Third Round - Part 1 UK Snooker Championship

Good afternoon. Auto weekend for sport that has been, with Murray

brothers, Jamie Vardy, Tyson Fury... Planned as the storm has been

bartering York, only 32 players have been left standing, add the Betway

UK Championship 2015. Today, seconds out for round three. Coming up, this

afternoon, John Higgins, ringcraft of speciality... Against Ali Carter.

No matter what is thrown at him, he comes back fighting. To champions

collide, Stuart Bowen holds the crown, and Peter Ebdon, this one

could go the distance. He only finished his second round match at

1:30 this morning! And we will speak to Barry Hearn. Giving us the state

of the nation. And if you want to join the conversation... After a

pretty frantic week, 96 best of 11 frames, the feel of York Barbican

has been changing, this is the second sport hall, it's now the

practice tables. That means we can move to the studio, after sharing

the player lounge! We're going to start things, whether absolute

cracker. It has quality, craft, Carter and Higgins. Comeback kids

this year. Carter from health, John from form. But he has got vulnerable

to -- another two titles since July. It I play well, I still think I

still think they can compete with the best. But it is obviously just

the confidence. I was struggling, and you can begin to doubt yourself.

That is the worst thing. But, having some confidence behind me, I think I

can get to the table and do something. That is the battle. I

think it is more to do with the mental scars. More to lose. But when

you are younger, you do not think that. You cannot win if you don't go

for shots. Can't safety your way to the title. You have got to take the

bull by the horns. If you I have done that, and that has helped me

win some competitions. Obviously, I won in Wales. Big win for me. Two or

three years without anything. And it has been a good start to the year.

Going over to China. Just missing out on the World Cup for Scotland.

Chain, the international, won that. out on the World Cup for Scotland.

-- China. If somebody had told me, you're going to win three, I'd have

said no! Universal or what is going to happen. If I can see the

standard, I would want to try to keep threatening, but just to even

draw level, 35, 35 titles, one more would be the aim! Stephen Hendry

watching. You have 36. Looking over your shoulder? I was one of many,

probably rating him off. It was as though he was at a crossroads. I do

not know what has turned it round. Put a table in at home. I know that

he did not enjoy that, could be going to a club. But one of the

reasons, nobody has been dominating. He can see the gap in the market.

Step up, rule again. Just turned 40. Could he catch you? Will he? Nor one

dominant player. Nobody has been winning three, four a season. I do

not see any reason, if he keeps playing, why he cannot. You were 36

when you won your last. Does age play a part? He does his best,

practising on the practice table. So many teams, you do not get the

chance to put the work in. You can pick and choose. But I am just

amazed, how he has come back to be at the top. Fantastic achievement.

You talk about bouncing back, not a world that describes the resilience

shown by Ali Carter. Former world number two. Three major ranking

titles. And he has done all that, after suffering from disease, and

cancer. It was a hugely significant moment, and Germany, after being

given the all clear. To win that, it meant so much, because of what Paul

went through. He didn't get away with it. I did. Completely different

state of mind for that, it just seemed to be made. Probably, from

the second match, I was just waited, another trophy in the Cabinet. The

comeback, after what I have been through, it shows some character. I

have had a tough time. To get back to winning ways, so quickly,

satisfying. The health is good. But crohn's playing up. I have been

struggling, that is why I have not been at the top of the game. But I'm

supposed to be going on some new drug. Hoping that will settle down.

Anybody who has been living with crohn's, beat until you get a pain,

stressed out. Is and the scheme crohn's, beat until you get a pain,

stressful enough! I should do something else. You always feel as

though you're on offer to get beat. You do not think you're in the

championships, until the last 32. I have already got two wins.

Confidence builder. Tough match, one of the all-time greats. But I have

got to think about what I am doing. Stick to the principles and I have

got every chance. I am looking to do well, here to win. Not mess about.

These competitions are the ones that we want to win, it is all right

flying all over the world, but it is good to win the other events, but

any top wheel, player will tell you these are the ones we want to do

well in. The most recent contest, won by John 4-2. Met once before in

this, Higgins took that one. But Carter has never defeated Higgins in

any much going over seven frames. You have seen a lot of matches, you

must be looking forward to this? Absolutely. I think it is worrying,

when Higgins gets back to form, because he is one of the most

respected wheels. -- players. Carter has got that to get over. He knows

he has got to play well. How has he turned this round? Had such a good

competitor, still won't practising, never gives in. One of the toughest

I have ever seen, and played! Good knowledge, and if you still have the

appetite, that helps. If you are Carter how do you approach this? You

can respect the opponent, but you cannot have too much respect. He has

just got to concentrate on his own game. That is what he has got to

concern himself with. Some people have started to back Higgins in the

betting. Can he win? Of course you can. The form coming into this

competition has been good. Australia, China, the man with an

form. -- some. But Carter has got to be aggressive, concentrate, and he

will be and with a chance. We will also be looking at the other match,

Stuart Bingham against Peter Ebdon. He finished this morning. Two one

o'clock matches in the same day! Thank you. Good afternoon. It is

brilliant to here. It started seven days ago, down to 32 players, rodent

atmosphere. At the York Barbican, ready for another thrilling

installment! Rehab just mentioned the 1am finish! Continuing to turn

back the clock. After that victory, UK champion in 06... Fired up with

vegan power, the force, Peter Ebdon! His opponent... Come of age. Winner

in China, and Australia. We introduce him, reigning champion of

the world, Stuart Bingham! On table one... We already know about the

determination, speaking volumes about talent on the table, flying

high, the captain Ali Carter! And finally... One of Scotland's's

finest sportsmen. Four time champion of the world. Two ranking titles

this season. Batteries based, the Wizard of Wishaw! John Higgins! --

back to his best. Four matches taking place. Keep tabs on Bingham

Ebdon, live on the red button. Let's get going. Thank you. This is going

to be an absolute cracker. John Higgins getting us under way.

Looking forward to