Day Two - Part 2 Snooker: Welsh Open

Good Evening, We Have Not Reached The End Of Round One Yet But The Big

Shocks Keep Coming, Another Former World Champion And A Top Welsh

Player Out Of The Competition. . It has been another thrilling afternoon

at the 2017 Welsh Open. I love playing in Cardiff, love the Welsh

fans, so happy to be back. It is a tough draw for anyone.

I practise with him and I know how good he is. I know I have a big

match on my hands will stop but we both struggled a bit. I think

playing in Wales, you play your mates, it is never easy, but

hopefully I have produced some good form. I had Tyler, which is wild

card, a young player. But he really put me under pressure and it could

have been a lot closer than 4-1. I thought he played great for his

press time. -- first time. I would say it is the best when I have had.

With being on TV as well. Friends, family and a lot of people watching.

My son is four years old today. I think he could give me a good game.

That is how bad I really was! Massive disappointment for Mark

Williams, and all of those fans who follow his progress each year. Two

other Welsh players have gone today. David John losing to marketing.

Gareth Alun beaten by debutant Wang Yuchen. Marco Fu beating Martin

Gould. In which open winner Liang Wenbo into round two. An Joe Perry,

the runner-up at the Masters last month, knocked out by Anthony

McGill. And Mark Allen, another semifinalist here last year, marches

on after a 4-0 win over Sydney Wilson today.

So, a very warm welcome to our Tuesday night programme. Aaron

Mauger is our guest tonight. You commentate it on Mark Williams. --

Darren Morgan. He was brutally honest, he said he embarrassed

himself, doesn't know why he is anywhere near the top, what went

wrong for him today? He was just not at the races. But he is such a

fantastic player and I know he has been putting the work in and he has

been playing great in practice. He has been showing a certain form in

certain events and matches anyway. Then he is having the odd match

where he calls it a stinker and he cannot understand what it is, and

today for him, by his standards, it was a bit of a stinker. Not to take

anything away from Elliot, because he played really well, but that was

not marked today, he was miles off his game. Was it as bad as he

suggested? Because he did come back from 3-1 to level. He has probably

been really hard on himself. It probably was not as bad as he

thinks. Setting there were sitting in the commentary box, being a

Welshman, we wanted him to win, it was frustrating, because you know

how good he is. When you see the other players around who are winning

and you know he is still every bit as good if not better than them, it

is frustrating that someone of his calibre is struggling. Matthew

Stevens were yesterday and Mark today so the next generation, the

likes of Jimmy Jones or Michael White, they have to step up and show

they can do it. -- Jamie Jones. Jamie Jones is coming back to form,

he has couple of good results recently and Michael White winning

the shoot out and going on and winning his maiden event a couple of

years ago, but again, great players, and they are still young men. They

have got great futures ahead of them. But there is a couple of

others as well, a young man playing tonight, Daniel Wells, very capable

players, works very hard at his game. He has a terrific future. We

will see how they get on throughout the tournament but as for this

evening, well, one of the big stars of the modern game, Judd Trump for

you this evening. Let me show you how the measures up against his

first round opponent, Andrew Higginson.

Trump was a semifinalist here in 2013, Higgins a runner-up in 2007.

So time to get the players out for this evening's action. It is Judd

Trump against Andrew Higginson. Let's join our commentary team.

Terry Griffiths and Rob Walker. Thanks very much. Good evening,

everybody. A nice ripple of applause. Remember, there is play

under way already on the tables so that is why the players were

cautious as they emerged, here on table one. Another good crowd

tonight here at the Motorpoint Arena, and this man is one reason

why so many have turned out. One of the most exciting players of his

generation. Robert Spencer wishing both Manuel. -- both men well. Judd

is number four in the world, but it has been a mixed season, for this

highly talented long pot and six time ranking event winner. Added to

his collection earlier this season, beating Ronnie 9-8 in the Masters,

but he has had quite a few early exits. He has gone on record earlier

this season and said that he feels he is playing quite consistent

snooker, but that ever were not realised -- everyone else realises

they have got to raise their game, and on many occasions they have done

just that. So Judd will be looking for a big run at a tournament just

like this. But he will have to beat Andrew Higginson, a man who will be

familiar with those who followed some of the great Welsh finals.

But Higginson took part in an epic final in 2007, losing out to Neil

Robertson. So he has got for and previous here. -- format.

But the early error, he was miles away with that red. And that has

done the damage. Just as we said it looked as though Judd may have an

opportunity, to get a big early score on the board. He has missed a

fairly simple ball. Well, we saw some uncharacteristic

errors from Ronnie O'Sullivan earlier this afternoon, and from Tom

Ford. Tom Ford took the first frame, then Ronnie got some momentum

together. But we have seen some nervy exchanges in the early frames

of a couple of these matches here today. It looks set to continue.

Even the top seeds get nervous when they go out there for their first

game. You have got to settle down a bit.

You just feel that there is pressure on these properties to win these

games. It gets tough for them. One thing they do is they recover

quickly from bad frames and bad shots.

Is that as much down to their mental strength is their ability on the

table? Well, ability obviously, they have all got ability, the truth of

it is, they are all human, they are going to have nerves, something more

than others, for no reason at all. Andrew Higginson is a handful when

he is playing well. Got the makings of a good break,

this. After a couple of early misses.

As well as winning the European Masters, Judd was runner-up to Liang

Wenbo in the English Open final. Semis in Scotland are losing to

Higgins in a decider. So he has had a reasonably good season. But he has

also had a few uncharacteristic early excerpts. -- exits. That shock

result of the UK championship when Oliver and Peter lines managed to

make it through to the third round. Oliver not jut out. -- knocked Judd

out. He is not used to extinct major tournaments that early. -- exiting.

What I like about Judd Trump is that he has a presence out there and you

know when he comes out, he is one of these players that can hit you hard

very quickly and never stop hitting you in a match. I love watching him

play. He is an exceptional player. He has got so much power, great

touch. Works very hard on his game. But I'm sure, like many other

players, he is a little bit disappointed he hasn't won the world

champ edge of yet, but there is no doubt he has the talent to do that,

he may well do it this year, who knows? If you cast your mind back to

that amazing final in 2011 between Janet and John Higgins, the noise

when they came out -- Judd, on the Monday night, it was absolutely

incredible. Just a little bit of luck helping him along the way.

We do still have a potential century break to open things up. That was a

great year for Judd in 2011. People in snooker had heard of him long

before that year, but as far as the public were concerned, he won in

China, then stormed to the World Championship final. He was the first

of that generation of players to start doing things like tweeting. In

mid-session interval is. He really captured the imagination of the

public. And courtesy of that run down the cushion to the yellow

pocket, he has indeed started with a century break. And he finished off

2011 with that fantastic UK championship final against Mark

Allen. So, Judd Trump is up and running

here with a century, good start from the favourite.

Chocolate. Has to be chocolate. Leonardo DiCaprio. He is a great

actor. Also Ben Affleck. There was a time in a local league game when I

beat someone, he must of been about 40 and I was about six or seven at

the time. He ended up snapping his cue after I beat him. I am quite

patient. And also quite relaxed. Quite a bad loser. It takes me a

while to get over some losses it takes me a day or two to get it. --

get over it. Prawn tempera. Maybe David Beckham, possibly, or maybe,

McGregor would be a bit intimidating but normally I am OK. I am the best

driver in the world, I think. I haven't really paid much attention

to what has happened in the past. I like to go forward 50 years and see

what is happening. Probably by the beach in LA, out with friends at

night, I think. Well, good to see there are still a

few people he would be starstruck around. Floyd Mayweather might be

the greatest pound for pound boxer in history.

Robert Spencer having a bit of banter with Andrew Higginson. The

former Welsh Open finalist keen to get this second frame underway.

Right, OK. A little smile from Andrew. Andrew Higginson to break.

Andrew had a good run from the last 16 of the European Masters. Before

losing to Judd Trump. Judd went on to the final and beat Ronnie 9-8. He

has had a couple of good scalps, Andrew Higginson.

Been around a long time, the Widnes warrior.

He has recorded two victories over Judd, but they were quite a long

time ago. The first was in 2009. The second two years later. Judd leads

the head-to-heads 10-2 in total. Andrew Higginson having a look at

that. Just to check he has got a way through.

The blue landing pretty well for him on the brown spot.

Halting his path -- plotting his path.

Could just do without little bit of table time, Judd dominated that

opening frame with the 102. Terry, even though Judd has 16

ranking titles, has made a great contribution to the excitement of

the sport over the last few years. Would you expected -- have expected

him to have an even bigger impact on the sport since 2011, bearing in

mind how dynamic it was when he burst onto the scene with those wins

in China and the UK? Would you have expected more since then, overall?

Well, yes, I thought he would have done better, he hasn't won the

Masters, or the world, and there is not many people where you are seeing

they can win those three, but Judd is in that bracket, no doubt about

it. Ronnie O'Sullivan has got a great respect for him. He should be

winning more events. I haven't seen Judd play a lot away from

competition. But there is no doubt he is an exceptional player.

Not much happening in this second frame so far.

I think the result of pressure -- there is.

It hasn't been a great campaign for himself. Quite a few exits in the

second round. Germany, the UK, Northern Ireland. England and the

World Open. Reader as well, going out in the last 64. -- reader. Then

defeat Judd in the last 16 of the European Masters. -- to Judd. But we

have certainly seen some interesting performances at various tournaments

this year from players who themselves may have thought they had

gone beyond their best days. If they can do it, there is no reason why

the likes of the Widnes warrior cannot find a run of form in one of

these tournaments. It has been a great season for unlikely winners.

Very unfortunate. He put a bit too much spin on, not quite sure.

He doesn't show much in the chair, does he? Not much emotions or

anything else, just get on with it. He is very well behaved. That was a

contrast to the match this afternoon where we saw plenty of demonstrative

reactions from both Tom Ford and Ronnie O'Sullivan. Even Mark

Williams, who is normally so cool and calm, slamming his cue into the

carpet with frustration on a couple of occasions. It gets to the best of

them! But that long pot, those were the

kind of shots that make people sit up and take notice of him, six or

seven years ago. I think he still got a read. But he

would like to have been on a better angle than this. If he can plot the

bottom of those two... Avoiding the reds. Getting a nice colour could be

a little awkward. -- the next. He will take that. A little flick off

the red. It goes into the corner. You feel he has to make chances like

this count. Players that are quality of Judd Trump don't hand out too

many chances to opponents. This is a cracking opportunity for

Andrew just settle down into the match, get a feel for the table. Get

a nice break on the board. Level things up in the early stages.

Always good crowds here. Formerly at Newport, the leisure centre, now

here in the heart of the capital in the Motorpoint Arena.

You can see one or two people in the crowd having a look at, because

there are so many tables in action. Andrew Higginson just working his

way through these colours. It looked to me like the blur would

have been a better option. -- blue. Very fast. A few of the players have

said that, after coming off. Still more than enough available for Judd

Trump to take this frame, should he be given another opportunity. 83

still on. Seven reds. He is not sure about this.

Changed his mind to call left middle.

Deciding to work with the pink. That will do him just as well.

Good effort. Some shops were tricky. He knows he has to do well in this

match. Pink to middle left. He will leave

Judd Trump requiring snookers. Nicely played, from the 2007 Welsh

Open finalist. This is exactly what he needed, just to settle down into

the match. It wasn't to be a century. That

doesn't matter. Andrew Higginson has drawn level, one frame a piece.

We have talked all day long about underdogs taking opportunities when

they come along. Tom Ford could not do it against Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Andrew Higginson taking his opportunity in that second frame

against Judd Trump. Great performance. Terrific 100. Judd

Trump was unfortunate in the second frame, potted a good red and it

dragged off, so he could be snookered. As Terry said in

commentary, there were some dodgy shots in the middle pocket. He

played them very well. Take a look at this and talk us through it. He

has absolutely nailed dress. Brilliant pot. Play that ten times

again and you will miss the middle pocket. If it had come off the side

real, he would have been perfect on the blue. Judd Trump is not easy to

read. Interesting hearing the commentators talk about expectations

on Judd Trump, since he made his big breakthrough. What does he have to

do to be regarded as one of the greats of the game? Think is

regarded as one of the greats. I mean an all-time great. Obviously,

the World Championship and the Masters. What Judd Trump's trouble

has been in the past is a little bit of inconsistency and maybe pushing

the boat out a little too early to go for that one pot in the middle.

He has a terrific safety game now. He is exciting to watch. Still

bashes them in from everywhere. But there is an element node of safety

to his game. It's not about how good you are when you play your a game,

it's about how good you are when you play your the game.

Andrew Higginson is a good player. It looked like he was going to win

it in the past. He is a genuine professional. Looks pretty relaxed.

Waiting for Judd Trump to take to the table. Very relaxed. First to

four. All of a sudden, it is best of five. Judd Trump must play well.

Both players have shown they are in good form. Back to the commentators,

Terry Griffiths and Rob Walker. We couldn't quite work out what was

tickling Andrew Higginson, when the referee was getting ready. He was

looking into the crowd and chuckling. Spirits are good in his

camp. That's for sure. As Darren Morgan just confirmed, one apiece.

Subway we are best of five. -- suddenly.

Think you might have been better with the red further upon the black.

Everything to play. As usual, he doesn't take long to spread the reds

all over the table. Giving himself a chance to take the frame in this

visit. He is not hanging around, is he! Very confident, aggressive play

from Judd Trump. Not only with the long potting but this splitting the

pack. He is up for this. Didn't get the required spin on the.

Felt a bit of a kick. Not many shots that Judd Trump cannot play. He has

everything. Such extreme power. Probably as good as anybody in the

game. There was something a little bit

showbiz like about Judd Trump. Fashion, car as. A couple of years

ago, the Masters, he had those funny shoes with the spikes. That is a

pretty dapper piece of kit on the feet. But a very distinctive spiked

shoes he wore at the Masters, suddenly everybody wanted a player.

Cameramen focusing on that as he walked down the stairs. Mr pocket

the wrong way. 52 points in front, still 83 left on the table.

I think he was quite surprised he had done that. Obviously feeling in

the mood to finish the frame in a single visit, it was certainly

looking that way. That was a bad position all shocks. He has brought

the red into play, but now he really has a tough pot. If he misses this,

the frame has gone. Well done, sir. That might work in his favour.

That was not missable. He will be disappointed with that. It is

catching. Not easy. A good clearance from Andrew in the

second frame. Some jittery moments in this third frame.

Still plenty on here for Andrew. Despite Judd Trump's advantage. The

reds will need some work. If he cannot get past the black for the

right centre, he doesn't have anything to go at. A little

unfortunate. The cue ball was going to be travelling fast down the

table. It doesn't always one for you.

Both players missing chances in this frame. More chances missed here than

in the first two frames put together.

A little wry smile from Andrew. He must've been watching that for a

second so, wondering whether was going to drop.

If the cue ball had been five inches from the cushion, he would have been

taking this red on. But the safety from Andrew has stopped doing that.

That could've been worse for Judd Trump.

If the ball hits his waistcoat, that would've been a foul.

Wasn't a positive delivery, it should be said.

As only he can! An example of Judd Trump's brand of what he calls

knotty snooker. -- naughty. Very thin cut. Once again, the

chance has gone. You wouldn't expect a scrappy frame from these two, but

sometimes the boil. Half a chance. He was concerned about his waistcoat

on the brown. Surely Judd Trump will not need another invitation to

finish this frame. First two were relatively freefalling after a few

mistakes. At this has got a little bit scrappy.

Judd Trump will be very happy to get to the end of this frame. It would

be nice to keep this little mini break going.

Trump special coming up here. Excellent!

A little bit scrappy, that third frame, but it's gone to Judd Trump,

who is now two away from the wind. So, trump back in front. Let's just

move across the arena and dropping live to table two. Plenty more going

on here in Cardiff this evening. This is Barry Hawkins, who won the

world Grand Prix at the weekend. He's playing Scotland's Fraser

Patrick. 1-1 at the moment. It has been a bit of a drug for Barry over

the years, that victory on Sunday in Preston over the Welshman Ryan Day

ended the drought. Anything you win, integrate. It's been a hard game for

Barry, in the fact that he has just come back from having a massive

crowd and the TV audience and now he is not on centre stage. He plays

such a solid game. Is long game is good. When he gets in, he scores.

That's probably the biggest improvement in his game. He now

scored 20 gets on. Whereas before he was probably getting 50 or 60 and

would miss the odd one. Now he's become a complete all-round player.

I'm sure there's many more events to come. Third ranking title for Ross

Hawkins at the weekend. He had an extra 24 hours rest computer Ryan

Day who was quickly back in action. Yes, well he did win, you will have

to give that. Ryan was a bit unfortunate that he had to play.

Ryan was down to the afternoon which would've made it even worse. At

least it gave him a bit of a break. Barry Hawkins had at the end a half

off to gather his thoughts and get himself back up for the Welsh Open.

1-1 between Ross Hawkins and Fraser Patrick. As for this one,

interesting. Judd Trump has got the lead, despite a scrappy frame. Still

hard to call. You would have to put him favourite. Both players had a

couple of chances each in that game. He played a couple of the reds and

if they had gone in a could've been 2-1 to him. He's not out of it yet.

But he must win this next frame. Let's head back to Rob Walker and

Terry Griffiths. Andrew needs to get back on level

terms. Had his chances in that third frame, but couldn't take them.

Almost a minute he has been contemplating the move here.

He's been pretty good with that long pot success rate tonight.

This is trump's 12 consecutive Welsh Open. Looks like this could be

turning into a good opportunity here in this fourth frame. I remember

Judd Trump coming here for the first time.

Well, I'm afraid that is all we have time for this evening. We are back

this evening at 11:15pm. We will show you how Mark Selby gets on in

his first-round match this evening. We hope you can join us later on.

For now, from all of us, are very good evening.