Day 14 Snooker: World Championship Highlights

Good evening. Welcome to the Crucible Theatre and highlights of

the semifinals 2016 World Snooker Championship. Later we will see the

last four type between Mark Selby and Marco Fu, but first up it is

Alan McManus taking on Ding Junhui. Ding, one of the greatest players in

the game, but the pressure from China is immense. Very good scorer,

and of the table, very, very quiet. As good as anyone. At the start he

held back, but now he's starting to enjoy himself by showing his

character. I appreciate quality snooker and I think Ding is next to

Higgins. On his day, his cue ball control is excellent and is probably

the best at that in the whole sport. His break holding on his day, is

better than anyone else. It is a question whether he believes he is

one of the best players on the planet. Ding is the closest to

textbook technique. Ramrod straight cue action on the way he pauses

before he strikes the cue ball. When he first came on the scene he was

quite shy and didn't speak to anyone. Now his English is better he

is speaking more and a great player for China. He is such a nice kid, I

really want him, I don't want anyone to win anything, but as a nice

player and a nice person, I want him to win it at some stage. This really

has been a cracking semifinal. We will join the action in the third

session from the match with the man from China leading 12-8, almost

making a 147 before the interval. We pick it up with Ding to play, 39

points behind. Commentary from John Virgo and Dennis Taylor.

COMMENTATOR: He has not got away with it, I cannot believe he took

that on. John, he has handed a frame on a plate to Alan McManus. He put

all his eggs in one basket, but that was risky. So this black and one

more red and this is the shot Ding Junhui played. Percentage, one out

of ten? He wasn't certain to be on a colour, even if he potted it. So,

pop the next red, though 48 ahead with only 43 remaining. So if you

haven't not a good angle, Alan, no heroics here. But he is perfect.

He was 9-3 behind. And then won four frames in a row. There was every

chance he could have fallen five behind, but that is not the case. He

has played a terrific frame here. That will get him back to just three

behind. We suggested at the start of this friend, the first one after the

mid-session interval, Ken Doherty said in the studio, nothing less

than three out of the four would do for Alan. Of course, that will be

the goal he set himself. He has won the first one.

He still looks to be cueing delightfully. And marching round the

table like a youngster. Compared with you and I, Dennis, we would

regard him as a youngster. This is a marvellous performance, and well

done. Which pocket will he put the black in. He loves a trick shot on

the black. Don't just roll it up into the corner, give us something

special. That wasn't easy. What a tremendous pot that was. Alan

McManus will not lie down, he will battle on to the end. Well played.

Still three behind, but telling Ding Junhui, I am not going to go away.

STUDIO: He may be 45 years old, but is having the time of his life.

Let's show you what happened in the next frame, Ding to play and there

is no score. COMMENTATOR: Can he find a path back

to the baulk end? Close. He has left a red for Alan. A straight red to

the corner. Black is available into both corner pockets. If he knocks

this in, what chance he has got. Decided not to risk playing for the

black. It is OK. This red is adjacent to the left corner. Just

alongside the blue line. But there is an easy red, but just by rolling

in the blue, he will be on and he can get onto the black.

Just dropped that end, so I assume he has left himself a slight angle

on this red? Played it well. Just a little bit short of pace. He

can't play for the black lab, he has just had a glance to see if the ping

is available in the same pocket as this red. -- pink. He felt he could

find the gap and he has played it very well.

This is Alan's 130th frame in this year 's championship. That is what

he said, when someone has asked him why the resurgence in form, he said

he was getting bored with just prior to sing and Pratt to sing. Now this

tournament is a couple of months, he's getting his practice on a match

table. That was a positive shot. He doesn't have too play any more

cannons, just good cue ball control could see him over the line in this

frame. You know what it is like, Dennis, the hardest part of the game

is not just coming out in the arena and plain, that is what you look

forward to, it is all the hours of practising. But now with all of the

tournaments, he doesn't have to do that, he gets his play on the match

table. And that is a nice little flick.

Who would have thought before we started here at the Crucible, that

we would have two qualifiers battling it out in the semifinal?

Because Ding had to qualify. He has played 14 frames less than Alan

McManus, so he has had to play a lot of frames as well. It takes it out

of you mentally. Ding has played 116 frames to get to this stage. But

these boys, they look so fresh and the standard they are producing in

the semifinal is outstanding. Look at that, they are both in the

90s, 93 and 92%. As I said, he doesn't have too play any more

cannons, just keep lice, tight control of the cue ball. That

sounded funny. It was a heavy contact, no doubt about it. It

really through the cue ball wide. Instead of having a straightforward

shots, he has a tricky red, with the rest into the left corner. His rest

success, pot success is 100%. 13 out of 13. He has only missed three.

What he has got to put out of his mind, is he should have been done

and easier red than this. I don't know how much work he has to do with

the cue ball. Don't miss the red. Right in the heart of the pocket! It

is running round and it could angle on the blue. Blue into the top

pocket, which he will settle for. But there is some pressure on this,

because after this blue, there is another couple of reds and colours

and there is another frame on the board. Right in the heart of the

pocket. It will be another frame on the board. It is another frame he is

winning in style, already on a 60 break.

Talking about rolling back the years. I remember we travelled to

New Zealand to play and who turned up to watch the snooker? Mick can

all. And then we went to his concert. And one of the most famous

songs of all, Rolling Back The Years, Alan McManus is doing that

here. Just looking at his body language, is he on this red? He is.

He wouldn't look as calm, cool and collect good as that, if he wasn't.

So, this red to go 68 points in front with 67 remaining. If he gets

the black after the red, you would think there wouldn't be any return

for Ding Junhui in this frame. And Ding Junhui, well, he will know

now that for all his good play, that is OK, he is on the red. For all his

good play, Alan McManus is not going to give in easily. If he is going to

win it, he will have to win it himself, it is not going to be given

to him. The chance of a century. What a shame! No century right, but

he did what he had to do and Alan McManus with that magnificent break

has closed the gap even further. He is now just two away at 12 gosh ten.

STUDIO: Two on the spin Fallon, he is back on the table. He has got a

slight angle. He is doing a bit of tidying up. He was cleaning the

carpet earlier this evening, now it is the cloth. I think there is at

least one red available in the corner. From that angle, you can't

swing it around onto the red. You can see by the shaking of his head,

he can't. It is one of those situations, if the blue was on its

spot, you wouldn't mind playing this red in the right corner. I think he

will have too play for it, to be honest with you. I don't think he

can risk playing for the red just above the black, but there is a red

available into the right corner. He has played it perfectly. Brilliant

shot! There you go. Why did we doubt him? Why did we doubt him? He has

nothing but positive thoughts in his mind. I didn't think he had that

much angle on the pink, but did he play it well? Perfect! That wiped

its feet a little bit, wobbled a few times. Just in of the left jaw.

I think he will have too play a little cannon here. Fully committed.

Got the red to the right middle. That's all you can hope for when you

have got a red to continue. He has found one.

He knows these are big moments in this match. To stay close, he needs

to take this opportunity. And now, the three reds to the right

of the black, pot the black and screw into the three reds next to

the pink. Would you believe it! He has played it perfectly and took his

eyes off the pot. Can't believe Alan McManus can't and neither can I.

Perfect cannon. Missed the black. Time for Ding Junhui to pounce on

that mistake. This semifinal will be played to a

conclusion tomorrow afternoon starting at 2:30pm. It will be a

fascinating afternoon. Alan chatting away to himself. Cannot leave I

missed that black, took my eye of it. Well, he'd like to take that one

again. He has gone at least two foot further than he intended. Yes, you

played for a red, believe it or not. To the right corner pocket. This

one, is very missable and it's not straightforward pot. Bit of work to

do with the cue ball. Good pot, and got the position. Well

played. That is the key shot, he's got a

clear run now with the five reds perfectly placed. Doesn't need to

worry about the red at the other end of the table. He wobbled that as

well. Bit of tension creeping in. But, he will settle for that. Let's

have a look at this. Court the right-hand jaw, this time.

This Blackpool put him 14 points in front. And these four reds in the

middle of the table, with colours, with the enough to leave Alan

McManus needing a snooker. Take nothing for granted. Not at this

stage of a match. Ding Junhui, knows how important these final two

frames. 21 ahead now, 59 remaining. These

three reds, and the colours will see him pass the snookers required

stage. Just a quick glance of the

scoreboard to reassure himself of what he needs. Just about OK. Wanted

to be straight on this red, but shouldn't be a problem. Just means

that he might have to nudge the pink. I think he can screw back

without catching that. If he does catch the pink, he might have to

push the pink on now, looking at the way he is playing it. He didn't want

to be doing that. He has left it just that little bit more awkward

than it should have been. Yes, I thought he would have played a

little stunned shot. Alan McManus might be thinking there is a slim

chance may be of getting back to the table. This pink is definitely

missable. He has got it and he has got the

position on the red. Good shots. Well played. He is a terrific

pressure player is Ding Junhui. You don't get to win five ranking events

in one season without being good under pressure. He did that a couple

of seasons ago. And that think going in and

disposition on the final red, means there will be no return to the table

for Alan McManus. So Alan McManus now will be preparing for the final

frame of this third session. Can he keep it at just two behind. He will

fall three behind for certain. Two behind, going into the final

session, really would be match on. Excellent shot from Ding Junhui.

Lots of left-hand side. Great position on the green. Well, he's

missed the green. Alan McManus was in and look to have the frame at his

mercy. One more frame to be played in this important third session.

Ding Junhui Leeds 13-10. STUDIO: But then in the final frame

of the session, Alan McManus made a terrible mistake. He played so well

in the evening, but tried to play safe and left this red on for Ding.

He chalked his cue and couldn't believe his luck.

Ding, potting the red and clearing up. Alan McManus, obviously not

happy at all with his mistake. And now he has it all to do in the final

session. Ding leading by 14-10. And that match concludes later today.

Now let's turn our attention to the semifinal between Mark Selby and he

is taking on Marco Fu. This is the story of Thursday's first session.

Couldn't play it a much better than that.

Played this very well. Has got the gap. Mark Selby now leads 3-0.

Nicely played and what a beautiful cannon.

What Beckett! Where is the cue ball going? Behind the black? Yes.

Unbelievable. Tough shot. Jumped out of the pocket. Marco Fu won it and

now closes to just one frame, 4-3. Has potted some good balls tonight.

Selby held a 50 reds advantage but Fu fought back in the second session

to make it seven all. Commentary from Willie Thorne and John Virgo.

That is perfect. Yes, that was the line of three that he needed to move

and he couldn't have played any better. He is in the ascendancy at

the moment, no doubt. It is all right playing the cannon

into the red directly above the black but you need to kiss it on the

left-hand side and not the right-hand side, to be on the east

reds perfectly. He didn't even play the cannon.

We talked early on about how Marco Fu has a break different than most.

In three or four cases he got the top side of the blue and didn't go

into the reds earlier on and it remains to be seen if the little

chance he had there to bring the reds into play will cost him in a

few moments time. I was surprised with the way he played that really,

I thought he would leave himself low on the black to go into the cluster

Wally still had one red loose. He can't play the cannon now so it is

imperative that he gets a good angle on the black fist time. -- this

time. This time he does not want to hit the front red, who wants to go

into the two reds on the right-hand side.

He has got one in the middle. He will be happy with that.

I think that tells the story of the session, 94% of pot success with

section four Marco Fu and 86% for Marco -- Mark Selby. That is the

difference. This is the right side of the blue

because of that read in the baulk end. To win the frame at this visit,

he is going to have to play a cannon. He will have to bring that

little six of -- cluster of six into play. As the tip come off? You are

kidding! Oh, dear, we will have to have a ten minute break now. The

worst thing in the world that can happen to a snooker player, he must

be distraught. Can't believe it. What a thing to happen! Yes, he

looks really embarrassed, doesn't he? This match doesn't have the

style and fluency of Ding Junhui and McManus. He was given ten minutes to

have his tip put back on the referee of the final did the honours,

putting the tip back on and glueing it and Marco Fu went off to the

practice table I'd hit two macro shots and was happy to carry Ambatti

walked out to rapturous applause. We have never seen anything like

this before but it is handy to start with a nice easy pot in a situation

like this. Yes, it is what is going on between the ears for Marco Fu.

There is a smile in the audience and it might be a good sign. He has a

nice angle on the blue to Mr pink and cannon into the reds and open up

give him that frame-winning opportunity. Is he on the red to the

corner? It has got to be the red corner -- left corner or he is on to

nothing. You could never tell with the body language of Marco Fu

sometimes. That is tight. It might just go in-off the

right-hand jaw but it is risky. He seemed to hit them well enough.

Maybe he could have done without flicking that other red, that is the

one that is making it difficult to judge whether this red pots. He

thinks it does. Not on the pocket, just half a pocket available. But

half a pocket was enough. It was one of those, if you are right behind it

you fancy pinching a bit, but if it wasn't right behind it I wouldn't

have fancied him potting that. Couldn't agree with you more. It

will still be in his mind about the tip. You always favour, when you are

playing the screw shots, your tip shapes in a certain way.

That is exactly what Stephen said in the studio, you always hold your

cue, you grip it at the butt end in exactly the same place so you do

tend to have a certain shape to the tip. But at the moment it doesn't

look to be affecting him. 50 points the lead. Two reds, two colours.

That is what he needs to win one of the most dramatic frames that I have

ever witnessed. There is the tip back on, it looks like somebody has

done a good job. Paul Collier was doing it, the referee, who is

refereeing the final this year. Ideally you want a cannon on that

red that is just to the left of the pink and hold the two reds in the

middle of the table. You could see some superglue on the side of the

tip that when we saw it, you can see the superglue on his burial. --

ferrule. Another nice judgment with the Cannell. He won't make another

century, with the tip falling off, will he? It is a possibility now!

This black to go 66 points in front. Just 59 remaining.

What character he is showing here, is Marco Fu. He doesn't show much

emotion but after what has happened with the tip... That just swivelled

in. How well has he done to keep himself together and make this a

frame-winning contribution? Well, he has missed the red, but

every credit to him because when that tip came off you thought, what

is he going to do now, but he came into the arena and he did enough,

and he now leads the world number one, Mark Selby, by 8-7, one more

frame to play. Fair play to Marco Fu because he managed to maintain his

composure. You can just see there, look about slow motion replay, as he

chalks his cue, Ofcom is the tip, but he did very well to not let it

affect him and he goes on to win that frame. Could he win the next

one? Let us find out. Selby to play and he is trailing by four. He cute

that lovely. The pressure is on now. No doubt.

Didn't want to kiss into that read, he wanted it just pass the thread.

-- passed the red. Under normal circumstances he said he would score

50 or 60 points here but I am not sure if this is anything like

normal. He is not at 30 break for quite a time.

Leave that white bounce. You said it earlier, just the timing is not

there, and, of course, if you leave yourself in a poor position it puts

pressure on the pot. He played it nicely. Now he would like to get rid

of the red that is just to the left of the black which would make the

black available to both corner pockets. That last shot will please

him more than anything because that was a pressure pot he played there.

Now, the reds he needs Arbat little cluster of five, just around the

pink. He wouldn't have to bother with the red that is near the

left-hand side cushion. He played that nicely. 34 points the

lead. Just wondering if there is value to play for the pink or the

black here. It appears all these four reds are in the May -- way of

one another at the moment and that is why he is leaving the pink to

play. He is shaking his head which tells me he has not got the design

angle on the pink. You can't just hold the spot because that is what

he is looking at now, if he holds the spot with the cue ball then the

white gets snookered. Absolutely, I can't see another spot available so

the pink will have to go as close to its own spot as it can, if it's own

spot isn't available. He just wants to be the other side of straight

-ish. He has played a very well, a good shot. But it is hard work at

the moment for Mark. This is where his competitive instinct will kick

in. He knows this is a golden opportunity. OK, as Willie said, he

will have lost the session 5-3, but can he narrow it all square eight -

eight? All to play for tomorrow. Just don't miss this chance.

That's as good a shot as he has played in this session, John. He

needs to play this with a little bit of cider, though, it makes the black

admissible. He could play for the bread to the right of the pink. He

played it very tentatively, didn't he? He wasn't perfect on the black.

He needed to go one way or the other, a little bit of left-hand

side and a little bit of right-hand side and in the end he just made

certain of the pot. It decelerated underfoot is on the right of the

pink. Just not got any confidence at the minute. Absolutely, and that is

the only thing that you can think of. He is not going to win the frame

at this visit. Will he get a better chance? He just let go of the cue,

it was almost a year there, he overhit it by six or seven inches.

Worrying times. I am sure this will be the last frame of the session so

he can go into the practice room and have a few hours practice before

tomorrow's final two sessions. If this red dust pot to the far left

former, I wouldn't have thought it is automatic to screw back for the

black, so he is running through for the blue.

Sweet as a nut, perfect angle on the blue, so he the only stumbling

block, and Mark Selby will be pinning his hopes on it, is the red

on the left had side cushion. That is a smile of almost, wondering what

is happening. I know what has happened, he is not taking his

chances and he has missed too many. We all know that and he said when he

got that opportunity there was a lot of pressure on it and it wasn't

normal circumstances. Mark can only hope the red on the left-hand side

cushion is going to cause Marco Fu a problem but he can play to move that

out here and then he will be on the run next to the pink of the kiss

doesn't go exactly as he would like. This has got to be taken, this kiss

on the red. He got the kiss on the red, played

it fine. He has not left himself the easiest shot, looks at the

scoreboard, 35 points behind 43 remaining. Any colour will do off

this tricky red. A good shot. Now then, this red is

definitely available. Anywhere in that circle would be perfect.

We have seen some frames store here and this would be another one that

has gone against the head. Just a little bit worried here that he

might hit them both simultaneously, the red and the pink. The referee is

keeping a close eye. Oh, and he just tried to pinch a bit, can you

believe it? Another twist in the tale. Settle down, please!

Oh, and he has missed it! He got a kick. That red was for frame ball.

Ball safety from Marco, this is unbelievable what has happened in

this frame. At least market can see the funny side of it and even Mark

is smiling, but he gets down to pot that red that puts in 31 points in

front, with 27 remaining. And that means that Marco Fu will not get

back to the table. I have seen some sessions, but tips falling off and

kick some balls missed an frames stolen. We have had everything. And

what we have got at the finish is a match all square at going into

tomorrow. Absolutely. It has been a frustrating session for Mark Selby.

A pleasing session for Marco Fu in one sense, but he will just make

sure his tip is OK for tomorrow. It looks to be glued on nicely, but

what he missed there was unmissable. Marco Fu one that session 5-3 and

Mark Selby Lum the last 15-3 so they will be going into tomorrow all

square. Steely determination from Mark Selby. He has been in the

practice room tonight practising with a few balls. That is it from us

but Crucible Classics follows us on BBC One shortly and then we are back

at 10am on BBC Two with more coverage from the Snooker

championship. We will see you in the morning. Bye for now.

I've been following the inspirational stories

Along with hundreds of other wounded, injured

they've been competing for a place at the Invictus Games