Sunday, 1st Round, Morning Snooker: World Championship

Hello, very good morning to you, happy Easter, welcome back to the

Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, it is the 20 17th bet Fred World Snooker

Championship, date-macro. Stephen Maguire already through to the

second round and yesterday defending champion Mark Selby also progressed

to the second round after a comprehensive win. This morning we

turn our attention to another former world champion, Mr Shaun Murphy. We

have some fantastic Uists on the circuit but is there one better than

Shaun Murphy? I don't think we do, when he played Neil Robertson and

won the Masters, I honestly have never seen anybody better than he

was during that final, he was sublime, he made it look completely

effortless. Never seen anybody time the ball better than that,

incredible to watch. His technique, he is fundamentally sound, banged in

the middle of the cue ball all the time, not shy to take the cue,

slightly closer into the cue ball bang he used to be, but when he

comes back it is an authority strike threw the ball. Gets lots of work on

the right. Absolutely, times the ball really well. You would think

for somebody that times the ball as well as he does, especially playing

with a small tip, that he would not want to be so close with his bridge

to the cue ball because you get too much spin but when I have asked him

about that in the past, we have both said he needs to go up the cue ball

a bit, be higher on the white otherwise you get too much spin, but

great player. He is an aggressive break-builder, lands on the black

early, he is going to score. Yes, he is similar to Ronnie O'Sullivan,

Neil Robertson, Judd Trump, very aggressive, tries to win the frame

in one visit, which is the way snooker is going these days. Great

break-builder. I remember his coach saying, when Shaun first started, he

did not want to change his technique, he did a routine where he

put the brown on the spot, as you hit it he moves the pink out the way

and the cue ball on the question tells you if you are cueing well.

Shaun's went over to the green and he said, we will work on your

technique. It is difficult on these crops, if you get unintentional side

it makes it difficult to be consistent so in that instance he

could have touch of left-hand side. Chris did the same test with me and

I went in off into the right-hand pocket! I was getting extreme

right-hand side. But it is a good test because most players, even top

players, don't know if they are getting unintentional side. One of

the great things with Shaun Murphy, he has improved his technique with

working with Chris, he is so central on the cue ball and it is massive on

these clots. Can he win the World Championship? 100%, he is one of the

most dangerous players in the game, especially when he decides to play

Shaun Murphy snooker and not worry about playing the right type of

game. Peter Ebdon absolutely bang on

there. When this man is in form and hitting balls, he is a very

dangerous prospect. 2005 world champion but, let's face it, a tough

task today, taking on Yan Bingtao, 17-year-old from China making his

Crucible debut. In fact, Yan leads the head-to-head 2-1, he beat Murphy

5-4 in round two of the 20 17th German Masters and has beaten him in

the Champion of champions. That is our lives much this morning on BBC

Two. On the red button and BBC online you can see the conclusion of

Kyren Wilson against David Grace, Wilson leading that 5-4. The players

are standing by, let's join our MC. Happy Easter, Rob Walker.

MC: Thanks, Jason, welcome to Easter Sunday at the Crucible. We have

dished up the chocolate eggs, now for the drama. Selby and Maguire

booked their places in the second round of the World Snooker

Championship. Time to find out who will be joining them here at the

sport's spiritual home. Please welcome a player enjoying one

of the biggest matches of his career so far, a superb run to the semis of

last season's UK Championship and this is turning out to be an

excellent Crucible debut so far for Yorkshire's very own David Amazing

Grace. And his opponent, who enjoyed a

great run to the quarters last year, finalist at this season's Indian

open and won the Shanghai Masters last year. Firmly established in the

world's top 16, the warrior, Kyren Wilson!

On table one, please welcome one of the most exciting teenagers the game

has seen in recent years. Five times he has reached the last 16 of major

events this season, he made the quarters in Germany. The 17-year-old

will be the first player born this century to appear here at the

Crucible, so please welcome China's millennium boy, Yan Bingtao.

And his opponent, his 15th appearance at the Crucible, champion

in 2005. His victory in Gibraltar last month took his ranking title

tally to seven. A class act on and off the baize, here comes the

magician, here comes Shaun Murphy. MUSIC.

STUDIO: All smiles for Shaun Murphy as he walks into the Crucible

Theatre. If you want Kyren Wilson against David Grace, with Willie

Thorne and Terry Griffiths in the comedy box, that is on the red

button and BBC Sport app, but here, live on BBC Two, it is Shaun Murphy

against Yan Bingtao, and good morning to Ken Doherty and Dennis

Taylor. DENNIS TAYLOR: Good morning, Jason,

and happy Easter to everyone watching. The 17-year-old Chinese

player gets this fascinating match underway. Looking forward to this

one, Ken. Absolutely, Dennis, what a great thrill it must be for the

17-year-old to make his debut here at the Crucible. Must be so excited.

What a great prospect he is. Five last 16s already this season, an

amazing season he is happening. Against the 2005 world champion, of

course. Lots of experience, it will be interesting to see the difference

between the two players today. This was Yan earlier with his

manager, pointing at the great Ray Reardon, have a look at that. Being

told a little bit of the history of the Crucible and the World

Championship. Barry Hearn tips this young player to be a future world

champion, Ken. Rightly so, he has a fantastic pedigree. Great to see him

backstage because he was standing in front of the war for must have been

ten or 15 minutes, he couldn't wait to get out! Most players are just

backstage, get ready a couple of minutes before they are introduced

will stop he was there for a long time.

He didn't want to catch the brown, so the first chance book Shaun

Murphy. He is a devastating wrong potter but it is early doors, takes

a while to get used to the tables, but it would be good to start with

knocking this one in. / that lovely, didn't he? Nice

sound, hit the back of the pocket. -- keystroke that.

Played it nicely. Not quite sure whether the Blackwall pot into the

bottom pocket. Maybe it will. Little bit surprised he played it

that way, I thought he might have stunned it and try to take the black

in the same pocket. The reason he cannoned into the other reds was

because he missed the red closer to the pocket, very unusual for him.

Peter Ebdon and John Parrott were talking about his Rolls-Royce cue

action, just let him down there. So, first chance for Yan Bingtao.

He won the world amateur championship at the age of 14,

Dennis. Incredible. We used to say in the 60s for a player to become a

top player would take about ten years from amateur but it is amazing

how it is turning round with these players coming through at such an

early age. Great to see. You can see there he had a little bit of safety

in mind, attempting that difficult shot with the rest there.

That is a very useful little flick on the brown. That has put the

Chinese player in a little bit of trouble here, that is what he is

faced with because of that cannon off the brown. Tried to nestle onto

the red there that is just behind the black. Missing that one, is he

going to be OK? Just about. I think that was a bit ambitious! He

was looking at taking that on, hampered slightly. Quickly forgot

about that! He has just got to be careful,

hoping to get the cue ball up behind the green and brown. Careful coming

of the side cushion, you could run into the blue. Decided against that

shot now. Oh, what a pot. What a pot that was. I tell you what, it was

worth the wait. Hampered like that, and to knock that in the middle

pocket was a bit special, I can tell you. You couldn't see an easy

safety, so he thought, why not? Look at that bridging over the red

and black, and these are quite narrow middle pocket, you have to be

spot on. The follow-through as well, the cue ball up as far as the blue

was quite incredible. Peter and John were talking about

his cue action but it is quite special when it is in full flow, and

nice pendulum cue action. Hard to believe Shaun turned

professional in 1998. We were talking yesterday about he and

another five or six players went through when he first turned

professional but he is a model professional, he has done

everything, as a professional player should do throughout his career,

modelled themselves on the old type professionals. Always very modest

and good in his interviews now, that is a lapse in

concentration. Tokyo's eye off the pot and that is one thing he does at

times. This is just a sitter -- he took his idea off the pot. A little

lapse in concentration there, that is for sure.

That is the one thing about Shaun Murphy, you can look so good in the

balls but every now and again he throws in one particular shop where

you can't believe he could miss such an easy pot. I don't know whether it

is focus or concentration, but... It is quite prevalent in his game, has

been for quite some time. Here is one of them. OK, he is

trying to get on the black there, but this one is almost unmissable.

Shaun Murphy has to be very careful in this much, obviously he is a big

favourite playing a debutante, but you don't want to give too many easy

chances to this boy, get himself settled early in the match, try to

keep the pressure on as much as possible. He is such an attacking

player, he has an easy pink but look at the shot he is selecting here.

Maybe this time he might have been better off trying an easy pink to

get back to the reds, but that is how he plays the game, he normally

would pot that nine out of ten, but it is his first appearance at the

Crucible, maybe a little hint of nerves, which is quite

understandable, but that was a great chance to punish Shaun for that

sitter that he missed. Not what he intended but he has

still got a possible red up into the left corner pocket if he can take it

in such a way that he does not cannoned into the pink, he will have

a go at it. Green, brown and blue, pretty good

target to try and get in behind. If he tried to pop that he would run

into the other two reds anti-couldn't get over behind those

three colours on this occasion, just settling for the jaws of the pocket.

This looks pretty good. Excellent safety shot. Doesn't have a snooker,

but pretty tight against the baulk cushion. Oh, this is very good. This

is very good indeed. Excellent shot. Nice tap on the table from his

opponent. Would have been nicer had it been tight to this brown. He has

to be careful he doesn't leave the red to the opposite corner pocket.

He has left a bit of attempt to hear the Shaun Murphy, that red Ken

mentioned is pottable, but very, very risky. But Shaun is also a very

attacking player and he is taking this one on. Is he on the pink? He

is. So he made that last shot look very easy.

He really wants to get on the pink ear because he can use the pink to

dislodge the two reds above the pink. That is a nice angle he has

got. That worked out pretty well, the

pink pots. So, after a couple of easy misses from Shaun Murphy,

excellent return of safety has given him the opportunity to win the

frame. He will want to clear up all the

balls here just to give him that little bit of confidence. He has

looked pretty good but he missed a couple of sitters in that opening

frame. And a chance to see the cue action

Shaun Murphy here, how the screws back for the yellow with very little

effort. Look at the way the cue ball spins back. All about timing.

A little bit like a golf shot when you get the ball to spin back on the

green. Doesn't matter about missing the

blue. He needed a couple of chances but in the end that was a nice break

there of 52 that gives the former world champion this opening frame.

1-0 to Shaun Murphy. Very attacking player, and that is

the stance and cue action of Shaun Murphy. Tricky red along the

cushion, lovely pause there and as he delivers the cue, head perfectly

still, classic cue action. Look at that arena, isn't it fantastic, Ken?

Beautiful. Packed audience again today. Everyday is a packed

audience, tickets are sold out the championships last year.

I wonder, unit, Dennis, playing at the Crucible, with the noise from

the other table. Sometimes, it can take players some time to get used

to that, can't it? It took me a number of frames to get used to it,

and the proximity of the crowd, so close to you... They are used to

multiple table situations these days but there's nothing quite like this

with these two tables... Look how close they are, they can grab your

cue! It would be interesting to see how

Yan will settle into this match. Another excellent putt from Murphy,

slick, bringing that black into play. It would be interesting over

the course of the match, as to how long it will take in to settle and

get used to those surroundings. Jason mentioned at the top of the

show that Yan Bingtao leads Shaun Murphy two whens to one. They've had

a couple of close matches with deciding frames in the

international, and 2016, deciding the frame in the German Masters, Yan

Bingtao won that one and a victory over Shaun Murphy with the Champion

of champions. Shaun knows that he cannot afford to make many mistakes,

he made a cue in the opening frame but now he looks pretty comfortable

and pretty relaxed, I think. Playing that nicely. A nice angle on

the black here. A couple of little loose bits that he can go at.

Decided to try and open because he had a nice angle. It's not worked

out as well as he would have liked. If anything, he got too much action

into that shot. Another one that he looked at, clipping back into the

corners, so thin. He cannot just glance off the red, he leaves one

over the middle pocket. That is one that he is removing there.

Shaun Murphy, 22. A kiss close to this left-hand corner pocket. He has

to try and avoid the reds on the way back. Running into the red. It turns

out nicely. Just a little bit of luck. A fine cut on the red.

Needed to travel just a few more inches there, getting on this two

reds, on the black. A red to the left centre here.

He will feel better after that good pot. The angle on this one, he will

need to force it into the left-hand side. That is OK. Certainly did not

play it up. Looking pretty composed... I like

this young player's style and his cue action. A pretty good stance as

well. He keeps everything still. His head perfectly still. That is OK,

the cannon has worked out nicely for him. He looks like a classy player.

Needed a little bit more action on that, the wrong side of the blue

means that he will have to leave a medium-range pot, you want to stay

the right side of the blue line to get back to the reds.

This is a bit of a test of Yan Bingtao here.

No problem! Right into the centre of the pot.

That is what he is looking for. 66, on the side bar there. Leaving his

opponent needing a snooker. So far, no sign of nerves, really.

He's got to keep fully focused, he is not rushing things which is the

correct way as well. This is the red he was trying to get

onto earlier. There nicely now... A couple more reds with colours to

secure the frame. Taking it very nicely indeed.

Once he gets the frame out of the way, it is not often a debutant

makes a century at the Crucible but he has every chance here in the

second frame. Just be careful, he wanted angle on

the black but he only needs that black, make sure of it...

Good management from the crowd. His opponent needs a snooker.

Excellent! A great shot. Now the possibility of a century.

It's amazing, we've only had one century so far...

This would be a real bonus. For Yan Bingtao, settling him down very

nicely into this match! You would think he had been here ten years! He

is so confident and comfortable out there. He has only made 11 centuries

in his short career, but didn't quite screw back enough here. Should

be OK... This is the tricky bit now. This is

a test... A great shot! How about that for a

positional shot? He has done it, look at those

colours. Have a look at the break there. Fantastic. Absolutely

fantastic. There you go. A lot of support here as well. What a finish!

Fantastic. A century from the young man, making his debut here at the

Crucible. What a start. As I mentioned, I like this young

player's cue action. Solid, keeping everything so still. Really is a bit

special, I've not seen much of this young player, but there is a good

stance from the Chinese player, watch him pause as he draws the cue

back, stopping there, straight through. His head is perfectly

still. A great formula for success. He went about his business quite

confidently. He got on with it. There is the pause, looking assured

and composed. Well done. A great start.

Just getting ready to finish setting up the balls, lovely to see one of

the top referees in the game here now. Quite a few ladies refereeing

nowadays from the Far East and Eastern Europe, it's nice to see

them at the Crucible as well. Thank you, frame three. Yan Bingtao

to break. The young Chinese player was a

brilliant attacking player but I tell you what, he's got a pretty

good safety game as well. That was a terrific safety shot he just played.

He has left Shaun something to think about as well, no easy path back

down the table. With the help of a few of those reds, he has got that

white one down When Shaun Murphy eventually played

that shot to get around the reds, he thought, I've made a mess of this...

But now, a good outcome. Such a good outcome that it is

difficult for his opponent to get back down the table.

The one of the road to the right of the black, looking at that narrow

gap that he would have to get through, he does not like that --

red. One of the best rest players that we

have ever had in the game, he misses very few.

Trying to get a couple of red Law to free up that pink, into the pocket.

That's what he tried to do. Freeing up the pink, into the same pocket,

to make things a little easier for him.

Just held the cue ball and the red to the left of the pink.

Just having a look there. Potting into the right-hand corner pocket

when he releases this red. Having another look again, definitely the

middle red and that bunch around the black spot, they would pot. This is

one of those types of break that he would hope would open up another red

as he goes along. Could have done that a little

better... You can see it, he has done it

again. He missed a couple of easy balls, and it is as if he loses a

bit of focus. These shots are bread and butter. He has got to have a

lack of focus. It is amazing, how many times he does it. Every time,

when you least expect it, he did all of the donkey work before to get

into that position. He got himself into a perfect position, then

throwing in a casual one. Got away with it in the first frame, I wonder

if he will get away with it in this one.

I'm not sure if you can drop this in for the black, he may have two head

for the blue. See what kind of angle he has got... When he gets to the

right side of the blue, he is OK. This time, he has. The two reds

between the pink and the black... He has left this a little awkward,

which is why he's looking at the one into the right corner, he does not

have that angle on the two reds near the black. I think that if he can go

on to clinch this frame, it would give Shaun something to think about,

he did not get punished in the opening frame.

That is the first careless one, the young Chinese player has put in...

Hmm... A relieved Shaun Murphy comes back to the table.

I wonder if he can play that while potting this red... Can he?

Will he try and knock the other red off the top cushion here. He just

missed it. This looks pretty good. Plenty

behind those two reds. He's got the red nicely into the centre of the

pocket. Would have liked to have been a bit straighter but this

should be OK. A glance at the scoreboard, working

out exactly what he needs. This final red that is in the open, all

he needs with the colour. He will not need a difficult one on the

cushion to the left of the black. Nothing to bother him about the

black, another half-century. The young Chinese player did not take

advantage, Shaun Murphy leading 2-1. Great match coming up this afternoon

at 2:30pm, Ronnie O'Sullivan continues against Terry Wilson, just

one frame ahead, he lost the last frame, the most expensive ball

spotter I have ever seen! Damien Hirst there with him! Get ready for

a tough match because Gary Wilson did terrifically well against him,

he will have to be on top form this afternoon. Yes, it will be a

cracking finish in the second session. I think he was by-1 up,

runny, back to 5-4, so Gary Wilson in with a real chance -- I think

Ronnie was 5-1 up. Looking forward to that. This has

been good stuff, a few misses from a few players. The first few friends

of this morning's play have gone very, very quick. Shaun has been

cueing really well, a few easy misses but has made a couple of half

centuries and his younger opponent has made his debut century break. He

would love to make his debut maximum break! But it's got the prospect of

being an absolutely cracking match, this. Last frame before the

mid-session interval. He would love to go into the interval with a 3-1

lead. I'm sure this boy would like to level things up, as well. Pretty

close, that is unlucky. You never really know where the red is going

to finish but that is a little bit unlucky for him. Quite close with

this pot. Just went a bit further than he

wanted, he wanted to bring the reds into play but because he finished

straight he couldn't. But now he can. Plenty of action on this, it is

not an easy pack of reds to go into, but with his cue power... Stuck in

the back of the reds, they weren't perfectly placed to open up there.

A bit of a free shot putter tricky one into the pocket. The only one he

thought he could leave would be the one he tried, and he has done that,

missed it to the far jaw and the red has come back again. Once it hit

that jaw, it was always going to be pottable. I reckon this young player

could get going in this and put that last black that he missed in the

last frame out of his mind. That has worked out OK, he has a red

to the right-centre and also the left-centre. This was nicely

controlled. Stormed the Reddin, get back on the black -- stunned the red

in. Oh, wow, didn't expect that. I was just about to say, this is how

you would set up the balls for a practice session, and then he put

that on to the near jaw, with that pace the middle pocket won't accept

them. Glorious chance, and you can tell by the little shake of his head

there, has gone to Shaun Murphy. But a nice angle on the green here

to get back up to the reds, the Blackwood pot into the bottom

left-hand corner -- the black won't pot.

After potting the black he will try to get on this red closest to the

corner pocket because that will release the black.

Barring another lapse in concentration, I would say Shaun

Murphy should win the frame from this position. I was thinking

exactly the same thing. He has to keep his concentration, keep fully

focused, and make sure that you clinch the frame at this visit.

There is no reason why he shouldn't. Both on 20 seconds for the average

shot time. Shaun Murphy doing better this season than last, 25 centuries

last season, 34 so far this season. Once the frame is safe, he will then

go on to try and make a century. Just needs this red.

Nice little nudge on the red there. Can we see another century?

Certainly playing with very fast pace, Dennis, isn't he? Free action,

very quick. He was introduced into the arena as

the magician, he is certainly waving that magic wand that he has in his

hand at the moment. Just the two century so far in this

year's Betfred World Championships, Ronnie O'Sullivan 122 yesterday and

Yan Bingtao made the other one in the second frame here.

LAUGHTER. Smiles all around, nearly spoiled

the century there. But this is where the game is so tough, you have to

sit in your seat and watch your opponent do this, and you know you

had the first chance. Yan Bingtao missed it. The crowd acknowledged

the century break, the third in this year's Betfred World Championships.

Building up nicely, Ken. Yes, it has been top-quality. An excellent

little exhibition shot. Where is the black going to go? Calling all

pockets! Get in there... Oh! Still, a magnificent 112 from the former

world champion, Shaun Murphy, and he goes into the mid-session with a 3-1

lead over Yan Bingtao. Yes, to restrict stuff Shaun Murphy,

2005 world champion. We said at the start of the programme that if he

plays to his ability then he is going to be a real contender this

year at the Crucible Theatre. They are now on a mid-session interval,

back live with that much shortly. In the meantime, a fascinating tussle

on table two this morning, Kyren Wilson, who had a good run in the

World Championship last year, losing to mark Selby in the quarterfinals

at 13-8, against David Grace. We left it yesterday with Wilson

leading 5-4, let's show you what happened in frame ten, Grace is

leading by six points. WILLIE THORNE: Short of pace.

REFEREE: Foul and in this. -- and at miss.

This is a similar pattern to yesterday's play, one player gets a

lead early on, then has to play catch-up.

TERRY GRIFFITHS: Certainly not straightforward here. There is

danger there. He could have left any of those three reds on. He took an

easier one than that early on. It is funny how different players play. I

don't blame him, it is a very important frame, 5-4 behind, he has

got him in trouble. All the players have different styles, different

shop selections. Just has to make sure he does not

kiss the green on the way down because he would be in all sorts of

trouble. He has the upper hand in the safety exchange at the moment.

Yes, his safety has been very good, 86% so far. That is exceptional

against a long potter as good as Kyren Wilson.

If that White was away from the black he would probably pot this

eight, nine out of ten. Bridging over, more like three out of ten.

I'm not sure it is that big, Terry! Maybe one out of ten! This is tough.

I think you always try to hit it the now rather than thicker so you know

you will at least get a good cue ball. -- hit it thinner.

That was handy, the kiss on the brown there.

Once again, two reds out in the open. He has to be very careful. He

is looking down, there are a few opportunities here. None of them

easy. I wouldn't have played it that way.

There was always a good chance of leaving one on on that side.

Clear-cut opportunity for Kyren Wilson with these three reds.

That wasn't his best shot so far in this World Championship. Couldn't

have played it any worse than that. He had two attempt at the snooker

and finished short, he may have thought the table was running a

little slower this morning and put a bit more meat into that one. I don't

think he will even attempt a pot here, maybe bring the brown

interplay. Has to be a little careful here,

make sure he gets the cue ball over to the yellow spot area otherwise he

will be leaving a pot on. That is just about perfect.

David Grace will be absolutely delighted the last shot only cost

him the one point. This shot might cost him a few more.

Well played there, he put a lot of back spin on, a touch of left-hand

side to avoid those colours that could have put him out of position.

I knew he would miss that. How good did he strike that? That was cueing

to perfection there. Right in the heart of the pocket. Could have done

with another two inches of pace but still shouldn't be a problem. Is he

looking at playing the cannon? This is the problem shot, the green

doesn't go past the brown. Needs up to and including the pink,

that shouldn't really be a problem from here but of course this is the

Crucible, a little bit of nerves in these situations, where he knows

that he virtually gave this frame away at one stage but has forged his

way back into it. APPLAUSE.

At one point Kyren Wilson looks like losing the friend, he has won it.

JASON MOHAMMAD: Not a classic opening frame but nevertheless Kyren

Wilson in front, leading 6-4. Let's show you what happened in the next

frame, David Grace at the table and leading.

TERRY GRIFFITHS: Now then, can he pot this and get down for the black?

Doesn't look like there is much of an angle.

WILLIE THORNE: David will be so disappointed there. Where the blue

is make the paint a little bit easier. That was a bad mistake from

David. He cannot win from here, only tie,

but he will take that at the moment. I don't know what happened then, the

cue ball of the yellow was at a very strange angle.

Managed to try to drop it in, that made the shot a lot more difficult.

He is having a look to see if it is available into the centre. Looks

very cut. -- is very thin cut. It is key here to make sure the object

ball is safe. He went all out for the pot, and

what a good one it was, as well. Excellent pot.

Good brown as well as the green, but the green was an exceptionally good

pot. David Grace will be very pleased that he is back a little bit

closer to Kyren Wilson, but still trails 6-5.

But this is the latest score, Kyren Wilson has won another frame to lead

7-5. Just one more frame before the mid-session interval in that match.

Remember they are playing to finish this morning, that is available on

the red button and BBC Sport app. Our live game on BBC Two is Shaun

Murphy against Yan Bingtao, the 17-year-old from China making his

Crucible debut. It has been all Murphy this morning, he has been

fantastic, leading 3-1, live coverage coming up in a few minutes

after a chat with Ken Doherty. Happy Easter to you. Wonderful stuff from

Shaun Murphy this morning. Yes, very good. Nice century in the last

frame, some lapses of concentration that have cost him but I was very

impressed with Yan Bingtao, he made a century, for a debutant to make a

century here at the Crucible is something special, he has settled

into the match, missed a couple of chances to level up the match at

2-2, but very impressed with him and also impressed with Shaun Murphy.

When he got his cue action going he was very impressive. You are right,

no sign of nerves from Yan Bingtao, and when you consider we were

watching the behind-the-scenes before the players came out and he

was there ten minutes before, as you know the players come out a couple

of minutes before they walk into the Crucible, and he almost didn't

really know what to do! He was so excited! I

remember when I made my debut, I played Steve Davis in a match, I was

4-0 down, just looking next to his name next to mine, watching the

people, he seems very focused, calm, relaxed, seems to be enjoying

himself and it is great to see. He has a big task on his hands. But I

will let you run off to the commentary box to rejoin Dennis

Taylor. DENNIS TAYLOR: Thank you. The

17-year-old gets this frame under way. Yan Bingtao missed a black off

the spot and let Shaun off the hook in the last frame, but 95%, that is

going some, the Chinese player on 90%, so the long potting pretty good

from both of them. And there is another one.

Didn't quite get a good kiss on the brown. Terrific cueing there from

not far off percussion with the cue ball. Just out of position.

Just nudging in behind the brown, and out of breath Ken Doherty is

back with me in the commentary box, he is a fast mover!

KEN DOHERTY: It is my little legs, Dennis! I saw you on Strictly, you

move pretty well as well! Twinkle toes! There you can see the match

time, just over an hour, fast stuff from both players.

Shaun Murphy's average shot time now down to 19 seconds, good pace.

This is a real test with the rest, he has to get so much action on this

to try to get onto the black, but if anyone can do it with the rest, it

is Shaun Murphy. He hasn't missed one yet, five out of five. Make that

six out of six. Glad they did not have statistics

around in my day, using the rest to switch hands, I was useless with it!

Doesn't have to go into the pack here, the red directly above the

black is on, but we will see how he is feeling... Trying to get on the

red directly above the black, played perfectly. An excellent shot. Try

and leave a nice angle on the black now... Screwing into the pack, get

this red to the right of the black, get some more reds into play. Watch

this cue ball here. Didn't get into it as much as he would have

expected. Expecting a cue ball to pull back through the reds.

If he is on this red, into the left-centre, then... That is a

bonus. The problem with this red to the right of the black, it's too

close to the black. To be potting it.

Nicely played! Fortunate to be on the red into the left-centre.

Opening things up now. We all know what Shaun Murphy is like, if he can

get a couple of frames ahead, he can steam roller an opponent. Does not

matter who he is playing against, if he gets into a run like this and

gets his nose in front, he takes some stopping.

He can get himself onto the black again here.

The target, 68. You can see it on the side bar.

It is early days, but we could see another century here, very

quickly... Obviously concentrating on trying to win the frame.

Just looking at those four reds around the pink spot, the bottom

ones look like into a plant. You can see the angle there, it is pretty

close. He has the perfect angle to nudge the left-hand red, opening

those four reds up. Needing a delicate cannon on the frame. Now,

that is virtually safe, it just needs one more red.

Very impressive! Just missing a couple of easy reds through a lack

of concentration but the rest has been superb. At 96% pot success

rate, that is going some. Have a look at this shot, the

opening one with the rest, 100%, six out of six, as Dennis said.

Dutifully controlled of the side cushion. -- beautifully controlled.

Centuries have been slow this year, but this could be century number

four coming up... And a pretty quick one at that! Just over six and a

half minutes so far. He has made 415 career centuries. A

final tally. -- a fine tally. Varies your second century of the match.

Beginning to pick up here at the Crucible. When doing his match

yesterday, he had 122, ?10,000 for the highest break this year. Only

5000 if somebody makes a maximum. I thought they may have offered more

than that, but that is how it goes, it rolls over if nobody makes a

maximum break tournament by tournament. Exhibition positional

shot from the magician. Don't go into the middle... It hasn't. Even a

magician could not pot this. He cannot cut this in... Can he?

APPLAUSE Well, what a frame! He came into the

session with one chance, and he made a magnificent century break. Shaun

Murphy extending his lead 4-1. It's hard to look past someone like

Steve Redgrave for me. When I met him, he's a man mountain, you shake

his hand up there! You cannot beat silica for the atmosphere, being

their lives, -- snooker. For seeing it, feeling it and feeling the

tension. I enjoyed triple jump and rugby. I

was once used as an example in tennis to receive serve off the PE

teacher, he was not happy when I knocked it past him! I have the best

music on the tour, Disco Inferno, I would be number one in any rankings!

I always want to have an involvement in snooker, whether coaching,

managing, inspiring the next generation... I look forward to the

day where I can go play golf three or four times a week.

My favourite venue is always the Crucible where Alex brought out the

family for the shot, where Dennis won in 1985, Cliff made 147, you

cannot buy that history. Some nice thoughts there from Shaun

Murphy. He is looking at playing three or four days of golf per week,

he plays a five handicap at the moment, he could easily get to

scratch. A long way before he would be retiring for the golf course,

that's for sure! No. Was concentrating so much on the

cannon that he took his eye off the pot. And it was a very easy one,

going into the mid-session interval easier than that one, but he put a

lot of his concentration on the cannon there. Worth having a go at

this red, into the right centre. Tip middle pockets. A very cute angle

there. He would be leaving anything unless the red goes into play but he

has decided against it... This could develop into an awkward frame...

A lot of noise from the other side of the arena! They are going to

their mid-session interval. The spectators are going to stretch

their legs and get a cup of tea or a cup of coffee. The players get used

to this and carry on. With black over the pocket, in a few shots

time, it could get a little awkward, this frame.

He is giving this safety shot a lot of thought.

Got by in the end, deciding to take on the pot, finding the gap. Where

is the red going to finish? He has left it for the middle. A bit

unlucky. I think he has got an angle where he can play for whatever

colour he wants. Even the black of the red. That red is in a slightly

awkward position, this is his angle, he can play for the blue or, if he

chooses, though on for the black and clear that pocket. That is the blue.

As long as he gets on the next red, then he can get onto the black.

I never used to mind the noise from the next table, the table fitters

clean the cloth, you can hear the swish of the brush, and you wait for

them to finish cleaning the cloth. That is to get rid of all of the

chalk marks and the fingerprints on the table.

Playing for the black after this red. Clearing things.

Got to be a little careful here. May swing the white over towards the

red, and the pink. Developing a bit more. He misjudges it completely.

Finishing with a slight stunner on it. He had to hit it a little

thinner than that. He hit it on the thicker side, and missed the red

completely. The Shaun Murphy special, he really

does pull out some pots. He can pop the yellow and get on that red to

the left of the black. This looks absolutely perfect. He may have to

play for the pink or blue tonight. The pink spot may be covered if he

gets the pink here. If it goes on to the green spot...

That fit looks pretty tight there to me. Just getting the ball mark out,

she says no. Still needs another cannon on those

reds. Will win the frame, nice angle here. How does this look? Not too

bad. Red to right centre, and the bottom right corner pocket as well.

One to the right centre, perhaps a preference.

Looking very good at the moment, everything going into the heart of

the pocket. This needs to go. Just about...

Overscrewing it for five inches, you just want to be a bit straighter on

this blue. Close to these reds around the pink spot.

That is unlucky. A good connection on the reds. That previous shot on

the red did not get into prime position.

The pink on the green spot, and the green and brown is situated there,

it is a big target to get behind for a big safety, possible snooker. Can

he get through the gap? Look at that... He was thinking about it,

last to take on that kind of shot. He has a 34 point advantage. I think

this is the correct choice, looking back out at the game.

Not perfect on the colour but what viewing that was. -- what cueing

that was. If anything, he hit it too well. That is why the White finished

up on the cushion. No real point in knocking in the colour and leaving

it awkward, he refused the points and made sure he got a good safety

shot. That is what he was thinking about, he was having second

thoughts. How well did teach you that read? Incredible to see where

the cue ball has finished. -- how well did he cue that red? That was a

pretty good choice, he is feeling so confident after knocking that long

red in. He thought, maybe I will push the boat out a little, but

decided not. Worth another look. Never touching the sides.

Now, the chance for Yan Bingtao here. Slightly easier than that one

he knocked in previously, getting to the point in this match where they

are first attend that this young Chinese player could do with getting

this on the board, if he slips 5-1 behind, it could start to become a

bit of a struggle. This visit is very important.

Just a couple of stumbling blocks, the greenest tight on the other

cushion, as you can see. He would be disappointed with that,

wanting to be straight on the red so he can go on the blacks, making

things a little more awkward. Just getting perfect position on the red

behind the black, a few shots ahead here.

Doesn't fancy trying to get on this red. Taking the cream into play, to

get a snooker. Not a bad choice... Showing some maturity there? Yes, he

only just touch the grain, he has put it into a far better position.

Now, it's a case, you would say, whoever gets last red would

certainly be favourite to take that frame. That is going to slip past

the red. Maybe better off playing from this position, knocking the red

into the baulk area and leaving the cue ball almost exactly where the

red is behind the black. He could have played this better,

you know. He may be able to see enough of the red to hit it thin, as

long as he avoids that yellow, he could see enough of it to possibly

even take the pot on. A careless one from Yan Bingtao there. Should have

had Shaun in all kinds of trouble. Where is the red going?

It is safe. If you were in behind this red, you

could pop it into the left middle pocket, but not at this angle.

Maybe able to put that red on the right-hand side cushion and the cue

ball on the left-hand side cushion. That is what he has tried, but did

not play it as well as he would have liked.

That is a bit of a shocker, if it keeps running. The red should have

been tighter on the cushion. A little careless with that one. No

wonder he is shaking his head, he cannot believe what he has just done

there. A little bit of tension creeping in,

even though he is leading 4-1, and now every chance for the young

Chinese player to get a frame back here. We saw earlier when he refused

to get on, and just brought the green into play that was tight on

the question -- to get on at colour. I know that was a few minutes ago

but it will be in his favour now. As long as he doesn't finish straight

on the yellow, you can drop in behind the green.

He looks pretty straight on the green but can screw directly back on

the side condition. Had a little bit of an angle so that is perfect. Just

has to hold himself together. Brown, blue and pink required.

In goes the pink. Stop the rot as far as you is concerned. Good

response from Yan Bingtao. He has been frozen out of the last few

frames but Norris deficit, but still Shaun Murphy leads 4-2. He may be 17

years of age but he has shown a lot of maturity in that shot selection,

I mentioned a couple of stumbling blocks, the red was safe, the green

was safe, he could have played to get on a colour but he decided to

just bring the green interplay and try to get a snooker. He just nudges

the green off percussion and improved at the end that it was the

correct choice of shot. Shaun Murphy had his chance a few

shots later, normally so prolific in long shots, but try to screw into

it, which meant the cue ball, watch this, just pushes left into the red.

Not one you would expect him to miss. That was the shot would

ultimately cost him the frame. It is funny, that shot there, to

stun it in, a lot of players would have rolled it in, but there you go.

Nine frames to be played in this session.

Not the best break of shot. Always a bit disappointing when you bring to

read up but he hasn't left anything easy.

This match will be played to the conclusion tomorrow afternoon.

He could definitely take on the red into the right centre if he wished.

Too difficult a shot, the red that was on the blue spot there into the

right centre. This is where they were, and where

they are now. Not the exact position but doesn't really matter on this

occasion. That is a better shot. That is what you call an attacking

safety shut, where you open up the reds and hope to get a good cue

ball. Certainly opened the reds up and has got a good cue ball. Tapping

away at the table there in acknowledgement of Shaun's shot.

He is taking a bit of time on this and I don't blame him, because he is

in all sorts of trouble here. Can't leave the cue ball down this bottom

end of the table, possibilities for Shaun with the red closest to the

bottom cushion, which is available. Yes, if he was that the practice

table he would have a go at the red to the writer blew up into the

corner pocket, screw over across the table, but he knows if he takes that

on he would have to get it, but if there is no other shot available to

him, he might eventually take that pot on because it does pass the

other red into the corner. As you come round you can just about the

enough of that one to the left of the blue. I remember in this sort of

situation bill were but they played the one to the right of the blue,

send it into the bunch and go back down to the cushion between green

and brown. Beaufort two minutes of thinking time here.

Just can't make his mind up. But I tell you what, screwing straight

back into the baulk area, sending the red into the bunch of reds, not

a bad choice. He has plenty of cue power to pull that shot off.

He would have been better off... Hang on a minute! He might have got

away with this. APPLAUSE.

Nothing in the corner, one that pops to the right middle. What a result.

This is not easy. Well, he took over three minutes and

then made a mess of his attempt but got away with it.

Oh, that is a bad miss. Never easy from the side condition but you

would have expected him to get that. What does Shaun do? Does he play a

little plant or does he just popped the red direct -- pot the red.

Didn't play the planned because he probably thought he couldn't stay on

the black if he did that. Doesn't have to do too much with the cue

ball. JASON MOHAMMAD: Thoroughly enjoyable

match, Yan Bingtao has taken very well to the Crucible this morning,

but that is where we leave you on BBC Two. Live coverage continues on

the BBC sport website and apps. On the red Button, if you press read

now, you can see Kyren Wilson taking on David Grace, Wilson leading eight

Titan six. Hazel will be back at 2:15pm on BBC Two as Ronnie

O'Sullivan takes on Gary Wilson, a slender lead for the Rocket. See you

then.