First Round: Shaun Murphy v Ali Carter Masters Snooker

Good afternoon. Welcome to Alexandra

Palace and the 2018 Masters. It is

the format, the final day of

first-round matches. We feature a

man who lifted the Masters three

years ago and has won the Triple

crown snooker.

Joining that

exclusive club of world champions.

UK Champion 2008, it is Shaun

Murphy.

2015 Masters champion, Shaun Murphy.

And it is even a T-shirt on sale

here at the master celebrating the

fact of the Magician has won the

Triple crown. He doesn't have a good

record against Ali Carter. He leads

the head-to-head by nine victories.

Here are ten more fact she did not

know about the manner that is known

as The Captain.

Ali Carter was born in Colchester

England on the 25th of July. He

turned professional in 1996.

He has

twice been the runner-up at the

World Championships. Both times

losing to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

He made

his first maximum break at the

Crucible in 2008.

His nickname, The

Captain, comes from his past time as

a pilot.

His first ranking

tournament victory came in 2009 in

the Welsh Open.

Ali has fought

against Crohn's disease, testicular

and lung cancer.

He has earned over

two in career prize money.

His

highest position in the world

rankings was number two Mike in

2010.

He liked his practice facility

so much he bought the business.

Another attractive match. As for Ali

Carter, this game is difficult

enough to play without health

problems but he has done well to

hang around.

Absolutely. He is one

of those players you like to watch

play because he is so good with his

cue, he hits the ball so nicely. His

problems are well documented but he

is a tournament winner and as a

force for anyone. You can turn over

anyone on Thursday.

He was

particularly sick at the UK

Championships. He feels better so

that has to be a bonus.

I think he

loves the big tournament, the bigger

stage, playing at the Ally Pally and

that the World Championships. He

lost a couple of finals. He is one

of the players that can rise to the

big stage. I am really looking

forward to see how he plays today.

He is big - five ahead of Shaun

Murphy.

Shaun Murphy is a different

animal this year. He has the

confidence from the Champion of

Champions and in his fourth major

final this year. He is playing with

confidence. Apart from Ronnie

O'Sullivan, he is the danger man.

Danger is the word. When he is

stomping around the table he looks

like he'll eat every ball he is so

hard to stop.

He has the philosophy

he will not go down with a safety

shot, he is going for everything. He

is one of the best long potters and

break-builders and the game. You can

believe his opponents. He

believe his opponents. He stomps

like it is his table.

It is a great

attitude. It is very off-putting.

Thank you, Ken. This is the last day

in the first-round matches and

Ronnie O'Sullivan slip as Marco Fu

in scintillating style yesterday

setting up a clash with Mark Allen

who beat Luca Badoer cell. And all

Scotland tonight as John Higgins

faces Anthony McGill.

Judd Trump soph or the challenge of

Liang Wenbo.

Kyren Wilson beat Barry Hawkins.

Mark Selby was knocked out by Mark

Williams. We have seen some amazing

snooker. Seeing as you are fully up

to speed with the draw, let us

reflect on what we saw yesterday.

Steve Davis and John Virgo talking

is through this afternoon. What was

your reaction to Ronnie O'Sullivan?

Lots of the sports papers were

talking about his dizzy spell.

As

people say, it is like a second home

here in anti-produces the goods

every time. I feel sorry for Marco

Fu but that is the nature of the

game. If somebody is putting the

ball is all you can do is watch.

There was nothing Marco Fu could do.

It is a terrible feeling to sit on a

chair as a snooker player and not be

effective. We all know how good

money is on his day. He cannot take

too many negatives from his own

performance and it

performance and it is a bad day at

the office.

There was a great match

between Kyren Wilson and Barry

Hawkins, Kyren Wilson winning his

first match at the Masters.

We will

see more of Khairuddin Kyren Wilson.

I have been told for the last couple

of seasons how good Kyren Wilson is

and he is one for the future. The

run of the ball helped at the end.

He ran out a worthy winner. It was

high scoring, are you expecting the

same this afternoon?

The rest of the

tournament, we will break the

century 's record, especially if

Ronnie stays in good form. All of

the players good form, they have got

plenty of match practice as the

season unfolds and I expect a high

standard match today.

When you're

expecting Ali Carter to give Shaun

Murphy a good win run for his money?

This is a nice matchup. Two

completely different characters. Ali

Carter is like a terrier. There is

no promotion from Shaun Murphy MP

misses. Sometimes he lets the game

get on top of them. If you can keep

his cool we are in for the great

match.

We look forward to it. The

players

Good afternoon. We are used to good

snooker at the Masters but it has

been superb here. 17 centuries so

far. We turn our attention to a

match between two men who have won

11 ranking titles between them and a

rivalry that the back 18 years. It

is short time here at Ally Pally.

Please welcome a player making his

11th appearance at the Masters.

Winner of four ranking titles

including the World Open at the

start of last season. Semifinalist

in the China championship. He is

known as The Captain, Ali Carter.

And his opponent, a player making

his 14th Masters appearance, 17

years after his debut. Twice a

finalist, champion in 2015 when he

completed the triple crown. Top form

this season, four finals, winner of

the Champion of Champions. Class

act, he is the Magician Shaun

Murphy.

JOHN VIRGO: Both players got a great

reception. Once again it is a packed

house here at the Ally Pally.

house here at the Ally Pally. Shaun

is one of the players who comes out

with his cue case. Is it necessary?

The extensions fits nicely in

The extensions fits nicely in there

Walking down the stairs, you have

the protection of your cue case is?.

That is the crystal trophy they are

pulling for this week. Ali Carter

gets the match underway.

You can see it here, the Paul Hunter

trophy.

trophy. The youngster who won this

on three Caucasians. Wonderful

player. -- locations.

He was quite a way away with that

shot.

Lucky to get away with that, I

think. It was a long-range two baulk

line into the corner pocket.

I think the yellow has came to his

rescue. There is a red into the

right middle.

Can he screw back into

a safe area?

Yes. Terrific shot. Did not get his

bridge hand exactly where he wanted

to. He played it well and he was

perfect on the blue.

Very early chance in this match. We

saw Ronnie O'Sullivan get off to a

blistering start yesterday. Players

in form can do that and Shaun Murphy

is a player in form.

Matt Baird was always a big problem.

Has he got on the black? It is

tight. I don't think he has.

He will

be disappointed. Just a safety shot

to play.

He was aware that it could not be a

problem. He could not overhead.

Couple shots Rahat thick.

Did not have the perfect angle on

the blue. Was confident enough,

tight on the cushion. Does not make

the sport only red any easier. Could

not have played it better. Good

shot.

Both players will have been on the

practice table in the build-up.

Trying to get the rhythm going

should they get an early chance.

Could have hoped for a better split

of the reds than that.

of the reds than that.

I suppose he

has to clear. He did not have to

play the cannon but he felt he was

bound to be on one.

This is a keyless safety. Very

jealous.

jealous. -- careless.

You could see a couple of leads code

into the left corner.

He has an angle on the blue if he

wants to disturb the reds. That is

the right shot.

He would like to have that again, he

could have gone into the pink better

result. He could've been playing to

go into the pink and misjudged by a

fraction.

As Shaun Murphy beforehand, he did

not make the most of that

opportunity.

Ali Carter is ahead in head-to-head

meetings.

It would be interesting to

see how this match unfolds in as

much as the record of Ali Carter in

the Masters for the player of his

ability is very poor. From his

perspective, he will be frustrated

over the years to not have put in a

great performance here. He is blame

somebody he has had to be better

off. How will that pattern out?

That was a better safety, the cut

battle in nicely.

He made be able to bend it slightly

to the left-hand side to play for

pot. And a cracking report it was.

That was ramrod straight cueing from

Shaun Murphy. If there was a player

in the game for the young player to

try to mimic with his cue action,

you could not go much wrong copying

this man. Only the pace kept that

one out. The hard that you had the

ball the more accurate it has to be.

Such is Shaun's confidence... He

just got back on the job.

You could question whether he should

have played the yellow.

That is the nature of the modern

game, you get one chance and you

have to think, can we win the frame

at this minute?

He has played in the cannon and this

time it worked out OK.

One red on the side cushion nearest

the blue pocket is the only problem

for Ali Carter.

Shaun will be hoping he does not get

that far.

Just three points behind now.

And to clinch the frame at this

visit he will need all the remaining

reds.

He could try to shift that are red

out using another red, earlier

rather than later. Rather than

leaving it to the last shot.

That is assuming he has done the

maths.

The dizzy latecomer arriving, that

is why Ali is back from the table.

-- there is a. He could've played

for the black in the same pocket as

the bed. He could've knocked it away

from the cushion. That is not an

option now. He has to make certain

he gets on the red closest to the

right corner.

This black and an awkward red

leaving Shaun Murphy to get a

snooker.

You always have to be careful with

the double. It is in.

the double. It is in. 29 points is

the leader with 27 remaining.

Still has to be careful. Only one

snooker needed. Davis Tull danger.

It might be worth putting a ball

safe instead of playing the roll-up

but the roll-up is desirable because

you could get a sticker on the

yellow. Can you play the pink to the

side cushion somehow? Or just put

the pink. I prefer rolling the ball

to the black.

All the balls are live and if Shaun

Murphy can get out of this sticker,

get lucky, he is still in with a

chance. Excellent shot.

He is not out of the frame just yet

is Shaun.

I did like putting a ball safe on

that shot. It would have been

insurance. Shaun wants to keep the

green and brown there. He can play a

snooker behind the black note, that

is in a nice place.

Good shot. The way that Ali is

shaking his head, it is not a

natural wonder cushion escape. If it

was he would not fancy a plate of

this ability to miss it but it is it

is not natural,...

It is amazing the

scenarios that snooker froze up. You

have to get colour safe sometimes

and sacrifice getting a snooker can

sometimes work for you. It is no

right or wrong way. That looks like

it has missed.

UMPIRE: Miss.

Couldn't keep the yellow ball

totally safe and hoping for a good

cue ball. This is a chance for Shaun

Murphy. He can play the game into

the yellow pocket. He has got a good

control. He could possibly get off

two cushions. It could be too much

of an angle.

He will be sitting down and kicking

himself. That was a chance.

himself. That was a chance. You do

not win many frames when you need a

snooker and that could've been a

body blue for Ali Carter.

I am surprised he played that so

hard. He needed the DLO to run.

It

was a terrible contact on the DLO

from the cue ball, took the backspin

out of the shot.

Another chance for Ali Carter or has

it gone behind?

That blew in the

middle of the table seems to get

bigger and bigger.

bigger and bigger.

Amazing the

amount of times that players get out

of snookers with a colour and they

return to a snooker. Can Ali Carter

get behind the black?

Avoid the

double.

It was difficult with the cue ball.

Perhaps hoping to get the table.

He needs good, smooth cueing to

avoid the kiss on the pink.

He needs good, smooth cueing to

avoid the kiss on the pink. Doesn't

have to play the pot of course, but

it's normally the way he plays the

game. Likes to go for his shots. And

he went for it. We have a new

favourite for the frame now.

Wonderful pot. Kept everything as

still as a rock. Head stayed down

all the time. And once again...

APPLAUSE

... Beautifully struck.

... Beautifully struck. This is one

that slipped away from Ali Carter

here.

Yes, it looks a formality. He must

have a slight angle. Once that cue

ball is as close to the black as he

can get it... Ali Carter, when he

doubled the last red, it looked like

it was his frame. A terrific pot on

the yellow. APPLAUSE

How will Ali respond to that? Shaun

Murphy leads 1-0. STUDIO: Brilliant

stuff from Shaun Murphy. Ali Carter

doesn't have a great record here at

the Masters and that will do little

to settle his nerves.

It was a funny

opening frame. The trademark couple

of long reds that he always does the

Shaun. He gave Ali a chance.

Ultimately the way the frame panned

out it looked like Carter was always

in control of it.

in control of it.

He didn't really

do a wrong shot but what he does

here, he plays a good snooker, just

doesn't get tight enough to the

pink. What red what he might have

been better off doing, watch where

the cue ball finishes. He doesn't

get tight enough to the pink which

means it's quite easy fit Shaun

Murphy to hit the yellow. What Steve

was saying in commentary and what an

alternative shot could have been,

putting the black or the pink safe.

He's 28 ahead, he's got more

insurance of the pink or black is

safe and less ball for Shaun to

snooker behind. It's just an

alternative.

What would you have

done? Would you have rolled up

behind the black?

I could see his

cogs working there, Ali. He was

thinking, I can guarantee a snooker

here which is probably the easiest

shot of the two. It was probably one

way you would put the pink safe...

Two we talked about Shaun Murphy and

his potting.

He potted a very good

green to get on the brown. That's a

big blow for Ali Carter. I think Ali

Carter coming into this much needed

a better shot than Shaun, because

he's lacking a bit of confidence.

Back to John and Steve.

COMMENTATOR: Yes, Ali Carter hasn't

had the best of seasons so far,

although he did get some success in

the Champions League recently

beating Shaun Murphy 3-1 in a minor

final to go through to the final

stages of that league. But this is a

big occasion. -- bigger occasion. A

lot of flies this week.

Or is it the

same one?!

APPLAUSE

If it was, it went be back! -- it

will not be back. APPLAUSE

A bit unlucky, tried to screw across

the face of it. If he had done, he

had have been on the black nicely.

No value in playing the black,

because when the black is

re-spotted, that red just above the

black wouldn't be available.

Ali

Carter one.

This time, thick from Shaun Murphy.

But... Black goes safe, a little bit

safer. Ali Carter is left with

awkward cueing as well to make this

pot, to make it even more difficult.

And actually it's turned out to be a

problematic shot.

problematic shot. Very close to the

brown... Well struck.

brown... Well struck. He did avoid

the pack, which was a bonus.

the pack, which was a bonus. Wow.

Lovely shot. It was going to be

tough, John, to actually get enough

power into that cue ball to really

disturb the reds. He did as well as

he could have done. A bit unlucky.

Yes. I was just wondering, there

were a couple of loose reds...

Was

it the right shot?

And maybe get the

black on its spot. Maybe he was

thinking of bringing the pink into

play. You always trust a little bit

to luck and the fact is he's done

nothing.

I must admit, in some

situations these days, not that

Ronnie O'Sullivan needs bigging up,

but I always wonder what would

Ronnie have done there. Perhaps

sometimes he doesn't risk the chance

that bad luck can happen like this.

If you can avoid it, try to not rely

on a bit of luck. APPLAUSE

Ali in effect has opened these reds,

but now they are at the mercy of

Shaun.

Shaun.

Once again a choice from Ali

Carter, you couldn't exactly

criticise only the nth degree at

top-class level. Very cruel to start

ripping a player to pieces for

playing the aggressive shot.

playing the aggressive shot.

Of

course as people always say, we are

all wise after the event. I don't

think Ronnie would have gone into

them there. I think he got the black

back on its own spot and then would

have been thinking about bringing

the other reds into play.

the other reds into play. Lovely

shot with the reds. An excellent

rest player, Shaun Murphy.

Just concerned that the pink goes to

the left corner. When be too

interested in the black at the

moment because there is a red

occupying the black spot. Even if he

did pop the black... He's got the

pink available, got the blue on its

spot. It is a decent chance.

Another 47 points from this position

needed to get to snooker is

required.

Still not a clear-cut chance, albeit

a good one.

a good one. Out of position a bit

here. This is a bit more of a cut

than it looks on our TV screens.

Played it very well.

APPLAUSE

Good judge of pace. It looked for a

moment has though it wasn't going to

drop. He's played that nicely. That

really has opened it up. He's now

got a 27 point lead.

Still going to need one of the

awkward reds but there is one just

off the cushion that's available.

Won't need the red to the right of

the black order to reds together.

the black order to reds together. --

or the two reds together.

47.

Not perfect on this pink. Just

trying to pinch a bit. How costly

could that be?

Didn't expect him to

break down so easily. A couple of

balls before that hadn't gone in the

middle of the pocket. He looked to

be getting into a rhythm.

It was funny, it was just a natural

instinct. He got down so quickly as

though he was. It turned out that he

should have given it a bit more due

care and attention. The problem Ali

has got is he could have just rolled

it in and played for the red in the

opposite corner. The problem now is

those to reds either side of the

black. He needs those common he's

got to get them into play, sooner

rather than later. -- he needs

those, he's got to get them into

play.

He's played the more

aggressive shot here. He's going to

try and shift the reds perhaps with

back spin, try and make something

happen. Could play with top as well.

Needs a bit of luck with the

position.

position. If he hadn't of played it

that way he would have had a

difficult position shot of the last

pink, so not a clear-cut chance

there.

there.

That's amazing the way the

cue ball has finished there.

Top

spin. That's what forced it forward.

APPLAUSE

It must have had a bit of sign...

Look at the way it's come across and

impacted the top cushion.

Ali Carter

was hoping to have collided with two

of those balls on the top rail. The

power he put into the shot make the

cue ball go a bit wide.

cue ball go a bit wide.

27 points

the difference, still 43 remaining.

That was an excellent safety shot.

It wasn't great for Ali Carter there

to end up with the yellow on the

side cushion. He's the one playing

catch up. Didn't really want to put

the ball safe, it's more insurance

the Shaun Murphy.

the Shaun Murphy.

He'll settle for

that. I say settle, just bounced a

fraction. It's a mighty fine shot.

Shaun is having a look at the

potting angle. 27 points the lead.

You'll still need the two reds to

win the frame. This is a tough

pot... But a good one. You'll still

need the last red. I think a little

trickle up behind the yellow here

would be the order of the day.

Or

get a bigger colour safe.

Yes. A bit of insurance, but he's

made this nuke it easier to hit. --

made the snooker easier to hit.

He

could have just dropped on it,

contained the situation.

Decided to

play it with pace but its cost him

the frame now. This thread is

pottable.

I think the story of the

matches what would have happened if

Ali Carter have made different

decisions. I'm not saying they are

all wrong, it's just the anomalies

of the game of snooker, sometimes...

APPLAUSE

It's 2-0 to Shaun Murphy and Ali may

be thinking... APPLAUSE

Shaun Murphy now leads 2-0.

MUSIC

Yes, a potted history there of

Shaun. Certainly in the century

break Department over the last few

seasons he's been rattling them in.

No sign of one yet, not had a 50

Break, which is amazing, the type of

quality we've seen so far. I think

it was just one of those matches

that both players are wary of one

another, but expecting to win, so

that can always make it a bit edgy.

Ali Carter will be disappointed to

be two behind. The chances he's had.

Third frame, Ali Carter to break.

Ali Carter breaks in frame three.

He's had some table time. He had

ideally like to get a frame on the

board. -- he would ideally like.

Excellent safety there from Shaun

Murphy. Asking a question now of Ali

to get this safe. He needs to miss

the yellow. He didn't. He may not

have left a pot that will tempt

Shaun, it's easier when you can get

your hand on the table to play a

better safety than that.

It would be

great to get behind that yellow. Not

easy, but it would pay dividends.

Not the best of safety shots from

Shaun Murphy there. Tempt the Ali

Carter. He's got great cue power.

Screw back down the table. Good

safety options here. That yellow is

very inviting.

He's cut off paths back down the

table from the left-hand side as we

look from our TV screens. What can

Shaun work out? This could go wrong.

You've got to be accurate here. Very

well.

well.

He made it look a lot easier

than it actually was. Played it

confidently.

Got to be careful of balls going to

the right corner.

This looks like a good line. Just a

little bit overhit, only a fraction.

That wry smile, he knows he's left a

pot on here.

What a great pot. Great shot to

avoid collision with any of the reds

as well from the length of the

table, being able to stun round the

back of them. Now the yellow will be

giving Ali Carter problems. Poor

shot, very poor. What was that? Too

casual. Unless it rolled off... You

never know.

He looked to hit it too hard.

That's not a good shot, particularly

someone of Shaun's potting and cue

power. I'd be tempted to play this

read on to the right corner.

It was

the third safety shot down that side

of the table that tempt -- that Ali

has hit a bit thick. He could play a

long deep screw back here, should

you so wish.

APPLAUSE

What a strike. He hits those so

well. His head stayed absolutely

still, his body stayed still, he ran

to the Q3. What Kieran Power. -- he

ran the cue through, what cue power.

Ali Carter nearly got the snooker

behind the yellow. Didn't manage to

do it. And then that slightly thick

safety left half a chance the Shaun.

Now it could be a frame-winner.

Now it could be a frame-winner.

What

a difference competitive confidence

makes. These two great players have

played at the very highest level,

but one of them's in good form and

the other is struggling for four

minutes showing. -- for form, and

it's showing.

Yes... I see what you

mean. There's a confidence about

Shaun when he's walking around the

table. OK, he's not played perfect

snooker in these first frames but he

looks confident, the way he's

walking around and knocking the ball

is in. You just feel that he could

get stronger now, particularly if he

was to take this frame at this

visit.

I'd say it's the difference between

looking to win a match and hoping to

win a match.

win a match. Especially on the big

stage.

Not wasting any time around the

table but still walking at a good

pace.

pace. And even though Shaun Murphy

is playing fast snooker, you'll

notice before every shot he just

stands behind and sets himself in

position before he gets down. So

he's not running around the table in

that respect. Walk round the table

nice and speedily, get behind the

shot, and then make your approach.

There's black, putting him 71 points

in front, just 67 remaining.

APPLAUSE

To be honest, the rest has licked a

formality. -- looked a formality.

Record for the Masters. 31 centuries

during the tournament. We've already

had 17.

had 17. We may be struggling to see

number 18 because this cue ball

hasn't finished good. What a shots.

Unlucky! Unlucky.

Not have an lucky as I thought. I

thought he had gone tight to that

red. -- not as an an

red. -- not as an an -- unlucky as I

thought..

I think at the century

break is he's going to get

slaughtered.

I said I thought we

might be getting up to 40 which

would be remarkable. APPLAUSE

30 centuries is an average of two

per match.

per match.

APPLAUSE

You'd expect 11 centuries but you

can't guarantee them.

Highest break of the tournament so

far is 139 from Liang Wenbo. That

won't be beaten here. He's snooker

to himself.

He hit that so well,

striking the ball so well.

APPLAUSE

A marvellous break of 119 from Shaun

Murphy. Now 3-0 in front, one more

to play before the mid-session

interval. STUDIO: Brilliant stuff

from Shaun Murphy. John talked about

and stomping around the table, he's

certainly doing that. All the

players are providing us with such

wonderful entertainment this year.

18 tournament centuries already and

31 the record in 2009. Brilliant

stuff from all the players but

especially today from Murphy.

Yes,

and the opening read in that is an

absolute caucus.

It's fantastic.

This is what he's so good at. Body

and head so still. It's hard to hide

the white against someone who can

pot balls like that.

It shows you

the level we are playing at, Ali

Carter hasn't done a massive amount

wrong but he's 3-0 behind all of a

sudden. Those opening frames when he

had a chance to wrap a frame up have

gone the wrong way and now he's 3-0

behind in no time.

Do we agree with

Steven Davis's assessment on

decision making, it's Ali Carter's

decision-making that is letting him

down out there?

He's also not

capitalised on a future answer is

that he's had. He's been out of this

for a while. He's not been

particularly well and this

tournament you've got to be at it

from ball one. The standard is so

high and he slightly off his game at

the moment.

If he got off to a good start, there

is a different complexion on the

match.

When you lose a frame from

that position, does that play on

your mind if you're not playing as

well as you can?

Particularly when

your confidence is low. Shaun Murphy

is more consistent, different and

all the season compared to Ali

Carter. Little things like that make

a big difference when your

confidence is low.

Can Ali Carter

get off the mark?

JOHN PARROTT: Big frame for Ali

Carter now, you feel.

To go out of the arena to the mid

session interval with nothing to

show for it. He dropped his chalk.

With nothing to show for it. It will

not make you feel very good at all.

We saw that with Brian Vera in this

match. Warning after going 2-0

behind. That was a good shot. Ryan

Day lost his first three frames.

Seem to be struggling. But then he

was able to win the frame before the

interval and went on to win.

Ali Carter was very close to putting

Shaun Murphy in trouble. He just

gave Shaun enough of a shot.

gave Shaun enough of a shot. Ali

Carter might be forced to play a

containing sticker but he looks to

be playing an aggressive shot behind

the black.

Good effort but not good enough.

Weird is that thread going?

You could see he is fortunate. He

needs some luck.

Decent enough. It was hard to get a

good length of cue ball because he

caught the bed quite thin.

Shaun had a brief look at the red on

the left medal but I don't think it

cuts.

There are a couple of flies

and moving around in the room.

and moving around in the room. I

think it is a wasp.

He has not be red into the corner

and it could be dangerous. It is now

because he has went into the brown.

I do not think the black is

available to the opposite corner.

If he has an angle he can go back up

for the blue.

He played at are really well. The

key to that shot is striking the cue

ball just below centre.

ball just below centre. That

traverses and to top spin after that

comes off the cushion. If you play

Ed Wood topspin you get to the

checking effect.

He will be thankful he has that red

over the middle pocket at the

moment. It a get out of three jail

card.

That a red near the left medal, that

is the one you want to leave because

of an emergency.

It is going to be tricky. It is not

as easy to go into the pack and get

a guaranteed split with the pink

separated from the reds Bollywood. I

am not saying that is the right shot

here. Passion below it.

Having played for it, he will be

disappointed. He has been left with

more angled and required on this

blue. This could go wrong. He has to

be careful. He doesn't even like the

blue.

He had to sacrifice a bit of

distance between the white and the

next thread here. This is a missable

pot from Ali Carter, especially at

3-0 down and not firing on all

cylinders yet. You would expect him

to get it. It depends on how much

tension is in his arm.

You need to be closer to the object

ball, it makes the pot so much

easier.

Getting back to what you were seeing

in the last frame, he came to the

table and was not really positive.

It was a very edgy way of playing.

Particularly taking that led to the

left middle early. He probably

should have left that for a while.

It is easy for us. We are not free-

zero behind and desperately needing

this frame.

Look at the pot success, he has a

better pot success than Shaun

Murphy.

Madness.

Just watching Shaun when he bent

back to his seat, he seemed to shake

his head.

He is looking at the plant

in the league left corner, is he?

It

needs to go in. It has gone on.

Apart from the kiss on the red, it

looked to be perfect on the pink. Or

on the blue.

You would expect him to

get the yellow with the rest. It is

permissible. Other shots would not

have been.

Look where the red came

from.

The blue goes as well,

obviously. Judgement shot here.

He misjudged it. Sometimes it is

difficult when the balls are close

together.

Even then, the yellow was arguably

the right ball instead of the blue.

Small decisions. 50-50s.

Small decisions. 50-50s. It is down

to Shaun to mop up the tears. Masses

difference between 3-1 and 4-0.

Shaun Murphy will know that the

difference between that scoreline

when you get to your opponent in a

hole, you want to keep him in it.

There is a voice of experience for

you, folks.

Shaun Murphy knows the importance of

this visit.

Isn't this just the nature of the

game. A little run on the ball. It

could've been a squabbling.

could've been a squabbling.

--

different scored line. When you're

searching for form, it can be very

elusive. The harder you try, the

harder it gets.

That was a disposition to leave it

dead straight but he has recovered

very well.

It could be a bonus.

He has not played that well. This is

tricky.

tricky.

For the second I thought he

had judge did very well but in the

cue ball just rolled onto another

ball.

Wonderful shot.

It is not a straightforward run to

the line. He will leave four reds.

He can play the cannon on the pink

from the black.

He could end up in a trap here if he

is not careful.

is not careful. You can see anything

wrong with trying to play the cannon

on the pink.

That is lovely. He has held that

well. He can have a soft stunning.

Floated past the pink spot.

Once

parts of the right-hand red, the

left one becomes available. This is

looking like 4-0.

No heroics with the black. It is 4-0

now. 44 ahead with 35 remaining. FP

pots this red then Ali will not

bother coming back to this table.

It is the first to 6, remember.

Latest elbow room for Ali. He has to

regroup at the interval. Sometimes

Ali can be hypercritical of himself.

When you consider his pot success,

Ali Carter, 92%. He has only missed

three balls. It is a tough school.

Shaun felt he got a bounce off the

baulk cushion. He is disappointed he

has not made the century.

has not made the century. They go to

the mid-session interval. Shaun

Murphy

Murphy leads 4-0.

GABBY: 61 minutes is the match time.

We had a drubbing yesterday for

Marco Fu and looks like another one

for Ali Carter.

You have to take

your hat off, wonderful break from

Shaun. He has been given the

opportunity. The balls were awkward

and it was a clever break the way he

went about it. Lost position a

couple of times but kept it going.

It was a very good break.

He is

plotting so well. Played very

nicely, full of confidence. You can

tell by the body language of the

two. Big difference between the two.

He is playing at the top of his

game. Ali Carter has it all to do.

That first frame was crucial in this

match.

Is that knocked the stuffing

out of him?

It doesn't help. It also

doesn't help when Shaun Murphy is

hitting it as well see is. His long

game is great. It is not what you

can do about that.

He is slightly off his game at the

moment and Shaun books that keeps

coming to the boil. When Shaun

Murphy, he had the television on

this morning, playing the interview

of Ronnie O'Sullivan, looking very

relaxed and everyone says Ronnie

O'Sullivan is the man to beat. Does

that anger the players, you have not

seen me yet?

Ronnie has set the

barometer and is up to the guys to

derive inspiration from it. Get

themselves going. And see, I can

play well, I have beaten body in the

past and can do it again. Ronnie has

set such a high standard, it is up

to these guys to continue that

standard and reach the hates of

Ronnie O'Sullivan.

It is laying down

the gauntlet. You have to blank it.

We have got matches to win,

different opponents to play. Every

player that you play is a different

form of examination you are going to

get because they all play different

styles. If you're going to beat

Ronnie in the tournament, you have

to do your job.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

will not play as well as he did

against Marco Fu, he will not play

like that every time and will have

an off day as well. He will drop in

standards and then raises standards.

You cannot think of Ronnie

O'Sullivan will play like that all

the time. Anybody can be beaten on

the day.

You have to give Shaun

Murphy credit, it is different

viewing this afternoon. Yesterday,

it was Ronnie O'Sullivan finishing

frames in 13 minutes, this is a

different type of match.

He can only

major in business. He is playing Ali

Carter who is slightly off his game.

Your concern is just to get from

start to finish, she cans, you're

into the next round. Wait for the

next match to come up. -- shake

hands. You have to do your job for

the day and get the job done.

Just

looking at Ali Carter's Masters

record, you have to go back to the

last time that Ali Carter had a

whitewash, who beaten?

You can tell

me it is?

I am telling you, he is

lucky to get nil.

lucky to get nil.

Mr modesty from

Dublin.

Dublin. It was in black-and-white.

Nobody has Betamax any more.

One of

the things about Shaun Murphy, he is

impressive on the table and also

offered. He has been talking to Rob

Walker.

Shaun Murphy is back in

town, what a season, four big finals

and winning the Champion of

Champions, what has clicked over the

last few months?

I had a really good

season in a few years ago when I won

this tournament and then lost in the

final of the World Championships. I

will not say I took my foot off the

gas but like all sports people, I

went off in search of the next

improvement, how could I get better?

I perhaps took by focus of working

on what I had been working on for

that period of time. The last year

or so, it is like when you are

stealing a big ship, you can point

it over there but it takes it a

while to turn. I have been trying to

turn the game around. Something has

happened this season. I have started

working with the new method of

cycling. There is no doubt

whatsoever in my mind that has had a

revolution the effect on my game. --

gaming.

It is so excited to see the results

of my hard work and that method.

Everytime I go out now I am looking

forward to play.

From a technical

point of view, if there are any club

player is watching, will fit getting

into too much detail, what are you

able to do differently now that you

are adopting with this new

technique?

It is very tailored to

the individual, it is about your

personal centre line and vision.

Steve Cook textbooks going back

50-60 years tell you to stand

adjacent to the line. And then look

over it. Walking across the line if

I can use that term. This method I

am using it gets my centre line of

vision, whatever that is, between my

two eyes, I have had tests showing

where that is. I get that line onto

my aim immediately. I have changed

where I stand at the point of

aiming. That is it. When I am making

my decisions, hitting the object

ball to make the pocket, I am

standing differently now, tailored

to my own requirements.

That must be

difficult getting used to, it is

like changing the way you brush your

teeth, it must be instinctive.

I did

taught how to block into the ball

when I was eight years old. It is

difficult. I had it explained to me

very well, I understood it very

quickly. When I saw the results,

that encouraged me to persist. It

was a typical change that was

required. I missed some shots by a

mile. When I started consistency

comeback and when I thought the ball

was going to go on go on and did,

that spurred me on.

How big is your

all-time list of achievements, and

there have been some very big ones,

how big was winning the Champion of

Champions, bearing in mind it was

against Ronnie over the longer

format in an event he has dominated

over the few years it has been in

existence.

To win a tournament where

only winners are done it, that is a

real privilege. It is well known I

had played in the previous years and

I had never won a match. I had lost

some stinkers. To go back and win

this year, it was significant, to

beat Ronnie over the distance, I had

never done that before. I got up to

seven against them in the Premier

league final and I have beaten him

in matches here or there, but at a

distance over the double session

match, I had never done that before.

It was big. It

It was big. It gave -- he gave me

some readings over the past three

years and I have learned so much

about the game by watching him at

close quarters. When we revel about

Ronnie O'Sullivan, people forget

that players are snooker fans as

well. Whilst I am always trying to

win and beat him at the Crucible,

when he is in play, I have the best

seat in the house to watch are the

best player does it. You go away

from these matches and the dust

settles and you think, how can I

improve and get better from that

match? It was painful. I would

rather still be in the championship.

They go away and think about things.

Whatever it was I picked up its dude

be in good stead at the Champion of

Champions.

Looking back to other

career highlights, you're one of the

very illustrious list to have the

triple crown, I can remember from

the sidelines seeing how much

emotion there was in your face when

you completed the crown heard in

2015. That was masse for you, wasn't

it? It was a piece of history and in

order to do so, you had to reverse

the defeated meal that was in 2012.

Perhaps going into that final you

felt this could be your last chance

to complete the crown. From an

outsider 's point of view, it looked

like that meant the world to you.

It

did. There is no hiding it getting

away from it. I stood on the

precipice 120 12.

As much as you try to get out of it,

not answer questions and put the

press to one side, there was a bit

of a monkey on my back. There was a

little devil sat on my shoulder

saying, you might never won this, it

makes never happen. After winning

the World Championships in 2005 and

being tipped for big things, you

forget about the UK victory. It

happened and you moved on to

achieving the Triple crown. You

stand on the edge of that for a long

time. It took me nearly seven years

to complete that set. It is a long

time to wait. It is a long time to

come here, keyed up, this is the

one. As much as you try the sports

psychology route, don't think about

it and just play the match. Don't

get involved. Prepare. We all try to

do that but we are all human, being

in our hotel rooms and watching the

snooker on television. We cannot

help it. When I played in the final

against meal, I got sucked into is

the one, this is it. It was all too

important. I learned from that. I

managed to put it to bed.

Very Best

of luck on your wiki and keep up the

good work, it is a joy to see you

when you are in the floor.

I am

really enjoying showing you these

interviews during the interval.

Shaun Murphy is a very good talker

and a very good snooker player. It

is easy to forget how impressive he

was playing the Masters.

He defeated

Neil Robertson jile. Neil Robertson

was flat and that final, Shaun will

be the first to admit that. He

played great. He did his part of it

and was the winner 10-2. When you

can cue like he can you can have a

chance in every event.

It is a

fresher to hear him speak so openly

about her style and what he has done

to improve his game.

He's a great

ambassador, a great talker, very

philosophical. He is quite open,

about his emotions and his thoughts.

What he wants to achieve in the

game. When he completed that Triple

crown he became part of history. Not

many people have that honour and he

is one of them so he be proud.

What

you make about what he was saying

about his vision and the change in

style. Do you detect any difference?

You can see it here on the still.

One on the left beforehand. His

header slightly straighter on the

right-hand side.

It looked straight

on on the right-hand side. We talk

about how he lines up. Steve Davis

talked about how still he is on the

right-hand side. Compare to back in

2005. He is off his cue more. That

helps. I think is lining up the

shot. Mark Williams talked about it

in the studio. How much that has

helped him. He is having lots of

success.

Can you red too much into

the sport psychology? Is it

something just about getting out and

doing it?

We are back to

individuals. Some people it could

help and other people would not find

it useful. It is back to the

individuals.

Sports psychology can

help lots of people. Every little

edge that you can get from it, it is

definitely worth exploring.

Shaun

Murphy leads 4-0 against Ali Carter.

Back to the live action later. Good

match later on. John Higgins taking

on Anthony McGill making his Masters

debut.

If your child had had a smell, what

would it be? What hobby would you

get into if time and money went an

issue?

I think it would be fantastic

to build a snooker Academy. Get a

lot of juniors involved. I think

something like that would be a

passion.

What fad or trend do you

hope comes back?

Flares. I don't

have the bravery to wear them myself

but I think they are pretty cool.

What would be your spirit animal?

A

dog. I love dogs. They're just cool,

aren't they?

Is the only human left

on Earth, what would you do?

I would

walk around naked.

walk around naked.

We saw Anthony

McGill last night looking very

relaxed in the players lounge. John

Higgins against Santi McGill is live

on your red button at 7pm. Every

night we round up all the day's

highlights. If you missed anything

this is what you have missed, as we

look forward to frame five. Shaun

Murphy was absolutely brilliant in

the first frame, taking full

advantage of a few mistakes by Ali

Carter.

Carter. It's his decision making

which is having a big effect on this

match today, superb break of 119.

Potting beautifully. Ali Carter's

heaviest defeat at the Masters 6-0

and Murphy with another break of 87

to make it 4-0 at the interval. It's

not going very well for Ali Carter.

In fact that's the any time he

smiled because Shaun Murphy has been

absolutely brilliant in this opening

session.

I'm trying to get over the

fact Anthony McGill will rock --

walk around naked all the time!

Here

we go, frame five as we go back to

Steve Davis.

Thank you, frame five. Ali Carter to

break.

COMMENTATOR: Ali Carter

breaking off in frame five, hoping

the interval will change things for

him.

Could play a four condition quite

aggressive safety shot but looks

like Shaun Murphy spotted a gap to

get through for a pot. Turns it down

for the more containing safety.

Thought he was getting down to try

and pot that.

APPLAUSE

Hasn't really done too much damage

to Shaun Murphy with that safety.

It's going to be always difficult to

put his opponent under pressure. The

risk in playing this thick and

playing the four condition safety,

you don't know where the reds are

going to go. -- four-cushion safety.

You can get rewarded sometimes. Much

like Shaun Murphy's last safety

shot, didn't get the cue ball close

enough to the cushion.

enough to the cushion. This is

better.

On a fast cloth, the thinner the

safety, the less you're likely to

push the ball to the opposite corner

pocket. It does tend to be the way

that a lot of safety shots are

played these days, not to do any

damage with the object balls.

damage with the object balls. He's

let that one go. He's got to hope

the blue comes to his rescue here. I

don't think it has.

Quite low on the safety success from

Ali Carter.

Ali Carter. It wasn't much of a

risk. An opportunity now in potting

the black just go into the cluster.

If Shaun Murphy can get back into

his stride after the interval and

win this frame, he's turning Ali

Carter's campaign at the Masters

into another disappointing one.

He's got to develop a few roads

soon, though. -- a few reds soon.

Three reds, three blacks.

I thought he could have rolled it in

and played to the black at the

opposite corner. A let off the Ali.

-- a let off for Ali. It didn't feel

as though he was in a position to

risk it. He's at the position now

where he's got to somehow get a

foothold in the match. He probably

won't get that by taking too many

risks.

A tent of her Ali Carter into the

middle pocket. -- tempter for Ali

Carter. The trouble is when you miss

these you don't know where they are

going to go.

APPLAUSE

Played it positively, there was no

point really in playing that to get

the cue ball on the bottom rail.

the cue ball on the bottom rail. A

nice start of her Ali Carter. He's

got to get going here -- a nice

start for Ali Carter. He's got to

flow a bit, it's not been easy.

That's not wonderful. He's got a red

but he's got to trust a little bit

to luck, getting this cue ball out

into open play. Screw back, try and

get on the blue. Unlucky the way

that's come out. That's just

unfortunate really. You can't

guarantee you're not going to

collide with the pink and then he

would have been on the blue. Should

have collided with the pink, really.

He played it with so much pace...

And then a bad kiss on the yellow.

Tough yellows.

It's tempting him to

go for but Steve said, this is

tough. He played it nicely.

Sometimes you don't get what you

deserve but the red he's closest to

he can pop to the left middle. It's

not all bad.

not all bad. -- pot to the left

middle.

He should be able to play

quite a deft Ston shot across the

face of the blue for the blue in the

same pocket. Awkward cueing, though.

So, a clear-cut chance now for Ali

Carter to get his first frame on the

board.

Not right in the heart of the

pocket, this red.

Now, he's nudged that read. If he

can get through to the red just

above the black it's fine. He's

going to have to play this red. Can

he hole for the pink? It like to.

Could do comfortably.

Could do comfortably.

Just got to be

a bit careful with a few positional

shots here, and it will open up

quite nicely.

quite nicely. A few of those reds

blocking paths, especially the

corners.

corners. Getting low on this black

would have been a nice option, but

he's got loads of choices here.

You always feel in these situations,

you've just got to focus on one shot

at a time, forget the scoreline.

Just make

Just make

the most of every opportunity you

get. He's got a slight angle on the

black. You'd have preferred a bit

more angle. But he shouldn't have a

problem.

problem. It's OK if he can't run

through for the black, he can always

done it for the pink into the

opposite corner. -- stun it. He goes

through for the black. Nice angle on

it this time to come on and off the

top cushion.

top cushion. 27 points the lead now.

Three of these remaining reds and

the frame will be in the bag. I know

we always say that you never settle

until you get your first frame on

the scoreboard. It's always the

case. It will make you feel a lot

better if you can do it in one

visit. On this entry, it would be

the icing on the cake. 35 ahead. Red

cover rent required.

Just about got the right angle on

the blue.

I can only assume he put a bit of

sign on the cue ball there and

didn't get any.

It seemed like it

overhit it, he knew he had

overheated immediately. He should

get this, obviously.

APPLAUSE

Job done by Ali Carter here. You'll

be relieved but he's also pleased

he's converted the chance.

Perfect on the blue. Could be

another century to add to the list

at this year 's Masters. 18 so far.

Obviously it was going to go to 4-1

hour but amazingly enough he's still

ahead in the pot success, 95% pot

success rate.

. ... What a pity! What a pity.

APPLAUSE

Johne Murphy had first chance. He

needs a few mistakes from Shaun but

he's at least got a frame on the

board now, something to build on.

STUDIO: Out and 99. Long road back.

It is bottle great journeys start

with small steps. I agree with what

the commentator said, you've got to

forget the scoreline, play every

frame like it's the last frame in

the match and see where it leads

you. He's scored in one visit.

You're not going to win at this

level by fiddling around. If you can

win in one visit and show your

opponent I'm still scoring, you've

got a chance.

Good response. It's

amazing when you go to an interval,

you come out and sometimes you clear

your head. When you're sitting in

the chair and getting barrage to buy

breaks every time, you need a bit of

time just to gather your thoughts.

He's got one chance, potted a few

good balls at the beginning of that

frame. He kept it going and it's

just what he needed to settle him

down, give him a bit of confidence.

To win it in one visit was a great

boost.

No one wants to lose 6-0 but

when you get that frame on the board

does it relieved that bit of

tension?

That's the first part, the

first rung of the ladder you are

trying to climb today. He'll be

doubly concentrating. The one thing

you don't want to do is win a frame

like that and then be a bit lax in

the next one. You've got to be right

on it in this frame as well.

And

Murphy?

When you get a chance you

want to try and keep your opponent

down. You don't want to give them an

easy chance now.

Back we go with

Steve and John.

COMMENTATOR: You see the thumbs up,

I think that was an ironic thing,

mainly to himself. How did he not

make the century, he'll be thinking.

Centuries only win one frame and 99

isn't far off. This looks like a

good cue balls. Just seemed to check

a little bit. Left to pot on.

This time Shaun's long potting lets

him down. I suppose from a point of

view of safety, neither player has

been really finding that cushion

with regularity.

No.

with regularity.

No. When you're

playing a shot to nothing, in one

respect, if you do actually pot the

ball you like to be on a colour. On

that particular type of shot you

don't want to play for the baulk

cushion. Perhaps play for a baulk,

into the pockets is the correct way

to play those

-- baulk colour.

Once again as we've seen so many

times during this match, and it does

seem down the left-hand side of the

table as we look, Ali keeps catching

them a bit thick.

APPLAUSE

A monster. Not just potting it but

retaining perfect control with the

cue ball.

cue ball. That's where finding the

bottom cushion, as Ali Carter failed

to do, can be so important against

the top player and Potter like Shaun

Murphy.

Murphy. When you get that cue ball

tight against the cushion, you can

only hit the top part of it far

harder shot.

harder shot. And if you are catching

the ball thick or thin, length of

the table in your safety shots, it

doesn't help your confidence because

it's obviously, unless the table is

rolling off over distance, it's

usually the case that you have a

cueing deficiency. You're not

striking the middle of the cue ball

and delivery. Shaun Murphy and the

hit that shot, I don't think he got

a bad contact but certainly no back

spin on that one. He may have got a

bad contact.

There was certainly a

bounce when the cue ball met object

ball.

Took all the spin of the cue

ball.

The thing is about this blue,

if he had the right angle on the

blue he wouldn't have any hesitation

in playing it. He doesn't have the

right angle, this thread, the ones

close to the cue ball at the moment.

He's really only available to the

left corner which is why he's

turning the blue down and playing

safe. APPLAUSE

So as in the last frame, Sean --

Shaun didn't make the most of the

opportunity.

He got a kick, it

wasn't a massive one but sometimes a

kick can destroy the path of the

object ball. Other times the cue

ball.

Not too sure what Shaun's looking at

here.

here. That looks on. He's not even

playing it.

Maybe he can't get to

the first red... But yes, from

behind it looked a certainty.

It

looks like a three-ball plant into

the middle. He didn't give it much

of a look. Perhaps it's lined up a

bit to the near jaw. Ali Carter is

looking to see if it's a three-ball

plant the other way. Into both

middle pockets, middle and corner. I

wonder why Shaun didn't give that

more attention? He's out there at

the table...

You can see better when

you're right behind the shot. I

don't think Ali will be turning this

down to be honest.

It's poor from

Shaun Murphy not to have spotted it

is a three-ball plant the other way.

He's definitely going for it so he

must think it's more or less

certain.

He needs to get it, though.

And got it. Cue ball got close to

the corner... He's on the blue.

APPLAUSE

He got the cue ball out into open

play as well. Unforgivable from

Shaun Murphy there.

Giving it the steely eye, sat in his

chair. Ali has to avoid the kiss on

the second red here and he should be

perfect on the back or pink. Judged

it well.

Great chance, this.

If he had been a bit straighter on

the black he probably felt he could

have controlled the cue ball better.

Played that nicely.

Another 46 points required from this

position. To get to

position. To get to snookers

required. The fact he's hesitating

means it's become a bit awkward. You

can see, very straight. Would it be

worth the risk to screw back and can

in the red that is closest to the

cue ball now? That could go wrong I

suppose -- cannon the red.

He made a

mistake with the red, he lost the

cue ball a bit. As you say, worth

the risk their committed to that

nicely back in prime position.

Will be using the extension and his

cue but you can get past the red

closest to the cue ball. It's not

too awkward cueing.

Ali Carter is starting to look like

a different player. He has got a

spring in his step. Bit more of the

eye of the Tiger.

He has this red bubble deep into the

right corner.

Because it did not go into the

middle of the pocket that is why he

is thinner on the blue than he would

like but have no problem, able to

drop it in and play for the reds in

the left middle. That is all he

needs to go 52 points ahead with

just 43 remaining.

This is a very good response from

Ali. It could be said that Shaun

Murphy in the last two Freemans has

got in first. On this particular

occasion he was unlucky with heavy

contact.

contact. What Ali had to do when

presented with these opportunities

was to take them.

was to take them. And he did in the

last frame and he has done so in

this. In the last thing he did not

make the century, he made 99. He

could hit the time that this time

around. -- the tan.

He does not want to miss anything.

It is the blue for 100. Well done.

Sometimes Ali Carter's temperament

can be questioned, it can be

belittled. I like the way he has

came out in the second half. He has

grabbed it with both hands. He is

now putting some pressure on Shaun

Murphy. He led 4-0 and it is now

4-2.

GABBY: Shaun Murphy not smiling any

longer.

We said to take everything as he

could, see what you can do. He made

99 and then a century.

All credit to

him. He has kept Shaun Murphy away

from the table.

He is looking more

confident, moving around a table, he

has a spring in his step. You can

feel the crowd urging him. They want

to see him win the frame. And make

this match as close as possible.

That can give you a nice boost as

well. You can feed off of that. He

looks to be a completely different

player from the first four.

Shaun

Murphy, as you said that the start

of the programme today, stomping

around the table, you sometimes get

that glint in his eye when he loves

potting balls to the camera.

But

that is slightly different. It is

not panic stations yet. If it gets

to 4-3, he will be looking in the

rear-view mirror. Winters 4-2 and

you have got a cushion, you will

still think you are all right. The

next frame will be very good.

next frame will be very good. I

quickly the idea of Ali potting out

to calm himself down. He has to be

careful not to present any

opportunities back to Shaun when he

is on a run.

We're not suggesting

that the crowd are fully behind Ali

Carter but they appreciate he was

4-0 down the interval.

JOHN VIRGO: He will be pleased the

way the last two points are gone but

there is no margin for error for

Ali. When your opponent needs two

frames, you have more wiggle room,

so to speak.

Even in the best of 11, there are

some breathing space.

The UK Championship in the best of

11 and the early stages, dropped

from best of 17. It is a shorter and

sharper event. The Masters has

always been, this is called me

thinking, going back in history, it

has been a true test.

The true test

is that you will not get an easy

match.

That was thinner than he wanted on

that side of the table.

He has been catching the safety

shots, Ali Carter. Thick down the

left-hand side as we look and found

down the right-hand side by a

fraction, that is.

As you see, it is usually a sign

that you are not finding the centre

of the cue ball.

Once again he was a fraction too

thick.

That is about average for Shaun

Murphy, 67%. That is quite high for

Ali.

Great long pot. Did not screw it

back as well as a might have done on

some occasions. Perhaps not a great

contact either. He rammed the red

in.

The choice is the blue into the

middle of the corner. That is a more

positive shot with guaranteed

position.

He has not made the most of the last

two frames and desperate to make

this one count.

I would say that Shaun Murphy's

recent good form in major finals

could be holding him in good stead.

You can take a view on the chin if

you are confident enough to strike

back.

He had a couple of good finals with

Ronnie O'Sullivan. Defeated Ronnie

and the Champion of Champions but

lost in the UK final. There is one

red on the open. He has the angle on

the black to go into the cluster. It

has came out OK. It is not

absolutely inch perfect.

He has had

that so well. He did not put too

much backspin on it. The cue ball

did not stick in the pack. Just

enough backspin to grip the cue ball

and keep it in the middle of the

table. Could not have had it any

better.

This is always risky because you are

going closer to the black. This time

he has judged it perfectly. That is

a tough shot to get right on these

tables. Flying off the cushion.

There is a pack of Freds that has to

be opened at some stage.

He will not be pleased with that. He

let the cue ball goal but he has got

away with it.

away with it.

We just missed Ali

looking away and puffing out his

cheeks.

Sensibly not trying to get on the

blue perfectly with that shot.

He could've that better.

He did not have the right angle on

the green.

He good amongst the balls, though.

You would not put it past him to

knock in another century.

Just the black is needed now to go

70 points in front with just 67

remaining.

He did take advantage of getting him

first which he did not do in the

last two frames.

Ali Carter failed on 99. Potentially

could have been four.

Shaun Murphy is now 5-2 in front.

It'll be tough for Ali Carter to get

back in this match.

I know what

you're thinking watching at home,

you would not wonder this Masters

championship to end.

The afternoon

matches are excellent. This is a

hard game. They are playing out of