Shaun Murphy v Matthew Stevens, 2007 Snooker: World Championship

Hello again. Quarter-final matches at the Crucible tend to be filled

with even more tension and drama. Because the winner knows that they

are guaranteed toll play on the one table set-up at the Crucible on the

final weekend. But in 2007, Shaun Murphy and Matthew Stevens had

already a great deal of experience in doing that. In fact, they had in

2005, just two years earlier, contested the final itself. It was

won in quite extraordinary fashion by a 22-year-old Murphy, who had

become the second lowest ranked player in history to lift the title.

As for Stevens, he had a history of near misses. He lost in the final of

2000 to this great friend Mark Williams and featured in 3

semi-finals since then. This quarterfinal featuring Murphy and

Stevens was the first time they had met at the Crucible since that

final. Everyone was bigging it up as the rematch, you know, it was

Matthew trying to get back at me. It was a big like that -- a bit like

that. 2007, I had Shaun beating me in the 2005 final, so I was looking

for revenge. It all started terribly well for the Welshman. He took the

opening frame. This is the second - it's Murphy to play.

I don't know what it is with Shaun, the early morning start, but he

hasn't turned up yet. He has left this red to the left centre, and if

he has, that's very, very careless. The one in the left centre is

definitely the one she should've covered.

You can't afford to gift opportunities at this level. Has he

still got a bit of sleep in his eyes?

Well, it's a very good shot, and he had the reserve red up on the table,

or so he thought. And he can't get through to. But I think the red, to

the left of the pinch, will go to the left middle. And if he can roll

that in, kiss off the other two reds, he'll leave himself the pink

in the right corner. He's not playing it, he's playing this one, a

little bit more freely. And in it goes. And that's all you

ever look for when you open the reds. An easy starter. The reds are

nicely placed. At least 3 or four in the open. So a good great building

chance. Pretty well to hold there. He didn't

have a very straight angle on the blue.

He has overhit... It would be top side, but not quite as far as that.

He could play the blue, but the yellow may interest him as well, if

it was a direct screwback on the next red. If he's straight on the

blue, I'm not sure what red he can play. It must go in the right

corner. That's the one he's played for. The one he marked before is

available into the middle pocket. Wasn't happy with the angle there.

He would have liked to have been a little bit straighter on this but

it's OK. Yeah, nicely played. If that's dead straight It's

perfect. He's still got 2 open reds, one

below the pink that will pot to the right coverage as well. Doesn't

necessarily have to go into them this time. I mean from the black, of

course. When I say this time. Depends on how he feels about it

really. The pack are a little bit low down, towards the blacks. So

it's maybe a little unusual shot he's going to be left. He could

play, as I say, that red he is sheaping up now, into the right --

he is shaping up now, into the right coverage.

Yeah, he's got a nice angle on this red. It's difficult - unless you're

right down on the table, to see what he's seeing. He is thinking I need

more reds in the open to win the frame at this visit, but... If you

can't get that angle you're looking for... He's got to be careful here.

It's one of our colleague Willie Thorne's flat back pack. They are

looking a bit loose, but if you catch one full, the cue ball doesn't

get them. Well, he was second for that. He finished with 8 perfect, I

believe, on a let to the right corner. But plenty in it. Hit them,

didn't look at though he developed anything, but because of the action

he got on the cue ball, came back across. As you can see, this red

nicely on. And took that the opportunity. This

was a clever shot from Matthew to release another red into play. Frame

winning chance now. Yeah, mentioned he was struggling in the ranking, as

low as 24 in the provisionals. He's a much better prayer than that. But

the rankings, they don't lie. You only get point for matches you win.

He's down there because he hasn't been winning. But as we all know, he

likes the longer matches. He's been in the final twice. He settles into

his game better. He feels he got a bad contact there. He's got athlete

the angle from the next shot. You see a slight jump but not much. He

does have the angle to go into the packs. Into the 2 reds. Into the

bottom, next to the pink. Yeah, that's the line. If he can get

that. Cannon, doesn't have to play it hard. Red available into the

corner. I'm surprised he didn't play the little cannon, but he obviously

felt there was enough room in between the pink and other red to be

on that. You can't argue with him -- inch-perfect. Not scene a lot of

Shaun Murphy in this match. This red will give Stevens the second frame.

A near miss. MIT A near miss. And it was that very careless safety shot

from Shaun Murphy that left a red to the left middle. Didn't see any

problem in getting it safe. Left it on. Matthew knocked it in and that's

it. Look that! For a stat. Balls potted, nil. A lot to think

about, even at this early stage. He may be able to make a century,

especially if he can push a red off the left cushion, it would seem a

natural to do it. Nice shot. APPLAUSE

Well, the left-handed shot, only Ronnie O'Sullivan can play with his

other hand. We've had 41 centuries so far at the Crucible this year.

This will be century 42, the second for Mathew. A lovely break.

Quite a few low colours. It would be a pretty low total clearance, this.

Total clearance, but a tremendous break of 118 by Stevens. He made a

very bright start to this quarterfinal match, and they leads

Shaun Murphy by 2 frames to nil. A fabulous break from the gifted

Welshman. He took the next with a break of 64 to lead 3-0, and he's on

a knock of 11 here as we pick them back up on frame four. Missed it.

Never comfortable, as you say, Neil. And Shaun Murphy will be pleased he

is coming back it the table and only 8 points in arrears. What can he do

with this, in live play, he's first chance.

Sonchts the first little sign of maybe weakness from Matthew Stevens.

The first miss he made that was possibly going to be to be

significant in this match. What can Shaun Murphy do? First good hope,

really, for him. Yeah, and this is the key now, Neil, isn't it, when

you get this chance, you've got to make your opponent aware if you make

a mistake, you're going to get punished. Not a boxing match, if

someone hits you, you can't hit them back. But what you do, you start to

make these sort of opportunities count. That's not a good shot.

Nearly went in off! Yeah, the table time we saw there, was maybe one of

the reasons. I mean... If you're at the table only 30% of the time, and

you're watching your opponent, you go into these situations a bit cold

and that last shot was not good. ? And because he's so cold, he can't

just drop it in and play for one of the reds just below the pink. He

needs to cue this really well. Well, he got the cannon. Does this

red go to the left corner, past the black? Oh, it does.

No angle there. Hassa he's just playing the run-through shot.

Couldn't get anywhere towards the red from that blue.

A nice shot from Shaun. Lovely play for the red, just to the right of

the black here. Don't have to do a lot with the cue ball. These

cushions seem to be playing better. You can just feel the cue ball just

sinking into them slightly, you know, rather than seeing before,

they were just bouncing off them. I think that most of the players

left in the tournament, and he knows we got beat, said the tables are an

awful lot better. And so they should be! Coming here

30 years, you would have thought they'd have known about it. I heard

1 reason, Neil, the weather has been unusually warm for this time of

year. Global warming is to blame, maybe, for the conditions, John.

That's what they are saying. I always remember all the years we've

been coming to Sheffield, we've always been blessed would good

weather. Spring-like. Just the red needed. Mid-session

interval after this. The cup of tea-taste a little bit better now

he's got his first Hardly any table time in the first 3

frames, hardly potted a ball. Didn't pot his first ball until the third

frame, in fract, to win this fourth frame is great for him.

Been a good break, this. Mostly high colours. He's in good control

throughout. Starting to cue now. Everything points to a terrific

match between two players with a very similar style of play - highly

attacking. Another century already in frame

two. Shaun Murphy can go on to make one here.

He's already knocked in two centuries.

And this is hope for his third in the championship so far.

Low century break but a good 82 and Matthew Stevens leads Shaun Murphy

3-1 at the mid-session interval. Well, a shell-shocked Shaun Murphy

dug in and show managed to halt the Welshman's flow. He got it back to 2

frames to 3 Got up twice on it. 12 shot though.

APPLAUSE So he continues a good run of long

pots into the pocket, especially. He still looks very, very sharp, even

though he's lost 2 frames in a row. A terrific long pot, right in the

heart of the pocket. What has let him down in the last two frame, one

or two loose positional shots. Now, playing for the red that is

just to the left of the black, and that is inch-perfect and the beauty

of potting this red, he clears the black spot area.

He finished high on the plaque deliberately. Playing on the loose

red. Just gone a bit too far from that cugs. -- that cushion. Asking

for the cue ball to be cleaned. Don't think it's going to be a big

problem. Here it is. . Just trying to see where he's next

red is going to come from. Is there anything free? That's what he was

looking. This red goes in the middle. There

is one more loose red on the left-hand side of the cluster after

this one. And that's where he'll have to pray for. He certainly

hasn't left himself a good angle on the black to go into reds, which

could've been in the back of his mind. You see - dead straight.

Looking to see if there's any plants in the middle pocket. And if there

isn't, then he has to play a very precise positional shot. Could screw

back off the side cushion, finish in the circle, play for the loose red

to the left of the cluster. Just say - got to judge it well. Hey

has lot the line? Played it well! OK, on the right line. And just

enough. Now it's imperative he gets a good angle. I don't think there's

any more reds that can come to his rescue.

Opener nightsly there and he's on this red. -- nicely there and he's

on this red. APPLAUSE

Once he cued that in, it was always going to be a fairly straightforward

shot. And he's got some breaks open now. If all came from, well, only a

half chance. But he's flowing now all right.

Red to the right corner next. Still a little bit of work to do with all

the points remaining, 83 left, but he'll make short work of that. It

was such a bad contact that he's not got to worst shot really. Blew up to

the top right pocket. Left himself a straight blue,

shouldn't be a problem to a potter of Matthew's talent. And now, just

looking for one more red and a colour.

Just a red will do. That puts himself 68 in front with only 67

remaining. Well, Shaun, didn't do a lot wrong in this frame. A terrific

opening red. So in fact this is as good a contribution he made. He made

a century break in frame two, but never out of control here.

Particularly after losing the last two frames, there could've been a

few seeds of doubt, but taking them well.

No, I agree. Been a very flupt break. Pot success rate - 94%. It

reflects how well he's played. Ent It's beatable here. The highest

break of the championship. Is APPLAUSE

And he does have an angle on this. Tremendous shot!

APPLAUSE Now, he'll look at the scoreboard,

well, he's unlucky. He's unlucky. The pink and blue have gone

together. Now, 107, a possible 35 left, he can play for the black, but

has to play for the pink. He's checked the pink is in the left

corner. A red and a pink for 141. And must pass the blue.

The highest break still belongs to Neil Robertson. A very fluent break

for Matthew Stevens. He now leads four frames two over Shaun Murphy.

Mistake... OK, play the red in the top corner as a shot for nothing,

but don't kiss the red on the left-hand side of the table and

leave a sitter, particularly after your opponent has just missed a

chance. You didn't let them straight back to the table. I don't blame him

going for that, but he kissed the let on the left-hand side of the

table. That was careless. He left the one he's playing. That could be

unlucky. But the one down the left-hand side of the table isn't.

Nothing worse, is there, nothing better for a player, whichever way

you look at it. Shaun Murphy has missed that chance. He went back to

this seat, thinking, "I missed an opportunity there. " Without doing

anything, he comes back to the table and he's got a red to go at. Could

have played it better. But I think you can get past the green for the

yellow. This as shot he missed so many

times. He'll play it off the side cushion into the cluster. He dropped

that one well. He would be unlucky not to be on one.

He is not on anything easy. He played the shot pestly. If he can

get through to this red near the top cushion, but well, it's difficult.

The one down the left-hand side cushion, as you say, it is perfect.

And for a second, it looked as though it was perfect. But that red

just drifted to As I say, a couple of reds he can

pot. But missable. Good recovery. I say recovery, he

was unlucky in shot before. This time he's in prime position. A

choice of reds. May fancy the one down the cushion with the rest into

the left corner. Didn't have to go into in pack

there, but the way he played it was beautiful. Almost certainly secured

him the frame, you would think. Think some other players may have

chipped away at the reds that were open and won the frame that way, but

it's not really Shaun's style. He's a very attacking, aggressive player.

Just wants this red then, and the frame is safe. Yes, needed two

chances. Not the first one, missed the red in the middle and next time

he kill to the table -- next time he came to the table. His pot success

is coming up. It was 84 a few frames before. He is right back in this

match now, is Shaun. You see, 68 ahead, 59 remaining. It's all over

bar the count, shall we say. As in the last round, his best of 25

matches. 3 sessions, two sessions of 8 frames and the final 9 frames to

be played in the third session. So a chance for Shaun to come out of this

4 apiece. Which, he would be quite happy with. He lost the first three

frames. He got a bad kick. Yes, it was the

start you don't need. He was 3-0 down, he hadn't pot adball, and in a

situation where he could win. He pot adfew balls at the end of the third

frame. It was a nightmare start to the match, really.

Just looking at Matthew there... He would be kicking himself a little

bit. Because, he handed this chance to Shaun to clinch the frame. And

whether it be in the first session or the final session, you can't

afford to gift frames to your opponent.

But he's taking these nicely, Shaun. 1 more frame to be played in this

first session. An important 1, even though it's early on in the match. A

chance for Matthew Stevens to keep a 2-frame advantage or Shaun Murphy to

level. In goes the pink, nicely round the angles with the cue ball.

An 89 will do for Shaun Murphy. He pulls back within one frame again.

But he still trails. The way he started, he started like a train. We

certainly gave good value for money in the first session, but these

matches at the Crucible, they are not won and lost in the first

session. It was the aperty. It was -- it was the aperitif. It was a

taste of things to come. He just needed to world title to complete a

triple crown, he surged ahead again. He leads 8 frim frameses to -- he

leads 8 frames to 5 as we head into the 14th.

He looked to the freen but it is a -- he looked to the green but it's a

bit thin and a bit risky. He is trying to make an angle on the brown

but it not there. The reds are in each other's way, he would love to

open them up. This as very difficult shot, virtually level with it, on

the baulk listen. This would be a terrific shot if they goes to the

pack with this. A little rueful smile. He's taken over a minute

presiding over this particular shot. Well, he made that shot beautifully.

He got it in the cue ball to ark it around the green. Perhaps a bit

unfortunate to finish on the cushion. This shot slightly more

difficult than it would've been if the cue ball was in open play. In

goes the red. Is he hard enough for the black? Just.

That's the best shot he played in the frame, positionally. This time

he got into the pack and nudged a couple of reds on. A good shot,

really. The red was protecting them, as we said. But he was able to push

that into the back. He's having a look to see if they can get into the

pink here. That's the reason he played for the pink. He needs to

play a stun shot here to push the white through the reds. It's exactly

what he played and that one shot has given him the chance too win the

frame. Excellent A little bit taken aback by the

bounce on the cushion. It's'sly all right. But he stopped in his tracks

when he saw is come away from the cushion.

Whatever happens now, it looks like Matthew Stevens is going to take

some sort of lead. At least two frames, going into tomorrow's final

session. But now Shaun Murphy must really dig deep and try and,

obviously, try to win both, whatever happens, he must win at least one.

Anything worse than 10-6 would be tough. Just a little bit of work

still to do. He didn't land perfectly on the red into the left

centre. He's playing it. He's having a long look at the angle. He missed

a couple when he took a really long time looking at the potting angle

alone. No mistake this time. He rolls the black in, then this

should be enough. Just get the feeling that Matthew

Stevens is growing in confidence. He won a couple of hard-fought tactical

frames earlier. Since then, they scored well.

Shaun Murphy nods his head and concedes. Played it very clever.

Matthew Stevens extends his lead and he's current in front by 9 frames to

5. Tremendous pot. Absolutely super

shot, that. They don't come better than that. He has got an angle on

the green that he perhaps deserved after potting the red. Now a chance

to go 10-5 in front with one to play.

Matthew Stevens, he likes a game of poker. He's good at that game. He

has played street-wise snooker today. He's playing a screwed game

tonight. A bit of -- a exclude game tonight. He is running away

He didn't mind Matthew going for the long road. A high percentage he

would not pot it, but he's potted it cleanly. And he's won the frame, I

think. RANSMIT that was a beauty, that opening red. Had no choice.

Sometimes it makes up your mind for you if you've got no safety on.

Well, this 36 break has come because of that red and it was an excellent

shot. The equation appears simple now for Shaun Murphy. He has to win

the last frame of the session to have a chance of winning the match.

It would be tough to see him winning from 11-5 behind. Matthew Stevens

had a lot of things on his shoulders. He need to win to stay in

the top 16. That's a lot of pressure. The fact he lost the Shaun

Murphy the last time they played in the final, that was a bit more. No

too bad, left-handed. He had a century break left-handed,

Matthew Stevens's highest break. In some ways, that 57 was up there with

the best of them. He now leads by 10-5.

Slightly awkward cueing on the yellow, that distracts

Missed it by a long way. Not been his night at all.

He can't afford to have sessions quite as bad as this one. This was a

long way off. When he first got down, I thought he was playing the

couth in the middle. It would've been the slightly easier pot. If

Matthew Stevens can pot this 1 here, he has a chance of winning the

frame. The pink looks to be OK, half ball. Does pot.

The thing about this pink, with the red up the table, he should land

right in behind it. That's why he's taken the pink instead of the blue.

The slightly easier pot. A difficult little cutback.

Good shot naturally on the red. Excellent.

Glad shot. Played it with power. To get the cue ball out of the once he

hit them. What a chance this is now for

Matthew Stevens to take an 11-5 lead. He will know how important it

is, and to far, around the interval, Matthew Stevens played better than

they did before the interval. And he led 5-3

Matthew's improved as the session has gone on. He really had a sense

he had a chance to pull away from someone that may not be playing as

well as expected in Shaun Well, this is more tricky than he

would've thought. The pink has covered the blue to the top right.

The yellow is on, but had hits him down towards the reds.

Well, had a pot. He is forced into it, because he knock the blue and

pink into a safe position. That pot, could've put him a step close tore

the semifinal. The last two frames, Matthew Stevens

has been flawless. All credit to mathure... --

Matthew... He pulled away. He loves this venue, he loves the long

matches. Twice he's been in the final.

And this is a very big advantage to take into tomorrow's final session.

Because Shaun Murphy does need snookers already.

As I mentioned earlier, he played a shrewd game, terrific safety. As the

session has gone on, he started to score more heavily.

His long game has been good. A couple of times he was forced into

long pots, which he got, scored off them. This has been almost vintage

Matthew Stevens. The former UK Championship winner, who loves the

long matches. So no century for Matthew Stevens

but a wonderful session from his point of view. Shaun Murphy greats

him on that. He's got a lot of work to do, the 25 world champion,

because Matthew Stevens powers away. I just wasn't in the game at all. I

did well to win 5 frames. But you know, I remember coming out for the

third session, on the morning, feeling a little bit different. And

I thought, if I can win the first session, and be here, if I make the

tea break, then I felt I was in and a chance.

Just a little bit too far for the blue. So having to use plenty of his

cue power on the Struck that beautifully. It's hard

to know what went wrong in this match. I know you did the second

session, Neil, but Shaun looks to be cueing beautifully, just frames kept

slipping away. Yeah, that's right, John. The frames

tended to take a pattern, which is often the case in a long match.

Everything that Shaun, something awkward about it. He will tell you

himself he didn't play well last night. Wonder how he will come out

today. There is no way he can come back from this unless he starting

knocking in balls and doing it in his own rhythmic way. If you're

Matthew Stevens, you expect some kind of backlash this morning. He's

not going to lie down and die. There could be a few balls going in and

the pressure for the moment is off Shaun.

There's a red to the, just to the right of the black, which is

available. And you play a cannon into the main bunch, but I don't

think he's got that angle. Maybe playing for the loose red. No, he's

trying to get into the cluster. Doesn't look bad but he needs a bit

of luck. Not much. Oh, nicely played. Well, he wanted

to make sure he gave himself enough to fet up for the blue. He's gone

too far. And the red down by the black is the target ball here. Nice

to land behind that one. Well, he's getting into them a little bit too

much this morning. Once again, he overhit that. Almost hit it too

Well, I'm sure his intention was to try and get into the cluster. But

work to do here. He played for the red near the top cushion. So long as

he's not strait, he'll be OK. -- straight, he'll be OK. That looked

straight to me. If it is, he's got a problem. Well, it's straight enough,

you try to force these, you can miss it. He'll be OK. -- straight, he'll

be OK. That looked straight to me. If it is, he's got a problem. Well,

it's straight enough, you try to force these, you can miss

Oh, and trying to do that, missed them. He didn't want to get into the

middle of them, just tried to catch the edge, but didn't hit it at all.

Left-hand red, he needs to catch. Well, he could have hit it full ball

and it would have split the reds open and the white wouldn't have

Well, only 25. Did think he looked very good in that break. He came out

to really cue the ball today. And you never what can happen if he can

pick up two or 3 frames early. Matthew is going for this red, right

corner. Well, he nongd in a lot of long

balls, especially into that pocket yesterday. Didn't get very close to

that one. Cue ball has come away from that

cushion. I'm sure he played on the black. He may actually be on the

pink. This is the kind of start that Shaun

wanted. He's so far dominated the frame. Now he's in absolute prime

position. Just think sometimes, John, you get a player so far behind

to this, he has resigned himself to the fact he may well lose. It can be

very dangerous for a while, especially someone who cues as well

as Shaun. Yes, it looks such a big deficit, doesn't it - 11-5. Well, he

won this frame, you would have thought, more or less. If he makes a

silly mistakes, and if he wins the next 3 frame, all of a sudden, we

got 11-9 on our hands. But it's a big ask, because he's playing a

great player. And OK, Matthew has missed 1 chance at a long pot, but

he's been in the meanwhiles and two finals, so he knows what it takes.

-- but he's been in the finals and two finals, so he knows what it

takes. So just the start that Shaun needed. He's had plenty of table

time and looks to be cueing very nicely.

Shaun gets a lot of work on the ball for hardly any real effort. He's one

of the better cuemen in the game, I always think. Tends to hit the ball

beautifully. Sometimes even too well for the cloths that

He started well today and he's rushing around the

APPLAUSE Matthew Stevens hasn't potted a

ball. But he still leads 11-6. Right when you have the object ball,

the cue ball, pocket in your line, I don't think he miss those. He

doesn't want to hit the near jau of the pocket, just too much. But not a

bad lead, the way the balls are situated. The blacks are now tied

up. There was a possibility 67 left on, but as we can see, the way the

black is... It's going to be tough to win the frame at this visit. I

think what you do to do, initially, well, maybe he's trying to bring the

black out into play here. Well, a second prize. He drew a red out.

. He'll need to it pretty soon. This is a cueing shot. If this goes in,

there's some chance. Nicely done. Now then, what will his

plan be here? Obviously got to run through on the red. Will he leave an

angle on the red, disturb the other red. Probably that is his best

chance. He can apply with top spin, disturb the other red, maybe push

the black a little bit , now then, where has he finished?

That's not far away from being perfect. Heads got the shot, top

spin, disturb the red, push it maybe nearer a pocket. Positionally, he

has to finish on a colour, which he's not guaranteed. Oh, that's a

great shot. That's a terrific shot. A bit unlucky. Wonder what he'll do.

It was nicely played, John, wasn't it? Yeah, it had a bit of top spin.

You saw the white sort of banana once it hit the black. You feel

he'll play the black, if he misses it, he's lost the frame. So lots of

pressure. Lots and lots. Great shot! APPLAUSE

Great, great, shot! As I say, if he misses it, he loseses the frame, it

would have -- he lose the frame, he would have gone within one frame of

defeat. That shows me a lot of character with Shaun Murphy. Still

got to clear up. He is 28 points behind. This black and the six

remaining Well, this would be a frame to win

and he's absolutely inch-perfect on the yellow.

Matthew my have thought he was in chand in the frame. -- was in

command in the frame. He missed a frame it was tight. This has been a

fantastic performance from Shaun Do or die shot on that black

earlier. And well, this would be a good frame to win. Looks a formality

now. He finished inch'-perfect on the blue. What a black he potted

there, He's won the opening two frames of

the day and he trails Matthew Stevens by 11

To 7. He is trying off the two cushion and trying to catch an edge

off the red. Be a good hit. Never mind, catch the edge of it.

Well, free-ball here, but I don't think Shaun will be tempted to take

anything difficult on. He'll have it replaced again. So it's a free ball,

but he couldn't get a better shot than the one he'll have if it's

replaced. If he takes the brown as the free ball, it's a little bit

risky. But he's taken it! This is a very positive shot. I don't know

whether it would be my choice. I really don't. But in it goes! That's

how confident he is. Beautifully struck, again. Like you, I wasn't so

sure that was the right shot, but now he's potted it,

Was thinking that Matthew was in enough trouble trying to hit that

red, but Shaun is trying to take it away from Matthew and clear the

table himself. Which I think is a good sign. Yeah, basically, he's not

going to rely on his opponent to make mistakes. He feels as though

he's playing well enough to takes shots on, and that was an excellent

brown. If he pots his red and gets on a colour, he's favourite to win

the frame. Oh, would you believe it! ? Would you believe it. Just a

fraction wide. Yeah, Matthew needs to clear the

table here. And that would be, for the moment, the alarm bells will

stop ringing, I think, for him, if he can do this. A vital clearance,

you wouldn't think so, with four frames up.

Well, that isn't actually very bad at all. He underscrewed, but if he

finishes dead straight on the blue, that isn't bad. He can play for the

yellow. So slightly fortunate. Could've been much more awkward than

this. So you wouldn't expect a mistaking,

but a little bit of pressure creeping in and he knows what a

vital frame this is. What a chance he had there to put

another frame on the He's 22 points in front, only 18

left on the table. It's no there. But for Shaun Murphy,

getting the snooker, Matthew Stevens is one frame away from a place in

some semifinal. 12-7 to Matthew, and one frame away from victory. Shurl

he was going to take his -- surely he was about to take his place into

the final. Into frame 20 we go, but Matthew is slightly ahead, but

snooker behind the brown. Oh, well played. Just a little bit

too hard and he's left the green, the brown, we know is pottable...

Shaun Murphy comes to the table just two opponents in arrears. -- points

in arrears. This is the last frame before the mid-session interval. To

keep this match going. Brown after the green, blue and pink.

And he's left with the perfect angle to go down for the Pacific, which is

all he needs. -- for the pink, which is all he needs. He could have won

all four frames, and then we would've had a closer match.

Absolutely. APPLAUSE

So Shaun Murphy does clear up. He punks the air, so he -- punches the

air, so he believes the match is still on. Pretty strong on the black

to go 12-8, I remember giving a fist pump. I thought there's no way I was

going to lose this. I think I won the first mini session 3-1, and made

it 12-8 at the interal. When your opponent gets on the hill, you know

exactly where you stand. Every frame could be your last. That changes

things. Stevens was still odds-on favourite to go through, but as we

see so often, the one fraick you seek for victory is the one frame

that is the hardest to campaign. Screw back a little bit more.

Slightly hampered by the reds. Can he move the cue ball to be on the

next red? Matthew just looking what was going

on the left corner, and he's very straight on this. He could make a

slight angle, but cueing awkwardly, doesn't want to take any really

liberties with the pot. If he plays it forcefully to get the due ball

around, it could go wrong. There was the problem. It was straight. There

is no doubt about that. But sometimes if you are not bridging

awkwardly, you can do something with that than put it into the side of

the pocket. Just a question of not being too abirbs, and maybe he was

there. -- ambitious, and maybe he was there.

APPLAUSE Good work. But he's just let the cue

ball run a little bit loose. It would've been nice if he could've

been on the plaque. A nice clean pot. But the cue ball a little bit

close to the cushion for comfort. Particularly as there is no obvious

red to play for. Has to do a little bit with the cue ball.

Drove into it. That was an excellent shot. Deserves to be on a red. If

he's not, he's very unlucky. What's he on? He walked around very

positively, Neil, as if he was certain to be on a red to the left

corner. I wasn't so certain. Yeah, he's a bit unlucky if he's not on

one. I wonder if he could have potted 1. It's a safety shot, that's

all he Should have played a better safety

shot than that. The thing is, he's not going to put

a foot wrong now, Shaun Murphy. Every shot he plays, he's got to

play perfectly. He's got away with that, in a way,

because it wasn't a difficult safety shot for Matthew and he's not made

the best job of it. He's left Shaun with his hand on the table.

And where the reds are spread, good safety could get you in here. Needs

to miss the brown... Has done. Good shot.

He's not playing it because he must think, if he plays that, it'll kis

the red near the top cushion. There was no danger. Once again, underhit

from Matthew. Not finding the baulk cushion. Just finding the baulk line

and he's left the red, the one we indicated before, the one just above

it, it had go -- it will go. Just less than half ball pot into the

left corner. O the left corner. Nicely played. Is he going to be on

a baulk colour? If he runs too far, he'll play the snooker behind the

yellow. He's just about on the yellow.

He'll start to fancy this job, I think P it was noticeable when he

pinched the last frame, that he punched the air, so he firmly

believes there is everything to play for, still. It's not beyond him,

this. Won't be easy, winning this frame

from here, mind you, with the mack awkward, the pink on. A couple of

reds a bit tangled up on the left. Not bad. Might have been a little

bit close tore the pink than he is. Such a good pot, you wouldn't expect

him to miss it. And now a chance to pot this red and clear the path to

the black into the pocket. Not with this shot, but the later stage.

Yeah, I think when you've got a deficit like this to make up, Neil,

it depends how you're playing whether you fancy the job. If Shaun

feels he hasn't shown his best, he still feels he's playing well, it

gives a bit of hope, given the opportunities you'll be able to take

them. I get the feeling from Well, he cues nicely all morning,

really. I didn't think he played well at all last night. A bit

subdued, not as aggressive as usual but he is placing well today. He's

not -- playing well today. He's now got the black open.

Well, that's a good shot. And he could easily play on the black from

this and leave himself an angle naturally to come over the left of

the table, whether there's plenty of reds waiting for him.

The reds will go to right centre, right corner. And they all go in the

left as well. So, really good chance now. To pull another frame back.

Red and the chores is what is needed for Shaun. He's 59 left, but taking

the next red, it goes down to 51. So it's a red and a colour, any colour.

Yes, and he's taken this very, very well.

So the pink he's played for. This to go 54 points the front with only 51

remaining. And he's nicely on the next red, if

he pots his red, no way that Matthew will bother coming back to the

table. So... You say in these situations, normally, Neil, he is

hanging on in there. He's not exactly hanging on in there. You

feel if he gets the chance, he is at the moment likely to score more than

Matthew. And That's the case at the moment. I guess, if he got close, it

may change again. At the moment, it's Shaun Murphy doing all the

playing. Deft hand. Matthew still has a 3-frame lead,

but Shaun Murphy is not going to give up without a fight.

Well, you are thinking... The black or the brown, that could cover the

red near the far right corner, but that was a good red to pick out.

Ooh! He missed the black after a good red. He was on the black, he

missed it. So Shaun Murphy comes to the table as Matthew can't believe

that. He thought the black must have been in.

And there's nothing better, I mean, seeing your opponent knocking a good

red and get on a black, you come to the table with an easy starter.

Straighter on the blue, he would've played the blue. But he's playing

the yellow for the red in the baulk A couple of reds that he can play

on. Obviously, he's going to play this. I don't know with this shot.

Do you play for the blue or do you play for a baulk colour?

Not quite certain what you play for there. I know he's on the green, but

I don't know. Anyway, there's 2 reds that can pot in the left corner.

Needs to be on them nicely. He played it with one inside.

And he's also got another one. The one that's just to the right of the

black. He's checked the pick. The question I would ask - where does

the pink go after it's potted? Had Does it go on its own spot? Or will

it have to go on the black spot? If it goes on it own spot, will it be

available It will go in its own spoxt it does

go comfortably and it will go into the left corner. Still early days in

a real comeback story here, but well, the signs are there. Matthew

is looking edgy. He played a terrific shot before missing a black

that he would've potted 9 out of 10. Gns are there. Matthew is looking

edgy. He played a terrific shot before missing a black that he

would've potted 9 out of 10. Shaun Murphy is reading the signs that

Matthew is keen to fet this match over. Starting to show a bit of

anxiety in his game. And what's more, not surprising,

because obviously every frame is there for the winner, us feel you

got to win frames in one visit. Apart from the first frame this

morning, where Shaun made a break of 92, he's not been winning the frame

in 1 visit. But he's winning framing after frame and Matthew, has had his

chance in this frame, didn't make the most of it. So he's probably

just beginning to feel a little bit averageous. -- anxious.

Just resident short of pace from Shaun. But -- just a little bit

short of pace from Shaun, nothing that should cause him a problem.

We know the problem is at the moment the pink is only available into the

left corner. It's also available into the right stra. -- centre. Hmm,

straighter on the red. A bit of formality to play for the pink, but

he may be able to screw past the pink. He held it for the stun and

held 12 well. That was a lovely shot. Not certain he could've held

it. He played it nicely. The right corner, that would be handy. Yeah,

if that one goes, which it does, it opens up the path for the other two

on the left. He's not straight on this red. And he will realise he's

got a bit of work still to do. Doesn't want to give Matthew another

hope in this frame at all. There's the angle.

Good shot. Yeah, the only thing is, if he's straight on the pink, fine.

Just wondering whether the potting angle on the pink has taken him away

from the reds, but the way he looked there, it doesn't look as though

he's too certained. He can roll this pink in. Yeah, he was straight. So

right, Neil, it was a good shot. He need to keep the pink straight, so

he can stay amongst the reds. 33 points the lead. Red colour red

needed. And you can see the determination on his phrase and he's

played for the blue and he's inch'- -- inch-perfect. So winning the

frame at this visit should be a formality. He only needs the

39 ahead, 43 remaining, pot the red, go 40 ahead with only

Well, the applause before that shot was because the equation is simple -

Matthew Stevens needs plenty of snookers and he won't get the

chance, I don't think, to get He played a very determined third

session and he's definitely in with a chance now.

All the way through this morning, he cued puflly.

He played that shot with all left-hand that he didn't need to do.

A left-handed one. The finish off with.

Brilliant stuff! 94 clear from Shaun Murphy. He's won five out of the six

frames this morning and the comeback is

Matthew is playing a difficult one with the reds here. This would open

things up a bit Well, he developed the black. But

the black has gone over the red now, which was going to be his next one.

So, not easy from here. Awkward cueing on this pink. With a bit of

work to do to get onto the next red. Not going to get easier for Matthew,

these shots. As you say Neil, he would have liked

to have been on the red in the open, but that's not just the case. He

can't trop the red in dead weight. You need to do a little bit with the

cue ball, maybe put a little trace in. All those things can make this

red missable. I think he wanted to come across a

bit further to the left, actually. I have the angle to hard stun right

across the table if he could. Just about get there. It's not

He does this - he likes to look at this angle right from the

Now then... It's all leading up to the last red. He's got an angle on

both the pink and the black. Different shots, the pair of them,

and he's applying the black. Good for a right-hander, that would be.

Well, would you believe it?! He finished perfect on the red... Wide.

It was always wide. And he finished on the red, which

would've, that red and a colour would have given him the frame and

match. It's all about finding a line and

getting a good length. Digging in even more difficult.

He's not going to be good on the yellow. The only thing is, when

you're close to the yellow, and you feel as though you can play a decent

safety, although he would have liked that cue ball to come a little bit

further away from the baulk cushion. Eight points in it. Pushing it down,

or thinking about pushing it down. There's a few ways you can play

this. You can push it down and use the blue and possibly the pink to

snooker. You can try to clip off the yellow and drop the cue ball down

this end, behind the black. Always feel in this situation, the business

end of a frame, if you can get a snooker, it gives you a tremendous

advantage. Easy to get the yellow safe. But you

want to try and do something that can force your opponent into making

Dieded to run the yellow into the green and he's played it very well.

I think it's a snooker. Yes, Matthew having to come off the

baulk cushion. Easy hit. Can he get it safe? Will

the pink come to his rescue? No, it won't!

The black, I'm sorry, the brown... Is the only tricky colour.

That's the only way he could play it. It would've more difficult, a

bit -- it would be more difficult, got further to travel on the

cushion. It would be a hell of a shot to get from brown to blue.

Well, it does look that strit, doesn't it, Neil, the more pace he

puts in this, the more likelihood he is going to miss the brown.

It's a decision - personally, I think that playing the pot on the

brown with a lot of pace. Well, too dangerous for me.

Well, he decides to play it. With less pace. But it was still a great

pot. Couldn't get perfect on the blue. I think the blue to the right

centre is where you favour. And try to hold a cue ball, send it up and

down the table. Big shot. Now where's the blue finishing up?

It's safe. It's gone safe. All you could hope for. One point in it.

Shaun Murphy in front. Both players need blue and pink.

We saw the fraist shot we've ever seen, from -- the greatest shot

we've ever seen, from Matthew. He could be in trouble here. Shaun is

capable of playing a snooker. He didn't get anywhere near the

snooker, but the whack has come to his rescue by way of awkward cueing.

Matthew can't play the same shot to get the cue ball in behind the

black. A bit fortunate, a couple of times, Shaun. I know what you're

saying, Neil. No frb betting the blue safe, but -- no problem getting

the blue safe, but he can't get a good white. If he tries to get a

good white, he could sacrifice getting a good safety shot on the

blue. So twice across, fine. He got the blue safe. But he couldn't keep

Shaun from getting his Both players need 2 balls. Matthew

Stevens needs them for a place in the

Shaun Murphy to keep his hopes alive.

The shot to nothing is no use it. Takes him away from the pink. He

can't even avoid the pink with it. Played the safety shot in behind the

black. He hasn't got the snooker but it's an extremely good shot all the

same. He's got the cue ball tight on the

top cushion, and the blue practically tight on the pauck

cushion. This is very, very difficult to get

Half ball right-hand side of the blue, you may be able to squirt the

blue into an angle that can get it down behind the pink, but so tough,

this. He played the thin one. He played the thin one, which was

always going to send the blue towards the corner. What sort of

white has he got? Well, it's not easy. As you can see

from Matthew's face. It's a horrible kind of angle to get down the table.

The pot is one thing. He could play this with lots of top spin and get

the white down. He got the power in this game, but the pot's know not

easy. It cue ball could come down. It would be a great shot. The pace

you have to put into it that makes it harder. That kind of pace, you

got to be so accurate. He missed is, and he's

The agony goes on for Matthew Stevens at the moment. Shaun Murphy

needs blue and pink. Not good on the -- not good on the

pink. He'll take it on. Determination etched on his face.

Shaun Murphy keeps his hopes alive. Now Matthew Stevens will be getting

very, very worried. He led 11-5, not anymore! He's only one frame in

front. Soon as he hit that, he knew. Much,

much too thick. He was up on the shot straightaway.

He got the power, that's one of the his great assets. He is fairly

straight on this, and he can screw this the with his cue power easily

on the red. There's absolutely nothing to him, a shot like that.

The way he higts the ball. Look for the -- he hits the ball. Look at the

scoreboard. 11 points the lead. Might not risk placing for the

black. After that, he would only need yellow and green, but the

black's not on its spot. He sided to go up the table. He's

I'm sure he'll play for the green, but he's on the yellow. 12 points

into the lead. Another glance at the scoreboard. Remember, when he pots

the yellow, because he just potted a red, the yellow will come back on

the So the yellow to go 14. He would

still need to yellow when it's re-spotted, green and brown.

It's a possibly 9 frames and Shaun Murphy would love to play all 9 of

them. 1 good shot here and he'll get at the wish.

Is So looking that way now. He'll know full well he only needs this.

Don't expect anything flash whatsoever so here. The blue is not

in his thoughts yet, not until he pots this. We didn't think it's

possible. 11-5 is not a lead you see a player come

APPLAUSE It's in! So snookers needed.

Matthew concedes. Shaun Murphy battled away without any significant

breaks but we've got a Crucible thriller. Of course, from 12-8,

every frame was my potentially last. Going into what was the last frame,

it was all right for me. I had it for an hour. I remember that Matthew

left the arena prior to the deciding frame, for white a bit of time. I

stood, having a chat with some of the guys with the crowd, I was quite

chilled out, because you know, at that stage, everyone was happy to

see more snooker. When Matthew led 11-5, no-one -- no-one, particularly

not Murphy, could have predicted this. Can the former champion come

back to claim a memorable victory, or would Stevens fall over the line?

A little bit pacy. A little bit pacy. Left Shaun with his hand on

the table, and there's a red, the one immediately above the black, for

certain it will cut into Well, maybe, either one of 2 reds

above the black would go. Just the one I mentioned. It's gone in!

He finished on the green. I don't know whether that's perfect.

Deep screw. Lots of right-hand side. Played it inch-perfect.

He won the 2005 World Championship... Looked as though he

was going to go out of it with an overnight deficit of 11-5. The balls

are there now for a remarkable history-making victory.

Well, it isn't over yet, but he played a tremendous last frame under

this kind of pressure. At the moment, Matthew has not had a

chance. Took a long time for Matthew to get

over this, his top 16 place looks to be gone. But meteorite more

importantly for the moment, he is going to get out of this

championship. This black and one more red will be enough for Shaun

Murphy to make a stunning It's remarkable. All about

self-belief. And a bit of ability. But self-belief this morning... To

convince yourself that the match wasn't over.

And this will be sweeter than any victory he's ever had. Matthew

played well in the middle session, but has not produced the goods. He

had plenty of chances this morning. He'll be disappointed. But he's such

a lovely lad, Matthew, he won't hold anything against Shaun. This is a

sweet moment for Shaun Murphy and a sour one for Matthew. His World

Championship hopes, Matthew Stevens's dashed again. Beaten by

Shaun Murphy. In the 2005 final, remember?

Trying to get revenge for that, and looked as though he had. But not to

be. Remarkable performance from Shaun

Murphy. And who's to say a victory like this can give you the impetus

to believe that you're invincible. And to me now, Neil, becomes one of

the major, major players for this championship.

Obviously, thinks it's a plant. It doesn't matter. Even if he misses,

Matthew will shake his hand. He says, well done, Shaun, and very

well done it is. Shaun Murphy, no-one has ever won from 12-7

behind. With a lead that Matthew Stevens had. As he throws his

catwalk into the crowd, the young man from Rotherham is in the

semifinal. He couldn't believe it. Nobody could! But he's there.

Remark! I look back at that match, as a classic game where people were

trying their absolute best to get over the line. A scamble for the

line. And in the end, either one of us could have fallen over the line.

And I was just thankful it was me. I missed a few balls. Fair play too

Shaun, he never gives in. And yeah, I think it cost me a top 16 place

that year as well. That was a hard one that take. It was a really

career body blow. It took him five years to return to a Crucible

quarterfinal. As for Shaun Murphy, although the lost to Mark Selby,

he's been a regular contender at the sharp end at the Crucible ever

since, reaching two more finals and completing snooker's career Grand

Slam along the way. I hope you enjoyed reliving one of snookers's

classic quarterfinals. It's a match that Shaun Murphy will remember

forever, Matthew Stevens would rather