Day 14 Snooker: World Championship Highlights

Here, he comes, ready to dig deep, one again, heess comes the hawk,

Barry Hawkins. A mag knittic attempt, the rocket, Ronnie

O'Sullivan: He's showing his battles qualities. Another Ronnie special,

there. Goong. We are down to the

semi-finals. And the match we're going to concentrate on with between

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins. Hears a chance to catch up with what

happened early today. Barry's turn to baulk off and he's

needs a good session here. A pure miss.

He only needed one chance. It's now 7-2. A rentry number eight for

Ronnie O'Sullivan. Back-to-back centuries. The rocket

is on fire at the moment. Well played, Barry Hawkins.

APPLAUSE He's got a smile on his face. He's

10-3. Going for the00. -- hundred. Very

well played. Barry Hawkins. He still trails Ronnie O'Sullivan.

We are going to join the match at 13-7 top Ronnie O'Sullivan. Let's

see some of the shots that he played. He's going to screw back.

Look at the amount of left-hand. Yied a lasy scoock back. He was

behind in the frame. He was behind. He needed to pot the red. Barry

Hawkins had him the under predecessor. One again, we soo the

scoreline. Not that fantastic until you look at the scoreline. This shot

to nothing, when he was in front, to seal that frame. Great shots. None

of them are massively fantastic, but taken in the kext, just marvellous.

Wrd it continue in frame 21? This time, got an angle on the

colour. He just played it as if he was trying to put it. If he got the

angle right, area choons of knocking it in. He needs to get down close to

the red. They might be in the way it in. He needs to get down close to

one another again. So hard on getting the gap. He's got it but

forgot the I'm wondering if he can hold it for

the black. Well, he's taking the blue, frault, but he would get on

the black, you would feel, in a couple of shots time. Probably be

able to do it this time. And with the black back on the

spot... It's a great chance for Ronnie. First to 17. So there's four

frames to be played. Three after this. If he wins all the the frames,

he will have the afternoon off. Yes, world championship, you get

some time to win the match with a session to spare. But to win two

matches with a session to spare, makes it so much more, rest. And

he'll do that, beat Marc Murphy with a session to spare. He could have

the full day off. Such an advantage to get yourself

menialty ready for the final. -- mentally.

47 points in front. A step closer. To getting the match over tonight.

Unlikely. Because Barry is still playing very well. But that yellow

that he missed. He would have had all these. This is the one. He put

it on the right corn of the pocket. He knew after that he would be

sitting in his seat for a twhiel. -- while. Mind you, not that long with

about Ronnie O'Sullivan is at the table. He's so fluent.

Just over three minutes for this. This frame winning break.

Still a chance of another century. But he needs to clear with high

value colours. He's already had three centuries in

this semi-final. It would be his tenth. He would

overtake Robertson rocks, who has had nine. -- Neil Robertson.

Pink and black for a 5 te century. It's another. A brilliant clearance

from Ronnie O'Sullivan. One mistake from Barry Hawkins and that was all

it took. Ronnie O'Sullivan has cleared up for the magnificent

break. Cutting over to two reds. It could

go over to the left-hand corner. There's the red going over there.

The gap to get through to that red. Don't think so this time.

Well look at this red. He might take this pot on. Bus there's no easy

safety shot. -- because. He has knocked a high prnling of

long shots in. APPLAUSE

well, I mean, look at the distance. With the cueing to knock that in and

screw it back. Effortless. But where does it come from? He's playing

great in the balls. In previous tourmts -- turmss. He's long game

has been poor. I think it's a little thing called confidence. He's full

of it at the moment. 72% for the whole of the tournament. He is long

success rate. The pink tied up, black at the moment. But we know

he'll get it into play, he has to miff the red near the cushion. OK.

He's hampered. But whatever he sees there, he's getting it.

I mean, this is just superb snooker. A lot of players can watch what he's

doing here. Every opportunity, he's looking to win the frame. The other

players would be messing about the. In two shots' time, he has the black

in play. It's just a master class of break building, it really is.

Plenty of players made 100 wraiks. In their local clubs. But to do it

consistently,under in amount of pressure... Everyone's aim is to

bring their practice game to the match table. This is his practice

game, on the biggest stage in the world.

o Phone the police, that's a mistake. Daint play to kiss that

red. He was playing to the right of the pink. But it doesn't matter,

does it? Just the wrong side of the blue. But

I think to pot the red, never miebd get position, was superb. So another

longish pot. I'm smot sure if he can screw past the pink. I wouldn't put

it past him, the way that he's cueing. He had to cannon the pink.

He couldn't avoid it. Right in the middle of the pocket.

And another chance to get himss to 15 frames. -- himself. Every chance

that he gets, he plays another cannon to vo the cue balls down. He

The frame well and truly over. Just a matter of whether it's going to be

another century or not. As willy said. -- Willie. He'ses going to

make his fourth century in the match.

APPLAUSE Well, barry has had enough. He now

leads by 15 to 7. Two more frames to play tonight. Ronnie needs them baet

to win a with a session to spare. It's a tricky black he's faced with.

So a thin cut and he'll cannon onto the edge of the pack here. Makes the

pot more difficult. Well played, but is he on the red? It might be able

to get through to one in the middle. He'd like to take the left of the

reds. I don't know if he's seeing enough of it. I don't know whether

detried to put a bit of side off that to make the potting angle.

Possible he did. He tried to bend it a little bit and didn't quite get

enough on it. He's been helped by a few of the

mistake from Barry Hawkins. He wonts to have a day off tomorrow.

APPLAUSE difficult binch to go into. He plays

this shot so well. -- bunch. As I say, this was a difficult bunch to

go into and he hasn't finished nicely on a red.

Normally stuns it. This time he screwed it and opened the reds. But,

this would be some shot if he pulls it off and gets on the black. A shot

to nothing. If you look at the way he played it. I can have a got a

this, and if I don't pot it, the only ball I can leave is the one I'm

taking on. Had a quick look to see if it was

available, it's not. Maybe trying to cut the red in. He thinks he has the

good white though. Once again, his pace has been so good.

Yes, he has pulled a little cracker out there. The green will pass the

blue. Still needs a good shot. He had to really force that to get

up to the reds, now that he's missed the green, he's left a chance for

Ronnie. Already 31 points ahead. The black is tied up. Having to force

that. Caused him to miss the green. But he's got the pink in the open.

He can blinch it with reds and pinks. There's a few reds. If he

passes the brown and comes back up again, should be OK. Maybe a bit too

much on it. He needs it to pull up quickly.

Looks like the red next to the pink. Just trying to push thataway.

Well, it's going to be a matter of as to whether he can win the last

frame and the match, cos this frame is over.

Had a big, big pot off the cushion. But it didn't really matter

Just try it flick the red out of the way.

Well, he had an early break of 40. Then that break of 4

Well, he had an early break of 40. frame. And Ronnie O'Sullivan now

needs one more frame to get himself through to his third final in a row.

So Ronnie on the brink of victory. And if the red wasn't to the right

of the pact, it would be easy to stun the blue. I don't think it's

hard enough. Wants to be straight on the red. Not quite hard enough. But

it could still flick off the pack and get onto the black.

This is the great chance of frame gentleman match now. -- frame and

match. The awkward red is going to be moved now.

Well, Barry just sits and wonders how many Ronnie is going to score

from here. It's been another terrific run from Barry Hawkins to

get through to the semi-final after getting to the final last year.

Ronnie back at 93% with his pot success rate. That rate at the back

of the bunch is available to Robbie. -- Ronnie. He wanted to leave a

slight angle but he can't do that now. So it's all about this shot,

played with top spin and right hand side. Watch the right ark. He's

played for the loose one. Maybe he feels it would be bet beer to go in

from the blue. But he doesn't have the angle to do that now. So it's

the shot that Is mentioned previously. He has to play it this

time. Trying too hard because he wants to

get this frame and have the afternoon off. He played a couple of

shots there he wouldn't normally. APPLAUSE.

The lead has been made even bigger, the fact that the black has gone

safe. He needs a perfect turn on the blue

to go straight onto the pink. And pinch the last frame, to stay in the

match. Doesn't seem to be any plan for the

reds. He can hit it as hard as he wants. How is your luck? Now very

good. No wonder he's smiling. Well, he hit it pretty well. And

everything just ran safe. On another day, he call go into pottable

positions. He's playing a really thin safety shot here, Ronnie. Just

hitting everything, it's the perfect safety. It is the perfect safety.

The red over the pocket. That's got to be Barry Hawkins's last shot.

He's in a bit of trouble here. He might have the pot his way out of

trouble here. No use leaving the white on the cushion behind the

black spot. He's looking at the potting angle of the red that is

just behind the two. There's a bit of a grap. He's got to pot it

really, he has to pot it. He would be lucky to cover the red over the

pocket. This could be the chance. He can get on the pink. It's a delicate

little shot. I think the angle is there for Ronnie to do that. If he

can drop it in dead weight and slip past the pink. If he goes too hard,

he's on the blue. He's played a check side. A little bit too hard.

Might just use the two reds to slow the cue ball down. But he's playing

to the top pocket. The two reds must be available and they are. He can do

it with the three reds, three pinks. It has been an awesome display from

the defending champion. He has played so well. He has had four

century breaks. This and the l pink would be enough.

And Barry now knows that he won't have the come back tomorrow. But he

really has done well. APPLAUSE

they know that Ronnie is now in the final. Barry Hawkins, he has had a

brilliant world championship, to get through to the semi-final again. It

has been fantastic. He's not finished yet, but barring snookers.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is into the final for three years in had a row.

54 the difference. Just the one snooker needed.

And I think he'll shake hands with Ronnie O'Sullivan.

It's been a fabulous display from the defending champion. Every credit

to Barry Hawkins behe's come up against a player in form. A very

comfortable winner in the end. I go oud to play hard every game. It's a

big tournament. A lot of pressure on everyone. As each match, goes on,

you get a bit mofrt comfortable. I don't think I'm improving. I felt so

drained. The first time I had it as well. I feel like I've been kicked

around the park. I didn't have that drive which is really horrible

because you're in a semi-final playing against Ronnie. I feel like

I've been in a boxing ring and had 1 rounds. It's about damage

limitation. You can only stop the rot by finding your own riet.

In that form, Ronnie O'Sullivan is almost

In that form, Ronnie O'Sullivan is touch, he is break building. Very

unstoppable. You had to feel for Barry Hawkins. I'm pretty sure, the

Dominic Dale match, it was a roller costar to get over the line. He ran

Dominic Dale match, it was a roller Ronnie O'Sullivan? They have to hope

Dominic Dale match, it was a roller that he dips. I

Dominic Dale match, it was a roller happening. Let's take a look at that

other semi-final. And then only 9-6. It's into frame 16. The last of the

seags. And massive for both players. When he played that red, not a lot

of danger. But take nothing for granted. It has found its wait over

the middle pocket. And was able to control it. Nicely

on the green. It gives you a better angle to get the cue daul back to

this end. -- kau ball. This looks inch perfect.

It goes out saying, not a great back to go it. Once again, he needs a

half ball kiss, not a full ball kiss on the bottom reds. This time he's

got it. APPLAUSE

look at the ark that he gets. It suddenly takes off and kisses

exactly the half ball. Couldn't have turned out better.

A potting angle. Once again, niceline on the green. And he'll

know, the magnitude of this frame. He's won the first cision, and he

can win this frame, he'll have won this session 5-3. That 93% pot

success is exactly the type that Ronnie O'Sullivan is producing in

the other semi-final. Whenever he's played safe, he's not taking a pot

on. Yeah, I don't think he's missed many

easy balls, but he's run outs of position a few times.

He'll play the kiss on the outside, ready for the red. If not, he'll go

into them. A lot of screw back. He might have a result here.

You make it sound easy. But it's anything but. Look spin on the ball.

He's taking it on. It's there. APPLAUSE

He didn't have to do a lot with the cue ball but the pot was difficult.

It could set up a frame winning chance. Every chance that he could

do it here, right at the right time. What a kick that was. Luckily for

Mark, with such terrible kick, not too bad if he can pot the blue. You

can see the ball bouncing all over the place. It would be out of

position and he wouldn't be able to continue the break. Sometime you get

those kicks. Just going to drop in blue in.

He was able to do that. Still on track. To have a four frame

advantage at the end of this second session. And a night off to recover.

It's been a tough battle. Spare a thought for a referee. He's

got to concentrate on every shot. He doesn't have time to sit down. I was

talking to him in the midsession break. He said, I have to have my

wits about me. A lot of things that he has to keep his eye on. And he's

done well this afternoon. So this bloock will put him 60

points in front with 75 remaining. Didn't see that one coming! Didn't

that! I think he changed his mind. As you say, if he hots the black,

testify would have been snookers required. What is left? The key

thing is, he has the black safe. Very fortunate there.

I think he's got a choice of reds. He can get through to the one in the

left middle. It would offer his easy position on the pink. Plenty of

points to play with. Doesn't need a black off any of the

reds. To win it at this visit, he'll need the black. To win the frame. If

he gets that far. It's been his Achilles heel this

season. He never used to have that. He used to always clear up when the

balls are in the position. He knew it was such an important frame. Jest

quit on it a little bit. We were looking at Mark and 245 black he

missed. The referee was trying to get the pink on the spot. It's back

on the black spot. He played that well. He just wants

to get through the gap. Doesn't want to risk any kisses here.

Somebody moving in the crowd. He does notice it a lot more than any

other players, I have to be honest. A lead putting something in her hand

bag. She has stopped now. Yeah, that's what creates the

atmosphere. You have to be very careful, too frightened to breathe

sometimes. It adds to the atmosphere. No place like The

Well, would have been championship, one table.

Well, would have been red into play. He has...

pinks. It would put him 11 points behind. He can win the frame without

the black. If he was to take pinks with his reds, he would not need

This would really be a body blow for Mark Selby. Still reasonably placed

to get #4re68 out of the session. What a massive difference in is. He

won the last frame, but Yes, I usually say, position from

bloun to blue is important. He needs up to and including the pink. And

bit straighter on the blue would have been ideal.

What a clinch that was. He is 5 it points in front. 62 to play within

two. Selby, disappointed. So it's Ronnie O'Sullivan who gets

through to his third consecutive final. He's waiting for Mark Selby

or Neil Robertson. A massive last frame. He could have made it easy

for hims. He has given himself a great chance now. Please join us in

the morning. We'll be here. We will see the third session of the

semi-final between Mark Selby and Neil Robertson. Bye for now.

Ted, I... I'm not interested in coming to see Lady Gaga, sir.

Part of the Big Bumper Comedy 50th Birthday Weekend.