Monday, Final, Evening Snooker: World Championship

Programmes! Programmes! I'm sure we're all set to go. In the

final now... Good luck, mate!

Oh, wonderful! Great moments there. Steve Davis...

He's achieving what nobody else has done before.

Stephen Hendry, the youngest ever champion. He's beginning to annoy

me! It's a magnificent seven times for

Stephen Hendry in the '90s. Ronnie O'Sullivan becomes world champion.

John Higgins takes his fourth world title.

Mark Selby, for the second time lifts the world title.

It is ten years ago I got to my first world final. It was John

Higgins the opponent. And now again we are meeting again. Next year is

the 20th anniversary of the first time I won it. I am pleased to be

competing against the best players. Since a junior all I have wanted to

do is be world champion. 10-20 years' time, people will look back

and say, he was half decent. When I finish my career and look at what I

have achieved, I would be a part of that.

Good evening. Since 1977 the Crucible is bringing us moments of

pure sporting theatre, all in pursuit of this. And it will do

again tonight, in what is the 4th anniversary final in the Betfred

World Championship. Amazingly, the same two players as featured in the

30th anniversary final are here again. Mark Selby, snooker's main

man. The world number one. The defending champion. The owner of

this, plays John Higgins, one of the greats of the game. Looking to land

yet another big blow and with it a fifth world title. So, sit back,

relax and settle in with us, as we bring you up to speed.

Day one didn't go well for the defending champion. Looking jaded

from his epic semifinal he had to drag the final session out from

some. He must have slept well. He'll want to get off to a flyer today.

There's no-one more tenacious than John Higgins. He has won this thing

four times. After the initial disappointment of losing the first

three frames he would have regrouped. He knows if he can share

the session this afternoon he's got a healthy advantage tonight.

Just to start, the defending champion was looking for. He's now

reduced to a race for two. The first two frames, he's had all

the run of the ball. Mark Selby, looked to have the

frame... John Higgins will be mightily relieved. It might settle

him down now. He's two frames ahead again.

So this is the big shot! What a tactical battle we had in these

first four frames. 11-10 to John Higgins.

Wants to develop this for a chance and go for it here. Great shot. Mark

Selby draws level. It is 11-11. It has been a phenomenal

performance. 10-4 down. Just all over the place.

Gorgeous shot. It really was. Selby was absolutely superb. He goes into

the lead now by 13-11. John Higgins came into the session

with a three-frame buffer. The early at thetial exchanges did not go his

way. It was not before Mark Selby was back on level terms. Mark forced

the head with provisional play and won the session 6-1. Coming into

tonight's session it's now John Higgins firmly on the ropes.

What a night in prospect. Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for

the four-time champion of the world, John Higgins.

And his opponent, world number one, defending world champion, Mark

Selby. 18 is the magic number. The

defending champion, Mark Selby, has the momentum. Remember he trialled

4-10 and has come charging back to win nine of the last ten frames. He

leads by two. How often has this final session produced a twist in

the tale? Might it do so again? Let's find out, shall we, in the

company of John Virgo and Stephen Hendry. Good evening.

JOHN VIRGO: THIS IS IT, 17 HARD DAYS. THIS IS IT. JOHN HIGGINS WAS

ALWAYS IN FRONT. He's in front no more. Thank you,

ladies and gentlemen. John Higgins to break.

I think the big question is, Stephen, what has he got left?

I think the first frame tonight is absolutely huge for John Higgins.

He's taken such a battering over the last session. The end of last

night's session. He loses his first frame, I worry for what he does have

left. Yes, of course, the shoe's are on

the other foot now. Mark Selby was playing catch up. There you see the

pot success, which is the reason why he's two frames in front. John

Higgins, you got the feeling when he was in front, kept looking over his

shoulder. And maybe just thought, keep it tight and I'll scrape a few

frames together. It wasn't to be. If anything now, John Higgins is the

one that can just maybe relax a little bit. He knows he's got to

play well. And to be more aggressive tonight.

He got in with the thin contacts of the reds, making sure you weren't

leaving anything, rather than forcing the issue. He's much better

when he's an aggressive player. Looked at the pot. Decided it was

too risky. This could be a good cue ball if it

runs. If they kept playing this afternoon

that probably would have gone on longer.

He's had the break. He's had the chance to re-group.

Keen to take this red on. May feel the only red he could leave

is the one he's playing. But right in the heart of the

pocket! The cue ball here got very close to

the middle pocket, which is why he's not perfect on the blue.

He'll have to play for the reds and the blacks. May play the cue ball to

this cushion. Now he's gone into them it could go wrong. Took a bit

of a risk there. And just about got the right side of

the blue. Stephen said he'd love to get that

red that seems to be occupying the black spot. Maybe it isn't. Maybe

there's enough room. There's two reds on the left-hand side of the

table easy to play on. That's what he's decided to do.

Maybe there's room for the black and that red's not occupying the black

spot P he'll take this opportunity. Just what he was looking for.

The first chance. Exactly the opposite to what his

opponent was looking for. 49 points from here. Getting to

snookers required stage. That's the red he wanted rid of. It

is hard to see where the next one's coming from. He looks to be pretty

straight on this black. Just at first glance the only one I

can see is the one on the outside of this cluster.

It would go to the far left corner. He's not looked at that yet.

He's looking to screw on and off the side cushion. But this could go

wrong quite easily. Have to make contact on the two reds

below the pink. Perfect!

Still got work to do with the cue ball here, unless, as we watch that

again... A little bit of left-hand side just to bring the cue ball out

in the open. I don't know whether he can play a cannon on the black or

run around the back of the black here.

A straightforward pot and position, it doesn't look like.

In the end, he didn't like it. And he won't like this, because he's on

nothing. Wanted a much thicker cannon on the

red after potting the red he was playing sent the cue ball back up

the table. The referee said, "Declare the

colour." He can get through to the yellow.

35, but didn't make the most of that opportunity.

Being 35 points behind, he's got to get the next chance. If Mark Selby

gets it, surely it's frame over. Can he get this cue ball in behind

the yellow? Needs to miss the brown. That's no

good. Didn't expect him to miss that, the

way he started. And the way he finished the afternoon session.

But just obviously put a bit to the left-hand side because he hit it a

little bit harder than he expected. Pushed the cue ball into the red.

That's why he caught it too thick. He gives John Higgins an unexpected

chance here. He's got to play well now, has John

Higgins, there's no room for error. The only problem is he's straight or

just off-straight the wrong side. I'm not certain where the next red

comes from. Just over ran it by a couple of inches. There you see,

just the wrong side of that blue line.

Can't even follow through the cue ball and play the red. It's closest

to the cushion because the yellow's in the way.

I said he needs to be aggressive and if he's taking the pink on, that's

exactly what this is. Well, he won't play any more bigger pressure shots

than this. Absolutely brilliant! That's what he

needs to do tonight, John Higgins, for me. He needs to take the game to

Mark Selby. What a brave choice that was! So

difficult. Right in the heart of the pocket.

Deserves everything he gets now. Under the circumstances, this is one

of the pots of the final, if not the tournament. I have seen some

fantastic shots played, but when you take into consideration what's at

stake, if he missed that, he would have been three frames behind.

The red off the cushion. I think the black goes. He's on the black.

He's not going to be pleased with that. I'm surprised he stunned it,

really. Looked to be better choice to have rolled it in. I think that

was adrenaline possibly there. Just wanted to stun, just wanted the cue

ball to come through an inch would have been fine.

Just got into it too much. Purely adrenaline.

Look at where the reds are as well. So disappointed John Higgins playing

a safety shot now. Because of that disappointment frustration has

played a very poor one. Mark Selby's long pot success was

92%. So you make him favourite to knock this one in.

Solid! Maybe the chance that John Higgins

had to win the frame. -- of the win the frame has now

gone. Not the cleanest of pots there, but

it's in. Fortunate for that to go in, really.

John, obviously that chance to win this frame, is that a chance to get

back in the match gone with that chance?

28 points ahead. 59 remaining. So, he'll need three of these remaining

four reds. You have to be careful in potting

this red that he doesn't run into the red near the top cushion. He's

got to screw past that position on pink or black.

With the extension on the cue. It is not beyond the realms of

possibility he could make a mistake. Got to avoid the kiss on the second

red. Can't reach it with the extension,

got to use the rest. This black will put him 36 points in

front. Another red and a black will get him to the snookers required

stage. If it is followed by the plaque, it

will go 44 points in front. It is an amazing comeback this, when

you consider he trialled by 10-4. And now, he's going 14-11 in front.

Last 11 frames, he's won ten of them.

Potted a superb pink. Unfortunately couldn't capitalise on

it. Mark Selby goes three frames clear.

14-11. STUDIO: Hello, you are most welcome

to be with us for this fantastic final evening. I know I asked you to

settle in and relax and many of you have been doing just that. In fact

Mrs D tweets us to say, snooker sal laid at the ready. I think you might

be a bit hampered there. It was weak! Get it! I know that bread

stick wouldn't last very long in our house. But for those who Justing

joining us this story has been extraordinary. Yesterday it was John

Higgins making all the running. He led and he was in total control. He

missed a shot in the next frame. Since then Mark Selby has dragged

something from somewhere that won the last three frames and has been

fabulous today. It is fair to say he's getting a bit of help. John has

not been at his best. And he made a very poor positional shot in the

last one, didn't he? He looked amongst the balls. He put too much

into that cue ball. He's ended up over the top of the pink. Safety

shot was not great. Mark Selby locked in a fantastic red. Mark

Selby is in the ascendancy. What a comeback this has been. Four more

required for the defending champion, to join players who have won it

back-to-back. He would, if this continues to be only the fourth in

history to do it at the Crucible. JOHN VIRGO: A POSSIBLE pot here.

If you're going to miss it, err on the side of hitting it too thin. But

at the moment, he can't stop hitting the baulk colour with his safeties.

Well he can certainly get through to pot this red.

The only way he'd turn it down is if he didn't feel as though he could

get position on the colour. He doesn't have the best angle on

the black, though. The two reds above the black will go to the

corner but you must really force the cue ball to get to that.

No, didn't work out. As Stephen Hendry Leeds said, it was always

going to be difficult because the cue ball hit the cushion and didn't

have a lot of pace on it. Well, he's played better safety

shots than that. John Higgins, playing an attacking safety here.

Attacking safety means he won't put up the reds. A good target, the

brown, to aim for. Decent line. A bit too pacey,

though. Very good. Can't get through to this

one to the corner. It's not an easy nestle to the main bunch because

there are a couple of loose reds that you could leave on. You'd be

fearful that you could leave them on.

I mean, he thought about the two-cushion escape but if he doesn't

get it right he could leave a red on. One cushion, he could leave one

of the two reds just below the pink. Not a straightforward escape, by any

means. Good hit but he's going to leave the

red on. If it doesn't go to the right middle, it will certainly go

to the far right corner. It was the pocket available.

Considering that excellent shot, you'd be so wary when playing it

that you might just hit the red and flick the pink. OK, not the right

side of the blue but he's on the right hand side of the table and he

can played that and get nicely on the black. Decent opportunity, this.

I'm sure he'll play for the red below the pink. Not the most

positive strike of the cue ball. He can play for the blue, pink or

black, with this red. Not straightforward, this next

positional shot. Everything's covering each other. To the right

corner. Got to get into the cue ball here. He struck that very well.

Plays these screw shots better than anybody in the game. Beautiful.

He'd like to play that one again. Careless positional shot. He's that

bad on the blue that he's looking at the yellow.

Hmm. He can see what happens when you get across the ball.

Come on, John, what have you got left?

When you're playing catch up like this, you've got to play well and

you need a bit of help from your opponent, particularly at this

level. This was an unexpected chance.

Perfect. Now, pot the black, you don't have to hit it too hard,

cannon into the pack. You're still behind the red that the cue ball is

closest to. He's opened the map -- opened them up. Now, can he temp WWE

this red. If it's straightforward off the red,... He may have to go

for the spider. Can he reach it? Just about.

He once the angle on the black and he's got one. He is asking for the

cue ball to be cleaned. Looks like a nice angle. The only slight problem

is the yellow, it's just where he'd like to put his bridge hand.

That's OK. Not too close to the right corner.

Oh, no, no! These heavy contacts, when will they ever stop? I'm --

unlucky. That's like he played a gunshot. That's horrific. -- a

stunshot. This is when having a good match

temperament comes into its own. I mean, it's hard enough for John to

come into this match without that happening but he's got to try and

put it out of his mind, try and stay positive, try and still believe.

Controlling the object ball nicely there. John needs to reply with a

good safety of his own now. He needs to miss the yellow. Needs

to creep behind the yellow, and it has done. He deserves a bit of luck.

Does it reach? Foul, and a miss. No hesitation, having the cue ball put

back. It's hard to see Mark leaving the pot on here but when you finish

short, there is a tendency to sometimes overcompensate. He doesn't

want to hit the reds too firmly because he might knock one to the

middle pocket. So, a bit of advice from Paul Collier, the scorer. OK,

they're all happy. Attempt number two.

Certainly hard enough this time. And a beautiful line. Good shot.

Trying to get there by using side. It will hit the pink, if anything.

Foul, and a miss. Free ball. Nothing to go at. These points, they all add

up and can make the difference in a frame, whether you leave an awkward

red at the cushion or not. John is desperately looking for a chance to

score. Sliding past them, has he? If he

does, he leaves the red. Only missing by a fraction. But

that's what this game's all about. Well, he's still on the blue and he

will play the blue. That pink just separated from the fire reds makes

it a bit more difficult. If you're going to play the cannon, you've got

to hit the pink full in the face to make it move the reds. Didn't catch

it full in the face, needs a bit of luck and he's had some! He's had

some! He's on a red. He deserves a bit of that after the horrendous

kick early in the frame. OK, he didn't catch the pink at all full

but he'll be delighted with the result, the pink and black still in

the open. Surely he's going to get a frame on the board.

He'll get such a boost if he can get this frame.

31 ahead, 67 remaining. Three reds and three colours should do it. Just

stop in his tracks. If he was straight on the red he would run

through for the black but I don't think he wants to over complicate

this. So deciding to play for the pink. The right hand of the three

reds will definitely pot in the right corner, the same pocket as the

pink. At bit concerned where the pink will be when it is re-spotted.

A quick glance at the scoreboard. Red, colour, red required.

Don't know if he's got the angle to drop behind the red to leave it to

the right middle. Or is he going to try and take it off the cushion?

He's playing the cannon. Oh, has he got a second cannon? Hmm. I think I

might have been tempted to drop behind the red there. He took a

gamble. Yeah, looking at the possibility of a plant on these two

reds. He only needs a red. Is it worth the risk? He might consider it

is with the red being tied to the right-hand cushion. He's eyeing up

the plant. This red to go 46 points in front with 43 remaining. Here we

go. It was tough but he thought it was

worth the risk. Had it going in if he'd played it

slower, is the place that kept it out. He chose to play it with an

element of safety. I'd have dropped it dead weight.

Hmm, close. Nevertheless, John Higgins will want to bring the red

away from the left-hand side cushion. He just called the nearby

and at-bat pace it's not going to go in. -- at that pace. The cue ball is

going back to the Boult end so I think it's more or less risk-free --

the baulk end. In the end he decided to play the safety. It's a bit

pacey. Left the red. You wonder what John Higgins would

have left to give if he lost this frame.

He may have an angle on the blue, could be tempted to get the red off

the side cushion with this blue. He's going to play the open red

first. He's controlled this well. That's a really good positional

shot. I say that, he maybe could have done with half an inch further.

Yeah because you'd rather be potting the black into this pocket and then

you'd have the last red in your eye line. But he has a nice angle on the

black. He's going to try and nudge this to the pocket. This will take

some judging. This will take some judging. Just too far. Just too far.

Might be tempted, he is looking at the potting angle.

Might be hoping if he takes on the pot and misses it, the pace he

played it at, it may go along the middle of the baulk cushion and go

safe. He's not taking it on. He's back in the frame. If we can somehow

get a snooker here, he may become favourite. He's though, isn't he? It

looks like a straightforward safety, playing the red twice across, but

the culture of the modern-day game, you get a chance, try and win the

frame. Coming up to the one-minute thinking time, safety or a pot? I

think the pot, he's looking at the angle again. Red, colour, and the

six remaining colours. He got so close. He's left it. It rattled the

jaws and could have gone along the baulk cushion, but it didn't, and

Higgins is 31 ahead with 35 remaining. Two snookers would be

needed. It's been a long time coming, this frame. This epic

comeback. Every mountain you have to climb begins with one step. Is this

the first step? Yes, is this the injection of belief he wanted, the

inspiration? He's not had much today.

It hasn't gone in but it is the frame and at last, John Higgins has

stopped the rot and has got a frame on the scoreboard. Still trails by

three, sorry, by two. 14-12, the defending champion. STUDIO: The

Higgins family with their hearts in a mouse but that is what John needed

because he was struggling. A really good frame that he played but near

the end, it's not often when you wonder about what shot Selby played.

That last shot, all of his eggs in one basket and that isn't an easy

pot and at-bat pace, he's guaranteed to stick it. You can't work out how

it's going to wobble and be safe. He really gave John Higgins a bit of

light at the end of the tunnel with that shot. When you have your

opponent on the ropes, what you're advised to do is to make it hard for

him to get back in the frame. The safety shot was easy. He could have

played the more aggressive shot and played it harder, it may have come

away from the pocket but I think that was giving John Higgins too

much of a chance to get back in it. In it he is. Let's talk about John's

longevity, this is his sixth final and it is 19 years after his first,

a record at the Crucible. Only a couple of years ago, we were saying

he was a journeyman professional but now he is the world number two and

he is 41. It's remarkable, he beat me in 1998 when I was here! I've

been on the end of a couple from him. It's a remarkable turnaround. I

know that his long game was struggling and he was lacking

confidence. His long game is still good and his competitive spirit is

never doubted. His matchplay has always been top-class. Still in the

final. COMMENTATOR: Well, the first time I've seen it in this final, the

break-off shot has left a cut to the middle. Catching the end red too

full. Yes, in it goes. If it stays short

of the line, which it will. Disappointing when you break off and

leave a red to the middle. Perfect angle to go into the bunch. Playing

it with a lot of pace. I think he's OK. The one at the bottom of the

bunch pots. He's done well because there wasn't much place in the cue

ball, going into the bunch. -- there wasn't much pace in the cue ball.

Interesting! Yes. And I think this red will go here,

the only problem is, where does the colour come from? He's going to have

to depart a lot of back spin on the cue ball to get it out of the reds.

This was a surprisingly miss. Digging in, he's got to be accurate

with so much pace. Got into it, got through the reds. Not good on the

colour. On a good day he would have caught the pink and been planned for

the left middle. -- been plumb for the left middle. Not today.

Another inch or two roll and he would have been tied behind the

yellow. The reds are spread. Could be telling for either player.

Going back to the last frame, the red that Selby missed, along the

cushion, possibly could have thrown Higgins a lifeline but sometimes it

doesn't matter how difficult a shot is, you fancy it and I think that's

the right way to think. He obviously fancied getting this. But it got so

close that it was always going to stay there. Yeah and I think it was

the type of shot, 14-11 in front, you'd play it, but if you were 14-11

behind, you might have thought twice about it. We are all wise after the

event. As you say, I think he fancied it and if it goes in, I win

the frame. Does this red cut? It is thin. Couldn't be much thinner than

that. Watching John's reaction, I don't think he thought this was

pottable. HE WOULD LIKED TO HAVE BEEN STRAIGHT

ON THIS red. He's got an angle. He can play for

the left middle, you would have thought.

And the reds are nice and spread. This is a good chance.

Once again, taking his time, deciding which route to take.

Looking a few shots ahead. Now I'll be interested to see where

the pink is available. So is Mark. If it goes to the left

corner. And it does.

Quite clearly. Couldn't wish the ball to be in a

better situation than this. And I must say, Stephen, when I looked at

the table, when John played his safety, I didn't think that red was

possible. When you saw how he played it, he played it with a ton the

right-hand side. To be fair I don't think John thought it would be

cuttable. Otherwise he would not have put the cue ball there, he

would have put it near the yellow pocket. He would not have risked

playing the snooker. I mine, again, if he misses that, he

leads it over the pocket. It has been noticed, the difference

in his attitude. Once he's got parity and went a few flames in

front, he's been a -- frames in front, he's been more attacking.

When he was attacking he was prepared to grienld it out, just to

keep tabs with John and those three frames we have spoken about that

reduced last night to three. Today, after those last three frames

last night and today he's sniffed out weakness and he's pounced and

he's never let go. That's what he does.

He's going to play the run around off two cushions. Maybe one cushion.

He's gone the two-cushion way. OK, he's on the red to the left middle.

A blue or a baulk colour here. He thinks he can go for the pink.

Quite comfortably. Thought he had more of an angle than that.

Another 32 points to get from this point to the snookers required.

Nicely on the pink. Possible plant here, but maybe a red is available

to the same pocket as the pink. Three reds. Three high value colours

- that's all that's needed. After John Higgins won that last

frame, he needed to win this one to string a couple of frames together.

It's not to be. It's starting to look ominous now,

this final, I'm afraid. Mark Selby's doing what all the

great champions do, he's getting stronger, the closer he gets to the

winning line, not weaker. The applause tells you, we're at the

snookers required stage. Now you see it now, 67 ahead. 59

remaining. Apart from that one yellow, he's

been down the business end, this is where you score your breaks. Played

that well. Oh, well he missed it. He'll be a

little disappointed. He didn't whip that one. Mark Selby

goes three clear again. Now 15-12. He's just, John Higgins

unfortunately, I mean that red that Mark potted there, as you say, I'm

certain John didn't think it was on. Definitely didn't. He's trying to

get the cue ball. Playing an aggressive safety. It's easy to put

the cue ball on the baulk cushion. If he looked again he would have

wanted to put knit the jaws of the pok -- put it in the jaws of the

pocket. You look at it now, you don't think that red pots. But Mark

Selby's been quite aggressive with his shot choice tonight.

And he's played, on the right-hand side, so hard to judge. And of

course potted it just crept this side of the baulk line and end of

frame. REFEREE: Mark Selby to break.

Quietly, please. So, mid-section interval after this.

Every frame now you think is a must-win for John Higgins.

We always say try and keep your opponent at a distance.

Two or three frames from the winning line.

It's getting closer and closer to the point of no return.

A shout of, "Come on Mark." You need to be able to hit a red to come on.

For someone of Mark Selby's knowledge of the angles that was a

huge target. Did well to get back to the baulk

end, but the cue ball not tight to the baulk cushion. I expect Mark to

play a better safety shot than that. Wouldn't expect Mark Selby to miss

it a second time around. I know he's got to catch it thin, but not that

thin. He's caught it this time and where's

that cue ball going to finish? Behind the green.

My, he raised his hand there. He got the tinniest graze off the middle of

the pocket there. Caught this too thin, really.

That's the cue ball just there. Squares up the an angle.

Well played. The other side of that, is that

black at the moment, anything in the middle of the table is stopping it

going in this corner pocket. But it's turned out very nicely for John

there. Excellent pace with the cue BA

That really is top quality safety shot.

There's his view. You can see the red on the right-hand side, as he

looks. There is possibly a path back to the ball again. But in playing

it, he could knock a red over to the corner pocket. So needs a good cue

ball here. Well, it could have been worse.

He's not left anything easy. I did get the feeling that he hit

that slightly too thick. If there was anything that would pot

to the right corner, I don't think there is though - nothing he can

see. Oh! Well, hand up.

And apologise. I know he's a shot-maker, Mark

Selby, but no-one could have envisaged that. Two reds on to that

red, that red and other one goes in off the black.

One of those situations if you don't see a safety, try and pot your way

out of trouble. I always say the safety shot is as difficult as the

pot. I know which way I'd be going. Mark Selby came to the table and his

eyes were completely on this red. He's not even looked at a safety

shot. He's looked for a path where he'll take the cue ball. There's

pressure on this. But he's not looked at any other

shot. Great pot. Certainly not the way he

wanted the cue ball to go. As I said before; seems to be

getting stronger. Yes, he'd have been disappointed he

didn't finish up on the black. He's out safety played John Higgins

so far in this frame. Straight on the blue. But that red

immeadiately to are right of the pink is the one he can play for.

After potting the blue to roughly where it is now.

Unless he can roll through. He's decided to play the black.

Strange choice. You see it better when you're down behind the shot.

I think he can play the black, the cushion and then cannon a red to

leave one, leave the cue ball with a right-to-left corner.

I think probably expecting a thicker cannon than that red. He's OK. No

problem. Black may be available to right

corner now. He's done this phenomenally well.

He's turned visits to the table. It's not looked like a frame-winning

opportunity. All of a sudden one or two shots and he's got them there.

He's very cleffer. He's got a very -- clever. He's got a very good

snooker brain, has Mark. That 143 break he made was just

incredible. As I said at the time, it's definitely up there with one of

the best I have seen since commentating for snooker.

48 points to get to snookers required stage. After this pink it

will be 42 points needed. Very good with the wrist. Very good

at every aspect of the game is Mark. Nicely on the pink to left middle.

Gets a little bit more difficult because the red just to the right of

the pink is easy to get on, but then he needs a good cue ball control.

Not the most straightforward of frame-winning chances.

I think the red just below the black will go to the right corner.

Decided to go for the blue, but he's not on the blue, he'd have to play

the pink. If he plays the pink, the only red he can play for is the one

closest to the red corner pocket. He's got to do a little bit with the

cue ball to get on that. A bit careless not to get the good

angle on the blue. Couldn't have played it better

though, could not have played it better. And I'm almost certain the

ball goes to the right corner. A perfect angle on this red.

Straight on it, or high on it, anything but this.

He might have looked at the pink to middle there and screwed back for a

red besides the black. But he's left this tricky little cut along the

cushion. Didn't look like missing at the

moment. Looks to have the perfect angle to

follow through of one cushion or two cushions. Pots to the right corner.

Maybe, as I say, he's not happy with the angle to play it at.

If he's going to continue the break he may have to play.

55 ahead. 75 remaining. More of less equates to red, cover red still

needed. This is tough enough. Decent break but kept losing the cue

ball slightly and in the end it caught up with him.

75 remaining. He's still just about in this frame.

And really played that purposefully a little thick trying to knock that

black towards the side cushion, just a bit of insurance, but hasn't got a

good cue ball. A chance for John here to gain the initiative in this

at thetial battle, which he's got in this tacticle battle that he's

got to win. He'll need a bit of a run of the

ball and he's had some there. Good shot.

Played it to perfection. Still John Higgins has the

advantage. Can he make it count?

On a good day you creep behind the brown.

Straightforward safety shot is one of the reds on the left-hand side of

the table, but Mark wants to keep them there because they're in an

awkward position, with a 55-point lead he doesn't want to bring reds

away from the cushion. But you can't refuse the right shot.

He thinks he can get safe down the right-hand side of the table.

Kissing the yellow. He's fortunate he's left his red right below the

black. John Higgins will try and play safe

off these reds. He's got to catch this perfect and get the perfect

line. That was an excellent shot. And he

has... Top drawer. With a player of Mark Selby's... One

good shot isn't going to get you a chance.

John Higgins shakes his head. What do I have to do to force an

opportunity? Tough situation because 55 points

behind, John knows if he leaves mark one more chance, that's the end of

the frame. He's trying to come off the top cushion and catch this red

thin. Big ask. It's going to run down the table. Foul. Mark Selby

will come to the table and see if the pot is on. If there isn't, he

might have it replaced. I think he'll have it replaced here.

Can't blame him for that. John Higgins was in all kinds of trouble.

And still is. Now the difference, 60 points.

Another way John Higgins can play it, he camp late it to try and hit

the red at pace, try and follow the cue ball up the table. Both shots

are tough, not to leave anything. He tried. That's all he could do in

the end. He thought, play the pot, try and screw back. I suppose if the

red doesn't pass the blue, he'll have been safe. But the red does.

One more red to go into the mid-session interval with a four

frame advantage. Just two away from the title.

Yes, turning into a bit of a procession now. John Higgins is just

not able to get into the frames early. He's won one frame tonight,

he hasn't been able to string any more together. I said before, it's

looking ominous. In goes the pink. No way back now

for John Higgins. What John Higgins needed was to play well and score

heavy but he hasn't scored heavy. He's had a few chances. But against

someone like Mark Selby, you can't rely on getting two or three chances

a frame. No, and he's definitely sprinting

towards the win, Mark Selby. Still need two more frames but it's hard

to see any other result at the moment other than him retaining the

title. I mean, you're right, you write off John Higgins at your peril

but you look at things to give you hope and he's not been able to

attack Mark Selby tonight. No, and when Mark Selby's in full flow, he's

hard to stop. It's hard to get him in trouble with the safety, hard to

outscore him. And now he's got that it in his step -- he's got that skip

in his step that's making him look formidable. But every credit to him,

then- four behind. Yes, he looked completely disillusioned yesterday,

completely outplayed by his opponent -- 10-4 behind. Somehow he's found

the well and the belief to win the last three frames last night. And

he's certainly now playing with a smile on his face, the Jester from

Leicester. He'll be enjoying it out there.

And there is Danny Willett and Nico, from iron maiden. Enjoying the

snooker. Talking to Nico, the drummer from iron maiden, he said he

loves the theatre of the Crucible. What snooker creates, and it is real

theatre. But at the moment, it's a virtuoso performance by the

defending champion. Making breaks of 54 at the start of

the frame, and that will take into interval, and John Higgins is going

four behind. Mark Selby, just two away from his third World

Championship. 16-12. STUDIO: And with it, a successful defence, only

Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan have done that at

the Crucible. It would be quite a bit achievement and it looks like

he's marching all the way. You were saying fair that the confidence

levels, the shot selection that he is now establishing -- you were

saying off air. The pink wig going to show you, this is fraught with

danger, if you miss it, it's a very good chance for John Higgins but he

rolled it straight into the middle. Far from easy. Difficult to John

Higgins not to consider that the writing is on the wall because not

only does he know that Mark Selby is getting in the groove, but a couple

of safety shots were quite cruel to him and it's hard to give up -- hard

not to give up. But he won't come he can only try frame by frame but it

seems inevitable now. It does, yes: but you never know, there's life

left in the final and I'm sure you'll stay with us. But this has

been, for 40 years, a sporting venue that has been ingrained in our

consciousness. May bank holiday weekend means the Crucible final and

that process started back in 1977. Hello, welcome to the final night.

And the Will Champion, 1977, John Spencer, receiving his cheque for

?6,000. And now, the world trophy. Does the sixth feel better than the

first? As the years go on, because of the television, the game is

getting bigger, it's getting harder to win, actually.

I'm in the final now, you know! LAUGHTER

Faded and gentlemen, Alex Higgins! CHEERING

-- ladies and gentlemen. Good luck. Oh, wonderful.

It's over. Thanks very much to everybody.

Dennis Taylor, for the first time, becomes the Embassy world champion,

1985. Do you believe what's happened? It happened late at night

or stop -- late at night. So, another bit of late-night drama, one

of the greatest late-night drama is we've seen at the Crucible. The most

remarkable world final I've ever seen. It's been quite an interesting

day, hasn't it? Certainly has. I hope we can still be friends!

LAUGHTER You said to me last year that we've

got to stop meeting like this but this is different. He paid me a

consummate last year, there are many gentlemen in the sport and it's nice

to keep that. The final at the Crucible is always special, so

that's it for 1987, from all of us here, a very good night to you.

The pressures on winning that match, quite strong. The further you get

ahead, the more elastic is dragging you back. I'm not sure what to say.

One of my greatest victories. Although it wasn't exactly the most

interesting. One of the great nights again.

Absolutely. Youngest ever world champion.

Ladies and gentlemen, the new Embassy snooker champion of the

world, John Parrott. The first session, fantastic snooker

and I didn't get one in the final. Did he lose the title there? Oh

dear, that was a little bit of tension.

What can I say apart from happy birthday? He's beginning to annoy

me! We all privileged yet tonight to see one of the great matches at the

Crucible, one of the great matches in snooker history.

Stephen once one more frame for his ultimate goal, the sixth Embassy

world title. I've got three things now left to

do. My commiserations to the loser and congratulations to the winner.

Most of all I want to thank all of you for sharing my love of snooker.

Ooh! It's not there and it's all over. Peter Ebdon turns to

congratulate Stephen Hendry. And from me I just say, goodbye and

thank you so much. Seeing as I'm a clown I thought I'd go out with a

smile rather than a frown. And like all good theatre

productions, there is an interval and we'll be back for the second act

shortly when you've got yourself an ice cream. Fantastic memories. And a

very sad one because today is the sixth anniversary of the passing of

Ted Lowe, who was an integral part of snooker and great to see him

remembered in that feature. He had a big part in starting my career

because he came up with junior pot black so the juniors could go on

there at pebble Mill, the best juniors in the country. It was a

trauma that I won and the rest is history. We were having a laugh, the

gala performance and the champions came in here and of the six finals

you won, fantastic but are you more famous for the two you lost? The one

against Dennis is the one that everyone remembers but when you look

at the memories as they unfold, it brings them back up again so it's

great to watch them back to back. And a very handsome head of hair.

Nice to see black, isn't it! Goodness! Is this Championship

getting bigger and bigger? It was difficult to win when you were in

your pump, but the depth of players now, is it even harder to win?

Harder to win and more people around the world are watching. Interesting

how the British public thought that the game was in decline accounts

perhaps not so many snooker clubs but people don't realise how many

are watching worldwide here. Regardless of how many people are

interested in the worldwide -- interested in the UK, the worldwide

appeal is massive. We will discuss that last full -- discussed that

later. We asked you to pick the shot of the Championship and in the end

it wasn't a close run thing at all. In third place, Mark Selby's magical

cue ball control against Ding Junhui. Loads of side. Have a look

at that for a shot. One of the best positional shots you could wish to

see. This, here was tremendous. It really was. Second place, Mark Selby

again, this phenomenal blue, to cannon the remaining reds. Wow! Look

at this for a shot. Unbelievable! Wow! But the winner is shot E, 60%

of the vote, Shaun Murphy. This is risky. What a great shot. Oh, I'm

believable! What a time to play an exhibition, trick shot. In the world

jabbing ship at -- the World Championship at the Crucible. And I

know many of you have been trying to replicate the shot up and down the

country. Excellent shot, well done, Mr Murphy. Where did we get to in

our 40 year meander through the Crucible vault? 1988, when the

action sped up considerably. Ronnie saw to that.

By always look forward to this and I'm sure many viewers at home look

forward to it. Perfect. Yes, absolutely perfect. I

don't believe this. What a break! What a phenomenal

break that is. Ronnie O'Sullivan is delighted, the crowd is delighted

and I'm delighted. Unbelievable maximum break. Sensational. There's

no better feeling in the world. Champion at the Crucible Theatre,

Ken Doherty. How embarrassing! A bearded man has

told me that you are going to win the World Snooker Championship.

LAUGHTER John Higgins clears with a break of

118. He beats the defending champion, Ken Doherty, 18-12, to win

the Embassy World Championship. As soon as I walk through the door, the

adrenaline started pumping. Hopefully I can settle down and give

it my best shot again. What a shame. Credit to Ronnie O'Sullivan who has

made this match one of the all-time classics. Snooker for the gods. Pink

and black to finish with a century. Not too bothered about that. He's

just so pleased to have done it. Ray Reardon, six times world champion in

the 70s. Steve Davis, six times in the 80s but it's a magnificent seven

times for Stephen Hendry in the 90s. Mark Williams showing great

resilience to recover, to win 18-16. Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the Embassy

World Championship. He beats John Higgins, 18-14.

Snooker might be the priority in Sheffield but that's not to say

there is in some cup fever in the air. Let's have a kick!

you walk into this huge arena, all of the space around.

Wonderful, wonderful display by Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Ladies and gentlemen, your own special welcome for a very special

young man, Paul Hunter! CHEERING John Higgins! Fantastic! There's

only one Stephen Hendry. We love watching him play. This

could give him the urge to carry on. Absolutely incredible. Mark Selby

makes one of the best comebacks I've seen in many years. Stuart Bingham,

2015 world champion. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Is once again, your champion, Mark Selby! -- once again. From Tennessee

Williams to Mark Selby, this theatre has seen it all and I wonder how

popular a move it is for World Snooker to sign with Sheffield City

Council to keep it here for another 15 years. I think it got a huge

cheer on Friday before the tournament started and hopefully

that. People asking the question whether it's going to China because

it happens all the time. Barry said absolutely not, while he's at the

helm. This is where it should be played. Young lads playing the game,

come and play at the Crucible, this is where you aspire to play. As a

sporting venue, not just a snooker venue, would you say that this is

more on the bucket list of sports fans around the world, to sample

this? It should be, the atmosphere is fantastic. I've been around

Crucible Corner, nationalities from everywhere flying in for the final

and they've never been here before. In for a treat, the atmosphere like

nowhere else. People cueing up to get in here and the sadness is that

there are empty seats which have already been sold. There must be a

way of working out how to get extra people in. If you don't get in your

seat by a certain time, they should be given to the real fans. They are

certainly oversubscribed, we know that, for next year. It's been

playing too fantastic houses. The Championship, the prize-money

continues growing, 375,000 this year, going up to 425,000 next year,

symptom of the boom times. Massive turnaround. There were seven

tournaments I could have played in when I played, I could have booked a

taxi, there were no tournaments to play in but now there isn't a weak

that is free. If you want to play, you can play. Brilliant turnaround.

The new season starts in a couple of weeks' time because we have cue

School starting and then the summit events will be underway. First they

got to finish off this season's climax. And is the defending

champion, Mark Selby, now just two frames away from a third world

title. Time to see the final over the line.

COMMENTATOR: Good evening, Hazel. What have we left in store in this

final? Can John Higgins come out and claw his way back? It's not beyond

him, Ken. Definitely not his way back but -- definitely not beyond

him but he will need dumping, draw on that fantastic experience he has

had here -- but he will need something. He will need to play his

best from now on in. Can he do it? It's going to be tough. This man has

played, from 10-4 down, it's an incredible performance. It really

is. And to think he could win it three times in four years in the

modern game, that would be quite something. There's the little lady

on the top that everybody likes to give a little kiss to.

Oh, no. The dreaded double-kiss. Not the best start for John and there's

one red at the back of the bunch that is available as well, so it's

an early chance for Mark Selby. He's got a nice angle to pot this

off the side cushion for a baulk colour. It slowed a bit off the side

cushion. Shaping up to take on the green. He's having a look at the red

you talked about at the back of the pack. If he can hold for that, he

will. If he can't, he could possibly go offside, bottom cushion and into

the pack. Let's see what he does here. I've noticed he's done quite a

bit of that, he's down on the shot, then he gets up again and has a look

at the angle. He's certainly making sure of things.

He said good time to someone who just coughed when he was on his back

swing. Needs the cue ball to get off that

side cushion. He's not far off the cushion and he

cued this beautifully. I mean right, smack, bang in the middle of the

pocket, as Ken says. Right in the middle, up for the pink and then he

can please himself because he's got a couple of reds available.

Or he could go into the pack. Seems to be a few available. He's

taking the blue to play it for the individual red there.

When he was so far behind he lost his timing and people were saying

might not have a session this evening the way John Higgins was

playing. But what a turn around!

He was very tired in that second session. How he's turned this match

around is quite remarkable. It's what champions do. When you are

playing well there's always something like this available to

you. When you're struggling there's never a plant there.

Body language suggests he's not on the red.

He did get the spin, but it does spun into the reds. Just show you,

watch the white as it stops here. All of a sudden it spins right back.

There's something on one of the balls there. Said, I'll leave it

until after this shot. It's a bit of an awkward place to be cleaning the

cue ball. John looks a little tired, rubbing

his eyes there. That red could make him feel better. Could do with a

sizeable contribution here. He needs to pull up. It needs to

pull up and it is. Got into it too much. It's OK.

Hoping to be on blue and pink there. Overscrewed that by quite some

margin. It is these situations that John

Higgins really has to capitalise upon if he's to find a way back into

this match. The early part of this match he

would have won the frame from this position.

A different story, kept out for so long.

The blacks awkward from this right-hand side. He may have to play

for the pink here. He's coming around to see if he can just reach

it with the extension. Earlier this season against Stuart

Bingham he was 7-7 and finished with three century breaks. Oh, what he'd

give for finding that sort of form here.

The red that's close to the outside cushion no problem for John Higgins

being a right-hander. Just wondering whether the only red

that may be the most difficult was the one next to the yellow. He's

coming to look at that now. Does it pot into the green pocket? It looks

very, very close. Almost touching that yellow.

I think it may be on though. That's possibly thinking at least

six shots ahead there. If he screwed over from the pink

anywhere near that would be ideal. Beautiful shot. He's having another

look at that red. He's rolled that red in. Nice angle on the black.

One good positional shot. Looks tight, but it will go.

Would have loved to have been on straighter. Just ran on that cue

ball, just to make this pot more awkward than he would have liked.

Any colour with this red would make the frame safe.

Well, this has been a fantastic break.

This has been John Higgins at his best, Denis.

It is amazing the interval came at the right time for John. He would

have had a chance to talk with his brother, Jason, talk things over and

well, this is what he's had to do and he's done it.

What about this for a positional shot?

If ever a time John Higgins needed a good frame-winning break it was now

and he's produced the goods. This is superb.

Magnificent break of 88. 16-13.

STUDIO: He summoned more. He's a class act. He always has been. He's

made of Scottish girders. He the two hardest match players I played in

all my career and he's the other one. If you got him in a draw it was

a nightmare. He's got great qualities, never plays a wrong shot

and an unbelievable desire to win. You are sitting like Mark Selby in a

comfortable position now, but this man's on your tail. I wonder how

comfortable that position really is under the circumstances for

Well he has breathing space, but he's not even on the hill yet. There

is room for John Higgins to get into it. All that's been thrown at Mark

Selby in this match, I think he'll be in a pretty strong mental

condition. John Higgins has been asleep quite a bit in this match. It

is nice he's come alive a bit. It may be a little bit too late, but

you never know! There's nothing focuses the mind thinking you have

to play no missed snooker. That actually focuses your brain. You

actually get yourself under pressure but you foes the yourself, thinking

I can -- focus yourself thinking I cannot afford this. What it is you

stop worrying. You've got nothing to worry about. You just play. So, it

frees your mind up more. One of the biggest problems of a still-ball ga

imis what goes in your mind before and during the shot. If all of a

sudden all you can do is just play, you are in a great situation. He's

trying to forget about the last few hours here. As a snooker player,

when someone has punished you to the degree that Mark Selby has, winning

12 out of 14 frames, how do you feel? How do you are eact? How do

ask -- react? How do you ask yourself to respond over there? He

has to find something here all the way in. His determination and his

grit and he knows there is a winning post in this session and that makes

all of the different. THE COMMENTATOR: The winning post.

He's seen it many, many times over his career.

Certainly produced the goods. Back against the wall and that frame, as

John Parrott said in the studio, he's got to do it time and time

again. He's got to play no missed snooker. A good start from John

Higgins. As long as your opponent needs two

frames you are in with a chance. It is when it gets to the 17 and they

only need the one frame. A packed Crucible. Is there going to

be some late-night drama? Have to be careful of the free ball

here. Oh, just short of the A little bit of a smile there from

John. John played a shot like this earlier today. I don't know whether

he was thinking angt that. He went in -- about that. He went in off the

brown three times. It was quite amusing. John was smiling. Mark was.

The whole crowd was. Needed four attempts just to flick a red like

this. Ten hours of hard match play

snooker. He really has been keeping it as

tight as he possibly can. He was after a thin one because he

didn't want to knock a red over the corner pocket.

A touch more to me. That is one of the senior referees as well.

The reason why Mark Selby has gone down the left-hand side of the

table, he's afraid of pushing the red if he plays the safety down the

right-hand side. A bit better. He's got to avoid the blue.

He's played it well. He's played it very well.

Excellent return to safety. The fact that the cue ball is so close to the

green it just hampered his cueing. A little grim mace from John will tell

you this is not too pretty. Not straightforward to get the cue

ball back to baulk. I think he'll have to hit this one

he could easily go in off or wobble in the corners of the pocket here.

That was fantastic! An excellent shot!

He took the paint off it. Appreciation from Mark Selby - it's

nice to see. Even in the heat of battle, playing for such a wonderful

prize, they still applaud each other's fantastic shots. True

sportsmanship. Doesn't make any mistakes our

defending champion. This time he got that double-kiss. The dreaded

double-kiss and John's got a chance now.

-Kiss. The dreaded double-kiss and John's got a chance now.

Thought for a moment that cue ball was going to pass that red and block

this pot. It's certainly perfect now for him.

A few reds here, decide to go into the pack.

He's got that one to the right corner, as a little bit of

insurance, should he not split them nicely.

He'll have to get the spider out to get to that, though. He's certainly

brought other reds into play. Doesn't spin back that much. In fact

he needs a swan neck spider to get over a few of the reds.

Well played. Good shot. Denise and the family look on.

Now, does anything pot into this left-hand centre pocket?

On the red to the right centre and he can drop it in for the blue or

the pink here. Play a better cannon from the pink

than the blue. Have the nice angle to stay for the

pink. Looks like the blue, top side of the blue. He's back in prime

position. It looks like he's stepped up his

pace around the table as well. He seems to be playing with more of a

spring in his step. Maybe that last frame has given him

that bit of confidence that he was lacking over the last few frames.

As I say, he had the interval just to have a chat probably with Jason,

his brother, as I mentioned. He knows what he's capable of doing and

this is terrific stuff from John Higgins. What a response this is.

Potting this pink into the left corner pocket. He's got to play one

slightly cannon just to the reds a bit more.

Now, he's lost the cue ball. He just needed to glance off that

red. It would have been perfect.

Just hit a full ball, didn't he? More of a little stun that he needed

there. This will still cut back and he can finish on one of the baulk

colours. It's sort of a free shot. The boys were interviewed yesterday

and they spoke very well. John must have been so proud of them.

Of course John's mother. It was her birthday yesterday. His brothers are

here also, as well as lots of friends.

Just a couple more pots needed to secure this frame.

Couldn't have played that any better.

Every shot, waving the magic wand, that's for sure.

But only is this going to give John Higgins a lot of confidence, it

sends a message back to his opponent. Saying that if you give me

a chance, I'm going to take it now. Just as important. A fantastic

couple of frames from John Higgins, just when he needed it.

Not going to be easy to get the century. They've had seven centuries

in this year 's Betfred Ebor World Championship. Ding Junhui has had

13. Will this just drop in? Well played, John Higgins. Fantastic

stuff. Well played, John Higgins. Number 50 at the Crucible this

season. That's brilliant. 672 centuries, he's made in his career.

Only Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry ahead of him.

Is the yellow going to go in? No, but a magnificent 111 from the four

time world champion, John Higgins. He claws back another one, only two

in it now but the defending champion Mark Selby still leads, 16-14.

STUDIO: John's 50th century of the season. Our sponsors have donated

?40,000 to the Jessie May children's hospice. They were going to do that

if we smashed the 86 record from a couple of years ago but they decided

to do it anyway, so thank you very much. I'm sure people will be

pleased with that. This is what they wanted to see, the tension in the

final session and they're getting it. I said he was tough, didn't I?

He's lost 12-2 from being 10-4 up but somewhere the great champions

find it. With your back to the wall, looking like you are done all ends

up, where do you find that from? This is interesting because last

year in the final against Ding Junhui, Mark Selby was 16-11 up and

Ding Junhui won three in a row and then Selby broke him but he's had to

withstand this before. Yeah but it's the swings and roundabouts of being

in front and behind. From John Higgins' body language, he has

nothing to fear. Mark Selby will be in the same situation, it's getting

close so they're going to be running on adrenaline only.

COMMENTATOR: Not a bad break-off shot. Mark Selby is now going to

have to call on all of his experience. His third final in four

years but he knows that his opponent is flying at the moment. And he

looks, all of a sudden, quite a bit more fresh. He's up for this.

He's pushed the red towards the pocket. Is there going to be a gap?

No. Maybe, but Steve Davis is right, at this stage of the final, you just

don't feel tired, it's adrenaline that keeps you going.

The brown may be in the way for John Higgins for this long pot. Ooh. He

was so confident, he was using the brown. That's why he played it so

softly, to hold for the black. Yeah, a wry smile. Almost 30 minutes

since Mark Selby potted the last ball. Now, what has the defending

champion got? His back has been up against the

wall in this Championship many times over the last four years and he's

produced the goods. As I mentioned in the studio, 16-11

ahead in last year's final, Ding Junhui came back to 16-14, three

frames in a row. But Mark produced the goods to win the last two. He's

going to have to do something very similar tonight. He's got great

bottle, Dennis. One of his great and many assets, his temperament. He's

not going to flinch. He is OK to play out for the single

red. He's just looking to see if there's an angle there. Well, he

would have played for this red to the middle pocket but now he's going

to have to take it to the corner. Is he going to run through for the

blue, which is the better angle to go into the pink and reds, or from

the black? It depends on the angle for this red. He's going to screw

back for the black, you can see him striking the bottom of the cue ball.

APPLAUSE Key shot coming up, as we show you

the red disappearing, the stun shot into the right-hand side of the reds

rather than screwing it. And he's played it perfectly, that's a

terrific shot. Couldn't have played it much better, as you said. Just

eight stun shot and how he controlled the cue ball. Red to left

centre. The red that's closest to the cue

ball will possibly be his next choice after this black.

Now, he's having a look to see if this will go. Into the left centre

from the right-hand side of the table, it's a nice angle. After

potting this red, on the black. There is one red available into the

right centre. He's coming round to have a look at that now.

He's played for it in the corner pocket. That's the loose red. The

left-hand side of the pack. Five reds and five blacks but you can be

sure that Mark Selby isn't thinking about any maximum here. He's just

trying to win the frame from this position. I'm not sure what that was

but he's had a look into the audience and Jan Verhaas has had a

look so I'm not sure if someone said something. So close to the table.

Ken said that he had no faults. It's all about winning the frame here.

Oh, hang on a minute. Hang on a minute, what has he done there? He

didn't hit it hard enough. Nestling in behind the yellow. What a mistake

that was. She would have been surprised by that, Vicky. What it,

he was concentrating on missing the brown but with the side, it took him

behind the yellow. Needed more pace. 46 break but he'll be very

disappointed he didn't get more. The cue ball behind the green, tight on

the baulk Mac cushion, putting Mark Selby in trouble here. Got to get it

tight. Mark on his way back there. Is he giving himself a little

telling off there? It's unusual. He's fired up, that's for sure. Well

he's looking at two reds to the bottom right corner pocket. Possible

plant. There's a bit of distance. Going to the left-hand side of the

pocket, but there's a bit of distance between the two reds. What

a brave shot to take on at this stage. He's got to get it because

he's going into the other reds and he would put them all over the

table. He's pretty good, playing as the world full champion, also. --

pool Champion. If he gets on a colour, he wins the frame but if he

misses it, it could cost him the frame. He has a 46 point lead.

Shaping up to take it on. This is extremely risky.

He wasn't guaranteed to get on the black. He was on the black for the

middle until the red blocked his path. Just tacking in behind the

black. Foul. He didn't reach it. I didn't see it hit, Mark. No? No.

Mark thought it did, we can have a look. We can have a... We can't have

a replay. Difficult to see from that angle. It hit? OK, OK. If they say

it hit, that's fine with me. John isn't querying it. I'm good with

that. In our game we are so proud of players here. It makes a difference.

Only the referee can overrule himself, no one else can. If they

aren't sure, I didn't see it hit, and I'm going to stick with my

decision. I'm not sure if anyone can overrule the referee. No, I'm going

to stick with what I saw, and I didn't see it hit, so I'm going to

stick with the file. -- going to stick with the foul. Didn't look

like it moved. Jan is probably the best referee we've had in the game,

23 years refereeing top-class snooker. I think he's made the right

decision there. Very hard to see because Jan is such a big guy, he

gets in the way and the camera couldn't pick it up. Mark has two

drop onto the red onto the left-hand side cushion, try and hit it dead

weight to cover the red over the side middle. He's got to be so

precise. Excellent shot. Well played. Let's have a look from this

angle. I don't think it did, Dennis, from that angle.

Great shot. What a shot under pressure that was.

Ooh, what a shot. The most difficult red off the cushion. What drama here

at the Crucible. You just can't beat this. Getting very interesting and

very exciting. It's getting very tense as well.

The only problem ball that may arise is the one on the side cushion but

again, John being right-handed, he can get the cue ball close enough to

it and it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I think if Mark loses the frame, I think he's going to believe in

himself that the hit the black but let's hope it doesn't affect him.

He's got the easy red to play for but he may play for the red, that's

where he wants to be. He's playing for the easy one first but now it's

imperative that he gets a good angle. He's left himself a bit

straight on this. He was looking for an angle to either move the red or

just drop behind on the circle. The first sign of a bit of tension in

the back of John's arm, overshooting the cue ball, two feet.

Ooh that was a problem. He has an angle to the circle but the black is

going to be so tough. If he rolls the black I'm sure he would finish

in the cycle but the black is so tough. What a big shot this is.

Yeah it wasn't the ideal position, was it, particularly after the

previous blue to red. Still, the way he was playing, you fancied the pot

but he never even had the cue ball close to the red. It's just

pressure. That's a clever little shot from Mark Selby. Snooker on the

pink. OK, easy hit. If he just lands on it, it's going to be advantage to

Mark. It's going to be so easy for Mark to put him in trouble. Every

chance of getting a snooker from this.

No, he's got the gap. That wasn't the best that marks ever played.

Crossing double here, or easy playing the red back to the baulk?

This looks a bit heavy, if it bounces. Well, he's left a chance

for Mark Selby. Not easy, he's coming around to look at the potting

angle. It certainly pots into the top right-hand corner pocket.

Oh, he's got away with that one. Thought he was going to avoid the

cannon on the brown. I say he's got away with it but a chance for John

Higgins to put in a really telling safety here and possibly a snooker.

Just need the White where the red is all stop -- where the red is.

He would have loved the red to have travelled towards the brown, would

have made it very difficult for Mark Selby. The middle pocket seems to be

slightly in the way of the one-cushion escape. He'll have to

play it with a lot of side if he's going to come off one cushion.

No matter how good you are, you need a little bit of good fortune when

you're getting out of a snooker to get them safe.

Coming off two cushions here. The same thing applies, can he hit it

and knock it safe? Oh, it's going over the middle pocket, and where is

the cue ball going? Surely not a snooker behind the blue? He's coming

around anxiously to have a look all stop -- to have a look. He can hit

it. Settle down, please. Thank you. Green puts him seven points ahead.

The problem ball is the brown. He's going to need brown and blue. Mark

Selby would need a snooker. What he would give to get in that

circle, but he hasn't got the angle. He can leave the brown to the other

middle pocket. Doesn't want to finish half and

half. He's a bit close to the brown, isn't he? It will still go past the

black. As you can see. Brown and blue needed to get another one back

all stop -- to get another one back. The black is a good guide.

Good shot. The crowd certainly like it. 16 points ahead. The blue, for a

deficit of two. And in it goes, and the frame. Quite

incredible. John Higgins is only one frame behind. 16-15. STUDIO: This

final started at 2pm yesterday, we are in the 31st frame and is that

one of the key moments that will decide the outcome of this final?

The 40th anniversary Championship. Let's remind you what happened a few

moments ago. Foul. Did it hit? I didn't see it hit. No? No. Free

ball. I honestly didn't see it hit all stop -- didn't see it hit.

If they aren't sure, honestly, I didn't see it hit, I'm going to

stick with my decision. From that decision, John Higgins won the

frame, he's only one behind in the final and let's get the opinions of

Steve and John. You were watching closely, your impressions? I don't

think it touched, I think the referee got it right. What's

confusing, the light on the other angle. We can't see there because

Jan is in the way but the light on the ball, you can see it coming up

and it looks like it moves but I don't think it touched it. Because

the ball is getting close, you can see it magnified on the black but I

don't think it gets there. Steve? From one angle I thought it moved

and from another, I don't think it did. If the cue ball comes to the

black and rests on the black, that is deemed to have touched it, so

there must have been a hit for there to be separation, otherwise Jan

would have said touching ball. I don't think it touched it so I think

Jan was correct. He was closest to it. The decision stands. Very much

in Mark Selby's mind, how does he get it out of his mind and how could

it affect him? He is the defending champion, the champion of the world.

I know what his temperament is like and I think he'll cope with it but

it's not a nice way to do it. It's inconclusive. Jan, ultimately the

decision is with the referee. So Mark Selby breaks off.

This frame, 32. The question was asked about John

Higgins - what had he got left? He's certainly shown us the last couple

of frames. Fantastic so far. Terrific cueing, under the

circumstances. That was very special. His last positional shot

was not the best. He can roll it into the corner. He's slightly

hampered with that red. Didn't get much of a run of the ball

earlier. Every time he missed, he seemed to

stick one up and when Mark missed he got away with it. John's got away

with it that time. That last shot again, watch Jan

Verhaas coming into the shot. Look, Jan, he couldn't be any closer. He

had the best view. That's why he's one of the all-time great referees.

That's a terrific long pot. He'd wanted more pace to be on the black.

He's got the straight blue, but it's not easy to get on the to a red from

that. Feels he can see enough of the

black. He's not on the red, but what a

great effort. Another few inches not only would it have been a terrific

pot, but a terrific positional shot. I just hope this next shot doesn't

knock the black safe. He wouldn't want to see that either,

the way he's playing. He could easily glance off the red

and put the cue ball up towards the yellow pocket. That red is just

sticking out left of the pack of reds, just left of the black there.

So, that's why he's reluctant to play that shot.

Doesn't want to leave a touching ball here when he plays this.

He's touching ball. He could be in a bit of trouble.

No touching ball. Surprised that Mark just rolled into

the pack there, Ken? I thought it was a funny little shot

to play. It didn't take them long to decide to start the frame again.

They were going nowhere with that. Look at this, Ken. Look at the

atmosphere. The crowds... Fantastic T I love this camera angle as the

camera pans down over the crowd. It's blessed with such a, the home

of the world champions here at the World Championships here at

Sheffield. You can feel the tension, even here in the commentary box,

Denis. Our hands are perspiring slightly.

The atmosphere is electric. No better place to be for a

professional snooker player. Not the best break off.

See Mark as he peeled away towards his chair he was disappointed he's

left John Higgins a few shot here. -- free shot here. He's not missed

many of those the last few frames. So it's two cushions to the back of

the reds. He'll still have to be a little

careful. He'll have to judge it just right.

Touching ball, but might just be able to reach this. He's quite a

tall lad, Mark. He will need a little extension to help him

possibly reach this, to cut it in. When he pots the red he'll be

cannoning the red to the black. In turn it may push the black towards

this bottom left-hand corner pocket. It's awkward. He might play around

the angles now, get it in behind the green, tight on the cushion. Just to

the right of where his chalk is there.

Pretty good. Couple of reds down the right-hand side. OK, he's got a

straightforward shot. We were here in the previous frame,

we're back where there's not many options available. We could have

another re-rack. A little bit of screw on it or just

the pink also to bounce off. Yes, he's played off the red and the

pink. The nudge on the green.

It's helped John's case. He's looking at the red left of the

pink. If the brown wasn't maybe so close

to the cue ball, certainly wouldn't contemplate taking this on for so

long. It's just cueing, got to be very careful with it.

That is superb. Is he on the pink? That tells us a the story, he's not.

What a positive shot to take on at this stage. Look what he was

leaving. If the red doesn't go in as we show you this terrific cueing

again. Very unlucky. He thought he was going to be on the pink.

Straightaway he can tell, and the body language, there it is and he

wasn't on the pink. But look where he left the cue ball.

I think he's OK. There may be a red available.

The green and blue's a good target. He's got choices of where he puts

the cue ball this time. Green, brown are slightly bigger target to get

back. Just be careful, John! You don't

want to do yourself an injury at this stage!

Too much haggis! Too much haggis he said!

I don't know about this one. He hasn't got it over far enough.

There's a gap through and the reds have opened up. This is a key shot

coming up. Where's the gap? If he takes it on, he'll have to pot it.

Look at those two reds and the black and the other reds.

If you pot the red here, you are next to the pink, took it on, he was

very, very positive. If there was a gap, straightforward

gap to get back to baulk, you'd fancy him nine out of ten to pot

this. But sometimes the reds just cloud your vision.

Very good! Very good! Needs a bit of luck.

You are never sure where they are going to finish. It was all making

sure to knock the red in and he did that.

He's got a slight angle on the yellow to play for the red, which is

just to the right of the pink here. A few other reds available, but that

would be the easiest one to get on. There's nothing easy. He's going to

have to get so much screw on this yellow.

How's your luck, Mark? He's OK.

How well did he hit that yellow? He could hear the yellow hit the back

of the pocket. So much pressure on that shot. He

couldn't have hit it any sweeter. What a fantastic pot. And positional

shot as well. Slightly hef you contact, taking a

bit of the pace of the cue ball. -- heavy contact, taking a bit of

the pace of the cue ball. That's what he was looking for

there. He didn't get enough side on it.

Left it just to the left of where he was playing it.

And this is the result. Pink is on to the bottom right-hand

pocket. He's looking at the black. I am just wondering as long as the

black isn't tied up, the red to the right of the black spot, looks

slightly in the way. What I have noticed Ken, he's moving

around the table much quicker. He's back playing at his natural

pace. Played that, didn't look much that

shot, but he judged it to perfection.

Needed to get on this red here. Pot the red.

The red I spoke about earlier, the one sort of bottom right of the

black. Needs that out the way as soon as

possible. But it all came from that opening

red. There was so much pressure on that.

Play for that red that you mention, Ken. That is that opening red. Not

sure what would happen on the cue ball. Such a good pot, deserved to

be on something. This is why he's a defending

champion and why he's been number one in the world for just over two

years. Because he's producing this sort of

stuff under extreme pressure. Calling for the cue ball to be

cleaned. Composing himself. The pink will put him 50 points

ahead. Two reds and blacks to follow.

That will be 66 points ahead, with a possible 67 remaining. So he's going

to need at least a contact with the five reds around below the pink.

He's got the other red as a bit of insurance. Doesn't need to hit these

too hard. Any sort of cannon will do, so long as he frees one of them,

he's got the other to the left of the black there.

Just needed a little nudge. That's all it took. I think there's one

available at the back of that little bunch of reds there.

Black will put him ahead. The bottom red of the five. Those pots, one

more red and he's one frame away. One frame away from being champion

of the world once more. This has been an incredible response

from the defending champion. He needed a response. He's

responded. What all the great champions are

made of, when the back is against a wall, when you need a good break.

You are able to hold yourself together under the extreme pressure.

Boy, has he done it in this frame. This is a player that made 55

centuries this season. 47 last season.

47 3 in total. If he does get a century here, it

will be one of his best. We've had 73 so far.

Mark's had seven. It is a terrific effort, this, it

has to be said. It all started with that long opening red.

A tremendous opening red, followed by a very good positional shot from

the yellow. What a session we've witnessed in

these last few frames. A bit of controversy in the last

frame. Mark Selby has duly put it out of his mind.

Magnificent break. 121 from the defending champion. Mark Selby, he's

only one away from re-claiming his crown. He leads the four-time world

champion, John Higgins, by 17-15. STUDIO: At the end of the last frame

I asked how he would put it out of his mind that controversy in frame

31. Unbelievable! He could have sat there and let it fester, and worry

about what has happened there. To come back with that century break,

the opening Horrible shot, don't know where the

cue ball will go. Made sure he hit the red in.

The top-class sports people in the world go by the adage, stay in the

moment, forget what is behind and don't look into the future. I think

that is one of Mark Selby's greatest strengths. He won't take anything

for granted, not against the four time John Higgins -- four time

champion John Higgins, and what do you make of the way that Higgins

took his chances, especially after that barrage he took against Mark?

We are glad he came back but it's a tall order to overcome it. He's made

a fight of it, for certain. If he crosses the line here, Mark Selby, a

third title in four years, the most dominant performance in terms of

years going by, since a certain Steve Hendry and Steve Davis. You'd

have to feel that he's in that bracket. Of course, Ronnie

O'Sullivan as well. Mark Selby's all-round matchplay deserves to win

World Championships, it's every facet of his game. His safety play

is excellent, if you want a scrap, he can do that, his temperament, as

we've seen, is outstanding. He's an ultimate machine when it comes to

playing matches. Currently, for somebody to come along and outplay

him, it is some sort of standard they must produce because he will

always be in with a shout in every World Championship. If he stays in

the moment he's going to be here for a few more years. The nature of this

tournament suits his style of play, he's going to get better and

stronger. The Ding Junhui match took a bit out of him, which is

understandable but the nature of this, the long format suits his

game. His percentages, the shots he plays, the way he can play matches.

His concentration and mental stamina, extraordinary but he still

got -- but he's still to get over the line.

COMMENTATOR: John Higgins breaks off in what he hopes won't be his last

frame in this year's World Championships. He's anxiously

looking to see if he's left a possible red but even if he has,

it's not an angle to take on and be on the black. That's the angle and

it would be heading towards the red. I think he'll push it back up the

table, play a safety shot. He'd wait for it much better chance

than that. 11 hours of some brilliant snooker.

I think he's OK. It's going to wobble. There were a few casts from

the crowd, thought it was going in. We needed John Virgo to ask where

the cue ball was going! That magnificent 131 break, just

under 11 minutes. To be precise, ten minutes and 48 seconds. But what a

break. Someone making a bit of noise. Jan

Verhaas giving someone the evil eye there. 23 years, he's been a top

referee. Couldn't meet a nicer fellow, either.

He hasn't parted it, has he? -- potted it it is What a shot that is.

He looked at it a few times. Didn't have many options, he was looking at

the pack of reds. It was a shot of safety and he's got a good cue ball

behind the green. It's definitely safe now. What a cut it was. As John

Virgo said a few times during the final, he's a shotmaker, Mark Selby.

He can come out with some fantastic shots and this was certainly one of

them. This is awkward, he's going to need

the spider if he's going to come off a couple of cushions and go into the

pack. Awkward cueing, this. That's what he's looking at. My

first line is probably out a little bit but that's what he'd love to

play. That's awkward with the spider.

Foul. The green moved. He's going to have to have it put back again here.

Not too many moved. He's hit the reds. Oh, it isn't a

miss. He hit it with his cue. He's fouled it, so it's not a miss.

That's a good call from Jan Verhaas. The cue ball hit the reds. It's just

a foul. I think Jan knows the rules better than the players! Sometimes

the players don't always know. Mark says, you've had a result there and

he certainly has. OK, settle down, thank you. He has hit the reds. He

hit the green with his cue. It's a good call, it's a brave call

from Jan Verhaas. One of those rare situations where you gain an

advantage after playing a foul. He'll be a bit upset, Mark Selby. He

had John in all sorts of trouble there. One of those situations, the

referee is perfectly correct. I wonder, if you asked the players,

how many would get that right. Not many, but he's played an excellent

safety shot. As a player, you'd feel aggrieved. You play a really telling

snooker, you have your opponent in all sorts of trouble and he fouled

the green with his cue, but technically he has hit the reds. He

may be forced into trying to pot the red into the right corner. He's made

a few terrific shots. What he would give for one now.

No, he just played the safety shot. Because now John Higgins knows, one

mistake and it's all over. Mark Selby saying it was a good

shot. It's not straightforward to get the cue ball back to baulk and

keep the reds safe over the right centre. He is worried about playing

the red directly off the cue ball now. Where will the red be going?

He's having a look where he once the cue ball. I don't blame him for

taking his time over this one. Just wondering... John Higgins, he's

coming around to look at the very difficult red to the right middle

pocket. The angle he's looking at. There's one double, the one above

the black, if he can find a spot for the cue ball where he is on the

black and not leaving anything, he might take on the double. He was

down to play the double, a change of plan. Back looking to the right

middle. A big shot, this. Doesn't like it. Because he knows,

one mistake and it's all over. The double is the safer option. It's not

far away. It's pretty close. Ooh! Look where he was, if the red had

dropped. Right in amongst them. Let's have a look at this one again.

He may have thought it was in when he hit it. Mark Selby is the -- Mark

Selby has to be careful, the double-kiss here. Get the cue ball

over beside the green and brown. Good effort. Six, eight inches and

that would have been excellent. A beautiful view of this wonderful

theatre. The Crucible. 40 years of history here. A lot of great

champions have graced that carpet and this is one of them, playing

this shot. What a match we've enjoyed. And we still don't know the

winner. He's in a bit of a predicament here. Quite a clever