Final 1: Mark Allen v Kyren Wilson Masters Snooker

Hello, good afternoon, welcome to

the final of the 2018 Dafabet

masters. The top players are set out

on the road to land one of snooker's

most prestigious titles, now there

are just two man left with the

chance of lifting the Masters

trophy.

So we are guaranteed a brand-new

name on the Masters trophy, Mark

Allen and Kyren Wilson are about to

walk out into Alexandra Palace, the

final of the triple crown event for

the first time. Stephen Hendry is

commentating this afternoon. What is

it like for these guys, the first

final of the triple crown event?

They will have grown up watching

these finals, myself, Steven Davis,

Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins,

watching these players play the

event and now they are in it. In

terms of the dressing room, you are

very nervous. I almost felt sick in

the dressing room before you get

out. You just can't wait to get to

the table.

How do you handle those

nerves?

You cannot teach that sort

of thing, you either cope with it or

you don't. They will just be

desperate to get to the table and

get their arm going.

Let's talk

about Kyren Wilson first, amazing

come back from 5-2 down against Judd

Trump, does he come in absolutely

buzzing?

Both players are playing

people they possibly didn't expect

to play in the final. Today there

will be more expectation, because

there is no disrespect to Mark Allen

but he will believe he can win today

so there is expectation.

The way

he's going about his business, the

way he's going about the table, he

looks so confident.

For me, he's a

strong favourite, just through form

through the tournament going into

this. He looks like he will win

every frame at one visit, Kyren

Wilson not so much.

It gets under

way at 1:30pm, plenty of time to

look back at what has been an

eventful week at Alexandra Palace.

Intriguing first match of this

Masters. He will be nervous today,

Mark Williams. He's not been in this

event for a while.

Something crawling along the white

ball, it is a little ant! Boy, does

he pot some fantastic long balls.

He

has rescued the situation with an

excellent pot.

excellent pot.

It is not all that

bad!

bad! Well...

What a situation! Mark

Williams had three minutes to think

about that shot, how long will the

referee take?

Five reds need

replacing! Mark Williams has nicked

the white and it is in his pocket!

The referee doesn't know that. He is

a wind-up merchant.

Thank you!

The

crown -- the crowd know what has

happened, the referee doesn't. He is

looking for the white now. There we

go.

Going for the far not -- knuckle,

very good.

It is all square, it is

one frame shoot out. No! Can you

believe it?

That's a beautiful shot.

And the pink is in. The Welsh

potting machine has made a terrific

come back and he takes the match by

six frames to five.

I knew that last

red that if I dropped it in the

match was mine and it was a do or

die short. You have to commit to it,

unfortunately for me it managed to

sit over the hole.

sit over the hole.

He's from county

Antrim in Northern Ireland, it is

the Pistol, Mark Williams! What's

your second name again? Mark Allen,

ladies and gentlemen!

Eventually,

Ken, we got the names right.

Interesting thing there which

happened when Luca Brecel came down

with two cues. It will be

interesting to see what he does with

the other one.

Nice little

positional shot as well, the black

into the left corner pocket.

into the left corner pocket. Hold

on! Hold on! Hold on! Keep going,

keep going, it is in! There you go!

That is what you call John Virgo

trick shot.

He seems to have a bit

of fly problem on the table.

And in the end Mark Allen was at his

absolute best for me, it mattered,

he produced and comes out a

comfortable winner 6-3.

comfortable winner 6-3. And there is

a fly. I don't know if it is the

same one as yesterday.

same one as yesterday.

The fly is

causing a little problem. On top of

the cue ball. Very hard to play when

that is there, isn't it?

that is there, isn't it? Steve Davis

must have opened his wallet!

Very disappointed, Ding Junhui.

In

it goes. This is marvellous stuff

and what a performance from Ryan

Day. Free century breaks he's made

against Ding Junhui's two, and it is

Ryan Day. 3-0 down he was, and he is

through to the quarterfinals.

I always like watching Liang Wenbo,

such a character. Lots of

expressions on his face. It's not

going to move, is it?

going to move, is it? He has put it

in his pocket. A bit of protein for

later.

later. Judd Trump in the end with

that magnificent break gets himself

through to the next round and he

takes the match 6-4. If we have a

match like we had in the semifinal

last year, it will be very special.

Have a look at this, a fly has

landed on his head. He got down and

played the short as if it wasn't

there.

Perfect.

Honestly, we might as well wrap up

and go home now because this is

crazy.

crazy.

What a performance from the

defending champion and! Absolutely

amazing. Barry Hawkins looks like he

has played his last shot in this

year's Dafabet Masters. And that is

the case. Fair play to Kyren Wilson,

he stuck at it, and he is to his

first Masters quarterfinal. --

through.

There's been a lot of flies

this week.

I wonder if it is the

same one? If it is, it won't be

back!

The fly is whizzing around in

the room.

Shaun Murphy made a few mistakes but

in the end it was a good tough

work-out, and might stand him in

good stead for the rest of the

tournament.

The Wizard of Wishaw has waived that

magic wand. We have had another

cracking match here at Alexandra

Palace and in the end it is John

Higgins who has won this title on

two occasions that goes through to

the next round 6-4.

Ronnie won the

toss and he will get this first

quarterfinal under way.

I'm

struggling, I don't know what it is,

whether it is a virus, but I have

had it before and it is difficult

when you are getting dizzy spells.

Superb performance from Mark Allen

here.

here.

This looks absolutely perfect,

what a positional shot that is,

fantastic.

Ronnie looked out of

sorts, it has to be said, but Mark

Allen has put in a fabulous

performance here and has won the

match very comfortably indeed.

It

just wasn't good enough. I will miss

this year's World Championships. I

come back to snooker for different

reasons. It is just a bit passer for

me. Of time there is a fly on the

white.

Another one bites the dust.

Well played, that was an excellent

shot.

Kyren Wilson I'm sure didn't

expect it to be that easy, but you

take what's put in front you.

take what's put in front you. I

remember the first few days when we

have the fly on the table, they were

gently trying to pick them up by the

wing, not any more!

What happened to the old spray can

be used to have?

# Everybody is kung fu fighting

# Those kids were fast as lightning,

in fact it was a little bit

frightening #.

What a wonderful shot, back-to-back

centuries, absolutely marvellous.

Judd Trump runs out the winner by

six frames to four.

Now he's doing

what the great Ray Reardon used to

do, putting the rest on top of the

spider. Whoops! Nearly fouled the

red with the cue there.

He's back!

He likes a double, does John.

How

did that stay out?

John Higgins, a

comfortable winner 6-1.

Just spotted his mum and dad there,

been packed all week.

What a great

shot this is.

What is shot he has played there.

Judd Trump only needs one more to

get into the final.

Really going for

the jugular here. Great shot, full

marks for trying to make something

happen here. What a turnaround.

Well, it's hard to describe how he's

feeling inside. He is puffing his

cheeks. This has been the best

performance of his career. It

doesn't matter about that. In the

end the man from Kettering has won

four frames in a row, and didn't he

do it in style? And he gets himself

through to the final at the Dafabet

masters.

There have been some

amazing comebacks and I'd like to

think I've gone down in history for

one of them myself.

There you go,

there is a piece of wood.

Do you

want to play with it or do you want

another one? Can we ask for another

one, please.

Doesn't look straight.

Amazing!

Amazing!

Very good pot.

How's your

luck? It looks absolutely perfect.

Good shot.

John Higgins I'm certain wishes him

good luck. There is a delight in

Mark Allen, at his first Dafabet

masters final.

If I don't win it

will all be for nothing so I've got

to go out and do what I have been

doing all week and go

to go out and do what I have been

doing all week and go out on the

right note.

It has been a wonderful

muster so far and we are expecting a

thrilling final. Let's get the

review of the man himself, Barry

Hearn is here alongside Dennis

Taylor. Barry, your thoughts on what

has been a very, very wonderful

high-quality masters?

I think it's

been a great way to start the New

Year. Everything from my site ticks

boxes, ratings are well up on the

BBC which is unusual these days.

Ticket sales 25% up, every session

virtually sold out, Ronnie has been

Ronnie which is always good for some

press.

We will come onto that.

We

have seen two new players who have

never made a masters final before,

different personalities, different

attacking play. I couldn't be more

pleased with the state of snooker as

it is today and this illustrates the

progress we have made. The fans are

turning out saying yes, this is what

we like to see.

I have been talking

to a few of the fans, they have come

to the venue and talk about seeing

Ronnie O'Sullivan but now they are

telling us they are coming to see

the likes of Judd Trump and Mark

Allen which is vitally important

going forward.

Every sport, you need

flag-bearers and Ronnie O'Sullivan

is the most attractive player in the

world but the sport is not built

around one person, it is built

around formats and an open door

policy, around ability, absence of

mediocrity. At the highest level,

the Masters is the highest level

because it is the top 16 and they

are there by choice. They have

earned their spot and it's showing

the fans will come to watch people

playing quality snooker, period. So

that has ticked

that has ticked a lot of boxes for

me and I think we are at the stage

now where the last five years have

been a helter-skelter of emotions

and changes, and it is beginning to

pay off as we have seen with the

global side of the game which has

never been stronger.

Dennis, is

there a slight concern the big names

like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark

Williams are still getting the

rapturous applause when they come

out and there is more of a muted

celebration when the youngest

players come out?

I wouldn't agree

with that because we have had packed

houses since the tournament started

and they have been fair to

everybody. They are the sort of

crowd that if the underdog produces

the snooker they will get the

respect of the crowd. Ray Reardon

always used to say if you produce

the stuff on the table you will get

the respect of the crowd. One or two

shouting out but overall, compared

to the old days when if you played

Alex Higgins in the conference

centre, I mean Stephen Hendry and

Steve Davis used to get booed but

they are very fair these days. Every

match is like a final with having

the top 16 here.

I think also you

have to say that don't forget, those

older players have earned the right,

they have been there a very long

time.

And they are exciting players,

especially in terms of Ronnie.

You

have got to earn the right to get

the crowd on your side and whilst

British crowds in particular often

cheer the underdog, at quality

events they are here to watch the

quality and that is focused around

the older players that have done it

over a period of time.

That's come

onto Ronnie O'Sullivan who made

those comments in the press

conference, were you driving around,

listening on the television? He said

he may not come to the World

Championships.

I always listen to

Ronnie, I think he's great. He comes

out with some stuff. We have a

system here that is very clear to

understand for everybody. No player

is forced to play in anything. We

live in a democracy, their contracts

are fairly democratic. If you don't

want to play, don't play. That is

not really an issue for me. Of

course I want to see Ronnie

O'Sullivan play but no one is

forcing him. We open opportunities

to new players as well as existing

players and it's built on ability.

You can't expect, I mean Ronnie

would like to not play qualifying

rounds. Believe me, Tiger Woods

really didn't want to play the first

three rounds of any golf tournament.

He would have preferred to go

straight to the final round, it just

doesn't work and it's not going to

happen. Apparently I can walk up and

knock on his door and negotiate

terms and conditions, trust me when

I tell you that grass will not get

trodden on.

So will I be introducing

Ronnie O'Sullivan in the TV studio?

I hope so. Life is very strange as

you get older, you don't want to

have too many I should haves in your

mind. A player like Ronnie

O'Sullivan loves snooker, no

question in my mind whatsoever. He

has issues and they are for him to

solve. I believe we will see him

there and if not I believe he is

making a bad choice but it is his

choice to make.

One quick word from

you, Dennis, this is a wonderful day

for Northern Ireland.

for Northern Ireland.

Absolutely

fantastic, it is 40 years since Alex

Higgins lifted the trophy, and

another coming through, Mark Allen's

stepson Robbie, 13 and he made a

break of 133 in a competition so he

will be possibly winning this

masters in years to come.

And we

have the white and green army.

It is

a great final because they are both

terrifically matched.

Have a great

afternoon, thank you very much

indeed. We have got a great final on

our hands.

Cast your mind back, it is a long

way I know, it is your first major

final. In the morning before the

match, what is your brain thinking?

I assume everyone is the same, you

wake up in the morning, you don't

need to put the snooze button on,

you are alert immediately. There are

butterflies in your stomach, that's

natural because your body is

preparing for the onslaught ahead.

You need to eat food but you don't

want it, your body doesn't want

loads of food inside it so you

shovel it in your face as best you

can. Then you have got to wait until

the match, it is like the densest

waiting room. Remember when you did

your driving test, your first job

interview, the school exams, the

build-up to those, you are so

nervous. Perhaps the dentist waiting

room, you know there will be

drilling going on, then you have

time with friends and family. You

will probably be a bit short

tempered with them, you might be

quieter. You come to the venue, you

go on the practice table, that is a

bit of respite, get your arm going

and get the tension out of your body

but then you have the dentist

waiting room again in the dressing

room. Once they call your name out

and you get on the table, it is

business as usual but the waiting is

absolutely awful.

That is the view

from down here, here is the view of

the two finalists this year.

This is

one of the most unique venues we

play in, to be honest it's not far

behind the World Championships.

Every match is like a final, and

having 2000 people live every day is

awesome.

This would be a massive

feather in my cap if I were to win

it. I cannot get too far ahead of

myself, but to win nine tournaments

in 13 years and I have never won

triple crown event, those things are

disappointing for me and I want to

win more.

Last year I turned up on

the day I was playing, I have never

seen the venue before and I didn't

take in the atmosphere. It was too

late and I didn't settle against

Ding Junhui last year, so this year

I want to take in the venue and

enjoy every match I have played, it

has been an unbelievable turnaround

for myself. To be in the final on my

second appearance is awesome.

There

hasn't been any really bad

performances, I have always kept a

certain level and I think that's why

I have won so many matches. I have

just worked really hard on my game,

it sounds stupid to say that, I

always work really hard but I feel

like I'm working on the right things

now.

I just really enjoy playing

Mark to be honest. He brings out the

best in me, I feel like we have

similar qualities, good match

players and gritty and I enjoy

playing people like that because it

makes you get up for it as well.

He's done remarkably well in a short

space of time, in the top 16 he's

established himself now, won

tournament in Shanghai. He's a top,

top player but I feel like I am a

top, top player myself so I'm just

going to control my own emotions and

play my best like I have done all

week.

It would mean everything. When

you are growing up you target the

UK, the Masters,

the worlds, the triple crown, they

are the ones that matter when you

come to retire. I have one match to

go, I will be trying my heart out. I

want to give my mum that trophy.

It

will be a dream come true, I don't

want to build it up too much but

this is only my second final in the

triple crown event. I feel like if I

can break free and win that first

one, it will be the start of great

things to come.

The atmosphere here inside Alexandra

Palace is building, the fans are in

their seats eagerly anticipating

what will be a great final, John, we

are expecting big things today.

I'm

really looking forward to it. We --

it is fascinating, a big prize and

someone today will be a major

champion at the end of it.

Steve, do

you think Kyren Wilson comes in here

today... I was talking to Stephen

Hendry about the fact he looked dead

and buried at 5-2, comes in today

thinking this is mine.

I think he

has got that type of mentality that

possibly he may be thinking I'm

lucky to be in the final but he is

there on merit as Barry Hearn was

saying so we have a situation where

both players we hope they produce in

the final. There is every reason to

believe they will do because they

have been playing so well. The worst

scenario would be they cancel each

other out with too much tension and

nerves but I think the standard of

play we have seen this week, they

will continue and at some stage

there will be fireworks.

It is so

evenly matched, isn't it?

It is all about today. Playing as if

it means nothing when it means

everything and that has encapsulated

him in this final. This is the

biggest day in their careers, can

they produce what they normally

produce?

We are so excited. One

person we haven't heard from yet is

Ken Doherty.

Both sets of fans and

players in the final today. Marc

Allen's friends today, and Kyren

Wilson's family, wife Sophie, Mum

and dad, and this fella here is

thinly, only three years old. If I

could ask you, so they, had you

cope?

It's hard to say. I am very

nervous, but I'm also excited

because I know he has the potential

to do it, it is just how his nerves

are holding up.

How are they? He

looks fantastic, looks to be

enjoying it. That match against Judd

Trump was incredible. I have spoken

to him on the phone and he is

definitely ready and excited. I

didn't sense any nerves. What about

mum and dad? It must be harder

watching. How are you coping?

We

have got used to it over the years

to be honest. Crawling around the

country, going to be junior and

amateur stuff. You just get used to

another side of it.

Seen you in the

crowd going through the ringer when

Kyren is playing.

Imagine that for

20 years!

How about you?

I have

literally no nails, biting my nails.

To watch, fantastic.

How about you

guys? Mark has been doing so well,

how your nerves holding?

Good at

all. The first time I have over here

-- not good at all. My heart is in

my mouth. He has done so well this

week.

Kevin, the green and white

army is growing. Where are all these

tickets going?

LAUGHTER

He has been

really relaxed. I have never seen

him this relaxed, even before and

after, he seems in a different side

in this week and comfortable would

be the way to describe him.

The two

wins over Ronnie O'Sullivan and John

Higgins must have given great

confidence.

I don't think there is

any easy match with the quality of

the guys, but you beat Ronnie 6-1

then Higgins 6-3 it is incredible,

and it shows the level he is playing

at.

Both sets of families will be in

the player 's room. I have to keep

them separated. There will be plenty

of shouting there as well as

outside. Best of luck to Mark Allen

and Kyren Wilson. Let's hope a great

final. That's all from us.

Wonderful

staff. Thank you very much, Ken.

Imagine being a member of the family

or a friend of these two wonderful

competitors. What an arena, full

crowd here today at Alexandra

Palace, it is live all day today

here on BBC Two. The players are

standing by. Get ready, let's join

RMC, Bob Walker. CHEERING

standing by. Get ready, let's join

RMC, Bob Walker. CHEERING.

standing by. Get ready, let's join

RMC, Bob Walker. CHEERING.

Good afternoon, ladies and

gentlemen, this is it, it's the big

one, welcome to the 2018 Dafabet

Masters final, the first time these

guys have gone this deed in

illustrious tournament. One is about

to etch their name in the of

sporting history. It is all to play

this afternoon that Ally Pally so

let's get the boys

let's get the boys on the baize.

CHEERING

let's get the boys on the baize.

CHEERING.

APPLAUSE

CHEERING.

APPLAUSE.

Please welcome a player emerging for

what is without doubt the biggest

match of his life. This is his

maiden appearance in any Triple

Crown final, the youngest Masters

finalist for seven years. Hereafter

that epic comeback against Judd

Trump yesterday, the 2015 Shanghai

Masters champion, will be cheered on

by his friends and family, who are

all here with him today, a massive

occasion for the Warrior, Kyren

Wilson.

CHEERING

occasion for the Warrior, Kyren

Wilson.

CHEERING.

APPLAUSE

APPLAUSE.

And his opponent, who is today the

pride of a nation, the first player

from Northern Ireland in a Masters

final 431 years, and he has been

brilliant this week. Sublime against

Ronnie, sensational against Higgins,

this is the day he has dreamt of for

years, and he is determined to

deliver here comes Mark The Pistol

Allen!

CHEERING

CHEERING.

APPLAUSE

CHEERING.

APPLAUSE.

Wonderful noise inside Alexandra

Palace and a lovely big smile from

Mark Allen. The big guns are out and

in our commentary box. Good

afternoon to Dennis Taylor and

Stephen Hendry.

COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon Jason

and everyone. The players getting

themselves ready and the

photographers are all there to get

the photographs.

the photographs. That's the

wonderful Waterford Crystal trophy

they are playing for. A new name on

the trophy.

You can see the photographers

getting the picture. Smiles all

around.

around. A fabulous reception from

this Alexandra Palace crowd. I think

we are in for a classic with both

playing fantastically well.

They

will get to work, all the

interviews, all the photographs, all

the stuff you have to do before you

get into the final. Certain tickets

and passes out -- sorting tickets

and passes out for family and

friends, this is what the players

wanted to do, get to this table.

APPLAUSE

wanted to do, get to this table.

APPLAUSE.

When you wake up in the morning it

seems to go so long, the time before

starting the match itself.

There is

Paul Hunter's name on the trophy,

three-time winner, and I think

Paul's father is here this evening.

Good break off there. This is very

difficult.

First chance falls to Mark Allen.

Mark Allen quite a strong favourite

today in my opinion for this but if

Kyren Wilson can get a start, start

the way he finished the match

against Judd Trump, he's got an

opportunity to win it. But he can't

keep giving Mark Allen these

opportunities because all week he's

just been in phenomenal scoring

form.

The last two matches, Mark Allen

against John Higgins and Ronnie

O'Sullivan, he lost the first frame,

then went on to win comfortably.

We'll see

if he can start a bit

quicker today.

Two completely different styles,

both very effective. Mark Allen's

cue action is very least -- fairly

short and on these fast tables it is

very effective. Not a longer -- lot

that can go wrong with it. Kyren has

more of a flowing action, a longer

backswing before he delivers the

cue.

And that was a good shot of the cue

action of Mark Allen there. Doesn't

grip the cue very tightly. You can

see the backhand there, a lot of

players when they start playing

gripped the cue to tightly at the

butt end.

.

Already a test for the referee's

nerves.

nerves.

Yes, the Belgian officiating

in the final here.

You will definitely noticed today

that the cue ball will travel less

distance when Mark Allen is that the

table. But I think if you look at

advantages each player will have,

Kyren Wilson is a stronger long

potter. That will possibly be a way

he will look to get in the frames.

Impressed with John Higgins, didn't

make any mistakes but every time

Mark got a chance, he didn't make a

century break but make four breaks

over 60. I think the other one was

over 70, so more or less winning the

frames. With one visit. Getting

slightly difficult now. He's got a

bit of angle to work with to try and

force it over to the reds.

They are all covering each other

there, as you can see. The back of

the pink there might be available.

Well, he's gone into them, and I

tell you what, he's been a bit

unlucky there. In fact, he's very

unlucky. Played with top spin to

develop a few.

Had that Cameron worked out, every

chance he would have taken this

opening frame with one visit.

APPLAUSE

That was a very difficult one he was

attempting there but he hasn't done

too badly because the one bread

available to carry the black is

hampering him to take that up into

the corner pocket -- the one red

available.

And he is looking down at the corner

pocket there. He has to be careful

he doesn't need the red at the

middle pocket. He has to cover that

if he plays up into that area.

if he plays up into that area. He's

played the back double. That was a

bit ambitious.

Obviously couldn't see an easy

safety shot and thought he would

have a go at the double.

have a go at the double.

This is a

much trickier pot than it perhaps

looks on your screen.

looks on your screen. There you see

the angle.

the angle. Now he has left a

possible part for -- pot for Kyren

Wilson. You see the angle where he

can follow through two cushions or

stand for the blues.

It would be an

early confidence booster if he could

knock this in.

Excellently cued.

Must feel good to hit a ball as well

as that.

as that. So Mark Allen was in first

with 39 that this is an excellent

chance.

chance. -- but this is an excellent

chance.

He may have to play for the red that

is on the black cushion here. Six

reds in the middle of the table are

all covering each other.

That is well played. Perfect on this

thread. Doesn't really have to play

a lot of pace, and natural angle

just to come out for the black. -- a

natural angle.

As long as he doesn't

catch the near cushion there, you

have the perfect picture to watch

it.

He's just hit that a bit hard. He

did that a lot yesterday, overhit a

lot of positional shots. If he just

dropped it in, you have to make sure

you're leaving yourself low on the

black Blair. It's awkward now. --

the black ball there.

I don't think there is anything

available, I don't think they've

read passes the pink, but he did

leave himself or awkward on the

black, and that is very tight -- the

red passes the pink. If it touched

the right-hand jaw of the pocket...

It wouldn't go in, but he's having a

look at it from both ends. It looks

as if he's going to attempt it, but

he'll have to be very, very precise.

I think it will go.

Definitely goes

in the right half of the pocket, you

would say.

would say. He did well with that

black to be fair.

Definitely got an advantage in the

cue power department as well, I

think. Because of that very long

backswing, more orthodox cue action.

It's quite mechanical, his style.

After play the cannon into the three

reds here.

reds here. -- off to play.

Did very well. Good chance. Even

though he can't see the table. That

is Kyren's son with his grandma

Sonia and Grandad Rob. He is getting

a bit tired, he won't be here that

long, I don't think. But this is a

terrific effort from Kyren here.

There wasn't that many on when he

came to the table but look at how he

-- look how he has got all now, and

we are all square at 39 points each.

I just hope both players play at top

of their form because I think this

could be a terrific final.

I agree, although I said I would

make Mark Allen favourite, I don't

think he will win comfortably. I

think this will go pretty much all

the way.

These are the sorts of chances you

have to take.

They have played each other six

times, it is three each. Kyren had

the big win in the World

Championship 2016, 13-9. Of course,

when Kyren won his first ranking

title, he defeated Mark in the

semifinal. That was in the Shanghai

Masters and he beat him 6-1 in that.

So there is not a lot to pick

between them, although Mark Allen is

the more experienced.

I think both players coming in today

will have very high expectations of

winning. If either of them played

maybe Selby or Sullivan in the final

they would slightly have the

attitude they have nothing to lose

being the underdog, but I think both

players fancy the job. So that

always puts pressure on as well,

when you put pressure on yourself to

win.

26 in front, so this last red

with any colour will leave mark

needing the snooker. Another couple

more inches, this would have been

unmissable. This red now is a little

bit of a cutback. No. I'm surprised

he played it at that pace. All he

had to do was drop it in. The harder

you hit that the more difficult that

pot is.

It's difficult to play

especially on pressure shots,

playing them with a bit of pace. He

can use the green as a stopper here

to keep the red on that cushion. He

needs to cover. It looks a good

line. Has he got the gap?

Well, I

think he's got the gap, looking at

Mark 's body language as he walked

away. Good effort to get in behind

the black bear.

the black bear. -- the black ball

there. Can he not this long-running

pass the green? Mac this long one

in.

Believe it or not, that was more

difficult than the one he missed

into the middle pocket, but that is

the frame secure now.

Mark Allen started off with a break

of 39. He was very unlucky when he

went into the reds, very

unfortunate, but Kyren Wilson, well,

he looks in fine form.

Just a quick check of the

scoreboard, but he is well safe.

He did miss a few against Judd

Trump. Doesn't matter about the

blue.

blue. In the end, it's Kyren Wilson

who takes the opening frame. 1-0 to

the man from Kettering STUDIO: It is

indeed. Nerves, what nerves?

Unlucky, Mark, got 39, went into the

pack, didn't land on anything. Kyren

potted a solid long red, just the

one you want to start a final with.

I was surprised the way he played

they want a Mac in the middle, I

thought he would drop it in but he

didn't and ultimately got away with

it. -- played red.

it. -- played red.

We haven't got a

clue how the friends would unfold

and there is luck attached, splits

can go for or against you. Generally

be operative -- observation may be,

it is an advantage to Kyren Wilson

not to have to wait to get into his

first major mine as opposed to Mark

Allen. -- major final. He might grow

in stature of the match unfolds and

while they starts off as a player

you think you might not necessarily

be on the winners rostrum all the

time at a young age, the next you

will say, it was written in the

stars. As the match unfolds, you

never know, but Allen has been

playing great stuff.

When you look

at Wilson, especially the red he

potted, he is a class act.

He can

cue as well, but what was impressive

there was it was his first real

chance looking at a ball in the

final and it went straight into the

middle pocket so he is obviously

unfazed. The boys were talking about

their head-to-head record. The World

Championships is big, if you can

beat somebody over a distance of

ground like that and Kyren beat Mark

13-9, that has too stand you in good

stead.

Takers in there, when you win

the opening frame of the big event

like this, how do you feel?

It

settles your nerves a bit better

than if you need a couple of bites

to get over the line in the frame. I

was impressed with Wilson when I saw

him in the World Championships.

Anybody who can cope with the

Crucible I always feel is a great

player. This is another stage, and

other event. I don't think Kyren

Wilson played in front of as many

people as this, maybe in China, I

don't know. But you know when you

come out of this it is exciting, and

also, it tells you questions about

yourself. If you can handle this you

can handle everything.

It's the

prestige as well, this is the

Masters, and his second appearance.

This is huge, and major

Championship. We love winning

ranking events, but ultimately, when

you look at your record, if you come

to majors, this is what it's all

about.

Here we go, frame two, back

to Dennis and Stephen.

COMMENTATOR:

COMMENTATOR: So, Mark Allen comes to

the table, continues his pattern in

matches of losing the first frame.

We will see if he bounces back.

Who's got an early chance into the

right corner but the black is tied

up. I wonder if he will go

full-blooded to cannon that red away

from the black. What a shock this

will be. -- what a shot.

Still a

very good pot.

very good pot.

The break-off shot so

important. That's the sort of thing

that happens if you don't leave the

white near the cushion.

And with the pink and black tied up,

Mark will go straight into the pink

ball and have a look around, make

sure there are no plants. But this

could develop quite a few of them,

and hopefully the pink and possibly

the black, depending on how had he

gets it. No, he's just playing the

loose one, which... Surprises me.

OK, I didn't see this red going but

I still thought it was worth it, as

you say, to bring the pink

interplay, at least. But he can play

from the pink from this read. --

play for the pink. He is so good at

making breaks, picking off loose

threads, cannons and cue ball

control is excellent.

Asking for the pink to be respotted,

as it's important as to whether it

is available there. As you can see

into the middle pocket. But that

doesn't look as if it will go. It

might go into this corner pocket.

Settle for that little nudge.

See how close his hand is to the cue

ball there. That's the way he plays

sometimes.

sometimes. Quite close to the cue

ball with his bridge hand.

Rolled

the cue ball into position to be

with these three reds. Can't avoid

the cannon and the reds here.

I felt that was another good chance

to go to the blue there. This is

pressure on this pink now.

Especially after what happened in

the previous frame.

Needs to avoid the yellow. Repots

the blue here.

And he has done.

Very well played indeed.

That was handy. That natural angle.

To just concentrate on potting the

blue knowing the cannon wasn't on

the yellow. They are back in a good

position.

It's nice to see his dad here. I

haven't seen him for a while. I know

his mum's not in the best of health,

but I am sure she'll be glued to the

screen here and be very proud

watching her son play in the final

of the masters.

Over ran the cue ball, playing for

the pink, so a bit of work to do

here.

The blue into the yellow pocket.

Makes it easier this position side

of the shot. Right in the middle of

the pocket.

They wanted to finish high in the

pink, so an angle to just disturb

the four reds.

I think it's come too far.

He potted the blue on the left-hand

side of the pocket. He was playing

to the red, just to the left of the

four.

Because he potted the blue on the

left-hand side of the pocket he's

further away from this.

He only

needs this red.

Just overcut it.

APPLAUSE

Perfect angle on the pink to disturb

the three reds.

This is absolutely cracking

positional shot he's played there.

If it wasn't for that black and red

so close together

so close together, we'd have a new

favourite to thr game.

He can maybe leave a little angle to

screw off the black. Nudge the other

red away.

That's a couple of shots away,

though.

Just looking at the angle now that

he wants on that red.

You can almost see the body

language. He knows how important

this is, so early in the final.

Adrenaline will be pumping now.

So this, the key shot now. Can he

get an angle on this red to the

right of the black?

He's 41 behind, so he's got a few

points to play with. With all the

colours on their spots, as Stephen

said, this is the key shot coming up

now. I don't know if he can come off

the cushion and just flick the red

away? Might be able to do that. That

would be even better.

Just a little awkward. . He's OK

with this pink. It's a thinner cut,

but it's a natural angle. Just

concentrate on the pot,

automatically would be on the red.

Nothing to do with the cue ball.

Never looked in. Didn't look like it

would miss by that far, Denis.

That

is the way the old tables used to

play. Just a simple red for Mark

Allen. There was a chance there. It

wasn't an easy one. But it would

have been a steel.

So Mark Allen,

he's lost the first frame in all his

previous matches N this masters he's

done the same again today.

But probably didn't know that ran

off.

With the cloth in the olden days it

automatically went in that way.

Got him the second frame and it is

1-1.

That was very interesting. That pink

to see it, that is the coach there.

That's Barry, I don't know what's

going on there. That's the first

time I have ever, ever seen that in

my years as a professional player -

changing waist coats at the table.

Anyway, that was a very, very

important frame. There was a chance

to pinch it. Looked as if it was

going to the pocket there. Watch it

at the end. To the left-hand jaw.

I

am sure at the interval that they

will look at that. That's, that

can't be allowed to stay like that.

A costume change. I have never seen

that in a final before, Denis.

We

are back to the secretary 70s and

early # 0s, where the players in the

afternoon wear a normal tie and in

the evening they wear a bow tie.

Maybe it is a more comfortable

waistcoat. It is strange, it is blue

the new one. It doesn't go with the

trousers.

Maybe all the people here in the

Ally Pally thought it would drop. It

has finished in such a way he can

see the cushion along the black. The

angle's stopping him... Look at

that. It is not often you see that.

A treble will do. It doesn't matter.

APPLAUSE

Finished up with a treble.

Look at Mark Allen's body language

as he walked away. He did get the

snooker.

Mike wanted to block off the escape

route into the right side of the

reds, as we look at it because that

would be straightforward safety

shot. It's more difficult now

because he's blocked that route off.

Having to swerve this.

A bit of an angle and knowing Mark

he might just take this on. He's

quite an attacking player.

The red was always going to come

away from the pocket.

Nice pot. Very nice pot. Just screw

into the left-hand side of the bunch

as we watch this again. This was

well picked out. On the main bunch

of reds, to leave the red in the

open between the black and the bunch

to the right corner.

Doesn't hit this too hard.

Not a bad chance this.

Four reds still available.

That's amazing. That against Judd

Trump... Usually he's very, very

good with the rest. Very surprised

there.

That was a shocker. Missed it by

about a mile.

That's what he thinks about it.

I think he prefers to punch the

balls in, rather than drop them in,

the way he played it.

Those misses don't do your

confidence any good. Watch the cue.

It sort of goes up and down.

A long way off.

He cannot keep leaving Mark Allen

opportunities like this with the

balls. He's just got to mop them up

more often than not.

It is a bit worrying. Mark Allen

when he is in, looks like he is

scoring good. The cue ball is

excellent but he is not getting to

70 where he has won the frame in one

visit.

Both players as yet haven't

totally settled down. The standard

has been good. Expect tonight the

pace will rise a bit. These first

eight frames are a strange situation

because there is no end to the match

in the eight frames. It is about

trying to build up a lead or keep in

touch. Interesting to see how it

phases out.

I have never seen a waistcoat

change. One more frame before the

interval.

COMMENTATOR:

A decent break off from Kyren.

If he comes off the right side

cushion and lands there he will be

OK. It is a

REFEREE:

FOUL AND A MISS.

He will have it put back. Nothing

available. He'll have to do a slight

readjustment.

He will have to ask Marcel Eghert to

have a look at the monitor.

Keep going? Good?

That's where I had my line, so it is

absolutely spot-on.

It's OK.

We have Nick in from the Kaiser

Chiefs, in with his sad. Not a bad

player either. I think slightly

better than Nick. This is all he

could do. Is it hard enough, is it

going to reach?

REFEREE:

Foul and a

miss.

We haven't had too much tactical

play but both these players as well

as being great break players are

great safety players. He had a look

at the pack there.

He doesn't want to knock one over

the pocket. . Oh what a shot.

He has been very unlucky. He tried

to make the plant and take the pot

on at the same time. So he tried to

pot two reds there and almost pulled

it off. He is very unlucky with

where the cue ball is finished. But

for someone that was brought up

playing billiards, he spotted one

there.

there. The canon was terrific.

Pot this to the left and make the

plant. Well-spotted.

Very aggressive safety shot. Opened

them up. The cue ball is not tight

on the balk cushion but still a

handy shot.

The first glance is hard to pick

out. To get the cue ball back to

balk. The red, closest to the right

corner, you could possibly could

about www. That pot with lots of

left-hand side and take the cue ball

in a straight line up the table.

I think he's going to get through to

that red.

Playing the containing safety shot.

That is Alan Hunter, Paul Hunt ears

father here. Great to see him here.

The trophy named after his son. He

won it three times. I can't believe

it's 12 years since Paul passed away

but nice to see his dad here. And

there it is. A terrific player he

was. Would have been a World

Champion.

He was a star.

He was like the David

Beckham of the snooker world. He

really was.

Tremendous victories at this event.

I think he was 7-2 down twice. At

least twice.

A dangerous shot. If he had missed

the pot that could've left the cue

ball down this end of the table, in

amongst all the reds. Had to get it.

That's such a difficult shot to

play. Just a roll up and land on the

yellow. From the cue ball. Being on

the cushion. Very difficult to

judge. You don't want to leave it

short, otherwise you leave your

opponent in with the free ball.

You can see the red there in front

of the black. Sometimes you play a

screw back off that and hope that

you can keep the reds all up this

end of the table. Is he going to try

a thin off it?

An excellent shop. I remember big

Bill Wovernick, when he was in

trouble he got down and screwed it

back into the balk error but Mark

Allen found a gap there and it had

to be judged to perfection.

REFEREE:

Foul and a miss.

A touch closer?

All three having a

look at the monitor.

Just a fraction.

A ball? A full

ball?

We are getting there. That's

where it was. Not too far away.

Is

that OK?

It's a very delicate little shot he

is playing. He just has to land on

the red off the two cushions.

This is quite a tactical battle

between these two young players

here. Just 26 years of age, Kyren.

Just the slightest of double kisses

there. He would have been a bit

anxious as he watched the white go

towards that red.

I presume Mark

Allen can't get through. The two

reds at the right corner, you would

think he would have a go at the

plant. He hasn't looked at T I

presume he can't get through to the

red furthest away from the pocket.

It's not a straight plant by any

means but from where he was hitting

the cue ball from it would've been

pretty easy.

Risky. He is playing the cushion

first to pot the red or is he just

playing the safety? He may just be

playing the safety, leaving the cue

ball in the jaws of the pocket.

No, it was the pot. Very, very risky

that shot. There was a lot of

distance between the red and the

pocket. At first glance, he hasn't

left anything easy.

In the

end it was Mark Allen who won the

tactical battle and Kyren tried that

pot. So in with a chance here. They

are awkward around that corner

pocket.

Oh, no, the wasp back again. Here we

go again. He is on his back. He

should be able to get him this time.

REFEREE:

Thank you, settle down,

please. Sorry about that.

APPLAUSE

Well, Mark keeping focussed here,

quite rightly.

Thank you.

He'd love to go to the mid-session

interval all-square.

When that was

going on, the referee dealing with

the ref, Mark didn't flinch. Very

focussed

Well he is always up for a

joke with the referees and that but

this is the final of the Masters and

he has to keep that focus.

And if you just watch Mark's face

here, he is not flinching. He is

keeping his focus.

That needs to pull up a bit. It is a

little awkward for him. He might

need the rest again.

It is getting a bit more complicated

now with those five reds all around

the pocket. They are all sort of

covering each other.

He could easily snooker himself on

the red here, if he is playing for

the one next to the pink. He has hit

it at a decent pace to make sure

that didn't happen. A pretty good

shot, to be fair. There would have

been frustration in his mind from

not being on the blue nicely.

Whenever he gets to the point of

playing some sort of cannon to

loosen the four reds by the right

corner pocket, it's going to be...

There is going to be a bit of danger

attached to it because he doesn't

want to pot a red.

Wow, maybe he could've hit that with

a bit more pace. Maybe it drifted to

the jaws. Let's look. I don't think

he was quite in the pocket there.

But the frames are all following the

same pattern. Mark Allen is getting

in first and in the making enough.

-- and not making enough to finish

the frame off.

Off two cushions for the red at the

right corner, off the right-hand

side?

Played it well.

It was all about getting a good

angle on the blue again, to get into

those very awkward five reds, so

imperative he gets a good angle on

the blue here.

He could even do it from the pink

but as Stephen said he has to be

careful not to plant the red into

the corner pocket, depending on how

hard he hits this.

That's amazing the way that has

finished.

It's finished so awkward, he hasn't

even got an easy safety shot.

He could play that shot another ten

times and not get that result.

Already the longest frame in this

Masters' final.

And it could go on for a while, the

way these balls are situated.

Gradually getting

spread around, Mark Allen has left

an attempt here.

A fabulous pot from the red. Well,

you could argue he has not got any

advantage from it, because he has to

play not only positive, a tricky

safety, but what can you leave, it

doesn't matter where you put the cue

ball.

Yes, he went for the pink and six

extra points.

Well, a fantastic pot.

He might even have a go at the

double because it's the only red he

could leave.

Always worth the risk there, having

a go at the double. The only

problem, as we'll show you, he was

pretty close to it.

Although it is the best of 19. You

play longer matches, in little mini

sessions.

You set your stall out to

maybe win the first session 3-1.

Quite a tense fourth frame here,

before we go to the mid-session

interval.

He didn't want to risk playing back

down the table because if he had

come up short he would've left the

one close to the blue. That's yes

chose a different shot.

He'd rather this red would go off in

off the blue. He could cut it in

directly. It is a big pocket.

He has cut it. Great shot. A good

pot but once again, a little

pot but once again, a little bit

unfortunate with the green. I'll

show you the snick shot. Look at the

reds but the green made it awkward.

He is trying the black to try to

develop the reds.

I think this is a

I think this is a first real scrapie

frame That he's been involved in,

the majority of this tournament.

That's a pretty good shot.

APPLAUSE

It is a tricky safety for Mark Allen

now here.

He felt the white drifted a little

bit there. Is there a gap through to

the red? No, I don't think so.

Not

the red closest to the cue ball.

Certainly available, I think, to the

far left corner.

A push shot, but why hit that so

hard? I don't understand that shot

at all.

If you're going to go for the pot,

why not just stand across from the

pin took the middle pocket?

pin took the middle pocket? A

strange choice of shot to me there.

He got away with it. This is very

difficult for Mark Allen here.

I wonder if he's looking at the

angle to cut this in the middle

pocket. It would have to be a thin

one.

He looked at the angle to cut the

red in the middle. Tried to pot the

other one. So, that tells you that

red isn't cuttable.

Eight frames to be played this

afternoon.

And this frame not far off. 35

minutes, but the balls did go a

little awkward. There were some

brilliant tactical play from both

players.

Mark Allen is thinking about taking

this pot up into the left corner and

screwing back with a bit of safety

in mind. When you have played a

longish frame, the last thing you

want to do is let your opponent in.

Making a mistake.

Making a mistake. That is what he's

tried. Where's the red going to

finish up?

Wasn't an easy position there for

Mark Allen.

Getting a little bit flustered Mark

Allen out there. He's looked very

calm and composed this week.

A let off. I say a let off, because

he missed the pot, but has he left

anything?

The first sign of tension

in this final.

He wanted to hit red first. Just

watch the cue ball here. Just hits

the cushion before the red.

Is it still cuttable?

One good shot to play for the rest.

It's done off a couple of cushions.

It is amazing. It has added a bit of

tension to this very important

frame, even though it is the best of

19.

Both players missing balls that they

wouldn't normally miss.

. You can just see a little bit of

redness around the face, Mark Allen.

He doesn't look as calm and as

composed.

Mark Allen knows that Kyren should

have got closer to this green.

Further than he would have liked.

Switch that phone off, please.

Not a

phone, surely!

Off.

It is a very important shot this

that Kyren is facing. He didn't get

as close to the green as he should

have done.

That's ridiculous. It is.

Can you

point that person out? Come on

please and that's it. He can go.

Trying to find the culprit.

Hurry up, please.

Don't kick him

out. Just turn it on silent.

Let him in after the interval, yeah?

APPLAUSE

Bless him. He's a fair chap. He

won't probably know how to switch

the phone on to silent.

the phone on to silent. That was

really nice of him there.

To have the concentration after all

that, to regain your focus and the

job in hand, potting that green.

He's still got quite a bit to do

here.

He's

Instead of being straightforward,

he's got a problem. Just wanted to

come between the green and pink.

That's no not the best shot he's

ever played. So both players are

feeling the tension out there.

This key frame, before the

mid-session interval.

That's a good shot from Mark Allen

there.

He hadn't got the angle there. He

made sure he got a good green and

he's got a pretty good cue ball.

That is a bit unlucky of the hit

one, middle pocket, and go across

over the other. The only thing with

this shot, I don't know if he can

hit it thick enough to avoid the

white going up into a corner pocket.

He has to be a wee bit careful with

this.

Believe it or not, this is now the

longest frame of the tournament. The

previous

previous longest was John Higgins

Anthony McGill.

He needs the brown, the blue and the

pink.

Black doesn't really matter. It is

all about who pots blue and pink.

How hard did he hit that? That is

pure tension that caused him to miss

that. Why hit it so hard? That's

what you can do under pressure. Just

needed to push the cue through in a

straight line and well, wouldn't it

be ironic if Mark Allen was to pot

this and bring the black into play.

Quietly, please.

Didn't play the double. He's played

this very well indeed. Excellent

safety shot.

APPLAUSE

All of a sudden, Mark Allen has just

gone favourite for this black ball

fight and the way it's finished.

There are some players who attempt

the double in this sort of

situation.

It's not the done thing these days.

Sent it on to the side cushion. Get

a little bit of drift, so...

I tell

you what, this isn't a gimme. Mark

Allen looked away. I think it's dead

straight. OK, he should pot it nine

times out of ten, but...

APPLAUSE

The frame has lasted almost 47

minutes and Mark Allen, well, he

will be delighted to pinch it in the

end. It is 2-2.

What a reaction from Mark Allen. A

fist going on there. A bit of a

football celebration.

He got away

with one there. Didn't he? He played

a brilliant shot on the black. What

was Kyren Wilson doing with a

straight pink? Somebody who cues as

well as he does as well. He nearly

missed the jaws. He did miss the

jaws.

Is that tension though?

It is

purely that T I still expected him

to knock that in.

He seems to be

under pressure. Perhaps he hits the

ball too hard. It is OK if they are

going in the pockets. When they

miss, it looks like he panicked a

bit. What that does for his

confidence for the rest of the match

is in question. Those shots are

debilitating. What a confidence

builder for your opponent if you are

playing somebody who might not be

ability to clinch a frame.

He had a

few bites of the cherry. We are

looking at the end, but he had two

or three chances. He was in on the

colours first out of the two

players. He's not giving away one,

he's giving away three.

Rewind to

the phone situation - had that not

happened he would have potted the

green better. He didn't pot it in

the best part of the pocket. He

wasn't on the yellow. He made the

positional shot with the yellow. Who

knows what would have happened if he

got free flow of that? That pink,

with the black safe is a free shot,

it is like a penalty. He butchered

it.

When will people get the message

about taking phones into events like

this, cinemas or theatres. Back with

you very, very shortly. Back to the

live action. 2-2 as it stands. Let's

hear from Mark Allen. He's been

talking to Rob Walk our.

Mark, I always look forward to

speaking to you, because you are

someone who is so honest. There was

no better example than how you had a

laugh with Denis, walking down the

stairs having been introduced as

Williams.

It's the Pistol Mark Williams...

What's your second name again? Mark

Allen, everybody!

It was funny being

introduced as Mark Williams. I had a

joke he's getting sacked in the

morning.

I didn't ask you to say

that! The interesting thing about

that is you weren't offended and it

didn't interrupt your momentum in

the match and you are someone, I

think, who reacts quite well on the

big occasions in the big matches.

I think that's something just about

my personality really. I try and

have fun out there, whether in the

build up or in the match to try and

enjoy myself. I am very fortunate to

do what I do for a living. You have

to try and enjoy it as well with.

You are on three ranking titles, two

of which came in China and you won

the grand finals. Would you have

expected more silverware by now,

bearing in mind how long you have

been around the top 16? ? Well I

hope it does not sound arrogant, but

I did expect more. I came on the

back of a good hammure record. I was

used to winning. I have won nine

times on tour. For me, it is not

enough.

Do you think people outside the

circuit may underestimate the

difficulties of being away from home

for so much. I am sure you are

grateful for the living snooker's

enabled you and your family to have,

but it is not as glamorous as what

people think?

First of all I am very

grateful for what the game's given

me. People will never understand

what we go through as sports people

and being away from home so much.

People say, how would you like a

9-5? If you do have 9-5 you see your

family. That is something we don't

know. Living out of a suitcase,

eating room service on your own

nearly every night. That is not all

what it's cracked up to be.

Well, it is always a delight to see

you in amongst the balls. Thank you

for your honesty again.

Thanks.

Ranked number eight in the world.

He's a good talker if you catch him

in the right sort of mood.

He's a

great lad. We talk a lot about

football and golf together. He's

been very relaxed around the venue

all week. If you beat Ronnie

O'Sullivan and John Higgins, you are

hitting the ball all right.

It makes

a big difference if you are feeling

relaxed?

It is hard to feel relaxed

when things are going wrong on the

table though. Today they have done

for Mark Allen. He will be relieved

to have got that full frame under

his belt and wiped the slate clean

and start again. As I said earlier,

this opening session of eight

frames, with 11 tonight, perhaps you

think, OK, the match starts tonight

more. You hope to get parity at the

very least. It is a chance to get a

big lead on your opponent. If not,

it is parity and wait for tonight.

In the context of Mark Allen and

where he's going in his snooker

career, we have discussed, he's got

the talent to win these major

titles. If, for example, he wins

tonight, does that mean he goes to

the World Championship full of

confidence and we talk about him

winning at a cruisable as opposed to

the Selby, the O'Sullivan?

Absolutely. It makes a difshs to

know you can go and -- difference to

know you can go and do it. I have

seen some brilliant performances

when he's been nicked on the line by

performers who have played that bit

better than him. If he wins one of

these, who knows what it will do for

him confidence-wise. It has to be a

boost.

The more who win Major

events, the more every player is

saying to themselves, I am good

enough to win. The field of players

getting bigger and bigger. From Mark

Allen's perspective, he would like

to be in that group.

This is Kyren

Wilson, really good listen, this.

So, second masters and it must be so

nice to be now in this elite

bracket, where only the best of the

best get invited here.

It seems to

be getting harder and harder,

doesn't it? There are so many

seeding cut offs now. There's no

rest in there. On a good win, back a

couple of months ago, you have to

keep on producing. And yeah, I'm

very pleased to be in that 16 once

again for the second time.

Your year leading up to qualifying

for the Masters was massive, wasn't

it? You went from outside the top 50

to suddenly being in the 16. You

just seemed to click in so many

ways?

I have got to put that down to

my coach, Barry. We have worked hard

technically. It set me back for a

good two years. Inevitably it has

put me two steps forward. We have

not looked back since we worked on

that. I managed to win Shanghai. It

is very important to be consistent.

From then on you don't want to be a

one-hit wonder. I am chasing that

second title. I am knocking on the

door. I am getting closer and

closer. That is what you have to do.

It is so tough these days. You

cannot be too tough on yourself and

have to set realistic goals.

How do

you balance being a young father.

You have fin lay and Bailey. Those

Bailey is only four months old. You

are spending months and months away

from home and in many cases away

from the country on a different time

zone?

It is very tough. Sometimes

this year especially I have gone out

the door and my little boy has

shouted down the stairs, "Dad,

please don't go." He is three. He

wants his dad around him. In a few

years' time hopefully he will enjoy

the life I have given him. My wife,

Sophie, she had never been abroad

before we got together. Now there

are the countries she has seen. You

have to take the rough with the

smooth. It is not easy. I am

enjoying what I am doing. I am

hungry. I have to be selfish and put

my snooker first. In that sense I