Day 3 Snooker: World Championship Highlights

Hello everyone. We are definitely into Alp stride at the World

Championship. We have had controversy, and final frame

deciders. We start today's highlights with potential for an

upset between Jamie Jones and the two dozen five world champion Shane

Murphy. -- Shaun Murphy. It has been a while since he became and

seven champion at the age of 22. He was the lowest ranked player to get

the world title. He has many to the last round for the last seven years

in a row. He found himself in a tough battle against a newcomer

from Wales. He led 5 - 4 overnight. He won five of the first seven

frames to take a 9-7 lead. The commentators at Terry Griffiths and

Shaun Murphy, 46. He just came right across the shot. He had to

hold for the black. It would have been a very disappointing miss for

him. He hit the ball nicely in that You could tell from where the cue

ball finished he was trying to stun it in a straight line. He hit it on

A problem for Jamie Jones at the moment. Every chance that comes

along he will think it will be the He is not frightened of beating the

He played a week or so ago. It was 10-2. That is a big win against

Dave former top 16 player. This is 8. The red closest to the pink spot

That was an excellent shot. He has a perfect angle on the blue. There

He went into the side. Had he hit it full on it may have been better.

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Shaun Murphy will be fearing the The Bristol a bit to do. -- there

Everything is magnified at this stage. The pressure, the difficulty,

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He will try and get a nice angle The first time he has played here

That is Shia pressure. -- Shia. Have a look at this. He took a long

time on that shot. He made the shot to important. If I get this, I

could win the match. That is what that shows. He's certainly tough

for someone who has not been here That will certainly give Shane --

Shaun Murphy a bit of confidence How much will Jamie Jones lived to

12 points ahead. Brown and blue required to cut the deficit to one

A few moments ago as he contemplates best miss he thought

he was in the next round. Shaun Murphy thought he was on the way

home. This match is well and truly In goes the pink. Shaun Murphy

takes the frame. He cuts Jamie Jones's lead to just one frame.

Shaun Murphy is hanging in there as it tries to avoid a first-round

exit for the first time since 2003. Frame 18 next. Murphy trailing by a

That could be Shaun Murphy's last shot in the World Championship. He

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caught the knuckle of the middle He has overdone that one. The top

rate does not go. He played for the red to the right of the black. With

the brown and blue tied up it is not easy. They would be some doubt

He has got it. That was such a big shot. A good pot. The fact that he

was going into the blue made it He has decided to play for the pink

into the centre. The pink would put him 45 ahead. One red and a higher

Anywhere top side of the blue here. It looks about perfect. Blue will

put him 51 ahead. He needs one more This has been an excellent

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Can you believe it? It is not over Amazing. What can happen. It was

two inches off and now he has a much tougher shot over distance.

You been see a bit of a motion from Jamie Jones. It's it shows you how

He has had to work for it. He has It is still not over yet. 48 ahead

So much drama, so much tension, so much excitement. That is what this

It looks pretty good. It looks very He's 48 points behind but there are

43 remaining. It is also possible for a state they should he get the

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There is no reaction this time but I am sure that will definitely see

It has been an excellent performance. The first time in the

Crucible. He has played quite well. He congratulate so Jamie Jones. He

salutes to his supporters and the crowd. Shaun Murphy will be very

disappointed. What an excellent victory for Jenny Jones. He goes

through to the last 16. I have never felt anything like playing

Shaun. In the first section of the match eyes managed to settle down.

I was down overnight. I settled down he's yet today. I missed quite

a few balls and potted a few balls. It was a mixed bag. Considering it

was my first game at the Crucible i played well. I do not feel there

was much momentum swanning the match. Ideas a few frames ahead to

a couple of times. He got ahead when it mattered. I did not feel

that you go of has built up a head of steam at any time. It was one of

those matches where we could not shake each other off. I have always

thought up to Shaun. The way he plays the game is brilliant. At

below that bad that went I potted the red I was giving the best. It

meant so much to me. Well done to the young Welshman. He is through

to the next round. Now time for news and some of today's other

matches. Stephen Maguire completed his victory over Luca Brecel he

will take away plenty of confidence and the consolation of a two-year

tour card after his encouraging debut. Maguire will look to way

Second round clash. A win is a win. There was a bit of hype about that

match. It was fair enough. It was a great way for him to get here. It

is definitely not the last time I will see him. Performance wise I

was just not there at all. I had lots of chances and missed easy

balls. My long shots were missing by what seemed like a fait. I had

to try and forget about it. I have to train. Two-time Crucible

finalist Matthew Stevens looked in superb form as he raced into an 8-0

win. He eventually closed the match out by it ten frames to three. I

have a different -- decent season. It has been tough. I have showed a

bit of heart to get back in. I have found by way back. A lot of

tournaments have helped. It is nice to Gunter the Crucible. Now the

match that promised to be the tide of the first round between two form

of World Championships. Ronnie It was the first tournament that I

won for three years. I was absolutely delighted. It feels

great to be a tournament winner again. I needed motivation of

playing the top players in the world knowing that I will have to

try extra hard. Sometimes it brings the best out in you. I have been

vegan for almost five months. Although I have worked hard things

did not really start coming right until I did the research into diet

and nutrition and food. My dad passed away last year of cancer.

That was a huge motivation for me to take my diet seriously for the

first time. I am glad delighted because I feel fantastic. This

season is the first year in 16 or 17 seasons I have not been in the

top 16. I have become accustomed to that. I am working very hard there

and would love to get back in the top 16. I would rather be in the

top 16. I thoroughly enjoy playing Ronnie because it is a good

challenge. Millions of fans all Having come back from 8-2 down to

win us expecting people to say well done. There were complaints about

the playing slow. Not just myself but other players when you play

against someone like Ronnie O'Sullivan the other naturally

gifted players, you were very conscious of not wanting to get

caught up into their rhythm. Subsequently t get end up playing

slogan you mean to which knocks yourself out of your own rhythm. I

will try to avoid that at all costs. I am happy with my game and my

preparation. I want to play at my rhythm. They believe they can play

well enough to win. They will be no-one trying harder. It is seven

years since Ebdon came from 8-2 down to beat O'Sullivan. He's a

slow play drew plenty of criticism. To say that there is history

between them is an understatement. A chance for Ronnie. I noticed in

the first from that he missed an easy black. You say the time he had

to avoid the middle pocket. Any time he plays that it looks like he

hasn't got much of a clue what the cue ball will go. I do not know

what it is a new cue will renew tip. You get money put that down to the

break-up shot. He was in the right- hand side and is supposed to play

to the end red. He was at the Sometimes you can have a new tip

that throws a bit funny. That is why the - just flicking that second

His previous shot to that one was a poor position. It is why he has had

to run the way up the table. Still trying to get the pace of this

How was this going to finish? Allister is a red inability but

he's not won anything. It's only This is the way you throw the balls

and the table to have a practice session. It might not take very

You were saying at the beginning of that contrasting styles. We have

had so many times they have any It just adds to the atmosphere.

This looks as though it could be a tremendous match. Even though

Ronnie would have been a favourite coming into it he does know that

Peter Ebdon, if he is in good form, A quick glance at the scoreboard.

26 points in front. The balls could not be better situated. He makes it

41 the difference. A few pots away A little shake of the head. If he

had had the perfect angle he could have got close to the next red.

Just coming up to 4.5 minutes for It would be nice if he could get a

And sponsors are debating to wonder This genius at the table has made

670 century breaks in his professional career. He has made

Well done Ronnie O'Sullivan. A terrific effort. He made the

century break in just over six minutes. He gets himself back into

the lead. Ronnie O'Sullivan extended that advantage by taking

the next? Frames. He still Good shot. Peter could do with a

sizable contribution. His highest break was 45 in the second frame.

He got a slightly bad contact which leaves him at a bad angle for the

black. He seemed to jump the red. I think he has a slight angle on this

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black, so he should be able to get couple more loose Reds. I would

rather go in while there is one red for insurance. After potting this

red, and even angle on the black and then go into the bunch and

leave that red on the right as a bit of insurance. If you pot the

black and the red I mentioned, you only have the one chance. Further

up the table, pot the black, smashing to the red. If you stick

on one then you have the Reds to the right of the bunch available.

He did try that in the end and because he did not put the black

into the pocket. They tend to jump off the table on these fine course.

It is the first time I have seen the referee using the rest. We have

lost the black for a moment. That is a pretty good shot with your

left hand, bridging over the bunch. Just watch this - it jumps up and

the way it goes off the table. Applause man Howell well did he cue

that one? Absolutely beautiful cueing that was. -- how well did he

cue that one? He always appears not to be making any real effect. A now,

has he got the angle on the pink, as it looks as though he has. He

may just be on the one above the black. A APPLAUSE. Not the best

kiss on the blue. The green is the one which will get him up to the

two Reds to the right of the pink, but this is quite a script. --

quite a stretch. This may not work out. Has he got a break into the

left corner? Just about. -- a red into that corner? He is just

starting to stamp his authority on this match. This match will be

played to a conclusion tomorrow afternoon. Nine frames to be played

in this session. Ronnie O'Sullivan is well on his way here. He yes, he

seemed to start off a little shaky, a little bit of nerves. Problems

judging the throw of the site, but he now seems to be making good

strokes. Of course he has been helped by his opponent a little bit.

Peter has not reached the level of snooker that we were half-expecting

after his win in the China Open. We thought he would come he full of

confidence, but it has not under that way. -- come here full of

confidence. He would like an easier draw than Ronnie O'Sullivan, but...

no matter who you draw these days, there are will difficult, but

Ronnie O'Sullivan is certainly one he would have wanted to do well it.

A quick glance at the scoreboard tells him that a colour is all that

is required. The red, purposely played it with a bit more pace to

develop the pink, and it could not have worked or more nicely.

APPLAUSE. And a chance of another possible century. He may have won

frame three and if he can make another one it will be another �200

for haven house, the hospice for children which is our charity.

Watched the reverse side on this when it hits the cushion. Look at

that. Oh, that has spoiled the century. 0, need got the double.

APPLAUSE. -- owner, any got the double. Ronnie continued to

dominate the match. Peter Ebdon is the one feeling the force of the

Rocket. No, he is just not doing it. He may try to disturb the red on

the right side off the table. he decided not to. I am surprised,

because he has got to get on it now. That was a pretty good effort to

get on it. He is going to have to use the rest. I was with you there,

John, I thought he would pocket the red and move the red in the side

cushion because it was guaranteed to be on the black. Not like Ronnie

O'Sullivan to miss a trick like that. APPLAUSE. 11 points the lead.

Heaney it's this frame badly and he has every chance of getting it now.

-- he needs this frame. Not one of his best, he will have to move the

rest. Not a straightforward screw back. He will have to do a little

bit with the cue ball to get position on the green. He might

have to leave the green in the same pocket he has taken the yellow.

APPLAUSE. He has rolled it through but he only needs the green. He is

20 in front and the green will put him 23 in front. 22 on the table.

When you are a long line of the white and the green, as you say, it

is a thin snick. APPLAUSE. Giving this plenty of thought because he

knows that one snooker will certainly win it. The black is on

its spot and that is always a good target for playing snookers. So, be

careful here. Peter tried it a snooker himself, but barring that,

he has another frame on the board. This has got a chance. This has got

a chance! How well did he play that! APPLAUSE. You just saw the

little tap on the table from Peter Ebdon - that is the sort of

sportsmanship we expect. You have to appreciate the shot that Ronnie

played. I can see a couple of cushions he could hit, it is

difficult. Either way, difficult to escape from. You think they would

try to initiate one cushion, don't chew? Absolutely, give it one go

off the side cushion. He has tried it of all three cushions. I know it

was close, but that is not the way I would player. You can double this

twice across, leave the brown behind the black and get it up to

the top off the table. It is if he can judge it. He has played it well

- might even get a snooker out of this. He has played it very well.

Just an end. Peter thinks so. -- just an. Perfect cue ball. Well

played. APPLAUSE. He has got the snooker. What a shot to play there.

What a shot that was. This time a miss will be called if he does not

hit the brown. Does he hit it or does he drift by it? He has hit it,

but he has left it on. Ronnie O'Sullivan now can win and he has a

nice easy start. He just needs a good angle on the blue. And that

was where the left hand was so important there. If he had played

that from the side using the long rest, that would have been top.

has played this nicely. He can play them left handed. Is he going to go

full stretch? He still needs pink and black. Does he trust his left

hand for this important shot? The answer is now. The answer is yes,

now, John. APPLAUSE. Played it absolutely beautifully. That was a

fabulous shot with the left hand. It really was. Ronnie O'Sullivan

takes the frame. Peter Ebdon badly needed it. He had his chances but

he did not take them. This match has hardly been the

tense contest that many would have expected. Ebdon gave himself a

flicker of hope by taking the final frame, suggesting he will not roll

over just yet. Nevertheless, Ronnie O'Sullivan will feel confident of

progressing. They resume their match tomorrow afternoon. The last