Day 12, Part 1 Snooker: World Championship

A very good morning from the 2014 Dafabet Snooker championship,

another thrilling quarterfinal day in prospect. There are four players

looking good semifinal places, there are four players at a link to stay

in the tournament. One of them is the 2005 champion Shaun Murphy. Six

- two down against Ronnie O'Sullivan.

When you talk about technique, is there a better game than Shaun

Murphy? Get through the ball so well. Very good power, very

delicate. His technique is superb. Single ball potting, there is not

many better than Shaun Murphy. That cue action, that smooth cue action,

that paves the way for Shaun to knock in some of the most ridiculous

plots. One of the best long pot as I have seen in the game. The one thing

for me he has not improved on is his safety play. He doesn't know when to

push the ball is out, when to draw them in. It is that fine balancing

line between when to go for one and when to play safe, I still don't

think it comes naturally to him. Shot selection, that has come in

question. Whenever do you see him when a match by 5-0. That tells me

his shot selection is not right. I am one of his biggest fans, I just

wish his shot selection would be more conservative. He tends to push

the boat out a little bit too much. You can see him at the table when

things are not going well, that little Rosie Ness comes into

Shaun's cheeks. What can you do about it? That is something that is

natural and that will carry he is a little bit suspect in the

temperament department. Call me old-fashioned but Shaun Murphy, to

me, is the ultimate professional. I love the way he behaves around a

table. I like the way he behaves off the table. He is the ultimate

professional. Quite a few players should take a leaf out of his book.

Shaun Murphy, only just let the practice room. How is he feeling

today knowing he is up against the defending champion Ronnie

O'Sullivan? He last won in 2000 and final bash 2009. He eventually won

out to John Higgins. On his way to another Crucible semifinal. That is

our live match now. On table two, Mark Selby needs one frame to become

the first player into the last four against Alan McManus. Another great

day in prospect here at the Crucible. You can really tell the

anticipation is growing here at the Crucible day on day. This is the

morning where we begin finding out the line-up for this year's Dafabet

world Snooker championship semifinals. The crowd are in great

spirits this morning. It promises to be a wonderful day of action here in

Sheffield. Please welcome, first of all, a

proud Scot who has rekindled the glory days with his run to the last

date this year. He has produced some of the best snooker we have seen

from him in a decade. He has beaten two world champions in the first two

rounds. He has done it all in those famous tartan trousers. He knows

this will be tough but he will come out and give it absolutely

everything. These respond with acute reception for Allenby Angles

McManus. MUSIC: "Return of the Mack" by Mark

Morrison. And his opponent, after coming

through a ten nine thriller, this quarterfinalist has found a higher

gear. Three times a ranking event winner and Masters winner, bidding

for his first Crucible semifinal in four years, he always does it with a

smile on his face, that is why he is the Jester from Leicester, Mark

Selby. MUSIC: "Fast Fuse" by Kasabian.

And on table one, please welcome a class act on and off to the baize. A

player who is the epitome of dedication in all areas of his game.

That hard work was rewarded with a fifth ranking event title in China

last month, a great addition to his Crucible crown. He has some work to

do this morning but he is a proven performer, give it up for the

Magician, here comes Shaun Murphy. MUSIC: "The Superman Theme" by John

Williams. And finally, the most exciting

player ever to grace the modern game, he has won the Champion of

champions, the Masters and the Welsh Open this season. He produced a

comeback of real composure against Joe Perry in the second round. Here

comes your defending world champion, link and you will miss him, the

Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan. MUSIC: "A Man Should Better Himself"

by George Lam. Snooker and its best. Here comes one

of the sport's biggest stars, one of this country's biggest sports stars.

If you want Alan McManus against Mark Selby, that is on the bread

button. But he alive at the Crucible, it is Ronnie O'Sullivan

against Shaun Murphy. up behind the green, looking at the

angle it took. He headed a little bit hard there. Shaun Murphy could

do with the same start. The stock he had in the first two frames. He took

that quite comfortably. -- the start. That is an attacking safety

shot. Immediately, he has left a possible pot into the left corner

for possible pot into the left corner

end of one session, he bit the tip of the cue. He has been very

composed for the last couple of seasons, really, since he has been

working with Doctor Steve Peter's. It is probably the most important

part of the snooker cue, the tip. If you are not happy with it, the right

thing would be to get a new tip on. When you say a brand new tip, it is

properly a tip that has been played in rather than a new one at the box,

so to speak. Depending on the brand, some of them

are pretty soft when you first put them on the cue. It takes a day or

two before they become firm enough to be able to play all the shots.

The money will be trying to get down behind the brown. -- Ronnie.

And at first glance, that is pretty good. Not an easy escape, this. And

that is what can happen when the object ball is close to a cushion,

it is so easy to catch it thick, and that is exacting what Shaun did

there. He needed a very thin contact and he didn't get it.

The reds are mostly placed above the pink and black are tied up at the

moment. There, you can see 15 seconds for

the average shot time. That is fast. He was debating whether to get the

pink into play but he decided it wasn't worth the risk. The red next

to the pink, I don't pink it will pot, it must be very tight. If it

does, it will help the situation. He has gone a bit too far, anyway. A

change of plan, the reds are nicely situated but the colours are pretty

awkward. If he hits the red and pink at the

same time, it is a foul shot. You can played with a little bit of

left-hand side to try and square the angle with the red. The EC red he

has got, he cannot find the path for the cue ball. To try and get around

to the blue. It is very awkward. He found the gap. That is pretty

good, underneath the circumstances. -- under the circumstances. Look how

precisely had to be there. It rolled a bit too far there. Final

Cut and he wanted. -- a finer cut than he wanted.

He may play some sort of cannon here. I am just wondering if he can

get enough side on it. Has he nudged it enough to leave the

pink available which Mark maybe not quite. Another turn on the red and

he would have been absolutely perfect. He has the other one that

is nearer the pocket. Well, he is doing very well. He is

all around the table here. But that is the sort of thing, sometimes he

enjoys the challenge because they are not just there for the potting.

He is having to work hard for these. Once again, he could match the pink

but he could stick with it, that is the problem if he cannons it. He

decided against it. The plaque is available along the cushion. -- the

back. Nothing wrong with stain on the blue. -- the black.

This is not the start Shaun Murphy needed, if he has any chance of

coming back in this match. The first frame was a big frame for him to try

and win. It is not over yet but it looks like Ronnie is going to take

it. Swing this round the angles again, to leave the blue. That is

perfect. He has said that so well. -- he has hit that so well.

Just the black along the cushion and he will drop it in dead weight. That

is all he needs. He didn't worry about position

there. A pretty good start for Ronnie

O'Sullivan and barring a snooker, he should be 7-2 in front. Just the one

snooker needed, though, to tie. That tip looks OK, Stephen. The

first chance he got, he made a almost frame-winning break there.

He will have to be a little bit careful here, Ronnie, because if

Shaun gets the chance with these three reds that are in the open, and

three blacks, look where the red is next to the pink, a great chance for

snooker but will he get the chance to put a red? There is one of them.

But he is going to need two snooker is now.

He could quite easily have conceded there but it is not the done thing

to do when your opponent is coming to the table.

This time, Shaun stays in head seat. Seven in a row for Ronnie O'Sullivan

and he now leads 7-2. Stephen mentioned that Ronnie had put a new

tip on. It seems to be pretty good because he made that break of 63.

This was a lovely little shocked. Stephen had called it, he said he

might try to move the pink. He played with lots of left-hand

side. If it moves another inch, he is perfect, he would have freed the

pink as well. He is thinking pretty straight, Stephen. Here is a view of

the tip. It is very nice. It looks like at tip that has been tapped

down a lot because a brand new one is bigger than that. Whoever put it

on has made a good job of it. Ronnie knows that than anyone what to do.

I'm not sure that tip on for Ronnie. There's daughter has put the tips on

for Ronnie in the past and also for Stephen. A bit of an expert in the

tip department is Les. A bit of a chance for Shaun Murphy. He needs to

get going sooner rather than later. That was a great shot. Top-spinner

and he powered through the pack. He had no angle with that. That was

all he could do. Having to just run away from the black.

He has beaten Ronnie in the past, in the final of the 2009 Premier

league. 7-3, he beach Ronnie. But Ronnie has had six wins against

Shaun. They only played once in the World Championship, 2011, . Ronnie

one that 13-10. -- Ronnie beat him 13-10.

Just a little bit short of pace. He didn't want to be anywhere near the

cushion for the next pot here. And when you raise them but a big

cue in the air and you are striking down, it is quite easy to do what

Shaun just did there. But it was the previous shot that should not have

been anywhere near the cushion. He cannot afford to miss these short of

chances against Ronnie, especially if he knocks this in. -- sort of

chances. He should still be able to make

contact in the pack here. A lovely shot. Shaun's poor positional shot.

He didn't give it enough pace. Hawk-eye will show you he was just

playing up into that area and that would have been ideal.

This match will be played to a conclusion this evening. The way

things are going, how many frames is Ronnie given to need in this

evening's session? Shaun Murphy will have to sharpen up. The match is

just running away from him here. First of all, he is going to have to

win two frames this morning to stop the match being finished a session

early. That puts a little bit of pressure on him. This next shot will

open or both reds up. -- open all those reds up.

He didn't get into that so I don't think he can see enough of this to

take it up into the corner pocket. DENNIS TAYLOR: This is risky. He was

going to play a difficult plant, but he was disappointed with his last

shot, leaving himself out of position. A big margin of error, but

he didn't get the screw he needed. He was never happy with that and

that is a mistake and, Shaun Murphy, it is time to go to work, Shaun.

Well, what was that? That is probably one of the worst positional

shots but -- that Shaun has ever played.

STEPHEN HENDRY: Yes, he will be very disappointed. It is not often that

when Ronnie gets in, Shaun is going to get a second chance.

Excellent part, just let the cue ball drift a few inches to be

comfortable on the black -- excellent pot.

comfortable on the black -- the pink is available. If it doesn't

go to the corner, it will go to the middle.

And it could be a mini turning point. If Ronnie had rolled up tight

against the green when he got a fluke, he would have been favourite

to take the frame. Needs to have a little bit angle

here this -- on this red. He didn't get into that shop at all.

He has got the advantage in this frame but, again, he hasn't taken

the advantage to win it in that visit.

He needs the brown to come to his rescue. I think it has. He can see

the yellow, but I don't think he can see enough to pot it.

Beautifully played. He has got to be a little bit careful, Shaun. If he

comes off microbicide cushion, that he doesn't go in-off the yellow --

off the side cushion. Now the chances there and if he

loses this frame, Shaun, after the position he was in, he said, as we

say, will be in a jamjar. He is not going to get away with

it. He is going to push it over the pocket and that is the sort of thing

that happens when you risk one and you're struggling a little bit. You

always seem to leave them on. He didn't play that too well. He

might still be able to pot it but he didn't want to be this close to the

brown. What a body blow for Shaun Murphy

here. He should have had the frame wrapped up.

Now just the pink, to make it eight frames in a row.

He is going to take the black. It doesn't really matter. He has needed

two or three chances, and in the end, Shaun Murphy, he gave him those

chances. And Ronnie has another frame on the board. Shaun was in a

great position, he ended up playing the snooker behind the black and he

just didn't catch it correctly. No, a couple of times in the frame, he

played pool positional shots. He had done the hard work to get in and

create this opportunity. As somebody who cues as well as Shaun, it is

elementary. Just stun it up to the black. Hawkeye never misses in these

positions, unbelievable. Although he didn't get out of a snooker once, I

remember. I don't know what happened. Anyway, Shaun let that

slip. 7-3, I still think he is in with a shout, but 8-2, it is

difficult to see where he can get back into this. As I said yesterday

at 6-2, I thought the match was virtually over. When Ronnie gets a

lead, it is one in 100 that someone can get back. He is such a strong

frontrunner. The first session yesterday was so important for Shaun

and he lost it six -2. They have the arena to themselves now, play has

finished on the other table, as you can see. So no distractions.

I don't think he is happy with the tip still. Both break-off shots he

has played, he hasn't got into the cue ball enough. Perhaps a little

bit soft. He is usually so reliable with the

break-up shot, but not this time. -- break off.

I think what Shaun could do with is a sizeable contribution, just to get

his confidence going. He is such a talented player and the way he set

off in this match, the two opening frames, a 101 and 59, I thought

Ronnie was going to be in big trouble. But he has not won a frame

since the second frame. And he has dropped down to 86% with his pot

success. He needs a good split here. When

things are going well, you always open the balls up and have multiple

choices. And when things are not going well,

that is the sort of thing that can happen. The shape of the pack wasn't

conducive to a good split. It was always going to slide off that line.

But he is one of the best in the world at this kind of shot. He cues

them so well. He really does. Yes, worth another look at that one. And

he is in a good position. The red at the back of the bunch and he will be

scattering those reds all over the place. Got to make sure of the pot,

though. He did it yesterday, spread the reds but forgot the pot.

He is unlucky. Look where the red is going, right over the pocket, to

block the path of the black. Very unlucky. Couldn't have played it any

better. Look at it coming across the table to knock the other red into

the way of the black. Looks as though he is going to try

and sneak it in. It is very thin. Perfectly on the pink. And in a few

seconds' time, Ronnie can be right in amongst the reds with the pink

and the black in the open. It was a bit pacey. OK, he has got

one to the right middle pocket, but he played for the one to the left of

the black. That is not a great shot. I don't

know what he was trying. It looked as though he tried to cannon that

one out but why? Look how many reds he has left out in the open. He

could have left that for later. That was a poor choice of shot, Stephen.

Yes. By Ronnie's high standards, he is not playing that well.

Think some elementary positional shots poorly that you never see him

play when he is focused -- playing some.

What he is doing when he is making a mistake, he is still playing the

correct shot. A couple of seasons ago, if he played a disappointing

shot, he would get down and try something that wasn't really there.

But he is playing the correct shots. You can tell he is thinking about

the new tip he has got on. At the end of the day, he is still a

winner, he wants to win. The perfect angle now, as long as he

gets the correct cannon. But he hit it rather full and I think he is out

of position. I think he was looking for a half ball on one of the reds.

Didn't quite get it as he intended. You won't see many better escapes

than that. The fact that he has landed on top of the red means Shaun

can't take the one to the right middle. So it worked out perfectly

for Ronnie. A bit of a chance here for Sean. --

Shaun. Ooh. He might just be OK. I think he

has covered the one that was over the pocket. How close was this? Oh,

he hasn't covered it. From that picture there, you would

he hasn't covered it. From that can't see that red. Clearly he can.

Ronnie coming round to see if he can can't see that red. Clearly he can.

make himself an angle on the pink. can't see that red. Clearly he can.

Maybe disturb the two reds on the back cushion.

He has to be careful, it has to be pretty close to a plant.

In fact, it might be a plant now. He was hoping to develop both of them.

No, it is not a planned. So he has won into the right middle pocket...

Well, he did have until the pink went back on its spot. I

Well, he did have until the pink if he can still cut it. Maybe just.

I expect Shaun can get twice across the table to land on those two reds.

Might be able to see enough of the one cushion.

He might be back behind the yellow. I think off the left-hand red. Twice

across the table. No easy safety shot to get the white

then the table. -- back down the table. I'll tell you what, if there

is no easy safety shot on, there is nothing wrong with that choice! What

are pot that was. -- what a pot that was.

If he had the path back down the table, he would have played the

safety shot. But he was trapped. What a way to get out of trouble.

The yellow is off its spot, that will be the key ball, but it is

still available. Well, he had the pink, he had the

black. What I miss -- what a mess. I said earlier, he is not totally

focused at all. This never happens. So it is up to Shaun to try and just

take advantage. He has got to get a frame on the board, he has lost

eight in a row. He has played a poor positional shot.

If he was going up for the blue, he is way short.

Obviously, the yellow passes the brand,

Obviously, the yellow passes the is even easier, just stun it in and

that is just a lack of concentration to miss something this easy.

And he is so good into the middle pocket, even at narrower angles than

that. That is what he thought of that shot. That is a picture.

So one more frame before the mid-session interval, but he has

been here for a tournament where... He was here for a week before the

tournament started, so he has been in Sheffield for a long time. Yes,

he likes to play at the academy here, where a lot of the Chinese

players practice. Likes to get sharpened up, get some match

practice. A little awkward with the red at the

other side of the table there. So the safety sown is not and that end

of the table. Nothing he can do here.

A chance to send this red back up the table and get the frame back to

normal. The bit of a chance here. Shaun

could try and get the black in. I think he can avoid a cannon into the

bunch, if he has a decent angle on this. He can play for the black if

he wants, also. Well, he has got a terrific round of applause for that

fabulous shot there. To cannon the red was even better but he intended

to do that. He didn't intend to do that, though. Can't explain how

would you can knock a red like the red he has knocked in. Mind you, the

black jumped straight off the bed of the table there. Yes, that was

unfortunate. Straight to the pack here.

As you say, straight in the pack. Look at this red. Everyone thought

this was in. Another look at the shot. The lack

clearly leaves the table. A bit unfortunate, there.

The one thing about Ronnie missing that easy pink in the last frame, it

might sharpen his up. He is not going to do that again. Sometimes,

it brings you back into focus. Yes, this is the last frame before

the mid-session interval and if Ronnie can take the frame, he has

won the little mini session 3-1 and that is the target you always have.

Well, normally, you would say the frame is over but after the pink

Ronnie missed in the previous frame, I'm a bit reluctant to do that. But

as Stephen said, maybe missing that easy pink has sharpened his focus

again. Another cannon required here. Those

two reds to the left of the pink, he did have to bother with a cannon. If

you can avoid having to play a cannon, he can do that. When you

risk the little cannon, you cancel the position.

He didn't play that very well. He should be OK with the red in the

middle but he was wanting a little bit more side on that.

The chance of a century now. Although, having said that, one of

the reds has gone safe. We have had 42 centuries so far this season. He

might decide to move that difficult red comic money has already had

five. -- red, Ronnie has already had five.

He tried to remove the red there. He might just be OK.

He has now made 741 centuries, getting ever closer to Stephen

Hendry's record which stands at 775. He is not bothered about missing the

pink. Shaun Murphy was unlucky with a kick on the black but that was his

last shot. Ronnie O'Sullivan cleared it with that magnificent break the

119 -- 118. Just over an hour ago, Ronnie O'Sullivan was practising

here. There was something about him this morning. He looks like he is in

the mood, desperate to hang on to his World Championship crown. They

head to the mid-session interval, Ronnie O'Sullivan in complete

control. On the other quarterfinal match, Mark Selby is taking on Alan

McManus. McManus took the first frame of the morning session, we

pick it up in frame 18. That red is running up towards the

middle pocket. If he can get past the DLO, it is cuttable. -- past the

yellow. He just can't get to the potting angle, not the middle

anyway. He was having a look to see if the

black was available. That tells me the red on the left-hand side of the

table is pottable. If he was played the red -- he might leave the red

above the lack. So that would be too risky. Good shot. To read the pot. I

have not seen every frame in that match but I would be hard pressed to

find a better pot than that. That was excellent.

He had a look to see if the red above the black will go. Anywhere

near the circle. That will do. Don't blame him for that. Potting

the black, he can match the red away. He wouldn't want to risk

putting the black and tying the red um. Yes, that was a clever little

shocked. -- yes, that was a clever little shot.

His potting is great, position excellent. A superb start by Alan

McManus. He just misjudged the case of the

second red. Everything has been good this

morning from Alan. How is his long game? I think this is the chance

that Mark Selby has been looking for to win frame and match.

Mark world theme this a very good opportunities to get this

quarterfinal out of the way. -- Mark Wills being this.

He had to play that with screw and reverse side there to get an angle.

He played an area where he could be on one or two reds and it is the one

in the centre that he has landed on. I would have liked a bit more on

that. Wrong side of the blue. The cue ball pushed up. And now, he

has a lot more work to do with the cue ball here. A positional shot

gone awry. He just went the wrong side of that blue and it affects so

many shots. He can get close to the next read that he needs. -- the next

red. Nice, clean pot. Nicely on the

brown. He cued this lovely. And nicely on the red. A chance

now. That red going on means the point in

this frame now are all square so if he takes these reds,

one in the centre now. It wasn't where he played it originally. Mark

one in the centre now. It wasn't was walking around as if he would

one in the centre now. It wasn't have a half ball there. They have

one in the centre now. It wasn't been quite a few lively bounces here

this week. Well, that was unexpected. Yes, just trying to hold

for the pink, tried to pinch a little bit. It hit the phage all. --

it hit the far jaw. Just checking to see if the bottom

red will pot to the top right-hand pocket. I am not so sure it does. If

it doesn't, it might have to be a cannon into these reds.

It is not absolutely guaranteed he will land on one.

You said it, John. You were amply right. He has finished up on

nothing. -- you were absolutely right.

ball is running. Chancy for Alan. -- a chance here for Alan.

At the moment, he is playing for pride and no point in hanging back.

At the moment, he is playing for confidence from this and we will see

much more him. -- more of him. He could do with taking to reds and

two blacks to take 35. That is his only hope.

He hit that really well, he really did.

An excellent shot. Good timing. So, now, 35 points in front. 35

remaining. So, just this red. And Alan McManus, the race is on.

And in it goes. Mark Selby now certain to have that place in the

semifinal. Assessing his form so far, John,

what did you think? I always think it is pretty dangerous to assess his

form because it changes from session to session. I wonder is he playing

well enough to win and then he turns up and wins? ! A nice comfortable

win for Mark Selby. Keep the pressure on. There is still a long

way to go, of course. Alan McManus, welcome back, look forward to seeing

you again this next season. Mark Selby is a comfortable winner and he

is in the semifinal. He beat Alan McManus 13 frames to five. Alan paid

good snick in the first session. He was controlling the match and I got

drawn into his way of playing in the first session. The second session, I

thought I would try and attack Alan and open the balls up a bit more and

that seemed to work to my advantage. I felt like I could win the match.

But you have to play well. If you don't produce good snooker, you will

go home. I just didn't. I didn't feel great yesterday, having the two

sessions, for what ever reason, I don't know. I have got to figure

that one out and if I get a chance to play here again, try to put it

right. I will soldier on. I think it was four years ago since I was in

the semifinal before so it teams like for ever with so many

tournaments throughout the season. I am looking forward to it and looking

forward to getting out there. Good morning, Stephen. It was quite

simple for Mark Selby. It was the result that most people expected.

Once Mark Selby found his form last night, his true form, he was able to

pull away. Mark Selby didn't perform last year and I wonder if a of that

was down to the fact that people were talking about the triple

Crown, he won big UK Championship and the Masters but this year, I am

seeing a different Mark Selby. He hasn't had as much success in

winning turn is so perhaps he is a little fresher. He has not played

his best yet but he is building up my see. What about Alan McManus? It

has been good fun having him. He has played these and snooker. All

through the season. His return to form has been incredible. He says he

is we did getting his life to his practice so a great performance. --

he is rededicated. I do think Ronnie has looked fully focused in the

whole tournament yet. Perhaps the only time was when he was 11-9 down

to Joe Perry. He gave a fist then. But this morning and yesterday, he

doesn't look fully on it. He is making elementary positional

mistakes that he never does but he has not been punished. What about

Neil Robertson? You think that making the century of centuries is

playing on his mind? Definitely. There was so much public city going

into the match, I think he would have loved to have done the

milestone in the previous match and he wouldn't have had to them about

it. But Judd Trump paid well. He is getting stronger as the tournament

goes on. Barry Hawkins going about his business my see? He looks very

solid. He looked a bit edgy at the start. If Dominic had taken

advantage, he could have got back into the match. Thank you. That is

it for now but the match between Shaun Murphy and Ronnie O'Sullivan

continues on your bread button. The players are about to walk back out.

Hazel will be back at one o'clock. Neil Robertson against Judge Trump.

We will see you at one o'clock. Goodbye for now.