:00:09. > :00:22.Looks pretty good. Just the edge of the yellow sticking out.
:00:23. > :00:40.We now in and I don't see any end at the
:00:41. > :01:39.moment to this frame. Where the yellow is going to end up,
:01:40. > :01:46.need to get on the condition. Would probably help Mark, making the black
:01:47. > :01:47.slightly more difficult than it was. No advantage in potting the yellow
:01:48. > :01:56.where the green is. I can see another 20 minutes in this
:01:57. > :02:39.frame. Problem is for anyone, even if they
:02:40. > :02:44.got a chance on the yellow where the green is, you never know when the
:02:45. > :02:47.frame in one visit. There is a little less pressure on this shot
:02:48. > :03:40.for Marco. Talking about records, the number of
:03:41. > :03:47.century breaks that have been made in the other semifinal, most century
:03:48. > :03:57.breaks ever made in a match. Now we're looking at what is the longest
:03:58. > :03:59.frame ever played at the Crucible. I know that one, John. 75 minutes,
:04:00. > :04:18.McGuire King. Oh! It is a tough safety shot for the
:04:19. > :04:21.green. 75 minutes, John. McGuire King. I think there is at least
:04:22. > :04:29.another nine minutes left on this frame. He got the perfect shot, got
:04:30. > :04:33.the snooker, did not want the yellow to drop. They have got to go in some
:04:34. > :05:03.time. Clearly the fact that Mark Selby is
:05:04. > :05:10.18 points ahead, massive favourites to win this frame. He knows he is
:05:11. > :05:16.going to get a few more chances in this frame, green and brown. Just
:05:17. > :05:22.looking, difficult to tell the angle. I don't know whether he could
:05:23. > :05:27.run the green into the pink. I was thinking if he had more of an angle.
:05:28. > :05:31.If that green were to stop where that pink is, he could possibly get
:05:32. > :05:36.a snooker behind the brown but I don't think it will come of the
:05:37. > :05:47.baulk cushion to play that. I see what you mean. One thing for
:05:48. > :05:48.certain, I don't think he can leave distance between cue ball and object
:05:49. > :06:07.ball here. He played it cleverly. He played it
:06:08. > :06:12.very cleverly. By playing it like that, running the green into pink,
:06:13. > :06:17.brought the pink into play and got the green safe. Mark can get through
:06:18. > :06:24.to hit it. Now that lead of 18 points means precious little because
:06:25. > :06:30.whoever put the green, will put the brown and then the blue. This frame
:06:31. > :06:36.is still Mark favourite, but not as big a favourite as he was before. He
:06:37. > :06:41.has a choice here, it seems a natural way to play it, hit the
:06:42. > :06:47.green thin and run it into the black, but maybe he doesn't want to
:06:48. > :06:51.knock the black from the corner. I don't see, I'm not certain if he
:06:52. > :06:59.comes from behind he can get this green safe. Well, he couldn't have
:07:00. > :07:05.played it any better than that. That is an excellent shot. It is not a
:07:06. > :07:35.snooker. The funny thing is when you are out
:07:36. > :07:38.there, just about five minutes from breaking the longest frame ever
:07:39. > :07:44.played at the Crucible, you won't feel it out there. You wouldn't
:07:45. > :07:45.realise, or you are thinking about shots you play, shots you have
:07:46. > :08:03.missed. The fact the brown is where it is,
:08:04. > :08:06.he could play the green up towards the brown Bert hoping to put it in
:08:07. > :08:20.the middle of the side cushion I would think. On this line, may be
:08:21. > :08:24.portable. Can he see enough of it? He has certainly overhit it, I
:08:25. > :08:30.agree. But he wants to be hitting the green or over to the side
:08:31. > :08:37.cushion. If he can pot it, he would be 21 points in front with 22
:08:38. > :08:41.remaining. Can he get a position on the brown? Without digging in, I
:08:42. > :08:49.think you can get past the pink and the green will go, but to haul for
:08:50. > :08:53.the brownie you have two did in, play it this way, get position.
:08:54. > :09:34.Didn't play it. Get the double-kiss but the brown
:09:35. > :09:43.was blocking the green for the far right corner. Easy cross double,
:09:44. > :09:56.twice across, leaving the green ball in the middle of the baulk cushion.
:09:57. > :10:32.Is this green going over the middle? It needs to stop. Just about has
:10:33. > :10:36.done, with it being tied to the cushion, no chance of a cross 00
:10:37. > :10:39.anything like that. Mark can only just play this green and try and
:10:40. > :10:55.rested on the top cushion here. -- rest it. The easy safety shot for
:10:56. > :10:59.Marco is always to send the green heading towards the brown. Last time
:11:00. > :11:06.he played a similar shot, he overhit it slightly. You feel that that is
:11:07. > :11:23.the safest alternative. As long as you get past the middle
:11:24. > :11:39.pocket. No danger. Playing it around the angle has to
:11:40. > :11:42.be careful he doesn't come into the blue or the peak if he plays the
:11:43. > :12:09.angles. -- pink. He has missed the pink and played it
:12:10. > :12:17.very well indeed. That was tough to miss both the plume and the pink.
:12:18. > :12:23.We've got 30 seconds to get to 1.25 hours for this frame. 30 seconds and
:12:24. > :12:24.it will be the longest frame in the history of the World Championship
:12:25. > :12:39.here at the Crucible. First mistake. This little safety
:12:40. > :12:47.battle, and it is, from Marco Fu. And that is the longest frame, now,
:12:48. > :13:00.at the Crucible. We first came here in 1977, so it is 40 years. Nearly.
:13:01. > :13:08.And this is the longest frame ever. That may be inspired Mark Selby.
:13:09. > :13:13.And this is the longest frame ever. points, the lead, 22 remaining, he
:13:14. > :13:28.still needs the brown, and it is not a gimme.
:13:29. > :13:37.It is there! We had to wait a time but now it looks almost certain
:13:38. > :13:41.that Mark Selby will be all square going into the final session will
:13:42. > :13:51.stop here has had a look at his watch, I am looking at
:13:52. > :13:56.stop here has had a look at his players shake hands. That was the
:13:57. > :14:01.hardest type of matchplay. But Mark Selby wins a very important frame.
:14:02. > :14:07.Instead of being two behind, we are all square. We hope for better
:14:08. > :14:14.snooker tonight, but it is for a place in the final. 12-12.
:14:15. > :14:22.The second semifinal was due to start at 2:30pm but because of the
:14:23. > :14:27.delay, hundreds left waiting outside to get in for the afternoon session.
:14:28. > :14:37.It takes 25 minutes to turn things around for the afternoon session so
:14:38. > :14:44.we are due to start at about 3:07pm. That is a record, gentlemen. 76
:14:45. > :14:50.minutes, 11 seconds, officially the longest frame in Crucible history.
:14:51. > :14:56.Previously Maguire and King in 2009, in case you are interested. It is an
:14:57. > :15:05.hour and a quarter we will never get back. But fascinating, nevertheless.
:15:06. > :15:09.It does happen. Both players have a similar pace around the table, great
:15:10. > :15:26.tactical brains, and they got themselves into a little bit of a
:15:27. > :15:29.rut. Such a huge frame. But particularly for Mark Selby to get
:15:30. > :15:34.back level going into this evening. From the point of view of Marco Fu,
:15:35. > :15:42.how debilitating was that loss? Absolutely. We talked about how Mark
:15:43. > :15:46.Selby often plays so bad but comes out sessions at level. It was the
:15:47. > :15:54.same against Wilson. Did not play his best but managed to level the
:15:55. > :15:59.section, 4-4. That frame will maybe give him a little bit of hope. Even
:16:00. > :16:04.though it was elongated and attract out, he needed it more than Marco
:16:05. > :16:08.did. Marco in that session missed a couple of tricks. There were a
:16:09. > :16:18.couple of times when he could have got a two frame lead and Mr --
:16:19. > :16:28.missed the boat. In many of those frames they were giving each other
:16:29. > :16:37.for -- four chances per frame. Could the nerves, or fatigue kicking in?
:16:38. > :16:41.You don't want to have too many bad sessions on the trot. Usually we
:16:42. > :16:46.find a player comes to the forefront who looks fresh as a daisy. It does
:16:47. > :16:51.not augur well for whoever gets into the final from these two, when the
:16:52. > :16:59.other players are motoring away, Ding Junhui looks very fresh, and
:17:00. > :17:04.Alan McManus has been a breath of fresh air, does not seem to be
:17:05. > :17:10.tired, is enjoying it. If you are going to pick a winner you would go
:17:11. > :17:15.with the other semifinal. It will be interesting to see how that pans out
:17:16. > :17:22.this afternoon. Our apologies by the way if you did hear some bad
:17:23. > :17:29.language, off-mic and, in the commentary box. There are two Asian
:17:30. > :17:34.players in the semifinals at the Crucible of the first time, carrying
:17:35. > :18:10.the hopes of a continent. Huge expectations, particularly on Ding.
:18:11. > :18:17.Obviously a massive interest in China. We are joined by a couple
:18:18. > :18:21.from the Chinese press agency. In June we, great to see him playing
:18:22. > :18:30.well at the Crucible. -- Ding Junhui. It has not happened for him
:18:31. > :18:34.often at the one-table set-up stage. Not many were talking about him
:18:35. > :18:41.being a winner this year, has taken the pressure off him? I think so. He
:18:42. > :18:47.was world number one a few years ago but now needs to go through the
:18:48. > :18:53.qualifiers. Playing well this time. What about the interest back home,
:18:54. > :18:58.how many millions are watching? An average of 20 million, every match.
:18:59. > :19:04.With him being at this stage of the tournament, I would think, 30
:19:05. > :19:09.million, 50 million, is possible. If he wins, what would that do for
:19:10. > :19:13.snooker in China? It is already big in China but if you wins then even
:19:14. > :19:20.more will get interested and start to pay attention to this event.
:19:21. > :19:29.Final question, if Marco Fu gets through, against the Ding Junhui,
:19:30. > :19:37.the figures would be even better, wouldn't they?
:19:38. > :19:43.We be over the moon, yes. And remember these qualifiers have both
:19:44. > :19:48.won six matches to get here. They have produced nine centuries in the
:19:49. > :19:55.semifinal, already a record. There is Alan McManus. Quite simply the
:19:56. > :20:00.coolest man in the championship. Has played a superb part, he is the
:20:01. > :20:07.oldest man left, and was the oldest man in the Crucible draw from the
:20:08. > :20:10.start, at 45 years old. He has produced stunning comebacks in three
:20:11. > :20:17.matches, can he do so one more time today? I wonder what these
:20:18. > :20:25.gladiators will give us. It is time to join Mr Rob Walker.
:20:26. > :20:32.Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome back, it has been brilliant
:20:33. > :20:38.so far, nine centuries, both players in uncharted territory, but only
:20:39. > :20:39.room for one of them in the final. Great sporting drama is made for
:20:40. > :21:08.days like this. Please welcome a player producing
:21:09. > :21:14.the best snooker we have ever seen from him at the Crucible. Back at
:21:15. > :21:22.the one-table set-up for the first time in 23 years. He has been
:21:23. > :21:25.fantastic in this match so far. Can he turn around this deficit and
:21:26. > :21:37.produce a fairy tale finish and make it into the final? He is the pride
:21:38. > :21:53.of Glasgow, he is Alan 'The Angles' McManus.
:21:54. > :22:04.And his opponent, emerging for the most important session of snooker in
:22:05. > :22:08.his career. He is just three frames away from becoming the first Asian
:22:09. > :22:12.player to ever make the World Championship final. With six
:22:13. > :22:15.centuries already in this match he is in the form of his life. Can he
:22:16. > :22:19.centuries already in this match he keep it going on the biggest stage,
:22:20. > :22:21.with the hopes and expectations of a nation upon his shoulders? The
:22:22. > :22:53.Chinese Dragon, Ding Junhui. Stephen and Ronnie with his six
:22:54. > :22:56.centuries in a single match, appropriately, Stephen is in the
:22:57. > :23:02.commentary box with Dennis Taylor. Good afternoon.
:23:03. > :23:12.Good afternoon, Hazel, good afternoon, everyone. This has been
:23:13. > :23:23.some semifinal. Frame 25, Alan McManus to break.
:23:24. > :23:41.He needs a good break off, does Alan, and it is not bad. He wants
:23:42. > :23:45.the first frame, that is for sure. If he is to have any chance of
:23:46. > :23:50.getting back into this match I think three of the first four has got to
:23:51. > :24:05.be Alan's minimum target. Although it will be interesting to
:24:06. > :24:12.see, when the winning line gets closer, how nervous Ding becomes, or
:24:13. > :24:19.if he becomes edgy, about getting to his first final at the Crucible. It
:24:20. > :24:25.looked like he would only have a two frame advantage but he did well to
:24:26. > :24:31.win the last frame. Alan has been in the champions lounge, having to
:24:32. > :24:37.wait, because that last frame was, well, a record last frame of the
:24:38. > :24:40.Crucible Theatre. He was very calm up the lounge, just waiting for the
:24:41. > :25:13.call to get himself ready. Close. I then think the brown will
:25:14. > :25:17.cover the path. Alan McManus has played
:25:18. > :25:28.cover the path. Alan McManus has including qualifiers -- 130. Ding
:25:29. > :25:35.Junhui has played 119, but they do look pretty fresh. It mental it can
:25:36. > :25:41.take it out of you. When you are playing so well it does not take as
:25:42. > :25:46.much out of you. Alan has a very positive shot that could take the
:25:47. > :25:49.cue ball into the main bunch but I would be surprised if he played it
:25:50. > :25:58.so early in a very important frame, but it is an opportunity to do that.
:25:59. > :26:09.He does play that shot, but not with the pace I thought he might. Very
:26:10. > :26:14.unlucky to not be on the black. We show you that shot again, right-hand
:26:15. > :26:21.side, spinning it to the pack, and a little more pace would have been
:26:22. > :26:26.perfect. Yet now he is in all sorts of trouble and might have to
:26:27. > :26:37.nominate the yellow. That will be an early test for 'Angles' McManus. Of
:26:38. > :26:43.course, it is an easy escape to hit the black but he would not want to
:26:44. > :26:52.do that. As we zoom in from the back of the Crucible. Yellow ball. It is
:26:53. > :26:59.the yellow he has nominated so he must hit at least three cushions.
:27:00. > :27:04.And that is so unusual. He was nowhere near the angle he was
:27:05. > :27:20.looking for. And look what he has done, but Ding is right in amongst
:27:21. > :27:33.it. What a gift. In this very important first frame. That was a
:27:34. > :27:41.mile out from where he need to be. A slight kick but it did not seem to
:27:42. > :28:28.affect the path of the cue ball. Watch it jump.
:28:29. > :28:35.Alan totally misjudged that. I was very surprised. He was looking for
:28:36. > :28:39.three cushions. That line I have just put up. But it was as if the
:28:40. > :28:48.ball checked and went straight into the red. He was actually shaking his
:28:49. > :28:49.head before the cue ball even hit it, he knew how bad it was
:28:50. > :29:01.straightaway. There is a red just at the bottom of
:29:02. > :29:05.the bunch, I don't know if it is also available to the left corner,
:29:06. > :29:09.but obviously the one closest to the black is, but there could be another
:29:10. > :29:17.as well, which would make this positional shot easier. You can see
:29:18. > :29:28.the red just at the edge of the bunch. If it doesn't go, it will go
:29:29. > :29:31.after he removes this. It is a little tight, the one Stephen
:29:32. > :29:37.mentioned, but there's a clear path to it now. He is looking to leave
:29:38. > :29:42.the cue ball low on the red so he can pot it and go into the bunch. A
:29:43. > :29:58.key couple of shots coming up. Purposefully leaving an angle to pot
:29:59. > :30:00.this and disturb some more reds. The blue, Inc, and black, are available,
:30:01. > :30:13.so, not a problem. Played for the blue because he knew
:30:14. > :30:17.that they can and might have tied up the pink, which is to do. -- the
:30:18. > :30:38.cannon, which it did do. If the yellow was on its spot it
:30:39. > :30:48.would be easy to play for the red on the baulk line but the yellow may be
:30:49. > :30:56.blocking the path, playing a straightforward positional shot. He
:30:57. > :31:02.is looking at the bunch of reds, all covering each other into the right
:31:03. > :31:08.corner. There is certainly one to the left of the pack which is
:31:09. > :31:20.available. Just where Ding Junhui is leaning over.
:31:21. > :31:29.He has missed the green. He might not be on a red.
:31:30. > :31:40.A little bit of tension in this opening frame, he does not miss many
:31:41. > :31:47.of those. Alan is looking at rolling this red down the cushion to get
:31:48. > :31:56.Very little to do with the cue ball, just drop this in and onto the
:31:57. > :32:22.black. The rest shots, and how many he has
:32:23. > :32:33.potted with them, it is unbelievable. Over 70 shots with the
:32:34. > :33:02.rest, in fact, 78, and missed four. Incredible.
:33:03. > :33:13.He has played the cannon but it that left-hand side of the red. The red
:33:14. > :33:24.and the extreme right of the bunch, he wanted it full ball but just
:33:25. > :33:30.cannon and the sight of it. -- onto the side of it. It is all about
:33:31. > :34:02.fractions, snooker. I love that shot as
:34:03. > :34:10.in from the back of the Crucible. I love that shot as
:34:11. > :34:14.shows you how big the table is. You know, when people come here for the
:34:15. > :34:21.first time they cannot believe the size of a snooker table. They are
:34:22. > :34:30.used to seeing pool tables, six foot by three foot. I am still on
:34:31. > :34:33.used to seeing pool tables, six foot and inches, Stephen, I
:34:34. > :35:12.used to seeing pool tables, six foot about you!
:35:13. > :35:20.He has been fairly lucky, he might be in trouble after the next shot
:35:21. > :35:27.but when he missed that I thought he would leave Allen with an easy
:35:28. > :35:28.opener. Did not leave a pot on. But if Alan can get in behind the yellow
:35:29. > :36:03.with the reds as they are, No easy ball to land on, so Ding
:36:04. > :36:13.Junhui might have to look for a two cushion escape and Clarence --
:36:14. > :36:20.glance off one of those reds, if he does not get it right, he could Alan
:36:21. > :36:42.McManus right in amongst it. -- he could put.
:36:43. > :36:48.The pink is next to a read. There is not a plant, as you can see. But
:36:49. > :37:04.even if he comes off the cushion there is a red locking the path. In
:37:05. > :37:14.a lot of bother here. You may see just a hit and hope shot. Plate with
:37:15. > :37:18.a lot of pace. Sometimes there is no other shot available so you do hit
:37:19. > :37:26.it hard and hopefully best. He could come of the side cushion, what would
:37:27. > :37:31.happen to that red? When you got a lead, a 26 point lead, he will be
:37:32. > :37:42.hoping, if he does hit it as hard as he can, he will be hoping to knock
:37:43. > :37:43.something safe, or get a fluke one. Not very often you see a player in
:37:44. > :38:06.this much trouble. There's no red he can just land on
:38:07. > :38:13.and be safe. I think the two cushion escape, he would be to swerve around
:38:14. > :38:18.the yellow to get to that. Very rarely would you see him thinking
:38:19. > :38:33.this long, two and a half minutes. Thinking about the shop. -- shot.
:38:34. > :38:43.Tony Drago, from Malta, once finished a frame in just over three
:38:44. > :38:51.minutes. I would give it the old hit and hope, hope for the best. We have
:38:52. > :38:58.seen the longest ever frame in the history of the Crucible, I am not
:38:59. > :38:59.sure what the longest shot is. But this has been three minutes, ten
:39:00. > :39:17.seconds, and counting. Coming up to screen a half minutes
:39:18. > :39:37.thinking time. -- screen the half of. He has tried to hit the red that
:39:38. > :39:45.is free from the pink, glance of it. He has got to hit and hope. If you
:39:46. > :39:52.try is an exact shot he will put Alan in amongst the balls, so maybe
:39:53. > :39:59.just hope the best, maybe even fluke something. This is the longest I
:40:00. > :40:05.have known anybody to take over a shot. Well over four minutes. It has
:40:06. > :40:14.turned into the other semifinal all of a sudden. Ronnie once made a
:40:15. > :40:22.maximum in five minutes 20 seconds, in 1997. I suppose the referee could
:40:23. > :40:26.say, listen, you got to play something. Alan is quietly just
:40:27. > :40:48.sitting there. And we get a miss in the end. Or is
:40:49. > :40:55.he hitting the red? Well! Fair play for him and try to pick out an exact
:40:56. > :40:59.shot. But I do think you should just have hit it as hard as he could.
:41:00. > :41:08.Look at the situation for Alan McManus. What a chance. To take this
:41:09. > :41:36.first frame. Such an important frame for him.
:41:37. > :41:49.It needs 100% concentration. He was sitting for a while as Ding tried to
:41:50. > :41:56.get out of a difficult situation. He does not have to worry about
:41:57. > :42:04.cannons, even the two nearly pink will create each other, if he gets
:42:05. > :42:18.that far. -- near the. Just about OK. Did not get that in the centre
:42:19. > :42:32.of the pocket, will now head up for blue or green. A horrendous kick.
:42:33. > :42:39.That is incredible. He is completely out of position. Have a look. That
:42:40. > :42:44.has ruined the shot completely. He is running past the red, he has got
:42:45. > :42:55.the blue of the green, and all of a sudden, he is not on anything. That
:42:56. > :42:58.really was horrendous luck. I mean, you can see what he thinks of the
:42:59. > :43:15.situation. Through no fault of his own.
:43:16. > :43:21.That is unusual, he didn't really play much attention to that safety
:43:22. > :43:26.shot. Just got down there and stand the cue ball. Look at this. --
:43:27. > :43:49.stunned the cue ball. Although he is leading by four
:43:50. > :43:56.frames, Ding Junhui does not look totally relaxed, he looks a little
:43:57. > :44:01.bit edgy. This is a decent chance, because if he stuns the side for the
:44:02. > :44:08.black, the four reds are blocking each other.
:44:09. > :44:16.I was saying earlier about Ding, he has never been in a final before,
:44:17. > :44:19.interesting to see how much pressure he is under this afternoon. He has
:44:20. > :44:46.another chance here. Alan
:44:47. > :44:49.thinking about that horrendous contact he had when he had a clear
:44:50. > :45:09.run to the winning line in Played this well. Played into an
:45:10. > :45:18.area where he was going to have a choice of two or three reds. He has
:45:19. > :45:22.got to be a little careful to pot the one that is closest to the pink
:45:23. > :45:26.and red because he has two run-through. He is looking at the
:45:27. > :45:28.other one into the left corner but reluctant to have do play a cannon
:45:29. > :46:07.at this stage. -- have to play. Not the best shot in the world, he
:46:08. > :46:14.overhit that one by quite a margin. He can still cut this in that this
:46:15. > :46:31.is not really on. -- but this is not really on.
:46:32. > :46:35.There is a red available in the right corner and he is already 24 in
:46:36. > :46:51.front. Just needs this red and the black to
:46:52. > :47:16.leave Alan needing a snooker. Pink or black,.
:47:17. > :47:29.He must have finished straight on the black, just checking the
:47:30. > :47:38.scoreboard. Black enough for Alan to need the snooker.
:47:39. > :47:50.I'm not sure if it goes to the middle pocket, pretty tight. Just
:47:51. > :47:53.about. No, it wouldn't go so he did play the slipper. He may have fluked
:47:54. > :48:12.the red. The red is in. to the table. He is coming to the
:48:13. > :48:15.table but barring sneakers, Ding has taken the opening frame. --
:48:16. > :48:42.snookers. An exhibition shot
:48:43. > :48:52.McManus. He will concede the frame now. He holds his hand up. You don't
:48:53. > :48:57.usually concede. Dean was quite happy to take the frame. It was one
:48:58. > :49:08.that Alan badly needed but he conceded it. Such an important one
:49:09. > :49:13.for Ding Junhui. This was always good to be a big test of his
:49:14. > :49:19.composure. A big bonus for him. Yes, and under big pressure. What
:49:20. > :49:25.happened to Alan McManus is potentially destroyed his chances in
:49:26. > :49:31.this match. Massive difference. The kick, just awful. What has happened
:49:32. > :49:34.there, just look at the cue ball, even if it shortens up, he might
:49:35. > :49:40.have a shot on the blue or if it goes on a bit more he might have a
:49:41. > :49:46.shot on the yellow but he only had one safety there. It was very
:49:47. > :49:51.unfortunate. Dispiriting for Alan McManus. Nevertheless, there have
:49:52. > :49:56.been comebacks for this sort of distance before. I'm looking at
:49:57. > :50:03.someone who has done it. You came back from 15-9 in 2003. Allen, so
:50:04. > :50:11.experienced, he knows it is possible. I think if anybody can, he
:50:12. > :50:15.can. This is a place where we have seen lots of comebacks over the
:50:16. > :50:19.years and Alan will have known that. He would have seen the comebacks
:50:20. > :50:26.just as I grew up watching him. There is still hope for him. It is
:50:27. > :50:31.not over just yet. He has made up some deficits in his matches so far.
:50:32. > :50:38.This is a tough ask for him now, though.
:50:39. > :50:46.COMMENTATOR: A tough ask, but he is a tough spot. Not the best break
:50:47. > :50:54.off. A chance for Alan to knock this read in, slip round the back of the
:50:55. > :51:02.black, finish on a baulk colour. Much too thick, just hope that last
:51:03. > :51:03.frame in that terrible contact hasn't knocked the stuffing out of
:51:04. > :51:09.Alan McManus. Might take him a few minutes to get
:51:10. > :51:30.that out of his mind properly. Ding does not look the same thing
:51:31. > :51:37.that has been the last couple of days in this match. Alan's
:51:38. > :51:41.experienced enough to send his opponent will get under more
:51:42. > :51:52.pressure because to the winning line.
:51:53. > :52:05.That comeback that Hazel was talking about, Ken Doherty against Paul
:52:06. > :52:13.Hunter, it was one of the classics. I woke up in the middle of the night
:52:14. > :52:18.and what a way to get rid of pain, watching that match, it was
:52:19. > :52:22.incredible. What the match, great to see the late Paul Hunter who
:52:23. > :52:27.definitely would have been a world champion, three times a Masters
:52:28. > :53:24.champion. That was a fantastic semifinal.
:53:25. > :53:28.That black cushion made a thumping sound there, picking up a massive
:53:29. > :53:49.bounce. That is close to the corner pocket,
:53:50. > :53:59.I think the white is in. No it is not. Good result, though. We have
:54:00. > :54:03.not had a great deal of tactical play in this semifinal. I was
:54:04. > :54:08.expecting more, but the players have been winning frames with one chance.
:54:09. > :54:16.Record number of century breaks. Nine in the semifinal, three from
:54:17. > :54:26.Alan, six from Ding Junhui. But the interesting stat is in the state
:54:27. > :54:35.these success department, Ding Junhui, they have just gone level,
:54:36. > :56:25.is just slightly ahead with Ding. -- in the safety success department.
:56:26. > :56:36.Far too thin. He is Ding Junhui a chance here. On these
:56:37. > :56:43.fast tables, to catch a thin like that, you know the white is gay to
:56:44. > :56:45.come in and out of the baulk area. -- white is going to come in and
:56:46. > :57:04.out. We will find out shortly, just three
:57:05. > :57:09.reds there. Triangular reds, near the pink spot. He has an angle on
:57:10. > :57:20.the pink to possibly run through and maybe free up a spot. Now he is
:57:21. > :57:27.almost straight. Couldn't do that so we will find out shortly. If the
:57:28. > :57:30.pink spot is available. No, the highest available and only available
:57:31. > :57:39.spot is the green. This really is a must win frame for
:57:40. > :57:49.Alan McManus. First to 17 goes through to the
:57:50. > :58:05.final. Ding Junhui certainly was not
:58:06. > :58:12.playing for the green. Going to take the pink out of commission.
:58:13. > :58:19.playing for the green. Going to take this is not the best angle on the
:58:20. > :58:23.red to screw back for the blue. To be dead straight or even the cue
:58:24. > :58:25.ball two or three inches further over so he could just stun up for
:58:26. > :58:46.the blue. Definitely tension in Ding Has he screwed into the pocket? I
:58:47. > :58:57.think he has. There certainly is tension. That was very careless of
:58:58. > :59:01.Ding Junhui there. The careless one was the one before, the shot from
:59:02. > :59:06.green to red. He left himself a horrible angle.
:59:07. > :59:13.I think he potted that red. I was looking at it again, he potted into
:59:14. > :59:18.the right side of the pocket, that is why the cue ball ended up in the
:59:19. > :59:20.middle. Shot to nothing here for Alan. He could do with knocking this
:59:21. > :59:31.then. Well played. Easy to roll to the pink and he can
:59:32. > :59:55.play it with a little bit more pace. A little bit, a little bit more pace
:59:56. > :00:30.to get the pink bit more in the open.
:00:31. > :00:39.Got to hit at least three cautions here, if not for. Even then, he is
:00:40. > :00:43.not guaranteed to get it safe. He can leave one to the left corner but
:00:44. > :00:53.the black is tied up in the pink is way up the other end of the table.
:00:54. > :01:04.It might just be a case of... There is one, two, three cautions. --
:01:05. > :01:10.cushions. Might be a possible pot to the left middle pocket.
:01:11. > :01:17.The White will be going towards the right middle pocket but I think he
:01:18. > :01:19.can take the pot on. Will he play in such a way that he can drop the
:01:20. > :01:41.brown or yellow? That is a nice notch on the green.
:01:42. > :01:48.What it has done, it has tied the pink up again.
:01:49. > :01:55.He has only got the blue to work with. He needs one good positional
:01:56. > :02:03.shot here to get up in amongst the reds. If the cue ball without just a
:02:04. > :02:07.little bit, could play the yellow and cannon into the black. You still
:02:08. > :02:20.might play that shot. Get the black into the open. -- he might still.
:02:21. > :02:27.Play for the red just to the left of those three, I don't know if he has
:02:28. > :02:45.come too far. He is still on it, is he?
:02:46. > :02:54.Looking at that that is going on the right jaw, how has that dropped in
:02:55. > :03:07.sheep? Would have to say any more pace,
:03:08. > :03:14.definitely would not have been in that red?
:03:15. > :03:18.He can't play the cannon onto the black and red because of the red
:03:19. > :03:45.near the pink. As he run far enough to get his red
:03:46. > :03:50.in the right corner? That was a clumsy shot therefore McManus. A
:03:51. > :03:59.couple of reds he could have been on.
:04:00. > :04:11.He may have got a bad contact but the fault was a shot before.
:04:12. > :04:16.Didn't seem to jump so much, that one. Getting frustrated out there,
:04:17. > :04:39.McManus. Amazing, you wouldn't think Ding
:04:40. > :04:46.Junhui had a five frame advantage because he is certainly not settled.
:04:47. > :04:54.It is a big day in these players's snooker lives, getting through to
:04:55. > :05:03.the first-ever final. It is remarkable that Alan is the after 23
:05:04. > :05:08.years and then incredible story. -- then incredible story.
:05:09. > :05:19.Ding Junhui, on the other hand, a couple of seasons ago, so much
:05:20. > :05:21.pressure on this young man to win a world title. Such a following back
:05:22. > :06:08.in China. He is not happy out there at the
:06:09. > :06:29.moment, Alan McManus. They have gone a little awkward,
:06:30. > :06:33.these frames. He is always a good tactician, he has been playing open
:06:34. > :06:44.matches through this year 's World Championships. But as you said, he
:06:45. > :06:49.must be sensing that Ding is getting anxious. The only good thing for
:06:50. > :06:51.Ding Junhui is that he is knocking them safe when he misses. He could
:06:52. > :07:15.easily have stuck that red up. I like that shot, as long as he
:07:16. > :07:21.covers the red. He has brought the black into play, I think there is a
:07:22. > :07:28.path through to the red. Just didn't get the cue ball quite where he
:07:29. > :07:33.wanted. Just watching Alan's reaction, he just needs to calm down
:07:34. > :07:37.a little bit. Easier said than done, the pressure is incredible, but he
:07:38. > :07:42.will not win the match and as he can keep a level head. Ding is missing a
:07:43. > :07:55.few balls but still looks in control of his emotions.
:07:56. > :08:18.Really was well controlled, there is. He gave himself plenty of time,
:08:19. > :09:10.judged the cannon to perfection there.
:09:11. > :09:14.That is a shocker for Ding Junhui. I mean, he looks like he could
:09:15. > :09:28.possibly go red to middle pocket. He is playing to come off the
:09:29. > :09:32.cushion for the red. Shouldn't have been anywhere near that red and the
:09:33. > :09:47.cushion. Very scrappy stuff at the moment. He
:09:48. > :09:52.is going to get away with it again. The red he missed, look where it has
:09:53. > :09:57.gone. Right near the black. Alan comes to the table shaking his head
:09:58. > :10:00.as if to say, well, every time he misses, he is knocking them safe.
:10:01. > :10:08.It is a big part of the Sometimes that is how the balls run.
:10:09. > :10:14.It is a big part of the you do this, if you manage to get
:10:15. > :10:20.away with it, it does not half help. Alan came to the table, and gave
:10:21. > :10:23.Ding a sideways glance. You will not get anywhere in the match by
:10:24. > :10:27.bothering about things like that. I know it is hard but you have to put
:10:28. > :10:30.it out of your mind. He has too taken courage meant by the fact that
:10:31. > :10:36.Ding looks edgy and is not playing well. That is a poor safety shirt,
:10:37. > :10:47.shot from Alan. He has thrown the advantage straight
:10:48. > :10:57.to Ding Junhui here. Look where he puts the cue ball.
:10:58. > :11:04.Now Alan is in a spot of bother. Simply because of the poor safety
:11:05. > :11:15.shot he played when he was last at the table. Got to be careful here.
:11:16. > :11:22.If he comes off the left side of the reds as we look at it, White is
:11:23. > :11:28.going towards the black and red so he will have to play a stun shot to
:11:29. > :12:06.avoid that. He has managed to get round the back of it.
:12:07. > :12:18.This is a bit of a chance for Alan McManus. OK, there is an awkward red
:12:19. > :12:23.to the right side of the table but the others are not badly placed. It
:12:24. > :12:35.is a fairly comfortable starter for him.
:12:36. > :12:47.Not the blue, it will have to be the brown. Just means he has further to
:12:48. > :12:50.travel with the cue ball for the next red. There are a couple of easy
:12:51. > :13:17.once you can drop on here. But the cue ball in an area where he
:13:18. > :13:25.would have a choice of reds from the left corner or left middle.
:13:26. > :14:10.I think this is the right one to play.
:14:11. > :14:24.Very unusual frame in a semifinal for these two, the score only 30-26.
:14:25. > :14:32.We have seen such high scoring in this match. We might not see the big
:14:33. > :14:43.breaks in this session because there's so much pressure.
:14:44. > :14:51.It is going to get more difficult because you want to be on the black
:14:52. > :14:53.into the right corner so you need to screw over to the left to get a
:14:54. > :15:21.chance of moving the difficult read. Has he got the angle to screw back
:15:22. > :15:27.and move that difficult red? Might just be able to. It is a good
:15:28. > :15:42.effort. He has gone too far. A fraction too far. Now he is faced
:15:43. > :15:46.with a tough red into the corner. The green is out of commission at
:15:47. > :16:03.the moment so he may take this on. He is 20 in front. Well played. Very
:16:04. > :16:04.clever use of the knuckle in the middle pocket to get back to the
:16:05. > :16:18.right side of the blue. The fact that the green was tied up
:16:19. > :16:24.with the pink gave him more confidence with the tough red he
:16:25. > :16:57.took on. He could have done with another few inches.
:16:58. > :17:16.That will make Alan McManus feel a lot better. You can see what it
:17:17. > :17:23.means. I tell you what, he is getting fired up. He is far from
:17:24. > :17:26.finished in this year's World Championship. He has a little bit of
:17:27. > :17:46.fire in his Scottish belly. He is so unassuming, one of the
:17:47. > :17:56.nicest that you could ever wish to meet. The reaction tells you what it
:17:57. > :18:01.means to him. Emotional out there today. Isn't he?
:18:02. > :18:21.If you can get this behind the brown... Well-placed for the snooker
:18:22. > :18:22.that Ding Junhui needs. The side cushion would be the easiest way to
:18:23. > :19:09.escape. Need to be careful though. A bit of a chance to get in behind
:19:10. > :19:11.the black. The lack is the best ball on the table at the moment to get
:19:12. > :19:31.snooker is behind. It is not bad. He may have two swerve around the
:19:32. > :19:35.spot when he swerves around it he will be hitting the cushion first
:19:36. > :19:40.then back to the brown. All will he try to get enough on it to hit the
:19:41. > :19:53.brown direct? He has got plenty on it. Well played. They have got the
:19:54. > :19:58.snooker -- he may have got. This crowd want to see a comeback. Alan
:19:59. > :20:05.Mick McManus has had so much support, the way he played against
:20:06. > :20:08.his good friend, the snooker he has produced, he has certainly got the
:20:09. > :20:22.support of the Crucible crowd. They are always a fair crowd. You can see
:20:23. > :20:25.the pact Crucible. Only a couple of seats here and there were people are
:20:26. > :20:34.waiting for the evening session, but sold out well in advance. Would like
:20:35. > :20:47.to see the end of this brown to make absolutely sure of the frame. He did
:20:48. > :20:52.not get anywhere near. You always feel that as long as your opponent
:20:53. > :20:54.needs two frames to get over the line, you feel you have got a
:20:55. > :21:58.chance. Very quick frames in the semifinal,
:21:59. > :22:06.a couple of frames went over the 30 minute mark, the average time just
:22:07. > :22:14.over 18 minutes. In fact, he tried to support the brown and then try to
:22:15. > :22:26.get the snooker from the blue -- to pot the brown.
:22:27. > :22:29.Alan is more or less saying, pot it if you want because the more colours
:22:30. > :22:33.that disappear, the more if you want because the more colours
:22:34. > :22:46.it is to get a snooker. You want a colour somewhere near a
:22:47. > :22:57.cushion rather than out in the open play. The black is OK on its spot,
:22:58. > :23:12.but the blue, and the pink near the green spot, not ideally placed.
:23:13. > :23:19.There is a possibility of getting behind the black, but the blue will
:23:20. > :23:28.be going back across the table towards the left corner pocket. I
:23:29. > :23:34.thought it was going near the pocket, I did not think it would
:23:35. > :23:45.drop in. Now he only has one colour to snooker behind.
:23:46. > :23:53.He needs to miss the middle pocket on the left side if he is to get up
:23:54. > :23:57.behind the black. That is not a bad effort, this. But he will finish on
:23:58. > :24:02.the wrong side of the black. But he will finish on the wrong
:24:03. > :24:32.side of the black. In awe of her is the order of the
:24:33. > :24:36.day -- in or over. Maybe a chance of getting up behind the black. This is
:24:37. > :25:00.What a shot. Shot of the session by a long distance. Excellent. He can
:25:01. > :25:05.go either side and he is going to the right.
:25:06. > :25:18.He has missed it and he does not want the cue ball in the pocket. OK,
:25:19. > :25:23.the pink is not on. But it gives Ding Junhui a clear advantage to
:25:24. > :25:29.play a telling safety shot, and all of a sudden, he has become the
:25:30. > :25:37.favourite for this frame. It is the longest frame of the match. It is
:25:38. > :25:55.coming up to 35mm and counting. -- 35 minutes.
:25:56. > :26:09.Every chance that he could put this into the green pocket. He is playing
:26:10. > :26:20.the cross double. A strange shot from Ding, why not just send down
:26:21. > :26:29.behind the black? A much easier short. Could not agree more. Keep
:26:30. > :26:35.the pink around this end and he would have Alan in all sorts of
:26:36. > :26:36.trouble. But he can see this and can maybe get a snooker behind the
:26:37. > :26:49.black. This is a half chance for Alan
:26:50. > :26:56.McManus. Just got to be careful with the cue ball, it will head toward
:26:57. > :27:13.the right middle pocket if he takes on the pot. This is tough.
:27:14. > :27:27.He will be so glad to see that cue ball go tight to the cushion. Two or
:27:28. > :27:34.three inches off and Ding can play this, but now I don't think he will
:27:35. > :27:40.take on the pot. But it is tough, to play safe, with every chance of a
:27:41. > :27:44.double-kiss. He was thinking of going off the left side of the pink
:27:45. > :27:53.onto the side cushion, the baulk cushion, wiped up the table. --
:27:54. > :27:58.white. That is what he has played, and he has played it well. His
:27:59. > :28:20.safety play has been excellent in this frame, it really has.
:28:21. > :28:27.That is a little beauty that Alan McManus has played.
:28:28. > :28:41.There is no easy safety shot for Ding Junhui. He can only double this
:28:42. > :28:51.onto the cushion, that would give the advantage to Alan. That is all
:28:52. > :28:52.he could do. So, one telling shot and Alan could certainly gain the
:28:53. > :29:14.advantage. Could be handy for Alan if he can
:29:15. > :29:22.put the black a bit safer. It just means that if Ding has a chance of a
:29:23. > :29:27.long pot with the pink at the ball and it is more difficult to get on
:29:28. > :29:52.the black. What a frame, Alan McManus badly
:29:53. > :29:55.needs this to stay in the World Championships. 16-10, very little
:29:56. > :30:12.chance. Is he playing the double? No. He looked long and hard at it
:30:13. > :30:19.though. Is there a chance to get in behind the black? There is a chance
:30:20. > :30:23.but he would need to be very precise to screw in behind. He will be
:30:24. > :30:34.hoping to leave the pink near the baulk cushion. To judge this and get
:30:35. > :30:38.in behind the black is so difficult. To do so the pink will end up in the
:30:39. > :30:50.middle of the table so he has to get the smoker. -- snooker. He has not
:30:51. > :30:55.got it. So difficult to judge, but he will settle for this. Alan
:30:56. > :31:02.McManus does not have an easy safety shot. He is more or less saying, I
:31:03. > :31:10.might have to take this on. There is a safety shot, but that is
:31:11. > :31:18.just as difficult. That is what you call a containing
:31:19. > :31:37.safety shot. Just try to put it in behind the
:31:38. > :31:38.black. He will not be concentrating on getting the cue ball safe, just
:31:39. > :31:48.make sure the pink is safe. Looks like it will be a day of long
:31:49. > :32:04.frames at the Crucible. Surely he was not thinking of taking
:32:05. > :32:15.on the back double. I think he might be, you know. Change of plan.
:32:16. > :32:35.This is a traffic shot if the pink keeps going. I would just be making
:32:36. > :32:44.sure the link was safe but that was well thought out.
:32:45. > :32:58.I am just wondering, to keep the bank
:32:59. > :33:03.I am just wondering, Even if it does not get
:33:04. > :33:06.I am just wondering, if he can move into a more
:33:07. > :33:09.favourable position it would not be a bad choice, but he must keep the
:33:10. > :33:34.pink safe. He has brought the black into
:33:35. > :33:44.I like this shot... Oh, not quite. But that was his intention. He has
:33:45. > :33:53.played some very clever shots at the end of this frame.
:33:54. > :34:09.Has he hit it too hard? No. He is just OK.
:34:10. > :34:26.We have had merely the -- nearly 11 minutes on this pink, some terrific
:34:27. > :34:44.safety shots played in this key frame. And that is another good one.
:34:45. > :34:57.He has got to somehow chip that pink onto the right side cushion.
:34:58. > :35:09.And he has not played it as well this time. It is a half chance. And
:35:10. > :35:21.Ding can drop onto the black. So, after 12 minutes, it is down to this
:35:22. > :35:24.one pot. An important shot, and the fact he is getting the cue ball
:35:25. > :35:26.cleanly means he's going to play it dead weight, normally very good at
:35:27. > :35:49.this shot. Just missed the double-kiss, to
:35:50. > :35:56.leave the pink on. When he missed it I am sure he felt he was king to
:35:57. > :36:03.stick it up -- he was going, but now it is advantage Alan McManus, as we
:36:04. > :36:11.show you this attempt. If it goes in, he would be perfect on the
:36:12. > :36:17.black. It is tense out there. This is much easier, he can get the pink
:36:18. > :36:23.safe and get the cue ball behind the black no problem, very surprised if
:36:24. > :36:34.he does not get this. But he has decelerated. He quit on the shot. It
:36:35. > :36:43.is just tension. The pink is nowhere near where he intended. Look at what
:36:44. > :36:46.Ding is faced with. If you'd pot this and get back down to the black
:36:47. > :36:54.it is the shot of the championship for me. The left side, just send it
:36:55. > :37:02.over and to the baulk cushion. He is debating it. If he takes it on, as
:37:03. > :37:08.you say, short of the championship. But I don't think he is taking it.
:37:09. > :37:22.He has played the up and down. That is just as good. As long as it keeps
:37:23. > :37:29.running. Alan has not even look at it, it is a thin one, he only needs
:37:30. > :37:31.the pink. I think his intention is just to push it safe and once again
:37:32. > :37:59.try for a snooker. Great shot. It is a must hit,
:38:00. > :38:24.because if you Mrs, he will need a snooker -- if he misses.
:38:25. > :38:34.That is not the black safer and I think he can cue at this. He is not
:38:35. > :38:37.happy with the black, so Alan McManus, after nearly 15 minutes of
:38:38. > :39:02.this tense frame, has got a chance. It is in. What a frame. What a
:39:03. > :39:07.battling Scot. He needed that frame. He is not finished just yet. 15-11,
:39:08. > :39:18.Ding Junhui. 48 minutes on this one and you could
:39:19. > :39:21.see early on in the frame how much passion was coursing through their
:39:22. > :39:27.veins of Alan McManus. What a tactical exchange at the end.
:39:28. > :39:31.Amazing tactical exchange and to put that in after such an exchange of
:39:32. > :39:39.safety shots, top-quality safety from both, what a great showing from
:39:40. > :39:43.Alan McManus, holding his nose, his bottle, and you can tell what the
:39:44. > :39:53.crowd thing, they are really behind him. -- holding his nerve. If he can
:39:54. > :39:59.keep Ding Junhui at 15, that is the key. It will be a very interesting
:40:00. > :40:04.test of composure for the young man. You have to say for Alan McManus,
:40:05. > :40:09.well done. Holding himself together, fighting like a trooper, and his
:40:10. > :40:13.facial expressions are brilliant. Have a look at this when he thought
:40:14. > :40:19.he had won the frame, quite a while back. He is absolutely committed,
:40:20. > :40:26.absolutely loving it. You have got to be careful, there is a fine line
:40:27. > :40:33.between adrenaline, and it over spilling into your play. He is so
:40:34. > :40:43.unassuming. He talks to himself all right, but you never see him gee
:40:44. > :40:50.himself up like that. It is a game of such control. You cannot let your
:40:51. > :40:55.emotions go the same way. There is no way of getting them out other
:40:56. > :40:58.than facial expressions. But you can see both players playing from the
:40:59. > :41:06.heart and all that is involved with that. We will continue on the other
:41:07. > :41:11.side, we move over to BBC Two as we start the 27th frame, we will be
:41:12. > :41:20.over in just about a minute. I hope you are enjoying these semifinals at
:41:21. > :41:27.the Crucible. It is fascinating. Ding Junhui trying to become the
:41:28. > :41:30.first of a player from China to make this final. -- first ever.