Monday, 1st Round, Morning Snooker: World Championship

Good morning to you. The Rocket's engines are firing early on a Monday

morning. He has had overnight to put some more fuel in the tanks before

Ronnie O'Sullivan tackles the second deciding session of his opening

round in this year's World Championship. His opponent, David

Gilbert of Staffordshire, who is the world ranked 22 will be going out

there number -- shortly. We also have John Higgins up against Ryan

Day this morning so plenty to look forward to on a Monday morning, but

as for the Rocket, he is the favourite to land a sixth world

title and as always, his fellow professionals are full of admiration

for his game. Snicker is lucky to have him in the way he is, the way

he carries himself. I think if he does the way that Hendry did, I

think we could see snooker in a different light. It is a loss for

the tour when he was not playing. I take advice from him in most things

he does. Talented player, but unfortunately sometimes not quite

there mentally and that is what makes them vulnerable and that is

part of why people come to see him. Jekyll Hyde. That's all I can say,

really. When he is on the top of his game coming here is more or less

impossible to beat. The best player I have ever seen on the table. I

think most people would agree with that. In the last four or five

years, he has mentally been as good as he has ever been in his career. I

have known Ronnie since he was nine years old and he came into King's

Cross Snooker club. I thought he had serious ability. Could have been the

best player we have ever seen, but currently the records suggest

otherwise. I think on his day, he can be anyone he wants and if he is

in his right frame of mind, you cannot beat him. Great anticipation

to see how well he is going to play here. Good shot. Excellent cue ball.

The best possible start for David Gilbert, who has taken the opening

frame. Hard to see how well Ronnie is cueing. That shows to Riddick

focus there. -- terrific. That was awkward. There is definitely a new

favourite. Ronnie O'Sullivan goes to the mid-session interval with a 3-1

advantage. Brilliant cueing. And that is a magnificent break. Got it?

Well, that is so unlucky. He has got him again. Very well played from

Ronnie O'Sullivan. 4-2. That was better. And that magnificent break

of 125 takes into just one frame behind. He is a long way off. Some

of the safety shots he has played have been quite exceptional. Eight

to refix shot. And a great way to finish for the favourite. He will be

delighted, you would have to say, and he takes the session by 6-3. And

there is David Gilbert, the man who has got a little bit of ground to

make up on the Rocket if he is to get past today. The first and then

go through and Dave starts behind. One match will conclude this

morning, another will get underway, and it features the four-time world

champion John Higgins, who like Ronnie O'Sullivan has been coming to

the Crucible over 20 years. Just fixing the dickie bow tie and there,

looking very smart. John taking an Ryan Day, who came to qualifying

after a win in the last round against another former champion, our

own Ken Doherty, so who likes Monday mornings? We are about to find out

with MC Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

It is day three year at the snooker World Championship and after today,

happy places will have been taken. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. We have

your Monday morning entertainment all under control right here, right

now, in Sheffield. Please welcome a proud Welshman who

came through the qualifiers in excellent form to book his 11th tilt

at the title, three times a quarterfinalist here, he has enjoyed

some huge moments here at the crystal ball, he is right in the

groove, it is Ryan dynamite day. MUSIC PLAYS: The Passenger by Iggy

Pop. And his opponent, a player to some thought was past his best a

couple of seasons ago, and how he proved he has still got the touch,

winning three ranking event titles last year, taking his tally to 28 in

total, or times a champion of the world, he is the Wizard of Wishart,

he is John Higgins. And on table two, a player

rediscovering his best form this season. He reached a ranking place

in November and is on a bird of the place in the world's top 20. Here

comes the man who calls themselves the angry farmer. It is David

Gilbert. And finally, the most exciting

talent the sport of snooker has ever known, bidding for a 21st appearance

in the second round here at the Crucible, five times a champion of

the world, blink and you'll miss them, the Rockets, Ronnie

O'Sullivan. This is Ronnie's 24th appearance at

the Crucible. It is the fourth time for his opponent today, David

Gilbert and he played very well, David Gilbert. It will be

interesting to see how he plays this morning. Do they like Monday

mornings? I know that our commentators certainly do. Good

morning, Hazel. So it is David Gilbert who gets this

second session underway. 6-3, probably not a true reflection of

what happened in those first nine frames. No. We saw some clips of

yesterday afternoon's session. He definitely could have won, but you

never know what may have happened. I think he was a little bit

demoralised in the final frame. It will be interesting to see if he can

play the same way he played yesterday. His shot choice was

aggressive, his long putt was aggressive. He did not get a great

run of the balls. That may change. Cot that much too thick. He has left

the red to the right middle, but it could have been easier. He may be

hampered by the other reds. You don't have to do a lot with the cue

ball. Played it nicely. Whoever pots the first red, you know there is a

chance of getting a viewpoint. -- few points. He is a good player, is

Dave, just hovering outside of the top 16. He has certainly got the

ability to be a regular top 16 players. I was very impressed with

him yesterday. I played him a long time ago when he first came onto the

scene, and I don't know if you can judge someone on their first

appearance, but I was very impressed with his shot choice.

See there, the tip of the cue, very similar to Ronnie. A final pull-back

in the tip comes almost back to the film. -- thumb. I am not quite

certain which read he played for and there. I think he would rather be on

the one that is next to the black. He could have been a bit further

down and halted that and they do the black available to both corners. He

has a little bit of work to do here with the cue ball. It is imperative

you get position, and he is obviously not happy. He is going to

town on the black. -- cannon. Decided to take the risk of not

developing the black and all things considered that could have worked

out much better. Both on 147 balls. He played that

nicely. That was very well struck. Quite an angle on the blue, some to

get the action on the cue ball was good. Perfect.

APPLAUSE He may have risked going into the

five reds there. When there are one or two loose, that is possible. He

may be a little wary of going into early.

To win this, he will have to go into those reds at some point. Two loose

threads. But not be enough. He is taking this very well and this is

the thing we always say about why snooker is such a tough game, Ronnie

O'Sullivan is one of the most natural talents who has ever played

in the game but he will have to sit in his seat now and hope that his

opponent misses so he gets a chance of getting back in. Once you're in

that chair, and this was it, he caught it a fraction too thick and

caused the cue ball to get in the jaws of the pocket and ran into the

reds. Now it is up to whether Dave Gilbert can score enough points in

the frame in one visit. 52 ahead, 83 remaining.

With a couple of reds and a couple of blacks, he could win it APPLAUSE

. But these reds along the top cushion, particularly if they are

just off the cushion, are very tricky. But he certainly has not got

the angle on the black to bring that cluster of five into play. This

black will put him 60 points in front, still a possible 75

remaining. Is he going to come off the side cushion into the cluster?

The cue ball seem to come of their very square.

APPLAUSE I think he just hasn't put the cue

ball exactly where he wanted to. A touch on the left-hand side and he

would have missed the pack the other way so it has been a very good

visit. Well, that was a very good contribution. He has a 60 point

lead, but as I say, there are still 75 remaining. He is favourite. But

if Ronnie was to box the next red, it could actually turn around. --

pot. Cot that much too thick. Maybe that is the mistake that Ronnie has

made there. Getting David Gilbert his first frame of the morning. 250

shots Ronnie has played, and both thick. -- two safety shots.

67 points remaining. He would have liked an easier black than this, but

just couldn't get to the cue ball, perhaps concentrating too much on

the pot. Yeah, well done.

APPLAUSE And that is sometimes all it takes.

67 remaining. All Ronnie has done is just play two safety shots and a

little bit too thick. Now he needs a snooker.

APPLAUSE It is not a bad hit but if Dave was

to pot this, Ronnie would not bother coming back to the table.

APPLAUSE Well, he's done what he had to do

this morning. That was his target, Dave, to win the first round. 7-3

down would have been a good frontrunner. I think you have any

chance in this match, I said yesterday, I thought the match was

partly over, but if Dave could somehow win the first three out of

the first four frames, you never know. He has certainly played very

well in this opening frame this morning. Ronnie has not had an

opportunity. What Dave has done, he has done it well.

APPLAUSE A little bit disappointed there that

he is not on the spread, but it does not matter. Very important to get

this first frame of the morning. Very good going.

APPLAUSE Very good.

Very classy that from David Gilbert there. Kept Ronnie O'Sullivan in his

seat. As Stephen said, just what he needed. He has closed the gap to

two. He still trails, though. And it was all about Ronnie just not being

able to find the right contact on his safety shots. Very unusual.

Normally, his safety is as good as anybody's, but this is way too

thick. This one Dave was a little bit fortunate here to cover the

right-hand side of the bunch. This is a tough shot, very easy to hit

this one thick. He has got to favour that way, rather than hit it then,

because that would have been no good at all. Yesterday, he may have

covered that red with the banks so there is a little change today. You

never know what will happen in these long matches. I must say, from Iona

experience, -- from my own experience, it was not easy at 10am.

This used to be the only tournament was played in the mornings. Yes,

absolutely. When we first came here to Sheffield, we used to start at

10:30am and I thought that was bad enough, and then it went to 10am. He

may even cannon into the bed and lack. I still expect him to get

this. He was not a mile away, and he fully committed. Now what damage has

he done? I think he has left Ronnie and easy starter. Oh, that's a

bonus. You wouldn't have minded leaving the

red, and he left it absolutely perfect, didn't he? So he could roll

it in. You can watch an artist at work now.

Going back to yesterday afternoon's session, Ronnie was still very, very

impressive. He always thought it was inevitable he was going to win the

frame in one visit. Just looking at the success there, 94% from David

Gilbert. That would put you in front in most matches. 96%, Ronnie. And

long part success. If Ronnie is knocking the long ones, that makes

him very hard to beat. I think anything over 66% is good.

In opportunity, only because of the angle he has on the black. I was

going to say, he always knew it would be in the same pocket but it

has gone wrong and that is the risk. Is that a sign? That is what

happened a couple of times to Dave yesterday. You can count those on

one hand, the sorts of shot that Ronnie has played there. Yeah, he

did not expect to kiss the second red and then he hits the third red.

Time for a counterattack. APPLAUSE

This is the type of frame that can turn. I can't stress how important

it is if Dave was to win this match, this visit to the table. Oh, no.

This does not look good. You could say that is a bad shot.

Look at the amount of reds in the open and the area he had to land the

ball in. Yes, you could say it was unlucky but that red was there all

the time. Yeah, it's just one of those things around the ball. He's

not going to make the most of this opportunity. Just a safety.

Where is the red going? I think the Green may have come to his rescue,

so he has not left that red on. There you see it. But it quite

easily have left it on. But the fact that he hasn't has given Ronny Deila

full problem here. He can't play a safety shot back to the baulk and

because he would leave that shot to the middle and there isn't really an

option where there is an easy containing safety. Is he going to

have to play this red closest to the blue to the right corner? Try on pot

his way out of trouble? Yeah. As you say, I can't see a safety shot. Mind

you, I never could! I'll be honest, I can't see a good one myself. He

may try and pot his way out of this. Well, he decided in the end to play

a safety shot and that is a very poor one. Much too thick, again. Has

played three safety shots, two in the first frame at that one, and he

is supposed to be hitting them just less than quarter ball and each one

he has hit half ball. It takes all the pace out of the cue ball and it

has gifted this easy starter. As we said in the first frame, it doesn't

matter how good you are, when you are sat in your chair and the other

fellow is at the table, there's nothing you can do about it.

So what can he make with this opportunity?

Looking at his body language there, there are two reds close together.

The one in the middle just passes those two reds. I agree with you,

Stephen, he's got to take these opportunities now. He's been gifted

this chance. Running having to sit there and

wonder if that poor safety will cost in this frame. -- Ronnie. Not a

straightforward run to the line. He may choose to play for the pink

of this red. -- off this red. Take the chance of snookering himself on

the other red out of the equation. No, he has played for the black.

Decent little shot. The red to the right of the black

spot, if he gets himself low on that one, he could play to take the red

on the right-hand cushion off and leave himself on the pink. He would

love the cue ball where it is right now on that red to the right of the

black, that would be perfect. Yes, that's perfect.

He did. He just wanted to catch the red a bit fuller. OK he has

developed the red, but it would have been nice if he could have played

this without using the rest. Just wanted to get in behind it a bit

more. It is quite straight. He will stun the reds at the left middle.

Make sure you don't miss the pot, whatever you do.

And this red to the left middle, when he pops it, will make the

points all square. Ideally he would like to screw back for the red to

the left corner but that makes this pot a lot more difficult. -- for the

black to the left corner. He's playing for the black. This is the

right shot. Well, he will have to play the pink

now. I think he was just trying to minimise the difficulty of the pot.

He needs a good angle off this next red after the pink. To get good

position on the red just off the top cushion. That is a bit more

difficult. GROANS FROM CROWD

Oh! Did not expect that. There you see maybe another side of the run of

the ball is changing today. He has got away with it. Think in those

situations, who has got away with it? As Dave got away with it or has

Ronnie got away with it? Ronnie must have been sat there thinking... That

he would not get another shot this frame. An expected Mr. He did not

see that coming. As a player, you have got to look at it positively.

Not the fact that you have not been left an easy pot, but the fact that

your opponent hasn't cleared up. He's worried about the plant of

knocking the pink into the corner if he played that red. This is a better

cue ball. This is a much better shot. Very good. He was worried

about leaving the red but he'll soon knew that if he got a good cue ball

then everything would be difficult. That is the case and he has lived

with him both reds. This is the view that Dave has got.

He can't get past the blue and he can't get past the yellow for the

other red. He is in a spot of bother here. Six points in front and he is

now second favourite for this frame. Well, all you can do here is just

hope that you hit the red. No problem hitting the red but whether

he can get the red safe or not is another matter. And if he doesn't

coming in those it could cost him the frame. Just trying to play a

little flick. Could be a free ball, this. It all depends whether Ronnie

can hit both sides of the red that is just to the right of the pink. If

he can't... REFEREE: Free ball. Free ball! And

he is nicely on the brown. This will count as a red, remember.

So there is the one point, and a colour to follow. Now Ronnie with

the frame at his mercy. Ronnie purposefully going up for the

baulk colour. He knew that way that he could play green or brown and be

nicely on the yellow. Little glance at the scoreboard. 11 points in

front. Make that 14. Yellow, green and brown to get to the snooker is

required stage. Well, Dave Gilbert had a chance.

Very surprising miss on that red in the middle. As Stephen alluded to at

the time, he has to take these opportunities. These half chances.

He's not going to get a lot of opportunities from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. But when he gets them, as he did in the first frame, he has

to take them. He had two half chances in this one. Didn't make the

most of it. Doesn't matter about the pink. Dave Gilbert won't be bothered

about coming back to the table. He notes to referee Jan Verhaas and

both players are leaving the arena. Ronnie O'Sullivan back three frames

in front, 7-4. It's funny, the first frame Dave

really looked good and then Ronnie once again played a poor safety sub

and gave him a chance. You just think the shot selection here was

wrong? Yes. Although it makes the shot much more difficult, you have

to think, and were going to clear up and win the frame that this visit?

He wants to play the red on the black fish and first because the red

near the middle pocket is trickier than it looks. He wants to just drop

that one in later. He wants to play for the black here so he can drop on

the red on the cushion. That is why people lose position, isn't it? They

are making certain of the pot and not actually playing the correct

shot. I will be honest, I know what you're saying about these type of

pots in the middle, they look a lot easier on the overhead shot than

they actually are at the table, but I never expected him to miss this. I

didn't either, but he is playing it with slower drag and a touch of

right-hand side. That is the thing with his long cue action, if you

decelerate the slightest bit, I didn't expect him to miss it. And of

course while he is playing that red into the middle, he is thinking I

can't get on the right side of the blue so I have to leave myself an

angle on the pink and all these things are going through his mind as

he is playing the shot, because he needed an angle on the pink to get

on the awkward last red. It's just bad shot selection at a vital time

that can cost you at this game. Ronnie will be very pleased to have

got a second opportunity. He got in first in that frame. He would have

been very pleased to see Dave miss the red to the middle and get

another opportunity. To be fair, he played an excellent safety shot of

the second last red and sniggered Dave -- snookered Dave. Fine margins

but that is what the game is all about at this high level.

When Dave Gilbert came into this match this morning 6-3 behind, you

set yourself little goals. He was probably thinking, the first four

frames, if I can win three of them... I will cut the gap and only

be one behind. He had a chance to win the second frame but missed that

red into the middle. It is those half chances he has to be taking if

he is going to push Ronnie all the way. Which he's certainly capable

of, he has proven that. Looking at this red to the left-hand

corner. Is he playing for the black? That's the right way of playing it.

He is. The red he was playing was the only one he could leave. Unless

there is a gap through a bunch for a red to the right corner here. The

plant? I was going to say, you would only play the plant if you thought

you were certain to be on the black, this is tough, this. Well, he played

it and he got it! It had to be made, it wasn't dead

set on, if you like. Ronnie just slightly hampered. Will he play in

left-handed? He has decided to play it in the far corner rather than the

middle. Well, that's beautifully played. Absolutely exquisite. The

action he gets on the ball without seemingly hitting it hard.

He will have to play a little cannon here. It's going to leave it a

little bit to luck. That is the problem when you run

into them like that. He caught it too full and it didn't really leave

anything. He has got this red to the left middle, but tricky. That is the

problem. When you're tight against the cushion, there's not really a

lot you can do with the cue ball. He's potted the red but that's all

he's going to get, the extra point. He's on nothing, note colour.

So, he didn't make the most of that opportunity. Dave having a look at

the plant. It looks dead set to me. The only thing is, can he get past

the green to hit it? And he has got the problem of not letting Ronnie

see it. Getting that safety shot near the

yellow on the side of the table. Well, it looks as though he tried to

move the plant. He could be in trouble next time around. If Ronnie

can get this cue ball stuck behind the yellow.

Well, he's made a mistake there, Ronnie. Particularly if he has left

Dave the chance to hit the red on the right-hand side of the table. It

will be an easy safety shot, this. We'll be trying to get the cue ball

in behind the yellow. He's got the advantage now. When

Ronnie played his attempted snooker, he needed to be tied up to the

yellow. As it happens, Ronnie could just get past that yellow to hit

that red as he liked. So it was a bit of a let off. And he's played it

well. Dave Gilbert's turn to play a safety

shot and hit it much too thick. Well, just the yellow makes this

slightly awkward for Ronnie. But he played with wonderful control of the

cue ball to hold for the black. Fully committed. Chance to win the

frame now from this visit. He played that red well. Look at the shop

time. 14 seconds a shot. 22 seconds is pretty quick! But 14 seconds for

Ronnie. That fast shot time is caused by how good his cue ball

control is. He's never having to walk around the table half a dozen

times like a lot of players do, his cue ball is just automatically

there. I've heard you say that before Stephen, and that is

absolutely correct. No need for a lot of thinking time if you have got

good control of the cue ball. He has played that well. 55 points

is the lead. Three more red is required. It looks a formality but

you take nothing for granted in this game. But he doesn't have to bring

anything into play will stop everything he needs is out in the

open. So, this lack to go 69 points in

front with just 67 remaining. -- this black.

There you see it. APPLAUSE

We've had one century in this match and funnily enough, that was made by

Dave Gilbert, in the seventh frame. He made a marvellous break of 125.

Ronnie is yet to make one. I know we say it about top players

all the time, Stephen, but he has made this looks so simple, hasn't he

come from the opening red onwards? Yes, as I say, when he gets in

position in a frame you are surprised if he doesn't win the

frame in one visit all the time. And if he is doing that, not missing

easy shots and finding good position, it's going to take someone

playing excellent snooker to beat him in this championship, it has to

be said. I don't really see any other players

out there with that air of inevitability when they get in the

balls. Now, if he can pot this yellow, you

fancy the century. Oh! Once again made it look easy. Perfect.

Beautiful play, exquisite. This would be the 12th century of

the tournament so far and we're earlier today absolutely superb!

There was and it air of inevitability from the moment he

potted the first red. Didn't matter about the black, he got the century

and make the crowd happy and that is absolutely sublime from Ronnie

O'Sullivan and he now grows further clear. Four in front, 8-4.

Let's have a look. When he first got in, you think he's going to score,

but he didn't, but then he played this outrageous plant. I think the

line of the cue ball to the first red was quite good, it gave him the

angle to play it. This blue was just an excellent positional shot, screw

with a touch of left-hand side to come around the angles. He didn't

win it at that visit but he potted that great long red with wonderful

control to get on the black and then needed this yellow to make the

century, tough shot, but made it look so simple. And that was Ronnie

O'Sullivan at his absolute best. Wonderful cueing. That's what it is,

it's all about the cueing. At the end of the day, if you can't pot

balls you will never be able to play this game, but not only have you got

to be able to pot balls, it's the art of controlling the cue ball and

everything that goes with it, and he is an absolute artist when it comes

to making big breaks. Looking down the line of this shot

and I think Dave can just get to this red to the corner. Maybe not.

Yeah, I think the only red he can hit is the one on the side of the

table. Looking at that, he just can't get past the green to get to

the potting angle. Coming off the side cushion just to nestle into

them. Hitting the pink, isn't he!

REFEREE: Foul and a miss, Ronnie O'Sullivan six. I would be surprised

if Ronnie doesn't have it replaced. Now the danger is here, do you

overcompensate and miss the reds on the other side, which would be no

good? I think that's why he finished up hitting the pink, because he was

trying to avoid slipping past the reds, as you say, Stephen. He

overdid it. He's going to play the same shot. But as you say, he

doesn't want to overcompensate here. A bit harder and he might have

slipped past them, but he is OK. Safe enough.

Well, he's hoping to get round the back of the black. They thought he

had to raise the butt of the cue to hit lower on the cue ball but it

doesn't look like he's doing that. That was an amazing shot. He trusted

himself to pot that. Because if he didn't, with top spin, he was going

into a lot of other balls on the table. Excellent pot. It just shows

you the difference. If Ronnie had hit that cue ball and got it tight

to the bottom cushion, that shop would not have been on. Just a

fraction, that's all it was, Ronnie underhit the safety shot slightly.

This red above the black is really no good to Dave because the black

doesn't pot to the left corner. He is just seeing if the thing is

available. It doesn't look as though it is. He will have to screw through

the reds to the back pocket. He hit that superb. It was a fantastic

shot, really. I know he is four frames behind but he is playing

well. I didn't do the first session but he is cueing well. And there is

the proof of it. Look at his pot success. 94%. I have done some

matches this week in the mid 80s but he is 8-4 down with a pot success

like that. Yes, I said that yesterday when he

was behind in the match. A lot of players would have been in front,

the way he was playing. He will have to play for the blue

here because the black is not available into the opposite corner.

Just overscrewed it. You couldn't really get on the blue. He would

like to play for the red on the left-hand side of the table.

Just overscrewed it slightly. If he can get on the red on the left-hand

side of the table and play for the black off that read, then there is

that possibility of playing for the black for both corners. Then he

would have a chance of winning the frame at this visit. But not if he

had to keep going back for the blue and particularly not now. Not a good

angle on the blue this time. Screwing between brown and green,

some right-hand side. Didn't quite get into the cue ball enough then.

He is still on this red. I think he has got an angle to drop

on the red to the left of the black, into the top corner. He may choose

to go for the pink. Yes, that is what he is doing. Playing the

cannon. Where is the red ball going? That is unlucky. I say unlucky.

Usually you see a player have a look at the pack and the fit can be

spotted. Could it be spotted? No. Unlucky.

Terrific pot for Ronnie. He made that look easy. He is playing so

well and just one mistake can cost you. Such a high standard in this

match. Dave will be sitting in his seat

thinking it is 9-4, the way this match is going. Unfortunately that

is three frames where he has been stopped in his tracks through no

fault of his own. That is snooker at this level. It is tough. Yes, he

played the right shot, he played the blue. No way he could have foreseen

that read going in the corner. Well! Ronnie has taken his eye off the

ball, literally. That was purely concentration, lack of.

Yes, just assumed the black was going to go in and you can never

assume anything in this game. Dave Gilbert is now two points in front

and has the chance to clinch this frame. There is a mid-session

interval after this one. If it was 8-5, OK, as you were, as they

started this morning. Ten points ahead, so he needs the

four remaining reds to clinch the frame at this visit.

I think he played to move that red. Yes, he did, and he will be

disappointed that he didn't because that is the only tough red and he

needs the three remaining reds to get to the snooker is required

stage. Maybe screw the cue ball over there. I don't think that red passes

the pink to the right corner. If it doesn't, he will have to think

about moving it. It does go. It is an option to drop

behind it, but it will have to be as close to the red as possible and it

is not a shot you want to play from any distance.

Try and get virtually straight on this blue.

Well, he has got just enough angle on the blue to be able to take it.

Just the right side of the blue line, from this point of view.

Having another close look at whether the red passes the pink. Very tight.

That is not where he wanted to be. He will not be playing the pot now

because he is going into a blind pocket. 34 points in the lead and 35

remaining. Easy snooker, should he so wished. Push the red to the top

cushion, snookered behind the pink. He has decided to put some distance

between cue ball and object ball. I would prefer to get the guaranteed

snooker. I don't know if Ronnie can pop this red cushion first. It looks

like he is coming off the baulk cushion and kicking the red up the

table. He has hit that hard. Safe enough but Dave Gilbert still with

the tactical advantage. Just coming up to the three-hour

match time. The average frame time? Well, there you go. You wouldn't

want to play in the snooker club, would you?

The average shot time from Ronnie is unbelievable, 14. 22 is good, not

pedestrian. He is giving this plenty of thought because he knows he has

got to get the red safe or give Ronnie the chance of a pot. That is

OK but if Ronnie can get past the yellow, he could get the advantage.

This is a safety battle. In the end, because he was tied to

the baulk cushion, or he could do was concentrate on getting the red

safe, not really putting Dave Gilbert under any pressure. Coming

round to look at the potting angle. If he does go for the pot and he

misses it, the red is hopefully going to come away from the pocket

and the cue will go to the baulk end. Doesn't need a colour, just the

red. That was careless from Ronnie. He

needs a snooker now. 36 point in it and only 35 remaining. That was a

pretty clumsy shot from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Yes, I thought it was a

formality to hit the red. I said earlier, take nothing for granted in

this game, and in any ball game. And that red has gone in, meaning that

Dave Gilbert clinches the frame. Ronnie will not be too disgruntled.

He started the session with a three frame advantage and he will go into

the mid-session interval with those three frames as a cushion. Certainly

signs that if Dave Gilbert gets opportunities, then he is playing

well enough to take them. Ronnie needs to be on his mettle and not

take anything for granted here. I think Dave has got to take heart

that in every frame he has had chances. Sometimes you don't get

any. It didn't matter about the brown.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, if you loose shots but some good ones. Dave

Gilbert looks in good form, they both do, but there is still a three

frame advantage to Ronnie O'Sullivan, just as there was at the

start of the session. Yes, Dave is giving a good account of himself and

Ronnie has some work to do if he is to get a win here at the Crucible.

We will be back after the interval, but first the other match going on

at the other side of the Crucible. It features John Higgins, who has

been having a tremendous season, particularly before the Christmas

break. He won big titles in Australia and in China, and that

took him to 28 world ranking titles in his career, equalling the Hall of

Ronnie and of course Steve Davis, only surpassed by a certain Stephen

Hendry on 36. At the tender age of 40, John Higgins's game is still the

envy of many a fellow professional. John is probably the best all-round

player we have ever had. Every time we write him off, he seems to

rewrite the record books, come back and win another tournament. If you

look for total mastery of all elements of snooker, I give it to

John Higgins because he has tactical. He knows everything about

the game. One of the greatest part is you will ever see. For me he is

one of the best players ever to play the game. Off the table he is a

really nice guy as well. John Higgins is one of my favourite

players of all time. Technically he is brilliant. He has a phenomenal

snooker brain. Great safety. Tremendous cueing. He hasn't got a

fault. John Higgins is one of the greatest match players we have ever

seen. He is probably the best all-round player currently playing.

Great attacker, great defender, really good at scrapping those

frames out that he shouldn't really win. On his day, unbeatable. He

started at the same time as me and he is still up their winning

tournaments which shows how good he is. I think he has got four world

titles. I wouldn't be surprised to see him winning another one. He is

so hard, a complete rock, and off the table he is absolutely the best

you could ever meet. The most generous guy I have ever come

across. Great company. I can't speak highly enough of him. John is facing

regen's Ryan Day and their paths have crossed at the Crucible before.

The Welsh's first match on his debut in 2004 was against John Higgins,

and what if rightly gave him. The only rookie to make three centuries

on his debut, taking him all the way to a decider. Since then, Ryan Day

has reached the quarterfinals three times but he has not made it beyond

round two since 2012. These two grades also fought out the Grand

Prix final in Glasgow in 2008, said their paths have crossed several

times on significant occasions. Higgins has nine wins to Ryan's four

in their personal series. Let's joined them in round one for

commentary from Dennis Taylor and the man that Ryan knocked out this

year, Ken Doherty. Twice he has missed a ball that he

intended to hit. He might have left a free ball here. Yes, free ball.

Unlucky. He has got the blue one to the right centre here. The ball has

been drifting down that side of the table, Dennis. A couple of players

playing safety shots have missed the ball coming down the left-hand side

of the table as we look. This is the table that the players have been

complaining about. The other table on the other side of the curtain is

playing terrific. Very unusual to have two tables that are identical

but playing totally different. I think we have had only two sentries

on this table and on the other we have had about eight in the

tournament so far. -- centuries. That tells a little story. That is

not the worst shot that Ryan Day has ever played but it is certainly up

there! In the top three. He tried to miss the red and it went into the

same pocket as the blue. Just did not get into the cue ball. Trying to

go by that red and get it into the same pocket as the blue. That could

be end of break. Yes, sometimes when you play a poor shot, you are

looking for some kind of plant, and you have to forget about it and play

the safety shot and carry on from there. Pretty straightforward safety

shot. He could have played it better than

that. An early test for John Higgins's cue action here. The red

into the left corner. Looking at the angle, he might cannon the red to

the right, coming off the back cushion here. He has got to pot

this. He did cannon that red but he forced

it in and can end it on the way up. That is an early confidence booster

for the four time champion. Nice little cannon on the red,

beside the black, to keep it over the pocket.

Holding for the black, digging down on the cue ball. Playing a nice

cannon here. Yes, these players have played each

other 13 times. It is 9-4 to John Higgins. They have played twice in

the World Championships, one each. John won 10-9 in round one back in

2004, but Ryan beat John in 2009 in the second round, 13-9. Ryan Day is

one of those capable players. On his day, excuse the pun, he can beat

anybody. Nicely played, judging that cannon

perfectly. Should be able to push through for the black year. -- black

here. He got heavy contact there,

preventing the white from running round into perfect position. This is

more awkward now. Yes, he was on All Blacks there,

five reds and five blacks but he can't now.

Still a couple of reds available. He has got an angle but he could have

done with a couple of inches further up the table. Two reds are available

but he may have to go into them now. That was a wonderful shot. Obviously

played for the black. Off the pact of reds, to bring more into play,

but also stay on the black. Very well controlled.

Nicely on the blue and the right angle as well. Coming down for the

red just directly above the black, or the extreme one on the right hand

side. One below is pink as well. This all came from that wonderful

long shot, which was a test of course, but it always is, the first

long pot of the session. The cue ball has been absolutely pristine so

far. Yes, he started the match missing

two reds altogether, playing thin safety shots. But once he got in, it

is vintage John Higgins. He has been playing well for the last couple of

seasons. This is a player that has made 616th

centuries in his career. 35 so far this season.

What a nice start it would be, to go on and make a century in this frame.

Cued up nicely. He has already scored 616th centuries, which is

incredible, only just behind Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Stephen is on 775 and Ronnie well over 800. But the way he is cueing

here and getting through the ball, a great start. It really is.

His nickname was The Wizard of Wishaw and he is certainly waving

that magic wand in his hand in the opening frame. Fantastic start. If

you can make a century in the opening frame, it is a big

confidence booster. Very difficult to pot this red down

the cushion if he is trying for total clearance. Doesn't really

matter. Almost got it. But Ryan Day couldn't do anything about that.

John Higgins got one chance and he made a century break and he leads

1-0. That is a wonderful start for John Higgins in that match. We have

some golden oldies on parade. Alan McManus, John, Mark Williams, Ronnie

O'Sullivan, all over 40, and so are you, Stephen Hendry. Get your cue

out again! Let's talk about the Ronnie O'Sullivan match. Ronnie two

frames away and we will rejoin that shortly. Give me your impression of

the way Dave Gilbert has made a proper fight of this for him. Yes,

his potting success rate is well over 90%, and playing a lot of

players in the tournament so far, he would have been ahead. At 6-3 down

he was unfortunate. Some frames he would have won with a better run of

the ball. I have been impressed with him. The way he strikes the ball and

his shot selection is perfect by and large. He plays well. Ronnie has

done what he does. When he gets to the table, he just clears it. He is

unlikely to have come up against someone like Ronnie O'Sullivan. We

know that he has had a good run in the international championship last

year, but I wonder how much mileage there still is in this contest. I

don't think he will win. 6-3 down overnight was too much for David to

overcome and he will need to do something special to win the first

four frames this morning. I think he has got to take confidence that he

has played such good snooker against one of the favourites for the

tournament. He is not out of it yet. Stephen, get back to the commentary

box. John will be missing me. JOHN VIRGO: Thank you, Hazel. It is a

safety. John doesn't really like to talk about safety. He is more of a

potter and a break-builder. That has gone wrong, very wrong. That is the

last thing that you need to do for someone like Ronnie or any top

player. How did that happen? You just misjudged how the red was going

to spin away from the others. When he potted the first one, I

thought it was maxi time, but not now. The pink will go in the same

pocket at the red that he has just potted.

It is plan B, if he can get through to the red to the right idyll, or

maybe he can't. Slightly awkward cueing but he doesn't have to do

much with the cue ball, just drop this red in. Didn't feel as though

he could comfortably hold for the black, so it's not perfect position

on the colour. As you can see from the shake of the head.

Just seeing what you were saying to Hazel, I agree with you. Dave

Gilbert has certainly acquitted himself very well in this match,

hasn't he, and Ronnie has had to play well to keep this lead. Yes, if

Ronnie wasn't winning all these games in one visit, if he wasn't on

his game, this match would be a lot closer. I do think the way Dave

plays suits Ronnie. He plays at a decent pace, he plays an open game.

He plays the right shots. When someone plays the right shots and

they are in the balls and all of a sudden they miss something goes

wrong, inevitably the balls are in a good position when you come to the

table. Yeah, you're going to get chances. Also as you say, because it

is a cleaner game, invariably the colours are always on their spots.

He judged that nicely. That's exactly what he played. He was

running into the outside reds and knocking that one of the top

cushion. Played it well. Not certain if there is a red

pottable. The cannon is not certain to go right. Not certain to go

right! Well. I was a little bit surprised, there. There's only one

or possibly two reds on either side of the table, as we look, there. He

was never guaranteed to be on a red, playing the cannon. It was the side

that he had on the cue ball that eventually forced the White to drop.

How brave is David Gilbert going to feel with this shot? He's going to

take the pot on. If he misses it, it will probably cost in the frame.

Every shot is a pressure shop now. Of course it's always made that

little bit more difficult when you're trying to screw the ball back

to make it in effect that the only red you can leave is the one you're

playing. That extra bit of power just makes the pot more difficult.

Too risky to play the pot there. And Ronnie quite rightly treating Dave

with every respect. He is warranted that, he's played well in this

match. Yes, 8-5 ahead there is no need for Ronnie to take chances.

Just play his normal game and his opponents will be under a lot of

pressure to get back into this match.

Of course the other great advantage that Ronnie has got is that his

safety play is as good as anyone's in the game. It's not as if you're

going to outfox him, so to speak. Well, safety success. He would like

to see it a bit higher. But with both players playing so well and

potting so good, that's what keeps the safety success percentage a

little bit lower than you would normally expect. But he's having a

look to see if he can see enough of this red to possibly play the pot.

That would be pushing the boat out but sometimes if there is not an

easy safety... Cross double, possibly. Main concern

was getting this cue ball back to the top cushion, and he's played it

very, very well indeed. Good shot. This is thin. But he's looked at it,

so it must go. It looks too thin from our position, doesn't it?

Well, he's fortunate, having missed the pot, not to have left anything

easier on. It looked a very thin pot, but he

was looking to find the gap between the red and the blue.

42 point lead, has Ronnie. You feel as though if he pots the next red,

that is game over. Then again, he doesn't want to take too many risks.

But if he can't see any easy safety, he may as well play the pot. He is

eyeing up this one to the right middle. It's tough. Yeah, it was

tough. This is a chance now for Dave Gilbert to get right back into this

frame. The red to the left of the pink, if

he can hit that at a nice angle he can get that off the left-hand side

cushion. I'm sure that's what he will be thinking now. I know it's

early and he wants to get back into the frame, but if he wants to win

the frame at one visit he has to be thinking about that. And also, if he

plays that cannon that you're talking about, with the two reds

being in the baulk end, it's no disadvantage being that side of the

blue. He has that chance now. He would want to play this red on

the right-hand side cushion first, before you go for the other two reds

will. He's not going to, not the way he

has played that shot, anyway. The brown is in a little bit of an

awkward position at the moment. 18 points behind now. Plenty of

points to play with. He will certainly need high value colours

off these remaining reds. And he's landed absolutely perfect on the

blue to play for that red that is near the right-hand cushion.

That Kubot has just stopped. For a moment I thought it was just going

to run a couple of inches too far and leave is a much more difficult

shot. But this is fine. The only awkward ball you can see now is the

brown. Good chance. Stun for the pink to the left corner. That is

perfect. Obviously got to avoid the middle

pocket here. I'm sure he will do that no problem, but just hit the

cushion before the middle pocket. I think he has got choices, I think

this red will go in either baulk pocket. Well! He got very close to

that middle, didn't he, but as it happens it has ended up absolutely

and is perfect. The one thing we said was to avoid the middle but

what he didn't want to happen was to be on this red in a position where

he would have to avoid a cannon on the green, and he is perfect. For me

it is just that positional shot from green to brown, which shouldn't be

too difficult. That is the only thing I can see stopping him.

Just one point behind, now. That means he will need up to and

including the pink. For a second, I think he thought he

overcut the yellow but it went into the right-hand side of the pocket

and that is why the cue ball has come across so far. Just a little

bit of work to do now with the cue ball to get a good position on the

brown, which is imperative. Well, he's played that with a lot of

right-hand side. Couldn't have played it better. Great shot. Just

one good pot on the brown. Is he going to be slightly hampered by the

blue? No, you can just cue past it. APPLAUSE

Right in the heart of the pocket. He pots the blue and goes 13 points in

front with 18 points remaining. He still needs the pink. One cushion? I

think one cushion is the shot. He has got into that cue ball far too

much. Well, it stand out perfect, but that is not the way he played

it! Great, great response. Just a sniff of a chance and he has taken

these really well. Well played! Very well played. Ronnie O'Sullivan was

an when he... I was an excellent clearance and

Dave Gilbert gets within two now. That was an excellent clearance.

Just saying, there, he knocked the red in but of course it was the cue

ball that went in. Just one of those situations at the moment, if Ronnie

makes a mistake then Dave Gilbert is there ready to pick up the pieces.

Yeah, this was a tough shot. There is a gap between the pink and the

reds and he had options to play for either read on the right-hand side

of the table but he chose to go into them. This is what happens if you

don't hit the pink full in the face. This is what can happen. Just off on

the face and he just loses the cue ball. Yeah, and there was a little

bit of side that just caused it to drop. But then after that there were

a couple of good safety shots, particularly one from Dave Gilbert

when he was in a spot of bother and he played across double and brought

the cue ball to the top cushion, played it really well and forced

Ronnie into playing a risky read to the middle which Ronnie missed, and

then he did the business. -- a risky red. He's not going to go and lie

down, Ronnie is going to have to play well to win this match. Yeah,

that's all Dave can do. Just take one frame at a time and keep potting

balls. That clearance was excellent, every shot was the correct shot.

Very impressive. I was watching Dave in his chair

after he made that clearance, John, and he was breathing so deeply! He

was really excited, coping with the pressure well. But he has to get

back down onto an even keel in this frame now. Absolutely. I always a

member I was watching a bit of snooker a few weeks ago and they

showed that deciding frame that you played against Ronnie O'Sullivan

when you clear up with a 147. And I remember you held a glass of water

and your hand was as still as anything. Me, my hand would have

been shaking all over the place! That's a lovely shot.

Not ideal on the brown but you just feel that Ronnie will take it on.

It's just half chances. This match has been all about half chances. And

when you get them, taking them. Every credit to both players. If he

is on the pink, that's very fortunate. He did put his hand up

and half apologise really, didn't he? Because that's not what he

played. He just let the cue ball run a bit

far for the blue. A bit of work to do with the pupil. No problem, just

swing the cue ball... Well! I thought there was no problem. You

can see from Ronnie's reaction how badly he thought he hit that. It

would be a shock that he would not have expected to miss. Maybe just

thinking too much about the position. We see at happening all

the time with players, thinking about getting on the next ball and

forget the pot. Lucky not to have left anything easier than this. It

wasn't easy. He has played that well. He missed

his first opportunity. I don't spectrum to miss this one.

Well, that could have gone nicer. Still on this red to the left corner

but a bit of work to do with the cue ball. It is not a natural pot the

red and bound to be on a colour. Where's the cue ball going? ! In the

pocket. I just got the feeling that when he parted the black to go into

the two red, he didn't have to go into the two reds. It was sort of a

hit and hope shot. Maybe starting to feel it a bit. First rounds are

always pressurised. This is a tough shot to take on, though. If he goes

for it, 100%. No thought of safety. Get on the black. Yeah, just good,

straight cueing needed. He just seemed to hit that one a

little bit harder than he has been. It's understandable with the

pressure out there now. Surely now. A third chance to win

the frame from here. He's had three good opportunities,

which, at this level, you are thankful for that. It doesn't happen

too many times. 57 points in front. So, the colour

and one more red will put this frame way beyond Dave Gilbert.

Well, didn't he cue that beautifully? He has had three

chances but I think the subtle difference with Ronnie nowadays to

maybe a few years ago... He missed an easy brown early on in this frame

and he didn't let it affect him. If you seasons ago he would miss a

brown like that and it would affect him for the rest of the frame. No, I

think he has learnt how to win match is and tournaments by not playing

your A game. Not learned, but I think what he has learned is that he

can do that. Well, didn't matter about the

yellow. OK, he needed three chances, but unfortunately Dave Gilbert had a

couple of long pots that he'd couldn't quite make and now Ronnie

O'Sullivan is one frame away from a place in the second round. He leads

by nine frames to six. Let's just have a look at those couple of

mistakes that Ronnie made. He has not made many, but this brown was...

He played for the blue and he just overscrewed it slightly. Thinking

about position rather than the pot. Yes, he has missed this by so far.

The position was nowhere when Dave came to the table. You see the

reaction from Ronnie... This was the previous shot, it was a poor

reaction going into the reds. He just brushed that red. Knocked the

cue ball into the pocket. Because he makes so few errors, the ones he

does make are highlighted. Absolutely. But it's fair to say

just before he went in-off he played a cannon that he had no need to

play. He played a cannon in the last frame that customers well. It's as

if he just wants to get over the winning line and get this match over

with. Not the best break of shot from Dave

-- break-off shot. Ronnie just coming round to have a look at what

is available. Long pot success, 90%. That's very good.

Well, he hadn't missed one this morning until that one. But as

always seems to be the way when somebody is in front... Dave Gilbert

needs a few easy starters and Ronnie is a bit fortunate not to leave any

thing there are having missed the red as he did.

This isn't the easiest return to baulk.

Yeah, nice pot. Not the best safety shot from Ronnie. Go into them here,

Stephen? I think it's worth it. The black is off its spot, it's a big

target. And he couldn't have figured better. He hit the pink absolutely

plumb in the face. Just got to be careful, if he's

going to play this with the' black to the same pocket, say tough shot.

If he's playing for the blue, he has to avoid the right middle. Well

played. Yeah, he couldn't have played it

better. He's opened all the reds now. He doesn't have to play any

more cannons, it's all about precise positional play. But I think once he

pots the black, it's still going to be available into either corner --

it's not going to be available into either corner pocket, that's why he

is looking at a red he can play to make the lack available. But it's a

decent chance. -- the black available.

STUDIO Well, Dave Gilbert well in the balls

here and he is still well in this match. Ronnie just waiting for a

chance. But we have to leave you right now. We will be back here at

1pm. The coverage continues now online on your connected devices.

The action continues in an hour, plenty more to come. See you soon.

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