Final - Part 1 UK Snooker Championship

Good afternoon, today's final of the United Kingdom champion breaks new

ground because it is the first time in the 38 year history that it does

not feature a player from the United Kingdom. It is an all overseas

contest between the call classy Australian Neil Robertson and

China's excitable and extroverted Liang Wenbo. Ladies and gentlemen

the bets way Championships 2015. Liang Wenbo, the biggest win of his

career goes into the last 16. Tremendous performance from Neil

Robertson. In the end Wenbo scraped over the line. He wins and he is in

the semifinal. A very relieved Australian goes through into the

semifinal. That is what it means to Liang Wenbo and he gets on through

to the final of this year 's best say UK Championship. The man of the

season is Neil Robertson and he is through to the final. Today marks a

major milestone for Liang Wenbo, his first time in a final. We are well

used to seeing Neil Robertson and he has won all of them of course. The

Australian has had the better of all previous meetings, their pasts have

never crossed from the quarterfinals onwards in any event before.

Interesting head stats. When I look at the tournament I think it is

bound to be a Higgins, Robertson in the bottom half but to Liang Wenbo

in there? I don't think anyone could predicted. He has been entertaining.

The extenuating circumstances yesterday, why? He was playing David

Grace but the possibility of getting into the top 16, a very important

time in the season because it means he is now in the Masters, that was

massive let alone the prize money to get into the final. Bizarrely can he

relax in the final today? He said he can now truly relax, no pressure. It

is the underdog and it is easy to play if you are the underdog. Get

out here and all of a sudden Neil Robertson put him under pressure, it

could be another story because you don't necessarily have to dig

yourself out of a hole in a press conference that he will today. And

he is up against a ruthless competitor, Neil Robertson loves the

big trophies. Wenbo made three centuries on the trot, whether he

can do that again on a 1 table setup is questionable. If Neil Robertson

put him under pressure, we will see the true Liang Wenbo. I'm not too

sure it is about Neil Robertson today, it is about what's Wenbo can

produce on the biggest stage of his life and 01 table setup.

Interesting. Liang is trying to calm down after putting himself through

the mill yesterday in the semifinal. As for Neil Robertson he is trying

to trophy for the second time in three years and his confidence must

be soaring after a mighty wind, a whitewash no less over the world

number one. A lot of people are questioning why

form and my diet. A lot of people on Twitter telling me I had to start

eating meat again to win, that was a good one. I am the stage where I

don't need to win Euro tour events to build confidence kick-start my

career. I can target the biggest tournaments and I've won all of the

biggest ones in the game so I'm trying to replicate that. Fantastic.

Beautiful cue action. Beautiful control of the table, his game is

fantastic. Very good score. Liang is a great guy, very funny and I have

always gotten along with him. He used to be a raving lunatic on the

table, he used to play the crazy shots you have ever seen. When my

coach talks he tells me to control the table. Thinking, concentrating.

He is very good and says you have to like the sport. You need to

concentrate. I change my mind, before I thought going going. -- go

in, go in. I have been a favourite number of times in the final and if

you don't perform there is a good chance you'll get beat so have to go

into it thinking I have to be my best to win. I will enjoy my match,

it is another final and you have to enjoy them no matter what. I will be

as hungry as ever to try to win. It makes me ready. Concentrating. I'm

now very relaxed. Everybody says be careful now, enjoy the game. You

want a character, you have one. There is another one. Stephen

Hendrie. Liang look tortured at times yesterday what could change?

Now he knows he is in the top 16. He expected himself to win yesterday

which put more pressure on himself stop he is in the masses top 16 and

he will see Philly might be a completely different play today.

Both guys have made centuries and they have been in great style but

how does he go about beating Neil Robertson today? Does the Aussie

have any weaknesses? If he plays the same way he played against Marco Fu

with three centuries, he realises he is the underdog so he can relax and

enjoy the occasion. He said he will enjoy it. How big of a shock would

it be if Robertson did not win? A massive shock, he has been the

player of the tournament by far. We have had a view to a futurist and

turns over the last 15 days, we are about to find out if there is going

to be another one. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It has been a

scintillating championship so far, this is it, the big one. Welcome to

the final of the 2015 that way UK Championship, we started with Andrew

and 28 and now the top to remain. This could be epic. Let's get the

boys on the baize. Please welcome a player who has been

at his impeccable best here in York. It has been the most significant

week of his career so far, beating Trump and Marco Fu on his way here,

his win yesterday put him back in the world top 16 and into the

Masters next month. A real character, a genuine talent flying

the flag for China, please welcome Liang Wenbo.

And his opponents. A player whose influence on the game has been huge

since his arrival from Australia just over a decade ago. He famously

lifted the trophy in 2013 and today he bids to become the eighth player

to win multiple UK titles, he beat Mark Selby without conceding a

single frame last night. He is in form, he is ready and can you hear

the Thunder from Down Under, here is Neil Robertson.

Wishing them both well, today is the best of 19 frames, they will play

eight this afternoon and finish it off at seven o'clock. After ten

hours in the commentary box yesterday our commentators cannot

stay away. COMMENTATOR: I am certainly looking

forward to the final. What a character and what a reception Liang

Wenbo got when he came down the stairs. One of the real character is

now of the game and in his first major final, can he relax? Can he

play how he does in practice? He is up against, well you would have to

say the ruthless Neil Robertson. That is what they are playing for,

that's magnificent trophy. The gentleman next to me as you heard

has won it on five occasions, no better feeling than this Stephen is

there? Will want a decent break. Going to

be key today for Liang to get that cue ball on the right position. Neil

Robertson is the most consistent long letter in the game. -- long

potter. He does have one to the right corner so an early chance to

get the cue ongoing. A long way off with his first

attempt but some of the ball seed knocked in similar to that against

Mark Selby, who was tight to the vision and kept rolling them in. He

could not play off the back because of the red that was to the right of

it. -- off the black. The first pot goes to the Chinese

player. That's really was amazing yesterday how he kept giving himself

a smack on the cheek. He was getting himself so confused, it meant so

much to win that match. I think we could see two types of Wenbo play

today. It is possible his race was already run winning yesterday.

I would love to see the scenario like yesterday to see how Robertson

hacks. Getting two centuries in the first few frames. -- reacts. This

table looks to be playing beautifully. Very fast that is for

sure. You would rather have the table on the quick side rather than

slow. When you are playing well, you can control a quick table.

Just watch keeps on rolling there. Just a bit

too far. This is an attacking shots here I

can tell you. He is shaping up to cut the sin. Not guaranteed whether

cue ball is finished. -- cut in. He is going to give it a go here. One

shot tells us his intentions. -- this one.

APPLAUSE Weight that was the problem, he had

no idea. Now he has to find a safe place because of the road over the

bottom corner. If he continues to play that type of

snooker we're in for a fantastic final, that very aggressive.

Anywhere around the yellow pocket will cover that.

I think that was a slight mis-hit. Has he got a snooker?

The White may have just drifted a touch because he was playing your

shots, look at the number that would have covered this, yellow, brown,

blue. The black is still tied up but he

has finished on the pink here. Maybe the pink is a little thinner

than its looks from our position. For some reason he is not that keen

on it. I would say the yellow is a more difficult pot and a positive

shots. He does what some balls this fellow.

And he will give to control the path with that yellowed underpaying.

Unless the pink was into a blind pocket which is never easy. Still

not out of the woods yet in terms of positioning. He is looking at a red

to the left corner, perhaps to put the pink and the same. -- in the

same. If you can get this and get on the pink, the frame is at his mercy.

I was looking at me when he was introduced. He looks so focused. He

wasn't smiling all waving, he is out there to do a job. He is out there

to win his second UK title. This was Neil Robertson as he came

into the arena, just look at that face. Full of concentration.

His first two frames in the semifinal against Mark Selby, Mark

made a opening of 50 and Neal came back to win that, Mark did the same

in the second with a break of 55 and Neil came back to win that. I know

it was 6-0 but he could have one more it was some performance from

the Australian. No doubt about it he has been the standout player, that's

fantastic quarterfinal against John Higgins 6-5, could have gone either

way in the final frame. Apart from that he has dominated the

tournament. He has said that after O'Neill. That is the way he likes

it. -- that is what he thrives on. That John Higgins match, John made

three century breaks of 69 and 66 and he lost in the deciding frame.

This is where it is difficult, you open all of the balls up and you

have to watch your opponent come to the table and put them all. That is

the nature of the game. There is that magnificent arena at

the Barbican Centre. Fabulous atmosphere when the players walked

down the steps. You can see the cameraman, the referee, a great

shock that. -- shot. Just coming up little short this time for the

blue. A little awkward being a left-hander because the blue screws

back a little bit. I know he can't really reach it which is why he is

thinking of leaving a longer pot. Now he is looking at the pink. He is

looking to see if he can screw back if the can reach it. If he stands

towards the brown it'll be a more difficult pot. Can he reach this?

That is the thing. Can he get past the blue, that is

the other thing? He is just asking the referee to spot the blue again.

He can just about reach extension. It looks pretty tight. He

is 30 points in front so achy pot coming up in the frame.

In the end there was plenty of room because he missed on the other side.

CROWD CLAPPING I think that blue was a distraction

for him there but have plenty of room. -- he had plenty.

I think it will be a relieved Wenbo coming back for another chance. I

certainly felt Neil would win the first frame and that would be it.

I think he is going a bit straight for a yellowed, he would love to

have an angle for the three red and black.

Very difficult to get on a red from this position. He is almost straight

on the yellow. I don't think he can generate an angle to get over, just

looking at the green belt. Amazing yesterday he took two minutes and 50

seconds for a shot and in the NT not down a fantastic pink after slapping

himself the Can he flick the red? He is

unlucky, a terrific effort from there, lots of reverse side on that.

He has to get this thing if he is going to avoid the reds on the left

of the black. And he didn't, he hit it too thick but he has been rather

fortunate there. He did not play it as he intended it. He got quite

lucky there. Didn't hit it anywhere near as thin

as he wanted it. Once he hit the other red he could have stayed

amongst them there. Just a little bit too much pace

because if you leave it on the baulk line Liang will know how good Neil

Robertson is from there. He is looking at the red on the corner but

can he avoid the reds and black and find a gap?

If he plays for a cannon he will have to pod the red. -- pot.

They refused it in the end. Which he did do. But not the best safety shot

he has ever played. A bit of a tester for Liang here, has a bit of

an angle on the red. He can get itself right back in the opening

frame if this goes in and stop -- himself.

May just have enough angle to get this. Didn't you that well, perhaps

an injustice, maybe it was a bad contact. You can see

You could clearly see the pink leave the bed on the table.

I'll tell you what he is doing today...

APPLAUSE He's keeping still on the shop.

Yesterday he was moving all over the place. That was just pressure. Today

he looks much more solid. He's not moving around. Just far more

relaxed. He's got nothing to lose today, Dennis. He is the underdog.

Nobody expects him to win. If he can just go out and enjoy it and relax,

enjoy the occasion... He looks so calm and composed. Who knows what

could happen? The problem here - if he plays for

the black, the black will go on and tie the red up. I think there is

just enough room for the black to go back on its spot there so if he can

get himself nicely on the pink, it would be better. This is the key

shot. Just 13 points behind now and the colours are all perfectly

placed. So often you overcooked this pink if you miss it. -- overcoat.

I was just about to say, this is a massive first frame for Wenbo to

win. Just maybe flicked a little bit.

Wanted left-hand side Amat cue ball. I think that's what happened because

it was coming across the table nicely but the side just took it in

across the black. He needs a little bit of good fortune here. Let's have

another look at that. He just got a little touch of left-hand side on

it. If that had flicked the black, it would have been perfect. You

never know where they're going to finish and he may have slipped a

snooker here. He's held his hand up. APPLAUSE

The same thing applies to Neil Robertson. You've just got to hit

the red and hope you can knock it safe. From this sort of situation,

very difficult for any player to judge the shot in such a way that

you know you're going to knock it safe.

I think he was trying to get a thin contact. The reds doesn't go past

the blue. Liang is looking at that and we'll have it put back.

There is a happy gentleman. He manages both players. He looks after

Judd Trump. I suppose a win/win situation for

him. He's probably the most relaxed man in the building.

He's already been thinking about the second attempt. It won't be far off

a minute. What he's trying to do here is to just try to hit the right

side of the red. APPLAUSE

That'll do nicely. To judge that type of shot you've

got to be so precise. I'd say this first frame was more

important for Wenbo to win. APPLAUSE

Absolutely. It is first to 10. It is a long final but if he can win the

first frame, he will really settle down. Can he knock the red safe

again if he gets out of the snooker? Well, a good result there. But, to

be fair, Liang flicked a snooker earlier. He is letting Jan Verhass

have a look. I was chatting to Jan and he is not sure if it is his

fifth or sixth UK final but he has refereed. He has been one of our top

referees for many years now and always gets a great reception when

he is introduced. Very popular with the crowds and the players.

Can Liang once again hit the red and get it safe?

Surely not again! APPLAUSE

It isn't a snooker but he can't see enough of it to take the pot on.

There is! Is it a thin cut? It is. The only problem with it being such

a thin cut - if he gets close to the putt and doesn't get it, it is going

to stay there. -- the pot. He'd to watch the corner pocket if

he goes past the pink. Well, you called it, Stephen, and he needs the

blue to come to his rescue and I don't think it has.

Just enough room. It is dead straight but the cube power that

this Australian has, he could screw out onto the black. -- cue power.

Didn't quite get the action on the cue ball that you would expect.

This needs good cueing. The natural angle to get the yellow.

It has been a cracking frame. Both players look

It has been a cracking cueing well. Oh, hang on. What was

that from Neil Robertson? He's got away with it, though. He's been

very, very fortunate. When you miss a sitter like that, you deserve to

lose a frame that that was a nervy one from Neil Robertson. Yeah, that

was incredible. That is what you call in the trade a twitch. Very

surprising. Just shows you, you just want to get this first frame under

your belt. Liang coming round to have a look to

see if he's got the snooker. APPLAUSE

Obviously with the success of the standard of play Neil Robertson is,

he has a fantastic temperament but that yellow will stay his mind for a

few minutes. An incredible miss. He just flicked a little bit offside on

it there. But talking about side, can he get enough side on this next

shot to miss the black and hit the yellow? If he hits the yellow full

ball, there's a possibility of getting a snooker behind the black

but he needs to get so much side on this. Probably a little touch of

swerve as well. He played that superbly well.

That was far from a natural. He had to get so much side on that, and he

got so close to hitting the black on the way up. Well, you can't beat a

tense opening frame. Well, this is another cracking shot

he's played here. APPLAUSE

up and if there is, Neil can send the yellow off the side cushion,

back past the green on to the box cushion and then

back past the green on to the box black for the white.

I'm sure there will be an awful lot of quick friends in this final but

this opening one is quite a tense affair.

Oh, that's a delicate shot he's played there. What a pot that is.

That was a difficult angle there. That's what I was talking about,

temperament. He's just missed a far, far easier yellow than that a few

moments ago. Quickly erased from the memory banks.

Still hasn't flinched, Neil Robertson. He looks cool, calm and

collected, as he did when he was introduced. But a very entertaining

first frame, it has to be said. It doesn't matter whether the pink goes

or not. But it is in. Both players had chances in that opening frame.

They both looked to be cueing well but in the end it was Neil Robertson

who took the frame and he leads Liang Wenbo by 1-0.

HAZEL IRVINE: A cagey but nonetheless very interesting start.

To get in touch with us via the usual channels.

That first frame was really a tale of two back row yellows. Can you

explain to me how a player as good as him miss the first one off the

spotlight this. It is to be straightforward. You can just miss

balls and do it now and again but you wouldn't expect it. He's very

fortunate where it has finished. But then to pop this in the middle

pocket at the pace he played, it is a wonderful shot. How can you miss

one and then do that? Wenbo a bit unlucky because of that final red,

the cue ball just trickling off the black, when he might have cleared

up. I think you can count himself quite unlucky to have come out

losing that frame. Effectively, it was a bit unfair when a player who

is inform Mrs a yellow and gets away with it. You feel as if he's been

cheated a bit, Wenbo. It was still a good frame but from my perspective,

looking at Neil Robertson, if he was going to be under pressure then

looking over his shoulder at how well he's played during the

tournament and then cracking up in the first frame would have been the

way he could get himself out of pressure. The fact he's got away

with that maybe the wall. Nevertheless, Wenbo looking a lot

more relaxed than he did yesterday. 100 times. I quite agree with you. I

had forgotten about that frame. He just snicks that black and is going

to win the frame. His whole demeanour is far better than

yesterday. It has the makings of a contest. Here we go.

STEPHEN HENDRY: You would have to find the gap between the red

immediately above it. If he's looking at the red to the left

corner, I don't think you can avoid contact with the black, so it will

be a shot to nothing. Just a straightforward safety. As I

said before, so important to get a good cue ball.

He hasn't done. At first glance, I can't see any pots for Neil

Robertson but it does give him the opportunity to play a much better

safety shot. Just looking at the path of those

three reds. If he had that safety, he may be pushing a red over the

left corner so he's not happy. DENNIS TAYLOR:

He's played some very good safety shots throughout this year's UK

Championship. Just flicking the brown offered spot

there means the green and brown are quite a nice target now.

He does a lot of pointing his cue, does Liang, where he wants to put

the cue ball. He is behind the yellow, behind the green, behind the

brown. Just getting very congested around

the black spot area. It's amazing, sometimes. You can go

for two or three frames and you never get a chance around the black

spot. It finishes up with the balls also rounding the black spot and

makes it difficult. I think the green is going to cover

that one that is over the pocket. A pretty good

that one that is over the pocket. A able to get down off the one

that one that is over the pocket. A to the right of

that one that is over the pocket. A think he'll go in if he plays off

that one. I think that's the sort of pass, if

he played off that read he would avoid the cannon and then be able to

play up the table. And now he's looking at that one and

if he plays the shot but I put up with the lines, he may even be able

to have a go at the plant at the same time. As long as he hits the

white same time. As long as he hits the

I think. Found the gap. He needs the green to

come to his rescue but it's a good shot he's played there.

APPLAUSE His safety play in the first couple

of frames so far has been excellent. He's definitely completed, Wenbo,

with Robertson in that part of the game. In fact, he's got him in a

position here where there is no path back down the table. That's why he's

looking at coming off a couple of cushions and just landing on the red

that is near the pocket. Has he spotted something else?

I'm just wondering if the green is likely in the way of the shot he was

looking at. I think it might be. Now he's looking at getting to the red

to the left of the ones that are near to the cushion, but he's got to

go twice across the table to do that. But he's pretty good at the

angles. That is not well judged. This isn't

where he wanted the cue ball to go. That is not well judged. This isn't

I think he can get to the potting angle of one to the right middle

pocket. He didn't hit the red she was intending to. -- he was

intending to. Kept perfectly still on that shot.

We were right down his cue action there. Just watch this, watch his

head, watch everything. That wasn't happening yesterday. But it is a

different day, a different pressure. It's incredible how many routers are

around the black there. That's a poor shot he's played but the only

saving grace is that there is one on the right-hand corner and he pots

the pick, -- the pink, he is heading up the table.

He should have made sure of the pot there. Even if he had left himself

further away from this red... It was the shot before where he didn't get

nicely on the pink. Look at that, how the red has

finished. The brown doesn't go to the middle.

It is a long green, which is very difficult up into the corner. The

only thing is, if he tucks him in behind the brown, he's got to block

the path across the table, which is what he's done because Liang could

have gone off the left side of the table and potted the red. He's

pretty good at swerving a ball, is Liang Wenbo, so could he swerve this

around the green and pot it? He won't be finishing on a colour but

he's got to move that red. I've watched him with his swerve shots

and he really does play them very well.

He could try and come off the top cushion and flick the red in. He's

just looking to see if he left the white there, would that red cut into

the middle? It is the swerve, as I thought. And

you've got a perfect picture there to see if he can pop this. -- pot

this. That was unlucky. He got too much into it in the end. I thought

his cue was too high. It didn't require that much. It is only a half

ball swerve. He just seemed to... It almost looked like he was going to

be putting too much swerve on that for me.

Reds and blues. That's all that's available to Neil Robertson at the

moment. He might well play for the red that

is closest to the right-hand corner. It is not the easiest popped back

room -- pot but it may be able to be parted. He is this we not playing

that read yet. Unless the black goes past that red already.

It doesn't look like the black pots so he will want to move that red

sooner rather than later, I would think.

He just had a little glance at it there, the red you mentioned, and

still got two other reds he can play on.

In fact, he's gone a bit too far for the one that he played. He will take

that red that you suggested. He has made a mess of it. It was not

an easy pot and he did not get the correct side of the blue. If he

powers this aim, he has got to get around the back of the yellow and

back up the table. We have seen Mark Selby attempt a shot like that and

the blue jump out of the pocket. This is a slightly better angle. He

doesn't want any right-hand side on this or it could hit the ground.

That was a great shot. He played for the red just above the black and he

may have dropped on the one that is just behind it. Or has he? Maybe

not. No. Does this go to the middle? That must be very tight. If

it does, he can get on the black. Well, now he has got them where he

wants them. After a future at not being in perfect position, once this

black girls you would think it would be the end of the frame. He will

want to dominate this match. He will though it is possible to win this

match in the first session if he can get 6-2, 7-1 even, that is the way

the top players think. Finishing on blood red for the middle pocket, the

inform player seems to get the run of the ball like that. When you are

struggling a bit and you play a shot like the one on the blue, you finish

up on absolutely nothing. Perfect side of the blue. Lots of top spin,

did well to find that gap, by the way. He didn't finish on his

intended red, he bit -- hit it a bit too hard, but one popped its head

out and he had it in the middle and this is the result. Maybe got a

slight kick there. The black just jumped a little bit there. It

doesn't matter who he is playing in the UK Championship, he has just

continued where he started. His match with Stephen Maguire, we talk

about the John Higgins game, which was the deciding frame, but his

match against Stephen Maguire, Stephen came out with a century

break and never got another shot, lost 6-1. He was awesome in that

match. 47 ahead. Just this red and a blue will leave Li Hang needing a

snooker. -- Li Hang. He could play a cannon on one of the reds. He will

not miss the blue so he may as well try to make the century break.

APPLAUSE No century break, what a shame.

Leanne coming back to the table, there is still a bit of a chance.

Just 53 the difference, he can get to blacks and blacks and he can get

right back this. A surprising miss there. Usually need is determined to

right back this. A surprising miss centuries as possible. A bit

irritated that he has allowed Liang a chance back at the table. Just

careless more than anything. A slight lack of concentration. He has

just overscrewed it slightly. He needs the one nearest the

commission. -- the commission. A pity because he had if it of a

chance there only needed the one snigger. There was every chance of

him getting the snooker. But is it now. -- that is it now. Liang

concedes. Neil Robertson just needed one chance and with the age of the

age of -- aid of the 60 break, he leads 2-0. Good to see you are in

this. We had a tweet, I am an American in Europe who has gotten

hooked on the UK Championship. Good coverage. An American watching an

Australian player and a Chinese player in the United Kingdom

championship final. We cater for all tastes and all nations. Your

impressions of the Whitney Robertson seems to have eased himself into a

groove here? Getting over the first frame was big for him. Relieved.

Back to his clinical self. A great 60 break. It wasn't easy to walk

around the black area. When you use the word clinical, it is ominous,

because you are not even worried about whether you -- he will win,

you are just watching how well he plays. The next round of his

ambitions could be to win the triple Crown twice, to try to catch Mark

Williams who has done all three big ones twice. Would you say that his

form is on a par with when he won here in 2013, or is it even better?

He has just been an awesome snooker machine for the last few seasons.

The performances in the Masters earlier in the season, two matches

were exemplary. They won against Stephen Maguire this week was as

good as you can play, it was flawless. He is the benchmark at the

moment and he has a very big chance to win all three of them in one

season, because he is the best player in the world. I had a chance

that -- at had a hunch you would say that. One or two players below him

in the rankings are not scoring as heavily as they could do. John

Higgins is back in the big danger. Over a distance of ground, playing

the way he does, with such a good all-round game, he could win the

three this season. He is playing superbly well. That would change if

Ronnie O'Sullivan gets back into things and gets his a game going. He

is very efficient at the moment and he is making it look very easy.

Positioning, I am not too sure anybody is out positioning him. I

think he is the complete player now and I don't think he was necessarily

that three or four years ago, but all of a sudden he has raised his

stock. There will be a few at home thinking 2-0 up, looking like he is

in the groove, we could be in for a quick match. Then again, if Liang

Wenbo were to get a frame on the board... It is only to nil. There is

a nonpolitical. He looks more relaxed. When the chance comes along

he has got to do better than he did there. Unfortunately, the level you

are applying pad and who you are playing against, these are big

chances. You wouldn't panic at two - zero, but slightly worrying times

for Liang Wenbo. He needs a frame quickly. That will give them

encouragement if he starts missing long pots. If he misses the long

pots and gets away with it, that makes such a difference. He has gone

in amongst the reds. He has opened the bunch up, but he has left

nothing. This is so awkward. Fully stretched. Difficult to see the

shot. Great Africa. Great effort but now he is faced with a very

difficult blue. Kicking a pig to the middle. I didn't think he could get

past that red. The way the reds are, that is a massive shot. Well done.

The house to make the most of this opportunity. The only chance he has

two win is if he can take these chances in one visit. This crowd

have taken to Liang because he had a terrific reception when he was

introduced and when he gets a good party is getting a terrific

reception. A terrific comeback against David Grace from four - two

down. The way he reacted after that, I don't think it was only

disrespected Dave, it was just that he was so elated. This is what

happened when he won. He was leaping all over the Barbican and that is

what it meant to him. He shook hands. He was so excited, he wasn't

disrespectful, he was just over the moon at having come back and beating

David who had a great UK Championship. -- beating. But just

reminded me of the way I reacted when I won matches. You used to jump

all around the Crucible. It was amazing to watch and, as you said,

he did not mean any disrespect to David Grace, he was just so wrapped

up in the moment of winning what, for him, was a massive match.

Playing in the Masters for the first time next month. I hope we see a lot

more of David Grace because he missed that easy pink at the end to

take it into a deciding frame. He is a real gentleman and a very good

snooker player and let's hope we see more of him. This is fantastic

because he did not have an easy opening shot. It was a fabulous

opening red. He was fully stretched. I thought Neil had got away with his

mess. But at this, fully stretched to deflect this one in. That was

brilliant. No point in playing to drop in behind the back there

because there is a red next to the black spot, so he can win this third

frame with banks. If he goes slightly out of position he has got

the blue there. -- with pinks. It is a totally different player we are

looking at here. 2-0 down, but he is much more composed, looks much more

relaxed, he is not moving on the shot. That didn't quite work out as

he intended. He might have to take the one next to the black now. Yes.

He is looking at the black bear, but as I mentioned, if he pots the

black, it will be tied up. It will not matter, he may be just as it is

easier to play for the black. He may comes back for the pink again. We

will see. This time it is the black. Surprises me a little bit because

the red next to the black spot doesn't pot to the red corner and

there is a chance you could leave yourself straight on the black. It

is always better when you are able to keep the cue ball away from the

conditions. Nicely played. Already 58 in front. This red and pink or

blue would be enough. It would leave need needing a snooker. A really

good performance from the Chinese player, it really is. You never

settle until you win your first frame in any match. In fact, the

black wasn't tied up. He knew this was frame ball. Everybody let out a

big gasp there. He almost took the camera man out. He didn't move on

the red button on the frame ball he certainly moved. This is fabulous

from Liang here. He badly needed this as well. What a chance to go on

and make the first century of this final. He may play the pink to the

left centre now. It will be cannoned into this red, so no positive idea

where the cue ball will end up. That has finished near the cushion, so if

it is dead straight he might be OK. Terrific cueing there. Both these

players have made seven centuries in the UK Championship this year. This

could well be his eighth. Absolutely brilliant from Liang Wenbo. A

terrific cheer from the Barbican crowd. It is a totally different

player we are seeing here this afternoon. 2-0 down and to respond

with this, superb. It doesn't matter about that. He has got the century

break. More importantly, he has got his first frame on the board and

Liang Wenbo will be feeling much better now. He still trails the

Robertson by two frames to one. So important to get the first frame on

the board to make you settle down. He has done it in style. There was

one shot here when Neil took on a long red, the type of shot he is so

good at. I thought he had got away with it. We get so used to seeing

the pot these, especially 2-0 up. We thought he will rule on in the match

and dominated. He'd missed it. He didn't leave anything easy, but a

fantastic opening red. Here we see Liang Wenbo stretching so much over

the table. The pink was impressive as well. But was a great cut in

there. It looked like he might have to take a long blue and suddenly he

could just get past the red to see enough of the pink and I am with

you. I think the pink was as tough as the opening red he knocked in and

this was a great shot. It set him on his way. I was just watching Liang

Wenbo there and he took a massive deep intake of breath. A weight has

been lifted getting that first frame. It should need, if you miss

your long pots, I am going to punish you. I love his interviews. He is

getting better with his English, but he really is so interesting. That is

what it meant to him, deep breath puffs out. He is quite a character.

He does like to keep a tidy table. He is always wiping chalk marks of

the table. The referee just asking some of the crowd to turn their

earpieces down a little bit. Sometimes the sound will come

through. A lot of people like to have the earpieces to listen to the

commentary. You can see them there. Great effort. It just shows how his

confidence has grown since making the century. Taking on that cannon

to leave the black to left corner, a very positive shot. He has two make

sure he doesn't leave the red closest to the left corner for a

need to go at here. -- for Neil. Looks very composed out there today,

doesn't he? Yesterday he was giving himself smacks all over the place.

There is another one. A little bit like the sumo wrestlers. They do

that before they do battle. But totally composed today. Well, he has

played some superb safety shots. totally composed today. Well, he has

Tactically, he is very good to go. After knocking the century

Tactically, he is very good to go. in, he is cueing well. We might just

have a final on our hands here. We have a final, but we might have a

close final. A frame ball may be. That would help. I think it is. Is

close final. A frame ball may be. it? I think it is. Yes. He can spot

the brown. With the green. An early chance.

It wasn't a straightforward safety, by any means. I think the brown was

a slightly easier pot. Get yourself on the green and then back up to the

reds. Doesn't have to play for the green.

One good positional shot here and he can get himself in and around the

black spot area. That's a bad miss. Yeah, just seemed

to prod and that one. It wasn't a smooth connection at all. Didn't get

through the cue ball. You see the way the cue has ended up at the end.

If that was a proper shot, the cue would have stayed much lower, more

parallel to the table. Showed his frustration because he

knows, as I said earlier, to win this match he has to make the most

of every opportunity. There's going to be very few frames

where he's going to get two chances to win a frame.

Neil was struggling a little bit this season and then he came out and

won that Champion of Champions, which really kick-started everything

and I think it brought him here to the Barbican full of confidence and

the way he's played throughout this year's UK Championship has been

absolutely stunning. Just OK. He can get the cue between

those two reds. Which meant he could get a little

bit more pace on it. He moves this red to the right of the black. He's

got the black completely in the clear and available to the two

corner pocket. We saw what he did after Thepchaiya

Un-Nooh finished that spot. It was heartbreaking for everybody but Neil

Robertson came out in that frame and finished 145. Liang has made that

fabulous century break. I wouldn't be surprised if Neil doesn't make a

frame-winning contribution here. The mid-session interval is coming up.

Liang won't be too disappointed at 3-1 but he had a great chance until

he missed that fairly easy brown. That's what he's looking for, 71

points. Liang needing a snooker. He might have to go for the blue here.

He'd like to score enough without having to risk a cannon but he might

have to do here. When you play a cannon, sometimes you can just run

out of position slightly. Didn't want the cannon. Just

concentrated on the loose reds. He's going to leave red, colour, red

to secure this fourth frame and take himself into the interval leading

3-1. So he might have to play the cannon

this time. The red behind the black's not easy. Any cannon, you

would feel, would put a pot on. It needs to bounce for him and it has

just but it is not a gimme. He is so good at this type of shot. He just

dropped them in. He's doing what all great champions

do when someone puts a bit of pressure on him, and Liang did with

that century break. He's bounced right back, Neil. Liang was in first

and Mr brown that sitting right over the corner pocket. -- missed the

brown. Neil has made 436 centuries in his

career. He made 60 last season but will anyone ever equal his century

of centuries that he made a couple of seasons ago? That's quite

incredible. 102 so far this year in the UK Championship.

I don't think he'll do it again because I think when he made

I don't think he'll do it again 100 centuries in one season,

I don't think he'll do it again something he set out to do. It

I don't think he'll do it again on his mind throughout the whole

season. He's done it now and there is no need to think about it. That

season, you could see he consciously wanted to clear up every single

time. But this is the proper way to

respond. Be very easy brown. It gives him his eighth century in this

year's UK Championship. The standard in this final is

starting to get better and better. Liang with that 110 break, Neil with

this response. He won't be too disappointed, 3-1 behind. He knows

he had a chance to possibly go on and level it to but you can't do

anything about this and as Stephen said, Liang knows if he makes one

mistake he is going to lose the frame. It doesn't matter about the

mistake he is going to lose the brown. A fabulous standard of

snooker, both players having a century break. Neil Robertson will

be quietly pleased as he goes to the mid-session interval leading Liang

Wenbo 3-1. We've just seen back-to-back

centuries and it does remind us that it is what all champions do. And

reminds us of that Thepchaiya Un-Nooh match with Neil Robertson

playing against him, Neil Robertson hits him with a 145 break. The only

way he is going to get back into the game and habitats to win it is to

apply the pressure on Neil Robertson for a lot longer than he has done in

that little part there. That is easier said than done. A lot of

people on social media are saying how much they are enjoying Liang's

enthusiasm and freshness. He seems to be a very kind person. A lot of

the young boys who go and play at the Academy, he lives not far from

there and he says, instead of paying, come and stay at the house,

and he cooks for them. If we ever get knows whether he cooks for them

on the barbecue. I know that his wife and his little boy have just

landed at Heathrow airport and are trying to wing their way here as

fast as they can to try to be here. The minute he finished that

semifinal, they got on a plane to to unseat him in the final. A big date

not just for his family but for him as well for sloppy is only the third

player from Asia to make it into a UK final. It has been a rather

unpredictable championship over the last 13 days or so and we've seen

tech Chaya and new missing for the 147 and we've also seen all kinds of

drama here. -- that Chaya and new. But it has passed in a bit of a

blur. What remains are memories of some brilliant shotmaking.

He made a good fist of that. That's a terrific shot. That really is,

just to give himself a chance of a pot. Top drawer.

If he's got this snooker, this is awkward. He's got to get enough

swerve past the black and not heard the black and not head-butting. It

was awkward but what am I saying? That's ridiculous. I'm surprised you

didn't see that, John. That was straightforward. Amazing!

I think he nominated brown. He's not going to get the brown going this

way, surely? If that hits the brown, that is

brilliant. That is absolutely out of this world. And played exactly like

that. Well done. What a fantastic shot that was.

No way he can kiss the yellow out unless he arcs it between the brown

and green but he's not going to play that. Oh, he is going to play that.

Has he got enough on it? Put that down as the shot of the

championship, please! That was phenomenal.

Slightly in the air with his bridge hand. Goodness me, did he hit that

well! Have a look at this shot. The white stops and then starts to spin

back. All done with timing. Two more reds needed. What a great

effort. What a super effort. APPLAUSE

If Judd Trump or Ronnie O'Sullivan had played that, we would be showing

at about 50 times tomorrow. That was a fantastic shot.

Awkward cueing. Does Mark Selby be positive here? What a great shot

that was. What a shot. Shot of the match so far. That is such a tough

shot. He goes 55 and three behind if he sticks that read up. -- 5-3.

Oh! What a shot that was. Well, we didn't see that one coming. What a

beauty that was! It didn't seem possible to get that cue ball out.

Just give him any chance, please! I think you can just get past the

green and it passes the pink. Sensational! Sensational! What a

pot. What a pot. Shot of the championship so far for me.

Deep breath and trust your technique. The black for the maximum

and ?44,000. Oh, no! Would you believe it? ! Well, words can't

describe how bad he must be feeling. What a moment it was in his career,

in his snooker career, in his life. I can't believe it, neither can he.

Unlucky! Merry Christmas. You have to feel

unlucky for Thepchaiya Un-Nooh after missing out on his big payday. If

you want to vote, go to the sport website and these are your ten

choices. Voting closes at 7pm tonight and the result will be

revealed later this evening. But old Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. He

missed out on the ?44,000 but it did earn him a place on TMi Friday.

Let's talk about Liang Wenbo. You probably remember when we first saw

this fellow. It was in the 2008 Crucible. He first introduced

himself there and he has been defined by this moment before a

match where he may not have had a clue where he was going, either

backstage all front of house. Rob just shooing him back before the

introductions. But he sure knew what he was doing once he got there.

Seven years later, still a bit confused on the directions front

here in York, he bounced out of the arena yesterday after getting

through his semifinal. He was met mid bounced by John Parrott.

You've been around for what seems quite a long time but now you are

going to be in your first UK banking final. What has changed? I played

professionally for I think 10-year is. I had a good home life so I got

into the final. I think I just played, no experience. You've got a

heavy balance, long shot, score, everything perfect. But this time I

got to the final and I learned a lot. I watched John Higgins, Neil

Robertson, Selby, how to play. Before I am under pressure, I am

slow, thinking too much. Sometimes I have no confidence and I learned

this time, I tried. I changed. I'm happy. You have a new coach - is

that right? What are you working on? It is my manager, my friend. He

knows me. We are together many years. Sometimes you are wrong,

sometimes you are good. I'd played good and I got too much confidence.

Too much confidence in snooker no good. You need experience. Great

thinking. Just play the game. I know you were originally based in

Sheffield and you used to play a lot with enjoyed three. What was that

like? -- Ding Junhui. He is a very good player. We are good friends.

Sometimes we are talking. We just want to give to the Chinese fans

good snooker and just enjoy it. The people at home sometimes don't

understand how much pressure you are an out on the tournament table. Can

you tell them what that is like, especially when you want to win so

much? Before this semifinal, I know if I win I go to top 16 and I can

play the Masters. I never played the Masters. I want to play but you need

a win. I don't sleep. I just sleep two hours. Too much pressure. I

don't know how to learn. I can't control myself. So bad. I cannot

control myself. I don't know how to do it. I just want to win, I want to

win. You need to enjoy again. My manager tells me, you need to enjoy

the game. I love this snooker. I enjoy the snooker. In the first

frame, I make 110. It gives me a lot of confidence. You will be in your

first UK ranking final. It is a massive tournament. You obviously

want to win. But now you've got into the Masters, now you are in the top

16, can you relax in the final and play snooker? 100%. 100%. I am now

very relaxed. No pressure now. Just enjoy the game. If you win, will you

jump higher? My wife is coming. We are happy. Just enjoy the game. But,

last question, what would it mean for you to win? Secret! That'll do.

Yes, come on! It is a secret and maybe we'll get

him to share that secret, you never know. He's got a bit of work to do.

As he had to emerge from the shadow of Ding Junhui was Bob we don't

really know what it's like. We don't know how big Ding Junhui is in China

although we suspect it is bigger than we can imagine. I think yes is

the answer to that and it's hard to know how hard that has been. It

seemed for a while as if nobody was going to do it. Wenbo was the one

who was possibly the most talented but it looked like he'd installed a

little bit but now this is good for China. It will be interesting to see

how it is all Parling out over there. Perhaps there was a power

struggle. There are busy promoters and agents. It will be interesting.

In 2009, he got out to the Shanghai Masters and was beaten by Ronnie

O'Sullivan and I think many people expected him to kick on but by the

end of that season, he dropped 15 places in the world rankings. It

just completely disappeared over the next year. Do you have any idea why?

Know. He is married now and has a child. That makes a difference to a

lot of people. I know he practices a lot now and put the working so it is

difficult to know. Sometimes you can have a few bad draws, a couple of

bad matches and things work out not in your favour. He was so hyper last

night after the win. We've all been happy when we won but he was really

happy. I wonder if Neil Robertson is going to be happy. I described him

as very cool and very classy. He has got a very superior air, although he

is not a superior person. He carries himself so beautifully. Is he

massively underrated? In terms of Australian sport, should

he be better considered and regarded?

Perhaps but it depends how snooker is viewed in Australia.

like it is over here or perhaps in China. It may be a bit less sporty.

I read a thing in one of the Australian papers. It was a poll

that had been conducted of the top 100 Sportsman of the previous year.

Neil had just said all kinds of records and was in there at number

58. They must have some good sportsmen and women in Australia if

he was 58. He was probably by 47 surfers! Kangaroo shearing was 47.

It has been a struggle and it is interesting to see that we have two

overseas players and Neil Robertson was quoted as saying that it is so

important that they can be seen to be in this final because it is a

long haul, a very big ask for someone to give up all these home

comforts and come and play here. It is under way snooker is changing,

there are going to be more, eventually, from overseas. It is

good for snigger in general. Here in our little world in the UK, people

still think the UK is dying. The viewing figures worldwide are more

than they have ever been. How many people are watching live, this

match, in China? There have never been more people watching it and I

think this will be reflected by more people worldwide into the game, more

different champions from different countries. At a recent China open

final, 100 million people watched it, which is a drop in the ocean in

China but in terms of our viewing figures it is an awful lot. Let's

talk about this match as they come back, and other four friends to play

this afternoon. 3-1 of the moment. It has been very good quality. The

last two friends were fantastic. Liang did what he had to do, maybe

100 break but then missing the brown, how important my Dappy. 4-1

starts to look like a bit of a gap. 3-2, he is definitely in the match.

We are doing musical chairs in the commentary box because Ken Doherty

and John Virgo are in there now. JOHN VIRGO: Thank you, Hazel. That

is the interval over. Liang Wenbo gets us under way again in frame

five. The one thing that has impressed me most of all, can, in

those first four frames, his safety plea has been superb.

KEN DOHERTY: Dear, it has been top-notch. He has been getting his

chances and I just hope that brown... May be the interval has

come at a good time for him. If he had stayed out there, maybe he might

have dwelled on the brown a bit more. 15 or 20 minutes and this cost

him the frame. He could have gone on after that wonderful 110 break he

made and level things up. But at least he has the interval to get

over him. It is a new session. He has been carving out chances for

himself but it has been top-quality. The thing he has got to do, which he

did in frame three with his wonderful 110 break is, you've got

to do take those chances. That's what he did against Marco Fu in the

quarterfinal. The first three frames, his safety play was superb

and every time he got a chance, he made a frame-winning contribution.

In fact, three centuries. We know what he's capable of. Just got to

cut out those silly mistakes. He certainly looks a lot more relaxed

than he did yesterday. His demeanour around the table. Very nervous

yesterday because it meant so much to him, getting into the top 16, a

place in the Masters. A lot of pressure yesterday that he is

certainly enjoying himself out there and relaxed. That's what you have to

do. He played a good shot there. That

makes it difficult for Neil if he is going to try to get the cue ball

back to the other end. I think Liang Wenbo has just got to draw a line

under that much yesterday. There were a lot of things happening in

his mind that were not on the table, all the things at stake. Now he can

come here and he is playing the man in form, he knows he has got to play

well. There is a possible pot on this red here. He has got to be

careful of the red in the baulk end. But it bounce? Will it get past the

yellow? No, he has judged it well. That was very well judged indeed. I

am always wary of that red just above the yellow, but he has covered

it nicely. Liang Wenbo has got to play a very similar shot. Too thin,

caught the bump. He has left a red in the corner, but can he get

through to it? A hand up from Liang Wenbo says that he cannot get to the

potting angle. Whether he can get there or not, he will use a lot of

right-hand side. If he did pot the red with right-hand side, he would

run into all the other breads, so no chance of getting on a colour. He

might have had a bit of a result here. Need is just having a look to

see. If he comes down the side he needs to be careful. If he plays it

to pacey, it could go in. He could try to pot the red of

to pacey, it could go in. He could cushion, but it is risky. He is not

guaranteed to get on a colour. I suppose he could play the red just

above the one that is near the pocket and try to play that red

in-off that one. As you say, if he tries to nestle to the red in the

corner, it is a little bit too far, he would leave a sitter in the baulk

end. He has decided this is the only end. He has decided this is the only

route. He has got to be careful not to overheated. Judged it well. I

think it risky to go back to the Balkan. -- baulk end. No other shot

to play really. Great sportsmanship from Liang Wenbo. That is when the

tip of the cue and the cue ball are all in contact

tip of the cue and the cue ball are could not have had a better view of

the push-up. One of the great things about our sport is that players will

own up to it immediately. Sometimes the referee may not pick it up, but

fair play to Liang Wenbo there. A nice bit of sportsmanship. That is

the spirit of the game we love, the way it is played. It is a very

individual sport, snooker. We have always had a good reputation of

players: Files on themselves. -- players: Files. He has gone the

other way and tried to cover it players: Files. He has gone the

the yellow, but I do not think that is his best shot. He has half

covered it. He has left a pot to this corner. With the pink and black

tied up at the moment, it would this corner. With the pink and black

one heck of a shot to pot it and get position on a colour. He's having a

look to see if the pack is available. It doesn't look as though

it is. -- the black. He can get past the yellow to hit that red, but if

he can hit the red food enough he could possibly play that red. He

can't only had it quarter of all and that would not give you a good

safety of the red near the yellow. If it goes in, OK, well and good. He

safety of the red near the yellow. can play a safety shot of one of the

colours. If he misses it, unless it is double-kiss is the bread, this

would be the only possible red he could leave. They beat just tried to

pot this and just play a safety shot of one of the bowl colours if it

goes in. He could come of the side cushion, top cushion and nestle to

the side. He has thought of something. Went for the good save

the day. That is an absolute cracker. Well played. The margin for

error there was very, very small. Could not have placed it better.

Fantastic shot. This is fraught with danger. This could go anywhere. This

red could go anywhere. It is open now on the table and he has got the

red he played safe. He did well, digging down like that. It is not

easy to be certain of the reaction you will get on the cue ball and the

red you play. He judged it well. He has caught that too thick. Much too

sick. -- much too thick. The pink has now become available into the

opposite corner. APPLAUSE

A good opener. A good pot. Perfect on the blue. Being a left-hander, he

will not need the rest. There is the pot success. 94% for Neil

Robertson, 89% for Liang Wenbo. He could have done with screwing back a

couple more inches. He has not played that well. In fact, I do not

think he can get at this red without using the rest. That was not pot of

the plan. He is looking just to see if he can stun into the red that is

on the pink spot. It will open the pink spot and he could possibly have

the pink in the right centre ought down into the bottom corner pocket.

He has missed the cannon on the red. It has gone right through the gap

here. Let's look at the gap it has found itself in. He is on the blue

again. He is such a good long potter. These are the type of shot

players will be practising back in their clubs or they will be

practising in the practice rooms at the back. Blue is off the spot.

Straight in the heart of the pocket. A beautiful pocket. He

wasn't expecting the case on the red, but the black hasn't come into

play. It is not pottable into the left-hand corner pocket. Just a

safety shot now. He will be aware, he knows the black is running into

the red. He doesn't want to hit full to knock the road toward corner

pocket. Well, dangerously close. It is OK now. I don't blame Liang Wenbo

giving this clarity of thought. -- plenty of thought. If you catch one

too thick ear, it could cost you the frame. -- thick here. That was a bit

PSA, but a fortuitous case on the brown. He may have just left a pot

here. Well, he doesn't play at and he played an excellent safety shot.

He has left a chance for Liang Wenbo to play of the red on the right-hand

side of the table. You always have to be wary on this shot that you do

not get it double-kiss. -- a double-kiss. Especially when the red

is so close to the cushion. He has played it well. He needs to miss the

case on the green though. But for the case on the green it would have

been a telling safety. If the red that is in between the blue and

black does not go to the corner he may not have left anything here. I

think you would be tempted by. He could play a good safety shot. There

is a big target up behind brown and yellow here. This looks very good.

Looked very good, but would you believe, I think he is on this red

and you can see it. Can he find a gap of the cushion? He is looking at

coming off the cushion with top spin, but he could use a bit of back

spin and tried to kiss all the red is here. The one thing with this, do

not miss the pot. This looks absolutely inch perfect on the blue.

Couldn't have played it better. absolutely inch perfect on the blue.

judged it perfectly. -- missed the red 's. Yes, that is what we have

said during this match so far. Although he is 3-1 behind, he has a

chance to make it equal. Then Wenbo Although he is 3-1 behind, he has a

has had his opportunities, but he has not made them count as well as

me. That has been the only difference. -- as well as neither.

me. That has been the only Just one positional shot. He

me. That has been the only little bit thinner on the blue that

he would like. He may play a little cannon here. When you play a cannon,

they can go wrong. This could be the key. There is a possible cannon on

the red, just to the left of the pink spot. It is a cannon into the

pink, but it is OK. It sort of knocked the pink now. He can still

get on the back and get the black on its spot. If he had cannoned the red

left of the pink spot it would have opened the pink spot a little more

and kept the pink in play, but he is still OK. That is the one thing

about break building, it is shot selection. When he played the cannon

on the pink, he didn't expect to tie it up. He may be thought trying to

get past the pink it could have gone wrong in the could not have hit the

red food. It is still a decent chance and, immediately, trying to

get the black on the spot. If that slows up a fraction, he may be able

to roll this in and play a cannon on the red and pink. Gently does it.

Well, he missed the cannon on the red, but obviously, this red closest

to the tubal goes. Red and pink catching it would have been ideal.

Coming up for the blue. Has not hit it hard enough. A little bit

careless, that. He has got to roll the blue in and take the red from

mid-distance, the one that is closest to the bottom left-hand

corner pocket. He could try to drop this in and told for the black or go

back up for the blue, it depends on how he feels. That was an edgy one.

You could see the cue coming up in the air when he played that shot.

Didn't state still on the shot at all. Just watch the cue come up a

little bit and a battle -- a little bit of movement. Just a little edgy

on that one. He knew how important it was to capitalise that. To

capitalise on that mistake. How much will it cost him? I think the

choices here for a need to get past the yellow to put the green back

into the corner pocket. He thought about the brown. Green it was. He

judged this very nicely. Just five points behind. There is an awkward

red near the top cushion by the pink. The ones on the left-hand

side, for a left-hander are not too difficult. Once again, brought about

by the fact that Yang has forced an error, safety wise. He has an 11

point lead. He will need the four reds. You can just about get past

the winning line in this frame without needing the awkward red

neared the pink. It is not a straightforward run to the line. As

you said earlier, not too bad for a left-hander, these reds. To red is,

to blacks would put him 41 points in front with just 35 remaining. He has

not come perfect on this black. Looking to see whether he can maybe

pot the black and play for the red along the top cushion. We always say

it with these reds along the top cushion, if they are tight, it is

easier than when they are just off. Playing for the red on the left-hand

side, which I am Playing for the red on the left-hand

thought of, it is not on. He cannot get on that red. He will have to

play the red along the top cushion. Liang Wenbo sat there wondering when

he will get another chance. He might get back to the table, because they

think Neil Robertson will just picture of this red. He might not

even play for the colour. Would you believe it? He thought he would get

a snooker after potting the red, but the red state on the table. 33

points behind, Liang Wenbo, 43 remaining. That in then just caught

that near a chore. -- near jaw. If he played it a little slower it

definitely would have dropped. A chance for Liang Wenbo. Now he has a

perfect angle on this black. He doesn't need to move the red, just

get behind it. No, not enough. His cue ball control is just letting him

down. He is not getting those good positional shots that are required.

OK, you pop the black, you get to pot the next shot, but opportunity

missed. And he has left a chance of a pot here for need. You know Neil

Robertson can float these in with amazing regularity. Not this time.

He never missed one of those against Mark Selby in the semifinal

yesterday evening. But, he is only human. What a choice of shot that

was. Tremendous. If he doesn't like the position then he is finished. He

is 24 points behind. There are 27 remaining. He doesn't have to play

the risky pink or black, just play the snooker and he will have the

advantage in the frame. I am just wondering will he try to leave the

pink over the corner pocket. He could creep in behind it, they get a

really difficult snooker. The only problem with that is that it is not

that hard to head. Need will be trusting a bit of luck here. What a

fantastic pot. Into the green pocket. Around the ankles. He is

unlucky he didn't come high enough so he could take the blackthorn. --

black on. You can look at this all you like, at the end of the day, you

have got to hit the pink and hopefully get it sooner. -- get it

safe. Sorry, hit the yellow. Well, there is a chance of a pot and one

good pot could give him the frame. The Robertson potted a yellow at a

similar angle to this. The distance was a bit shorter. That was in the

first round. He has just got to float this yellow in. If he gets a

yellow, he will be on the green. float this yellow in. If he gets a

Great shot. Give it a chance to go into the pocket. Now he has given

himself a chance to win this frame. What a superb pot that was.

With the pink being over the pocket he doesn't need perfect position on

the blue. You would like to have an angle where you

the blue. You would like to have an pink in an ideal world, but he

hasn't got that. He dropped it in, played the drag

shot. He missed a red, it was more difficult than this, but he needs to

keep the cue going through straight. He kept his head down on that one.

It is the black for the steel. He has needed three opportunities. Neil

Robertson will be disappointed if this goes in. -- steal. And it has.

Bit of a movement there, but one of those where it you push the cue and

then get up to see if the ball has gone in the pocket and it shows you

what it means to him. He doesn't want to let the Australian move

frames in front, he has reduced the arrears to just one. Neil Robertson

3-2 Liang Wenbo. STUDIO: Quizzical look on the face of Neil Robertson

who won the title two years ago. That was a strange frame. The

turnaround was it looked for all the world meal was going to win and it

is a funny shot, little stubborn shot hoping to knock this in and

tuck him up behind the pink. -- Neil was going to win. Because he had the

little bit of extra pace rather than it stopped in the jaw. We have seen

balls dropping easier than that one the top rail. I thought it was in

and I think it was shock from Neil Robertson, but when Liang Wenbo

potted the black he was on the move. That shows the pressure of the

moment and that will be something that if the game stays close you

will see more and more of that from Liang Wenbo. It's not good to be on

the move when you play a shot. He's desperate to get the black in and

that is what can happen. To explain to those who are not familiar with

the game, why is it debilitating to move on the shot? If you don't move

your head and keep it rock-solid there is little chance of the rest

of your body moving, so the only thing that moves is your arm and

that's the best way to keep solid on the shot. When you move your head

and your body moves as well there is another factor involved of how to

control your arm. If your arm and your body are on the move it's not

the same shot every time you play. You want to minimise the damage in

any other area and just your arm. Clearly, the greater the pressure

the more tendency there is to start moving. If you are the type of

player who moves in practice. That is why you go to the practice table

and train yourself every day, don't move your head until the ball is in

the pocket. Interestingly, Judd Trump tweeted the other day, and it

was Liang Wenbo who beat him early in the tournament, he's the best

player he has ever played with in practice, he's that good. That can

happen, lots of professionals can be unbelievable fiendish practises and

backed -- not bring it to the championship. Liang Wenbo goes out

quite a bit, toilet breaks and that, he goes out a fair bit. He

goes out and his coach goes in the room with him and they have a chat

and that's what is wrong, it takes too long. That is what they are

trying to stop. Here he comes. At the moment there is just one frame

in it. This is a real contest now. I wonder how much of it is a prize for

shock Neil Robertson got in the last frame leaving the red in the jaws of

the pocket allowing Liang Wenbo to get back into this. -- surprise for

shock. COMMENTATOR: It was a surprise and

it could affect his confidence. Liang Wenbo did not want Neil

Robertson galloping away too fast, he's hanging onto his coat-tails at

the moment but there is still only one frame in it. 52% table time,

only one frame the difference, that's the most important statistic.

guys talked about in the studio. guys talked about in the studio.

There was so much pressure on it. He's above the shot. You can tell

how much it meant to him, John. Yes, in fairness, when he delivered the

cue he just wanted to get round and that's the problem. Sometimes,

cue he just wanted to get round and you have a habit of moving and

wanting to see where the balls are going you can do it on the shot and

that is where the consistency in strike falls down. Alex Higgins used

to do it all the time, even when he was at the top of the game he moved

quite a bit. But he still got the balls in.

I think the guys are right, though. As the match unfolds and it becomes

lots more tension and gets closer and closer I think you will see a

lot more movement on the shot. It's understandable. Absolutely. You

won't see any movement from this man, because I've never seen anyone

push the cue through straight. What happens, if it gets closer and

closer, Neil Robertson came into the final 7-1 on favourite, if you put

?7 on you would win ?1. If it got closer and closer the pressure would

come on Neil, because he is expected to win. And although he might talk

it down in his press interviews, he's expecting to win. And he's

expecting to have the lead, and when he loses frames like that it does

unnerve you slightly. It does, absolutely. And everybody feels the

nerves. But the one thing that impressed me about Liang Wenbo, and

I know his cue ball control has not been inch perfect, but his safety

has been excellent. It really has. That will always give him an

opportunity as long as he keeps thinking positively. At the moment

it seems when he misses an easy shot, or plays a poor positional

shot it doesn't really affect the next one, which is the important

thing. It is funny that he's come out with a great mantra this week.

He has said it a few times in his interviews. Control the table,

control the table! The reds to the left of the blue and

the two red is available into the corner pocket are the ones that will

worry Liang Wenbo when he's playing the safety. He's got to get a good

cue ball. Just coming up to the two-hour mark. Pedestrian, you would

have to say for five frames. Once again a good shot and that is

what you have got to do with somebody like Neil Robertson who is

a deadly potter. Try not to leave him a sniff at a pot. That's an

excellent reply. He may have snookered Liang on all reds. And if

he has the young man has got a problem. Because, he will do very

well not to leave a pot on. The reds are spread. There is no path through

to the main cluster. He's looking to see if he could come off the side

cushion and top cushion to nestle into the reds. I think he could find

a safe place as long as he doesn't overheat it. -- overhit. He's

looking at that line, if he nestles onto the red just above the black

off two cautions. He certainly won't be leaving any, as long as he

doesn't find the gap. He should be OK, it's a big target to hit.

The alternative, that we have seen lots of players play, is the two

cushion escape with pace. That little cluster of four around the

pink spot, the right-hand side one as we look, he could flick off that.

This two cushion escapist rate forward, no problem hitting the red,

as I say and Ken said, if you find the gap, or hit it a bit too firm,

you could leave the pot on, and that's the last thing he needs to

do. Is this going to be hard enough? Is

he going to get there? REFEREE: Foul and a miss.

He didn't get there and I think he has left a pot on. He has a couple

of choices, he may have the red up into the green pocket. There is no

real pressure on this type of shot, he's not going to be leaving

anything. I would expect him to pot it it is so straight. It is there.

He's nice and straight on this red. He could just come back down for the

black. The reds are very nicely positioned. Plenty of options for

him before he has to start going in to develop reds. This final is the

best of 19, so the first to 10 will pick up the trophy. There will be

eight frames played in this first session. The remaining 11 this

It he makes a. This is straightforward.

-- what choices he makes here. Going back to the reds in open play,

obviously the first concern is winning the frame. But it will be

interesting to see which way, he might try and stay on the black as

long as possible. Don't forget there is a big prize for a 147. I know it

is early days but, just the position of the reds is really nice. This

will tell a story. If he goes back for the black, which I'm sure he

will. I think once a player gets to six or seven reds followed by blacks

it does focus the mind on the maximum.

We said we would get to a stage that will tell us what he's thinking. He

could easily go up for the blue here but I think his intention is to stay

on the black. As I said, he has three or four reds still in the

open. And he can stay on the black. This is a good opportunity. The

priority is to get the frame over and done with. But it's definitely

in the back of his mind already. ?40,000 it has rolled up to for a

maximum, and ?4000 for the highest break which he already holds.

Biggest break of 145. But unless he plays a really poor positional shot

he will only have eyes for the black after every red now. We can see the

red in the middle of the pack is open. He would love to have been a

little bit straighter on it. Just coming around to see if the two reds

will go into the bottom left-hand corner pocket.

He's having another look at those two. Can he make them into a plant?

I don't think they are dead set into the middle of the pocket. He might

be able to make them. It gave him a nice shot to play. He could look at

the plant and if he went a bit too far he could have gone for the loose

red just above them but that is not an option now. There is enough gap

to make this. There is enough gap. The problem is, when they are too

close together when they are too close together but that's not the

case. And it has brought a few more reds into play. As we said not long

ago, he will only have eyes for the black now after reds.

He has misjudged that. He's 76 points in front. There is 75

remaining. He will want to play for the black. Yes. And all he can do is

just drop it in. He won't be too far away from it. As long as he does not

get a big bounce off this cushion. That's nicely played, nicely played.

The red to the right of the lunch pots, of course -- to the right of

the bunch. I think he could go into them but I think he will avoid them.

He will aim to get the cue ball somewhere near the pink. It is there

and it looks like he is on the red. That is perfect, great shot.

It is possibly just one more cannon on the three reds that are close

together. If he could somehow after potting the red and the black, one

cannon, and we could be witnessing something very special. Liang Wenbo

won't mind if he does, I'm sure he will be willing him on. Not the best

angle on the black so he will have to play for the one loose red here.

Just had the angle to come around off two cautions. I don't think he's

in a position where he can pot this red and just cannon into those three

reds. That would bring the three reds into play but you are not

certain to have position on the black.

He's come nicely on the black. Now, he just needs this cannon to go

right. If he can just open up the reds and finish on one where he

could open up the black, the maximum is at his mercy. Yes, just a little

glancing blow on the two reds close together. He might be OK. It was a

bit of a groan from the crowd. At he may be OK to pot this into the

middle. He will have to dig down into the cue ball. Get in there.

APPLAUSE What a great shot.

He purposely played for the red that was on to the middle. Now, he had

the perfect angle on it. He looks to have the perfect angle on the black.

It is now all about keeping your cue arm under control, because this

pressure, and he will be feeling it. That is perfect. It has been inch

perfect, it has been a tremendous break.

Great shot. Just six colours remaining. The crowd is willing him

on. You feel the only tricky little

thing that can happen here in these positions from brown up to blue with

the pink not being on its spot. When Thepchaiya Un-Nooh got down to this

position and missed, it can happen. He has just overrun slightly.

REFEREE: Let him concentrate, thank you. Being left-handed, the little

screw back, he does not want to play the pink with the rest if he can

help it. He just needed to stop a fraction.

Liang Wenbo had a look to see if he is straight enough. He'd like to be

straight but he is not, he is just off straight. OK, deep breaths. Pink

and black. For ?40,000. APPLAUSE

In it goes. He'd like to have been a bit further away than the cushion

from this -- from the cushion than this. We've already seen the miss

for a maximum in this tournament. Not this time! Absolutely

sensational. Liang Wenbo Not this time! Absolutely

and gives him his congratulations. We can hear the thunder from the

crowd. It is a maximum from Neil Robertson!

CHEERING Absolutely brilliant. STUDIO: We

watched Thepchaiya Un-Nooh this one the other day and Neil Robertson has

made his third personal 147, the first of the season by anyone and it

will earn him ?40,000 at least, unless of course Liang Wenbo gets

another one in the next few frames. Your reaction to how he went about

that. Fantastic, clinical break early on, he picked them off nicely,

the three reds at the end and he had to jack up in the air and he hit it

well despite it being tricky and he held himself so well especially when

he got the wrong side of the blue, it was fantastic. When he was right

to biggest it and had to go to the middle pocket. When he played the

split audience groaned, all of a sudden you looked and he could just

about get the cue up in the air and get enough weight on the ball to

bring it back. This is a fabulous shot, it is Berry easy to make a

push stroke, but he played beautifully and he held himself

together for the rest of it -- very easy. We had Thepchaiya Un-Nooh

missing the black early on on the spot, so it must have been in the

back of his mind, please don't do it again. He took a deep breath before

playing that shot and look at that reaction, nothing quite like it. The

prize money is marvellous, but also doing it on the big stage in the

final, fantastic feeling. The 115th maximum in snooker history warmly

applauded by Liang Wenbo. We were watching it and brown to blue and

the position of the cue ball, you were slightly worried. The one thing

you have got to do is make sure you take stay on the top side, the baulk

end of the blue, and when he left it where he has he has got to put the

extension on making the pot more difficult. He took them brilliantly.

When he was the wrong side of the blue he did not panic, he thought

clearly, which was good. It was nice the referee just let him think. The

pink was a decent strike. I think he got a heavy contact on it, did not

destroy the path of the pink ball. He was a bit closer to the cushion

than he would have liked and that black was so missable. He's been

building up to this. 145 from Thepchaiya Un-Nooh new, that was his

ninth century. I thought he's not quite playing as well as he has done

for the rest of the tournament in the last few frames and all of a

sudden he made the maximum, so it shows you what I know! He's done the

right thing. The main thing is the maximum was fantastic, but he's got

to win the match. He's done a good thing to get himself out of the

auditorium. Obviously then he will come back and concentrate, which can

be hard to do in itself. You can see Liang Wenbo discussing the shops.

Once a snooker fan always a snooker fan. Is competing but still talking

about the shops. -- discussing the shops. I've never seen that, he got

up to look at the angle. Once the frame has gone you want him to do

it, there is prize money and everybody likes people winning prize

money. Funnily enough I said the other day when Thepchaiya Un-Nooh

didn't make it that he would send him half of the cheque but he said

no! Back we go. COMMENTATOR: Lovely scene when Niall came back into the

auditorium, standing ovation. The bottom line is it only wins one

frame but look at the reaction. He knew as soon as he hit it it was

there. That was absolutely fantastic, and fair play to Liang

Wenbo, he gave him a congratulations that he deserved. Marvellous moment

for Neil. Neil is just having a look to see

whether the red passes the yellow. It's tight but if he's going to play

safe into the baulk end he should not have a problem covering that. It

looks like he will come back to this end of the table will. One stew

balls go into the baulk end the safety play will all be played at

this end -- once two balls. We could have a little tactical battle before

the next ball is potted. He is lifting the butt of the cue in

the air and I think this is a dangerous shot, I don't see why he

cannot roll into one of them, he feels that he can get some back

spin. Now the red he has played his running back towards the send of the

table. He is putting his hand up. Slow down. Slow down. It worked, I

must try that one. They never listen to me John. They never listen to me

either. Liang Wenbo looks like he was

enjoying it as well, lovely pictures. A great character.

I think he is considering, there is a red which is possible to the left

middle. If he could play that, you may decide to take it on. Striking

down as he is, he may be part to the far corner.

The new as long as he got somewhere near that it would not come down the

table, he has a good cue there. There are the higher breaks and it

was Neil Robertson's second century of this match so far but you cannot

beat looking at a 147. Of course a lot of the audience will

say I was there. Wonderful reaction from the crowd as well. He has to

refocus, he knows it only wins one frame.

As Neil Robertson played a careless shot as he left a pod to the left

middle? It was only a little roll into the cluster. -- pot.

It goes in. Certainly wiped its feet. That gave me the wobbles, I

thought it was in then it wasn't, and it is in and he is perfect on

the black. A nice few open rates as well. --

reds. Could go down for the brown, he

could stay on the pink and come back up for the blue, plenty of options.

Just overscrewed it a little fraction,

It is OK. Didn't play to the red he cannoned into but he knew it. It and

roll to a red for this corner. I think it is the type of pack that

if you had a choice you would almost go to the blue so off this black he

may play for the loose red above the pink and then get on the blue. It

sometimes depends on how you see it. So now put this red and leave a nice

angle on the blue. I think he has missed the trick

there. I think he wants to take the points from the couple of threads in

the ball area and then maybe go up. -- reds. He did have a look at a

couple of plants into the corner pocket but I think he just wants to

get some more points on the board and then made the attack the reds

beyond the pink. -- maybe attack. At the end of the day he is at the

table and it is his choice, what ever he feels comfortable with. He

will have to bring that cluster of ever he feels comfortable with. He

written to play if he will win the frame on this visit at some time.

Sometimes when you leave it until the last red and you don't get the

perfect position, you sort of kick yourself that you did not take the

early opportunity to go into the pack of reds so it'll be interesting

to see. He has to get high on these colours or blue this time.

He has a nice angle on the blue hair. -- here. I would definitely

take the opportunity now, he is perfect on the blue, only has to get

another five or six points on the red so take the opportunity now and

go in the pack. As long as you do not pot a red this could be key to

the frame. He took his eyes off the pot on the

blue and he played the cannon absolutely perfect. I just thought

the blue was automatic. You cannot drop your guard for a moment in this

game. Anguish. Magnificent atmosphere. All week it

has to be said at the Barbican York. People have come out in droves and

seen some some unbelievable snooker. Some magic moments that will go down

in the history of the UK Championship.

Nice to be sat in your armchair watching on the telly though. Nice

to be out there playing as well. Those memories have long gone for me

can but I know you're still playing. These are special moments for a

player, in a packed house. It is always as you say, so well-received

here in York. The crowds have been wonderful and they have had a treat

this week. Some magnificence Newco topped off by that last frame. That

was superb. That certainly will be ticked off in

Robertson ayes bucket list, 147 in the final of a major championship. A

great historian of the game. -- Robertson's. Knows a lot about the

records. He has a certain sort of tunnel vision about what he wants to

achieve this is one of the majors he calls it.

He left himself the perfect angle on the black. Still ten points behind

but if these break right he will become favourite for the frame.

Could not have played that much better. Liang Wenbo will have to sit

there and suffer, he had the perfect cannon, split the reds open but

missed the blue. No more cannon is needed for Neil

Robertson. Just keep putting. There it is, just took his eye off the

pot. How many times do we see it? He will be very disappointed, he has

been carving opportunities all afternoon but has not been as

clinical as his opponent and that is the difference between the two at

the moment. Robertson has been as clinical as a surgeon on a table.

His positional play this top quality. The pot success is 95%, 90%

is quite high for Liang. 501 points scored for a meal, 267

for Liang. -- Neill. But for all of Neil dominance, there have been a

few shots that Liang Wenbo has missed which would have made this

match so much closer. I think you mentioned them about the cue ball

control of Neil Robertson. That to me has been the difference between