Day 12 Snooker: World Championship Highlights

A very nerve wracking evening for those players, hoping to land a

dream semifinal at the 2016 World Championships. Good evening. The

highlights from another cracking day here at the Crucible Theatre in

Sheffield. One man already through to the semifinals is the 2014 world

champion. The world one Mark Selby held the challenge by Kyren Wilson

to clinch a 13-8 win and reach the semifinals. Mark Selby. It was a

tough game, always tough against Kyren Wilson, our band coming player

with a fantastic season and that is shown by what he has achieved and

breaking into the top 16 so a tough match. He will play the winner of

the match between Barry Hawkins and Marco Fu. The man from Hong Kong was

9-1 up at one stage before the second session, trailing 10-6. Barry

Hawkins winning the next three. Leading by 41-14. And a break of 32.

If you look at the shot, he could have played for the pink. If he had

missed that at a gentle pace he would not have left anything on. He

did not see that one, obviously. That was an excellent part,

considering the circumstances. 26 points behind. He has a lot to do.

This is a chance for Marco Fu to get some points together, red and pinks.

He is OK. Under the circumstances, this will probably be the best

breaking has played in his life. -- break. Very good at the moment.

I wonder if he plays this slowly and pushes through the reds to play for

that pink in the middle. Nicely on the pink in the middle. And playing

the outside red. Just a little bit of mental

arithmetic... If he takes two reds and pinks, he can go without taking

the pink. To find that out under this pressure

would be a wonderful achievement for Marco Fu under these circumstances.

Just coming at the wrong time. With that movement.

Can you just stop moving for a second, please? People going up the

stairs or in his byline. -- are in his byline.

This has been a remarkable performance, Marco Fu could not

support any ball in the last few frames and he has suddenly find

something from nowhere. This is the key shot. Trying to get onto the

blue, which would be the frame ball. And more importantly, can the pot

the blue? There will be no Felix with this shot, with the black being

safe, he does not have to worry about missing it, just play that

slowly. -- heroics. Incredible. His mind was in a jam

jar and he has produced at the right time to go into the interval with a

possible 11-9 lead. Absolutely incredible. One of the

best frames we have seen in the championship so far, Marco Fu

digging as deep as he could to keep that lead, owing into the interval.

And he won the next frame thanks to the break of 93, and after this

amazing fightback by Barry Hawkins, Marco Fu needs just one frame to

move into the semifinal. Frame 22, Marco Fu playing and just the blue,

pink and black remaining... Where is the blue going? It is time

to attempt the blue. If it goes on, I would fancy him to win this frame,

and if he misses it, he is sure to leave it.

He needed a little bit of luck and this time he has not got any. Marco

Fu, with the straight blue to win the frame and the match and go into

his second semifinal. And what a match it has been. Barry Hawkins

thinks this is the end. It is hard to put words into what is

going on in this match. Barry Hawkins seems destined to get back

into this match. Marco Fu did not butcher that.

Seeing that the -- blue going back out, that would be disappointing.

Pink and black. For the frame. A frame that Barry Hawkins has never

really looked like winning. Deep breath.

Barry Hawkins somehow pulls up out of the bag and Marco Fu is still

leading. Three to play. Just how costly will that we? Barry Hawkins

won the next frame with breaks of 48 and 80 to make it 12-11. The next,

Marco Fu playing, trailing by 25. He needs a colour to come to his

rescue. And it has not. Just not happening, is it, for Marco Fu at

the moment? He cannot get a very clear-cut chance. Barry Hawkins has

upped the ante. He is playing much better than he was earlier on. There

is less chances coming your way. Well played. Playing slowly for the

black, he stood up, and he fully committed himself, it was the right

shot. Amazing to think that this could go

to 12-12. He does not have too play any more

kisses. It opens up. Remarkable, absolutely remarkable.

Two of the easiest shots he would ever miss in his life to put the

match beyond doubt. Barry Hawkins has jumped on those mistakes.

Barry Hawkins made 48, I think, and 80, in the previous frame.

Short of pace, but still on the red. The problem is, it has taken him

away from the business end. The pink and black area.

He will just about hold that for the blue or yellow.

These reds are in the way, none of them will pot clearly. He needs two

more reds from here. I was going to say before that shot,

Barry Hawkins, he is not playing with the freedom of somebody who has

been given another life. That blue was the only way he could possibly

have been knocking on that red, guessing that at that angle, he

knows that. He is still 60 points in front. But...

75 remaining, it might be time for Marco Fu to have a go at this red,

and he would be on the black. He has not ordered any ball for 40 minutes,

Marco Fu. But he has, now! What a shot, that was. Brilliant!

This is an exhibition match. This is probably as much pressure as Marco

Fu has been under for a long time. Potting this red in the middle,

every red will be in the position that is portable. Remarkable

clearance earlier in the match. It looked like it was going to go

10-10, making the 44 break, one of the best I have ever seen, given the

circumstances. This would be the most unbelievable clearance from

here. You just have to expect him to do this, there is a feeling in the

air that after that red, and do not forget he does not have to win this

frame because he is in front. That in its own weight takes a little bit

of pressure away. -- its own way. He will probably have to pay the cannon

into the pink when the left hand of the reds. He will have to play some

sort of cannon. The left red is probably the better choice. That is

what he has done. Barry Hawkins, at the moment,

thinking, surely, just one more lifeline.

In two shots, he will be facing the red on the back question. --

cushion. And if he gets that, he gets to clear.

Well, this is remarkable, the tension.

This is for the possible frame and match. He is asking for the white

ball to be cleaned. Dead weight, with the cue ball, to be on to the

black or the pink. Barry Hawkins knows this is possibly the last

chance. APPLAUSE.

If he gets perfect on the yellow, you can see him clearing. This has

been a great effort, he did not want any ball for 40 minutes. Since then,

his position has been pretty good. Barry Hawkins is one shot away from

making it 12-12. To the blue. You can hear it pin drop in this

Crucible Theatre. People who have stayed to watch what

could be the final frame. This might be too hard. And it might

also be APPLAUSE.

Seven points in France... -- front. When you consider he missed that

blue, out of the hole, this is for his second semifinal.

One of the best matches I have ever seen in my life! Barry Hawkins went

from nine March -- 9-1 behind. Marco Fu somehow find something just the

time. Taking him into the semifinal. One of the best matches I have ever

seen! The way that Barry Hawkins played, I have got nothing but

admiration for the way he came back, luckily he did not win! But the way

he came back shows what a great player he is. I am gutted.

Obviously. About the way I performed in the first session, after beating

Ronnie O'Sullivan, and in the next session, I just felt... Just flat.

And you cannot be left out. It is very difficult to defend the lead at

the Crucible because you have the crowd, supporting Barry Hawkins

because he was behind, and sometimes the momentum can change quite

quickly. I just managed to get over the line towards the end. What a

match. Marco Fu taking on Mark Selby in the semifinal, his first last

four tie-break since 2014 and there is still the prospect of Marco Fu

against Ding Junhui in the final and that is because he's saw off Mark

Williams after just two sessions. Ding Junhui has dropped to 17 in the

world and had to qualify for this year. But he thrashed Mark Williams

33 inside -- 30-3. I just take every chance I can make. The breaks. And

this time it is different, I think I got more confidence. I played well.

And I got it! Ding Junhui having a day off and waiting to see if it is

either Higgins or McManus in the last four, it was 9-7 to Higgins at

the end of the second session, the shared the first four frames, 11

national in to Higgins, still two in it. John Higgins leaving by seven...

Well, he has got away with that. There was nothing easy about that.

And then the double kiss came out. It looked like it was good but

pretty simple for Mark Allen, he thought he could just click that in.

It could have been easier than this. The position is not easy, that is

for sure. Well done. That was well negotiated.

Once again, not ideal on any colour. Well away from the red. That is why

he is using the extension. That big groan from Allen because he knew he

did not get that screw. He is still on the red but he wanted to be

further into the table to keep this as easy as possible. And the black

is only available in the left corner. He might have to force this.

Well... Yes, he is going to have to punch

this one in. That white is just a number a few inches of the table, it

was perfect. He was striking down, you must be careful you don't bounce

the cue ball. By hitting it to heart. -- to heart. That was a good

recovery. Marcel Egbert just asking for a

moment while he gets the pink as near to the spot as possible, that

little cross, and as close to the red without touching it. It is all

in line with the blue. And the black...

This is nice, it should ring in a few balls out. The way he has played

that, the pink still pots. And that was nicely judged. Yes, he is

showing them that quality is here, sadly not going away. Higgins cannot

shake him off. -- simply. They are all the frames in the

quarterfinal but this is a huge frame to just get back to only one

behind. At 12- bank, you could not see him winning four in a role, but

at 11-10, it really is came on again. -- game on.

Yes, the angle is OK. I thought at first he had over-stand that, but no

problem. -- over stunned. What a competitor this boy is. Incredible.

A couple of seasons ago I watched him in a couple of qualifiers and

thought he was really struggling with his game and didn't look like

he was going anywhere really, near the end of his career. But he's

turned it round with some fantastic results. Here at this year's

championship, he has been brilliant. Yeah, they keep saying it's a young

man's game, but here you have Alan McManus, 45 years of age, up against

four times champion John Higgins, who has turned 40. The great John

Spencer Andre Gray than were at their peak in their early 40s. --

the great John Spencer and Ray Reardon were at their peak in their

early 40s. Lots of brilliant young players

coming through in the game but there's still a few hanging around

in their 40s that can certainly play. Of course last year's

champion, Stuart Bingham, at 38 years of age, what a victory that

was and what an ambassador he has been throughout his reign as world

champion. Yes, there was no fluke about that,

he played brilliantly to win the championship, did Stuart. Also one

of the best lads on tour and a great golfer as well, Dennis. That's what

he's enjoying at the moment -- doing at the moment, enjoying a bit of

time off. Meanwhile, Alan McManus has gone along very nicely in this

break. Just needs this red to leave John Higgins needing a snooker, but

a red, a colour and another red will definitely see the game is over. You

don't want your opponent coming back to try to get snooker is, you want

to get the frame over and done with when you can. Yeah, and a lot of

these frames are being won with one visit. They are two great tactical

players but when they're in amongst the balls, then knocking them in,

that's sure. Doesn't matter that one.

REFEREE: Alan McManus 71 and the frame. Allan McGregor swift that

magnificent break of 71, just at the right time. He just won't give up

and he's back to just one hind. It's 11-10 to John Higgins.

Alan McManus won the next frame to level it up. What a story it would

be if McManus could win this one against is great friend.

Allen at the table and there is no score.

COMMENTATOR: Played that well. It wasn't easy. Alan is looking to see

if he can get on the loose red by the black. If he can commit he will

get down the table. At the bottom of the cluster, the bottom red as well.

Two reds to play it on and he would like to get on the bottom one, near

the black, as soon as. Looks like he's played it pretty good. -- as

soon as possible. So, another excellent positional

shot from brown to red from Alan. As I mentioned earlier, the bottom red

is pottable. He played that nicely, just to leave

an angle. Now, he needs to hit this nice and firm and stun up into these

reds. Don't screw this, stunt it. That's where the cue ball comes to,

but has he got one? Yeah, as we show you it again come he got more screw

than stun and he is faced with a tricky one to the left middle pocket

because of the cue ball being closer to the corner vision than he would

have liked. It looks to be almost straight, the one to the right of

the pink, as we look at it. A test of cue action and a test of nerve

coming up. He got up off the shot, to settle himself. So here we go.

Well played, well cued. You're not kidding! How well did he hit that?

Terrific shot. Excellent. Never touched the jaw.

So, one good pot away from excellent position. Playing ball. A choice of

shots, really. He could play a little stun off the side cushion for

the pink if he wants, or just run through for the black. Hasn't quite

made his mind up yet. Decided to play the stun and just

told the pink. -- just hold for the pink.

He's really looking good out there. Amazing performance, this.

Right in the heat of the battle, he looks better now than he has done in

the whole match. So, the break goes to 50. These have

been taken really well. Little stun on the red to get perfect angle on

the blue to come back down the table to the top ten. -- the top end.

I think the bottom of the two reds pots and also the red in the middle

of the cluster, two down from the pink may be available. Doesn't have

to play any cannons here. Yeah, he's not only winning the

frames but he's winning them in style. Quite remarkable. Even that

positional shot, Dennis, to the absolute inch. Played in such a way

he's perfect, runs through, flicks the other read out -- red out. This

is top-class. Breaks of 71 and 52 to win the last two frames, and now

this. Vintage Alan McManus we are watching here. Just the red and the

black would be enough, but he's come up a little short. Yes, if he got

that red and black you mentioned, John Higgins would need a snooker.

Well, he didn't have too played for the'

Well, he didn't have too played for -- he didn't have to play to the

black, he has caught the other red instead, he thought, I won't risk

playing for the black, I will punch this in. He caught it wrong and

flicked the red, but finished perfect on the blue.

It has been 23 since Alan McManus has been to the one-table situation

here at the Crucible. He's just going to be one frame away from

achieving that. But he's up against one of the greatest match players

the game has ever seen in John Higgins, and he's not finished just

yet. He's already had a break of 114 in

this quarterfinal, that's his highest. Every chance of another

century here. His highest in the tournament this

year is a break of 119. This has just been stunning stuff

from Alan McCormack this, it really has. To make a century when you need

it the most. That is the 65th century in this year's Betfred World

Championship, and what a time for Alan McManus to make it.

He looks as good in this match as I've ever seen Alan McManus, he

really does. It's hard to describe to people at

home how good this is, John. Yes. Most snooker players round about the

age of 35 and onwards start to deteriorate a bit, concentration

wise. You get to 40, you certainly are. But whatever he's doing,

whatever his routine and the way he goes about things is, it's working.

Keep it up. What a magnificent break from Alan

McManus. Can you believe what you're seeing? He's really rolling back the

years here and he goes ahead of John Higgins 12-11. He's one frame away

from a place in the semifinal. Dennis is absolutely right, Alan

McManus playing some fantastic snooker here at the Crucible this

year. Into the next frame and is he about to seal an unlikely victory?

Just the cue ball, please. There's something on it.

REFEREE: Yeah, sure. Yes. How is he feeling inside? His good

friend and one of -- to beat his good friend and one of the best

match players of all time is a reality now. Unbelievable.

APPLAUSE REFEREE: Seven.

An absolutely remarkable performance this, Dennis. In sport this year

we've seen some unbelievable results. The Leicester fans can't

believe it, 5000-1 in the Premier League when they started off at the

beginning of the season. Alan McManus was 300-1 to win at the

Crucible. What's going on? He's a very modest man, Alan McManus.

They'll be no big celebrating. But inside he will be over the moon.

This is such a victory for the very likeable Scot.

And there's no fluke about it, he's been absolutely wonderful. From 11-9

down, he's played exemplary snooker, he really has. Scoring has been

excellent. He's competed in every department. And John Higgins, well,

he will shake his hand and wish him all the best. And he will want his

good friend to carry on and keep up the good work, even though he will

be bitterly disappointed. Tried the double. Doesn't matter about the

double, John Higgins will come forward and shake the hand of his

very good friend, Alan McCormack this. He did play an unbelievable

match and he has had to do it the hard way. He salutes the crowd. Alan

McManus has won four frames in a row to knock out the four times champion

John Higgins and he gets himself into the semifinal for the first

time in 23 years. Fantastic, well done to both players.

A mixture of a bit of astonishment, elation and relief and

gratefulness... The list could go on! It's been quite a night. Well,

obviously in the cold light of day you are pleased for your mate in the

semifinal, but right now I'm absolutely gutted. But every credit

to Alan, he played great and he looked as if he was really enjoying

it at the end there. This is what this phase can do to you, it can

make you crack. I mistake above unforgivable balls in the last

session -- I missed a couple of unforgivable balls in the last

session. As I said, credit to Alan, he played great and good luck to

him. I know John didn't bring his A game this time and maybe yesterday,

but I have said many times, his B and C game has been good enough to

win here in the past. I just hung in and hung in and tried to take the

match deep and hopefully sneak over the line. What an amazing story, so

this is the semifinal line-up. Alan McManus becomes the oldest

semifinalist, at the age of 45, since Ray Reardon in 1985, and he

plays Ding Junhui. The four times world champion -- the 2014 champion

Mark Selby will play Marco Fu. It is Marco Fu's first semifinal since

2006. The two table setup is over and we are down to one table.

Snooker Extra is over on BBC One and that is followed by Crucible

Classics. Speaking of the Crucible, that is what is happening. The guys

working very hard. Two tables over and we're down to one table for the

dramatic semifinals. We shall see you at 1pm on BBC Two. From all of

us here, goodbye for now. You're asking where I was

when Lindsay Denton was murdered?