Day 3, Part 1 Snooker: World Championship

Hello, and a good morning to you. Welcome to the Crucible Theatre here

in Sheffield, day three of the 2014 World Snooker Championship. Two

former champions already through to the second round, Ronnie O'Sullivan

safely through on Saturday night and yesterday the 1997 world champion

Ken Doherty beat world number six Stuart Bingham, one of the greatest

stories of the Crucible so far. Today, Michael White of Wales takes

on UK Championship finalist Mark Sullivan.

Well, Mark has worked so hard on his technique in the early part of his

career he had a lot of movement with his head, he was so far away with

his bridge hand from the cue ball and he has worked very hard on those

two departments of his game. He still moves his head slightly, years

working on that, but, listen, to get to world number one, what a player.

When you talk about temperament, Mark Selby is the one to watch.

He is undoubtedly one of the best of all time. The cat Higgins, Davies,

all of those great players of years ago, he is up there with the best of

them. Mark has had a wad of problem with his neck and has had his career

curtailed somewhat due to that. -- Mark has had a neck problem.

Considering all that, to have had the seasons he has had recently, I

think there is certainly a lot more to come. In Mark you are looking at

one of the best match players the game has ever seen.

I have seen them play against Ronnie O'Sullivan and he has totally

outplayed him, not many people can do that. He is such a solid

all-round match player and is a treat to watch. He has been coming

to my club since 14 years old plane from 7am up until midnight.

He was never the greatest player at the start of his career but his

professionalism has made him one of the greatest players of all time.

For someone who was hovering around the number one in the world spot for

the last few years, you might think his record is a little bit as

appointing, particularly in ranking events.

Only one final in the World Championship. He wants that on his

CV and that will be his goal for this season and seasons to come, he

is capable of being a world champion.

Our three experts casting their eye over that man, Mark Selby, getting

ready to start his 2014 campaign against Michael White, who I have

two C was very runner-up -- relaxed in the practice room earlier this

morning. That is on table two, our live match for you this morning.

Over on table one Jamie Burnett leads Joe Perry by six frames to

three. Let's join the game. Rob Walker. Thank you, Jason, Monday

morning and they are still not back at work.

Hence the brilliant atmosphere for another dramatic day at the World

Snooker Championship. Last night we had two 10-9 thrillers. Will we have

the same today? Let's find out. Please welcome a player who earns

his fourth appearance here are the hard way after three qualifying

rounds. He has arrived fully warmed up and ready to go, bidding for his

maiden Crucible win this morning, proudly flying the flag for

Scotland, here comes Jamie Burnett! And his opponent, after a great

season he is back in the world's top 16. He has made major semifinals in

China and at the Welsh open and what a memorable year in 2008 when he

made the last four here. From Cambridge here comes the gentleman

Joe Perry! And now, please welcome the return

of us stand out -- standout debutant from last year's Championship. He

enjoyed a memorable run to the quarterfinals. He has booked his

second Crucible appearance, the pride of Wales, years Michael White

lightning! -- C is. And, finally, please welcome one of

the most colourful characters on the circuit. Three times a winner of the

Masters, he has made three major finals this season and produced one

of the most memorable 147s in history at York in the UK

Championship. This is his 10th successive year at the Crucible, the

Jester from Leicester, Mark Selby! What could be better? Bank holiday

Monday morning snooker for you, sit back, relax and enjoy. Remember,

Michael White reached the World Championship quarterfinals on his

debut Crucible last year eventually losing out to Ricky Walden. This

will be terrific. Good morning to our commentators, John Parrott and

Terry Griffiths. Good morning. COMMENTATOR: Good morning,

everybody, what should be a very attractive match here this morning.

Michael White acquitted himself very well last year and he is up against

one of the world's greatest in Mark Selby. I have known this man for a

long time, Michael White. You are helping him out at the

moment? I would not say hoping an outcome I am giving him a little bit

of advice you unfair. I remember him coming to my club

around eight years old, he was a top player then, really come in his age

group. It is nice to see him mature through the ranks into the

professional game and have some success. Years carrying on the

strong tradition we have in Wales. We have Dominic Dale and of course,

Ryan Day, who won last night. Just a little clip of this. Trying

to get round of the angles come inside the blue. What you don't want

to do with that shot is stick a red over the corner. That is a poor shot

he has played there. Blue is available to keep position

on the loose red. Not fully committing himself to the

position, but he is on the red. Quite a contrast in styles year.

Mark Selby is one of the best all-round players in the game come

his safety is as good as most, and Michael White, the younger

player... I did not expect him to miss that.

Early on, a bit of early-morning nerves there. I think he went for

it. As I was saying, Michael White is a

very aggressive player. We saw him last year when he got to the

quarterfinal. Like most of the young players, they tended to play very

open. They scored very well when they are on form.

Yes, I have to say it is one of the features that has slightly changed

in Mark's game. I remember seeing him a couple of years ago in the

Masters when his heavy breaks and scoring was a great feature. He's a

great safety player and tactician, as well, but then he was scoring

heavily, as well. It just looks like that side of his game has gone

slightly awry in the last few seasons, he does not score as many

centuries as he was doing then. But he has changed into one of the best

match players you will ever see. Very hard to beat, and I am pretty

sure he would like to get a little bit more fluency back, where the

scoring is concerned. There was a good chance here, because he has a

lot of frames to play at the World Championship, so you can get

yourself going. That looked as if it was a very easy

shot to play, that, he has covered all the reds with the black, but if

you try and play that on a club table you will likely get it one out

of 20. He has a very good touch, Mark Selby, very good judgement on

pace and safety play. I think you are right, John, he has perhaps

relied on little too much on his safety. It is not what he would

want, but he knows he can outplay the majority of the players on the

circuit with his safety, not all of them, of course. At the end of the

day, you have to score points. Against the very best players you

have to score heavy. Just looking at this from my

position in the commentary box, I wonder whether he could sneak past

the blue for the red. He does not fancy it, obviously that

is not on. A little bit cat and mouse at the moment.

Good pupil there from Michael. -- cue ball. It may just be a role up

to the back of the pack for Mark Selby here.

He is raising the butt of the cue, and this is one you have to fit

right. -- hit. He has played it reasonably well.

There should not be any problems for Michael to get back there if he

wants to. The red on the right-hand side is easy to come back behind the

black spot again. This should be the choice. You really want to get this

cue ball absolutely tight on the cushion, if you can.

And that is a mistake. He hit that really poorly there.

He did not get into the cue ball at all. Instead of it coming back to

the left it came off nearly straight and it has left this cut into the

centre pocket. Michael's only hope there is that Mark Selby does not

get position. And he has not. Very tricky, that.

Not too many frames you see with the ball is spread like this. -- the

balls. He just flipped off that read, he was trusting to a little

bit of luck. You cannot do much else, you can only part that red

playing ball and hope you get lucky. -- you can only pot that red.

Yes, as my dear old dad used to say, it looks like an explosion in a

paint factory. All over the place. That was not great, either. He has

had two shots, the last couple of CDs, where the cue ball has not come

back far enough. Mark Selby may be tempted here to take this pot on. In

fact, I am sure he will be. -- the last couple of shots.

Playing for the yellow in the centre, not leaving anything else

on. It is the golden rule, especially in these long matches,

you cannot make errors like he did one after the other. Everyone makes

mistakes but when you have made one you have to concentrate hard to make

sure you keep it tight after that in a safety boat. -- match.

Sometimes they are the ones you tripped up on, because it is not

difficult you do not put the concentration into it. I think I am

not in any trouble here, I will just play the shot, but as you see, not

enough on the cue ball and consequently he is now sitting down

watching. There are three reds he can play

for, if he plays anywhere he will be on one of them, but you're better

off to play in the exact position. The problem is, when you start going

up towards the baulk colours, you're not getting so many points. The

coloured balls are all low numbers down there.

That was a slightly funny choice of shot, I probably would have

preferred the red next to the green here. He has slightly gone into it,

so it should not be a problem. It looks like he can hold it.

Just played on the yellow, instead, as you say, Terry. It is just a

multitude of yellows and greens and not scoring many points. Better to

get up this end. Do you know the minimum number of

points you can score to win a frame, John? I am just about to be told!

You think I know the answer, do you? No, I'm not going to tell you.

Sorry. If you break-off and smash the rents

up and part the 15 reds and go in off -- smash the reds, then go

in-off, that is for Michael points, then you get up to the pink and you

have won it. That is it, not difficult. -- that is four points.

Meanwhile, Mark Selby, potting his way around the table. Highly unusual

table, it has to be said, with the ball is being where they are, but he

is taking this very well. -- with the balls. Sometimes with the balls

being all over the table it is a slightly different way of thinking.

A nice way to start the match, this. OK, he missed an opening red

by quite a way, a bit nervous to start off, but this chance has been

taken reasonably well, he has not really been out of position at all.

Just to get a settled down, try and get that first frame on the board.

-- just get settled down. Yes, this has been excellent. We

mentioned, Mark Selby needs to be scoring in this year's

Championship, and this is an early indication that that is exactly what

he is going to do. Very impressive. And it also tells Michael White that

if he plays any loose safety shots, this is what he can expect.

What about this for a shot? That is brilliant. It is all happening.

Well played, Mark Selby. That was Michael White with that lacks safety

shot, and that wonderful clearance to 95 takes the opening frame, he

leads 1-0. And we can have a little look at

what Michael White did in that frame, Terry. The safety shot cost

him there. Yes, it was a poor attempt, you did

not get enough backspin on that. -- C did not.

I am sure you know what he was trying to do, get the white tight on

the cushion. It was all he had to go for, it was a difficult one, and a

typical Mark Selby game with lots of good safety play from Mark then he

scores. He had a couple of similar shots, Michael, one up this end of

the table he did not quite get to the top cushion, then Mark clipped

the lead and did not get position, then he played virtually the same

shot at the other end and it didn't quite get there.

It is early in the match, sometimes you expect the table to be more

reactive, but he has just found out whether or not Mark Selby is in good

form or not, that is for sure. He is one of those players that

break-off from the unusual side, I call it. Everyone else who is

right-handed generally goes between yellow and brown with the cue ball,

but the same effect, really. Players try and get the cue ball tight on

the cushion. Then get the ball behind yellow and green, if

possible. Really you would like cue ball tight on the cushion, there is

a better chance of forcing safety error from your opponent.

That is an excellent shot, that is really good. That is what he will

have to do. Appreciation from Mark Selby, tapping the table. I like

that, appreciation for a good shot from your opponent. You do not

always mean it, but it is nice to go and do it.

There you go. If you play good safety, you get good opportunities.

He hit that far too thick. Yes, that was caused by the cue ball

begin tight on the cushion. Never easy for any player from there. --

being tight. Can he play this dead weight or does

he have to bring it around for the blue?

He is OK. Now then, these are the chances that Michael White needs to

take today in this match to beat Mark Selby.

He played very well in his opening round. It is the first time Michael

White has been in the top 32, which is a big achievement for him. It

keeps him moving forward in the rankings, you cannot ask much more

than that. I did not know he was 6-3 behind, that is a really good

result. Matt is a good player.

He should be used to the Crucible. As I say, he was here before, had a

good result. He beat Dechawat Poomjaeng convincingly. It always

stand you in good stead coming to the Crucible, the first time you

have a look around, get used to the venue. I know there are players who

have turned up first time and played well here, but there is nothing like

the experience. It is totally different.

Choice now of safety or pot, of course. Just have a look then if you

can take this red into the right corner and hold the cue ball

somewhere near the middle pocket. He would be on the blue then and would

not leave an easy shot 14 Mark Selby. -- and easy shot four Mark

Selby. He did not fancy it, did not get a

good length on the cue ball. He will be kicking himself, to be

honest, because that would really good chance. He needed a little

stunned of the black to play for the list red and played it poorly. The

opportunity has gone West there. that wasn't the best from Mark Selby

either. He hit that one thick. So even though he made that 95 in the

first, still feeling in a bit. Two pool safetys. -- poor.

They are not playing great coverage you think we have any chance of

playing them in a doubles match? Or do not fancy as a doubles partner?

-- do you not. I said they were struggling a bit, I didn't say they

were gone! Awkward here. It is the red on the

right-hand side of the table causing the problem.

I didn't see that one. One fluke each so far, and more to come. See,

he caught that red on the way back up. A bit unlucky not to be perfect

on a colour. And I was going to say he is a very

good rest player. I'm glad I did and I was going to say he is a very good

rest player. I'm glad I didn't now. He's not the tallest lad in the

world now, but when he was very young and started playing, he was an

excellent rest player. He will be very disappointed. he has had a

result where he has finished. I don't know if there is up pot

available for Mark Selby. -- a pot. Got a chance here with the red in

the left corner. Not a 100% certainty to avoid the reds in the

blue area. He was always going to be on a

colour. How is his luck this time? Could have been worse.

Mark is just coming down to survey the scene, see if the black Wilco.

He obviously thinks this isn't too bad to cut into the yellow pocket,

as we call it. Just the one question, hit that

nicely. And obviously, it goes. So this is a good chance.

Could have done with a bit more on the cue ball, but he is OKed.

Three colours than the bottom off the spot, so he may stay then this

site, get more points per colour with pink and black available. --

stayed down the side. He would ideally like an angle on

this red to get back down for the black, but with the pink going on

the blue spot, he could play up there as well. Just depends on his

angle. Yes, so it is up for the pink. And a

bit of a kick as well. Doesn't seem to have done too much damage, I

think he's the right side of the pink. You see the two balls leaving

the bed of the table. No greater damage done, might have to force an

angle. -- no great damage. Michael White hasn't settled down

yet, he is struggling a bit out there. Not great when somebody is on

the table all the time and you are making a few errors. Such an

uncomfortable seat. Back -- that was really well played,

very well controlled. There is a cannon into the pack.

Played really well. A little bit unlucky that one of the loose reds

has come out and gone on top. He is on one no problem but that read

coming out and sitting on the other one has made it difficult. -- that

red. Does he have an angle to pot this

black and disturb the two reds? No, he is virtually straight. I don't

think the other two reds behind the pink spot are perfect. He is just

looking to see how high he has got to get. So there is work to be done.

16 points is the lead. Not over the line yet.

Yes, best shot of the morning. He did absolutely perfectly.

I am very impressed with Mark Selby this morning. Hardly any mistakes,

scoring wise, very impressive indeed. If he is going to win this

year's World Championships, and a lot of people think he is in with a

chance, he has to improve his scoring and that is what he has been

doing. And since I gave him the builder, he goes and plays his worst

shot this morning. -- the build up. Got to stay high on the black and he

knew it as soon as he heated. Lost the cue ball. -- as he hit it. All

of that work and still not over the line.

No interest in taking the Black or the brown on, he's playing the

yellow safe and probably a snooker behind the green. Good effort.

Yes, very surprised there. Perfect position and he knew straightaway he

had let the cue ball go. That is what Hawkeye is telling us he should

have done. It has never played a bad shot, has it, Hawkeye? Not yet.

He has hit the reds, all of these things are happening to Michael

White and it went helping to settle. I thought he may have had a glimmer

when Mark Selby lost position but he didn't quite hit those reds as

intended. There is not really an easy red in

the Crucible but Mark Selby has had one in the first few frames this

morning. Michael White stays in his seat.

Michael Selby goes 2-0 in front. Yes, 2-0 to Mark Selby but there was

a cracking shot played in that break. He may have lost the cue ball

in the end but this was a superb shot. he has to get right back into

the cue ball, screw back on the reverse side and get over to the

other side to hit the bottom red. Throwing the angle wider and he

couldn't have hit it better. Beautifully played. And he looks in

good scoring form, it has to be said. He is probably one of those

players, you would have him in the top three or four of the best

players never to win a championship. Jimmy White is obviously one of

those but Mark Selby would be up there with him. Yes, he came close

one year but lost in the final to John Higgins. He came back from 12-3

behind. Fantastic performance but he ended up getting beaten. He got

involved in one of the matches where it is the best I ever saw anyone

play at the Crucible and lose. He lost 13-12 to John Higgins and

produced unbelievable snooker. It was a monumental performance to

knock him out. So he is capable. And this is the big one that he wants.

Yes, he has won the UK and the Masters, looked upon as the majors.

And remarkably, if you ask people how many ranking events Mark Selby

has one, I wouldn't think too many people think it is only three. --

won. An amazing stat for someone who has played in finals and played so

well. You are used to seeing him lifting trophies but he has only won

three ranking events. Three ranking events, he has made 333 centuries.

Andy lives at number three in Leicester! -- and E.

This is just what Michael White was looking for, and easy starter. He

had an easy chance in the last frame, got amongst the balls for the

first time and lost position. That will have hurt him.

He played for the blue. Not a lot of table to aim for out there.

And these tables being so quick, you don't have to be off your game too

much to lose the cue ball. They really are rapid. These tables are

shaved down, there is hardly any nap in them. The cushions have been very

quick as well, we have noticed that in the championship so far. So it

can take you a while to get used to your cue ball control. That was an

excellent shot. He is playing the stun across. He

could hold it. He needs to calm himself down a bit now, take a bit

of time, get into a zone, make sure he is focused. He is changing his

mind to three times, sometimes you think you want to stand up and start

again but he managed to negotiate it. I agree, he is a little bit on

edge, understandably. That doesn't help a lot. That was a

gimme. I can't even see what he was playing for. He must have been

playing for those two reds that go into the yellow pocket. Unless there

is a planned on. -- a plant on. Selby has been here, he had three

matches here last year... There is nothing that is unmissable, but that

is close to it. When you see that situation, you wonder why he didn't

drop on the red on the top. Not easy but just as well as playing that

one. But as you say, shouldn't be missing the black.

It wasn't a good safety by Michael White but still an excellent pot

from Mark Selby. Plenty of distance between the two balls.

Struck it as well as he possibly could. A bit awkward now. Always

easily missed, those shots. The good thing to him, he didn't get good

position. I'm still surprised he missed it. Especially with his

scoring this morning. Breaks of 95 and 57 and looking pretty fluid

doing it. Now, can Michael White sneak past that pack of reds for the

black? You have already had one chance,

Michael, you have got to go to work now.

There is one red about the black but a cannon into the pack would be

great, open it out and stay on those reds.

It is strange the way some people make the breaks these days. You have

got to play the cannon into the pack. If you play that, you cannot

not be on a red and you open more out. It is strange the way he played

that. Still not a straightforward here. --

still not straightforward. He could just about get the other side of the

pack. Hit it well. He played that really well. He can see the side

just kicking in. He is just making things a little

bit hard for himself. I am harping on about it, but if he had played a

positive shot into the pack, open the balls out and make the break

easy of yourself. He is trying to pick reds out at the moment and the

way he is feeling, it is not the right way. Give yourself more

options. -- easy on yourself. Hard to cannon that read. It has

gone wrong. -- red. We go on about the earlier shot but he is on the

black perfectly. In that situation, hit the back of the pack, get on a

red, put some more in play and make the break easy. He is not on his

own, there are more players doing that. But I can bet your bottom

dollar, Ronnie O'Sullivan would have been into that pack. First thing he

would have looked at. As it turned out, it didn't cost him too much.

Michael White is usually one to try and get in the reds. It was unusual.

Perhaps he is trying to make things as simple as possible or not

thinking clearly, who knows? We have all been there, you are cautious and

try not to make mistakes but unfortunately, you stop doing what

you are good at. And what he is good at is scoring, there is no doubt.

A little awkward here, unless he can get through past the blue to the

right-hand side. No problem. Didn't played perfectly,

but the main objective of any safety shot is to keep the object all safe.

-- object ball safe. That is Hawkeye's view of it and it

is not particularly attractive, is it? He won't be taking the pot on, I

think, unless he is forced into it. He has got him in a spot of bother.

You can't get back to baulk, the yellow is covering half of the pack.

I think he's going to try and swerve it.

He overdid it. A tricky shot, this. And the tricky bit is going to be

getting it spot on where it was before.

Referee is looking for it. Mark is just saying to check on the monitor.

Which we have. It is on the back of the table. They are able to look at

it. Just checking where it was. Everybody seemed happy enough.

May be doesn't fancy the same shot again. Change of plan.

Amazing. He refused the very give a gold safety shot to go before the

pot. It was there the first time, of course. I said the shot in the last

frame was the shot of the morning and that has just beaten it. What a

shot that was. To get out of the amount of trouble

he was in and have a scoring opportunity, but is fantastic from

Mark Selby. He was in some bother but that was a fantastic opening

red. I think Mark Selby is up there with

John Higgins and Steve Davis the with the best tactical players in

the game. He might not have quite the belief

of those players, because they had so much success, but he has plenty

of time. I think if he wins this World Championships, and I am sure

at some point he will, it will give him a hell of a boost of confidence

and take him to another level. It has been a remarkable turnaround

that the way he approaches the game. When he first came onto, he had set

up an action that looked very amateurish and realised it wouldn't

take him very far in the game. His cue action change, got more compact

-- changed. What shot is. Brilliant attempt. He

has got a red in the centre. He has played some shots this morning,

certainly in this break. This is quality match play of the

very highest level. He has kept things tight, he knows his opponent

is struggling a little bit and he is making the most of it. Keeping the

pressure on Michael White, keeping him in his chair.

It is all going wrong this morning. He nearly got the red on a double,

then he got the in-off. Mark Selby Justin looks at the scoreboard, 23

ahead. He could go into a 3-0 lead, he will definitely be taking it on.

24 point lead, just what the black, no need for any heroics. -- just

pot. He made sure he potted the black

there. It is only one snooker to tie, so he still has to be careful.

Was that carefully enough for you, John?

Yes, I agree entirely, Terry, it is quality match play at the minute

from Mark Selby. Even when he loses position there is always a good shot

played afterwards. He does keep the pressure on his opponent, he potted

of the black and played an excellent safety shot, forced another mistake.

He is keeping the pressure on his opponent this morning. 3-0 down, not

had a lot of people time. -- table time.

And his young opponent concedes, Mark Selby with some quality

matchplay takes the 3-0 lead. 3-0, and he played a couple of

cracking shots in that particular frame. One of them on the blue,

superb cueing. To hit this and go around the ankles to try and

manoeuvre of the reds was a brilliant shot. The ball jumped up

in the air, came back and can end the reds. -- and cannon the reds.

You can see after he made contact with the object ball, he has to try

and retain the spin. When it hits the ball it will take a little bit

of the speed from the cue ball, but that was a wonderful shot from Mark

Selby. No room for error, at all. He seems in pretty good form. 3-0 up

and you just feel as if Michael White really has to get playing this

morning in this frame. You do not want to be going into the interval

4-0 down. He has had a couple of chances.

He has missed a couple of sitters. He has to start playing.

I mentioned earlier that Michael White is very aggressive and likes

to get into the balls and knock long balls in and make breaks, but so far

in this match he has missed his chances when he got in the balls,

and missed a few easy pots, as well. But his safety is not good enough to

then hold him in the game. Selby, if he is not playing well, his safety

is good enough to hold him in the game. These players are not at their

very best, but even his bead game is very strong. Whereas Michael, he

just needs to lift it up a little bit. -- his B game.

No more than half a chance there. If he was on full swing, Michael White,

he would have made that one. When you struggle out there, every shot

increases in difficulty by a few degrees every time. Until you start

making a few, getting a frame on the board and meeting a few breaks, it

is a very lonely place out there. -- making a few breaks.

Yes, it is not like Saturday afternoon, if you don't feel like

playing you can pass the ball to your mates. We have all done it

here, been on the chair on the end of a few somethings. You just have

to sit and suffer and hope when you get your chances you can take them.

-- been on the end of a few thumpings. Unfortunately he is up

against someone who does not make it easy for you, even when he's not

playing at his best. All of the players come here with

great expectations, but when you start very slowly, like Michael

White has come and your opponent is playing well, it is a tough pill to

swallow. You are so excited, everyone is nervous, including

Selby... He has misjudged that, he did not

manage to avoid the knuckle of the middle.

He is giving him another go. I think his judgement of angles is

as good as Alan McManus, who we call angles. He will be on in the

Championship leader on against John Higgins. -- later on. Yes, this

afternoon, that one starts, two pals who have grown up together playing

each other in the club. Alan McManus and John Higgins were

actually sitting next to each other when the draw was made in the

championships, both wondering who they were going to get, and they

ended up getting each other. So the practice they had scheduled for the

next day was cancelled immediately. Mark is just going to pass the

centre pocket and slide down into the pack. Brilliantly paid. -- laid.

-- played. Mark Selby knows his way around the

snooker table as good as anybody. I know that Michael came from 6-3

down to beat Matthew Selt in qualifying, but you do not want to

go six - three down against Mark Selby.

It is absolute rubbish by his high standard, I must say.

As it turns out he has been a little fortunate there. Michael can get

past the pink to get to that red. Past the black, I meant. Well, he

could. REFEREE: As quietly as possible,

please. The referee just asking for a little

bit of order on the table on the other side, their frame has finished

so they are all having a little chat.

You can see the auditorium, people standing up, having a little stretch

between frames. That is two shots on the spin he has

not hit correctly, safety wise. Just looking at his choices, it is

very awkward with that black on the right-hand side of the pack there.

He may just roll into the reds, that is the shot he is looking at. It is

not a short you see a lot of these days, but it looks like the obvious

one. -- it is not a shot. Just trundle down and try and stick onto

the reds, that is all you can do. Playing it with a little bit of

drag, trying to take the play -- the pace off.

He has probably set himself up for a bit of trouble, really. If he can

just snick off that read he will leave it in a line with the yellow

and blue. He has stunned it in there. He must not have been able to

play that, and he has played that very well indeed. Excellent shot.

That is as good a safety as he has played this morning.

Yes, you mentioned Mark Selby played and rags shot -- a drag shot. This

is what drag is, hitting it at the bottom, follow-through, the ball has

backspin and all of a sudden down the path it will turn round and

convert to top spin and get to the object ball. He played it really

well. I must confess, I did not see that

one. Mark Selby just having a little

laugh. Here is the flick coming up, off that one, hitting that one, in.

Did you teach him that, Kerry? It was always on. -- Terry.

His safety has been a bit better this frame, Michael White.

Mark Selby is struggling a little bit here. If he is struggling to

find angles, then everybody would be!

He has not done really well after the last few years. After Barry

Hawkins he went out two years ago in the first round then in the second

round last year. He had some wrist trouble, didn't he? I think he had

some problems with his wrist. Still number three in the world committee

has been up to number one few times. -- number three in the world, he has

been. This will have to be superb. Nowhere

near. It must be tricky, as you say, if Mark Selby did not know where he

was going. One thing about it, he has had a look at it, he should do

better the second time. It is not easy to judge the angles

when the cue ball is very close to the first cushion you are striking.

There is no doubt he was trying to get to the right-hand side of those

reds on the right of the ink. -- Inc.

He is on the pink this time. REFEREE: Foul and this, Michael

White six. -- foul and a miss.

There are no marks on those cushions, you have to judge it.

REFEREE: Foul and a miss. Michael White, six.

Just looking to see if he can get through the gap, he obviously can't,

so it is going straight back. He is just a fraction off getting

into those reds here, but you cannot blame him for persisting with this

shot, it is the right one to play. Yes, there are plenty of reds on the

table, but he obviously does not want to stick one of those up. It is

just worth giving away those penalty points to get where he wants to be.

Attempt number four. Well, he has hit it, but he has left

one. He may have left two. Not straightforward, but Michael I

think will be a bit surprised to have a chance, with Mark so good at

escaping. He could pot here, or stun round. It is a brave shot into this

pocket. It gives him an absolutely perfect angle on the black.

It is not easy. But a long read into the corner leads you on the black

with a great chance. 3-0 down, not had a lot of table time, is it too

much to take on? Well, he is going for it. I suppose he could play a

run throughout the table, but I suppose if you are going to play

this you will play it properly and go for the black. Is it in? Well

played. Good call, John. There was a risk

involved, but this young man does play with an element of risk in his

game. I think that is what gets the adrenaline pumping. I like to see

that, though. I mentioned earlier in the match he did not play the

aggressive shot into the pack. Taking that shot on was the right

thing to do for Michael, that is his game.

Just looking to see if he is on one. He is, just about. The trouble is,

he can only really play onto the brown here. If he was going up to

the baulk area, yellow and blue are tied up. Good position required on

the brown, and he has got it, played that really well.

Now, Michael, you are 3-0 down, this is your chance. It involved. -- get

involved. That was a big shot, he had to get

that right. Not the easiest pack of reds here to

make a break from. And he is looking at a red in the

centre, so he is not in a good position. Yes, I think you are

right. I think word would be the word.

-- awkward would be the word. Can he play the cannon and drop on

the other one? I don't think so, the cue ball has to much pace on it to

stay on the black. -- too much. Just looking to see if he plays a

cannon of one and off the red and onto the black. This will be

intricate. This is a pretty high tariffs, this

shot. Well, that is fantastic, that really

is fantastic. You do not see that shot played every day of the week,

very good. That is better. He has missed a few

cannons in the match so far and lost position because of it. This is a

much better effort just to settle him down.

The spider is out again, it is having a busy day.

He has over hit that one. Not so easy to judge the pace when you are

playing with the spider and you are striking down on the cue ball. One

thing he had to do was stay low on this black, rather than high. Can

you avoid these reds? There you are, too much on the

positional side because of the previous poor shot, he forgot to pot

the black. Yes, that is a badness, but, as you

said, the shot before, just make sure you stay low. Play the cannon

into the reds, open them up, anything, the one thing you could

not do there was do what he did. -- yes, that is unfortunate.

That is where he wanted to be, he could have played into the reds for

the loose red. Mark Selby has not played that very

well, a slightly awkward angle on the pink. He could just about play

into the reds but could not hit them feel enough to move them out. He had

no other option. -- hit them full enough.

Another good safety there, bridging courtly.

I am just wondering how close that is to a plant. It is not quite

there, is it? It is close enough to have a try. It

is one of those you do not want to leave your opponent.

He could not really hit enough of that red to move the other one over

into the pocket, but Mark Selby has a second chance now. A little bit

easier than last one. He read is still awkward. -- the red. He would

like that back again. He sure would. Even like to be high

on the pink just to pot it and move the two red is silly, but where he

has finished he would do well to land on anything. -- move the two

reds away. I suppose he could pot this and try

and go around the full extent of the table, through baulk and back and

hope he lands on one, but it will take some cue power.

That is a great try. Great try. The movement of the cue ball fair after

potting the pink was as good as he could have done, really. Look at the

spin on that. Just a fraction more power, he would have been perfect.

He is still on the red to the right corner. He did not play for that

one. He will take it, and that is an excellent shot.

Fabulous. How he has kept this break going after that initial red,

absolutely superb. 2 billion shots, one after the other. -- two

brilliant shots. We were talking earlier on in the

commentary about Mark Selby. When he is behind in frames he is much more

aggressive. He has won a lot of matches from being well behind,

especially in the Masters. But when he is in front he tends to be a

little bit more negative. I would say it is one of those features that

has got away from him a little bit. When he was winning the Masters

tournament he was getting in front and making 100s, now he is making

80s, 90s. In the last couple of seasons he has not really pressed

ahead, but he is a master of winning frames he should not. When you add

those up in this season it gets a lot of prize money.

Plus the effect on the opponent, of course. There is nothing worse than

sitting in the chair seems someone pinch the frame of view, as we call

it. -- pinch the frame from you. Well, well, well. After all that he

has missed a pink off the spot. OK, he had to power it through the two

cushions for this red, but he did not expected to miss that. He will

be disappointed. You can see the cue ball bouncing, as we saw earlier

when we had the slow motion on. If you hit it with more pace, it

bounces more. If you take -- it takes the cue ball off track to the

object ball. Good pot, but he cannot win the frame from here. No angle to

get onto these reds. That was a very good shot. The

reason I like that is he could easily have taken them up the pink,

but he put another ball safe, the green on the side cushion.

He is a long way away there. Once again, not like Mark. I don't think

Michael will be moving anywhere, no shoe leather here. He will be

standing where he is. I think we have seen a few shots in

this match with Mark Selby, who is probably one of the best players

escaping from smokers in the game, but the cushions are coming off

slightly more narrow -- escaping from snookers.

Very good. You see, when you hit it slowly into the first cushion, there

is less chance of it coming off at a narrow angle. When you use to

cushions, you can hit it harder and it changes the angle slightly -- two

cushions. He has not only got out of it but where he has left it, it is

very tricky for Michael to play a good safety off it. You have to be

careful with this shot. If you can get this anywhere near Fick, you are

in trouble. -- thick. I'm not surprised he didn't played

down to the baulk area. I hope he hasn't left the plant. There is a

gap but it might be a shot to nothing.

Maybe it is a bit too thin for Mark Selby to play that shot. So too in

one, have a go at the plant and play the safety as well. We will see?

He played one half of the shot. He could maybe have made the plans but

he tried to get close to the yellow. That is OKed. The cue ball needs to

run. It looks like it would go to behind the pink but it slowed up. He

has to be careful, Michael he played a good shot before but he is

virtually guaranteed, if he doesn't move it and Mark Selby gets these

two reds, he will we snookered behind the blue and yellow.

One good pot from Mark Selby puts him right in the frame. That wasn't

it, though. He didn't get near it, did he? He courted thick, of course.

If he had potted it, the White would have come and can the other red. --

had a cannon off the other red. He is in two minds. Looked like he

was going to play the double, surely not? He was looking at it. Not the

long, I hope. -- not for long. That is a much

better shot. Very skilful shot. I think people

who don't play don't understand how skilful the shops are. A little

touch of stun, a little touch of side. It wasn't a natural angle, he

hit it wasn't a natural angle, he hit it beautifully to he gets.

-- he deserves everything he gets. How close is that? It may be a free

ball. He had a glance, had a good look, and the referee... This is one

of those situations when you want a baulk colour hanging over the hole.

He may well put him back into bat. Just thinking about it, decisions to

be made. If he misses the pink, he will

probably be in trouble. But he didn't. What I like about that from

Michael White, he took plenty of time to take the decision. He didn't

rush into it. Yes, played it beautifully. Two of the best shots

he has played so far have been the positive ones. It suits his game

more. He deserves to win the frame after that shot, it was excellent.

He was desperate to get that frame but he still trails.

Sir Michael White finally wins a frame but very much up against it.

We have had three days of snow here at the Crucible. Ken Doherty, Ronnie

O'Sullivan, Shaun Murphy and Ali Carter roll through to the second

round -- of snooker. We had late-night drama last night as

Stephen Maguire took on Ryan Day. A terrific match, went down to the

wire. This is what happened in the final frame.

JOHN VIRGO: he caught the bump. I think he would like to play the red

to the right corner. But he will be hampered by the green and black,

which she wouldn't be to the left corner. Can he reach either? --

which he wouldn't be. A little bit careless of Ryan to

catch the bump in the middle pocket. It is amazing how many times the

simple shots cost you the match. Not the difficult ones.

That used to be the old saying, if you can cut out the simple mistakes,

the easy misses, you will not lose many matches.

We said before, the feel of the cue when you have the extension arm is

not the same. This is not easy by any means.

Right in the heart of the pocket. Boy, has he potted some good balls

in this comeback. He really has. Full stretch, extension on, never

looked like touching the sides. The only downside is he hasn't

compassed the blue, so he needs another good pot. -- come past. The

red to the left of the pink looks like the one he will play for.

The Black may go past the green. A choice of shots. He would love to

get the black then this end the table. -- down.

If the red closest to the pocket went, this would be a really good

chance. But of course, deciding frame, everything is at stake.

A good solid pot, a nice angle on the blue. As you said, Stephen, he

would love to have the black on its spot, it will be the blue this time.

He may play a cannon. I know you don't want to risk it, but if he can

just get that line there... Can he just loosen those a little bit? He

may just even clear the pink spot area.

Yes, I suppose if he plays the cannon, it would be ideal to run

straight for the red in the left corner to stay on the pink in the

centre. You always need a bit of luck if you play the cannon.

A little bit pacey than I thought he would have done but he still has the

red along the top cushion. No easy shots at this stage of the

match. He has got the one to the right centre. Wherever you look,

there is pressure. Couldn't do much with that, it was a

tough pot. He knew he couldn't get the right side of the blue. So he is

not going to be close to the next red. Although we did see him play

the shot when he went in and out the baulk, which was superb, the amount

of topspin he got on it. I am not quite certain... I suppose

the red that is just below the pink will go, but that is a tough one.

The one near the corner, he can't get through, I don't think. I don't

think he can carry on this visit there. He has a two . Lead and I

think he will have to settle for that. -- a two point lead.

So both players have had a chance. Who gets the next one?

Courted much too thin -- he caught it much too thin and he may have

left one to the right corner pocket. I know it is tricky but the mindset

Brian Gay at the start of this deciding frame looked to be

attacked. Having second thoughts here. -- to attack.

He has left the cue ball tight to the baulk cushion. Made it difficult

for Stephen Maguire to play a good safety.

That is the problem. Whenever they are close to the top cushion, you

hit them a fraction thick and you go up the table with the cue ball. Does

this go past the two reds to go in the corner? Just. Not all of the

pocket. It is tight. Needs to be accurate.

And it was. So second chance to Ryan Day, but not the right side of the

blue. He put all of his concentration into the pot, didn't

he? He has an angle on the black but he has two hit this really well to

get the cue ball back down the table.

Every credit, Ryan. That was the brave man's route.

We say this game is all about fractions and the fractions at the

moment look to be in favour of Ryan. This is a great chance for

frame and match. He has hit the ball well in the last

frame. His cue is going through really

positively. Yes, from shot one, he has looked

positive and said, it is a deciding frame and if I get a chance, I am

going to go for it. Every credit, because he has been bombarded by

Stephen Maguire over the last few frames. Sat in his chair, over 200

points without reply was scored. But this is his opportunity now. Can

he make the most of it? Have to follow of the cushion for

the red here, so he will be further away than he would like.

29 points lead, three reds, three colours and he will be in the second

round. He played it well. It looks a

formality but there is no such thing as a formality at this stage of a

match. Yes, it looks like all the great

snooker Stephen Maguire has played to Carmack is all in vain though. --

to come back. Stephen Maguire can't be too hard on

himself. He lost in the first round last Year 10 -90 Dechawat Poomjaeng.

He has left nothing behind here -- 10-9. It is all about getting the

chances. He had one chance, Ryan had one chance but then he got the next

one and he has made the most of it and taken these really well. After

the mid-session interval, it has been a tremendous match.

And that will mean that Stephen well not bother coming back to the table.

His hopes of being a world champion have to be put on the shelf for

another year. As I say, he has given his all, he has left nothing behind

and that is all you can ask from anybody. Fair play to Ryan Day, he

came to this deciding frame and he came out with an attitude of, well,

I'm going to go for it and if I get a chance, I am going to try and win

the frame. And that is what he has done.

It is sad that there has to be a loser, but that is sport. Ryan Day,

we all know his talent and if he can get a boost of confidence from

this, he is a match for anybody on his day. No pun intended.

Puffing out of the cheeks is Ryan. He is so relieved to get through

this. It was a great match. Stephen Maguire gives him a warm handshake.

He didn't do anything but give his best, but Ryan Day just had that

lead. He hung on and came out in the deciding frame with an attitude of

give me one chance and I'm going to win the match. He needed two but

well played, Ryan Day, you are through to the second round. He has

beaten Stephen Maguire 10-9. Yes, indeed, well played Ryan Day. A

very late night for us all at the Crucible because as well as the game

between Ryan Day and Stephen Murphy, Jamie Cope and Shaun Murphy went all

the way as well. Shaun Murphy triumphing. Let's look back with

John. For Ryan Day, really good win, 14 years since his last win over

Stephen Maguire. A heck of a long time and you would have looked at

the form guide and think Stephen Maguire would win it. He has had

health problems, a bad back, didn't go to China to play and has had the

season from hell. But from 9-6 behind, he didn't half try hard.

Shaun Murphy went all the way against Jamie Cope. What does that

do for a play? In his post match conference, Shaun Murphy describe it

as a bloodbath. When you have been through a final frame decider, what

does it do as you go into the second round? It is relief and then you are

proud of yourself and if you finish up like Ryan Day, with a 90, it is

good pure confidence. But just getting through the first round,

plenty of players find it twitchy. Jamie Cope will be happy just to be

playing good snooker. He will be disappointed to have lost,

obviously, but he had bad health and had the equivalent of the yips

playing snooker, so he will be glad to be playing decent snooker. For

Shaun Murphy, it will be relieved. You are going back into the

commentary shoe. You can continue to watch the Michael White and Mark

Selby game on the red button. We are going there soon. Not got going yet?

Michael missed a couple of blacks off the spot early, Mark Selby was

scoring well but he has gotten back to 3-1. If it was 4-0 at the

interval, it would be a sickener. He has to step it up a bit. Back to the

commentary box the year. That is it. I am stuck in there for the day,

I am losing my tan. If you want to continue watching that Mark Selby

and Michael White match, it is available online and on the red

button. Hazel will be back at 1pm this afternoon as Ding Junhui's

match against Michael was Lee continues. And we will see John

Higgins take on Alan McManus.