Day 11, Part 2 Snooker: World Championship

Magnificent. The Rocket was superb. You can see what it meant to him. He

is in the quarter-finals. What a finish.

Dominic Dale was too strong in the end. Tts likeable Welshman that goes

through to the quarter-finals. -- it is the likeable Welshman.

Mark Selby proving once again, he is one of the toughest men to beat in

the game. Alan McManus is through to the

quarter-finals. He will be absolutely delighted.

He's proven necessary form. What a match-up next round. -- he's proven

he's in form. Oh! He's played absolutely flawless

snooker. Neil Robertson takes the match and goes into the

quarter-final. Good afternoon on this 11th day of

the Dafabet World Championship here in Sheffield. We will hit you with

some numbers from the start. 32 players started out here. A week

past on Saturday. Eight remain. We have reached the quarter-final

stages but now the hard work really starts. You know, they have played a

maximum of 44 frames to get here. A possible 93 still lie ahead before

our champion is crowned on Monday night. So, a very, very long way to

go, but all of those numbers add up to rather tasty matches in the

offing, do they not, John and Steven? They certainly do. Can

Murphy win this match I think O'Sullivan looks like he is getting

better and better. What does Murphy have to do, concentration better A

good start and score heavily. Seoul bane McManus. This has granite

written all over it. It is going to be a tactical battle. You would

expect Selby to come through Barry Hawkins reached the final against

Dominic Dale. Dominic has had a decent passage so far. Tougher

against Hawkins. Yes. I think so. The best much for me in the

quarter-finals, Trump v Robertson. Absolutely. . If we go through to

the analysis. There are a century of a sevenries in a season. We saw this

yesterday. He finished in the black. He looks like he is going to do it.

If you play it on you will see what happens. He is trying to birdie it

and make sure about it and he put more pressure on T He would have

liked to have done it yesterday. The earlier 9 better in this match. Yes,

he wants to concentrate on it. It has almost become like a maximum for

him. I think Robertson is confident. He said with the best of 25 to play

it is almost inevitable that he will get this century of centuries. So we

are on tonne watch this afternoon. Robertson is a man who knows his

sporting history. He is well-read on all this and he is well away that

Sir Don Bradman a famous legendary Australian cricketer got stuck on 99

runs for his career-batting average and doesn't want to suffer the same

fate this season. He has been flying this season and superdad is aiming

to become a snooker superhero today. His first priority is dealing with

the mercurial Judd Trump. He leads their head-to-head series and has

put paid to Robertson's Crucible hopes before. And Ronnie O'Sullivan

shares the billing coming through his toughest match for three years

to get to the quarters and takes on Manchester Magician Shaun Murphy. A

svelte figure he cuts, too, after a season. We'll catch up in the

opening session this is from morning.

Last year's finalists, Barry Hawkins meets the capable Dominic Dale in

their first meeting for eight years. Plus the trick shot express will

leave some of the tension. And Richard Osmond pops another big

question to the on-air teams and you in Potless once again and stumps us

in the process. In fact, I have got another starter

for ten quiz question for you and for everyone here in the Winter

Gardens: Who was the oldest player to make the quarter-finals at the

Crucible? Guesses? Fred Davis. Nice one. 1979 he was 65. Age is no

hindrance. Very well-played. You will get a price later. Steve Davis

was 52 when he made it here four years ago and what about Alan

McManus. 43-year-old lone Scot left and he is the eighth oldest player

ever to get to the last eight at the Crucible. He is enjoying a real

renaissance in his career as the former Masters champion. What is the

secret? Postit notes. Is it is something I have been doing for

quite a while now. I write little things, reminders, put it in my cue

case and use it in practice and in matches at times. Reminders that in

the heat of battle out there, to take a step back and calm yourself

down inside and say - OK, basic stuff, you have to your mind

yourselves sometimes to do the basic things right. It is really just

that. Obviously it is a special occasion.

Quarter-finals here and it is the match to get through to the one

table situation. I'm not going to go out there and be panicky. That's in

the my style anyway. I think I'm pretty good at staying calm. Mark

Selby is not the kind of guy that really - he has a great temperament

and attitude. He is not going to go in thinking - I should win this

match. He is a level-headed guy and a level-headed player. He will go

and play snooker. I'm going to have to score heavier that's for sure. As

the tournament has progressed, the top players are scoring heavy. I

want to play the best guys. If he plays like he can, it will be really

tough but I have to make his job hard as W I'm sure I'm going to do:

-- I've got to make his job hard as well. The balls don't note rankings.

This is Alan McMahon us a' -- Alan McManus's first quarter-final since

2005 when Mark Selby was making his debut. A couple of years after, he

made a deep surging run to the final where he gave John a run for his

money, runner-up in 2007. Thereafter reasonable gross. Quarter-final in

2009 and semis in 2010. In the last couple of years, patchy

form. Early exists. This is his best performance for a good, long time.

Has his fifth Crucible quarter final and this match as we join it, tight

and tactical. They have just had a 44-minute frame. We pick them up in

the fourth. McManus has won that. It is 2-1 now. And we join Ken Doherty

and Denis Taylor. Ken Doherty: He would have loved

that to have nestled slightly on the reds.

He has left a red into this bottom right-hand corner pocket. DENIS

TAYLOR: He is make making sure this time. Earlier frame he got down to

pot a black and hit a red. I tell you what, Ken, if he could get to

the mid--session interval, 2-2, what a result that will be. It could

quite easily have been 3-0. Yes. He will certainly be feeling the better

of the two players, there is no doubt about that. On quite a number

of occasions during that last frame, he never looked like winning it.

This would certainly do his confidence the world of good if he

can somehow win the frame from this visit.

We showed you earlier he was unlucky in the second frame when he got a

kick and went in-off. That would have given him a frame. He has a

pretty good temperament has Alan. Always has.

He played that very well. He judged it, the cannon into the two reds

there perfectly. He doesn't have to do much with the

cue ball just keep on under control. Perfect on the black. He has a

choice. He could play a cannon on to the triangle of reds or hold to the

one right of the black. He doesn't necessarily have to do that but it

is a natural to play that cannon. Well, they are all there for the

taking now. Both these players, when they get

the chance they are pretty fluid in and around the table. When the balls

are like this. They have had two long frames, tactical players but if

they get the chance, they won't hang about.

Just a couple more pots to make absolutely sure of this fourth

frame. He takes the pink. He'll need one

more red. Overall he will be feeling pretty

good. I think he will enjoy his mid-session interval. I think both

boys will be ready for a little rest after those two long frames, Ken.

Yes. A couple of long frames but, as you said, once they get going and

get into the balls, they can - they can win frames in one visit. He had

a one against you in three frames where I think he made a century, a

70 and a 60. Yes, thanks for reminding me, Denis. You know I

watch every ball you pot, Ken. This is much better from Alan. He has

been - as you said - having a good season. A lot more confident and

certainly a lot more consistent. And when his game is fully in tact,

he is such a tough match player. He makes it hard for anybody he plays.

He missed that though. Or has he? Yes, he has. He won't be bothered

about missing the red. His priority, of course, is winning the frame. We

are back to where we started, all-square. Alan McManus and Mark

Selby. 2-2. Another 44-and-a-half minute frame followed thereafter and

it was won by McManus. The lowest-rapged player left here is

performing strongly. Into the next. -- the lowest-ranked player.

A good opener from Alan McManus. He is quite proficient at that type of

shot. The red next to the black does pot

into the left-hand corner pocket. He has played that absolutely

perfectly. He is on a choice of two reds here. The red at the bottom of

the pack. He'd love to get this red away from the black but he may not

do on this occasion. Just a little bit too much

screw-back. He has gone a little bit closer to the cushion than he would

have liked. He can't hole to that red above the black.

He will be disappointed. It was a good opportunity.

Mark Selby's highest break has only been 46. Alan McManus's was 74.

There is the average frame time: It is quite pedestrian at the moment

at just over 30 minutes. That was a decent shot. The average

shot time from both players similar. 26 seconds from Alan McManus. 25 for

Mark Selby. And the pot success rate is 86% from Mark Selby. 83% for Alan

McManus. That's quite surprising. That's quite surprising considering

Mark Selby is behind. I think he is OK. He has one to the

left middle pocket. I just show you this split again. He play that is so

well. The white stops but it keeps on spinning because of the action he

gets on it. The one into the middle pocket, I'm not sure who has an easy

screw-back to get back on the black or whether he is going to make

contact with the red that's closest to the cue ball. It's obviously not

straightforward. It looks as if he is going to have to cannon the red

and bring the white back after the cannon.

He has played that so well. That looked so easy. That was because he

made it look so easy. I'll just show you this shot again.

You see, he gets so much action on the ball. The white stops and then

it comes back with the red It was nice to look at that shot. That's

where the height comes in very useful indeed. He could do with

winning this with one visit. He has lost the two over 40-minute frames.

He needs for something to start happening, Ken. Yes, as I said at

the beginning of this break, it is imperative that he starts to score a

little bit more. It has been a very patchy last few frames.

There is no doubt that frame - we keep talking about it, when the cue

ball veered off line with the pink and black remaining, it certainly

upset him a little bit but there is nothing like getting a nice big

break just to get your focus back, your confidence back up. Because it

has been quite tough the last few frames.

A possible eight frames to play in this version session of a best of

25-frame match. Both players, of course, coming into this

quarter-final looking at the first eight frames. If either of them had

a lead they would be very, very happy.

That was a nice little cannon to open things up.

His highest break coming at the right time and more available. He'll

clinch this frame in style here with one visit.

A nice opportunity now to make a century break for Mark Selby. Do you

know how many centuries he has made, Ken? I would like you to say this,

because it is 333. 333, it is quite a lot. Three 3s, it is like a little

forest, isn't it. He made 36 last season and 44 this season. Quite an

impressive return. It is amazing he hasn't made a

century so far in this year's World Championship. He has made 44 this

season. A nice shot. A nice kiss on the

green. How thin did he have to cut that red

to -- did he have to hit that red to cut it in? Great shot.

Much better from Mark Selby. He is going to need the blue.

35 centuries so far. He enjoyed that. Good job he didn't drop that.

I think it was 55 centuries last year if I'm correct.

Still way short of the record, I think. The record at the Crucible

has been over 80. A wonderful break from Mark Selby. It'll certainly

make him feel a bit better. This has been much better stuff.

Oh. And the black flies off the table and hits the cameraman. Nearly

knocks him out but he won't be worried, Mark Seoul bi. He has won

the frame and levelled things once again. It is 3-3. He found his

stride this morning. 3-3. We will join them live now, in the

penultimate frame of their session. Ken and Denis how is this sitting?

Tactical play as you join us, Hazel. And a terrific pot from Alan

McManus. Couldn't have joined us at a better time. Good cueing and

nicely on to the black A lovely angle as well. You can screw the

black in. Cue ball into the reds bringing the black into play. He

didn't use very much pace there. He could have hit that an awful lot

harder and brought a couple of those reds there. But he'll get another

opportunity here. Just drop the red in, make sure you finish low on the

black. You would feel, Denis, one good split and he is just a bit

uncomfortable, isn't he? So many balls to bridge over here. It is

very little to do with the cue ball. That's the only good side from this

shot but look how many reds he has it bridge over there.

He just had to Dolly it into the pocket but it is fairly straight on

the black here. But there is a red at the right of the bounce that is

available. He has a slight angle that I MEPsed.

He played for that red I mentioned. -- that I mentioned. If he could get

a good angle on to the blue, it would be better to go into the reds

from that. He can screw back from the black here. That's the choice.

He must be low on the black. He doesn't want to be straight.

Anything but straight. I think he is OK. Now one good split. Force

forcing He doesn't want to hit the first

red. He is going to need a bit of power and pace here.

That was the problem. Yes, that was why it was so difficult from the

black. But he hasn't got the angle on the red to go up for the blue, to

go into that bunch from the blue would have been easy than from the

black but the angle wasn't there. A couple of shots ago when he had a

lovely angle on the black he was still holding or the red into the

corner pocket and he could have used as much pace as possible because he

had that insurance policy. Let's have a look at that shot

again. Everything is in the open. He still has the other red into the

corner pocket. It would have made life easier for himself. But it is a

great performance year from Alan McManus. To lose the two opening

frames, especially in the wiki of -- in the way he lost the second, but

to lose two frames in a row and come back and win three, it is a good

performance. Mark Selby is the strong favourite for this match, but

Alan is holding his own. And had blocking a little bit -- rocking a

little bit in the fifth frame. Until Mark Selby made that wonderful 110

break. He certainly enjoyed this safety

exchanges. He has been causing Mark sells -- Mark Selby all sorts of

problems. He won both those frames that lasted just over 42 minutes. We

have an awkward situation here. Mark might be able to get that red

away from the brown and get the frame back to normal again.

He is going to be unlucky here. That is a brilliant shot. We know the

reds where covering each other and Mark took the risk. It's still not

easy for him, but what are great shot that was. This will be sons

shot -- some shot if he disturbs the reds here. He has done a pretty good

job. The red pots into the left-centre, it's not easy.

I don't know if there is a little gap to pot and go onto the black. It

wasn't a straightforward port -- pot there. Jihad to swing round the

other side of the black. A bit of a free shot for Alan here. There is a

red he can take on and the black is waiting.

It is amazing. We have got to red is back up the table again. This would

have been a delightful 1-2 knock in.

He is normally pretty good at that shot. He has been quite fortunate,

Alan McManus, it could have been easier. You would have expected him

to have potted that red. If he can Potless, it will be a

great opportunity. He is like most of the top players

in the game. They see that half chance and they go straight for it.

He is behind in the frame, but he will not be behind when he is

finished, looking at the way these reds are sitting. If they see a half

chance, they jump at it. The only difficult red is the one

that is close to the yellow. And he is going to need that red if

he is going to go on and win the frame from this visit.

That is not the best shot he has ever played. Yes, I was waiting to

see it take effect. But it didn't. He has to take a difficult one up

into the left corner. He might be able to screw back for the black. I

know that he wants to take it on. He is looking at the potting angle .

Look at where he is striking the cue ball, right down at the bottom. Good

shot. He got a big bounce of the cushion

there, I thought he had everything perfect. But look where the white

finished. Might just be worth landing on the black and leaving it

awkward for Alan. It may well be the last frame of

this session. He has left anything. I just heard

they will be taking them off after this frame. One player is going to

have a lead going into this evening's session. We will be back

this evening for a second session of this. The second session is on

tonight, at 7pm. Just playing the same shot, trying

to nestle onto this red. It looks a better place. -- a better pace.

He looked at the red between the blue and black, what it's not a

natural, to get over behind the black, he would be sending the red

more or less in line with the blue so the shot is not available to

them. This is clever. Almost. All miss

nestled onto the yellow. Alan has to be careful here.

If he gets to the side of the yellow, the brown will block the two

reds down the end of the table. That was an excellent shot. It looks as

if he is going to have to come up the table and back down for that red

that is over the pocket. He made what -- he may pot it. This is the

shot that Alan is faced with. That is what he will be looking for. If

it is hard enough, he will potted. He tried to get into the left side,

to keep it safe. Good opportunity. What happened

there? It looks as if the cue ball jumped a little bit. Nope backspin

on that cue ball whatsoever. Think he had to get the cue out of the way

again. He hasn't missed many like that. It is just the importance. The

boys don't know this is their last frame.

I'm just wondering... He is not going to attempt it.

Knock the yellow into a portable position. He hasn't played that very

well. You might have an edge, Mark Selby.

He could have had Mark in all sorts of trouble there. But that gives

Alan a chance to sneak this red in. If you are going to miss it, you

miss it then. There is always a chance of the snooker as well.

You could hear a pin drop in the Crucible. No play at the other

table. The whole atmosphere suddenly changes completely. Particularly

when they lifted the screen as well and you have this wonderful theatre

all to yourself. He could just play... He has got to

be confident in this shot. Come off the side cushion, knock the red onto

the top cushion. But you have to be confident of that shot.

Well, that is a typical Angles McManus shot. He is so good at the

Angles. This looks a good line to me. What

an effort. We have got Angles versus Sat Nav

Selby! An excellent attempt to get behind the yellow.

Got to be careful with this one. If he swerves into much, he could not

one of the reds over the corner pocket.

You can always tell from the facial expressions of the players. Yes,

some players more than others. You can tell by their body language and

facial expression. Roll the red over the corner pocket, nestle the cue

ball tied up beside the green. He may be able to red this round the

green and flick this red in. It's away from the pocket enough. Alan

McManus hits the cushion first with a little bit of swerve, there is a

possibility he could flick it in, even though it's not back close to

the pocket. If it was nearer to the pocket, it would be a lot easier.

It's too far away to cut in. He has overcut it! Look where their white

is going to finish here. How does he get up to this difficult

red? A needed an angle on it. This would be some shot. I don't think he

can do it. He is looking at dropping off the green behind the yellow.

It's straight forward down the right-hand side of the table as we

look. Has he covered this enough? He is just so good at getting out of

snooker 's, Alan McManus, you just expect him to hit the spread. It is

a matter of whether he can get it safe enough. Has he got it safe?

It's turning out to be quite a tense final frame of the session. The

players know will now -- now will know.

Another flick on the bone. He holds his hand up, that will help.

We saw a shot earlier in the match when Alan McManus only had the

slightest edge on the red. A similar shot. The cue ball is closer to the

red this time. That is amazing. A very similar shot a few frames ago,

you could just see the paint of the red. On this occasion, he misses it

completely. Previously, he hit the green on this quarter ball. The only

problem with putting this back, Alan is trying to flick this and getting

behind the black. That looks to be near enough. But he will have to

make absolutely sure. She is asking one of the other referees to have a

look. The white is just below the white line. I bet she is pretty

close there. Let's have a look where it was before. Yes, she has got it

spot on. If he flicks this, there is a chance of getting behind the

black. He has played it well this time.

That's nice to see, both boys having a joke with each other. There has

been a lot of tension, very long frames.

This frame has been going over 35-minutes.

This is a half chance for Mark Selby.

That was pretty close. Look at the cue ball. Had he parted the red, he

would have been on the black. At least he has got it safe. He is

usually so good at that type of shot. But when you have had a

tactical battle, you just lose that rhythm. That is not the best from

Alan. Again, it is not straightforward.

This is a tough pot. He could possibly play it into the pocket

where the yellow is. Then hold for the yellow.

He will be disappointed to lose this frame, Alan McManus. He should be

happy the way he has been playing. Yes, I think if you had to give him

4-3 against the former world number one, he would've taken it.

Especially after he lost the two opening frames. I think he now knows

that they are not going to be playing the last frame.

Mark Selby takes that frame. Yes, that was hard-fought.

It is snooker, but not as I know it. But still very watchable? Yes, a

couple of long, very drawn out frames. Some of the episodes on the

colours have been... Well, hard work to say the least. Tactical. That is

one way of putting it. Then you have two players who are so proficient in

that department, they cancel each other out to an extent. That is what

has happened today. Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty definitely deserve a

cup of tea. At the side of that match, we were hearing, Alan

McManus. He was using notes to keep and self-confident. Is that

something you use? Yes, I keep some in my bag. I think it is something a

lot of people use. He has been a real inspiration. The only Scot

here, flying the flag? Yes, I was asking him what he was doing to get

his game back because he had disappeared for two or three years.

I asked what he had done to get his form back. Were you picking his

brains? Where there is always something in it for you. He was

telling as he has dedicated himself to his practice again, and all his

routines. He has really disciplined himself and it is paying off. And it

might even pay off for you? We are going to check in on the other match

that began this morning. Barry Hawkins against Dominik deal. Barry

Hawkins went out to up for - one lead. It is now 4-2. Barry Hawkins

is at the table. Very nicely controlled there. That

could be a frame-winner. Take the chance of leaving the brown out in

the middle of the table to guarantee the snooker behind the black.

Once again, one cushion... May have to touch the side on this. And that

what happens when you hit it harder, it comes off the cushion a

little bit narrower. It is thrown off the street angle.

Obviously, Dominik is awaiting a better chance to get a pot on the

bone. But a lot of players would have taken the brown on the.

Es He has got away with it. There was that kiss. It put the cue ball

closer to that baulk cushion. I think the brown is still cuttable.

It is very thin. Not easy to control the cue ball. Oh, he has overcut it.

Wow, the longest frame in the match but the most exciting.

Five points behind. The cueball is... It is going to be very

difficult. But I think he has got it absolutely perfect. He couldn't have

played this better. He will probably play the cannon on

the pink just to nudge it out a bit. He didn't nudge it out enough.

People watching will think - why don't you roll it in and play-off

the cushion. That's why. And, of course he is four points in

behind - oh, four points in front. He wouldn't have needed the black,

you are right. Well, the cannon was there. I think he hit it a little

bit too hard and the backspin didn't take spoon enough for him to bring

it off the cushion. He can't really play a snooker behind the black

here. He has to be careful with this safety shot.

Well, he got the angle, not the pace. A big shot for Dominic to take

on. These are tough shots. He would be on the black but the cue ball

would be over on the right-hand side of the table T wouldn't be that easy

for the black. Such an easy safety shot, Terry, up and down. You can

almost guarantee getting the white on the baulk cushion and the pink on

the black cushion. If the white was two or three inches off that, I

would expect him to have a go. But where the white is, I can't see him

taking it on. A little short of pace but once

again a very thin cut for Barry Hawkins. He only needs the pink. The

cue ball will certainly be rolling around the table somewhere. You have

to ask yourself the question - will I ever get a better chance?

Well, he has come around to look at the potting angle. The problem is,

if he misses the pot, the white will be travelling so far, it'll come

right back down this end of the table again.

Well done. Well, where is the cue ball? Well, a fabulous pot. He will

be delighted to pinch that frame. So, Hawkins with that three-frame

advantage. Incidentally I'm sure Jimmy White has a debt of gratitude

to pay to Dominic Dale because his victory in the last round to get

into this quarter-final means Jimmy keeps his place on the tour by right

and does not have to wait for the invitation that could have been

coming his way, were he not to have achieved it. So, that means there

are two potential invitations left. John? Maybe not. All right. Into

frame 8. It's Dominic at the table. . It's an unusual shot to play. He

had to play it. It was on. He needs to push things on a bit and try to

win the final frame. But he is so used to playing the direct potting

angle, when you get that red in the corner, then that can just deflect

your attention for a little while. Yes, this balls are now in a

position where Barry Hawkins normally scores very heavily.

That pack of reds are in an unusual position. They are mostly leaning to

the right-hand side of the table. A red came up and covered the one in

the corner. Maybe he will play a plant there, if it is pretty

straight, as long as he doesn't have a lot to do with the cue ball. Here

he goes. That's the beauty of it. I'm not

saying Dominic wouldn't have played that aggressive shot into the pack.

He is unlucky not to have an easier shot. But if you play for the loose

reds now and again and refuse to play into the bunch, sometimes you

don't get a better chance. That's the reason you deserve what you get

when you play the right shot. He took the risk of going into them.

OK, he had to find a plant there but it was a plant that looked

unmissable. The frame is at mismercy. -- at his

s mercy I think on the reflection of play

this morning, Barry would be - well, I would he almost deserved to be 6-2

in front. It is hard to say that with Dominic having a few chances

but he has certainly been the more aggressive of the two players.

Dominic has refused a couple of chances to open the balls. Look at

the last frame when he was 47 in front, he didn't open the reds below

the pink. In the second frame he was on 31 and could have gone into them

and refused it. That has cost him the two frames that he could have

won. Still not ideal yet. The seven reds

around the pink spot all seem to be in the way of one another, still, so

a kiss needed. And it is going to arrive now.

Est about OK. He is only on one red. For one minute that looked like it

was going to be a very good split. Then, I suppose you only need one

red. You can always open them out again, if need be. After this red,

there is one red available next to the one he has taken on right and

one below the pink. He will have to dislodge a few reds

to win the frame. Well, he potted that in the thin

side of the pocket. That's why the cue ball has come up too far. If it

was in the middle side of the pocket, he would have been eight or

nine inches further down, towards the pink. Now he has a difficult

shot. One second you are in prime position, next you have a tough one.

This game always asks you questions. He is usually proficient with the

rest but this could be missed. It really was a great shot. He had so

much control on the cue ball as well.

He would love an angle to bring another couple of reds to be able it

win this. He needs another good positional shot. He is straight on

the pink. He is going to have to be careful

here. After potting this black, he only needs one more red.

He has got one. Not sure he played for that one but he will take it.

The way he plays this morning, he deserves a century. He has been the

stronger in the breaking department of the two players. Yes, but to be

fair to Dominic Dale, he has made him work very hard for this lead. It

could have been closer. The previous frame was very tight on the colours.

Dominic doubled the green, an adventurous shot and didn't get on

the brown. He was unlucky there. But at this standard, there can only

be a few shots difference between being 4-4 and two frames behind.

APPLAUSE 37 centuries this year. And there

will be plenty more to come. Dominic has had to sit in his chair

since he didn't quite catch the shot right trying to go in off the red.

Hawkins is taking this in style. Had to kiss the reds a few times to keep

the break going. These two players come back this

evening for the second session of eight frames.

And a wonderful break for Barry Hawkins. 134. His highest so far.

Dominic Dale has a bit to do this evening. He is 6-2 behind. Hazel

Irvine: we are about to start our live play. In 15 minutes. We have

O'Sullivan, Murphy, and trufrp. We have o representative from the Times

here. Glad we didn't scare you away last week. Time now for table talk.

We'll talk about age. Oh, yes, it was Mark Twain said, "Age is an

issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind t doesn't matter." There

is something in that this year. If you look at the quarter-finalists

here by age, McManus the oldest at 43 but what is significant, is half

of the remaining quarter-finalists are 35 or over. Only one man in his

20s through to the last eight, Judd Trump. At the last 16 there were

only three 20s remaining. Hector, I thought this was a young person's

sport. What is going on? Does this surprise you? That's what they told

us. The trend veils to be towards an older Crucible quarter-final

line-up. One player in 20s. A couple of years ago it was the same thing.

If you look at the players in their 20s challenging for titles, it is

Judd Trump, Ding Junhui and probably Mark Allen. Obviously Ding and Mark

Allen no longer in the tournament so jud is flying the flag for the

20-somethings and the trend seems to be towards an older group of

players. Is it a generational thing? Is it a moment in time or are some

of the better players becoming older. Does that account for it? I

don't think there is anyone, not that I know of, coming through to

challenge the established players in their 20s. The O'Sullivans, they

have been there for a few years. Apart from Trump and Ding, no-one

coming through to challenge the established players. Do you think

the Crucible is the exception to the rule here? Obviously in the matches

that the guys are playing in the tour, they are best of - well, 9s

and 11s and very seldom are they having to play the longer frame

matches like best of 19s. It could have something to do with it. But I

agree with Stephen. I don't see people pulling up trees to get into

T people are asking me who is the next best player and young player

breaking through. I haven't been able to tell anybody. We know about

Judd Trump. It is as simple as that but we have not seen anyone else.

What do you think, Hector? I I agree with the boys. I would have expected

somebody of the age of 22 to be regularly in there challenging for

semifinal stages of ranking tournaments and here at the Crucible

even as well. But they are just not quite there at the moment. There is

a slate concern that up haven't got people coming up behind Trump.

That's pulling that average age down, if you haven't got the people

below Judd Trump in the pecking order. It is interesting to see you

have guys over 35, Barry Hawkins obviously but the likes of Joe

Perry, 39 and Ronnie O'Sullivan, appear to be getting better with

age. They are opposite ends of the spectrum. Ronnie is playing better

because he is playing less and Joe is playing better because he is

playing more. They are opposite characters but different reasons why

they are both playing so well. You would think, clearly, as we said

earlier, that as you found out when you were getting older and indeed

you, John, that you would toned lose some fas ets of your game. -- tend

to lose some facets of your game. Concentration. If you can

concentrate and play to the best ability up to and over 40, it is

great. That's what I found. The mental part and the cone is

entracing levels. Ronnie is exceptionally fit. Joe is a fit lad.

Most of them are keeping themselves, I think it is a big part, the

fitness. When you get to 34 and 35, you are on the wane. It doesn't seem

to be the case. Judd Trump flies the flag for the older generation and

the moral of the story is - there is hope for us all. The newspaper

headlines dominated by Neil Robertson and this fight to get to

the 100 centuries is ongoing after just failing to get there yesterday.

He has intoned the likes of Don Bradman the legendary Aussie

cricketer and he doesn't want to stop on 99 as Sir done did. There

are -- Sir Don Z lots of stuff in the papers giving them to talk about

and Hawkins, a bit about him struggle to Dale. But Neil is the

best I have ever seen, said Allen, who lost to him yesterday and

something to look out for, what we are calling "tongue watch."

Can you belief it? I knew it would happen. I had a bad shot on the rest

at # and left myself low on the black. I rattled T I hit it fine. I

thought it was N I was about to celebrate with Hendry. -- I rattled

it. I hit it fine. I thought it was in. I was about to celebrate with

Hendry up in the box. He was the first person I was going to look to.

It'll have to wait longer. He has played flawless snooker. I

think it'll happen naturally. I'm 99. I have a best out of 25 to play.

There will be plenty of opportunities. Well a best of 25

frames it get over this. How significant. Let's broaden this out,

would a moment like this be for snooker by comparison to other

milestones in other sports? A huge milestone. I would only say of a

caveat of the number of perhaps slightly minor tournaments but I

think would would be unfair. The record for centuries in a session

was set last year by Judd Trump at 61. Neil Robertson hasn't just

beaten it, he has hit it out of the park. Sensation A Ronnie O'Sullivan

himself, no mean century maker himself, described it as the most

phenomenal scoring in the history of the game. A phenomenal achievement

but as Judd Trump said last night - it doesn't win you anything. That

was perhaps a slight little dig, but, it is true. How much focus do

you think it has taken, John, and how potentially distracting could it

have been? Is it a distraction for him today, for example? It could be.

I would have loved to have seen him get it out of the way yesterday for

his own peace of mind. To start today afresh and not have it on his

mind. The most important thing today is to win the match. We know that.

But it is going to be there a little bit the fact he hasn't got to 100.

It is a a phenomenal achievement. It does win you something, 99 frames.

He has done it with a great deal of respect. It would have been easy to

take on risky shots and get over the line. He has always waited until the

frame has been won to have a G you have to take your hat off to him for

that. -- to have a go. Yes, all the other players can play in the same

tournaments. He is a mile in front of second place.

Yesterday he was being careful, partly because it was an important

match. You can see him double thinking every po significanceal

shot and breathing -- po significanceal shot -- positional

shot. It is in the press and the MC mentions it, so he is not being

allowed to forget it. You have had huge mileage out of it from

newspaper perspectives. We have. I wrote my first piece in December.

When you look at the progression and strike rate he was on for it as long

as he carried on that strike rate. Yes, it was something that was

always on but he has made sure it was always likely to be the Crucible

that had happened, if it did happen. And fortunately for us, that's

exactly what could happen. The first person he looked up to was Stephen

Hendry in the commentary box. In a way, you started this off. You told

him over a chat in the bar in the UK Championship in York that you didn't

like the way he was going about making breaks. What was impressive

is how he took that information and changed and developed the way he

played. He is very willing to learn. In every sport you have to be. I

learned from watching the likes of Steve Davis, Alex Higgins and Jimmy

White. Neil is not afraid to ask someone for advice. He has taken it

on. People said I said he was amateurish. I wasn't as blunt as

that. I was surprised about the way he went building breaks. Whether it

is down to me or not, it has been phenomenal. He is very aware of

other records and other people in other sports. Aware of Australian

records. It is fantastic and patriotic. You see Adam Scott

winning the Masters, the first thing he shouts are - go Aussie. He

mentioned Shane Warne to you. He Z the Don Bradman getting left on a 99

Test average was put to him in the press conference and he came back

with Shane Warne never having made a Test century in 99. He is a keen

sport historian. He has a tough match against Judd Trump this

afternoon. The match of the round, as we were saying earlier. In terms

of the century, he will get chances. Trump plays an open again. So the

balls will be there to make big breaks. We are looking forward to

that and also looking forward - I mention the phrase embarrassment of

riches quite a bit but it is true today. We have Ronnie owe you will

have van going for three in a row and his sixth World Champion against

a man who has won this before, Shaun Murphy. Surprisingly their paths

have not crossed that often in major tournaments. This is only their

fourth meeting in a big event. You don't know what is going to

happen. 2011 was meant to be my last World Championships. I have had two

brilliant wins here, the last two years. And I played great snooker

the last three years. For me I have kind of shown everybody what I'm

capable of. When he starts potting the long

ones, he is pretty hard work to play against. I struggled for years to

get the consistency. Now I'm playing to a high level. Even when I'm not

flying, I have the belief to turn it around and get momentum from

somewhere. It can be the worst place in the world the Crucible or the

greatest. You have to accept that as part and parcel of it. Definitely,

the adrenaline and the high, it is a great feeling. Well I, like every

other player on tour, have enjoyed watching Ronnie play the last three

seasons. Unbeaten here. He is the player we all like to watch. I like

to look at this match as a challenge. It will be a great

example to me to see where my game is at. He is the benchmark. The top

player in the world. The best player on the planet. It will be a tough

game. Shaun Murphy, how do you view his task today? One word -

concentration. That's what will win him the match. There are players on

the circuit who have slightly better killer instinct than Shaun has. He

gets to 40, 50, 60, Stephen noticed in commentary one time, and it is

true. He doesn't finish the frames off. If he doesn't do it today, he

will get punished. O'Sullivan will clear up. Joe Perry showed the way

from Shaun Murphy's perspective. It is the toughest match Ronny has had

for over three years here. That's right. He showed the way. That's one

of the things everybody wanted to see. If Ronnie is going to win we

would like to see him win against other players playing at or near

their best. I would really like to see Shaun Murphy do the same. I

think John mentioned concentration. Shaun's coaching team have been

working hard on concentration and safety play and cue ball control

which are pretty big things at this level and they were perhaps things

that were letting him down against his main rivals. Marco Fu gave him

huge praise for his new improved safety game. I saw that last night

on your internet page. A big compliment he paid to him. Tell us

about Ronnie's performance in that mini session against Joe Perry tells

us about his level of desire. The way he reacted when he won shows he

is well up for it. What Shaun needs to do which Joe did, Joe was ahead

of him early, he got a great start. If he gets a good start we know what

a frontrunner Ronnie is. We talk about his concentration. Maybe he

needs someone like Ronnie to make him concentrate. The last game to

get over the line against Marco Fu was the best. He knew he was going

to make the break. I could see the intensity and focus. It is not

always there. It will need to be today. He has a big test indeed.

Thank you very much for your chat gentlemen. Well, I know who has a

very good seat in the house in there, Steve Davis along with 850 he

other people inside the Crucible. They are the lucky ones for the most

watchable men in the sport out there today.

yes, and arguably, four of the top eight cueists. There is great

anticipation in the room. As experts, we are supposed to know the

outcome of these matches. I am pretty sure I know the outcome of

all matches. I'm also sure that there is going to be one upset. But

I'm not sure which Matt -- Matt Jess is going to be. We will be rocking

and rolling between both matches this afternoon.

There are so many possibilities in both of them we do not want to miss

a thing. Both matches are available to you on the red button. Let the

quarterfinal fun begin. There is only one man for the job, Bob

Walker. Good afternoon. What a session of

snooker this promises to be. Really have we seen such a line-up of flair

and ability for two quarterfinals. We will be entertained in fine style

this afternoon. Please welcome first of all, a bold

break-builder who is brilliant to watch. His style of play has

attracted a new generation of snooker fans to the spot. He is,

ready to bring his own brand of naughty snooker, Judd Trump!

And his opponent, an Australian who has become one of the sport's greats

since arriving 11 years ago. He won the big one here in 2010 and has

since added the Marsters and UK crowns. He was sublime in his last

session against Mark Alan yesterday. Here comes the current world number

one, 99 not out, can you hear the thunder from dialling an, Neil

Robertson as on table number one, please welcome

our class act on and off the baize. He was delighted that the hard work

he has done was rewarded in China last month. He has won the world and

UK titles. Superman wears a cape, this man carries IQ. Here comes the

magician, Shaun Murphy! And finally, please welcome the most

exciting player ever to grace the modern game. Winner of a magnificent

26 ranking event titles including last month's Welsh Open. He produced

a comeback of real composure against Joe Perry, here he comes, the

Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan. What an afternoon stretching before

us. We will start with the Ronnie O'Sullivan, Shaun Murphy match. But

both options are available on the red button.

This is the Crucible Theatre at its finest. Two great matches. This one

looks to be a cracker. Quality here. Yes, wherever you look.

That must be the worst break off I have seen Ronnie make, left-handed.

Yes, that was a surprise. I have been quite impressed with

Shaun's safety play in this tournament so far.

Chance of the four cushion safety behind the blue. But it's a late

days. -- its early days. Just a fraction of being absolutely

inch perfect. That was a little bit pacey. He

avoided a collision with that red near the right pocket. Shaun Conway

a better one here -- Shaun can play. Well, I thought he could.

Ronnie O'Sullivan got the advantage from Shaun Murphy's poor safety. He

has cost him a bit of a problem. No obvious path back to baulk. Just

coming to see if he can leave it on the top cushion. If not, is it a

pot? Very committal. Once again, has he got away with it? I think he

might well have done. Badly hampered by the pink. I don't think Ronnie

would fancy that too much. I don't see a good safety shot for

Ronnie. That red near the left corner pocket, just have to try and

contain the situation. Still the best of 25 in these

quarterfinal sessions. But we know how important this first session is.

I think there may be a path to this event in the left corner. It was

always going to be a dangerous safety shot. Now, there are two

choices. Ronnie is usually pretty strong out

of the starting blocks. But then you could say the same approach -- about

Shaun. Did really well to get the cue ball

back up the table there. I do sense that Shaun Murphy has

come here to try and recreate to some degree that style of snooker he

employed in winning his first World Championship, his only World

Championship. Very aggressive. Yes, I agree. I think it suits him.

I think it gives him a little bit more freedom. Obviously, this black

will go to the left corner. Didn't look like it.

Black, I think, only goes into the left corner. It would be a lot nicer

if it went into the right corner as well.

Well, it might go. If you were right behind it, you might fancy it.

There is a bit of a puzzle to resolve with the three reds to the

right of the black. Yes, it would be handy if you could

get the blue back on their spot. If he finishes very close to the

baulk cushion, he will have a nice angle on the blue.

That is inch perfect. He can play for the black here. If he could get

low on the black, play with a cannon on those two reds just above it, you

could see him scoring quite a few points with this opportunity.

A difficult shot now, to shift these two reds.

The plant. Yes, he hit the wrong red. He missed that one and took the

other one. The possibility of a plant, but quite a distance between

the two balls. This is no certainty. If you are right behind the black

and you fancy putting it -- potting it... Great cue control. He is

looking very fluent now. Even on that shot, not a great deal

of pace pot in, but a very long backswing, very fluent. Had a bit of

trouble getting over the line in a few frames in his second round

match. Getting to this point in their break and then failing to seal

the frame. Ronnie started off with a bad

break. It was a terrific opening red from

Shaun. This for the first frame. That puts him 70 points ahead with

just 67 remaining. Shaun back in action straight after

last night's win over Marco Fu. Ronnie has had a bit of time off

since his last match against Joe Perry. That was a tough match for

Ronnie. It doesn't get any easier. A marvellous start to this match for

Shaun Murphy. It doesn't matter about the red. He will be very

pleased with that start. Ronnie did not get his hand on the table much.

Ronnie played a bad break and then it looked as if Shaun had made the

first mistake. Yes, but this red was just a superb strike. He pot so much

topspin on, after it hit that said cushion, the topspin forced the

white ball forwards and created an offer of an angle to straighten up

the shot and give him a chance at that yellow. That was a decent

strike as well. A lot of players could not play that shot as well as

he did. The topspin shot is, not underrated, but it is not often

employed as much, but it is a nice shot to have in your armoury. He

will be pleased with that opening frame. Ronnie O'Sullivan did not pot

a ball. Shaun looks to have found a good

spot to pot the cue ball in. The players in one half of the draw

play on the same table throughout until the semifinal stage. They are

getting to know this table. Even though it is recovered, it will have

certain characteristics. It should be an easy enough escape

to nestle into the side of the cluster. Well played.

I was asked earlier in the week which players would give Ronnie

O'Sullivan some problems, I had to see Neil Robertson and Judd Trump

for different reasons. But Mark Selby has had good wins and

performances against Ronnie O'Sullivan and Shaun Murphy is such

a powerhouse of a player. The players you have mentioned, I think

they would believe they could Ronnie. That is the important thing.

When you play someone like that, you have to believe in your ability. I

am certain that Shaun believes that if he plays his best he can beat

anybody. He has got to keep the faith and he

had the perfect start. This opening session is very important. I know it

is first to 13, but it can be a real struggle to get back on terms.

That sounds like a touching ball. Sounds like a touching ball.

Surely, this time, Shaun has two centre cue ball up to the baulk

end. -- has two Ronnie should be able to plead this

thin enough. A bit of a loose shot from Shaun Murphy Bailey.

Nothing wrong with that because at some stage, the situation will be

resolved. Perhaps he was trying to get Ronnie

to miss another shot, collided with a black.

It is a good effort. That could have caused some problems now that their

pack has changed. If he can't get past the blue, there will be a

problem here for Shaun. There is no easy path back to baulk.

This is the player's view. You can see the congestion on the left-hand

side of the table. I don't think he will be too pleased

with that. He could have erred on the other side of that. Even so...

That is the first ball that Ronnie has potted in this match.

It will be very interesting to see further black is going to go. As

long as he can run through and just kiss the second-hand, it should

clear the black a long way out. They look easy, but

as we have said the four, there is not much nap on these tables. Ronnie

O'Sullivan's cue action is as an flowing as I have seen it. --

unflowing, The tension can affect everyone.

Shaun makes him pay for it. Certainly with the opening red.

He judged that nicely. I think he was hoping for the red in the

middle. But nothing wrong with this one.

He is just about OK. I thought the black was going to hamper his

cueing. He is OK.

If he can get to the middle of the cue ball.

Not ideally placed to go into this pack. And the arrangement of the

other balls. He thought he could develop a pot by

going into them gently. Assume the red he hit, he wanted to hit

half-ball, more than the full-ball contact he got. Now there is a

possibility of the red to the right middle but he will be hampered by

the red close toast the cue ball. He has his serious face on, hasn't he?

I think also, when you are really up for a match match you get the start

he got, it really helped, didn't it. It makes you believe whatever you

are thinking, whatever you are doing, you are in a good frame of

mind. I don't think Ronnie went for the

pot there. Just caught the green. At this level

can can be costly. Ronni is not interested. It is a

good target behind green and brown, to try and get in behind.

It would appear that other reds are going to go wards it now, with a

series of safety shots. That is a very good safety shot, and

it is a desperately thin pot. It does go. That is the advantage of

getting the cue ball so close to the baulk cushion. If he was a couple of

winches -- inches away you would fancy Ronnie knocking this thin red

in. He doesn't want to go for it. It is too thin. He can come unstuck,

so... He has to play a good safety. He needs a good cue ball not to

leave that red for Shaun. He hit that so thin, that red. Is the blue

going to come to his rescue? Or maybe the red that is to the left of

the blue? Mm. It has.

Fortunate there. Shaun might be obligated, I was

going to say disturb the situation, screw back to baulk, that is what he

was looking at. Now he is going to play the risky safety shot.

If he had caught the yellow full in the place, but he flicked by it. He

has covered the red to this corner, so it is back on Ronnie, he is to

miss the blue. I think this red now is available.

I don't think the red is that much of a problem this this far out in

the middle of the table. All right he is playing with the rest, but

even so... Would have referred to have been

able to pot the black. He has to get this positional shot off the blue.

Must keep the cue ball I think, in the left side of the table.

He has got a 25 point lead and looking at the way the reds are, and

I think the black Mabel available at least into one corner pocket. Pink

in the open. What a chance to take this second frame.

-- may be available. If he plays the black he has to be a

little bit careful, so pink it is. I can't see where the problem is

going to come here, Steve. It is a dream start for Sean Murphy as we

speak. Perhaps theed a vantage of playing the night before. Or rather

playing the night before has turned into an advantage. It is as if he

has never left the match table. 56 ahead. 75 remaining. A couple of

reds, a couple of colours would see him over the line.

Back or the blue but no problem, nice angle on it.

So just the red would be enough. That would put him 63 ahead, with

only 59 remaining. I thought he was getting close to

the middle pocket. Striking the ball beautifully, did get hold of that,

too much I think. It was very close to too much.

Looks to be in the zone, Shaun. He made 101 in the first frame.

And every chance it could be back-to-back centuries.

As long as you are 73 or above when you come to the last six colours,

you can get the 100. Oh, well, that spoiled it. What a

Piti. But Ronnie stays in his seat. Ronnie has first chance in all

honesty but he has a slow red, missed it. Never got another one,

Sean Murphy leads, two frames to nil.

Yes, and we talked before, with Hector about the necessity really

for Sean Murphy to make a good start. This could not be better. An

century in the first frame. Good contribution there, Ronnie not

really had his hand on the table. Kept him away from scoring, missing

one or two little chances but couldn't ask for anything better.

Observations from Ronnie? We used to see him making fast starts to let

Shaun in in the first frame he missed by a real distance away, it

doesn't matter who you are, when you hit a shot badly that is worst, you

could miss one thinking I hit that good, but he hit that badly. That

doesn't fill anybody with confidence. They met once in 2011.

In the second round, Ronnie won 13 frames to ten. Shaun came back and

won a couple of frames but it was all over, that is a memory that has

to stick with him, the necessity of getting in front and staying there.

It, you know it is not a trade secret, when you play against him

you need have a good start he will no know, he will know from watching

him fbg he will be watching him this week, it imperative to get a good

start. Incidentally, for those of you watching at home interesting in

such things, they have played seven matches before this, in total.

Ronnie has won six of them, Shaun one of them, that was in the Premier

League final in 2009, but this is only the fourth occasion in a major

ranking vent in which they have met. Feeling each other out here at the

start of this match. That was an excellent escape from

Shaun. Nearly got the snooker back. This is certainly not the start

Ronnie was looking for. I think Steven hit the nail on the head,

where ever you are, from the opening shot, when he broke off he hit the

red all wrong, so just not timing it at the moment, and more table time

Shaun has, the more he will start to suffer.

Great pot. Nicely on the blue.

Couldn't have struck it better, fantastic cue action Sean Murphy

has. At the moment he is doing what is

required of him. His opponent hasn't been ultra weak. Only missed a

couple of shots but Shaun has punished every mistake.

I think he can get into the cluster. Give the back since chance to take

effect. That is why he played the slow screw.

It It has worked out OK, I don't think it was quits as planned, he

was looking for a red to the opposite corner to the black, but he

finished nicely on this one. You would imagine it ininto the

pack. Hasn't checked for any plants. I thought he could have got on the

black from that last red. Just looking there, this red

obviously goes and maybe the end red also goes to the right corner, but

he is low on this, I know we say if you go lower you you bring other

reds into play, you have to be a bit careful here.

Monstrous shot there. Cue ball jumped in the air, he

wasn't expecting so much of a jump in the air of the cue ball, and

missing the vast majority of the pack. Look that the jumping over the

top of those. Hard to envisage, getting that far

down the table off of that shot. He should have been smashing the reds

all over the place, just bounced it a bit too much. Now a tough one

John. Absolutely.

It is no gimme. The way Shaun is playing at the moment, you wouldn't

expect him to miss it. It a big shot to keep the pressure

on Ronnie. In potting the blue, he has to be

careful of the in-off. I thought it might have been the

worst possible angle. Because of the pace he put in, which is very

difficult to do when you are tight under the cushion, he widened the

angle slightly and tremendous shot He may have got a bit of a king that

would have widened it even more. There you see the start, Shaun

Murphy pot success 97%. Ronnie, 40%, but that is mainly because Ronnie is

only getting an odd chance or two. Just looking, I think he has gone

for five pots, Ronnie, and only got two of them. On the other hand,

Shaun has gone for pots and got 65 of them. Quite a difference.

Big mace take with the green, so a risky one now.

-- mistake. He didn't get the screw back on.

But the potting pros we of this man is phenomenal.

Very brave player. Very accurate as well.

Blue is not congratulate to take on. -- great to take on, so a bit of

insurance putting the green safe. Wasn't that hard. No, and the way

the reds are spread, if he had got a snooker which you may have thought

he was able to put the green away and put the cue ball behind the

yellow. Not a bad safety shot from Ronnie.

That one loose safety shot from Shaun Murphy, not putting the green

safe and not getting the cue ball at least tight on the cushion. It has

caused him some problems because Ronnie has played an excellent

safety shot. This is one... Well, Hawk-Eye just

didn't quite get that right. Nice to see Hawk-Eye get it wrong

occasionally. First time for everything! He is a

good pot e not a good tactical player. Yes, I have always thought

that about Hawk-Eye! Not easy but a chance of a four cushion safety

behind the yellow. Caught it a fraction too thick.

He has left the chance of a pot here to the left corner.

A half-ball pot or a thinner one, what we have seen so far, doesn't

look like Shaun is going to turn down much here.

Could have been better on the colour.

Before he got the double kiss he looked like he was going to be on

the black. He is lining up blue and this is a big shot to take on.

He could be forgiven for turning this down and putting another safety

shot, perhaps putting the brown safe. What a shot!

All the time he keeps knocking them in, and keeping Ronnie O'Sullivan

off the table. Effectively he is keeping Ronnie cold.

First mistake. But he has got away with it. Perhaps he has not!

Hmmm. Careless. Was he trying to pinch a bit, to hold for the pink?

It is an error. Ronnie has not had a lot of table

time so this is no easy chance. This isn't a great opportunity. Two

difficult reds. Brought both the reds into play, but

still not got, still got quite a bit of work to do.

He has found his rhythm. Even with the few balls he has potted.

Can the genius of the game clear up in one visit. He didn't want to be

straight. Has he got an angle. Does the red pass black along the top

cushion? It must do. I would say it must do.

It is very tight. Nicely played. Now, he has to be

careful with this black. Too much pace could miss it.

What a shot! Oh. So unlucky.

What a great try. It's a very risky double to take on.

You will fancy she going to play it though.

But that is why professionals don't like playing doubles. OK. He was

very close to getting it. But you never know what the red is going to

finish, if it doesn't go in. And it is cuttable this.

Well, it was harder to see him overcuting it.

He will have been pleased with how he struck that.

??Fting A big tactical exchange coming up

now. If can just get past the pink.

But he caught the green and this red is in the middle of the table.

But it doesn't pass the blue. So it's reasonably safe, but a

chance for Shaun to put Ronnie in trouble now, on this very important

last red. Ronnie has to take the risk of

bringing the red up the table. He was forced into that by Shaun

Murphy's excellent safety shot. Should be able to work out a

snooker. Blue, the brown blue pink and black on the spots, it is a big

line to use for snookering. You get the red one side of the

line, the cue ball the other side. He is not guaranteed to get this

safe. Shaun can send the red in behind the

green, if that is the only shot he can think of, or put the cue ball

behind it. Talking about object ball safety

first. He will be delighted with that.

Absolutely. The red kissed the pink. The cue ball kissed the brown. And

the blue snookered him full-ball. Good hit. He will settle for that. I

think it is safe. That makes the game a bit more

difficult for both players. It is #2340u no longer sob obviously

a red ball game. Even though I don't knowy has played a great snooker

behind the brown, that yellow and brown become a problem.

Well, you can't do much about that. Shaun didn't seem to put his hand up

and apologise. He may be thinking, there was always a chance if he hit

it right he could knock it in. I think the yellow goes into the

green pocket. It is going to be tough to guess on

it perfectly. He may have snookered himself. Oh, that is not good.

Now a difficult situation has arisen for Shaun Murphy. He went for the

throat there, to get ideally placed on the yellow. And now even though

he is 22 points in front, he is going to do well to get out of this,

the one cushion escape, can he just about see it?

REFEREE: Foul and a miss. Obviously, Ronnie O'Sullivan will

have it replaced. Obviously, Shaun Murphy thought he

could hit the yellow, but hitting the brown, could he?

The trouble is, noting the yellow even a fraction would stick it on

into the yellow pocket, so was Shaun Murphy trying to hit enough of it to

get behind the green? It doesn't look like that was a possibility.

Sean quite rightly saying he could not see much of it. Ronnie

O'Sullivan will not know whether the balls were. He will be trusting in

Shaun Murphy's honesty in this situation.

Getting confirmation from Jan Verhaas.

This is where they work, this is where they are now. Shaun Murphy is

changing his shot here now anyway. Well, he has got it safe, he has got

it safe, that is all he could hope for.

He thought Green would be a blocker, but maybe he has got the snooker

with the blue. Looking off the bottom cushion, I do not know if

there is any preference. The side cushion may be a bit away.

This is a chance for Ronnie, but may be a difficult one. He has the

natural angle to comfort the green. He would like to get as close as

possible to the brown. Oh, no! He tried to put some

left-hand side, fraction too much left-hand side, 22 collide with the

pink. It was a misjudgement. Not enough left-hand side. Shaun Murphy

just need the green now. He has got it. Ronnie O'Sullivan,

slim chances, really, but he will be disappointed for not making the most

of that one. This is a great line. If he misses

the pink, what a line that says! What a line! What a length!

If it is a one-cushion escape, then that is a big target. If it is tied

on the black, he may force Shaun Murphy to go a different route, but

he has found another effective one-cushion escape. That makes quite

a big area of margin. He has misjudged that. Ronnie

O'Sullivan can now win this frame again. This brand is not as easy as

it looks on our TV screens. -- brown.

If he just had to pot the brown, you would fancy him doing it, but he

needed to play with some screw and some side. He needed to time it

beautifully to get the side spin on with the correct amount. Shaun

Murphy has played the perfect safety shot, and it is a snooker.

Well, he will be pleased, he has hit it and he has got it safe. The

chance to get in behind this black again, but in hitting its brown ball

thin, he needs to get it to the site cushion. That is a risk.

Oh, he has made a mistake here! He has made a mistake here! And I was

just about to say, although it is very early on in this match, what a

big frame this is turning out to be. A massive mistake.

He let that pink run a little bit too far. It should be a kick, but

you should have been straighter on it.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, he has got a foothold in the match, I know it is

early days, but that will hurt Shaun Murphy, but he still leads to-1.

It looked like an unexpected foothold. We spoke about some of the

areas heard he has worked to try to improve perceived weaknesses. Those

two facets, they were let down in that frame. If we look at the

example, he has got a shot with a 43 point lead, all you want to do is

stick the green in the cushion. The cue ball is immaterial, the priority

is to put the green on the side cushion to stop a counter clearance.

He has not put the green safe, not put both say. -- safe. This is very

hurtful to Shaun Murphy, this frame, but the brown was another case in

point of this. He doesn't put the same amount of effort into a safety

shot as a pot. That is something I was guilty of in my career, and it

is purely just a bad shot. He had Ronnie O'Sullivan under pressure, he

did not look under much pressure. Didn't you much harm! Early days, an

interesting one, but Ronnie O'Sullivan seems to have got in

there. Your observations before this happened of runny? He had not

settled. He missed a trick not winning that frame, Shaun Murphy.

The last frame before the mid-session interval now.

Normally if you're going to miss that frame, you need to look at

hitting it to thin. That was too thick.

That has not worked out too well. There is no easy colour to go for a

here. He has taken on the green. A top shot. He made light of it. This

cue ball, he needs to slow up. That was always a tough shot. There

is a chance here for Ronnie to the far right corner.

A cracking pot, a bit slower on the black and he would have liked. --

than this seems to be a fraction more

staccato in his backwards and forwards movements. It is more than

I have seen before. The opening red into the green pocket was superb,

just not that certain, the black. Shaun Murphy has let this go.

More of a cut and then he would have wanted. Difficult to control the cue

ball also. More of a cot then he would have wanted. -- more of a cut

than he would have wanted. Superbly controlled, but a bit unlucky in the

end. Yes, anything but a full ball on the brown and he would have been

nicely on the colour. A little bit tricky now. A same yellow, a thin

green, no redbrown. -- and awkward brown.

Once again, guilty of trying to pinch a pitch to get position.

A nice angle on the blue, it would be surprising if he didn't go into

this cluster of reds. Hit them absolutely perfectly. He

glanced off the red he needed to get first, so that was always the way it

was going to be on the red next to the pink. He nearly let it slip. He

is just about OK. That would have been a mistake not to be on the

black. That Palun outputs and ten points in

front. -- that blew now puts him ten points in front.

this rate should settle him down in this opening session. You might see

him go to the practice table in the interval, just to get some more

rhythm going. He still hasn't settled down. He

still hasn't settled. Well, that will annoy him. OK, it doesn't look

like he has left anything, but he knows that he should have won the

frame there. You get so used to Ronnie O'Sullivan

playing looking like he is never under pressure.

But every player is under pressure at some stage in a match or a

tournament. Perhaps this is it for Ronnie O'Sullivan, he needs to get

over that hurdle. He has paid a decent safety shot there, I think

Shaun Murphy can only get through to the red that he is looking at now.

It goes past the black, but it would be a brave shot to take on.

I think he was hoping that he could go in-off the black, but at that

pace, it was asking a lot. Look at that, a fantastic cue ball,

regardless of what happened to the other balls. Where he got the white

ball gave him every chance to get away with it. It looks to have given

Ronnie a minor problem here. Nicely played from Ronnie, that is

the best he could do. Shaun Murphy, 27 points behind. He

knows that he should not make one more mistake. It would probably cost

him the frame. A bit thick. The red he played has

run to the site cushion. -- side cushion.

He might be able to jack the cue ball up into the air and play the

plant as a shot to nothing, back to the top cushion. He's more concerned

with getting the reds the table. Don't like that much. That is a

nothing shot. Ronnie will be taking this red on and if he knocks it in,

I would fancy that would be frame over. Obviously Sean did not want

the red coming away from the cushion that much. -- Shaun Murphy did not

want. It was paying dividends! The masterplan! Distracting your

opponent. There is only one real awkward red,

the one at the left-hand side of the table. Ronnie has had a couple of

chances to clinch this frame, so it would really hurt Ronnie, as losing

the last train must have heard Shaun Murphy. -- frame.

Well, I never saw that coming, and I'm sure that Ronnie can get through

to this red. Didn't sound like the best contact on the cue ball.

He needs to slow up this cue ball. It is just about OK. But that is

all. Two reds, two colours, that would see him home in this frame. He

has missed it. These balls have started kicking a little bit.

A good shot from Shaun, taking the opportunity to bring the red into

play. Not perfect on this blue. Does he have enough on the cue

ball? Obviously, he would like a nice, easy colours clearance. But

not absolutely sure if that yellow spot is occupied. He is well out of

position. I honestly think he was in two mind, he did not know whether to

play for the yellow or the pink. I think the yellow would have gone on

the black spot. He should have been higher. Didn't give the full

concentration in the positional department. It could have blasted at

that and gone are the table further. -- gone up the table further.

Why would you want to do that when you are 17 points behind?! You can

see the look of disgust on his face. REFEREE: Foul and a miss. No easy

pot. You would not expect Ronnie to miss that again.

That is a yellow ball frame now, or it could well be a yellow ball

frame. Some way out with that. Big shouts of, , Ronnie, but we can

see the way that the pink is finished. -- big shouts of, come on,

Ronnie. He decided on the blue, but he may

be forced into playing the black. It is all down to this yellow as you

suggested, Steve. 24 point lead, for Ronnie. Who ever parts the yellow,

you fancy would win the frame. -- who ever gets to pot the yellow.

Shaun has an outside chance of getting behind this pain. -- pink.

He has put Shaun in trouble from it. A two cushion escape.

Not an easy chance for Ronnie O'Sullivan, but a very possible

yellow. Controlled the cue ball to be on

frame ball green. So in it goes.

Not been vintage Ronnie O'Sullivan, but you can feel the tension in the

air. This is a quarter-final that has all the makings of being a

classic. As Steve suggested, I think this

first four frames Ronnie has probably looked second best to Shaun

Murphy, he has had to dig in, he has missed a few unexpected pots.

But he will be pleased to go to that mid-session interval all square.

That is the case. So building up nicely. Two apiece.

HAZEL IRVINE: Building up nicely but building up curiously and you would

think that Ronnie O'Sullivan must be delighted to get out of that one

2-2. He looks like out of sorts, he missed two blacks he wouldn't have

expected him to miss. Here is one of them. Coming across the table. Far

jaw, not really close. Very strange, doesn't look like he is with it at

the moment. But Shaun Murphy should and could have dominated that

session, Steve. He has missed a trick. You use a

football analogy when the people is all over the other one, he has had a

tremendous chance, it is one of the reasons I think Ronnie is a

certainty. No-one seems to be able to take advantage even when he is

playing bad. You think it is the inability to grasp the nettle. Shaun

should have been 3-1 up. It is an opportunity missed. It is not just

the blacks he has missed. The fist black he missed he left Shaun

perfect on the red and the blue and within two shots he lost a cue ball.

He was in plum position to make a break. It seems like, I don't know,

that is a moment where the top players like Steven or Robertson

they would be on it like a shot. He has just failed to do that so far.

To be fair, you guys know what it is like to play the whole duration this

World Championship. You won't be able to produce your best in every

single session, is this a case of that? Is it possible nerves? You

should be getting better as the tournament goes on, we are talking

about these are the top players in the world. The standard has not been

great so far in this match. It will get better because they are too good

for it not to. You have to be able to pounce on mistake, you have to

sense when he is vulnerable. He is playing Ronnie O'Sullivan. He will

look and go "I'm going to get going." You have to make the most of

when the chances come up. He should be 3-1. He will be kicking himself,

it is two each. Most of us thought that clueless might have been a more

appropriate time for our interval quiz but potless it is. The stakes

are high. Richard is asking us a very large question and you can play

along too. Welcome back to Potless, here is the

question. We gave our 100 people 147 seconds to name anyone who has had

200 or more career centuries. There is a pointless answer on this list

so very best of luck. Ooh! Right. OK. They will have

forgotten about me. I will go for me. There are a few in the hundreds.

John Parr are the. Steven. Has Hendry made more? Mark Williams has.

As Marco made more? That is a good shot. Marco. John Higgins. I know he

has made 300 but Marco Fu is one, he comes round without anybody noticing

him. Dominic Dale? No, I don't think that many. Don't think. Maybe I am

doing a terrible disservice, sorry Dominic. Marco. You think he is

obscure enough? Has he made more? I think that is a great shout. We will

go with Marco Fu? Sounds great. Let us hope he has. He has. Let us go

for Higgins then. We haven't said him yet. We will have a crack at

John Higgins. Me? OK, John Parrott. It is hard to

believe, I know, but we might... LAUGHTER.

I love you too! I wouldn't have got that one.

What do you think? We know there is a pointless answer on the list, have

they got that. Why don't you tweet us. I will give all the answers and

the scores just before the end of the interval.

Thank you very much. We are going to get to the battle of the lefties

that is going on on the other table. It is the world number one Neil

Robertson against Judd Trump. They have had nine previous meetings and

Judd Trump won a tasty one Hoare three years ago, when Neil Robertson

was coming back to defend his word title and lost to Trump none round

one. That hurt! The Englishman has the superior record in previous

games, he has won five of them compared to Neil's four but this has

the makings of a terrific match up. What a shot that is! I guess it is

nice to be playing these kind of matches, you want to play the top

players and they are playing open scoring games, you can enjoy the

matches and the challenge. Nicely played. Throughout the week I

can't fault my performance at all. Get in, superb. Neil Robertson is

one more century near to that record century of centuries.

I think it will happen naturally. I am on 99 and I have the best out of

25 to play. There will be plenty of opportunities to make a sent. I am

more than happy with how I am playing. He has won a lot of

tournament, a lot of game, he is playing really good snooker so he

will start off big favourite. Neil is negative so I pecks egt him to go

out and be negative and try and control the game. I am going the try

and control my own game and not get frustrated. I know that I can match

him with tactics. I truly believe in myself that I can win this

tournament. Look at this. And don't the crowd love it. If I play like I

know I can I will be a match for anyone. So in we go. Robertson's

opening contribution of 45 game him the first frame. We will join them

in frame two. Robertson 17 points ahead and it is Terry Griffiths and

Willie Thorne watching this for us: He didn't hit it very well. This is

Judd Trump's first opportunity in this match, really.

That was really well played. Had to get the back since on that perfectly

otherwise he would have been out of position.

-- back spin. You see the line he was coming on,

if he was short he would be near the cushion, if he is too far he

wouldn't have been able to pot the pink.

He has found the gap between pink and red.

He is not going to clear up here but he will be glad of the table time.

He potted just a few balls before this visit. He spent quite a bit of

time in his chair. Judd's all round game has certainly

improved. He works very hard. Still in the learning process, as I said

earlier. Aren't we all? Yes, there is never a day goes by at

snooker where you can't learn some sort of new shot. A certain pace to

play different shots. Judd Trump tends to like to stun

everything into pockets. Very rarely do you see him play a slow roll,

especially in the middle pockets, he likes to stun them in. Just the way

he has been brought up. 19 points in front. Somebody is

going to have to get three more reds and colours from here, after this

pink, as you can see with the position of the last four reds, that

won't be easy. No problem with the red but getting

out into open play nicely on the pinlike be slightly tougher.

That has worked out to be perfect. What a good shot that is. Very good.

Another look at the score board there. Two reds, two colours and it

will level at one all. That certainly finished the frame

off. Good positive stuff from Judd Trump. This is a clear-cut

opportunity in the match. Barring snookers it will be one

frame each. HAZEL IRVINE: And that is the chunkiest break of the match

so far. No sign of the century to date. Into frame three we go and

Robertson behind by 31 this time. Excellent single ball pot from Judd.

As you can see there is only the red on the pink spot available. We will

get an example of whether the cue ball is heavy. Trying to screw past

the face of blue to get on to that loose red on the pink spot.

He got into that one. That tells me there is nothing wrong with the

white. You can see the immediate back spin

there, once the cue ball has stopped its forward motion it spun back very

quickly. The black back on its spot now.

You don't want to be straight on this. You would play a canon if you

get it, you are on the second of two reds on the cushion. Not sure if he

has enough angle to play that shot now.

Couple more inches needed but he can still get round the back of the

black. Could have held for the black but

decided to go for the blue. No problem with that.

Can only presume having another look at the screen that the black doesn't

pot in the left-hand side corner, that is why he has played for the

blue. You can see clearly not, from our commentary position it looks

like it may. That is a clever shot. He had to

push that red out of the way. If he played it slowly the red wouldn't

have moved out of the way and he probably would have snookered

himself. Looks at the score board. He is 58 in front. He only needs one

more red. He needs the cue ball to be back

where it is, but he is playing for the red. This is frame ball.

Obviously would like to pot at least one more red, to stop Neil Robertson

come back to the table. He will carry on if he only needs a couple

of snookers. I can't believe he good he hits that

particular shot. He played one the other day and rammed it in. The pace

he has generated, not far off straight. Amazing, looking for a

canon. That puts the frame beyond

reasonable doubt. Request If he manages to pot this

black and kiss the two reds into play, I will give up.

That is why he has taken an exhibition shot on the brown to

bring the two reds into play. Effort. Effort.

So no fireworks from these players yet. Neil Robertson made 45 in the

first frame and Judd Trump replies and takes a 2-1 lead. HAZEL IRVINE:

And no fireworks to speak of in the last before the interval. Judd Trump

won't be complaining, because despite the lack of fireworks he has

gone 3-1 in front. This is a significant lead. It was Mark Allen

who after his defeat by Neil Robertson said it was the best

everyone had played against him at any time. It is difficult to

replicate that form, Judd Trump looking very cool and comfortable.

Neil Robertson with some work to do. 3-1 at their interval. OK, you have

had time to mull over your answers, in today's Potless quiz and maybe

check Wikipedia. I know you don't you that! Here is the answer from

Richard. Welcome back to Potless. Three of

our teams went for Marco Fu, Hazel and Jason went for John Higgins and

John Parrott nominated himself. Let us look at the scores. John, 16

points for you. Beats Hazel and Jason's answer. That would have

scored you 49. The best answer among our legends was Marco Fu with five

points. How have you been doing at home? Five points also for Matt

Stevens, but three points for Steven Maguire and Antony Hamilton three

points. Two Stuart Bingham and Judd Trump. One point for Mark Allen and

there is a pointless answer. Give yourself a pat on the back if you

said Ryan Day. Didn't get Ryan. Should have gone

with Antony Hamilton. Never wins Pointless. St Andrew's is not a city

still. You are never going to let me forget that! We had four pointless

answers. You are ahead, you are beating us

hands down, well done guys, we are going back in to live play now.

Intriguing quarter-finals, the first sessions developing here at the

Crucible. In what was promised, fireworks this afternoon but they

haven't really taken off yet. It is all very nip and tuck. Two all and

it is Steve and John in the box. Yes, thank you Hazel. Not the best

break off shot from Ronnie but he is saved by the brown.

Match time just over one hour 21 minutes. Shaun Murphy had a flying

start winning with the first frame with a century break but they have

both made mistakes since. There is the high breaking Ronnie, as low as

37. That is not the best safety from

Shaun. He has underhit it, and Ronnie has a path past the yellow to

this red. Could play it into the right middle.

Should be able to control the cue ball.

Nicely played. And the cue ball just pulled up in

time and we know Ronnie. First opportunity will try and go into the

cluster. That does surprise me, playing for the loose red.