0:00:32 > 0:00:38Hello again, from the Barbican Centre in the magnificent city of
0:00:38 > 0:00:43York. We are here for what is the first of three majors in the snooker
0:00:43 > 0:00:49season. The bit where United Kingdom championship. This is a very special
0:00:49 > 0:00:53week. Neal Robinson knows what it takes to win. He has done it twice
0:00:53 > 0:00:59before, and in the second round match was up against Ken Doherty who
0:00:59 > 0:01:02has graced three UK finals. Ken fell off the tour at the end of last
0:01:02 > 0:01:06season but was given special invitational status to continue and
0:01:06 > 0:01:10he really has been courteous wave through some of the tournaments
0:01:10 > 0:01:14already this season and trying to make the most of that opportunity.
0:01:14 > 0:01:22We will join them in this best of 11 second-round match.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39Excellent. Great length on that stately shot. To get back on these
0:01:39 > 0:01:41tables with the cloth is by
0:01:41 > 0:01:41stately shot. To get back on these tables with the cloth is by the fist
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and to get it on the cushion is excellent judgment. It makes such a
0:01:45 > 0:01:57difference.You can see the left channel for Ken Doherty. He can play
0:01:57 > 0:02:00the cue ball up there and he has a different problem now.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08That really is an excellent shot. He has left him the maximum amount of
0:02:08 > 0:02:18trouble he could be in. I cannot see a way back down into the baulk area
0:02:18 > 0:02:23from any shot at it as so he may have to roll down the cushion and
0:02:23 > 0:02:25rest on something here.
0:02:29 > 0:02:37He will be catching this on the thick side. He is playing a return
0:02:37 > 0:02:43on trying to buy himself another shot. I think this will be a feature
0:02:43 > 0:02:52of this match actually, they are both fantastic tactically. You would
0:02:52 > 0:02:56think Neal is the heaviest scorer but not many players in the world
0:02:56 > 0:03:02can outmanoeuvre it can in the tactical department. This match is
0:03:02 > 0:03:07important for both players. They want to get off to the best start
0:03:07 > 0:03:10possible. This is good stuff from Ken Doherty already.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20There is a type of shot as well but if Neal takes it on he can play with
0:03:20 > 0:03:24a bit of safety in mind and if he stands it over to the other side of
0:03:24 > 0:03:33the table it is merely a shot to nothing. I am not saying he can't
0:03:33 > 0:03:37leave anything. He is that far away from this that he will leave it
0:03:37 > 0:03:44surely. A long way away that.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09That was a better shot and looked. There was not much margin for error.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14Just to screw it in with a bit of check side. Ideally he would have
0:04:14 > 0:04:18liked another six inches or so on the cue ball to come up straight on
0:04:18 > 0:04:22the blue but it was a pretty good shot.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57It is tough to score from here. He will need a little screw shot and to
0:04:57 > 0:05:02try and land on the black if he can. He has played for the gap on the
0:05:02 > 0:05:07pink and I don't blame him for that. We had both shots there. It is not a
0:05:07 > 0:05:10straightforward chance.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23Still play with that old cue he has had, he got it for a few quid in
0:05:23 > 0:05:28Dublin and he is still playing the same cue. He is properly had a new
0:05:28 > 0:05:32ferry all and a bit of waiting done to it over the years because they
0:05:32 > 0:05:42tend to wear out but it does in good stead, that one.He has always stuck
0:05:42 > 0:05:51with that. It is a trusty old one. It is good to see Ken back playing
0:05:51 > 0:05:56well again. The last five or six years he has not been how we use to
0:05:56 > 0:06:01see him but he really has played this season.He seems to be working
0:06:01 > 0:06:07hard at it. He was a little bit awry with the cue ball there. He may have
0:06:07 > 0:06:12to take a plant on now. The scenes have a lot of enthusiasm. I have
0:06:12 > 0:06:15been speaking to in the last couple of weeks and he still loves playing
0:06:15 > 0:06:19and compete again there was nothing like having a few good results your
0:06:19 > 0:06:22confidence. That is the big thing. If you get a few matches you can win
0:06:22 > 0:06:26a new play good in those then all of a sudden the world is a rosier
0:06:26 > 0:06:37place. The table looks like it is playing nice as well.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07That red looks tight, doesn't it? He is as good night as he possibly
0:07:07 > 0:07:11could be but possibly just off the left jaw.He played a touch further
0:07:11 > 0:07:17down the table to leave himself two options. The one he is taking now
0:07:17 > 0:07:22with the second option. He would have loved to be a little bit lower.
0:07:22 > 0:07:33It could work in his plays are -- they could work in his favour. The
0:07:33 > 0:07:40play for any particular colour, just an area above the blue spot. It is
0:07:40 > 0:07:44getting harder from where we are sitting.He is scrapping for the cue
0:07:44 > 0:07:49ball, isn't it? He would love to be able to chip the blue in the middle
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and play little cannon into the pack but it looks very acute, that.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Certainly on these tables that play with a little bit of side. The cue
0:07:58 > 0:08:02ball can move off very quickly. Quite sensibly, he is taking the
0:08:02 > 0:08:15yellow. Once again he will need a good cue ball. As the other plans?
0:08:15 > 0:08:25He will fancy this. It is a virtual certainty for a player. A little
0:08:25 > 0:08:29brush cannon off the second and then he could be up for blue under baulk
0:08:29 > 0:08:41colour. This might be enough in the middle. Oh, wrong.I didn't see him
0:08:41 > 0:08:43missing it, but I certainly didn't see him missing it by that far. That
0:08:43 > 0:08:50was very unusual. A complete mis-hit there.It was almost like a miscue.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54I don't quite know what happened.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13It is sometimes tricky to get out from these reds. How would you play
0:09:13 > 0:09:16this shot?I think you should be disturbing pink and black kid
0:09:16 > 0:09:20because he will be busy getting topside of the blue. The base just
0:09:20 > 0:09:26comes off the cue ball. Past the far corner. That is no good. I think
0:09:26 > 0:09:30that was worth the risk there. People look at the shot and see the
0:09:30 > 0:09:34red and they think it will be easy and he will make a few from here but
0:09:34 > 0:09:38some shots you cannot get the cue ball out of at it the more it was
0:09:38 > 0:09:43going to have a reaction.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00So, from looking like maybe a chance, it is just going to be the
0:10:00 > 0:10:04safety now and he is checking out where the places that he could leave
0:10:04 > 0:10:12the cue ball for the most trouble for Ken.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50A nice target that behind the green and brown. There is one red towards
0:10:50 > 0:10:59the corner pocket but if he can get in there a could pay dividends.
0:11:06 > 0:11:12Yes, I was thinking the same myself, but what a pot that was.It
0:11:12 > 0:11:20certainly was, I didn't even think that went. Fabulous cueing. Brown
0:11:20 > 0:11:32will just about pass the green. OK, a couple of positional shots away
0:11:32 > 0:11:36from being a nice chance by the way the two breads are -- the way the
0:11:36 > 0:11:44two red Czar this could be the first real scoring opportunity finial.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04These are little testers. You should pop this red. The difficulty is that
0:12:04 > 0:12:10you are not sure where the cue ball is going to finish. It is impossible
0:12:10 > 0:12:17to avoid a cannon and you have to trust to a little bit of luck here.
0:12:17 > 0:12:33He is trying to spring open pink and black.Good shot.Unlucky.Yes,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37obviously couldn't get a fair bit of work, he needed to be down the table
0:12:37 > 0:12:40more for the brown in the green looks like it is over the corner but
0:12:40 > 0:12:44you cannot bridge left-handed anyway, that will be horrible. Just
0:12:44 > 0:12:50the safety. An interesting opening frame this. Both players are
0:12:50 > 0:12:55scrapping for chances.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07The red over the left corner pocket is a bit of a problem here because
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Ken would like to play the safety of the red near the blue but the red
0:13:11 > 0:13:17left corner is a bit a problem.
0:13:24 > 0:13:30Well, there is a confident shot from a confident man. You don't want to
0:13:30 > 0:13:33touch that because you know full well you will be leaving it. Would
0:13:33 > 0:13:37you have played that?I don't think I would in all honesty. That was
0:13:37 > 0:13:52some shot. Two or three out of ten. That is not slipping on the back is
0:13:52 > 0:14:04it? Just about OK. Going back. It goes back to where the greenies. Ken
0:14:04 > 0:14:15will be tracking in behind it.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31That is about as good as he could've done with that one really because if
0:14:31 > 0:14:34he had left it to the side he would have been slipping him behind the
0:14:34 > 0:14:39green, but he get there now. He has done quite well to get himself out
0:14:39 > 0:14:56of that one, Neil. Once again Ken 's judgment is excellent.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19This is dangerous. If he gets this thin the rate will go to the corner.
0:15:19 > 0:15:28That was unfortunate.Yes, all caused by the excellent safety. Just
0:15:28 > 0:15:31the total difference of having that cue ball tight on the bottom cushion
0:15:31 > 0:15:35as opposed to six or eight inches offered made all the difference to
0:15:35 > 0:15:47that made it a lot more difficult for Neil. Ken has a great chance to
0:15:47 > 0:15:51take the opening frame and he can score here. This isn't bad on the
0:15:51 > 0:15:58blue.I wonder if that pink will pass into the left corner. He just
0:15:58 > 0:16:11overcooked this. If he has landed on that red just above the pink and it
0:16:11 > 0:16:18goes then that is an absolute result.I think he has. Wow. What a
0:16:18 > 0:16:27result that was.I am not sure if Ken knew, I think he played for the
0:16:27 > 0:16:41loose one. Either way, it is now offering winning chance. -- a
0:16:41 > 0:16:44winning chance.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58Now that is even nicer with the black going on the pink spot. He
0:16:58 > 0:17:06looks confident. His safety has been superb. It is all looking good at
0:17:06 > 0:17:16the moment. Both of us are dismayed by the fact that he still has
0:17:16 > 0:17:22excellent eyesight at his age. We both need glasses for reading but he
0:17:22 > 0:17:26was showing off that he does not need them any more.We were
0:17:26 > 0:17:30comparing specs. He seems like an eagle. He must have eaten a lot of
0:17:30 > 0:17:36carrots. It has been a good start, hasn't it? As you say, his safety
0:17:36 > 0:17:40has been exemplary in the first frame but we expect that from Ken
0:17:40 > 0:17:50Doherty. The ideal start. We said it earlier in this frame that he will
0:17:50 > 0:17:56make Neil work for his chances. Nothing has happened in the opening
0:17:56 > 0:18:11frame to make me change my mind. A great matchplay.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17Yes, never been afraid to play anybody. If they have a cue he will
0:18:17 > 0:18:26go into battle. He has always been the same.
0:18:50 > 0:18:59A good idea to clear up as well. Keep Neil off the table. An
0:18:59 > 0:19:02important start to the match, when the first frame and keep your
0:19:02 > 0:19:06opponent sitting there a little bit cold and that will help you in the
0:19:06 > 0:19:15second frame.Just going back to the blue that he landed plum on the next
0:19:15 > 0:19:18red, that is the kind of thing that happens when you are in good form
0:19:18 > 0:19:23and feeling confident. The end result is that he will win the frame
0:19:23 > 0:19:35with a decent contribution. When things like that just go your way.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40He's just keen to clear the table, get the feel of the cloth on the way
0:19:40 > 0:19:46the conditions are playing.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55-- cushions are playing.
0:20:18 > 0:20:35The ideal start for Ken Doherty. He leads Neil Robertson 1-0.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41I was watching closely yesterday on the practice table just around the
0:20:41 > 0:20:46corner at the hotel. A really purposeful stride he had. He has
0:20:46 > 0:20:50always had that and in the last couple of years he struggled with
0:20:50 > 0:20:55his game and he has not looks like the Neil Robertson we would normally
0:20:55 > 0:20:59see but I noticed in practice that he looked full of purpose and fuller
0:20:59 > 0:21:05figure. He was hitting the ball beautifully. He is up against an
0:21:05 > 0:21:09opponent, as we said a few times today, he will have to work his
0:21:09 > 0:21:13socks off for his chances.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Goodness me. They may as well just give him the trophy. I was a
0:21:27 > 0:21:30fantastic pot. OK, he was not playing a wholly with the intention
0:21:30 > 0:21:34of knocking it in, it was one where he just wanted to get out of
0:21:34 > 0:21:51trouble, but nevertheless, superb cueing. This is a little tester.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Right in the heart of the pocket. He has played for the rednecks to the
0:21:55 > 0:22:02black as well. This is what the very best players in the world do. They
0:22:02 > 0:22:07shot selection is of such paramount importance. That was a brilliant
0:22:07 > 0:22:13choice. This red is tough but if it goes in he has created a good chance
0:22:13 > 0:22:21out of absolutely nothing.Yes, well the last shot had been cueing and
0:22:21 > 0:22:25this one is going to have to be even better. These are smelly little
0:22:25 > 0:22:28shops.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43He turns away in frustration. It is the first good chance the Neil
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Robertson. That was a horrible one and it is very easy to flick a bit
0:22:47 > 0:22:57of side on the ball there. We have seen can stamp his authority on the
0:22:57 > 0:23:00match at the start, showing you how well he was hitting the ball, and
0:23:00 > 0:23:07now it is Neil was my turn. Red at the back of the pack that is loose
0:23:07 > 0:23:11is not in a bad place because if you can pop out and play little screw
0:23:11 > 0:23:18cannon into the and out you could knock a few balls out. It is just a
0:23:18 > 0:23:23matter of which were Neil decides to go but he will not be too enamoured
0:23:23 > 0:23:26by that shot, he overscrewed it.
0:23:37 > 0:23:46Excellent recovery.Yes, he is coming around to look at that rate
0:23:46 > 0:23:51but this is the absolute optimum angle he has on this blue. I think
0:23:51 > 0:23:58he will split them.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Well played. He played in such a way that he didn't lose the cue ball.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Just checking to see how far down he has to be once he plays this, he
0:24:16 > 0:24:23might have to run through just an inch or so to be on the black.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37It doesn't seem to be a problem, does it?He obviously wants to make
0:24:37 > 0:24:43life as easy as possible by hitting it as straight as he can but he will
0:24:43 > 0:24:45have to play some sort of little cut back on the position is not
0:24:45 > 0:24:49guaranteed. Coming back from blue?
0:25:00 > 0:25:05Well, not what he wanted but definitely second prize. This is a
0:25:05 > 0:25:13lovely way to finish, straight blue. Not happy with the contact there,
0:25:13 > 0:25:18for some reason.I think it was just an audience member took a drink from
0:25:18 > 0:25:25a bottle of juice or something just on his backswing.
0:25:25 > 0:25:33a bottle of juice or something just on his backswing.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55He actually is a bit of work to do with these red the way they are. It
0:25:55 > 0:25:58is not straightforward. He is pretty straight on the black which doesn't
0:25:58 > 0:26:04help. He is two or three good positional shots away from having a
0:26:04 > 0:26:10really good chance, but not straightforward.
0:26:17 > 0:26:23That is the best shot he has played today.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43You called it before when he played a little cannon. He might be tempted
0:26:43 > 0:26:49to play another one here. There are two reds. There was a cluster of
0:26:49 > 0:26:53four when a line on the right and he defeated get on the one that looks
0:26:53 > 0:26:59furred up in those four. The top cushion would be all right. It
0:26:59 > 0:27:05depends how he sees this. They are not perfect the way they are. I
0:27:05 > 0:27:14wonder if he could drop a little cannon on there. Have you looked? It
0:27:14 > 0:27:22is fine. Didn't blame him at all for playing that shot. He was always
0:27:22 > 0:27:33bound to land on one, wasn't he? It is important that he gets the top
0:27:33 > 0:27:39side of it, which he has done. The reds are just covering one another
0:27:39 > 0:27:45and sitting diagonally. They're covering the corner in the middle.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48It has been a funny break because every time you scum the reds had
0:27:48 > 0:27:51been blocking each other off and he has had to work quite hard for this
0:27:51 > 0:27:51break.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00He has to play another little cannon. Nothing is guaranteed. He
0:28:00 > 0:28:07will have to work the cue ball. He is playing the screw. If the red
0:28:07 > 0:28:18below the pink spot goes there is a plant as well. Not bad, not ideal.
0:28:18 > 0:28:25Yes, slightly overhit that one. A fair bit of distance between these
0:28:25 > 0:28:38two reds. The plant before we thought was that the unmissable but
0:28:38 > 0:28:45this one has a little more Arjun -- margin for error.He will probably
0:28:45 > 0:28:49get it more times than not but one good thing about if the line that he
0:28:49 > 0:28:52is looking at he can screw back for blue which kind of makes the plant
0:28:52 > 0:29:07little easier as far as the pot goes. I fancy him for this. Yes.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11A good shot, and once again, I do not know whether there is a red in
0:29:11 > 0:29:21the middle that goes... Maybe? Ooh... Off the bump.This will be a
0:29:21 > 0:29:26good shot.46.
0:29:40 > 0:29:57Busy cueing that was... That was the shot of a confident man. Here comes
0:29:57 > 0:30:07another one...
0:30:09 > 0:30:14Neil Robertson, 47.I do not blame him on that occasion, taking on the
0:30:14 > 0:30:22blue, he probably cannot lose the frame, he could win it if he pots
0:30:22 > 0:30:26it. Figuring if he goes on behind the yellow, being the player he is,
0:30:26 > 0:30:36Ken was always going to drop on one of these four reds.
0:30:42 > 0:30:50A 40 point lead for Neill. The lead is pretty massive at the minute...
0:30:50 > 0:30:54Trying to make a clearance with the way that the balls R.
0:30:58 > 0:31:08-- with the way that the balls are. Excellent. Ken can just get through.
0:31:08 > 0:31:16Almost playing to miss this time. That is what has happened.As long
0:31:16 > 0:31:25as he doesn't leave a free ball, he's OK. He's a liar, needs glasses!
0:31:25 > 0:31:31Just having a little side there.
0:31:36 > 0:31:42The referee checked whether he could see it full ball, which is
0:31:42 > 0:31:50important, because if he misses this time... He would be warned, on the
0:31:50 > 0:31:55third time of asking. He has got it this time. Experience, again, coming
0:31:55 > 0:32:05into play for Ken. Another thing that Doherty knows in this, OK, he
0:32:05 > 0:32:11is 44 behind but if the frame goes on for another three or four minutes
0:32:11 > 0:32:14playing safety, eventually he will get the chance to bring those reds
0:32:14 > 0:32:29interplay. -- into play.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37You thought the frame was messy before, this would put them even
0:32:37 > 0:32:47closer together.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01An excellent shot again from Neill. Very high quality safety at the
0:33:01 > 0:33:12minute.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41A clip off the outside read here. Getting in behind green or blue, the
0:33:41 > 0:33:55pink may have covered the way back to the baulk area. Just past the
0:33:55 > 0:34:07blue, and clipping that read. It would be a decent shot, that.
0:34:18 > 0:34:29Yes. Cannot get through to the red. An awkward bridge, over the blue.
0:34:29 > 0:34:38This is tough. I think Neil had a result there, with how it has worked
0:34:38 > 0:34:54out. Very good. Slowly but surely, the reds had come into better
0:34:54 > 0:35:03positions.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10The red and the black have gone a bit awkward, that isn't on, to knock
0:35:10 > 0:35:23that one in... Hull and a miss.I thought it looked tight, right
0:35:23 > 0:35:36behind the line of the shot. Ken can get the red this time.The referee
0:35:36 > 0:35:45delighted that they are going back! Was it a pink on the spot?Making
0:35:45 > 0:36:01use of the monitor to double-check. A little that way... Seems happy
0:36:01 > 0:36:11enough with that. All about the cue ball.It is tough. This is where
0:36:11 > 0:36:17trust plays a part. For me, just looking at the line, I thought they
0:36:17 > 0:36:23would struggle to get through. There wasn't a lot of room. I don't know
0:36:23 > 0:36:35whether... Maybe he didn't look at it properly?
0:36:39 > 0:36:52One thing that he will not do is to steal any advantage here.
0:36:58 > 0:37:05I've said before that the red and black was awkward, you cannot play a
0:37:05 > 0:37:14plant that you can now. Those two reds there, easy PC.I don't leave
0:37:14 > 0:37:18he can play it slowly to make sure he doesn't cover the pocket with the
0:37:18 > 0:37:23other red. He is thinking the same thing... Openly black and still go.
0:37:23 > 0:37:30It's not ideal, he was a little unlucky. Maybe just drop the red in?
0:37:30 > 0:37:36A better chance of being on the black. The pace more or less made it
0:37:36 > 0:37:44shot on.He could see the red, it was possible he could foul. Playing
0:37:44 > 0:37:49it slowly, that was why he wanted to guarantee getting the ball. But I am
0:37:49 > 0:37:55surprised at that. Not taking one of those colours on. And I'm even more
0:37:55 > 0:38:01surprised at the shot he plays after it.Very careless. You don't get
0:38:01 > 0:38:04position on the colour. It isn't like him to put them in trouble.
0:38:04 > 0:38:14Punishing them. The red coming up the table. In behind the blue...
0:38:14 > 0:38:26Just about. I'm just looking to see if he can play a plant. He could be
0:38:26 > 0:38:32onto the pink... This is a chance. If he plays the first red, he could
0:38:32 > 0:38:37hold the cue ball on the pink. This is a chance for a frame here.I
0:38:37 > 0:38:45couldn't agree more. It's very much uncertainty. Anything filly, and the
0:38:45 > 0:38:53red will drop. It is a good chance. And a good shot. Lost the cue ball.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58One thing he had to do there was ensure that he had plenty of work on
0:38:58 > 0:39:02the cue ball. If he got that, it would have been a chance and a half.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08He just had to hold it for the pink. Now, will he be brave enough to take
0:39:08 > 0:39:17the pink? What do you think?I think he might play it. I think he is 1-0
0:39:17 > 0:39:26up, and he has been given. A chance in the frame, if this goes on,
0:39:26 > 0:39:37they'd get a frame. He has taken it on.
0:39:38 > 0:39:47Ken Doherty, one.I do not blame him taking it. The shop before was the
0:39:47 > 0:39:51one. Just had to hold the cue ball, the whole frame was looking
0:39:51 > 0:39:56unpromising. That was the lifeline he was looking for. Didn't quite get
0:39:56 > 0:40:13that cue ball. Should really be 1-1 now.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59The black is in a slightly tricky position. Just near the side
0:40:59 > 0:41:11cushion. But it shouldn't be a problem for Neil... 42 in front,
0:41:11 > 0:41:22just needing to drop that black in. A 49 point lead. He keeps having a
0:41:22 > 0:41:33good look at it. Looking relatively simple from here. Yes, that should
0:41:33 > 0:41:43be the frame.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Two excellent frames of snooker. Good matchplay. Good positional
0:42:05 > 0:42:13play. It's fascinating to watch these two top-class protagonists go
0:42:13 > 0:42:25at it. Ken cannot really complain. He had a couple of chances in this
0:42:25 > 0:42:37frame. The long pink was one that he had to get.
0:42:42 > 0:42:52It has been good stuff.
0:43:17 > 0:43:22It isn't there, but that is Neil Robertson. With a break of 47 and 35
0:43:22 > 0:43:25in the frame.
0:43:26 > 0:43:27Leather
0:43:31 > 0:43:42-- levelling the match at one frame all.
0:43:55 > 0:44:051-1. Enjoyed it so far. These two great players trying to outthink
0:44:05 > 0:44:15each other.
0:44:41 > 0:44:46Well, that is a shocker. I don't know what he was doing there to hate
0:44:46 > 0:44:54it so thick. He will be kicking himself. Those hurt, those unforced
0:44:54 > 0:45:02ones. No trouble at all and then you go and do that.A little gift. There
0:45:02 > 0:45:10will not be many from either player this afternoon. It is a bad one by
0:45:10 > 0:45:20any standard.
0:45:21 > 0:45:27It's a good shot. A choice of two reds is excellent. Staying down the
0:45:27 > 0:45:32business end of the table. The pink might even go to the left corner.
0:45:32 > 0:45:44Plenty of options. Early on...
0:45:54 > 0:45:57Even that was a lovely touch and absolutely perfect. Could not have
0:45:57 > 0:46:05put it any better. The long tackle is difficult to get the actual feel,
0:46:05 > 0:46:10it's different to the weight of your cue. I'm impressed with how he hit
0:46:10 > 0:46:20the ball.
0:47:03 > 0:47:09He is going to have a little more work to do. What he does next, it
0:47:09 > 0:47:14would have been lovely to leave that there. Playing the cannon into the
0:47:14 > 0:47:18pack. A loose one at the back, he cannot do that any more. He will be
0:47:18 > 0:47:28relying on some luck when he splits up the pack... Here we go... A good
0:47:28 > 0:47:35angle.Three reds and a line committee would love to catch the
0:47:35 > 0:47:40right of the three. He has done, slipping off the other one. Does the
0:47:40 > 0:47:51right go past the pink? Right middle... I don't think it does.I'm
0:47:51 > 0:47:56not really one for taking players to task but how he went about that
0:47:56 > 0:48:01break there, I thought he'd got it wrong. Those reds at the bottom of
0:48:01 > 0:48:05the pack, they play the cannon into the pack. That's the insurance
0:48:05 > 0:48:12policy on the break. And there is the recovery.
0:48:19 > 0:48:26A great pot but once again, a little straight on the black. Looking to
0:48:26 > 0:48:39see, if he runs through slightly, at least a shot at one in the middle?
0:48:47 > 0:48:53He is thinking to play the right one of the two. The green or the brown.
0:48:53 > 0:48:58Almost playing as a half shot to nothing but it makes that pot a
0:48:58 > 0:49:05little easier. A bit more pace into it. I'm not sure of the angle.
0:49:05 > 0:49:16Running into the blue, playing the ball.
0:49:17 > 0:49:24A clever shot, he took the pressure off himself by going over to the
0:49:24 > 0:49:31other caution. That was good thinking. He wouldn't be leading
0:49:31 > 0:49:40anything. He has done well, unusual in how he has done it but
0:49:40 > 0:49:49nevertheless... He is still on the table and he is still scoring.
0:49:49 > 0:49:54Doesn't have too play a cannon here. They can go up the table and passed
0:49:54 > 0:50:04the pink on that one. It all depends. Looking like the back one
0:50:04 > 0:50:15pots as well... Perfect!
0:50:16 > 0:50:25Playing a little cannon here. Going through for a black, it should be
0:50:25 > 0:50:28all right, I think. Not guaranteed... Going wrong, he is the
0:50:28 > 0:50:37pink.It was a shop before for me. If you knows this two reds comedian
0:50:37 > 0:50:44got to be on the table. You do not have to play any cannon. Being a
0:50:44 > 0:50:57little short on the last one was a problem. And just the fact that he
0:50:57 > 0:51:05is keen to put the blue there. Not absolutely safe but losing the cue
0:51:05 > 0:51:09ball. Neil Robertson's long game, the last couple of seasons, hasn't
0:51:09 > 0:51:17been to his normal standard. Let's see how he tackles this one... A
0:51:17 > 0:51:32good pot.Just about on the yellow. Just about will do. You would expect
0:51:32 > 0:51:39him to get as far as that blue, wouldn't you?In an ideal world
0:51:39 > 0:51:43comedies like the blue on another question, to be honest, being
0:51:43 > 0:51:48left-handed. The blue isn't as hard for him as it would be for a
0:51:48 > 0:51:53right-handed player, he could use his own cue as opposed to the rest.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57It's a long way down the line but I do not think that a blue will be as
0:51:57 > 0:52:05much of a problem if he gets there. A classic chance of a counter attack
0:52:05 > 0:52:19here. Is he up to it?Looking down the line, if he gets as far as those
0:52:19 > 0:52:31colours. A half Paul Green. Flicking the blue into play. If this
0:52:31 > 0:52:38develops, Doherty would be worried, sitting in his chair...A fabulous
0:52:38 > 0:52:46shot, a brilliant shot.How many players would have thought of that?
0:52:46 > 0:52:50That is absolutely superb! The red was always going to be a problem. It
0:52:50 > 0:52:55would have been a half ball and he plays a screw of the condition and
0:52:55 > 0:53:05promotes it into play. -- off the cushion.That really is a tremendous
0:53:05 > 0:53:20shot, it looks like nothing against everything that it was superb.
0:53:25 > 0:53:31These are the frames, the ones that really hurt. It's a brilliant
0:53:31 > 0:53:38opportunity for Neil Robertson.Some people say that snooker is not a
0:53:38 > 0:53:47physical game, but this will hurt. Making the clearance... Already, the
0:53:47 > 0:53:54tension will have been on the green, getting the blue out, that's what we
0:53:54 > 0:54:07are talking about. This red is a little thinner.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11The backhand shot, where he played the blue, he clipped it. Would he
0:54:11 > 0:54:16have been better making sure he got the cue ball type? He would love to
0:54:16 > 0:54:25have have got one of them. On the cushion, this does not come.The
0:54:25 > 0:54:32fact he is as nice as he is, this red points to the road. 25 behind,
0:54:32 > 0:54:38playing for a bold colour which sets them up. Now looking at the green.
0:54:38 > 0:54:56He can almost use the cue ball on his hands, the timing is perfect.
0:54:56 > 0:55:03It's a good shout from before, off the green. Looking at it now, he is
0:55:03 > 0:55:11just perfect, where he has finished. This has been a superb performance
0:55:11 > 0:55:22so far. A lovely screw splitting up the reds with the best of the break.
0:55:22 > 0:55:28This is important, and if he flicks this blue out... Well, it's gone
0:55:28 > 0:55:36wrong. He has just made it ten times worse! Because he is left-handed,
0:55:36 > 0:55:44that is in a shocking position, that blue.He doesn't need the blue, he
0:55:44 > 0:55:50is still 17 in front.Did he play it a little hard? You only really want
0:55:50 > 0:55:55to promote the blue a foot or so outside of the cushion.You're
0:55:55 > 0:55:57right, he was guaranteed to get the cushion first and then kick the
0:55:57 > 0:56:06blue. No need to play with pace. At least off the brown, you can get the
0:56:06 > 0:56:14blue of that. It's important he does not leave Ken one shot to nothing,
0:56:14 > 0:56:26it's easier to get the blue near a cushion.
0:56:29 > 0:56:35He has left him some temptation, it's one of those shots that can win
0:56:35 > 0:56:49you the frame but it could also lose you it. It is decision time!
0:56:50 > 0:57:00What a pot!Thinking that Neil Robertson was going to let that
0:57:00 > 0:57:13frame... He's going to be 2-1 in front.Two snookers.It was an
0:57:13 > 0:57:27excellent pot. Of course, it is just one. And there it is. Wouldn't
0:57:27 > 0:57:43really be a problem to Ken, of the side cushion. But nevertheless,...
0:57:53 > 0:57:57Took a chance hitting it hard. You are bringing pockets into play when
0:57:57 > 0:58:06you play it that firm.I would agree, sometimes you've just got to
0:58:06 > 0:58:10think, hit the pink! Slow pace, just hit it and if you don't, fair
0:58:10 > 0:58:15enough, you have made the mistake! You are right, he was bringing other
0:58:15 > 0:58:31pockets into play.That will be a pot.
0:58:48 > 0:58:53It is far from a lost cause. Robertson made play the cross
0:58:53 > 0:58:58double. Depending on the pocket that he has. What he doesn't want to do
0:58:58 > 0:59:02is leave the cue ball and the pink close together because he knows the
0:59:02 > 0:59:05control that Neil Robertson has, he will fancy getting in behind the
0:59:05 > 0:59:12black.
0:59:12 > 0:59:17The other thing is because the black is on its spot, it is a position you
0:59:17 > 0:59:22know really well and you know the angle to get in behind. Neil has not
0:59:22 > 0:59:25played that particularly well. It should be OK for Ken to drop in. He
0:59:25 > 0:59:31does. What a fantastic frame of snooker that was. Absolutely
0:59:31 > 0:59:36brilliant. It looks like Neil Robertson would come back and make
0:59:36 > 0:59:44it but Ken Doherty leads the frame 2-1 in a very interesting match.
0:59:44 > 0:59:48Neil Robertson breaks off in frame four. A very interesting encounter
0:59:48 > 0:59:54so far this afternoon. Most people would have been thinking that the
0:59:54 > 0:59:57Australian was a big certainty for this match, playing against Ken
0:59:57 > 1:00:02Doherty, but we all know differently. Ken has been in good
1:00:02 > 1:00:06nick and always an excellent match player. He has given Neil plenty to
1:00:06 > 1:00:12think about in this opening session.
1:00:24 > 1:00:31He has been a top-class player for a long, long time. He was an amateur
1:00:31 > 1:00:36champion and turned professional in 1990. He was a constant on the
1:00:36 > 1:00:41circuit up until the last year or so when he got a wild card. He is
1:00:41 > 1:00:47certainly making the best of it. Good results. It looks like he is
1:00:47 > 1:00:51still enjoying being out there competing which is the big thing. As
1:00:51 > 1:00:55long as you can't wait to get your dickie bow and get your cue out of
1:00:55 > 1:01:00the kiss and go and play and compete and as long as you still feel like
1:01:00 > 1:01:04that then there will be good performances.
1:01:12 > 1:01:18That is a good point, the desire and the hunger to stay out there. Just
1:01:18 > 1:01:21getting your cue out of the kiss, it sounds like a simple thing but you
1:01:21 > 1:01:25have to be up for it. The way the top players are and with the
1:01:25 > 1:01:31youngsters coming through, with the Chinese contingent of players that
1:01:31 > 1:01:36are all hungry, you have got with the same.You are very fortunate
1:01:36 > 1:01:39that you haven't got there yet but you do know when your time is up and
1:01:39 > 1:01:44you have had enough of it. I have the ultimate respect for this game
1:01:44 > 1:01:47and everything I have got is because of it but if you do not enjoy being
1:01:47 > 1:01:52out there eating then you know. That is what happened to me in the end. I
1:01:52 > 1:01:56thoroughly enjoyed watching and talking about it but the competing
1:01:56 > 1:02:00side of it now I have been and gone and done it so I have a great deal
1:02:00 > 1:02:05of respect for the likes of Ken and yourself who are still out there.
1:02:20 > 1:02:26Even that is a clever shot by Ken. Lee Camp play round the black but he
1:02:26 > 1:02:31is leaving a guaranteed shot to nothing Neil Robertson, so clever.
1:02:31 > 1:02:35He play shots other people do not play and the fact that he is in
1:02:35 > 1:02:41better form all around now we get to see him do this. For a couple of
1:02:41 > 1:02:44seasons he has been off the radar but when you watch him play and you
1:02:44 > 1:02:48are in the commentary box watching him play you realise why he has been
1:02:48 > 1:02:54around for a long time.And now he can maybe play the safety around the
1:02:54 > 1:03:06back. Back into the baulk. He has to be careful not to push a red into
1:03:06 > 1:03:12this right corner. He has not done. That lost -- that last shot he
1:03:12 > 1:03:20played with tactical brilliance. You cannot teach that either, can you?
1:03:20 > 1:03:25You have to learn it for yourself. There are people in play the circuit
1:03:25 > 1:03:30and they just do not get it. They don't. He, obviously, through his
1:03:30 > 1:03:35mouth and his tactical awareness he does. How many players would have
1:03:35 > 1:03:38played that that way around to give yourself the best opportunity?
1:03:38 > 1:03:48Absolutely. Ken has all the moves. He is just asking questions of Neil
1:03:48 > 1:03:53Robertson.
1:04:00 > 1:04:09There was an answer.Sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and
1:04:09 > 1:04:13say, great shot, and that was one of them. He was in a fair bit of
1:04:13 > 1:04:18trouble there but what a pot that was.
1:04:30 > 1:04:33By all accounts, I think you have heard that Neil is practising really
1:04:33 > 1:04:37hard and putting all of the hour was same, which is what you have to do
1:04:37 > 1:04:42to get back to the levels he was that. The snooker he was playing a
1:04:42 > 1:04:47few years ago and one year in the Masters he played up until the final
1:04:47 > 1:04:51when he played Ali Carter in one game and it was as good as I have
1:04:51 > 1:04:55seen anyone play. He beat Ali Carter and missed one ball in the whole six
1:04:55 > 1:05:00frames. It was a blue when the frame was over. He was as close to
1:05:00 > 1:05:06perfection as you can get. He beat Ronnie O'Sullivan. Unfortunately he
1:05:06 > 1:05:09didn't have much left in the final because he played so well but he has
1:05:09 > 1:05:12produced some of the best performances on a snooker table I
1:05:12 > 1:05:17have ever seen. It is difficult to maintain the standards but you
1:05:17 > 1:05:21reckon he has been grafted hard which is always a step in the right
1:05:21 > 1:05:26direction.Absolutely he has been putting the hour was in. I think I
1:05:26 > 1:05:31was on the circuit are not always aware of what the others are doing
1:05:31 > 1:05:34but with social media and everything that goes with that, news does
1:05:34 > 1:05:39filter out there.
1:05:45 > 1:05:49Neil Robertson is going to get to work. This looks like the last of
1:05:49 > 1:05:56the easy red. He doesn't have any plants on stop he must get top side
1:05:56 > 1:06:00of the blue.
1:06:09 > 1:06:12Absolutely perfect and now the full ball cannon into the screw and hold
1:06:12 > 1:06:19the cue ball. How does he look? Well, not great actually. It is all
1:06:19 > 1:06:28right but that a crude -- a tricky shot demolition. -- off the cushion.
1:06:28 > 1:06:36The more power on the shot the harder the pot becomes.
1:06:45 > 1:06:49He hit that so well. He didn't quite get the pot just right on the cue
1:06:49 > 1:06:55ball, but just on the blue though. It can the yellow. It is a natural.
1:06:55 > 1:07:03It is all the pot here. Guarantees to finish on the red. He has just
1:07:03 > 1:07:08slipped past the yellow, but not too bad.I think he is one of the best
1:07:08 > 1:07:11players in the world of the push on with those little shots like that,
1:07:11 > 1:07:15he cues the ball so straight. We have already seen an example this
1:07:15 > 1:07:18afternoon when it was on the left-hand side of the table and he
1:07:18 > 1:07:22cued through it beautifully. It is very easy to click a bit of side on
1:07:22 > 1:07:38those and you'll doesn't do that.Is he playing for black you? Much
1:07:38 > 1:07:43easier. The position was never guaranteed. That red was then and it
1:07:43 > 1:07:48is decent on the yellow. He can just about reach it.
1:08:05 > 1:08:09It is amazing to think that he actually lost his tour card right at
1:08:09 > 1:08:12the start. You have to have something about you to come from
1:08:12 > 1:08:16Australia as far as he has come like he has come over here and lose your
1:08:16 > 1:08:21card and not get on the circuit and come back into the player he is
1:08:21 > 1:08:26today, you have to have plenty about you. He is made of stern stuff.A
1:08:26 > 1:08:33typical Aussie. Great sportsman with the Cricketers in late Intuit and
1:08:33 > 1:08:45all of those sort of guys. He has been fabulous. I think he won his
1:08:45 > 1:08:50first ranking event 13 or 14 years ago in Aberdeen.
1:09:07 > 1:09:11I don't quite know what he is looking at here, maybe just trying
1:09:11 > 1:09:18to work out at he thinks the reds will do off the safety. He played
1:09:18 > 1:09:21that like a shot to nothing there, trying to flick off the other one.
1:09:21 > 1:09:27Quite a clever shot.
1:09:45 > 1:09:54Foul. Neil Robertson, four.He knew it was going closely was trying to
1:09:54 > 1:10:01make sure he didn't promote to the corner but unfortunately for him he
1:10:01 > 1:10:12has now got a plain-ball on this red.
1:10:14 > 1:10:21Ken can look forward to being right up behind the brown here, I think.
1:10:21 > 1:10:26Yes, it is important that he gets tight in behind this. Ken will be
1:10:26 > 1:10:30trying to drop on the red to the black against the table in a few
1:10:30 > 1:10:43seconds.Switch it off please!The dreaded mobile phone goes off. He
1:10:43 > 1:10:48has just come back to that red near the black. I think it passes.Neil
1:10:48 > 1:10:55Robertson, one.He has not got it. He was just doing what you were
1:10:55 > 1:10:58saying, trying to cover that side of it and make the escape more
1:10:58 > 1:11:02difficult but unfortunately for him it was a little too far.He was
1:11:02 > 1:11:12trying to get the liftoff of the brown as we see it. He was trying to
1:11:12 > 1:11:17snooker him, these boys try to make it as difficult as possible. There
1:11:17 > 1:11:21is a way back into this frame for Ken.
1:11:25 > 1:11:29That was a better shot than it looked. You can't do much else
1:11:29 > 1:11:33there. You would have been playing the cannon onto the black and just
1:11:33 > 1:11:43about getting the cue ball down the table so he did pretty well there.
1:11:43 > 1:11:47The area down behind the green is looking like a good spot if you can
1:11:47 > 1:12:04get the cue ball down there. He tried.He would love to take this
1:12:04 > 1:12:10red on. It is just what he is weighing up, is it worth it? The
1:12:10 > 1:12:15question more pertinently is, how do I feel about it? Sometimes you feel
1:12:15 > 1:12:18confident. He is looking to see if he can leave the cue ball somewhere
1:12:18 > 1:12:24and maybe get away with it.I don't think this is one of those
1:12:24 > 1:12:28situations. This is one where you just have to go all your eggs in one
1:12:28 > 1:12:32basket and be committed to the pot. Not be worried about what will
1:12:32 > 1:12:39happen. If you are taking this on then it needs to go in the pocket.
1:12:39 > 1:12:51Yes, couldn't agree more. I think is it on.What a shot.Perfect cue
1:12:51 > 1:12:54ball.
1:13:10 > 1:13:15Deserves everything he gets after that shot. Absolutely excellent. A
1:13:15 > 1:13:19lot of players may have played along stunt shot with that but Ken dropped
1:13:19 > 1:13:27it in. He did it the way he fancied. Now it is just a matter of keeping
1:13:27 > 1:13:30the cue ball under control. The first priority is get yourself back
1:13:30 > 1:13:42in the frame. He hasn't really made a good effort of the last red, he is
1:13:42 > 1:13:53slightly awkward here. The yellow was a bit of a problem.
1:13:58 > 1:14:07Great shot. To find the gap, and that was quite deliberate as well.
1:14:07 > 1:14:09Quite back in perfect position, I don't know if he can hold for the
1:14:09 > 1:14:18blue. He is certainly going in and out of the ball. It is not quite in
1:14:18 > 1:14:28position yet.He is scrapping for it, isn't he? There are some great
1:14:28 > 1:14:32points to keep it going and the last positional shot was to rigour and
1:14:32 > 1:14:36that was better than it looked. He just needs to get one really good
1:14:36 > 1:14:41positional shot, and not miss the brown! Goodness me. I did not see
1:14:41 > 1:14:51that coming.Amazing, isn't it, this game. The professionals tell you you
1:14:51 > 1:14:57can miss anything. You take your eye off it for a split second and you
1:14:57 > 1:15:01can miss it.It is funny how it happens as well because he has
1:15:01 > 1:15:04played all the tricky shots with the Longbridge and gone through the gap
1:15:04 > 1:15:07in through the middle and it is almost as though your concentration
1:15:07 > 1:15:14drops a little level and you don't put it all in for the next pot.
1:15:28 > 1:15:32I am just wondering if that could be a big turning point in this match.
1:15:32 > 1:15:37Ken has done really well this afternoon so far and that was the
1:15:37 > 1:15:45first really big mistake he has made.We always said it was going to
1:15:45 > 1:15:54be a big frame. It always is before the mid-session interval. This black
1:15:54 > 1:16:03and one more red will stop that will be the insurance and then it will
1:16:03 > 1:16:10all be square again towards the interval. They have already passed
1:16:10 > 1:16:14the point that once they see this red disappear it is going in and Ken
1:16:14 > 1:16:18wouldn't return to the table.
1:16:37 > 1:16:43Neil Robertson, 23. And the frame. The concession from Ken Doherty, it
1:16:43 > 1:16:48will be 2-2 and all to play for when we return. Neil Robertson makes it
1:16:48 > 1:16:582-2.
1:16:59 > 1:17:04So, Ken Doherty breaks off in frame five after the mid-session interval.
1:17:04 > 1:17:10A very good session before the interval it was too. Interesting
1:17:10 > 1:17:16tactical play. Some good, long potting. Ken making himself a little
1:17:16 > 1:17:19bit after a chance on the brown that he had and he should not have
1:17:19 > 1:17:24missed. He could have got a counter clearance in the last frame but it
1:17:24 > 1:17:28has all gone now. 2-2 and all to play for.
1:18:54 > 1:19:00He has got to be a little bit careful with this return safety. If
1:19:00 > 1:19:10he decides to play in with a bit of check side. Well, he played another
1:19:10 > 1:19:16shot completely, and he would like to have that one again. The thing he
1:19:16 > 1:19:20had to avoid there was double-kiss. Yes, he just caught the far jaw in
1:19:20 > 1:19:28the corner. The double-kiss.
1:19:47 > 1:19:58We said before the interval, tough as the Australian sports stars are.
1:19:58 > 1:20:00The Australian Rugby league team won the World Cup this morning against
1:20:00 > 1:20:13England full is not 6-0.
1:20:13 > 1:20:17At one point that was looking distinctly unpromising, that splits,
1:20:17 > 1:20:23but Neil has a couple of options now. One of which is a red in the
1:20:23 > 1:20:31middle pocket, if he wants it. The left corner is also portable. One
1:20:31 > 1:20:36good pot and a positional play away from a really good chance here.
1:20:43 > 1:20:50Yes, the way these reds are sitting. Please shots a masterful. That was
1:20:50 > 1:20:54good, that was good.I mentioned earlier, his cue action is
1:20:54 > 1:20:58absolutely bowled straight and those shots are made to look effortless.
1:20:58 > 1:21:02He was right to the middle of the cue ball, as straight as you like,
1:21:02 > 1:21:13and that is tough to do.
1:21:20 > 1:21:26It is something else actually that this season, talking about
1:21:26 > 1:21:30conditions, the conditions have been really good. They have not been
1:21:30 > 1:21:33bouncing the way they were two or three seasons ago and it gives you
1:21:33 > 1:21:37this kind of little shot, it looks like nothing but it gives you
1:21:37 > 1:21:42confidence you can get it properly and not lose the cue ball.Do you
1:21:42 > 1:21:46know why it has improved?Not really, I had to be honest. It has
1:21:46 > 1:21:50been a feature of this season. I think I'm back to social media are
1:21:50 > 1:21:57you hear players complaining about tables misbehaving but there has
1:21:57 > 1:22:00been none of that this season and we hope it stays the same.And
1:22:00 > 1:22:06wondering if it is because the boys are all using the new chalk and it
1:22:06 > 1:22:09doesn't give any kicks because it doesn't rest on the table other
1:22:09 > 1:22:13conditions. It is good. You want consistency and you want to know
1:22:13 > 1:22:17exactly how the ball will come of the cushion. If the tables are doing
1:22:17 > 1:22:25the job, then great. Much has been made of this new chalk. Are you
1:22:25 > 1:22:30using it? Are you an advocate?I do have a piece of it my cue kiss but I
1:22:30 > 1:22:35have not started using it as yet. I think I probably will. The only
1:22:35 > 1:22:39thing I have heard reports that a lot of players are miss cueing more
1:22:39 > 1:22:43than they ever would say that his aim con servant but it definitely
1:22:43 > 1:22:49takes away the chalk marks. Why, I don't know, but it does. Kicks, you
1:22:49 > 1:22:56still get the odd bad contact but I think they do reduce kick count.
1:22:56 > 1:23:04Meanwhile Neil Robertson has taken these brilliantly well. I mentioned
1:23:04 > 1:23:11before the interval that it could change the course of the match. At
1:23:11 > 1:23:16the moment it is looking very promising for Neil. There is another
1:23:16 > 1:23:24one of those shots where there are kings of the condition where the cue
1:23:24 > 1:23:28ball was coming up far too far and that is the second one he has had in
1:23:28 > 1:23:32the break. It is absolutely perfect. That is great. If you're playing all
1:23:32 > 1:23:36the time and you know that is happening, that is exactly what you
1:23:36 > 1:23:41want.
1:23:52 > 1:23:57Even with that shot it helps, you can punch it improperly and know you
1:23:57 > 1:24:00will not lose the cue ball topside so it makes a difference to players
1:24:00 > 1:24:06of this standard. An awful lot of shots, it's not something we want to
1:24:06 > 1:24:14be talking about, you don't want it to be an issue so may it continue
1:24:14 > 1:24:17the weather conditions have been. Neil Robertson getting up of steam
1:24:17 > 1:24:24here.He is not daft. He has been around the block, he knows he may
1:24:24 > 1:24:27have got away with one in the last frame of this with Ken missing
1:24:27 > 1:24:33brown. Players know, they can sense, there are certain parts of the match
1:24:33 > 1:24:36were you know your opponent should have gone ahead or pressed ahead and
1:24:36 > 1:24:40he hasn't done it then you try even harder than you are doing in the
1:24:40 > 1:24:46next frame just to make him remember it. He is taking this beautifully
1:24:46 > 1:24:53well so far. The cue ball has been exemplary. He is already 64 points
1:24:53 > 1:24:58in the league. This will put him over the line in the frame said
1:24:58 > 1:25:01there is nothing like winning in one visit which is what he has not been
1:25:01 > 1:25:09able to do so far in this match. If safety shot and a double-kiss the
1:25:09 > 1:25:18Ken will cost in the frame. -- that safety shot and the double-kiss will
1:25:18 > 1:25:27cost Ken the frame. Play a little cannon off the pink here and take
1:25:27 > 1:25:32the outside red as well if he wants. A little flick across. He just
1:25:32 > 1:25:41dropped it in. Could take that shot on if he wanted it.
1:26:18 > 1:26:22No reason why now we should not see the first century of this match. He
1:26:22 > 1:26:29has taken these beautifully. Red and a colour will see him not that
1:26:29 > 1:26:40century. Very impressive.
1:26:49 > 1:26:55A beautiful century for Neil Robertson. The red doesn't matter.
1:26:55 > 1:27:08He will be in the lead for the first time at three frames to two.
1:27:12 > 1:27:15Neil Robertson breaks off in frame six. He will not be happy with that
1:27:15 > 1:27:27break. He will need a bit of luck to get away with it. Has he?Ken can
1:27:27 > 1:27:39just about get through to red. It is a difficult pot. Yes, those are not
1:27:39 > 1:27:44easy when you have been your chair, added to the interval 15 minutes it
1:27:44 > 1:27:49is probably a good half an hour or hour or so or 40 minutes.The double
1:27:49 > 1:27:55whammy was that the red has come out to a portable position. He just hit
1:27:55 > 1:27:59so so nicely. It is once again such a nice example of that straight
1:27:59 > 1:28:03cueing. You cannot put that ball unless you cue threw the ball
1:28:03 > 1:28:13straight.
1:28:28 > 1:28:35That was beautiful. The control. Three or four times today he has
1:28:35 > 1:28:39landed absolutely perfect on the blue. Into the reds again. How is
1:28:39 > 1:28:49his luck. Not great. Can he get through for pink to the right
1:28:49 > 1:29:00middle?Won over the middle. It is not a cinch. It is not easy to
1:29:00 > 1:29:06control the cue ball playing it.
1:29:06 > 1:29:11This is definitely an example of straight through the ball cueing
1:29:11 > 1:29:16here... Which, once again, was not a problem. It really is bowled
1:29:16 > 1:29:23straight. It looks like nothing though.It was a beautiful shot.A
1:29:23 > 1:29:29very fine left-hander as well. To be on the pink but not on the rest, it
1:29:29 > 1:29:33shows you the control. Picking a spot for the next red, meaning
1:29:33 > 1:29:44business again... Is he playing the cannon into the reds? No, he can
1:29:44 > 1:29:52pick out one. Edit the gap looking promising...Stepping through the
1:29:52 > 1:29:56gaze at the minute. Trying to go a little quicker... That was the
1:29:56 > 1:30:04importance of scoring heavily. In this part of the match he feels he's
1:30:04 > 1:30:16got Ken slightly on the ropes at the moment.
1:30:30 > 1:30:40It's a clever shot that shows you how well he is thinking. Just about
1:30:40 > 1:30:47the top side of the blue. Finding a way back down to the next red. It
1:30:47 > 1:30:54isn't going to be easy. Loosely spread. Covering one another. It's
1:30:54 > 1:31:00an important shot right here. Finishing the red how he is playing.
1:31:00 > 1:31:07You would fancy him. I wonder that red at the top, dropping the blue,
1:31:07 > 1:31:13it would be OK if he runs that cue ball three.Let's have a look at the
1:31:13 > 1:31:17red that I thought would be the one for Neil. Leave the cue ball right
1:31:17 > 1:31:24there, play a thin clip in and play up the table. That looks to be the
1:31:24 > 1:31:35best option at the moment... He has gone on the same line, going twice
1:31:35 > 1:31:38across...
1:31:54 > 1:32:01He played a two in 1-shot there. He played for the choice of a plant a
1:32:01 > 1:32:10loose red corner. Filling in the knowledge, on the red, he was
1:32:10 > 1:32:15thinking clearly. Good thinking. One good positional shot away, a fine
1:32:15 > 1:32:28chance. To win the frame his visit...We said earlier in the day
1:32:28 > 1:32:33that all of the breaks, one of those made by Ken, he was scrapping for a
1:32:33 > 1:32:37position. It's another one here. He hasn't been right for the last three
1:32:37 > 1:32:50or four shots. Another good positional shot is required.
1:32:50 > 1:33:00Now, is he on one? He is not on the one closest to the black on the
1:33:00 > 1:33:04right-hand side but he is on one above. Once again, got to knock it
1:33:04 > 1:33:12in because you don't really know where the cue ball is going. What a
1:33:12 > 1:33:25shot.As good as anything today. Again, beautifully striped. A choice
1:33:25 > 1:33:32of green or blue. If it goes in it looks like it would be the end of
1:33:32 > 1:33:46the frame. Just gone through the Boxall of a sudden...
1:34:01 > 1:34:07A worried Ken sat in his chair there. 20 minutes since he last
1:34:07 > 1:34:11potted a ball. Really, 45 minutes since he had any decent table time
1:34:11 > 1:34:22to speak of...And he doesn't look like he is getting any time soon,
1:34:22 > 1:34:29either. He is playing really quickly at the moment. He is obviously very
1:34:29 > 1:34:36confident. You can always tell when a player is in good stroke.
1:34:36 > 1:34:41Certainly with Neil Robertson, his shoulders go back and he walks as
1:34:41 > 1:34:45proud as a peacock around the table. Quick and fluent. That is what is
1:34:45 > 1:34:51happening at the moment.69...
1:34:58 > 1:35:09Hard to play any better than this.
1:35:21 > 1:35:26Just beginning to enjoy himself out there, Neil, the first three or four
1:35:26 > 1:35:33frames were hard-fought today. A good single for plotting, but not
1:35:33 > 1:35:39really the fluency we are expecting. But he is beginning to move through
1:35:39 > 1:35:50the gears. He is looking good.It was interesting, a couple of shots
1:35:50 > 1:35:54he could have played and flicked the pink off the cushion. He ignored it.
1:35:54 > 1:35:58He didn't even take a chance on that one, he just wanted to make a
1:35:58 > 1:36:10century. And there it is. Consecutive century breaks.
1:36:10 > 1:36:14Extremely impressive. Done in pretty quick time. Superb from the
1:36:14 > 1:36:24Australian.
1:36:39 > 1:36:43Great to see him playing back like this. As you say he's one of the
1:36:43 > 1:36:47finest players I've ever seen in this game and when he motors like
1:36:47 > 1:36:51this, here's a handful! It would take someone exceptional to beat him
1:36:51 > 1:37:10if he continues in this vein... It's great stuff.
1:37:14 > 1:37:23The way he's hitting this, it's a certainty! APPLAUSE
1:37:23 > 1:37:39124. The frame to Neil Robertson. 102 in the last, opening up a two
1:37:39 > 1:37:44frame lead. Neil Robertson leading Ken Doherty four frames to two. He
1:37:44 > 1:37:55is looking good.
1:38:13 > 1:38:22My goodness. Well... That's what happens, unfortunately, in sport.
1:38:22 > 1:38:26When somebody is playing so well they get the rub. That is one of
1:38:26 > 1:38:31those, missing it by a foot. Straight into the corner. I wouldn't
1:38:31 > 1:38:35put it past him making another frame-winning contribution here.
1:38:35 > 1:38:45That is tough to take.Yes, this game, it seems to have a memory. On
1:38:45 > 1:38:49what has gone on before in the last couple of frames, the half-century
1:38:49 > 1:38:55breaks by Neil... Not bad enough for Ken Doherty that the opponent is
1:38:55 > 1:39:04playing the way that he is. Like is also on his side. Clever, playing
1:39:04 > 1:39:17for the pink right there. It will go to the back of the cluster.
1:39:17 > 1:39:22It clears a couple of rates and some shots to work out the order that he
1:39:22 > 1:39:29is going to take the reds in. Already thinking of the best way to
1:39:29 > 1:39:40win this bunch.
1:39:58 > 1:40:04A couple of loose reds before he needs to think about that but, once
1:40:04 > 1:40:11again, a cluster the way that they are. Off the blue, that would be
1:40:11 > 1:40:16happy but he has come a little short on this one. Just about the cannon
1:40:16 > 1:40:20that he gets here. The fact that he can sneak past the side of the pack,
1:40:20 > 1:40:26I didn't think he could see that at first but that is all right! Still
1:40:26 > 1:40:38got two loose reds before he has two manoeuvre any more balls into play.
1:40:38 > 1:40:45This frame, all about the split. I do think though that, is there a
1:40:45 > 1:40:49plant on the same pocket? I think that he's going to play for the
1:40:49 > 1:40:56loose red.Similar how he was on it a couple of shots ago. Finishing
1:40:56 > 1:41:06where his farm is there. That is perfect! That is perfect.Played it
1:41:06 > 1:41:10nicely. Once again judging the cannon. You have to be careful, how
1:41:10 > 1:41:18hard you hit these. And also making sure you do not screw it off in the
1:41:18 > 1:41:22middle pocket, that is a possibility. Interesting to see
1:41:22 > 1:41:31which way he does this.He can actually push the reds in. I wonder
1:41:31 > 1:41:42if the plant is still on.
1:41:43 > 1:41:51It can definitely be made. No doubt. It looks like it is all happening
1:41:51 > 1:42:00here. A fluke on the opening red and he has found a plant as well. Hmm.
1:42:00 > 1:42:09The other thing is, he will be pushing the other reds into play and
1:42:09 > 1:42:14playing this... If the balls are even virtually touching, they don't
1:42:14 > 1:42:22have to be touching, and he can still manufacture this, putting it
1:42:22 > 1:42:31into the middle of the pocket... Yes. A good shot.My goodness,
1:42:31 > 1:42:35honestly, this frame, you want to put a line through this one. Ken
1:42:35 > 1:42:40wants to sit and look for the fluke, then the plant, the split is
1:42:40 > 1:42:49absolutely perfect. I would not be backing any horses if I was Ken!It
1:42:49 > 1:42:54is a tough life sometimes, the life of a snooker player. Playing in this
1:42:54 > 1:43:02kind of form, since the interval, you don't have to do much wrong...
1:43:02 > 1:43:05You can bet he's trying to make another century, he likes to make
1:43:05 > 1:43:12three or four on the spin. He's obviously very motivated by the
1:43:12 > 1:43:17history of the game and wants to win as many majors as he can, scoring
1:43:17 > 1:43:27wonderful centuries that season, with over 100 of them. Just coming a
1:43:27 > 1:43:35little straight on this, otherwise he would have played it already.And
1:43:35 > 1:43:39it is also very good matchplay, in terms of the experience. He's
1:43:39 > 1:43:43reached a stage in the match where the next half a dozen shots are so
1:43:43 > 1:43:50important, to take him to a 5-2 lead which you would think are not
1:43:50 > 1:43:54unassailable but are in a very strong position. He's taking his
1:43:54 > 1:43:58time, fluent, but there are times in a match where you would want to hang
1:43:58 > 1:44:10back and weigh up your options this is one of them.
1:44:12 > 1:44:16Once again, that was beautifully played. The pot on the bottom of the
1:44:16 > 1:44:24pink. That is just... Well, it is superb. Well, this looks like they
1:44:24 > 1:44:28are all going to go. Certainly enough to get past the line. 48
1:44:28 > 1:44:34ahead already. John Paul used to say that all he's got to do is to mind
1:44:34 > 1:44:47his work!As I say, taking his time. He knows. He knows how important
1:44:47 > 1:44:54this visit is. Keep Ken in the chair. Get a 5-2 lead. He isn't on
1:44:54 > 1:45:00the red. As far as patting it directly but it should be all right.
1:45:00 > 1:45:10Virtual certainty...
1:45:14 > 1:45:17That shot on the right-hand side can he left himself in the right place
1:45:17 > 1:45:28to placed and cannon, all the time he is thinking of using his brains.
1:45:28 > 1:45:40Not much you can do about this. ... If you play golf, but when your
1:45:40 > 1:45:46opponent has the cue ball, you've just got to sit and watch. This has
1:45:46 > 1:45:51been brilliant from Neil Robertson. There is nothing Ken Doherty can do
1:45:51 > 1:46:01about it.
1:46:09 > 1:46:15Chasing centuries again... Deep enough into this to push the red
1:46:15 > 1:46:28over to the left middle.He needs to work on his positional play. Been
1:46:28 > 1:46:34absolutely superb for the last two and three quarters frames. Looking
1:46:34 > 1:46:39like someone who has won of the last for the United Kingdom. That is what
1:46:39 > 1:46:56he has done. It's great to see him back playing so well.
1:46:59 > 1:47:06The only way to get the read out, I think.He tried to get it out a
1:47:06 > 1:47:12couple of shots ago. What a shock it was.Everything working in perfect
1:47:12 > 1:47:22harmony.
1:47:34 > 1:47:37So, pink, red, and another colour. That will be three centuries on the
1:47:37 > 1:47:49spin for Neil Robertson. Absolutely grey day -- absolutely A great
1:47:49 > 1:47:53today. Dropping this in...
1:48:07 > 1:48:20That's three times in a row.Neil Robertson is flying out there.Make
1:48:20 > 1:48:24no mistake, ladies and gentlemen. He is back. The real Neil Robertson has
1:48:24 > 1:48:32entered the building. Hasn't been massively off in his game but
1:48:32 > 1:48:37slightly awry with how he has been playing. He has been saying that
1:48:37 > 1:48:40people are playing good against him but trust me, he isn't playing that
1:48:40 > 1:48:53good when he plays them. It is vintage stuff at the moment.
1:48:58 > 1:49:09He is really enjoying himself out there now.
1:49:15 > 1:49:22124 and 129. Neil Robertson, with a three frame lead. One from victory
1:49:22 > 1:49:29at 5-2.Neil Robertson to break. Neil Robertson to break off in frame
1:49:29 > 1:49:34eight.It's been an exhibition since the mid-session interval from the
1:49:34 > 1:49:39Australian. Three consecutive century breaks. Fabulous control of
1:49:39 > 1:49:46the cue ball. Exhibition break-building the highest numbers.
1:49:46 > 1:49:51Not much that Ken Doherty can do on that. You've just got to hope that
1:49:51 > 1:50:01things turn around.
1:50:20 > 1:50:26It's another wonderful piece of cueing. When he is on like this, his
1:50:26 > 1:50:39long game is sensational. There are not many better.
1:50:40 > 1:50:45A couple of ways of playing this. He may drop a dead weight. Playing two
1:50:45 > 1:50:50cushions for a choice of rates. Deciding on the dead weight, if he
1:50:50 > 1:50:54finds this gap through the red, left of the black... He plays it within
1:50:54 > 1:51:02an inch.Were you expecting anything else? Not really! And there it is.
1:51:02 > 1:51:13He is up and running again.I love how he plays the game. As far as his
1:51:13 > 1:51:17safety he takes his time and place a correct short but when he gets in
1:51:17 > 1:51:21close he likes to get motoring and picking up the pieces. He's done
1:51:21 > 1:51:26that since the interval, wasting no time.
1:52:04 > 1:52:14Flat black, 400 points without reply. For Neil Robertson. Clean as
1:52:14 > 1:52:18a whistle as well. I think that the record is somewhere in the region of
1:52:18 > 1:52:32560. Maybe John Higgins against Anthony Hamilton at the Crucible?
1:52:32 > 1:52:36Suppose that the good news is it looks like the last frame because
1:52:36 > 1:52:39there were more in this match that could be happening here. He is not
1:52:39 > 1:52:54liking this at the moment. The cue ball is absolutely superb.
1:52:57 > 1:53:03Of course, losing the cue ball for the first time... But mind you, he
1:53:03 > 1:53:15has been knocking these in for fun!
1:53:17 > 1:53:29It was over the pocket, no hesitation, again.
1:53:29 > 1:53:34Weight a deep screw. A cannon into the pink. It is a clever shot. Is he
1:53:34 > 1:53:42on one?The only where he is not going to pot one, if he's looking at
1:53:42 > 1:53:49a chance of going in the pocket, I think this is the end of the break.
1:53:49 > 1:53:55A little bit of luck needed there. You can take it onto the corner but
1:53:55 > 1:54:06the way that he is going, he has knocked everything in. 44 points in
1:54:06 > 1:54:11front, 5-2 ahead and when you play as well as he is, sometimes it is
1:54:11 > 1:54:13difficult to steal yourself that you still need to play the right shot
1:54:13 > 1:54:20and the right shot here is to skip out.Yes, a medicine shop this, I
1:54:20 > 1:54:27think.Play the shot on its merit, he wants to make four tons in a row,
1:54:27 > 1:54:33of course he does. But if it doesn't cut, there's no point in playing it.
1:54:33 > 1:54:38He isn't playing someone in the club handicap, he plays Ken Doherty,
1:54:38 > 1:54:42capable of clearing up if he misses. Play the right shot, I'm sure he
1:54:42 > 1:55:00will do. And there you go.That is why he is the champion.
1:55:08 > 1:55:10Now then! CHEERING
1:55:10 > 1:55:20CHUCKLES That is nice to see.Just don't miss
1:55:20 > 1:55:28that brown though!It's been a long time coming but worth the wait in
1:55:28 > 1:55:36the end. It's a decent chance. Not a certainty, the brown, but so fully
1:55:36 > 1:55:43capable.This is why like to play the screw on the angle, try and get
1:55:43 > 1:55:48into the pack... There he is, he has Mr brown. That's the shot I was
1:55:48 > 1:55:58thinking... Hmm... -- he has missed the brown. Unfortunately, his
1:55:58 > 1:56:04position is good.Year, it's a symptom of a lack of table time,
1:56:04 > 1:56:10isn't it? Look at that. That's where you put the cue ball with your hand.
1:56:10 > 1:56:21No idea really of where he was going to land but that is plumb.If this
1:56:21 > 1:56:25match isn't over now, Neil Robertson would be very annoyed with himself.
1:56:25 > 1:56:4051 points in the league... Easily 20 or 30 more to come, you would think.
1:56:40 > 1:56:44He has been hugely impressive this afternoon. The second session has
1:56:44 > 1:56:49been as good as he can play. The only reason he hasn't made for
1:56:49 > 1:56:53centuries on the spin is because he lost the cue ball, on the positional
1:56:53 > 1:56:57shot, not because he missed anything. Back to his very best and
1:56:57 > 1:57:10he is going to take some stopping here... Whoever he plays against.
1:57:25 > 1:57:30Just making sure of the black. Playing the match... He has been
1:57:30 > 1:57:40good, hasn't he?He has, an exhibition of power and control.
1:57:40 > 1:57:49APPLAUSE And it is good to see him play this
1:57:49 > 1:57:56way again... It's not like he hasn't been playing that well, still
1:57:56 > 1:58:05knocking in centuries but to put it together, all in one burst... The
1:58:05 > 1:58:10red didn't go in, but the Australian was absolutely all for nothing in
1:58:10 > 1:58:17the interval. Wrapping it up there. In the final frame. Brilliant play
1:58:17 > 1:58:21from Neil Robertson the Australian, Ken Doherty can do much about it in
1:58:21 > 1:58:26the second session. The Australian was awesome, winning 6-2.
1:58:26 > 1:58:27the second session. The Australian was awesome, winning 6-2.
1:58:27 > 1:58:31What a performance from Neil Robertson, 422 points without reply,
1:58:31 > 1:58:35two matches in a row where he has made three successive centuries. He
1:58:35 > 1:58:42looks very good, does the two-time UK champion. 16 second-round matches
1:58:42 > 1:58:46remaining, we will get through those on Sunday, starting at one o'clock
1:58:46 > 1:58:51and we will be ready, on-air, for the match between Ronnie O'Sullivan,
1:58:51 > 1:58:56the five-time champion of this event. I hope you join us for that,
1:58:56 > 1:58:59but in the meantime, get some sleep.