Day 15, Part 1 Snooker: World Championship

Good Morning. We Are Up Bright And Early For The Holiday Weekend And

With Very Good Reason. One Of Our Semifinals Today They Have Finished

Early Tonight And Will Be Reflecting On The Victory Later But There Is A

Whole Lot Of Money Share. It is a Blockbuster, it really is between

Mark Selby and Neil Robertson, the world number one. The Australian

claimed this title four years ago but is arguably an even better

player now than he was then. Neil Robertson's technique is absolutely

superb. If ever you want an example of pushing the cue through gun

barrel straight, that is what you get with Neil Robertson. That is

what makes him one of the best long potters in the game. His temperament

is superb. He would have made a great poker player. You never know

when he is under pressure. He keeps that same poker face whether he has

missed an easy shot knocked in a century break and that is one of the

key ingredients the Aussie has. Neil Robertson is a very consistent

player, a great long potter and that is the reason the public, watching

play. With regards to his break-building, it certainly has

improved over the last three or four seasons and it shows in the fact

that he has now made over 300 competitive centuries. He certainly

has become one of the most consistent players in the game after

dropping off the main tour in the early part of the millennium, he

came storming back and won tournaments all over the world and

is one of the rare players that has won the big three, the UK, the

Masters and the World Championship. He is going to have to play his

natural game. Sometimes, he doesn't play an all-out attacking game. The

more attacking key is, the more dangerous he becomes.

I was born in Leicester on the 19th of June 1983. My nickname is the

Jester from Leicester. I turned professional in 1999. In 2007, I

reached the final of the World Championship. I won the Masters at

Wembley in 2008. I won my first ranking title at the Welsh Open in

2008. In 2010, I'd beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in a final frame decider

at the Masters. In 2012, I won the UK Championship. I won the Masters

again in 2013. And for the third time, we are awaiting the call and

Neil is doing so in the company of his three-year-old son, Alexander.

He was born a few days after Neil won the world title in 2010. He is

going to be bought on the 12th of May. There he is, keeping in --

keeping his dad company. -- he is going to be four on the 12th of May.

Selby, 9-7 ahead in this unfolding drama. If you are just coming to

after big Friday night, what a big wake-up call this promises to be.

Let's go with MC Rob Walker. Thank you, Hazel. Ladies and gentlemen,

this has the makings of a great semifinal. What a massive prospect

with these two world-class players. What a shame there is only room for

one of them to join Ronnie O'Sullivan in tomorrow's World

Championship final. Please well, a player who can hold

his nerve on the biggest occasions of the biggest stages. On his 10th

visit to the critical, he is bidding for his second appearance in the

final. He has made the Masters is only in recent years, lifting the

trophy three times. He is also a former Age UK champion. One of

snooker's finest ambassadors, he always plays with a smile on his

face, that is why he is the Jester. Mark Selby.

And his opponent, what a fabulous fortnight for this rout Australian.

World champion and when -- 2010, he completed the triple crown at the UK

Championships in December. Here in Sheffield, he has been the breaks

chaser, the history maker, 100 centuries in a single season but now

there is a title to win, can he take one step closer to another big one?

Ladies and gentlemen, it is the world mumble one, can you hear the

thunder from down under, he is the century and, he is Neil Robertson.

-- Centurion. MUSIC: "Heart Of Courage" by Two

Steps From Hell. And backing the seas in the

commentary box, John Virgo and Dennis Taylor. Good morning, Hazel,

and a good morning to everyone watching. What a session we are in

for today. Mark Selby had a 50 plus break, 53,

and then Neil Robertson had a magnificent clearance of 61 to pinch

it. It is going to be a great session, this. Looking forward to

it. Yes, we always say there are certain frames that can be pivotal

and you wonder whether that's 16 frame could be something that Mark

Selby, at the end of this much, might look back on. The one that

turned it against him? But lots of snooker to be played. Eight frames

to be played in this third session. Pot success at 93 cents for cell B.

90% is pretty good as well. Not much separating them in the long pot to

spark them. -- department. And Mark, as you would expect, edging the

safety. But look at that. There was a fascinating opening session

because we had really good tactical play and then we had two clearances.

If this wasn't the first frame, I don't think he would have any

hesitation playing this first pot. Well, he thought he wouldn't leave

anything but there was a red at the bottom of the cost on the left-hand

side that looks pottable to the left middle. If it was to go in, I think

it would be beyond the black. This was Mark's attempt at the long

pot, there. But he finished up hitting it on the wrong side. I

wonder if it drifted slightly. Yes, either that, Dennis, or it was ten

in the morning shot. -- at ten o'clock in the morning shot. Both of

these players have been getting up early. That red is in the middle

pocket. Duke couldn't believe a red could come out of the pack and

finish up in the middle pocket. How this sprang out of the pack is

amazing. The tricky little roll up to the yellow, here. And with the

reds open, if he gets it type, Mark could be in trouble. -- if he gets

it right. How would one go into the middle pocket from that position?

Amazing. And he is trying to land on the red that is near the right

corner pocket. But I am not sure if there was a path through to that.

There was red in the way. He is usually very good at getting

out of these snookers. He is looking to see if he can get twice across

the table. It is very tricky with the blue where it is. That is what

he is trying there. He has hit the wrong side of it.

He could play for the black. The black looks like it is tight against

the cushion. You have to be so accurate if you are using the pace.

So, the first chance to Neil Robertson, one begging.

That is a little unlucky if he has covered the pink. He might just be

OK. It is tight but I think he can just get past the red.

Well, where has he landed here? I think he put everything into the pot

there because it was a bit tight and he is out of position. So, not the

best. Both players just taking a while to

settle in for this very important session.

He will be disappointed that he did not make more of that opportunity.

As you say, Dennis, a very big session, this. Neil Robertson lost

the first session 5-3. They squared the second session but Neil

Robertson needs to win this session, you feel. If he loses this

session, he might have too much to come back from in the final session

this evening. So, Mark, quite happy to go back. It

is very thin. This cue ball could battle in the jaws and stay and this

end of the table. -- rattle in the jaws.

There is another escape route the meal. There was another option,

there was one he can get down. Are you happy with this, Mark? I

have to warn you, you have to hit it or you will forfeit the frame. He

can come down off that red. He can't really afford to try the

same shot again. I think he is looking at that red that I

mentioned. He would have to be pretty accurate.

That is pretty good. It may pot, though, this red, into the right

corner. He has got one to the left corner also.

Good pot. Nice solid opening red. The choice of blue or possibly the

brown. He hid this really well, right in the heart of the pocket. If

he plays this well, he may have to play a little cannon. Just hit it

nicely. Got the pink still in the open. He may not bother with the

blacks just yet. He is looking at that, John, I am wondering if he

would love to screw the red into the left and just roll the black along

the cushion because the red is over the right corner pocket. We know how

tired these pockets are. So, he may just elect to play for the blue

again rather than risk that. He did go for the blue and he is at

slinky inch perfect. A decent chance, this. -- he is

slinky inch perfect. A decent inch perfect. This will clear the

pink. He can get nicely onto the pink and he...

Back for the blue again from that position.

He did lead 5-2, Mark, but Neil Robertson bounced right back with

three frames in a row to level. It wouldn't be a bad time to open up

a three frame advantage again. I think it is very important, that

is why he is taking his time, very important to win this frame in this

visit. I think the one he is looking at is

a little bit tight. He is making sure. There is plenty of room for

the red that he was looking at so he can play it this time if he wants.

The left of the three reds there, just behind the pink.

He has just let it run through a little bit further than he intended

though it is a change of plan again. It was a stunning run through and he

sent it through about three or four inches than he wanted. Now, he has

got to take the cut into the left corner.

A bit PC for the blue. This isn't ideal. -- a bit pacey. This yellow

will put him 55 point infant with 75 remaining. -- in front. He has

played that well. Just red and the colour needed. Well, that was

amazing, how he got onto the red perfectly this time. The other shot,

he only had a few inches to make the cue ball moved to get on it and then

he has played this and screwed it all the way back up to the table

into the ideal spot. So, this red to go 62 in front with

just 59 remaining. Just the start he was looking for.

Well, that is the same, more or less secure.

He was gifted this opportunity from Neil. But after losing the last

frame of the second session, Mark Selby, when he looked certain, he

will be pleased to have put this frame away with one scoring visit

which is always a confidence booster.

Looking very good here. One more good pot and he will have the chance

of the century break. He has made 46 centuries this season which normally

is excellent but when you think of Neil Robertson, well past 100, I

think it is 102 centuries he has made now.

We have had 52 centuries so far, getting closer to the 55 centuries

that was made last year. We know how tricky these are. He would just play

a dead weight and hope that it drops in. It is there, it clung to the

cushion. What a start for Mark Selby. You cannot do any better than

when the frame with a century break and he extends his lead, he is now

three ahead again. What a start for Mark Selby there. He looked very

relaxed, very comfortable. Both players just at the start maybe a

little edgy which is quite understandable, the opening frame of

this very important session. And Neil got in first. If he had been

able to drop this in, but he had to force it to get up for the pink or

blue. I suggested he played for them force it to get up for the pink or

back. It was tight to the cushion. If we look at the end of Mark's

breaks, when he was If we look at the end of Mark's

because it was tight, it just clings to the cushion. I am a little bit

surprised, trying to force it up the table, using a little bit of side

that close to the object ball, you have to make an allowance for the

throw and he did not make enough of an allowance. Yes, he thought he

would make sure of it and not risk the black. The black was almost

touching the cushion. Cushion and ball at the same time and it clings

to the cushion. If it is just oft the cushion, I don't mind refusing

it. So, that is the first frame of the

session gone for Neil Robertson. As I say, I just get the feeling, OK,

don't lose this session, if he can win it, he will be going into this

Evening Post Mac session all square, or maybe a couple of frames

in it. So, there is a lot to play for. But Mark Selby, that was a

great start, and that will give him great confidence to push on here.

Well, you can't get any closer than that without it going in. He struck

it beautifully. It just caught the near jaw. Fractions.

A Neil Robertson special. There is an angle on the blue here. This

time, off to cushion is and that is pretty good. I thought for a moment

he was going to be unlucky there. He just caught the edge of the reds.

But look at that red that has just come out of the pack. That was a

good shot. I think he would like to play this and hold for the black but

I am not certain he can. If he goes back up the table, he have to try

and find the gap. And he didn't. He didn't find the gap. And he is not

on the pink. Just a safety shot left. A bit careless, really.

Well, he didn't play the pot. The crowd giving him a nice round of

applause. It looked like it was just a nice pot. But he didn't intend the

yellow to go in! I'm wondering if he can see enough

of this red to pot it into the middle pocket. He is very close to

the other red. But that's what he is looking at.

If he gets it he is on the black. But that other red is blocking it.

That was marking what we call the John Virgo position there! You've

got a good memory! Any way he didn't get tight to the baulk cushion and

he has left a pot on here for Neil. If there is one thing you put your

finger on in the second session, the eight frames yesterday, he started

off very well in the first four, kneel, he was potting all these long

pots, similar to this and after the interval he just lost his edge with

his long potting. And that is a worry.

That last attempt at a long pot, have a look at the red here. That

jumped. So that didn't help. We always talk about the advantage

of leaving the cue ball near the baulk cushion.

It's very straight. So that's all he could do really. If he could have

got his hand on the table, he could have stunned that red in and I would

have fancied him to pot it. There is two types of safety shot

that Neil can play. He can try and open the reds up, or just play one

where he doesn't split too many reds.

He has played the one to open the reds up and he has got a pretty good

length with the cue ball. If he has blocked the safety path

down the left hand side of the table, he has got no easy task

getting the cue ball back to the baulk end.

He got into it very thick to avoid that red on the right-hand side

cushion. But he may have left a pot on here. Hitting it so thick took

the pace out of the cue ball. Neil needs to start knocking these

in. A good pot. Unintended kiss on the second red though. So it puts a

bit of pressure on this blue, which I'm certain he is going to take on.

Didn't want the kiss on the second red. He is looking at the black, but

can he reach it? If he screws the blue in and gets

the white anywhere that near the line he has the red to the left

corner. But he needs a good shot. Well played. Very confidently

struck. Not the best, he is OK but he has

got go in and out of baulk area to avoid the brown and green.

You could see him hitting that on the right hand side and it spins

off. Nicely played. Neil just looking for the red after

the colour. I don't think he is on this red where he could play low on

the black, which he could like to play a little cannon.

So is it pink and just nudge a red, or is he happy he can find a red off

the black? He must be. Must be that red immediately below

the pink. It didn't look as though it went.

Yes, clearly goes and nicely on it. Well played.

Delightful little cannon there and that's really opened things up and

every chance for Neil to come right back at Mark Selby.

A bit trickier, having to use the spider. Nicely played. Never the

easiest implement to play with. He is at a slight angle on this black.

He has got a red to the right middle. This would be the perfect

reply for Neil. After what Mark did to him in the

first frame. I thought there was a few signs, Denis, in the middle of

the second session that neither player was winning the frame in one

visit. It just needed someone to raise his game. Perfect reply this.

He saw the warning signs and now will have to impose himself. It has

all the potential of being an absolute classic.

Just needs one more red to make sure of taking the second frame.

Very well played, Neil Robertson. Mark Selby put a marker down and he

has responded. What a start to this third session.

Wouldn't it be nice and good for his confidence, Neil, if he could make a

century? A bit awkward with a couple of reds

near side cushion. They have both made two centuries.

This is the last of the easy reds. A nice angle on this black now to

nudge that red on the left. This is one problem ball in the

open. Oh! It went in. Not three times, but knew the password. Being

a left-hander the red is the wrong side of the table for Neil.

When Rob Walker introduces Neil Robertson, he has now added the

Centurion, because of that century of centuries in one season.

He has made 102 now. What a marker he has set down. Wonderful shot. OK,

he didn't try and get the cue ball away from the cushion, he knew this

black would be difficult. Oh, and in the end it turned out to

be just a little bit too difficult. But he will be very pleased to

respond to that 100 break by Mark Selby in the first frame. He has

come right back. A marvellous 85. But he still trails by two.

Neil likes playing in China, made his two maximum breaks out there.

Mark's turn to break off and both players in fine form. But not the

best break-off shot. A possible red for Neil Robertson to take on and he

can get on the black and looking at the bunch, there is a red at the

back that is available. This could be an important early

pot. The Thunder from Down Under pots a fabulous red there and

perfect on the black. Played for that red that I mentioned

and now he can open the bunch up. He could leave a few on here, he

needs to be careful with the white. You never can guarantee exactly

where it is going to finish when you play that type of shot. But look at

that white. Stopped and then the top spin took effect.

That is a little unlucky. If they're all covered into the left corner he

may take the red he can in the right corner pocket.

When he starts playing well, he gets pretty close to these. Oh! Well, I

think Neil thought this was in. So close. But he knew by playing that

red he wasn't going to leave anything for Mark.

The target for Neil would be in behind the pink.

That is the path he would be looking for. Well he hasn't got the angle to

swing it over to that side of the table, but that's not bad. I say it

is not bad there is a safety shot for Mark Selby and a possible pot

into the left corner. He is coming around to see if he played for the

black, what would he leave? He is back looking at the safety

shot. It is the safety that he decides on

in the end. If he misses the brown and hits the pink full ball, he

could have a snooker. Well, half ball, not a snooker.

You've got to hit these perfect, otherwise the red goes back up the

table with the cue ball. That is pretty good. OK, he's not even

reached the baulk line, but that was a very dangerous shot he had to play

there. And he will be content that he has not left a pot on.

A bit thin. Ooh, good kiss on the green, is it? He will be happy with

that. Because it wasn't his best safety. But the green helped.

This looks like a Neil Robertson special coming up here. Wow! What a

shot! And unlucky to cannon the yellow. But you won't see many

better pots than that. He had to cue this so well. That was the distance,

but it was the accuracy of that shot and the back spin that he got on it

and unlucky to flick the yellow like that.

It could pay dividends and Mark was fortunate, he kissed the green, but

as you say, that was a Neil Robertson special and once he starts

knocking them in, he really puts pressure on every safety shot that

Mark Selby is going to play. If he has got his potting boots on, Neil

Robertson, there is hardly anything safe on the table.

To land on a red, I think he will leave a pot on, which ever one he

tries. If he tries the one on the left side, he will leave the two

reds for the middle pocket. If he tries to land on the four reds

together, if he lands in the back of those, he will leave the one to the

left of the black to the right corner. He will do well to get out

of this. If he just touches that red he may

have got away with it. Just needed a another roll and it would have been

safe. Well, he is having it replaced. The problem is as we know,

he was just a bit short of pace. Only an inch. But you try to get

that extra bit of pace and it can just come off the cushion slightly

different. We sill see if sat-nav Selby can do

it this time. Oh, he is just going to come up

short again and this time he can get through that red.

Just depejds on the angle -- depends on the angle he has. He has a choice

of colours to play. He is taking the pot on, because he

knows, if you put Mark Selby back in he could get it safe. And played it

with a lot of confidence that red to the middle. So he has a 26 point

lead already. As we see that red and he played it very confidently.

Perfect on the blue. This blue will put him 31 points in

front. He is looking at the best way to attack these reds.

It is certainly not straight forward. Coming up to a minute

thinking about this. He could take the bull by the horns and pot the

blue and cannon into the four reds to the left. But he may have spotted

something else. Well, he played to screw into those

four reds and it has all gone wrong. Just didn't quite get enough screw

on this. He was hoping to swing it over and catch the four reds. Nearly

went in off. But he is out of position now.

If he catches this thin he could get behind the pink. Has he got enough

pace? Not quite. He will be disappointed that he

didn't find a red to follow. I didn't see the necessity of this.

If you can't get into the reds, he could have played a more careful

positional shot. That is a pretty good safety from

Mark. Now it is two get get the white

behind the pink that will gain the advantage. Mark's looking to see if

he took the pot on could he play for the black and maybe not leave

anything. He is looking at potting the red and

trying to get off the side cushion for the black. But now he is back

looking at the safety shot. If he does play the safety shot, every

chance he will get behind the pink. He is back at the first shot he

wanted to play. What puts him off about the pot, I think he thinks the

pot's OK to go for. But he is hampered by the pink.

Trying to get behind the pink and a possible plant. The main priority is

get back to the baulk cushion. Using the yellow and brown will do. Neil

Robertson in a spot of bother here. I don't know if that angle was

there. I think the middle pocket was in the way. He is going to have it

put back, but he has had to go so close to the corner of the middle

pocket. That is how close he has to get to

the middle pocket. He has got it this time. If it is

dead straight, there is no value in trying to pot this along the

cushion. Trying to get behind the pink again.

He hasn't hit it hard enough. Still safe though. But that is what he was

looking for. Well, it was a pretty good effort

and playing at that pace is why he swung the cue ball wide. He wasn't

far from the pot. The one thing Neil Robertson does not want to do at the

moment, he doesn't want to open the cluster of reds. He has a 27 point

lead. If you made a mistake, he doesn't want to gift him an

opportunity by having all the reds open. He would want Mark to work for

his points. Playing the cross double here.

He did play with a lot of right-hand side. And not a burgeoning. Yes,

this is a complete contrast to the two opening frames where they were

one with -- won one visit. He wasn't far away from the double

case. In the end, not the best safety. -- double kiss.

He is looking at the red on the right-hand side of the table but it

would be a very risky pot to take on.

But the red on the side of the table could be an obstacle if he decided

to return back to baulk. So, playing this with a lot of left-hand side to

avoid the double kiss. He doesn't really want to be bringing that

across. Now we can see a possible hot but too risky.

Well, there was always the chance he was going to knock the red over the

corner. He has been lucky. He has snookered mark with the green. He

could never have planned that. Absolutely amazing. You could play

that for all week and you wouldn't be able to get it in behind the

green where it is sitting. I am just wondering if Mark might have to come

off the cushion and try and just hit this red that is over the pocket. If

he leaves the white near the jaws of the left corner pocket, or would it

be safe? If he comes off a couple of cushion

and lands in the bunch of reds, he would leave that one that is over

the pocket. So, it is a bit of a problem and he may just have to take

a while to sort it out. Yes, I think I am with you, Dennis.

I think I would try to hit the red over the corner. You could even

knock it in if you were lucky. But I don't think he can try to hit

another red and not leave the red over the right corner.

It really is tough but he is looking to see if the blue is in his way and

that might be what the problem is. The blue is certainly not far off

being in his line. I think that is how close he would have to get to

the blue. If he hits the blue, smile as well. I think he is going

to try and shot I suggested. He went the other side of the blue.

And if he had hit it harder, he would have got in behind it.

He was lucky to get the snooker behind the green. I always say, if

you have a little bit of luck, take full advantage because it can to

turn the other way. -- it can quickly turn the other way. The way

Mark tried to get out of it was that line. I thought he might have gone

the other side of the blue with a little bit of side. Olivia Marquez,

he said "are you happy? " " Not at all!" This is a great effort. Sat

Nav Selby strikes again. Everybody enjoyed that escape. With

the exception of Neil, I would say. It would be a brave man to play off

any other red, other than the one closest to the cue ball. You would

have to cover it and there is no guarantee of that. He is looking to

see if he got the cue ball up that end whether he could use the red

further up the table as a blocker, but as I say, very risky. Very

risky. But he obviously doesn't like the look of playing safe off the red

near the pocket. It was heading back

again. He has covered the one that was over the pocket.

He can see the edge of the red near the pocket, but if he tries to play

down, he will just double kiss the Wyke. -- the white. The other thing

may be to try and plant one onto the other one. He is looking to see what

he might leave if he tried that. It is a bit of a problem.

He played the thin edge and he got the double kiss. That was always on.

I think he can get to the potting angle of the one that is near the

bunch but to avoid the double kiss there was going to be very, very

difficult. He could only see the edge of it but

he couldn't get a white out of the way without the double kiss.

This green and brown making it very awkward viewing. -- awkward viewing.

If he has got a decent angle on the blue, it won't be too bad. The

referee was watching very closely to see whether Newell was touching the

green. -- Neil. It bounced off the top cushion. He

played it nicely. A good shot. He just had a quick glance to see

one of the reds close to the cushion, to the right of the black,

is available in a couple of shots time. He just got an angle on the

black now. And there is one at the back and do the right of that little

branch that is available. -- little hunch. -- little bunch. This should

bring a few more reds interplay. You are never sure when you play

that sort of cannon. He is hampered now.

You have to keep your cue ball and object ball in your eye line so your

eyes darting from one to the other. If you had to do a little bit with

the cue ball, that would have been a very difficult shot. But he always

knew the red was over the left middle. Just got to adjust the pace

of this. It pots easy. He needs to be an colour. -- on a colour. That

is pretty good. OK, he has not got the right angle on the blue but it

was never very an easy shot to judge. He won't be as close as he

would like to on the next intended red but this blue will put him 59

point in front. He's just the wrong side of straight which is the worst

site to be. He is trying to find a spot where

the colours that are at the other end of the table will not be in the

table when he leaned over it. And the better position was to come back

here but being a left-hander, I think he will be OK with the yellow

and pink as he leans across the table. So, this would clinch this

brain. -- this frame. Watch the red. A nice little much on the other

red. He hasn't got the right notch. He still has the pink though but he

would rather be on the black. He is 60 in front, a quick glance at the

scoreboard, he is not safe yet. If the hits that 4-ball, he is perfect

on the black. -- full ball. Just looking at the shot, you take

it for granted, you don't think the gap is there.

In the end, he decided he didn't want to risk the pink. It surprises

me a little bit. He put the pink safe. He has quite a few awkward

reds. 65 in front with just 75 remaining is a decent lead. He has

to be careful this red doesn't come across and knock the black say. --

black safe. And it has put the black awkward. That is a good tube will

but it is difficult to avoid canning into the black.

He has got the pink buddy pushed never cushion. Mark accidentally

knocked the black near the cushion so it is not going to be... I think

he has got away with this, Dennis. The blue is blocking the path. These

two reds don't go to the left corner. And not only has he got away

with it, he has not left an easy safety shot for Mark Andy card

afford to leave Neil Robertson another chance so that would been

frame over. Mark Selby not blessed with the run

of the ball but it is a long match and that is why we save the World

Championship brings out the luck -- the best player. It should even out

over a match as long as this. He looks like he is playing the

plant. And he got it. He hit the ball perfect. OK, the second red has

gone against the cushion, it would make his task any easier, but what a

shot to take on and to get. A brilliant plant and he has got a bit

of a chance here. He could get the black into play after he puts the

blue here. So two reds, if he was to play on

the black and roll it in, I don't think the reds are available into

the right corner pocket. So, maybe a change of plan. He is now looking at

those two reds. One of them must go the way he walked around the table.

But neither are going to be easy. I'm not sure if both of them pot. He

would love the one away from the cushion.

He needed to knock that in. And maybe just maybe, as we show you

this to read thick pot, he might be able to bring the other red into

play near the pocket. He will be disappointed that he missed the

cannon. But what a pot that was of the red. I am surprised he didn't

get the cannon. I think for a moment, he thought it

wasn't going to drop but he did and he is nicely on the black. Look at

this. Now, trying to push that through. We always say these are the

difficult ones, when they are just off the cushion. He just has to drop

this in dead weight. It have to be very accurate. Well played. This is

remarkable. I didn't think he would get this far. Well, listen, if he

can move the red after putting the bat, what a chance. -- the black. He

got it but has he put it on? It was always going to be difficult but

just looking at the angle, if he tries to put it to the left hand

corner, I don't think he will go in office but he might catch the corner

of that middle pocket. But some of the balls he has put it here, when

he came to the table he had nothing to go out and he took a difficult

plant on. I don't think he is fine, he is just playing a safety shot.

And he has got himself somehow back into this frame with some remarkable

potting. That was a great contribution. I own is a bit

surprised to didn't take the red onto the left corner. -- I am a

little bit surprised. He had the momentum there and I thought, you

just get that feeling that you can put everything the way it was going.

His decision, though. Well, he is faced with another tough

shot. This is probably more difficult than the one he refused.

And when you take that type of shot on, you will be lucky to leave it

safe. I think he got a kick there. It sounded like a kick. Yes, the

ball is definitely did jump but I don't know whether he made the

correct contact their anywhere. Just a red and a black needed. So, yes,

Mark Selby, well, a 38 break. Out of this world to get back within the

frame but just want to push the boat out too far. And he might not get

another chance now. This black will put Neil Robertson 30 points in

front with 27 remaining. Though, only one snooker needed. And that is

while why Niall is given this a lot of

thought. This is going to be the longest

frame of the match. A fascinating frame after the two

opening frames we had. Just one snooker needed.

That was such a tough shot sheet tried. It was difficult to get in

behind the black there. He would normally have a go at this yellow.

But he didn't. He decided to keep it tight.

Not easy to get a snooker from that position. He will have to bend this

slightly. Watch how it comes around the blue.

That or the pink into a better position. Almost! He was urging it

to get behind the pink! You are not allowed to talk to the balls!

I tell you what, if the yellow misses the blue, if it misses the

blue... Oh, he has gone behind the blue, believe it or not. Surely,

there was not a gap there. There will be a gap!

There is a gap. The thing is, if he has two bend it slightly, you know,

he could hit the blue or he could even slide past the yellow. If that

yellow had missed the blue, what a tough snooker it would have been.

So, a very relieved Neil Robertson hit that yellow there. There are

plenty of balls to snooker behind. The pink is still not quite out of

commission. You would want to a little further away from the

cushion. The green is not in playful snookers.

Ideally, Niall doesn't want to knock the Jell-o to the born-again because

there are so many balls to snooker behind but I don't see how he can

avoid it, really. He doesn't want to leave the pot on

because the mark camp at the yellow weather green is, he can get himself

into a good position and get the snooker behind the brown. He is

having to keep the Jell-o safe as well here, Neil Robertson. --

yellow. It is a snooker but it is an easy

hit. It should have hit the yellow full in the face. That wasn't too

difficult. At this standard, you don't accept them to miss so if you

get a snooker, you need to cut off that one cushion escape. Is there a

possibility here that Mark can get the cue ball in behind the pink?

That would really be a good shot. It has worked out OK. Thank you very

much! That was a result! He apologised, held his hand arm. --

hand up. This is far from easy to hit.

Just a bit of noise. Maybe someone not feeling too well. Just having a

look to see. OK, back to the problem for Neil

Robertson. He comes off the left hand side cushion. Lot of right hand

side. He has got a couple of chances of hitting it. If he misses it on

the way going, he can hit it on the way back. Yes, he has hit that in

all honesty. It was like a trick shot that. The natural angle wasn't

there. He played that like you would play a

trick shot and didn't he judge it well?

There is a chance to get in behind the pink and if he gets the green up

the table and the white behind the pink, it really will be tough to get

out of. But it needs perfect judgment. Coming up to just over 47

minutes. It is the second longest frame of this year's World

Championship. We had a 74 minute frame, Ricky

Walden against Kieron Wilson. That was a chance. I remember that, I

comment tapted on that. -- commentated on that. It was only one

minute short of the longest frame ever at the Crucible.

In goes the cue ball. Would you believe it? He has snookered

himself! But it's a case of three or four point snookers required as he

looks at the score board. In all honesty, I would be amazed if he

didn't hit the brown. It is a one cushion escape.

I prefer the right hand side, if you're hitting the cushion quick,

you never judge it that well. Zwr Yeah, nicely done. As I say, now

31 the difference, 22 remaining. Three snookers required.

Psychologically it is always great to win a long frame.

If you lose it you're always a bit down on yourself. The white has

finished up on the cushion. He will still take it on. We were saying

that the best -- didn't have the best of run of the ball. But he had

that luck when he got the snooker behind the pink. But a good escape

from Neil. Sometimes you get a bit of luck and it can help you win a

frame and sometimes your opponent just manages to escape.

The most important thing is winning a long frame like this. You want

some reward for your efforts and Mark Selby is not going to get any.

I can't fancy him winning this frame.

When you get to the blue, you get five points for a snooker. Two

five-point snookers on the blue would do it. But it is a big ask.

Seven hours for the match time. And we have had some fascinating

snooker. We have had clearances, both players made two century

breaks. Oh, he has over cut it. Can you

believe it? Now Mark Selby can pot the brown.

The pink is not good, so he will have to try and get behind the

black. That has left the blue and the white.

Very well done. He will be relieved and the players look at each other

and Mark Selby concedes and the world number one has battled his way

back again. He is now just one frame behind at 10-9. We had two opening

frames there with the players won the frame with one visit and there

was so much happened in that frame and this is what, he is in trouble

here and he is playing a thin safety shot, trying to get the white

anywhere up near that baulk cushion and he hit it probably maybe just a

little thin. It was still a good shot. But he pushed the red over the

pocket and the lavs thing -- last thing he thought would happen here,

John, was for the white the nestle in behind the green. And he could

have been there all week and not got that result. It was a result. Any

way, it is keeping it nice and tight. And enthralling. We will

leave you a few moments to go over the stats. Look at the pot success

rate, Mark Selby is still at 93%. That is excellent. Neil has just

dropped down under 90%. But there is not much between them. Look at the

safety success rate, both at 81%. They're so evenly matched these

boys. You sense this could go right to the very last frame. I wouldn't

be surprised. Because every time he goes three frames ahead, the world

number one battles his way back again. If you were looking at those

stats there, that 93%, 89% Robertson, that is the difference

and that is why Neil Robertson throughout the match has been

playing catch up. Stephen Hendry came out with a point yesterday, his

opinion, he thought it would be a very close match, because he didn't

see either one of those players doing a run where they could win

three or four frames on the trot if you like. I see what he means. But

Neil Robertson during this Championship has had periods like

that where he has God three or four frames and not looked like missing a

ball. He has not done it in this match yet. But he did it against

Judd trump when he was behind. When that comes, can Mark Selby cope with

it? That is the question, will the barrage come. And will it come, yes.

Mark Selby has won everything in the game. Three times a Masters

champion, a UK champion. The one he want is the World Championship. He

is against the world number one, who has lifted the title. So with

regards to experience, you could say that Neil Robertson would be a

slight favourite. But Mark still has that one-frame advantage and he

looks very focussed, very determined and meanwhile Neil after that very

long frame has been out of the arena for quite some time. We are going to

have an interval after this next frame. All the crowd just standing

up and having, it doesn't sound right, standing up to have a rest. I

thought only horses did that! But just stretching the legs. When we

look at Mark Selby, he has won every major thing in the game. Apart from

the World Championship. We we he is good enough. But we say that about

players. Best player never to win a World Championship. You don't want

that mantle. Jimmy White has been carrying that around his neck for

many years. When you get your opportunity and this is a big one,

you have got to grasp it with two hands. So last frame of this, well a

mid session interval. Neil Robertson would be delighted if

he went into that interval all square.

I wouldn't think for a moment Ronnie O'Sullivan would be watching this,

but he would like these boys to have every frame lasting over 40 minutes

slam He has got the day off and will be getting rdy for the final. --

ready for the final. How much will this match take out of

them? There is still a clear path to baulk

down the left hand side. There is the red over the corner.

And he has not quite got the length. If this is just off straight, this

is a chance for Mark. Has he found it? He is unlucky. He

is just a fraction away of finishing on the black there. Just over ran.

But it was an excellent pot. Both players will be happy. They

have not made too many mistakes. It has been an excellent first three

frames. It is the first to 17 that goes

through to Sunday's final. Can't see a path back down the table

from that position. The brown looks off the -- the brown looks in the

way. That is why he has been thinking about this shot for one

minute and 20 seconds and counting. There is those two reds below the

black. He may be possible. Let's look from Neil's point of view.

You're right, no path back to baulk there.

He is up quick. Well, he has left a pot on here. He has left a pot to

the right corner. His value in -- there is value in taking it on. He

will screw back and cannon the red next to it and every chance he can

finish on the blue and if he gets too much screw, he has the green

there. Yeah, difficult to judge. He has

left that one that is to the left of the blue. When they're that close

together, using the extension on the rest, it is tough to judge. Tough to

judge, but in all honesty, I expected him to be closer than that.

So Mark Selby had half a chance there. This is a good chance now for

Neil. The black is not on its spot, but

the pink is ot v in the open. -- but the pink is in the open.

How many can he score? He has a chance if he wishes to roll this red

in. And can then drop on to the black. He is having a look at it. He

has other options, but if he was to get the black back on to its spot,

look as if he is going to forget about that and concentrate on the

pink and blue. Let's see how he gets on the red

this time. Just gone a little too far again on that red to the right

of the black. This time it is the wrong side of

the blue, but it shouldn't be a problem, there is no brown in the

way to cannon into when he comes off the baulk cushion. But there is not

many reds to drop on. The two to the left of the black would be his

target here. Well, what has he done there? He has

played it with side. He has got down and missed a sitter. I don't know if

it kicked or not. He is looking at the cue ball. Did it jump? Let's

have a look. Hard to tell from that angle. I mean it was a poor shot. He

has played it with lots of right-hand side and kicked the blue

off to the left. That is why the players, the modern day players on

these is super fine cloth don't like using side, but unforgiveable to

miss that. A big chance he has missed there.

But the black is not available now, because that red is around to the

right of it. The pink, well, not too bad.

The blue not too bad either. That red that is closest to the pink must

be available, but he wanted to be straighter on it. Just enough room,

but the straighter the pot, the easier it would be from that angle.

He is going cannon the pink as well if he is going to take it on. He is

looking from both sides. Just goes. Well played. Not perfect. But he got

the main part of the shot. He is going to go up past the green and

back up to the reds again. The gap's OK this time. And he has

found the gap. Decided to play for the blue and he

judged that nicely. Just bounced a little bit. This is the type of shot

that if he had caught the loose red full-ball, he may have been on

nothing. But he found the gap and got a lovely line.

Just enough angle on the blue. But he tried to force it round, but it

just caught the cue ball, it just caught the jaw of the pocket which

took it back up the side cushion. Just watch the cue ball. Just

catches the jaw of the pocket and that is what keeps it clinging to

the side cushion. So this red is on. But where the cue ball is is a very

tough shot. I think you are sometimes wise to

refuse these. If he could roll the red in and be on the pink, fine.

refuse these. If he could roll the if he can't, it might be a risk too

far. Mark studying for some time now. It

is the way the frames have gone. One with one visit. He is still thinking

about the loose red. It was a dangerous shot to take on.

He has thought better of it and I don't blame him. In the end he has

played a clever shot. And brought the black into play. Which has

opened the game up somewhat. He looked to see if this red would

cut past the black. But what a good shot that is. Because he would have

sent that red towards the corner pocket, where the black is and that

was judged perfectly. To hit that shot that thin, it is a good shot.

You don't want to hit into the reds too hard. He has a good line. Has he

got the pace? Foul and a miss. Oh! He is asking for blue ball to be

cleaned, because he thinks that's what caused him to miss it before.

But I'm certain he is going to have this replaced. Having the blue

cleaned first. He is think thinking about that shot here that he played.

And well, maybe he did get a kick. He has put right-hand side on and it

is so close it will push the object ball to the left. Hitting it that

hard you can get a bit of bruising on the blue. But the point is he has

had it replaced. He needs a fraction more speed. Has

he got it this time? Has he got it this time? Foul and a miss. Well,

what are we going to have cleaned first? No, we will just put the ball

back. He can have as many goes at this as he wants, because he can't

see a red on. So three misses and you lose the frame doesn't apply.

If he overhits it he could nudge a red on. Well, he is shorter this

time. He is getting further away and these points all add up. They can

make the difference at the end of a frame, whether you just need the

blue or the pink. If it ever gets to that stage. Well there you see it,

the fourth attempt. He might get a big clear if he does reach it this

time. Yes, he has got it this time. Just

flexing his muscle to show he had the strength to reach the red. That

is why they call him the Jester from Leicester.

We have come to the end of your time here on BBC Two this morning. But it

continues live on the red button and online. Thereafter we will be back

on BBC1 at quarter past 1 this afternoon. For continued coverage of

this enthralling match, they haven't got to the interval and we are

already two hours into this session. This could run and run. We are

looking forward to seeing you at quarter past one. But goodbye for

now. Does anybody know

exactly what they're eating?