0:00:29 > 0:00:33In 2014 at the Crucible, Neil Robertson of Australia
0:00:33 > 0:00:35was a man on a mission.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37And by the time he reached the semifinals,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40he'd achieved at least part of that mission,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44because he had fired in a remarkable 100 century of the season
0:00:44 > 0:00:48in the earlier round, in the quarterfinal against Judd Trump.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51It had elevated him to the world's number one spot
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and now he was preparing to take on England's Mark Selby
0:00:55 > 0:00:57in that semifinal.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00This was by now a pretty familiar rivalry.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Only in December, the two had squared up in the
0:01:04 > 0:01:08United Kingdom championship final - it had been won by the Aussie.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Best out of 33 with Mark Selby, you know, it's not going to be,
0:01:11 > 0:01:15you know... There's going to be large parts of the match where you
0:01:15 > 0:01:18have to sort of really compete with him tactically.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20But, you know, I was on such a high after the quarterfinal
0:01:20 > 0:01:25that I thought that I would just be able to kind of outpot him,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28outscore him and, you know, I thought that sooner or later
0:01:28 > 0:01:32I'd click in the session and I'd be able to maybe get on top of him.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33I sort of expected it,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35a really, really tough match which it turned out to be.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38I mean, Neil's all-round game is second to none
0:01:38 > 0:01:39and a lot of the time,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42you leave him a long ball, more times than not, he pots it.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Now, by his own high standards, the former Masters and
0:01:45 > 0:01:48United Kingdom champion Mark Selby was having a pretty quiet season.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53He had reached two ranking finals but had yet to lift a trophy.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Well, the match was being contested by the world number one
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and the world number two - it really doesn't get much better than that.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01And it didn't disappoint.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Early on, Robertson sneaked ahead 2-1
0:02:03 > 0:02:05and we're going to pick up the match
0:02:05 > 0:02:07with Mark at the table in frame three.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20COMMENTATOR: Ooh, it needs to run, that, and it has.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22He can get to the black.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24That was a pretty good shot.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Well, it goes without saying, this is missable.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00APPLAUSE
0:03:00 > 0:03:03We've seen two reds, Dennis, stop when they've hit the near jaw,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05that's hit the far jaw.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08There is Mark's wife, Vikki, giving him a round of applause because
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I think they thought he possibly had missed this one as well.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15And there's Vikki...
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Give us a smile, Vikki.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- 9.- Well, he's got a terrific chance, that red,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28it's to the left of the black.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30If he could get that out of the way, well...
0:03:30 > 0:03:32They're all sitting up there
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and this is the frame before the mid-session interval.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40A fascinating semifinal so far.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Yes, the young boy next to Vikki is Bobby,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45he's come all the way from Hong Kong to watch this match,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48he's been with Mark all week.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50He used to live in Leicester.
0:04:05 > 0:04:0770.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10And this is an opportunity that Mark will be very,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13very disappointed if he doesn't score 60 or above from here.
0:04:21 > 0:04:2224.
0:04:29 > 0:04:3025.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Oh, he's gone a little awkward.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- He's still...- 32.- ..got an alternate red to the right middle
0:05:11 > 0:05:13but he just wanted to nudge those two
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and he'd have an easy red into the left corner
0:05:16 > 0:05:19but he's got to be a bit careful. That's awkward.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23The two reds and the red that is next to the cue ball.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- Oh, well-played.- 32. - APPLAUSE
0:05:30 > 0:05:32And he had a perfect picture there, Dennis.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34And any harder, I'm not sure this would have gone in.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43I think one of the reasons these boys are at the top of their
0:05:43 > 0:05:47world ranking is they can play tactical and safety battles,
0:05:47 > 0:05:52and then when they get the chance, they haven't lost their rhythm.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- They can still score heavily.- 41.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Give himself a little bit more to do than he wanted here though.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03He'd much rather not go in and out,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06because those colours are always a bit tricky to get through.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12And a nice capping between the yellow and brown
0:06:12 > 0:06:14to play two cushions for choice of red.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Anywhere past there is perfect, and that's pretty good.
0:06:29 > 0:06:3047.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Just have a look where he's put the cue ball.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35He was putting that in an area where it's going to give himself
0:06:35 > 0:06:38a choice of about four or five reds, believe it or not.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47That's kicked. But it hasn't affected the shot this time.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53This is on the pink and the red went in the pocket.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It's one of those kicks that can do you a favour sometimes.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58That's actually slowed the cue ball down
0:06:58 > 0:07:00and is absolutely perfect on the pink.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Without the kick it may have run through an extra two inches,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05which would have been slightly more difficult.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08He's made it absolutely straightforward for the red
0:07:08 > 0:07:09on the left-hand side.
0:07:16 > 0:07:1854.
0:07:29 > 0:07:3255.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Yeah, the last frame he made a 54 break and should have won it.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41He's sitting pretty here at the moment.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- That's OK. No problem.- 62.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56Just needs red and a black to make absolutely certain.
0:07:58 > 0:08:0063.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03He's made 46 centuries this season.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07That's going a little bit, but it just shows what Neil Robertson
0:08:07 > 0:08:09achieved making 100 in a season.
0:08:17 > 0:08:1970.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Yes, we haven't had the abundance of centuries
0:08:22 > 0:08:24we normally have at the World Championships.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We've only had 45 in the Championship so far.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32I think this is Mark Selby's third, should he go on to clear.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Amazingly, there was only 55 last year.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43I mean, I think 80 is the record. 80 or 81.
0:08:47 > 0:08:4978.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55This all came from Neil Robertson's poor safety shot
0:08:55 > 0:08:58when he misjudged the snooker he was trying to get out of.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Left with a very easy red.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07When I say "easy", he played an aggressive shot into the pack
0:09:07 > 0:09:09to try and bring the pink into play
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and he was faced with a very difficult black.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Potted that and the rest has been pretty straightforward so far.
0:09:15 > 0:09:1785.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37He's made 335 centuries in his illustrious career.
0:09:40 > 0:09:4292.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48And this one coming just at the right time for Mark Selby.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55I'm with you, I think two each is a true reflection of
0:09:55 > 0:09:58the first four frames, you'd have to say.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05100.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Very, very good. Selby adds to his tally of centuries.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And O'Kane might be a little disappointed
0:10:14 > 0:10:16he didn't win the second frame to go 2-0 in front.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18MAN SHOUTS
0:10:19 > 0:10:22He's still there - that lone shouter.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Of course, Neil Robertson still holds the highest break
0:10:36 > 0:10:40in this year's World Championship. That magnificent 140.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44111.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51115.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02120.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05One of the game's very, very best break-builders,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09and this is a prime example of how to make a break from nothing.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10126.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Well, what a fabulous first four frames we've had
0:11:17 > 0:11:19in this second semifinal.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Both players appear to be in excellent form.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Selby clears with 133 to level the match at 2-2.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Yes, a fantastic century from the Englishman,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and he would go on to win the next three frames in a row
0:11:31 > 0:11:36and open up a 5-2 advantage in this early stage of the contest.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Thank you. The final frame of this session.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Neil Robertson to break.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- COMMENTATOR:- We all say, "You can't win a match in the first session
0:11:43 > 0:11:45"but you can go a long way to losing it,"
0:11:45 > 0:11:46and that's already the case here.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48It's going to be tough to get back into a match
0:11:48 > 0:11:52with someone like Selby if you go four frames behind early.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Neil Robertson breaking off in the final frame of this session.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Did it in the previous round, of course,
0:12:07 > 0:12:11he lost the first session 6-2 and still came back to beat Judd.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Yeah, look where the red's finished up.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37He thought, "I might just pop this and get myself on the black,"
0:12:37 > 0:12:43but he didn't envisage pushing it over the middle pocket.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Needs to pull up.
0:12:55 > 0:12:571.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05Make such a difference getting the correct side of the blue,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08as we show you the white come back up the table
0:13:08 > 0:13:12and needed to stop just about there.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13And it kept on going,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17but we know the sort of cue power that he possess,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20so just have a look at the cue ball here.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22It might split the reds even.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Have a look at that.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26What a shot. He deserves to be on something here.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Brilliant shot.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I totally agree with you.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36How he developed off the angle he had on that blue,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38the pace to get into that pack -
0:13:38 > 0:13:40that just shows you the cue power.
0:13:40 > 0:13:427.
0:14:00 > 0:14:0214.
0:14:09 > 0:14:1015.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Going into them here you would feel, if he can just arc round
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and split them, he's got this red as a bit of insurance.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Just watch the power with this.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22Yes.
0:14:24 > 0:14:30I say "yes" - I hope the black's not covering the red.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32No, he's OK. Just show you that spinning back.
0:14:38 > 0:14:4023.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42There's a very old saying, and I still love that saying,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44you know,
0:14:44 > 0:14:48"When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
0:14:48 > 0:14:49And that's what Neil...
0:14:49 > 0:14:52He's marching around the table at the moment.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Yes, he knows this is his best chance since the third frame
0:14:55 > 0:14:59where he scored a few points to get a frame on the board.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03And, as we've already mentioned, a massive frame for Robertson fans.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Played that nicely. Red at the back of the pack will pot.
0:15:09 > 0:15:1128.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Needs an angle on the next black to get nice run on
0:15:55 > 0:15:58the last remaining red at the back of the pack.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03He's played that very nicely indeed.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04He can screw that for the one red.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07He can go into them, he can play for the one in the middle pocket.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- 29.- Three options here.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28He also had a glance at the two reds,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31just to make sure that they're not a plant.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35And two reds to the right, he had a look at those on the way around.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38He's got the angle to go straight into them.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41He's got that easy red to play on.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48The only thing is, if he takes this red
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- and then decided to cannon into them...- 36.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53..he's got no red as a bit of insurance.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Maybe the plant's on, you know.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06It looks as if it's going to the left of the pocket,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09but he's glanced at that on a couple of occasions.
0:17:17 > 0:17:1937.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Now, as I say, if he risks going into the reds here...
0:17:24 > 0:17:26he'll have to get lots of top spin,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28arc the white to bring them into play.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31He's usually pretty good at this type of shot.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37I think he's just OK.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40He's on this one for the left corner.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- 44.- Look at the white.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47You can see the white arc into the reds.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Been better if he wasn't quite as close as this.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I think he's OK, though.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- Yeah, just about.- 45.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Any closer and he could have pushed that, but he played it well.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15What a time to produce your highest break of the match so far.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Up until this frame, it was only 46.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24He's come up a wee bit short here, though.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Can't avoid cannoning the other red there.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32So he's got to give this a little bit of care and attention.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37He's just looking to see when he cannons the other red.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42Wants to make sure he leaves himself on the pink.
0:18:49 > 0:18:5153.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- Just a few more pots needed.- 59.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- 60.- The blue will put him 65 in front.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46So another red and colour after the blue would be enough.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Yeah, you hit the nail right on the head, didn't you?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00"When the going gets tough, the tough get going,"
0:20:00 > 0:20:02because this has been brilliant.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Been kept off the table for the last four frames.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08And, at his first opportunity, closes the gap to within 2.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Just one more red needed.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26That's the frame safe.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33I'm going to ask you a little question after this red.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38How many century breaks has Neil made this season?
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Could be 101 in a minute.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51And, in fairness, the way he's gone about this, he deserves 100.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Selby made 133 in frame four.- 79.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04To be fair, we've had everything in this session.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07We've had some fabulous tactical play
0:21:07 > 0:21:11that we seen in the early part of the match.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16We've seen that magnificent 133 from Mark Selby, and now this.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17It's building up nicely,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and it's still difficult to pick a winner of this one.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31This is his possibly eighth century of the tournament, should he get it.
0:21:40 > 0:21:4295.
0:21:46 > 0:21:4796.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- APPLAUSE - Very well done, Neil Robertson.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06104.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13You'd expect one of the players to win 5-3 at least in every session,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15so it's not a problem, this.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19110.
0:22:21 > 0:22:27I think these boys won't have any problem sleeping this evening.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32A good night's rest and back again tomorrow afternoon.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34115.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38As you rightly say, this has been a first-class session of snooker.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41To produce this, having lost the previous four frames,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43without really having a scoring chance.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Too much side, is it?
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- Oh, no. He's OK.- 124.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Exhibition time.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12APPLAUSE
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Whoa! He couldn't quite reach it.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19What a fantastic session of snooker from these two great players.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20The number one,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22the number three in the world have entertained this crowd.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25They get a standing ovation for the first session.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Selby's done the important thing,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32he takes a lead into the second session and that is by 5-3 frames.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Yes, Robertson's 101st century of the season reduced
0:23:35 > 0:23:38the deficit to just two frames at the end of the opening session -
0:23:38 > 0:23:41a session in which in truth had been dominated by his opponent, Selby.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44But Robertson struck back again, winning the ninth,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and he's put his opponent in a bit of trouble here in the 10th.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51He's hampered.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53That will probably put him off playing the pot.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00But striking down like that and he doesn't want this to sneak up behind
0:24:00 > 0:24:03the yellow, otherwise it's a free ball for certainty.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Oh! Can you believe what's happening here?
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Mark Selby must be thinking, "What have I done wrong?"
0:24:14 > 0:24:18He found a gap earlier on that didn't look possible.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23And there, he just missed the red, caught the bump of the middle pocket
0:24:23 > 0:24:27and that's what drifted the cue ball behind the yellow.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30That brown counts as a red, as we all know, with a free ball.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Colour to follow.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35If you just watch this...
0:24:35 > 0:24:38When he's missed it, it wouldn't have been a problem,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41but it just caught that little angle and it just threw it out into
0:24:41 > 0:24:45the middle of the table and nestled up behind the yellow.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Can't believe it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Well, immediately, he tried to get onto the one to the right of
0:25:00 > 0:25:03the black, but it's not quite come down far enough.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05He's still on one at the back of the pack.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Just making sure that there might be another one.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Just having another look at the plant.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16If the plant's a certainty he can just get on the pink
0:25:16 > 0:25:18and that will help,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20or maybe get up to the blue this time cos
0:25:20 > 0:25:22the red is in the way of the pink.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39That plant was always there, wasn't it?
0:25:39 > 0:25:45But where Mark Selby had a look before, as we look at Neil,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47he's come very straight on this blue.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52But the blue's an easier pot than the pink.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I'm not certain about the availability of
0:26:00 > 0:26:02the black to the right corner.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06But pink in the middle of the table, no problem playing for that.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16That tells me that the black doesn't go to the right corner.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20And, once again, he's come up a little short on this blue.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27I'm really surprised he doesn't just play it slow with check side here,
0:26:27 > 0:26:31the cue ball, there you can see the angle on the blue,
0:26:31 > 0:26:33but play for the pink in the middle.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Gave himself a little bit to do now for the next shot.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42This was the shot. He had a perfect angle, little bit of left-hand side.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45It would have been within 18 inch of the pink.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Yeah, and if you're just too hard on the pink, you'd be on the blue,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50but just played it plain ball.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54This is why he's finished closer to the cushion.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57But the fact he's straight on the blue...
0:26:58 > 0:27:01..doesn't have much room to manoeuvre, maybe that's why
0:27:01 > 0:27:04he's looking at the red on the right-hand side of the table.
0:27:22 > 0:27:2415.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Be playing for the pink this time.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37He'd like to be straight on the pink so he can just roll it in
0:27:37 > 0:27:39and then play the red to the right of the black
0:27:39 > 0:27:42because there's plenty of room.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45I think the red that's two down from the pink
0:27:45 > 0:27:48will pot in the corner as well. He's just having a look at that one.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01He's played for that one first.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11- 22. - That's the red he's played for.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Yeah, and we know he's got to play for the pink,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22or the blue, but the black at the moment is not available.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- So still in for the pink.- 23.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29Just got an angle.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Now, you'd think the red, he'd like to play,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33and he's just pointing there.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42And potting this red.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- And obviously...- 29.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52..in a few shot's time, the black will be available into this corner.
0:28:55 > 0:28:5630.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02And that looks absolutely inch-perfect on the pink.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- 36.- 39 points to lead.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- It's not a straightforward run to the line.- 37.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37This pink will put him 46 points in front, but still 75 remaining.
0:29:37 > 0:29:42One or two precise positional shots still needed.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Now, this may be a little pacy.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Don't know whether he can get through to the one that's nearest
0:30:24 > 0:30:26the pocket, in-between the black and the red.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29The other one pots, obviously, but it's not a nice angle.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Looks like he can get through to that one
0:30:33 > 0:30:35and that will open the black into both pockets.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41And now I think he's going to win the frame with this.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43The one three down from the pink
0:30:43 > 0:30:45will pot in the left-hand side as well.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49If he gets perfect on that, it will be end of frame.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Yeah, but when his cue ball is travelling distances,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01never guaranteed perfect position on the next ball.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10He looks to have played this very well.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- That's perfectly played.- 46.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17This red, the black.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24And one more red. That's all that's required.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29This black will put him 57 points in front,
0:31:29 > 0:31:31with a possible 59 remaining.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Mark's not had a lot of luck in this frame, but he has had the chance.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39He'll know.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41He's got to be pretty concerned
0:31:41 > 0:31:43at having the lost the first two frames,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45or possibly going to lose the first two frames,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48but hasn't done an awful lot wrong, to be fair.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51When you're playing against a world-class player, you can expect
0:31:51 > 0:31:55to have times where you're going to be sat there for quite some time.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Have to wait. Looks pretty good, he's on the red.
0:32:01 > 0:32:0354.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10And just this red to go 58 ahead with only 51 remaining.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- 55.- Perfect angle on the black now.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Just to flick the left-hand of the two reds towards the middle
0:32:26 > 0:32:29and bound to be the one in the corner.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Now he can concentrate on making century number 102 for the season.
0:32:39 > 0:32:4162.
0:32:45 > 0:32:4763.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Looks a bit bemused there, the bounce he had off the top cushion,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07but I've got to be fair, this table's played a lot better than...
0:33:07 > 0:33:09the tables that were at the quarterfinal stage.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Off the top cushion.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Those kind of shots were bouncing nearly all the time.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Just keeps so still on every shot, doesn't he?
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Gets through the ball, that piston-like action he's got.
0:33:27 > 0:33:2978.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32If the red goes in, you would expect a century.
0:33:34 > 0:33:3679.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50He's a century machine, this boy, at the moment.
0:33:50 > 0:33:5286.
0:33:55 > 0:33:5688.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02If he gets this, this will be his ninth century
0:34:02 > 0:34:04at this year's World Championship.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08- 91.- That's the number that Ronnie O'Sullivan's on.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20When he got the 100, of course, everything now he's going to set
0:34:20 > 0:34:25the standard for everybody to try and beat.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26The blue goes in.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Well, another flawless break. Needed a second chance.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34He was given a second chance by Selby.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36But the rest was perfect.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Neil Robertson wins the first two frames to level the match at 5-5.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43'Yes, it's all square.'
0:34:43 > 0:34:47And despite that onslaught of heavy scoring from the Australian,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Selby has summoned all that trademark grit and fight
0:34:50 > 0:34:53and in fact won three of the next four frames
0:34:53 > 0:34:57to lead 9-6 as we head into the 16th.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Mark Selby, even though he's in front,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21his safety has got to improve.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23He hasn't been finding the baulk line.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Until now. This looks perfect.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29That's the best safety shot he's played for the afternoon.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56He thought when he played that red it wasn't a lot of danger,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59but as I say, take nothing for granted at this game, and that red
0:35:59 > 0:36:03he played has somehow found its way over the middle pocket.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16And he was able to control it.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19So, nicely on you'd think the green.
0:36:19 > 0:36:24Just gives you a better angle to get the cue ball back to this end.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34This looks inch perfect.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Well, it goes without saying, it's not a great pack to go into from
0:36:42 > 0:36:46the black, but he possesses a wonderful amount of cue power.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48You'll see this cue ball arc.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50Once again, needs a half ball kiss,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52not a full ball kiss on these bottom reds.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00This time he's got the half ball kiss.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Just on the arc he gets on this as well.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Suddenly takes off and kisses exactly half-ball.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Couldn't have turned out better.
0:37:21 > 0:37:2313.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30Potting angle for the blue, but once again, nicely on the green.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39And he'll know the magnitude of this frame.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43He's won the first session 5-3. If he can win this frame...
0:37:46 > 0:37:48..then he'll have won this session 5-3.
0:37:48 > 0:37:54And that 93% pot success is exactly the type of pot success
0:37:54 > 0:37:57that Ronnie O'Sullivan is producing in the other semifinal.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Doesn't appear like that watching it, does it?
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Whenever he's played safe, he's obviously not taking a pot on.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Yeah, I don't think he's missed many easy balls,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17it's just he's ran out of position a few times.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20And, of course, when you run out of position, it's not a mispot,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22you play safe.
0:38:22 > 0:38:2425.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28He'll play the kiss on the outside red,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31the red in the middle of those three above the black pot.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33If not, he'll go into them.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40It's a lot of screw back, and I think he may have a result here.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- The red pot's in the yellow pocket. - 32.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- You made it sound easy... - No, I didn't say that.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Look at the spin he had on the ball there.
0:38:53 > 0:38:54But he's taking it on.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58And it's there.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04He had enough to do a lot with the cue ball.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06But the pot was difficult.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09And good set up.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10A frame-winning chance.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Hasn't done it in one frame all afternoon.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19There's every chance he can do it here,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21right at the right time.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34What a kick that was.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Luckily for Mark, with such a terrible kick,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40it's not too bad, if he just pot the blue,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43but if that red wasn't over the middle pocket,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45you see that ball bouncing all over the place, it would now be
0:39:45 > 0:39:48almost out of position and not be able to continue the break.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I think he can just roll this in.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56Yeah, sometimes you get those kicks and, as you say,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58it could be end of break.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59But just going to drop this blue in,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02doesn't have to do anything with the cue ball.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10Was able to do that, so still on track...
0:40:11 > 0:40:15..to have a four-frame advantage at the end of this second session.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21And a night off to recuperate as well,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- because this has been a tough battle this afternoon.- 47.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Oh, it's been hard-match snooker.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40And spare a thought for the referee, our referee Olivier Marteel.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44I mean, he's got to concentrate on every shot.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47He doesn't have little times sat down.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50I was talking to him mid-session break and...
0:40:50 > 0:40:53he said, "I really got to have my wits about me because there's
0:40:53 > 0:40:55"a lot of safety,"
0:40:55 > 0:40:58and a lot of things that he's got to keep his eye on.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02And he's done well this afternoon.
0:41:07 > 0:41:0953.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14This black will bring 60 points in front, with 75 remaining.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20THEY GASP
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Didn't see that one coming.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24- Mark Selby - 53.- Didn't see that.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28I can only think he changed his mind there.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30He's was thinking about playing for the loose red
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and all of a sudden thought, "Well, I can't miss the black.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35"I will just play to get the four reds into play."
0:41:35 > 0:41:39Yeah, as you say, when he pots the black, gets on the loose red,
0:41:39 > 0:41:42pots that and another black, he'd have been snookers-required.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45What's he left?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Well, the key thing is he's got the black safe.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51I mean, he's been very fortunate there, hasn't he?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Well, I think he's got a choice of reds.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01I think he can get through to the one to the left middle...
0:42:03 > 0:42:05..which would offer him easy position on the pink.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Plenty of points to play with.
0:42:16 > 0:42:171.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Doesn't need a black off any of these reds.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22But to win it at this visit...
0:42:24 > 0:42:27..he'll need the black to win the frame,
0:42:27 > 0:42:29if he gets that far.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Yeah, that's been Mark Selby's Achilles heel this season.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38We know he's been playing great snooker.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41When he gets to a frame ball sometimes, he's just not...
0:42:41 > 0:42:45He just gets a little clinchers disease. He never used to have that.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49He used to always clear up when the balls were in this position.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52But he's just got that little bit of doubt when he knew it was
0:42:52 > 0:42:55an important frame, just quit on that a little bit.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01While we were looking at Mark and that black he missed,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Neil Robertson wasn't having a worrying moment because
0:43:04 > 0:43:08the referee was trying to get the pink on its spot,
0:43:08 > 0:43:09it just wouldn't go on.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11It's back on the black spot.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14If it had gone on its own spot, he may have been on nothing.
0:43:20 > 0:43:228.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Played that well.
0:43:27 > 0:43:28Just wants to get through the gap.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31Doesn't want to risk any kisses here.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35The right-hand gap of the three reds would be the better one.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Somebody just moving in the crowd.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43Will you please sit still in the crowd?
0:43:43 > 0:43:46He does notice this a lot more than any other players,
0:43:46 > 0:43:48Neil Robertson, I've got to be honest.
0:43:53 > 0:43:54- NEIL SIGHS - Come on.
0:43:56 > 0:43:57Jesus.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59The lady just putting something in her handbag.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02That was the problem there. But she's stopped now.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17Yeah, I mean, that's what creates the atmosphere
0:44:17 > 0:44:19of the theatre of snooker.
0:44:19 > 0:44:24You've got to be very careful and frightened to breathe sometimes.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28But it all adds to the atmosphere.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33No place like the Crucible.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38Semifinal of the World Championship, one table.
0:44:43 > 0:44:4515.
0:44:48 > 0:44:51Would have liked another two inches of pace there
0:44:51 > 0:44:54to get a little bit closer to the pink,
0:44:54 > 0:44:56but could nudge that red into play here if he wants to.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00That's what he's tried. And hasn't...
0:45:00 > 0:45:04Oh, he has! He's suddenly gone favourite in this frame.
0:45:05 > 0:45:0721.
0:45:11 > 0:45:1332 points behind.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16Three reds, three pinks.
0:45:16 > 0:45:21Up from 11 points behind, so he can win this frame without the black.
0:45:24 > 0:45:2522.
0:45:25 > 0:45:30If he was to take pinks with his reds, he would not need the black.
0:45:43 > 0:45:4528.
0:45:48 > 0:45:5029.
0:46:08 > 0:46:1035.
0:46:18 > 0:46:2036.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Well, this will really be a body blow for Mark Selby.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33He was right in the balls.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36He's still going to be reasonably pleased to have got level
0:46:36 > 0:46:38out of this session, but...
0:46:49 > 0:46:5146.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57Yes, I usually say position from brown to blue is important,
0:46:57 > 0:47:02but he only needs up to and including the pink.
0:47:02 > 0:47:0350.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08A little bit straighter on this blue would have been ideal,
0:47:08 > 0:47:10but he's down quick, so he's happy with it.
0:47:16 > 0:47:1855.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28Well, what a pinch that was.
0:47:28 > 0:47:29Selby was 52 points in front.
0:47:29 > 0:47:32Missed a very easy black, as we've shown you a couple of times.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34Robertson replies with 61 to close within 2.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37He's delighted. Selby disappointed.
0:47:38 > 0:47:39It's 9-7.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41I remember him missing the black.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43It was pretty much frame ball and then I did a really good
0:47:43 > 0:47:47clearance because obviously 10-6 and 9-7 is a massive difference.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49That was to end the evening session as well,
0:47:49 > 0:47:53so 9-7 going into the next day, I felt very, very confident.
0:47:53 > 0:47:54It was a big difference.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57I've had two-frame lead or four-frame lead
0:47:57 > 0:47:59and especially in the occasion, what it was.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02You're sort of, after staying in the moment, I mean, if somebody had
0:48:02 > 0:48:05said to me, "You'd be 9-7 up after two sessions," you'd have took that.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07That's why I was trying to stay positive, even though
0:48:07 > 0:48:10at the same time, I know I had a couple of chances probably to
0:48:10 > 0:48:12go 10-6, but I was still happy with 9-7.
0:48:12 > 0:48:1430-year-old Selby's strength of character
0:48:14 > 0:48:16and determination was shining through.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Remember, this is the man who seven years earlier had got to a
0:48:19 > 0:48:22Crucible final, only to lose it to John Higgins.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25Well, as we went into the afternoon's session,
0:48:25 > 0:48:30Selby opened up with a break of 104 to take him 10-7 in front.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33It looked good, but back came the Australian.
0:48:33 > 0:48:3510-10. 12-12,
0:48:35 > 0:48:37until finally in frame 26 the Australian
0:48:37 > 0:48:41had his nose in front for the first time since the third frame.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58It will be interesting, whoever does win this semifinal
0:48:58 > 0:49:02and particularly if it goes right to the wire,
0:49:02 > 0:49:05how much will it take out of them going into that final tomorrow.
0:49:07 > 0:49:12In fact, Ronnie is already in there waiting the winner.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14He'll be nice and refreshed,
0:49:14 > 0:49:19but these guys could be here quite late, playing to a finish here.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21It would be very interesting.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25At least there's no morning session tomorrow,
0:49:25 > 0:49:30so they can have a little lie in and hopefully get a good night's sleep.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33Because whoever wins this match, they know they're going to have to
0:49:33 > 0:49:37play at their very best, the way O'Sullivan's playing.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40O'Sullivan yet to have a bad session. Now, normally in a
0:49:40 > 0:49:43World Championship, very rarely do you go through
0:49:43 > 0:49:45the whole session... Another fabulous pot.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47And that's another example of Ken and I saying,
0:49:47 > 0:49:50"Well, one of them is going to have to push the boat out."
0:49:50 > 0:49:52Looks like Robertson's decided to do that.
0:50:15 > 0:50:174.
0:50:23 > 0:50:255.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31The first red, as you can see,
0:50:31 > 0:50:32sticking out of the bottom of the pack.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Doesn't have to go into them.
0:50:41 > 0:50:4312.
0:50:49 > 0:50:5113.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16Playing a nice shot there. Actually played it on both reds.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20One into the left corner, if he overscrewed it.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22And this one into the right corner.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27Now, can he just stun that red in and miss the pack
0:51:27 > 0:51:28and stay on the black?
0:51:28 > 0:51:31He has a nice angle on this red. OK, he's using the rest,
0:51:31 > 0:51:36but the red that's open to the left corner pocket, he has a nice angle.
0:51:36 > 0:51:39He'll be using the rest and a little bit more difficult,
0:51:39 > 0:51:41but he does have a nice angle here.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45Screw back up for the blue, try and bring some more reds into play.
0:51:51 > 0:51:5321.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Brought another couple of reds to the right of the pink here.
0:52:08 > 0:52:13- 25.- Let's have a look. Watch the cue ball spin.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16Wonderful slow motion camera.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26All throughout the Championship, Neil has obviously had the ability
0:52:26 > 0:52:29and obviously the temperament just to turn the switch now and again.
0:52:29 > 0:52:33He did it against Mark Allen when he was trailing 9-7 frames
0:52:33 > 0:52:36and 11-9, he just played flawless snooker.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40Did it again in his next round when he was against Trump.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43He never missed the ball in the last four frames.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46And Judd must have been absolutely dumbfounded to sit
0:52:46 > 0:52:49and not have a shot for four games.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52He looks like he's in that frame of mind again at the moment,
0:52:52 > 0:52:55so Mark Selby is going to probably just have to push the boat out
0:52:55 > 0:52:58a little bit cos he's not winning the safety battle at the moment.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00So maybe have to just be tempted with a long one
0:53:00 > 0:53:02that he normally wouldn't take.
0:53:07 > 0:53:0932.
0:53:14 > 0:53:1633.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26Lots of top spin here on the cue ball.
0:53:26 > 0:53:27Needs a good split.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29Has he got it?
0:53:29 > 0:53:31Has this red available.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36- 40.- No.
0:53:38 > 0:53:43What's worse, the red is gone close to the middle pocket.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53Nice arc, but just didn't get enough top spin on the cue ball.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Neil Robertson - 40.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Good length with the cue ball.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00That little nudge on the brown.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02Half a chance now for Mark.
0:55:15 > 0:55:16Oh, that's a nice shot.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18That's a better pot.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20That will give him a bit of confidence.
0:55:20 > 0:55:23Needs the cue ball to slow up, and it has. Excellent shot.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Bar from the little flick on the black there,
0:55:25 > 0:55:28that's the first bit of luck Mark's had this evening. It's a great pot,
0:55:28 > 0:55:30but just watch the way it just kisses into the black.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32And that's just slowed the cue ball down.
0:55:32 > 0:55:34Just flicked the black.
0:55:34 > 0:55:37If that hadn't have happened, the cue ball would have been in baulk
0:55:37 > 0:55:39and he would have been playing a safety shot,
0:55:39 > 0:55:42so there's a marvellous angle on the yellow to go into them.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47Ken has put a line up there. That's the one he'll be playing.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52And this looks perfect. Got to be on a red here, surely.
0:55:54 > 0:55:55Nothing nice.
0:55:57 > 0:55:583.
0:55:58 > 0:56:00Well, he's unlucky.
0:56:00 > 0:56:03He's on this red into the right centre,
0:56:03 > 0:56:05but the pace he played that yellow,
0:56:05 > 0:56:07as we see the yellow again, I mean...
0:56:09 > 0:56:11You would have to say you'd think he'd have something
0:56:11 > 0:56:13a little bit easier than this.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23- Good pot.- 4.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Nice little kiss on the blue.
0:56:27 > 0:56:31He would love to take that red away, the one that's close to
0:56:31 > 0:56:34the right-hand corner pocket, really wants to get that one out of the way
0:56:34 > 0:56:36and get the black back on its spot.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42The beauty of the shot of the yellow, he must have been
0:56:42 > 0:56:46a little bit downhearted that he potted a great red in the middle.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50And he deserves exactly what he gets from here which...
0:56:50 > 0:56:53should be a frame opportunity, but he's 31 points behind.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57If it wasn't at such a crucial stage of the game,
0:56:57 > 0:56:59we'd say he would be favourite to win the frame, but I'm a bit
0:56:59 > 0:57:03reluctant to say that at the moment till Mark just settles a little.
0:57:12 > 0:57:1410.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26Just playing for choice of reds here.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28The one that Ken mentioned he'd love to get rid of,
0:57:28 > 0:57:29but if he's not, he's on the one...
0:57:29 > 0:57:32He can play on the pink and the blue at the moment,
0:57:32 > 0:57:34but he will get rid of that red row very soon.
0:57:36 > 0:57:38Decided to be now.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41Just going to make sure he gets high on the black.
0:57:41 > 0:57:45He doesn't want to be playing the black and going away from the reds.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47He wants to be high on the black here.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52Yeah, he'd rather risk hitting it too hard.
0:57:52 > 0:57:5416.
0:57:55 > 0:57:59Not too bad. He can just roll his black in
0:57:59 > 0:58:02and take the red just to the right of the black spot
0:58:02 > 0:58:05into the opposite corner pocket, if he wishes.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11This will open the black up to both pockets now.
0:58:13 > 0:58:1523.
0:58:23 > 0:58:2524.
0:58:28 > 0:58:29Well, isn't that amazing, Ken?
0:58:29 > 0:58:35Having played 25 frames, they've scored exactly 1389 points each.
0:58:35 > 0:58:38But the key stat is that Robertson is one frame in front.
0:58:42 > 0:58:45Yes, and what a big frame this would be for Mark Selby to steal.
0:58:52 > 0:58:5432.
0:59:05 > 0:59:09This undoubtedly is the best that Mark Selby has played all season,
0:59:09 > 0:59:10and that's tough to say
0:59:10 > 0:59:12when you consider he's got to a couple of finals,
0:59:12 > 0:59:15but he's not been scoring his normal way until this World Championship.
0:59:15 > 0:59:17When he's looked like winning a frame,
0:59:17 > 0:59:21he's had all season where he's been missing crucial balls.
0:59:21 > 0:59:23This week he's looked a lot more like his old self.
1:00:10 > 1:00:12That's what he's played for.
1:00:12 > 1:00:16The one in the middle, and what a beautiful shot.
1:00:16 > 1:00:17Cued that...
1:00:17 > 1:00:20He would have been playing that with disappointment,
1:00:20 > 1:00:23the disappointment of the kick in the previous shot.
1:00:23 > 1:00:25But to play that was perfect.
1:00:25 > 1:00:28This is the biggest shot of the frame.
1:00:36 > 1:00:39Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
1:00:47 > 1:00:50Well, it doesn't get better than this.
1:00:50 > 1:00:53Robertson needed one chance in the previous frame, made 74.
1:00:53 > 1:00:56- Needed two chances here and didn't take them.- 53.
1:00:56 > 1:00:59And this break from Selby has been right out of the top drawer.
1:01:09 > 1:01:1054.
1:01:10 > 1:01:12Decided to go for blue.
1:01:13 > 1:01:15In fact, the brown is off the spot as well.
1:01:15 > 1:01:18I'm not quite sure. He might be able to just hole it.
1:01:20 > 1:01:22Yeah. Just about holed it.
1:01:26 > 1:01:28Now, 19 ahead.
1:01:28 > 1:01:32Yellow and green to leave Neil Robertson needing a snooker.
1:01:32 > 1:01:35What an excellent break this has been.
1:01:38 > 1:01:43Similar in a way to Neil Robertson, as you said. Fantastic long red.
1:01:48 > 1:01:51Well, he's made 48 centuries this season.
1:01:51 > 1:01:54And this break has been as good as any one of those centuries.
1:01:54 > 1:01:58And it won't be a century, there's a possible 86 on.
1:01:58 > 1:02:00But the key thing here is just potting green and brown
1:02:00 > 1:02:04and making sure, and this has been, for me, one of the best breaks
1:02:04 > 1:02:06he's had all season. Excellent.
1:02:21 > 1:02:2368.
1:02:33 > 1:02:3573.
1:02:35 > 1:02:37Will certainly be feeling a lot better
1:02:37 > 1:02:40winning frames like this for Mark Selby.
1:02:40 > 1:02:43- Just what he needed.- 79.
1:02:49 > 1:02:53Black goes in for a wonderful break of 86.
1:02:53 > 1:02:55And the cue ball goes in as well.
1:02:55 > 1:02:57A total clearance.
1:02:57 > 1:03:00But more importantly, Mark Selby wins the frame.
1:03:00 > 1:03:02And we're level all again.
1:03:02 > 1:03:0513 frames all.
1:03:07 > 1:03:09Frame 27 was long and drawn out,
1:03:09 > 1:03:14but it was Selby who prevailed to lead once more. 14-13.
1:03:14 > 1:03:18Into the next we go, the Englishman 20 points in arrears here.
1:03:31 > 1:03:34He was half an inch away from getting past the blue spot.
1:03:47 > 1:03:50Now, Neil, you're going to have to dig deep again.
1:03:50 > 1:03:52He's only 20 points in front.
1:04:00 > 1:04:03He's blessed with unbelievable bottle, this young man.
1:04:07 > 1:04:10It will be interesting to see where the pink goes.
1:04:11 > 1:04:16The pink spot is definitely covered, but is there room on the black spot?
1:04:18 > 1:04:20He's just having a look.
1:04:20 > 1:04:23If the pink goes on the black spot he may have...
1:04:23 > 1:04:26Well, it does, so he may not take the pink here.
1:04:31 > 1:04:35Problem is he doesn't have much of a choice. The blue...
1:04:38 > 1:04:41Does he the natural angle to go inside the yellow
1:04:41 > 1:04:43and around the back of it?
1:04:49 > 1:04:53I think at the pace he's playing, he's probably thinking,
1:04:53 > 1:04:57"I'm going to throw the white wide and probably kiss into the yellow."
1:05:01 > 1:05:06If he plays just at a natural pace I can't see him kissing the yellow.
1:05:06 > 1:05:10I think if he had a look at the black spot before he actually took
1:05:10 > 1:05:14the red on he may have hit that cue ball a lot harder
1:05:14 > 1:05:17and be up the other side of the blue.
1:05:21 > 1:05:24Just going to have on the blue only at the minute now
1:05:24 > 1:05:27because pink and black are going to be out of play.
1:05:37 > 1:05:42- 7.- I'm just wondering, this black may still be potable into this
1:05:42 > 1:05:44bottom right-hand corner pocket.
1:05:44 > 1:05:47There may be a gap between those two reds.
1:05:51 > 1:05:538.
1:05:55 > 1:05:57It's not nice on the blue.
1:05:57 > 1:05:59He didn't have a look at the black and it does pot.
1:05:59 > 1:06:02He could have got on the black that time.
1:06:02 > 1:06:05At the moment he's just not fully concentrating.
1:06:08 > 1:06:11He's concentrated on no missnooker, hasn't he?
1:06:11 > 1:06:13Didn't have a look at all the options that time.
1:06:16 > 1:06:18Blessed with a lot of cue power.
1:06:18 > 1:06:22If he bounces this in he should be able to miss the in-off.
1:06:27 > 1:06:31Probably see the white bounce here just to alter the line.
1:06:32 > 1:06:34Played it well.
1:06:40 > 1:06:4113.
1:06:43 > 1:06:45Yeah, there you see the cue ball bounce.
1:06:48 > 1:06:51It's amazing, Ken, isn't it, how much you can move them
1:06:51 > 1:06:54by playing it that way? If you don't get the white bouncing there
1:06:54 > 1:06:57it obviously goes in a straight line.
1:06:57 > 1:07:00He's played it that way so it could just come off a straight line.
1:07:00 > 1:07:02Couldn't have played it better.
1:07:07 > 1:07:10- 14.- Just a little bit short.
1:07:10 > 1:07:13Would love to have been a bit straighter on this black.
1:07:21 > 1:07:24This is one of those that you either win the frame or lose the frame
1:07:24 > 1:07:26with this kind of shot.
1:07:28 > 1:07:30It's there.
1:07:30 > 1:07:32APPLAUSE
1:07:33 > 1:07:35Played it well.
1:07:37 > 1:07:3821.
1:07:38 > 1:07:42Held it nicely for the red into the opposite corner pocket.
1:07:43 > 1:07:47- Now, proud of his top side of the blue.- 22.
1:07:52 > 1:07:55Considering the frames have been a little bit messy, Ken,
1:07:55 > 1:07:58the standard of potting has been quiet remarkable in this frame.
1:07:58 > 1:08:01You think having been kept out a lot of safety play,
1:08:01 > 1:08:03your cue action would disappear a little bit.
1:08:03 > 1:08:06Boy, they're both playing at the top of their game.
1:08:08 > 1:08:09Yeah, they certainly are.
1:08:09 > 1:08:12Just a little heavy contact, but he's OK.
1:08:12 > 1:08:14Just took a bit of the pace of the cue ball.
1:08:17 > 1:08:21- And the fact he's got a 47 point lead, he can concentrate...- 27.
1:08:21 > 1:08:23..on reds and blues here.
1:08:53 > 1:08:5428.
1:08:56 > 1:09:02He can play a little cannon on the three reds next to the pink spot.
1:09:03 > 1:09:05No.
1:09:05 > 1:09:09The top one obviously pots but it's not the best shot he's ever played.
1:09:09 > 1:09:11Still OK, but...
1:09:13 > 1:09:15..just a little bit more awkward.
1:09:24 > 1:09:25Good pot.
1:09:51 > 1:09:54Once again, not perfect, with that little flick on the red,
1:09:54 > 1:09:58may have brought the red into play. He could have played in the middle.
1:09:58 > 1:10:01He didn't play the kiss. He played to go around the back of those.
1:10:01 > 1:10:05If he gets this and gets on a colour he can get the two reds, two colours
1:10:05 > 1:10:07he needs to be enough in front in this frame...
1:10:09 > 1:10:12..to level again at 14 all.
1:10:12 > 1:10:14That's high, isn't it?
1:10:14 > 1:10:16It's turned a little bit.
1:10:16 > 1:10:18Wow!
1:10:18 > 1:10:20When he set off, it was high.
1:10:20 > 1:10:23Very rarely on these super-fine cloths... Look at that.
1:10:23 > 1:10:26These super fine cloths - very rare do they pull in.
1:10:26 > 1:10:28It seemed to pull in a bit there, Ken.
1:10:28 > 1:10:30Yeah, just with the pace.
1:10:30 > 1:10:32Still going to need a good pot on the black.
1:10:38 > 1:10:42Just got back a few shots ago when he didn't take the blue,
1:10:42 > 1:10:45- come into those three reds.- 47.
1:10:45 > 1:10:50The top one was on, but he didn't play that blue well.
1:10:50 > 1:10:53He's been struggling ever since but he's getting near the winning line.
1:10:53 > 1:10:55Just this red.
1:10:58 > 1:10:5967 ahead.
1:10:59 > 1:11:0465 left, so this red will put him 68 ahead with 67 left on the table.
1:11:09 > 1:11:12It's in.
1:11:12 > 1:11:16- And this has been good stuff from both players.- 48.
1:11:35 > 1:11:38Very, very high standards. Neither player giving an inch.
1:11:43 > 1:11:47And another super long pot that may make Mark Selby not continue.
1:11:50 > 1:11:5253.
1:12:00 > 1:12:02Neil Robertson, 53.
1:12:06 > 1:12:09Well, Mark's come to the table, but a tall order.
1:12:10 > 1:12:1373 points behind. 76 remaining.
1:13:16 > 1:13:18Should be able to hit this.
1:13:18 > 1:13:21All these reds, still enough to swing it around two cushions
1:13:21 > 1:13:22and get in behind the green.
1:13:36 > 1:13:40Maybe he feels... Can he miss the pink here?
1:13:42 > 1:13:45Hmm, that's different.
1:13:45 > 1:13:47GROANING
1:14:14 > 1:14:17APPLAUSE
1:14:17 > 1:14:19Look at that little beauty.
1:14:21 > 1:14:23Easy escape.
1:14:23 > 1:14:25Big target, the four reds.
1:14:37 > 1:14:40If he can miss the kiss on the red,
1:14:40 > 1:14:43he should get very close to get in the behind the green this time.
1:14:47 > 1:14:49Needs it tight.
1:15:09 > 1:15:11GROANING
1:15:55 > 1:15:58Excellent queueing again from Neil Robertson
1:15:58 > 1:16:01and that will certainly secure the frame.
1:16:01 > 1:16:05Watch it again. Look how still his head stayed.
1:16:15 > 1:16:19- Six.- Well, we said many times this match,
1:16:19 > 1:16:24that all the hallmarks are going right down to the wire.
1:16:25 > 1:16:28- Seven.- And at the moment, it's proving to do so.
1:16:31 > 1:16:35Great match snooker from both players this evening.
1:16:35 > 1:16:40Good safety, good long pots, and some good breaks under pressure.
1:16:48 > 1:16:5012.
1:16:58 > 1:17:02Well, he's missed the red, but Mark Selby gives the nod.
1:17:02 > 1:17:07Neil Robertson takes the frame, and once again both players are level,
1:17:07 > 1:17:12as they go off for the mid-session interval. It's 14 frames apiece.
1:17:15 > 1:17:18- That's enough now. - The final session of this match.
1:17:18 > 1:17:20Frame 29, Mark Selby to break.
1:17:20 > 1:17:23Obviously Mark Selby hopes it's only three frames,
1:17:23 > 1:17:25as does Neil Robertson,
1:17:25 > 1:17:28but you can see this match going all the way.
1:17:33 > 1:17:35Match time, ten hours 50.
1:17:35 > 1:17:40Not the best break-off from Mark Selby. He'll be disappointed.
1:17:40 > 1:17:44He's seen Neil Robertson take a lot of these similar pots on
1:17:44 > 1:17:47this evening, and get them.
1:17:47 > 1:17:51I have to say, this is a half chance for Neil Robertson already.
1:18:03 > 1:18:05Excellent shot.
1:18:05 > 1:18:08He just doesn't miss many of those type of pots.
1:18:08 > 1:18:13And have a look at the angle he has on the black - absolutely perfect.
1:18:16 > 1:18:19Straight into the pack. Hold for the red into...
1:18:21 > 1:18:23..one of the corner pockets.
1:18:23 > 1:18:25Oh, well...
1:18:25 > 1:18:28Wow. What happened there?
1:18:28 > 1:18:30SHOUTING
1:18:30 > 1:18:31That was very strange.
1:18:34 > 1:18:36Let's have a look at this again.
1:18:36 > 1:18:38He just seemed to stun it.
1:18:38 > 1:18:41And look at the spin he had on the cue ball.
1:18:46 > 1:18:49It's like an arc having hit the pack, after the fact.
1:18:49 > 1:18:52Usually you get the arc before you go into the pack.
1:18:52 > 1:18:55That time he got that time he got the arc having hit the pack.
1:18:55 > 1:18:56Just a little movement in the crowd.
1:18:56 > 1:18:59Mark's obviously going to play a stun shot onto the blue -
1:18:59 > 1:19:02push the blue a little bit closer to the middle.
1:19:09 > 1:19:11He decided not to nudge the blue.
1:19:11 > 1:19:12Exactly the same thing,
1:19:12 > 1:19:16just getting onto the blue to either pocket is good enough.
1:19:16 > 1:19:20Again, another clean pot, right into the heart of the pocket.
1:19:20 > 1:19:22Look at this.
1:19:25 > 1:19:29It's always that wonderful noise when it hits the leather,
1:19:29 > 1:19:33right in the centre of the pocket. It's got that lovely clicking sound.
1:19:33 > 1:19:37Long-pot success. Mark Selby, 69%.
1:19:37 > 1:19:38Neil Robertson just ahead, 72%.
1:19:42 > 1:19:44Seven.
1:19:47 > 1:19:51Just have a look at this. I'm not sure what exactly happened there.
1:19:51 > 1:19:53Amazingly, he had that much spin on it,
1:19:53 > 1:19:55when it hit the pack it arced and went in.
1:19:55 > 1:19:57It's lucky to go in-off, obviously,
1:19:57 > 1:19:59but I don't think I've ever seen a white
1:19:59 > 1:20:02go in-off from a stun into the pack, I don't think I've ever seen
1:20:02 > 1:20:06a white screw back off the pack for the stun and go in the corner.
1:20:07 > 1:20:12Now, Mark Selby once again has got a chance to get a sizeable lead,
1:20:12 > 1:20:14or even win the frame at this visit.
1:20:14 > 1:20:16Can he take the lead again?
1:20:33 > 1:20:3422.
1:20:36 > 1:20:39He's so good at that shot as well, isn't he?
1:20:39 > 1:20:42He gets a lot of backspin on it. Let's watch the cue ball here.
1:20:42 > 1:20:43I've got to be honest,
1:20:43 > 1:20:47only O'Sullivan plays that shot as good as Mark. That is his best shot.
1:20:47 > 1:20:50He gets through the ball as good as any player in the game,
1:20:50 > 1:20:53and it's still pushing those reds, pushing them out.
1:20:55 > 1:20:5723.
1:21:11 > 1:21:14He made a century in frame 17...
1:21:14 > 1:21:16to go 10-7 in front.
1:21:18 > 1:21:21- This is an excellent chance of possibly...- 28.
1:21:23 > 1:21:25..get a frame-winning break at least from here.
1:21:25 > 1:21:27What an auditorium this is.
1:21:30 > 1:21:33No better place to watch. No better place to play.
1:21:35 > 1:21:37No better place to commentate.
1:21:52 > 1:21:5336.
1:22:01 > 1:22:0337.
1:22:04 > 1:22:06Just look at those four reds,
1:22:06 > 1:22:10lined up nicely into the right-hand corner pocket.
1:22:16 > 1:22:18Doesn't have to do much with the cue ball.
1:22:18 > 1:22:23- The red into the left-hand corner pocket would just...- 44.
1:22:23 > 1:22:25..open things up.
1:22:25 > 1:22:29And even more, just gets that out of the way.
1:22:30 > 1:22:33Still on a red into the right-hand corner, if he wishes.
1:22:59 > 1:23:0045.
1:23:22 > 1:23:25He wants to be almost straight on this red,
1:23:25 > 1:23:27and I think he's just about OK.
1:23:27 > 1:23:29He wants to hold it,
1:23:29 > 1:23:32almost keep the cue ball where the red is now, that he's about to pot.
1:23:38 > 1:23:3948.
1:23:45 > 1:23:49Well, the good standard of this evening's session continues.
1:23:55 > 1:23:58Neil Robertson started off with a fantastic red.
1:24:00 > 1:24:05Very unlucky to go in-off and having the contact there.
1:24:05 > 1:24:09- 54.- This has been a brilliant break from Mark Selby.
1:24:30 > 1:24:37The applause from the crowd telling us he is 67 in front, with 67 on.
1:24:37 > 1:24:42Needs the red to once again take the lead in this incredible match,
1:24:42 > 1:24:46in this incredible final session. It's like a boxing match, isn't it?
1:24:46 > 1:24:48It is blow for a blow.
1:24:48 > 1:24:51He knocks one to the canvas, then he gets up
1:24:51 > 1:24:53and knocks you to the canvas.
1:25:04 > 1:25:06Well, he deserves it from here.
1:25:06 > 1:25:08He was a little unlucky, when he went into the pack,
1:25:08 > 1:25:10I don't know how he went in-off.
1:25:13 > 1:25:16But once again, neither player would have had a chance to win a
1:25:16 > 1:25:20frame this evening. They've took the bull by the horns and gone for it.
1:25:20 > 1:25:22Nine out of ten times they've done it.
1:25:28 > 1:25:31That's the first time either player has played a bad shot.
1:25:31 > 1:25:35He's brought that red into play, and missed the kiss.
1:25:40 > 1:25:44What a magnificent break of 77.
1:25:44 > 1:25:46A little bit unlucky, Neil Robertson,
1:25:46 > 1:25:49but Selby came to the table and made a frame winning break of 77,
1:25:49 > 1:25:52and once again takes the lead at 15-14.
1:25:53 > 1:25:56I know I was a little bit unlucky in patches.
1:25:56 > 1:25:58It was low on the black to screw into the pack,
1:25:58 > 1:26:01and he screwed into the pack and the white came off the pack
1:26:01 > 1:26:03and went in one of the black pockets.
1:26:03 > 1:26:07I think I managed to pot a good long red and seemed to win the frame,
1:26:07 > 1:26:10and if Neil gets a good split, he probably wins the frame
1:26:10 > 1:26:13and it could be a different result at the end of it.
1:26:15 > 1:26:19Just one slip could cost him the match.
1:26:30 > 1:26:33And that's exactly what I'm talking about.
1:26:33 > 1:26:37One little shot like that and half a chance for Mark Selby.
1:26:57 > 1:26:59GROANING
1:26:59 > 1:27:02Yes, Neil managed to get the cue ball
1:27:02 > 1:27:04near enough the cushion to make a difficult pot.
1:27:26 > 1:27:28Well, there's another mistake.
1:27:28 > 1:27:31You see, every shot he's playing now,
1:27:31 > 1:27:33there's a bit more pressure on it.
1:27:38 > 1:27:40And this is the chance Mark Selby was waiting for.
1:27:40 > 1:27:43Could that be his last shot he's played
1:27:43 > 1:27:45in this year's championship, Neil Robertson?
1:27:50 > 1:27:52He needs a kiss on the blue.
1:27:54 > 1:27:56It's not bad.
1:28:03 > 1:28:06Is there a red, maybe the one just above the black?
1:28:06 > 1:28:09The only one he looks like he can get on, and of course
1:28:09 > 1:28:12the angle he's screwing this blue in, the white's going to come pretty
1:28:12 > 1:28:15close to the cushion, so he's not going to be faced with an easy red.
1:28:15 > 1:28:18Maybe screw two cushions to get to the one below the black,
1:28:18 > 1:28:19that might be a better choice.
1:28:23 > 1:28:26He's developed an angle. He did very well there.
1:28:26 > 1:28:30This is a magnificent chance to get a few points on the board.
1:28:31 > 1:28:32Six.
1:28:39 > 1:28:41I would have loved to have been dead straight on this red,
1:28:41 > 1:28:44he could just roll the red in,
1:28:44 > 1:28:48and stay for the black into the opposite corner, but you see the
1:28:48 > 1:28:51angle, he's running into the other red, so he can't play that shot.
1:29:05 > 1:29:10I was expecting a little kiss off the red. He's still OK,
1:29:10 > 1:29:15he's going to miss this red behind the black.
1:29:20 > 1:29:22He needs it to slow down.
1:29:26 > 1:29:29- 14.- He put so much into the black, it was a difficult black,
1:29:29 > 1:29:32to be fair, in this situation, the way the frame was.
1:29:32 > 1:29:35And he put so much concentration into the black,
1:29:35 > 1:29:37he just let the white run free.
1:29:37 > 1:29:42He was playing for that red that pots in the middle of them.
1:29:42 > 1:29:45- He can't hit enough of it now. - It's pure adrenaline, isn't it?
1:29:45 > 1:29:48Absolutely. Ken, you've been there many times,
1:29:48 > 1:29:51and you've got to make sure you don't miss the black,
1:29:51 > 1:29:54that's the first thing, but he just caught the red, which may have
1:29:54 > 1:29:58taken the pace off the white as far as going off two cushions.
1:30:03 > 1:30:06Can't really get in behind the green, but at least he can find
1:30:06 > 1:30:08the cushion right behind the brown.
1:30:10 > 1:30:13This might kiss the brown. This is not good.
1:30:13 > 1:30:16That's a poor safety. He couldn't get behind the green.
1:30:16 > 1:30:18SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
1:30:37 > 1:30:39What a shot that was.
1:30:40 > 1:30:44Under the pressure, and fully committed.
1:30:54 > 1:30:56Have a look at this.
1:30:56 > 1:31:00Played it with lots of bottom, just to control the pace of it,
1:31:00 > 1:31:02and hold for the black.
1:31:28 > 1:31:32Well, if he could hold for the pink into the opposite middle,
1:31:32 > 1:31:34he may like to do so.
1:31:34 > 1:31:39Still another couple of reds available after this...
1:31:39 > 1:31:43red he's going to pot into the bottom-right corner pocket.
1:31:46 > 1:31:50He decided to go off the blue, and that's not good. That's a poor shot.
1:32:06 > 1:32:10As long as he leaves this red so he can reach it without using the rest,
1:32:10 > 1:32:13the way he pots, you would expect him to knock this red in.
1:32:13 > 1:32:15But he hasn't got the best.
1:32:15 > 1:32:17He can run it in and get on the black,
1:32:17 > 1:32:20but that may be a little bit too tense to play that.
1:32:20 > 1:32:24He may decide to play for the blue, but he's playing with topspin.
1:32:27 > 1:32:28Very good.
1:32:28 > 1:32:31There was a bit of pressure in that one.
1:32:44 > 1:32:46And this will certainly help matters,
1:32:46 > 1:32:49getting rid of this red behind the black spot.
1:32:56 > 1:33:01- 23.- Two reds either side of the pack of reds
1:33:01 > 1:33:03pot into both corner pockets,
1:33:03 > 1:33:07so he won't be going into the pack of reds here.
1:33:12 > 1:33:17Showing a lot of character here at the moment, Neil Robertson.
1:33:17 > 1:33:18- A nice angle on this red now.- 30.
1:33:20 > 1:33:23Can disturb the bunch and bring some more into play.
1:33:27 > 1:33:31- That's a great shot. Fantastic. - APPLAUSE
1:33:34 > 1:33:37A little bit lucky, Ken, he hasn't got topside of the blue.
1:33:37 > 1:33:41The red next to the pink will pot, and he's going to have to leave that
1:33:41 > 1:33:43at distance - well, a distance he doesn't really want to,
1:33:43 > 1:33:45but he's got no choice.
1:33:59 > 1:34:0036.
1:34:08 > 1:34:09- 37.- This is good stuff.
1:34:43 > 1:34:4443.
1:34:53 > 1:34:57Just one missed snooker. If you miss, you find yourself struggling.
1:34:57 > 1:34:59He's gone 30 points in front,
1:34:59 > 1:35:03and just a glance at the scoreboard, to be sure, four reds, four colours.
1:35:05 > 1:35:08Three reds, three colours is close to being enough.
1:35:17 > 1:35:20Good effort, this, from Neil because he's been frozen
1:35:20 > 1:35:24out in the last two frames, and he's scored 30 points.
1:35:32 > 1:35:35What a time to rediscover your potting boots.
1:35:46 > 1:35:51They both have a 90% pot success rate at this stage of the match.
1:35:51 > 1:35:54- It's going to go 16-15 here.- 58.
1:35:54 > 1:35:57Usually you can almost guarantee winning the match
1:35:57 > 1:36:02if you have over 90%. One of these is going to have over 90% and lose.
1:36:11 > 1:36:14Getting close to the winning line now, in this frame.
1:36:14 > 1:36:1650 points ahead.
1:36:18 > 1:36:1959 remaining.
1:36:29 > 1:36:3065.
1:36:41 > 1:36:43That's the frame now.
1:36:43 > 1:36:48And this has been a wonderful effort from Neil Robertson. Has to be said.
1:36:48 > 1:36:53- 72.- Shown a lot of courage, like a true champion.
1:36:53 > 1:36:57What he's doing as well, of course, is making Mark Selby think,
1:36:57 > 1:37:00you know, "How can I get rid of this man?"
1:37:00 > 1:37:03You know, Mark had first chance in that frame, lost position.
1:37:07 > 1:37:0873.
1:37:33 > 1:37:3579.
1:37:42 > 1:37:4380.
1:37:44 > 1:37:50As we know, he's passed the 100 century mark. Now on 102.
1:37:50 > 1:37:53Half a chance to get one more.
1:37:53 > 1:37:56Half a chance to make his 10th of this tournament.
1:37:59 > 1:38:0186.
1:38:06 > 1:38:09Well, I know O'Sullivan has been the player of the tournament,
1:38:09 > 1:38:13without any question, but either of these two players
1:38:13 > 1:38:16surely are going to get very, very close against Ronnie.
1:38:17 > 1:38:20This has been such a good standard.
1:38:25 > 1:38:2694.
1:38:33 > 1:38:3596.
1:38:44 > 1:38:47The century-breaking machine just needs the brown.
1:38:55 > 1:38:56APPLAUSE
1:38:56 > 1:39:01Absolutely brilliant, and how this Crucible crowd love a century.
1:39:06 > 1:39:12Under the circumstances, Willie, this is his 103rd century,
1:39:12 > 1:39:17but under the circumstances this would be possibly one of his best.
1:39:17 > 1:39:20He certainly enjoyed this one more because he's got it
1:39:20 > 1:39:22under the utmost of pressure.
1:39:22 > 1:39:24He was facing match against him there,
1:39:24 > 1:39:27and he produced that magnificent break of 108
1:39:27 > 1:39:30to close again within one. Are we going to go all the way?
1:39:30 > 1:39:32It's now 16-15.
1:39:35 > 1:39:37Thank you. Thank you.
1:39:37 > 1:39:41Do you think this packed Crucible Theatre want a final frame?
1:39:41 > 1:39:42You betcha.
1:39:46 > 1:39:49But Mark Selby and his legion of supporters, who have just
1:39:49 > 1:39:53travelled 70 miles up the motorway, they'd love it to be over here.
1:40:00 > 1:40:03What an incredible session it has been, it really has.
1:40:10 > 1:40:13And just looking down the line of the shot.
1:40:13 > 1:40:16I'm just wondering will he take it on or just play the containing
1:40:16 > 1:40:18safety shot?
1:40:21 > 1:40:26Probably just wasn't straight enough...to have a go at it.
1:40:55 > 1:40:59Now, then. Has the brown come to his rescue?
1:40:59 > 1:41:01It certainly looks like it has.
1:41:04 > 1:41:06If it hadn't, he'd be taking this pot on
1:41:06 > 1:41:08with the yellow and blue being there.
1:41:10 > 1:41:12And Mark can be a very aggressive safety player as well.
1:41:12 > 1:41:15I don't know whether he can see enough of this red to play
1:41:15 > 1:41:16the red into the pink.
1:41:16 > 1:41:21Then screw the white back. Cos it's not easy to get back into baulk.
1:41:24 > 1:41:27Maybe... Does he have an angle to screw it into the blue?
1:41:28 > 1:41:31Yes, that's a thought, isn't it? He can't quite see enough of it,
1:41:31 > 1:41:34but he can certainly see enough of it to screw into the blue.
1:41:34 > 1:41:38That's what he's playing, Ken, I think. Let's have a look again.
1:41:40 > 1:41:44It's too risky just to play the thin cut and leaving the white
1:41:44 > 1:41:48at this end of the table because the red above the black will clip in.
1:41:48 > 1:41:51I think he might have to play your choice, Ken, do you think?
1:41:51 > 1:41:55I think he has enough of the ball to just screw into the blue.
1:41:55 > 1:42:00The only problem is, should the blue go down into the pack of reds,
1:42:00 > 1:42:03it may knock a red over either the corner pocket,
1:42:03 > 1:42:06and that's probably what he's a little bit scared of.
1:42:18 > 1:42:20He won't have much idea where the red's going to end up
1:42:20 > 1:42:22if he does play into the blue.
1:42:29 > 1:42:30Can't quite tell from that picture
1:42:30 > 1:42:33whether he's playing into the blue or thin one.
1:42:35 > 1:42:36Into the blue.
1:42:36 > 1:42:40Ken's choice and, boy, has he hit that absolutely perfect.
1:42:49 > 1:42:51A good shot.
1:42:53 > 1:42:57I would love to have got the cue ball tighter to this baulk cushion.
1:43:01 > 1:43:04I think this is a little bit too risky to have a go at.
1:43:08 > 1:43:10If he stuns it in powerfully, then comes round
1:43:10 > 1:43:13the back of the black for the black in the left-hand corner,
1:43:13 > 1:43:16he could get away with it if he plays a shot to nothing,
1:43:16 > 1:43:18but he's looking at the pack of reds
1:43:18 > 1:43:20and doesn't appear to fancy the long pot at all.
1:43:24 > 1:43:27Normally this shot would be a stun off one cushion for the black in the
1:43:27 > 1:43:31same pocket as he is playing the red in, but that would be too dangerous.
1:43:39 > 1:43:41Well, he's playing the pot, I think.
1:43:43 > 1:43:45Yes, he played to come round the back of the black.
1:43:45 > 1:43:48In that side of the table there's not a lot on.
1:43:49 > 1:43:53But where he's finished, this may be attempted to cut this red in,
1:43:53 > 1:43:56just above the black, I don't know whether he can see enough of it.
1:43:56 > 1:43:57Obviously not.
1:44:25 > 1:44:26A few murmurs from the crowd,
1:44:26 > 1:44:29because you know when Robertson's faced with a long pot, he would
1:44:29 > 1:44:33normally take it on, but he can't this time, can't get past the blue.
1:44:33 > 1:44:35He'd be kissing into the red, should he pot it.
1:44:35 > 1:44:37So he'll be playing a safety shot here.
1:44:44 > 1:44:46Those three balls are lined up at the back of the pack.
1:44:46 > 1:44:49Will he push one over the corner here?
1:44:49 > 1:44:51He played it superfine, so he didn't.
1:44:51 > 1:44:53Excellent safety shot.
1:44:53 > 1:44:54APPLAUSE
1:44:57 > 1:44:59Yep. Pretty good.
1:45:02 > 1:45:04Again, same scenario for Mark Selby.
1:45:04 > 1:45:07He'll be coming down to have a look to see
1:45:07 > 1:45:12if any of these reds are going to go over the left-hand corner pocket.
1:45:34 > 1:45:35Great shot, Selby.
1:45:36 > 1:45:38Thank you.
1:45:40 > 1:45:42It was pretty good, all right.
1:45:45 > 1:45:47That little flick on the brown helped as well.
1:45:49 > 1:45:52Because it covered the red down the right-hand side of the table.
1:46:13 > 1:46:16Is there an edge of the pack... either side?
1:46:19 > 1:46:22He can hit them extremely thin on the left-hand side of the pink,
1:46:22 > 1:46:26but the red that's tight on the cushion, that might come into play.
1:46:29 > 1:46:31Coming up to a minute very shortly on this shot,
1:46:31 > 1:46:34and this is a tough safety shot to play.
1:46:36 > 1:46:39The red on the cushion, he's got to miss that.
1:46:41 > 1:46:46Oh, dear. And at first glance it's not an easy opener.
1:46:48 > 1:46:50That's unusual to see a poor safety shot.
1:46:50 > 1:46:52Mark Selby just looked to his friends
1:46:52 > 1:46:54and family in one of the balconies to say,
1:46:54 > 1:46:57"I'm a little bit unlucky not to have an easier pot than this,"
1:46:57 > 1:46:59but it's a lot better playing from here
1:46:59 > 1:47:02than it would be tight on the top cushion.
1:47:02 > 1:47:05It was always going to be tough to get through that gap.
1:47:08 > 1:47:10Going to have to go full-blooded at this,
1:47:10 > 1:47:13knowing that if you miss it you're going to leave it on.
1:47:18 > 1:47:21Well, he can play it in such a way that the yellow is always
1:47:21 > 1:47:23over the left-centre pocket.
1:47:27 > 1:47:30He'll be playing this with a bit of safety in mind.
1:47:35 > 1:47:38That certainly worked. Is he on the yellow?
1:47:38 > 1:47:42Has the green blocked his path? I think he's OK.
1:47:46 > 1:47:48Looks just about OK.
1:47:57 > 1:48:02- Brown is pottable as well.- Brown ball.- Well, he likes the brown.
1:48:02 > 1:48:04Just watch this red.
1:48:08 > 1:48:11Can he get onto the two reds just above the black?
1:48:11 > 1:48:13If he does, it's a great chance for frame and match.
1:48:13 > 1:48:17If he gets on those reds above the black.
1:48:17 > 1:48:19He hasn't.
1:48:21 > 1:48:24If he can just cut that one in, Ken, the top one of the two.
1:48:26 > 1:48:29Well, we spoke about fractions, didn't we, in the last frame?
1:48:33 > 1:48:35Fractionally just on this red.
1:48:40 > 1:48:42A good shot.
1:48:43 > 1:48:45- Wants the cue ball to slow up.- Six.
1:48:46 > 1:48:49He's having to work for this break.
1:48:53 > 1:48:55Again, red left of the black.
1:48:57 > 1:49:00That will be his target, or even the one just above it.
1:49:07 > 1:49:10- He's got to be careful. - Not easy, Ken.
1:49:10 > 1:49:12A little bit of tension in the air.
1:49:12 > 1:49:14He can flick a bit of side onto this.
1:49:20 > 1:49:21It's there.
1:49:21 > 1:49:24Now, how's the cue ball? How's the cue ball?
1:49:24 > 1:49:26Needs a nice kiss on the red.
1:49:29 > 1:49:32It's still not perfect! It's unbelievable,
1:49:32 > 1:49:33talking about fractions.
1:49:33 > 1:49:36I don't think you can get through the gap of the black
1:49:36 > 1:49:39and the red to get onto the black in the same pocket.
1:49:39 > 1:49:42Well, Viks, it doesn't get any tighter than this, love.
1:49:51 > 1:49:52Can he get the gap?
1:49:54 > 1:49:57He has done. Can he get a bounce just to make the black easy?
1:49:58 > 1:50:00Still not perfect.
1:50:00 > 1:50:03Still needs a good shot to get onto the next red comfortably.
1:50:05 > 1:50:08There is only about a quarter of a ball of the red.
1:50:08 > 1:50:12The red just to the left of the two reds above the black, there is
1:50:12 > 1:50:13just a fraction of room here.
1:50:13 > 1:50:15He can play it in such a way, if he misses the kiss,
1:50:15 > 1:50:17he's on the red in the middle.
1:50:18 > 1:50:21But he's only got a quarter ball to hit.
1:50:23 > 1:50:25Doesn't want to kiss the front two reds.
1:50:25 > 1:50:27Needs to drift by those.
1:50:27 > 1:50:28And he has done.
1:50:28 > 1:50:32Oh, lost the white there. But it's OK, there is one in the middle.
1:50:36 > 1:50:38And he has an angle just to get up...
1:50:40 > 1:50:43..top side of the blue, or the pink is on as well.
1:50:47 > 1:50:50Again, a bit short of pace.
1:51:00 > 1:51:02Well, he's not even looked down there. OK, the pink's no problem,
1:51:02 > 1:51:05but the blue is absolutely perfect to get on three reds.
1:51:05 > 1:51:07But decided on the pink.
1:51:12 > 1:51:13Has he gone high enough?
1:51:16 > 1:51:17Just about.
1:51:20 > 1:51:2225.
1:51:22 > 1:51:23The two reds just above the black,
1:51:23 > 1:51:26they don't pot into the left-hand corner pocket.
1:51:29 > 1:51:32He'll be going up for...possibly yellow here.
1:51:50 > 1:51:54Now, does he have an angle to go into them? If nothing pots...
1:51:54 > 1:51:56I think the bottom red of the two just above the black,
1:51:56 > 1:51:57the bottom red will pot.
1:51:59 > 1:52:03And when he gets rid of those two reds, then the red at the edge
1:52:03 > 1:52:05of the bunch... Here's the circle
1:52:05 > 1:52:09where he'd like to get on that bottom red.
1:52:09 > 1:52:10When he gets rid of those two reds,
1:52:10 > 1:52:13the red to the right of that group of five,
1:52:13 > 1:52:16those two reds will be out of the way, that will pot in the corner,
1:52:16 > 1:52:19Ken, so he's got a chance to get 50 or 60 in front
1:52:19 > 1:52:20without playing a cannon.
1:52:26 > 1:52:2729.
1:52:41 > 1:52:45- Just coming around just to have a look to see.- 36.
1:52:45 > 1:52:49The red at his extreme right of that bunch of five,
1:52:49 > 1:52:51does it pot into the left corner?
1:52:51 > 1:52:55I don't think it does. So he may need a cannon now.
1:52:58 > 1:53:01You would think one of those two groups of two, there is
1:53:01 > 1:53:03likely to be a plant in the left-hand corner as well,
1:53:03 > 1:53:06so he will definitely play the angle. Won't need to play a cannon.
1:53:06 > 1:53:10But he may have another look after he's potted this next red
1:53:10 > 1:53:14and the angle he has on the black to see whether there's a plant on.
1:53:23 > 1:53:25- 37.- Right, there's no plant on.
1:53:25 > 1:53:27He will play the kiss on the right-hand red,
1:53:27 > 1:53:29it'll push the red over the middle.
1:53:31 > 1:53:34And if this works, this could be frame and match.
1:53:37 > 1:53:4112 hours match time. Now he's got a nice angle on this black.
1:53:41 > 1:53:43He hits that red full ball,
1:53:43 > 1:53:47and the red will go towards the middle and open up the other reds.
1:53:47 > 1:53:49He needs a bounce off that red,
1:53:49 > 1:53:52but he's still got the red into the left-centre.
1:53:52 > 1:53:54- It's just about perfect. - APPLAUSE
1:53:55 > 1:53:59Right into the left-centre, not the one over the right-centre.
1:53:59 > 1:54:01That's a bit awkward.
1:54:04 > 1:54:07One good positional shot here, a chance of frame and match.
1:54:09 > 1:54:13Neil Robertson knows now he's probably four shots
1:54:13 > 1:54:16away from being out of this championship.
1:54:24 > 1:54:27He has shown some courage in this, both players have,
1:54:27 > 1:54:30I've got to be honest. They've both played their part in this.
1:54:30 > 1:54:33And they deserve a tremendous round of applause after the match,
1:54:33 > 1:54:36and this Crucible crowd have enjoyed it, whatever happens.
1:54:42 > 1:54:45I don't think I've seen a better match for a long time, Ken.
1:54:45 > 1:54:47Yes, it's been full of everything.
1:54:49 > 1:54:51Break goes to 53.
1:55:01 > 1:55:0858 points ahead, 75 remaining. Red, colour, red, will be enough.
1:55:13 > 1:55:15This has been top quality.
1:55:15 > 1:55:1759.
1:55:29 > 1:55:34One more red for a place in the Dafabet World Championship final
1:55:34 > 1:55:38against the defending champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan.
1:55:38 > 1:55:39This is the red...
1:55:39 > 1:55:41to put Mark Selby in a second final.
1:55:41 > 1:55:43And it's in!
1:55:43 > 1:55:45- It's in! - CHEERING
1:55:45 > 1:55:46Fantastic.
1:56:02 > 1:56:04And hats off to Neil Robertson.
1:56:05 > 1:56:07He's been a great champion here,
1:56:07 > 1:56:12and took part in a fantastic match of top quality.
1:56:12 > 1:56:14He's given it everything.
1:56:20 > 1:56:24It's not there. Will he carry on? Nine snookers.
1:56:26 > 1:56:28He's just doing a little bit of maths.
1:56:28 > 1:56:30He's entitled to carry on, as it's the last frame,
1:56:30 > 1:56:34but every credit to Mark Selby, what a fabulous break of 74.
1:56:35 > 1:56:38Inches away from being in the final.
1:56:56 > 1:56:58We have seen this scenario a few frames ago,
1:56:58 > 1:57:02where he needs three reds, three blacks and leaves the last red on.
1:57:04 > 1:57:07You can count on one hand when someone makes a 74 break
1:57:07 > 1:57:09and you lose the frame -
1:57:09 > 1:57:10in this case the match.
1:57:15 > 1:57:18That's not there. That could be the handshake.
1:57:18 > 1:57:19It IS the handshake!
1:57:19 > 1:57:22We have witnessed one of the best matches
1:57:22 > 1:57:24played at the Crucible for many years.
1:57:24 > 1:57:26Both players great friends, on and off the table.
1:57:26 > 1:57:29The crowd give them a standing ovation.
1:57:29 > 1:57:32I've got to be honest, deserved. What a fantastic match.
1:57:32 > 1:57:34Congratulations to Mark Selby,
1:57:34 > 1:57:37getting to his second Crucible final.
1:57:38 > 1:57:41Fantastic feeling, not just to get over the line,
1:57:41 > 1:57:44but the way I got over the line. It's not as if I just crawled over,
1:57:44 > 1:57:46I managed to make a good break, which was nice.
1:57:46 > 1:57:49Going into the final knowing that you've got that confidence,
1:57:49 > 1:57:52if you are asked the question, then you can stand up and produce.
1:57:52 > 1:57:54Probably the only regret I had on the match was that
1:57:54 > 1:57:57I tried to force things a little bit too much early in the match.
1:57:57 > 1:57:59I tried to make it a non-tactical match at all cost,
1:57:59 > 1:58:02and I think I kind of gave a few frames away.
1:58:02 > 1:58:07It was a quite wonderful semifinal. In fact, it was a 12-hour epic.
1:58:07 > 1:58:10And in seeing off Robertson late on that Saturday night,
1:58:10 > 1:58:12many felt that that performance would
1:58:12 > 1:58:16affect his chances in the final the following day.
1:58:16 > 1:58:20But summoning that typical never-say-die spirit,
1:58:20 > 1:58:23Selby was the man who stunned O'Sullivan,
1:58:23 > 1:58:26inflicting upon him his first-ever defeat in a Crucible final,
1:58:26 > 1:58:32and he did it the hard way too - coming from 8-3 and 10-5 behind.
1:58:32 > 1:58:35In fact, Selby won the last six frames in a row,
1:58:35 > 1:58:38for a truly incredible victory.
1:58:38 > 1:58:41With it, he regained the world number-one spot.
1:58:41 > 1:58:44And he also completed a career Grand Slam.
1:58:44 > 1:58:47Now, that is what you call a haul.