02/12/2013 UK Snooker Championship

Hello. This time last week, 128 players were queueing up to get into

the Barbican Centre, at the start of this wiilliamhill.com championship.

After a weekend of big breaks and a few big surprises we have got the

number down to 40 survivors. We have got the number of match tables down

as well. We now simply have the four main tables in the main arena. This

second arena is the second room. All of which means, that we have at

last been able to decamp to our studio. It is from here that we will

be watching events. In fact, this is what we have coming up for you

today. Jimmy Robertson is the world number

one player. He's well into the swing of things here. It is just as well

because he meets Robbie Williams today. Not that one! This one - yes,

he's from Wallasey and he can entertain. So can Mark Selby.

There's no escape from him, from table duty at home or at work. His

wife, Vicky, will watch today as he meets his opponent.

India could be next. We will take you to the birthplace of the game

and show you why. And, I have two former world

champions for company. I have John and Ken here with me. Is the thick

fog of competition beginning to lift for you? Do you know what's going

on? Just about now! Certainly after today we'll know what's going on

with the main tables being out in the auditorium, down to 32 and

progressing. We got rid of the first couple of rounds which were probably

a logistical nightmare. We have four second-round matches today. And the

rest are third-round matches. Mark Williams said, that is me through to

whichever I am in now. You are in the last 32. How has it been from

your perspective? It has provided some real logistical challenges? As

we see four tables in here - practise tables. This is the first

time I've been in to see it. I was out in the main aarena. We've had --

arena. We've had some fantastic stories. We had Jimmy White playing

as well. The first time on TV for a number of years. There have been

challenges, but a lot of great stories in there as well. I am sure

we'll have more before the tournament is finished. Some have

not enjoyed it - Mark King did not enjoy his time here and trumped it

as a bit of a circus. There has been defence of the

events. It has been said purists and activists say I am messing a great

event - that is rubbish. We know the venue is not right. We have made

some mistakes and next year that will change. The 128-draw stays.

There's no U-turning from that, gentlemen. Absolutely not. I think

he's right. A few years ago, players sometimes have a short memory.

Sometimes you can get spoiled with conditions, particularly the top

players. A few years ago we were qualifying for the UK Championship

in a room with the referee and your opponent. At least here we you are

at the evend. Fur gus said he was playing in the room, and there were

150 people. You could not get in here. You're in it from round one.

You feel you are part of the event, rather than qualifying in an event

to get to the event - that is completely different, from a

player's perspective who grew up playing in snooker clubs. This is

fantastic - you are playing in front of good crowds. That is what you

aspire to as a young player. At the top, when you are used to playing in

the main arena, when you come in here it is a culture shock, but you

have to get used to it. If the game is going to go forward. A few years

ago the game was dead here in the UK. If it is going to go forward, I

think this is the way forward for it. Let's move on. The results have

come thick and fast since we got here. There's been so much

happening. There's one or two significant results this morning.

They have played since 9. 30am. Stuart Bingham, we saw him barge

barging past yesterday morning. He has managed to get past Anthony

McGill, 6-2 this morning. An easier passage. He looks much more

comfortable than he did yesterday. Anthony McGill has had a string of

good results We only had six tournament in the

season so we went playing that frequently but now we play all the

time so if you get to number one under the current system you are the

most consistent player in the world. Getting to number one while it is a

ranking points system is something I wanted to do. When it moves to the

money list, number one... I will not say it is not like being number one

but it is going to change all the time, and not necessarily through

something being much more consistent than another, just winning eight to

get tournament than someone else. You can win three ranking event in a

row, someone can win one that has more prize money than the three of

them and they overtake you. That is part of the way that snooker is a

balding, isn't it, much more like golf and tennis where there are more

prestigious event on the circuit and lesser offence, if you like, and it

is up to you to pick and choose, and therefore to do well in those ones

that you choose. How much of an inexact science has that been over

the last couple of years? There have been major issues as a consequence

of trying to do too much. I have felt as though, with myself last

year, especially in the world championship, that I entered too

many tournaments. I was not making excuses through burn-out because you

are not forced to play in the tournaments, but I did have a

feeling when Robert Milken is pretty much potted the match-winning ball,

it was in the back of my mind, I get a good three or four weeks off now.

My choice this season is to not play in as many European tools, not enter

any of the Asian tours, so I can better performing the finals. Do you

think you have nailed it now? Do you find the ingredients to help you win

your ones you want to win? Just because you prepare really well for

the UK Masters or the World Championship does not mean you will

win them. But all you can do is give yourself every chance that you will

do as well as you can. I have been playing really well. Knocking in a

lot of century breaks, playing better than I ever have, so I need

to be patient, keep doing what I am doing.

A lot of century breaks is an understatement, 51 so far. Judd

Trump holds the record of 61 in a season, so he is working towards

that. Neal is a born entertainer but what about his opponent today,

Robbie Williams? While his famous pop star namesake is with with a

microphone, this young lad is making a name for himself with a snooker

cue in his hand. The first season went OK, but this season I have

really pushed on, I think. Getting to the semifinal in Germany and

India shows I can mix it with the big boys and hopefully can continue

to do so. I have shot up the rankings in the last few months. I

am higher on the order of Merit, which will be the rankings for next

season, I am lower down in the seedings list, so this has helped

me. Playing better players earlier on, you get used to playing the

better players. Since I have shaved my hair, I have got the results, so

maybe I will start a trend and all of the players will have shaved

heads! I guess it will be tough against Neil Robertson but I have

got to take off the pressure and see where it gets me. He is desperate to

win it and get the triple Crown, but even if he does not do it this year,

he is bound to do it, he is too good a player not to, number one in the

world, so I expect him to win it but hopefully not this year! I look up

to him, I tried to model my game on his as much as possible but it is

not as easy as he makes it look. I remember the headlines in the paper

has a few years ago, probably one of the best ones, now and again on

Twitter I get, give us a song. Keep them coming, Robbie. Will

Robertson go gentle on Robbie, or will this match swing both ways?

Oh, dear, that is the end of the song title references from me. So,

take that, John Virgo and Stephen Hendry!

While, the two players just coming out. Neill Robertson, of course, we

all recognise, the world number one, but Robbie Williams, someone was

saying that if we were going to have any introduction music it would be I

Am Loving Angles Again. Always a whit backstage. But he knows his way

around a snooker table. This is a big moment for the young man,

playing the world number one. I did play him a few years ago in Ireland.

I managed to win that event. He's had a good result. A couple of good

semis. That is obviously improving quickly. A big test today.

Thank you, the first frame, Robbie Williams to break.

You see that so many times. What happens is they play a lot of sides

to swing it around off the two cushions. Probably just a little bit

of tension in the arm. Put a little too much pace in it and the cue hole

gets pushed into there and that is why you can't have them too thick.

You don't want to be leaving Robinson the opportunities - he's a

heavy scorer and has become the all-round match player. That's why

he's world number one. The only real chance he's got of

winning the match is if he gets off to a good start and puts Robertson

under pressure. So, this is not what he wanted.

He will look to pot it and follow the cue ball through and dislodge a

couple of reds. 17. Would have liked the cue ball to

come back. He is thinner on this Black than he would have liked.

Three Reds, three Blacks. I think he could play for the Black,

whether he would be comfortable or maybe he'll go back up for the Blue.

Spoil spilt! -- spoil-spoilt!

If he's going to go in here, somewhere between the Pink and the

White. There's a gap there. He found that gap. He flicked the

Pink, which was not the intention. He didn't hit it thick enough to

spoil it and he's knocked a Red on. He's not really on the Reds that

much, but it is just a case of dropping this Red in. He should be

able to hole for the Black, you would have thought, in the opposite

corner. Once again decided to go for the

Blue. Just look at the possibility of whether a Red will go. Well, the

Red may go and that plant looks pretty well set. He's got a nice

angle on the Blue, so just got to bring it over to the left-hand side

of the table, as we look. I remember I was moaned at, saying I

was left two or three plants when I went out of position. It looked

unmissable, that one. A little bit of a jump. He could

have played for the Pink. I think if he thought if he played to r the

Pink, more than likely the Pink would block a few Reds. He would

have wished he played for the Pink now he's the wrong side of the Blue.

I can not see where the next Red comes from.

Could have got there by stunning the Blue in. It is a safety shot. Be

careful it doesn't push your Red over the corner.

APPLAUSE Left a red to the right corner. I

think there's enough for it to go up to baulk. A shot to nothing.

You always feel, as a player when you come to the table and you are if

snookered behind the Green that our opponent has been a little bit

fortunate. When they play those safety shots, they are trying to get

the cue ball as close to the cue cushion as they K he's just hit it a

-- as they can. He's just hit it a little bit thin. He's in a spot of

bother here. It will be very difficult to hit a Red and not leave

one on. He's coming off. He's trying to

catch one of these Reds thin here. Anything thick, and he'll be leaving

everything. Oh, couldn't have played it better! Where's the cue ball

going. Doesn't deserve this! Didn't deserve it! That was very well

judged. Any thick contact on the Red there and you would think the frame

was over. APPLAUSE

He must be thinking, what have I done here?

APPLAUSE An excellent shot and comes back to

the table and he's more or less back in the same position.

Trouble - with a capital "t." Well played!

Can't be a touching ball because the referee would have called it

immediately. So, looking at it, not touching. No pass back to baulk.

He couldn't get it any closer, could he?

The only problem with that shot, of course, it gives an easy run to

there for Neil. Just a bit pacy and Jimmy Robertson,

certainly one of the best long-potters. He won't be far away

with this, you wouldn't have thought. He played the one that was

lower, but same result. He'll be one of those players who, you know, puts

pressure on your safety. Such a good, long potter.

So, just playing a trickle behind the

Certainly not giving Robbie Williams a sniff at the moment.

He may have left it some - just around the back of it. If he can't,

or he doesn't fancy the Red, there's senty a Red to the left -- certainly

a Red to the left middle. It's not an easy shot, that. He

knocks them in so frequent that he's surprised when they don't get them.

He's got a Red to the corn. He's got to do something on a cue ball,

unless he tries to develop the Black.

That's what he did. Unfortunately not into a possible

position. At least he's got a point on the board. It's a nice, long one

as well - right into the heart of the pocket.

Nothing left, but to play a good safety.

What seems such a straightforward shot, to hit the cue ball. If you

don't give it 100%. I don't think he's much unpot-wise, but a

comfortable safety. A good, long putt. As you say, he's

just collapses contrags. The one thing that was imperry --

concentration. The one thing that was imperative, was get that cue

ball into position. Didn't want to be potting that Red.

It is amazing the amount of players and myself - I was guilty of this -

I did not have a tension shot that saved my tension as a pot. I think

probably with that shot, he's thinking he does not want to have

the Green near the cushion. He wants to keep it in play. Make certain you

get that cue ball tight on the cushion. That is the only way you

will create that for yourself and the way the Reds are lined newspaper

the middle of the table -- lined up in the middle of the table, it will

be a miracle if he doesn't leave a Red on here. And just hit it 100

miles per hour and hope to get out safe.

Well, he couldn't have hoped for anything better than that. He's

potted the Red and finished perfect on the Pink. It's a funny old game!

This is incredible! What a result. With the side of the cushion to

finish perfect on the Pink. What a chance! He's apologised, but make

the most of it. Many times the balls will run against you.

As you say, Stephen, what an opportunity this is!

The Red to the right of the Pink, he would like to leave that last. It is

a matter of stunning the Red to the corner, so it goes back to its own

spot. Oh, dear! He never, ever, to me

from, the moment he got to the table looked comfortable. No excuse for

missing those. So, looks like this Black will cost

him the first frame. What a chance he had and a bit of luck, should

have taken full advantage. So, that puts Neil 35 points in front now w

43 remaining. Pot the Red and go 36 points in front, with only 35 left.

Nicely on the Blue. You'd be surprised if Robbie Williams came

back to the table. That missed Black will made him feel more confident,

if he wasn't already. Your opponent will not punish you for mistakes.

This is pretty much an unforgiveable mess.

28, 33, 39... It is a frame that could have gone the other way,

surprisingly enough. Robbie Williams just gifted the first frame to the

world number one, Jimmy Robertson. He has not lost a frame so far this

year. We will bring you up with another result. Barry Hawkins -

Barry has seen off Gary Wilson, who is the world number 91 by 6-4. Here

he is just finishing things off. Gary Wilson, well, he's thinking

about going full-time, but in the mean time he's working as a taxi

driver. He'll be back doing a few shifts in the coming months before

making his decision at the end of January. Good luck to him. As for

Jimmy Robertson, an eighth world ranking title earlier in the season.

Everything he does looks classy at the moment. He has a wonderful cue

action. What I like about him as well, he's got a great attitude. We

saw him win 6-0 against an amateur. I think his attitude, even since

he's won the World Championship, he's determined to keep on going on.

Stephen talked about winners - when he won, it gave him the appetite to

want to win more. He's a fantastic player. He cannot miss Blacks like

that. Robbie's got himself into position. If he's got any chance in

this match against Robertson, he can't do that. Stephen and John,

back to Couldn't get cue ball back to baulk.

He's left a possible pot on her to the far right corner, but Neil, as I

said in the first frame, has become a complete player, really. He

doesn't go for everything... I remember the first imsaw him played,

he played Jimmy White at the Wembley conference centre. That is how far

back it was and Joe Perry, who practiced with him, said, what a

potter he is and that's all he had. And I think apart from yourself, I

think you have got a bit more than potting to win. You don't get to

world number one without having the complete game. And there's no doubt

Robertson has got that now. He's showing his opponent every

respect as well. His shot gets 100% of his attention. I think you have

to do that. I think if you show your opponent respect you are also

showing the game respect. I think with any ball game, if you don't

show it respect, the balls can certainly turn against you. He will

not be too happy with that safety. Much too hard. This Red may cut to

the left middle - well it will cutful - it's a thin one.

In the end he made sure the pot wasn't really 100% positive. Still

got a Yellow to the right centre. APPLAUSE

Looking to see if he gets it to the right corner whether the Black will

be re-spotted. Would like to be low on the Black,

to give that Red a nudge away from the Black spot. I don't know if that

Red will still be available once he pots the Black here. It is

interesting. It is going to have to go as close to its own spot as it

can, or it spot. Kit not be touching and it is -- it cannot be touching.

If it was square on it probably wouldn't pot, but there, definitely

goes. Possibly could have got that Black a

little closer to the Red. I think even... Well, he's... It's not often

the referee looks younger than both players, is it, these day? Everybody

looks younger than everybody else to me these days. That That's fair play

- he was saying couldn't he get it closer. If it was square-on, it

wouldn't go. As I say, it cannot be touching. The thing is that the

tables, when they are played on, you get that little bit of a thing with

the spots and they just sort of wobble back. I tell you what, if he

spots it and cannot pot the Red, there's tremendous sporting from

Robbie Williams. First the Red could clearly pot. Oh, the Red's moved

now. I would have just got on it with

really. Wouldn't you? It does not make a lot of difference. At the

moment it looks touching. Because that Black keeps getting put back on

its spot, you get a little indentation in the clothe. It should

go. -- cloth. It should go.

You see, it clearly goes. Concentrated on potting the Red,

he's not got a great angle on potting the Black.

Didn't really get them moving on the cue ball he was after. You can get

that a lot when you are just a little bit tense in the arm. You

don't push it through the same. Couldn't get the right side of Blue.

This is a plant amongst that cluster. All he can do is roll it

in. A possible pot on that

left-hand-side cushion. This is a tough pot. But he will probably take

it on, he's thinking the only Red he can leave is the one he's playing.

Could not have hit that any better! A fabulous pot! If anything it too

well. He got the perfect line. He just

needed more pace. I think he may be on one. He may be on one to the

right corner. This is good stuff though from

Robbie, missing that easy Black in the first frame. Looks a lot more

composed now around the table. Now, just needs to be anything but

straight here. He's got - if it is straight, it's a

problem. A slight angle.

So, back in perfect position. Didn't play that as positively as he

might have done. A couple of bunches should would have been perfect, with

the Red to the right-centre. Should be the Blue if he drops it in.

As I said a few moments ago, in perfect, back in perfect position,

but didn't take long for him to be back up at the baulk end, which is

not where you want to be when all the Reds are congregating between

the Pink and Black. Just looks a little bitten taive, a little bit

nervous - understandable! Played the Blue. I think that's

end-break. APPLAUSE

That contribution will make him feel a lot better.

Just looking to see if he can get the gap between the bunch and the

Black there and go for the right corner.

On the end, obviously felt no, so that is why he refused it.

Not a bad shot. Pushed the Red past the middle pocket. If Neil is

thinking of playing it into there, he has to be careful he doesn't

leave a path to that Red. He's played it. Got a good length with

the cue ball - that was imperative. As you can see covered the Red. Now

there's a lot of pressure on this safety for Robbie. And if he tries

to get back to baulk, of course, the same problem.

It's a lot more difficult when you are tight under the baulk cushion to

get the right contact. The problem is, leaving this Red,

even if you don't leave the pot on and the initiatives to your

opponent, he'll play better safety now and give you a problem.

Which he's done - he's done, no doubt about that. And that Pink will

look like a very big ball to Robbie. If he's going to play thin off one

of the Reds to get back to baulk, that Pink catches your eye. You

don't want to collide with that. To avoid that, of course, you think

you're doing it too thick - which is what he's done, so a chance for

Neil. The angle that Neil's got on this to

the right corner T cue ball is going to finish up close to the side

cushions. He's going to have to play two difficult shots here to get this

break going. Unless he may plays it with pace up to the Blue.

This Black is tough. Yeah, it was one of those, we want to see that

shot again. He didn't hit the Red in the mid-ol the pocket. If he had --

middle of the pocket. If he had, then the cue ball would have bounced

off that baulk cushion a little bit more. Is he considering not taking

the Black on? They are tough - about they? Give you in a nothing!

-- aren't they? Give you a nothing! I am very surprised he's turned that

Black down. It wasn't an easy shot. Had it gone in, he would have been

favourite to win the frame. He's giving Robbie every bit of respect

here. Once again a little bit thick. Is

the Yellow going to come to his rescue? Red to the left corner. I

think he can just get past the Yellow. Yes! Just a fraction -

another quarter of an inch and he wouldn't be able to pot this.

In it go. He'll be nicely on Blue or Pink.

Definitely the best in the world at that shot. And by the look of it,

the way the White comes around off the two cushions he plays them

playing ball, doesn't he? You see a lot of those shots missed because

people are putting the side on the angles, it is a natural thing to do

but I think on these super fine cloths you need to be a plain-ball

potter, particularly for the long ones. And you watch him, when he

pushes the cue through it is always gun-barrel straight. Not hitting

across the ball. He would like to have an angle to

the Red to the left cushion now. The open Red. So, a good chance it

will be on a Pink. Decided to play it then. I tell you

what, he's a little unlucky. I think the Red will go if he gets right

behind it. If he got a fraction forward it would have been the

perfect shot. I think he's knocked that Red into a possible position.

As long as he's straight, he doesn't have to do anything with the cue

ball I will be to the right-centre. Just drop in behind this Red.

Just got to drop this Red in. Now, it looks easy enough, but just got

to mind your work with these - don't take liberties, no pace. I think he

may just be on the Blue, which would be the better ball to be on. Looks

like it was the right decision. Turned down that dodgy Black. We'll

never know! It is good, solid match snooker and Robbie, had a chance in

the first half of this frame. In all honesty he'll be thinking he didn't

make the most of it. How confident has Jimmy Robertson looked in this

break? The speed he's looked in. He didn't look in doubt at any pointed.

He's maid it -- made it so easy, it makes the game look simple. For

anyone who has played, they know it's not.

He's the real deal is this Australian.

Just a quick glance at the score board - the Pink seals the deal.

Pink was enough - so Robbie Williams got in first. He made a break of 46.

It wasn't enough and Jimmy Robertson wins the second frame. He's 2-0 in

front. Still 100% record for Jimmy

Robertson so far. The results are coming thick and fast. We have

another one for you. This time it involves a former semi-finalist, Joe

Perry. 6-3 win over Scott Donaldson, the man who knocked out Mark Davis

yesterday. The teenage Scot is heading home. Well done! He's

through to the last 16. Behind us you will see the players preparing

and practicing. In fact they will be playing in the

third round. You are in the 32 - just to remind you. We have OBrien

behind me. Impressions of the way that Jimmy

Robertson has started that match out on the main arena? Typical of him.

The chance to make the clearance. He made it look very easy. It is

winning the frames you shouldn't do that change the score line so

quickly. That is why he's the champion - that is why he's the

winning machine he is. He's so clinical when he gets into that

position. That is the difference between the top and the guys who can

possibly create an upset if they win those types of frames. Those frames,

when you lose them, particularly from Robbie Williams' point of view

it is such a killer, it really is - it is, what do you call it - a blow

to the soul - that is what it would feel like. In terms of

professionalism, and we talked about this and you made a comment earlier

on, we heard that Neil said he wouldn't take any liberties, any

chances against so-called lesser opponents and has not gone for the

chances, even if they might have been on. I guess it is a mind-set,

you want to get it over with as fast as you can for the early rounds? You

take liberties with it, all of a sudden it could be 6-0. It is 6-5.

Why put yourself through that? He has got a commendable attitude - get

it over with and get down to the business end of the tournament.

Let's see what Robbie can do to respond in frame three.

Just the break of one Robbie Williams, he flicked the blue and

left the long spot on. He has not missed many. This is the long pot,

once again, nicely played. He will be a bit disappointed with that

positional shot, though. He is asking for the referee to clean the

cue ball so maybe he was not too happy with the contact. He played

for the one to the left corner, but I doubt whether he would play it

now, hampered by the group. He has got one to the right corner, a thin

cut but at least he would take the cue ball back to the baulk end, so

he could play it as a shop for nothing.

A look of amusement on his face. He did not expect the cue ball to run

that quickly, but it was a income tax. -- it was a thin contact. He

got the red but nothing to follow. I say that, he has gone for the

green. Well, that is a tremendous pot! There is us saying he will not

take any risks, he is tied on the cushion, he runs in the green. He

may have been thinking if the Greens stops in the jaws that the red would

not be pottable. Maybe he has got those first two prince under his

belt and feels as though he can push the boat out a little bit more --

those first two frames. He is supremely confident out there.

He never looked in doubt in the last frame.

Pop success rate not too bad from Robbie, either, but still too high

from the road down. He tried to leave himself low on the

red to disturb the bunch. I was expect in the cue ball to have

right-hand side and stay on the black kid but it had left hand side

and went to the other end of the table. -- and stay on the black

here. After that green, I don't expect him to refuse any pot now.

The problem is, there is only one loose red to play for, and if he

potted the yellow he would not be certain to be on it.

It is handy here being left-handed. If he was right-handed, the green

would be where he wanted to be his hand, but being left-handed it does

not interfere with the shot. The red closest to the black is the

one he will want to make contact with. He needs to make a half ball

contact on the red. Any screw shot you can just come back of the red

and finished near the top cushion. He is playing below. -- planeload.

You could not bring all of the reds into play from that shot. He can

just about pop this one. Those pockets must be looking like

manhole covers to him at the moment, it is unbelievable, you just look at

them and knocks them in! -- he just looked at them.

He has got a couple of options here. It just shows how his state of mind

has changed. In the first couple of frames you expected him to trickle

off and play a snooker, keep it tight, but with two frames on the

board he is pushing for home. In goes the blue. How is your look?

Just about on the red to the left corner.

It is a thin pot, he will not have much control of the cue ball.

No hesitation in taking the blue, and that was a tough shot.

Certainly, the game plan seems to have altered. You can't keep putting

them all. No matter how good you are. -- potting them all.

It was a decent effort, but it didn't go in, that's the problem. A

long red possibly on for a meal here. Slightly hampered by the green

which made put him off playing the pot.

He played the other red, played the safety. He could not have played it

much better than that. Good shot. He was in his bottle over there. If

the red did not kiss the black it would have been said, but it isn't.

-- he was in a spot of bother. If you are going to play the pink,

you need to get the rest out. This has been powerful snooker from

Neil Robertson. If there is a way in snooker of one

opponent being able to dominate -- one player being able to dominate

his opponent, this is it. He is getting quicker and quicker. It was

as though the first couple of frames, make certain he got off to a

good start, which all of the top players like to do in the first

couple of frames, and then once he got those under his belt, it is now

all systems go. He is in attack mode.

It has been a weakness of players over the years, I have seen it

happen, you can give your opponent sometimes too much respect, but it

doesn't matter now, and Robbie concedes, so Neil Robertson is

absolutely flying and Leeds three frames to nil. Just talking about

how he changed, as I say in the first, there was the pink that he

missed, the black he refused, played safe of the pink, and the signs were

there, he potted the long red, in the first two frames certain to roll

up behind the green, you would have thought. Absolutely, there was a

chance he could leave the green over the corner pocket, should he miss

it. It showed how confident he was. By

stealing the second frame in the manner that he did, he felt he was

going to pot the green. Sometimes you do just get a feeling, no matter

how difficult the shot is, you are going to pot it. Also, I think after

the first couple of frames he has realised he is cueing well, he has

got the pace of the table. Some players just expect it to happen.

Neil just took his time, got his cue arm going, and, as I say, when he

played the green it came as a bit of a surprise, with what had gone

before, but he is obviously feeling very, very confident in himself, and

there is no better feeling. That confidence can transmit to your

opponent. These shots are hard enough, never

mind when you have been dominated for three frames. So much the

harder. Might choose to play the cannon on the black here.

He did play to leave it at the right corner, but it just flicked off. He

would have liked to have hit the red and the black together. Still got

the pink to the left middle. The black is a bit risky.

They always missable, though, don't get me wrong, but he is such a good

potter. At here is a chance for Robbie.

Nicely played. Mid-session interval comes up after this friend, so it

would be good to have a frame on the scoreboard.

He hit that well, that was a great shot. Excellent cueing.

Even the pink into the right centre is an opportunity.

It happens, there is always the danger of the in-off. When you play

at that pace, the right-hand side he needed to put on, it just does not

take effect enough. There was a chance, he did not make the most of

it. Disappointing end. And unusually poor safety shot from

Neil. He just managed to avoid the pink

but he has still left a long red on. So, last visit, a poor safety, this

visit he has missed a long red. He almost looks shocked when he misses

one. Can he play the pot on this red and

mind the Gap actor baulk? -- back to baulk. He did.

Big problems for Robbie now. The red he would like to make contact with

is the one near the right corner pocket.

But how do you get their? -- there? He is looking at the possibility of

a slight swerve around the yellow. There are two reds in line, but if

you swerve it too much and catch it too thick, the cue ball will

struggle to get past the blue spot. Maybe he played to hit the red.

Maybe he looked and saw he will not leave anything on by hitting the

red. He has left an opportunity of one to the right middle. Not the

best choice of escape. But, once again, it seems to be the ones to

the middle that Neil is having a problem with. He is just hitting

them to fall. He seems to have gone off the boil a little bit in the

last five or so minutes. Full stretch, boy! He is close to

the yellow. The referee was there having a good look. Sometimes the

camera angle foreshortened it, it looked as though he was on it but

the referee never said anything. He was looking. Maybe the yellow is

just a bit this side. As I say, the eagle eyed referee was making

certain. From never looking like missing the

ball, playing all the right shots, as you say, Stephen, for some

reason, we don't know why, maybe he just thought, oh, I am pre-0 up now,

it is all very easy for me -- 3-0. 91%, it was 98% a few shots ago. I

seem to think Robbie Williams was about 96.

I don't think this is a plant, but pretty close. Neil is coming to have

a look. It is not far off. If they were

closer together you may be able to reverse it. I don't think it is

right in the heart of the pocket, it might be going to the left jaw as we

look at it. There is a little gap between the

two reds. He will be screwing the cue ball

back up to the baulk end for safety. Close, but, as I say, at that pace

it was a case of whether the pocket would accept it. It didn't. A bit

slugger, you would think that would have dropped. -- a bit slower.

This red looks straight, which is fine because he can stand for the

group to the left centre. That was not the red he meant to

pot! The run-through plant, not many of those in the pound! Played one

onto the other, it rattles but got out of the way and let the other one

go through. Don't you think you find this, we

saw this with Jimmy yesterday, you are a bit tense in the arm and don't

get the movement you expect on the cue ball so it doesn't travel like

it should. It is as if, when you draw the cued back, that you could

do with another inch just to get that break in your wrist which gets

you the timing. That was nicely played. Nice

recovery. He needs to make the most of this opportunity to go to the

dressing room at the mid-session interval with a few positive

thoughts. A nice break here will give him that.

You may have heard a bit of noise, I don't know what it was.

Just got enough angle on the blue. He will have to find a way of

playing for the black. He does not want to play this break with all

blues. There is a gap to stun down for the

black if he wanted to play it, but it is risky.

No doubt he will take the blue on, but a bit of pressure on it.

He has to put a bit of pace into the cue ball for position.

Put all of those factors into it, and you can miss the blue.

There were a couple of positional shots prior to that, he should have

been thinking, try to get the black on the spot, getting the black on

the spot is a frame winning opportunity. Always a bit ASCII to

do it off the blue. Now Neil can play for the black. -- always a big

ask. He played the Canon purposefully but

does the reds top the black from going into the left corner where it

is on its spot? If it does, it has made it a little bit awkward.

If it does he will probably pay for the pink to the yellow pocket, if

the black is blocked to the left corner.

As we can see, the black will go, but I don't think he was certain so

he left a lot of angle on the red. He could just about hold for the

black. Just looking now. If he can stay at this end of the table, he

would much prefer that to happen to run the cue ball up and down to the

baulk end and back. That was not perfect. He is not good

on the pink. The blue is a little bit straight. A good shot needed,

and good cueing. It is amazing when you play one poor

positional shot how it affects the next shot as well and carries on.

The choice of yellow, pink or blue with the previous red and he did not

get any of them. He is still not in perfect position.

That was a super recovery shot. Judged the Canon to perfection, half

ball off the second red, took the pace of the cue ball, held for the

black. Could not have been played better. So, six points the lead.

Four remaining reds. Then going into the mid-session interval with a 4-0

lead. And now he has got the perfect angle on the blue-macro. -- the

blue. Bit scrappy. He missed a few shots we expected him to get. In the

first frame, he was superb. Young Robbie, had if you opportunities, it

is not easy playing the world number one. It is a learning curve.

One hour, 13 minutes. Much time. -- match time. It probably feels about

effective second to Robbie Williams. The quicker he gets his one over,

the better for Him. The last remaining amateur in

this year's draw in a while. First, impressions of Neil Robertson.

Sometimes your concentration can drop a little bit. Robbie Williams

hasn't settled. He should have won a couple of friends at least. It is

very difficult when somebody looks to be on imperious form, especially

in those first few frames. We were looking at Neil Robertson's results

this season. He has won four matches. Many of the other top

players have been tripped up in the early stages with the new format. He

doesn't seem to have been affected by it. Why not? Probably because

he's playing so well, he is super-confident. He's very focused.

He is not giving them a. He's been really clinical. His approach is a

lesson for all the younger players watching. Watch how he goes about

his business. He is not letting up. Exactly. Any distractions, he has

never really been affected. Not at all. I was reading, and in the

paper. -- I was reading comments in the paper. He said the conditions

aren't good, there are good crowds, people love it at the Barbican, so

he likes the setup and he does not grumble. It shows the mental

attitude. He is not going to crumble. He is happy he is playing a

game he loves playing. He is at the top of the tree and is enjoying

himself. Neil Robertson is four - zero. Seven amateurs started here

last Tuesday. One of them remains. That is Mitchell Travis. He knocked

out Marco Fu, and this morning he dispatched Kurt Maflin. He is

through to the last 32. We can have a word with this young man. There

really is, the man of the moment. It is a fantastic fairy story so far.

What a week for you. It is unbelievable. Beating Kurt Maflin

and Marco Fu, it is unbelievable. You have beaten world number six. It

is important you keep up the same level. Yes. My dad and grandad were

trying to keep my feet on the ground. I went back to the practice

table and thought, I have a chance of winning if I play like that.

Realistically, what did you think was possible? I spoke to my dad and

grandad before I started playing and they told me to make a good account

of myself, and to try to get a few friends. -- frames. I actually know

your dad. Because what happened? You beat me, 4-2. I am a lot better now,

so if you fancy another match! . Joking aside, you must be very proud

of him. I am. The funny thing is, when is your birthday? December the

8th, when the final is. I am going to be in the final. That is

confident I am at the moment. I fancy going all the way. I am going

to do the best of three with your dad. Fantastic stuff. We wish him

well. We have had the world number one out there this afternoon. We

also have the world number two, Mark Selby. He's always very dapper. What

is he like at home? I had the privilege of speaking to him and his

lovely wife Vicky in their house a few weeks ago. We have been here to

years, and I have Bobby spent six months at the most here. With the

snooker calendar being so busy, it seems like a holiday being at home.

As soon as he comes home, we put our onesies on and chill in front of the

TV, we go for a few meals and drinks. You have got beautiful

countryside and a lovely back garden, it all seems so tranquil.

You even have a swimming pool. Do you use it much? I don't. The

village is great. It has no shop and no pulp. -- pub. Vicky goes in the

swimming pool a lot, but I can't swim. I have got inflatables. How

does it work? You have a husband and wife relationship and a business

relationship. With Vicky playing pool, she sorts of understands the

work I need to put in, which is great. She is always behind me,

always willing me on and supporting me. When I get home, it can be

difficult if I am going through bad patches and I bring my work home

with me. Vicky is like a rock to me. We do play a little bits, or if the

family, , it is a nice social thing to have. I let him win so he gets

his confidence back. We always see her at tournaments. Do you prefer

her being there watching? Yes, definitely. I've have seen to do

well at the tournaments she has been at, if not win them. When she came

to the latter stages of the Masters, I seemed to go on and win. When she

is not there, I probably have not done so well. If I could, I would

probably take it to every tournament, but with the season

being so long, it is not beneficial. She must be one of the very few

partners who do understand exactly what you are going through. As far

as pool goes, she wins a lot and she understands what it takes to get to

the top. It is great. I think that is why we work. When you met him,

but did he have? When we first got together, I used to travel to see

him. He had a flat in the middle of Leicester and literally had nothing

in it. His kitchen was that clean he obviously never used it. He did not

have pots, or anything. I used to take things to him. We had a

conversation about you come in to interview him if he did win a

tournament. We joked, saying we would have to pretend he had been

burgled because that was so little in the house. It is surreal but you

are here now. Thank you. My favourite colour as well. There are

a real team and it was lovely to spend the day with them. Mark has

played today's opponent, Tian Pengfei. He has enjoyed some pretty

good days in his professional career. He has beaten Ronnie

O'Sullivan along the way. It was into the match that we go now. Selby

won the first frame with a break of 65. It is Willie Thorne and Neal

Foulds who are on top of this. That was a poor shot. He put a lot

of pressure on himself playing it that way.

That is actually a good shot. He's one of a group of Chinese players I

have seen who are right into his technique. He's not the most natural

player but he worked very hard on his technique. He hits the ball

well. When he initially turned

professional, I thought it was going to do well. He has not quite got on

with it. He turned professional in 2006, so

he has been around a while. That was a really good shot.

Best performance was in 2010. Fairly slim pickings. It is very tough in

the qualifiers. Players like Mark Selby other reason

people like Tian struggle to progress. -- players like Mark Selby

are the reason people like Tian struggle to progress.

One has to be careful here. You would expect him to level the ball.

He's not putting in the middle at the moment. He just lost a cue ball

fractions. -- he just lost the cue ball a fraction. I know.

He has the second choice, the one below the pink.

He has got a lovely cue action. Quite impressed.

Good been on something better than this. -- could have been on

something better than this. He played that like he knew it was

frame ball, which it was. I think he knew the score before he

played that last shot. Nice break of 64. He levels the

match. Indeed, he took the next frame as well. Bed-macro is 2-1 in

front. We are going to pick up live now. - - Tian is 2-1 in front.

It is like he has been spurred into life.

The Blackwood of gone directly behind the red. The black would have

been brought into play. He should be able to get rid of that red now that

has been causing the problems. That has worked out really well.

This was beautifully played. Once again, the pink will go back

onto the brown macro spots. -- the pink will go back onto the brown

spot. Seven points in front. You would expect him to win the frame

from here. The slightly unusual nature of the

frame is making him concentrate harder.

This clears the pink spot, I think. That is whether Black go next. --

that is where the black will go next.

Just keep the cue ball under control.

Certainly, all the hard work has been done.

Not much angle there. It is risky, playing the straight.

He should finish perfect, but it is not guaranteed. That was an

excellent shot. He may have missed a trick here,

Tian. He's looking at the prospect of losing this frame, and he knows

he should be in front. Tian Pengfei is a pretty new player. It hurts you

sometimes going into the interval known you should be in front.

His matchplay is supreme. There is no weakness in his game.

This has been top drawer, hasn't it? It is looking pretty straightforward

at the moment now. An excellent break of 66. He has not won it yet.

That wasn't an easy shot. It looked good from that camera angle. Selby

might have had a reprieve there. He needs to put this. -- pot this.

I think there was a little bit of the XL oration there. He will be

really annoyed with that. -- I think there was a little bit of

the acceleration there. These are the kind of frames he

needs to win. He can't afford to make any more

positional errors. It is essential he gets a good angle on the next

caller. -- colour. With the brown where it is, where

the cue ball is now, that would be perfect for the green. That is not

the best, but it is still the right side of the table.

The pressure is building. It is one of those. He would like to finish as

close to the ground as possible. -- who would like to finish as close to

the brown as possible. I don't think he can get nicely on

the brown here. It is hard to judge with the extension of the queue. If

he could play normally, I think he would be fine.

He did very well, that was a much better shot than it looked. What is

the angle like on the brown? Look how he played the shop, he had to

dig into the cue ball. Mark Selby will be kicking himself.

He has had two glorious chances to win this for frame. -- this fourth

frame. What a steal this would have been.

He had a second bite at the cherry. A fabulous break of 49 to steal it

by one point. Mark Selby will be disappointed going into the

mid-session interval. A very solid player there, he has been on and off

the tour a couple of times. Quite surprising because he has got

a very solid cued action, he goes about his business quietly. That was

excellent under pressure. That was a friend that Mark Selby should have

put to bed a lot earlier. A fantastically runs. Suddenly Selby

found himself 3-1 down, he did against a 15-year-old amateur the

other day. He does not want to keep doing this all the time. He did not

get the rest of the pocket properly. He has given himself a

unnecessary hardship. Totally the opposite to what we were talking

about Neil Robertson, he is a lot more clinical. He would not have

made those mistakes in the four frames he was playing whereas Mark

Selby has put himself through the Ringo unnecessarily. We all know

that Mark has not been particularly well last week, had to spent a few

days in bed, so he has not come into this feeling in the best of health,

and by suspect that have a knock-on effect. It can do, but it could be

the view where the wounded golfer syndrome, as well. You never know

what you will get. At the moment, there is a bit of leeway, it is the

first to six, not by it, so you would expecting to come out do

better. Indeed, work to do for the world number two. What about the

world number one? Back now live into frame five. We saw Neil Robertson

making crisp work over Robbie Williams but it is Williams at the

table right now. Back to John and Stephen we go.

Thank you, Hazel. This has been a scrappy frame, but Robbie Williams

has got in, the balls are situated nicely.

I don't think it is far enough for the blue this time. You will have to

pay the green. -- he will have to play the green. He has not got

complete control of the cue ball at the moment.

This will certainly help things, pot the blue and it will move the red

away from the blue spot. 45 ahead, 67 remaining. To be

certain, he will need three of the remaining reds.

I can only assume he was trying to avoid the cannon on the pink and

took his eye off the pot. Just when he seemed to be getting things in

the open, he had done all the hard work, then took his eye off the pot.

I don't think Neil will take on this red because it is dead straight,

there is no, after this red. -- there is no colour after this red.

This is an excellent safety shot. Perfect contact on the red, almost

half ball contact. Probably the best safety shot he has played today.

That was an excellent shot. You could say a bit lucky to get the

flick of the brown, but... Just a bit! Just a bit! If you wear his

opponent, you would be thinking, and not! He has just played the best

safety shot of the match, then this happened! How cruel can this game

be? ! And particularly when you are 4-0 down. When you need a bit of

luck, you do not get any. He caught that to fall, a chance for Neil

Robertson. Not a great chance, it has to be said. He comes to the

table 46 points behind, but, at the moment, pink handbag out of

commission -- pink and black out of commission.

He could do it with blues and still be able to win when he gets to the

colours, but the black will soon be a problem because he will need to

clear up to win this frame. Has he got an angle to take the

black off the cushion here? Deep screw, worth the risk.

He managed to get past being straight on the blue, so an OK

position. Just checking the school. As I say,

he can do it with blues off the remaining reds, but he will stop as

the problem of the pink and black. Whittling away at the lead. Which is

a good one, the way the balls are. He is thinking about playing for the

black, potting this and coming across the table. The black is not

in a bad position for a left-hander. He has decided to play for it.

He does not want to finish tied on the cushion. These are tricky.

Cue ball behind the black, red into the baulk end, right back in this

frame, Neil Robertson. He did not want the half ball

contact on the yellow and brown. He has not got the snooker.

He was frightened of playing it then, 14 might cut it towards the

far left corner, but needed to make a better job of it than that because

the red is certainly possible. -- pottable. Any, of the Redwood do. --

any, off the red would do. He keeps playing those shots to the middle

pocket, keeps hitting the far jaw. He was walking as though he thought

he had spotted it. A snooker behind the brown, surely?

Now Robbie Williams has come a massive favourite to get his first

frame on the scoreboard. REFEREE: Foul and a miss. Robbie

Williams, four. Even a free ball would not have got

me out of my seat their! He could not get a better snooker

than the one he has. Maybe he is thinking, put the yellow safe. But

that was a bit negative. Still not easy to hit this. 20 of room. --

plenty of room. But he has hit it. He will be forced into playing the

long red here. This is frame ball. If he loses this frame, I'm afraid,

Robbie, you have only got yourself to blame. Why you didn't have the

cue ball replaced when it was tight behind the brown, I don't know. I

think some of the less experienced players, when they are out of their

comfort zone, are not eating straight, and you cannot blame them

sometimes. When he looks back at the frame, watches it back, he will

regret that decision, if he goes on to lose this frame. He is still

favourite. Neil is giving this plenty of

thought because he wants to try to get the snooker from the safety, it

could give him the edge in this tactical battle. If it misses the

green, it won't be too bad. But it just flicked it. I think Robbie can

just get through to this. He did not get far enough in behind

it. This is half a chance. 30 points the difference. In potting the red,

he needs a green or bigger. We always say this game is about

fractions. Another inch or two, he would be behind the yellow. He

hasn't. It is a thin snick, but Robbie knows he will win the frame

if he cannot it in. -- if he can knock it in.

He did not get close to the pot in the end. I don't think he played it.

He played for the corner ball off the side question and back to the

top cushion. A little bit of a bonus, he has knocked the green near

the baulk cushion. Has the brown continual's rescue? It

has. -- come to Neil's rescue. If he hits this fall, he could get a

snooker behind the yellow. Anything but fall, he could leave it. He

caught it in. Put his hand up, apologised.

He has had some bad luck in this frame, so he is entitled to a bit of

fortune, Robbie Williams. He will get a chance to win the

frame here and now. Just read needed to go 31 points in

front with 27 remaining. -- just the red needed.

Nice kiss on the black, that will do nicely. That will definitely mean he

will win the frame, so he has avoided the dreaded whitewash.

Now, a decision from the. That is enough from Neil Robertson. He

concedes. Not the best of friends but it will be remembered by Robbie

Williams because he gets his first frame on the scoreboard but he still

trails 4-1. And that is the first frame that Neil Robertson has lost

in this particular championship this year.

You can keep watching online, if you wish. Neil Robertson apparently on

his way, although I am sure Robbie Williams will have a few things to

say. Mark Selby not failing soap simmering the against Tian Pengfei,

a solid talent whose fourth frame steel put him 3-1 up, so Selby needs

to get moving. Neil Foulds and Willie Thorne, what has been the

difference between the two men so far?

At the moment, Mike is missing one or two pots. I think things will

change in the second half of the match. He has played too well but I

suspect he will have to raise game again if he is going to go on and

cause what would be a big shock in this match. It really would be.

Selby had a good chance a few moments ago before you joined us. He

was nice on a red, just got hold of it too much. That is virtually all

that has happened in this frame so far. You would expect Selby to win

virtually every tactical battle but he is just not scoring enough when

he does win a tactical battle. He was hoping it would be a

shot-to-nothing. The red has crashed into the pack of reds. It if he has

got away with this, he is lucky. Even if the parties on in the

middle, the in-off is very close and he is not far enough away to stun

the red in the middle. That is a result and a half, isn't it?

Looks like he will play safe of the red he is nearest to.

Second prize is that he has got to in big trouble here.

He has got to play back to baulk, which is very difficult to do. He

looks deep in thought, doesn't he? Saturn very quietly in the

mid-session interval in the player 's room. Trying to think about what

had happened. This would be the biggest victory of his career if he

could eat the defending champion. I think the only real shot here is

going off the side cushion and resting on the middle pocket. You

would expect him to be able to judge the pace right.

The way this event has gone so far, with 128 players here in York, one

or 21-sided matches, it has to be said, but we have had times when

shocks have taken place. Marco Fu was knocked out earlier in the

championship. Barry Hearn was saying they are giving parameters a chance.

-- giving amateurs a chance. Tian is far from that, but he is 64 in the

world so it would be a big shock if he could get a win. For now, he is

in all kinds of trouble here. Once again, playing as if snooker.

Looking at controlling up to a red, perhaps. -- at rolling up to a red.

I don't see this being on. He has been a little bit fortunate, he has

left a red in the middle, but the position side is not perfect.

It would not surprise me if he tried to go into them from this, I think

he almost has to. Identity would go into them at any pace, just

dislodging a few is what he is after.

It did not look good but it has not worked out too badly with the red to

the right middle. He trailed 3-1 in his previous round

against a 15-year-old. I think he would certainly be near

the top of your list if you had to have a man to win a final frame

decider. He would certainly be one of the players I would pick to put

my last few pounds on. A little bit like the previous

frame, which he should have won. Everything is hard work at the

minute. The pink is in play, but the reds are in the way of each other so

a couple of kisses are needed to make this frame continue. If he

plays a cannon into the two reds in the gap, it would open things up a

little bit. I think it is worth the risk, this one. Then everything

should start to be a little bit easier.

He played it at pace, it hasn't worked. Has he flicked one at? He

has. He showed his hand in apology. He did not play that, you played a

cannon on the two reds, as I suggested. He's not looking too

comfortable out there. There is the difficulty about the shot. Still not

perfect on this red. It should start to get a little easier than it has

so far. Aside from just winning the frame,

it would be good for Mark's confidence to do well here. He lost

a similar frame to this before the interval. High-value, as Rowley once

this time. That was all he wanted in the previous frame. The break has

not been easy with low value colours. If he was feeling edgy,

this might hopefully settle him. He has not started this season as

well as he could. Very few better than Selby. Neil

Robertson is looking on from the other table. He is still trailing

3-2. The century there, and one just the

other side of the dividing wall. Neil Robertson has knocked in his

52nd century of the season. Extraordinary, and he finished his

this often rather fine style -- he finishes this off in rather fine

style. It is 5-1. Robbie has an awful lot to do if you used to climb

back into this. Robertson 5-1 up and apparently cruising. That was a

great response from Mark Selby. That is what you would expect. We have

called the Hoover on many occasions because that is what he used to do,

who balls up. -- Hoover the balls up. He prevails in a comeback. I

remember last year him being 4-0 down and coming back up. He seems to

enjoy the comeback, and is very good at it. Is that instinct is not to

lose since to kick in. It does so rather late in the day. He is well

back into this match now and is beginning to retrieve the

situation. Another port break their from Tian.

-- Another poor break there from Tian.

Both players have got pressures of their own.

He seems to be a player that works hard on his technique. It is times

like this that your cue action comes under scrutiny.

I don't know whether he will play for the black office red, the pink.

Can he get back to that one loose red? That was a poor shot.

Looks a little thin to guarantee getting in the pack. Yes, it was a

little thin. That is not the best of safety

shots. He has got an excellent chance here. He timed that

absolutely perfectly. Great pot. That is the one he will be playing

for. That might be a very lucky case on

the green. -- kiss on the green. He has got to be careful he does not

lead over the pocket. That is where he played the single

red instead. That looks to be a fine safety

shots. He has missed quite a few shot you

would expect him to pot. This was horrible. He didn't get

into the fault at all. The cue ball had time to move.

The two reds look very close together.

The next few shots are an important part of the match.

When they are virtually all touching, you have to go into them

twice. He has developed this into a chance

to win the frame. The red up the table next to the

green might come into play. It made me laugh, thinking of Mark Selby

being called the Hoover. He does tend to Hoover the balls up. Not the

best break of the game. Little bit twitchy there. I think he needed the

He has over screwed Hoover there.

He has over screwed behind the green. You should not be

thinking like that. behind the green. You should not be

Mark has not got the confidence at the moment.

In hindsight, it seemed the wrong way. He was unlucky. I don't think

you can criticise him for that shot. No, I am just saying he seems

to be lacking confidence. He's just not quite timing it perfectly.

The odd shot here or there shows he is not feeling 100% confident about

his game. The next frame is really important.

The world number two making a game of it. Meanwhile, Neil Robertson

made absolutely sure against Robbie Williams in this frame and cleaned

up here with a break of 90, a 6-1 win. He has lost only one friend so

far. This was a thoroughly professional performance. Yes, very

clinical. He has already had 51 centuries, which is incredible. That

in itself is an incredible achievement. He is going to be very

difficult to beat this week. I think it is imperative to get this match

is over with early. It is important you leave plenty of petrol in the

tank for later. We were asking. Is that plenty of petrol left in the

tank? Yes. The first couple of rounds, the top players want to try

and get over as quickly as possible, doesn't really matter how

well you are playing because you can be playing really well but that is

different to when you face someone like Ronnie Ding Junhui. Happy to

win 6-1. I went for a lot of shots and I was not too disappointed. I

kind of bullied him on the table a bit. We had been talking about your

attitude coming into these events. Can you describe your attitude when

you come in at the 128 stage? How much is it is born of the fact that

you have had to do this throughout your qualifying career and have come

to the top of the pile now? I said after my first match, when I came

back, I wanted to give it a real good proper go. It is much better

like this, so much better. The first prize is ?150,000. That is all I

care about. There is for table set up in a closed room. That is better

than what a practice when you would be. Overall, it has been fantastic.

If you get past the first two rounds, it can be great. It is

refreshing to hear the world number one say that. Please only thinking

about winning the tournament. -- he is only thinking about winning the

tournament. You can understand. The top 64 have that layered system. I

think it is fair for the players coming through. We have since and

great stories this week. For me, this is the second biggest

tournament in the world. People think it is too similar. That is one

grievance people have. It is changing. You have to have this

attitude because that is the way it is. You get on with it. It might

have been the second biggest tournament in the world but you have

to do something to freshen it up. It will freshen up and appealed to the

public. Also, I think it is good to give them TV exposure and

experience. It is not fair to be in the top 16 and some players are not

on TV, I do not think that is fair. A lot of the players will lose in

the back room and think, there is no way he could be me and the TV. That

is not really fair. F1 should be given the opportunities.

You have thrived in this system, I have to say, 52 centuries this

season alone. We say you are on the form of your life now? I am playing

really well. I beat John Higgins in the final, that was the best final I

have ever played in. If you told me up that I would keep

playing like that and making these breaks, I thought I would have a

couple more and make a big -- a few more big tournament is to my name.

Ding Junhui has beaten me into quarterfinals, Ronnie O'Sullivan

beat me 6-5, so the players I am losing two are the best in the

world. If I am losing in last 16 Tomich one stuff like that I would

reassess my form but I am playing well. -- if I am losing in last 16s

and stuff like that. We saw how Mark Selby had managed to level things

3-3 against Tian Pengfei. What is the situation now?

A good opening read for Mark, which he cracked in. There were a couple

of kisses onto other balls and it has left him a pressure one now if

he takes it to the right-hand pocket or less so perhaps to the middle.

You feel there is a turnaround here, although that is a big

miscalculation. To go near to the corner pocket, Willie?

Especially someone of Mark's class. He has played to stun it into the

left-hand cushion first, and I am reprised each was to play that one.

Interesting conversations with the lads there, with JP, Ken and Neil.

I was interested to hear he said you should make your situation and you

have to give other players a chance, I enjoyed what he said.

I think Mark is similar to that, he does not complain a lot. What I

would say is that it is quite exciting to see a lot of different

players. The format, I think, is good. I cannot say I would be

feeling that way is a top 16 player, necessarily. With all the bad

results we have had, we have had some bad matches, 6-1s, but we saw

the young lad beating Marco Fu, that is a story in itself, an amateur

player getting to the television. It is a great story and one that

Barry Hearn will use to defend it. I have enjoyed it. I can understand

why some players wouldn't necessarily like the changes. The

changes, I think, they will have to get used to. Our old friend Barry,

he doesn't take many backwards steps, does he? If he says it is

Christmas, sing jingle Bells! He is not frightened to make the

changes. I agree with the lads that this is the second guest tournament

and maybe it needed a change. I disagree with Ken that the

tournament was dying, I think the three major tournament will always

stand in good stead and will always get massive met -- viewing figures.

It did need revamping in other departments, and I think Barry has

done that. I think we all agree on that, we would all like to see the

World Championship stayed just about as it is.

That is the other thing that will always be set in stone. It doesn't

always have to be at Sheffield, but just the format.

Whoever wins this tournament will have won the UK Championship in the

usual way, lots of hard work, lots of tough matches. They will be very

well rewarded for it. This is proving to be a tough match

for O'Prey. Tactical frame may be against him now even though he is

starting to score better. -- this is a tough match for Mark. You like to

think he would be in a better position against Tian Pengfei.

This red is on, he is wondering whether to play back into baulk. If

you are playing great you would fancy playing this shot, but I am

not sure whether Mark is cueing well enough to be able to attempt this at

this stage. I'm lucky. Very unfortunate. He hit

that great. -- unlucky. I agree, that is showing positive

intent, he just couldn't quite get the desired hits. If he had missed

at first red he would still have been OK, but it is heartening to

think he is starting to play the big positive shot 's now that he is back

in the match. I don't think that is very

I was not sure about this one at first. The pace of it allowed the

ball to drop. The last few seasons, the way that

Mark has become the player he is now, he has often one managers -- he

has often won matches where he completely stops his opponent from

scoring, closes the door on any chances coming, because he has this

terrific safety name, then the chances arrive and he scores. Text

with snooker, it reminds me a bit of the way Steve Davis used to play the

game back in the 80s, used to describe his opponent.

A couple of strange pictures in the press with young Steve today, I

don't know whether you noticed them. He was showing a little bit of the

rear. I didn't see that.

Yes, it was a red top, Neil, you don't read those, do you? You are a

Financial Times man. I didn't see it in the racing Post.

He is doing very well, Steve. I must admit, I have wasted about

?300 on telephone calls trying to get him to eat all sorts of against

your things, all of against your things, although the beatings he

gave me over the years. -- all sorts of obscure things.

I think we are on the same boat there.

This has been a very good performance from Mark Selby, he

almost makes himself play well. He would have been very disappointed. I

had a chat with him in the corridor and he felt he was playing too

negatively in the fourth frame, which he should have won. Excellent

clearance from Tian Pengfei to make it 3-1, but he certainly should have

won that. He is certainly shaping up to play a

cannon. Even has not gone as far on this like as he would have liked. He

wanted to be a bit straighter, because we are assuming there is

going to win the match. He is still far from home, but at the moment all

the momentum is with him. If anything, that has tightened the

reds up even more. It would be advantageous to go up for the blue

hue. He did not get away with that one

earlier on in the break. How on earth does he get the pack open? He

cannot do anything with the red, too much of an angle, but he has to play

the same shot, topside of the blue. Exactly where he did not want it.

Also, I do not see any point in the snooker year. This is no man's land.

He will have been rolling behind the blue, I admit, but with the rear of

the reds are you cannot make anything from this. I agree, why not

just run up to the yellow and forced Mark to play a good safety shot?

It is almost likely better to let Mark see a red, because he would

maybe miss hit it. He cannot stick anything from this.

He can get back in behind green and brown here, I think. If he can miss

the kiss on the black, missed the jaws of the middle pocket he should

get close. He would like to get near the baulk cushion, but he should let

him see a red. A much better shot. He can see it, I

don't know if he can see all of it. He cannot risk running up to the red

this time because the red below the black will pop. -- pot.

That is a fabulous safety shot. He swung it round the baulk colours to

make contact on the red. He has brought two or three reds into

play. Look at the aid of the side he used to swing it around the green.

-- the amount of side. Mark will be reluctant to move that red away from

the black comedy will keep things tight at this end. -- away from the

black, you will keep things. Another excellent safety shot.

You just feel that Mark is turning the screw a little bit here. Tian

has a clear shot at reds this time, but how on earth does he find the

edge of one of those reds? This is awkward. He has to just drop onto

the reds, I think. The only problem with that, he is

leaving that in the middle pocket. I think the red will past -- will pass

the pink. He is looking at the angle, not only

if he can get on the pink, but he doesn't want to leave the cut red to

the left of the black if he misses this. It is a shot you would expect

to pot. REFEREE: Can you put that bag away,

please? He has left the red to the left of

the blue. Now, the weight on this is not good,

it is the only place he cannot put a ball from, down there. It was never

going to be an easy shot because he was up against the side cushion and

could not play it with any stun or anything. A little bit harder,

perhaps, coming off two cushions and up would have been better. The break

ends very quickly. I cannot explain just how difficult

that shot is, especially because he is playing it with swearing. When

you swerve onto the first cushion in snooker, getting the pace of the

shot is so difficult. -- he is playing it with swerve.

This is right up there with one of the best safety shots you are likely

to see. Completely as planned, as well. The

red was very close to the bottom cushion, not an easy shot.

Beautiful. At the moment, he is on the

defensive, Tian. But there is no more than he could do than hit that.

Playing it that way, you would now assume he is in more trouble.

He cannot get to the left side of the reds, and he cannot do a lot on

the right-hand side of the table, either.

This is a little bit more difficult because it is so near the cushion.

It is very easy to hit these too thick, but he played it very well.

He could not have played that a lot better, very good.

All credit, he is matching Mark Selby in this apartment, which I

thought would be very unlikely. He is all of these points behind, 34,

in a tactical frame. The colours are still on various spots, or knew of

him, so if he wants to have a chance, this frame isn't over at

all. This red can cut into the corner. If

he hits it slightly sick he will career into the two reds. Will he

risk playing the cut? -- if he hits it slightly thick.

That was a shot where he knew it would possibly put him in trouble

but he felt it was worth the risk. It is quite good fun to see a

tactical frame of snooker, especially when players are playing

it to this level. It is something you don't see very much in the

amateur game, players who can play this kind of safety against each

other. Once again, look at this.

Tremendous. More trouble for Tian. Yes, it was a shot that was on. It

is quite a big target, behind green and brown, but Selby is so good at

that kind of shot. This is worrying times for Tian, he not only has to

fit one, he has to get into a position where he can leave it safe.

Selby is getting back into position at the moment.

Mark does not want them this, this red is on. How hard has he had to

work to get this opportunity? This is very tight match snooker.

I must admit, I really enjoyed the last five minutes of play.

That was as good a safety battle as I have seen in some time. Tian

Pengfei played his part in that safety battle. This has developed

into a chance to win the frame at this visit and it was an excellent

bout of safety. So, he will be delighted to have got

in front in this match, trailing 3-1.

The pressure is slightly off in a longer match, but it is not really

about that. It is about the way that he has done it. Still not quite at

his best, I don't think, but his all-round game - well, he is a true

champion. 241. He is in a bit of a rush to get through this frame, it

seems! He has not won the match by any

means, but psychologically that is quite a big deal, and Tian is

thinking he may have to go to the plan B and be a bit more attacking,

because ultimately he lost the safety duel.

What a shot. His game is very measured, everything he does is like

that, he does not play any risky shots. Even the flashy shots he

plays with lots of skill. He will not be concerned about fat, Mark

Selby, from 3-1 down, is 4-3 up now. STUDIO: And that is the score on

table number three were Jamie Burnett is ahead of John Higgins.

John has had a bit of an up and down season, started off really well

getting to the final against Neil Robertson, but he has not been

passed the last 16 in any event since then, and it is Jamie who has

the distinction of being the only player to make a break officially

over 147, 148 in the qualifiers of this event some years ago. Jamie

Burnett going well, 4-3 against John Higgins. Meanwhile, Shaun Murphy,

the 2008 champion runner-up here to Mark Selby, 5-2 up on his bonnet,

Noppon Saengkham, and Shaun Murphy looking well so far.

-- up on his opponent. And we head back to table two, Mark Selby has

turned things around and now leads his Chinese opponent as we return to

Willie and Neil. Thanks very much Hazel, Mark is

waiting for his opponent to come back into the arena. He still does

make but ice he does not look at these, he has been ill. I love Mark

Selby to death, he started playing at club level at 14 years old so I

have known him most of his life. I think he is playing too ill at the

moment. You can burn yourself out for major tournaments. He has not

turned up for tournament very well in the past two years.

He lost to Barry Hawkins earlier this year at the World Championships

and he did not have a lot to offer, to be honest. He played too much. I

think these players have been manage the season, look at maybe getting a

break before this Championship, if you can find one, and get another

one about three or four weeks before the World Championships.

It was interesting to listen to Neil Robertson earlier when he said he

was going to pick and choose and not play so many Asian ones. Mark wants

to play in everything, he just loves the game. Even when he was a young

boy practising in my club, he would be there five or six hours a day,

playing every day, on his own, up in a corner somewhere, not even playing

on my match table, he would just try and include all the time.

He was asked what would you rather be, world number one or world

champion and he said, world champion. That in itself would tell

you the gives himself a cancer being one. A lot of players have won the

Masters and not one the World Championship, you cannot win

everything, can you? Undoubtedly in the Masters, sometimes he has played

absolutely perfect snooker and he could never eat someone the likes of

O'Sullivan without playing perfect snooker because he is probably one

of the game's greatest of. -- you could never beat. Mark Selby

just looks unbeatable at times. He has no one to beat out of their

now because Tian Pengfei has disappeared, but the good news is

his cue is still there, he has not gone home.

He will be kicking himself. He had an excellent chance to win the

frame, but it is nice to see Tian Pengfei battling in the safety

department. I would put Mark Selby in the top

two of the world tactically and he stood to him there. It wasn't until

he got to him there. It wasn't until he got in behind the green light in

my opinion was the frame winner. Tian Pengfei is good to get a

telling off or a plan B now, because I would think he would have to be

more attacking, to take more risks and get in and go for balls. If you

get sucked into a safety battle with this man he is going to lose it. He

did lose it in the previous frame, maybe that is where he will go from

here. Having taken an extended break, which is a bit unsports man

like, he comes to the table trailing having led 3-1.

He is in front, he may decide to play the power shot. It looks like

he is playing a safety shot. Yes, he is playing the safety. A confident

Selby would have been digging that in round the back of the black. He

is playing perfect match play snooker. He knows he hasn't got a

100% game at the moment. So he is trying to outplay him in the safety

department. Mark is playing a similar shot, to

get the cue ball up the other end again.

No need to take undue risks, yes, just a holding shot.

No need to take undue risks, yes, just a

No need to take undue risks, yes, This time Mark is playing back

No need to take undue risks, yes, So it made it look like he hit it

too hard, So it made it look like he hit it

We are going to find out what he has to offer, now he is behind with his

chance. Looks like a difficult one for the

referee. Can he get that pink ball in among

all of those? This could take a while.

Doesn't go in on its spot, it goes right in that little gap.

A bit of a thankless job being a referee. We can criticise if they

make the wrong decision but they never get a pat on the back when

they play the perfect match. A good referee you never see, do you but

they do a great job the referees, on the whole.

I don't know where that black is going to go when it is potted. The

red is on the spot. So careful the to make sure he is as

near as possible. I think the red will still go in the

left hand pocket, so this is a great chance to level the score, but when

you have lost three on the trot, it is not so straightforward.

It is one key shot away from making this a really good chance. He need

to get in among them. Taking the red that he just has, just keep s the

break going until the big shot arrives.

Narchlingts is causing all the problem. You can see from that

camera angle there, it doesn't pot in the left hand corner, if he plays

to get on the black, he needs to get on it low. Not that low, goodness

me, that was a twitch. It is one of those, now he has

finished there, it might come in his favour, but he was fuming to finish

there. Now he has, he still has to play the

black, he will move the red, and this could go either way.

It's a good pot but barring a plant I don't think the break can

continue. So, could have made more there, just

30, a bit similar to a previous frame where he got in first. That

was unlucky not to have got on a red. Know it was a bad shot on the

previous red but he played the black nicely. But as you said he was 30 in

front in the last frame and let it go. I wonder what is going to happen

here. Indeed. That was... Could have gone 4-2 up. Same thing happened. It

is not going to hurt Mark Selby those kind of breaks.

Gl right side of the table is covered, but this could be

dangerous, in that I think that Tian is forced into going for the left

corner. Sometimes player can be dangerous when forced into a shot.

No safety shot available. The fact that the black doesn't pot

in the right hand corner, makes it a bit more difficult to get on to a

colour. There is no easy path back to baulk.

O'Sullivan would potting it and screwing back on to baulk, because

that is the only way he can get on to a colour.

There is a long red for Selby. Yes, played the cue ball, that is all he

was hoping for. You never know where the reds are going to finish. The

object ball could go anywhere. This is is a big shot for Mark.

It is dead straight this shot. Beautiful shot. Fabulous cueing. I

mean, this would be a shot you would practise. Just couldn't hit it

better than that. It is the kind of shot that Willie

Thorne enjoyed watching there, didn't you? . A bit of pressure was

taken off the shot, the fact the only #red he could leave on was the

one he was going for. He was bound to leave the red. It couldn't have

been played at a better pace, nicely on the blue. Even though he was 30

points behind, he is favourite to win it.

That wasn't the best shot he has ever played but the two reds are in

play now. Just use those as a stopper.

The poor shot has turned out to be in his favour, now he has everything

in open place. -- play.

The black didn't go in cleanly. But this has turned out fine. He

looks suspiciously at the cue ball If he did get a kick, it is amazing

the black got it. Usually when they kick they go off square. We will

have another look. I don't think that was a kick. I don't think so.

He probably felt he had a bad contact on the white. But that is

where he was playing the cue ball. So far has it has been a good

performance from Selby. He has hardly put a foot wrong in the next

four game, when he hat got in he scored heavily. Apart from the one

16 he has not been winning a frame at one visit.

But he has scored better than he did before the interval.

Choice of reds to the right middle. That is a good shot.

Time to accumulate the reds in the middle of the table and make the

frame his. A bit careless not getting top side

of the blue. But the fact he doesn't have to do too much with the cue

ball. Doesn't really want to be straight

on the red. He wanted another two inches of pace on the cue ball.

Kneels he can get better position that way. -- kneels he can get

better position that way. He is looking at getting on the blue but

he is not dead straight on the red, playing it that way. It shouldn't be

a problem, because he can reach it. Yes, he will play a canon from blue

to pink and leave the red in the opposite corner.

If he plays the canon the pink will go on its own spot. He has to be

careful not to snooker himself. Has he held the spot with the cue ball?

I think he has. He didn't forget that, he could have easily forgot

the pink goes back on its own spot. He looked at the scores and 21, he

could take the two reds with blacks, and wouldn't need the one down the

cushion. 36 in front in front then.