Highlights - Day 2 Snooker: Welsh Open Highlights

Good evening. Two snigger's bigger stars in action this evening. Number

one and number four in the world. It is always a special event for Selby.

It was his first ranking went back in 2008 but Welsh Open champion,

well, that's a title that Trump is yet to claim. Before that, let's

show you how the top Welshman, Mark Williams, got an with the

lesser-known Elliot Slessor. Williams was in all sorts of

problems here. He had to fight back from 3-1 down but level at 3-3, we

are going to join it in frame seven. Williams play, no score.

Foul. So Elliot Slessor's bit of fortune. That safety shot has paid

off. He's going to get the first opportunity in this final frame. Cue

ball anyway. In the baulk area. A good ten foot he's got to be

striking it to one of these long reds in the right corner. If you can

make the pot and navigate the cue ball onto a colour. Well, he has

cued that like an absolute dream. He knew if you missed that, he was

leaving the table on. Showed a lot of guts there. Will he reap his

rewards now? Yes, I was watching his cue action there just to see how

composed he was and how in control of everything he was. It looked very

good. But now the pressure begins. He's got a chance to make frame and

match right here. And he doesn't want to see any more hits like the

one he just had as that black can't have been a straight as it was. He

may have missed any other pot with an angle on its duty that kick. To

be fair to him as well, I didn't think he would play that, I thought

he would play one of the other two nearer the corner pocket and tried

to get the cue ball down for the blue. It was a much easier pot and

it was a little element of safety with it if he had missed. But to be

fair to him, he played the more difficult red. I say more difficult,

it was an easy red to pot, but there was a lot of pressure on it. Very

good, very gutsy. That's the second time in this match

that a kick has forced Elliott to play for a colour other than the one

he intended to play for. Not gone on it ideally. He has left an

mid-distance red now, under pressure. Should still get less. And

he has. Back in perfect position again now.

You would think if he doesn't make enough here with his visit to win

this match and close this match out, if he were to go on and to lose the

match, he's going to go home very, very disappointed young lad. Yes,

absolutely. Let's not forget, this is a first-round encounter. Whoever

loses this match will get no prize money ranking points. The lower

ranked players, it is a big deal. It costs a lot of money to subsist on

the tour these days. Every first-round match you can win is

vital. He's a impressive player. Hits the

ball very solid. Just look, he's landed a little bit straight on this

red. If he drags back, he knows he's going to clatter at the one on the

side-cushion. Could have done with another couple of inches between the

cue ball and the black so he has to be a little bit careful here. Place

the more difficult black. It is all about the cannon. He's going to just

try to pot this black and dragged into the red. The one just above the

black. If this goes right, it could all be over. The main thing is, do

not take your eyes off the pot on the black.

Well, he made the black. He didn't get the cannon. He is still on the

red just below the pink. Yes, that was the first little mini test in

this break for Elliott. Anything with an angle on it under pressure

can be missed. Looks in per capita will at the moment. The pressure

increases pot by pot as he gets closer and closer to the winning

line. This would be a very big win for him. He will have learned a lot

about himself, I'm sure, playing out there in front of the TV cameras.

Quite noticeably at the moment, every shot he is playing is making

sure they asked on shots. Isn't playing any small role through this.

Been a lot of kicks out there this afternoon. Just trying to take that

away from the situation. Normally find dead straight, just a little

role through, if you can get a kick, that's when you're going to get it.

Yes, you can almost sense the care and application that Elliott's

putting into these last few shot because he knows that a few more

reds and colours are all he requires.

He played it well. That's the kind of shot that I was on about, if

there was going to be a kick. You could just see that coming off then.

But he didn't get one. Nicely on the black. This has been a great effort.

The cue ball has just gone away from him there. He has left himself a

really dodgy red now, bridging over the other one. He's going to have a

little look at the one under the right centre. He is very close, both

balls. No problem though. That was match ball. Mark knows now, this is

the end of this year's Welsh Open for him. Not like when he closed the

deficit from 3-123- three, maybe this was going to be his afternoon.

Not to be. As well he said in the studio, he

felt the only way that Slessor could win this final frame was if he were

to have a break. And that is exactly what he has done. And all from a

little bit of bad luck for Mark Williams. Going in off onto that

green pocket and leaving Elliott the long reds right at the start of this

break. He took a risk, Elliott, and it has paid off for him. Keep this

break going now, he's going to have to pot a really good red into the

left centre. I don't think he's going to be too bothered. And he

hasn't got it. I think Mark will come up and give him the hand shake

so Elliot Slessor will be very, very relieved. Looks like he was going to

be a comfortable winner at 4-1. Level two 3-3, but it is Elliot

Slessor with a magnificent L Reed effort. He gets to the next round. I

would say is the best when I've had because with it being on TV as well

and in front of friends, family and people watching around the world,

has to rank up there as never won. My son is four years old today and I

think he could have given me a good game this afternoon, that's how bad

I really was. STUDIO: Yes, a massively disappointing day for Mark

Williams. Let's move on to the world number four Judd Trump. His best

result here, semifinals in 2014. His opponent Andrew Higginson has gone

one better. He was runner-up in 2007. Let's join it with trap

leading 2-1. We are into frame for which up to play and no score. --

Trump to play. COMMENTATOR: He's been pretty good with that long pot

success rates tonight. This is Trump's six consecutive

Welsh Open. Looks like this could be turning into a good opportunity here

in this fourth frame. I remember Judd coming here for the first time.

He was playing on the second night and what actually happened was...

Well, that win in the European Masters four Judd Trump for his

sixth ranking title game at earlier this season. He feels as though he

is the most consistent of all the top players at the moment. He would

love to go deep into tournament once again. We've seen some flashes of

quality former from him at times in this match.

Last 16 in the world Grand Prix, first round of the Masters. He is

Jewish good run. He would love it to come here in Cardiff. -- he is due a

good run. He has never made the final here. Made the quarters in

2012. He looks up for it here this week.

He throws in these positions. Just trying to flip the outside red down

on the right. If he didn't catch the red, he would be another two left of

the pink. And Andrew Higginson now requiring

snookers. Well, this is looking good so far.

And we could be, could be witnessing the turn and's highest break so far.

That stands at 128, this is a possible 141. A little grimace

therefrom Judd. This is great stuff from Judd Trump.

This is why so many people have crowded round table one here in the

Motorpoint Arena. Well, he has now won three frames

and has taken two of them with century breaks.

He is really motoring now. He is making this great game look easy.

And as Terry knows, only the greats can do that.

He started this match with 37 centuries so far this season. This

is 39. It is now the highest break of the

tournament so far. Can he finish this off with a 140? Yes, he can.

APPLAUSE Judd Trump is turning the screen it

here on Andrew Higginson. The best break of the tome and so far. He is

one away from victory. STUDIO: Yes, so Trump with one foot in round two.

Let's head into frame five. Higginson at the table trailing by

two points. COMMENTATOR: Moving round the table.

With real intent and purpose now, Judd Trump.

Had to force the cue ball out there. The angle on that. Judd has done two

centuries in this match so far. He surely would be that unhappy with

his performance tonight after the number of chances he would normally

take. At the end of the day, all you have to do is get to four first.

This red and colour and Higginson would need a super. -- a snooker. He

has missed one or two chances, Andrew Higginson. He has been

offered more than Judd Trump would have liked. But when he's got in,

Trump, he has been impressive. Well, he was contemplating playing

for four snookers, but in the end, he concedes. Judd Trump, 4-1, two

centuries including the highest break of the tournament so far.

Trump marches on. I played solid. I think I missed one or two but it

wasn't anything too drastic. Some good safety and I think he's

struggled a little bit with the table. The pockets were playing

quite tight compared to what we have been playing on recently so I think

a few balls would have gone in that didn't tonight that went in my

favour. I think I'm playing very well, but the last few tenements, I

have come up against players at the top of their game and I haven't

really done a lot wrong, so hopefully soon I will get a bit of

luck and go far in the tournament again. STUDIO: So, that leaves us of

the world number one Mark Selby. How would he get on against Liam

Highfield, 79th in the world and 2-1 up in the head-to-head records with

Selby, beating him in the English open when they last met back in

October. Let's join it with Selby reading 1-0. He is at the table in

frame to trailing by four points. COMMENTATOR: Well, he's lucky to get

a kiss on the green there. Not a great opportunity at the

moment with pink only available into one pocket. All these top players,

with the blue out of cushion, will get their colours into play as

quickly as possible. A little bit more straight onto the greener would

like. Not guaranteed to finish perfect on a red here.

Nicely played there. Quite a thin cut, so he had to play the shot with

back spin to make sure she didn't run past the green and brown. He has

hit those really well. Mark Selby would like to have that

pink in play. Blue is down tight on the baulk cushion. Bit of a jaw to

score from here. The smaller colours, the green and brown, on top

of that you have got to move the cue ball quite a long way each time to

get back down toward the red. If you could just get that red by the pink.

He would be in business. Yes, there is a little bit more room

than we thought around the pink spot area. Think will go below that red

on to its own spot and it will be available into three of the main

scoring pockets, if not all four. This is the key shot to get a nice

angle on pink. Pink, black and blue are all out of play. He could have

done with screwing that back another six or seven inches to make a good

thing I would still expect him to pocket, but he would have wanted it

to be a certainty. He could have missed that pink. Dead

centre of the pocket. Usually, very efficient players these days, into

the centre pockets and even if the black echoes of the spot, pink is

usually the easiest role to play. Five reds, five links will take past

the winning line, so he does not have to worry about black. The five

grades look like they are in great positions, so it is just a case of

getting on the pink every time. Once again, judging the pace

correctly for the pink to leave a nice angle to come off the cushion

onto those two revs. A succession of easy shots here from Mark Selby's

position. Pink to be absolutely certain of

taking this frame. Highfield is looking a little bit forlorn sitting

in his chair. He has had a chance in both his opening frames.

Highfield is just slouched in his chair. I wish he would set up a bit,

it looks as though he has given up there. You wouldn't see other

players sitting in their chair like that. They would be up, shoulders

straight. You wouldn't say Mark Selby could

make a century in the second, but he has the opportunity. It is very

difficult by the balls are sad. Hold on a minute. He could spring this

red into play now and that would bring the yellow and brown into

play. He would love to get onto the brown

so he could play a cannon into the blue, but maybe hold for the pink,

played two cushions and try to play the cannon into the blue. That is

what he will be thinking of. Onto the pink nicely, but missed the red.

He takes the second frame and leaves it 2-0. Let's head into frame three

which turned into an attritional battle between the two plus four of

safety shot, cagey affair. We join with Selby at the table trailing by

24 points. He would love to play the yellow into the green, but he

doesn't have it. There might be a gap here. Not quite. He would have

loved to have the blue out of the way they're so he could have the

yellow onto the green. It is not hitting them, it is getting them

safe. That is what Selby is good at. He takes every chance to get it

safe. Doesn't really want to play this slow, because it is an easy

chance for Mark to get the snooker behind the green.

It is a good attempt, perfect pace, he just judged the angle wrong. At

that pace, he could leave it on the corner pocket. He is thinking, I was

apprehensive about playing it slow, but if he plays guitar and brings

the green into play he will kick himself.

Not a good judge of pace at the moment, is he? He did make an

allowance there. He went the other side. It is not the type of shot you

usually have to play. When you play gently into the cushion it usually

comes at a slightly different angle. I was surprised market didn't not

the yellow and play a safe video of the green. The yellow was a very

easy pot. Maybe he thinks every time he comes to the table Liam might

need snickers. I am not quite sure if he did just

touch pad yellow. He is a long way from the commentary box. He couldn't

afford to give only 16 points. There are only eight points in love. He

needed one ball when he came to the table. You know as well as I do,

when you are out there and missing stickers of the time, your head

goes. You are not sure where to hit the cushion. He might take the brown

as a free fall. -- free ball. He will play two cushions to get onto

the yellow. He can roll the yellow in and get

onto the green, but he wanted to be closer to the yellow to make this an

easy yellow. He could miss this. A fraction more pace and it wouldn't

have gone in. That was a very good shot. Dropping it in dead weight,

there was no value in that, he wouldn't have been on the green.

Selby is now in front. And the young player who is wanting to be a pro,

or any young professional, should take a tape of this last ten minutes

of the frame to see how Mark Selby has cut back into this and the way

he moved balls around. He has been top draw the way he has finished

this frame of. He made a break of 89 to win the second frame. He was in

an almost impossible position to win this frame and he has won it. He is

made of granite. The other side of that is that his opponent, Liam

Highfield, would like to walk out of the arena now and go home, but he

has got to carry on. Or try to. Mark Selby has won the third frame and

all credit to him. Liam Highfield will be very disappointed with

himself. A real missed opportunity for Highfield. Maybe one last chance

to make his mark in frame for. Let's join with Selby on a break of 17.

Red is available in the corner. He would like to be to it. -- closer to

it. Very good. These are difficult shots for Selby, it is a great

challenge for him. When people pick of the paper up

tomorrow they will think Selby has had it all his own way. 14-0. It

doesn't tell the story of this match. -- won it 4-0. I don't blame

him for being attacking, but I blame him for the PSC plays it sometimes.

Without Selby being at the top of his game, his safety has been

superb. He always plays the right shot. If he is not nicely on a ball

he will play an excellent safety shot and that is what he has done in

this match, controlled the 70 exchanges. -- control the 70

exchanges. He will want to get onto the blue with 44 and only 43 on.

That might not be too bad. He can play this red down the cushion onto

the other red. He is not snookered. It is OK.

He brought that red into play. He would have liked it at the middle

pocket to make it very easy. Still available down the right corner.

Very good shot. Not quite sure what he played there.

Whether it has come of that cushion trying ticket brown and red, but it

went out into another position. Well, Highfield never recovered from

his mistakes in that frame and that was the story of the game. He

couldn't get it together against the world number one, Selby playing for

a 4-0 whitewash, no sign of any shocks in this game. People watching

that game will see a 4-0 result and that it was easy. It wasn't at all.

No, Liam was going for everything, hardly played a safety shot. I got

through the match and that is the main thing. The first frame and

third frame you came from well behind. The table wasn't playing

great and a couple of times when Liam was trying to get out of the

snooker on the yellow, the table was playing square and in the end he got

frustrated himself and that is why he had at 100 miles an hour. You

played him three times before, lost two of the three games, was that on

your mind at all? Not really. Every game is different. I have played him

in these tournaments in the best to seven. I don't think I played in any

of the majors. He is a good player. When he has beaten me he has played

really well. Tonight he just didn't look up for it at all.

Congratulations, well played. Well, round up a couple of other key

results from the Day, including another leading Welshman and the

defending champion. Love playing in Cardiff, love the Welsh fans. Happy

to be back. He is a great player and a tough draw for anybody. It was a

win so I am happy to be in the next round. I know how good he is. I knew

I had a big match and my hands. We both struggled a bit and playing in

Wales, playing e-mail never easy, but I put in some good form and came

out the 4-1 winner. Well, that's complete the round-up of action.

Jamie Jones winning the all Welsh contest against the teenage wild

card pilot Rhys. It is Jones against Dominic Dale tomorrow. The other

Welshman out of the tournament. Gareth Allen, Daniel Wells and David

John all go home at the end. Marco Fu beat Martin Gould. Liang Wenbo

also through. A couple other surprise first round winners. Joe

Perry and 2012 Welsh Open winner, Ding Junhui losing to lower ranked

players. Mark Allen comfortably through, as is the world Grand Prix

winner, Barry Hawkins. So, the defending champion is true. No

problems either for Selby or Trump, but it Day to forget for Mark

Williams. Tomorrow we will see how to members of the next generation of

Welsh players get on. It is a big Day for Lee Walker against the

Robertson. And Michael White, a quarterfinalist last year, facing

and the top 16 players in Liang Wenbo. Join from one o'clock on BBC

Two. Thank you for your company. Do you have

any prior motoring convictions? Can you confirm that you will be

adhering to the speed limit? You brought this upon yourself.

You brought it on my family!