Semi-Final 1 Masters Snooker

Hello, good afternoon. Welcome back

to Alexandra Palace. The 2018

Masters has certainly lived up to

its name and reputation. The top 16

snooker players in the world have

really entertained us, and now we

are left with four men looking to

land snooker's biggest title.

So, down to the nitty-gritty, the

semifinal stages. Probably not the

line-up you would have expected?

Everybody expected Mark Selby or

Ronnie O'Sullivan to be in the

semifinals. The player that are

still in it are top players, but it

is hard to pick a winner.

Tonight it

is Mark Allen and John Higgins, they

usually have cracking matches

question mark

Mark Allen very

impressive, beating O'Sullivan. John

Higgins hasn't won this event for 12

years and might think it is his

time.

What do you think of other

semifinal between Trump and Wilson?

I think it will be very aggressive,

not much safety. They like to pot

long balls.

Has to start winning is?

Without a doubt, the talent he has,

he should be winning these majors.

Perhaps this is his time. He was

very strong in coming through.

We

will see this afternoon. This is a

tough game.

When you get the weekend

here, it becomes a bit of a mad

show, really. Something you want to

be involved with. The atmosphere is

like no other. I think to be part of

that is what every player strives

for.

You want to be getting to the

later stages of the Masters, the UK,

the worlds, this is snooker's Triple

Crown, the big event that everybody

tunes into. To do it in my second

appearance at the Masters, it is a

dream come true. I don't want it to

end there, I will try my hardest to

make sure it doesn't.

When I was

younger, I won the UK and got to the

final of the worlds, I thought it

would be easy, just keep doing that

every tournament. Now I've got to

28, you cherish every semifinal,

final that you get in.

I'm still

only 26. A baby in the snooker world

these days. I'm just trying to knock

the old guard off their pedestal.

I'm gathering experience and

momentum in these big events and I

don't want it to stop there.

Here's

a couple of years younger than me.

It is always tough when you play

somebody younger. The shot selection

is a little bit different. When he

goes for his shots and they go in,

it can scare opponents. I know what

he is capable of.

I am able to score

when I need to and scrap it out when

I need to. I do know I need to play

a little bit better in the next

round to get through.

Undoubtedly

the biggest meeting between Judd and

Kyren was the Shanghai Masters in

2015, which Kyren won. Remember how

well he is doing at the Masters,

just his second appearance. Trump

won the most recent meeting in the

fourth round of the Scottish open in

2016. It's going to be a cracking

game today. Good afternoon to the,

the team, Dennis Taylor and Steve

Davis. Dennis, let me start with

you. Kyren Wilson has been giving

that interview not just to the

broadcasters but also the

newspapers, saying the same thing.

Do you think he has enough variation

in his game to win?

I have been a

great fan ever since he turned

professional and I like his

attitude. Very, very positive. He is

very confident and nice with it. But

I love his game, terrific cue

action. I think he has served his

apprenticeship. He has won one

ranking title and could go all the

way. But he's up against Judd Trump,

so it is going to be a very

aggressive and attacking semifinal.

Steve, you have been singing Kyren's

praises all week?

You don't know

until you win one of the big majors

if you have got it. It looks like he

has all parts of the jigsaw puzzle

in place. Great temperament and

great matchplay. There are players

with different kinds of abilities,

but being able to play great

matchplay, I think, is the biggest

commodity. Sometimes it is the

elusive commodity.

Dennis, in terms

of Judd Trump, if he picks up where

he left off against Sean yesterday,

it could be a tough afternoon?

He

has the UK title, he wants another

one. He has a great chance. He still

has to do it on the table. Nobody

will make it easy for you.

Given

that Ronnie is not here, many fans

were so looking forward to seeing

Ronnie O'Sullivan this began. But he

is out. The very fact that Judd is

an entertainer and plays his brand

of snooker, he is going to get a

rapturous applause?

A very popular

player, and he plays in such an

attractive way. It is tough for Judd

Trump. His best seasons in the

majors, 2011-12, it looked like he

would use that as a springboard to

more success at the top of the tree.

I think perhaps the days of the

players winning the World

Championship and the big events at

the age of 21, 22, they are perhaps

going to go now because there are so

much strength in depth and good

players. It is not absolutely

imperative that Judd Trump is

winning, because he has plenty of

years left in the tank. He would

still like to. It has been a few

years since he won a big one.

Good

stuff. I look forward to your

commentary. The players are ready.

Let's join Rob Walker.

Good afternoon and welcome to

semifinal Saturday at the Dafabet

Masters. One of the two meant at the

top of the stairs will return

tomorrow for a maiden Masters final.

Huge for both players. Too close to

call. Ally Pally is rocking in

anticipation of this massive sash

and of snooker! Here we go! --

massive session of snooker.

Please welcome a player emerging

from what is, without doubt, one of

the biggest matches of his career so

far. His first appearance in a

Triple Crown semifinal. Winner of

the 2015 Shanghai Masters, he has

already been in two major finals

this season and he will be seriously

fired up for this this afternoon.

PAs The Warrior, Kyren Wilson!

And his opponent, arguably the most

exciting player of his generation,

winner of eight ranking titles in

all and, here, bidding for his first

Triple Crown final since 2014. The

reigning European Masters champion,

in cracking form after that

brilliant quarterfinal victory over

Sean Murphy. Can he bring his own

brand of naughty snooker? He is The

Ace In The Pack, Judd Trump!

What a fantastic reception for both

players. A very good afternoon to

everyone.

Thank you very much, first frame.

Judd Trump to break.

Judd Trump won

the toss and will get the semifinal

and under way. A pretty good length

with the break of

he has left one to the corner, and

if he can get around the back of the

black, Kyren might have a go at it.

A very attacking player.

APPLAUSE

Could do with a kiss. Didn't get it.

Certainly a terrific opening pot.

And early confidence booster.

I know that Judd has tremendous

support, but Kyren Wilson got a

tremendous reception from this

crowd. It has been packed all week.

In fact I have just spotted Judd's

mum and dad, there.

APPLAUSE

REFEREE: It is touching ball.

Steve and Georgina, Judd's parents.

Very proud of their son. They are at

most venues. Foul, declared it

straightaway on himself. He must

have touched it. I didn't see

anything from that shot. Obviously

he touched something, because he

declared that straightaway.

To something that a player feels.

Could have touched it. Sometimes

even with the sound of the hit, you

can sense that you have brushed the

ball.

Tempting red into the middle pocket.

APPLAUSE

Yes, very good pot from that

position, with the white tucked up

on the cushion. If he can pot the

green, there are a couple of reds

on. Decided to keep it tight and

roll behind it.

The Judd Trump of a number of years

back may have been tempted by the

green. I think he now has a

different balance to his game.

The trouble from Judd Trump's

perspective is that he got a lot of

success playing very, very attacking

snooker. As the years have gone on,

his game will change, balance wise.

But it would be nice to get some

success with it.

Just going back to that, in 2011,

when Judd lost in the final of the

World Championship to John Higgins,

I had never seen potting like it.

Unbelievable display. It looked like

he was going to win the world title

back then.

Surprised he didn't have a look at

that.

Really no damage done at all. Unless

you fast forward to the end of the

frame, when seven points become

important.

Somehow, a red has managed to poke

its nose over the right corner. It

will be tough for Kyren Wilson to

guarantee any kind of position from

this shot. He is going to be

careering into the pack after

potting this. If he did get the

right split of reds, the cue could

come to the left and be on the

black.

APPLAUSE

As you said, Steve, there was no

guarantee. Look where he has

finished. Unbelievable.

I don't

think he thought he would be going

into the black.

Perhaps he was thinking of going

into reds?

Wasn't really bothered about the

black going in. Initially it was

about getting the cue ball safe.

It is tough for Judd. He comes onto

the scene, scaring every player to

bits with such aggressive snooker.

The next phase of the game and we

are starting to criticise because he

is...

Because he is to open. Perhaps

everybody talking in his ear saying

he has to tighten up his game. Then

you don't get as much success as

when you were knocking them in off

the lampshades.

He gets very low, down on the table.

He gets his cue as parallel as

possible. A lot more players these

days are higher up at the back.

Tries to keep his head as solid as

possible on the shot.

What does he do this time? He

refused the green previously. He is

rolling up to it again.

We said this was going to be

aggressive and very attacking

snooker, and here we are watching

them play some terrific safety play!

I think both of these players

understand the game well enough to

know that a good start is important.

Perhaps a little bit more of a

careful approach to start with.

Open up a little bit in the match

later.

Not too much value in potting this

unless he feels he can get the cue

ball out into open play. There is a

gap for the pink into the middle

pocket. He might play for that. It

is tough to get on the blue.

Is it brand-new cloth? I think it

is. It makes a massive difference to

those pockets accepting the ball.

Perhaps yesterday that shot was a

lot harder, today The Pocket is just

sucking that red in.

They change the cloth after the

quarterfinal. The cushion was

starting to bounce.

It is amazing the difference

brand-new cloth, even from cloth

that is four or five days old. It

can make such a difference to the

effective size of the pockets.

Fractionally overscrewed that. Not

that it will cause a problem. As

long as he can reach. He could go

into the reds understood. -- and

disturbed them.

Not great.

With that title shot, I

am surprised Judd doesn't change

hands. He is so good playing with

his opposite hand. He really was

stretched, and it has caused him to

not get the cannon on the red as he

intended.

intended.

Pin good pot.

Worth another look at that one. Very

difficult to score here. I don't

know if he can avoid the black and

get into the reds. He could do.

Well, he was on a red. But he's

still got to get up at least for the

blue. It is still not

straightforward.

It would be nice to

get the black on the spot.

Pin

He played that with his opposite

hand? He does look good playing

right-handed.

Not ideally on the black. Blue is an

option.

The black, in itself, is not a hard

pot.

I'm not too sure which reds go from

this position. Surely he is not in

anything there?

The bottom red was the one he was

going for. Just a bit and -- under

paced. What has he spotted? Long

range. Does he get past that red?

That is tight.

I don't think

anything goes there.

You don't want

to talk yourself into this if it

doesn't go, that is for certain.

There is a third of a pocket left

for that red.

It looks like end of break, here.

He tried the long-range plant, that

is a risk that perhaps he didn't

need to take. Has he got away with

it? Yes!

Wow, he was fortunate there. He took

that risky plant on. We will show

you that again. That was very low

percentage chance, but look at this

white. It just kept on rolling and

rolling, and covers the red.

The

thing about the shot that Judd

played, fair enough, play the

long-range plant. But he must have

known that the red was going to

escape to the bottom half of the

table. Very risky.

Not easy to hide the cue ball here.

But he knows full well if he gets

into this corner it is going to be

safe.

Excellent judgment from Kyren

Wilson. Wouldn't have wanted to have

collided with the yellow. Had to be

sure of the path.

Judd has a problem. Ideally, he

would like to shift this red away

from the middle pocket. Play a long,

screw back pot. But he would not

know where the red is going. He has

spotted a cut into the same pocket.

Trying to get it down into the same

place. No collision with the

yellow... Now the red is on.

Could develop into a very good

opportunity here for Kyren. 36

behind.

That will do nicely. He's got a

terrific cue action. Generates so

much back spin. Lots of power.

Every time I see Kyren play, for

some reason he reminds me of a ten

time world champion, John Pullman,

who worked for the BBC for years. A

great commentator. Same size as

Kyren. Similar sort of style, a lot

of the older viewers will remember

John Pullman.

I must admit, when we have seen

Kyren Wilson on the big stage, in

the World Championship and this

event, that...

He doesn't look like he is overawed

by the big occasion. That is a big

plus point.

This would send a big message out,

if he were to clear up here.

He has come quite a way short. This

is a thin snick required. He was

probably thinking about the red next

to the pink, the only one that is

awkward at the moment. He has other

problems now.

Good recovery.

APPLAUSE

That red that is two from the pink.

Yes, the cushions with new cloth on,

playing noticeably slower. Players

are having to adapt to that. I don't

think the practice table cloth and

questions have -- cushions have been

changed. So the cushions are playing

faster.

He was very close to the middle

pocket. As we show you this screw

back, he almost went in the middle

pocket. He can just see enough of

this red to take the pot on. Shot to

nothing. If he was to slot this red

in and not finish on a colour, and

pot Judd in a snooker, it would be a

very difficult one. He shot. -- key

shot.

It has jawed and unsafe. So, we are

going to have a close finish.

Tried

to control that shot, playing the

red and white slowly. I think I

would have preferred to have hit it

with a bit more pace, coming in and

out of baulk.

This looks very good.

Excellent. It looks like it might

have to be a two cushion escape to

get back up the table. Doesn't want

to hit the red full ball.

If he comes off

If he comes off the two cushions He

could hit that or play the one next

to the pink but look how close he'll

have to get to the blue.

This is not

nice. He may have to try and play

the two cushion snick off the red to

the pink and commit. Anything else

is a lot more dangerous. He might

give a few points away in trying to

do it though. Doesn't want to leave

a free ball, obviously.

He's having a think about that.

That would be a foul shot if you

roll in tight behind the colour and

snooker the people behind that so it

is the blue.

Great shot. He didn't want to play

that cue ball too far across the

table. He would have left a pot on

had he missed. But he also wanted to

be on a colour. It was pretty

critical where he put the cue ball

there. He's on this blue. Not

ideally.

This is a terrific shot he's played

here.

He's got an angle in this to get on

the blue in such a way that he could

then cannon the pink and red. I

don't think he can hold for the

black. Playing it right-handed

again.

again. Down for the blue. He has a

chance to move that difficult red.

Judged the pace well off the top

cushion for that one. The cushion is

playing a little slower. A little

bit more of an angle Denis and he

might be going into the pink. He's

got to bang this in if he's going to

go straight in.

Two cushions is risky if he misses

cannoning it into the red and pink.

What is he looking at now?

What he's

thinking about there is if he pots

the blue and leaves himself in such

a way he could send the red around

the table and finish tight end

around the pink. That was the

alternate thing he was thinking

about.

Why did he not try and play the

cannon there? Does this go from this

position, the red? I wouldn't have

thought so?

No, I think it would hit

the red and pink at the same time.

There was a chance to shift the red

away from the pink. No guarantees of

course that he'd then leave it on.

So he's tried to be a lot more

precise by putting his opponent back

in trouble. But of course, every

time you leave your opponent back at

the table, escaping from a snooker,

you can always get away with it.

I think I preferred across the table

here.

APPLAUSE.

I think I preferred across the

table.

That was tight.

You've got to be able to hit both

sides.

I'm with you, bridge over,

then try to flick the red half ball.

I suppose there is a risk you would

leave it over the corner.

Just trying to get past the middle

pocket I think.

Three cushions. Oh, dear.

Green goes safe.

Well, he only needs

the red so he'll take this on.

Makes

things even better with the green

safe, it's a bit more of an

insurance policy. But this red is

obviously an easy shot really.

APPLAUSE.

That misjudgment off the top cushion

from Kyren Wilson, three reds out,

was his undoing.

But they both look in fine form

regardless.

This might turn out to be the

longest frame of the match. We are

not far off 28 minutes.

Certainly is

at the moment.

APPLAUSE.

Kyren stays in his seat.

Judd Trump in the end tames the

frame and leads Kyren Wilson 1-0.

Judd Trump in the end tames the

frame and leads Kyren Wilson 1-0.

Good start then for Judd Trump.

During the interval we'll head down

to the Cue Zone. If you have any

questions for our commentateths, get

in touch. Be nice! Intriguing

opening frame?

Yes, not like what

you probably expect. Interesting few

shots in there. Judd playing,

refusing to play the cannon.

Ultimately it rewarded him because

he played down and played the

snooker and then Kyren bizarrely

played out of the snooker, I don't

know quite why he wanted to make

that more difficult for himself

because ultimately he lost the frame

off it. Interesting that he refused

to play the shot, ended up winning

the frame.

I noticed against Murphy

Judd was playing some strange shot

choices, we are used to him being

very aggressive and going for the

shots. I agree with John, I can't

believe he didn't play the cannon.

The balls are at his mercy, at this

level you have to be taking the

chances.

Sorry if Mark is watching

but he was so bad the other night in

his match, he wasn't forced to

score.

In fairness he admitted that

in the press conference.

But Kyren

didn't really score in that. He

didn't have to score but he's got to

score heavier off the chances.

These

events, if you want to win them

against the big players, you have to

be taking the chances and really put

the pressure on.

A fine start for

Judd Trump. He leads 1-0. Back to

it.

The second frame, Kyren Wilson to

break.

This time the breakoff shot's put a

red next to the black and put it out

of commission.

Picking up on John and Stephen's

analysis of Judd Trump's tactical

nous in that frame, perhaps that's

the new Judd Trump, not getting as

much success as he wants by playing

the overly aggressive game. I

suppose it's a natural instinct to

try and look at what has been going

wrong, try to rectify it, so perhaps

that's on his mind to play a hard

type of snooker. Got to get the

balance right.

balance right. Didn't want to

collide with the yellow. He'll be

hoping that doesn't cost him.

That's not to say that Judd is not

going to take on the long ball.

Especially with his cue power. He

can always screw back to baulk or

toward the blue line and get out of

trouble.

Just is playing the percentages.

Police Authority plawz Excellent

put. Great safety shot as well.

He's not on a colour, so...

This is more like hard match play

from Judd Trump. Perhaps in his day

he would have gone for one of those

long reds and careered it in, but

it's great to watch how a player

develops as they stay in the game.

And if he gets success with it, as

he's quite rightly doing at the

moment; why not.

I'll tell you what, he's put Kyren

in all sorts of trouble. He can't

get to a red. He'd like to land on

the left one but how does he get

round? Just watch this shot, how

many cushions he's got to hit to get

there. One, two, three cushions.

Four cushions. And not quite hard

enough. This is tough.

The cushion

is playing slower and also with new

cloth. They also slide a bit more as

they come off the cushion with the

new cloth. It's debatable whether

the angles are on. They may have

been yesterday. I know it sounds

amazing to think that, but now with

the slide off the third cushion that

he's inevitably going to get, the

line might not be there. That's the

line he's looking for.

Sliding off that third cushion.

That

shot's not on I don't think. Hitting

it harder is not going to make too

much difference I don't think.

Inevitably going down that line, he

might be leaving Judd that red into

the left middle. He may be able to

get past, he's got to get close to

the red on the side cushion. Just

got to get past it by a fraction.

That's better, about the best he

could have possibly done but he

doesn't have the pace.

Wow. He'll do

well to find that same line again

because he was so close to the green

and he almost caught the red, the

left side of the table.

Strangely,

getting as close as possible to that

red on the left hand side cushion,

if he were to flick it, he may get

away with it.

This time he does clip that red.

APPLAUSE.

It's not bad at all. There's one

possible put to the right middle

pocket but very difficult. He did

well to get out of that situation.

It was his fourth attempt.

It's amazing how all of a sudden,

from being in all sorts of trouble,

he's at the table with a chance.

Yes. He left Judd a missable pot.

Judd felt he had to go for that.

Tough to get that cue ball out into

open play. Get through that lot... A

load of goalkeepers there!

Got the black out. What a show that

is. Didn't think that was possible

to get enough back spin on that.

What a bonus.

Red by the black spot would be nice

to clear. Actually, perhaps it would

have been - it's hard to know

exactly how the black goes on the

spot - it would have been nice to go

on that straightaway.

on that straightaway. The red is

certainly going to interfere with

the black. And it may even go on its

spot.

Actually, could have tried to get on

the red straightaway.

Can't be touching the red if it's

respotted.

Don't tell me it goes on

the pink... Certainly doesn't go on

the pink. OK so it's not the end of

the world.

He'd like that red off

the black spot and the black back on

its spot. That's the plan.

He hasn't got used to the speed of

the cushions yet.

APPLAUSE.

He's having to work hard for these.

Hasn't got himself into the correct

position just yet. Can he manage it

this time?

Just overscrewed that one as well.

Fascinating from the commentary box

how you see the game positionally.

If he'd tried to get on the red that

was by the black spot on the opening

blue, none of these problems he's

now got would possibly have

materialised. But he's still

fighting to keep position.

On that red this time but not

ideally.

Oh, a good shot.

APPLAUSE.

Just another six inches or so and

he'd have been perfect on the black

to get up to the reds. Might still

be able to do it, he's got, as we

keep saying, terrific cue power.

He'll get that short extension there

just so that he can reach this. But

there are two reds available if he's

got the right ang toll screw back

off this black but there is an awful

lot of cue between the bridge hand

and the object ball. Look where he

is striking it. You could see the

white stop and then spin back. In

fact, he's hit it too well. But it

was difficult to judge it with that

extension. He hardly hit this but

the action he got on it...

Yes,

putting that extra bit on the cue

effectively making it heavier. Get a

bit more spin on the ball if you are

not careful. So end of break and a

frustrating break from Kyren

Wilson's perspective.

APPLAUSE.

Poor safety.

He'd love to knock this one in Judd

and punish him.

Brought the red up this time. Needs

the brown to help him out and I

don't think it has.

Just had to hit that much thicker

than he intended.

This is a huge day

for Kyren Wilson, semi-final, OK

he's won on ranking events a couple

of seasons ago and the Shanghai

Masters but this is probably one of

the biggest matches of his career

and you can expect a little bit of

tension creeping in.

Judd was clinical in his last match.

In mopping up from a variety of

situations. Still some work to do

here.

here.

Getting correctly on the blue

would be nice. Once again, underhit.

Just the ride side of the blue and

an excellent shot there. It really

was good.

Got the cue ball away from the

cushion.

He's in good nick, Judd

Trump. He looks very clinical in

these positions at the moment to me.

That had to be controlled well. It's

run a little bit too far.

APPLAUSE.

A confident strike but he didn't get

enough screw back on that shoot. --

shot. Dived off the cushion. Tough

pot now.

Oh, well done.

APPLAUSE.

Nice little flick to boot.

Early days, but could this be the

new Judd Trump, the more considered

player? Still lethal amongst the

balls at the end of a frame. Oh,

kick! Awful. Awful.

Wow, that is amazing.

Outrageous.

How crucial was that going to be.

The yellow is awkward.

The yellow is awkward. And the red

not a given to start things off.

Kyren misses a bonus in being at the

table.

APPLAUSE.

Very, very good. This is key that he

gets on the yellow in such a way

that he can get on to the green. But

wherever he finishes, he's going to

have a difficult yellow.

He's

guaranteed to be on the yellow. It's

just how. Two cushions nailed on.

Wants to gets a close as possible

really with an angle.

APPLAUSE.

Doesn't want to be straight.

APPLAUSE.

Every chance now of pinching this

second frame.

Kyren gets that horrendous kick on

the pink. Then this.

Blue and pink needed and that's

absolutely perfect.

We always say you never settle down

until you get your first frame on

the board. Judd was very, very

unfortunate there.

APPLAUSE.

Very unlucky to get the kick on the

pink, but he's got his first frame

on the board now and they're all

pink, but he's got his first frame

on the board now and they're all

square at 1-1. That was a little

tense. That is why the players are

leaving the arena, it gives you time

to get in touch with us. Any

questions and we are heading to the

Cue Zone at the interval. Any

comments and questions, we'd love to

hear from you. A bit tense out

there, John?

You've got to feel for

Judd there, that was an absolute

monster kick, he looked like he'd

win the frame so he'll be really

annoyed. Haven't seen too many, that

was a monster. Shouldn't really take

players of this standard doing that.

Kyren Wilson got in with a good

chance. He's a little nervous,

played a couple of shots that were

safe. As Steve said, he should have

played for the red immediately, it

was on the black spot, played for

the black, where the black was

getting moved the other end of the

table which was wrong, but sometimes

when you want to get a frame, you

play the safe positional shot,

rather than the right one.

You have

been in this position many times,

both players have been talking about

how to handle the nerves because

it's very different. They've had the

first run, the quarter-finals, this

is a different stage now isn't it, a

semi-final, John, because you are so

close?

Yes, it's like they always

say about the FA Cup, get to the

semi-final, the worst place to lose,

but you can't think like that, you

have to keep playing the game the

way it is. I think Judd Trump is

best when he's being aggressive, a

far better player. We don't need him

to turn into cliff Thorburn but when

he's at his best is opening up the

balls, scoring heavily.

He frightens

opponents by going that way. Nothing

more puts your opponents on the back

foot. If he thinks if I don't get

that cue ball, he's going to go for

something. That puts your opponent

in a position where they feel wary.

It's a different match and a

semi-final and you are not playing

your natural game, would you say to

yourself I should play the brand of

snooker that I always play?

He has

to believe he's a better player and

play to his strengths. If he's think

Iing about, I would better play

tight because I'm worried, that is

the wrong attitude for me.

Absolutely. He has to go with what

he's good at. As for Kai reason, he

was really struggling on that break.

He's made a couple of breaks, 32 and

38 but the 38 was all over the

place, he didn't have the cue ball

at all -- Kyren. Scoring-wise, he

needs the cue ball tighter.

I

suppose pre-match Kyren is probably

thinking, let us see if I can slow

Judd Trump down.

He should be

thinking about what he is good at.

His cue ball control isn't there and

when he's getting a break, it's

looking more like when Judd is in

he's going to score and going to be

more fluent and Kyren is struggling.

At this stage of an event like this,

Judd Trump is more in the comfort

zone than Kyren Wilson.

The boys are

back. Back to Steve and Dennis.

Better learned this time with the

break-off shot. Still left that red

that he did. -- better length. Kyren

knocked that in. I wonder if he can

get around the back of the black and

red this time?

Terrific cueing. It really is. I

think winning that second frame,

pinching that second frame, as given

Kyren a little bit of a boost.

Cruel game, could have been 2- 02

Judd Trump.

I think Judd will be advised to work

out a better break off than that on

this table today. He doesn't want to

believing that one on, all of the

time. -- be leaving. Once again,

cannot hit the ball hard enough at

the moment to get the right side.

Had to leave a medium-range red. I

think he has got enough angle to get

position, but it is a bit awkward.

He has had to use the other red.

Well, he has a chance and he can can

know is two reds and would be

guaranteed to be on the one to the

right of the black.

Let the white take care of itself.

Would have liked that cue ball to

come back another ball.

Just checking to see if they red

goes into the right middle. If it

does, what could he do with the cue

ball?

He will be tempted by this red in

the middle. He will not be ideally

placed on the pink. It is better

than getting the spider out for the

other red.

A nasty cut into the middle pocket.

It is more or less guaranteed where

he is going to be playing it.

Playing the pink into the middle

pocket. Too much of a cut, as you

can see.

He did well, look at the pink. It

jumps right of the bed of the table.

Messed up the position part a bit.

Not the red into the green pocket? A

massive kick. I don't know which

chalk these lads are using, they

talk about new chalk and less kick.

Didn't seem to line that one up. The

red has poked its

red has poked its nose out. Never on

line for that one.

Now, can Judd Trump get back in the

zone after that unfortunate episode

in the last frame? It is nice to

clear your mind of that. You don't

want to be thinking that you are on

an unlucky day.

I don't want to keep going on about

it, it would be a commentator's

blog, I think he is playing great at

the moment. The way I judge him at

the moment is a potential winner of

this event. I know it is early days.

Strong.

There must be one of their next to

the pink that pots.

It finished a little awkward now,

because if he drops the blue in, I

don't think he can get that red in

the left middle. He has to play with

more pace. Which he has done, played

it beautifully.

it beautifully. If he can knock in a

sizeable contribution here, he will

quickly forget about that bad

contact of the pig that cost him the

second frame. -- pink.

This is very nasty. He has to make

sure he's comfortable before he

plays this.

He would be forgiven for not playing

this, just because of the

awkwardness of the blue in the way.

Doing some stretching. He is quite a

fit young man. This game makes your

eyes water at times.

He doesn't want

to mess around with this too much.

It puts the pressure onto pot it in

the end. Perhaps working something

else out on the red over the middle

pocket, in this instance, is not a

idea.

He is a delight to watch brick

building. He really is.

Sluggish, that top cushion coming

off very slow.

Not sure if John Higgins or Mark

Allen will be watching this match

unfold. They have more important

things in one respect to think

about. But it is important to know

the surface he will be playing on.

That red might be next to the pink,

but even if it is not, he could

leave Kyren at the snookers required

stage.

So, the pink or black to leave Kyren

needing a snooker.

If the pink pots.

The pink would put him 36 in front,

with just 35 remaining.

This red to make absolutely certain

they can play it in such a way and

screw in behind the pink. He can get

the snooker or run it in as normal.

Even if the red didn't go in, he

would have the snooker.

That looks good as well.

It went absolutely true, that pink.

It didn't deviate.

A little bit of Judd Trump naughty

snooker to finish off with.

That is one way of getting on the

pink.

We nearly messed that. A terrific

break from Judd Trump. That 83 has

given him the lead.

Two Some very interesting stats.

It is such a big crowd, and it is

taking a while to get them back into

their seats after a frame,

manoeuvring them around. Most of the

week, sometimes the players have

just got to wait a little bit longer

for the start of the frame. But all

week, the crowds have been

fantastic. They really have. From

day one. They really love their

snooker and they are also very fair

to all of the players. They have

their favourites, but if you do it

on the table, you get the respect

from this Ally Pally crowd. There is

the trophy.

The interval is coming up after this

frame. He would like it. But 3-1,

best of 11, isn't that bad. But he

doesn't want to let Judd get up a

Head Of Steam.

No damage done. At least I don't

think so. Is there a gap? I don't

know if there is.

Kyren can play this in such a way to

not leave a red on, which makes it

easier.

So, a little bit of pressure on

Kyren to convert a decent chance. He

hasn't done that yet.

It's not all out in the open, but

they are quite nicely situated. That

red at the bottom of the pack could

come in useful.

Would like to be able to get on that

red at the bottom of the pack to

open up more red and get an angle on

the black.

Could go into the left-hand side of

the pack for that red. Could use the

red to break open even more red.

That is the screw buckshot, pot the

red, back across the face of the

pack.

Chose to come off the cushion Rather

than playing it short.

Very well executed there. Did well,

not fully with the pot but with the

cue ball.

That was careless.

Just watch this. Just didn't push

the cue through on a straight line.

I wonder if the red down in the

bowled area was affecting his

follow-through. He sort of curtailed

it a bit. -- baulk area.

Always aware of a ball in your

follow-through area for the rest.

Judd has the ideal angle to go into

the reds. You would expect them to

shift it. Just needs to get on one.

It wasn't guaranteed. It wasn't a

nice pack to go into.

Could not have hit it better.

Could

have hit it harder, but I think he

thought it was hard enough. In

hindsight, he would have liked to

have hit it harder.

Doesn't hit that very hard. That was

all he had available. Finished very

awkward.

He's not going for the pot, is he?

He certainly is.

Judgment shot, just

has to get the judgment right. I

don't think that Judd was expecting

this.

Well, was that the right shot to

play?

Normally brilliant with the rest,

but he has missed two now.

Second bite of the cherry for Judd

Trump. How many can he score this

time?

Bonus if he is on this red.

Thought he was going to be on the

red over the corner. Has that gone

wrong? Just about on the pink. Very

much in the driving seat. If he can

get this frame on the ball, Judd

Trump.

Wouldn't need the red on the baulk

cushion, but he needs the ones that

are together on the side cushion, as

you can see. They do go into the

left corner. One of them probably

goes into the left middle. Both of

them go into the left middle.

At some stage in this break, you

would expect Judd Trump to drop in

behind the two reds. He won't want

to drop in behind them.

Another kick, destroyed the back

spin.

I think that pink has gone in an

awkward position. Steve mentioned

the two reds would go in the middle

pocket, the pink is blocking that,

as you can see. That is a few shots

ahead. But Judd will be well aware

of that now.

It is just that the order of taking

the balls has become more critical.

Red, can he stay on the blue? It

would be nice if he could.

I'm not sure if they are available

past the black into the left corner.

He has other options here.

That is all right.

That was a big risk, playing it like

that. Could easily have gone wrong.

That wasn't good, totally misjudged

that one.

Now he is between. When you have

that amount of cue power, it is

coming round the table.

It is the power that Judd Trump can

inject into that keyboard that gives

him more options all the time.

him more options all the time. He

has this strange idiosyncrasy.

has this strange idiosyncrasy. When

he is hitting it firmly, he seems to

be able to judge it very well.

What have you done there, Judd?

He could have got over it and still

been OK. If he takes the long pink,

that would put him in front with 35

on the table. As long as he doesn't

snooker himself on the red. You

would think up to the corner would

be the safer option. He only needs

that, that is what he is looking at.

With having a think about this.

Putting the black safe and having a

good snooker.

If Kyren gets out of this and leaves

it safe, you would be saying, well,

potting that pink might have been

the shot. But it is a difficult one.

Still playing the percentages.

The shot not to leave himself on the

black was pretty poor. Can he hit

this and get it safe? That is the

big question. Can just get past the

brown of the left-hand side cushion.

Just.

Foul and a miss.

He got the black

and the snooker. Free ball, is it?

Perhaps it is not. Would have been

nicer if it was a free ball. Kyren

has one more chance to get out of

jail here.

Just enough, half a ball of this red

off the side cushion.

He's got a full house. He's 38 in

front, Kyren now needs a snooker,

he's got a free ball so his choice,

just play the snooker and play the

black safe.

I wonder if the Judd

Trump of old would have tried to pot

the pink into the green pocket.

Perhaps not, but...

Perhaps not, but... Thinking

carefully because there are still

problems. You've got to play the

pink to the middle pocket, you have

to think to pot it, but is he

working out something else? Trying

to keep the lid on this frame.

He

may be overthinking it a little bit.

Yes.

It's worthwhile making your

mind up first. Nothing worse than

double thinking.

Played the snooker at the same time.

Clever shot. I think he played it.

He played it like that. Trying to

pot the pink but he knew full well

putting the cue ball there was also

a snooker.

He's definitely going to be 3-1

behind now. As I say, with it being

first to six, 3-1 behind is not

ideal but it's not all that bad.

I think the more worrying thing from

Kyren Wilson's perspective is, he's

been amongst the balls a few times

and hasn't really made anything

telling.

These days, you are just not going

to win matches without winning a

huge amount of frames in one visit.

He's a bit reluctant to pot the red

here, but it makes it much more

difficult, you don't get the free

ball possibility.

Couldn't do much else there. The

blue and the pink are in ideal

positions for snookers.

I never like taking the red off the

table when there's more than one

snooker required.

Perhaps he felt he didn't have a

good safety shot on.

Kyren Wilson. Eight.

At the moment he needs two 4-point

snookers to tie. They are nicely

situated now. The pink trying to get

in behind them.

A pretty good effort.

APPLAUSE.

Terrific, terrific shot.

I don't know the stats on it, but

you don't win many frames from

requiring two snookers. Far better

usually to leave the red on the

table, always options of free balls

then.

A decent effort. Could it get behind

the pink?

Tough to get behind that.

A bit of a bonus, gets the snooker

back. This might be the end of this

frame, depending on what happens

here. Where's the yellow going to

finish? That's it. And Kyren looks

over to Judd. He says, that's

enough. Judd Trump very measured,

Judd Trump, as we go to the mid

session interval, we'll be very

pleased, leading Kyren Wilson

session interval, we'll be very

pleased, leading Kyren Wilson 3-1.

We have made a trip from the

comfortable studio to a very cold

Cue Zone, I have to say, a bit

chilly here. We'll be back there

shortly. Some of your questions

coming in as well. Thank you very

much for getting in touch on social

media. We have to remember that Judd

Trump was in front yesterday against

Sean Murphy.

Yes. Sliectly different

match today. I think he's better

with the cue ball at the minute.

When he's in amongst the balls he

looks like he's going to score the

points. Kyren Wilson hasn't got the

cue ball for whatever reason.

Hasn't

settled?

Judd Trump just looks the

more established and comfortable

player, he looks the higher ranking

player in every department.

That

counts for so much, that, the

experience of being in a semi-final

and being in these big events.

Kyren's been around enough, he has

won a ranking event. I know this is

the Masters, but you would think

he'd have enough experience, at the

moment he's just not at it and when

he's in amongst the balls, two or

three shots and he's lost the cue

ball, he's not tight in around the

pink and black all the time which

Judd looks better with.

What can

Kyren's camp do?

I don't know

whether he's practising at intervals

or going and sitting in a quiet

place but I think just get some reds

around about the pink and black and

some rhythm and control of the cue

ball.

And for you?

Just the same.

Don't change your game, don't get

negative, keep doing what you are

good at which is being open and

attacking.

Good yeses from the

viewers, we look forward to those.

We'll do some of those in a moment.

Let's hear from Judd who has been

talking to rod Walker. Back at the

business end of a Triple Crown event

and I get the feeling you are a man

who thrives on these big pressure

big stage occasions?

Yes. I think

I've always thrived on the

atmosphere, playing in the big BBC

events. I think over the past couple

of seasons I've really struggled,

maybe putting too much pressure on

myself, and especially last season,

I went out early in every single

event so it wasn't nice watching it

on TV. I think this season,

especially in this tournament, I've

kind of just tried to treat it like

another tournament, rather than

build it up to a massive event.

That's when it goes wrong for me

because I want to win it so bad, I

put too much pressure on myself.

When the games get tight, sometimes

I think I put a lot of pressure on

myself to make sure I win and get

through and I kind of, not twitch

up, but just want it too bad and

miss something simple or run out of

position whereas my two game s so

far here have been very good when

the pressure's come on, that's when

I've hit my best.

One thing I like

about watching you is, of course you

want to win the matches but there's

a little bit of you that definitely

cares about the style and the manner

of the win. You like to entertain

the public don't you? That is

something that motivates you?

Yes. I

don't really take much enjoyment out

of a bad win. I think when I take

the shots on, especially at the

Masters, I think they Prince of

Wally appreciate it. When you hear a

roar

roar -- I think the public really

appreciate it.

Do you improvise when

you are on the table and feel good

and when you can sense that

atmosphere from the crowd?

It kind

of just flows for me. In practise

when no-one is looking, I play the

same shots, so I think there are

some points in games when I kind of

get on a roll and it comes

naturally. Some other players like

to pot every single ball and make

sure they don't miss, but I think I

just like getting everyone on the

edge of their seat at the end of the

frame. It's always come naturally to

me and it's probable something I'll

always do.

One thing that has been

really nice this week is to see

players getting further in the

Masters than ever before. You have

been in the semis before but it's a

massive opportunity for you and

Kyren to make a maiden Masters

final. Although we cherish and

respect the class of 92, it's great

to see the younger players like you

coming through and starting to

dominate some of the Triple Crown

events?

Yes. It's always nice to see

some of the younger players coming

through and helping me out. Over the

past six or seven seasons it was

kind of just me and I think over the

last two or three seasons now you

have seen a lot of younger players

coming out of their shell. There's

not the same kind of pressure as

when you do play the top players, so

I think certainly over I would say

the next two or three years, you

will probably see the big change. I

think the class of 92 are just on

the edge now I think, just having

one last burst cleaning up as much

as they can. I think maybe in two or

three seasons, I think you will see

them probably fade away.

We know from your accent that you

are a proud Bristolian but this is

down the road from your place in

Essex now, does Essex now feel like

your home and do you miss anything

about Bristol?

I've lived here for

about eight years now in chilling

well, Essex. I still probably get

the feeling of home when I drive

into Bristol, when I drive through

the town centre. I think that will

always be home for me but it would

be nice to get home at some point in

two or three years and move back to

Bristol and spend time with my

family and friends when I feel like

I've fully established myself and

done what I wanted to. So I think

it's tough missing your family and

friends but I feel like I've given

snooker my very best shot, I've

really dedicated myself over my

prime 20-30, 35 and really given it

my all.

One area of your approach to

snooker that's definitely improved

over the years, and you say this

yourself, is you're gaining a mental

strength. The best example that I

can remember of that is when you won

the world Grand Prix a few years

ago.

I've always been quite good

from behind I think. I've always had

that belief in myself to come back

against anyone, even when you're 5-1

down, like 7-4 down against Ronnie,

I've always felt if I get on a roll

I can rattle off five or six frames

easily. I feel like, especially in

this tournament so far, I've just

got the belief that when it gets

close, I can step up the gear and

get over the line. So I think I

probably didn't have that at the

start of my career, I just went into

my shell when things got tough but

now I think I have the grit and

determination to get out there and

succeed.

Finally, now you are one of the very

best in the world and fully

established, do you still enjoy it?

After all the travel, the pressure

and interviews, is it still the

sport that you took up when you

first picked up a cue when you were

a kid?

I think at times it is. I

think sometimes when you are playing

in the small auditoriums in the

qualifying, it can be very tough

after you play in a massive event in

front of 1,000 or 2,000 people, you

go back and play in front of like

ten people and there are eight other

tables going on around you. But

you've got to manage it. It's the

same for everyone and I think, as

you get older, you just kind of

appreciate your success a lot more.

I think when you get to the

semi-final or a final of a

tournament, for me, it's been

quite... Over the past couple of

seasons I've reached a lot of semis

and finals, so to reach the

semi-final of this event, the

Masters or the Royal Championship,

you have got to take it in and enjoy

the moment because there is a lot of

top players around and it doesn't

happen all the time any more.

Well,

we are delighted that you have been

banging 'em in this week. Long may

it continue.

Thank you very much.

A

very good interview from Rob Walker.

Some questions to Stephen from Chris

Sinclair who says what would a

normal day's practise consist of

back in the day?

For me I used to

get back in the snooker hall early,

I had to brush and iron six tables,

18 in there, three days they got

cleaned, six tables, brushed and

ironed, free light and I would be in

there from about 11 o'clock playing,

have lunch, a couple of hours off,

then four or five hours after that.

Two hours for lunch?

No, an hour off

for lunch then three or four more

hour, home about six o'clock and the

club around the corner I would

probably play some more.

Did you

reach a point where you knew it was

time to pack up the cue and go?

When

you were playing really good, the

only thing you were going to to was

miss, that was the time to say, I'll

ease back.

For any budding snooker

players out there, what is your

advice on practise?

You have got to

play as long as you are enjoying it.

People start now at eight or nine

years old. You have to enjoy the

game. When you get to professional,

you have to enjoy it. You have to

treat it as a job almost when you

are putting in so many hours.

What

he was your day like?

Two or three

hours, lunch, watched Neighbours, I

always used to watch Nay four burrs,

when it finished, I was back to the

table -- Neighbours.

Your favourite

character?

That was back in Scott

and Charlene days, a long time ago.

I once had lunch with Harold bishop.

Claim to fame!

And now look at me,

standing next to you two! Mike

Martin says, there are many left

handed players that use the rest

right-handed, Trump, and Hawkins,

any players that do it the opposite

way around.

I can't think of one

player. He's quite right. Quite a

lot of left handers but then not the

other way.

Kai says, hello, I've had

success with both but should I play

with my natural cue action or to a

routine? I'm stuck between the two

at the moment.

Obviously if you are

not striking it properly putting

aside the cue ball, perhaps you

could go to a more manufacturered

technique.

You should be playing

like you want to play, it's

difficult to try to play like

somebody else.

As long as you are in

a straight line at impact, that's

all that matters.

JP, in the studio

we were talking during one of the

frames about Kyren's stance, you

spotted it and Duncan did as well

and Duncan says, could the pundits

discuss his stance because it

appears to be toes in, a bit like

skiing?

He seems to have both knees

bent as well. Mark King is like that

as well. Generally most players will

walk in with the right leg on the

shot if they are right handed, put

the other one naturally to the other

side. It's slightly different what

he's got but it doesn't stop him

potting.

What advice would you give

the youngsters watching at home?

I

mean, you get the camera views to

watch them this week, you can do

worse than follow what the play, are

doing this year.

To both of you from

Rory Forest asking this on live

television, which one miss in your

whole career most upset you still to

this day? Is there one miss?

I think

mine has been well documented.

We

have spent a lot of time showing

yours.

I am pretty sure there will

be.

Did you miss?

I've Blanked them.

Nick says, good afternoon, any tips

on how to keep your cue in good

condition, I've been using bee wax

over the past year and seems to be

doing a good job?

A damp cloth and a

dry cloth is all I used. That's all

you need. Sticky and dirty, just use

that.

No bee wax?

that.

No bee wax?

Keeping your cue

nice and clean, Lynn seed to feed

the wood. But you don't have to go

over the top.

The final question

from Dara who says, any suggestion

on what tip shape to use for a

beginner? Specifically for a

beginner, any more forgiving than

the others, mushroom tip, comb tip,

how does it affect the relevant

shots?

When you get to a point where

you are doing all the shots like

screw shots, you are going to miss

cue so it needs to be a bit round.

Any tips on tips?

That is it. Have a

bit of domage going on and it will

grab to the cue ball better. Make

sure obviously, occasionally break

up the leather on the top so it

takes the chalk properly and away

you go.

Aren't we delighted some of

my friends didn't call me when I had

my phone out answering questions

there! John Higgins against Mark

Allen, this has the makings of being

a real cracker tonight on BBC Two.

Should be. They have really good

matches. I've been privileged enough

to commentate when these two have

played a few times and generally

it's been one little mistake. A

couple of seasons ago there was a

fantastic match, John Higgins just

sneaked it. But Mark Allen is not

afraid to play.

In the head-to-head, Allen leads

3-0?

Yes. Carry on from his match

against O'Sullivan, you know, if he

can keep winning frames in one

visit, it will put John under a lot

of pressure. John is a seasoned

campaigner but he's not won this for

12 years, so he might be desperate

to win this week.

When you look at

Mark Allen and the way he's come

through this, he threatens, that's

the best way politely to describe it

isn't it, he threatens damage in the

latter stages of a tournament and

never really sees it through. Have

you seen a different Mark?

He could

do, he's playing well enough. The

one thing you have to do is score.

You are playing the best in the

world and he's doing that. He's

touching the pink and black spot.

Talking about Kyren struggling. When

you can score like he can, he's a

match for anybody.

Steve, one final

question on John Higgins, you know

him so well. We were talking about

other sports, around your 30s, 35s,

#40s, you start thinkingening OK

maybe I need to hang up my cue,

boots, whatever it is I do. How is

it John Higgins continues to look

like a top, top player?

He's stepped

back from the practise because there

are so many tournaments. He's still

better than most players around,

simple as that though.

The other

thing is, if you play the right shot

to a high standard all the time,

that's going to mean you are going

to be around a long time.

It's about

decision-making in practise?

He's

one of the best match players, if

you keep playing the right shot to a

high standard, you will still win

tournaments.

Thank you very much

indeed Steve and John and thank you

for answering the viewers' questions

as well, brilliant, thank you very

much. Keep them coming. A semi-final

on our hands now, back to the very

warm and comfortable television

studio, let's hand you back to Denis

and Steve.

studio, let's hand you back to Denis

and Steve.

and Steve. Thank you, Jason. Judd

gets this first frame after the mid

session interval under way and he's

still left that red for the left

corner.

Maybe he can get his confidence up

straightaway after the interval.

APPLAUSE.

Big bounce.

Might be able to take the yellow and

it looks as if there are two reds

between the black and the little

bunch of reds. If he could get on

one of those, he could really give

himself a chance. You can see what

he's faced with, but can he get the

white into the correct place. He's

got the one to the right of the pink

and reds.

The loose one he's played for this

time.

No. It's not quite happening for

Kyren at the moment.

Just the yellow, the way he played

it, he could have left himself a

little better on a rod. Judd when he

plays with the rest changes hands.

Plays right handed with the rest.

I know it's the best of 11 but Kyren

has a tall order here.

A wee bit unlucky to flick the black

and finish tight at the baulk

cushion. He's potted some terrific

long pots into both corner pockets.

His position's let him down a little

bit this afternoon.

Kyren has his wife Sophie with him

here. Just had a brief chat with

her. He's got a three-year-old son

now. That's Sophie there.

now. That's Sophie there. They have

a 16-week O-levelled baby too. He's

called Bailey. -- 16-week old.

APPLAUSE.

That is a bit of a nightmare.

Beautiful shot.

It looks so simple

but that takes some play. It's a

deliberate Miskiw... Have a look at

this, you don't see it very often.

Ian McCullough from Preston used to

do that.

You've got to hit the ball

with the tip of the cue.

Actually, I think you've got to hit

the ball with the tip. I'll have to

think about that.

I'll leave that

one with you.

Yeah, thanks!

Yes, he

decided to start again. It was a bit

of a stalemate so a good decision.

It wasn't going anywhere, that.

Still thinking about that?

No, no.

You have to hit it with the tip, I

think.

Judd's got his family here, his dad

Steve and Georgina and his

girlfriend here as well. It's nice

when you have the support with you.

That's Judd's parents and girlfriend

there.

It's gone very quiet in the

Ally Pally at the moment.

Can he get a better break-off shot

this time?

It's certainly opened the reds up,

that is Fisher.

-- that is for sure.

A nice safety shot from Judd Trump.

Cuff off the right-hand side of the

table and left Kyren with a tricky

safety shot back. He has got to

catch this outside red pretty thin

to avoid wobbling in the jaws of the

top left corner pocket.

It looks like that is probably the

right shot, the containing safety.

Has he left a tempter into the right

middle, with an element of safety

involved for Judd Trump? What a

great shot this is.

I think Kyren played the safety

shot. He could have played across

the face of the red and he would not

have left this red on. I don't think

he even thought about the middle

pocket.

Playing match snooker at the moment,

Judd. Don't want to go on about it,

but very impressed.

That is a shocker from Judd. Cued

across that one. He will go back to

his seat and he will not be very

pleased as we show you this shot

again.

Something Stephen Hendrie

picked up on, Judd prefers to stun

the ball, rather than roll them.

Because of that idiosyncratic action

of going across the ball, perhaps

that cue, when he hits the ball

slower, he does not get as well

online as when he is punching them.

This is tough. Bridging over that

red is making the shot a lot harder.

Terrific cueing from that awkward

position. That positional shot,

there is a red, a couple of reds,

but the right-hand one is available

for the right corner.

Lots of side to swing the white up

towards the red, and he has played

pretty well.

He wanted a slightly more angled one

on the black and he could have

cannoned into the red and been

guaranteed to be on the one next to

the white.

That developed definitely one more

red.

This would be nice for Wilson

to make a telling break, punishing

Judd for the mistake, make a

statement.

Just couldn't open those reds up as

nicely from that straight on

position. Got a bit more movement of

the pack. Still some work to do in

that department.

If he got the correct angle, the

blue would not be a bad ball to go

into the pack from. But I don't

think he has got it here.

Time for Kyren to go to work. His

highest break so far has only been

38.

He hit that harder than he wanted.

He should have been better for this

red on the right middle pocket.

He

could have played for the red on the

left-hand side cushion first. But he

chose this shot well out of

position.

That is a great recovery. One good

shot, as we show you this terrific

pot from that angle. One good cannon

and he can really open the game.

Heat played that almost perfectly,

other than overheating at a

fraction. That was understandable.

Just cleared the cue ball from the

reds. Nicely played. Could have

stuck in those reds. Greater chance

now. You get the feeling that he

must convert. He's got to start

stamping his authority on this

match.

Judd will have something to think

about after missing that sitter of a

red into the left corner. This was

the one.