Day 15, Semi-Finals, Afternoon Session - Pt 2 Snooker: World Championship

Welcome back to the Crucible Theatre where Steve and Stephen and everyone

else in this packed theatre is about to find out who will be the first

man through to the final of this year's Betfred World Championship.

In the leaders Mark Selby. He returned to the second session of

their semifinal lock that 12 apiece but the brilliant Chinese cue man is

still chasing the game once again, having fallen two frames behind,

13-15. Selby needs to win just two more to guarantee a place in a

fourth Crucible final tomorrow. Dennis and John, as the players come

out again, you will see this one over the line.

COMMENTATOR: We certainly are. The atmosphere here at the Crucible

Theatre is electric. Ding Junhui has battled back throughout this match,

always been playing catch up, and now not much elbow room left. His

opponent only needs two more frames to book their place in the final.

These next two frames are very important for Ding Junhui way. But

Mark Selby, a proven winner. He will be seeing the winning post and will

not be looking over his shoulder, Dennis, he will be looking straight

ahead. Yes. He is looking for his third final in four years. When in

2014 and 2016. -- the winner. Still slightly behind in the safety

Department, but I don't think he can take the spot without hitting the

black. He is playing the safety shot, as you can see -- take this

part. He is a pinball wizard! That read only just moved. Now, then,

what does Ding Junhui way do here, does he play the attacking safety?

No, he is playing the thin one as well, keep it tight. Had an

opportunity there to play thick of the main bunch, but deemed it too

risky. Played a decent safety. Needs this frame badly.

No attempt at the pot there. The Blackwood had gone straight in, and

the flick on the yellow has made it slightly awkward. Can still get down

off the reds, but this time he will have to play is a little thicker,

you would think. In fact he doesn't want to do that, he wants to keep it

tight. That is never going to reach. Surely

he hasn't left the path through for Mark to take the pot on? He has.

That was a bit of an early slip-up in this frame for Ding Junhui way.

He had a chance in the frame before the mid-session interval to bring

this match to all square and now has left the first chance to Mark Selby.

Not what he wanted. As Mark potted that you could see there is another

red available but he will not be good on the blue here. But there is

one red, just to the back cluster, to the left, he could possibly get

on that of the green. That is the red.

Has he got the angle on the blue? The referee, Brendan Moore, as we

watched that read going, we'll be watching this very closely. Surely

he has got to play the green. -- as we watched that read go in.

There was an incident earlier in the World Championships where a push

shot was given. From this sort of situation. But he is using the rest,

will still have to be careful he doesn't push this.

I don't think he gained anything. Being so close to the cue ball...

Hit the pink well but couldn't generate the pace required.

There is a possible pot on here. Needs to catch it right or you could

run into another red, but this thread is here on the corner. And

there it goes, the bump on the middle pocket is a good one. It is a

good bump. OK, not perfect on the blue, but he is on the blue.

The problem is, the pink and black are tied up.

Can he get back for the blue? I think he can. Well, he's played the

cannon? Is he lucky? I think not. A calculated risk there and it didn't

pay off. Looked like he might be able to play up the blue and cannon

into the pink but he thought he could get the black into play, and

he was a bit unlucky there. Yes, he just caught the black thin. He could

have knocked it on to the right corner. Needs a good safety here.

Adjacent to left corner which is cuttable.

-- a red adjacent to the left corner.

APPLAUSE. Worthy of applause, excellent cue

ball. A little bit thick, but if it runs

past the green, he won't mind that. He won't mind that!

That's what he's faced with and what he's looking at. The two cushion

escape, Mr Blackman catch one of those reds, thin -ish to get back up

the table, he's pretty good at this kind of shot, but it can go wrong.

He won't mind missing it with a first attempt rather than hitting it

on the thick side. He wouldn't mind even giving a

couple of four point penalties away here until he gets it absolutely

right. This two cushion escape with pace as you rightly said, he has to

get close to the black here to get this.

I'm not certain it is on. I'm not certain it on. He'd need to get a

lot more side on it. I thought he could have come off past the brown,

dismissed the middle pocket and landed on the red to the left of the

ones near the black area. But as you could see, he would need to get a

lot more side on it to hit the second cushion and swing it towards

the reds. Oh! He got so close. He just missed the black and only just

caught the red, have a look at this here as it comes past the black,

look at this. Knocked the red awning, needs a good

cue ball. Not a bad one, but could have been so much more difficult,

this thread, had he got that cue ball tight to the ball cushion. You

would think Mark would be taking this on. It is a tough one. He's

just going to have to dig in slightly. Can't just rolled the red

in and be automatically on the black, so digging down, accurate

cueing required. Not on the black. Good pot. He was

hoping to kiss it to the second read and hope for the black. The pot

clean as a whistle, got the cannon just write you would have thought,

but just drifted past. He can pot the pink but there is no value in

that. If he's going to try to get back to

the baulk end he has to avoid a kiss on the black here. Nice flick off

the yellow. Nice flick off the yellow! Good cue ball now.

You couldn't miss the ball, once again, much thinner than that.

Already did flick then. I am just wondering whether it passes the

black to the right corner. It does. Just a little bit too thin. Now,

where is this cue ball going? Is the brown going to come to his rescue?

Not quite. Left the pot on for Mark, but as with the last long pot he

played, it it's bound to be running into other balls. With his hand on

the table, this pot a little bit easier, but still not guaranteed to

get position on a colour. If he parts it and gets a good case

on the reds near the top cushion, I think the black may be available. --

get a good kiss on the reds. He didn't get the flick right but a few

cases have left him on the blue. Has he got an angle on the blue to get

back the reds? Flicked a red, flicked the pink.

Now, how is he on the blue line? Right on the blue line. Straight.

Can't get close to the next red, not off the blue.

Well, he missed one like that earlier.

Quick one in there. Not as smooth as usual.

Good chance now. Just needs to negotiate this positional shot here.

One good shot here, and he's right in amongst them. That's OK. Great

chance now. Yes, he has an 11 point advantage so he could well and truly

get over the line here without even having to bother about the yellow

and brown which are out of commission.

Perfect on the blue. Still needs a little bit of work, those four reds

in the middle of the table, he can't get to them at the moment to bring

them into play. The pink is the blocker. And I don't think the black

nose in either corner pocket. -- goes in either corner pocket. I

don't think it goes to the right corner.

It doesn't. That he could have played that better. -- but he could

have played that better. Wrong side of the green. Black goes to the left

corner pocket but he doesn't go to the right corner, so a good shot

needed here. Going to play the blue, but he needs to be careful because

he'll be stretching over a red here, doesn't want to foul it with his

waistcoat. The referee will be watching. Look at this. Great pot,

is he on the red? Is he on the red? I think he must be. He is just on

it. Good pot, excellent position. Just needed to avoid that and just

stop, and it did. Still needs another good positional

shot. He may have the angle on the pink to cannon into that cluster of

four but that is risky. Certain to be on a red. They read in an ideal

world you would like to be honest on the right-hand side of the table, at

the moment that is stopping the black from going into the right

corner. But he decided to go into the cluster, risky as it was. Can he

pot this red? Doesn't look like it. Took a chance there. Didn't work

out. 30 points, the lead. Just over 11 hours, this match.

Giving this plenty of thought. It needs it. All the reds are in the

open. A 30 point lead will count for nothing if he leaves Mark Selby a

chance here. Just playing a little touch shot. The problem is with

that, it just hangs the initiative to Mark Selby in this exchange, and

an important one it is. Better cue ball. He has not left a

pot on and with this shot Mark has to be very careful doesn't knock

reds towards the right corner pocket here, and there is no guarantee he

won't. -- knock a red towards the right corner pocket.

That was always going to be difficult because there was nothing

over that side of the table to play in behind. The key shot coming up

for Ding Junhui. He would have to get it, you would feel. A possible

path back down the table, but highly unlikely. He is 30 ahead. If he

cannot one in here and get on the colour, the difference would just be

one. A key moment in this frame coming up just now. A choice of

reds. The one closest to the pocket or the thin -ish cut. He has gone

for the thin -ish cut. Needs to get it.

Too thin. Too thin. Mistake. Sits down. 30 points, the lead.

All the reds nicely spread for Mark Selby. But to win the frame at this

visit, he's going to need the yellow. So it's not a

straightforward run to the line by any means, but he would be just glad

of the chance. It's a funny little cut back here on

the black. Can't see the pocket in his eye line.

And another key turning point in this semifinal, because Ding Junhui

looked like he was going to go on, and he is just one frame behind.

Very little to separate both players in this semifinal. Just the odd

little mistake that has proven costly.

And if he could take this frame, what a tall order it would be for

Ding Junhui. Yes, Ding Junhui last evening in that tremendous session,

when he got chances he scored heavily. He has not done that so far

in this final session. He has had chances, but whether by fair means

or foul, he has not taken them. The yellow and brown have been there

since the start of this frame, and they are going to be the key balls

now. Everything else in the open. This black to go two points in

front. That used all the pocket! Heart in

mouth. It was wide, wasn't it? Get the greenback onto its home

spot. And then it's all about the angle he gets when he pops the last

red. -- pots from the blue would be easy, from the pink is a

possibility, that's where he would like to be. We've got someone's

alarm on their mobile phone ringing. Do you know where that's coming

from? Could do without that at this stage. Mark just going back to his

seat while they find out where it is. Well, it's high up in the

Crucible gods. What is it? Is it a bird? LAUGHTER. The referee says it

is a high squeaking noise coming from the gods of the Crucible. Well,

nobody seems to know what it is. It is very difficult to carry on with

that noise, but... The gremlins in the Crucible. Mark Selby is going to

play on. He doesn't want to ruin his rhythm. Desperately looking for a

good angle on the blue as the noise stops. All, has he left enough angle

to stun it over and kissed the brown and put the yellow on? Let's have a

look. Not much of an angle there, is it? And of course he is going to

need the yellow and brown to win the frame in this visit so the ideal

would be to be to move both balls. I don't know if he can. He is trying.

Couldn't do it. So he has got a 12 point lead. But this frame is still

in the balance. Look at that. He cut off the escape

route to the pink there. This is tough. He is going to have to hit

the baulk cushion, side cushion, hit the yellow, and not leave it on.

Very clever shot that Mark Selby has just played there.

APPLAUSE Well, terrific round of applause but

the next one might even be more difficult.

And it is. That looked straightforward but he had to have

the cue right up in the area to play that. It looks like a trick shot. He

has hit the black. Referee-macro Foul and a mess. Mark Selby, seven.

This is where the miss rule is too severe. It really is. When you are

hitting the first cushion and it is close to the cue ball it is

difficult to judge how it will react. He missed that yellow light

diffraction. He has hit it well. Where is the cue

ball going? It is OK. I was surprised when Mark Selby put him

back again, the black had been knocked into a safe position and he

did not think about that, he just put him straight back in again. It

is anyone's frame as the moment no. Fair comment.

He has not the black to the side cushion. Mark never even thought

about playing the shot himself. He doesn't often miss a trick, but

he missed one there. This looks like a good cue ball fit

nestles. Has it nestled? I am looking at Ding's body language. He

does not think it has. Mark Selby, 19 points the lead, just looking for

yellow or green, he is not certain he can get past the black to the

potting angle. I cannot tell you because Mark and the referee are in

the way. But was tight, but what a shot that

was. That was as good a shot as we have seen under the circumstances.

Absolutely superb. Mark's waif shaking her head in amazement. That

green leaves Ding needing a snooker. It is all about fractions. Just the

gap to get to the potting angle of the yellow, and what a pots it was.

Overcuts that. To snooker is required on the blue. Ding looking

at the scoreboard, to five point snooker 's two tie.

If he had missed the blue and that the pink it would be one snooker

needed to win. He did not want to knock the black

too far. Another good effort. Mark Selby is

good at playing the swerve shot, it should not be a problem.

Could he get tied in behind the pink? Difficult to judge. It is so

delicate. The closer to the pink, the tougher the snooker would be.

Just pleased to get the snooker, he hasn't got tied in. I think he can

avoid the middle pocket and get to the blue off a couple of cushions. I

do not think the middle pocket is in the way.

He has gone around the back of it and it is a silly ball. The odds on

sending out around the back of the blue. -- free ball. You feel it is

worth taking the chance to pot the pink, then he could tie. He cannot

snooker behind the pink. It was worth the risk. But the pink

snow in a better position to get a snooker behind. He only needs one

snooker two tie. Yes, if you can't get the snooker

get the object ball see. He has got to control the cue ball.

That is the view you would be getting if you work in the Crucible

Theatre. I bet you wish you were here.

That's it. Tremendous pot. Now he is just going to be one frame away from

a place in the final. It was an unbelievable session last night but

Ding Junhui has not scored the same in this session. If he is going to

win this match, he is going to how to take the chances, there are not

many. The defending champion Mark Selby just one frame away from a

place in the final. STUDIO: Ding Junhui has won three on the

banks in the opening session, and he won two in a row to get us back to

12-12. He has not got the same momentum as last night. The pattern

of the game has not gone his way. That can be down to luck. If you

miss the ball early on. There was a green in the first frame, if Ding

has pot that is might have been different. He hasn't scored as

heavily, but we have also seen some individual pots which have been

brilliant from Mark Selby and this yellow was stunning. Superb shot.

Mark Selby has dominated today. Ding's highest break has been 52. He

has not been able to plea to his strengths today. To see he is a

broken man would be unfair, but has he been broken in this match? I

don't think so, he has not had his chances, he has not got going. You

never know, if he wins this frame. Mark Selby looks up to his corner, a

bit like tennis players too. His wife is there. His best friend is

there as well. It is interesting to know what he is looking up there

for. With the crowd being probably in favour of Ding Junhui, perhaps it

is looking up there for inspiration. He is not looking up there for

coaching reasons, perhaps for encouragement. Was this something

that U2 did? -- the peer of you did? He seems to be relying on them to

give him that support, that security. Perhaps that is what he

needs because he is just one a way from a place and a fourth Crucible

final. Mark Selby, defending champion.

COMMENTATOR: Mark Selby comes to the table. Frame 30. He will be hoping

it is his last game in this semifinal. His opponent Ding Junhui

will have other ideas. He made two centuries last evening to draw level

at 12-12, will he get a chance to make a sizeable break and start the

comeback? There is no doubt that Ding Junhui

like all these great break-builders can rattle off to author the frames

without his opponent is doing much wrong. He needs it's no more than

ever. We always see the toughest frame to

win us the three that gets you to the winning post, but Mark Selby has

done that so many times at the Crucible, I would not see that being

Get in there. What a shot. This Crucible crowd giving Ding of the

encouragement in the world here. A lot of Mark Selby supporters here

but this Crucible crowd have warmed to this very likeable player.

There is a reds to the bottom of the cluster which is available.

It was a simple little shot but very effective. Look at how many reds he

has brought into play. He is one of the game's great

break-builders. He is at the point in the match he cannot afford to

miss. Very surprised he took that reds on.

It was his choice. You stand or fall by them. He had a read to the

opposite corner that look easier but he thought that was the one to play.

He had a quick look to see if the Blackwood go in the middle pocket,

but is just adrenaline, he has over that. -- if the Blackwood go.

I am not sure if the black passes the single reds into the middle

pocket. He might be able to drop this black

into the middle pocket. He has got that three frame cushion. Just roll

Latin and he is on a reds. Has he got away with it? I don't

think so. I think there is a cut on to the right corner. It is only the

type of pot you would take on if you were looking for one frame and had a

silly frame advantage, Ding could not have afforded to play that stop

Ding needs a balance on this cue ball. It is OK. I think that black

is just about unmissable. The only problem here is the black

doesn't go into the right corner. The Blackwood and go, that is why he

had to go up for the blue. That should have been a lot easier.

If he can avoid a kiss on the second is red, shouldn't be a problem. And

he could, and he played it well. That was a good shot. No he is going

to have to play a good positional shot. There is a red sitting out on

the right-hand side. If he can kiss that full ball he will have the reds

to go out. That can and was so important, he want to catch at fool,

he caught it half ball. Those fractions make all the difference.

He just did not catch it fully enough to hold the cue ball but he

still may be on this red to the left middle. Tricky but not much to do

for a position on the pink. He has got the frame at his mercy

but there is no easy shots. Already 49 the difference. There is

enough available rates to clinch the frame to keep himself in this year's

World Championship. He didn't quite cue that one as he

intended. What has he done here? That is

tension keeping end. Looking for the black and one more

red. I thought it was then. Where is the

cue ball going to travel? Not let anything easy. But another

frame-winning opportunity spurned. He wants to be pretty accurate. A

little bit of pocket covered by the black.

Ding is just looking for one red and any colour. His safety play

throughout this match has been exemplary, as has Mark Selby's. But

we did not expect to see Ding Junhui having a better safety success than

Mark Selby. His back is firmly against the wall but he has battled

back time and time again. He is favourite to win this frame, is Ding

Junhui, but as we all know favourites get beaten.

Has to be very careful with this kind of shot when the ball is tied

to the cushion, head to fool and the ball will go back up table. That is

the The brown might be a slight

hindrance here but there is a red available and the black is right

over the pocket. As long as I can cue at the side of the ground -- the

brown. This Crucible crowd getting excited

here. Sit, assets. Any colour would do and look what he has done. Pure

adrenaline that made him over stun that shot.

Needs to gather his thoughts. Has he got the nerve just to nestle...?

Played it well. Wasn't easy. After the disappointment of not getting

the colour. Not what he wanted. He can cut the

sin. -- cut this in. No. He stunned at. And easier pot if

he had ruled it. The problem that Mark Selby has got,

he can cue nicely just to the side of the pink but if you asked to play

the pot into the left corner he is bound to run into those three reds.

And on the right-hand side of the table he is hampered by the green. I

know he is very good striking down on the ball but this is tricky.

Unless he nestles up behind the yellow, he may have left something

here. Ding Junhui can get through to this red. He has got to get this.

That makes absolutely sure. It is far from over.

Mark Selby nods to the referee. APPLAUSE

He needs a couple more to draw level but he is still in it, 16-14.

STUDIO: He's showing that tenacity he has done all Championship. You

might have thought with that margin it might be too much but he is

hanging on and fighting hard. Mark Selby has a chance. He

completely forgot to cue it. It was a weak effort. That would give me

hope if I was Ding Junhui, even if I was defending champion number one, a

winning line affects everybody and that would give me hope. Are you

sensing the tension from Selby's position, Steve? Even though he has

done the hard work, that final frame is always the difficult one. With

four friends to play with, you feel relatively comfortable but then it

is two frames and three and you are panicking. It is interesting because

it is a reverse Selby he has to do. Mark has been great. We have seen

him in Masters finals and the final against Ronnie a few years back. The

scrappy frames, obviously, he needs to win every type of frame but what

you wouldn't give for a quick frame here. And we have seen doing back

against the wall against Liang Wenbo and last night, he shows he has

nothing to lose and he is very efficient. He has nothing to be

afraid of now, just go for it. Yes, we saw the back-to-back centuries

from Ding Junhui to level things last night. He has still got a lot

to do but some encouragement from the last frame. Ding Junhui is still

in this Championship. He certainly is, Hazel. That is a

decent break off. I don't think Mark can get to the edge of the reds. He

can hit part of the cluster but what has been his game plan during this

match is not to open the reds and plenty Ding Junhui's hands.

But if Ding Junhui could win this frame, then you believe or think

anything could happen. Who will stand up to it best?

The pressure will really start to mount and that is a tremendous

safety is shot. It gives Mark Selby little bit to

think about. There are a couple of reds on the right-hand side that he

cannot get to. He will be wary that he doesn't leave a pot on for his

opponent. It is not a bad nudge on the brown.

It makes the return safety shot more difficult.

They are all a little awkward these three reds to play down off.

There was a gap and he found it nicely. Good shot.

APPLAUSE Mark Selby is looking for one decent

chance to get himself into the final. The third time in four years.

Now then. Well will the red finish? I think he may have got away with

it. And showing his little bit of

frustration there because when a player misses a pot and kisses a

second read, you think surely I will have something. Regroup and play a

good safety. This is the pot, missed it, kissed that red. It is careering

back down the table. It could have stopped there on a good day and been

available to the middle. You cannot push the wrote out here, Ding

Junhui. -- he cannot push the boat out.

It is a good line. APPLAUSE

Not a bad length. Another couple of rolls and it would have been better.

It could have been perfect. That is a good return. Still OK for

Ding Junhui. He can also get down that side of the table.

Is there a gap? Maybe varies. -- maybe varies. Only just.

Asking Ding Junhui another question here, can he play a better safety?

A little bit thinner than was required. That is why it bounced on

and off the baulk cushion. The very, very important tactical

exchange this. Who gets the first chance?

This looks good, this looks very, very good.

APPLAUSE I think Ding can come off the side

cushion near the middle pocket and land on the left near the red.

It just means Mark Selby has the slight advantage in this safety

exchange. He can play of the red just above

the white down the left side of the table. He is looking at an

alternate. What has he spotted? I am just

wondering that myself, Dennis. I think he over thought himself

then. That was not a good shot. Had a look at a couple of reds. This

could be made into a plant if he gets through to them. At the moment

he is going for the left jaw but because there is a gap between the

two reds, it can be made. He has got to hit the first red just right.

He misjudged it completely. But he got a good cue ball.

There was definitely a gap. He hit the first red, the second red went

nowhere near the pocket. He only just missed a cannon on the blue.

That could have meant big trouble. Doing had to play a good shot there.

Needs a quarter ball case of the green to be any good, and it is not.

He has left a pot on. Right has prevented him from

finishing nicely on the blue. Is he going to cannon into the yellow?

Might be brought at cannoning the yellow with a bit of pace. --

By no means ideal on this red. He can pot it but he has got to avoid

the kiss on the other reds. He may decide not to play it. Although

having played that blue as he did, he is determined when he gets an

opportunity to try and make the frame a match-winning one. But how

far do you go? How much risk do you take?

I think he may have to play a safety shot here. He has looked at the

angle to see if he could squeeze the white through the gap. Just a safety

shot for me. Ding could do with getting behind

the or yellow here. Might be pushing a red towards the left corner but it

is all about a good cue ball here. That's pretty good.

APPLAUSE I'm not certain there is a path back

to baulk here. And if there isn't, OK, he may be able to play the

containing safety, but it hands the initiative in this important

tactical exchange to Ding Junhui. A possible path is off that red but if

he goes off two cushions he could cannon into the red on the left.

That is what he is thinking about. But that would be very difficult

indeed. Once again, a minute and 20 seconds

thinking time. He didn't find the gap. That would

have had to be so precise. What a chance for Ding Junhui.

But it was his good safety shot that put Mark Selby in that position and

he is reaping the rewards here. Tried to find a very delicate gap.

Took the pot on as well. I just get the feeling if Ding

Junhui could take the opportunity and win this frame in one visit, it

would certainly send a message out to Mark Selby.

It has all gone a bit edgy. He will be feeling it, and he will be

feeling it more. Where does the black go? There is no

better player in the world than this young man in this position.

Can he do it now? Under the utmost pressure.

And it has to be said, every shot is a pressure shot.

But as we have told you so many times, he is one of the greatest

break-builders in the game. What he would give for a 50 or 60

break here. Cleared the pink spot area. That

makes it even easier. But there is nothing easy at this stage. Trying

to keep yourself and the World Championship.

Maybe just having the time out there to wipe his hand.

Mark Selby looks on. Nothing he can do now. Just hope they won't make

the most of this opportunity. But these three reds are all available

into the left corner. And once this is cleared, the right middle.

This pink to go 46 points in the lead.

I think the red just below the black will pot. He has a nice angle to

play for the one near the pink. Just has to keep tight control of that

cue ball now at this vital time. Read colour red needed.

He looks pretty calm there as he gets closer to the winning line in

this frame and that is nicely played. A great shot. It was a

simple shot but given perfect position.

Every credit to Ding Junhui. CHEERING

Those friends of his on the balcony will be commenting on those. This

performance from Ding Junhui will be an inspiration for a new generation

of players. It is not in. A little scratch of the head. He

knows he should have made certain of that red and kept Mark Selby in his

seat. This is not too bad a chance when

you need snookers, if you can leave one of those reds just below the

black, that would be snickering. But still, got it all to do.

That was half a chance. Everybody is getting not only on the edge of

their seats, they are standing up. They are rooting for this young man

and he is not letting them down. He is now one frame behind. It is 16-15

to the reigning champion. And we are staying right here. There

is no way this match is going to be halted. They will be playing it to a

conclusion this evening. What a fight back. Not the biggest break he

would have wanted there. A bit of aggro at the end but what a response

from Ding Junhui. He has shown tremendous grit and determination

throughout the Championship. A great performance against Liang Wenbo and

now this match. A little bit of frailty in Mark Selby. As we have

said, he is constantly looking up for a bit of security and

inspiration, but there is only him who can do it. Steve, assess the

psychological. We have been here before. We are well versed in the

game not to make too many predictions. Body language can be a

good indicator. Mark Selby looking up to his corner a couple of times.

In another play that might signify he is worried. I do not know if that

is necessarily the case because he does it quite a bit. Ding Junhui has

kept relatively calm. We had a moment of frustration or

exasperation. He has kept his mind on the job which is the nice thing.

When he gets to this stage, from experience, all you have to do is

basically forget everything around you and that everyone else is

getting excited, and it is one ball at a time. How to remain positive?

You have practised it so many times in matches that you're used to the

situation. Therefore, you know what to do. You know you do not get ahead

of yourself and also, you do not look at what has gone behind. There

we go, little bit of chat with Vicky, his wife and his corner men

and women up there. He looks fairly relaxed but he is facing frame 32 of

a possible 33. He was three frames up. Being has hit back to take frame

30 and 31. Could we be in for a decider? Let's find out. Can we

settle down, please. Could we have a deciding frame? That

is what everyone is thinking. Everyone with the exception of Mark

Selby. The break-off shot did not bring

many reds out of the pack. Interesting that Mark did not want

to get the snooker behind one of the baulk colours. He wants Ding Junhui

to hit a red and possibly make a mistake. And to be fair, he has not

made many with the safety and this is another absolute cracker.

He has gone up in my estimation, he is the real deal now, win or lose

this match. His safety in this match has been

exemplary. A touching ball, I would have

thought. It is not. So, come off the side cushion and

nestle into the side of the reds and he will be hoping he does not leave

a touching ball, which he hasn't but he has left a path back to the baulk

end for Mark. The only other time Ding Junhui got to the semifinal was

2011 and he lost a close match to Judd Trump who was playing

unbelievable snooker that year. He has had to wait since then. He

got to the final last year and narrowly lost, but he is still in

this semifinal. Early cat and mouse here. Still,

there are not many reds which have moved there.

The black is an an awkward spot to come down the left side of the table

now. Ding Junhui could get down the right side and over the yellow. He

has played it well. He has played it very well.

APPLAUSE Well, as he left a red to the far

right corner? If not to the corner, John, to the

middle and he can screw back to the black. Guess, a possibility if he

fancies it. You wouldn't think he'd leave anything, should be red not go

in. He looks to be the coolest man in

the Crucible to take that on and pull that off. Terrific.

There are a couple of loose threads there. -- vents.

I think he is just OK. He might have to bend this slightly. Yes, he will

have to play this with side. It is very risky.

Back looking at the one to the left centre.

No, no. I think Mark can get himself onto the black here.

Just taking his time here. But looks to be natural to pot the red and get

onto the black. Can he hold it for the blue? Couldn't hold it for the

blue. And that is nicely played. APPLAUSE

not sure which red he'll go for. There is a loose one. He hasn't

really got on an angle to go into them, but he tried to find an angle.

Not done it just yet. Desperately looking for a plant.

Just a little bit unlucky there. No plans available. Click the last shot

well. Once he hit the red he would have thought he would have been on

something. We will show you again. Lots of top spin. Just somehow

managed to squeeze through that gap. He is looking at the potting angle.

Looking at the side cushion. He probably thinks he can play it. And

with enough pace. If he gets close, it could go to the other side of the

table. It could be on the blue. Good pot. Where is the cue going? OK.

There you go. When he gets the opportunity, like he has shown in

the other frames, he will go all out to try and win all frame all match.

Heck of a pot. Well, he has left the two rates. That is where he would

like to be. But he would also like to be able to go into the other ones

and bring a lot more into play. -- the two reds. If he doesn't play for

the reds that is the alternate. He has gone for the bunch. How is his

luck? Not the best. Just got a little bit too much on

it, John. Yes, it was a big target. He will be disappointed that he

didn't get into the meat of them. He will have to play safe. I know he

wants to win frame and match at this visit. But it is too risky now.

He has left the safety of little short this time. He is usually on

the cushion. Can Ding produce a better safety? If he misses the

green it is good. But he hasn't. He's left a long, straight pot for

Selby. But there is a lot of pressure on this. A few frames ago

he knocked in an unbelievable yellow to get onto the green, but these are

slightly different circumstances. Just needs the one frame to get

through to the final. Big shot. Look at where he put the cue ball. That

tells you that he didn't go full blooded for it. He had a little

safety in mind, as well. The gentleman sitting in the studio,

Stephen Hendrie, would have taken that on, played for the blue. But

Mark erred on the side of safety there. -- Stephen Hendry.

The problem for Ding is the red on the cushion. Does it a plant? Does

it flick off the other red? Even so, you still has to avoid the kiss on

the bed on the far side cushion. -- kiss on the red. He thinks he has a

chance. He would only know if you were on the shot. He fancies it. But

he needs to get that red back to the cue ball end at all

costs -- get about red and get the cue ball back to the other rendered

at all costs. How did he miss about? You know, John, there are little

things happening out there. Fate can sometimes play a big part in sport.

But there are certain things going on right now. Another look. How did

he get round the back of the red? When he saw the cue ball go round

the back of the red that was his reaction. He is eyeing up a pot

here. The red in the middle of the table. Has he changed his mind?

Maybe. No, he decided it was too risky. Of course, with the yellow

and green not being on the sports now. Unless you get the line of the

yellow and green you won't put your opponent into much trouble. -- on

the spot pour now. But, of course, both players frightened to make a

mistake. Because that one mistake could cost you the frame. In Ding's

case, the match. Terrific for the safety shot there.

I think he can avoid the double kiss.

Who is going to make the first mistake in this tactical battle

here? The atmosphere in the Crucible is

electric. The crowd are loving every single second of this match. John

and me did a session last night, which was one of the best sessions

we've ever commentated on. And the tension now in the Crucible Theatre

is electric. Mark Selby is a very popular player. But this crowd,

they've really got behind this young player from China. A real, natural

talent. He will do well not to leave a pot

on here. And he has. Nothing is easy at this stage. But it's a chance.

That cue ball... Oh! Just a little bit of stardom -- just a little bit

of stun on it, which is why did not go in the middle. Making things just

slightly awkward. Just dropping the blue in. We'll can in the red.

Should give him position. -- he will cannon the red. Makes the blue more

difficult. Where is the blue running to? Doesn't matter. He has other

reds to go out. Under the circumstances, John, I could never

have played it. Digging down together. On the unwanted side, I am

sure. Had he rolled the blue, I am sure he would have had a go on the

red, as you said. And what a chance he has left the defending champion

here. That little smile. Yes, there was an easy red to the right middle.

That is why I was wondering whether blue was running to. But there is

this line of reds available into the corner. This is the chance the

defending champion Mark Selby was looking for. Could have played

better, that first, as additional shot. Expected to miss the pink. But

he wanted to be straight on it than this. -- straighter on it like this.

Not quite in prime position yet. Another delicate safety. There will

be no safety, delicate, positional shot.

Gradually that pink spot area is getting cleared.

If he can get to that 68 points he will be in the final.

He has that blue that he missed in the middle on his last shot in this

year's World Championship. He will sit there. He will be

looking at the negative side of it wondering, well, that is end of

match, but, Selby hasn't got the cue ball under complete control. He

isn't perfect on this red. If he was, he could have stunned it, gone

for the blue in the same pocket. But he couldn't do that because of the

potting angle. This blue has had to travel up and down the table. It

could go wrong. Particularly when he is under pressure like Ding was.

Take nothing for granted. He has struck that beautifully. That

is a terrific positional shot. Has he got a slight angle? Can you get

onto the black? It's perfect. He is just steadying himself. He isn't

rushing into it. He knows this is the visit to the table that can get

him to the final. It seems straightforward to just stun it in

and get on the black. Now, the problem here that he has, the reds

and pink have blocked the corner and he's trying to get onto the black.

So he will just have to play for the one to the left of the cue ball. It

is coming round to play on the pink. And that is just about perfect.

Three reds. Three colours. It should be enough. Well, he has waited 12

and half hours for this moment. Can he go on and clinch this semifinal

match, which has been absolutely enthralling. I have enjoyed every

single shot played. Not rushing anything here. He knows

what to do -- he knows what he has got to do. He is just taking his

time. Just straight enough to think about

it. He wants to play and the black. And he has got to be accurate. Now

put the black, play the cannon on the red which is just the right of

the pink. Then he would be on the middle of the table. If this shot

goes right then he will be in the final. He is in the final. 52 in

front. He only needs the red. Surely he will get this red and colour. And

Ding's race has been run. But what a race it has been. He has played so

well. And that is what he has been looking

for. He has been the world number one for

over two years. You do not normally see that sort of reaction from Mark

Selby. But he knew he had a tough match against Ding. Didn't quite

expect him to react a couple of times. But that is what it means to

this player. He'll just give the red is a good

bash. It has been a fabulous semifinal. Ding has been brilliant.

But the defending champion, in the end, Mark Selby, was just that

little bit too good. He runs out a winner. He gets into his third final

in four years. 17-15. Well played to both players. Mark Selby into a

fourth Crucible final and a chance to become only the fourth man in

history to win back-to-back titles. What a battle, what a match, three

up with four to play. And for all the world it looked like we were

going into a decider. One of the greatest Crucible contests we've

seen. Certainly was. He is a marvellous, competitive animal. You

can see from the ending how much determination he has in his body.

This is a game of control. You cannot let emotions run wild during

it. It all came out at the end. And the British don't like that. They

don't like that show. Interestingly, it is not our way, but he has got

what it takes. In America they would love that type of action. They are

loving it, we are loving it, well played, Mark Selby. My goodness.

Congratulations. Playing the life at the end there. I think it was the

last red, I stunned it. I knew if I didn't win the frame at that visit

it would have got away from me. You had a few dodgy positional shots to

start with. Did not quite get on the balls. You knew that was happening.

You just took an extra beat. Every shot felt like a pint of blood. Only

practice you would normally clear them up. But the pressure is

immense. And the blue that decided to jack up, instead of going into a

red and losing position, perhaps that was your only hope that that

stage. I think so. The shot he played... Well, under the

circumstances you just want to make sure you pot the ball and don't miss

anything simple, you know? I cannot criticise the way he plays. He is

one of the best breakers in the world. You have played him so much

recently. When you think back to the victory in China, defeating 10-1. He

did not put up much of a fight. How much tenacity and fight did he show

this time, and how much of a surprise was that to you? He's a

great player. When he is in front he is one of the best front runners.

Sometimes when he goes behind, over the last few years he let his head

go. But that is credited Terry Griffiths. What he has done with

him. He has proven that. Time and time again I kept going up a couple

of friends but he kept coming back. It is strange, in the studio, two

minutes ago you were showing fire, determination, each time you banged

the table. Then you come in here, you are a different animal. It is

more released than anything else. It has been absolutely fantastic. Had

he beat me 17-16, I potted the red with the rest, I did not feel I had

many clear-cut chances, the way he was playing I would have held up my

hands. Just to let you know, that wasn't the final. It just felt like

it. It did feel like it. You have some time to wait. And your opponent

is possibly going to have a nice evening. Not putting words into

anybody's mouth. You could both be refreshed for what could be a

monster. I am looking forward to it. I watched the session earlier.

Neither of them playing fantastic. The next one will be a different

game, different day, but I was just concentrating on my own game. I had

my own tough game with Ding. Higgins just needed one more frame for the

repeat of a final ten years ago when you were just a young lad. Relief to

come through the top half. Everybody's been talking about how

tough it was going to be. It was more or less bloodbath. All of the

top seeds have been playing well this season. Apart from Judd, who

was in the bottom half, surprised to see him go out early doors.

Everybody has been on form. Marco Fu. You never know what is going to

come from Ronnie. And Ding, tough selection. I saw a tweet, donor who

it was from, but they were impressed with all of the energy from all of

the finalists. -- I don't know who it was from. It doesn't seem like

you feel drained. To me. Thinking of my own performances, how you feel

afterwards. I feel more refreshed compared with last year and

previous. That goes down to the matches I had before. I won them

convincingly. I didn't really get down to the last frame. It didn't

take much out of me because I played well in those games. That has

helped. Now you have a chance to become only the fourth guide to win

back-to-back at the Crucible. You are a student of the game. -- only

the fourth by to win back-to-back at the Crucible. I'm not looking at

that. Just looking forward to the final. Whatever happens will happen

but I will be trying my best as always. Great stuff. Another two

tough days coming up. Congratulations. You are in the

final. Thanks very much. We will be back in about half an hour. Higgins

and Hawkins are waiting until we can get this arena ready for their

deciding session. Higgins just needs one more frame to book his place in

what would be a sixth Crucible final as he is looking for a fiveth final.

Goodbye for now. -- this -- he is looking for a fifth final.

Back in 30 minutes. You are not a fun person

to share a trishaw with.