Final - Part 1 Snooker: Welsh Open

Hello. It is the kind of final but they were all hoping to see. To do

the very best. The world number three, Neil Robertson, I been to

lift the trophy for the second time, a man hoping to go for his fourth

Welsh Open title. I would like to think that some of

the things that I play is the greatest that anyone has ever

played. I have not got seven world titles, I've got five. Not as many

as Hendry and Davis, not far behind. But this year standard and scoring

and shots and whatever, I would like to think that it is anyone has ever

produced in the game. Probably the match that everyone wants to see.

Especially, I have won the last two huge tournaments, and he won the

Masters. We have won back wrote the last three titles. And it is England

against Australia. He is competing to a level that again, is as good as

anyone has played in the game. He scored 100 centuries in one year. He

was involved in a great match at the Masters. He has been playing

flawless snicker. He is playing in an era that is as hard as it is ever

been. -- snooker. You only have to have admiration. I have never seen

him play better, and not BOOING

Also some of the greats. I never saw the 80s and

it is more important that people go away that people go away having had

a great time. Hopefully, we have both played a great match. It would

be nice to win, but if I did not, I still think I have had a fantastic

week. I have enjoyed it. I am not a good loser, so I will be trying

might absolute whatevers off. I want to win. Of course I want to win. But

I am up against the Machine! It has been a long time. 2009 was my

last semifinal. The crowd had been waiting a long time for me to get

back to that one-table set-up. It is nice to get into another final. This

was the second tournament I ever won. This is how Neil Robertson made

it to the final. One frame from going out in round one, before

winning the decider against Fraser Patrick. After that, a smooth ride.

His toughest battle clinic is Mark Allen, but a 6-4 win for Robertson.

And Ronnie, well, he lost the first frame in three of his matches, but

it is not being an issue each time. He has come back to win compared to

be. Most important -- most impressively in the quarterfinal

when he won 5-1. Only five frames dropped in six matches. It does

promise to be some occasion. A good afternoon to Willie Thorne. An

impressive step from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Magnusson snicker

throughout the week. He is on the book -- verge of something special.

He has been so relaxed this week. We have seen him smiling and all the

rest of it. A relaxed running oh Sullivan is very dangerous. --

Ronnie O'Sullivan. Newell had to get off to a good start. He could have

lost the next two against Mark Allen. He was referring to Robertson

as a machine. That is the Mac of a serious champion. -- mark of a

serial champion. Ronnie -- mark has changed his approach. He is number

three of the work -- in the world. This is two sessions. Best of 17

frames. Who has the best mental stamina? I think Robertson will have

stamina if you guys guys. But he has to start well. A real sense of

anticipation here. The players are getting ready to make their grand

appearance. Let's join our MC. The final of the bet Victor Welsh Open

2016. We started off with 128 players, we now just have two. They

are battling it out for a ?60,000 first prize. Australia versus

England. Let's get it on! First of all, the biggest name in the world

of snooker. The five-time world champion, three-time Welsh Open

champion, he loves the Welsh, please welcome the incredible Ronnie

O'Sullivan! It is up against a natural born

winner. He is struck -- he is from Australia. The Thunder from Down

Under. Neil Robertson! It is the final of the 2016 Welsh

Open. Darren Morgan and Dominic Dale.

COMMENTATOR: This could be a very thrilling final. They have played

each other 14 times. Neil Robertson has had more recent victory in the

semifinals of last year 's Masters. He won 6-1 on that occasion. We

could be set up for a really good in counter. Alongside me is Darren

Morgan. Adhesive is going down? It's going to be a long one, you would

feel. You would have to put Ronnie O'Sullivan slight favourite, because

he has played flawless snicker. Neil Robertson, every time he has had to

rise to the task, he has. I think as Ronnie said, is this all

going to be that the start. They are going to have to get off to a good

start. When a couple of the early frames. Put Ronnie under as much

pressure as possible. We saw all week, when running start locking

them in, at the moment, he is very confident. He is in a real good

place of the table. He has improved his game immensely. I had a little

chat with him early on, and I said that life begins at 40. He said that

he is playing like he is 14 or 15. It took in that long to really enjoy

himself, to create a powerful where he wants to go. For him to allow

himself to -- express himself. He is playing like it is exhibition

snicker. We know it is very serious matchplay.

This is the best of 17 frames. The first of nine -- the first 29 will

be the victor. Ill Robertson started yesterday's

semifinal rather hesitantly. He needs to be more positive early on

against Ronnie O'Sullivan. If he does not just stop playing well

straightaway, from the word go. Nothing too shoddy about that one.

He keep that absolute perfection. -- cued that to absolute perfection.

There you go. You can see a near capacity house in attendance. It

will be further tonight. The concluding session of this year's

final. A wonderful attendance this week at the Welsh Open. It has been

heartening to see, as a snooker player myself.

Robertson trying to get the red in the right centre, but trying to keep

things nice and tight. He will be a little bit disappointed, Neil

Robertson, after knocking a great long red in, only to get six.

That is a lot thinner than he would have liked. This is a half chance

finial. For it has -- the sponsor's logo has

come. They have found it stuck their cue, and then stuck to! This is a

much better start than what Newell had in the semifinal. He looks up

for this. -- as always, it will take the place a

few shot to -- it will take the players a few shots. They are trying

to work out a way of getting the black ball into play. There is a

plant there to the left corner. I don't think that Niall will need to

bother with that. -- sailing, that effort. Everything is

just covering each other. Now the plant that I mentioned earlier could

come into play. There it goes. If he is not on a colour here, he will be

very is not on a colour here, he will be

snicker. -- escape the snooker. That has rebounded quite nicely from the

pocket jaws. He is quite well set here on the brown into the Green

Park it -- Green pocket. A couple of fibres stick out and it

catches your eye. It has made things awkward at the

other end of the table. He has had to concentrate in the few

opportunities that he has had. It is OK. He potted this red. The

bottom one of the three. Heat keeps getting the right side of

the blue. This could be a frame-winning chance. Ideal now.

There is risk with that shot. That is what he is looking at.

Three quarters of the table time, Neil Robertson, in this opening

frame. That is why he is only a a few pots away from winning it. He

may have the opportunity here potting this red to stun into the

red. To the left of the black, to split it up.

So, red, blue and red to get this opening frame for Neil.

That Fred was frame ball for Neil. Play the black here, and stun the

ball into the red. It will kick along the position towards the left

corner. He took his eye off the black, but Ronnie, if he does come

up to the table, will need two sniggers. Neil Robertson takes the

opening frame. He leads by 1-0. STUDIO: Yes. Good start by Neil

Robertson. Worth a look at how these two measure up at this stage. We see

that they are not too far apart in the world rankings. The 27 ranking

titles. In terms of their clear career head-to-heads, money is up

9-5. Perhaps the interesting thing is that they have not met too many

times in the last two and a half years. The last time that they met,

it went to Robertson. That was in the 2015 masters. You would think

that they are the two best players in the world, and they would meet

often, but Ronnie has been picking and choosing his tournaments. They

could be in the others -- other half of the draw. As we talked about post

match, or pre-match, Robertson would have to get off to a good start.

That would suit Robertson, and -- a scrappy opening frame. Ronnie did

not get any fluency at all. Newell has a foothold in the net. He got

off to a good start. Ronnie has lost three of his opening frames this

week. That is amazing. Let's go back.

COMMENTATOR: It was a scrappy first frame, but Neil Robertson and

knocked in a couple of real good long pots.

I do agree with Willie. With the way that the first frame went.

Obviously, running is not going to be worried at all. -- Ronnie. What

is most worrying is that he is playing around with his tip.

We have not seen him doing that at all this week.

It looked like, for a minute, that the bread was going to go in the

right corner. -- the red. Neil Robertson in a bit of trouble now.

APPLAUSE Both these players will be pleased to see the black still in

open play. They will have to attack and break build. Both are very

proficient in that department of the game.

He just caught that read too thickly, Ronnie. It caught and

another raid on its weight back to Boult. It's in the red corner if you

want to go for it. It was brought back fraught with danger.

He is having a good look at this. It is just the side of the cost of

going into the corner pocket. He is going to have to play this with

pace. It is tight. Very tight. He has got

the second part of the shot right. He has got a reasonable cue ball. He

left running chanced to the left corner. It is all about leaving a

chance. -- Ronnie. Good effort from Ronnie. He has not

quite got into the match. He has not got his cue arm and timing and

rhythm going just yet. It is early days in this match, from his point

of view. He scored five points in the first frame.

Well, that is amazing how Newell has found the gap there and not cannoned

any of the reds. I am not sure he thinks it goes. If he has to play

the blue, it is not easy to get on the next red.

Even if you can get to the bottom angle on this black, there is no

guarantee of the control of the cue ball. He will do well to miss the

red on the top cushion. Obviously, him potting the black, he is going

to tie it up, somewhat. He is putting it back on its own spot. We

could see a similar pattern to the previous frame here. Yes, I think he

has decided that the black does go. He should be able to avoid the

cannon on the top cushion. When it re-spots, it is tied up for now.

APPLAUSE The black is now truly tied up. Can

he get on this thread? To the left-centre... It should be a bonus

if this goes. If not... He has won at the top. A chip back to the

corner. Already down, this red must go.

Again, there wasn't much room but he has played it well, back in good

position now. Just had a look to see if the black

wood pot into the right corner. Possibly to see if the red to the

left of the black would also pot. And doors, he has played Britt, and

when he plays for this, this will really open up the black. I think he

had to bend it in slightly, to straighten the potting angle. That

is why he can and the red and he played it as a stunt shot. Putting

this black, it could clear the black spot area, this is a good chance

developing for Neill. Having a little look to see if he

can part this red into the corner. He would love to play that shot. As

Dominic says... It will clear the black spot area. Make things a

little bit easier for him. I think he thought in potting the black he

would get a much thicker contact. He has played to cam in the black

and it has worked out OK. That could have gone wrong. He will be quite

happy with the finished A bit lower on this black than he

would have liked. Looking to see if he can get into the cluster of the

reds. Going right to the bottom of the cue ball. Well... He just cause

it a little bit too full, I think but he should still be on the red in

the right it will be a bonus. He meant to catch the outside of the

red he initially hit. Wanted the cue ball to go to the right.

Neil will be the first to admit he was somewhat fortunate to have the

red on into the right-centre and it has gone in. From his point of

Not on this thread as well as he sailing. 51 points in the lead, to

Not on this thread as well as he would have liked, he caught the

black a little bit thick, it went in-off the jaw. Still no problem.

So... 66 ahead, 67 on the table, a nice, it easy blue. I think it's

fair to say Neil Robertson will go to frames up.

APPLAUSE This has been a completely different

start for Neil than to his semifinal. He has come out of the

blocks like a little bit. -- whippet.

I am sure this crowd would love him to get a century earlier on in this

match. He needed a lucky little kiss and he

hasn't got it. This is going to require a really good pot. To

continue this break and hopefully go on for the century.

Are we going to see a new Robertson special?

We are not. We'll Ronnie come to the table? I think it's a good decision

for Ronnie O'Sullivan. APPLAUSE

He hasn't had any table time whatsoever, really. This is not an

easy read. He will have no aspirations, I don't think, of

winning this brain, this is all about potting a couple of balls.

Well... It hasn't gone in, he might even concede. Obviously, the

gentlemanly thing is to concede after your opponent has played his

shot. And Ronnie is a gentle man when he is out there.

There is value in doing this. Trying to keep Neil on the table a little

bit longer, he has found his rhythm. Ronnie will be trying out a way to

knock him out of that. Try a doubt of safety.

Frame conceded, frame, Neil Robertson. Ronnie has had enough. A

lucky break of 78, Neil will be happy, Ronnie O'Sullivan is in

unknown territory, 2-0 down, the first time this week. STUDIO: a

banana for Neil Robertson. Unusual for Ronnie O'Sullivan. As we know,

relatively less damaging, the best of 17 frames, we have not seen

Ronnie having to fight. It will be interesting to see how he performed

is, the first time his back is against the wall, the first of 17.

Ronnie is not there at the minute, he hasn't had a chance, you could

expect him to score 50 or 60 but Robertson is doing what he has to

do. Essential for Ronnie to get a foothold in the match. If Robertson

can go three or four ahead, there is every chance of him winning. Ronnie

is popping out for a break, making Robertson hang on. It's interesting,

the first time this week he has taken table time. His opponent has

had practice. Now and then, you have to get your cue am going, get a feel

of the table. Your cue am, he might have slept badly, he could have a

stiff arm, he came in and practice before the match, 30 minutes, still

feeling OK. But this is a massive frame for Ronnie, we know he can be

petulant if things are not going his own way. Let's see how things

progress. COMMENTATOR: I think Willie has hit

the nail on the head. The first important juncture of this match so

far. If he fell three frames behind, it would be an uphill town square

him. Never really settled down in any match until you do get the

scoreboard rolling, get that first frame on the board and Ronnie will

be very keen to do that as soon as he can.

Trying to get through to the red in the right corner. He is going to

play this safety. Even if he can get through to it, he doesn't fancy it.

That is something we have not seen all week. Ronnie hitting a ball

collar. Neil has got a perfect chance of making the red through the

gap between the red and black. I think he has had a bit of a kick.

Judging by the size of the side that he gave what Ronnie will be quite

happy. Most players would have had the cue ball cleaned but Ronnie

Dawson. The red to golf. Obviously, he has got some kind of... A bit of

chalk on at or some foreign body. This is his first opportunity in the

match. He is not happy with his tip. A

couple of shots ago... When he was cueing of the cushion, it was

fraying on the one side a little bit. Obviously, it is annoying him

as he is looking down the barrel of the cue.

When things go good, it doesn't really matter of what you are

looking at. When things are not going so well... Any little thing

can put you off. It can be very off-putting when you

are about to strike the cue ball, you see a spot of chalk or something

that distracts you, that is why he had it clean.

This is the shot... A deep screw shot into the pack should pull the

red to the right, to the corner. APPLAUSE

I thought there is no way this could go wrong but it has gone slightly

astray. He has still got a shot at a red to the yellow pocket, and a thin

one to the left middle. You would have expected it to be really easy

on something from there. APPLAUSE

Well, there is an exhibition shot for you. If he messed that, he was

leaving new Robertson three easy reds. It doesn't mean anything, he

played it as if the red was right over the hall.

Another opportunity for Ronnie to bring further reds into play. That

has gone wrong. Played both threads together, it would have left him

nicely on the red to the right corner, he caught the left-hand one

fully, the cue ball ran through an insurer to blocking his intended

red. Fortunately, he can still pot the red into the left corner or the

centre. He is in full flow. Makes it look so

easy. He must be the best striker of the

ball, he has developed a technique that just repeats itself, shot in,

shot out. That was a terrible contact that

Ronnie suffered, it could mean the end of the break. Just a view more

parts needed to get his first frame in this final. He is going to

require a second opportunity. Excellent safety, nevertheless.

Neil, if he desires, has the opportunity of a long red to the

right corner, you can see the kick there. Yes, of all the shots, no

chance of getting in the black. Ordinarily, the cue ball would have

run on a foot further. They don't come any better than

that. He has got a long way to go to get back into this spring, never

mind winning it. What a body blow this would be for Ronnie also open.

If new Robertson, somehow... Was to make a counterattack with this

effort. What a great long red that was and you can see it, Ronnie was

sitting in his chair, thinking, probably, he will drop this Reading,

after he has had the kick, it looks like he will win the frame for

definite, you can't legislate for a kick. This could be a massive body

blow. Long way to go. I am sure O'Neill's train of thought

is to catch sight of the blue, play a little cannon and he knows he will

be guaranteed to be on a red to the right centre at the very worst. That

has finished probably as right centre at the very worst. That

was ever likely to do. Not cannon on the yellow. A very bad

safety by his standard afterwards. It was a shot to not think, he hit

it too thickly but another chance here.

He needs all the remaining balls in order to steal the third frame.

He will be playing off the red either for pink or black. The pink

is... Better choice. If he can get real close to the red on the top

cushion, the half ball... He will play the drop in, otherwise, I think

we might see him hit around the table and play the snooker in behind

the black. Just having a little look to see where he needs to put the cue

ball to get as close as he can to that red.

One thing he doesn't want to be is dead straight on this link because

if he is, he will not be able to get close on the red and he has a nice

little angle. And that, is just about perfect, I think, a little

angle, he can drop in the red, perfect weight, a little half ball

on the black. Yes, he finishes nice and low on the

black, in natural angle to play for yellow in the left centre. Is this

end? Neil, Neil... That could have been a very important part of this

final so far. That could be a mini turning point. Neil could have gone

on and made that clearance to keep Ronnie under the cosh. Wouldn't

normally miss those but he knew the importance of it. And now the red

has gone then, Neil finds himself needing a snigger. I don't think he

expects to have the opportunity to play for it. -- needing a snooker.

Ronnie O'Sullivan may get his first frame on the small scoreboard. I

wonder if that missed red from Neil Robertson could come back to haunt

him. In goes the pink, Ronnie is not too

pleased with the contact but nevertheless, aided by his own

break, he gets his first frame on the board but still trails Neil

Robertson. 2-1. STUDIO: Ronnie is off for another

break, feeling slightly better, but intensely what a pivotal moment. He

potted a great read, looked like he would win the frame, new Robertson

live like winning until he had the shot on the top cushion. This has

surprised me this week, it caught the near jaw. What I can't

understand is why there has been so many breaks in this tournament.

Considering the pockets are so tight, interesting that Ronnie is

having a chat with the referee, he feels like the cue ball is

collecting hearers or something from the cloth, whether he is asking for

the cue ball to be changed, we will find out. It has been cleaned a

couple of times already. More than it has been so far. How do you

explain the pockets and the Joss? They are regulation? Exactly the

same templates every tournament, virtually the same fate comes to

every tournament, why pockets plays so tight, maybe it's the cloth. They

are all shape the same. Sometimes it's different, it has always been

the same over the 25, 30 years I have been involved, sometimes they

are tied, sometimes not. They appear tied this week, at the centuries

have been amazing. Lots of them but despite that, no doubt we will get

back in touch with that later but let's rejoin the action in the

arena. , Tez in the context of this match,

this is an important frame. Neil Robertson will want to assert

himself with a 3-1 lead. That is what he would've been thinking, to

have any chance. Minimum, too. -- two. At at least take three at the

first four. It that like Ronnie was going to win the third frame with a

big break. Probably the right result in the end. Newell had a great

chance of pinching it, and he will know that.

He played that pretty well, Neil. The way that the reds are spread,

every mistake could be the last before the mid-session interval. It

is imperative that the safety shot played here is a good one. He will

be so tempted to hit this red in the right centre. But if he can get the

cue, he can get this black office red. He will be happy with that.

Obviously, is that it is important to get the cue ball tight eliminate

that shot. He is playing it on the bottom left-hand side. He has play

that he has to play it at pace. The cannon from red to read or colour.

He does not want coming into the centre of the table. He has been a

bit fortunate, there. He has left the red to right centre.

He is trying to keep the pressure on. Earlier in the week, it shows

important to Ronnie, early in the week, he would have been going to

right centre. He has gone for nearly everything. For his opponent, the

problem being that it has all in. That is what I was on about. That

cue ball is Ronnie could be forced to doing

this. If you can think of a safety shot, he would like to stick the

ball down in the corner pocket. Ronnie felt that he had to take that

one on. Great pot. Now that the red has gone in, he has to consider

himself rather unfortunate to be on some sort of a pot on some colour.

At least that has gotten out of the hole that he was in. The problem is,

it is not easy. Not easy to come up with constructive safety shot.

He will have a go at the red. He knew he was going to get reasonable

cue ball. These reds are now nicely spaced around the fullness of the

snooker table. Just a little bit wide with that red. Where is it

going? It was merely a fluke, but not quite.

He has left this on, you know. What a chance this is. Ever so

disappointed, Newell, if he could not win the frame from an

opportunity like this. Absolutely everywhere, these reds. Like a

cherry tree! All about keeping tight control now,

with his cue ball. He has another loose reds. They are in the open to

make sure that he can win this frame before it starts getting too

difficult. He needs to ensure that he gets high value colours with the

reds. He can afford to have a couple of

low value colours if there are colours at the other end of the

table. With the next pot, he will be playing for the blue to get down to

these rates. -- reds. Trying to leave the two nearest the fit -- F10

cushion to last. The cue ball travelled little bit further

Neil Robertson freely admitted that there was a time when he is to roll

into the cup in the afternoon and the two or three hours practice, but

not these days. He is a much harder work than that. He does

He has taken these very well. He would've expected to have scored

quite a few, he has taken these very smartly. He is going to enjoy his

interval, 3-1 head of Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Have not seen century yet. Could this be the one?

He has got every chance now. It is the one awkward red.

That was not a great contact. He was a lot thinner on the blue than he

would have liked. He may feel the value in scanning the red of the

blue. He has gone for a more difficult green. He will be quite

happy. The 76 follows up the earlier 78. Ronnie O'Sullivan has a lot to

think about. You tell 3-1. STUDIO: So, halfway through the

first half, as it were. Robertson re-establishing the two frame lead

over Ronnie O'Sullivan as he heads for the in -- mid-session interval.

I guess it is kind of a roll reserve full -- reversal situation. I

Sullivan let Robertson back in to regain the two frame lead. This game

is about fractions. Ronnie O'Sullivan is playing the red in the

middle of the pocket as a shock to nothing. He is playing at, but he

catches the four jaw, comes through the gap, and landed over the corner

pocket, and that is what we talk about. It's all about fractions. It

would have been safe. But the beauty of the first four frames is that

Ronnie can still be counted. We took about it in the studio last night.

To have any chance, you have to show that you are there. Ronnie can be a

little bit temperamental, and we have seen him walk out in the past.

He is not in that kind of frame of mind, but the beauty of Robertson is

that he has got Ronnie thinking. I would not be surprised if Ronnie has

a little practice. But it is that because he has been kept off the

table. He does not look as happy as he has looked in the matches this

week. I'm surprised that he has had so much trouble with the cue ball.

It is the carpet fibres. He was chatting to the referee, whether he

was suggesting changing the white, the hairs coming off the brush,

sometimes the hair falls out the brush. But it was so unusual. Many

times in snooker, you have had the white ball changed, but the visit --

because it is picking up excess dust. Robertson was referred to as

Robocop figure. There is more to his game than simply that. He is a

century break machine. I don't think we would see anyone making 100

centuries in a season. When you make that, I don't think he will do that.

He is a seasoned matchplay player. We will have the second session

shortly. We are going to be talking about young players. Michael White,

the Welshman, made headlines for putting out John Higgins. For those

in the know, his success came as no surprise. He was tipped for big

things from an early age. We may have unearthed a young start. Liam

Davies is only nine years old. Could he be the next Michael White?

If you have great potential, people are always going to talk. I just

tell Liam to practice as much as he can, and just enjoy it. When you

enjoy it, that is when you are quickest. And more clearly. I just

tell him to keep playing. He is just a fantastic talent. He

has got something special. When I first saw him come he was about

seven years of age, and you could see that he had a bit of flair and

talent. He is very short. That was the only thing, so he could not

quite get to the cue on the table. So he was signed on. I was just

watching it on TV, and are said to my dad, can I go down to the snooker

hall? Isis of -- started off not very good, and I stuck at it. In

the's case, he takes every thing in. If he sees something played a

certain way, he tries to guide the club and you will see him on

Saturday, and he will say that he has learned running -- learn

something from Ronnie. If he keeps improving the way he has, he is

going to be a very good player in a few years' time.

He is a typical nine-year-old. He lives and breathes snooker. He goes

to school, can't wait to get home, and get on the snooker table. He

practices for two hours a day. The practices from ten o'clock in the

morning to four o'clock in the afternoon. Whenever he can get into

a tournament. He does quite well. He's better than his dad! I still

play against him now. It is 4-0 or 5-0. Everyday! Two weeks ago, he

played in on un-14th event in Wales, and he went and won it. He did well.

I won the Welsh under 14s. I won 2-0, 2-0, then 3-0 in the final.

Then I lost in the semifinal. That was in the underage teens. -- under

18s. He has a father who is very level-headed. He is realistic in

what he wants Liam to achieve. Lee Walker, who coaches at the red

triangle snooker club, wants me to take mites -- coaching badge. I can

look after the academy when he is gone. I have started my own academy.

Every little helps, as they say. Highest break of 62. My strength in

the game is safety. We have a good relationship. Snooker has brought us

closer together, closer than ever, and in all fairness, the people

around us, Lee Walker, Darren, Mark, they are great. We have a great

relationship. He got his waistcoat, the dickie bow, he just needs to

enjoy it. Iniesta pop the balls, take everything in his stride, -- he

needs to pot the balls. Make it fun, try not be too serious with it. It

will happen at his own speed. He is a very good player at very young

age. He has got all of the pedigree to go the way. It all comes down to

what Liam wants. I am number one, -- I want to be world champion.

Remember the name! We will keep an eye on him.

How hard is it to get into snooker if you are a youngster? I suppose in

Wales, football and rugby is out there. Snooker hasn't got the

exposure. We have to point the youngsters to them. It is

it is such a lovely young man. He follows me on Twitter, and every now

and again, he says that I will be commentating on the world

championship! That is the key. However good you are, you have to

think that you are the best. That is what makes you a bright young

prospect. When you start getting serious about the game? About that

age. Apparently there is a young boy in China who is nine years old who

has made a 147. Temperament is a key thing. I think it is 60% validity

and 40% temperament. That is how key it is, to have a good temperament.

Neil Robertson may not be the best player in the world, but he has a

templating -- temperament to match any other player. We saw question

marks over Michael White's temperament. Mark Allen criticised

him for that. Steve Davis, you saw it in the rat Pack, Barry Hearn made

him the the robot, and I think he -- temperament is key. We can all do it

in practice. I was one of the best practice players in the world. But

it means nothing. You have to be the best on the table, and certainly

have the temperament have an -- to be one of the best. It is Neil who

has been up here, not that heavy practice, practice gathering his

thoughts, getting a bit of quiet over there. Let's get some expert

opinion on Robertson. We heard Ronnie talk -- talking about him

being a Robocop type figure. Surely there is more tend than being

machine. Neil Robertson, 2010 world champion.

He has been a dominant force in the game put some time. He walks around,

and it was like a male peacock. It must be quite tough for him. I like

his mental strength and desire. He wants to win and win as many

trophies as possible. For me, his biggest strength is his temperament.

Who would watch a game with new, and you would not know whether he was

winning or losing. He will around a table like he owns the place, and he

thinks he is going to win at all times. He has worked snooker out. He

has worked out how to play this game. He knows how to pay the game.

It is the way that a sports psychologist put teach someone. You

don't get the feeling that he is having negative thoughts. He is

always wanting the next shot to be a positive one. I remember playing him

early on in our careers, and without wanting to sound horrible, I didn't

think it was that good! It shows you what a good judge and, he has been

one of the best players we have seen in the game. But back then, he was a

mad Potter, and would go for everything. But he hit a bit of a

brick wall. But he worked a way round it. He has used you tube a

lot, studied old footage. He has worked out how to be a better

player. It shows you his mental character, his mental strength. He

is now a very astute all-round player. He does not stand out in one

player, a comic -- one area, it stands out in them all. And it

annoys me, he is so good! Let's try to rip -- rip him to shreds! Has he

got a weakness? He is not good at catching flights! He is the world

number one of flights missed. He is well in front of the rest of the

tour. There have been times when we have sat in this year, and thought

that he was getting bogged down. He is taking too long over an obvious

shot. He concentrate a bit too much and trying to be a little bit more

exact. He is constantly walking around. I think sometimes, he has

slowed it down, and taking those few seconds. Sometimes he is trying to

be a little bit too careful and to excess. -- exact. When he beat me in

the Masters final a few years ago, sometimes, he had me in some

unworkable positions. He was taking his time over his shots. I was sat

in the chair, thinking, what is he doing here? I may as well have had

my hands tied behind my back. When it works, he is very good. The

expert analysis on Neil Robertson's game. This next piece is very

interesting as well. This is the verdict of Ronnie O'Sullivan's

fellow professionals on the Rocket. Snooker is lucky to have him, and

the way he is. He picks and chooses. He is also a lucky, because if he

dedicated himself the way that he does, and Hendry did, we could see

snooker in a different light. It is massive for the tort. If someone

that I look up to, and a lot of the things that he does. I take a lot of

advice. Mentally, sometimes he is not quite there. That is partly why

people come to see him. Jekyll Hyde. That is all I can say. When he

is on the top of his game, he is impossible to beat. Another best

players that I have ever seen. Maybe in front of Stephen Hendry. I think

most people agree on that now. Ronnie in the last for five years,

he has been immensely good as he is ever been in his career. Ronnie...

Know that I have no Ronnie since he was nine years old. I was 14 at the

time. I thought that this guy has got serious ability. He was potting

balls for fun. He could have been the best play we have ever seen, but

the records suggest otherwise. If he is in the right frame of mind, he

cannot be beaten. Fascinating set of opinions on

Ronnie O'Sullivan. I will pick out one of them... Mentally, not quite

there. Is that relevant? Is this a test of his mental resolve? 3-1

down. I wouldn't worry but test of his mental resolve? 3-1

his temperament will be tested. It was interesting to

his temperament will be tested. It in Cardiff. A change in the

commentary box. Darren Morgan is joined

majestic to watch. Obviously, I wanted to beat him, but he was

attractive to watch. Great to play. And, many moons ago, a long time

now, 1997, just after Ronnie hit the fastest 147 at Sheffield... There

was a lot of people unhappy with me because I knocked him out the very

next round, 13-12, great match. Probably my most memorable match!

Here we are, I am sitting in the commentary box and he is still doing

it. I retired at 40. Ronnie is looking like he is playing his best

snigger at 40. -- his best snigger. Another good safety from Neil

Robertson. O'Sullivan, he glides around the table, slowly but surely.

The skill, touch and vision to separate the reds from the pack and

then clear the table with ease and beauty that others do not offer.

Exactly what Darren said when he played against him. All the

professionals like to watch him play and that says it all.

Command, Ronnie. The crowd shouting out and getting right behind Ronnie.

He is a big favourite with the crowd, the same as Jimmy White used

to be. In the late 80s and 90s... The same as Alex Higgins in the 70s

and 80s. But Ronnie was a long way off with that one... Probably the

most he has missed a shot all week here in Cardiff. It was not easy. He

had to force it a little bit. New Robertson, now... Got a great

chance. Just laughing, the Seagulls are making a bit of a noise, a bit

of a racket on the roof. We can hear them in the box. If we can hear them

in the box, they can hear them at the table.

Not quite as planned. It seemed like after the O'Sullivan missed he would

have a good chance... But now he is shaking his head.

If he potted the green, he could cannon into the brown, come down to

the reds. Neil will be disgusted. APPLAUSE

You won't see many shots played better than that. He played that to

absolute perfection. Another good safety shot. I think

Neil Robertson is well aware that Ronnie O'Sullivan's long potting has

been very good in the Welsh Open. The only trouble is, his safety is

good as well! That good safety shot forced and are

from Neil Robertson. Just looking to see where he needs to put the cue

ball to get onto the pink or black. He would love to get on the black.

-- forced a mistake. Very straight on this red, a little angle...

He screwed up for the pink and he has overdone that, slightly, making

this more difficult than it should have been. Trying to cannon into the

two reds below the spot... That has gone perfect.

APPLAUSE These are the sort of moments that

Sullivan is very strong on, then you need would be so disappointed he did

not make more than four points from the early opening. Ronnie likes to

pounce now. Keep them thinking in the chair.

The black will be going back on its own spot for this next shot. This is

where it starts to get a little bit of 44 Ronnie, keeping his eye on the

black. -- a little bit awkward. That is just about perfect. Electing

to play on the loose red, or play to cannon... Played for the loose red.

Tried to play a clever little shop, tried to cannon into the two reds...

A lot then on this red than he would have liked but we have already seen

how tight the pockets are. He has just lost the cue ball. Knocked the

red in very confidently. That was a lovely played shot, as

well. The bottom, slow drag, very well controlled.

Neil Robertson playing on, 53 points behind. You get the feeling he would

have played on, he needs to settle himself, to blows in this frame...

Six, and the frame, Ronnie O'Sullivan.

APPLAUSE Robertson leading 3-2. Ronnie will

be feeling a lot better. Robertson had a great chance in that last

frame, played a bad positional shot, as we see. Hampered over the green,

landing dead straight on the red, I can only presume if he played it

harder, he would have swung the cue ball into the green, did not fancy

the shot from green or brown, rolling up behind the yellow. He

played a loose safety a couple of shots later, and it allowed Ronnie

to make a break and get back into this match. Big difference, 4-1

behind, 3-2. Anyway, breaking off, the sixth frame, he will put that

behind him. Again, there is a big audience in,

you would expect that for the final, especially with these players. They

enjoy these safety belts, not for long spells, but they do appreciate

the skills of the player, stopping the other player from playing.

Beautiful setting. Just for the tournament deserves, I must say,

this year the Welsh Open has been one of the best I have ever seen,

great atmosphere. We had a few Welsh amateurs who have done very well

this week, Jack Jones qualifying. Qualifying for the main tour.

Playing another Welshman. Jamie Clarke, in the final. And also, the

younger age group... We had two finalists.

Yes... What is pleasing for me this year, obviously, playing in the

Masters series, around the world for Wales. It's nice that these young

lads have come along and done so well and it's nice that the main

event, the European snooker, we sent some seniors this year that have

treated it as it should be treated. And they have got their just

rewards, we sent four players, three got into the semis, we have not done

that for quite a few years. Certain individuals have never given it the

respect it deserves, the elder generation, like myself, looking on,

it has been hard to swallow. But it is great, the people going out,

Wales is getting the results it deserves.

I think he is asking directory is a bit of noise or... Perhaps someone's

earphones are up a little bit too loud...

As long as it is not an Australian saying something loud, it is OK!

Undoubtedly, the best player we have ever seen from Australia. Before

Neil, a few good players got into the top 16, Eddie Charlton, not with

us any more, he was a great player. Never won the tournament is that

Neil has one. This is the sort of chance that

crops up, nothing is in your favour, the pink and black are looking

awkward, reds to go for... You keep having what we call half

awkward shots, not very difficult but... You need to give them a bit

more thought before you play them. Looking at the blue. Perhaps he saw

a mark on it or something? He has changed a few things, Darren, hasn't

he? He keeps pointing his cue down, looking down the line, I don't know

what he is doing that for, really. But it seems to be working. You have

your own idea about that, like myself, I don't know what he is

doing it for, but iron member Steve Davis doing something very similar.

Just double-checking, trusting himself, that he was working on the

right line but whatever he is doing, it is very effective. Having a very

good season. -- I remember. I think he is slowing his rhythm down,

settling himself all the time. There is something about that, the longer

he takes to play, it seems, obviously, he is on the table

longer, although he is not putting the ball all the time but it makes

you feel he is playing very well. You are not going to be rushing

around for the sake of Ronnie O'Sullivan, that is for sure, and I

cannot blame him. Neil is one of these players, when he came along to

this country, he did not do very well, but I must say, he has worked

very hard with his game over the years and now he is one of the top

players and likely winner of any event he is in and all credit to

him. Quite a few players on the circuit,

I can tell you, at the higher level that feel everything they do is

write, they just carry on doing the same thing all the time, despite not

winning. Ronnie is just sitting there, hoping

he will get another chance. The reds are still not in a favourable

position, really, apart from the first one. Neil will be looking to

get a good angle. Trying to dislodge the four reds by the black spot.

He did not get quite enough spin on it.

At 3-2 up, and 44 points up, he's not going to be too unhappy.

He is good at bringing reds of cushions. His position play is so

good. He has brought a few interplay, but a few reds on the

side cushions and the black cushions. Suspect back cushions.

That was the only problem with that shot.

He has been left a half chance. This will take at cueing.

So barring snookers, well, Ronnie O'Sullivan is not even interesting.

He stays in his seat. Neil Robertson has got his two frame lead back. He

leads 4-2. Just the break off from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. He has left a long read on. -- read.

He was trying to put it, and came off the cushion. He hit it much too

full. At this level, it is a chance. The way the balls are.

He had a chance to get three frames in front, and didn't manage it. It

is hard out there. If Ronnie came back again, 4-3. Then Neil will

start thinking if he is ever going to get away. That is the mental

thought of the player. They are all looking for a big lead in the first

session. No real value therefore Ronnie. He

is going to run it off the side cushion. -- no real value their four

Ronnie. He is going to have to make sure

that he doesn't overhit cue ball. I think he is OK. He cannot get the

pop single with the left Ali read to the right. He wanted to play it a

little bit thicker than that. all players. You have to stick with

what you are doing well. His long potting has been outstanding. There

is another side of the coin. Neil Robertson will be thinking, hello.

He is not over the long ones. Neil Robertson in a bit of trouble

here. Trying to get the cue ball type on this.

He will be quite happy about this one.

If he had gone to the right-hand side of the red, yellow, he might

have played the same kind of shocked as he did last time. With the red

just below the green. It might be a straight up and down.

I don't think Ronnie O'Sullivan has had this much safety to play in the

whole tournament so far. A different player, kneel. He is tough. --

he turned a possible long read down. -- red.

He does not seem in the zone at the moment, O'Sullivan.

If anyone can come in and kick it, it is Neil Robertson. He looks OK,

Ronnie. He looks very focused. He is perhaps enjoying a very hard

match, against a very good opponent. That is what the game is about.

He needs that read to slow down. Neil could get through to this, but

it is nearing their -- near enough dead straight. This will require

perfect cueing. He has got the smallest of angles on this thread. I

cannot imagine he is not going to go for this. He needs to make sure the

pot, and the watch some of the side. He has played its absolute

perfection. He could not have played that any better. That was a killer

safety from Ronnie O'Sullivan. It is quite stop there, the two

differences. 33% from Ronnie O'Sullivan, 70% through Robertson.

Ronnie against Mark Selby, his long game was absolutely unbelievable.

Some of the long pops he went for, he accompanied he went for them,

never mind got them. He has taken a few in these early frames.

Sometimes it just depends on how you feel at the moment. You look at a

shop and you think, wow, I fancy getting this. Another day, you think

about it and you play safe. You have to go with your feelings.

Sometimes, you forget Ronnie O'Sullivan the person is playing,

not just Ronnie O'Sullivan the snooker player.

Let us have a look at the cue action of Neil Robertson. It is top of the

tree staff. It is dead straight, Ram Rod straight.

He is one of the modern day players that pulls the key back a long way.

-- the Ki. His grip opens and closes perfectly.

All the time. That is his main strength of his cue action.

The sponsor's logo is coming off. It is stuck to the table!

He won't be doing much without them in the sport.

Again, played very well. There was top and left side.

He will be very upset if he does not extend his lead and win this frame.

When he gets in amongst the balls, he is looking very good.

At the moment, his long potting is good, his safety is good. And when

he is getting in, he is scoring good. He will beat -- it will be

very difficult for Ronnie O'Sullivan. We said earlier in the

commentary, he has had it all his own way. He has played to an

unbelievable stuff. But you do feel that he is going to have to play

some more to get back into this match. To have any chance of winning

it. He is a different opponent today.

Newell is one of the best all-round players on the circuit. He got past

Mark Selby and John Higgins. He is more into the brick building, that

is when he is at his very best and scoring heavily. -- break-building.

O'Sullivan called him the Machine. I am playing against the Machine!

He hit it hard enough, but a good break, 77 from Neil Robertson.

Another friend in front. It is the first time that he is three in

front. He leads 5-2. STUDIO:, Another good frame. We were

chatting during that frame, and you were making the point that Robertson

is doing what Ronnie has done. Dictating to pay, dictating the

pace. You have to stand up. We have to compete with him and all

departments. We have had lots of 70 or 80 breaks. Robertson had a port

safety struck -- O'Sullivan had a poor safety shot. It looks easy

there, but he has to play at the pace. From that, he went to win the

frame in one visit. To compete with Ronnie, you have to compete in all

departments. Robertson is doing that fight. -- fine. If you are

confident, that is a sort of shocked that you take in your stride. Very

rarely do I see Robertson not confident. He came into the pact is

room. When you are playing bad, it is winning frames. This last frame

is so important. Neil Robertson will be a real strong faith -- favourite

at 62. -- 6-2. It is no good everyone trying to compete with

Ronnie at breakneck speed. He had to play your own game. We saw Peter

Ebdon doing it in the world championship, when he really slowed

Ronnie down. Neil Robertson is not that slowed, but he is to -- do

dictating the pace of the game. COMMENTATOR: It has not been slow.

All of these frames had been gathering watching -- averaging 13

minutes. It is not long for a frame of snooker.

Just under 16 minutes average. When Robertson makes his big breaks, it

is seven or eight minutes. He is a different player to over Sir --

O'Sullivan. But he does not hang about. He is in amongst the balls.

It has been quite noticeable. It is depending on how Ronnie is feeling.

He has played different in this match to how he has played all week.

He has played a lot of long shot. He has been getting them. Maybe, that

is the difference at the moment. I think he has got the gap here. It

could bobble in the right corner, the cue ball. I think he would have

a gap there. The pink is available into one of the four pockets. Well,

it was. Is he going to knock this blue in?

He is, you know. He is having a go. Quite right.

I think he is sensing that it could be his state. He is 6-2 in front. It

would be a big lead. -- keep would-be 6-2 in front. A bad contact

there. He did not get the spin on the cue ball. It made a big

difference. Quite a thin cut on the blue.

O'Sullivan's Best has been 62. He did not have an easy safety shot.

O'Sullivan's Best has been 62. He has played to those. Though

centuries as yet. -- no centuries. He is hardly moving these balls

about. He gave those adept. The red is going to come back and cover the

pocket for the pink? Just what he did not need. He is

having a look. It must be very tight. There is a very easy pot.

It was quite brave to play that shop. No room for error at all

there. There has to be one more good pot.

There was not much wrong there. He did not want a cannon on the pink.

It is a lot thinner down the cushion that he would have liked. He has got

a shot on the blue. He played a drag past that think there.

Straight into the middle of the pocket, nicely on the red.

That was a great pot. Unfortunately, he has caught the other red, not

much of a gap for him to get through. Going to be the safety. He

is limited to what he can play off. He said, brown, and he can hit that

black full in the face. Neil Robertson will have this back.

If Ronnie plays the same shot here, I think this is it, he will get

warned, awkward cueing. Has he got at this time? No, he has

not. A foul, and a miss... Again, it is poured cueing. If he fails this

time, he loses the frame. -- awkward cueing.

Ronnie did not realise it is the three Mrs... He shouted down the

table. He made sure that he was aware so the referee did not warn

Ronnie. But I cannot imagine he is going to play the same shot... This

would just be crazy. He can hit the black, Playhouse ball of the

black... He is coming off the side cushion, to dropping behind it, he

must hit the black. And he has done. APPLAUSE

A big difference if that had gone in. Neil Robertson, with the long

red. Aged a little bit on the thin side,

he has cut that thick, cannon Inc into the reds.

Clever shot. APPLAUSE

That was top drawer. Neil Robertson in all kinds of trouble this time.

He tries to come of this red to the left of the black. He has to make

sure he catches it very thin. The corner pocket is going to come into

play, just having a little look if he can play the half ball up and

down, the white halfway in between the black. He has elected the slow

roll... And the only problem with that shot, he was always going to

give Ronnie a shot at this red, either in the centre or into the

green pocket. Not an easy pot. He will be going for it.

He has had a kick, I don't think it makes any difference to the red but

the cue ball has been lost. APPLAUSE

But was a massive kick. APPLAUSE

That is more like the way Ronnie has played all week.

You would have known if he had missed the yellow, it was giving

Neil Robertson and easy opportunity to get back into the frame, but had

a bit of a wobble before it went in but it was a positive shot.

He is not quite past the winning post, a colour and another red...

He did actually played just a stunt off the black but he will have to

play a safety now. Neil Robertson coming back to the

table... He needs a four points snooker...

The green and blue in good positions, especially.

Well, if that had missed the green on the way down it would have been a

good snooker. There is a possibility of this pot

for Ronnie and if it goes in, it is the end of the frame and it has gone

in, the end of the frame. Neil Robertson collecting his stuff

together to leave the arena. I think Ronnie O'Sullivan will be probably

the happier of the two. Could have been somewhat worse for him.

Robertson has played well in this session. Breaks of 78 and 77, Ronnie

not quite as good as what we have seen all week but he is now still in

this match. The crowd would love to see a couple

more shots played, they will have enjoyed this session this afternoon.

Both players have not hung about. APPLAUSE

And exhibition shot. You feel, when he is going for his shots, he looks

as good as he has done all week. Ronnie Sullivan, now back to only

two frames behind, Neil Robertson with the lead for the session

tonight, leading 5-3. STUDIO: Ronnie O'Sullivan feeling a

little bit better. A massive frame and we will look forward to tonight.

I still fancy Ronnie. I do. He can turn it around. He hasn't played

well this afternoon but still in the match. Ronnie will have a couple of

hours to think about things. I am sure he will come into the practice

room, interesting to see Robertson dominating the session, coming out

5-3. We will see, I am sure the players will be here for some

practice, advantage Robertson as we head into the second session to

night. 5-3, the lead for the Australian. At the midway point in

the Welsh Open final. Have a break, have a cup of tea and join us again

later for the big climax. 7pm on BBC Two Wales, we will see you then,

goodbye for now. I'm raising my game

and I WILL come out on top. Bring it on. Bring it on.

Bring it on. This time, we're aiming higher

than ever before. The Sport Relief season

continues with