Day 12, Part 2 Snooker: World Championship

Good afternoon. News today that the Wimbledon prize pot will be

increasing this summer for the well of my best tennis players. And in

the Dafabet World Championship, the players are playing for a record

winners cheque of ?300,000. There is an awful lot of work to be done

before that can be won and banked on Monday night. By the end of today,

we will know the identity and indeed the line-up for the Sony files of

the championship. Meanwhile, life play continues from 2:30pm. Barry

Hawkins, 11-5 up on the other player. Judd Trump up on Neil

Robertson. He played fantastically well. He needs a beleaguered session

now. Judd Trump pre-match said he expected Neil Robertson to slow

things down tactically and he was prepared for that. A fascinating

statement and it was a slower match than the Ronnie O'Sullivan Shaun

Murphy match. Generally, you would feel that Neil Robertson plays at a

quick pace and he gets on with it. He tries to open the balls up and

win the frame on one visit. Maybe little bit of psychological warfare,

mind games. A fascinating encounter this afternoon. We'll Neil Robertson

come out all guns blazing? I expect so. He is on the 99th century. I

think he will come out all guns blazing, it will be fascinating.

Another match you would expect, whole lot more mileage left in. Here

is how it all fits into our afternoon plan. Like the prize-money

here, Judd Trump is on an upward curve. Hywel Robertson responded

today? Barry Hawkins, right now the game looks finally tuned. Terry

Griffiths is in his corner. Great to see many of you tweeting many --

along. He is tough, that Richard Osmond. And talking about tough,

Florian colour continues to do things that has our pros even

scratching their heads. All of that to come. Plenty on the go already on

this 12th day of 17 years in Sheffield. The other quarterfinals

resumed and this one in particular was interesting. Ronnie O'Sullivan

against Shaun Murphy. Shaun Murphy had taken a healthy lead of 2-0. How

often do we stress the importance of going in front early but a series of

errors began to creep into his play. Ronnie O'Sullivan went into the 6-2

lead after the interval. Clearly, Shaun Murphy got Mac good night

sleep, but as we get into the match, running on a roll. Nine frames to

three in front and possibly an early conclusion with a session to spare.

Let's join Stephen Hendry and Dennis Taylor.

Eventually, Ronnie get this game underway. This match played to a

conclusion this evening. Turn it off. He is saying to Frank, we have

got one screen. Put it right over the pocket and he

hasn't covered it. The good thing for sure and there is the black is

tied up from that side of the table. And the natural angle will take the

white into the reds so he will have to get a little bit of action on

this. He may have to play little cannon on

the red that is closest to the black spot here. I don't think he has the

angle to play into the right corner. -- right-hand corner.

It does go to the right corner. Or does it? I thought it was very

tight. We can ask the referee to re-spotted again. If he plays it, he

will have to put it in-off the right side of the

Just about OK. A simple little calendar has developed two more

reds. -- a simple little calendar -- cannon. The winner of this match

starts their semifinal tomorrow at one o'clock. Ronnie would want to

try and get this over as one o'clock. Ronnie would want to

shout in it but at the moment, it is all the Rocket.

He must has the red to the middle pocket.

It is amazing the number of times you play a plant and you forget

about the position, Stephen. It is not quite a great shot there. I

thought he would have used a bit more left-hand side to hate -- help

the cue all up the table. No problem.

That was beautifully struck. Perfect position on the blue.

It could have worked out better, that cannon. This is all about is

available to him. No, he has overcut it.

It was the cannon. If it had worked out nicely, it would have been all

over but he finished awkward. A little shake of the head. This was

the cannon here. You thought he was bound to finish on an easy red but

he finished that it'll awkward. Shaun, he won't get a better chance

with the balls sitting as they are. He is 51 behind. You would almost

put Shaun Murphy in a normal situation in the frame to win this.

He may have to played the pink of the two cushions. -- off the two

cushions. It just means he has to head up the

table off this. He might have to go for a baulk colour, looking at that

angle. He has got to get over the left side of the table, there. It is

not straightforward just yet. If the red doesn't go into the left as he

is doing up, he has to get over to where the circle is and that will be

much more difficult so he is hoping they will pot. He is not sure, is

he? You would think the brown is a pretty natural angle. Even the

yellow, around that angles, he is Britain with the rest. Much easier

to get their with the blue. Let's see what he decides. If he feels he

can pot the red from this side of the table. Well, he has gone round

to where we had the circle and he has just gone a little too far and

he might just be OK. Still pretty good, that shot. He doesn't miss

many of the -- with the rest. One of the best players I have seen with

the rest. He has come up a little bit short.

He may have to go in and out of the baulk area. Or he could hold it,

just about. Well played. This is just the tonic that Shaun Murphy

needed. If he does clear up here, the match

can't finish in this session so that they will be coming back this

evening. But what will the score be? Well, can you get your breath?

Ronnie can't believe it, Shaun can't believe it and the Crucible audience

can't believe it. He just finished with a little bit too much angle

than he would have been comfortable with. A slight deceleration in the

cue action, that is what happens. You don't often see Shaun Murphy

shaking his head, he is usually so composed. But what is there. That

might be the end of his championship for this year. He still is in with a

chance. He doesn't need the black. So, Ronnie started with a break of

59 and Shaun had a territory clearance and then all of a sudden,

he missed a straightforward pink, he can't believe it but the score now

breeds ten frames to three. -- it reads ten frames to three. Frame 14,

Shaun Murphy to break. He doesn't like the escape route on

the left side of the table so he is a bit reluctant to just play a

containing safety shot and pushed the red up the other end of the

table. But there wasn't much else available to him there.

He has hit that too thick. Either he hit it too thick or

He has hit that too thick. Either he contact. It might have been a

kickback. Looking at whether White finished, it's definitely kicked. --

looking at where the white finished. The chance for Shaun. And

unexpected mist therefrom Ronnie. He has got the red into the left

corner. Stephen, I think that missed pink

has really shell-shocked Shaun. Yes, you think possibly any fight that

was in him has now evaporated. Now, we are back in a situation

where if Ronnie wins these remaining three frames, he doesn't have to

come back tonight. It is that sort of thing that can get you going as a

player. You need little motivations, little goals to give you an

interest, give you something to concentrate on. Well, it is along 17

days here and if you can, -- can win a match with a session to spare,

especially when you are coming back the next day, he would be back at

one o'clock to stop the semifinals. So, it is nice to have a relaxing

night. Another thing that makes you concentrate is a chance of making a

147. That is an early call. You were the record-holder up until Ronnie

went one ahead of you. He has made 12 maximum breaks now, Stephen, on

11. The one he made to beat your record was in the Welsh final in the

deciding frame. Not the deciding frame, the last frame. He became

quite comfortably but finished the match off at the maximum.

We know with his next shot is. He is more concerned about taking the

frame. He hit too hard. You can see his

frustration there. I'm just wondering if he got a quick

bounce off the cushion. It did seem to come in quite quickly. -- it is

seen to come off the cushion quite quickly.

A similar scenario to the previous frame. If he gets away with this, he

is reported. I tell you what, it is not bad. He wasn't prepared to try

and work it out. There wasn't that much to land on. When you do hit

them like that, you can lock -- knock something safe and that was

probably his planned there. -- his plan there.

Just looking at this three reds near the pink, they are all covering each

other. They are not far of a plant. But if

he gets a good angle, he can just cannon the red to the left of the

three and then he has them all in the open.

So, he has an angle to put the black and cannon the red away. If he

doesn't fancy the plant of the cushion and then flick the red, we

will see what he decides. He played it nicely.

This is a pretty decent performance in the break by Shaun, after what

happened in the last frame. The yellow, you can see it is just

off its spot so it is not a straightforward clearers. Usually,

when the colours are on this box, you know where you are going. -- on

their spots. This is the only thing I can see

going wrong. In fact, he has taken the green which makes it easier

getting onto the yellow. Amazing. Jess, amazing. -- yes are amazing.

He just hasn't been able to put the chances away.

He put everything into that shot. He took a little bit longer. That was a

good shot off the rest to get that bar -- that far back up the table.

So, just the blue needed. It is going to be another frame for Ronnie

O'Sullivan. He is not going to bother with the

black, I don't think. Shaun Murphy should have won the last couple of

frames, he didn't and the Rocket marches on. He is now just a couple

of frames away from beating Shaun Murphy in this quarterfinal. He now

leads 11-3. Frame 15, Ronnie O'Sullivan to break.

That is his best break off for quite a while. Got the white exactly where

he wanted it. Let's see how Shaun is feeling now.

The Black might be tied up a little bit. Let's see how he cues this one.

A little bit unlucky there. If he hits that red full bore, he would

have been an easy black. It is quite thin slick on the blue

-- snick. He doesn't really want to play for

the black Kia, unless he can get an angle on the black.

I don't think he has got the angle to do it here.

I'm not sure if the red pots, he is having a look at it. His plan will

be red, blue, then possibly onto that red.

In a couple of shots, he will be getting on the red to the left of

the black. Yes, it must go. That will clear the

black. Cannon the two reds. He has not got

them. Watch this shot. That is a delicate little screw

shot. He has gone too far, he will have to

wait for another chance. Looks a little frustrated that he

did not get on this one. Shon Harris to avoid the red to the

left of the black. -- Shaun has two. He has brought the red op swell, but

he has got a good cue ball. I think he has covered that red. The

blue has come to the rescue. That is a terrific double. And it

was a very cleverly played double. He covered the red over the left

corner pocket. Every chance now that this match could end in this

session. Just having a quick glance at the

scoreboard. Why would he want to move that? He

only needed the red that was over the pocket. There is a possible 67

on the table. I don't know why he wanted to plead their cannon there.

Looking at his tip again. It might not last until the semifinal. He has

played a couple of cannons and screw shots today that he has not been

happy with. That is a nice little shot, blocking the red. He only

needs one more red and the red was right over the pocket.

He tried to move that red, but he double-kiss it. Just this red

needed. And that is the frame safe . It

hasn't been vintage Ronnie O'Sullivan. He is still looking at

that new tip that O'Sullivan. He is still looking at

You might be right, it might be getting changed again. It does not

matter about missing that red. Shaun Murphy stays in his seat and Ronnie

O'Sullivan marches on. He just needs one more frame to get through to

their Shaun Murphy gets the final frame of

this session underway. Will it be the final frame of the match?

That's our little beauty. Go on. How has that stopped the? I cannot

believe it. Unbelievable. But at least Shaun has

retained his sense of humour. This match is well and truly gone now. He

is a cracking lad, Shaun Murphy. In the end, he was trying to get it in.

The two to the left-hand side of the table. I thought that was going in.

It is just as if it hits something and stopped there. An early chance

for Ronnie O'Sullivan to win the frame that he needs. The frame that

will get him through to their semifinal and give him the night

off. He will want to miss that red at the

back of the bunch. If he can cannon the one to the right, that would be

ideal. He just copy other one first and that spoiled it. -- just caught

the other one. It almost came back into the same

spot. Shaun still smiling away. But he knows that his race is run. He

did win the World Open, starting to show some great form, he got off to

a good start against Ronnie, but it just has not happened. And now the

chance for Ronnie to clinch the match here.

The frightening thing is he is nowhere near his best in this match.

Shaun has had chances and has not been able to take them. Ronnie has

taken advantage. 93% for the two-minute pot success rate, that is

going some. -- for the tournament. It is the intimidation he has on

other players now. It is worth are three or four frame start. He did

give Shaun two frames, but since then, he has won 13-1.

That is the quarterfinal now over. He will be back tomorrow at one

o'clock to start his semifinal. Unless Dominic Dale can have a great

comeback, it looks like a repeat of last year's final against Barry

Hawkins. It will be interesting to see what happens with that tip you

were talking about. Most players would be happy with this sort of

form, but Ronnie is always looking to play his best and entertainment

the crowds. Going for a hat-trick of World Championships. He was firm

favourite before the start at the Crucible. But a few other players

will want to have a say, Neil Robertson, Judd Trump. Shaun Murphy

comes forward and congratulates Ronnie O'Sullivan. In the end, the

defending champion, after losing the first two frames, was far too strong

and runs out an easy winner. Very difficult playing him. I knew

it was going to be a challenge. I don't think there is a player in the

game he has not done that too. It was very tough to take. I did have

my chances, but all credit to Ronnie, when he got his chances, he

was very clinical. You never know what kind of match you are going to

get. Against Shaun, I did not expect to win it that easy. He just missed

a few balls and let me in quite easily. I still had to put

pot them. It wasn't vintage Ronnie O'Sullivan.

But it didn't have to be. He did his job out there against a player who

showed weakness in the opening session. I was fortunate enough to

commented on that session. It wasn't vintage snooker, the best snooker,

but it was a fascinating session. Shaun Murphy did have his chances.

At 2-0, Ronnie looked very shaky. But from then, the game swung round

and Shaun Murphy effectively and Shaun Murphy effectively

collapsed. There were moments when his body language suggested he was

not comfortable? his body language suggested he was

comfortable in that his body language suggested he was

For a moment, I thought, if ever there was a time for a Shaun

Murphy, this was it. there was a time for a Shaun

pivotal point in the match, there was a time for a Shaun

to get the snooker. Shaun Murphy there was a time for a Shaun

should have been 3-0 up. It might have been a different complex and

after that. How will Shaun reflect on this?

after that. How will Shaun reflect litmus test about where he is in the

game now. He said he was due a good smashing up, he is a gentleman and

would not gripe about anything, but how should he reflect on this? You

can't beat how should he reflect on this? You

but you are playing a great player. He has been searching for ways to

get back to the winning style and the winning form that won

get back to the winning style and World Championship. He has never

stopped perceiving bettering his game. -- stopped pursuing. But the

harder you try, the worse it can get. Perhaps a house to relax and

play better because of that. I think he has to look at O'Sullivan in a

way, he has two be more clinical. He gets to a certain stage in the frame

and it is almost as if his concentration switches off and he

misses some easy shots when he should be telling the frame. --

killing. He does not seem to have that killer instinct. His

concentration relaxes. He breaks down at 50 or 60 and lets his

opponent in. It has been a good season for Shaun.

He is back in the winner's circle. Ronnie O'Sullivan is through with a

session to spare. There was another match on this morning. Mark Selby

was taking on Alan McManus, the oldest and lowest ranked player left

in the draw. You would have thought that Mark Selby did not have much to

do this morning, he was only a frame behind because he dominated their

second session. They came back this morning for frame 17.

Alan McManus gets this final session underway. You just have to feel at

the moment, playing for pride. I don't think he can have any thoughts

of winning this match just yet. But you never know. File you are in it,

you can still win it. -- while. Just play each individual frame as

it is. Alan has had a great championship. He has rolled back the

years to be at this stage. Unfortunately, Mark Selby has proved

a difficult kettle of fish. That is a loose one from Mark. First

chance of the morning to Alan McManus.

Tricky to get position. That is all he could really do. Bones that in --

bounce. Tough blue. Has it bounced enough, can he get

through to this red? Just about. And can he get back out again? Those

reds are pretty difficult to negotiate. Just blocking each other.

The last blue was good, this will have to be better. It's all about

the consequences you if he misses the blue. Good solid pot.

That will be the thing that disappoints Alan the most. His

highest contribution in the last few frames has only been 36. He has

dropped below the level of the first two matches. But that has a lot to

do with your opponents as well. Mark Selby is very accomplished and can

keep you off the table for a long time. But he could score quite a few

here. I don't know if the pink spot is

available, it would benefit Alan if it wasn't.

He could play a cannon on these two reds. It depends how he sees it. He

has decided to pick off the loose red. I don't blame him. First frame,

just want to keep things simple if you can.

A little bit straight on this pink, it appears.

There is a red just above the black that will pot. Can he get into the

cluster of reds above the brown? That could have been nicer, in

truth. He could have hit them a bit further.

Actually, that is better than I thought at first.

Considering that he has had a bit of time in the wilderness, this will be

a boost. He could go on from here. But as you say, if you are not

scoring heavily, it is very hard to win matches

Looks like he is purposely holding the pink spot.

Impressive. A couple of good pots early on.

Well, he has done nothing wrong, Mark.

He deserves everything he gets from this break. He has hit the ball

beautifully in this. Mark Selby concedes. As we say,

playing for pride, and he should be proud of that contribution. A nice

break of 69. Still seven behind, though, and Mark Selby still needing

one for a place in the semifinal. Yes, Alan McManus, one of the most

engaging, modest and deep thinking players in snooker. Here's staving

off the Crucible exit door for now, but for how long?

This is the chance Mark Selby has been looking for to win frame and

match. Alan hardly missed anything in the

first frame. Just a bit thick on that red. Has he played his last

shot in this year's World Snooker championship?

He would have liked a bit more on that. Wrong side of the blue.

Now he has got a lot more work to do with the cue ball here. He just got

the wrong side of that blue. Nice, clean pot. Nicely on the

Brown. He cued this lovely. That red going in means the points

in this frame are now all square. So if he takes the reds in the middle

of the table, it should be enough to give him frame and match.

That was unexpected. Yeah, tried to pinch a little bit. And it just hit

the far jaw. It might have to be a cannon into

this reds, and it is not guaranteed that he will land on one.

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

nothing. A chance here for Alan, should he

decide to play the pot to the left corner, stun across.

As I say, at the moment, he is playing for pride. No point in

hanging back. He's just going to the shot as he sees it. But he has left

a chance now for Mark Selby. A bit tentative with that pot. The

Green will still pot, but a lot thinner than he would have liked.

Well-controlled. A better pot than it looked.

He has had one chance to finish the match, but this is a better one.

Probably fearing the worst now. There are not many obstacles in the

way. So it is good to see him back, Alan.

Let's hope he gets a bit of confidence from this and we will see

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

two blacks. Just this red, and for Alan McManus,

the race is run. And in it goes, so Mark Selby is now

certain to have that place in the semifinal.

Assessing his form so far, what do you think? I always think it is

dangerous to us as his form. There is no handshake. I am sure

Alan said, best of luck for the rest of the tournament. A comfortable win

for Mark Selby. Keep the pressure on, there is still a long way to go.

And Alan McManus, welcome back. Look forward to seeing you next season,

but Mark Selby ones out a comfortable winner. He is in the

semifinal. He has waited four years to get back

to the semifinals at the Crucible. Have you missed it? I have. There is

no better venue than the Crucible. It is a great venue went it is a two

table set up, but it is special when it is down to one table. You got

dragged into a dogfight earlier. How did you break free? Yeah, the first

session was really scrappy. I felt like I was playing into Alan's

hands. He is one of the best tacticians in the game, even now. So

I felt like I got bogged down. Second session, I thought I needed

to open them up a bit more, and I managed to do that. When you look

back at your progress, you had a bit of a scare against Michael White,

10-9. Then your matchplay skills came to the four against Ali Carter.

How much more than meant do you need I feel as if I have played better as

the tournament has gone on. I felt like I let Michael White off the

hook. I was saying to a friend, when you come to tournaments, there will

be times when you should have got beaten, even if you go on to win.

One thing about this tournament, the length of it. It is a grind. You

have got to be on the ball, but can you then switch off between matches?

Yeah, you do all your preparation at home. Then you should be ready when

you come to the Crucible. Over the last few years, I have learned to

get as much rest as possible, because even though you are in the

semifinal, you are only halfway through the tournament. The great

thing about this tournament is that even if you are not playing your

best at the beginning of the week, you can find your form as you go

along. You played better against Ali Carter in the first round. I was

commentating during your second session against Alan McManus. The

way you close to those frames was second to none. You were building up

nicely. With it being such a long format, you know you are going to

have bad sessions, it is just a matter of how bad they are. When you

have your good sessions, you feel as though you are going to win 5-3 or

6-2. Another fascinating thing I have thought about when working in

the studio is, we are watching every match unfold, but you are in your

own bubble. So you are not necessarily aware of what is going

on with the other players. You are only interested in your own

performance and getting through every day. That is right, and that

is the only thing you can control. You will get other players playing

well against you, but you have just got to try and play your game. When

you came here, it was Robertson, Ding Junhui and Ronnie who were the

favourites. Last year, you came here as a UK champion and we had all this

hoopla about possibly having a triple Crown in the same season. Do

you feel more comfortable with that pressure away from you this time?

Definitely. I put a lot of pressure on myself anyway. This year, the

limelight was on Ronnie, who has had a good season. Ding has been the

form player of the season, and Neil as well, so the limelight has been

on them more than myself. Last year, I was coming here with a chance to

win the triple Crown in the same season, like you say. So it has been

more of an advantage to myself. The only pressure is coming from myself,

not the media or the hype. Stay with us, because I would like to pick

your brain is which of the fact, to use two cliches, as we talk table

talk now. -- as we chew the fat. Up for discussion first, the subject

of coaching. Terry Griffiths has been possibly busier than anyone at

the Crucible over the last few days, because in addition to his

commentary duties, he has watched virtually everything. He had no

fewer than eight players in his charge coming here in the draw. One

survives in Barry Hawkins. It confirms what we already knew. The

1979 world champion is a very good man to have in your corner. Snooker

has taken up a lot of my life. Apart from my family, it is the most

important thing. It is eager than a dream. The only difference I found

when I won the world champion was my name change. I used to be called

Terry, and then I was Terry Griffiths. Invaluable. It is hard to

put a price on what Terry is worth to any player. I would not be where

I am if not for him. You trust in Terry. You can tell him something in

the interval, and you know he has probably experienced it. He knows

what you are feeling and he knows the right thing is to say. I had

eight players here this year, and when you see some of them losing,

they are devastated. I feel so bad for them, and when they win, it is

tremendous. I have had six players win their first ranking event when

working with me. That is the best. To see people who have never won

before is very special. I am not a coach who lives in their pockets. I

keep out of their way apart from when they are playing. I'd just like

to be there when they need me. It is mostly down to him for turning

things around when I started to play better. Without him, maybe I would

never have done that. I have worked with other coaches and I have not

really come away from it believing what they have told me, because I

don't think they have experienced what I am experiencing with, though

as with Terry, we know he has been there and done it. You need to be

able to trust your coach, and if he thinks I am doing something wrong, I

trust him 100%. I believe what he says. If you don't have that, you

can't work together. Some think Terry is just the boring old man who

played snooker all those years ago, and he is not at all. He is one of

the funniest men I have ever met. He knows what to say and when to say

it, went to tell you off and give you a kick up the backside, and when

to say things to calm you down. Sometimes we don't even talk about

snooker, and sometimes that is what you need. It is trying. I do the

best I can. I am generally never happy with what I achieved with the

players. I always want to do more. A lifetime accumulates with a win as a

snooker player. There is so much more than what we see in the shop

window. All those steps is the best part of it. And Barry Hawkins is

still going strongly for camp Griffiths at the Crucible. But in

general terms, how necessary is a coach these days, and what

percentage of the players would you estimate use one? It is important,

no doubt about that. I think Terry, as well as being a coach, is a great

snooker psychologist, because he has been there. He has had all those

experiences as a player. And as well as the technical side, a lot of the

players on in his camp lean on him for reassurance when they need a

pack on the back in the dressing room or a whisper in the ear,

something that may relax them, give them a bit of confidence. When they

are going out through that dressing room door, that is the best thing.

That is what players get from him. You leaned heavily on him in your

earlier years and you had a successful partnership with Parma.

You have parted ways now. What way do you think players' needs change

as your career develops? With somebody like myself, as Ken says, a

coach is important to a certain degree, but they can only give you

advice. Once you are out there, you are on your own. Once you have

achieved things over a period of time, you know what it takes, but

sometimes you need somebody in your ear now and again to tell you to

keep doing the right things. So you master the technical elements first.

Is that when the coaching kicks in in the early stages? You changed

your technique. It is the same with any sport. When you are starting,

you get the basics right first, and then it is a matter of putting in

the hours. With me, I changed my game halfway through my career. When

I started, I used to queue two inches away from the white ball,

which was not textbook. Then people told me to queue a bit closer, and

that helped. Steve, how do you assess this? Let me play devil's

advocate for a bit of fun. Two things. Firstly, I am involved with

the coaching setup. Coaching is important. But for the purposes of

vegetables, to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, there has never been a

coach who has made a bad player into a good player. A coach's job is to

maximise the potential of one of the good players. But what fascinates me

is why a player who has won the World Championship would then ditch

a coach. Over the years, players like Peter Ebdon bomber who was with

Dell Hill and had success, Graeme Dott, who was with Dell Hill and had

success. Sorry, Peter Ebdon was with someone else. What happens to a

player, that he decides that one minute he was playing well with that

coach, and the next minute, he gets rid of him? The ayes to the right I

don't know, but you see this in golf and many other sports where there

are high achievers. For me, it was not the coach, it was more things

that we disagreed on and went our separate ways. Overall, he had

helped me in the past with the tournaments I won. But now I am

happier on my own, with a few close friends. As long as you are happy,

you play your best snooker. Also, when you get to know somebody for so

long and you are hearing the same things all the time, you need

something different and fresh. You need new invigoration. That is why

people change coaches. If I had to listen to Steve Davis all the time,

we would not last ten minutes! Surely what the coach is giving you

is good advice in the first place. We also talked about sports

psychology. You have seen the incredible things that Doctor Steve

Peters has done with Ronnie O'Sullivan. I thought top players

would be beating a path to psychiatrists' doors. Why not? Every

snooker player seems to know what the rights and wrongs are and what

not to do. Frustration does not help on the table. But it is strange,

because when you are doing everything right and winning

tournaments, all of that seems to go out of the window. It is only when

you are struggling that you think, I need to see somebody. But when

everything is going well, you don't think of anything like that. I think

players are sometimes a bit afraid to do to someone they don't know and

open up to them. Ronnie obviously has done, and he has been open about

it. But generally, when I was starting, I was afraid to die of

Jenny feelings I was going through -- afraid to die vulture feelings.

Where is when you become more mature, you are more open to

suggestion. I think sports psychology is a major part of any

sport. And a lot of players should try it. It is a fine line, because

sometimes the game is hard enough anyway. Psychology can help, but you

can go too deep and cause yourself more problems than you think you

have already got. We could talk about this for ages, but we have to

move on with a brief look at the newspapers today. Shaun Murphy -

even I love to watch Ronnie play. Possibly not this morning. And in

this one, a very prescient headline. Story of six for Ronnie adds up to

despair for Murphy. That was him doing his mystic meg impression in

the daily Star yesterday, and it came true. Ronnie wastes no time in

taking control. We will be talking about Judd Trump's match shortly.

This was ace uprisings: . When they resumed, Judd Trump against Neil

Robertson, Judd Trump forged ahead 6-2, and the consensus is that there

was life left in this match, with Judd Trump determined to convert

that advantage into a third semifinal appearance. Judd Trump's

technique is superb. I don't know what it is about left-handed

players. They all appear to get the ball than other players. He plays

shots that only Jimmy White could lay. When under pressure, he tends

to throw the old queue at it, and that is down to temperament. If he

works hard enough on that, it can get him back to being number one

again. One shot too many is a crowd-pleaser. You have got to

forget the crowd. I am in favour of entertaining snooker, but don't push

the boundaries too far and not be true to yourself. There has always

been a question mark over the dedication of drug Trump as far as

snooker is concerned that match the dedication of Judd Trump. We know he

likes fast cars. To win consistently and be world champion, his

dedication has to be better. He plays some of the most fantastic

shots. One of the greatest potters I have seen, but occasionally, his

shot selection leaves a bit to be desired. He could have been world

champion in 2011. He spent two minutes a shot on the blue and took

the wrong choice in the end. Went for the pot, missed it. Higgins won

the frame. I think Judd Trump could have been world champion. It could

be down to shot selection. Could just be the fact that he does for

that one shot too many. I think he needs to play a bit better safety.

That will create the chances. If he gets the chances, we know how good

he is and his record will improve. And he is waiting backstage. You

will be playing the winner of this match, Robertson versus Trump.

will be playing the winner of this yesterday? Especially the Wayne

Neill played the match before, a played for the snooker, it probably

is a bit of as a prize on the season as a whole, Judd hasn't happy best

season this year, but at the same time, he's a top-class player, so

it's not a big shock. A lot of time, he's a top-class player, so

left in this one? I think so. Some question to be asked about this one

is this a thank you for coming to talk to us. -- so many questions to

be asked. As I say, a talk to us. -- so many questions to

Good afternoon, ladies and afternoon, can Neill

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We already know the

Good afternoon, ladies and spots left up for grabs! They must

go, to two of the four players waiting backstage, ready to

entertain this packed house wants again here in Sheffield. -- once

again. Please welcome Festival, a

the first time in 14 years, twice a ranking event winner at the Grand

Prix and at Shanghai, ranking event winner at the Grand

a player and a personality not to be underestimated, can he walk the walk

once again this afternoon? We call him the spaceman, Dominic Dale!

And his opponent, a player who started to produce the best form of

his career in his 16th year as a pro. It started with his win at the

2012 Australian Open. Last year he was brilliant at the Crucible,

making a storming run to his first World Championship final. He is once

again closing in on another semi-hair, here comes the Hawk,

Barry Hawkins! And here on table two, please

welcome a brick builder who is simply brilliant to watch. It's his

first session -- in his first session is to become the reminded

everyone what he has attracted a new generation of fans to this sport.

Here he comes, with his own brand of naughty snooker, he is the ace in

the pack, he is Judd Trump! And finally, an Australian who has

made a huge impact on the sport since his arrival around a decade

ago. He added the UK title to his world and Masters crowns in

December, joining her in the group of players. And this year he is 99

not out in his bid to complete 100 centuries in a season, the world

number one, can you hear the Thunder from Down Under? Neil Robertson!

As ever, there are choices for you to make, Hawkins is beating Dominic

Dale 11-5. But for now, Robertson against Trump, which is capturing

our attention. This is a match to savour. The

scoreline perhaps could have been closer but Judd Trump certainly

dominated the first session, probably deserves to be 6-2 in

front. But Robertson will be still one into the match if he wins this

session. He just needs to up his standard today, Neil Robertson

posted he was a bit subdued yesterday, to say the least. It

sometimes comes after a peak performance, he was magnificent when

he got over the line against Mark Allen, the final four frames were

flawless. He has had a nice long rest overnight and hopefully will

want to play better today. Judd Trump or becoming into this

session, hoping to at worst trauma the session and puts the match

beyond Robertson's reach. -- at worst to draw the session.

Beautiful strike, really was. A bit of side and that to make sure he got

round the back of the black. Couldn't have hit it any better. We

thought Neil was maybe a bit poorly yesterday but he appears to be

chewing something, he doesn't usually chew gum so maybe he has a

lozenge his mouth or a fruit sweet. He was very poorly in his match in

China before he came into this tournament, we thought he shook it

off in the first couple of rounds, maybe it has come back.

The only way he can get on a red is to play this shot. Superb.

He ran through a bit too much to have the choice.

The only reason I thought he should have left the black the first time

to go into these rates, he is not guaranteed to get a good split

because the roads are far enough away not to split nicely. -- the

reds. Perhaps feels it may be better to go

up to the blue, he has had a look at the pack of reds. You would think it

would be easier off the black. I can only presume he has spotted a

plant. I agree with you, a strange way to

try and flick a red out of the pack, almost like trying

try and flick a red out of the pack, careful, really. But

try and flick a red out of the pack, centuries this

try and flick a red out of the pack, he is doing!

This could be the first attempt at a pot in this second session for Judd.

He can to the one to the left of the black. There is enough room to get

between black and red back to ball. He had that well. -- hit that well.

So well, it stayed in the pocket. If Neil is spending this much time

looking at the black, it must be tight.

It doesn't look tight from there. Should be able to hold for the black

and flavours with a lot of drag here.

A great shot to have in your armoury that one. As the drag wears off,

somewhere around there, it turned into top spin again, beautifully

struck, that was. Now this is a great chance to take

this opening frame. How many times have you done that

one can you presume it is there, and you play position on the black and

all of a sudden, it you play position on the black and

Quite right to have a cheque. As you can see, you can see the centre of

the pocket, just about the right hand jaw but want to get rid of this

next red, he would expect to win the frame now at this visit.

Already looks a lot more in strokes are needed in the open session

yesterday. Hitting the ball with good authority. Or contact there,

though. The year you wonder chip Richard, did you have a bad session

anywhere? -- won the championship. The memory is not what it was! He

had a bad session at the beginning of the match, but if you have it in

the middle, you can leave yourself too much to do. But a player at his

abilities, he still has a lot of chances. Oh, dear. I just feel to

third session and this session, he has been ultra-careful. Why not just

push through that pot Modi red firm? He might risk going off a cushion

for a book colour here. -- book cover.

Now he has got the black sake, taking no chances. He has been pink

out of play as well. -- has the pink.

He can flick off the plaque and nudge the black, he will still be

playing the safety shot. A bit of value in that, isn't there? A good

shot, as long as you don't bring the red back. The end one would pot.

He's going to try and play the cannon, but we didn't see that one

from our commentary position. What a mistake that is! Trying to

avoid getting the cannon on the black, and the cue ball going in the

pocket. Chance for a counter here. He will be horrified at that, that

is as bad a safety shot as he has played all season.

He has a chance to pinch the frame, he is two or three frames away from

where the balls are at the moment. If you're going to give any

encouragement to Neil Robertson, keep missing shots like that, Judd!

I can't believe he has missed that. I bet you Neil: Believe he is back

at the table this quickly. -- Neil can't believe he is back.

He would like to push the middle red at the way but this one still pots

quite easily. Could you believe it? That was a horrible kick! It pushed

straight into the jaw. Frame ball, virtually, that.

You could see it straightaway, just pushed the red on to the top jaw,

and another chance for Judd. He led the last one go begging. A fair bit

of work to do, that red next to the green won't be easy. The brown might

be covering the pocket as well. He's going to have to move that brown at

some point. I spoke to them both after the session yesterday and they

said the table seemed to be playing very heavy and when they were

playing screw shots, it seemed to lose the spin.

He would like to take the brown off the last but one red, or a pork

colour to make it easier. -- book cover. You can afford to play at

least two blues. He doesn't have to win this frame at

one visit, he would love to. But it wouldn't" we didn't get on that red.

-- wouldn't be the end of the world. Wouldn't be a bad thing to play off

this brown and then you know that wherever you finish on it, you have

the red over the hole and you have done half the trick.

The red over the pocket, he would've liked to have left

The red over the pocket, he would've no option but to pot it now. Another

glance at the scoreboard. He is dying to get on the brown, you can

see. It's not a bad shot, to pot this red

and try and kiss red and green. He has played for the brown and he's

not on it. Bad shot, that. At the moment, this isn't helping

either player, because the kicks are just horrendous.

It is becoming a problem at the moment. We have had at least three

in the opening frame. I said to them, do you think it is the white?

Do you think you need to change it? But it was the same white they used

in the first matches on this table. Whatever happens, Judd will be

snickered at his next visit if he cannot pot the red. That tells me

the red passes the brown but if so, why was Judd taking his time about

the shot? They might ask for the White to be

changed now because that is another kick there. They are having a bit of

a discussion, shall we change the white? They are going to change the

white after this. I think he's going to change the full set of balls. I

don't think either is player is happy with them. Neil Robertson has

said, let's change the whole set and start again. Whatever happens, Neil

Robertson wins the first frame and closes to 6-3.

Very seldom do we see this, particularly late in the day, like a

quarterfinal. I have never seen it here, where the players change it in

the World Championships after the first frame but we saw a horrendous

kick from Neal Robertson and then another from Judd Trump into the

corner pocket. So they are not happy with the balls and they just want to

change them. The same set we were using yesterday. How would they

react differently 24-hour is later? You are the scientist! They do in

Wimbledon, the change them all the time! OK, we play with as high

pollen is balls as we have ever had, but if the players lose confidence

in them for whatever reason and feel they are gripping each other too

much, the balance of the grip, you need that, you need friction to play

the game, but if you get too much friction between the balls for

whatever reason, whether it is chalk or the balls are just gripping too

much, the polish has worn off them a fraction, that is when you get the

kicks. So if they have lost confidence in the balls, that they

are fractionally too old, and at this level, we are supposed to be

the best in the world but we are also working to hire tolerances

because we feel the difference is more. How many frames would one set

of balls be employed for here? I really don't know but I assume they

have changed the balls after the first couple of rounds, maybe they

will change them again for the semifinal and maybe for the final.

They changed the more readily than they ever have done in the game of

snooker. Back in the 80s and 70s, they wouldn't have even considered

it as an option. The cue balls get a bashing, they cause the biggest

problems, so usually they would change the one fall. That's why we

thought was game to happen. They might get another of kicks -- couple

of kicks in this frame to! You did see Neil Robertson putting his hand

on the cloth, we play unheated tables to try out the moisture and

make them run a bit faster, perhaps if the temperature of that

changes... But they are on thermostats. Let's keep wondering

while they play! The balls have been changed so

hopefully these might be kicking every five minutes. -- won't be

kicking. Caught the bump on the middle hole, didn't want that! I

have been saying it for some time, try and play one tournament in the

UK without table heaters. Because we never used to have this many kicks

and in this country, the climate is usually OK, there is the thermostat,

I'm sure even without table heaters it would be 40 or something like

that. It's crazy to me. Definitely worth a go. Maybe pick one of the

lesser events and say to the players, we will experiment, see if

it works. It was only brought in when we played in Thailand and

places like that because of the temperature.

Meanwhile, Neil Robertson has an excellent chance here.

That shot looked very reactive. He hit it nicely, but there is some

reaction on that cue ball. The table is very quick today. I have noticed

that with a couple of safeties. Now this is an excellent chance.

Should he go on to win this friend, I hope he gets 100, because it has

even to be a bit of a chip on his shoulder, the 99 centuries.

He is a bit betwixt and between, trying to see if he can screw back

and get on the black. He is running out of options now for

reds. The pink does not pot, so he has

played for the blue. He is struggling to get this break going.

Amazing. The amount of times that happens.

He wanted another six inches on that.

It is the red above the black that is causing problems.

That cluster of reds looks tight to me.

That was a misjudgement. I thought he was playing the bottom one, but

with the contact he got, he ended up snookering himself on the black, so

just a safety. He played it so thin and so good.

That is the best safety shot of this session. Excellent. This table

really is very quick. He will do well to get out of this,

Judd. That was an excellent shot. This

time, Judd can't play the shot he played before.

Not ideal on the green. No prizes for guessing where he is going after

this one. Whoever puts the next red, you would

think is favourite for the frame, albeit Robertson leads by 39.

I can't think that there is anything there for Neil. This is a lot more

difficult for Judd. He has been in a bit of bother,

safety wise, but he managed to get out of it quite impressively.

He is a bit reluctant to play it thin in case he kisses the yellow.

He has knocked off the left-hand side. He has got to be careful. They

read on the right-hand side is a blocker.

It needs a bit of thinking about, and a good shot.

If he has got away with that, he has been very fortunate. No wonder he

raises his hand. That red was always going to be a

danger. Unfortunately for him, the position

is not great. Wrong angle on the blue.

He is looking at the thin cut on the pink. That will open the three

reds, but he has got so much queue power, surely he can get back down

this end of the table. If you are not going to play for a

colour, why would you risk a plant? Well played. Very good. It deserves

a bit of luck with that safety shot, because he hit that well. There is a

big target area for a safety here, behind the brown.

He is just thinking about it. Is it worth the risk? He will be concerned

about bringing those two reds into play.

They are virtually out of the game where they are. How can he avoid

playing that shot? The half bowl safety just kisses

into the two reds. That was a superb shot. We saw him

shaking his head when he sat down, thinking, why have taken a minute

and a half to play that? Oh, dear. That could and maybe should cost him

the frame. All these four reds appear in a

position where they don't pot. He has got a bit of an angle on the

pink. The blue looks like a better choice.

He did not get the cleanest of contacts.

Looks like he will close just two friends behind. Just landed in a

slightly awkward spot. He missed a trick there. He had a

chance to get them up behind the brown. Didn't put enough side on

that cue ball. He has decided to concede, so Neil

Robertson has done what he wanted to do, takes the opening two friends

and closes to 6-4. Let's get the reading of the early

stages of this match from Kent and Steve.

It is quite noticeable that Neil Robertson is playing very pedestrian

at the moment. There was one incident particularly in that frame

where he took one and a half minutes over a straightforward safety shot.

I don't know whether he is doing it purposely or just because of his

concentration, or he is trying to be too precise, or he is being over

analytical in each situation that presents itself, but it is

noticeable that he is taking a long time. I think Judd Trump is getting

a bit frustrated. Maybe he is doing a number on him. Average shot time,

31 seconds for Robertson, less for Judd Trump. It is significant for

Neil. He has got to get back in the match, by hook or by crook. Also

before the match, Neil Robertson had a long time to think. Obviously

under pressure, your thinking process can go wrong. But perhaps

they are both guilty process can go wrong. But perhaps

a bit too precise instead of letting their natural talent flow. It is

very easy, sitting here in the Winter Gardens and saying that, but

I don't know what the opinion was of our commentary guys?

That is a good point. He has been playing slowly. We don't

know whether it is a chance for him to clear points back, or whether it

is a genuine tactic. But he was definitely playing slower.

Sometimes it is like trying not to lose the match rather than trying to

win it. He is being ultra-careful at the moment.

That is very pedestrian as far as Neil Robertson's shot time is

concerned. Over 30 seconds is unheard of.

For Judd, he just needs a sizeable break.

If I was Judd, I would be looking to try and make a brick in one visit.

But he has not had an easy opportunity. The blue does not pot

in the corner. Excellent rest player. What an

excellent positional shot this is. Well done. Still a bit awkward,

isn't it? He just can't get out of the woods

at the moment. He has finished virtually straight on the black.

Just playing for the one at the back of the pack, but it will still not

go on to a colour nicely. This is what you have to do sometimes, work

until you get perfect. Another mobile phone just went off.

Just answering can tell them you are going home.

Has he got the ball perfect this time? Not quite.

This is the first time he has had the balls in a position where he

would expect to get nice on the mixed colour. -- mixed colour.

Good shot, that. A little run through back onto the black, this is

a very decent response at the minute from Judd. More or less frozen out

in the first couple of frames, didn't have any decent chances. He

has seen the scoreboard change from 6-2 to 6-4. He has put it into a

position where he will struggle to get on to the next red. Got to

finish half ball on the black. He got a bit fortunate with his last

positional shot. He redeemed it. Just had to miss the red on the

cushion, decided to go up for the blue this time.

He had a glance at this red last time which he could have played to

get onto the black but he decided to go for the other red. Tight, isn't

it? This is a good effort, his first

real opportunity to school in these first frames, he has taken these

quite well. Been out of position in a couple of occasions. He can

definitely see the middle of the pocket. If he was dead straight

behind it he would play that one but he has a slight angle on this red.

He would like to stretch to this because using the rest, it is a hard

shot. Apart from around ten points, he

never really had that cue ball under control in the whole break of 57

there. I'm reliably informed that is the

first shot he has missed with the rest in this match. He will be happy

to see it went safe. The good effort, though, 57, considering he

has been sitting in his chair for most of this session. And where it

has finished has left Neil Robertson with a problem stop I don't blame

him taking a bit of time with this one.

Quite a clever shot, that can they try to put the red on the black

which would make things a bit more difficult for Neil. He will be

trying to push the red safe as well. Just wondering if you can see enough

of this to pass it down the cushion. Looks a bit tight. Looks easier to

play safe of the two raids, they are together.

Well, he didn't deserve that to go in. Great pot. Excellent with side.

Always looked like it was going to be close. Had his heart in his mouth

there. For all the world looked like it was going in.

It's a good job and went in, he misjudged the angle of the cue ball.

-- it went in. As it is now, this red to make absolutely sure of this

frame. I am very impressed with Judd in

this frame. A couple of frames where he hasn't had a good chance. This is

a good response. No matter how you are playing, he's telling his

opponent, I am still here, I'm still playing well.

Can't help himself, can he, just loves to play naughty snooker.

Left-hand side, is around the back of the brown, unlucky!

Judd Trump really has got a foothold in this session now, he goes clear

Judd Trump really has got a foothold again at 7-4. We talked about when

he was 57 in front, taking the red on is no problem but surely you have

got to make sure you don't kiss the blue. If

got to make sure you don't kiss the on, make sure you get a good white

in case you missed on, make sure you get a good white

your point. Just sort of struggled in. It could have been dangerous but

the in. It could have been dangerous but

in which is exactly what he did, and that blue finishing over

in which is exactly what he did, and to play his naughty snooker, just

look at this one. It's great to watch at the end of frames, it is

like Jimmy White. He feels like he's making progress.

Yes, your target is always to win a session 3-1, the target is still on.

There is no real advantage in putting it back in again because if

Judd gets the safety right, I am surprised, because Neil had a very

easy safety shot to play here. If Judd judges this right, could be in

easy safety shot to play here. If trouble. But exactly sure

easy safety shot to play here. If where it was before. This is where

it is now. Pretty good, half an inch away.

It's one of those decisions, I think he has made the right one, that red

he's trying to play-off, he have to hit that wafer thin. Anything else,

you will hit the jaws with the cue ball.

Has to be careful he doesn't play a push shot here. It goes without

saying that Judd will be playing off the side cushion. Doesn't really

want to leave a touching ball, he has got to be careful because there

is plenty of room to going behind the green if he leaves touching

ball. They are having a look at each other. They have both had a look and

nodded. They have a re-rack. That's all it was going to be, it was going

to be a stalemate. Neil has decided to nip out while they set the balls

up. So another hiatus. I'm informed that

they do change the balls, encase you were wondering, after every round.

Not too many problems in the last couple of frames, how do you assess

the way the match has gone? It a sort of got a bit tactical, a bit

slow. It's not the Sara Lee fireworks everybody was expecting.

-- not necessarily. The history, Judd thought that Neil was trying to

slow him down, that is what he was expecting in this match, that seems

to have been the order of the day. To some degree, if that person is

trying to slow the match down, not saying that he is, if that person is

dictating that, it's hard to change the equation. The person who plays

the slower, it's harder to speed it up then just loaded down. Neil

Robertson is out of 32 seconds per shot. There is a bit of needle

between these guys, going back to a semifinal at the Masters a couple of

years ago when they were words set by both of them afterwards. Judd was

quoted as saying that Neil Robertson has gone into shell, and play

tactical when he plays me. That seems to be repeating itself. From

Neal's point of view, he isn't a slow player but if he plays slow, it

will have a detrimental effect on his own game. Naturally, from what I

have seen of him, last couple of matches, you will get on with it,

but he seems to be... I don't know if it is because of the 100

centuries, he is trying to make everything to precise, walking

around the table a lot more than I think he has two. One safety shot,

he took a minute and a half over, it's totally unnecessary, and 32

seconds for him is extremely pedestrian. It's how tension can

manifest itself, not just that a player is deliberately playing Snow,

it's that all of a sudden there is a lot of tension and your brain

freezes more than it would normally do -- playing slow. Some players

will suffer more than others. Ronnie O'Sullivan never gets bogged down in

that department. But other players, it can happen. I was wondering to

what extent it is a residue of what was a very, well, uncharacteristic

session he played yesterday against Judd Trump, perhaps there is a worry

in his mind after that performance? Maybe that's what he wants to be

more precise and take his time over shots, a doctor 's concentration

wasn't too good. He is strong to overanalyse things and maybe

subconsciously he is doing it. At the moment, if I was in his corner,

if I was close to him, I would say, let's speed up a bit, get your mind

reacting a lot quicker. Your first instinct is sometimes your best.

What a clever shot that was hit play. Usually pack of reds, he knew

that the kiss into the head of the pack, it is a clever shot. He is

even more clever getting the half ball on the yellow and leaving the

cue ball tight on the rail, he will be happy with that result.

Didn't judge that right. He won't be happy is as good in there but it

could have been worse, sometimes the cue ball comes right up to the

business end. Because of his QPR, he can screw

back up to get onto the yellow. -- because of his key power. It's what

he has decided to do, I think. That's what he played. He had a bit

of an angle on that red. He has not left anything easy, which it could

have done after that. -- which he could have done.

Has to be questionable now, the amount of time that Neil is taking.

Good shot, though, worth waiting for, that one.

Got to be honest, John was saying to me, surely he would play the double,

but he was right! I would just like to see Neil his

score a few but a lot quicker and a lot more fluent.

I think he is is at his best when he is playing at a much better tempo

than this. Not straight forward at the moment,

to get onto this next red. It's one of those where you would rather not

kiss the pink here. He needs to pay some sort of cannon here just to

slow the cue ball down. Played the cannon into the pink and

it has gone OK. Did well to control that.

Wasn't happy with that particular contact. But no damage done there.

You see the red jump off the bed of the table but not a problem. He's

just two or three shots away from having these absolutely perfect. A

couple of cannon is required. Have to move the reds out of the

waves in the black will be available into both pockets. -- out of the

way, then the black will be available. He hit that well.

This is an excellent chance to close again to within 2-macro and an

excellent chance for a very high break. Reluctant to say a century at

the moment. Yes, that black will pot, it is an even better chance, I

would have thought. Just pop the other red to the

left-hand side, making sure the black does pot again. And the black

after this next shot would be available into both callers. Just

asking the referee to release but this.

Sometimes you get a bit of indentation after a couple of days

play. No harm in is asking the referee to

re-spot is for you. Then he No harm in is asking the referee to

eats to get the red out of the way, keeps looking at the angle. -- just

needs to. This is a wonderful chance. And I am

not going to say it either! The fact he is left-handed, those

two reds on a problem at all. He will past century before needing the

green. All of a sudden, this is a great chance.

He obviously did have a cake, I did detect it from the commentary box.

-- a kick. Did you detect it? The cue ball has gone in the right

place. He was playing it with a bit of side.

They might not have enough balls in the Crucible the way they are going

at the minute! Just checking if the reds go. Being over that side is

great for Judd here. Well, that was mostly played. And I

think the position should be perfect. He couldn't have hit that

any better. I had a look before to see whether the bottom red would put

but even if it doesn't, he could play a cannon. Not great.

Both reds cuttable, both reds difficult. He will be going in and

out of baulk with this tubal here. -- 2-ball. -- cue ball.

It was always going to be difficult, that, with the long stuff. Breaks

down on 28. He is 15 points behind. Just got to put up with the

slightest disturbance. The other table's session has finished. You

can see people leaving the Crucible on the other side as slowly and

quietly as possible. They are trying to, anyway.

Looks a fraction hard but it just pulled up in time. He is 20 in

front. Both reds. He won't be getting the red from

there. Just got a slight angle. I thought he was dead

there. Just got a slight angle. I he can force it over.

there. Just got a slight angle. I are left-handed. Pretty good from

there. Just got a slight angle. I over there. He doesn't

there. Just got a slight angle. I anything with the cue ball.

there. Just got a slight angle. I as well. They were

there. Just got a slight angle. I but some heavy contacts again. Two

or three already in this frame. It must just be the conditions out

there today. That puts him 28 ahead. Concentrate and knock the pink in.

This is a frame he would have been desperate to win. It means

This is a frame he would have been won the first of the middle session

by three frames to one. He is two behind instead of four.

Let's have a look at the scoreboard. He has snookered himself.

Let's have a look at the scoreboard. quite a tough snookered to hit so he

is going to have to play the swerve. He can actually see it so I don't

know what the problem was. He has got a chance of getting in

behind the black. No, he has decided to concede. Robertson was hoping to

win that session by three frames to one and he has won it. This much has

got very intriguing in terms of scoreline but it is an intriguing

watch. It is neither one thing or the other. Its severity important

session for Neil Robertson to try and get back on level terms. However

it happens, that is the job he needs to do. He is grinding away, he is MF

of the longer run and it is down to Judd to try and force the pace. He

is asking the questions of Judd, you want to win it, you have to take me.

We had expected this free-flowing, open game. And we haven't got it. As

Steve said, Neal would have set aside -- target for three of the

four friends. I refill he has to win this session. If he can win the next

three or four, we are level. That one with the long West -- rest, it

was probably the wrong shot at the wrong time to play and gave kneeled

the opportunity. He has too steady the ship a little bit. He is

certainly asking questions of Judd today, more than yesterday. This is

the best of 25 and it throws up more possible at ease and more questions

to be asked of the player. They would normally have to go into

overnight lead and they wouldn't normally have to withstand somebody

coming back, normally, they are closer to the finishing line in the

shorter frame that. One session does not a world champion make. We will

be back shortly with them after the interval. Today, Richard Osmond has

the latest killer question. Welcome back. We have given our 100 people

147 seconds to name anybody who has appeared at the Crucible 15 times or

more. You can name yourself if you wish to. The very best of luck. Alan

McManus is one. 15 or more! I've been close. How many times have you

played? Peter Ebdon. I am sure he has appeared 15 times. Davis,

Hendry, John Parrott. I'm the least famous out of all of them. Some

sneaky ones I'll bet in there. A tricky one because a lot of people

will get the big names. To be honest, anybody who has been here

that amount of time is a big name. Willie Thorne. You can't have Willie

Thorne. I am just shouting out names randomly. He came here in 1976. Alan

McManus. I might have been here more than 15 times. Not here so that

might be out of mind. Definitely not Darren Morgan. Peter Ebdon. Alan

McManus. Alan McManus has definitely been here more than 15 times. Alan

McManus. Alan McManus. Ken Doherty. I really want to say Willie Thorne.

I will be giving the scores at the end of the interval. You can tweak

your answers if you like and Apple tell you what you scored just before

the end of the interval. The very best of luck. I have another

pointless quiz question. Who is the world's number four snooker player?

There is only one correct answer and it is Barry Hawkins.

There is only one correct answer and it It underlines the progress this

man has made over the last couple of years. He has quietly and very

effectively matings weigh up the rankings. He was a runner-up 12

months ago here at the rankings Ash Crystal. -- and the Crucible. His

game is not going his way in the first couple of sessions. Dominic

Fountains of five frames to 11. Barry had knocked in for sizeable 50

plus breaks. So, into this afternoon's play we go and it is

Dominik who took the first two of this afternoon, making sure that

Hawking worked for his victory, if it is to come. John Virgo and Barry

Griffiths now. it is to come. John Virgo and Barry

The problem with the red that is close to the right-hand cushion, you

want to be careful that you don't get a double-kiss.

He hit it well but not enough and that is why he caught the blue. Now,

what has he left. --? A lot of left-hand side and if it

slips past the green, this is a good safety, believe me. That is a

cracker. He looked trapped there. He could

only see a few reds. That was a high risk safety shot. He

was trapped by the excellent safety shot that Dominic Dale played. A

chance for Dominic. The easy red to the left middle, you would think he

would try to get on the yellow or green, for starters. He has

overheated. Well, he is OK, he is just about on the green.

He has got red the centre and a red directive below available. --

directly. He is having a look to see if the black will go and that would

mean he would be putting this red coming off the top cushion and

carrying on the red to the right of the black. Putting all your eggs

into one basket. But he has played beautifully! He could not have

played it better! What chance he has given himself now! I was just

thinking that if he got 20, he would do very well. Think is black on its

spot now that black is in the open. The good chance now for Dominic to

win the frame. Somebody's phone has gone. Make sure your phones are

switched off, please. That pink has put 15 points in the

lead. I don't think the red will pass the

brown. It may do. But he can win then with the reds in this third of

the table. This is excellent stuff from

Dominic, it really is. Looks very comfortable out there.

And so he should. He has dominated this session so far.

Purposely holding the pink spot there. He doesn't mind the pink

going on the blue spot there. That is the highest available. So, 38

points in the lead, looking for a red, a colour, and one more red. He

has got the perfect angle on this black now, to put the black and just

come off the cushion. Something like that should do.

That is just about OK. As long as he knocked the red, he wasn't bothered.

What a battling performance this is from Dominic. Every credit to him.

He looked down and out. A lesson to every young aspiring snooker player.

Never give in. And that red going in now puts him 47 points in front with

just 43 remaining. If he pots the pink in the middle, which you

expecting to do, no return to the table for Barry Hawkins.

Beautiful positional shot. He has played a couple in this break

already. The shot he played to bring the black into play was, well, as

good as you see. Well, it doesn't matter about the red, I am certain.

Barry will give the nod to directory. He does. Dominic started

the session six frames behind, he cut his deficit. One more to go

before the mid-session interval. He trails by three. Barry Hawkins may

be getting a little bit concerned but he still leads 11-8. It is all

about the Spaceman in that one. He is on the comeback trail. He is

certainly asking some searching questions of Barry Hawkins. We will

bring you the complete occlusion of that match later on. -- the

conclusion. Kids, do not try this at home. All aboard for the trick shot

express. I am going to hold five cues at the

same time and pot or five balls right there. Five cues, one shot.

This shot here is a variation of a hustler shot. The idea is to hit the

white ball, move it along, when the white ball is coming along there, I

will refuted, it will go back and hit the other ball.

This is what I call the impossible shot. The white ball will

double-kiss one ball, come some way here and curve, comeback and make

the five ball. He is remarkable. I never have seen

that. It is amazing the reaction he gets on the cue ball, and incredible

trick. He has three fingers missing from the one glove in some of those

tricks. He has got to get out more, I think! He needs to generate a lot

of speed. Why am I talking about this technically! You don't want to

know. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Let's move on. How did

you do in the quiz? Let's find out. Earlier, I asked you to name anyone

who has played the Crucible 15 times or more. Three of our teams went for

Alan McManus. Ken Doherty and others. Alan McManus would have

scored you seven points. Ken Doherty would have scored you 59. Peter

Ebdon would have scored you 35. There were actually for answers that

would have eaten Alan McManus. Nigel Bond. Eddie Charlton, Stephen Lee,

but Mountjoy. Congratulations if you said any of those. The biggest

answers, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry. More tomorrow.

No sign of a league table yet. As for you at home, there was a fair

bit of support for Mountjoy so well done for those of you who got that

bit of support for Mountjoy so well straightaway. Let's get back to

matters in hand today. We have four for -- more frames to complete what

is proving to be a very interesting comeback from Neil Robertson. He is

half the deficit in this match. He comeback from Neil Robertson. He is

is now only two frames behind against job Trump. Back to the

commentary box. Thank you, Hazel. 15 minutes mid-session interval over.

Judd Trump knows he has to be a minutes mid-session interval over.

little careful. He would like to get 4-4. That would be the target to

little careful. He would like to get this many session 3-1. If Robertson

when these eight -- winded, they will be square. -- wins it.

Even thinner than he wanted there, Neal. Barely touched the red. He has

left Judd chance on the medium red. Unlucky. He nearly got the ultimate

there with the cannon. He wanted to get a pic or contact on the red.

Good pot. -- he wanted to get a thicker contact.

He has found himself they are a number of times this afternoon. He

did well there. Not an ideal cue ball, but he has got some distance.

Good part of their -- good pot there.

Chose to play a very positive shop there. -- shot. Definitely on this

red. The only way to get on the black is running it off the cushion.

But he may flick onto the black. It is one of those, if you roll it in,

and you could bounce it off the cushion, it could throw the white

wider. Especially with the spider, it's

even more difficult. He did miss the kiss on the black.

Just about OK. Tricky little shorts these. The cue

ball is very close to the black. -- little shots.

And it's not there. I got gravity might have taken over the, it was

slow enough, but it didn't drop. Under pressure, that was a fantastic

shot. There was a lot of pressure on that shot and he could not have

played it better. Yes, he got the shot here. He could play a cannon on

the red on the right-hand side. If you visit, you still have a red to

the same pocket. He paid its lower -- he played it slower.

He has hit that well. He is in a good position now.

Well, didn't see that one coming. Pretty straightforward. It should

not have been a problem. Sitting in his chair, looking a bit

forlorn. It does not seem to be happening for him this afternoon.

That is an attacking safety shot if ever there was one. Neil Robertson

is one of the best long waters in the game -- potters. This is a great

chance. Good pot. These really are very nice

indeed. That cue ball should have been a

foot further in the table. He felt he had a bad contact. Three points

in front, if he gets on this next colour, you would expect him to win

the frame. His facial expression tells us is

not the way he played that shop. -- shot. Now it looks to be plain

sailing, but it never is when you are playing catch up.

It has been workmanlike this afternoon. Neil Robertson is not his

normal flu itself. -- fluent self. He has taken these well. Judd Trump

had his chances in this frame. For somebody of his capabilities, that

was a very bad miss. He has already got a 40 point lead.

If he knocks this one in, he will win the frame. Neil Robertson,

surely but surely, clawing his way back into this. Only one frame

behind. Very fluent here. Such a better

player when he plays at this tempo. This is the best break of the match

for Neil Robertson. This is a very big comeback for

Neill Robertson. We showed you the red that Judd missed. You have just

got to be careful, slow down a fraction. He is playing at a quicker

pace, but you can't afford to miss these. He will be mortified that he

missed this. You have to put the concentration in. Later, Judd played

the attacking safety and Robertson is a magnificent long potter and

went on to win the frame. Good break of that. Come down one

side of the table, the right-hand side is tricky. Difficult to get

back to the baulk area with the cue ball because of the red on the

left-hand side cushion. That is a magnificent pot. Played

the only shot that was open to him. He has knocked it straight in. The

only downside is he has come right next to the yellow. Can't really get

any peace into the shot, the cue ball is just too close.

Big shot coming up, taking the blue on. What a pot that was. It is

tricky. You are telling you opponent, I am ready to play.

Absolutely beautiful strike, that was.

Playing for the red that's next to the pink. You are almost bound to be

on the red. Just got it a little bit too much. It would have been better

a little bit closer to the reds. He seems to have upped his pace and

little bit, walking round a bit quicker than he has been.

Always likely to be a problem when the cue ball is so close to the

pink, difficult to generate any pace.

What was looking like a decent opportunity has gone West. It looks

like a safety coming up. Not a massive target, but I am sure

Judd will come off the side of the pack.

He is unlucky twice because the pink has gone in.

There goes the red. Just can't get the wheat at the moment. Can't get

that baulk cushion. -- weight. Decent pot, just couldn't get the

cue ball out. Go down to the baulk area in a moment.

If the blue had been straight, he might have took it on. But a safety

shot here. That's not the best. Judd may be tempted. The red on the

right, getting the cue ball down this side of the table. A pure

safety shot from Robertson for a change. --

The first perceived a shot Neill has played for a sometime. -- poor

safety shot. 18 minutes since he last ported a

ball. If he lines it up dead straight, if

he gets it badly, he will hit the red new address the blue. That is an

absolute reach. Straight to the centre of the pocket, perfect

position, couldn't be any better. Great shot. What ever he gets, he

deserves after a shot like that. He's only made that one break over

50 and he did that in the frame that he won. Just get a bit of confidence

back. Played a little cannon on the red

and black. He is going to need at least two of those reds. That is if

he clears the other five. He may have missed a little trick there.

Or contact the. Jumped up when he hit that shot. Took a bit of pace

out of the cue ball. Expecting it to go a lot further. But he's all

right. It's getting more difficult now to

get on the colour on the right side.

The fact that green is off its spot helps. But this has to be played to

perfection to get onto a red. And it is just about perfect as well.

Excellent, well played. This has been absolutely superb. He

has played two shots in this break. This was really well what about --

well no need to play any cannons here at

the moment. I bet he would she have played on it

now. Trying to be too That was an excellent 50 break. It

really was very good. One thing Judd would be doing is

playing safe after red on the side cushion. He will be leaving that

where it is. On the other hand, Neil wants to

bring this red into play. The green is still injured's favour

but whoever puts the next red has the chance to win the frame that

visit. -- pots the next red. This is a very dangerous table at

the minute. A 28 point lead won't mean a great deal if Neil Robertson

get the next opportunity. He played that in such a way to be shot to

nothing. The bonus is that as well as playing a shot to nothing, he has

put the red say. -- safe. He is merely snookered on all balls. --

snow could -- nearly snookered. He has done pretty well to get out

of that situation. Very well not to get a double kiss of the red. -- off

the red. He missed that by Anne Amphlett

mile. -- by Anne Amphlett mile. Just looking to see whether Neil has

the angle to put the blue. play the yellow but he thinks he is

OK for I honestly didn't see him doing

that. Very, very good. He knew he would

have every chance to get away with it.

Dangerous. Has he got away with it? He certainly has. A good chance of

getting passed the baulk line. You have to

make sure the red ghost say. Don't risk making the snowcapped and

putting the red in a pottable position. That is pretty good. Well

played. That last role just stopped it. That

planning to play dead That last role just stopped it. That

final role just did him there. I think I might be tempted to play

the red on the left here and get the green off the cushion. And leave the

red weather green walls and get the green back in play.

He called it to perfection. Did he get the snooker? Not quite.

He tried to get that really then and it hit it on the way back. -- really

thin. He would love to come the red along the cushion and take the cue

ball in towards the black but it is too dangerous. You can't do a good

white and get the red safe as well so he may decide to play this along

the cushion. Can you believe that? I can only

presume it rolled off. He needs to slow down so he has got

the angle on the red. Very good. That is an excellent

shot. Under pressure, that was very good. He needs the colour off this

red, though. I just said he needs a colour off

this red, what has he done the white -- with the white here? He has got

to take the blue on. Just play the blue and leave the white at this

end. The black is missable, the blue I didn't think was miserable. --

missable. 45 points in front when Neil came

back to the table. He nods his head. That was a big frame for Judd Trump.

29 and a half minute frame and it restores a two frame advantage for

Judd Trump. Meanwhile, it is getting tense on the other side of the

theatre because it was eight frames to 11, Barry Hawkins with the lead

but Dominic Dale had won the first three and he has won the next three

as well. He has totally dominated the session. It is elegant-11 and

now it is the best of three. This is going to be quite a finish. You are

right, Hazel. Barry Hawkins is in. Dominic Dale has missed a red. He

left the cue ball up the side of the table. These are the times when you

get tested as a player. And also as a person. Barry Hawkins, how strong

is he? From these situations, when you go on to win a match after a big

lead. If you fail, you tend to wither.

is on this red to the right corner. Looks as though he can, well,

looking at the angle there, maybe able to hold it or run across the

face of the black to put the black in the same pocket. Dominik has made

a fantastic recovery here. He has got back to level terms. But not

without a little bit of help from his opponent, it has to be said.

And there is another example. Is he saying kick? Did he think he had a

heavy contact? And what a time for it to happen.

Incredible. We're watching it here and it is still hard to believe what

has happened. Barry Hawkins, three times in this match has been six

frames in front. And Dominic Dale has won six on the spin to draw

things level. This is what makes the Crucible Theatre and the World

Championships It is not a difficult pot,

obviously. He doesn't have to be -- do a lot with the cue ball but you

have to be very careful that you do not miscue and foul the red that is

close to the cue ball. There is another red to the left corner but

that is no good to him, really. The black won't go to the right corner.

As I say, he has got to go onto one -- the other corner, maybe there was

another increment under the table. This is the one we'd get the spider

and put the rest on top of the spider.

Then, that just gives you a little bit more feel for the shot. The

referee will be watching this closely.

Well, that is as good as he could do. It is close enough to the

cushion to make this black missable. There is pressure on this.

That is the problem. I have seen it so many times, when you are close to

the cushion and all you can do is roll the ball in and even though

there is not a lot of nap on this costs, so often, we see those shots,

too thick. He is looking to see if there is any

value on playing the black off the red. The only problem with this is

if he comes straight, and I think he has, then he is limited.

He has overdone it. He courted to good. It may be a plant on, but

there was no single read on. The plant is on, by the look of it.

There is a bit of distance between the two balls.

He has got that in. But he is not on a colour.

He is having one disaster after another in this session.

Well, I couldn't have played that shot. Dominic Dale leave the safe

forward -- straightforward safety now.

Whatever he played, he will not complain about the outcome.

If this red goes into the left middle, that is unforgivable. And it

does. And just about got enough angle on

the blue. You couldn't afford to leave that short.