24/02/2014 Snooker: Welsh Open

Good afternoon. It was Stephen Maguire who were celebrating at the

Welsh Open a year ago and he is back to defend his title. A lot has

changed since he lifted the trophy. We have a new format with 128

players already having played in the first round. We are down to the last

64 and our top four Welsh players are all through.

Let me show you the list. Last year's champion is close behind

Ronnie O Sullivan. Welcome to the studio. This is where

we will be for the next seven days. We are right at the heart of the

action in the players practice room. It has all changed this year. The

new format. 128 players in the first round. What difference does that

make? It does not make a difference to the top seeds. They have cried

out for this for years. They used to say there was too much protection at

the top of the game and the bottom players weren't getting their fair

share. They now feel like professionals. They come to an event

and they will feel like true professionals and they have got

hair. It is a weak step for them though. In previous years, they have

only been a couple of tables. Now we have four. What difference does that

make? For the lower players, all of a sudden they are at the venue.

Apart from the TV coverage, everything is the same. It can only

benefit from -- they can only benefit from this. We have seen most

of the top seeds, apart from one has got through. Is that how it is

working out with this new format? At the start of the season everyone

said there would the a lot of the media faces on and they would be

beaten, but they are still coming through. That just shows you the

calibre of the top players. They are used to playing at the venues all

the time, so they have a slight advantage. We will leave it for now.

We will talk more later. We have a busy week ahead. Let us have a look

at what is coming up this afternoon. Stephen Maguire was one of the first

into the arena this morning. We will see how he fared against Sam Baird.

Matthew Stevens got through his first match and faces Ian Burns in

the last 64. And this man is always a contender - Mark Selby, at by

Nellist two years ago. Dave Harris stands between him and the last

round. An exciting start to the day. Stephen Maguire was up against

Sam Baird, the 25-year-old from Devon who is only ranked 75 in the

world. He was 3-1 up, but Maguire scrape -- scraped his way back into

the match. That was not a good wind. He had

left a pot in the middle. The ball is in perfect position though. -- a

good white. This could be a match winner. You

would expect him to score at least 50 from here.

This is a chance you dream of in any frame.

Stephen Maguire has done really well, he has been battling away. He

knows he has had every chance. To play for the blue of the

will be slightly difficult. -- or the pink.

We have seen him struggle when he is stretching. Let us see how he goes

with this one. He just doesn't seem to be able to get on to be shot,

does he? -- the shot, Dulcie? I do not think that he played for

this rate, but he is OK. -- this red.

This is the best he has looked since the start of the match. Striking the

wall with a little bit more authority. -- the ball with a little

bit more authority. Sam Baird is sitting in his chair

feeling sorry for himself. It seems the match is slipping away from him,

even though he has been the better of the two players.

He has always been a great fire under pressure, Stephen Maguire.

Excellent shot. This is frame and match ball. He has done remarkably

well. A fabulous break of 68 and it is

Stephen Maguire who progresses into the next phase.

That was an excellent part. He still has a slight foothold in the match,

but this colour is going to have to go in. I think he can just about get

through to deep black. -- to be black. Stephen Maguire struggled all

the way through. He had his highest break for the last frame.

Stephen Maguire is with us now. A bit too close a comfort? Definitely.

At 3-1, Sam had two or three good chances. He just seemed to miss the

frame ball all the time. You thought you were dead and buried, but you

came back and took that chance. I have done exactly what Sam has done

many times. I have thrown matches away, but as long as you learn from

it and try and get over it as quickly as possible, then you come

back stronger. Was everything OK? When you put extra effort into those

power shots, you seem to be missing some. I have had some pain in the

last few weeks. I do think the drive down here did it any good. It took

seven hours. Getting down to the shop was the hardest bit. You can

see on your face, I should not last, but I could see that when you

had to pay a power shot, you were grimacing. I was not standing the

way I usually do and with power you cannot get away with it. You don't

think of snooker players as having to have easier therapy. Would you

have two do that? I have got painkillers, so I am sticking with

that. Luckily I have a day off tomorrow and I won't be do -- and I

won't be doing anything. You are the defending champion. How does it

feel? Are you conscious that you are defending your title? Not really. A

year ago was a long time ago. I don't remember last week, let alone

last year. It is funny having my picture on the posters here. That

doesn't normally happen. What have you made of the format this week? I

am not a fan of it. I would rather play qualifiers. I played a match on

Wednesday, drove up the road, had a few days off which is not good in

the middle of a tournament. The most important thing is that you are

through. Congratulations. Stephen Maguire will play the winner of the

match between Gerard Greene Maguire will play the winner of the

Andrew Pagett. This tournament has an extra spark when the top Welsh

players are moving through the rounds. It has not in a vintage

season for Matthew Stevens. However, one thing for certain is that there

is no doubt about his talents. When it comes to technique, you will not

see a better person than Matthew Stevens. I saw him practising when

he was around 12 years old. It is his technique that has helped him

come back. Tech week makes him a very good player. He had a few years

in the wilderness, but that technique have stood him in good

stead and he is rising up the rankings to where he should be.

Matthew Stevens had a setback. When his father passed away, that was a

terrible blow for him and it took him a lot of seasons to recover from

it. Matthew's professionalism has to be questioned. He has not always

given 100% to the game. If he concentrates again, he can prove

that he is a top player again. Matthew is capable of making high

breaks. He is good at making those 60, 70 breaks. He has always got

that in his armoury which makes him a top player to play against.

Matthew Stevens is a great player. He has only one a couple of major

tournaments. Maybe sometimes he is He has only one a couple of major

expecting too much. He is that good He has only one a couple of major

a player he has to win again. He is slightly older, but he is still one

of the best players in the world. Let us look at his opponent. Ian

Burns is from Preston and has only been a professional for a couple of

seasons. He is 65 in the world rankings. He made the last 32 here

last year and he will do the same again if he can get past Matthew

Stevens today. So, it is Matthew Stevens against Ian Burns. It is

time to bring the players out. These two have never played each other

before. They are playing for a place in the last 32, here at the Welsh

Open. Let us join our commentary team now. Willie Thorne and Terry

Griffiths. Good afternoon. As my colleague

said, these two have not played each other before.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. The first frame. Ian Burns to break.

He is a good player. He has had a great season.

He has previously been voted the Best Newcomer of the year.

Not an easy one for him to get started.

Matthew Stevens has not had the best run, but he is a classy player and

always has been. A very clever player. Just waiting for someone to

come in and find their seat. There you go. Everybody is happy now.

That is a good read to get started on.

The pink and black are tied up at the moment. He is probably going to

wait for a better chance. He has gone for it and he has been

unlucky. He will have two work hard now for a

week break. -- Abe week break. The shot on the Green deserved

better than he got. Half a chance now for Ian Burns.

I think he played for the one at the back. A little bit short on pace.

The White has not come far enough. That was a nice shots, but

unfortunately, he did not get the pot. -- that was a nice shot.

He called that one much too thick. He has not been lucky.

He has got slightly the wrong angle on the blue.

He has the extension might, which, as you can see, is rather large! You

will see how far away his bridge hand is from the cue ball. He

couldn't even reach it with that on!

He is looking at another shots. Still has the extension arm. His

bridge hand is a good two feet away. That doesn't help things.

He needed to put a bit of stun on that just to avoid a few balls on

the way through. When you have the extension on, it does take away a

little bit of the feel. That was slightly underhit. The blue

and pink are both still on, but both are dangerous. Anything with a bit

of speed, that will be hard to queue. We know that the one to the

right of the pink will pot. We went -- we mentioned earlier on

that Ian McCulloch is working with him. He got to the final of the

Grand Prix in Preston, his hometown. He also got to the final of the

tournament in Telford, and he lost to Neil Robertson. He retired from

the game with back trouble. He was no longer on the circuit.

Time to make a few things happen. These four reds are not in a

position where they could part. He could play towards the list read. --

red. -- last red. What is the angle like? It is just

about OK. He can force it. He is going to have to split one of

these, here. When you go into those with back

spin, the ball comes back to where you were playing from. He still has

one on. Yes, he has played these last few

quite well. Not great this, because the two reds

on the left-hand side cushion, he is going to happen to avoid to somehow.

He can just stun up to the blue. It is very close to the side cushion.

That was a terrible shot. Matthew Stevens is blessed with

wonderful cue power. I remember when Paul Hunter and Matthew came onto

the scene together, they were very close friends. Both improved

together. It is amazing how their careers followed such a similar

path. Paul Hunter went on to win a few Masters titles. It was always

surprising that neither Matthew nor Paul won the world Championships.

Matthew has been in a couple of finals, against Mark Williams and

Shaun Murphy. He got very close in both those matches. Paul Hunter's

best chance was the semifinal, he was well in front of Ken Doherty but

lost that semifinal. Mark Williams -- Matthew Williams got into the

semifinal in 2002. He felt he had the blue correctly there, but the

weight went off at a funny angle. -- the white.

That came of the commission very quickly. You didn't expect to be

lower than the black. I don't know if there is any point in trying to

get read out here. -- red. The black is out of commission and

33 points behind... The black is even tighter now!

He caught that one too thick. I don't think you can get to the

potting angle for the red. He may be able to play snooker

behind the pink. He doesn't want to bring the two

awkward reds interplay. He is protect a 33 point lead. --

protecting. He had to make sure he covered up

those two reds. Matty would have brought them into play. He has left

himself an ideal opportunity now to play a good safety. The white will

probably end up in the jaws of the pocket. This could be a very telling

safety. Not the best. I thought he would

have brought that red interplay better than that. -- into play.

The first frame has been a bit of a struggle for both players. The balls

were not ideally placed. Just a defensive safety, there. It

leaves another red on the condition. It is an and my skin this. Matthew

Stevens wants to bring the reds interplay. -- into play. That is

pretty good. The natural safety is to play for

the red to the left of the yellow, but he doesn't want to bring that

into play. What time to be close to night, Willie? Do they threw us out

at about midnight? We could still be on this free! Some clever stuff

here. Thank God you are not playing! I played a match once over three

days, best of was! -- best of three frames, that was! The only man I

know that could send a glass eye to sleep!

He did not play that well at all. One of the problems in snooker is

when you are defending a Leeds you are in that negative frame of mind.

Matthew Stevens is in a more aggressive frame of mind at the

moment. He hasn't really got a shot on here. A red is available into the

right corner, but the cueing would be very difficult. He will play as

safety here. He has to be careful with this one.

He is just trying to work out if he will play of the top cushion to end

up on the black. I think he will just rest on the black.

Once again, her very defensive type of safe earshot. He is trying to

keep it as tight as possible. -- safety shot.

I am surprised he is not taking on this red.

Ian Burns is playing to negatively for me. He should be trying to win

the frame. He can't quite believe how he has

not on the red. -- is not on the red. On that replay, he cocked the

yellow and little bit thin. I am not sure what he was playing. If he was

a little bit more full, he probably would have got behind this red.

That was worth a go. The chance to win the frame, if he had got it.

This is frame ball. He has to take this on. Don't worry too much about

desertion. -- about position. He could have played that the little

bit slower to give the pocket the chance to take it.

This will be very thin, but I think it is on.

He is having a look at the black. This would be a great chance to get

the black. Isn't that amazing sometimes had the balls finish? What

a strange game, isn't it? That looked like a terrible case, but,

all of a sudden, it turns out to be a great one! I have not seen Ian

Burns play very much, but I think if he had been a little bit more

aggressive in this frame, he would have won. It seems that Matthew

Stevens has not really been in this frame, he has always been on the

back foot. Of course, just because you are behind in a frame doesn't

mean you can't win it with a late surge. It looks like that is what is

going to happen here. If ever a frame got away, it was

this one. He needs the three balls to win.

Matthew has a very accurate due action. -- she

action. -- cue action. I'm sure Matthew did not expect to

win this frame. Ian Burns started with 41. But

Matthew Stevens takes the opening frame with a clearance of 35.

So, first blood to Matthew Stevens. Willie Thorne said commentary that

he played a few negative shots. He missed a bad red. He took his eyes

off the red. He missed the reds and gave Matthew Stevens the chance to

get back in the frame. We saw glimpses of the brilliance of

Matthew, one long red. It will have to be more consistent if he is going

to progress through this tournament. He played a couple of good reds. He

would have thoughts the frame was gone, but all of a sudden

would have thoughts the frame was up! Ian Burns

would have thoughts the frame was chances to take the frame, but he

didn't take them. He will be sitting quite worried. Most people don't

know much about Ian Burns. What are your first impressions? Obviously, I

saw a little bit of him last year in this event. He played reasonably

well in the match that I saw. I haven't seen him all year for top I

know he has Ian McCulloch, he has been helping him. He was a horrific

layer himself. He won the award last year of best

newcomer. He must've had a very good season.

Can he split the pack? He had a go, but the little bit unlucky.

What is he going to do here? He could say this dead weight. It is a

hard shot over the distance. I'm not sure if he can pot this and avoid

the reds. Very difficult at that speed. You

are never 100% sure that the cue ball will stay online. There is not

a lot of cloth on these tables any more, is there, Willie? It is not

easy playing that slow roll. A good long pot from Matthew

Stevens. The first frame is always important

in any match, but especially now when it is the rest of seven. --

best of seven. I think the best of seven is fine in

certain tournaments. The problems players talk about is if you lose

the first frame, you do not have enough time to recover and you don't

get the interval after the first four frames.

It changes to nine frames in the quarterfinal stage. Best of 11 and

17 in the final. Matthew seems a little bit bemused.

We had a couple of kit in the opening frame. -- kicks.

He is coming down to have a look at this red in the right-hand corner.

He is guaranteed to be on the black. There is a risk involved. He

does have a straightforward safety, if he wants to play it.

That was a good shot. He knew he would be leaving that read in the

corner. -- that red in the corner. Once again, the deflection off the

potting angle has got Matthew Stevens. I wonder if it is time to

change the cue ball? There have been a few shots where he

has not been happy with the throw of the cue ball. They are just checking

now. If I was Ian Burns, I would almost say that I didn't want

now. If I was Ian Burns, I would change it. Both players have two

agreed, remember? If he has agreed, then it is OK. He has said that he

has not noticed anything. If Ian Burns does not want it changed, then

they have two carry on. Both players have two agreed. I would have said

yes, to be honest. It will help both players.

What is happening now? The referee has come back. I can't quite

understand this. I think he has got a cue ball in his hand. No, he

hasn't. If Ian Burns says that there is nothing wrong with it, then they

have two carry on. At least we know there is another cue ball there, if

needed. He was leaving himself a red in the

centre after that black. They are not easy of the cushion like that.

What he mustn't do is put too much pressure on himself. He should have

won the first frame, but there is plenty of time. He needs to stick to

his game plan and the patient, which is not always easy out there. He has

got to get the pace right for this to work. That is a prime example of

what you should and should not do. Once again, trying to be too

careful. Not a lot happening in this frame so

far. No breaks over 30, although they have both had their chances.

He did not want that double-kiss. It could have in worse. There is a

chance with the red in the middle. It is ethical to judge the potting

angle when you are very close. -- it is difficult.

Out comes the extension. It is almost the same size as the rest of

the cue. He cut the object ball very thin. A

big chance gone by. It is now a big chance for Ian.

I don't think this will pot. He is OK on the left-hand one. A great

chance now to level at 1-1. Slightly lower on the black than he

wanted, but he still has the pink. He is just coming round to see which

one of the reds is available. He should win the frame at this

visit. That was a very good shot. He had to

make sure he finished high on this red.

Not quite in prime position. A little bit undecided here.

How many times have we seen that. 35 points in front. He just needed that

red. That is a shot you would not miss in this. -- in practice.

Matthew Stevens will now need to widen the shot to get to the

left-hand side of the table and get onto the back. -- onto the black.

There is the light white again. I tend to agree with him. But, of

course, you are not playing! He can still get the black in the centre.

He has got to hit it hard enough so that it leaves a path class -- a

path past the blue to yellow. He might be able to see the yellow,

but I am not sure about putting it. Another tight frame,

first one. He just about got that past the

middle pocket. If that yellow had come out a

fraction, it would have been an easier shot. Safety does not look

easy. He has played that well. He could

play it in a defensive manner or off the cushion.

That was well played. He had to catch that yellow on the right-hand

side. This is not bad. Has it landed, not

quite, I thought it was going to be a snooker. They will have to re-spot

black. Can he bring it up or down the table. The black is the problem

ball here? He will do well to miss the kiss on the black.

He thinks he has the black. That is no good.

A good shot, that. Easy enough to hit. Can he get it safe? He only

wants the one ball. Needs to push this past the black.

This is why this is dragging on, the players are not making mistakes and

giving their opponent a chance. That was a good safety shot from Ian

Burns. He had the pink and black as his cover.

He may have found a gap between the pink and the black.

Matthew Stevens cannot win this frame in one visit, he is 25 points

behind and there is 25 on the table. Should he clear up, it will be RE

spotted black. -- a re-spotted black. He is trying to get the cue

ball in behind the brown. He could get the green save. He needs a good

wide. He may play the negative safety. That is not his best. The

black will be a problem for Matthew Stevens, missing that kiss on the

black. He has not 100% committed that, he

felt he would kiss the black. If he had caught it on the thin side, it

would have been a better transport the brown. He is left with a

difficult shot here -- it would have been a better shot on the brown. Is

there one on? I do not see how he could play safe. He could leave the

green on the corner pocket. If he cannot see a safety shot, he has to

go for the pot. He cannot lose the frame. There would be RE spotted

black involved. -- a re-spotted black. He could play off the top

cushion. He could hit it then or have a go at the pot. -- hit it

then. He could catch it off the cushion. That was risky. If you

think there is a chance of a double-kiss, there usually is. It is

Ian's turn. He has been fortunate with the safety shots. He has had a

bit of luck. I think you can see this, he can.

That is a safety. REFEREE: Three. A good shot from

Matthew Stevens. REFEREE: Seven.

Just short of 40 minutes, it was a hard battle, but Ian Burns will be

happy to take that. It is one frame each.

There were a couple of questions for you. This question of a defective

cue ball, Matthew seems to be complaining to the referee a lot,

does that happen very often? It does not happen a lot, but these balls,

they are made for each set. They are supposed to be the same, but you get

the odd one which might be slightly out of shape or have a little dent,

which affects the cue ball. It is funny, you could be cueing that well

that the ball will feel light. When you are playing bad, everything

feels heavy. Matthew is saying that he thinks it is light. He was

playing a couple of screws shots. He potted a good black, but players can

say they are not happy with the cue ball. Both players have to agree. If

one says that they want to change it and the other disagrees, you have to

finish it. The option was given, Ian Burns was asked and he said no.

Matthew seems very unhappy with it. When I felt there was something

wrong with the cue ball and I asked for a swap, if they said no, it

would fire me up to try and get on with it to get one over on them. Ian

Burns was 1-0 down, he felt it was OK and if he could get any kind of

edge, he said to keep with the cue ball. The longer this goes on,

Matthew will get more annoyed. He is not happy, he should have lost the

first frame. It is 1-1 now, Ian Burns is happier with the cue ball.

Neither player has settled down and produced anything special, but what

did you make of the first two frames? Ian Burns has had the chance

to nail both of them, but then he missed the key pot. It is the best

of seven, no interval, most matches you play to the best of nine with an

interval after four. You normally come in after

interval after four. You normally change. When you are flying, you do

not want the interval. There is no interval, so if you start off badly,

it is hard to get back into your swing. Very early sprints. We are

already one and a quarter hours into this. It is all level so far.

I agree with Darren. Just because Matthew wants it change, does not

mean it should be. -- changed. We have seen balls go off at a

different angle. Ian Burns has done well, he knows he should have won

the first frame. He has established himself back into the game.

Not looking at the long pot, too much risk they are. Playing the thin

safety. Pretty good. Good runs. Actually, very good, as played.

APPLAUSE. Trying to get to the red which is

tight on the cushion next to the black. He has to get in between the

blue and the red. There is not very much room to miss blue and red. He

will go around the back, it he has missed the blue, he has missed

will go around the back, it he has red. An excellent shot. One of the

safest shots of the tournament. And we are only in the first day.

I do not know the perfect angle to get back in behind the brown. He

would like to hit the middle pocket. I do not think he can do it. He will

have to play a containing safety. The middle pocket was in the way.

This should move a few reds about. Not that many. He played it very

thin. He may well have looked to the red

to the left. The brown was in the way which made the bridging

awkward. He should have taken that on and got onto the black.

He can get past the brown. It will not make the shot any easier,

awkward bridging. He thought it was worth the risk, I cannot blame him

for that. Guaranteed to be on the black.

That was an excellent pot from Matthew. It was a tough pot to take.

The reds are lined up like soldiers. A perfect chance to win the frame.

He could have played a little bit harder on the line he had. Real good

chance. Just having a look at the split. If

he goes into the pink. You are never sure. Once you have played a split,

most of the time you do not know what will happen, you have no

control over the ball. You are still on a red. He is having a look at the

angle, looking past the black into the right-hand corner. Very heavy

contact. Did not threaten the pocket. Matthew Stevens will need to

be careful that he is getting upset about the playing conditions. You

cannot blame him, a few things have happened, but you have to keep

control. Very trying. That was horrendous. It's squared up

completely. -- it squared up. That has given Ian an excellent chance.

He could get into the lead of 30 points that Matthew had. The way the

balls are, it is within the realms of possibility that he could win the

frame. That is the wrong angle on the blue

for this end of the table. He could have played it a little bit better,

leave it closer to the yellow. This is quite a thin one now. He could

not roll it in off one cushion. You could not guarantee being on the

right side of the blue. A little too much. He was not playing for the

yellow, he was playing for the green.

He needs that cue ball to it has, that is an excellent shot.

He is on the bottom one of those three that are in line. It was tough

to get the pace right. Still awkward though, because of

that comes off the cushion, he may have to play two cushions to get

onto the black. He has to miss the kiss on the black. The angle of the

cue ball will come off the cushion. He may play at off two cushions. --

play it. He did well to hold that. That is

good cueing. That is amazing to me. He might go

on and win the frame, but you have to clear the path to make it easier.

He is not doing that at the moment. A little low on the cue ball there.

You want him to stay on the black, he has to go for blue now.

He has come a little too far and he is now awkward on the blue.

Once you lose the picture in front of you, you can slip away quickly.

This is a clear-cut chance to win this frame. He could still do it. A

very good shot. He was very thin. He has to start

making this a little bit easier. He is missing the opportunity to bring

balls into play. He is 17 in front, but there are three more reds. Nice

break so far. 41 was the previous -- the previous highest from Matthew

Stevens. He does not look happy with the

position here on the black. Cannot quite CB angle from here. -- cannot

quite see that angle. Those two reds can only go into the same pocket. He

has got pass them, played that well. -- past. Enough spin to avoid the

reds. 33 points in front, so this is frame

ball. Very well played! He made hard work of it earlier, but he has

played this beautifully. You have to take the pressure of

macro yourself and make things as easy as possible. -- off. We have

been told he is a good player, Terry has watched him. He said how good he

is and you can see that here. He seems to be blessed with a good

temperament. He needs these four colours to make

a century. What a shame, no century, but a

fabulous break by Ian Burns. He still leads by a 2-1. -- 2-1.

Back in the 1980s, I think the character stood out more because

there is the one channel. I practice about twice a week, so it

is a part-time job for me! I do moan a little bit. At the end

of the day, we have to do it. I don't moan as much as the other

players! It probably doesn't hurt me as much

as other players will lose a match. That is probably one of my biggest

problems. I don't agree with that. I am quite

responsible. You have to be if you have a couple of children.

You can make time to practice, but I tend not to!

Definitely, yes. I have lost in a couple of world finals, got really

close, but they haven't done as well as a finger should have done.

Chances are I won't, but I still believe I can.

He is cutting a disconsolate figure at the moment. It looks like he is

getting increasingly annoyed with the conditions out there in

particular. He has to put all his differences behind him. It will not

change. It is going to stay exactly the same until this match is

finished. I'm sure if he makes a good break, or replays a handful of

really good shots on the trot, his concerns will soon disappeared.

Temperamentally, is he the sort of guy who can put that sort of

disappointment aside and focus back on the job? Matthew is very easy

going. He is very relaxed on and off the table. It is still all to play

for. The match is back on, it is all level. Still a long way to go.

WILLIE: there have been a few long frames in this match. And good

quality from both players. Ian Burns was the underdog at the start of the

match. That counts for nothing. You were talking about the

temperament of Matthew Stevens. He isn't happy about the way the cue

ball is playing. He has a good temperament, but it all depends on

these things happen. If he gets another shot that he is disappointed

with, it could get to him a little bit more.

That was an excellent shot, cueing dying. Danger signs here for Matthew

Stevens. He can get rid of that red on the black spot life. -- now. He

needs the cue ball to slow down. Perhaps the red in the middle does

not go. Maybe the better choice is the red

above the black spot. It is all about fractions. Two

inches slower, no problem. Where it has finished, it is slightly

awkward. Even if the pink has to go on the

black spot, it will still pot. He has a chance.

He has played that badly. He didn't want to leave himself straight, but

he has overdone it. He has left themselves are very tricky black. --

himself a very tricky black. After playing a few good shots...

I can't tell you how difficult those are. The chance has gone by.

It is amazing how difficult it is to get the position when you have a

ball right over the pocket. It is hard to judge the angle that the cue

ball is going to come off the cushion sometimes. That extension is

a bit battered and bruised! He has used that all his career.

That is about as bad as you could have one. -- hit one.

Being very kind to him, you could say that was very difficult because

of the extension. Ian Burns is not one of these

players that will smash the ball is open and score 105 minutes. He is a

tough match player. He might not be the aggressive style of player that

we are reduced to these days, but he will still take some beating. He

could have played that shot a little bit firmer, just to make sure. But

he is OK. There is another example here. I

would still play into the pack, but he is not even going to do that. In

a few shots, when he is on 40 points, he will have to play the

cannon. Why not play at when nothing can go wrong? No other reds are

wrong, so nothing could go wrong. Still, he has a great chance of

taking a 3-1 lead. These are, once again, absolutely

perfect. If you look people like Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson,

there is no way in the world that they would not go into them here!

Ian Burns isn't. I don't think you win tournaments playing negatively.

You can see the point I was making. He is going to have to force this a

little bit. He is nowhere near where he would want to be.

Well, he did get a kick to be fair. But he does make it hard work.

Matthew is just struggling a bit. It might have got to him that he wanted

to change the white ball and was refused. He is starting to miss a

few shots. He has not had the best couple of months as far as to months

are concerned, losing a few matches. -- as far as tournaments are

concerned. That was a good recovery shot. He

has let himself a nice angle on the blue. He is 45 points in front. That

did not go in with a lot of commitment.

He caught that very thin. He has to play a safety shot. That is what I

was talking about earlier, those reds would not have been in that

position if he had moved it early. Every frame this is happening. He

gets 40 points in front, and doesn't get the frame. Doesn't close out the

frame. There is the chance here of forcing

an opportunity. Ian Burns is under a little bit of pressure, although the

black is tied up and he is 50 points in front.

He is giving this a bit of thought. There is nothing straightforward.

Normally the players these days love to play off one or two cushions and

get back to baulk. I don't think that is available. You can get past

the yellow directly. -- can't get past the yellow directly. He is in

trouble here. He didn't have many other options,

and that could have worked out worse. The red to the right centre

looks available, but it is a very difficult shot. Can he cut in one of

these reds? Into the left corner? He is looking at those.

It only just went in. And he has put another red safe. At least he is in

with a chance! He struck that nicely. He had

awkward bridging. He has a lot to do to clear up. If

he could manage it, it would be a huge psychological blow. Ian Burns

has been all over Matthew Stevens in this match. He didn't like that, but

it has turned out all right. I thought he had too far.

I think he has changed his mind on the shot. What sort of angle does he

have here? Can he bring the red into play? The good thing about playing

the shots he is going to play, he doesn't have to do anything to the

cue ball. He can keep the cue ball this side of the blue, and if he

does that he can get close to the red on the cushion.

This is a chance to pinch this frame. Should Ian Burns go on to

lose this frame, he needs to look at the first four frames on video tape

because he should have won this match 4-0.

This could be a frame-winner. He has the angle on the yellow. This will

really hurt Ian. Matthew has not really been in this match since the

first frame. He has taken these well. There were

two very difficult reds on the cushion in this clearance for

Matthew Stevens. Great clearance. A 64 Matthew

Stevens. 2-2. Matthew Stevens

Stevens. 2-2. lot better after that. He is right

back in it. He looked a bit ruffled in the first few frames. He should

then he can play without cue ball no problems! That was terrific. Let

resetting commentary, a couple of the reds were undertaken cushion and

he made some great pop. -- poys. And there is nothing like staying on the

table to get your confidence back. It has swung like a pendulum. It was

all the way of Ian Burns. It looked like for all intents and purposes

that Ian Burns was going to go 3-1. He will be sitting in his chair

distraught. He could have won this match 4-0. Ian Burns really had his

chances. Matthew is giving him those chances. You can see this red that

Matthew missed earlier on. Willie said it all in the commentary. That

was about as bad as he could play at. If he can, he elects to play

with the extension. In that case, he had to use the extension but he had

that really badly. I had to use the extension but he had

watch about. If you are not playing had to use the extension but he had

well you can scrap and come through those games even when you are

finding it hard to put ricks together. Yes, but he shouldn't have

had the chance to get back into that game. He was given a lifeline and he

took it. At the start of that, you would have said Matthew Stevens

would have had to have done really well to close out that frame. That

was the Matthew Stevens of all. Matthew Stevens will be happiest at

the moment, doing quiet somersaults. Ian Burns will be added this heart.

He has to put it hangs him and move onto the next frame.

Ian Burns did mess his opportunities there. He had the opportunity to go

into the reds and he would have had the frame. He needs to regroup. He

appears to be blessed with a very good temperaments, which is half the

battle. He is unfortunate there. That went

quite slowly and ended up right on the pink, it was the only place he

could not have potted a ball there. He does not have the best of safety

is on, either. -- safeties. I thought it would go in. He is on

the back foot now, Ian Burns. Certainly not out of it. It is so

difficult when you feel that three runs within that short comic you

could lose the frame like that. -- within that shot, . That red always

looked a bit off. He may have tried to avoid that red,

but was a bit unfair. He has left it on. -- that was a bit unfair. It was

always going into the pack to open them out, he could not avoid them

with that shot. One good pot on the blue, and there is a chance.

That is a good pot, especially the way he lost the previous frame. It

takes awhile to get your back. -- a while, to get your confidence back.

REFEREE: 28. That is a good angle to split the reds. He can play on a

loose one. It has gone into them. He does not generate a lot of power

with his cue action, his backswing is quite short. Only a few inches

back to play that shot, but he is on a red. The shorter the cue action,

the more accuracy you get, but less power.

The worst position on the blue is always dead straight, it restricts

your options. He is taking on the more difficult

pink. Once again, you can see how short

the backswing is and under pressure, I think that is difficult. Why do

that when you have the red in baulk? He is putting himself under pressure

for no reason. Everyone has their own choices, he may have liked that

shot. He did not queue it very well. -- cue. Not quite sure what he

played for them, he will want the blue into this corner pocket. --

them. He has got a bit of work to do to

win the frame from here. He has a bit of an angle here, a

slight angle will do. Matthew is frustrated because he

knows he had that hard enough to get the desired position. -- hit. It

bounces slightly and it takes a little bit of pace out of it. It is

not a kick, it takes a little bit of pace out of the cue ball. It has

just finished a little bit short. Amazingly enough, this could turn

out to be his favourite if he plays the cannon into the reds, because he

would drift this or -- ahead of the black. It looks like he is playing

us done or screw. -- a stun. The next shot is going to be tough. He

has to play the blue, commit himself to it. He did very well.

APPLAUSE. Once again, he is not comfortable on

the shot. He does not like the angle on this.

He did a good 16 in the previous frame to win it. This would be just

as good, should he clear from here, but there is a long way to go.

REFEREE: 30. The extension has been out a few times, it is not the

longest I have ever seen, but it is noisy when he screws it together!

Another three tables on here in the Newport Centre. The first time we

have seen that here in the television stages.

have seen that here in the tables, but there is

This is tough to get it nicely on the red. He needs the pace to be

perfect. It is perfect. In fact, to perfect. -- too perfect. If he can

touch it behind the black, he could get a few points. He will be trying

to win the frame if possible from the shops. You can see where he is

looking for the black -- shot. It is at half shot to pot the black with

pace and get out to that red. -- it is 8/2 shot -- it is a tough shot.

He has a slight angle on the black. If this black goes in, he will win

the frame. He will be on the red in the middle. That made the black a

lot more difficult. Another tough shot to play.

A cued angle here into the centre pocket. -- cued. Matthew Stevens is

inspired, he looks a different player now. It looked a hard task to

win the frame at this visit. He looks like doing it, though.

Just listen to the noise this makes when he screws the extension end. --

in. A very similar match is the first

with Stephen Maguire. He ended up winning the match. The same can be

said about Matthew, he has been in trouble in the first four frames and

this is the first framework he has been the slight favourite to win it.

Even though he was 36 points behind, he has made an excellent

contribution. APPLAUSE. He leaves for the first

time at 3-2. -- leads. Ian Burns could have won this match 4-0 and I

will show you a prime example. Here is a perfect example, there is no

problem at all, what ever kiss he gets, it is bound to be on the reds.

He will play to pot-macro the black -- pot. You need the paint in play.

He will not win the frame at one visit without the pink in play --

pink. He has to get a grip. He is playing a little bit cautiously and

it is only his second time on television, it is not easy. Having

watched other players over the years, you have to play more

aggressively. He has a good temperament and he will need it

because he is trailing 3-2. REFEREE: Matthew Stevens to break.

Matthew Stevens has never been short on the safety department in the

game. Nice clever safety player. It is very high, the safety success of

both of these players. There has been some excellent stuff.

That awkward this one, there is no path on the right-hand side of the

table. -- a bit awkward. You're looking to strike down past the

black and the reds. That is high risk.

If he can get past to the one near the cushion, he can come thin off

that. He will not need the red. Just above that red, into the right-hand

corner. Matthew Stevens looks as if he is playing well now. I would play

the shot you suggested. Taking this pot on, this could be his last shot

of the game. The one nearest the cushion, he would be worried about

leaving the red on. As long as he misses the kiss on the colour, he

may not play that. He is not aggressive enough, but that is too

aggressive! Got the cue ball round, but where is

the red going? I do not know. I have not criticise one safety shot he has

played, but the safety has been superb, but that was a time, it was

not the better part of valour for me. It is time to hold on. The

problem is to try and avoid the black and the red, not the pot. Your

focus is on that more than anything else. As it has turned out, Matthew

has played a pure positional shot -- poor. With the side spin, it will

throw the white bit. He would have got it closer to the red the second

time. -- a bit. Matthew Stevens looked onto the

floor earlier, but now he has showed his class, he has always been a

classy player. Some would say that he has perhaps not won enough

tournaments for the skill he has. Those people do not know how hard it

is to win tournaments. He looks as if he is pushing

through, trying to pot the red and go onto the black. Oh dear! He would

not want to see that on the replay! Right across that one.

APPLAUSE. I think he played for the black bear, I am not sure if he is

on the pink, it is thinner than he wanted -- there.

Quite a lot of unusual contacts on the cushion we have had in this

match. I think the tables have not settled in as yet.

Nicely played. It is not that everything is not possibly done to

get the tables in perfect condition, it is just that when you come into

an arena and the table might have been perfect, when a few hundred

people come in, the atmosphere changes quickly and it can affect

the table. This fabulous venue, the Newport

Centre, has a massive swimming pool next door almost.

That creates a little bit of dampness in the room. Matthew is

working very hard in this break so far. That is the shot he is

brilliant dad, those screw shots off the cushion, he has been blessed

with a very good cue action -- he is brilliant at. This is the key shot,

does he get an angle on the pink or the black to get into the reds? You

will not see Matthew refusing the cannon!

This time he is doing, because the two reds in baulk, he can get nicely

on those. He probably feels this is a better

angle. He is still one shot away from making this a match-winning

break. Maybe it will be off the next blue or pink. -- off. It is not easy

because the pink is a few inches away from the pack of reds. He

should play it off the blue, always the best option, because the cue

ball could travel faster into the balls.

He has got the angle, he could try and split the reds, but he has two

catch that pink full on and if he plays the split... No, there is a

plant on. It is into the middle, just a little too far, perhaps.

We had a glimpse at the plant from a previous angle and it is set smack

on. Well played. Perhaps a little unfortunate not to have brought

another red interplay there. -- in to play. He should have opened a few

out there, but it did not happen. He has played that absolutely

perfectly, and he is very unlucky. If he had been able to play at that

speed with a bit of stun... Look at it here, the same speed with the

stun, it would have been perfect. What a fabulous lead this is for

Matthew Stevens. He would like to get a red on the cushion, if you

could. He didn't play for the baulk

petition, of course. I think this is the first time that Matthew has been

protecting a lead. He has been chasing Ian Burns in most of the

games. Can he get through to something? It

looks very tight pasta loo. -- past that blue.

APPLAUSE. You can see it swerving around the

blue. It is a similar scenario to a few

moments ago, the cue ball is going to have to do a lot.

He is trying to put the black out of commission and protect his 50 point

lead. He obviously didn't play to kiss the blue.

Can he get past the yellow? He is just going to play this safety.

There are fractions and safety play. You can leave out just than edge.

This is worth a go, with the black available towards the middle pocket.

If he could get this red into the left corner.

He didn't want to capture too thick. That is the worst possible outcome

for Ian Burns. If he courted danger, there was a good chance it

could have run right the way around the table and ended up in a safe

position. He is on the black, but it is not

perfect. An easy enough shot to get, but where is the next red coming

from? The Green would give you position to

get up to this end of the table. If he manages to get the black, he only

needs one more ball. Stephen Maguire really struggle to

beat Sam Baird today. Matthew Stevens struggled until the last two

or three frames when he has started to Cuba the -- started to queue

beautifully. You can nearly always expect a

mistake when it is frame ball! -- that was worth a try. You would be

guaranteed to be on the black if you got it.

And the fact that he needs only one more red aggro, he could decide to

play this part -- pot. He decided not to risk anything. Matthew has

done very well to virtually win the match. He was out late in the first

four frames. He was complaining about the cue ball. Whether it was

the fact that Ian refused to win a frame that Matthew suddenly thought

he could get back into it. He has made practically perfect snooker in

the last two frames. He is starting to look good again.

He was forced to take that on as he didn't have a good safety shot that

was on. Often, when you are 100% committed because you don't have a

choice, the shops go in. -- shots. What an excellent shot under

pressure. Very well played. If he had missed that, he could have been

as way -- on his way back up to Blackburn. Excellent shot.

He would have expected to have a better angle to bring down Fred

aggro interplay. -- to bring down red into play. It is only his second

match ever on television. I think that what we have seen this at noon,

we can see that he can play. This type of shot is difference.

Hitting the red was about the most difficult thing to do there! Ian

Burns is still 47 points behind. 51 left on the table.

That could be the end. I think Matthew Stevens was (easier shot

than this! -- was hoping for an easier shop than this. Is that the

only extension that's he has? Yes, it is the only extension he has. He

seems to be comfortable with that. He has played with it for years. Ian

Burns will look at this match anything, goodness me, I had my

chances to beat one of the best players in the world, and they let

it slip. Fair comment. Although the standards are very high

in today's game, you do get plenty of chances. It is only when you are

playing against the very top players who are on their best form that you

sit in your seat all day. That will have certainly clinched

it! with his performance late on in this

match. You don't really lose your skill,

just the will, sometimes. It is all happening, a bit of side!

He didn't like the queue ball earlier in this match, but I think

he will take it now! Job done for Matthew Stevens. He has played

exceptionally well in the last three frames and goes through 4-2.

Still, great news for the local fans. -- so, great news for the

local fans, another Welsh man through. We are all believed he has

got over the line. Like Terry said, he played terrifically in the last

three frames of the match. It was a game of two halves. In the

first-half, he was struggling with the cue ball and it was affecting

him. You would have to say that Ian Burns missed his opportunities. He

should not have lost. Ian Burns, the should not have lost. Ian Burns, the

guys were saying there that he is fairly new to doing televised in

months. Do you think he is a player that could be around is and make it

difficult for the top players? You can see he can play. He was the best

newcomer of the year. He has not played badly, he has played very

well. Just a couple of T-shirts have left them -- let him down at the

wrong time. -- just a couple of the shots left him, and let him down at

the wrong time. There were a few negative shots from

Ian Burns. He tried to be a little bit too clever, and he played too

tight. He made little mistakes and it has cost them. He probably should

have gone for the jugular a little bit earlier and spread the balls

only had an opportunity. Just played a bit or positive. I'm sure he is

thinking neither the should have played a bit more positive. Credit

to Matthew, it is one thing to be given the chance, and another thing

to actually take it. It did not look like he could make a break of 40 at

that stage, and he did a clearance out of nowhere. The match change

from then on in. Psychologically, that would be good preparation to

move into the latter stages of this tournament? Definitely. At the first

part, he will be thinking, what was wrong with that? Take the cue ball

out of this scenario. Sometimes you don't feel very good, it just feels

happy. At the end of the match, you could see that there was nothing

wrong with him. And a big boost for the treatment in general. To have

Welsh players moving their way through, staying into the latter

stages, that gives the crowd a lift. We would love to see another Welsh

winners. We are not supposed to be too biased, but Matthew is a lovely

fella and it is great to see him back or he belongs. Matthew is here.

Well done. Cheers! I guess at the halfway stage would've taken

that's. If you had told me I was going to win that after a couple of

friends, I would have laughed at you! I managed to get a good

clearance to go 2-2. That gave me a boost. Ian is a good, tough player.

I am pleased to come through. It was such a struggle at the start.

Snooker sometimes, you have to battle through it. I managed to get

to good clearances and I'm still in the tournament so I am happy. You

clearly weren't happy with the cue ball. Was getting to you? How did

you respond when the anti-came back that you could not change it?

you respond when the anti-came back was him, I would've said nowhere

you respond when the anti-came back well stop the white did not seem to

be following through. It is the same for both players. You have to try

and get on with it and I managed to do that towards the end of the

match. You have adjusted by the end because things certainly seemed to

be flowing better. I just had to get on with it. No messing about. It is

a silly old game. One minute you can get a ball in, then a good clearance

gives you the confidence boost and you managed to come through. And to

come through a gruelling game, getting on for three hours, you seem

tired and exhausted emotionally. All that you good as the tournament news

on? I am not getting any younger! We are used to playing long matches.

Best of seven is not a long match, but just more mentally than

anything. The way I started off, I made it hard work! You are just a

whipper snapper exhibition Mark Ian did have his chances earlier on,

didn't he? He could taken those chances. It was a bad match from the

start. Sometimes that just happens. I managed to pinch the first frame.

It is a tough game, snooker. I am just really pleased that I am still

in the tournament. It is always nice to come to Wales.

in the tournament. It is always nice my family comes up, my young boys

are in the crowd. my family comes up, my young boys

that bit harder for them. The main thing is that your three and wheels

is delighted about that! We look forward to seeing you later in the

week. Thank you. Matthew was not the only Welsh player to go through.

Dominic Dale was playing Ding Junhui from Thailand.

-- Dechawat Poomjaeng from Thailand. Noppon Saengkham was playing Mark

Allen. Mark Allen took this 4-2. He is also safety in to the next round.

It was a bad day for snooker players from Thailand. Thankfully, James

Wattana went through, beating Tom Ford 4-2. We have lost another seed.

This time it was Mark Davies, the 14th seed. He went out for- three to

Joel Walker. Scott Donaldson is putting together a terrific run in

Newport. He is ready beaten the 15th seed, Robert Milkins, and today he

moved into the next round with a 4-1 victory over David Dilbert. A very

tight match between Andrew victory over David Dilbert. A very

and Jimmy Robertson. Andrew Higginson, a finalist here in 2007,

took it. He won 4-3. We are going to turn to that match

my with Mark Selby. He has very fond memories of this venue. This is

where he won his first ranking title back in 2008. He has established an

as one of the top layers on the circuit. Here is an Irvine has been

to see him at home for a cup of tea and a chat.

Vicky and I have been here for two years, but if you added it all up it

would hardly be six months. As soon as he comes home, we get in our

pyjamas, get in front of the TV and just catch up. This place seems like

a world away. You are in beautiful countryside have a lovely back

Bardon. It all seems so tranquil. He even have a swimming pool! Do you

use it? I don't. The village is fantastic, there is no pub, no post

office. There is no passing traffic. Vicky goes into this woman pool, but

I can't swim! Mark the shark, ready for a swim? You have a husband and

wife relationship, and the business relationship. How does that work?

Vicky is very experienced in the queue -based games. She is always

behind me given with the encouragement, encouraging me at the

tournament. If I am going through a bad patch, sometimes I bring my work

with me, which is not fair on her. She always there. We do play a

little bit. Once the family comes round, it is a nice social thing to

do. If I beat him, I will make it up to best of nine so he gets his

confidence back. We always see Vicky in the auditorium. Is it better for

her to be there? If I could afford it, I would bring her to every

tournament. The turn and that she tends to watch the ads, I'd do well

in them. I tend to get into the latter stages when she is there.

When she is not there, I have not done so well. If I could, I would

take to every tournament. With the tournament in -- the tournament

season been so long, it is not really possible. Because she has

been there herself, she must be one of the few sports woman that can

completely understand what husband does. She has won pretty much every

tournament apart from the world Championships. She knows how it

works. When you first met him, what was he like them? When we first got

together and they'd down to see him, he had a flat in the middle of

Leicester that had that thing in it. His kitchen was that clean he

never used it. He didn't have anything, not Doctor pans. Every

time I came to visit him I had to bring him something. I remember

talking about what would happen if you came to interview him, and we

decided that if you did turn up we would have to pretend we were

burgled! It is really surreal, that you are here! Here is a present. My

favourite colour, as well! Dave Harold is 47 years old, but he

still has the world ranking of 53. His big break came in 1993 when he

won grow a tournament as an outsider. He has been a

quarterfinalist in the World Championship. He has the record for

the longest ever frame. Let us hope we get something shorter today. The

players are ready and they are on their way. Mark Selby against Dave

Harold. safely through to the last 32. Thank

you. I am pleased to have won this morning. Never easy in front of your

home crowd. I am glad I am commentating on this match, because

I play the winner on Wednesday. The players are ready, the referee

is ready. Matches here are the best of seven frames, not the best of

nine as we are normally accustomed to. Of course, there will not be any

interval after four frames either. Two seasoned campaigners, Mark Selby

is a regular tournament winner. Dave Harold has been on the circuit for

many years. He won the Thailand Open many years

ago. He does not have a bad record against Mark Selby. Mark Selby may

be a strong favourite to win this match, but he will not have it all

his own way. Dave Harold, of course, has been on

the tour for many years, an excellent safety player. He is in

the top eight safety players. I am sure we will see that this

afternoon. I'll was think these two are very

similar in style. -- I always think. Mark Selby is better in all

departments. He scores more heavily than Dave Harold and his long game

is fantastic and he has great safety play.

I do not know what the cue ball was like on your table, but the players

have been suggesting it is light. What was your table like this

morning? I played on the other television table and some of the

best playing conditions I could ever remember having, it was without

fault, really. The cloth was lovely, no fast bounces and hardly

any kicks. If you could replicate those conditions every time you

played, you would be more than happy.

One thing I did find on my table, earlier today, was that the pockets

were playing slightly easier than I expected them to. Down the black

cushion, where I was expecting the odd ball to wobble, they went in

rather more comfortable a. -- comfortably. They caught that a lot

too thin, the cue ball came out of baulk. This close to the pocket, you

could have them very thin. It is only when you slide in with more

force, it creates topspin off the cushion. That has not moved very

well. I will be amazed if he takes the pot

this early in the game. It looks like he is doing that.

APPLAUSE. That shows you the confidence is back.

What a bold shot choice that was. He is a little straighter on this red

than he would like, the black will not go into the same pocket as the

red. If he is to go on a colour here, he has a lot of work to do

with the cue ball. APPLAUSE. You cannot cue better than

that, beautifully cued. You need a lot of pace to get the cue ball out

of baulk here. This one in the left-hand corner as well, he could

run through. What a brilliant shop that is,

opened the black. -- shot. All of a sudden, three or four reds in play

and the black is in play. His body language tells me he cannot

see the red nearest the corner. He cannot really see that, the one

nearest the pocket could pot the red in off the other red. Such a hard

shot to do, when you try to Cannes and the other red correctly to pot

the other red off it -- cannon. REFEREE: Mark Selby, 18. This could

be tricky for Dave Harold. It will not be easy to plant anything on it

to pot it. I do not think that shot is on, oh, it is! I think Dave

Harold can pot the red and squeeze it in off the other one. If he can,

getting onto the black should not be a problem.

It appears that Dave Harold in playing that initial red, has tied

up the other two now. It will pot into that right centre,

that is what he has played for. He could stun back over for the black.

Not blessed with the greatest of power, Dave Harold, but when it

comes to the power shots, he struggles a little bit. He could go

off the top cushion with lots of spin.

A bit negative, trying to bring a red interplay. He could have played

that a bit firmer. -- in to play. He will be pleased with that, it was a

tough pot. It has finished over the right centre. Look at this, slightly

on that left-hand job. -- jaw. The black will not pass those. Not a

great chance to win the frame, even though there are plenty of Liz --

loose reds. The black is available on the left-hand corner, but not the

right. I think the pink will pot in the

middle. He is cueing very low, I think he is

playing for the blue. That was a surprising miss from

Mark. It tells me he was in two minds on how to play that pot. The

red has rebranded from the cushions and split a few more up for Dave

Harold. -- rebounded. Dave Harold could have a great chance here.

They may be shot here for Dave Harold. I red in a pot into this

right corner -- pot. -- a red. Similar shot for Mark Selby. The red

is back into baulk -- sorry, the cue ball back into baulk.

Does that red nearest that right corner pot? I believe that Mark

Selby thinks it will. It is attempt macro safety. -- it is a temp won

safety. It is a risky one to play a safety shot off. -- thin. What a

chance that is for Dave Harold. You can stun the cue ball and the with a

good opportunity. -- be in with a good opportunity. He is going to

play for the pink. And that is his Achilles' Heel.

Anyone who is a regular tournament player would have played that shot

that Dominic suggested. He needs a good pot. It has not

settled yet. Just lost the cue ball slightly, tried to hold it and it

almost turned into attempt to run through. A big shot this, could be a

frame winner. He could go around at the back of

that. He could be he was on that red, a chance to win

the first frame. This is the big shot for Dave Harold. If he can get

onto the black, he could be in business. We have run out of time

and we will have to leave this frame. At 7pm tonight, we will let

you know exactly what happens in this game and we will feature Judd

Trump, one of the most exciting players, who is also playing this

evening. Join us at 7pm. Until then, goodbye.