Day 5 UK Snooker Championship

Welcome to continued coverage of the williamhill.com UK championship

from the Barbican Centre in York. You have had a little taste of the

four talents will be seen and second in action this afternoon.

One of them was until recently the number-one player in the world,

Mark Selby. And there is more to the 21 year older and -- 29 year

old and been the Jester from Leicester, as we can see with his

profile. Mark Selby has not won as many major ranking events as his

current ranking position suggests. He obviously has got there through

sheer consistency. Over the past few years he has been in so many

semi-finals and finals. He puts a lot of work into his game. He's one

of the men to beat. But he has probably under achieved a bit.

it comes to that consistency level he produces year-end, year out, one

of the things I like about his game is the relentless repetitiveness of

his cueing action. It gets a bad rap in as much as the players are

rather repetitive. They do not tend to be as exciting as the ones who

seem to be a little bit all over the place, but Marks will be's

cueing action is as good as anybody's. -- Mark Selby's.

watch the movement in his head and the big, long cue action and I

wonder, if it is always going to be that big, long, straight line, but

certainly, for the time being, it is working superbly well. You would

not call him one of the flair players, but in terms of getting

the job done, three or four centuries in a row, he is not

frightened of scoring highly and making big breaks, which is

fantastic to watch. He has a fantastic mentality and he has

thrown himself into the season and played in almost everything and

done very well on the back of that, although we had heard it said that

little lot of players here struggling to keep up the momentum

in that department. It is hard for the top players to play a lot of

snooker and keep at the high standard they want to be at, but

there are times when you need a week's practice on your own two

sorts of things out, but if you are playing tournament after tournament,

you do not get the chance. Different players are turning to

different coaches to find that little bit extra, to give them the

edge. Can he win the World Championship? He would be

disappointed if he did not win the World Championship or the UK

championship in his career, because he has been world number one, so

there would be something missing if he did not win one of those

tournaments. Mark is taking on Welshman, Ryan Day, who produced a

shock in the first round. But, Mark Selby dominates the head-to-head

clashes and he won 6-0 you last year, but it was Ryan Day was

forced into his stride. We will join the match in frame three, with

Mark Selby at the table already rent -- trailing. Dennis Taylor and

John Virgo are in the commentary That has made it awkward. He will

have to take the yellow instead. Been on a nice, easy pink to the

middle. This can happen when you are struggling. With the table been

so fast, it is difficult to control the cue ball. His cueing action is

all over the place at the moment. Worrying times for Mark Selby.

There is just not pushing the cue through, straight, not finding the

centre of the cue ball. With a straight shot, you hit the cue ball,

it will go straight and hit the red in the middle, but there was some

unwanted side with no intention of side and the cue ball. As you said,

worrying. For Mark Selby and his It was not quite as easy as

everyone thought, that last shot. Have a look at the table and the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

way that the reds are. This would be some clearance! He would like to

get closer to the one near the blue, to drop it into the pocket. I tell

you what, he just took his eye off the pot, so everything going wrong

at the moment. Mark Selby how often -- how often do you see him miss a

The ball is being cleaned, although I did not detect any kick. Usually,

if you get at kick, you miss it to the other jaw, but he hit that on

He could have done it with a little bit of angle. He can get up for the

red that is to the right of the black and reds. He has not made a

good job of that. He has snookered himself on the easier Robb the reds.

There are a few of those reds that will go, into the corner pocket, so

Let us have a look at this. He just got into it too much. He wanted to

be near the black. This is a tricky one that he is taking on, and what

a good shot, and what they could cannon on the black. The cannon on

the black was a bonus. -- what a That could be a frame winner. 45

Just the black needed. A glance at the scoreboard to make sure. One

frame before the interval, and regardless of what happens, Mark

will be heading off to the practice table. He is not with it at the

moment. He pots this red, I don't think Mark Selby will carry on.

mid-session interval coming up after this and that is not the best

break-off shot. He has left the pot to the left corner and there is a

way round to the back of the black. Can Ryan Day Open with a good pot?

Not quite. With it being the first to six frames, 3-1 behind at the

mid-session interval would not be that bad, as we show you that

Congested around the black spot. But he can develop those reds and

the black looks to be available. If the white pulls up he can go red,

blue, then up for the reds near the black. The one to the right of the

black available from the right. The one above the black available into

That has certainly spread them. He did that because he hadn't the

angle to play the reds near the black. That was the only red that

was available to a lack, even after splitting them all over the table.

It is very important, this visit. We know what a good player he is.

So plaque, based on the first three frames, he has just not been

scoring at all -- so far. These are big moments in the match for Mark

He needs to make the most of this But, he is capable of doing this.

We have seen over the last five or six seasons, he can go a couple of

frames going, but, he can come back very strongly, also. He needs a

vast improvement on the three He still moves around a little bit

on the shot. It is something he has always done. It is just a natural

He has got a good sense of humour. I said to him the other day, when I

was playing in the World Seniors against Nigel Bond, and I said that

I didn't realise I was moving around on the shot, and he said,

you are talking to the wrong man! He plays with a bit of movement,

and he copes very well with it. You can see that slight movement.

Played a good shot, there - brought the black into play. Under normal

circumstances you would say this was a frame-winning opportunity,

but I would not count my chickens, and I don't think Mark Selby well,

either, not after what has happened He is one of the best break-

builders in the game, having made 269 centuries, 55 centuries last

season. He is a heavy scorer. There is no doubt about that. This is the

first time he has really got his hand on the table. He had a 35

break in the first frame, but that was not good enough to win him that

Nice angle night, on this black. Loose reds and either side, 46

points in the lead, possible 83 left, so, he only needs two or

And, that could have worked out Ryan Day has only had one shot, he

attempted a long red, that he's usually pretty good at, and he has

been sitting down at Racine's. But Mark Selby, with that split, was

very unlucky -- has been sitting down a row since. -- ever since.

It is always the sign of a great player, when you are out of sorts,

you lose three frames, you have missed all sorts of shots, you

cannot knock in the long ones in, and all of a sudden, he is back,

looking like a world-beater. He is taking these quite well. It would

have been quite easy to press the panic button, the way that he was

When he pots the black he will be 66 points in front, with 67

remaining, so, this black and one more red is all that is required.

I think the red goes past the two Let us have a look from the other

side. I could never see from this end, when you are directly behind

the ball it is easier to see the angle. You would like to lead a

frame ball easier than this. It only just goes. We have got the

perfect picture. We will know if it goes in, before anyone else. No

Well, he will be disappointed at missing the black, but not

disappointed with that 67 break, which should be enough to give him

this first frame. He followed that by winning frame five, and is just

one frame the end, and rejoin the match, live, in frame six. We join

Jenice -- Dennis and Joan to bring Ryan has just missed what should

have been frame ball, which should have been an easy red, but this was

the red, he needed this, and a colour, and Mark Selby would have

needed a snooker, but that is the type of pot that has been missed

all afternoon. Ryan Day has potted all the difficult ones, and all of

a sudden, he will miss a sitter. That's definitely should have been

4-2. Look at the pot success rate, just 81% for Mark Selby, and Ryan

Day has dropped to 79. You have got to be up in the 90s. No really big

breaks in the match, so far, 68 for Ryan Day, 67 for Mark Selby. This

is a key frame. To open up at two from advantage, at this stage means

you can relax a little bit -- a two frame advantage. This will bring

the difficult pink into play. He has just got to be careful that he

gets a good cue ball, and does not bring the red away from the cushion

- is he going to double this across, and try to get the snooker behind

the pink? No, he has played to free up the pink. Funnily enough, this

is the type of shot that Ryan Day has been potting, and Ryan just

wanted to bring the pink into play, but, if this long red goes in, he

could win the frame. It would be a one night, after missing an easy

one, if he were to knock this one in. And look where it has finished.

This could be a turning point, if Ryan Day was to lose this. He could

It is not going to be the easiest clearance. And he will need the

clearance, there is no way round it. Even if he takes the black, he

needs the six remaining colours. The blues not on its spot, and the

pink isn't. -- blue is not. He is not absolutely perfect on pink or

He decided to take a chance and bring the blue into play, and

looking at his body language, has he snookered himself? He was going

to leave himself a long yellow, unlucky to snooker himself, but

that is exactly what he has done. He could a try to get a bit closer

to the yellow. I do not blame him for trying to get the blue away,

but he can just get to this yellow, but it is important that he gets it

That is safe enough, but he could be in trouble next time he comes to

the table. It was key to make the object ball safe. It is not

straightforward to get a snooker from here. He has got the double-

kiss, and if he has its mitt the fluke and -- fluked the snooker

behind the blue, he is very fortunate. Ryan Day, very fortunate

there, when he double-kiss that He was trying to leave the white

behind the brown and pleaded with side, but, just watch the double-

kiss. -- played it with side. Two He does not want to hit the green

here, and he hasn't, and he has got it safe. He holds his hand up to

apologise, but it was a good hit. What was he apologising for?! The

other man fluked the snooker. could have played is better. Even

Now, he could be close to potting this. But, why and they should have

had him in behind the green. -- He has hit that too thinly, but has

he put a snooker? It is all happening. Is it going to pull up,

though, it hasn't, but, how do you get up onto the green. Ryan Day

puffs his cheeks boat. He has got a terrific amount of cueing power,

and he is going to have to call on He can nick this yellow in, but I

don't see how he can get close to the green. Thinner potting angle

than he'd have liked. He has got to be careful he does not snooker

himself. I don't think he can get close to the green. Has to be

careful not to fall in behind the pink. And he has done. That was

always a possibility. A further across the table you go, the pink

and blue are always going to be in Just will points behind, so this is

an important escape -- just 12 There is enough room round the back

of the black to hit the green, but There was a chance he can screw

back for the brown. It could have been easier. But the pressure on

this one, John. Quick glance at the scoreboard, green and brown needed.

Terrific pot on the green, and this ground, to go 19 points in front,

as we see the green disappear. 19 points in front with just 18

That just about sums up this match, a terrific pot on the green, how

can he miss that? It is amazing he has missed. I can think of five

straightforward pots in this match, It will not be a straightforward

blue. But what a turning point this frame could free -- could prove to

be. Looks to be straight into the corner. He is having the cue ball

cleaned because of the way he is going to play the shot. If it is

dead straight he will run it It couldn't be much straighter than

that. Just deliver that cue in a straight line, a little movement,

he has missed it. That is the way he was cueing earlier in the match.

He hasn't cued well this afternoon. There is still a chance he could be

Just this blue needed. He has got the snooker, would you believe it?

When you are missing pots by that distance it could go anywhere. Is

there a cue doctor in house? Mark Selby is one of the best in the

game at escaping from snookers. There is room around the back of

the blue, he will have to be spot- on. Where is the blue? Does it past

the pink? If not it will be a difficult one up into the corner.

It doesn't go in there. Another Why he took that hard. He is trying

to get the cue ball but on the cushion. If he had played it slow

were there was every chance if he got the blue he could get the

snooker behind the pink. Been a very strange game, from start to

finish. The first game, had a be rack after playing for 15 minutes,

never really lifted off at all. -- re-rack. The standard has been a

very poor. Still very exciting there. If he can hit cushion first,

catch the blue and not catch the black, there is a possibility of

getting a snooker but he would have to be very precise. He needed to

hit it full ball, that wasn't good either. There is an angle here.

Mark, in the first half, couldn't knock a long ball in. He had five

goes at the long pots, missed them all. He has knocked a few in since

then, he could do with another one here. He has knocked six long balls

This is a big shot, and he can win this frame after been 3-0 down, he

will be a boost to his confidence. So close, but this time he has left

the blue. He can't miss this one, but there was so close. -- back was

The he just played it in all over, This is not far away, have a look

at this. Can you believe it? That was a tremendous shot, shouldn't

have had the chance to play it. It will not be that easy to hit this.

He needs plenty of side if he is using two cushions. He just didn't

have enough side. It is amazing A chance here to take the pink on

to the right corner and the white will automatically go down to the

black. What a shot this would be to When Ryan Day potted the blue you

could think he had put all the mistakes behind him but it will

hurt if he loses this one, it really will, because he has had so

many chances. Been on the blue, you cannot believe it. Never really

gave it any care and attention. Pot This is a good shot, I like this

shot a lot. Ryan is in trouble, got the full length of the table. If he

double sit down towards the right corner pocket he will be hoping to

He has gone the other side unstuck it over the pocket. Why go down

Neither player is really at their best. When you're not hitting the

ball well, look at the frame time, 45 minutes. It is up and down the

table. Mark Selby has got a chance of winning this. He has got a long

way to travel if he is to try and get all the way around the table

and back to the black again, if too He is taking his time. This will

really hurt trying date if he loses Where is the white going to finish?

It is OK? Look where that has finished. What a shot he has played

there, absolutely incredible. Just having the cue ball cleaned. It was

just the knuckle that helped, if he had caught the knuckle a bit

sharper he would have stayed in the middle of the table. You get what

you deserve sometimes, and Ryan Day had enough chances to win this

frame and it goes the way of Mark Selby. Ryan Day was 3-0 behind, it

What a tense and tight frame that was. To play is not at their best

but it still provides entertaining snooker. I think what has happened

in this UK championship, used to be best of 17, a lot more breathing

space for the match itself, all of a sudden everything is magnified,

the pressure, a couple of big names, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, out

of it, everybody is feeling the heat, desperate to win. You could

see Mark Selby's reaction, he has fought his way back in even though

he doesn't feel that great out there.

And it manifests itself, the pressure does, in mistakes we are

seeing from both players. This is such a terrible error from Ryan Day,

potted the blue, only trying to drop the pink over the hole but why

don't you just make sure. He has left Mark Selby a chance. He is

playing unbelievable snooker from this position. Ryan Day knows he

should have just potted that pink. Look at this. Played two of the

best shot of the match. This is the first one, absolutely perfect, and

not easy to escape from this position either. Have a look at the

next job, the pink, the black, one of the best shots -- next shot. The

cue ball has got to travel so much distance, look at this. 1, 2, 3,

four cushions and right in behind the black. Mark Selby, although he

is not playing at his best, what he does do is tries so hard, such a

great safety game, very difficult to beat. A I had written down 4-22

Ryan Day, its sell be in trouble. -- 4-2. One has been given a

reprieve, the other one is thinking, what have I done? Widened I play

the pink and get it even closer? -- why didn't I eat. You wonder if it

is the right time for somebody to walk out, Ryan Day did go out, but

you want to clear your head. For Mike dash for Mark Selby, he comes

back and says I have not played great, but it is 3-3, every chance,

effectively in the ascendancy. We have seen fluctuations in

fortunes in a lot of matches so far this year. For Mark Selby, having

not played well, to be on level terms, will help -- he be feeling

better than Ryan Day? He is going to walk into that arena feeling 10

ft tall, you saw how much it meant him, banging the table after

potting the black, sometimes when you are playing badly, a frame that

that can completely change the match, it could be the complete

turnaround and also for yourself as well, because it gives you more

impetus, it makes you feel stronger, and he will be coming out firing on

all cylinders. When we talk about how Mark has

played in this match, we are judging over a short space of time,

it is not to say Mark Selby is not in form, he is having a bad day and

this happens on a regular basis to all players. He doesn't need much

for the top players to kick-start a bit of a run, a few century breaks

and they are playing brilliantly again.

We saw yesterday with Matthew Stevens and Marco Fu, Marco Fu made

it charged comeback, Matthew Stevens, just that one shot, the

plant, a couple of shots, a fantastic clearance, changed the

whole complexion of the match. Interesting watching the statistics

of the long pot success. Mark Selby was a represent, O'Brien day had

quite a significant long-range success. -- Ryan Day. As the match

has gone on it is more balanced. Mark Selby has gone slightly into

the ascendancy. It is not really the whole story of

the match, but it gives you a bit of a guide to some part of the game.

It is about when you need to pot the balls, the big shots, the ones

we all cat, how far away from the pocket there, under pressure we saw

Mark Williams played that slow, long blue into the pocket, quite a

He could have predicted at the end of that frame it would be 3-3? The

score between Mark Selby and Ryan Day at the moment. As we rejoin

Mark Selby was out of the arena for almost five minutes. Just show you

go reaction when he pinch that frame. Look at that, giving the

Look at the pot success rate, Ryan Day it 75%, Mark Selby on the way

up but still pretty poor at 80%. He Come up a little bit short, might

still be getting -- be able to get it into the middle pocket. Things

There is an old saying, at the balls never forgive you, Ryan Day,

had 30 can't believe what happened in the previous frame. -- I bet he

As Kendall Kitty said in the studio, is something like that can turn the

Needs a cannon to develop those two He can just nudged off the main

cluster and bring a few more reds He has put his hand up to apologise,

I assume he didn't play for the pink. A couple of little bit of

good fortune. Previously when he flicked the blue he looks like --

he looked like he was going to run out of position. You have got to

take advantage when you start playing well, you get the run of

And now look at the reds. He couldn't place them better, this is

how do you set them up for a little Good long pot, up watch as it comes

round the table, just flicks the Going up to the baulk end. Going to

make it a little bit difficult, have to go back up for the blue. He

will have to be the blue. But this year he can get down this end

playing for the black, the more likely he is to win the frame.

Needs to get the cue ball down at the business end here rather than

keep going back up the table for I bet it deep down he can't believe

he has got a chance of going 4-3 in front. It is amazing. They have

both potted 85. Mark will go ahead on that's that very shortly. --

I think spending five minutes out of the arena in between frames has

cleared his head, I think that is what he was doing after that

previous frame. Should there be a time limit in between frames? Like

this do with the tennis? It all depends. There is a rule, if your

tip came off you are allowed a certain amount of time to put it

back on, I do know how you would It is like a different player we

are watching. Sometimes the balls going for TV, you get opportunities,

you spend 10 and a couple of little things that have helped him. --

Only a couple of shots away from securing this frame and going in

front. All will be revealed. It will be one of the quickest frames

The frame before the mid-session interval lasted just over 10

minutes. The last one, 46 minutes. There is the average frame time,

He has played this break to perfection. I mentioned earlier,

last season, I don't think anybody made more centuries than him, he

made 55 last season. He has only made 16 this season, that shows you

the difference. The frame is safe now so he can concentrate on making

It is great for the children hospice in Sheffield, they get �250

from the sponsor for every century Just gone a little bit too far.

Might b able to pot this and get on Get in, oh, it is going on the

cushion, can you believe it? No century break but he looked in fine

form. He finished the frame with that break of 99, and he gets

himself into the lead at 4-3, he It is amazing what happens in this

game. Ryan Day was a 3-0 up, he definitely should have led 4-2. He

looks as if everything might turn around. Sometimes it might spur the

other player on and Ryan Day might come back. But Mark Selby is the

favourite, you would have to say. Certainly he has raised his game,

but Ryan Day broke off in this frame. This is how a little one of

the ball can change. Looked like that cue ball was going to run past

may be the baulk Lin, just flip the blue, not only did he flicked the

blue, he left a perfect so he could drop in. He was hoping to maybe be

on the black, have a look, the white avoids those two reds, it

runs across the table, perfect on the pink, end of frame. Ryan Day

getting what he deserves after the chances he has missed, particularly

in the frame before. Interesting to see now what sort of reaction we

get from Ryan of top Mark Selby has left that red on to the right

I think he has got a bit of angle, I don't know if he can roll the red

in and take the white up of. Depends on the angle. That will do.

Can the Ryan return the compliment, let's have a look at that. That was

If he was just kissing off one or two reds, but quite a cluster to

have to bring the cue ball through, left himself tricky now. Is there a

gap for the cue? That helps. That helped having a little that there.

I thought he was going to be hampered, suddenly that little gap

appeared. He has done it again. He looks as if he is going well and

then all of a sudden he missed one You cannot win a major tournaments

if you keep on doing that. He has got all the ability in the world,

Ryan Day, to win a major event. Three finals he has been an. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

Watch this contact here, you can see the red jumping but on this

occasion the white seemed to run on through and stay on the black.

Sometimes you finish totally out of The way these reds are situated,

The earlier frames were all very tactical, at the balls went very

If he had another couple of inches While you have got two reds close

like that it is always better to go into the bunch because you are

Starting to find the middle of the pocket now up with these pots.

Building in confidence, as well we He can go into those reds and they

would open nicely. As long as he gets the cannon. He has caught that

red and it looks just about right. It has gone a little bit near the

cushion, but he has opened those reds beautifully. If he takes this

to the right corner, he will have to go up for the blue. The black

will not go to that left corner. He has gone a bit too far for the blue,

it will have to be a baulk colour, but it should not be a problem.

This is like the old Mark Selby were watching that. -- we are

He just caught the bump of the middle pocket, which has spoiled

his perfect position. He just wanted to miss the middle pocket

knuckle. This is made a little bit Inch-perfect. You fancy him to win

the frame now, at this visit. Playing as bad as I have seen him

With a little bit of help from his opponent, he has a chance to go one

frame away from a place in the quarter final. That was the song, a

little bit of help from my friends, But, there is an old saying, when

the going gets tough, the tough get Some other thing happen to Ricky

Walden when he was playing Luca Brecel. He was dominating, then he

missed a couple of easy balls, then the young man came back and beat

Just another red and black and then we're at the snookers required

He has had his chances. Only He's going to have to win the last

Almost made a century in the previous frame, 99. Can he do it

this time? He has got to cannon the Played it beautifully come a

fabulous cannon --, fabulous cannon. I do not think he is going to miss

He is already down to pot the yellow, before the referee spots

the blue. What a transformation. The name of the game is confidence.

Any game you play, you got to be confident, and that confidence

That is the 21st century, as long as the white doesn't go into the

Doesn't matter about the pink, he has got the century break. What a

turnaround. Mark Selby looking as good as he has ever done, and with

breaks of and 99, and 103, he now only needs one more frame for a

place in the quarter final. Mark Selby in control, leading 5-3. Let

us have a look at how the draw was shaping up at the start of play

today. Ali Carter is through to the last eight at the expense of Mark

Joyce. He faces an inform Stuart Bingham who beat Stephen Maguire

and in round two. Mark King and Luca Brecel are doing battle this

afternoon, with the winner playing 2,000 in the Europe -- UK

Championship Shaun Murphy, who defeated Graeme Dott. Matthew

Stevens is into the quarter finals. Neil Robertson and Barry Hawkins

were up against each other this evening and the winner of that

match will play either Ryan Day or That is the two-table situation.

There is only one table on Mark Selby's mind and that is the one

that has been set up, ready for play. He was 3-0 down, and I'm sure

he did not have high hopes, and all the sudden, it is Ryan Day who is

As we always say when you're breaking off, whatever you do,

don't hit the blue. He has not left anything too easy. Just, nothing at

the moment. It is hard to see Ryan coming back from this. I know that

these players can find great standards at times, but there was

nothing I have seen -- where is that red going? It is going right

over the pocket, like the other one. Let us see what Ryan Day has got

left in the tank after the three The blue just about passes the

yellow. I think he needs to win the frame in one visit. He is obviously

at the point of no return. He has got to play error-free snooker from

now on. That 3-0 lead seems a long Let's have a look. There is one red

to the left of the bunch he could In fact, there is one in the bunch

also available. He did not want to risk trying to develop them, there.

This is just what the doctor ordered for Ryan Day. Now, he has

He's going to have to push through You never sure where they're going

to go but you never expect one to well over either corner pocket.

This is a key shot. Yes, he is not perfect on the red by any means.

He cannot afford any more mistakes. He has been in situations like this,

where it looks like he has caught the frame at his mercy, and he has

missed a ball you did not expect. I was not wishing it on him, I can

assure you, but that is the way that it has gone all afternoon.

Something he is going to have to think about and work on, because he

is such a talented player. For some reason, he misses the ones you do

He played that with a lot of side to Wall don for the black and he

almost missed it. Gravity helped, But, the way he has played in that

two previous frames, you can see him knocking in quite a few. He's

one of those players who does not have any problems closing the match

out. Just trying to analyse this match, the first half of the match

was poor snooker, particularly from Mark Selby. I just wonder whether

Ryan was psyched up, found himself 3-0 in front without doing anything,

without having to play too well, and it is a strange thing to say,

but he thought, if I go through the motions, I am bound to win, then

they ought careless shot, particularly the one where Mark

needed a snooker, that was unforgivable. Yes, Mark has won the

last five frames after losing the opening three. It has been a

But, the thing is, if you win the match, you have a chance to improve

for the next one, if you lose, you just go home, back to the practice

table. If he was to lose this match, and that is more than likely that

he will, it would be a body blow to Ryan Day. He is such a good player.

He has let himself down today, and he will know that. It is worth

showing it again. He has tried to roll the pink over the pocket

instead of making sure of the pot, at 4-2 in front. And really, since

then, it has been one way traffic. And that can happen when you letter

play it off the hook, somehow, you don't seem to get back in again. He

has had a kick, there, and he is not on the red as nicely as he

would like. The black jump off the spot, there. He can still pot the

red next to the pink. It just means he has got to use the pink on the

way through. It should be OK. Not a straight forward run to the winning

Ryan, sat in his seat, suffering. That was an excellent shot by Mark,

judging from the reaction from the pink. You mentioned before, about

confidence. When you get confidence, you believe things are going to go

well for you. As we said, with a bit of help from his opponent, Mark

Selby is now in full swing. And you tend to see things more clearly,

you do not see any obstacles in I think he is OK, he has got a

slight angle on this red, not much of an angle. All reds pot, so he

might take the one to the white which is slightly more difficult. -

- to the right. He could get the white away from the cushion

somewhat, and screw back for the pink, and if he does not he is

looking at the black. He might have a slight angle just to get it away

from the cushion, the cue ball, but, looking at that, not much angle to

work with. He needs these two or three remaining reds to clinch

Just not quite far enough on the blue. He can still play the pink,

but the pink is a much more difficult pot. It was a very

positive shot. He knew that if he screwed back, he was getting the

I like that side on shot now, don't you? It gives you a different feel

all the shots that are being played. -- feel of the shots. He did not

want to leave the half ball pot, he has a decided to leave himself the

straight one. If we look at the score, red-colour-red needed. He

just needs to pot the red and he is bound to be on the black, and, can

he cute straight? Ryan knows that this could be the end of the match,

here. -- cue it straight. That is the type of shot early on in the

match you would not fancy him to knock in, but there it went, clean

as a whistle, and just this black needed. Can you believe it? Frame

ball! No pressure. He gets down and he misses an absolute sitter.

Surely not another twist! Amazing, absolutely amazing. Lifeline for

It is a lifeline he would not have expected. Now, can we see another

twist? Mark Selby cannot look. He cannot believe it. He will have to

go across the table, he could screwed directly up onto the yellow.

He cannot believe the black he has missed. Can he hold himself

together and keep his hopes alive? Needs the five remaining colours.

He pots the pink to go 7 in front, Sweeney's the black. Mark Selby,

still shaking his head in disbelief. That is the only thing that could

have gone wrong for me. But he is The pink will put him seven points

in front, so he needs pink and black to cash in on that

unbelievable miss from Mark. Got a slightly heavy contact. He is not

straight on the black. You would not expect him to miss, but after

what has happened, take nothing for granted. But it's there, now calmer

could that be another turning point. It looks certain that Mark Silver

was going to book his place in the quarter final at he missed an easy

black off the spot, and threw a lifeline to Ryan Day, he is just

one frame behind, 5-4, what as we do happen next? The shift in

momentum so far in so many frames has been incredible. On the brink

of clinching a match he should not have been involved in at some stage,

you have got to say that that was a moment of panic or pension and it

can build up at any moment in that frame. He had done all the hard

work, really, except he had to pot this black and get on the red.

of us have been Ms -- guilty of missing blacks at crucial times in

the career, but for a Mark Selby, that will be why he's very

disappointed with. A completely different player, since winning

that frame when he needed a snooker, he has made a big break, 99, than a

century, he looked like he was going to clean up, he took his eye

off the black with a little bit of pressure, and a great clearance

from Ryan Day in N. What happens in a break as you get closer to them

winning line, the pressure builds up. If you are in a great trainer

mind you don't feel at, but as you get closer and closer, the break he

started off with was superb, getting closer to the winning line,

he knocks the red in, good shot, now, he is on the black, he has

done all the hard work, he knows he should win, and that is when he

misses. You were talking about when Mark Selby got the lifeline in

frame six, produce the great snooker and that pink, got in and

cleared up from there, he felt a renewed sense of confidence that to

come two frames clear. Does it Ryan Day now have the momentum and

confidence? He will come back out thinking he has been thrown a

lifeline when you look completely depleted in his chair. It looked

like Mark Selby was going to clear up, but now, the pressure and the

momentum has swung back. He still has it all to do, but he will be

relieved, he has put a lifeline. This match has aired and flowed

each way. Incredible, the amateur twist so far. And the sea or a in

indulging himself and feeling sorry for themselves and shaking it off

as he steps on to the table to break off? Yes, you can see from

that shot, he is not totally over it. The onus was effectively on

Marks will be to win, but he has got a couple more chances. You try

not to let players off the hook, but he has done that, and now, it

is up to ride a to see if he can This red is on and there is a gap

He went full blooded into trying to develop the black. If he had played

it plain ball, he could have got back around the table. A very

positive shot, trying to flick the red away from the black, and he has

got away with it, so that is an indication that the rub of the ball

is now in Ryan Day's favour. He has just rattled a little bit after

what happened in the previous frame, this was the shot that could happen

to like in the quarter final, and that was his reaction. Now, a

couple of long pots, which Ryan has not converted. I just detected Ryan

Day with his right hand, now making a cueing action, as if to say, I am

not pushing through the cue in a That was an attacking safety,

purposefully opening up the reds. Ryan Day now needs a good safety.

He may try to get behind the green, it depends how he fancies playing

it. This looks to be a good line. Good length, good shot. Sometimes,

when there are mistakes, it makes it a lot more exciting. It is nice

to seal the century breaks -- to Looks as if everything's covered

into the,. There is no colour available. That is why you left

that cue ball where he did -- into their corner. He can get that cue

ball back into the baulk end, and it just about goes, so were taking

on. -- worth taking on. If he is going to win this match, Ryan Day,

he has got to play better than he has shown so far. He has had a

couple of goes at long pots in this frame already. That was half a

chance, and sometimes, half a chance is all that you're going to

It is giving Mark Selby some more time to forget what happened in the

previous frame. If Ryan had just got down to potting balls, it could

have been worse for Mark Selby. This is a pretty good shot if he

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

Not the most telling of safety shot. Because of the red near the baulk

line. He would like to stop the escape down the left-hand side of

the table, the right and side, difficult to get back to baulk, a

He may well have done that, if he has it is an excellent shot. I

think the brown, just covering the escape down the left-hand side of

the table. Yes. He is in a spot of bother. Just looked at the

possibility of rolling up to the red by the right side cushion,

looking to see what is available into the left corner, I don't think

there is much, they are all covering each other. That is why he

It looks as if they are all blocking each other, they might be

The Iraq a couple of reds he could possibly get on -- there are a

Giving it plenty of thinking time. If he has got away with that he's

very fortunate because he has made a complete mess of it in the end.

Looking to see whether next colour is. The green is near the corner

pocket. Love to be able to get on the black. How do you, from that

situation? Unless he can roll the red in the left corner and the

black goes in the right corner. He is playing a deep screw, going back

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

Didn't get a good contact but That is not too good, he has got an

awful long way to go to travel to get on to a colour. Taking it up

into the corner because it is easier to get into those baulk

colours. Anything that is half difficult, not knocking in. He will

The this red looks almost dead straight, a slight angle. Just

played the safety shot. Hit it too thick, I think he has got away with

it. That could have put Mark Selby At one stage I thought he was going

to roll the red in. He played a little thin one, he knew

straightaway he had made the wrong That was great, a very thin shot.

So thin that white court always in and out of the baulk area. Another

If it wasn't fault the reds he would probably played the blue,

playing at the yellow, been pretty It is still not straightforward. He

has got to avoid the red on the side to get up to the blue and the

baulk colours. The blue back on its spot would help the situation. That

is very nicely played indeed. has come at a perfect angle to drop

that in, a choice of reds to the right corner. I cannot believe he

has played it like that. He obviously didn't intend to kiss the

Must have thought he was going to That has developed the pink, a

pretty good cue ball. I cannot see a way back down the table, I can

only see the reds. Might b able to get between the green and blue. --

he might be able to get. Got to think about this one. I cannot see

any path through to play the one to the right of the black off the

cushion. If he came off the top cushion, on the red tide used to

the cushion, a couple of reds that will go to the left corner. -- red

The weight the reds are spread, he needs to. His opponent any needs

this frame to win the match. -- The the shot he could have a look

at, he might be able to go past the blue, and get the one on the left

side cushion but that has an element of risk. He will do well to

escape from this. Lots of side and he has avoided it, loads of side on

that to stop the double-kiss, that Watch the white straighter not,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

down to the left-hand side -- That was much too thin. That is as

poor a safety shot as he has played all match. I think he was trying a

similar shot to the one Ryan played. Put the pink back on its spot. That

will help. I think it will. It will not be tied up with that red.

had to pot the pink. He has missed He keeps talking away to himself.

You have hit the nail on the head, he has missed too many shots he

We will go back to whether the pink spot is occupied or whether it will

have to go on the black. He flicked on the black spot it would be OK. -

He looks like the red might be on the pink spot. We will find out

shortly. I don't think it will be of much concern to Mark if it goes

on the black spot. Needs a good Got a lot more side on that to than

he needed. He is OK, he is on the yellow. Not ideal. Not exactly as

he wanted to be. He can get on the red to the left corner, he can play

That looks pretty good. With the red on the pink spot he can leave

that there and keep the pink on the black spot. All of a sudden, he has

a great chance. You cannot take anything for granted, after we saw

him miss the black to clinch the Just finished in a slightly awkward

position. Managed to force the cue ball up, up for the blue, it is OK,

as long as you get a good angle on the blue. Which he has got. Frame

and match winning chance. But take nothing for granted. We have seen

Whoever loses this match, Dennis is going to go away with some bad

memories. I thought at the start of the match the way Mark Selby was

cueing I thought Ryan would steam rather him. -- steamroller. Mark

Selby has hung in. Now a firm favourite to go through to the

quarter final. Ryan can hope that This year's UK Championship is

wide-open, even from day one, the defending champion, Judd Trump,

knocked out. The standard of the players that are still left in it,

it is wide open. Neil Robertson, I commentated his match, he made four

centuries in six frames he won, he was in fine form. Stuart Bingham.

Matthew Stevens. Building up nicely. That puts him 40 points in the lead,

the pink now on its own spot. Still 57 -- 67 remaining. Two reds, two

pinks, 54 points in front with just 51 remaining so he doesn't need the

It shouldn't be a problem to get to the required stage, can he hold

He has given himself that little bit longer on each shot, probably

due to the fact he missed the It has been a strange match, a very

entertaining, both plays missing. Why in taking the first three

frames, as if he was going to win comfortably -- Brian was taking. He

hung in there. Mark Selby, like a true professional he is. This game,

sometimes, swings and roundabouts. It's one in his favour. -- it this

Ryan will go away and have a lot to think about. He knows he should

have got himself into the quarter- final. Just debating whether to

come to the table again. He is 55 behind with just 43 on the table.

With the black out of commission. Very little chance unless something

That was an interesting way of getting out of the snooker, took

all the chance of a way of coming off two cushions. Not much to play

behind, the green on the baulk cushion. Brown near the side

Don't think there is enough room to Just try to develop the green, that

was all he did there. A better place now for the possibility of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

snookers. 3 snookers to tie, a big Can Mark Selby get past this pink?

Obviously you can't pot the red in the middle. Ryan Day needs 34 point

If he took the pink or that the white, is the white going in, that

could be the end. I am surprised he Can Mark Selby knock in a final

long pot? He certainly can. And very surely they will be a

terrific applause from this table. A trick shot from Mark Selby. You

have got to feel sorry for Ryan Day, he had this match in the palm of

his hand and he played a couple of very careless shots, the one where

he left the pink. It hasn't been the best match but a very exciting

match. Mark Selby when he was 3-0 behind that like he was a long way

back, he came back and finished up, it took the match 6-4.

He is through to the quarter finals for only the third time in his

career. For a few moments the result was in doubt.

He was made to work. You have to take your hat off to Mark Selby, 3-

0 down, wasn't playing his best, but he stuck in. A great all-round

game, never gives up, he is a great trier, even when things aren't

going his way he is still hard to put away but Ryan Day will be very

disappointed. T win these big tournaments you

have got to win ugly sometimes. To some degree it cures all of the

wrongs when the match but that of comic you turn it around, you start

the slate clean, you can push on from there. The problem is at this

level, looking at Ryan Day's performance, you are judged by

winning and winning only. It doesn't matter how good you are.

All the players in this tournament of fantastic. They are great

competitors. Small things make a difference and from 3-0 in front,

from where we sort 4-2, to have thrown that away at this level put

the comes unforgivable. You have got to ask yourself some very

important questions, and I applying the right shot at the right time

and he took the lifeline. What a great snooker that was.

That was the turning point, Ryan should have won it way before that.

Even with the pink he was struggling and didn't get anywhere

near the pocket and left me half a chance. I still managed to play a

great shot. Take is through the early part of

the match, 3-0 down. I am trying to forget about that.

Because I want to go out there and win so bad I go out and try to hard

from the start instead of trying to relax, and that is what happened.

The harder I was trying the worse it was getting. I fell behind 3-1,

got the frame to go 3-3, I got momentum.

And we sit in the studio and put ourselves in a position, he has had

a lifeline, Ryan looks like he's going 4-2 up, it you win that,

you're the one with the confidence and Ryan is the one struggling to

find fluency. It seems to reverse, I know he has

been struggling for a little while, played a great game, but even at 3-

1 up, getting the brown to the green pocket, I kiss the he was

still under it, I thought if I could manage to get that of the

Rolls will reverse and it did. The was another moment in frame

nine when you miss the black. I am playing the black, in two

minds, to light habit through and nudged the red across, I think I

ended up playing the right shot, but that is criminal for a snooker

player. How is your health, the publicity a

better break, how has that affected you and are you back to full

fitness? -- the problems with your vertebrae.

It has gone as far as I can stretch and play it every shot without pain

but I cannot keep using it as an excuse. He put me off a little bit,

I was going to China before the World Championships, thought I was

playing well, then was struck down, just more less knocked my

confidence because they couldn't practice and I was going to

tournaments cold and it was difficult. Do you ever think about

it, when you are out there? No, every single shot a complainer

without discomfort but sometimes when I tell my head but I can still

gradually feel it a little bit, but I suppose if I was just the rested

completely a good go but playing this ball we do, it is difficult.

On paper the bottom half of the draw in the tournament looks

extremely difficult. You potentially have Neil Robertson or

Barry Hawkins, tell us your thoughts on where you stand in this

tournament? How does take one game at a time.

Neil played fantastic in his first game, doesn't mean he will carry on

that form, but he could do. If he does it will be tough. I need to

improve on that game, taking nothing away from Brian. Same with

Barry, a great player, more than capable of beating him.

How much do won that world wonder number -- world number one spot

back? I was putting pressure on myself to

prove to people why height of got to number one. -- while I have got.

I seemed to relax a bit more now I have lost it.

Congratulations, through to the quarter-finals for the third time

in his career. We will switch our attention to the match other table

next door between Mark King and Luca Brecel, the youngest player

left in the tournament and at the age of 17 he is making his country

very proud. Belgium, famous for Whapples,

chocolate, Brussels sprouts three, Jean-Claude Van down from there

muscles, and a one decade, -- 1 Dirk Kuyt, macro play of stock

Belgium is more renowned for producing snooker balls than

snooker players. It took a holiday I was on holiday in Italy and I

played Paul there for the first time, and then when I came back to

Belgium I played snooker for the first time, in a snooker club. In

the first qualifying round I was 5- 3 down and I won the tournament,

and I was very happy. I felt the pressure at the end, but I was

enjoying the tournament. Very pleased, unbelievable. Now I have

got Mark King, a very tough player. It puts pressure on me but I like

it because I conjured people's mouths by doing this. -- I can show

it. He got a bit of criticism for receiving a place, a wild card

place on the tour. I suppose winning in the first-round has

This is a great story so far. He has beaten Ricky Walden, to get to

this stage. Every time you watch your Mac, he seems to be really

enjoying it. It is a great experience for him, he has nothing

to lose, and he's a precocious talent who can go very far in this

game. There was a weight of expectation on him to deliver in

the televised stages of the tournament. Is he capable of it at

this stage? One thing you do not have at the age of 17, even though

he would say that, you have no pressure on you. The expectation

with a new reminder of what you need to achieve, to repeat what you

have done before, and your own levels. You see so many people

playing with the weight of the world on their shoulders. People

coming off the table and going into the Press room, saying that they

cannot play like they used to. Seventeen-year-olds do not have

that problem. Effectively not having to be reborn as a player,

you just go out there. Everything that is more about his game, that

makes up for it in any way. -- that is raw. Nobody wants to be beaten

by the young whippersnapper. does not have any scars, like we

have. He needs to wait another 20 years to get that. He might as well

just enjoy it. He. Against Mark King, who defeated Mark Williams,

in the first round, and he has been in tremendous form. King continued

his good form, winning the first three frames, then Luca Brecel

settled into his stride to win the next three, so it is three apiece,

as we join it in frame seven. Willie Thorne and John Parrott are

Just a fraction thicker, and he Does he have an angle with any of

these reds to get round the back of Both players this afternoon have

not been at the races. That was He would love to have had that one

again. To finish where he has done is very poor. Doesn't matter with

it is the pink, black or blue, as long as you get the angle right,

that is all he needed to do. And that has a chance gone begging. --

that is. I think he has had some good fortune again. He's going to

have to play it cushion first, this red, and the red is probably six

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

inches away from the pocket, so it Foul and a miss. Luca Brecel four.

The way that it is sliding off the cushion, this shot might not be on,

as far as Mark is concerned. I am not so sure that this is on. If he

hit it a lot harder, it would straighten up. I think he has got

He is 14 points behind now, but you There is a choice of reds to play

off. I would suggest the one he is closest to is the best one, take

the red across the table, and back over. He went for the pot, and

played it also for safety, which is It is decision time. There is no

safety shot on. He has got to go all out for this. He's going to

have to play this roll the heart. - I don't blame him at all for taking

it on. He has left what appears to He hit that one a little harder

than I thought he needed to. He just needed to lead the half ball

angle on the green to get back down for the red. There was no need to

hit it that hard. But, this is fine. These are not gimmes on

Championship tables. They need You can have a good run of the

balls in this match, and that was another rare example of it. If he

does not finish on the brown, he is on nothing, but he has, absolutely

What a comeback this has been. First three frames, could not pot a

ball, from frame four onwards, played very well indeed, although

he has been allowed to play well by Mark King, to be fair. Mark King

No sizeable breaks in that game. Luca Brecel was 3-0 down, now he is

4-3 in front, and Mark King is not looking very pleased. Luca Brecel

is now the one in charge. The pressure as switch to Mark King. We

join it in frame eight, with Mark King at the table, leading by 29

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 51 seconds

He is not playing like Mark King. What worries me about looker -- 0

Luca is that sometimes he chooses the wrong side of the ball. He has

gone for the loose red and not got I thought he might have had an

angle on the pink to split the reds up, but it is down to the baulk

area, from the blue. If I was him I would have been trying to lever

half ball on the green, side cushion and on to the bunch of reds.

-- to leave a half ball angle on the green. He has decided to come

back for the black, fair enough, one good shot required here, top-

He has played that nicely and got These are all the loose reds, and

now, the work starts. What he is facing next is a little bit tricky.

They can be missed, these. Well played. And just drop the blue in

and the red to the left of the pink He was just a little bit short with

the cue ball, but should be all right. This is a very good chance.

He just seems to be losing the cue ball at the moment. Overscrewed

that one. Not quite right on everything. When he is stunning or

screwing the ball, he looks the real deal, although he is a little

bit of trouble playing win throughs or playing with sight. This is

another excellent break and there was every chance in a few minutes'

time he will be one up with three to play. This has been an excellent

contribution so far. All the two players, at the moment, he is the

only one who looks like scoring -- of the two. My advice to Mark King

would be, player like Mark King. He This is frame ball. Well played.

Very well played, young man. Another break of 65, his third of

An amazing turnaround. He struggled to pot a ball in the opening three

frames. He managed to win the one before the interval, and it has

been all changed since then. His What a time to start playing your

best snooker. He leads by five frames to three. This has been an

excellent display from the teenager, who has now just one frame away

from the first 17-year-old heir to make it through to the quarter

finals since Ronnie O'Sullivan in 1993, but Mark King was not

finished yet, wedding frame nine, and we rejoin it with Mark King at

the table, there-4-23 ahead. -- 34- 23 ahead. Well, Luca, can you steal

yourself? Mrs your chance for frame and match. -- this is your chance.

He knows this is a great chance to do exactly what John was saying, a

frame and match chance. He has That ended up straighter than he

would have liked but, if he hits it well, he will be on two reds. This

Not the best. You would still fancy him potting it, but he would have

to play a cannon that he didn't have to play before. Negotiated.

Quite rightly, just taking his time and trying to keep it as simple as

possible. Shaking his head, there, for some reason. He must have ended

up straight on the black, but I don't think that is a problem at

all. It should not be a problem to Luca. He has a big area to leave

the cue ball in, screw with reverse You have to say, as it has got near

the business end of this match, he has been the heavier scorer. That

white needed a good kiss, but that is a very poor shot, goodness me.

Mark King must have been thinking when he was sitting down, I am not

going to get another shot. This is a chance he was not expecting. Has

I cannot believe Luca didn't win the match at that visit. If you

think he might be coming close to you, play harder, but not the place

where you can leave yourself next to the red. Will he live to regret

that? Mark King is under pressure, and he's a very good player. He

could play the cross double knowing that blue or above is enough to

take the frame. Or, does he go all out to play the pot? He has got to

get a colour, remember. He has had a look at the potting angle which

Just when he needed a bit of luck he got it, because it could have

I am not sure that he played to get the on the green, but he will

settle for that. -- beyond the That is an expensive miss. Foul.

I do not blame him for that because it was a pretty tricky situation to

try and get safe. The trouble is, What an excellent pot from Luca

Brecel. He knows now that he is in the quarter-finals of a ranking

event for the first time. Mark King has just not been at the races

today. The young man from Belgium is going to be playing in his first

quarter final against Shaun Murphy. Stunning display from the teenager,

the youngest-ever player to make it through to the quarter finals of

the UK Championship. He is fresh to the snooker scene but is starting

to fulfil the huge weight of expectation that has been placed on

him for some time now. We might have lost Judd Trump early on in

the tournament but there is a new, young snooker star in town, and his

young snooker star in town, and his name is Luca Brecel. The first two

frames were so but they wanted to go home. -- so bad, I wanted to go

on, but then just in one frame, everything changed. Mark was

getting a little bit nervous, I think. Tremendous result for the

tournament and for the sport, we have got another big name, another

young big name. Without doubt the best player Belgium has produced.

It has been a long time coming. It is tough for overseas countries to

produce the quantity of players needed to get a good one, but he is

a dangerous player. He is now the youngest-ever quarter-finalist, of

course Ronnie O'Sullivan won it as a 17-year-old in 1993. There will

be comparisons with all sorts of players for Luca Brecel, but it is

not something he is going to take on board, because he has not got

that much to lose. Absolutely. In every match he is gaining a lot

more experience. There should be no expectation. Purely expectation

would be that which he puts himself under. He's certainly going to go

long way in the game. Whether that is in this tournament remains to be

seen, but he's going to be having a tough match against Shaun Murphy.

How do you see that one going? Shaun Murphy is probably a stronger

player. And he is looking to win the event. But it is always

difficult when you play a younger player. It can always go wrong for

you, so Shaun Murphy will be on his mettle, I would imagine. Luca

Brecel is still making a name for himself, and is doing a good job of

that so far. This evening, the last two matches of the last 16, John

Higgins chasing his 4th UK Championship title against Mark

Davis, and Neil Robertson stays -- pleased Barry Hawkins. In addition

to BBC Two's extensive coverage you can watch uninterrupted live

matches from both tables through your connected t be, computer,

tablet or mobile phone, with the red button keeping you in touch

with the best of the action. There will be regular updates on Radio 5

Live, and click on to the BBC Sport website for the latest on demand

highlights, news, views and interviews from the Barbican Centre.

The two men who are generally favourites, John Higgins and Neil

Robertson arc in action tonight. First, Higgins against Davis, how

do you expect that going? You would expect the big names to get through,

but both players are in the same position. Good friends and practice

partners, but up against it, up against two great champions and you

never know - they around the great chance. -- are in with a great

chance. John Higgins has been doing well in the PTC events. That is a

good yardstick Aster your general form, and they think his general

former's higher than it was last year. He looks to be back on the

crest of a wave. Why would not put it past him to win a big event on

the television during the season, but he is up against a good player.

Mark Davis is established now, as a player. And, Neil Robertson is

getting into that elite category. Absolutely. He is going to try to

keep that going. He is the one to beat in this tournament, on form,

alone. Neil Robertson, the man to beat, the you think, Steve? When

John Higgins is on form, he is still the one to beat. Thank you at

home for watching. Hazel Irvine will be here tonight at 10 past 11