Day 4, Morning Session Snooker: World Championship

Hello, a very good morning and welcome back to the Crucible Theatre

in Sheffield for the fourth day of the 2017 BetFred World Snooker

Championship. What a night last night. Marco Fu, from 7-2 down, beat

the Belgian qualifier Luca Brecel 10-9 in a final frame decider. Now

the attention turns to John Higgins, a four-time world champion looking

to book his place in the last 16. Stuart Bingham, Ronnie O'Sullivan

and Mark Selby have already gone through to the last 16. John Higgins

looking to join them. Just three frames needed to see him go through.

Martin Gould has a job on his hands. Also available on the red button,

Liang Wenbo starts his campaign against Stuart Carrington. John

parrot is with me in the practice room. One of those mornings that we

love at the Crucible. Everyone is still talking about Marco Fu's

phenomenal performance. It was remarkable because of the turnaround

in form, a stark contrast of the night before when he could not pot a

ball. He to just eight goals in the first four frames. He has been in

scintillating form this year, and to turn it around... It was 7-1

actually, so to come back and win is incredible. I feel sorry for Luca, a

couple of things went wrong and when someone comes back at you,

everything seems to magnify. But what a performance, and Marco Fu was

quite animated. The world number eight, he is one of the most

composed players on the circuit. We rarely see him show that type of

relief, but that's purely because... You were in the studio the night

before, he could not pot a ball, and last night he was absolutely

magnificent. He got the really good start he needed, winning the first

couple of frames. He thought he would be sitting at home watching

the championship, but now he is through the hard first round and who

knows where he could go? Luca Brecel will be thinking, how on earth did I

lose? Will it affect him? For a couple of weeks. It is not something

you want on your CV but he will forget about it in a couple of

weeks. Marco Fu is through. You can't see Martin Gould doing the

same thing, can you? Everyone thought it was a tough draw for John

Higgins, but it is a really tough draw for Martin Gould. I have played

him here, and trust me... His matchplay is superb, four times a

winner. Every time you play him, it is a challenge. Is he feeling good

this morning? In great spirits. Telling me that he won at the Gold

Cup! He backed a winning horse. Before he came here, a little press

release saying how well he was playing. John usually keeps that to

himself. Amazing, considering a few years ago there was also talk talk.

He said in a news conference that he was thinking of packing it in. But

all eyes today on the four-time world champion.

Sensations, a big bag of crisps. That's my downfall. Watching TV.

That's my guilty pleasure. Robbie Coltrane, the Scottish actor. Used

to play for Celtic, that was my childhood dream. Easy going.

I took her away to Paris for her birthday. Pretty romantic. Sunday

roast. With all the trimmings. That would be it. I would love to go to

San Francisco. Never been there. Hopefully I can visit sooner rather

than later. I love the American Civil War time. One of my favourite

programmes was North and south. Patrick Swayze. That fascinated me.

The Civil War time. Pamelaewing from Dallas. That was my woman.

Seven breaks over 50 in the first session. A tough task facing Martin

Gould this morning. He beat Judd Trump in 2011, John Higgins, winning

18-15 to lift the title. And then first round, first round, second

round... Quarterfinal last year. Is this the year that he makes another

final? That is the live match on BBC Two. If you want Liang Wenbo against

Stuart Carrington, that is available on the red button. Throughout the

Crucible coverage on the BBC, all of the matches are available on the BBC

Sport app, table one or two. A very good morning to Rob Walker.

After that fabulous Marco Fu fightback last night, he has proved

there is almost no such thing as an irretrievable ethicist at the

Crucible. After a brilliant Easter weekend of action, let's turn our

thoughts today for at the BetFred World Snooker Championship. -- an

irretrievable deficit. Please welcome a player returning

for the second time, after a superb win over double world champion Mark

Williams on Wednesday. He enjoyed a great run to the quarterfinal of the

Welsh Open this season. His grandad Big John is in the crowd as always.

Grimsby's Stuart Carrington! And his opponent, back for a sixth

Crucible campaign nine years after making the quarterfinal on his

debut. The UK Championship runner-up last season, he won his first

ranking title in October, beating Judd Trump to the English open

title. A player who always wears his heart on his sleeve, that's why we

call him the Firecracker, Liang Wenbo!

On table two, a player returning for an eighth Crucible campaign after

coming through qualifying in fine style. His century in the

penultimate frame yesterday showed a glimpse of the talent that took him

to the German Masters title last season. He will give it absolutely

everything this morning, so let's hear it for the Pinner Potter,

Martin Gould! And his opponent, bidding for a 19th

appearance in the second round at the Crucible. Arriving in fabulous

form, producing a break of at least 50 in every single one of the seven

frames he won yesterday. Without doubt one of the finest sportsmen

plural Scotland has ever produced, four times a champion of the world,

the Wizard of Wishaw, John Higgins! A fabulous bit of Dignity and the

cold blue. A busy day for us, Ding Junhui and Zhou Yuelong later. Judd

Trump taking on Rory McLeod at 2:30pm also. At seven o'clock

tonight, Ali Carter begins his campaign against another former

world champion, Graeme Dott. In the meantime, good morning to John Virgo

and John Parrott. Good morning, everybody, as Martin Gould gets the

second session under way. A five frame deficit against someone like

John Higgins is going to be hard to pull back, JP. Yes. You would think

so, John. One of the best matchplay is the game has ever seen.

Approaching 42 years of age, all of his snookering faculties are still

there. Excellent break-builder. In the last year or so, his long game

has actually got better. It looked like it was on the wane, but that

has improved immeasurably, so he has found something. He never gives you

anything easy, John Higgins. You have to earn your corn.

There has only been on century break in the match. 23 seconds average

shot time. 28 for Martin. I suppose when you are behind, a bit more

thinking time. The one century was made by Martin. Could do with a

couple of them early on this morning. To try and get some kind of

foothold in the match. Of course, he's playing somebody who

has been there and got the T-shirt four times. Recognised by all as the

best matchplay we have ever seen. You mentioned the time it's taken

Martin, 28 seconds, but you tend to think a bit more when you are stuck

in the baulk area. It's certainly not straightforward. And here's an

example. A little shake of the head. He was

just an inch short of getting behind the green. I looked over at John

Higgins and I saw a slight grimace. So even 7-2 in front, still

disappointed if he doesn't get it inch perfect.

Yes, he will be concentrating like mad in this first frame just to

dampen any fire Martin Gould has left in him. Go 8-2, it starts to

look totally forlorn for Martin. So this is a massive frame. John

Higgins will know that, all that experience of being a matchplayer.

You don't want to give your opponent any encouragement.

A little safety exchange going on. I mentioned that John Higgins had

backed the Gold Cup winner, Sizing John, but I have to congratulate you

as well, you told me the Grand National winner eight months ago.

Yes, well done to On for Arthur, the second Scottish winner of the

National. And didn't he win? Hard held. Could be a Scottish double.

John Higgins for the World Championship. Yes.

Has pushed on towards the corner. Needed the green to come to his

rescue, it hasn't. The only thing, he has a pretty good length of cue

ball. If you play this at pace, a chance of putting it -- potting it.

A bit of stickiness on the cue. This is a horrible shot he has been left

with. The angle is all wrong for what he needs.

Mind the Gap! Where did that gap come from? A good pot. Amazing, this

game. How did he get through there? And it's worked twice! -- it swerved

twice! Just making certain of a good cue

ball. Just overhit it slightly. Should

have stopped the escape route down the left-hand side of the table, as

we look. That's a better safety shot from

John. Just shows you the standard of his

safety play. No shots wasted with John Higgins. Some players on the

circuit think that putting the cue ball in the baulk area is enough.

He's always trying to put you in position to force a mistake. And

there's a in that. -- a difference in that.

And there's the mistake. Yes. Kissing the blue, left the cue ball

this side of the As many as are of the opinion, say "aye". To the

contrary, "no".. -- this side of the baulk line.

Could play the yellow but he would like the blue back on the spot. More

work to do with the cue ball. So I don't think you'll be getting

many more. A difficult plant. The main concern

was getting the cue ball back to the baulk end.

Played to leave the cue ball behind that red on the top cushion. Tried

to get it right in there, but don't know whether... There may be a red

near the pink that goes, but it would require top-class cueing. I

suppose, at 7-2 down, you might be tempted.

When you are this far behind, you have to come out and play well.

And I think sometimes you have to give yourself the chance to play

well. By refusing things and playing negative, I don't think you can get

into a match from such a deficit. He knows what he has to do, Martin.

That was a tough pot, but he took it on.

There will be a red over the corner. Can he get through to it?

The brown has covered it, but a little swerve, cushion first will

pot it, but he won't be certain where the cue ball will finish.

Needs a bit of luck with the position.

It's quite a decent swerve. Nearly three quarters ball. Has to get it

right. Well done. I tell you what, he will

settle for that. That's a bonus. Going to need a little run of the

ball, and a little help from his opponent, to reduce this deficit.

A good chance to build up a useful lead. Frame-winning opportunity?

Well, that's a tough call, but just concentrate on trying to get as many

points in front as you can. Good, clean pot, but not enough of

the cue ball to get the right side of the blue.

Slightly off. Just run through for the red. If the pink pots in the top

left pocket as we look, that would be ideal.

It obviously does, with that positional shot. So a nice chance.

Yes, good signs. Struck that beautifully in the heart of the

pocket. We were commentating together the

other day on that Gary Wilson match. Martin Gould is another one who is

predominately left eyed. When he cues up, that's where he is lining

up. You always have one stronger than the other. Always amazes me,

with his glasses... It's as though he peers over the top of them. When

you think of all the trouble that, for example, Dennis Taylor had

getting the correct pair of glasses that he could play in...

Martin wears glasses and looks like he is peering over the top of them.

Don't tell me he is looking through his glasses there. But it works for

him. He has become one of the most dangerous players on the circuit.

Vastly underrated in my opinion. If those glasses are working, get me a

pair. He's decided to play for the black.

Not certain where it will go after. The green sport is available. --

spot. Just don't miss anything easy, and

get what you can. He has played that absolutely superb.

He couldn't have hit that any better. Look at the top spin. Shot

of the morning. OK, there haven't been many yet, but that's the best

one! I said when he first came to the

table it was going to be a tough call for him to win the frame at

this visit. It's looking likely now. Just the start he was looking for.

Couldn't agree with you more. This has been a fabulous break. Like you,

I looked at the table and thought, OK, a few reds available, but that

shot on the black was excellent. There is a crispness about the

strike this morning from Martin Gould. Hitting the ball very well,

lots of authority, certainly better than yesterday. He got off to a poor

start, 5-0 down. A little bit at sea. But already this morning, the

cueing looks a lot more assured. So, red and a colour... As soon as

he pots this red, only 51 remaining, and this will put him 59 in front.

If he was to make a century here, this would be special.

If this cannon goes right, we could see his second century of the match.

A nice screw with plenty of side. That's the one. A little bit of a

gap. We'll be able to drop it in. Couldn't do much with the positional

side of the shot. Not a bad kiss on the brown.

Everything has gone right in the middle of the pocket this morning.

Nothing sloppy about it. As a player, you always feel good when

you are finding the middle of the pocket.

He is in fine fettle. Overrun this one a bit. A bit of work to do with

the cue ball. We've already had 18 century breaks

in the championship so far. This brown for 19, and not many

better than this. I have seen quite a bit of snooker, but I haven't seen

many centuries better than this. When he came to the table, it didn't

look like he was going to clear up. Excellent.

Well played, Martin Gould. Very well played.

He just lost his concentration thinking about the next frame. John

Higgins didn't do a lot wrong. Martin Gould, sensational century

break. He's reduced his arrears to four but put out a warning signal to

John Higgins. So when we were talking about the

possibilities of the shot on the black, he got on the black, I

thought why play for the black. The opportunity to finish perfect but

the top spin here and he punched it with top spin just to widen the

angle slightly and let the top spin go forward. The punch stops and then

gets the top spent on it and they split up beautifully. Deserve to,

such a well struck shot Mike and on these pockets you need to have

plenty of respect for them and we will show you a shot here. Watch the

top spin on this. Black and white Ball on this, right through the cue.

Stephen Hendry playing that. The way it stops and the top spin goes

forward and you wouldn't think in slow motion it was going to get

there but it does. It's amazing. It hits the red, stopped but as long as

you have the top spin it keeps spinning and look at the way it

keeps going through. Things like that like the last frame

will not particularly perturbed John Higgins. Certainly give a bit of

hope for Martin. Sensational start for him.

Caught that much to stick. Always a danger with these mid-range pots.

Players of this class with their hand on the table.

There you go, 46 to the ball and four feet three to the pocket but

good cueing. An excellent start to the season,

John. ? The events right at the beginning of it and was in superb

form. Still playing well, you can lose a final frame deciders, lost a

couple of those and his game still been all right, but I think he's got

time to have good preparation and put hours and back in Scotland and

turns up here with a distance of ground in the long tournaments. He

can win the tournaments that the best of seven and best of nine but

John Higgins's game is suited to this longer format. It was

interesting when he came in, a couple of courts as to how well he's

been plain, usually keeps back to himself, but when he says he's

playing well, you've got to take notice.

Got into that. You'd have thought it would have stunned of the cushion

and I'm certain that was the idea. Got into it too much and didn't

bounce it off the cushion. Tricky blue. Playing it pretty quickly but

it's difficult. I was amazed he got down and played it so quickly.

You're right, it was very acute that angle, horrible. Cueing across, got

to make sure you're in the middle of the white panties overcooked it. --

and he has overcooked it. Just got into the white too much.

Another example of excellent cueing to pot is tough enough and to flick

the red out as well. Very good. I think he might be struggling for

another red. There is one that goes there but he has two pot this and

screw back off the cushion and this requires excellent cueing to find

that gap. It was a classic example there of

not hitting the centre of the cue ball. Must have put unintentional

side and particularly when you're striking down and it pushes the cue

ball into the black and that's why he hit it to six. Little unlucky to

come that close to the cushion. This will be testing his eyesight.

He's just got the right hand side of this pack to clip off and you've got

to get these mighty sin. Anything sick here and it's going to contact

the jaws of the pocket. He'll settle for that. Not quite how he played it

but where it's finished isn't too bad. In fact, where it's finished,

the blue is blocking the left-hand side of the table off for John

Higgins. Can he get through to this thread?

-- this red. He may be able to bend it with a trace of right-hand side.

It's all about fractions, another role and he could have potted this

red comfortably. Well. What a pot that was.

Absolutely stunning. I loved it when he got down to that, thought he was

taking that reds on, looking for the safety shot and he thought whenever

he played safe he leaves a shot, he decided to attack and the way he's

playing this morning, why not. Known as the Pinner putter and he

deserves it after that opening red. That was sensational. When you just

concentrate on the blue, you can't see a lot of value, he'd love the

black back on its spot but wouldn't sacrifice your position for that.

Just overscrew that slightly. Can still cut the blue in and play a

cannon. Wondering if you'll do that. If he takes the chance, he could

bring the pink into play and maybe promote a few reds. Where he's

finished, he may have to play that can in any way. Just needs a little

bit of luck here. He didn't bring the pink into play,

that would have been a bonus but he's on a rant, so the break will

keep going and he's knocked the red out to better positions. As long as

he can keep getting the right side of the blue. Which he hasn't on that

one. He should be able to score a few. They always say, if you're

going to be wrong side of the blue, be well the wrong side of the blue,

which is. With the yellow not being on its spot. No problem there.

Didn't have the yellow to avoid, so made it a little bit easier.

Just a 17 point lead, so not a straightforward run to the line but

we saw in the last frame how well he's potting. And he needs to be

right side of the blue this time. Just got there. Just got there. The

right side of the blue. For in this case, the left side of the blue

line. There is the side bar. 60 points is

the target. Basically he's looking for another 29 points from this

situation. Only two reds available at the moment. Not an easy 29 points

to get. Not the right side of the blue this time.

Try to stun in between the green and brown here. Striking the ball well

this morning, John. There's a sound to it as well, the back of the

pocket very well and he's not hitting the jaws, hitting it very

clean. This has been a tough break so far. As to keep this

concentration level up. Difficult when there is more travel in the cue

ball. That's another terrific shot. That's

unlucky. That really is. Worst case scenario you think you'd be on the

yellow. I think he can pot this black but so close to it, it's an

easy snooker go for the easy snooker. He's got a 30 point lead

and John Higgins will do well to hit a red here and not leave anything

on. REFEREE: Foul and a mess, Martin

Gould, four. COMMENTATOR: Decision time, would you take the mess? I

played a pot, I tell you why, you can play it plain ball. I'm

surprised at that, he's got a yellow over the corner pocket. With John

Higgins plays this properly and there is a very good chance he will,

you're going to have nothing. I would have been taking that one.

That's what he's attempting to do. Just didn't get enough side on it

last time. This looks nice. This looks nice. He hit it coming off the

back cushion and as John said, probably know, the wrong decision

from Martin to have it put back. Definitely the wrong decision. Any

time you're given a free shot to nothing like that on the way he's

potted this morning, you'd fancy him nine times out of ten to knock on,

I'm really side he refused it. The yellow is over the pocket, no

position required and you're guaranteed to be on a ball. Of

course, we played in an era where the miss rule wasn't as prevalent as

it is now and some players think going on the sticker here, you can

get 20 points out of this snooker. Wrong way to think, I see that a lot

now. Particularly when there are a couple of reds on the table, get out

of a tough snooker, get past somebody by just getting foul

points. In that instance as well, if you're playing against somebody who

didn't know their way round a table and some of the attack minded, but

yes, but this fellow knows his way around it as well as anybody.

You make your decisions and you stand or fall by them. It will all

be forgotten if Martin Gould can win this frame.

He did. Now the red is running loose. Where is it going to finish.

He's left it. John just checking there, all he has

to do with the cue ball is just stun it, leave the cue ball where the red

is because the yellow will go through the gap between brown and

green, so just concentrate wholly on the pot.

That was a surprise. And sometimes when you're that close to a ball,

once again he's just not down the middle of the cue ball there.

Sighted it wrong, didn't get in the line of the shot. APPLAUSE

Used all the pocket there, but in it went. And this blue, I assume he's

going to play the blue, will put Martin 40 points in front with 59

left. He still looking for two reds and two colours after this blue. The

positional side of this is not straightforward. Obviously he's got

to try to play this with a bit of screw and side, maybe try to get

between the two reds and the pink if he can. Or maybe flick one of those

out. Always a little tricky that, couldn't quite get into the cue ball

enough to get into the gap and if you play the cannon like that, the

position can go astray. It's one of those, after the event you think, I

could have done with hitting it a bit harder, but that's after the

event and we are all wise after that. 40 point lead, it's not a bad

one. I think if he can play a city where he can put a red on the side

cushion, it might be worthwhile just chipping off the one above. You can

just see the edge of that and just push it onto the side cushion may

be. Yes, because the other two reds will not past the pink. They

obviously can't see enough of that. Is he playing this red to the

middle? I think years. -- I think he is. And got it! Wonderful shot.

Wonderful. He has patted back some balls this morning -- potted some

balls this morning. That was an absolute cracker. He's only going

for anything that's round this morning. I admire him. He could have

left it tight on the top vision but he's given himself a chance to see

how he's playing this morning and so far he's playing well and he must be

very pleased. Take nothing for granted. And that's it. Snookers

needed and John Higgins had a chance when he had that red to this corner

pocket and missed it. Didn't have much chance in the first frame this

morning. nice little shot here, play this

with running side to make it hunger cushion. There you go. -- hog the

cushion. Martin Gould in very good form this

morning. The frame is over, she can't make a

century break, he doesn't want to play this, really.

John said to him, don't bother. That will do. Nice to see a smile but

what a start this morning from Martin Gould, absolutely superb.

He's playing great snooker. He still three behind but you could see,

match on. And he has potted some balls this morning. And exhibition,

apart from good break-building, individual balls he's potted have

been wonderful. This one, we're thinking he is playing safe

initially and he hits this one good. As we said, right in the heart of

the pocket. Another nice medium range one, John had missed the red

to the corner but got to cue these well. There's one shot you, this one

for me is a peach. Frame when, anchored he was. You can put a

little bit of unintentional side and once that went in. Look at this. You

said it. Little bit of side on it, just cases it along the cushion.

Beautiful shot. But he's really been very positive this morning, I've

been hugely impressed with his cueing. Everything has at authority

of strike, he's not quite on a ball and looks like he's not quite on a

ball and looks like he is, it with a purpose. John Higgins has left the

arena just to compose himself and that's the difference with Martin

Gould. The way he's come out this morning. There are two ways you can

try to get yourself back into the match, you can play ultra safety,

not take any risks but then sometimes I don't think you give

yourself a chance to know how you're playing. Try and play well, he's

only going to win this match if he plays well. There's a little bit of

a balancing act, you don't want to go gung ho all the time, but what

he's done this morning has been correct, hasn't it? Yeah.

Of course, there's a possible ten frames in this session. They play

four before we get to the mid-session interval, saw two very

important frames, these. Missed it on the way up. A scratch

of the head there from John. He could have left an easier chance. He

was playing it with left-hand side to try to swerve it to hit the end

red and missed it. He pushed the cue ball out and hasn't come back.

That's what's happened there. All these little things will just be

giving Martin Gould a little bit more encouragement. Especially when

you see somebody like John Higgins making a mistake on a safety shot.

If he can get through to the blue he'll settle for it. But obviously

he can. He's a little unlucky there. I have to say that John was bit

fortunate to leave the cue ball near the side cushion which meant. Can't

get through to the blue. It meant he couldn't do much with the cue ball,

he had to trust a little bit to luck and he's had none. That was massive.

That flips out and he's on a blue, what a difference that makes because

he has momentum at the minute and he's scoring well. He's going to

take on the brown. Little bit tricky because he is also slightly hampered

by a red that's under his arm when he is playing. This is one of those

instances, even though you'd been attacking all morning, do you take

this on just be a bit more prudent and play a safety shot? I think he's

playing safe. Well that's the balance you are

talking about. I won't disagree with that. He was a little unlucky there.

Quite impressed by that actually. Sometimes it really difficult dust

to real yourself in. You can be playing really well, knocking in

everything and you feel like you should make more from that

opportunity but he's been very professional there. Just played the

right shot and said no, this is the right shot for this instance and I'm

going to play it. Close. Over 20 minutes now since

John Higgins has potted 8-ball and he may have left this red just to

the right of the black. Or maybe not. It was close. He wouldn't have

been on a colour, was just trying to contain the situation, he thought if

he was doing at containing shot, he would play the potted. Martin cannot

get through to the potting angle to the red immediately right of the

black. Is he playing the pot here? Was a bit risky to me, I would have

played the safety from that. Just had to cover the one on the left, he

was initially going to play off the red on the left but he knew the only

place he could hide the cue ball was up the right-hand side. That's what

he decided to do. He could have done with better length on the cue ball.

That was a very aggressive safety shot. Look at the length of the cue

ball. OK, an inch short, but a good one, telling one. Yeah, got a lot

more to think about here, just wander about the red nearer the

blue, but he's got to get a good red. The two reds near the left-hand

pocket, that's the problem he's got. There is a safety of that red nearer

the blue, but unless you get a really good cue ball, you could be

leaving yourself open. That's the shot that John's referring to. But

you need a good cue ball. You need to find that baulk cushion. And also

don't fit it to seven and catch the bump at the middle pocket. He's

missed the bump. Played it well. Very good shot.

Excellent. He was in a spot of bother. He did get very close to the

middle pocket. Made a huge difference not hitting that bump.

You can be unlucky, but it does happen.

He has played it, but has he left anything? It looks like that was a

fortuitous case on the green. -- fortuitous

if it ran past the green, it may have left a choice of two reds. Has

long game and medium game has been excellent this morning but there's a

lot more pressure on this one, knowing you could be leaving

something. The first one he is cued across.

He's certainly covered the one down the left-hand side. John is already

looking at the red on the right-hand side, taking on that pot.

All of the hours of practice in your club, they are for shots like that.

Beautifully struck. He has missed a couple this morning, John Higgins,

but that will give him a bit more confidence. That was a beauty.

And it's time for John to score now. He has seen Martin playing very well

this morning, winning two quick frames. He needs to read stamp his

authority on this match. -- restamp his authority.

Just a little overhit, but it's one of those shots John has played there

where you are frightened of not getting far enough for the blue.

Brown is available. Actually, the green. He could see

both of those. Not what he played, but it's an

opportunity when putting this red to get the black back on its spot.

When the black does go on its spot, it won't be available in either

corner pocket, so he would like to get on one of the reds that would

stop the black going into one of the corners.

Don't think you'll be able to get through to the red immediately to

the right of the black. Moving that red means the black will

be available into that corner pocket in a few shots. Once again he went

up for the blue, but you would rather be too hard than soft. He has

a good angle. The green looks perfect for the red to the left-hand

side of the black. If he is on the bottom one, well,

that is just perfect. That's a bonus, as long as he pots

it. He won't be taking it for granted.

That makes the black available into both corners. It was quite a clever

shot off the green. He knew if he wasn't on one, he would be on the

other. And he got on the perfect red.

He's had a couple of nice little kisses and nudges, it has still been

a really well constructive break. -- constructed break. He will want to

win the frame at this visit. Needs another 32 to get to the snookers

required stage. Hard to see where he's going to slip up. Those three

reds nicely in a line. And a red on the left of the table

that's nicely available. Two reds, two colours would be more

than enough, but he's given himself a bit of work to do.

Still expected him to pot that, but a bit more on it. Recovered the

situation beautifully. Good pot, good position. This would put him 61

in front with 67 remaining. This black, one more red and a colour and

he will have his first frame on the scoreboard this morning. It started

with that excellent mid-range red, a lovely crisp pot into the top

right-hand corner. Lovely when they go in. Players spent hours playing

these shots. That's what it's for, in the heat of battle.

It won't matter to John, just a red and a colour needed. But good

thinking. How many people would have noticed the pink was not going back

on the spot? He has taken these very well. Considering he has not had

much table time. That's what all the great players

can do, of course. Can be frozen out. It was over 20 minutes since he

potted a ball, and the first chance he gets, he wins the frame. A class

act. Always has been. I'm a big fan of his cue action. I

like watching John play. He lets the cue do the work. A modern

phenomenon, people have become more compact and tighter into the cue

ball, but John lets the cue do the work. I have never seen him

decelerate on a ball yet. If I was teaching someone starting off, I

would prefer this cue action. Nearly comes off his bridge hand, he

takes it back that far, but it's always smooth. I know you worked a

lot with Frank Callan. Do you think he was the one who first got this

real old drawback? I think John, from years of practising with

Stephen Hendry... I think he went to see Frank. John picked that up from

practising with Stephen and Frank was very much an advocate of letting

the cue do the work. No better advert than seeing Stephen winning

those championships, and John as well. And Steve Davis, and you as

well. And Ken Doherty. He coached seven world champions, Frank. Sadly

passed away last year. A right character. Loved his snooker.

Last year, the record number of centuries was equalled. I think it's

going to be bettered this year. It's a good shout. I hope so, John, it's

better to watch. As long as they are not every frame. I like to see the

close frames. This has been an excellent contribution. Just one

poor positional shot, but he made light of it.

This has been top draw. That's why he's the champion that he is.

Trying to come around... Where's the cue ball going to?

Wonderful. We have been treated to three marvellous frames so far this

morning. It seemed to be all Martin Gould. John Higgins showing what a

competitor he is. He is four ahead again.

Impressive record, that, isn't it? Yeah, not many better. If you are a

multiple champion here at the Crucible, they are very where birds

-- rare birds indeed. You are in with the greats. Absolutely.

This was a key shot, the way he judged this. I thought this was

played really well. The one thing you couldn't do with it was short.

He knew the red above the black... That was the one I called first, but

if he could get on the bottom one, that was even better. Then he has

opened up the black to both pockets, and he couldn't have struck it any

better. That was the key shot to the frame. Absolutely. As you say, he

couldn't afford to be short, and that was in his mind. If anything, a

little bit harder. Anyway, it was a perfect positional shot and a

wonderful century. Mid-session interval after this

frame. Three marvellous frames we have seen this morning.

Nothing worse than doing that. A great frame, you make a century and

then all of a sudden a break off like that, sticking the red towards

the middle pocket. You can see it in John's face, he is annoyed with

that. Yes, and the red has gone in. He

will finish close to the cushion so he needs a nice angle of the blue.

Not bad. Doesn't have to do much with the cue

ball, just role in the blue. He will probably play for the red at the

back near the black. That's a good shot. Tight on the

cushion. JP here was known as one of the best

players off the cushion. You would have been content to drop that in

dead weight! Cues it beautifully. Amazing how your mind thinks,

because you would have played that shot exactly as Martin did.

I was blessed to be able to play off cushions. Willie always gives me

stick, he says the position was there! One of those things, I never

had any problem with it. But he struck that lovely.

OK... He would have liked to have been another six inches away. I

prefer playing the screw on that type of short, I just feel it has a

bit more control. He has opened up the reds, but it's all about potting

the black and getting position. I wonder if he'll play a little stun

up into the reds, the little cannon. That would be ideal.

Mmm. Could have just done with catching it's likely the other way.

Don't get me wrong, he has a red to the left middle, one to the right

middle. But just a little bit tricky. Particularly the one to the

left middle. That was almost a case of the fact he is hitting the ball

too well this morning. Just wanted it to the other side

slightly, would have been perfect for the bottom red. This is trickier

with the cueing. He can't get the right side of the

blue. Slightly blind pocket, a trickier

red, but it's there, no problem. The frame before the mid-session

interval, it's a big one. As long as he can keep John Higgins two away

from victory, he's got a little bit of room to manoeuvre.

I don't think that was entirely how he played it, but he'll take it.

This has been a fabulous little mini-session this morning, it has to

be said. The standard is superb. Are they paying us for watching this,

John? Yeah, it's been absolutely marvellous. Proof of what we were

saying. 94% pot successful Martin Gould this morning. 91%, John

Higgins. And take your hat off to Martin

Gould, playing one of the best players to have ever picked up a

cue, 7-2 behind, and he's had such a good approach to the match. That

takes a bit of doing. Just let the cue ball on loose

there. And once again he is going to be relying on a little cannon. Can't

really guarantee position. Pot the black, that's the main

priority. Well played. One in the middle. And

one in the corner. If he can win this frame in one

visit, which is a distinct possibility, it will make him feel

good at the mid-session interval. Nothing like winning with one visit.

25 points needed. He will settle for the blue to the

far corner. That's OK. He's not done a lot wrong this

morning. Just shows you. A wonderful century, and then plays the break

off... Just caught the end red a bit too thick.

Perfect. I think that break off thing happens quite a bit after

you've just done something really good. A little bit in concentration,

you've just made a century and stamped your authority back on the

match, and you don't quite concentrate enough on the break off,

and you sit in the chair thinking, why did I do that? We've all done

it. Just drop your guard for a second in this game... The worst

thing is you have to go and sit down and suffer.

This has been excellent stuff from Martin Gould. Well, excellent stuff

from both players. Really is a cracking session. I'm just impressed

with the belief he has shown this morning. Yeah.

I was impressed with the safety shot he played before. One of the best

things I had seen this morning. Playing so well, but he pulled in

his horns and said no, this is the right shot. That shows someone

thinking clearly. The right shot is always the right shot.

When they started this morning, obviously would -- he would have

loved to win the four frames... If he gets out of it 3-1, he will have

done some damage. But that is a poor positional shot.

The higher he goes up the table, the more he is going to be on the red in

the corner, and the one that goes in the other corner, so the one thing

he could not be there was short. This is a tricky pot.

Needed a bit of side on it. The flick on the second red has worked

out perfectly. Scare over. John Higgins, for all

money it looks now... Well, he started the morning session with a

five frame lead, it is going to be cut to three.

Another good example, that last shot... To get ideal position, he

could have put on a bit of side, but he said no, I will just knock the

ball in and see where I finish. Good thinking again.

I don't think John Higgins will bother coming back to the table if

that goes in. Well, we've already had two

centuries. In the first three frames this morning. Could we see a third

one? Not beyond the realms of possibility.

The little cannon to stay on the pink. Well, what a pity. Not a

century, but more than enough. Martin Gould should be very proud of

that performance. Came at with no negative thoughts, trailing 7-2. At

the mid-session interval, it is now 8-5.

STUDIO: We shall be back there shortly. The mid-session interval.

John Higgins, the four-time world champion, needing two frames to book

his place in the last 16. But a spirited fightback from Martin

Gould, all to play for. An interesting tussle on the other

table, as Stuart Carrington of Grimsby takes on Liang Wenbo. Wenbo

beta Judd Trump to win his first ranking title last year in the

English open. He has a real chance to do something here at the

Crucible. Somebody Peter knows very well,

Liang Wenbo. Wait to see him back. Absolutely. A really nice lad.

Incredibly talented, a very excitable character, brilliant for

the game. He is such a good player, it's incredible. His technique is

unusual. He is incredibly close to the cue ball with his bridge hand,

which means the back end of the cue is up a bit, which is not ideal. But

he scores so heavily and his cue ball in practice is so good. We

recounted before that he played a best of nine against somebody and

had three centuries, a maximum and a 90. Which is just unbelievable

stuff. I am so pleased for him that he has won his first big tournament.

You mentioned his technique. He is right eyed and left-handed. It is

very strange, and sometimes he can come across the ball and twitch

under pressure, which we have all done from time to time. But it is

noticeable with him, so I am sure he will be working on keeping as still

as he can in future, especially under pressure. Seriously talented

player, and on his game he can beat anybody. He is exciting. Moving all

over the place, art off the shot before he has hit the cue ball,

brilliant to watch, but some think you would like to get control of. I

love his celebration when he wins. To be able to jump up in the air and

his feet come above the table, buried athletic sort of guy, he has

done a lot of running in the past to keep himself fit. -- very athletic.

One of the best players China has ever produced. Perhaps in the shadow

of Ding for a time, but the fact he has won a big tournament now, let's

hope he can kick on. I've ever watching him in the commentary box

with Dennis Taylor and thinking, wow, you are the next big thing, and

then he disappeared for a while. Where did he go? It can happen. Name

one player who has not had a bad season where you think, what has

happened to them? All of a sudden, they learn the lessons, worked a bit

harder again, get their mind right, take on a coach and then they give

themselves every opportunity to come back and be stronger than before.

Yes, and Liang Wenbo used the pain of losing in the 2015 final of the

UK Championship to finally joins Luca's elite. He lost to Neil

Robertson in that final 10-5, and there is a real feeling he could

make it through to the semifinals this year at the Crucible. If not

the final. We join it in the opening stages. Your commentary team is

Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty. That was the only red he could leave

on really. Didn't expect him to hit the far jaw of the middle pocket.

First chance now to Liang. That shot Stuart took on, it was so

awkward you would maybe only give yourself two out of ten chance of

knocking it in from that angle. Liang didn't get enough pace on that

pot. He has left himself awkward. Needed to run through another six

inches. Would have been an easy pink into

the middle, had to take it into the corner and it was nowhere near the

pocket. A bit of an edgy start from Liang.

Is the. The chance he had, could have got himself nicely on the

black. A bit of a slip up there. And that only just went in. Any more

pace and it would have stayed out. A few wobbles there.

Another couple of wobbles from the blue before safely staying down. But

now it's developing into quite a decent chance here. Five loose reds.

Nice angle on the black but he won't come into the reds. Doesn't have too

here. Four loose reds available. Take the red nearer the left centre

pocket. One of those situations where he was

playing for virtually see reds. Three reds available to him.

Sometimes you do that. Playing into an area so you are giving yourself

options. Again he could try and get on two reds. One adds to the left of

the pack of reds or the one to the left centre.

I like watching Liang Wenbo play, he's got a swagger when he was round

the table. Very modest lad, he walks round the table. Bit of a stomp.

Very confident round the table. He's got a nice angle, which he

seems to have, he can brush off the side of the pack with a little bit

of pace and bring a couple more reds into play here. A couple have come

out, so that's nicely done. Quick look at the scores. What he's

going to need. Two loose reds and one more. That's to secure the first

frame. Not quite sure. Having a look to see

if the red course to the left centre. Got a nice angle, he can

screw into the reds if he wishes. Looks like he's a little bit

reluctant to do that. Perfect angle, he may take the red up into the

yellow pocket. He likes to pick off the reds from the bunch in his

break. Not one of these players that just wants to smash the reds open

straightaway. He only needs this to secure the opening frame here. Looks

good. Right in the centre of the pocket. Played that with top spin.

No side on the cue ball. Just slipped off the reds rather than

hitting them full ball but the frame is safe and this red may cut into

the middle pocket. If this goes, a chance of a century.

No century but you'd have to say it's a good start from Liang Wenbo.

Stuart Carrington stays in his seat and a break of 71 gives the Chinese

player the opening frame. A very solid start by Liang Wenbo. Let's

show you what happened in frame two and its Li Hang to play. -- Li

it's gone completely wrong. Just red required for Stuart Carrington.

He's had a slight result. He is hampered by the blue, Liang Wenbo,

and that he's dead straight he can do a lot about it. The old snooker

regards sometimes never forgive you and that easy black that he missed

off the spot is coming back to haunt him here. We'll have to get on a

colour. Just the pink is the only possible thing that's going to come

to his rescue here. Just going back to that red, I don't know why he

didn't just try to drop down and give it a chance for the red to drop

into the pocket, he only needed red. Was lucky he was trying to get out

onto a colour. Have a look at this red. Drop it in, give it a chance to

drop in if he plays that slower it might have gone in off the angle of

the pocket. As I said, the pink is the only

thing that can come to Stuart Carrington's rescue. It all depends

on how he gets that thing. I think if he lands somewhere around

that baulk line. He has other options also available. But that's

where he's over two. And that's not bad. He's nice and straight on the

pink but he's not going to be able to get close to the black so it is

going to be a black from mid-range distance. Just eyeing it up but he

such a good long putter he's got every confidence to take the long

black on but might still be a little bit hard for Carrington. User

left-hander which helps as well here. Black for this second frame.

Straight in the middle of the pocket and a very relieved Liang Wenbo

takes the second frame of the morning session, the longest frame

of the tournament so far and Stuart Carrington will be very

disappointed. He leads 2-0. That happened a short time ago, if you

are to carry on watching that match is available on the red button but

we prefer to stay here on BBC Two. Watching Liang Wenbo, heady raters

game? He's a fantastic player. We must for a few seasons and he got

his game back in the final of the UK and he's a very dangerous opponent,

a very good scorer. Probably a decent draw, stewards are struggling

with the atmosphere at the Crucible and he knocked out Mark Williams and

you'd rather play Stuart and Mark Williams. There's a chance that Ding

Junhui is booking his place in the last 16 today. Liang, if he wins

this match he takes on Ding Junhui and that's going to be one heck of a

tussle. In practice for hours and hours together. Maybe it might not

have acted before this championship, might have kept away from each

other. You are commentating on a match between John Higgins and

Martin Gold and Martin are still in this. This is a fantastic match, the

session this morning has been superb, bloody century breaks. John

Higgins has had the ball well, not on our lot wrong but Martin Gould

has been very good, great social action and positive. When he has

declared a safety shots he's done well. Very good session this

morning. Good stuff, I'll let you go. You got to run back to the

commentary box. Mid-session interval over, this

match will now be played to a finish. No more intervals. John

Higgins needs two frames. Martin Gould needs five. Every credit the

way he's come out and fought this morning.

Decent safety shot from John. No easy path back to the baulk and

unless you can get past the blue. That red on the left-hand side of

the table. Had another look, had a few looks. Saw him hit the edge of

the red. He probably didn't think he could

hit it that thick. Catching the blue was dangerous but that yellow has

come to his rescue somewhat. This pot is on to the right corner. John

is going to be hampered by the yellow. That's a bit of playing the

pot. If the yellow wasn't there he's playing it no doubt.

Well, he looks like he's decided that he is. Maybe his thinking is

that it just runs through a little bit on it and the only one he could

leave is the one he's taking. Brilliant. I say brilliant, it's a

great pot, he just lost the cue ball.

Tough enough pot that was, being hampered.

All friends here at the Crucible is big -- all frames you and the

Crucible are big, but this one is massive. If John wins this, he will

think he is home and hosed. Stuart Carrington will think he is looking

a bit precarious. Would have been a better shot if it

flicked the yellow. Would have made it easier for John with his hand on

the table. Who's going to get the first chance.

These tactical battles are always interesting at the start of a frame.

The way but Spurs have from this morning. John Higgins has played his

part. Made a marvellous 127 in the 12th frame. This is a good shot.

This is excellent. Could have played that much better, a little tap on

the table from John Higgins in appreciation.

Couldn't risk trying to get back to the baulk end, so just the

containing safety. Bit disappointed with that. John

just checking. Towards the left corner. It was a strange frame with

the browns in the sport because not a lot of spaces you can have. Behind

the yellow. He's got a target and it's a very good shot as well.

Nearly got the pot but that isn't what it was about. The cue ball

behind the yellow. This has got to be thin whichever way you hit it. If

he hates it thing he could pot it. And he has done. Was that a good

flick on the blue? It's not a bad one. It's not a bad one. You bet it

is. Wow. Great pot, didn't think he could cut that in. Excellent. The

flip on the blue, what a bonus that is. Absolute natural angle. What

shot does he play? Does he try to call into the reds or come out and

play on a loose one? You cannot miss the blue, Martin.

Very surprising. How many times do we say, when you look at the shot it

looks very easy but it's quite an acute angle. Not that acute to be

honest with you. Very disappointed to have missed that opportunity

after the excellent opening red. The way the balls are situated, it might

not be that costly. This isn't an easy table by any means.

Looks like he could have been nothing and then coming off the

other one has put him on the black. As you quite rightly say it's not a

nice table at the moment. The blue is off its spot which always makes a

difference. The brown on the side cushion. I don't think John is going

to be on anything after that when the black gets spotted. What could

be end of break. Just needed that cue ball to run a

fraction further. The situation when the referee spots the black. Thanks

Raff. Like the referee takes great pleasure. Slowly potting the black

on its spot. I'm sure he doesn't but as a player you feel that. That Mr

blue only costing a few points. Just caught that a little bit too

thick. That's why he's not quite reaching the baulk line. Chance to

have a look at what's available. If the blue passes the red to the right

corner he'll take this red on. And it does. Not much margin of error.

Will feel that the only red he could leave is the one he's playing.

Good solid pot. And perfect on the blue. That was always looking like

the shot. Beautifully cute. But where's this position coming from

here. Is he going to call up the table and round? I think that's what

he'll have to do. With the yellow not being on its spot and the brown

not on its spot, not too many obstacles to avoid. Judge this

nicely. APPLAUSE Very good. Good cueing yet again.

Looking like an unpromising position a couple of shots ago, John Higgins

pots this black and the easy red on the right, leaves himself an angle

to knock into the pack and who knows, might be able to score enough

points to win this frame. We'll be leaving himself a nice half Paul

angle to stun into the pack or screw into the pack, which ever way he

sees it. Need 64 points to be over the line. A little stunned up here I

would suggest here. If the split goes right, good chance to win the

frame. Whereas the red ball going. Now can

he get past the blue? Didn't quite get into the cue enough, did he? No.

Just a tiny fraction off. He feels he can swerve round the blue to pot

this red. So close to going in. He thought he could swerve around but

in the end he was very lucky to pot it. Very lucky. Lucky not to go in

and off. Fractions favoured him there. Looks like the blue ghost

just past the yellow. APPLAUSE

If he's on that red and found the gap, that's an excellent shot. That

is absolutely perfect. He'll be so pleased with himself with that shot,

he really will. To find that gap. He got lucky with the one over the

middle pocket because I'm pretty sure he didn't play a double-kiss

pot. He'll take it. That blue was lovely.

This is the last of the open reds. And 43 lead. A possible 83

remaining. Still going to need three more reds, you would have thought,

to close the frame at this visit. Needs a good angle on the colour off

this thread to try to bring us the reds just below the pink into play.

Looking to see if one of them goes to the middle.

I don't think he's got the best angle on the black but he may have a

good angle on the pink. Looking once again to see if the end red close to

the middle. It must be tight. If he plays the pink, he can open them up,

looks like he has a nice angle on the pink but he'd rather play this

one. The black is unmissable. Because it's virtually catching the

other one close to it, just got to get in the right position. Not

straightforward. Just got to get the position in the right place so the

red is two. Had a look at it a couple of times and I think that's

perfect. If he releases the other two reds into good positions, that

would be sufficient, these the reds with colours. Would be well past the

run of snooker is required. This really has been a break of the

highest quality. The red over the middle pocket, he was a bit lucky

with a double-kiss to get it but the shot on the blue to find a gap and

the rest of it, the way it's been constructed has been pure John

Higgins. Wonderful control of the cue ball. When he came to the table

I didn't think he'd be winning a frame from there. No. But it was a

poor safety shot from Martin and it shows you at this level, if you

don't find the baulk cushion, you're in trouble and this to win the

frame. STUDIO: Excellent snooker from the

four time world champion John Higgins and a bit of red button

business now. If you want to continue watching this match ahead

your red button and you can continue to watch Liang Wenbo against Stuart

Carrington. 2-1 to Liang as it stands on the BBC sport at an BBC

sport website. We will show you the best of the John Higgins match very

shortly when we return at one o'clock. Hazel will be here as we

see Judd Trump for the very first time.

How many times have you driven a boat this fast?!