:01:05. > :01:08.Good evening. He may have effectively taken a whole year off,
:01:08. > :01:11.but Ronnie O'Sullivan, the defending champion, is still very
:01:11. > :01:16.much in the picture here in the Betfair World Championships, 12
:01:16. > :01:20.months later. This afternoon, Stuart Bingham, of Basildon, and
:01:20. > :01:24.China's Ding Junhui, both booked their places in the quarter-finals.
:01:24. > :01:30.This evening, Ronnie O'Sullivan is vying for one of the two remaining
:01:30. > :01:33.spots, but he's got to get past Ali Carter first. Himself the double
:01:33. > :01:37.world finalist. This has been a fascinating match between the two
:01:37. > :01:47.of them so far. A bit of a wobble yesterday from O'Sullivan, but he
:01:47. > :01:57.We are in for what I'm sure it is going to be a fascinating second
:01:57. > :02:13.
:02:13. > :02:23.He's not just one frame behind Ronnie O'Sullivan goes to the
:02:23. > :02:37.
:02:37. > :02:47.Ali Carter just one behind at 7-6. Ali Carter has got himself all-
:02:47. > :02:52.
:02:52. > :02:59.It's a double, and it's there! Ronnie O'Sullivan has shared the
:02:59. > :03:04.session and he still got that two- No one has won back-to-back world
:03:04. > :03:08.title since this man, Stephen Hendry, 17 years ago. Who better to
:03:08. > :03:14.keep an eye on things than this man? When you look back at that
:03:14. > :03:18.session, really good comeback from Ali Carter, 2-6 behind to 7-7. What
:03:18. > :03:28.sort of test of nerve did he provide for us all of them? It's
:03:28. > :03:33.probably the biggest test that What are your thoughts on this
:03:33. > :03:38.evening's session? The start is imperative, more so for Ali than
:03:38. > :03:42.one me. He has to put money under pressure as soon as possible.
:03:42. > :03:46.you feel that Carter's game is in a place where he can do that? He's
:03:46. > :03:50.well capable. It will be interesting to see how money
:03:50. > :03:54.O'Sullivan reacts if Ali was to win the first couple of friends. But
:03:54. > :03:58.O'Sullivan is still in the driving seat. We will be on the air with
:03:58. > :04:02.this match until 8pm. Let me show you the scene backstage at the
:04:02. > :04:06.Crucible, as the players await the call to come into the Crucible
:04:06. > :04:11.arena. We will be keeping tabs on the closing stages of the other
:04:11. > :04:15.match between Gloucester's Rob Milkins, who ended both Jimmy
:04:15. > :04:20.White's and Neil Roberts and's campaigns this year. The D Walden,
:04:20. > :04:25.who holds a 10-6 advantage there. He hasn't been in the second round
:04:25. > :04:35.since 2002. He's acquitted himself well so far. Let's not keep them
:04:35. > :04:35.
:04:35. > :04:42.waiting any longer. Rob Walker is What a night in prospect here at
:04:42. > :04:45.the Crucible. We are absolutely rocking with anticipation. There
:04:46. > :04:55.are two places left up for grabs in the Betfair World Snooker
:04:56. > :04:57.
:04:57. > :05:01.Please welcome a player whose honesty and determination this week
:05:01. > :05:05.has endeared him to the crowds. He is closer to the world's top 16
:05:05. > :05:10.than he's ever been before. Beating Neil Robertson in the first round,
:05:10. > :05:15.he took three massive brains when he trailed 9-3 last night. This is
:05:15. > :05:25.the biggest cession of snooker in his career so far. He likes a cider
:05:25. > :05:32.
:05:32. > :05:42.but we call him the milkman. Robert Milkins!
:05:42. > :05:42.
:05:42. > :05:47.MUSIC: "I Am A Cider Drinker" by His opponent, a player who won his
:05:47. > :05:50.second ranking event in China this season. Closing in on his first
:05:50. > :05:54.Crucible quarter-final, a sometimes underrated player among the game's
:05:54. > :06:04.elite but perhaps not after this tournament. From Chester, Ricky
:06:04. > :06:19.
:06:19. > :06:23.On table one, please welcome a player who has demonstrated real
:06:23. > :06:27.strength of character in the last 18 months. He produced superb form
:06:27. > :06:30.to win his third ranking event title in Berlin this spring. His
:06:30. > :06:33.fighting spirit kept him in touch yesterday and he will absolutely
:06:33. > :06:43.believe he is capable of taking this. Please welcome The Captain,
:06:43. > :06:49.
:06:49. > :06:59.Ali Carter. MUSIC: "Spectrum" by Florence and
:06:59. > :07:00.
:07:00. > :07:05.Finally, please welcome the most naturally gifted player ever to
:07:05. > :07:10.grace the modern game. Four times is lifted the ultimate prize. The
:07:10. > :07:15.crowds are delighted to see him back on the big stage because he is
:07:15. > :07:25.snooker's box office draw. Here comes the Rocket, Ronnie
:07:25. > :07:44.
:07:44. > :07:49.A possible nine more frames to play And all Essex match up there. In
:07:49. > :07:57.charge this evening, an All Ireland duel. It's good evening to Ken
:07:57. > :08:07.Doherty and Dennis Taylor. A very good evening. A fabulous atmosphere.
:08:07. > :08:08.
:08:08. > :08:18.Even in the walk-in, Robert Milkins with I'm a cider drinker, everyone
:08:18. > :08:28.
:08:28. > :08:38.Can the defending champion go true and hold himself, or can Ali Carter
:08:38. > :08:47.
:08:47. > :08:52.If the black goes, it's an early chance. But maybe it doesn't. Ali
:08:52. > :08:56.is having a look at that. The second session was superb. The plot
:08:57. > :09:06.doesn't go, but the breaks, I know there were a few misses but some of
:09:07. > :09:19.
:09:19. > :09:23.the breaks, Ronnie had breaks of 86, Ali had breaks of 73, 87, 63. The
:09:23. > :09:33.standard was pretty good, even though there were a few misses in
:09:33. > :09:44.
:09:44. > :09:53.He certainly will have been pleased with his performance up until the
:09:53. > :09:58.14th frame, when he got it back to He would have been disappointed not
:09:58. > :10:08.to come out of Session at least level, because he really did
:10:08. > :10:24.
:10:24. > :10:34.Couldn't do anything about the last Ronni was trying to nestle into the
:10:34. > :10:58.
:10:58. > :11:08.back of the pack and just court He is still trying to get in behind
:11:08. > :11:09.
:11:09. > :11:19.that blue. It's a very good Evatt. That's one part of his game that
:11:19. > :11:29.
:11:29. > :11:36.has certainly improved over the Another chance to get down there, a
:11:36. > :11:42.little, thin one. Ronnie knows he might be in behind the blue again
:11:42. > :11:52.if Ali can get enough side on this. He will need an awful lot of right
:11:52. > :11:52.
:11:52. > :13:01.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 69 seconds
:13:01. > :13:05.Didn't quite get enough on a to get We've talked a lot about Ronnie's
:13:05. > :13:10.long potting in this match. When he gets amongst the balls he is
:13:10. > :13:20.terrific, but look at the long pot success, it is low for anyone.
:13:20. > :13:35.
:13:35. > :13:39.You'd expect it to be up around 70 The one thing about money and
:13:39. > :13:43.Sullivan, a lot of people, you wouldn't get a lot of praise for
:13:43. > :13:48.Wood, is his knowledge as well and his safety. When Stephen Hendry
:13:48. > :13:53.lost to him here in the semi-finals one year, O'Sullivan beat him quite
:13:53. > :14:03.convincingly. Hendry said it was some of the best safety he had ever
:14:03. > :14:05.
:14:05. > :14:15.I watched a final between Ronnie and Mark Williams. I've never seen
:14:15. > :14:53.
:14:53. > :14:58.a safety battle like it. The It is not all that bad. It has cost
:14:58. > :15:08.him four points, but everything is safe it. Ali can decide to put him
:15:08. > :15:08.
:15:08. > :15:53.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 69 seconds
:15:53. > :16:03.back in from where it's finished or He would love to get it down behind
:16:03. > :16:13.
:16:13. > :16:23.That little flick off the yellow makes this shot just that little
:16:23. > :16:38.
:16:38. > :16:48.bit more difficult. The same sort Who is going to make the first
:16:48. > :16:56.
:16:56. > :17:01.Another good shot from Ronnie. Acknowledged by Ali Carter. Look at
:17:01. > :17:11.that, he's got it tight on the cushion. The only problem with that
:17:11. > :17:21.
:17:21. > :17:31.last shot, it's not the black a A better chance for one me this
:17:31. > :17:31.
:17:32. > :17:41.It's the type of shot he would normally take on, but how is he
:17:42. > :18:16.
:18:16. > :18:21.He was right to try that Trott that I mentioned. -- that shot. He's
:18:21. > :18:31.left Ali right in amongst them. Maybe he should have picked another
:18:31. > :18:42.
:18:42. > :18:52.one or two safeties. But he got a He wants to get that blew back on
:18:52. > :19:17.
:19:17. > :19:21.Just having a look at the black spot them as well. If he does get
:19:21. > :19:27.it back on its spot, and ensure the first chance he gets he will try
:19:27. > :19:37.and get it back on its spot. It will go into that bottom left
:19:37. > :19:48.
:19:48. > :19:58.pocket. That will help his cause, That little cannon has knocked that
:19:58. > :20:01.
:20:01. > :20:07.black in, made it a little bit Ali has to do what he did when he
:20:07. > :20:17.was 6-3 behind. He came up with breaks of 44, 73 and 87 to get
:20:17. > :20:54.
:20:54. > :20:59.He obviously feels confident he can The fact that the pink is open, a
:20:59. > :21:09.little stone of the pink into the left centre. Just trying to push
:21:09. > :21:14.
:21:14. > :21:24.the cue ball above the spot, just That looked pretty perfect. When he
:21:24. > :21:53.
:21:53. > :22:03.puts this red, he may be able to He is going to have to play a
:22:03. > :22:10.
:22:10. > :22:15.cannon here. He will have to be a That could be nowhere. That is no
:22:15. > :22:25.man's land. Funnily enough, when he nudged the Black into that position,
:22:25. > :22:29.
:22:29. > :22:39.as Ken mentioned, it's now not It would have made this breaks so
:22:39. > :23:02.
:23:02. > :23:07.A bit unlucky to finish right on Ronnie might take this on. The
:23:07. > :23:17.natural angle would take him towards the reds towards the left
:23:17. > :23:35.
:23:35. > :23:45.He's a long way off. Ali Carter is I just wonder whether O'Sullivan's
:23:45. > :24:06.
:24:06. > :24:11.rustiness in not competing all year He's OK, he's got the blue. He's
:24:11. > :24:21.finished awkward on the pink. Maybe he can cure to the side of the
:24:21. > :24:25.
:24:25. > :24:35.Let's see what sort of form money is in this evening. He finished up
:24:35. > :24:37.
:24:37. > :24:47.in superb style with breaks of 72 They have the difference as well,
:24:47. > :24:57.
:24:58. > :25:07.the first chance he gets, the black This opening frame could be a
:25:08. > :25:40.
:25:40. > :25:50.I don't know whether that kicked. It definitely jumped. It affected
:25:50. > :26:09.
:26:09. > :26:13.He wants to get that green into open play. It didn't work. He tried
:26:13. > :26:23.to hit the cushion, hit the green and swing the white over towards
:26:23. > :26:32.
:26:32. > :26:36.Not hard enough. There might be a free shot for Ronnie here. The one
:26:36. > :26:46.to the left of the pink, can cut it in and he'd be heading back the
:26:46. > :26:46.
:26:46. > :27:50.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 69 seconds
:27:50. > :28:00.A good shot. It could have gone He's going to come and the green.
:28:00. > :28:01.
:28:01. > :28:11.This is slightly more awkward for Ali Carter this time. I don't think
:28:11. > :28:42.
:28:43. > :28:52.He's got it thin enough. Pretty good. No green to go behind at no
:28:53. > :29:21.
:29:21. > :29:31.This frame has been going now coming up to 21 minutes. There's
:29:31. > :30:09.
:30:09. > :30:19.He has pushed at the red on this time. Has he got a slight angle?
:30:19. > :30:37.
:30:37. > :30:47.Her Foul. OK, he hasn't let anything, but I am not sure why he
:30:47. > :31:00.
:31:00. > :31:10.didn't strike it straight on. -- I don't blame him. He doesn't fancy
:31:10. > :31:20.this one. Is he trying to tempt Ronnie into taking it on? Looks
:31:20. > :31:27.
:31:27. > :31:37.Great shot. Absolutely brilliant. think he just accepted the
:31:37. > :31:37.
:31:37. > :32:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 69 seconds
:32:26. > :32:36.The black back on its board would A good safety. But he will be very
:32:36. > :32:43.
:32:43. > :32:53.disappointed he did not win the He will need help here. And he has
:32:53. > :33:09.
:33:09. > :33:19.not got it. The black will slightly From a psychological point of view,
:33:19. > :33:21.
:33:21. > :33:31.this is an important theme. -- frame. Not far off being the second
:33:31. > :33:52.
:33:52. > :34:02.We are approaching 25 minutes but Anywhere over there with the red
:34:02. > :34:19.
:34:19. > :34:29.He is just looking to see if he can overcut the red. It looks very
:34:29. > :34:59.
:34:59. > :35:09.I am just wondering if he played that. People think it is a fluke,
:35:09. > :35:09.
:35:09. > :35:17.but he looked at a corner pocket. What a shot that would be! It
:35:17. > :35:22.definitely looked from the reaction like he played it their.
:35:22. > :35:32.perfect cannon. I think he played that as a shot to nothing. Very
:35:32. > :35:45.
:35:45. > :35:55.He has not got into that. He wanted to be passed the ball climb. -- the
:35:55. > :36:08.
:36:08. > :36:18.That is a terrific shot. Sue per! - - superb! This will disappoint Ali
:36:18. > :36:19.
:36:19. > :36:28.Carter. He has this a. -- battled so hard. But that was absolutely
:36:28. > :36:33.superb. A tactical frame, taken by Ronnie O'Sullivan. He needs three
:36:33. > :36:43.more for a quarter-final place. An update for what is happening
:36:43. > :36:44.
:36:44. > :36:53.elsewhere. Rot Milken has made a very quick start. A break of 76 to
:36:53. > :37:03.move up in two frames of Ricky Walden. -- move up within. His
:37:03. > :37:04.
:37:04. > :37:09.focus is razor sharp. A very good account of himself. Attempting to
:37:09. > :37:19.book a place in the quarter-finals for the first time. We have enjoyed
:37:19. > :37:29.
:37:29. > :37:39.the opening exchanges. Two key And you can see the reaction in Ali
:37:39. > :37:41.
:37:41. > :37:48.Carter's face. And did the double effectively clinched it. He is
:37:49. > :37:58.using the ground to stop the cue ball should he Mass. -- brown.
:37:59. > :38:19.
:38:19. > :38:27.Fantastic shot. Let his head back. He has got the cover. A wry smile
:38:27. > :38:32.and shake of the head from Ali Carter. He cannot believe it!
:38:32. > :38:42.will tell you why - he cannot come off the cushion because of the red
:38:42. > :38:42.
:38:42. > :38:52.to left of the bunch. He could come of two cushions, but a lot of risk.
:38:52. > :39:12.
:39:12. > :39:22.He has gone too narrow. Foul. a slightly better angle Ronnie
:39:22. > :39:43.
:39:43. > :39:53.This looks a better angle. What is This is not easy. Because he is
:39:53. > :39:54.
:39:54. > :40:01.going into the blue, he may refuse Yes, the fact that the cue ball
:40:01. > :40:11.would have carrier into the blue, otherwise he may have been tempted
:40:11. > :40:11.
:40:11. > :41:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 69 seconds
:41:07. > :41:17.Maybe just a safety. I'm not sure if he is taking this on. But maybe
:41:17. > :41:26.
:41:26. > :41:36.Under the circumstances, what happened in the previous frame, we
:41:36. > :41:44.
:41:44. > :41:54.Fully committed to be shot. Excellent pot. A good opportunity
:41:54. > :42:03.
:42:03. > :42:13.One thing that he is blessed with, lots of cue power. And nice angle
:42:13. > :42:30.
:42:30. > :42:40.Well, not his best. I expected a lot more charge on the cue ball. He
:42:40. > :42:44.
:42:44. > :42:53.just did not get the second bite. More stunned than spin. He needs
:42:53. > :42:59.the spider. He is looking at a long straight red. Not a bad option, he
:42:59. > :43:09.could screw back off the black. He did not spot that, then suddenly it
:43:09. > :43:36.
:43:36. > :43:46.The red close to the cue ball will be his next intention. He hit that
:43:46. > :43:59.
:43:59. > :44:09.He made a 147 in the same year Ronnie it. The only time we have
:44:09. > :44:15.
:44:15. > :44:25.Behave yourself, Ken! His main concern is the frame. He will be on
:44:25. > :44:26.
:44:26. > :44:36.the black again. �25,000 for a maximum break. And the Golden cue.
:44:36. > :44:48.
:44:48. > :44:55.Have you seen it? I have not. He didn't have a nice angle on that.
:44:55. > :45:05.And there it red will the cushion was kind of in the way. -- the red
:45:05. > :45:09.
:45:09. > :45:18.That is beautiful. The perfect angle on the blue. He has got a
:45:18. > :45:28.chance to take the frame. He can cannon into the red or pink. He is
:45:28. > :45:41.
:45:41. > :45:51.just working out what would be best. That could have been kinder. Just
:45:51. > :46:29.
:46:29. > :46:39.squeezed through the reds. This is We have had 32 centuries so far.
:46:39. > :46:54.
:46:54. > :47:04.Ali Carter has only made one. What A good reaction, it has to be said.
:47:04. > :47:13.
:47:13. > :47:23.Particularly after what happened at The opening pot was a bit special.
:47:23. > :47:29.
:47:29. > :47:39.He has gone about this beautifully. Rate in the heart of the pocket,
:47:39. > :48:00.
:48:00. > :48:10.That is unfortunate. There was a possible 145 on their, could have
:48:10. > :48:21.
:48:21. > :48:29.A wonderful break. He will feel much better after that. But Ronnie
:48:29. > :48:36.O'Sullivan still leads, 10-8. Quickly to the other side once
:48:36. > :48:46.again, Robert Milkins, going very well. He had a chance in this frame
:48:46. > :48:46.
:48:46. > :48:52.to make it three in a row. A quick look, he has allowed his opponent
:48:52. > :48:58.back in. Nerves playing a part. Neither man has got past this stage
:48:58. > :49:08.before. Absolutely. Robert Milkins would have felt he couldn't make
:49:08. > :49:10.
:49:10. > :49:20.any mistakes tonight. That is why he wears his heart on his sleeve.
:49:20. > :49:32.
:49:32. > :49:42.This is in the bottom half of the trough. The cradle for so many
:49:42. > :49:52.shocks. I think Rob Walden is the danger. What makes him so
:49:52. > :49:55.dangerous? He is a complete player. Strikes the ball as good as anybody.
:49:55. > :50:03.He has defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of a ranking
:50:03. > :50:06.tournament. Being a proven winner, it stands you in great stead. But
:50:06. > :50:13.the atmosphere in the Crucible is very different to anything he has
:50:13. > :50:20.ever played. Absolutely. You can see the effect it has on even the
:50:20. > :50:24.top players. Everybody is desperate to do well. Effectively in the
:50:24. > :50:30.bottom half. They can see the draw opening up and think, what a
:50:30. > :50:40.marvellous opportunity. They have got to just play one match at at
:50:40. > :50:40.
:50:40. > :50:49.time. A quick reflection on the last frame. Or you identified one
:50:49. > :50:53.long red. Go for it, seems to be the message from Ali Carter. Yes,
:50:53. > :50:59.he previously has played a percentage game but he cannot do
:50:59. > :51:09.that thickens Ronnie O'Sullivan. He must take on the short. -- he
:51:09. > :51:13.
:51:13. > :51:23.cannot do that against. Ken and You have not missed anything. Just
:51:23. > :51:25.
:51:25. > :51:34.back in time to see Ali Carter put that red end. An early chance.
:51:34. > :51:43.After that 86 break, - and I agree with Stephen Hendry about the long
:51:43. > :51:52.red he took on - that is what Ali Carter must start doing on. I am
:51:52. > :52:02.not sure about that shot. Bottom corner, dead straight behind it.
:52:02. > :52:15.
:52:15. > :52:22.He is not going to get much out of the safety. As Stephen said, the
:52:22. > :52:29.percentage game and may not be the right choice now. He has to go for
:52:29. > :52:39.shorts when he sees them. When the opportunity arises, he must grasp
:52:39. > :52:39.
:52:39. > :53:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 69 seconds
:53:24. > :53:30.That has given him a chance. A free Look at the brown. He had a long,
:53:30. > :53:40.straight brown. But he has played the percentages and felt that was
:53:40. > :53:52.
:53:52. > :53:58.the best shot. Cannot knock him for He was going to take the one to the
:53:58. > :54:08.right corner but thought that one was not as awkward. But he has good
:54:08. > :54:36.
:54:36. > :54:40.Ronnie right in amongst it here. -- That is OK. I thought it would slip
:54:40. > :54:50.away. But he has got the one Ali Carter was thinking about taking.
:54:50. > :55:15.
:55:15. > :55:25.He stretched around and seemed to He may elect to go into the pack of
:55:25. > :55:32.
:55:32. > :55:41.That is not too bad. Just watch the cue ball as it spins off the reds.
:55:41. > :55:46.This is where he has been brilliant. Where he finished off last year. He
:55:46. > :55:56.never looks any different when he is in around the pink and black
:55:56. > :56:03.
:56:03. > :56:13.spots. Positional play, inch- And he never takes a very long to
:56:13. > :56:15.
:56:15. > :56:25.clinch a frame. Such a quick brain. The bank might be available. --
:56:25. > :56:50.
:56:50. > :57:00.That has cleared it, just in case This break hasn't been three
:57:00. > :57:16.
:57:16. > :57:26.At the moment he seems bereft of He is treating this break as if he
:57:26. > :57:37.
:57:37. > :57:47.is in the practice run. Wonderful That is near enough the frame over.
:57:47. > :58:25.
:58:25. > :58:35.He could not have played it better. Ronnie O'Sullivan is moving to
:58:35. > :58:39.within two frames of victory. But 8pm his hour deadline on BBC Two.
:58:39. > :58:47.Fast approaching. You can keep watching events on the red button
:58:47. > :58:51.watching events on the red button or our website. I will be back at