Monday, 1st Round, Afternoon Snooker: World Championship

Good afternoon. Was it a big weekend for you? I am sure it was. It was

for us here in Sheffield in the opening weekend of the Betfred World

Snooker Championship. Some players are nursing bruised pride. One or

two may be nursing sore heads because it has been a damaging

weekend for the top seeds. We lost one, two and 16. We lost three of

the nine world champions in the draw. And another great world

champion decided it was time for him to hang up his cue forever.

It was a tough game. Under a lot of pressure. We are all under a lot of

pressure. 5-1... Yes, I let him off the hook

at 5-1, completely. It was a tremendous century. We've

got a decider. It is 9-9. Yes, I did fancy winning the last frame. Good

shot! A few sort of times, then I have a

clue what I'm doing. The blue... That does end any hope

Stuart Bingham has of staying in this championship, that he won last

year. I dug in. I beat the world champion. Not playing at my best, so

I have got to take a lot of positives of this. I I beat Hendry.

It is not nice to get beat that first round. It is a year I'll

remember for the rest of my life. He's playing very well.

A brilliant shot. Snooker is a two-man sport. If that man plays

better than you on the day, have to shake their hand and wish them all

the best. I am shocked, actually. It is cool that I can win these

matches. Yes.

It is an unexpected miss. Just not good enough. Basically just

not good enough. Alan McManus now has his chance.

Stephen Maguire feels that is the end.

And it is now! About to go on board and try

something different. Try and improve what I'm doing. I'm just getting

lost with the game and it is quite worrying.

I have sort of called it a day. You have retired? I thought I would

follow in your footsteps. Not going to cry!

So, it was not a difficult decision? It's an emotional thing to do. I

didn't know what would happen. I was going to peter out from the game. I

thought it was a nice thing to do. My father passed away this year,

just before the World Championships. I still played in it. He was with me

from the start, so I thought, finish.

I nearly cried. Only day three. Steve Davis

yesterday announcing his retirement. It was fantastic and very emotional

yesterday. I must admit I had a tear in my eye in the commentary book.

Steve has been a legend. Probably the best ambassador we have seen.

What an ambassador for British sport. I think that long overdue

knighthood that has been spoken about, it is overdue. He has been an

inspiration? Steve was my idol, I must admit. He was the player I

looked up to more than any. He was more responsible for me playing. A

thoroughly genuine man and one of the greatest we have ever seen. We

will see him on the sofa with us. There have been shocked - Maguire

out... It has been a high standard. It's been incredible, really. It has

been an incredible start to the World Championship. We'll have to

wait and see how the players who have qualified do and what sort of

stamina they have left. They have come into the World Championship.

They are super sharp. They have won three best of 19s. It is tough. It

will be fascinating to see how we do. Three world champions out. We

have Bingham out and someone else... Oh, you. Marco played incredibly

well against me. In all honesty, it was as well as anybody has ever

played against me here at the Crucible in the 23 appearances I

have had. I didn't get a shot. He was amazing. Cue ball control... I

don't think he missed the long ball the whole match. If Marco can play

to that self- somebody will have to play perfect snooker to beat him. I

think he's got a real chance. What about the qualifiers coming through

- do you think it has benefitted, or later it may catch up? Anthony

McGill had a good tournament. Won two fantastic matches. I feel we hit

the wall against Shaun Murphy. I don't think he had a lot left. It

will be interesting to see how the players get on in the rest of the

tournament. They are super sharp. They will be OK for one or two

matches. How much stamina they have after that, we'll have to wait and

see. That is all to be revealed. Let a east see how it pans out in this

year's draw. Last year's champion Stuart Bingham

was the first seeded casualty this year, losing to Allister Carter.

Then the 16th seed Stephen Maguire to Alan McManus yesterday.

Ricky Walden had work to do. He's one behind Robbie Williams.

John Higgins takes on Ryan Day. On Wednesday Judd Trump against Liang

Wenbo. Ding Junhui has Martin Gould. Great

news last night for Mark Williams, 7-2 up on Dott. It is Robertson

against Holt. McGill makes waves again, this time against Shaun

Murphy. This morning Fu was the only seeded playeder through to round

two. Tomorrow it is Barry Hawkins against Zhang Anda. The Rocket

leading David Gilbert 6-3. Allen against Mann.

Wilson against Perry. Last night Sam Baird leads. And this

afternoon Mark Selby aims to deliver against the Millman, Robert Milkins.

Three of the 16 seeds have gone. The first shock is eight. It has

happened twice before, most recently four years ago. But we have still

got some way to go to match it for surprise value in this year's

championship. Will we get any more shocks today? Let's see what we have

on our schedule. We have been on air since 10am

tracking the Rocket's deciding session against David Gilbert. Like

Ronnie Higgins is trying to become the first player in his 40s to win

for a time. And the 40 somethings keep on

coming, Mark Williams is a two-time champion. Now he is bossing the 2 oh

006 win -- 2006 winner, Graeme Dott. They will finish their contest this

afternoon. While Mark Selby gets his campaign

under way, the world number one arrives in Sheffield having not

played a competitive match for five weeks.

In table top today we are talking tables. And introducing the game

which involves general knowledge and cueing - Pot Quiz. I am pleased with

my form. Perhaps I should take this game up again!

Fantastic! We think that game will catch on, you know! We have been

bright and breezy since 10am. We were on air at 10am to see the

Rocket return. The engines have been burning from Ronnie's point of view

when he returned against Gilbert. Dave can consider himself

unfortunate to be 6-3 behind going into their concluding session.

Actually he played very, very well yesterday, poised and assured. They

share the first six frames this morning on our early transmission.

We left it at 9-6 to O'Sullivan. Ronnie needing just one more.

Couldn't get it in frame 16. Stephen Hendry and John Virgo

following an entertaining contest. THE COMMENTATOR: This is not easy as

we return to baulk. Nice pot. A safety shot from Ronnie.

The black is off its spot. It is a big target.

If he's going to play this, the black to the same pocket, the cue

ball towards the bunch, it is a touch shot. If he's playing for the

blue, he has to avoid the right middle. Well played.

He couldn't have played it better. He's opened all the red now. He

doesn't have to play any more cans. It is all about precise positional

play. Once he pots the black it will not be available to either corner

pocket. That is why he's looking for red to make the black available. But

it is a decent chance. He's found the gap here. The only

thing is he's very strained, he'll have to play for the black in the

same pocket. He'll have to avoid a kiss on the black. It's going back.

I could not believe that that black went into the corner pocket. But it

does, quite clearly. With the black available now into

both corner, this is a great opportunity.

As you say, all he can do is just keep potting balls and see what

happens. I know it is an old cliche, but just one frame at a time.

Striking the balls absolutely beautifully these days. Nice, tight

control of that cue ball. Didn't matter if he was the wrong

side of the blue because he's got red on the other half of the table

that he can play quite comfortably. Look at that, he's gone ahead in

balls potted. Never looked like missing. I think

he's ranked in the 20s at the moment. If he keeps progressing in

the game, playing like this, I don't think he'll have to qualify for this

next year. In all sports it is the consistency.

I have seen David play a few times and been impressed with him. Then

all of a sudden, you don't see him for a season. He sort of disappears.

Well, he's missed the red. He's conceded. He only needed one snooker

to tie. He will settle for that will David

Gilbert. Ronnie one away from victory, but now it is #-7.

Ronnie gets frame 17 under way. Best of 19. But Ronnie just one frame

away from victory. He wouldn't want it to get much

closer than this. He will know his opponent is playing well.

The last thing you know when you now your opponent is one point from

victory is hand it to him on a plate. It is just what he's done

here. He wanted to be the other side of

the blue. I think he's dead straight. So no problem. In for a

red here. I am surprised he didn't come down

and play for the black. Maybe that red is just above the black. He's

holding the black spot. And wants to play for that red that

is just above the black before he starts thinking about potting

blacks. Watch the white.

Decided to play it gently. Looking for a red to continue the

break. He's knocked that in. He will still have to disturb some

more reds if he is going to win the frame at this visit.

There it is. Snookers will be needed and the

match will be over. As I say, he's going to have to

bring reds into play to get to that amount of points.

Made it look simple. The writing is on the wall now. Yes.

You felt from that first shot when Dave went in-off that this would be

the time. I think he should take great heart

out of the way he's played in this match. I agree with you, he's

definitely a top-16 player. No doubt about that. He's got all the quality

in the world, just needs to do it more consistently. That is all you

can say. And of course Ronnie O'Sullivan is the last draw he

wanted after playing these tough qualifying matches.

He's averaged during this match 14 seconds a shot. That is quick.

Yes, yesterday afternoon he was very solid.

This morning he's had a few funny shots. Concentration not what it

could have been. Still very impressive.

Ronnie will be congratulating him on his performance. He will wish him

the best for the performance. Ronnie was up to it. A good result. Unlucky

David Gilbert. You met a man on form. Anyone else you could have had

a better result. It is Ronnie O'Sullivan, favourite for the

tournament through to the round by 10-7. That is Ronnie O'Sullivan's

60th win over his career at the Crucible. He marches on into round

two. Ronnie decided not to do any press

or television interviews at all afterwards. So, we don't know his

impression of that opening match. World snooker say it is part of any

snooker player who qualifies to be here. It is their obligation to

speak to the press, so he will be reported to the disciplinary

committee. There are news headlines where the Rocket is concerned. What

do you make of that He's won. He's actually won his match. I mean I

have never had anyone refuse to go in there when you are beat. What's

going on? I don't know. The last time I won a match here was back in

the early 50's and they had to call security to get me out of the press

conference. I lost to Marco. I wanted to say to the press how well

he played. He played the best anyone had played against me and they

didn't want to speak to me. Ronnie is not saying anything. You can tell

us where you felt the chief attry bouts and how Dave Gilbert stood up

to him. He was unto be 6--- he was unlucky to be 6-4 behind. He looked

like he would clear up. He was unlucky in that early session. Today

he put up to Ronnie. Ronnie said the first match was very important for

him. He will be happy to get that over with. It was a potential banana

skin. Does it count as a good workout for Ronnie? Dave Gilbert is

one of the most improved professionals on the tour. He's very

fluent as well. That can be very intimidating for the opponent

sitting in the chair, even for somebody like Ronnie. With Ronnie's

class when he sees somebody like Dave Gilbert playing, he knows he'll

have to step up. It was a good workout for him. It is different

playing in the exhibitions, it is a different persona thinking wise, you

take liberties taking the shots. It is interesting to see where Ronnie

is coming from. A very good player to reach the final. You have to get

back into the swing of it. You do. In that final frame Ronnie averaging

14 seconds a shot. Peter, that is the average for you, isn't it?

Obviously I used to play faster... The only player who plays quicker

than that is another whose shot time is nine seconds. How is that

possible. 14 for you! Have a habit of talking about things you know

nothing about! We are about to introduce a new quiz. It combines

brain power, plenty where Peter is concerned with quick cueing. We will

see. It is a new quiz called Pot Quiz. We

will get, to relief some of the tension that we experience across in

the Crucible here, in the winter gardens, we will have fun. We will

invite the players and the pundits to have a go at this quiz. We think

it is a bit of a winner. So, for the opening Pot Quiz we have

none other than six-time world champion Steve Davis. Do you know

what you have to do here? Why me, in the first place I have to pot all

the reds remaining after my questions and finish off with a

black ball. So we have five questions for you. If you get five

right you can remove any five reds you like and then you clear up. Of

course you will be against the clock. The questions, are you ready?

These are not nice. Are snooker questions. That is worse! When you

won your first world title in 1981, who did you beat in the quarter

finals? There's one you will not be getting. Tony Nowells. Terry

Griffiths. Why player did you play most often at the Crucible and you

played this player seven times. I told you we were tough. Terry

Griffiths. Correct. Brilliant. To the nearest five, how

many century breaks have you scored at the Crucible? 27. Unlucky. 46.

You are better than you thought you were. Which player has won the most

matches on tour this season? If you know this one I will get a job!

What? Which player has won the most matches on tour this season?

Mark Allen. Unlucky, Mark sell settlement here is one. You have a

-- mark Selby. Here is one. How many of the 32 in this year's World

Championship tour were not born when you won your first world title? 11,

15, 17 or 20? 17. Is correct! Well done, Steve

Davis. So you got two right. You can take two reds off. Any two. And your

time will start - and we will put you on the clock - as soon as you

strike the cue ball for the first time. I can put this anywhere I

like? Anywhere you like. We will be keeping up with everything you are

doing. I don't know what I'm doing! He's changed his mind. That could be

trouble. OK, Steve, as soon as you strike the cue ball... Right. The

time will start... Now! Good luck, Steve. I need good

luck. I'm so far away from my chalk. Beautiful. What a touch. I know. I

haven't played since the qualifiers. You don't need to. The other one,

surely? Sorry. I'm on that now. You are right. Yeah. Three. Brilliant. I

am pleased with that. Very good. So far, I'm quite pleased with my form.

Perhaps I should take this game up again! Fantastic. That was screwed

back... I don't know how you are doing on the clock. Nor do I. 37

seconds... Goodness me! I have signed it up for that pocket. That

is very good. A little bit of audience participation... No

cheering! When he gets near the end, we want a "ooh". Very good. No, no.

One minute. You have gone past the one-minute mark. Fair enough! Still

pretty good. This is the biggest break I have made all season! This

is lovely. What a beautiful touch. Did you like that? I loved it. This

is very good. No! That is a stretch. Brilliant.

He's slightly overscrewed it. He's got to go round the angles. I

twitched! No! You have a minute and a half. You have snookered yourself.

It's got worse. I just twitched. You are the only man I know who can play

safe on yourself in a tournament like this! And again. You have

played the best safety... It's all gone... It's all gone Pete Tong.

Slow down. Don't go running there. Ready? Get ready. Oohh! Yes!

2 minutes 11. I'm happy in some ways. In other ways, I'm distraught.

You are leading. That's a thought. Good fun. Peter will try his hand

later on, aren't you? I tell you what, you are the winner for me. I

know you will win it. Peter made his 23rd appearance at The Crucible this

year and John Higgins is one behind him, his 22nd appearance, when he

stepped out this morning. Of course, he is trying to win the title for a

fifth time. This Crucible Theatre here has, in the lives of John and

Peter, and so many others, meant so much to their career and their

lives. I couldn't believe how small it was.

I had never walked out into the arena before, playing, which was a

mistake, you should have went out and tried to gauge the surroundings.

Really nerve-wracking and walking down, I was playing with my good

mate, Alan McManus. I kept on looking up at the lights. People who

won the title stood underneath those lights. As soon as they brought the

middle curtain down that divides the two tables, I froze. Then I ran out

an easy winner, 10-3. The best feeling, I think that you could ever

have as a snooker player, going out with the one-table set-up. The first

time I walked out there, I won, I think I played Ronnie O'Sullivan in

the semifinal. And then I went on and won it. Against Ken in the

final. That's the best feeling, to go out there. It is still pretty

pokey backstage. The TV studio used to be in beside the practice table.

That is no longer there now. You have more space around the practice

tables. Nothing much else. It is still pretty much the same as I can

first remember. As you get older, the nerves hit you a bit more. You

don't really know how many times you will be back there playing. I think

each time you do go back there, you should relish it a bit more. You

have got to keep wishing that you are going to win it again. You never

stop trying. It can be the best two weeks of your life, and you are

playing for the world title, and if you manage to win it, there is

nothing like it, the feeling. He's done it four times. But John

facing Bridgend's Ryan Day this morning.

Ryan has reached the quarterfinals three times. He hasn't made it

beyond Round Two since 2012. These two also fought out the Grand Prix

final in Glasgow in 2008 so their paths have crossed several times on

significant occasions. Higgins, nine wins to Ryan's four overall. As we

join it, John had a scintillating start with a 105 in the first frame.

We will join them in Frame 2, it is Higgins to play, he is 13 points

behind. Commentary from Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty.

DENNIS TAYLOR: These pockets are playing slightly easier than the

ones in the qualifiers. This time, John's overran that

slightly. I think he can screw back and avoid the pink and reds and get

up for the blue. Not quite sure, you would need to be right behind the

angle to see is whether he could do that. I think he is OK.

He's had a quick look. I'm sure the black is available. That red to the

right of the black is a bit of a distraction at the moment.

That tells you, there is plenty of room for the black to past the reds

so his plan would be red, black and remove that red to the right of the

black. He's looking very, very sharp here

this morning. He looked very relaxed in the

players' room yesterday. He was there for most of the day in between

practice sessions. He was a bit devastated yesterday

when Celtic lost on penalties, but, to be fair, he said Rangers were all

over Celtic in the first half. It used to be great when you went up to

Spencer's in Stirling, where a lot of the Scottish players used to

practice. Not only with their snooker rivalry, but some of them

supported Celtic, some supported Rangers. All great mates.

KEN DOHERTY: This has been an amazing start for John Higgins.

Positional play has been top drawer. He's made this break look very, very

easy. Every time he has been so close to

his object ball and the shot has been straightforward. He had to go

in-and-out of baulk once. He's 52 points ahead. This red will

certainly compound the end of this frame. What a start this would be.

John Higgins is 41 years of age. He is playing here like he did 20 years

ago. His position has been impeccable.

OK, he's had to go up-and-down the table a couple of times.

This as good a snooker that anybody has played and we are only in day

three. If he negotiates this tricky one, it could be back-to-back

centuries. Hit it too hard. Hit it a bit too

hard, trying to punch it out for the black. It won't bother him. Still a

magnificent break of 79. He takes Frame 2 for a 2-0 lead. The world

number eight has made a positive start to this campaign. In we go to

Frame 3 now and Higgins with a bit of work to do. He is 30 points

behind in this one. Looks to have a straightforward

safety shot off the right side of the bunch to get back down to the

table. I don't know whether he was looking

to see if he could pot it. That's what he tried. That's what he tried.

And he's pulled it off nicely. He picked this one out very nicely.

It was an easy safety down the right side. He thought, I might be able to

take the pot on and find a gap, and he did. Oh, that is a poor shot. He

should have been in behind the green there.

So fast, these tables, it is difficult to judge that little screw

shot in behind the green. You can see what he thinks of it.

He could have had John in all sorts of trouble there.

He almost got a good cue ball. He will be disappointed the red has

gone over the left-hand corner pocket.

Just may be a little too straight to get back up for the brown, blue, or

even the pink. He's got a little angle. He could possibly hold for

the black. The pink might not be on its spot so

it may be tied up after he pots it. We will find out shortly.

There is just enough room there... It might still be available. He is

looking at it to see if it will pot into the right corner. He is not

nicely on to the red. Those plants are not on. The one to the left

pots. He is back looking at the plant. I

think the one at the back and to the left pots into the right corner. And

the plants aren't absolute certainties, are they? There is a

bit of a distance between both reds. That's OK. He's held it for the

black. You would say if the black goes in,

Ken, it's a frame-winner. You never really settle until the first frame

is on the board. This is a bit tricky. He doesn't want to hit the

near jaw with this. Pretty good. He's go round to have a look at the

plant again. He could pot the black, pot the red and get a nice angle on

the next black to go into those four reds. Not sure why you would want to

play the plant, if he gets a nice angle... Not this black now... He is

thinking a few shots ahead. Not this black, he is thinking about the red,

the next black and the next red after that.

He's left himself an angle on the pink. It's not the best shot he's

ever played. Looks a bit straight. He's going to have to take this

plant now. As I said before, it's not dead certain. A couple of inches

between each ball, which makes it a little bit more difficult. You see

how he is cueing up there, you are seeing where he has to hit the first

red and it is to the left of the pocket, and you forget about the

second red. No problem. Just the wrong angle on the black.

He is a bit reluctant to play the red below the black.

As you said, this will certainly settle him down, getting his first

frame on the board. There is still a possible century on.

Three reds and all blacks, and all the colours, 51, so still a possible

century on. See how easier those reds are when

the frame is over? It is amazing, isn't it? Yes. I tell you what, both

players are cueing very nicely. So this could be a terrific match. It

really could. John opened with a century break and

followed that up with a break of 79, to lead 2-0. And it's his turn to

sit in the chair for a while. Just tried to get a full-ball cannon

on that red. He could still hold for the pink.

A red and a pink will be enough to make 100 exactly.

Needs a good positional shot from pink to yellow.

The pink jumped there. That took the pace out of the cue ball, so he has

a difficult yellow, if he is to make the century. That was a heavy

contact. Watch the pink. It left the bed of the table.

Go on, get in. No century. He won't be too concerned about that. He made

a lovely break of 73 there and he's opened his account. He still trails

2-1. STUDIO: Ryan levelled with the match

with a 55 contribution before the interval so 2-2 now. It's the Scot

with a slight advantage after the restart. Frame 5.

DENNIS TAYLOR: These middle pockets are tough. If they touch a jaw at

all, we have seen so many rattle the jaws and come out. This must be

pretty tight as to whether this red goes into the left corner. He's

coming round to have a look from the other side.

I could never see from this end... I always find it much better looking

from the end you are striking. He feels there is enough room. Seems to

be. Loads of room. You could get a

Sheffield tram through there! KEN DOHERTY: And the driver! A good

opportunity here for Ryan. He just nudged the pink there. Just

knocked the red into a pottable position. He is still on this red

OK. Would have loved to have been straighter on it.

He's overcut that one. It was the previous shot that he got a bit too

much action on the cue ball, left the blue slightly more difficult. I

still expected him to knock that in. This was the shot where he just got

a bit too much action and just left the blue slightly more difficult. I

still expected him to knock it in, though.

John hasn't got an angle on the blue to get towards the reds. He will

have to force it all the way around the angles. No, he had got an angle

to just hold this side of the blue spot.

That was the best he could manage there.

He might just be OK because he thought he was going to cannon the

pink and red there, Ken. If he's got the gap here, although the black

won't go, he can get up for the blue. He could have been in all

sorts of trouble. He is having to swerve it. No, he can stun it in. He

can see enough of it. That will do nicely, if it pulls up.

One more good positional shot and he is back in business.

That is a better shot. Nicely on the red into the right centre. Back down

for the black and he really wants that red that's to the left of the

black closer to the left-hand corner pocket, he wants that out of the

way. Not many pots away from securing

this... REFEREE: Touching ball.

He is touching the red but that doesn't matter, he is playing away

from it. This was an important frame for John

Higgins, after starting off so well, them all of a sudden missed a couple

of easy ones and Ryan took full advantage. It is nice to get one up

on the Welshman. He stopped the rot, as it were. Ryan

came back strong. He's got his nose in front once

more. Is Needs black or pink. This will

leave Ryan needing a snooker. And safely in the heart of the

pocket. Definitely changing the cushions has

made a big difference to this table. Can he negotiate that last red to

give himself a century? Had 12 centuries so far on day

three. You mentioned about who holds the record of centuries, John

Higgins did. 14 with the year you won it and Stephen Hendry made 16

century in 2002 here at the Crucible.

It is incredible, an incredible achievement.

When you consider some players wouldn't make that in a season.

Incredible feat, 16 centuries in five matches here at the Crucible.

Exactly 100 if he can knock blue, pink and black in.

The balls have not been coming off the cushions the way they were the

first two days. He's come out of the mid-session

interval and made another century break. He's back in the lead.

3-2. John won the next to become two year

clean. This is great form from John. Two centuries so far this match.

Back into frame seven. The world number 22, Ryan Day leading with a

healthy 48 points advantage here. He's usually pretty good at this

type of shot. He hit that so hard. It is the only red he could leave

and he's left it. One good angle on the blue here.

John is looking at the pink to see if it is available. He's already

looking a few shots ahead. If not, he could pop this on the

blue and cannon the pink and reds. There is just enough room. That is

what John was looking at a little while ago.

He could do with a cue ball somewhere near enough where it is at

the moment. Now he's faced with a tough pot to

keep this little come back and this frame going.

This has to go in. Beautifully cued.

He's got a half chance now. Showing that blue going right into

the centre of the pocket there. A couple of awkward red, but not a bad

chance. It was so important to put that

green safe from Ryan's point of view, a little earlier.

He's just thinking whether he will go into the pink and two reds or try

and track the lose red from under the pink into the right centre.

Just a little flick there would have been nice.

What will happen is the red will career into the two reds left of the

pocket. It may knock it into a pottable position. Just managed to

avoid the two reds. It was a terrific pot and I suppose

a deserved kiss on the blue. The fact he knocked that very difficult

red in, he deserves a little bit of good luck.

This would be one against the head. Ryan Day was going along very

nicely. He looked like he would win the frame with one visit.

Will be looking for a nice apgle, possibly blue or pink off this red.

A bit of a bounce. Will it hold up? Straight on the blue. From the reds

on the blue. The two reds do pot into the right-hand corner pocket.

21. That was a tremendous shot. He couldn't have cued that much better

to get to the blue from that position.

He's got an angle here if he would wish to try and move the green.

He's just concentrating on the blue. He doesn't want to be dead straight

because he can't get nicely on to the yellow now.

So... Denis, if you can get behind the yellow when potting this blue,

you could drop the yellow in and maybe move the double on the green.

It is the only shot that available to him. He needs to leave the cue

ball in the vicinity where it is now. Just pot the yellow, fry and

leave the cue ball somewhere where the yellow is and play the double.

A good effort from John Higgins, considering where all the red were

when he came to the table. He's back in the frame.

Yes, earlier on Ryan played a safety shot, I am sure he thought it was a

good one. All of a sudden John picked out a terrific pot.

He miss-hit that, totally did John. The only saving grace is it's not

the pink and the black is safe from the pocket, not that the blacks

going to make any difference. Oh, this is going to be difficult if

he goes on the cushion - there's no way if that's straight he can get on

the blue and the blue doesn't get past the black, so, a quick look at

the score board... He's going to need the brown, the blue and the

pink. He's got plenty of cue path. There is a straight angle he might

be able to force it round. No. It was dead straight.

This is a good length with the cue ball.

He's coming around now. The problem is if he misses it, the black will

stop the blue from going in way. And the white will be flying around the

table. It could find a pocket. Maybe the middle, so he has to be careful

here. Oh, he's put so much side on that

and that could be costly because if John can get in behind the pink, if

he can get about a foot from the pink, the black is over the pocket.

So what a chance. He's got an angle to swing it around. Just near where

his head is at the moment - that's where he wants the cue ball.

And this looks to be absolutely perfect.

All he has to do is drop the pink in.

Well, a very exciting frame of snooker. Ryan Day was favourite to

take it. John Higgins potted a long red and got back into the frame and

he's managed to pinch it. He extends his lead, it is 5-2 now.

40-year-old Higgins kept the heat on with an impressive break of 77 in

the next. This match is beginning to run away from the Welshman. What can

he do to slow up Scott in the ninth and last frame of their session?

Let's find out. He's hit that a little bit too hard.

If he could take this frame, Ryan, 6-3, it would still be, you know,

way behind, but he's in with a shout. 7-2.

Can he find a gap here, John Higgins, and pass this red between

black and red? Well, didn't get the gap.

Left himself a bit of a tester as we see the red again.

Wanted to get between that blue and red there. This will test his

cueing. Denis, look at that. It is the sort

of shot the players practise. I remember went I used to go to

sterling to play with... In fact it practiced with John Higgins when he

first turned professional the at the Spens're's Club, along with Stephen

Hendry, they would set that type of shot up, only the other way around.

The long, straight pot and play it for a few hours at a time.

Certainly Stephen Hendry used to do that and then he would play against

John Higgins and they would play there all day long. John was a

practise partner of Stephen. He got to be world number one in 16

seasons. That was some going, Ken. No doubt one of the best players

that has ever graced our game. Of course, he's won this

championship four times. His all around game, his temperament

as well, it is top quality. Very good in every department.

He's only behind Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry in the break

build department. 616 centuries before today. He's

added another couple to that list. One of my very last matches was the

nation's Cup before I retired. Ken was against Scotland, Northern

Ireland against Scotland and one of the frames was against John Higgins

and he'd never even made a maximum break in practise. I broke off one

frame we played and he knocked his first maximum in. So, that was my

very last competitive frame and the one before that, just before I

played John, I played Stephen Hendry and beat Stephen on the pink, so it

was a good way to retire. I bet Stephen was pleased.

He nearly screwed into the middle pocket. Watch the cue ball.

We will just saw you the white again. Just watch the cue ball.

Keep your eye just too much screw and just caught the jaw.

That cue shot coming up. He's got a good angle and not a

great pack to go into. He could do with catching quun of ve of those

red -- catching one of those reds. He's unlucky, he's got a long

straight red to go at. He couldn't have hit it much better.

When you hit them they just stick a little bit. The one he's closer to

will go up into the corner pocket. He can screw back for the black.

That's a lovely shot there. Right down his cue. He's held for

the pink. That will do nicely. With the exception of those few

misses I have mentioned a couple of times it has been like a

masterclass. Since this championship started on

Saturday, this has probably been the best performance from any player.

Marco Fu was outstarnding against Peter Ebdon. That was the other one

that springs to mind. He's going to have it all to do,

isn't he in the second session tomorrow?

Came back in one of the qualifying matches, Ryan Day, from 9-5 down to

Alfie. A very talented player from London.

There is pink and two red to make the century.

Let's look at this shot again. A lot of top spin.

Just a couple of pots away from another century.

That is a thin one, but I think he can avoid it enough.

A little bit of... Another match to go in-off the corner, if you watch

this. Doesn't want to finish tight on the

cushion, otherwise it will be a tricky black to make his third

century and it is going to be left to try and cut this in. It is a

very, very thin snick. Yeah! Oh! That's his third century.

What a black to make that century. Look at that smile on John's face.

You can see it! It's been a fantastic session of snooker. The he

certainly has waved his magic wand here at the Crucible. With the aid

of three century breaks he takes an a lead over Ryan Day, 7-3. Three

centuries a 77 and 79 and all of a sudden 20-1, that is what you could

have got on John Higgins, it is looking generous.

A couple of seasons ago I thought he was tinkering out of falling out of

the list. His long game was not brilliant. Boy, has he turned it

around. It is like being set an examination when you play John.

There is an examination paper and you have to have a revision to have

a try at it. His scoring is great and the longer frames that he plays,

it suits him. He has got cruisibley! It is one thing when it comes to the

Crucible, when he got to the China Open and made the semi-finals and he

was beaten in a decider there. He is one of the greatest match players of

all times, with no doubt. There is nobody who tries harder. He has the

all around game, the experience, everything. John is in with a live

chance of winning the tournament this year. How significant for you,

when I look through the stats, last year 25 centuries for the season.

That makes it 38 this morning. Of course he's claimed two major titles

this season. Does that tell you about his scoring ability and the

fact he's in the grove coming in here? He obviously S it is as simple

as that. I have been so impressed with him. As I said earlier to you,

it is the turning around which is impressive to me. It looks like

there was fits and starts of concentration. His long game was not

so good. He was happy with cues. To turn that around and come here, his

focus is superb and to score as heavy as he does and I will reit

thor rate it, but these long-frame matches suit John Higgins. He is the

stamina man. He wants to play all the long games, play the best of 25.

It suits his game. Five years since he won the last of his four titles

and at the age of 40, he's trying to become the oldest since Ray Reardon

to win it. We have the likes of Alan McManus, Ronnie, we have Mark

Williams and Graeme Dott there in their 40s and of course yourself,

Peter. It seems to be no barrier, age in this sport? I don't think

there S I think the players that you mention have so much experience they

can bring that to the table. I think it is so difficult for the young

players now, even though they are gaining experience when they come

across top players in the first and second round of tournaments it is

hard for them to beat them. We saw from John, he's timing the ball so

well I unbelievable. It is as well I have seen him do it for a long time.

He may fancy the job. They will regroup tomorrow afternoon for their

deciding session of that match. But when it comes to tables, well I can

clear a table, a lunch table, dinner table, when it comes to a match

table I leave it to my good friends and experts here. Today in Table

Talk we will talk about match tables and tables generally.

I'm turning the tables on these gentlemen. We are talking about the

id owe sin Cray sis of the match table. We will show a couple of

things that you have not seen before. What are these? These are

the templates that we use in tournament play and these are very

closely-guarded. We have our security man over here. We have our

top referee looking after these. These are the templates we use in

all the professional tournaments... These fit into the pockets to make

sure the tolerances are exact. Absolutely. This one here is for the

fall of the pocket. That has to match up with that one. This one is

the interesting one. Put that in there. How tight is that? You can

see there, this is designed to slide into the pocket nicely and then go

back out again. You can see how tight the pockets are here. That,

you can see the effort I am putting in to push that in. That doesn't

want to come out again. These pockets are very tight. For an

ordinary club table, this would go in there. These are 3.75 inches.

With no undercut. What is undercut? The cut of the pocket, what you

would find in a snooker club is, the pockets would be more open and the

cut would start earlier so when the ball hits that part, it would slide

into the pocket. These pockets are designed to help the professional

player to not pot balls. We have got the ones here, the same thing again,

fall on there. And they are tight. As for the cloth, go through a few

processes, what happens? These cloths are very finely shaved and

you tend to find that these cloths are designed to last seven or ten

days, the sort of cloth that you would find in your club is much

thicker, they have much more of a nap on and they are designed to last

18 months. Basically, you are trying to get the best conditions you can

straightaway. Absolutely. Underneath here, there is also a myriad of

table heaters. That makes a massive difference to the playing conditions

because when the cloth is heated, the balls are heated as well.

Everything is so much more reactive and the conditions that we have seen

this week, and having played in the First Round as well, you only have

to touch the ball, they are so reactive, the tables are so fast, it

is all about touch control and feel. And that is what you don't get with

club tables. The atmosphere is a big factor and it affects the cloth. We

have played in Thailand, if it is humid, if it is wrong, the tables

are wrong. The best conditions in the world to play on is where the

humidity is very low, places like Beijing, where you have got places

like Thailand, Shanghai, 90%-plus humidity, you get some strange

results in that tournament. It is because the tables play much more

difficult than normal. Very difficult to screw back, the spin

doesn't stay on the cue ball. The cue ball comes off the cushions much

squarer. Because you have to hit the balls harder, it makes the pockets

smaller. You as a player, if you are not happy with something, you can

fill a form in, or let them know, and we have - on Table 1, they have

changed the cushions early. It is wonderful World Snooker are

listening to the feedback from the player. There have been a lot of

kicks on that table. It wasn't quite right. They have reclothed the

cushions so the table should be playing better. These tables are

difficult. The lads in the club, you have never had it so easy! I will

take your word. Alright. Two World Champions in action over there.

Three World Champions in action inside The Crucible Theatre this

afternoon. Two going head-to-head. You have Mark Williams and Graeme

Dott, who beat Mr Ebdon a few years back to win his first world title. A

year ago, Mark Williams found himself 7-2 down at the halfway

stage in his first-round match against Matthew Stevens. Today, he

is the man in command. Two former World Champions getting

their first-round match under way. Nobody would have applauded it if it

had been done the normal way. Excellent shot. He now leads Graeme

Dott 2-1. Very good shot. Excellent shot. Well

played. He's given himself a lifeline in

this first session. He is looking at a three-ball plant.

He's played it very well. He couldn't have played it much better

than that. Excellent shot with the rest. Graeme Dott will be very

disappointed. Tomorrow afternoon, he has it all to do. Mark Williams

leads 7-2. That is the situation. There they

are. We will also get our first sighting today, right now in fact,

of the world number one, Mark Selby, the 2014 champion. He hasn't played

for over a month, he's all set for his opening session against

40-year-old Robert Milkins, there he is, chatting away to Mark Williams.

With 38-year-old Dott, 41-year-old Williams, Mark Selby is the spring

chicken of the lot at 32. It is time to get them all into the arena, Rob

Walker is there for us. MC: What a session of snook we are

ve in prospect. New fewer than three World Champions on display, proving

there are no easy matches in year's Betfred World Snooker Championship

and this huge crowd are ready to receive them all with a massive

reception! Please welcome first of all, a

player who came through a tough match in the qualifiers to book his

seventh visit to The Crucible. He enjoyed one of his most memorable

experiences here three years ago beating Neil Robertson in the First

Round. The the Pride of Gloucester, he is the milkman, Robert Milkins.

MUSIC: I'm A Cider Drinker By The Wurzels

His opponent, returning to the scene of his greatest triumph in snooker,

becoming World Champion two years ago, multiple Masters winner and one

of the most colourful characters on the circuit. He is the world number

one, he is "The Jester from Leicester", he is Mark Selby!

MUSIC: Eez-eh By Kasabian

On Table 1, hoping to draw on the recollection of some of his finest

moments on this special stage, winner of the title ten years ago,

he's been in three finals in all, and he will believe this match is

very much alive. This is his 17th year at The Crucible, he's the

pocket dynamo, Graeme Dott. His opponent, one of the finest

sportsmen his country has ever produced. Twice a World Champion,

winner of 18 big ones in all, and quite frankly, one of the most

laid-back characters the sport has ever known. But he will fire it up

this afternoon, Mark Williams. MUSIC: Delilah

By Tom Jones STUDIO: There is a place for all

kinds of music at The Crucible, from Tom Jones to The Wurzels! We are

going to stick with the conclusion of the Williams-Dott match and in

the commentary box, alongside Ken Doherty, which welcome Mr George

Riley. KEN DOHERTY: a fantastic session for

Mark Williams. Dott took the opener and didn't get a look-in, five in a

row for Mark Williams. Any way back, do you think? Well, the great thing

about Graeme Dott is, he is a fighter. He is a tiger. He will

never give up. He's going to have to rely on those battling qualities

today. The only thing is, Mark Williams is such an experienced

campaigner and the way he was playing yesterday, Graeme Dott is

going to have to raise his game considerably.

He's basically got to win three of he four frames in this first

mini-session and that is what would be in his mind coming into this

second session. Not quite sure the history of The

Crucible, how many times players would have come back from a 7-2

deficit in the First Round, not many I would have thought.

Like you said, if there is a man to do it, it is probably this guy at

the table. He might refuse the long pot. There

is a big target behind the brown and green.

It needs to slow up. It has a good line.

Looks like he is shaping up to have a go at this red. It is fraught with

a lot of danger, should he miss it. His own pot success rate is better

than Mark Williams over the nine frames so far. He needs to make this

count, though. Quite surprising, just looking at

some of the stats, the safety success is a bit lower, 78% Graeme,

88% to Mark Williams. The pot successes are unusual. They both

have 90% pot success rates. Graeme Dott finds himself 7-2 behind. That

is quite remarkable. He will be potting the back and

screwing into the pack. He needs to get a lot of spin on the cue ball

here. Didn't get the spin and that is the

problem. You really have to work the cue ball. He didn't get any backspin

at all. It is almost like he stunned into the pack there. There may be a

red to the right centre. He wanted to play that. It doesn't

quite go. So that terrific long red yields 24.

Just wondering whether Mark Williams would risk this pot to the right

centre. Decided against it. Went for that. The brown was always

there but a bit of safety in mind. Mark Williams was introduced as "one

of the most laid-back players around". What was he like to play

against? He is impossible to read. I was saying in commentary to Willie

Thorne that with his facial expressions, you wouldn't know

whether Mark was behind or in front. The way he goes about the table, he

is so laid-back, he saunters around like he's in his practice room, or

on the practice table. That's a good quality to have. He doesn't seem to

be troubled too much by nerves. Everybody does get a bit nervous,

but he always seems to be very, very cool under pressure. Terrible to

play against! He used to upset me no end.

There is a mistake from Graeme Dott. That could be a costly one.

He came in to the sound of Delilah by Tom Jones. When I played him here

in the final, in 2003, it got pretty close, 16-16 in the final, and that

was the song he was singing to himself in the chair to keep himself

relaxed. I'm glad I didn't hear him! He's looked pretty relaxed so far.

He's in prime position, with the red below the black. He will be trying

to get on that to open the black into the left-hand corner pocket.

Yesterday the standard was very, very high. There was almost a 50-odd

break in every frame. Frame 3 was only 46, but every time Mark

Williams got chances like this yesterday, he was making 50 or

above. No huge breaks, though, Ken. The

highest break is 76 in this match so far. That was from Mark.

He's well poised to better that here.

Just about has an angle. May have to force it a little bit. Wanted to be

a bit higher on the blue. Let's have a look. He's got a slight angle.

Needs a bit of right-hand side. He is coming down to have a look at the

three reds above the black to the right. The bottom one goes into the

left-hand corner pocket. That was a much better shot than it

looked. Very well controlled. It is not the most confident

approach to a shot I have ever seen. Graeme grimaced, the fact that Mark

Williams was on that red. Good shot. Very nice shot. Wasn't

easy, bridging over the red. Now one good pot here...

Excellent shot. Right into the heart of the pocket.

Well, was that a little kick we detected here? Not having the cue

ball cleaned. This is missable. We will have a look at the cue ball,

where it's left. This is an opportunity that Graeme did not

expect. It's not particularly pleasant.

That was always the danger. He went for it. No real alternative. He had

to go for it and he had to play it slowly. Another little bit of slice

of luck for Mark Williams. Graeme can do nothing about that.

He judged that nicely. 39 points ahead, just this red to leave Graeme

Dott needing snookers. This is frame ball.

Mark Williams won't be bothered about the missed black as Graeme

Dott says, that's enough. Another frame on the board for Mark

Williams. He edges closer to that magical number ten. He leads Graeme

Dott 8-2. You can contact us through the usual

social media channels and this year several of you have been contacting

us to say not only you are watching the coverage, but your pets are,

too. Here they are. Your cats love snooker. There is a

feline fascination, which I cannot explain! Peter, are you an animal

lover and do your pets love snooker? That is a question I never thought I

would ask! No, my mum's got a Staffordshire bull terrier but I

can't say that he loves snooker. Not so sure that he likes me very much!

He is a wonderful judge of character(!) I don't think so. Tell

me about the way this match is going.

You know Dotty probably better than most. He never ever gives up? No one

of the most tenacious characters the game has ever seen. Mark Williams is

cueing beautifully and this might not last too much longer. Back we

go. Peter might have let the cat out of

the bag there, George! Live World Championship Snooker and Peter Ebdon

on pets! To be honest, I don't blame his dog not watching him play

snooker anyway! Sorry, Peter. A huge kick.

That final ten years ago, when Graeme won, was one of the later

finishes. I remember sitting down for a roast dinner at 2.30am! It

wasn't quick. He got his name on the trophy. I don't think he would have

minded what time it finished at. He was in a couple of finals. He was in

a final against Peter Ebdon, lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan here in the final,

and to Neil Robertson. He's got a very good record here, but he's been

up against it in this match. He hasn't played his best. He has had

chances, but he hasn't scored enough.

He's not scored anywhere near enough, Graeme Dott. Mark Williams

has almost double the total points of Graeme, thus far.

Pretty good at that type of shot, Mark. Just have a look at where the

cue ball is left. Very awkward for Graeme Dott for his next shot.

He's covered the red to the left corner, but the one the cue ball is

close to, does pot into this left-hand corner pocket.

Excellent shot. Didn't attempt to play for the black that time.

Not quite sure what price Mark Williams would have been coming into

this Championship. Didn't play in China. Didn't qualify.

Well, he wasn't on the radar, having lost in the first round of the last

three ranking events he had played in. He was asked the question if he

could win the world title on Friday at the media day and he said no

chance! No... Oh! Thank God for gravity! A laugh from Graeme. It has

worked out nicely. The red closest to the cue ball pots into the right

corner pocket. I wonder does he really means that,

that he has no chance? Or is it maybe a bit of psychology just to

take a bit of pressure off himself. I presume it's the latter.

Certainly the performance in this match would have given him a lot of

confidence. I'm sure when the draw came out as

well, Mark Williams, when he found out he was playing a former world

champion in Graeme Dott, he wouldn't have been too pleased. Some of the

first round draws were the toughest you could have got, Ding Junhui, Ali

Carter, from the qualifiers. But it hasn't quite worked out that way.

Yes, Ali Carter said after knocking out Stuart Bingham, if I were a top

16 player I wouldn't have wanted to draw myself. Graeme goes into that

category as a tough first-round opponent. Absolutely.

Peter Ebdon describing Graeme Dott as one of the most tenacious players

around, but you can't do much with tenacity if you're sitting in your

chair, Ken. Let's see one of Mark's specials,

underarm. Just the black will leave Graeme

Dott needing snookers once again. Very impressive stuff, this, from

Mark Williams, it has to be said. Highest break of the match, for

either player. Yes, I think the only thing that's

missing from this match is a century. Nice to see if he could get

one here. A possible 137 on. APPLAUSE

Well played Mark Williams! The crowd love it. Always love a century year,

the Crucible crowd. Such a shame he didn't clear the

table but a wonderful 102 break from the former champion, Mark Williams.

He needs just one more for a place in the second round. He leads Graeme

Dott by nine frames to two. He just floated around the table there,

didn't he, George? He looked like he was just in the practice area. There

is one red when he is just bridging over the pack and fall money when he

played this job I thought he's missed it. When your luck is in,

your luck is in. He thinks that has missed! It wipes its feet. Just

everything has happened for Graeme Dott in this match. He managed to

smile about it even though he was on the end of it and he's on the end of

probably one of his heaviest defeats here at the Crucible. But it's nice

to see him have a little smile. Still a wonderful 102 break from

Mark Williams. This table seems to be playing a lot better today. The

players have been complaining about it a bit for the first couple of

days, a lot of bounces and a lot of kicks. But they have recovered the

cushions. It seems to be playing much better. John Higgins made three

century breaks on it this morning. Nice break their from John Higgins.

Nigel Bond made a comeback from 9-2 down against Cliff Thorburn, I don't

know what year it was, but he came back to beat Cliff Thorburn 10-9.

That's the only match I can remember from such a deficit in the first

round. You weren't born then, were you, George? 708I was born, Kenneth.

-- 78 I was born, Kenneth. There doesn't appear to be a way back, no.

But that is a loose one. A good opener, but a bit of safety

as well. An aggressive safety shop, purposefully into the pack of reds.

He's left one. Well, he could possibly cut this

redback, the one just to the right of the black, to the bottom

right-hand corner pocket -- the bottom left corner pocket.

That's not a bad little knuckle, as it has covered this read down over

the left-hand corner pocket. He went for the plant knowing he

could get a decent white. But Graeme Dott has picked it off

anyway. Yeah, and this time he held it this

side of the baulk line. Always trying to put it in an area

somewhere... The red below the pink to the right-hand corner pocket is a

possibility. Well, he didn't get into that cue

ball at all. REFEREE: Foul and a miss, Mark

Williams four. That miss may be costly. It's the fact that it has

got so close to the yellow. That red would have been on into the right

centre. The brown may come to the rescue

here. Graeme has a little smile again. But he can pot this off

addition, just little swerve. Not 100% sure where the cue ball is

going to finish up, but just a gentle swerve off the right-hand

side cushion. You don't want to over swerve this. Well played. Excellent

shot. APPLAUSE

No. He's really struggling out there, Graeme Dott. That's a

surprising miss. That is three opportunities he has had now, when

Graeme has been in. That wasn't even close. You could see, Ken, on the

previous shot, he was very angry with himself, for where he had left

that red. It was just that positional shot, he should have been

a lot straighter on that red, because he had a straightforward

blue into the left centre, just didn't get on that red the way he

wanted to. Mark Williams certainly won't take liberties, you would

think, being 9-2 up he might go for a view more but Mark Williams will

want this match over as soon as possible. -- a few more.

Oh! Another fantastic pot. You would have to say a little bit lucky, but

that is well-deserved. That was a great pot.

CHUCKLES Wiped its feet, didn't it?

He has underhit that! He has on the hit that! Unbelievable. What an

error that is. Opportunity number four for Graeme

Dott to start the fight back. He has got a nice angle if he needs

to go into the pack of reds here. Well, it's OK.

Both players using every inch of the two corner pockets at the moment.

He wanted to be a little higher on this red so you could try and

disturb the two reds next to it, but he can't do that with this shot.

Those two reds don't pot, so he's going to have to make a little

cannon on those. He has an angle. He's just come round to have a look.

He's got to Mr pink is, so he's going to glance off the outside red

here. -- got to miss the pink. OK, the cue ball has gone tied to the

cushion, but he will certainly be happy with that. -- tight. That is

horrible cueing, that is, Ken. Well played. It was a tough shot, wasn't

it? He cued it nicely. The key to those shots, particularly, is

keeping your head and body very still.

So, 45 ahead and just this red... Yes, well played Graeme Dott.

Williams playing on. Snooker -- snookers required. Well, that will

be that. So, needing to win eight on the

spin, that is the first one out of the way. Graeme Dott still alive but

in trouble. He trails 9-3. STUDIO

Well, he is clinging on isn't he? You made a good point about the

qualifiers, Peter. Do you detect that fatigue might be playing a part

in this match? Well, he looked shattered there, didn't he? You only

have to look at him, he looked absolutely shattered. Maybe it's

just as older players. He is what player who has complained about this

qualifying system but he has won six matches in qualifying in the last

two years. Do you feel it is ultimately going to be a problem? I

think we will find out more when it looks like in all likelihood he is

going to lose and he will go to the press conference and we will hear

more from Graeme. It is more down to the individual more than anything.

The one problem that Graeme Dott has got here is that he is playing

against an absolute master not only when the game is open but when it is

gritty. If the game goes awkward or the balls go awkward, there is no

better player in the game than Mark Williams. As Ken reflected, he has

made a century, but his breaks, typical Mark Williams scoring.

Relentless, isn't it? Phenomenal scoring. Probably the way he has

played, he would be that many frames up against anyone. Back we go.

COMMENTATOR: Nice break from Mark Williams. That has put Graeme on the

back foot at the start of this frame. An interesting point about

qualifiers. Some people would say if you win three matches at least you

have a bit of momentum. We saw Ali Carter, the way he played against

Stuart Bingham, a qualifier. Anthony McGill, of course, against Shaun

Murphy. I suppose you do get a bit more tired when you are 9-2 down as

opposed to 9-2 ahead. That does have some sort of effect on you.

Particular the way this match has gone, Graeme has had chances. He

just hasn't scored well and he has been getting a bit annoyed that

things haven't gone his way either the luck has been against him. That

can wear you out. REFEREE: Foul and a miss, Mark

Williams seven. I guess the flip side to that

argument is if you are playing a qualifier, you come to the Crucible

battle hardened. Absolutely, your confidence is up. If a player comes

in knowing that you have had a few matches under your belt, he's going

to be a bit wary. This looks a better line. I think it will be

interesting to hear what Graeme Dott says in his press conference. You

have been in the press room, George. What have the players been saying?

The likes of Ali Carter, Anthony McGill have come through that

process, Alan McManus as well, who beat Stephen Maguire. What have they

been saying about fatigue and the qualifying system? There have been

no complaints from any of the qualifiers we have spoken to about

fatigue certainly this early in the tournament. I guess if you come

through qualifying you are happy enough just to be at the Crucible.

We didn't hear from Ronnie O'Sullivan, because he opted not to

put in an appearance to his best conference today. I'm told there may

be a disciplinary process after that. Which was very odd, because it

was a routine victory. There was no obvious reason for O Sullivan not to

appear. I'm sure we will be reading about that in the papers tomorrow.

In the meantime, Mark Williams keeping the pressure on Graeme Dott.

APPLAUSE That's a good safety shot.

CHUCKLES Well, that just shows you the speed

of these tables. Graeme Dott was hoping to knock that read just past

the middle pocket on the right-hand side and just look how far it has

travelled, an extra five or six feet. I thought that was going to

drop. The gravity is obviously stronger on the left-hand side of

the table! He has played that nicely. Could

have done with coming another couple of inches down for that red he is

close to. He will come back for the black here. Well!

REFEREE: Mark Williams, four. Wide that is unusual.

Well, is there a possible plant here for Graeme Dott? He can certainly

make the plant and he can stay on the black as well. Yeah, nice shot.

Great chance, this, to claw another one back.

There are certainly 20 of red is available. He doesn't have to do too

much with the cue ball, it just keep it in cloaks proximity to the black

every tiny pot to red. He has at least another 45 reds in

the open. They should not have to worry about developing any.

When you are so far ahead and the finishing line is there, do you get

fidgety? You certainly do. Then your opponent decides to come back. Mark

Williams will not take liberties. He wants to get out and back to his

hotel and get ready for his next match. Once a player gets some are

meant it is hard to stop. He won't be worried just yet. He is so far

behind. He would be pressing any panic buttons. The worst thing you

can do in any sport is take liberties. Sometimes it comes back

to haunt you. Mark Williams is too old in the tooth to push the panic

button but Graeme Dott has not played that shot very well. He is

way off where he wanted to be. These are missable.

He had the insurers of the red open ball. When good cannon into those

bunch of reds. He does not have to hit these too hard. That will do

nicely. This will be Graeme Dott's highest

break of the match. That was frame ball. 63 points ahead

and 59 left on the table. The cup of tea will taste nicer for

the Graham. As he goes for his mid-session interval. He has put up

a good fight in these last two frames. It has been an excellent

break. Nice shot. Does the red below the

pink pot? He tried to bring that red out. He will be hitting this around

the table trying to forget. Calling all pockets! He would be bothered.

He will be delighted with the 88 and the frame. The players go after the

interval and its Mark Williams who still leads 9-4.

He never knows when he is beaten. It is an awful long way back but signs

of great improvement in the last couple of frames. A little bit slack

from Mark Williams. He would have liked to have gotten that out of the

way before the mid-session interval. The red he left only the middle

pocket wasn't great. He has given himself more aggravation. At what

point do the alarm bells ring in this situation? If a player gets to

within four frames, you can win four frames against enemy. Mark will be

looking to wrap it up as soon as he can. I see you have your cue in hand

and that can mean only one thing. It means John Parrott is about to do

his impression of Alexandra Armstrong or Leslie Crowther because

it is hot quiz. Peter Ebdon it is your time to answer the five

questions. Every question equals a red so if you get five questions

right you can remove the five friends of the table. Concentrate on

these and then you have two pot all the reds and finally the black

against the clock. Steve Davis did it into bits and 11 seconds. He has

just retired so I can't begin. That would be out of order. Who did you

play on your Crucible debut in 1992? Steve Davis. Correct. When you won

the title in 2002 who did you beat in the quarterfinal? Was it Anthony

Hamilton? They could. Two out of two. What is your highest Crucible

century break? I remember one year I think I shared the high break prize

with 145. 144 in 19 96. Who was in the runner-up at the China open

earlier this month? It was a tournament you played in. I think I

got zero in the first round. Judd Trump on it. I cant remember who he

bought. It was Ricky Walden. We are not allowing that. Which player have

you met most times in your career? Is it John Higgins, Mark Williams,

Steve Davis or Ronnie O'Sullivan? John Higgins. It is Ronnie

O'Sullivan. 34 times. I must have won at least once. Did you get to?

You can remove any two reds like off the table. I will take that one and

that one. Your time will start when you strike the cue ball for the

first time. There is no playing safe. What chance have got them? Are

you ready? Starting now. One. This is brilliant. Look at this. He has

snookered himself. This is a big shock. This could get there by fears

they! Three. 30 seconds. You have had 30 seconds already. Oh no! The

ones down the bottom should be good now. A little bit more to do when

you get up this end but they will be close to the black so it's not all

bad. One minute. You have had one minute. Are you putting all the reds

appear to make it easier at the end? Looking good. Five reds left. Don't

do that! I'm in trouble now. Left-handed, year we go. And a miss.

Referee, what was that! I fancy you getting the next two. We are up to

one minute and 30 seconds. Don't finish behind Steve Davis, you will

never hear the end of it. This is perfect. I didn't know you could

play left-handed. Quickly. Excellent. Getting ready for the

black everybody. Two minutes. You have to be quick.

Here we go. Two minutes and seven seconds. Peter Ebdon is in front.

We have never seen him move so fast. That is the time to beat and we will

have many more contenders in the coming days. Back to the serious

stuff than the match on the other side of the arena which features the

world on Mark Selby. That is the first chance we have had to see him.

This is the man on the couple of years ago in spectacular fashion. He

beat Ronnie O'Sullivan after coming back from three frames to wait down

in that final. I don't know how much champagne was consumed that night

but today's opponent Robert Milkins does like a cider. He has got the

best walk on music of the lot. I am not getting any younger. I need to

start doing well in tournaments now. I have only got a few years left

probably to do well at the Crucible. This is probably one of my last

chances so it's about time I started producing some good snooker. There

is no place like it on the planet. As a snooker player playing at the

Crucible in front of all those people, you feel they are on your

back yard that close to you. It is very special. Sheffield is a nice

places well. It does make you feel very special when people come up to

you asking for your autograph and they realise you are a player.

Probably the Neil Robertson came, that was the highlight. I played

well against Mark in the last couple of tournaments. I have not had a bad

career but he has had a fantastic one. He has gone from strength to

strength. I am going to be the underdog but with a bit of luck

maybe it will be my day. The world number one and 21 have not met often

on the big occasion. That only confrontation the World

Championships was in a qualifying match which Mark Selby on ten years

ago. Mark has won the last three contests but don't forget Robert

Milkins caused quite a stir here before, knocking out a big favourite

Hugh Robertson in this opening round three years ago. He is a dangerous

opponent. We are going to join them in the opening frame. Dark Selby is

ten points up and commentary comes from John Virgo and Willie Thorne.

Trying to plot his way out of trouble. A red has gone to the ball

end with the cue ball. Did well to get the cue ball back near the ball

cushion. Unfortunately the red came with it.

In his previous safety shot he pushed the black to the side

cushion. It will be tough to score 30 or 40 points here with the balls

are. You could play the red in the middle and kiss the black down to

the corner. He has got the angle. Would you play

for the back. The problem is even if you get the kiss he is not bound to

leave it on so it's too dangerous. Not trying to disturb the Blackburn

playing on it. It would be a tough black along the cushion. He may be

forced into playing for the black. That is not the best shot.

He wants to play the green but is slightly hampered by the blue. There

is a red the bottom of the cluster that will go to the right corner. He

is OK. He plays with a very thick cue. He

generates as much a spin as most people. Most people have a nine or

ten millimetre cap. It is quite big that, John.

We were saying why didn't he take the long red on but he decides to

play the safety and as it turns out that the safety shot has set up this

frame-winning chance. He has done well to get the pink in the so

early. He can win this frame on pinks alone now. He will need at

least six of these reds. He is one of those players that goes

down and hits. Very natural. He is OK. He met the little cannon.

He will probably play for the left -- for the pink into the left

middle. If he gets another three reds and

three pinks Mark Selby will need a snooker. This has been a good break.

A series of little stands and screws. He has not had to move the

white more than a foot. Very good. Yes and as we said he is very fluid

around the table. It doesn't take him long to win a frame when he gets

the chance. 15 seconds a shot. 52 points ahead and 51 remaining. He

needs this reds to make absolutely certain. He has not got it so this

frame is not over just yet. Mark Selby needs a snooker. Mark Selby

won the next with a break of 54. In frame three Robert Milkins is about

to edge ahead again. He's had a break of 50. Mark Selby with a 43.

It has been scrappy but it is Robert Milkins on the verge of taking a 2-1

lead. You can watch this one live on the red button for the moment that

the man making his seventh appearance since 2002 Robert Milkins

berry accomplished player and very quick player has taken a 2-1 lead.

You can continue to watch that on the red button but there is mileage

in the match between Mark Williams and Graeme Dott. The Welshman needs

one more foray second-round appearance. The fire alarm has gone

off so we will leave you in the hands of Ken and John.

No alarm bells ringing just now for Mark Williams but should Graeme Dott

get a few frames on the board it might get interesting. We do like to

see a few twitches in the common shoe box. He is reminding Mark

Williams that he is there. From 9-2 behind. Stats can often be

misleading. Graeme Dott is out doing Mark in pot success and rest pox --

rest pot success but he is 9-4 down. That one very close indeed to the

pink. As it is it is a pretty good shot.

This cue ball could be pretty good. He has left this red into the left

corner. He may try and dislodge the pink away from the blue. It didn't

go into the heart of the pocket. Went in on the near side and that is

why the cue ball went into the pack of reds.

His long potting has been good today, Graeme Dott. He just hasn't

been able to build frame-winning breaks.

That is a wonderful shot. Wonderful touch. Sometimes it can veer off if

the table isn't totally level. He might end up playing a similar

shot here. Just a containing safety shot. Just about. He has come to

have a look. He has to be careful of the red over the left-hand corner

pocket. Heat is not want to leave that. That is not hard enough.

How unlucky is that? Fabulous long pot.

He was in so much trouble he had to parties without but was very unlucky

to going off in the middle. He has left the chance. That is pretty

good. As you said, there is nothing wrong with his long potting but he

needs the black open or the pink on its spot and the blue open as well

if he is going to win the frame from this position.

That is incredible. He tried support the cue ball in an area he thought

he was going to be on two or three reds and he has ended up on the

thing. It's hard to believe. How on earth as he done that? He is

rattling in some terrific long reds but is not building on it.

A similar error from Mark Williams. What has he left? He's got that red

but where is the colour going to come from. Super shot. That is

fantastic. He could not have hit that much better. Have a look at the

cue ball here. Beautiful shot. Well, he is in no man's land again.

He made part this red into the left centre, cannon into the reds just

next to it and then possibly leave the red next to the blue or pink to

the corner. A little cannon on this red here. Now he has left the blue

into the green pocket. Is a pressure pot with the reds all

over the place. Never looked like missing.

Eventually he is going to have to try and get on that pink into the

green pocket, similar shot to the blue he has just played. He will

take this yellow and maybe go for the red that is closest to the pink

spot. Get on the red next to the pink spot and if he can got -- if he

has got angle... Well, that has just run on. He's having to work hard for

these 14 points so far. That is actually not too bad, that

little knuckle off the middle pocket, that has come nice. He

wanted to be on the one on the pink spot.

Almost willing the cue ball to be a bit straighter on this pink, wasn't

he? Well, that's hard to believe and

just synonymous with what has been happening to Graeme Dott in this

match. He hasn't had the run. He has worked so hard for those 26 points

with the cue ball all over the table but the position he has left itself

in, he's smooth good on Allred 's. Easy to hit the red on the left-hand

side of the table close to the cushion, but he would be running

towards the right-hand corner pocket.

APPLAUSE Pretty good.

APPLAUSE Nice little tap on the table from

Graeme Dott. Excellent weight on that safety shot. It has made it

more difficult the fact that he has blocked the reds down the right side

of the table. He will possibly try to play a little containing safety

shot and leave the cue ball here on this top cushion. No. That's not too

bad. Well worked out, that. Mark will want that lack back into play,

I'm sure. -- that black. Again, excellent weight on the

safety. He has played some good ones, hasn't he? He has had to. He

has not ported a ball for 25 minutes now, Mark Williams.

He may have left this red. The blue is waiting over the centre.

Looks like he has a nice angle on the green just to get down onto the

reds. Tried to come the other side, just

didn't get enough right-hand side on it. This is a tough shot. Well,

that's a fantastic shot. With the rest! Excellent shot from Mark

Williams. Has Graeme Dott played his last shot

in this year's Betfred World Championships? Mark Williams just

coming round to see if the black bars pot. I'm sure it does go.

He's had to be very patient, Mark Williams, for this opportunity to

clinch frame and match. From 9-2. Graeme Dott started battling back in

trademark fashion. But will he get another shot? It's very tight, isn't

it, this black? He's had a few looks at it. Certainly the red below the

black does pot. He would love to pot the red to the right of the black

spot. He didn't like it. The only saving grace for Graeme

Dott might be that red next to the black. He needs a nice angle on blue

or pink here. He doesn't want to be straight.

Well, he's got a little bad contact but what he wanted to do was pot the

pink and play a snooker on the red, knock it up the table and play eight

snooker behind the black. But he hasn't gone far enough. He got the

snooker but not enough distance between red and cue ball.

Needs a little bit of luck here, Graeme Dott, try and get a bit of

distance between cue ball and red. That is not too bad. He would

certainly settle for that. A tap of the table from mark this

time. Well, he is shaping up to take this

on. His long pot success has been pretty good, 80%.

How does this look? Is it going to go over the left centre?

Maybe a little bit too close to the green. He can... A bit awkward. Good

shot. Eight points ahead. He's going to

need yellow, green, brown and the blue. One good positional shot from

the yellow here and it could be all over.

The writing on the wall, it seems, now, for Graeme Dott.

Well, it's been a magnificent performance from Mark Williams, has

Graeme Dott looks on. He knows his championship for this year is over.

He made a bit of a fight of it. He will be disappointed by his

performance overall but I'm sure he will be back. 22 ahead now, just 13

on the table. Mark Williams is going into the last 16 of this year's

Betfred World Championship, as Graeme Dott gives him his hand and

says congratulations, well done. What a magnificent performance from

Mark Williams. The former champion is through to the last 16, ten

frames to four. His 19th appearance, the 15th time

he has got beyond round one but the first time for four years that he

has done so. He has waited a long time. The boys described it as a

magnificent performance, would you agree? Yes, he is just blessed with

tremendous ring craft, he knows his way around the table. There's no one

better when the balls are all awkward. He played shots other

people wouldn't play. You sit there and you play him at times and you

think he is in trouble here and the Bulls a shot out. When the frames

are open he can do what everyone else does as well. He's a

phenomenally good matchplay. I think you forget just how pre-eminent and

dominant a player he was particularly in the early 2000s,

2003, 2000 four. He won everything he was completely the dominant

player of his era, wasn't he? Yes and he has always been a fantastic

match player. It plays lots and lots of clever shots. He has two Mendis

ring craft and he is a fantastic competitor as well. That is a great

win for him because we all know that Graeme is such a tough match player

and Mark really didn't get out of second gear there, I think he has a

lot more to come. He will be playing either Neil Robertson or Michael

Holt in the next round. Congratulations. Into the second

round for the first time in four years. Still a bit of form in that

frame, isn't there? Yes, I played quite well in that match. I just

wanted to do myself justice. Last year was really bad. I've been

working really hard, with my coach Lee Walker and I've played a lot

better. I've made a lot of breaks and my safety was quite good and

hopefully I can carry it on. You are an incredibly laid-back character.

When we had a chat at the press day last Friday people were asking you

what chance you have got and you even said to me no chance. But

you're still a class, class act. Is that something you do just to

lighten the moment, or having won it twice, are you genuinely relaxed

about how you get on here? I think I'm just honest, really. I'm not

going to stand here and say that I can win it, I'm not going to kid

myself. But I'm still a good match for anybody. I've got as good chance

as most of the competition. I'm 41 now, nearly as old as you, Rob!

Eight days, you won't let me forget it! At an just enjoying it because

you don't know how many times you're going to come back here. I enjoyed

it out there. A word about Steve Davis, it was incredibly emotional

yesterday and I'm sure you're someone who grew up watching him

before you ended up playing him on the big stages. Yes, it's

unbelievable what he's done, on and off the table. I was surprised by

his announcement yesterday because I thought he retired five years ago, I

didn't realise! But no, he is one of the best things ever to happen to

snooker really, on and off the table. He has continued to be

involved and there is nothing left to say about him that everyone else

hasn't Reddy said, just nice things. The best of luck in the next round,

always great to have you. Still smiling. Cheers! He always called

Steve Davis Nug, he has always called him that, Nug. Lovely to hear

great response from all the players and so many tweets of congratulation

and warm wishes from everybody, it does gladden the heart a bit,

doesn't it? Absolutely, we all think the world of Steve, he is an

absolute legend and he's been such an ambassador. The deep respect all

the players have got is just incredible and it shows what a

special player he is, for everybody who knows him to feel like that. If

he continues to play like this, Mark Williams, whoever gets through, what

kind of game do you think he could play? As Peter says, are there a few

more gears he could go to in this championship? He didn't really play

when he turned up last year but I was really impressed with how he

played us now. It looks on paper like it will get Neil Robertson in

the next round which is another very tough test but if Mark plays as we

know he can do come here is a tough match for everyone because he has

got wonderful ring craft. He did mention the fact that when you get

to 40, 41, you don't know how many times you will get back to the

Crucible. Does that play a part in your thinking and perhaps your

ambition levels? No matter what we say to the press, I think in our

hearts we all still believe we can win and we think we can win the

tournament. There aren't many players still playing the game if

they didn't believe they could win another World Championship. Mark

Williams would have every right to think he can win another World

Championship because as he quite rightly says, on his day he is a

great match for anybody. He probably is just so relaxed, he can walk down

the corridor there and look at the list of winners and his name is

there twice. No one is going to break in in the middle of the night

and file your name of the trophy! Hit has won it before and he can

still play. He is well still in this championship and that was a great

performance from the Welshmen today. Mark Williams goes through for the

first time in four years. We are going to turn our attention now to

the Mark Selby Robert Milkins match. World in the one coming

the Mark Selby Robert Milkins match. played a competitive match for five

weeks and the last we saw he was two frames to one down against Robert

Milkins. We're going to pick them up in frame four, and milking is

trailing in this one 58 points -- 38 points to 51 and back we go to

Willie and John. COMMENTATOR: If he gets a snooker

here, Mark Selby is in big trouble. Just about got the snooker. We may

have a new favourite for this frame. Mark Williams tried to get the same

contact on the red, so it will be replaced. -- the thin contact. The

first time around you always are on the side of hitting it too thin, you

would rather missed it then hit it too thick. -- always err on that

side. Played it well. Where is the cue ball going to finish?

APPLAUSE Not quite the snooker, that would

have been a bonus. But that is an excellent safety shot

from Robert Milkins. He's certainly given as good as he gets in the

safety exchanges. Yes, 85% success where Mark Selby is at 69, you would

normally expect it to be the other way round. I'm not sure if he can

get through to the potting angle next to the pink it might be worth