Second Round: Part 1 UK Snooker Championship Extra

Hello again from a busy player's lounge.

We have already had a couple of shots this week when Neil Robinson

was booted out by Lines. The world number four, John Higgins fear, as

enjoyed a fantastic November. He really is flying at the moment. Good

24-year-old Noppon Saengkham bring back? This guy has achieved

something great this week. He beat Candie D6-

It will be interesting to see if this red just above the black wool

pot into the left-hand side pocket. He is coming around to have a look.

It clearly does go, so -- It clearly does go,

so that will certainly He will be trying to get down to the

black as soon as possible. He will not be able to on this occasion.

At least three open roads around the black. And the pink...

Sometimes when you make a poor break at the table, you leave your

opponent with a chance to leave the frame in good succession. He still

has a bit of work to do. Yes, you cannot drop your concentration for a

second. So if John decides to play the low, it is all about line and

length. It is all about line, but a little bit hard.

-- So if John decides to play the yellow,

Played that nicely. I was wondering if he was going to go into the reds.

Perfect on the pink. But decided not to play the canon. It is imperative

that he pots this red -- to pot this red that he gets a good angle on the

bike. Because this is the last of the open reds.

He is low, but can he generate enough backspin with the amount of

pace he needs to bring the reds into play?

Straight here for the pink as well, I think. Would have loved that

little bit more of an angle, again. Straighter than he would have liked,

so he does not have the proper angle to go into the pack, here. There are

you think he would leave yourself a half or green, here, or a half all

yellow. Pods the yellow and come off the side cushion. It is a little bit

straighter than he would have liked. He has got to bring other Reds into

-- He has got to bring other reds into play, now.

And that is not going to do it. By the look on Jon's face, you can

always tell what mannerisms they have and what it means.

He is trying to get this in behind the green, I think, but has he

missed you? -- miscued. He has put its hand in it and

apologise. That was not the intention. But he will settle for

it. -- apologised. That was a surprise. It hasn't

settled just yet, it John Higgins. -- he has not. We haven't seen any

of those misses from John Higgins in the last little while.

I don't think there is a red available, but he has the perfect

angle. He wants to come off that top cushion straight into the that

cluster. Don't miss the black, though, it never take your eyes off

the pot. It was half a chance, but he has gone begging. -- and never

take. That was a much better shot than it

looked. Perfect position for John Higgins.

Certainly a frame when, right there. 43, black will be 50. One more red

after this black. You could say he has had a little

bit of a let off. The young man did not take his chance when he had it.

Surely this is the second frame sewn up.

He won't be bothered about missing the red. Noppon Saengkham has

conceded that. Not one site So John Higgins gets thrown away.

These matches best of 11. Used to be Best of 17 in the championships, but

now they are best of 11. The thing is with best 11, if you have a bad

session, or you can be out. In 17, it you could have a bad session and

still have a chance of coming back. Now it takes six to win.

This is the Barbican Centre from the back of the hall. A wonderful view.

I believe the final has already sold out. That has always been popular

here in York. Good to see so many people in here today, as well. A

really great crowd for the afternoon.

Perfect Snuka weather. There is a chill in the air. You would rather

be in doors than outdoors. -- snooker weather. I'm a little bit

mystified by the pace of the table at the

-- it is not a dangerous shot. Play for the black. Started as a 70. --

certainty. He has played the same shot again.

Has he got at this time? He has played exactly the same shot with

the previous black. You would think that he would learn his lesson.

And no plant this two countries rescue. Suggest a safety. -- and no

plant this time to come to his rescue. Just the safety.

Straightforward, hard back up towards the yellow.

He could find himself in a little bit of trouble if this cue ball

moves a little bit more. He looks a little perturbed at the moment, John

Higgins. Obviously can't get through to the

yellow from here, so I can't see a way back. He has got to catch this

just right. Don't want to hit this too hard. It's in the pink. Those

that leave a nice easy starter for John Higgins? I think it does. When

you see a gift... -- that was a nicely controlled

strike. This is the last of the open reds. He may not have too play into

the pack, here. -- to play. Either of those two reds, directly above

the cue ball, as we look now. He just had a quick look to see how

both of them pot. All the while building a nice

healthy lead in this frame. 75 still on the table, so he needs one more

red. He will need the black, first. It is incredible, we have seen a lot

of balls miss judged in a way we have not seen the last couple of

weeks. -- misjudge. Some screenshots are being played.

-- strange shots. The red closest to the cue ball will go to the far left

corner. I do not know why he is not go to play the pot, here. If you

went straight to the question, he would be on the black, but if he

trickles off and tries to play safe, he could leave a red to his right

corner. Or is he paying it to the far right corner than? He must be.

So close! But the only thing with playing it that way is that if you

miss it, you leave one. I could not believe he did not get

the cue ball tighter to the top cushion.

Once again, a little bit disappointing. He is still looking

for a another red. Once he pops, Potts

-- starting to go for the blue. That is the case along as he does not

come to straight. I think he just has the angle to go to the red along

the long question. Back to tie up this frame. We will see that. 66, it

67 with the black over the corner. He has everything worked out, here.

So this red goes 67 ahead, 67 remaining. As SA, the black is a

formality. -- as I say. 74 points the lead, 67

remaining. In four frames, there will be in. -- and interval.

I have never seen as many plants! It is like Gardeners World!

John Higgins will be concentrating, here, because he is just not found

his place in the table, yet. OK, he will have a 2-1 advantage, but this

is a chance to... And he misses the black, so that is it. That was a bit

more like it. But still got the odd missing them. And John Higgins now

leads by two frames to wine. -- two frames to one. Last session before

the interval. Tao, a short his compatriot would

have given him some voice. --I am sure his compatriot.

What a wonderful player he was from Thailand, and still is, of course.

The most successful player from Thailand. Still practices at the

academy. James Wattana. And to a lesser degree Stephen Hendry from

Scotland. Even said this is how you can do it, guys, you put in the hard

work, practice. James Wattana, of course, was a

fantastic player, I wonder how much he would have passed on some of that

experience. That is not bad! I thought the red

was going to go in but the red and black are now a plant. You hit the

red to the left of the blackspot, at some point or other, and hit the

black and not the red in. And the black will be over the hole,

waiting. It could have all gone wrong and it

has gone all right. You would love the pink to go to the

right, that would be a bonus. It looks a bit tight. Maybe half a

pocket. There is half a pocket but he has decided to play the black

now. The more pace you pay -- play this shot, the more chance you have

of missing it. I think the red to the left of the blackspot will putt

into the bottom right-hand corner pocket. Maybe try to get on that.

Nicely played. Some nice shots with the reds so far this match. I was

going to say that. He has not had much to go worn but four from four

and played some pressure balls. -- not had much to go on.

A couple of times during this match when he has had these opportunities

in and around the black. These are the chances you hoped for but a

couple of times he has missed the black. Got to make the most of this.

As Ken alluded to, this is a brig -- big frame for him. Two adrift, two

apiece and will keep the pressure on John Higgins.

May have got a little strain on the black but still three or four reds

to go on. He is looking to the one on the right. An angle to come

around, two cushions and put the ball in the middle of the table

somewhere. You have read either left or right centre. Tried to get on the

red closest to the ball, tried to force the angle.

You would think big yellow, got to get the right line. You would think

the red adjacent to the pink, you have got to judge the gap between

the red and the blue. Couldn't have played it any better, good shot.

He needs an angle on this black. Has he got the angle? Perfect angle. You

have got to hit it at the centre and cue get smooth. Should have played

that off two cushions but it only just reached the second cushions so

that tells me he didn't hit it as sweet as he might have and that is

not good. If he is straight on the red, fine but to concede off

straight he will run into the black. The last shot was the poor

positional one. He just managed to hit the black and

it is in a good position. He has got to make certain he pots the black.

Cannot afford to miss this one. Played it well. If he is not on one

that is very unlucky. Has he got one to the right middle? If he is not on

anything he is very unlucky. He couldn't have played it much better.

Plenty of pace as well, didn't he? Could easily have been one of these

reds right or left centre. He has got to be careful with the cue ball.

Playing a delicate little shocked. John Higgins got the cue ball to the

ball carrier. He would love to take the red to the left-hand cushion and

bring it to open play. OK, a little bit short of pace. He

is going to try to nurse his lead but should he give John Higgins a

chance, every read in an potable position. The three rents across the

black and try to get the cue ball across the black but he is not going

to play that shot. That looks pretty good. I agree, I don't think he

could play it any better, really. Higgins not leaving an opportunity

to win the frame. He tried to finds the bottom

cushion. He has knocked the red to the far left corner. He has got this

red to the middle and if he can play that and covered red to the pink you

would play it. If you cannot, maybe it is too risky.

It was too risky. I don't blame him for not taking it but he had to get

the snooker and right behind the line of the shot, just about covered

the potting angle. Just wondering, can he put a bit of

right-hand side to create a bit of an angle to try to pot this. Tried

to. Just about enough cover. The chance to go into the midsession

interval at two apiece with the world number four.

It is all about the pace. Doesn't want to shoot it too hard and not

tried to get the black. Maybe a blue. Keeps his options open. He has

been very fortunate. How lucky was that? If he doesn't catch the bumpy

would be tight against the side and any colour would be difficult. After

this blue, another couple of reds and colours would be sufficient to

take the frame. Straight on the blue. Still got the

red that separated to the right of the Peach. Just looking for the blue

and one more red, which will help the situation. Horrendous kick ex-

commission mark you heard it and the cue ball hardly moved, I'm lucky. So

he has got this red. Under pressure but he is using the red. So far he

is 100% success. A few pressure balls with the rest so far and he is

going to need another one. 67 on, 65 ahead. Very good shot. Excellent.

Under the circumstances. And particularly after you had a bad

kick. That to ball looked like it got stuck in some mud. When that

happens you can be very frustrated. He will certainly win the frame now.

He has held himself together very, very well.

Nice shot. I sure his cup of tea will taste a little sweeter.

It is good stuff. He has fed off John's mistakes but his solid and

looks capable, very capable when he gets in. -- and he is solid. He

disgruntled figure a little bit in these first few frames, John

Higgins. He is struggling a bit with the pace of the table. The good

thing is, it is interval time coming up, a time to regroup and it is the

first of six and plenty of time for the players to play to the best of

their ability at the moment. Knocking some nice balls in and it

will give him a bit of confidence in the second half of the match.

He has missed the blue but John Higgins says enough and gets his

second frame on the board and levels the match at two frames.

More or less forced into playing that. Obviously the black was

available. It makes me wonder, I sure there is a pot on here in

regards to getting on the colour, I don't think it is a straightforward

pot. It seems to be the one below the black he is looking out for a

little further up. Can he forced the two ball in? Don't take your eyes

off the pot. Want him to play with a bit more pace than that, young man.

Not the pot but position. He has played a bit tentatively. Got to

push the cue ball. Four, five inches would be nice, the black or the pink

into the middle. Definitely the worst possible scenario is being

short. He has been very good with the rest but we will see what he is

like with the spider. Surely he cannot take the black on. He is

looking at the potting angle. This is as tough as it can get.

Five out of five with the rest. Too difficult. Has he got away with it?

On first glance it is not too bad because he cue ball is close to the

left-hand side cushion but John has a bread to the centre here. -- has a

red. If he misses it he will be leaving a red, a bit of pressure on

this. Will you keep still please. Excuse me? Just a bit of movement.

This is a big shot, as you say, he has got to cue this nice, beyond the

pink if it goes in. Did not play it as confidently as I would have

expected. I thought he might have fully committed to that, hedged his

bets, somewhat. Went for ball colour as opposed to just dropping it in.

Taking the pink into the bottom left hand pocket he has left it to the

corner pocket. The black is waiting for the opposite corner. It needs

good two. To eat nicely. -- he cued it nicely.

Nicely controlled as well off two cushions, read to the left corner

pocket. Must leave himself a nice angle on the black. If you can try

and leave somewhere, he cue ball, leave it exactly where the red is.

Nice angle on the black, that is perfect. A couple of reds. The two

reds below the pink if he wishes. Red into the right corner. Let's see

what he chooses here. Again, nice angle. He is coming to

look at those two reds above the black to the left. Into the

left-hand corner pocket. Played it nicely. Slightly hampered.

I don't know whether he can just roll it through and get position on

the black. Looks like he will run into the second red so he has to be

a bit careful. Played it well. Decent chance, this. There are a few

reds covering each other but if he can keep control of the cue ball,

this is a chance to build up a useful lead here.

It is one of those situations. You take one red and another opens up.

The red on the pink spot looks like it pots to the right centre as well

as the bottom left-hand corner pocket. He is thinking a few shots

ahead, looking to the red to the right of the pink, to the right-hand

corner pocket. He has got plenty of options. Going to make sure he has a

nice angle on the black, the pink when putting this red. Clement it

looks like he played for the pink but he has over screwed that

slightly, he needed to be straight on the pink. He has still got the

black as a second option. I am surprised he didn't play for

the black. This red goes to the bottom, two

close together to the bottom left-hand corner pocket and then the

other will be open to the right-hand corner pocket so it is unravelling

nicely here. He has got a nice angle on the pink

but there is no need to go into these reds. Whenever you play a

Canon you trust a little bit to luck so if you can avoid the cannon that

is the better option. He tried to avoid the cannon and didn't! And now

he has got a very tough shot along the top cushion.

That was a wonderful shot, got it in beautifully. Not a tricky enough

black but 56 is the difference, he will need a black or 63, he will

need a red and colour. He is not daunted by the fact that

he is playing John Higgins. Just what he was looking for after the

interval. And that's yet. That is frame ball. -- that is it. Just 67

remaining, 71 the lead. Noel Rhoys Wiggins red, I would suggest. If he

drops it in, John Higgins will not bother playing for snookers. He's

landed in any way. He has taken it well, very well. The look has come

across John Higgins' face. His opponent has settled down. He will

have two mind his work. He has a bit of a kick there. It doesn't really

matter. He is not at the peak. But he certainly has each as put the

blue in the pocket. It would be nice to him to make his century. Hoping

this blue goes in, of course. Shot. Yes, he has used all the

pocket, but it went in. He left John Higgins with a

difficult read, but John Higgins is still fully committed to it, trying

to hedge his bat. Mr Hughes red, and has been sat down ever since. He has

not been flawless, so far, in this match. And it looks like this young

man is growing in confidence, to me. This red and the colourfully

century. -- colour for the. Played! Verrer played indeed! --

well played! -- very well played indeed!

Not sure how many centuries he would have made on TV. He made a century,

I think, in the match against you, didn't he? He did. You will probably

mention that match if few more times, won't you.

He has a good solid cue action, he hits through the ball nicely. He hit

a bit of a rocky patch, in the first four frames, after he won the first

frame, but it just shows you that frame just before the interval is an

important frame for him to win. And he has come out firing.

Excellent! Very well played indeed! As you say, that frame before the

interval before the midsession is important. He has come out with a

wonderful break of 131, and leads, a gain. 3-2.

People to the red, didn't do a lot with the cue ball.

John Higgins, one. A little shake of the head, again, it is not happy.

Purposely playing that read into the blue. And the cueball back to the

cushion. That was incredible. It went up the table, down the table,

and could have been perfect. John Higgins now shut his Reds back to

safety. Well he went for that all out that

listed by quite a distance. Worse, he has left Jon Higgins with a nice

easy starter. He needs to start scoring heavily from these

opportunities. -- John Higgins. Now that read, if it does not pot,

but it clearly does. Just put one into play, there. That was a nice

little touch, there. This will certainly open things out -- this

will certainly open things up. Like with all the great players,

when they are under pressure you are expected to respond to the pressure.

Maybe this will be the time for John Higgins.

Has not really done it in one visit so far in this match. Highest break

has only been 44, so far. Nothing can fly you up more than

your opponents are on to play well. That certainly sharpens the mind. A

little bit straight on this black, but because the reds, I'm sorry, on

the raids, but he wants to leave a nice angle on the black, here. I

don't think one of these reds plots, but their perfect angle to go into

them. Always need a little bit of luck. That has worked out well. I

was going to say nicely, but it was not too bad, but it could have been

better. One to the right corner. A little bit with the cueball being so

close to the red, it is not there to be so easy. He's getting Gabbedy

Creek, so you is not too unhappy with the situation. Oh, he has

played it nicely. And he just to pass the red to the black. Good

reply, there is. -- good reply, this.

His opponent has knocked a century. Concentrating on getting the frame

over the line first. Lal. A very poor shot there. Easy on

the blue? -- wow, a very poor shot there. He might have to take the

pink to the left centre. Maybe it was a bad contact, he immediately

asked for the cueball to be cleaned. He will certainly didn't want to

leave himself in this position. Write in the heart of the pocket.

But the position on the red. 66 points ahead. 67 remaining. It is

not over just yet. John Higgins has certainly had to

work for this. Now, can he go on to make a century, from here?

I don't know what they were drinking at the midsession interval, but

certainly the players have come out firing. Must have been strong tea. I

have to get some of that key! That tea!

A good position for John to reply with the century. He played that

well. Not the best position of shot on

this red to take into the century. Going into what we call a blind

pocket. But nicely played! This is more like it, isn't it?

Excellent break from John Higgins! That is what you need to do. 104.

Certainly responded to his opponent better than the previous frame. 131.

I wonderful 126 break. 648 Korea century for John Higgins. The levels

at the match once again, 3-3. A good plot. Completed very

competently. Didn't try to hide the cueball. Let the cueball in the

middle of the table, and that tells you how a player is feeling. He has

a straight blue to the bottom right pocket. He doesn't like it, and is

going to take the green. More work to do with the cueball, here. Could

have played that little better. Yes, I agree with you. Because when you

get in this sort of pressure situation, the closer the cueball is

to the object ball, the easier The Potters. There is a decent chance if

you set about right that the black can get into both corners. Right in

the heart of the pocket. Playing is better this time. Playing the red

just above the black. Just gently, don't hit it too hard. The problem

is if you hit it too hard, you go to knock it out of condition. If you go

to play like Matt -- if you can go to play it like

that, it you need to play it a little bit harder, phonics. That is

part of the art of break building. Just a little delicate touch on that

previous shot, as you pointed out. And he would have a read to go out.

He has two pot this pink into the right centre, and a couple of reds.

A possibility, once he has taken the black, I think. -- another

possibility, it is taking the black. A couple of ways to play this.

Either play low on the black, or play high on the black with the

cueball. There is each as one of those reds would go to the right

corner, but you need to be so precise. Maybe there is no chance,

but if he's tried to force it into the cluster, he will have two have a

bit of luck, here. Oh, well. Dost me down and call me Harry. -- dust. You

could not dream of a better result. That has given him a nice angle, and

that he has to play it. He has to pot this black and go into the red.

As we always say, don't forget the pot. Called it right. He has been

very fortunate with the cueball. On those shots, make sure of the black

kite like you say. You can take your eye off it so easily. -- make sure

you keep your eye on the black, like you say. That is very good.

Excellent shot. Tremendous pot. He might have to go

in and out of the bulk. Going to miss the yellow, come around,

-- come around, and misty blue. -- and miss the blue. John Higgins just

look at the scoreboard, he will already have done the calculation is

in his head. Seven raids around the pink and black spot. -- seven raids.

He will not need the difficult read that is near the middle pocket.

-- He will not need the difficult red that is near the middle pocket.

That is what the glance at the scoreboard was.

-- The balls are certainly perfect here around the pink.

Just have to keep a control. There is a fair bit to go in this match,

but that is the difference between the two players. The cueball

control. You almost feel when John Higgins gets into situations like

this that he has tighter control of the cueball than his opponent. As

you say, if he can stick to the blacks, in particular, it won't need

the red that is near the left-hand side cushion. This black will put

him nine points to lead. That is another 32 points. 35

remaining after that. It was a tremendous opening raid. --

red. Just a little bit short, this time. 46. I think in afford one

blue. -- I think he can afford one blue.

23 boys to lead. To reds, two pinks. That would be enough. -- 23 points

to lead. If he could stop the blacks, there

would only be a couple of snooker is Red is in a nice position for a

possible double, as well. Anywhere with the cueball just write off the

blue ball. And it would be a straightforward, you have to say...

Across the double. I heard Stephen Henry say a few weeks ago, he is the

best doubler in the game. And he is not wrong!

37 points in front. 27 remaining. John Higgins is one frame away from

victory. You like the odd double now and again, don't you?

Against John Higgins. I don't think so.

It is fair to say that he had first chance in this frame, didn't he?

Yeah, certainly did. Disappointed he didn't make more of it. That black

he just took his eye off. Such a big frame to go one up with two to play.

Yes and John Higgins, you can bet your life, in the next frame will

use all his experience could try to keep it tight. This looks close.

This looks close. (CHEERING).. He has missed the blue but it

doesn't matter. Noppon concedes, goes to the dressing room. John

Higgins is one frame away. He leads. I was a little surprised he didn't

play the run through for the black. Playing for the pink, had to be so

precise. I tell you, this is a tough one. He will need the extension. He

is going to be playing a difficult pink into the corner pocket. If it

goes in, good setup. Possible matchwinner but he could miss this.

He could miss it but he hasn't, excellent shot. That was a brave

shot. It certainly was. He has not backed off much today. He could have

had better position. This red by the green is missable.

That would have felt good, right in the heart of the pocket. One good

positional shot here. Come down the left-hand side or the right-hand

side of the table. Red above the black and a couple of reds above the

pink. He needs to slow up the cue ball. How much side he got on that,

that was incredible. He certainly has overrun it. Qubit cued it too

well. He is looking to see if the Red Bull go to the left frame. -- if

the red will go. He needs to pot this. Which he has done. Where is

the cue ball going? It is OK, he is on the blue, has not red to the

right corner. This is a match-winning opportunity.

You don't often see John Higgins lose it like that but he knew that

was the chance to put the match to bed. He has never quite got the pace

of the table. He is very disappointed. He is looking at the

cushions as if he got a big bounce off the side cushion. He is

struggling with the table all day. He has been at odds with himself, a

lot of frustration. That was a double whack of the table. He is

absolutely fuming. Such a frustrating game and he knew that

was a chance to put the match, as I said, to bed and now it could still

be in the balance. Points all square.

That is reasonably safe. OK, this red to the left of the pink but

surely you cannot risk playing that. No, he is playing for safety.

It is funny, when you see a player is his opportunity and show his

emotion, it seems to have had an effect on the match. The crowd has

gone a bit quieter. They realise now that anything can happen in the next

30 minutes. It is not often you see John Higgins

do something like that. Normally very composed. Taking this on. And

getting it! And he is going to be on the blue and if it stops short of

the cushion, that is nicely done. A chance now to take us to a deciding

frame. Can he get a little cannon to the

top position for the other red? He has played it well, exceptionally

well. Just a bit unfortunate the red carried up on the cushion a bit more

than he would have liked but he is still on the red below the black

nicely. He has a nice angle on the black,

the pink as it turns out to get to the left-hand side cushion for the

red. He plays and could get the red away from the cushion. Depends how

he sees it. I don't think he played the cannon

like that but it could have been worse, just 27 points remaining. He

has been very good with the rest today.

But not this time. Where is the red going to finish? He has got away

with it. I don't think this red pots.

John Higgins thinks it does. Where is the cue ball going to go? It

looked too thin for the pot for me. Maybe he didn't play the pot in the

end, I don't know, it is hard to say but he will be happy with the

result. He definitely played the portal right. Someone in the crowd

said, good shot, John. I don't think his opponent thinks that. He got

very lucky there. The natural right-hand side cushion you want to

hit, I think the greenies blocking that so he might have to swerve. It

is the age-old problem. He has a 20 point lead but can he hit the red

and more importantly, get it safe? This is a big swerve, big swerve

this. Well played. Well played. But he could have left the chance with

the red and he has done. The brown come to his rescue. I

think I saw a little hand up from John Higgins there. The dreaded hand

up. Has he covered the potting angle?

Yes he has. But this looks good. Is there a gap between green and blue?

Out of shot from John Higgins so I can only suggest it is a snooker.

Got to get it safe. The frame is still in the balance.

That was an excellent shot, very well controlled. A lot of players

may have tried to hit that and hope this safe that he was confident of

hitting it onto the side cushion. A bit of a nervy one.

Just over the three hour mark now. This looks pretty good.

Yeah, three hours. The first frame took just over half an hour but

since then it has been good snooker. OK, a few mistakes along the way but

that adds to the interest. Don't miss the snooker! I am amazed that

he is having the balls replaced. If he hits this fall in the face he

will send it up the table and might even get a snooker back.

It didn't look too difficult to get out of. Two cushions. If you catch

the red fall in the face the white. Where the red is and the Red Bull

have it up the table. I cannot believe he has had it replaced, who

is right, who is wrong? He has hit it the other way but still the same

effect. He has got away with it, he has got a snooker. But it was never

going to miss the second time around. Very surprised John had it

put back. Trying to lay on the red. Which he has done but you just feel

now that Noppon Saengkham has the advantage in this important tactical

battle. I'm not sure what he is playing

here. He has got to control the red, he doesn't want it coming up and

down the table. He is lucky it stopped short of the middle. The red

could have come up and down the table quite easily. Still a bit to

learn, this young man. Couldn't have played that any

better. To find the gap of three cushions in between green and blue.

Superb and there is no gap. There is always a gap! But not this time.

This will be harder to get safe if he hits it with pace. He needs a bit

of luck. He has got it. The red down behind the black and

cue ball somewhere in the middle of the ball cushion, I would expect. He

has gone the other way. He has not got the snooker this time. Yeah and

even if he has, it is an easy swerve.

I don't think John will be taking this red on. Could get a snooker

behind the pink. Just caught it a bit. Safe though. One good safety

shot could swing the frame into the player's favour. Behind the black

and pink and push the red into the middle of the ball cushion. It looks

a lovely line. It looks a lovely line.

Got a snooker but again, an easy hit. Good shot.

Finally enough this makes it difficult to play a telling safety

shot. That is normally when you can leave distance between cue ball and

object ball but you can't with this shot.

Will he send the red down the table for the cue ball down behind the

black? Maybe the red. Well. He hasn't played that very well. He may

have left the pot on. He had such margin for error. Very disappointed.

Just a lapse in concentration. In an important part of the match, how can

you have that? As you get older, that is what happens. A chance now.

He is not going to be on the black. John Higgins maybe staring at the

deciding frame, in the face now. He is not on the black but you expect

him, if he didn't go for the black, to lay a good snooker. 14 points the

lead. I don't think he should worry about putting the black safe. He has

to make the snooker as difficult as possible. That has cut off the

escape of the right-hand side cushion. Surely he is not thinking

about the black into the centre pocket. All he has to do is get

tight behind the black. OK, he has got him snooker probably

but the one thing he had to do is make it difficult to hit. Coming off

the right-hand side cushion. Can he get it safe? He can. He made

it too easy to hit. If he blocks the right-hand side cushion he has to

come off the left-hand side cushion, it is a wider angle and so much more

difficult to hit and get safe. That was another superhit from John

Higgins. Noppon can get either Brown to keep

the yellow. Guaranteed a good safety here.

No. The brown and yellow is available to the left middle. He has

got to avoid the kiss on the pink and the in off into the right

corner. Didn't avoid the kiss on the pink.

12 points if he gets into the green. John Higgins behind.

Since the first frame it has been quickfire snooker but this is now

the longest frame of the match and understandably, the situation we are

in, both players have had opportunities. John Higgins the

better of the two. Well, would you risk playing the pot

on the green? Or do you think, play safe and try to get the snooker?

Playing safe, I thought, was the order of the day.

Well, that has made it easy for John Higgins to play a lot better safety

shot than that. It may even be possible to get the cue ball in

behind the brown but close to the cushion.

He did not get in behind the brown but the black has come to his

rescue. He has got to judge this perfect. The jaws of the pocket with

the cue ball. It could be a free ball. This could be a turning point,

the chance John Higgins is waiting for. It looks like a free ball to

me. What a mistake. In -- his inexperience. The one thing you

cannot afford to do is to miss like that and this is John Higgins's

chance to clinch frame and match. I think the positional shot from

green to brown is the one but perfect angle, just drop the green

in from the side cushion and just above the right centre pocket and it

will be nicely on the brown. Yes and now just needs the brown, blue and

pink. After three hours of play, he has done everything right, just one

simple error could have cost him this match.

So just the simplest of pinks now to secure his place in the last 32 and

I would suggest it will be a very relieved John Higgins. It is in. He

had the chance belly up but didn't do it. Showed a lot of frustration.

Keep your eyes open, Noppon Saengkham. He is a good player with

a lot to learn but John Higgins was just that bit more experienced and

he is through to the last 32 with a 6-4 win over the young man from

Thailand. Well, the two-time UK champion John Higgins is through but

only after an almighty scrap with this young player today. Almost

another shock and perhaps we will have a few more close matches when

we are back at one o'clock this afternoon on BBC Two with more

second-round action. In the meantime get some sleep and catch you soon.

Wanting something to be true doesn't make it true.