Final - Part 1 UK Snooker Championship

Good afternoon, the city of York has

been defended by ancient walls since

Roman times in a long and

fascinating history. But it is

stories from the Barbican Centre we

have been telling. As the top 16

players in snooker have come under

siege from those below them. Only

two in the top 16 survived into the

quarterfinals. But both of them,

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Shaun Murphy

have repelled attacks since then to

set up a fabulous UK championship

final today.

MUSIC

It is a line-up worthy of a 40th

anniversary final. Not sure if you

are snowbound, or just like us, cold

here in York, but winter is coming

and there is nothing else for it but

to stay warm and immerse yourself in

a cracking final. As Murphy seeks a

second UK title and a O'Sullivan

seeks a Steve Davis equalling UK

crown.

It is the best season I have

had, best start and this is my

fourth final so far. I'm not sure

what the mystery formula is, but

whatever it is, I hope it keeps

working.

There is no pressure, other

than the pressure I put myself to

entertain the fans. But that is no

bad thing is, to have the drive to

please people.

It gives me an

insight as to what it must have been

like to play Alex Higgins in the

80s. That kind of warfare moment of

two gladiators out there, the crowd

baying for blood. Bit like a

travelling team coming to Old

Trafford. The best way to silence

the crowd is to put one in the net.

He is a powerful player. He scores

well. Enjoys the big occasion. He

has always been like that, even as a

junior. He was a very confident

person, very confident player and he

will bring that to the table. We are

different characters. I am more of a

free spirit and he is an

establishment guy, if you like. I

make it up as I go along, and I

sometimes can't work myself out, so

him working out, he has no chance.

I

have no grudges against Ronnie

O'Sullivan. I have nothing but

respect for him. I regret some of

the things I have said in the past,

but I cannot go backwards. I will

draw a line in the sand and say I

was wrong, I shouldn't have said

those things, and I will move

forward as a better person.

Some

people play because they want the

money, but I have never been like

that. I enjoy picking up silverware.

I think there is a special place

reserved in history for people that

win these triple Crown events and I

think there is a smaller members

club you get the keys to when you

win them more than once. I am not in

that club and there are some real

legends I would like to join.

Unfortunately, I have got the best

player of all-time standing between

me and door.

Ronnie has the chance

today to equal your record, how do

you feel about that what about his

progress?

I have never worried about

the record books, it is nice to look

back on it you concentrate on the

match in hand. His progress, E has

done enough. He had a scare against

Sunny Akani. But he has always been

in the driving seat.

Much has been

made of the fact he has reached the

final without playing a player in

the last 16.

He hasn't played at

top-ranked player, now he's playing

Shaun Murphy. From that perspective,

this is the acid test again Shaun

Murphy. I think this will be a

slugfest at some stage, big breaks

going in. But in the dressing room,

make up with Hazel and Evelyn, I

know it is hard to believe.

You

can't improve on perfection.

If

there is going to be a plan, is it

Ronnie O'Sullivan playing more

tactical to try and get Shaun Murphy

to go for the long ones?

She will be

asking the questions and answering

them soon, she is that good. What we

have seen from Murphy, his long game

is brilliant. It is difficult to

hide the white. But the little

glitch, when he gets to 40 and 50,

he throws lifeline and if he does

that today against O'Sullivan, he is

in trouble.

This is the prize that is on offer

in the final. It is one of the real

jewels in any snooker crown, one of

the three majors along with the

World Championship Amber Masters.

The three majors in any snooker

stadium that makes up the fables

triple Crown. There are 20 different

names on this beautiful trophy over

the last 39 years in this event.

Will it be O'Sullivan or Murphy's

name inscribed into the silverware

once again? Past form would point to

the Rocket, because he has won eight

of their previous matches, including

all three at the Crucible. Shaun

made a breakthrough last month

against the Rocket, beating him in a

long frame final in a champion's

event for the very first time. We

have the best of 19 frames ahead of

us this Sunday and it is Rob Walker,

we are ready for action.

Good afternoon, ladies and

gentlemen, welcome to the final of

the 2017 Betway UK championship. We

started with 128, only the best two

remain. This has the makings of a

truly epic confrontation. Let's get

the boys...

APPLAUSE

Please welcome the ultimate class

act on and off the blaze.

This is

his fourth major final of the season

and here he is, back in the UK

championship final for the first

time in five years. Winner of this

in 2008, reigning champions of

champions, a former world and

Masters winner, he is Sean, The

Magician, Murphy.

And his opponent, a player who first

lifted this trophy in 1993 as a

17-year-old. Almost a quarter of a

century later, he's back, bidding

for a record equalling sixth UK

crown. He has won two major titles

this season, five times champion of

the world, blink and you will miss

him, the Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan.

APPLAUSE

Here we go, best of 19. Eight frames

to play this afternoon. Expectations

are very high. Ken Doherty and

Dennis Taylor in the commentary box.

COMMENTATOR: Welcome to final day at

the Barbican, the home of the UK

Snooker championship. What a

prospect we have this afternoon.

Really looking forward to this one,

Dennis. They shake hands over the

trophy. What an atmosphere.

Ronnie

won the toss and he will get the

final underway. Looking at both

players, Shaun Murphy savours every

minute. He was taking the crowd in.

He wants to remember every match he

plays, Ken, he is that sort of

character.

Absolutely. Ronnie, just

informed the referee to make sure

the photographers have tripods come

he doesn't want them moving around

at the bottom of the table.

Ronnie

O'Sullivan to break.

It is a hard

one to call. Both players have been

in fantastic form. I don't think

Ronnie has played anywhere near his

best. In patches, he has played very

well. Shaun has been very prolific,

the last couple of matches in

particular.

I did his semifinal

against Ryan Day. Five of the frames

he won them with one visit and

almost clinched the match with one

visit. He was awesome in the

semifinal. That was wide, or is it a

fluke? He was a long way off the

pot, but what a trick shot that was.

I like the shot he's going to play

next, he's going to bring the pink

into play. It was knocked onto the

side cushion. He will play a safety

shot and bring that back into play,

so he wants to keep things open.

Both players want to keep the game

open. That is what they are best at.

Although Ronnie, in the safety

Department, might have the edge on

Shaun Murphy. It is going to have to

be good today because it is

break-building, and over the week,

it has been top quality, Shaun

Murphy's.

That is a misjudgement. Just slid

off the condition slightly and

didn't hit the reds as he intended.

First proper chance falls to Shaun.

He would like to take that again.

Can he just get through to the pink?

Maybe. He was hoping to be on the

black.

He was very fortunate. This

pink just about cuts in.

Ready for the red over the middle.

It goes back on its spot and I'm

sure it pots into this corner pocket

as well. Good chance here already.

You mentioned about tactical and

safety play. There will be one

interested spectator watching this

final. A certain six times, former

world champion, Ray Reardon, who has

worked with both of these players. I

am sure he will be enjoying this,

and I hope you are keeping well,

Ray.

One of the great masters of the

tactical game. But these two guys

are great masters of the

break-building game. Is this a

plant? If it is, it is another

little slice of good fortune for

Shaun Murphy in this frame. Two good

slices of fortune already.

He has let that one run too far. It

might work to his advantage. He can

open the reds up when he pots this.

Just glanced off them. Straight on

the blue, but there is one to the

right of the pink that is on.

There might be one to the left of

the pink that is also possible.

Maybe not. Maybe that one to the

left of the pink isn't available,

but he is the wrong side of the blue

again.

Little bit straight, he might

have to screw back towards the right

centre and take one of these reds

into the bottom corner pocket.

Doesn't have to do too much with the

cue ball. Can hold for the black.

Doesn't have the best angle on the

black.

He is looking at the red, to

see if it will go into the left,

middle pocket, but he will have to

be very precise. The one at the left

of the little triangle might go as

well.

That is good cueing. He has carried

on where he left off last evening

against Ryan Day. He won the frames

with one visit, can he start this

final with one visit.

John Parrott

said, around 40, 50, just before the

winning line, he might throw in a

mistake out of nowhere. He didn't do

it against Ryan Day last night. That

was the impressive thing, he kept

his concentration and that is what

he will have to do in this final.

Getting almost to that point now.

Just another couple of reds and

colours. He is absolutely buzzing

around the table. Average shot time,

just 16 seconds.

With that cue action of Shaun's, the

tip of the cue comes right back to

his thumb, virtually. Not so much on

the little short shots, but even

their...

Snookers to the already, so he is

going to win this opening frame with

one visit. -- snookers.

Just what

you want in the opening frame of a

final. Particularly against possibly

the best player that has ever played

the game. Setting out your

intention, straightaway. Show no

fear. Take the opportunity when you

get it. Great start here for Shaun

Murphy. Can we see a century?

He has

had for centuries so far in this

year's UK Betway championship. We

have had 95 centuries so far this

year. That is going some.

Shaun has made 441 centuries. 37

last year. 23, this year.

He finished a little straight on the

blue, but the way he is cueing, you

wouldn't think there will be a

problem. He has overscrewed it. But

the best in the world, with the

rest. Just this green. Needed for

the century. Absolutely brilliant.

What a start. Probably cueing as

well as we have seen him for a long

time. He's having a great season,

this is his fourth final. Won the

Champion of champions. Really super

stuff.

It may be cold outside, but

it is hot in the Barbican. What a

way to start the final. Shaun Murphy

got one chance and what did he do?

He made a break of 123 and he leads

Ronnie O'Sullivan by 1-0 frame.

HAZEL IRVINE: that is a start to a

frame and a monster fluke to get him

going?

It was a big fluke, but he

did to the ball well after that. His

ball striking is fantastic, but he

knows the importance of stamping his

authority on a match like this and

no better way to start.

If that is

the standard we are in for, this

could be a classic final?

Exactly

and to think they played in the

Champion of champions recently.

Whilst it is difficult to get

rivalries over many tournaments

between two people, these two are

playing the best in the world at the

moment and it is only fitting they

have got to the final of this UK

championship.

Ronnie summed it up

really, he said it was a free spirit

in himself, against an establishment

guy in Shaun. There are these

rivalries between these opposite

personalities. The public really

response to that.

They like a bit of

needle, it adds a bit of jazz to the

match. They are completely different

people, nothing wrong with that. You

and Alex Higgins, you couldn't get

more different if you tried.

But

significantly, great respect for

Shaun Murphy as he came down the

stairs.

Quality crowd.

Quality crowd, quality match.

COMMENTATOR: Shaun, breaks off in

the second frame.

Two reds at the

bottom of the pack, Ronnie will come

down and have a look. Looks pretty

close.

Going into the left-hand side

pocket. It looks as if he can make

this.

Yes. Needs the white ball to slow

down.

It was a planned in the first frame

that came to Shaun Murphy's rescue

when he was slightly out of

position. Second frame and we have

already had a couple of plants. The

red is in a good spot at the back of

the pack for a couple of shots time.

Might just pot red, black.

If he gets nicely onto the red, in a

couple of shots, those reds could be

open. That looks pretty good to me.

He can possibly screw back. That

might be his option here. Wonderful

shot. Bit straight on the blue, but

just watch the side spin, as soon as

it hits the question, to get away

from the pack and up towards the

blue. He could take the pink and go

back into the pack, if he wishes.

Taking a chance here with the split.

Where is the cue ball going? On in

the pocket. That is unlucky.

He needed to hit the red full-ball.

Once you catch them half ball, there

is a chance you can go into either

pocket. Still a bit unlucky. Now a

test for Shaun Murphy special.

There's not many better in the game

at this type of shot and Shaun

Murphy.

I don't think I have ever seen bats,

12 seconds, average shot time. --

that's that.

Very quick. It shows you how

confident Sean is going around the

table. -- Shaun.

Now, interesting shot might be

coming up. Pot the reds, get a nice

angle on the black. Couple of reds

available will stop a nice

opportunity to go into those for

reds.

That is perfect. Slightly hampered,

but four reds into play. Never any

doubt.

Any harder and this wouldn't

have dropped in. He is hampered

slightly again. Bit of the

destruction that red. That was the

problem. That red was just a little

awkward.

I know it is very early in this

match, but it is important for

Ronnie to show his intent as well,

in this final. A bit unlucky with

his first chance. Didn't get a

chance in the first frame.

And wouldn't it be absolutely

brilliant if both players play at

the top of their form? What a final

we could have, here.

Just overscrewed that cue ball

slightly, wanted to be a bit

straighter on this red for the black

to follow. Going to be short on the

blue again.

APPLAUSE

That was pretty good.

Look how close

he went to the brown but that was

what he needed to get the angle to

get on the red.

He's going to need that awkward red

that is close to the right-hand side

cushion but if he can pot this red,

get on the pink, get close, really

close behind that red,... Would have

liked to have been a bit straighter

on this red, but he can leave the

cue ball somewhere just above the

pink spot, dropped the pink into the

right-centre and get close to the

red that is closer to the side

cushion.

Just didn't have a nice angle on the

pink to get close to it, so this may

be framed for and Shaun's only hope

of getting back to the table. --

frame ball.

He spotted the pink on

the left side of the pocket, that is

why he has come away from the

cushion and needed the rest.

Yeah, great recovery.

Not easy, down the cushion, with the

rest.

We have got ourselves a final, here,

Ken.

We certainly have. This is a

great response, and he would have

felt he needed to win the frame at

this visit to show Shaun, "Anything

you can do, I can do as well". This

is going to be a cracker. Great

response.

APPLAUSE

Wonderful break by Ronnie

O'Sullivan, 69. With the foul, it

was 62, but it does not matter, he

takes the frame and it is 1-1.

HAZEL

IRVINE: Some big punches early in

the final already and a comparison

of the form throughout the

championship, these are the

tournament statistics from the

second round stage and as you will

see, both 92% potting success and

significantly, it is the long

potting that we admired so much in

Shaun Murphy last night, just

squeaking ahead of O'Sullivan with

66% and alternatively, Ronnie above

him in safety and interestingly, we

had a 12 second average shot time

for Shaun, and it is in balls wafted

and highest break that Shaun

slightly holds the aces but

beautifully matched overall.

Fasten

your seat belt and get ready for the

ride, what a fantastic game, both

players look in the peak form and

for once, I will take him a bit to

task because I think he needed to

stand back and play the back, it was

a bit awkward, it needed more

attention, the black he missed off

the side cushion and he should have

given himself more time because that

was the important ball.

I guess

sustaining the level of enthusiasm

-- level of enthusiasm or scoring

for Shaun Murphy, and concentration

as we go through the final, that

will be key where he is concerned

get some as dangerous as O'Sullivan

from anywhere.

I don't think this is

going to be a slow match. I reckon

the crowd will get a chance to do

some Christmas shopping this

afternoon and they may want to get

their money back for not sitting

down long enough. It is going to be

break after break, I feel.

Bring it

on! APPLAUSE

COMMENTATOR: Break after break, and

that was a good break off from

Ronnie, there. That is the view

through the crowd at the Barbican,

here.

And there's one spectator, there,

who will be very proud, she is

sitting on the front row watching

her grandad referee the final, Paul

Collier's granddaughter, there,

Tegan.

Bless her!

He has left a chance for Ronnie,

here, this red is on.

He wants to pot this off two

cushions and leave a nice angle on

the black. He is going to be low on

it. Maybe off just one cushion. That

is a bad miss.

Once again, a chance to see the cue

Powell of Shaun Murphy. Watch this

shop. -- cue power of Shaun Murphy.

Watch this shot. He does it with

such ease.

He did not want to catch that red.

If he had got into the main bunch,

they would all have opened up. I

think he can avoid canning the

yellow, here, when potting this.

Certainly does not want to career

into the yellow. Yes, it was thin

enough. And even though there is,

what? Three or four loose reds, he

might go into the pink again. He is

very attacking, is Shaun. Oh, this

time, Shaun is unlucky.

Shaun

Murphy, nine, Ronnie O'Sullivan,

five.

Yes, he wanted the pink full

ball but very unlucky to plant in a

red.

APPLAUSE

That was a better shot than it

looked, dead straight, just off the

cushion, digging down on the cue

ball. Nice little cannon into the

three red above the black and hope

for a red into the corner pocket.

It's OK.

Yeah, just having a look, might pot

this red and come back for the

black. Easier to stay on the blue,

but the blue into red is a bit more

difficult so he might come back for

the black, here. Played it well.

Does not have to play a cannon,

here, but he could come into the two

reds directly above the black again.

There is his target, 70, before his

opponent will require a snooker.

In a couple of shots, he has the

reds just absolutely perfect.

It is

amazing, the way these two players

are playing, a little bit of good or

bad fortune will make such a vast

difference because they are going to

punish that bit of bad luck.

Yeah, you don't mind losing a frame

if you have played a bad shot but

Ronnie had a bit of misfortune,

going in off when he was opening the

pack previously, and Shaun had it in

this frame.

It's not perfect, this, he's

overscrewed that, wanted to be a bit

straighter on the blue, drop on the

two reds near the pink spot, or the

one just to the right of the pink

spot in the open. Does not have an

ideal angle on this blue, here.

A little kiss off the blue, here.

Oh, no, he's OK. Those two reds...

The one to the left.

That was a very interesting choice

shot previously when he took the

brown, when the blue was a much

easier pot but he knew if he got the

brown right, he would get perfect

position.

Anyone watching snooker for the

first time would think, "What an

easy game this is!" These two

players are making it look

ridiculously easy. It is such a

tough game.

Yeah, first frame, just

in ten minutes, and the second, just

over 11. And Ronnie about eight

minutes for this frame and it is

almost over, he is only a couple of

pots away. Look at that pot success,

95, 90 6%, amazing.

Surely that

can't continue but the way they are

going, it might.

Well, snooker is needed, as you can

see, and coming up to just over 30

minutes. Yeah, I think we can head

off with Steve Davis and do a bit of

Christmas shopping, Ken.

It is an absolute pleasure to sit

and watch this.

Yeah, great quote from Clive

Everton, many years ago, when he was

watching a fantastic match at the

Crucible, I think, "Snooker from the

gods". That is what we have been

treated to, so far in this final.

Sublime stuff from Ronnie and Shaun.

One mistake and you are sitting in

your chair for the rest of the

frame.

He has already made seven

centuries so far in this year's

championship.

91.

Neil Robertson has

made eight centuries. 142 still the

highest, Michael White got that.

98.

Ronnie has made 913 centuries in

his career, 913. Make that 914.

APPLAUSE

103.

Steve Peters, there, watching

Ronnie.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, 103 and a

frame.

Amazing, the second century

of the match and Ronnie O'Sullivan

leads Shaun Murphy 2-1. HAZEL

IRVINE: Just over half an hour gone,

two centuries, yet another one visit

contribution, a stunning final,

exactly what the 40th anniversary

deserved.

It's absolutely wonderful

standard and I don't think the way

Shaun Murphy started the match, any

player could have been 2-1 in front

in the brink of an eye but

O'Sullivan has turned it around,

looks right up for it, totally

focused, touching everything and

that was a man of the break, took

that brown around the table, sneaked

past the blue, perfect shot for

position, he's in great form.

One

mistake from Shaun, going in off

early and Ronnie pounces.

Unlucky to

go in, knocking the ball in but that

negates perhaps the one in the first

round but interesting talking about

pre-shot preparation, one of the big

things is, just hold that one second

before we go any further, as we can

see, Ronnie O'Sullivan is down on

the shop, we have been talking about

how important it is to have your own

shot process and make it the same

for every shot. Shaun Murphy

definitely does that but look at

Ronnie, down on the shop, cueing

backwards and forwards, he's not

happy with his cueing so he has a

couple more and as he finds his

groove and then he plays the shot

because he was not happy with how he

was going backwards and forwards but

that is different from when Shaun

Murphy was on the black, John.

Shall

did not quite take enough time, came

down and played it the same pace but

with the black he was hampered with

a red so Ronnie took more time and

managed to get over his problem but

Shaun did not manage to do it. It is

interesting, you are supposed to

play the same speed all the time but

some shots warrant some respect.

OK,

they deserve attention. Last one

before the interval, now.

COMMENTATOR:

So the last frame

before the mid-session interval.

It has been super fast, you can see,

just over 32 minutes.

It will be

interesting to see how Shaun

response to that century break. He

has got an early long red to go at.

It is a Shaun Murphy special. He sat

out that last frame. Can he start

with a good long pot?

APPLAUSE

I think that answers your question,

Dennis! A pot that was... Just look

at the reaction on the cue ball, he

has actually overscrewed it. He

would love to get onto that red just

below the black if he can.

Good pot. As a choice of reds. --

has a choice. Can take this one into

the bottom left-hand corner pocket,

come back up for the blue all the

pink. He won't go into the pack,

here. So that red just below the

black will possibly be his next

target.

And it is an awkward pack to go into

from the black.

That is why Shaun is just having a

little wander around. He is planning

his route.

Well, I think if anyone in the game

can split this pack with cue power,

Dennis, it is certainly this man,

lots of top spin on the cue ball,

here.

He has got up and had a look

at the angle, just to make sure he

is comfortable. That is a bit

unlucky. It was always going to be a

difficult pack to go into. He played

the shot well, just needed a trace

Moorside, needed to hit that red

there full ball but he caught it

half ball.

Shaun Murphy, 20.

APPLAUSE

Just caught that all wrong, far too

thin. It is not easy... Let us show

you the shot again. He wanted that a

bit thicker, to avoid the cannon on

the black but he is hampered, here,

he might just be able to get on the

pink. Yeah, he could.

Will be pink pot into the bottom

left-hand corner pocket? I think it

will. He will pot the red into the

right centre, leave a nice angle on

the pink. Try to bring some more

reds into play.

Missed going for the yellow to go

into the reds. Lots of left-hand

side, the yellow, to hit the pink

and reds. He looked to take on the

shop that you said, Ken, -- take on

the shot will stop this is much more

difficult but he is so good at this

kind of shot. Got to get it just

right, though.

That was the problem, he did not

quite catch the reds as he intended,

caught the pink first. Let's show

you, coming across, the pink was

away from the reds.

I think he has

missed a trick, Dennis, that pink

was clearly on. That is the end of

the break. He will be disappointed

he did not make more from that

opportunity. And this is a bit

short. That is not good.

APPLAUSE

Well, it's nice to just relax and

watch a little bit of tactical and

safety play because the three

opening frames were incredible. 123,

from Shaun, 62 and 103 from Ronnie,

with very little safety play, just

one mistake and it was over, the

frame.

I'm not quite sure. I think

this thread can be ported. He's

having a look at leaving the cue

ball down in the centre of the table

but I think if Eclipse the red on

the outside, he can pot it can still

avoid the other reds, play it as a

shock to nothing. -- as a shot to

nothing. He does not like it. Yes,

don't blame him for taking a bit of

time over this one.

The mid-session

interval is coming up, he would like

to be 2-2, he's got a 13 point

advantage and he knows if he makes

one mistake, here, he could go into

the interval 3-1 behind. That is why

he is giving this plenty of thought.

Contact the one that is closest to

the pocket, try to drop it in, he

will have the pink to the opposite

corner pocket but this is a big

shot. And that is the problem when

you play it at that pace. If it

doesn't going, it is going to be

over the pocket. -- doesn't go in.

That has gone slightly awry but...

Another bit of fortune, there.

It's not straightforward, the red

sitting here and that pink is a

little awkward. He might just pot

that. It will go up onto the brown

spot but it clears the path for this

right corner pocket.

So, that was a good plan to get that

out of the way. In fact, there is

enough room on the pink spot. I'm

not sure if it has tightened up but

he is on the black nicely here,

anyway.

One little cannon, here, back into

the red, just above it, into the

left. Well, he decided to go into

the pack and disturb them. It's not

too bad. He's got a red to the right

centre.

They play a similar type of

game, these two players, they love

to get the ball is open as soon as

they can and if they get a chance

with that kind of shot, they

certainly go for it. It is amazing,

97%, O'Sullivan, 95%, Murphy, I

don't think I've seen that before.

Ronnie, just taking a bit more time

than usual. He knows the importance

of winning this frame, this chance,

to go into the mid-session interval

leading.

Three easy reds available to Ronnie.

And those two to the right are

almost touching. One of them might

be available.

Has been a wonderful display from

both players.

One of those games with such high

quality that if you miss one ball,

you will be sitting in the chair for

the rest of the frame.

We will find out whether the top red

of those two will pot into the left

centre.

If not, he's going to have

to be perfect here to get the cannon

from the black to the reds. He'd

rather not play the cannon, but the

angle he's left on the black, he's

going to have to play something very

special. He's just looking now to

see if it will go. Can he find the

gap? What a shot this is, if it

keeps going.

It was a great effort, wasn't it?

Big target behind the brown and the

pink, the cue ball.

Just a little bit short. 32 point

lead.

This is a terrific shot,

because he has brought that into

play, that red. If he has covered

these two redstart macro 32 behind,

Shaun Murphy. He might have gone

favourite for this frame. He's not

only got to negotiate the snooker,

he's got to get it safe. And that's

not safe. All of sudden, new

favourite for this fourth frame. It

was Ronnie's shot when he got on the

black to get to the difficult reds.

Left himself out of position and had

to go all the way around the table.

That was the attempt to go all the

way round the table, but it was the

shock previously that left him

having to try that. -- shot.

Probably play down for the pink. I

don't think he is on the angle. He

would like the pink back on its

spot, it would make the clearance

easier. But he needed the white a

little bit closer to the yellow to

do that.

What a massive steel this

will be for Shaun Murphy. It looked

like he wasn't going to get a

chance.

He's going to have to pot them all.

With the pink on the brown spot, not

straightforward.

Brown to blue, then

pink, would be the key. Struck that

really well.

Needs to lead the right angle on

this pink, to get back for the

black. I know it's early days,

Dennis, but it could be a pivotal

frame. It was looking like Ronnie

was going into the interval with a

two frame lead. And this looks

absolutely perfect.

What has he seen? Little fly just on

the cloth. There it is, it is on its

back as well. Back on its feet.

Shaun... Oh dear. It has been a

fabulous session of snooker. It

looked like Ronnie O'Sullivan was

going in at 3-1, but it was Shaun

Murphy that cleared that and it is

2-2, absolutely brilliant.

HAZEL IRVINE: superb stuff. For all

is potting

HAZEL IRVINE: superb stuff. For all

is potting prowess, it was tactics

that won the day in that last frame?

Ronnie O'Sullivan played a safety

shot and left Shaun Murphy a chance

to play a telling safety shot. He

hid that as well as he possibly

could have done. Had to avoid the

double-kiss but also get the right

tracking of the cue ball. He put

Ronnie in trouble.

He did and let's

assess the scoring. 123, 62, 102 and

69 from Murphy to sneak over the

line, brilliant quality?

That was a

brilliant matchplay snooker. That

safety shot was fantastic. Not what

you usually associate with Shaun.

You can't beat a good safety shot,

because that is what he did.

Ten

minutes break and then we will have

more of the same. It has been a

quick few days here in Europe. We

have had some big-name exits, and

Leone had for of the world 16

players getting to the

quarterfinals. We have seen the

arrival of one of the sunniest

stars, Sunny Akani. It has been all

go here.

MUSIC: "Winner Takes It All" by Abba

And the winner will be taking, not

Monopoly money but £170,000 worth of

real Stirling home this evening. It

has been an interesting week, not

least for Sunny Akani, who probably

should have not Ronnie O'Sullivan

out of this championship?

Yes, a

little bit of bad luck. We will go

back to the reverse plans which he

did know how to play, which he will

know how to play now because it cost

him the match. 22 Chinese players in

this draw this year. They are coming

thick and fast and they will produce

great players.

It brought to our

attention, Scott Donaldson, who

knocked out Mark Selby. John Higgins

said he thought it might be the

beginning of the end for him. Surely

not?

He should take inspiration from

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams

playing into their 40s. Not time to

give up.

He is still young, part of

the class of 92. This was the last

counting event before the Masters at

Alexandra Palace in the New Year.

There are 16 spots, which covers the

top players right now. It was only

sorted out yesterday at the time

because Stephen Maguire was trying

to get the 16th spot and now Liang

Wenbo is now in the draw for the

Masters first round which is about

to take place right now.

Rob Walker, over to you. We have had

a brilliant week in York and we have

a sensational week lined up at Ally

Pally next month for the Masters.

Time for the big draw. Ken Doherty

will be pulling out the top eight

names. 1997 champion of the world.

APPLAUSE

And we have got the big dog, the

chairman of the WPBSA, Jason

Ferguson, ladies and gentlemen.

Ken, the first name, please.

First

name, he we go. Mark Allen.

Mark

Allen, superb player. Jason?

Luca

Brecel. One of the debited.

Will be

a great match.

Barry Hawkins.

Former

Masters finalist.

Kyren Wilson.

We'll play Kyren Wilson, the

warrior.

Mark Selby.

Mark Selby,

world number one and three times

Masters champion. Come on Jason.

Mark Williams.

What a superb match,

the Welshman still in top form.

John

Higgins.

John Higgins, twice a

Masters winner. And he will play...

Anthony McGill.

Another debutant

that the Masters.

Ding Junhui.

Ryan

Day.

Ryan Day, back in the top 16

after a superb run.

Shaun Murphy.

In

fantastic form this season.

Ali

Carter.

We'll play his good friend,

Ali Carter.

Judd Trump.

Winner of

the UK title here in York in 2011.

Jason?

Liang Wenbo.

Won the English

open last season.

Ronnie O'Sullivan.

The Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan, the

number one seed and the defending

champion.

Marco Fu.

We'll play Marco

Fu. Thank you very much. So much

drama to come at Ally Pally and so

much to talk about.

STUDIO: It starts on the 14th of

January. It will be interesting to

see how Luca Brecel gets on with

Mark Allen. Mark Selby against

Williams with five Masters titles

between them. Higgins against

Anthony McGill, the new boy.

Liang Wenbo might have knocked out

Ronnie O'Sullivan in round one

earlier in the year in the masses.

Looking forward to Cameron Wilson,

Anthony McGill.

It is nice to see

new faces, they have had a strong

season so far.

It is what they

deserve. It is for your performances

through the season and that is your

reward. It is a brilliant event and

for those who haven't played there

before they have a wonderful venue

and a fantastic tournament, nothing

quite like the Masters.

Alexandra

Palace, it will be live in the New

Year. It is upon us already. This is

the 40th anniversary of this great

championship. It is a sporting

institution. Ski Sunday is also a

sporting institution. It is the 40th

anniversary of that this afternoon.

It is back, the theme tune, the

mountains, the action and

adrenaline. As anticipation builds,

Ski Sunday returns. This Sunday on

BBC Two.

Peong Chang in February and Great

Britain's Winter Olympians are

building up to what they hope will

be a record medal winning success at

the Winter games. Back to matters in

hand, snooker. Can you pick the shot

of the tournament?

COMMENTATOR: Back is a terrific

shot. You could see the white lead

the table.

He has played this well.

Fabulous

shots.

It is now angles.

Oh my goodness.

Brilliant.

That is an attacking shot. That is a

brilliant shot. Absolutely stunning

shot from sunny account.

-- Sunny Akani.

Just trying to work

out if he can play the little

cannon, just to flick the red away.

Just trying to get the black out.

That is just pure class. Absolutely

wonderful touch. To screw down the

table, have the side on, just to hit

the cushion and flick the red out.

Shot of the week so far for me.

Oh dear.

That is scary. What a

Zaventem airport that was.

-- pot.

Goodness me. Wonderful cueing.

Honestly, we're not playing on a

pool table, but it looks like it.

That is crazy, what a shot.

Great recovery shots. Excellent.

Quite a selection and we have five

more champions on the team who will

be choosing their favourites on the

show tonight. Two of those world

champions have leapt into action in

the commentary box. Change of

personnel as we welcome Peter Ebdon

and Stephen Hendry. Is this what you

are hoping for, this match so far?

COMMENTATOR: I think this is living

up to expectations. He has the

believe he can beat Ronnie in these

big matches.

Absolutely, Stephen.

Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks off,

left-handed, once again.

Shaun Murphy will be taking this on.

I looked at him and he sort of shook

his head a bit. He knows this is

going to happen. Absolutely Fabulous

long pot. Angle on the blue, full in

the face, onto the pink. He has

moved the black. Good contact on the

pink. Oh dear.

He hits the pink absolutely plumb.

Very unfortunate. When you hit them

properly, you deserve to be on one.

He is the best rest player in the

world, in my opinion. It was a

tricky one, he had lots to think

about. Very aggressive shot. That is

the way he plays.

That is incredible.

So careless, for

a professional snooker player. For

anyone to do that.

Always tricky when you are aiming

down on the cue ball like that. The

slightest trace of any unwanted

side, it is going to move the cue

ball.

Certainly didn't play for the blue.

Obviously, would like to get the

black back into play. Possibly look

to play for the red that is just

below the black spot.

He has got an angle on the blue, I

don't know why he is reluctant to

play that red. Maybe just doesn't

fancy potting the black along the

cushion.

Again, got a lovely angle on the

blue to play for the red. Completely

ignoring it at the moment. Just

don't think he fancies that black

along the cushion.

Ronnie would rather have left to be

red over the green pocket as an

insurance proxy but he will have to

play for at this time. He would like

to go straight into the red at the

black pocket and screw back-up for

the blue.

Unusually for Ronnie O'Sullivan he

lost as cue ball.

That was a good pot but he has not

rescued the situation, he is still

too low on the blue. He might look

at the PLO. Just depends on the

rectangle to get round the back of

the brown and green. He would need

to use the Mac cushions to get onto

the red that we were talking about.

I think this has been caused by his

reluctance to play for the red at

the black spot and bring the black

into play.

Slightly surprised that Ronnie

turned down the red into the left

corner. He played a shot to nothing

back to the Paul Cook. -- back to

the baulk.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is not a risk

taker on the table and has lots of

respect for his opponent.

It is amazing how these top players

see the table differently. If it was

Johne Murphy taking this shot he

would take the long red and screw

back the ball, he has tremendous

acute power. He will be looking for

a top quality safety shot here.

He didn't want to play that shot and

that is one of the reasons why he

missed it, he did not fancy it or he

would of got down straight away to

Cliett. -- to play it.

That is incredible. Wonderful pot.

Lovely use of right-hand side.

If he gets the positional shot here

he will be the favourite for the

frame.

I was surprised he played for the

blue, taking the first leg. Stunned

off the side cushion with the touch

of right-hand side and had a great

chance of getting on the black after

potting the first red.

After the first four frames when

there was at least a break of 62 and

two centuries, this frame is the

first scrappy affair of this final.

Come the end of the day these could

be very important to win.

Ronnie will not be happy with that

at all.

That was another tremendous pot from

Shaun Murphy. His long game is

incredible. Tremendous cueing.

From

coast to the cushion as well. He

gets such good control.

Shaun has left a one-cushion escape,

this is careless. I would not expect

Shaun to gain an advantage from

here.

Getting Ronnie in a snookered again.

Get paid into the back. -- black. It

looks like he has the angle from

here but the angle is different than

at the table.

The problem with that shot is he'll

have to hit it hard and that the

overhit said he will leave a red to

the centre.

That was lots of the best of safety

shots from Shaun Murphy.

Similar to myself he does not put

the same amount of focus into safety

shots as he does with pots.

If this red goes into the left-hand

black pocket which I think it

does,... I was thinking about the

red about that. If they played with

pay steady cue ball would be going

down towards the brown and yellow so

I am surprised.

This is not an easy safety shot for

Ronnie O'Sullivan.

This black is not easy.

He was not planning on cannoning the

black.

Great chance now to take this that

claim. Already 24 points in front.

-- fifth frame.

Just the very average 97% pot

success rate!

90 out of 93, not a bad performance

for the final. Shaun Murphy himself

has 94%. Incredible so far. Ronnie

O'Sullivan wins the scrappy stream

of the match so far to lead 3-2.

All the brains count whether you

make century breaks or take 3-4

chances. -- frame. Out of the two

players, Ronnie O'Sullivan puts more

thought into his safety play. Shaun

Murphy is the more consistent long

pot. It makes for a very

interesting, I guess you could say,

safety battles.

This is poor.

Brilliant!

And that is what is putting pressure

on Ronnie O'Sullivan's safety game.

As soon as he does not get the cue

ball glued to the bottom cushion or

hidden, Shaun Murphy seems to pot

one.

I think we know what shot is coming

up next.

More imperative to head the

pink tool on the face because there

is a gap between the reds. Fantastic

contact again.

They did not look obvious, it was

very unfortunate.

I think if you look too hard you can

see things all over the place and

you just have to play the right shot

sometimes. With brawny winning that

last frame, they are rarely playing

another three frames, if Shaun

Murphy was to lead going into

tonight he has to win all three

back. That is the psychology, these

little sessions.

He could play it with pace in

between the yellow and brown.

Ronnie is going to have to do

something now.

He has to disturb something to carry

this break on and hitting the ground

is not the way to go about it. --

the brown.

I was surprised he did

not play with topspin and left-hand

side. It would be difficult to play

the screenshot with right-hand side

and would not get much pace into the

cue ball.

That was another wonderful safety

shot from Ronnie O'Sullivan. Very

well judged. He cashed the red very

thinly and played it with lots of

right-hand side.

Difficult decision for Shaun Murphy

here. If you place the red to the

left of the black spot, we were

leaving a red into the right centre.

And if he plays the two cushion

escape, it needs to be thick so

similar shot to how he played

before.

That is very well judged.

I wonder if this is tempting for

Shaun Murphy. He will have to play

with lots of left-hand side. It is

risky.

That is an excellent safety shot.

Well played.

That was an excellent contact on the

by Shaun Murphy.

That was very well played.

Shaun is coming down to look at the

pink.

He just makes these long pots looks

so easy.

You are surprised when he

misses these. That is the first bad

safety shot that Ronnie has played

in this frame and look what happens.

It is very demoralising for an

opponent when you see a player and

blocking and long balls consistently

like that. -- knocking in.

Big frame for Shaun Murphy. He does

not want to go into tonight's second

session far behind. Both these

players can still lead going into

tonight's section. Neither player

wants to give up an advantage.

Both players have tremendous

presence at the table. Shaun Murphy

is very aggressive and positive.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is dominant in his

own way, in an artistic fashion.

He would love to play for the black

here into the right corner. Get

straight on the black or just a

little bit high. Cannon the two beds

away. Lead himself on the open one

to the left corner. Too much angle

for that now. The pink will go back

on the spot after this. That was

risky. It was a good shot to play

but it was very aggressive. He would

do well to find that gap again.

Just a trace of right-hand side on

that cue ball and did not follow the

angle of the cushion.

The safety from Ronnie, he did well

to avoid the double-kiss.

What a flick that was, he will be

delighted with that.

This red is still pottable.

The trader does cut Kokloni is

hampered by the green. -- this red

does cut. That was an excellent

shot.

The yellow to the right medal has

got a good angle to get into the bed

but he will not play it at this

stage in a UK final.

I think Ronnie can get through to

this too pot it. Right in the

middle.

Possibly he can come off the

question here, into the black. That

is unlucky.

The second red, the one behind the

black spot, if he had gone

thinner... Of the slick, not the

angle.

That was incredible. Have to be so

accurate down the cushion is. At

that pace, it was amazing.

Obviously

played with a degree of safety, but

a fabulous pot. If he had missed it,

it would have been left over the

pocket. You can see the thought has

gone into what looks like a pretty

simple safety shot. The thought

Ronnie has put into it...

In the end, it is a poor one. I

think I would rather have left Shaun

shot on the red.

This is a tough

safety shot and I wouldn't blame

Shaun for playing the double-kiss

here back to the Balkans. If he

plays the cue ball, lowers the

bottom of the white, the red won't

come too far away from the cushion

and the cue ball will go back to the

baulk end. If he decides to play

that shot, he needs to make sure he

hits the red in the middle.

Otherwise it will double-kiss and

the red will go to the side. That

was a very, very danger is shot to

play. He played it badly.

I know hindsight is a wonderful

thing, but I thought if he played a

double-kiss, he couldn't possibly

lead the red.

Cue ball in behind

Green and brown here.

That is not the best from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. This is a gimme for

Shaun Murphy, the way he has been

potting bees. Didn't get it in the

middle of the pocket, that is why he

has lost the cue ball. Probably why

he's not on the green.

He hits the left knuckle, which puts

the cue ball on a wider angle. Going

to be really careful, Shaun Murphy.

Big frame, this could be.

This isn't

an easy safety shot. Needs to avoid

a double-kiss. That was quite a

clever shot.

Not as played.

Sometimes you would play question

first. The back cue ball, tight to

the side cushion, don't think you

can play the shot.

That was a very danger a shot to

play. Very dangerously.

Not going to be a straightforward

clearance. Pink to black. Going to

need a very good angle on the pink.

He wants the cue to stop. He

couldn't pick the cue ball up with

his hand and place it any better.

Look at the angle to drop on the

black.

He has dominated this frame.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is guaranteed at

least level to going to tonight's

session.

HAZEL IRVINE: highly significant.

Blue tip pink was the particular

shot, John?

Unbelievable. Loads of

top spin and side. He has a bit of

room round the back to land, but

when it comes off the cushion and

receive a second shot after it, it

couldn't be any better. It is

absolutely natural.

There is good

luck attached over that distance,

but if he does overhit it, he has

the pink into the middle pocket.

Look at the angle, it couldn't be

any better.

That is Ronnie

O'Sullivan being clever. Little bit

of a gap opening up. Shaun did have

chances in that frame.

Since the

interval, they have become a little

bit more tactical. Slowing down the

pace as the tension starts to bite a

bit.

Shaun has got to tighten up.

The situation was there because he

played a poor shot on the brown and

love the opportunity to clear up.

There is no way to escape with a

Sullivan.

It is the case that

because perhaps a Ronnie O'Sullivan

is a better safety player than Shaun

Murphy, that is the difference over

a period of time. You play the

balls, it is how it goes. Sometimes

you get awkward safety shots. Ronnie

played a couple of shots where he

didn't control the object ball, it

ended up over the pocket or going in

the pocket. But it didn't cost him

as badly as Shaun's last mistake on

safety.

He doesn't want to be going

into this evening's session down.

Two more frames to play and Ronnie

has daylight between them now.

Ronnie will win frames in one visit,

he is that good. But when he's also

getting frames that go very close,

that is when the gaps start to open

up.

You get the feeling all the top

players are great when they are in

front, I think Ronnie O'Sullivan is

one of the best front runners we

have ever had.

Back we go, the

penultimate frame of this

afternoon's session.

COMMENTATOR: two very big frame is

now. Shaun Murphy doesn't want to be

6-2 down going into the session this

evening. Worse case scenario, win

one of these two frames.

Ronnie might play a similar shot.

There is a chance of this going in

the black. Excellent safety shot.

The difference between these two

players, both are two of the best

players in the world, but the

difference between them here is I

don't think Shaun can beat Ronnie

below his best. But the other way

round, I think Ronnie can be Shaun

below his absolute best. And there

lies the difference.

Shaun may have slipped the red into

the corner. But if he takes this

brown on, it is horrible.

I think

even Shaun is going to refuse this

brown. 42 -- 4-2 down, I don't think

so. 4-2 up, he might.

Ronnie can play the red which is

closest to the blue here. I think he

will be trying to get the cue ball

back in a similar position to where

it is now. He plays this shot so

well normally. He is digging down,

touch of left-hand side. That is the

line, has he got the pace? He has.

It is a fantastic safety shots.

There has been a few, but that is

one of the shots of the match so

far.

Ronnie just coming round, interested

party where the cue ball is being

replaced.

Going to get a warning now, Shaun

Murphy, from the referee. He can get

through to the main bunch of breads.

-- reds.

I have to warn you now if you don't

hit the red this time, I am going to

have two award the frame.

If it

comes off the cushion, the red is

playing dead weight. But not now, if

he misses it, he will lose the

frame. I am surprised he didn't look

at that one first. But he is in real

trouble now. Is he playing some sort

of pot?

If he has not left the red nearest

to the left corner, it could have

been worse.

APPLAUSE

Great pot to the middle. Finished

with a nice angle on the blue.

Choice of three or four reds, the

right corner to drop on. Possibly

the choice of two or three to the

right middle. If this goes well,

what a chance for the frame.

It is always fascinating to see how

Ronnie goes about his

break-building. And when the table

is difficult and the balls are

covering each other, there is nobody

better in the game.

I think you heard the ground. --

groaning. He can't believe he's

missed that.

Ronnie is eyeing up a pot to the

left corner. There is a path round

the back of the reds. Quite an

aggressive shot choice.

He's under pressure now, Shaun

Murphy in this match. This is a big

opportunity.

Solid pot. Has to take advantage

now. If he can win it in one visit,

it will give him a boost of

confidence going into the last frame

of the session.

He won't be too bothered about

getting the black back on its spot

yet. I don't think the black will be

available to any corner pocket. Low

point playing for the black,

concentrate on pink and blue.

I thought getting the pink back on

its spot would be a better way of

going around it.

That was very well controlled. Never

easy when you are digging down into

the cue ball like that. Made it look

easy. It wasn't.

That is a lovely little cannon as

well.

Big moments in this match for Shaun

Murphy.

How well did he hit that? The

reaction of the cue ball was

incredible. Just timing.

A lot of players struggle with that

shot, Stephen. It doesn't seem to

matter to Shaun Murphy if he does

end up straight on the ball. He can

use the tremendous cueing power he

has got.

But then every now and again he does

that, gets too much into it. To put

that read near the cushion was very

clumsy.

There is pressure on this.

Sometimes when they hit the jaw,

they don't go in any harder. By half

to say I am surprised it went in.

Red, colour, red needed.

Wanted to just stop short of the

blue so he could get close to this

red. He doesn't want to be playing

frame ball from distance. We know

how good he's been today, but he

want to make frame balls as easy as

possible. Make them unmissable.

44 ahead. This red to leave

O'Sullivan needing a snooker. He

will have to pot another colour. It

has been a great performance this

break from Shaun Murphy, under

pressure. He needed it. Very well

played.

Two snookers. O'Sullivan may come

back to the table.

Unless this red goes in.

Excellent effort from Shaun Murphy,

under extreme pressure. It was a

great break. The frame isn't over.

The red is in a good position if

Ronnie O'Sullivan can get on the

black or the pink.

Potting the pink means it is two

snookers to tie.

Excellent break from Shaun Murphy

when he needed it. Back for a masse

of last frame in the session this

afternoon.

That was a fantastic break. You can

feel the tension levels beginning to

creep ever upwards.

This will be a

huge last frame. Brilliant break.

Getting 60 when you need to dig in.

If they goes to 5-2 it is a massive

gap. It is a huge mountain to climb.

Who is looking the stronger as we go

into this part of the match?

Difficult to tell. You want to keep

in contention. From the perspective

Shaun Murphy that was an important

frame. You never know what will

happen in the last frame. Whatever

happens tonight there will be a

premium on making the most of your

chances when you get to them. Both

of these players are in forms or

expect more of the same this

evening.

It is difficult for anyone

to play Shaun Murphy because he is

putting them in from everywhere. How

much pressure does that put on you?

With your safety play, you think you

have to get to the baulk. If

anything is picking out people have

a dig at it. His long game has been

as good as I have seen it. He has

been knocking everything in. It puts

added pressure and you can overthink

the situation. It is time to get a

fine balance. You have got to get

the baulk.

It is the last frame of

the afternoon. The last final they

played, it went 4-4, and Shaun

Murphy took off in the evening

session to win. It is deja vu as far

as this is concerned. This is a key

theme in this final.

You watch Shaun Murphy, when this he

taps is cute in appreciation of this

shot. 5-3 is possible. They don't

want to lose both the last two fames

and B6- two down, that would be too

much.

He took his eye off the pot. You can

see what Ronnie thinks about that.

Just completely took his eye off the

pot, concentrating on the cannon on

the pack. 95% of Ronnie 's misses

are thin.

Shaun Murphy has got a couple of

open beds but will he go into the

pack?

I am surprised Tonev Shaun Murphy

misses with the rest. That was not

easy. -- whenever Shaun Murphy

misses. The debt is came back across

the table and stayed on the left

corner. Second chance for Ronnie

O'Sullivan.

I am not surprised that his timing

has been affected, the way that he

punched the table.

His right hand must be throbbing

right now. What a shot that is. Here

you can see Ronnie punching the

table in frustration and

disappointment.

He has played in the double and it

is in.

Probably the riskiest shot he

has played today.

As doubles cut it was pretty easy.

The another certainties.

Surely he is not going to let

another chance go by?

He opened the beds up. That is

incredible.

That is pretty good, long pot

success. Between 70 and 80%, you are

happy with that. You can separate

the player is on the safety.

Two century breaks so far and I

would be surprised if there are no

more before the end of this final.

I don't know if he has played for

the cue ball.

He looks edgy, he looks desperate to

get this frame.

This wasn't the cleanest of pots.

He looks to be pretty straight on

this black.

Is there one more twist in this

first session?

That was a big shot.

To be perfectly honest, Ronnie has

been very unfortunate to leave that

to red them. He had to play the red

with pace. Look at the cue power of

Shaun Murphy. That is incredible.

The spin that that he generates

here, it is amazing.

Lots of left-hand side. This is a

great shot. This is a great shot.

Fantastic effort.

This could be monumental in this

match.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has had two very

good chances to have this frame in

the bag. This will hurt.

He did not hit that enough. What

sort of angle does he have on the

pink? He is straight down to the

short so it must be good.

What a session of snooker this has

been. We have had absolutely

everything.

You would have given Shaun Murphy

this clearance by no effort was not

for the black bequeath it is. You

want to be as close to that black as

possible.

Does not want the cue ball-on the

cushion. This is not nice.

He got it! . Tremendous first

session and great frame for Shaun

Murphy to steal in the end. Going

into the session tonight all square,

4-4.

HAZEL IRVINE: Magnificent

clearance from Shaun Murphy to keep

it for- four in the Champion of

Champions in the thrilling final one

month ago between these two back.

This is a bigger stage for Shaun

Murphy. He has lost the last couple

of frames and an exceptional final

so far. STEVE DAVIS: Ronnie

O'Sullivan was frustrated he blew

chances to extend his lead. You saw

the frustration when he banged his

knuckles on the table.

They played a

risky double he did not have to

play. And all of a sudden he felt he

was over the line and desperate to

get the frame under his belt.

Fantastic counter clearance. One

shot in particular that allowed him

to go on and win the frame.

He just

liked the blue and then to stun the

sin and to get it absolutely plumb

on. He was on everything. They does

many things you need to be a

top-class snooker player and he

showed everything. Not just his

break-building and how he can strike

the ball, you have to be sticking in

when it is hard. To win the two

frames to make it 4-4, delighted.

How much does that hurt a player

like Ronnie to lose the last couple?

It felt like because Ronnie missed

the simple black, he was upset with

the fact that he squandered an easy

chance. And then he went for the

rest of the frame. He was making

some amazing shots but Ronnie was

out of control. That is the most we

have seen him out of control all

week, I would suggest. He looked

like he would get away with an

amazing break with some luck but

came unstuck before the finishing

line of that great. Fascinating to

watch. Ronnie realised how important

it was to

clinch that session, it could have

been 6-2.

Because he didn't the

frustration showed. Some risky

shots, that is what you alluded to

in terms of not being in control as

much as he would have been.

When he

played the double, myself and Steve

said, you don't have to play this.

He got it and played brilliantly but

he was forcing the issue.

We have

got ourselves a cracking evening

ahead?

Yes, we have. I defy anybody

at the start of the final to pick a

winner unless you're a but

marvellous.

Back in position here at

seven o'clock. I hope you will join

us for what promises to be

potentially a best of 11 tonight.

The Magician and the Rocket are

serving up a final to remember in

this 14th anniversary of the UK

Championships.