position for the

cue ball. He's going to need a bit of help.

We have three types of spider under the table. That's the extended

spider. He can play this as a shot to

nothing but it's awkward cueing. He will need the extension and not

able to see the shot as he is so far away from the shot. He will have to

judge it. Yes! Very difficult that shot.

Certainly striking down, and also trying to get some safety with it.

It is a shot, where if you play all out for the pot, you have a better

chance. If you try a two in one shot, you don't get either, you

don't get the safety or the basmati Can Ronnie make a counter punch? And

after the all the hard work at the start of that frame for Neil

Robertson... Will he is set the frame up for Ronnie O'Sullivan to

come and steal it? The way that the reds are, they are lovely, aren't

they? Couldn't be better, John. Even the one next to the pink will be

available. Hang on... What has he played there?

Well, ways going to say it was a careless shot the one before. I know

for the player with visibility, a straight shot to the side but it

shouldn't have been straight. Such a margin for error here. To

overhit that. It is a lively cloth but that was very poor. Can he cut

this one in? What a shot this would be.

Nope! So that excellent opportunity has disappeared rapidly.

I bet Neil Robertson can't contain his excitement, being back at the

table. The way that Ronnie has been hitting

it this afternoon. When he has had chances, he's been cueing

beautifully. I whet can't believe he's back at the table.

I bet he can't believe he's back at the table.

Interesting to see how it affects Ronnie O'Sullivan. He's looked

focussed this afternoon. Inside, he will be seething as what

he's just done. If you want to give your opponents

any more confidence... Keep doing what you've just done.

Neil will be feeding off that. A complete contrast to the two

frames before the mid-session interval.

This has been going less than 12 minutes.

A little bit of an exhibition shot. So much side there. It looked like

the white was going to stop at the cushion behind the black. Then it

spun the table. There's another exhibition shot from

the Australian. That in? Yes. Two visit, Neil

Robertson. An earlier break. Ronnie had a chance to counterattack, he

didn't take it. The Australian leads. 3-2.

So, 3-2 in front and the Australians, Neil Robertson, a

fantastic red to get him under way. An interesting frame.

Neil played a poor position into the bunch. It broke down. Odds on it

looked like Ronnie O'Sullivan could clear up to win. He was favourite to

win the frame when he got in. Ronnie will be fuming. These matches

between two top players, this is what John mentioned in commentary,

it's the frames you shouldn't win. They can decide the winner

sometimes. When the players are so evenly matched. Ronnie will be

disappointed at the chance of that missed opportunity. And the chance

to give a psychological blow. It would have given Neil Robertson a

bit of confidence and taken the edge of Ronnie. That can snowball and

irritate him slightly. It will be interesting to see how he kicks on

from here and how Neil Robertson kicks on as well. Now he has the

upper hand, he has a bit more confidence. It has been very, very

interesting. It has. That indeed was Robertson's

best break since the first frame when he made a 74. He appears to be

in good stroke again. And that's the pretty good break-off

shot. I I mean if the red was not near the

black, Ronnie would have a go. But because of the red being next to the

black, you can't. He would leave that on.

So just containing this escape off the side cushion.

It could have been judged a little better. It doesn't want to be

leaving any sort of basmati For Neil, this is awkward bridging. He

is not contemplating that red to the left of the blue.

Well, he holds his hand up. That was a nice little flick off the brown to

fluke the snooker. And this is another careless one

from Ronnie... He just can't keep presenting opportunities. Not that

this is a gimme by a long stretch. You can't give up opportunities.

He is starting to look a little worrying in that frame, Ronnie, like

he was losing momentum in the match. I think he can drop on the black,

you know. Come around between the red and the black there.

Well, he decided that was risky. But he's the wrong side of the blue. It

looked as if he could possibly have held fob the black.

He's going to have to swing this around the angles again to leave

pink or blue. Now that's such a good shot. That's

beautiful. That's the type of shot you have to get loads of screw on

it, and then hit it softer than you think. He played that really well.

Now, how's your luck? Pretty good! Just OK. I thought that red was

going to block the path for the blue but it's easily possible.

Just wondering, that shot to the pocket that Neil Robertson missed,

how important is that in the context of the match? He got it down to 3-2

in the first opportunity. It is little things like that in these

matches that make all of the difference, certainly with the top

boys. The shot in the middle pocket, just

to the far jaw. Instead of it being your opportunity, it's gone to

Ronnie. Will it be costly? Pink out of commission, black a

little awkward. I'm not sure if it's available to the right corner, the

black, but he's got the perfect angle on the blue to get back into

nice position. Needs to be straight on this red, so

he can roll it in and leave that black. If he's not straight on it...

Well, he'll have to wait for another chance. Going up for the blue again.

A little bit pacey this time, so a slight change of plan again. One of

those shots where you probably are on the side of being a seat, just in

case you end up on a baulk colour instead. Oh! You don't want to be

missing the green. Wow. Well, all I can put that down to is

a lapse in concentration. Or maybe a little bit of the previous frame in

his mind. If he's not got position, he will

have been very lucky. Named two is looking at that red at the back.

Does it pot? Difficult to know. Well, that was your answer, but I

didn't expect named two to make such a poor attempt at getting the cue

ball in the baulk area. -- I didn't expect Neil to make such a poor

attempt. Not left any, but given Ronnie and easy way to come back.

Not the best, because you can't afford to leave Neil Robertson these

long pot. He's so good at them. Oh, and that's a useful cannon on

the blue. Let me show you this terrific long pot again. Wobbled a

few times but, without the cannon on the blue, he'd have been out of

position. He'll settle for that. You have to

say, Dennis, one or two worrying signs at the minute. Ronnie

O'Sullivan is looking second-best in this match. Green off the spot, not

expecting him to miss that ever. Yeah and, make no mistake about it,

the Australian Neil Robertson will pick up on those couple of errors

that Ronnie has made and it will give him an extra little boost.

As a competitor, you can remember as well as anybody, when you sense a

bit of weakness in your opponent, it's time to make the most of it,

and you can see that's what Neil Robertson's doing.

I wonder whether he can bring any reds out? Yes, forcing through to

bring a single red out. That was a good shot.

He could have done with getting a little bit more side on that. He may

have to go up the table. If the blue is available, you can play on that.

It would be nice to get the blue back of its spots, but not

essential, but that's what he's got in mind. Pot this read and leave

himself on the blue and get back to the scoring end of the table.

Neil had a little look before. Might be a chance of a plant, but I don't

think it's on. So there's nothing there. What does he do here? Does he

play for the single red or take a chance? If he's got a natural angle

to come off the side cushion, he could play a cannon into that pink

and free reds, but it's not a big target. He is looking at the single

red, but he's got a couple of options.

I don't blame him. If he can pot this red... I think he wanted the

cue ball to go a bit further. Quite an easy cannon off the blue into

that pink and three reds. Yeah, I think it was a little awkward. The

white was a bit too close to the question to risk potting the blue

and disturbing those three reds and pink.

He didn't cue that well. Just cued across that one slightly. For a

putter like Neil Robertson, you'd have to say that's a poor miss.

A nice little half ball on the blue, and it's all about the cannon here.

Just need these to open up and to land on one and he would be a

massive favourite in this frame. That'll do.

Nice to have enthusiasm, but shouting out at the wrong time can

put the player off. We mentioned earlier there would be slightly

worrying times, but there will be seriously worrying times if he

doesn't win the frame from here, because the are absolutely lovely

now. -- these are absolutely lovely now. Green to brown could be the

only slight pick-up, but we wouldn't expect it. We have had four or five

matches that have gone to a deciding frame already. This could be another

one of those that might go all the way, John. Yes, Neil Robertson will

be sat in his chair, kicking himself about the red he missed. OK, it

wasn't easy, but he was in command in the frame.

Just needs to make sure of the green. 24, the difference. This will

secure the frame. A good response from Ronnie and,

once again, we are all square. Great match.

Well, Neil Robertson had a chance for a two frame advantage. He didn't

take it. Ronnie O'Sullivan took his chance. We are all square, 3-3.

It's a cracking afternoon's play, isn't it? Three apiece, and a couple

of missed reds from Neil Robertson. There was one to the centre pocket

and a long one later. These type of reds for Neil Robertson are like

bread and butter. As the lad spoke about in commentary, when you sense

a bit of weakness in your opponent, it's time to step up and drive the

nail home and drive your advantage home, and that was a great

opportunity for Neil Robertson to establish a two frame lead. Your

assessment of the way this match is ebbing and flowing? The first two

frames, in terms of scoring, the standards have dropped drastically,

but it hasn't left the match left interesting. Lots of mistakes, which

you wouldn't expect from these players. Bring it on.

It's always nice to see the centuries flying in, but sometimes

it's nice to watch this type of snooker where both players are

missing the odd chance. I think they both want this one so badly, John.

There's a good, intense rivalry between these two. They both have

the ultimate respect for each others came.

Sometimes we say about Ronnie that some matches he played in are a bit

easy for him and he isn't getting tested, but he's going to get tested

this afternoon, that's for sure. You can see from his attitude that he's

enjoying it. Just come up a bit short. Ronnie

might be tempted because, if he can get round the back of the black and

red, if he takes the pot on here... That's OK. Hasn't left anything.

What's the angle like he's left for Neil? Has he got a pot at one? Yet,

here goes. You never know where the red you

play is going to go but it's finished up OK. A very attacking

shot on here. Whether he'll take it or not, I don't know.

Decided to play the safety shot. A good one it was as well. There's a

pot on the red on the right-hand side of the cluster where you could

play and screw back for blue. He wasn't having any of that. He is

taking this pot on, but keep your eye on the cue ball. It's going to

head towards the black and reds. Where will it finish up? He's found

the gap. Is he going to finish on the green? I mean, if he really

powers the green in, he's left-handed so he might be able to

reach round. He's over six foot tall, so he's got quite a stretch.

Even then, he'd have to force this, and he could miss the pot if he

tries to clock it too hard. It's tight on the question, so it's not

totally over the pocket. Not a complete gimme. Still got to cue it

well, just to the pot. Wright he's trying to get in behind it.

He had to use the jaw of the pocket, and he just misjudged it slightly.

A similar sort of shot for Ronnie. Neil found the gap. Where will the

cue ball go this time? You say you make your own luck. He

deserved it after that pot. That was brilliantly struck and controlled.

Perfect. Just feel with this match, the way it's been going, certainly

in the last few frames, the boys mentioned in the studio that they

haven't been one visit, winning these frames. One player could just

step up and grab hold of this match with some scoring. They could run

away with it. Still got that one red at the back

of the bunch that is available to him. Let's see how he gets it. He's

left it in such a way that he can develop a few more. But has to make

sure he doesn't lose position. A little is done there, the cue ball

running through. -- a little stun. Good cueing. That's exactly what he

got. That was beautifully struck as well.

He did the right thing, a bit like a golfer. He hadn't quite make his

mind up and he got back up off the shot and got back down again. The

worst thing you can do is change your mind when you are down on the

shot and continue. It was a lot better than it looked. Very well

pursued. -- very well cued. Striking down on it, right the way through,

and then screw back up for the brown. More difficult than it

looked. He can obviously play some sort of

cannon off the blue into the reds if he wants, but he is worried about

losing the cue ball. The single red on the right-hand side of the

pink... He is looking at coming round the angles off the ground.

He's trying to guarantee position here, as opposed to taking a chance.

-- coming round the angles off the brown. Well, he took too long on

that. Surely he's not going to fluke it... Well! No reaction from Neil,

but that is one of the biggest flukes you could ever wish to see.

He couldn't make his mind up. You wanted to take the blue and get a

little cannon. He didn't want to risk that. In the end, he got down

and missed the brown by a long way. How did he look into that corner

pocket? He's played a few strange shots.

It's as if he's lost his concentration somewhat. He just got

down... If the plant was on, you don't just get down and hammer it

like that. I wonder if he felt guilty for

getting the fluke. Well, it might come back to want

him, the way he played that plant. -- to haunt him. Just hit it that

hard, didn't give it a chance. But this was amazing. He couldn't make

his mind up. In the end, he missed by a long way.

And then, to see it go in-off the red...

Meanwhile, this is not a straightforward chance for Neil

Robertson. OK, so those two reds on the left-hand push on shouldn't be

as much of a problem to him as a right-hander. -- the left-hand

cushion. Nevertheless, not ideally situated.

He has the option. He could play this firmly and try and flick the

red out or try and drop in behind. Could have played it firmer to move

the red that's above the cue ball out. But chose not to do it that

way. Not the best positional shot at

Neil's ever played. He's probably already thinking about the two reds

that are slightly awkward, one very awkward, the one on the right side

of the table not too badly placed. Going back to that shot early on,

when he was on the black, he could have tried to flick that red out. I

know he's left-handed, but that's a tricky shot, where that is, halfway

up the cushion. It will have to be negotiated later.

He's got a slight angle on the black. He's left-handed. He can play

to drop in behind it or he can try to cannon it out. Not the perfect

angle. He'll have to really power this in. And he certainly powered it

in. But not quite far enough. So it looks like it will have to be a

safety, and Ronnie will be relieved. I think he felt that Neil might

finish it up there. Still in the balance, this. When Ronnie missed

the brown, he had an alternate shot. We might be able to show you...

I thought he could have taken the blue and played the cannon on the

two reds. He thought for ages and couldn't quite make his mind up and

he hammered the brown and missed it. That was a bit hazy. Oh, the blue

has come to his rescue. -- a bit pacey. Yes, Neil raised his eyebrows

slightly. Must have been thinking that was going to be a chance. OK,

the green is over the corner. That might have been stopping a pot.

Yeah, "Is nice he is saying. -- yeah, "Is nice blue", he is saying.

He's got to get the swerve on it. He could be knocking it towards the

yellow pocket. He's in a lot of trouble, and he will take that. He

might not like the next shot. Ronnie can get in behind the black here.

He hasn't hit it hard enough. He missed a trick there.

They are wearing normal ties, and you could see Neil pulling at the

time. That is why we used to wear bow ties, even during the day,

because a normal tie gets in your way slightly. Oh, that's right over

the pocket. I'm a massive fan of Neil Robertson, I really am, but I

think he's played two or three shots today totally out of character for

him. He never, ever does that, what he's just done.

For him to play that I mean, obviously the priority with that

shot is, do not put the object ball over the middle pocket.

Whoever loses this frame will be sore.

He overhit that, and now it's going to be awkward, because he also needs

the brown. Having a quick look at the scoreboard. 15 ahead. Needs

green and brown, and he's going to need a little bit of assistance to

get to this. I don't know if he can do it with the rest. Might just be

able to cue past the blue. But he could miss it if he gets it too

hard. He left angle. You could play with a bit of running side, just to

flick it in. That was the good news about that shot. Well, one good long

pot and we are right down the line of the shot. It's there.

Neil needs a snooker, as you can see.

Did that previously in the match, when he missed a pink in the middle

and had to wait for another ten minutes. We'll show you the miss in

the blue -- on the blue that would have kept Neil in his seat.

It looks like nothing, those situations, but it stops your

momentum. At 4-3 up, you could give yourself ten, 15 minutes of complete

aggravation for no reason at all. It's been a funny frame, this, it's

had a little bit of everything. With only needing the one snooker,

there is no way Neil would be potting the blue, if he had a

chance. More chance of the snooker with the paint the black on the

table. As well as playing for the snooker, you have to try to keep the

object ball safe. Well, he didn't mean to pot that. He's... He didn't

play to pot that. But it might be just behind the

black here but it's more difficult now with the one snookering ball on

the table. And the black is off its spot. The

closest to the cushion for the black is easier to get a snooker but where

it is now, you've got to be perfect. He's got one real good shot at it,

and it's not great what he's got any way, so, good luck with this one.

I'll tell you what, it's a pretty good effort if the pink pulls up...

It's just a bit too far but it wasn't a bad effort.

In or over is how you play that shot it's in! O'Sullivan... In the end

Ronnie O'Sullivan will be delight he gets himself into a four frames to

three lead. Intriguing but a strange afternoon.

At the start we had two big punches, we thought it would be crash, bang,

wallop, then suddenly, the nature of the match has changed.

You could argue in terms of standards, there has been the best

and the worst. It has had everything. But I expected, I know

that snooker is won in lots of different ways but I expected lots

of one-visit wins. It has been more scrappy than I expected. And the

moment of indecision, not for the first time from Ronnie, and after

the plant with the fluke brown, and one or two awkward moments from Neil

as well? And with the red, the last one on the table. He is trying to

play a container shot, putting the red on the left of the yellow in the

middle, and he butched it. Very, very disappointed with it. Some

safety shots you can play more aggressively and getting the cue and

the object ball safe but that was amateurish, for someone of Neil's

ability to play a shot like that. Especially when it looked like he

was getting to Ronnie. Ronnie was looking agitated. It looked like he

was getting on top. Then he let it slip and now he's thrown it back

into Ronnie's court. What is all of this telling about the pressure and

the desire levels of the two? There is no doubt that is very, very high

for the two. That is what is causing this lot, the misses.

And sometimes, the bake breaks of the ball. But it's making it very,

very interesting. A bit of a free pot for Ronnie. He

could go around the back of the black and take this on.

Yes, an interesting pot in that last frame. It ultimately went down to

the last red. A shot when Neil Robertson could have potted the

black and flicked the red up above his hand. If he plays it fair, and

that knock it is out, he could go on to win the frame but it was a bit of

a shot to nothing, really. I think he may have missed a trick there.

Ultimately, that red was the last he had to get, yet he couldn't get on

it. Right, that was what we call an

Aussie special! I mean, one of the greatest long potters the game's

ever seen without a doubt. Oh, he's just tremendous cueing.

Such a hard pot anyway but to knock it up to the top spot and get back

on side for the blue is just a wonderful shot. Yeah, I think I

mentioned at the start of the tournament how many great

left-handers there are in the game and what great potters they are.

Going way back there was only a few. Perry Mans, a great potter from

South Africa. But nowa day, I mean there's so many

great left-hander players. Then Jimmy White came on the scene. Mark

William, Judd Trump, Barry Hawkins... Well, he knocked in an

unbelievable opening red, how do you see him missing one like that? I

know. If anything, I was looking at Neil Robertson today and I've not

seen him play much but his concentration levels is not as high

as what it usually is. That's the only thing you can say, because he

would never miss a shot like that. A great pot from Ronnie. He did well

to avoid the cannon on that red there.

Ronnie's turn to sense weakness in his opponent.

Can he make the most of it? I agree with Stephenhandry,

standardwise, it has probably been one of the worst matches, although

it is still very, very exciting. But no century break.

The highest scores, 74, 63 but fascinating stuff.

Very similar to yesterday's match with Mark Williams and Mark Selby.

Mark Williams, played some fantastic match-play.

Oh, what's going on here at the minute. What is going on? Are we now

at the stage where both players are trying that little bit too hard?

Well, he got a heavy contact there. OK, the red's gone in but it's

spoiled the position outside of the shot.

I suppose in this year's masters, there hasn't been a great deal of

kicks. Unfortunately, like it happened

yesterday for Mark Williams on the blue, Neil Robertson's having to

take it on here, it was magnified but this is a big shot to take on.

Wow! Look at that. And to do it after the disapointment of the kick

and the loss of position is just fabulous.

I think he's still keen on winning this match, Dennis, after that shot?

As I say, they both want it so badly.

But it has to be said, Ronnie was in the balls, looking good.

And that's gone wrong. It's amazing, I was just about to say, with these

players, you expect these players to win with one visit. But there are

all sorts of little things going on. There's another one where it's ran

out of the red and on to position. I don't think it's desperate, he has

one insurance policy in the area over there. This could be going in.

So not all bad news there. He's got a chance here to pot the

yellow off the side and into the cushion for the pack. That's what he

played but he hit that so badly, he was nowhere near it! I don't know

about you, John but you sense, normally, you think they are in,

this will win the frame but you sense with what is going on, they

are not confident of winning the frame with one visit.

I don't think this will go in.ness there is a gap between the reds. If

those two reds are closer together it will squeeze it away to the

pocket. Let's see. Close together, the angle

he's got, he'll squeeze it away from the pocket, I think.

From that angle, maybe he could possibly make it. There is a little

gap between the reds. But he still doesn't fancy it.

25 for Neil. But he'll be kicking himself for that shot off the

yellow. The red over the middle there, it

was looking like a frame-winning chance but it's gone now.

It's good stuff, though, tennis, I don't know what's going to happen

next! You were on a programme, Question of Sport, you used to the

captain? What happened next? Well, he thought he could pot that.

The white needs to keep running otherwise he's left it. Yeah, I

think he can get past the blue. Someone shouted out "get in" we

don't need anyone like that shouting while the player is playing the

shot. It will put the player he's supporting off.

Once again, though, the position - it's not ideal for Ronnie.

He should be taking this one. Listen, you get enough bad luck at

time in the game, when you get a fluke like this, why not take full

advantage? It left the cushion and seemed to come back in. There was a

swerve on hitting the angles. I'm with you on it, you get a fluke,

you make the most of it. Wow, that's brown's been pretty good today,

hasn't it? It should have been in the other one but of course he

played a plant afterwards with not a lot of care. But what a fluke that

was. He didn't play that too well. That's

a bit careless there. He mist judged the cannon completely.

And he's just battling with himself a little bit at the moment. You can

see the abject disappointment on his face, when he cease the problems but

welcome to our world, Ronnie, that's what happens to most players!

Welcome back to Ronnie's World! Yep, for all the misses and bad safeties

and great safeties, you can't beat a little bit of luck. And what a fluke

that was. Still, Neil Robertson, very

focussed. A great temperament but that was hard to take. It means now

he will have to win the last three frames.

He's quite capable of doing that, as Ronnie overscrews the yellow. But

that doesn't matter. He will stay in his seat, or he might leave the

arena just to compose himself. Ronnie O'Sullivan, and no wonder

he's leaving the arena. He is now just one frameway from a place in

the semi-final. It's 5-3 to the Rocket.

Well, they say you make your own luck but Ronnie has had a coup of

slice there to take the two. Here, this came away from the

cushion. It got a little flick off the brown. But apart from the fluke,

Neil had his chance earlier on. He had a yellow. A target with the reds

around the pink. He didn't make it. He should have got in from that

position. It cost him. And it cost him.

And when Neil gets in, there are times he can't buy a positional

shot. Partly due to the pressure, maybe due to the fact he's not

playing so well in the last two to three months, so a lack of

confidence in the pit, as it were. So he's just not able to string.

Well, none of them are. And I wonder when you have had a

couple of pieces of luck go against you, as Neil has, does it confirm in

your head, you have to fight that feeling it will not be your day? You

are fighting against the elements and yourself. As Stephen says it

could be the lack of the edge he had before, the invincibility is a

little gone now. You do lose that little bit of edge.

He looks vulnerable out there. That is not normally what you say about

Neil Robertson. Normally, he loves this. This is the sort of occasion

he is made for. But he does not look comfortable.

And the route of this, at the start of the season he was thumped by

Ronnie O'Sullivan. And a year ago he was 5-2 up and lost seven frames on

the spin to Ronnie, so he's not had the best of times against Ronnie

since the semi-final Masters and he's really up against it now.

Yes, he certainly is. Ronnie a little short with the break-off

shot. He could do with a long pot here.

Just giving the cue a clean to make sure it's nice and smooth.

He could do with a couple of new Robertson "specials." He's at the

stage now where he knows he cannot afford many more misses.

That's a terrific opener in. Just having a look there, to see if

that back of the black is pottable at some stage. Obviously not playing

on it there but seeing if he can pot that and get it away from the black,

it will free it. But I don't know about that one.

Here he is again, checking to see. Those ones you have to keep the cue

ball high so when you pot the red you get the natural angle to screw

out for the black. But it's a tough pot in itself, that red, behind the

black. Certainly on these tables! He will be disgusted with that. You can

see him turn his head away, the one thing he did want to do is come low.

He's got into that a bit too much. It's very tight.

Yeah, not from that angle. If the white had been near and to

the right, slightly, it would have been OK.

Stephen mentioned in the studio he was struggling for positional play

today. Another example. Good opening pot.

If the red doesn't go in, have a look where the cue ball is, the fact

he potted it, he knew there would be a chance at the brown.

Boy, to hit it that hard and expect the pocket to accept the brown was

asking something... Oh, he's fouled it.

Janver Haas was looking, and Neil thought he was OK but he touched it

with his sleeve. Yeah, bad news on the foul.

Good news was, that came across and hit the black and didn't leave one

on! It could have been all bad for Neil there!