First Round: Ronnie O'Sullivan v Marco Fu Masters Snooker

Hello and good afternoon, welcome

back to Alexandra Palace. It is day

three of the 2018 Dafabet Masters,

the Davies fans have been waiting

for. Taking to the stage this

afternoon is one of Britain's

biggest sporting stars... Ronnie

O'Sullivan!

CHEERING

FUNKY MUSIC

# Going to push it hard

# Climb up harder

# I was made for this

# I was made for this...

# I am stronger

# Cannot help but win

# I was made for this

# I was made for this

# I was made for this

# A packed Alexandra Palace today,

it's the Ronnie O'Sullivan Show, why

is he so popular?

What has he got that we haven't got?

I think he's created an image over

the years, like Jimmy White, Alex

Higgins, we've never been

characters. We are too boring!

He

used to win, never called anyone a

numpty!

In different words he did! I

think the open -- the word "Numpty!"

Used to fall asleep when I played!

You don't know what he's going to

do, he is more predictable these

days. He wants to win snooker

tournaments but being serious about

it, people know that he is a better

player when he plays at his best. He

plays the game in the correct way

and differently to everyone else.

That's what people appreciate.

The

top 16, back in the day, they've all

got great talent but there is

something special about how he

plays. There is a panache around the

table, it's like he sees the game

different to other players?

He sees

it very quickly, going to the table.

I enjoy watching him play with a

difficult break. You can see it in

his mind, working out what to do.

His cue ball controllers in a

different class and that is art.

He's up against Marco Fu, no

guarantees today because marker is a

great player. It is day three here

at the Masters, let's see how the

draw is panning out... This

afternoon we are all looking forward

to this, reigning champion Ronnie

O'Sullivan taking on Marco Fu...

Northern Ireland's Mark Allen

through to the quarterfinals beating

Luca Brecel.

John Higgins opens up against

Anthony McGill tomorrow evening.

Ding Junhui out, losing to Ryan Day

in a cracker yesterday. Judd Trump

is through after beating Liang Wenbo

last night.

The 2015 champion Shaun Murphy takes

on Ali Carter tomorrow afternoon.

Barry Hawkins plays Kyren Wilson

tonight at seven o'clock. The world

number one Mark Selby, dumped out by

Mark Williams in the opening match

on Sunday...

Make no mistake, this is a very

tough match for Marco Fu, he played

Ronnie O'Sullivan twice here at the

Masters, losing both matches

including a semifinal last year...

Marco Fu, doesn't have any feathers

before he plays a shot and he moves

his head upon power shots and is too

nice to be involved in a game where

it is kill or be killed, discuss!

That has done it, hasn't it?

What is

going on? With all of these things

that are wrong, surely he is too

nice! You two, nasty pieces of work!

Me, definitely! You know...

I think

he is technically very sound. He

might not fair that the cue in a

difficult way, but so what?

It

works. When the power shot goes up,

he moves his head...

But they go in,

at pace.

So what is going on?

I

played him in the first round of the

World Championship a couple of years

ago and after 12 frames he had a 98%

spot success rate. Never missed one

long ball in the whole match. The

table played lovely. He was

incredible. Marco is clever, when he

is on top form he can batter people.

He can have three, four, five, six

centuries and there are no problems.

I'm surprised that for how good he

is he doesn't win more tournaments.

A great match temperament... You

know, he doesn't seem to change.

Regardless of winning or losing. You

wouldn't know his match situation.

It is a massive attribute.

A massive

positive in his game is that you

never know if he is winning or

losing. You don't know if he has

missed the easiest ball in the world

made an error. He is the most

controlled player I've ever seen.

Not the greatest power player?

No,

in different areas of high humidity,

that affects how the ball moves

around the table and you had to pump

them in a bit more play with more

side spin to get the same results. I

think sometimes he gets found out in

those areas. You don't have the mass

power game that other players would

have.

Over a certain amount of years

he didn't seem to be going anywhere

but put so much hard. It's a

testament to the grafting on the

table. He would be great in your

corner as a mental, I am sure.

One

of the hardest workers I have seen.

-- as a mentor. Practices his

technique and knows the game at

large as well as anyone. For me, he

deserves all he gets.

A lovely guy

and a top player.

But

But it is Ronnie O'Sullivan leading

the head-to-head clashes, winning 15

matches. You have to go all the way

back to 2009 and the Welsh Open for

Marco Fu's

back to 2009 and the Welsh Open for

Marco Fu's last win over The Rocket.

Good afternoon to Dennis Taylor and

John Parrott, they will be talking

us through this today. There is a

real buzz whenever Ronnie O'Sullivan

walks into a snooker arena, wherever

it will be, but especially here at

Ally Pally.

The first couple of days

we had packed houses but today will

be very special.

be very special. If it is anything

like last year, that semifinal, the

two players playing was one of the

best matches I had ever seen. Marco

Fu made 140 plus, he lost 6-4 after

leading 4-3. If it's anything like

that we are in for a cracking match

this afternoon.

And being with the

fans today, a sense of expectation

this afternoon, not just for a

Ronnie O'Sullivan win but cracking

snooker?

That's what we have seen

from the first ball. Brilliant

snooker and every match has been top

quality.

That's what you get with

the top 16 players. Ronnie will be

nervous today, he's done really well

here, at his home crowd. You have to

go back to 2015 was the last time he

lost a match. He will be nervous to

begin with.

And Marco Fu will be

nervous, walking into this venue as

well. This season has not made the

latter stages of many big

tournaments.

But he enjoys this kind

of atmosphere. This is what Marco

enjoys with his snooker playing in

front of a crowd like this and

that's when he produces his best

sometimes. It's time to kick start

the season. He is such a cool

customer. A great temperament.

He's

a class act. He is a cherry picker.

He likes to take the reds off

loosely. He is artistic. Webb and a

very poignant day here at Alexandra

Palace because here in snooker, it

is fair to say we are one big

family.

But the broadcasting or

players or pundits but over the last

couple of days we've lost one of our

table fitters, 25-year-old Jethro

Salmon, there was a minute of

silence which was impeccably

reserved.

We are a close-knit

family, you bump into the table

fitters every day and I could not

believe it when I heard the news. My

thoughts go out to his family. It is

very sad.

It is no age at all. Great

sympathy for his friends and family.

Let's go over to our MC Rob Walker.

Thank you ladies and gentlemen, a

sombre start to our coverage this

afternoon as snooker mourns the loss

of one of its own but one of the

best tributes we camp eight to

25-year-old Jethro and his family,

watching live at home this

afternoon, is to carry on with the

sport he served so well and

diligently for six years.

It is day three of the Dafabet

Masters. Please welcome first of

all, one of the most important

global ambassadors for the sport,

making his 12th appearance here at

the Masters, runner-up in 2011, one

of three ranking titles including

last season's Scottish open in fine

style, the pride of Hong Kong, here

comes Marco Fu!

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: "Superhuman" - The Script

and his opponent, a player who has

made the event his own after almost

a quarter of a century of

appearances. He has been in 12

finals and last year made it a

magnificent seven... Nobody in

history has a better record in the

Masters than the defending champion,

The Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan!

CHEERING

APPLAUSE

MUSIC: "Drops of Jupiter" - Train

COMMENTATOR: What a reception for

both players... And as I mentioned,

to Jason, just previously, if we

have a match like we had in the

semifinal last year it would be very

special.

Thank you, ladies and

gentlemen. The first frame to Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Applause double-checking

that he won the toss, saying it is

my turn to break, isn't it?

It is some record, winning seven

Masters titles, isn't it?

Yes, on

the end of a defeat to Ronnie in

1995, that was his first year that

he managed to win. He got the table

that he won it on in 1995, I had in

the first round and let it go. He

went on to win the tournament and

since then his record has been

phenomenal. A good event for him. He

doesn't live far away. Play the

match, go home and sleep in your

bed. Not a great start from Marco,

far too thick on the safety.

You

cannot leave the cue ball in that

position, it needs to be near the

baulk cushion. Far too thick. Can he

get off to a good start, Ronnie

O'Sullivan?

A bit of a distraction there for

him... The brown.

him... The brown. The umpire keeping

a close eye on it...

A much better

piece of cueing than it looked. It

was virtually straight. Managing to

get a bit of excess top spin there,

bending the angle.

bending the angle.

It is Ronnie's

first frame on the table. This table

is playing beautifully. Very quick,

that is how the players like it.

That's why we've had something like

ten centuries, I think. In the first

two days.

two days.

Seven.

It is very

intimidating to play against. It

really is. Playing him in his own

backyard, playing as well as he

does. He starts like a rocket.

Played a poor shot there, Marco.

Already looking like a great

opportunity.

No respite when you play him.

Not a

good chance yet. There are a couple

of reds available to Ronnie.

Straightaway, he has left himself an

angle on this red. To be able to

develop a funeral. -- develop a a

few more. That was all it took,

developing those two reds, there are

three or four more available to him.

69 points would get him over the

winning line of the opening frame.

29.

All the players will be a little

nervous, keyed up before the matches

but nothing settles you better than

hitting the ball like this in the

first frame.

One second please, Ronnie.

The

umpire saying, give me a second,

Ronnie. Spotting the pink, has to go

as close to the reds there without

being in the direct line of the pink

spot, the black spot...

43.

It's

amazing, 25 years he has been a

referee.

And he is still here because he is

very good. An excellent referee.

Going for the blue here... It is

nice. Not totally ideal, the two

reds at the top of the pack are a

little tricky.

He has to be careful there is not a

plant on when he cannons into the

reds. I do not think there is, he

should be OK so that he can hit it

with a bit of pace. APPLAUSE

He has one red, but he was a bit

unlucky there. He had to play at

that pace because the two reds were

at an angle, what they call a flat

pack. He's got one in the middle but

good cueing... Perfect!

good cueing... Perfect!

When he

wants that type of shot, the cue is

so close to the red. Look at that,

not catching one of the reds.

not catching one of the reds.

What a

start this is! The two greats at the

start of the show, Stephen Hendry

and Steve Davies, they knew how to

start matches. This fellow is not

bad. First visit to the table...

This could be a

This could be a century...

Frame

safe, just concentrating now on

clearing the remaining balls. 139 is

the highest break so far this year.

Liang Wenbo, made that against Judd

Trump.

Trump.

76.

Been going eight minutes, always

completed.

He has made 920 centuries in his

career.

99.

APPLAUSE

You cannot start a much better than

this.

An inevitability about this...

There is the century.

106.

I hope

you enjoyed your one shot on this

frame...

Cannot do anything about

this.

this. His 47th century this season.

He made 50 last year.

He made 50 last year. All last

season, I should say. -- or last

season, I should say. £10,000 for

the highest break in this year's

Dafabet Masters. Nothing for a

maximum break, funnily enough.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, 120.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, 120. A pure

safety shot for Marco Fu.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, 1-0.

Nine minutes and 15 seconds. It

could be an early afternoon for us!

Marco Fu can take something positive

from that, that is what he expects

to happen. He isn't surprised by

Ronnie clearing the table. He knew

that it would happen today. It is

all about him concentrating on his

own game, and focusing on what he

has to do. But that start is

ominous. What Ronnie did to Dave

Harold 's, sorry, not him... Ricky

Walden, I don't know why Dave Harold

came from! Winning 6-0 within an

hour...

You should see what he did

to Dave Harold!

I think it was less

than that. We were here when Ricky

Walden was destroyed 6-0.

Walden was destroyed 6-0.

You are

entitled to get used to the table

and be a bit nervous as well. It was

a dodgy shot that Marco played. But

he could have got away on another

day when Ronnie would not have

cleared the ball but when Ronnie

walked around the table, he had a

bit of a tramp on. He was moving a

bit faster than he normally plays. I

thought, the average shot time in

the break was 13 seconds a shot. I

wonder if it is on his mind. Not to

go down by Marco, Marco isn't a

massively slow play about getting

into Marco's rhythm. Perhaps he will

hustle him a bit.

Back we go to John

and Dennis...

COMMENTATOR: That is where he has to

keep the cue ball, as close to the

cushion as possible. A few late

arriving. Catching Ronnie's I line.

-- eye-line. It may be a slightly

different second frame, the black

has gone close to the cushion which

Marco will not mind, really. Giving

him the chance to settle down...

him the chance to settle down... He

will come up short again with the

safety.

safety. Not a great deal of value in

the one to the right corner. It

would come back into another red.

This is the first possible chance

for Marco Fu, the pink is awkward.

The black isn't too well-placed.

The black isn't too well-placed. You

have two screw this back. He is

terrific with the cue but sometimes

he likes that cue power. You have to

force it.

Playing a little more forcefully.

Playing a little more screw back on

that one. With the baulk colour. He

is under the cosh at the minute.

Hmm, the black pots. It's ominous...

That is a big bonus, the black being

available to the left corner. Now

both corners... All of a sudden, he

is right back in amongst them.

Just looking to see if the pink is

available. I think it is.

Now, it doesn't spot, it goes to

the, that will be handy.

-- it goes to the blue.

When he first came to the table, and

Marco had left them, I thought, that

isn't too bad but the fact that the

black was potted in, a couple of

shots later... He has manoeuvred

them. The cue ball control is just

exemplary.

exemplary. He is absolutely on fire

at the minute.

Letting that one slip away... The

first mistake from Ronnie. Only a

couple of pots away from securing a

second frame. He overhit that one,

slightly. Planning to drop it in,

dead weight. Leave one from the

right-hand corner. Now it is

slightly more difficult, hampered a

little bit as well. It is safely

in... APPLAUSE

64.

Some awkward cueing there. It

thought about it!

If that bounces... He is on the red

that he played for previously.

Two mistakes from Marco Fu. 2-0 to

Ronnie O'Sullivan. In no time at

all.

This used to be a tough game, John,

didn't it.

He's just the best player at the

peak of his powers at the minute.

Everything's just so easy. OK, he

lost position slightly when he had

to take the red in the middle

pocket, but there was an

inevitability of it that he was

going to get back to the top of the

table once he potted the yellow. He

can't hit it any better than this.

We shall all buy ourselves a cue and

have a go, see how hard it is.

When

he came to the table, you couldn't

see any more than maybe 30 or 40 of

a break. This is some effort.

APPLAUSE.

APPLAUSE.

106.

Well, he needs to miss the brown.

Oh, what a shot!

114.

If he does clear up, he's going to

equal we think bow's high break, 139

-- Wenbo's break. I think it will go

into the 140s here, the way the play

is going.

So, 121. Watch ago genius at work.

2-1 to the rocket.

So, 121. Watch ago genius at work.

2-1 to the rocket. He's a joy to

watch. This is how it's looking

already. 12 tournament centuries

this year already. The record 2009,

31 and Steve, you were in the studio

yesterday when we were talking about

whether we were going to break that.

The way they are going at the

moment, we are looking to break

that, aren't we?

Well, it's

inevitable with Ronnie. He's

unnatural in what he does on the

snooker table. We play the game, we

know when we are playing well how

sometimes you are at one with the

table. But Ronnie O'Sullivan's so

special. I mean, he just sees

everything. It's upsetting really

isn't it?

I said before the match

started that I enjoy watching him

when it's a difficult break. He came

to the table, he manoeuvres the

balls into position. He thinks so

quickly, he's unbelievable and has

an unbelievable snooker brain. At

least the last two or three years

he's looked vulnerable in the first

round, he's had a couple of 6-5s.

He's anything but vulnerable today.

I think, what is going through his

head and what is he seeing through

his eyes because we know what we see

when he comes to the table. I think

he sees different pictures to us.

I

think you are right. Stop me if you

have heard this before but in our

jobs we are lucky to see many sports

stars but there is nothing better

than when you see this man in full

flow?

I couldn't agree more, Jason.

than when you see this man in full

flow?

I couldn't agree more, Jason.

We have watched Ronnie from when he

turned professional at 17 and Ronnie

reckons he was playing better when

he was 17 but how can you play

better than what he's doing at the

moment? !

Peter Ebden said to me after a few

years Ronnie had been around, he was

playing brilliant, he said you

haven't seen the real Ronnie

O'Sullivan, he can play better than

that. He's been proven right.

What is so impressive is his

longevity in the game. People going

into their 40s and stuff reckon they

can't win tournaments any more.

Ronnie's blown that out of the water

and seems to be playing as good as

ever.

Obviously he has great enthusiasm

for the sport. He practises hard. He

loves it.

It wasn't that many years

ago people were saying it's a young

man's game, they were winning in

their early 20s and a few players

have proven that theory wrong.

Stuart Bingham, world title at 39,

John Higgins winning in his 40s.

APPLAUSE.

No real attempt at the pot there, he

was trying to get the cue ball back

in the balk area.

He had one red in the last frame

which he overhit slightly.

which he overhit slightly.

He's

trying to get a foothold if

possible.

The semi-final last year was one of

the best games I've ever seen. Marco

played brilliantly. Ronnie changed

his tip, if you remember, and still

managed to win which was scary. One

heck of a match last year.

Very difficult to find the gap back

down the table there. The black was

always in an awkward spot.

If he finishes nicely on the blue,

he'll probably go for the red that's

near the black spot.

If he can get that red away from the

black spot area, it will help.

That's the one he's played for. If

he goes back up the table and gets

on the black, it will be in the

clear when it's respoted. He's

removing this red here.

Ted.

Slight change of plan there.

He's got a bit of an angle. Still

needs a good shot to get on to blue

or black here.

The pink is awkward to pot the

black, to split into the pink and

reds because it's away from the

bunch.

That's why he's played up for this

one along the cushion.

Very tricky.

APPLAUSE.

This is not a good pack to go into

but he plays it so well, this type

of shot.

APPLAUSE.

We may as well wrap up and go home

now because this is just crazy. That

is just such a shot.

Already it's looking like it could

be frame three gone. He really is

playing some phenomenal stuff.

98% pot success. He beat Rickie

Walden 6-0. Rickie had a 97% pot

success rate but only potted three

balls!

Now, what goes in this corner? Looks

pretty tight. There's a gap there.

When you are playing really well,

that is the sort of thing that

presents itself to you.

APPLAUSE.

Wonderful touch. Power that in.

Left himself two reds there.

He obviously thinks he can pot this

and flick another red out, is it?

Oh, he went through the gap.

Just a little flick on the pink

which he probably could have done

without.

Still wouldn't expect him to miss

this pink the way he's been playing.

It's just the positional side of it.

Quite difficult.

Has it gone far enough, or is the

pink going to block his path? Comes

up a little bit short.

He's not going to win this third

frame with one visit. Have you got

your record book with you, John, to

see if anybody ever started the

Masters with three century breaks?

APPLAUSE.

He didn't win the frame in that

visit which is a surprise by the way

he's been playing today. But there

you go, Marco, you are 50 behind,

stuck in the jaws. So much pressure

on him.

Good reply, that, excellent.

APPLAUSE.

And Ronnie also tapped the table

there in acknowledgement, as well as

a terrific round of applause from

the Ali pale crowd from for that

good safety shot -- Ally Pally.

He'll probably knock this one in.

The cueing is just wonderful. And

the pace it was played at, to come

off the two angles back out at the

black. He's just in the grieve. He

really is. Look at that. Superb.

APPLAUSE.

Four frames to be played before the

mid session interval.

Marco hasn't had much of a chance.

He can't say his last shot was a

poor shot, it was an excellent

safety shot.

Just over half an hour and it's 3-0.

Hasn't potted the ball yet. That was

five penalty points he's had there.

A bit like the old snooker joke. How

are you playing and he says "I don't

know, I haven't had a shot yet. "

Sub

This brown will make it 100 balls

potted.

Even that stun run through there

looked easy. That is such a tough

shot to play.

APPLAUSE.

He started the third frame at 50 and

finished it with a break of 74. 3-0

to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

This is just

magic from O'Sullivan. I was looking

at a couple of fans

magic from O'Sullivan. I was looking

at a couple of fans in the arena

there And there's one gentleman who

smiled all the way through and he's

honestly not stopped smiling

watching this.

Yes, as I said again,

talking about this, it's an art the

way he plays, the cue ball control

is just incredible. He's just in

such a good zone. It's almost as if,

whoever else is there, it doesn't

matter because it's just Ronnie and

the table. There was a time before

Christmas, he started to look a bit

jaded, played so many tournaments in

a row. He's refreshed and had a few

weeks off over Christmas, he looks

fresh as a daisy.

This makes a

difference coming out to this crowd

as well doesn't it, Steve?

Yes, this

is one event where you come out to a

packed arena and it's a one-table

set-up. This is a type of Ronnie

O'Sullivan in his office that we

don't see at the world or UK

Championship because in the World

Championship, another table, it's a

different feeling. You have got a

job to do when you go there, but

this is centre stage stuff and he's

so good in this arena. I don't think

he suffers from pressure like other

players either, he's a phenomenon in

that respect. People get nervous but

he has such ability, those nerves

are just blown away.

A measure of

how surprised you are by Marco Fu

having five points, that's all he's

got to his name at the moment, you

forgot how he scored those?

He

didn't score them, Ronnie gave them

to him.

to him.

So good he's scoring Marco

Fu's points.

With darts and golf,

you get a throw, a hit. This game,

he's sitting there stewing in his

chair, nothing he can do, he's

practised for this event, got

himself ready, he's been putting

hard graft in over Christmas and New

Year and he's sitting there, he

hasn't potted the ball.

Also Marco's

not had a great season either. This

is completely and utterly not what

he needs at all.

Absolutely. He's

not come out with a great record but

this is a knew yike occasion, you

would think he can possibly get

inspired but how can you when you

are not playing any shots.

inspired but how can you when you

are not playing any shots.

As Ronnie

came out, there was a glance to us

in the studio and I'm thinking, he's

probably saying, get that chair

ready, I'll be there in a few

minutes.

Might be a long way to go before

he's sitting in that chair in front

of Jason and the boys. Marco Fu has

a great temperament but is he going

to get any chances? He needs this

frame before the mid session

interval.

Pretty good cue ball tapped on the

table again but he tapped the table

in the previous frame and then

cleared up, did Ronnie.

He's one of the best tactical

players in the game as well. Not

only does he clear the table with

one visit when needed, he's as good

a safety player there's ever been.

Not oftenen you see 98%, especially

after three frames played.

He hasn't missed a long pot.

Not that there's been much safety

play. But 89% is not too shabby

either.

Goes without saying, this is a

massive frame for Marco. If he can

just scramble a frame. If he can

just be 3-1 down at the interval,

he'd consider that a right result

the way the match has gone. It's

asking a lot, I know. He's got to

try and find it from somewhere. Good

shot.

APPLAUSE.

The last time Ronnie lost a match in

this venue at 2015, can you remember

who he lost to? I'll give you a

clue, it was a Saturday afternoon.

Putting me on the spot there.

Saturday afternoon would have been

the semi-final.

Correct.

the semi-final.

Correct.

Probably

commentated on the match. I think it

was the Australian, Neil Robertson.

Correct. You have to go back to 2015

semi-final, 6-1 to Neil Robertson

and since then, every match he's

played in this wonderful venue, he's

defeated everyone he's looked at.

That's some record.

Brilliant auditorium. Absolutely

packed to the rafters on a Tuesday

afternoon. Full! Wonderful.

Look at the way the balls are

scattered all over the table now.

And Marco Fu yet to pot a ball. If

he gets a chance, there'll be a few

available. But will he get a chance?

Tight on the cushion. Going to make

it awkward for Marco. And it is.

Can't get any back spin to get back

behind the black from that angle.

Such a good shot. Top cushion that

cue ball. No intention of the pot,

just to get the cue ball right

there. Can't get in and get your cue

digging down on that cue ball.

The

only

only shot I can see is the cushion,

on to the two cushions and then he

could be safe. Could he play off

this red? A similar spot.

That's pretty good. Well played.

APPLAUSE.

He's in the driving seat in this

exchange, Ronnie. Again, Marco with

play off the red on the right hand

side but once he plays that one,

he's leaving the one that's near the

yellow as an easy safety shot. So

Ronnie's not got his man here, but

he's certainly in the driving seat

in this exchange.

Marco looking at that red now on the

right hand side. That's the one he

wants to play off.

He's thinking of playing the red in

the middle, the thin cut. Yes, he is

thinking about that. Wow, 3-0 down,

some pressure on this one.

Overcut it.

It's so difficult.

A tough afternoon for Marco so far.

A little awkward this chance. The

red close toast the cue ball. You

have to be careful he doesn't get an

undue cannon. He's going back to it

now so he's got to be careful with

this one.

He's not entirely happy with this

shot.

If he can, he can avoid the cannon

and he could run out of position.

In the end, he found the gap there.

APPLAUSE.

The blue may go up into the corner.

That would be a bonus. But maybe it

doesn't. Least awkward on the brown,

having to bridge over the red. The

blue obviously doesn't pot. A little

bit awkward, this.

He hasn't really had the cue ball

that any part of this break, yet.

Just been slightly off...

Just been slightly off... Can use

the rest. It wasn't in the plan,

this red.

Excellent.

Still 16 sessions on his average

shot time, with the balls all over

the table you would think that he

would play a lot quicker but you

have to play around the black spot

area.

Yes, you are so used to the

natural positions, after all of the

hours that you play, you know what

is happening at the top end of the

table. The pink and black, when

spread around like this, you more

concentration. -- you need more

concentration.

I'm talking about

records, John. I can't remember a

player playing four frames and

potting a ball in the Masters final.

It's a possibility, at the moment.

May have landed on the other red. He

came on this one so well, he decided

to take it.

403 points so far.

Tough school, to say the least.

If

there were any consolation for Marco

Fu, it would be that he's going to

the mid-session interval with the

best of 11. He will have a chat with

his coach, over from Hong Kong with

Marco. He would probably head to the

practice table. He hasn't had any

chance whatsoever.

He is in the zone. Totally focused.

2000 people in the auditorium and

it's as if they are not here. Just

him and the snooker table.

If big red for Marco to take on in

the middle pocket. He knew that it

was fraught with danger. This is a

massive shot to take on. He has

missed it, he just has too sit and

watch this.

Just the tricky red on the left-hand

side of the table. That may prevent

him from making his third century in

four frames. He can bring it into

play here, looking at the angle on

the pink he can develop the red.

He is absolutely in the zone,

completely.

It isn't possible, it really isn't.

Another century.

Up to 99% pot success rate, it's

incredible.

incredible. That may be a record to

make three centuries and four frames

in your opening match of The

Masters.

Tried to use the jaw of the

pocket to get up onto the pink.

It

doesn't really matter if he doesn't

get this in. But the mood that he is

in...

CHEERING

Ronnie O'Sullivan has made three

centuries. 50-74, 4-0 to The Rocket.

STUDIO: You are watching a genius at

work. Looking at some of your

STUDIO: You are watching a genius at

work. Looking at some of your

comments on social media, many

people are saying that many of you

are sat at home today trying to do

some work, there are many people

trying to do work with their

televisions on and they cannot

concentrate on what they are doing

because they cannot stop watching

Ronnie O'Sullivan.

And Marco Fu!

It

is amazing.

The frames are getting

finished so quickly. But Marco Fu is

a brilliant snooker player and he

has been made to look like a total

amateur. The half chance, the red in

the middle, he has been put under a

barrage of snooker. Under so much

pressure. It's the best player in

the world playing at his best.

Fantastic. I know that it is a

relevant to some degree, there are

geniuses in every sport.

But we are

blessed with one of the greatest

geniuses the game has ever seen. We

know that. I put forward the

argument that if you took the likes

of Tiger Woods or Roger Federer,

they are all fantastic but I reckon

that Ronnie O'Sullivan, in his own

sport, is more of a genius than even

those great. I would probably be

shot down in flames by fans of those

sports, I know that I am biased. I

do not know enough about other

sports to know. You would have to

listen to people from other sports

to talk about that but as a player,

we know how difficult the game is.

But what is happening, he is a

exceptional person.

Not many people

would shoot you down in flames.

People respect you for what you have

done in the game and you know how

tough it is out there. You cannot

compare it to team sports either.

You are in awe of what he does. It

is shocking, how he controls the

ball. It is something else going on

as well.

He referred to the match in

2014 when we were sitting in the

studio, when Ronnie O'Sullivan beat

Ricky Walden. 58 minutes, after the

match, in his interview, Ricky

Walden said that Ronnie were simply

unplayable and that was the first

time he ever felt absolutely

helpless at the snooker table.

That

is the brutality of snooker, when

someone is doing that you sit in

your chair and you watch. It's a

brutal sport but I agree with Steve.

It is a scandal that Ronnie is on

top there. Other sports have

geniuses but nobody can say that

these people are more talented at

their sport than Ronnie is at

sneaker...

But if he goes on to win

the Masters and do well in the World

Championship, undoubtably, there's a

big decision. You were involved

before Christmas on social media,

there would be a big campaign to

ensure that he is on the list?

Possibly and goes to show how good

Mark Selby is to be in a position

where he can dominate Ronnie

O'Sullivan. But also in an accurate

way, we have great players in the

game but when he is on form he is a

beauty at the table. He is at one

with the table. Like Tommy the

pinball Wizard!

Speaking of other

sports, I have to say this, you say

you may get shot down in flames but

I may do too. Listening to Dennis

and John talking about Marco having

a chat with Terry Griffiths and what

can he say? It reminds me of the

World Cup in 2014 and Brazil,

remember when they were 5-0 down

against Germany? My producers said

that we still need something from

Germania, I had to ask him where he

was going on his holidays because he

was destroyed!

I think that Marco,

in a way, he would be embarrassed by

his performance because he's had

nothing. What can he do?

He knows

how good Ronnie O'Sullivan is. That

was exceptional but he knows that

Ronnie O'Sullivan can do that. What

could he have done?

As we have often

seen, it can make a difference, the

interval. Marco comes out, he's got

nothing to lose. He may knock in

some balls and then things change...

I won't say what Ken said the other

day that it will go 6-5, but you

would expect Marco to show format

some stage.

Banks let's go

would expect Marco to show format

some stage.

Banks let's go to this

evening's match, Barry Hawkins, the

semifinalist at the Masters last

year, up against world number 14

Kyren Wilson, making his second

appearance at The Masters and he has

been talking to our MC Rob Walker.

It is your second Masters. It must

be nice to be in this elite bracket

where only the best of the best are

invited?

It seems to be getting

harder and harder! There are so many

seeding cut-offs. There is no

resting on a good win, back a couple

of months ago, you would have to

keep producing and I am very pleased

to be in the 16 once again for the

second time.

I know that you did not

win your first match last year but

what was it like stood at the top of

the stairs? It is a great arena, how

you can see everyone around you. It

is laid out brilliantly.

It is hard,

you are finding your balance and

staying focused, staying in the

moment but you want to interact with

the crowd and have fun. I am a

laid-back person. I like to banter

with the crowd sometimes but there

is a time and a place. It was

unique. Something I hadn't

experienced before but something

that would hopefully put me in good

stead for this year.

Your year, up

to qualifying for the Masters, was

massive. He went from outside of the

top 50 to being number 16. You

seemed to click in so many ways?

I

have to put a lot of back down to my

coach, Barry. We've worked hard

technically. To be honest, it set me

back for a good two years but

inevitably, it's put me to steps

forwards -- two steps forward. We've

not looked back. We managed to win

Shanghai, it was important to be

consistent. You don't want to be a

one-hit wonder. I'm chasing the

title but I am getting closer and

closer. That's what you've got to

do. These days it is so tough, you

cannot be too hard on yourself. You

need to set realistic goals.

It

sounds as though Barry almost

deconstructed your game and put it

back together again?

Yes, it has

been really difficult. We both like

to maybe modify a fume or things but

want something has worked, and of

the most extreme pressure, why

change a winning formula? We've

stuck to what we are doing and I am

reaping the rewards.

How do you

balance being a young father? You

have Finlay and Bailey, Bailey is

only four months old. There are

great opportunities but they come at

a price, in that you spend months

and months every year away from home

and come in many cases, out the

country in a different time zone?

It

is tough, this year, especially,

I've gone out the door. My little

boy has chased me down the stairs

and said, dad, don't go! He is three

years old, he wants me around him

the whole time but in a few more

times he will -- a few years' time,

he will appreciate the life I have

given him. I would love for him to

travel with me and see parts of the

world. My wife, Sophie, she'd never

really been abroad before we got

together. My career has broadened

her mind, seen the countries that

she has seen. You have to take the

rough with the smooth. It isn't easy

but I am enjoying what I am doing. I

am hungry. I have to be a bit

selfish and put my snooker first. In

that sense, I will always give my

family a better life for that

reason. It isn't easy but I am

coping quite well.

And it sounds as

though you have a gratitude to the

sport, great skill and you have

deserved every penny that you have

earned in the last couple of years

and the money that you haven't has

created a better future for your

wife and children. That must be

something that you are proud of?

Ferry, my wife can bring up our

sons, she is doing an amazing job,

she's allowed me to go and do my job

snooker is healthy. We are going to

China for £150,000 as the first

prize. That was unheard-of but if

there is a lot of travelling, if you

can make it count and reap the

rewards, you can have a nice life

back home.

Will be boys have a

different childhood to that you

experienced?

I am trying really hard

to not make that happen. I want my

little boys to work for it, like I

have had two and my mum and dad were

very modest, they worked very hard

and gave literally everything they

had to get me where I am today. I

appreciate that. I want my boys to

experience something like that and

work for it, not having it gifted to

them on a plate. It sets them in

good stead for the rest of their

lives, hopefully.

Do you ever

wonder, if you had not been good

enough to make a living lot of

snooker, what direction woodlice

have taken you in?

Sometimes it

scares me, I think, what if I didn't

do this or that? You cannot really

think like that. You've got to look

forward. I'm not really about the

money, trying to chase the trophies.

It's a bonus. I life has completely

changed in the last few years

because of that win in Shanghai. And

I followed it up. Two years on tour,

I was a bomb in for a year and when

I turned pro again, I thought, that

is it. My last chance. If I do not

make it now that's the end. Luckily

I am sitting here and being quite

successful.

Finley is about to turn

three years old, can he focus on the

snooker on the TV or would he look

at you for five seconds, then get

bored and go back to his toys?

He

has a little fire engine that I am

trying to keep him off, he is a

nightmare! He loves it. Whenever I'm

on, whether it is a streaming side,

he is sat with my wife, trying to

watch. Whenever I pot the ball, he

says, yes, get in! He doesn't

understand where the white goes, but

he enjoys it. I'm trying to get him

to more events. I took him to the

arena in Scotland, it was a

challenge keeping him quiet but

hopefully we will see him in the

venues soon.

It sounds like your

wife, children and parents are

really proud of you. Congratulations

on your success so far. May that

second title be coming sooner rather

than later! A lovely interview.

Barry Hawkins and Kyren Wilson

coming up later this evening.

It's a very difficult industry with

all of the travelling. It's great to

hear them talking about family life.

Yes, he said about sacrificing, if

you want to get to the top or you

have ambitions of being the best in

the world, you need to make

sacrifices. It is hard but his

snooker, his career, has to come

first.

You have always said that.

Unlike other players who do not

dedicate as much time as they could?

Not everybody can do it. That's why

the best are separated from the

almost- there. You have to be

single-minded to get to the top.

He

won the Shanghai Masters in 2015.

When you see him play and who he is

nurturing into, can you see him

racking up or titles?

He is very

talented, it's good to see him play

impeccable snooker. He has some way

to go before he wins tournaments

regularly but he is talented.

And

he's a good chap. Good luck to Kyren

Wilson and Barry Hawkins.

Steve Davis has gone out to the Cue

Zone.

Out here, on a daily basis, snooker

coaches are here for the fans to ask

questions. One of the biggest

questions people ask about this game

is there are two balls, where should

your eyes be at any one time during

the shot that you play? Which ball

should you be looking at when you

try and hit the white ball? We

identified Ronnie O'Sullivan in

try and hit the white ball? We

identified Ronnie O'Sullivan in

those frames... His eyes are looking

at the ball, it's dark in the

auditorium. Flicking back and

forwards, his eyes go to the object

ball, a flick to the white ball as

he hits that back on the object

ball. Every player does it

differently. Not every player looks

at the object ball when they play

the shot but here is one way

considered to be not the tried and

tested way but one that is

theoretically possible. You asked it

with the blue over the pocket and

the cue ball, where should you be

looking? The blue, judging the line

of the shot. You get down, you've

got to make sure that you are

looking at the white ball. You get

down, looking at the blue, in

position... Look at the centre of

the white. Going backwards and

forwards, you look at the blue, then

the white, then the blue, and as you

pull the cue back for the last shot,

at the pause at the back that a lot

of players have, that is when you

can possibly transfer your eyes to

the blue and then... You can strike!

Other players look at the white ball

when they play the shot. Some

players look at the object ball when

they play their shot. There does not

seem to be a definitive answer but

the question and theory of the game

says to look at the object ball.

Back to you in the studio!

Thank

you. If you are turning on the

television, you have missed a

masterclass from Mr Ronnie

O'Sullivan...

Leading 4-0, let's show you the best

of the action from the first four

frames.

A poor opening shot from Marco Fu.

The boys in the studio agreed with

that. A blistering start from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. This is what the fans

paid their money to see.

Unbelievable from O'Sullivan.

Breaking 120 from one. And in frame

two, another century from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. A break of 121. Ten

minutes and five seconds. Nothing

that Marco Fu could do. What a shot!

This is wonderful stuff from Ronnie

O'Sullivan this afternoon.

O'Sullivan this afternoon. Another

century from Ronnie O'Sullivan. A

glance to us up here in the

studio...! We are very much enjoying

it here, Ronnie. Elaine Prichard,

good afternoon. She has tweeted us.

"Wow, Ronnie O'Sullivan

unbelievable! A joy to watch even

though he proves to be a distraction

from a case study I am meant to be

writing!"

This is from Angela, she says good

afternoon to all at BBC Snooker.

Poetry in motion, a joy to watch. I

am so glad I am not at work today!

Keep those coming, using the hashtag

"BBC snooker". Let's go back to

Dennis and John. COMMENTATOR: Thank

you, Jason.

you, Jason. Will the mid-session

interval change things?

Hitting the White harder than

intended, he is trying to get the

White tide on the cushion.

-- tight on the cushion. A touching

ball to help the situation, it's

good to come off a couple of

cushions.

Seeing Ronnie backstage with his

friends. Unbelievable. A new tip was

put on, the first time he used it

was on the practice table today.

That was quite amazing.

With how he

has played. Not taking that one off

in a hurry.

This time, that is not touching. Not

a lot that Marco Fu can do here.

Just a little bit of a stalemate at

present...

Thin off the reds, tight on the

cushion. The yellow ball is the

covering ball, if he can judge it.

You have the perfect picture to

watch the angle of this. There is

the yellow. A white coming down

towards it. Almost!

Those two reds at the back were

close to the corner. Not quite...

APPLAUSE

An excellent shot. Well played,

Marco. Very good.

Going to hit these good and thin. It

was a little too thin.

was a little too thin. Marco coming

to the table. I think he put it

back.

back.

Much better to miss the red

altogether on the first attempt. You

can see other reds. If you were to

play the same shot again and missed

it, you would get a warning. Just

checking whether, on the monitor

there, at the top, the referee in

the game there. Marcel Eckhardt from

Germany.

Germany. That is about spot-on.

Anything thin is good.

Anything thin is good. Would lead

Marco in for his first pot.

All of the makings of being the

longest frame in the match so far,

with the black tied up. The scoring

is a little awkward on this frame...

15 seconds is his average shot time.

Finding it difficult to think of a

path back to the baulk area there,

Marco. It does look a little

awkward. Play off the cluster, there

is a cluster of five in the

play-off. They come around the

angles.

Now, then... You can get a terrific

round of applause if he knocks in a

red here. It would be his first

point that he has scored in this

match, believe it or not. How is he

going to get on the colour? APPLAUSE

He knew that he was going to get his

first pot but he couldn't get any on

the colour.

That noise happens on

the end of a barrage of someone

playing well, the first opportunity

you get and you cannot get onto a

colour, not from that position. A

very good safety shot.

That is OK. He'll be pleased it went

into the pocket. Had a wobble to the

jaws, could have left Marco in with

a decent chance.

Got to be careful with the cue ball.

Tough green. You don't want to be

forcing this type of shot in to try

to get up to the reds. Maybe he has

to try and make something happen. If

you are rolling in this, it would be

OK.

Very well played.

APPLAUSE.

Still very, very awkward. Black tied

up, pink awkward.

Sizeable contribution - the yellow

and brown is a decent target to try

to get in behind.

That is as good as he could have

done with the weight of the cue

ball.

The way he's played that, couldn't

have been much better.

Look at this. Fully concentrating.

Fly landed on his head, he got down

and played the shot as if it wasn't

there. Do you think he's trying

hard? !

He's gotten away with that. Played

that in such a way that he was

hoping to get the white back down

the table. Left very awkward for

Marco here. When you are on your own

and things go your way, there are

balls all over the place in, and

Ronnie knows himself that he's had a

right result.

Good shot.

Right, Marco, this is the chance you

have been waiting for.

have been waiting for. Got to score

now, my man.

Not the best. He's made it awkward

for himself already.

Just trying to build up a bit of

rhythm.

That white cannoning into the blue

will spoil things.

will spoil things. Such a thin shot

he took on there.

He'd love to get the black back on

the spot.

It was one of those poor

positional shots the one before that

actually forced him into a shot that

might just get him on the black and

that's what's happened. Maybe it's a

bit too acute.

Just lift a little bit on the shot.

I didn't see him missing that

though.

You can see him lifting up. It's a

little trait he's always had in his

game. It's never really stopped him

that much. Disappointing miss.

Not an easy chance this. Black

obviously up by the yellow. It's

just the first sort of positional

shot from blue here, for it to land

on the red, it's not

straightforward.

That's worked out lovely.

The for mall service has resumed --

if normal service has resumed, you

will be feeling a little for Marco

Fu again.

We mentioned, one of the Masters

best games was when these two played

each other. The only other time they

played in the Masters was the

quarter-final in 2015 and Ronnie won

that 6-1.

Quite a few flies around in the last

couple of days. At one stage we had

a little ant on the cue ball.

Not straightforward here to clinch

the frame. 30 in front.

Glancing at the score board there.

He needs pinpoint accuracy if he's

going to get red at the winning post

here in this frame. That's pinpoint

accuracy, you would have to say.

APPLAUSE.

Getting the fell repertoire of the

geniuses at work. He's just been -

any type of break and they've been

up and around the black spot. He's

been knocking those in.

Once again, this wasn't totally

straightforward. It's all coming to

him.

For Marco Fu, it's just one of those

days where you have to just sit and

watch.

All one-way traffic. Ronnie

O'Sullivan is just on fire at the

moment and leads 5-0.

He's knocked them in from all sorts

of positions and there are some gems

amongst them, John?

He's been

fabulous all day.

fabulous all day. Bounced off the

cushion perfectly, that one. The

frame was over but still this was

one of the best positional shots

I've seen. To come off so many

cushions and get on the yellow was

quite incredible.

This was wonderful

cueing straight through the ball off

the two cushions for the black.

Ended up clearing up and winning the

frame so he's been at his very best

today. His focus has been superb and

every time he's get a chance,

there's an inevitability about it

for Marco Fu, I'm afraid. You have

to hold your hand up and say, you

know, well played, not much you can

do. He's had a chance in the last

one, missing the brown when he had

to put a bit of power in. But other

than that, the rest of the match,

he's been comprehensively outplayed.

We are going to show you the brown

he missed but prior to that, he had

to power this and sometimes it's not

a strong part, the screw shots. He

potted the green before and cannoned

the blue. That is what spoiled it

slightly for him.

The thing with

that shots is, I think he should

have taken the black there. He's

trying to power the brown which

isn't great. He's 4-0 behind, if he

pots the black instead, he's got a

chance to win the frame there,

taking that black. He's ended up

overpowering it. If he knocks the

black in, all those reds down the

table are there for him with a great

chance. He just overhit the brown.

Once again too hard, missed it and

he's had to sit and watch. The

players are having to sit and watch

the people come back into the arena.

And some weren't back in time.

Quiet, ladies and gentlemen, please.

Marco Fu to break.

Marco breaks off in frame six and

not the best break off he's ever

played. He'll be hoping it's not his

last breakoff in this year's

Masters.

Masters. Odds are this could be a

whitewash, it has to be said. Hit it

a bit thick. That is why the red

come back up as well.

When you are playing well, that's

the sort of flick you get there,

play to avoid the reds. Caught them

but still got nicely on the colour.

Nudged out accidentally, it has to

be said.

Both of them go. One either side

available. Probably play this and

leave the cue ball a little bit low

so he can play a cannon. A bit low

now, should be able to pot this and

force a couple of reds into play.

He can play into the top of that

pack. A loose one at the back but

alternatives there. On the right he

could go and play into it.

All about the split now.

APPLAUSE.

Ronnie was getting down to see if he

could pop along the pink and leave

the one at the back of the bun of of

reds there.

- bunch of reds there.

APPLAUSE.

That could be the end of break,

unless he takes a double on.

Fouled it.

He did.

APPLAUSE.

Immediately walked away from the

table and declared a foul on

himself.

Must have just touched it. Couldn't

really say. You touch it with your

hand. Sometimes straightaway you

foul the ball and no-one sees it. So

proud of our sport that the players

still do that, declare the fouls

themselves.

Bit of a chance for Marco.

No touch whatsoever. He's been kept

off the table.

Probably a bit embarrassing for

Marco. He just can't get any rhythm

going.

Stop him coming back up to the

red...

I think that shot tells you a lot. I

think Marco was ready to leave the

arena.

One of those days where he probably

never got a chance. So 5-0.

May send the red back up the table

here, as long as it doesn't hit the

green. Played that well.

Will Marco see enough of this red to

possibly get behind the pink.

Very

thin.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's had breaks of

120, 121, 50, 74, 112, 75. I mean,

that's phenomenal.

APPLAUSE.

I thought there was a possibility.

He played it in such a way.

He played it in such a way. Least

looking at the red, the cluster of

four on the left hand side is

available if he just lands on that

one.

The reds look safe but they are all

going to clear each other as he pots

one, it will make another available.

So this is looking like the end of

the match. Look at the time. It's

coming up to an hour and 20 minutes.

97% pot success rate.

The personal spot will be available

in a couple of shots' time.

Pots that and it will clear the

other two. You would have to say

it's all over here. 46 the

difference. Feels as if it's a bit

tight, that red. So if he feels

that, he can always play the cannon.

Which is what he's done.

Tough afternoon far Marco, but you

are still a top class player, mar

koerks just one of those days where

you run into something that is very

special indeed.

Starts his defence of the title in

this way, he's been in great shape,

superb, every aspect. He was already

favourite for this Championship this

year. After this performance, he's

going to be shorter in the betting,

that's for certain.

He's got the angle to do that.

That's even cleverer. Still left the

chance of this difficult red. No,

no. The defending champion. You have

got to feel sorry for Marco Fu. The

whole of the Ally Pally is standing

up in recognition of that

performance from Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Absolutely amazing. He takes the

match. 6-0.

Amazing. All week

match. 6-0.

Amazing. All week I've been saying

Have you listened to the crowd, I

don't know how the noise is coming

through on your television screens

but the noise is cranking up as each

match goes by. A standing ovation

from the crowd today. Just

absolutely brilliant.

Yes. People

ask pretournament who do you think

is going to win and I said it's hard

to make a case for Ronnie not making

the tournament. After that, it's

even harder.

Not much left to say?

No. It's tough to keep repeating

that standard. Ronnie could do it,

but yes, somewhere down the line in

a long tournament, you do get a dip

in form or a session that's not as

good and the balls don't go right.

It's not just the potting and the

execution of break-building, there's

safety. The safety is killing as

well so it's all departments of the

game. Very strong, very strong.

Here he comes, Ronnie is coming in

to join us now. Good afternoon,

Ronnie. Good to see you, well done,

congratulations. Just an hour and 22

minutes and 59 seconds' work.

Yep,

yep.

Even by your standards, you must

have enjoyed that.

To be honest with

you, I was really struggling because

I've got a virus or something and I

feel very dizzy and feel like I'm

really sort of...

Really? !

Yes. I

was playing off instinct, I was

thinking, don't think, just pot

balls. But I was really struggling,

the past five or six days.

You have

been struggling with illness?

I feel

dizzy.

Give it to me for a few days!

Maybe I've overdone the exercise,

I'm lacking magnesium maybe. Made

myself a bit ill.

It seemed like you

were playing quickly in the first

frame to get things going?

I felt

all right the first couple. Then it

hit me and I thought, come on, the

last few days in practise I thought

I could get through it but you still

don't feel good physically.

Everyone

talks here about the reception you

get here, but let's hear it from

yourself. What is it like? Is there

a big difference? Is this the venue

you love playing in, everyone

speculates it's Ronnie's home crowd,

many newspapers say it and we say it

but do you feel different?

I get

this everywhere I go, even in China,

Europe, so I get very good support.

They are a little bit more vocal

here maybe but I'm used to having

the crowd on my side, you know,

sometimes it can be difficult

because you have to try and perform.

Not many one-table set-ups with 2000

people!

Not many one-table set-ups with 2000

people! But it is a bus going out on

that one-table set-up.

You've just

got to go and do your job. Ignore

whatever is happening around you, it

one table with 2000 people but you

had to stay in your world and be

inspired from it, I suppose.

The

last couple of years, you've been

beaten?

The last two years I've been

messing around, I've done a lot of

exhibitions, at 60-70%, I was

winging it. I have hanged in there.

But since I started practising more.

You were dead on your feet in

December. You say that you are ill

but you are feeling fresher?

I was

gone. At the start of December, the

last few weeks I really struggled.

You've got to keep your head down,

two weeks off. It was nice to have

the break but I'm feeling dazed and

confused at the moment!

And you been

doing a lot of running again, your

fitness is going well?

I always do

that. It is something I am

passionate about. It is good to

share with other people.

You've been

giving people running tips online?

If they want help and support, why

not? It helps me too.

And the year

that you have had committed you have

had success but you been writing

books as well. Has that really

helped you to focus on the big

tournaments coming, you've got all

of that other

of that other stuff out of your

system.

Does it help when you get to

a tournament like this? I feel like

a part-time player. I'm like a

hybrid. I have two careers, one is

playing snooker. I devote as much

time as I can, I have two practice

at tournaments to keep the

foundation and I'm doing a lot of

other stuff I enjoyed. It is a

transition period. I don't want to

do what some other guys have done,

retire and have nothing. I'm trying

to build a second career so I have

something to look forward to Wendy

snooker is over.

The balance, the

books and the literature and the TV

pundit work as well, suddenly you

happy happy balance where you are

enjoying the

enjoying the sport that you are so

good at.

I will not do anything

unless it is on my terms, snooker or

other stuff. I have a set of terms I

am happy with and if people agree, I

am happy. It is my time, whether

snooker or anything else, it is

important to me.

It is nice to have

hobbies that do not compete with

snooker, so different styles of

hobbies. If you take golf and you

got involved with that...

I wouldn't

do that, no!

CHUCKLES

That is pathetic. No, I am meeting

interesting people. I wouldn't play

golf because it is the same as this.

I am meeting creating and

interesting people. This kind of

world... It has taken pressure off

me. I don't feel pressure when I

play. I go out because I want to

entertained and I have pride in my

performance. I'm a natural

competitor. I do not need to find

motivation to play and to win. It is

there naturally. But I do not feel

the pressure any more. I have other

things...

Going on in your life?

It

makes things quite interesting.

You

say you do not care if you win or

lose...

I used to... You have to

train yourself. You can train

yourself to do anything. You have to

detach from it. Although I like to

do well and perform, I think Steven

and Steve were more like animals to

win whereas I like performance. I'm

not so disappointed if I lose as

long as the performance is good.

It's probably the wrong way to think

that it is how I am.

Part of playing

snooker is dominating the table. In

losing, you will be out and being

beaten by somebody, you are not

dominating the table...

I do not

take it personally, if I cannot

dominate the table I do not deserve

to win. That is the challenge and

always has been. Whether you win or

lose, for me it is being competitive

and enjoying the match, winning or

losing. It is trying to get that.

You have to train yourself at some

point in your career. Perhaps when