Last 16 - Part 1 UK Snooker Championship

MUSIC: "Drag Racer" by the Doug Wood

Band.

An a busy for the crews here at the

Barbican in York. The 2017 victory

UK Championship is hotting up as we

go from beta-mac, to four, two two

tables. Good afternoon to you. We

have reached the fourth round of

this tournament. As well as losing

those tables, we have some big names

along the way. Including defending

champion Mark Selby.

COMMENTATOR: Another one of the

favourites Paul's.

Barry Hawkins

crashes out to Thailand's Sone

Aluko.

Ding Junhui loses five frames in a

row. Graeme Dott, what a fantastic

result. Brilliant performance from

Scott Donaldson and he knocks out

the defending champion.

Six of the

ten best players in the world

the defending champion.

Six of the

ten best players in the world are

out. Better still four UK champions

left in the draw. Ten titles are

shared between Shaun Murphy, John

Higgins, Stephen Maguire and Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Sunny can he is 22, from

Thailand, his reward is a

O'Sullivan. Sunny can he is 22, from

Thailand, his reward is a plum draw

against Ronnie O'Sullivan.

It is an

interesting draw for the last 16.

Baby is the perception in the

tournament, lots more big seeds

going out in the tournament. Whether

that is the case, what do you put it

down to in this tournament? Is it

because players are getting better,

the gap is narrowing honours this

tournament has went from Best of 17

to best of 11.

Players play so many

tournament. Looking from the

outside, top players, they are not

prior Taarabt -- prioritising this

as a massive event. Some of them not

giving the opponents of the respect

that they deserve.

Back in our time,

if we lost to a relative unknown

that the public did not know, they

would have been distraught. Bad

press conference.

It is infuriating.

Mark Selby, the world number one,

lost to Scott Donaldson. Scott

Donaldson loses 6-1 and the next

round and that makes you feel worse.

Do the players of today have to

change their attitude to bruising?

Do they have to take it more on the

chin and state there is another

tournament a the corner?

They are

not prior traumatising these big

events as much as we used to do.

They know there is another

tournament next week.

Some big-name

still left in and let us see what is

coming up this afternoon.

John

Higgins, the three times UK champion

has won a ranking title this season

at the Indian open, could this be

his year in York? He is against Mark

King, he won the Northern Ireland

open last season. He is the world's

21 and has the highest break of 146.

Stephen Maguire won this title in

2004 and it is an all Scotland clash

for him this afternoon. He plays

Graeme Dott, the 2006 Crucible

champion who knocked out Judd Trump

in the last round. And if you would

like to get in touch with us we

would like to hear from you. Use

this hash tag. Mark King aiming to

make his second semifinal of the

season. He reached the last four of

the Indian open. He has had some

highs and lows.

It has been full of lots of things

of the table and on the table. In

January I had a car accident. Not a

bad one but I ended up getting

tennis elbow. My dad's house was

petrol bombed. Touch wood,

everything seems to have died down.

Thank God he is OK. Now I can crack

on and begin practising, not worry

about anything. Get on with my

snooker. I had a couple of minutes

with my family coming out after

having so many years of thinking it

will not happen. I had the little

one as well. You could not write it.

It was fantastic. I do not need to

win to pay a bill now. To have that

one decent one, I was able to be

everything that I owed. I only

actually playing to win and to enjoy

it. Touch wood, I am doing all

right. And I can play. I was on the

yellow and I was thinking, see you

later. I had a little sneaky 20

seconds... I had a couple of days to

think about it. Pretty devastating.

In all fairness it was a poor

positional shot. I am still in and

still fighting. I could make one

tomorrow, the next day. Whatever. I

still have a chance of making one.

John is a fantastic player and one

of the all-time greats. You know

what you will get. If I do not play

well and will go home. Simple as

that. He can play back, play well,

score well, scrap it out. I am

looking forward to it. I will enjoy

it.

We are looking forward to it as

well. Long history between them. The

vast aim that the one, Mark was

victorious pipe - four. John Higgins

is one the UK Championship on three

occasions. He has 18 victories over

three for Mark King. It is their

third meeting at the UK

Championship.

Let us head over to

Rob Walker. Good afternoon. Fourth

round tie at the Betway UK

Championships. What an important day

for Scottish Luca. Three of the

format are from north of the border

behind the stage. Ahead of the

chirpy cockney who is never short of

the word or two. The battle for the

quarterfinal starts right here,

right now.

APPLAUSE

Please welcome, arguably one of the

most underrated players on the

circuit.

Here in York he defeated

Dale in a divide and 16 on the spin

against Judd Trump. Lee MacKenzie

world finalist and took the big one

in 2006. He is the Pocket Dynamo,

Graeme Dott.

And his opponent, coming through a

6-5 Filip Kiss Liang Wenbo, to

secure his 14th consecutive UK

Championship fourth round

appearance. He has got by ranking

titles. When he is good he is on

fire, he is Stephen Maguire.

And on table one, a player making

his first appearance in the fourth

round for five years after that

impressive victory over the Belgian

Bullet Luca Bruxelles. Semifinalist

in the Indian open this year. Here

comes snooker's answer to the telly

Savalas, who loves you, baby? Mark

King.

And finally, one of the sport's

all-time greats. Beating promising

youngster Yan Bingtao yesterday.

Looking for his fourth quarterfinal.

Three times a winner here. 29

ranking titles. The Wizard of

Wishaw, John Higgins.

And all Scotland a fear on table

tonight. Stephen Maguire taking on

Graeme Dott. That is light on the

red button and on the BBC sport

website. Live on BBC Two, it is John

Higgins taking on Mark King. Good

afternoon to the commentators, John

Parrott and Ken Doherty. JOHN

PARROTT: Thank you. Mark is a

character. Robert knows him very

well.

Great introduction for Kojak.

Wonderful pictures at the start of

the show.

I am so glad he

Wonderful pictures at the start of

the show.

I am so glad he can

appreciate it and do it. Wonderful

thing to win the tournament.

Wonderful scenes. He has been around

for a long time. Great reward for

the effort. This man has had some

career.

Sleeping too much water in that

model.

He waited a long time for his first

tournament win and that gives you

confidence.

What you cannot do is

plate loosely like that. That was a

poor shot.

Down to the nitty-gritty in the UK

Championship. Last 16. This is where

the big boys come out to play. John

Higgins had a hard match yesterday.

They might have won the 6-3 but had

to work very hard. It was absolute

granite. He glued his opponent to

the bottom cushion and get nothing

to look at.

It was a study in top class to go

yesterday.

So impressed. Mark King

was quite right when interviewed.

He said that when John Higgins is

playing badly he is still good

enough to win. And when he is

playing well he is one of the best.

That was good to come off the side

cushion. The side of the pack is a

big target.

He could have went in harder than

that. He did cannon quite high up

the pack.

Did not get into that as much as he

could of done and still unlucky not

to be on anything.

I have not heard touching ball from

referee Paul Collier. He does not

want to leave a touching ball for

Mark.

They also do not want to play

a push shot. That would be a foul.

He is not the tallest on the circuit

so it is proving to be a bit of a

problem.

Looks like a touching ball from

here. The referee has confirmed it.

That gives Mark the advantage. Twice

across the table. Big target behind

the yellow and the green.

Not sure if it will come off the

side cushion and nestle in behind

the yellow. Trying to get the cue

ball right behind the yellow. This

looks pretty good.

'S very dangerous

opponent with Luca Bruxelles and the

last round.

Mark has all been a good competitor

but he is not one of the heaviest

scorers on the circuit but it has

got better. The boys have been

telling me he has been working with

Chris Henry who is a decent coach.

His cue ball has definitely improved

and his scoring has got heavier.

Write that one down. Do not see many

of those, John Higgins making a

mistake in the tactical department.

Shouldn't change your attitude.

Today is another day. He is 18-3

behind in matches. He should say he

is in good form.

Is there a chance?

Absolutely. The Mark King of today

is a better player than he may have

been over the previous seven or

eight years. That confidence. He has

been more successful over the past

couple of years. His confidence has

grown. He is going to enjoy today.

He will not be too fearful of John

Higgins.

The bookmakers and lots of people in

the game will not expect him to win

today but if you come out with that

attitude then he has nothing to

lose. He is a great competitor. If

anybody can compete with John

Higgins in the safety apartment then

it is Matt -- Mark King. Scoring is

different.

I was not surprised about that. He

came between everything. He was very

straight on the yellow and he had a

foresight to try to get an angle out

of it. Early in the match it is not

a shot that you want to be playing.

Ultimately, I agree with you, it

will be about how he scores today.

He is much improved in that

department and people have to be.

I am surprised that John is not

coming off the red on the left

because he has a big target with the

yellow and green. He does not fancy

it for some reason.

You may have heard Mark King, say,

good shot. It is therefore easy to

play these. -- it is never easy.

UMPIRE: Foul and a miss.

I am sure

that John will ask for the cue ball

to be put back. It is about making

sure you get a thin contact on the

red. You do not want to be thick.

Anything nice and fun and this is

straightforward for somebody of the

capabilities of Mark.

UMPIRE: Foul and the miss. The turn

of John to Mr Boll.

It may be more difficult for the

return safety that John was playing.

He has left it with tears. -- left

it where it is.

In just about see the outside edge.

Can mark see the edge? Come on down

the left-hand side of this table.

I think he has left this red. It is

not a gimme but he can get back up

for the blue. This is the Department

we are John Higgins has improved in

the last couple of seasons. His long

game has become better. Just like

that.

He was starting to struggle with the

long game but it is no bank to its

best.

Topside of the blue as well.

So important. It gives you the

opportunity. You come to the table

thinking, I can knock everything in.

Gives you plenty of confidence when

you are not losing.

Just had a

little sticky look at the point. He

could stun the red and try to get

onto the pink, back in for the blue.

That is a little bit short. He has

asked for the cue ball to be

cleaned. Just about the right side

of the blue. He will have a bit more

of an angle.

Will still try to storm it in.

He has played that very well, very

well, indeed.

Unfortunately that has gone awry.

The little can inflict the red away

from the bank. Not be contacted he

wanted.

Slightly scrappy start to this

match.

Never a wasted shot with John

Higgins, is there? Lost position.

Just trying to give the maximum

headache.

Always pressure with every shot you

play against John to make sure your

return is correct. That was a great

effort.

Julie acknowledged by John, tapping

the table. John Higgins has to be

careful with the red. It is close to

the left-hand side cushion. Poses a

slight problem. Going to avoid that.

That was a little bit short.

Markers come round to look at this.

He could double that across the

table. Good length again on the cue

ball.

All the time you're playing the shot

you are worrying about sticking a

red across the corner. Players will

tend to be nice and thin. Doesn't

make anything easy for you.

But Mark takes the red on the

left-hand side with the two reds.

That was what he was thinking about.

I don't know if you can come off the

side cushion and drop it onto the

two dates on the side cushion. Or

onto the ones just three-cushion. I

don't know if he has the angle for

that. That is why he is taking his

time.

Put the cue ball there and I don't

know if he can come off the top

cushion and nestle into that red.

How do you like that one?

What a

shot that was. Look with the cue

ball has finished.

The only thing I can see about that,

he has to work on his positional

play with that one.

What a shot this

is. One of John Virgo's trick shots.

He would have been happy with that.

That is fantastic. That really is

fabulous. That was sweet as a nut

but to get at the cue ball up the

table... There was lots of pressure

with that one. Beautifully cued. Two

long pots have been struck

beautifully. He will need to strike

this one beautifully as well. This

is nasty. Horrible little short.

Deserves everything he gets out of

this break. Those last two shots

have been top drawer.

Certainly.

Good test of cueing.

If any young amateurs are watching,

look how still his head was when he

played the shot. He is the wrong

side of the blue so he will lead to

negotiate the cue ball against the

baulk.

This looks very good. Excellent

positional shot.

He has given

themselves options of four reds. He

can run inside of the angles. He can

be on the pink spot on the one at

the corner. It was a big target but

didn't he strike it well?

Get the pink back on its spot. You

would expect it to be plain sailing

here for John Higgins in the first

frame. The long pot and the

positional shot, and even the blue

of the cushion, fantastic.

Great

champions. 38 ahead. He is a few

balls away from being over the line.

You would not see him making a slap

up from here. The players know the

authority needed to stamp their

authority on the match. Ever since

he will do it here. He will hold his

spot. The bank will go on the black

spot and that makes the break

easier.

That puts him 52 ahead, just 51

remaining. I don't think Mark King

will become an back to the table. A

bit scrappy early on in this frame,

but a couple of great pots,

especially that positional shot, set

this frame-winning clearance up.

And he dried to stay on the black.

It's not there but he won't be

worried about that. He secures the

frame. And he leads Mark King by

1-0. Just before we talk to Stephen

and Steve, given that we've lost

some of the world's leading players,

let's have a look at the latest

odds.

Ronnie O'Sullivan going for

his sixth UK title. So, initial

thoughts from the first frame,

Stephen Hendry?

thoughts from the first frame,

Stephen Hendry?

It was a little bit

scrappy but I was just thinking,

it's very hard to make a case for

Mark King in this match today, it

really is. You think John Higgins

will have it over him in every

department - scrappy games, safety,

scoring... It's just very difficult.

Mark will have to play his absolute

best.

In fairness Mark said that

just before the match started, he

said, if I don't play well, I know

I'm going home.

Yeah, and that's...

It's not necessarily a negative way

to look at it, it is more of a

realistic appraisal from his

personal. But Mark King is the title

player who just gives of his bet on

the day and sees what happens. He's

been in the game long enough to be a

journeyman player as well as now a

proven winner. His stock has risen,

but it's still a big ask to beat the

like of John Higgins in the UK

championship. It would still be

considered by Mark King I think a

massive scalp.

Let's get back to

John Parrott and Ken Doherty.

KEN DOHERTY: Not the best break-off.

JOHN PARROTT: The only thing is,

there's no natural way back. At

first you think you've left him a

chance, but the way the red and

black is, it is hard to get through

the gap.

That it's a bit more

pressure on the player. If he had

have up there and there was a

guaranteed way back to baulk, I'm

sure he would have knocked that in.

But there was a bit more to think

about, especially when you're one

behind.

JOHN PARROTT: They seem to have

stats for everything these days,

Ken, but if you had a stat for whose

cue ball was closest to the cushion

after the break-off, I'm sure John

Higgins would be close to the top of

it! It is practically glued there.

KEN DOHERTY: Yeah, it's like he's

almost tempting Mark King here. The

problem with this shot is, he's

going to be bringing reds out from

the pack. He'll be hoping he doesn't

push one towards the corner pocket.

That didn't go in, but look at the

way he's played it. It's one of

those shots, you can play it like a

shot-to-nothing, because if you

miss, this is what you leave your

opponent.

I'm not quite sure whether he's

going to take on this red which is

close to the left centre pocket.

Just putting his hand on the table

there, where he could possibly leave

the cue ball without leaving

anything into the opposite corner

pocket.

Oh, that's a great shot! That will

do his confidence a world of good.

Good pot that, wasn't it?

It really

was excellent. I thought it might

have just been hitting that near jaw

but anyway, it was very accurate.

Stephen mentioned in the studio,

he's got to score when these chances

come up. Absolutely right.

You won't be winning this match

against John Higgins if you don't.

I

think the red that is closest to

this bottom left-hand corner pocket

would be ideal, it would free up the

black as well. No. Not this time.

That's nice for the confidence, when

you play that for the first time in

the match and you make sure you're

the right side of the blue. Really

nice.

I don't quite know what shot he

played there, but it wouldn't have

been the one I would have played.

I

think he was trying to get onto the

red to the right of the black. And

he is overrun it by quite some way.

What a few options, but as you say,

it was a strange positional shot. He

will be kicking himself if he

doesn't score any more, because was

a great chance.

That's why I was a

bit surprised couple of shots ago he

didn't get on that red on this top

cushion, it would have freed the

black up into both pockets and made

the break a lot easier for himself.

Now, he's struggling.

Good cueing there, easy to get a bit

of side on those and throw them off.

This one goes but it is tight -

pressure on this... And because of

that, he's missed it. I'll agree

with you, Ken, the first thing he

should have been doing in that

break... As we see this one again.

He should have been getting on that

loose red straightaway off the blue.

He's definitely missed a trick

there. He had plenty of options to

really open things up.

APPLAUSE

Great shot.

Fantastic, and of course

he's got the option if he wants to

screw off the black into the pack

and open them up. This is looking

like a lovely target if he can get

in there. Well, he couldn't have hit

that much better. That's an early

Christmas present - because that's

lovely! And managed to play it in

such a way that he could keep

control of the cue ball. He didn't

absolutely smash them everywhere.

So, Mark King's positional play

could be costing him a frame here.

I

just wonder, will John Higgins try

and get down onto that red now,

nearest this bottom left-hand corner

pocket? There you see the difference

each of straight on it, trying to

open the black into both corner

pockets.

Yeah, he really missed a trick

there, Mark King. Now, he's going to

have to sit in the chair and watch

John Higgins knock all of these in.

Wow! Don't see that very often. I

was about to say, he'll play a

little cannon into the reds and

hopefully won't stick onto the back

of them. But he's over-screwed that

one. So, Mark King looks like he's

going to get away with it. Unless

John can find something from

somewhere that I can't see.

Well,

he's very good at playing doubles -

I'm not sure whether that red to the

right-hand side of the cue ball is a

possible double. But he does have

this one into the yellow pocket...

Great shot! Fantastic!

APPLAUSE

But not a great cue ball. He's going

to need another good shot on the

black, a this break going.

Yeah, I

can see him knocking this end but I

can't see where the next red is

coming from, unless it's another

mid-range one. Good pot, but he's

going to need another one.

And this is never easy into the

corner pocket, a blind pocket, as we

say. If he misses it, he could lose

the frame.

Yeah, interesting to see

whether he will actually go for it.

Because sometimes you've got to

steal yourself, you feel as if

you're in amongst the balls and you

should have a go. But equally, you

can miss and stick your opponent

back in. So, big shot coming up. So

big, in fact, he didn't take the pot

on.

Well, that's not the best shot

he's played. He was trying to knock

the black safe as well and put the

red on the site cushion. But he has

left Mark this red into the left

centre.

John was not pleased about the

chance he gave to Mark, but he's

back at the table again. He doesn't

like making any mistakes.

If I was Mark I would be getting one

of those two reds off the site

cushion now.

One of them back in

play. So, it's just the one red that

is on the side rail now which is a

problem for Mark, if he was going to

make a counter clearance. There's

only 90 and points in it, you know,

but if you're going to clear up, you

can need that red.

Foul, Mark King, four.

Well, this is

one he will be taking on definitely,

you would feel. Into the same corner

pocket - could get onto the blue or

pink from this. Big shot.

Yeah,

you've just got to be full-blooded

on this. Great shot.

APPLAUSE

Slightly difficult for Mark, being a

left-hander.

Slightly off straight, I think,

which is moving to be a little bit

of a problem.

So, it remains to be seen if that

red that John Higgins pushed onto

the site cushion earlier on in this

frame is going to be his insurance

policy.

Bit of snooker to be played

yet, but that red might yet save

John from the counter clearance.

We'll see.

Yeah, and being on that side of the

table, it is not ideal for the

left-hander, so he might be playing

it with the rest.

Or square in this frame now. -- all

square.

KEN DOHERTY: --

KEN DOHERTY: It's imperative that he

gets a nice angle on this, thinking

about that red on the site cushion.

JOHN PARROTT: Yeah, it is a horrible

little spot, that red, he will do

very well to flick it out. Sometimes

if the black is on its spot, you can

go off the black. The pink is a bit

more difficult, to get from their

onto the red to move it off. That's

no good. That's nowhere.

KEN DOHERTY: He'll be very

disappointed with that. Even if he

had just potted the pink, 20 points

ahead, John would have needed red

and all the colours which the tough

black as well. So, this pink, the

six points, makes a big difference.

He's looking at trying to put the

brown safe. Trying to hide that red

with the green. Not too bad. Bit of

insurance.

APPLAUSE

Mark pushed that brown safe on the

site cushion. Red and pink and then

colours up to green would be enough

for him. Quite a few things can

happen here.

Clever little shot there from John

Higgins, not bringing the black into

play.

Not straightforward. He cannot be

certain there won't be a double

kiss, with it being so close to the

corners. Mark is having a little

walk around. If he plays it plain

ball and hits it off the two

handles, he's got to make sure he

doesn't come back and hit the green

with the red. That's a good shot.

And even better, knocking the blue

onto the site cushion. But he hit

that well.

This looks too hard. Could be over

the pocket here. It's not easy, but

it's a chance, and it's just

slightly off centre. If he runs

through this, he can camera and the

angles.

REFEREE: Foul Jake Mark, four.

Not

to be. -- foul. Mark King, four. So,

a Chancellor Mark King. It is a

chance for the frame if he can knock

it in.

I'm just wondering, John, will he

try and knock the blue out here with

the red? It would be risky but if he

hits it with enough pace... Well, he

tried it! Just missed it! It was a

clever little shot from John Higgins

there.

Trying to clip the red onto the side

cushion here, and around the angles.

Get the red behind the brown... How

is the cue ball...?

Yeah, you could hear the sigh from

John Higgins - he wanted the

full-ball contact there. That would

have left Mark in a lot of trouble.

That's a nice little double kiss -

that red was going towards the

pocket.

Yeah, there's the black in play. He

tried to move the blue on the last

shot, didn't quite get it, but the

black has now moved out. You can be

sure if he gets other chances to

move blue and brown, he will be

doing it.

That is a great shot.

John can still seen the red but

still excellent.

You wanted off the

cushion to put a touch of left-hand

side on to make sure you do not get

a double-kiss. Because it is on the

cushion it is hard. Could not do

much else. Just make sure that he

got the object ball safe. That is

the priority. Tough fame. Half an

hour. It did not look like that when

John Higgins was amongst the balls

but the split did not go right and

the cue ball was stuck. It changed

the complexion. Since then it has

been a hard battle.

There is a shot you do not see very

much in the game, double-kiss was

played.

The cue ball springs back. I

went to John Harrison Lock, he will

see if he can clip return. It is

very fine but it is very fine but it

isn't at -- a natural angle to come

down for the black. With the cue

ball going? That is tight. Even if

Mark cannot see it directly, he can

swerve that a little bit.

He is OK

but another couple of inches and it

would have been tied up behind the

blue.

Mark, what did you do?

That is the

worst shot he has played in the

frame and he will be kicking himself

that he has done that. The cue ball

should not be anywhere near the

yellow. Just get on pink or black.

And it is frame over. What a mistake

that is.

I am sure that the pink

pots into the bottom right pocket.

It is worth going for the pink just

for the six points alone.

No point in putting the green safe.

He is 19 points ahead. If the points

-- at the pots this pink then he

just needs the yellow. That is what

he attempted.

He will be kicking himself.

And you can bet your bottom dollar

that John Higgins will be trying

even harder now. If he wins this

frame with it looked like he would

never win it, Mark King will

remember.

He was heavy with the yellow but it

is pottable. Not sure if John can

get enough screw on the side of the

cue ball to take the browned off the

side cushion. This would be some

shot. What a shot. What a shot. He

has been so unlucky. Look where the

brown has finished.

What a great

attempt. Fantastic. Great pot to try

to flick that out. The only thing

you can see that is OK about the

shot, it is a natural angle of the

game to get down for brown. Even

potting the brown will be difficult.

You don't have to do it all in one

visit.

That is the positional shot, gallon

for the brown. If you were playing

on a pub table, you would fancy

playing on the brown and then

spreading it out. But this is not a

pub table. You might play a double

on the blue. He might knock it on

and leave the double.

He is one of

the best in the games with the

doubles.

This would be a steal and a

half.

That was frame ball. Ten ahead and

Bach could not be to look at that

double. Mark will have a go at this

blue to get into the green pocket.

And you have to be full-blooded on

this wiki was earlier in the frame.

We cannot think about what you might

be about to leave. Give yourself the

best possible chance of putting it

in.

Is it in the middle?

It is now.

Unless John Higgins is hampered

severely, it looks like he will win

a free and he never looked like

winning. -- a frame.

He was slightly hampered but I did

not think he would miss that. He has

slipped a bit of side on it and the

cue ball has gone.

Mark King, you

have to knock on their sin. And he

does. After much trials and

tribulations, it was a frame that

took well over 35 minutes, it is

Mark King that takes it. The score

is 1-1. Very long frame. 2015 was

the last time it Mark King be John

Higgins.

It was arduous. He did not

know who would win it at the end.

Mark was in the ascendancy but John

Higgins always fights back. In the

end it was the missed the blue, over

the top of the pink. It is difficult

to play a shot when you are...

He

put in some decent mid range reds.

This looks like it should go and

because it's the first knuckle. It

is a good shot. These are good pots.

What Mark King is known for and what

the top players not Mark King four,

he could make games scrappy. He is

very good at that. He is not known

as being a prolific scorer, winning

lots of things in one visit. It

could get to someone like John

Higgins.

That is not detrimental to

Mark King. It is not his game plan,

he does not go out to make it

scrappy, it is the style of play, he

is a fighter on the table. As it has

been said in the past, that he was

playing top jobs... You get lots of

dreams like that with Mark. He knows

the tactics of the game. He is not

the most prolific break-builder. He

can be scrappy so he knows how to

fight.

It is not a game plan, I will

miss up the table for my opponent.

It is how it unfolds. The shot when

he gets the red and should be on the

yellow, but gets himself into

trouble.

Positional sense of

something you can teach. Before you

get down to play the shot, you do

happen, I will pot of this and

properly be on the cover. You have

to ask what you're trying to

achieve. Some players are better

than others are doing that before

they get down.

Some players to play

hit and hopes. I should play a

specific shot, you can end up in no

man's land. It is incredible. He was

guilty of that with that shot.

Can

you eradicate that from your game?

You can. Players go into the

commentary box after many years

playing and can see the game in a

different way. It would be good if

perhaps players generally amongst

each other when they are still

competing in the game, if they have

a problem in that area, have one day

trying to analyse every positional

shot. Do not play the game but talk

amongst themselves. That could be

how players do it in the future,

have break building coaches. The gag

on my right, Stephen Hendry, would

not be a bad coach in that scenario.

-- the man on my right.

Marquette

King was desperate to get one frame

on the board. It is a bit of

desperation. You must always decide

the shot before you get down.

JOHN PARROTT: Interesting from the

boys in the studio. Sports

psychologists say it is better to be

decisive than correct. It is true.

Even if it is not the right shot, be

decisive. That was the shot I am

playing, and go ahead and do it.

Another mistake.

You do not see many of them from

John Higgins. He is rattled after

that last frame.

There was some noise from the

ground. -- from the crowd.

Couple of loose reds. The difference

between the two players is how they

go about break building. The boys

were talking about it in the studio.

Good pots. Bit straight on this

black.

The first black he potted, he

lost the cue ball pretty much

straight away. It was an angle that

was awkward. Now he is strictly off

angle so he is straight on the

black. Not really got this cue ball

this afternoon as yet.

He potted a good couple friends in

the last frame. He will need some

more here. -- good couple of reds.

Very good.

Nothing wrong with his mid range 14.

Very clean. Couple of loose reds.

Does not have to play into the pack.

FP has a natural angle he will be

tempted to play the pack. He has

decided to go into them now. It does

not look too bad.

He will settle for

that, John.

Get a nice angle on this black. This

is typical of Mark. He had allowed

angle and now has overscrewed it.

It

is loose. He leaves a half ball-on

the black. Goes into the back of the

pack, stays on the loose red. At the

moment he is fighting with the cue

ball. He is doing well. He is

keeping going but he is making it

hard for himself.

Difficult to judge whether he can

play through the gap. He had a look

to see a kicking pot that bread

coming through the gap vote getting

cannon. -- to see if he can pot that

bread.

To be a honest it was a struggle

from the first ball, that break.

We

can see dismissed red again. Going

into the pack off this must red.

That was poor. That was such a poor

shot from John Higgins. He did not

take the opportunity to hit that is

hard as he could, split the pack

with the cue ball.

It was worth taking a risk. The

position is going to be off it. We

have got all the reds and play. If

you land on blue, pink or any of the

baulk colours at it is a fantastic

chance.

He was a bit short with the cue ball

and he is not interested in the red

into the corner pocket, he will play

a safety shot. I did not spot the

plant. That was very fortunate and

it could have mark in lots of

trouble now.

You can have the best cue action and

play for hours and practice but you

cannot beat the lot. Look at how

that flicked on.

He can get intake behind the bottom

bed. -- even tight.

This is a possible escape off the

side cushion into the top cushion.

Try to nestle into the red. He has

to be very precise.

I don't blame him taking his time

but it is the only shot he has got.

UMPIRE: Falque and Ruiz. -- Phil and

a

UMPIRE: Foul and a miss.

There is a

red at the back. It is pottable into

the left centre.

There's a third time lucky? That

more like it. It was not

straightforward. Tricky shot into

the middle. He was only really going

to be left with this.

Let us look when Mark missed the

second time. Look with the cue ball

finished. The red at the bottom of

the four, at the pink spot. It does

go into left centre. He does not

leave much of the screws back for

the black. Did not even look at it.

Good call.

There is a good chance that Mark

will be adept in the tactical

department, he used to play hours

and hours of snooker practice with

Steve Davis. If you did not learn

anything if he had not been

watching. I can imagine a session

with Steve will be taxing on the

brain.

What you also forget about when you

play at this level of snooker, he

had a tough afternoon, John Higgins.

He had to play one of the

up-and-coming players. John Bostic

one month ago, 6-2. He would have

been geared up for yesterday. They

do not get much time before you are

back out again.

Mark King had that

wonderful win against Luca Purcell.

He has played well over the last

couple of seasons.

He had a tough enough match as well.

This match is not caught fire just

yet. Tactical play. The games have

become scrappy. I am sure it'll get

better, no about that.

At the moment it is tough match play

snooker from both players.

Nice mid-range chance for John in

takes.

Quickly if you reds for John that

unavailable to come down and play

on.

Just run a little bit too far, that

cue ball.

This is the red that John wanted to

get rid of because I am sure that

the pink pots in the same pocket.

That has turned out beautifully. It

was very nice. The pink now goes

back on its spot but opens up the

next red. That one shot has made it

a totally different frame. At first

I felt he would be hampered with

that but he pleaded beautifully to

get on the pink. Slightly hitting it

down, could not strike it any

better.

No need for John to be contemplating

the black at the minute, it is out

of play as it is. He can look at

these three Mac reds boss.

Then he will have some thinking to

do.

He has to be careful. The green is

slightly in the way every he the

side cushion. So much so he has

decided to go for blue instead. He

was wavy playing it off the cushion

back for the bank. -- pink.

Is there a gap?

Interesting to see

how he will go about this.

He will

try to get on the green, here.

I will just put down a little

circle. It begin get the cue ball

somewhere in that vicinity, this

bottom right-hand corner does not.

It is not like. It is the shot

before. Being so straight on the

blue gave him just one shot that he

could play to leave it in that

circle. He has got himself back into

the frame. He will not be happy that

he has let that can skim. -- let

that chance go.

He is just not completely filing in

all cylinders, John Higgins.

He has got to be snookered again.

Those two reds on the top cushion at

a big target.

Is there a gap between the blue and

pink? It looks like it is. Maybe

clip the right-hand side of the

straight and back up on the yellow.

I would not have played that shot,

that was strange.

Mark is 17 points behind.

It is just a clip of.

Busy trying to tempt John Higgins

into a double?

If he was hit was not having it.

Another hard-fought frame.

Mark can see this red to the

right-hand side on the top cushion

but you have to hit these properly.

Anything that here spells disaster.

That top-quality. He couldn't have

played that much better. He's got

the snooker as well as double about

as good a shot as he has played

tactically in the match, that she

shall. -- that's for sure.

Mind you, you've got to be up very

early in the morning to put one over

John Higgins. Got to be something

pretty special to trap him.

Another excellent shot from Mark,

though.

Yeah, not only did he get

the cue ball tight onto the cushion,

but he's brought that safe red which

was tight to the cushion behind the

black spot into play now - very

clever.

Yes, the last two shots have

been superb from Mark. He'll be

hoping for a bit of luck here are,

John, because he couldn't do much

else - that was the only shot he had

on. And he HASN'T got away with it.

This is a Chancellor Mark King. His

long potting has been pretty good so

far in this match. One good one

here... -- chance for Mark King.

You don't get many chances when

you're playing John Higgins, Ken,

and you've got to take those.

Yeah,

it was one of those, he didn't have

to hit it too hard - disappointed he

missed that chance.

He could play a little snooker

behind the black, but it would be a

very, very brave shot.

And just

thinking, if he plays it, he can

screw back to the baulk. He's having

a look at it now. He's got the angle

to play the pot, it is worth having

a go at if he has, because the other

two safeties aren't straightforward.

Well, that was sort of a semi quit,

if I'm being honest. He didn't

really get through that one,which is

unusual for John. So, once again,

another chance for Mark.

Good pot. The green was always over

the right centre. This next red is

the one that's close to the pocket.

Needs a good angle as well, doesn't

want to be too straight. He's OK.

Yeah, no excuse from here. This is a

great chance for 2-1. That's not the

best shot he's played.

Now, just play off this one, Mark,

up to the baulk end. Don't get too

fancy trying to stay on pink. Just

get up there and do yourself a easy

shot. Lost the cue ball... Betwixt

and between, isn't he? Should have

been either short on the blue or up

towards a baulk colour. I would have

been up towards about the colour

myself, try and make it easy.

He can

just drop the blue in and take the

yellow. He's been quite good from

the mid distance so far, but there's

extra pressure on this yellow.

Good pot. House here's cue ball?

Very good. -- how is his cue ball?

Should win the frame from here.

He may have given himself a little

palpitation. Didn't get off the last

red perfectly onto a colour, but it

looks like he's going to do it

eventually.

It's been a good

performance from Mark King over this

last couple of frames. He's dug in,

competed well in the safety

department, hasn't scored that well,

but when it's come down to some of

the pressure pots... As the pink

goes in! Mark King leads the former

UK Champion John Higgins by 2-1.

goes in! Mark King leads the former

UK Champion John Higgins by 2-1.

It's been a fascinating couple of

days, we've seen some of the big

names tumbling out at we're

wondering if another one is about to

go?

Well, such is the standard of

players generally. There's different

ways to skin that snooker. Even

though Mark King hasn't scored that

well, another player with perhaps

high outbreak building prowess might

be thinking, this is not so good,

but Mark is used to that style of

play, so therefore he doesn't beat

himself up when he loses position.

He just gets on with it, because

he's a bit more used to that

happening.

What is happening out

there for John, for you?

He's not

getting into much of a rhythm.

People say John is the best

all-round player of all-time but his

strength is break-building and

winning frames in visit. And he's

not been able to do that. A couple

of positional shots have let him

down, which you wouldn't expect from

John. I think Mark has put him a

little bit out of his comfort zone.

This is not going to make the best

of DVD?

Well, every match is

different and sometimes, the story

of a frame, it builds up to a

crescendo. John Higgins knows very

well but it is not how you start a

match, it's how you finish. He's got

plenty in the bank, he won't be

disappointed, just play every frame

as if it's the first.

JOHN PARROTT: At a really good point

Steve made about Mark's temperament.

He just forgets about what's gone

on, loses position, gets on with it

and plays the next shot. Wanting

he's always done his compete. There

are people with a more subtle cue

ball on the circuit than Mark,

that's for sure, but at the end of

the day, it's all about winning. And

he's done plenty of that recently.

Just to put that into context,

looking at the scoresheet so far,

Mark King has had one break over 30

- 37. And his leading 2-1. Mind you,

John's is only 41, which is very

unusual. Total points aren't exactly

massive, either. It's been a bit

scrappy. That's very unusual in-off.

REFEREE: Foul. Mark King, four.

APPLAUSE

Excellent pot. He's mid-range

stuff's been very good. OK, he

missed one in the last which he

probably should have got, but

there's been some really good ones.

And that is a better pot than it

looked. So, two crackers there.

KEN DOHERTY: He's left red to the

left centre. Doesn't have to do

anything with the cue ball, it's

going to be topside of the blue.

Well, he's played that completely

different than what I would have

expected. I thought he might have

just dropped it in.

JOHN PARROTT: That's mostly

controlled from John - what a lovely

shot. He'll be digging in here,

he'll be trying to win the frame in

one visit. To get normal service

resumed.

Well, that will pot up there, but

it's very... There is the split - it

didn't go how he wanted it.

Difficult to know where the cue ball

is going to finish off this one.

Trust to look a bit. Main thing of

course, can he knock the red in?

He

might be able to cannon the green

and stop the cue ball. And that is a

juicy bonus. What a result he's had

there. Would have been completely

out of position if it wasn't for

that kiss on the red.

Yeah, no need to go into the pack

there. That was a lovely little case

he had to go perfect on the blue.

Wow! -- kiss.

It's early days in this break, of

course, but whether reds are

positioned, John Higgins will be

loving the sight of these.

Yeah,

there's at least two reds just above

the black which will go into this

right-hand corner pocket.

That's opened a couple more reds.

He's got to be slightly careful with

this. Little cannon... Which he's

got. And that's made all the

difference. Once he got that one,

everything else was opened up. These

are lovely now. John will expect to

win the frame from here.

There's his target, 72, before his

opponent will need a snooker. So,

another five reds and colours.

He

would love to play the red in the

other corner, but of course,

hampered by the pack. So, up for the

blue. They really are lovely, these,

whichever way you look at them. For

him to at least get over the line,

that's for sure.

And it was a wonderful slice of

fortune, wasn't it? It was a good

pot, but have a look at this... Gets

a little kiss of the red, hits the

knuckle... Perfect.

If he had missed the red, John, I

don't think he would have come down

to make the black into the corner

pocket. He would have been out of

position. This is his highest break

so far.

With always save, when you

get a bit of good luck, make the

best of it, because you will have

plenty of bad during your career.

And we'll see if he can beat his

highest wake of the tournament so

far. Remarkably, only 80. It just

goes to show you, it's about

matchplay and winning. I wouldn't

mind having the highest break of 80

if I had about 46 of them!

It's

amazing, Neil Robertson lost the

other day, he's made eight centuries

in this tournament. He's at home

probably watching. John Higgins, in

the last 16, his highest break is

only 80.

Yes, I think Mark Williams, when he

won his first ranking event, his

highest break in the whole event was

only 79. It just shows you. As long

as you're making consistent 70s and

taking your chances, can still win

events.

That was frame ball, acknowledged by

the crowd. And Stephen Hendry in the

studio before this last frame, said

that John Higgins hasn't got his arm

going gets in which he hadn't - but

this will make him feel better. Got

into his rhythm. Oh, missed it! Was

trying to get the cannon there. John

Higgins won't be too bothered to. As

they go off to the mid-session

interval, it's John Higgins 2-2 Mark

King.

Yes, we're all square again. A

quick chat with the lads before we

talk about the other match taking

place this afternoon, between Graeme

Dott and Stephen Maguire. Where is

this one heading, Steve?

I think

probably capacity first and then

this one heading, Steve?

I think

probably capacity first and then get

back out for action. Everything to

play for, from Mark King 's

perspective, the first hurdle has

been done, he's playing a bit

better. The game hasn't really taken

off yet but the fireworks might

start in the second half.

John

Higgins was able to win the frame in

one visit, lysed cannons, most

stands around the pink and black -

it's what he's best at.

A one

session match is never as guaranteed

for one of the top seeds, even if

the lower ranked player is an

excellent player himself. It is

always a nervy start. You don't

always get off to a flyer. John

Higgins usually in a raises the

tempo, as it gets close to the end,

he starts honing in. That's probably

what's going to happen.

Also, given

the fact that we've seen so many big

names and top-ranked players going

out, he might be thinking to

himself, I don't want to be the

next?

It can make you a bit on edge,

knowing that so many seeds have gone

out of. It can affect you in terms

of, it's not going to be me. John

traditionally has always been very

funny about cues and tips,

everything. It may be that he's

still not 100% happy with the tip on

his cue, but that last frame will

make him feel a lot better.

Let's

bring you up to date with what's

happening on the other table Tameka

all Scotland a fair. Stephen Maguire

has been facing some tricky

questions.

What hubby would you get

into if time and money you weren't

an issue?

Something to do with a

boat so that I could just go out to

seam and not see anyone for days.

What job would you be terrible at?

An office job. Anything can happen.

What fad or trend do you hope comes

back?

Having a beer when you're

playing.

What is the luckiest thing

that has happened to you.

Meeting my

wife and having three kids.

What was

the best compliments you've

received?

None! I don't get any!

If

you had to change your name, what

would you change it to?

My mum gave

me this name, I wouldn't change it

for nothing.

What are you really

good at but embarrassed that you are

good at it?

I'm awesome at dancing

but I don't get embarrassed about

it.

If your childhood had a smell,

what would it be?

Smoke. It was

smoke back in the day in the snooker

room.

What's the most immature thing

that you do?

You will need to ask my

wife. I'm sure she can come up with

a few answers.

What would be your

spirit animal?

A tiger. Because

who's going to beat up a Tiger I'm

afraid what is the most annoying

habit that other people have?

Breathing on my hair! But other than

that...!

Well, we don't think the

beer coming back when playing is

going to happen sometime soon.

Stephen, this is the 11th match

between these two Scots, the first

in this tournament, interestingly.

And this year, Graeme is feeling

confident.

It felt really good to be

back, playing a match, being

introduced, even to step out there

again felt Willie good. It was nice

to show people that I can still

play. 2006, when I won the world

title, it was the slowest vinyl for

so many years, so I think people

just automatically think, slowest

vinyl, Graeme Dott, he must be slow.

I don't think I am. I think if I had

the cue ball control of Ronnie

O'Sullivan or John Higgins, I would

probably be quicker than them. But

my cue ball control is quite bad so

I am still relatively quick in

comparison with them! We're going to

join it in the second frame, with

Steve having won the first. And tree

from Dennis Taylor and Peter Ebdon.

Steve having won the first. And tree

from Dennis Taylor and Peter Ebdon.

DENNIS TAYLOR: Yeah, there was a bit

of pressure on that. It was just a

couple of shots ago when he got the

wrong side of the blue and he wanted

to be closer to that red, but at

least he hasn't left it on. But he

could be in trouble, you would feel.

Had to play it with a lot of side...

And this is a free ball. Unless the

white goes in.

REFEREE: Foul, and a miss, Stephen

Maguire, four.

DENNIS TAYLOR: I don't think it is a

free ball. So, Stephen will just

see... If the white was on the green

spot, who could he hit the red on

both sides hammered I don't think it

is a free ball. So, he's got

multiple choices here. He's having

it put back. He could have played

the shot himself and snookered him

again behind the green - and maybe

got a better snooker. And I do

believe Stephen Maguire would have

played the shot and put him in a

more difficult snooker.

REFEREE: Foul, and a miss, Stephen

Maguire, four.

PETER EBDON: Prior to that Miss

referee decided to hold onto the cue

ball - and I don't think Stephen

Kerr have played it from there!

One

of the top referees now. Nice to see

lots of ladies involved in our game.

All doing superb jobs. Taking the

pink as his free ball - that will

count as one point. So, he's still

going to need that difficult red.

He's got a good angle on the black

to drop down onto it. If he doesn't

drop nicely on it, he can still play

the snooker.

The black will put him 30 in front.

Was above 35 still on the table.

I mean, he doesn't HAVE to pot the

black. You could lay the snooker,

but that's not what he's doing.

Pushing the black near the cushion

as well. Graeme has had a couple of

goes at this escape. He needs a bit

more left-hand side. And this time,

well,... That was always a

possibility. Has he got the snooker?

I think he has! You can tell by that

smile on Stephen Maguire's face!

Well, Dennis, I think Stephen

Maguire missed a trick there. I

think he would have been much better

off potting the black and then

playing the snooker. Leaving the cue

ball behind the green. Under the

circumstances, he's played an

excellent safety shot there. Having

a wry smile to himself there,

Stephen Maguire. Graeme Dott will be

delighted at the moment, because

he's still in the frame. But perhaps

not after that shot.

As I mentioned, 23 in front. No

problem getting onto the blue from

this one. Blue or brown will be

enough.

So, with very good rakes of 57 and

72 Stephen Maguire leads Graeme Dott

by 2-0.

A very good start for

Stephen Maguire. That show you what

happened.

-- let's show you what

happened. Well played. That is an

excellent pot.

He would have preferred the green

that he is neither could on that, I

think. That shot means he has a

little further to travel to be on

that red near the blue. He has

played that well.

It is all about the four reds. Just

looking to see if that would go.

That would be a help.

It passes the other red, it is just

the black that is in no way. Not a

lot of room past the red. -- that is

in the way.

If he does not feel that that red

goes, he has an angle here to get a

cannon on to something with just to

open it up. He is coming round again

to make absolutely sure he can get

on that red. It is very tight.

The fact he was even looking at the

yellow means he is going to play

some sort of cannon. The green is

not easy to get into the reds from,

so it is the round. He shot coming

up. -- be brown.

The left hand red will go in one

quarter of it. -- corner pocket.

That is the one he has played for.

Not a bad shot. When he pops this,

it clear the path for another one.

That was pinpoint accuracy with the

brown.

All of a sudden he only has one read

that as a little bit awkward.

-- red.

That has pushed the other one

awkward as well.

He had to leave an angle this time.

You do not want to play needs with

too much pace. We have seen these

missed played at pace. Did not get

enough on it. We will have to watch

the white go all around the table.

If he is going to go on the last

red, he does not have to. He could

pot black and play the sneaker.

Here's quite aggressive, so he is

looking at the ankles. Would have to

come between the yellow and the

brown. -- the angles. If he was to

hit the ball Klein, he would come

right around the table. -- baulk

line. Near the green.

So, it is going to be a close finish

to this third frame. Just three

points the difference. He could

flick this and get down behind the

pink, but that is not

straightforward. He does not want to

push the red on for the left corner.

It would have to be a thin one to

send the red very far along the

cushion.

He will be fortunate. He got too

much side on that. Wanting to keep

the white up this end of the table.

That was a very uncharacteristic

mistake from Graeme Dott. He is

normally so reliable with that sort

of shot. He will be kicking himself

because he has had chances.

And that

makes a huge difference potting the

brown. It puts him two in front. He

just needs the yellow, green, brown

and blue. He won't need the tricky

pink. One good positional shot from

green to brown and it could quite

soon be 3-0.

That got a bit of a jump, a bit of

it kick. To get onto the pink, he

only needs the blue.

16 now the difference with 13 on the

table.

So, barring a snooker, it is three

in a row for Stephen Maguire.

Maguire did win that frame. A

blistering start by Stephen Maguire.

Graeme Dott pulled one back before

the mid-session interview. It is

3-1, live on the BBC red button, the

website and the app, where you can

choose which match to watch. Here on

BBC Two that we have John Higgins

taking on Mark King. Let's rejoin

our match commentators.

Yes, the

boys are ready, just behind the

screen. They are waiting for either

table to complete a break. Scoring a

few. They might have to show that

later.

You are wary of walking in,

particularly the guys in line of the

shot.

Loud applause.

No prize for

guessing. This match is nicely

poised after the interval. It is to

four frames. The first 26 for a

place in the quarterfinals. One of

those opening sessions is not great

for both players. John Higgins would

like to be in front, Mark King, his

highest break is only 37 and he 2-2.

There had been something in the

interval for both players. Not the

best break off for Mark King. Very

disappointed. He left a red to left

centre. Also read in the right-hand

corner pocket. -- also a red. This

is the last thing you wanted.

This is a surprise. Maybe it is a

trap he set John.

Not quite at it

today, John. The worst thing of that

myth is the Czech side on the cue

ball. Mark King, the left-hander is

absolutely plumb on the red. -- miss

is the check side.. A long pot in

mid range has been pretty good but

his cue ball control has not been

the best. It has been much better

recently but, today, it has not been

wonderful so far. He just needs to

make it easier for himself will stop

me know how good a player he is.

We

saw at the top of the show, on that

maximum break, and that call, just

missed the pink.

That is the shot

again. He will want to be a bit low.

He has done a couple of times in

this match already.

A typical

positional shot. It is a bread and

butter shot for the pros. The hours

he practises, he should not be

leaving big cue ball there. Gives

you less options more than anything.

-- the cue ball. A salvage situation

there. A good positional shot. He

has a lot of cue power. He can pull

back or run-through. He has a couple

of options here. Played that nicely.

It is important when he drops the

red in, he has an angle again.

He

could play an angle on the outside

right and play for the bottom one or

he could go into the pack. He could

leave at half ball, play a cannon up

pots the bottom red in the Triangle

and open more into play.

Once again, too hard.

Just a little. The shot you mention

is the cannon. Needed the cue ball

to get done a couple of inches. I

don't know where he could play the

cannon. The cue ball needs to go.

That is it. Four times he has come

straight on to the black. It has

cost him.

It is amazing, it really is. It is

so basic. We know what a fantastic

player and competitor he is. He is

laughing to himself or stop he

cannot get the half ball on the

black. -- laughing to himself.

Shock, horror, John Higgins plays a

good safety shot. Absolutely glued.

Both players are 90% at the minute.

Mark, we know, knows his way around

also.

I love his attitude. Most players

would be going back to the chair and

mumbling to themselves can kicking

themselves, not making a sizeable

contribution. He has little laugh

and joke to himself or stop it

relaxes him. He has not played the

best safety shot. Left the red into

the right centre.

He is helping to cover the red. I

think he just about brands. -- just

about has

think he just about brands. -- just

about has.

I am delighted to see the red go for

the top cushion. It was getting

perilously close to the corner. Just

a little drop on the red from John.

Covered the right-hand side with the

brown and the blue into the pack of

reds, so he can hit the left-hand

side. The problem he has is the red

near the top cushion is stopping the

natural angle into the baulk

carrier. If you take the single red,

you must hit it properly. So, here

we go. He has to avoid the cannon.

Which he has done very well indeed.

Attack of the table by John Higgins.

Why not? He has played some great

safety. John Higgins looking at a

possible plant.

Just the red between the two reds,

needs to knock it off line.

I wonder if it is worth taking a

chance.

That is what he was scared of. It is

not too bad but it is not the best.

Certainly very attacking safety. He

knew full well the reds would open.

In heritage to get a good cue ball.

He has not quite managed it. -- it

was imperative to get a good cue

ball. You think that Mark would not

continue if he does not he will

struggle.

What is putting him off,

the cue ball is going into other

reds. It is not a guarantee of being

on a colour. He has played it well.

Played it very well. If he could

just play it off the second red to

control the cue ball... He did it

very well indeed.

We keep saying when Mark King gets

these chances he must score. He is

2-2. 38 points in front in the next.

You really do have to take these

chances. That was a lovely cannon he

has played. A really nice shot. He

played a little stunned to force the

cue ball over to get the correct

cannon. -- stun. This is a great

chance.

Which, unfortunately, that black was

not very good. Needed to be much

higher with the cue ball. The red

the bottom of the three, he should

have been higher on that, to stand

down from the black. Then he must

stop to play cannons again. Just

basic stuff really. Mon of Mark's

capabilities. -- really for someone

of Mark's capabilities.

Not too bad.

He will need to pot the blue and

manoeuvre the cue ball in and out of

four. The fact the red has come over

the pocket has helped his case. --

baulk. The pink also pots. I would

be inclined to take the blue here.

Back cue ball needs to run.

Just all

the time putting more pressure on

himself with every shot will stop --

every shot. I know it is not

intentional is not trying to do it

do it. It is the way it is

happening. He needs to tightened the

cue ball up.

Excellent. Now you have the cue ball

perfect. No excuse from here.

He is certainly pulling out some

good pots. 58 ahead. So, not very

far from the winning line with this

frame.

He has a wry smile to himself or I

think he has gone a little bit far.

What he must do is make sure he has

the correct angle on the blue. The

reds are below the pink spot you

must be high on because the black

only pots in one corner. That is

just a little bit of thought.

So, now he is on a red that is more

difficult. He has put pressure on

himself when he should have been on

the simple one, just to come for the

black. He has managed to get it. He

will need the black to go 72 ahead,

67 remaining. Well played! He has

snickered himself on the red he was

trying to get on. Smiles to himself

again. But he is in a position where

his opponent needs a sneaker, so it

is not too bad. -- snooker. Should

have been well ahead from there that

he will be happy with the

contribution. Disappointed that he

did not get anything more.

One part of Mark's name that has

been firing on all cylinders is the

long game for the it has been very

good. One good pot should see the

frame definitely one. -- long game.

Not to be. Mind you, that is not too

bad, where he has finished.

Well, I said it was not too bad.

What a pot that was! Fabulous. There

are one or two players on the

circuit I would not want following

me when any one or two snookers, and

here's one of them. The red behind

the pink is lovely. It might not all

be over yet. John Higgins will be

trying to pot this black and take

the two loose reds and leave the red

behind the pink as the last one. Up

the table and put the cue ball

behind the pink.