Quarter-Final 3 Masters Snooker

Hello. A very warm afternoon to you.

Welcome back to Alexandra Palace. It

is the quarter final day of the 2018

Defabet Masters and after a dramatic

day yesterday, it's very much a case

of two down and two to go.

DRAMATIC MUSIC

so, two former winners in Ronnie

O'Sullivan and Mark Williams crash

out. This afternoon our live match

these Shaun Murphy, one of only ten

players to complete snooker's treble

cramp, taking on Judd Trump, who for

many people is a good bet to add the

roll of honour.

The 2015 Masters winner Shaun Murphy

knocked out at least Carter in fine

style to make the quarterfinals. --

knocked out Ali Carter. But Judd

Trump has never gone beyond the

semifinals here. Could this be his

year?

year? And Mark Allan, yesterday's

hero of Alexandra Palace, will be

here to answer your questions in the

interval of today's quarterfinal.

Their man from Northern Ireland

destroyed the defending champion

Ronnie O'Sullivan to book his third

Masters semifinal. He will play

either John Higgins or Ryan Day,

that is our live match tonight. We

are very excited about Judd Trump

and Shaun Murphy this afternoon. The

winner will play Kyle Wilson, who

knocked out Mark Williams 6-1 last

night. It really has been a

brilliant Masters so far. Ken

Doherty and Steve Davis with me here

on BBC Two. Let's get some reaction

from you, as predicted last night

Ronnie O'Sullivan making all the

back pages today.

Yes, disappointing

really, never really showed up

yesterday. It's strange. Every day

in sport, one day to the next, it's

never always the same. He played so

well against Marco Fu. Fair play to

Mark Allen, he played really well.

Any chance he got, one visit and

winning the frames, fantastic

performance.

Mark Allen will join

this during the interval so if you

have any questions for Mark get in

touch and use the hashtag on social

media. You will be speaking to Mark

Allen.

A great display yesterday. He

knew he had Ronnie on the ropes and

he did the job on him. It would be

easy to fall at the finish line that

he didn't. He's as well-placed to

win a major as he's ever been.

Fairplay to Ken Doherty, you called

it yesterday. This time you stay you

said Mark might have too much

Bahrami.

Not just that. Mark Allen

is one of those players, he's not

afraid of the big stage. He likes

the big stage, the big crowd than

the big events. He's not someone who

would be like a rabbit in the

headlights against Ronnie

O'Sullivan. All the talk was about

Ronnie O'Sullivan and how well he

played against Marco Fu but Mark

Allen loves that atmosphere, loves

the crowd being against him and he

played fantastic snooker yesterday.

One of the big things we spotted

yesterday was Mark Williams came out

to rapturous applause, Ronnie

O'Sullivan, home turf, rapturous

applause. What does that say about

the state of snooker when two of the

old-timers, if they don't mind me

using that phrase, get a massive

round of applause, big cheers and

yet the young guys don't get that?

Is it a bit of the changing of the

old guard?

I think the snooker fans

who come and flock to see the

Masters, and a full house here, only

a four day week in the London area

at the moment!

LAUGHTER

I think they appreciate what those

players have given to the game. The

older players, John Higgins, Ronnie

O'Sullivan and Mark Williams.

The

fact Kyle Wilson beat Mark Williams

and Mark Allen be Ronnie O'Sullivan,

do you get the feeling things will

change?

There's a new guard, new

blood coming through all the time.

Kyren Wilson is one of those new

kids on the block, ready to topple

the big names and win majors like

this beautiful trophy. There are

still a lot of great players left in

this tournament and still the old

guard are taking it to topple the

big names and win majors like this

beautiful trophy.

There are still a

lot of great players left in this

tournament and still the old guard

are taking it the young ones.

Looking forward to this, how do you

see it going this wrap I'm not

necessarily sure it's guaranteed to

be long potting all over the place

because you can't ever guaranteed

those balls going.

But such is the

standard of these two players, I

think any chance they get they will

be going for it.

A big day for Judd

Trump?

Yes, Murphy on current form

is favourite but Judd Trump is such

an explosive player, great

entertainer and it's going to be a

great match, really looking forward

to it.

They played each other an

awful lot. Back in your day

to it.

They played each other an

awful lot. Back in your day did you

want to place the money was

familiar?

I think both these players

know each other well enough. I think

the dark horses Kyle Wilson. Maybe

wants to play a player coming up and

very enthusiastic and perhaps that

was a problem for Mark Williams

yesterday. After a great win, then

all of a sudden he is

yesterday. After a great win, then

all of a sudden he is opposed to

beat Kyle Wilson. These two players,

they know each other's games and

styles, in some respects they are

pretty similar.

Ken, you called it

yesterday?

I think it'll be close,

6-4, Murphy.

There we go. He's on a

roll! LAUGHTER

Can he get two out of two? More from

Steve and Ken later. The players are

standing by. This is going to be a

cracker, let's join Rob Walker.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

The great thing the Defabet Masters

is every match is good enough to be

a major spinal and that is exactly

the case this afternoon. This is a

rivalry that dates back 11 years. 15

ranking titles between them,

impossible to pick a winner and a

huge sense of anticipation from a

packed house here at Ally Pally!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Please welcome first of all a class

act on and off the baize, winner of

the Masters in 2015, one of his

finest moments in the sport so far.

He is here bidding for a fifth

Masters semifinal, looking to

continue his best season so far.

Four big finals and the reigning

Champion of Champions, Shaun The

Magician Murphy!

APPLAUSE

And here's opponent, arguably the

most exciting player of his

generation, Winnie of eight ranking

titles in and successfully defended

his European Masters crown earlier

this season. Bidding for a hat-trick

of titles at Ally Pally, and with

his own brand of naughty snooker,

the ace of the pack, Judd Trump!

APPLAUSE

welcome to what will be a fantastic

game of snooker live on BBC Two. A

very good afternoon to Stephen

Hendry and John Virgo. COMMENTATOR:

Good afternoon everybody. What a

great match we have in store here.

Both tremendous players. We could be

in for a classic.

Shaun Murphy to

break.

Yes, John, this could be, it could

almost be like watching an

exhibition match, this today. I just

can't see any frames lasting longer

than 20 minutes. I can't see many

safety shots being played. This

could be the match of the

tournament, this one, if both

players play to their ability.

Judd decided to turn that long pot

down, the main reason being he

thought it was a risky pot and

wasn't guaranteed position on the

colour.

Yeah, I mean I think it will be a

terrific encounter if both players

play well. If I could give an edge

in one department, and this might

seem a strange thing to say, Judd's

safety play has improved over the

last couple of seasons and Shaun to

me always struggles a bit on the

safety side. But it will be all

about when you get your chances,

taking them.

Yes, and I think when

you watch Shaun Murphy, no matter

how well he plays, you always sense

he's going to give you chances,

there will always be a careless shot

in there somewhere where you

think...

He's very good at that safety shot,

Judd Trump, using three or four

sides and cushions. OK, a little bit

short in breaching the baulk

cushion, but negotiated the path of

the cue ball very well. Oh... John,

there is an example. Sometimes Shaun

Murphy's careless safety play.

Miss

hit back by a long way. Kissed the

black. Unbelievable.

Not the best shot from Judd, wrong

side of the blue. Ferries on loose

red. Don't know if he feels he has

enough angle to force this cue ball

in between green go to the cluster.

No, playing for the on loose red.

Needed to have a little more pace on

it. But there's always bound to be a

little bit of tension in the arm

first frame.

Scurrying off the bunch here,

hopefully land on black, may be up

for blue.

Beautiful.

Just a very aggressive shot. You

have to have such confidence in your

ability to play those.

And obviously, with Ronnie

O'Sullivan losing yesterday, he is

virtually owned this tournament in

the last few years, all these top

players will be sensing an

opportunity.

Nice touch.

Yes, played that really

well. These two players still left

in it who have won this Masters

title, Shaun Murphy being one of

them, of course, and John Higgins.

But Kyle Wilson, Mark Allen, Judd

Trump, still to add to this great

title to their CV.

Yes, and all very

aggressive players left in the

tournament. Play the game the right

way.

Pretty impressive in his match, Judd

Trump. Without being at his absolute

best. The key to winning these big

events is get better as the

tournament goes on.

This is a shot, such confidence. The

first frame, as you said John, you

might be a bit edgy in the first

frame, but look at that. Incredible

talent, Judd Trump.

talent, Judd Trump.

Now it's very

important he gets a good angle on

the blue here. That was the last of

the loose reds. Maybe a little too

much angle. Now normally we'd say

run into the pink, he wants to avoid

the pink here, just run past the

right-hand side of the pink as we

look. But even then, it's gone

wrong.

May be with slightly less pace...

But that's only being wise after the

event.

The easiest safety shot is off the

red on the right-hand cushion but no

way he's going to play that.

Take the cue ball somewhere behind

the green on the baulk cushion.

Of course, Trump got 49 and opened

the reds, but now if Shaun Murphy

was to get the next chance then he

wouldn't have a lot to do.

wouldn't have a lot to do.

Yes, I

think the first shot Judd Trump

played, perhaps a little weary of

Shaun Murphy's long game. Decided to

play a bit more of a containing

safety today.

safety today. Definitely in the top

two or three in the world, Shaun

Murphy, consistently getting long

pot. Everyone on their day can be

brilliant, that day in and day out,

so strong in that department.

Well, that's worked out OK for Judd.

Possibly a red that will pot, the

one immediately between the black

and pink, a thin cut. He's caught

that much to send, not settled yet,

Shaun. -- he caught that much to

thin.

Played that with a lot of left-hand

side, just to check the cue ball up

and couldn't have played it any

better. This red will cut back into

the left corner.

Well, he caught it much too thick

and this is a chance for Judd. If he

knocks in this long red, you would

think it would be a frame clincher.

Judd Trump is never as comfortable

when he's rolling balls in. Always

prefers to be screwing the cue ball

up, punching the cue ball.

Yes, he

missed that by a long way and he is

fortunate to have left the cue ball

near the side cushion. You can see

the way the reds are now, if Shaun

was to get the next opportunity, we

could well have a new favourite for

this frame. That 49 points will

count for nothing. Cushion first

probably here. Kicking the red up

the table. He's got a good cue ball.

Wasn't guaranteed to have a good cue

ball, mind, but close to the cushion

so nothing easy for Judd to go out.

He can pot this red to the corner...

Now, which is the more risky, the

pot or the safety? Taking the pot

on. Don't blame him.

But once again, a long way away. And

now Shaun Murphy gets his

opportunity.

Come on, Shaun!

Won't

be playing the one to the left

corner, he's hampered, but he's got

on to the right middle and on to the

right corner.

It's amazing, this game, isn't it?

It's amazing. He's just not settled.

He's just not settled yet. He played

it at that pace because he didn't

expect to it the red in the

right-hand pocket.

Amazed at this, Stephen

Yes, this is

a very defensive shot. The shot

Shaun Murphy played, if it straight,

surely you play the one above the

black instead. Maybe the two long

balls that Judd missed by a long way

has put him of taking on another

one.

Fair comment, that can only be

the reason is because with the cue

ball-in-hand he could have elected

to go for the red, which you feel if

Judd pots the next red, he will win

the frame. He's already had one

scare. I'm certain he went back to

his

his seat feeling that when he left

Shaun the chance.

I don't think he was too bothered

about getting the cue ball back to

baulk. The important thing was just

not getting the double-kiss on

leaving a red on.

leaving a red on. 53 point lead,

Judd Trump, but plenty of reds

available. A long way to go to the

winning post.

A bit disappointed with that one.

Now, Shaun's had a couple of goes,

one with a safety and one with a cut

and has cut them too thin. If he

catches this just right... A chance

now to get right back in the frame.

APPLAUSE

Black looks to be the ball to play

and if you are going to play the

black, you might as well play the

cannon and try to bring these four

reds into play.

It was a big shot. It was the right

shot. He knew if he missed it it was

probably going to cost him the

frame. Sometimes they're the risks

you have to take at this level.

you have to take at this level.

He's

had two half chances, Shaun, to get

back into this frame, but he will be

lucky to get another one.

lucky to get another one. 59 points

the lead, so just looking for this

red. This red will put him 60 ahead

with 59 remaining. -- 67 ahead with

59 remaining.

He cute but nicely -- he cued that

nicely. A little bit of an

exhibition shot here, pot the black

and come off the cushion. Well, he

didn't play to cannon the yellow.

APPLAUSE

He's on the green, nicely for a

left-hander.

So you would say that Judd Trump has

certainly settled the better of the

two players, judging on this opening

frame. The only thing that will

concern Judd slightly if he had a

couple of long pots and missed them

by quite a distance. As I say, just

a few exhibition shots, which is

what you want... APPLAUSE

A little smile from both players,

nice to see. Shaun Murphy couldn't

settle at all in that first frame.

Judd Trump, in the end, got the job

done. He leads 1-0. We've

there before, that ping could have

ended up anywhere. Either way, if

you want to get in touch with us

this afternoon on social media, do

get in touch. A very special guest

at the interval, Mark Allen, will

come to talk to Steve. If you have

any questions or comments to Ken or

Steve, we'd love to hear from you.

Good start from Judd Trump?

Yes,

moved a couple of long balls which

will unnerve him a bit but he had

the tenacity to play, when he had

the ball-in-hand, to play good

telling safety shot. He settled of

the two. I don't think we will have

too many safety shots today. I think

there will be some fantastic

potting.

Important to get a good

start question that it is.

Perhaps

that's why Judd Trump turned down

the red the lads were talking about.

He could have Mr and Patsy was

trying to make Shaun Murphy make the

mistake from safety. As it turned

out, it was a mistake from the

black. This shot here from Judd

Trump, he could have played the long

red

Trump, he could have played the long

red and you would expect in tips,

but trying to keep the heat on Shaun

Murphy in the first frame with a

decent lead. Nothing wrong with that

at all.

We talk of his experience

now. A couple of years ago he would

have taken it on in the blink of an

eye.

Absolutely.

have taken it on in the blink of an

eye.

Absolutely.

He is learning all

the time, and that's what he has to

bring into his game. Sometimes he

goes for that one too many and it

has cost him a lot of frames, a lot

of matches over the years.

That's

the fascinating thing about snooker

opposed to some of the other games

out there like 9-ball or to demand.

Depending upon the scoreline in

snooker, there are different shots

to be played.

Judd Trump has a 1-0

lead. Back to Stephen Hendry and

John Virgo.

Decent break-off shot from Judd. Any

break-off shot nowadays where you

don't leave a pot on, you'd be happy

with.

Another example of that safety shot

that Judd likes to play around the

angles of the table.

I agree with you, he does like to

play it. But you play it with side.

If the cue ball is tight to the

cushion, it's not a shot you can

play.

That is why Shaun needs to get a

good length with the safety whenever

possible.

This is a careless one. OK. Shaun is

hampered by the yellow. That might

be a reason for not taking a red

tonne the right corner.

tonne the right corner.

He wouldn't

blink an eye on taking this on

normally. But he is still looking at

it, so he must have a free enough

cue action. Beautiful. Beautiful

cue.

And fully committed.

He didn't hit it too hard. Knew he

didn't have to do too much with the

cue ball to get a position on the

colour. So the careless safety from

Judd could cost him. It could cost

him the frame.

Just a case now of which he fancies.

It's risking for the black or coming

back for the pink or the blue.

I know he's only played one match

before this but he's yet to miss a

shot at 9 tournament with the rest.

-- shot at the tournament with the

rest.

He will really want to punish Judd

Trump for that poor safety shot. He

can win this frame if one visit.

Trying to... It's just so careless

to hit the yellow.

Still not in a position to play for

the black. It is the red to the

right of the black that's putting

him off.

He could not have put that better

with his hand. Inch-perfect.

It look as lovely angle to stun

across. He may not need to, he could

canon the red to the black. But low

into the black going into the bunch.

Not too much pace, he wantsdz to

leave the red to the right corner.

It's a small canon. But look at the

target now to hit if you get the

right angle on the black.

Possibly a couple of reds available

but it's a big target.

Two reds available to the right

corner. That's what he'll play for

this time.

There maybe one on the right-hand

edge of the cluster that goes to the

left corner.

It could be better and it certainly

looks as though he's settled in now.

He looked edgy in the first frame

but making this contribution now

with no problems whatsoever.

That was a lovely little shot on the

black there. It looked simple but

just a dab on the right-hand side to

put herself perfectly on the red.

He plays at a great pace, Shaun

Murphy. Although is that the end of

break? A thin cut.

.

A little bit unlucky, you would

have to say. But when he's on the

ball he plays at great pace.

Great recovery.

Probably not leaving

anything but he still needed potting

and he finished nicely on the black.

Nicely on the black! He misses it!

Well. Almost a mirror image of the

last frame. Judd Trump going first,

made a break of 49. And Shaun had

chances to pinch that frame. The

same applies here. Although that is

a bad decision, for me.

That's a shocker, it really is.

He shouldn't have left himself

hampered there.

I don't understand why he is

bringing the cue ball back the way.

A very strange shot. OK there is

every chance he can still pot this

black. But look where the cue ball

is now.

is now. He will be fuming inside,

Judd Trump.

He can pot the red but can he avoid

the kiss on the brown? He couldn't

avoid the kiss on the brown and he

couldn't pot the red, so. Boy, he

let a good chance there to pinch

frame, go. A shake of the head shows

you he's annoyed.

That

his intended there. Judd having a

look to the red immediately below

the pink.

This one does cut. It's a thin one.

He concentrated on getting a good

cue ball, which he's done.

This

good shot.

He needs to avoid the kiss on the

second red. That's probably why he

overcut it.

Using the cue power there. He was

hoping that the red would go in. But

the intention was to screw back to

the cushion. He made a good job of

that. But this red does pot.

This red goes on. Possibly finishing

on the pink. A little unlucky. He

didn't want the red in the middle of

the pocket, which is maybe why he's

not finished on the pink. Can he go

thin off the pink? Behind the brown?

That's the shot he'll play if he

can. Wafer thin on the pink...

It gives him the advantage in the

frame. OK he may be 43 points behind

but Shaun will do well here not to

leave a chance.

leave a chance. I'm thinking he can

come past the middle pocket and

nestle on the red to the corn

pocket.

Maybe the red is in the way.

Nice hit.

Nice hit but I think he may have

left something here.

Well if he did it didn't matter.

Yes, slowly but surely he is moving

the reds into open play. If he gets

an opportunity it will be a good

one.

It's a similar type of shot that he

played before. He flicked the red

thin, I thought he could have left

the red near the black specialty

he's playing it again but he needs

to nestle on this... He is playing

it with pace, trying to get back up

the table.

I don't know about that as a shot.

No. It was asking a lot. Well, if

Judd can pot the red and guide the

cue ball back to the middle of the

table, then I suggest he plays it

but if he can't, then he will have

it replaced. He thinks he can get on

the pink.

Well he found a path. It's not ideal

by any means. A tough yellow. It

looks to be the ball we are getting

back to this end of the table.

Yeah

it looked like he was making sure of

the pot, almost. Concentrating on

that, he didn't really think about

the cue ball. Surely he would have

played a lot harder to ensure he was

on the brown at least. But that's a

pretty good shot on the yellow. And

this is a nice red. The cue ball

just travelled an extra couple of

inches. I thought it would be on the

red to the left corner but a great

pot on the yellow from underneath

the cushion.

Second chance to pinch this frame.

Yes and this would hurt Shaun

Murphy. Whenever digging down you

really have to find the middle of

the cue ball. He did that there. Of

course this red closest to the left

corner is the one he wants to get

rid of, it makes the black

available.

available. . It is frames like this

that can really turn matches.

Yeah,

absolutely. When you have two top

players. It's hard to pick a winner.

It is the frames you win that you

shouldn't have that sometimes decide

the outcome of the match.

the outcome of the match. So much

action on the cue ball there and so

little effort.

Possibly watching the two players

that get more cue power on the ball

than anyone else. And possibly

Ronnie O'Sullivan. It is effortless

as well.

A nice hang on the red. Just a stun

to the top cushion.

A good shot that. He can bring the

cue ball out from the red.

A nice angle on the red. If he pots

it, it will be nicely on the black.

And now the frame is at his mercy.

You feel that a left-handed player,

and it's not easy to get on the

yellow. A lot more margin for error

for a left-hander.

Nearly finished up with the perfect

angle on the blue and now Shaun is

having to sit and suffer this one

out. And in goes the pink.

A break of 52.

Judd Trump got his chance and took

it. He now leads 2-0.

Judd Trump got his chance and took

it. He now leads 2-0.

A tremendous start by Judd Trump.

Thank you very much for the tweets

coming in.

coming in. Use the hashtag to tweet

to us.

If you want to shout out on

television, we don't want to get too

busy with them but we are going to

say hello to Nick Allett. He is in

hospital with his partner, she has

cystic fibrosis, and is in for ten

day, would you say hello to her,

Hannah, it would make her day. Hello

Hannah.

And the balls, we have seen

fantastic breaks in the tournament.

In that frame, though, the balls are

moving in mysterious ways?

They are.

You get action on the ball,

especially Judd Trump, he is such a

prolific talent. Great action on the

play. And Shaun Murphy as well. He

hits it softly but gets so much.

A

massive frame that. Shaun Murphy

looking like he was in full flow. A

great recovery red after being

unlucky with the split of the balls.

A great red. And this cue ball, he

would have loved to have seen it

come off the cushion another two or

three inches more and then the

plaque is unmissable. But playing

the black off the side cushion, the

cue ball is close enough it makes

the black not certain. A decent

effort but he wobbled it and then of

course Judd got back into the game.

It could easily have been 11-1.

And we -- 1-16789

And we have seen a few of them?

Yes.

Sometimes, you just have to be able

to pot them off the cushions. Shaun

a usually good at that but that was

a tricky one for him.

Here we go. You get the feeling that

Shaun Murphy needs to get this

frame. This is a crucial frame.

Shaun Murphy needs to get this

frame. This is a crucial frame.

I think the next two are crucial to

Shaun. You don't want to let someone

like Judd Trump get too far in

front. Then he will relax and could

really turn on turbo.

Very close. Now has he left it?

Very close. Now has he left it? I

think he can see enough of this to

cut it to the right middle.

If he could see the pot, I

understand why he played the cue

ball in and out of the bulk.

Again, interest's the example. He's

not played it well this time. But...

What a bones!

What a bones! -- bonus!

Yes, a hand

up to apologise, look looking at it

again but when you get a run of

ball, you have to take advantage of

it. It can soon change as we have

seen in many matches.

Very well played. It's a bounce yet

he's on it.

He can't play for the black now. Of

course the blue is blocking the

pocket for the green. Oh, well, and

he was thinking about everything but

the pot. Schoolboy error.

It's a similar type of shot that

Shaun had in the last frame. No that

close to the cushion but just enough

you don't get your hand on the

table. It just make it is a little

bit trickier but he should have

potted that.

Oh, that's great from Shaun.

But while it maybe a red, just

sticking out on the red of the

cluster that will go to the left

corner, he... There it is, he just

has to adjust the pace right. He's

got a good line. He's OK. He's on

the one below the black spot. He'll

settle for that.

Can he drop it in and hope for the

black?

I am like you, I thought he could

have played that dead weight for the

black. Maybe a touch of drag on the

cue ball.

It was almost slow motion, that,

wasn't?! I remember the first few

days when they had the flies on the

table they were gently trying to

pick them up by the wing. Not

anymore - it's the thump behind the

neck!

neck! Judd was fortunate no to leave

anything easy here. You can see he

has the red to the corner but where

the position on the colour comes

from, you wouldn't know. And after

such a poor safety, he could have

left something a lot easier than

this.

Can he get to this red in the left

middle? If he's going to go for it,

make sure you get the pot and play

the next shot.

He trusted to luck and he got none.

A good pot. But this game of snooker

has never been anything different.

Sometimes it like the balls never

forgive you. I think he can hit the

black but if he can't get back to

the ball, then where is the value in

it?

it? I suppose if he can get to the

edge of it and dropped cue ball near

the top cushion.

If he can put the cue ball somewhere

near that circle. If he nominates

another colour, he will have to be

playing it. It will be... I think he

can get through to the black.

It looks like he could hit an edge

of it. You never know. Anyway, he's

nominated brown. He might need

another go.

That's a long way away.

You wouldn't think it possible for

him not to be able to hit the black.

So a very delicate replacing of the

cue ball is required. Of course we

will check whether he had a path to

the black. If he can hit the edge of

the black I don't see why he can't

get this cue ball back to the top

cushion.

cushion. He has said he doesn't

think he can hit the black

fourball... Well, he's decided that

the line he took for the brown, hit

the yellow, can he play the same

shot again? No.

shot again? No.

It's putting the cue

ball somewhere near the right

pocket, is that safe?

It seems he

can do it. He said he couldn't hit

the black full ball. But if he can't

hit it full ball, he must be able to

hit half of it, surely? Then play

the cue ball back to the cushion. It

would be reasonably safe, you would

have thought? Well, he's had a go at

the brown and hit the yellow. Then

thought, the line he is going, he

will hit the yellow but nominated it

and then nearly hit the brown. It's

decision time. We're going back to

brown! Good line. A better line.

But not quite there.

These points are adding up.

What's going to be time, yellow?

Hang on...

And the other thing to

remember here, and he can hit the

black, but I think the point Shaun

was making, because he can't hit the

black fourball, if you could do

that, eventually he would have to

play the black, wouldn't he?

And again, just needs a little more

right-hand side.

right-hand side. No.

Foul and a

miss.

A bit of a groan from the

audience, but that's not going to

affect the referee's decision,

folks.

And nestles town to a little

indentation, where he is striking

down, hitting the cue ball.

down, hitting the cue ball.

It looks

definitely from that angle he can

hit it half ball. It's all happening

now!

A delicate job.

LAUGHTER

You've got to be having a laugh.

You've got to be having a laugh. It

is important for sure because he's

having to readjust slightly. At the

moment he's trying to play it with a

trace of right-hand side.

I just can't get it touching.

Obviously it was touching the red...

Because Shaun has been striking

down, there would be a little

indentation in the cloth, which the

cue ball keeps rocking back to. Of

course, if he's not touching, you'll

be able to see the black quite

comfortably.

Yes, you good?

CHUCKLES

APPLAUSE

One person who will be hoping Shaun

gets it this time is the referee!

Yellow ball.

Good choice. Good

choice! APPLAUSE

The referee will be over the moon,

and Shaun's not too disappointed,

either!

It could be another Judd Trump

special here.

LAUGHTER

Don't normally do that with flies! I

know you don't like them, Steven

Hendrick, that there was a wasp in

the arena the other day.

That is the

same one!

It's on the floor.

It's gone now!

APPLAUSE

Probably his brother! A little bit

off-putting for Judd fair, in all

honesty. Maybe Judd should have just

taken a step back. Yeah, there's

another one.

It's not that one any

more, I guarantee you that.

LAUGHTER

Yeah, it was a wasp.

Anyway, it's not the easiest of

chance, but... Using the rest. You

have do fancy him to pot it, he does

not miss many with the rest. Well...

Commentator's curse!

Yes, getting

out the snooker and then trying to

kill that wasp, I think the

concentration has gone.

He didn't intend for the red to run

into the blue and his left date pot

on this red. Tight onto the cushion,

hard to see where the colour comes

from.

What a wonderful shot!

Just got into it a bit too much. Is

there a gap between the red and the

black? Not quite. I can't see

anything else he can pot.

He's having a look.

No, can't see anything. Unless

there's a gap between and blue,

which gives him an edge of a red.

Doesn't look like it from here.

Well, there was the edge, but not

enough to pot it.

APPLAUSE

Knocked the red to the corner, needs

the cover, needs a cover. Got one. A

little bit fortunate. You could not

risk knocking for red towards the

corner pocket. As it happens, the

brown has come to his rescue.

And the green has come to Shaun's.

But this one is probably more

telling, this safety shot.

Particularly if he can't get past

the blue.

the blue. Well, he can, but can he

cover the path to the red near the

right corner? Cue ball needs to

travel.

Another trademark Judd Trump safety

round the angles. It's left this

red. A good chance the Rhodes are

pretty much out in the open now.

APPLAUSE

-- the reds are pretty much out in

the open now.

It's not been the type of frame I

expected in this match from these

two, but they all count. An

important one for Shaun Murphy to

get back into this match.

This red will make the points all

square.

square. No real tricky balls to stop

him. This is a great chance now. And

the way the first two friends, and

particularly the last one, you feel

he desperately needs this one. --

the first two frames.

Have to play for the pink to the

left middle now. When you play these

type of shots, you don't want to

leave yourself too straight. Decides

to play the run-through. With the

red being in the baulk end, he felt

he had a bit more margin of error on

the blue.

And now leaving himself on this red,

he can get the black back on its

spot.

Decided he'd played back for the

pink. I thought he'd played for the

black because the red that's just

left of the Blackwood, available.

The black would only have been

available to one corner, but that

shouldn't have been a problem.

Anyway, it's as he sees it.

He's got that cue ball running loose

at the moment, but it's OK, pot the

blue, as long as he avoids the kiss

on the yellow it should be OK.

32 points the lead. Still looking

for three more reds.

So not an absolute formality.

He played that quite nicely but he

can miss this red...

The cue ball just bounced off...

Just an inch too far to make that a

comfortable red.

And I will go back,

I know people have their choices to

make, but I don't understand why he

didn't play for the black earlier on

in fact break. Just get the black

back on its spot. It gives the frame

a bit more normality.

Yes, and when

he played the blue for the red I

thought he could have played pink

for the red he just missed. He had a

lovely angle for the pink to drop on

it. So, sometimes a sign of maybe

not completely relaxed or

concentrating properly when you play

the wrong shots. You don't see the

right shots. Sometimes you try and

take the easy way out.

Yeah, and it

caught up with him in the end. I

think you're absolutely right,

Stephen. But this is tricky, though.

APPLAUSE

Didn't pot the blue cleanly, that's

why the cue ball has come up about a

foot short.

Just going off the left

jaw there. Again, makes this red

missable. I don't expect him to...

Looks to have a nice angle to play

for the red into the same pocket,

off the black.

Just doesn't want to be straight.

Doesn't want to be straight. Might

just have an angle but this has to

be played at pace now to come off

three cushions.

Doesn't have to risk

it, could just roll it in and played

the snooker.

He's right back in the frame.

Good shot.

Paddon angle to drop some

are close to the yellow. Great pot

on the black, screw the cue ball in

behind the brown here.

The yellow made contact with the

blue.

Now, obviously, the snooker 's

may harbour because in the middle of

the table, so much more difficult to

get safe. -- the snookers may get

harder.

Just nine ahead now, Shaun.

When you think back to the points he

gave away early in this frame, they

all count up at the end. He missed

it. It was the pace that did it.

There's no way that Judd is not

going to have this replaced.

Yes?

I

think it's OK, he's laughing, but I

think the pink was on the spot. I

think the black was on its spot and

those are the only two balls that

moved. So quite an easy replacement

job for the referee. Now, let's have

a look where it was, that's where it

was, and that's where it is now.

That looks absolutely perfect.

Looks good to me.

OK?

There's a look at where was and

where is now. That absolutely

perfect. So, he's hitting and hoping

for the best that he can get it

safe.

Hoping for the best... Where's the

cue ball? The black got in the way.

That cue ball is going towards the

corner pocket but Shaun has got it

safe and that was the main thing as

far as he was concerned. Look at the

cue ball here. It was heading

straight for that corner pocket. But

the black intervened.

Poor safety from Judd, poor safety,

and that's probably going to cost

him the frame. So, Shaun Murphy gets

a chance to put his first frame on

the scoreboard.

LAUGHTER

Yes, three people decided to leave

the arena just as he gets on this

very important chance. APPLAUSE

Eight points, the lead. Just brown

and blue needed.

All three of these frames could have

gone either way, really.

Not what I

expected from these two. Yet to

catch fire, if you like. It's been

pretty nervy.

He will want to make certain of

this. Just one snooker needed at the

moment. He will be mightily

relieved, Shaun Murphy. It could

have been 3-0 but Shaun will be

delighted, he has a frame on the

scoreboard. Judd Trump leads to-

one. -- 2-1.

That was very much a vital frame for

Shaun Murphy as we said. We've had

the fly and Shaun just looked up to

our studio and are said to me, it's

a wasp that is flying around as

well. Obviously he will be buzzing

after winning that.

He certainly

will be. That's terrible, isn't it?!

He needed to get a frame on the

board and settle down. He hasn't

looked himself, not playing as well

as he did in his first match. A

chance to Judd to go 3-0 up but much

better from Shaun Murphy.

Yes, Judd

looked like he was clawing his way

back in. But

looked like he was clawing his way

back in. But for that clip on the

brown he would have been on the

yellow and in the end it was this

clip on the brown, again this time

the yellow that destroyed the safety

shot. He really shouldn't be hitting

the brown of that one vision but I

think it probably

the brown of that one vision but I

think it probably was hoping it

would go round the back of the

brown.

At the various championships

we've been out we say sometimes the

decision-making from Judd, a

especially at moments like that, can

be a bit rash.

He can count himself

a bit unlucky. He had Shaun Murphy

in trouble when he had an snookered

behind the brown, Shaun got out of

it, got safe and eventually led to

him making a mistake. He has shown a

lot more desire, Judd. He's

tightened up his safety a little bit

and can count himself a little

unlucky, because he made some

wonderful pots in that frame.

Just

before we hand back, don't want to

give them too much air time, but

three people deciding to leave the

arena at that crucial moment.

You

can only assume that they

arena at that crucial moment.

You

can only assume that they thought

that frame is over because Shaun was

looking like he was going to pot the

balls. But it's hardly what you

want. Bad etiquette, in some

respects. I don't suppose three of

them at the same time needed to go

to the toilet.

Shaun was not happy.

Never mind, Shaun won that frame.

Judd Trump leads to- one.

COMMENTATOR: Decent break off, from

Judd. Trying to come off two

cushions here. To nestle into.

Played it nicely. Could be a

touching ball, though.

Touching

ball.

Which makes it a nice easy

path back to the baulk end for Judd.

And he's made a good job of it.

Not an option to come off the right

side and nestling because there is

one sticking out. May have to play a

similar shot to the one before, side

cushion, top cushion and nestle it

into the back of the cluster.

Once again judged it well and once

again looks like touching ball.

Touching ball.

Needs to miss the brown. A bit

loose.

Decent, just a bit short of pace. It

shows you the

shows you the difference, how much

better the safety can be. Judd can

possibly get round the brown to this

red. I think he could but... Foul

and a miss. He missed it.

Shaun

Murphy, four.

This red on the

right-hand side of the table could

tempt Shaun. No, not doing. You

wouldn't expect Judd to miss it this

time round.

Can you bring it up, please?

The line is good?

Marcel is doing the guiding. As I

say, you wouldn't expect Judd to

miss it again.

APPLAUSE

Played it well.

Quite a decent target, that yellow

and brown, to getting behind. He

could play off four cushions or just

the two cushions.

That's pretty good.

The main thing was to cover this

right-hand side off the table, as we

look down.

P Well you think if he can just

nestle on the red. He doesn't want

to run across the face of it.

The only problem is, if he's left a

slight angle, he could be tempted to

roll this in and putically finish on

the black.

Keeping an eye out for the wwasp.

What happened to the old DDT, that

they used to have? The old spray

can? They didn't have that anymore.

I would be out of there, John.

I know you have a fear of wasps.

Mind you don't hit the table with

your cue, Shaun. Break the cue in

half.

I'm going to get it!

Go on, Shaun!

For those of you who have just

joined us, this isn't a baseball

match.

Someone had come out of the

audience, and thought he could do

the trick. But obviously not a wasp

expert!

On a more serious note, if the wasp

was to sting you...

I think we're

safe for the time being.

Are we? I don't know.

He's back!

Welcome to life at The

Masters.

Well I suggest he gets this red

along the top cushion. Shaun's had a

look at it. He doesn't think it is

too risky.

There's the cue ball going. Mighty

close to the corner.

Not putting any real pressure on

Judd Trump here to play a better

safety.

Not the best effort from Judd.

I think both players at the moment,

with all that's happening are losing

their focus, slightly.

Foul. Miss.

This looks a better safety.

APPLAUSE

And it certainly is. An easy escape

route off the left-hand side

cushion. Nestled on the red near the

top cushion. But we saw before when

Judd played a similar shot he left

half a chance for Shaun but he

refused. So you have to make this

red right otherwise you could leave

a possible pot-on. But just right.

I think the concentration level now

has really dropped.

I'm not quite certain was Judd was

traying there. This red possibly

past the blue into the far corner?

Whatever, he's missed it by a long

way.

Obviously this is not a chance to

score a lot of points. Possibly of

pots are available. Possibly to the

left corner.

It's sometimes hard to keep your

focus when you come to the table

with a chance like this. You know

there is no real future in the

break.

A little bit of luck there to be

fair. The blue is available to the

left corner.

Good shot.

You have to dig down on this cue

ball. It makes this red missable.

He could choose to take the cue ball

over the pink spot into the reds

here.

Possibly a little too much

angle on the blue. But it's on.

Good shot. Now he's slowly creating

chances. He's doing ever so well

here.

That was a bonus. I thought in the

red in the middle of the table was

stopping him getting close to the

pink. But he got past it and is near

to the pink.

I, like you, thought he would do

well to get 20 here, now, all of a

sudden, I'm not saying he can win

the frame at this visit but he's a

chance!

Well maybe give him the benefit of

the doubt and say that was possibly

a heavy contact. If not it's a poor

shot.

Let's see in the pink leaves the

table. It definitely does.

He is obviously still on the red. He

is coming around to look at the

potting angle.

Again, the three reds to the

Again, the three reds to the left of

the pink, that looks like a natural

anning toll go into those.

anning toll go into those. Those --

natural angle to go into those.

It's not a guaranteed position.

That's why he's not entirely happy

doing it.

I think he was hoping that something

went right there.

This red, obviously, cuts down the

left-hand side cushion.

And he just about held that for the

black.

Now is there value coming off the

top cushion? Will it release the

black spot? And will he still be on

the red? Decision time.

the red? Decision time.

No, he's

overcut the black. Like you, John, I

think he should have played a

positive shot and played at more

pace. Take the reds completeliway

from the black spot.

Amazingly, it's been 21 minutes

since Judd Trump has potted a ball.

It's there.

Now deciding if he prefers the

black. I'm not certain exactly where

the pink spot is.

He's played this well.

He's played this well. I'm surprised

he didn't play for the pink and then

this red. But obviously you see it a

lot better when you're down at the

floor. At the table. Newel of these

reds, once again, seem to be

covering one another. Unless the

right-hand one of the three goes. He

decided to play the canon. Perfect.

It worked out perfect.

Yet, Shaun Murphy had the

opportunity to play this shot and

refused it.

A choice of reds. I think he'd like

to play the one on the left corner

to release the pink.

But he thinks this is easier to get

into position.

Surely he played for the blue?

If he's dead straight on the black,

he'll play it off the cue ball.

To the left-hand corner. It wasn't

straight. But it's still OK.

He didn't get the best contact and

again potted the black in the

left-hand side of the pocket.

Again... They're not going in

cleanly but they're in.

I think this has been, or summed up

the match so far for me, both

players look a little bit edgy.

No fireworks by any stretch. It's

been disappointing, really, you

would have to say. With the two

players we've not here today,

disappointing.

Maybe there is that little thought

as we were talking earlier, Ronnie

going out...

The expectation, yes.

Yes, possibly both players thinking

if they can just win this match it

could be an opportunity.

You can't afford to think ahead,

though.

No. You have to stay in the moment.

But this is a golden opportunity for

Judd. Sieve points in front. These

reds with high-value colours, he

wouldn't need the awkward yellow.

I don't know why he played for the

pink on the last red before. He

looked as if he could a played for

the black. But he's playing that

nicely.

Perfectly, in fact. So this black

and the red to get to what He

requires.

It he is coming straight on it. A

bit careless. He should have had an

angle so he could have played on the

black.

APPLAUSE

He doesn't need to overthink this.

Just drop the black tonne the side

cushion.

This frame is not over yet.

He needs to cover. The only thing

about this, he is hampered by the

pink. It makes the pot on the yellow

more difficult. He could cue past

the pink.

It could have been a lot more

difficult.

Well, it's certainly not been

vintage.

But that was! That was! Look at the

cue ball coming back down for the

blue. Wonderful cueing.

I was going to say, it's not been

vintage but 3-1 in.front, the

mid-session interval, Judd Trump

will be happy.

Yeah, wasp-gate and everything.

Yes, and a 3-1 advantage is a good

one to take to the interval. A

little bit of naughty snooker here.

Oh! Very naughty! Where's the cue

ball gone? ! Judd Trump, he won't

mind that. He leads Shaun Murphy at

the mid-session interval by 3-1.

mind that. He leads Shaun Murphy at

the mid-session interval by 3-1.

As they head off to the interval,

the last two times they met it was

3-1, especially in the Hong Kong

Masters.

He went on to win that, Judd, 5-3.

What you have seen, is Judd the

favourite?

I would not say that. The

sweetest thing for him, he has not

played well and he is leading still.

Shaun Murphy, is a different player

than he was yesterday. He has not

got going. I know that the

concentration with the fly but his

concentration is not there today.

Weapon Ken is right. There is

something up with Shaun. It is all

very well to talk about the wasp but

he has not been himself, has he?

It

is how you get off to the start of

the match. Sometimes you settle down

quicker than others. That is why the

interval is the respite you need.

But we have different opinions, I

think that Judd is playing quite

sharp. But for one of the frames

where he nearly cleared up, then

with the yellow in the bottom

cushion, I thought he could have

nicked the last three flame frames,

he has nicked two of them. I know it

has not been hundred, hundred,

hundred but importantly, when you

get a chance to clear up, you do. He

has been effective. But we are

judging by high margins.

You are right. We have been treated

to a lot of fantastic

break-building. Maybe we have to

value what is at steak here. Do you

go along with Steven's assessment?

I

think he is right. It is more

match-play snooker than what you

expect from the two players. They

are such great builders and long put

success. It just hasn't, it is not

the fluid game we are used to seeing

with these two. But you must be able

to play both games.

It doesn't help

if there a things flying around. It

is off-putting. Bad enough people

walking about, opening packets of

crisps. But flies, it is unnerving.

If it is a wasp and you don't like

them, that is worse.

I was trying to match my brains with

an event where a fly or a wasp

invade the arena. Have you ever had

one of those stories?

Going back in

history, Dough Mountjoy, the old

player playing in the amateur Welsh

championships, I think it was Dough

Mountjoy's Fly. It put his opponent

off and he went on to win the Welsh

Professional.

If you know, get in touch. There

will be someone who knows about that

story.

I remember once, there was a leak in

the roof. The rain was dripping on

to the table. It stopped the play.

The wasp is thinking "what am I

doing in The Masters?"

Right, you

are talking to Mark Allen shortly.

If you want questions to Mark Allen,

put it in the queue and get in touch

with the hashtag BBC snooker. We are

looking forward to tonight's match.

Live at 7.00pm on BBC Two. It is

Ryan Day taking on John Higgins.

Four times world champion, four

times number one ranked player in

the world.

the world. Now into his 40s but

still winning snooker events. What a

legend.

That is what it is. He has given me

some serious beatings down the line.

He was always my nemesis when I was

creeping through the game. Every

time I got to a personal best, I

would run into John.

He is one of the greatest match

players of all time. Technically he

is brilliant. Perhaps one of the

best for all time for clearing up

under pressure when he needs to. If

you think of one player clearing up

under pressure, you automatically

think of John Higgins. He has done

it time and time again.

I'm still waiting for him to play

the wrong shot?! Are you? Before he

retires I hope he chucks one in. I

am still waiting.

He has a smooth cue action.

Sometimes he felt it long, so he

shortened things up a bit, a

slightly shorter cue and bridge but

I noticed he never messed with the

pace around the table. It is the

same. Not fast, not slow but looking

at the shot clocks, he is getting on

with it all the time.

I think he has a very finally tuned

snooker brain. He knows what to do

instinctively. He plays the right

shot all the time. He is never far

away from what he intended to play.

He makes the game look ridiculousy

straightforward and he can tie-up in

knots.

The incredible thing about John, he

has destroyed every other top player

in the game. Annihilated them. You

must be a special talent to do that

against one of the best in the

world. He has done it throughout his

career.

If you are critical, sometimes he

takes his finger off the pulse, not

practiced as hard but he is always

getting back on the treadmill.

He

has time to spend time with the

family. To enjoy his life as a

legendary sports person.

If you said can he win another World

Championship? I think he is capable

into his 40s.

Without question.

Without a doubt.

Yeah, incredibly, 12 years ago when

John Higgins last won the Masters?

Yes, against some Ronnie O'Sullivan.

I think that the guys are right. He

is a type of player, if the balls

are there for a pressure clearance,

you uncount on John to make it most

of the time. A fantastic player over

the years. Still going strong. One

of the hardest match players I've

played in the game and possibly one

of the best match players in the

game.

Given Ronnie's comments about the

three people he believe can close

the major tournaments, himself,

naturally, and Mark Selby and John

Higgins. Selby is out. Does that

make John the most feared player out

there?

I think he is the most

respected of them all. The amount of

tournaments he has won and he is

such a tough match player. He is one

of the favourites. But there are a

lot of players left in it. But he is

one of the hardest men to play. He

plays all the right shots. He plays

tactically and technically, and when

you are playing that type of an

animal, it is hard to break down.

Well, he is playing Ryan rareness

but tonight, will the Welsh dragon

roar?

roar? Ryan Day was porn on the 23rd

of March, Bridgend.

His nickname is

Dynamite Day.

His younger brother

has played for the Welsh team.

He made the first 147 of his career

in the 2014 Open.

Ryan is married to

Lindsey, they have two durings.

His first appearance in a ranking

final was at the 2007 Malta Cup.

The

first ranking this year came at the

Riga Masters, beating Steven McGuire

in the final.

It was his first win in five final

appearances.

Ryan has made over 300

cent rebreaks as a professional in

his career.

Well, it certainly would be a

beautiful day for Wales and for Ryan

if he can make it through.

Yeah, it will be a tough match for

him. But I think that Ryan Day, this

year, he has been a different

player. Since winning the first

ranking tournament in Riga at the

beginning of the season, it has

given him an extra air of confidence

it is important for playing here,

especially against someone like John

Higgins.

Join us here. We are live for an

hour at 7.00pm. Then on to the Red

Button and then catch up with the

day's play with the quarterfinal

highlights at 11.05pm. A big thank

you for getting in touch today. Lots

of questions for Mark Allen. He is

with us now, I'm delighted to say.

He is with Steve.

Down in the Cue Zone. This area is

fantastic for the snooker fans. It

is great to have Mark Allen here.

Congratulations on your third

semifinal. Looking forward to going

one or two further?

Yes, looking

forward to it on the back of two

wins. But not getting carried away,

there are still tough opponents

there for more.

And a question here. Was the TV

major better, or did a game top

that?

I would not say it was my

best. I played Steven Lee and played

as well as I could and beat him

10-1. That is what I will remember.

A question if David Purnell: If you

can play a frame of snooker with a

player, past or present, I presume

past, who would it be and why?

Are

being from Northern Ireland I would

say Higgins. He was a hero growing

up. He did wonneders for the

Northern Ireland snooker. I never

got to play him. That is something

that I will look back and regret.

I loved playing him. He was

fantastic. The crowd was great as

well.

He brought a different crowd with

him. He did wonders for the game.

Is there a shortage of snooker

Is there a shortage of snooker clubs

in Northern Ireland? Not many

players coming through from Northern

Ireland at the moment?

I completely

agree, just with the recession

really, clubs of close down over the

years, and getting slightly less

popular. But still a good foundation

for it. It's sort of skipped a

generation, there's too many

computer games and stuff for me now.

Kids don't have the same attention

span. There are some coming through,

but hopefully with myself and a few

others doing all right, more will be

interested in the next two years.

In

terms of potential, do you think you

have under or over achieved up until

now at this point in your career?

I

don't want to sound arrogant but I

think I've underachieved. There were

definitely a few years where I

didn't work hard enough on the table

and I think I got what I deserved.

You know yourself, you need to

dedicate yourself and I didn't for a

while. I feel I've still got plenty

more tournaments in me and if I

don't win more between now and the

end my career...

At tough one. And

who is your favourite player play

against?

Anyone that plays bad!

I

know!

A couple of players on tour, I

don't want to name them, but I've

never lost it. You know yourself,

the standard is so good, it's all on

the day.

When you're friendly with

players on tour, do you find that

tougher to play against them

question that year, it's not ideal.

I played Joe Swail a few times on

tour never really enjoyed that at

all. I didn't feel the way I wanted

to win the way I normally do.

What

do you think the latest possible age

to get into snooker is, to make it

professionally? Through Junior would

it be something like 15 or do you

have to be very young these days? It

seems to be the way, doesn't it?

I

think the younger you can start, the

better. Years of experience under

your belt. As you have seen, there's

a lot of longevity in this game

right now, like they're never used

to be. Players in their 40s. But you

need to start as young as possible.

You need to want to play, a parent

pushing your kid is wrong as well.

You need to enjoy your practice. If

you do enjoy it, there's no point.

Great question here from Jamie. Just

want to ask Mark, I love this, if he

could play against one of the

commentary team, who would he want

to play against? Put them in their

place... One that's criticised

today? One that thinks he knows more

than he does, who could it be?

I

think Stephen sometimes a bit

critical.

Stephen Hendry!

I suppose

he can be, but I never got to play

him at his peak and it's something I

regret. To put him in his place now

would be nice!

The last question,

how long did it take you to get used

to your new cue? Always a tough

thing, isn't it?

There's getting

used to it and being able to play

with it, I think that two different

things. I was produced it pretty

quick but in pressure situations,

that's completely different. You

have to trust the cue. Six months

and with a new cue, I think I'm

pretty close to being good with it

now.

Looked pretty good the other

day! You have the rest of the day

off. Good luck tomorrow, I hope you

enjoy the day and thanks very much

indeed. STUDIO: Thank you very much

indeed and thanks to Mark Allen.

Judd Trump leads Shaun Murphy three

have won at the interval, this is

the story of the match

have won at the interval, this is

the story of the match so far.

Breaks of 49 and 57 giving Judd an

early lead. He settled in very, very

nicely. Shaun, not so.

In frame two, this perfectly shows

what's going on out there with Shaun

Murphy, missing that black and then

Judd Trump capitalising with a break

of 60 to make it 2-0.

Frame three and we said it was a

crucial one for Shaun Murphy. A bit

rash from Judd Trump, Shaun

capitalising on the mistake to make

it 2-1.

And in frame four, Judd went 23

minutes without putting a ball. Got

a chance and Stephen Hendry

describing the catch as

disappointing. What has been quite

entertaining is the wasp that

appears to be in the arena today

giving Shaun in particular a bit

array headache. Channelling his in a

Luke Skywalker there! We had a nice

text from someone who remembers a

wasp or something happening at the

British Open in Derby's assembly

rooms. Thank you for getting in

touch with those snooker memories.

Here we go, let's get underway.

Shaun just looking to make sure the

wasp is not around or maybe just

waiting for a few of the fans to sit

down. Let's rejoin Stephen and John.

Frame number five, Shaun Murphy to

break.

This match now will be played

to the finish, no more intervals.

Shaun Murphy up against it slightly.

These snooker, it has to be said,

hasn't been the quality we expected.

But then, there's been a few things

happening on and around the table

that are unusual. Yes, I saw Shaun

at the interval and he said he's

absolutely terrified of wasps, as I

am.

It's not ideal, you're out there

concentrating on a massive match and

that's happening.

He's got to try and get those things

out of his mind, get back into this

match. As you say, John, hasn't

lived up to expectations so far.

Going to get the rattle of the

jewels of the pocket. -- the jaws of

the pocket.

Not the best safety shot from Judd.

At this level, you can't afford to

be leaving reds towards the pocket

and not giving a good cue ball.

Much too much. Only the black to go

for, and it would be risky to go to

the baulk end so I don't see how he

can play eight telling safety here.

-- are telling safety here.

Easy enough to play safe off the red

that's near the red corner.

Just contemplating the double on

this red to the corner pocket? He

has.

Thought that if it went in that he'd

be nicely on the yellow, which he

would have been. When you play at

that pace, not a chance of leaving

it.

Shaun and can be aggressive here

with the safety shot if he chooses.