Day 16, Part 4 Snooker: World Championship

Selby won't mind. His has his first frame on the board this evening but

still, Ronnie O'Sullivan leads by four frames now, -4.

? STUDIO: He has his first frame on

the board and top break of 55. Those four frames have taken nearly two

hours to complete. Not often you say that in a match involving Ronnie owe

you will have van. He has been showing concentration and respect

for Mark Selby in the way he has gone about his business tonight. .

He is not disrespectful in his shot selection. You have to admire his

patience. But for Mark Selby, the scoring. Well done him. We can all

play when it is easy. Everyone can play when the sun is out. It is when

there is a include over your head. He has dug 55 from nothing. He

hasn't been scoring great all day. And still having a joke in the

crowd. He turned around and said - I will be all right with this one. So,

he has a sevens humour. He did really well. Observations from Steve

Davis in the practice room. General objections and since the

advancements in camera technology, we have discovered that snooker

isn't the two dimensional game we once thought it was. The balls are

bouncing when you hit the cue ball it is bouncing, when it hits the

object ball it is bouncing and afterwards, the balls are bouncing.

The players can use this to their advantage. See this shot from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. He deliberate deliberately bounces the cue ball to

widen the angle. The while ball bounces in the air. Once it stops

bouncing, it will spin forwards, speed up. It hits the cushion and

then he goes into the reds. Let's watch that shot. He bounces it.

Speeds up and breaks the reds open. You can use that to your advantage.

The other one is when you are trying to split open a pack of reds using

topspin. You jump the ball in the air t starts to go into the reds. It

still has the topspin but you land on reds and pushing the reds out of

the way. When it is in the air the cue ball cannot have any influence

on the cloth but once it finds the cloth, it starts to grip on the

cloth and it uses the spin you put on, as well as the bouncing to drive

through the ball and now you see, it is gripping on the cloth. It is

starting pushing with lots of topspin. It is pushing its way

through the reds. You can open the pack of reds that way using a lot of

topspin. Let's stop the action there. Going back to Ronnie

O'Sullivan's shot, another angle. Remember he is bouncing the cue ball

and widens the angle. When the ball stops bouncing, then it spins

forward. Here we go: As it grips, it is fast and goes through the ball.

We will see Ronnie O'Sullivan's shot. He plays this, bouncing the

ball. Opening the reds up. Be aware, the balls are bouncing, you have

spins on them and hopefully you can control the balls by using different

amounts of raising but a fraction you up in the air, bouncing the

balls when you need to. Is he pushing for a PhD? Ronnie

O'Sullivan has been pushed at the Crucible this year, particularly by

Joe Perry in the second round but in the quarter-final and semifinal he

came through with the minimum of fuss and real pin ash. So much so,

he cleared both matches with a session to spare, earning a day off

yesterday, some of which he spent with Steve.

Another final. Does it feel any different to previous years? Yes, I

think this one has been much more relaxed. I've felt for the fist time

when I went to the two table to the one table, I felt much more at home,

much more quickly. Normally it takes one-and-a-half sessions to get used

to the space but this time I felt OK from the off, really. How do you

judge your own game, compared it five years ago? I'm much more

consistent now. I'm much more able to put away any thoughts of - you

know, during the match when I'm sort of maybe things aren't going my way

and I'm not getting the fluency and potting and accuracy that we all

strive for. Whereas before, if I wasn't playing well going into a

tournament I would think - it is not going to be my tournament. Now I

cannot worry so much if I'm in the playing so well, so when I get to

the tournament I'm not panicking so much. Steve Peters instrumental in

helping you. Absolutely. When you are playing well you don't panic but

when you are not playing well, you know the panic sets in. Steve has

helped me kind of try and get in that frame of mind - as if you are

playing well, although you are not and to enjoy the process a lot more.

Accepting that if I want to be successful and want to win titles,

part of the package is you can't play well every day. I thought I

could. You have Mark Selby in the final. He's caused you problems

before. Tell me about him. Yes, I mean, I think he has caused

everybody problems. He is that type of guy that never gives in. He has a

great tactical game. He can contain you. You can be waiting a long time

before you get an opportunity. If you don't score from that

opportunity, you can wait another long time before you get another

opportunity. I think that, you know, since working with Steve and that, I

have kind of learned to admire Mark more now. I know it is not easy when

the balls ain't flowing in well and you are not scoring as well and you

are kind of having to graft matches out and Mark does a lot of that. To

hold it will together, like he does, it shows what a great player,

champion and competitor he S and his desire to want to win -- he is. And

his desire to want to win makes him a formidable opponent. Tell me about

something I'm very interested in - not because I'm worried about my

record, I have no record, Stephen Hendry has the record. But are you

relishing the challenge of the chance of being in the record books?

Wouldn't it be nice to be eight times World Champion? I would be

lying to say I haven't thought about it, but every time I think about it,

I just think - you know, that's too far to look ahead. So, for me, it is

just kind of, just to having got four was great, five is fantastic.

And to be in another final with a chance to equal yourself and Ray

Reardon, I would have to pinch myself, really. I'm content with

fie. Don't get me wrong, I want more -- I'm content with five. Don't get

me wrong, I will not be stopping. The only time I will stop is when I

feel I don't want to do it. If the record comes, it is great. I have

had great success here, and, you know, who wouldn't want to be a

world record holder of eight world titles? Another record that not

exactly the same type but longevity within the game. You are coming up

to, at some stage, to 40 years old. People, in the past, have seemed to

have hit a brick wall at 40. Is it in your mind to push the barriers

back, to be the oldest champion? The person that actually forces the

expectations of people as to what they can achieve older in theirs

lives? Yeah, when I was first working with Steve Peters we kind of

tried to set myself like long-term goals, if you like or a dream goal,

if you like. One of mine was to say - well, rather than try to win World

Champions in the here and now, saying maybe a much more healthier

ambition would be to say I want to win woorld champion in my 40s. If --

World Champion. So if I wasn't winning them now, the main targeted

was to win one in my 40s. I'm 38, 39 this year. Everyone else doing well

are like 30, and 301, like Neil and Mark Selby and then you have the

younger ones like ding and Trumpy and I kind of feel blessed to be

able to be mixing it with this era of snooker players. I don't know

what it is down to. I think a lot of it is that I'm enjoying playing. If

you are enjoying playing, it helps, it makes you feel young. Do you

think this will mean more to you than some other World Championship

victories if you were to win it? No, my biggest one was 2012, without a

doubt. I didn't intend to come back to playing. It was only that I found

a new love for the game and just to have my boy there with me. I never

thought that was going top ha. I really didn't. -- to happen. I

really didn't but when I was clearing up against Ally Carter I

was having to hold it back. It was such a special emotion. It felt like

me and little Ronnie, after everything I have gone through,

separating - I don't want to go into it, it was emotionally charged and I

was like, you know what, money can't buy this feeling. For me that was

it, the icing on the cake. R I'm enjoying it for a change. -- I'm

enjoying it for a chavenlingt I have had so many times when I had to

battle around it. Now if I'm not happy I have to deal with it and

accept it is part and parcel of the game and not beat myself up. It was

hard. I was hard on myself for a long time. This is me going to work,

doing what I do and basically feeling like I'm living the dream.

It is truly remarkable. It was only three years ago that he started to

work with Dr Steve Peters. He got to the quarter-finals. He had only been

working with him for about a month before that and suddenly on the cows

of of three in a row -- on the cusp. It has been written that it is an

alliance of imperfection. An ability to accept you are not be perfect all

the time. Is that the key It is the key. We are all perfectionist. He

has been a massive influence on him. His attitude has changed completely.

I think we are seeing more than signs of it in the final. I think he

is applying himself here better than he has ever done and because of

that, he is probably going to win again. Do you recognise that need to

be perfect and how debilitating it was in perhaps your later years in

the sport? Absolutely. I remember in my last World Championship making a

maximum against Bingham and going to Chris Hendry working with him, and

he was saying - the maximum is unbelieval and I just wanted to talk

about how I butchered other shots. I can remember the balls that I missed

that cost me tournaments. I cannot remember half the ones, I won. I

haven't got a clue. You always remember the ones you made the

mistakes on. Ronnie's friend, Damien Hirst, the artist, who is with him

in his corner, says he feels this campaign is crucial if he is to

catch your seven world titles do you agree? I said that to a couple of

people. I said - if he doesn't win it this year - and obviously I'm

protecting my record, but I said if he doesn't win this, I think he will

find it tough but if he does, he will probably go on to win it. Do

you think that could incentivise him? He does. And he is better

equipped. He is incredibly fit. We know how much he runs. He has

bundles of talent He is only playing when he wants to. Nobody is forcing

him to. You are going to be playing when you want to now. In the last

week or so, there was an announcement here that made Stephen

Hendry and Steve Davis, an invitation it play on the tour next

year. How much or how little they do is up to them. But there was another

part to the announcement which said all previous Kings of the Crucible,

all the previous World Champions will be able to get into the

qualifying round to get into this great event. So who will play and

who will stay away? We do accept that the World Championships is a

very special event. Our blue riband event. We have decided to increase

the number of players in the world snooker Championships from 128 to

144. The extra 16 players will be drawn by inviting any player who has

won the World Snooker Championship in the past and it will include play

players from virgin countries. I'm a bit upset you have not seeded me

through to the final seeing as I am your mate but I suppose the last one

to eight is OK. I think it is great idea. I think it is something they

do in other sports. Obviously golf, past champions. I don't think the

young gun also feel threatened by us, but it gives us a chance to

relive old glories, I suppose. I think I might just maybe even get

myself a new cue, start putting practice in and I'll give it a go

next year. And very little chance of getting back to the Crucible

Theatre. But who knows, it might just happen. . I'm seriously

thinking about doing it. I'm a lot older nowadays. I'm practice. If my

practice game is good, I may enter. I think for some of the players who

are ex-champions it is a good idea. Obviously they have to go through

the qualifying which is the correct thing and if they come through and

qualify that way, brilliant. A great buzz for the tournament and well

done. Unfortunately, I will not be one of them. ! For me, personally,

well hopefully I won't have to use it for a few years yet but if I do,

I would obviously like to play in the world champion at some stage. If

I believe I'm able it compete for me I still get angry when I play baddie

in exhibitions. I would have to feel I was going to do myself justice. .

I think it is great fun idea and it will be very interesting to see how

many players take up the option. It sure will. It will be a bit like the

Masters at Augusta, about how many of the former champions will make

the cut. You will have to win three best of 19 frames to make it here.

People think it is an invitation straight to the Crucible but there

is hard work to do to get through the mine field of the qualifiers.

What appeals to you? This. This atmosphere is special. This is the

only place to play snooker and to get the chance to possibly play here

again would be fantastic but as I said, I wouldn't just do it for the

occasion, I want to play well. Are you happy to sit where you are?

While there is golf courses in the world I will not be getting the cue

out. I packed in five years ago I had my fill. For all the boy who is

want to come through, fantastic but I'm getting my clubs out. We have

heard from Ronnie O'Sullivan but what about Mark Selby. He has made

for the practice room. That's his friend Bobby who has come across

from Hong Kong to help him. Mark paid for his ticket for him to be

here, to support him. A great gesture from a great guy. The Jester

from Leicester, great fun. A lot of nick names, stickability Selby and

sat-nav Selby and the one that Ronny wrote about, the Torturer because at

the table this man is hard as nails. We spoke to him after his victory.

My biggest one was 200012. I didn't intend coming back. I can't believe

it. Obviously such a tough game. Neil is one of the best players in

the world. I knew it was going to be a tough match. I was never going to

win easy either way. I was never going to give in even if I did get

beat but I managed to get over the line. Seven years since he reach

your last final. What is the difference in your game now I have

more belief. When I was going through, I had no expectations. Now

I have won tournaments I have the belief coming into the big

tournaments like the World Championships. So probably just

confidence, really. Why do you think it has taken you so long to get to

another final. It looked like that was the springboard for you to

continually be in the final. The standard is so tough. It is such a

hard tournament to win. You know you are going to have bad sessions here

and there, it is a matter of how bad they are. Thankfully for this week,

when I have had a bad session, it has only been 5-3 or 3-4. Much has

been said of the fact that Ronnie has won with a session to spare. #

It is obviously the way Ronnie has played. He has played two matches

with sessions to spare. At the speed he plays, obviously, it still seems

to not take much out of him. You have had epic battles with him over

the years but you seem better prepared than most to cope with

that. Why? I play the table and believe in my own ability. If it

goes scrappy I'm tolling stay out there as long possible. -- I'm

willing to. If it is open I'm willing to stay.

What is your approach to the final? It is much documented you had

confidence issues. It is not like that now, is it? Not at all. Even

before coming to the World Championships about a

week-and-a-half before, something clicked on the practice table. Even

though I have got to four finals, I have not felt I played fantastic to

get there. I have dug in and obviously play my B game but coming

to the World I was confident T clicked in practice. Ronnie has

mentioned he has learned respect for your mental toughness. Do you think

that is one of your assets I think it is one of them. Like I say, my B

game if I'm in the playing at my best, I win on it. -- I can win on

it. You have won the Masters and the UK. What would the World

Championship mean it Mark Selby? Everything. That's my childhood

dream. That's what you play snooker for, to be a World Champion and lift

that trophy end of it. He talked about his levels of belief having

risen considerably since he appeared here against John Higgins. This is a

real test of his self-belief against this man who has played brilliant

snrooker. He has played -- snooker. He's played calm stuff here. We have

five more frames this evening and we'll share them now in the company

of Denis Taylor and John Virgo. There they are.

JOHN VIRGO: Good evening. I thought before the mid-session interval that

Mark Selby seemed to be in the mood to be a little bit more aggressive,

Denis and take a few more pots on, maybe things happen. DENIS TAYLOR:

Ye, I'm with you on that one, John. He did quicken up, quite a bit. It

was such an important frame to win. Straight away he may have an early

chance if that green doesn't come to Ronnie's rescue. Well it has, it

wasn't the best break-off shot but the green, that little smile from

Mark, is telling you there what he thinks of not being able to pot the

red. Oh, that's the pink. Ref rf foul and

miss. Ron -- REFEREE: Foul and mi,s Ronny O'Sullivan four.

Ronnie is a bit reluctant to put it back but he has no shots sow might

as well. I think Mark was coming into the table and thinking - I have

to have a red in the middle pocket. This game never changes. When you

are lined and need a it about of luck, it never seems to go your way.

-- need a bit of luck. Ronnie just making certain that the cue ball is

back where it was. I don't think he could get through to any part of

this red. This is where it was. It is only the

cue ball that needs doing. It doesn't look too bad now.

Same shot but just a touch more left-handside, and pace.

Touching ball, declares the referee so an easy path back to the baulk

for Ronnie. He is going the other side of the

table now, into the reds. It should be OK.

I don't know if he can see enough of that red. Obviously not. But he has

purposely left Mark a shot at that red. Or did he purposely leave him a

shot at the red? Because Mark can have a go at this. OK, he may have a

little bit of an awkward bridge to make.

Well there is certainly a gap for the cue but is he touching the pink?

The referee wouldn't declare this touching the pink.

Just not but can he get it? No, just couldn't get to the potting angle,

so just a containing safety but if he has not covered that red for the

yellow, a good chance for Ronnie to play a lot better safety than that.

I wonder if he will send it into the reds. He has.

The danger with that is you never know where they are going to go. He

has a good cue ball. He hasn't covered the one to the right. You

are never sure where they are going, but it was a good attacking shot.

One good pot and he might miss the cannon into the reds. He could give

himself a chance here. He needed a good kiss on the brown.

He didn't get it, so up to the yellow. He think he has just hit

that yellow a little bit too hard. He is walking back to his seat. You

saw that disappointment on his face. Is Good hit from Ronnie. What has

been impressive for me is we go on about which Ronnie has turned up. We

have put that behind us. Even the frames this evening which have been

slow, Ronnie has not lost his focus, has he?

Well, while we are talking they are having a re-rack. Listen, Listen JV,

nothing wrong with a re-rack every now and again, does you the world of

good. Brendan Moore who are refereeing his first-ever World

Championship final is enjoying every minute of this. It is great to see

him there. That's what they are playing for, that magnificent World

Championship trophy. And a lovely little lady on the top there.

So, Ronnie gets this frame started again. Not the best break-off shot.

The cue ball off the baulk line and there is a chance for red for Mark.

These are the types of reds you feel he has to start knocking in. Good

pot. And controlled it nicely to be on a baulk colour.

He nicely found the gap there and controlled the cue ball well.

You had the perfect picture there of where he was hitting that cue ball

to screw back right down in the bottom. Look at, that right down at

the bottom of the white. So, as Hazel mentioned, there are

five frames to be played to finish this session of.

He is hitting the white right down at 6.00 if you imagine the ball

being a clock face. It stops and then keeps on spinning.

The last of the easy reds. He will have to go into this cluster off the

black. It is the type of cluster you would like to go into off the blue

but that's not an option here. Just about got the angle. I was wondering

if he stunned it rather than screwed it, he play this is shot so well. It

looks like he is going to screw it but he does play it so well. Now,

you see, the red is in as well. REFEREE: Foul. He normally stun that

is type of shot from that angle and could have stunned it past the

middle of the back. You see the two reds, well if he had played that

with a stun he would have pushed them open better. Unlucky to knock

that red in. As you say, there is five more

frames. Four after this one and very big frames these are for Mark Selby.

You think if he wants to win at least three of the five. Yes, that

would be Mark's target. But you have got to play them frame at a time.

If he plays down this red the left side, he can send it over to the

other red. So he has changed his mind.

This is a much better choice, this one. Nicely played. He has improved

his safety play. He needed to. In the first session today, his safety

play, I don't think this safety success is a fair reflection of some

of the safety shots. He was catching a lot too thick.

That's opened a few more reds up. The next shot might even o' open a

few more That's turned out OK in the end, but

boy he just went past that red on the left-hand side of the table. If

he had caught it thicker, the cue ball wouldn't have finished there.

Look at that - just feathered that red and that helped it find the gap

between yellow and brown. Well, not the best safety. I don't

know if it goes to to far right corner past the pink. That is the

one you would want to play if you had the choice. It must be very

close to being pottable. He is keeping the discipline. I

think Ronnie a couple of seasons a go would maybe have had a go at

that. But he is playing all the correct shots.

I can't think of too many times that Ronnie has pushed the boat out as we

say. Well, that has opened them up. If he drops in behind the green, it

is a bonus. Not quite. He can get through to this red. If he missed

the green he would have had him snookered on all the reds. Just keep

an eye on the you ball here. There is a bit of a gap.

He could catch the red that is near the cushion. We had so much side on

that. He played that with so much right-hand side to avoid cannoning

into that red. That makes the pot so much more difficult.

As Dennis said, just to check it to miss that red. But he has not played

the best positional shot there. He has got to avoid the kiss on the

second red. And where is the cue ball? Where is the cue ball going?

It is OK. Well, he will be so disa appointed with his shot when he

cannoned the blue, because he had a great chance. This was the screw

back. He didn't want to be anywhere near the blue. And once he hit it

half ball, it is amazing how one little cannon can put you right out

of position. Thin on that. That is why the cue

ball's coming in and out of baulk. Well, there is a few reds he could

have a go at. Not guaranteed position on the colour.

Well, he wasn't expecting a cannon there, he thought he could take a

pot on and miss that cannon. When you have got a four-frame advantage,

as we show you this attempt at the cut, maybe if he had potted that, he

wouldn't have cannoned the red. If you have a four-frame advantage, you

just want to share the little mini-sessions.

He has left himself a very tricky pot here. This needs good cueing.

Tough with your hand on the cushion there. Oh, he has played it nicely.

The problem was it was going away from the reds. But as you say, a

good pot. He needs another one now. He will put everything into this

chance here. He didn't get that well, he just

stunned it a bit too. Should have been straight on this pink. This

pink will put him 40 points in front with 67 remaining.

Just able to use that red to hold the cue ball.

He will need the little extension there. Slightly out of position

there previously. 46 ahead, 59 remaining. He is

looking at the score board. Red, blue, red, pink, red, blashg would

put him in the snookers required stage.

Anything less and he will need another red. He is nicely on blue or

pink. The blue is unmissable, so it will probably be the blue.

The blue will put him 52 points ahead with 51 remaining.

It's not there. So one snooker required for Ronnie as he comes to

the table, 52 points behind, 51 remaining.

He will play for the red the right side of the table.

Because the one at the back is in an ideal place to get a snooker. Mark

knows he could be snookered behind the black.

Yeah, that's pretty good. Ronnie just coming around to see where he

would like to leave the cue ball. If he sends the red up near one of

the baulk colours and gets it close to it and gets behind the black. He

is right back in this frame. He would like to be tight up behind

the black. I think he has got the snooker and

cut out the one cushion escape. So this frame could be back on. There

is a possible one-cushion escape. But that's difficult. I don't think

he can swerve around the black, he is too close to that. This way, he

is going to have to be very precise. Nonchts, help has -- no, he has

missed it. REFEREE: Foul. Frame on again. So now 32 behind, 35

remaining. He knew when he missed that red that would have kept Ronnie

in his seat that he was asking for trouble, because he left the red on

and Ronnie could get the blacks he needed and play the snooker.

If this runs past the black, we could have a new favourite for the

frame. Well, it has. Ronnie anxiously looking the other side of

the table. Because he is so close to the cushion, to get the bit of side

that is needed to come off the cushion, miss the plaque and hit the

red -- black and hit the red, he might have to swerve this and hope

for the best. He is looking at off the side cushion.

This will have to be absolutely spot on. REFEREE: Foul and a miss. It was

always there. That is why I thought he might just swerve around it.

Ronnie's, it's a free ball as well. So that will give him a free shot,

if he wants. But Ronnie having a look at the score board, the thing

is he will need the black and the black is now safe. That is why he

has had it put back. If he didn't need the black, I'm certain he would

have played the green as the free ball. Yes, the shot he is

attempting, he has to be so precise to miss the black and just flick the

red. REFEREE: Foul and a miss. He's done

it again. Ronnie having a think, because he won't need the black. 18

points the difference. If he was to get off this last red, blue or pink.

But he thinks well, this is a difficult snooker to hit. I'm

surprised he hit the black so thick second time. Especially someone like

Mark who is so good at getting out of snookers. He is hoping to knock

the red on to the side cushion. But he is hitting the black almost

quarter ball. I think it is just a plain ball shot. Well there is less

than half ball of the red sticking out.

I tell you what, he has done well here. Yes, no luck there. He knew if

he caught that red he would send it over on to the side cushion.

Well, there is a gap here. It is a tough pot though from where the cue

ball is sitting. I think you look at this type of shot, is it easier to

play the safety? If he played half ball on the right-hand side on the

red as he looking and bring the cue ball behind the black.

He played it the other way. Well, I think he has left this red. I think

you're way was the best way, John. Sending the red back up and trying

to get over behind the black. So one good pot here and one decent cannon

on the green. Well is the green going? Where is

that green? REFEREE: Foul. Would you Well is the green going? Where is

it's a free ball. Well the cannon was always on, Ronnie never dreamt

he could cannon the green into the pocket.

I think he was hoping he could push the green towards the pocket and

have it there. He never envisaged putting it in. The green never

touched the side and I think Ronnie knew as soon as he saw the green

over the pocket. In it goes. And Mark nicely on the

green. And boy, will he be relieved. We do

have different turning points in a long match. That is going to be one.

Because he would have opened up a five-frame advantage.

So a frame that could have gone either way. Mark Selby now relieved

to be only three behind at 8-5. STUDIO: Two in a row and John is in

our exhibition area and in has come Steve Davis. What do you think of

that frame. Mark Selby seems to be very struggling to get over the line

in these frames. Yes and Ronnie O'Sullivan potted an excellent red

and knocked the green in. Things happen like that in snooker. He

didn't expect the green to get to the pocket. But what happens I think

in long session matches, multisession matches that doesn't

happen in the short sessions, if a player who has the advantage,

doesn't keep on pushing the advantage and the o'er player hangs

on in there, at some stage the player behind may get some

enthusiasm and stage a come back. So you have to keep on pushing if

you're in front. It is not as easy from in front. So there a danger

would you say of frustration creeping into Ronnie O'Sullivan's

game? We talk about how good his patience is. But at some stage

Ronnie will become frustrated and his rhythm is not great. He got in

earlier in the frame and put a bad shot off the green. He is looking a

bit ragged Ronnie in terms of his positional play. It is a long match.

We are well over four and a half hours. Yes and there have been

bhachs - matches where people have had big leads and been hauled back.

A person. Don't need to, it has happened. The situation you find

yourself in front, I can say from experience you still have to keep

on. You have to keep that guy under it and all the time under it. When

you're in the first day of a two-day final, how important is it to have a

big lead and have a breathing space? It is important the first frame the

other guy is under pressure to win. He is chasing. I think Ronnie needs

to just play his natural game. In some ways Ronnie likes to out play

his opponent on his game. When Mark Selby was last in the final he was

four frames behind against John Higgins. So he is well capable.

DENNIS TAYLOR: What a good start, cue ball tight on the cushion.

Ronnie is playing at Mark's pace. I have seen him down to 15 in this

year's Championship, but not when the balls are like this and you have

got tactical play. Ronnie's as good a tactical player as anybody in the

game. But he is up against one of best in Mark Selby.

A great pot it was. What is the kiss like on the blue? Not bad. It was

brilliant cueing this. Tight on the cushion and to knock that in. I

think Ronnie left the auditorium and went back just to settle himself

down. What a way to start. That was a bit

tricky. Played with the left hand. Now he needs to pull another good

pot out. He could play to get on the the black here.

Yeah, great shot. One good pot on the black and he has given himself a

terrific chance. Yes, it was interested what Steve and Stephen

were saying, he should play his own game and that was a positive shot.

He has got the red that is closest to the black, but I think there is

one at the back that is also available.

It will be available into the right corner. That is what he is looking

at now. That is the one he has played for.

But they're not a good bunch to go into.

That's why he played for the pink. A better pack to go into from that. If

he has the correct angle he can play this with a lot of top spin. All

depends on the angle. He doesn't want it to go between that gap.

He has gone through that gap. I'm surprised he never looked at that.

Well, what a recovery pot that is. And he is on the yellow. And he can

get back to the reds. This was just a fabulous pot.

Yes, for one of the few times this evening he has decided to make

things happen. I think after the first session he could see Mark

hadn't settled. He was content to be patient and pabg up the -- pick up

the pieces. Nicely on it. I think there is a red

available to the left corner. He's picked these off very nicely

indeed. He hasn't taken any risks with cannoning into them at the

wrong time. Even there, he didn't bother cannoning into the reds and

risking it. # This red and the black will put him

68 in front with just 67 remaining. Ye, all done in a matter of, well,

under seven minutes this frame has been going.

68. Now a chance to go on and make a century break here.

The record in a World Championship is by the man in the studio, I think

15 centuries. He holds a lot of records does Stephen Hendry. Ronnie

has made 746 centuries. He is closing in on Stephen Hendry's

record. I think it is 775. The people come to see Ronnie play

like this and he has turned it on in this frame And this, if he gets a

century is going to be this last year, 55 centuries. And a few people

would have had a bet on that. And they'll be getting paid out.

They certainly will. A magnificent century break from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. APPLAUSE.

He has done exactly what Stephen Hendry suggested. Get out there and

play your own game and this is Ronnie's game.

APPLAUSE Well, he enjoyed every moment of

that, did Ronnie O'Sullivan and so did the Crucible crowd. What a

spectacular break. He is back to four frames in front. It is now 9-5.

Well, as you said JV, that's what the crowd came to see and that was a

superbreak. The graphic - there are the centuries, the Crucible,

Sheffield. 20005. 63. The record wool was in 2009 - 83 centuries but

as I say, John, a few people will have had a bet on the 55 centuries

being beaten and they will be picking up their winnings, I would

say. That's a bit more like it. It has created a buzz in the Crucible

Theatre. It's been a bit pedestrian this evening but Ronnie came out and

we can look at a few of these shots. There was no holding back. This was

cracking. That was the best shot of it. But look at this where he

decided to get the black back on the spot. I thought that was the key in

the frame. That one to get himself out of trouble. Well, that was the

type he had been playing safe earlier on in the evening but he has

decided to change his approach. So, Ron yi breaks off, and still

four more frames to play this evening. -- Ronnie breaks off. It

has certainly warmed up the audience that last frame. Sorry, there is

only three more to play. I'm getting ahead of myself but he has stepped

up. Now Mark Selby has to do the same.

! Well, Mark Selby would love to get both these remaining two frames.

There's three frames to be played. If he could get two of the three, he

would be more than Well, I thought it had stopped once

and it just kept rolling. It looked certain to stop short of

the baulk line and it just went on and on and you know, after the last

frame, that Ronnie wants to start making things happen but if he takes

the blue on, it's going to be risky. Is it looked like it was certain to

stop at the baulk line but kept rolling. A great pot.

Isn't it great, Denis, to have that ability, and just change the flow of

a match? Yes, he has just moved up a couple

of gears, hasn't he? Quite a thin cut this and he is

heading up towards the baulk colours.

A nice angle on the green should he so wish to come off the side cushion

and into that cluster. The pink is probably only available into one

pocket. The black tied up. It may be worth the risk. No, decided to play

for the loose reds. The cue ball needs to slow up a touch. He has

overrun it a fraction. He can't cannon into the bunch of

reds because of the red above the pink spot.

Well, he tried to get on that red, I mentioned. He knew he would always

have the other one here into the left corner T ran on a fraction more

than he intended there. That's a bonus, if the black will

go. It doesn't look like it would pot from this angle.

The red at the top of the cluster will go past the pink into the right

corner. Now he has got the red away and the

angle on the blue. He still has one more red he can play for.

He will play for it this time. Can he get back on to the blue? That's

the question, though? That's going to be difficult from there. If he

screws back, he is back into the middle pocket. He is back looking at

that black. It must be very, very tight. Looking at his facial

expressions, a little bit annoyed with himself. I like you, thought

after the last blue, he would go into the reds. You leave it until

the last minute and you get the wrong angle. Watch the middle

pocket. Just managed to avoid it and he has landed nicely on the blue to

play that cannon. I don't see any plants if he goes into these reds.

There might be one if he cannons the left of the reds. He is going to

make a little plant. Certainly one red will head over towards the left,

corner pocket, depending on the pace.

Well, he has them all open now. Well, Mark, you cannot do anything

about this. I mean, he wouldn't have played that

any better. Well, he was at full stretch there,

although it was inch perfect. Although a shake of the head so

maybe not the angle he wanted. You wouldn't have thought it would cause

a problem. He has the angle to stun down.

55 ahead, 75 remaining. Two reds, two colours and that will be the

frame safe. Well, he really is turning it on

now, is, Ronnie O'Sullivan, it has to be said.

It wouldn't matter who he is playing. Up to 1,000 points in the

final. Now a possible chance to make

back-to-back centuries. Still trying to convince himself he can pot that

black. Well the referee dashing round to

make certain he hits the black first. Can he bend it round? He

could, you know! APPLAUSE

We had a couple of frames that lasted just over 24 minutes but the

last two frames have just been awesome.

He just overstuned that. He will be annoyed with himself. The way he is

playing at the moment, though, you fancy him knocking anything in.

Well, maybe not in that case. It wasn't 100 but it kept Mark Selby in

his seat and Ronnie is going out of the arena but boy he will be feeling

good because he leads now by 10-5. ?

STUDIO: We wonder if he has a hotline to Stephen Hendry. And

listening to his commends. What you said, take things into his

own hands and play his own ga. He was getting into a game he wasn't

enjoying, you could tell. Not that frame but the red o to come up for

the black for the blue, the red in the middle where he was playing

safe, in that frame he landed a touch on the build up and took the

long green but he wants to attack now. He has picked up the pace. Yes,

like letting a Doberman off the leash. He is beating him 2 frames to

1 and I don't see Mark Selby turning that around and therefore, not that

he can coast in, it is getting to the stage, you know, the next couple

of frames, it is getting to the stage where it is... Too big a gap,

perhaps. But there are still frames to go. From Mark Selby's point of

view now, what is critical over the next couple of friends frames? We

have been talking the whole match, he has not scored. The frames he has

won, he has scrapped out. He has won frame ball and not won it properly

and Ronnie has come back it the table. Needs to win frames in one

visit for his own confidence and self-belief. Tomorrow, after he has

had the proverbial good sleep and rest, can you sense he might be able

to pick up the pace himself more tomorrow I think he could. You can

always regroup. But you would like to think it was 10-7 if that was

going to happen. 11-6 is still tough. It is going to be and the

next couple of frames, as Steve Davis says, could be pivotal in the

outcome and the destiny of this Championship.

DENIS TAYLOR: Yes, Mark could definitely do with the two remaining

frames but will he get the chance? The way Ronnie has played in the

last couple of frames, he knows if he makes one mistake he will be

sitting down and watching Ronnie carry on.

We will see how he plays this safety shot. He has a chance to open the

reds, get back down the table. Or he can play the one next to the black.

Let's see if he is going to open them up somewhat here.

Catching the green. I don't think the black or Olympic will go and

this red looks a bit straight to me. If he has a slight angle he can try

to get up for the blue but there is only just a slight angle. When he is

cueing well, well, there you see, not even considering that one.

Well, like Mark before him, catching a baulk colour. A dangerous thing to

do at this level. Well, look at the angle he has on this. It is not a

natural to roll this in and finish on the black and play it as a sort

of shot to nothing. Look, coming up to 22 minutes and 30

seconds since his last pot. He could do with getting in behind the yellow

and brown here. If he misses the green he might get there.

He has missed his chance and Ronnie looking at the be possibility of a

three ball plant here. I tell you what, it is knotted far away and it

is the path back to baulk. -- it is not far away. In the end he

didn't see it as a good path balk to baulk in a risky plant and he has

found that area behind yellow and brown, as played.

So, it has been a tough couple of days for Mark Selby. That

fascinating semi-ifiable against the world number one, Neil Robertson,

with just over 12 hours. -- fascinating semifinal. It does take

it out of you meantly. He has to hang in to see what he can get out

of the last two frames. Believe it or not he has been

playing 13 hours longer than Ronnie O'Sullivan, belief it or in the

because of the way the matches have gone. That does take tout of you. --

believe it or not. -- that does take it out of you.

Ronnie looking for the path to get in behind the yellow and brown but

the red slightly in the way. He is debating whether to miss that

red and take it up towards the green. I think it is worth the thin

one. He can miss that red. That could have been in the pocket.

He's OK. Well, not exactly as planned. This red that is cuttable

to the right, middle, the one on the other half of the table, it is not a

red you would want it take on, really a tough pot. You are not

certain to get it safe. He played that very well. There is a

danger if you catch it wrong a red could come up to the baulk end. Good

think, well-played, in a spot of bother but he has reversed the roles

and Ronnie now has something to think of.

Well, that was a brave shot he cook on. He nearly took it off -- that

was a brave shot he took on there. He nearly finished it off. He wasn't

far away but once it came across there, he got a decent little kiss

to leave it safe. The red wobbled and came across. He

could quite easily have pushed one on there.

Just a bit pacy and hand on the table. But there is definitely an

opportunity here for Mark, feck pot the red, come around off two

cushions and he would be on the black to the opposite corner. OK, if

he missed it he may leave -- Mark if he can pot a red, come around off

two cushions and he would be on the black to the opposite corner.

Ronnie did it, you feel he has to do it. He edged his bets. A great pot.

But is he on a colour? Well, unless he has a good angle on

the brown, it is only a snooker to play.

He could come off the baulk cushion and snooker behind the green. The

one thing he wants to do is cut out the simple one-cushion escape.

There is a way, he has to hit, let's see, one, two, three cushions to

land on the red to the left of the two on the cushion. Keep your eye on

this cue ball this. Will be some escape.

Well, esmiles. Can he remember the line, that's the thing? Can he

remember where he hit, because he had it absolutely spot-on. Yes, he

played it absolutely perfectly at the line and what was t a millimetre

short of pace. -- what was it? I don't know if I

can get as good a line as Ronnie but somewhere near there, I think.

Er He is coming up short again. He might have left this one on. And

Mark, well, as Stephen Hendry was saying and as you said, John, he has

to make something happen. This might just be the chance.

All the reds are nicely spread now. It is just a case of producing your

best snooker. This is an opportunity. You just feel he can

not turn down. And it has gone wrong almost

immediately. He got a kiss on the second red he wasn't expecting and

that has been his problem, Denis, throughout this match. It was the

shot when he screwed into the bunch to leave the white there. He was a

bit unlucky to leave it at that angle. Normally he would have

finished straight to be able to stay on the black. He thought there was a

way past there and he just misjudged that and he is totally out of

position now. Just watch the split when he potted

the black. It came back two or three inches further than he intended and

he just cannoned into the red. He will know he should have known he

was going to kiss the second red. But he is not scoring and he is not

winning frames in one visit. Well he has got it. Just have a look

where the cue ball's finished. If that red doesn't go in and that red

he played went safe, he wouldn't have left anything. For me, that was

the shot of the final so far. It really was to roll it in like that

and get around the back of the black.

He saw all the options and he thought the best way to go for this

is to go for it full-blooded. Even that was well judged, because

he wasn't straight on that. One of the fibres from the tip in

his eye line when he goes down to strike.

Well, it just put him off enough to lose his concentration. Didn't

expect that. Well, what a gift this is. But he

did seem to lose a little focus when he was messing around with the tip.

Mark Selby, you've got to take full advantage as Ronnie still looks at

the tip there. He has had a couple of tips on this year. It is most

unusual. There is very few players would change their tip during a

World Championship, unless it was damaged.

What a lifeline he has been handed here and he has got to take it.

Brendan Moore checking to see if the blue will spot. It won't. So there

is three easy reds available. I'm not sure about the two to the right

of pink and blue. Two reds, two colours would be more

than enough. It has bounced nicely enough. He may have to play a little

cannon here. He is looking at the other red into

the middle pocket now. Because this one looks a bit tight and he is

going to have to bridge slightly over the blue. That is if the other

one doesn't go, the one to the right as he is looking at it. That would

have been very tight. The cannon on the blue didn't quite

work out. He is back looking to the one to the middle pocket. This is

missable. It is there. Only the red needed.

The unexpected missed black from Ronnie O'Sullivan gave Mark a

lifeline and he has taken it. He can dig deep this young man and

he is having to dig deep, because he has not been at his best.

That will mean Ronnie will not be getting back to the table. If he

could win this last frame and come out of this 10-7 with a highest

break of 55, he is in with a great shout tomorrow.

Yes, I think Ronnie switched off a bit.

He wasn't having to do a lot to win frames. Doesn't matter about this

red. He is handed a lifeline, Ronnie missed the black and Mark Selby took

it. He reduces the arrears to four and with one big frame coming up.

Ronnie O'Sullivan leads 10-6. STUDIO: We have seen his highest

break of the match. He has proven his defensive powers. Yes, I suppose

if he wins the last he will consider it not a bad recovery. He was 4-3

behind at the end of the last session, the morning session. He

failed to clinch that. So this is another big ending for this session

for him. How do you read his position now and what do you make of

the way he has been able to respond to two beautiful frames from Ronnie

O'Sullivan? Yes, it was a great performance. Although he didn't win

it in the visit we thought he might. He still took two chances. Ronnie

missed a black when he was in. He was looking at his tip, but it was

an awkward shot. It is sort of a half-shot. They are missable. We

didn't expect him to miss it. But 10-7 would be an incredible result

for Selby. He did look at the tip of his cue and he has changed I once. I

think he has had three tips on. Well that, we were thinking back to the

time he played Graeme Dott and changed his tip six or seven times.

It doesn't appear to faze him problems like that? No, he seems to

be able to play with whatever is on the end of his cue. He uses a tip

that is a cheap tip in the whole range of tips. You can go through a

whole box and not find many good ones. You buy boxes of 50, you don't

get many of them and there are the better ones out there. How much is a

box of 50? I don't know, I never pay for them. You don't pay for themmer

thchlt what am -- you don't pay for them either. The ones can be ?10 a

tip, but the ones Ronnie uses is 50p. Very big final frame of the

second session? Yes, I think the the way Ronnie played he would be

disappointed. Back we go. What will it be? Rrn going for the distance or

-- Ronnie O'Sullivan going for the distance or Mark Selby? or Mark

distance or MarkSelby? or Mark Selby? ?

Both players were out of the arena to compose themselves.

Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks off with that 50 pence tip on the cue that

Steve Davis said and it is a pretty good break-off. This is the shot

they were talking about. He seen a little fieber in his eye line and

just took his concentration away. Superbly played. What a terrific

shot that was. And a little tap on the table from Ronnie in

appreciation. It is a big frame and that was, he was in a spot of bother

there. He has hit that so thick, but I

think he is OK. That is what he thinks of that shot!

For a moment I thought he had cleared the black, because the black

was tied up and the two reds have gone either side of it. So it is a

bit awkward again. This is the shot, watch it clears

the black and knocks the red away but then a series of little kisses

left it awkward again. He will be disappointed with that.

You can see the look on his face. When you're that close to the reds

at this level and you don't find the baulk cushion, you make it that

much... REFEREE: Can you ask him to leave please. Totally unnecessary.

For your opponent to play a better safety.

The crowd here, they are fantastic. But occasionally you get one person

shouting ow. Probably they have never been to the Crucible before.

You want the enthusiasm. But it is about timing. It is such an intimate

theatre here. It is a bit special. We met a few people at lunch and tea

tooichl time that were here for the first time and I bet they're

enjoying every minute of this. Just rolling into them. He had a

good look at everything. So I assume he has left nothing. We need a

touching ball here now to resolve this. They both looked at one

another. I think this will be a re-rack. Both players agree. No

reason why not. There is the crowd again. And this is the second

re-rack we have had this evening. But I bet they're enjoying every

single minute of this. Not that easy to get tickets to come to the

Crucible theatre. It is nice to get a wave from them all. That is for

the winner, that beautiful trophy there. REFEREE: Ronnie O'Sullivan to

break. Ronnie gets ready to break off in this final frame.

For the second time. I have noticed every time, or most of the time

Ronnie breaks off, that red seems to come right next to the black and

puts it out of commission. He is not intending to do that. But it is

amazing the number of time ps it happens. He is hitting the end red

with lots of side. A decent length with the cue ball.

The black now has gone up the side cushion.

That is going to make the frame turn a little bit awkward.

This one a risky red. I'm looking at whether he can get around the back

of the two reds near the black spot. He is having to punch this in.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Well he has got a prolonged round of

applause for that superb opening pot. Spl

He had the butt of the cue raised and he had to punch it in. I tell

you what, that was so accurate. John mentioned that black being out

of the game and Mark having to work hard for these points here.

Just look at this. - watch the white leave the bed. It is just bouncing

all the way down. And he has caught it absolutely spot on.

Not sure if the pink is available into the left corner. In a couple of

shots time. I tell you what, it is available

now. But he is not on a red. That was a bit unlucky. He played that

with so much top spin. It was unfortunate to stick in there. That

is the problem when you come off a cushion like that. Particularly as

he was having to stun it. There wasn't a lot of pace left in the cue

ball. I am sure Mark Selby, no matter what

he has gone through today, realises the importance of this frame. This

is massive in his cause. ? He has picked it out nicely. I'm

just wondering if he can take a pot on to the right corer. There might

be a gap between the reds. That is what he is looking at now.

That is very risky. He will be aware he may kiss the red on the left-hand

side of the table. A bit pacy again. Will he drop in

tight behind the green? That is a bit of a result for Ronnie there.

You're playing to get the white tight on the baulk cushion. If you

happen to come up behind the colour, that is a bonus.

He will have to try and get to the two that is near the black spot to

come in bemind those. He is going for the old two-cushion

escape and back down the table. Brilliant. That is such a difficult

shot. Is Is there a gap to take the pot

on? There is always a gap, as JB says. The amount of right-hand side

he put on that, that was a sensational pot. Just watch the side

when it comes off the top cushion. There was so much right-hand side.

He is not certain to get this safe. There is no two-cushion escape with

pace on here. Have a look at this line. Is he is

going to reach? REFEREE: Foul and a miss. The same shot. A bit more

pace. But he has got to get the same line.

Hasn't got the line on this. Is there a red to the right middle

pocket? There is, that is the one he is looking at. Is it too risk y? If

it is not simple, he would have it put back.

He wants to get in and get his hand on the table.

Third time lucky, he has more pace on it this time. This looks

brilliant. But will he push that red on? Not quite. Excellent escape.

That is all he can hope for, get out of the snooker and leave it safe.

Ronnie keeping the heat on and if Mark can't get past this pink, to

play safe down the left-hand side of the table, which is danger Reus any

way -- dangerous any way, he has a problem here.

He is having a long, hard look at it. There is very little of that red

sticking out. He is coming around to look from the other side.

I don't think he can see that red. There is a very slight bit sticking

out there. With being tight on the cushion, you wouldn't fancy it. On

the face of it, it is such a fine edge of the red, if you come off the

top cushion and nestle into the reds. That looks easy enough. But if

you just don't judge the pace right, you hit it too hard. You can leave a

red on. You need a steely nerve to play this.

That is what he is thinking of coming off the top cushion and

nestling into the reds. A difficult way to go this for me.

This is a terrific shot. An absolute beauty!

Not as much pace as he wanted there. It's still OK. He had a few very

quick frames. This one has been going now for, be coming to just

under 14 minutes. Oh, I tell you what, Ronnie miss hit

that altogether and he got through a gap there that, when he hit it too

thin, he thought he was going to career into the reds. Just have a

look at this. Mark Selby, that is what he knew he had miss hit that,

but this is a key shot coming up. You can expect this. In this last

frame. Because it is so important. Certainly from Mark's point of view.

The second red went to the left-hand side. So he caught the fist red

fuller than he intended. The yellow has stopped the easy return back to

baulk. That would have been the red on the left hand side of the table.

The red went towards the right corner. But it has gone to the

cushion. That won't tempt Ronnie. The only thing with this red to the

right of the black, which looks the obvious red to play safe off, there

is a chance, you have to be careful that the red, if it hits the cushion

might bring the black in, back into the middle of table and you could

get the double-kiss. He managed to avoid the black. But

he has not got a very good pace with the cue ball. Is he going to run

that cue ball? It has. I had a quick glance to Mark before he got out of

his seat. And he just sort of had the feeling that cue ball was going

to run on and he wasn't going to be able to get to this red over the

corner. Such a frustrating game sometimes.

He might have to give this a bit of thought. He was looking away, he

said it may have covered I. -- it. He can get past the pink to get back

down the table. But how does he hide, if he hides the cue ball where

the tip of the cue is he would to have been more or less tight on the

cushion and near the pocket. Has he got the white where he

wanted? It is a pretty good effort. He still can pot this, Ronnie. To be

fair to Mark, he has left it as difficult as he could. This is no

gimme. Watch the cue ball it will head towards the red to the right of

the black. Now the chance is there. That wasn't

an easy pot, but what a shot Mark Selby played to get that white in

that position. It really was special.

He took the risk. And it worked. Ronnie missed that difficult cut.

This was the shot where he tried to get the white down in that corner.

If he does get out of this, just three behind at 10-7, it will make

it very interesting tomorrow. He still has got definitely pink and

blue to play on. He would like it to go on to the brown spot. Then it

doesn't tie up the reds. Mark made four century breaks in his

semi final with Neil Robertson. His highest break is still 58. If he

gets out of it 10-7 he would be more than pleased. He could come out

fresh tomorrow. And it would be final on. He was 84% earlier. He is

now up to 88% with his pot success rate.

This one clears the path for the other. A bit too pacy. He would

rather have been straighter on the blue. You would think he would play

the blue. If he played the black he would cannon into the yellow. The

green's too straight. He will have to judge this nicely. No straight

forward cannon into the red. All depends on what sort of red he

has got. Either red to All depends on what sort of red he

pocket. He can play for the pink in the middle. He doesn't have to play

pocket. He can play for the pink in the pot with too much pace.

Look where he is hitting the cue ball. Has he got enough? A little

flick would help here. And I think he got the flick. I think he is on

the red. Ronnie, well, as Mark looks on, it must be very tight. Yes,

48-point lead and he can just get through to this red.

One more red. It will have to be the pink.

Well as John said, just the one more red needed.

I think he will sleep comfortably tonight, Mark Selby.

His breaks are getting higher. This is now his highest break of the

match. So signs that he is finding a bit

better form. Doesn't matter about that. Ronnie comes forward to shake

his hand. Mark Selby will be delighted. It looked a if Ronnie was

going to walk away with the match. But Mark Selby is right back in. He

trials by three frames. It is 10-7 to Ronnie.

STUDIO: Mark Selby survived a turn around from his semi final. A top

break of 62. And he is only three frames behind. Ronnie has made two

centuries and five other 50 breaks and there is not a much daylight as

I'm sure he would have liked at this stage. Steve and Stephen are

watching. How dangerous could Mark Selby be for the Rocket? What a

trier. You have got to stick in there times. -- sometimes. You could

see he was proud of himself. And quite rightly so. Every day, every

session is a different day. Come out refreshed. Not that I think he was

tired throughout the last part of that. But just see what p has. What

do you sense about what happened with Ronnie tonight? I think he will

be a bit disappointed the first four frames he let himself get drawn into

that type of snooker. We have seen him play two frames very quickly. I

can't wait to see how Mark Selby comes out tomorrow. It is game on?

Yes, the first frame, of the morning, of the afternoon session,

it is big. But they all are. It is just fascinate fog watch. Mark

Selby's highest break sois low. What happens if he starts to hit form.

And we have seen him do it. He has got back to 10-7, he is still

chasing. The first frame is also important for the chasing manage v

-- manage. What do you think of it so far? John has been monitoring

your reaction on social media. There would be a link between Parrot and

tweets, but I'm not going to go for that. Thank you. Bob says. Every now

and then in sport somebody comes along who is too good for everyone

else. That is Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker.

That is interesting at work, that is what he will need to be tomorrow. It

is a long way from over this match. We have another eight frames

tomorrow afternoon and then down to the wire. But will it go down to the

wire? Can you imagine the match getting very close? I couldn't at

10-5. I am not absolutely sure that he can turn it around. But who

knows? It is impossible to say. So many times we have been sitting here

trying to analyse what is going on. A flick of a ball can change things.

Usually Ronnie has a session where he blows his opponent away and he

hasn't so far. What changes between day one and two? Well you have a

night sleep, if you don't get a good night's sleep, because you're

thinking about things and you're worrying, looking over your

shoulder, that is not good. I don't think that is happening with Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Mark Selby, well, I think he will be inspired for his

afternoon session and come out and give it a good go. Steve? Yeah, I am

waiting for Ronnie, he has been good, but I'm waiting for him to

catch fire. It has been a very long day. And it has been a long 16 Tace

here -- - days in Sheffield. One more to go. I hope you will be able

to put off the things you can do on bank holiday Monday, because this

holiday is made for the World Championship final here at the

Crucible. So clear the decks, join us tomorrow at 2 o'clock. Session

three, be there. See you soon.