0:00:35 > 0:00:40you hello again from the United
0:00:40 > 0:00:41you hello again from the United Kingdom championship. Cracking match
0:00:41 > 0:00:45this evening, I must say. It features John Higgins, the
0:00:45 > 0:00:5042-year-old still in the top ten, the world number five, facing a
0:00:50 > 0:00:5317-year-old who hadn't even been born when John Higgins won the first
0:00:53 > 0:01:00of his first three UK jumping ships. Yan Bingtao is the new emerging star
0:01:00 > 0:01:05and snooker. He has shot up the rankings from 57 to 26 already and
0:01:05 > 0:01:09only ten days ago featured in his first world ranking final. This
0:01:09 > 0:01:18fellow knows no fear. And in fact the John Higgins a month ago, 6-2,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21in the International Championship. No wonder, then, that John Higgins
0:01:21 > 0:01:27ny was in for a match. Let's catch this best of 11 frames encounter in
0:01:27 > 0:01:29the company of Alan McManus and Steve Davis.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43So, John Higgins gets is underway against the young Chinese sensation,
0:01:43 > 0:01:52Yan Bingtao. Very much a generation gap. 25 years between the two
0:01:52 > 0:02:02players. Yan Bingtao, you wouldn't know it. He's had a fantastic first
0:02:02 > 0:02:08half of the season. He will be right up for this match today, Steve
0:02:08 > 0:02:15Davis.Yes. If you haven't seen him on your TV screens before, you are
0:02:15 > 0:02:27in for a treat. Phenomenal player, at such a young age.
0:03:07 > 0:03:18There is a risk when you're doing a slow shot like that to try to get
0:03:18 > 0:03:31the Google on the top cushion. If you get the double-kiss, and the
0:03:31 > 0:03:45table doesn't pull absolutely true, first blood to John Higgins.
0:03:48 > 0:03:57I was in the box a couple of evenings ago when John Higgins beat
0:03:57 > 0:04:04Yan spits Patrick, and to be fair, a struggle, for John Higgins, that is.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09Five or six basic shots he missed, not cling to his standards. It will
0:04:09 > 0:04:18be interesting to see the start that he gets off to this afternoon.He
0:04:18 > 0:04:23didn't really leave himself that nicely on the red, but he has
0:04:23 > 0:04:28managed to bring the cue ball into play for the pink. Just nudged its
0:04:28 > 0:04:43way clear from the pack. Ideally, he would like to get this back on the
0:04:43 > 0:04:48spot, but if it doesn't spot...
0:04:56 > 0:05:06APPLAUSE
0:05:21 > 0:05:31That's unfortunate. That was a good shot from John.The pink does spot,
0:05:31 > 0:05:39but unfortunately it's end of break. It would be a bit of a shot to get
0:05:39 > 0:05:59this in behind the black. APPLAUSE
0:06:03 > 0:06:18Hassey got the one-cushion escape to the right-hand side of the table or
0:06:18 > 0:06:21be forced to play this with a couple of cushions? The left-hand side is
0:06:21 > 0:06:26no good. Not even a red playing that way. He's got the side.If he
0:06:26 > 0:06:31decides to choose the ball lowest and closest to our cameras, he wants
0:06:31 > 0:06:51to hit it on this side. Mostly judged. I suppose you could say a
0:06:51 > 0:06:54bit unlucky, warbling in the jaws and then the cue ball sliding up the
0:06:54 > 0:06:57table a bit because this is now a realistic chance of a popped into
0:06:57 > 0:07:12the middle for John Higgins. -- a chance of a pot.Gorgeous shot. He's
0:07:12 > 0:07:22off running now. That is what you call a proper chance. Wonder how he
0:07:22 > 0:07:29cueing, looks like he had struggled. He had some issues with his tip
0:07:29 > 0:07:38which he had changed a couple of nights ago.
0:07:44 > 0:07:51Not that John Higgins ever needs any motivation to give it 100% but he
0:07:51 > 0:08:03will be well aware of Yan Bingtao's prowess, Corsie lost to him, 6-2, in
0:08:03 > 0:08:15the International Championship, so he will be fired up for this match.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Every time John Higgins plays a shot, it's always the same
0:08:32 > 0:08:38preparation. The same backwards and forwards movements of the cue. Even
0:08:38 > 0:08:46the symbols of shots. And the great thing about that is, doing it like
0:08:46 > 0:08:49that, it's just like you are all O2 pilot. You don't have the worry
0:08:49 > 0:08:54about thinking how you cueing. You have done it so many times before,
0:08:54 > 0:09:04and you just keep repeating. -- you are on autopilot.
0:09:15 > 0:09:21May be on very easy shots he gives it one less further and on very
0:09:21 > 0:09:26difficult shots perhaps one more, but other than that it is the same
0:09:26 > 0:09:37pace of cueing all the time. Very relaxed but very assured.Such a
0:09:37 > 0:09:45smooth technique, John Higgins has. One of the secrets of this game, be
0:09:45 > 0:09:57as smooth as you possibly can. John has got it to an absolute tee. It is
0:09:57 > 0:10:02a gradual backswing, but so smooth, and my spores and delivery, and as
0:10:02 > 0:10:09Steve said, always the same. Talking about the simple shots, he has a
0:10:09 > 0:10:23couple of feathers.And one of the big mistakes amateur players make is
0:10:23 > 0:10:31that final backswing. They swing it back too quickly. He begins my son
0:10:31 > 0:10:36with that backswing, and would have expected a better result. He's not
0:10:36 > 0:10:50over the line yet in this frame, so hope for Yan Bingtao.
0:11:23 > 0:11:33Very good effort trying to get that cue ball of trouble. It was tough to
0:11:33 > 0:11:45control. John Higgins has a stenting long red into the left corner, but
0:11:45 > 0:11:49if he misses it, there was a counterattack on so this is where
0:11:49 > 0:11:53John Higgins has great strength in his matchplay, deciding when there's
0:11:53 > 0:11:56a little bit too much danger involved in playing a shot, or how
0:11:56 > 0:12:02to play the shop. Perhaps this is one where he would play the screw
0:12:02 > 0:12:09back to safety at the same time even though that makes the pot more
0:12:09 > 0:12:16difficult. If he fancies the pot completely, and he goes for it,
0:12:16 > 0:12:27full-blooded. A little bit of screw back for insurance, not all the way
0:12:27 > 0:12:32back to the baulk cushion because then no value in potting the red.
0:12:32 > 0:12:46But leaving his opponent at distance, if he missed.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Yan Bingtao wouldn't have wanted to see that black going sane. He was
0:12:57 > 0:13:01hoping to break it out, but not to the side cushion. -- black going
0:13:01 > 0:13:14safe. I didn't see the match between them in the International
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Championship, whether it was an open game that suited the younger player
0:13:17 > 0:13:23or whether Yan Bingtao played a great safety game as well, but it
0:13:23 > 0:13:31lends itself well but if Yan Bingtao can beat John Higgins 6-2 when John
0:13:31 > 0:13:37Higgins was on form, then he must be a great tactical play, too.Yes, he
0:13:37 > 0:13:52bossed it. This is where he has been strong. This type of shot. He has
0:13:52 > 0:13:56been knocking those income of late. That was a surprise for me, him
0:13:56 > 0:14:05missing that. Once again, John is going to have to go to work
0:14:05 > 0:14:21tactically year. -- here.
0:14:34 > 0:14:41It was important for that shot to get the cue ball tied to the cushion
0:14:41 > 0:14:47to stop Yan Bingtao being able to screw back to baulk. It'll be
0:14:47 > 0:14:52interesting to if John Higgins is on top format was a good safety game
0:14:52 > 0:14:57together as well. And how Yan Bingtao can cope with that. You
0:14:57 > 0:15:06don't expect the younger players to have great tactical nous but the
0:15:06 > 0:15:14reason why it didn't.Well, he plays enough.The interesting thing is,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18spending a fair bit of time on it, nothing wrong with that, the be shot
0:15:18 > 0:15:23would be the long red to the corner, screw back to safety but there's a
0:15:23 > 0:15:30red over the top corner so perhaps he can play the cut red, the more
0:15:30 > 0:15:40aggressive pot. Tough shot. Nothing wrong with going for that. He was
0:15:40 > 0:15:47playing catch up, 54 points behind. He didn't just brush into it. He
0:15:47 > 0:15:53considered it well before he played the shot. John Higgins still needs
0:15:53 > 0:16:05another red to more or less guarantee this frame.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13You could say that was a little bit unlucky. Going in off. You would
0:16:13 > 0:16:20think perhaps the green and the black would have been like
0:16:20 > 0:16:28goalkeepers, but he found the gap. Talking about John scoring. His
0:16:28 > 0:16:34highest break in his first two matches was only 64. Then early
0:16:34 > 0:16:40three other breaks of 50, in the 12 frames that he's won. When would you
0:16:40 > 0:16:48ever think that about John Higgins? Then if he had some kind of tip
0:16:48 > 0:16:51problems and he has been able to sort that out, then perhaps you will
0:16:51 > 0:16:55see a different John Higgins here today.I think that the tables have
0:16:55 > 0:17:01been recovered not last evening but the evening before. And the evidence
0:17:01 > 0:17:04of the matches yesterday the standard has been excellent. I spoke
0:17:04 > 0:17:11to Graeme Dott. He enjoyed the table, though way it was plain. So,
0:17:11 > 0:17:19conditions better, you would expect a better performance.And what a
0:17:19 > 0:17:28performance that was.
0:17:32 > 0:17:43Can't do much with this. The sort of under it that. I thought he was
0:17:43 > 0:17:47going to try to play that to get onto the top cushion but that looks
0:17:47 > 0:17:54suicidal.I think he was trying to push the reds towards the other reds
0:17:54 > 0:17:58on the black cushion. It must have just run off the pad.Surely he
0:17:58 > 0:18:06wouldn't have tried the pot at that pace. Too risky. He has tried
0:18:06 > 0:18:10something with the reds, but he would have hoped for a better
0:18:10 > 0:18:16outcome than that. So this is a very tough and missable pot into the
0:18:16 > 0:18:20middle, especially as he's going to try and play position as well. Very
0:18:20 > 0:18:28difficult shot, and he hasn't had much table time. That's an
0:18:28 > 0:18:35interesting thing, Alan. That shows some maturity, understanding that
0:18:35 > 0:18:40playing for position made the pot more missable, so cut your losses,
0:18:40 > 0:18:45get the points, play good safety shot. Quite impressed with that.
0:18:45 > 0:18:51Couldn't agree more. Almost playing the numbers game. He is 43 behind,
0:18:51 > 0:18:57there's still plenty on the table, should he another chance.I tell you
0:18:57 > 0:19:02what, you don't see that often from younger players. Because of the
0:19:02 > 0:19:06exuberance of youth, you see your chance and you go for it. You missed
0:19:06 > 0:19:11the chance and you lose a frame and go, I couldn't do anything about
0:19:11 > 0:19:15that, but that has kept him in the game, that shot. Interesting.I
0:19:15 > 0:19:21thought it was a good choice. It sends a message the John that,
0:19:21 > 0:19:26tactically Yan Bingtao is learning all the time.And he has got his
0:19:26 > 0:19:33reward. The pink goes safe and he's got the mess. There's another
0:19:33 > 0:19:38decision. Do you play the open red even though the balls are worse
0:19:38 > 0:19:41positions or do you put the opponent back in? This is worth thinking
0:19:41 > 0:19:50about an open to debate, even in the commentary box.I think I would put
0:19:50 > 0:19:56him back.The pink going to the side is a massive plus for John Higgins.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01In these situations, if you put yourself in the other guy's shoes,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04John Higgins will be standing thinking, I hope he goes for the
0:20:04 > 0:20:12red.Air again, if he puts them back in and John Higgins plays a great
0:20:12 > 0:20:17safety shot, he is no closer, points wise, so perhaps he could play for
0:20:17 > 0:20:27the black. Get it back on the spot.
0:20:32 > 0:20:39The point about is that John Higgins will be sitting in his chair,
0:20:39 > 0:20:44delighted that Yan played the red. No chance of getting on a red, you
0:20:44 > 0:20:57would think, unless he pull something out of the bag.He would
0:20:57 > 0:21:02have hoped to have been in a better positional shot, certainly he would
0:21:02 > 0:21:11have been hoping to get further down the table. But, even so, only 29
0:21:11 > 0:21:17points behind now so there is only that pink ball that is safe. That is
0:21:17 > 0:21:22a bit of a loose safety shot. Getting some, not enough right hand
0:21:22 > 0:21:29side spin on the cue ball.He should have played with check. Been
0:21:29 > 0:21:37ambitious enough to try and lift the ping from the position is in. That
0:21:37 > 0:21:42was something he didn't quite spot. For John Higgins now, the scoreboard
0:21:42 > 0:21:52is important. That position looks nice on the black. That is perfect.
0:21:52 > 0:22:00That is a brilliant shot.Especially as he needs two reds to keep eye on
0:22:00 > 0:22:06the black, it was excellent. Not guaranteed to pot the red along the
0:22:06 > 0:22:11cushion, but he's given himself every chance. Especially from there.
0:22:11 > 0:22:21APPLAUSE
0:22:30 > 0:22:34You live and die in this game by the decisions you make. You are all
0:22:34 > 0:22:40capable of playing the shots, but the decisions are so important. I
0:22:40 > 0:22:43think that Yan should have put John back in when he missed the resonate
0:22:43 > 0:22:47the pink. It is gone now obviously but he will be learning all the
0:22:47 > 0:22:57time, obviously, Yan Bingtao.It wasn't the worst decision in the
0:22:57 > 0:23:03world, splitting hairs on the decision. Barring snookers and
0:23:03 > 0:23:09accidents, John Higgins will take the first frame.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40John Higgins breaking off in frame three. He's been put through his
0:23:40 > 0:23:51paces so far this afternoon.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56We'll see just how well he knows how to play winning snooker, regardless
0:23:56 > 0:24:03of the standard. That was a brilliant opening opportunist red
0:24:03 > 0:24:08that setup that contribution, his highest break of the tournament so
0:24:08 > 0:24:18far, 66, he made.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22He made that opening red look a lot easier than it was. Played for
0:25:22 > 0:25:27position at the same time. Didn't just blast at it. A couple of blues
0:25:27 > 0:25:41reds. -- a couple of loose reds. Nicely judged. I think he's got
0:25:41 > 0:25:44enough of an angle that he can bounce the cue ball to the top
0:25:44 > 0:25:48cushion and get back on that red. Might be going into the reds, here,
0:25:48 > 0:25:58though. Not so, the third shot. I thought for a minute he was setting
0:25:58 > 0:26:04up to disturb more. Now he will need a nice angle on this black to go
0:26:04 > 0:26:12into the pack, though. That little flick on that red creates the angle.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17And that second red of the two together at the back looks inviting.
0:26:17 > 0:26:27That should disturb things quite nicely, to stun into it. Obituary
0:26:27 > 0:26:38low on that, I think. Preferred more of a power stun, there.Maybe he
0:26:38 > 0:26:42felt the shape of it wasn't conducive to going in with power,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46with the deep screw, but he's got one, a tough little red to middle,
0:26:46 > 0:26:53but should it go in, and it has, John Higgins slowly but surely
0:26:53 > 0:27:04finding his way into a bit of form.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Just sizing up the situation. Is it worth playing for a choice of pink
0:27:27 > 0:27:42and black office red? -- off this red. Not sure what he's doing.
0:27:42 > 0:27:49Whether he is deciding to play on to the blue to split the pack up rather
0:27:49 > 0:27:55than the black because he doesn't like the shape of the pack. The
0:27:55 > 0:28:00pink, as well, but why he kept looking at that red to the middle
0:28:00 > 0:28:08pocket, I don't know. Maybe he wasn't looking at the red, he was
0:28:08 > 0:28:20looking at the pink. Never really liked this type of shot but
0:28:20 > 0:28:27sometimes you have to play it. Not always easy to guarantee, are they
0:28:27 > 0:28:36going to split? Now what?That was a brilliant shot, actually.Looks like
0:28:36 > 0:28:44that pink doesn't spot, but it may be covered, it will go close to it,
0:28:44 > 0:28:55can he still get the red in the middle?
0:28:56 > 0:29:01The referee will try to make sure this is perfect, as close as
0:29:01 > 0:29:06possible to soon spot, in a direct line to line the spot, but not
0:29:06 > 0:29:13touching the cue ball, as close as possible to it. It is very classy of
0:29:13 > 0:29:27John just go back to his chair and have a set of water, wherever
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Tatiana replaces the pink, he will still get it. Tatiana, there, doing
0:29:31 > 0:29:44a very good job.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49All she is doing a fantastic job in refereeing this and looking after
0:29:49 > 0:29:53two children and Ben Woollaston as well. The ups and downs of the
0:29:53 > 0:29:58snooker player.
0:30:03 > 0:30:18That was another brilliant shot. He is unlucky if he is not on one.
0:30:24 > 0:30:30I think I am correct in saying that then 's wife, Tatiana, she cannot
0:30:30 > 0:30:35referee Ben 's matches but I do not think she can referee matches that
0:30:35 > 0:30:39he has an interesting as well. She has to be seen to be correct, of
0:30:39 > 0:30:44course nothing would be untoward but... There must be absolutely
0:30:44 > 0:30:51correct decisions by W the BSA. That was tight and she got it. -- he got
0:30:51 > 0:30:58it. This black is not guaranteed. He is a little bit out of position so
0:30:58 > 0:31:02the biggest shot of this frame so far for John Higgins.
0:31:05 > 0:31:13He would not want to take his foot off the pedal here.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Well, after a tough start this is starting to look like a John Higgins
0:32:01 > 0:32:04masterclass here today.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Perhaps it needed a match of this quality for John to focus properly,
0:32:17 > 0:32:33or it could be the fact that he has had two problems. One of the two. --
0:32:33 > 0:32:39tip problems.We're getting the full gambit of John 's abilities. He is
0:32:39 > 0:32:45tough to out. He has spotted some very clever shots, like that red
0:32:45 > 0:32:57into the top pocket that set up the frame-winning chance in frame two.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Higgins is just building up of steam.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10It is that ability to just slip into scoring mode, even though it appears
0:33:10 > 0:33:15he is not quite on top of his game.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05John Higgins 80.No century but a classy break of 80 and John Higgins
0:34:05 > 0:34:17is halfway home.Frame for. Yan Bingtao to break.
0:34:24 > 0:34:31Yan Bingtao is 3-0 down. One of the old Masters of this game but can he
0:34:31 > 0:34:40find his way back in it? Perhaps John Sutton stall out today, coming
0:34:40 > 0:34:45into this match, having lost recently to Yan Bingtao in China.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51Maybe he set his stall out and said he would give the boy nothing today.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21I don't think he played that red on the far side of the brown, it was a
0:35:21 > 0:35:25tough shot but even so a good outcome stop he is just trying to
0:35:25 > 0:35:37contain things. Another excellent shot from John Higgins there. Yes.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Very rarely does John Higgins collide with a full colour. He knows
0:35:41 > 0:35:49his way around the snooker table. There doesn't seem to be a lot to
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Yan Bingtao can do at the moment except play containing snooker and
0:35:53 > 0:36:01hope for a mistake will stop he doesn't seem to have lost his
0:36:01 > 0:36:07patience, dusty? Is facial expressions haven't changed.Yes,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11but the only thing that we both know, when you are in that sort of
0:36:11 > 0:36:15defence and battling mode, it is difficult to flick the switch and
0:36:15 > 0:36:19then be aggressive because you do not feel aggressive. At some stage
0:36:19 > 0:36:28of this map he is going to have to be. He will have to change things
0:36:28 > 0:36:33up. I would be telling him to get the balls openers early as I
0:36:33 > 0:36:40possibly could. Obviously he cannot do it from a position like this but
0:36:40 > 0:36:43at the start of the frame try to get the balls openers darted up a
0:36:43 > 0:36:50little.It is tough because you cannot force it. You would just get
0:36:50 > 0:36:57picked off. It is a very difficult one.
0:37:05 > 0:37:15He may have left a red to the yellow pocket.Yes, if Yan Bingtao plays
0:37:15 > 0:37:20this match and loses 6-0 because John Higgins totally out place in it
0:37:20 > 0:37:27will not change my opinion of Yan Bingtao. He is a future champion.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31This is not a certainty but the fact that John Higgins has had most of
0:37:31 > 0:37:37the table time, you would expect him to get very, very close. Yes. What
0:37:37 > 0:37:45do I know?That was awkward cueing, wasn't it, that made it difficult.
0:37:45 > 0:37:53You would fancy knocking it in. He is able to get the middle ball
0:37:53 > 0:37:57striking. I think Yan Bingtao should be opening up the pack and play your
0:37:57 > 0:38:02safety and just changing a little. He will not get anywhere against
0:38:02 > 0:38:12John just tapping around. Half an hour since Yan Bingtao wanted
0:38:12 > 0:38:26anything.He did have a chance to open the balls but is so tough will
0:38:26 > 0:38:30stop to criticise that, it is a tough one, and I understand exactly
0:38:30 > 0:38:36what you are saying. If he plays a shot to open the balls up from 61
0:38:36 > 0:38:39overrate whole because you cannot guarantee how they will go then you
0:38:39 > 0:38:44look like a mug!It is a risk game but sometimes you just have to say
0:38:44 > 0:38:49to be aggressive and not care about the consequences because tipping and
0:38:49 > 0:39:00tapping around he will not get anywhere with John. Take this on,
0:39:00 > 0:39:05cut the middle, cue ball through the gap. He has played a safety again.
0:39:05 > 0:39:13That is a fabulous shot. Now there is a chance to get a few reds into
0:39:13 > 0:39:14the open.
0:39:17 > 0:39:23He might be able to play the four collision safety and hit the red
0:39:23 > 0:39:37vicar. Since safety doesn't open the reds as much. He picked out another
0:39:37 > 0:39:41red. He hasn't really hit that particularly well, to be quite
0:39:41 > 0:39:48honest. The balls to open very easily on these thin cloth is, so
0:39:48 > 0:39:53you don't always have to whack them hard, they start to open up pretty
0:39:53 > 0:39:57easily. Can you imagine balls on a little bit of the carpet, they
0:39:57 > 0:40:04wouldn't spread apart like they were on a piece of ice.John is also
0:40:04 > 0:40:09playing a trace a check on this behind the yellow. It didn't quite
0:40:09 > 0:40:20get the line. Not bad.As lines go, it is not bad. I am not too sure
0:40:20 > 0:40:28that Yan Bingtao has a way back to baulk now. I cannot see one.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Unless he can play extra thin on the red to the right of the table but I
0:40:43 > 0:40:46do not think that is on, to be quite honest? Is there any shot he can
0:40:46 > 0:41:04play?There is the bottom left.He might be able to see that. Only he
0:41:04 > 0:41:08will be able to see exactly what parts of the reds he can contact. He
0:41:08 > 0:41:12may be able to get this red than enough. It is for with danger and
0:41:12 > 0:41:15there was to red behind the blue to contend with and if he hits a
0:41:15 > 0:41:24diffraction thick. I never thought about. What a great shot that is.
0:41:24 > 0:41:32Obviously, no one understood.Maybe it is a new shot from the practice
0:41:32 > 0:41:38room. He has had plenty of time to practice. What a shot that was. John
0:41:38 > 0:41:45is behind the yellow again.He needs a bit of help, Yan Bingtao, and a
0:41:45 > 0:41:50slice of luck, but he has not got anything out of it because John
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Higgins is like a lump of granite here today. You are bashing your
0:41:52 > 0:41:57head against a brick wall. Bingtao will have his patience tested
0:41:57 > 0:42:02thoroughly here.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27An excellent shot. About the best he could hope for. Perilously close to
0:42:27 > 0:42:31the blue and the corner pocket. Don't tell me he has left the plant.
0:42:31 > 0:42:39It is all going wrong if he has left that on.
0:42:50 > 0:42:56It looks on. If John Higgins goes for it I expect him to get it.He
0:42:56 > 0:43:00could get on black depending on which way he plays it. He has played
0:43:00 > 0:43:27with control. This is brilliant. What a shot that is.Well, this is
0:43:27 > 0:43:40currently a master surgeon at work. He is not ideally placed on the reds
0:43:40 > 0:43:46but the way he has started to cue you fancy this red in the middle
0:43:46 > 0:43:55pocket. Not much of a pocket to go for, is there? It never touched the
0:43:55 > 0:44:04sides. What a performance so far this has turned into. You have got
0:44:04 > 0:44:08to say he has to be one of the favourites for the UK championship
0:44:08 > 0:44:13this year. A few big names have gone out. There are a few still in, of
0:44:13 > 0:44:15course.
0:44:41 > 0:44:46Yes, not absolutely the way he played it. Still on one. He is going
0:44:46 > 0:44:50to put all his eggs in one basket here. This is in or over, dead
0:44:50 > 0:44:57weight. It is a fairly new cloth and it may help the shot. I fancy him to
0:44:57 > 0:45:09get it but it is missable. It should go in, but no.John Higgins, 16.Yan
0:45:09 > 0:45:13Bingtao sat in that chair for most of the last couple of frames, has
0:45:13 > 0:45:24got at last, at long last, a decent chance.It is very easy to say that
0:45:24 > 0:45:28he has got to make something from this but when you have been kept off
0:45:28 > 0:45:38the table for so long it is tough. This is a difficult one to judge, to
0:45:38 > 0:45:49get the correct weight. You cannot argue with that. He made sure he did
0:45:49 > 0:45:54not leave it short, too short. That is assuming the black does go fully.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57It must do.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12It will be a good boost for the morale now for Yan Bingtao to win
0:46:12 > 0:46:19this in a classy way, this frame. Just to show John Higgins what he is
0:46:19 > 0:48:03capable of.This is not an absolute, bona fides chance to win this frame
0:48:03 > 0:48:08yet. I do not think any of those reds will go in the pocket that you
0:48:08 > 0:48:14have two manufacture something. He will not want to play the one to the
0:48:14 > 0:48:17right middle, that would be missable. He is looking for
0:48:17 > 0:48:31something more certain. A little tester, just up the fact he has not
0:48:31 > 0:48:35had much table time. He is expecting to get it nice and straight. Not a
0:48:35 > 0:48:39lot to do with the cue ball, just get the pot and opens up the frame a
0:48:39 > 0:48:51little.This is why you play eight hours a day or whatever you decide
0:48:51 > 0:48:54to play, so that when you do get a chance when you have been kept off
0:48:54 > 0:49:02the table you are quickly into your stride.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31It is definitely a measured approach from Yan Bingtao. A simple black and
0:49:31 > 0:49:35you would think he would already know what red he is playing for next
0:49:35 > 0:49:40but he is taking his time. His average shot time is 21 seconds and
0:49:40 > 0:49:46that is really pedestrian by modern standards.Yes, but it is indicative
0:49:46 > 0:49:49of what he has had to put up with today. I do not think this is his
0:49:49 > 0:49:54natural speed. It floated pass there, does the other red go? It is
0:49:54 > 0:50:01OK if it does. That is OK. If he was the one that was dominating
0:50:01 > 0:50:05proceedings you would see a much faster speed.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16That one red at the bottom of the pack goes, although you cannot get
0:50:16 > 0:50:24the right side of it. Maybe another red goes. The pink is available and
0:50:24 > 0:50:32that helps.Yes, the pink goes on the green spot now so that is frame
0:50:32 > 0:50:40-- fine. A good frame-winning chance now. It is not necessarily a bad
0:50:40 > 0:50:43thing, the pacing is played today, it is almost another string to his
0:50:43 > 0:50:49bow, isn't it?Exactly. You wouldn't always want to be playing at 30
0:50:49 > 0:50:53seconds a shot. That is tough to get the rhythm with but he has been up
0:50:53 > 0:50:56against and it is impossible for him to have had any rhythm in this match
0:50:56 > 0:51:02so it is understandable that he shot time would be slow. Most of the
0:51:02 > 0:51:08shots he has had to play with and scratches. He does not want to be
0:51:08 > 0:51:17straight on this. It is not good if it is straight. He has got enough of
0:51:17 > 0:51:21an angle. He just has to judge the pace of this because if he goes too
0:51:21 > 0:51:31far he will not be on the red. Not far enough and it is too fine a cut.
0:51:31 > 0:51:38That is very nice indeed. He is going to disturb other reds now. The
0:51:38 > 0:51:42good split of those reds and guaranteed position on the black,
0:51:42 > 0:51:48pace wise, and he could be over the line.
0:51:57 > 0:52:03I think the other thing it tells us is that the way he is taking his
0:52:03 > 0:52:06time this afternoon, especially in this contribution, is he thinks he
0:52:06 > 0:52:11can still win the match and that is important. It is not like he is
0:52:11 > 0:52:14almost... Some players could be forgiven for mentally almost giving
0:52:14 > 0:52:19up. I would just throw my cue at a few shots and hope something happens
0:52:19 > 0:52:24but it has all been measured and in a good way.
0:52:33 > 0:52:37He is still in line for being the youngest ever winner of a major
0:52:37 > 0:52:42event, up until the German Masters next year. But, to be quite honest,
0:52:42 > 0:52:48that would just be a small record, I think, when the history books
0:52:48 > 0:52:52finally close on this game of snooker, if they ever do get closed.
0:52:52 > 0:53:03I think you will see the Yan Bingtao name cropping up a few times.Yes,
0:53:03 > 0:53:17how can you win the World Cup at 15? He did that with his compatriot.
0:53:17 > 0:53:36That was a couple of years ago.Yan Bingtao 79.John Higgins may decide
0:53:36 > 0:53:42to come back to the table here. Bingtao poo Mac last positional shot
0:53:42 > 0:54:06was perhaps a bit risky. -- Bingtao 's last positional shot. It is a
0:54:06 > 0:54:11tough ask but not much different to that first frame with Yan Bingtao
0:54:11 > 0:54:21carrying on. He will want to keep the last red on the table. That
0:54:21 > 0:54:27keeps open the option of three balls. It is a quicker way to get
0:54:27 > 0:54:37penalty points. So, no positional shot played. Can he get in behind
0:54:37 > 0:54:50this black? Should you so choose? He misjudged that by miles. A poor
0:54:50 > 0:54:57effort, really, from John Higgins.
0:55:12 > 0:55:18Frink conceded.Yan Bingtao gets a frame on the board but John Higgins
0:55:18 > 0:55:26goes into that interval leading three frames to one. John Higgins,
0:55:26 > 0:55:36to get us under way will stop the second session. He will be quite
0:55:36 > 0:55:43satisfied that interval 3-1 in front. He got himself a foothold in
0:55:43 > 0:55:46the match.
0:57:19 > 0:57:23Now, there is a big mistake. I just had a feeling that John was not
0:57:23 > 0:57:28comfortable playing that. He is worried about the new tip on the
0:57:28 > 0:57:33cue.
0:57:57 > 0:58:01Nicely judged positional shot from Bingtao to get through a bit of a
0:58:01 > 0:58:15gap with is cute. The red into the centre. -- the gap with his cue.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Nothing, it would appear, goes into the right corner, apart from the
0:58:18 > 0:58:22first red.
0:58:35 > 0:58:38Plenty of roads in the open here. A good chance to make a sizeable
0:58:38 > 0:58:45break.
0:58:56 > 0:59:02Yes, he didn't get where he intends the reds on the left hand side
0:59:02 > 0:59:05there. He doesn't want to put the pink out of cushion by taking it
0:59:05 > 0:59:16this early.
0:59:17 > 0:59:21He doesn't have to start getting to integrate. He can pop this rating
0:59:21 > 0:59:26comeback for the blue. He can wait for a better opportunity to get on
0:59:26 > 0:59:35the black. That will do well to get the right side of the blue. Just
0:59:35 > 0:59:41about, I think. He can just pull it back, should he so wished, for the
0:59:41 > 0:59:50run-in to the right corner. He may have a fraction of an angle to run
0:59:50 > 1:00:00through. He might as well try and get a little bit closer, perhaps.
1:00:00 > 1:00:04The roads are obviously into the left corner as well. Plenty of
1:00:04 > 1:00:11options. He just has to keep concentration. He must not let one
1:00:11 > 1:00:15positional shot go adrift.
1:01:22 > 1:01:27Nystad have these two reds into the middle pocket. -- nice to have
1:01:27 > 1:01:37these. It is helping him out no end, in keeping in good position in this
1:01:37 > 1:02:00break. He can try and screw back... Awful kick. He was putting a bit of
1:02:00 > 1:02:03right-hand side spin on that and it twisted the black to the left and
1:02:03 > 1:02:17twisted the white to the right. The cue ball ended up nowhere.
1:02:48 > 1:02:53Yan Bingtao straight back onto the table. Bad timing for the ice bucket
1:02:53 > 1:03:00to come back on to the table. Just out of your picture one of the
1:03:00 > 1:03:10officials delivering a fresh ice bucket to John Higgins. It was
1:03:10 > 1:03:24nearly in Bingtao's I line. -- eyeline.Well, perhaps justice is
1:03:24 > 1:03:31served.
1:03:40 > 1:03:45A pretty ramrod straight delivery of the cue, which is always nice to
1:03:45 > 1:03:55see. Not every player goes through on a straight line. You would think
1:03:55 > 1:03:59it would be essential but it's the only at the point of hitting the cue
1:03:59 > 1:04:04ball that that cue needs to be in a straight line with the desired line
1:04:04 > 1:04:10of the cue ball towards the object ball. But common sense says it would
1:04:10 > 1:04:15be better if it was in line all the time from the end of the backswing
1:04:15 > 1:04:23all the way through to the delivery. Excellent effort there to keep on
1:04:23 > 1:04:33the right side of the blue. As she got their? -- has he got there.
1:04:33 > 1:04:39Don't think he's got any angle. He is poker straight on it. It will be
1:04:39 > 1:04:44well within his competence, but he won't want to play it unless he
1:04:44 > 1:04:54absolutely has to do. Just a case of how much he fancies the
1:04:54 > 1:05:00long-distance red. This is a little tester.
1:05:30 > 1:05:37A little unfortunate there, not been on anything. Is the plant possible?
1:05:37 > 1:05:50Fabulous shot. Well played. That is a bonus, landing on the black. Pot
1:05:50 > 1:06:01this black in and he'll be back to just one frame behind, Yan Bingtao.
1:06:12 > 1:06:20He's on the red. Not as nicely as she would've liked. He just needs
1:06:20 > 1:06:37this red. The plant, as well. A bit lucky, the way all of the other
1:06:37 > 1:06:44plants have panned out for him. The pink wasn't absolutely wonderful. So
1:06:44 > 1:06:53from being completely outplayed and getting the lifeline in that fourth
1:06:53 > 1:06:58frame, all of sudden, Yan Bingtao gets it back to only one behind.
1:06:58 > 1:07:08Interesting times in this match.
1:07:09 > 1:07:13Another massive kick. What's going on? From having none to having a
1:07:13 > 1:07:27few. It has been the general consensus that a new brand of chalk
1:07:27 > 1:07:33on the market reduces the amount of kicks that players get in matches,
1:07:33 > 1:07:41and handing towel doesn't use that particular brand. -- Yan Bingtao.
1:09:51 > 1:09:57Doesn't matter about the pink. 81 the break. Yan Bingtao hot on the
1:09:57 > 1:10:08heels of John Higgins, brings the score to 3-2.
1:10:19 > 1:10:35John Higgins breaks off. And it effectively is the best of five.
1:11:15 > 1:11:21Not the easiest of safety shots to the baulk end.
1:11:36 > 1:11:48What has Bingtao spotted via? Very aggressive. Monster shot. Monster.
1:11:48 > 1:11:56Glover shot, an element of safety in the shot. Not totally safe but what
1:11:56 > 1:12:03a positive shot that is. Terrible kick, again.
1:12:11 > 1:12:16He's not now on the road that he wanted to play, the one in open play
1:12:16 > 1:12:22to the right of the table. -- he's not on the red. It now has an
1:12:22 > 1:12:31unmissable red into the corner. He can't get the cue ball too far away
1:12:31 > 1:12:36into the middle of the table. He doesn't want to cheat the pocket too
1:12:36 > 1:12:56much. That could be enough. Normal service has been resumed. This would
1:12:56 > 1:13:07be some scalp, if he wins here. Just the style of it, not just the win,
1:13:07 > 1:13:19we know that capable of winning. All of these players, on Thursday, R. I
1:13:19 > 1:13:23think I'm right in saying that Bingtao has made the most progress
1:13:23 > 1:13:38up the ranking list in recent months. Huge jumps up the ladder.
1:13:39 > 1:13:46Not the best shot, there. Too close to the cushion. And because of that
1:13:46 > 1:13:53a bit too straight on the black. So a good shot required here to keep
1:13:53 > 1:13:58this break going. He's got a bit of an angle. He's going to put a bit of
1:13:58 > 1:14:11power into this.Didn't hit it as well as he was hoping. A good, so
1:14:11 > 1:14:14the pot, it is probably a bit thinner than it looks on our
1:14:14 > 1:14:27screens. He will do well to get on a colour if he pops this. This is a
1:14:27 > 1:14:31toughie. Difficult to get on a colour. He was never going to get
1:14:31 > 1:14:38south of the pack as far as a black goes. So end of break.It was the
1:14:38 > 1:14:44red, previously, that was the problem. Equals the previous lack of
1:14:44 > 1:14:55position that then was magnified by the next one. So, cut your losses.
1:14:55 > 1:15:09Not enough of a lead to bother about trying to put the black safe. Could
1:15:09 > 1:15:16need another bite of the cherry to get over the line. John Higgins has
1:15:16 > 1:15:23been there, done it all. But interesting to be able to see into
1:15:23 > 1:15:28his mind to see how he's feeling currently, compared to how he was
1:15:28 > 1:15:37feeling at 3-0 up. One thing he does do, he enjoys competing, doesn't he?
1:15:37 > 1:15:44He'll love the challenge.He sure does, John.
1:15:50 > 1:15:57Yan Bingtao has given him a real challenge today. He has been tested
1:15:57 > 1:15:59in every department, John.
1:16:12 > 1:16:21Now, that could be a massive error. That one, he seemed to play a bit
1:16:21 > 1:16:32casually. He probably didn't. He just seemed like he did.
1:16:39 > 1:16:49APPLAUSE
1:16:53 > 1:16:58The red actually moved, there, 1p ordered it.Yeah, played a
1:16:58 > 1:17:06combination shot, didn't he? -- when he potted it.
1:17:11 > 1:17:18Nicely judged. Didn't go in to them too hard but he knew that they would
1:17:18 > 1:17:26open up nicely. It's a nice feeling when you play that little cannon and
1:17:26 > 1:17:31they spread over like they have. It doesn't guarantee anything but it
1:17:31 > 1:17:36makes the next 30 points as straightforward as they can ever be.
1:17:36 > 1:17:42It just gives you a nice little warm feeling inside. When it works out as
1:17:42 > 1:17:51intended. He needs a few good things to happen right now, John Higgins.
1:17:51 > 1:18:01To re-establish some authority in this match.
1:18:10 > 1:18:15He could conceivably get over the winning post without needing that
1:18:15 > 1:18:22red on the side cushion. Not necessarily sure that he will have
1:18:22 > 1:18:32done those maths. The job in hand. He has to be precise with this
1:18:32 > 1:18:45black. Isn't the end of the world as the isn't.But that was as easy way
1:18:45 > 1:18:58as any of on those reds. -- getting on those reds.
1:19:06 > 1:19:13It is a good point about the red on the right side cushion.He can get
1:19:13 > 1:19:19away with one more extra on the pink.Six reds, six blacks, would
1:19:19 > 1:19:28put him 58 points and fun. Two pinks and three blacks. Well, four blacks,
1:19:28 > 1:19:39and he wouldn't need that red.It is something that you should do the
1:19:39 > 1:19:42maths for, but sometimes there's so much work to be done you're just
1:19:42 > 1:19:46sometimes concentrating on keeping position. Where these bores you
1:19:46 > 1:19:52would sometimes be going for blacks, but if you take too many pinks it
1:19:52 > 1:19:55would be a minor mistake.John Ashley would be thinking about it.
1:19:55 > 1:20:01The future of the game, players should be aware exactly if they need
1:20:01 > 1:20:06that ball on the cushion or not.We have the luxury of being able to sit
1:20:06 > 1:20:11here pointing it out, and we don't have too pot anything. That's a nice
1:20:11 > 1:20:17little short! I don't know if he's checked the scoreboard. He's having
1:20:17 > 1:20:24a look at it now. It will be, not maybe in the forefront of his mind,
1:20:24 > 1:20:29for blacks would put him 36 in front before the last, difficult red.If
1:20:29 > 1:20:37you look at the scoreboard now, now, has he done the maths?
1:20:47 > 1:20:57Is it the maths, or is it the math? My American? I think the singular is
1:20:57 > 1:21:08the posh way of saying it!Is there a Scottish way?Probably. That is a
1:21:08 > 1:21:13good shot as well. So, a few blacks.
1:22:17 > 1:22:23Think he can screw back to the side cushion with this. It's dead
1:22:23 > 1:22:37straight. Doing its job of keeping the black -- keeping on the black.
1:22:37 > 1:22:43The best way of playing for this red is to the corner, he doesn't want to
1:22:43 > 1:22:53play for it in the middle. That's clever, a very clever shot. An
1:22:53 > 1:22:56indication again, all the shot selection being the most important
1:22:56 > 1:22:59thing. The way he played that he didn't have to play the shot
1:22:59 > 1:23:05perfectly, just get topside of the red. And now that should be a
1:23:05 > 1:23:09formality. He has taken them well.
1:23:34 > 1:23:40After potting this black he's looking to get the double as well,
1:23:40 > 1:23:47just to put the tin lid on this frame.
1:24:03 > 1:24:06Barring slickers, that is John Higgins back with his nose in front
1:24:06 > 1:24:14at 4-3. -- barring snookers.
1:24:44 > 1:24:49After a rerack he has a similar red to the one here before but the white
1:24:49 > 1:25:01is not right on the baulk cushion. He hit it thick last time.He needs
1:25:01 > 1:25:08to take the bull by the horns here and be aggressive.This is a tough
1:25:08 > 1:25:20shot. Bingtao has got to cut the red ink, screw back and keep on the
1:25:20 > 1:25:22black in the same pocket but in putting all the effort into the
1:25:22 > 1:25:28shot, they are missable and he would present a John Higgins with a golden
1:25:28 > 1:25:35opportunity. He has turned down a shot that a few players would have
1:25:35 > 1:25:40gone for. Plenty of players in the game just would have automatically
1:25:40 > 1:25:49got down and played that.I was surprised. Any time I've seen him in
1:25:49 > 1:25:54the past, he certainly would have played it. It is a shot at nothing
1:25:54 > 1:26:05that he's left John with, as well.
1:26:25 > 1:26:30How's the split? This is good. Things just beginning to happen now.
1:26:30 > 1:26:43A big target, that. The pink half ball.
1:27:53 > 1:28:02John Higgins smelling blood, here. He realises the significance of Yan
1:28:02 > 1:28:08Bingtao's shot not being punchy enough.
1:29:04 > 1:29:17John will want to play for the red on the cushion may as a last resort.
1:29:24 > 1:29:28This was the shot that Yan Bingtao played. He turned down a pot into
1:29:28 > 1:29:36the left corner for the safety shot. And John Higgins got in from that
1:29:36 > 1:29:40shot.
1:30:34 > 1:30:38are aJohn Higgins 37.
1:30:44 > 1:30:48Yan Bingtao bashes the table with his cue, which is the modern day
1:30:48 > 1:30:57sign of an appreciative shot of your opponent. He has left the road into
1:30:57 > 1:31:07the middle. -- red into the middle. Can he get past the black to the red
1:31:07 > 1:31:10into the corner? It doesn't look like it.
1:31:15 > 1:31:25I think you would expect him to get this. Wow, I thought that was going
1:31:25 > 1:31:31in. Just a fraction too hard. I still thought it was going in
1:31:31 > 1:31:36though, didn't you, Aaron?You can tell by Jon 's reaction as well, he
1:31:36 > 1:31:43thought it was in. A puff of the cheeks.
1:31:49 > 1:32:00This is thin but I am sure he will get it. That is why they have
1:32:00 > 1:32:11experts in the commentary box!Wry smile from John. He has managed to
1:32:11 > 1:32:22somehow cover this road with the blue.
1:32:26 > 1:32:29Bingtao was trying to pay a better positional shot than just potting
1:32:29 > 1:32:33the red. A bit more pace it would have been an ideal pace to pop the
1:32:33 > 1:32:54red. Not easy to get a telling safety shot here.
1:32:54 > 1:33:05That got a bit close to the pocket, didn't it? Yan Bingtao taps the
1:33:05 > 1:33:14table but it was not that far off being a mistake. Now it has caused a
1:33:14 > 1:33:21few problems. Yes. If he is going to play the up safety he will have to
1:33:21 > 1:33:28get this very thin. He will drop the cushion first on the left-hand red,
1:33:28 > 1:33:45which he is doing.Used only to give these respects. With the baulk
1:33:45 > 1:33:55colours as they are, it is not easy to get telling snookers.Surprised
1:33:55 > 1:34:01here that the loose red left of the pink spot, slide off it, cue ball
1:34:01 > 1:34:05near the yellow pocket and Yang will be in trouble. I think John will
1:34:05 > 1:34:10find himself maybe not in masses of travel but maybe he has given up the
1:34:10 > 1:34:16initiative. There was thought behind it. 37 points in front and tire
1:34:16 > 1:34:32those three roads.He doesn't make many tactical mistakes, does he?
1:34:32 > 1:34:36There was one here that I think Yan can play and leave John that one to
1:34:36 > 1:34:42the left of centre, is close to the ball cushion as you can. He is
1:34:42 > 1:34:46shifting that red. John 's long game has not been on it. He has not been
1:34:46 > 1:34:54on song today. I would have left him attempt there. A possible plant to
1:34:54 > 1:35:04nothing.The thing about this situation now is there is a way of
1:35:04 > 1:35:09getting down the table and getting good snooker. Not easy but from this
1:35:09 > 1:35:20side of the
1:35:24 > 1:35:27table that plant was a bit more on than you would have thought from the
1:35:27 > 1:35:33distance. Red struggled in but it is definitely John Higgins with the
1:35:33 > 1:35:43initiative.He is playing in behind the brown here, I feel. It takes out
1:35:43 > 1:35:52the rest of the left-hand cushion. He is in trouble.Immediately Yan
1:35:52 > 1:35:56Bingtao will be seeing if he has any kind of route to the three reds on
1:35:56 > 1:36:12the top cushion. He is looking at possibly three-cushion escape. I
1:36:12 > 1:36:16think he is going to have to try to get close to the green after two
1:36:16 > 1:36:32cushions.I don't think that shot is on. Too much slide on the cloth. I
1:36:32 > 1:36:38think he could probably try this all day long and not get it. I think you
1:36:38 > 1:36:42should know from what he has just done, unless you get stupidly close
1:36:42 > 1:36:47to the green he will not be able to get out of it. Will slide too much.
1:36:47 > 1:36:54I might be wrong. He can get that close to it, that is close enough to
1:36:54 > 1:37:07the green. Put the greenback, though.
1:37:08 > 1:37:13I don't think he can escape off three cushions there. Really,
1:37:13 > 1:37:17without being disrespectful, he must know this now. We have had ago and
1:37:17 > 1:37:22he must've seen have all released on the third cushion.I was just about
1:37:22 > 1:37:25to say that. It is important that they get the green exactly where it
1:37:25 > 1:37:39was because it obviously plays an integral pot of the shot.
1:37:48 > 1:38:01He might just have made it.Oh, wow! He is having a little chuckle to
1:38:01 > 1:38:05sell. That is the best he could have done to get across the table. That
1:38:05 > 1:38:15is the absolute limit.
1:38:21 > 1:38:25Every credit to him to having another go at it. He is perilously
1:38:25 > 1:38:39close to the green. He might escape. John will be making sure he doesn't
1:38:39 > 1:38:51push this brown, I'm sure.He is making the red safe, isn't?There is
1:38:51 > 1:38:55no way John wants to get involved at any time with having safety shot
1:38:55 > 1:39:06Goneva brown. Once again Bingtao is in enough trouble that it seems he's
1:39:06 > 1:39:10going off the side cushion for the three roads. I don't know what he
1:39:10 > 1:39:16was doing there for a moment. Another shot is available. What was
1:39:16 > 1:39:25he lining up there?I think he was just in between the top jaw in the
1:39:25 > 1:39:30middle and the brown. He was looking at the drop on the three roads --
1:39:30 > 1:39:39reds and he obviously didn't fancy it. Yes, John playing this wreck
1:39:39 > 1:39:43near the baulk line. It is not a double-kiss but he doesn't really
1:39:43 > 1:39:53want to shift it unless he has two. He doesn't have to do anything
1:39:53 > 1:39:57special here. He can just jump onto the three reds. It is Yan Bingtao
1:39:57 > 1:40:03who has to jump onto the aggressive safety.The double-kiss is not on.
1:40:03 > 1:40:07It would only be a double-kiss of this was a straight ball to the
1:40:07 > 1:40:16corner and the cue ball will win the race.Nicely judged, although
1:40:16 > 1:40:18Bingtao can improve the situation with a thin contact on the first
1:40:18 > 1:40:31red. Is there a gap between green and blue that he can get the black
1:40:31 > 1:40:37interplay? There might be. It might be risky where the red goes. I think
1:40:37 > 1:40:48he can get the black out here.
1:40:53 > 1:40:58He needed to play an aggressive one and he has done. You have to say he
1:40:58 > 1:41:01asked the best possible question of John Higgins under the circumstances
1:41:01 > 1:41:07will is not John has got a relatively easy path back to baulk,
1:41:07 > 1:41:20but at least it has opened the reds up and opened colours up.
1:41:28 > 1:41:33There will not be many times in his career he will be tapping the table
1:41:33 > 1:41:37as many as he has done against John Higgins here today. Great judgment
1:41:37 > 1:41:51of weight there as well. It has caused as much problems as the line.
1:41:51 > 1:41:56A last resort shot. Once again the side cushion and leave that one in
1:41:56 > 1:42:00the jaws, that is a last resort. He is coming down to see what kind of
1:42:00 > 1:42:04shots John Higgins has got from the jaws of that corner. I am not sure
1:42:04 > 1:42:18he has too many other options. A big shots to try and potted.He is
1:42:18 > 1:42:27taking this on, I think. Yes, that was so difficult. He has not left an
1:42:27 > 1:42:42absolute sitter. John Higgins, you would expect to take full advantage.
1:42:43 > 1:42:46Well, he obviously believes in his own ability. He could've played a
1:42:46 > 1:42:52containing shots there. I think probably the scoreline in the frame,
1:42:52 > 1:42:56and knowing how clever John Higgins is, perhaps he thought that was as
1:42:56 > 1:43:04good as a chance as he would ever get. It was not much of a chance.
1:43:04 > 1:43:11John Higgins sticks that red in the heart of the pocket. It was the
1:43:11 > 1:43:17first frame really that has gone against the grain. Yan Bingtao was
1:43:17 > 1:43:19in first and he couldn't successfully negotiate the
1:43:19 > 1:43:23positional side of the frame and John Higgins got back in and now it
1:43:23 > 1:43:33looks like John Higgins has smelt a bit of blood. He never balks at the
1:43:33 > 1:43:43finishing line, that is for certain.
1:43:45 > 1:43:54Yes, he has checked the school board. Three of those reds. With
1:43:54 > 1:44:06colours and then he should be one away from victory.
1:45:51 > 1:46:03He would still like this red into completely seal the frame.
1:46:07 > 1:46:12Striking the ball very nicely. He never overhits a shot, John Higgins.
1:46:12 > 1:46:16He knows when to stroke the shots and went to punch it in. The
1:46:16 > 1:46:28complete all-rounder. Apart from those shots, obviously! That is John
1:46:28 > 1:46:41Higgins 5-3 in front and needing one more for a place in the last 16.
1:46:46 > 1:46:50Well, if that red to the right corner is dead straight, he could
1:46:50 > 1:46:55play it as a shot to nothing. For the black. The only Reggie would
1:46:55 > 1:47:00leave on would be the one he missed, other than the red into the middle
1:47:00 > 1:47:05pocket that would possibly popped but he has potential with this one
1:47:05 > 1:47:17as well. There was the potential. He was never going to be rolling it in
1:47:17 > 1:47:29dead weight, that was too risky. Not far of getting the snooker. He
1:47:29 > 1:47:34didn't even look into that red in the far corner perhaps wasn't
1:47:34 > 1:47:43straight.
1:47:52 > 1:47:56Never really going to be able to put his opponent in too much trouble
1:47:56 > 1:48:10from that shot. Yan Bingtao should be able to find a path back to ball.
1:48:10 > 1:48:17Actually it has been a feature of this match and, to be honest, a
1:48:17 > 1:48:21feature of the modern game, players are loath to play the safety of the
1:48:21 > 1:48:23pack and push the reds out potentially over the corner and then
1:48:23 > 1:48:27be sitting out for the rest of the frame. I have seen it more. This
1:48:27 > 1:48:34looks good. Not quite in behind the brown suit John Higgins perhaps hear
1:48:34 > 1:48:45about to gain the upper hand again. Yes, he cannot play the full cushion
1:48:45 > 1:48:49safety because of the red in between yellow and pink in the way. He can
1:48:49 > 1:48:55play the two question. Inside it just behind the brown. Down to the
1:48:55 > 1:49:03full cushion. Line it up. On the yellow. Cut off the escapes down the
1:49:03 > 1:49:13right-hand side of the table. I sound like an know what I'm talking
1:49:13 > 1:49:27about there!That was a brilliant shot. I do not know if you will see
1:49:27 > 1:49:30any return to the baulk area, I suppose he could drop dead weight
1:49:30 > 1:49:37into the cluster of the reds but that has risk attached to it.Has he
1:49:37 > 1:49:42another half ball one, red into the pack behind the black? If he can see
1:49:42 > 1:49:46enough of the right hand side of the second raid on the left of the
1:49:46 > 1:49:55table, if that makes sense.Yes, I think you can.I cannot see many
1:49:55 > 1:50:02other shots at the moment.That is a good spot. You wouldn't like playing
1:50:02 > 1:50:06it unless he can hit the red on the thin side are not push too many open
1:50:06 > 1:50:13reds out of the cluster, but what else has he got?I think he has to
1:50:13 > 1:50:17try and play the shot and trying get in behind the black. A thin half
1:50:17 > 1:50:22ball. Not too thick, as you say. He has just looked at it there. He is
1:50:22 > 1:50:28going through the same thought process as we have gone through.
1:50:28 > 1:50:36Yes, there you go, that is the shot he is going to play. We think.
1:50:36 > 1:50:42Unless he is seeing something else. Can he play the one nearer the blue?
1:50:42 > 1:50:49He could play the same shot. He is not going to take the pot on? To the
1:50:49 > 1:50:49top cushion?
1:50:57 > 1:51:00Far enough out with the red that you didn't get the cue ball tracking
1:51:00 > 1:51:14right. As he left anything? Masses. Why he has left is not John 's
1:51:14 > 1:51:18favourite shot, especially pasta plate slowly and hope for a black.
1:51:18 > 1:51:21You will probably come around for a choice of the pink or the blue and
1:51:21 > 1:51:34that makes the pot a fraction easier. He has dribbled it.Not as
1:51:34 > 1:51:45easy as it looked on the TV, that shot.
1:51:48 > 1:51:55Frame and match-winning opportunity here. The balls do not look that
1:51:55 > 1:51:58much out in the open, but there are enough loose reds around better
1:51:58 > 1:52:04player of the likes of John Higgins will be able to orchestrate a
1:52:04 > 1:52:15chance. Straight on this black. It would have been a lot easier had he
1:52:15 > 1:52:27not been. A tremendous amount of side spin on that. Has gone too far?
1:52:27 > 1:52:34Has he overheated? He did overheated a bit, but has he overheated too
1:52:34 > 1:52:43much?Yes, he is just about all right. The red in baulk helps him as
1:52:43 > 1:52:50well. The next couple of shots he is playing for the blue. Holding
1:52:50 > 1:52:57flipping, though. This is a decent position. Slowly but surely pushing
1:52:57 > 1:53:08other reds into possible positions.
1:53:20 > 1:53:23He might be a bit low on this red. You should be able to slide off
1:53:23 > 1:53:29other reds. It is hard to see from the commentary box. He has to go
1:53:29 > 1:53:35into something here. Very nicely judged stop easy to have played that
1:53:35 > 1:53:39soft and not got such a good split but he had the experience to know he
1:53:39 > 1:53:50had to punch that one in.Just checking to see if he can play for
1:53:50 > 1:53:59two reds on this. Just helped him to get the cue ball high enough to be
1:53:59 > 1:54:08perfect on the next red. This is developing beautifully.Well, it has
1:54:08 > 1:54:12been a fascinating match to commentate on and should John
1:54:12 > 1:54:19Higgins convert this chance, an excellent match for John Higgins to
1:54:19 > 1:54:22establish his mark in this tournament and stake a claim on
1:54:22 > 1:54:26possibly being the champion. He has won it three times before, I think.
1:54:26 > 1:54:32Who is to say he will not win it again? He still has to mind his work
1:54:32 > 1:54:38here though. A good chance to go into the pack. He should not lose
1:54:38 > 1:54:44the cue ball. He can go in with a bit of pace. That was an outside
1:54:44 > 1:54:54red. Apologies. I didn't think that went. It flies in. He could have
1:54:54 > 1:55:02gone into the reds there but it was risky.He is just looking for
1:55:02 > 1:55:13something more certain, isn't it?
1:55:14 > 1:55:30It is actually a clever shot he has played. It is virtually guaranteed.
1:55:38 > 1:55:44If that red next to the pink went and I would sort of agree with not
1:55:44 > 1:55:49going into the reds. It is a bit more difficult like this but such a
1:55:49 > 1:55:57good player, John Higgins he may be gambling by getting an unlucky split
1:55:57 > 1:56:06I suppose. He would not have played into them. There is a scoreboard
1:56:06 > 1:56:10check, 55 and potentially another six would be 61. He is still going
1:56:10 > 1:56:22to need the red and the high value colour from the cluster.
1:56:29 > 1:56:35One good positional shot. Yellow. A big area. Let us get that one right
1:56:35 > 1:56:45at least. That is right, blue.I would have played for the yellow.
1:56:45 > 1:56:51Nothing wrong with the cue ball. That is why we are really here. He
1:56:51 > 1:56:59could have played this earlier. God knows why he is playing it now.This
1:56:59 > 1:57:11is effectively to win the match. A good split and is over.
1:57:14 > 1:57:28That red, 62, the black to follow. The match ball is coming up.
1:57:37 > 1:57:43He has had to fight hard all day long. 3-0 in front pegs back to 3-3
1:57:43 > 1:57:54but using of is experience. Just to confirm the victory. Not been
1:57:54 > 1:58:00vintage John Higgins but it has been good enough.It has been good enough
1:58:00 > 1:58:06and Yan Bingtao has not been found too much wanting either. John
1:58:06 > 1:58:11Higgins has been the stronger but Yan Bingtao has impressed greatly
1:58:11 > 1:58:20today. 70 points in front and he has not given up but he is on the brink
1:58:20 > 1:58:25of giving up now. A fantastic victory for John Higgins. He is
1:58:25 > 1:58:38through to the next round where he meets Mark King.From 3-0 down to
1:58:38 > 1:58:433-3, Yan Bingtao made a matchup that but it was John 's experience, he
1:58:43 > 1:58:46saw the finishing line and he was able to stride over it in the end
1:58:46 > 1:58:51and he goes through to play Mark King on Wednesday afternoon. I hope
1:58:51 > 1:58:54you have enjoyed that. It whetted our appetite for more and I am sure
1:58:54 > 1:59:01you will join us at 1pm this afternoon for more of the same.