Day 12, Part 2 Snooker: World Championship

There is so much history surrounding this trophy. The First

World Championship was staged in 1927 and a joke this was the winner.

We have played for that piece of silverware ever since. In the

modern either, since 1977 - when the championships were played at

the Crucible Theatre here in Sheffield - the record of one the

man that stands out. Stephen Hendry. His name is inscribed on that

trophy seven times. And last night I are now officially retired from

tournament snooker. I make the decision three months ago. Only

told a few people. What an ambassador for the game of

snooker. He has helped to corrode the game all over the world. Well

done to the king of the Crucible. The snooker world will respect this

He was the best match player, the I have so many great memories.

Youngest world champion, three maximums.

There is only one Stephen Hendry! In the 1990s I just felt invincible.

The record books will tell you what Stephen Hendry was. It will leave a

hole in snooker. It is down to people's opinions to

the best players. So long as I am in the discussion that is all right

for me. I wanted to be the best and for a little while I was.

I respect his decision. He has made it on account of the fact he has

always been on the top of his profession. Now that he feels he is

not, it is a good call. I want to thank him on behalf of

everybody for making the game popular and keeping it popular.

Her years a pass by but legends are eternal.

Stephen Hendry is enjoying the first day of the rest of his life

as an ex spokesman. How does it feel?

Very strange. I had lots of messages. It is our belief that it

is all over now. This is not a knee-jerk decision

following defeat by Stephen Maguire. How instrumental what your family

and all of this? I thought about it last year but

decided to give it one more year and tried to get back in the top 16.

Obviously that did not work out. With my schedule I was spending

less time at home. My kids are growing up and it is hard to not

even see them grow up. So two or three months ago my wife and I

decided that the time was right. I have commitments in China and I

cannot do both. It would be impossible.

You are 43. This has been your life since 16 years of age. Or what will

you miss? I will miss walking out at the

Crucible. It is amazing to play there. I will miss been around the

players. I get on well with most of them and have laughs. I will not

miss the hours of practice. That has become harder and harder and

the last few years and I will not miss that at all. And I will not

miss the smaller events. I have been public in seeing how much I do

not enjoy playing in those. So there are more good times than bad

times. I am looking for work to my retirement.

Robert Walker, a reaction from the fans?

A mixture of shock and admiration. He is gone, that is it.

At real shock giving the form that he is in right now. To get at 147,

he should not give up, he really has got the talent.

Has he gone too early? It is a personal choice for him.

But I will be sorry to see him go. He has given us terrific Snooker

over the years. What is the legacy of the great man,

and who is capable of packing up the mantle?

He is great to watch. Great at break Buildings, Great at safety

play. A hard act to follow. But maybe one of the youngsters. Judd

Trump. There is no chance of him coming

back, he has made his decision and it is final! But some reaction from

fellow players. These are the Very generous indeed if, Jimmy

White. Lots of great comments. No chance of you changing your mind.

In that respect, looking back at your 147, when very few people knew

about to retire, what extra satisfaction did that get you?

Going out on a high? I was a little more animated as you

saw. That was the reason. I could not have dreamt that. A fantastic

feeling. You have done more than anybody in

the game. You must have thought about this. What has continued the

edge in this sport? Can you put your finger on it?

In the 1990s, nothing was ever enough for me. When I won that

tournament I would go straight to the practice table to win at the

next one. I never rested on my laurels, I was greedy. That hunger

is the main thing that is not there any more. One of the reasons I am

retiring. You need a hunger, to keep practising, to keep walking.

And that was the edge I had on my opponents.

Was it the feeling of repeating someone that get you coming back?

More than the success in the titles? -- defeating.

Or, yes. I was not all that animated when I won trophies.

Almost anti-climactic. Weeks of hard work that would get a water

but then I would start thinking of the next one. I would not say I was

like a machine but I was basically only about winning.

Was there when the moment of perfection in your playing that

stands out which always live with you?

Your first world title obviously. Youngest world champion. But to get

a 147 is the most perfect thing you can do in snooker. To do that here

three times, in terms of the single was, that was special. -- buyers.

How will you read channel those competitive instincts?

In the last few years the hunger and self-belief that I had in the

1990s has gradually been whittled away by poorer results and

performances. That is the main reason I am retiring. I am and thus

to win and if you take the winning away, you take the enjoyment away.

Will anybody ever saw pass you have seven the world titles?

I want to say no because there are so many great players competing

with each other. But you never can be sure. Perhaps I delayed John

Higgins by one more year by defeating him this here. But he has

won four and is good enough to win another two, three, for maybe.

Can I just say on behalf of the millions, thank you so much? For

the moments of snooker in the moments of small or. -- and the

moments of sport. Now you are about to join at the has been so on the

We have got another afternoon in the company of three-time champion

Ronnie O'Sullivan. But he has ran into a robust opposition in the

shape of Neil Robertson. The man from Melbourne has got a shock lead

in the marquee tie. Meanwhile, Matthew Stevens will be just how

his game 11/5. Ali Carter is the feel-good story. We reflect on his

progress against Jamie Jones. And three rounds to go in a marathon

and quite loopy Snooker pub quiz. And the darts champion Martin Evans

compares the tension here with the lakeside.

I can see why they call it a cauldron. It is very close and

claustrophobic. But we start with a reflection on

the quarter-finals. Six men still battling it out for three remaining

slots in the semi-finals. Stephen Maguire has already booked his

place. Ali Carter has experience of the one the table set up having

been there twice at the semi-final stage before. It was at that point

that he shot up to number two in the world. He has been flying high

ever since. What do his fellow professionals make of his strengths

All the players we're talking about are the best in the world. But

we're trying to discuss the differences between them and

perhaps pick up a fault. Es Ali Carter's Achilles heel his

temperament? When I played him in the World

Championship semi-finals I did a very good clearance to go three - 0

in front. After the match he admitted to me that it made him

want to smash the whole place up! That probably suggests he has a

small concentration and temperament laps but a beautiful player with a

great all-round game. But he would admit himself that he sometimes

lets himself down in that department.

Is he aware of this? When I have played him in years

gone by I have seen him going to that zone and it sometimes gives

you confidence. I often thought, while Richard opponents see that?

If there is one thing for him to sort out it would be 0 to let his

opponent see that. Because striking the ball, he is a great player.

Would he be a candidate for a I am not sure about that but he

does have the technique to win a lot of titles. His temperament

however does let him down a little bit. With Stephen Maguire it

benefits him a more times than not it with Ali Carter it seems to let

him down. As long as it is positive emotion

he is showing that is great. But he sometimes lets his opponents get

back into matches. Or definitely gives them inspiration. He really

lets you know about it if he gets account of Mrs something easy. --

gets a kick or masses something easy.

At times it looks as if he is trying a little bit too hard. You

can tell of a player is enjoying it. But sometimes he looks as if he is

not having fun out there. And you have to have fun, enjoy the

pressures. But it remains to be seen. Perhaps he has under-achieved

for the talent he has got. Ali Carter was delighted to come

out of the opening session with a Jamie Jones ahead after a draining

session against Judd Trump. Showing he has then they're off to compete

at this stage. At 10am this morning their return for their second

session. This is now frame-up 11. Watched by Steve Davis and Neal

He is smiling. But he cannot use an excuse for that. He should not have

It does break your concentration, Jamie Jones will not be shedding

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Read into the middle or the red into the corner and disturb other

Here is where modern-day snooker That shot would never have been

played as a matter of course like it is now. The old fashioned way

would have been to have left that read until the last opportunity.

The player who has just gone into retirement was the man who really

raised the bar when it came to He just about got there but did not

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mean to be that close to the blue. Not easy to see what he hack can do

here. Well, he is blessed with a lot of cue power. He did not just

send it the ball softly into the pack but shifted a few around. A

A really, really good recovery shot. With the angle on the black now he

can just nudge into these. That He could have gone into those reds

there and would probably have been guaranteed to be on one. Now it is

just a case of getting a nice angle on the black to be able to go back

into the reds from it. Wants to be low on the black ball here. He is

not. So he can still play position. There may be another read that goes

besides the loose one. He will be able to get over of the line

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Well, as he has got into them this time. He could have perhaps done it

a few short to go but I will tell you, that is a very fine shot. He

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This is absolutely first-class. On many occasions he has done this

when behind. He played his best snooker in yesterday when he really

And what looked like a possibly tortured session has all of a

sudden started to become quite Can a Jamie Jones tie and this

match around? Can he reached the semi-finals? I am not sure but I

think he believes he can. That is the most important thing. No doubt

he is getting stuck in. And he is proving that he can score heavily.

You cannot overestimate how exciting it is for a player,

certainly his friends and family The biggest match of his career.

Beautiful stuff. Absolutely top- class from a Jamie Jones. A

clearance of 138. He trails only six - a five. The 24-year-old

continuing to belie his rookie status. In to frame 12. Carter at

He needed to set out a big break and that is never easy but I did

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not see him missing that. A pretty I can see him going for the pink

here. With the black embed it all You have got to give him credit. He

really is trying to win these frames and one visit. Not good. A

shot that was very important to be on the right side of the blue. The

blue as unmissable. But you would expect if he Pot's it than he would

Very nice. Bed not shirk his responsibilities. The red Here's

looking at would be a good one to take on. He is thinking straight.

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He has a difficult shot now, but still one or two options. It is

hard to imagine him having nothing Jones has been making the bigger

breaks of the two. Carter has had a subdued morning. I like the way

Jamie Jones goes about his work. He has some hustle and bustle around

the table, but is careful on the You have to lap it up out there.

That is what it is all about. Not every player who has come here has

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He had to force that to get any Another frame he has won in a

single visit to the table. I end up This is a young player probably

playing the best snooker of his Another great player to come from

the valleys. Always a good tradition of fantastic snooker in

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Cliff Wilson was the first. Terry 57th century of the tournament.

Seven from a Jamie Jones. There is no doubt he is playing marvellous

snooker here. He is very much in Jamie Jones is playing a sublime

snooker. This match has everything to play for.

That is the 54th century of this year's championship. We are

motoring towards the record of 83 in 2009. Whether we will get there

is anyone's guess. Some excellent scoring from Jamie Jones. His 7th

of the campaign so far. We have spoken of men who will carry the

mantle of Stephen Hendry and others. Jamie Jones is a star in the making.

He is. He is enjoying himself, expressing himself and play and

wonderful snooker. Incredible determinations. For a debutant,

that is incredible. We stop at the start of the match yesterday, we

said that he was like a rabbit in headlights in the first couple of

frames. How well has he adapted to the conditions of this particular

experience? A very well. If he is feisty. Even when he is behind, he

finds something from somewhere. Very good competitor. To make

consecutive set -- consecutive centuries, a very good.

qualified for the China Open and then qualified for here. He does

not want this season to end. He is growing in confidence and getting

better. He beat John Higgins recently. He is clearly not afraid

of some of the bigger champions. Let's get back into this one. This

is the 13th frame. He is -- Jones When you're playing relatively slow

shots, the angle cut into the middle and it always seems like you

That was struck as positively as you could ask for. Correct side of

the blue. It will still be tough to Can he shift a red out and keep on

the black and pink? Does the natural line of the cue ball go

They have ball kiss on the red was Carter is struggling. Sometimes the

easiest pops become a little more difficult when you were trying to

do something with the cue ball. Where that red has finished up

means that Jamie Jones can spot them all up and leave him with the

I think that needed to be harder They seem to be hugging the top

rail on this table. The hold the cushion on most tables, I suppose.

Beautiful. I like his cue action under pressure. He does not pull

the cue back very far. Some players have more of a pullback with

distance. But he is compact. Under He was worried the red would stay

over the pocket. That would have driven Ali Carter mad. It was not

That was always a risk playing that shot, to go round the back. He

could have played the black across the table to guarantee more

position on the red. He has given This is possibly a frame-winning

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He is a bit unlucky to finish where The brown could cannon into the

yellow to push it into the corner. Worst outcome was that it goes

tight on the cushion. That means he will be further away from the green

man he wanted. Can't do so much The cue ball is away from the

cushion, but not clear cut on the Of course, he needs the brown.

This was a big frame. This was Jamie Jones' chance to go in front

Carter will stay in front. That put Carter over the line. He

won the next as well. Into the After some turbulence, the seatbelt

signs have been switched off. The chance for Ali Carter, the captain,

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Ali Carter cued that one in beautifully. Nicely on the black.

He has not been scoring anywhere Highest break of 77 for Ali Carter.

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Good shot. That is why he played the pink and not the black as the

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Not many reds out in the open. He He wanted to be a little lower with

the cue ball for the next red or This would be a nice frame to win

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Not bad. The way he has made this break, he has taken out a red or

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two on a few occasions, but all the Could be the second highest break

of the tournament coming up here, I It has got that feel to it. He must

be feeling a lot happier now about All well!

Carter was in charge of the last frame in the session. Jones cleared

the remaining colours to reduce the deficit. They will return this

evening for a barnstorming quarter final. We are here in the heart of

the Crucible. That has all hallmarks of a close finish.

Fantastic match. Both players are going for it. A lot of high quality

snooker and very close. Did you expect it to be quite so close?

Jamie Jones is a very gritty competitor. He hangs around and

does not make it easy. Ali Carter will be disappointed he did not

Gaulle 10-6 up, but he has some ground he can make up. That will

resume at 7pm. A lot of reaction coming in about Stephen Hendry's

decision to retire yesterday. think it is a little bit of a shame

that he didn't announce that before this tournament. I think the

players in the crowd could have given him a big send off. A lot of

credit to him because he he is respecting his opponents with that

decision. Very successful player. I speak on behalf of all the players

when I say that we wish him well. Ladies and gentlemen, before at the

live match this afternoon, we thought it only fitting that after

the announcement yesterday that Stephen Hendry is hanging up his

cue from good that he should be allowed to take a bow on the stage

he has graced for 27 years. 127 centuries, three maximums, 90

matches here and one the world title seven times. More than a

snooker player, he is one of the greatest sportsman ever to emerge

from Scotland, and indeed Great Britain. Please welcome the best of

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the very best, Mr Stephen Hendry! So, fond farewell. Goodbye to the

sport where he set countless records, many of which will never

be broken. Emotional scenes here today. The championship goes on and

we have some wonderful live action this afternoon featuring two men,

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson, who were inspired to

play the game by Stephen Hendry and I always loved playing video games.

Joe Perry and Mark Davis chill-out and watch DVDs. It is really

important to find something that you can do in between sessions. I

am a massive Chelsea supporter. Any of the doubters who thought that I

jumped on the bandwagon a few years ago, I definitely proved them right

when we defeated Barcelona. I screamed my head off when Fernando

tourists scored the winner. The referee came in and told me she

could actually hear me and the Crucible arena and so why should

keep it down! My form has been fantastic. This has definitely be

my most consistent you coming into a World Championship. I am coming

in as a form player. Ronnie is probably one of the few players

like Stephen Hendry and John Higgins rather one of the big-time

players. It is a dream for any player to play them at the Crucible.

The most enjoyable thing about Ronnie's game is how quickly he

scones and how easy he makes it look. Watching him on television

you would find snooker is the easiest game in the world. The way

I look at it, I am three matches away from winning the tournament.

There is the pressure off, well I ever have the chance to win a world

title? Having done it before as Australia's first-ever world

champion, you cannot really... It is not as if I was just 21 Nov 22,

the best period of your career is from you're elderly too late 30s.

But to have one behind me, it makes me think I can go on and win a

For a fabulous effort from Ronnie He will be disappointed with that.

It is all square! Clean as a whistle, we're all square again.

The blue will be enough to leave him needing a snooker. What has he

done? Where will the blue finished? It is amazing. When you make an

easy mistake the balls never seemed That is right in the centre of the

All the players to enter into the Crucible this year would be

hankering for this situation. It has finished over their and the

people have bought their tickets for the Maguire Henbury match will

not be disappointed to see an absolute classic.

We have just said goodbye to one legend but these two players are

waiting to complete their legacies. What a cracking session we have

ahead at the Betfred.com World Please welcome the most naturally

gifted player ever to grace the game. At times he has been the

sublime in this championship. He dispatched a Mark Williams in style

and is aiming for an 9th semi-final. The three-time champion of the

world, a blink and you will miss him, at the Rocket, Ronnie

His opponent, he came over from Australia 9 the years ago with

their late a penny in his pocket. Now he is one of the game's leading

lights. World champion here in at 2010. Can you hear the Thunder from

It seems fitting that the players have the floor to themselves.

Everybody wants to see this one. Including our commentators, Terry

Griffiths, and John van Gogh. As you said, very emotional seeing

Stephen Hendry saluted like that. And these two players have plenty

of snookered left in them. What an afternoon of snooker this could be.

An important session, particularly Whenever you start a session two

frames behind it is imperative to get a good start. But as we have

said and seen so many times with Neil Robertson, he is absolutely

the real deal. A great potter. Great safety play. Break-building.

In my opinion the best match player on the circuit at the moment. John

Higgins has not played so well this year and Neil Robertson seems to be

threatening at most tournaments. Winning the Masters this year, of

Has to be careful with this one. Could possibly leave our red on the

middle pocket. Nestling into them like that he will be hampered so he

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may not take root -- take on the Neil Robertson, comfortable at the

moment. 5 - 3 in front. Although or Ronnie O'Sullivan played a lot of

good safety shots yesterday Neil was always a little bit more

comfortable. Of course, when Ronnie gets in amongst the balls, he s

stronger that type of game than He will have been disappointed to

catch the brown full in the face. An easy return now for Ronnie. His

Neil Robertson does not seem to look a star to whether he is on the

table or sitting in his seat. -- I imagine the middle pocket is just

about in his way to play this red on the right hand side of the table.

So it's he is giving this short plenty of thought. Coming up to

There is danger in this one. Farrell. Ronnie O'Sullivan, four.

Swerving it like that, it was always going to bring balls into

play. Attest of Ronnie's cueing. The black is not available. He has

got to go back up the table for the blue. He has struck that absolutely

beautifully. Inch-perfect on the His long potting has improved. He

seems to be enjoying his snooker more and with that his long potting

has come along. It was hurting him And if you're a long potting is

just off then basically you're relying on the stakes from your

opponents. -- mistakes. I am sure Ronnie would like to build up a

head of steam here. Keep Neil in his seat as long as possible. The

He has played for the black. Played it beautifully. Make that look easy.

It was anything but. That now Of course, at full speed, it can be

very disruptive for his opponent. Frames are over in the blink of an

Maybe not the best there. But he can just Q past the back. -- you

A little shake of the head there. He has got to be careful now with

Running into them. Just caught the wrong have read so now just a

safety. That is a pretty decent safety. Doesn't have the cue ball

tight against the cushion, but... Here was the pot. Just not fool

enough. That is why it ran out of position. I do not think he can get

through to this. Perhaps he is just worried about leaving it. Or can

he? I did not think he could get through to it. Well, if he does not

leave this red, he has been Asked second chance in this first

frame for Ronnie O'Sullivan. Looking to close it out with this

Inch-perfect on the red. Just needs This, to go 73 points in front with

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A little unlucky full stock that was a foul. You have to wait for

the black to go back on the spot. But the frame was over. Just at the

start about Ronnie O'Sullivan was We are enjoying our tea break. You

have caught me out with a bit of cake. That is better. Under

difficult end to the previous session for Ronnie.

It was indeed. It should have been for that - a four. So important he

got a good start. The opening few frames today, very important.

What do you make of yesterday and the context it places on the

session today? Incredible, he missed a simple shot

and we saw him banging his cue. The first frame today was huge.

Ronnie O'Sullivan must win the session if he is to have a chance

of winning this match. A good start for him.

Interesting to hear what the boys were saying in the studio. If

Ronnie O'Sullivan drew this session he would still be well in the match

but I do not think he is really interested in that at this moment.

But the way he has started he will be in front before long. It is fast

this cloth. You saw that white going down. Even the Ronnie was in

doubt for one moment. Another inch possibly and he would have been

bridging over the yellow. commentated on the first session

yesterday and the table looked almost unplayable during the first

few frames. Better to do a. One of the main reasons, that is the

With the picture of these players form in their mind before hitting

the ball, if that changes, it is There is a sense in the audience

that this is a big-match. Two of the players that many are tapping

Considering he hit that absolutely Played that well. It can be quite

easy to catch them too thin or too He knew it was an important shot.

He gave it a bit more time than. -- He is OK. Slightly awkward pitching,

but... When the balls are open with Ronnie

O'Sullivan you feel that if he goes down for a local art he comes out

in a crash! -- if he goes for a He hardly touched that. But it

seems that he plays with the hand He has got such a presence in the

room. Just gone into that a little bit too much. But he can still pot

this red. He would have wanted it to be straighter than this. But no

problem. He is firing on all He is in total control of

There you see it. This, to go 67 ahead with only 50 name left.

Another frame and are back in double quick time. -- another frame

He seems to be perfect on the balls every time. When you're in your

seat he makes it look so easy. It must be difficult for an opponent.

When he plays like this, it bijou breathless. Again to raise the

Farrell. -- Foul. Ronnie O'Sullivan is for me the

most brilliant snooker players I He is the best player I have ever

seen. He has still under-achieved even

though he has won so much in the game.

When he makes breaks he is never out of position.

Best I have ever seen by far. I have always respected him as a

player and a man. You never know what you're going to

get. There are not many people I would

pay to watch but he is one of them. Or quick-fire.

Neil hasn't even has settled into his stride yet. This is exactly

what Ronnie O'Sullivan would have This time he has left a chance of a

pot. But whether Neil Robertson can Close, but it is not easy when you

have been sat in your chair for the first two frames without any table

That is one of the hard things That will give Neil some

encouragement. FCC's Ronnie O'Sullivan and knocking home long

balls after he must then that would The long pot success is quite close

-- Foul. He touched that read.

That is the first one we have seen called. That gives the opportunity

for Ronnie to play the shot that Neil Robertson was about to play

and he has played it perfectly. He may decide against a cannon here.

Because he would like that red which is just to the right of the

black out of the way. That would make the black available in both

corners. There is no better break- There is a red at the bottom of

that cluster that he could pot No disrespect to Neil Robertson, I

think he is a wonderful player, but you don't want Ronnie O'Sullivan to

stop potting these as it is so great to watch. There is a

peacefulness about him round the table. Very calm and collected,

decisive. If he plays the black, he will have to come off the right and

into the reds. He has had them nicely enough, but I think he is

unlucky. I think their covering -- they are covering. As long as

you don't mess up pot when you are in, you get a chance to play a

safety. But Neil Robertson has a chance on this red. It is a tough

one. He will take anything at the He is yet to pot a ball in this

session. 24 minutes, that is a long He could have played it safe, but

he decided that red would have won him the frame. Now he will sit down

and wonder if it has cost him the Decent chance as he no longer has

It is not easy when you have been sat in your chair most of the time.

He played for the one in the left, but is hampered by the blue. I

This is different. He is placing the rest away from the blue to

ensure no fault. This is a straight shot so not much to line up.

much drawback on it the cue, He did not have a lot of cue

between the rest head and the cue ball. It did not run through it so

he is not on the black. Will he go for the blue? He is a great potter,

but there is a lot of pressure now he lost the first two frames. This

He had been sitting down for 25 minutes until he got this chance.

He is a great match player. I have respect for this man. That is

amazing. You miss one of those once a month. Very surprising after the

blue he potted. Maybe he thought the hard shot was out of the way it

and he switched off slightly. You can't do that. Ronnie O'Sullivan

has made it look so easy and the first two frames. But you have to

be so accurate. Ronnie came to the table with a 32 point lead. The

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He gave Neil Robertson a chance in this frame, but unfortunately Neil

Robertson did not make the most of it. The black would put him 60

What a start from Ronnie. Neil Robertson might have thought he had

won the frame with the blue and then took his eye off the red.

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Didn't give it enough care and In the first two frames, Ronnie

O'Sullivan one on his own. In this frame, Neil Robertson made a final

at the beginning. And then he missed the red when he was in. That

is costly at this standard. That has given Ronnie this break of 57

Ronnie said that he fouled it as he hit it twice. It did not matter as

the frame was over. Ronnie has won all three frames in this session.

How disconcerting a start is this for Neil Robertson? Against Ronnie,

it is hard not to get carried along in the whole occasion. He is so

dominant and the crowd are involved. It is like being a rabbit in the

headlights. You have to get a frame quickly on the board. There was

pressure on this shot. You would not expect it. When you're playing

a Ronnie, the score board changes very quickly. Early on, there was

the incident where he was just about to get on the board and he

fouled with his way he's got. That disturbs the concentration.

worst thing you can do is panic. Robertson will get chances, but

I am not sure you get enough time to panic as the game's go so

quickly! Nice to hear about Stephen Hendry playing against Ronnie

Half-chance for Neil Robertson, but he will know now that he has to

Checking of the pink is available. Worst possible start for the

Australian. He is looking decidedly uncomfortable out there at the

It can happen to the best of them, and Robertson is one of the best of

There is nobody plays with the speed and grace around the table as

sovereign. At times, it is like my grandchildren playing with a

The one thing he wants to be certain of is being on the next

colour. Can't take any risks of not being on anything. He is looking to

see if he can stun this in and get This could be awkward if the pink

You see their the confidence he is Debt Centre, beautifully played.

Some work to do it off the blue. He is looking to see if the red passes

Well, that is a surprise. That is a surprise. Not quite sure what

happened there. It clearly went. Probably concentrating on leaving a

It is quite noticeable that when Ronnie has missed, he has not left

Neil Robertson with anything easy. When it Neil Robertson misses,

O'Sullivan is left with good chances. These are the shots we see

Neil Robertson knock in time and time again. Yes, and it is

something that unless you have been there it is hard for people to

understand. Ronnie has been quick out of the blocks and I would not

say Neil Robertson is panicking, but he is under some pressure to

score. He worked so hard to get the lead in the session yesterday. But

by the time he has poured some water, he has lost three frames

today. It is a shock to the system. He will be coming out with a

planned and thinking it will start off well and put pressure on

O'Sullivan. Next thing, you are I don't think there are any other

spots available. He will be snookered. O'Sullivan thought there

was another spot available. Ronnie is annoyed here that he has made

that error. Annoyed or not, he could not have played a better

safety shot than that. He was a bit disrespectful there to the referee.

Trying to rush him. He had an MOBILE PHONE RINGS That can be

-- disruptive. Close. Not an easy shot. Perhaps the blue will come to

the rescue. The one at the top Let me put it this way, it must be

very tight. I don't think he can That is a mistake from Neil. He

might not have left a pot, but you would expect a better safety shot

when you were against Ronnie There is a containing safety if you

just roll to the red at the top cushion. Your heart would be in

your mouth playing it that slowly to try to leave the cue ball near

the cushion. I think he is desperately looking for a possible

He played a containing safety, but I think there is a red left of

middle. He may also have left one in the far right corner. But the

one in the middle looks like what you can play with confidence. If

You can't get closer than man without it going in. Especially

with the weight behind that. It pullbacks lightly, but not quite

-- it pulled back slightly. Just not happening at the moment for

Robertson. Mid-session interval after this frame. Psychologically,

if O'Sullivan can win it, he would go back to the dressing room with

That has given him some hope, I must say. If that had gone in, it

probably would have been all over. Ronnie has missed some shots in

They say champions can find something out there. The start to

play well, even when they're feeling at their worst. That is

just about the situation this man is in now. Played for the pink in

the left corner, so he as underdone it. The blue is on, but it is

Good pot, but slightly out of position again. Normally that is a

blue he would not -- knock in, but He is a fabulous potter of balls

once he gets going. Fabulous snooker player. If you keep

You get the feeling this is a big moment in the match for her Neil

Robertson. I know this is only the second session. This is his chance.

He asked to dig deep and hold You could just feel the tension in

the air. You could just feel it. got back in position a few shots at

goal, but you would not have thought he would miss that pink in

the middle. It was the way he was walking round the table. Stephen

Hendry said in the studio that sometimes you can get carried away.

You think that you're playing at Ronnie O'Sullivan's pace. That

never happened to me, I have to be honest! This blue would put him 35

points in front so he would only So, this black to go 43 points in

front with 35 remaining. Absolute perfect start. In the last few

frames, Ronnie has made some mistakes. But in this frame he has

been so full of confidence. He is He started so well. He is so good

when he is good that it is a bit of a shock when he plays a bad shot.

Overall, this session has been a superb exhibition from Ronnie

O'Sullivan of how to come back at an opponent. Excellent play. The

quality of his performance so far probably falls into the category of

Some quick-fire stuff from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Ronnie O'Sullivan has

won all three frames and now leads by 8725. -- 7-5. He looked a

desperate to get a frame on the board. When you're concentrating so

hard on the pot that your position goes, it is just trying too hard.

How can he resolve this? interval has probably come at a

good time for him. He must forget about what has happened. He has a

few chances, but unless you get that first frame on the board, it

is hard to settle. He has missed some 10 out of 10 shots for him. He

is a little shell-shocked. Probably punch drunk. The interval has come

at a good time. He can regroup in his dressing room. I think he might

call to the practice table because he has not had some table time. If

I was him, I would loosen my arm to get myself back into the swing of

it. Devastating second session from Ronnie against Mark Williams. In

terms of danger, where is he on that scale today? Ronnie will sense

that Neil Robertson is not taking his opportunities and that will

fill him with confidence. If he thinks he will not get punished, he

will play it quicker and with more confidence and be more dominant.

am hearing that Neil Robertson went immediately to the practice room.

There he is right now. Trying to get his are listened up and find

Just trying to get used to the sound of the ball hitting the

pocket. Even the balls that he potted, they were riddling in.

is a long John Mack for these players because they a volley got a

couple of hours of a break before going out for the last session.

Normally there is a break between the sessions, but at this point, is

it a big ask? It is one anomaly in the draw that there has to be a

session followed by the next session, so if one of them is late,

there might only be a break of between one hour and an hour and a

half, and that can be tricky, if the match goes the distance. But

this could be over within another, the way it is going. -- another

hour. Neil Robertson is out there having a bit of a practice whilst a

brawny enjoys his mid- session Cup of tea. It is round eight of 10 in

the snooker loopy pub quiz. It is appropriately named because it is

starting to drive everyone a little Jump up and down. No. 1. Do we have

to say yes this time? I am just going to give you the questions,

all right? Four Australians have appeared in the final since 1947.

Warren King? Neville? Yes? Simpson! Number two, Ray Reardon won the

title six times. Can you name of his opponents? Higgins? Spencer.

anymore? John Spencer. Pullman. Jackie Wright. It is a great dancer,

but it is not right! Fred Davis? John Coleman, Eddie Charlton,

Graham Miles... Right, who was the first ever winner? John Pullman?

Writes... -- Right. Who did Dennis Taylor beat in 1985? I want both

teams to re-enact the bit where of Dennis Taylor wins. This is Steve

Davis, re-enacting Dennis Taylor. Honestly! Next one. When the Peter

-- who did Peter Ebdon famously defeat on his debut in 1996? Steve

Davis. Another Steve Davis won a! Number seven. Despite breaking his

arm... Stephen Hendry! Camburn. Thank you. -- Canal. -- Calm down.

Another second are here for the boys. That is not what I am after.

Right... Number seven... He had a Who played Inspector Morse on

television? John for her! -- Thaw. Steve Davis claimed his 4th world

title -- Stephen Hendry claimed his 4th world title in 1994 - who did

he beat in the final? Steve Davis. True or false, before every match

he plays, John Parrott sings You'll Never Walk alone in his dressing

room. Correct. I would have my leg off, before I would do that.

has made the most century breaks in a ranking event since 2002? John

Higgins? Wrong. Ronnie O'Sullivan? Wrong. Stephen Hendry. Correct.

got the most centuries in a Crucible match? It was Stephen

Hendry against somebody else. Who was it? Ronnie O'Sullivan? No, who

was he playing? David Gray? I think you'll find that he was a pop star.

Shaun Murphy? He has only had seven And this is without alcohol. This

is what pop. Who won the only Crucible third-place play-off?

Virgo? Eddie Charlton? You have got to take the first answer. I love

that shirt. Complete the end of this song. But the yellow, green,

The good the bad and ugly, at the end of that round, we have 68 plays

72. See how they do now. Four points in it, Stephen Hendry

grimacing as that as he takes a peek into his broadcasting future.

Now that I am retired, is that the future? We are always very keen to

get high-profile guests to the Crucible and they, in their droves

to the championship. We had a visitor who is no stranger to

pension in his own field, at the oche. We have Martin Wolfie Adams.

Please will come, Martin Adams. Only a three time world champion

could arrive at the Crucible and get straight into one of the hot

seas. What are your first impressions of the called on that

is the Crucible? I can see why it is called the cauldron. It is very

close. The fans are right there with you. It would be fantastic,

that this here, once it is full. -- the atmosphere, once it is full.

You have seen how tight it gets. Yes, it is absolutely brilliant.

One of them thinks he has won it, and then the other guy goes close

and he thinks he might have won it. There is a lot of pressure. Can you

see similarities and the pressure and the mental strength it takes to

get across the line in dance and in snooker? Without doubt. I have

played in a lot of tight matches over the years. You think you have

got it, and then they can still it, and it is gone. And it would be the

same thing on the snooker table. You think you have got it, you are

cruising, and then one shot that is just a little bit off, that rattles

in the jaws of the pocket, and it has gone. One of the similarities

is that snooker players now come on to music, as darts players do, in

such fine style. But at the darts, the noise continues, whereas here,

it is silent. Would you find that intimidating? It is something that

you get used to. Myself, I like a general Byers of chit-chat and the

crowd. -- general buzz. You could get used to it, but it would take a

while. Is there rain a bigger or smaller than you thought? It looks

bigger on television. But it is quite enclose, almost bordering on

claustrophobic. But it is fantastic. We will come back, and we will get

you tickets for the final. We have enjoyed having you here today.

got a lovely welcome, Martin Adams. Claustrophobic. That sums it up.

For other sportsman to come and see this theatre of dreams, it must be

a real treat for you. The first time I came here I was 14 years old

and I came and watch Cliff Thorburn. Then, when you see them walking on,

and you can hear them breathing on the front row, you know that it is

a very intimate venue. Do you have to prepare yourself mentally

different play for those early brains than you do when it is a

one-table set-up? He seemed to notice the other table more in

other venues, but in the Crucible, it is just something you expect, it

is part of the first week. And you are so focused. It is the world

championship. You do not really pay attention. When you think of the

noise and a fund of the dance, with all those people there, it is a

real event, but it is still remarkable that you can keep such a

reverential silence during games at the Crucible. So sometimes it can

be very loud when you walk out, the atmosphere, but sometimes when you

are sitting in that chair, you can have this eerie silence and it is

writing. We have all witnessed both sides of the coin. But the Crucible

as a special atmosphere that not a snooker venue has around the ward,

and that is why it is the home of snooker. You have to keep one ear

and the other table because you can hear have someone is going to make

a century and you knew it was coming, so you might stand back and

have a little look. I could hear 96 and all of a sudden I had a look,

and Stephen was on the maximum. So why stop, straight away, because we

knew what was coming. And you were around the corner, to say

congratulations. Neil Robertson has been practising during the interval

and there he is completing that practice. His brother has been

helping about, he is here from Australia. A friend of mine always

says, what other people think of you is none of their business, but

I wonder what Neil Robertson thinks about this, from some of his

Very lazy. I'll live with them and I lasted about a year-and-a-half.

He always gives 100%. He's very technically sound. He has a ramrod-

straight cueing action, very confident. He has changed

completely. He went from being very attacking. He's probably an all-

round match player now. Cracking long potter, no real like this.

looks like shaggy out of school the do! -- Shaggy out of Scooby Doo.

is probably the most improved player, over the last couple of

years. Every part of his game is very strong. AS SHAGGY: Raggy!

Crust mark King to come out with something like that. He has been

kept off the table by Ronnie O'Sullivan all afternoon. Four more

intriguing frames to come. Somebody shouting, "come on, England". And

Neil Robertson seen the funny side. Four more frames to be played in

And at the start of it, I was saying that Ronnie felt it was

important he got a good start, and he got that, and we're now going to

see a classic match. Neil Robertson is a little foothold in this

because it is slipping away. That is ridiculous. How many times have

people been asked about mobile phones? He has got to start

It is not what he needs. He has made a foul, he has missed a couple

of easy balls, he has not got a frame on the board. It is not going

He hasn't reached his B game, never mind his A game. You might get away

with that against some players but not against Ronnie O'Sullivan. He

has got to be aware, he has got to not try too hard. You have just got

to let it happen. A little bit thick and, once again, not putting

any pressure on Ronnie's safety at That was careless. To hit the ball

colour. -- baulk colour. But nothing is looking too easy for

Neil Robertson at the moment. He is That is a poor shot from Ronnie. He

has left the red on to the centre. There was no pressure on that

safety shot. He caught the blue on the way back. Neil must be thinking,

when am I going to get a very easy one, after he makes the mistake,

because he has been left a few We often say in commentary that 9-7

down is not the end of the world, but you do not think of those

things, you play the game, frame by frame, shot by shot. We had the two

Welshman playing, Matthew Stevens and Ryan Day, and Matthew Stevens

took 11 frames on the spin, incredible. Anything can happen

that there. -- out there. Just a fraction under. The intended red

was the one near the left cushion. He has not quite got the intended

angle to drop onto the black, which I think if he plays the red to the

left, -- left corner, he is looking for the cannon on the black, but I

don't know if you can guarantee that. He has tried to roll to the

black and he has made a good job of it. He played that nicely. It took

a lot of nous, playing it at that pace. -- lot of nerves. Looking to

see if the black will go on its own spot. He would prefer it not to.

The blue spot is available. He would not mind it up there. If it

goes on its own spot, it looks certain to be tied up. He will be

devastated by that. And worse is to follow because Ronnie can get this

red away from the blackspot, if he wants. And perhaps dislodge the

Has to be careful not to snooker himself on the black. He did not

quite get rid of one of the reds. I'm assuming from him playing that

shot that the black will go into the right corner. He is just having

will look. It looks as though it goes. -- having a look. I think he

may just be on the pink. That was a lot in our than he would have liked.

The pink is just about available. - - a lot thinner. It is straight,

but he is not perfect on this red now. He's almost certainly going to

run into the black. It is a risky proposition to play for the black,

probably used the cannon off the I am surprised he played that, that

way. Very surprised also that he missed the pot and the red. There's

no doubt if there was not a cannon involved, pushing that black

towards the pocket, that he would He has been up again, lot quicker

than he would have thought he would He's looking to see if there is a

plant to the left hand corner. The pink going on the highest spot

available, which on this occasion But, he has not got the right

Once again, we repair back to the fact that if you have not had a lot

of table time, it is hard to judge the pace of the table correctly.

And he tried to go in and out of pork, and ran straight into the

yellow. That is pretty poor. He should have been able to avoid the

When you're playing well you seem to get a succession of easy shots,

but when you are struggling, it is the opposite. That is exactly what

is happening to Neil Robertson in this session so far. He seems to be

in a prime position where he can pot for a five balls that are up to

a fit away from the object ball, but that does not happen. Normally

he is the best player in the game at what you would call the recovery

shot, one of these is coming up His strong suits are leaving him

down, to your match, his long potting, his safety, they have not

been at their highest levels. Ronnie thinks he can squeeze in

this red. He can. I just assumed It was tight, but there was just

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

enough room between the red and the Not the best angle. He has got an

angle on the pink, but he is going to have to force that cue ball up.

That was adventurous, expecting him to play good safety. He was

covering the right hand side of the table but that red will be tempting

He just flipped past the blue. That was a good shot. It took a lot of

discipline to put Anne down that shot. -- turn down that pot. You

just get the feeling at the moment, Terry, that Ronnie is thinking his

opponent is not going to score many, so he is pushing out the bought a

little bit, and it can be an easy thing to do. Certainly against a

player of Neil Robertson's class. That first one, that was born at of

I will say it again, when Sullivan is playing at his best, anything

but his best looks very ordinary -- O'Sullivan. Where is the cue ball

going?! If it drops in, he would have left a long pot on for Neil

Robertson. Now, a tough safety to play. He will play the pot, but so

much more difficult in the jaws of That was a tremendous pot, that

really was. That is more like it from Neil Robertson. And he is just

He is checking if he can get past The problem is, when you off so

close to the side cushion, not a lot you can do so -- with the cue

Ronnie played a little swerve. Not bad. He has avoided the cannon with

the blue, and left the cue ball near the side cushion. No pot on

That was higher risk safety. He could have double kiss to the red,

put it over the corner pocket. So He has left along pot for Ronnie,

and if he knocks this in, he has a 21 point lead, this could be the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

We always talk about his great positional skills, but we forget

Absolutely. You cannot be a top class player and this you can pot

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

could balls. -- unless you can pot How about this for a touch? A

He wasn't interested in the yellow, he just wants to get the balls

Neil Robertson concedes. They have played five frames, and the Rocket

This is getting more difficult to fathom, because Neil Robertson is

not at the races today, despite going in there for 15 minute

practice. He is not there, and it is a worrying time in the match for

him. We've got a few frames left in this session, probably needs to win

two of them. Your impressions of the way Ronnie has played this

afternoon? He started off like a train. He has made mistakes, he is

not winning frames at one visit, but he does not have to. He is not

good himself in prime position, it is starting to look a bit desperate.

To win this match, he needs all three. These usually -- these are

difficult times. You were mentioning, when we were watching

Ronnie O'Sullivan floating around the table, but the percentage of

long balls going in, the potting has been magnificent. Last year,

the year before, his long balls were totally off, he was missing

them by quite a considerable distance. But is a long ball game,

his safety, he is keeping Neil tight, his safety is end. As well.

He seems to have everything coming together at once. Just the way he

is striking the ball at the moment, he is getting a lovely reaction

from the cue ball, he is making it talk at that moment. Neil Robertson

is really under severe pressure. He is no win near it. -- no where

near it. The one thing that does go is your touch. That is where he has

It doesn't look as if he can get so that left the age of those reds. --

He is edging towards the side of the reds, the right hand side,

because if he is on the other side, he will leave it on. He cannot see

anything full ball. I don't know, I think there is a gap, I think he

can get through to the reds. He just can't get back to baulk on

them, so he will have one more attempt, then I think he will be

The problem with the shot, it seems to me, the middle pocket is exactly

where he would like to hit the cue ball. It is very important, because

That is where it was originally, it I was just wondering what would

have happened if he had missed it. Always interesting to see what the

He played it in such a way that he was sending the cue ball back to

the baulk end. He has possibly left the chance of a pot to the left

corner. The cue ball, nestling against the brown, always the way,

when you are playing well, you get He is really struggling. He has

played for the red at the edge of He has got the rest out, so he must

He has to make certain of the pot, I don't think he likes it, and I

don't blame him. He wasn't certain to be on a colour, it was a high-

Surely he should be looking at a safety shot here now. He is back on

That is the beauty of his cueing, he can play that shot without any

tremendous effort. And the pink The pink spot is not available, so

it goes on the black spot. That will not bother Ronnie too much. He

could run through and play for the pink. Maybe the red that is holding

That is why he decided to go back up for the blue, he didn't want the

His cue action is quite unusual, he is quite high with his cue in the

back, sometimes he pushes through, sometimes he doesn't, with his

elbow. He's obviously the best striker of the ball I have ever

seen playing, but there is lots That has gone wrong there, which is

unusual, he is usually pinpoint. He will need the extension on the

rest -- rest. He tried to run past those three reds, and there was a

red he was trying to get on to the The someone who plays a lot with

his left hand, he is as good with He has got no witnesses, when you

think about it. His safety is excellent. His skill at picking up

Is he going to be on the bottom red, to the right of the pink? That cue

ball needs to slow up. Is it inch- perfect? I think it is. I think he

Mark that one down as positioning He reminds me a bit of Alex Higgins

when he is in full flow, he loses position, but there is always

He has potted that with the rest, A little bit tricky. It was a

He didn't pot it clean, but it is in. He needs to start doing

something here, he hasn't really been indecision so far. -- in this

session. He hasn't had a break over 30. His last break over 30 was in

the 7th frame of the match. O'Sullivan has been doing all the

He needs an angle on the colour to try and bring other reds into play,

you feel. Looking to stun this red in and leave the pink for the same

pocket. Just looking to see if there is one red he can get on

without disturbing anything. There may just be one, but he needs

He is having a bad day at the We expect such high standards from

It is in. And that is the last thing that Neil Robertson needed to

see. He could just about get to the potting angle, not much going right

Is there red available here, or He can see better than we can.

you are down at the table, you see This pink or put him 47 points in

front. Just looking for two more He didn't even have to disturb

anything. A little bit of a grimace there from Ronnie. He's a bit

This pink will put him 54 in front He doesn't want to bring the black

into play, but that is the easy safety shot. He is playing the

defensive safety, trying to put a red safe and not bring the black

He will be disappointed if it is touching ball. The referee has not

called Beth, which makes this shot a lot more difficult for me off. --

A little cannon on the black, and he is snookered. A schoolboy error,

Another thing that happens when you are struggling, you don't think as

He is trying to contain the situation. The miss is called, and

I'm sure Ronnie will have it replaced, a I don't see any value

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

Similar pattern to a few of the other frames, a few errors from

both players, but O'Sullivan has been dominating. As you rightly

said, when he left the opportunity for Ronnie to play the snooker, he

is just not thinking now. That can go when you are playing somebody

like Ronnie O'Sullivan, he is so fluent, the flame -- frames are

just flicking by without you even Ronnie O'Sullivan has won all the

And this is getting serious. It is getting serious. A lot of

uncharacteristic mistakes from Neil Robertson. A schoolboy error, a

couple of shots that normally we would see him getting, safety shots

like that have been so good all It is just the pressure that Ronnie

is exerting on him. He knows any half mistake, Ronnie is going to

pounce on it. He is not making the most of his chances, Neil. It is

looking ominous at the moment. were discussing the other day about

whether everybody is due a stinker of the session at some point during

the Cristobal run. It must be so difficult to keep your standard so

high right the way through. You have all won the world title. Was

there always one that was never quite right? You always played bad

sessions, but it is about minimising the damage. Neil has

lost six out of six, I'm afraid this is slipping away from him.

is why John Higgins has been the champion he has been. He won this

last year with his Seat again in the final. He is a master of

containing situations come he comes out of it, and you think, I have

outplayed you. That is what he is a very good at. At the moment, Neil

Robertson has to find some of that. He desperately needs these last two

COMMENTATOR: That is right, he is getting nothing out of this session

at all. Lots of negative thoughts. He must feel the world is against

One of the cleanest pots he has hit all day. Is he on a colour? Has he

got an angle on the brown? He didn't look to have become a little

shake of the head. -- didn't look He is playing the role up, he is a

He will do well not to leave one He couldn't have hit it much better,

but it was risky, going that way, for me. Neil having a look at the

possibility of a three ball plant Is he that desperate to get a

chance? He may be able to take it if he can screw on for the pink in

the centre, not leave for another red on. I think he needs to push

the boat out a little bit, but not that much. He has got to try and

change the pattern of play here. One obvious way is to play to a

higher standard, because he hasn't been near his best today. The other

one is to tighten the game up all to open it up. Once again, so close

to the red, and once again, he has Tremendous pot, but it would not

have been available. Ronnie has lost the cue ball, but if it had

been tight on the baulk cushion, he At is not bad. The reason is that

black. He has to be careful not to F he had just missed the brown it

would have been an excellent safety. Terrific length of cue ball but if

he can just get past the blue to play safe down the right hand side

of the table it certainly helps. The possibility of a plant to the

This could be made. This could go He caught it much too thick. That

was half a chance. It may be to you but I do not think anything looks

like half a chance to either of them at the moment.

That is true. We don't have the negative thoughts that must be

running around in his head at the moment.

The stage of the match where he feels that his World Championship

could be over. Nine - five from Let's see what Neil can do with

this. Probably will use the green. I don't think he can force it

across to the brown. He needs the green as a blocker here. Know. --

No. That has left Ronnie a red he can play safe off. If he missed the

law that would have been very good. But it didn't. -- their yellow.

Neil Robertson is renowned for He might be taking a pot on here.

Could it very well. Excellent pot. From the look of his face this is a

little too thin. Could be just a Yes, excellent opening pot, but

once again, not on a colour. This game is very hard work at the

moment for Neil. OK, he has the snooker but you feel that if Ronnie

comes off the side cushion or top cushion, you just have to be

careful with the weight of the That is the line he will look for.

-- Foul and a miss. He has underhit it.

He is a little bit frightened of the run inside taking effect. You

can go too far and leave something on. Of course you can spend all day

He is saying to put it back towards the ground. Which of course is

against the angle for him. Players are very good with that. He knew

when he went down that Short was easier than it was the first time.

That is certainly hard enough. It has got to hit them. It is OK.

He is having a look to see if the One of those shots, isn't it? The

most pace you put in the more I think he has forced it through.

The black may be available to the right middle. This is a decent

Well, he did not want to be on this red. But it appears that is all he

is left with. Concentrated so much on potting the black, and if he has

to go back up for the blue, that makes this red just that little bit

Quite noticeable that he is slowing things up about.

Taking plenty of time, giving himself a chance to clear his mind

before playing the shot. But also trying to slow the game up a bat.

He is wise to do that. Ronnie O'Sullivan has been known to get

fed up in the chair when people It is just not happening, as it?

All the little nudges are going wrong. Tight against the side

That was a good pot! That is what we have come to expect from Neil

Robertson. But you cannot keep running out of position like this.

OK, the red was on and it was a nice pot but he needs better cue

ball control to take the pressure It is starting to get a bit easier

for him now because obviously he has moved a few reds out of the way

This as his highest break so far in But that is very low. 6 1/2 frames,

before he could make this break. Ronnie O'Sullivan has not been

doing back breaks but he has made quite a number of 30s, 40s. And and

97 of course in the tenth frame. But kept quiet for a while now.

he not on the pink? I do not think he is. Well, it goes from bad to

worse. It really does. What a chance he had there. I just assumed

it was a straightforward shot. He was bound to be on the pink. That

is what he thought as well. He is not showing it sitting in his chair,

but I can tell you, he is hurting after that. A number of good shots

That was a tremendous safety shot. It really was. He may have left a

pot on but he did well to get cue A very good attempt from Neil. But

let see that Ronnie O'Sullivan Perfection. That earned him the

right to go for that read now. That has been the difference. When he

has spotted balls he has got on the colours quite a number of times.

Neil Robertson did not quite have the position. He is going to have

to play a very good short unless he has a decent angle on the law. If

he plays the brown... He is just looking to see what is available.

Playing the yellow. Forcing it again, attempting to bring reds

It does not look to be on anything. But this is where the competitive

instinct of O'Sullivan will take over. If he can win this frame he

is certain, at worst, to have a for frame lead going into the final

session. No heroics, just Can he risk attempting to get the

A thin edge, this one. That is a good response from Neil Robertson

there. Very good. Those reds are awkward but they are beginning to

If he caught that too thin he could Khadija into the black. Judged it

very well. What a key tactical exchange this is. Longest frame of

the session. Robertson has had more table time, played safeties, slowed

the game up. But Ronnie O'Sullivan is enjoying the safeties. On his

day, he loves the challenge of the safety bout against a good safety

This could be good. Not quite. Got it safe thaw. Yes, that red could

have came out and become available. Rodney looking to knock one read on

to the other. That looks a bit He has hit it too thick. It could

have been tighter against the cushion. But the fact that Neil

Robertson can get to the bottom of the cue ball means he will probably

take the sport on. A bike shot. -- It does not matter how good your

safety as, at the end of the day, you have to pot something. Ronnie

will be disappointed with that shot. A great chance to get tight in

behind the yellow. He probably thought, be careful not to go and

off. That is the thing. Having a 27 point lead is a little bit of an

insurance but this is a tough Oh! He caught the bug of the middle

pocket. I thought it would be good He could not pot that. Just wanted

to get it away from the colour we that was causing a few problems.

And by Clearing that the red he has made the black available into the

corner pocket. Good thinking, could He could not have played that

Ronnie has not potted for nearly six minutes... And still has not.

Not so easy when you have these We usually see Neil Robertson take

on these long rates but it is fraught with danger. If he knocks

it end there is the chance to Either he does not like it or he

does not fancy it. The distance is just over eight feet. So more than

a mad distance pot. But as John mention, he is normally very strong

It could have been once. That is why he did not like it. If it

warbles, a good chance of moving a few reds. This red is on to the

left middle. But it is not there. He has amassed a decent chance

there, he had brought another read Not close. It must be the loneliest

seat in the world when you are struggling. Ronnie has got this

read to their FA right corner. Oh! He was walking around! He thought

it was an. But it has not gone and. So close. How did it not drop? Neil

Robertson gets another chance. He Could that is not great. I take it

he played for the blue. I do not think the brown will pass the

So disruptive to Europe and when you keep losing position. -- sowed

He took the bank on. That was always going to gain him better

position. Fair play. He took a tougher shot. Tricky, this. But

played it very well. This black would Pritam 42 points in front. He

will still need two of the This is the first frame he has

Just the red needed to go 51 points At last, he will be thinking, I

have caught a frame on the Frame conceded. Frame, Neil

Robertson. Sex in a row. Finally he is on the scoreboard. I wonder what

kind of relief that is? Huge relief. And probably another

must-win frame coming up. If he can get this 29 - 7 he will probably

feel like he has won the session. It was getting away from him. Both

players will realise the importance of this next frame.

How do you explain it to yourself? When you have a stinker like this?