Day 10 Snooker: World Championship Highlights

Stand-by for the most pressure filled situations of this year's

Championship. This is well worth staying up for, I can assure you.

Australia's Neil Robertson and Hong Kong's Marco Fu had The Crucible

arena to themselves. An early finish from yesterday's match had seen to

that. And when they came out, they were playing for the last place in

this year's quarterfinal line-ups. I promise you, it is cracking. But

before we get there, another two of those births had been filled earlier

in the afternoon, and it was no surprise that defending champion

Mark Selby took one of them. His progress had been slowed up

yesterday, but today, the world number one sprinted away to his

first century of the Championship, to win 13-6. First century of the

tournament, over the moon with that! I have been playing OK, getting to

60 or 70 and breaking down. It was nice to start the match with a

century. And former runner-up Barry Hawkins didn't hang about, either.

He got the last three frames he needed to beat Graeme Dott. He would

face another Scot, Stephen Maguire, in the last eight. Delighted to beat

someone of Graeme Dott's calibre, I'm really pleased. I was cueing

better today. The big breaks are not going in, overall, I would pretty

solid. I would not say I am on top form, but I am doing enough. So, the

quarterfinal draw looked like this. Kyren Wilson, at 26, the youngest

man left, facing 41-year-old John Higgins. Runner-up in 2013 Barry

Hawkins takes on Scotland's Stephen Maguire, who's acted in the quarters

after five years. In the top half, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ding Junhui

prepare to face each other. And the one remaining gap in the line-up,

who will Mark Selby be taking on tomorrow afternoon? Will it be

former champion Neil Robertson, or Marco Fu, twice a semifinalist here?

Well, these two began the evening session locked at 8-8.

Marco Fu got his third century of the match to level things up once

again at 10-10. In the next frame, Marco Fu was trailing. It was

watched by former champions John Parrott and Dennis Taylor.

JOHN PARROTT: Now, it's Marco's turn to be in the driving seat. And this

one's a bit more trouble. Difficult to get the swerve on the cue ball

here, with it being so close to the cushion.

Foul and a Miss miss. Marco is just looking to see what the pink looks

like. Well, reported one of these earlier this evening.

DENNIS TAYLOR: He needs to get some action on this, anywhere past the

green... And that's terrific. As long as he's not straight. Terrific

shot! Yes, if you were being picky, it is

slightly more angle and you would like. Still expect him to get this,

but it's 10-10 at The Crucible. Well played. He's going to need the blue,

and I'm just wondering if he can stay on the yellow. I think he might

have tried that. I'm not so sure, I think he might have just wait it for

the opportunity. Good recovery there, because he left

himself further away from the yellow then he would have liked.

Big, big turning point, this. Yes, not many complaints, he had a good

look at that mid range red. We can go back to that last shot

when he tried to cannon the red out instead of just stunning behind it.

Just needs the blue... No. No, he's missed it.

Bad news, he's missed it. Good news, I think it's safe.

Well, this isn't pretty for Marco, because there's no easy safety shot

on. He will have to watch out for the double kiss. He's just trying to

nestle onto it. He could find himself in behind the black here.

How is the weight of the cue ball...? Not quite. But still, this

is not a pretty shot. Marco's got the same shot he had

before, but that blue being a little bit of the cushion means he'll have

to be very careful. Oh, he's made a little bit of a mess

of that one. It's the last thing he wanted to see. It wasn't easy, but

maybe the shot he played beforehand might have been the one...

How many times do you score 70 points and lose the frame? But

that's what will happen if Neil pots the pink and black. He's just got a

little bit of an awkward angle. Oh, look where he's left this! Oh, we're

going to have a tense black ball finish now. That's just pure

tension. He's having the white cleaned, but I don't know if he got

a kick or not. He definitely did, it has taken the pace out of the cue

ball. At was a bit unlucky. Now, what do you do with this? If you try

to cut it back in the corner, the white could go in the middle pocket.

I think this one into the middle has been dropping in on this table, we

saw a pink earlier in the match which just turned in a touch.

He's played it to the middle... It's not there. He played that with

safety in mind. What a big black this case. He's

played it well. Well, he didn't play THAT too well.

Oh, dear. It still needs a bit of renting. Should have been a lot

safer than this. -- still needs a bit of potting. I said it needed a

bit of potting! And well, what a tense 21st frame this has been.

Oh, you don't normally see that from Neil Robertson! He really is in

quite a mood. I've never seen that from him. That's what it means for

the Australian. He's back in the lead! So much emotion from both men,

in fact. Earlier in that frame, Marco Fu, well, he was in despair

after missing a red to let the Aussie back in in the first place.

So, detention and the pressure is squeezing down these men, as it can

only do here at The Crucible. So, Robertson is ahead for the sixth

time in this match as we head into the 22nd frame, this time, Marco Fu

with a 19 point lid. That's a great recovery. That might

not be all that bad. There's four reds on the pink spot.

There's one near the black spot also pots.

No position on the red you've mentioned. I don't think he can get

past the red without a cannon. The one on the black spot is easier

for position. Good shot. Very good shot. Not the

right side of the blue. That's not important.

He did well to find the path through the baulk colour there.

Foul. Oh, he's touched the pink. Oh, my goodness. What's going to happen

next? Well that was very careless from

Marco there. I said he could screw back into the

middle pocket. That was Marco. But same shot.

That's a bit careless that. He definitely did touch. It -- touch

it. Tough for the referees. It's been a

long day for them. One of our best referees ever. He spotted that

straight away. No kick. Just didn't deliver the cue

in a straight line. Marco will pick up on a few things

happening here. He knows Neil is very uptight.

No need to play on the black, of course.

He can keep going up for blues. That will suffice.

If he keeps going red and blue all the time, that will see him home.

As long as he keeps getting the correct side and that's judged to

perfection again. That was excellent, the last one,

lovely touch. Make sure you get above the blue, so

it's easy. Perfect yet again. He looks the more likely scorer,

that's for sure. He only needs one more red and a

blue. Very good from Marco Fu. I bet he

can't believe he was coming back to the table.

He had a good look at that red there. It was a similar shot the

other side of the table that he fouled.

Neil Robertson was one ahead and he's been pegged back.

Doesn't matter about that. Neil Robertson stays in his seat. Marco

leaves the arena. Just can't pick anything between these two players.

We're back all square again. Started off the best of 25. It's

down to the best of three. He knew he was going to be on one of

the baulk colours. In a couple of shots, he's overran

that one slightly. I was going to say red, blue and get on the blue.

But he's left this one a bit tricky. Can still do that now.

Even if he's straight on that, it doesn't matter. He can leave the

black into the other corner pocket. Ideally, liked to leave yourself

half ball on the black here. Play a screw into the pack and then the red

just below. That's the one. The shot that John

had picked out. This is about nothing else other

than holding yourself together in this situation.

That's just about perfect. Marco had a great run last year. Lost 17-15 in

the semifinal to Mark Selby, who went on to win it.

He's had two semifinals. I bet he feels it's time he had his name on

the trophy. Who's to say he couldn't do it this

year. He holds his hand up there. He didn't play it like that. But he

won't mind. He was 4-1 down in this match. Of

the two players, he looks like the only one who's scoring.

You could hear a pin drop at the moment.

The crowd is totally enthralled in this match.

His break-building is full of finesse. It's only been going just

over five minutes and 20 seconds. He's just artful the way he goes

about his break-building. Like a fine bottle of wine, he seems to

have got better with age. He's always been a good player,

but... Well, it's a very disappointing end. But he's got a

69-point with only 59 on the table. Three snookers needed.

STUDIO: Robertson didn't get them. A crucial contribution of 69 from the

39-year-old Marco Fu. That's only the second time in the match that

he's taken the lead. What a time to do it though. Can he barge his way

into a consecutive Crucible quarter finals? Or will Robertson be able to

force only the third decider of this year's event?

Might have hit it a little bit too hard. Well, he can get the red that

he doubled back up. Played it with stun. It was a

natural to cannon into the red and black, which he didn't want to do.

This is a chance. That is a much better shot than it

looked. He played that really well. What he was looking at, in a couple

of shots' time, was to get on a red into the right corner. Leave himself

on the pink. In a few shots, he might be able to

get the pink onto the black spot. There's other options before he has

to think about that. Yes, that red up to the right-hand

side of the pink, that's the most important ball in this channel. If

he can get onto that in couple of shots' time, what a chance. He can

do it now... Ideally, he would like to be straight on that red.

Oh, he's got a little bit too much side on that. A little bit of

adrenaline there, he just overcooked it slightly. Yeah, he was just

worried about cannoning into the yellow, so he got into it a little

bit too much. And this is a much more difficult shot.

Good recovery pot. Excellent! Well, that was a great cut back. And look

at that, that's why he was trying to get straight on that red, you would

have been right behind the pink. But he's still at the table. Yeah, he's

played in an area here. He has got a choice. Can the pot this in the

middle and hold for the pink? If he can, this is just as good as the

other way. Excellent. Roman I'm not sure if the pink spot

is occupied. If it is, that's a big plus for Marco Fu. Yeah, it's

definitely covered by a red, isn't it? You can just see it seeking out.

37 and counting. The red definitely jumped there.

Let's have another look at this... I said earlier this evening, this

was a game that was ready to be grasped by one of the players who

could step up to the plate. It's definitely been Marco Fu this

evening. His scoring has been far superior to Neil's. This has been an

excellent break in the heat of battle. What a beautiful shot. An

absolute cracker. It's worth another look. He could not hit that any

better. And while Hazel and Stephen were talking in the studio, Mark

Selby was practising, and the defending champion is waiting on the

winner of this match. And it looks like the man from Hong Kong is going

to be playing the defending champion. Just a few pots away from

what has to be... Well, he's had some fantastic victories, but this

would be up there with the best. Yeah, let's not forget, in the first

round against Luca Brecel, he was 7-1 down. And here you is, looking

like is going to be in the quarterfinal. Amazing turnaround. He

had a little glance at the scoreboard there. Making sure that

he plays the correct shot and gives himself a little bit of time.

DENNIS TAYLOR: He's got eight six, can you believe it? I was just

thinking, when he held his head in his hands, when he missed the easy

ball, but that was just unlucky. Have a look at that. Oh, it's

outrageous, it really is. How well has he played in this frame?! And

for that to happen. DENNIS TAYLOR: Look where the white

has finished. He would have been on the pink. He thought, I'll just make

sure, I'll roll it in. And that happens. Incredible.

Oh, Neil! I think he can still pot the black, John?

JOHN PARROTT: Yeah, it was the right shot to play. He just needed a

thinner contact. But yes, this still pots. But it can be missed.

What a frame of snooker this is. The only awkward ball is the yellow. And

it's not safe where it's sitting. What I will say, Dennis, is, he's

not heard his shooting boots on tonight. Can he find them from

somewhere? This will be one of his best clearances, because he's been

nowhere near his best. Well, how is Marco Fu feeling,

sitting in his seat? He was a couple of pots away from a place in the

quarterfinal, and to see that happen... It was incredible. And he

had played the perfect frame, Dennis. His matchplay had been

superb, he had his opponent in all sorts of trouble. Getting over the

line - and then that happened. Boy, this is a tough game.

It's all about getting a good angle so that he can drop in behind the

yellow. The yellow, as I say, it's far from safe.

He can drop in behind the yellow to leave it into the corner - or into

the middle pocket. Anywhere near there, he would be OK. Yeah, he

decided to stay on the blue, didn't he? Decided to play it this way. Oh,

he's too close to the yellow. He wanted to be a bit nearer to the

cushion. And there's more drama here. Just got a little bit too much

stun on that. Yeah, the only way he couldn't have

a pot on that yellow was if he got into the cue ball too much.

Unfortunately for him, that's what he's done. A reprieve for Marco.

Mind you, there is a good argument, he deserved one. Now, Marco needs

the yellow and win. Neil Robertson needs all the remaining colours to

take us to a decider. Is he thinking of having a go at this? He is, you

know, middle pocket. Oh, I thought he got the snooker,

but he didn't. If he can hit the yellow from behind, and he catches

this correctly, he can get the snooker in behind the black and send

the yellow of the table. Key shot coming up. You're not kidding, this

is huge. No, he didn't get enough side on it.

Marco needs the yellow and green. And there's an awful lot of pressure

on this yellow. Good news is, it is a natural angle to the green.

Over the way he's looking at it, maybe he's got to punch this in.

Whatever you do, Marco, knock the yellow in. Oh! How hard as he hit

that?! Where is the yellow going?! Is the blue snooker in him?! He hit

that so hard, that was just pure pressure that caused him to hit the

yellow... And look at this, he's covered it. If he's worse around the

blue and pots yellow, he's got to be on the green, John. Yes. As you say,

Dennis, all he has got to do is make sure he makes any sort of contact on

the right-hand side of the yellow, and he's got to be on the green.

Saying that, because he had to put so much swerve on, he couldn't get

on the green. There is a chance, you know, to get in behind the black

here. He's 20 behind, you've got to make sure you keep the green safe.

He could risk going behind the black, but it would be quite easy

not to get the green safe. He's gone for the black. How is your

judgment...? That's pretty good. What a shot he's

played there. And just enough room to slip round the back of the green

here. Just needs to Mr middle pocket... It's all happening.

It's two cushions he's playing. But there was enough room to get round

the back of the green. Let's have a look at where they were before. Yes.

Absolutely spot on. Where is the green going?! It's gone

over the middle pocket. What a frame of snooker this is!

He's 15 behind. And what pressure there is out there

at The Crucible tonight. Oh, that's a useful nudge on the

black. Blackwood be OK for a right-hander.

Got to make sure he doesn't leave himself straight on this pink. Needs

an angle. And he's got one. Has he? No, he's straight. The one thing you

cannot do is leave this straight. And he has.

The only thing is, it has made your mind up, what short you're playing.

Because there's nothing else. His decision has been made. It's all

about this... Well, he is one of the best potters the game has ever seen.

Boy, does he need a pot now to keep himself in this year's World

Championship?! Oh! But look where he's left it! Oh,

this is an awkward one. He's going to need the extension on his cue.

And extended rest as well. So close, wasn't it? Would you fancy dropping

this one in dead weight? That's all he can do. Give the pocket a chance.

If it doesn't go in, he loses the frame, but you've got to think, roll

it in. This would get him through to the quarterfinal. I'll tell you

what, Dennis, I would be having the black clean as well, never mind the

cue ball. What a frame of snooker we have had

here! Absolutely incredible! He looks as cool as you like. He had a

terrible kick, and Neil Robertson almost came back and levelled. Which

almost went into a decider. Nice to see both players chatting like that.

In the end, the very likeable Marco Fu goes through to the

quarterfinals, winning 13-11. Very happy with the win, not happy with

the way I was playing, but always nice to beat a top player like Neil.

I was struggling throughout the match and so was Neil. Awful,

really, display by me. That's not how I want to play the game. I can't

play within myself, I have tried for a couple of years now. I got a lot

of flak from some players for sometimes showing passion and stuff

like that. It's just the way I've got to play, I can't play like this

any more. With Mark Selby, we had a great game last year in the

semifinals. We both play a similar type of game, it's just a matter of

who can handle the pressure a little bit better. I think you've got to

make Mark the favourite but I am still in the tournament and I can't

afford to go to many friends behind against Mark Selby, because he'll

punish you. Hopefully I'll get off to a good start tomorrow. For sheer

quality, you've got to say the Mark Allen-John Higgins match has to be

top of the pile. But for emotion and tension and pressure, that match had

absolutely everything. And it has left us with the eighth man through

to the quarterfinals. And in fact, you could make a case for every

single one of them becoming world champion this year. Mark Selby going

for a third title, will now take on Marco Fu. They met in the semis last

year. Ronnie's winning record against Ding is emphatic. Kyren

Wilson against John Higgins, that's a brilliant match. And Barry

Hawkins, into his fifth straight quarter, against Stephen Maguire,

into his first for five years. And that's it. The quarterfinals get

under way at ten o'clock in the morning Charlie you'd better look

lively and join us live for that! It is snowing in Sheffield this

evening, the perfect antidote to the red-hot competition in The Crucible

Theatre tonight. I for one hope it doesn't pull down in here by a

single degree over the next week. What a

Hello, it's All Round To Mrs Brown's,

where my guests will be the fantastic Michael Ball...

All Round To Mrs Brown's, the finale...