Day 15, Semi-Finals, Afternoon Session - Pt 1 Snooker: World Championship

Good afternoon. We know there are walls waiting to be painted, shelves

and begging to be put up and Gardens longing for some TLC. Let them wait.

This weekend is all about invents indoors here at the Crucible

Theatre. We are about to find out who will stride force into our

final. Things are not pretty but John Higgins is somehow finding a

way in his semifinal. He is inching towards a sixth world final. Barry

Hawkins cannot seem to get going. He has banned chance after chance with

Higgins therefore the taking. Mark Selby has thrown everything at his

opponent in the other semifinal. Ding Junhui will not be broken. They

resume at 12 frames appease afterword the greater sessions we

have ever seen in 40 years here. We will introduce you to the tournament

director, if he can stay still for long enough. You can send in your

questions and videos. We will look at those, picked the best ones for

the day and we will try to make your snooker game better. If you were up

early this morning for the full life experience from the Crucible at

10am, well done to you. The first four frames between Barry Hawkins

and John Higgins will have done nothing to seize any sore heads. It

was painful stuff. Nevertheless compelling forgiven what is at

stake. John Higgins helped the four frame advantage at 10-6. He is

searching for the magic ingredient that will bring back the emphatic

form. Barry Hawkins chasing the game but it has been a curiously

tentative performance from the Hawk. Bwemmy left at midday on BBC Two,

Hawkins had fallen six frames behind, trailing 13-7. Higgins is

eyeing an early finish. He needs all four remaining frames to book his

place in a sixth Crucible final. Settle down. Harry Hawkins to break.

-- Barry. This is a much better break off from Barry Hawkins. He has

made a few poor break of shots so far in this session. That was

better. Well, that good break of shots from

Barry Hawkins has left himself with a chance here. John did not return a

good safety. These are what you call confidence boosters. You must start

knocking these in. It will be tough for Barry. 13-7

behind. It really is. He is usually so good at that type of shot.

What Barry has to do is win at least one frame of this last four to take

the match into the final session tonight. John Higgins could get a

night off which maybe he would like. He would not mind that at all. I has

had -- have had a text from Les in Southport. He told me John was there

last night. He drove to Southport. John was in his club knocking balls

around at one o'clock this morning. He has had to drive back to

Sheffield. That is probably why he is looking a little bit tired. Just

over five hours there and back. He may be thought he pushed it

there. He called the push himself. He was trying a little shot where

you deliberately miscues so you do not push it. The referee would never

have spotted that. But Barry... He is trying to miscue and he felt that

he pushed it slightly. He will play it again. Yeah, that was OK. Surely

they can get off this thread and get the cue ball back near the yellow or

something like that. -- this red. Well, what was that! He hit that so

hard and has left them read on. That has baffled him, that last shot. --

left the red on. Aid to refit reception for that long

pot. The Crucible crowd would like to see a bit of a comeback. -- a

terrific reception. Stunned it into the reds rather than screw it.

Played it to perfection. If he screwed that, he would have

stuck into the back of the reds. You have to hit it half ball and not

full. He could not have played it better. He needs to give himself a

little bit of competence. -- confidence and

He has done that so often this match. Finishing straight on the

black. Another three or four inches of pace, it does not matter. As long

as your hand is on the table, the black is unmissable. He would have

loved to have gone into the bunch went knowing there is a break off

over the middle pocket. -- a red over the middle pocket.

Just looking at the bunch, in a couple of shots time, he will

probably play for the green. That suggests the red with a nice angle

on the green. From the blue, the pink is in the way. Definitely worth

playing on the green here. Has he gone far enough across? He

can still pot the green right-hand side. If he misses the pink but he

can open the reds up. He has hit the pink and that has spoiled things.

Did not quite get the cannon, as he intended.

Yes, he called a shot at the previous visit when Barry Hawkins

was playing the green into the reds. This is the line you would expect

him to take. That is what he was trying and he caught the pink.

He is playing the safety shot that saying, just maybe, I might be able

to knock a plant in as well. I suppose he would call it a plant to

nothing. No. Just the safety. He did look at the plant but he has a good

one. It is in behind the yellow by the look of things.

Left a tempter into the middle. If he can find a way to play it as a

shock to nothing he will take it on. Otherwise he will go safe.

He can get through to the one that is comfortable, to the right of the

blue. If this one cuts, he will definitely take it on.

Barry Hawkins comes to the table 29 points in front. An easy read

start-up of the couple of the reds are available into the corner

pockets. -- and easy red. Now, he has been finishing straight

on a lot of blacks. He will have some sort of shot to play on into

the bunch. Bringing that through quite a long way. If he gets nicely

on one in the middle it will open another read -- red up.

That last shot on the break off and into the middle was a terrific shot.

At that angle, to pot at that pace was top class. -- that last shot on

the red and into the middle. He is the only player that does that. Now

the cannon into the right side of the reds. The two reds near the pink

will open everything up. He played beautifully.

Absolutely spot-on. You do not get a better split than that. This will

make Barry feel a bit better. I will tell you what. That will not

make him feel very good. That was a relapse in concentration. What a

time to miss an easy pot! Looking at that, I think the pink

lifted. It seemed to jump a little bit.

Let's have another look at this in slow motion. I am sure the pink

jumped here. It did a little bit. Maybe we are doing Barry and

injustice. 51 points behind as we speak. In

normal circumstances we would be saying it is a great chance for John

Higgins to pinch the frame. I'm not sure either parents playing well

enough to do that at the moment will stop -- either player is playing

well enough to do that at the moment.

He almost missed the pot. That is why he flicked the black.

He will take that. He is still getting used to the new tip. Five

and a half hour drive to Southport his good friend, Les Dodd, to put a

new tip on and practice. Then the drive back. It is not like a tennis

racket where you can just pick another one up.

What a steal this would be! It will not be straightforward. As John has

a look around, he is 28 behind. You would think it would all be about

blue to pink. If he gets that far. That is amazing. He has overrun by

five or six inches. I am not saying he is going to miss the green but I

would rather him play the blue to get onto the yellow than the green

at distance. Anything but straight is fine.

Another couple of inches would have been fine. He looked a little bit

down on himself. He did not get a good angle on the green.

He has an angle to come off the top cushion. He could leave it for the

corner. He must be so precise here. A bit too much side on it. A

misjudgement. That is the new tip. That shot is the natural shot when

you are used to the tip. That means he has not had enough time with this

tip to judge that shot was not that shot he would definitely have played

where Dennis said. That was a strange shot. I agree

with the run-off. Barry could play this as a pot. Get the white tight

on the baulk cushion. I wonder if he will take it on. He is not playing

it. He is playing safe. He has played it well. It needs to bounce.

It needs to balance. It has not stop this will cut. He is just looking up

and back at the table. He knows John can sneak the pink in and the White

will come automatically to the black.

It is there by way of the cue ball. It will be a tough black, a very

tough black. It is 14-7. The four-time former

world champion has pinched that frame from Barry Hawkins. As I say,

it is now 14-7. The 22nd frame. John Higgins to

break. He left one in the middle which he

will be taking on. Might be worth a double here for

Barry. The free shots will be on the black. Wouldn't leave a great deal.

John now has a seven frame advantage. He might be tempted with

the red. The white will be going towards the green for them he will

be going towards the red which is right middle pocket.

A prolonged round of applause. He had a little bit of help from the

green. And now, one good angle probably on the yellow here and he

can go right into the bunch. Could be a good chance in a couple of

shots time. Played for the blue. Same thing. Into the pink full ball.

Make sure there are no plants on. I don't think those two reds will go

near the black so it hasn't worked out perfectly for John. And now that

the bloom is up next to the pink, the red into the middle pocket... --

the blue is next to the pink. Not quite full ball but he was still

unlucky not to drop on one. He is going to take this up into the

corner and played for the black, it is a bit of a freak shot. APPLAUSE

-- a free shot. Perfectly played. He is growing in confidence now, as he

should do with a seven frame advantage. Playing a little flick

off the red to open those two up just by the black. He has got second

prize, pushed one over the middle pocket but he didn't play for it. He

did open the two reds to the right of the black and there is a gap

between them so he will be playing up for a baulk colour.

You can tell by the shots he is playing, he is not anywhere near

used to his tip but he is somehow 4-1 up in this session.

Has it come far enough for the straight one or will he have to take

the one closest to the black? It is the one closest, it shouldn't be a

problem, a nice little stone shot. -- stun shot.

It is not always essential to break into the pack when there is a red on

because he knows he does not have to go into them because when he pots

one ball, another will become available. If they were applied up

-- if they were tied up he would have played the black into the bunch

to stay on to this red. John Higgins highest break in this

match amazingly is only 89 and that is in winning 14 frames. His highest

break in this session has only been 48 and he has won four frames.

It has run a little awkward if he can't get past this red because the

one near the corner pocket is tight on the cushion.

Just enough room. He has to head up the table again, though. He could

hold for the black. It is a portable black but he could not have help it

any more than that -- pottable. John Higgins, 45. He probably played

it with a little touch of right-hand side and didn't allow for the throw.

Well, he's having a bit of a nightmare now, Barry Hawkins. He

knows this semifinal has slipped away from him.

There was enough room for the red to pass the black but it wasn't a full

pocket. When he touched the black, that was going to happen.

I thought for a second he was going to kiss the red full ball and be on

nothing. He played to go round the back of it without cannoning it but

he did move it into a better position. He only needs two more

reds to be assured of it and to leave Barry sitting in his seat. One

more red and colour would leave snooker is required but if he pots

to more, which he should do, Barry will not come back to the table.

He will be so disappointed at not even competing, really. John Higgins

highest break is only 48 and at this level you can't win frames with just

48 but he has won five of them. Regardless if he wins this match

with a session to spare or not, he will be on the practice table with

that new tip. Because all the odds are he will get through to the final

and he will want to play as many frames as possible to get used to

it. Even that one, it doesn't matter about the black. Barry leaves the

arena, as does John, and it is all too easy for the former four-time

champion Andy is now leading 15-7. Racing toward you would think of six

Crucible final six years after his last. We are in the practice room,

Mark Selby the defending champion getting some practice and work done

before his final session at two 30p against Ding Junhui after a

sensational session last night in which Mark went 12-10 up and Ding

came straight back at him with back-to-back centuries. It is

beautifully poised in that one and we can't wait. I will not disturb

him any more, we will get back to the match between John Higgins and

Barry Hawkins and John definitely has eyes on the winning with a

session to spare. Two more frames remaining in their third session.

Can he win them both? Another good break-off shot from

Barry, he has hit a different red to normal, you don't see them spread

around like that. Barry will give it his best shot, playing for pride now

and give it frame by frame, give it your best shot. That is not bad,

really. Better in the pocket than wobbling in the jaws and staying up

amongst the reds. The pace of his safety shots this

morning has been the worst I have ever seen from Barry.

Good pot from John Higgins but he should not have had it that easy. He

didn't have to do an awful lot with the cue ball, it was a plain ball

pot. The pink and black are tied up, I wonder if he will try to do some

big about the black, if the powers in the blue with side and comes off

the cushion he might be able to cannon the black and red and make

something happen because they are tied up at the moment. That is what

he has tried. He has brought the black into play. Is he on a red?

That is unlucky, Dennis. He played your shot, and it is amazing he has

not gone onto a red. I mean this semifinal means so much

to both players but John Higgins, it is 2011 since he lifted the title

here, beating Judd Trump in a fabulous final. He has had to wait

another six years to get back to the one-table situation. Another loose

safety shot. Exactly the same think he did not find the baulk cushion

again. Somebody just come into the press box, John just had to get up

off the shot. You always fancied him parting that on, it was almost

identical to the previous one. And those types of pots always give you

confidence with a new tip. They make you feel pretty good.

Needs a bit of luck here. And he has got it. It is usually the case when

you are out in front, I would say John is at the top of his form, but

when you get a lead like that you tend to get the run of the ball and

he got it there. And with that one little flick off the reds to finish

on a red he has a great chance here. Just a little bit thin on the blue

but doesn't have to do much with the cue ball, a bit of left-hand side to

straighten it up off the cushion. There is one loose red at the bottom

of the pack but he will need some sort of cannon in a minute, he might

as well played to finish low on it so he can pot it and bring others

into play and he has done that so he will be flicking off the pack and

going up for blue or baulk colour and all of the reds will be in play

after this shot. And that is perfect with the two

reds below the pink potting in the corner so he will be playing for a

choice off this yellow. You can see, 54 is the difference,

he needs a few more pots to secure the frame. It should not be a

problem and he will have one thing in the back of his mind now and that

is to win the match with a session to spare. Then he can relax this

evening and play that new tip in but it looks pretty good at the moment,

he looks very comfortable with it. This is already his highest break of

the morning session, Dennis. APPLAUSE

That is frame ball. Can he make a century? 22 frames

without a century! I never thought I would be saying that about John

Higgins. But they only win one frame. And the next shop will

determine if he can possibly get it, if he misses the pink and cannons

the reds... He has got a bit of a chance. This will go into the

corner. He might play it firm to try to flick another read off the

cushion and that is what he has done. APPLAUSE

He's playing to pot this black and cannons into the second Kroos, the

one nearest the cushion. What a good shot.

John Higgins is one of the best players of doubles in the game. He

has been a fabulous break-builder over the years. I expected him to

pot that's what a shame, note century break this morning but he is

now just one away from victory with that 90 break and it is 16-7.

Floyd Mayweather, from the recent time watching boxing. Celtic being

the first British to win the European cup in 1967. The Ryder Cup.

We had a penalty kick competition and I was chosen to go and I want

it. I would love to win the world title again, that would be amazing.

The Crucible. Followed by closely where we used to play the Irish

Masters in Ireland. I would love to play for Celtic! Lately it has been

stopped. But you do a bit back home. I would have to invite McGuire, he

would bring the alcohol! Ricky Walden, he throws a few shapes

around the table. And Andrew Higginson. I think the bags are a

bit tight right now! So John Higgins breaks off in what

he hopes will be the last frame of this semifinal. But Barry Hawkins,

he has got a lot of pride, and I would love to see him knock in this

long red. Unlucky. There is one that will cut

back, I think. But that has tied up the black. He wasn't far away with

this. No cutback, just a safety shot. He hasn't put the cue ball in,

has he? Very good judgment, John! Got the pace of the table. You lucky

boy! Barry was banging the table! If that

White did happen to drop in, I think it is only allowed about two or

three second and then it would be replaced, not like one of your

putts... Gravity normally takes it! Barry is looking at a three-ball

plant, if he takes it on the reds will be spread far and wide and I

think he might as well have a go and try to make a 147 to beat Ronnie

O'Sullivan's 146. The reds will be going everywhere if he is playing

it. He has played it and what a shame! The White has gone in! He

went all out to try to bring the black into it and make a sizeable

break. He wanted to throw his cue into the crowd. He is such a lovely

fella but he is struggling out there. But have a look at the focus

on the face of John Higgins. He did not get involved in all that

laughter. He is out there to do a job. APPLAUSE

That is the hit, he needed to be straight on this, I don't know if he

can pot it and miss the bunch but if he can eat and get on to blue or

baulk colour but the harder he plays it, the wider the white will throw.

He has managed to hold it for the black, amazingly enough. But this is

missable am by no means easy. Having missed a just off straight

black early in the match, that was a tough one, but he had a feeling it

could win him frame and match if it went in. And earlier in the week

that might have gone in off the far jaw, they aren't now. Come on,

Barry, take us to the last session with a century.

That just shows you how much he is struggling, he played to finish on

the blue half ball. All at sea at the moment.

He wobbled that want into the pocket.

-- that one. He is doing well here, playing for pride at the moment,

Harry Hawkins. -- Barry Hawkins. Having a bit of a laugh with the

crowd and I think they would love to see him take this frame. John

Higgins wouldn't. That black that he missed, he put himself under a bit

of pressure even though he is so far in front because he wanted to win so

he did not have to come back this evening. But the way things are

going, he might have too. It wasn't a sitter.

We just watched the black for a second time as Barry overhits that.

Those blacks were going in off the far jaw but they aren't any more.

Barry Hawkins has lost position, he is 40 in front, it doesn't appear as

if any of these reds would be easily attainable from a positional shot.

He will have some sort of pot into the yellow pocket if it goes in,

maybe one into the middle. He needs this red and Green or

above. No. But he is odds-on favourite, especially now that the

white has finished up their. APPLAUSE

He is having a little smile, a nice time to get a good run of the ball,

16-7 behind! He will not be taking the miss

because he now just needs to pot this red. 52 in front, don't go in

off! Every chance we are coming back this evening.

No. No, you are kidding. The white disappears. Barring sneakers, we are

coming back this evening. -- snookers. Only the one snooker

needed. The way they are situated, the

colours, a bit of a chance that John could still close the match out in

this session. I just wondered if he pops the three reds and the yellow

then he could make a really telling snooker. A great call. Let's see if

he will do that if he got in behind the green, he could put a telling

snooker in behind the blue. Where do you see a player not leave the last

red on. Trying to get onto the yellow.

That is exactly what he is going to do. It is all about getting a good

angle on the yellow so he can get behind the green and leave the

perfect angle to get in behind the blue. Has he got the angle? He would

love to be able to get over that and roll the green tight behind the

blue. I don't think he can do that. I think he has finished a little

straight on the yellow. Yes, absolutely straight full study can

still send the green around the table and get in behind the blue. --

absolutely straight. Another example of the new tip. I'm

not sure he can get behind the blue now without a kiss. He has potted

the green. Can you believe it? He got the dreaded double-kiss. He

might get another double-kiss if he plays really thin on the left-hand

side of the brown. If you can avoid the double-kiss this time he can get

right in behind the black. Just seeing if there is any value potting

the brown. Three cushions and he could get right in behind the black.

It looks like he will pop the brown instead. -- he will pot.

I think he would have to go thin if he were to get in behind the black.

It would have to be a very precise shot. A little thin one might just

get him there. He is trying it off one cushion but the middle pocket is

in the way. He will hit the black. Safely in. A terrific cheer for

Barry Hawkins. It is not all over just yet will stop handshakes. Well

done, Barry Hawkins. Playing for his bride. They have to come back this

evening for the John Higgins only needs one frame to come back for his

sixth final. That was a pretty tough session.

Both to play in and to watch. It looks like he is there. Do you see

any way back for Barry Hawkins? No it is all over. Barry Hawkins showed

his character. It is easy to think, do I really want to come back

tonight? Get my suit on and pretend I am practising hard. He has done it

but the match is over. John Higgins could probably have done with a

night off. Tip gate has reared its ugly head again. He has been away

half the night to Southport to see Les Dodd. How much of the toll will

all of this play on him? I could have told him the end 62 has had a

lobotomy. That has been wrecked for 20 miles. He has come in on back

roads to get back here. He was panicking thinking, is he going to

get back here? It is psychological. If it is in your head that it is not

right, go and see him by all means. He did have the journey in hell.

Even when he is playing well, he is searching for something. I think it

is nerves of the occasion. That is getting to him a bit. The whole send

-- semifinal he has not had a break. He has got through because his

opponent has not put him under any pressure. He has had a comfortable

match. All of this is sheer pressure of the occasion. He has not been in

the one-table set-up for six years. You just wonder, at the tender age

of 41, whether the pressures and stamina levels required are now

beginning to catch up. They could be. I spoke to him yesterday,

messing around with the tip and stuff. His sleeping patterns are all

messed up. This is a marathon. If you have not done this for awhile,

you are waking up at three o'clock, four o'clock in the morning, leaving

the menu in the hotel. You're not going back to sleep or it can be

like that for all the players. You have described how difficult it is

to last and keep performing to your best. The two tournaments he have

one -- has one this season have been 16 man offence. It is a completely

different test of everything. -- events. He has one to go, he hopes,

this evening from seven o'clock. The other semifinal everyone is itching

to see is the concluding session between Ding Junhui and the man he

beat in last year's final. They played frames lost at which will go

down in Crucible folklore. It really does not get much better than this.

Going to be a important session in this semifinal. -- a very important

session. Good at the Angles. He is pretty good at the angles. A few

whistles as well. That is a magnificent break of 128. Mark Selby

extends his lead. Oh! A great shot on the pink. The

standard here it is absolutely superb. A screw off the side and top

cushion with loads of side. Have a look at that for a shot! That is one

of the best positional shots you could ever wish to see. He could do

with this one. Wonderful! He takes the frame. Now he is just one behind

the defending champion. Colour red required. Would you

believe it! That is a great shot. That is a terrific shot. Boy, is he

good under pressure! It is there. What a frame that was!

What a steal! What about that! A fabulous pot. The

pressure was right on him for that he came straight back with that

magnificent frame for them here's just one behind again. -- that

magnificent frame. He is just one behind again. This is the icing on

the cake. To finish the night in style. Ding Junhui takes is standing

ovation. He has dug deep and one that session 5-3. 12-12. They are

just in the practice room at the moment. Ding Junhui with Terry

Griffiths. Ding Junhui has been with Terry Griffiths for eight months.

Bobby Lee is in the background with Mark Selby. There were back-to-back

centuries last night when he was 12-10 behind, Ding Junhui. I think

we learned an awful lot about this man last night, didn't we? We did.

From the start of the semifinal I think he has been competing any time

-- better than any time but I have not seen him compete as well as he

has done in this event. He had the time to get over the line against

Ronnie O'Sullivan. That, last night, that, I think is the best you have

ever seen him play. He went up a level for me last night. He went up

a level when he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan. And he has done it in

style. He has been a machine in this one in so far. Even when Mark Selby

had a really good run of balls committees that in his chair,

Serena. Nothing was bothering him. -- serene. Sir macro he will be

looking at the other semifinal and thinking the standard was not as

good. You must put that to the back of your mind. This is the best I

have seen Ding Junhui compete I cannot wait. We will see who gets

into the final. Steve Davis is with two men who think they have won the

lottery getting the commentary seeds today. Here in the commentary box

with Dennis Taylor and John Virgo. It feels so exciting. You have

commentator Don loads of stuff. There is something special about

this one, isn't there? I have never seen a session like that. It was the

best session I have ever commentated on. Unbelievable snooker from both

players. I am so impressed with Ding Junhui. I think he has another

little bit of help out there. His mum passed away suddenly in February

and I think he is out there to bring it for his mum because I know

exactly how he feels. I watched it again on the highlights last night.

It was so exciting. You are just involved in the match. There was an

air of anticipation in the crowd that they started to get behind Ding

Junhui. This is fascinating. He has more support today and he has ever

had from an Englishman, Mark Selby. Mark Selby is defending champion.

They are looking at what they thought is the underdog. He embraced

the crowd for study made a foul in a session I went back to his seat,

laughing. That is why he has the crowd on his side. The snooker he

produced has been fantastic for the peak gave them something to cheer

about. I will not even ask who will win this. It is great for us all to

sit back and then enjoy. Over to Rob Walker.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As we have just heard,

this is developing into one of the all-time Crucible classics. Eight

breaks over 50 and nothing splits ahead of this last session. There is

only room for one. This is sporting drama of the very highest quality.

It is showtime in Sheffield. Please welcome home, a man whose

importance for the global game should not be underestimated. Winner

of 12 ranking titles, he has inspired millions back home. His two

big breaks late last night to level the match were superb. 13 centuries

from him in the tournament so far. A national hero in China. Enter the

Dragon, Ding Junhui. And his opponent, ten years on from

his first world final. He is now established as one of the sport was

my key players. World number 14 two years. Winner of 11 ranking titles.

He so often demonstrates nerves of steel exactly when it cancelled the

UK champion and defending world champion. Here comes the Jester from

Leicester, Mark Selby. Well, the real Ding Junhui stood up

and was counted last night. Such composure and nerves. Mark Selby is

renowned for his legendary strength under pressure in the final stages

of matches. He may need that again today. First to 17th wins it and it

will be one this afternoon. Dennis, John, over to you. Thank you very

much. Good afternoon, everyone. What a reception both players had.

Especially for Ding Junhui. He is Sheffield's own snooker champion.

Look at that picture! Ding Junhui to break. Put your cameras down now,

please. Thank you. He gets the first frame under way. Is it possible the

standard can continue that we witnessed yesterday evening? It is a

big ask. What a session we have in store! First 217 for a place in the

final, to be played to a finish in this session. He has outplayed Mark

Selby in the safety success department. Who would have thought

that? Looking at Mark Selby, as he was being introduced, he has his

game face on. He looked very focused. He has been up and down the

corridors, 40 minutes before play. Pacing up and down. A little bit

like the great Steve Davis used to do before playing.

Not really an attempt at the red. Mark with his hand on the table. He

expected a better safety. But that one is a little bit pacey

as well. If it runs behind the green, he will not mind.

That is what he is looking at. Not a lot available. Into the side of the

bunch. That is close to the pink. Foul and a miss.

He wants to get into the reds, as close to the pink as possible.

It is that way. You can see the monitor, that is perfect. The cue

ball... A bit back. Perfect. It is not crucial with this position but

it is -- that it is absolutely spot-on but sometimes it can make a

difference. That is better. APPLAUSE

I don't know if Mark can get back down the table or not here, John.

That will be a thin one. Yes, he can do it.

What about the first frame of the session last night. 18 minutes

without a ball being ported. The crowd loved every minute of it. The

safety play was extraordinary and stop -- was extraordinary.

That was a better length for the safety shot. In that frame, Mark

Selby made a century in it, eventually when he got a chance.

Last night's session just had everything. Everything that snooker

can give you. The enjoyment you can get out of the game. I agree with

you, Dennis, it was the best I have ever had the pleasure of

commentating on. It was fantastic. Everyone I spoke to last night and

this morning, they were all buzzing about it. It was a feast. There was

a lot of pressure in this session, of course. Two players who

desperately want to make it through to the final. Did not play the pot.

It was not the right potting angle to go back around the black. That

has been the game plan of Mark Selby throughout this match. Keeping it

tight. Trying not to gift any easy openings for Ding Junhui. The way he

has been scoring, 13 centuries in that one in so far, he had a chance

in amongst the balls. A lovely length of cue ball. That has been so

impressive about him. The fact he has matched Mark Selby in safety

play. I did not really think he had that in him. I think he has

played... Have a look at that exclamation that is the safety

success rate for the tournament. -- have a look at that! So, that, as we

see this red come towards the corner pocket, that safety success rate

with 13 centuries, Mark must have a few friends up in the balcony. He

was doing a lot of that last evening. That is Vicky, his wife,

and Bobby on the left. Just trying to work out whether cue

ball will go. I think it is one of these. You just concentrate on the

pot and you have to trust little bit of luck for position. The main

objective, do not miss the red. He is not on pink or black. Will he

play the blue? As you can see, the pass of the cue ball just trusts a

little bit to luck. It is not over here. He knows the importance. If

this were not the first frame, I would expect him to play the blue.

Because it is, he may not. How did that Blue Nile drop in once

it ran along the cushion? -- that blew not drop in? Look at that! It

was clinging to the cushion. How did it stay out. A three shot from Mark

Selby. The blue is right across the pocket if it goes in.

As you say, Dennis, it is a free shot. He will be disappointed he did

not get closer to the pocket than that.

They are tough shots. Just a fraction off. He has missed it and

he has left Mark Selby with an easy starter. It was not easy.

Understandably, the players will be just a little bit edgy in this

opening frame. It is so important to get your nose in front again. There

is a red in the baulk end. He will be looking to bring the cue ball

down into the business end. It is never easy to judge. Judging the

pace is all important. This looks superb. What a touch!

This shot, as we zoom in, shows you how big a snooker table is. 12' by

6'. Mark still has that bit of a shake

in his head, it is something he has always done. It is not as bad as it

used to be but it doesn't affect his game. It is just the natural way he

plays. You could see on the side bar, another 43 points required from

this position to get to the snooker is required stage. He is going to

have to open some more reds, there are not enough there to clinch the

frame without having to play a cannon of some kind. And you could

see his eyes, they were on the object ball as he delivered the cue,

looking from the cue ball to the object ball back and forwards and

then focusing on the object ball as you deliver the cue. You can see his

eyes, focused on the object ball. The fact he is taking so long over

this blue, he is just a fraction too straight. There looks to be a red

two down from the pink that is available to the left corner but you

can see he is fairly straight and looking at that virtual image, maybe

that one second down from the pink doesn't go to the left corner. I

think he would have to play for the one behind the black. Watch the

side. The first side and he has got a bit too much on it. That is the

problem when you are trying to force the angle. He has played the stun

screw back but with the side as Dennis said, see how it flicked off

the cushion and this is a tough red now.

APPLAUSE He has played it well but this is

the difficulty with the red, he put all his concentration into potting

it and he is not great here. A bit of pressure on this brown.

Just looking at the angle he has on this red, you might choose to go up

for the black here. He would love to be able to hold for the blue and

straight into the pink but he might still be able to do that. Yes, just

about. But having said that, the only way into those reds, he is dead

straight on the blue so he can't get to them now. Look at that. Almost

dead straight. This is a big shock he is ticking on, to pot the brown

and split the reds. Nowhere near. Has he got away with it? I don't

think so. That was a bit ambitious, that one. Strange choice of shot. He

had played a controlled match so far and that was out of character, have

yet played the match in the previous sessions. I don't know if he was

consciously thinking of attacking a bit more but that was probably

pushing the boat out a bit too far. What has he done here? He is not on

a colour, he was hoping to be on the blue. Is a little bit of a tense

start for Ding Junhui here. And as per usual, and that has been

the impressive thing from Ding in this match, when he has run out of

position like he did there, he has put the disappointment behind him

and played an excellent safety and he looks to have snookered mark on

Allred 's. Tight would be better. Almost. And

that is the problem with that shot. You always feel you would like to

leave it tight, and he has left a plant as well. A bit of a gap

between the two reds but it on if he catches the first one right. That's

the thing, you try to get tight behind the green but if he had left

it tight on the book Mac -- tight on the baulk cushion, this would not be

available but Mark now has control of the cue ball and you fancy this

plant. Right in the heart of the pocket, with his hand on the table

he could control the cue ball and this is a chance to take the first

frame. He already has a 38 point lead with a colour to come.

He could do with getting the blue out of the way here. If the red is

dead straight he can drop it in for the black but if not, he can roll

through and leave the black in the opposite corner.

No reason why he shouldn't take the frame from this position, already 43

in front. And this black, he is having a look at the blue, obviously

the red immediately to the left of the black will go he could play

black and play for it in the same pocket as the black. This is to go

50 in front with 67 remaining. He is looking for red, colour, red

now. It's OK from that little cluster of three, one of them goes

to the right corner so if he drops this in and plays for the blue

because the black doesn't go in this pocket. It is just a case of potting

the blue and playing the left-hand one of the three reds and that would

be the frame clincher. He took on a very ambitious brown in this frame.

It didn't cost him. The red to go 57 ahead with 51 remaining.

If he knocks in this next red, no way back to the table for Ding

Junhui. He would like to clear the remaining

balls here. He made a magnificent 128 break to lead 10-7 and then Ding

bounced straight back with 95 to take it back to two and it was just

awesome snooker but this is a good start from the defending champion.

Looking very good here, just that one shot that John mentioned, the

brown which was a bit ambitious and he missed it by a long way but it

did not cost him in the end. He has had that cue ball in the

perfect position virtually every shot in this break.

APPLAUSE That is a terrific way to start for

Mark Selby and he has come out with a determined look on his face and he

has taken the opening frame and is now leading Ding Junhui 13-12. It

was Ding who led 5-3 after the first session but has been playing

catch-up ever since and just when he gets on level terms last night, the

defending champion gets his nose in front again. Typical. Absolutely,

and Ding looks a bit edgy because he had a couple of shots and his cue

ball was not controlled and I put that down to his arm being a bit

tight. Steve? Mark Selby missed the most glaring pot, he was not

absolutely comfortable at that stage but got the best chance after the

luck of how the pack sorted itself out when the plant was on and he

capitalised on that. And the opening exchanges. We have 13 world titles

between us here in the studio and there is another who has one, John

Parrott, he is there to improve your game. If you're having a few

problems with your cueing, you can send him a message or a video of

your style and he will attempt to put you right. 7-3 to contact John,

but back to the serious business. Mark Selby will be nicely settled

after making that lovely clearance at the end of the frame, but as I

said, there was a sign when he played the brown, which did not cost

him, but maybe he will be a bit more on the attack than he was in the

first three sessions. APPLAUSE

That is in the heart of the pocket and it needs to kiss the green. It

didn't but I think he has got the green to the middle. Has he got the

potting angle to get back to the reds? Yes, there is the angle and

there are three he can get on. That was so close. He thought he had that

but it hit both jaws of the middle pocket and he played the cue ball

into the perfect position. Have a look at this green, touching the

near jaw. Mark Selby in with a very good with

another three reds available here -- a very good chance.

He did very well there, he was almost straight and widened the

angle with a stun run through to get on these reds. Excellent positional

shot. Here you go look how he widened the

angle and the cue ball bouncing but it landed perfect. And it is one of

these situations, particularly with the green near the left middle,

there is a red to the left and bottom of the cluster. If at some

time he will play for that, he can leave himself low and in potting it

bring others into play knowing he will have the green to the left

middle. Just underhit that slightly. I'm

just wondering if he might take the chance here, that have a look at the

angle, if the pot of this and careered into the reds, the green is

available but he is screwing back so he will not be moving any reds here.

He still has that want at the back of the bunch that is available. And

he has an angle to go straight into them here, it depends how he feels.

He has played for the single one. It is not a great pack to go into from

the black. It surprises me, I wouldn't question his break-building

for a moment but I can't believe he hasn't tried to leave himself low on

this and try to nudge reds open. It is not a great pack to get into, as

you said and as Willie Thorne describes it always, a flat back

pack. He has got to play at stun shot into the left side of them but

he is screwing it. That was never going to work, unless he is

fortunate. No. Unless he pulls off an unbelievable pot, it is in the

break, but there is a chance this could go into the middle. He could

get on the black but what an angle he is faced with here. It bare.

-- it is their and he flicked the black, which helps.

He split them but the problem with that shot, because of the back spin,

the cue ball will always come away from the reds. He has want to the

middle and if he knocks this in it could be a frame-winner but there is

pressure on it. APPLAUSE He sacrificed a bit of position to

make sure of the pot, straight on the pink would have been better.

Another little cannon needed here. And just about. 50 S head. -- 50

ahead so not much more needed to secure this frame.

It is a great start to the session from the defending champion.

He has just got a slight angle, you would think he would run round off

two cushions for the one just to the left of the pink for the right

middle. He just has the angle to play the runaround. Didn't hit that

to welcome he tried to force the angle, felt it was a bit straight

and if he had run through normal he might have got in the jaws that you

could see the cue ball was bouncing when it hit the black and the black

bounced and it took all the pace out of the cue ball. He didn't seem to

be striking the cue ball right at the top which creates the top spin

in the follow-through. As you said, John, it was more of a stun shot.

He has a tough red into the middle pocket. This is another.

No danger, right in the heart of the pocket and that is frame over now.

Just the red required and he is perfectly on it and it will be

followed by pink or black and leave Ding Junhui needing two or three

snookers. It is all about fractions, this game. Ding Junhui played a

green and just flicked the near jaw and stayed out. And this has been

the result. This was the green, it just caught that near jaw and it

looked for a second as though it might just drop. He needs a chance,

Ding in amongst the balls but you don't get that many chances against

Mark Selby. Good pot. And every likelihood now

we will see a century here. Mark has already had six centuries

and we are up to 69 in the tournament. Yes, 86 is the record, I

don't think it will be beaten but you never know. As I said, Ding has

had 13 centuries. I think the record is 16. I think that is John Higgins.

In fact, it is Stephen Hendry, sitting in the studio, sorry,

Stephen! I think John Higgins had 14 in one

year. This red and a colour. What a pity. No century but Mark

Selby is proving once again that he is going to be very tough to beat

and he gets his two frame lead back. It is now 14-12.

Ding had that chance with the green and missed it and I wonder what

these great champions are feeling about the start from the reigning

champion. It looks like he is smelling blood and sensing weakness

and that is what he does, he pounces. Is a great visit, a couple

of tricky red into the middle, but the way he played them, neither

looked in doubt. You can sense signs, when is the time to put the

foot down and the hammer down and so far this session that is what it

looks like. Are you hearing that mood music as well? It is always the

case that Mark Selby to give since every chance to win event like this

because he is relentless. While Ding put in a fantastic performance to

get back level last night, and if the match had continued into the

night it might have been a different story, you reset for every session.

Mark Selby, you can see the look of determination on his face when he

came out, he is there to do a job today. I'm not saying Ding Junhui is

not, but every time Mark Selby makes it difficult for you and it is tough

for Ding Junhui but we know he is up to the job. We do and it will be

interesting because there is a huge amount of support for Ding Junhui

here. He is one of Sheffield's adopted sons, he has been here for

the last ten years and think a lot of people would love to think it is

his time at the World Championships. He has a lot of support, back we go.

90% pot success rate for both players. Mark slightly ahead in the

longer pot success Department. In fact I'd been told 59%, Mark

Selby won the tournament with that pot success rate last year when he

defeated Ding in the final, 18-14. That could be a useful little flick

off the yellow. It certainly was. Not a problem getting out of the

snooker but a little flick like that can make a difference.

Just means that Mark as the slight advantage here in the safety

Department and if he can get another good cue ball...

Important for Ding Junhui to return a good safety and hopefully not push

a red over the corner but there seems to be four balls that might

send one out of the bunch towards the right corner pocket so he will

have to be careful here. He doesn't want too thick contact otherwise he

will do that. Yes, he got a thin contact which sacrificed a little

bit of what he could do with the cue ball. There can't surely be another

plant on? It would be a three-ball plant. You never know with Mark

Selby. One red onto the other two, it is going to the left of the

pocket, he might be up to make this. He would be playing the safety shot

at the same time. Not quite a plant but he got a good

cue ball. There is this red to the left corner but Ding Junhui has to

be very careful if he plays it. He looks bound to run into a red or

even the black. There is no shot for nothing. Is it worth the risk? That

is the question. He has lost the first two frames and he needs to get

a foothold now in the session. He found the gap. Where is the red

going? That's not too bad, safe enough. He did well to find a gap

through the reds in playing that pot. And of course he will be more

concerned with the gap than the pot. There is a shot on, I'm wondering if

Mark Selby will have a go at it, he can send this into the pink and red

and screw back into the safety zone. He is looking at the very thin snick

which tells me if he can pot the red in the right middle, could he get up

and down the table? No, he is going for the one I mentioned, screwing

back and sending the red into the pink and reds. That's a good cue

ball. He was always going to have plenty of stoppers to prevent the

red from coming back up the table. He has a bit of a problem here, Ding

Junhui. All things considered, that was an

excellent safety. He did not find Bob cushion. He was in a spot of

bother and he had to catch the red perfect, so as not to leave

anything. He has not left anything. That is the art of safety. It is the

perfect example. You do not kiss baulk colour. The pace Mark got on

the cue ball, Ding Junhui once again has quite a bit to think about. I

cannot see a return to baulk unless he catches the red so Finn. If he

catches it sick, he will run into the red in the end he did not want

to risk it and played the containing safety. I think it is all right.

Just. As I mentioned, Ding Junhui needs to

get in among the reds to get a bit of confidence going. That is what

the game is all about. At the moment he cannot get that chance. Mark

Selby is keeping things very tight. He had breaks of 74 and 96.

He might not have blocked the route off down the table. He needs a thin

contact but he needs a telling safety to try to force an error from

Mark Selby. That is a pretty good return. Very good. Excellent. A

superb shot. Normally in these situations you see a player tapping

over the table. This is of proper match. Excellent return. Excellent

return. It is very difficult to force a mistake from Mark Selby in

the safety exchanges. That is what Ding Junhui needs to do full Tubby

cannot rely on Mark Selby getting in amongst the balls. That and in the

first frame of this session, in all honesty. He needs to try to force an

error that he is on the back foot. That might have rocked back. It

could be touching, which would have helped mark. No, not touching. He

can still play of that red. Touching ball makes it easier. But he can

just glance of this. -- off this. He can not pop many balls when you

are stuck on the baulk cushion all the time.

In the end, a fraction too thin. If he leaves Mark Selby with his hand

on the table, he is asking for trouble.

For once, he did not take advantage. Nearly had a result but the cue ball

just stopped short. I think there is a gap between blue and pink. There

is. If you cut down the escape route

down the left-hand side of the table, your opponent is in trouble.

Ding Junhui has just gained initiative.

That is what Mark is looking at. There is very little available to

him. Looks as if he will have to leave

the white at this end of the table. He is trying to find a spot. He is

having quite a bit of thinking time to pick that spot out.

It just means at the moment that Ding Junhui has the slight advantage

in a tactical battle. He's looking at the possibility of the red into

the middle. This would be quite some pot! He could maybe finish on the

brown and draw the green. The last time he potted a ball. Well played!

Just a little bit too far as we show you that terrific pot again. The

white just ran about 6-8 inches further than he intended. Brown

ball. Ding Junhui, one. I think he has

just got the snooker. Maybe he can just hit the edge of this red on the

right-hand side of the table but he cannot get back to baulk. He is

having a good look around. If he cannot see the pass, it is an escape

route for him to land the red left of the black. If he can get to land

read he is cueing up to, that would be just as good. There might just be

a gap through to that done the right side of the table.

That is a bit weak. It is not good. The initiative in that tactical...

This tactical exchange. He may have handed that initially back to his

opponent now. There is a pot on to this right corner. Hard to see how

he could get position on the colour. It is obviously not a straight run

back to the baulk end. If he was tight against the baulk cushion, it

would be almost impossible. With his hand on the table you would expect

him to find a path. He did not find that path that you

said, John. At first glance, he might. There is a red available the

left corner foot once he got the cannon, he cannon, he knew he would

leave something. Now... One good pop here... -- pot. This is his first

chance in amongst the balls. The black is ad of commission but it

all depends if and when he pops the pink. He will pot it at some time.

Where the pink will go. He may have to pot a few reds around the pink

spot. This is his first real chance. Can he now stop producing the form

of last evening? Just about OK. Two wonderful

centuries last evening to get back to all square. He has coming towards

the table. That has showed the angle he has faced with the brown. He must

play a nice screw shot past the middle pocket. A few reds available

to him. Is he going to drop nicely on one? Still not in an ideal

position. Can he cue past the pink? This will make all the difference.

If he is hampered by the pink, this is a tough shot. He is hampered.

Decision time. He will take the pot on. Does he make the pot more

difficult by trying to play a stunner for them baulk colours or

does he totally commit to the pot. Nicely in. What a shot that was! Now

in perfect position. Playing for the pink now. This is

where he is so good, in and around the pink area. He will have to try

to win this frame without the help of the black. He can forget about

the black completely. Does the pink go to the right corner when it is

re-spotted? It does. This is a good chance for Ding Junhui but there is

pressure. There you go. Another 33 points from

this position to get to the snooker -- snookers required stage.

When he pops this, it will help the situation. The two reds left of this

will then be available. He did not play that very well. That was just a

little edgy one. It just means a little bit more to do. Should be OK.

Well played. He has those two reds are mentioned. Cleared the path.

There is a couple of Ding Junhui supporters. A great shot from the

balcony. And, once again, he has come up a little bit short. Now he

will have to go all the way around the angles if he is to get on one of

the reds. There is one to the right corner. He has just underscrew that.

A wee bit of pressure on this. He will get a terrific cheer if he pops

it and gets on a red. Here comes the white. He misses all the colours. It

is not bad. Ding Junhui, 52. Coming up a little

bit short of clinching the frame. He was playing to get on the one that

was near the black spot. He still lords on to win the frame. You know

what Mark Selby is capable of... And look at where the red is situated.

They are never easy. If it were straight, you would not expect him

to miss it. A good safety shot now required from Ding Junhui. 53 points

the lead and 75 points remaining. He is basically looking now for eight

couple of reds, a couple of colours. A good safety once again.

He has looked long and hard to see if he can get the edge of a red that

he cannot. Hands to come off the edge of the side cushion. Just

feathered the red. A good shot. I don't know if he can get past the

blue to clip that read. I don't think he can.

Yes, and he's not got the option this time to nestle near the reds on

the top cushion on the right-hand side of the table. If he tries to go

twice, of course for that is very risky. Will he play the two cushion

escape with a bit of pace? That is where he is playing. Played it

lovely. Where is the red going? Where was the cue ball going? He has

the cover. He has the cover. Or has he? Hold the front page. Settle

down, John. Settle down. He can just get through to it. He will have to

swerve it slightly. Still needs another red after the

blue. He can just avoid a kiss on the red when potting the blue. He

has played it perfectly. He is pulling 60 points ahead with 59

remaining stop That is a bit unfortunate.

Glancing around at the scoreboard. Could have worked out a lot better

than that but it is only one snooker that is needed. We know what Mark

Selby is like when it comes to finding slippers. I cannot think how

Ding Junhui can knock it on to another cushion. By Megahey will

play the correct option. That black being tied up, OK, we are saying one

snooker required. Yes. He has gone for the pink.

That should be the end of frame. It was going to be a tall order with

Mark Selby with the black tied up there. Nestles in behind the yellow.

Hopefully on to the brown. Mark should stay in his seat, you would

feel. Yes, he nods to the referee. Ding Junhui lost the first two

frames. They are some of his fans. They are delighted. Just one behind

now. 14-13. The defending champion is keeping him at arm 's length that

is having to send him off once again. This is a great, positive

attitude we are seeing from Ding Junhui. It is not exactly the bully

versus the kid who has been beaten up in the school playground every

day. Let's assume that is the case. You keep pummelling somebody but

they keep coming back for more. In the end, finally, you will end. He

was fighting a bit with the cue ball. Do you think he is settling in

a bit now? Not one ' visit stuff. We are used to him knocking in

centuries all over the place was that it did not matter how he did

it. It does not look like a three frame gap opening. He keeps coming

back. That is back to one frame. We will be saying it all afternoon. A

big frame coming up before the interval. He is having to play

cagily and wait for his chance and then have to pounce. He has shown as

he is capable of doing that. Last night there were signs he was asking

questions of Mark Selby in the safety department. He had an easy

safety shot that would have kept the pack together. He really would blast

them open. It would risk a ball over the corner pocket. Mark Selby, in

the end could did miss a green ball that cost him the last frame.

Wonderfully poised. I can only guess what the ratings would be in China

right now. Skyrocketing into the 150 million at the moment. Mark Selby

gets the frame under way. There is a mid-session interval after this.

Every frame now is so important to both players. It looks like a good

break-off shot on the face of it. Can he just get past the blue? He

obviously can. Needs to catch the red thing though. Caught it little

bit too thick. That is why the cue ball has only just got past the

blue. He has left a read on. The few weak safety shots he has played in

this match. -- he has left a red on. A little bit of a tense one hour

from the defending champion. We expect him to not back in. Temple

Micra has a similar type of shot. More difficult than the one Mark

had. -- Ding Junhui has a similar type of shot. He is taking the one

nearer the pocket to get himself on the black.

No. Where is the red? He has left a long, straight one past the blue. If

it goes he will be able to go back onto the black. I am not sure if it

pops. He will be disappointed to have missed that. He knows he will

have to play his best game today. So far he is not there. The chance for

Mark. Straight red into the top. We don't see that very often. He gets

the first good chance. Ding Junhui took the very positive

shot to try to get onto the black. He had the other one he could

possibly have potted and come round for a baulk colour. I think he was

just thinking very positively but did not execute the shot as he would

have liked. He might have to sit in his seat now for a while.

I think sooner rather than later Mark Selby will play for the red

that is immediately above the black. Leave himself low on it and he might

even elect to play the cannon on the end of the cluster, but it's not

leave himself low on it so he can pot it and bring others into play

and that is exactly what he has done. He can open them up here and

it is all about keeping control of that cue ball to retain position on

the black or even on the pink. Good control needed because he will be

bringing reds into play here. I thought he would hit it a bit harder

than that, he was obviously frightened of screwing back and

finishing on the cushion but it was sooner than he wanted as you can

clearly see. Safely in. -- it was thinner than he wanted. Four reds,

four blacks. Playing for the red, straight is no

problem but if he plays the run-through he is going to kiss the

red just below the one he is potting so he has to judge the cannon off it

or he is maybe even looking at screwing into them. You would think

he would be able to judge it. It is hard to tell unless you down on

shot. But straight would not be a problem. If he has a bit of work to

do with the cue ball, it could go wrong.

That is quite a thin cut to take the pink on. He was hoping to just push

that pink into a better position than it has finished up. 41 in

front. Does he keep things tight here? He is back looking at the

pink. That is where he would like to put the cue ball if he can, cut the

pink into the middle pocket and that is what he is going to play. Key

shot. No. Has he got onto that red or has

he been fortunate? If Ding can get through to it, he can get across the

table for blue or pink. Yes, he can get through it but he has to be a

bit wary of the in off into the middle pocket. He will be aware of

that. Had struggled in that he has landed

absolutely perfect on the blue. There is one loose red at the site

and I think the reason it struggled, he was a bit aware of the

possibility of the in off. I think he should play the cannon here, not

play it hard, a gentle cannon to open the reds. It is too difficult

to play for a particular ball but he needs a good split. And he has got

it. What a chance now. Mark Selby

thought long and hard about whether to take the pink or put a colour

safe and play a safety shot and he decided on the tricky cut into the

middle and it did not come off. He came to the table 41 points behind.

All of the reds in the middle of the table. But it needs total

concentration and, in particular, good cue ball control. That will

make it easy, or easier. He doesn't have to play any cannons,

the little triangle of reds, if he pots the one to the left, it will

clear the other two. It is all about keeping close control.

Concentration. He was thinking of running through but it could go

wrong so back up for the blue. If he had played the run-through for the

black, he would have been running into another red but he has just let

that slip. Has he got an angle on this blue? I think he might just

have one. He needs one. He is almost straight but I think he can still

get on that one to the left of the four. He is playing the run-through

so he feels he can pinch of it here. -- pinch a bit here. This is where,

psychologically you start thinking about the frame. He is seven points

behind, red and a black would put him one point in front and then he

knows exactly what is required to clinch the frame at this visit. He

has not thought about it so far, just thinking about getting those

points. And he has missed it! And he missed it because he did not get the

right angle on the blue, if he had done he would have been closer to

the red. For the first time we see a reaction from him, he is annoyed

with that. That was a pretty easy pot that he missed.

He is on the pink but he might be absolutely dead straight here which

means he can't do much with the cue ball.

He feels he has got a slight angle here, it looks straight, there is

not much of an angle. This is a similar type of shot to the one that

Ding missed into the other corner. This is a frame that I am sure Mark

Selby was sat in his seat a few moments ago thinking it had passed

him by. He is favourite to take it now and go to the mid-session

interval with a two frame advantage. It was just a little lapse in

concentration from Ding. I mean he would normally knock that in 19

times out of 20, even more. But it just shows you how you can play one

poor positional shot, he was just too straight and even though that

red looked easy, it was just off straight but if it was straight he

could have stunned it in and no way he was missing it but with the angle

he was trying to pinch a bit of the pocket. That black going in now, 29

points ahead, no heroics on this red, just roll it in and go 30 ahead

with 27 remaining. He will be birdieing this. Not bothered about

the colour. He will be quite happy just to roll to the black and play

the snooker, 30 ahead with 27 remaining. And Ding Junhui has

missed a golden opportunity to square the match before the

mid-session interval. He will have that interval to think about the

missed red. Ding, you never know, if he can hit

this yellow and get it says, once snooker. It would not be the first

time we have seen it happen. It is coming over the corner pocket,

hang on! I thought he might have fluked the snooker. Maybe he can't

pot it. It is tight. He can't risk playing a little swerve because he

could hit the black. And at all costs you would not take that

chance, Dennis. He is looking at the side cushion to come off it and pot

the yellow, that is quite ambitious. Not sure about that one. I think he

could have played thin off the yellow. Up on the balcony there, a

reaction from family and friends. Ding didn't quite get the required

screw to get in behind the black. It was difficult but if the yellow

doesn't pass the brown, at least it is safe and it doesn't. He will

still have a chance here and with that black there, it is not a bad

position to try to lay a snooker behind. I was thinking exactly the

same, John. But will England wait to get a chance to get in behind it? --

will Ding Junhui get the chance. Mark Selby is pretty good at playing

snooker 's as well. Just one four point snooker needed by Ding Junhui.

That is usually the best way to stop the opponent getting a snooker,

snooker him. Easy to hit, he has got to get it

safe. He has got to get it safe. Hang on! He is in behind the brown!

Would you believe it? The twists and turns that can happen on a snooker

table. A puff of the cheeks tells me that Mark Selby can get to this off

one cushion and if he can, easy hit. This frame is not over just yet.

There could be a possibility to get this cue ball in behind the black. I

know he can stun it and get the snooker behind the pink but if he

can get tight behind the black... He is just playing the up and down

shot. I don't blame him for that. It needs to slow up to make it

difficult and it has done. This is not a guaranteed hit. Mark Selby

does not miss many, that is for sure. And I suppose that was the

right way to play it because you were more or less guaranteed the

snooker but you do not fancy him to miss this. Is he going to push the

black? It is not quite as good now as it was before. For the snooker in

behind. It is the first to 17 that goes through to the final.

Can he get the snooker that could bring it back all square? Mark Selby

just with a bit of nervous energy. Obviously a good favourite to win

the frame but you never know, you are on a knife's edge when somebody

need the snooker but the imperative thing for Ding is to get the yellow

safe. If he can't get the snooker, at least if you get the object ball

safe you can get another chance but if he leaves it on, that is end of

frame. If he hits the cushion first, there is a way of knocking it up

past the black and possibly getting in behind it. If he comes off the

side cushion and hits the yellow football, it would double the yellow

out past the black. That is not a bad effort. There

might be a gap. If it is full ball behind the blue, but there is a gap

between brown and blue to hit the cushion. Another easy escape. That

hasn't helped, putting the green safe, that hasn't helped Ding but he

might be able to get white behind the black this time with a little

screw shot. It is more difficult to get behind now than before it was

moved. Here it comes but where is the

yellow? Almost doubled the yellow but has he got the snooker? APPLAUSE

You have got to cut out the one-cushion escape at this level if

you are going to get any reward for the snooker. Where is this cue ball

going? Mark could have a snooker of his own here. That is amazing, to

get the yellow over that pocket and the white over this pocket from that

position. What a result he has had their.

He has left the yellow on. I think it is into full-time. -- it is

interval time. Ding might decide to play on because you would not think

that Mark could get position on the green so it is two snookers required

and where the black is, it might encourage Ding to play on.

Absolutely. He has no intention of walking out of the arena just yet

for the mid-session interval. A chance here, push the green up and

down the table and get that cue ball in behind the black. He needs it

tight behind but it just swung off the cushion. He might have the

snooker but even if he has it looks like an easy swerve. He doesn't need

the swerve. Mark trying to knock the brown near

the top cushion but he has left it in a position where, if he got a

snooker behind it, it would be good but he will be trying to get in

behind the black again and this is at a better place and a good line

and is it tight? APPLAUSE Has he cut out the one-cushion

escape? He needs so much side on this, he

will have to try to make the angle with loads of left-hand side to

swing it over towards it. He had a bit more room than I thought and

there was no problem. He can always pot the green because the brown is

not in an ideal position here. It just means there is one less ball to

snooker behind. He would love to lead the green on the table but I

don't think he can avoid putting it. He had to. He couldn't have finished

much worse than that in all honesty. He can't get in behind the black,

just maybe get the snooker behind the pink. But if he is going to

force Mark Selby to miss, he has got to get it tight to these snooker

rink balls and so far he has not been able to do that. -- snookering

balls. That was a good shot from Mark. Can

Ding get the brown safe? He didn't want to risk trying to cut

the brown in because there was a possible in off to the right middle

pocket. If he doesn't get the double-kiss, he might get over

behind the black here. The double-kiss is on.

But if he pots it, it is definitely frame over. APPLAUSE

And in it goes and Mark Selby, he started this session with a two

frame advantage and was pulled back to 12 or at the start of this

session. He has now won three of the first four frames and nonchalantly

knocks in the pink and tries to pot the black while it is moving. That

is what Mark Selby wanted, winning three of the first four frames and

Ding Junhui is two frames behind again but don't rule him out.

But as you said, Mark is only two frames away from a place in a fourth

final and has shown such positivity. There was just a sign from Ding

Junhui when he missed that red after failing to get position from the

blue that he was getting a little agitated. By this time of the

tournament, you are not supposed to be missing anything but of course

it's impossible. You are forever trying to pinch part of the pocket,

not always right in the middle and you would have hoped that Ding

Junhui could have rolled that in. But unfortunately, as John Virgo

said, if you play a dead straight stun shot and hit the ball with

authority you usually get it in but when you parole them in, there is

always the possibility it might roll off -- you have to roll them in.

Mark Selby is obviously not impervious to pressure and there was

a couple of moment he thought he did not get a good run of the balls. He

has friends in the gallery and if things don't go right he is smiling

at the commentary or the studio and he is feeling it as well definitely.

There is no need to begrudge bad luck because he has had a fair share

in this match, it tends to even out over long matches, but it was a

differs -- a disappointing miss for Ding Junhui. A couple of times he

has given it the heavy shoe walk back to the chair, trudging a bit,

and that is a bad sign because he has looked pretty positive through

most of the match. If you were in his corner like Terry Griffiths will

be, what encouragement can you give him at this stage to keep punching?

I don't think there are many words left. It is a case, he knows what

yesterday when he comes out, he doesn't have that much breathing

space. He will probably get himself in a better frame of mind for this

second session because he will go, I've got nothing to lose, I've got

to go for it. He doesn't have the worry of anything behind him,

looking over his shoulder, it is foot to the floor and let's see what

we can do and compete. He always goes to the practice table, whatever

the score, he will always be on the practice table, it is just what he

does. He will be getting a bit of rhythm going and hopefully if he

gets a chance he can get active at one visit scoring which has been his

strength. I know you were both very dominant champions and Mark

currently is that add his opponent is the underdog and getting quite a

lot of support, a syndrome you both recognise? Exactly come interesting

how the crowd are responding, it is the ultimate testament to how good

Mark Selby is. Nobody is doing yet! He is not at our level yet! --

booing. He is certainly getting to that level where people expect him

to win. We will be back very shortly over on BBC Two because while they

are at the interview will -- at the interval we will switch channels and

we will be back for the deciding session. I hope you will join us

there in just a few moments. Put the kettle on and we will see you in

about ten minutes. Goodbye for now. The East End girl who became the

nation's favourite. We don't know what it is,

but she definitely has... Something.