Day 16, Final, Afternoon Session Snooker: World Championship

Good afternoon. Youth trumped experience in last night's

prizefight at Wembley but will it do so again in the Crucible Theatre?

Because we have got ourselves another heavyweight contest. Mark

Selby, the world number one at the peak of his powers is the man who

owns the title. John Higgins, one of the greats of the game, at 41 years

of age still capable of landing a punch and a fifth world title. The

Crucible Theatre is filling up beautifully ahead of this year's

Betfred World Championship final. And the world number one defending

champion Mark Selby is into the second round. And he wins quite

comfortably in the end, Mark Selby is now through to the quarterfinal.

It's nearly embarrassment level. What tremendous, almost flawless

snooker from the current world champion and he's going to be so

hard to beat. It's been a fabulous semifinal. Mark Selby gets into his

third final in four years. To get there again having come here as

defending champion, it would be nice to go out there and win it again but

if I didn't I have had a good run as defending champion but I will have

to scrape myself off the table for the next two days for me to not win

that title. Every credit to Martin, he did really well there but John

Higgins is now safely through to the second round. 94% potting success,

what a performance from John Higgins, he's back to his best in my

opinion! John Higgins is through to his

eighth World Championship semifinal. John Higgins wins comfortably by

17-8. What a final we have got to look forward to! It means everything

really, it is the World Championship, the biggest tournament

in the world, and having a chance to compete in the final again and try

to add another one to make it five, it would be my best ever achievement

in snooker. Steve, put yourself in Mark Selby's

shoes, what have you made of his progress in the championship? I

think he will be pleased with it, confidence and energy levels will be

high. Two easy first rounds and a second round, against Marco Fu in

the quarterfinals, he got into bed with one session to spare, tested

strongly against Ding Junhui but came through with flying colours,

but from John Higgins' perspective, how do you think you will be

feeling? He had a tough draw, Martin Gould, since then the matches have

gone to plan, he came through relatively easy against Barry

Hawkins and let's be honest, you don't win four of these things

unless you know your way around one of these. Whoever picks up this

trophy will have deserved it. This Crucible final between Selby

and Higgins is take two, ten years on because they squared up in 2007

when an up and coming Mark Selby had yet to win any titles in the sport

and now owns seven majors. Higgins was the man back then, but this time

in the 16th big match between them, the veteran comes in as underdog.

Here we are, backstage, next to the champions board. Who will be on

there 2017? Will it be John Higgins, four times champion, Mark Selby,

defending champion? This is when the nerves, excitement and anticipation

kick in. They both look very relaxed. Just a little smile. They

can't wait to get out, we can't wait to see what happens. The first few

frames very important, set down the marker.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. After 15 epic days of

action, this is the big one, welcome to the final of the 2017 Betfred

World Snooker Championship. Two of the all-time greats waiting

backstage so let's get the boys on Please welcome a player already

regarded as one of the greats. He won his first world title in 1998

and here he is, almost two decades later still going strong, still at

the top, still hungry for more, a man of immense courage and

determination, such a proud day for him and his family, the Wizard of

Wishaw, John Higgins! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And his opponent, a player who from humble beginnings has journeyed to

the very top of his sport and done so with humour, humility and style.

Ten years on from his first Crucible final, back as defending champion

and world number one. A mild-mannered man with the heart of

a lion. Ladies and gentlemen, he's a credit to the sport and his family,

he is the from Leicester, he is Mark Selby! -- the Jester from Leicester.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE So sit back and immerse yourself in

what is a full two de drama at the Crucible.

Four sessions between now and tomorrow evening, John Higgins

attempting to join Ronnie O'Sullivan as a five-time world champion. Mark

Selby hoping to join three legends who have won this back to three

occasions. John Parrott alongside John Virgo,

good afternoon. COMMENTATOR: Yes, there is nothing

like the final of the World Championship at the Crucible,

Sheffield. And as you say, it will be played over four sessions, the

first to a team to lift that magnificent trophy. But we well

know, Stephen, that this first session is always very important.

Just to get a foothold or stay in the match or those psychological

things you think about. STEPHEN HENDRY: Very much so, I agree

totally. The last thing John wants to be doing is chasing this final

the whole way for two days. I think John Higgins can... It is a world

final, he's not going to relax, but I think he can enjoy it. He's

definitely the underdog, he has nothing to lose in my opinion. He

can relax and play the snooker we know he is capable of. That's a good

start. He came through his semifinal very

comfortably. Without making a century break I think, in that whole

semifinal, John. He is OK, maybe overscrewed that

slightly. You wouldn't be human if you weren't feeling a little bit of

nerves. In these opening exchanges. That one not right in the heart of

the pocket, but safely in. A couple of roads above the black

available. That's why he didn't have to go into the reds to play any

cannons. He's played that nicely. And it's been a bit of a resurgence

of John Higgins this season. In three ranking events early on in

the season, to show he was no back number. He just went off the boil a

bit but has produced some great snooker in this championship. His

performance against Mark Allen, if he produces that, he has a chance

here. He has more of a -- more than a chance if he reproduces that. If

you watch after every pot, his tongue comes out slightly and that

to me is a sign of when he is in the zone, focused.

Just got to be precise, going for the red in the same pocket as the

black. Judged it nicely. Yes, you will see that almost every shot.

That didn't sound too good, that did not sound good. No, that was a bad

contact. Contact that took all of the pace out of the cue ball.

Thankfully the red went in, but this black is tricky.

A shake of the head. Has he got on this red? He can't hit through to

the red. That was a good pot, played with a trace of side. That cue ball

with a bit more pace may have released, but as you can see he just

cannot get to the potting angle. Yes, I think he wanted to have a

slight flick on the red that he is snookered by. Didn't quite get the

side on the cue ball that he wanted or get the reaction he was open for

off the cushion. -- that he was hoping for.

This is careless. You don't make a 34 break and then play a careless

shot like that. You would be disappointed. Can't be leaving a pot

on. He's got quite an acute angle on

this blue, if he wants to go into the pink, really nipped the cue

ball. He thought about it. This needs good striking. And he

did. Yes, good shot. Doesn't have to do

much with this red, just roll it in, even though he's closer to the

cushion than he would like. Yes, right in the heart of the pocket.

And John Higgins will be sitting in his seat now, thinking, "What was I

doing with that safety shot?" All he had to do was make sure he didn't

leave the pot on. He couldn't leave anything. He just needed the cue

ball to run this side of the black. How costly will that careless shot

be? I used to find playing in the world

finals four session much over two days, the final session seems so far

away when you start in the afternoon of Sunday.

That was a nice little kiss, the last case he got just took the cue

ball up towards the blue. Otherwise he was going to be on nothing there.

Yes, he's got a bit of work to do here, to get the cue ball at the

baulk end. He has got a good line. But as hard as he hit it, I think

the cue ball would have run down the table a bit further. This is no

gimme. The cushions have apparently been

recovered for today and tomorrow's final so perhaps didn't get that

speed of the blue out of the baulk that he will maybe get in a few

games' time. He got a good red to rescue the situation and this is an

excellent positional shot. He will be disappointed not to win the frame

from here. Yes, when you look at the table, you can't see a difficult

ball, apart from the pink but he doesn't need the pink to win this

frame. Without worrying about that. It just shows you though, Stephen,

you just cannot drop your guard for a second. John Higgins was playing

nothing safety shot, left the red, looks like it cost him the frame.

Yes, and that's why this tournament is such a test of stamina and

concentration. One lacks shot, you think oh well, I will get away with

that, but you don't at this level. And probably the last player you

expect to do that is John Higgins. That takes Mark five points into the

lead with the four reds left on the table. And the black, you would

assume. That would be enough to get to the snooker is required stage.

Here are seven of the 24 points needed. He will be playing the red

on the left-hand side of the table here. Could have played better.

Could have played it better. I thought it would have screwed off

the side cushion. That's exactly what I was thinking. If you use the

cushion you have a much better chance of leaving yourself a decent

shot. Blind pocket. But right in the heart of it. He's going to have to

pot this black and come in the left-hand red. And he got it right.

-- cannon the left-hand red. Perfectly played.

It has to be said, both players looking sharp. John Higgins was in,

but for a better kiss when he hit the roads, this could have been his.

A careless positional shot. Mark Selby has looked very sharp also.

Hopefully, a sign of things to come. Let's be fair to John as well, it

was a bad contact that left him a quarter ball like. If he'd had a

normal contact he would have been better on the black.

That was an important black because these two players are probably the

best in the game against snooker is so it's very important to make sure

you kill the game off when you get to the end of it. Don't let your

opponent back to the table, if there's even three snookers, John,

they might fancy it. They certainly know their way around a snooker

table. And looking at the time of this frame, it's been quickfire

potting and break-building, but we will have some very tactical games,

I think that's bound to happen. Well, missed the brown but I don't

think John Higgins will come back to the table. It was just a loose

safety shot really, he was unlucky not to get on a red, but he did not

give Mark Selby anything. With that break of 76, he takes the first

frame. Yes, it is worth telling you that

that was the 202nd frame they have played in professional snooker, and

the margin of difference is two frames. Selby actually leads John

Higgins! What a start, brisk business, and tough school, one

mistake on safety and that's it. Yes, not like John as well. We have

a shot later that we will show, this is all about Mark Selby. It is a

horrible shot into a blind pocket that he drops and keeps the break

going. Trust me, they are horrible and I don't think there is anybody

in the game that's better at awkward shots. I used to think Mark Williams

was good at that stuff. I think we saw a famous black missed like that

at one time. There's nobody like him. Steve, what will be the

difference for John Higgins here? Because he said after his semifinal,

his levels are going to have to come up. Already there is a spring in his

step. Yes, there's a thought, it may not play a part in it. There's four

sessions of play coming got to get out of the starting blocks in each

session as quickly as you can and that's one of the keys to being a

successful winner of this tournament. John Higgins got out of

the blocks quickly but when the question was asked Mark Selby he got

straight back into his stride. The one ahead.

JOHN VIRGO: Frame two under way, and that's not the best safety from

Mark. He doesn't have to do anything, no side, he can go round

the back of the black so good cueing, centre ball striking needed.

And got. So, as in the first frame, John Higgins gets first chance. Yes,

two out of two. A little bit ironic really, mistakes on safety shots

macro from two of the best players in safety today. That was a nicely

played shot as well. Couldn't really have picked the cue ball up in his

hand on put it any better. I like to see 90% on safety, but we are in the

final so something has been working. I like to see about 30%, John!

Using the bunch here. Don't miss the black. At this level, if you miss a

black on the spot while you are in, you are asking for trouble. Yes, I

agree, John. He's going to struggle to win this final if he misses many

of them. Got to keep unforced errors at premium.

He has got the red to the right corner, but hampered. But he thinks

he can cut this one back to the left corner.

The cue ball could be going near the right middle here. He has overcooked

it. -- overcut it. For once, missing the black off the spot has not been

too costly. Playing the road the middle, which

gives him more control for position. Played it well.

Don't think there is any value. He could pot the green and try to bring

the black into play, but no value in that, Stephen? A bit early to be

thinking of that. Just concentrate on the loose roads. I don't know, it

is a pretty good call. Yes, it's just one of those things that if you

caught the black the wrong side and couldn't get through to the red over

the corner, you would have been thinking, why didn't I do that?

Maybe concentrate on building up a useful lead and think that way at

the moment. Yes, I think if you are four or five frames into this

session, you would definitely have played that shot. He has been

unlucky there. He has got this blew straight to the green pocket, he has

been very lucky. That was a nice kiss on the blue. As

Stephen said, anything but straight that would have been very awkward.

But the one of the ball can change so quickly in this game, when you

get it, take advantage. Especially in a four session match.

The run of the ball can change so many times.

It looks like he's going to leave himself further away from this red

than he would like. I think the pink is available to left middle. Nothing

to do with the cue ball, just stun this red in.

Stroke that beautifully. It is so easy on that type of shot to

decelerate and just not get through it, but he held the cue ball

perfectly. Now, does the pink go on its old

sport? You wouldn't mind it going on the black spot. That's handy. That's

very handy. This could be the shot now That wins

him a frame. The pace should open everything up

here. To the right middle, it's

unmissable. He will not want to nudge the other red. He'll want to

pot it clean and he did. Looking for another 24 points to get

to the snookers required stage. That was a heavy contact. It didn't run

through as he would have liked. Wanted to be straight on his red

immediately left of the pink. Now, as we watch it, he doesn't want to

Whether he thought he could get a kiss on the black or something, I

don't know. I know he'll play the snooker now.

You don't want to break up your rhythm, do you? You don't want to

stop all the time to get the cue ball cleaned. He's got a 42-point

advantage. He's thinking, can I pot a colour safe and stale get the

snooker? Personally, I would be rolling up to the green.

Mark Selby having a look. He's interested.

Unless it flicks off the next red, it's hard to tell from behind the

pocket. You'd only know if you looked down. It's not a direct

plant, but it is a return to bog. I don't know whether it flicks off the

third red. We'll see. Only just trying to find the path

back to the ball. That red immediately to the left of the pink,

I think it's available. That's the one John played for before, until he

got the heavy contact on the blue. Stephen said they recovered the

cushions. Seem to be coming off them a little bit slower than they had

been doing. I think as a player, you prefer that

from the other extreme, bouncing off the cushions.

Pretty much uncontrollable when that happens.

Just a bit thick. That was half a chance.

There is a red, so not completely snookered.

A bit thick again, took the pace out of the cue ball.

I suppose you could say not left anything that easy. But a look of

bemusement on John's face. I bet the fans of the safety game

will be fascinated to find out who gets the better of the exchanges

over the next two days. The thing is and that was a nice

kiss, but no matter how good the safety is, it will come down

eventually to who will knock the long reds in.

So John Higgins has made that adjustment to get the pace of the

table. Given Mark here something to think

about. As I say, John Higgins having a

42-point lead. One more chance and the frame will be his.

If you play that across double, a fraction too thick, you can get into

another red and keep the cue ball at this end.

Over one minute's thinking time. If he could, he may play off the side

cushion to try and nestle on the red. I think the brown may be

stopping that escape route. If he plays the red on the left-hand

side of the table, he's got to catch it mighty thin.

This is a big shout - a two cushion escape with pace. I know he's very

good at this t this will be good. He's caught it thick. Where's the

red going? Would you believe it! Looked to his

opponent, raised a hand. Not a glimmer from John Higgins.

This is horrendous if you were John Higgins sitting in the chair. He's

in. He's going to win the frame now and the red goes in the mid-. And

yes... John's been around long enough to know that things... If the

red doesn't go in the pocket, look where the cue ball was, it was a

simple finish of the frame. OK, only cost one point, but it's kept him in

the frame. Once again, struggling with the pace

of the table, want it to be on the baulk cushion, no not the baulk

line. Well, couldn't have been much closer

with the pot and no luck this time for Mark Selby. I have to say it is

a bit unfortunate for that red to come back, the cue ball.

Just got to control it. Got to miss the kiss on the red and

the red below the pink, for position. Shouldn't be a problem.

Seems to be playing slower off the cushions at the moment.

The last long ball attempt that John played, you could tell when the cue

ball came off the top cushion, the way it reacted.

If you watch the cue ball here... Couldn't quite see it from that

angle. Not perfect on this pink. That's why

he's missed it. And it all came about when he potted the blue and he

didn't get right on the red. OK, he potted in the middle.

He's gone away from the red he needed to clinch the frame. He

shouldn't have missed the pink, in all honesty. Needs to win this frame

for me now, John Higgins, because he's had a few chances at it. And

he's maybe getting a wee bit edgy. I couldn't agree with you more and

that red over the corner now covered.

John Higgins has a problem. Played that nicely. Needs to run a

touch. The red to the left of the pink as

we look, he can get to the potting angle. Can he? There's a gap.

There's always a gap! He can pot this.

Unbelievable! It's amazing. Is he on the colour? Is he on the

brown? At the moment, he's 47 points behind and he's only 43 remaining.

He was hoping to be on the black. If he pots the brown, he can only tie

now. He could pot the brown but he's 43

points behind, 43 remaining and he's sneaked past the pink and he's not

on the red. And whatever red he plays, if he doesn't get a black

with it, he'll need a snooker. Not out of the woods yet.

This is tough. I don't think as a player you can just roll in. I think

there's a danger of the left corner pocket, so he'll have to stun it a

little bit and that makes the pot a little bit more difficult. Right

below centre, just to widen the angle.

Yes. He was tough. I am sure he would like to look at John Higgins

now and say, you can have this frame. But it's not to do that.

He'll be a very relieved John Higgins now to have finally got this

frame in the bag. Once again, you see, just not got

the pace of this table yet. On the line and on the scoreboard, I

wonder how much relief there'll be from John Higgins. A few edgy

moments there. As he got off to a decent start in the first frame.

Looked like he was cueing well. It is not nice to feel you are cueing

well and the frame starts to slip away. Sort of reset now and you've

got your game going. You've got your arm going. This is the fifth time

they have met at the Crucible. Interesting matches in the past. It

is John who has the better record here. He's 3-1 ahead at the

Crucible. He played in a best of 17 as well. So, as it's going a long,

John's held the upper hand, which may surprise a few people. Mark

Selby only beat him once at the Crucible, way back in the first

round. Other than that John Higgins has been doing very well. He's won

three titles this season. Mark's won four. I was looking at the odds the

bookmakers were offering, you could get lengthy odds on John here, just

over 2-1, which surpriseded me? There was a big boxing fight last

night between the old man and the young man. I think probably the

youth was the only reason that person got over the line in the end.

I think youth may play its part in this game as well. I think they are

chatting about the cushions or something here. I think because we

noticed straightaway on the commentary it doesn't seem to be

bouncing off the cushions very quickly. It is a new cloth. It was

done last night. Sometimes it takes a while to bed in. I think that is

what the discussion was about. Plenty to talk about between the

players and us. We are into frame three.

THE COMMENTATOR: Sorry, I can not help you with what they were

chatting about. Any clues, Stephen?

I don't know. Normally it would be, I wouldn't say there was much point

talking about the cushions - it's not as if they can do anything about

it. Sometimes the players can think a white is a little bit light and

maybe change the cue ball. The cushions - there's no point chatting

about it as you cannot exactly change the cushions.

A little pacey on that one. He hit the red, as he wanted to. Maybe a

normal adjustment, trying to find that baulk cushion.

You heard John Higgins there saying, "Shot." That was an excellent safety

shot there from Mark Selby. Can hit the red down the left-hand

side of the table. Nestling into this cluster, got to be careful. You

can slide past them. Doesn't want to slide past them!

He has. And I was going to say, he's weary

about how the cushions are reacting, that wasn't as easy a shot as it

might have been. Mark playing the more difficult red.

The position, may have to use the bunch now to kill the pace of the

cue ball. Keep it on a red, left corner. Don't forget to pot the

black. As we said, normally very costly. In

fact when John Higgins missed the black off the spot in the last

frame, it didn't cost him in the end, but it may cost Mark dear here.

Well, he will be going back to his seat now, John Higgins, absolutely

kicking himself. He let Mark Selby off there.

Mark Selby got out of his seat, he sort of examined the cushions and

pulled a face of disapproval. Obviously players are not happy with

the way this table's playing. Got to get over that and just get on

with it. The old saying, it's the same for

both players. It is at this level. It's not if

you're playing someone you should be.

This is what Stephen's referring to. You see, sometimes when they recover

the cushions, they can just pull them a little bit too tight and then

the point of the rubber, where the cue ball bounces off, could just be

a little bit trapping the ball slightly.

Normally the table-fitters do such a good job. This table seems to be

playing superbly. The session that Mark Selby had against Ding Junhui,

nothing wrong with the table then. They have put new cloth covers on.

I am sure, at the interval they'll have a word with the tournament

director. Anyway n the mean time, excellent

chance this now for Mark Selby. John Higgins couldn't blame the

cushions for the red he missed middle. It had nothing to do with

the cue ball. Just pot the red. OK, it's more of an acute angle than

it looks sometimes. You wouldn't have expected him to have missed

that. A cannon into this cluster of five, if it goes right, frame over.

Well, he must have found a red in the middle of that five that goes.

Does it go? Must do. Yes.

So, let's have a look now. He'll still have to open these four reds

to open the frame at this visit. Looking for another 18 points.

He's going to need another red and a high value colour. Blue will put him

63 points in front, with 75 remaining.

It was a half chance of a counter attack. It was not easy that red.

Especially playing two cushions for the black. Sometimes those are the

ones in world finals you have to take.

That was a type of frame. It may still be because I don't think he's

left Mark Selby anything easy. 75 remaining. Still needs a red and

a colour. But it is frames like that crow can look back on in -- you can

look back on in matches and say, remember that third frame, it turned

the match? John Higgins missed a red in the

middle. A bit of nerves out there. I think it is plain to see.

Understandable. The double... It's not there. The

problem is if the double doesn't go in, you are not certain where the

red will go, depending on which jaw of the middle pocket it hits. It was

close. Just not there. Will John be tempted

to play this red along the cushion? It's a lot more difficult than the

one he missed before. A big shot. Could be a big frame if

he knocks it in. Too thick. Just wanted to glance off

the red to lead it to the left corner. Safety shot now, I think,

unless this red fancies going to the left-middle. But I think it is too

risky. Just got to make sure... He's coming around now, covers that brown

or yellow. Probably brown. He's very much back in this frame, John

Higgins. Got to cover the red near the middle

and I'm not certain he has. No. He's left a gap.

Not saying it's the easiest pot. He shouldn't have left him this. I was

going to say that, John. This is a horrible shot. He's not really play

it with a lot of pace. Bound to leave it.

Took the stress out of the short. Bidwell, his shot maker, Mark Selby,

no doubt about that. So, a nervy frame, but Mark Selby is

going to take it. Just this red required.

There you see it, 67 ahead, 51 remaining, but not for long. The red

just right of the pink is on. Yes, the second famous 22 minutes,

but this one just over 13 minutes is going to be finished any time now so

I'm sure in this match we will have some 40 minuters, maybe even 50,

because they are such great tactical players, but at the moment it is

pretty open. Of course it depends if the black and pink stay in the open.

Nice shot, got the cannon. The frame is over, so getting down quickly.

It's not far away. It has just pulled to the cushion.

The World Championship last for 17 days, and at the end of it you just

want a show really, you want a good final. And it has all the makings of

being a good final. Mark Selby world number one, defending champion, and

John Higgins, one of the toughest competitors in the game. So let's

hope both players find their best form and we will be in for a real

treat. A bit of an exhibition shot there

from Mark. He's not bothered about the pink now.

Indigo is the black, so Mark Selby made a few mistakes, John Higgins

was unable to punish him, and the defending champion goes ahead 2-1.

Interesting opening exchanges from both players. You saw the players

talking at the beginning of the frame and they were talking about

the cushions. This table has a new cloth on it, and what happens is

sometimes the cue ball traps so it's a little bit slower. Remarks are --

we saw Mark Selby low on a black and both players are little bit

unnerving. But don't forget there were 57 frames over the two matches

in the semifinals. This is a new cloth and it will take a few frames

to bed in. Some of the safety shots have been short of the baulk line.

They are not as square off the cushions as in the semifinals. It

will take a few frames to bed in but I'm sure the players will get used

to it quickly. That was well explained by Ken.

After the referee set up the balls in the last frame they were having

an in-depth conversation about something. But there's not a lot he

can do about it, unless he's got a screwdriver with him. The cushions

are ready-made, ready to be clipped on, so I suppose they could do it

after the afternoon session. Cut that break of shot much too

thick. But not left anything that would tempt John Higgins you

wouldn't have thought, unless he can get past the yellow to the red on

the right-hand side of the table, but I don't think you can. No, he

cannot play the pot on this red, he would be bound to be running into

another red, so just a safety. Need to miss brown. And that's one

of the best safety shots we have seen so far. Good line, good length.

Something that he didn't do a lot with with Dean -- Ding Junhui. A

possible plot, but risky. Now, can he cue past the red to make

the black unmissable? I think he can. Good part. An aggressive safety

from Mark Selby just left half a chance, in it went, and then for all

money it looks like the cue ball was going to finish up in the middle.

Couldn't have been any closer. But as I say, I think he can just cue

past this red. It is awkward if he can't. One good thing, he can just

fully concentrate on potting the bark. He's bound to be on something.

There is a red in the bottom of the bunch to the left corner, even the

red closest to the cue ball pots in the same pocket. Playing with a

touch of the left-hand side. As you say, Stephen, quite a few reds to go

four-point Here, having to put side on that you wouldn't want to. It

always makes the pot a little bit tricky. So a decent chance for John

here. I said earlier on, we didn't have

the century in the semifinal, we did have one in the final. You would

expect John to have three or four. One of the best break-builders the

game has seen. He needs to bring that game to this final. He has had

six in the competition so far will stop its going to put pressure on

Mark Selby in this final. He has got to win frames like this at one

visit. I know you can win frames in all types of ways but nothing puts

fear in all types of ways but nothing puts fearing your -- fear in

your opponent than capitalising on shots like this. Played for the red

just the right of the black. He wants to be straight on at all

costs. He is perfect. If he'd just been the wrong side of Street, he

would have had to try to avoid the two roads near the top cushion, but

finished on it nicely. Still imperfect position. When you watched

John Higgins' technique, what's different from almost every other

player in the game is how far his tip is from the cue ball when he

addresses the shot. Almost every other player virtually touches the

cue ball. You can see the distance. Fortunately he has had the same cue

action his whole career, very repetitive, very effective.

Yes, it's funny when you look at that addressing the cue ball, when

you get someone like Ding Junhui, he is so close. The other day he fouled

the cue ball, just feathering it. No chance of John Higgins ever doing

that. Another little quirk, John, he's

right-handed but he puts his job in his left pocket and uses his left

hand to chalk his cue. Ray Reardon used to do the same, he have that

habit. -- puts his chalk in his left pocket. The reason you have got all

of these bits of knowledge about John, you practised with him for so

many years. It's getting near the point now where he may have to go

into reds, so he needs a good angle on the block. Just about got it.

Played to perfection. He had to get that screwing the cue ball to bring

it back out of the reds. This is the first century of this final coming

up. There you see it, 63 ahead, 83

remaining. That equates to red, colour, red, to get to snookers

required. I must admit, in the second round I

thought we might beat the record for centuries this year but it doesn't

look like it now, unless we have an extraordinary final. 86 is the

record. I can't see there being 17 centuries in the final, John. That

would take some doing. You never know. In goes the black so there

will be no way back to the table now for Mark Selby. Mid-session interval

after this game. The question is, can John make the century.

What a way to punish that mistake on the safety shots from Mark Selby.

Just over an hour ago, so it is pretty good pace. As I said at the

time, it was the type of safety shots that he wasn't playing against

Ding Junhui. But he thought he would put pressure on John, and this is

what happens. John knocked it in, or I may be a bit fortunate to catch

the knuckle of the pocket and finish on the black, but Mark Selby, no

matter how good a player he is just had to sit in his seat and watch.

Not the best positional shot there though from John Higgins. It's a

good shot here to keep this break going.

Immaculate. There is his mum Josephine, enjoying this century

break. It really has been immaculate from the word go.

Possible 141 if he gets the black off this last red. The highest break

of the tournament is still held by Ronnie O'Sullivan, a break of 146.

Soap, the six remaining colours for a wonderful compiled break. And it

just shows you, this game, half a chance, good pot, and he's never

really been in trouble. He has taken these really well. That's a good

sign for the rest of this match as far as John Higgins and his

supporters are concerned. Well played. Superb, and Mark Selby

gives a little tap on the table to agree with me. And John Higgins has

never been in front but he's all square again as we go to the first

mid-session interval of the final. All square, two apiece.

John's highest break at the Crucible this year, Mark Selby with the

immaculate 143 which was described by the pundits as the most

incredible they have seen, but John Higgins' significantly means he has

found 50. And what a fillip for him, what a great way to walk into that

session. Absolutely, there was an interesting aside at the start of

the frame because Mark Selby played a safety shots, thick edge, to try

to stop Ding Junhui, took a chance to open the balls up and said go on,

off you go, I will leave you belong red, and John Higgins played it

beautifully. This will be a feature of this. If John Higgins keeps

knocking them in, and does what he did, obviously he is a match for

anybody. He chipped the black in and made 141. And how important to

remind Mark Selby that he can still produce this. In the semifinal he

didn't produce it all that often but Mark Selby will know it is there.

You always hope your opponent won't do well but you expect him to do

well, nobody has got to the final by merit. For the crowd watching,

trying to work out what type of match we were in for, there was a

possibility with these two tactical players that it could become not

exactly a safety battle but a battle of the weights. As it turned out

it's been quite an interesting first session with a couple of great

clearances and also mistakes, and the occasional bad safety play. So

it hasn't gone to plan, which has been refreshing in a way. It's been

a very quick session. Perhaps we were thinking it could be a long

one. Yes, a lot of people thought we would put the sign on the door

saying craftsmen at work! It is fascinating that this final is

actually a repeat of the final we had to mark the 30th anniversary

championship in 2007, that was also the year Judd Trump made his debut

at the Crucible, and John Parrott and Steve Davis played in the first

round, it really is that long ago. But this is the 40th anniversary

championship and it has lived up to expectations so far.

HAZEL IRVINE: Good evening, welcome to a special night at the Crucible.

Ronnie, you know what to do. 17 days of this, it is fun. It's a fantastic

tournament, it doesn't matter if you have been here one-time or ten

times, you still get goose bumps. JOHN VIRGO: We are back at the

Crucible Theatre. And the world number one, defending champion Mark

Selby is into the second round. What is shot! Obviously in a bit of

discomfort out there. What a magnificent victory for Rory McLeod,

absolutely brilliant. He has pulled off one of the best comebacks from

7-1 down. This is what they have come to see. He gives Ronnie a

handshake and look at that, that's what it means to him. I don't get

involved because I'm not being bullied. I just want to enjoy my

life and I'm not putting up with someone who wants to threaten and

bully me. It always seems to be Ronnie, I like to do my talking on

the table. Could have handed the initiative to Ronnie now. Very solid

performance from the five times world champion. Don't normally see

that from Neil Robertson! Just come off the rail. I like his

shoes, I really do. What a performance and he beats the former

world champion in the end. There is some pressure out there at the

moment. A great match between these two Chinese players, Ding Junhui

goes to the final. I think he just caught his leg! The

pain has gone. If that pin breaks we are all in trouble here. That's one

of the best century breaks I have ever seen. What a tremendous, almost

flawless snooker from the current world champion and he will be so

hard to beat. If John Higgins is through to his eighth World

Championship semifinal. Barry Hawkins delighted to get his fault

semifinal in five years. He has made the highest break of this year's

World Championship, a magnificent 146. Absolutely fantastic from this

Chinese sensation. I can't make a 146 these days without getting

slated for it, what can I do? He gets through to his third final in

four years. What a final we have got to look forward to!

From your perspective, Steve, what will you take with you from the last

couple of weeks? I think the spirit of the game. The opening Friday when

we started it off and seeing all of the champions in the room, realising

how much everybody has been a part of snooker and then watching the

greatest event unfolding, and also the biggest bit of scandal, Ronnie

makes a 146 instead of a 147! Ding Junhui has impressed a lot of

people, 13 centuries, and got so close to being in a second

semifinal, and I think he has won even more at my wrist, particularly

in these parts in Great Britain. 100%. I'm struggling to think of

anybody who has played that well and lost here. That's how good he was.

Ding Junhui competed better than I've ever seen him, his scoring was

better than Mark Selby but he didn't win. Going back to that match, at

the end of it Mark Selby was criticised to some degree for his

overzealous celebration, but you don't really understand how much it

has built up and it's pent up inside you. Champions have that nasty

streak in them and perhaps the only thing possibly missing from Ding

Junhui's armoury is that little bit more nastiness. Perhaps the likes of

Mark Selby, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry... And you. I wasn't going to

say, but off the table a different story. Some people like that passion

and people don't. It is just in the moment, it is a release. When they

have played here and been through that, they would do the same thing,

they really would. I am like you, I like to see the passion. This may be

the 16th day of the championship but perhaps you are just dialling in on

the bank holiday weekend. That's OK, you are very welcome at any point in

this 17 day marathon but if you are using in gradually, it is time to

bring you up to speed with some of the most gentle points of the game.

It is our jargon buster with John. The game of snooker has some

complicated terms and phrases so we have put together this guide to help

you make sense of some of the game's snookerisms. Screw, also known as

back spin, applied to the cue ball by hitting low of the equator. It

can be a real crowd pleaser. Look at the action he has got on

that! Cannon, the cue ball hits more than one object ball with either

positive or negative consequences. That is a nice little cannon. By

striking the cue ball just above the centre, the tiny amount of top spin

that is applied will cause the cue ball to stagger through, a handy

shot to have in the armoury. Kick, one of the great phenomena of

snooker, where either the cue ball or the object ball literally jumps

in the air after receiving contact. That is a terrible contact. It took

all of the pace out of the cue ball. Double kiss, can be either fortunate

or unfortunate, it is when the cue ball hits the same object ball

twice. He got it on the second attempt, double kiss. The shot to

nothing refers to a stroke where report is attempted but the safety

shot is of far greater importance and the uncle takes the cue ball

into a safer area. As a result, positional colour is guaranteed, but

if it stays out the opponent will have nothing to aim four-point

Excellent shot, look at the cue ball. That is one of the best shot

to nothings you can never see because he wasn't leaving anything

and he is perfectly on the brown. And finally, the masse shot, by

striking the cue down, this is used by players to attempt to get round

balls in close proximity. If it was at distance it would be called a

swerve. But there is one thing still bothering me, why is this called a

half butt? Don't ask me. They are in their mid-session interval. Here at

the Crucible people fly in from all over the place, and like a real rock

star he is we have a special guest here with Ken. We have a very

special guest, a big snooker fan, the drummer of the biggest heavy

metal band in the world, Iron Maiden. There's a rumour going

around you arranged tour with the tour manager to make sure this

weekend was free so you could come and watch the snooker. That is very

true. My manager spoke to me last year. We started the tour in

February and halfway through he said we will go back out next year for

months starting in April. And I said I need that bank holiday weekend

off. He said, I don't know about that, Nicky! Bless his heart, she

said what you want the weekend off I said the World Snooker Championship.

He said we will see what we can do. True to his word, here I am.

Where did this love of snooker come from My dad took me to Wood Green

snooker club above a tailors in. I remember I was there at eight. It

was dark. There was a fruit machine in the corner. A little bar. I was

not supposed to be in there. I started to enjoy the game. I'm

treble at it. I have been trying all my life to play this game. I love

it. What do you think about the first four frames? Amazing. Both a

black each and a red each. You know, the punishment comes when things

like that happen. But to see John make a century break on that last

frame. We saw Mark Selby doing some practise there. This is the demo

table. I want you to pot the black, screw into the pack... I am only

joking! As bent as a nine bob note. OK.

Great to have you. Thanks. I know Nick will be back with iron maiden

and the boys - I think it is the 10th May they are coming here to

play. They are all over the place at the moment. The man in the middle of

the action here is our referee. Now, in 2003 he became the first

non-British referee of a Crucible final. The big Dutchman wore an

orange bow tie. I remember it well. He has overseen one of John

Higgins's finals before. This is the sixth time he's been afforded such a

special honour. Snooker referee, have been at the

Crucible 23 years. The atmosphere is second to none. Everything breathes

snooker. To walk out

there, through that curtain. The MC does the walk-on for the players.

It's just incredible. I have always understood as a referee you are a

service to the players. It is about the two players at the table. You

have to have the discipline to be in the right spot, never in the

eye-line of a player, not to move when the player is down on a shot.

And under extreme pressure make the right decisions. I think you're in

the wrong job if you don't get butterflies walking out for a final.

You are a little tense, I suppose. You concentrate on the job ahead of

you. The first one obviously was an incredible moment. Like you have

your family over for it. I was nervous then for that final. That

pink curtain, I stood there and the inintroduces were coming in. I just

-- intros were coming in. I remember the score line. It looked like Mark

Williams was going to win it easy against Ken. It looked like I might

not have the Monday night and you always look forward to that Monday

night, you have seen it on telly and whilst you were working here.

Luckily, the third session, it was Ken's comeback. All of a sudden we

started 12-12, went 14-14. The score line at the end was magnificent.

The one also that stands out is probably the one that Ronnie won in

'13 when he had a year off. There was so much media hype about it all.

And the one with Higgins stands out for that final Monday night

introduction with the players, it was incredible.

I actually look, I don't look a lot of snooker back, when I have done

intros, but I had to see that again. I'm very proud, especially to be

chosen for the 4th anniversary of the Crucible. I'm not the youngest

any more now. If I am true to myself, I probably think this will

be the last one. I will be over the moon and really proud and I'm going

to enjoy every minute of it. The ever popular and hugely

respected Jan Verhaas is our man in the middle today. The two finalists

coming back, all square at 2-2, after that breathtaking in the last

frame from John Higgins. Time for a change in the commentary box now.

THE COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon Hazel and to everyone. John Higgins

about to get this first frame, after the session, into the under way.

And what a cracking start to this final. Both players cueing very

well. Both made a few errors. Missed a few

easy balls. What a break in the last frame! 141 - magnificent.

Not been making enough breaks to win frames at one visit. Whatever

happens now Mark Selby knows he cannot take any liberties. He's

obviously been the best player throughout this tournament. John

Higgins, if he plays like he did against Mark Allen this match could

be very close. John never batted an eyelid. He just

sat there, which tells me he's well focussed and well up for this final,

as we show you that red clinging to the cushion.

I think he's left himself a chance of a double because there was no way

to get on to a red there. He's pretty good at doubles, Mark Selby.

He has to be a wee bit careful because there's a red just sticking

out the pack. It will be interesting to see if he screws it back, the

double, rather than plan to lead the black into the other corner pocket.

He's screwed it back and it's in. The way he played that, he was never

going to leave anything. It's all about the split.

That was a difficult pack to go in to.

Unless there's a plant there, surely he couldn't have a fluke and a

plant, no. I don't think he's seen enough of the plant, otherwise he

would have come around and played it.

Quite dicey there. I thought he could have played harder. Mark Selby

is one of the best players in the world at playing this particular

shot. Watch the cue ball now. Trying to push its way through the reds.

And because those two reds together, right there, that's the reason it

stopped. Will be pleased to have been 16

points behind after that fluke. I must admit I thought there'd be

more tactical playing because they are two of the best safety players

in the game. It's just fascinating to see how it will pan out and

whether there will be a little more tactical play.

I wouldn't know who to pick in the tackty dal

In the tactical department. Maybe he feels because John Higgins

is equal almost in the safety department he doesen want to get

involved in that. He probably feels he's break-building slightly better.

I just noticed that John took a little bit longer when he was cueing

up to that. He hit it absolute spot on.

Didn't force it. Just stroked it beautifully.

That angle shows you how difficult that long pot was.

Now the only thing I noticed in the semifinal, John started, cracked

some cracking ball, of a sudden he would miss a sitter, something he's

managed to eliminate from his game. That's why he's been so successful

this season. Can't afford to miss the easy ones against Mark Selby. He

will know that. Played a little bit too close to the

cushion for comfort, but should pot this. Cannot do a lot with the cue

ball. All the reds are in the way of one and other. That's why it looks

like he's playing the higher one of the two. Trying to force through it.

Just brought the one red into play. Just played for that red that was

mentioned. Might just bring another couple in to play, looking at the

angle he's left here. He could have played a cannon off the black.

Previously there he decided to do it this way.

He's looking at the two reds if they are a plant. Well, they were

absolutely spot on. Seeing if there is a plant in the

middle. Would like to finish low on the

plant so he could bring the reds into play. If he thinks he's dead

straight he might get the double-kiss on the first red. For

that reason, he may just knock the pink in to play.

Certainly opened the reds up. Shot played with top spin. The white just

ran a bit further than he intended. He's cannoned the other red.

This becoming a great chance for John Higgins to take the lead in

this match for the first time. Doesn't have to worry about the two

reds on the side cushion. Finished almost straight on the

black. He can screw back, there shouldn't be a problem, can screw

back off the cushion and leave the red near the cue ball for the same

pocket for the black. Not sure if he's straight. We will find out very

shortly, as we zoom in there. That's a perfect picture to see him. He's

striking the white right on the bottom.

The only thing is if he removed that one that's to the right of the two

reds, it would have cleared the path for the right corner.

Slightly more difficult this time. I think if he screws straight back

he might hit the red near the cushion there.

Got a slight angle. I know the three reds are in open

play and he can get on them, I think forced to play the run around the

three cushions and kiss the reds. He's looking what kiss he can get.

He would be unlucky to kiss and not get one.

Dethis is one of those shots where you are not quite sure what will

happen. He's not played that, he's played to one in the middle.

He's got one in the corner as well. I think the...

He's only a few pots away from securing this frame.

A very nice 63. He knows against Mark Selby it might not be enough.

Surely Mark Selby cannot get back into this frame where the reds are.

You want a bet! Screw back a little bit to try and

move the red nearest the middle pocket or roll through slowly for

the black? Hopefully he's got a good angle to play a similar shot. He

will not move the red on the left-hand side, nearest the

left-hand corner. He will not get on a colour to try and move that one.

Which way is he going to play it? Black or pink? He's playing for the

black. They always say there are never two

frames the same. How often would you see three reds like that on the side

cushion? Very rarely. Might just have to sacrifice a

really good position. This is where playing left-hand

would help. Ronnie O'Sullivan would play this left-handed.

And screwing up for the blue, probably.

Can he get this cue ball away from the cushion?

The cue ball between the two reds and close to the cushion here.

That's a pretty good effort, if it keeps on running. This is a tough

one he's faced with. If he pots this and gets out on to the yellow, he

can bring the difficult red in to play. What a shot this would be.

If he could screw over there he would be perfect to bring the red

into play. What a tough shot. Just having a little practise run

there. He got the cue ball where he wanted

it. But John's going to need the

difficult red also. I suppose the reason Mark Selby

played it, he thought I've got every chance of the red going safe. As we

see it for the second time, the red's come back over the middle

pocket. There you see John Higgins playing

to get into a position that Mark Selby tried to get in to, because

the yellow's at a perfect ang toll try and move the red. He would be

very fortunate to knock the red over the middle pocket. When it is that

close to the middle it's so difficult to judge.

This is not straightforward, the green's in the way for the up and

down. A minidouble kiss.

I think once he's seen the red coming towards the white he thought

he'd stick it up. Your DDK that time. Not a dreaded double-kiss!

Mark is very good at knocking balls safe when he's snooked. You always

need a little bit of luck as well. Hit this off two cushions. Send the

red up towards the yellow and brown, you would feel and hopefully the

white will come back across the table.

That's what he's looking at. He's pretty good at this type of

escape. He's miss-judged that.

That would have cost him that fifth frame.

John's wife there. A little round of applause and rightly so. She's a

delightful lady. It was great to see John's mum here

as well. I have not seen her for a while. I'll catch up with her later.

This could turn out to be one of the all-time great times because both

players look to be playing well. Going to take the black as well. He

wants to pot the lot. John Higgins gets himself into the

lead. It's now 3-2. There was a shot you picked out

Denis, that Mark Selby had a choice of playing, either slow to the

middle pocket and then leave half to kiss it. You called it right. This

is so difficult, isn't it? The pace To get over. I have the three ball

anywhere. He's got quite a margin for error. It was all about the pot.

He probably would have pot the red. The fact he tried to force it to get

it on the yellow, to give himself to bring the difficult red into play, I

mean he's wobbled the red. Look where he got the white. He got the

white exactly where he wanted there. And just didn't pull the pot off.

Just watch the cue ball here as it's bouncing. Because he's put the screw

on the ball, the white's bouncing first. That was so close. It was

interesting to see Denis the shot that John Higgins played immediately

afterwards. He played the same shot to get the yellow half ball.

He looks pretty relaxed. He looks very focussed.

He's very happy with that new tip that's on the cue. This could be a

cracker and this Crucible crowd could be in for a treat.

Mark Selby playing catch-up for the first time. Eight frames played in

this session. Another three to go. I think they're finding it difficult

to get over behind the yellow or the green if you break off from the

other side. He couldn't have done much better than that.

That's a good return. Tucked up on the cushion to get the

white back there. He said we will see what we can do.

True to his word, here I am. Jan Verhaas having a good look to

make sure he knows where the cue ball will be replaced. He can play

this one very thin. REFEREE: Foul. Higgins four. Well

spotted. He needed to hit it a lot thinner.

Once again, Jan Verhaas just having a look, just in case he was to miss

the red. He's in an awkward spot to get the

safety down the right-hand side of the table.

He might get a thin enough contact. I thought the left side of the table

will cut off but it's not. He could go in off.

John Higgins more or less tapping the table there, as he has cut off

the escape route down the left side. Once again, Finnish contact to avoid

that black. -- thinnish contact. There hasn't been a great deal of

tactical play so far but watching these players play safety is an art

in itself. It's nice to see the big breaks but also nice to see who is

going to make the first mistake in the tactical exchange. But it's

terrific stuff at the moment, isn't it? Three big shots on the trot to

the baulk cushion. John will do awfully well to find the baulk

cushion off this. John just tapping his chalk on the table to appreciate

the good shots. I don't see how John can get back to baulk here so he

will either play the red to the right of the pink and tried to leave

the white in the jaws of the black pocket in the corner or he may just

rest into the side of the pack. He's looking at doing that. He is playing

two cautions to try and get these two red is nearest the black spot,

but he doesn't want to drift by them.

John might as well have stayed at the table because the white will be

in a similar position. That is the same shot available to

him, he might play the same shot again.

No, he has spotted one he can get back down off. There are two reds by

the pink, the right one he can find the gap back down off that one.

Great stuff to watch, it really is. Not too much sense... The red is

covered by the black so this could be a long frame now. Just wondering

if he can get through to it, Willie. It is tight but I think he can just

get to the potting angle, but he is going to cannon the black as well so

difficult to know what's going to happen here. We will find out very

shortly. He has no idea what's going to

happen to them there. Yes, you must have thought he was hitting the

black thinner than he was. REFEREE: Yellow ball. Just a clear

that up, if it is a split ball, if you hit them both at the same time

it is a foul shot but he wouldn't have parted the red if he had hit

the black first. Mark Selby can see the one below the

pink to the left but his worried about pushing the ones you can then

into into the corner pocket. He's just coming round to see what will

happen to the red when he planted onto the two reds and that what he

is worried about, knocking the third red that is aligned. I don't think

he can go right of the pocket but he's decided on an alternative.

I think what Mark Selby is doing here is shutting up shot for the

time being after John Higgins made the break of 141, and then 63.

I mean the session with Ding Junhui, in the second session they played

for 18 minutes with some brilliant safety play, then Mark got a 128, I

think it was. That is fascinating to see who will

make the first mistake here. This is one of the hardest shots in the

game, when the dropped -- object ball is near the cushion. If he

misses the brown it is another excellent safety shot. Some

brilliant safetys in this game. As you can see, John well ahead in

the safety success department. All avenues back down the table

seemed to be blocked off. Did that drift slightly or did he

get some unwanted side on it? He left the red on. Let's have a look

at this now. He is indicating with acute there that it drifted slightly

to the right. Jan Verhaas was quite lucky on that

last shot of Mark Selby, Mark Selby nearly harpooned in with his cue!

There he is saying, wow, that's an inch and a half roll off. I mean the

tables have been playing beautifully and running perfectly straight. It

is such a fine art. He did give the referee a crack with acute there!

That's not the kiss he wanted. I don't think there is a plant on. He

was looking for a better contact on the red when he dropped the black in

there. The pink would have been perfect to

cannon into there but with the extension on he didn't get quite

enough side on it so it looks like it is just a safety. Which Mark

Selby will be delighted about because he did feel the cue ball

drifted slightly there. He hasn't potted the ball I think for about 20

minutes. Another excellent safety shot,

virtually snookered on all right. Conceive the red over the left-hand

corner but can't see enough to property. With the table drifting

that way a little bit he may be able to pot it! But surely he can't take

this on. He would have to play with a vast amount of top spin to

straighten the white off the second cushion, otherwise he would career

into the pack. That did surprise me, the pace he played it. Maybe he

worked it out as a shot to nothing. It's pretty tight but John feels

this one will pot. OK, he's heading up the table but he feels this one

will pass... It clearly does and its there. There's not a lot available

to him at the moment, there's only one easy red to the right of the

green, the rest are pretty awkward. It might not be awkward after this

short. That has brought the black interplay.

It's not going to be easy to get to the 72 points he

it's amazing, you can hear a pin drop in the Crucible at the moment,

brilliant atmosphere. I think he's got an angle here to bring a few

roads into play. No, took his eye off the pot. Took

his eye off the pot, and there's a red on and Mark might be able to

cannon into the reds, open them up and possibly finish on the bike, as

we show you this shot from John. But most of the concentration into the

cue ball and forgot the pot. This will certainly open up everything.

If he doesn't finish on the black he could run through for the pink or

the blue, but it will open the red silk, you feel. That's not what he

intended. He didn't think it was going to knock one red out there,

Willie. I must admit, I thought he was going to bring three or four

out, he is now forced into playing the blue. He has cued beautifully so

far in this tournament but he's not been behind very often so there is a

bit of pressure on this blue. A little bit more pressure than

that, in fairness he didn't hit the white vote, did he? He was playing

for the middle pocket. This is a bit of a free shot for

John, he can screw back for the pink. The only red he would leave is

the one he's attempting to pot. And it is there. OK, the wrong side

of the pink but what a shot this would be to go right down the

angles, avoid the colours, and there is a red next to the black, as we

show you this very good longish pot with an extension on the cue. Here

it comes, has he got enough pace? Does the one at the top of the

triangle pot? Yes, if Potts also so just didn't quite hit it hard enough

to be perfect. These long matches, four sessions is

always nice. If you can get four frames on the board you know you

won't be behind going into the second session. Great point because

Mark Selby has only lost one session, against Ding Junhui when he

lost 5-3. If you lose 5-3 there is no real problem over this distance.

So it is very important, this frame is not over by any means, but it

will also be asked of him one of the two remaining frames of the

afternoon. And John has got himself on the red. I mentioned he was

trying to get the brown on because he knew if he potted that he would

bring the black interplay. It's not going to last much longer this

frame, but it is the longest frame of the match so far. There was some

excellent safety play. So this is frame ball but he will

want to pot at least three more reds to keep Mark Selby from coming back.

He doesn't want to get involved in a safety battle.

This puts him 66 in front. Obviously the red and black 74, so Mark Selby

might carry on. Can he get an angle on the black to bring the other

roads into play? He has got the angle.

Not enough there for a century, but he's cueing beautifully at the

moment. This is how he played Mark Allen in

the earlier rounds. Yes, Mark Allen was outstanding. John was even

better. Watch out, there is a wizard about! He's introduced as the Wizard

of Wishaw. Yes, breaks of 141, 63, and now this. He's looking good at

present. There was atonement earlier in the

season in China, and he was playing with Ding Junhui and finished the

match with three century breaks to win 10-7. This season he has played

as well as he has ever done. Absolutely magnificent from John

Higgins, 63 in the previous frame, and that magnificent clearance of 95

in that frame. He goes two clear now.

HAZEL IRVINE: It is vintage Higgins, at the age of 41 and chasing a tenth

major title, and to underline the longevity of his career, take a look

at this. This is major wins. Stephen Hendry won 18 of them in ten years,

Ronnie O'Sullivan 17 of them starting from when he was a

17-year-old in 24 years, John could win a tenth in a 19 year span if he

were to convert this one, that's a long time to be hanging around at

the top end of any sport, as indeed it is for Ronnie O'Sullivan. It

shows you the nick he is still in. Yes, a lot of attention has been on

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the fact he kept himself in good shape and that has

helped him with his longevity. A lot of people ask if Ronnie is past his

best now, and the same has been asked of John Higgins and he has

probably asked the same questions himself. It is great to see him

here. I did ask the question of whether age and youth might come

into this equation and at the moment John is answering those questions.

Win or lose this, his back-up to world number two behind Mark Selby.

It was the wonderful Matt Hewitt who just told me that 141 he had in the

frame before last is the joint highest break in a world final along

with Ronnie's in 2012 so still able to produce the goods on the big

stage. So he's in good nick then. I didn't think he still had that, I've

been honest, I have watched him in the commentary box and thought for a

couple of seasons he wasn't anywhere near his best, his long game was

struggling a bit, but his long game has come back, every facet of his

game has come back. He plays the right shot all the time and to an

incredibly high standard and if you do that you are going to hang

around. John Higgins start this campaign off in excellent style,

darted well in the tournament, looks like he had run out of steam in the

semifinal but you never know. There's a long way to go but he's in

good nick. Yes, that showed you, John turned

professional in 1992, and he got to be world champion and world number

one in six seasons. I could mention a lot of that is down to the fact he

practised with Stephen Hendry for a good few years up in Stirling. All

of the top Scottish boys used to practice there.

An attacking safety shot there, opening the rental. -- the reds up.

Such is the brilliance of these two players, throughout the 17 days, as

this red goes over the corner pocket... Amazing that over these 17

days there is only 50 points between them in aggregate scores, they've

both scored over 5000 points. It's amazing in 17 days they can be so

close. 17 days, and is only 45, 47 points between them. He will want to

make this one count, but he won't be happy with where the cue ball has

finished there. Got second prize, got the brown in the middle, didn't

play for that. and seven it was just not Astroturf

on the right-hand red to get through to the black and that is why he's

played a more difficult red to go for a baulk colours. What was

interesting, as I mentioned, Mark Selby played a safety shot,

attacking safety shot, opened the reds and he's now reaping the

rewards for that. One of the secrets of being a top

player is to play a lot of safety tactical play and be kept off the

table and when you get a chance, do the business. Slightly more reaction

from the yellow, he wanted to be straight on the red. There's a

lovely gap between red and pink and he can play the stun off the black

cushion and that is the key red because it opens everything up. He

has done it nicely and it bounces. Yes, he was not happy, you could

tell by his facial expression, he left himself straight on the black.

It should not be a problem, screwing out for the red on its own.

There does not look to be anything available so he may have to play a

cannon, he may can then the red to the right which would still leave

the red in the right-hand corner. If he catches anything other than the

full bore, it is not going to be perfect on the red. He's played a

cannon, is it for ball? Not quite, but still just left to the pink.

They are awkward when you are that close to them. He played the shot

but he was a bit unlucky to cover the one to the right, and because he

was so close to that, it is difficult to pick out the angle. And

if this next cannon works out, John can leave quite a few on here.

Would you believe it? The black off the spot, with all the reds at his

mercy. The black is being cleaned, I don't know whether he got heavy

contact or he did not strike it very well. Yes, I think up to the

semifinal, Higgins had not missed a black off the spot and he picked it

up in the semifinal and he Mr two of the easiest you have ever seen, and

that was not a difficult black. That is worrying because he would be

excited he could take a nice lead into the second session. How

much action did he get on that bridging over the red Mr Mark I

think he was hoping to be on pink oil blue, the baulk would always be

there, but to create that back spin striking over the red. He's one of

the best I have seen bridging over the ball and playing the shot as if

it is normal. He knows that John Higgins missed that easy black off

the spot and that will hurt John Higgins, 30 points in front as we

speak. Like out of commission and blue and pink not good. He flicked

the blue, the pink and blue were in play and he would be playing around

for those. He's just considering whether to flick the black into

play. That would reap rewards. He does not get the kids right, it is

end of break. -- the kiss. Just wondering whether he has decided

against it or he's still going to bring the black into play. That is

what he has done, it is on a baulk colour.

We can show you the shot previously, the pink and blue were in the

perfect position, but he just flicked the blue on the way passed

and he knocked them both awkward. Off one of these next reds, he would

love to get onto the black on the cushion or finish on the pink in one

of the baulk pockets. He's not going to win this frame on this visit

unless he brings either the pink or the black into play, he can't do it

off baulk colours. He's not quite sure what to do here.

Pink and blue is available into the corner pockets. Nearly a minute's

thinking time of how to go about this.

I think the angle he has made just have to cannon the pink if he takes

the blue. If he runs it through, he would clear the pink away. Yes, well

played. He can pot this one with the rest. Can he get through to that

one? That will be even better. It must be tight. But he feels he can

see enough of it. The reason he would prefer to play this is because

he does not have to do much with the cue ball to get onto the pink in the

middle. That was just wide, and he got back in May he flicked the red

and the pink will go into its own spot. But if he's straight onto it,

it is not perfect, he needs an angle to get onto those reds.

How is his pace? He overscrewed it slightly. He played for the red to

the right of the pink, in the middle. Can you believe that, over

17 days, Dennis? 5196 points each over 17 days of play. This could be

an important point coming up here. Is it there? Of course it is! He was

on the march as soon as he hit that, he knew he had potted it. What a

great pot! Once again to slow the cue ball down, he might play a

cannon into the pink, knowing he would have the choice of the red. It

is getting very close to the winning post and if he plays the cannon onto

the pink, it will be a slow cannon. I did not know that red potted. 53

in front. Red to be assured of winning this frame.

Can you believe it? That is the second one he has missed into this

pot as he looks to the balcony. I think they were in shot and they did

not expect him to miss that. That was slightly easier than the other

because he was so close to it. You miss one into the pocket and maybe

it is in the back of your mind. I don't think anyone saw that coming,

especially after the one he knocked up into the corner pocket. That was

not a happy smile, that was bemused. Wondering how on Earth I missed

that. That was just OK. It is what John Parrott would call a bit of a

smelly one, this. It is so close to it. Just the place! Any harder and

that would not have dropped. It just touched the cushion but because of

the slow pace, the pocket accepted it. A wobble. Wobble. In.

And because of that last black, John Higgins is favourite to win this

frame, although he's 44 points behind. He should clear from here.

To go 5-2 in front. He has still got to knock them in. What has he

spotted here? I don't know what that was.

Well, that is just about perfect. He would want more of an angle to play

for the red into the left corner, he will have to leave it to the middle

pocket now. No, he has gone for the deep screw to swing it across, and

he's played it well, he's played it very well. Josephine, his mother,

with his wife Dennis. -- with his wife. And this will hurt. And I

think Mark Selby when he looked up at his balcony knew that he might

have thrown the frame away with that red he missed. He's a different

animal today, Dennis. Yesterday, we see Selby missing again, we said

yesterday about John Higgins playing Barry Hawkins, was not scoring

frame-winning breaks. The run of breaks in the last four frames,,, he

puffs out his cheeks as he walks round the table. It is so easy, it

looks straightforward, but it is never easy.

He could have done with a better angle, he might have to come off the

cushion now. How is the pace on the cue ball? He's coming got a long way

short, it was the shot previously from brown to blue that was not

good. This snubs -- this needs good cueing. Now it is coming round the

angles, it looks fantastic. That is huge from John Higgins. Mark

Selby had an early break of 51, he missed that red, but John Higgins

did well to clear up and now he's three frames in front at 5-2.

Vintage Higgins, the trademark, the counter clearance, we saw it twice

against Mark Allen and he has produced it to take a three frame

lead in this final. You just the words out of my mouth! I'm so sorry!

I was about to say that you made two billiard clearances, overdue, Steve.

I do not need to say anything, Hazel has said it all! How is Mark Selby

responding now? Not good coming he had a chance and he blew it, we are

not used to that and it is exciting because of that. John Higgins is

understandably the underdog, a lot of people wonder how you can make in

the underdog with his experience. But he hasn't been there so often as

Mark Selby in this area. I think it is wonderfully poised and this last

frame always seems to take on extra significance. How surprising is this

from John today given what we saw against Barry Hawkins in the

semifinal? There was an inkling that the end he was happy with the new

tip on his keys and he finished that with no pressure as much as he can

be because he only needed one frame. But the way he went about it and the

way he struck the ball, I thought he was not far playing like he was in

the earlier rounds. 63, 93, 141, as we said last night, he has to score

to win this match and that is what he's doing. Steve, you look back at

the end of the Sunday play from ten years ago and John had a 12-4

advantage. Mark Selby climbed back into it and never really recovered

and you wonder to what extent that might be entering his head. You have

no clue what will happen and we see that admiring these two players, but

Mark Selby has loads of resilience. He has proven that time and again,

the defending champion under real pressure in this opening session of

the World Championship final. Under pressure a couple of times

against Ding Junhui but he hasn't been behind early in a match and he

could well be trailing 6-2 going into tonight's session. I know it is

early days and the best of the T5, but a full frame made at any time,

Mark Selby was favourite and if it goes 6-2, I think you would go even

money. -- the best of 35. Well, there are another four reds

available. And if he could get a break after that poor break-off shot

from Mark Selby, it would give Mark something to think about before this

evening's session. He has left it too low, he could still take it on,

but another three, four inches and it would be perfect. He could still

play the shot because he will open up the reds, but the pot is slightly

thinner than it should have been. He has overcut it, it was the previous

shot that caused the problem. He will be a little disgusted with

himself. Because what a chance he had. I think there were having a

conversation, Mark and John after the opening frame. They might be

discussing the fact this black cushion was playing the slope. He

got down to that shot with disappointment because he did not

get onto the red properly. Let's see how this springs off the cushion if

he plays it really slow. That seemed to come up pretty high.

I mean, the playing conditions these days are fantastic for the players.

Lively clots. Always just slightly lighter, you could not have better

conditions to play. The only worrying thing about this chance for

Mark Selby, he hasn't made a break of 30 since frame three. And there's

Mark this time coming up a bit short on a similar shot to the one John

played, and he can hold this up for the blue without a problem. He has

got a choice here. Plenty of loose reds and pinks tied up. He could

risk of playing the cannon into the pink and reds, but it is a bit

risky. He has done it, how has it worked out?

A little harder and it would have been perfect. Yes, he can't play

this well enough to play on the black and he looked at the gap

between those two reds, going through the same gap where he has

the rest and trying to get onto the blue. He hasn't got the, that is a

very poor shot and you can see the disappointment. He still has not

made a break above 30 in the last four frames. A big. Six inches, if

you would think he would get through that. I don't think he had any side

on it, he played a plain ball and he just misjudged it.

I think John can play the one behind the pink is a shot to nothing. I

think he can see that two want it and bring the white back down the

table. -- to pot it. That is the one he can pot in the circle and play

the safety shot off. He's played the other one, which is even better! So

he had a red either side, but on the brown. And he can go back to the

red, this is a big shot. It is there. Well, that was one of the

best shots John Higgins has played in this session. I say that because

he has been excited thinking, if this goes in, I could win the frame

and I could be 6-2 in front. And what a start to this final it

would be from the flying Scotsman. Well, that is fantastic, he's at

94%. The worrying statistic was 89 for Selby, long potters in front in

that department. He has been under pressure a couple

of times in the match with Ding and he came through that, fantastic

match. He just looks a little tired, he needs something to happen to get

his confidence back, he has been kept off the table in the last four

frames. But he has missed some easy balls.

And that cannon turned out to be perfect, didn't it? He needs to get

to 62 points. Mark Selby will be sitting in his

chair, realising he will be 6-2 behind and he will probably have to

win the next two sessions 5-3, 5-3, and that is hard to do against any

player. He has just got to keep his focus

here, that seemed to jump a little bit comedy he's having the cue ball

creamed. But that did not affect the last shot. Let's have a look at it.

Not much of a kick. Oh, he did not want that! Now, that spoiled things

and it just shows you what can go wrong, it is just fractions. If he

slips past that red, he's absolutely perfect, he's 22 ahead. He's still

on the red, but just watch as he catches that. He makes it a little

bit more difficult now. And he cannons into the pink. You would not

really want to brush the pink safe, that is the problem with this red.

And you would not want to pot the pink into the middle pocket when you

play this either. He has screwed it. And it has worked out perfectly. One

more big positional shot and Mark Selby knows it could be 6-2 behind.

It is just a case of getting the pace right on the shot. Where is the

brown? Why did he not play that up and down straight to finish, two

reds in the left-hand corner? That will do it! 29 ahead. The red.

The red. He knows how big a shot this is.

They are dilated. His son is over the moon with what his dad is doing

at the moment. This is some performance. 41 years

of age and how the in the final. Someone moving from Rome. Could do

with this one going. John Higgins in that position.

Must have caught it in the corner of his eye and a stretcher. If a player

is flying towards you you usually know to keep perfectly still. There

was an awful lot of people the Crucible this year. They have come

from over the world. Very tough to get a seat here.

Nearly an excellent shot. If he had left himself on the pink and got the

stick and have been tough. He is playing the other side of the blue.

Almost a very good snooker. I'm wonder if he plays down and

trans him behind the moment. It may be a good choice if you cannot get

the cue ball back and look this end. Is that angle now. It would be a

tough snooker to hit if he could get the blue behind yellow or brown.

John Higgins tapping the table with his chalk again. Tough angle because

he is so close to the question. Good escape because not as easy as

it looked. John knows only too well this frame is far from safe against

this man. You may decide to go for the pot if you cannot get onto the

black. He could get on the fact that he wants to keep it on the table to

give himself more options. That is a clever shot. To bring the green into

play. It shows how positively Mike Selvey

is thinking this is if he gets the snooker and a chance with the green

of the question he could easily and this final frame of the session. The

Schleck he could easily pinch this final frame of the session.

Went to thing that time, to getting behind black. Can see from this to

take it on. -- he cannot see enough of this to take it on.

It would be a tense end to this session. Hasn't really had a great

chance to lay the snooker as yet. Just trying it the ball safe. Make

sure you do not leave any chances. That could be the mistake John

Higgins has been waiting for. One pot and it is 6-2. What result for

John Higgins. Just make sure you get the object will say, that is what we

were saying. The John Higgins realises what a big shot that was.

His heart would have been in his mouth. It shows you cannot take

anything for granted. Just the scoreline that caused him

to miss. He knows how big this frame is. He knows Mike Selvey is still in

this. If he was 30 points behind he would have spotted it every single

time. -- potted it. That is unlike Mike Selvey.

John Higgins cannot wait to see the back of this red. That will do

nicely. If he plays the swerve SHOUTING

Close to putting this on the condition.

That is OK. Still only needs one snooker.

Just looking John Higgins and his face dropped when he saw it going.

That black was really tough. This frame still alive.

They will be back at 7pm so not much of a restful them.

This is better, look where the yellow is going. Usually you prefer

two cushions on this gave rather than one. So he has two hit this

one. Kudryavtsev Cyber Monday. Well played.

No, no. Looking up and smiling. John can play a little swerve and

recursion then maybe it is a bigger one than I first thought. The only.

Surely he could not pinch this frame. Just enough room around the

fact of the yellow. Some players can move it two or

three feet. Just flicked the yellow. Jon Dibben want to see the blue

heading over there. It is in a better position. -- John did not

want to see the blue heading over there. The best two balls at the

moment are blue and black. Where is this yellow going? This is a much

more difficult shot found the red John missed five minutes ago.

Amazingly enough it was 12 months ago. He should be in his hotel room

now having a cup of tea. Decided to attempt the snooker rather than risk

potting the yellow. This is the longest match and you

would expect that with players playing for smokers. He can hit the

yellow 4-ball. -- snookers. He can hit the yellow full bull. He will

hope the yellow can kiss into the black. They did very thin. That was

a bit dangerous. Could have gone into the corner.

He would like to keep the Unal and that it is pocket so he might have

two just put it. Magnificent angles you can get now

they are bound to one table. The brown is on the way. To give this

one off three cushions and behind the black. He does not want the

green to cannon into the blue. He wanted back in open play. This could

be end of frame. Playing at half four, he cannot believe it, walked

away from the table in disgust. Looking on the television screen. It

is there. John Higgins missed the last red and he would have had more

rest going into this second session but now the frame is safe. What a

great session for John Higgins. STUDIO: Not since Ray Reardon on

this title has anybody done so in their 40s. How surprising is this

scoreline, Steve, given that the world number one, the man in form

was expected to come out firing today which are certainly was not in

the script. But discount this man at your peril especially after having

such a good season this year. Had a little purple patch. There was

something that led towards Mike Selvey dominating this final but you

never know what will happen in sport. What do you think of Mike

Selvey so far and what kind of bearing will yesterday have? That is

a good point, he went through the ringer. He is the younger man but it

must have taken a lot of mental reserve out of him yesterday. He

looked tired. He had chances as well. When he was not quite at his

best. Not long before they come back and 7pm for the second session. When

you were appearing in the finals what did you like to do in between?

Used to try to put my head down for 20 minutes even. Tough to know what