Day 4, Afternoon Session Snooker: World Championship

Good afternoon. How are you doing? Are you ready for another general

election campaign, or are you ready for some snooker before

concentrating on that? Well, this is condemn four of the World

Championships in Sheffield. When we started on Saturday, there were

eight champions of the world in the draw. The origin of them have

already gone through to round two. But if there is to be a new name on

the trophy this year, the man best fancied for that starts his campaign

today. He has a powerful game - and a powerful name. And finally, one of

the most exciting players of his generation, Judd Trump!

Well, Judd Trump has been a likely lead for World Championship success

since he turned up here a decade ago as a 17-year-old. Since then he has

been a runner-up and has twice made it to the semifinal. But the bookies

at least reckon he's the big name who is going to emerge from the

bottom half of the draw this year. The world number two's never enjoyed

a more successful season, with two titles and five finals in all - he's

champing at the bit! He faces the oldest man in the glaucoma

46-year-old Ronnie McLeod, back at The Crucible after a six-year wait.

Liang Wenbo is also here. But opponent Stuart Carrington will not

be fazed. He has beaten Mark Williams in qualifying. And it

wouldn't be the World Championships if Ronnie O'Sullivan wasn't the man

creating headlines. And so, these are our live matches from half past

two this afternoon. Ding is in a very commanding as shown in his

match against Zhou Yuelong. And then Judd Trump, in his eighth appearance

here at Sheffield. But with seven world titles between them, we are in

excellent hands today, with Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon. And these

gentlemen had a fantastic evening on duty last night. If you stayed to

watch it on the red button with Jason, it was fantastic stuff. This

is Scottish Open winner Marco Fu staging nothing short of a miracle

comeback, from 7-1 behind to pinch it in the deciding frame against

Luca Brecel. And on the adjacent table, Northern Ireland's Mark Allen

was also pushed all the way by world number 39 Jimmy Robertson. Mark

Allen summoned all of his experience to take it, finishing off with a 97.

But it was a really tough work-out for Mark. So, what a session of

snooker. And Marco Fu's comeback has to go down as one of the greatest

missable turnarounds in history. Steve, you were commentating on it,

what did you make of it? Just a typical bread-and-butter first-round

match, but what a great match to win, from the seed's perspective. We

have got used to Marco Fu over the last few years so we expect him to

play well but he was really in a whole at 7-2 behind. Luca Brecel

might be thinking this morning, what did I do wrong? I'm not sure. And

Marco Politi, am I dreaming, afterwards. Well, he's not. But how

do you explain the turnaround between the first session and the

second? Quite a few of the players have said to me, sometimes Marco Fu

can throw in a performance like he did in the first session. I

personally have never seen him do that bad before. He was a completely

different player in the second session, the player that we see so

often. Very close cue ball control, never more than 2ft away, scoring

very heavily, and when he got his tail up, he was incredible. I felt

sorry for Luca Brecel, he did not do much wrong. Let's not forget, he

played his part in a truly memorable match, and that's certainly one of

the greatest comebacks in Crucible history. He did make some

interesting comments in the studio with Jason afterwards, when he

revealed that his coach said, do you believe you can win, not just this

match, but the title, and was an interesting response? Yes. It

sounded as if perhaps he didn't want to overplay his chances. But he

sounded as if he did not really believe he could win the tournament.

I said to him, what are you talking about? You are a potential world

champion, and certainly he's got the game to be just that. When Marco Fu

is playing at the best of his ability, he's capable of beating

everybody - and he's beaten all of them. We were talking about this

before we came on air. But during my heyday, I didn't really think about

winning the tournament but I just thought about the next match. So I

was positive about the next match but I was not looking that far

ahead. So perhaps he has not even thought about it, he's just playing

one session at a time. Who knows? And also we saw Mark Allen getting

across the line, but I think Jimmy Robertson's performance summed up

what the qualifiers have done. Everybody has given their opponent a

really tough time so far, with the exception of one or two. These guys

are match sharp coming into the tournament? Absolutely. It's very

difficult to win three best of 19s without being sharp. Conditions are

very difficult down there, the medals were really, really small,

the tables were totally different, but the players are match sharp, and

though going to give a great match to any of the seeds. I think that

work-out is steadily adding to the quality of the snooker than we have

seen in the first round. And we've seen some good stuff as well in the

match that you may have been watching earlier on BBC Two, because

we've got four-time champion John Higgins up against Martin Gould.

Martin is the highest ranked of any of the qualifiers. This was expect

it to be a tough one for John. But in the first section, he went to a

7-2 advantage and we can now bring you up to date with what happened

from tone and this morning. -- from 10am this morning.

JOHN PARROTT: I'll turn you what, he'll settle for that. We have not

seen many centuries better than this.

JOHN VIRGO: Very well played, Martin Gould. Wow! What a pot that was!

Wonderful shot, wonderful! He's three behind, but you could say,

match on. Beautifully stuck. Top-drawer, that's why he's the

champion he is. Wonderful! He was trailing 7-2 - it's now 8-5. Oh, you

can't miss the blue, Martin! He's now one frame away from a place in

the second round. And that's where we will pick it up. John Higgins

needing just one more frame for a place in the second round. Would he

get it in frame 15? Let's find out, with John Virgo and John Parrott.

JOHN VIRGO: John Higgins would love to win this frame, because Martin

Gould has certainly put him under a little bit of pressure this morning.

Martin in a situation where you can't afford to make a mistake,

basically. He's taking this on - needs to get it... Solid!

We always say, you don't settle until you get your first frame on

the scoreboard - and it took a long time. The reason I don't look for

90% on long pots is, some of them are played as a shock to nothing. --

as a shot to nothing. Well, he didn't play that cannon,

but he's done well there. We say sometimes for people in this

position, you've got to play no-miss snooker. Otherwise you will be going

home. He's playing the run-through, which

surprises me, because that doesn't go in the opposite corner. Or maybe

it does. Yes, it does. I know what you mean, though, it's

quite tight, isn't it? There can't be much margin of error.

Did well. He has got a bit of work to do with the cue ball. I'm going

to say the black doesn't go in that pocket. I think you're right with

that one! It would be easy if the pink goes

into the left middle - I'm not sure it does.

The way these two have been scoring this morning, you would probably

think this is frame over. Brilliant break in the last frame

from John Higgins, and Martin Gould looks like he's in here as well.

High-quality stuff. Just a little bit 'twixt and between

here. Because he stand it, he got a little bit too close to the black

there. -- because he stunned it. He played that well.

We saw the 17-year-old playing yesterday. Martin, now at the ripe

old age of 36. It seems not to be a barrier to winning tournaments. We

saw Anthony Hamilton in his 40s winning the tournament this year.

Mark King. Yes, I haven't seen a chance to see Anthony - very well

done, really pleased for you. And I spoke to Mark King of the won, and

he was still in delirium a couple of weeks afterwards. Yeah, and it was

great for his father, Bill, as well. You know what it's like, the family,

they follow you, they suffer all the heartbreak. To get that victory and

see those reactions... Just this red and a colour required. And he's

keeping his hopes alive. When given a chance, Martin, he has been

scoring. So he will keep John Higgins on his toes, that's for

sure. I've been very impressed with Martin Gould this morning, his

attitude, his commitment and his play. Yeah, very good. Some

similarities with the Marco Fu match yesterday. He was 7-1 down at one

point com came back to win, incredible result. Different kettle

of fish coming back against John Higgins. Luca, great player though

he is, you will get more chances with him than you will with John

Higgins. I think Marco Fu lost the first five frames, a similar story,

and all of the sudden you're playing catch-up. And you start to question

everything you're doing. It's not going to go in the but it

won't matter. John stays in his seat. Very good contribution from

John Gould. He's still up against it, still three behind, and John

Higgins, one frame away from winning the match.

HAZEL IRVINE: Another good break to go with two centuries that he made

earlier in the match. And Martin Gould still hasn't given up hope. In

the frame 16 we go, and it's Martin at the table.

JOHN VIRGO: Well, well! I thought that had stopped in the jaws for a

second! Thank goodness for gravity! JOHN PARROTT: Well, I bet his heart

shipped beat the man she for all the world, it look like it was going to

stay on the jaws. The cloths here are still so new.

I know it struggled in, but fair play to him for playing it that way,

it was the only way he could get on a colour, by rolling it in dead

weight. It was a brave shot, with the scoreline as it is. But I still

don't know how it went in. And it did - even on the replay!

Obviously, Martin could do with getting an angle on baulk colour

here. He really does need to get that pink

and black in play. The funny thing is, the blue was actually being a

bit of a problem if where it was. Although this will help, get the

blue back on its spot, that will be something. And then he can pot red,

up to the blue, and then he can play a cannon. And, John, if you play

that cannon, you get into the pink, the black will move reds about. So,

a Chansiri. -- so, a chance here. When it then like this, you can't

inject a lot of pace in the shot. Off the green, he's going to have to

play a good positional shot for the next red.

Once again, struck that beautifully. So, he's got a shot with the rest

now. Surely the pink and black don't pot... He would like to keep that

success rate going with the rest. He's played for the baulk colour.

Now, here's his chance. And he could not be better situated now. This is

an ideal opportunity. In an ideal world, you would like to just hit

the black half-ball and then run into the reds. That is the shot that

John was referring to. Well, that does surprise me. The

only thing I can think is, maybe he's going to play it the other way

off the blue. He's got to go now, if he doesn't,

I'll never believe it. He'll go now. Fair play to him. He's still

thinking clearly. Well, I'll never believe it, you've

GOT to go into the pink and black there. John the wrong choice. --

yeah, the wrong choice. You can chip as white as long as you like, but...

-- you can chip away. First decision this morning where he has just got a

little bit negative. He's potted it - is he on a colour?

You always feel with these, you would rather play them into the

middle. But there's pressure on this.

No. Well, a disappointing end there for Martin. He made the wrong shot

choice and it caught up with him in the end. It's a strange one as well,

because he's been so positive this morning. He had to go into that pink

and black. And now, that last shot he played

has now made the pink and black pottable for John! All in all, that

was a bit of a shocker. We said that he had to play no-miss

snooker - and missing that brown could be so, so costly. Will his run

in the Betfred World Championships end there? It could well do.

He's always have a wonderful way of finishing of matches, John Higgins.

He knows how to get over the line. He has done this hundreds of times

before. Can he do it again? Looks to have the perfect angle on

the pink, the stun it in and play for the red in the same pocket.

Still got a little bit of work to do, it's not a formality that he

will win the frame from here. He played a little cannon there and

put the reds into pottable positions. His intention was to get

them out into the open as soon as possible. Still a bit more to do.

Yeah, just the wrong angle on the pink.

Obviously, the brown is a slight problem in this break. He will want

to move that at some stage so that the red will be pottable into that

corner. Still needs another 27 points.

'S has played nicely, it is grew up with a bit of force to get the right

side of the pink, so when he plays the stun keys on the red above the

black. Maybe he will just play on the road here. I think he will have

to play on the ground. Just got to be careful here when he plays the

cannon, doesn't want to leave himself too thin on the brown.

APPLAUSE That was about the best he could

play that, John. May just be able to play a little screw back here and

play the red in the same pocket. A beer on brown. APPLAUSE

-- maybe a cannon on the brown. The only downside is he slightly

hampered by the brown. The other thing is that he'd like to have got

the brunt onto its own spot to make the clearance a bit easier. It's

although he will be past the winning post by them, I think John has taken

these well, hasn't he? Really well. Martin Gould had a chance. Just

question his shot selection at a vital time. He's going to need good

cueing for this. These can be missed. Red undercover required.

In it goes. Flicked the yellow. That will do nicely. This yellow will put

him 28 points in front with 27 remaining. Martin Gould's race looks

to have been run. I have to say that if Martin Gould played other players

this week, he'd be knocking some of them out of the way he's played this

morning. He played very well this morning and I give him credit for

it. We question some of the shots anti-should have been more

aggressive in this frame but he's giving John Higgins a little bit of

a fright and John Higgins will be very relieved now just to add the

finishing touches to this match. He's had to work hard to day. He's

made two outstanding breaks. This one to win the match has been

brilliant. Started off of these and well, one maxi tournaments, had a

bit of a low but he certainly proved early on in the season that he could

still produce the goods and he's produced it here and gone all the

way four times before. Who's to say he can't make it five? The handshake

and Martin Gould saying well played and best of luck for the rest of the

tournament. Every credit to Martin Gould, did really well, sure the

real good attitude and he'll be back for more, that's for certain but

John Higgins is now safely through to the second round. He wins 10-6.

The scoreline says a relatively comfortable but a little puff of the

cheeks there, he made you want for it a bit today what might I'm

surprised he didn't play like that in the first session. I was just

trying to keep him pretty tight. This is your 23rd year, such a

special place, do you still feel the nerves? Yes. I'm proud of myself,

really, as you say, I played against Mark Allen in 2009, eight years ago,

and he has gone on to be a top, top player, I'm proud I am still in

there against the best players. When you get past 40, supposedly you're

on the downward curve of your career. But I still feel OK about my

game. Still in it to win it. Good luck in that second round match.

Thanks. And Rob underlining the longevity of John Higgins' career.

He turns 42 in May. And he's still the world number six, Peter. It is a

fantastic career? Incredible career. Without a shadow of a doubt, he's

one of the greatest match players, one of the greatest players and

ambassadors, we've ever seen. I wouldn't be so priced at all if he

is still at the top of the game in ten years' time if he wanted to be.

That is quite a statement. But right now, he's focusing on being the only

man in his 40s to take the title since Ray Reardon in 1978. He

retains that really high scoring touch. Has that been, for you, one

of his chief assets over the years? Yeah, and also his all-round ability

and matchplay. It strikes me that whilst you can have longevity in the

game by working hard and dedication, your natural ability also can

outlast your years, so to speak. If you look at the 1980s players, the

one who is still on the circuit is arguably the one with the most

natural ability, Jimmy White is still in there fighting. So that

natural ability can keep you going for longer. When you look at the

great players of the modern-day era, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins,

Mark Williams, those class animals, and natural ability animals, are the

ones who are still giving it a go into their 40s, when it is

considered, for some reason, at the age of 40, I certainly went a bit

downhill, started to go! And we were supposed to have some natural

ability as well, in our own way. But it does seem that Ronnie O'Sullivan,

for certain, if he wants to, but also last a long time, into his

fifties. John talking really confidently, and it strikes me that

if he's talking a confident game coming into the World Championships,

he's a very dangerous player. He's got Mark Allen, a match which is in

the bottom half of the draw. Yesterday we spoke about the top of

the draw, and in the top half, you've got some very, very powerful

players, Mark Selby, Robertson, Murphy and the rest. All the danger

men. But if we look at the bottom half of the draw... There are

obviously no easy matches at the Crucible but you have former

champions Bingham, Judd Trump, the current inform player. They are the

names that leaked out at you. You have perennial Crucible performers

like runners-up Ali Carter and Barry Hawkins and former champion Graeme

Dott and the very dangerous Stephen Maguire. What's your assessment of

how tough it is quick to be to come through to this half?

Certainly not an easy half, really tough. John Higgins there as well.

One of the greatest players of all time. The player that I practice

with is Kyren Wilson and he's just a phenomenal talent. We've seen

nowhere near the level of capability so far of what he's capable of and I

would be very surprised if he's not world champion within the next three

years, maybe it's his year but there are other top players. Ali Carter

will have every chance, so it's going to be a fascinating

tournament. Could be time for a new champion to leap out of the bottle

mouth and the bookmakers fancy Judd Trump. To say that the top half of

the draw is stronger than the bottom half disregards some monstrously

good players. I'd have to say I'm pleased I don't play any more

because I'd get nowhere. Just bombardment of quality. It's all

good for us and bodes well for the next few days here in Sheffield.

We'll see Judd Trump about 2:30pm but we've been watching a

fascinating match on the other table this morning in the ten o'clock

session. Liang Wenbo, China's firecracker, the English open winner

against Stuart Carrington. Stuart is a former pop like when and the

Crucible, 11 years ago and this is his second go at the big-time at the

Crucible. He beat Mark Williams to be here and not short on confidence.

The man from Grimsby. We watched Liang Wen met the first two frames

this morning on BBC Two, Carrington has come back to level things at the

mid-session, so we're going to join them again in frame five in the

company of Ken Doherty and Dennis Taylor. Liang Wenbo looks more

nervous now than Stuart Carrington. Vali everything has turned around

since that Mr brown. That last shot helped being six feet tall to go

right over the pack. That was quite a stretch but he's a tall lad,

Stuart. I think you and I would have struggled with that last shot.

There's a red at the bottom of the pack but I think he's nicely on the

black just to screw up for that. There you see it but he has a nice

angle if he wants to go into the reds here. Rio just played and

measured little cannon, played it very nicely indeed. Had to hit that

red almost full ball. With a nice angle on this thread. He can Poppi

this thread and go to the bottom of the pack and bring some more loose

reds into play. He had to hit it into that side of

the pocket so he could get on this black nicely. If the red went into

the middle of the pocket, the cue may have collided into a couple of

the reds from the pack. Decided to go into the rounds that

time and it's OK. Won't be able to hold for black

year, so we'll maybe go for the blue or baulk colour. The reds are split

now. That's not bad. All of a sudden

Stuart Carrington starting to look very comfortable. Breaks of 55 and

63 to draw level after missing the sitter in the second frame. He

certainly should have made it 1-1 but that's all long gone and he's

starting to relax and play his natural game out there. Liang Wenbo

has a tough match on his hands now. He's missed a few fairly

straightforward balls has Liang and he knows he's got to have set up his

game because he's up against an opponent and starting to cue very

nicely indeed. Still got quite a view to pot to secure this fifth

frame. It didn't go into the middle of the

pocket and subsequently he's not on the top side of the blue.

There's a slight angle he can run the cue ball in with a lot of top

spin and in and out of baulk. Decided against that, he wants to

play the red from middle distance. You'd have to say if he gets this

and gets on the black it will be a frame-winner. He's going to need

that little extension on the bottom of the cue. He's quite a tall lad,

over six feet tall, having to get to the blue area to reach that. This is

a wee bit uncomfortable. Being hampered slightly as well. If he

reaches down the other side of the table, the yellow will be slightly

in the way. Pot just slightly more difficult this site.

Very good pot under the circumstances. It was important to

knock that one end. He needs a few more reds with colours to make

absolutely sure. I know he's only been to the

Crucible once before. A couple of years ago he lost 7-6 to Judd Trump

Van Dijk can't remember if he made a century in that match, I'm not sure.

There is every chance of a century here. He's finished a little bit

straight on the black but the reds near the pink spot, still one of

them available to the left middle pocket if he's dead straight on the

black. Worth another look. The highest

break when he played was a break of 99. So, the frame is safe, can he

make his first Crucible century here?

No distractions, no noise because of play has finished on the other

table. Lights out on the other table and that dividing wall will be up

after this frame. This is excellent from Stuart

Carrington. He was all at sea at the beginning of the match. Lost a

little bit of focus on confidence. Showing everyone here just how well

he can play. This yellow will equal his previous highest. I'm sure

there's a lot more to come and this has been an amazing turnaround.

Amazing how one ball can just completely sway the match. That was

the brown ball. Well played. The first Crucible century of his

career. The 17th century of his career. At this year's World

Championship, will the record be beaten? 86 centuries is the record

that was equalled last year. Superb from Stuart

Carrington. He has come charging back. 55, 63 and a century break and

he leads Liang Wenbo 3-2. REFEREE: Thank you, frame six.

Stuart Carrington to break. Very possible long part here. Gap

between black and red as well. Nice pot. I bet they say. Needs to

slow up or get a little kiss on the yellow. Just enough. Found the gap

between the black and the red. I think the pink will pot. Doesn't

look like he has the angle to get to the top side of the blue unless he

has quite a lot of left-hand side, I think he may be able to take the

pink. Has he got enough angle on this

pink. Slight angle to try and bring some reds into play but also has the

insurance of the red to the left centre.

Didn't feel like he had enough of an angle on the pink.

DENNIS TAYLOR: He has got the loose red to the right of the black, if he

needs it. But he would like to get into that pink, full-ball, with lots

of pace, as soon SECAM. But he has got a choice of shots. -- as soon as

he can. He played it well. And it's turned

out very nicely for him. You always need a little bit of good fortune

when you play it into them like that - and he got that. And it's usually

the case, Ken, isn't it? When you start playing well, you get those

little things which just worked out nicely for you. You're struggling,

it goes the other way. Yeah. That was a nice little split on the pack

there, and he's now back into prime position. Thinking about that brown

when he was 2-0 up. The match slipped from there. Or he can do is

wait. Yeah, you can see Liang Wenbo

fidgeting around with his waistcoat and his nails and... It's one of the

hardest things about the game, sitting there and keeping your focus

while your opponent is at the table. He's just got one possible one to

the left middle pocket. He opened the rest of the reds up beautifully

there. But this is not a straightforward shot. But it is a

key shot. I'm not sure whether he will play it with pace and try and

get up... He's coming back for the black or pink into the right centre.

Played it nicely. Very nicely indeed.

He made a nice 124 in the last frame, and the way he's going at the

moment, it's difficult to see him missing from here, a little bit.

What a turnaround this has been. Came, I was just thinking, look at

him now. Superb stuff. His pace has picked up slightly. It

was at 38 seconds per shot. It's down to 31 at the moment.

And it's totally different for people watching at home, because

don't have the noise coming from the other table. Sometimes that can be a

little bit of a distraction, watching at home, or as we do, Ken

summer when we're watching at the hotel. But Pleat silence at the

moment. -- but complete silence. Might just have to play a little

cannon here, he only needs the black to secure the frame.

In fact, he could hold it enough without cannoning that red to the

right of the cue ball. And every chance now of back-to-back centuries

- wouldn't that be something? 136 is still the highest break in

this year's Betfred World Championships by Ding Junhui.

?10,000 for the highest rate. -- for the highest break.

You have to get a 147 to get the highest break these days. But he

does have a chance to get the highest break so far. Possible 138,

when he takes this pink. I'm not sure whether he's aware of it. He

probably just wants to make another century. Yeah, he knows it would not

be the highest rate of the Championship so it would be his

second Crucible century. As we mentioned in the last frame, his

highest was 99 a couple of years ago, against Judd Trump. Well

played, Stuart Carrington! Another ton-up!

Magnificent break for Stuart Carrington. He was 2-0 down, and

he's now leading 4-2. The man who knock out Mark Williams in

qualifying is certainly in form. Into frame seven we go, and it's the

man from Grimsby, Carrington, who is 20 points adrift.

That looks just about perfect. He's blessed with quite a bit of cue

power, and he's going to needed here. This is one where the cue ball

has to get that second injection of speed on it after it hits the baulk

cushion. Well, that's not too bad. It has

worked out a treat. Not exactly what I was talking about, just a slight

bit, but still, he will be happy with that. Yeah, as I mentioned

earlier, when you're playing really well - and he's made two centuries -

when you're struggling, you will stick in the reds. But he's loving

it out there now, you can tell, Stuart Carrington. He's in the zone,

there's no distractions from the other table.

You see, he played a similar shot to the one Liang Wenbo played, but look

where he has got the cue ball. He seemed to get a lot more topspin on

his. So, he's timing the ball a lot better than Liang at the moment.

KEN DOHERTY: Not quite sure whether that red closest to the pink spot

will go into the left centre. He just came round to have a look at

that. He's thinking a couple of shots ahead here now. He's having a

look now to see if the red will go into the bottom corner pocket as

well. When he pots this, it will open up

the two reds into the left corner. No need for cannons, they're all

there for him now. Just got a slight heavy contact there. Which means

that the black onto the next red will be slightly more difficult.

Stuart turned professional back in 2011. He was here at The Crucible a

couple of years ago, when he lost to Judd Trump, 10-6. It was a fantastic

performance against Mark Williams in the qualifiers, but under these

circumstances, this will be some of the finest snooker that Stuart has

ever played on television - and he's doing it on the big stage, at The

Crucible Theatre. Liang's still fidgeting around in his seat there.

He can't believe the turnaround here.

Didn't quite get the action he wanted there. He's still got the one

to the middle. He's already 36 in front. So, two more reds and two

colours could be enough. DENNIS TAYLOR: The green will put

him 40 in front. So, a red and a black would be enough. Oh, he didn't

want to hit the pink! Without that, he would have been absolutely

perfect on the two reds. Probably a little bit of adrenaline there, just

not into that too much. So, a red and any colour above the yellow

would leave Liang Wenbo needing a snooker.

He's 41 points ahead, 43 remaining. So, just this black.

Straight in the pocket. Well, that another frame that's slipped away

from the Chinese player. Stuart now with the possibility - it would be

highly unlikely, the way the blue and pink are situated - but he's on

his way to a possible three centuries in a row.

He could pot the green and flick the pink out - and still stay on the

yellow. Just wondering if he will attempt that. I don't think he can

do it now, with that angle. He'll have to do it at a later stage. I

wonder how many players have made three centuries in a row at The

Crucible. Only a handful, I would have thought. He's got that angle

now you spoke about. Will he try and dislodge the pink here? He could

attempt it now, and power this in... That's what he's done - what a great

effort! Fantastic shot. This blue, and it's almost a certainty for

three centuries in a row. Get in there!

Absolutely superb - you will not see a better century than this. So, it's

three in a row, it's the Stuart Carrington show! He lost the two

opening frames, but since then, he has made breaks of 55, 63, and then

three centuries. And he deserves that one of applause. And that is

only the seventh time in history that someone has made three

centuries in a row here at The Crucible.

HAZEL IRVINE: What a surge of form for Carrington. It was yen when both

who regrouped and took the next two. -- it was Liang Wenbo who then

regrouped. And just as a footnote about those three in a row, the last

time it happened was 2012, Neil Robertson doing it against Ken

Doherty. John Higgins has done it twice, Mark Selby twice, only Ronnie

O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson, the only other fellows who have done it.

Stuart Carrington joining that rather select list. What a

performance, Peter! Incredible, very exalted company as well. He's

hitting the ball brilliant, scoring very, very heavily. Great player, I

played him in the qualifiers two years ago and he played perfect

snooker against me for the first seven frames, I went seven down. He

is a seriously talented player. I'm not sure whether that will make Mark

Williams feel a tiny bit better, or not? No! It justifies the people,

who may not have been aware of Stuart Carrington, anybody who beats

Mark Williams, who had done very well in China, is a player. But at

the end of that session, great performance by both players, I would

say. It was very important that Liang Wenbo won the last two of the

session. So they have both taken something out of it. Absolutely.

You're right, Mark Williams, runner-up in the China Open just

last weekend. So he will be very disappointed that he's not here. At

I'm sure he will be back. You know we like a little bit of a chinwag

about some issues which are inevitably inflated in our little

snooker bubble, so no prizes who and what we are discussing today. Yeah,

it's all about you know who, Ronnie O'Sullivan. And you will know about

the suggestions swirling on Sunday, a causation is of bullying and

intimidation and suggestions and accusations which were robustly

refuted yesterday by world snooker chairman Barry Hearn. And strangely,

Ronnie's win against Gary Wilson was something of a footnote now. But

this is really nothing new. Ronnie has been front page and back page

news for 25 years. I have a responsibility to the fans that come

to support me. They obviously want to see me do really well. And it's

important that I keep focused, keep professional, keep myself out of

trouble, just come and try and do a job, you know? And part of being a

professional is managing your emotions, managing a lot of stuff

that goes on Riise the table, and sometimes you have to be smart. The

most important thing for me is to play and enjoy the game and I don't

want anything to get in the way of that. For me, too, here and play and

put on good performances, that's the most important thing. I don't need

to prove anything to anybody, I've won five world's, seven Masters,

five UKs, I think. -- five worlds. I just want to play. I just want to

have fun. I'm not being intimidated or bullied. I phoned Barry Hearn up

four weeks ago, and I said, look, I'm done, mate, because I'm not

being bullied. I'm not having people doing that to me ever again. I'm

not. Frame conceded. I have never been happier. Snooker is tough, but

I do it because I love it and I feel like it is me something that nothing

else gives me. I need to be in peak condition and my brain needs to be

100% focused. Because I play with my heart. I can't play any other way.

25 years' service to this game, I think I've given enough to this

game, I think I've helped, I've done my bit. Not at 41, I don't need you.

You probably don't need me. But I'm not putting up with some people who

threaten and bully me. It ain't happening. Well, he certainly

created a lot of headlines. There's been a lot of talk about Ronnie and

that press conference that he gave afterwards, and indeed the opinions

put forward by Barry Hearn thereafter. What is your opinion of

it all? Well, obviously, from that video footage, he obviously feels

genuinely aggrieved. So, Ronnie is a complicated character. Yeah, he is

an absolute genius. But I also feel that he does quite enjoy the

attention, especially when it comes to the World Championships. There's

always something that happens. That's not a criticism against

Ronnie, but he handles that type of pressure in a way that most players

just wouldn't be able to handle. And he almost seems to enjoy it, for

whatever reason. You can see clearly that he is upset, he does feel

aggrieved. Let's hope that this thing can be resolved amicably. Both

sides seem pretty entrenched in their positions right now. There is

a legal whiff about proceedings as well. Is it different this time, for

you, Steve? No, no, I don't think it is. The history of snooker and

snooker players in general, they're quite critical of conditions, when

they come off the table, they criticise. That has been the way. I

think probably when Barry Hearn came in and took over, he had this to

deal with. I think there are people in the game, like the referees, the

table manufacturers, the cloth manufacturers, the officials, that

when they get criticised, don't have a voice to come back at. So

therefore, I think probably what has happened is, world snooker has gone,

they need protecting if they're not necessarily in the wrong. And if you

want to criticise, go through the correct channels. You complain to

the tournament official and you do it in writing. If you bypass that

and go to the press and go... Or swear at the table, another thing

that has happened, then you are open to being fined. And that's it, in a

nutshell. There is a way, there is a procedure. And if you bypass that

procedure, for whatever reason, you're leaving yourself open to them

being fined. I don't think it's bullying. It's not bullying just one

person. It is in the rules, every player is given the rules, and

that's where we are. You guys have had your say, let's hear from some

of the other competitors. I do not know the full facts of what he has

said, what Barry Hearn has said. I like to try and do my talking on the

table. All are the days where I'm going to shoot my mouth of and get

involved in a spat, you said this, you said that. I don't want to get

involved. I want to go home, practice hard, get ready for the

game. Ronnie sometimes gets on a little bit like a spoiled brat Emma

and Barry is the big man, he sometimes speaks to people like he's

speaking to a child. I think it is just a clash of personalities, it

makes the headlines I suppose. There seems to be the allegation that

somebody is bullying or intimidating him. It is certainly not the case.

Yeah, he has fallen foul of the rules on some occasions, but we have

not been hanging over him at the moment, he is not subject to any

proceedings. As far as I'm concerned, he's free to play Eddie

Howe I hope that's what he does because I love watching him place. I

don't know, but if it is true, it's terrible the way he's been

reprimanded. There's things in the players' contract which is too

severe. The only thing that can be changed is if we all stick together

and tried to get a few of the things taken out. But I don't think you

will ever get all of the top players sticking together. We are all bound

by the terms and conditions in the players' contracts. The thing I

would say is that it always seems to be Ronnie. Make of that what you

will. But the other 127 players try to get on with it and do their media

commitments and fulfil their obligations to promote this great

game which has given us all an opportunity in life. It always seems

to be Ronnie. People either love Ronnie some

people think he's overreacting. That's the way he's been his whole

career. He's not a bad person, far from it. Ronnie is a very unusual

character. Tremendously talented, we have to say that. He's a real

genius. On occasion he says the odd strange thing in some of his media

and sometimes he doesn't say anything at all. This is probably

the most he said in a press conference for quite some time and

for one thing is good to see a bit of passion in him again and maybe

that maybe the difference week. Some adjusting, is

protected from John Higgins and Shaun Murphy, and will make for an

interesting contest against Shaun Murphy on Thursday. A lot of people

feel that in snooker as indeed many other sports that some players need

an enemy some people need a controversy to fire them up. There

is this likely than Ronnie's case to have a positive or negative effect

by the time we get to Thursday and run two. Far less likely these days

than it would have been ten years ago. From the Ronnie I've seen

recently in the last five years, I've never seen him look so happy,

he's in a great place, keeps himself fit, he's eating well. I just hope

he continues to play because he will be such a loss to our game. He's an

absolute genius, loved by millions of people and rightly so. He's got

something to snooker that's never been there before. Masters champion

for a record seventh time and what a fantastic performance there. He says

since then, all these troubles and controversies have affected his

performances on the table at at least the events and having not

wanted to say a great deal, having now said a huge amount, you do

wonder how that's going to play itself out on Thursday. He might

have just got it off his chest and it's done and dusted and has deep

beaters in his corner to get him ready for the next match. In

Ronnie's defence in one respect, the press are always try to get stuff

out of them, he's the person that fills up column inches and people

feel like there is more pressure on everything he says and it's

magnified. Thinking back to when I was top dog. You have got a bit more

of an ego and you feel like you can say things and right wrongs and you

sometimes overstep the mark in that respect and be a bit more outspoken

than perhaps is good for your own good. I was a bit more like that,

not exactly the same but sometimes you have to perhaps take a step

back. It will be very interesting. Many people have had their say, you

have heard you say via social media. And Stephen has been reflecting

through some of that social media traffic. He is in the press room

now. I'm here in the thick of the action here in the media room and we

actually posted the question on Twitter earlier on as to whether

Ronnie O'Sullivan was right to accuse bosses of bullying. Exactly

the debate you been having in the to-do and this is what the fans have

been saying and we've had quite undivided batch of opinions. Leanne

Walker said, yes he thinks the referee is wrong he should be

allowed to say, he has good jasmine. Don't get him letters before he

plays to upset him. It's his view he's been bullied, so I believe. We

are not privy to the exchanges urging him on the governing body.

Daniel Kidd said if he thought something was wrong, he has the

right, he puts bums on seats but those offering the other side have

had good sets. He's an attention seeker and wants to be a rebel but

it doesn't seem right in this board. This is snooker, not UFC. Kevin said

the onus is on World Snooker. Ronnie's perception is he's being

bullied and it's bound to World Snooker to change that perception

and I will end on this one from Zach Gardner. He said if he is being

bullied then yes, but due to his previous form, as looks like he's

just being a bit of a spoilt brat again. Thank you for your thoughts

and opinions and wondering what you guys make of the last one. Thank you

for getting in touch with us, I'm sure this debate will run and run

because Ronnie is back on table from Thursday against Shaun Murphy but

we'll concentrate on events this afternoon in our live offering for

you. Now Judd Trump is one of the favourites to get his hands on the

trophy, got to get his hand on the table for the first time on day four

today and he plays Rory McLeod. This is a very interesting, very genial

fellow. He is ranked some 32 places lower in the rankings than Judd

Trump and Judd Trump has the superior record in previous matches

and has claimed the last three in a row against them but McLeod is

making his third appearance and has a very long six-year wait to return

to the Crucible. You have to lift yourself to play.

It's all right getting here and when you get your you got a job to do.

There are some great players that not be here and people don't really

take that into consideration. 32 players here, I was practising and

playing my matches to qualify and some of the players that lost 10-9

and didn't make it, I was feeling it for them because it's hard. Going

through the qualifying I had three difficult matches. You have to dig

deep. It's been nice having a little bit of a break and recuperate. It's

not like you're fatigued, but you're mentally fatigued. You don't get

uneasy draw you get a draw and you have to go out and do your thing.

Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Ronnie, Higgins, whoever. You just got to

get on with it. They're all great players. I'm not here to just lie

down and die, I'm here to hopefully progress and progress further full

stop I haven't committed to anything less. This could be a generational

clash of styles and indeed pace of play. Will be interesting to see if

Rory has the firepower to cope with Judd Trump today. Just the third

time that Rory has reached the main drop in 25 years of trying. This is

the first big multi-win season for Judd Trump, had a really

impressively consistent season so far. Five finals, two titles and

we're going to see the deciding session as well this afternoon

between Zhou Yuelong against Ding Junhui. There's the joint favourite,

Judd Trump. Let's get it started. Ron Walker.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, what a day of quality it's been at

the Crucible, five centuries this morning, 23 for the tournament so

far. It's been snooker of the very highest quality at this year's World

Championships and we're expecting more of the same this afternoon.

APPLAUSE Please welcome first of all, a World

Cup winning teenager, taking on his boyhood hero here in a memorable

Crucible debut. Quarterfinalist at this season's Welsh Open, he will

give it absolutely everything this afternoon. In China they call him

the jumping Dragon, zoo And his opponent, a man who has

clearly inspired a new generation of snooker players back home. After a

fabulous run to the final last year, his form continues in Sheffield.

Three centuries in the opening session of this match, 12 times he

is a ranking event winner, so enter the Dragon, Ding Junhui.

On table two, please welcome a man who continues to defy the years. At

46, the oldest player still in the tournament. Back for a third

Crucible campaign, eight years after his debut. He arrives in form, not

only after the qualifiers but with a cracking run to the last 16 in

China. Here comes the Highlander, Rory McLeod.

And finally, please welcome a player, arguably producing the best

looker of his career. Five major finals this season, he's added two

more ranking events to his tally, including last month's players

championship victory. Here he is, the runner-up from 2011, with his

own brand of not easily go, is the ace in the pack, Judd Trump. -- with

his own round of naughty snooker. Rory definitely the pick of the war

contracts for me today but King and Joe are underway on the red button

or via the BBC sport website and app. You can keep track of it on a

second device. Here on BBC Two we are keen to see what Judd Trump

brings to the party this year, saw John Parrott and Dennis Taylor,

let's find out. Good afternoon on welcome to this

very interesting encounter coming up. Judd Trump up against Rory

McLeod. Great to see him qualifying again. He's the perfect gentleman,

Rory. Straightaway sending a red up the other end of the table. Might

make things a little awkward. 25 years. When Hazel said that, I

couldn't believe it. He doesn't get many things wrong, Hazel. I was

surprised about that. Was a great buzz of anticipation when Judd comes

into the auditorium. He had a massive chance of winning the

tournament last year but wasn't to be. He'll obviously want to win one

of these things and sooner rather than later.

APPLAUSE Excellent Partey from there. --

excellent pot. Always nice to knock one of those in. Important, I think,

for anybody to get a good start, against somebody like Judd Trump.

Played on eight occasions and it 6-2 to Judd. Rory hasn't had a look in

the last few games he's played. If you can get a good start on the

foothold in the match, it can make the difference. Has he come far

enough for this red? I think he has. If he can can in the other red full

ball he'll be perfectly on the black. Double checking to make sure

that shot is on. Just caught the red a little awkward

day. Just watch the cannon. If he hits it full ball he's perfect. He

hit it on the left side as we look at it. That has made this very thin.

BELL You'll be kicking himself with that

shot. It wasn't that difficult just to make sure that he kept the cue

ball away from the black. I know it's early in the match but very

important. Just a simple shot. That's just safety.

Straightaway Judd taking the opportunity to open reds up when

playing that safety shot. That was a clever little shot he just played.

Judd will want to get in amongst the balls, he won't want to get bogged

down with a safety exchange. Well look at the side he had on

that. He's going to stick the red up, I feel. Pleaded with so much

side and I think the black might just be available. Watch this long

attempt with loads of the black does go. An early chance

for Judd Trump. Let's see what sort of form he's in.

Nice cueing. Looked straightforward but cueing from the side cushion,

always nice to knock those early on. He hasn't got a poor record at the

Crucible. He's been at the final and two semifinal since 2011, so he's

come close. Of course, huge expectation on him. He's going to

have to maintain his high levels of potting and brick building right to

the very end in this tournament. If he does he's a match for anybody. In

the 40 years at the Crucible since 2011, I've never seen anyone pot the

way that Judd did. Only a brilliant John Higgins that prevented him from

lifting the title that year. He potted them from everywhere. We had

a top ten short of the tournament and it could have been all of his.

It was a pretty spectacular showing. That's finished a little awkward, so

we might see the cue power of Judd Trump because how does he get out to

red from this position? If anyone can, this fellow camp with the way

he strikes the ball. Look at the action and the reverse side but even

then there wasn't very much available to him. It was like it was

on a lump of elastic they are the weight came back. Just sizing up

this plant but obviously there's a lot of distance between the balls,

tough shot back. This is also safety in mind, really. There is the cue

ball onto the bottom cushion. Shot to nothing.

He's just a little disappointed he didn't make more from that, just

lost the cue ball playing the cannon onto the black.

Well look at those shoes, he's got some fabulous shoes, has Judd. Tight

pants, I used to wearing them back in the 60s, JP. Very smart indeed. I

love them. APPLAUSE

I love them. What a shot batters. -- what a shot that is. OK, lost

possession but beautiful shot. Very careful rolling behind these.

Difficult to do. Well played. It doesn't look that much as a snooker,

hitting the reds are easy but maybe a job getting this safe.

Just wonder if he's going to play off the cushion and try to flick off

one of those reds. The blue was always going to be in the way, that

was the problem with it. Every chance now to go on and take

this opening frame after that lovely positional shot.

If he knocks this red in it opens up the path to the other reds, the

three in the past. No reason why he shouldn't tidy up this first frame.

He really is a joy to watch this player.

One of the game yet in great natural talents.

And like all the great attacking players. The scoreboard changes very

quickly. Hardly a blink of an eye and its frame gone. All Rory did

wrong was a poor positional shot, potted I red and can end another and

should have been on the black, didn't get onto it and within a

matter of seven or eight minutes the frame is over. The referee is

getting a work-out, I know that. Pretty good with the other hand as

well, Judd. Switched to right-handed there.

He usually does like to play an exhibition type shot towards the end

of a frame. There is one. Hitting the pink spoiled that. He was trying

something a little bit special there.

Doesn't matter about that shot on the green. An early break of 40,

followed by that break of 55 that keeps Rory in his seat. Needed two

chances but didn't he take them well? Judd Trump leading 1-0.

STUDIO: And was always be fascinating the difference in the

levels of firepower between these men and when you look at the stats,

459 centuries for Judd Trump, 78 for Rory McLeod over the years. What a

contrast. Yes, Judd Trump is an astonishing player. Now that he's

the favourite because he is considered to be the weaker half of

the draw. He looks like he's fulfilling his potential and all of

a sudden maturing into one of the best players we've ever seen of this

era. Up to world number two and when you look at the bare bones of his

season, two wins, five major finals, three other semifinals of big

events. His consistency now seems to be a strength, whereas before it was

definitely a weakness. He's had a phenomenal season and you can see

early on, he's in great form. He really is timing the ball

tremendously well. Very entertaining player to watch, great to watch.

This is ten years worth of attempts at the Crucible here and I guess

with every year that goes by, the pressure increases. What sort of

pressure do you imagine he might be potting himself under coming here?

Is it ever going to happen, the same that applies to Ding Junhui and a

couple of players on the circuit. Will I ever win the tournament is

always there. For me, Judd Trump's consistency. Its quite amazing, we

are amazed that Judd Trump's cue doesn't go through in a straight

line. It seems like eagles across the line of the shot when he hits it

and to keep that level of consistency up with what is

considered to be bad technique is phenomenal. John, Dennis will get

some close-ups of that in this particular frame. Interesting to

see. Interesting observations from Peter Hanson Ivan back we go. Frame

two. Yes, Hazel, all about getting the

snooker balls in the pockets. That's the name of the game, doesn't matter

how you do it on what technique you use. The great Alex Higgins used to

lift his head and snatch at DQ and when he delivered that the last

split-second, it all came good. He was a natural player and this

certainly is one of the game's great natural talents. Yes, similar to

golf, the only thing that matters is impact, everything else is

periphery. As long as you are through the ball at impact in the

right way, that's all that matters. I know we didn't see too much of

Rory in the opening frame but he's getting on with things. He's got a

reputation of being a slow player but I remember before I finished and

retired, I went down to practice with Rory near Northampton and he

was one of the quickest players I'd ever practised with. But then all of

a sudden the next time I saw him playing, he'd slowed everything

down, but he seems to be out here with a bit of a purpose and wants to

get on with it, but is he going to get many chances, that's the

question. That's a bit too soon against Judd Trump you want to be

getting the cue ball on the baulk cushion, not the baulk line. Decent

target for Judd as well. If you wanted to play the city with green

and brown but he's already looking at a mid-range red.

Never in doubt. Great work on the cue ball they are with minimum

effort, or what it seems minimum. Potted that and screwed back to our

baulk colour. So good. That was a great shot of Rory McLeod looking

right down Judd's cue there. The blackest tied up at the moment, the

pink is free. He's OK. -- the black is tied up.

Well he hasn't missed a long pot yet. Three out of three so far. 97%

overall. It's early days. That's just gone a little bit

further than he intended. Makes it a little more awkward now. And he's

unlucky that the red has blocked the path to the blue and I think it has.

If the pink pots it's a test of your cueing. We've already seen some

great shots today but you can see the blue obscured but this thing

will definitely be good cueing. Some pressure on this. Dear me. Close to

the cushion and he knocked it on as if he was out in the middle of the

table. Must have red your book, John, you were the best of the

cushion, weren't you? Just the rest of the table was a problem!

The way he's hitting this, the cue ball looks smaller than the object

ball. It's coming back so much and the timing is fabulous. Already, I

know it's only the second frame, but it is ominous for Rory McLeod, the

way he's hitting it. Just talking about the last shot where he screwed

it back. You can't teach someone that. It's a natural

thing. You can tell them what to do but you can't teach them to screw

the ball back that distance with that minimum effort. And there's

another one. Brown being on the pink spot helps the situation. Good

thinking as well there. He knew full well that swear it was going. Not

only is he hitting well, he's thinking well.

The first frame lasted just over 12 minutes. His he's looking for the

side bar number, 66. Has he just lost concentration, just for the

moment there? He overscrewed that. That looks perfect. Stun the brown

in. Two reds behind the brown. The one on the right should pot. Hasn't

been an easy break, this, with the blue and black out of commission.

That shot on the pink earlier, Dennis, it was great cueing, the one

he knocked in. It's a sheer pleasure to watch him

play this game, it really is. Doesn't always keep his head

perfectly still, Judd. Just moves around a little bit, but very

slight. A little bit of movement, but it's the way he's always played.

This time, Judd did a similar thing to Rory in the opening frame where

Rory potted a red and cannoned another and caught it just wrong.

That's what just happened. I think that's the wrong shot, Dennis, if

I'm being honest. No need to play that one. With the school board the

way it is, just guaranteed to get on the brown, pot that, and get on up

to the blue. No need to play the cannon. Fair point, John.

He hasn't killed off the frame in that visit. Where the reds are

situated, there's an awful lot for Rory McLeod to do here, but at least

he's at the table. But he has to keep unreasonably high value

colours. Could play up for the pink. Can't run through to the black, not

with that angle. That was nicely struck. And because

that red is obscuring the blue again, it's not great for Rory.

Getting onto the blue isn't possible, I don't think.

He's played that in a way to give himself options. He has the one in

the middle or next to the blue. Seems like he's got a nice angle.

Could come through for the pink. Just a wee bit unlucky there. 40

points behind, still a possible 43 on. Screwing back and the

double-kiss prevented the red coming out into a pottable position. Come

back behind the black. But he's not hit that great. Good chance of a

snooker there. Still, the balls are in a pottable position. Chance of a

counter clearance. If Rory can see that red, it's not

the best shot. Big target behind the brown. A bit more difficult having

to cue down on it. Yeah, could only see that side. That shot wasn't on.

Not easy, this. Safety shot is quite difficult from here. Just wondering

whether he might be tempted to take this on. The shot to the green

pocket, used the blue as the ball you cannoned into and come back.

It's a tough enough shot, but what else is there? Hard to play safe.

That's so unlucky. He used the colours as a stopper. Screwed back,

to see the red cannon of the green and come all the way back up the

table. Very unfortunate. Hang on! He's covered it, though. Rory comes

back to the table. He couldn't believe Judd just missed that. He's

got away with it. He's played a double snooker! He's snookered on

the red in the baulk area. Rory! Foul. Can't believe he missed

that. Such an easy snooker. And look at the scoreboard. He needs a

snooker now. How could he not escape from that one? One snooker required.

Good, clean pot. Could see the end of that frame.

This would be a pretty good escape. Three cushions.

I think he's just had a word with the referee and said, that'll do.

Just asking whether toilet is. He has conceded the frame. Best

possible start for Judd Trump. He takes the second frame and leads

2-0. The joint favourite for this year's

title, Judd Trump, after a flying start. Peter, your impressions of

how he has gone about it. Timing the ball very well. It is interesting

when we talked to Steve earlier how Judd comes across the ball. Dominant

with his right eye, and then comes across to the left to hit middle.

One of the reasons he can be so consistent, even though you wouldn't

think so, is he keeps so still. And if you practice a lot, you repeat a

lot. I would imagine he probably needs to practice a lot, more so

than a straight cueist. He has been at pains to point out the amount of

work he has put in. He himself has said that not as much effort has

gone into practice routines in the past but he has knuckled down in the

last season and a half and it has shown in the way he has gone up the

rankings. Definitely, he's had an outstanding season and is one of the

players with a real chance of lifting the trophy. Back we go for

frame three. COMMENTATOR: Judd breaks off in frame three. A

comfortable, 2-0 lead as it stands. Rory hasn't had a chance yet. Going

back to the discussion about practice, Dennis, Judd said he's

been playing five or six hours per day. That's what you have to do. You

don't think Stephen Hendry just turned up. Ronnie O'Sullivan

practices hard, so did Steve Davis. It's what you had to do. The

gentleman in the studio changed snooker. Steve Davis came on the

scene, practising six or seven hours a day and you had to knuckle down,

otherwise he wouldn't stand a chance against him. Even then he dominated

the 80s. Can he clip in the black and open up the pack? It's a thin

one. Maybe the black is too thin. Yet, practice makes perfect, JP.

It was that then he missed the pack on the inside. Amazing. -- it was

that thin. Could get on the red behind the

black this time. Looks to be pretty good. As long as it doesn't land on

the cushion. But that's perfect. He has a choice. It's not a good pack

to go into from the black. He could go in from the blue, a better angle.

That looks pretty good. Watch for the cannon if he hits the

pink full ball it will go all over the table.

Quite controlled the way he played that, didn't go 100 mph. The main

thing was to cannon the pink full in the face, which is what he did. A

little cannon here, pot this and flick the red away from the black

spot. It's gone wrong. He cannoned the other one first. Hit the wrong

red, didn't he, John. It's all about fractions. He was coming through the

gap and caught the other red. End of break.

GROANS FROM CROWD APPLAUSE

This might get a bit tactical now, this frame with the two reds in the

baulk area. Unless Judd decides to big this one in the corner. Hmm...,

good try. The red to the left of the brown

pots into the right corner, but it's not very inviting. The red nearest

the cushion is slightly in the way if he was to take it on. Would have

to be careful not to cannon into that. But if he can roll it, no

reason why he can't come back up the table and finish on the black. And

then make it into a sort of shot to nothing. Have a go at the red, a

little bit of left-hand side. Back up the table. The way he's digging

down on it, he's going the other way round.

He has played to hold for the cannon on the yellow. It might have spoilt

things. Could get through to the green maybe. It was a good shot,

John. It was awkward to know what he was playing the way he cued up from

behind. The side on it to avoid the cannon on the yellow you were

talking about. He has played that well. Got to start scoring, that's

the only thing. Not going to get a bucket load of chances, and when you

do, have to make the most of them. Certainly have to do at 2-0 down,

that's for sure. Played the aggressive shot there.

Almost came off. It came off the cushion, wanted to hit the six reds,

just caught one of them. He can still sneak this in. It's a thin

one. Has to be careful with the cue ball.

That's really unlucky. I know he doesn't know where the cue ball is

going, but it was a good pot, played in a positive way. Could easily have

landed on a colour. Unlucky to this final cannon here and flick the

green. He's on nothing. APPLAUSE

My goodness, what a shot that was. What a pot. Absolutely fabulous from

the cushion. He literally has a quarter of the pocket to look at

there. Fabulous pot. That was the best he could do from

being tucked up on the cushion. Will have to pull out some great pots

here. Can't pot them all, I suppose. No,

pretty close. The trouble is, when he hasn't got position, he leaves

Rory awkward. He comes to the table and has another horrible shot to

play. I'm wondering if you will risk this. Because it will open up the

reds. He's near the cushion. It's an awkward pot. Don't blame him. He

knows if he gets down and takes on a difficult pot and opens up the reds,

he will be sat in his seat and will be 3-0 down.

Yes, in no way, this isn't a bad type of frame for Rory. Judd started

on fire. Putting the breaks on for a frame or match might not be a bad

thing. Just to try to get him out of his rhythm a little bit.

A simple little shocked, but I liked it. I liked it for the reason Rory

brought the difficult blue into play.

The most important thing with that shot, Dennis, getting the cue ball

tight on the cushion so he can't get the cue up in the air to get screw

on the ball. Where that has been left, it's tough. Rory looked to see

if he could roll onto the red on the left-hand side cushion, whether he

would leave anything. If he got the white somewhere up

where the other white is, that would play those two reds. He would have

to try to cannoned off the green to try that. But that's the safety area

that he could look at. If not this shot, then maybe another shot. I

think he's having a go at this into the corner. You note, Dennis, I

wouldn't mind if he chipped off this and put it onto the green. I know he

can pot of the lampshade, but let him pot one from their! No. Might

have been tempted to leave that. I liked your shot as well. I liked

both of them more than the one he played. Thought it was a really

tough shot. Could never guarantee where the red would finish with the

one he tried. He needs a chance in amongst the balls, Rory.

LAUGHTER APPLAUSE

GROANS FROM CROWD Good try. The way some of these have

been dropping in this week, starting to get a little more difficult. I

thought that was going to go in. Now, one good positional shot, Rory.

And that's it. Good shot. There are a couple of shots he could

play, a screw shot onto the other red or through the gap. It is

through the gap. Whilst this isn't a frame-winning opportunity by a long

chalk, at least he's getting back into the frame.

It's a bit of a risk to try to disturb that red just yet. Don't

think he has the perfect angle on the red to do that. It's too

straight. I am surprised he played on the

black there, Dennis. Thought he might have gone for blue. I see what

you are saying, John. Because it's so much easier to get to the reds

that are at the other end of the table. He has to power this in now.

And no problem with a power shot from Rory. He played that very well.

Yeah, played that really nicely to get on it. Still not totally easy at

the moment. I would suggest

trying to pot This Week and get on the blue now.

Well, has taken this one now. So far, so good. But pretty

difficult... See him clearing up here. The green is a distraction.

Yeah, tuck the old waistcoat in. Don't want to foul the green at this

stage. Just got yourself in front in the frame.

There's a bit of an angle on the blue. He has a choice. He could stun

it past the black with side and come down and flick that red out. It

probably would be the best because if he missed that he could head up

and finish on the other one. Yes, all the way around the angle,

it's going close to the corner! It's very close to the corner pocket!

Foul. If he was going to play for that

red, I don't think he even looked at the yellow. I think the yellow pot,

if he is going to play for the red up there, why not play the yellow?

Or did he overscrew it trying to move the red out? It was a strange

choice. He had a stun off the yellow down for that red and baulk, the one

Judd is playing. Anyway, we will never know!

I thought that last shot Rory had when he screw screwed it around the

angles, he could have played to move that red and if he misses that, then

he goes up to the other one. He got so much action on it. Watch where he

goes. Finished up in the pocket. If he

wanted to play for that red, he had an easy yellow to stun in and leave

that red. He has the perfect angle on the

brown but the yellow is in the way. He can't screw up to move the

difficult red. It's too thin a cut on the blue to pot that. Might be

better off playing a snooker. He is having a look. Maybe he could have

stunned the green there and left it lined up with the blue and red and

get the green in play. He is going to need it.

He has decided he will play for the double, which is fair enough.

But that was an alternative, could have stunned that green and left him

snookered on blue and red and got the green in play.

APPLAUSE That's a cracking double.

The only problem, he is close to the cushion. This is a little bit of a

tester. Yeah, well played.

It's all about yellow to green. He is looking at the scoreboard. 16 in

front. He has an angle on the yellow to pot it, come off the baulk

cushion and possibly develop this green. A big shot coming up from

Rory... I nearlied called him Rory McIlroy! Rory McLeod.

He has done well in this frame. He has potted some balls and still not

over the line. He has left the edge out I think for Judd to play off.

Won't be snookered. That's something.

Got a chance to get one here, as well. Nearly full ball on the green.

Push it up and down and line up with the brown.

It's all about the contact you play on the green here.

Nearly full. He didn't play that and I don't know

why because the shot he has played isn't really going to put him in any

trouble. Wasn't that difficult to play that one.

That's excellent. APPLAUSE

That really is a terrific shot. He has asked for trouble there, Dennis.

Sorry, but the shot before, he had to play the green up and down and

line up with the brown. The fact he didn't get a snooker playing the

shot he played, has left himself open for that.

I would say he will settle for that, but not with this fella.

Yeah, I think he decided not to bother this time.

He doesn't refuse much. But he is keeping things tight and

quite rightly so. He has a two-frame advantage. He is not going to make

it easy for Rory. My first thought was like you, John,

I thought he might knock this green in the corner but he played the good

safety shot. He has played the correct shot and he obviously it

could pay dividends. He has the snooker. People talk about attacking

players over the years, we have seen them with the likes of Jimmy and

Ronnie, but Jimmy, excellent safety player, so was Ronnie. You know,

can't pot every ball you look at. You have to have an all-round game

and that's what has been impressive with Judd the last couple of

seasons, added maturity and with shots like that and he will win more

tournaments, that's for certain. It needs to pull up. It's not going

to. He will certainly this one on. It's

not a gimme by any means. He has to avoid the middle pocket on the left

of the table coming back around. And he has hammered it in.

Every chance now to nick this frame. It's a mini turning point in the

match. It's early days yet but we say you never settle until you get

your first frame on the board. He did have a chance there. Meanwhile,

he has come up a little bit short and we have to see one of his

exhibition type positional shots. Here it comes.

All the way around the angles. And perfect on the black.

Rory had a chance to get a frame back there. But he didn't take it

and you can't leave Judd Trump a chance like that. He cleared up and

he now leads 3-0. STUDIO: He had to work harder in

that one but he is over the line. One shot had you purring earlier,

that red to middle, Peter. Incredible. It's a very difficult

angle. The pace he played this at. This is absolutely incredible. For

that red to go in at that pace at that angle, that's a one in 20 shot.

Absolutely incredible shot. The most difficult part of that shot is what,

the pace? Well, it's a joint combination. The pace and the angle.

You could play that 20 times and get it once if you are lucky. Phenomenal

shot. You are in total agreement with your pal John in the commentary

box? When it came to shot selection at the end of the frame, first,

let's look at the speed at which Judd Trump plays this to the middle

pocket. Moving further on in the game, Rory McLeod had an excellent

chance and John was talking about the tactics and the choices of

shots. There was that green on the side cushion. Rory decided not to

move and instead of playing the green snookering behind the blue,

then forcing the issue with Judd Trump needing to get out of the

snooker on the red and perhaps leaving it up. He plays to pot the

brown. OK nothing wrong with that and he doubles the red after and

gets down to the green. But he fails to get position on the green. It

became a green ball game. What you are trying to do tactically is to

try and in the leave it down to one lucky safety shot on the green. Try

and win the frame in a different way earlier. That was a trick missed, I

think. At this level, and I am not digging him out for any other

reason, John spotted it, we saw it. He missed a trick to try and win the

frame earlier by putting Judd Trump in trouble. He has put himself in

trouble as you put it. He is 3-0 down.

The simple fact is as Rory breaks off he needs to win this frame. He

doesn't want to go to the mid session interval losing all four.

Well, it's developing into a bit of a scrappy 4th frame with the pink on

the side cushion. The reds as they are.

Six reds behind the black spot area. You don't usually get that at the

start of a frame. Well, that certainly... Where is the

red going? In the pocket!

A little bit of movement from Rory there. Trying to plead with that red

to drop in. Yeah, don't know how he didn't pick this one, Dennis. Rory

gives it a little bit of movement in a minute. We saw the red drop in.

Can't beat a fluke. Once again another example of superb

cueing from Judd, and power. Just generates so much of the cue ball.

Dennis mentioned this, a little bit messy this frame with all the reds

behind the black. Pink on the side cushion, no good. Black as it stands

is no good. You have to move a few reds around before that comes into

play. A tough break ahead of him. Just a bit careless and look where

all the colours have gone now. Yeah, brown and green went safe in that

one shot. Should clear up from here. Look where they've gone.

Yeah, that is a real ugly table. Not snookered but he knew he

wouldn't leave much if he played this escape route.

Just take a while to sort this table out.

Going to get all sorts of frames if you are going to win this year's

World Championship. Balls can't always be in great positions in

every frame you play. It counts exactly the same as a century break.

You have to put the effort in. That's a poor shot, unless the

yellow comes to his rescue. And it has!

Yeah, he hit it much thinner than he intended there, Rory.

Didn't want to be pushing the red over the pocket, but that was a

bonus to get in behind the yellow. That's not what he wanted. He had a

red on the right, he could have run straight through, left the cue ball

up on the top cushion and couldn't have seen that red. It was the wrong

shot, for me. Judd's playing it, thinking the most

he is going to get is six, if he is lucky, the way these balls are, a

miracle if you score any more. I think the blue is going to come to

his rescue, maybe not:. As it stands, there is one ball

available to Judd. That's the one just above the black.

Goes in the top left pocket, and that's it.

Interesting how a lot of players, they're left-handed when they use

the rest, and they use their right hand. Yeah, a couple of players over

the years. Dean Reynolds, was one. Good players.

A big shot. Wow! That was just phenomenal cueing.

John, that ugly table you mentioned a while ago suddenly has got better

looking. It just got a little prettier!

That really was fabulous cueing that last shot he played, to bring some

of those balls into play. And the break is not really any easier at

the moment. He is having to pull out some shots.

Great shot. All done with power and top spin. Has he covered the easy

one? It is, this is more difficult. If anyone can get out on a colour,

it will be this man. Ha-ha! How did he create that angle?

Wow! He hit that and his elbow was all

over the place trying to give extra power. How he has got through the

gap? It was virtually straight. Didn't want that flick. But I think

he is still OK. Outside red. How he has kept the position going in this

break I do not know. This could be one of the greatest

clearances of all time. This is one of the best 25 breaks I

have ever seen in my entire life. This has been phenomenal. The shots

he has played in this break, the cue ball has been everywhere. I have

seen stewerdesses that haven't travelled that far. Been all over

the place. Phenomenal. 41 ahead, so just this red and the

black. And it will be 4-0. He has an angle, he might try and move the red

and the brown there. Well, Rory is coming to the table

but barring snookers it's going to be 4-0 for Judd Trump.

Judd is looking here, can play a shot with a little bit of side. He

is thinking he can go at this and play the cue ball down and maybe

cover it with the pink. That was his intention. That's a very clever shot

he has played. It was a shot to nothing. With a snooker built in.

Very clever. He could do with a red and a black

here and then look for the two snookers. Red and pink, I think he

still might only need two snookers. That wasn't the best shot Judd just

play there. That's definitely it now.

Yes, you won't see many better 48 breaks played in this year's

Championships than the one you have just seen. The amount of shots with

a degree of difficulty in it, to keep that break going was something

very special. It's not all about century breaks. That one was a

cracker. Yeah, no really big breaks, but some unbelievable individual

pots and positional shots. Doesn't matter about the yellow.

I suppose Rory McLeod had a chance to win at least one frame but he

didn't. Judd Trump with some fantastic potting and goes to the

mid-session interval having taken all four.

STUDIO: That was a demonstration, a break of 48 but some sublime potting

in there, Peter. I mentioned halfway through if he were to clear the

table there, that would be equally as good, if not better, than the 92

break Ronnie O'Sullivan made against Ali Carter where the balls were a

mess and the genius he is managed to clear it. Incredible pots he pulled

off. There was so much action on the cue ball it looked like handbrake

turns almost going on! The hard stun red to the black pocket to almost

stop the white, he had to play that with so much pace. Then a screw

effect took place after the initial stun, it was an amazing shot to

watch. Do we sometimes take for granted the level at which he plays,

because he does turn it on like this on the big occasions so often? Yeah,

possibly we take Judd Trump's skill level, not for granted, so much as

disregard the skill level and go amazing potter. Brave potter and

think potter only. It's not. He has much more in his armoury.

This could be a nice draw for Judd Trump in a first round draw, no

disrespect. You will know what to expect, Rory will provide a tough

game, that's his style. Unlikely Rory goes to the table and blasts

Judd Trump Moffat. Judd think he has enough time on his hands, not

relaxing, but he has time to play himself into it. And he has the

ideal start. From Rory's point of view, how intimidating is it to play

somebody with so much firepower? He's playing with so much freedom,

has been very aggressive. Everything he's taking on has gone in. It's

very intimidating. We will be back after the interval to see the next

five frames of the opening session of Judd against Rory. Ding Junhui,

what can we say about this man? Runner-up last year, he lives, works

and practices here in Sheffield. He knows the streets very well. He got

into a taxi with a really dodgy Geezer the other day!

Right, how are you? Your driving? I'm driving. You a good passenger?

Not sure. What's it like for you in China? Can you go out to a bar, can

you do that, or are you so famous in China that they go crazy? What's the

experience like? I never did that before. I don't know what's going

on. Every time I'm just between tournaments, I it's big. I just take

sunglasses. I just want my life back. I live in the UK. I enjoy

being relaxed. Nobody comes up. If one person comes, maybe. Some people

are too excited. They are shouting and all these things. Everybody can

hear them and then they come together. Sometimes it's mad. Just

be careful. On the equivalent of twitter... Webo. How many followers

do you have bastion yellow 5 million. That's David Beckham

territory. -- do you have? 5 million. Have you got a helicopter

or anything? Helicopter! Why not? It's brilliant. More fun than a

plane. OK. What do you have on your list of things to do? Have you heard

the word bucket list? It's like a list of ten things you want to do in

your life. Ten things you haven't yet done. What would you say? Ten

things you want to do, on your list. Would you like to jump out of a... A

parachute jump? Yes. You want to do that. There is one. Bungee jump. Not

yet. Do you want to? It's things you want to do. Maybe I would take a

long time to get ready. Would you jump or would you have to be pushed

bastion yellow I would jump. That is the thrill-seeker in you. -- pushed?

I would jump. You have to trust somebody has tied the ropes around

your legs properly. I would like my friend to pack my parachute. I don't

want anyone else to pack my parachute. Somebody you trust.

Totally. Thank you very much. At the last event in China I got presented

with a special teapot from your father. He makes teapots. Yes, my

father makes teapots. How long has he done that for? He likes teapots.

He got a business about four years. He loved that, he loved to do the

pigeons flying. The competitions. Racing pigeons? Racing pigeons,

yeah. They are two things I can't understand. Maybe too young for

that. I like to have Chinese tea though. They are all waiting around.

He gone? Straight to the airport. Hotel first. Just phoning up, to

find out where you are. Cheers. Thanks. Thank you.

He's an excellent driver, but he's not half nosy. Ding relieved to be

out of the car and into the arena. I'm sure number one on his bucket

list is a world title. He's making a good start. He was runner-up last

year and has a two advantage over fellow Chinese Zhou Yuelong. We will

take a peek at frame 11 now in the company of Stephen Hendry and Willie

Thorne. COMMENTATOR: The black available to the left corner. He's

aiming down the cue ball so it obviously is. No. It's a long way

off. He certainly hasn't settled yet, has

he? This is a wile away for somebody of Ding's class. Presume the reds,

he can see the red in the baulk area. He will take this on.

The pack of reds are a nice shape to go into. The two in the closest to

the pack, go right in between those two. Can play with more screw into

the cue ball. A lot of the times you go into the bunch, you would rather

stunned into them. Might get the gap. He's OK. Has enough power and

action in the cue ball. This is not easy. Follow through off

to cushions. Hit that well. Very well.

The three reds above the black, he can hit the left one and stun onto

that leaving the choice of two reds into the corner. Maybe pushing one

over the middle. I would have played harder than that but it was a decent

shot. Ding doesn't want to lose the first

two frames here. Maybe wondering whether he will play well in this

session. Steve mentioned his temperament, sometimes there's a

possibility of it letting him down. Bit surprised he played for this

red. I would go for the one below these two to the right-hand corner.

That would have been the easier shot. Then follow through for the

black. Back in prime position. I think you

will play for the red next to the black into the left-hand corner.

Make this into a chance to win the frame. Going back to what we said

about Ding, doesn't want his opponent to get too much of a head

of steam of confidence. He can get it going, young Zhou

Yuelong. He has only been a professional for two years. If he

gets a head of steam going, you can run off frames very quickly. I'm not

saying for one minute I expected to win the match, but he can put Ding

under pressure in this round. Leading 7-2, should have been

easier. The red closest to the cue ball, the

two reds either side of it, he could play a cannon on either side of them

to leave it to the left or right corner. He has played the more exact

positional shot to leave this red. Now he's got a bit more of a

problem. Not guaranteed position now. Or not good position anyway.

He's got the blue to the far left corner. This has become missable.

Looking more confident out there. He has taken these very well, hasn't

he? Excellent opening red, knocking a long one into the Bolton pocket.

-- into the baulk pocket. Trying to make his first century of the match.

It's always a great thrill when you are at his level to play at the

Crucible. It's always a bigger thrill to make your first century at

the Crucible, which is what he could do now. Ding has already had three

centuries in this match. It was on the middle of the three reds, that

makes the century almost a certainty.

I think he has lined them up. Not too sure he can make the plant from

here. It's a tough plant. Break of 93. He will have to go for the

plant. Take it slowly and give the pocket every chance of taking it.

What a shame not to make the century. He has started very well

today. Fabulous break of 93 takes him close to Ding Junhui, it's 7-4.

The first two of the afternoon for young 19-year-old Zhou Yuelong.

Dinda taking the next, and Zhou takes the next in 37 minutes. They

are at the interval, Ding leading 8-5. They will be live on the red

button when they come back. We go back live to the other match. Very

much in the groove and moving smoothly so far. That's just John

and Dennis in the commentary box. Looking good on the table and in

complete control is world number two, Judd Trump, up against Rory

McLeod. COMMENTATOR: Thank you, Hazel. Dennis has popped out for a

cup of tea, like the players. All set and ready for the next five

frames of the match. As you always say, Dennis, need to get the first

frame on the board to settle down. He certainly needs to do that.

Yeah, no really big breaks just yet, but some spectacular shotmaking.

I thought he had removed the red from the black bear. Think is

looking at the one next to the brown. Doesn't want a framework they

will all up there. -- doesn't want a frame where they will all head up