Day 2 Snooker: World Championship Highlights

I'm happy to still be in the tournament and be out there playing,

whether it is good or bad. Every snooker player loves playing at the

Crucible so you have to embrace it all. Then Ronnie O'Sullivan gave an

astonishing interview to the press. I found Barry up four weeks ago and

said I'm done with you and the board of people and I have a good friend

who said, let my lawyers deal with it and I won't get involved because

I am not being bullied. I'm not having people do that to me ever

again. I'm fortunate I have a good friend who has good lawyers and

they've got my back. I just want to play, have fun. I like Barry but I'm

not being intimidated or bullied. I'm not prepared to put myself in a

position where I'm in breach of the game. If I say something bad about

the referees, the players, there are so many things, I'm tarnishing

sport, I'm doing this, please, just drop me out, I've done 25 years

service to this game, I think I've given enough to the game. I've

helped and done my bit and I don't need that. I don't need you, you

probably don't need me. I just want to enjoy my life and I'm not putting

up with someone thinking they can threaten and bully me, it isn't

happening. I have to just be sensible and maybe they can relax a

bit and chill out and stop being so precious about everything. I'm not

prepared to put myself in that situation any more. Extraordinary

stuff from Ronnie O'Sullivan and remember, this all goes back to

World Snooker bosses threatening to fine him if he said anything out of

context, anything not associated with snooker. You will know if you

have followed the tournament that in many interviews recently, he Hasan

and Oasis song and also pretended to a robot. Onto our next match, two

former champions going head-to-head the Crucible. Stuart Bingham taking

on Peter Ebdon. In the ninth frame ebbed and needed four snookers to

get back into the frame, he got three and this is what happened

next. He needed four snookers and he just

hammered a yellow. We can show you the yellow Stuart

was faced with. He hit it quite hard.

Look at this, he said the blue and the black were in good positions.

APPLAUSE The green, if it had pulled up

short, it would be very difficult to escape from. Just enough room to

slip around the back of the green. In the end, it will only be one

snooker. Slipped around the back of it?

APPLAUSE Obviously, the more balls on the

table, the more chance of snookers but he could pot the green and play

off the brown and behind them but he doesn't really want to move these

two. If he's looking at hitting that side

of it, he is thinking of potting the green. I think you might be better

going off the baulk cushion and making sure.

APPLAUSE He fouled. So the green comes back

up and there is a chance to get in behind the pink, sorry, the blue and

black, so all of a sudden, I'm not sure what he did. Let's have a look.

Was it the black coming back, was it?

It didn't look as if he fouled the black. I know he was cueing very

close to it, but it didn't look like it. I would have another look at

that. Let's have another look at this. He

is very close to it. Does the black move? I didn't see it move.

Anyway, spoiled a chance, put the blue out of commission.

He can tie at the moment at 25, the difference, with 25 on the table. He

fouled the black so that was seven away.

What does he do the? If he plays it at pace, you are not guaranteed to

get the green safe. If you just land on it, you can still possibly leave

the pot across it to the left corner.

He needs the brown to come to his rescue here and I don't think it is,

is it? Maybe. He played a fantastic shot when the

foul was declared, when he touched the black, he came off the cushion

and potted the green from a similar position. Is he going to play a

similar shot? Can he flick the green in this time?

If the green was straight, he would take it on and hole for the brown

into the right pocket but it isn't straight so it will take some shot

to get on the brown nicely. He is taking it on. Brilliant.

Absolutely brilliant from Peter Ebdon. What a shot that was. And

after all that has gone on here, we could have a re-spotted black. Who

would have thought? Stuart Bingham can't believe what's

happening here but this was a fabulous shot from Peter Ebdon. He

needs the blue, pink and black for a re-spot. Four snookers, he needed

and one stage and Stuart can't believe it.

Oh, he's missed it... Have the mystic? APPLAUSE

I bet when the pink set off, he thought he had missed it.

Remarkable comeback from Peter Ebdon. He hasn't lost the final

frame of this session just yet. And all you want to do now is win the

toss and put your opponent in. Who is going to call? We talked earlier

about the fight of Peter Ebdon and absolutely tremendous, I've got to

say. The snookers he laid were really difficult ones. Looked a bit

unfortunate for Stuart when he fouled the black. But you've got to

give this man, Peter Ebdon, so much respect.

That's the shot the modern-day players play rather than up and down

the spots. That was the old shot. Oh, he's got a kick. He's had a

kick. And I think when he did get the heavy contact, he thought he had

to leave the black on. It's a thin snick. Peter is already looking at

the angle of cutting the black in. We've had everything in this final

session. The kick through it off at a different angle. He is still

looking at the cutting angle of this. If he takes it on, he's got to

be careful with the cue ball as well and keep it away from the corner

pocket. This is the third time he has looked at this angle. It is a

tough one. It is lower down than the black spot, very thin cut. He isn't

going to play it dead weight, surely. Got to put some pace into

it. Quite remarkable from Peter Ebdon. What a frame to steal from

Stuart Bingham. And there is the old Peter Ebdon, come on, come on! We

haven't seen that for a while. Four snookers he needed and he got them

and now only one frame behind. It is 5-4. That's what it means to Peter

Ebdon but he is still one behind. Great scenes inside the Crucible for

Peter Ebdon and his fans. Let's look at that crucial moment. This is

Stuart Bingham when he called the foul, doesn't even touch the black

ball. After the match, Stuart went all dell boy on us.

That match is still wide open. Our next high for you tonight sees the

Belgian qualifier Lucas Brecel Kate Jenner Marco Fu who will won the

Scottish open. Not many players in the game has made four centuries but

Marco Fu has a tremendous achievement. I remember when he

first came on the tour. His break-building was what made him

stand out from everyone else. We would watch him, he and his father

would set up the balls for a game and he would break the red and get

through the table. In practice, he wouldn't miss. He would come in for

another session later and he wouldn't miss then either. He would

go into his match and would miss them either. And we would think none

of us can win because he is so good. Technique is slightly different.

It's another story but it is pretty sound, aside from, for me, a couple

of things. He gets down and oddly, points the cue at the cue ball and

doesn't really move. He doesn't feather or waggle that most of us

do. He has an extremely long backswing and as he comes through

the ball, his whole body lifts up and usually, as he strikes the cue

ball, his head is off the cue. A little like Alan McManus. A little

bit that more pronounced. Such a long backswing and wait at the back

and then he moves forward and he decelerates into quite a lot of

shots. He won't quite get the reaction of the cue ball sometimes

that he has expected and I think that's because he is decelerating.

We mention that sometimes when he is sitting in the chair, you think you

might have missed one. As a player, when you are sat down, you are

monitoring your opponent, trying to see if they have played a good shot.

The textbook thing is to stay down until the ball goes in the pocket or

is very close. Marco Botti and will play a shot where he will roll the

ball to the pocket and then he's up off the shot and you think he's

missed it. But then he is perfect. It happens all the time. He is so

hard to read. That innocence is his strong suit, his break-building.

Economy of effort with the cue ball. When he is on his A-game, his cue

ball control is first class. His shot selection is always correct.

And they sound defensive game. When he adapts to the conditions on the

table, when he gets that cue ball under control, he is very difficult

to beat. Some very kind words from John and Sean. This will be a tough

match against the Belgian qualifier. Turned professional in 2011,

runner-up in the German Masters 2000... He took the first frame,

into the next, Fu to play. He thought the only one I can leave

is the one I'm playing and that's exactly what he's done.

Excellent positional shot and what a lovely angle he has two split the

reds. This could go anywhere. GROANS FROM CROWD

No! Oh, yes, in the end. Well... As you say, it could have gone

anywhere. The one to the corner, same pocket as the Blackwood have

been lucky, look at the one in the middle. When you are having a bad

day, both of them would have gone in.

This is over the pocket but it is not straightforward. Not as easy as

it looked. Left with the black into the corner

but there is pressure on this matter. If he misses it, he will let

his opponent straight in. Adds a little bit of pressure to this

particular pot. I think he walked round there just to build himself up

to this. When you give it every chance to

drop by playing at that pace but could have done with hitting it a

little harder. Could not have played it better,

just the kiss off the second red, perfect width. First impressions,

John, Lucas Brecel is putting some really difficult balls and killing

really well at the moment. And also, he has got a measured look

about him at the table and sometimes he was accused, like a lot of young

players, just rushing the shots. No sign of that. This is a decent

chance. I'm not quite sure what he has

played for there. Nothing, looking from behind the

pocket. Strange shot. Yes, surprised why he left that side, all he had to

do was put the cue ball anywhere up the middle of the table. There were

three or four roads he could have potted anywhere around the pink. He

could have found a gap anywhere around the pink with the cue ball.

He played a cannon on one of those on the right-hand side, those two

red but there was no need to do that, as you say, just get the cue

ball in the middle of the table and have your choice of the reds. That

careless. That was brilliant. That was

brilliant. What a shot. That was fantastic and a good

follow-up with the black as well. Have a look at this read. -- red.

Add a little chat with him after he qualified and he said he was really

nervous in his first couple of qualifying matches, particularly

against Joe swale and the second match he got through ten friends to

aid but he felt much better after that and couldn't wait to get out

and play in the Crucible, he was very excited.

Certainly not showing any nerves at the moment. He is looking very

relaxed and enjoying the experience which is what you've got to try to

do. Easier said than done, of course.

Could have done with getting into that a bit more. He could play this

into the far left corner. Solid, right in the centre of the pocket.

APPLAUSE He will be disappointed if he

doesn't win the frame now. Just coming over three minutes for

this break and it's been fantastic. Some great pots, positional play,

very quick stuff. Luca Brecel. His shot time coming down rapidly

noted just 18 seconds. He may move the red off the side

cushion to continue the break. Yes. Contemplating about making a

century. Not that I think it will last for

one minute but the highest break at the moment is held by Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Lovely positional shot from Luca. A possible 138 on here.

That could take some beating. APPLAUSE

Absolutely brilliant. This has been top-quality. He is

taking the blue so a possible 136 now. Just needs to bounce a bit,

needs to bounce a bit. That was careless.

But a marvellous break. A gift to see. Marco Fu, it's all been looked

at Brecel. Two frames, 2-0. JASON MOHAMMAD: He took the next two to

lead. Let's join the action in frame number five. Marco Fu leading by

eight. If you were in Marco Fu's corner,

what would you be saying to him in the interval? That's what Wayne

Griffiths had to do in the practice room with him, what you think would

have been said? I think as we were saying, the season he has had on the

way he has been playing, just keep those positive thoughts in your

mind. Surely you are going to get chances. I think now, it's a damage

limitation. If he can get out of this 6-3, I think he would be

pleased. As I say, these matches, as we look

at Marco's view, this is a good shot. He could knock a read towards

the right corner, and he has done. -- red. He has got a decent white

and that will make the sport more difficult. You also have to tell

yourself that it is the best of 19 -- pot. Oh dear, it never rains but

it pours. This is sometimes what happens.

Everything seems to be going the way of Brecel at the moment and that is

because he is playing very very well. It is not just the fluke, it

is what you make of it. The pink obviously pots into the

bottom pocket and I think the red will go into the other pocket. If

things were really working out well, the pink will not be available and

that will suit Luca down to the ground. Does it go on its own spot?

Paul Collier is checking. It doesn't. It goes on the black spot.

That makes things a lot easier. Particularly if the pink goes to the

opposite corner as this red. It obviously does. Purposely finishing

low on the pink. To pot the pink, amongst the reds, that is the one he

is on. That brings a couple more reds into play.

Nicely on the blue, hopefully the blue top one past it and go into the

pack of reds. It was a bit more measured. He didn't have to split it

with too much pace. Absolutely perfect.

The pink spot is now available. Needs to play a good position, a

little screw but do not hit this too hard, a chance with the back spin to

take effect. That's OK. The pink spot is now available, but he has

got one in the middle and if the pink goes to the left corner, the

balls could not be better placed. My shot mostly on this red into the

bottom right-hand corner. -- night shot. The pink into the same pocket.

All he has to do is mind his walk here and then he will put another

frame on the board. Costly fluke, it really was.

APPLAUSE. That always used to annoy you

sometimes. What a fluke that was. You say he got the fluke, but after

that he played the ball as well. If it had not been for the fluke, he

would not have been at the table. Sometimes you get a fluke and it

gets you out of trouble but you do not win the frame from it, but in

this case, Marco Fu... He paid the ultimate price. Yeah, he must be

suffering, Marco, this season he has had. It must be a real shock to his

system. And this pink, and one more red and he will drop five behind,

5-0! Did not see this coming. All he needs is a red and A collar. This

red would put him 58 ahead with 59 remaining -- and a colour. Perfectly

played, no problem. APPLAUSE. And look at those points

scored, 400. Against 44. 406 now. Gone again. It lasted about six

minutes, just over. I tell you what, the referee is

going to need a pair of trainers following Luca Brecel around. He is

playing so quick at the moment, Luca Brecel.

I was just thinking in the fourth round, the one before the

mid-session, it was a little bit edgy as though the lead was getting

to him and he was starting to look over his shoulder. OK, it started

with a fluke, but he has not been looking over his shoulder sense, he

has been playing really well. Lucky to have the chance. -- looking over

his shoulder sense. He just gets on with it. Goes for

shots. Hits the ball very cleanly. Now the pink, for his second century

of the match. He made 109 in frame two and he needs the pink. This is

for the hundred. Let's hope he doesn't need a new

tip! That was enough. It started with a fluke, but he will not mind

that. Marco Fu now trails by five frames to zero. Amazing stuff, Marco

Fu finally got a frame on the board. Nobody could believe just how badly

he was playing and we are talking about one of the most consistent

players on the tour. Final frame of this session, Luca

Brecel to break. He could use the red just above

that. Just pushing the pace. Slow the cue ball down and he has done

that nicely. He has had a look at the pink spot.

If it is available after he pots the pink. I don't think it will affect

things too much, it may spot or it may not, but if it doesn't, it goes

to highest available and there is nothing available, and it goes

directly in line with the black in the top cushion here, behind its own

spot. But if it goes at the back of the

pack, I still think this red is going to be on, the one that is

pottable into this bottom corner pocket. It may just squeeze onto its

own spot. Decided to play on the loose red and

possibly go forward the blue here. Maybe a ball colour.

Nice angle on the blue now, straight into the pink with a lot of pace

here. It is a good split. APPLAUSE.

John, you might know more than me over the history of 40 years here at

the Crucible but if he does win this brain 7-2, can you remember many

people coming back from that deficit? I remember Nigel Bond

coming back against Cliff Thorburn, 8-1 down. Yeah. He finished up

winning 10-9. I mean it's not beyond the realms of

possibility. You know as a snooker player, you should look at it, if he

can win five on the trot, so can I! This match will be played to a

finish tomorrow evening. So, a good night's sleep, a day on the practice

table and Marco will be coming out with a five frame deficit the which

way it goes. It looks as though this frame is in the bag now and he has

picked up his pace. Important couple of frames. The opening couple of

frames for Marco Fu and the next session of course, if he can get, if

he can win the first couple, it will put a little bit of pressure on his

opponent. But he must get off to a good start after securing this round

of course, in the next session. And that should do it, 70 points, nicely

on the blue and he is only 67 remaining.

I was thinking as well, you get funny atmospheres but tonight it

seems everyone is a bit stunned by what they have seen, a lot of people

fancied Marco Fu for the Championship before the start. It is

like Luca Brecel has stunned everyone, including Marco.

Absolutely. He would have been sort of an outside bet outside of the top

six players, Marco Fu. Particularly the way he has played this season.

It has been a different story tonight. Marco Fu. But he has given

himself a small chance tomorrow. All things considered, well played,

Marco, to stay focused like this and make the tonne, it is a credit to

him. He will not believe that. -- he will not believe it is over.

Marco, congratulates Luke Gunn. A great performance. He is in trouble

still, the Belgian bullet Luca Brecel leads Marco Fu overnight 7-2.

Tough evening for Marco Fu, elsewhere Mark Allen leads Jimmy

Robertson, the English qualifier who has never won here by 5-4 and

congratulations to Kyren Wilson who reached the quarterfinals last year,

he saw off but challenged by fellow Englishman David Grace earlier in

the day. Always nice, especially in your first-round match, you feel

like you're part of the tournament now. It was a little bit of a

scrappy match, there were ups and downs, David is a Crucible

debutante, so he did very well on his debut and I managed to sort of

maybe take advantage of a few first-time nerves.

If he has got the snooker behind the blue, that is a stunner, what a

shock that is, absolutely fabulous. That was absolutely sensational. The

double-kiss on the yellow, William. -- brilliant. Great shot from the

man making all the headlines. That is just about it from us but snooker

extra is up next with extended highlights of Sean Murphy and we

will be back at ten o'clock with more live coverage from the Crucible

early in the morning and then back at one o'clock. Plenty more to come

from the Crucible, bye for now.