:09:52. > :09:56.play. This is not guaranteed to push through that red. It will have
:09:56. > :10:02.to play some sort of carry-on. I don't think you can run through -
:10:02. > :10:05.it looks like he is playing the run-through so that tells me e that
:10:05. > :10:15.two reds did pot. Saying that, I don't know if he's on anything. He
:10:15. > :10:33.
:10:33. > :10:38.wouldn't have been playing for the the black before when he ran into
:10:38. > :10:45.the red. Anyway, you just roll the blue, you would have thought, leave
:10:45. > :10:55.yourself a mid-distant red. He' got a little bit of work to do with the
:10:55. > :10:57.
:10:57. > :11:06.cue ball here. Why doesn't he play the straight
:11:06. > :11:16.one? He didn't need to. He hit that to perfection. You couldn't wish
:11:16. > :11:51.
:11:51. > :12:01.the one just below the pink. I can't believe he would play for
:12:01. > :12:29.
:12:29. > :12:39.red and a colour and he will have red. That is exactly right.
:12:39. > :12:58.
:12:58. > :13:06.Couldn't have played it any better just 67 remaining.
:13:06. > :13:16.Very well played, indeed. APPLAUSE
:13:16. > :13:16.
:13:16. > :13:23.He had a chance - a long red. He missed that. I was going to say
:13:23. > :13:33.maybe we will see a century, but Dominic has taken the first round.
:13:33. > :14:04.
:14:05. > :14:14.he will need one snooker to -- remaining in red, he will need one
:14:15. > :14:23.
:14:23. > :14:33.snooker to tie. Anything but a black and he will need two snookers.
:14:33. > :14:38.He's done the maths, as you know. APPLAUSE
:14:38. > :14:44.Ideally he would like to leave the red next to the pink. That is
:14:44. > :14:48.probably the last red he will leave on. Two more reds and blacks. Were
:14:48. > :14:55.you always an advocate on leaving the red? I think if you only need
:14:55. > :15:00.one snooker, but in this case it is a snooker to tie. I would leave it
:15:00. > :15:04.on just because you may get... APPLAUSE
:15:04. > :15:08.If you only needed one snooker, I see no reason trying to get a good
:15:08. > :15:12.position on the other side of the yellow and trying to push the
:15:12. > :15:16.yellow up the table, get a snooker behind the brown. He's played a
:15:16. > :15:21.lovely shot there. He doesn't have to take the easy route. He is
:15:21. > :15:23.taking the awkward one which he kissed out. You are kidding me.
:15:23. > :15:29.played it in the other pocket. (LAUGHS)
:15:29. > :15:34.. Concentrate. Pay attention! would have been happy with that on
:15:34. > :15:44.a big break, wouldn't you? Of course now, the snooker is going to
:15:44. > :15:55.
:15:55. > :16:02.be late. That was an outrageous fluke. Disappointed he didn't cover
:16:02. > :16:11.the righthand side cushion. APPLAUSE
:16:11. > :16:17.You would expect Dominic to miss this. He's got to be careful if he
:16:17. > :16:27.plays it with any sort of pace he doesn't leave a free-ball. If he
:16:27. > :16:27.
:16:27. > :16:37.should miss it. If he misses this, then he will be able to tie. He is
:16:37. > :16:39.
:16:39. > :16:49.just thinking here whether he plays it hard or soft. Just make certain
:16:49. > :16:55.
:16:55. > :17:05.am not sure if he's coming inside the red or virtually where the
:17:05. > :17:05.
:17:05. > :18:11.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:18:11. > :18:21.Dominic can't really play any positive shots, so he keeps leaving
:18:21. > :18:34.
:18:34. > :18:37.again, but there is another gap. is amazing, isn't it? He played two
:18:37. > :18:40.good shots and he is just a fraction away from getting the
:18:40. > :18:50.snooker. Dominic may be taking this on. That is how much of the red he
:18:50. > :19:28.
:19:28. > :19:31.The black or the white... He's got shot, even though the red is more
:19:31. > :19:36.or less in the middle of the table, there is plenty of room to go
:19:36. > :19:41.around it, but there is a one- cushion escape. Players at this
:19:41. > :19:51.several, this standard, you wouldn't expect them to miss a
:19:51. > :20:10.
:20:10. > :20:15.snooker. They are only coming off black and all. It goes to a respot.
:20:15. > :20:25.The red is cut. How does he get on the black? I don't think he can.
:20:25. > :20:36.
:20:37. > :20:46.I thought for one minute he was going to get the snooker there. He
:20:47. > :20:47.
:20:47. > :21:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:21:48. > :21:52.played a pot and missed it by the the red unless he can get a
:21:52. > :21:57.position on the black otherwise he will need snookers, but there may
:21:57. > :22:07.be a chance here again he could snooker and then he could force his
:22:07. > :22:17.
:22:17. > :22:22.The red is about another inch of the cushion, it would have been
:22:23. > :22:32.ruined around the back of it. As it is, it is quite a big target for
:22:33. > :22:42.
:22:42. > :22:46.Dominic. Not a straightforward hit this, though.
:22:46. > :22:51.Left-hand side cushion, right-hand side cushion. There is a gap
:22:51. > :23:01.between the yellow and pink - this would make it a lot easier to get
:23:01. > :23:14.
:23:14. > :23:22.out of. He is swerving it. So you then it would be risky. A good hit.
:23:22. > :23:28.APPLAUSE Once again, no angle on the red to
:23:28. > :23:33.get on the black so Matthew will probably refuse it. If he tries it
:23:33. > :23:37.half ball and tries to get the white off the black position and
:23:37. > :23:47.get the pink and yellow. I am not shower if he can play that shot
:23:47. > :24:10.
:24:10. > :24:14.from this angle, but he certainly There is a possibility he could
:24:14. > :24:18.play the red off the black no the left-hand corner. I think it is
:24:18. > :24:26.worth a go because he can still get that cue ball up behind the yellow
:24:26. > :24:32.and pink. Looks like he's changed his mind. I thought he could do it
:24:32. > :24:36.from this side. He could put the black -- you've got the chance of
:24:36. > :24:41.putting the black out of commission if you played it. Yes. As I say, he
:24:41. > :24:47.was always sending that cue ball back towards the yellow and pink,
:24:47. > :24:52.but a little bit pacey. Now, decision time for Matthew.
:24:52. > :24:55.Absolutely. Very sinister, first ready play at the other end of the
:24:55. > :25:00.table, John, when he rolled it in, it may have rolled off. This is
:25:00. > :25:06.another one if he is going to play it, he has to roll it slow. Whether
:25:06. > :25:10.or not he plays the pot or not. We will know in a couple of seconds.
:25:10. > :25:15.He's gone all out for it. It is a fabulous pot. Well done.
:25:15. > :25:19.APPLAUSE He's in for a tie. Yes, and I think
:25:19. > :25:23.- well, I know the yellow passes the pink. I think the groan just
:25:23. > :25:31.passes the brown. -- green just passes the brown. What a chance
:25:31. > :25:37.this is. He couldn't play for the yellow in the conventional pocket.
:25:37. > :25:45.He is playing this yellow now. You have just got to be wary he doesn't
:25:45. > :25:53.have an intentional cannon on the pink. He definitely passes the
:25:53. > :25:58.brown. OK. He may have got that up, but he
:25:58. > :26:03.will be very disappointed he's missed the frame. Well, a chance to
:26:03. > :26:12.get a re-spotted black there. He might get a better chance. He e
:26:12. > :26:17.could be snookered here if Dominic plays this right. The bad news is
:26:17. > :26:20.he's played a bad shot. The good news is the brown is safe. He
:26:20. > :26:24.possibly might get another chance in this frame before the respot
:26:24. > :26:28.comes. It was a strange choice of shot. You can't really pot the
:26:28. > :26:32.yellow and hold it low enough on the greens and leave the green to
:26:32. > :26:37.kiss the browns out. He may have to play that up and down. You would
:26:37. > :26:47.love to roll it on dead weight and leave it on the angle on the green.
:26:47. > :27:03.
:27:03. > :27:13.It looks a little bit thin to me. he? He tried to play it as slow as
:27:13. > :27:19.
:27:19. > :27:23.he could to give himself a chance. and playing the double on the brown.
:27:23. > :27:29.Surely roll the green and try to get a snooker from brown behind the
:27:29. > :27:39.black. It keeps him in control of the situation. Well, he has made
:27:39. > :27:44.
:27:44. > :27:49.the angle. APPLAUSE
:27:49. > :27:53.It is amazing how you can manoeuvre the cue ball almost straight and
:27:53. > :28:01.you can move it sideways. Does this drop in the middle? It looks as
:28:01. > :28:11.though it will. APPLAUSE
:28:11. > :28:16.
:28:16. > :28:23.would probably run safe and that is what has happened. Dominic trying
:28:23. > :28:27.to get in the pink here. He's played it nicely. The key thing
:28:27. > :28:37.there was the object ball. The cue ball wasn't so important that time,
:28:37. > :28:37.
:28:37. > :29:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:29:45. > :29:49.but the object ball was. He's got plays it up and down, the brown is
:29:49. > :29:59.almost certain to kiss the blue. He's got to be careful where the
:29:59. > :30:25.
:30:25. > :30:32.white will end up. This has been made a not too difficult pot. It is
:30:32. > :30:35.frame ball. It looked like it was go dog be a
:30:35. > :30:37.lot quicker than that. APPLAUSE
:30:37. > :30:41.-- Going to be a lot quicker than that.
:30:41. > :30:51.APPLAUSE This looks like it has clinched it
:30:51. > :30:59.
:30:59. > :31:04.for Dominic. 26 points the lead. So even though he is not feeling
:31:04. > :31:12.too good, in all honesty, he doesn't look too good either.
:31:12. > :31:21.fact that he's playing made a nice the frame. He struggled a bit after
:31:21. > :31:30.that, but he's won the first frame. 1-Nil.
:31:30. > :31:35.Matthew Stevens getting frame 2 under way. Plenty of - I think best
:31:35. > :31:39.of 11. 3-1 at the interval is not such a terrible thing. It useed to
:31:40. > :31:49.be best of nine if you were 3-1 behind it was worrying times,
:31:49. > :31:57.wasn't it? Yes, but best of 11s, you could get a few frames and have
:31:57. > :32:07.a good run of the ball and you are 3-nil behind or under it.
:32:07. > :32:08.
:32:08. > :32:12.doesn't look well, does he? At least it is coming out, I suppose.
:32:12. > :32:19.If it is coming out, it is probably a bit like a browse. If it is
:32:19. > :32:25.coming out, at least it is not staying? Your bloodstream. -- It is
:32:25. > :32:29.probably a bit like a bruise. If it is coming out, at least it is not
:32:29. > :32:34.staying in your bloodstream. So this will be a little test of the
:32:34. > :32:37.cow action now for Matthew Stevens. -- cue action now as Matthew
:32:37. > :32:42.Stevens as Dominic sips his water because he's got a straight red
:32:43. > :32:52.here. If he leaves the cue ball where the red is and the black is
:32:53. > :33:00.
:33:00. > :33:04.He cueed it beautifully. mentioned how nice it is to see
:33:04. > :33:13.Matthew play beautifully again. When he does, he strikes the ball
:33:13. > :33:18.well and gets through it all. His breaks are very good. Paul Hunter
:33:18. > :33:21.came on the scene at the same time, John and we always knew that
:33:21. > :33:31.obviously the late, great Paul hunter we don't see any more, but
:33:31. > :33:34.
:33:34. > :33:44.we always knew they were going to be good players.
:33:44. > :33:50.
:33:50. > :33:54.good, all-round player and sets a very high around the. I don't think
:33:54. > :33:57.he is frighened to win, though, John, is he? You get a lot of
:33:57. > :34:01.players who are great players, but when it comes to the winning post,
:34:01. > :34:06.they don't want to go by. Matthew is not one of those. No, no, he's
:34:06. > :34:13.been a winner from his very early days. He just missed the cannon
:34:13. > :34:23.there. He's got a choice of the centre, but just a little bit
:34:23. > :34:23.
:34:23. > :35:14.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:35:14. > :35:20.awkward. practice do things you can't
:35:20. > :35:25.compare it with play. He would just play the red along the top,
:35:25. > :35:30.wouldn't he? Not even thought about it. In these tables, in these big
:35:30. > :35:36.competitions, you always feel they are a risky shot to play and you
:35:36. > :35:40.only play them if you have to. He is not good on this red. He is
:35:40. > :35:43.worried about the pink, John, isn't he? He is going to play the cannon
:35:43. > :35:53.and hoping he will push the pink off the cushion, I think. That is a
:35:53. > :36:22.
:36:22. > :36:25.very clever shot. A very clever not perfect on either red.
:36:25. > :36:30.This is what you have to do sometimes. You don't always play
:36:30. > :36:34.for just one red. You have to give yourself options. This time he's
:36:34. > :36:44.got no choice but to play for one red unless he goes into the pack.
:36:44. > :37:01.
:37:01. > :37:05.They will only play for the loose when you are down. Just a bit
:37:05. > :37:12.thinking about where the cue ball was going to finish, he forgot the
:37:12. > :37:16.pot. How many times do we see that? And what a result he'd had. What a
:37:16. > :37:21.result. Once you have missed it, you deserve to leave something on
:37:21. > :37:31.when you are going into the reds. He hasn't done that. That was a red
:37:31. > :37:31.
:37:31. > :38:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:38:13. > :38:17.trying to blow the ball in and have a fly away there. A nice easy
:38:17. > :38:25.contin Jennifer Aniston now because once he missed, as you say, Willie,
:38:25. > :38:35.he was very lucky not to leave anything. It cost him nothing. -- A
:38:35. > :38:38.nice easy contingency as you say, Willie, he was very lucky together
:38:38. > :38:44.to leave anything. It cost him nothing.
:38:44. > :38:53.The fact that the black is tied up won't really bother him. The little
:38:53. > :38:56.cluster of three, when he pots the one just above the black - so a
:38:56. > :39:03.good chance to win the frame with this visit.
:39:03. > :39:13.APPLAUSE Contact see a problem now. -- can't
:39:13. > :39:45.
:39:45. > :39:48.again. That is a very poor positional shot.
:39:48. > :39:54.APPLAUSE Locking for one more colour and a
:39:54. > :40:04.red. -- looking for one more colour and a red. Should have been better
:40:04. > :40:04.
:40:04. > :42:15.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:42:16. > :42:25.colour. Hmm. The frame is not over 67 points to lead, 667 on -- 67 on
:42:26. > :43:00.
:43:00. > :43:05.The desired kiss. Sure Dominic will remain - it comes
:43:05. > :43:15.to a stand. He has nodded at the referee. Matthew Stevens has
:43:15. > :43:23.
:43:23. > :43:33.levelled at 1-all. interval. So this is the third one
:43:33. > :43:43.that Dominic Dale gets under way. He's left the proverbial long red
:43:43. > :43:53.
:43:53. > :43:57.which he knocks in, bound to be on anything here. Maybe the one red
:43:57. > :44:07.behind the black. He might be able to get through to the one in the
:44:07. > :44:07.
:44:07. > :45:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:45:40. > :45:44.middle. It is a lot tougher, but it but how does he get it safe? He is
:45:44. > :45:49.looking to rest in the pack, but I can't see a position where he could
:45:49. > :45:53.rest in the pack but independent leave a ready on the side of the
:45:54. > :46:03.pack. Well, in that case it is the two cautions with pace. But you
:46:04. > :46:14.
:46:14. > :46:18.have got to catch this just right. It looks a natural shot, just
:46:18. > :46:27.passed the middle pocket on the left. There is a red beside the
:46:27. > :46:30.pink or the red just above the pink. Even if he managed to cast the
:46:30. > :46:36.pinks in, he would still get another chance because it would be
:46:36. > :46:45.called a miss. I think it is very dangerous. What was he trying to
:46:45. > :46:51.rest on that red just above the pink. Is he hard enough? He is.
:46:51. > :46:59.he? He's been hard enough to nestle on the red just above the pink, but
:46:59. > :47:02.not the one just below the pink. No hesitation from Matthew. He is
:47:02. > :47:12.probably just stretching his legs just to come around. There is no
:47:12. > :47:16.way he wasn't going to have that put back. There is a slight chance
:47:16. > :47:23.he could have had a look at the pack. Dominic has decided to play
:47:23. > :47:29.the same way. The thing is when you hit them a bit harder, the angle
:47:29. > :47:34.comes off wider. Let's see if he hits it off to the left this time.
:47:34. > :47:44.He's played it excellent this time. Well played. That's excellent,
:47:44. > :47:56.
:47:56. > :48:01.assume he is considering playing the thin cut and considering
:48:01. > :48:08.popping this red. If it was a safety he wouldn't give it this
:48:08. > :48:14.much care and attention. APPLAUSE
:48:14. > :48:24.He just Nicked it in. He didn't know how he was going to keep it
:48:24. > :48:53.
:48:53. > :48:58.safe escaping from the snooker and was. A choice of reds there. One
:48:58. > :49:01.either side of the black. If he is not hampered, but he must be with
:49:01. > :49:11.his body language, you would like to stun this in and pop the black
:49:11. > :49:11.
:49:11. > :50:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:50:13. > :50:23.in the same pocket, but that makes to get in the pack. He can hold
:50:23. > :50:38.
:50:38. > :50:42.he wants. He is very powerful Matthew. He doesn't want to hit the
:50:42. > :50:46.one directly above the black. He is one of those shots where he would
:50:46. > :50:50.like to ark the ball and go straight back into the pack. He
:50:50. > :50:54.doesn't want to go straight into them. That is what he has done, you
:50:54. > :50:58.see. It is fortunate to get one so easy, but that was a way of
:50:58. > :51:04.splitting them. You can end up finding your white on the back
:51:04. > :51:14.cushion behind the black, so he played that very well. You hope he
:51:14. > :51:14.
:51:14. > :52:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:52:21. > :52:26.there is one available in the middle of the pack there. Of course
:52:26. > :52:31.with the reds being split like that, if he does pot the red, he will be
:52:31. > :52:41.bringing other reds into play. There you can see the red is on,
:52:41. > :52:42.
:52:42. > :52:50.which is bound to bring at least the potting angle? The red just
:52:50. > :52:56.above the one we were thinking. He is not certain to be able to cover
:52:56. > :53:01.off that. Well, that wasn't the red that he wanted to be on. He was
:53:01. > :53:06.running into other reds. OK, he e's got a chance at this blue and
:53:06. > :53:10.there's not many better potters in the game than Matthew Stevens, but
:53:10. > :53:14.he's a bit of work to do with the cue ball. If this blue was
:53:14. > :53:24.straighter e, I don't think there would be a problem, but a little
:53:24. > :53:27.
:53:27. > :53:37.to the right, so he could screw back for that, but he's got to cue
:53:37. > :53:41.
:53:41. > :53:45.it well he did cue it well. you have eluded to that can get a
:53:45. > :53:52.lot of action on the cue ball without having to hit it hard. It
:53:52. > :54:02.is all about timing and delivering the cue and not accelerating when
:54:02. > :54:10.
:54:10. > :54:18.you put the cue through. It's like my chipping at golf. It's improved
:54:18. > :54:28.tremendously. It needed to, to be honest. Don't deaccelerate.
:54:28. > :54:30.
:54:30. > :54:36.It is more of a chip than a chup these days. That's how bad our
:54:36. > :54:41.tipping was. You should be getting the message. Trying to roll up
:54:41. > :54:45.behind the brown and finishing 4 inches short of it. That is how bad
:54:45. > :54:50.your chipping was. He's not guaranteed to be on the next red.
:54:50. > :54:57.He's going to have to play a distance again and, as John
:54:57. > :55:07.great Potters, so he's got a chance in this frame.
:55:07. > :55:07.
:55:07. > :56:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:56:07. > :56:11.front. He could play this with a bit of confidence. It would be a
:56:11. > :56:21.tricky black if he needed it. The fact he doesn't nobody it, makes it
:56:21. > :56:39.
:56:39. > :56:49.I wonder if Dominic will carry on. It is a big ask. Two snookers to
:56:49. > :56:50.
:56:50. > :57:00.tie. Probably two snookers - he could win with two snookers. Just a
:57:00. > :57:00.
:57:00. > :58:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:58:00. > :58:01.safety. Let's see if Dominic is cushion there, made it a little
:58:01. > :58:11.cushion there, made it a little easier for Dominique watch problem
:58:11. > :58:20.
:58:20. > :58:30.now. I do not think the blue has come to his rescue. Just enough
:58:30. > :58:30.
:58:30. > :59:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:59:26. > :59:30.Line9 There is a gap through the red. May even be able to get on a
:59:30. > :59:40.blue funnily enough. There is a little window through the red away
:59:40. > :59:46.
:59:46. > :59:56.from the black. There is a gap he can get through. He can't believe
:59:56. > :00:02.
:00:03. > :00:07.that. He is apologising to come Nick. Second prize! Unbelievable
:00:07. > :00:17.is just hard 20 work out how you can mist intended position by so
:00:17. > :00:53.
:00:53. > :01:03.can mist intended position by so Maybe he does play to go into the
:01:03. > :01:28.
:01:28. > :01:34.left corner pocket. Now it doesn't. Still not a bad chance. That is the
:01:34. > :01:39.red to get on, the one to the left. So if he can get on that impossible
:01:39. > :01:45.position. If he does, he will be able to release the black. If he is
:01:45. > :01:51.straight on the yellow, he may decide to play for that red. He has
:01:51. > :01:54.a lovely lazy cue action, has Matthew. Plenty of pace without the
:01:54. > :02:00.seemingly hitting ball too hard. Feel as though that was the time to
:02:00. > :02:05.play for the red, just above the black. Nicely on this one, needs a
:02:05. > :02:15.good angle on the blue though off this red. I don't think the pink is
:02:15. > :02:26.
:02:26. > :02:31.in play at the moment. And he can get the black into reply and think
:02:31. > :02:41.about winning frame at this visit. Is the red he has been looking for,
:02:41. > :02:49.
:02:49. > :02:59.the one just left of the black. There are things you can do on a
:02:59. > :03:06.
:03:06. > :03:10.table now that were not available on a table years ago Yeah, true. He
:03:10. > :03:14.wants to come down the right of the table, because those two reds are
:03:14. > :03:24.the left of the black. They are available. Just the line and length
:03:24. > :03:31.
:03:31. > :03:35.of this shot, well - it is a lovely line. And a pretty good length. Not
:03:35. > :03:39.inch-perfect. He ran maybe 2 inches too far. He may be able to push
:03:39. > :03:45.through the red and play the black if he and the the play it that way.
:03:45. > :03:55.Once again going for the blue. Hard work at the minute. He is ready to
:03:55. > :04:03.
:04:03. > :04:13.play plenty of distance all the time. Could come unstuck soon.
:04:13. > :04:23.he is almost through that by a good 2 feet. That is the problem, when
:04:23. > :04:23.
:04:23. > :04:28.the cue ball starts the travel distances it is not that easy to
:04:28. > :04:33.keep finding perfect position. This red may cut but with the cue ball
:04:33. > :04:36.running lose he may not be certain which colour he has to be on. The
:04:36. > :04:40.pot is difficult enough. Matthew always has a look at the potting
:04:40. > :04:50.angle, where he would like to hit the red he is playing with the tip
:04:50. > :04:55.
:04:55. > :05:00.of his cue to pot it. Good pot. He has an angle on the bounce because
:05:00. > :05:03.these reds are lined up on the top cushion. Maybe a snooker behind the
:05:03. > :05:07.green is the order of the day. It all depends on the angle he has on
:05:07. > :05:17.the brown but he will do well to do well on the next. He just has a
:05:17. > :05:25.
:05:25. > :05:30.slight angle. A big ask A difficult position trying to kiss the red and
:05:30. > :05:35.the pink and hopefully mature that red. But he leads by 47 with six of
:05:35. > :05:41.the red safe. I would be leaving that red next to the pink with 47
:05:41. > :05:51.in front. The thing about playing it safe, maybe he is thinking about
:05:51. > :05:51.
:05:51. > :08:50.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:08:50. > :08:53.Line9 Now a break from where the reds are. It is a free ball. In
:08:53. > :09:03.fairness Dominique should pot the yellow, the blue then go into the
:09:03. > :09:27.
:09:27. > :09:32.red. Is what they should be playing. Get back into the frame. If
:09:32. > :09:39.Dominique is not feeling well I can forgive him for that but that is
:09:39. > :09:49.just elementary to pot the yellow blue then the ball. - the blue. Is
:09:49. > :10:06.
:10:07. > :10:11.what he has to do there. He has left this red, I think the one
:10:11. > :10:21.above the black for Dominique. Of course he can judge the screw round
:10:21. > :10:55.
:10:55. > :11:05.the two cushions off the black to the same pocket. Line9 Line9 These
:11:05. > :11:31.
:11:31. > :11:41.Reds are very congested. With no Assume the red does not to go the
:11:41. > :11:43.
:11:43. > :11:53.right corner. A little unlucky that, to be honest. It does not look as
:11:53. > :12:10.
:12:10. > :12:15.if it is easiest of safety shots, either. Line9 Trying to get the
:12:15. > :12:25.brown, maybe he can not avoid the kiss if the black if it is going to
:12:25. > :12:54.
:12:54. > :13:00.way. Line9 The fact he was not on the red and the fact he could not
:13:00. > :13:10.play a telling in safety. He said that he left the red near the
:13:10. > :13:18.
:13:18. > :13:28.corner so Lynn courage Matthew to touch the ball maybe. The referee
:13:28. > :13:52.
:13:52. > :13:56.always call as touching ball. Very touchy this sort of shot, isn't it?
:13:56. > :14:01.There is a chance he flicks off this red, can he get in behind the
:14:01. > :14:11.brown? Looks as though he possibly could. I know he is worried about
:14:11. > :14:12.
:14:12. > :14:16.this red near the right corner, but... You have to be careful of a
:14:17. > :14:26.push here, surely. A push is when the tip of the cue hits the cue
:14:27. > :14:40.
:14:40. > :14:48.ball and the object ball simultaneously. He does not fancy
:14:48. > :14:58.the thin off the red ball. Just a little top here. He fancies this
:14:58. > :14:59.
:14:59. > :15:09.one even less. More than this one than the one on the left. Back did
:15:09. > :15:09.
:15:09. > :15:55.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:15:55. > :15:59.the thin one trying to get in He wants to hit this as thin as he
:15:59. > :16:02.possibly can. There is a strange swerve try to pot the red but there
:16:02. > :16:10.is one left next to the black then it is possible. Trying to get the
:16:10. > :16:20.white where it is again now. Far too thick if he pushes one over the
:16:20. > :16:20.
:16:20. > :16:30.middle. 23 points in front is Matthew, so this is half a chance
:16:30. > :16:30.
:16:30. > :17:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:17:28. > :17:31.for Dominique to get back into the frame. (APPLAUSE) You can see the
:17:31. > :17:37.disappointment in his body language there. Is how important it is to
:17:37. > :17:41.get top of the blue. If he plays it in and out he will do well to leave
:17:41. > :17:51.the kiss on the brown. He may need inform run through the blue an
:17:51. > :17:54.
:17:54. > :17:59.leave a long red. He has missed the brown. Hasn't missed the yellow
:17:59. > :18:02.though, unlucky. Unlucky, he hit that really good. I cannot believe
:18:02. > :18:12.in fairness once you have gone around that angle how you can kiss
:18:12. > :18:32.
:18:32. > :18:38.the yellow. That's unlucky. If you had said that and he got near the
:18:38. > :18:48.jaws of the pocket the red would not have come down the table with
:18:48. > :18:50.
:18:50. > :18:54.the cue ball so Matthew now nine points the lead. This is a thin cut,
:18:54. > :19:04.I think it is on. Of course the 2- all could resonate the top cushion,
:19:04. > :19:04.
:19:04. > :20:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:20:46. > :20:56.but that is not going to make life any easier. Half a chance here for
:20:56. > :20:56.
:20:56. > :22:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:22:02. > :22:07.Dominique. 10 points behind as he comes to the table. Nrgs Not the
:22:08. > :22:17.best positioned shot. I know the would, you
:22:18. > :22:37.
:22:37. > :22:46.would think the blue, but, um, a no-give me, this. You would not
:22:46. > :22:56.want to play it for too much pace. the opposite middle. Just under the
:22:56. > :23:07.
:23:07. > :23:11.cross, so I assume this red passes the brown. Just enough. A good
:23:11. > :23:15.clean pot and if it bounces enough it will be perfect on the black.
:23:15. > :23:25.This black will put him 24 points in front, so just the yellow
:23:25. > :23:36.
:23:36. > :23:41.required. Not the best shot that. He played to the side and did not
:23:42. > :23:46.get any on. If he gets the side on he gets to slide to that black
:23:47. > :23:51.cushion and gets a half-ball yellow. So I do not think he is looking at
:23:51. > :23:55.the saidy angle but looking at the safety shot. Yes, I'm a bit
:23:55. > :23:58.surprised he thought to come off the cushion. He looked to be at an
:23:58. > :24:06.angle where he could have come straight up the table with the
:24:06. > :24:16.yellow. He only needs the yellow, but he is having to be patient.
:24:16. > :24:34.
:24:34. > :24:42.Matthew Stevens forces his way through. A better chance.
:24:42. > :24:52.(APPLAUSE) Well, it never rains but it pours, doesn't it? So that four-
:24:52. > :25:02.
:25:02. > :25:12.point penalty means that he needed the snooker anyway but barring
:25:12. > :25:12.
:25:12. > :26:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:26:06. > :26:16.pot. At least it stopped short of that fault line. Slow down, George!
:26:16. > :26:54.
:26:54. > :26:58.that fault line. Slow down, George! He is OK. (APPLAUSE) I would assume
:26:58. > :27:06.that this black would go back on its own spot. Dominique would
:27:06. > :27:16.certainly look it to. Just a little bit on had hit there it is not
:27:16. > :27:17.
:27:17. > :27:20.going to go on its own spot. I think he thought it may have had to
:27:21. > :27:30.go as close to his own spot as it could. He did not think the pink
:27:31. > :27:31.
:27:31. > :28:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:28:19. > :28:23.spot was available. (APPLAUSE) Being the wrong side of the blue
:28:23. > :28:26.and of course the next intended is the red.. I would say he could just
:28:26. > :28:36.about reach it and he has a full stretch. He has the yellow in his
:28:36. > :28:43.
:28:43. > :28:46.way. Be careful he does not get close to it. Good pot. And if he
:28:46. > :28:56.plays the canyon, certainly the black he would like to bring into
:28:56. > :29:00.
:29:00. > :29:05.play. He is lucky really. In respect he did not bring too many
:29:05. > :29:15.reds into play. But he can play for the black. Was not as bad as I
:29:15. > :29:39.
:29:39. > :29:43.thought! Nice from Dominique. I think this red will pass the other
:29:43. > :29:47.led. You can certainly see the right-hand draw and if he plays it
:29:47. > :29:51.slow he should be able to pot it. If he leaves an angle on the black
:29:51. > :30:01.he will have to get into them an has the frame at his mercy. He
:30:01. > :30:12.
:30:12. > :30:22.needs to win this frame. That's amazing. I like you thought that
:30:22. > :30:23.
:30:23. > :30:27.red had went but he decided to play the plant. Mmmm. Strange choice of
:30:27. > :30:37.shot from Dominique there, but when you hit the table you see it
:30:37. > :31:09.
:31:09. > :31:13.completely different than we do in the commentary box. He does not
:31:13. > :31:23.necessarily have to go low into this black. He just needs to get
:31:23. > :31:38.
:31:38. > :31:42.the reds into this play. He came to the table 36 point behind. It
:31:42. > :31:45.appears to be the last lose red he is playing now, so it is essential
:31:46. > :31:49.to get the angle this time otherwise he will be kicking
:31:49. > :31:59.himself he did not go into them last time. He has the angle so it
:31:59. > :32:18.
:32:18. > :32:23.is OK. He needs to catch them fuller now. Has he been lucky? The
:32:23. > :32:30.red has gone into the middle. Can he get past the yellow, to play the
:32:30. > :32:40.pot? No. Looks as though it was a poor canyon he played, and he did
:32:40. > :32:40.
:32:40. > :34:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:34:19. > :34:23.24, Matthew Stevens. I'm just looking at the potting angle, but
:34:23. > :34:28.surely he is not looking at playing pot on, just playing a little
:34:28. > :34:33.snooker. But I don't think he has hit it hard enough. It just cuts in,
:34:33. > :34:43.but is unlikely he will play it because he cannot avoid a canyon on
:34:43. > :35:00.
:35:00. > :35:04.the blue. Just a bit short of the pace here. This is a chance for
:35:04. > :35:14.Dominique. He is getting to that stage he needs to be taking all
:35:14. > :35:16.
:35:16. > :35:21.these half chances. Another one missed. This match is beginning to
:35:21. > :35:28.slip away from him. I know he is not 100% health-wise, but he has to
:35:28. > :35:38.dig in here. He will be just ruined now the fact that he has given up a
:35:38. > :35:44.
:35:44. > :35:54.good chance to clinch that frame. That was a pretty good shot but as
:35:54. > :35:54.
:35:54. > :36:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 66 seconds
:36:43. > :36:46.you can see he has hit too close to the black. The only thing is
:36:46. > :36:51.because of the difficulty of the pot he did not really have much
:36:51. > :36:55.control over the cue ball. He has left himself tight against the side
:36:55. > :37:00.cushion. Now a lot will depend on the potting angle of this red. Is
:37:00. > :37:06.it just at straightforward pot and you get this position, if he has to
:37:06. > :37:10.do something with the cue ball then it is very difficult. Can he run
:37:10. > :37:16.past the black for the black in the opposite corner? He struck that
:37:16. > :37:26.beautifully, and he could. He had the natural angle so could not have
:37:26. > :37:29.
:37:29. > :37:33.played it better. That black now puts him four points in the lead
:37:33. > :37:43.the red is left on the table with colours and would be enough to give
:37:43. > :37:44.
:37:44. > :37:49.him this frame. Just a little bit lower than he would have liked but
:37:49. > :37:59.he still has the canyon on the red and if he can bring all three into
:37:59. > :38:03.
:38:03. > :38:13.play... Did not play that very well. Just lost the cue ball a little bit.
:38:13. > :38:45.
:38:45. > :38:50.Considering he was so close he played that beautifully. A good,
:38:50. > :38:54.clean shot. Kept control of the cue ball. Brown now puts him 17 point
:38:54. > :39:00.in front, but he is a bit short of pace. In fact, it was not so much
:39:00. > :39:09.the pace. He just went into the brown too much. Came too down if
:39:09. > :39:16.middle, if you like. He has been canonning the red but not certain
:39:16. > :39:20.of his position. Helps. Has had a few little kisses today that have
:39:20. > :39:24.worked for him. He played a shot early on when he played to get on
:39:24. > :39:27.the blue and all of a sudden everything kissed and I was on the
:39:27. > :39:30.black Yeah, that one looked as if he would have to play a very
:39:30. > :39:34.difficult pink down the side cushion. The second red has come up
:39:34. > :39:42.and a nudged him so he is on the blue. I think he can roll the blue
:39:42. > :39:47.in, because he is on the last red. It will be a thin cut and he will
:39:47. > :39:57.not be certain where the cue ball is going. He has a 23- point lead
:39:57. > :40:14.
:40:14. > :40:24.and just needs this red. And a red. If he pots the brown, he will
:40:24. > :40:27.
:40:27. > :40:32.be 28 point in front and it will be snooker required. When the balls
:40:32. > :40:37.run nice, doesn't this game look easy? Yes, I think he has been the
:40:37. > :40:41.dominant player regardless of hat colour ball he has had. But he has
:40:41. > :40:46.had two pieces of outrageous good fortune to keep the rates going but
:40:46. > :40:56.Dominique is OK. We know he is ill but he has had not too much chances
:40:56. > :41:11.
:41:11. > :41:14.today, to be honest. He has been outplayed so far. Two very, very
:41:14. > :41:19.nice breaks. 36 point behind but came to the table with 36 behind
:41:19. > :41:29.and clears at 67 and Matthew Stevens goes one away from victory.
:41:29. > :41:32.
:41:32. > :41:36.Dominic Dale as to win the remaining five frames. It will be a
:41:36. > :41:46.tough order when you are feeling well. When you are not feeling too
:41:46. > :42:13.
:42:13. > :42:20.well, even tougher. Well, believe me you cannot cue a ball better
:42:20. > :42:30.than that. Right in the heart of the pocket. Look at the reaction he
:42:30. > :42:31.
:42:31. > :42:34.got on the cue ball. A super shot. They do not hit them any sweeter
:42:34. > :42:42.than that. They talk about Robertson. It was definitely the
:42:42. > :42:47.given him a chapbs now to take frame and match. Open the red at
:42:47. > :42:50.the top will be ready to pot so he will be getting on as soon as
:42:50. > :43:00.possible. If the black pots he may be able to get on the red in the
:43:00. > :43:17.
:43:17. > :43:23.middle. One of the reds he spotted to the left of the black has become
:43:23. > :43:27.available. Just in case he played it further up the table. But - yeah,
:43:27. > :43:31.there is plenty of room for the red, plenty of room. He would have wired
:43:31. > :43:41.he had been a bit straighter on it now. Wishes the position he is in
:43:41. > :43:44.
:43:44. > :43:52.now in potting, he might just canyon the black. A change of heart.
:43:52. > :43:57.He tried to play for two reds. In that case it was not necessary. And
:43:57. > :44:07.you would not expect him to miss this blue, though. I don't know
:44:07. > :44:11.
:44:11. > :44:14.what that noise was. Someone stood on a cat's tail! Another excellent
:44:14. > :44:23.shot from Matthew which has given him a chance now for frame and
:44:23. > :44:28.match. There are still two or three lose reds. We said about his cue
:44:28. > :44:37.pad, he has that lazy sort of style, but he can generate so much without
:44:37. > :44:45.even the seemingly hitting ball too hard. Not many players can do that.
:44:45. > :44:50.are talking about. His white went into the back and spun again. Looks
:44:50. > :45:00.like he is in between, not nice on anything. Yes, but went into it
:45:00. > :45:04.
:45:04. > :45:09.then the back spin took over and he went again. None of them are nice.
:45:09. > :45:19.He has made a century break I think left-handed. It looks like we might
:45:19. > :45:34.
:45:34. > :45:37.see a left-handed shot here t first of the match. (APPLAUSE) If I run
:45:37. > :45:42.out of opposition that many times - I think it was a good pot but the
:45:42. > :45:52.pace of it, he has overrun it, so it might just be a little trickle
:45:52. > :45:59.
:45:59. > :46:09.Dominique is looking at his chair now and is definitely feeling not
:46:09. > :46:27.
:46:27. > :46:37.so well. It took him an age to get wish Matthew Stevens to have won
:46:37. > :46:43.
:46:43. > :46:47.the frame at that visit. As you say, he now lives in Berlin, so he has
:46:47. > :46:57.got the journey home to contend with. Is not a good thing when you
:46:57. > :46:58.
:46:58. > :47:08.are not 100%. He is trying to come round here and nestle into the side
:47:08. > :47:08.
:47:09. > :47:15.of the red. This is the more difficult way to play it. He missed
:47:15. > :47:25.the pink. Now it is done, but he found the gap. Which has left the
:47:25. > :47:42.
:47:42. > :47:52.red on for Matthew. Nothing going That could have been a helpful
:47:52. > :47:52.
:47:52. > :47:58.little bump off the middle pocket. When you play a thin pot you always
:47:58. > :48:08.are likely to lose control of the cue ball. This Mew goes to the left
:48:08. > :48:09.
:48:09. > :48:14.corner though. So I could are you could expect him to miss it. He
:48:14. > :48:18.would have liked to to have played it better than that because he left
:48:18. > :48:22.himself hampered. He just needed to stun across a little bit more. But
:48:22. > :48:28.if you just watch - he just flicked the red and that is what has left
:48:28. > :48:33.him hampered. In easy pot now, also it is the red he is closest to.. I
:48:33. > :48:38.think that is the one he is going to take, John, to put the ex-
:48:38. > :48:41.tension on. This will be a tough shot for the rest because you would
:48:41. > :48:46.be trying to put the rest out of the way so it would be a lot easier
:48:46. > :48:51.to put that long extension onto play this It is there, I think.
:48:51. > :48:56.Only just. (APPLAUSE) The wrong side of the blue. It always looked
:48:56. > :49:00.like it was going in and it just seem to go to the right-hand tab.
:49:00. > :49:03.We know there are two reds on the left-hand side of the pot. It looks
:49:03. > :49:13.like he will just leave the long shot. I know these reds are
:49:13. > :49:28.
:49:28. > :49:31.I would much rather see a player do that rather than risk being
:49:32. > :49:37.alongside the blue, get on the side of over-screwing so if you are not
:49:37. > :49:47.on the blue nicely, you have ball colour. If that is the case he will
:49:47. > :50:06.
:50:06. > :50:10.finish as a resultly pinpoint perfect. I was thinking that
:50:10. > :50:14.Matthew might go onto win the frame if he gives Dominique half a chance.
:50:14. > :50:24.I did not expect him to miss this one. 42 point in front. He needs a
:50:24. > :50:31.
:50:31. > :50:36.lot more. I think he is now struggling. Yes, I think he has not
:50:36. > :50:41.conceded in his mind but he just knows that he is at the point where
:50:41. > :50:46.he cannot - I mean, if he was to win this match, he would have to
:50:46. > :50:50.win the next five frames and I do not think he has that in him at the
:50:50. > :50:59.moment, the way he is feelinging, and of course the way Matthew
:50:59. > :51:05.Stevens has been playing. But he has done well. He has turned up.
:51:05. > :51:15.There was definitely a case of him not doing so. He went to the
:51:15. > :51:54.
:51:55. > :52:01.hospital this morning and I think Shoots that to perfection. That red
:52:01. > :52:05.going in, he is now 57 points in the lead, but there is still 59
:52:05. > :52:11.remaining. He still needs the colour and he is not on it
:52:11. > :52:18.perfectly. Just got a heavy contact off the first red which stopped the
:52:18. > :52:23.pace of it as it was running off the next red. So it may be
:52:23. > :52:27.worthwhile playing the cut on the black. If he pots the black, he is
:52:27. > :52:31.64 points in front with 59 remaining. Well, he can play it as
:52:31. > :52:36.a shot for nothing, can't he, John? He can get the gap an go wide up
:52:36. > :52:46.the gene somewhere, so he does not have to play position. It is
:52:46. > :52:50.
:52:50. > :52:53.definitely worth the risk. He can leave the white on the ball cushion.
:52:53. > :53:03.There is one thing fort certain, there are not too many players who
:53:03. > :53:05.
:53:05. > :53:13.would refuse it. Dominique sat there, a sad figure in a way, not
:53:13. > :53:23.being as well as he is. In the end he decided not to but the black is
:53:23. > :53:26.
:53:26. > :53:29.safe. It is a tough school this isn't it? No sympathy here. I have
:53:29. > :53:34.to say I'm a little shocked. It will probably end up being the
:53:34. > :53:38.right thing to do, but if he played the clip on the black, it wrote
:53:38. > :53:43.have naturally gone through the white and the two reds and left the
:53:43. > :53:53.white on the cushion. Dominique can still win now if he goes onto pot
:53:53. > :53:55.
:53:55. > :53:59.the black. Where is the cue balancing go? Very close. A big ask
:53:59. > :54:07.though as you say if Dominique did get a chance where the black is, he
:54:07. > :54:11.is going to need - well, all blacks. That was a good result the other
:54:11. > :54:21.day, wasn't it - England beating the All Blacks? Didn't see that one
:54:21. > :54:29.
:54:29. > :54:39.coming. Well done England! I wonder where Dominique will play the deep
:54:39. > :54:44.
:54:44. > :54:48.screw here? Very clever shot. Absolutely. Now Matthew wishes he
:54:48. > :54:54.would have taken the clip there! Yes, 5-1 in front and just needing
:54:54. > :54:57.one ball. I mean if he did not play the black, I mean funnily enough
:54:57. > :55:01.going back to that situation given every chance he could have played
:55:01. > :55:06.the blue, the way he potted that. You know, with a little safety,
:55:06. > :55:16.but... I was his choice, but he will do well to get this safe. May
:55:16. > :55:19.
:55:19. > :55:23.even have to take the pot on here. He has done well to get that save.
:55:23. > :55:26.Is a excellent shot. The one thing about the Welsh players, it is a
:55:26. > :55:32.hotbed of snooker of course. I'm not saying Matthew is from South
:55:32. > :55:36.Wales, he is from Mid Wales, but they are the hotbed of snooker.
:55:36. > :55:41.They know their way around the snooker table, don't they Will many
:55:41. > :55:45.was one of the all-time greats. meant on the safety margin they are
:55:45. > :55:49.obviously Moree nouned for being one of the best mothers but he is
:55:49. > :55:59.one of the best safety players in the world, make no mistake.
:55:59. > :56:09.
:56:10. > :56:15.Dominique of course, Welsh. Great singer. Yes, he likes to do the Roy
:56:15. > :56:25.Orbison, try him with the high notes! He goes into his play-on
:56:25. > :56:38.
:56:38. > :56:41.music is Pavarotti song, isn't it? He has a good snooker brain,
:56:41. > :56:45.Matthew. As we said during the match, he has everything it takes.
:56:45. > :56:49.I would not say an under-achiever. He has been to the final of the
:56:49. > :56:55.world championship twice. He has won this UK title once. (APPLAUSE)
:56:55. > :56:59.Well, that is unlucky. How can that happen? What a tremendous pot. He
:56:59. > :57:05.desperately needed to be on the black or the pink. He is on neither.
:57:05. > :57:13.Just look at Matthew's face. He just nodded his head thinking it
:57:13. > :57:17.could happen. Let's have a look at it again. How did it happen?
:57:17. > :57:21.Thumbs-up. I think it is the old thumbs-down as far as this match is
:57:21. > :57:31.concerned, I think, Dominique, I'm afraid. Even if you bolted the blue.
:57:31. > :57:32.
:57:33. > :57:36.If he pots the black one he can get to the blue Maybe he can. Can he
:57:36. > :57:46.see enough of this blue to pot tonight if he does, he can still
:57:46. > :57:48.
:57:48. > :57:53.tie. He had to play the cut in the middle, and I would suggest that he
:57:53. > :58:03.is very near a handshake now because snooker is required. How
:58:03. > :58:08.
:58:08. > :58:13.unlucky was he there? He will be pretty pleased to be out of it. He
:58:13. > :58:18.has done very well to turn up. Let's make no mistake. In fairness
:58:18. > :58:24.he would have had to beat Matthew today the way he has played. In the
:58:24. > :58:29.last two frames Dominique has not really competed. One of the game
:58:29. > :58:33.ease great faces. He is a lovely lad but he has lost this match
:58:33. > :58:40.convincingly by six frames to one and it is Matthew Stevens who goes
:58:40. > :58:43.into the next round. Matthew Stevens goes through against an
:58:44. > :58:48.under the weather Dominic Dale. We will be back at 1 o'clock at the