Saturday, 2nd Round, Morning Snooker: World Championship

A very good morning to you, welcome to coverage of the 2016 World

Snooker Championship. There's no better way to spend your morning

than with others. It is another busy day, this afternoon we will see

Ronnie O'Sullivan take on Barry Hawkins, a repeat of the 2013 final.

We look forward to that. But our match this morning on BBC Two is Ali

Carter, twice a defeated finalist, taking on Alan McManus.

Ali Carter with a two frame advantage. It will be interesting to

see how this session pans out. Fantastic shot.

Would you believe it? Will he play the cannon? He played it well.

Played it very well. That is enough for Ali Carter who still leads, 5-4.

I don't believe it. I don't think I have ever seen the cushion bounce as

badly as that, it is laughable. Alan McManus stays in his seat. He

is now two behind. This looks good. This looks good...

This looks very good. Alan McManus has reduced his arrears to just one,

still trails, 7-6. He played it slow, that is brave,

what a great shot. It is all about this pink.

They are never easy, those, believe me. Worth the risk. And he has got

it. He leads, 8-6. Alan McManus, hanging on in there.

Super shot. It is there. Ali Carter should be

the happier of the two, he leads at the end of the second session, 9-7.

So Ali Carter with a slender lead. They

met in the last round last year, Carter winning it 10-5, he then went

on to be knocked out by Neil Robinson in the second round, but do

not rule out Alan McManus. He has been in the practice room and is

looking confident but he needs to play well in this final session. His

20th Crucible appearance, that is our live match for you on BBC Two

this morning. Over on table two, Mark Selby continues against the

English qualifier, Sam Baird. 4-4 in that one. The players are ready.

Let's join Rob Walker. Ladies and gentlemen we started with

32 of the best players in the world, only 15 remain, and we expect

another cracking session of snooker here on St George's Day.

Please welcome, into this famous arena, first of all, what a session

yesterday for a young player in uncharted territory. Four breaks

over 50 and a century helped him level against one of the finest in

the sport, this is the most important day of his snooker career

so far, give it up, he has come all the way from Devon, he is Sam Baird.

And his opponent, making his ninth appearance in the second round, a UK

champion, and a multiple Masters champion. He completed the triple

Crown two years ago, his finest moment in the sport so far. He is

the world number one, the Jester from Leicester, Mark Selby.

And on table one, they played to a conclusion this morning. Please

welcome the three-time ranking event winner, his first quarterfinal here

in four years, twice he has made the final. He has already knocked out

the defending world champion, Stuart Bingham. A great opportunity for a

man and courage or the termination, here comes the captain, Ali Carter.

-- determination. And his opponent, still going

strong, 25 years after his Crucible debut. Defeating good friend,

Stephen Maguire, in the first round, he's going for a second quarterfinal

in three years, twice a ranking event winner, these days he takes it

all in his tartan stride, he is Scotland's Alan 'The Angles'

McManus. We are all set for another cracking

day of snooker. Mark Selby versus Sam Baird is available on the red

button and the BBC sport app, but live we are in the company of Peter

Ebdon. Good morning, everybody, frame 17,

the final session of an absorbing match the tween Ali Carter and Alan

McManus. It has been a very tough match of snooker so far. Alan will

be very pleased with his break shot there.

The long pot success rate. You would expect Alan McManus to be in front

in the safety Department but you can see he is not. His highest rate is

not that high at 77 but he is staying on Carter's coat-tails. Alan

will probably have to take on the long red. Just looking at the two

all plant that may be in line to play the reds over the corner

pocket, on this picture we are going to show you in a second, it looks

pretty close. It would be dangerous to take it on because it could

career into the pack of red spot you need to move that read over the

pocket. Somebody like Judd Trump would have

the cube power to play it is a screenshot. -- cue power. But I am

not so sure that Alan possesses that sort of power. If you doze for this,

he will go for it full-blooded. He did, and at first glance he appears

to have been very fortunate. Really had no idea where the cue

ball was going but as you say, Peter, very fortunate, pink and

black in of -- open play. That was the problem. He was always

careering into that read. The brown may pot. The body language tells me

that the brown is available, so he will be taking it on.

They will have been relieved to notice that the brown was available,

and got to that ball head, I thought when it went to all he was playing a

safety shot. -- to baulk. The cannon has not worked out. Not

as Ali would have liked. He would have liked full contact on the red,

possibly even catching it on the right-hand side. The yellow is on

but it is very thin. The problem is if you get a slightly heavy contact,

it goes thick. Now he is in good position.

He has just finished in position this red where it is tough to get

out for the pink. Did not get the desired spin. Not an easy shot to

play, he got a little bit of ounce that took the pace out of the cue

ball. There was definitely a click, you could hear from his reaction

that he was not happy, the cue ball jumped when making contact with the

red, it took all the spin out of the shot. This is a real test of his

cueing. A long blue to the yellow pocket, that is beautifully cute,

well played. He can practice those and play them for hours on end. On a

number of occasions in the match you need to be that long blue, you get

it 19 times out of 20 but of course in the World Championship, the heat

of the battle, it comes down to 15 or 16 out of 20, but you would still

expecting to what it and it was a great pot. --

expect him to pot it. He used all the pockets with this one. Caught it

slightly thick. Only has the yellow to go for with the rest. He has got

options. He can play the yellow with less pace, with the red in baulk, to

the same pocket, and that is what he has played. I think the red may pass

the cream. If it does, he is OK. -- the green. He has either overhit it

or under it, but it does go. You can clearly see that the red pots. Not

got the cue ball under control yet in this little break. It has flew

off the cushion again. Goodness me. He played to finish low on the blue

so he could come down to the reds, that has come to feed further than

he expected. -- two feet. A huge bounce. We experienced last night

when watching the Williams- Holt match. Mark Williams got probably

the biggest bounce I have ever seen in tournament play. Travelling seven

feet down the table to end up between the blue and the ink. --

pink. He will be disappointed because of the way it bounced off

the cushion. Of course, he cannot afford to do that. And after that

miss he has overcut the blue, it is now his turn to have Everton but of

-- a little bit of good fortune. Never easy when the cue ball is so

close to the object. Very easy to hit these thick. He has played it

well, but not that well. Totally misjudged the cue ball.

We were watching the red and did not look at the white, he missed it

completely. He will be delighted that they miss and the blues only

going to cost him one point. -- the miss on the blue. He obviously felt

he had the angle to avoid the corner pocket and he was so disappointed

with the result of the shot but maybe he got slightly heavy contact

us well, which would have taken the cue ball towards the pocket.

Possibly. He went just below the pink, should be on the brown or the

green, should he pot that. Completely mis-hit that. Ali Carter

has looked over to the other side of the table, there was a little bit of

noise on his backswing and it which at that. -- he twitched. Look at how

much he has missed it by, the proverbial foot. Yes, unfortunately,

just as he was coming through somebody's mobile phone rang on the

other side of the auditorium, he was not too impressed with that. And

that is not what the doctor ordered. I hate to keep going on about the

way the cushions are bouncing but Alan may have played that almost

expecting the bounce, to get on pink or black. Yes, and on that occasion

he got a normal one and has finished and -- on knees. He could play for

the blue or green but it could take two or three shots to get that

contact right. That is a gap but he would need to play the green to play

it that way, off the top cushion. He is in a mess here.

Pink. He is playing the ink so it will

need to be pacey. Pink. Excellent escape. The second

attempt, he got it perfect. Yes, and that was an escape judged

very well. If you caught it slightly thicker there is a good chance of

leaving the red into the green pocket, just in front of the yellow.

A tough safety, he has caught it too thick. Does this red go into the

green pocket, past the pink? Alan is having a close look. It is quite

tight. You see it, it does go. So that was a mistake from Ali Carter.

No problem with missing the cannon on the green of the blue and

screwing back up the table. Hit that a bit harder.

That was very nicely controlled from Alan. They'd leave drag shot with

lots and lots of left-hand side, to check the cue ball off the cushion,

perfect and the pink. His bridge hand is a lot flatter than most

layers. He's playing the kiss on the red and black just to get them into

play, but unfortunately it has not worked. Because he missed the

Blackie has caught the red from behind, of course that has put the

white near the cushion. This is a pressure pot. Very good. Excellent

pot. You see on his bridge hand how much lower it is than most players,

and that makes him extremely parallel, most players are like

Ronnie O'Sullivan now, everybody has quite a high bridge and queues down,

Allen prefers to be very, very parallel.

He needs to be careful not to foul on the black, bridging over both the

black and the red obviously had an impact on the results of that shot.

Alan will be disappointed with that. A transfer across table 44 Ali

Carter -- a chance for a cross table double four Ali Carter. Not the best

safety shot in the world, he will be disappointed with that. A chance

again for Alan McManus, there is only one point in it, very hard for

either player to win the frame in one visit with where the balls are,

a lot of life in this game. Alan played the stunt short with the

left-hand side, taking the cue ball away from the bank. A very good

recovery shot and a fantastic attempt at the cannon. Very

unfortunate. Deliberately played to cannon into the red and hopefully

push it toward the green pocket, and excellent attempt and very

unfortunate. That was unlucky again, not to lay the snooker. This is a

tough safety shot now. He has got to play in very thin and avoid the

black. If he gets a good white it could be behind the yellow on the

cushion but he decides to play the other wife. He won't be happy with

that at all. -- decides to play the other way.

The older you get the harder the long game becomes. The other players

still can score heavily. But he missed it by quite a way. This was

half a chance for a 20 point lead, but of course, the two reds on the

cushion are a problem because you need the pink on the spot quickly to

get those reds in play. I thought he would take the opportunity to cannon

into the red to bring the black into play and leave himself the pink in

the middle. Plenty of life left in this frame.

Massive, of course, four Ali Carter, to go three clear, but under

tremendous pressure, if Allen wins it he will feel he is right back in

the game. This angle on the pink could ring the red back into play.

The yellow is not to bad but the only problem is if he drops onto the

cushion in between the two reds... It is not a great situation, this.

He did not look at the blue but it is not a bad angle on it, he could

have played with screw to get that back on as well. That is the worst

possible kiss. So unlucky. As it is now, should win the safety exchange.

I was a little surprised, to be honest, that he did not even look at

the blue. And that is another poor safety shot. I am surprised how

poorly he has played it. The first of all time in this frame so far he

has played a poor safety shot -- the third or fourth time. Handing the

advantage back to Alan McManus now in this frame.

Alan had a quick look at the blue and thought the green was in the way

to screw back of it so playing a shot like Ali Carter to use two

cushions to get back to the red. Anything that is straight is OK. If

it is straight it is going to be good. That is no good.

Alan will be rolling the red in and probably playing a snooker behind

the black. And you would think that Ali Carter will come to the table

and be in a considerable amount of trouble. Just playing the cushion

first. It is not the best shot in the world, to be honest, because he

has given Ali Carter the opportunity to come off the baulk cushion and he

could clip the yellow and the cue ball could come back down behind the

black. He does have the option on the

yellow as well to send it back down the table. I think he will be quite

pleased with that result, Willie? I'm not sure. A bit hampered with

the blue, playing very thin, round three cushions, trying to get the

white in with the blue. It is a little bit heavy.

Ali will probably play the yellow up and down the table but there is the

option with the yellow behind the black and the white behind the

brown, here. And unless that is a snooker, it really is a poor shot.

He is absolutely disgusted with himself. He did have options there.

He probably played to send the yellow past the middle pocket,

behind the green. But there was a good chance of playing the snooker

behind the brown and sending the yellow behind the black, so some

poor safety from Ali Carter in this opening frame this morning. This is

one of those shot where you have to go for it. the only good thing is he

can play quite slowly, so if he snookers the green, should he miss

it, doesn't have to play too hard, he will still be on the brown.

bouncing off my tradition, the chance of a snooker, should i get

it, and if he misses it... if he gets the green he could win the

frame. Played it firmly. Oh, dear. What on earth was that? So

much pressure on these two guys. Blue on the cushion, possibly behind

black... Certainly was not very happy with the contact there. And

perhaps the bounce of the side cushion as well, Ali Carter, just

brushing the side cushion there, as he came around. Faced with a very

tough safety shot now. We have had three relatively easy safety shot he

has actually played very poorly. this is a tough one. will he play

this one better? there is a chance here, Willie, but if he played the

very thin slick there is a chance the cue ball could come back behind

the pink -- very thin snick. The problem is of course he will not get

the blue away from the right-hand pocket so would be playing a

different shot to that. Blue in open play but a very good white. That is

as good as he could have done from there. I did shot.

APPLAUSE -- a good shot.

Good effort. It is not about hitting this. Will Hughes going to finish.

-- where he's going to finish. Points in front, so just the blue

needed. Wow, that was a wide. Got through

that very quickly, didn't he, Willie? That is the problem, if you

throw the cue ball offline you can see he is playing a screw shot there

which throws the cue ball to the right and hit the object ball fix. I

was a bit surprised he did not just play that... He needs the blue as it

is -- blue. And, as it is, a lifeline for Ali Carter. A very easy

safety shot but he decided to play the pot. Because Alan cannot do

anything but play this plane ball, I fancy him to get closer on this one

than on the last one -- plain ball. Well, another bad contact. It really

is unbelievable, the number of bad contacts and expenses both players

are getting here. It really does destroy a player's confidence and

concentration -- and big bounces both players are getting here. He

really will not be able to believe that. Another chance for Ali Carter.

To win a frame in which he has made plenty of mistakes, Willie,

especially in the safety Department. He got into that little bit too much

but he will be delighted to get into the pink with an angle, well, I see

an angle... He could maybe force an angle to try to get into the middle.

I thought he would have risked the black and green pocket their,

perhaps, Peter? I must admit I do not understand that shot. Every

chance of going in off it, and now he has left himself the double. A

pretty strange choice of shot from Ali there. That is close, but not

close enough. I think with the mistakes both players have made in

this frame, I think black ball is probably the right outcome. Alan

will play the double and hopefully double the black in but the key is

getting a good white here. How is the black doing? Good safety shot.

APPLAUSE A little bit PC. Definitely having a

pop at this one. -- a little bit pacy.

APPLAUSE . He will be delighted to get back

within one. Peter, the last black he has played there, it is one of those

you cannot play, you have to dig down to try to get a good white and

he could have done that one better. Yes, he got through that very

smoothly. A fantastic shot. Could not have done that one better.

Playing the stunt shot on the right-hand side, he cued is

beautifully. The reason he is playing that is to make sure if he

misses that he will get very close to the back cushion. Yes, and you

just feel in that frame, Willie, that Alan McManus perhaps was

fortunate to win the frame, in the sense that Ali gave him so many

chances and I just feel Ali lost his composure, somewhat, in that frame.

I totally agree. Four or five great safety ball shots on the trot and I

think Alan was just hanging on to his coat tails throughout that

frame. Very disappointing, that frame, not from the players' point

of view, but from the way the table is played. The first frame in the

morning, just Ireland and brushed and ready for the morning's play,

you would expect no bounces in the early part, perhaps later when

things are roughed up a little. -- ironed and brushed. Very

disappointing, and we hope what do it like this is not what we will get

for the rest of the morning because it spoils the game and removes the

confidence from the players. You do not know firstly whether it will

bounce off the cushion or secondly, whether it will kick. Is, it can

certainly make a player very anxious. -- yes, it can certainly.

Let's have a look. Here's the first frame. It bounced, but luckily the

pace was taken out of the cue ball. The other one, Alan with the plain

ball shot. What the bounces here. He is playing a shot here to get onto

the blue and it ran three feet further. There were no collars

available on the right-hand corner. Short of the blue, 18 inches past,

and I hate making excuses for the players because it sounds like sour

grapes, but another bounce there of this liberal it the red interplay --

no colous available. There is something drastically wrong with

this table. -- and that brought the red into play. He has just gone out

for quite a considerable unmet of time. Of course there is the rule

now, Peter. Do you know what that is, on how many times you can go out

of the session? -- considerable amount of time. I think the referee

can use their discretion. I know that rule was brought in recently

because it was considered one or two players were abusing the rule and

going out after the frame. A perplexed Ali Carter getting the

next frame under way. That was a very pedestrian frame, that one. As

you can imagine, the time is a little longer than most, the minutes

per frame. Once again not the best safety shot

from Ali. He is just not with it in the safety department.

Allen should be on the black if this red goes on. He has decided not to

play at... -- goes in. That is a nice flick on the green. Ali needs

to be very careful with the safety shot here, avoiding the red near the

left cushion. He came round the back of it nicely. But not the greatest

of line. APPLAUSE

It has been mostly safety play, then the foot of the cushion...

It's never looked like going in, but it came very close in the end. This

is a tough safety shot. The one that is two away from the black, he could

hit that thin but then would possibly be cruising into the two

reds on the left-hand side. Plain round the back of the black spot.

You cannot get a great white here but the key is getting it passed the

ball. Kissing the blue this time? He can't avoid kissing colours at the

minute. APPLAUSE

Just put the extension on because he is cueing over the yellow. By the

time he gets to the black it will be a very delicate shot. He has played

it, and played it very well indeed. APPLAUSE

Unfortunately for Alan he has finished fairly straight. Just not

enough angle to screw back. A choice of two reds. Slightly hampered

cueing. He needs to be accurate with his striking here. Slightly overcut

the red. But it dropped. He can see -- as you can see, slightly overcut.

Any harder and that might not have gone in. This is a good chance now.

For Alan McManus to make a sizeable contribution in a very important

frame. A frame which takes him to nine frames each, should he go on to

win it. And after an excellent controlled crack shot, to start off

this break -- drag shot, he has now given himself an excellent

opportunity. The picture there, Ali Carter, trying to get his emotions

under control. Perhaps breathing to calm himself down, after the

previous frame's stress. Not looking at Alan playing. He is one of those

players who wants to roll everything in rather than play little kisses

and cannons. This is the first real chance we have had in this match

where a player has a chance of winning with one visit. He is on 32

at the moment and his target is to get to at least... He has played

that well. APPLAUSE

He can see five reds. The balls are not ideally placed for Alan. The

pink is out of commission and he is forced to play with the black at the

moment. Playing into the middle red of the

three reds here, just above the play. The three reds on the

left-hand side, that is. Hoping to split the pink to play as well. I

cannot believe he has not played the cannon. In two shots' time, he will

steer in another two reds. A chance that was unmissable to bring reds

interplay, and still be on a red, he made deeply regret that -- into

play. We will see in a few moments. -- might deeply regret that.

He can still play on the loose red, but as I said earlier he is going to

need at least one more red after this next one he will get on, and if

he doesn't get the kiss right... So nine reds, a possible nine

blacks. He needs to get the cannon Wright. -- right. Very well done.

Trying to get on the BlackBerry. -- black there. Alan concentrated so

hard he might not realise he is on that at the moment. He will miss the

kiss on the yellow should he pot it but he can go up and down. Slightly

hampered, so I think he will play for the black. They all go about

breaks in different ways. I cannot quite tell if the red which is

closest to the cue ball cuts into the right-hand black pocket. If that

goes, Willie, he could cut that in, screw off this reds and stay on the

black, but... He knew that was frame ball so he was trying to get onto

the black, but he will be absolutely delighted to have won the first two

frames this morning, which he looks like doing now. 141 is the highest

I've moment. APPLAUSE

. And the fact he brought the yellow interplay on this previous shot, it

has given him a chance to do just that -- into play.

He has equalled his highest break so far. Surely he will eclipse that

with this red. What a wonderful chance this is to be the highest

break of the tournament. The right-hand of these two reds

will go into the same pocket. APPLAUSE

That is nicely played. For Alan McManus, just when he needed it. The

41st century of the tournament played and Alan was a chance for his

personal highest break here. Personal 145 is the highest he has

made in -- is on and the highest he has made in tournament play is 143,

so that would be a milestone. Taking the pink, so still a possible

one for four. Green to brown is not too bad whether brown is. If it was

on its spot, it would be slightly more difficult. The fact the green

is where it is makes the brown a little easier to get. With his

angle, though, I do not know how he can stay on the green on Letty

placed the cannon with the brown. He played that nicely. Well done.

APPLAUSE -- unless he plays the cannon with

the brown. He has played this break beautifully. Oh, what a shame. An

excellent effort from Alan McManus. Levels the match at 9-9. What a

shame. It is amazing, when he was trying to go for it, he didn't

realise he was on it for quite some time, until he got into this

position here and when he realised it was frame ball he was trying just

to avoid the yellow and perhaps he could have played that between that

and the yellow and come down on the right-hand side of the pink. As we

let it go you you can see he was trying to come inside the yellow and

come back to the loo. Perhaps not, maybe was aiming for the gap and

just misses it. Broke into the balls, and I thought he was good to

break his -- beat his highest break and beat the tournament one, which

is still 141. Ali Carter, I know you spent an awful lot of time with him,

and this is an enormous match for him in the context of what has

happened to him over the last couple of years. Yes, he has been a

tremendous fighter. Had to battle serious illness on a couple of

occasions. Alan McManus, he will be delighted. He has got himself right

back into this match, breaking off in frame 21. You just feel that Ali

has lost his composure a bit this morning so far, Willie, and I think

the table has a lot to do with that. The kicks and the bouncers are very

off-putting for both players and I think Ali has just let that affect

him this morning, which is understandable.

APPLAUSE He has been practising. Once again,

looking at the safety shot there. How is he himself, Vermont? Is

great, yes. He has been working really hard, his fitness and diet is

really good at the moment. He is looking the best I have ever seen

him, to be honest, really for this match -- how is he looking himself,

at the moment? Alan is such a great match player, such a great

competitor. I don't know why Ali is complaining about something there.

He just miss hit it. That is a real reprieve for Ali Carter. He has got

away with it. Time to start playing some good safety, Ali. That is just

not good enough. Ali Carter has lost his composure

this morning. He is obviously unhappy with the playing conditions.

But he just got down and played that safety was a very little thought,

opened the balls up, and you just cannot do that against somebody of

the class of Alan McManus. That one wiped its feet. Fortunately for Alan

it went in. Played the drag shot slightly thick into the pocket. I

would like to have seen the cue ball release another three or four inches

but he should be OK here though. And now this is a very good chance. He

will be used to playing around the black spot having had nine reds and

nine blacks on the previous occasion. I know it is early but

this is a slightly better chance than the last one.

Forced into playing a cannon now because he finished a lot lower than

he wanted to, he did not want to go there because there are plenty of

reds on, but there's no option. Good recovery. Because he is hampered he

will be playing for a lower baulk colour off the red in the middle.

This has been a remarkable performance from Alan in the early

part of the morning session. In the first frame everything went wrong

for both players but Alan came through it with a very good hot on

the black. -- very good pot. And now, should win the frame from this

position as well. There may, what was that? -- dear me. Ali Carter

could find a much drifting away from him, if you losers this he needs to

win the final frame before the interval. -- if he loses. Then try

to get mentally right to come back out again. What he does not want is

to be a nine behind. -- to be 11 - nine behind. Very tough,

unfortunately got a kick and that is the reason the red went thick. You

can see it jump on impact. An incredible number of kicks in this

match and it seems to be particularly on this side, this

table, rather than the table on the other side of the screen. I would

say 80% more on this one. The other is playing quite nicely. Just cannot

get going, Ali Carter. A typical example of when things are

going not so well your head drops. When we watch the slow motion the

red jumped as well. Another bad contact. But you will get those when

you are playing screw backs. But I know what you are saying. But if you

watch slow motion replays of every shot plate, you can see the red just

bouncing. Definitely jumped. That shouldn't happen, the bounce.

That has gone wide. The cue ball is closer than close.

Well, you have got to gain your composure now. Make 30 or 40 at

least and get your confidence back because it is shot at the moment.

A wry smile from Ali Carter. He has overrun his position on the blue,

maybe forcing him to take the pink. That was one of those where he

probably expected a bounce. Everything going awkwardly

for Ali Carter at the moment. If he gets top side of the blue that also

Tim fine. -- that will suit him. Not only was it a poor attempt but

he did not get into the cue ball either, he was trying to hold it for

the red he was closest to. Worrying times for Carter supporters now. He

is just not happy with anything at the moment, he needs the interval

and quickly. He obviously feels there is a plant

on, otherwise he would have played the cannon. The two red appear to be

makeable. Can play naturally behind the black but he would not want to

stun it. OK, I was going to say do not stunted because you finish

straight on the black. -- stun it. He is not a happy chappie at the

moment, Mr Carter. Not quite high enough to be certain

to what this rate, -- to pot this red. He may feel it is a bit of a

risk, he has got Ali Carter in a mess and does not want to gift him

an opportunity, but he is taking it on. That is unbelievable.

So, the long spider, trying to get the red tide and the black cushion

-- tight on. Alan McManus leading by 51 point, 59 remaining.

He can play it in the middle pocket, OK, the angle is acute but he is

bound to be on the black. If he misses the far jaw he can almost

play it as a shot to nothing. It is certainly tough.

Had to play to the near jaw, could not hit far jaw.

It puts him 52 points in front, and can take this yellow one with a

little more confidence. I sure the people in the audience are as amused

as we are at the way things have happened this morning. -- team --

bemused. Conceded. 51 point behind only, only needed one snooker, Ali

Carter is in trouble, mentally and physically. Once again he is just

disappearing to try to, I don't know, taught himself? Did you ever

do that, look in the mirror and tell yourself you are in trouble?

I did not need to look in the mirror to do that. It is all about getting

yourself up for it. He is not in a great face because of what has

happened. He has really struggled, his safety has been poor, but it is

easily done, we have all done it, we have all been there.

Let's look at some of the pain he is going through this morning. We will

let this run. There he is, in deep concentration. Just trying to get

things together. It has been a very tough day at the office for him so

far but he can turn it around by winning the next frame.

I think he must win the next frame. He could come back, no question, he

is one of the best in the world, but he is getting prostrated and you can

see him there, so angry, almost as if he wants to punch somebody in a

moment. -- frustrated. This is another bad contact you talked

about. Bangs his head on the table. Neither player wants this but it is

so frustrating, you have work all year for the World Championship.

Ali Carter, raking in frame 20. And I feel it is one he needs to win.

His frame of mind is not good at all at the moment.

This is a tough safety shot that Alan McManus is faced with here. He

played it very well. This is a chance for the long pot

for Ali Carter. The way things have gone this morning so far for him it

would be a very brave shot to take on.

He has left a couple for Alan to go out, and was fortunate not to leave

the red over the middle. He cued it nicely. But just not quite nicely

enough. I am almost beginning to think it could be a light white ball

because it is bouncing all the time when it makes contact with the

object ball. Another excellent positional shot from Alan. Very well

controlled. This was the attempt from Ali, and yes, the red jumped

again. There has been a lot of bad contact this morning, very

frustrating from the point of view of the players.

Alan realises he can really get a few cold in the quarterfinals by

winning this frame -- foothold. He knows that Ali Carter will be

seething, and is favourite to do this now. That is what you need to

do when a player is struggling. Make every post a winning post.

The wrong side of the blue. He hit that very heart, and the cue ball

went nowhere. -- very hard. Another dull reaction. A tremendous amount

of cue power required to get back down to the reds, he decided against

it, happy to take the points, play safe, keep Ali Carter under

pressure. This rate -- red goes. Good shot. If he can miss the pack

of roads on the way down, to the right of the pink, if he gets this

positional shot right, he can bring the red away from the pink, and then

he is of -- off to go. The black obviously goes on to the

pink spot so this will open things up a little bit. If the black is

available in the middle, there is no problem. And there is no problem.

Well, what can we say? That was a twitch, not a bad contact, he just

to -- twitched, it is amazing what can happen at the Crucible Theatre,

and as you see, that wasn't a bad contact.

That was a better safety shot from Ali Carter. Very unusually, his

safety has been poor, so far this morning. Normally one of the

strongest part of his game. That is a decent cue ball from Alan

McManus, but this bed is on, -- red, and is an opportunity that Ali

Carter really does need to make the most of.

Now, it is just not happening for him this morning. He will be

bitterly disappointed, really struggling to control his emotions

now. I know that Alan made a wonderful century a couple of frames

ago but he has not had to do an awful lot this morning, the way Ali

has played. He has to go all out for this and play for the black in the

middle. Ali, this is your moment now to get back into this match, because

it is drifting away from you. He just turned and said to himself,

come on. He is finding everything difficult

at the moment. Those two reds together, he could stunt into that

for the black in the middle. But if he goes off the cushion he is in

trouble again. This is missable. Why is he not playing the one with the

rest? And difficult to avoid the cannon onto the other red.

He has had some fortune because he mis-hit that but luckily for him it

has come onto the black. This is all he needs with his

concentration as it is, the match and the other table has reached the

interval first, there will be a lot of movement around, and that is what

you don't want. Well done. Good shot in the context of what is happening

next. -- next door. That is certainly not ideal. He has

made this very awkward for himself now, he wanted it much straighter on

this red, this is missable. Well played. The reason Peter said that

was missable, it was what he had to do with the cue ball. You know you

can get close to pink or black playing that shot. 22 points behind

so will need virtually all the reds that are available. This is a good

choice of shot to get the pink back into play but once again a very poor

positional shot. He has a wry smile, he knows it should not have been

anywhere near the yellow. A very good shot from Ali Carter,

just what he needed under the circumstances, it has been a really

tough morning for him so far, but struck that one beautifully.

Trying his hardest to dig deep now and find something. And he needs to.

He needs to, fast. He has got himself to within one

point but he will need all four reds and all colours, and I think he

should port the two loose reds at the moment to get a little more

confidence. Because if you miss is the one near the cushion he will be

even more annoyed. He had to do that because of the state of mind he is

in. Know there is a bit of cue ball

movement and that was well cured again -- now. He is in form.

Just gone into that red a little too much. He can still hold for that on

the cushion but, as we all know, these are missable. Because he will

have to play a dead weight. What a chance he missed when he missed that

red a few moments ago. That is not there, is it? Goodness me!

APPLAUSE It was just the case, Willie, wasn't

it? Slightly overclocked that. Just the pace allowed it to drop. He has

a good angle on this black. But the next red is very tricky. And he has

another bounce off the side cushion there. A wry smile. Cue ball

bouncers, you can see there. -- bounce. A bigger bounce than he

expected or wanted. This is really tough. Not tight to the cushion.

This is tough. It looks tight. He missed that, though. He will be very

frustrated. He did all the hard work there. But unfortunately for him he

is only 22 point oh in front, with 35 on. -- points in front.

If he is not straight on this yellow, he still can hold for it yet

again, but I think he is OK. I don't blame him for that because it is

easier to clear up. This is a massive shot, in context of the

game, of the match. That one shot just made McManus

favourite to win this frame, and when all formats of the morning

session, to go 11-9 in front, still with a possible four to play. -- and

win all four of the morning session. He wanted to bring it level the

He wanted to bring it level to 10-10, and this was the shot.

This is Ali's last chance of coming back to the table, if he doesn't get

it nicely on the pink. If he dolls, pink and black are a formality. --

if he does. APPLAUSE

What a remarkable shot! He goes into the interval leading 11-9. She go

what a fantastic morning it has been for Alan McManus, life in the old

dog yet. They are having an mid-session interval and mean well

we will show you table two. Mark Selby, number one, taking on the

qualifier Sam Baird. They got it yesterday and this is the story of

the first session. COMMENTATOR: The biggest match of

Sam Baird's life, against Mark Selby, the world number one. That

will not do anything for his nerves! That might make him worse. It has

finished very nicely. Mark Selby, he will be delighted, taking the

opening frame. Very well played. He has gone level now. He cued it well

and he has a very, very good kiss. Back to where they were at the

start. Hit beautifully, a very good shot. He is back in front again.

Well played. His third century of the Crucible this year. It is 3-3.

Back in front again at 4-3. Well played.

Very well played. He levels up at 4-4, going into their second

session. Considering this is Sam Baird's second appearance at the

stadium, showing no nerves whatsoever. He has never beaten Mark

Selby. 4-4 at the end of the first session. Sam Baird won the first

frame of this session. We join them in play. Mark Selby to play,

trailing by eight. COMMENTATOR: You don't get the balls

at your mercy this often, like this. It is a tough situation, though. A

bit of pressure on, knowing you should make a frame-winning break.

That did not go into the centre of the pocket. That is why he is lost

on that little bit. Still OK. Probably just what Mark Selby

needed, just the balls in this type of position, just to get his hand

going again little bit. Such a marvellous at cuist. Very

hard to keep under wraps, so to speak -- cueist. Very controlled and

very precise in his way around the table. He hits the ball beautifully,

and very rarely plays poor position. Just wondering, is there an

opportunity to try to get that black on the spot now? He could deep screw

off the side cushion and take the black to this bottom left corner

pocket. It looks pretty straight, this red. It could come off beside

cushion, hitting the black properly here... Deciding to go up for the

blue. He would love to have that black on it spot at some stage. I

think the bottom of the three reds together goes into the wrong corner.

So getting straight on that black would be nice. Or roughly straight

on it and just play off the cushion, hitting that red.

APPLAUSE Just getting that black on the spot

makes this break now so much easier. It is very hard to make a frame and

a break just with all blues. Not in the middle, but from where Mark

Selby was standing, as he hit that ball, he would have known

immediately it was then. From behind the pocket, sometimes because you

cannot see the fall of the slate, you sometimes think the player is

going to miss the shot, but if you were in your club and standing where

Mark Selby was, you would know that that was in, instantly.

59 ahead now, 59 remaining, so straightforward. Mark Selby, just up

the order. A bit unlucky with the split, of course. Made a wonderful

red and black, and so unfortunate not to be on an easy red. But there

is no chance of me getting into a position like that, snooker table,

position like that on a snooker table, Steve, not with my legs!

It would be nice if you could play this one left-handed! That

position... The half lotus! LAUGHTER

He must be using cod-liver oil, to be that flexible. Linseed oil in

summer, for the cue, anyway. -- for the Cure. Yes, and cod-liver oil for

the joint! Eight there was a time in the summer months when snooker

players had the summer off, you would soak the oil with your cue and

let it settle for a couple of weeks. I don't think the players even have

time to retake their cues these days. -- re-tip.

A lovely shot. APPLAUSE

Great positional shot, knocking the red over, and the possible chance

now of the century. He has made 410 career centuries, as we watch this

wonderful positional shot here. Sam Baird scored a century...

APPLAUSE Yes, and if Mark Selby was feeling

the heat, in any way, shape or form, as we mentioned earlier, Ken, about

the possibilities playing against a younger player, and that putting you

under pressure, well, he has not shown it in this. He has been very

controlled. He really has not put a foot wrong.

And he has done his job here. He was asked the question, balls all the

open. A little bit of an exhibition. Tried to finish off, don't think the

black has the pace... Mark Selby get it level. 5-5. Corlett Drive End

excellent break for Mark Selby. He won the next frame to make it 6-5

and we will now show you what happened in frame 12, Mark Selby at

the table, trailing by 54 points. COMMENTATOR: Sam Baird is going to

be having a crack at the red, perhaps in behind the green, round

the back of the black. Did not try to pot the red, although a great

effort. APPLAUSE

Contained the situation as best he could there. This is a long-range

pot. Not easy. APPLAUSE

Great pot, wasn't it? Very confident. It was lucky it was over

the hole, that red. Just got down, mentally relaxed on the yellow. You

would have to issue and it is frame over. Once again, Sam Baird would be

back on level terms. -- you have to assume. A repeat performance would

do the trick. APPLAUSE

Exactly the same shot, wasn't it? Pretty good at that shot. Mark will

come back to the table, I don't think, no. That is enough for him.

Time to go for a cup of tea and Sam Baird's will taste that little bit

nicer after getting back on level terms. It is 6-6.

STUDIO: Is superb snooker match and you can keep up-to-date with that

match via the BBC sport website, and on the red button as well, and on

the app. We are on the earth for another nine minutes or so so have

that red button standing by if you want to continue with live coverage

from the Crucible. We shall now rejoin our commentary team of Willie

Thorne and Peter Ebdon. WILLIE THORNE: Heater is not back in

the commentary box yet because he had an awful lot of work to do at

the interval trying to get Ali Carter into a frame of mind where he

could compete and get back into this match -- Peter is not in the

commentary box yet. Ali Carter, decided he is not going to play that

one. It will be interesting to see what Peter is allowed to see the us

when he rejoins me in the commentary box, which he is doing just now.

McManus played so very well in those first four frames. The first one was

one to forget but he won it. He dominated the next three, albeit

Carter had an excellent chance to win the last frame of the session.

Well, Peter, am I allowed to ask you how the conversation went, or is

that player's privilege? PETER EBDON: Obviously it was a

tough one, Willie, because things did not go that well for him there

out in the first four frames this morning. But he is a class player,

two-time world finalist. And now is the time to show some character. And

he will be feeling a lot better after that excellent long red.

He needs to play a little delicate cannon to the two read, not one,

because he may snigger himself. -- two reds. He may not have snookered

himself so he has played that nicely -- him a smoker himself. He needs to

really make a frame-winning break, just to get the confidence back.

APPLAUSE Purposely not playing that because

there are still those more reds. His choice of four reds if he gets it

nicely. Well played. And, without doubt, the interval

came at the right time for Ali Carter. I am sure if the match had

gone on without the interval, Alan McManus would probably have won

13-9. A chance to chat to our other commentator, Peter Ebdon, and his

manager, no doubt saying things to be as encouraging as they could to

get him back into the right frame of mind, and it looks like it has done

the trick. Well, we promised him an organic banana smoothie, if he won

this match, and that could well make all the difference!

APPLAUSE I am not too sure whether he can

hold on either side of the pink or if he will have to screw though the

cushions, but he has decided to go into them. When things are not going

right for you... Out on lucky is that? To get them absolutely like

that. Unfortunately the white double-kissed the pink place there.

It just slowed the weight down, very unfortunate. He could not have hit

that shot much better. -- white. And now is the time to take stock, play

an excellent safety shot. The problem with the safety shot here,

is he playing the double? Is he playing the double? What a shot!

He took a risk there. He knew the only kiss that would be good was the

half ball kiss, but unfortunately it was full ball. He had no option

because he did not want the black to go up on the brown. Surely that is

another double... The problem with the safety shot here is that he

needs to cover the two reds into the left-hand black pocket because they

could be made into a plant. If he is taking this into the middle that is

really tough. What a shot that is! He has been sought unlucky -- so

lucky there at the end. That really was a fantastic shot. No prizes for

what is coming up next. So I'm excellent 47 break. He will be

feeling much better about things after that visit -- an excellent 47

break. A very good effort, and Alan McManus is in some trouble now. They

call him Angles McManus, and my good friend Dennis Taylor recovering in

hospital would be quick to put a line in here about getting him to

the desired red. If anybody., the picture of Dennis in this morning

with his thumbs up, and I suggest he will be drawing white lines on

circles on the walls to get him in practice for coming back next week,

but, like I said, this one is a tough one. No problem hitting the

red, but hitting a red where you can get safe, and he would like to come

back in behind the two in the left-hand corner pocket. This is

tough. Corlett Drive End thanks to Peter

Thorne and -- Willie Thorne and Peter Ebdon. This is where we say

goodbye on BBC Two but if you press your red button you can continue

watching Alan McManus and Ali Carter, and in the other match Mark

Selby is now ahead of Sam Baird, leading 6-6 -- 7-6. Hazel will be

here at 1:30pm on BBC Two when Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his quest

to win a world title once again, taking on Barry Hawkins. Goodbye for

now.