Day 12, Part 3 Snooker: World Championship

Crucible Theatre. One more frame and we have liftoff! The Rocket poised

to make his 10th World Snooker Championship semi-final. One

O'Sullivan leads Stuart Bingham by 12-4 and the two players are already

into tomorrow's semifinals. England's Barry Hawkins has knocked

out Mark Selby and now many people's favourite for the title,

Ding Junhui. Dawkins is ranked 14th in the world and has played

brilliantly to reach the semi-final. I'm lost for words. Can't believe

it, to be honest. I wouldn't say it was the best I can play, obviously,

but I'm just writing so much out there Bob, just giving 100%. --

fighting. To get to the one table set-up here is what everybody dreams

of and I am just looking forward to it now. And this afternoon a classic

quarter-final between Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy. Sheer drama at The

Crucible and this one went right down to the final frame.

relieved, really. A couple of times in the last frame I looked like I

was going out but I just stayed calm and didn't really miss anything and

just played when my chances came. It was like a real test for me to come

back from 7-2 behind. A lot of people wrote me off from the table

and I seem to before my best when that happens and people don't expect

winds from me. -- expect things from me.

Those boys - what a performance! Yes. It is the old cliche. It is a

shame somebody had to lose. The final frame was 53 minutes but it

felt like 15. Shaun Murphy was naturally disappointed backstage,

especially given where he was leading in the match? Yes. To his

credit he came back today and played it like the better man and put

everything into it and it was a shame they had to be a loser, as I

said. We should be surprised with Barry Hawkins. He is working with

Terry Griffiths and we forget he has won the Australian open. This guy is

playing really great snooker now. Yes, and he has great experience and

is a top-quality matchplay. He has knocked out Mark Selby and Ding

Junhui. And that other match?Yes, the first session yesterday, he

cannot play better than that. You won't see any snooker matches better

than that. You have to feel a bit sorry for Stuart Bingham? When he is

at his best, he is the one to watch. The other player I want to talk

about is Michael White. He really has dug in. Ricky Walden was playing

well but Michael White is hanging on in. Yes, it is a big stage for him

to play on. He got to 9-6 and if he had good -- got that 29-7 he could

have been in. But that last frame was big. One we talk about Ronnie

and he has played such majestic snooker, will he have enough? Lets

not forget, there is still a contest on. Presuming he winced and night,

as he got enough to go all the way and lift this trophy? -- presuming

he wins tonight. That will be a popcorn much! Get your popcorn out

and sit down on your cat -- couch and watch him play Ronnie

O'Sullivan, Judd Trump. The first seven frames, you're busily wasn't

watching, occurs after that, it was snooker from the gods. -- because

about to get even better after a day of immense snooker! Six back and

has shown nerves of steel again today. At one stage he trailed 9-3

this afternoon before winning three in a row to give himself a chance.

He has already knocked out the double world champion Mark Williams

and here's proudly flying the flag for Welsh snooker. After the

promises as a junior, give a huge welcome for Michael White lightning!

believe this to time ranking event winner had not won a match at The

Crucible until this year. -- two-time. He is now looking for some

of the most important friends of his life. What an opportunity for a

player who describes himself as a. Course of a tournament. Possibly

underrated in the past but not any player at the end of one of his most

successful seasons after 18 years as a pro. Winner of three titles,

including the Premier League. His pride rose to the fore this morning

as he won the last three friends of the session to keep it alive! Give a

huge Sheffield welcome for the pride of Basildon - Stuart Ball run been!

natural talent has captivated us once again here at The Crucible.

Just one frame away from a tenth appearance in the semifinals. Four

times he has lifted the sport's ultimate prize and this is turning

out to be one of his vintage years! Blink and you will miss him! The

Theatre is incredible whenever this man walks out into this wonderful

arena! Goodness knows what it will be like if you make the finals! Live

here on BBC Two it is Ronnie O'Sullivan versus Stuart Bingham. If

you want Ricky Walden versus Michael White, that is on your Red Button

now and on the BBC sport website. Interestingly, Stuart tweeted

earlier today he is going for a 147. That is if he gets the chance, of

course! Over to our commentary team, John Virgo and Stephen Hendry.

JOHN VIRGO: Ronnie breaks off in the third and final session which nobody

thought was going to be when he was 12-1 in front, but fair play to

Stuart Bingham. He hung in there Bob and he is just playing for pride,

Stuart, Stephen. And that is all he can do. Absolutely. A tremendous

character to win those last few friends. -- few frames. Most

wouldn't fancy coming back for one or two frames but it was a good

performance. And those two blacks that Ronnie missed will have helped

tremendous match between Judd Trump safe or not. When Ronnie led 12-3,

presume Ronnie is on the pink, so on one of the two reds to the corner

session of this match and I can tell you, it was a masterclass on

positional play and break-building. It was incredible. And it is hard

when you have a big lead to sort of keep the intensity and the

concentration sometimes. Although look at that what successful Ronnie

-90 6%. -- pot success for Ronnie. enough, at the start of the

tournament, everybody was saying, well, his long potting is nowhere

near as good as it has to be but it certainly has got it, hasn't it, as

the tournament has gone on? Absolutely. Anything over 70 is

excellent. And yet it was his weak link coming into this match. There

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short. He is just about on a red but it, Stephen, with the

break-building? When he's got a free shot, he always seems to leave a

nice angle, doesn't he? Yes, he just even getting them an inch or two

out, it makes a difference on the balls. He is so quick because he's

not spending time looking around the table, looking at angles and this

And that was a bit wide! That is the only thing that will annoy him at

this match. You can't see him losing it but he has missed a few blacks

off the spot. And that you cannot that he is just not concentrating as

hard as he was at the start of the match. You have a 12-4 lead so you

have won the match but it is just a CROWD GASPS

And on the other hand, of course, when you are facing such a deficit,

it is hard to stay focused and not keep glancing at that scoreboard

which shows his opponent only needs one more frame. And with that red in

the middle and position on the black, that could be Stuart

That first session Ronnie played against him, and Stephen has just

said it, he was just unbelievable. So not a lot you can do when

somebody of the ability of Ronnie O'Sullivan is in good stroke.

Sometimes you've just got to sit that equates to this red and one

though. Indigo is the red and around the angles and nicely on the black.

have loved to have seen a few more frames. But, well, at least they got

a chance to see him tonight. He's missed it! Just reiterate what you

are saying! Lack of concentration! probably one I on tomorrow already.

yourself such high standards. It is focus will be back and I don't think

he will be missing any blacks off not the gentlemanly thing to do. So

maybe he will be fit to Ronnie to make a Grandstand finish. He's in

the semi-final. Can he just entertain the packed house one more

will come now. I'm sure Stuart will not be too disappointed. Rory played

well in the first and middle sessions. -- Ronnie. Stuart only

took one frame this evening and it was an impossible task for the man

from Essex. Ronnie O'Sullivan is through to the semi-final and wins

13-4. Ten minutes and 46 seconds. That is

uneasy evening's work. But quit -- quick work and we expected it.

now he camera lacks, go out with his powers and get a bite to eat and

then look forward to what we are looking forward to - a match with

Judd Trump. -- now he can relax. If you can get to see that game, you

shouldn't miss it. Lets talk to A bit strange to come back for one

frame tonight, but how did you feel about those early sessions?

didn't play that great earlier. But he has had a great season again so I

congratulate him. But he didn't play his best and let me off the hook a

few times. But that can happen at The Crucible. It is a big venue,

lots of pressure. Sometimes you can, you know, make mistakes. But when

you got in, it was among the best we have ever seen from you here. It was

just great to watch? It was flowing and easy. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I

scored a few breaks. But like I say, a lot of my stuff can come off the

stakes -- the mistakes Stuart made. You said at the start of the

tournament you weren't sure what you could produce. You happy with what

you have done so far? I'm surprised I have made it this far. So, yeah, I

am still in it. A quick word about the semi-final against Judd. That

will be a massive occasion and the fans are certainly looking forward

to that? Yes. Once you get down to the one table set-up it is a

fantastic arena, so I am just pleased to still be in it, to be

honest. Thank you, Ronnie. I don't want to be accused of hyping

this matchup but Judd did say in his interview he is going on the attack.

Yes. He said he saw Ronnie miss one or two. But he needs to watch

earlier because that is some of the best he has played. Believe you me,

that first session of seven frames was just magnificent, even though he

said he wasn't happy with his performance in that first seven.

Ronnie looks remarkably relaxed and he was in our studio earlier, we had

a quick chat with him. He said possibly this would be car crash

television and this is the most entertaining we have seen for some

time. Yes, not just the way he went about scoring the breaks and the

long pots and everything. Everything he knocked in was brilliant. In the

right place, very focused. Even when he was behind, he was still time to

play the snookers. Totally immersed in what he was doing. And that break

of 133 - it is as good a break as we have seen. People say to me

sometimes, you sit and watch a lot of snooker, and you know, they say,

what are the best six performances you have seen? It is probably one

from him and for five from Ronnie O'Sullivan. It is the best you can

see him play. He has hardly played any snooker for 11, 12 months. But

other people are saying Mark Selby feels as though he has burnt out. Is

it going to catch up with Ronnie, the fact he hasn't played for 11, 12

months? I don't think so. What I was amazed that was that he didn't have

the match practice. There is nothing like... It is like also in. You can

have a gallop as much as you like but there's nothing like a race. --

it is like horseracing. It is fascinating. It is interesting what

you say about horse racing. It is like Rugby Union where you can see

players being battle hardened. Do you think he is ready for the final?

Yes. It is up to other players to knock him out. He lost a bit of

focus this evening. You think you have won. He won't be doing that

against Judd Trump. You have to feel a great deal of sympathy for Stuart

You have had a great season but there's not a lot you can do when

somebody is producing that on the table? Yes. Other than the first

frame, when I made a bad safety shot, I had every first chance, so I

think for him to get in, his longest shot was about four feet! So

obviously, the player he is, how good he is, he is going to score

well from there. So it is disappointing from my point of view

but when he plays like that, as you say, he is very hard. You took it in

great spirit and the fact you forced it into the start of this evening,

it is that sense of Basildon pride. Yes. Obviously I kept myself going a

bit longer. It has been an unbelievable year. I was talking

with my manager and coach and I took this season from the start and made

three wins, several quarter-finals and finals. It has been

unbelievable. You think this title has Ronnie's name on it? I had some

first chance is there, so I will be sitting there, watching it tomorrow

with Judd and Ronnie... I don't know. The bottom half of the draw

has obviously opened up but you have three good players left in it.

Barry. I hope he does really well. He is a good friend. And he has come

on this year. So I think obviously whoever wins out of Ronnie and Judd

will be favourite but it should be a good match. Thank you for talking to

us. See you next season. Well played, Stuart Bingham. We have

to congratulate him on what has been a great season. Yes. He has won two

small PPC is. He has become such a good all-round match player. --

PTCs. And maybe he should have won the Welsh Open in February? Yes. He

has turned up and put a good performance in. He lost 13-4 and we

could go on about it, but Ronnie O'Sullivan was William. We are going

to take you live to the match between Ricky Walden and Michael

White. As you can see, it has come down to the black. You have been

keeping a close eye on this, John? Yes. A chance came for the black up

into the corner pocket and then he missed it. He has got to be careful

with this. It is one of those. If you hit the right hand cushioning,

it goes up safe. If you hit the jaws, you leave it. -- right hand

cushioning. If he knocks this in, he will be very, very relieved. And in

most improved players and people having a good tournament, Ricky is

scoring well? Yes, he obviously loves China. Did well in Shanghai.

Much improved and a really good lad from Chester. He has become a much

better player. He has had the experience. This is all new and

uncharted territory for him. We had a chat and at one point he was tired

after one session. These are the things all the players have to go

through and get experience. It an emotional roller-coaster. He came

through the next session and despite being in front, he said, I just

couldn't relax. I didn't feel I was involved in the match. These are all

things you have to learn as you go on. And Ricky Walden has gone under

the radar a bit? I called at the half of doom in the first half of

the tournament because so many players fell away. He has come

through again and he is playing against... Sorry, he beat Michael

Holt and now has Michael White. He has come through in press of re-and

to be honest with you, here's a good break-builder. He's not of anybody.

What about Michael White? Yes, a good player. I played him a few

times as a junior. I thought, who is this fella? He is about the size of

the table! And I thought, he is going to be a player and he is

proving it now. Once he gets the experience, he is going to be a

proper player. Lets join our commentary team live. This is Steve

TERRY GRIFFITHS: So, Ricky Walden will be delighted winning this

frame. He has left Michael White a possible long shot. But if the

frames are level, you could see him taking one of these on but he might

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She claimed that nicely. -- he I have mentioned a few times that

Ricky Walden was 9-3 up and his first match against Robert Milkins,

and some say it could affect him in this match. I think he is better

prepared for a fight back from Michael White. Which she did prove

this afternoon when Michael White won three on the spin. Ricky Walden

has done -- has won the last two frames. He is strong favourite now

with this by a frame gap. She was six frames in front at one stage,

9-3, but not many chances left now for Michael White. If you went on

tournament wins, Ricky Walden would Not one of his better shots. He did

Ilott caught the good work to get into that position, then Mr red. It

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is never easy out there. It is Another safety about coming here.

The reds are spread out a little bit. If they continue to play

safety shots, they will continue to get in more complicated positions.

But was good there by Michael White, it is not easy when you're under

pressure. He may be forced to take this pot on. Especially if that is

Is it a plant? He pushed it off course. He got on the wrong side at

It would be good to bring the pink back on to its bulk. The plaque is

available to both corners. -- T its spot. -- Could the black is

They would not have expected him to miss that. You could see by the

look on his face he knew it wasn't in as soon as he hit it. It just

caught the jaw. Steve mentioned the blue Michael White missed two lose

the first frame will be hurting That was very well played. She

needed a lot of night -- a lot of right hand side to get down to

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There was a long way to go yet That was not his best shot. Thick

yellow maybe in the way of swinging dig cue ball around the table. Off

the left cushion, bottom cushion and down towards these reds. That

Well, that couldn't have worked out any better! He couldn't have played

it much better, to be fair! He had to pot the black and control that

cue ball. He could win the frame of He is on the pink at the worst

Keith he had the extension on, which makes it a little bit more

awkward. It just about wedding! -- He has lost his position now. He is

It is all over for this frame. I think the writing is on the wall

for Michael White here. If he was going to make the charge, it was

the first frame that halted him. It is been a good performance at the

World Championship. The learning That would have finished it off,

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That did wobble a few times! Ricky Walden is 50 points in front, 43

left on the table. He played that well, but just overdid the amount

That has gone wrong. He is having a rough ride out there. He did very

well to beat Mark Williams in the first round, one of his idols. He

did have a comfortable ride in the second rounds and he didn't need to

perform. He came up against Ricky Walden, adults 16 player and found

himself well down in the first session. That is not easy, even for

a season Blair. Michael White stays in his chair. Ricky Walden just

Michael White sitting there must be very disappointed that he did not

wind the first frame of this session. Perhaps, at the end of the

day the experience of Ricky Walden in the big time, even though he

hasn't been to a quarter final at the Crucible before, he has won two

ranking events and been at the Masters, that may be enough to

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carry him through. Thank you! Frame Some time QC them when they play

along that white line, it can drift on the line, you miss the yellow

and don't get the snooker. Not that time. The kite gently he played

this. A bit of wind and it wouldn't have reached their! Five slits

almost a good table and the joined- up the first late is about two

inches below the baulk line. If it is not ITV level at that point, you

get some funny rolls a cross that line. All the tables are level here,

APPLAUSE. Has he covered the red to the left corner? I don't think so.

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So, Michael White with an unexpected visit the table this

It is not a great position for either player with the pink and

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He has been a bit loose with his positional play tonight. Of course,

that could been the result of the missed blew in the first frame. Now

he has the chance to pot the black Pretty good. He is not on the back

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red, but he's on the one in the That pinkos, so that is a great

chance to bring more reds into play. She got a huge slice of luck, which

he has not taken advantage of. -- Good efforts. He is 43 points in

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front and this game. -- in this Huy good was that? That was some

shot, there! He had to play this very gently. Right in the middle of

the pocket. I don't think he has the perfect angle on the black, not

with the reds as they are. He could have done it that being slightly

straighter. He could have screwed He just needs one more frame to get

into the semi-finals. The winner of this match plays against Barry

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Has recovered that red? I don't think so. He has an easy safety

shot if he can get to the left hand He may have to swerve round to get

its -- saw front to get that this side of the red to get that, and

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So, Ricky Walden just want frame away. Whatever happens for Michael

White, he has had a wonderful Cristobal experience. This match

continues via the red button and on our website. You do not month --