Final 1: Mark Allen v Kyren Wilson

0:00:34 > 0:00:39Hello, good afternoon, welcome to the final of the 2018 Dafabet

0:00:39 > 0:00:46masters. The top players are set out on the road to land one of snooker's

0:00:46 > 0:00:50most prestigious titles, now there are just two man left with the

0:00:50 > 0:01:00chance of lifting the Masters trophy.

0:01:25 > 0:01:30So we are guaranteed a brand-new name on the Masters trophy, Mark

0:01:30 > 0:01:34Allen and Kyren Wilson are about to walk out into Alexandra Palace, the

0:01:34 > 0:01:39final of the triple crown event for the first time. Stephen Hendry is

0:01:39 > 0:01:44commentating this afternoon. What is it like for these guys, the first

0:01:44 > 0:01:51final of the triple crown event? They will have grown up watching

0:01:51 > 0:01:57these finals, myself, Steven Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins,

0:01:57 > 0:02:01watching these players play the event and now they are in it. In

0:02:01 > 0:02:05terms of the dressing room, you are very nervous. I almost felt sick in

0:02:05 > 0:02:11the dressing room before you get out. You just can't wait to get to

0:02:11 > 0:02:17the table.How do you handle those nerves?You cannot teach that sort

0:02:17 > 0:02:21of thing, you either cope with it or you don't. They will just be

0:02:21 > 0:02:26desperate to get to the table and get their arm going.Let's talk

0:02:26 > 0:02:32about Kyren Wilson first, amazing come back from 5-2 down against Judd

0:02:32 > 0:02:39Trump, does he come in absolutely buzzing?Both players are playing

0:02:39 > 0:02:44people they possibly didn't expect to play in the final. Today there

0:02:44 > 0:02:49will be more expectation, because there is no disrespect to Mark Allen

0:02:49 > 0:02:54but he will believe he can win today so there is expectation.The way

0:02:54 > 0:02:59he's going about his business, the way he's going about the table, he

0:02:59 > 0:03:05looks so confident.For me, he's a strong favourite, just through form

0:03:05 > 0:03:11through the tournament going into this. He looks like he will win

0:03:11 > 0:03:17every frame at one visit, Kyren Wilson not so much.It gets under

0:03:17 > 0:03:21way at 1:30pm, plenty of time to look back at what has been an

0:03:21 > 0:03:28eventful week at Alexandra Palace. Intriguing first match of this

0:03:28 > 0:03:33Masters. He will be nervous today, Mark Williams. He's not been in this

0:03:33 > 0:03:35event for a while.

0:03:43 > 0:03:51Something crawling along the white ball, it is a little ant! Boy, does

0:03:51 > 0:03:56he pot some fantastic long balls.He has rescued the situation with an

0:03:56 > 0:04:02excellent pot.

0:04:04 > 0:04:10excellent pot.It is not all that bad!

0:04:10 > 0:04:15bad! Well...What a situation! Mark Williams had three minutes to think

0:04:15 > 0:04:21about that shot, how long will the referee take?Five reds need

0:04:21 > 0:04:26replacing! Mark Williams has nicked the white and it is in his pocket!

0:04:26 > 0:04:36The referee doesn't know that. He is a wind-up merchant.Thank you!The

0:04:36 > 0:04:42crown -- the crowd know what has happened, the referee doesn't. He is

0:04:42 > 0:04:52looking for the white now. There we go.

0:04:56 > 0:05:09Going for the far not -- knuckle, very good.It is all square, it is

0:05:09 > 0:05:29one frame shoot out. No! Can you believe it?That's a beautiful shot.

0:05:29 > 0:05:35And the pink is in. The Welsh potting machine has made a terrific

0:05:35 > 0:05:41come back and he takes the match by six frames to five.I knew that last

0:05:41 > 0:05:46red that if I dropped it in the match was mine and it was a do or

0:05:46 > 0:05:51die short. You have to commit to it, unfortunately for me it managed to

0:05:51 > 0:05:57sit over the hole.

0:05:57 > 0:05:59sit over the hole.He's from county Antrim in Northern Ireland, it is

0:05:59 > 0:06:12the Pistol, Mark Williams! What's your second name again? Mark Allen,

0:06:12 > 0:06:20ladies and gentlemen!Eventually, Ken, we got the names right.

0:06:20 > 0:06:25Interesting thing there which happened when Luca Brecel came down

0:06:25 > 0:06:32with two cues. It will be interesting to see what he does with

0:06:32 > 0:06:39the other one.Nice little positional shot as well, the black

0:06:39 > 0:06:47into the left corner pocket.

0:06:47 > 0:06:52into the left corner pocket. Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Keep going,

0:06:52 > 0:06:58keep going, it is in! There you go! That is what you call John Virgo

0:06:58 > 0:07:13trick shot.He seems to have a bit of fly problem on the table.

0:07:14 > 0:07:23And in the end Mark Allen was at his absolute best for me, it mattered,

0:07:23 > 0:07:32he produced and comes out a comfortable winner 6-3.

0:07:33 > 0:07:40comfortable winner 6-3. And there is a fly. I don't know if it is the

0:07:40 > 0:07:46same one as yesterday.

0:07:46 > 0:07:53same one as yesterday.The fly is causing a little problem. On top of

0:07:53 > 0:08:01the cue ball. Very hard to play when that is there, isn't it?

0:08:04 > 0:08:14that is there, isn't it? Steve Davis must have opened his wallet!

0:08:25 > 0:08:34Very disappointed, Ding Junhui.In it goes. This is marvellous stuff

0:08:34 > 0:08:44and what a performance from Ryan Day. Free century breaks he's made

0:08:44 > 0:08:51against Ding Junhui's two, and it is Ryan Day. 3-0 down he was, and he is

0:08:51 > 0:08:56through to the quarterfinals.

0:09:04 > 0:09:08I always like watching Liang Wenbo, such a character. Lots of

0:09:08 > 0:09:18expressions on his face. It's not going to move, is it?

0:09:18 > 0:09:22going to move, is it? He has put it in his pocket. A bit of protein for

0:09:22 > 0:09:27later.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32later. Judd Trump in the end with that magnificent break gets himself

0:09:32 > 0:09:41through to the next round and he takes the match 6-4. If we have a

0:09:41 > 0:09:45match like we had in the semifinal last year, it will be very special.

0:09:45 > 0:09:51Have a look at this, a fly has landed on his head. He got down and

0:09:51 > 0:10:03played the short as if it wasn't there.Perfect.

0:10:03 > 0:10:07Honestly, we might as well wrap up and go home now because this is

0:10:07 > 0:10:15crazy.

0:10:15 > 0:10:24crazy.What a performance from the defending champion and! Absolutely

0:10:24 > 0:10:32amazing. Barry Hawkins looks like he has played his last shot in this

0:10:32 > 0:10:37year's Dafabet Masters. And that is the case. Fair play to Kyren Wilson,

0:10:37 > 0:10:49he stuck at it, and he is to his first Masters quarterfinal. --

0:10:49 > 0:10:55through.There's been a lot of flies this week.I wonder if it is the

0:10:55 > 0:11:00same one? If it is, it won't be back!The fly is whizzing around in

0:11:00 > 0:11:09the room.

0:11:12 > 0:11:18Shaun Murphy made a few mistakes but in the end it was a good tough

0:11:18 > 0:11:20work-out, and might stand him in good stead for the rest of the

0:11:20 > 0:11:28tournament.

0:11:28 > 0:11:37The Wizard of Wishaw has waived that magic wand. We have had another

0:11:37 > 0:11:42cracking match here at Alexandra Palace and in the end it is John

0:11:42 > 0:11:46Higgins who has won this title on two occasions that goes through to

0:11:46 > 0:11:55the next round 6-4.Ronnie won the toss and he will get this first

0:11:55 > 0:11:59quarterfinal under way.I'm struggling, I don't know what it is,

0:11:59 > 0:12:03whether it is a virus, but I have had it before and it is difficult

0:12:03 > 0:12:13when you are getting dizzy spells. Superb performance from Mark Allen

0:12:13 > 0:12:20here.

0:12:20 > 0:12:26here.This looks absolutely perfect, what a positional shot that is,

0:12:26 > 0:12:31fantastic.Ronnie looked out of sorts, it has to be said, but Mark

0:12:31 > 0:12:35Allen has put in a fabulous performance here and has won the

0:12:35 > 0:12:41match very comfortably indeed.It just wasn't good enough. I will miss

0:12:41 > 0:12:45this year's World Championships. I come back to snooker for different

0:12:45 > 0:12:55reasons. It is just a bit passer for me. Of time there is a fly on the

0:12:55 > 0:13:03white.Another one bites the dust.

0:13:06 > 0:13:13Well played, that was an excellent shot.Kyren Wilson I'm sure didn't

0:13:13 > 0:13:23expect it to be that easy, but you take what's put in front you.

0:13:23 > 0:13:26take what's put in front you. I remember the first few days when we

0:13:26 > 0:13:33have the fly on the table, they were gently trying to pick them up by the

0:13:33 > 0:13:42wing, not any more!

0:13:42 > 0:13:51What happened to the old spray can be used to have?

0:13:51 > 0:13:58# Everybody is kung fu fighting # Those kids were fast as lightning,

0:13:58 > 0:14:04in fact it was a little bit frightening #.

0:14:04 > 0:14:10What a wonderful shot, back-to-back centuries, absolutely marvellous.

0:14:10 > 0:14:17Judd Trump runs out the winner by six frames to four.Now he's doing

0:14:17 > 0:14:22what the great Ray Reardon used to do, putting the rest on top of the

0:14:22 > 0:14:38spider. Whoops! Nearly fouled the red with the cue there.He's back!

0:14:38 > 0:14:49He likes a double, does John.How did that stay out?John Higgins, a

0:14:49 > 0:14:53comfortable winner 6-1.

0:15:01 > 0:15:11Just spotted his mum and dad there, been packed all week.What a great

0:15:11 > 0:15:20shot this is.

0:15:22 > 0:15:30What is shot he has played there. Judd Trump only needs one more to

0:15:30 > 0:15:38get into the final.Really going for the jugular here. Great shot, full

0:15:38 > 0:15:47marks for trying to make something happen here. What a turnaround.

0:15:47 > 0:15:52Well, it's hard to describe how he's feeling inside. He is puffing his

0:15:52 > 0:15:59cheeks. This has been the best performance of his career. It

0:15:59 > 0:16:04doesn't matter about that. In the end the man from Kettering has won

0:16:04 > 0:16:09four frames in a row, and didn't he do it in style? And he gets himself

0:16:09 > 0:16:14through to the final at the Dafabet masters.There have been some

0:16:14 > 0:16:19amazing comebacks and I'd like to think I've gone down in history for

0:16:19 > 0:16:27one of them myself.There you go, there is a piece of wood.Do you

0:16:27 > 0:16:34want to play with it or do you want another one? Can we ask for another

0:16:34 > 0:16:42one, please.Doesn't look straight. Amazing!

0:16:42 > 0:17:02Amazing!Very good pot.How's your luck? It looks absolutely perfect.

0:17:02 > 0:17:05Good shot.

0:17:17 > 0:17:22John Higgins I'm certain wishes him good luck. There is a delight in

0:17:22 > 0:17:29Mark Allen, at his first Dafabet masters final.If I don't win it

0:17:29 > 0:17:33will all be for nothing so I've got to go out and do what I have been

0:17:33 > 0:17:34doing all week and go

0:17:34 > 0:17:35to go out and do what I have been doing all week and go out on the

0:17:35 > 0:17:39right note.It has been a wonderful muster so far and we are expecting a

0:17:39 > 0:17:46thrilling final. Let's get the review of the man himself, Barry

0:17:46 > 0:17:51Hearn is here alongside Dennis Taylor. Barry, your thoughts on what

0:17:51 > 0:17:56has been a very, very wonderful high-quality masters?I think it's

0:17:56 > 0:18:05been a great way to start the New Year. Everything from my site ticks

0:18:05 > 0:18:10boxes, ratings are well up on the BBC which is unusual these days.

0:18:10 > 0:18:15Ticket sales 25% up, every session virtually sold out, Ronnie has been

0:18:15 > 0:18:21Ronnie which is always good for some press.We will come onto that.We

0:18:21 > 0:18:27have seen two new players who have never made a masters final before,

0:18:27 > 0:18:30different personalities, different attacking play. I couldn't be more

0:18:30 > 0:18:36pleased with the state of snooker as it is today and this illustrates the

0:18:36 > 0:18:40progress we have made. The fans are turning out saying yes, this is what

0:18:40 > 0:18:46we like to see.I have been talking to a few of the fans, they have come

0:18:46 > 0:18:50to the venue and talk about seeing Ronnie O'Sullivan but now they are

0:18:50 > 0:18:54telling us they are coming to see the likes of Judd Trump and Mark

0:18:54 > 0:19:02Allen which is vitally important going forward.Every sport, you need

0:19:02 > 0:19:05flag-bearers and Ronnie O'Sullivan is the most attractive player in the

0:19:05 > 0:19:09world but the sport is not built around one person, it is built

0:19:09 > 0:19:15around formats and an open door policy, around ability, absence of

0:19:15 > 0:19:18mediocrity. At the highest level, the Masters is the highest level

0:19:18 > 0:19:23because it is the top 16 and they are there by choice. They have

0:19:23 > 0:19:28earned their spot and it's showing the fans will come to watch people

0:19:28 > 0:19:40playing quality snooker, period. So that has ticked

0:19:40 > 0:19:43that has ticked a lot of boxes for me and I think we are at the stage

0:19:43 > 0:19:45now where the last five years have been a helter-skelter of emotions

0:19:45 > 0:19:48and changes, and it is beginning to pay off as we have seen with the

0:19:48 > 0:19:51global side of the game which has never been stronger.Dennis, is

0:19:51 > 0:19:53there a slight concern the big names like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark

0:19:53 > 0:19:55Williams are still getting the rapturous applause when they come

0:19:55 > 0:19:59out and there is more of a muted celebration when the youngest

0:19:59 > 0:20:04players come out?I wouldn't agree with that because we have had packed

0:20:04 > 0:20:07houses since the tournament started and they have been fair to

0:20:07 > 0:20:12everybody. They are the sort of crowd that if the underdog produces

0:20:12 > 0:20:16the snooker they will get the respect of the crowd. Ray Reardon

0:20:16 > 0:20:20always used to say if you produce the stuff on the table you will get

0:20:20 > 0:20:25the respect of the crowd. One or two shouting out but overall, compared

0:20:25 > 0:20:31to the old days when if you played Alex Higgins in the conference

0:20:31 > 0:20:37centre, I mean Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis used to get booed but

0:20:37 > 0:20:42they are very fair these days. Every match is like a final with having

0:20:42 > 0:20:47the top 16 here.I think also you have to say that don't forget, those

0:20:47 > 0:20:51older players have earned the right, they have been there a very long

0:20:51 > 0:20:57time.And they are exciting players, especially in terms of Ronnie.You

0:20:57 > 0:21:01have got to earn the right to get the crowd on your side and whilst

0:21:01 > 0:21:05British crowds in particular often cheer the underdog, at quality

0:21:05 > 0:21:10events they are here to watch the quality and that is focused around

0:21:10 > 0:21:14the older players that have done it over a period of time.That's come

0:21:14 > 0:21:18onto Ronnie O'Sullivan who made those comments in the press

0:21:18 > 0:21:24conference, were you driving around, listening on the television? He said

0:21:24 > 0:21:30he may not come to the World Championships.I always listen to

0:21:30 > 0:21:36Ronnie, I think he's great. He comes out with some stuff. We have a

0:21:36 > 0:21:41system here that is very clear to understand for everybody. No player

0:21:41 > 0:21:47is forced to play in anything. We live in a democracy, their contracts

0:21:47 > 0:21:52are fairly democratic. If you don't want to play, don't play. That is

0:21:52 > 0:21:56not really an issue for me. Of course I want to see Ronnie

0:21:56 > 0:22:00O'Sullivan play but no one is forcing him. We open opportunities

0:22:00 > 0:22:05to new players as well as existing players and it's built on ability.

0:22:05 > 0:22:09You can't expect, I mean Ronnie would like to not play qualifying

0:22:09 > 0:22:14rounds. Believe me, Tiger Woods really didn't want to play the first

0:22:14 > 0:22:18three rounds of any golf tournament. He would have preferred to go

0:22:18 > 0:22:22straight to the final round, it just doesn't work and it's not going to

0:22:22 > 0:22:27happen. Apparently I can walk up and knock on his door and negotiate

0:22:27 > 0:22:35terms and conditions, trust me when I tell you that grass will not get

0:22:35 > 0:22:40trodden on.So will I be introducing Ronnie O'Sullivan in the TV studio?

0:22:40 > 0:22:44I hope so. Life is very strange as you get older, you don't want to

0:22:44 > 0:22:51have too many I should haves in your mind. A player like Ronnie

0:22:51 > 0:22:55O'Sullivan loves snooker, no question in my mind whatsoever. He

0:22:55 > 0:23:00has issues and they are for him to solve. I believe we will see him

0:23:00 > 0:23:04there and if not I believe he is making a bad choice but it is his

0:23:04 > 0:23:10choice to make.One quick word from you, Dennis, this is a wonderful day

0:23:10 > 0:23:16for Northern Ireland.

0:23:16 > 0:23:17for Northern Ireland.Absolutely fantastic, it is 40 years since Alex

0:23:17 > 0:23:22Higgins lifted the trophy, and another coming through, Mark Allen's

0:23:22 > 0:23:29stepson Robbie, 13 and he made a break of 133 in a competition so he

0:23:29 > 0:23:33will be possibly winning this masters in years to come.And we

0:23:33 > 0:23:44have the white and green army.It is a great final because they are both

0:23:44 > 0:23:50terrifically matched.Have a great afternoon, thank you very much

0:23:50 > 0:24:00indeed. We have got a great final on our hands.

0:24:33 > 0:24:38Cast your mind back, it is a long way I know, it is your first major

0:24:38 > 0:24:45final. In the morning before the match, what is your brain thinking?

0:24:45 > 0:24:49I assume everyone is the same, you wake up in the morning, you don't

0:24:49 > 0:24:55need to put the snooze button on, you are alert immediately. There are

0:24:55 > 0:24:59butterflies in your stomach, that's natural because your body is

0:24:59 > 0:25:03preparing for the onslaught ahead. You need to eat food but you don't

0:25:03 > 0:25:08want it, your body doesn't want loads of food inside it so you

0:25:08 > 0:25:12shovel it in your face as best you can. Then you have got to wait until

0:25:12 > 0:25:18the match, it is like the densest waiting room. Remember when you did

0:25:18 > 0:25:22your driving test, your first job interview, the school exams, the

0:25:22 > 0:25:27build-up to those, you are so nervous. Perhaps the dentist waiting

0:25:27 > 0:25:30room, you know there will be drilling going on, then you have

0:25:30 > 0:25:34time with friends and family. You will probably be a bit short

0:25:34 > 0:25:41tempered with them, you might be quieter. You come to the venue, you

0:25:41 > 0:25:44go on the practice table, that is a bit of respite, get your arm going

0:25:44 > 0:25:48and get the tension out of your body but then you have the dentist

0:25:48 > 0:25:52waiting room again in the dressing room. Once they call your name out

0:25:52 > 0:25:57and you get on the table, it is business as usual but the waiting is

0:25:57 > 0:26:03absolutely awful.That is the view from down here, here is the view of

0:26:03 > 0:26:08the two finalists this year.This is one of the most unique venues we

0:26:08 > 0:26:13play in, to be honest it's not far behind the World Championships.

0:26:13 > 0:26:19Every match is like a final, and having 2000 people live every day is

0:26:19 > 0:26:23awesome.This would be a massive feather in my cap if I were to win

0:26:23 > 0:26:29it. I cannot get too far ahead of myself, but to win nine tournaments

0:26:29 > 0:26:34in 13 years and I have never won triple crown event, those things are

0:26:34 > 0:26:37disappointing for me and I want to win more.Last year I turned up on

0:26:37 > 0:26:42the day I was playing, I have never seen the venue before and I didn't

0:26:42 > 0:26:47take in the atmosphere. It was too late and I didn't settle against

0:26:47 > 0:26:51Ding Junhui last year, so this year I want to take in the venue and

0:26:51 > 0:26:56enjoy every match I have played, it has been an unbelievable turnaround

0:26:56 > 0:27:02for myself. To be in the final on my second appearance is awesome.There

0:27:02 > 0:27:06hasn't been any really bad performances, I have always kept a

0:27:06 > 0:27:11certain level and I think that's why I have won so many matches. I have

0:27:11 > 0:27:17just worked really hard on my game, it sounds stupid to say that, I

0:27:17 > 0:27:21always work really hard but I feel like I'm working on the right things

0:27:21 > 0:27:26now.I just really enjoy playing Mark to be honest. He brings out the

0:27:26 > 0:27:30best in me, I feel like we have similar qualities, good match

0:27:30 > 0:27:33players and gritty and I enjoy playing people like that because it

0:27:33 > 0:27:38makes you get up for it as well. He's done remarkably well in a short

0:27:38 > 0:27:43space of time, in the top 16 he's established himself now, won

0:27:43 > 0:27:49tournament in Shanghai. He's a top, top player but I feel like I am a

0:27:49 > 0:27:53top, top player myself so I'm just going to control my own emotions and

0:27:53 > 0:27:57play my best like I have done all week.It would mean everything. When

0:27:57 > 0:28:12you are growing up you target the UK, the Masters,

0:28:14 > 0:28:16the worlds, the triple crown, they are the ones that matter when you

0:28:16 > 0:28:20come to retire. I have one match to go, I will be trying my heart out. I

0:28:20 > 0:28:23want to give my mum that trophy.It will be a dream come true, I don't

0:28:23 > 0:28:26want to build it up too much but this is only my second final in the

0:28:26 > 0:28:30triple crown event. I feel like if I can break free and win that first

0:28:30 > 0:28:37one, it will be the start of great things to come.

0:28:38 > 0:28:43The atmosphere here inside Alexandra Palace is building, the fans are in

0:28:43 > 0:28:47their seats eagerly anticipating what will be a great final, John, we

0:28:47 > 0:28:57are expecting big things today.I'm really looking forward to it. We --

0:28:57 > 0:29:00it is fascinating, a big prize and someone today will be a major

0:29:00 > 0:29:06champion at the end of it.Steve, do you think Kyren Wilson comes in here

0:29:06 > 0:29:10today... I was talking to Stephen Hendry about the fact he looked dead

0:29:10 > 0:29:16and buried at 5-2, comes in today thinking this is mine.I think he

0:29:16 > 0:29:24has got that type of mentality that possibly he may be thinking I'm

0:29:24 > 0:29:29lucky to be in the final but he is there on merit as Barry Hearn was

0:29:29 > 0:29:33saying so we have a situation where both players we hope they produce in

0:29:33 > 0:29:36the final. There is every reason to believe they will do because they

0:29:36 > 0:29:41have been playing so well. The worst scenario would be they cancel each

0:29:41 > 0:29:45other out with too much tension and nerves but I think the standard of

0:29:45 > 0:29:49play we have seen this week, they will continue and at some stage

0:29:49 > 0:29:59there will be fireworks.It is so evenly matched, isn't it?

0:30:00 > 0:30:03It is all about today. Playing as if it means nothing when it means

0:30:03 > 0:30:07everything and that has encapsulated him in this final. This is the

0:30:07 > 0:30:11biggest day in their careers, can they produce what they normally

0:30:11 > 0:30:21produce?We are so excited. One person we haven't heard from yet is

0:30:21 > 0:30:29Ken Doherty.Both sets of fans and players in the final today. Marc

0:30:29 > 0:30:35Allen's friends today, and Kyren Wilson's family, wife Sophie, Mum

0:30:35 > 0:30:39and dad, and this fella here is thinly, only three years old. If I

0:30:39 > 0:30:47could ask you, so they, had you cope?It's hard to say. I am very

0:30:47 > 0:30:50nervous, but I'm also excited because I know he has the potential

0:30:50 > 0:30:56to do it, it is just how his nerves are holding up.How are they? He

0:30:56 > 0:31:01looks fantastic, looks to be enjoying it. That match against Judd

0:31:01 > 0:31:07Trump was incredible. I have spoken to him on the phone and he is

0:31:07 > 0:31:10definitely ready and excited. I didn't sense any nerves. What about

0:31:10 > 0:31:18mum and dad? It must be harder watching. How are you coping?We

0:31:18 > 0:31:22have got used to it over the years to be honest. Crawling around the

0:31:22 > 0:31:27country, going to be junior and amateur stuff. You just get used to

0:31:27 > 0:31:33another side of it.Seen you in the crowd going through the ringer when

0:31:33 > 0:31:40Kyren is playing.Imagine that for 20 years!How about you?I have

0:31:40 > 0:31:47literally no nails, biting my nails. To watch, fantastic.How about you

0:31:47 > 0:31:53guys? Mark has been doing so well, how your nerves holding?Good at

0:31:53 > 0:31:58all. The first time I have over here -- not good at all. My heart is in

0:31:58 > 0:32:04my mouth. He has done so well this week.Kevin, the green and white

0:32:04 > 0:32:12army is growing. Where are all these tickets going?LAUGHTERHe has been

0:32:12 > 0:32:17really relaxed. I have never seen him this relaxed, even before and

0:32:17 > 0:32:20after, he seems in a different side in this week and comfortable would

0:32:20 > 0:32:26be the way to describe him.The two wins over Ronnie O'Sullivan and John

0:32:26 > 0:32:29Higgins must have given great confidence.I don't think there is

0:32:29 > 0:32:34any easy match with the quality of the guys, but you beat Ronnie 6-1

0:32:34 > 0:32:39then Higgins 6-3 it is incredible, and it shows the level he is playing

0:32:39 > 0:32:44at.Both sets of families will be in the player 's room. I have to keep

0:32:44 > 0:32:48them separated. There will be plenty of shouting there as well as

0:32:48 > 0:32:54outside. Best of luck to Mark Allen and Kyren Wilson. Let's hope a great

0:32:54 > 0:33:01final. That's all from us.Wonderful staff. Thank you very much, Ken.

0:33:01 > 0:33:05Imagine being a member of the family or a friend of these two wonderful

0:33:05 > 0:33:10competitors. What an arena, full crowd here today at Alexandra

0:33:10 > 0:33:14Palace, it is live all day today here on BBC Two. The players are

0:33:14 > 0:33:20standing by. Get ready, let's join RMC, Bob Walker. CHEERING

0:33:20 > 0:33:22standing by. Get ready, let's join RMC, Bob Walker. CHEERING.

0:33:22 > 0:33:22standing by. Get ready, let's join RMC, Bob Walker. CHEERING.

0:33:22 > 0:33:26Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, this is it, it's the big

0:33:26 > 0:33:30one, welcome to the 2018 Dafabet Masters final, the first time these

0:33:30 > 0:33:35guys have gone this deed in illustrious tournament. One is about

0:33:35 > 0:33:41to etch their name in the of sporting history. It is all to play

0:33:41 > 0:33:49this afternoon that Ally Pally so let's get the boys

0:33:49 > 0:33:50let's get the boys on the baize. CHEERING

0:33:50 > 0:33:50let's get the boys on the baize. CHEERING.

0:33:50 > 0:33:51APPLAUSE

0:33:51 > 0:33:57CHEERING. APPLAUSE.

0:34:01 > 0:34:06Please welcome a player emerging for what is without doubt the biggest

0:34:06 > 0:34:11match of his life. This is his maiden appearance in any Triple

0:34:11 > 0:34:16Crown final, the youngest Masters finalist for seven years. Hereafter

0:34:16 > 0:34:21that epic comeback against Judd Trump yesterday, the 2015 Shanghai

0:34:21 > 0:34:25Masters champion, will be cheered on by his friends and family, who are

0:34:25 > 0:34:30all here with him today, a massive occasion for the Warrior, Kyren

0:34:30 > 0:34:31Wilson.CHEERING

0:34:31 > 0:34:39occasion for the Warrior, Kyren Wilson.CHEERING.

0:34:56 > 0:34:56APPLAUSE

0:34:56 > 0:35:04APPLAUSE.

0:35:04 > 0:35:08And his opponent, who is today the pride of a nation, the first player

0:35:08 > 0:35:14from Northern Ireland in a Masters final 431 years, and he has been

0:35:14 > 0:35:18brilliant this week. Sublime against Ronnie, sensational against Higgins,

0:35:18 > 0:35:23this is the day he has dreamt of for years, and he is determined to

0:35:23 > 0:35:34deliver here comes Mark The Pistol Allen!

0:35:34 > 0:35:36CHEERING

0:35:36 > 0:35:38CHEERING. APPLAUSE

0:35:38 > 0:35:46CHEERING. APPLAUSE.

0:35:57 > 0:36:01Wonderful noise inside Alexandra Palace and a lovely big smile from

0:36:01 > 0:36:05Mark Allen. The big guns are out and in our commentary box. Good

0:36:05 > 0:36:08afternoon to Dennis Taylor and Stephen Hendry.

0:36:08 > 0:36:13COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon Jason and everyone. The players getting

0:36:13 > 0:36:16themselves ready and the photographers are all there to get

0:36:16 > 0:36:22the photographs.

0:36:25 > 0:36:26the photographs. That's the wonderful Waterford Crystal trophy

0:36:26 > 0:36:39they are playing for. A new name on the trophy.

0:36:42 > 0:36:48You can see the photographers getting the picture. Smiles all

0:36:48 > 0:36:53around.

0:36:53 > 0:36:57around. A fabulous reception from this Alexandra Palace crowd. I think

0:36:57 > 0:37:09we are in for a classic with both playing fantastically well.They

0:37:09 > 0:37:12will get to work, all the interviews, all the photographs, all

0:37:12 > 0:37:19the stuff you have to do before you get into the final. Certain tickets

0:37:19 > 0:37:24and passes out -- sorting tickets and passes out for family and

0:37:24 > 0:37:28friends, this is what the players wanted to do, get to this table.

0:37:28 > 0:37:29APPLAUSE

0:37:29 > 0:37:29wanted to do, get to this table. APPLAUSE.

0:37:29 > 0:37:34When you wake up in the morning it seems to go so long, the time before

0:37:34 > 0:37:41starting the match itself.There is Paul Hunter's name on the trophy,

0:37:41 > 0:37:50three-time winner, and I think Paul's father is here this evening.

0:37:56 > 0:38:03Good break off there. This is very difficult.

0:38:08 > 0:38:16First chance falls to Mark Allen.

0:38:19 > 0:38:23Mark Allen quite a strong favourite today in my opinion for this but if

0:38:23 > 0:38:28Kyren Wilson can get a start, start the way he finished the match

0:38:28 > 0:38:35against Judd Trump, he's got an opportunity to win it. But he can't

0:38:35 > 0:38:40keep giving Mark Allen these opportunities because all week he's

0:38:40 > 0:38:51just been in phenomenal scoring form.

0:39:03 > 0:39:08The last two matches, Mark Allen against John Higgins and Ronnie

0:39:08 > 0:39:16O'Sullivan, he lost the first frame, then went on to win comfortably.

0:39:16 > 0:39:28We'll seeif he can start a bit quicker today.

0:39:32 > 0:39:38Two completely different styles, both very effective. Mark Allen's

0:39:38 > 0:39:45cue action is very least -- fairly short and on these fast tables it is

0:39:45 > 0:39:51very effective. Not a longer -- lot that can go wrong with it. Kyren has

0:39:51 > 0:39:54more of a flowing action, a longer backswing before he delivers the

0:39:54 > 0:40:02cue.

0:40:10 > 0:40:16And that was a good shot of the cue action of Mark Allen there. Doesn't

0:40:16 > 0:40:21grip the cue very tightly. You can see the backhand there, a lot of

0:40:21 > 0:40:25players when they start playing gripped the cue to tightly at the

0:40:25 > 0:40:35butt end.

0:40:36 > 0:40:44.Already a test for the referee's nerves.

0:40:44 > 0:40:55nerves.Yes, the Belgian officiating in the final here.

0:41:40 > 0:41:48You will definitely noticed today that the cue ball will travel less

0:41:48 > 0:41:55distance when Mark Allen is that the table. But I think if you look at

0:41:55 > 0:42:02advantages each player will have, Kyren Wilson is a stronger long

0:42:02 > 0:42:11potter. That will possibly be a way he will look to get in the frames.

0:42:20 > 0:42:24Impressed with John Higgins, didn't make any mistakes but every time

0:42:24 > 0:42:28Mark got a chance, he didn't make a century break but make four breaks

0:42:28 > 0:42:36over 60. I think the other one was over 70, so more or less winning the

0:42:36 > 0:42:44frames. With one visit. Getting slightly difficult now. He's got a

0:42:44 > 0:42:55bit of angle to work with to try and force it over to the reds.

0:43:01 > 0:43:06They are all covering each other there, as you can see. The back of

0:43:06 > 0:43:14the pink there might be available. Well, he's gone into them, and I

0:43:14 > 0:43:21tell you what, he's been a bit unlucky there. In fact, he's very

0:43:21 > 0:43:33unlucky. Played with top spin to develop a few.

0:43:36 > 0:43:40Had that Cameron worked out, every chance he would have taken this

0:43:40 > 0:43:45opening frame with one visit.

0:44:14 > 0:44:18APPLAUSE

0:44:18 > 0:44:23That was a very difficult one he was attempting there but he hasn't done

0:44:23 > 0:44:27too badly because the one bread available to carry the black is

0:44:27 > 0:44:32hampering him to take that up into the corner pocket -- the one red

0:44:32 > 0:44:42available. And he is looking down at the corner

0:44:42 > 0:44:46pocket there. He has to be careful he doesn't need the red at the

0:44:46 > 0:44:56middle pocket. He has to cover that if he plays up into that area.

0:44:56 > 0:44:58if he plays up into that area. He's played the back double. That was a

0:44:58 > 0:45:08bit ambitious.

0:45:11 > 0:45:14Obviously couldn't see an easy safety shot and thought he would

0:45:14 > 0:45:22have a go at the double.

0:45:22 > 0:45:24have a go at the double.This is a much trickier pot than it perhaps

0:45:24 > 0:45:29looks on your screen.

0:45:29 > 0:45:38looks on your screen. There you see the angle.

0:45:38 > 0:45:43the angle. Now he has left a possible part for -- pot for Kyren

0:45:43 > 0:45:52Wilson. You see the angle where he can follow through two cushions or

0:45:52 > 0:45:55stand for the blues.It would be an early confidence booster if he could

0:45:55 > 0:46:05knock this in.

0:46:09 > 0:46:14Excellently cued.

0:46:14 > 0:46:21Must feel good to hit a ball as well as that.

0:46:24 > 0:46:27as that. So Mark Allen was in first with 39 that this is an excellent

0:46:27 > 0:46:32chance.

0:46:36 > 0:46:42chance. -- but this is an excellent chance.

0:46:55 > 0:47:01He may have to play for the red that is on the black cushion here. Six

0:47:01 > 0:47:08reds in the middle of the table are all covering each other.

0:47:12 > 0:47:18That is well played. Perfect on this thread. Doesn't really have to play

0:47:18 > 0:47:22a lot of pace, and natural angle just to come out for the black. -- a

0:47:22 > 0:47:29natural angle.As long as he doesn't catch the near cushion there, you

0:47:29 > 0:47:36have the perfect picture to watch it.

0:47:47 > 0:47:54He's just hit that a bit hard. He did that a lot yesterday, overhit a

0:47:54 > 0:47:58lot of positional shots. If he just dropped it in, you have to make sure

0:47:58 > 0:48:07you're leaving yourself low on the black Blair. It's awkward now. --

0:48:07 > 0:48:11the black ball there.

0:48:24 > 0:48:28I don't think there is anything available, I don't think they've

0:48:28 > 0:48:32read passes the pink, but he did leave himself or awkward on the

0:48:32 > 0:48:40black, and that is very tight -- the red passes the pink. If it touched

0:48:40 > 0:48:45the right-hand jaw of the pocket... It wouldn't go in, but he's having a

0:48:45 > 0:48:53look at it from both ends. It looks as if he's going to attempt it, but

0:48:53 > 0:48:59he'll have to be very, very precise. I think it will go.Definitely goes

0:48:59 > 0:49:10in the right half of the pocket, you would say.

0:49:10 > 0:49:17would say. He did well with that black to be fair.

0:49:31 > 0:49:35Definitely got an advantage in the cue power department as well, I

0:49:35 > 0:49:48think. Because of that very long backswing, more orthodox cue action.

0:49:48 > 0:50:04It's quite mechanical, his style. After play the cannon into the three

0:50:04 > 0:50:09reds here.

0:50:11 > 0:50:20reds here. -- off to play.

0:50:20 > 0:50:26Did very well. Good chance. Even though he can't see the table. That

0:50:26 > 0:50:32is Kyren's son with his grandma Sonia and Grandad Rob. He is getting

0:50:32 > 0:50:40a bit tired, he won't be here that long, I don't think. But this is a

0:50:40 > 0:50:44terrific effort from Kyren here. There wasn't that many on when he

0:50:44 > 0:50:50came to the table but look at how he -- look how he has got all now, and

0:50:50 > 0:50:59we are all square at 39 points each. I just hope both players play at top

0:50:59 > 0:51:07of their form because I think this could be a terrific final.

0:51:10 > 0:51:15I agree, although I said I would make Mark Allen favourite, I don't

0:51:15 > 0:51:18think he will win comfortably. I think this will go pretty much all

0:51:18 > 0:51:23the way.

0:51:23 > 0:51:32These are the sorts of chances you have to take.

0:51:41 > 0:51:46They have played each other six times, it is three each. Kyren had

0:51:46 > 0:51:53the big win in the World Championship 2016, 13-9. Of course,

0:51:53 > 0:52:00when Kyren won his first ranking title, he defeated Mark in the

0:52:00 > 0:52:05semifinal. That was in the Shanghai Masters and he beat him 6-1 in that.

0:52:05 > 0:52:10So there is not a lot to pick between them, although Mark Allen is

0:52:10 > 0:52:21the more experienced.

0:52:22 > 0:52:27I think both players coming in today will have very high expectations of

0:52:27 > 0:52:30winning. If either of them played maybe Selby or Sullivan in the final

0:52:30 > 0:52:33they would slightly have the attitude they have nothing to lose

0:52:33 > 0:52:43being the underdog, but I think both players fancy the job. So that

0:52:43 > 0:52:48always puts pressure on as well, when you put pressure on yourself to

0:52:48 > 0:52:55win.26 in front, so this last red with any colour will leave mark

0:52:55 > 0:53:01needing the snooker. Another couple more inches, this would have been

0:53:01 > 0:53:13unmissable. This red now is a little bit of a cutback. No. I'm surprised

0:53:13 > 0:53:18he played it at that pace. All he had to do was drop it in. The harder

0:53:18 > 0:53:26you hit that the more difficult that pot is.It's difficult to play

0:53:26 > 0:53:33especially on pressure shots, playing them with a bit of pace. He

0:53:33 > 0:53:39can use the green as a stopper here to keep the red on that cushion. He

0:53:39 > 0:53:47needs to cover. It looks a good line. Has he got the gap?Well, I

0:53:47 > 0:53:53think he's got the gap, looking at Mark 's body language as he walked

0:53:53 > 0:54:01away. Good effort to get in behind the black bear.

0:54:01 > 0:54:04the black bear. -- the black ball there. Can he not this long-running

0:54:04 > 0:54:19pass the green? Mac this long one in.

0:54:20 > 0:54:23Believe it or not, that was more difficult than the one he missed

0:54:23 > 0:54:30into the middle pocket, but that is the frame secure now.

0:54:34 > 0:54:38Mark Allen started off with a break of 39. He was very unlucky when he

0:54:38 > 0:54:44went into the reds, very unfortunate, but Kyren Wilson, well,

0:54:44 > 0:54:54he looks in fine form.

0:54:54 > 0:55:05Just a quick check of the scoreboard, but he is well safe.

0:55:08 > 0:55:13He did miss a few against Judd Trump. Doesn't matter about the

0:55:13 > 0:55:18blue.

0:55:18 > 0:55:27blue. In the end, it's Kyren Wilson who takes the opening frame. 1-0 to

0:55:27 > 0:55:34the man from Kettering STUDIO: It is indeed. Nerves, what nerves?

0:55:34 > 0:55:39Unlucky, Mark, got 39, went into the pack, didn't land on anything. Kyren

0:55:39 > 0:55:44potted a solid long red, just the one you want to start a final with.

0:55:44 > 0:55:47I was surprised the way he played they want a Mac in the middle, I

0:55:47 > 0:55:51thought he would drop it in but he didn't and ultimately got away with

0:55:51 > 0:56:01it. -- played red.

0:56:01 > 0:56:03it. -- played red.We haven't got a clue how the friends would unfold

0:56:03 > 0:56:05and there is luck attached, splits can go for or against you. Generally

0:56:05 > 0:56:08be operative -- observation may be, it is an advantage to Kyren Wilson

0:56:08 > 0:56:14not to have to wait to get into his first major mine as opposed to Mark

0:56:14 > 0:56:21Allen. -- major final. He might grow in stature of the match unfolds and

0:56:21 > 0:56:26while they starts off as a player you think you might not necessarily

0:56:26 > 0:56:29be on the winners rostrum all the time at a young age, the next you

0:56:29 > 0:56:33will say, it was written in the stars. As the match unfolds, you

0:56:33 > 0:56:37never know, but Allen has been playing great stuff.When you look

0:56:37 > 0:56:43at Wilson, especially the red he potted, he is a class act.He can

0:56:43 > 0:56:46cue as well, but what was impressive there was it was his first real

0:56:46 > 0:56:49chance looking at a ball in the final and it went straight into the

0:56:49 > 0:56:54middle pocket so he is obviously unfazed. The boys were talking about

0:56:54 > 0:56:59their head-to-head record. The World Championships is big, if you can

0:56:59 > 0:57:04beat somebody over a distance of ground like that and Kyren beat Mark

0:57:04 > 0:57:0813-9, that has too stand you in good stead.Takers in there, when you win

0:57:08 > 0:57:13the opening frame of the big event like this, how do you feel?It

0:57:13 > 0:57:16settles your nerves a bit better than if you need a couple of bites

0:57:16 > 0:57:21to get over the line in the frame. I was impressed with Wilson when I saw

0:57:21 > 0:57:24him in the World Championships. Anybody who can cope with the

0:57:24 > 0:57:30Crucible I always feel is a great player. This is another stage, and

0:57:30 > 0:57:33other event. I don't think Kyren Wilson played in front of as many

0:57:33 > 0:57:39people as this, maybe in China, I don't know. But you know when you

0:57:39 > 0:57:44come out of this it is exciting, and also, it tells you questions about

0:57:44 > 0:57:50yourself. If you can handle this you can handle everything.It's the

0:57:50 > 0:57:55prestige as well, this is the Masters, and his second appearance.

0:57:55 > 0:57:58This is huge, and major Championship. We love winning

0:57:58 > 0:58:02ranking events, but ultimately, when you look at your record, if you come

0:58:02 > 0:58:07to majors, this is what it's all about.Here we go, frame two, back

0:58:07 > 0:58:14to Dennis and Stephen. COMMENTATOR:

0:58:14 > 0:58:17COMMENTATOR: So, Mark Allen comes to the table, continues his pattern in

0:58:17 > 0:58:29matches of losing the first frame. We will see if he bounces back.

0:58:29 > 0:58:32Who's got an early chance into the right corner but the black is tied

0:58:32 > 0:58:37up. I wonder if he will go full-blooded to cannon that red away

0:58:37 > 0:58:45from the black. What a shock this will be. -- what a shot.Still a

0:58:45 > 0:58:53very good pot.

0:58:53 > 0:58:56very good pot.The break-off shot so important. That's the sort of thing

0:58:56 > 0:59:02that happens if you don't leave the white near the cushion.

0:59:25 > 0:59:29And with the pink and black tied up, Mark will go straight into the pink

0:59:29 > 0:59:34ball and have a look around, make sure there are no plants. But this

0:59:34 > 0:59:41could develop quite a few of them, and hopefully the pink and possibly

0:59:41 > 0:59:49the black, depending on how had he gets it. No, he's just playing the

0:59:49 > 1:00:00loose one, which... Surprises me. OK, I didn't see this red going but

1:00:00 > 1:00:05I still thought it was worth it, as you say, to bring the pink

1:00:05 > 1:00:12interplay, at least. But he can play from the pink from this read. --

1:00:12 > 1:00:18play for the pink. He is so good at making breaks, picking off loose

1:00:18 > 1:00:30threads, cannons and cue ball control is excellent.

1:00:52 > 1:00:57Asking for the pink to be respotted, as it's important as to whether it

1:00:57 > 1:01:00is available there. As you can see into the middle pocket. But that

1:01:00 > 1:01:12doesn't look as if it will go. It might go into this corner pocket.

1:01:12 > 1:01:21Settle for that little nudge. See how close his hand is to the cue

1:01:21 > 1:01:30ball there. That's the way he plays sometimes.

1:01:33 > 1:01:40sometimes. Quite close to the cue ball with his bridge hand.Rolled

1:01:40 > 1:01:46the cue ball into position to be with these three reds. Can't avoid

1:01:46 > 1:01:55the cannon and the reds here. I felt that was another good chance

1:01:55 > 1:02:00to go to the blue there. This is pressure on this pink now.

1:02:00 > 1:02:11Especially after what happened in the previous frame.

1:02:14 > 1:02:20Needs to avoid the yellow. Repots the blue here.

1:02:20 > 1:02:28And he has done. Very well played indeed.

1:02:30 > 1:02:38That was handy. That natural angle. To just concentrate on potting the

1:02:38 > 1:02:44blue knowing the cannon wasn't on the yellow. They are back in a good

1:02:44 > 1:02:48position.

1:03:29 > 1:03:40It's nice to see his dad here. I haven't seen him for a while. I know

1:03:40 > 1:03:45his mum's not in the best of health, but I am sure she'll be glued to the

1:03:45 > 1:03:49screen here and be very proud watching her son play in the final

1:03:49 > 1:03:56of the masters.

1:04:23 > 1:04:28Over ran the cue ball, playing for the pink, so a bit of work to do

1:04:28 > 1:04:34here.

1:04:38 > 1:04:42The blue into the yellow pocket. Makes it easier this position side

1:04:42 > 1:04:52of the shot. Right in the middle of the pocket.

1:05:01 > 1:05:05They wanted to finish high in the pink, so an angle to just disturb

1:05:05 > 1:05:15the four reds. I think it's come too far.

1:05:26 > 1:05:30He potted the blue on the left-hand side of the pocket. He was playing

1:05:30 > 1:05:33to the red, just to the left of the four.

1:05:33 > 1:05:37Because he potted the blue on the left-hand side of the pocket he's

1:05:37 > 1:05:46further away from this.He only needs this red.

1:05:48 > 1:05:53Just overcut it.

1:05:53 > 1:06:03APPLAUSE

1:06:10 > 1:06:22Perfect angle on the pink to disturb the three reds.

1:06:46 > 1:06:53This is absolutely cracking positional shot he's played there.

1:06:53 > 1:07:02If it wasn't for that black and red so close together

1:07:02 > 1:07:08so close together, we'd have a new favourite to thr game.

1:07:08 > 1:07:13He can maybe leave a little angle to screw off the black. Nudge the other

1:07:13 > 1:07:16red away. That's a couple of shots away,

1:07:16 > 1:07:19though. Just looking at the angle now that

1:07:19 > 1:07:29he wants on that red.

1:07:34 > 1:07:37You can almost see the body language. He knows how important

1:07:37 > 1:07:47this is, so early in the final. Adrenaline will be pumping now.

1:07:47 > 1:07:53So this, the key shot now. Can he get an angle on this red to the

1:07:53 > 1:08:03right of the black?

1:08:16 > 1:08:22He's 41 behind, so he's got a few points to play with. With all the

1:08:22 > 1:08:26colours on their spots, as Stephen said, this is the key shot coming up

1:08:26 > 1:08:30now. I don't know if he can come off the cushion and just flick the red

1:08:30 > 1:08:39away? Might be able to do that. That would be even better.

1:08:48 > 1:08:55Just a little awkward. . He's OK with this pink. It's a thinner cut,

1:08:55 > 1:08:58but it's a natural angle. Just concentrate on the pot,

1:08:58 > 1:09:04automatically would be on the red. Nothing to do with the cue ball.

1:09:12 > 1:09:17Never looked in. Didn't look like it would miss by that far, Denis.That

1:09:17 > 1:09:29is the way the old tables used to play. Just a simple red for Mark

1:09:29 > 1:09:36Allen. There was a chance there. It wasn't an easy one. But it would

1:09:36 > 1:09:42have been a steel.So Mark Allen, he's lost the first frame in all his

1:09:42 > 1:09:49previous matches N this masters he's done the same again today.

1:09:49 > 1:09:57But probably didn't know that ran off.

1:10:12 > 1:10:29With the cloth in the olden days it automatically went in that way.

1:10:37 > 1:10:44Got him the second frame and it is 1-1.

1:10:44 > 1:10:51That was very interesting. That pink to see it, that is the coach there.

1:10:51 > 1:10:58That's Barry, I don't know what's going on there. That's the first

1:10:58 > 1:11:04time I have ever, ever seen that in my years as a professional player -

1:11:04 > 1:11:12changing waist coats at the table.

1:11:12 > 1:11:18Anyway, that was a very, very important frame. There was a chance

1:11:18 > 1:11:25to pinch it. Looked as if it was going to the pocket there. Watch it

1:11:25 > 1:11:30at the end. To the left-hand jaw.I am sure at the interval that they

1:11:30 > 1:11:38will look at that. That's, that can't be allowed to stay like that.

1:11:38 > 1:11:44A costume change. I have never seen that in a final before, Denis.We

1:11:44 > 1:11:50are back to the secretary 70s and early # 0s, where the players in the

1:11:50 > 1:12:02afternoon wear a normal tie and in the evening they wear a bow tie.

1:12:11 > 1:12:18Maybe it is a more comfortable waistcoat. It is strange, it is blue

1:12:18 > 1:12:25the new one. It doesn't go with the trousers.

1:13:19 > 1:13:23Maybe all the people here in the Ally Pally thought it would drop. It

1:13:23 > 1:13:28has finished in such a way he can see the cushion along the black. The

1:13:28 > 1:13:39angle's stopping him... Look at that. It is not often you see that.

1:14:49 > 1:14:53A treble will do. It doesn't matter.

1:14:54 > 1:14:59APPLAUSE

1:15:01 > 1:15:12Finished up with a treble.

1:15:21 > 1:15:25Look at Mark Allen's body language as he walked away. He did get the

1:15:25 > 1:15:32snooker. Mike wanted to block off the escape

1:15:32 > 1:15:38route into the right side of the reds, as we look at it because that

1:15:38 > 1:15:44would be straightforward safety shot. It's more difficult now

1:15:44 > 1:15:51because he's blocked that route off.

1:15:54 > 1:16:00Having to swerve this.

1:16:07 > 1:16:13A bit of an angle and knowing Mark he might just take this on. He's

1:16:13 > 1:16:19quite an attacking player.

1:16:34 > 1:16:45The red was always going to come away from the pocket.

1:16:53 > 1:16:59Nice pot. Very nice pot. Just screw into the left-hand side of the bunch

1:16:59 > 1:17:05as we watch this again. This was well picked out. On the main bunch

1:17:05 > 1:17:09of reds, to leave the red in the open between the black and the bunch

1:17:09 > 1:17:14to the right corner. Doesn't hit this too hard.

1:17:50 > 1:18:05Not a bad chance this. Four reds still available.

1:18:28 > 1:18:35That's amazing. That against Judd Trump... Usually he's very, very

1:18:35 > 1:18:39good with the rest. Very surprised there.

1:18:39 > 1:18:43That was a shocker. Missed it by about a mile.

1:18:43 > 1:18:51That's what he thinks about it. I think he prefers to punch the

1:18:51 > 1:18:59balls in, rather than drop them in, the way he played it.

1:18:59 > 1:19:02Those misses don't do your confidence any good. Watch the cue.

1:19:02 > 1:19:16It sort of goes up and down. A long way off.

1:19:22 > 1:19:29He cannot keep leaving Mark Allen opportunities like this with the

1:19:29 > 1:19:37balls. He's just got to mop them up more often than not.

1:28:44 > 1:28:48It is a bit worrying. Mark Allen when he is in, looks like he is

1:28:48 > 1:28:51scoring good. The cue ball is excellent but he is not getting to

1:28:51 > 1:28:5970 where he has won the frame in one visit.Both players as yet haven't

1:28:59 > 1:29:03totally settled down. The standard has been good. Expect tonight the

1:29:03 > 1:29:07pace will rise a bit. These first eight frames are a strange situation

1:29:07 > 1:29:10because there is no end to the match in the eight frames. It is about

1:29:10 > 1:29:19trying to build up a lead or keep in touch. Interesting to see how it

1:29:19 > 1:29:24phases out.

1:29:31 > 1:29:36I have never seen a waistcoat change. One more frame before the

1:29:36 > 1:29:41interval.

1:30:30 > 1:30:30COMMENTATOR:

1:30:35 > 1:30:37A decent break off from Kyren.

1:30:50 > 1:30:53If he comes off the right side cushion and lands there he will be

1:30:53 > 1:30:55OK. It is a

1:31:07 > 1:31:10REFEREE:FOUL AND A MISS.

1:31:15 > 1:31:20He will have it put back. Nothing available. He'll have to do a slight

1:31:20 > 1:31:24readjustment.

1:31:25 > 1:31:33He will have to ask Marcel Eghert to have a look at the monitor.

1:31:40 > 1:31:44Keep going? Good?

1:32:08 > 1:32:17That's where I had my line, so it is absolutely spot-on.

1:32:23 > 1:32:28It's OK.

1:33:12 > 1:33:21We have Nick in from the Kaiser Chiefs, in with his sad. Not a bad

1:33:21 > 1:33:26player either. I think slightly better than Nick. This is all he

1:33:26 > 1:33:33could do. Is it hard enough, is it going to reach?REFEREE:Foul and a

1:33:33 > 1:33:34miss.

1:34:47 > 1:34:52We haven't had too much tactical play but both these players as well

1:34:52 > 1:34:56as being great break players are great safety players. He had a look

1:34:56 > 1:34:59at the pack there.

1:35:05 > 1:35:11He doesn't want to knock one over the pocket. . Oh what a shot.

1:35:17 > 1:35:20He has been very unlucky. He tried to make the plant and take the pot

1:35:20 > 1:35:24on at the same time. So he tried to pot two reds there and almost pulled

1:35:24 > 1:35:32it off. He is very unlucky with where the cue ball is finished. But

1:35:32 > 1:35:36for someone that was brought up playing billiards, he spotted one

1:35:36 > 1:35:43there.

1:35:43 > 1:35:46there. The canon was terrific. Pot this to the left and make the

1:35:46 > 1:35:49plant. Well-spotted.

1:36:22 > 1:36:25Very aggressive safety shot. Opened them up. The cue ball is not tight

1:36:25 > 1:36:37on the balk cushion but still a handy shot.

1:36:45 > 1:36:52The first glance is hard to pick out. To get the cue ball back to

1:36:52 > 1:36:57balk. The red, closest to the right corner, you could possibly could

1:36:57 > 1:37:03about www. That pot with lots of left-hand side and take the cue ball

1:37:03 > 1:37:14in a straight line up the table.

1:37:25 > 1:37:33I think he's going to get through to that red.

1:37:35 > 1:37:40Playing the containing safety shot.

1:38:20 > 1:38:24That is Alan Hunter, Paul Hunt ears father here. Great to see him here.

1:38:24 > 1:38:36The trophy named after his son. He won it three times. I can't believe

1:38:58 > 1:38:59it's 12 years since Paul passed away but nice to see his dad here. And

1:38:59 > 1:38:59there it is. A terrific player he was. Would have been a World

1:38:59 > 1:39:00Champion.

1:39:00 > 1:39:03He was a star.He was like the David Beckham of the snooker world. He

1:39:03 > 1:39:06really was.

1:39:09 > 1:39:13Tremendous victories at this event. I think he was 7-2 down twice. At

1:39:13 > 1:39:18least twice.

1:39:56 > 1:40:01A dangerous shot. If he had missed the pot that could've left the cue

1:40:01 > 1:40:09ball down this end of the table, in amongst all the reds. Had to get it.

1:40:16 > 1:40:20That's such a difficult shot to play. Just a roll up and land on the

1:40:20 > 1:40:26yellow. From the cue ball. Being on the cushion. Very difficult to

1:40:26 > 1:40:33judge. You don't want to leave it short, otherwise you leave your

1:40:33 > 1:40:39opponent in with the free ball.

1:40:42 > 1:40:49You can see the red there in front of the black. Sometimes you play a

1:40:49 > 1:40:52screw back off that and hope that you can keep the reds all up this

1:40:52 > 1:40:57end of the table. Is he going to try a thin off it?

1:41:11 > 1:41:20An excellent shop. I remember big Bill Wovernick, when he was in

1:41:20 > 1:41:24trouble he got down and screwed it back into the balk error but Mark

1:41:24 > 1:41:31Allen found a gap there and it had to be judged to perfection.

1:42:14 > 1:42:16REFEREE:Foul and a miss.

1:42:43 > 1:42:53A touch closer?All three having a look at the monitor.

1:43:01 > 1:43:06Just a fraction.A ball? A full ball?We are getting there. That's

1:43:06 > 1:43:13where it was. Not too far away.Is that OK?

1:43:16 > 1:43:26It's a very delicate little shot he is playing. He just has to land on

1:43:26 > 1:43:29the red off the two cushions.

1:44:29 > 1:44:33This is quite a tactical battle between these two young players

1:44:33 > 1:44:41here. Just 26 years of age, Kyren.

1:44:59 > 1:45:02Just the slightest of double kisses there. He would have been a bit

1:45:02 > 1:45:09anxious as he watched the white go towards that red.I presume Mark

1:45:09 > 1:45:13Allen can't get through. The two reds at the right corner, you would

1:45:13 > 1:45:17think he would have a go at the plant. He hasn't looked at T I

1:45:17 > 1:45:23presume he can't get through to the red furthest away from the pocket.

1:45:23 > 1:45:27It's not a straight plant by any means but from where he was hitting

1:45:27 > 1:45:33the cue ball from it would've been pretty easy.

1:45:44 > 1:45:49Risky. He is playing the cushion first to pot the red or is he just

1:45:49 > 1:45:54playing the safety? He may just be playing the safety, leaving the cue

1:45:54 > 1:45:56ball in the jaws of the pocket.

1:45:58 > 1:46:03No, it was the pot. Very, very risky that shot. There was a lot of

1:46:03 > 1:46:10distance between the red and the pocket. At first glance, he hasn't

1:46:10 > 1:46:13left anything easy.

1:46:31 > 1:46:41In the

1:46:43 > 1:46:50end it was Mark Allen who won the tactical battle and Kyren tried that

1:46:50 > 1:46:54pot. So in with a chance here. They are awkward around that corner

1:46:54 > 1:46:56pocket.

1:47:25 > 1:47:29Oh, no, the wasp back again. Here we go again. He is on his back. He

1:47:29 > 1:47:34should be able to get him this time.

1:47:38 > 1:47:45REFEREE:Thank you, settle down, please. Sorry about that.

1:47:54 > 1:47:56APPLAUSE

1:48:02 > 1:48:06Well, Mark keeping focussed here, quite rightly.Thank you.

1:48:08 > 1:48:16He'd love to go to the mid-session interval all-square.

1:48:32 > 1:48:38When that was

1:48:44 > 1:48:49going on, the referee dealing with the ref, Mark didn't flinch. Very

1:48:49 > 1:48:53focussedWell he is always up for a joke with the referees and that but

1:48:53 > 1:49:02this is the final of the Masters and he has to keep that focus.

1:49:13 > 1:49:19And if you just watch Mark's face here, he is not flinching. He is

1:49:19 > 1:49:23keeping his focus.

1:49:34 > 1:49:38That needs to pull up a bit. It is a little awkward for him. He might

1:49:38 > 1:49:44need the rest again.

1:49:47 > 1:49:50It is getting a bit more complicated now with those five reds all around

1:49:50 > 1:49:55the pocket. They are all sort of covering each other.

1:50:10 > 1:50:13He could easily snooker himself on the red here, if he is playing for

1:50:13 > 1:50:18the one next to the pink. He has hit it at a decent pace to make sure

1:50:18 > 1:50:25that didn't happen. A pretty good shot, to be fair. There would have

1:50:25 > 1:50:35been frustration in his mind from not being on the blue nicely.

1:51:09 > 1:51:13Whenever he gets to the point of playing some sort of cannon to

1:51:13 > 1:51:18loosen the four reds by the right corner pocket, it's going to be...

1:51:18 > 1:51:22There is going to be a bit of danger attached to it because he doesn't

1:51:22 > 1:51:25want to pot a red.

1:51:51 > 1:51:55Wow, maybe he could've hit that with a bit more pace. Maybe it drifted to

1:51:55 > 1:52:04the jaws. Let's look. I don't think he was quite in the pocket there.

1:52:04 > 1:52:07But the frames are all following the same pattern. Mark Allen is getting

1:52:07 > 1:52:12in first and in the making enough. -- and not making enough to finish

1:52:12 > 1:52:16the frame off.

1:52:32 > 1:52:35Off two cushions for the red at the right corner, off the right-hand

1:52:35 > 1:52:37side?

1:52:39 > 1:52:42Played it well.

1:52:48 > 1:52:54It was all about getting a good angle on the blue again, to get into

1:52:54 > 1:52:57those very awkward five reds, so imperative he gets a good angle on

1:52:57 > 1:53:02the blue here.

1:53:15 > 1:53:20He could even do it from the pink but as Stephen said he has to be

1:53:20 > 1:53:24careful not to plant the red into the corner pocket, depending on how

1:53:24 > 1:53:27hard he hits this.

1:53:40 > 1:53:44That's amazing the way that has finished.

1:53:54 > 1:53:59It's finished so awkward, he hasn't even got an easy safety shot.

1:54:16 > 1:54:22He could play that shot another ten times and not get that result.

1:54:49 > 1:54:53Already the longest frame in this Masters' final.

1:54:59 > 1:55:06And it could go on for a while, the way these balls are situated.

1:56:10 > 1:56:16Gradually getting

1:56:22 > 1:56:25spread around, Mark Allen has left an attempt here.

1:56:34 > 1:56:42A fabulous pot from the red. Well, you could argue he has not got any

1:56:42 > 1:56:47advantage from it, because he has to play not only positive, a tricky

1:56:47 > 1:56:51safety, but what can you leave, it doesn't matter where you put the cue

1:56:51 > 1:56:56ball.

1:57:02 > 1:57:13Yes, he went for the pink and six extra points.Well, a fantastic pot.

1:57:13 > 1:57:17He might even have a go at the double because it's the only red he

1:57:17 > 1:57:25could leave.

1:57:32 > 1:57:36Always worth the risk there, having a go at the double. The only

1:57:36 > 1:57:43problem, as we'll show you, he was pretty close to it.

1:57:53 > 1:57:58Although it is the best of 19. You play longer matches, in little mini

1:57:58 > 1:58:12sessions.You set your stall out to maybe win the first session 3-1.

1:58:15 > 1:58:17Quite a tense fourth frame here, before we go to the mid-session

1:58:17 > 1:58:22interval.

1:59:05 > 1:59:09He didn't want to risk playing back down the table because if he had

1:59:09 > 1:59:12come up short he would've left the one close to the blue. That's yes

1:59:12 > 1:59:19chose a different shot.

1:59:23 > 1:59:26He'd rather this red would go off in off the blue. He could cut it in

1:59:26 > 1:59:32directly. It is a big pocket.

1:59:37 > 1:59:51He has cut it. Great shot. A good pot but once again, a little

1:59:51 > 1:59:54pot but once again, a little bit unfortunate with the green. I'll

1:59:54 > 2:00:00show you the snick shot. Look at the reds but the green made it awkward.

2:00:00 > 2:00:05He is trying the black to try to develop the reds.

2:00:17 > 2:00:24I think this is a

2:00:24 > 2:00:27I think this is a first real scrapie frame That he's been involved in,

2:00:27 > 2:00:34the majority of this tournament.

2:00:52 > 2:00:57That's a pretty good shot.

2:00:57 > 2:00:57APPLAUSE

2:01:00 > 2:01:13It is a tricky safety for Mark Allen now here.

2:01:21 > 2:01:28He felt the white drifted a little bit there. Is there a gap through to

2:01:28 > 2:01:38the red? No, I don't think so.Not the red closest to the cue ball.

2:01:38 > 2:01:51Certainly available, I think, to the far left corner.

2:02:08 > 2:02:13A push shot, but why hit that so hard? I don't understand that shot

2:02:13 > 2:02:15at all. If you're going to go for the pot,

2:02:15 > 2:02:25why not just stand across from the pin took the middle pocket?

2:02:26 > 2:02:36pin took the middle pocket? A strange choice of shot to me there.

2:02:37 > 2:02:51He got away with it. This is very difficult for Mark Allen here.

2:03:12 > 2:03:16I wonder if he's looking at the angle to cut this in the middle

2:03:16 > 2:03:28pocket. It would have to be a thin one.

2:03:34 > 2:03:39He looked at the angle to cut the red in the middle. Tried to pot the

2:03:39 > 2:03:49other one. So, that tells you that red isn't cuttable.

2:04:01 > 2:04:07Eight frames to be played this afternoon.

2:04:07 > 2:04:11And this frame not far off. 35 minutes, but the balls did go a

2:04:11 > 2:04:15little awkward. There were some brilliant tactical play from both

2:04:15 > 2:04:21players.

2:04:24 > 2:04:29Mark Allen is thinking about taking this pot up into the left corner and

2:04:29 > 2:04:33screwing back with a bit of safety in mind. When you have played a

2:04:33 > 2:04:41longish frame, the last thing you want to do is let your opponent in.

2:04:41 > 2:04:46Making a mistake.

2:04:49 > 2:04:54Making a mistake. That is what he's tried. Where's the red going to

2:04:54 > 2:04:59finish up?

2:05:01 > 2:05:13Wasn't an easy position there for Mark Allen.

2:05:19 > 2:05:22Getting a little bit flustered Mark Allen out there. He's looked very

2:05:22 > 2:05:30calm and composed this week.

2:05:32 > 2:05:37A let off. I say a let off, because he missed the pot, but has he left

2:05:37 > 2:05:54anything?The first sign of tension in this final.

2:06:13 > 2:06:18He wanted to hit red first. Just watch the cue ball here. Just hits

2:06:18 > 2:06:30the cushion before the red. Is it still cuttable?

2:06:45 > 2:07:01One good shot to play for the rest. It's done off a couple of cushions.

2:07:01 > 2:07:06It is amazing. It has added a bit of tension to this very important

2:07:06 > 2:07:11frame, even though it is the best of 19.

2:07:11 > 2:07:18Both players missing balls that they wouldn't normally miss.

2:07:18 > 2:07:25. You can just see a little bit of redness around the face, Mark Allen.

2:07:25 > 2:07:35He doesn't look as calm and as composed.

2:07:41 > 2:07:45Mark Allen knows that Kyren should have got closer to this green.

2:07:45 > 2:07:52Further than he would have liked.

2:07:52 > 2:08:02Switch that phone off, please.Not a phone, surely!

2:08:16 > 2:08:24Off. It is a very important shot this

2:08:24 > 2:08:28that Kyren is facing. He didn't get as close to the green as he should

2:08:28 > 2:08:34have done.

2:08:34 > 2:08:45That's ridiculous. It is.Can you point that person out? Come on

2:08:45 > 2:08:50please and that's it. He can go.

2:08:58 > 2:09:06Trying to find the culprit.

2:09:06 > 2:09:19Hurry up, please.Don't kick him out. Just turn it on silent.

2:09:24 > 2:09:29Let him in after the interval, yeah?

2:09:29 > 2:09:39APPLAUSE Bless him. He's a fair chap. He

2:09:39 > 2:09:48won't probably know how to switch the phone on to silent.

2:09:52 > 2:09:57the phone on to silent. That was really nice of him there.

2:10:11 > 2:10:15To have the concentration after all that, to regain your focus and the

2:10:15 > 2:10:28job in hand, potting that green. He's still got quite a bit to do

2:10:28 > 2:10:38here.

2:10:48 > 2:10:53He's

2:11:02 > 2:11:06Instead of being straightforward, he's got a problem. Just wanted to

2:11:06 > 2:11:19come between the green and pink. That's no not the best shot he's

2:11:19 > 2:11:27ever played. So both players are feeling the tension out there.

2:11:27 > 2:11:36This key frame, before the mid-session interval.

2:11:42 > 2:11:50That's a good shot from Mark Allen there.

2:11:50 > 2:11:55He hadn't got the angle there. He made sure he got a good green and

2:11:55 > 2:12:07he's got a pretty good cue ball.

2:12:39 > 2:12:45That is a bit unlucky of the hit one, middle pocket, and go across

2:12:45 > 2:12:51over the other. The only thing with this shot, I don't know if he can

2:12:51 > 2:12:57hit it thick enough to avoid the white going up into a corner pocket.

2:12:57 > 2:13:09He has to be a wee bit careful with this.

2:13:27 > 2:13:34Believe it or not, this is now the longest frame of the tournament. The

2:13:34 > 2:13:40previous

2:13:40 > 2:13:54previous longest was John Higgins Anthony McGill.

2:14:30 > 2:14:38He needs the brown, the blue and the pink.

2:14:56 > 2:15:10Black doesn't really matter. It is all about who pots blue and pink.

2:15:34 > 2:15:38How hard did he hit that? That is pure tension that caused him to miss

2:15:38 > 2:15:45that. Why hit it so hard? That's what you can do under pressure. Just

2:15:45 > 2:15:50needed to push the cue through in a straight line and well, wouldn't it

2:15:50 > 2:16:02be ironic if Mark Allen was to pot this and bring the black into play.

2:16:08 > 2:16:10Quietly, please.

2:16:22 > 2:16:27Didn't play the double. He's played this very well indeed. Excellent

2:16:27 > 2:16:30safety shot.

2:16:31 > 2:16:32APPLAUSE

2:16:37 > 2:16:41All of a sudden, Mark Allen has just gone favourite for this black ball

2:16:41 > 2:16:48fight and the way it's finished. There are some players who attempt

2:16:48 > 2:16:50the double in this sort of situation.

2:16:50 > 2:16:57It's not the done thing these days.

2:17:03 > 2:17:10Sent it on to the side cushion. Get a little bit of drift, so...I tell

2:17:10 > 2:17:16you what, this isn't a gimme. Mark Allen looked away. I think it's dead

2:17:16 > 2:17:27straight. OK, he should pot it nine times out of ten, but...

2:17:27 > 2:17:31APPLAUSE

2:17:34 > 2:17:38The frame has lasted almost 47 minutes and Mark Allen, well, he

2:17:38 > 2:17:46will be delighted to pinch it in the end. It is 2-2.

2:17:46 > 2:17:50What a reaction from Mark Allen. A fist going on there. A bit of a

2:17:50 > 2:17:55football celebration.He got away with one there. Didn't he? He played

2:17:55 > 2:17:59a brilliant shot on the black. What was Kyren Wilson doing with a

2:17:59 > 2:18:04straight pink? Somebody who cues as well as he does as well. He nearly

2:18:04 > 2:18:10missed the jaws. He did miss the jaws.Is that tension though?It is

2:18:10 > 2:18:14purely that T I still expected him to knock that in.He seems to be

2:18:14 > 2:18:18under pressure. Perhaps he hits the ball too hard. It is OK if they are

2:18:18 > 2:18:23going in the pockets. When they miss, it looks like he panicked a

2:18:23 > 2:18:26bit. What that does for his confidence for the rest of the match

2:18:26 > 2:18:31is in question. Those shots are debilitating. What a confidence

2:18:31 > 2:18:35builder for your opponent if you are playing somebody who might not be

2:18:35 > 2:18:41ability to clinch a frame.He had a few bites of the cherry. We are

2:18:41 > 2:18:45looking at the end, but he had two or three chances. He was in on the

2:18:45 > 2:18:50colours first out of the two players. He's not giving away one,

2:18:50 > 2:18:55he's giving away three.Rewind to the phone situation - had that not

2:18:55 > 2:18:58happened he would have potted the green better. He didn't pot it in

2:18:58 > 2:19:02the best part of the pocket. He wasn't on the yellow. He made the

2:19:02 > 2:19:06positional shot with the yellow. Who knows what would have happened if he

2:19:06 > 2:19:11got free flow of that? That pink, with the black safe is a free shot,

2:19:11 > 2:19:18it is like a penalty. He butchered it.When will people get the message

2:19:18 > 2:19:24about taking phones into events like this, cinemas or theatres. Back with

2:19:24 > 2:19:29you very, very shortly. Back to the live action. 2-2 as it stands. Let's

2:19:29 > 2:19:34hear from Mark Allen. He's been talking to Rob Walk our.

2:19:34 > 2:19:36Mark, I always look forward to speaking to you, because you are

2:19:36 > 2:19:43someone who is so honest. There was no better example than how you had a

2:19:43 > 2:19:47laugh with Denis, walking down the stairs having been introduced as

2:19:47 > 2:20:02Williams. It's the Pistol Mark Williams...

2:20:03 > 2:20:11What's your second name again? Mark Allen, everybody!It was funny being

2:20:11 > 2:20:15introduced as Mark Williams. I had a joke he's getting sacked in the

2:20:15 > 2:20:20morning.I didn't ask you to say that! The interesting thing about

2:20:20 > 2:20:25that is you weren't offended and it didn't interrupt your momentum in

2:20:25 > 2:20:30the match and you are someone, I think, who reacts quite well on the

2:20:30 > 2:20:35big occasions in the big matches. I think that's something just about

2:20:35 > 2:20:39my personality really. I try and have fun out there, whether in the

2:20:39 > 2:20:44build up or in the match to try and enjoy myself. I am very fortunate to

2:20:44 > 2:20:49do what I do for a living. You have to try and enjoy it as well with.

2:20:49 > 2:20:54You are on three ranking titles, two of which came in China and you won

2:20:54 > 2:20:58the grand finals. Would you have expected more silverware by now,

2:20:58 > 2:21:04bearing in mind how long you have been around the top 16? ? Well I

2:21:04 > 2:21:09hope it does not sound arrogant, but I did expect more. I came on the

2:21:09 > 2:21:13back of a good hammure record. I was used to winning. I have won nine

2:21:13 > 2:21:17times on tour. For me, it is not enough.

2:21:17 > 2:21:23Do you think people outside the circuit may underestimate the

2:21:23 > 2:21:28difficulties of being away from home for so much. I am sure you are

2:21:28 > 2:21:32grateful for the living snooker's enabled you and your family to have,

2:21:32 > 2:21:38but it is not as glamorous as what people think?First of all I am very

2:21:38 > 2:21:41grateful for what the game's given me. People will never understand

2:21:41 > 2:21:48what we go through as sports people and being away from home so much.

2:21:48 > 2:21:53People say, how would you like a 9-5? If you do have 9-5 you see your

2:21:53 > 2:21:58family. That is something we don't know. Living out of a suitcase,

2:21:58 > 2:22:06eating room service on your own nearly every night. That is not all

2:22:06 > 2:22:12what it's cracked up to be. Well, it is always a delight to see

2:22:12 > 2:22:18you in amongst the balls. Thank you for your honesty again.Thanks.

2:22:18 > 2:22:23Ranked number eight in the world. He's a good talker if you catch him

2:22:23 > 2:22:27in the right sort of mood.He's a great lad. We talk a lot about

2:22:27 > 2:22:31football and golf together. He's been very relaxed around the venue

2:22:31 > 2:22:35all week. If you beat Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, you are

2:22:35 > 2:22:38hitting the ball all right.It makes a big difference if you are feeling

2:22:38 > 2:22:43relaxed?It is hard to feel relaxed when things are going wrong on the

2:22:43 > 2:22:47table though. Today they have done for Mark Allen. He will be relieved

2:22:47 > 2:22:51to have got that full frame under his belt and wiped the slate clean

2:22:51 > 2:22:56and start again. As I said earlier, this opening session of eight

2:22:56 > 2:23:01frames, with 11 tonight, perhaps you think, OK, the match starts tonight

2:23:01 > 2:23:06more. You hope to get parity at the very least. It is a chance to get a

2:23:06 > 2:23:11big lead on your opponent. If not, it is parity and wait for tonight.

2:23:11 > 2:23:15In the context of Mark Allen and where he's going in his snooker

2:23:15 > 2:23:19career, we have discussed, he's got the talent to win these major

2:23:19 > 2:23:24titles. If, for example, he wins tonight, does that mean he goes to

2:23:24 > 2:23:27the World Championship full of confidence and we talk about him

2:23:27 > 2:23:32winning at a cruisable as opposed to the Selby, the O'Sullivan?

2:23:32 > 2:23:36Absolutely. It makes a difshs to know you can go and -- difference to

2:23:36 > 2:23:40know you can go and do it. I have seen some brilliant performances

2:23:40 > 2:23:45when he's been nicked on the line by performers who have played that bit

2:23:45 > 2:23:49better than him. If he wins one of these, who knows what it will do for

2:23:49 > 2:23:56him confidence-wise. It has to be a boost.The more who win Major

2:23:56 > 2:23:59events, the more every player is saying to themselves, I am good

2:23:59 > 2:24:04enough to win. The field of players getting bigger and bigger. From Mark

2:24:04 > 2:24:09Allen's perspective, he would like to be in that group.This is Kyren

2:24:09 > 2:24:16Wilson, really good listen, this. So, second masters and it must be so

2:24:16 > 2:24:21nice to be now in this elite bracket, where only the best of the

2:24:21 > 2:24:25best get invited here.It seems to be getting harder and harder,

2:24:25 > 2:24:31doesn't it? There are so many seeding cut offs now. There's no

2:24:31 > 2:24:35rest in there. On a good win, back a couple of months ago, you have to

2:24:35 > 2:24:39keep on producing. And yeah, I'm very pleased to be in that 16 once

2:24:39 > 2:24:45again for the second time. Your year leading up to qualifying

2:24:45 > 2:24:50for the Masters was massive, wasn't it? You went from outside the top 50

2:24:50 > 2:24:55to suddenly being in the 16. You just seemed to click in so many

2:24:55 > 2:25:02ways?I have got to put that down to my coach, Barry. We have worked hard

2:25:02 > 2:25:07technically. It set me back for a good two years. Inevitably it has

2:25:07 > 2:25:11put me two steps forward. We have not looked back since we worked on

2:25:11 > 2:25:15that. I managed to win Shanghai. It is very important to be consistent.

2:25:15 > 2:25:20From then on you don't want to be a one-hit wonder. I am chasing that

2:25:20 > 2:25:24second title. I am knocking on the door. I am getting closer and

2:25:24 > 2:25:28closer. That is what you have to do. It is so tough these days. You

2:25:28 > 2:25:33cannot be too tough on yourself and have to set realistic goals.How do

2:25:33 > 2:25:43you balance being a young father. You have fin lay and Bailey. Those

2:25:43 > 2:25:48Bailey is only four months old. You are spending months and months away

2:25:48 > 2:25:52from home and in many cases away from the country on a different time

2:25:52 > 2:25:58zone?It is very tough. Sometimes this year especially I have gone out

2:25:58 > 2:26:04the door and my little boy has shouted down the stairs, "Dad,

2:26:04 > 2:26:12please don't go." He is three. He wants his dad around him. In a few

2:26:12 > 2:26:20years' time hopefully he will enjoy the life I have given him. My wife,

2:26:20 > 2:26:27Sophie, she had never been abroad before we got together. Now there

2:26:27 > 2:26:30are the countries she has seen. You have to take the rough with the

2:26:30 > 2:26:34smooth. It is not easy. I am enjoying what I am doing. I am

2:26:34 > 2:26:39hungry. I have to be selfish and put my snooker first. In that sense I

2:26:39 > 2:26:43will always give my family a better life for that reason. It's not easy,

2:26:43 > 2:26:48but I am coping with it quite well. It sounds as if your wife and your

2:26:48 > 2:26:51children and your parents are really proud of you. Congratulations on all

2:26:51 > 2:26:56the success so far. And may that second title be coming sooner rather

2:26:56 > 2:27:00than later.Thank you very much, Rob. Cheers.I am down here in the

2:27:00 > 2:27:11Cue Zone. Before I speak to his mother and father and brother, I am

2:27:11 > 2:27:16putting my phone away. How is your phone? Is it switched off?Yes.What

2:27:16 > 2:27:23a tense last frame that was.I think Kyren will be disappointed. They

2:27:23 > 2:27:27will be disappointed. They both missed balls they would normally

2:27:27 > 2:27:34get. Going into the break 2 will 2, I am sure Kyren would have preferred

2:27:34 > 2:27:40it to be 3-1.How are the nerves? Can't stand to watch, sometimesvy to

2:27:40 > 2:27:45look away. The atmosphere in there is great.A great last frame.

2:27:45 > 2:27:50Absolutely. Just the phone thing. It threw him a little bit and unsettled

2:27:50 > 2:27:56him. He needed to get back into the game, resettle and go again.Fair

2:27:56 > 2:28:00play to Kyren, he didn't want the chap thrown out. A nice touch.It

2:28:00 > 2:28:05was. He lost his grandfather earlier in the year and I am sure he was

2:28:05 > 2:28:10thinking about him and how he would have wanted him to be treated.Great

2:28:10 > 2:28:14to have you over here, you must be delighted with that. He gave you a

2:28:14 > 2:28:21point...It wasn't just me. It was everybody in the crowd.A big family

2:28:21 > 2:28:27contingent?Just me and his brother and sister. His wife and kids are

2:28:27 > 2:28:34over. They are proud. Unbelievable. The final ball was potted, everybody

2:28:34 > 2:28:43was pressing, buy the tickets, buy the tickets.

2:28:43 > 2:28:47the tickets.More tickets for tonight.Going 3-1. Don't want too

2:28:47 > 2:28:54many frames like that.No more frames, no more phones.In fairness

2:28:54 > 2:28:58to Kyren, remember he didn't want the guy put out. Credit where

2:28:58 > 2:29:03credit's due.That is it from here in the Cue Zone. Looking forward to

2:29:03 > 2:29:09the next few frames. Kyren Wilson is a very, very lovely guy as well.

2:29:09 > 2:29:13Yes, you are right, he didn't want the gentleman thrown out of the

2:29:13 > 2:29:17arena. I hope the family and friends have a great time there. Right,

2:29:17 > 2:29:22we've had sensational snooker over the last couple of days and some

2:29:22 > 2:29:29wonderful shots.

2:29:36 > 2:29:40He's got great cue power here. There you go... Excellent shot. That's not

2:29:40 > 2:29:48too bad. Played that very, very well.

2:29:48 > 2:29:55Tucked the red away from the black spot.

2:29:56 > 2:30:05He must feel that red will go. Look at this shot, if it does go.

2:30:05 > 2:30:12Absolutely perfection.Brilliant!

2:30:16 > 2:30:20He does generate incredible cue ball speed, Judd Trump.

2:30:28 > 2:30:34P He played that beautifully. Perfect execution there. He hit the

2:30:34 > 2:30:38cue ball full on the face.

2:30:45 > 2:30:50It is just unfair, Denis, isn't it? The cueing is just wonderful.

2:31:01 > 2:31:03Good shot. Good shot.

2:31:19 > 2:31:24He could play snookers behind the black now. That's in a nice place.

2:31:32 > 2:31:34Now so is the cue ball.

2:31:41 > 2:31:48A monster. Retained perfect control with the cue ball.

2:32:00 > 2:32:05The perfect indication of a shot played with side there. Right down

2:32:05 > 2:32:11the cue of John Higgins. Look at the shot he played! #

2:32:17 > 2:32:22The same pocket as the pink or middleI think you'd have to play to

2:32:22 > 2:32:26the middle. He decided to run around. Oh, wow, look at the way he

2:32:26 > 2:32:33has played this. Boughtfully played. Bought -- beautifully played.

2:32:33 > 2:32:39There's confidence.Great shotOn Angelle where he can move through

2:32:39 > 2:32:44and manoeuvre a couple of reds into position. -- on an angle.You are

2:32:44 > 2:32:48now looking at the yellow. Hems be feeling confident if he is going to

2:32:48 > 2:32:50take this on.

2:32:52 > 2:32:56Going for the jugular here. Great shot. Full marks for trying to make

2:32:56 > 2:32:59something happen here.

2:33:12 > 2:33:23Some excellent shots. If you want to get involved in social media,

2:33:23 > 2:33:25contact us at #BBCsnooker.

2:33:25 > 2:33:29Lots of good shots. You are right. We'll give you the result later when

2:33:29 > 2:33:33we return for the final. 2-2 at the interval. The story of

2:33:33 > 2:33:35the match so far.

2:33:37 > 2:33:44Mark Allen makes a break of 3 in frame 1 before Kyren Wilson took his

2:33:44 > 2:33:51chance. He had a chance to steal the frame but missed a pink into the

2:33:51 > 2:33:56middle and Allen mopping up to make it 1-1.

2:34:02 > 2:34:06The big talking point in frame 3. The missed Fred Allen, presenting

2:34:06 > 2:34:09Wilson with yet another chance.

2:34:13 > 2:34:19Kyren taking full advantage, knocking in another break of 52. A

2:34:19 > 2:34:24little disturbance in the arena with a phone going off three times, we

2:34:24 > 2:34:29wonder if that threw Kyren ever so slightly. 46 minutes, 46 seconds,

2:34:29 > 2:34:33look at that celebration from Mark Allen. Stealy determination. 2-2.

2:34:33 > 2:34:40There is no separating these two. This is the 2018 Dafabet Masters

2:34:40 > 2:34:45final live here on BBC Two. Change in the commentary box, good

2:34:45 > 2:34:57afternoon to Ken Doherty and John Virgo.

2:34:57 > 2:35:03Virgo. JOHN VIRGO: You can feel the tension in the air. At the moment,

2:35:03 > 2:35:09Ken I would suggest the occasion getting the better of all players.

2:35:09 > 2:35:13Well, a scrappy few frames but like it now and ge. Full of tensions. I

2:35:13 > 2:35:17don't think we'll see too many more. I think the boys will have settled

2:35:17 > 2:35:22down and relax after the mid-session interval and we'll see some of the

2:35:22 > 2:35:27great snooker they have produced already this week. Well, they can't

2:35:27 > 2:35:32be separated at the moment. A good break on for Mark Allen. You can't

2:35:32 > 2:35:35blame them for a little bit of tension, John, a little bit of

2:35:35 > 2:35:40nerves creeping in. It is such a big opportunity for both players, to get

2:35:40 > 2:35:46their hands on that wonderful trophy and go into the history books. There

2:35:46 > 2:35:48is a lot at stake.

2:35:57 > 2:36:03Looks like a good break-off shot from Mark Allen. If he catches this

2:36:03 > 2:36:09right, though, there are a couple of reds available. A little thin.

2:36:09 > 2:36:14That's why the cue ball is bouncing in and out of balk.

2:36:23 > 2:36:30So an opportunity for Mark. After winning that last frame.

2:36:32 > 2:36:42Right in the heart of the pocket.

2:36:42 > 2:36:42Ulk.

2:36:43 > 2:36:43So

2:36:43 > 2:36:49Right in the heart of the pocket.

2:36:59 > 2:37:03Well, he jumped up off that quite short. I don't think it was a kick.

2:37:03 > 2:37:08Maybe he felt that the cue ball drifted.

2:37:10 > 2:37:14Any harder and I'm not quite sure whether that blue would've dropped

2:37:14 > 2:37:16in but he is OK.

2:37:18 > 2:37:22Yeah, I agree with you, I think he thought he missed it. Maybe the cue

2:37:22 > 2:37:32ball did roll off slightly but playing at that pace, it could roll

2:37:32 > 2:37:36over a finger mark. Anyway, it dropped. No, and that's not the

2:37:36 > 2:37:40first shot he's missed with the rest in this match. So still not really

2:37:40 > 2:37:42settled.

2:38:02 > 2:38:06It might settle on the blue.There are a couple of reds. He can go

2:38:06 > 2:38:09after the one just above the black at the bottom of the pack. He may

2:38:09 > 2:38:14try to get on that one. Overhit it.

2:38:16 > 2:38:21He always had this red.

2:38:32 > 2:38:35Snr the reason Ken is suggesting that, if he was on the other red he

2:38:35 > 2:38:39could roll it in and play for the black and cannon into the reds and

2:38:39 > 2:38:48bring other reds into play and still have this one near the corner.

2:38:51 > 2:38:55It is little fractions and shots like that that can catch up with you

2:38:55 > 2:39:00and just make it a little bit more difficult.

2:39:07 > 2:39:11Now he will probably go into them but he just has to be a little bit

2:39:11 > 2:39:16careful that he doesn't get too far into the middle of the cluster. You

2:39:16 > 2:39:20would think he would bound to be on the reds at the right corner but it

2:39:20 > 2:39:24could go wrong.

2:39:28 > 2:39:33Well, when you are blessed with lots of cue power, as Kyren is, he is

2:39:33 > 2:39:37going to need it here. You see that's the problem of not being on

2:39:37 > 2:39:40that red that we mentioned, John, it made it that little bit more

2:39:40 > 2:39:46difficult. Overshot the blue.

2:39:46 > 2:39:48difficult. Overshot the blue.Still should have potted the black, of

2:39:48 > 2:39:50course.

2:39:52 > 2:39:56He was trying to make the game as easy as possible, particularly with

2:39:56 > 2:40:01so much tension in the air.Both players feeling it now.

2:40:20 > 2:40:23If the pink doesn't go on its own spot it'll go on the highest

2:40:23 > 2:40:28available, the black. It has done. That won't bother Mark.

2:40:46 > 2:40:49Straighter on the blue he would've had a lot more control of the cue

2:40:49 > 2:40:54ball. Now he's having to play a baulk colour and the cue ball will

2:40:54 > 2:40:58be travelling a lot further than it should have been.

2:41:08 > 2:41:11Not out of the woods yet.

2:41:15 > 2:41:20No. He would've liked to have been straighter on this red so he can

2:41:20 > 2:41:25drop it in and get back on the pink. But now he's going to have to screw

2:41:25 > 2:41:33it off the side cushion, get top side of the blue.

2:41:39 > 2:41:45Well how is his position? Still not good.

2:41:59 > 2:42:08This looks good. Needs a bitted of luck. It's not too bad. Could've

2:42:08 > 2:42:13been better. An excellent shot.He has this red into the right centre.

2:42:13 > 2:42:18The balls are very close to each other.

2:42:37 > 2:42:43He has to play baulk shot. And the ball possibly between brown and

2:42:43 > 2:42:45green here.

2:42:55 > 2:43:01So a choice of reds. He can just drop this red in and still hold for

2:43:01 > 2:43:07the pink. Brush off the red to the right and bring that into play. And

2:43:07 > 2:43:10now back into prime position.

2:43:37 > 2:43:42Now back on its own spot. Certainly available into the left corner, the

2:43:42 > 2:43:45pink. Looking to see if it is available into the right corner.

2:43:45 > 2:43:51Well, it does go to the right corner, so couldn't ask for a much

2:43:51 > 2:43:59better chance than this. All the reds you require, nicely open.

2:44:47 > 2:44:52Slightly hampered by the red. He can just about cue by it. And if he

2:44:52 > 2:45:01could find a gap between the two reds...

2:45:12 > 2:45:1840 points in the lead now. Two reds, two colours would do the trick.

2:45:34 > 2:45:41Gone wrong. Once again he could have he a used a little right-hand side

2:45:41 > 2:45:48to avoid the red off the cushion. Of course he's hampered by the red

2:45:48 > 2:45:56close to the cue ball. But with a 44-point read looking to put a baulk

2:45:56 > 2:46:00colour safe but he will be very disappointed he didn't win the frame

2:46:00 > 2:46:03infrastructure that position.

2:46:14 > 2:46:20Yes, it all looked plain sailing. But a poor positional shot. Back in

2:46:20 > 2:46:24his seat, 44 points in front but still 59 remaining.

2:46:42 > 2:46:47Knocking the red towards the corner. He needs the cover badly. He has not

2:46:47 > 2:46:52got one.

2:47:05 > 2:47:17So there goes the red. This blue to go 50 points in front with 51

2:47:17 > 2:47:20remaining. So one more red still required. Needs to slow up. Slap

2:47:20 > 2:47:23bang in the middle of nowhere.

2:47:30 > 2:47:34That's quite amazing. A couple of inches further down he is on the red

2:47:34 > 2:47:38below the pink. A couple of inches slower and he boof been on the red

2:47:38 > 2:47:41to the right of the pink into the bottom right-hand corner pocket.

2:47:41 > 2:47:44Anywhere but there.

2:47:54 > 2:47:57Well, he has had two golden opportunities now to clinch this

2:47:57 > 2:47:59frame and not done it.

2:48:02 > 2:48:05Is there another twist in the tail?

2:48:23 > 2:48:29Not found the baulk cushion, so this red effectively frame ball.

2:48:33 > 2:48:38But, remember, if Kyren Wilson gets an opportunity, he needs three reds,

2:48:38 > 2:48:43three blacks.

2:48:43 > 2:48:48Otherwise he couldn't win it in one visit.

2:49:07 > 2:49:12He played that with a lot of check side. Oh, is he going to sneak

2:49:12 > 2:49:17behind the green? Is it going to sneak behind the green?

2:49:17 > 2:49:22Unbelievable. It was hard to see that coming! He has Mark Allen in

2:49:22 > 2:49:24trouble now.

2:49:30 > 2:49:34It is one of these situations where Mark Allen has a big target for the

2:49:34 > 2:49:39two reds but he's just got to try to make sure he hits T he doesn't want

2:49:39 > 2:49:43it give four points away. Good shot.

2:49:48 > 2:49:52Well the importance of that was Kyren needs, as John said, three

2:49:52 > 2:49:57reds and three backs. So any four-point foul and he has a little

2:49:57 > 2:50:00bit of room to manoeuvre.

2:50:18 > 2:50:24I just wonder is that a plant, the pink? No, it doesn't look like itI

2:50:24 > 2:50:28thought the red below the pink may have been a possible plant. He

2:50:28 > 2:50:32played a three-ball plant in an earlier frame but this looks fairly

2:50:32 > 2:50:38good. He played it W it could be frame ball, he could drop in behind

2:50:38 > 2:50:48the green here. -- played it well. Excellent pot.Two four-point

2:50:48 > 2:50:51snookers required at the moment.

2:50:53 > 2:51:02He is just putting the yellow on the cushion for assurance. He has got

2:51:02 > 2:51:06the snooker and that's enough for Kyren Wilson. He didn't do it in one

2:51:06 > 2:51:10visit but eventually crept over the line, back in front 3-2.

2:51:10 > 2:51:13STUDIO: Mark Allen very much in front. You have to say John and

2:51:13 > 2:51:17Steve, that frame just before the interral is crushing.

2:51:17 > 2:51:18Steve, that frame just before the interral is crushing.

2:51:18 > 2:51:23-- is crucial It made a difference. The problem in the final, the frames

2:51:23 > 2:51:27aren't being won in one visit, people are getting 45s, 30s, 40s and

2:51:27 > 2:51:31all of a sudden it is hard-fought frame near the end. There is no real

2:51:31 > 2:51:36flow. Someone is not getting in and getting 70, 80, 90 and moving and it

2:51:36 > 2:51:41is making it bitty at the end of frames.It's tense but in the great

2:51:41 > 2:51:46snooker. Mark Allen has lost his accurate positional plain even

2:51:46 > 2:51:52worse, Kyren Wilson has lost his potting. The black he missed going

2:51:52 > 2:51:56into the pack is not not unforgivable but a debilitating

2:51:56 > 2:52:02shot. He has to get it back on and Mark Allen, if he can get going and

2:52:02 > 2:52:06get his owent on the ropes, he might get the positional play back.But

2:52:06 > 2:52:11were you expecting a hay-scoring final given the fact we have two

2:52:11 > 2:52:12relatively inexperienced campaigners out there who have never been in

2:52:12 > 2:52:16this position?I would expect them to be scoring higher. Mark Allen has

2:52:16 > 2:52:20got to the final by scoring higher all the way through the tournament

2:52:20 > 2:52:24and kie reason Wilson upped it slightly near the end in his Judd

2:52:24 > 2:52:27Trump match I would've expected Kyren because his cue ball has been

2:52:27 > 2:52:30good all week but it is one of those games at the moment that hasn't

2:52:30 > 2:52:35happened.It is understand that two players who have never been to a

2:52:35 > 2:52:39major major final before, a bit of rabbit in the headlines, having it

2:52:39 > 2:52:44thrown at them but somewhere in the best of 19, you will settle down,

2:52:44 > 2:52:48you hope you are not too far behind. It is a showspees final. Remember

2:52:48 > 2:52:57that.Be a -- a show piece final. Ye, but if your cue ball has been

2:52:57 > 2:53:00good all week, it shouldn't desert you. I know it is a fill but still a

2:53:00 > 2:53:05gym of snooker. These he boys know what they are doing.Shot of the

2:53:05 > 2:53:11turn A. -- tournament. Anything going through your mind?Loads of

2:53:11 > 2:53:20things.I don't don't mean in life. Lots of friends and other snooker

2:53:20 > 2:53:24players texting me, saying, oh, no, you are not allowed that.In terms

2:53:24 > 2:53:29of shot of the tournament?We have our ideas. Our heads together.We

2:53:29 > 2:53:33like both of Kyren's shots, but there are other we like as well.We

2:53:33 > 2:53:40are just not giving it away.Why not?Why should we?Lots of people

2:53:40 > 2:53:44coming in and out here at Alexandra Palace, popping out having a drink

2:53:44 > 2:53:48and come back in. That's why there is a delay. World Snooker officials

2:53:48 > 2:53:53trying to get everybody seated. Not panicking but I can see one official

2:53:53 > 2:53:58outside our studio briefing the referee on what is going on?

2:53:58 > 2:54:02Logistically it is not easy. Plenty go out for obvious comfort breaks

2:54:02 > 2:54:06and trying to get in at the back end of the frame and with this amount of

2:54:06 > 2:54:10people and with the crowd it is not easy to get organised.Deluted to

2:54:10 > 2:54:17say they are settled now as we join Ken and John.

2:54:17 > 2:54:23REFEREE:Take your seats quickly, please.

2:54:26 > 2:54:30Thank you. Kyren Wilson to break.

2:54:45 > 2:54:49JOHN VIRGO: When breaking off, whatever you do, don't hit the blue.

2:54:49 > 2:54:55He caught the red much too thin, which is why he caught the blue and

2:54:55 > 2:54:59left a half-ball pot on for his opponent.

2:55:07 > 2:55:12Needs to stop short of the baulk line. Well just past it will be OK.

2:55:12 > 2:55:14He will be on the blue and he is.

2:55:17 > 2:55:24KEN DOHERTY: And a couple of reds to play on. The one to the extreme

2:55:24 > 2:55:29right of the pink and the one behind the black. Well, decided to go in

2:55:29 > 2:55:37and needs a bit of luck. How's your luck? Not good.

2:55:43 > 2:55:47Yeah, it was obviously in Mark's mind at the moment to be a bit more

2:55:47 > 2:55:53aggressive. It wouldn't have been my choice actually. I always like, if

2:55:53 > 2:55:57the black is available to both corners, I don't mind bringing them

2:55:57 > 2:56:00open but the black wasn't.

2:56:05 > 2:56:09Oh, tried to knock one into the other. Misjudged it and he has left

2:56:09 > 2:56:17a chance for Kyren. Now, Kyren needs to get Nis potting boots back on. --

2:56:17 > 2:56:21get his potting boots back on. A bit of pressure on this but it is a

2:56:21 > 2:56:28chance.

2:56:43 > 2:56:48Good pot, right into the middle of the pocket. And nicely on the black

2:56:48 > 2:56:53now.

2:57:04 > 2:57:10You feel it is only a matter of time before the standard steps up and

2:57:10 > 2:57:14these guys will start winning frames in one visit but as we said, there

2:57:14 > 2:57:23is a lot of pressure on them.

2:57:27 > 2:57:32Certainly a good opportunity here just to settle his nerves, since he

2:57:32 > 2:57:37has missed that pink. Looking a little bit fragile.

2:57:43 > 2:57:47And, of course, John, nothing like a frame-winning break to just get you

2:57:47 > 2:57:59back on track.Yes, certainly it gives your confidence a boost.

2:58:07 > 2:58:12Of course, it also sends out a signal to your opponent - make a

2:58:12 > 2:58:16mistake and just one mistake will do it.

2:58:30 > 2:58:35Just about OK. Not that straightforward here. He will be

2:58:35 > 2:58:41hatchered cueing. Ed -- hampered cueing. I don't think it is a case

2:58:41 > 2:58:45of just dropping in on the colour. A little bit of work to do with the

2:58:45 > 2:58:49cue ball but we have seen, so many times, Ken, in matches, when it is a

2:58:49 > 2:58:53bit scrappy and then you just get one player to make a sizeable break

2:58:53 > 2:59:00and then the other guy sort of kicks in to gear.Yeah, it's like they

2:59:00 > 2:59:02almost get inspired. This could've been, as you said, could've been a

2:59:02 > 2:59:05bit easier.

2:59:18 > 2:59:22He played it very well. Well-played. It was a good shot.

2:59:28 > 2:59:33The last black he played didn't go into the heart of the pocket.

2:59:38 > 2:59:45He needs to steady himself a little bit. Still a couple of loose reds to

2:59:45 > 2:59:53go after this one.

3:00:18 > 3:00:31So far, so good. He had to one little scare when

3:00:31 > 3:00:34He had to one little scare when he used that. But he has nice control

3:00:34 > 3:00:39of the due ball at the moment.

3:00:41 > 3:00:51There he is, and his partner, Jeanette. 1977 champion.

3:01:13 > 3:01:20He can probably play for the pink.

3:01:20 > 3:01:26Just a little screw back. The one he's playing, just to the right of

3:01:26 > 3:01:36it.

3:01:36 > 3:01:42Pink, to go 57 points in front. Looking really, another couple of

3:01:42 > 3:01:49reds, a couple of colours would see him way past the winning line.

3:01:49 > 3:01:55He's looking at the pink spot. Looks close. He's hoping that it doesn't -

3:01:55 > 3:01:59it looks very, very close. It may go back on its own spot. If it doesn't,

3:01:59 > 3:02:10the red to the left of the pink spot is open to the corner pocket.

3:02:13 > 3:02:19Well, he obviously feels that the pink. That little marker will tell

3:02:19 > 3:02:26us it may do.What does it tell us, that little marker? When the cross

3:02:26 > 3:02:30is in the middle, does that tell us the pink will go?Correct.It must

3:02:30 > 3:02:33go on this spot then.

3:02:54 > 3:03:01This black and one more red and he's won a frame in one visit. This will

3:03:01 > 3:03:12really give him a boost in confidence.

3:03:28 > 3:03:39The hardest break of the match so far.

3:04:13 > 3:04:25What's he on? Well, there's nowhere else for the pin took go.

3:04:25 > 3:04:34He's trying to get as close to his old spot. He does like a double,

3:04:34 > 3:04:44does Kyre nerks.You like a double, don't you John -- Kyren. You like a

3:04:44 > 3:04:49double, don't you John? Especially if someone else is paying for it.

3:04:49 > 3:04:57Pot... Kettle. How's it not gone in? Well, it

3:04:57 > 3:05:02doesn't matter. He won the frame in one visit and that's a bit more like

3:05:02 > 3:05:08it. But Mark Allen gave him that chance and Kyren Wilson grabbed it

3:05:08 > 3:05:19with both hands. We are all square again. Three a piece.

3:06:44 > 3:06:51Frame seven. Mark Allen to break. Quietly please.

3:06:51 > 3:06:59Two more frames to be played in this last session of this master's final.

3:06:59 > 3:07:09Couldn't be closer. We've had mistakes T quality rolls there from

3:07:09 > 3:07:20Kyren. Maybe that will spark Mark Allen into a bit of life.

3:07:20 > 3:07:27Skiems can be the case in these two session -- sometimes can be the case

3:07:27 > 3:07:33in these two-session matches. It has been why these players have been a

3:07:33 > 3:07:40little bit tentative.

3:07:47 > 3:07:54Just managed to miss the blue there. He has left the red to the bottom

3:07:54 > 3:07:59left-hand corner pocket. There is a gap between reds and black. Back

3:07:59 > 3:08:12down towards the baulk. Very proficient with this type of shot.

3:08:25 > 3:08:29Will take the bull by the horns here. Take this yellow one into the

3:08:29 > 3:08:34right centre. There's plenty of value. After that nice break in the

3:08:34 > 3:08:38last frame he'll be feeling a bit better. Looks like he's shaping up

3:08:38 > 3:08:40to take it on.

3:08:56 > 3:09:01Straight on this red to the left corner. Been a formality to stun it

3:09:01 > 3:09:06in and beyond the black. But not straight. Can he haul for the black?

3:09:06 > 3:09:11I think the pink may be available to the right middle as well. It is a

3:09:11 > 3:09:15delicate shot if he'll try and hold it.

3:09:15 > 3:09:22The black, of course only available into the right corner.

3:09:26 > 3:09:29Didn't fancy playing it delicately. But has played it well enough to be

3:09:29 > 3:09:35on the pink. Not quite certain where the next red comes from.

3:09:35 > 3:09:43He'll have to find a gap to be on the next red.

3:09:49 > 3:09:54I don't think there's anything available into the right-hand corner

3:09:54 > 3:09:59pocket.

3:10:07 > 3:10:19Trusting him with a bit of luck for this shot. A good line.

3:10:19 > 3:10:23Kiss those reds into open play. The pink is on, as we saw from that

3:10:23 > 3:10:27camera angle. He can stay on the pink or go up for the blue if he

3:10:27 > 3:10:32wishes.

3:11:11 > 3:11:17... The cue ball to such an extent I don't think he's on anything. He's

3:11:17 > 3:11:24looking to get to this red corner, but it looks mighty tight.

3:11:24 > 3:11:31Can he see enough of it? I don't think so. The fact he's put the rest

3:11:31 > 3:11:45back in its holder tells me he's just going to play it safety.

3:12:07 > 3:12:11Is there a possibility of a plant - this second red flicking off the

3:12:11 > 3:12:26pink. Doesn't look like itAn easy path back to the baulk. Have to find

3:12:26 > 3:12:34the baulk cushion on these safeties. All things considered, that is a

3:12:34 > 3:12:40very poor shot. I mean to leave a pot on when you

3:12:40 > 3:12:49are that close to the reds, it is a dangerous game.

3:12:57 > 3:13:11Try to find the gap between pink and black. Back up for the blue.

3:13:32 > 3:13:37Would be leaving very simple safety shot for his opponent. Could try and

3:13:37 > 3:13:43nestle into the yellow as went is he going to take this pink on? This is

3:13:43 > 3:13:54tough. Very risky.

3:14:00 > 3:14:04It is one of those shots, you think, as soon as I possibly can, it will

3:14:04 > 3:14:11go in. Overcut it. Couldn't have seen that. But as you say, Ken, it

3:14:11 > 3:14:14was a risky shot. And it may be very costly because

3:14:14 > 3:14:21this red's on to the left middle.

3:14:42 > 3:14:47If the shot goes in, he wins the frame. If he misses it, it could

3:14:47 > 3:14:58cost him the frame.

3:15:23 > 3:15:27To be fair, there was nothing controlled about that positional

3:15:27 > 3:15:41shot. Just trusting a little bit to look. Anyway, he's had it.

3:15:43 > 3:15:47Shouldn't be a problem, but when the object ball is in the jaws of the

3:15:47 > 3:15:50pocket like this, sometimes it is a little bit more difficult to judge

3:15:50 > 3:15:59how a cue ball's going to come away from the pocket.

3:15:59 > 3:16:05He's found a gap there. I don't know where the gap came from. Now can he

3:16:05 > 3:16:10get past the pink?

3:16:29 > 3:16:35Finished in inch-perfect position.

3:16:50 > 3:17:02He doesn't like the angle. Back up for the pink.

3:17:16 > 3:17:24Looks to be straight on this pink.

3:17:34 > 3:17:42Doesn't want to be ham perred by the pink here. He has an alternative red

3:17:42 > 3:17:47to the right corner. If it's the one he's choosing. Obviously it is a lot

3:17:47 > 3:17:54easier to cue this than the ones to the opposite corner.

3:18:00 > 3:18:14This to go 48 points in front. Three more reds required after this black.

3:18:39 > 3:18:42Just that little comment when somebody sneezed and he said, bless

3:18:42 > 3:18:52you. It just makes

3:18:52 > 3:18:56you. It just makes you feel that Kyren is comfortable.

3:18:56 > 3:19:03A chance of a century here.

3:19:12 > 3:19:18APPLAUSE

3:19:18 > 3:19:22The applause tells you, but I don't think there's going to be anyway

3:19:22 > 3:19:26back to the table for Mark Allen here. The only question is, are we

3:19:26 > 3:19:39going to see the 28th century of this year's masters?

3:20:06 > 3:20:11A risky shot, it has to be said, John, he's stretching. I couldn't

3:20:11 > 3:20:20believe he overcut the pink. Left Kyren in for this opportunity and

3:20:20 > 3:20:27he's taken these very well.

3:20:28 > 3:20:35Would you go for that pink, John? Because it wasn't a very good

3:20:35 > 3:20:39safety, I don't blame him playing for it. It was only a fraction from

3:20:39 > 3:20:43dropping. As you said at the start of the frame, Kyren, when he got

3:20:43 > 3:20:50that opportunity, having made the 86 in the last frame was in stroke, so

3:20:50 > 3:20:54to speak, so he's certainly shown that that's really given him a boost

3:20:54 > 3:20:59of confidence in last frame.

3:21:02 > 3:21:06Six remaining covers for a break of 102.

3:21:06 > 3:21:10We can all be wise after the event and say he shouldn't have played it.

3:21:10 > 3:21:20As I say, it was just a fraction away from dropping for Mark Allen.

3:21:20 > 3:21:34It's hard to believe that was overcut, isn't it?

3:21:34 > 3:21:38overcut, isn't it? Big last frame. One going into this evening's

3:21:38 > 3:21:47session, leading 5-3. Mark Allen would love to draw level once again.

3:21:50 > 3:22:02He could have left himself easier on this pink. A good pot needed here.

3:22:05 > 3:22:12A decent break of 89 for Kyren Wilson. He's back in front. 4-3.

3:22:13 > 3:22:20That is more like it will, Steve. Crisis over for Kyren Wilson. I

3:22:20 > 3:22:23expected the player, if either could break free of the shackles to be

3:22:23 > 3:22:27Mark Allen first. That has not happened. An interesting last frame

3:22:27 > 3:22:31we have this afternoon.At last something for the fans to just maybe

3:22:31 > 3:22:37enjoy a little bit more. Especially that long frame of 46 minutes and 46

3:22:37 > 3:22:42seconds was a little bit tedious.It was as if the boys could sense we

3:22:42 > 3:22:46were talking. All of a sudden Kyren has won the last two. There's

3:22:46 > 3:22:53nothing better for your confidence. He's 86 and 89. From 3-2 behind. 4-3

3:22:53 > 3:22:58in front, with a bite of the cherry for the last frame to get two frames

3:22:58 > 3:23:04ahead tonight.If he were to win 5-3, that is a bonus because he

3:23:04 > 3:23:07didn't necessarily deserve to be that at the start. It was very tense

3:23:07 > 3:23:12out there, you could probably expect. A two-frame deficit going

3:23:12 > 3:23:17into this evening, Mark Allen is on the back foot.When you have knocked

3:23:17 > 3:23:21in 86 and 89 and not got in your rhythm, what does that do? When

3:23:21 > 3:23:27Kyren is sitting there now, what is he thinking?He's playing properly.

3:23:27 > 3:23:32Mark Allen is scratching around for a good chance. I don't blame him for

3:23:32 > 3:23:36taking the pink on in the last. It was one of those shots. The balls

3:23:36 > 3:23:39have been dropping in a bit on the cloth this week. It has been

3:23:39 > 3:23:42dropping in. I don't blame him taking that on. He needs to get his

3:23:42 > 3:23:48hand on the table with a good chance.Mark Allen has got to this

3:23:48 > 3:23:52position by playing positional snooker. He's been so in control of

3:23:52 > 3:23:56the cue ball. It's not happened in the final. If it happens tonight

3:23:56 > 3:24:01he'll be back on track. You have to weather the storm for one more

3:24:01 > 3:24:07frame.And Kyren has got this far as well by playing his shots. You don't

3:24:07 > 3:24:12want to go too cavalier, do you?A wonderful chance for a 5-3 lead

3:24:12 > 3:24:18here.We should say hello to the Alexsia. Especially to John who has

3:24:18 > 3:24:22got in touch with us. They have set up their own fan zone in Antrim

3:24:22 > 3:24:34town. Come on the Pistol, they say. Hope you're having a good afternoon.

3:24:37 > 3:24:44A lot of people back in Antrim will be watching today and cheering Mark

3:24:44 > 3:24:55on. Of course, Ronnie and his brother both came over this morning.

3:24:55 > 3:24:59Lots of friends as well here in the audience. Had the green and white

3:24:59 > 3:25:07army. Got all those lads tickets as well.

3:25:24 > 3:25:30His brother eagerly awaiting. See what will happen in this last

3:25:30 > 3:25:44frame - a big frame for Mark Allen. A great shot. That's a good start.

3:25:48 > 3:25:53A good pot, this. Now what sort of a pot has he got on the yellow? Can he

3:25:53 > 3:25:58get the cue ball? He's got a slight angle to get the cue ball back to

3:25:58 > 3:26:10the business end. Does this red pass the pink? If it

3:26:10 > 3:26:15doesn't then he's got this red along the top cushion and you see the red

3:26:15 > 3:26:26doesn't pass the pink. This is a tough pot.

3:26:27 > 3:26:34Played it beautifully. Saying last night, Ken, he's the type of player,

3:26:34 > 3:26:38Mark, you feel there's anything he could pot if he put his mind to it.

3:26:38 > 3:26:47Now, can he get into the reds? I

3:26:47 > 3:26:50Now, can he get into the reds? I -- he hit the pink, perfectly. He'll be

3:26:50 > 3:26:54unlucky if he's not on one here. That is unfortunate. Couldn't have

3:26:54 > 3:26:59hit the pink any better.I totally agree. Got it where he wanted to.

3:26:59 > 3:27:03Look at this - right down the middle of it. He's very unfortunate not to

3:27:03 > 3:27:10be on a red there.

3:27:19 > 3:27:23Doesn't look straightforward to slide off the red he's closest to.

3:27:23 > 3:27:31The red centre pocket is in the way. So it will have to play a heavier

3:27:31 > 3:27:41shot. He's played that very well. A good shot.

3:27:41 > 3:27:47Noticed with both players did rarely find that baulk cushion. You find

3:27:47 > 3:27:51the baulk cushion and it takes any pot out of the equation and makes

3:27:51 > 3:28:01the safety shot difficult as well.

3:28:03 > 3:28:09Turned down the pot. Catching the yellow full in the

3:28:09 > 3:28:13face. Doesn't make it a good safety. There may be a red now down to the

3:28:13 > 3:28:17left corner. If you knock it in, would haven't to do much with the

3:28:17 > 3:28:23cue ball. Would automatically be on the pink or black. But pressure. A

3:28:23 > 3:28:28big frame, this.Can play this now. Knowing he will not leave anything

3:28:28 > 3:28:34if he misses. Except for the red that he plays and

3:28:34 > 3:28:38again that's very unlucky. He could only leave that red and

3:28:38 > 3:28:43sometimes that may, if he misses it, sometimes hits the jaws of the

3:28:43 > 3:28:48pocket and goes safe. This time he stuck it up.

3:28:48 > 3:28:59Not having the best of a run at the moment.

3:29:10 > 3:29:15Certainly signs that Kyren Wilson has upped his game here.

3:29:15 > 3:29:21He's getting the cue through a lot smoother. I know he likes to play

3:29:21 > 3:29:29the shots firm, but pots are going nicely in the middle.

3:29:37 > 3:29:42That's a good positional shot. He's been very impressive how he's

3:29:42 > 3:29:48got himself back on track. Been a little bit shaky after the

3:29:48 > 3:29:55interval. Of course that was all down to that missed pin income the

3:29:55 > 3:30:01fourth frame -- missed pink in the fourth frame. Managed to find the

3:30:01 > 3:30:04form that comes from knocking the balls in, getting a bit of

3:30:04 > 3:30:10confidence, but also being able to control the emotions and have plenty

3:30:10 > 3:30:17of bottle.

3:30:18 > 3:30:22That's the key as well. It's not easy sometimes, when you are not

3:30:22 > 3:30:26playing that well, it is easy to let your head drop, but he's not done

3:30:26 > 3:30:33that. He's stuck at it,

3:30:34 > 3:30:36that. He's stuck at it, knowing the form is there it is easy sometimes

3:30:36 > 3:30:41when things are not going well and you miss a few easy shots, it does

3:30:41 > 3:30:53affect your confidence and affects the next frame.

3:31:02 > 3:31:09EdsIt is the one just above the black that will go to the corner. It

3:31:09 > 3:31:23looks like he hasp landed on it perfectly, as you can see.

3:31:28 > 3:31:31The red directly above the black pots into the that pocket. As you

3:31:31 > 3:31:37can see.

3:31:49 > 3:31:57He wants it get top side of that blue. Just about managed it.

3:32:19 > 3:32:23That worked out nicely. The only down side is the black is only

3:32:23 > 3:32:27available into one corner pocket now. But he may able to screw across

3:32:27 > 3:32:32the face of the black. Well he is playing with top spin so up for pink

3:32:32 > 3:32:39or blue here.

3:32:39 > 3:32:44or blue here. He judged it well.

3:32:58 > 3:33:07This is the perfect examp, he has made the breaks in the last few

3:33:07 > 3:33:14fra.s so he got the pace of the table and cue arm is working nicely.

3:33:14 > 3:33:19Every time he is getting that side of the blue, it helps. A good

3:33:19 > 3:33:29positional shot. At the moment he has the cue ball on a string.

3:33:47 > 3:33:51When he pots the one in the corner pocket, the one to the right of it

3:33:51 > 3:33:58will be available to the left corner pocket.

3:34:17 > 3:34:21Well he is straight on that blue.It couldn't have come at a worse time.

3:34:21 > 3:34:24Can he force an angle? Maybe.

3:34:30 > 3:34:36No, he couldn't. He ran through and caught the jaw of the middle pocket.

3:34:36 > 3:34:40Taken him away from the red. 43 points the lead but still 67

3:34:40 > 3:34:47remaining. He needs a good pot here to keep this going. He has a couple

3:34:47 > 3:34:51of options.

3:35:00 > 3:35:04No, not this time but where is this cue ball going? Where is the cue

3:35:04 > 3:35:11ball going? Oh, it just crept past the green. It is fair, really. He

3:35:11 > 3:35:15didn't play the snooker. He played the pot. But you can see as he

3:35:15 > 3:35:19slumps back in his seat, what a good chance he has let go there and this

3:35:19 > 3:35:22red pots.

3:35:29 > 3:35:33Mark Allen will still be glad to have the chance Bunce again he has

3:35:33 > 3:35:41not found a good length with the cue ball and left a long pot for Kyren.

3:35:41 > 3:35:48-- but once again he has not found a good length with the cue ball.

3:36:08 > 3:36:11Well, has he left the red below the pink? I don't think he can see

3:36:11 > 3:36:15enough to have a go at the pot. No, just a safety.He will be trying it

3:36:15 > 3:36:18get in behind that yellow if he can.

3:36:20 > 3:36:25It is a good line.

3:36:27 > 3:36:34Well, just caught the yellow and he has left a pot on. That's the one

3:36:34 > 3:36:39thing that Mark couldn't afford to do.

3:36:39 > 3:36:43Every time he comes to the table at the moment, Kyren, he has something

3:36:43 > 3:36:49to go at. He is only looking for a couple of more reds and colours.

3:37:07 > 3:37:14Well, he has not left anything easy. He was nowhere near the jaws.

3:37:14 > 3:37:20Looking not to leave anything easy.

3:37:26 > 3:37:30Well, he has left the pot on, but fraught with too much danger. As you

3:37:30 > 3:37:38said before, John, a big target up behind the yellow.

3:37:41 > 3:37:47But once

3:37:52 > 3:38:00again he has not put it in behind it. If Mark Allen gets the next

3:38:00 > 3:38:06chance could become the new favourite for this game. OK, one

3:38:06 > 3:38:10difficult red at the cushion, but he would like opportunity, would Mark.

3:38:51 > 3:38:56R Looks a better length of cue ball this time.

3:39:01 > 3:39:05This is a big frame. Psychologically, for Kyren Wilson,

3:39:05 > 3:39:10as we said he made breaks of 86, 79 and he has had three golden

3:39:10 > 3:39:16opportunities to win this one. If he was to lose it and go into the

3:39:16 > 3:39:18mid-session interval all square, psychologically, you'd think Mark

3:39:18 > 3:39:24Allen would just have the edge.

3:39:26 > 3:39:31Well, he is looking at the red close to the pink but this is a possible

3:39:31 > 3:39:35shot, if he could get enough spin on T he is going to take the red above

3:39:35 > 3:39:39the pink. As a possible plant but he wants that cue ball up behind the

3:39:39 > 3:39:41yellow.

3:39:49 > 3:39:54This looks good. Very, very good indeed. Great shot. What a shot that

3:39:54 > 3:39:56is.

3:39:59 > 3:40:03Yes, Mark Allen has had a couple of attempts to get that cue ball in

3:40:03 > 3:40:07behind the yellow and didn't do it. But we were always saying that that

3:40:07 > 3:40:14was the target. I don't think it's an actual snooker. I think there is

3:40:14 > 3:40:18an edge of the red sticking out but what you do with it, I don't know.

3:40:21 > 3:40:27I mean, if you could hit enough of it, he could maybe try and dig down

3:40:27 > 3:40:31and get that cue ball to the baulk end and send the red up and down the

3:40:31 > 3:40:34table twice. That's what he is attempting.

3:40:45 > 3:40:50Well, he got it to go into the pink, which is just as good. Look at the

3:40:50 > 3:40:58cue ball. He got the desired result with the white.Excellent return.

3:40:58 > 3:41:01Look at the cue ball, played into the pink with the red, which killed

3:41:01 > 3:41:06the pace of the red and kept it up this end of the table.

3:41:08 > 3:41:12As you said, John when you get the cue ball so close to that baulk

3:41:12 > 3:41:17cushion, it makes every shot so difficult. Needs good cueing.

3:41:36 > 3:41:41You said it needed good cueing.An excellent shot. Fair play to Mark

3:41:41 > 3:41:47Allen. Saying "good shot" as he came to the table. Good sportsmanship.

3:41:55 > 3:42:05A great shot. On the green. That little nod we saw from Kyren Wilson.

3:42:05 > 3:42:07What a pot that was.

3:42:08 > 3:42:11Yellow ball.

3:42:13 > 3:42:21So he has a chance. It's all about good cue ball control now.

3:42:27 > 3:42:31He has been a little bit suspect with the rest in this match so far.

3:42:31 > 3:42:39He's had eight attempts and only got five of them. Looks to have just the

3:42:39 > 3:42:43right angle, just off the cushion for the black here.

3:42:56 > 3:42:59Keefe just done with getting into the cue ball a little bit more

3:42:59 > 3:43:04there. Straight on this black would have been absolutely ideal. May just

3:43:04 > 3:43:08be able to drop it in and hold.

3:43:11 > 3:43:18He could. So now, no need to tell you what the key shot will be here.

3:43:18 > 3:43:24The red that is closest to the top cushion. The other two with blacks

3:43:24 > 3:43:31look a formality. What a frame this would be to steal. Massive.

3:43:40 > 3:43:44It'll be interesting to see which way he goes, he could try to knock

3:43:44 > 3:43:51the red off the top cushion or just play on the loose one.

3:43:51 > 3:43:59Decided to play on the loose one.

3:43:59 > 3:44:03Now, after potting this red, we will have to see what angle he gets on

3:44:03 > 3:44:09the black. And what will he try and do? Tribe get behind the red and try

3:44:09 > 3:44:13and drop it down along the top cushion?

3:44:15 > 3:44:19It needs a good angle when potting this black.Anything but straight on

3:44:19 > 3:44:27this red much he is nicely on the black.

3:44:27 > 3:44:31black. The yellow appears, passes the pink to the normal pocket. The

3:44:31 > 3:44:37green is near its spot. The brown is there. The way he is thinking about

3:44:37 > 3:44:43this, which is a little bit worrying - is he just going to roll it in and

3:44:43 > 3:44:47play the snooker off the last red and maybe risk the pot off the

3:44:47 > 3:44:48cushion?

3:44:50 > 3:44:54Well, he tried to bring it into play. He didn't fancy it along the

3:44:54 > 3:45:02top cushion. I'm surprised. OK he can lay the snooker now.

3:45:16 > 3:45:20I'm a little bit surprise thread didn't go all out and pot the last

3:45:20 > 3:45:30red and another black.

3:45:55 > 3:46:03A possibility into the middle pocket to hit it full in the face.REFEREE:

3:46:03 > 3:46:08Foul and a miss. Mark Allen, six. It looks like a free ball from here.

3:46:08 > 3:46:10This could be crucial.

3:46:14 > 3:46:19Well, maybe because the red is just in front of the green, that's what

3:46:19 > 3:46:25the referee Olivier...

3:46:25 > 3:46:30the referee Olivier...I did call a miss. Yeah, a miss was called, so he

3:46:30 > 3:46:36can put the cue ball back behind the black but no free ball called.

3:46:47 > 3:46:53Pink is the most important ball here to be replaced. We saw that the

3:46:53 > 3:46:58yellow went between the gap of brown and pink.

3:47:06 > 3:47:11The way he misjudged it coming off the side cushion, just before the

3:47:11 > 3:47:14middle pock eted, made me wonder whether that was on?

3:47:17 > 3:47:21. I just don't think he got enough left-hand side on the cue ball,

3:47:21 > 3:47:25but...

3:47:26 > 3:47:31That's where it was.

3:47:35 > 3:47:40OK, Mark, thank you?I think he has a little bit more left-hand side on

3:47:40 > 3:47:45this cue ball to widen the angle slightly. But it is not the problem

3:47:45 > 3:47:48of hiteding the red. It is getting it safe as well.

3:47:51 > 3:48:00REFEREE.Foul and a miss and a free ball.Yes, and he will not be having

3:48:00 > 3:48:07this replaced.Foul, miss, free ball.So just six points behind now.

3:48:07 > 3:48:11He has ten points out that of snooker.

3:48:22 > 3:48:25The blue just making it slightly awkward.

3:48:28 > 3:48:31Well, I can only assume that the green goes. Well it doesn't matter

3:48:31 > 3:48:37now because he has come far enough for the brown. And of course the

3:48:37 > 3:48:41brown counted as a red. So brown to follow.

3:48:43 > 3:48:49This is such a massive frame here for Mark Allen. For all the world,

3:48:49 > 3:48:53Kyren looked like he was going to win it.Yeah, he had so many

3:48:53 > 3:48:55chances.

3:49:02 > 3:49:07You never know he might put a brave face on and say - I would have

3:49:07 > 3:49:10settled for 4-4 the way I have played but the opportunity he has

3:49:10 > 3:49:14had in this frame, he should have had a two-frame advantage going into

3:49:14 > 3:49:19this evening's session.Yeah, that would have been massive but what a

3:49:19 > 3:49:22boost this would be for Mark Allen. And particularly for coming back out

3:49:22 > 3:49:29tonight. He has to hold himself together. Needs just green, brown

3:49:29 > 3:49:31and blue.

3:49:34 > 3:49:39It could be a turning point this in the whole match.

3:49:42 > 3:49:47Yes but it is boiling up nicely. It should be a terrific session

3:49:47 > 3:49:56tonight. Both players trying to get the name on the Masters' trophy.

3:49:56 > 3:50:03Mark alwill be to join the Northern Ireland greats of Alex Higgins and

3:50:03 > 3:50:08Denis Taylor. Kyren Wilson trying to establish himself as one of the

3:50:08 > 3:50:09elite.

3:50:15 > 3:50:21So it is all on for this evening. And Kyren Wilson may be the more

3:50:21 > 3:50:25disappointed of the two now. But it is there in black and white. It's

3:50:25 > 3:50:324-#4, all to play for tonight. STUDIO: John is bang on. We will be

3:50:32 > 3:50:37back at 7.00pm for the evening session of the 2018 Dafabet Masters

3:50:37 > 3:50:42final and there is no splitting these two, 4-4 today. 3-3 in career

3:50:42 > 3:50:45head-to-heads.Nothing between them. But Mark Allen will be jumping

3:50:45 > 3:50:48through hoops to win that last frame. For all the world he looked

3:50:48 > 3:50:52like it was over. Kyren lost the cue ball and came up short on the blue

3:50:52 > 3:50:57where he was in and it looked like he was going to win and go ahead so

3:50:57 > 3:51:00to win that from 50 behind, Mark Allen will be delighted.A little

3:51:00 > 3:51:02puff of the cheeks there, the relief.

3:51:02 > 3:51:06puff of the cheeks there, the relief.Yes it hasn't been a

3:51:06 > 3:51:10fantastic session for Mark Allen or Kyren Wilson, but nonetheless,

3:51:10 > 3:51:13fascinating and set up nicely for tonight. You would expect at some

3:51:13 > 3:51:18stage for one player to get on a roll this evening and, therefore,

3:51:18 > 3:51:22maybe it is the case that whoever does get off the blocks fastest

3:51:22 > 3:51:26tonight will have a big advantage John, in the context of the

3:51:26 > 3:51:30tournament, we keep saying this - we have had some wonderful snooker and

3:51:30 > 3:51:34seen thrilling matches. There maybe some people watching at home. I have

3:51:34 > 3:51:37seen what people are saying on social media, who are dispointed

3:51:37 > 3:51:40with the quality?Well there is bound to be somewhere through the

3:51:40 > 3:51:44tournament where you have a session. Mark Allen has been fantastic from

3:51:44 > 3:51:47start to finish but it hasn't happened today. He hasn't had the

3:51:47 > 3:51:51cue ball anywhere near the same standard he has had all week I

3:51:51 > 3:51:55thought he would play as good as he could do the way he was scoring, it

3:51:55 > 3:51:59has not happened so for him to have that session where not all there for

3:51:59 > 3:52:03him, to come out 4-#4, he will be delighted when he starts tonightThe

3:52:03 > 3:52:07fascinating thing about snooker, I'm in the trying it sell it as a sport

3:52:07 > 3:52:12we know how exciting it k but if the standard is not unbelievable, 100,