Sunday, 1st Round, Morning Snooker: World Championship

Hello and a very good morning. Snooker on a Sunday morning, you

can't beat it. Welcome to the Crucible Theatre on date two of the

2016 Betfred World Snooker Championship. The Crucible curse

strikes once again with another first-time winner of the wonderful

title, Stuart Bingham knocked out in late-night drama against Ali Carter

yesterday evening. Attention now turns to the man who won the title

in 2005, Shaun Murphy. We will be concentrating on his match this

morning. Shaun Murphy... He probably should

have been playing in the 1920s with Joe Davis, I would think. Extremely

dedicated, focused, works really hard, and understands how important

goal setting is. One of the best dressed players we've ever seen. Off

the table he's a gentleman, more worthy of my nickname than I am.

Really nice guy, hard-working, looking to improve and a great

ambassador for the game. Great cue player. You don't know how he can

miss when you see him play. As a lad, he's all right! I would use the

word classy for Shaun Murphy. Everything he does, on and off the

table, is just quality, yeah. Top lad, great cubist and a great

character. Maybe doesn't have the killer instinct of some. Devastating

potter, but when he gets a roll the camp will lead you off the table.

One of my best friends on the circuit. Very aggressive, scores

heavily. He can putter for fun. -- he can pot for fun. Shaun Murphy

came very close to lifting the title last year. They run up, losing 18-15

to Stuart Bingham. Making his 14th Crucible appearance. He leads going

into this morning's final session, 5-4 against Scotland's Anthony

McGill, who reached the quarterfinals last year, only to

lose to Shaun Murphy. So he will be plotting revenge this morning.

Meanwhile, world number nine Ricky Walden begins his campaign on table

one, taking on Robbie Williams, the qualifier from the Wirral. If

players are standing by and we can join the MC for the morning, Rob

Walker. ANNOUNCER: Just one day of action and we have already seen two

world champions knocked out. No easy matches at the bet Fred World

Championships. We are poised and ready to go again. Sunday morning

drama served in style once again in Sheffield. APPLAUSE

Please welcome, a player who came through an epic deciding frame

thriller against Higginson at the qualifiers to secure his Crucible

appearance. The Wirral wonder, Robbie Williams.

And his opponent, a three-time ranking event winner in China who

enjoyed a brilliant run to the semifinals here three years ago. In

a rich reign of form, making the last two ranking finals, Ricky

Walden. On table two, a player who had a

brilliant debut here 12 months ago, eating Maguire and Selby en route to

a memorable quarterfinal against his opponent today. He was fearless and

seemed to thrive on the sport's biggest stage. Scotland's smiling

assassin, Anthony McGill. APPLAUSE And his opponent, a class act on

them off the baize, world champion in 2005, UK champion in 2008, and he

completed the triple Crown last year with a great win at the Masters. He

won the world Grand Prix last month, he's poised, he's ready, he's the

Magician, Shaun Murphy. Shaun Murphy against Anthony McGill

live on BBC Two. If you want Ricky Walden against Robbie Williams,

that's available on the red button. McGill walks out to the Smiths, so

he wins the walk on music challenge, Willie Thorne and Ken Doherty.

COMMENTATOR: They should walk out to Snooker Loopy. Shaun Murphy will be

under a bit more pressure today. We have the darling of Dublin with me,

Ken Doherty. How do you see it going? It's a tough one. I'm really

looking forward to this game. They had a quarterfinal last year, Shaun

Murphy was the victor, but Anthony McGill, such an important frame for

him to win at the last session yesterday. Closing the gap to 5-4.

He's a very capable player, and he seems to themselves here.

Particularly last year, when he made a lot of friends, with the way he

played and his manner around the table. The one thing that worries me

about Anthony McGill, he's been missing for much of the season. I

thought he would be forced to be reckoned with after last year. But

it's not until this tournament again. He came through the

qualifying process. It will give him some momentum coming into this

match. He needs a good start, I think.

Shaun Murphy always wants to be very aggressive, but sometimes I think he

pushes out the boat a bit too much. Can you turn the earpiece down

please. Somebody has their earpiece onto loud. -- on too loud.

Straightforward safety shot off against the black.

So confident in those long pots. Such a trademark of his game.

Sometimes he does push out the boat, and it can cost in frames. On this

occasion... The only thing Shaun Murphy doesn't want to do is give it

easy to Anthony McGill and let him get his confidence up. Particularly

at the top of the session. He has left the red into the left

centre, and it looks like it goes. Careless safety shot from Anthony

McGill. Almost like a free shot for Shaun Murphy.

APPLAUSE The reason I say it safely shut,

there was no pressure because he wasn't going to leave anything.

Massive target, just a go at the bunch, and he's bound to be on the

red above the black. Perhaps a fraction harder will have brought

the cue ball away from the pack, but that's OK.

Shaun Murphy is lovely to watch. Gets on with it, doesn't mess about

and plays every attacking shot he can think of. Always tries to win

the frame at one visit. And he cues so smoothly as well. He had a chance

there to take a red into the centre and go for blue, but took the more

difficult option to get onto the black. This is four reds, four

lacks. -- four blacks. It's early days, and I don't want to tempt

fate, but he looks alert. I only say that because of the position of the

balls. Three or four loose reds there.

He can take the red into the right centre and back for the black again.

Go to the right of the pink, maybe. The key thing we always say when you

are seeing people go for maximums, go for two reds, not just one. It's

great to get a maximum, but at this stage the frame is more important.

That red there, I don't know if it pots. If it does, it would be a

great opportunity. Not getting on it this time, but if that red

underneath the bunch of five below the pink pots, it will open things

up should he get on it. Yes, there's a large gap through the cluster of

five to get to the middle read. It's a possibility. Moving that red out

of the way, it will open up another couple of reds.

If you can track this red in the riddle of the bunch of five, that's

the one. Well, not trying on this occasion. Still in a good position.

The highest break is ?10,000, and a ?20,000 bonus for the 147. Possible

30,000 at stake. Looking like he might try to force through the pack.

Straight enough to get on it. He knows in his own mind he will go for

it. He might have to play the cannon this time. Just the red Ken was

talking about, hit that and hopefully open up a couple of extra

ones. Is he straight onto the middle? I don't think so, he's

shaking his head. Now it's time to play for a lower baulk colour. It's

an important frame. Yeah, that was unlucky. The anchor

on the red to stun down to the Blackwood have been the one. Having

a look at the red into the yellow pocket. -- stunned down to the black

would have been. Very wise, making sure of the frame.

Still a possible 141, if he takes this pink and takes three reds and

three blacks, it would certainly set a target for the rest of the

players. 141, you couldn't see that possibly staying,... Possible 140

now. This could be the seventh century of

the tournament. One previously in this match, that was in frames

seven. APPLAUSE

Still very impressive, I would say. Looks to be cueing very nicely

indeed. I always liked the way he acknowledges the crowd's support.

When Shaun Murphy makes a century he nods his head to appreciate. What a

shame, not the clearance, but he's off to the flying start he needed.

He goes two clear, 6-4. It was so important, especially with Anthony

McGill winning the final frame last night, to stamp his authority early.

He knows if he lets McGill into this game, he's quite capable of beating

him will stop absolutely. Careless shot from Anthony McGill, that pot

into the middle to leave him a free shot. He didn't get on the black the

way he would have liked. He had to go into the packed here, played it

nicely, but when we see the split, didn't quite do it, needed more spin

and to be higher in the pack. Because the two reds he went into

were virtually touching, it took the pace off. He didn't get the desired

screw off the reds. If they had been an inch apart, he would have got

more cue ball movement to go through the pack better. Unlucky not to be

on the black. Certainly, it was on. Do you think Sean sometimes pushes

out the boat a bit too much? It's just the way he plays. But he is so

confident with his long ball game, and it's such a big part of his

game. That's how he gets in to start scoring. But it can cost in frames.

But that's the way he plays. Has the brown come to the rescue?

Looks like it has. He has been very fortunate there.

Could have left the red into the corner pocket a lot easier. Slightly

hampered by the yellow, making this pot more difficult than it could

have been. Played it nicely. Purposely played

over that side of the table. He was blocking the other red with the

blue. Quite nicely worked out. Yes, he played it as a shock to nothing.

Got the white exactly where he wanted if he missed it, but now the

red has gone in, I Nacho he can hit slow enough to remain on the red

left of the blue. He might lose the white. That's why he's played in and

out of baulk. Tell you what, he cute that in very well. So difficult with

that amount of pace. -- he cued. Perfect pace again. This table is

certainly playing better than the other table. It's amazing how the

tables should be identical, with the same cloths, but the other table

seems to be flying all the time, and this one is playing perfectly. There

were a lot of kicks and a few bounces on the other table.

Certainly aren't table one, there seemed to be a lot of bounces and

players were complaining about it yesterday, and kicks as well. So

far, this table has been really good.

Very capable break-builder, Anthony McGill. His highest break in

tournament play is 144, and he sat 93 career centuries. Considering

he's only been playing on television for the last couple of years,

despite being a professional a lot longer, it shows you what a prospect

he is. I'm sure we all think the same. He does look like a young

Steve Davis, doesn't he! He took a risk in trying to kiss the

full ball down to the half bald black. -- the half ball black.

If he plays it playing ball, he might kiss into the black. He's

trying to avoid that kiss. Needs that white to slow up. Good

shot. Just when he got the ball is in

position to score heavily enough to put him over the winning line in

this frame, he's missed an easy one. Did that two or three times

yesterday, missing blacks on the spot, and this should have been an

unmissable red. Shaking his head, he knows it could have been costly.

Excellent, very clever shot. Very, very unfortunate. Brown ball. Very

aggressive shot. Unlucky. High on the brown, but has second prize

because it might be difficult to hit and get safe.

He could try to nestle into the two reds below the pink that are close

together. I tell you what, that's not bad! I was about to put a line

up there to say nestle into these, that he crashes the roof. But he's

had a result. A result?! It's a miracle. A little smile, he is

laughing, and he's entitled to. Leave that in the jaws and it's

possibly frame over. Eddie Charles was the first player I saw do that

many years ago, a hit and hope. He knows ten three Mac might still pot

in the middle, but there's still a lot of danger in the shot and he

will leave a lot on if he misses. -- he knows Shaun.

The black will go on its own spot now. Reds in a perfect position. He

could get a frame on the board now, second session of this best of 19

match. It will bring him back to within one frame again.

59 points in front and he would like to have been better on this black

than he is. I am not saying there is any chance of him missing it but the

fact he has left it very thin, it could be frame ball. He should be

OK. Only a possible 99 on if he takes

two reds and two blacks. But what a start to the session. It has been a

good match throughout. Long breaks in most frames. He just missed the

cannon. With it being typed on the cushion, he may be able to put this

in down the cushion. Left-handed? I did not know he played left-handed

as well. I have not seen that before from him. Perhaps he does not play

left-handed! But what a fantastic break that was from Anthony McGill.

A couple of breaks of 64 and 35. Anthony McGill gets one back. Ken, I

know you were just about to put a line-up when he was snookered and

then this happened. I did not have time. I was trying to figure out

where he could keep it safe. I thought he might try to drop it in

dead weight. The two reds below the pink spot. But then he smacks it.

This is exactly what happened. He hits it 100 miles an hour and it

just caught in the jaws. What a result. It forced him into this

shot. Let's talk about the frame of mind. If Shaun Murphy had been left

in that position, he would have put that in. The fact he is coming in

with the anger that he got away with that, you get down for the shot with

a slightly different thought. He says, how lucky was he? And he is

right. Sometimes he does that type of shot, he takes those on. But also

where he left the white. Anthony McGill Julia bride. Sometimes you

have got to take your luck when it is running with you. Shaun Murphy,

once again trying to establish a two frame lead. He led 5-3 and then 6-4.

But Anthony McGill has come back. Very important times now for both

these players. There will be a little bit of news jingling shortly.

-- nerves. Goodness me. A wonderful shot. To

have no shot on a colour is very unfortunate. And to be honest, the

safety shot is not easy now. He will have two glass on the black and make

sure he covers the red on this pocket. A negative safety shot, that

is all he can do. He may be leaving a pot into the yellow pocket but he

has got to take that chance. He can't do anything about that.

I am not too sure whether the right-hand one of the two reds pots

into the yellow pocket. Perhaps it doesn't. What do you think at home?

I think it is very tight. To be honest, looking at that picture

closely, I think that red is on. He has busy decided it is not because

he is looking at where he wants to leave the cue ball in the Brazil.

He decided that he had to play a containing safety shot, knowing he

wasn't gaining too much advantage from it. And he can't stand the red

of the table. If he just rolls the cue ball into the red, it is

possible that he will force Anthony McGill to play away from it. I am

not sure what else he can do here. He could try and screw the cue ball

back to the cushion. That is another option.

That is as good as anything, isn't it? It is just a little bit off the

baulk cushion. He would have liked it to have been a little bit

tighter. He may be able to screw the ball back to the baulk cushion.

He has had a couple of slices of luck and Shaun Murphy's luck has

turned against him. Rolling up to the brown on these superfine cloth,

for me, is not an option these days. It is probably better to play off

the yellow and get tight to the cushion. This is dangerous. If you

are a little bit closer to the brown, it is not so bad. You hardly

ever leave eight hatching ball with these clocks now. The only problem

is, if he leaves it on the cushion, he may possibly leaving a pop. --

pot. But it is such a delicate shot. I think this is a good choice, to be

honest. Definitely a chance for Shaun Murphy to get back into baulk,

that is for certain. I am not sure whether he can hit the red fine

enough. It is a bit risky. If he can get the cue ball somewhere

down her, he could have got in behind that red it would have been

better. Possibly block. I am not sure whether he can see the red over

the left centre now. Not quite, by the looks of it.

Even though there is only the black and brown on this box, you would

think it would be hard to score heavily, but with the colours are,

they are still in open play so whether pots the next red, you would

expect them to part 40 or 50 point at least.

This safety battle is getting harder and harder. How does he get it safe

from here? Where Ken put the 22 balls that is probably the only

place he can leave it safe. -- the two cue balls up. That is a possible

shot, try and screw of this red and try and get the cue ball down behind

the brown. I love Shaun Murphy, he is one of my

favourite players, one of my closest friends, but he can't keep pushing

the boat out like that. Looking at the frame scores today from the

whole match, if he does not make a 50 or above in a frame, he loses the

frame. I know he is in trouble but you have got to try a safety shot.

He probably has the philosophy, he would rather go out by missing a pot

than playing a bad safety shot. That is the way he feels he has to play.

It is a potter's way out of trouble. That safety shot was on but he might

have left something. But I am with you a little bit, I don't think he

looks around the table enough. He has gifted Anthony McGill, who

had a slice of luck in the last frame and a fluke in this frame. He

has dominated the safety end of things in this match and that has

kept him in control. You have to say, the way the balls

are positioned, you can't see him making any mistakes from her. He

doesn't have to do too much with the cue ball. This is 30 points as we

speak and there is pink and black. Three at the business end of the

table pockets. He can't get through this frame without having to worry

about yellow, green and blue. Ideally he would like to get the

blue back on its own spot to clear that pocket. But he can definitely

win the frame without worrying too much about that.

64 is the target break he needs. There is a possible 130 on her.

There doesn't seem anything wrong with McGill's game, does there. He

has got a good safety game, a good temperament. It is strange to think

why he has been missing for the best part of this year. Like most sports,

it is a confidence run, momentum. He looks pretty confident today.

Sometimes, when you don't win enough matches, it is a vicious circle. It

is either one way or the other. Maybe he has just struggled in

matches this season and he has not been that confident. Maybe winning a

few matches in the qualifiers last week, he came through some tough

matches, particularly in his last qualifier, he missed the black for a

147 in that particular match. But it was a good test and may be that gave

him the missing confidence he has needed. He has looked very assured

of himself out there, he looks calm. His opponent made a break of 140,

144, and he still managed to beat him.

The quality of this match has been excellent, hasn't it?

In this morning's session, we have already had breaks of 105 and 64.

A chance now of another century. It would be McGill's second if he was

to get it. What a shame. He won that safety battle and he has won the

frame. He is now level at 6-6. I have got to talk about the shop

where I criticised Shaun for not trying to think of something.

Obviously he was in deep trouble. I am not sure saying he should not go

for the part but there must have been something. He did go for the

pot into the bottom right corner pocket but I have put up a couple of

lines of what he could have played. Anthony McGill earlier in the frame

hit the red down the table and had a fluke. I have put a line from red to

yellow. He certainly has the cue power to screw off the red, off the

side push on and try and land the cue ball somewhere in the Bulgaria

and try and force your opponent, if he wants to have a go, have a go,

but anywhere behind the brown on the baulk cushion would have been a

difficult shot for Anthony McGill. I know the red could have gone

anywhere, could have come at the table, but this was such a difficult

shot. If you played it ten times, how many times would you pot it? Me?

Once or twice out of ten, maybe. But he is such a good player and he is

confident in potting that but he could have had a look around the

table, he could have seen another option and maybe he might have still

been in that frame. But he handed the frame to Anthony McGill and all

of a sudden it is 6-6. He seems to be competing with Seo --

Shaun in the safety Department. The red to the extreme left of the

table, does not seem to be any problem getting the white back to

baulk. Obviously intended to play it a

little bit thicker than that but he has not left the red on. He wanted

to leave the white closer to the cushion.

I don't know whether he got a bad bounce off the cushion there but

that was a poor safety. Another one of those tempters for Shaun. This

will test his mettle. He played it with a lot of

confidence and it was available to the left corner pocket. He played it

a lot softer and tried to screw it back into baulk. This is a massive

frame for both players. The moment has swung now towards

Anthony McGill. It is a bigger frame for Shaun Murphy just to steady the

ship a little bit. Particularly after what has happened in the last

couple of frames. A little bit troublesome for Anthony

McGill here. There are two easy safety shots. The red behind the

pink or the red behind the black. But each one will be pushing a red

towards the right-hand corner. The red will go right over the pocket.

If he thinks it will, he will look for an alternative. This is a lot

more difficult safety shot. This is a shot where he thinks he has a

chance of not pushing the red over the corner. But it is a brilliant

safety shot. Well played. Very good. Anthony McGill has won the safety

battle. He has a pottable red in the corner but it would be some shot to

play the kids to get onto the black. There are three reds next to the

black on the left-hand side. If he can play that cannon, he may have

two risk that. He can't get back into baulk so it is a shock to

nothing. Unlucky. He had to risk it. Just struggling a little bit with

the pace at the moment, Shaun. Trying to swing it around three

cushions this time to get back to the green.

I suppose he could play two cushions, and bring them brown into

play. Foul and a miss. Anthony McGill

four. Quiet please! Don't quite know what he's working

out there, putting on his cue onto the table. He feels there is a plant

on, scoring one red into the other. The plant does look on, you can see

it, but can't see the red directly, so is having to play off the red

just next to it. Looks almost dead set there. Hit them simultaneously,

and I think you will be OK. Screwing back to baulk, back to the blue, he

will be OK. Has to be careful of the Inn off.

APPLAUSE Lovely kiss, and he can get up to

the two reds just below the pink. Sometimes when it's going with you,

it's certainly going with you. Perfect angle to stun into the reds.

He will be disappointed with that. Didn't expect to get into the cue

ball that much. In fairness, it's the first bit of bad luck he's had

in a while. He would've expected to move a few reds into Lay after that

shot, but he only brought one in. -- into play.

Putting Shaun into a lot more trouble than Shaun is putting him

into. Looks like he's trying to swerve

around the green and get the white ball back to baulk. Excellent shot,

doesn't deserve to go in. Excellent safety shot, well played. -- to go

in-off. Never easy when you asked our swerving with a lot of side

spin. McGill just has to be careful here.

He might push a red towards the bottom corner pocket. Definitely

room between all the reds. Once again, McGill wins the safety

battle. The boy is playing very well. This

time, no kiss, but the brown is available to the middle, should he

want to take it. Excellent cueing, not it in, and get so much top spin

on the cue ball to land there. -- knocked it in. Doesn't fancy taking

the brown on into the right centre, and I don't blame him for that. He

can start to take control of this match. Green ball.

At first glance, I can't see in Avenue back to baulk. I think Shaun

could play the pot next to the yellow, get the white right to the

corner pocket. I don't see how he can get back to baulk. This is a

possibility. It's a delicate one, he has to get the right connection on

the red on the way down, miss the black ball on the way down.

That was the problem, quite close to the corner pocket. He has to miss

the black and the corner pocket. Anthony McGill, good safety shot,

forcing another opening. I'm not saying Shaun wasn't in

trouble, he was in an awful lot of trouble, but he will be disappointed

to have lost another safety battle. Can Anthony McGill possibly take the

lead for the second time in the match? He led 3-2 but hasn't been in

front since then. Look how close they are in balls

potted. It's amazing how close the stats are. At one point in the Bing-

Carter match, at one point they had potted around 1200 calls each. Some

amazing stat 's that come up. -- in the Bingham - Carter match. -- 1200

balls each. Still not guaranteed to win the

frame at this visit. The reds are still messy. He's getting into the

pink every time from these reds below the black spot. It's tough. He

will have to get the black re-spotted at some stage. Looking if

it's worth risking playing for green or pink with this shot. Went for

pink, but he has the option of blue. I think he will go for pink.

131 points without reply at the moment. That's how much Anthony

McGill has dominated the last couple of frames. Just gone slightly

awkward. Just wanted to get on this thread

and stun it in for the pink, but he can't do that now. Has to drop it

and take the pink to the middle. The way he has been playing, you would

expect him to pot this. A bit of pressure on this. He has been cueing

so nicely. Certainly rallied since the opening frame of this session.

Off the cushion for the top red of the four.

Just one more red with a colour. Just be sure of taking the frame.

This really has been a tremendous first four frames from Anthony

McGill, since the opening frame of the session, McGill has dominated

every department, safety, break-building.

He hasn't beaten Shaun in the four attempts see has played him.

Clever shot, risk bringing the yellow interplay. Really good shot,

in that last shot. Very well played. The fact that he

brought the yellow interplay at his previous shot now means the century

is a reality. Should be a reality. It's amazing, did all the hard work.

The important thing was to win the frame. He has won three of the first

four to take the lead. Ken Doherty has popped out of the

commentary box to look back at that cracking first session. At the start

of the programme we talked about McGill possibly getting revenge on

Murphy for the quarterfinals last year. He's in the groove and he's

cueing really well. He is, and he's had a big slice of luck which has

changed the whole session. Shaun Murphy started off tremendously

well, winning the first frame. He had Anthony McGill in trouble behind

the brown. He took the option of coming off the side cushion. I was

trying to put up the line, trying to get it safe, but he came off the

side cushion and smashed into the reds, getting it a bit safe. Shaun

Murphy went for red into the middle and missed it, and since then the

whole match has changed. We say some designs in snooker that one shot,

one ball, one missed ball, can change the whole match, and at the

moment it's that shot that has changed the complexion. Shaun might

even pop in here to pot some balls during the interval. Will you be

worried? Absolutely. McGill has dominated the last three frames.

Moment has swung in his favour. He's getting the of the safety. He

flicked the ball on another frame when he was in trouble. He's in

control. The interval has come at a good time for Shaun Murphy. You can

regroup, get his head together and talk to his coach, relax, and then

is the next session. We talked about last year's tournament about Anthony

McGill. A lot of players in the media and who know the game, you all

think highly of this young man from Scotland. Absolutely. Some players

can get a bit intimidated by the atmosphere here, the proximity of

people in the crowd. And it is the World Championship, the one

everybody wants to get their hands on. But Anthony McGill, has a smile

on, looks relaxed and composed. Hasn't had a great season but he

likes this championship. He lost to Shaun in the quarterfinals last

year. He's keeping his head, which is what you have to do at this

level. The players on their interval. We can show you what

happened to Stuart Bingham last night, a cracking game, a final

frame decider against Ali Carter and Bingham is at the table trailing by

36. COMMENTATOR: Clever shot. Ali Carter had a chance to play a

similar type of shot a while ago. Rather than play the snooker he

decided to knock the blues safe. It's all about opinions.

That's not close. Foul and a miss. Stuart Bingham, four. Valuable

points for Stuart Bingham. Foul and a miss. Stuart Bingham,

four. He's so conscious of leaving the cue ball the far side of the red

leave the pot on. Valuable points for Stuart Bingham. Absolutely. He

has left it on for the middle. It was always difficult with the cue

ball and object ball being so close together to get run on required to

get close to the pink. If I was Stuart now I would be making certain

of these six points. What a shot he's played here. Does

he get the kiss on the red? Unlucky. Great effort.

Suddenly, this frame is back in the balance.

Another poor safety shot from Stuart. He has played so many that

are just tentative. You have to get to the Baltic cushion with the cue

ball. Don't leave your opponent with his hand on the table. -- to the

baulk cushion. This thread has gone to the pocket! A bit of luck

involved in that, but Stuart only had himself to blame, should have

found the baulk cushion. Taking the opportunity to get

another ball safe. Not certain whether Stuart can get past the pink

to make contact with the red. I think you can. Ali Carter assuming

that the yellow is now safe, the blue is safe. Two balls that are

nice insurance policies for him. Could send this red pretty close to

the yellow here. Didn't fancy playing with a lot of

pace. Has he got the snooker? He can't have, surely. Looking at Ali

Carter's face, he has. A picture paints a thousand words. We talked

previously of Stuart only having himself to blame when Ali had the

double. He could have nestled up to the

green. Only had to hit the green full ball and it would have been a

very difficult circumstance to get out of.

Easy enough swerve but he had to judge the pace of it. We'll Stuart

be tempted by this? Could play the pot and possibly can in the yellow

away from the side cushion. -- cannon the yellow. But he knows he's

at the point of return. Red and pink will do. But can he

plot this slow enough to get the pink? If he goes up for the green

all of a sudden he needs the yellow. -- can he pot.

The crown is slipping. This pink to go 29 in front with 27 remaining.

It's there, so Stuart Bingham, if he's going to stay in the

tournament, he has to get a snooker. Has to be said, it's been a great

performance from Ali Carter from 9-8 down. I thought he was a beaten man,

his body language, he looked like he had nothing left in the tank.

I was of exactly the same opinion. After Stuart walked off in the 18th

frame, Ali got down to play a red is though that was it. But for a

snooker, he will be in the second round. STUDIO: Before you think

Stuart Bingham is out of this, further drama to come. The defending

champion still battling away. COMMENTATOR: Another one where you

would have thought Ali would hit from behind.

And it looks like he may have got the snooker here. If he has, Stuart

Bingham has got to hit it and has got to get it safe. Otherwise his

title defence is over. Could just get through to it. Needing the cue

ball to run hard. Could that be Stuart's last shot? He

has been a great ambassador in the last 12 months. It could be coming

to an end, the title of world champion, right here. Right now!

He put up a great defence, didn't play well in the first session of

this match. And he has fully fluked the blue. Any hope Stuart

Bingham had of winning the championship again, Stuart Bingham

won the first frame and when 85 behind. Then he went in front, great

response from Carter to win the match 10-9. Every creditor Stuart

Bingham. A great sportsman to the end. No doubt he will be back, but

it's Ali Carter who advances to the second round. It's just

unbelievable. It was so difficult to get over the line. It was always

going to be a really tight game, you could sense the way it was going,

5-1, 5-5, 8-5, 8-8. There was only a couple of balls here and there that

made the difference. The table was really playing difficult. Lots of

things. When he fluked the snooker, a one-cushion escape. Loads of kicks

and bounces. What I won, so I'm delighted. Delighted to get through.

It's hard out there. I don't feel like a qualifier, feel fresh as a

daisy. A few days off, and I will be back.

I beat Stephen Hendrie the first time here. It is not nice getting

beaten in the first round after winning it but it was a tough draw

but I made too many mistakes myself. You have got to say, well played,

Ali Carter, and the Crucible curse strikes again. It is amazing. It has

gone on for so many years and I know how it feels because I have been in

that position before. But take nothing away from Stuart Bingham. He

has been a great ambassador, he has enjoyed himself as world champion,

and he has brought it with him everywhere. He has been brilliant

all year. It is disappointing that he has lost but a great story for

Ali Carter. He got in front in the opening frame and that first session

must have felt like a bit of a blurred because Ali Carter played so

well. When you are looking at Stuart Bingham, his body language, we were

watching him at around 7pm last night, you knew he was facing an

uphill task. It was always going to be a tough match against Ali Carter

because he has got a lot of experience. It was a tough draw for

Stuart Bingham. The two players he wanted to avoid was probably Ali

Carter and doing. It was always going to be an uphill struggle,

particularly because you are defending champion. You know about

the curse, you know about the history. And a brief word about Ali

Carter, he said he does not seem such as a qualifier. He did not play

like a qualifier. No, and whether he plays next is going to be in for a

tough match as well. On his day, he can beat anybody. Here is another

man under pressure, Shaun Murphy. Let's go back to the commentary box.

Commentary macro this could be one of the most important frames Shaun

Murphy plays this season. Anthony McGill has played very well in the

opening four frames of this morning session. Once again, not the

greatest safety shot. The pot success rate just for this session,

the first four frames that have been played, Shaun is below 90%. You have

got to be around 95%. As you have seen this morning, McGill is winning

the safety battle. But this is the first chance in the last session of

this match. He will be tempted to knock that one in. If they had not

been an interval, I am sure he would have done. He is sweating after that

little jog from the practice room to the commentary box. Ken, you almost

made sense. I was listening to you. Surprise, surprise! Now it is time

for Shaun to get going and make the most of these opportunities. I did

not see him in the practice area. He just stayed in the dressing room

with his coach. Obviously trying to feed some positive thoughts into his

mind because he is not feeling too good after those first four frames.

Took all of the pocket, that red. The interval probably came at a good

time for Shaun Murphy. Better to eradicate all those bad memories

from that last session and get a good break in the next frame.

Sometimes we complain about interval is not being at the right time for

some players. It is always at the right time for somebody. The only

time when players are happy with the interval is when they have shared

the session 2-2. I am sure he needed that interval to regroup. Oh dear.

That is a bad sign. He has not missed one of those all

season. The two read just above the black

may be used to hold the white. A little bit of screw of them just to

bring the white of those reds. Nothing wrong with that. You are

going to have to play that cannon sometime. You don't always get a

second chance from the correct angle to do so. But you can see from that

picture, the red on the bottom right hand side is available. I am not

sure whether the one at the bottom of the pack is available into the

other corner. He is looking good, Ken, isn't he.

He won't need that red that is on the baulk line. And just as

you say that, well. What a chance for Shaun Murphy to redeem himself

here. It disappeared. A quarter of the ball went into the pocket. That

was amazing. Let's have a quick look at this red as we see it in slow

motion. It seemed to go into the pocket, a quarter of the ball seemed

to go into the pocket. And then it has come back out.

Just a little bit straight on this black.

When Shaun missed the red in the middle and was sat in his chair, he

thought he could probably go 8-6 behind. What a bonus this is.

I am sure, Ken, when you won the watch championship, you had to come

through a sticky patch. I am sure this will be Shaun's tricky match.

He is being pushed to the limit so far. This is a massive frame and he

is struggling with position at the moment. There is tension in the air

and when there is tension, you can overhead or underhit.

This is the key shot because he is going to be very close to the

cushion to get onto this red. As long as he misses the kids on the

blue. The white is coming very close to the cushion to get perfect on

this red. A possible red to the left centre as well. The one next to the

pink. This is tough, particularly coming across the nap of the table.

It is a tricky brown, tricky green, but given that lifeline, Shaun

missing that second red, he may take the chance of cutting it in. Or

decide on the long blue. There is a bit more pressure on this one than

the brown would have been. Brilliant shot. Very good.

APPLAUSE Would have thought that start?

McGill getting more long pots than Murphy. Not often has that been

said. This black will put him two points

in the league. That red is just on the baulk line. It is the best way

to move that red back out of there. You would think of going red, pink,

red. He has had a glance at the school. What colour would you want

to play it off? If the green was on its part, you would probably play

the green. It is the black, red and then pink. Particularly the half

bald black as well. But the choice of shots, which one will he play.

There is your answer, leaving the black. If this goes right, it is a

frame-winner. I would like to be towards the pocket yet rather than

lay behind it. He has gone to have a look to see if he gets close to it.

I am with you. I would just put a cue ball in there. That is what he

is hoping for and it is a big target. You can try to knock it

towards the pocket. It looks pretty good. It looks very, very good. What

a beautiful shot. APPLAUSE

Great control. Having seen the heroics he produced last year, I

honestly did not think he was this good a player. He is playing

fantastic this morning, he really is.

22 points ahead. He needs yellow and green.

Shaun Murphy could be sitting in his chair wondering how he lost this

frame. He was in at the beginning of the frame but missed a red to the

right centre. He had a couple of chances at the frame and he should

be winning. The green for an 8-6 lead. It is

there. No heroics. Making sure of it. I am not sure I would have

played it that way because if he misses this brown, he knows Shaun

might be tempted to carry on. But he will not be carrying on now, I don't

think. Not the best positional shots I have

ever seen. I don't think he will mind. His

opponent needs three snookers. Foul. Anthony McGill, 50. Shaun

Murphy, five. This is a good line. Just slow down

a little bit. Excellent shot. APPLAUSE

. He is looking at this angle. Three

cushions and hit the blue on the way back out of baulk. It is a lot more

difficult. Where is the cue ball? Wow. I think he is angled. He can't

see it. He can't see the right side of the blue as we look. That is

incredible. He would like to see the right-hand

side of the blue but he can only see the left-hand side of the blue.

He will just roll the blue over the green pocket here.

If the blue had been three or four inches off the cushion, it would

have been missable. This time, he should get very close

to the pot. He can play the top spin and he'd is not worried about the

cue ball going over the pocket. And it is in. If it gets there, it

is in. It has got there. APPLAUSE

Anthony McGill has played tremendous this morning. That is another frame

for McGill. This time he goes two clear for the first time in the

match at 8-6. It is hard now, Ken. It will be interesting to see how

McGill handles himself. This is the first time he has sat there

thinking, I can win this match. Absolutely. It will be interesting

to see how the match pans out as it gets closer to the winning line. But

I don't think he is going to flinch. He looks very calm and composed and

I don't think he is going to be like a rabbit in the headlights to get to

the winning line. We saw three parts in the middle pocket that were

missed by both players. This one, you suggested, why has he not rolled

it in? You are more likely to miss this if you just stunning. His game

was not on, if you remember the black before that, Anthony McGill

her, it is an amazing shot her because it disappeared a little bit

into the pocket and came back out. But that was his lifeline, Shaun

Murphy. He was struggling. This is missable. Anywhere but the cushion,

he would not have been in trouble, but to get perfect, he had to be

near the cushion. And he leaves it over the pocket as well. McGill now

breaks off. Two more for a place in the next round. Shaun Murphy has it

all to do. It is four from the next five frames.

This is in, I think. This is in. Some things can change and match,

change a player's belief in the match. That could be just the thing

that could change it for Shaun Murphy. He missed the part by the

proverbial mile and then this happens. You saw Anthony McGill

creeping in behind there to see if it was going in. To be fair, a lot

of the luck has gone to Anthony McGill bit smaller but he has played

the better of the two. Will that change things?

It is at the angled to play the cannon into the red but he has got

to hit it fall ball. And he has done.

He has left a nice angle on this red to disturb the pack. There was a

cake there. -- kick. A terrible kick. The red

just goes straight. He might need a step ladder in a

minute. APPLAUSE

It was worth the wait. Nicely on a baulk colour.

He has a choice of two read. Into the left centre will be red just

behind the black. He played it very well.

A choice here, he is looking at the angle on the black but he can also

get on the pink as well. GROANS FROM THE CROWD

That is what I was saying. He will be getting excited, getting closer

to the winning line. He can't miss shots like that.

APPLAUSE That is a tremendous shock. He could

not have played that much better. -- tremendous shot.

Has he overrun this? Two balls in a plant, could be end of break. Not

exactly a plant, maybe he could put the other one in. But again, a

careless positional shot from Shaun Murphy. The plant might have come to

his rescue. He had a massive pocket their, for that red. Worth taking on

the Ork as a shock to nothing though. -- worth taking on the plant

though as a shot to nothing. Well played.

The frame might ride on the bunch of four reds that are close together.

Has the angle to pot the black and maybe disturb the reds if he wishes.

Did it nicely. He has a red into the centre.

When you are having a struggle out there, it's always a bit betwixt and

between. A half ball into the middle, that one into the heart of

the pocket. Should go on to win the frame. How much will be pink that

Anthony McGill missed play on his mind?

This rate has certainly been welcomed by Shaun and his supporters

here, just what the doctor ordered. Looked a bit shaky at the beginning

of this frame. He has been thrown a lifeline from Anthony McGill, with

an unexpected miss. Might prove to be a turning point in

this match yet. Remains to be seen. That's one way of getting on the

yellow! Still a possible century on. The missed pink might be the first

sign of nerves for Anthony McGill. The pink that Anthony McGill

missed... For all money, this could have been Anthony McGill at the

table making this break and taking a 9-6 lead. However, the match is

still in the balance. He needs the cue ball to slow up for the century.

Can he double it? Get in there, somewhere! It's not there, he

doesn't make the century, but he makes a welcome 88 to get his frame

and match back in order. Only one behind, Anthony McGill leading 8-7.

And that's what a great player Shaun Murphy is. He has been put to the

metal today though. We talked about the break Shaun Murphy made and the

pink McGill missed. The situation, 8-6 in front, the balls in position

to score heavily, and he misses pink. He tried to stun the pink into

the middle. Just before this he could have got onto the black. He

wanted to get the pink out of the way. He was concentrating on the cue

ball to get through the gap, and he hit wide and subsequently missed.

The way he has been playing come you couldn't have seen him miss that

before, because he has dominated the match this morning. For me that's

the first sign this morning. First sign of a bit of pressure. You said

it. I didn't think he would flinch because he has been so calm and

composed, but may be the first sign of nerves from Anthony McGill. It

remains to be seen. Shaun Murphy breaking off, hoping to level 8-8.

Once again, not a great break-off shot. I think he can see the red.

Just got enough. It's amazing, total points, could you believe that after

15 frames, exactly level. Amazing. Always very difficult, as we have

suggested on commentary a few times, to play a safety when the ball this

title cushion, to get back to bowl. He's looking to the one left of the

black. Has to be careful of the jaws of the middle pocket. Doesn't want

to catch that, especially with loose reds on the right-hand side of the

table. Missed the jaws easily. Has to cover the pocket with the red.

And he has. At first glance it's not too bad.

McGill could pot this down the right-hand side. Just having a look

to see, if he plays the safety, will he not anything towards the

right-hand corner pocket? May even put Shaun back in here. Not quite

sure. Deciding to come off the pack. Has to be careful.

Unfortunate there. Good shot, but the red that has come close to the

left corner pocket has gone quite tight to the cushion, and it could

easily have come off the cushion for a straightforward cut for Shaun

Murphy. But probably forced into having a go at this shot.

I thought he was playing just a rest on this red. Good shot.

This looks like it will be a scrappy frame. The first time this morning

we had one of those. Whoa this is where we leave you on

BBC Two. Coverage of this match continues on the red button. On the

BBC sport website and app. Meanwhile, Ricky Walden and Robbie

Williams is also on the app. Hazel Irvine will be back at 1pm on BBC

Two with live coverage from 2:30pm of Ronnie O'Sullivan against David

Gilbert. Thank you for watching, goodbye for now.