Saturday, Semi-finals, Afternoon Part 1 Snooker: World Championship

Looks pretty good. Just the edge of the yellow sticking out.

We now in and I don't see any end at the

moment to this frame. Where the yellow is going to end up,

need to get on the condition. Would probably help Mark, making the black

slightly more difficult than it was. No advantage in potting the yellow

where the green is. I can see another 20 minutes in this

frame. Problem is for anyone, even if they

got a chance on the yellow where the green is, you never know when the

frame in one visit. There is a little less pressure on this shot

for Marco. Talking about records, the number of

century breaks that have been made in the other semifinal, most century

breaks ever made in a match. Now we're looking at what is the longest

frame ever played at the Crucible. I know that one, John. 75 minutes,

McGuire King. Oh! It is a tough safety shot for the

green. 75 minutes, John. McGuire King. I think there is at least

another nine minutes left on this frame. He got the perfect shot, got

the snooker, did not want the yellow to drop. They have got to go in some

time. Clearly the fact that Mark Selby is

18 points ahead, massive favourites to win this frame. He knows he is

going to get a few more chances in this frame, green and brown. Just

looking, difficult to tell the angle. I don't know whether he could

run the green into the pink. I was thinking if he had more of an angle.

If that green were to stop where that pink is, he could possibly get

a snooker behind the brown but I don't think it will come of the

baulk cushion to play that. I see what you mean. One thing for

certain, I don't think he can leave distance between cue ball and object

ball here. He played it cleverly. He played it

very cleverly. By playing it like that, running the green into pink,

brought the pink into play and got the green safe. Mark can get through

to hit it. Now that lead of 18 points means precious little because

whoever put the green, will put the brown and then the blue. This frame

is still Mark favourite, but not as big a favourite as he was before. He

has a choice here, it seems a natural way to play it, hit the

green thin and run it into the black, but maybe he doesn't want to

knock the black from the corner. I don't see, I'm not certain if he

comes from behind he can get this green safe. Well, he couldn't have

played it any better than that. That is an excellent shot. It is not a

snooker. The funny thing is when you are out

there, just about five minutes from breaking the longest frame ever

played at the Crucible, you won't feel it out there. You wouldn't

realise, or you are thinking about shots you play, shots you have

missed. The fact the brown is where it is,

he could play the green up towards the brown Bert hoping to put it in

the middle of the side cushion I would think. On this line, may be

portable. Can he see enough of it? He has certainly overhit it, I

agree. But he wants to be hitting the green or over to the side

cushion. If he can pot it, he would be 21 points in front with 22

remaining. Can he get a position on the brown? Without digging in, I

think you can get past the pink and the green will go, but to haul for

the brownie you have two did in, play it this way, get position.

Didn't play it. Get the double-kiss but the brown

was blocking the green for the far right corner. Easy cross double,

twice across, leaving the green ball in the middle of the baulk cushion.

Is this green going over the middle? It needs to stop. Just about has

done, with it being tied to the cushion, no chance of a cross 00

anything like that. Mark can only just play this green and try and

rested on the top cushion here. -- rest it. The easy safety shot for

Marco is always to send the green heading towards the brown. Last time

he played a similar shot, he overhit it slightly. You feel that that is

the safest alternative. As long as you get past the middle

pocket. No danger. Playing it around the angle has to

be careful he doesn't come into the blue or the peak if he plays the

angles. -- pink. He has missed the pink and played it

very well indeed. That was tough to miss both the plume and the pink.

We've got 30 seconds to get to 1.25 hours for this frame. 30 seconds and

it will be the longest frame in the history of the World Championship

here at the Crucible. First mistake. This little safety

battle, and it is, from Marco Fu. And that is the longest frame, now,

at the Crucible. We first came here in 1977, so it is 40 years. Nearly.

And this is the longest frame ever. That may be inspired Mark Selby.

And this is the longest frame ever. points, the lead, 22 remaining, he

still needs the brown, and it is not a gimme.

It is there! We had to wait a time but now it looks almost certain

that Mark Selby will be all square going into the final session will

stop here has had a look at his watch, I am looking at

stop here has had a look at his players shake hands. That was the

hardest type of matchplay. But Mark Selby wins a very important frame.

Instead of being two behind, we are all square. We hope for better

snooker tonight, but it is for a place in the final. 12-12.

The second semifinal was due to start at 2:30pm but because of the

delay, hundreds left waiting outside to get in for the afternoon session.

It takes 25 minutes to turn things around for the afternoon session so

we are due to start at about 3:07pm. That is a record, gentlemen. 76

minutes, 11 seconds, officially the longest frame in Crucible history.

Previously Maguire and King in 2009, in case you are interested. It is an

hour and a quarter we will never get back. But fascinating, nevertheless.

It does happen. Both players have a similar pace around the table, great

tactical brains, and they got themselves into a little bit of a

rut. Such a huge frame. But particularly for Mark Selby to get

back level going into this evening. From the point of view of Marco Fu,

how debilitating was that loss? Absolutely. We talked about how Mark

Selby often plays so bad but comes out sessions at level. It was the

same against Wilson. Did not play his best but managed to level the

section, 4-4. That frame will maybe give him a little bit of hope. Even

though it was elongated and attract out, he needed it more than Marco

did. Marco in that session missed a couple of tricks. There were a

couple of times when he could have got a two frame lead and Mr --

missed the boat. In many of those frames they were giving each other

for -- four chances per frame. Could the nerves, or fatigue kicking in?

You don't want to have too many bad sessions on the trot. Usually we

find a player comes to the forefront who looks fresh as a daisy. It does

not augur well for whoever gets into the final from these two, when the

other players are motoring away, Ding Junhui looks very fresh, and

Alan McManus has been a breath of fresh air, does not seem to be

tired, is enjoying it. If you are going to pick a winner you would go

with the other semifinal. It will be interesting to see how that pans out

this afternoon. Our apologies by the way if you did hear some bad

language, off-mic and, in the commentary box. There are two Asian

players in the semifinals at the Crucible of the first time, carrying

the hopes of a continent. Huge expectations, particularly on Ding.

Obviously a massive interest in China. We are joined by a couple

from the Chinese press agency. In June we, great to see him playing

well at the Crucible. -- Ding Junhui. It has not happened for him

often at the one-table set-up stage. Not many were talking about him

being a winner this year, has taken the pressure off him? I think so. He

was world number one a few years ago but now needs to go through the

qualifiers. Playing well this time. What about the interest back home,

how many millions are watching? An average of 20 million, every match.

With him being at this stage of the tournament, I would think, 30

million, 50 million, is possible. If he wins, what would that do for

snooker in China? It is already big in China but if you wins then even

more will get interested and start to pay attention to this event.

Final question, if Marco Fu gets through, against the Ding Junhui,

the figures would be even better, wouldn't they?

We be over the moon, yes. And remember these qualifiers have both

won six matches to get here. They have produced nine centuries in the

semifinal, already a record. There is Alan McManus. Quite simply the

coolest man in the championship. Has played a superb part, he is the

oldest man left, and was the oldest man in the Crucible draw from the

start, at 45 years old. He has produced stunning comebacks in three

matches, can he do so one more time today? I wonder what these

gladiators will give us. It is time to join Mr Rob Walker.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome back, it has been brilliant

so far, nine centuries, both players in uncharted territory, but only

room for one of them in the final. Great sporting drama is made for

days like this. Please welcome a player producing

the best snooker we have ever seen from him at the Crucible. Back at

the one-table set-up for the first time in 23 years. He has been

fantastic in this match so far. Can he turn around this deficit and

produce a fairy tale finish and make it into the final? He is the pride

of Glasgow, he is Alan 'The Angles' McManus.

And his opponent, emerging for the most important session of snooker in

his career. He is just three frames away from becoming the first Asian

player to ever make the World Championship final. With six

centuries already in this match he is in the form of his life. Can he

centuries already in this match he keep it going on the biggest stage,

with the hopes and expectations of a nation upon his shoulders? The

Chinese Dragon, Ding Junhui. Stephen and Ronnie with his six

centuries in a single match, appropriately, Stephen is in the

commentary box with Dennis Taylor. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Hazel, good afternoon, everyone. This has been

some semifinal. Frame 25, Alan McManus to break.

He needs a good break off, does Alan, and it is not bad. He wants

the first frame, that is for sure. If he is to have any chance of

getting back into this match I think three of the first four has got to

be Alan's minimum target. Although it will be interesting to

see, when the winning line gets closer, how nervous Ding becomes, or

if he becomes edgy, about getting to his first final at the Crucible. It

looked like he would only have a two frame advantage but he did well to

win the last frame. Alan has been in the champions lounge, having to

wait, because that last frame was, well, a record last frame of the

Crucible Theatre. He was very calm up the lounge, just waiting for the

call to get himself ready. Close. I then think the brown will

cover the path. Alan McManus has played

cover the path. Alan McManus has including qualifiers -- 130. Ding

Junhui has played 119, but they do look pretty fresh. It mental it can

take it out of you. When you are playing so well it does not take as

much out of you. Alan has a very positive shot that could take the

cue ball into the main bunch but I would be surprised if he played it

so early in a very important frame, but it is an opportunity to do that.

He does play that shot, but not with the pace I thought he might. Very

unlucky to not be on the black. We show you that shot again, right-hand

side, spinning it to the pack, and a little more pace would have been

perfect. Yet now he is in all sorts of trouble and might have to

nominate the yellow. That will be an early test for 'Angles' McManus. Of

course, it is an easy escape to hit the black but he would not want to

do that. As we zoom in from the back of the Crucible. Yellow ball. It is

the yellow he has nominated so he must hit at least three cushions.

And that is so unusual. He was nowhere near the angle he was

looking for. And look what he has done, but Ding is right in amongst

it. What a gift. In this very important first frame. That was a

mile out from where he need to be. A slight kick but it did not seem to

affect the path of the cue ball. Watch it jump.

Alan totally misjudged that. I was very surprised. He was looking for

three cushions. That line I have just put up. But it was as if the

ball checked and went straight into the red. He was actually shaking his

head before the cue ball even hit it, he knew how bad it was

straightaway. There is a red just at the bottom of

the bunch, I don't know if it is also available to the left corner,

but obviously the one closest to the black is, but there could be another

as well, which would make this positional shot easier. You can see

the red just at the edge of the bunch. If it doesn't go, it will go

after he removes this. It is a little tight, the one Stephen

mentioned, but there's a clear path to it now. He is looking to leave

the cue ball low on the red so he can pot it and go into the bunch. A

key couple of shots coming up. Purposefully leaving an angle to pot

this and disturb some more reds. The blue, Inc, and black, are available,

so, not a problem. Played for the blue because he knew

that they can and might have tied up the pink, which is to do. -- the

cannon, which it did do. If the yellow was on its spot it

would be easy to play for the red on the baulk line but the yellow may be

blocking the path, playing a straightforward positional shot. He

is looking at the bunch of reds, all covering each other into the right

corner. There is certainly one to the left of the pack which is

available. Just where Ding Junhui is leaning over.

He has missed the green. He might not be on a red.

A little bit of tension in this opening frame, he does not miss many

of those. Alan is looking at rolling this red down the cushion to get

Very little to do with the cue ball, just drop this in and onto the

black. The rest shots, and how many he has

potted with them, it is unbelievable. Over 70 shots with the

rest, in fact, 78, and missed four. Incredible.

He has played the cannon but it that left-hand side of the red. The red

and the extreme right of the bunch, he wanted it full ball but just

cannon and the sight of it. -- onto the side of it. It is all about

fractions, snooker. I love that shot as

in from the back of the Crucible. I love that shot as

shows you how big the table is. You know, when people come here for the

first time they cannot believe the size of a snooker table. They are

used to seeing pool tables, six foot by three foot. I am still on

used to seeing pool tables, six foot and inches, Stephen, I

used to seeing pool tables, six foot about you!

He has been fairly lucky, he might be in trouble after the next shot

but when he missed that I thought he would leave Allen with an easy

opener. Did not leave a pot on. But if Alan can get in behind the yellow

with the reds as they are, No easy ball to land on, so Ding

Junhui might have to look for a two cushion escape and Clarence --

glance off one of those reds, if he does not get it right, he could Alan

McManus right in amongst it. -- he could put.

The pink is next to a read. There is not a plant, as you can see. But

even if he comes off the cushion there is a red locking the path. In

a lot of bother here. You may see just a hit and hope shot. Plate with

a lot of pace. Sometimes there is no other shot available so you do hit

it hard and hopefully best. He could come of the side cushion, what would

happen to that red? When you got a lead, a 26 point lead, he will be

hoping, if he does hit it as hard as he can, he will be hoping to knock

something safe, or get a fluke one. Not very often you see a player in

this much trouble. There's no red he can just land on

and be safe. I think the two cushion escape, he would be to swerve around

the yellow to get to that. Very rarely would you see him thinking

this long, two and a half minutes. Thinking about the shop. -- shot.

Tony Drago, from Malta, once finished a frame in just over three

minutes. I would give it the old hit and hope, hope for the best. We have

seen the longest ever frame in the history of the Crucible, I am not

sure what the longest shot is. But this has been three minutes, ten

seconds, and counting. Coming up to screen a half minutes

thinking time. -- screen the half of. He has tried to hit the red that

is free from the pink, glance of it. He has got to hit and hope. If you

try is an exact shot he will put Alan in amongst the balls, so maybe

just hope the best, maybe even fluke something. This is the longest I

have known anybody to take over a shot. Well over four minutes. It has

turned into the other semifinal all of a sudden. Ronnie once made a

maximum in five minutes 20 seconds, in 1997. I suppose the referee could

say, listen, you got to play something. Alan is quietly just

sitting there. And we get a miss in the end. Or is

he hitting the red? Well! Fair play for him and try to pick out an exact

shot. But I do think you should just have hit it as hard as he could.

Look at the situation for Alan McManus. What a chance. To take this

first frame. Such an important frame for him.

It needs 100% concentration. He was sitting for a while as Ding tried to

get out of a difficult situation. He does not have to worry about

cannons, even the two nearly pink will create each other, if he gets

that far. -- near the. Just about OK. Did not get that in the centre

of the pocket, will now head up for blue or green. A horrendous kick.

That is incredible. He is completely out of position. Have a look. That

has ruined the shot completely. He is running past the red, he has got

the blue of the green, and all of a sudden, he is not on anything. That

really was horrendous luck. I mean, you can see what he thinks of the

situation. Through no fault of his own.

That is unusual, he didn't really play much attention to that safety

shot. Just got down there and stand the cue ball. Look at this. --

stunned the cue ball. Although he is leading by four

frames, Ding Junhui does not look totally relaxed, he looks a little

bit edgy. This is a decent chance, because if he stuns the side for the

black, the four reds are blocking each other.

I was saying earlier about Ding, he has never been in a final before,

interesting to see how much pressure he is under this afternoon. He has

another chance here. Alan

thinking about that horrendous contact he had when he had a clear

run to the winning line in Played this well. Played into an

area where he was going to have a choice of two or three reds. He has

got to be a little careful to pot the one that is closest to the pink

and red because he has two run-through. He is looking at the

other one into the left corner but reluctant to have do play a cannon

at this stage. -- have to play. Not the best shot in the world, he

overhit that one by quite a margin. He can still cut this in that this

is not really on. -- but this is not really on.

There is a red available in the right corner and he is already 24 in

front. Just needs this red and the black to

leave Alan needing a snooker. Pink or black,.

He must have finished straight on the black, just checking the

scoreboard. Black enough for Alan to need the snooker.

I'm not sure if it goes to the middle pocket, pretty tight. Just

about. No, it wouldn't go so he did play the slipper. He may have fluked

the red. The red is in. to the table. He is coming to the

table but barring sneakers, Ding has taken the opening frame. --

snookers. An exhibition shot

McManus. He will concede the frame now. He holds his hand up. You don't

usually concede. Dean was quite happy to take the frame. It was one

that Alan badly needed but he conceded it. Such an important one

for Ding Junhui. This was always good to be a big test of his

composure. A big bonus for him. Yes, and under big pressure. What

happened to Alan McManus is potentially destroyed his chances in

this match. Massive difference. The kick, just awful. What has happened

there, just look at the cue ball, even if it shortens up, he might

have a shot on the blue or if it goes on a bit more he might have a

shot on the yellow but he only had one safety there. It was very

unfortunate. Dispiriting for Alan McManus. Nevertheless, there have

been comebacks for this sort of distance before. I'm looking at

someone who has done it. You came back from 15-9 in 2003. Allen, so

experienced, he knows it is possible. I think if anybody can, he

can. This is a place where we have seen lots of comebacks over the

years and Alan will have known that. He would have seen the comebacks

just as I grew up watching him. There is still hope for him. It is

not over just yet. He has made up some deficits in his matches so far.

This is a tough ask for him now, though.

COMMENTATOR: A tough ask, but he is a tough spot. Not the best break

off. A chance for Alan to knock this read in, slip round the back of the

black, finish on a baulk colour. Much too thick, just hope that last

frame in that terrible contact hasn't knocked the stuffing out of

Alan McManus. Might take him a few minutes to get

that out of his mind properly. Ding does not look the same thing

that has been the last couple of days in this match. Alan's

experienced enough to send his opponent will get under more

pressure because to the winning line.

That comeback that Hazel was talking about, Ken Doherty against Paul

Hunter, it was one of the classics. I woke up in the middle of the night

and what a way to get rid of pain, watching that match, it was

incredible. What the match, great to see the late Paul Hunter who

definitely would have been a world champion, three times a Masters

champion. That was a fantastic semifinal.

That black cushion made a thumping sound there, picking up a massive

bounce. That is close to the corner pocket,

I think the white is in. No it is not. Good result, though. We have

not had a great deal of tactical play in this semifinal. I was

expecting more, but the players have been winning frames with one chance.

Record number of century breaks. Nine in the semifinal, three from

Alan, six from Ding Junhui. But the interesting stat is in the state

these success department, Ding Junhui, they have just gone level,

is just slightly ahead with Ding. -- in the safety success department.

Far too thin. He is Ding Junhui a chance here. On these

fast tables, to catch a thin like that, you know the white is gay to

come in and out of the baulk area. -- white is going to come in and

out. We will find out shortly, just three

reds there. Triangular reds, near the pink spot. He has an angle on

the pink to possibly run through and maybe free up a spot. Now he is

almost straight. Couldn't do that so we will find out shortly. If the

pink spot is available. No, the highest available and only available

spot is the green. This really is a must win frame for

Alan McManus. First to 17 goes through to the

final. Ding Junhui certainly was not

playing for the green. Going to take the pink out of commission.

playing for the green. Going to take this is not the best angle on the

red to screw back for the blue. To be dead straight or even the cue

ball two or three inches further over so he could just stun up for

the blue. Definitely tension in Ding Has he screwed into the pocket? I

think he has. There certainly is tension. That was very careless of

Ding Junhui there. The careless one was the one before, the shot from

green to red. He left himself a horrible angle.

I think he potted that red. I was looking at it again, he potted into

the right side of the pocket, that is why the cue ball ended up in the

middle. Shot to nothing here for Alan. He could do with knocking this

then. Well played. Easy to roll to the pink and he can

play it with a little bit more pace. A little bit, a little bit more pace

to get the pink bit more in the open.

Got to hit at least three cautions here, if not for. Even then, he is

not guaranteed to get it safe. He can leave one to the left corner but

the black is tied up in the pink is way up the other end of the table.

It might just be a case of... There is one, two, three cautions. --

cushions. Might be a possible pot to the left middle pocket.

The White will be going towards the right middle pocket but I think he

can take the pot on. Will he play in such a way that he can drop the

brown or yellow? That is a nice notch on the green.

What it has done, it has tied the pink up again.

He has only got the blue to work with. He needs one good positional

shot here to get up in amongst the reds. If the cue ball without just a

little bit, could play the yellow and cannon into the black. You still

might play that shot. Get the black into the open. -- he might still.

Play for the red just to the left of those three, I don't know if he has

come too far. He is still on it, is he?

Looking at that that is going on the right jaw, how has that dropped in

sheep? Would have to say any more pace,

definitely would not have been in that red?

He can't play the cannon onto the black and red because of the red

near the pink. As he run far enough to get his red

in the right corner? That was a clumsy shot therefore McManus. A

couple of reds he could have been on.

He may have got a bad contact but the fault was a shot before.

Didn't seem to jump so much, that one. Getting frustrated out there,

McManus. Amazing, you wouldn't think Ding

Junhui had a five frame advantage because he is certainly not settled.

It is a big day in these players's snooker lives, getting through to

the first-ever final. It is remarkable that Alan is the after 23

years and then incredible story. -- then incredible story.

Ding Junhui, on the other hand, a couple of seasons ago, so much

pressure on this young man to win a world title. Such a following back

in China. He is not happy out there at the

moment, Alan McManus. They have gone a little awkward,

these frames. He is always a good tactician, he has been playing open

matches through this year 's World Championships. But as you said, he

must be sensing that Ding is getting anxious. The only good thing for

Ding Junhui is that he is knocking them safe when he misses. He could

easily have stuck that red up. I like that shot, as long as he

covers the red. He has brought the black into play, I think there is a

path through to the red. Just didn't get the cue ball quite where he

wanted. Just watching Alan's reaction, he just needs to calm down

a little bit. Easier said than done, the pressure is incredible, but he

will not win the match and as he can keep a level head. Ding is missing a

few balls but still looks in control of his emotions.

Really was well controlled, there is. He gave himself plenty of time,

judged the cannon to perfection there.

That is a shocker for Ding Junhui. I mean, he looks like he could

possibly go red to middle pocket. He is playing to come off the

cushion for the red. Shouldn't have been anywhere near that red and the

cushion. Very scrappy stuff at the moment. He

is going to get away with it again. The red he missed, look where it has

gone. Right near the black. Alan comes to the table shaking his head

as if to say, well, every time he misses, he is knocking them safe.

It is a big part of the Sometimes that is how the balls run.

It is a big part of the you do this, if you manage to get

away with it, it does not half help. Alan came to the table, and gave

Ding a sideways glance. You will not get anywhere in the match by

bothering about things like that. I know it is hard but you have to put

it out of your mind. He has too taken courage meant by the fact that

Ding looks edgy and is not playing well. That is a poor safety shirt,

shot from Alan. He has thrown the advantage straight

to Ding Junhui here. Look where he puts the cue ball.

Now Alan is in a spot of bother. Simply because of the poor safety

shot he played when he was last at the table. Got to be careful here.

If he comes off the left side of the reds as we look at it, White is

going towards the black and red so he will have to play a stun shot to

avoid that. He has managed to get round the back of it.

This is a bit of a chance for Alan McManus. OK, there is an awkward red

to the right side of the table but the others are not badly placed. It

is a fairly comfortable starter for him.

Not the blue, it will have to be the brown. Just means he has further to

travel with the cue ball for the next red. There are a couple of easy

once you can drop on here. But the cue ball in an area where he

would have a choice of reds from the left corner or left middle.

I think this is the right one to play.

Very unusual frame in a semifinal for these two, the score only 30-26.

We have seen such high scoring in this match. We might not see the big

breaks in this session because there's so much pressure.

It is going to get more difficult because you want to be on the black

into the right corner so you need to screw over to the left to get a

chance of moving the difficult read. Has he got the angle to screw back

and move that difficult red? Might just be able to. It is a good

effort. He has gone too far. A fraction too far. Now he is faced

with a tough red into the corner. The green is out of commission at

the moment so he may take this on. He is 20 in front. Well played. Very

clever use of the knuckle in the middle pocket to get back to the

right side of the blue. The fact that the green was tied up

with the pink gave him more confidence with the tough red he

took on. He could have done with another few inches.

That will make Alan McManus feel a lot better. You can see what it

means. I tell you what, he is getting fired up. He is far from

finished in this year's World Championship. He has a little bit of

fire in his Scottish belly. He is so unassuming, one of the

nicest that you could ever wish to meet. The reaction tells you what it

means to him. Emotional out there today. Isn't he?

If you can get this behind the brown... Well-placed for the snooker

that Ding Junhui needs. The side cushion would be the easiest way to

escape. Need to be careful though. A bit of a chance to get in behind

the black. The lack is the best ball on the table at the moment to get

snooker is behind. It is not bad. He may have two swerve around the

spot when he swerves around it he will be hitting the cushion first

then back to the brown. All will he try to get enough on it to hit the

brown direct? He has got plenty on it. Well played. They have got the

snooker -- he may have got. This crowd want to see a comeback. Alan

Mick McManus has had so much support, the way he played against

his good friend, the snooker he has produced, he has certainly got the

support of the Crucible crowd. They are always a fair crowd. You can see

the pact Crucible. Only a couple of seats here and there were people are

waiting for the evening session, but sold out well in advance. Would like

to see the end of this brown to make absolutely sure of the frame. He did

not get anywhere near. You always feel that as long as your opponent

needs two frames to get over the line, you feel you have got a

chance. Very quick frames in the semifinal,

a couple of frames went over the 30 minute mark, the average time just

over 18 minutes. In fact, he tried to support the brown and then try to

get the snooker from the blue -- to pot the brown.

Alan is more or less saying, pot it if you want because the more colours

that disappear, the more if you want because the more colours

it is to get a snooker. You want a colour somewhere near a

cushion rather than out in the open play. The black is OK on its spot,

but the blue, and the pink near the green spot, not ideally placed.

There is a possibility of getting behind the black, but the blue will

be going back across the table towards the left corner pocket. I

thought it was going near the pocket, I did not think it would

drop in. Now he only has one colour to snooker behind.

He needs to miss the middle pocket on the left side if he is to get up

behind the black. That is not a bad effort, this. But he will finish on

the wrong side of the black. But he will finish on the wrong

side of the black. In awe of her is the order of the

day -- in or over. Maybe a chance of getting up behind the black. This is

What a shot. Shot of the session by a long distance. Excellent. He can

go either side and he is going to the right.

He has missed it and he does not want the cue ball in the pocket. OK,

the pink is not on. But it gives Ding Junhui a clear advantage to

play a telling safety shot, and all of a sudden, he has become the

favourite for this frame. It is the longest frame of the match. It is

coming up to 35mm and counting. -- 35 minutes.

Every chance that he could put this into the green pocket. He is playing

the cross double. A strange shot from Ding, why not just send down

behind the black? A much easier short. Could not agree more. Keep

the pink around this end and he would have Alan in all sorts of

trouble. But he can see this and can maybe get a snooker behind the

black. This is a half chance for Alan

McManus. Just got to be careful with the cue ball, it will head toward

the right middle pocket if he takes on the pot. This is tough.

He will be so glad to see that cue ball go tight to the cushion. Two or

three inches off and Ding can play this, but now I don't think he will

take on the pot. But it is tough, to play safe, with every chance of a

double-kiss. He was thinking of going off the left side of the pink

onto the side cushion, the baulk cushion, wiped up the table. --

white. That is what he has played, and he has played it well. His

safety play has been excellent in this frame, it really has.

That is a little beauty that Alan McManus has played.

There is no easy safety shot for Ding Junhui. He can only double this

onto the cushion, that would give the advantage to Alan. That is all

he could do. So, one telling shot and Alan could certainly gain the

advantage. Could be handy for Alan if he can

put the black a bit safer. It just means that if Ding has a chance of a

long pot with the pink at the ball and it is more difficult to get on

the black. What a frame, Alan McManus badly

needs this to stay in the World Championships. 16-10, very little

chance. Is he playing the double? No. He looked long and hard at it

though. Is there a chance to get in behind the black? There is a chance

but he would need to be very precise to screw in behind. He will be

hoping to leave the pink near the baulk cushion. To judge this and get

in behind the black is so difficult. To do so the pink will end up in the

middle of the table so he has to get the smoker. -- snooker. He has not

got it. So difficult to judge, but he will settle for this. Alan

McManus does not have an easy safety shot. He is more or less saying, I

might have to take this on. There is a safety shot, but that is

just as difficult. That is what you call a containing

safety shot. Just try to put it in behind the

black. He will not be concentrating on getting the cue ball safe, just

make sure the pink is safe. Looks like it will be a day of long

frames at the Crucible. Surely he was not thinking of taking

on the back double. I think he might be, you know. Change of plan.

This is a traffic shot if the pink keeps going. I would just be making

sure the link was safe but that was well thought out.

I am just wondering, to keep the bank

I am just wondering, Even if it does not get

I am just wondering, if he can move into a more

favourable position it would not be a bad choice, but he must keep the

pink safe. He has brought the black into

I like this shot... Oh, not quite. But that was his intention. He has

played some very clever shots at the end of this frame.

Has he hit it too hard? No. He is just OK.

We have had merely the -- nearly 11 minutes on this pink, some terrific

safety shots played in this key frame. And that is another good one.

He has got to somehow chip that pink onto the right side cushion.

And he has not played it as well this time. It is a half chance. And

Ding can drop onto the black. So, after 12 minutes, it is down to this

one pot. An important shot, and the fact he is getting the cue ball

cleanly means he's going to play it dead weight, normally very good at

this shot. Just missed the double-kiss, to

leave the pink on. When he missed it I am sure he felt he was king to

stick it up -- he was going, but now it is advantage Alan McManus, as we

show you this attempt. If it goes in, he would be perfect on the

black. It is tense out there. This is much easier, he can get the pink

safe and get the cue ball behind the black no problem, very surprised if

he does not get this. But he has decelerated. He quit on the shot. It

is just tension. The pink is nowhere near where he intended. Look at what

Ding is faced with. If you'd pot this and get back down to the black

it is the shot of the championship for me. The left side, just send it

over and to the baulk cushion. He is debating it. If he takes it on, as

you say, short of the championship. But I don't think he is taking it.

He has played the up and down. That is just as good. As long as it keeps

running. Alan has not even look at it, it is a thin one, he only needs

the pink. I think his intention is just to push it safe and once again

try for a snooker. Great shot. It is a must hit,

because if you Mrs, he will need a snooker -- if he misses.

That is not the black safer and I think he can cue at this. He is not

happy with the black, so Alan McManus, after nearly 15 minutes of

this tense frame, has got a chance. It is in. What a frame. What a

battling Scot. He needed that frame. He is not finished just yet. 15-11,

Ding Junhui. 48 minutes on this one and you could

see early on in the frame how much passion was coursing through their

veins of Alan McManus. What a tactical exchange at the end.

Amazing tactical exchange and to put that in after such an exchange of

safety shots, top-quality safety from both, what a great showing from

Alan McManus, holding his nose, his bottle, and you can tell what the

crowd thing, they are really behind him. -- holding his nerve. If he can

keep Ding Junhui at 15, that is the key. It will be a very interesting

test of composure for the young man. You have to say for Alan McManus,

well done. Holding himself together, fighting like a trooper, and his

facial expressions are brilliant. Have a look at this when he thought

he had won the frame, quite a while back. He is absolutely committed,

absolutely loving it. You have got to be careful, there is a fine line

between adrenaline, and it over spilling into your play. He is so

unassuming. He talks to himself all right, but you never see him gee

himself up like that. It is a game of such control. You cannot let your

emotions go the same way. There is no way of getting them out other

than facial expressions. But you can see both players playing from the

heart and all that is involved with that. We will continue on the other

side, we move over to BBC Two as we start the 27th frame, we will be

over in just about a minute. I hope you are enjoying these semifinals at

the Crucible. It is fascinating. Ding Junhui trying to become the

first of a player from China to make this final. -- first ever.