Day 10, Part 1 Snooker: World Championship

Hello, good afternoon, welcome to the 2014 Dafabet World

Championship, a beautiful day here in Sheffield. The Crucible Theatre

could see history made this afternoon. Neil Robertson needs to

make one more century to become a record-breaker.

It would make a record more special to do it here. If I had already done

it coming into the championship, it would not be special.

Good afternoon, you could be watching history unfolding with us

here at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Good afternoon, John,

what a remarkable season you Robertson is having, about to create

history, UK champion. And to be able to score those amount of centuries

in the season is the nominal, chose how great his break-building is and

his long potting is great, so he gets more chances. 37 clear of the

next person in line. When you consider how great the players on

the circuit are, to be that far ahead, it shows how great you are

with the cue ball. It is a marketable. The sooner he gets this,

the better, because it is probably on his mind. He tweeted last night,

99 not out, the big thing is, he is in a tournament, it is not just

about creating history and breaking records, he needs to get into the

quarterfinal. And yes he is up against a great opponent in Mark

Allen. The sooner he gets this century out of the way, the better.

This is what is coming up today... 9-7 to the Australian has wee head

in to the next session between Mark Allen and Neil Robertson. Dominic

Dale has hit the headlines, looking good for the quarterfinals. The man

who beat Ding Junhui, Michael Wasley is struggling, is this the end of

the road? Some or trick shots to keep you entertained and get you

asking how does he do it? And we start our version of the hit

television quiz show, and you can join in!

The details coming up later, but now, Mark Allen has a mighty job on

his hands against the world number one, Neil Robertson from Australia.

He has not made the quarterfinals since three years ago, can he do it

today? It is always special coming here, knowing the venue and the

history is here and it is second to none. I would like to have some

better results here. I have had some good ones, but not as many as I

would like and hopefully I can put that right this year. Obviously, my

debut here was against Ken Doherty and he had the chance of being world

one at that time, and I managed to beat in 10-7. I had great experience

from back home, great support, he was a great player at the time, so a

big achievement for me. Also, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan here, the

best of 25, not many people have done that. Also, getting the best

against John Higgins, that was a highlight. Some defeats also, they

have not been easy to take and it helped me to improve on that. I do

not care what Neil Robertson does, it is up to me to control my own

game and my own emotions. I know that I have enough game to play

anyone, so if I play well, I have a great chance. If I go out there and

play my game, I do not think anyone would be surprised if I was the

winner, but I know that I have to play well. You can see from Neil

Robertson, when he played Robbie Williams, he is taking no prisoners.

I know that I have to play well, but you do not expect to be playing a

world number one and get it easy. I have beaten him in the past, there

is no reason why I could not beat him again. Mark Allen will be out

for revenge this afternoon. Steve Davis is in the Crucible Theatre for

us this afternoon, good afternoon, Mark Allen, very bullish, to think

he has got what it takes to get back into this match? Yes, he knows that

he is capable, and Mark Allen's biggest attribute is that he has got

streetfighter qualities. He may be up against a prolific

break-builder, and a course and distance winner here are the

Crucible Theatre, but Mark Allen has never been short of giving it 100%

and he is a two fighter. There is every likelihood that if the matter

the other table is finished quickly, the screen will be raised and he

will have a one-table set-up. Both of these players have been to that

situation before. But of course, Neil Robertson has been all the way.

We always talk about getting the opening frame, it is very important

for Mark Allen to get a good start? This opening frame is enormous, if

Mark Allen can win it, 9-8, but 10-7, he would truly be on the back

foot against a Chuli great Mike Robertson. -- Neil Robertson. The

players are ready, over to Rob Walker.

Still a week to go here at the Crucible, but today we complete the

quarterfinal line-up here at the 2014 Dafabet World Championship and

once again, a packed crowd here in Sheffield, ready to enjoy what could

be a truly historic afternoon. CHEERING

Please welcome first of all, a player who has more than made his

mark already at the Crucible, beating Ding Junhui in a decider on

his debut, he has already announced his arrival on the global stage, and

having forced this match into a third session, he is ready to give

it everything, he is the Chinese dragon slayer, the giant killer, the

Gloster gladiator, Michael Wasley! CHEERING

And his opponent, he stands on the verge of a first Crucible

quarterfinal in 14 years. The winner of two ranking event titles, the

Grand Prix and the Shanghai Masters, beating Mark Davis in the first

round, his legendary zebra striped shoes are as famous as he is, but he

is, but he's not wearing them this afternoon! He is saving them for the

last eight! Yearly cons! Use the spaceman! The irrepressible, Dominic

Dale! APPLAUSE

He said they are too loud for people to look at them every day! Now,

table two, one of the most popular players to watch in the modern game,

his positive aggressive style highlights his true passion for the

sport. He is bidding for a fourth quarterfinal at the Crucible, two

times winning the World Open, he is the Pistol from Northern Ireland,

Mark Allen! And finally, here comes an

Australian who has taken the game by storm in recent years. In December,

he joined an elite list of players to have completed snooker's

hat-trick when he added UK titles to his world title and Masters title

grounds. He is 99 not out on centuries this season, dear reader

in he can find one more? ! The current world number one, can you

hear the Thunder from Down Under, here comes Neil Robertson!

We're all set, Roberts and Alan is the live match this afternoon. --

Robertson and Alan. Let's talk to the commentary team, Willie Thorne

and Stephen Hendry. Good afternoon, this is a match that

could be fireworks, we hope that you enjoy this match with Stephen and I,

Mark Allen, unlucky not to be 8-0, but that clearance from Neil

Robertson was unbelievable. As it has been said, there is a chance of

100 centuries coming this afternoon. Stephen, Mark Allen not out of it

yet? By no means. A fantastic match player, Mark Allen, and he loves the

sort of atmosphere. He loved the atmosphere around playing a world

number one. He will be up for this today.

As far as the 100 centuries, it is important for Neil Robertson to get

into the quarterfinals. The most important thing frame would be to

win the match, but he will be thinking about 100 centuries.

I will be interested to see if he gets to 50 or 60 in a frame, that if

there is a dodgy shops to take on, if he takes it for the risk?

Probably not today, because Mark Allen is capable of beating anybody

in the world. No problem playing off the side of

the pack, the problem that Neil Robertson has is not to make contact

with one of the baulk colours going back into Borg. A little bit

negative, but it is too risky to go into Borg. -- baulk.

That was a clever shot, because he cannot roll into the pack where the

pink ones. -- was. There could be a few shots like

this, if you containing safety shot. -- a few containing.

The fact it is touching them, I would be surprised if he doesn't get

the cue ball behind the green now. Maybe Mark Allen can see the red in

baulk now, can he? He can, even probably play off that one.

If it was possibly later on in the match, that red that you were

talking about, if he plays that full in the face and comes back down to

baulk, but perhaps he feels he cannot act that well this early on

in the frame, that straight. Pretty cagey stuff so far.

He can pot the red to the left corner.

, and mangled to get to get to the black. Needs to play that with some

pace. -- need some angle to get to the black.

This red, he can play to the far right corner and screw back to the

black. Will not be leaving a lot. Anywhere but the cue ball is now,

that would be good. Not settled yet. It is getting to the situation now

really safety shot are getting more and more important with the reds in

play. Maybe he's taking it into the baulk

pocket. A very cagey start. I think they are also showing great respect

for each other. You would see some players coming through to the second

round, players that you wouldn't expect to be beaten, but this match

has come through in the seeding would expect, so it is a tough

second-round match both players. -- for both players.

If you had never seen these players playing before, you would be

thinking, oh, these are very cautious players, but if you have

known them over the years, you will know that they are very accomplished

break-builders. This red, just there, thought it was

then. -- in. If he hits this too thinly, he might

catch the green. Anything but too thin, he would have got Stephen's

shot and finished at the end of the table.

That is what Hawk-eye was explaining the shops choice of Stephen Hendry,

but he hit it too thin and brought the green into play.

The chance of a very sizeable break and to take a 10-7 litre. -- lead

here. It is very early in the session, but

he would love to get this 100th century done in the first frame and

be done with it, and concentrate on winning!

The doesn't appear to be any cannons. -- there doesn't.

Those two breads, there is a big margin, he might even play the

cannon into those two. -- those two reds.

He took a while over that. That seems like a straightforward shot.

He wasn't that comfortable with it. Hit that one quite nicely, just not

far enough to get back to the black, unless he plays the red in the

centre. I do not think there are any doubts,

he is thinking about making sure, he wants to get this out of the way as

soon as possible. He may decide to play for the blue

here. He is looking at an alternative here.

I'm not sure he is going to play it. He is being ultra-careful. He has

played it. He's looking up to the baulk pocket.

Surely he's not going to take... He should be able to get it between the

brown on the green. It's not getting any easier. Have to

judge whether he was playing for the Black or the blue there. The red

pots beside the pink to the left corner, he will play the black. The

blue to the left is probably be easier pot.

I think the red next to the pink Pol -- will pot. You can bet your life

he is going for the century. This is what we were talking about

before, does he take the risk? It is probably worth the risk. Even the

red the front of the green pocket. He couldn't hit that much better,

that was a great shot. It is going to be very difficult to

get blacks from where the reds are on baulk. Needs to get somewhere

near the baulk line. If it finishes there, he has a slight chance.

Easier to get a black of this red at the far corner. Good thinking

there. If he takes the long red on, the one nearest to him, the black

is... He would have to play it to the left-hand side.

That was so close to being absolutely perfect. It is a really

controlled shot. Unlucky. Making the black certainty. It will

not want to put the last he has put the black on the cushion.

That was going to be one of his main targets for snickering behind --

snookering. Just making doubly sure. Neil

Robertson goes closer to the winning line.

Steve Davis has joined us from the Crucible. Good afternoon. A pleasure

to be here. We were talking about Neil Robertson going to Mac frames

in front yesterday, and you talked about how important it was for Mark

Allen to make a good start. He was put under a lot of pressure.

Robertson made a good return break. The pressure was magnified. That was

a very good break from Robertson. How important is it for Neil

Robertson, just one away from this magical 100, how important is it to

get your nose in front? At this level, you just go out to compete.

We sit in the studio, analysing the score lines. As a player, you know

you are in front, but you also know it can evaporate quite quickly. You

just go out there, and get yourself ready. You try and play as well as

you can. But it is imported to get off to a good start.

The worry for Mark Allen is it is three frames now and he has to get

on the board. Yes, he has lost the first frame. The pressure is on to

win the next three. Let's see if you can get on the board in his third

and final session. He would love to disturb that red

and black. Perhaps feel it was a touch too thin

of an angle. But it looks good from here.

Is it time for the risk round the back of the black? If the case

doesn't work, he can still, for the blue? -- still come up?

A little bit careless to catch a baulk, there. It gives your opponent

a chance to put his hand on the table. That black is making it...

There is a capacity crowd this afternoon, and the match on the next

table is finished, so they are asking for the world to be brought

up. -- for the wall. How did that they'd finished there?

That's amazing. -- that red. That is amazing. It shows you have to look

at the pack sometimes. Quite a nice angle on the blue. He

may play that shot. He is being ultra-careful in every

shot he plays. But he plays much better when he gets on with it.

The only case that's no good is half ball, and that is exactly what

happened. He didn't get into the cue ball fair. If anything, more side on

fan excellent pace. It is easy to get a

double-kiss on this side of the cushion. People have to be very

careful with this one. A bit heavy. Again, he has been unlucky with a

kiss. A very good shot on the pink beer, trying to make something

happen. How he managed to get through the gap there, I don't know.

A safety shot again. He has to compete with Robertson in

the safety Department and, so far, he is not doing that.

We both of us couldn't. Our cue action was not quite like that. He

didn't hit it hard, did he? He just timed it so well.

This is an excellent chance to win the second frame.

He has certainly got his business head on this afternoon. As you would

expect. I don't think I have ever seen him take as much time on shots

as he is doing at the moment. That is pretty pedestrian for Robertson.

Just a fraction too low on the blue. Obviously, I gap on the

right-hand side. But he needs to be a cannon on the one to the right of

the black spot. He came on the right line, but he has hit the pink.

Mark Allen had a wry smile there. He knew that Neil was not playing for

this red. He has worked hard to continue this

break. To be fair, he does not look like

missing. This is exactly what world number

one is supposed to do on these occasions, stamp his authority very

early. There's enough balls on for a

century, but it is highly unlikely we will see one.

Just took all of the piece out of the cue ball. -- pace.

That is free-ball. He will get on the black of this red and have a go

at the century. But it is very tough where the balls are. He is a

left-hander, he can get on that nicely. He should be OK. You would

think yellow to green. Tough shot. This has been excellent snooker.

Just what the doctor ordered, really.

Well, no century, but once again a fabulous performance from Robertson.

A break of 69 to go further clear. We almost saw a little bit of

history there. He could have been on for a century. Yes, it's coming

sooner rather than later. But that is a fantastic display. He is

playing so well. He is making the most of his opportunities. Difficult

for his opponent to do anything about it. He has got fantastic you

power. It's not in everyone's armoury. He was probably hoping to

get on the pink. That is a marvellous demonstration of being

clinical and bringing out the big shots when required as well. It is

becoming a mountain to climb from Mark Allen. If he loses anything

else, I think it could be through. Ian Robertson is one of the

naturally gifted match players we have in the game. He, Ding Junhui

and Ronnie O'Sullivan have carved up the season, more or less, and we had

been talking about how Ronnie O'Sullivan is unbeatable and

everyone saying nobody can touch, but that is not technically true,

because you Robertson is putting up a good case. Do think Neil Robertson

can beat Ronnie O'Sullivan? Well I am of the opinion that Ronnie

O'Sullivan is better than anyone else, but you cannot be the best all

the time... Literature on to the commentary. -- let's return to the

commentary. Yes, sometimes we do say a lot about

Ronnie O'Sullivan, saying that you cannot beat the best, but sometimes

you are not at your best, but like Stephen Hendry, he was sitting next

to me, he has always been thought of as one of the best. Looked at this

red in the right cushion, a dangerous pot, how will he play at?

That is brilliant. So focused today, doesn't look like pushing a single

pot. -- missing. He cannot a loud Mark Allen to get back into the

match again. Whatever he scores, you deserve such that red. -- he

deserves after that red. This is someone who is in the zone.

I would make an early prediction that this is the 100th century

coming up. He is so focused on winning frames

at the minute. If he gets past the 65, 70 mark, he will take it on.

So many players these days finish low on the blue and have to go in

and out of baulk. That is why years making so many breaks, his

positional play. -- that is why he is making.

The middle red of those three, he might need to play a cannon on that.

If he wanted to be risky, he could play the shot that isn't favourable

going into the paint. -- pink. He played that furry well indeed.

That was a lovely shot, a toe edge of stun with some left-hand side.

The angle on the pink wasn't favourable. He was trying to put the

pink unhip spot. The angle he has got on the pink is not good.

I do not know if the red that is closest to the cue ball will pass to

the left corner. He will pot and screw back for a

choice of pink or blue. When you have got that much cue power, it is

easy to get through. I do not think the black is

available into the right-hand corner.

This player is definitely in the zone. His facial expression has not

changed. He's cue ball control is not what it normally is, but there

is a huge amount of pressure on him here.

Still hasn't got the cue ball into perfect control.

He is now up at the winning post. We can now have our fingers crossed and

hope that he makes his 100th century. If he does it, this

Crucible crowd may or may not give him a standing ovation, because this

is an amazing feat. He does have the right this time to

get on the black. This is incredible match snooker.

There is nothing that Mark Allen can do about it. OK, he did leave the

log option for the red at the start, but basically now, he is a

spectator. We are rooting for you now. A

fabulous performance, this. He must be tingling inside, thinking

that this will be it. Normally, you would play to move the

red into play, but I do not think you will be doing that here.

You're starting to breathe a bit deeper. He knows the significance.

Can you believe it? ! I knew it would happen! The pressure! A

fabulous break of 94! It shows what it means for this player to break

the record! He did not want to do anything with the cue ball.

Unfortunately, not there. But, 12-7. It is a shame, Stephen! The

fact that he was half there. It shows what it means to the man. You

could see, visibly, the last few reds, he was starting to breathe

deeper, he could feel the pressure mounting. It is almost like the

pressure for a maximum now for a new Robertson, and it will build every

time. And now the fact that he missed an easy black, it will build

even more. And now the fact he is further clear in this session, and

he looks up to the commentary box to us, and he cannot believe that he

missed it. It is causing a problem now.

Thank you. Quiet now, frame 20, Neil Robertson to break.

I cannot Amber Mark Allen having a pot of a ball of any significance,

the last couple of frames had been absolutely flawless. -- I cannot

remember. He is just one frame away from victory.

In a long frame match, we see the tournament pot success, obviously

the first few, you do not have the toughest of matches, but in these

sessions, to get over 90, that is excellent.

This is just flawless, matchplay snooker.

He is a lot slower than he wanted here. He will play for a blue or

baulk colour, I should think. Unfortunately for him, the red has

gone past this central pocket, but this is so good but he is doing.

He's hitting the ball as well as he possibly could hit it. He is in that

great place as a snooker player when you just hit and you never think

you're going to miss. It doesn't happen in every session.

He cannot hold the spot here, that is what is giving him problems with

the position. He will need a good pot to keep this break going. One

good pot and it winds him the match. -- wins.

It is just an easy game at the moment. And those that play the

game, they know just how difficult the gamers. -- game is. He has a

chance again. In some ways, if he did go on to win this frame, it

would be nicer with his 100th century.

Turn that radio down, please! Radio? Somebody listening to music?

Perhaps his answer getting a bit tighter, getting to the winning

line. Did not hit that as he would have liked.

He played a conservative positional shot.

Mark Allen, he has pretty much done nothing wrong.

This is tremendous stuff. This time he needs four reds with colours to

get the century. It is like years old was trying to be too careful at

this minute, Stephen. You would love him to do it here. It is like you is

looking for things that can go wrong rather than things that can go

right. Trying to get onto the more

difficult red now, to make it easier for the others. He is looking at the

scoreboard all the time, trying to work out if he need that difficult

red, which it doesn't. This packed arena this afternoon, I

think everyone would love to see this magnificent achievement done.

The last three frames, 59, 69, 94, 84 and counting, flawless.

He is to get high on the black ear. -- he needs to get high on the black

ear. This session is the best of the

tournament so far, in terms of standard.

Unbelievable! He just cannot believe it! You played absolutely flawless

snooker! Neil Robertson in the last two frames, and great chances to

complete that century. It takes the match and goes into the quarterfinal

winning by 13-7. Congratulations and well played.

He almost resemble the batsmen are 99, just try to get over the line,

and just not getting there, but what an awesome... I think that was Mark

Allen's words. He said awesome. No other word you could use. That is

the best mini-session played at this year's championship. Ronnie

O'Sullivan was fantastic for the last two frames, and in that

mini-session in the other ones, but overall, that was absolutely

flawless. The best session we have seen so far, Steve? The best

one-sided session. When you play that type of snooker, you take a lot

of the pressure from the match situation. Your opponent effectively

doesn't even exist, it is just all about Eve. He is very good in that

situation. Superb break. Beautifully set up the fact he has had a couple

of bites and he did not get there, you could see the discussed in his

face at the end, but he has another best of 25 match where it is

inevitable. A few social media sites have said, that the standard hasn't

been great, but it is bubbling up now! Mark Selby's matchplay last

night, Ali Carter, he was superb, Ronnie O'Sullivan has gone over in

magnificent style. This is one tournament next week! Letter from

Neil Robertson. And unbelievable session, there was a standing

ovation at the end, that was some way to march into the quarterfinals,

even though that last century just eludes you! What a morning! Yes!

Mark, he kept sticking with me. I thought he played very well. He has

always been able to scoring heavily. I was surprised by his safety. It

was Rooney, really good. I couldn't really, I didn't have many

opportunities as long balls at the start of the match, so I was happy

to be 4-4 and 9-7, I was delighted, because I won a lucky frame. Too,

today, I knew that I had to play really well, and those last few

frames, like a cricketer, it was unfortunate. I do not know what I

missed that matter I missed the black with one red left. I thought I

hit the black perfect, I was about to celebrate, but it rattled in the

jaws, I hit it OK, probably had a pretty poor shot on the red before

that. But it wasn't to be. The snooker gods will keep you waiting a

bit longer! We are also excited, the crowd, you could almost sense them

holding their breath, it was more important to win the match, it is

more important to win the Welsh title than to do the tonne of

tonnes, but it must have been in the back of your mind, it was so close!

Every time I come to the table, I am just trying to the table. If I make

a century, so be it. Having that mindset has helped me make the

centuries. Hendry was in the commentary box, I would love to do

it with him in there. It would be good to do it in front of him. Yes,

you have got another chance now. Your route to the final is not an

easy one. It will be Judd Trump or Ryan Day. You will have to do it the

hard way. Yes, you do not expect anything else at this stage of the

championships. You can expect to play Mark Allen in a quarterfinal or

semifinal here. I have no doubt that one day he will win the tournament.

And Judd Trump as well, he is another player that will one day

when the championships. But I would just play my game. I have got to

rest up and go again. Well done this afternoon. You kept us right on the

edge of our seats. We will see you again to do it all again in style

for the quarters. Impressive on the snooker table and

when being interviewed. You have to go back to the Wushi classic. He

started with a 147 there. An unbelievable start. It is coming.

There is no doubt about it. He was in the other day talking. And

Stephen Hendry kick-started him to reassess his break-building. He went

away and tried to deconstruct what he was doing and make a better pic

build himself. It is an interesting problem. I think when you look at

those 99 centuries, it is his long game as well. The long game gets the

men were than anyone else. They get more opportunities than anyone else.

His cue ball control close in is now phenomenal. How many players on the

circuit never give their opponent and opportunity? You just wonder

whether Robertson has developed the killer instinct. There are a few of

them look into it with more regularity. These people seem to be

able to do it a lot more. Have you seen that develop in Robertson's

game? Yes, but going back to his positional accuracy, to have turned

that around is a major achievement. To change the patterns in your

brain, your route map around the table, those things can be ingrained

in players and they cannot get bad habits out of their brain. He also

is one of the best pack players. He will play a forceful stand, open the

reds out. The way he has change that part of his game is a big help. I

don't think I have ever watched a frame snooker with you without you

watching Robertson and seeing it is incredible. Every positional shot

was perfect. The last player that played similarly was John Higgins at

his very best. That relentless mode. Thank you very much.

It is Judd Trump or Ryan Day for Neil Robertson. A little treat for

you this week. We are all familiar with the television quiz Pointless.

This is Potless. Richard Osman will set you snooker related question

every day. Good afternoon. Welcome to the very

first question in this week 's edition of Potless. Some of you have

been on pointless and you have not covered yourselves in glory. Here is

your question. We gave 100 people 147 seconds to name as many Crucible

finalists as they could. Your job is to find out the most obscure of

those answers. You have to go old. It has to be the lowest possible...

An obscure one? Nigel Bond? That is a good one. Go back in time. Bond.

Doug Mountjoy. What do you think we should go with? Bond? Nigel Bond.

Perrie Mans. Perrie Mans. Perrie Mans. The old South African,

left-handed wizard. Nigel Bond. We will go with that.

We have seen what our experts think, we will find out who won later. If

you want to play along as well, you can go on twitter.

Yes, do get involved. Last week, we were showing you are trick shot

expert. Let's see what he has in store.

And go to shoot these two bowls, hit the Q-Tip. -- cue tip.

This shot is another one where as should the white along the rail, and

then come back. I'm going to jump the white ball

over the triangle, it will land somewhere here and come back.

How does he do it? The man is a genius. Time now to bring you up to

date with what is happening on table number one. It is Wales versus

England. Dominic Dale is at the table.

Dominic is 12-4 in front, he will not have the same enthusiasm. He

will still try to win the frame, but concentration drops and that is

enough sometimes. He probably feels he has plenty of

scope. But he would like to get it out of the way.

It was a bit unlucky that. He tried to develop the black and the two

reds. That would be an ambitious one.

Michael Wasley did so well in the first round.

He has got a look to look -- he has got a lot to look back on even if he

does lose this match and hopefully he will learn a lot from his

experiences at the Crucible. And lucky. He tried to bring the red

into play. Patching bowl, so he needs to

nominate. Some of his supporters fear,

enjoying that one. -- there. Just wondering if he has blocked

this. If he hasn't, Dominic might be able to take a double on it.

He can see the red, but can't do much with it.

That is more like it, make it awkward for your opponent. There is

nowhere to go here. That is only could do. -- all he

could do. There is a chance, believe what not.

He hasn't even looked at the green. He could put the green and then come

up for these two reds. That was the shot that was available

to Dominic. But he had a look at it and decided against it. There

shouldn't be a problem. A little thin one of that red and

get in behind the yellow. He has been unlucky there. Still not

an easy shot. But if he pots this, look at the

handle he will have on the black. If this red goes in, he will have a

good chance. If it is tight, it will make it

slightly easier. It is tight on the cushion.

Pretty good effort. He could get onto yellow and hold it.

This is the key to winning the match, this one-shot here.

It's not that bad as it has turned out. Difficult to get onto the green

from this position. He tried to make something happen

there. At least he has got it safe, but he could be in trouble.

This is the shot I got Dominic would play. -- I thought.

I think the right is too far up. Back up towards the green if he

takes it on. Very unlucky. It is a good part, but

terrible kiss on the pink. Yes, there was lots that could go wrong

with the positional side of it. He could hit the colour, which he did

too. He could snooker himself behind the brown.

Michael is left with a similar shot. If he cuts this in, he will

head into words the brown. Very clever shot from Dominic there.

He is very knowledgeable when it comes to the tactical side of the

game. Play into the jaws of the pocket, as

little black spin -- a little backspin. What do you think? It

sounds easy, that this was a Triffit little shot here, so delicate.

If he had hit that a little harder, he would have got the snooker.

It's all right, but he could have done with the green not being that

close to the cushion. It gives a wider target for Dominic to escape

from. If that Green had bounced and come out of the middle of the table,

it would have been very tough. Good escape, a lovely touch there.

Just needed to hold on for this one-shot and hope he is not

snookered on that next one. You don't see it that often, the

players playing the snooker ball rather than the cue ball, but that's

all he had on there. Dominic will be hoping to knock the green up to the

black. If he was right in behind the

screen, he could take it on. But he is a long way from it.

He could have been there a long time, waiting for that one to go in.

But he has come out OK, though. Anywhere at the right side of the

table, with a black and it is, it is going to be safe.

A little thin one should get him back up the table.

At the moment, Dominic needs the green, brown and blue.

He keeps trying to get over behind the brown, but this time he has

brought the green up. Will it run far enough for him? Not quite.

What a shot. What a brilliant pot that is. That is so unlucky to

finish there. You won't see many better pots. That was terrific. He

looked a bit disappointed, but I think he tried to bring the pink

into play. He was hoping to bring the pink into play as well. Needs

another good pot here. Yes, he can send the brown twice across the

table and screw in behind that pink.

Not quite. Just keep an eye on the brown if it comes back across the

table. Michael is having to look to see if

the brown will pass the black. It might do from that position. That is

from our camera pocket. Good judgement there. But he will be

faced with a very difficult pink. How accurate was that.

A little smile from my cold there. It wasn't all that easy. On the

cushion again. Yes, you feel after such a good pot, you deserve the

reward. Dominic would have liked to keep that green in play.

Could be there all day trying to do that again. Not a lot of choice. He

is asking for the balls to be replaced. Well, that's amazing. To

get around the back of the blue. We know the blue wasn't moved. It was

just the black. They're looking at the monitor. This has a monitor that

they can look at. They're a bit closer together than this, I think.

Maybe they're a little further apart. Let's look at the original.

He got around the back of the blue, so why was the blue moved?

Let's look at the original again. That's unlucky. Now he has to hit it

the next time. 17 is the difference. He only needs the blue. So he is not

having it replaced. This blue to win the match.

Michael just didn't get off to a good start against Dominic. He

dominated the first session 7-1. Every credit to Dominic Dale.

Barring snookers he has got into his first quarter-finals. Well done.

Dominic has played well this week. He needed over 30 minutes to seal a

place in the quarter-finals. His first since 2,000 and will play

Barry Hawkins. They start tomorrow morning at 10.00 am. Well played

Michael Waslec but his Crucible dream is over. I bet he has enjoyed

himself, Michael. He played so well, didn't he, John?

There must have come a time you thought you wouldn't reach the last

eight again? Just to get here, that's always nice, I have had tough

draws. On paper to have had a better draw in Matt and to win and get to

the second round was great. I have been here a while now. You wait a

few days to play the first match and hope you play well enough to win and

I did this time. I have won another, it's amazing. Do you think Michael

was perhaps almost emotionally fatigued after that incredible

victory in the first round? From Mike's point of view he played some

great snooker. Made a couple of centuries, 135. I don't know whether

he came here for the second round expecting to play more of the same,

if he did I would have probably been under more pressure. I knew I would

have to play well and put him under more pressure than Ding today. We

like to have a bit of fun with your outfits and the famous shoes you

weren't wearing this afternoon. Do you think sometimes people

underestimate your ability because after all you have won two ranking

event titles? Maybe the public do. I think the players on the tour know

all about me and know what I am capable of. I don't think they take

me lightly which is the important thing. You have to prove to the

public that you are a great player and capable of winning. Hopefully I

might have started to do that here. Good luck in the quarter-finals. You

will come out relishing the task. Well done. Thank you.

First played in 1993 at the World Championships. He has played well

the last week or so. He is underestimated. He is right, players

know he can play well. As for Michael, that was probably just one

step too far. He had a massive win against Ding and sometimes it's

after the Lord Mayor's show, in the second round you don't get up there

again. I bet Michael has never had a week like it. It's been a learning

curve. Once you get to the Crucible, he will be stronger next season and

hungry and wanting more of the same. The big stage is what we all play

for. He put paid to Ding's chances very well. Ding will be probably

think thinking pity he didn't play that against me. It's full of upsets

and turns. We have a lot of fun with Dominic, but maybe it's time we

started taking him seriously for the snooker he plays as to the footwear

or the walk-on music, for example. The players know he can play. He is

a good competitor or the table. Thank you. We have a brand new quiz

for you this week. Earlier Richard, the star of the quiz show Pointless,

came up with a new version of the quiz. It's called Potless and he set

you a question. This is the answer. Earlier I asked our teams to name

any Crucible finalist. We saw the teams' answers. You have been having

a go as well and tweeting in. I can tell you Nigel Bond, terrific answer

scores ten points. Well-played. Perri Mans is the best answer of

all, three points. One other very good answer is Doug Mountjoy.

The biggest scorer Steve Davis, 93 and Ronnie with 92. Well done

everyone at home. More tomorrow. Thank you very much indeed for all

of you who sent in lots of tweets via social media. I am going to

single out three people. Mike Martin, Matthew Scott, and Olly

Woodall who came up with Nigel Bond. You beat us guys with Doug Mountjoy.

There were 12 of you. Well done again. How does it feel to have your

names read out live on television here on the BBC? Probably very good.

Let's bring you up to date with yesterday in the England and Wales

clash with Judd Trump and Ryan Day. He is back in front. The good news

for Ryan is the blue has come down the table and is in a potable

position for the red. A fabulous effort from Ryan Day.

That break of 80 gets one back again.

It's now 10-5. Ryan Day can't believe he lost that one.

Shake hands. Well-played Ryan Day. That match resumes this evening.

Who is your money on for that one? It's a four-frame lead, shouldn't

be, Ryan Day has played really well. In a match it should be at least

8-8. Saying that Judd is improving, slowly but surely. Have you been

impressed with Ryan Day's performances? Yes, I have. Ryan

probably will be frustrated with the situation but he is playing against

the top players in the world, he is not far short of the top anyway.

It's for him tightening up that final part that he has always had

trouble with. From Judd's perspective we are looking at the

King in the making as far as the lights of Ronnie O'Sullivan is

concerned, he is not the same style, but he has youth on his side. What

is judd going to be like when he is 30? He is excellent now. I had a

chat with Judd on Saturday and he was saying that he feels that he can

get better through this tournament. As snooker players do you feel the

further you go on you build this momentum and this confidence? He

will be looking to do that. He wasn't particularly good in his

first round. At the moment in some respects Ryan Day hasn't taken them

either. He will have to up his game. If he plays Neil Robertson he will

have to be tighter. He is improving from the first round. That match is

at 7.00pm this evening. We are now going to bring you up to date with

the other match that resumes at seven.00pm -- 7.00pm. Marcu Fu and

Shaun Murphy. We join it with Murphy at the table

on a break of 59. This black and one more red is

needed. I don't think it's there. With this black near the pocket you

can hit it thinner than you would normally to try and cannon those

three reds in the middle. He's got them. Applause, but it's come very

awkward. That's unlucky. If he was straight on this red that

he is hampered for wouldn't be a problem. I think there is a little

bit of work to do. He is asking the referee for the spider. Or maybe the

extended spider for this one? The trouble is the harder he hits it the

wider the cue ball will go. Very good shot. Very good! He has a

chance now. Not much of an angle on this black

but a slight one. This would be a frame to steal. A

blow for Shaun Murphy and a real boost for Marco. Doesn't look to

have a fantastic angle. A bit more perhaps he can run around. He is

playing for the red past the pink. He always had that red in the

middle. Shaun will be knowing that brown is

far enough off the cushion it's no real problem. Seeing in your chair

you are hoping your opponent makes a positional mistake, trying to work

out where that could be. Not ideal on either blue or pink.

This could go wrong. When I saw the angle I thought it

might be a case for playing a position on the red off one cushion.

But they've had a few bounces off the cushion so maybe he wanted to

play it off two. He can still pot this but it's tricky.

But it's there. We have a new favourite for this frame now.

Marco pointing at the cue ball. When he potted the yellow, he felt

it sprung off a bit. But still looks good on the yellow to me.

Looks like he has left himself the perfect angle to come up for the

blue. He is digging his way out of trouble

here. Fantastic response from Marco Fu

this is. Shaun Murphy opened the door with that misjudged positional

shot, but this is really a tonic that Marco Fu needed.

Well played. That was a big frame for Marco Fu. Shaun Murphy gave him

a chance but he had to take it and he was solid there and he reduces

arrears now to two. Shaun Murphy leads 8-6.

Is this a fightback. Murphy at the table.

Is there a chance for Shaun that Marco has left him here? Should he

have played safe there? This black will put the points all square.

He wasn't happy with the contact there. Thought he got a heavy

contact that took the pace out of the cue ball.

A little bit of a bounce. Didn't sound massively like a kick, but you

have to trust Shaun Murphy's judgment of the proceedings there

because he was up very quickly. This is more of a cut than he would

have wanted. Another heavy contact. Didn't

destroy the potting angle. That pink now puts him seven in

front. Four of these remaining reds with high value colours would see

him get to the required stage. I don't think the lower of the two

reds below the pink is potable but it might be if you get in the right

position. There wasn't much room for manoeuvre

there. That's the advantage of having that lovely cue action. He

gets so much reaction off the cue ball without any real effort so he

can play a delicate shot like that. He has come a little bit awkward on

this. I agree, I don't think either of those two reds is potable below

the pink. He will be disappointed with that

effort. If he thought there was a problem

coming around off two cushions, why not stun it in and force the cue

ball out? Mystifying. It was a chance to win the frame at

that visit. But he put his disappointment behind him and played

the right shot. Put the brown in a safe position. He will be thinking

he won't be needing it, Marco will, for certain.

Is this red going over the middle? It's potable. It's not as easy as it

looks but it's definitely on. He has lined up the possibility of

getting on the pink to to say disturb -- to disturb the two reds.

Needs an angle on the black, has got it. The one thing you don't want to

do when you kiss that red above the black, don't catch it full.

He caught it full. Has he got a red to the right middle? Either side

both reds would have been on. Can he see enough of this red?

He could. That should be the frame-clincher.

That yellow going in means Marco will not come to the table and try

for those snookers. We have one more frame. The next one will complete

this session. What a big frame it's going to be. A chance for Shaun

Murphy to push on or Marco Fu to reduce the arrears. Shaun Murphy is

now three frames ahead. One more to play.

Then Marco made a break of 136 in the next frame. And ended yesterday

evening's session trailing just by two going into the third and final

session this evening which starts at 7.00pm. Murphy won the last meeting

between these two players. Marco Fu will have to get off to a good

start. There is somebody waiting for one of them, and his name is Ronnie

O'Sullivan. That's one to worry about later. A

good match, high quality. They always have good games. Marco will

need a better start tonight. He went asleep for a couple of frames, he

had chances. Then Shaun got ahead. Shaun played very well yesterday. He

got off to a brilliant start. Should even have been better, should have

been 10-6 arguably. Marco has given himself a chance. I still think

Shaun is the favourite, he is probably a higher class cueist than

Marco but we know he has an underlining talent. I think it's

going to be Shaun Murphy. If he plays to his top level Shaun can

play a steam-roler sort of game to cause Ronnie some problems. He is a

charming man, he talks about how wonderful it is to be back at the

Crucible. He thinks he has another world title in him, seriously? Why

not, he came in 2005 and potted everything and went for anything

that was round, knocked it in the pocket and won. He has changed

Hispaniola game a little bit -- he has changed his game a little bit.

Sometimes he has lapses in concentration, particularly in the

middle of a break sometimes I think. Occasionally he let's that slip.

Like Ryan Day has done. He has always been working with his game

and he is in a good frame of mind and that's important coming to this

World Championship. I think Murphy. Thank you both very much indeed.

That's it for us for now. Join us at 7.00pm with further live coverage.