Day 15, Part 2 Snooker: World Championship

Surely now he is going to get it. Unbelievable. Fantastic. Here we go.

Get in! Get in! Mark Selby! The magic 107.

There has been a lot of attention on me with 100 centuries. I have gone

under the radar. I have had good matches over the years. Mark and I

have played the finals. I beat him in the last as final last year and

he beat me in the UK final this year. I want to attack, make it

breaks, pot long balls and I want the crowd to enjoy. People keep

saying to me, you will win in one day but until you do, it is hard to

believe. While I am still in the tournament, I still have a chance.

Fingers crossed. Good afternoon from us all. It is a beautiful day in

Sheffield and we have a spring in our step as we inched ever closer to

the Dafabet World Championship final that starts tomorrow. Whoever

designed this year's programming, we want to know whether they can supply

it with some lottery ticket numbers because, look, they have it

absolutely bang on. We have the world number one Neil Robertson

facing Mark Selby and Ronnie O'Sullivan looms large over the

whole thing. In fact, Ronnie made it through every early to the final

last night, tying up a pretty emphatic 17 frames to seven victory

over Harry Hawkins with a session to spare last evening. He is the first

man to get into the final, having a special -- session to spare since

well, Ronnie O'Sullivan. And my goodness, was he in brisk and

brilliant form last night. The game is fickle and you will have

patches where you are playing really well and your partner is not and by

subversive. I didn't have nothing left in me, I didn't have enough

drive. Straight into the heart of the pocket. And he extensively. This

game is about momentum. If you can gather some of that, it is not as

easy when you are doing it coming from behind. The mistakes are

magnified them. Amazing. Being in the semifinal, playing against

Ronnie, any little mistake magnifies against him. I feel like I have been

in a boxing ring, doing 12 rounds with Tyson. I have learned to play

hard every game. It is a huge tournament, a lot of pressure. As

each match goes on, you get is a bit comfortable, the deeper you go into

the tournament. What a great pot. I try my hardest. You are kidding! I

feel mentally bashed and to be honest with you, I am glad it is all

over! I am trying my hardest out there. I am going through every

imagine you can imagine pretty much, just like everybody else does.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is into the finals. Three years in a row. It has

been a fabulous display from the defending champion! Are very

comfortable winner in the end. 17 frames to seven. You never come here

with nothing to lose. I am just happy to lose. Apart from the

numerous breaks running mate, he was also great from behind. He looked so

relaxed. Hawkins was mentally fatigued after his quarterfinal with

Dominic Dale and he likened his match with O'Sullivan as if he had

been in a boxing ring. Momentum is key. Sublime snooker. Ronnie said in

his post-match interview that he was getting more comfortable as the

tournament progresses which means the final, well, it could just be

another day in the office for him. The quality of seven's matchplay has

been superb. His long potting, as good as it been all season. Running

wedding and with a session to spare. Robertson and Selby have gone toe to

toe. Surely, it is advantage of Sullivan. Our other semifinal is

developing into a long distance race, maybe even a marathon. Neil

Robertson and Mark Selby started out in their semifinal on Thursday night

and a first session the living tree and craft as well. Both men made a

century before Selby emerged with a need. -- and lead. Selby forces way

in front to 9-7. This morning, they returned for their third session.

Selby with his fourth session of the event to re-establish a three frame

advantage but Robertson responding strongly to take the next two and

move to within one at 9-10. We join them in frame 20, will be left from

BBC Two earlier. We do so in the company of John Virgo and Dennis

Taylor. This is a beauty. Absolute beauty. At knowledge by Neil

Robertson. He hasn't got the snooker but he almost snookered him on all

the reds. Yes, but this is a tough shot, to try and get this faith --

safe. Normally, you think the cross double but he would have to play

that with a bit of side and being so close to the cushion... The only

other way, he is looking now if he could play this red firm into the

black, he would keep this red at this end of the table and maybe

screw back, and may be knocking to the middle pocket to get the cue

ball back to baulk. There is nothing guaranteed about this shot. He has

got plenty of cute path. He will need it here. Where is the red going

to finish? Well, that is a couple of pieces of good fortune he has had.

Yes, I think this morning, on balance, the run of the ball, it has

certainly favoured Neil. He was lucky there. He played it well,

don't get me wrong. He would say, I would be unlucky for the red to

double-click the black -- double kiss the black. What want you have

played it like that, there was no guarantee to get it safe. -- but

once you have played it. Did the red go far enough question

maybe. Yes, that is very difficult. If you are fighting behind it, you

and Robert the pocket but from where Neil is efficient, it is far from

easy. -- you would have to drop it in the pocket.

I tell you what, he has got a terrific snooker. He thought about

the pot and then he thought better of it. He played little gem there.

-- a little gem. Yes, it is a snooker. And that was very well out

shot. He knew the red he was playing, he would run it into the

other reds which would stop it coming back up the table. I remember

the first time we ever saw Neil play, it was at the Masters at

Wembley conference Centre. He qualified and he played Jimmy White

in the first round, as we watched this shot again, and as I say, he

knew the red would run into the others and he took the cue ball

behind the brown. His great friend Joe Perry said, he is a great player

but all he can do is pot. And that was all he could do at the time

but, boy, he has improved his game. He is not just a potter any more.

And you can't be to win championships. Just being a potter

won't do it. You need an all-round game. That was a good line. Good

shot. He is looking at this red along the

cushion. He might be able to take the pot on and head towards the

greenie -- the green. I think he could get the white up

towards the green. To have stayed high value colour would have been

very risky but heading up the table, well, the red I mentioned, it

will pot. But she played the percentages there. He thought, if I

can knock this in and get on the green, I could get a good chance. If

I miss it, I know that Mark has two pull out a good pot.

He cued it nicely. But he is not nicely on a colour.

The green will cut but he cued that very smoothly. Yes, if you doesn't

answer the cut on the green, you think it is not that difficult to

play off the green and try and get the cue ball in behind the yellow.

It is cuttable. I think he is looking at the pot, he knows this

could give him a great chance, John, in this frame, before the

mid-session. If he pulls this off, he could give himself and excellent

opportunity. No. The red near the pink will go,

but he thought I have got half a chance here. He courted to little

thicker than he needed. -- he caught it a little thicker.

If you punch it in, it makes the pot even more difficult.

Horrific! Terrific pot! -- horrific. That was absolutely top draw. That

really was. Dennis described the difficulty of that shot. He may just

have the angle on the pink here to run into these three reds and bring

them into play and still be on to the one in the corner. Well, he

didn't want to risk that. It only just run past the pink spot, that

nearly went all wrong in the blink of an eye.

I think that red might just be available, the one to the left of

the three. Yes, fair comment, and if he can get on that and finish high

on it, it will bring the other two into play. A big moment, now, in

this frame. It is another long, hard battle.

So, the last frame is a long one and this is in the 37th minute. That was

the opportunity to bring the reds into play. He controlled the cue

ball nicely. This ring, two more reds and colours, and he will go to

the mid-session interval. -- this pink.

You can't separate these two players. They are so evenly

matched. They really are. What a battle they are giving us here. Some

brilliant tactical play here, both had century breaks, both had

clearances. Well, he could not have played that

any better. Though, he could not have done much more. It is a choice

of reds now. Does he play for the one along the top cushion on the one

along the side cushion? He has such a good angle on the black, he could

play for either. So, but one along the top cushion. He is now 34 points

in the lead. So, red and a colour required. Not beyond the realms of

possibility. He forced it in. I was going to

suggest to be didn't fancy playing for the black, he could have always

had the green over the corner. This is to go 42 points in front and then

it goes. The frame before was nearly 52 minutes. This one, by the time he

has finished, maybe get him to 40 minutes. But two big frames for Neil

Robertson. These are frames you would have

thought may have suited Mark. He missed it. Yes, he missed it.

Well, 42 points in the lead. Two Smith needed. It should be ten

apiece. -- to snooker needed. That was over two hours to play the

first four frames. As they went to be interval, for the second time in

the match, Robertson levelled it. Ten - ten. After that much-needed

rest, they are back out again. Frame 21.

Touching the ball help the situation.

That is a great shot, there. One cushion, two questions, here comes

the third cushion. And maybe not quite the fourth cushion but close

to it. Just a little bit thick on that

safety, so I'm a well short. A chance here for Mark. The red to the

right corner. The blacks available to both pockets. What a good chance

this would be. He is usually very reliable with

that type of shot but he cued across that one slightly, and you could

just either back hand there. He didn't quite get it through on a

straight line. So, just about OK on the yellow.

More comfortable hearing on the yellow. A couple of loose reds.

This is a decent opportunity. The last time he was in front in this

match was the first frame, he led 2-1. Not a bad time if he could get

in self ahead. There is a lot of work to be done here.

He can get on the black this time. He might be able to which it would

be extension. He is quite a tall ad. Maybe about six foot two.

A decent chance now. The pink is tied up, the black is clear. At

least five or six reds available. This is the type of situation where

you wouldn't have to be playing too many cannons here. If you put one

red, it will make a path for another red. -- pot one red. He is picking

up the pace little bit now, Neil. The last couple of frames, the balls

have gone rather awkward. It developed into a tactical battle.

The chance is there for Neil. You can see that red at the back and to

the right, that is available. He prefers to play more quickly, does

Neil. In fact, his good pal Joe Perry was telling him, I think in

his match against Judd Trump, he needs to quicken up a little bit. He

took his good friend's advice and has been playing much better. But

you can't always play quickly if the frames are awkward.

He was looking at the red in the cluster. He would have to finely

judged the vision. It shows you the danger of the reds near the top

ocean. Normally, you would run the black in and then run the red into

the same pocket but he is to term and to try and find that gap. From

this position, we will see whether he can find it or not. Well, he is

not on the one in the middle of the cluster. And the one that is low, it

will be running into another ball so there will be no guarantee of

position here. He will be trying to stun through a gap. And hopefully

finish on the blue. He made ring the pink into play.

That was the problem. He wasn't certain to be on a colour. Does he

take the blue on? Normally, he would. A big shot if he is going to

take this on. He just have to screw the white passed the pink and this

red on the cushion will be awkward for him.

The red that would be beneath his body would cause a problem. He is

looking at the safety shot now. If the red had not been there, he

would have taken the blue on. Well, I don't see a lot of value in

that shot, in all honesty. I would have liked to have left the cue ball

tight on the baulk cushion, maybe using the green as a blocker but

that is nothing short for me. Yes, little bit early to be pushing the

brown. He left a straightforward safety

shot for Mark Selby. Mark is taking full advantage. Excellent shot. For

me, that is where Neil Robertson should have left the cue ball on his

last visit. Another thin one. Now, then, I think

he can cue past this pink and he can take the red to the left corner and

made be able to get onto the black. I think there is a little angle here

to get onto the black. He has to find the gap, though.

He has done well. He didn't intend to fix that red but he will take it.

Maybe that shot that John mentioned when he put the brown safe, he would

have been better getting a good cue ball.

He doesn't want to be dead straight on this. If he is dead straight, he

will have to screw back off the cushion. He had an angle. That was

much better. So is reds are all available into just one corner

pocket. That is why he has come back across the table. Even though he has

lifted a bit short, he may be OK. A little cannon on the other red will

leave the pink. Just checking, I think the red just

below the pink will go to the right corner. H

Just six points behind now. Looks to be nicely on this red just below the

pink. This black will put him two points

in the lead. These four remaining reds with high

value colours would see him over the line. You said putting the brown

safe was a bit premature, Dennis. Yes this was the shot he could have

got a good cue ball on the cushion. But he decided to put the brown safe

and I couldn't understand why. The red must go next to the black.

Now you see it. This black and the last red and

another colour and it will be snookers required. He has taken

these very well has Mark. Well here we go, we know what can happen with

this type of shot. Played it well. And there is his

wife and Vicky's mum and dad. I know they're more nervous than

Mark is. I saw Vicky's mum and dad at the hotel and her mum was an

absolute bag of nerves. Dad smiling. But what a great performance this

is. It really is. He lost three frames in a row and

what a way to respond. This is how this session started -

one visit. He had a century and an 85 in the

opening frames. Doesn't matter about missing the brown. Neil Robertson

maybe missed a trick when he didn't put the brown safe. That is twice in

the match that Neil Robertson has got on level terms and Selby has not

been behind in the match since the third frame and he is refusing to

let this happen. It is all or nothing as we get into the next

frame from the start. He is so close to the cushion I

don't think he can get there. It deserved more than one point that

shot. That is the pink. Foul and a miss.

He hasn't pushed the red on. Mark coming to have a look. But can he

see enough of this? No, I don't think so.

Touching ball. So it is touching the so he could play in behind the green

here. He could make it a more difficult

snooker. But he has got to get in behind the green. Just like that!

That S ly why I call him Sat Nav sell y. That to find his way in

behind the green. He has done very well. Well played.

Excellent shot. It is difficult to see from that angle if they're

touching, when they're right in the middle of the bunch. Well it is

touching two balls this time. Well, I mean don't move them, boys, watch

your fingers there! Touching both balls here. Those two.

He always knew if he could get, maybe it has just not travelled far

enough. He was hoping the pink could block the path to the reds. But

there is just an edge of the red sticking out.

No, he didn't want to risk it and just played off the top cushion and

nestling into them. No touching ball this time.

No, he has hit the blue. He might be OK. But when you're that close and

you're swerving it, it is not easy to get the required side that is

needed to get up behind the green there. There is one near the black

spot, he could take that on as a shot to nothing. He could slot this

in. Both players are about the same

size. They're both well over six foot tall.

A chance for Mark Selby to play a telling safety shot, if he can get

past the pink to the he edge of this red.

Good effort, but the red he has played has come into a pottable

position, the one above the black. I feel as though, well, he has got to

play the pot. It is not an easy safety. He has got to go for this.

He didn't avoid the middle pocket. It was a natural angle and he put

everything into the pot. Still a bit unlucky from that angle to go in at

that pace. Right in the pocket. Yes, you always sort of have the feeling

that the pocket's there, but you sometimes think, well I will be

unlucky to go in off. Mark can't knock it in and he has

left the red. If he doesn't cannon the black

there, this pot wouldn't have been available.

He has over-cut it has he? No. He is on that blue.

He can drop nicely to that red on the blue spot. Might have to play

for the pink here. Could have played that a little

better. He wanted to be straighter on the pink and then help has an

easy positional shot on to the red. Be interesting to see where this

pink goes after it's potted. Because the ideal ball to try and break up

the reds, oh is goes on its own spot, but I think it is out of

commission. That is no good. He will be

struggling to carry on. Unless there is a plant, he is coming around

hoping there may be a plant. But it looks straight enough to me on the

blue. This a all he could do. It is now a

case of getting a good cue ball to that baulk cushion.

It's a good line, but it's short of pace. He is well short of pace.

Another foot harder and Mark Selby would have been in all kinds of

problems here. But Niamh's not really played the best safety. --

Neil's not really played the best safety.

But a weak safety shot from Mark. Very weak that. He kissed the blue

full in the face and he wouldn't have got anywhere near the baulk

cushion. There is a pot on to the right corner. But Neil doesn't fancy

risking it. He needs to find the baulk cushion

here. Well, he just run past the blue. So neither player taking

advantage of what you would think were straight forward safety shots

to put your opponent into trouble. Mark's opportunity now to play a

sellest telling safe -- to play a telling safety.

He failed to do so. He has left a red to the left corner. In fact he

has left one to the right corner as well, which might suit Neil better.

Ooh, he will be disappointed to have missed that. That type of long pot,

he is usually so good at. Yes, he won't have been dispiept --

disappointed at getting the little flick off the red.

He is on the blue. It has just ran a bit further than he intended. But a

great pot and I suppose he deserved a bit of good fortune.

He has the reds nicely placed and the blue and the pink are in play.

Of course these frames will be played out.

That blue now takes Mark one point in front in this frame. And there is

enough reds in the middle of the table.

So it is a chance to win the frame at this visit. Not an easy one. But

a chance. Sticking with the blue. The pink is

not too badly placed. But he is guaranteed position from the blue.

Doesn't need that difficult red that is near

Everybody loves a plant. It doesn't matter how easy it is.

You've got to admire Mark Selby, every time the world number one wins

three frames in a row and comes back at him, he responds like this.

This is not straight forward. He is looking to see if he zrus to the --

screws to the left whether he can get on the pink to the right middle.

He couldn't have played it better. Excellent positional shot. I expect

him to win the frame now. This pink will put him 29 points in front.

Still 51 remaining. That was so interesting to see, he

stayed on to the blue until he got the correct angle to get the pink.

He judged it to perfection in the end.

You still that little head movement. This a something Mark has always

done. Probably done it more earlier in his career.

But he has turned into one of the finest cueists in the game that is

for sure. Make certain of the colour. He makes

certain of the red. The yellow gets him close to the

red. The brown gives him insurance. He doesn't want to snooker himself

by the pink! Nearly! Neil Robertson a couple of loose

safety shots have kept him in his seat. So but for do snookers, Mark

Selby is two frames in front again. And there is a real familiar pattern

emerging in the match, Robertson levelling only to see Selby go off

into the distance. The best he can do in this session is to come out

all square. Where is this red going to finish?

It is the only one he could leave and he has two more frames to be

played. Neil would like to win them both. Mark Selby would settle for

one of them. That is just about perfect. He has

got the red at the back of the punch -- bunch, but Neil likes to be

straight into the pink with lots of screw. The way he is marching around

the table tells me that is what he is going to play here. He plays that

shot so well. Did you see the white? It is amazing what happened to the

white there. What a lovely shot that was. He is heading right down on the

bottom of the cue ball. Watch the action. Watch the white and then

spins back again. Beautifully controlled.

He played that well and with a lot of conviction. He would have liked

to be straighter on this blue. He still has the chance to win this

session 5-3. That would level the match.

He must have the perfect angle to drop on the blue. You can always

tell with a player when he get down quickly, there is no thinking time.

Because he has landed perfect. Two big frames coming up now. That

is not quite as Neil played. He has played for the red to the left

corner. But he didn't want to be so close to the cushion.

This red has nicely come to his rescue. Amazing sometimes, you can

play for a ball and then you are just not quite right and then up

pops another one. It has been a fascinating semi

final. We have had everything. Both players have had two century breaks.

Both have had clearances. Some brilliant tactical play. A

couple of very long frames. But they were interesting frames with so much

good safety play. You feel Neil just let an

opportunity slip when he trailed 10-7 and he won free on the -- three

on the trot. But a loose safety cost him. And

then before you know where you are, you're two frames behind again.

But he is blessed with a good temperament and that Aussie grit. He

landed perfect on the blue now. He is marching around the table now. He

has picked the pace up. The last two frames Mark Selby had

breaks of 73 and 49. He is having to sit and watch Neil Robertson.

Just a little bit short. OK, he has got the red to the far corner, but

I'm sure he was playing for the right middle.

This is probably the last easy red to get on.

He has got a good angle on the black. If he can split the reds

nicely, it should be framed over. -- frame.

He had a slight distraction. He has not played that well. That's needed

some more thought. He almost caught that full ball. He has put himself

out of position, just when you only needed another red and a colour. And

if you know you're heading towards the middle pocket, which he should

have been aware of, then he should have screwed from the cluster and

got the cue ball to the left of the table. There is nothing he will be

taking on here. But he has missed a chance. With he get a better chance?

He is 64 points in front, but there are still 75 remaining. Will he get

a better chance? There is no straightforward safety shot. He

cannot go to the right corner at the safety entry needs to be, because

the red would cut into the middle. -- the safety end where he needs to

be. He has been thinking about this for over a minute. He could do which

the red safe, but he cannot even really do that. The end, you might

have to roll into them. If he can get back on the cushion,

he would be OK. I think he can screw back on this red that is closest. He

is taking the pot one. -- pot on. Just into the bunch. Staying safe.

If Mark Selby was to get an opportunity, there is only one

awkward ball, and that is the pink. Neil Robertson does not want to open

this cluster of four, but this is probably the best way to get it

safe. There is a chance you could make a plant, but you do not want to

risk it. If it doesn't go in the middle

pocket, it could hit the jaw and come back down, but it could not

guarantee safety, but it would be a frame when if it goes in. -- winner

if it goes on. He has missed it. He tried to get the white safe, but you

never know where the red will go, and trying a plant like that, and as

you say, he has overcompensated and it headed back towards the black.

The last frame of the previous session, it looks like Mark Selby

was going to take a four frame advantage. He made a 50 odd break,

but he cured up with 60 odd to pinch the frame. -- cleared up. Mark Selby

is returning the condiment. It is difficult. The chance is there. --

returning the compliment. What a frame this would be if he could

pinch it and open up a three frame advantage. As you mentioned, the

only safe ball on the table is the pink.

Just having a quick glance at the scoreboard. This blue with put him

52 points behind with 59 remaining. -- would put him. He realises that

he needs to get a few high value colours. If he takes blues, he is

running out of points to play with. At the moment, he can afford blues.

But not too many more. Of course, when the cue ball starts

travelling, as it has two there, just about on the blue. That was not

the idea. This is where it can get difficult. If he parts the yellow he

will be 49 points behind. -- pots the yellow. Then the three remaining

reds will have blacks to go with them. With these reds he needs

blacks. He is able to get the black back

onto its spot, and the way the reds are situated, it should be OK.

He might be dead straight, but with his cue power, it will not be

difficult to cue back off the cushion. A slight angle, but will

cue back with reverse side behind the red. No problem for Mark Selby.

He will need the extension and the white is a bit further across the

table would have been better for an ideal position on the black, which

would then get into the yellow. He might have to screw this back a

little bit and pot the black and come from the cushion behind the

black to get to the yellow. If he leaves the red where it is now, you

see, that is better, so it is not straightforward.

He got himself back to ten apiece. He will be very concerned now that

he may be dropping three frames behind again. He had his chance. He

went into the reds, but it did not work out the way he wanted. He had

to punch that around the angles and there was too much storm on it. If

he is straight on the yellow, that is a problem. He can still take that

on. No, it was the black. Is he going to

fluke a snooker? He has been quite fortunate. He can hit the yellow,

but he cannot pot it. This was the shot he was trying,

punch it in, but there was too much stun on it.

That looks very good. It needs to pull up.

That was an excellent shot. And if Mark Selby doesn't hit this red, he

will need a snooker, but it is not straightforward. I do not think he

can get to the left-hand side cushion where he would like to hit

the yellow. The bump in the middle pocket could be in the way. Using

any other angle of approach makes this missable. Very hard to do. I'm

amazed that he picked that, that was the only option. He missed that by

only a millimetre. He needed to have so much swerve. That is all you need

to do to give four points away. He now needs a snooker. It will be a

very relieved new Robertson coming to the table. -- Neil Robertson.

This is a fascinating semifinal, I hope that you are enjoying it, it

has taken three hours and 50 minutes to get to this last frame of the

third session with Neil Robertson to play.

We start this first frame with a Neil Robertson special!

Could not find the baulk cushion, you cannot keep leaving these

opportunities for Neil Robertson. That was an excellent shot. So close

to the cushion to force it around to the two cushions.

He goes through phases where he knocks all of the long want in and

then goes through a spell he doesn't, but you cannot keep leaving

him up at Unity is, and that is what Mark Selby, from E, has done so many

times in this match. -- you cannot keep leaving him opportunities.

That was a superb shot. It really was. Not a good pack to go into. A

couple of loose reds. He is one of the best players I have

seen for this particular type of shot, if he plays for it. This is

becoming a Neil Robertson special. The same rules still apply. When you

play this, you have to catch the pink full ball, that holds the cue

ball in the middle of the table. He is playing for the one loose red. He

will go for the blue. As we have said, not a good pack to go in-off

the black, so I do not know why he played the cannon.

Never guaranteed to be on a colour when you play like that. I thought

we would see more of a positive approach to this break than we have

done so far. He normally goes straight into the pink, but this

time, he decided to play for the loose one, so this time, he needs a

couple of good shots to get back into an ideal position. But when you

pot the way this Australian dollars, again, sometimes, it can be

easy, even when you're not in the ideal position. -- at the way this

Australian dollars. This would take him level and give

him the session 5-3, which is what he would have had in mind.

He has the pink and the black, which would be easier to open the reds?

Some top spin? Right-hand side? He has been lucky. He has been very

lucky. He missed the pot, but unfortunately for him, he did not

split the reds. -- fortunately. He missed an opportunity there, it

will be interesting to see if he gets another one which is just as

good. I don't think this is all caught

doing, I think you can get in the cue through that little gap and

control this cue ball. Without the gap, he could not have

kept the cue ball tight on the cushion.

A bit of a stalemate with the two reds at the end of the table, but

there is no chance of a re-rack with Neil Robertson leading by 37 points.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mark Selby doesn't take this on, but it

is a big shot. He is looking at the possibility of a plant. This plant

must be close. Just going to possibility of a plant. This plant

right side of the pocket. If anybody can make a plant, it would be Mark

Selby. We're not right behind it, but it is not far away. The reds,

there is a little bit of a gap, so I do not think he can reverse it.

He made it, and he played it confidently, and he has got the gap

to the black. He is so good at that shot. He was the 8-ball world pool

champion. He does spot those. It has gone slightly wrong.

Well, that is amazing. He had done all of the hard work, he had got

himself in the perfect position and it just went on the far jaw of the

pocket. We know it wasn't the red that he played for, and it was a

bonus that it went. I'm surprised he played it so quickly. He should have

given it a second or two of thought more.

That is the second ball that Mark Selby has missed into that

particular pocket in this match. He wasn't directly behind it, you

knew that was enough room and you just caught both jaws.

He would love to put the cue ball back in the same spot it is in at

the moment. He would have to do it off the red at the right side of the

table and make sure that you didn't bring that red back up the table.

Just trying to find another spot where you could leave it safe, but

not many spots available the way that the reds are situated.

He is giving this a lot of time, a lot of thought. He is now looking at

the red to the middle pocket. He feels that he can get past the

black. This is a big shot. Oh, how close was that? ! How close

was that? ! That was much more difficult than what he missed in the

other one. He weighed up all of the options, he thought for over a

minute and a half, and then, look at what Neil Robertson is left with.

Somebody just got up to walk out, the timing wasn't very good. Neil

Robertson did the right thing, he got back from the table, saddled

himself again. -- settled. You do not want any distractions at this

stage. Four sessions the semifinals, he

lost the first session 5-3, the second session, 4-4. You just felt

that Neil Robertson had to win a session sooner rather than later to

get right back in it. If he wins this frame, you will have won this

session 5-3, and that will set up a grandstand finish this evening. No

doubt about that. The prize, place in the final of the 2014 Dafabet

World Championship. Centre-stage with Ronnie O'Sullivan. Four

sessions, two days, if you cannot look forward to that, then you

should be doing something else for a living! And that is what these two

are striving for. And if he just minds his work now, Neil Robertson,

that final session will be all square at 12-12. You just reminded

me there, when you say, if he minds his work, you remind me of John

Coleman, a former commentator, that was his saying, if he minds his

work. Just one more red needed. And he is

on the red. He would like an angle so he can part this red beyond the

colour, then his opponent will not be bothering with snooker 's, and

that seems to be the case. It has been a fascinating session.

We have had some long frames, some high breaks. Every frame has

produced some sort of excitement and it could not be set up better for

this evening, as John said. He will not want to miss the final

session of this semifinal. Not a lot to choose between these

two players. Just a mistake here and there. Neil Robertson was desperate

to win this session, and now he has done. The red doesn't go in, but

that doesn't matter. Neil Robertson has done what he needed to do, I

feel, and that is when that session by 5-3. They will go back now and

try to have a rest before this evening's session at 7pm where they

will commence, the first of 17, and he is 12-12.

What a match, with a potential, you would feel, for a late finish, but

an intriguing one. How do you describe the way this match has

ebbed and flowed? Going to script. We have seen one winner session 5-3,

then 4-4, then another... It is just the way that you would expect from

these players, at loggerheads, going right to the finish. Looks the

stronger after that session, Steve? Neil Robertson might feel the

stronger as they go back to the dressing room, because he has dug

himself out of a hole, and Mark Selby showed a slight weakness in

not clearing up in the frame before that, and failing on his chance to

get back on level terms in the last frame. It will be tough to separate

them by the end. This is like the equivalent of a big fight, both of

them, they are refusing to lose. The will to win is enormous. It is

winning at all costs, so that is why the tactical play is so strong. In a

slightly different way to Ronnie, Ronnie plays, he's obviously got a

world to rent, but these two are sweating blood. -- he's busy got a

will to win. They're not always winning the frames in one visit. It

is 15 and 20 minutes on the end of every frame, which when you add that

up over the series, going to 17 frames, that has got to be energy

and mentally sapping before you get to the final. If they can win it in

one visit, they will take much more out of themselves, or save

themselves than what they are doing at the moment. Part of this as they

play in very, very large occasions, up against each other, they have the

UK file, the Masters final, they know exactly what one another is

capable of here, Steve. Yes, and as they grow in experience, but

tactical prowess they show is remarkable. It is the right way to

go about playing snooker. First, learn how to pot the balls and then

work on your tactics as you get older. It will come. It will be

fascinating whichever one of these lads get through to the final, the

difference between both of them and Ronnie O'Sullivan bring to the

final. Although it is a grind, it is very watchable, it is some

fascinating top-class snooker we are watching here. It is not gruelling

to watch. It is top-class stuff. It is nearly too good. They are so good

at the safety play and the tactical thing, they cancel each other out.

It is making it hard work for both players. There is plenty more to

discuss. I'm sure we will save some of that chat for this evening. We

will do a lot of watching and enjoying what could be a fascinating

conclusion of the match. If you have been with us all week, you will know

Richard Osman has been with us teasing us with some pointless

questions. We wanted to call the quiz Clued us because, let's face

it, we are. But we decided on pot lists. It is getting very

competitive. We gave 100 people here at the

Crucible 147 seconds to name any player which has been ranked in the

top 16 this season. There are only 19 answers out there. Which of them

is the most obscure? Good luck. That has been in this season? I have not

got a clue. That is a hard one. Robert Milkins. It is certainly not

you, is it? No. Mark Davis is always there or thereabouts. Dominic Dale

has not been? Let's go for the milkman, Robert Milkins. I do not

know why Mark King is shouting out at me. Shout it out them. We are

going to go for Mark -- Robert Milkins. Mark King. I will beginning

the answers at the end of this interval. You can go on Twitter and

give us your answer as well. Good luck.

Thank you, Richard. We are not in a rush today because we have no light

snooker for you this afternoon, but there is one man in Sheffield he was

always in a rush, our trick shot man, Florian Kohler.

What I am going to do, I'm going to have five cues and pot all these

five balls right there. Five cues, one shot.

This shot here is a variation of what we call the Hustler. The idea

is to hit the white ball, make the ball go on the long rail, go back.

This is what I call the impossible move. The white ball will kiss on

the other ball, curve and then come back like the five ball.

This is probably one of the crazy shots in artistic tool. -- Paul. I

will do a shot where you hit the cue ball into the rail. The white ball

will go into the air and while it is in the air I will shoot again into

the triangle. What I'm going to do is hit

whiteboard around the line. -- hit the white ball around the

line into the one ball. What I'm going to do is hit the

white ball into the five. I will stroke, the white will come here,

into the rail and hit the nine ball. And one of the most quizzical looks

I have ever seen on Steve Davis' face. Are you rather surprised by

that cue power and prowess? He is jealous. Nobody likes a show. I

think he is acting above his station! How did you get on with

Potless today? Let's find out. Welcome back to Potless. Earlier

on, I asked our legends for any snooker player which has appeared in

the top 16 this year. Three of our team went to Robert Milkins, also

Mark King and Mark Davies. Mark King schools 100 points because

he has not been a top 16 player this year. Well done at home if you said

Graeme Dott or you said Mark Williams. Both of those would have

scored you nine. Ricky Walden would have scored 13 points, he would be a

terrific answer. If you again tomorrow. Thank you,

Richard. There is the league table. Look at the reaction from Steve

Davis. It is not good. You blew it with Mark King, didn't you? Yes.

Well done to you at home. Ian Norris and Luke Cole well worth first off

the mark with the tweets. We have had a lot of celebrities here at the

Crucible over the last few days. We have had Louis from one direction.

We have had Paul Hollywood, Claire Hamilton from the bronze medal

winning curling team. On the subject of curling, John and Steve are

grieved that news has reached us that Rhona Martin has had her gold

medal stolen along with other items on display at Dumfries Galloway. We

would just like to issue a plea from everybody here at the snooker, if

you have got it, please give it back. It belongs to everybody, as

Rhona selflessly has said, and I'm sure dumb present Galloway police

would like to hear if you have any information. -- dumb . Rodney was

due to be playing this afternoon but he has tied it up last night --

Ronnie was due to be playing this afternoon. Instead, we will have an

exhibition for the Crucible crowd. Can we have some appreciation for

Ronnie's play last night as Mac how good was it and how good in

comparison to the form he has shown in other finals? Jokingly I said he

was warming up. I think he is getting to the peak of his form.

Some of the shots he played were sublime. His long game was fabulous.

This is an unbelievable pot from the bottom cushion.

You could tell he was desperate to finish that match with a second to

spare to have the afternoon. He was fluent and very close to his

absolute best. He has gone through with a session despair in the

semifinal and the quarterfinal. That has not been done since ten years

ago when Ronnie himself did it. How great a value would you put on that

achievement, having a day off before the final, Steve? It is not so much

a day off because you could argue it is a hindrance at this stage. You

have got into the routine of playing every day. But what it signifies is

really the ease with which he has carved through some very good

players. He is feeling like it is more like a day at the office. He is

getting more and more comfortable. It is not like the final will be a

problem. To outplay him will be hard enough as it is. If he is sitting

there and relaxing, even though he is behind in a frame and feels no

pressure, it will be difficult to overcome. They said it has all

fallen in Ronnie's lap. Listen, he has earned the right to have a day

off. He deserves this day off because of the standard of play. A

quick statistic for you, the finalist who has played fewest

friends in getting to the final, has won eight out of ten finals. The

only exception was John Higgins. That tells you it's own story. If

anybody is winning easily, they must be playing well. The situation that

he comes to this, he must feel super-confident, as if nobody can

come near him. He is getting confirmation that no one is coming

near him. It will take a massive effort for anyone to do that. Joe

Perry, how good was the performance? When you look back now, he was that

close. That is the standard you have to achieve. He can sit back and

watch these two guys slugged it out tonight, Neil Robertson and Mark

Selby. How do you feel it will go and what will make the difference?

It might be a fluke, it might be a kick, it might be something like

that. I think it is going all the way. Gentlemen, thank you very much.

We will wrap it up. We do have some hours to ourselves. Steve has

offered to water the plants here and John has promised to put up the

shelves in everybody's dressing rooms that he has promised.

Actually, I think we will have a rest. We could be in for a long

night tonight. I hope you will join us at 7pm for a pulse rating

session. You will not miss anything on BBC Two. Goodbye. Goodbye.