Day 7, Part 2 UK Snooker Championship

Deal evening. If you have just been watching Strictly, exactly the same

logic applies tonight here in York's Barbican Centre, because it

takes two class players to make a great semifinal. Happily, we can

oblige, because we have world number four, Shaun Murphy, a winner

of this event and the world title, against Ali Carter, a former world

number two and twice a Crucible run up. And these two have already

familiarise themselves with this new look one-table set-up here in

the Barbican Centre, because they played the opening eight frames of

this contest it on it this COMMENTATOR: A place you do not

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Another fantastic long pot. It is He played it a bit further... Where

is the red going? The things that happen on a 6ft table. He leads 4-2.

Shaun Murphy shakes his hand. You have got to say that Ali Carter

definitely had the run of the ball, but it could change this evening

when they go into the final session and the man from Essex his 5-3 in

front. And Ken Doherty knows exactly what

it takes to get to a UK final. has been quite tight. Ali got off

to a good stop. -- a good start. However, Shaun has been getting

some good chances, particularly in the early exchanges, and he has not

been making the most of them. Carter's problems have been well

documented over the last 12 months. He was all for giving up this game.

What it changed for his fortunes and his health, but how badly do

you think he needs a big title like this? He has been knocking on the

door. One or two tournaments overseas. He really needs to win on

home soil. He will try to put it right this week and he's one of

those players that has bundles of talent, it is just a matter of

getting a win. He will be going in to try to do his best but there is

a loss of talent, it is just a matter of getting that little break

and beating a top player. Shaun Murphy finds himself five defeats

in the eight matches played so far and he finds himself down in this

one. What needs to change tonight? He is creating good opportunities.

He is a great long potter but when he gets those opportunities he has

to capitalise on them. I think they are ready backstage. Let's get them

out there. The man for the job as This is the second semifinal of the

UK Championship. Let's get this action under way. We are in store

for a great night of entertainment. Please welcome, first of all, a

player making his second appearance in the UK semifinal, beating Stuart

Bingham in the quarters, back to form, back to fitness, flying high,

MUSIC: "Spectrum" by Florence and And his opponent, a class act on

and off the Ghillie, what a let-off he had yesterday against Luca

Brecel, but he held his nerve and here he is, Shaun Murphy, the

MUSIC: "He's a Pirate" by Klaus HAZEL IRVINE: A possible nine more

frames to play, best of 17. Stephen Hendry, Dennis Taylor, good evening.

Dennis Taylor good evening, Hazel. This match poised and the opening

frame is going to be so important here with Ali having a two frame

Stephen Hendry the first frame is a little more important for Shaun

The match is coming up to two Corus and 53 minutes. This would be a

great way to start the evening session, if Shaun can hit this long

one in. That is terrific fear stop that is the sort of start you want,

He has been first in quite a few frames. He can bring a few more

He got plenty of action on that and That was a bit like one of your

golf shots, Stephen, when used in the ball back on the green. -- when

They have not been many frames won One century break from Ali. But

there is not a lot to separate these two. I did not see the last

frame but it looked to be a very close one. At one stage it looked

as though it was going to be 4-4. Ali looked like he won that one on

the black and that was a key point I think he could hear a bit of

noise coming from one of the earpieces. The referee asked for it

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He leads to call a. It is a fast That shot could pave the way for

That is unlucky. I say it is unlucky, the red has gone towards

the middle pocket, but it is He has two balls to bridge over

A deserved round of applause, because this audience knew that

Maybe he has not done so well with his position, unless he can get

He has gone too far. Just that one Just that the shot when he screwed

up to the reds that caused the problem. And the chance of a

He has done that a few times today, Is it was going into the three

He wanted a full-ball contact on that. He is OK but with the full-

ball contact he would not have had to use the extended rest. But what

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a great opportunity to deal an Just OK. He almost ran on to that

red. That is pretty tight, isn't it, He had to put it in-off the jaw

He has probably just come back a little bit further than he intended.

He wanted to have his hand on the table there rather than the cushion.

Right in the centre of the pocket. You could hear the big sigh,

He just did not aim low enough on the cue ball. That is why it folic

through more than he wanted. This He has tried to hold it and that is

pretty good. He knew he was going to leave himself a medium length

pot but good cueing to knock the Once again, he did not pot the red

in the centre of the pocket, and that is why the white has run away.

There might be a chance to take it into the middle pocket. He is right

back into the frame. He is only five points behind. The black

These middle pockets are tied, Stephen. It was a good shot. Yes,

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For he has gone up for the baulk colours and I do not blame him for

He just over-screwed the shot on the yellow here. And he missed that

Yes, a couple of little hiccups But he knows the importance of this

I think the referee just made a It does not matter. The fact he got

the wrong side of the blue. The He really is a tough competitor,

And even that pink, an absolute cracker, right in the centre of the

pocket. Shaun Murphy it opened the break at 46, but what a response.

That 79 break has given him a free When you think about what led Ali

in... Yes, he is fantastic out get in the long pot and getting in

amongst the reds and they all of a sudden, he will split the reds and

create a perfect opportunity to create a frame and a break from one

visit, then all of a sudden he loses a bit of concentration, and

look at this yellow. It is a straightforward shot. He over-

screws it, he puts himself in a much more difficult position to pot

this red and keep the break going. And even through that break he was

in total command of the cue ball and that is what his problem has

been throughout this match, he is creating great opportunities for

himself by knocking in this fantastic long balls but he is not

clinical enough when he gets in. When Ali he got in here was totally

clinical. You think the problem here could be concentration, when

he is in these good positions? has cued dutifully. There is no

doubt about that. But he is just lacking that bit of killer instinct

let Stephen Hendry or John Higgins or even Ronnie O'Sullivan, that

Monday get that one opportunity, they have to win the frame in one

visit. Even a 60 break at this level is not good enough. You may

be nit-picking but those are the levels these guys are playing at.

That opening frame of the evening has certain -- certainly given a

nice comfortable cushion for Ali COMMENTATOR: He has come down the

table after two reds Is he going to cover everything? I

think Shaun might be able to plant one red onto the others. The only

thing is the black has gone near the cushion, pink is out of

commission. Might have to hit the cushion first and just get round.

He is just looking at that, so that is a possibility, and he could

finish on the blue or baulk colour. If he hits the cushion first the

white will swing around the back of the red. A little bit unlucky. It

was a good idea. There is pressure That tells us something. That

smooth dew action is under pressure, after what happened in the opening

Look where the blue has finished up Look at the action he got on that,

Let's have a look at this. Amazing. While you were in the studio this

afternoon, I just had a 15 minute practice session on the table. I

-- I have never known cloth so He has got that cue ball under

control. When you are cueing like this and playing well, you can

control the speed of the cloth. It is beautiful to play on when you

are playing well. If you are You have seen the difference

between the player that his 6-3 ahead and the player that his 6-3

I am not sure if he wasn't trying He has nothing to work with, with

He did well to get at close to the If he can get on the blue on the

other side, he can go into the pink You could see the terrific amount

of right-hand side he had on that, Yes, he's taking your advice,

Playing for the black because of the red that is next to the cue

He is obviously thinking like a seven times world champion out

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Now with the black on its spot, a As Hazel mentioned, he has got a

great record against Shaun. He has beaten Shaun five times, to Shaun's

three wins. The only two session match they played was the 2008

World Championship and the score then was 13-fork To Ali Carter.

That just shows you how great he is. He has overscrewed it unless the

red next to the pink is available. Two shots ago, he had a simple shot

to drop on the black. A careless It is not much of an angle. He

wants to move it closer to the That one wiped its feet. It wobbled

He has got himself 50 points ahead and has put Shaun on a snooker.

lesson to all amateur players. When you break down, try to put the cue

ball in a place worthy opponent is If he gets the correct contact on

the red, he has every chance of making it twice across the table.

It has hit the brown but the reds are all safe. He was trying to get

in snooker again. Difficult to go twice across the table. Shaun needs

the reds open. He will have to be careful and Peter very good cue

ball. -- needs a very good cue ball. There is very little sticking out

past the blue. The referee had a You can clearly see he can get past

He knew the cue ball was going to be cannoning the bunch of reds. A

great long pot. It would have cost him the frame if he had missed that.

It landed a little bit awkward. Probably playing the blue in the

centre. The red nearest the pink will go either to the right centre

He potted the blue in-off the right side of the pocket. That is the

white have -- that is why the white has gone a little further than it

would have done. One good pot, one good positional shot and he will

get himself back into prime All the frames are important but 7-

3 or 4-6, it is a vast difference. Someone was wandering around the

have been there. He looked like he had got lost. I don't know what

He kept his focus, though. These clearances are important feel in

self belief. It gives you such a This crowd at the Barbican Centre

has really got involved in this match. They are encouraging both

I think they would like to see a close semi-final here once again.

It has been close for the last week. Terrific crowds here at the

Probably play for the blue here. He has gone just the wrong side so if

he screws back, he may take the yellow. He has gone a little bit

Two absolutely cracking frames to start receiving's session. Ali

Carter, when he had that break of 51, looked as if he was going to

secure the frame. As you mentioned, this will do a lot for Shaun's

confidence and give Ali something He has come a little bit short. He

needs the blue and he needs the pink. But safely in the corner

Another cracking frame of snooker. Ali Carter with a break of 51 look

like he was going to make enough but he did not and what a response

from Shaun Murphy. That was a fabulous 59 break and he is two

behind at 4-6. Showing a lot of character there. It is important to

show your opponent that you are not wilting. He won three frames down

for the first time in the match and that was an important clearance to

make. Ali was in and had a 50 break and then he played a shot that just

left Shaun in. I did not think he could hit it this thick. It but

like he could only get past the blue. He hit it a little bit

thicker and the white just pulled up. What a shot he played here.

was a fantastic long red. In that situation, Shaun got the

opportunity of a long shot and went for it. They are very positive shot

because he played it with a little touch of side purposely. He went

into the reds and opened the frame REFEREE: Frame 11, Shaun Murphy to

COMMENTATOR: A few late comers coming back in just behind Ali so

he is going to wait for a minute. REFEREE: Take your seats quickly,

please. Ali will be taking this left to

I don't think he played the pot there. That was just a safety shot.

It was the kind that Shaun locked in on the opening frame. Ali

I don't think he can see enough of that red to pot it. No. But at

least that gets the frame back to And the if Shaun can see enough of

this red, he will take it on. He is normally very good but he has got

to make sure he gets a good cue ball. He can stun across off the

side cushion on to the black but he would not leave a great deal. He

would be thinking that the red was He got the white. He did not get

the main part. I expected him to I think every player hates this

type of frame when you get a bunch of reds but the other end. You have

to keep your patience and concentration. The important thing

is bringing the cue ball back and trying to get as tight as possible.

It reduces the amount of shots your opponent can play as they are not

able to get the cue ball to the bottom and screwed back easily. --

screw it back. That is the case here. It is almost tighten the

cushion. He is going to try and get You could see he didn't realise how

much the balls would jump around on the table. He actually hit the red

before the cue ball hit the table. Ali not managing to get the cue

ball tight so a comfortable shot for Shaun here. A slight chance of

a cross double with maybe the red on the right side. But an easy

We have had two frames where we had breaks of 46, 49, 51 and 59 and now

because the reds are at the other end of the table, we are having a

tactical frame. The players can't His first choice was to get up with

the butt of the cue in the air and get back towards the pink. He needs

The red he centre around the table finished near the blue. Looking at

the face of Ali Carter there, very determined. It tells me that he is

What about that for a shot? Absolutely superb cueing and not

only that - he has got the perfect angle on the black to split the

reds and he has got that red closest to the black to give him a

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bit of insurance. 10 out of 10 for It is amazing how this frame has

changed in a matter of minutes. The reds are starting to get knocked up

the other end of the table and it looked like we were going to have

stalemate. All of a sudden with that fantastic long pot, and he has

got himself in prime position. Sometimes when you get a little 10

minutes safety bout, it can interrupt your concentration when

it comes to potting the balls. changed this whole frame around

with just one shot that he played. The reds were getting knocked up

the other end. He got the white up their thinking he would leave it

safe and then the frame changed around. If he gets the cannon here,

the red he could cannon will put him on five reds. Beautifully

It is a sign of how well a player is striking the ball. If you do not

hit the ball correctly, you do not had the cannon that you wish to

make. He can more or less but that cue ball wherever he wants at the

moment. The -- put. He may be just let it run through a bit further

than he intended. If he just plays a natural stun shot, he could slip

away from the reds but he is having a little think about it. He can use

the reds as a stopper. If they are all pottable, you do not want to

But he did and he is OK. He played to slide past that red. He just

caught it but he knew these reds He needs one more good shot to get

In the previous frame, he got to 51 and looked like he was going to

take the frame. Similar situation A bit higher than he would like on

the black up. He can play it with a Not many pots away from securing

this frame and opening up the three frame advantage again. It is

getting tougher now. He is looking at the three reds to see if they

will go into the right corner. He cannot play for the black and will

have to go for the blue. That one goes. Red, blue and then back up

Just enough angle. I think he can run through off the cushion and

I think he can follow through and just come out of the cushion there.

I am sure that red will go. We've He could force it over without

using the cushion. He just needs this red and one more colour. He is

still looking at it but our last camera angle showed you that that

Occasionally in the past, Ali Carter can sometimes look a little

bit suspect. He has been fully focused in this tournament. He does

the previous frame when he made a break of 51 but he has bounced

It is also easy to have a good temperament when you 1 7-fought up.

Shaun Murphy concedes the frame. That is a fantastic break from Ali

Carter. He has a three frame advantage again.

A three frame lead firmly re- established. It was really made by

that absolute blistering opening red from Ali Carter. It is a

fantastic standard but the guys have set tonight. One chance

snooker. Have a look at this fantastic cueing. Shaun has potted

some fantastic long balls but look how well he cues this. Straight

into the middle of the pocket. Look at the position on the black, as

well. Ali has been really clinical. Every time he has gone in, he looks

very composed. His temperament is totally intact. Down the years, it

has sometimes been suspect, probably to the detriment of Ali

Carter, but he looks very focused. He is cueing really well. To what

extent is the change in temperature due to the fact he does not seem to

be as hard on himself when he is missing? Is that crucial?

Absolutely. It is always good to be annoyed with yourself but not to

the extent that it affects your game. He seems more in control of

himself. He is not banging his cue as he used to or getting really

upset with himself. That can sometimes upset your game but this

time, he ducks recomposed. This is the 12th frame. -- he looks really

composed. We have to leave it. We hope we

have given you a tantalising taste of this session which may be enough

to tempt you to hit your red button or continued to follow it via the