Day Three - Part 1 Snooker: Welsh Open

Still a big hero of Welsh snooker for many, Mark Williams. Welcome to

the Welsh Open. Williams one of three Welshmen through to round

three. Four tables in play and this is how it shapes up. The top half of

the draw includes the defending champion, John Higgins, against

Michael Georgiou. Ryan Davies the world number nine Mark Allen. In the

bottom half, Mark Williams up against Kurt Maflin. That's coming

up for you very shortly. Matthew Stevens playing the German Masters

winner Martin Gould. Ronnie O'Sullivan lurking in there as well.

He plays the world number 38, Jimmy Robertson. We're going live to the

arena, because Matthew Stevens is on the verge of going out of this

year's Welsh Open. His opponent, Martin Gould, is on a break of 107.

He's just missed that red, but it is all over. Matthew Stevens goes out

and Martin Gould, the German Masters winner, goes through to the last 16.

Disappointment for one of the Welshmen. We had four at the start

of the day and we've just got three left. Matthew Stevens going out

there within the last few seconds. Well, a very good afternoon to Terry

Griffiths. Let's react straightaway to what we've seen. We had four, now

three. Disappointment for Matthew Stevens. It is, but Martin Gould is

playing exceptionally well at the moment. Last night he won a tough

match finishing late in the night and he played three well. He's

making the big shots all the time. He's getting the splits and he's

striking the ball also well and he knows it. He's a dangerous and I

think he has a chance. We saw Matthew in the studio saying he felt

he was feeling better after Aileen period, he hoped he could go all the

way this year. Yes, welcome he has played well here but when you come

up against an opponent who is full of confidence at the moment like

Martin Gould, it makes life tougher. You get fewer chances and Martin is

taking his chances all the time. But Matthew is still a very talented

player. He's not going to win it this year but he's not going to go

away either. What you make of the three Welshmen left in it? Mark

Williams, Michael White and Ryan Day, who we will see this evening.

What are their chances? I think the three of them will get to the final!

LAUGHTER Let's hope so. Mark Williams has

played very well. I thought he did remarkably well to beat Rod Lawler

last night, because his tip came off. Ryan is always dangerous and

Michael White is the same. He played very well. It's good to see the

Welsh boys playing well at home, I think, it spurred the crowd on. What

else catches your eye in that draw? A lot of them, to be honest, these

days. We are still at first to four, and all of the players left in our

likely to push forward and get to the late stages. O Sullivan

obviously was brilliantly yesterday. He played all right in the game,

300s and a 90, but I've got to be honest, his interview was

outstanding! I thought he did really well, I really enjoyed it! Great

viewing all round, Ronnie, yesterday. We had some great

matches. Let's hope for more of the same this afternoon. Here is what is

on today's menu. The Welsh number one had to raise his game to make it

this far. Now Norwegian Kurt Maflin stands between Mark Williams and the

last 16. Could the defending champion maintain his fine form

against Michael Georgiou? Another former world champion, Shaun Murphy,

continues his quest for a first Welsh Open win, against Belgian Luc

Bresson L. Whilst Ronnie has been rapid in reaching round three, could

the 2014 champion keep up the pace against Jimmy Robertson? Ronnie

O'Sullivan in action this evening, having just seen Matthew Stevens go

out there is a bit more pressure on Mark Williams to fly the flag for

Wales. He has won this tournament twice before and he got to the

semifinals last year. What hope of going all the way in 2016? Let's get

a professional opinion on the Welsh number one.

Well, I call him my hero. You could not possibly meet a more

down-to-earth guy than Mark Williams. He's possibly the most

relaxed player. He just takes his practice came into the tournament

and if it's good enough he wins, if it doesn't, it doesn't bother him. I

love him! He's so calm and so laid back. If he were any more laid-back,

he would fall over. He always makes it look as if the game is so easy to

him. It makes you a mad sometimes! You look like you are under pressure

and he just looks like is out having a stroll. Funny, the one-liners are

always very good, very witty. He likes to get involved on social

media and have a bit of banter with the fans, which I quite like. As a

player, up there with the greatest ever. Takes life not too serious,

takes the game not too serious, but probably one of the all-time greats

of the game as well. Great player. Just a pity about his clothes! The

fashionista that is Mark Williams! What can you say? It's a good thing

he's a good snooker player, because his dress sense is just completely

nonexistent! For old mark and his dress sense. That is the verdict on

Williams. This is his opponent this afternoon. Kurt Maflin, based in

Oslo in Norway. 46th in the world right now. You can

see his career record there. They have only met once before, these

two. Four years ago, and Kurt Maflin won that 16-2.

Let's find out if Mark Williams can make it through to the last 16 of

the 2016 Welsh Open. Calling the action for us on this one, good

afternoon to Darren Morgan and Dominic Dale.

COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon everybody and welcome to this last

32 in counter between Mark Williams and Kurt Maflin. Interesting match.

Mark has been struggling a bit of late last few days, but he's still

batting and I'm sure he will full of confidence, against his far less

experienced opponent in Kurt Maflin. He lives in Oslo. Although Mark will

be wary of the fact that in their only previous meeting, as mentioned,

Kurt Maflin did beat Mark Williams by six frames to do in the

International Championship in China three years ago. What do you make of

this one, Darren? Obviously you would always make mark a big

favourite out of these two players, but as you said, Mark struggled a

bit yesterday with his tip coming off and having to put a brand-new

tip on. I think he was quite relieved last night that he managed

to get over the line against Rod Lawler. But Kurt Maflin is very,

very accomplished and a good player. On the amateur scene for a long

time. He's quite an attacking player, knows his way around the

table. Obviously TV matches in full arena is a bit different to what

he's used to. Yes, he's a good player to watch,

Kurt Maflin. A very fluent Key West. -- a very fluent cueist. A good

scorer, over 100 centuries already. Mark will be very aware this week

that his form has not been what he has been hoping for. He has had a

few tip troubles. His tip came off yesterday while practising for his

match against Rod Lawler. That could have gotten great concerns, but he

managed to get through the anyway. -- that could have caused him grave

concerns. That was a mis-hit shot that has

turned out very well for Mark. He caught the red way too thin and got

a nice cannon off the second red. Kurt just trying to drop this red

in. It wasn't a bad effort. And that's OK. Wasn't far-away.

That's when you know that a player of Mark's standard is not quite

right yet with the tip. He would never have missed getting in behind

the black, there. In the olden days you used to play with blue diamonds

or elk masters, which would take a long time to bed in. Now there are

all different types on the market. Mark plays with a very dark tip. He

likes them, and he says he can take one off and put another one on and

it plays virtually the same straightaway. Whether that is

totally true is another thing. They have developed, the tips have come

on a long, long way. Yes, actually the leather in a Kamui

tip is actually black. Multilayered, there are actually seven or eight

players in the Kamui tip. When you buy them, they are actually made for

the 9- Ball pool market. The only snooker versions you can get until

very recently are the 11 millimetre variety. You had to change them to

get them down to the 9.5 millimetres feral -- ferrule size. They are not

cheap, either. But I actually use them myself and I have to say, as

Mark has said, you can actually have them on for a few months, take it

off and put a new one on and it's almost exactly like the one you just

took off. There's a big playing advantage be had with that.

I think Mark will be quite happy with that.

I think Mark will be quite happy appear so. Luckily for Mark, he can

hit enough of this red to play a safety. If he couldn't commit he may

have been in a bit of trouble himself.

-- if he couldn't, he may have been in a bit of trouble himself.

Just having a good look to see if he can stick this cue ball down this

end of the table and not leave Mark Williams any kind of a shot. He

could be in a lot of trouble here, Kurt Maflin. He will have to be very

careful. It's not easy to go back up into the baulk area. Well, he's

playing a deep screw shot here. This needs to go right. Hold onto your

hats. Well, it wasn't completely how he played it. And he nearly got away

with it. That was a good shot from Mark.

Quite awkward cueing. Unfortunately, one of the reds he can and has

covered the lack spot. Fortunately, it's not tied up. The pink spot is

still available and the black and pink will both still pot to this

corner pocket. Good chance, this, for Mark, but it has to be said,

with several reds on cushions, it would be tough to win the frame in

this visit. I think as he hits that he knew he

had overscrewed it. A bit of a sigh from Mark. He has got a red to the

left corner. But he's going to be stretching a bit, that's why he's

looking for his little six inch extension. Being left-handed, this

is the wrong side of the table for him.

This is the most in control and calm and relaxed I've seen Mark so far

this week. He's looking like he does when he's in top form. In total

control, at peace with himself. I'm sure his tip won't cause any further

problems. There is that tip. Got to the

semifinals recently in the Shoot out competition down in Reading. I'm

sure he would have gained a bit of confidence from that. Whilst

mentioning the Shoot out, I must quickly say hello de Jager, one of

my friends, a walk on girl. She will be back in Blackpool now. It's a

different format, that competition. Just one frame, just ten minutes

total. There's a lot of pressure on you in it. It gives you confidence,

doing well in a tournament like that.

This has been an excellent break from Mark Williams. So good in fact

that he has virtually won this frame now from that opportunity. Just

needs this one red and one more colour to make the frame safe. In it

goes. A lead of 58 points with 59 still remaining.

APPLAUSE Just considering whether or not to

take this red on. He could certainly play it as a shot to nothing and get

the cue ball back into baulk. I think he wants to keep his opponent,

Kurt Maflin, away from the balls, if he can. That's why he's laid a

safely. But barring a snooker, it will be 1-0 to Mark Williams.

There's always value in going for snooker is when there's reds the

table. There's a chance of getting a ball. -- getting a free ball. That

was a terrific shot. He would love to leave the red nearest the blue. I

don't think he's going to be playing it this time. As I say, he would

have liked to have left this red. He's going to need two at the

minute. Obviously with that red on the table, a 4-point penalty and a

free ball, that would be enough. Fractions away from cannoning that

red off the cushion. But he's actually possibly landed very nicely

on that one nearest the yellow, because if he can cut this in and

get back on the black... Still in this frame, Kurt Maflin. He would be

41 points behind, should he pot the black. Still two snooker is

required, and that's always possible, as Darren says, with the

aid of a free ball. The way he's taken these balls in this break, he

will have gained a lot of confidence. A tremendous opening red

to get in in the first place. That was nearly very good. He played

a very clever shot there, the double-kiss off the red.

With that pink going close to the black, that will help his cause. A

nice, big target to get behind. We might see him play this half ball

with a bit of right-hand side, off the mission, miss the green.

He's played it very, very well. You would expect Mark to hit this.

Again, he's going to have to use one cushion. I find that the tables

slide that much that you're better off flaying off two missions rather

than one. Always a chance to slide past, coming off one. Mark

contemplating playing a deep swerve shot. But no problem.

Kurt completely mis-hit that attempted snooker. Either that or he

had a horrendous kick on it. Mark has just picked the red up to

suggest that Kurt had a kick but it doesn't matter anyway, Kurt has

conceded. Mark Williams takes the opening frame of the match and leads

by one frame to nil. Good start by Mark Williams, a

leading Welsh men's player, and I'm pleased to say we've been joined by

the leading ladies player in Wales, Laura Evans. You're both from that

hotbed of Welsh snooker. Yes, Terry coached me. You know how game and

you know all about Terry? Yes. So far we have been here since about

10:30 a.m.. Did you watch any of Matthew Stevens? Yes, saw the second

half of it. Terry, you are from Llanelli. You have Jamie Jones as

well? Yes, I used to practice with them years ago when I first started

playing snooker. Then at the Empire, pretty regular. It was a good

snooker hall, loads of talent in there. Looking forward to seeing

Michael later on, what is it about that part of Wales, Terry? It is

amateur as well as professional. Guy Morgan, Jim Selby, a lot of good,

competitive players in the amateur game. It has always had a good

history of producing good players. We will talk about Lady's snooker

and Laura will stay with us for a bit and we will talk about Kurt

Maflin. It is all interesting stuff, good to

see the ladies have a few players in the main events again. Laura Evans

has been our best hope for many a year. With a bit of luck, let's hope

she encourages a more youngsters and more ladies to stop picking up the

queues again and playing again. Absolutely. I lived in Neath for a

couple of years and was practising in the Empire. I remember having a

practice session with Laura. You must have played for about five

hours, I think. Very good player, I didn't realise she didn't play any

more until recently. But it is good to see her back again.

He didn't Mark was hoping it would be a

touching bowl so he could play a really good escape to ball. --

Very good. baulk.

Mark is also one of the great middle pocket players. Although most on the

tour are these days. He knew that was in, the moment he struck it.

Looking very good, Mark Williams. The best I have seen this week. Lots

required on the big stage, how to conduct yourself, control your

emotions. Mark is finding form just at the

right time. Have a very important doubles final coming up! In Newport.

We have had a good run to the final. It will be nice for him to carry me

for once, instead of me carrying him! Well said.

If he ever hears you have said that about him, look out! A very puerile

sense of humour, Mark Williams. Watching Mark play, we used to have

an amateur player who turned professional for a couple of years,

the waymark plays the game reminds me very much of him.

He is to float the balls in similar. Very contrasting styles, at the way

they hit the ball was very, very similar.

Paul Hawkins should have done better as a professional than what he did.

I think he did too well, too soon, Paul. He made four consecutive

centuries in a professional match when he was only about 19, against

Paddy Browne. Won the Welsh amateur twice. At the ages of just 17 and

18. By the time he had turned professional, he had lost his

dedication and a bit, which was a great shame. I learned a lot from

him, I could never beat him. Has completely dominated this match

so far, Mark Williams. Kurt Maflin hasn't really had a chance to get

going. I am sure he will get his chances later on in this match. Very

difficult these days, to shut out an opponent entirely. I agree, but

joking aside, when we have played these matches in these doubles

tournament, Mark Williams has played to an unbelievable standard. I know

he has been putting a lot of practice in and Lee Walker, from my

club, has been having again with him. He has come back and said how

well Mark is playing. It is only a matter of time before he is going to

lift another major trophy. He is playing too well not to. It is just

a case for him now, of believing. Believing that he is still as good

as ever and still capable of winning these big events.

Didn't really have the right angle on that, Kurt Maflin, to attempt the

plant properly. Not as close as he would like to have got if he wanted

to play a good safety. Because the cue ball has cannoned the green

short of the baulk line, ordinarily, this would be an easy red in the

left-hand corner for Mark Williams, but he is so severely hampered over

the green, makes this shot very hampered. Difficult to find a

potting angle, let alone cue it well.

Kurt, having a little look to see how thin this red is. Lot of

distance between both balls. Just needs a bit of luck and I thing

he has had it with his kiss on the green. If anything he has landed a

little bit too straight. This will be a deep screw shot with loads of

bottom and left-hand side. We will see it now fling of the cushion,

which we have seen. I very well executed shots. Well played.

Yes, a lot of players would have struggled with that positional shot

Kurt found so easy. Someone might Joe Perry springs to mind. Doesn't

have a lot of cue power. In might suggest Kurt's cue has a bit of

weight in it. This is a great chance he has created for himself. If he

can take these four or five open red with the pink and black, he will get

back into this frame. That was fortunate. Didn't intend to cannoned

the black, but has cannoned it perfectly.

It was a leaping bounce off the side cushion. Would have been perfect on

the blue in the centre pocket. But now he has got to play into the

corner. As Dominic quite rightly said, this

black now, another red and black and he is right back into this frame.

Has got to be careful now with this. Looks like he is very close to this

corner pocket. This has got to be struck very well.

Plunged it straight in. That was a confident shot. You can see him

taking a black, red and there may be play for the black to disturb the

red down percussion. -- the cushion. Now he has come low on this red. He

would love to play a half ball of the LO. Yellow or brown will do.

That was a clever shot, well played, young man.

It has worked out great, he took a big risk. If he had missed the red

he would have been in no man's land with the cue ball. Just needs one

good pot. He hasn't got it! He has missed it. That was frame ball. If

that had gone in, something tells me this match would have been levelled

up. He wants to take the brown but he

has landed a little bit too straight on it. Punching this through with

loads of side. Needs the cue ball to travel... He is about eight to ten

inches short. He think he thinks he has had a kick. I thought he was

asking the referee to clean the cue ball. But he hasn't. Laying this

with lots of drag and right-hand side. I cannot believe he has played

it that way. I thought he was just going to check that back, Dominic.

Act to the green. It would have made the pot more difficult, the position

was pretty much guaranteed. The yellow at that pace and that side

was difficult enough anyway. Of course, the position on the green

going all the way round the houses on that was very difficult. Well,

what a chance for Kurt Matt Flynn to steal this frame. Needs all the

remaining colours. I'm sure he felt when he missed the brown earlier,

the frame was gone. Well, well, well. A topsy-turvy

frame this has been. He is going to need all three

colours. He needs the cue ball to travel. He

is short. He will be trying to go after four cushions back for this

black. It will be swung right round the table. He couldn't have played

that much better. What that horrific shot. Just got to stay smooth on the

black. And in the black goes. Kurt Maflin

will be feeling elated. Mark Williams will be devastated. Kurt

Maflin levels it. STUDIO: Terry, this proved costly?

It was the previous shot when he didn't get onto the yellow. It was

six to eight inches short of pace. He had to go around the table. But

Kurt Maflin Mr brown before that. There is also crucial shots that

seem at the time crucial, but it didn't really cost Kurt Maflin the

frame in the end. We have another guest in the studio. This is Laura

Evans, the leading lady's player in Wales. The hot head of snooker that

is in Neath and the Welsh players that have come from

is in Neath and the Welsh players woods, what about the lady's game in

Wales? Not many lady players from Wales. Years ago there was, but

because sponsorship, there is not enough sponsorship for it, as years

ago tobacco industry used to sponsor a lot of tournaments. But now the

lady's game is struggling with sponsorship. Is that the big issue

now rush to mark it is in the men's game, but you do need more of that.

If there was more sponsorship by think more ladies would take it up

or continue to play and play more full-time than working as well as

trying to play as many hours as you can. What have you got coming up?

The Eden classic next month. Thanks for being with us, all the best for

the rest of the season. That is Laura Evans, let's

the rest of the season. That is pressure on your opponent. But at

1-1, Kurt has a hold on this match now. This could be a testy one from

Mark Williams this afternoon, possibly.

He has had a kick there as well. Little bit of a reprieve for Mark

Williams. Can just see the red and the cue ball jump a little bit.

A lot of good Welsh players over the years. Obviously, Ray Reardon, 16

world titles. I do feel her bubbly Mark Williams is the best player we

have ever produced from Wales. Even at the ripe old age of 40,

continuing to carry the Welsh torch. On the one hand, it is possibly

fitting the terrible kick Kurt Maflin suffered has not cost him

more dearly than eight points. I think initially Mark thought he had

parted the red, judging by his demeanour. I don't think he has left

anything easy on the Kurt. He may be able to cut this red in, the one

Mark has just missed. It is a thin one.

Very well controlled. That little shot played there then. He is in

full flow, Mark Williams. Very fluent. Terrific fewest of the ball.

-- cueist. Real character of the table as well, a real wind-up

merchant. He likes playing the old pranks,

winding everybody up. A lot of the professionals have said he is so

laid out, it is untrue. Doesn't really get fazed by anything. Well,

he might get fazed that I said he's going to have to carry me in the

doubles. But I think for young players in the game, if they want to

watch people with their attitudes, not to let things bother them, they

couldn't pick a better role model than Mark Williams.

It was a bit scrappy at the beginning of this frame but Mark

seems to be in control of things now. He will be very disappointed if

he doesn't go on to win this frame from here. Just a few more pots

required. I am sure Mark is expect King more

than just the red. Chants of a century but will need all the

remaining reds. Certainly getting some reaction from

that new tip of his. He screwed back about six or eight inches too far,

there, and hardly hit the ball. He knows the frame is won now.

Well, he's had a massive kick on that one come Mark Williams. It

means the red hasn't quite reached the pocket, but no worries from Mark

Williams's point of view, I'm sure, that break of 82 enough for Mark

Williams to re-gained the lead two friends someone. Let's bring you

another couple of results here. Joe Perry, Gentleman Joe, as he's known,

with a 4-2 win over the former world champion Ken Doherty. Ben

Woollaston, who reached the final last year before losing to John

Higgins, he is through as well after a 4-3 win over Anthony Hamilton,

Hamilton earlier in the week putting out world champion Stuart Bingham.

Ben Woollaston and Joe Perry through to the last 16. So, Terry, Mark will

be feeling a little bit better there after getting back in front. I think

Matt Flynn is out at the moment, said a few moments for Williams to

gather his thoughts. -- I think Kurt Maflin is out. He should have won

the previous frame and he put that out of his mind and went on and

played his best frame, there. He's that type of player, he's got a very

strong temperament, like most of the top players have, that's why they

are the top players, apart from their skill level. His opponent, I

tell you, is a really good player, Kurt Maflin. Mark knows that, all

the players are aware of it. But he isn't consistent. He's either very

good or you don't see him for a while. But he's dangerous, you know

best remark he's been to the late stages of a few tournaments before.

And then he will go out in the first round for a few tournaments, you

know? Capable of beating Mark today? I think he's capable of beating

anyone. Kurt is living back in London, now, I heard. They played

together in the World Cup, in the professional tournament, which is

nice. I think his safety isn't quite up to the rest of the standard of

his game and I think he gets down on himself quickly if he doesn't play

at his very best. Another tortured perfectionist, you know? There's a

few of them around! What about Mark Williams's new tip? How significant

is that? These days the tips are a little different. I think Mark is

using a harder tip. There are so many tips about now. Matthew Selt is

here and put the tip on for him last night. He played well last night,

even with the tip. And he's playing even better today. Kurt Maflin

breaking in the fourth frame. Back to the boys in the commentary box.

COMMENTATOR: Yes, Mark Williams did play well last night, in spasms,

anyway. He has looked very sharp so find these opening three frames. --

so far in these opening three frames.

That's just top draw, that is. You've got to be confident to just

drop them in. Again, he's played that very well. Controlled. A couple

of reds have gone into the open and he can get through to this red. A

couple of shots away from it being plain sailing. But already straight

back into his stride. Well, almost a perfect split for

Mark Williams. It would have been, at that red not found itself right

next to the black, blocking it into both corners. At least from Mark's

point of view, the pink is still available. I'm not sure if it will

be when it is re-spotted. We will find out shortly. It made pot into

one of the corners, or one of the pockets, the right-hand one. Close.

He has a perfect angle on this. He is judged that really well. Nice

screw and a lot of right-hand side to get the cue ball in the right

position for the blue. He is looking really good now, Mark.

Yes, and I think... Looks like he has just had another kick, or he has

underhit it. He says these days in most tournaments he has two or three

matches when he plays very, very well indeed, and then all of a

sudden he has a match that comes out of the blue that, for whatever

reason, he doesn't fire. And then he gets beaten. He just needs to cut

out that one bad match. That's what's in his head.

He's still capable of winning anything, that's for sure.

Well, the pink is available but I wonder if Mark will attempt to

cannon the black on here from this red. He can just reach it, being

left-handed. It depends which he feels is the more guaranteed way of

getting on a colour. He has the pink to the right centre, in this

instance. He's played that well. Played it very well. '

I think this is probably the best he's played so far this week, in

Cardiff. Just a little straighter on this pink than he would have liked.

He's made the angle by playing a stun with pace. -- a stun run

through with pace. That wasn't a clean hit, but it

isn't going to matter. Kurt Maflin already requiring snookers in this

fourth frame. Well, he's full of confidence now. Already had runs of

70, 46 and 82. APPLAUSE

Everything is very easy now. Well, he came across that one. But

frames. Yes, definitely, and I think after day one Mark felt he was very

fortunate to still be in the event. His young Chinese opponent had

multiple chances to put him Just got to be careful in playing

this shot that he doesn't leave the red to the right corner. Mark

Williams has had that shot twice and he's potted it twice. This time Kurt

Maflin has played a very good shot. Mark walked back to his chair

perfectly happy that he had left this red on for Kurt Maflin. With a

3-1 lead, he probably felt his opponent would be under pressure do

even take that on. But he did and he potted it, and now he has got a

great chance to create a sizeable lead in this fifth frame. Obviously

at the point of no return at 3-1 down. If he loses this frame he is

out of the match, so it's time to go to work.

As you can see, we've completed four frames and a little bit exactly, --

and a little bit, in exactly an hour. That is good going. It

certainly beats the drudgery of Mark Williams's first round, when he

struggled so badly. APPLAUSE

He deserved to be on something, there. He's played that very well.

What's of bottom. That cue ball played at a pace. Not an easy shot.

He's not giving up. He's going to make Mark Williams have to win this.

Gone a little bit further than he would have liked on this red to the

right centre, at its still on, should be able to hold for the

black. Which he has. Just got to beam -- be careful now in the next

shop or two. He could play the cannon or just stunned past. He's

elected to play the cannon and that's fine. He's landed perfectly

on the red do the right corner, and perfectly on the half ball red to

the left. They all go, but they are just sort of all in each other's

way, so he's going to have to be a bit careful here with his positional

play. Not sure if Mark expects to get back

to the table here or not. He has to play a cannon here. Oh! It's gone

wrong. Well, I'm sure he will take the blue on into the green pocket,

but he had better make sure he gets it. These red is perfectly situated

for a riposte from Mark Williams. APPLAUSE

-- these reds. Did not part that read as cleanly as

he would have liked, Kurt, which is why he is a bit lower on the blue

than he intended. Even having a look at the pink now. He's got to take

the cue ball in and out of baulk for his next read. Just a couple of pots

away from securing this fifth frame. Well, he's a long way away from his

work here. Just the red required to go 68 points ahead with just 67 left

on. He won't be doing anything too fancy with the cue ball

positionally, I don't think. Just try to make sure of the red, if he

can. There have been plenty of mistakes

in this match early on in frames, but when the players have got going,

they have certainly scored pretty well. Rakes of 70, 46, 82 and 76

from Mark Williams, highest break of 41 from Kurt Maflin and now this

break at 79 and a great chance of a century. 100 and seen career

centuries, Kurt Maflin. -- 117. Chance here to see his 118th. A

possible 138 on. Normally that would be some sort of a contender for the

highest break prize, but obviously we are well aware of Ronnie's 146

early on in the event. APPLAUSE

Well played, Kurt. A great break, this. Started with that tremendously

risky difficult read that he took an into the corner, very difficult and

would have cost him the match if he had missed it. -- difficult red.

Oh! That's a colossal kick he has suffered, there. Well, he has missed

the green, but never mind. A superb break from Kurt Maflin of 111. We

are into the sixth frame of the match but he still trails by three

frames to two. One or two things for Mark to just

take a break and think about, there. Great break by Kurt Maflin. You were

saying earlier, he is a great break-builder. If he is top on his

game, he is a great player. He is a very powerful hitter of the ball and

his cue ball control is excellent. He just strikes the ball so cleanly.

He is a top 16 player and tournament winner, really. Perhaps a view other

things that haven't helped him along. I'm not quite sure, I don't

know him that well... But I would like to see and do better because

he's the type of player we like, on the circuit. What Mark has two hope

is that we don't have a similar situation to last night, where he

was building a good lead and then Lawlor came back into it. He did,

but Mark Williams is playing on a different level today. His first two

matches here have not been great, but he turned up today and he has

been as good as we have seen him for a while, and Kurt Maflin has a lot

to do now. The first time we have had you in the studio this week, how

the where Mark Williams is at the moment? Scratching his way through a

bit? Yes, he is a bit up and down. He's playing well in practice

committee tells me. He's such a fine player, but he has just lost that

fine edge of confidence that he used to have when he was winning events

on a regular basis, like any other player. He hasn't quite got their

bag yet but he's not far away from his best. But a few things are

letting him down at the moment. I don't know what they are because I

don't work with him any more. I couldn't stand working with him any

longer, to be honest! If you were here on this practice table with

Mark and looking at his game forensically, what would you pick

up? I wouldn't comment on that, to be honest! Would you suggest

anything? Identity know what's going on. If I'm with a player and working

with them, obviously unaware of what's happening. I loved working

with him, don't get me wrong, but he was never on time for his practice

sessions! He would either come in very early or very late! He was

never on time. You strike me as someone who has always been on time

for everything, as well! Well, I try to be. Here he is, then. He has had

a couple of minutes to think about things. We will see how Mark

Williams responds to Kurt Maflin coming right back into it, 3-2 now.

COMMENTATOR: Yes, and Kurt Maflin will be feeling so much better. That

was a terrific rate in the last frame, very good effort. When it

looked like the match was totally getting away from him. As Terry

said, Mark Williams has played very well this afternoon. And again, one

of his trademark long pots. They don't come any better than that.

Bank, have that. He needs that red to slow down!

REFEREE: Foul. Mark Williams one, Kurt Maflin five. Well, that could

have turned into a great chance. But Kurt Maflin will be very relieved,

because I'm sure he was fearing the worst. You can never tell. He was

just a bit unlucky that the cue ball has travelled through the pack and

pushed that red into the far corner. Yes, that's what I call the 9-ball

pool element of snooker, when you just crash the cue ball into the

pack and hope for the best, sort of thing. You can't control the reds,

you don't know exactly what's going to happen. On that occasion Mark was

unfortunate, but in other ways fortunate I suppose, because there

aren't any reds on here for Kurt Maflin. That's a better safety than

his break off shop was. Well, he has snooker to mark on pretty much every

red apart from the one that Mark can see. It is portable but there is no

automatic route back to the baulk area, so if he decides to take it on

it would be an all or nothing shot. Safety shot instead, I'm sure that's

a wise choice. Again, that was a very, very well

played shot. He hit if perfect weight. If that hadn't gone in, he

was leaving Mark a nice, easy starter. Still facing another

difficult part. -- pot. He can force the white, and he will be forcing

it. Well, he didn't hold back with that one, either. Another very, very

well played shot. You see, he's gaining in confidence

with every shot he is playing. Yes he is, Darren. He's looking very

good. Even if he didn't win this match, I'm sure he would be very

pleased with his performance, out there on the main stage, so to

speak. Every time I see Kurt I always think

he reminds me of one of these friendly Italian waiters that you

see on continental Europe whilst on holiday. You wouldn't argue with

him, that's for sure! I tell you one thing, he found the

old B52s better than I can! . Just overran that one slightly. Having to

old B52s better than I can! . Just he doesn't want to be. Perfectly

straight on this ball. red, he would be knocking one to the

right corner. That's why he's taking on this one down the cushion

instead. Ooh, that was risky. That's OK, though. Perfectly safe.

I think Mark will be more than happy with the way the cue ball went into

the middle of those three reds. It would have been so easy to have left

a pot on. He hasn't got away with it this

time, I don't think. Two shots very strange from Mark. Both reds maybe

one in ten. This is glorious chance for Kurt

Maflin. Must be a little frustrating for

Mark. He is only 3-2 ahead with the possibility of it going 3-3. And his

brakes have been astronomically better than his previous two rounds

in the event. Yet once again he is being put under severe pressure here

by a player who is performing very well on the big stage.

Yes and I suppose more worrying if you are a Mark Williams fan is how

confident Kurt Maflin is getting. With every shot he looks more

composed. As if he is really fancy a job out there.

Mark has concerns that next time he will be coming back to the table it

will be for deciding frame. Kurt needs to make sure he gets a good

angle on this bike. -- on this black. None of those five reds will

pot so he's got to go into them. If he could screw into the gap between

the two reds directly above the black it should open up all five

nicely. That's unlucky comedy couldn't have

hit them much better. He's very unfortunate he hasn't landed on a

red. He has got this read to left centre.

Might be an idea to put a red on the cushion and play to safety. That's

what he's done. Only problem with that shot is, he has put the red to

the left cushion. It will pass the pink, and mark being left-handed, if

he gets the opportunity, the shot becomes much easier.

Write down the line of this shot, I think that red is the only one he

can see. He could take this on. Oh, what a fantastic pot. If that pink

goes to the right centre, what a chance he is giving himself. Don't

think it does. Well, now there is pressure on Kurt Maflin. What will

he do here? What a great pot that was. This could be hit and hope. He

could try to come off the side cushion, rest on the two reds

nearest the pink. He's going to be relying on a lot of luck whichever

way he plays this. You could hit them really hard and just hope

something goes on the cushion to make the clearance difficult.

He's missed them completely and that cue ball is swinging around so Mark

Williams is going to have a chance to pinch the frame and win this

match. Kurt Maflin was in total control, he had a bit of bad luck

potting the black and going into the pack. You would have to put Mark

Williams favourite now in this frame. One thing he doesn't suffer

from is clincher's disease. And he is full of bottle, that's for

certain. He doesn't lack in the bottle department.

He pulled a face, he thought he had a big bounce off that cushion. Just

want the cue ball to travel a couple of inches more, I don't think he can

hold for the yellow. If you can he has really got to dig deep into the

cue ball, which he has done. He will be very, very disappointed now if he

does not win this match with this effort. I think Kurt Maflin has

probably just played his last shot. He's going to be disappointed, but

he has played well. A lot of people back home, friends and family, shown

this crowd how good he is. I'm sure we will see more of him in the

future. He's a lot thinner on this blue then he would have liked as

well. Just needs the pink. And he's very, very good with the rest. So,

then, Mark Williams, with a terrific clearance. Kurt Maflin will be very,

very disappointed. Had his chance, looks like he would level up at 3-3,

but Mark Williams with a good, solid performance, runs out before-2

winner. STUDIO: Mark Williams happy to stop and sign a few autographs

before leaving the arena. Little smile on his face as he makes his

way up the stairs to speak to us in just a few moments, we will get the

thoughts of Mike Williams. It is the old warhorse, Mark Williams, Wales's

number one player, the first Welsh player through to that stage of this

year's competition. He will be happy, I should imagine, when he

joined us in a few moments, despite the fact Kurt Maflin played well.

Yes, but you expect at this page. The players start to get a little

bit better now I should think as the tournament goes on. What we were

talking about earlier, he is not far away from his very best. That was a

really good performance and he was put under pressure. So he is not far

away. Not too far away, you think. When Maflin came back into it at

3-2, was it the kick that Mark needed to think, hang on a minute,

can't let it slip away. Maflin had a good chance, but what he done there,

when Marx knew could him, he potted the wrong red, he hit it too hard --

when Mark snooker at him. He hit it so hard, and he came back down the

left, leaving the clearance for Mark. Is that the difference between

those players who are in the top 16, and those loitering around it and

not quite able to make their way into the pack? Is it those little

moments? Yeah. We are all the same, it's the self belief, and to get the

self belief you've got to be in the later stages and winning tournaments

all the time. So then they are more confident out there when they are

playing. Every player, even the top players now, have got to get there

somehow, so it will take them while. When they get there they are more

difficult because they have had success. Here he comes. Well done.

Take a seat next to another Welsh snooker legend. I half expected the

fans to come in with you around. They are around somewhere is. How

are you feeling after round three? I played very well, there, really.

Come down today, practising in the house this morning, I thought I'm

not going to take any time on my shots, not drag myself down, as soon

as I see the shot, come back and fire without pausing, nothing, just

push. And they went into day. Not over thinking too much? I try not

to. Might have looked like I was rushing in parts. But I can't get

bogged down. That's what it used to be, seeing the shot quick and play

it. As soon as I seen it today, as fast as I could, hit it. Bit better

than the last couple of days. Another test today. It was a good

game. I potted some cracking wrong ones, had some good breaks. Great

long red across the black cushion, can't tell you how difficult that

was, cleared up with 120 or whatever. Think it was a

high-quality match. This man thinks you are not far off your best right

now, what do you think? I'm always going to disagree with him. Not in

the first two matches, mind. By the way, you weren't going to fast, the

rhythm was nice and positive. Played very well. That's the first

condiment he's ever given me. You are not going to disagree with him

now, IU? Yeah. At parts it felt like I was rushing, I had probably been

playing too slow. Maybe trying a bit too hard. That was my aim today and

it will be the same tomorrow, see the shot and as soon as I do, no

thinking, no pausing, hit it, if they go in, great, if they don't,

don't worry about it. Flying the flag for Wales, Matthew Stevens went

out earlier, you go through. Think you've got Selby or O'Brien in the

last 16. Yes, obviously a tough match, looks like Selby at the

moment. But I've got a good record against Selby. Mostly play quite

well against him and we have good matches. But he's the number one

player in the world and he's there for a reason, it will be very

difficult. But if I can turn up and play like that I will be a handful.

But if I turn out like the first round... Who knows which Mike

Williams we going to get. So you have been practising at home, not

here? That's the problem, I can go and play a match like that and look

good, then I can go and play like I did in the first round, that's just

how it is for me at the minute. As Terry will say, the older you get,

the consistency is really hard to find. Hopefully I will pull one of

them out again. We will find out later who you have got in the last

extent, well done. Sometimes it seems that the snooker season never

really ends and this current one has been going on since June. So this

might be a good moment to remind you of exactly who has won what so far.

It is all building, as ever, towards the World Championships in April.

There are five ranking events to going shooting the Welsh open ahead

of World Championships. -- to go, including the Welsh open. Plenty of

time to get the ranking points they need to get into the top 16 and

qualify. It's a very good time to start playing well at the moment,

we've got the Welsh and some big-money tournaments, PDC finals,

world Grand Prix, the China open. There's an event overseas in Poland

as well. A lot of big prize money out there at this time of the

season. Very busy time for the players and I think it's affecting

some of them with the travel. If you win, the travel seems to be quite OK

but if you are not winning it seems to be

How would you assess it at the moment? The top players are up there

Tough talking about somebody when for a

Tough talking about somebody when they are sitting next to use I think

we should include that person the conversation. One of the great cue

actions, that comes to mind. Not just about the cue action, you can

flatter to deceive, but your cue action right from the start has been

a strength of yours. You have studied the game, realised you want

to get everything to get the talent you want to produce. I was very

lucky as a child, my dad took me aside and taught me the basics of

the game, really hammered home the importance of the basics. We had

lots of practice routines to generate straight queueing and

consistency. We used to play with a matchbox, if it moved, it failed. It

was gearing up for a good strike action. When you are analysing and

watching from the commentary box it is just one beautiful motion, back

and forth. Safety play and tactical play I can now do, much better than

I have ever been, but I don't really want to do it, I don't get any

enjoyment. But at the end of the day I am playing snooker to win. I now

understand that I have to play that style of game sometimes. I would

much rather be going for my shots and enjoying the game. Is that why

sometimes you have not been as successful as you possibly could

have done? Come unstuck against players we would say you should win

this game easily and you haven't? Absolutely, I am guilty of playing

the wrong shot at the wrong time. But when I get to the stage of

needing one more to go, I like to press for the victory, don't want to

wait for my opponent. Sometimes I have beat myself by being too

aggressive, opening up the pack unnecessarily, and it has come back

to haunt me. You should take a leaf out of myself and Stephen Hendry's

book, just to be a bad, bad loser. There and then if I am asked a few

questions, I am in that moment generally pleased for my opponent,

and thankful for the opportunities I have had. When I get home and think

about it, I get annoyed about things. A bit annoyed? That sounds

terrible. Don't know what's more nerve wracking for Shaun Murphy,

being out there at the final of a major event or being grilled by

those two. This is who he comes up against this afternoon. Luca Brecel,

already number 28 in the world rankings. He got to the final of the

German open a few weeks ago. Welsh open semifinalist 12 months back.

Interesting to see Shaun Murphy with the tables turned being quite honest

about his game. Suppose we forget that he was very young when he won

the big world title, early 20s. Yeah. He has aways been a good

player. He made the breakthrough with the World Championships. But to

me, like most people think that watch a lot, he should be winning

more tournaments. His queueing is so great. He has won the Triple Crown

of course. But he can't seem to win as many tournaments as he should.

Looked like he would be winning the World Championship five or six times

but hasn't. Will Luca Brecel fancy this one, given what you've said?

He's doing very well, he's always been talented, making high breaks,

147s since he was young. Time for our second live match of

the afternoon. Shaun Murphy to break, let's hand to the commentary

team. Dominic Dale and Willie Thorne. COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon

everybody. This is a match I am looking forward to. One of the best

young players of latter years, Shaun Murphy, against the best young

player of recent years, Luca Brecel. He's been a breath of fresh air

recently. Always been a prodigious talent. Not done quite what we

expected. Both very good break builders, these two, so I expect to

see a lot of high scoring. It was first chance to Luca Brecel, missed

it, left Murphy with an excellent chance. Interesting to see that

interview with the boys suggesting that Shaun Murphy is not nasty, and

it may be the case. With Mark Williams, you can't tell if he is

winning or losing. Maybe he needs to get a little more nasty.

Undoubtably one of the greatest cue ball strikers. And normally a very

good rest player. Didn't expect to see him miss that one. Surely that

red hasn't finished in the one place he can't get it in from? If it has

gone tight on the cushion, Shaun has been very fortunate. It was a very

unlikely miss from one of the best rest players in the world at the

moment. Looked a lot easier than it was, if

he was just rolling the black in, there would have been no problem,

but having to queue down made it very awkward, easy to miss, those

ones, especially first frame. Well, what a kick that was, it just took

off. Look where the White has finished. Amazing, we watched two

matches yesterday afternoon, not a kick. Mark Williams came out last

night, in the match we just commentated on, there have were

none, but now we have had two on the trot. The problem is, it can cause

chalk accumulation on the cue ball and if the players don't get those

balls cleaned regularly, if you have a bad kick on the black ball and the

referee does not clean it, chances are there will be a circle of

spotted chalk on the black. If they accrue over a match you will get

kicks all the time. Why does Ronnie O'Sullivan never have the cue ball

cleaned, then? I've never asked him, but he is the only player I know who

can have kick after kick and does not bother getting the cue ball

cleaned. If you strike down on the ball it can cause a kick effect. It

is not a kick way you get a spot of chalk on the object ball afterwards

but it can cause the same effect. Ronnie does not suffer that because

he strikes the ball so cleanly, with a level cue. He is the only one I

know that gets kicks and does not get the cue ball cleaned afterwards,

not very often, anyway. Yellow is the stumbling block here.

Got to be careful not to catch it on the way back. Very lucky kiss, if he

called it full ball, he would be leaving the red on. Not judged the

safety shot to perfection but got away with it.

Difficult ball striking for Luca. Caught it a fraction of him. As long

as all these threads are covering each other, no harm done. I think

the green is blocking one, so he may have got away with that.

That's an excellent reply from Luca. Just having a little bit of bowtied

treatment, there. -- bowtie. It's Paul Collier, isn't it, that's his

name. You won't remember John Callier, will you? I remember Norman

Collier! Well, it's been a good safety

battle, this past three or four shots. Obviously this match would

involve too much safety. The black is in open play, so whoever does

manage to pot a read, you would expect them to get 40 or 50 points,

the way the balls are. Shaun Murphy has always been prone to hit that

shot too thick, sometimes. He's been very fortunate not to leave this

read on. -- red on. Great shot from Luca. He would have

been very unfortunate if that white ball had gone in that centre pocket.

Now that it hasn't done, he has a choice of blue or black. I think he

would love to play the black but it's a very testing shot from near

the jaws of that middle pocket. The problem is, if he does pot the lack,

it's going to be surrounded by reds, you would think. He has slightly the

wrong angle on the blue, but there are still reds hit the play for from

it. Well, good shot. That was well struck. He would love to get that

pink ball back on its spot. That would mean break-building from the

position that these reds are in. Well, he's played that very well if

he's got the gap between the two reds, which I think he has.

Excellent positional shot. The red just to the left of the black as we

look, he needs to get rid of that next, and if he does, it becomes a

frame-winning chance. He's about to have another chance to do that.

That's a very poor shot, I don't know why he would play for a

different red to that, because he does not have the angle to get back

on the black, unless he can force it. Yes, that's poor play, really.

He had an excellent chance, there. He didn't need to try and cannon

that red with such power. He could have just screwed and forced it over

towards the red and he would still have been on the back. As long as he

got the correct cannon... In fact, he is snooker appear on all six

colours. Brown ball. He missed that by a mile. This will be coming back,

possibly. REFEREE: Foul, Luca Brecel 17, Shaun

Murphy four. If Shaun feels he can play a good safety here... If he put

it on the baulk cushion behind the brown committee would have Luca in

trouble. The problem is that Luca is going to hit the brown at some point

and if he can hit its all ball, you might even snooker Shaun. -- if he

can hit it full ball. Well, you couldn't have asked for

much more than that, Luca. Knowing Shaun as I do, if he can get through

to the red to the right of the pink, we might see one of Shaun Murphy's

special screw back shots, here. APPLAUSE

Well, that was beautifully cued, wasn't it? Dominic Thiem mention the

cue power this wasn't it? Dominic Thiem mention the

at the end he should have perhaps won it. He missed an easy read and

could have walked away with a nice cheque for ?32,000 in his pocket,

but it wasn't quite to be in the end. But he's still coming into this

event with a lot of nice confidence boosters behind him. One of the

game's great players now, Shaun, so this will be a test for Luca. Luca

has still got a lot of learning to do but for his young age that he is,

he has a lot of experience now. He has played for many years on the

European tour and exhibitions and the like. One so young, he has a

more experience than most. Yes, I think that is one of the key things

that helped Shaun Murphy in the early part of his career. He used to

be sponsored by Doc Martens at the time. He was sponsored in events and

there was a Matchroom Pool league going on and he used to play the

exhibition match at the start. He is another young player who has been

blessed with playing some of the top players. It has stood him in good

stead. Triple Crown winner. Beautiful cueist, Shaun Murphy, but

for the type of player he is, I know he is a great potter and a great

break-builder, he uses a very small tip size, Shaun Murphy. Just under

nine millimetres. That's because his old Hugh, which was an old cue from

the billiards days, eight Tom Newman cue, he felt it was sufficiently

damaged at the tip end to warrant changing to a new cue, but the cue

that he is using now is modelled on it. That's why the tip size is

smaller than most you see on the circuit. As this is virtually game

ball, he made sure he was pretty close to it so he could roll it in

and have some sort of shot on the brown or the black. He doesn't have

to power it out to get in on the black. You saw how type that was,

that wobbled. 43 points in front, 43 left. This is frame ball.

Shaun Murphy should take a 1-0 lead thanks to that break of 60.

REFEREE: Foul, Shaun Murphy four, frame conceded. Scrappy early on but

an excellent break of 60 takes Shaun Murphy into the lead, 1-0.

STUDIO So, Luca Brecel happy to throw in

the towel on that one. A good start for Shaun Murphy. Yes, one or two

early shots that weren't too good. I think people don't understand that

even the best players in the world suffer from pressure when they go

out there. They've probably been waiting a little while to go out on

the table and they have their thoughts going round in their head.

But it is an impressive rate, but there is no certainty that Shaun

Murphy will win this match. If Luca starts to get on a spell, he can pot

all over the place and score heavily and his long potting is tremendous.

Perhaps he is a bit too aggressive sometimes, but why not? Like Ronnie

O'Sullivan said, why not just enjoy yourself out there instead of

worrying about everything? Yes, enjoy yourself on the table. What is

your assessment of Brecel's game? He is one of two players last year who

made it really find the tournament, to surprise packages. Where do you

think he is now? I saw him play against Mark Selby last year and he

played exceptionally well. He can do that. I've seen him play well in

other events. But he hasn't quite broken through yet like we thought

he would. He was so good when he was 14 or 15 and he was winning amateur

events. He came into the professional game. His long potting

and his break-building are his strengths, which I suppose is the

same for most younger players and that's how it should be. At 1.I

think he was the youngest player to play in the World Championship,

wasn't he? -- at one point. It took even Hendry's record. -- he took

Stephen Hendry's record. COMMENTATOR: A good start from Shaun

Murphy, that 60 break in the first frame. He can be devastating, Shaun

Murphy, over a short period of frames or is that he can get in and

get out of there very quickly. But so can Luca. Luca can also score

heavily. He got to the final of this event last year, losing out to John

Higgins on this occasion. I beg your pardon, of course, it was the

semifinal. It was Ben Woollaston in the final who lost to John Higgins.

So close to that long read, Shaun Murphy. It stayed in the jaws for

Luca. And these are the sorts of chances that Luca needs to take, as

we have a look at that excellent attempt from Shaun.

Nothing to do with the blue here. The red to the right of the pink is

clearly available. It's actually a better pack to go into from the blue

van from the black. If he hits the red just above the black committee

could stick on them. It's essential to get a half Paul black, here. -- a

half Paul black. If he arcs this, if he hits it half ball, he is bound to

split them. There's a chance he could get one into the corner but

it's unlikely on packs like this that you get one over the corner.

Well, the pink is on. I didn't know that. In saying that, I would still

rather be playing the black here than the pink. Well, he's developed

one, well done. Well done. That's just his problem at the

minute, he's so careless. At this standard, you should never miss a

black off the spot. You can forgive them laying a blue in and out of

baulk, or lose at pace. But blacks off the spot, that's something you

practice for hours and hours. He shouldn't miss one of those.

The angle Shaun had on that red wasn't particularly favourable for

him. This was the best he could have done for position on the black. He's

going to take the cue ball in and out of baulk here and come up and

down the table for a choice of reds. That was the last thing he wanted to

do, cannon the browns. Now faced with a difficult safety. Unless he

can get through to this red near the corner. If he can come he will take

it on. APPLAUSE

That's superb cueing from Shaun. It's funny how this game works out.

In some regards its better that Shaun ended up playing a shot like

that because now he has potted it and got on the black, that cueing

alone will give him further confidence.

Delicate little screw shot into the pack just to bring the pink further

into play. Already this is worrying signs now for Luca Brecel. Already

these -- all these matches are best of seven and you can't afford to

give one of the best players in the world a two frame start. In a few

minutes' time, the equation could be that he will be 2-0 behind.

The white, please. REFEREE: Yeah, sure.

Well. That's one that went astray. I didn't expect that. I expected him

onto -- to be on for the pink in the middle. He just played a full ball

cannon and got the quarter ball cannon. It just shows you, this game

is all about fractions. REFEREE: Shaun Murphy, 31.

Aggressive safety shot from Shaun has left a tempter for Luca. He will

certainly be taking this on. Two ways are playing it. He can drag it

and be on the black or play a stunt run through and be on the black.

Depends what his favourite shot is. Beautifully played. You can't play a

better stunt run through than that. Absolutely sweet as a nut. Superb,

wasn't it? He must start taking these chances, Luca. Not often you

get so many chances so frequently against someone like Shaun Murphy.

He doesn't really want to pop that think, because I don't think it

restarts. I think it would go on the brown spot. He will if he has do,

because at least it wouldn't tie the reds up. That brings the scores

level. He is going to need that one tricky red on the left-hand side

cushion, there. With that black, Luca's lead

advances to 30, so just this red required. He has just played that a

bit softly for my liking. I prefer those firmer. It just skids a little

when you play it softly. But he has got second prize, snookered Shaun on

this red. He got second prize, snookered Shaun on

reflection it's probably a fair score at 1-1.

He's hoping if he plays this really slow, he may get the snooker back.

Mind you, that's come off a lot squarer than he expected.

REFEREE: Foul, Luca Brecel four. Just asking whether it is a free

ball or not. Free ball. Green ball. I don't think Sean will come back,

whatever the equation. I think even if he missed the green, Shaun would

probably have conceded. Luca Brecel two and the frame. Yes,

Shaun Murphy does indeed remain in his cheque he concedes. This match

level now at one frame all. I think the thing is with Luca, Dominic Gape

he's going to have to stop missing easy balls. This one is missable,

that's the first thing. But he missed one later on that was a lot

easier than that. I mean, this one, you can miss them. But he's missed

two blacks off the spot already in this match. My criticism of Luca is

that he's prone to hitting the ball too hard. Unless UQ really well,

that's going to cause problems especially out on the TV tables. To

me, that could be Luca's downfall. But he is a player with a great

amount of talent and ability. He is an intimidating player when the

balls are going in and he is scoring heavily and quickly, he can

intimidate some players. As long as he doesn't make carelessness takes,

I think he has every chance of winning this match against Shaun.

The gentleman that coaches young Luca is a man called Chris Henry who

used to coach Peter Ebdon as well. He was saying at a very early age

what a prodigious young talent this man was and we knew about him before

he arrived in this country. Yes, he had wins over professionals like Joe

Perry at a much younger age, something like 14 years old he was

beating professionals. He's always been a great prospect, Luca.

Third frame, 1-1. Honours all even and not too bad a standard so far.

Sean is just looking at whether the black passes the red. If it does he

will take the red on, stop the cue ball dead. Whether he was looking at

whether the blackspot would be available or not, I don't know. We

know the black must pot otherwise he wouldn't have played for it. But

when it goes back onto its own spot, will it block this red above it?

Shaun hoping it would pot, and you can see from that pitch it clearly

will. Like all top players, never misses a

trick when it comes to getting around the black spot. You see other

players messing around with blue and baulk colours. Even now he might

play a flick on to a red knowing he would be on this one. The Canon has

not worked but he tried to bring other reds into play knowing he

would be on the one in the left corner, that's what all the top

break builders do. OK, he is a little unlucky. But at least if you

keep playing the right shots, you will get position.

Similar scenario here, he will have to get into the cue ball to slow it

down. Doesn't have the desired angle he wanted on the black. He will try

to flick off them to slow the cue ball down. In doing that he has

opened one to the bottom corner. That's a six red and black. Wonder

whether Ronnie will rue not going for the maximum. I'm sure everybody

is aware of what happened, there. Maybe Shaun Murphy wants to make a

146. Unfortunately he didn't have the ankle to get on the black, in

his defence. -- the angle. Closest to the spot as possible

without touching, that's what he is trying to do here. Shaun will be

hoping it is available. From that picture it is certainly not.

That's pretty good. 56 in front, this would be 63, three more reds

and colours to be absolutely sure. Very unlike Shaun Murphy, missing a

kiss like that. Don't think I've ever seen him miss a Canon off the

blue like you just did. He could flick this on the right

cushion. Can't believe he has missed that Canon. 69 in front.

This is frame ball. Well played. Seems to be cueing well, now.

Well, he got the cannon this time. He would always like to clear up in

this situation, keep the player off the table, and get your cueing arm

going for the next train. Can't afford to take any chances with your

cueing action, got to keep it smooth, keep it going. The red did

not disappear, Brecel concedes. Impressive set of statistics from

Shaun Murphy, as you would expect from one of the game's elite

players. Been here 16 times. One statistic that impressed me, he won

three out of four of his first round matches. That's not bad because

there are no easy matches in today's's game with the strength in

depth that we have. Brecel breaking off in the fourth frame, important

one for him. Doesn't want to fall 3-1 behind to somebody like Shaun

Murphy in a best-of-7. Important to cover that long red you can

potentially leave off the break. Think he's just about got the cue

ball sufficiently behind the green. I don't know many players that would

have taken that one on. Fantastic cueing again from Shaun, he could

easily have played a safety off that red to leave the cue ball in behind

the blackspot, wouldn't have left anything on. Couldn't get back to

baulk from where he was. May consider himself a little less than

fortunate not to be on the black or the pink. Probably turn the pink

down into the right centre, but I'm sure it's a lot easier than the red

he just knocked in. Perhaps he doesn't fancy potting two low

percentage pots in a row. Looking to see where he wants to leave the cue

ball to leave Brecel in difficulty. the pink, into that little gap, but

I don't know how he could get there. He is in trouble, here. Could be the

old famous hit and hope. Evenly angle he's got on a potential hit

and hope isn't favourable. If he could rest on the three reds around

the pink spot, maybe leave one into the left corner bridging over those

three, because the black weren't pot, I don't think Brecel could get

on a colour. I like it, good thinking. Whether he does that will

remain to be seen. Tell you what, that was nearly a

great effort. He didn't play to hit that red, he played to get on the

three we talked about below the pink. If he had not flicked that

read he would be rested on the nicely. At first glance I think he

may have got away with it. Looks as though the red by the black will pot

but by his first impression, I'm thinking he is not honoured, so

Shaun has been pretty fortunate. There is a pot on for Luca, the one

above the pink will lovably go into the left-centre. -- probably. If

that's all he has got on, the snooker has not really benefited him

a great deal. After all that the red did pot, not

sure Luca was entirely sure, he played it with running side, half as

a shock to nothing. Although I feel he did play for the Brown, and

overrun by six inches. He has got the green but it is a lot more

tricky than it looks, this. Nicely struck, and now he's got a good

chance. All players are excellent in

practice, as you would expect. Allegedly this young man in practice

is awesome. Regularly hits 147s. A lot easier when you are relaxed,

there is no pressure, you can keep your cue arm going. But I think he

is going to win a major in the next three or four years. Just needs to

get it tightened up a little bit, things like that, lapses of

concentration. OK, the kick may have taken a little pace out of the cue

ball. You can see the black jumping so I will give him the benefit of

the doubt. But he just gets a little bit careless sometimes and take

things for granted. Ooh, that was a risky one. Boats

being pushed out spring to my mind, there. I mean, that red just has to

going. Now that it hasn't, look at the way these reds are spread for

Shaun. The cue ball wants to slow down. Another couple of inches, this

black would have been missable. If it wasn't such an important

frame, I wouldn't say it was the wrong choice, but it was so

dangerous, that red he took an. Risking going 3-1 behind, maybe

safety would have been the choice. But there again, if it goes, he wins

the frame, so it is hard to say, really. But he pushed the boat out a

little. Judd Trump would have done the same.

Doing my arithmetic it would appear that Shaun will need all remaining

reds including the tricky want on the right-hand cushion. You never

know, Luca make it back to the table if he is fortunate.

That's more like it from Shaun with the rest. Nice clean pot, perfectly

on the black. He will already be test thinking about the final red,

homicide cushion. Needs a good angle here on the pink -- on the side

cushion. He could come twice across the table for the red. This shot is

all about the pace, the angle is perfect, can't fail to get behind

the red if the pace is OK. Pace isn't OK, it's a bit too pacey.

Going to need the rest again but this is frame ball.

Shaun knows that with the colours on the spot as they are, if he misses

this red, it could cost in the friend.

-- this could cost him the frame. A touch softer and it would have gone

in. A very good attempt. But they are tough pots, especially when it

can mean winning or losing the frame.

This was a topsy-turvy frame, or still is, with three balls to go...

Mind you, this is not good. There is another example of just absolute

careless. He's given himself oceans to do now, he's got to go in and out

of baulk. This looks just about right. It is a fraction hard. That's

all because he played a careless blue. Yes, I don't use the word

careless very often but it was the case. You've got to make sure you

are firm enough. If you are short you've got to play the shot Luca

did, in and out of baulk, it has gone wrong. He can play it into the

centre pocket, if he misses it he will be very unfortunate to leave it

on. If he plays it in the corner, anything could happen. Got to be

right centre, here, surely. Yes, I'd or is say take the black on if it's

on. It is a very simple safety shot, he could put the white at one end

and the black at the other. But you've got to take it on, really.

That was a good example, though, if you missed the black, go safe. What

do you do here if you are Shaun Murphy? The shot here is twice

across, double the black. Ideally the black should finish up behind

the brown spot somewhere. Much too thick. Is he going to get away with

it? Believe me this is a lot tighter and angle than it may look but it is

definitely on, dead weight. Looks so much easier on your screens than it

is in actuality, I can assure you. Well the good news for Luca, Shaun

cannot take it into the corner because he will go in. If it cuts

into the black pocket on the left, it is very thin. Surely he cannot

cut this in, can he? He's trying his best to go for a pot, here. Just

look up to us like he is going to cut it back into the middle, it

doesn't look possible. If it does, where is the tubal going to go?

Because he won't know. Hang on, hang on, hang on... Would you believe it?

Well, what a tremendous cutback that was from Shaun, but he knew full

well he could not control the tubal. -- the cue ball. Luca applauds that

fair effort, but nevertheless this match is tied up once again at 2-2.

No wonder he has a big smile on his face, that is pivotal, bringing it

back to 2-2. Murphy could easily have gone 3-1 up and within one

frame. But Luca showing why he is highly rated by some. He did beat

Mark Selby last year to reach this semifinals. Speaking of Mark Selby,

he is into the last 16 of the 2016 Welsh open. Because he has got the

victory this afternoon, 4-2 in the end. We will see him potting this

one here and we can tell you now that Mark Selby will now play Mark

Williams in the fourth round tomorrow. There were suggestions

earlier, people were saying that perhaps Mark Williams had had a

reasonably easy ride up to this point, but that's all over now that

he's got the world number one Mark Selby tomorrow.

Disappoint think there's many easy rides on the tour these days. You

know what I mean. Well, yes, Mark wouldn't normally be playing one of

the seeds early on as he's in the top 16. Selby is one of the top

players on the the tour, so it is not easy. But the way he played

today it could be a good match. What a remarkable end to that frame. It

is quite exciting in a way. It is. A few chances were missed, but it is

good stuff. OK. It was dramatic, to say the least. But that cue ball

going in gives Brecel a foot hole back into this game at 2-2.

going in gives Brecel a foot hole back into this game at 2-2. It

certainly does. If Shaun Murphy played that shot 20 times I would

only go off once. I didn't think the cut was Anwen he played it. It was

great to see Shaun, once the white was in motion, he but the his hands

over his eyes. He knew it would go somewhere near the corner pocket,

but it found its way into the ponting. A good pot but no bonus. --

found its way into the pocket. A good pot but no bonus. I didn't

think he was on it the way he was cueing. I thought he would hit the

black half ball. I do think I just saw him put his hand up as an

apology to Shaun there. It was tight, but he was fortunate.

A good example stun shot into the pack

A good example into the corner. Now Luca is getting

a bit of run of the ball. That would have been 3-1 to Shaun Murphy had

the cue ball not gone in. He is second favourite now.

It is not much good to him with that red in the corner. It's tricky to

know what to do here. There's a case for a hit and hope. I just don't

know what he can get to past that jaw there. If he can pot this red...

APPLAUSE. That's a better pot. Sometimes those pots are made

slightly easier by virtue that you have no other choice. The only

problem is he has to take this black on and it is not an easy pot. He's

50-50 potting this. Putting himself under pressure, he had to go for

that 50-50 pot. Struck it very well, to be fair. It is just a very tough

pot. Another one like the one he just potted. Of course, he knew full

well he was going to leave his opponents in had he missed it and

knew he would have a chance of 3-2 ahead if he knocked it in. It was

unlucky. This is just one of the best shots

you'll ever see. Couldn't have struck it better. The double-kiss,

the blacks unmissable. It just finished in that position where you

knew it was 50-50 and the pressure made a lot more difficult. Brecel

looked like going 3-1 behind but has every chance now of going 3-2 in

front. Could do with getting the blue back

on its spot. I don't know whether it passes the yellow. That's so

careless to try to play with the rest. Another foot further down the

table and you won't have to use the rest. Such a wonderful player, this

young man. A very good recovery. When you play

what's considered to be not a good positional shot, you regroup and

play the positional shot there, which he did nicely. And another

one. He just amazes me. Keep pushing the boat out, you can't

pot them all the time. This game is a lot more difficult than people

think. But he's had a fantastic run of the ball. Yes, when you consider

he's attempting to get on the next red from that green, five reds in

the open there. He's not got on any one of them. I think Shaun being 37

points in arrears will probably fashion something here. He can

develop one of the awkward reds, maybe the one on the right-side

cushion. But the problem is playing that type of shot is not really

without risk. His problem, Shaun, is the red near the centre pocket

towards baulk. He feels he needs to take this one on. . I'll be honest,

I thought that one was in. It seemed pretty tight. Let's have another

look at this. You would swear that was in wouldn't you? Yes, whether he

took the black on after, that it was worth the risk. Came away from the

jaws. A carals shot. . -- a careless shot.

It looked pretty tied up until then. Yes, this is the part of the game

that Luca still has some learning to do. He is still young, so it is

understandable. Shaun will have experience over his opponent. Just

contacted that red there. A very good cue ball there. This

next safety shot isn't straightforward.

An excellent effort from Shaun. That would have looked in at one stage.

Look at the angle this red had to go into the middle pocket from. So

close. Oh, that's too thin from Luca. That's a poor one. Choices for

Shaun here. He's got pots on, the possibility of a double into left

centre for a position on the black. And in the process he's removing one

of the reds from the cushion. Decided not to play the double. But

he's removed one of the awkward reds, so that's to Shaun's benefit.

A possibility of a cross double here, now he's found be on the

black. You have to play it check side so you don't kiss the red.

What's wrong with getting the white in the jaws of this right-hand

pocket because the black is over the pocket? Just needs somebody to get

hold of this young man and get his safety sorted out, because he is

such a talent. With shot selection more than anything. Unfortunately

the angle on the red, the cross was never on. Obvious Luca assumed the

ball was pass the reds. But somebody like a Shaun or a McManus or John

Higgins would know example where that cue ball would finish. If they

thought it would cannon the reds, they would make sure it didn't by

playing the check sides. A topsy-turvy match continues.

He'll get an angle on the blue and the yellow to try to make things

happen on that end of the table where the last two reds are. This

was a cross double that Luca played. If he played check sides so it

straightens off the cushion, he can't kiss into that red, and that's

going to cost him a few points. How many, that remains to be seen.

Getting the brown back on his spot will be a good idea but I think he's

snookered himself on the brown. He could bring another red into play

here, play two cushions on the left-hand side. I think kiss on the

yellow is just about on. I thought Shaun would have tried to pot the

red the cue ball's next to. But oh, dear, if he had left the red he

potted, which was above the blue, he could have played the cannon, one of

the tricky reds from where the green is there and would be guaranteed to

be on position for the red that he potted previously, if you know what

I mean. But now that's more than likely end of break unless he feels

he wants to attempt this long red into the left-hand side corner.

Never quite know what Shaun will play sometimes. He's a very

aggressive player. Oh, dear, the longest frame of the

match so far, coming up to 19 minutes. A quick look at the potting

angle, doesn't look on to me, but he's having a good look.

It is a little bit risky to play it slow behind the brown, but it will

reap its reward if it happens. He's got play that, because I know its a

slow roll, but the pace he has to play to get in behind the brown,

there is no way the white is going roll off. I think he's playing the

pot. shot but he's put Shaun in trouble.

An excellent recovery. Unlucky the red's come out.

So Luca Brecel is now favourite in this frame.

APPLAUSE. The kiss, so it's OK. A 29 point lead. Perhaps unlucky

when he played the cannon and didn't bring one into play, but the lead is

pretty good where the balls are. If Shaun gets that far, pink to black

is going be a problem. But if this kiss goes wrong... Which I think it

has. It will be end of play in a few moments. Ideally would like to get

on to pink or black off this red and leave Shaun needing a snooker.

Well done. He's taken a while but he has won the frame from here. As he

is 36 points in front he can risk rolling it in dead weight. Luca

Brecel will lead 3-2. A nice little exhibition shot there,

trying to get on to the blue in the middle.

APPLAUSE. Well, a lot of bits and pieces in that frame. It could have

gone either way but Luca Brecel leads by three frames to two. The

turning point was in the previous frame, where Shaun Murphy was faced

with a black which from the commentary position looked

impossible. Just look at the way he's cut this in. 100 miles an hour,

because he has to scrape the paint off this black to get the angle for

it to go into the centre pocket. The black only has to travel 4 inches. I

think as soon as Shaun Murphy saw that cue ball running around the

table he knew it had the angle to go into that right corner. I think luck

ka is clapping him. A big turning point, as we can see with hindsight,

it has all changed round this, match, Willie. He daren't put any

side on it to create a different ang whole the right. He probably

probably thought he couldn't put it on, so it may have thrown, that

close together. Shaun Murphy very disappointed there. Now he faces the

possibility of losing the match. Given the fact that Shaun pot that

the black, I can't say it was the wrong shot. It was unlucky to find

that pocket. It went in without touching the sides. It is

unfortunate that the black went in. As long as the white doesn't, he is

3-1 up. And if he plays it 20 times, it has gone off once. It is amazing.

Nothing really has gone Shaun's way since then. And Luca breaks off

frame 6. It is just he that needs one frame for victory and Shaun

Murphy is under pressure. Can Luca keep things tight and make difficult

for Shaun? A bit scrappy that last frame. Slan be looking to make sure

he doesn't. Doesn't commit any cardinal sins or miss any pots. One

mistake now could be his last. May have gone a little bit too far,

don't know whether he can get through to pot this red in the

middle. He will have a look at this shot, taking his time, now. Could

play a little screw back double if he wanted to.

Absolutely brilliant. As played. Very hard to judge that. Excellent

chance for the lead in what could be the deciding frame.

Amazing how sometimes kicks can cost position, sometimes they can help.

Just load the white down. Perfect angle on the black to stun off the

cushion. You may see Luca play the stunt run through off the pack,

here. The only thing I could go wrong, he could finish tight on the

cushion for the black. Worth the risk.

Still finish nicely. A little unlucky to be so straight. He has

developed enough roads. -- enough reds. If this goes in I think Shaun

will be rather consistent. -- rather concerned.

That could have been passport to frame and match. But doesn't appear

to have left an easy popcorn. Don't think he will want to take anything

on very risky. Already 23 point behind in this frame. -- doesn't

appear to have left an easy pot on. One for the double, good choice.

Can't afford any more mistakes now, Shaun Murphy, and he knows it.

That almost went astray, that safety shot. If the blue was on its pot he

could risk playing this dead straight but it will be a hard shot

on the colour should it go in. Excellent pot, it has given him a

chance of frame and match. Lots of loose reds, colours and play. In

hindsight that could have cost him the match.

Absolutely. Murphy will feel very fortunate now if he gets back to the

table. Luca already 28 points to the good. To be honest only really one

tricky red. Two including the one by the yellow. But he will be well past

the winning frame by then. Looking very calm and assured here,

Luca. Karma goes about his work. -- calmly goes about his work. Just

Luca. Karma goes about his work. -- after this black.

You would expect Shaun Murphy to have the better of it. 60, 31, 69,

57 the breaks. Luca's his highest break was one 39, but now he finds

his place in the last 16. STUDIO: What a win for Luca Brecel.

And drama to knock out the world number four. Shaun Murphy, who went

out in round two last year and goes no further than round three in this

year's tournament. Terry, what drama, a sliding doors moment in

frame four, when we saw Murphy cutting in the black on the tightest

of angles. The cue ball goes in and from that moment the initiative went

Brecel's wave. You get a feeling sometimes when something like that

happens it can turn. Shaun laughed about it but he was disappointed. It

did turn the match around. But Luca clinched the last frame in style. It

was not straightforward. Reds, they were all over the place. Murphy had

all the breaks. Luca's his highest rate was 52 and he has won the

match. What can you say. His safety is not the best in the world, but he

always commits to the shot, it does not matter what is on. He will join

us and we will get his thoughts. Shaun Murphy, he was firm favourite,

even allowing for how well Luca Brecel has been playing, he would

have been favourite? Yes, he is one of the best in the world. A

multi-winner. Luca is on the way up but as they mentioned in commentary,

he got to the final in the German and the shoot out. Only one frame,

but no difference, it helps. He comes here with momentum, and a bit

of prize money, which is a boost. Luca, congratulations, you are

through to the last 16 and what a dramatic way to do it. What are your

thoughts? A win is a win, I guess. There are wins, but it's one of what

happened in frame four, when Murphy cut in the black and the cue ball

went in and instead of him going 3-1 up, it was 2-2. I should not have

missed that black but he was and unlucky. I was struggling, but so

did Shaun. He took his chances and in the end I did it. I am happy. We

can remind you. This was when it hinged on the final black. Could you

believe you got this in? I did not think it was possible to pot it. He

is covering his eyes. What are you thinking? I would have done the

same. I was happy it was two each. What will you applauding? I thought

it was a good shot. You have been in great form, getting to the final of

the German Masters, the semifinal here last year. You must be pleased.

It is a great month. I have been winning a lot of matches and can

only be happy, but I am not playing my best. Perhaps 50%. I have a lot

to improve, but we will see. Terry Griffiths said, during the

presentation, you are a player who likes to go for each shot. You do

not hang about. You are a positive player. Yes, sometimes I play

positive, sometimes negative, it depends on the day. Today it was