Semi-final: Judd Trump v Scott Donaldson Snooker: Welsh Open

It's the semifinals day at the motor point Arena in Cardiff, a week that

began with 128 players, now all eyes on one central stage and just four

men with their eyes on the Welsh Open trophy.

Two big stars of the modern game and two men hoping to make a name for

themselves, rocker Robert Scott Donaldson has seen of two

former world top 16 players in Mark King and Mark Davis and a couple of

white washes as well, beating Zhou Yuelong 5-0. So what will it mean

for each of them to go all the way to the final? For me this would kind

of be like winning the Masters, two win this in front of my family and

friends would be amazing. He is one of the best young players of the

game, everyone knows how good he is. You don't need me to tell you, I

just want to buy my own game and enjoy it. Get in a good situation

you never know. But it's going to be tough. We will see how it goes. I

have a lot of friends and family coming over the weekend so it will

be good to have swarmed support. Down to one table, the atmosphere

gets better, whenever you play in the final weekend and it should be a

really enjoyable experience. It doesn't matter who I am playing, I

know what I can do, it's for other people to judge it I have a chance

not but am confident. I have not seen him play really, I saw him a

bit today but that's about it. He has never really looked like he was

going to go through but suddenly maybe a bit of confidence from

seeing other unexpected players get through and. He still young, I don't

know much about him but he must be a great player to player to get to the

stage. It does not matter who I am playing, I out and play my game, try

to play as good a shot as I can. I try to play him like how I did,

Jackson Page, get in front early and put him under pressure. If I can get

off to a good start I fancy myself to win. And a great atmosphere, a

packed motor point Arena, this is where it all

today is a different day, Robert Milkins has played strong or weak

but this is the first time he has been on this match table.

You always fancy Judd Trump but Scott Donaldson is playing well.

What about Donaldson, does he have much of a hope, much chance? Judd

Trump has been there many times, this is the first semifinal for

Scott Donaldson but look at it the other way, it's a long time coming,

he's in the semifinal and will want to make the most of it. You have two

fancy Judd Trump, the way he has been playing. It was a great match

between him and Barry Hawkins and he will be feeling fantastic. A packed

crowd and in front of the TV cameras, it's almost time for our

first semifinal. We are going to join the MC, Rob Walker. Good

afternoon ladies and gentlemen, we started on Monday with eight tables

and now just one remains, welcome to semifinal Saturday here at the 2017

Welsh Open, a brilliant session of lives snooker.

Please welcome our player enjoying the best week of his career so far,

yesterday he won his first ever ranking event quarterfinal and here

he is coming out for his maiden semifinal, what a day and what a

moment for Scott Donaldson. And his opponent, arguably the most

exciting player of his generation, hereafter that epic quarterfinal

against Barry Hawkins, reigning European Masters champion, winner of

six ranking events titles so far, ladies and gentlemen, the pride of

Bristol, the ace in the pack, Judd Trump.

The players are ready and we are ready for our opening semifinal,

over to your commentary team, Dominic Dale and Willie Thorne.

COMMENTATOR: What a good chance this is for Scott Donaldson to make an

impact on this world game, both players have had favourable draws to

get to the semifinal stage. Judd Trump is going to be the strong

favourite to date, so it is essential Scott makes an LA inroad

in the match. -- makes an early inroad in the match. Absolutely.

Down to just the one table, brand-new cloth on it so Judd Trump

will not be too familiar with it. Scott Donaldson, complete contrast

in style to Judd Trump who likes to pot under attack and play briskly,

Scott is a more cautious player, good all-round player. Much more

steady player than Judd Trump I feel. Turned professional in 2012

and made good inroads. The matches he has lost over the last couple of

years, he has taken top players to a deciding frame. Over 20 odd

centuries in his couple of years as a professional. But more of a safety

first player as Dominic just mentioned. And as you can see by

that he is not a bad one. Attempted to get that red into the

top corner but got the double snitch, so the first opportunity

falls to Donaldson. The key to him will be making the most of these

opportunities, the black looks like it will go into the right corner,

does not have to do too much with the cue ball and the reds are open.

Good initial opportunity. As you can see, he is not the

tallest. Does not seem to be able to reach this. That's a little bit

wobbly, two extensions. Doesn't have to do much with the cue ball. Not

keeping very still is the only problem. But perfect, nudging the

reds away from the black spot. These are the chances you are going to

have to take and take them well, needs to get 60 or 70 every time he

gets into a position like this. Black clearly available, the reds

have been moved away so would quickly like to get rid of the red

and then the black would be available into both pockets. Oh

dear. Cannot afford at any stage to miss shots like that. That is true.

And he will be well aware of that. It is good for Judd if this red pots

because that really does open things up. Just the sort of scoring

opportunity he is so dangerous with anomaly. He broke down so many times

yesterday in his quarterfinal match on a score around 40, time after

time and that will be on his mind. Five times he broke down on 40 or

50. Eventually was pretty fortunate to win the match against Barry

Hawkins. But he's an unbelievable talent and I am sure everybody

watching enjoys watching him. I like how he keeps the crowd entertained

at the end of frames. Trying to entertain people and he takes it to

the full. Reds and absolutely perfect

positions now for a sizeable break. Already the break is 39 and still in

an ideal position. Single near any of the conditions, on the practice

table he would probably expect to clear the table from here. I think

he will get the ball rolling. Probably a touch straight on the

black but so many reds in the open. What's available, but nothing into

the right-hand corner which is why he had to play that shot quite

firmly. Scott Donaldson knows he cannot afford any misses against

Judd Trump because that was a relatively straightforward red that

he missed, he can me look on and hope Judd Trump breaks down in the

next couple of shots, which he did do yesterday on a couple of

occasions. This is the one he missed, cannot afford to do that. No

bounces off the cushions yet on this table with the new cloth. No, and

the conditions playing at a nice place. This is the sort of table and

the sort of conditions for a players can make two or three centuries in a

row. Ideally he would like to kiss into

the pink. No reason now why he cannot go on to make a century.

He will equal his target from last season if he makes a century here,

39 already this season, 40 altogether last season. And there

are another six or seven tournaments, will not get close to

the 100 of Neil Robertson but can still get close to 70 odd with the

amount of tournaments left. He is one of the game is great to

break-builders. Over 420 centuries in his short career.

That was a little bit wide but managed to go in. His 40th century

this season and in the opening frame of this semifinal. It's Scott

Donaldson did not realise he was playing a man in form he now does

now. Cannot afford any of those mistakes he made early on in the

frame. Are we going to get some naughty

snooker now? Not on the brown. Maybe on the blue? Decided to save the

naughty snooker for later on in the match. Our fabulous 131, Scott

Donaldson missing the red, that was the catalyst, Judd Trump clearing

the lot. STUDIO: Great start, welcome to the studio, glad you can

spend your Saturday afternoon with us, Darren Morgan with me. Scott

Donaldson did not know he was in a semifinal before that then he does

now. Ominous signs from the word go already. I watched the match

yesterday with Barry Hawkins and Judd Trump kept getting to 40 or 50

and breaking down every single time, losing two or three frames he should

have won. Ironically the one that he should have lost, the last one, he

did win. He was not scoring, kept getting to 40 or 50, one shot and

that was the end of it. Scott had a chance in that first frame, it's a

big occasion for him so he is allowed to be a little bit nervous.

Just come across bridging over the red, he would have hoped for another

chance in that frame but that was absolutely superb by Judd Trump. He

had to settle down now straightaway. He has not been scoring, has been

struggling to score, and then first frame he gets a big break. 131 the

break, not the highest of the tournament, Mark Davis got that with

the 140 for earlier on. He is used to being in this position, getting

to semifinals. You would have thought, you will have thought

himself he does not want to break down at 40 or 50 again. He will have

his own pressures on. Pressure is only something you can put on

yourself and he knows it's a fantastic opportunity to win another

ranking event. I think he will be the first to savour how good he has

been and how talented he is, you would have expected more on his CV.

Not to take anything away from him because his CV is very impressive

but he will look at this as a real opportunity, especially with, let's

see the bigger names, who have gone. It's all looking good, but a long

way to go, best of 11. Obviously, but very young Scott Donaldson it's

imperative they get off to a good start, winning best frame of the

next just to settle down. Nobody settles down until they have a frame

on the board. Let's see if he can do it.

COMMENTATOR: exactly right, you do not settle down until you get that

first frame on the board. Did not finish top side of the ball

-- baulk line. How easy did he make that work? That is the beauty with

Judd, generating the back spin with precious little power. He got eight

feet of movement there and did not really hit it hard at all. I am

surprised he took on the brown to be honest but that is his intent, does

not want to get bogged down in safety play with Donaldson, maybe he

thinks that is the only way Donaldson can compete with him in

this match. Looks like he has decided to play all-out attack.

Another excellent shot, unfortunately left himself hammered.

One to the extreme right. This is the brown, that shot is

always on but a lot of players, the way they play and hit the ball do

not get that much reaction out of the cue ball as easily as Judd Trump

did they are, he knew that shot was well and his comfort zone so was

happy to play it. Having seen it for the second time it actually flicked

to the green which took some pace out of it otherwise it would have

been another foot further up the table. Little bit of work for the

referee to do. Belgian. Very good referee. Using his ball marker to

replace the red in a moment 's time. Just trying to decide if the pink

will be in a straight line, if it is not it will go behind the bunch of

reds. Can he get it in there? Just look at this. The hands of a

surgeon. APPLAUSE

Are very welcome round of applause. Very hampered as you can see. The

cue ball will go perilously close to the side cushion. Not straight

forward to get onto a red, onto a colour here, the pink out of

commission completely. The black is available in the right-hand corner.

Will be interesting to see how he plays this. Has played into the

bunch to free the pink which is a bit dangerous I would suggest. That

group of Marines and the pink or so tightly packed, he needed to get

them with greater pace I feel. Definitely just a safety shot now. I

don't think even Judd Trump could find anything from here to keep the

break going. I would think he would play to get

into the cue ball a bit more. He's done remarkably well.

That's a great safety from Scott Donaldson. I wonder if Judd Trump

will attempt the red? Should not be a problem to roll up to the red

which is just behind the black on this top condition. But he has

designs on putting this red it seems. He knew he could get the cue

ball back towards baulk with the screw shot. Has he left this red on?

Did not get the desired back spin that time. No easy misses here, you

have the chance of lowering the score.

Has to really get into this to get around that gap, the two reds on the

right-hand side. I agree, cannoning was not a good option, playing at

the PC did the cue ball was always going to run through them. Good

recovery pot. That's finished nicely on the yellow. That was excellent. I

thought he was going to play the red he was closest to that sorted one

out there. The last thing you wanted was to be

short, could have hit that with another foot of running. The pot is

still all, but the only opportunity has is to screw off the pink and get

back up towards the blue and the baulk colours. Could play the same

shot and screw off them. This is a bit dangerous. Well done. Got in

trouble twice but out of trouble twice. Can he make it pay this time?

World, by sheer virtue of the fact that he has managed to extricate

himself from a couple of differences in this break, it should give him

some confidence... Still in an excellent position. Looking at the

angle he's got on the black, you will probably face the red just

below, now. The angle of that black to play a Cannell on to those reds,

gently, a choice of reds in either corner -- play a cannon.

Yes, I think that if he plays this slightly harder, more than gentle,

he will push them out the way. He will have a choice of reds, as you

mentioned. But do not miss the black on the spot, whatever you do. He

concentrated so hard on playing the aggressive cannon. This easy shot in

the second frame, that cost him. Judd Trump will not be different to

any other great champion in this game, he would recognise that if you

can capitalise from that mistake in Scott Donaldson, it could really

hurt him. Putting maximum effort into this, to win the frame from

here. Purposely playing for the black, the

fact that Judd Trump is left-handed rather than right-handed, he may

decide to kiss this red off the cushion. A right-handed player may

not have bothered to move the red but he knew that he would be bound

to be on two reds at least, he played that cannon perfectly. Now,

the frame is there for the taking. There have been some complaints this

week about how the table was pinging a little, not playing at its best

but the table looks to be playing absolutely beautifully now, I know

that they've putting new cloth on, I do not know about cushions, but the

cloth is new, there is the one-table situation. They have the arena to

themselves, a packed crowd again. Considering some of the strange

results that we have had, the crowd has stayed with the tournament and

still have the chance of getting at least one of the top four or five

players in the final, if not two. That black puts Judd Trump 35 ahead,

as you can see. 35 points remaining, just this red to make his frame

absolutely safe... Perilously close to the green! It's OK, that red has

gone in. Now it is virtually certain that it will be 2-0 to Judd Trump.

A very adventurous attempts to get onto the green... Did not cannon the

blue, will he try and double power hit this bottom one into the corner?

A treble, a quadruple... No, not quite, but I'm sure Donaldson will

remain in his chair. He does so in deed. A 55 break from Judd Trump.

Enough to secure the second frame. This is the best of 11 semifinal.

Statistics show what a talent this young man is, Judd Trump. He has

been gifted the first two frames. Donaldson missed a frame in the

first set which cost him a break from 131, and then in the second he

was cost 55. If you were not watching, this is the black he

missed. Bread and butter shots here. If you just walked into your home

and thought that Judd Trump was running away with it 2-0, it could

well have been 2-0 the other way because of the two chances he had

were very good with reds all over the place. I'm worried, if he does

not get a foothold, or a frame, I would be worried about the match

running away from him completely. The way the two frames have gone,

it's beginning to be about Donaldson's thought processes now,

been dwelling so much on those two mistakes he made, and he knows that

Judd Trump is playing well. A little uncomfortable for young Scott

Donaldson, playing someone like Judd , who can steam roller you. So, Judd

Trump should be pleased with his form so far. Frame three getting

underway... This safety shot is not very easy,

playing the red to the right of the pack, with the baulk, he has two

avoid a kiss on the brown, otherwise he would leave a red on, and make

sure that he gets at least three or four inches away from the baulk

cushion, to leave the pot on. Looking at alternatives now to

safety. I don't know if he is thinking about playing off jaws, but

if you kiss the brown on the way back, it is no good. Straight up and

down, the cue ball gets within three inches of it. It hasn't, I can only

see the red. Yes, dead straight as well. Running through with a blue

here. I can tell from experience whenever there is a red in front of

the bold colours, it is ever so hard to play safety well. When the red

isn't, you don't get problems in reaching the baulk cushion at other

times -- the baulk colours. That red is difficult to hide. It is like the

subconscious saying, do not overhit it, rather than get down with

freedom. It is, you have to say, hit it hard enough, and don't say leave

it short. That word, "Don't" is negative. Get to the baulk

cushion... I think it is a good point, coming up with those players

playing in their clubs, it's not about getting on that cushion,

rather than using the baulk cushion, make sure that you get to the top.

They little harder so it comes on and off the cushion at times, is

better than leaving it short. Judd Trump played an aggressive pack, it

is still OK even though it did not bring in that many reds. It is an

asset, being able to play with both hands. Ronnie O'Sullivan is another

one who changes hands. Now, you can see the reason why he did not adjust

that pays very well, it has left him hampered -- pace. It does not look

quite as comfortable as Ronnie, in swapping his hands, he is more than

capable at knocking the ball is in. An asset. So many players these days

show greater dexterity. A couple of decades ago, very few players can my

thinking your day, Dennis Taylor was really the only one... The only one

who would play left-handed. I can't make 20 right-handed now, I've not

played for 16 years! Purposely left the red into the yellow pocket,

playing one shot nothing. Go back five or six inches, it could be a

red in the middle, if he misses this. The reason he played like that

is because in case he misses, he has that available in the middle. He

knew that he would miss it, that one in the middle, he played a much more

difficult shot, going around those two cushions, and it is 1-0.

Re-enter. -- brilliant. If he can get this red, he can

naturally go around the back of the black. He needs a long rest... Long

rest, long spider. Surely he will have a try with the long spider, to

see if he will be slightly more comfortable? I think you can see

just enough of the cue ball, to go just around the back? But he does

not fancy it. I think he is still tempted by that red, if he knocks it

in, he would be on the black. Is he trying to cut it in? There is a red

roughly by the pink spot that would cut into the right corner but it is

so thin. Finally deciding that discretion is part of valour. He

knows that Scott Donaldson has been keeping hold in these first two

frames, and still feeling uncomfortable. He does not want to

give him a free opportunity to give himself some confidence by making a

break. We've seen in the opening frames

that his safety department is perfect. Just having to get in, and

score. Now, the good safety he played has caused an error. I think

this red for part one next to the pink, will it

spot the red? It is tight, too tight. -- I think this red for a

pot. The perfect result. It is very

unlikely deliberately leaving that cue ball two feet off the baulk

cushion. He can rest into that little group of five reds, he gets

the pace right, should not leave an easy pot for his opponent.

That's very fortunate. You have to take my word for it, he did not play

to hit that red. He played two cushions to rest on the one on the

back cushion. He had a look at this one on a previous visit, it

definitely pots near that left-handed jaw, that is available.

It will only go if you play it at a medium pace. I think that you can

roll through for raping grey black. Most play the stun shot come he will

for sitting, squeeze it in of the jaw.

-- I think you can roll through, the grey and the black. Most play the

stun shot, he will force it in. Squeeze it in off the jaw.

Getting the speed of that one perfect. He can go through the gap

of the reds now. Going this way into the corner. When Scott came to the

table, he was 30 points in arrears, he has ground to make up in this

third frame. It is a big one for him. Having to lose this frame as

well, that would be real trouble. The rate to the left of the pink

will pot into the left-hand corner but he would be running away from

the red if he plays one cushion -- that red. Judd Trump or bounce this

black, going into the bunch. Dangerous play in this way, if you

don't get the correct angle, you put yourself in trouble for no reason.

Not sure if the pink will go through the gap of those reds in that

corner... You cannot afford not to score

heavily against Judd Trump. He might pot the black, but give himself

plenty to do. That's because he refused to go into that bunch. Now

he's faced with a long blue, or a very thin black. He appears to have

sorted the pink in the middle. That is there, well played. It has

escaped... And an excellent pink, as you can see. Spread ball, getting

those into open play. OK, he might need those two reds why the

left-hand cushion, but he can get a sizeable lead going into the

business end of the third frame. He cannot afford an easy miss now.

This is Scott's best efforts to date. Took a bit of a risk, trying

to develop the red. He has some awkward ones, because the pink was

not available, we do not know whether it was the right shot to

play. It's been a little bit of a

nightmare for him at the moment. He's not happy with that, pushing

the boat but as Dominik mentioned, he played the case on the red. If

the pink had been available... But it was not. He's only been a pro two

years, he's never got to the semifinal stage of the tournament

before, he had some good wins, especially in the quarterfinal.

Already, he has had three or four great chances to win a frame in this

match so far. Luckily, he did not leave an easy pot at that time...

This will be a test for young Scott Donaldson... Ordinarily, would enjoy

playing that shot because it was dangerous but he had to take it on.

Judd is now eyeing up the safety shot.

If at first glance you thought it was a poor shot to make contact with

the brown, he had to hit the red virtually full ball because it could

be typed on the baulk cushion, whatever case he got on the brown,

he would have been unlucky to get it in the middle. This is a tricky

situation for Scott now... Very thin, almost putting it in the

left-hand corner pocket. The cue ball goes close to the yellow...

What a good pot. Very good, excellent, a bit of bounce, though.

He played the pot, he probably would have wished, having potted it, he

got the yellow full ball. But this is very tricky. With the cloth being

so fine now, with that distance, it is so hard to roll up, isn't it?

Yes, certainly, you need a good touch on the first game. And set

yourself a target with that kind of shot. You need to think, OK, I want

that yellow to me a centimetre or an inch. And play the shot. Sometimes

you roll up to the ball but no absolute target, the target is to

reach it and not commit a foul but there is no definite shot played. It

can help when you are under pressure, give yourself a target,

move that yellow and inch. -- move the yellow and

-- an inch. Look as if he can get that gap, eaters not want to make

contact on the left-hand side cushion. He's not planning to hit

that one but the one nearest the pocket. Mind you, why would he play

it at that speed? Foul. You deserve to lose a frame when you play a shot

like that... Maybe that is why we love him so

much, he is adventurous but that is why he loses a lot of the friends

that he should not. -- a lot of the frames. There is no need to play a

hit and hope shot. That could have rolled up to something, I'm sure.

Scott Donaldson will need all three remaining reds to win the frame from

here, he has plenty of work to do. No matter what happens, he will

certainly be well in this third frame with a sizeable lead, if he

does break down. This would have been a tough shot

yesterday on the cloth, it had been on for a few days, putting and

screwing it back. With a slight angle he could have punted it out of

the frontal middle pocket. It has been demonstrated, screwing it in,

play a stun run through the choice of brown or pink, but whatever he

should have done, it should have been better than that... That is the

worst shot that he has played today. Trying to pass the black on the top

side to leave it on but he caught this instead. Using his intelligence

and putting a high value colour safe to make things awkward for Judd, now

he has a 17 point lead. Judd will be moving one of the reds

away from the cushion, probably the white behind the black, but he needs

to be careful as the red will remain in the middle of the table. Playing

one into the baulk area, but he decides to move this one into

play... Judge could find himself tucked in behind the brown here,

very easily. Don't expect Scott to mess this one up... -- Judd could

find himself tucked in behind the brown here.

Scott Donaldson can consider himself lucky. We don't know what went wrong

with that previous shot, a simple roll up behind the brown. Normally,

when you make that mistake, the keyboard deviates from its true

course. -- the key ball deviates. Red, obviously, cutting. Time that

angle on the blue or the yellow to bring the other red into play. At

the moment, he is finding it tough out there.

That doesn't make any difference to this young man. We'll bring the red

and he has. This is excellent, right into the heart the pocket. If the

yellow goes in he will be moving the red. A chance for Judd Trump to

pinch the frame. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that Scott

Donaldson could have been at least 2-1 in front. Very shortly he could

be 3-0 behind. Could be an important shot that

Scott Donaldson played earlier when he put the bank near the right-hand

side cushion because Judd is going to need it now. -- put the pink.

Already in his mind he is trying to port the yellow and green to get a

handle on the brown. It's all about this shot. Can he get

nicely on the brown to get a nice angle on the blue? This is odd Judd

Trump is, might pot the brown in the middle and try and move the pink. We

know he's a very aggressive player. Just trying to make sure the

brown... He is back in the frame. Luckily he was so close to this

brown method came right back down towards the cushion towards this

pink so it's fairly safe. Scott Donaldson doesn't need the pink

either at the moment. What shot will he play here? Would try anything too

cute. Tricky shot. Has he left an angle on the brown for Judd to screw

straight into the pink and develop it? Cannot quite get into it enough

I don't think, what a terrible shot he has got there. Whatever you do,

do not leave the brown on. The fact he is left-handed, the pink is no

good where it is, he may risk having to play to try to move it.

If he had been right-handed he would have tried to drop on that because

he only needed the pink. Now, will he play a double? It's not quite on.

I think the key thing here is to play a good safety.

Trying to get a good white and he's done that. The way the pink has

finished I think he must have played the double. Not many players would,

I had the feeling he is the sort of chap to take that sort of thing on.

Why it was a dominant factor in his thoughts I think, it has turned out

pretty safe. That sort of cross shot was on first got to get down the

table for the black but he hit it so thickly he has left the pink on here

for Judd and that is all he needs. I am very worried first got, he knows

he should have won at least three of these frames. Missed easy balls in

at least three of them. Just has to hold himself together. Without doing

anything, Judd Trump has taken that frame. He now leads 3-0. Worrying

times for Scott Donaldson. STUDIO: Worrying for Scott Donaldson as Judd

Trump takes a break, that was the one that got away as far as the

young Ricky is concerned. It is not going to plan at the minute. He had

a good chance in the first frame, great chance in the second frame,

and then in this frame he had the game in his control and played a

short, this shot we can see on the red to move a read off the side

cushion when he was in control, the pink did not go into the corner and

he's played an awkward blue which he has missed. It has cost him. He did

not need to move that red, there were enough out in the open. He was

in total control. Took a big risk and it did not pay off. He was not

making these mistakes yesterday when he got a 5-0 over Zhou Yuelong. Is

it nervous? Probably a little bit. He will be getting up tight and

starting to panic a little bit because the match is getting away

from him. Whatever happens he needs to win one before the interval, 4-0

there is no way back, not against the pedigree of Judd Trump. Let's

show you some examples of some Trump play, you wanted to pick out less.

He is in full confident mode. He is unfortunate on this black, this

black was 430 and he was unlucky the cue ball has gone behind the pink,

if he had got to the red I would have fancied him there and then. The

difficult thing for Donaldson, everybody wants Trump to play well,

they want to be entertained by him and wants him to win, how do you

deal with that in your head? I can only go from my personal experience,

I used to sit in the chair thinking I will show you what, it used to

inspire me to dig deep and give me that age to play well. He has a big

task ahead of him but he's a much better player than what his results

suggest. COMMENTATOR: Young Scott Donaldson

breaking off. Does not have his first frame on the board but has had

good opportunities. If he does not win this remaining frame before they

go through their mid-session interval cup of tea he will be

feeling very uncomfortable. Need something just to get things going

and give him some confidence. He will not have any at the moment I

don't think. I do not blame him at all for going

for it. He has left a gift for Judd Trump. Nothing wrong with the

attempt at Newport, but like I say, unlucky to get the double kiss.

If you catch an edge, these pockets are so tough.

I have a feeling he was eyeing up the maximum before he even potted

the first red. Absolutely. Scott, you have had a chance in every frame

so far, and a good chance, please make this one pay. I do not wish

anybody to get absolutely really beaten badly in the first semifinal.

Let the crowd see what he can do. What has he played there?

He has played to miss the pink but it made contact. Now he is making 60

and 70 all day yesterday when he is in this position, can he do it this

time. You can see the shake of his head,

played for the black there. Drafted by the other red. Luckily for him

the pink is available. Well done, good recovery.

Once again Scott has made a positional error, he is too short on

this red. He will now probably be running into this other red and not

be quite sure where the cue ball is going to stop.

Like UI for the contact was a little bit thin, did not think you'd get on

the black as nicely he has. This is a big disadvantage, being one of the

shorter players in the game, having to use the rest. I think it is a bit

thinner than it looks on-screen, is really struggling to reach this. It

is now unmissable if he's using the rest, and the spider. It would not

be admissible if he was able to just cue it. -- it would not be missable.

He would not be on my bowling team either, tried to throw his extension

into the corner and only got half way. It's pulled up a little bit.

Just pulled up a fraction of the last second. A few finger marks near

that right-hand corner which I think could have helped him out a little

bit. But the pace he played it, probably would have gone in any way.

The match time reaches one hour, already well into the fourth frame

before the mid-session interval. If Scott did win this frame from here

to get his name on the board I think he would still be disappointed going

for his cup of tea because he's had the first good score making

opportunities in the first couple of friends. On another day he probably

would have expected himself to be 3-1 up.

I would play the cannon into the one above the black, Justice Lowell

cannon. If you play the four red cannon you could snooker yourself on

the two reds which are loose. Needed to fight to stay where the red is.

-- the to stay where the red S. Scott Donaldson's league goes to 58

points. -- lead. We'll be feeling a lot better as things are right now

because this break goes to 60. That alone will make him feel good.

Finally looks like making a sizeable opportunity and winning a frame from

a reasonable opportunity. Can he make a century break? That'll

make him feel a lot better. Because then when he comes back out after

the interval he will feel he has got every chance to keep that momentum

going and reduces arrears still further. Then he will be right back

in the match. Can he dropped this red into the

centre? We himself a nice angle on the blue? The red does not go in but

he is 74 points ahead, too much for Judd Trump to do anything about so

Scott Donaldson has his first frame on the board but still trails 3-1.

STUDIO: Donaldson will be wide of the break and he might for some

practice and maybe Judd Trump as well, who knows? This has been great

stuff from Judd Trump, how do you see it? Judd Trump is going to enjoy

his mid-session cup of tea and biscuit or whatever a lot more than

Donaldson, but that was a big frame for him, he had to win that to have

any chance in this match. Judd a black. To be fair, Scott had a

couple of lapses in positional play, he made a good pot to get right back

in and hit a good 75 to secure the frame. When you are 3-1 down in the

interval, what do you do, go into the corner to gather your thoughts

or come up here to try and not worry about things and practice? Different

players do things differently, if it had been 4- seed or he probably

would be up your practising but now I probably don't think so, he will

relax and have his cup of tea and have chat with whoever is down here

with him, his manager or coach, and get together for after the interval.

3-1 against 4- Segal is a massive difference. Let's move the focus

from the elite level of the game for just a minute to show you how more

opportunities are being created for people with disabilities to take up

cue sports. Earlier this week we featured a tournament in Gloucester

which was a showcase for six of the eight disability classification is

including wheelchair players and amputees. In just a year the number

of participants in these events has doubled as access grows and word

spread about the opportunities to compete. We caught up with some

players for the second century impairment developed in Hull. We're

reaching to sorts of organisations and what we want is for them to help

us to find people who want to play this great sport and we have coaches

that will help them and get them involved in the game. I have tunnel

vision, every shot I play is genuinely into a blind pocket so I

have two players best I can. Players with different eye conditions have

different impairments and things they have to judge so it's a

challenge for us all to use the best of our abilities. I lost my eye in a

shooting accident when I was ten years old so I only know how to play

with one eye. Joe Davis was world champion with one eye for multiple

years, so I don't see it as a disability. I have played most of my

life, I have been playing for the snooker team for 35 years, playing

against hearing people. I really enjoy it. Deaf people can

participate because it's open for anyone. Like the name suggests it

open for anybody. Slightly longer term we want to go

abroad, the long-term aspiration is to get snooker into the Paralympics

so we need another 11 countries involved so it's a long road to go

down but hopefully at the end we can get snooker back into the

Paralympics. We will keep an eye on how developments go, it was part of

the Paralympics from 1960 to 1988, should it be back in it? It'd be a

great incentive? I learnt that earlier on, I was not aware of that.

It's got to be a good thing. It's funny, in the BT, Paul Smith, he was

playing on the amateur scene. When I was playing amateur before I turned

professional. It's great to see him still competing and playing, nice

guy and a great player. They want to get cue sports into the Olympics,

they are going to have a crack for 2024 after failing for 2020, should

they be trying to get snooker in the Olympics? I think so, my

understanding is that they have been trying for many years and only

amateur scene as well, they will have a lot more countries taking

part because it has to be a worldwide sport and my understanding

in the early days was they had to take all cue sports and there are so

many disciplines, eight ball, 9-ball, billiards, snooker, it's a

lot of disciplines to take on board. Unless they have now individually

gone and they can take less of them, but it will be hard to get them in.

Not everyone is keen to see snooker as part of the Olympics because

ultimately the Olympics are to be the pinnacle of your sport, the

ultimate thing you aim for and with the Olympics ever be the pinnacle in

snooker? It is all about the World Championships, but in all sports, if

you say to someone, do you wonder what all championship medal in

Olympics or an Olympic medal they would say they would the Olympic

gold. It's because at the moment we have is a World Championship and the

other ranking events, I am sure if the Olympics was as big, on the same

playing field everyone would want the Olympic gold. Ronnie O'Sullivan

one has said he does not think it should be in the Olympics but you

look at other sports have gone in and people get a lot out of it,

rugby sevens, tennis, what it meant to Andy Murray. The only person I

can say is Colin Jackson. Numerous World Championships but never got

his Olympic gold. If you asked him if he would swap his World

Championships for a gold medal in the Olympics I think he would swap

it in a heartbeat. OK, we will see how that goes. We are looking ahead

to our second semifinal this evening which we will also be bringing you,

it's the world number two against Stuart Bingham -- number two Stuart

Bingham against Robert Milkins. Let's hear from Robert Milkins. It's

always a good tournament, even when it was at Newport it was a good

tournament. Good support, and only an hour from me. Just over the

bridge. I have been playing well for quite a few weeks. I picked up just

before Christmas, I turned my season around, won a couple of matches in

the UK, which were not massive but it was because I was not winning

games at all. Then I got to the quarters in Scotland, qualified for

China last week and now this. First couple of months of the season I

broke my collar bone and people forget that, I could not hold the

rest for two or three months. That was a big setback. It's not my

confidence as well as physically knocking me. So I have not had the

best time. Four or five semifinals at ranking events. To be honest I

have not really competed in them. The first one I lost 9-8 but did not

play very well. Since then it's gradually got worse in semifinals

for me. I have no pressure on me, I have got money in the bank and got

my ranking back-up a few places. Does not got that many when you are

around 32 but it's gone up a few places. I have nothing to lose. I

will just give it my best. These results, they are not going to

happen that often. Mark's performance was brilliant. He showed

pure determination. That was probably the most inspiring thing

for all of us, when he won that sort of, it must have inspired Anthony

because then he did what he did. I cannot say I am not one of the

better players do not win a ranking event because I have never reached

the final. A few semifinals and quarters. You always want to do well

in the tournament but semifinals, final, whatever, you think to

yourself, if I get last 16 at the tournament, that is good and

anything more is a bonus. He is enjoying his week here in Cardiff,

this is how he measures up against his opponent.

The only time Robert Milkins has beaten Stuart Bingham was way back

in 2001. Let's chat about tonight semifinal, I guess in the same way

we are seeing Donaldson as the underdog this afternoon against Judd

Trump that is what it will be like the Robert Milkins tonight?

Stuart Bingham has been informal season, he has made several

semifinals as well, maybe even some finals. He played for

-- flawless make-up, but struggled to get over the line. You do not see

it often, especially from Stuart Bingham or other top players. It

happened, he got over the line but today is a different day. For Robert

Milkins, it is in his head. He keeps getting to the semifinals but

doesn't make the finals. He needs to put it way out the back, and coming

tonight with a fresh start, as if this is his first semifinal, into

his first final, otherwise he carries baggage in with him. Stuart

Bingham, behind us now, practising for the match tonight, has been in

pretty good form, looking in great shape? Every time he turns up he is

in great shape. He is not ranked number two in the world for no

reason. He is full of confidence, OK, there was a little blip last

night. He should have won most of the friends that he was losing. It

looked like he had won, he had one committee had won, but then it

looked like he would format -- looks like he would fall at each.

Now, he is knocking the ball is around getting his flow going. He

will go in all guns blazing. He is getting here early for practice,

four and a half hours ahead of his game. We will bring you that at 7pm.

The second session of Judd Trump and Scott Donaldson to come, we will

tell you more about Scott Donaldson from Scotland. And Scott Donaldson,

from Perth, Scotland. I'm 22, I trained in Edinburgh. I'm nothing

special, just going to play snooker. My first couple of seasons I'd done

OK. The next couple of seasons were not so good. And just more relaxed

now. If I get beat by shake the guide's hand and say, well played.

I'm not afraid to lose any more, but before I was scared to be beaten --

guy's. Now I go in and play my game. If I win, great, if I lose, I just

go back home. I don't think anyone realises how hard it is to win games

on tour. Newcomers always play the top players from the start. It is

expensive as well. It is just hard. But to be honest, it should be. But

I don't think it should be as difficult as it is. It's better to

build your way up, but that is my opinion. I've had seven or eight

television matches over the five years I've been on tour. I think it

is just every match that gives you more and more know-how, on how to

play on the TV. It doesn't matter who I am playing, and at all pro, I

just go out and play my game, -- and amateur or a pro. That said.

As simple as that, as far as Scott Donaldson is concerned. We will go

to the arena in a second for the second session. What do you make of

his game? Is he someone that you could see breaking into the elite?

In future? He's only 22, how far can he go? What I liked about that

interview was an old head on young shoulders, very mature in his

approach to the game, and it should be that way. A lot of players they

not lose, rather than to win. Now he goes and plays his game, he cares

but tries to play as if he does not care which presumably little bit to

show his talent. Briefly, how do you see it going? 3-1, not as bad

psychologically as 3-0. If it had been 4-0, Judd Trump could have had

him. If he wins the next frame, 3-2, Judd might get jittery. But he is

inspirational, one pot and he is off again. We might see another comeback

this week... 3-1 to Judd Trump, let's go back to the arena with our

MC, Rob Walker. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome

back the players for this first Welsh Open semifinal... APPLAUSE

We are ready to go for the second session in this opening semifinal.

Let's go back over to our commentary team... COMMENTATOR: Thank you. Judd

Trump would be a little disappointed that he did not win all four frames

but saying that, it means that he lost three of four. Breaking off in

the second part of this match... Still three frames away from

victory. It was interesting to see Scott Donaldson's interview there,

where he treats everyone the same, that is what we all like to do. When

you placed Eve Davis, you could assume that he's just a club player,

it's easier said than done -- when you you placed Eve Davis. That is

his first really poor safety shot. He normally gets the opening one

well. -- Steve Davies. It's difficult coming back from the

interview. You have two refocus and it is that process of zoning in over

again, sometimes it takes a shot or two.

Players have been struggling with that type of shot this week, I don't

know if the cloth is skidding a little more than usual. Judd Trump,

as we know, is one of the best people at getting over the line in

the match. All of the top players seem to have that ability to close

matches out very quickly. Not a great one to go into. Playing for

the loose thread. -- police red. If he goes out for the blue, he has to

make sure that he hits the pink, a better way of getting into the reds

is playing yellow or green, and finishing on a half ball. That is

where the pink pots, it does not look like that from our commentary

position but quite clearly, it does. I think that jerked just about held

the pink spot there. Probably that will be placed behind the pack of

reds. -- I think that Judd Trump just about held the pink spot there.

He pink has to be as close as possible to the reds, but without

touching any of them, it needs to be in line with the other spots,

basically the top cushion behind the black spot. Make sure that he has

done that. Plenty of angle that he wants on the blue, the pack of reds

is very tight. You need to be careful that there are no plants

that could find their way into the corner pockets.

Amazing, he was not far away from being on nothing but there is one

read that goes by the pink. When he played that shot on the blue, every

single red moved in the pack, normally you get one that stays in a

stationary position that every single one moved. -- but every

single one moved. The pink is in open play. Already, it is a

frame-winning opportunity. There was a great practice routine that I've

noticed Judd do, he impressed me in the world Grand Prix a week or so

ago, he says the balls up for a frame of snooker but crashes the

blue into the middle pocket, smashing the red everywhere. I

thought, that is a great practice routine, it mimics the start of a

frame when someone makes a mistake. You get six or seven open reds and a

pack of about seven or eight tightly bunched, which you have to develop

later on in the break. It is a good practice routine, I like that one.

This is the first of the 4.5 frames that we've played so far, and Scott

has not had the chance to win it. With a poor safety shot, or break

off, I should say. And an opening bread for Judd, this is what the

score is so far -- and an opening red.

Any harder and it might not have gone in. Purposely playing for the

easier pink rather than the difficult black.

Amazing! But, do you know, as I saw him strike the cue ball his cue

across the cue ball a bit, I always thought he would hit the pink high,

look at that white pushing the pink over...

What a miss for Scott, being 65 points down with 67 left in his

blacks, all but one of them anyway, and these remaining reds, that one

is placed. He will play the pink that he can afford to now.

Considering the position of the remaining reds, it will be the

unlikely winner of this frame... I do not expect to snooker himself

on that shot but that is what he appears to have done. I'm not even

sure that he can get into the red this close to these two. Pretty

good... Scott Donaldson, seven. Now, will Judd risk playing that along

the top cushion? He needs another red but he's not going to play that.

Those two have been tight on the question. He would have played the

plant. -- those two would have been tight on the cushion. It is all

about missing the kiss on the green here with the cue ball, if he avoids

it, he should get a Scot in trouble. He decides to put the red out of

commission -- he should get Scott in trouble.

Sometimes, you can deliberately rolled the read write over the bog

pocket and try to put it. If it stays in the jaws you commit your

opponent to come you have two pot it.

That is a Judd Trump special, made all the more easy by the fact that

it is unlikely to cost him much, if you miss it. I think that Judd is

intent on putting this match to bed as quickly as he can.

The red has not gone in, Scott Donaldson would need three smokers

and decides not to bother. That session for young Scott Donaldson,

finding himself further in trouble now, it is for one frames. Judd

Trump will be very happy having got the ball rolling again after the

interval. After winning that frame comfortably, two frames to go. How

will it go? It will be difficult for Scott Donaldson, he's not been out

with a chance of winning the frame, he was completely outplayed there.

It is disappointing that as he sits there, he knows that this match

should be closer. It is his first semifinal, we saw in his post match

interview that he was going to play every player the same way. Whether

Ronnie O'Sullivan or Judd Trump. He will play every person the same and

sometimes it is hard to do but at the moment he is playing the player

rather than the game. Yes, and the occasion, when you miss your chances

early as Scots did, the occasion can be done only -- as Scott did. You

think about your performance and playing well, and see what happens

then, rather than being embarrassed, which is easy to do out there. Judd

Trump will be pleased with how the afternoon session has gone. Every

time he gets the score in, he is needing those chances. In five

occasions of those 11 friends, he played against Barry Hawkins, he

scored 40 or 50, and broke down. Barry Hawkins would perhaps be sat

at home thinking, he could have beaten Judd yesterday. What a run

Barry Hawkins has had coming into the tournament. He played flawless

snooker for many weeks, and now it is Trump's chance to get the

tournament victory back. He's always one of the players that I love to

watch play. A brilliant crowd here in Wales? Yes, it always is. Played

for quite a few years that the Newport Centre where we had great

attendance, nothing has changed here, coming back to the former CIA,

the Motorpoint Arena, as it is now called. Scott Donaldson breaking off

for frame six. It is a must win frame for him to get back into

contention in this match, slightly. We know that... And he knows that

nothing less than a good performance from here on in will suffice. I have

to be honest, we've seen Scott break off three times, four times he made

the break perfectly. A lot of players break up and leave that shot

to nothing red a better safety shot for Judd.

You can certainly see the reds below the pink on the right-hand side,

whether he can hit them nicely enough to get back into the baulk...

That was always a problem, he has had a nice kiss their rather than a

bad one. He's actually put Judd in trouble, although

Judd can see a couple of reds, he can can it back up the table to

baulk. -- he can can it back up the table.

Brilliant. I have to be honest, that is a tough shot because the blue is

always in play but once you miss the cannon on the blue, it is an

excellent safety shot. Scott has been playing the better

safety throughout the match but on two occasions, he has overhit his

safety shot. It is definitely his strongest point, you can see how

disappointed he was with that last effort. But,

Judd always tends to play an aggressive pot. Using the other reds

to screw back. It's definitely noticeable, when

Scott Donaldson has had opportunities in these matches,

particularly early on. He's been making the break, can he do

something with this opportunity? The pink wall pot into this right

corner. -- that pink will spot into this right corner.

He will be kicking himself. That was not really bad, it was the shot

before, potting the red and on the wrong side of the blue. He's been

fortunate there. He had to play the red at a distance rather than get

close to it. He was concentrating so hard on making sure he finished by

the blue. Took his eye off the pot. Incredible, that cue ball could come

all the way back and end up touching. It is touching ball, I

wonder if Judd feels really brave here, to come off the baulk cushion

and tight end behind a baulk colour. He could probably leave it, the

snooker is in the right corner, and over the left centre. That is what

he is going to do, I think he has played it very well.

No problem hitting a read, but he needs to make sure that he does not

pot on either corner or in the middle pocket. In fairness, there is

two reds near the question at the top of the table, if you roll snare

them, it will be as good as anything -- cushion. You just need to make

sure that it does not roll off. As good as anything, what we call a

containing safety, not really gaining an advantage...

Well... I'm wondering whether they could end up having a stalemate

here? I do not think either player would be tempted to try and play a

safety shot into the baulk here, they have two reds to try and hide.

This will be done in the next minute, I'm sure. I think the fact

that Judd will play this shot, he will turn around and have a look.

They have decided to re-reck, it was going nowhere -- re-rack. In re-rack

it is... So, Trump with a free frame lead

over Donaldson, 4-1. STUDIO: He looks like a man in peace with

himself at the moment. As you would expect. He is a couple of frames

away from a place in the final? He is, and when he gets in, as you

said, he scored heavier than against Barry Hawkins committee yesterday he

kept breaking down and losing friends but the strong point with

Judd Trump at the moment, his long pot has been brilliant. I know the

statistics, it will be 60 or 70% but those pots he has knocked in have

been unbelievable. You talk about the long pot, and how well he has

done there. He has been fantastic? Well, you know, the main thing is,

in the modern day game, you need to be a good long potter, it's

imperative. One thing that Judd Trump hours, he can knock in a hyper

turn to age -- Judd Trump has come he can not in a high percentage.

It is 4-1 to Judd Trump, let's go back over to the game.

COMMENTATOR: Donaldson manages to find the baulk cushion with his

break off again. Restarting frame six... That is a good shot from Judd

in reply. That was a clever shot from Judd,

you would expect him to go near the baulk cushion but he played with a

lot of stunt, to cover the left-hand side of the pack. But he has not

quite done it. On the right-hand side here, arching the pack to get

back into the baulk area. It will catch the edge of the pack but it is

a little thick. It is a pull shot. -- it is a poor shot. Now, a deep

screw back into the baulk area. Can he get through to the right-hand

side? Of the 128 pros on the tour, there are about 100 who cannot play

this shot that Judd is about to play. Albeit, he did not do it too

well, screwing back for the brown there.

Well judged, that pays there. Another couple of inches would have

been ideal but it is still a very good shot -- pace. Again, a little

shorter than most. He needs a longer rest, cannot reach it with a short

one. But he gets in, there's only one frame he has not been in first.

He just asked for a long spider. This could make things interesting.

The potting angle of the black, it will cause Scott to go over the top

of these three reds, luckily he can reach across the side of the table.

It is not too bad. Played well. Once again, Scott finds himself

amongst the balls, everything in superb positions, with a big break.

Needing to keep a tight rein on the cue ball, and not do too much with

it. Then, potting the next red will open the black spot out.

Even then not perfectly positioned because he slightly higher on the

red saw the black will not go into the same pocket. Has to get close to

his work that he has played that one perfectly.

He may have to risk playing the cannon into the left-hand side of

the two reds just to make sure you're on the black but this can go

wrong. The brick building so poor in this break, the wrong game on the

black onto a three occasion, have to make up your mind, either you played

Nice Mitch or you do not play this match. And he has played neither. --

either you play the Absolutely so disappointed not to

have won the frame on that visit. 99 times out of a hundred. Kept pushing

it out. This frame looks like being end of March. But a second bite of

the cherry. Scott Donaldson so fortunate to see Judd Trump miss

that red. I reckon he could play that ten times and pot at least nine

of them. But that time he does play a very well-controlled positional

shot. I tend to mediate my comments when players make mistakes but you

could not forgive a player for not wrapping up the frame from here.

Once again he has finished low when he needed to be highly so this could

go wrong. Good recovery. 25 points from here. And he will never forgive

himself if he does not win this frame.

Just a glance at the scoreboard, he knows he is past the winning line

but knows that Judd Trump will come back if he does not pot the next

red. Needs to get another red off the table.

I think this red will pot into the right centre. In it goes. He will be

relieved to have won this frame. The magnificent opportunity early on,

made 40, had a golden opportunity to win the frame that did not. Judd

Trump had a chance to get back in but did not, Donaldson took it.

STUDIO: Donaldson pulling himself back from the brink, welcome to the

opening semifinal, he will be feeling a bit better now after that,

he has taken his opportunity? Yes, he missed the bad ball, got halfway

through, on 40, gave his opponents an easy opportunity. Judd Trump

missing the red with the rest, he is normally very good with that, he

would normally pot ten times out of ten but he missed it. Lots and then

knocking in a long red and then securing the frame at a second

opportunity. If that had got away from him he would have looked back

at this match thinking I have had my chances I have just not taking them.

You talked about last night with Judd Trump making mistakes and maybe

a little wake-up call they are? The difference yesterday was he was not

quite scoring enough, today when he has been getting and he has been

scoring, everyone is allowed to miss balls, he was still 40 points behind

so he would still have had to have cleared up. But the way he has been

playing in this match you fancy if that red had gone in he would have

cleared up and that is the difference between yesterday and

today. Donaldson playing the occasion and not the game, what does

that mean, you're not focusing on what you are doing in your shot,

you're thinking about your context, the occasion, the opponent? I don't

necessarily agree with him playing the occasion and not the player, I

think it's a massive occasion for him. His positioning has gone a

little bit, talking about the red, he has play to get on the black cat

ball and played badly. He is under pressure out there because he wants

to do well. He will make mistakes, it's his first semifinal and Judd

Trump is used to it. I agree with the boys in commentary to a certain

extent. Maybe we have a game on our hands after all.

COMMENTATOR: We certainly do, if he can win this frame he will be well

back into the match. But as always when you play Judd Trump you get

chances you do not get from other players. Good break this time albeit

he has left a long red on which Scott Donaldson will probably take

on. I'm lucky, he hits that good. Unlucky. Do not blame him for taking

it on. If it goes on the pink spot it will

be out of commission. It is not out of commission where it is. Just

making sure it is not touching. Maybe the black is not available,

just having a look. The red is definitely available. This is tight.

It's amazing he has played for it but you can see it does pot.

Really got into the cue ball, overscrewed by about a foot.

It is amazing what cue ball movement he gets from what looks to be a

short backswing. Yes, a lot of that is the QC uses, it's not utterly

strong one, got a bit of spring in the shaft which enables the spring

out of the ball. Sometimes it might not be beneficial to have a springy

Q4 other areas of the game. Good black key

If he gets it full ball it could stick. That's the problem. Little

surprised he did not fully go in at pace, he seemed to go at half pace.

If he had gone into the main body of the pack at the pace he did I don't

think he would have been on anything either. The break ends at 44. I

useful lead. APPLAUSE

It's amazing how confident Judd is, he can miss multiple shots and still

play the aggressive shots. It's a great asset, to forget about the

shot that has just come before. This is a dangerous. When the pink has

made contact, bringing other reds into play but he gets down and plays

it with so much confidence. That was very similar to the shot he missed

in the middle pocket where you said you saw his cue move a little bit.

Cueing across it again there. Seemed to just get right at the last

minute. Yes does slightly cue across the

ball, he has always done that, it's just part of his rhythm. Puts his

hip into some of the power shots as well. That's the repetition of his

routine, the way he plays his shots, it has been the same so it's nothing

new. Part of his timing and rhythm. That has a chance first got to get

right back into this frame, he has overrun his positional shot by a

foot and a half. This red will still pot into the left centre. I think

that's in. Good recovery. He has got to Cannes in the right-hand red and

push through it and hopefully the red he cannons will bring another

interplay. -- interplay. I am amazed he tried to play that

shot. Even now he is two feet away from his next red and the black only

reached the pocket on its last role. Personally I did not think that was

the right shot to play but just about worked out OK.

Would love to finish low on this next red Sri can bring other reds

into play and the pink as well. A lot of players would play into them

as he has done. That's the first aggressive shot he has played. He

deserved to be on one, this is a great chance to pinch the frame and

get back within one. Where all the balls are are his favourite.

This is the sort of frame that Scott Donaldson really does need to win

from this opportunity, put some pressure on his opponent and let him

know if he starts making mistakes he will get punished for them. If Scott

can win the frame and pull back within one, it could be anybody's

match. In practice he would clearly is up

100 times out of 100. -- he would clear these up. Do not risk playing

for the pink or black, ideally would like to get onto the brown.

Do not go top side of the blue. Almost gone wrong.

Just has too get one more good shot. Judd Trump will be wondering how on

earth this is now 4-3. Just when it looks safe, he has

under head. APPLAUSE

Well done, his heart would have skipped a beat having seen where cue

ball finished. 44 break in the frame from Judd was not enough.

He came to the table some 50 points behind, needed to clear to pinch it

and did just that with the break of 74 and now trails by just one, 4-3.

STUDIO: And there we were thinking we might have an early finish in

this opening semifinal. How is this happening, the world number four

against the world number some discipline, what is going on? He is

right back in this match, he has cut his deficit. He has stuck in there,

his positioning in that last frame was much, much better. Getting more

table time and feeling more confident. Starting to look very

good. Again we have examples of Judd Trump's play, some good and some not

so good, let's look at the good, another long shot and you have been

drooling over them. Yes, this is probably a one in ten shot and he

has knocked it in my get is over the pocket. Normally this one he would

pot ten times out of ten, that is just unforgivable, a player of his

stature. And to be fair to Scott Donaldson that was his chance and he

took it. We saw it yesterday in his match against Barry Hawkins, the

subtle mistakes. A little bit reckless, how do you explain? I do

not agree with reckless, the shots are your plane is the right shots.

For whatever reason he missing them every so often and that was never

his game. Against Barry Hawkins he got out of jail a little bit. He

done all the work, had the frame won, missed something easily and

then Barry Hawkins pinch to the frames until the end when it turned.

Barry Hawkins had chances and will feel he should be in the semifinal.

Worrying times a little bit now for Judd Trump fans, 4-1 up and very

comfortable, 4-3 the matches is completely back on. You said during

that frame Trump has been on this table all week in front of the

cameras and Donaldson only a couple of times, how much of a significant

factor do you think that is? I think it's massive, people will disagree

but at the end of the day he's a top world player and has earned the

right to play on that table every time. The outside tables are not

supposed to run any differently but they do, to a three feet different.

When you are used to it being slower and then come onto faster table it

takes you a while to settle. The most important thing for Scott

Donaldson was getting the first frame on the board and once he did

that it allowed him to settle and now he is starting to play the

snooker he is capable of. He looks pretty calm waiting for Judd Trump

to come back who will probably have a doubtful voice in his head? Yes,

Stuart Bingham had at last night and we saw what happened. He really

struggled to get over the line. There is a lot of snooker left in

this match. It is best of 11, so first to six is the winner.

COMMENTATOR: Getting interesting now this match, just the odd frame

between them. Strangely enough Judd Trump's safety success is at 91%

compared to his opponents 79%. But the long pot success of Scott

Donaldson could do with being better slightly, 25% only. Two out of eight

long pots. Judd Trump was at 80% but it is now at 60 having missed that

long one. This is a big frame in the context of the match. Judd having

lost the last two frames. If he can win this one he will be 5-3 ahead

and probably feel that a lot of the pressure on him will be released.

The cue ball just dangling on the edge of the court pocket which makes

this safety shot that more difficult. I do not know how the

White House stopped. We'll just be plain safety shot here. APPLAUSE

If you are a close friend of Judd Trump are a big supporter he does

not have put you through the ringer, doesn't often win matches

convincingly. If he can just find a way to not play the odd careless

shot now and again he would be virtually unbeatable. Just as to

throw in a careless safety or careless positional shot every time

he plays. Got very close to the long red,

caught the bottom jaw and didn't find its way into the pocket but

close enough to it for Scott Donaldson to cut debt in. -- to cut

it in. Would love to play on one of the two

reds just above the black to free the black spot area. I am sure they

go into the top right corner. Some players might decide to crash the

brown and open things far and wide. Where is this going to finish? Short

by about two feet. Why not play the two cushion is to take that out of

the equation. One cushion you are asking for trouble, if he plays two

you cannot fail to be on the reds. That is absolutely true. Across the

table to the other side of the table you could not snooker yourself. But

Scott obviously felt it was an easy enough shot to play. Unfortunately

he has found out that it wasn't. So, a pity. It was a great chance.

This is a poor safety shot. He has a decent cue ball, but Judd can play

that ball, he won't leave anything if he plays for the pink has welcome

on and off the cushion. Around the back of the pad, the same scenario.

He has Judd under real pressure at the minute.

Would love to finish low on this black, play the cannon into the

three reds but he finished high safety cannot do that now. Bottom of

the three reds there, potting into the corner.

Not absolutely guaranteed to get this little cannon Wright, if a

-- if they push it towards the left. That can and should have made better

history than that. He found one there, Judd. It worked

out well, it's a great chance for him to be on the pink with the same

pocket, pushing through the red. I think he is touching ball on one of

the reds, I do not know if it will prohibit him from potting it into

the left centre. It is very tight. I think he could pot it, I don't if he

can hold it for the red closest. Now, potting it, you might drift by

the red that is nearest the pink spot and beyond nothing. From that

angle, I'm not sure if he can get through. I think it is really tight,

he could roll it in for the red. That the cue ball is nearly

touching. But the pink spot is occupying it. I wonder if it could

circumvent him. He could play the pink if he decides to play safe,

playing the pink on the top. He has been fortunate. Playing a bad shot

and getting away with it. They may take it on, where is the

red going? That was a pull shot. Totally misjudging play, hitting the

jaws at least in playing the long pot. Meaning there had been no

problem. He missed it by a long way. The black is available. The black is

open. He will be so disappointed, almost hitting the red on the wrong

side, it comes back up to baulk. Look at this. Hitting straight on.

Now, Judd has a good position on the black, in the middle of the three,

just above the black. Now, there is a choice of reds.

Just when Scott Donaldson was getting into the match, he has let

one slip here. Going back to the brown he played when he potted it,

and did not finish on the two reds above the black. He knew it was a

great chance to score heavily. Now it looks as if he will be three

behind. -- B 5-3 behind. Just a scarlet, and any colour for

Judd to re-establish the lead -- just a red. Very relieved, Judd

Trump, moving himself back into the driving seat in this match. Now,

just requiring one more frame to book his place in the final

tomorrow. Making the century break... Potting high value colours

with the three remaining reds. Already made a magnificent total

clearance in the first frame of 131. It was not total clearance, but

almost... Nevertheless, it followed up to go 2-0 up and then... This was

one of 65, going 4-1 up, but not done a lot of heavy scoring. It's

been more Scott Donaldson. Breaking at 75, 40, 42 and 74, getting right

back into the match. But he will know he is about to be two frames

adrift of Judd again. It came back in... What a great shot

it was. Just making a century with clearance

to the black. It will be the second of the match. Can he revive the

angle on the brown to dislodge the blue, or try and can in the blue

half ball here and leave himself on the brown? -- cannon. It's difficult

to know what he played there. Am looking forward to this shot, it

would be a Judd Trump special. A power shot up the cushion rail, this

will takes on doing. -- this will take some doing. Hang on... What a

shame. Could not make the second century break with 82 from Judd

Trump, more than enough to establish a two frame lead, he needs one more

to book his place in the final tomorrow. He leads Scott Donaldson

5-3. FUNKY MUSIC At the moment, I cannot stop eating

chocolate! Two, I think Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor and Ben

Affleck. There was a time in the local league games, where I beat

someone, I think he must have been about 40 and I was six or seven at

the time. He ended up snapping his cue after I beat him, I will never

forget that! And quite patient. -- I'm quite patient and relaxed. I'm

quite a bad loser, it takes me a while to get over some losses, it

takes me a day or two to get over it. Quantum Piura.

David Beckham, or McGregor, I would be intimidated. -- Conor McGregor.

I've not paid attention to what's happened in the past, for me I would

like to go forward in 50 years and see what is happening there. The

beach, in LA, and out with friends at night.

Nice to see Judd sat in the chair, Scott Donaldson missed a trick, he

potted a nice red, perfect on the brown, this is a shot. Play on one

cushion, you have the chance to go wrong, he should have gone two, of

the blue and back on the two reds. Playing on one, you have a single

foot margin of error. With two, you have five feet. He will be kicking

himself not to have made a better fist of it than that. He's in the

match, Judd with a break of 82, taking it away from him now. I think

it is going to be tough for Scott to get back into the match again.

Frame nine. Judd Trump hopes it will be the last frame of the match,

breaking off in frame nine. The best break off of the match,

probably. Judd has Scott Donaldson snookered on Allred 's. Has to be

careful, it is so easy to leave a pot on here if you are not careful.

Get that pays right. -- snookered on all of the reds. It looks

dangerously quick. Nestling on the red. No harm is done. Touching ball,

not so good from Donaldson's point of view. It allows Judd to play that

part of the table as he so desires. Just a minor adjustment needed.

Players never really worried about, OK, he has given ten points away.

Ten points in this stage of the game is not as important as not a read

on. -- red on. I would be amazed if he does not get that touching ball

on this visit... I think it is a touching ball again,

you know... It absolutely froze when it hit the reds. Meeting another

touching ball. This time, he will try and get in behind the yellow.

Just like that. Just wondering whether it is worth

playing to snicker him rather than let him see the reds, bringing

interplay. Playing -- bringing those reds in to play.

On the left-hand side of the pack, he's come out more with him playing

that last shot into the pack. How not really rest on this side of the

pack, and leave a pot. Having to be careful.

It looks like he is thinking about coming to the back of the pack this

time. In one, two, three or four positions.

A different way to what he originally thought. A similar kind

of shot, though. It is all about pace. It is a poor shot.

I think that Scott Donaldson was lucky that he missed that one. Just

playing it slightly more casual I felt there. Just that pace kept it

out, it was sent a little high. Well... Scott obviously did not

think that he could control that cue ball there. Playing through the

baulk colours, and trusting that position. He is on the blue, or

baulk colours. There is anyone loose red that would put anywhere. I don't

think there is one of the back of the pack that would put into the

left-hand corner. -- there is only one loose red.

Could get onto the loose red that the left of the yellow. Three

cushions, he has done, he might have two slow up a little. That is well

played. That red does not pot. Why play at

the way he did? Rather than finishing in an area where he looks

to be playing for one or two reds. So... Yes, it was a strange shot

that Scott played. This red into the blue pots into the

corner, and if it does, Scott can take it on and get position on to be

black. As it approaches and runs past two hours. Putting that, not

left uneasy one on for Judd. Although the blue probably does pot.

Once you miss a red as far as he did, you realise what happens, that

pink has come to the rescue of the red nearest to the pocket. There's a

gap between the pink and the that is typed on the cushions, it is one of

those. If he can -- cannon the pink and the red, I

don't know why he put it that way around for sure, why not thin?

Again, myself and Willie had a conversation, wondering whether Judd

would smash into the red, and he did. When you do that you don't know

where the cue ball will finish. As you saw, that is what can happen.

What a retriever, Scott Donaldson must have thought he played his last

shot in the Welsh Open. Instead... He has the chance for 5-4.

Second glance he might have been better playing on the black, trying

to knock this blue end... Ooh dear. That is his first which, definitely

slightly anxious on that one. He has had some chances in this match. He

takes the tape away from this match and will realise he had every chance

of beating Judd Trump today. That's right. Could certainly take this

match himself. Considering his performance in the round yesterday,

in the last 16 against Zhou Yuelong, he did so well in that match,

dominating his young Chinese opponent. If he played in a similar

fashion today I think that he would be winning.

Usually, these top players close the match out and have chances like

this. He does not have to worry about the two reds on the side

cushions. As those reds loose in the middle of the table.

It has been workmanlike from Judd Trump today, he's not played

anywhere near his best. Scored better than he did against Barry

Hawkins yesterday. Making 40, missing. He did that a couple of

times today, yesterday he did it five times. When he plays in the

final, he has to tighten that side of his game up.

Well, this has been better from Judd. Missing pots in this break.

Now he just needs one more red to take place in tomorrow's final.

APPLAUSE What a great tournament that young

man has had. Win or lose he will gain a lot of experience from this

game. Like I say, if he takes the tape away he will realise how close

he came to winning the match. Silly little miss positions with the

balls. Trying to force into the red to

bring it into play. No century break to finish Bert a match that Judd

will be pleased to have one. It seemed he took a few chances but he

came away winning quite convincingly. The scoreline doesn't

quite tell the story, but Judd goes through to another major final.

STUDIO: It was not as easy as it might have been but Judd Trump,

through to his first Welsh Open final and Scott Donaldson will hope

that there are more ranking tournament semifinals to come. Just

one game too far for him today but Trump, as he signs some autographs

in the arena, he will play either Stuart Bingham or Robert Milkins in

the final tomorrow. The second semifinal to come, Bingham or

Milkins is due out there after seven o'clock. It's a good day for Judd

Trump. He will be happy to have crossed the line in the end, and

into his first Welsh Open final. It seemed he wanted to do it the hard

way at one point. But he just had that class, when it mattered?

It was a case of him knocking in good long pots which got him in. He

scored better. That was the difference compared to the rest of

the tournament. Scott Donaldson had his chances and will be very

disappointed. He would be pleased on one hand, it is a double-edged

sword, he will be pleased he has the semifinal and he will look back and

go, I had a lot of chances. If I played my top game, I could have

been in the final but it was not to be. He's a young man and I'm sure he

will have plenty of opportunities and will need to take positives out

of this. Willie Thorne used the word, workmanlike, describing Judd

Trump's performance today, what was the difference between them? The

thing was, when Judd got in, he scored enough to win friends in one

visit, at least three of them, anyway. His long game, porting some

great long ones to get in, going back into the frame. -- win friends.

Scott Donaldson helped him, with those chances. That was the thing

for him today, he did not take control. Let's hear from our first

finalist at the 2017 Welsh Open. Judd Trump is with Rob Walker.

Many congratulations, your first Welsh Open final, it looked smooth

early on and then he edged back into the match? Yes, I think the game

changed a little. He missed some today, and towards the middle of the

match, he kind of got away with some bad safeties. It put me under some

pressure in the end, to make a good break to establish authority, going

5-3, he missed the ball in the last. He will be a bit disappointed but at

1.I could see his confidence, so it was important for me to shut down

the game. It was nice for your family and friends, you taking part

in a ranking final in Britain, a lot of your success has come in from

overseas, at China and you won the International, this is close to home

so it will be a special occasion for the entire family tomorrow? Yes, it

is always special when you reach the semifinal, the final is a different

atmosphere, you thrive off it. For me, playing in the final here, my

home tournament, that would be an amazing achievement to win it. This

season has been bubbling, you said you've be the most consistent of the

top players this season, it's taken people to be at their best to beat

you. A big one is coming, no finer place to do it here than tomorrow? I

think I've improved this season, it's taken people at the top of

their game to beat me. Every tournament I've gone into, I've been

fully prepared, giving my best shot. I feel I've improved this season and

if I can win it at two ranking events in a season, it's an extra

step up. Any preference question mark Stuart Bingham or Rob Milkins?

I would probably rather play Rob Milkins, it's his first time, more

pressure on him, but they are both good. I would expect it to be close,

Stuart is the favourite but Rob will put up a good fight. Well done, see

you in the final tomorrow. If you work in a marketing

department the final you are opening for is Judd Trump against Stuart

Bingham but if you want a spectacle you are not so sure? Yes, everyone

is seeing Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham will be the final but Robert

Milkins plays very similarly to Judd Trump when he is playing well, likes

to attack the ball, go for his shots. He does not hang about

either. An exciting player. Stuart Bingham has learnt the fine art of

the game and he plays the more percentage Schneider, everything he

does there is method. He knocks in great long pots, scores well and

when there is nothing on he placed the right shot. Robert Milkins tries

to push the boat out which makes an exciting. Can Donaldson bounce back

from this? Key will be bitterly disappointed without a shadow of a

doubt but he will go away from this, dear to back home in Scotland with

everyone congratulating him, he will give himself a pat on the back and

say hang on, I did all right and can have something to build on. He has a

great future ahead of him. Donald Trump into his first Welsh Open

final, entertaining night ahead? -- Judd Trump. Yes, Judd Trump, he is

terrific. Thank you Darren, tonight, who will join Trump in tomorrow's

final, two Englishman for you, Stuart Bingham against Robert

Milkins, hope we can join us then, thank you beat the weather is, from

all bus by. I've searched the world to find

these extraordinary people. I woke up and I could suddenly

just play the piano. The human body is unique

within nature. And the most extraordinary people

on the planet are those who are helping

to unlock its mysteries.