:00:17. > :00:26.Sheffield and April, the Crucible Theatre. Primed for 17 days of high
:00:26. > :00:29.drama. And belittle Lady atop the trophy as puckering up from -- for
:00:29. > :00:39.a Test from the new champion. Welcome to the Betfred.com world
:00:39. > :01:09.
:01:09. > :01:14.All de great moments in our sport happen in that building. That is
:01:14. > :01:24.where Dennis Taylor beat Steve Davis. It is where Ronnie
:01:24. > :01:27.
:01:27. > :01:35.O'Sullivan made the maximum and If you don't enjoy walking out here
:01:35. > :01:42.there is something wrong with you. Unique, a tremendous atmosphere.
:01:42. > :01:52.The true top players come out in that tournament. It is the one
:01:52. > :02:00.
:02:00. > :02:10.everybody wants to win. To lift the trophy is what we play for. It is
:02:10. > :02:14.
:02:14. > :02:20.Stand by for two weeks of sweat, tears, and a few laughs we hope.
:02:20. > :02:25.But most importantly, superb snooker in the claustrophobic
:02:25. > :02:32.surroundings of the Crucible Theatre. Snooker takes over
:02:32. > :02:37.Sheffield and this time of year. This is the Winter Gardens. Our
:02:37. > :02:42.studios are situated here. Everybody feels the excitement this
:02:42. > :02:49.year. It could be one of the most open championships for many years.
:02:49. > :02:59.Why? Look at the season gone by. Nor fewer than 16 different winners
:02:59. > :02:59.
:02:59. > :04:59.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:04:59. > :05:03.Music: Can You Feel It? It has certainly been a busy season
:05:03. > :05:10.for everybody. Including Steve Davis, whose world ranking remains
:05:10. > :05:15.law than his age, remarkably! And John Parrott may be retired but
:05:15. > :05:24.still ranks very highly. You guys have spent the equivalent of two
:05:24. > :05:34.years of a life at the Crucible Theatre. Remarkable. My last match
:05:34. > :05:35.
:05:35. > :05:40.felt like two years to! Unlike some, John quite likes Sheffield.
:05:40. > :05:48.there will be comment about that in the next few days. But what strikes
:05:48. > :05:52.you as the most significant aspect, Steve? They stand it has gone
:05:52. > :06:02.through the roof, apart from one player, John Higgins, who
:06:02. > :06:04.
:06:04. > :06:13.surprisingly, has had quite a Clarence season. -- Baron. Others
:06:13. > :06:18.are peaking at the right time. A highly significant, John. Yes, it
:06:18. > :06:28.makes it a highly difficult season to predict. It is very open and
:06:28. > :06:33.competitive. We know about a seeded players, obviously. I can tell you
:06:33. > :06:37.that both Steve and John will be making their home in the studio,
:06:37. > :06:46.neither qualified. I was surprised you even try to qualify, I thought
:06:46. > :06:49.you had put the cue away! A lot can happen in 21 years. I was fortunate
:06:49. > :06:58.to win it and had the distinction of being the first player knocked
:06:58. > :07:08.out of this tournament. Let's look at everybody who has made it
:07:08. > :07:37.
:07:37. > :07:47.After I played great to get this far. To go one step further and
:07:47. > :08:05.
:08:05. > :08:15.There are so many good memories for me. To face the fact of not being
:08:15. > :08:31.
:08:32. > :08:41.there, it certainly put a bit of To be going back for a 21st
:08:42. > :08:44.
:08:44. > :08:54.consecutive appearance, I am absolutely over the moon. I am very
:08:54. > :09:06.
:09:06. > :09:16.happy that I can go to the Crucible. This is how they line up in the
:09:16. > :09:19.
:09:19. > :09:28.open round. -- opening. Australian Open champion Stuart Bingham meets
:09:28. > :09:35.qualifier, Stephen Hendry the also -- Stephen Hendry. The first time
:09:35. > :09:43.he has ever had to do that. The pocket dynamo as all wound up.
:09:43. > :09:50.Graeme Dott meets Joe Perry, a former semi-finalist. The 2005
:09:50. > :09:55.champion Sean Murphy meets debut taunt Jamie Jones. Astonishing
:09:55. > :10:01.stuff recently from Stephen Lee, possibly the best player in the
:10:01. > :10:06.world this year. He meets Andrew Higginson. Judd Trump lit up the
:10:06. > :10:12.championship last year and returns as the bookmakers favourites. He
:10:12. > :10:18.meets the eccentric Dominic Dale. Could this be the last campaign for
:10:18. > :10:25.Ali Carter? Mark Davis aims to inflict early retirement upon him.
:10:25. > :10:30.Twice champion, Mark Williams, meets 21-year-old Liu Chuang. This
:10:30. > :10:36.has to be the tie of the first round. Ronnie O'Sullivan and versus
:10:36. > :10:40.Peter Ebdon. An incendiary feel about it. And this should be
:10:40. > :10:50.intriguing also. A former world champions Neil Robertson and Ken
:10:50. > :10:55.Doherty. Martin Gould plays David Gilbert, who returns after a five-
:10:55. > :10:59.year absence during which time he dropped off the main tour. Highly
:10:59. > :11:06.fancied Ding Junhui knows he can perform after reaching the semi-
:11:06. > :11:11.finals last year. Ryan the day his and his way. Marke Allen is a major
:11:11. > :11:17.winner at last after a victory in China and he takes on cow you pen.
:11:17. > :11:24.Third time lucky for Matthew Stevens? He meets Marco Fu end of
:11:24. > :11:33.round one. And the world No. 1, Mark Selby, reckons he is back to
:11:34. > :11:42.full fitness in time. He plays Barry Hawkins. There you have it.
:11:42. > :11:47.Every world champion from the last 20 Here's and three New debutants.
:11:47. > :11:55.Speaking of Luca Brecel, an extraordinary achievement at just
:11:55. > :12:03.17 years old. And he has beaten four very difficult players to get
:12:03. > :12:09.here. So it proves he can play. What do you make of this young man?
:12:09. > :12:13.And how might he fare against Stephen Maguire? It is a tough
:12:13. > :12:18.match for Stephen Maguire. But you like to think anew player coming to
:12:18. > :12:24.a tournament is star-struck and might crumble. But that might not
:12:24. > :12:27.be the case. This could is pretty special. You do not win before you
:12:27. > :12:31.deals unless you are special in this game. A lot of people have
:12:31. > :12:39.come to the Crucible first time and crumble but I think Luca Brecel
:12:39. > :12:43.might be something very special indeed. Lots of far eastern players.
:12:43. > :12:52.For mainland Chinese and one from Hong Kong. What do we expect of
:12:52. > :12:56.that contention? I think we will get lots more Chinese players and
:12:56. > :13:02.the mix. Deng Junhui is the player right now. But along the line
:13:02. > :13:07.others will add to that. They have a fantastic work ethic. If there is
:13:07. > :13:14.10, 11 hours a day to play snooker, they have a goal, and they will get
:13:14. > :13:23.there. Ronnie O'Sullivan versus Peter Ebdon jumps off the page. But
:13:23. > :13:30.let's be honest, terrible draw for the two of them. A few months ago
:13:31. > :13:37.Oneida were in particularly good form -- neither. But I can imagine
:13:37. > :13:46.when that role was made, the two of them went, all, no! The stinker on
:13:46. > :13:53.paper but fantastic to watch. semi-final of a few years ago looms
:13:53. > :13:57.over this one. They probably both have bad memories of that one.
:13:57. > :14:04.Peter Ebdon will be confident, he is in form. Other matches that
:14:04. > :14:10.stand out for me I'll be Ronnie O'Sullivan, Peter Ebdon match, and
:14:10. > :14:17.the Ronnie O'Sullivan, Peter Ebdon match! I think I know what you're
:14:18. > :14:23.talking about! This afternoon we will show you the Stephen Hendry
:14:23. > :14:26.versus Stuart Bingham match. A 22nd consecutive appearance at the
:14:26. > :14:36.Crucible for Stephen Hendry. And the match-up between former
:14:36. > :14:43.
:14:43. > :14:46.champions, Ken Doherty and Neil Robinson. Only two men in history,
:14:46. > :14:56.Stephen Hendry, and ham, have successfully defended the Crucible
:14:56. > :14:59.title. Steve Davis was always my favourite player. I remember when
:14:59. > :15:06.he played Dennis Taylor of the whole family was shouting for
:15:06. > :15:10.Dennis Taylor and I was rooting for Steve Davis. I just always loved
:15:10. > :15:15.watching it. But you never thought you would get there. I remember
:15:15. > :15:18.playing Alan McManus in a first- round game. I just did not like the
:15:18. > :15:24.Crucible afterwards and I remember coming into the press conference
:15:24. > :15:29.and was basically slating the place. You get to realise and appreciate
:15:29. > :15:39.how good a venue it is the more you go back and play. And if you are
:15:39. > :15:42.
:15:42. > :15:52.successful then that's when you enjoy it. You're a champion, John
:15:52. > :15:54.
:15:54. > :15:58.Higgins! Obviously your victories stand out but a few of your defeats
:15:58. > :16:04.stand out also. I remember being defeated 13 - 12 by Ronnie
:16:04. > :16:10.O'Sullivan. A tough game to take. And losing in the semi-finals to
:16:10. > :16:15.Matt Williams, another tough one to take. I used to stay in hotels when
:16:15. > :16:22.I was down here but in the last three or four years I have put an
:16:22. > :16:26.apartment and that has definitely helped. -- booked. If you win some
:16:26. > :16:34.of your matches and have a long space between your next match it is
:16:34. > :16:38.good to have your own space, do you own cooking, things like that. The
:16:38. > :16:48.city is taken over for a fortnight with all the fans coming down. It
:16:48. > :16:53.
:16:53. > :16:59.Bet has been a couple of the heels since Liang Wenbo made it to the
:16:59. > :17:04.Crucible. We hope he remembers his way around. On his debut he had
:17:04. > :17:09.everybody in stitches with his three walk on walk on, but he had
:17:09. > :17:14.the last laugh getting to the quarter-finals. How will he fare?
:17:14. > :17:17.He has lost all three of his previous meetings to the Scotsman.
:17:17. > :17:27.But as his Crucible tradition the defending champion and his opponent
:17:27. > :17:27.
:17:27. > :17:33.will get us underway. Please welcome a player who first appeared
:17:33. > :17:43.here with a fantastic run to the quarter-finals. The World Under 21
:17:43. > :18:01.
:18:01. > :18:06.champion in 2005. Another emerging And finally, please welcome one of
:18:06. > :18:11.Scotland's finest exports. Winner of 24 ranking event titles and now
:18:11. > :18:16.in his 21st season as a professional. Four times a winner
:18:16. > :18:26.at the Crucible, what a final it was 12 months at all, please
:18:26. > :18:42.
:18:43. > :18:48.welcome the defending world Appropriate music, BA is nowhere to
:18:48. > :18:53.hide on the Crucible floor. These are the best of 19 frames. Two
:18:53. > :18:59.sessions. Nine frames in the morning session, John Higgins took
:18:59. > :19:03.the fast. Now in the second frame Liang Leeds and John of the Cork
:19:03. > :19:13.and Dennis Taylor primed and ready at the beginning of another Snooker
:19:13. > :19:29.
:19:29. > :19:34.No wonder he hung his head. Not within one foot of the pocket.
:19:34. > :19:44.little unintentional, just pushed the cue ball and caught it full. A
:19:44. > :19:48.
:19:48. > :19:52.chance for John Higgins. Not an If it was in the right, it is a
:19:52. > :20:02.better chance than it looks. Lot depends on whether of the black as
:20:02. > :20:19.
:20:19. > :20:29.He has played for the black he must think it goes. It will be tight if
:20:29. > :20:40.
:20:40. > :20:46.This would be typical of John Higgins. Under these circumstances
:20:46. > :20:56.he is the best in the business at pinching frames when he is 40 ought
:20:56. > :21:18.
:21:18. > :21:25.He has missed it and is out of position. Just like his previous
:21:25. > :21:30.short-wave he did not get on the black as intended. And the last
:21:30. > :21:40.frame he had four or five chances. It was his positional play. He has
:21:40. > :21:54.
:21:54. > :22:04.Then there goes the red. I do not think he is good on the blue. Has
:22:04. > :22:18.
:22:18. > :22:28.He needs a little bit of luck here. He has had it. He has had it. That
:22:28. > :23:07.
:23:07. > :23:13.is not exactly as he played it but It has to be said that it was a
:23:13. > :23:19.great recovery port that he took on after he ran out of position. He
:23:19. > :23:26.played it as a short to nothing. This one here. A safety. He knew he
:23:26. > :23:36.would be on the blue but a great shot, that one. And no reason why
:23:36. > :23:42.
:23:42. > :23:52.he should not take the second frame He is one point in front. The last
:23:52. > :23:58.
:23:58. > :24:02.The best of 19, these first-round matches, but Liang Wenbo will feel
:24:02. > :24:10.a little bit aggrieved that he is going to fall two games behind. He
:24:10. > :24:15.has not done a lot wrong. He missed the last red by the proverbial mile.
:24:15. > :24:19.You cannot afford those types of mistakes at this level.
:24:19. > :24:27.Particularly against a player like John Higgins who just feeds on
:24:27. > :24:37.those mistakes. You would not expected defending champion to slip
:24:37. > :24:59.
:24:59. > :25:04.It is one of those matches so far where the defending champion is
:25:04. > :25:14.going to be 2 - 0 in front, when it could so easily have been the other
:25:14. > :25:38.
:25:38. > :25:45.He is not going to bother with the black. Great play with the
:25:45. > :25:55.defending champion. From D. He has left the arena having done what he
:25:55. > :25:58.
:25:58. > :26:08.By the midsession interval John Higgins had established a 3 - 1
:26:08. > :26:12.
:26:12. > :26:16.advantage. Liang Wenbo or trying to No, not a good sign to cue across
:26:16. > :26:22.one like that. That knocks the confident out of you and you can
:26:22. > :26:32.see from the reaction what he thinks about that. He once again
:26:32. > :26:37.
:26:37. > :26:45.hangs his head. Not for the first This match will be played to a
:26:45. > :26:50.conclusion this evening. He has not quite got the pace of the table yet.
:26:50. > :27:00.Our little wry smile. The table looks pretty quick. He has not
:27:00. > :27:01.
:27:01. > :27:11.He has lost his position quite a few times and that is over cut.
:27:11. > :27:15.
:27:15. > :27:19.Liang Wenbo back at the table Being a left-hander, if he can drop
:27:19. > :27:29.this red and get a good angle on the black he could then cannoned a
:27:29. > :27:38.
:27:38. > :27:48.If he can judge the can incorrectly and bought the back then he is
:27:48. > :28:01.
:28:01. > :28:05.Can you get your breath? Look where that read has just gone. He wants
:28:05. > :28:15.to get a path on the black and all the sudden a red appears and blocks
:28:15. > :28:15.
:28:15. > :29:17.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:29:17. > :29:23.A little bit surprised he has not tried to get down to this end. OK,
:29:23. > :29:33.it is easier to get the red in, but the business end, so to speak, is
:29:33. > :29:40.
:29:40. > :29:44.Yes, he wants to leave the pink alone. Because if he was to pot the
:29:44. > :29:54.pink for in the pink back on its sport would tie things up somewhat.
:29:54. > :29:56.
:29:56. > :30:01.Interesting to see how he goes He made just about have the angle
:30:02. > :30:11.to screw down the table. He would like to play the black rather than
:30:12. > :30:32.
:30:32. > :30:42.Are easy to play on the pink, but It key Helen coming up. -- ackee
:30:42. > :30:42.
:30:42. > :31:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:31:37. > :31:47.This is the only problem with mocking the pink. It is going to be
:31:47. > :31:47.
:31:47. > :32:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:32:43. > :32:53.tied up somewhat. It might be He has opened it up but the next
:32:53. > :33:07.
:33:07. > :33:17.red Ed is a bit awkward. -- the It is off work -- awkward, as you
:33:17. > :33:23.
:33:23. > :33:33.It just depends on the angle on the pink. Once again, the reds are
:33:33. > :33:33.
:33:33. > :34:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:34:16. > :34:26.covering each other into the right He played it nicely, inch-perfect.
:34:26. > :34:26.
:34:26. > :35:12.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:35:12. > :35:21.Nine frames to be played in this You get the feeling if this red
:35:21. > :35:27.goes in, John Higgins will not be coming back to the table. Well,
:35:27. > :35:37.that was careless. He should just have made certain of that. He's
:35:37. > :36:01.
:36:01. > :36:11.Liang Wenbo is in it the lead in No prizes for guessing what he is
:36:11. > :36:11.
:36:11. > :37:34.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:37:34. > :37:39.going to play next after sneaking It is as if he is not getting any
:37:39. > :37:43.side on it. He needs some left hand side. When it hits the cushion
:37:43. > :37:51.there is no side. He is frightened. He does not want to go into a brick.
:37:51. > :37:59.He needs a touch of side on it. Has he got away with this or is there a
:37:59. > :38:09.red that will go? That one will go. I thought for a moment he had got
:38:09. > :38:28.
:38:28. > :38:32.away with it. Liang, great chance He did not play that well. He
:38:32. > :38:42.should have been allowed past the green to make it easy to get past
:38:42. > :38:46.
:38:46. > :38:56.There's no harm done. There are only a few reds and colours after
:38:56. > :38:56.
:38:56. > :40:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:40:23. > :40:33.That should be the frame when her. If he parts the thread there is no
:40:33. > :40:33.
:40:33. > :41:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:41:25. > :41:28.way John Higgins is coming back. -- The outsider always need a good
:41:28. > :41:35.start in this type of March and if they get that they can always then
:41:35. > :41:45.relax and enjoy the occasion. He is certainly enjoying it more than
:41:45. > :41:47.
:41:47. > :41:57.He is just telling Mikaela that a pink spot is available! Shows you
:41:57. > :41:57.
:41:57. > :42:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:42:42. > :42:47.how hard the referees have to Well, the brown did not go in but
:42:47. > :42:51.the frame was over long before that. Liang Wenbo giving the defending
:42:51. > :42:55.champion something to think about. They real turnaround in this
:42:55. > :43:01.session. Three in a row for Liang Wenbo and he seems to be in the
:43:01. > :43:11.groove. In the penultimate frame of the session he is on a break here
:43:11. > :43:20.
:43:20. > :43:26.He is having a little chat to himself. Is that going to be
:43:26. > :43:30.costly? You mentioned about how certain frames can turn matches.
:43:30. > :43:40.Could this be a turning point? It is a big ask for John Higgins but
:43:40. > :43:53.
:43:53. > :44:03.He is going to sit and suffer and wonder whether the mistake is going
:44:03. > :44:18.
:44:18. > :44:25.John has let the white go further He did well to get the cannon. That
:44:25. > :44:35.was not straightforward. If anybody could Curate up from this situation
:44:35. > :44:35.
:44:35. > :45:15.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:45:16. > :45:25.it would be John Higgins. -- I do not think he has to play big
:45:26. > :45:27.
:45:27. > :45:37.cannon. I think the red next to the -- the pink. If he played that, he
:45:37. > :46:07.
:46:07. > :46:16.In it goes! It looks as though it is going to be on the blue. If he
:46:16. > :46:26.has got the right angle on the blue he can drop it in. He cannot afford
:46:26. > :46:40.
:46:40. > :46:50.He could not avoid the cannon. More pace on the red could have been
:46:50. > :46:50.
:46:50. > :47:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:47:43. > :47:53.Imperative that he gets a good Played it perfectly. Can he get
:47:53. > :47:53.
:47:53. > :48:41.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:48:41. > :48:51.It is an inner strength, people like John Higgins seemed to be able
:48:51. > :48:59.
:48:59. > :49:09.to produce this and their back is There is a lot to do so DRG plea. -
:49:09. > :49:09.
:49:09. > :50:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:50:08. > :50:12.Liang Wenbo was favourite to extend his lead but John Higgins has
:50:12. > :50:16.clawed his way back and we are all square.
:50:16. > :50:22.An early test of character for the world champion. Into the last frame
:50:22. > :50:32.of recession and Liang Wenbo has work to do as he is 34 points
:50:32. > :50:42.
:50:42. > :50:52.Too thick. He tried to play about with side. It was always going to
:50:52. > :50:55.
:50:55. > :51:05.If the pain goes into the left pocket it is a chance for John
:51:05. > :51:05.
:51:05. > :52:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:52:13. > :52:17.He is favourite now to take the When you're in this situation you
:52:17. > :52:23.have got to look to the positives. Liang Wenbo can look at the
:52:23. > :52:33.positives. I think he can play better but I am sure John Higgins
:52:33. > :52:44.
:52:44. > :52:54.Liang Wenbo could come back this evening thinking he has a chance to
:52:54. > :52:54.
:52:54. > :54:01.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:54:01. > :54:11.He just needs any cover and one Liang Wenbo still in the frame but
:54:11. > :54:11.
:54:11. > :55:11.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:55:12. > :55:18.with it all to do. 59 behind, 67 He has got them both into play.
:55:18. > :55:23.is looking at the scoreboard and he has points to spare. He could do it
:55:23. > :55:33.with pinks of the reds. He does not necessarily have to play for the
:55:33. > :55:43.
:55:43. > :55:46.He has taken the more difficult red to get it out of the way. Being a
:55:46. > :55:56.left-hander, the ones on the other side of the table are not badly
:55:56. > :56:35.
:56:35. > :56:41.Pinks are OK, maybe one blue, and now he is up to 90% shock success.
:56:41. > :56:51.The match is beginning to take off. This could be one hell of a final
:56:51. > :56:51.
:56:51. > :57:39.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:57:39. > :57:49.In an ideal world the cue ball would be some work beside my marker.
:57:49. > :57:55.
:57:55. > :58:05.Can he get it over there? He has jumped at that. You cannot afford
:58:05. > :58:26.
:58:26. > :58:31.to miss the pot and now he has got Liang Wenbo gave himself have a
:58:31. > :58:38.chance but I think we are in for a heck of a final session as the
:58:38. > :58:48.evening. Both players looked as though they are ready to play well.
:58:48. > :58:49.
:58:49. > :58:55.Does not even matter about below. John Higgins will be happy to
:58:55. > :58:59.finish the session leading the young man from China of 5-4.
:58:59. > :59:04.They will finish that this evening. You know what it is like to come
:59:04. > :59:09.back as defending champion and take the walk on the opening morning.
:59:09. > :59:13.How scary and thrilling can it be? Very and you want to put on a good
:59:13. > :59:18.performance. The first round, you do not want to play your best
:59:18. > :59:27.snooker. You want to keep something in reserve. We have seen people
:59:27. > :59:34.have nothing left. Liang has played very well. It has not be done for
:59:34. > :59:39.16 years, someone coming back and successfully defending the title at
:59:39. > :59:42.The Crucible. What makes it so difficult to do? It is just the
:59:42. > :59:47.fact that to win the World Championship is very difficult. It
:59:47. > :59:51.is easier defending than when you have won it your first time and
:59:51. > :59:55.have to come back. All of a sudden, you are scared as you walk into the
:59:55. > :00:00.room. John Higgins is an experienced campaigner. He just
:00:00. > :00:05.knows there is another onslaught ahead. They have both had chances
:00:05. > :00:15.in that session, neither of them firmly to the chance. John Higgins,
:00:15. > :00:19.
:00:19. > :00:25.such a good match player. He has John Higgins has not won title --
:00:25. > :00:33.won title this year. The work life balance, particularly with the
:00:33. > :00:38.expanded calendar is difficult for a family man.
:00:38. > :00:42.You cannot do the preparation and John strikes me that he is somebody
:00:42. > :00:46.who would like to play for hours before he get that and if he does
:00:46. > :00:55.not do it he does not feel well prepared. Longer frame matches will
:00:55. > :00:59.suit him. He is thinking about putting a practice table in his own
:00:59. > :01:04.house to prevent the need for having to go to the club practice
:01:04. > :01:09.when he gets home. Every player is different. A lot of the players
:01:09. > :01:17.have benefited from more match play. I would prefer more matchplay than
:01:17. > :01:27.solo practice. You have to know your own game. He is playing very
:01:27. > :01:32.
:01:32. > :01:35.well. John has dismantled Liang Wenbo of before. -- before. What an
:01:35. > :01:40.update due with what has been happening elsewhere this morning.
:01:40. > :01:44.This is a high quality match with Dave Gilbert, who dropped off the
:01:44. > :01:51.main tour last season only to earned his card again at Qualifying,
:01:51. > :01:58.determined to make the most of the opportunity. After five years away,
:01:58. > :02:08.he knocked in breaks of a bar 50 against Martin Gould, world number
:02:08. > :02:08.
:02:08. > :02:13.12. -- above a 50. Martin seems to be under pressure, now that he is
:02:13. > :02:20.the hunted rather than the Hunter. He it makes a difference when you
:02:20. > :02:26.have nothing to lose. You try to take the scalps. Dave Gilbert was
:02:26. > :02:36.always a good player, but he was inconsistent. A how big a problem
:02:36. > :02:43.does Martin have? He does not have too much breathing space. He will
:02:43. > :02:48.want to get off to a decent start. Perhaps his back arm was a little
:02:48. > :02:53.bit tight, but somehow he has to get out there straight away as the
:02:53. > :02:59.underdog for the session and get going quickly. The war finish
:02:59. > :03:09.tomorrow. We have another three former world champions this
:03:09. > :03:11.
:03:11. > :03:21.afternoon -- conveyed well a finish tomorrow. -- may well. Ken Doherty
:03:21. > :03:21.
:03:21. > :03:28.won the title in 1997. The last time he was here, he kissed the
:03:28. > :03:35.Crucible carpet, he was so glad to be here. The qualifying is a bit of
:03:35. > :03:45.a shock to the system, but to be fair to Stephen Hendry, he has got
:03:45. > :03:52.
:03:52. > :04:00.on with it. There is a lot of pressure. This is
:04:00. > :04:05.the event everybody wants to play in. I have not had to do that since
:04:05. > :04:10.1988. You want to get into the World Championship. I do not want
:04:10. > :04:19.to be watching everyone else play. It is everybody's ambition to play
:04:19. > :04:25.at the Crucible. When you grow up, that is where you want to play.
:04:25. > :04:31.Crucible theatre has a special atmosphere. They introduce you to
:04:31. > :04:36.the crowd and there is no feeling like it. Playing Neil Robertson, it
:04:36. > :04:45.is tough, he is a former world champion and a prolific winner on
:04:45. > :04:50.the circuit. I am not here to make up the numbers. I am a proud
:04:50. > :04:56.Irishman when it comes to things like that. It's will be a tough
:04:56. > :04:59.match because I am the qualifier, so I hope he will be the one
:04:59. > :05:09.feeling the pressure. I have nothing to lose and I will go out
:05:09. > :05:10.
:05:10. > :05:20.and enjoy the match. There is life in the old dogs yet to! Hopefully
:05:20. > :05:23.
:05:23. > :05:28.myself and Stephen Hendry will have We can talk about Stephen Hendry.
:05:28. > :05:35.What do you make of the way he applied himself in the qualifying
:05:35. > :05:42.matches? He won five out of six. have seen him on the tour, the last
:05:42. > :05:47.couple of seasons, in the PTCs, the small events, when he first started
:05:47. > :05:51.to play them, and it went wrong for him, he was thinking he did not
:05:51. > :05:57.want to be there and he did not need it. He was in the wrong frame
:05:57. > :06:03.of mind. He has been a different animal this season. Suddenly, he
:06:03. > :06:08.has confidence back. He was losing confidence, surprisingly. Towards
:06:08. > :06:15.the back end of this season his results have improved. Now, even
:06:15. > :06:19.though he says he is the underdog, I think he fancies a bit of a run.
:06:19. > :06:25.Been used to playing a bigger venues and you go back to the small
:06:25. > :06:29.places, -- being used to. When you go back into the main arena again,
:06:29. > :06:35.that becomes more challenging. I know he has played here on numerous
:06:35. > :06:42.occasions, but it will be a big day to go back into the Crucible.
:06:42. > :06:48.have done it before and been world champions. Why is this experience a
:06:48. > :06:54.valuable and a so sought-after? Even when you are a fading force in
:06:54. > :06:59.the game? Is it is the greatest plays to play in. If you are
:07:00. > :07:02.watching somebody playing your place, the electricity, the
:07:02. > :07:08.breathing on the front row, spectators surrounding year, there
:07:08. > :07:14.is nothing like it. It is very special. When I watched the first
:07:14. > :07:19.time at the age of 14, this is where I wanted to play. Younger
:07:19. > :07:26.players have the advantage in just going for it, potting any ball AC.
:07:26. > :07:36.The older player knows how to handle himself. -- ball of they see.
:07:36. > :07:37.
:07:37. > :07:41.Sometimes, alarm bells cam be ringing as the play unfolds. You've
:07:41. > :07:50.got to know how to be calm. You have to get off to a good start in
:07:50. > :07:55.the first round. Stuart Bingham, on his debut, 12 years ago, beat
:07:55. > :08:05.Stephen Hendry who was then the defending champion. It was a big
:08:05. > :08:11.
:08:11. > :08:17.shock at the Crucible. And now I must have been about 14, my
:08:17. > :08:23.parents got me a book for Christmas. I remember the first cover was a
:08:23. > :08:33.picture of the Crucible. I looked at the video camera and said I was
:08:33. > :08:35.
:08:35. > :08:43.going to be there one day. In 1999 I went up for the day and I spoke
:08:43. > :08:49.to someone who got me a backstage tour. I was sitting in the chair of
:08:49. > :08:57.table wine and I thought I would love to play there and a year later
:08:57. > :09:00.I got to play their -- table one. I remember walking out of the
:09:00. > :09:09.curtains and thinking about the great players who have walked out
:09:09. > :09:16.there and I was in my element. I did not care if I lost 10-0, it was
:09:16. > :09:24.something I was going to enjoy. And it was one of the biggest upset.
:09:24. > :09:30.When your name is on the trophy, that is how you do it, it is meant
:09:30. > :09:39.to be, everybody is good now. Even Mark Selby, who is the world number
:09:39. > :09:45.one, he has not won it yet. If you are not playing, your mind is on it.
:09:45. > :09:55.It is so hard to win. Find one to get to the semi-final in the one-
:09:55. > :09:58.
:09:58. > :10:02.table set-up. That is my next step. To try to get to the semi-final. A
:10:02. > :10:12.bit more of a walk to the chair and everybody watching you two fighting
:10:12. > :10:18.it out. Just hearing Stuart Bingham talking
:10:18. > :10:24.like that gets the anticipation level up a bit. There is a packed
:10:24. > :10:29.Crucible house and Rob Walker is set to introduce the players.
:10:29. > :10:33.Good afternoon, the opening day event for the World Snooker
:10:34. > :10:37.Championship and we are starting the marathon in style with three a
:10:37. > :10:43.former world champions waiting back stage along with a recent ranking
:10:43. > :10:53.event winner. Let's get to the boys on the baize.
:10:53. > :11:00.
:11:00. > :11:04.Please welcome one of the most popular players in the game. It is
:11:04. > :11:11.great to see him back on the big stage, making his 18th appearance
:11:11. > :11:15.and twice the run up at Sheffield. He took the big one in 1997 to the
:11:15. > :11:25.delight of everybody back home, he is the darling of Dublin. Ken
:11:25. > :11:44.
:11:44. > :11:48.Doherty. His opponent is a player who came
:11:48. > :11:53.to Britain with barely a penny in his pocket but has since
:11:53. > :11:58.established himself as one of the best in the game. A great run to
:11:58. > :12:06.the final two years ago, he was a worthy winner. The reigning Masters
:12:06. > :12:16.champion, can you hear the Thunder from Down Under? Neil Robertson.
:12:16. > :12:29.
:12:29. > :12:35.Now, please welcome the most decorated player ever to grace the
:12:35. > :12:39.modern game. When of 36 ranking events, this is his 27th
:12:39. > :12:43.consecutive year at the Championship, seven times a winner,
:12:43. > :12:53.which is why we call him the king of the Crucible, he is back,
:12:53. > :13:06.
:13:06. > :13:12.Stephen Hendry! Finally, having turned professional
:13:12. > :13:19.in 1995, he is another in his spell in the top flight and won his first
:13:19. > :13:29.ranking event in Australia. His fourth appearance at the Crucible.
:13:29. > :13:49.
:13:49. > :13:55.HAZEL IRVINE: We will concentrate on events on table one. Before I
:13:55. > :14:05.hand over to you. Our own friend Ray Stubbs has been under the
:14:05. > :14:06.
:14:06. > :14:13.weather recently and he is in hospital right now and one -- on
:14:13. > :14:18.behalf of us all, get well. JOHN VIRGO: He did a lot of work on
:14:18. > :14:24.the snooker and we wish him well. That was not the best break off
:14:25. > :14:31.from Stephen Hendry. When breaking off, do not catch the blue,
:14:31. > :14:34.whatever you do. That is what he has down and that leaves a mid-
:14:34. > :14:44.range pot for Stuart Bingham. Stephen Hendry was really looking
:14:44. > :14:48.
:14:48. > :14:53.He will be disappointed to miss that. He turned professional in
:14:53. > :15:00.1995. The only time these two players have met was in the
:15:00. > :15:10.Crucible theatre. That was when he shot everybody by beating Stephen
:15:10. > :15:11.
:15:11. > :15:21.Hendry and they have never played That was on the first day when
:15:21. > :15:27.
:15:27. > :15:37.Stephen was champion, so making it The roles have been reversed. That
:15:37. > :15:42.
:15:42. > :15:46.man is the seeded player and I thought Stephen Hendry enough in
:15:46. > :15:52.the qualifier. A lot of decent Chinese players coming through. He
:15:52. > :15:59.beat a player called Yu Delu, who had some good wons up to that match,
:15:59. > :16:09.but he was too good for him what over the two days of the match. And
:16:09. > :16:27.
:16:27. > :16:33.That is as well as you see anybody If there was one thing that people
:16:33. > :16:43.question with the Stephen Hendry of today, it is that it question of
:16:43. > :16:48.
:16:48. > :16:58.his long potting. That will boost He will have to try to manoeuvre
:16:58. > :17:00.
:17:00. > :17:10.the cue ball back to the blue you He missed it, and because he missed
:17:10. > :17:14.
:17:14. > :17:24.it, he caught the other red and The referee, this is her first
:17:24. > :17:42.
:17:42. > :17:52.match to referee at the Crucible He did not get very close to the
:17:52. > :17:54.
:17:54. > :17:59.I'm sure Stephen Hendry will be nervous. Despite his history here.
:17:59. > :18:09.This is another day. The fact he had to qualify, he does not play as
:18:09. > :18:14.
:18:14. > :18:21.When you get to the stage of Stephen's career, you are never
:18:21. > :18:30.certain how you will play. This is what gets you on edge. In the 1990s,
:18:30. > :18:40.it was a given that he would cue well and play well. Now I think he
:18:40. > :18:47.
:18:47. > :18:54.turns up hoping that the hard work He slipped past the intended red.
:18:54. > :19:04.Has he left anything? He is lucky if he has not. That was a big
:19:04. > :19:13.
:19:13. > :19:17.target at the side of the pack, That will do. Stephen has had
:19:17. > :19:27.different preparation this week. He qualified at the weekend and he has
:19:27. > :19:32.
:19:32. > :19:40.been in China. He came back from Maybe that will help him to relax.
:19:40. > :19:47.Taking his mind of the match. I spoke to his dad about it and he
:19:47. > :19:57.said sitting in first class on an aeroplane, it is not that bad. He
:19:57. > :20:10.
:20:10. > :20:20.That was a slight misjudgement. Maybe he should have played with
:20:20. > :20:21.
:20:21. > :20:31.more pace to bring the cue ball He got a terrible kick. The black
:20:31. > :20:42.
:20:42. > :20:47.You get that on the first day of any major tournament. Mainly
:20:47. > :20:57.because the doors are open while people are getting the venue ready.
:20:57. > :21:04.
:21:04. > :21:14.The referee has the delicate job of replacing the cue ball. A steady
:21:14. > :21:16.
:21:16. > :21:20.hand is needed. That was a test for any referee. She did a good job. I
:21:20. > :21:30.have not seen anything straighten up like that for a long time,
:21:30. > :21:39.
:21:39. > :21:48.horrible contact. We do not want It was terrible. It bend straight
:21:48. > :21:58.on. -- it went straight on. He had one to the left corner, but he was
:21:58. > :22:05.
:22:05. > :22:12.That was a tough blue. What happens at the Crucible, as he is about
:22:12. > :22:19.play the shot, there is applause from the other side of the wall.
:22:19. > :22:22.That is the atmosphere we talk about. It is unique. Talking about
:22:22. > :22:28.the wall, I wondered whether it would stay up this year because
:22:28. > :22:38.many other venues have knocked them down. I am not sure it would work
:22:38. > :22:47.
:22:47. > :22:56.here. It is very intimate, and Particularly in this arena, of the
:22:56. > :23:06.tables are too close together. You would have players almost touching
:23:06. > :23:12.
:23:12. > :23:16.I suppose it is part of keeping everything as it is at the Crucible.
:23:16. > :23:26.There have been changes in other tournaments. You want this
:23:26. > :23:31.
:23:31. > :23:41.This would not go down as an easy shot he is taking on. He had no
:23:41. > :24:01.
:24:01. > :24:11.But, no problem. Right in a part of He rolled the black along the
:24:11. > :24:13.
:24:13. > :24:17.cushion, will he play on the red in He is thinking they are not playing
:24:17. > :24:27.that difficult down at cushion. It is about getting the angle right.
:24:27. > :24:33.
:24:33. > :24:37.But he overcut it. It has never been the easy shot to pot the ball
:24:37. > :24:42.down the cushion. I thought he would get it. Particularly when
:24:42. > :24:46.they are just off the cushion. If it were tight to the cushion, I
:24:46. > :24:51.would not have fancied him missing it. This is a chance for Stuart
:24:51. > :25:01.Bingham of the perfect angle on the black. He could cannon into the
:25:01. > :25:14.
:25:14. > :25:19.But if he opens the reds, this He played that as well as he could.
:25:19. > :25:29.He put screw on it and the cue ball did not drift too far down the
:25:29. > :25:34.
:25:34. > :25:44.That was like the blue he missed, which was more difficult. He did
:25:44. > :25:54.You tend to overcut the ball when that happens. He is nervous, isn't
:25:54. > :26:14.
:26:14. > :26:21.At the moment, I think, more than a That was a nice shot. The cue ball
:26:21. > :26:31.drifted to the side cushion, but it did not touch the sides. He has an
:26:31. > :26:36.
:26:36. > :26:46.angle on the black, which is in his That is a decent shot. He did not
:26:46. > :26:47.
:26:47. > :26:57.pot the black into the middle of the pocket, he potted it on excited.
:26:57. > :27:07.It looks like the end of break. That will not pass to the right
:27:07. > :27:13.
:27:13. > :27:23.Was he looking at the plant. That would be incredibly difficult. He
:27:23. > :27:23.
:27:23. > :27:27.It would have to be an accurate safety shot, if he did play it. I
:27:27. > :27:37.think he is looking at the plant, maybe to get the cue ball down
:27:37. > :28:12.
:28:12. > :28:19.I think he had the cue ball in mind This seems to be an easy shot. Two
:28:19. > :28:25.reds. Just roll the left-hand one dead weight. He should not leave
:28:25. > :28:35.anything. He has to be careful. He can't return to the baulk end.
:28:35. > :28:45.
:28:45. > :28:55.There is a danger of leaving the He decided he could cover the red.
:28:55. > :29:17.
:29:17. > :29:27.He seems to have played that quite He is giving it plenty of thought.
:29:27. > :29:31.
:29:31. > :29:40.Does he want to risk leaving a It would be easy to roll to the
:29:40. > :29:47.reds, but that does not gain any We are coming up to one minute,
:29:47. > :29:57.which is unusual for Stephen Hendry. Rolling up is not his sort of shot,
:29:57. > :29:58.
:29:58. > :30:02.but it would keep Stuart Bingham What a pot to go for, that is. He
:30:02. > :30:06.had the cue ball in mind, thinking he would not leave anything easy,
:30:06. > :30:12.but this was incredibly difficult. And you never know where the reds
:30:12. > :30:22.will go. He played in a way that he felt the only Aurelien Rougerie he
:30:22. > :30:22.
:30:22. > :31:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:31:22. > :31:25.could leave was the one he was He is a qualifier but has been
:31:25. > :31:33.pretty consistent this season in the qualifying matches. There is
:31:33. > :31:43.the chance for that you get to used to playing in those cubicles. Even
:31:43. > :31:51.someone of Hendry's Caliber -- calibre. I thing he can still play
:31:51. > :31:57.my game of a higher level. -- I think he can still played the game
:31:57. > :32:00.at a higher level. That is not the best shot from Bingham. If you are
:32:00. > :32:10.going to play that you have got to find the cushion with the cue ball.
:32:10. > :32:28.
:32:28. > :32:38.He has not done that. This is a Bingham comes right back to the
:32:38. > :32:56.
:32:56. > :33:06.The problem is he is behind. He is at a big disadvantage. Sooner or
:33:06. > :33:07.
:33:07. > :33:17.let here -- later he will have to get an angle on the green. He will
:33:17. > :33:45.
:33:45. > :33:55.have to pot the pink and cannon He cannot get nicely on the pink
:33:55. > :34:10.
:34:10. > :34:20.without using the rest. That was It looks like he will just have to
:34:20. > :34:22.
:34:22. > :34:32.pot the yellow and played safe. -- It was always going to be difficult,
:34:32. > :34:35.
:34:35. > :34:45.It was not paid original plan to played that but it was what he was
:34:45. > :35:09.
:35:09. > :35:13.It ran on and on... It has left Stephen with a bit of a problem.
:35:13. > :35:23.This red will cut into the right corner. It is risky, but he was
:35:23. > :35:24.
:35:24. > :35:34.going to have to play it then anyway. Why not? And why not attend
:35:34. > :35:44.the part! -- attempt the pot. He might just have an angle on the
:35:44. > :35:44.
:35:44. > :36:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:36:26. > :36:35.29 points in front, 35 remaining. This red to go 30 points ahead with
:36:36. > :36:46.
:36:46. > :36:50.He could not make the red, so the frame is still on. I always used to
:36:50. > :37:00.prefer rolling them down the black cushion than the baulk cushion. It
:37:00. > :37:19.
:37:19. > :37:27.It does not look as though he can get past the blue to pubmac the red.
:37:27. > :37:37.Can he bend it? That is what he is trying to do. He has had the blue.
:37:37. > :37:54.
:37:54. > :38:04.Stephen went for the pot. It has not gone in the same place.
:38:04. > :38:43.
:38:43. > :38:53.could well potted if it was There is a half chance for Hendry
:38:53. > :39:07.
:39:07. > :39:11.in the right corner. I was a bit It little bit too thick. I do not
:39:11. > :39:15.care who you are and how many times you have been at the Crucible, it
:39:15. > :39:25.is always nice to get that first frame under your belt and it is
:39:25. > :39:25.
:39:25. > :40:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:40:16. > :40:26.still in the balance who is going How close can he get without
:40:26. > :40:35.
:40:35. > :40:45.dropping? He has got to feel pretty That kiss will do nicely for
:40:45. > :41:13.
:41:13. > :41:17.Looks like this frame will go to I do not think you can say much
:41:17. > :41:22.about that. Stuart Bingham needs a snooker. The frame should have been
:41:22. > :41:29.over by now. Bingham should not have been coming back to the table
:41:29. > :41:39.just needing one snooker. He did not get close with that yellow.
:41:39. > :41:39.
:41:39. > :43:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:43:37. > :43:47.Was he forced into potting the brown? He was. Here is a chance,
:43:47. > :43:52.
:43:52. > :43:56.run off the blue and try and nestle OK, got the snooker. I am not going
:43:56. > :44:06.to say it is going to be easy but a bit more pace and if he had got
:44:06. > :44:17.
:44:17. > :44:21.closer to the pink would have cut When you are striking down like
:44:21. > :44:25.that to get the side on the cue ball, you pet far too much on it.
:44:25. > :44:35.Stuart Bingham can now win this frame. I think he knew immediately
:44:35. > :44:42.
:44:43. > :44:47.he had got too much on that. It is This is a chance for sure. He did
:44:47. > :44:53.not do a lot with that except try and pot it. He did not try and get
:44:53. > :45:03.onto the pink. It was always hitting the bottom jaw. Stephen,
:45:03. > :45:17.
:45:17. > :45:27.It's is there! -- it is there! Looks like the seven-times champion
:45:27. > :45:30.
:45:30. > :45:40.is going to get the first frame 19 points to lead, just 13 left on
:45:40. > :45:41.
:45:41. > :46:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:46:48. > :46:58.the table. One snooker to tie. It Stephen should just be rolling this
:46:58. > :47:19.
:47:19. > :47:29.pink slowly towards the corner He has caught the pink much too
:47:29. > :48:02.
:48:02. > :48:06.This is not the worst place to get Hendry will be looking to roll that
:48:06. > :48:10.other -- over the pocket soon. already had one chance and did not
:48:10. > :48:20.take it. You do not want to be playing a pot and letting the cue
:48:20. > :48:20.
:48:20. > :49:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:49:04. > :49:14.He should try and get in behind the I fancy Stuart is going to get
:49:14. > :49:38.
:49:38. > :49:44.close with this one. It is about a Stephen Hendry takes the first
:49:44. > :49:50.frame. Minor player will be happy but Stephen leads, 1-0.
:49:50. > :49:57.On the other side of the dividing wall, let's go into this match. It
:49:57. > :50:07.is Robertson against. T. Roberts and take -- Doherty. Robinson took
:50:07. > :50:08.
:50:08. > :50:18.the first frame. Robertson is on for a possible maximum.
:50:18. > :50:31.
:50:31. > :50:41.He knows the frame is safe. He has to be careful he does not push the
:50:41. > :50:41.
:50:41. > :51:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:51:40. > :51:50.He wants to avoid the other red so He is on the black but he will have
:51:50. > :51:52.
:51:52. > :51:57.to play a very good shot to pot the If he goes round the back of the
:51:57. > :52:07.red nearest the cushion he can have a choice of two reds. This is very
:52:07. > :52:29.
:52:30. > :52:33.tough, as you can see. Well played. Asking the referee to clean the
:52:33. > :52:43.ball. The last thing you want is a cake when there is the chance of a
:52:43. > :52:43.
:52:43. > :53:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:53:25. > :53:31.That has gone too far. That is a Great effort from Ken Doherty, but
:53:31. > :53:33.it was not to be. At least he has taken a nice century break to
:53:33. > :53:38.settle him down and it is one frame each.
:53:38. > :53:44.All happening on the opening day. Some excitement there. That was a
:53:44. > :53:50.very difficult penultimate round? Just a little bit of adrenalin! It
:53:50. > :53:54.is a horrible shot, blind pocket. He had to check to get on it.
:53:54. > :53:59.hard enough in the opening frames of the World Championship to settle
:53:59. > :54:04.down anyway, let alone a buzz and a feeling when you get close to 147.
:54:04. > :54:09.He will be shaking like a leaf. Actually, it is one all and that is
:54:09. > :54:14.of he should be thinking about. very nice way to get into the
:54:14. > :54:22.match? Yes, it is important that Ken shows he is scoring. He's
:54:22. > :54:28.caught well against Hamilton. He made three centuries. You must
:54:28. > :54:35.score in the maximum when against Robertson. Robertson is fancied to
:54:35. > :54:41.go on a good run? He is showing his strength without dominating but he
:54:41. > :54:46.is in the form to go the distance. -- that he is. We are going to stay
:54:46. > :54:51.with this match. Some of you have been tweeting that you cannot see
:54:51. > :54:57.this on the free the platform on the red button. It is available on
:54:57. > :55:01.digital, satellite and cable. We are going to stay with that on BBC
:55:01. > :55:07.One. Do not forget that everything is available to everyone online. If
:55:07. > :55:17.you are travelling, make sure that UK bus with you. You can contact us
:55:17. > :55:35.
:55:35. > :55:40.over the next 17 days. We would Robertson has not settled yet.. T
:55:40. > :55:50.with that great effort. -- Doherty with that great effort in the
:55:50. > :56:21.
:56:21. > :56:26.That came off wider than he thought but it is OK now. We must not
:56:26. > :56:35.forget, Neil Robertson lost in the first round last year to Judd Trump
:56:35. > :56:42.and that is bound to have an effect if things start to go wrong for him.
:56:42. > :56:52.The Robertson can be sure that Ken Doherty has brought four with him.
:56:52. > :57:04.
:57:04. > :57:10.I will take that back! How did he miss that after playing so well in
:57:10. > :57:20.the previous frame? He has got to exert pressure on Robertson,
:57:20. > :57:39.
:57:39. > :57:49.otherwise he will find it difficult Straight forward safety but he
:57:49. > :57:49.
:57:49. > :59:58.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:59:58. > :00:03.Not a good safety but once again, This safety is a little more
:00:03. > :00:13.difficult, he will have to catch it very thin. And he played that very
:00:13. > :00:23.
:00:23. > :00:33.well. Did not deserve and in-off. You would expect good safety
:00:33. > :00:37.
:00:37. > :00:47.between these two. They are both Just making sure he places the cue
:00:47. > :00:56.
:00:56. > :01:06.ball exactly right to pot this red That was as sweet as a nut.
:01:06. > :01:13.
:01:13. > :01:18.WILLIE THORNE: That will be a bonus Obviously, it doesn't. We could not
:01:18. > :01:28.get the camera down there. There is a lot of work to do to get a big
:01:28. > :02:03.
:02:03. > :02:08.But he has become one of the best He took the easier red. The pink is
:02:08. > :02:15.available, but it is fraught with danger. As yet, his highest break
:02:15. > :02:25.is 22. The shots of Great when you are playing well... -- they are
:02:25. > :02:36.
:02:36. > :02:43.I could see that happening. It has not settled -- he has not settled.
:02:43. > :02:53.The fact that he has not had much table time, I felt that was
:02:53. > :03:09.
:03:09. > :03:18.He looked at the option of getting on the black, but the angle on the
:03:18. > :03:28.pot on the red was not favourable. You would not think the frame would
:03:28. > :03:42.
:03:42. > :03:48.be won until the black is back on I am not sure what he played for.
:03:48. > :03:53.He had the guarantee of the red in the pocket, and he cannot see that.
:03:53. > :04:03.If he were blessed with more cue power, it would have been OK, but
:04:03. > :04:05.
:04:05. > :04:12.he did not get reaction from the He would have split the reds if it
:04:12. > :04:22.had been harder. He still probably needs another good pot now, should
:04:22. > :04:50.
:04:51. > :04:57.He is worried about the red underneath, but he is OK. That was
:04:57. > :05:07.a very good shot. Very positive in his shot selection and he committed
:05:07. > :05:44.
:05:44. > :05:49.He is having to stretch, he is not the tallest of players. This makes
:05:49. > :05:59.a slight difference, with the extension, you do not get the same
:05:59. > :06:08.
:06:08. > :06:18.I am not sure if he has enough angle to go across the other side
:06:18. > :06:40.
:06:40. > :06:46.of the plaque, if it goes in that We were talking about the lack of
:06:46. > :06:56.cue power, and he has overdone that! He said to the crowd, got
:06:56. > :07:28.
:07:28. > :07:32.hold of that! It can happen on the Neil Robertson does not have a
:07:32. > :07:39.foothold in the match, although he did win the opening frame. By his
:07:40. > :07:48.standard, it is unlikely you could win with a high break of 22, but
:07:48. > :07:58.that is the scenario. It still counts as one frame, with a break
:07:58. > :08:11.
:08:11. > :08:21.Unless he was perfect, he would have left something on. Excellent
:08:21. > :08:45.
:08:45. > :08:50.At least he could see the red this I did not think it would take too
:08:50. > :08:56.long before we saw a Neil Robertson special, and that was very special.
:08:56. > :09:00.He hit that particular shot as good as anybody I have seen in the game.
:09:00. > :09:06.It is amazing how left-handed players can pot those balls better
:09:06. > :09:10.than others, Jimmy White, Perrie Mans, Mark Allen, Mark Williams,
:09:10. > :09:20.fantastic long potters. This young man is up there with the best of
:09:20. > :09:25.
:09:26. > :09:30.There was a big round of applause from the other table as he was
:09:30. > :09:36.delivering the shot. Of all the things you have to learn at the
:09:36. > :09:46.Crucible and put up with, it is a very special place. The two tables
:09:46. > :09:50.
:09:50. > :10:00.situation. There is no plays better than the Crucible in Sheffield. --
:10:00. > :10:00.
:10:00. > :10:52.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:10:52. > :11:02.It is not easy to play add good He must think he could get the cue
:11:02. > :11:17.
:11:17. > :11:27.If he can play the black, if he hits it and play is off two
:11:27. > :11:33.
:11:33. > :11:43.That was the one. He will be more than happy with that. He had to
:11:43. > :11:43.
:11:43. > :12:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:12:57. > :13:03.One of the problems you face in this match, both good safety
:13:03. > :13:13.players, and they will not normally be making mistakes and so if they
:13:13. > :13:19.
:13:19. > :13:29.are missing pots, it will go on for Apart from the great effort from
:13:29. > :13:58.
:13:58. > :14:08.Ken Doherty to get to the maximum, He played it once across, and
:14:08. > :14:28.
:14:28. > :14:35.almost got it on the second time. That was not the best kiss in the
:14:35. > :14:45.world. And Dave he is unlucky, he will be on the yellow. -- back and
:14:45. > :14:45.
:14:45. > :15:34.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:15:34. > :15:40.I'm surprised he played it around two cushions. If he played down the
:15:40. > :15:50.left-hand side... He will have to do something here if he wants to
:15:50. > :15:58.
:15:58. > :16:08.keep the break going. And he has to But that was an excellent shot. It
:16:08. > :16:18.
:16:18. > :16:28.was so tough to floated in. -- This has been one of the toughest
:16:28. > :16:59.
:16:59. > :17:09.To yellows and a green for a break Only 40 points have been scored in
:17:09. > :17:14.
:17:14. > :17:24.this frame and three reds are left. He could not avoid the second
:17:24. > :17:41.
:17:41. > :17:51.Pink for the left-hander looks like It could be the yellow. You would
:17:51. > :17:53.
:17:53. > :18:03.not have slept at night if you have It has probably happened before at
:18:03. > :18:07.
:18:07. > :18:15.the Crucible, but I cannot remember a time when four reds and colours,
:18:15. > :18:25.at the business end of the table, and if the red goes in it is still
:18:25. > :18:54.
:18:54. > :19:04.I'm sure this is a record. This is The pink and black are available
:19:04. > :19:12.
:19:12. > :19:22.When you pot like this, it does Slowly but surely the lead has gone
:19:22. > :19:36.
:19:36. > :19:46.to 14 points and the pink will be This frame is still alive, I am not
:19:46. > :19:53.
:19:53. > :20:02.That came off the cushion further than I thought at first glance. He
:20:02. > :20:12.probably has the angle to hold for Perhaps he does not feel he has the
:20:12. > :20:15.
:20:15. > :20:25.The white has gone over the black spot. He could not have played it
:20:25. > :20:32.
:20:32. > :20:42.Considering he had not played well so far, this has been an excellent
:20:42. > :21:01.
:21:01. > :21:11.It seems a good time to make your highest break of the match, albeit
:21:11. > :21:11.
:21:11. > :22:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:22:06. > :22:09.only 38, it is more than enough for TERRY GRIFFITHS: You see the two
:22:09. > :22:14.former world champion sitting in the chair with plenty to think
:22:14. > :22:19.about. Ken Doherty will be wondering why he is 2-1 down when
:22:19. > :22:29.not long ago he was on the Chancellor maximum break. There was
:22:29. > :22:36.
:22:36. > :22:46.a scrappy frame. -- on for a The break of 38 from Neil Robertson
:22:46. > :23:05.
:23:05. > :23:15.was excellent. There were low-value He needed that to go tight on the
:23:15. > :23:37.
:23:37. > :23:42.cushion. The red came away from the That was a thin cut. He is on the
:23:42. > :23:52.blue. It is whether he has the angle of the bailey macro to get to
:23:52. > :24:06.
:24:06. > :24:16.He caught that thin. He is looking as if the blue moved on the track
:24:16. > :24:18.
:24:18. > :24:23.to the centre pocket. He thought it From that angle, we could not tell,
:24:23. > :24:32.it looked as if it kept a straight line. And now a better chance for
:24:32. > :24:42.Ken Doherty. There was not much on We can see the blue from a
:24:42. > :24:47.
:24:47. > :24:57.It is so strange at this level, Neil Robertson leading with breaks
:24:57. > :25:07.of 22 and 38. But the break of 30 it was with six reds, which was
:25:07. > :25:07.
:25:07. > :25:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:25:51. > :25:58.That was a poor shot from Ken Doherty. Not giving himself much
:25:58. > :26:08.angle of the blue. Most players would have taken the cue ball two
:26:08. > :26:38.
:26:38. > :26:48.But he has to make it, it is not The first is a few inches away from
:26:48. > :26:52.
:26:52. > :26:59.the second. And that was as clean That was well judged. He played
:26:59. > :27:02.that beautifully. He is on a nice easy black. He will get a lead in
:27:02. > :27:09.this important frame to possibly level the match again for the
:27:09. > :27:14.second time. He had a break of 104, which possibly could have been a
:27:14. > :27:24.maximum. When Ken Doherty get sin, it looks like he will score heavily.
:27:24. > :27:35.
:27:35. > :27:45.Another example of Ken Doherty not getting through the cue ball as
:27:45. > :27:46.
:27:46. > :27:56.well as other players. You see people like Ronnie O'Sullivan going
:27:56. > :28:08.
:28:09. > :28:18.into the pack and the white ball He has a choice of three colours.
:28:19. > :28:28.
:28:28. > :28:33.Blue would have been the better He was trying to kiss the pink foul
:28:33. > :28:43.but he caught it quarter ball and he is unlucky if he is not on one.
:28:43. > :29:09.
:29:09. > :29:19.He did not get close to that one, That was not the easiest pot. It
:29:19. > :29:27.
:29:27. > :29:37.He would prefer to be straight into the right corner pocket with the
:29:37. > :29:38.
:29:38. > :30:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:30:25. > :30:35.He needs to get it position on the next red and then there is a great
:30:35. > :30:54.
:30:54. > :31:04.The fact that the brown his off its spot makes it very simple to get up
:31:04. > :31:04.
:31:04. > :31:14.and down, as it were. He had so much room he just decided to roll
:31:14. > :31:18.
:31:18. > :31:28.it to make sure. This is an excellent chance now. At the table
:31:28. > :31:44.
:31:44. > :31:48.With the angle he left himself on the red he could not play for the
:31:48. > :31:58.pink but had to be careful he did not run too far for the black. It
:31:58. > :32:19.
:32:19. > :32:29.If he can get this in the centre he will be in prime position now and
:32:29. > :32:40.
:32:40. > :32:50.will be very disappointed if he He has paid for the more difficult
:32:50. > :33:09.
:33:09. > :33:19.red. Probably they all look easy to That is his highest break of the
:33:19. > :33:26.
:33:26. > :33:36.match so far. Every chance of a 3 - A quick glance at the scoreboard
:33:36. > :33:41.
:33:41. > :33:46.will tell him they are exactly It would be very disappointing this
:33:46. > :33:56.for Ken. He really controlled this first session and will somehow come
:33:56. > :34:21.
:34:21. > :34:31.Just checking the scoreboard. He will find that he needs the green
:34:31. > :34:41.and the brown. It is not perfect on the screen. Being a left-hander he
:34:41. > :34:55.
:34:55. > :35:05.will have to screw back on the rest. He took his time and he played it
:35:05. > :35:26.
:35:26. > :35:34.very well. That could have gone He wants the blue to cement the
:35:34. > :35:39.frame. There was never any doubt. Once he gets going his potting is
:35:39. > :35:44.as good as anybody. He does not seem to miss anything under
:35:44. > :35:54.pressure. He was not like that earlier on in the match. It does
:35:54. > :35:55.
:35:55. > :36:05.not really matter of law. -- does not really matter of law. He leads
:36:05. > :36:05.
:36:05. > :36:10.That is the situation going into the mid-session interval. The
:36:11. > :36:15.assessment so far? As you know there are only three overseas
:36:16. > :36:25.players to have won at the Crucible. Two of them in this match - the
:36:26. > :36:26.
:36:26. > :36:34.other being? Cliff Thorburn. Absolutely right. Neil obviously
:36:34. > :36:39.has the form here and what you make of how he has played this season?
:36:39. > :36:43.He has been in good form. We are here to look at his chances in the
:36:43. > :36:47.World Championship. One of the attributes a player needs at the
:36:47. > :36:53.Crucible is to be able to break free from a scrappy part of a match
:36:53. > :37:01.and all the sudden hit top gear. That is effectively what Neil
:37:01. > :37:03.Robertson has done to move forward into the lead there. He does not
:37:03. > :37:08.have the pressure have been defending champion. He admitted
:37:08. > :37:12.that his preparations last year when he was defending champion were
:37:12. > :37:20.seriously hampered. He had to so Stakis for everybody but this year
:37:20. > :37:29.it has been a case of head down. we cast our mind back to the Match
:37:29. > :37:33.Play at the Masters he was John Higgins like. He had a purpose. If
:37:33. > :37:43.he plays to the same standard here it will take the world to beat him.
:37:43. > :37:45.
:37:45. > :37:55.That was such a high quality performance. Do you agree that he
:37:55. > :37:57.
:37:57. > :38:01.has overtaken John Higgins now? straight cueing is important. But
:38:01. > :38:07.in Snooker it does not matter how good you are tactically or in terms
:38:07. > :38:11.of shot selection - that can go to the back of the cue. I do not think
:38:11. > :38:16.he has the all-round game of John Higgins. But it does not really
:38:16. > :38:22.matter. When he gets his head above the water's he looks ready for
:38:22. > :38:27.everything. Ken Doherty is a little more inconsistent than he once was
:38:27. > :38:33.but his run to the Australian Open semi-finals shows that he is
:38:33. > :38:37.capable of producing very good performances. Mostly for me it is
:38:37. > :38:42.about his scoring. Tactically he has not forgotten anything he
:38:43. > :38:52.learnt. But when his chances turn up he has to at least make 50, 60,
:38:52. > :39:02.70. He is Crafts Day and will still have a say in this one. Back to
:39:02. > :39:12.
:39:12. > :39:16.Table 1. -- he is crafty. We return I don't even know if he has pushed
:39:16. > :39:26.either read out of play. I think that Stephen Hendry can push this
:39:26. > :39:37.
:39:37. > :39:47.one and. I am sure that read will cut back. He will take that kiss.
:39:47. > :40:18.
:40:18. > :40:23.The best result he could have hoped Not very straight forward. He would
:40:23. > :40:33.love to get the black back on its own sport. That is weird he is
:40:33. > :40:45.
:40:45. > :40:51.absolutely dominant. Not even an Always very difficult to judge the
:40:51. > :40:58.pace on those. He has gone a fraction too far. It is still on
:40:58. > :41:08.but he might look at something else. The green looks a little bit more
:41:08. > :41:18.
:41:18. > :41:25.Just got into that cue ball a little bit too much. Possibility
:41:25. > :41:35.further left middle. But still 80 would have been ideal. --
:41:35. > :41:45.
:41:45. > :41:55.Now, a pressure black. To the left middle. Does not have to do much
:41:55. > :42:01.
:42:01. > :42:05.with the cue ball but there is a Yes, for more than one reason. Now
:42:05. > :42:11.he has got the black on its sport and has a proper chance to win the
:42:11. > :42:21.frame. Over the early difficult shots in this break and now it
:42:21. > :42:28.
:42:28. > :42:38.He has played on the bottom red deer. He wants to be fairly
:42:38. > :43:02.
:43:02. > :43:08.This is a great chance to extend He did not exactly hit the red he
:43:08. > :43:18.wanted to but it has worked out OK. If he feels he cannot play for the
:43:18. > :43:24.
:43:24. > :43:34.black he has got the green and He feels as though he can get back
:43:34. > :43:45.
:43:45. > :43:48.He has just settled better than Stuart Bingham. Did not look at his
:43:48. > :43:54.best at the start but has managed to find a way of getting his game
:43:54. > :44:03.going. It will be interesting because a lot of the qualifiers
:44:03. > :44:13.only had a few days. Qualification finished last weekend. So a lot of
:44:13. > :44:15.
:44:15. > :44:21.It has not been the case recently that lots of seeded players have
:44:21. > :44:26.been knocked out. Hard to think of Stephen Hendry as a qualifier,
:44:26. > :44:36.possible underdog! I guess he is but we just do not necessarily
:44:36. > :44:45.
:44:45. > :44:55.think that he is an outsider. But How did the betting: this at the
:44:55. > :44:56.
:44:56. > :45:06.start? The bookmakers and sponsors were a bit of beach. It is hard to
:45:06. > :45:26.
:45:26. > :45:32.That is the frame ball just not in there. -- knocked and. I think if I
:45:32. > :45:42.were Stuart I would be a little bit concerned. He needs to relax and
:45:42. > :45:48.
:45:48. > :45:55.Absolutely right. Hard to get into the match until you have got
:45:55. > :45:58.something on the board, a frame. Stuart has not played all that well.
:45:59. > :46:06.Sometimes that happens, you feel you are in good shape, but the
:46:06. > :46:16.chances just have an extra degree of difficulty about them. That
:46:16. > :46:55.
:46:55. > :47:05.applied to Stephen Hendry also but John has just had a look at how
:47:05. > :47:06.
:47:06. > :47:11.many centuries Stephen Hendry has made. I had lost count. It is 772.
:47:11. > :47:17.Of course, we always fail to mention that he has made many
:47:17. > :47:27.thousands on the practice table. Day and, day out. But this is in
:47:27. > :47:38.
:47:38. > :47:48.An unconventional way to make a century break. It is in door.
:47:48. > :47:53.
:47:53. > :48:03.Impressive scoring from the world No. 23. He wondered cult frame also
:48:03. > :48:17.
:48:17. > :48:27.with 89. -- he won at the third Well, Stuart Bingham, we're pretty
:48:27. > :48:32.
:48:32. > :48:42.gutted for you. He was just getting On the green nicely also. A pretty
:48:42. > :48:48.
:48:48. > :48:52.I always wonder about that little raising of the hand for your
:48:52. > :48:59.opponent. As it really make him feel any better? I suppose you have
:48:59. > :49:09.to do it! Waving your hand to say you're sorry about the float. No
:49:09. > :49:25.
:49:25. > :49:31.consolation! -- story about the Stewart does not want to look. This
:49:32. > :49:41.is a good chance for Stephen Hendry. OK, the black is still tied up but
:49:42. > :49:44.
:49:44. > :49:54.he can certainly build up a useful In the last two frames he has made
:49:54. > :49:54.
:49:54. > :50:41.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:50:41. > :50:51.89 and 100. You would not put it That pink will just past the red to
:50:51. > :50:56.the right middle. I do not think Stephen Hendry will be too worried
:50:56. > :51:04.that the black is tied up. He can get lots of points with red, pink,
:51:04. > :51:14.blue. But he might have liked to have been straighter on that pink.
:51:14. > :51:27.
:51:27. > :51:31.He can still play the red to the right centre. OK, left corner. But
:51:31. > :51:41.he can roll that in as long as he leaves himself and nice angle on
:51:41. > :51:50.
:51:50. > :51:54.blue or pink. He should be able to And nice angle on the blue.
:51:54. > :52:00.Possibly two reds. I think the one to the left of the black neediest
:52:00. > :52:07.the top cushion is may be available to the right corner. That is the
:52:07. > :52:17.one he has played for. But he wanted to cue ball to BBB another
:52:17. > :52:26.
:52:26. > :52:30.And that is why I said that. You noticed when he was cueing that he
:52:30. > :52:35.was just having to strike down on the cue ball. Another six inches
:52:35. > :52:42.away from the cushion and he would not have had to. Used to write down
:52:42. > :52:48.like that and you just put a little bit of unintentional side. -- when
:52:48. > :52:58.you strike down like that. But not one you would have expected him to
:52:58. > :53:26.
:53:26. > :53:31.miss in his pomp. Errors just creep Most of the time you will see a
:53:31. > :53:39.player must that one first time because they do not want to hit it
:53:39. > :53:49.too thick, like he did. And what a result, the red Very adjacent to
:53:49. > :53:54.
:53:54. > :54:04.the left middle. This is pottable. Particularly when you feel you
:54:04. > :54:20.
:54:20. > :54:25.Good shot! He was under a little bit there. Particularly as he
:54:25. > :54:30.thought he should have had an easier port to call on. He got down,
:54:30. > :54:40.got back-up, realised the importance of it. Fresh hurdle
:54:40. > :54:42.
:54:42. > :54:47.crossed. Yes, I think first time he was just slightly distracted by
:54:47. > :54:53.some movement there in the front row. Sometimes they are barely able
:54:53. > :54:58.to blink without being in play! It is so close. He did well to keep
:54:58. > :55:04.his concentration going. Trying to develop the red. He has not done so
:55:04. > :55:14.but at least he is on the pink. Not bad. Should be an important
:55:14. > :55:21.
:55:21. > :55:26.clearance if he can make this. It may come down to the shot after
:55:26. > :55:33.this one. What kind of angle he will have on the red on the left
:55:33. > :55:43.which will be the last of the reds. He did not want to be straight, so
:55:43. > :55:43.
:55:43. > :55:53.that is OK. Maybe another rest shot behind that read. Important one,
:55:53. > :56:05.
:56:05. > :56:10.As far as rest shot go this would be as easy as you could get from
:56:10. > :56:20.where he was. Just one more shot and then maybe screwing back-up for
:56:20. > :56:31.
:56:31. > :56:36.the blue. That could be the first This is where you must keep your
:56:36. > :56:41.concentration. On the other side of the wall they have reached at the
:56:41. > :56:51.mid-session interval. There will be lots of noise. But he has got to
:56:51. > :56:51.
:56:51. > :57:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 120 seconds
:57:51. > :57:57.That little hard-bop that goes I suppose it is possible to be
:57:57. > :58:02.disappointed, leading 3 - 1. Because he knows he could have been
:58:02. > :58:11.4-0 ahead. But an important clearance there up to the black.
:58:11. > :58:16.Stephen Hendry 3, Stuart Bingham, As the seeded player, I wonder how
:58:16. > :58:23.much pressure Stuart Bingham feels full stops here supposed to defeat
:58:23. > :58:33.a seven-times world champion! Stephen will be kicking himself he
:58:33. > :58:36.
:58:36. > :58:46.did not go for - 0 ahead. He looks good. He has a clear head but John
:58:46. > :58:47.
:58:47. > :58:52.is correct, he would like to have gone 4-0 ahead. There is only