Day One - Part 1 Snooker: Welsh Open

The best players on the planet are back in Cardiff. Welcome to the

Motorpoint Arena for the 20 17th Welsh Open. Seven days of top

snooker ahead as the biggest names in the game look to conjure more

magical moments 25 years the tournament began.

Mark Williams, the 1999 Welsh champion! Welsh Open champion for

the second time! The 2007 Welsh Open champion, Neil Robertson! 2008 Welsh

Open champion, George Selby! Welsh Open champion 2012, China's Ding

Junhui! John Higgins wins the Welsh Open for the fourth time! Something

tells me that in 2016 it is the Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan! Yes, 2016

belonged to Ronnie O'Sullivan. Can he get a record fifth Welsh Open

win? Good afternoon and welcome to the opening day. The snooker world

never sleeps. The players have hotfooted it down from Preston and

the world Grand Prix where we had a finalist with Ryan Day yesterday. No

rest and straight onto the next big challenge. It is not just about the

world's best. As always there outside bets, cards, teenagers

trying their luck. -- wild cards. 128 players trying to get their

hands on the Ray Reardon trophy. Here is the man who finished

runner-up when it all began back in 1992, Mr Morgan. How are you, Sir?

25 years, can you believe it? Gone in a flash. I did win it two years

before but it wasn't a ranking event then. You were there in 1992. What

are we expecting? A busy schedule for the players, nonstop these days.

What do we expect? Lots of good players, 128 to be exact, and they

can all play. You will always have your favourites coming through to

the latter stages but the good thing is the open draw, so the favourites

have drawn very good players in the opening rounds of the tournament,

when normally there seems to be luck and they miss them. It isn't luck.

They play to get that position and they deserve it. You never know what

will happen. We have seen surprising results. Mark King winning, Anthony

Hamilton winning the German Masters at the age of 45. It would have been

nice for Ryan to win yesterday, to get the monkey off his back, as

people say. I believe he will win one. The good news for him is that

winners are getting older, Sony is still a young lad compared to the

last couple of winners. -- so he is still a young lad. This week is the

best of seven, so the toss of a coin really. The golden oldies are doing

well. I am 50 and I am thinking, oh my God! I finished at 40 when I

retired, and I was considered an old man. It was all youngsters winning.

Now it has turned around completely, like the old days. Ray Reardon,

Mountjoy, Griffiths, players like that. It is good to see. This is

what we have coming up this afternoon.

In search of home comforts, we start with Welsh favourite Matthew Stevens

as he looks to get beyond the quarterfinals for the first time.

But a major obstacle in his way, former world champion and 2013

runner-up Stuart Bingham, that is his first round opponent. Let's see

how Dominic Dale fared against his Chinese opponent. And the 20 14th

winner start his quest for his next Welsh Open win. And we have two

Welsh wild cards in the first round action. Some really exciting games

in prospect. We mentioned Ryan Day earlier. In all there are 15 was

competitive this year hoping for success. We have got a lot of them

here. It is a long time since they Welsh man has won this event and we

hope one will bring it home. Ryan Day is in great form. He has got to

get himself up for today. He will be on alone after losing yesterday.

Mark Williams is playing well and he seems to be on the cusp of winning

again. There are lots of youngsters as well. It will be very

interesting. I hope a couple of the boys get through to the latter

stages and give themselves a chance. We have John Higgins at Ronnie

O'Sullivan on four Welsh Open wins, going for the record fifth. Can they

do it? You wouldn't bet against either of them. John went through a

purple patch before Christmas when he looked $1 million. He has

probably gone off the boil slightly at the last event or two. Ronnie

O'Sullivan has looked very good. Last week was the first time I have

seen him unravelling a bit for a long time. Back to his old antics a

little bit. He likes this Welsh Open and he has proved that he loves it.

He has won four times and you would never bet against either of them. We

will have lots to say about running late in the week. You place

tomorrow. Tough start now for Matthew Stevens against Stuart

Bingham, the world number two. It is a tough match for Matthew but he is

one of these players who seems to bring his best game out against the

top players, the ones in form, and Stuart Bingham has been having a

very good season. He hasn't quite won but he has been thereabouts.

Matthew is still looking to get back to somewhere near his best. And

climb back up the world rankings. He is too good a player to be where he

is. Matthew would be the first one to say that he hasn't adapted

himself the right way over the last couple of years and what have you.

But on his game he is as good as anybody in the game. Let's have a

look at how Matthew Stevens and Stuart Bingham measure up. Stuart

Bingham is second in the world. Matthew Stevens is 42nd. Stuart

Bingham with real ranking titles and one for Matthew Stevens. Stuart

Bingham was runner-up in 2014 and Matthew Stevens is twice the

quarterfinalist. But Matthew Stevens edges ahead 3-2 in the career

head-to-head. Let's get the coverage under way. It is the 2017 Welsh

Open. Stuart Bingham against Matthew Stevens. Let's join your commentary

team, Willie Thorne and Terry Griffiths.

Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. This is really a tough

match for Matthew Stevens. Of all the players he could have drawn in

the opening round, he has drawn the former world champion Stuart

Bingham. But Stuart is going through a lean spell at the moment, it has

got to be said. I have the legendary Terry Griffiths with me in the

commentary box. They have only played each other five times in

their career. That is correct. 3-2 to Matthew. The major European

Championships, Stuart Bingham won that one. And a big difference in

the rankings. Stuart Bingham is number two and Matthew Stevens is

41, which is very low for him. He was top 16 for so many years.

Safety shots are always tough when you have made your first shot. It is

very easy to hit them too thin, like you see there. Slightly too thin.

Big fan of Matthew Stevens. He has been a great player for many years.

The only thing that surprises me is that he is not doing better now. He

has been sadly out of form for the last few years and he is capable of

beating anybody in the game. Excellent first pop from Stuart.

Nicely on the black. Bit of a shock to the system watching Stuart

Bingham in his last tournament. He seems to be decelerating. I am sure

he has been back to the drawing board, put the hours in. That is

what you have got to do. I know he has just become a family man again

and that has probably taken a bit of time off him but you have got to put

the work in. I don't think putting the work in it

so easy these days. The boys are on the road all the time, going from

one ranking event to another. I think the problem they have got is

if they get through to the final, if they win the event, they are worn

out and then the next day they have got another tournament. And if you

lose first round, you are worn out anyway! It is a big ask on the

players these days to be travelling from one event to another. The Grand

Prix finished last night in Preston. Barry Hopkins beat Ryan Day in the

final. And they will be downplaying tomorrow, I think, in this. I know

Hopkins is playing. Ryan plays tonight. That was a good shot, using

the pack of rights to run off the side of them. -- the pack of red

balls. Barry has got a four hour drive to come up here but of course

Ryan Ledson. 'S country. Where is that? -- God's country.

When he gets around the black spot area, he is as good as most.

It's drops slightly towards the centre of the pocket. Not as good.

It has started early in the match. Stuart Bingham probably plays in

more tournaments than any of the other players on tour. He is so

keen. He loves playing. He is happy when he is out there. Winning the

World Championship will never be forgotten. The standard of play that

he came up with under extreme pressure was outstanding. Against

the best players in the world. Yes, I think he is one of those players

that has improved with age. Not a journeyman pro, too good a player

for that, but he has been an the circuit for a number of years and

that World Championship win was some of the best snooker I have ever

seen. Good recovery that. The desired position. Once one available

in the middle pocket but he has every chance of scoring heavily now.

-- he wants one available. Decision time. Power through the

middle red and leave the pink as well or play the outside one of the

three as we look on the right-hand side? I think the two on the left

will pop into the corner. If he is going through the pack, he has got

do it pacey to make things happen. He has obviously found something

else that goes. Onto the one in the middle. The only problem with

playing that, he has still got to be that cannon in a couple of shots.

You might think it is better to go into the pink to open the reds. But

he had the perfect angle on that black. We will see if that comes

back to cause him a problem in a couple of shots. If he doesn't get

on the blue, it could be the end of his break. The angle is there

though. This is one where you don't play into the pink fare. You just

play at a nice pace. Not too hard. He hit it much harder than I thought

he would. He risked losing the cue ball and that is exactly what has

happened. The pace was very strange from that pack of reds.

Good pot. Very missable in the circumstances. Stevens could have

had an opportunity then to get in amongst the balls. They are wide

open. Another excellent positional shot.

He impressed in the Grand Prix. An excellent start. Just what the

doctor ordered. Yes, he lost to Ryan Day, the losing

finalist up there. In good form, Ryan. Really looking forward to

seeing him play in the Welsh Open. Matthew just had one shot so we are

not sure how he is playing at the moment. Stuart is very impressive

ear. His strong suit has always been his break-building over the years.

He has added a few things here and there, winning a number of

tournaments, and playing in the World Championships. As Stephen

Hendry always mentions, you have got to be a big break-builder to win the

major events. What an excellent start from Stuart Bingham. If 29th

century of the season. He won't be making a total clearance.

Essential to make a good start in any format, but Matthew Stevens had

one shot only and Stuart Bingham take the opening frame and Leeds

1-0. Not a bad way to start. The first century of this year's Welsh

Open. Welcome to the studio once again. The practice tables are in

the background. A fantastic start by Stuart Bingham. Yes, there was a

time when he wasn't very comfortable on the TV table that he is at home

now. A perfect start for him. To be fair to Matthew, he didn't do much

wrong. He only had one shot. He will have a lots to think about now. He

knows that Stuart is there and he means business. As the guys were

saying in the commentary box, Stuart Bingham knocked out of the world

Grand Prix in the first round by a Welsh man, Ryan Day, who got to the

final of course. They're looking to avoid a similar fate here. Obviously

the best of seven comes into play. A short format for the players. There

will be hiccups along the way but Stuart has had a good season so far

this year. Though has Ryan, to be fair. -- so has Ryan. That is what

he wanted. It will have settled him down quickly. There are 15 Welsh

players in the tournament. Let's look at the runners and riders from

Wales. There has got to be somebody here looking to get deep into the

tournament, the quarterfinals, the semis? You are not going to bet

against the likes of Ryan. He is in form, especially off the back of the

great event last week and last night. Mark Williams, he is back to

something near his best. Matthew, it is all coming out of this match

really. Dominic is still there. He has a run every so often out of the

woodwork. And a couple of youngsters. I think it is probably a

bridge too much for them but it will be a great experience for them.

Michael White got to the quarterfinals last year so we will

see how he gets on. And the two teenagers in the competition this

year, the wild card entries. Jackson Page, the 15-year-old from Abba

Vale, he is an table two at the moment and we will keep you posted

with how he is getting on. Now frame another two, with Stuart Bingham

leading against Matthew Stevens. We join Terry Griffiths and Willie

Thorne. Matthew Stevens coming to the table

for his second shot. One safety shot. Stuart cleared most of them up

for a century, a break of 101. I am sure Matthew will be getting

involved in this frame and the ones to follow. Playing at home of

course. That helps a bit. It don't have to stay in a hotel. He goes

back and forth. Stuart Bingham has played a poor safety now. Off in the

corner. A chance for Matthew Stevens. Not the easiest one. His

first points on the board. It is a tough shot.

Just what you don't need when you have lost the first frame. It has

gone awkward. Stuart might take it on, in fairness. There is a gap

between the two reds to risk getting onto the black. He didn't expect it

to come right back across the table like that. If he plays to get onto

blue or baulk colour, it makes it more difficult.

Matthew will be pretty pleased. When he saw that read coming across the

table he thought he would stick it over the hole but it went reasonably

safe. -- that red. It looks like he has found a possible one into the

middle. The one in the corner, the green pocket, he can't really

guarantee getting onto the black by going through the gap in the reds in

the pack so he is playing the more difficult red in the middle, knowing

he will be on the black if he pops it. But he will leave the red and a

black if it doesn't. Very good! Having been kept off the table

during the first frame, that was excellent.

Somebody moved in front of the line of the shot there. That is why

Matthew stopped. The referee sorted it out OK. Good referee. Yes. She

will be very disappointed because her husband Ben lost this morning. I

watched some of that match. Back to the day job now, not supporting your

husband is playing. One of the best lady referees. Are you a fan of the

best of sevens? I was thinking when Stuart got in and did that great

break how difficult it is if somebody plays two good friends and

you are sitting down and you only have a slim chance of winning from

there. -- two good frames. The frames increase at the quarterfinals

and the semis and the finals. The problem is that they can't get all

the players to play in a venue without it taking two weeks. 128

players here. And it all takes time. We get so many strange results with

the best of seven. What about best of nine with no interval? That is

not taking too much out of the players. It is a better test. Good

idea, that. You should be on the board! I think the best of seven can

be over so quickly. Matthew has now got an excellent chance to win the

second frame but he can beat 2-0 behind in a heartbeat in the best of

seven with a mountain to climb. But 2-0 behind in the best of nine and

you don't have to worry so much. The back cushion seems to be playing

slower. If few shots have been played off it this morning and

didn't get the required bounce. Stuart Bingham in his break of 100

played a few and didn't get the bounce off the back cushion. It

appears to be slow. Good recovery. That is poor. You have got to hit

the pink full ball and callable pink, no reaction at all from the

reds. -- corner ball pink. The safety shot will bring it into play.

He doesn't want to do that but he has no option. A problem for

Matthew. He hit the cue ball a little bit too hard and this bin

didn't take it to the back, just clipped off the side. Easily done.

-- the spin didn't take it to the back.

You can clearly see that the red is available in the right-hand corner

but the path between the black and the reds means it is tough to get

back to the baulk. The one on the left-hand side, it is the one he

will to avoid kissing into. The safety shot would be the best choice

and that is what he is playing. He doesn't want to kiss into the yellow

or the brown on the right-hand side. That red needs to be portable. As he

had a bit of luck? Plenty of it. The handshake and the smile from Stuart!

It is all about missing those baulk colours and let you get one of those

cases -- unless you get one of those kisses.

Handy for Matthew. Some reds available. Not great here. There is

an easy escape out without hitting any of the reds. I don't think there

is a gap actually. The red to the left of the pink spot is stopping

him. He would like to play that dead weight and hopefully get away with

that but it isn't on. I think he can come through past the pink and the

top red, come behind those two over the pocket, but there is very little

room for error. And if he doesn't get it right, it is all on for

Matthew Stevens. He is having a look. - whatever

happens, he will not be playing it too slow. What do we know?

LAUGHTER Screwing in against the cushion

right on the cue ball and you can see, kiss Matthew comedy was an all

right predicament there, Stuart. Of course it hurts a bit more when you

nor your opponent -- know that your opponent is there. At times you can

get away with that, onto a red, and at other times, nothing on it, like

them. It is an important visit now kiss Matthew Stevens. 43 in front,

he will not be too happy if he does not win the second frame from here.

Helps that the green is off its spot. He can come round for a choice

of reds. A bit in no man's land here, but I think he may have cover

things up there, on the left-hand side. Yes, you can see. Was not

like... He can just about get through to it, though, and if he can

he can get the black. Well done. He should win the frame now.

A great opportunity now. I noticed in the last one that the players

were missing a lot of shots are -- along the cushion, and with any pace

at all, the players seem to look, you know, like the pockets are a bit

tighter than normal, but they are OK here, certainly with Stuart in the

first round. Yes, it looks like Matthew has been

working very hard that his game. Very slim as well, so he has got

himself mentally and physically fit. A shame he has not been at the

business end of tournaments, because he could be one of the world's great

players, Matthew Stevens, make no mistake. So tough these days. Yes, a

very natural player Matthew, he has all the shots, and does not always

dedicate himself to the practice table.

APPLAUSE I think as well with an hour or two,

rather than it being all day. Nothing wrong in that. The problem

this season and the last, with so many tournaments, the players

getting all that match play, it means they are playing a lot of solo

play, which isn't really good. He has missed the red. Back level at

1-1. Yes, I think the key thing, Terry, it has now become more of a

mental game. Obviously you had the ability, most of the time, to spend

time with other players you were playing against, but now with there

being so many players, I do not know the percentage and obviously you

deal with a lot of players, but I make it almost about 60-40 now,

ability being 60 and mental 40, what do you think? I would say 90-10, but

you were close. Mental, yes. For me, as a coach, that is what I am doing.

With the professional players, you think that, but coaching amateur

players it is merely technical stuff. I think it is 90-10,

comfortably. Yes, mentally, you have to be totally strong. Totally strong

in all departments now, thinking of people like Selby. Talking about

Mark for a quick second now, that the game, it has to be good. -- the

B game has to be good. Yes, especially with the circuit now. A

lot of players who can beat you in the early rounds which was not quite

the case when we were playing, Willie, in the 1930s.

LAUGHTER Yes, it was almost a by through. But

now, yes, players are shocked at all times. That little flick behind the

yellow, obviously he has come to the table with an impossible situation.

We talk about players going in and out of form, and Stuart Bingham has

really surprised me last couple of tournaments. He has been so

consistent, like you say, playing in most tournaments. How do you pick

yourself into being mentally right? It is not easy. There are things off

the table affecting players as well, of course, not just their game.

Stuart Bingham, breaking off in frame three. A bit thicker than he

wanted, hoping the cue ball would get there and it hasn't. A poor

break off. You would expect more. In this day and age you just cannot

afford to miss those kind of shots. You do not get many chances at the

opening part of the frame to have a shot to nothing. Top players these

days tend to get those nine out of ten.

He has missed the red. Same pocket, to leave it on, from Matthew

Stevens... Not sure if he can cut this one into the centre. It is very

thin. APPLAUSE

Played a good safety then. Can only see the one red on the left-hand

side. Played the higher red that I can't quite see from here. Unless he

did that,... Just about past it. The cloth looks very fast. Players like

that. It looks like he is playing an

aggressive safety shot here, trying to bring the black interplay. Whilst

making contact with the black, it has not moved very much. -- bring

the black into play. Much to take a contact on the red.

That has taken the pace out of the cue ball, done very past, and green

and brown, the shot he played. He will be disappointed with that one

because Matthew Stevens has a chance here. Certainly not easy. He has had

a look. It could possibly screw into the red and black and bring it into

play. There is no mac gap there, I shouldn't think, or very little,

between the reds behind the black to get it the table -- no gap there. I

think that was the right shot. Could not have played it much better.

Didn't quite get the right kiss. No avenue back years looks like he

will play a nice containing shot. He has no option.

He is having a good look there. Trying to go a bit into the right

centre. Could get a little bit of pink, on the left centre. Tough pot,

though. And as usual with the -- this type of shot, if you miss it,

you can give your opponent a chance on the break.

In a perfect position for in break-building until one plays a

perfect shot. Of course it kisses the red on the way down and there

are all sorts. Being a little bit reluctant to put

the black out of play with that safety shot, but that is what he has

done. Asking for trouble now. I don't think it is a re-rack, this

one. Could have been, touch back three and four, but the balls are

wide open. Both players have to agree to a re-rack. Sometimes the

referee could inform them that if they do not get into a plain

position that keeps the game flowing, they could perhaps give

them three shots, and it will be a re-rack, the referee's decision. I

think both these players liked the opening game and the reds are really

well set. The black is of course still to play, but as we have seen

over the years that can be brought into play very quickly.

I think it is generally when they are just touching up with the balls

they do a re-rack, isn't it? I remember one. Andy Hicks, was it? 50

odd in front and there was a re-rack. Where you 50 front? Those

were the days! Chance of a cutback year, anything

that can screw back off the red. To remain at the back, but is this red

goes, you'll be on the black... -- remain on the black. Safety shot.

Reds absolutely perfect now to get a sizeable break.

It has just come slightly straighter than he wanted to hit. On the

extreme right of the pink. They would have wanted to play up and

down on that red nearest the white. We have been saying this back

cushion has not been playing great. Let's see if he gets that... Yes, no

reaction off that cushion at all. Once again.

APPLAUSE Left-hand side he played, to go to

the right of that red. And he will be really disappointed to not have

scored a few points there and not made of the winner.

Stuart will be very pleased to be back at the table so soon. Trailing

by 23 points, he must have been sitting there thinking Matthew would

make at least 60 or 70, with where the balls were.

Matthew Stevens of course has been in, well, the top part of the

rankings for many years, and he never really did well in the Welsh

Open. Two quarterfinals, his best attempt for such a class player. I

don't think anyone would be surprised if he went on to win it

this time. He has the skill, if he gets in amongst the late stages of

events. Now then, a big shot for Stuart Bingham. A lot of distance in

the two balls. Clean as a whistle. Good pot, that. Excellent pot, and

deserved a better kiss, to be honest. Any sort of kiss on the reds

you would have expected green or brown quite comfortably. It has

taken it to slightly more difficult -- slightly more difficult shot on

the green. And there it goes. You can get right back in the frame now,

if not win it. -- he can get. Certainly did not play the kiss on

that yellow. Three reds, really. One in the middle and two in the corner.

Will feel it is the easiest one against the best position. The

choices to make when you get to the table and snooker, that is one of

the nice things in the game. You make a decision on what shot you're

going to play. And you have to stand by that. Successful or not.

As Willie mentioned earlier on, a little bit under pressure here, four

frames, of course, and in the first round, breast, Ryan Day... He would

like obviously do not start on a losing run but they come thick and

fast, the tournaments these days -- pressed by Ryan Day. That was good.

Good control at the moment even though he made a century. Now we

know the one to the right of the pink will plot to the right-hand

corner, but will anything to the left? I'm not sure. We will know

from the shot. The one just below the pink must pot into the corner.

Quite Matthew wondering if he is going to

get another chance here. Stuart amongst the balls in a very strong

position to clear up and win this friend. One thing I like about

Stuart Bingham is, you know, no matter what his game is like, his

break-building is always good, even if the rest of his game is poor.

When he is not on his best form, when he gets in, he's very capable,

one of the best in the game, I feel. Matthew will be so disappointed

here, because he was in the balls first. Didn't get that reaction off

that back cushion that we spoke about just before he took a shot. It

might have possibly cost in the frame now. OK, only six points

behind, but he might be the one on the right hand side... Four reds,

four pinks, four lacks... -- blacks. MOBILE PHONE RINGS He's just having

a little glance others go there. -- -- He's just having a little

glance others go there. -- He's just having a little

glance at the score there. that is why he has played the pink.

Woody to take the black off in front instead. -- he would need to

just overran it slightly. Would have liked to have left an angle to screw

into the red. Still can play the two cushions to bring the red out but

that could be dangerous. I would suggest letting him play the double.

Just make sure of the black. If he was 34 in front he may not play the

double, but at 36, if he can get a good white... I don't blame him for

that. Stuart Bingham taking a 2-1 lead.

Good attempt there. Just requiring the one smoker. -- snooker. And this

last red. May have a look at taking this on, getting something off the

yellow and playing the black. Not sure about that shot. Too thick. The

frame should be over. Yes, I suppose he looked at the pot are probably

felt it would be a bit closer to the left unsaid cushion, and I think

most players would have taken the pot on there. -- left cushion.

A brick of 59 a little earlier in this frame -- break. Considering

ball was in first. That is what disappoints a player, when you win

the balls and you should have scored first and you don't.

He started with 59 and he finished with 33. Stuart Bingham getting a

foothold in this match, leading 2-1. Food. Any sort of food. What's his

name? Tom Hardy. I remember falling off the roof and broking both my

arms at the same time and I was about eight. People say I am

annoying but it is my best attribute. I'm a lazy. I should try

to get fit but I have always got an excuse. Toad in the hole and apple

crumble to finish. I picked up ten balls in one hand. Nine is easy but

ten at a push. Never done a sky drive, never been skiing. Too

scared, I suppose. Things like that. I played Marco Fu in 97 in the

final, and I was up 7-1 and I lost 11-10. That always picks out and I

would love to go back to them. Cameron Diaz. She has been a

favourite of mine for years. Up in the morning, bit of golf, bit of

snooker, sunbathing and a romantic movie with the Mrs at the end.

Stuart Bingham is well liked on the circuit. He is very natural in front

of the camera. Talking about his life. There is a lot of life outside

of snooker but people forget about that. Who was your celebrity crush?

Cameron Diaz was his. Do you have one? You! Good point! Good judge.

Bit of needlework being done to Matthew Stevens. A little bit of

sewing. Matthew felt that when he was cueing, it was catching the logo

on his cue. That is a first, I think. I have never seen that before

out there. Many do it backstage but there you go. In our day we never

had logos. You didn't! Matthew Stevens to break. Matthew

Stevens is the can span now. He will be hoping to win the fourth frame to

level up. -- spit and span now. Didn't take the pot on of course.

The red was hit a little bit thick, which is why it hasn't gone down

onto the baulk cushion. It will make the next one a lot more difficult

for your opponent if you are cueing off the cushion.

Now then, it looked like he has got along pot to the left.

Good shot. How close is that? A lot of back spin on and a lot of power.

It made the shot more difficult but it got very close. He didn't want to

leave the cue ball up this side of the table so screwing back to the

baulk colours. Didn't leave anything on. That's the main thing. The run

of the ball counts so much. Wasn't expecting that red to break

away from the pack. The brown hasn't come to his rescue. Nothing wrong

with playing a thick safety shot, they are great, but you couldn't

imagine that red springing up on the pack. The only bad thing if he

didn't get a good white. Near the cushion, still a difficult shot. But

with Stuart on the table, a very easy shot.

Very good positional shot. Never easy when you have a touch of

running side and two cushions. A much better shot if you can screw

the cue ball directly back up towards the red. He is perfect here.

These are the times when Stuart Bingham is playing at his best and

you think it could be 3-1 here. But as we have mentioned, he isn't

playing as well. He is one of the top players, number two in the

world. Where is this black going? It will

do well to go into the right or possibly the left corner.

Oh! And unmissable shot. Stuart will be so disappointed again. A little

bit slow with his delivery. Those hurt. Now then, Matthew. You have

been given a good chance here. It looked as though he would be sitting

down for a while. Make the best of this, too- one behind. -- 2-1

Behind. That went further than he wanted. Slightly straight on this

but still OK. Matthew will realise now if you mix

a frame-winning break from here, that red that Stuart Bingham missed,

it will make him stew in his seat. Nothing worse than missing an easy

shot and having your opponent clear up when it should have been yours.

All of the top players understand that. Stevenson is a top player,

even though he has knocked up in the rankings at the moment. -- Matthew

Stevens is a top player even though he is not high up in the rankings at

the moment. 41. He is better than that. He can sense weakness in an

opponent. That situation again when he is on

the half ball black and if he punches it in, the players have not

got the pace of the back cushion at the moment, as we have already seen.

Normally a player would go off this angle but he doesn't appear to be

playing with top spin. Nothing available into either

corner. He is going to take the more difficult pink and hopes to take the

red into play. Decided against that. He is playing for the one in the

middle. Surprised at that choice. He will be pleased that one went in

at that speed. It looked for a minute as though it would come out.

On the left-hand side going in. Back in a good position again.

Essential now to get the half ball black. It doesn't matter if it goes

into the right-hand side of the pack or the left because that bottom red

will pop into either corner so he will get the cannon. Hattie got that

position? -- has he got that position? He feels he can pot the

bottom red without playing a cannon, which will in turn bring another red

into play. The next shot could be a frame win it if the reds split

nicely. And they have. Just a case of concentration being at its best

for him to level it. Concentration doesn't matter when you have a kick,

I'm afraid. Still in the game. Everybody looking at how you can get

rid of the kicks. The association, everybody. The balls do different

things, stopping them kicking, but it happens all the time. That could

cost Matthew Stevens not just the frame but the match. Absolutely.

What a difference it is 2-2 compared to 3-1 when it is best of seven.

That was a horrendous kick. I don't like to see a player lose after a

shot like that. We will be hoping for another game. Not only did the

black go square, it took all the pace out of the cue ball. Stuart has

potted the opening red. A sizeable lead, so he might get another chance

with the red being typed on the right-hand cushion. -- tight on the

right-hand cushion. Just looking at the pink. The reds

will split but there is always the chance it will go wrong. Lots of

chances and opportunities to play shots but he has played the pink and

he has brought them into play and he is on the red to the left of the

pig. Very well played. He has got to catch it full on on the pink and it

is perfect. That is also perfect. Good choice of

reds now. It doesn't matter if he goes down the left or the right. The

black in the bottom corner, and it is all about that last red that is

tight on the cushion as far as Matthew Stevens is concerned. He

will be sitting there grieving about what happened, that kick. But it

could be his saviour. The red that we are talking about on

the right-hand side cushion is not easy to play in a cannon of the

black. He may be forced to drop in behind it and break it down the

cushion. The only colour that you can get nicely onto that red to

bring it out is the blue at some stage. What a let off that is.

Matthew will be delighted that horrible kick hasn't cost him more

points than that. That is the second red he has pulled to the left. He

missed the very easy one into the bottom left corner earlier.

That was to the middle. Oh! He missed that by a long way. You may

think if you miss it it may as well be by a long way because it makes no

difference, but to the player it does. He knows he has cued badly.

A great deal of power. Not sure if we needed that power. It makes the

shot more difficult. Longer and faster. He may think it is unlucky

to leave the red on the corner but he missed the red he took on.

We can criticise these players all day for bad shots but the truth of

it is this is the first round in a big event, the Welsh Open, and for

these players, Stuart for instance living in Essex, if he loses here it

is a long journey home with no money. Anybody who loses in the

first round goes home with nothing. Plus expenses. We always knew this

would be the key shot for either player. Possibly a frame-winner for

Matthew. It is there! Well done. That massive kick he had on the

black hasn't cost him the frame. There have been a few ups and downs

for both players in this frame. Both players will be edgy in the first

round, as I mentioned earlier. Of course it is an open draw in the

Welsh tournament, so top players could be playing against each other.

As in other events, they use the seeding system so good players don't

clash early on. I don't know whether the players like this system or not.

But that is what Barry Hearn wants to do and that is what happens. The

pink doesn't go in but Matthew Stevens will not worry too much

about that. He is black level again. -- back level again. If you are just

switching your television on, welcome to the opening day of 2017

Welsh Open and we are watching Matthew Stevens against Stuart

Bingham. That fourth frame was scrappy but Matthew got there in the

end. Yes, he got there in the end but it is looking good for Matthew

because Stuart Bingham had a couple of chances in that frame, one right

at the start, when he missed an unbelievable red, as Terry in

commentary. A little bit of the cue ball, and he caught it thin. You

would have thought he was going to win the frame from there because he

looked great, and now he would be 3-1 to win but lucky for Matthew

that he didn't. He got in and had an unbelievable kick that could have

cost him the game. Lucky for him. He just rolled through a relatively

easy black and the cue ball on the black has bounced and taken all the

pace out of it. He would have feared the worst, but lucky for Matthew,

Stuart didn't make the most of his chance. It looked like he would

steal a frame away. We could see the look on Matthew's face with that

kick but it didn't cost him in the end. Let's look at the mistake by

Stuart Bingham that you referred to. He wouldn't miss this 100 out of 100

times. That is unbelievable for him. The balls are perfect. He had done

all the hard work to get in right at the start. The way he played the

first frame and the third frame, he will have been thinking here is my

chance for a 3-1 lead. 2-2. Is it difficult to call? It is down to the

best of three now, so it is difficult to call. If I was a

betting man, and I am not, at the moment Matthew will be feeling the

better of the two because Stuart had a couple of chances, and he had a

couple in the second frame as well, and he missed a couple. It is like

he is more tense than Matthew. Matthew seems to be playing a little

bit more freely than Stuart. And this is Stuart Bingham about to

break in frame five. It is all square, 2-2.

It is the best of seven of course and this could be the most important

frame of the match with another possible two to play. Stuart will

have to work on that break up. Every time he breaks up at the moment, he

leaves this plane ball shot at the back of the pack. Eventually they

will start knocking them in but Matthew has missed that shot twice

now. If he had got anywhere near the red,

he wouldn't have kissed that other red. He hit it so thick. He hit it

so thick that the kissed red was in play.

Decision time. The pack is not great. That is the reason he avoided

going into the pack and played that delicate cannon.

Not the best shot he has ever played. In between the brown and

yellow, left-hand side now, swing it round two cushions, and the choice

of two reds. It came very close to the yellow there, goodness me. If he

gets on that middle, it is very fortunate. He played nowhere near

there. The problem Fort Stuart was you normally hit the brown off that

shot and lose position so you put more spin on. But he won't worry

about that now. He is still among them.

He struck that well. Hitting high upon the ball but it bounced into

the reds and put some back spin on because of that.

Playing to open the reds up. There are three available from here.

Getting on the brown will be difficult. He may have to use the

rest. The brown is definitely the shots to guarantee position. Getting

it straight, screwing in towards the blue, and he needs to be six or

seven inches to the right of the cue ball to be an pink spot. It is like

enforcing screw, not a direct screw. -- a forcing screw. You see, that

was the problem. He might still be on it, just. He hit that as well as

he could. The cue ball off the cushion but he

had to use the cloth to get on this red. I don't think he's perfect on

it. Nice cannon, the pink into the right

centre. The only problem is he has knocked the red safe so I am not

sure whether next red comes from. A plant on the two reds at the back of

the pack, whether they will plant into the right-hand corner? See how

he plays this. He will try and make it by the look of things. Maybe he

fancies cutting the one in the middle but that is missable. They do

look plantish, those two. That is not easy. Good recovery. Excellent

kiss. Late to get onto the black. Play to avoid the cannon onto the

pink. -- played to get onto the black.

He looks as if he could play into the pack here without too much pace.

Or play for the single red on the right-hand side of the pack. That is

what he has gone for. He played it very well with the rest. But

control. That totally could have gone wrong. Another few inches and

he would have been on nothing. Though precise they have got to be

when they are in amongst the balls. -- so precise.

Still seems to be playing with an element of fear. Not bouncing around

the table like he is when he's in top form. Seems a bit apprehensive

here. Some easy shots. Could be going 4-2 in front if he didn't have

those couple of missed balls. This could be the frame-winner. Providing

he gets on the reds. It's not a good one. That's end of break.

75 remaining. Two reds on the side cushion. Make it more difficult for

Matthew Stevens. Pretty well played. Not quite sure

if he's covered the red above the middle pocket. Matthew Stevens will

want to bring one of these raids into play. -- reds. Didn't help

potting the black off its spot there. May have left this red. Can

he get past the pink to put the red in the left corner?

APPLAUSE Stuart took a risk their loyalty to

cannon into the black but felt he had no option. Looked at it harder

long before he played that. Knew he was cannon ink into the black and

would have been hoping for a better case than that. It's the black on

the side cushion and white into baulk. That was dreadful, must have

kissed the blue. He can't believe it himself.

Matthew still second favourite, he can win if you can clear with all

blacks. Very unlikely at the moment. He's got to take this on. As to play

for the black as well. Even if he gets this difficult pot. He's not

playing it, playing a safety, bringing the black into play.

Not many players in the game would have refused to pot and get onto the

black. I know the black would have been very difficult. Half a chance.

The chance is gone of this red goes in. Right in the middle of the

pocket. Matthew Stevens needs two four points knickers. -- two four

point snookers. Certainly open them up a bit. Not

sure if you try to play the planned there or not. Stuart has conceded

after that shot. Stuart Bingham has gone in front again, Leeds 3-2.

Will of the Stuart Bingham stats you could need to know and Darren, no

one frame away on victory. This is where Matthew Stevens's mental

strength must kick in. Got to kick him otherwise he's on his way home.

Stuart has led all match and every time he has led Matthew has come

back, so Matthew will take some positives and that that Stuart

hasn't built a two thing lead at any time in this match. That is what

will give Matthew the confident he can get it I can bring it level at

3-3. It's not like he isn't getting chances. He has a chance, been a

good match, both players have looked good in spasms and then looked a bit

tense in other parts. That can be expected in the best of seven match.

Short format, even though they're getting used to it because they play

that many of these now. How do you see it going? I'm going to go with

Stuart. Easy for me to say that and being a Welshman I would love

Matthew to come back. Stuart looks a bit tense but he still playing very

strong. World number two who has the 3-2 lead. Let's rejoin the

commentators. COMMENTATOR: Matthew Stevens

breaking off in frame six. That won't help. Whatever you do when you

break off, don't hit the blue. APPLAUSE

Awkward shot. He's perfect. Didn't get a very good contact them.

Still OK. Just a matter if the black goes after the red into the right

pocket. Don't think it does. The blue is at the top corner pocket.

Would be easy to get back down and get precise position. -- won't be

easy. Make the angle to come up for the pink. Once again hit that with a

lot of pace to get the cue ball out there.

Like most of the top players, Stuart Bingham is very good when he plays

the stun as we call it for positional purposes. Most of the top

players use that spin more than any other. Yes, very aggressive player

normally, Stuart. There are a couple of loose threads but I think he's

perfect going into the bunch and could do with the pink going back on

its spot because the black isn't available to the right corner.

Nothing wrong with playing the green into the corner but the pink into

the bunch with clear the blue spot area. Looks like he's playing the

loose one. That was the problem, refusing the

pack, he's now in trouble getting to the next red. The blue is a

certainty but he has to avoid the yellow and brown, there is only the

one red that pots, the one right of the black pots to the left hand

corner. The one to the left of the pink spot, but has to be absolutely

precise. Yeah, that wasn't a bad shot, it was the two previous when

he refused to go into the pink. Very tough to avoid the cannon on

brown or yellow from bad shot. -- from that shocked.

is key for Matthew to play some good safety. Not phoned the top cushion

very often when he's played a safety shot. Playing the pot on the red two

up from the black, play for a baulk colour. Needs to bounce and he

hasn't got one. His first pot there for nearly 20

minutes. Could have done with being on one of those colours. Just the

roll-up now. Sometimes when you're playing out

there you feel the balls run against you but actually you hit them.

I don't know if our referee has mentioned a touching ball there. Got

to be careful with this. As to hit this a very fine cut with a running

site. Played that well. Little kiss on the pink on the way down.

Chance to open a few red Sea with this safety shot. The blue or green

is the best choice here. -- open a few reds here. Would like that cue

ball to be further over to the right. No way back for a baulk

colour. Looking at a plant but trying to play the safety shot at

the same time unless the planned as a certainty. All set for the

left-hand jaw. Really surprised that the pace he played it. Matthew is

blessed with a lot of cue power and could have screwed back, but the

cream has come to his rescue. The safety hasn't been that good

from these two players. The ball hasn't finished on the baulk once.

Both these are looking to make breaks but can't forget their safety

play. You have to make a good one and force an opening from your

opponent. Always been part of the game. Little bit worried about

playing this since safety shot from the right-hand side. Tough to avoid

the kiss on the pink and brown playing it this way round. Missed

the pink and misty brown. Not a bad effort. As good a safety shot as has

been played in this match so far. Terry was mentioning about the

safety success and when a player is in front it would be 90% and both

are 76%. A story that neither player has dominated the safety exchanges.

Two excellent safety shots. One after the other. The two best safety

shots have just been played back-to-back. That's because they're

listening to the commentary! They've got hidden microphones. Looking to

see he can play off one condition and pot red but it's a high risk

shot but that's the only one that's on.

Good shot. Fraction unlucky with the ball. He had to play the shot and

got a lot of spin on that considering. Back to the baulk wine.

The run of the balls don't always come to save you. If there was a

saving grace for Matthew it's the fact that the black isn't available

into either corner. I don't think he's got the angle to go to the

correct side of the pink. As to play up and down which she has done. Has

to be to the top of the pink. Isn't. This is one of those, he granduncle

in between green and blue and back down the right-hand side around the

corner but the brown is in the whistle has play between blue and

yellow. How is his pace this time? Pretty good. Not a frame-winning

chance where the balls are at the moment. Not a frame and match

winning chance but he leads by 34 and anything around the 40 Mark

Hughes what he's looking for. -- anything around the 40 mark is what

he's looking for. One of those situations here and

where he'd love to play the cannon into the three reds to clear the

pink spot with the black not been available but too risky at this

stage. 42 points in front, he knows he can keep picking off the reds but

won't get a better angle on this to free the pink spot. I doubt whether

he'll play it. A few shots away from making the black available.

Purposely leaving the red that's nearest the pocket just in in case

he plays it back. You can see her parties having to work now to play

it back. Missed a trick there, I think by not doing the cannon onto

the previous shot. Not saying he won't win the frame with this visit

but he certainly making it harder than it should have been. And that's

why. Now he's in trouble. 56 points the lead, 62 with the pink but no

red available, the brown is the only one he can guarantee to get in

position but not sure if you want to attempt the pot at this stage. Is he

going to risk the pot? Three reds at least two of them pot into the

corner. Mr trick there, Stuart, to be

honest. He missed the red but I'm sure he'll

take the 62 point lead. Quite satisfied about that, Willie.

Bit too thin there. Trying to get down for the blue or baulk colours.

Nice little kiss, that helped a bit. He has got five reds left. 67 points

with all blacks. Isn't available in both corner pockets at the moment.

Little bit of life left in this frame. All of a sudden the safety

has improved. Excellent safety shot from Stuart. Obviously reluctant to

move the left of the right-hand side cushion, Matthew will be trying to

move it with this shot. Could be one of the reds either side of the black

to make it available but this will be a safety shot. Excellent safety

of the last four or five shots. This is a tent for Stuart, may

decide to take it on with those others being safe on the right-hand

side. One of those you can't get a good point here.

This made it as a shock to nothing, didn't play for a colour, now it's

time to push the pink safe. Excellent pot. Put the pink safe the

safe if he can. Has to cuff about -- has to cover that red up. 63 in

front with 59 on. . The excellent pot on the red

barring snookers means he could win this match 4-2. Wry smile, telling

us he hit the blue full in the face and it appeared to deviate somewhat.

Almost playing well Matthew. Just missed a couple of easy balls.

Hasn't punished when he's been let in.

Breaks of 101, 59 and 60 four. They have now secured Stuart Bingham a

place in the next round. I think you'd have to say workmanlike.

Stuart coming off a loss in the first round of the previous

tournament. We'll be pretty pleased to get by this tough first-round

draw. The only one worse is Jimmy White who's got Jimmy Robertson.

Matthew wouldn't have wanted to play Stuart.

Matthew Stevens working hard on his game. I am sure we will see him get

to the last stages of the tournament soon. Not quite as good as Ronnie

left-handed, Stuart. But he will be pleased with that. Stuart Bingham

pleased to get five what could have been a difficult hurdle to getting

into the next round a 4-2 victor. STUDIO: A modest sums up to the

crowd for Stuart Bingham. A shock first-round loser last year. No such

trouble this time round. He is through to the second round. And we

lose one of our 15 welsh men. No glory in his home event this year

for Matthew Stevens. We will hopefully hear from Matthew in just

a moment, but Darren Morgan, what does it say that perhaps Stuart

Bingham wasn't at his very best, and yet it was enough today to get past

Matthew? Willie said in commentary that it was a workmanlike

performance. He started like a rocket. It is hard to keep that

standard. Both of them missed a couple of balls. It was a hard match

were both players. Two class players. Matthew seems unlucky to

draw Stuart in the first round. But he had his chances, and if he had

taken them, maybe he would have got through. Stuart is used to winning.

If the match goes a bit close, one that is used to getting the results

gets over the line. Let's hear from Matthew Stevens, backstage with Rob

Walker. That was a tough draw, to say the

least, to have to take on the world number two in the first round.

That's right. It is strange playing Stuart in the first round. It is a

bit of a toss of a coin, really. It is one of those games, but yeah, it

is hard when you look at the other tables. I have never seen half of

them playing before, and I am playing Stuart in the first round.

It was a bit annoying, but it was the same for both of us. I felt good

there. As I said, it was the toss of a coin. One or two shots a different

way, it could have been different. You have been playing well this

season, qualifying for China. I would have liked to have done better

in front of my home crowd. Playing someone like Stuart, it is a 50-50

game. Today, it was his turn. You are looking lean. Have you been on a

fitness drive? No, I have actually put on weight. I have stopped

smoking, five weeks today. I feel healthier, but I have put a few

pounds on. I feel good. Good work on quitting smoking. You are hiding it

well if you put on a couple of pounds. Good luck for the rest of

the season. Cheers, Rob. He has got the Darren Morgan Baird as well!

Luck of the draw, he says. A frustrating thing to come up against

the world number two in the first round. He does not have the Morgan

pot! Good living, that! Stuart Bingham, congratulations. A new

come. Well done to you. A little white of the brow or a little relief

that you are through? How are you feeling? I feel good. Different from

last week. Started off like a house on fire, with a 100. A couple of

easy misses, which doesn't have the confidence, but it was great to beat

someone up Matthew's calibre. You refer to last week, going out to a

Welsh man in the first round of the Welsh Grand Prix, Ryan Day. He did

well. On a personal note, it was disappointing, but glad to be here

for a few more days. Was that on your mind? Also the fact that you

went out here in the first round last year. Definitely. You are only

as good as your last result. For me, I played awful. I have put some

hours in and I feel better -- I feel better in the game. I showed a

little glimpse of it out there. I am just happy. Willey said in

commentary that he thought you were playing with an element of fear. You

would say there is a lot better to come from you as you progress.

Definitely. Every win is a confidence builder. It was nice to

just go out there and play well. Last month, a new arrival, a baby

daughter. The compulsory question - are you getting enough sleep with a

new baby in the house? My wife is absolutely diamond and has been

doing the night feeds. I have woken up a couple of times without crying.

It is nice to be away for a few days! Just to get a bit of rest. We

will see you in the second round. Thank you very much. Stuart Bingham

goes through, and we lose Matthew Stevens. One of the Welshman is out.

Let's bring you up-to-date with our one another Welsh player got on

earlier. Dominic Nick Dale was facing Zhang Anda of China. Dominic

is trailing by 27 points at this stage.

At the moment, Dominic is in total control of this first-round match.

The first two frames, he played very solid, didn't take on anything

silly. It has paid off. Just over on the cue ball a little,

there. Could have done with four inches less. You would still expect

him to pop this red. -- pot this red. A little straight on the blue.

And he's done really well there to get that angle from there. That

didn't look on. That was really well played and controlled.

He has got a shot on the pink. He is having a wry smile to himself. It is

not an easy one, into the green pocket. Could have done with that

cue ball running through another three or four inches. If he does go

for the pink and it goes in, this next red will be very easy. Just got

to concentrate on the pot. He is looking very confident,

Dominic. A great player, Zhang Anda. Just hasn't really had the

opportunities in this match. Dominic has made sure he hasn't been able to

get comfortable. It's all the years of experience.

I can't see any way that Dominic will make a mistake from this

position, not to take a 3-0 lead. There is only one awkward red. Which

he is going to need. It is far enough off the cushion, I think, not

to cause him any problems. This young man, I'm sure he has a

terrific future ahead of him. At the moment, it doesn't look like today

is going to be his day. He's got the same thing again. He

potted this a couple of shots ago. No problems, though. Very well

played. He will be trying to get off this

red, just to get the angle on the black. I don't think he will try to

move it. It is far enough off of the cushion. He just wants to pot this

half ball and dropping above the red. That's going to be a bit of a

stretch, but I think you can just about get to this without the rest.

Just made sure of it. That was framed ball. People go into a 3-0

lead. No problems out there at the minute. This has been a cracking

break. It's good to see Dominic hitting a

bit of form. He has lost his last three matches this season. He'll be

looking to get back on the winning trail.

It doesn't matter about the pink. Dominic will be quite happy there.

He now leads three - zero. STUDIO: Well, no trouble for Dominic

Dale in the fourth frame either. He won that as well. The Welshman got

beyond round one for the first time in three years. His previous high

point was in 2004. And here he is with me now. Good afternoon. Safely

through. How are you feeling? Will you be working hard over the next

couple of days working for us and continuing to compete? I don't play

tomorrow, they are continuing with the first-round matches. I am just

glad to get through because I lost three matches in a row until today,

so I am just very pleased to get through that one and be in the

second round in my home event. That must be a big relief, when you have

lost in the first ran for three years running, to get beyond that

major hurdle. And then who knows how far you can go? Every first-round

match in every event, there's a lot of pressure in it for all the

players. I am delighted to get through, and I look forward to the

next match. Problem is, you were saying, you can't get a spot on the

practice tables. No, they are blocked out. I can't get a practice

a lot, so you can bet your life I have booked in for tomorrow, nice

and early. You had better find a local snooker club to get some

practice! Who would your money beyond this year if I was to give

you a fiver now? It is difficult to predict this particular event,

because it is only the best of seven in the early rounds. If you don't

get a good start, a lot can go wrong. You would have to look for

the experienced players - Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Selby and so on. It

is never easy to get over the first hurdle, but I am sure in the best of

seven, you will get some shocks. We have seen Matthew Stevens go out a

short while ago. Is he in danger of being eclipsed by the new generation

of players coming through, the likes of Jamie Jones and Michael White,

who got to the quarterfinals last year? Yes, you have a new generation

of great players, especially from China, and there are some lads from

Thailand coming through. The likes of myself, who are 45, and Matthew,

in his 40s, it gets harder, because the problem is, the players coming

through now, that younger brigade, they are fearless, but they know

they have a tough match when they are playing the experienced players,

but they are up for it. And they probably don't feel the same degree

of pressure as some of the older players for winning matches. It's

tough, but it keeps you honest, keeps you putting in the hours and

keeps you committed. We will see you over the next couple of days. It is

time for our second action of the afternoon. It is the four - time

Welsh Open champion, John Higgins, who last won it two years ago. His

opponent is Englishman Sam Baird. Let's join the commentary team,

Terry Griffiths and Rob Walker. Thanks, Ian. Good afternoon,

everybody. Sam Baird, poised and ready for action here. He looks a

little bit nervous. And as the reason why - John Higgins, four

times the Welsh Open champion, six times a finalist overall. One of the

legends of the game. And it is John to get us under way here. It could

be a really interesting match. John Higgins has been performing at

the highest level for such a long time, just going over the stats. He

first played the Welsh Open back in 1993. Twice a runner-up in the

previous century, I think he will probably forgive me for mentioning.

Runner-up to Steve Davis in 1995, and the late great Paul Hunter in

1998. Four times a winner. I saw Sam Baird in the players' room, looking

a little bit edgy earlier on. He has had some of his finest days here at

the Welsh Open in previous years. Made the last 16 in 2013. His first

televised appearance the year before, so it is a good hunting

ground for bed. -- for Sam Baird. He will obviously be the big outsider

for this one. This is the man who holds 28 ranking titles.

Terry Griffiths, sitting alongside, poised and ready for his second

Match of the Day. Terry, I guess you've worked with so many players,

including Sam, what is the approach when they are coming out against

someone of the stature, talent and mental strength of John Higgins? Sam

did look a bit edgy just before they came out for the match. Just tell

them that, you are playing against a great player here, but he is under

pressure. If you can start well and play well, he is under more pressure

than you are. But if you do get very nervous and you fall over on the

floor, please get up. You make it sound so easy! Sam's wife, Emma, is

in the crowd somewhere. We will try and spot the for you if we can. --

we will try and spot her. John had that fantastic run last

autumn when he won the China championship, the Champion of

champions, beating Stuart Bingham and Ronnie O'Sullivan, then

runner-up on home turf, when Marco made that big comeback against him

in Glasgow. John invited him for the party, and Marco had to in the turn

him down. Nothing untoward, he just had an early flight a day after the

final. Just looking at the red in the

centre of the three, it goes past the green into the top pocket. He

could play without too much danger, screw back for the black. Leaves an

easy red on. He is having a good book, so it must be tight. You can

see, the angle is a little bit difficult.

That could have given him a good chance to get started.

Well, there is Emma. She just said, oh, no. It's OK, you won't being

shot for too long. People like to see the relatives. A good mate,

Aaron, sitting next to her. We can steal the leg-mac still see their

image out of shot. Aaron is looking a little bit embarrassed. -- we can

still see their image. good to see him coming back to form,

because there was a time where John felt he was turning up as a

journeyman. He won the Welsh in the fabric the Australian open, then

that run into last Christmas. He was right back to his very best form.

Just shy of 30 ranking titles. No diminishing of his abilities as

he heads into his early 40s. And Ronnie is still winning at the age

of 40, 41, as we saw at The Masters last month. The old guard still

going strong. That was a good pot. I don't think

he played for that red in the first place. He overhit the blue. Most

players will tell you that when you don't get on the red you're playing

for, and there is a lot more distance and degree of difficulty

involved in the shot, that makes them determined to get it. He is

back in to play for position, more or less, again. He has gone a little

too far. If you were watching the first match on this table, you will

have seen that it runs very quickly. The thing is, the players practice a

lot upstairs in the practice room, and the tables are not quite so

quick there. For obvious reasons. That was unexpected. Now, then, Sam,

what are you made of? An uncharacteristic error from John

Higgins, and what an opportunity this is for Sam to settle his early

nerves in this opening frame. I'm not sure he would be expecting

an opportunity at this stage in the frame, judging by how nicely John

was working his way round the table in those early moments, but here he

is. Well, a clear-cut chance here for

Sam Baird. Very strong in the break building department. As Rob said

earlier, he is in Gloucester now, moved up there to get his practice

at the Southwest Snooker Academy. I spent some time with Sam up there,

watching him. Not a lot, but are very nice lad, very keen, and I

don't feel he has played as well yet on the circuit as his talent is

offering him. But it could happen at any time. As long as you put the

time in, the work in. Belief, believe it or not, is rationed

amongst the professional players, you could say. We've had some

brilliant stories this season already, haven't we, Terry? Mark

King beating Barry for the Northern Ireland Trophy. What an emotional

speech he gave. And what about Anthony Hamilton? He booked tickets

for his mum and dad to watch him. He said, I will try to get a ticket for

the final if I can, and whoever is in, go and watch. And as the week

progressed, it turned out that after years of being a professional, it

was his turn to win it. There have been some inspirational stories

already this season, ones that will fire up players of all ages.

Including the likes of Sam Baird. The big boys can be beaten. A couple

of real Snooker fairy tales this season, with Mark King and Anthony.

Guest, very much so. Another one would be Mark of -- Marco Fu, who

has turned his game around, won the Scottish open, and is playing very

well on this circuit at the moment. It looks like a top four player at

the moment, whereas in the last three years, he has been into the 16

and that is about it. He is well capable. He got to the semifinal of

the World Championships last year with some excellent form.

Is good to see players who've been around a long time doing something

different, changing technique or whatever. Got to keep looking for

things, no point in staying for you are. I wonder how much of that as

Baird moves into the lead, I wonder how much of that comes down to the

players's flexibility and willingness to accept they still

have something to learn about a game in which they've been plying their

trade for over two decades. As they say in the book of learning, there

are always more pages available. I think you've red more of that book

than most of us. Good effort this from Sam. If he

pots this with a touch of side, he can play for the two reds on the

left corner, or played with a bit of a touch of side and play the two

reds to the bottom corner. Lots of choice. Clean. Has come a little bit

in between. Could have been straight on both of these reds. --

straighter. John Higgins needing snookers. Can

Sam finish this off? This is good stuff from the man who calls himself

Blade. John nods, so Sam has taken the frame, uncharacteristic error

early on from John Higgins and Sam Baird has taken the first frame here

at the Motorpoint Arena and that should well have settled down his

pre-match nerves. Good start for the young man from Devon.

STUDIO: Certainly had a good sign for Sam Baird. If you are joining

our coverage, let's show you how these two measure up.

Just look at the difference in ranking titles.

But, Darren, that's a start by Sam Baird that will give them an awful

lot of confidence against a player of John Higgins's stature. It will,

give him a lot of confidence besides the break he's just hit was the

couple of shots that John Higgins played in the middle of that frame,

a couple of bad positional shots which he struggled on and a couple

of Mrs. We will see a blue in a minute, it is the blue he's thinking

about and look for the white has gone, overscrewed that through a gap

by a mile. Pots a great long red, back in good position and then from

the yellow to the next red witchy gen -- which he then missed, by his

standard was a poor shot, the very first blue. That's as bad as he

could hit it. Finished 18 inches to two feet away from where he needed

to be. When he potted the long red I thought he would win the frame from

here and two shots later he misses the red with the rest and Sam Baird

had one chance and he took it. What's your assessment of Sam Baird,

could he go either way, maybe he starts to make a name for himself

and goes up the rankings or fades away? He's always been a good

player, had a good run here a couple of years ago, got something the

quarterfinals, always been a good player, just hasn't quite made the

breakthrough yet. Has got all the tools. Very good player, like we

said in commentary, it's getting the breakthrough, just have to get it.

Underway in frame two with Baird leading Higgins 1-0.

COMMENTATOR:. Good to hear the thoughts from Darren there. It is a

question of getting an opportunity. He did. A break of 74 has got him

firmly established in the early stages of this match. No need to

panic from the point of view of the Higgins fans. Some early signs here

at John has yet to settle down in this, the tournament that he won

four times and in the final total of six occasions. Food for thought

there from the man who won the China championship and the champion of

champions in November. Another chance in the second frame for Sam

Baird. He has produced some of his best

snooker here at the Welsh Open in previous years. We should of course

forget that incredible match that he gave Mark Selby at the Crucible. He

beat Michael white in the first round and then forced Mark Selby to

answer some really difficult questions. Lost the second round

match at the World Championship 13-11 but gave a really good account

of himself in Sheffield. Maybe there is more to come.

Has got plenty of skill, Sam. Like a number of players on tour. Some

disappointments obviously during the season. That cannot him back a bit.

Very good break-builder. Excellent and on his day he can run frame

after frame with big breaks. Didn't hit that hard enough. Plenty of

confidence there. As Dominic Dale would say, I don't know whether he's

got the copyright on this, he's turned that into an orchard of reds.

Which one is he going to pick first? Terry, you highlighting just how

good Sam is on his day, he lost his place on the tour at the end of the

2011-2012 season and had to come back onto via Q-School. One might

all five matches at Q-School without conceding a single frame. That

underlines just how good he can be when the pressure is on. He played a

very good split of the reds here and left himself with one awkward one he

could go for and he lost position. Not quite sure if you can pot, will

know if you can get through the baulk area and get the reds. Not an

easy pot. Tight on the cushion. He was hoping to get the gap between

the brown and yellow. Wasn't to be. Does need to be careful here because

of the aggressive manner with which she split the pack. Makes a mistake

here, could be a chance for the four time Welsh Open champion. Who has

spent a fair portion of the early exchanges sitting in his chair.

He'll be watching the next shot very carefully indeed from Sam Baird.

Big shot. He's been unfortunate. To pot at all like that and not get on

the colour. Very unlucky there. He could have kissed that red full bowl

or just missed the red and he would be on the pink in the centre. He'll

still be on the pink. Can just about get through. Superb long pot there

from Sam. He is clearly up for this. I guess when you're playing an

opponent of the calibre of John Higgins you have got to take the

chances when they come because at stumps age -- at some stage you know

the game of John Higgins will return. If you start well against

the top seed, it puts them under pressure, especially in the first

round. That's what Sam has done so far. It's only the best of seven, so

if you get a good start, you're halfway there.

I wouldn't be writing John Higgins off too quickly.

Don't worry, I'm not. He has produced some incredible comebacks.

One that springs to mind, do you remember that incredible UK

Championship, I think it was either the last one of the penultimate one

we had in Telford when he came back from nowhere against Mark Williams

to land another UK title. And then I think he won the Welsh Open maybe a

week or ten days, certainly within a fortnight of burying his father who

had been his number one fan. Higgins has incredible mental strength on

and off the table. Didn't have much angle on that

Bluetooth stun the cue ball around to get close to the red but it was

worth a chance to leave himself a long pot. Now he's got a few

problems to face. What's the chance of that same shot occurring and

getting kind of brown. Must be two out of a hundred, possibly. The

problem is the bowls are open sore if he doesn't get it safe, hit the

red and get it safe, Higgins will be up and at him. He's been unlucky a

couple of times in this frame with the position. He's having a long

hard look at this one. John will be itching to get back to the table.

Playing dead weight onto that red off two cushions. Pretty good effort

there but if he's left this red available to the left corner for

John Higgins he'd probably take it on. He's got this red into the

left-centre, he's potting it back. Obviously didn't fancy the pot

there. White and red were very close together to be fair to him.

Can he make contact this time and still leave it safe? John didn't

quite fancy the pot. With his first attempt.

Requesting the cue ball to go back even quicker than he did the first

time. Now just needs to maintain his composure here. He's made a cracking

start to this match. Could have been worse. This red is

available but it's got a blind pot into the corner pocket. John's

Island will be towards the black spot area. Going in the corner

pocket. Pretty good pot that. Left the blue in the middle. To the

corner. Just a matter if you can get on any reds to the corner pocket.

John moving round table with intent. Senses this is a good opportunity

here. 2-level proceedings. The referee overseeing this one, so

much liquor being played around the world these days, it's good to see

yet more new officials coming into the sport. The grandad of them all

and I assure he won't mind me saying it new crop coming through to keep

pace with the never-ending supply of world class snooker players. The

match had to be moved to tonight because of him refereeing late in

Preston last night. Five of the eight tables we've got going

simultaneously at the Motorpoint Arena the flat 128, only the top 16

are seeded and everyone else is in the melting pot. Which is why we had

the likes of Matthew Stevens taking on world number two Stuart Bingham.

Speaking of Ryan Day, he's up against Dave Gilbert later and

they're both very much in the hunt for the top 16 spot at the Crucible.

To make it there automatically you have to start with everybody

Good effort this from John, he's been sitting down a long time in

this match. Only in the second frame. 74 from Sam Baird in the

first frame. 37 in this and a little unlucky to snooker himself. John

Higgins is not certain he can get to the potting angle of either of these

two reds. He's overdone it, with a touch of side to straighten it up

and he straightened too much and he's left two of the three remaining

reds left on for Sam. Just as we had in the first frame,

an uncharacteristic error from John Higgins and Sam Baird has an

opportunity here. Run out of position on his first

break, as Terry said. But he's back at the table here. Can he hold his

nerve and double his advantage? The statisticians among you,

occasionally this could be misleading if it's only taken in the

first couple of friends, but Sam Baird's pot success is 97% so far in

this match. -- first couple of frames. If he can keep that going,

that would be incredibly impressive. Certainly in the very least it's an

indication that he started this match with real accuracy. That's why

he's got himself an opportunity here. To take a two frame lead

although there is some life left in this frame yet. He played the right

shot back to bring that red into play which he's managed but a little

bit thick and stayed close to the cushion, so that restricts his

options on the blue to put spin on to keep it close the pink looks like

the better shot but it's a very tough pot. Striking down into the

cue ball. How good was that? That was superb from Baird. Didn't even

touch the sides. Some questions being asked dog -- of

John Higgins here in the first two frames.

Playing for the blue there, gone a little bit too far. Those the baulk

colours close together, not going to be easy trying to win from here.

Just looking now if he can pot the blue and leave the yellow and more

distance than he would have liked and kiss the green into play. That

would be a positive shot. Having a long look at this, Sam

Baird. He's got a fantastic percentage success rate on the long

pots and this is going to have to be goods. Awkward angle for him.

He's done the business they are with the yellow. Got some contact on the

green but this shot is certainly no gimme.

Heated pot this but he doesn't want to play it with too much pace. He's

got it. 16 in front. Just needs the brown to

go 2-0 in front. Looks easy enough from up here.

Brilliant there from Baird. Frame ball. Perfect on the blue. And the

two frame advantage. Would you believe that pot success percentage

has gone up to 98. This is brilliant snooker from Sam Baird. APPLAUSE

So, two two mistakes, one in each frame from John Higgins and Sam

Baird has capitalised on both occasions. Two frames up against the

four time world champion. This is great stuff from Sam Baird.

STUDIO: That little look on John Higgins' face says it all. We could

have an upset on the cards. It is a long way to go, but the first frame,

John Luttwak he had it in the bag and then made an elementary mistake,

which we're not used to, and Sam took his chance. In this frame, it

looked like he would level the match up. The cue ball rolling through. He

overshot to buy a couple of inches, and he finishes in the worst

position for him. He tries to pinch the angle on the red, a little bit

of side. He hits it straight, and it cost him the frame. He could be to -

zero up, and instead he is 2-0 down. -- 2-0. The table looks very fast.

He rolled the blue, then played for the red to the left of the pink to

roll through, the white has travelled an inch too far. He would

have to swerve around it's likely to get that one, so he has played the

other one, because it is probably a more comfortable shot, and he has

pushed the cue ball too far. What an opportunity for Sam Baird. He took

it well. He potted a great yellow and has landed awkwardly on the

green, role that in and then potted a dream brown in the middle pocket.

A fantastic start. -- rolled it in. He has just got to keep doing what

he's doing. If John Higgins continues to miss, all he can do is

take his chances. He has a great chance of winning. John Higgins will

be sat in his chair thinking, I could be 2-0 up and I am 2-0 down.

He won't push the panic button yet, but he won't be happy sitting in his

chair at the minute. He will have been here before and come back from

this type of position. He wanted the panic button, as I said, but he will

be uncomfortable and frustrated when he should be 2-0 up. He's out of his

chair. Let's rejoin the commentary team.

John Higgins has had some great moments at tournaments around the

world, especially the Welsh, and he has been drawn into quite a tussle

here. A man a fair few positions below him in the rankings. He

started this match is the rank outsider. And he has played

brilliantly in the first two frames, he really has. Too early to talk

about an upset, but certainly, John is going to have to be on tiptop

form here if Sam Baird continues playing in the manner in which we

have seen him performing over the last, what, 41 and a half minutes. A

cracking start to the match. And once again, we are seeing a player

not intimidated by location or opponent. And I wonder, Terry,

whether we're going to see this more and more because these guys are

playing the top seeds Whee in, week out, day in, day out. Maybe it is

not as frightening if you have an opportunity to face them every

single week, because you might on occasion take them on when they are

not on top form. Yes, it's one of the good things, with the 128

players on tour, they get more chances against the top players.

When I was in years ago, they would be in the qualifiers, and a lot

don't come out into a venue in their career. They are all looking for the

same thing - get to the Crucible and do well there, possibly. Most

players don't even get to the Crucible in those days. Now there

are better chances. As Barry Hearn would say, they have all got a

chance. We have certainly heard that expression a few times in the press

conferences. John, just consulting the referee. He has an issue with

his bowtie. Stephen McGuire, incidentally, has a medical

exemption. He doesn't have to wear a bow tie. He has an issue with his

neck. John just going off. He is going to get some stitches on his

bowtie, which gives Sam a moment or two just to reflect on his 2-mac-

frame advantage. An unusual interruption, but John will return

suitably attired in this third frame. STUDIO: OK, well, we have had

a few clothing issues today. Matthew Stevens had a little problem

earlier, and now John Higgins has gone upstairs to sort out his

bowtie. While that happens, let's tell you about another Welshman who

is through to the second round - Lee Walker beating Greece clerk of

Scotland 4-2. Dominic Dale is through. Lee Walker joins him in the

second round. We will keep you updated on Jackson Page, one of the

two Welsh wild cards, one of the teenagers taking part. He is in

action at the moment, so we will bring the latest on that when we get

it well. Lee Walker and Dominic Dale through, Matthew Stevens out after

his defeat earlier onto Stuart Bingham. Interesting. We saw Matthew

Stevens earlier having problems and he had to get someone serving his

button back on. His logo was coming off and catching on his cue, so

obviously he had to get that sorted. This four John Higgins, his dickie

bow, it could be anything - too tight, to lose. He will have a

couple of stitches put in it. Ever had any bowtie issues? I have. They

are not the easiest things to play with, but when you get used to them,

it is like anything else. A lot of players have the top button undone

and the dickie bow very loose. It is very easy when it hits the cue just

to hit the button or the class but the back. It can cause a foul. He is

back. A little thumbs up to the referee to say it is all good, he is

happy with the bowtie. Let's resume this match. COMMENTATOR: A real

touch of class from John Higgins. As you saw the shot of him re-emerging,

he momentarily paused just to double-check that he wasn't getting

in the eye line of Jackson Page Jason Weston, just to his left hand

side, then carried on walking, realising that they weren't looking

in his direction. Consummate professional, with great respect and

integrity. Once again, suitably attired, with the tide back in

place. -- the tie. When you are working with players,

Terry, do you try and create scenarios of unforeseen

interruptions, just to the players, look, any number of things might

happen to pause a match, and the matter what is going on in the

arena, you have to maintain your focus and concentration? Or do you

just trust that their concentration will get them through anyway? Well,

I think, tactically, you make them aware of what they should be doing

out there, and that is quite straightforward, really. Although it

isn't straightforward when you are out there. When I am talking about

it, it seems easy. That is, of course, to be ready for anything

that happens in front of you. Good or bad, you have to be ready for it,

because believe it or not, you can start really well and go 2-0 up, and

then get frightened that you may win the match. There are many people

like that. So many players taking fear out onto the table these days.

They are just frightened they are going to lose before they start.

That's not great. I'm not saying they are going to lose, certainly,

but it does help if you've got some belief in yourself. Almost too much

time to think, sometimes, if you are in a good position. Another

opportunity presents itself here for Sam Baird. He has made a mistake in

both of the first two frames, and here is another from the 4-mac- time

world champion. Baird is having a good look at the table. Plenty of

reds. Spread out here. Two frames up. And the balls are spread nicely

for him. An early chance hearing frame three. -- here in frame three.

Well, he just about went past that red. He has overcut it. That was the

first really bad shot he has played in this match. That was a little bit

tricky, that shot. John Higgins can't believe it. He would be

expecting Sam to do a few there, but the result was pressure out there,

at all stages during a match. Oh, didn't get near that. Unless he had

a bad contact, that would have been a very disappointing hit of the cue

ball four John Higgins from there. Welcomer unexpected misses here from

both players. -- well, unexpected misses here... It looked as though

John Higgins had allowed Sam Baird to come right back into this frame,

but it is the young player who is straight back to the table himself.

-- it looked as if Sam Baird had a love John Higgins back into this

game. A lovely pot to middle right there.

He won't mind seeing that one again in a replay later today if he

manages to win. A completely different player to the manner of

nerves before the match began. He is playing with confidence and belief

here. That keyword that you are always stressing, Terry. This has

been a brilliant start to the match from Baird.

Yes, of course, John Higgins has got plenty of belief, but he still gets

his self-doubt. Don't we all, in life, whether it is snooker or

anything else? In snooker, you are always a bit nervous starting off

the first frame. And if they start to play well, they can suffer a bit

of pressure about being in front and don't want to lose, when you're in a

winning situation, which is possibly the worst way to lose, whatever

sport you are in. If you are well in front, Tim Dews can hang with you

for about six months. -- if you are well in front, losing can hang with

you. I remember you telling a story about when you were starting out as

a professional and you had an enormous lead which you then somehow

surrendered, and you learned a very hard lesson from that, you were

telling me. Yes, you've got to do that. If you want to play snooker

for a while. I've played six hours a day in solo play. You get these

blows that you need to come back from, whether it is snooker, any

other sport, or anything in life as well. Most of the players, when you

see the belief not fall down, is when they have belief and you are

close to the finish line. You have to play what is in front of you. It