0:00:34 > 0:00:42Good afternoon. If Walls could talk, these could tell a few stories from
0:00:42 > 0:00:47the Tyne & Wear. These structures have stood in this magnificent city
0:00:47 > 0:00:51since the 13th century, but it was a tale over there in the Barbican
0:00:51 > 0:00:56Centre that we were telling yesterday. The world number one and
0:00:56 > 0:00:59defending champion was beaten by a man who had never even won a match
0:00:59 > 0:01:07until he turned up here and played in the shadow of this wall. Winter
0:01:07 > 0:01:12is coming for Mark Selby a bit more quickly than he expected.
0:01:28 > 0:01:41The defending champion Mark Selby leads 2-0.All square at two frames
0:01:41 > 0:01:45each.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Scott Donaldson puts himself one frame away from causing quite an
0:02:02 > 0:02:04upset here.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22A brilliant performance from Scott Donaldson and he knocks at
0:02:22 > 0:02:22A brilliant performance from Scott Donaldson and he knocks at the
0:02:22 > 0:02:29defending champion. Scott Donaldson, a name now written into the history
0:02:29 > 0:02:35of this event. And we have lost the world number one Mark Selby and Ding
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Junhui has also gone, leaving the way in the bookmakers programmer
0:02:38 > 0:02:44might at least Ronnie O'Sullivan. He has been entertaining the crowds in
0:02:44 > 0:02:52this for 25 years. Check this out, you will be seeing him once again
0:02:52 > 0:02:53today.
0:03:09 > 0:03:15This young man is not a team yet. Stephen Hendry will shake his hand.
0:03:15 > 0:03:30A wonderful exhibition by this young man. -- 18.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43And with that 70 break Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the UK Championship
0:03:43 > 0:03:54for the second time. # I can see clearly now the rain has
0:03:54 > 0:03:59gone. # I can see all the obstacles in my
0:03:59 > 0:04:05way. # Gone are dark clouds, it is going
0:04:05 > 0:04:12to be a bright, sunshiny day.I will not take anything for granted. It is
0:04:12 > 0:04:16important I put a lot of effort in and I will try my best from the word
0:04:16 > 0:04:22go.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36He is UK champion for the fourth time.
0:04:36 > 0:04:43# I can see clearly now the rain has gone.
0:04:43 > 0:04:57Superb, absolutely superb! He is a genius!Yes, 1992 was the first time
0:04:57 > 0:05:03Ronnie O'Sullivan played in the UK Championship and 25 years later he
0:05:03 > 0:05:08is still play in the big crowds here in the Barbican Centre. His
0:05:08 > 0:05:15second-round match is coming up for you live this afternoon. He enjoyed
0:05:15 > 0:05:21a blistering start to the season with four finals and two more titles
0:05:21 > 0:05:27to add to his collection. He played and beat Michael Georgiou here a
0:05:27 > 0:05:32couple of months ago. The Cypriot aims to rewrite the script this
0:05:32 > 0:05:36time. Shaun Murphy has not changed his tune.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44He is still playing the aggressive game that has brought him silverware
0:05:44 > 0:05:54this season.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59And we will reflect on how the unflappable Scott Donaldson
0:05:59 > 0:06:07outplayed the world number one yesterday. In fact, we have got
0:06:07 > 0:06:11eight matches in total on the go this afternoon in the second stage
0:06:11 > 0:06:12of the championship.
0:06:21 > 0:06:37Luca Brecel won his big title of the season earlier on this year.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Ricky Walden is aiming to climb the ladder into the top 16.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00All that to look forward to and could it get any more perfect? We
0:07:00 > 0:07:06get to spend it in this excellent company. Is that not lovely? A lot
0:07:06 > 0:07:10to talk about on our first day of coverage yesterday. Notably Mark
0:07:10 > 0:07:16Selby. What was your perspective on the magnitude of the achievement for
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Scott Donaldson and how do you think Mark Selby will respond to that
0:07:20 > 0:07:27disappointment?He will be extremely disappointed. The Masters and the
0:07:27 > 0:07:31majors are the ones who are governed by. I think he will be in a state of
0:07:31 > 0:07:37shock more than anything. He had and 95% portrait which is only bettered
0:07:37 > 0:07:46by Robertson. He made three times to make 97%. It will be sore for him.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51For the lad who won he has to back it up in the next round. From his
0:07:51 > 0:07:56point of view he took a big scalp. They go there and they think, I have
0:07:56 > 0:08:01not got a chance of winning and they play freely. They are not thinking
0:08:01 > 0:08:05about winning the tournament.Does it change the complexion of the draw
0:08:05 > 0:08:11knowing that the world number one has gone?Absolutely. It perks up a
0:08:11 > 0:08:17lot of the other top seeds in the draw. The top half is wide open. And
0:08:17 > 0:08:25the number two seed, and Ding Junhui has gone. A lot of them will be
0:08:25 > 0:08:30saying one of the hardest men to play, Mark Selby, is out.What about
0:08:30 > 0:08:36the man who opposed you yesterday, Mark Robertson?You are commentating
0:08:36 > 0:08:43on that match. I thought Ken played fantastic yesterday. But the three
0:08:43 > 0:08:48frames where he was absolutely incredible, and you had no chance
0:08:48 > 0:08:55yesterday.Thankfully the chair was nice and comfortable. I was sitting
0:08:55 > 0:08:58back and admiring it. He looked to be back to his best and I have not
0:08:58 > 0:09:02seen him play that well for a long time and nobody has played as well
0:09:02 > 0:09:08as that against me for a long time. You could see he was confident. He
0:09:08 > 0:09:14looks like a peacock around the table and his queueing was great.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19Last season he looked around the table a bit too much and he was
0:09:19 > 0:09:26confusing himself, but if he keeps that up, he will be one to beat.The
0:09:26 > 0:09:30man who was playing for fun, Jimmy white, he was playing in the Garrard
0:09:30 > 0:09:34at the back. He was very frustrated about that. You have played him,
0:09:34 > 0:09:40what difference does it make to you? It makes a big difference. OK, Jimmy
0:09:40 > 0:09:45is way down in the rankings, but he is one of the biggest names in the
0:09:45 > 0:09:49game. Why not put him out here in front of that crowd? We do not know
0:09:49 > 0:09:54how long he will be playing, hopefully for a long time, BT has
0:09:54 > 0:09:57been a great ambassador. He has won this championship, he should have
0:09:57 > 0:10:05been out there.Nonetheless he went down. Let me remind you of some of
0:10:05 > 0:10:10the other results because it was an eventful day.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Only the top 16 in the world rankings will be invited to
0:10:24 > 0:10:32Alexandra Palace in the New Year. A word about ticket sales. In July and
0:10:32 > 0:10:37August this year's final of the UK Championship was sold out. It has
0:10:37 > 0:10:42been extraordinary that the public have given it so much support.It is
0:10:42 > 0:10:47wonderful to play here, they love the snooker here. Last year the
0:10:47 > 0:10:51final was one of the best matches I have ever seen. If it is like last
0:10:51 > 0:10:57year, we are in for a treat.Great atmosphere, great crowds and it is
0:10:57 > 0:11:03firmly established as the number one championship in the UK.We mentioned
0:11:03 > 0:11:07the rocket was in last year's final and many people expect him to be
0:11:07 > 0:11:13there in a week's time. However, there is a lot of work to do and as
0:11:13 > 0:11:22you know for Ronnie it is not all about business. What hobby would you
0:11:22 > 0:11:29get into if time and money were not an issue?Art. I just love art. I
0:11:29 > 0:11:33never thought I would, but a friend of mine is very good at art and he
0:11:33 > 0:11:38has brought me into the studio a few times and I try to have a go and I
0:11:38 > 0:11:43thought what an amazing feeling it is. Like snooker you can get lost in
0:11:43 > 0:11:50what you are doing.What is the most inane question that people ask you?
0:11:50 > 0:11:58When this your next tournament. Very annoying. Or can I have a selfie?As
0:11:58 > 0:12:05the only human left on Earth, what would you do?Celebrate. Yes, no
0:12:05 > 0:12:13humans! Beautiful planet.What do you hope your last words will be?
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Just be nice to each other, no more wars, just let's cuddle each other,
0:12:17 > 0:12:24be friends.What do people think is weird about you?Everything, I am
0:12:24 > 0:12:33just a weirdo.In your group of friends what role do you play?The
0:12:33 > 0:12:41feeder. I do like my food. We never go hungry in his firm.What would
0:12:41 > 0:12:47you be if it was a spirit animal? Are taught us, nice and slow, nice
0:12:47 > 0:12:52and relaxed, chilled out, just taking my time.What light do you
0:12:52 > 0:13:02tell most often?I am a very good snooker player.What was the best
0:13:02 > 0:13:15compliment you receive?You have got great biceps!I am here in the
0:13:15 > 0:13:19commentary box with Stephen Hendry and we will be talking you through
0:13:19 > 0:13:25the action. It is always a joy to commentate on Ronnie O'Sullivan.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30Yes, we are going to see snooker how it is meant to be played. We will
0:13:30 > 0:13:34see cue ball control, the right shot played at the right time. Although
0:13:34 > 0:13:37he is playing Michael Giorgione, and we expect Ronnie to win, he will
0:13:37 > 0:13:45give him respect.As one of the greatest break builders and someone
0:13:45 > 0:13:49who spearheaded break building, that is one of the strengths of your
0:13:49 > 0:13:53game, it must be a joy to watch Ronnie O'Sullivan do it. Does he
0:13:53 > 0:13:58ever surprise you with different shots you would not think of?He is
0:13:58 > 0:14:02one of the players you know what shot he is going to play. I know
0:14:02 > 0:14:06what he is planning two or three shots ahead and it is a joy to
0:14:06 > 0:14:12comment on. There is now an argument to say this is Ronnie's championship
0:14:12 > 0:14:16to lose with Mark Selby out. Tactical play was not your strong
0:14:16 > 0:14:22point. Does he ever surprise you? His tactical game is as good as
0:14:22 > 0:14:27anybody's. He really forces opponents to make mistakes.We are
0:14:27 > 0:14:32looking forward to the match. Stephen is commentating on break
0:14:32 > 0:14:35building and porting and I am doing tactics, which means I have got an
0:14:35 > 0:14:48easy day. Ronnie B Michael
0:14:57 > 0:15:01. He changed his nationality so he could compete for Cyprus. He says he
0:15:01 > 0:15:05is determined to develop the sport there in the coming years and aims
0:15:05 > 0:15:10to open Snooker Academy in coming years. Big ambitions today and in
0:15:10 > 0:15:15the future. We wish him well with all that. We welcome back the one
0:15:15 > 0:15:20and only Rob Walker.Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It is
0:15:20 > 0:15:26brilliant to be back here at the Barbican for the 2017 UK
0:15:26 > 0:15:33Championship. What an atmosphere in this very special arena. We are
0:15:33 > 0:15:44poised for a sensational session of snooker.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55Please welcome on table two, a player who has produced some of the
0:15:55 > 0:16:00best form of his season. Hoping to repeat his great run here 12 months
0:16:00 > 0:16:11ago, here comes Liam Highfield!
0:16:18 > 0:16:22And his opponent, a man who has once again underlined his status as one
0:16:22 > 0:16:26of the world's finest this season, making three big finals and winning
0:16:26 > 0:16:44the champion of champions. Sean the magician Murphy.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54On table one here comes a player making his third consecutive
0:16:54 > 0:16:59appearance in the second round of the UK championship, beating Alfie
0:16:59 > 0:17:03burden in a tense decider in the opening round. This is a huge day
0:17:03 > 0:17:16for the former world under 21 champion, Michael Georgiou.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31And finally, 24 years after first winning this title he is back once
0:17:31 > 0:17:37more and in superb form. This season he has already won the English Open
0:17:37 > 0:17:40and the Shanghai Masters, five times champion of the world, the rocket
0:17:40 > 0:17:51Ronnie O'Sullivan.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00It is all eyes on this match, table one right now. We will see the other
0:18:00 > 0:18:05match later, but it is also available on the BBC sport website,
0:18:05 > 0:18:10so you can watch it wherever you are this afternoon. I know that Stephen
0:18:10 > 0:18:13and Steve are more than happy to watch this from the comfort of the
0:18:13 > 0:18:13commentary box.
0:18:19 > 0:18:26Welcome to the Ronnie O'Sullivan show.Ronnie O'Sullivan to break.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32There is always huge expectation when Ronnie takes to the table. He
0:18:32 > 0:18:39did beat Michael last year in this event. I cannot remember if it was
0:18:39 > 0:18:456- 06- one, but obviously he is very comfortable.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53I have been informed it was 6-1.
0:19:30 > 0:19:39It was not the plan to put the red in the right corner pocket.This is
0:19:39 > 0:19:47tough because there is no real advantage. Forcing the cube or the
0:19:47 > 0:19:52table and by doing that he made it a lot harder. But he was forced to
0:19:52 > 0:19:56play it.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07In an exhibition you might be tempted to play at topspin banana
0:20:07 > 0:20:13shot. But I do not think that would be played in the UK Championship!
0:20:13 > 0:20:19Instead played to develop the black.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43It is the first frame and he has only scored eight.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56There are not many players in the game when you watch them from the
0:20:56 > 0:21:05commentary box who seem to settle down so much so quickly. You would
0:21:05 > 0:21:12not put it past Ronnie O'Sullivan to make a frame winning break, or a
0:21:12 > 0:21:20large century.Yes, the many strengths that Ronnie has is he is
0:21:20 > 0:21:24one of the best players in the world in the first frame and the last
0:21:24 > 0:21:30frame. He seems to play his best snooker. The first frame settles him
0:21:30 > 0:21:35straightaway and then he has the last frame to win the match.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54That was always going to be the problem with that shot going into
0:21:54 > 0:21:58the main bunch.Just a bit thicker on it than he wanted. A hardball
0:21:58 > 0:22:05collision.
0:22:10 > 0:22:20He made that look easy.
0:22:27 > 0:22:33Awful contact. It took all the spin of the cue ball.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57It was not Ronnie O'Sullivan's fault that break came to an end so soon.
0:23:46 > 0:23:56That cost Michael possibly the first frame. But it is such a pressure on
0:23:56 > 0:24:08these players, the long game. You never know, whenever you miss it
0:24:08 > 0:24:15could cost you the frame.Yes, both those shots were missed to the left
0:24:15 > 0:24:22of the pocket. No player likes to have a slice or a hook in the game.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37He is not quite on the black as he wanted. Has to do a bit more with
0:25:37 > 0:25:45the cue ball here. Perfectly played.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55There really is no one else in the game who has such good cue ball
0:25:55 > 0:25:59control. That is partly why he is so fast, he does not have to think.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09Also, Stephen, he has such a quick brain for working out his shots and
0:26:09 > 0:26:13that helps his rhythm. If you are a player who gets confused in
0:26:13 > 0:26:18positional play and you have to stop to work things out, that can destroy
0:26:18 > 0:26:20your rhythm easily.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31It is speeded up off the cushion.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43He hit that well.
0:27:00 > 0:27:07Well, a solid performance in the first frame.He definitely looks in
0:27:07 > 0:27:12the groove as he has indeed done all season. Let's have a look at his
0:27:12 > 0:27:26record. Four finals and converted two of them into victories.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Significantly the Shanghai Masters was his 30th world ranking title
0:27:30 > 0:27:37overtaking John Higgins and Steve Davis on 28. Only Stephen Hendry to
0:27:37 > 0:27:42beat on 36. Could he get there? Absolutely, particularly with the
0:27:42 > 0:27:47amount of ranking tournaments we have now. There is more variety. I
0:27:47 > 0:27:52know he does pick and choose, but he seems to have peaked over these last
0:27:52 > 0:27:56few weeks. He looked a bit jaded when he came back from China and in
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Northern Ireland he looked a bit tired, but this is a tournament he
0:28:00 > 0:28:05wants to play well in and I think he has his target on six UK
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Championships. I think that is what inspires him, these targets and
0:28:09 > 0:28:14records and he will be chasing Stephen Hendry's 36.Why would you
0:28:14 > 0:28:19not want to break all records? He already owns the Masters record that
0:28:19 > 0:28:23was previously owned by Stephen Hendry, that was his seventh title,
0:28:23 > 0:28:29and he seems to have that ambition and drive again.Yes, he has found
0:28:29 > 0:28:35it from somewhere. He loves the game. He always liked practising. So
0:28:35 > 0:28:42to have that longevity and we saw it in the VAT, when he was at 17, and
0:28:42 > 0:28:48to be playing at the standard that he is playing at, higher than
0:28:48 > 0:28:55everyone else, it is a phenomenal talent. People say we should enjoy
0:28:55 > 0:28:59him when he is playing because we will not see another one like him.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04Less enjoy. Let us enjoy.
0:29:14 > 0:29:21Michael Georgiou clearing away straightaway from the black.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Thinking negatively as a player against Ronnie O'Sullivan perhaps
0:29:24 > 0:29:30you would be a bit scared to leave that out in the open. But there is
0:29:30 > 0:29:36no way Michael is going to win without being positive today.
0:30:02 > 0:30:10A choice of reds into the left or right middle. If he misses it, it
0:30:10 > 0:30:14will be a shock to nothing. Pressure, really. -- shot to
0:30:14 > 0:30:21nothing.I think that is the thing with Ronnie these days. He is
0:30:21 > 0:30:25prepared to win with his big game and even his seagoing. A couple of
0:30:25 > 0:30:29times the performance meant more than the result. He's talking about
0:30:29 > 0:30:35targets and titles and it's all about the result now. He is prepared
0:30:35 > 0:30:41to scrap it to win ugly. Doesn't do that very often. But he is prepared
0:30:41 > 0:30:51to do it.Yes, I think there is a mind shift to be able to do that.
0:30:51 > 0:30:58And if you can get pride out of winning, as you say, ugly, enjoy the
0:30:58 > 0:31:02challenge when it's not a day which is fluent, you end up winning a
0:31:02 > 0:31:08match playing your beading. You go back to your hotel room and think I
0:31:08 > 0:31:12have been proud of that, I have done a workmanlike job instead of
0:31:12 > 0:31:18worrying about how it looked. It makes you an even stronger player.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Players in the past would think hopefully Ronnie will get
0:31:39 > 0:31:45frustrated. Those days don't come along any more.
0:31:49 > 0:31:58It's really hard to see what kind of game plan Michael should have today.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Perhaps even himself expects to lose this match. How do you go about
0:32:02 > 0:32:08playing it? Just enjoy it?The first thing is you have to play the ball
0:32:08 > 0:32:13is. Sometimes you don't get the shots to attack or sometimes you
0:32:13 > 0:32:16don't get to defend. It's just how the game unfolds, how the frame
0:32:16 > 0:32:24unfolds. Especially when you get a couple of reds at the bottom half of
0:32:24 > 0:32:29the table. You are obligated to play safety to the top fish and. No
0:32:29 > 0:32:32players really like this type of game but they are forced sometimes
0:32:32 > 0:32:41to do it.Yes, and whoever gets the first chance after this exchange, it
0:32:41 > 0:32:45would be a good one, because all of the reds have been moved.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11He was not playing to put the black say. If that was the plan, it was an
0:33:11 > 0:33:19awful plan. He was not planning to play negatively. You just overheated
0:33:19 > 0:33:29on the spot. -- he just overhit it on the spot.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Ronnie, not even looking at the red.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46I think he is prepared to wait it out. First mistake. I think that is
0:34:46 > 0:34:51a pretty big one.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Couldn't have done more damage from a safety shot if you had tried
0:34:56 > 0:35:02there, could you? I mean, it was a positive shot. He got the white
0:35:02 > 0:35:10where he wanted but must read where the reds were going to end up. --
0:35:10 > 0:35:20miss read.That was a nice little gap to find. The blue did not go to
0:35:20 > 0:35:26the left middle. He has found the gap. The first chance in these
0:35:26 > 0:35:31exchanges is normally a good one because the reds are everywhere.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Not the worst result.
0:35:47 > 0:35:53No. If he uses the brown as the black ball, to break build, the only
0:35:53 > 0:35:58difference is he won't be progressing points wise, as
0:35:58 > 0:36:06strongly. He will need more reds to get over the line.
0:36:49 > 0:36:55He is on the black if he wants, but... Does not leave the position
0:36:55 > 0:37:06to chance. Something he very rarely does.I feel like going into the
0:37:06 > 0:37:16pack off the blues is something which is strongly on his mind.If he
0:37:16 > 0:37:19is going to go into the red above the pink, as long as he does not hit
0:37:19 > 0:37:27it to the left side as we look at it, which is what he didn't do. He
0:37:27 > 0:37:34had to go on the right-hand side. He just overdid it.Got too much into
0:37:34 > 0:37:39the cue ball there. Not enough back spin to get on the far side. Ended
0:37:39 > 0:37:44up just getting a bit too far. A bit unlucky, though, to have got that
0:37:44 > 0:37:47result.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24Assuming the red does not go into the middle pocket, it does go into
0:38:24 > 0:38:34the corner. It wasn't particularly that much of a shot to nothing the
0:38:34 > 0:38:41way Michael Georgiou played it. Quite tight into the middle.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49I think the corner is much more desirable here.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08OK, Michael Georgiou is left with a long read into the green pocket. So
0:39:08 > 0:39:15far, on the long shots, he has missed to the left of the pocket.
0:39:23 > 0:39:31Hit it pretty well, to be fair. He did not hit it that hard.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55APPLAUSE
0:40:58 > 0:41:02That's something we are both jealous of, being able to pot balls like
0:41:02 > 0:41:08that. That is a scary shot.Not just the
0:41:08 > 0:41:12fact he hit it and got it in the pocket, but the control and the
0:41:12 > 0:41:18striking, left-handed. You get used to hitting the ball with your right
0:41:18 > 0:41:27hand but to do it with your left hand... I wonder if Eakin throw with
0:41:27 > 0:41:34his wrong hand? -- I wonder if he can throw with his left hand?
0:41:39 > 0:41:47Incredible. That is a skill to have in your armoury.Although, it has to
0:41:47 > 0:41:50be said, far more players now are starting their careers and
0:41:50 > 0:41:56practising left-handed, opposite handed.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Just hit the absolute perfect to read there.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17Still not got one red gone safe.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Played that last positional shot disregarding where the pink was
0:42:45 > 0:42:50because the pink is not so easy to get back, so getting the right side
0:42:50 > 0:42:57of the blue, two reds going to the right corner.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04One into the left.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18So far, as we said at the top of the show, it is the Ronnie O'Sullivan
0:43:18 > 0:43:22show, but not just a big breaks. Also considered safety play, as
0:43:22 > 0:43:29well. Being patient. And he has got his reward.Yes, Ronnie O'Sullivan I
0:43:29 > 0:43:38think has become almost, percentage rise, makes him sound defensive, but
0:43:38 > 0:43:43he does not feel the need to take risks. The opponents are under so
0:43:43 > 0:43:47much pressure before they even come to the table, there is no need. He
0:43:47 > 0:43:53just plays his game, forces opponents to make mistakes. Most
0:43:53 > 0:43:56players he plays are beaten before they even come to the table, it has
0:43:56 > 0:44:06to be said.Yes, that is a big problem for a player coming to play
0:44:06 > 0:44:08against Ronnie O'Sullivan although he didn't have it all his own way in
0:44:08 > 0:44:17the first round. He played Jackson page from Wales, who lost 6-3 in the
0:44:17 > 0:44:25end. Don't think Michael Georgiou will be coming back to the table so
0:44:25 > 0:44:30Ronnie O'Sullivan goes into an 2-0 lead.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39Ronnie, 2-0. His opponent Michael Georgiou yet to score a point.
0:45:39 > 0:45:46Looking at his body language, he does not look full of confidence you
0:45:46 > 0:45:50would have to say, but you can't blame him. He has had the toughest
0:45:50 > 0:45:56draw you can get.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04He needs to get some feeling back in his cue arm because, at the moment,
0:46:04 > 0:46:10it must feel really tight. Once again, he is going to be left with a
0:46:10 > 0:46:20long red. The red on the black question makes it comfortable to get
0:46:20 > 0:46:29the cube will back up to the baulk end. -- cue ball.
0:46:36 > 0:46:45That will make him feel a bit better. His first long pot. Now
0:46:45 > 0:46:50needs to get the cue ball as tight in the baulk cushion as possible.
0:47:42 > 0:47:49Mis-hit that one. Quite a long way out there with the safety.He very
0:47:49 > 0:47:55rarely plays a safety shot. He's always trying to manoeuvre angles,
0:47:55 > 0:48:05similar to the way Alex Higgins used to play.It is the type of shot you
0:48:05 > 0:48:10feel like you are going to take on, really, but you don't want to. It
0:48:10 > 0:48:16looks like Ronnie O'Sullivan has got away with that. Would you have gone
0:48:16 > 0:48:21for that read? It did not look good, the angle. When your opponent makes
0:48:21 > 0:48:37a mistake these days, you want to try £2. -- to pounce.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04Again, that target behind green and brown, looking for the cue ball,
0:49:04 > 0:49:11just having to look. Looking to see if there's any plans but if he plays
0:49:11 > 0:49:16a safety, will he knock a red over the safety pocket?It does look to
0:49:16 > 0:49:21be some sort of plant on their into the right corner.
0:49:28 > 0:49:38Hit that pretty poorly, as well.Far too thick. That plant is on. A
0:49:38 > 0:49:47stupid four ball plant looks possible. Four balls in a line.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50Not now.
0:49:54 > 0:50:02Has that red poked its snows out? No. -- it's nose out first
0:50:07 > 0:50:14this is dangerous.He has got to get this right.
0:50:22 > 0:50:28Well, it looked like he got the right line there but the vast leap
0:50:28 > 0:50:31overhit the shot. Whether that was a big cushion bounce or just a bit of
0:50:31 > 0:50:37tension in the arm. It's not looking that good for Michael Georgiou at
0:50:37 > 0:50:43the moment. Nowhere near settling down in this match.
0:51:48 > 0:51:53I suppose the only thing Ronnie O'Sullivan has got to guard against
0:51:53 > 0:51:58today is his complacency. Not being put under any pressure, sometimes
0:51:58 > 0:52:04your concentration can be affected. But he still looks very focused. And
0:52:04 > 0:52:08I think that is something he does better than most top players. Even
0:52:08 > 0:52:13when he is playing he is expected to beat easily, he still looks focused
0:52:13 > 0:52:16in the job.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32It's always nice to have things your own way, have the table to yourself,
0:52:32 > 0:52:39dominate things. Ronnie O'Sullivan, as a great champion, also has the
0:52:39 > 0:52:43ability to be a great bully.
0:53:07 > 0:53:19A choice of three red is going to the left corner. -- reds. No need to
0:53:19 > 0:53:23get the black.
0:53:27 > 0:53:36Is not easy to continue this break for a while. Bit of resolving to be
0:53:36 > 0:53:43done. Quite a clever shopper there to get on the pink -- clever shot.
0:53:43 > 0:53:52Could disturb a few reds. Struck that nicely. Perhaps too nicely?I
0:53:52 > 0:53:59enjoy watching these breaks. He has got to work everything out. All the
0:53:59 > 0:54:10red block each other.This is where he makes it so easy. And also he has
0:54:10 > 0:54:14great touch. You find he very rarely gets the wrong side of the ball.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17That is his strength.
0:55:34 > 0:55:39Used every bit of the pocket there. I thought for a minute there was a
0:55:39 > 0:55:45possibility that was going to miss. That is not right. Very wide on that
0:55:45 > 0:55:50pink. Still expect him to get it.
0:56:12 > 0:56:27Michael Georgiou concedes. It's been pretty easy so far. 3-0. I thought
0:56:27 > 0:56:30possibly... HAZEL IRVINE: I thought was going to
0:56:30 > 0:56:34finish that thought. Your thoughts on what we have seen so far.It's
0:56:34 > 0:56:40produced and forward. Yes, it's hard for Michael Georgiou. You are
0:56:40 > 0:56:41produced and forward. Yes, it's hard for Michael Georgiou. You are
0:56:41 > 0:56:43playing in front of the cameras. It's a bit different playing there
0:56:43 > 0:56:52as opposed to at home. There's so much pressure as Stephen Hendry said
0:56:52 > 0:56:56commentary. Every long ball, safety shot, there's so much pressure on
0:56:56 > 0:57:01you and he is not settled down. It's very easy for Ronnie O'Sullivan at
0:57:01 > 0:57:05the moment.Is there a degree of rising panic in this situation
0:57:05 > 0:57:08because you don't want to let yourself down and you want to show
0:57:08 > 0:57:13what you have got because he's very serious about his profession.I
0:57:13 > 0:57:16remember last year, when he played in the tournament, he said he was
0:57:16 > 0:57:21intimidated. But also he said you sit in the chair and you are
0:57:21 > 0:57:25watching and thinking, how good is he? You forget what you are supposed
0:57:25 > 0:57:30to be doing which is going to work. Looks like it's happening exactly
0:57:30 > 0:57:34the same today. He has not settled down at all. I don't blame him for
0:57:34 > 0:57:40going out and composing his thoughts about.225-1 is the score the
0:57:40 > 0:57:46moment. It was about 400 odd points Neal Robertson scored against you.
0:57:46 > 0:57:53Thanks for that.I merely mention because that's what players feel
0:57:53 > 0:57:59when that happens.I met in this morning. I said good luck today. I
0:57:59 > 0:58:03told him to go and enjoy it. You have to enjoy it and sometimes, even
0:58:03 > 0:58:07if the other guys playing so well, you have to wait your chance but
0:58:07 > 0:58:12enjoyed the whole scenario. There's not many chances are playing one of
0:58:12 > 0:58:15the best players who has ever played the game and you have to enjoy those
0:58:15 > 0:58:19moments but when your chance comes along, you have to take it and
0:58:19 > 0:58:24compose yourself and, at the moment, he's not getting any chances.The
0:58:24 > 0:58:28longer it goes on it gets magnified. That's a problem he's got. In a
0:58:28 > 0:58:32perfect situation he would have got a dolly chance in the first frame.
0:58:32 > 0:58:40It's not happened. Now it is 2-0, 3-0, getting worse and he feels like
0:58:40 > 0:58:44he is in quicksand so we've got to school the next one. If it goes to
0:58:44 > 0:58:474-0, it is all over.It's unfortunate because Michael has
0:58:47 > 0:58:51worked so hard to get himself on the tour. He fell off it last year. He
0:58:51 > 0:58:56came through the cue School, qualifying school, really tough way
0:58:56 > 0:59:04to come through.It shows his confidence and composure. He has the
0:59:04 > 0:59:09game to upset and has got a few good results so far this season. But this
0:59:09 > 0:59:14is a different kettle of fish.It's a different game that's for sure.
0:59:14 > 0:59:16Steve, you were saying?
0:59:23 > 0:59:32I can't remember what I was going to say. It was so long ago. He could
0:59:32 > 0:59:44have got his cue arm going and potted a view. -- a view. -- a few.
0:59:44 > 0:59:50That is a knife wound to Michael Georgiou.
1:00:15 > 1:00:24A possible red to left middle.It was a great attempt to make
1:00:24 > 1:00:27something happen off quite a tight pack.
1:00:40 > 1:00:47He had a little look. I do not think he has left a read.If he has, it is
1:00:47 > 1:00:52a tactical mistake. He has played it as a shot to nothing.
1:00:58 > 1:01:09Every bit a stalemate. He does not want to be tip tapping around, but
1:01:09 > 1:01:16there is no alternative. Ronnie O'Sullivan is very clever at
1:01:16 > 1:01:28stopping stalemates usually. He works out some clever shots.
1:01:29 > 1:01:37He could send the cue ball down into the jaws of the yellow pocket.
1:01:37 > 1:01:45Spotted a nice place on the cushion that does no damage whatsoever. That
1:01:45 > 1:01:47is the end of the stalemate.
1:02:17 > 1:02:30Oh, my goodness! A marvellous pot. OK, he is not perfectly on the
1:02:30 > 1:02:35black, but you would expect him to cut this back. He has had most of
1:02:35 > 1:02:41the table time today. Nope. First mistake. Has he left anything easy
1:02:41 > 1:02:44for Michael Georgiou?
1:02:49 > 1:02:54He has got a read to the far left corner, but it is not the easiest
1:02:54 > 1:02:55opportunity.
1:02:59 > 1:03:09Well done. But the problems have not ended. He has to get the cue ball
1:03:09 > 1:03:15out from that pocket.
1:03:28 > 1:03:33He perhaps caught it a fraction V or did not hit it hard enough. I think
1:03:33 > 1:03:43your choice of short, a half of all black, was the better option. That
1:03:43 > 1:03:46shot would not have relied on perfect weight.
1:03:49 > 1:04:12Good shot. But the problems do not stop. Awkward cueing.
1:04:13 > 1:04:16One good pot with the green and he has got a decent opportunity in this
1:04:16 > 1:04:17fourth frame.
1:04:23 > 1:04:27But he is just under so much pressure every time he comes to the
1:04:27 > 1:04:39table. He is just a bit overawed out there.That was a long way out. He
1:04:39 > 1:04:43got some left-hand spin on the ball and pushed the cue ball into the
1:04:43 > 1:04:53green. He did not play that one correctly. But still a chance of the
1:04:53 > 1:04:57black similar to the one he had angle wise before.
1:05:13 > 1:05:18That is another black of its spot. When Michael comes to the table he
1:05:18 > 1:05:24is entitled to think he might have an easy read to start with.But you
1:05:24 > 1:05:28make your own problems because that shot when the black was over the
1:05:28 > 1:05:32pocket, going into the reds was a more positive way of going about it,
1:05:32 > 1:05:40opening it up, trying to make something work.Yes, the balls do
1:05:40 > 1:05:44not forgive you if you do not play the right shot.
1:06:39 > 1:06:44Ken told him to just go out and enjoy it. I do not think he is
1:06:44 > 1:06:50enjoying it, Michael Georgiou.You cannot enjoy it if you are not doing
1:06:50 > 1:06:55yourself justice out on the table. It is an awful feeling. As you
1:06:55 > 1:07:03mentioned earlier, Stephen, about the different Ronnie O'Sullivan we
1:07:03 > 1:07:07CDs days. In the past it has been about his performance and not
1:07:07 > 1:07:13getting over the line and winning. Sometimes in a match like this,
1:07:13 > 1:07:17missing two blacks off the spot, he would have beaten himself up. He
1:07:17 > 1:07:24does not do that now.It goes straight out of his mind and it is
1:07:24 > 1:07:27about the result.
1:07:41 > 1:07:45This match has long gone as a contest.
1:08:00 > 1:08:04Currently this is a bread-and-butter performance for Ronnie O'Sullivan,
1:08:04 > 1:08:11to be as clinical as possible and get into the next round. Save the
1:08:11 > 1:08:14major accolades for the latter rounds. It is all about getting into
1:08:14 > 1:08:17the final and enjoying the final.
1:08:25 > 1:08:29In the commentary box Stephen is laughing at me about that last
1:08:29 > 1:08:38remark. But surely it is all about getting into the final?At the top
1:08:38 > 1:08:42of the show we talked about the big shock yesterday, Mark Selby.
1:08:50 > 1:08:54Ronnie O'Sullivan was one of the only people who could have beaten
1:08:54 > 1:09:00him will stop so now he is one of the favourites to win the Champion.
1:09:00 > 1:09:04We have seen a few balls recently where he hit the near jaw and it
1:09:04 > 1:09:10dropped in. People will say the pockets are playing too easy. With
1:09:10 > 1:09:13that particular one Ronnie expected it to drop.
1:09:19 > 1:09:30He tried to shift those two reds away from the black.
1:09:35 > 1:09:39The vast majority of shots Michael Georgiou has missed today I missed
1:09:39 > 1:09:46to the left of the pocket. He will know that as much as we can see in
1:09:46 > 1:09:51the commentary box. Somehow he is inadvertently putting side spin on
1:09:51 > 1:09:56the cue ball going across the face from the middle when he hits the
1:09:56 > 1:09:58ball.
1:10:04 > 1:10:08His right hand on the cue, he is gripping it so tightly, his cue
1:10:08 > 1:10:15action is not flowing. It does not get through the ball. It is due to
1:10:15 > 1:10:19the fact he is out of his comfort zone out there unfortunately.
1:11:11 > 1:11:17That is what I was talking about earlier. Guarding against losing
1:11:17 > 1:11:21concentration because things are too easy. That is Ronnie's biggest enemy
1:11:21 > 1:11:27today.
1:11:31 > 1:11:36I did not expect Ronnie O'Sullivan to lose his grip on forging ahead,
1:11:36 > 1:11:43but he has left a door ajar for Michael Georgiou. But you get the
1:11:43 > 1:11:46feeling it is not going to happen for him.
1:12:06 > 1:12:08That was a tough shot.
1:12:13 > 1:12:19He had to play that slowly otherwise it would have gone into another area
1:12:19 > 1:12:26of the table. That is a great safety shot from Ronnie O'Sullivan.
1:12:37 > 1:12:52He made it look very easy.He is in trouble here as well. Two cushions.
1:12:52 > 1:12:56He has got to get this right. The pace and the line have to be
1:12:56 > 1:13:04perfect. You cannot argue with that. He could, however, be in some
1:13:04 > 1:13:06trouble now.
1:13:26 > 1:13:31He has got to try and keep the ball safe as well, so if he does choose
1:13:31 > 1:13:36to go across the table, what he is hoping for is not a full-ball
1:13:36 > 1:13:44contact. Does he decide to try and hit one side of the red or the other
1:13:44 > 1:13:51or does he trusts to a bit of luck.
1:13:57 > 1:14:05REFEREE: File and a miss.Not the right amount of side spin.
1:14:27 > 1:14:32He cannot afford to miss the game, otherwise he will require snookers.
1:15:53 > 1:15:58It is nothing to do with the cue ball. Just make sure you pop the red
1:15:58 > 1:16:03because you will automatically be on the pink.
1:16:09 > 1:16:11I beg your pardon, he needs two blacks.
1:16:29 > 1:16:40Getting on the yellow would not be a bad thing.Good and bad. But he will
1:16:40 > 1:16:45be more interested in getting another black off this red. Sorry to
1:16:45 > 1:16:51keep on going on about it, Michael, he missed to the left of the pocket.
1:16:51 > 1:16:54You can tell yourself that is unlucky, but you should not have
1:16:54 > 1:17:01been missing the red in the first place.
1:17:23 > 1:17:29Well, that is the end of the frame. Ronnie O'Sullivan will be going into
1:17:29 > 1:17:37a 4-0 lead and looking very comfortable. There is the
1:17:37 > 1:17:41concession. 4-0, Ronnie O'Sullivan.
1:17:46 > 1:17:51A bit of inaccuracy from both men. Steve made a good point, it must be
1:17:51 > 1:17:55difficult when as a contest it seems to be over but you still have to go
1:17:55 > 1:18:02out there and do the professional job.He is not really getting any
1:18:02 > 1:18:05opposition at the moment. Michael is a very competent match player, but
1:18:05 > 1:18:10he is not showing up at all today. From Ronnie's point of view he just
1:18:10 > 1:18:14needs to keep doing what he is doing. Michael needs to get some
1:18:14 > 1:18:20sort of foothold. To be 4-0 down to Ronnie O'Sullivan makes it look as
1:18:20 > 1:18:25if it is all over.On the outside tables there has been all sorts of
1:18:25 > 1:18:30excitement. Michael King is very close to being a maximum man here,
1:18:30 > 1:18:37but he missed. On the outside tables we have got eight matches going on.
1:18:37 > 1:18:42That would have been a £15,000 bonus.What they call a Christmas
1:18:42 > 1:18:52present.Even out in the so-called garage the pressures come on. What
1:18:52 > 1:18:59is the pre-eminent moment in your spot to get the maximum?I managed
1:18:59 > 1:19:04to do it once, but I am more famous for missing the black for the
1:19:04 > 1:19:10maximum. It is a nice feather in his cap. Unfortunately for Mark, missing
1:19:10 > 1:19:13the pain, he will be horrified at missing out on a nice Christmas
1:19:13 > 1:19:20present. But Mike King is doing very well. He is totally rejuvenated. 20
1:19:20 > 1:19:24odd years as a professional, so it is great to see him back and playing
1:19:24 > 1:19:30so well.Who knows? We might get the maximum. Ryan Day missed on the
1:19:30 > 1:19:36green. It looks like we might be building up to one. We have had a
1:19:36 > 1:19:42few events here in the past few days. Ding Junhui, the second seed
1:19:42 > 1:19:50and the world number three who departed. Ali Carter was ranked in
1:19:50 > 1:19:55the top 16 as well and he went out. But yesterday, the world number one
1:19:55 > 1:19:58Mark Selby departed the scene and it was all down to a man called
1:19:58 > 1:20:07Donaldson.Scott Donaldson gets it under way.
1:20:17 > 1:20:28The defending champion Mark Selby leads 2-0.All square at two frames
1:20:28 > 1:20:31each.
1:20:48 > 1:20:52Scott Donaldson puts himself just one frame away from causing quite an
1:20:52 > 1:21:02upset.
1:21:07 > 1:21:10A brilliant performance from Scott Donaldson and he knocks out the
1:21:10 > 1:21:11defending champion.
1:21:14 > 1:21:21And here is the man of the hour. Congratulations. How have the last
1:21:21 > 1:21:2524 hours been? What has the reaction been like?I had a lot of messages,
1:21:25 > 1:21:30but I am not going to get carried away. It does not matter who you
1:21:30 > 1:21:36beat, it is just another win. Delighted to get through.You were
1:21:36 > 1:21:41very calm and measured yesterday considering you had been 2-0 down
1:21:41 > 1:21:45and you came back. You took the chances so well. That is what
1:21:45 > 1:21:49everyone was saying. You were given a few chances, but you catch
1:21:49 > 1:21:56yourself together. How did you do that?I can't tell you. It is a
1:21:56 > 1:22:02strange game at times, as you know. Some days you cannot pot of all and
1:22:02 > 1:22:06luckily for me yesterday they all went in. On another day I could have
1:22:06 > 1:22:11missed them all. I cannot really get an answer to that but I am happy to
1:22:11 > 1:22:15be able to take my chances and get through to the next round.It is a
1:22:15 > 1:22:19great confidence booster as well. You have beaten the world number one
1:22:19 > 1:22:26on TV. You have been working hard, but it is great to get. This is what
1:22:26 > 1:22:32your season needed, a kick-start?It is also good to get a decent couple
1:22:32 > 1:22:39of wins in a bid to match like this. That is pleasing. But I have been
1:22:39 > 1:22:44disappointed in my form in the last few months, so I changed stuff on my
1:22:44 > 1:22:50cue and did nefarious things.You did hit not rock bottom, but you did
1:22:50 > 1:22:57tweet something I am not sure if you remember. If anybody is walking and
1:22:57 > 1:23:01they see my game are lying on the floor, could they please hand it
1:23:01 > 1:23:07back to me as soon as possible?That was only last week in Belfast. I was
1:23:07 > 1:23:11so low. It shows you how things can change in a couple of days. Never
1:23:11 > 1:23:21give up.Is there any one thing or did it just start flowing?Maybe
1:23:21 > 1:23:26because I tweeted that it may be a bit annoyed and angry.When I saw it
1:23:26 > 1:23:31I laughed because I could relate to it. I'm sure all of us can relate to
1:23:31 > 1:23:35it. Sometimes the game leaves you and you do not know why and you are
1:23:35 > 1:23:39still working hard and practising. But you need the confidence. It is
1:23:39 > 1:23:45like a vicious circle. You are trying to get on that roundabout.
1:23:45 > 1:23:50Hopefully this will be the kick-start for him.We talked about
1:23:50 > 1:23:53the impact it will have amongst the other players, the departure of Mark
1:23:53 > 1:23:59Selby. From what you have said what has been the reaction of the other
1:23:59 > 1:24:07players?In terms of?Are they slapping you on the back?I have
1:24:07 > 1:24:13definitely had a lot of congratulations but I do not really
1:24:13 > 1:24:17take much notice of that. I do not care if people say it is good or
1:24:17 > 1:24:25bad. I am just staying in my own head and giving myself calm and
1:24:25 > 1:24:32keeping myself calm.That is very wise because you now have a match
1:24:32 > 1:24:36against Lee Hann of China who has gone pretty far in a couple of
1:24:36 > 1:24:41events. In the semifinals of the China championship. But your record
1:24:41 > 1:24:47against him is good.Yes, I have beaten him twice. He is a great
1:24:47 > 1:24:54player, I have watched him a couple of times and he scores heavily.At
1:24:54 > 1:25:01hard part now is after climbing Everest against the number one it is
1:25:01 > 1:25:06to come down to earth. That is the right attitude. Forget about that
1:25:06 > 1:25:08much, it has gone, just think about this match and recreate all the
1:25:08 > 1:25:14great moments from yesterday.It is like in Wimbledon sometimes you see
1:25:14 > 1:25:18somebody beating Federer Rafael Nadal in the first round and then
1:25:18 > 1:25:25you never see that guy again.That is a very excellent way to thing.
1:25:25 > 1:25:32Well done again. You have created a lot of headlines. 12 years ago a
1:25:32 > 1:25:35young Shaun Murphy created a lot of headlines as well. He was only 22
1:25:35 > 1:25:41when he turned up at the Crucible and won the World Championship. He
1:25:41 > 1:25:45was only the second ever qualifier to do so. Since then he has gone on
1:25:45 > 1:25:49to become one of the greats of the game and has won all of the major
1:25:49 > 1:26:00titles and this season he is proving he is in very good nick.Shaun
1:26:00 > 1:26:09Murphy was born on the 10th of August 1982.His nickname is the
1:26:09 > 1:26:16magician. At the age of 13 he secured a £5,000 a year sponsorship.
1:26:16 > 1:26:23In 2000 he received the world Snooker newcomer of the year.Sean
1:26:23 > 1:26:27is a keen pianist and talented golfer who occasionally hit a subpar
1:26:27 > 1:26:35round.His first title was the 2005 World Championship beating Matthew
1:26:35 > 1:26:39Stevens in the final.As well as winning at the Crucible he has taken
1:26:39 > 1:26:44the Masters and the UK Championship titles.He has been ranked in the
1:26:44 > 1:26:52top eight in the world in the past 12 years.He donates £100 for every
1:26:52 > 1:26:57century to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.He has won more
1:26:57 > 1:27:06than £3 million in prize money.And that adds up to a whole lot of good
1:27:06 > 1:27:11snooker. This fellow has been playing good snooker as well,
1:27:11 > 1:27:1227-year-old Liam Highfield.
1:27:21 > 1:27:26He comes from Stoke and when he is not putting in the hours on the
1:27:26 > 1:27:30practice table, he is putting in the miles on the roads because he is a
1:27:30 > 1:27:35very keen long-distance runner and a half marathon bag as well. We picked
1:27:35 > 1:27:43this one up in frame two. Murphy has taken a 1-0 lead. Your commentary is
1:27:43 > 1:27:45from Peter Ebdon and Dennis Taylor.
1:28:01 > 1:28:12Not ideally on a colour.
1:28:15 > 1:28:20That is a good pot. It is never easy when you are digging down into the
1:28:20 > 1:28:26cue ball. He played that with a touch on the right-hand side as well
1:28:26 > 1:28:31which made it even more difficult. A good pot in the circumstances.
1:28:45 > 1:28:49Can he get on the red in the right corner? Yes, he can.
1:28:54 > 1:29:02It clears the path for the black into the same pocket. Let's see if
1:29:02 > 1:29:05he can knock in the reasonable break.
1:29:21 > 1:29:27Is that aggressive enough for you, Dennis?It was the order of the day.
1:29:27 > 1:29:30He has given himself an excellent opportunity now.
1:29:34 > 1:29:39You could not have the red sitting much better than this. It was the
1:29:39 > 1:29:44shock off the black that opened them up.
1:29:52 > 1:29:56But that cue action, even amongst the balls, he pulled the cue back
1:29:56 > 1:30:03quite a long way. It is just his natural way of playing. We keep
1:30:03 > 1:30:07talking about the Rolls-Royce cue action that he has. Sometimes when
1:30:07 > 1:30:14you are in close control, it can be a bit of a disadvantage.
1:30:19 > 1:30:24That's the key to this game of snooker.
1:30:53 > 1:30:57Very well controlled.
1:31:04 > 1:31:09When he's in full flow, he really is a beautiful player to watch. He
1:31:09 > 1:31:14times the ball so well. I remember when he beat Neal Robertson in the
1:31:14 > 1:31:20final of the Masters, Dennis, a while ago. I think it was as well as
1:31:20 > 1:31:23I had ever seen anybody time the ball. He cued so well in that
1:31:23 > 1:31:30tournament. When he won his world title, against Matthew Stevens, he
1:31:30 > 1:31:36came from behind. Absolutely incredible how he played. I remember
1:31:36 > 1:31:40travelling down on the coach with a lot of the Welsh supporters and they
1:31:40 > 1:31:45thought he was going to be world champion but Sean had other ideas.
1:31:45 > 1:31:55Talk about break buildings, he's made 438 centuries in his career.
1:31:55 > 1:32:02Well, he will have two pot a long blue. A trademark of Shaun Murphy.
1:32:02 > 1:32:06He is not safe, so there is a bit of pressure on this. Lets see if it
1:32:06 > 1:32:14goes right into the heart of the pocket. No. So even with that cue
1:32:14 > 1:32:18action, when you know the importance of the shot, even the great players
1:32:18 > 1:32:21can miss.
1:32:26 > 1:32:32Well, the chance is there for Liam. He had an opening frame chance even
1:32:32 > 1:32:37though he was behind. What can he make of this opportunity?
1:32:40 > 1:32:48Big pressure. On Liam Highfield. He knows the importance of this visit.
1:32:48 > 1:32:56He would love to get a foothold in this match. And draw level.
1:33:05 > 1:33:11The pink is on the right-hand side of the table for him, as well, being
1:33:11 > 1:33:15a left-hander, so the balls are there for him. It's just about
1:33:15 > 1:33:19keeping himself together now.
1:33:46 > 1:33:50Any harder, that would have stayed out.
1:34:00 > 1:34:05He will have two come up for the blue here. Went instead for the
1:34:05 > 1:34:11black. Just screwed it slightly so it is imperative he gets the other
1:34:11 > 1:34:23side of the blue. Doesn't want to come up short. I think he's just
1:34:23 > 1:34:31about OK. A quick glance at the scoreboard. 17 behind.
1:34:36 > 1:34:41He has tried to work out whether he needs the pink to level the score
1:34:41 > 1:34:43up.
1:35:01 > 1:35:09As Peter said, the pink won't be a problem because he's a left-hander
1:35:09 > 1:35:18and can dropping behind it. -- drop in behind it.
1:35:32 > 1:35:36And, once again, must get a good angle on the blue so he can drop
1:35:36 > 1:35:41right in behind that pink.
1:35:45 > 1:35:50Needs to run and he has come up short. That has made such a
1:35:50 > 1:35:55difference. The other side of the blue, you just roll sitting and get
1:35:55 > 1:36:0218 inches behind the pink. Now he has got to force it in. And that is
1:36:02 > 1:36:07a pretty good effort if it keeps running. He needs to pull up. Is
1:36:07 > 1:36:14going to be too close to the pink. Oh dear. But it was the previous
1:36:14 > 1:36:19shot. He got the wrong side of the blue. And this would be a body blow
1:36:19 > 1:36:26because he was odds-on favourite to level the match. He is so close to
1:36:26 > 1:36:31the pink. It's not easy to get it say.It is such a shame, Denis,
1:36:31 > 1:36:43because he held himself together so well up to that point.Just a
1:36:43 > 1:36:48fraction. He followed it all the way down and now he has flicked the
1:36:48 > 1:36:52back, Shaun Murphy could cut this pink in. The White will go close to
1:36:52 > 1:36:57the left middle pocket. If he does not catch the middle pocket, he
1:36:57 > 1:37:05could finish on the black. Oh, close.
1:37:11 > 1:37:17Liam will be absolutely delighted to see the black go very close to the
1:37:17 > 1:37:24top cushion there. Liam only just needs this pink. Shaun Murphy needs
1:37:24 > 1:37:31both balls. He can take this on. Just needs to avoid the left-hand
1:37:31 > 1:37:39pocket. Which he has done. And excellent parts. Well played, Liam
1:37:39 > 1:37:48Highfield. Levels this match. Frame each.
1:37:48 > 1:37:53HAZEL IRVINE: That match continues on the red button and online on the
1:37:53 > 1:37:55BBC sport website if you are so inclined.
1:37:57 > 1:38:03Let me bring you up to date with the other two televised tables. Table
1:38:03 > 1:38:12three where Yu De Lu is just making sure to go
1:38:12 > 1:38:13three where Yu De Lu is just making sure to go into it with Kyren
1:38:13 > 1:38:22Wilson, a top 16 player with a promising season, 2-2, there. And
1:38:22 > 1:38:27Aditya Mehta up against Luca Brecel and it is Luca Brecel who has taken
1:38:27 > 1:38:32a 3-0 lead. Versus Aditya Mehta at the table, the man from them by, the
1:38:32 > 1:38:36star from India, they call him. The first Indian player to make a
1:38:36 > 1:38:41maximum break in 2014. He was runner-up in the Indian open 2013.
1:38:41 > 1:38:45Interesting stats. He is a lovely fellow and a very talented player
1:38:45 > 1:38:49but he's got a job to do against Luca Brecel from Belgium. Meanwhile,
1:38:49 > 1:38:55our star attraction, Ronnie O'Sullivan is due out any second.
1:38:55 > 1:39:01Here he comes. He is in control today against Michael Georgiou, 29
1:39:01 > 1:39:06years old, representing Cyprus. Ronnie, a 4-0 advantage. He has
1:39:06 > 1:39:14outscored Michael by about over 300 points now to only 19 so let's hand
1:39:14 > 1:39:19you back to the commentators. How is the commentary discipline working
1:39:19 > 1:39:24there? Big breaks and tactics? Is that working for you?
1:39:24 > 1:39:27COMMENTATOR: We have tried not to stray into each other's expertise
1:39:27 > 1:39:38areas. Not too much.The game is not as simple as that, is it?
1:39:43 > 1:39:53That trademark left-handed break off from Ronnie O'Sullivan. He won't be
1:39:53 > 1:39:57particularly happy with that. I think he feels he can swing the cue
1:39:57 > 1:40:02ball round better from a left-handed perspective than right, but, in that
1:40:02 > 1:40:11case, after the mid session interval, called it wrong.Nice pot.
1:40:11 > 1:40:19And, for the first time in this match, Liam Michael Georgiou has a
1:40:19 > 1:40:24chance to put the black of the spot. The first in in this frame, what
1:40:24 > 1:40:29does he make of it? I have to say, straight into the bunch with pace,
1:40:29 > 1:40:37plenty of screwball to bring the black to the right-hand side of the
1:40:37 > 1:40:43table. Very well played. Deserved to be on the red. Hit that very well.
1:40:43 > 1:40:48He scored 19 points in the first four frames.
1:40:52 > 1:40:59It may not be too long before he is doubling his overall total score.
1:40:59 > 1:41:08Already he can screw the black to the right middle. He was low on the
1:41:08 > 1:41:12black and can be red to the right-hand corner.Still in a good
1:41:12 > 1:41:17position.
1:41:30 > 1:41:39Already out of position. It's just the art of brick building, really.
1:41:39 > 1:41:49Recognising the patterns you have to go through. To make it easier.
1:41:49 > 1:41:55Should be able to screw this offer two cushions. To the right corner.
1:41:55 > 1:41:58Well done.
1:42:11 > 1:42:19I did not think that was going in. Gravity working. Good shot. Good
1:42:19 > 1:42:28recovery. And the angle he has got here lends itself to going into the
1:42:28 > 1:42:37pink. A bit perhaps too far away from the blue to make it
1:42:37 > 1:42:44comfortable, but there are loose threads, though. Choices. -- loose
1:42:44 > 1:42:52reds, though.Yes, I think as long as he hit the right-hand side of the
1:42:52 > 1:42:58pink... Anything left of the pink would have been bad. Very lucky to
1:42:58 > 1:43:02be going that way.
1:43:15 > 1:43:19Very close to the cue ball.
1:43:22 > 1:43:28He could have got closer to these two reds.
1:43:48 > 1:43:53Well, he has got himself out of position by fractions a few times in
1:43:53 > 1:44:07this break. Just enough the right side of the blue. There have been a
1:44:07 > 1:44:10couple of potential banana skins in this break so far. But some good
1:44:10 > 1:44:23pots. Still has that 6-ball pack to resolve. To get pack -- past the
1:44:23 > 1:44:28winning line.He would like an angle on the black to go into the bunch
1:44:28 > 1:44:33and stay on that red into the right corner. He can't do that now from
1:44:33 > 1:44:39this angle. It's always nice to have a bit of insurance. Have at least
1:44:39 > 1:44:46one loose red when you go into the bunch.Michael Georgiou are just
1:44:46 > 1:44:51coming around to check if the pink was a viable proposition to open up
1:44:51 > 1:45:03the pack. Decided the black was more straightforward. And, this time, he
1:45:03 > 1:45:08has got the angle to go off the top cushion into the pack. He has got to
1:45:08 > 1:45:12get a bit of pace into this one. That can make the party more
1:45:12 > 1:45:21difficult. -- that can make the pot more difficult.
1:45:35 > 1:45:43Just when he did all the hard work. A good break. 60. Is it going to be
1:45:43 > 1:45:47enough? Plenty of reds left for Ronnie O'Sullivan to pinch this
1:45:47 > 1:45:55frame. Which is normally very good at.
1:46:09 > 1:46:16The second ball that has been very, very close to going in into the
1:46:16 > 1:46:22middle pocket but pretty tight, these middles.
1:46:35 > 1:46:38Black and one more red.
1:46:53 > 1:46:56Showing
1:46:58 > 1:47:03showing signs of letting its gameplay become more comfortable
1:47:03 > 1:47:09now. As if there is less pressure on him now and he has decided to try
1:47:09 > 1:47:13and relax and enjoy it a bit more. That is the way to get back into
1:47:13 > 1:47:16this game.
1:47:21 > 1:47:26He would like to part one more red. Ronnie O'Sullivan may come back to
1:47:26 > 1:47:29the table if he misses this.
1:47:37 > 1:47:43I suppose he has done the first job and avoided a whitewash.
1:47:48 > 1:47:52Will Ronnie stay in his seat?
1:47:54 > 1:47:57He does do. APPLAUSE
1:47:59 > 1:48:03Avoided a 6-0 whitewash. That was an important factor in
1:48:03 > 1:48:07winning his first frame, but he still trails 4-1.
1:48:07 > 1:48:11HAZEL IRVINE: He avoids the whitewash and of course last time,
1:48:11 > 1:48:1612 months ago, it was a 6-1 win for Ronnie Barker. In some respects, is
1:48:16 > 1:48:19it a massive relief when you're under so much under the cosh at that
1:48:19 > 1:48:20point?
1:48:20 > 1:48:22under so much under the cosh at that point?Yes, is another word with
1:48:22 > 1:48:27himself and said, come on, we know he's much better than what he shown
1:48:27 > 1:48:30this afternoon. The occasion has got the better of him, so he's thinking,
1:48:30 > 1:48:34at least let's make the score respectable and show people we can
1:48:34 > 1:48:37actually play and that's what is done.It's nice why had to get a
1:48:37 > 1:48:42frame on the board and salvage something. You know, what can you
1:48:42 > 1:48:46say? Is going to be up against it, you don't expect him to win from
1:48:46 > 1:48:50here, but he will get a little bit of confidence to get satisfaction,
1:48:50 > 1:48:54other than a whitewash.The other thing it does as well, Hazel, some
1:48:54 > 1:49:01of these players, are used to playing in cubicles and get adept
1:49:01 > 1:49:06and then when they go into the main arena, this is all new to them. It
1:49:06 > 1:49:10doesn't matter that they have been professionals for a long time. He
1:49:10 > 1:49:14has not done that very much.They need to become acclimatised to
1:49:14 > 1:49:19playing in cubicles so it's like a different ball game.He's got the
1:49:19 > 1:49:23combination of the arena and the best player who has ever lived, so
1:49:23 > 1:49:25he is under it before he even starts.
1:49:25 > 1:49:28he is under it before he even starts.Stephen asked at the start
1:49:28 > 1:49:30of the commentary what Michael will have learned from his experience on
1:49:30 > 1:49:36exactly this stage, albeit a round earlier from last year, and I guess
1:49:36 > 1:49:39he is asking himself the same question out there right now as we
1:49:39 > 1:49:42head back into frame six.
1:49:52 > 1:49:58COMMENTATOR: Well, of course, when you were talking about the cubicle
1:49:58 > 1:50:04style of snooker with multi-table setups, it has changed slightly in
1:50:04 > 1:50:09as much as it's more open plan now and you can actually see other
1:50:09 > 1:50:14tables. But when it is a multi-table setup at one of the ranking in the
1:50:14 > 1:50:20early stages, various still that cubicle style feel that your match
1:50:20 > 1:50:26is one of many and no real eyes are on it, so this is a different
1:50:26 > 1:50:30scenario at the Barbican. A full packed crowd watching Ronnie
1:50:30 > 1:50:35O'Sullivan. You have got to deal with that as well.
1:50:54 > 1:51:00Ronnie's intensity has definitely slipped in the last three frames.
1:51:00 > 1:51:03The standards he sets are so high, you don't expect him to miss shots
1:51:03 > 1:51:10like that.Perhaps overstretching a bit. Michael Georgiou has an awkward
1:51:10 > 1:51:17situation with the green and his left arm, but that goes in. He would
1:51:17 > 1:51:21have loved to have been on the correct side of the blue but Michael
1:51:21 > 1:51:22Georgiou is getting some encouragement from Ronnie
1:51:22 > 1:51:26O'Sullivan.
1:51:51 > 1:51:54Very unlucky there. That was an excellent positional shot Michael
1:51:54 > 1:52:02played. Possibly three reds he could have been on, but he is none of
1:52:02 > 1:52:20them.Desperately in. -- desperately unlucky. He hit that blue is the
1:52:20 > 1:52:33best he could hit it. Good safety but there is an edge sticking out.
1:52:47 > 1:52:53Got the possibilities of a four cushion safety. Come-down behind the
1:52:53 > 1:53:08yellow. Playing the thin safety. Hit it a bit hard. Nasty shot for Ronnie
1:53:08 > 1:53:11O'Sullivan from underneath the cushion. Makes his shot a lot
1:53:11 > 1:53:14harder.
1:54:43 > 1:54:50Look at that red. Taking this on with his good cueing.
1:55:01 > 1:55:08He has done very well with the cue ball. Just as he was playing that
1:55:08 > 1:55:12shot, something fluttered down from the ceiling. May have distracted
1:55:12 > 1:55:24him.We've not seen much of Ronnie O'Sullivan's long game today.
1:55:24 > 1:55:30Everything has been close in, so it's an opportunity to see.He is
1:55:30 > 1:55:33committing himself. All the eggs coming in the basket here. He found
1:55:33 > 1:55:41a gap. Did not think that was on. So there was an element of safety in
1:55:41 > 1:55:46the shot on a shot to nothing. I did not think he could get through that
1:55:46 > 1:55:48gap.
1:55:57 > 1:56:07Just run away with it there. The cue ball has gone a little bit too far.
1:56:07 > 1:56:13Ronnie was playing the blue. He looked to see where it went, usually
1:56:13 > 1:56:17you tell players not to do that, get up again and think what you are
1:56:17 > 1:56:25going to play. That is why the cue ball ran an extra bit.
1:56:30 > 1:56:35Could be end of break.
1:56:38 > 1:56:47It does look like there is a red which goes past the black. And he is
1:56:47 > 1:57:01left-handed. He may be able to reach over and cut this in. Half ball cut.
1:57:01 > 1:57:05Doesn't feel it with a left hand for the shot. Perhaps it's too much of a
1:57:05 > 1:57:09stretch.
1:57:13 > 1:57:16Fantastic shot.
1:57:20 > 1:57:23And for someone like Ronnie O'Sullivan who can play
1:57:23 > 1:57:26right-handed, left-handed, on a daily practice basis, he wouldn't
1:57:26 > 1:57:34necessarily be using his wrist that much. So it could become something
1:57:34 > 1:57:38to be fearful of but he is a great player. Is he going into the pack
1:57:38 > 1:57:43here? With speed, he misjudged it quite a bit and that is end of
1:57:43 > 1:57:47break.
1:59:20 > 1:59:27Decent safety shot in many ways. Cut of escape routes back down the table
1:59:27 > 1:59:30and may have forced Ronnie O'Sullivan to go for this pot. With
1:59:30 > 1:59:42no guarantee of position. So a bad risk reward proposition coming up.
1:59:46 > 1:59:52I thought that was in. Well, a chance for Michael Georgiou, it
1:59:52 > 1:59:55looks like an easy one, into the left corner, and guaranteed position
1:59:55 > 1:59:59on the black.
2:00:05 > 2:00:11That was a bit straighter than I thought, but, even so, a bad miss.
2:00:21 > 2:00:26Just when he was getting some slight signs of encouragement, he has won a
2:00:26 > 2:00:31frame, Ronnie has started missing a couple.
2:01:50 > 2:02:03Poor shot. The poor shot was that angle on the black. It can still put
2:02:03 > 2:02:05this, but it has become missable.
2:02:13 > 2:02:26It would have been unlucky to have not been on a colour.
2:02:42 > 2:02:48From Michael Georgiou's perspective he cannot have any complaints. He
2:02:48 > 2:02:51has not been strong enough today so far.
2:04:04 > 2:04:15What a shot. Just fantastic. Made a bit easier because the frame was
2:04:15 > 2:04:22finished. Whilst it has not been a sparkling performance from Ronnie
2:04:22 > 2:04:26O'Sullivan today, it has been a comfortable day at the office for
2:04:26 > 2:04:31him. 5-1, Ronnie O'Sullivan.
2:04:34 > 2:04:40In terms of Michael Bosman case in round one where he won the last
2:04:40 > 2:04:44three to beat Alfie burden to be here, it is an entirely different
2:04:44 > 2:04:52question when he is facing Ronnie. He has got one frame and he has got
2:04:52 > 2:05:01a little bit of confidence.He could have made another nice little break
2:05:01 > 2:05:05and he will be kicking himself now because he had a chance to put a few
2:05:05 > 2:05:08points on the board and put some doubt into running's nine. It looks
2:05:08 > 2:05:13like Ronnie has gone off the boil. His concentration has gone because
2:05:13 > 2:05:20it is too easy for him.Do you read it in same way?Absolutely. That was
2:05:20 > 2:05:28a chance. It is the first to 6, it is not the best of nine. But it is a
2:05:28 > 2:05:33massive mistake missing that.We saw Michael go out earlier on to give
2:05:33 > 2:05:37himself a pep talk. Has this just happened to Ronnie?He will not be
2:05:37 > 2:05:42happy with the way he has played. He will be happy that he has had an
2:05:42 > 2:05:46easy match and a little run out, but he will not be happy with the way he
2:05:46 > 2:05:50has played. In patches he looks good, but his concentration has gone
2:05:50 > 2:05:54and he has missed a lot of balls that you would not normally see him
2:05:54 > 2:05:58miss. It will be different in the next round, he will have a tougher
2:05:58 > 2:06:04match. It is a little run out as it were today.In his first-round match
2:06:04 > 2:06:13he made two centuries and those were the 907th and 908 of his career. You
2:06:13 > 2:06:17will not have realised that he crossed the 900 barrier last month.
2:06:17 > 2:06:21His top break to date is 69. When you look at his career that is an
2:06:21 > 2:06:27extraordinary number.I do not see that ever getting beaten. No one in
2:06:27 > 2:06:39a million years is ever going to beat that. When he finishes playing,
2:06:39 > 2:06:45I think he better get even further. I do not think it will take him
2:06:45 > 2:06:49long. I do not think it will take him many seasons to get 100
2:06:49 > 2:06:58centuries.He has not shown that century form today. However, he is
2:06:58 > 2:07:03just one away from a place in the last 32 in a championship that he is
2:07:03 > 2:07:08attempting to win for the sixth time and that would be a record equalling
2:07:08 > 2:07:11number with a certain Steve Davis sitting in our commentary box.
2:07:17 > 2:07:21STEVE DAVIS: Wreckers either be broken. There are few you do not
2:07:21 > 2:07:33think will be broken. Possibly Judd Trump is best placed to beat one of
2:07:33 > 2:07:38them. It depends on how long he can stay at the top of the game.
2:07:51 > 2:07:58STEPHEN HENDRY: I said at the start of this match that in the first
2:07:58 > 2:08:10frame and the last frame he is at his strongest. I know which way I
2:08:10 > 2:08:16would be betting. He is so good at killing and match off.
2:08:21 > 2:08:23You are asking for trouble!
2:08:36 > 2:08:40Steve, I bet you a pound he wins the match at this visit!
2:08:47 > 2:08:52A lot of players with a frame to win the match go into their shell a bit.
2:08:52 > 2:08:56He is exactly the opposite. He can smell the opportunity.
2:09:02 > 2:09:16To get the job done. One more easy ride.I think I will have that bet
2:09:16 > 2:09:19with you just to see the look on your face when you have to pull a
2:09:19 > 2:09:21pound out!
2:09:29 > 2:09:36A touch of left-hand side to make the cue ball arch into the bunch.
2:09:36 > 2:09:41Did not go in with as much conviction as I thought he would.
2:10:22 > 2:10:26If the pink goes under the pack, there is possibly another read to
2:10:26 > 2:10:37the left-hand corner. The red is on the pink spot. This is starting to
2:10:37 > 2:10:42look ominous for Michael Georgiou.I think you have one yourself a quid
2:10:42 > 2:10:44here.
2:10:51 > 2:11:01Great pace to get the right side of the blue. Very good at that shot.
2:11:01 > 2:11:07Getting that perfect angle on the blue a significant amount of time
2:11:07 > 2:11:16when you play it can make the game very easy.It is an amazing amount
2:11:16 > 2:11:21of breaks you see end. A lot of players get on the wrong side of the
2:11:21 > 2:11:27blue.It is like the friend of the snooker player, but it can also be
2:11:27 > 2:11:28the enemy.
2:11:37 > 2:11:43This is the last of the pottable red in the middle of the table. Looking
2:11:43 > 2:11:45for some sort of angle on the black on this.
2:11:45 > 2:11:54on this.
2:12:02 > 2:12:04That will do.
2:12:19 > 2:12:26No century break so far. Can this be the way he finishes this match?
2:12:40 > 2:12:5414 seconds shot. Pity brisk. -- pretty brisk. Match ball. £1 for
2:12:54 > 2:13:00Steve Davis!
2:13:10 > 2:13:15Michael has had an afternoon of suffering out in this main arena,
2:13:15 > 2:13:17but it is being put to an end now.
2:13:23 > 2:13:27Can you change a fiver? !
2:13:35 > 2:13:42APPLAUSE And very easy victory for Ronnie
2:13:42 > 2:13:46O'Sullivan. Neither player will be happy with their game, but it was
2:13:46 > 2:13:52all about the win today for Ronnie O'Sullivan.
2:13:56 > 2:14:01Ronnie goes through and he will face either Michael White or Matthew
2:14:01 > 2:14:06Selt. They will be playing later today. In the end a conference of
2:14:06 > 2:14:10victory, the same scoreline that he inflicted last year. We'll Michael
2:14:10 > 2:14:14take any more crumbs of comfort from this performance as compared to the
2:14:14 > 2:14:19last one?The experience of playing one of the greatest players who has
2:14:19 > 2:14:25ever played the game. It is in the main arena on TV. Even though it is
2:14:25 > 2:14:29a baptism of fire, the next time he goes out and he plays in the garage
2:14:29 > 2:14:35or wherever he has that experience there. He is a good lad, he is a lot
2:14:35 > 2:14:40better than he was today. He has to take some sort of crumbs of comfort
2:14:40 > 2:14:46from it.We did not see too much break-building from Ronnie. It was a
2:14:46 > 2:14:50comfortable performance, he got over the line. How will he reflect on it
2:14:50 > 2:14:55himself?He will not be happy, he lost his concentration. He has been
2:14:55 > 2:14:59cueing pretty well over the last couple of months. It will be
2:14:59 > 2:15:02interesting to see how he feels, he has done a lot of travelling back
2:15:02 > 2:15:09and forwards to China. He has been at a lot of events recently. But he
2:15:09 > 2:15:14is cueing quite well and is the man to beat.There were 5/2 centuries in
2:15:14 > 2:15:21that match. We talked about the fact that he has got over 900 centuries.
2:15:21 > 2:15:28At what point do you think he will hit 1000?If he is averaging about
2:15:28 > 2:15:3350 or 60 season, he is still a young man and only 41, we do not know how
2:15:33 > 2:15:38long he will stay and when he will go or hang up his cue, but you can
2:15:38 > 2:15:45see him being around in the next six years at least, at least 30 or 40
2:15:45 > 2:15:53centuries.Is he the man to beat? Yes, he is. Mark Selby was the man
2:15:53 > 2:15:57in form and a lot of people would try to avoid Ronnie, but there is a
2:15:57 > 2:16:01long way to go in this tournament, there are a lot of great players and
2:16:01 > 2:16:06it remains to be seen how big will pan out.Here he comes. Good to see
2:16:06 > 2:16:14you. 4-0 and it was all over as a contest. How did you feel the match
2:16:14 > 2:16:20went in general?It was hard because Michael really struggled out there.
2:16:20 > 2:16:23You should not feel for someone but you could see everything he tried
2:16:23 > 2:16:31went wrong, which is good for me. I played all right. I never worry
2:16:31 > 2:16:36about who I am playing or how they play, I always try to keep the ball
2:16:36 > 2:16:40in my court and think as long as I put in a good performance, it will
2:16:40 > 2:16:44take someone to play well to beat me. I was therefore taking but he
2:16:44 > 2:16:48had to play better than he did today.The concentration was going
2:16:48 > 2:16:53because it was easier than you expected?Definitely not. When I
2:16:53 > 2:16:57went through that spell of missing balls it was not because of
2:16:57 > 2:17:01concentration, you know how difficult this game is, when you are
2:17:01 > 2:17:06not completely on it you can steer balls and things like that. It is
2:17:06 > 2:17:12how quickly you can get through that period. It lasted for a frame and a
2:17:12 > 2:17:15half until that last frame and then I had the tubal on a bit of a
2:17:15 > 2:17:21string. I have got this new chalk out there and it is great for
2:17:21 > 2:17:26balance and pushing. I still think the triangle is the governor and I
2:17:26 > 2:17:30felt a different feeling out there in the last frame.We have to
2:17:30 > 2:17:33congratulate you, it has been a blistering start to the season. Four
2:17:33 > 2:17:42big finals, two titles, 30 major world ranking titles. Is there
2:17:42 > 2:17:47anything you have done differently? You are playing an awful lot.I have
2:17:47 > 2:17:53probably played about half what everyone else has played. Last year
2:17:53 > 2:18:00I had 70 exhibitions and some of the tables you play on... I am playing
2:18:00 > 2:18:05people who cannot even make ten, all club players. You lose your match
2:18:05 > 2:18:13focus and everything. But I winged it and I did all right last year.
2:18:13 > 2:18:16Before this year's World Championships I put in about six
2:18:16 > 2:18:20weeks practice and my game improved again and I thought I owed it to
2:18:20 > 2:18:25myself to give it a good go. I have cut down the exhibitions, I am
2:18:25 > 2:18:31playing more tournaments, doing more solo practice.How are you feeling?
2:18:31 > 2:18:35We talked about you going back and forwards to China for tournaments.
2:18:35 > 2:18:40How are you feeling mentally?Are you getting a bit tired? I do not
2:18:40 > 2:18:45feel tired at all. I have been eating well, I changed my diet 12
2:18:45 > 2:18:49weeks ago.What do you do differently?I was eating too much
2:18:49 > 2:18:54and drinking tea and coffee, so I was having a lot of highs and lows.
2:18:54 > 2:19:00At the moment I do not feel like that, I feel pretty strong. That was
2:19:00 > 2:19:04a revelation, I thought I had to run seven or eight miles to keep the
2:19:04 > 2:19:11weight off. I can stay slim if I eat the right stuff.That is the new
2:19:11 > 2:19:16book for Christmas!The Ronnie O'Sullivan diet.We did talk about
2:19:16 > 2:19:21records and chasing records and we talked about you getting over 900
2:19:21 > 2:19:26tons, but this 30 world ranking titles, Stephen Hendry has got 36.
2:19:26 > 2:19:30You have got that in your site. We talked about motivation, but that
2:19:30 > 2:19:35has got to get you up in the morning chasing these things?No, absolutely
2:19:35 > 2:19:41not. I want to play for the enjoyment of it. It is the hardest
2:19:41 > 2:19:46thing I do. All the work that I do, I find it tough sometimes. That will
2:19:46 > 2:19:51never change, I have to manage it as well as I can and I am doing that
2:19:51 > 2:19:55pretty well. Records are something I am not bothered about. I try and
2:19:55 > 2:20:00keep it as businesslike as I can. I do not want to get too emotionally
2:20:00 > 2:20:06involved with playing. It is helping me to do other stuff. I am not all
2:20:06 > 2:20:11totally into snooker. It does not work for me.What gives you the
2:20:11 > 2:20:16bars?Just playing. If I am playing terrible, I am the most miserable
2:20:16 > 2:20:21man in the world. Somebody is helping me work on that and it has
2:20:21 > 2:20:25helped, but I find it hard to accept. Winning is a by-product for
2:20:25 > 2:20:30me if you play the game properly and do all the right things. But if you
2:20:30 > 2:20:36do not play properly, the standard the way the game is, you will not
2:20:36 > 2:20:39win no matter how good you are. It is very black and white for me in
2:20:39 > 2:20:45that respect.The two titles you have already got, that would be a
2:20:45 > 2:20:50successful season for most guys. Is everything else is a bonus? Can you
2:20:50 > 2:20:55afford to think like that or are you going for more?It is nice to have a
2:20:55 > 2:20:59bit of comfort to know you do not have to worry about qualifying for
2:20:59 > 2:21:03the Masters, but I wanted to win a tournament in China. That was a goal
2:21:03 > 2:21:09at the start of the season. But do not rest on your laurels. You have a
2:21:09 > 2:21:13little moment when you think if I do not win for the rest of the season,
2:21:13 > 2:21:17I will be all right. What is the point of thinking like that for six
2:21:17 > 2:21:23months? That is a loser's attitude. They are in the bank and out of the
2:21:23 > 2:21:26way and it is about pushing on and doing better.A couple of shots
2:21:26 > 2:21:31already in this tournament.When Scott Donaldson was playing Mark
2:21:31 > 2:21:36Selby I said if Mark Selby is not on it, he can win. Anyone with a great
2:21:36 > 2:21:43temperament can beat any of the top guys. He has got a very good match
2:21:43 > 2:21:48temperament. Most Scottish people have, and the Welsh people. They are
2:21:48 > 2:21:56very tough. And the Irish! It is not a surprise to me. If Mark played his
2:21:56 > 2:22:00top game, then he probably would have won. But if you do not play
2:22:00 > 2:22:04your top game and the other guy brings his top game to the table,
2:22:04 > 2:22:12they are racking up 70, 80, 90. You have to sit in your chair and wait.
2:22:12 > 2:22:20Have you had a sneaky look at the drawers?No.Not bothered?No, some
2:22:20 > 2:22:25of my hardest drawers have been the reason why I have won. The pressure
2:22:25 > 2:22:34is on now climbing the rankings. That is what they expect me to do.
2:22:34 > 2:22:39We are testing your memory because this is your 25th anniversary of
2:22:39 > 2:22:45your first appearance. 1992. Can you remember who you beat that year?
2:22:45 > 2:22:55When?1992.Did I beat someone? I know who I lost two. I can't
2:22:55 > 2:23:09remember.Bob Shepherd and Nicky Frew.Did I?Is that memory still
2:23:09 > 2:23:21sharp even these 25 years on?It was such a bad...I was lucky to get one
2:23:21 > 2:23:28frame.Ronnie, it is great to see you in such good form 25 years later
2:23:28 > 2:23:32and you are into round three. It has been good watching you today. All
2:23:32 > 2:23:40the best. We were looking at the other match, and it was 1-1 when we
2:23:40 > 2:23:47left it. We are in the company of Peter and Dennis in frame three.
2:24:02 > 2:24:05Not the best break-off shot in the world, the brown coming to his
2:24:05 > 2:24:12rescue. Maybe not. There is an early chance for Liam Highfield. He can
2:24:12 > 2:24:19get this and get on the black. Even the pink might be available. It
2:24:19 > 2:24:22shows the importance of a good break off short.
2:24:36 > 2:24:40You can see what he is doing there, he did not push it through in a
2:24:40 > 2:24:42straight line.
2:25:15 > 2:25:19This is one of the toughest things about the game of snooker. You have
2:25:19 > 2:25:24had the opportunity, you play a bad shot and you have to go back to your
2:25:24 > 2:25:28seat and you have to watch your opponent pot the balls that you know
2:25:28 > 2:25:30you should be taking on.
2:25:58 > 2:26:11Liam Highfield showed everybody why he thought he had missed it. If you
2:26:11 > 2:26:17miss, you miss, but never let your opponent know that you cued across
2:26:17 > 2:26:19it because that will just give them confidence.
2:26:43 > 2:26:47That last shot on the black, he could have done with a bit more pace
2:26:47 > 2:26:56on the shot.The white is stuck in the reds. This is very awkward.
2:27:07 > 2:27:11That was a pretty good shot.
2:27:14 > 2:27:20Having a good look at the cushion. He felt he had got a bounce there.
2:27:32 > 2:27:35It is always one of the more difficult things for a player to
2:27:35 > 2:27:45contend with. It means you lose possession. At the highest level you
2:27:45 > 2:27:51do not get that many chances in a frame. That was a very poor shot
2:27:51 > 2:27:57from Liam Highfield. A total misjudgement. He will be absolutely
2:27:57 > 2:27:58devastated with that.
2:28:41 > 2:28:45He cannot keep giving these type of opportunities to a player of Shaun
2:28:45 > 2:28:55Murphy's class. When he gets on a roll, he can score very heavily.
2:28:55 > 2:28:58Three, four, five frames can disappear in no time at all.
2:29:06 > 2:29:12One or two signs of nerves that Sean had at the start of this match are
2:29:12 > 2:29:14dissipating very quickly.
2:30:35 > 2:30:41You would not expect many long frames with these two players, both
2:30:41 > 2:30:46attacking. The opening frame was quite scrappy, that is why it lasted
2:30:46 > 2:30:49nearly half an hour.
2:31:14 > 2:31:23He does not need many more pots. Pink, red, collar. That would be
2:31:23 > 2:31:37enough. There you see, 65 ahead. He only needs this red. The way they
2:31:37 > 2:31:43are sitting, I would be surprised if he does not finish up and pot the
2:31:43 > 2:31:45lot.
2:32:05 > 2:32:13Maybe not now after the cannon on the red. He has got to be careful
2:32:13 > 2:32:18with the pink. Not bad.
2:32:22 > 2:32:25There is the possibility of a century.
2:32:49 > 2:32:55In fact, he made 37 centuries last season. He is on 20 so far this
2:32:55 > 2:32:57season.
2:33:01 > 2:33:06I think the table is playing a bit better today. It does not seem to be
2:33:06 > 2:33:12quite as heavy as you said the atmosphere can affected. It is a
2:33:12 > 2:33:21beautiful day in York, the sun was shining. I was out for a little work
2:33:21 > 2:33:29this morning. A gentle walk.Now jogging for me. Referee quietly,
2:33:29 > 2:33:35please.Interestingly, Liam Highfield is one of the fittest guys
2:33:35 > 2:33:41and the circuit, he is a serious runner, very lean. That really
2:33:41 > 2:33:47helps, especially in the longer matches.This has been a great
2:33:47 > 2:33:56effort from a former champion here, Shaun Murphy. He just screwed that
2:33:56 > 2:33:57too much.
2:34:05 > 2:34:13Just the pink for the century. Unlucky. But he will not be too
2:34:13 > 2:34:18concerned. It was a great effort. He got one chance and he took it. It
2:34:18 > 2:34:21was enough to win the frame.He is back in the lead.
2:34:21 > 2:34:23was enough to win the frame.He is back in the lead. A shake of the
2:34:23 > 2:34:27head from Shaun Murphy but he is enjoying a good season, he has been
2:34:27 > 2:34:32in the big finals and has just landed the Champion of champions
2:34:32 > 2:34:38title last month. In we go to the last before the interval, and Shaun
2:34:38 > 2:34:39has a 32 point advantage.
2:34:45 > 2:34:52Just avoided the double kiss, but has not got good position with the
2:34:52 > 2:34:57cue ball. He has a choice of reds. The middle pockets are playing
2:34:57 > 2:35:02really small and this is a tough opportunity into the right centre.
2:35:02 > 2:35:10He will be taking it on. He will be on the black if it goes in, but this
2:35:10 > 2:35:14is not a certainty, that is for sure.
2:35:24 > 2:35:33Just trying to compose himself. He knows that this is a tough shot.
2:35:33 > 2:35:44That is very well put. Well played. -- well cued.Liquidity left the cue
2:35:44 > 2:35:50ball. He had no intention of missing the pot. He was always going to be
2:35:50 > 2:35:57on the black. That was very clever. What a chance to get right back into
2:35:57 > 2:36:03this fourth frame. Well, he has a chance to go to the mid-session
2:36:03 > 2:36:08interval all square, but lots of balls have to be potted before that
2:36:08 > 2:36:14happens.Yes, it was a clever short. The way he played it, he took
2:36:14 > 2:36:18pressure out of the pot. He knew that by playing it in such a way, he
2:36:18 > 2:36:24was not going to be leaving an opportunity for Shaun Murphy Shiggy
2:36:24 > 2:36:38mist. Well played, well thought out. -- should he miss. Not ideal, the
2:36:38 > 2:36:40wrong side of the blue.
2:36:45 > 2:36:50He needs to avoid the cannon and the brown on the way down. Played with
2:36:50 > 2:36:56right-hand side. He just needs the cue ball to run. That is well
2:36:56 > 2:37:00played, well controlled. He has looked at the pink a couple of
2:37:00 > 2:37:03times. It looks like it does go.
2:37:12 > 2:37:19He chose to play for the black instead. It should not be too much
2:37:19 > 2:37:25trouble. He can play the black against one cushion with top spin
2:37:25 > 2:37:30and have a choice of at least two reds into the right centre.
2:37:34 > 2:37:40He has underhit that. Now he will have to take a more difficult red
2:37:40 > 2:37:43into the green pocket.
2:37:50 > 2:37:56He is taking it into the centre. Now he is back in prime position. Nice
2:37:56 > 2:37:58pot.
2:38:16 > 2:38:21I think he is just OK. For a moment, I thought maybe he had covered the
2:38:21 > 2:38:29red to the left middle, but he is OK. Just four points behind. The red
2:38:29 > 2:38:33nude the left cushion is going to be key to this fourth frame.
2:39:10 > 2:39:15That has worked out very nicely. He did well to avoid the brown and the
2:39:15 > 2:39:23green. He did not intend to get on the red in that fashion, but it
2:39:23 > 2:39:32worked out nicely for him. He is probably playing for the red to the
2:39:32 > 2:39:35right of the pink.
2:39:49 > 2:39:54Thinking if you shots ahead, he may leave himself an angle on the red to
2:39:54 > 2:39:58the left of the paying to develop the red away from the left-hand
2:39:58 > 2:40:06cushion. He has got the opportunity to do that now if he wants to. It
2:40:06 > 2:40:09looks like he's playing behind the red.
2:40:28 > 2:40:37He got a kick.Yes, it might have helped him. Has he got a slight
2:40:37 > 2:40:46angle? Yes, he can just roll it in, but this is tough. This is virtually
2:40:46 > 2:40:59frame ball. 23 the difference. This red, blue, pink or black would be
2:40:59 > 2:41:02enough, but this is awkward.
2:41:05 > 2:41:13That was an awkward one. He knew the importance of that. Had he not that
2:41:13 > 2:41:17income ie he would have been off to the mid-session interval all square.
2:41:17 > 2:41:20That will be annoying.
2:41:32 > 2:41:39Shaun still has to knock them in. That is not the best shot he has
2:41:39 > 2:41:46ever played.He did not want to cannon into the blue.
2:42:13 > 2:42:16Can he just cue past the blue or does he need the spider?
2:42:27 > 2:42:37No, no. He got a little bit side on that. What a let off. When you are
2:42:37 > 2:42:43bridging over a ball like that, it is so easy to get a little trace of
2:42:43 > 2:42:49side which throws the white off-line. He needs the yellow Andy
2:42:49 > 2:43:04Green. -- and the green. It is very thin. If he does not fancy the cut
2:43:04 > 2:43:10in, he can play the snooker and screw the yellow towards the pink
2:43:10 > 2:43:13and black.I think that is definitely the right shot.
2:43:20 > 2:43:23Screw the cue ball in behind the green. He could not have played that
2:43:23 > 2:43:36any better.He is looking anxiously to see if he has got the snooker.
2:43:41 > 2:43:46He might be able to catch the yellow and play a safety shot. Having said
2:43:46 > 2:43:51that, if he gets the yellow, he could cannon into the black with the
2:43:51 > 2:44:01cue ball. I think he might be better playing to swerve this. To get a
2:44:01 > 2:44:09fool contact and the yellow. If he gets it thin enough and avoids going
2:44:09 > 2:44:14into the black, he can get the yellow and the white save.There is
2:44:14 > 2:44:18also the option of coming off the top cushion and catching the yellow
2:44:18 > 2:44:23thing on the side on the way back. But that is a very good shot. He
2:44:23 > 2:44:25could not have played that better.
2:44:33 > 2:44:38As you alluded to, that was fraught with danger. It was so easy to get a
2:44:38 > 2:44:44double kiss. He played it with check side, hoping to avoid the kiss. That
2:44:44 > 2:44:47was a gem. He could not have played it any better.
2:44:54 > 2:45:01That was equally as good. There was very little room for manoeuvre.
2:45:01 > 2:45:07Shaun can cut the yellow end. If he does, the right will be heading back
2:45:07 > 2:45:12towards the green. As long as he does not going to the pink. It is
2:45:12 > 2:45:20tough. It is. How is the kiss on the brown? It is not bad.
2:45:48 > 2:45:54That is one the positional shot now. This would be a steal. For Shaun
2:45:54 > 2:46:04Murphy, here.
2:46:18 > 2:46:24Well, it looked odds on that Highfield was going through to the
2:46:24 > 2:46:29mid-session interval, a slip-up and Shaun Murphy pounced and now he goes
2:46:29 > 2:46:34to the mid-session leading three frames to one. STUDIO: He has the
2:46:34 > 2:46:38gap and we will fast forward through the interval, watching then drink
2:46:38 > 2:46:40tea and eating biscuits isn't riveting television but we go to
2:46:40 > 2:46:46frame five and it is Highfield with a 35 point advantage.
2:46:46 > 2:46:49frame five and it is Highfield with a 35 point advantage. COMMENTATOR:
2:46:49 > 2:46:53Needing to play with pace. Avoiding the cannon and going into the pink.
2:46:53 > 2:46:58Perhaps trying to screw the White around the ankles. Around the
2:46:58 > 2:47:07right-hand side, playing it more as a drag shot -- around the ankles.
2:47:07 > 2:47:12That isn't good.It's what he was concerned about, hitting the short
2:47:12 > 2:47:17thick, avoiding the cannon and going into the pink. He had to open the
2:47:17 > 2:47:24reds up and look what he is left with, from sitting... And in a a few
2:47:24 > 2:47:30minutes time, that advantage that he had of 37 points, it could be
2:47:30 > 2:47:39eroded. The black is tied up but it doesn't matter, the blue and the
2:47:39 > 2:47:52pink are in the open and the reds and nicely placed. -- and the red
2:47:55 > 2:47:56s are nicely placed.
2:48:32 > 2:48:37I do not think this will tie up the pink, the spot is available and it
2:48:37 > 2:48:47may also be possible to get into a couple of pockets.
2:48:54 > 2:49:00If he read next to the pink goes into the right middle, it will open
2:49:00 > 2:49:05the pink up completely. -- if the red next to the pink goes into the
2:49:05 > 2:49:11right middle. A little bit of heavy contact there but he is OK. He can
2:49:11 > 2:49:24forget about the black for the moment but concentrate on the pink.
2:49:43 > 2:49:49Shaun Murphy looking increasingly more comfortable around the table.
2:49:49 > 2:49:55Really positive and a real spring in his step as he grows in confidence
2:49:55 > 2:50:03in this match. Playing that nicely. Screwing off the side cushion from
2:50:03 > 2:50:13the left-hand side.
2:50:31 > 2:50:40He's got to do a bit of work with the cue ball here... Now... How is
2:50:40 > 2:50:45he going to play this? A shot where he can pot this and nudge the red
2:50:45 > 2:50:49away so the black doesn't have to do that but he can concentrate on the
2:50:49 > 2:51:02pink again. If he gets the correct angle on the red near the black
2:51:02 > 2:51:09spot, the cannon is tied up next to the black. That looks absolutely
2:51:09 > 2:51:26perfect! All about the little cannon here. Can you believe it? How many
2:51:26 > 2:51:30times do we see that, where the player concentrates on the cannon
2:51:30 > 2:51:37and takes his eyes off the pot? Just when he was in a position to extend
2:51:37 > 2:51:43his lead, now he has got to go back and sit down, and see what Liam can
2:51:43 > 2:52:07make of this chance... APPLAUSE CHEERING
2:52:12 > 2:52:18That was applause from one of the other tables. Now he has to steady
2:52:18 > 2:52:25himself...
2:52:47 > 2:52:51An opportunity for Liam Highfield, he just needs to settle himself,
2:52:51 > 2:52:56there is quite a bit of noise in the arena at the moment, one of the
2:52:56 > 2:52:59referees from one of the other tables has already asked for quiet
2:52:59 > 2:53:11but it is still quite noisy with people moving around. Timing that
2:53:11 > 2:53:21very nicely.
2:53:40 > 2:53:50Settle down, please.
2:53:59 > 2:54:03The blue, the brown and the pink, a chance he did not think that he was
2:54:03 > 2:54:17going to get. A big frame, they are all big frames but almost certainly
2:54:17 > 2:54:27is going to fall 4-1 behind.
2:54:36 > 2:54:42He is going to roll the black in any way, it does not matter. I'm sure
2:54:42 > 2:54:48Shaun Murphy thought he would be leading 4-3 but Liam Highfield had
2:54:48 > 2:55:01other ideas. He is back to just one behind, at 3-2.Liam Highfield to
2:55:01 > 2:55:03break.
2:55:16 > 2:55:24Liam Highfield breaks off... At the beginning of frame six. It would
2:55:24 > 2:55:33like to have had the cue ball tip on the baulk cushion. And that is why.
2:55:33 > 2:55:37A wonderful open pot from Shaun Murphy. He is one of the very best
2:55:37 > 2:55:42in the business at that type of shot. A little unfortunate, really,
2:55:42 > 2:55:55to finish so tight to the question.
2:56:03 > 2:56:14Cued it in nicely. He is all right for pace. A good opportunity for
2:56:14 > 2:56:28playing forblue. All the pink here. -- or the pink. It was just OK.
2:56:28 > 2:56:38Straight...
2:56:42 > 2:56:53To play for the black, this time.
2:57:04 > 2:57:10Might play an attacking shot here, going into the reds, trying to stay
2:57:10 > 2:57:17on the black. He plays it well. He would like to have seen the cue ball
2:57:17 > 2:57:23come away from the side cushion, another few inches... He has been
2:57:23 > 2:57:27unfortunate to finish straight on the black as well. Just off
2:57:27 > 2:57:39straight, as you can see. From that angle.
2:57:50 > 2:57:58He's taken a more difficult pink. This is really tough. Just composing
2:57:58 > 2:58:04himself, some movement behind the shot. If you miss these, you tend to
2:58:04 > 2:58:09miss these thin. There is a lot of movement going on in the background,
2:58:09 > 2:58:24unfortunately. That is twice now, he's just composing himself again.
2:58:24 > 2:58:43This is really tough. That is an excellent pot. Well played.
2:58:54 > 2:59:03A nice little cannon between the gap... Was always going to be on a
2:59:03 > 2:59:14red. Having played at the way that he did.
2:59:17 > 2:59:21The pink was the shot when he looked at the black. He took the more
2:59:21 > 2:59:31difficult pink to keep the break going. Sean is one of the players
2:59:31 > 2:59:36who can put disappointment behind him. In the previous frame he missed
2:59:36 > 2:59:40an easy red when he played the cannon from the black that he is
2:59:40 > 2:59:48such an experienced campaigner these days. He has come out firing on all
2:59:48 > 2:59:57cylinders here.He has gone up a gear here. Steve Davis talks about
2:59:57 > 3:00:06the top players, sensing danger. Then responding under pressure.
3:00:06 > 3:00:10Shaun Murphy is certainly doing that at the moment despite a kick on the
3:00:10 > 3:00:21black there.
3:00:21 > 3:00:26Is this has been an impressive response from Shaun Murphy.
3:00:31 > 3:00:41-- this has been.Very well controlled. He did not have to go in
3:00:41 > 3:00:47with lots of pace. It was a nice, gentle little cannon. Look what he
3:00:47 > 3:00:53has done with the reds. He has put them all in pottable positions with
3:00:53 > 3:01:09that one delicate positional shot. He already has a 57.8 Vantage. -- 57
3:01:09 > 3:01:15point advantage. Well on the way to opening up a two frame at Vantage
3:01:15 > 3:01:18again.
3:01:24 > 3:01:3064 points ahead. 75 on the table.
3:02:19 > 3:02:26Well, I thought he was going to go on and make quite a high break. He
3:02:26 > 3:02:32will not be too concerned about the missed red in the middle. Shaun
3:02:32 > 3:02:37Murphy, as Peter Ebdon said, he has stepped up again and now he is
3:02:37 > 3:02:43leading 4-2.Yes, but Liam keeps coming back at him. Can he do the
3:02:43 > 3:02:53same in frame seven? The Stoke player has a ten-point advantage.
3:03:16 > 3:03:22It is a little bit of a messy table. Only the pink is anywhere near its
3:03:22 > 3:03:27own spot. All the other colours are of their spots.
3:03:31 > 3:03:33This looks better.
3:03:43 > 3:03:48Can he get down the left side of the table? I do not think so. That was
3:03:48 > 3:03:54an excellent safety shot from Liam Highfield. It really was.
3:04:00 > 3:04:05That will make him a bit happier. Safety has not been the strongest
3:04:05 > 3:04:12part of his game today. That was not a good safety shot from Shaun
3:04:12 > 3:04:19Murphy. It just goes to show what can happen. Play good safety shots,
3:04:19 > 3:04:22and even the best players in the world make mistakes.
3:04:30 > 3:04:34Straightaway, playing to get the black backline its spot. The pink is
3:04:34 > 3:04:37out of commission at the moment and the blue is virtually out of
3:04:37 > 3:04:38commission.
3:04:51 > 3:04:54He needs a good angle on this.
3:04:59 > 3:05:03You would think the green, to hopefully give himself a chance to
3:05:03 > 3:05:10get into the reds. He has done that. If he can catch this one correctly
3:05:10 > 3:05:16he can bring the reds and possibly the pink into play. Plenty of pace,
3:05:16 > 3:05:22plenty of screw. He is unlucky. He is very unfortunate. You always need
3:05:22 > 3:05:28a little bit of luck at this game when you play that type of shot. He
3:05:28 > 3:05:32played it well, he got the curve and the cue ball with the side and screw
3:05:32 > 3:05:36and he knew straightaway that he had not had any luck.
3:06:18 > 3:06:25That is a good safety shot from Shaun Murphy. If Liam Highfield
3:06:25 > 3:06:33takes this on, which he is sizing up, this is really tough.
3:06:39 > 3:06:49He could not have got much closer. He almost caught the referee. Yes,
3:06:49 > 3:06:55you must not swing the cue around. He did not see. That could have been
3:06:55 > 3:06:56dangerous.
3:07:01 > 3:07:07It is something you do not see happen very often. Watch this. He
3:07:07 > 3:07:15got up and waved to the cue away. He did not see her.
3:07:40 > 3:07:49Well, he is back at the table with a decent chance. He did not expect
3:07:49 > 3:07:51Shaun to miss that.
3:08:04 > 3:08:14If he cannot see enough of the blue, he is in bother in the jiggly. -- he
3:08:14 > 3:08:18is in bother straightaway. But if he can get past the red, you would
3:08:18 > 3:08:22think he is bound to pot the blue.
3:08:26 > 3:08:30I would move away. In the line of fire again.
3:08:36 > 3:08:43Not often the referees get injured. Many, many years back, occasionally
3:08:43 > 3:08:50they might have got injured. I remember one referee getting a
3:08:50 > 3:08:56little punch in the stomach and a director that got head-butted. But
3:08:56 > 3:08:58those days are long gone.
3:09:32 > 3:09:36Meanwhile, after a very fortuitous cannon on the blue, leaving it very
3:09:36 > 3:09:40close to the green pocket, Liam Highfield has an excellent
3:09:40 > 3:09:46opportunity. He can pool another frame back.
3:10:58 > 3:11:03Yes, that is the one that gets him past the finishing post in this
3:11:03 > 3:11:08frame, Shaun. It was not the easiest of pots but he is normally pretty
3:11:08 > 3:11:13good at that type of shot. But it has cost him this frame.
3:11:37 > 3:11:42Liam's tires sprayed in the match so far was in frame four when he made a
3:11:42 > 3:11:54break of 55. He has had 48, 41, so he has not really been on top of his
3:11:54 > 3:11:58game but he is only one frame behind, so that will give him a
3:11:58 > 3:11:59certain amount of confidence.
3:12:06 > 3:12:10It does not matter about missing the pink. He has done what he needed to
3:12:10 > 3:12:17do. He has won the frame and he closes the gap. He is just one
3:12:17 > 3:12:24behind.4-3, Shaun Murphy. Indeed, Liam won the next frame as well. It
3:12:24 > 3:12:29is all square in this best of 11 frames match. The first to six goes
3:12:29 > 3:12:33through. Interestingly, this is only the second time that these players
3:12:33 > 3:12:38have played. The first was just a month ago in the English open. That
3:12:38 > 3:12:44went down to a final frame decider won in the end by Shaun Murphy.
3:12:44 > 3:12:48Could we have a grandstand finish once again? We have caught them up,
3:12:48 > 3:12:53and we will join them live. Shaun waiting in his chair because Liam
3:12:53 > 3:13:02Highfield has just gone out. He is waiting to resume frame nine.You
3:13:02 > 3:13:02have
3:13:02 > 3:13:04waiting to resume frame nine.You have been watching this one. It is
3:13:04 > 3:13:09hard to be critical of someone who has as much talent as Shaun. This is
3:13:09 > 3:13:14a typical Murphy match. He looks like he is outplaying his opponent,
3:13:14 > 3:13:19that the man should be done and he has made a couple of mistakes and he
3:13:19 > 3:13:23has found himself for- four. For me, he has been the better player by
3:13:23 > 3:13:27some way but because he has made those mistakes, he is embroiled in a
3:13:27 > 3:13:32harder match than he should have been.He does this quite a lot. Yes,
3:13:32 > 3:13:40typical of Shaun Murphy. Shots that, we were seeing, he is so much more
3:13:40 > 3:13:43experience that playing these shots. He has taken on a very difficult red
3:13:43 > 3:13:49down the cushion with the rest. He only needs a red and a
3:13:49 > 3:13:50down the cushion with the rest. He only needs a red and a colour but
3:13:50 > 3:13:54the previous positional shot was bad. He is expecting to pot this, he
3:13:54 > 3:13:59is good with the rest, but he should have been a little bit straighter.
3:13:59 > 3:14:05Then it is a straightforward shot. He has left it short. It is tough,
3:14:05 > 3:14:09but he is throwing away frames to Liam Highfield. He should already be
3:14:09 > 3:14:14home and dry in this match.It is an interesting point. I was listening
3:14:14 > 3:14:18to Shaun at the Champion of champions, when he beat Ronnie in
3:14:18 > 3:14:24the final to win that. He says that he cannot play any other way. He has
3:14:24 > 3:14:31to go for it.I am 100% with him. Compared to some of the better
3:14:31 > 3:14:35players, and one is sitting next to me in Ken Doherty, he has not got
3:14:35 > 3:14:41it. It is not being nasty, he just does not see the tactical side. His
3:14:41 > 3:14:46strength is his cue action and his scoring. It will mean that he will
3:14:46 > 3:14:51lose a few tournaments that he should win, but when he is on, he is
3:14:51 > 3:14:55very good. People will get chances and he will lose the odd Maggie
3:14:55 > 3:15:02should not lose.Liam has taken his chances and it is now a best-of-3
3:15:02 > 3:15:08for a place in the next round of the first major of this season, the
3:15:08 > 3:15:12Betway UK Championship. We have got a good one.
3:15:12 > 3:15:17I could not agree more. I agree with the boys in the studio. The man
3:15:17 > 3:15:23should be over. A few uncharacteristic mistakes. He did
3:15:23 > 3:15:26look at the plant, Liam Highfield. It is amazing how things can turn
3:15:26 > 3:15:31around when you do not punish opponents. Shaun should have been
3:15:31 > 3:15:39backed in his hotel, relaxing. That was like a plan to nothing. Worth
3:15:39 > 3:15:44the risk. He has dropped on the yellow. If he can play this nicely
3:15:44 > 3:15:46he will give himself an early opportunity.
3:15:52 > 3:16:02No... Now then. Just a little bit of pressure on that. I expected him to
3:16:02 > 3:16:10pot that. An early chance as he bows his head there. He may be in the
3:16:10 > 3:16:13seat for a while...
3:16:43 > 3:16:49Shaun Murphy has already stepped up a gear once before in this match.
3:16:49 > 3:17:00Then let things slip. Can he step up again?
3:17:01 > 3:17:07Obviously not, a very poor positional shot. He would be very
3:17:07 > 3:17:19disappointed. This is a positional shot, played previously, previously.
3:17:19 > 3:17:25A shocker from Sean there, he could have gone on the black. What a
3:17:25 > 3:17:44mistake. That is terrific, the opening red there. Highfield, who
3:17:44 > 3:17:47probably is gaining a little bit of confidence, he is being helped by
3:17:47 > 3:17:55Shaun Murphy with a few of the mistakes that he is making.It was a
3:17:55 > 3:18:00very nice cannon on the red, to finish with the yellow in the
3:18:00 > 3:18:14centre. But he's going to have to play this with pace.
3:18:19 > 3:18:28A very good effort around the cue ball, eight or ten inches too much.
3:18:28 > 3:18:33We have seen the shops done with a lot of right-hand side of the two
3:18:33 > 3:18:37cushions. An excellent effort. Just needing that cue ball to slow down
3:18:37 > 3:18:47just a touch.
3:18:48 > 3:19:00A little short with the safety too.
3:19:10 > 3:19:14That has knocked the brown safe, a little scrappy, this frame. Where
3:19:14 > 3:19:29the pink is next to the yellow, it is out of the game. A chance to get
3:19:29 > 3:19:45off the blue, from this red. He is about four of the condition. Handled
3:19:45 > 3:20:03it well. A choice here, he could go straight into the reds after potting
3:20:03 > 3:20:09the blue, which he has done. How is your luck, Shaun? Not bad, as it
3:20:09 > 3:20:21passes the blue. Played that well.I think it's fair to say that this is
3:20:21 > 3:20:30when Shaun is that his strongest, opening up the balls. For Shaun
3:20:30 > 3:20:34Murphy, a little negative in that match. You don't often say that
3:20:34 > 3:20:38about Shaun Murphy, he has refused quite a lot of balls. We have both
3:20:38 > 3:20:46been surprised.He has not hit this. He decelerated on the shot. That is
3:20:46 > 3:21:01just a lapse in concentration. That is quite unbelievable.
3:21:01 > 3:21:12He is totally bit amused by that shot.
3:21:17 > 3:21:27Yet another lifeline thrown to Liam Highfield. Highly unexpected. Can he
3:21:27 > 3:21:38retain his composure?He has the black back on the pink spot, which
3:21:38 > 3:21:54is a big advantage. What a chance! He showed last season what a good
3:21:54 > 3:21:59player he was. Losing 6-5 to Mark Williams, at the UK championship
3:21:59 > 3:22:04last year he lost to the same player, 10-9, in the World
3:22:04 > 3:22:09Championship. The red jumping there but it did not affect that shot too
3:22:09 > 3:22:17much.He is quite capable. It won't be another big shock if he can pull
3:22:17 > 3:22:22this off, from 4-2 behind. It all looked to be plain sailing for Shaun
3:22:22 > 3:22:32Murphy.
3:23:04 > 3:23:20A delicate little cannon here, to put the red away.
3:24:01 > 3:24:06The reds not badly placed, if he gets one on the right of that batch
3:24:06 > 3:24:19of four, it would clear the path for another red. In fact, the other one
3:24:19 > 3:24:33might go, which is even better. He had that, clearly.
3:24:37 > 3:24:42The two reds, I'm not sure if one of those would go. Not a
3:24:42 > 3:24:50straightforward run to the winning line in this frame.You would
3:24:50 > 3:24:56notice, Dennis, that the is very happy to play these softs done drag
3:24:56 > 3:25:01shots, he pulls a few of them thin. Not the ideal kind of shot to play
3:25:01 > 3:25:07when the cloth is a little heavy. Early in the match, he cued across a
3:25:07 > 3:25:17few shots like that.
3:25:25 > 3:25:28He is a left-hander, the red is on the wrong side of the table for him
3:25:28 > 3:25:44there. He has to use the rest for this one. 36 in front. The colour
3:25:44 > 3:25:55red, still needed.
3:26:06 > 3:26:12How does he get to the red that he needs? He cannot get close behind
3:26:12 > 3:26:16that one, the left side of the table. The other two are covering
3:26:16 > 3:26:26one another.
3:26:28 > 3:26:34Is he going to try and go around the table? Even then, it would be
3:26:34 > 3:26:42difficult to get on the red. No... He is coming towards the red. He
3:26:42 > 3:26:49wants to go around the back of it now, which he has. A great effort.
3:26:49 > 3:27:03He put everything into the pot there. He almost got the red out...
3:27:07 > 3:27:11I'm wondering if Shaun Murphy can pot a red into the middle after a
3:27:11 > 3:27:18blue here. He has not looked at it. It's a chance of getting a good cue
3:27:18 > 3:27:38ball, sending it towards the brown. It's just about OK. Liam Buchanan
3:27:38 > 3:27:43clip the red thin, on the right-hand side, he plays it very well, unless
3:27:43 > 3:27:55the blue goes in... Ooh...
3:27:58 > 3:28:05That would have been a disaster, he would have left a free ball there.
3:28:05 > 3:28:16He was close to flipping the blue in. Had to play this on the thick
3:28:16 > 3:28:22side to get over behind the green. But...
3:28:32 > 3:28:39He needs this red and any colour from the brown upwards. To leave
3:28:39 > 3:28:41Shaun needing a snooker.
3:29:11 > 3:29:17He could have done without a kiss on the brown there. It's a natural
3:29:17 > 3:29:22angle, if he takes the pot on committee can cannon into the two
3:29:22 > 3:29:26reds, and that would be the last thing he would want to happen. It's
3:29:26 > 3:29:30a long potter, if you does not want to cannon the reds, he would have to
3:29:30 > 3:29:34force it a little and it makes the pot more difficult. A big shot
3:29:34 > 3:29:47coming up. He is digging down and this is far from easy.
3:29:56 > 3:30:00The White was bouncing around as you could see that it was a
3:30:00 > 3:30:10frame-winner, had he knocked it in. I wonder if Shaun Murphy would be
3:30:10 > 3:30:14tempted to play a cross table double here. It may be a little thin for
3:30:14 > 3:30:20that. But the blue is over the middle. I would not blame him for
3:30:20 > 3:30:28taking it on. Because he can get a good cue ball.
3:30:40 > 3:30:45It would certainly give him a chance to win the frame at this visit if he
3:30:45 > 3:30:59did play the cross table double. He is not certain to leave the
3:31:04 > 3:31:24red I think he got
3:31:25 > 3:31:46the he all of a sudden, from Shaun will have to win
3:32:10 > 3:32:14the who it
3:32:19 > 3:32:34It was a bit of adrenaline, with the blue. He overscrewed it.
3:32:34 > 3:32:45Another double-kiss coming up.
3:32:59 > 3:33:03He had a terrific shock yesterday when Scott Donaldson played
3:33:03 > 3:33:09fantastically well to knock out the defending champion, Mark Selby. Is
3:33:09 > 3:33:20there another shock on the cards here today?
3:33:50 > 3:34:00I am surprised that Sean is playing on here. There is a difference, 53
3:34:00 > 3:34:08with only 55 on the table. He signals over to Liam, he and he
3:34:08 > 3:34:15concedes he frame, what a turnaround all of a sudden, Liam Highfield is
3:34:15 > 3:34:20now just one frame away from another big shock.
3:34:20 > 3:34:22now just one frame away from another big shock.STUDIO: It is all
3:34:22 > 3:34:27happening, and it's all happening on table three. A man with a world
3:34:27 > 3:34:36ranking title, Kyren Wilson is playing Yu, Yu was five frames
3:34:36 > 3:34:36behind and
3:34:36 > 3:34:38playing Yu, Yu was five frames behind and here he is, clearing the
3:34:38 > 3:34:47colours to go one behind, the man was the runner-up this year. Kyren
3:34:47 > 3:34:52Wilson with some work to do but we are hearing that he is just a few
3:34:52 > 3:34:57points away from securing a place in round three. They need to work very
3:34:57 > 3:34:58hard
3:34:58 > 3:34:59round three. They need to work very hard today, these seeds?The
3:34:59 > 3:35:07standard is incredibly high. They do not fear any reputations. But lose
3:35:07 > 3:35:11your concentration a little bit, like Shaun Murphy did with the blue,
3:35:11 > 3:35:17that's a shocker. Such a simple shot and because of that, he has
3:35:17 > 3:35:23forgotten to concentrate and that there, in a nutshell, shouldn't have
3:35:23 > 3:35:30happened.Is the same with his game. Every now and again he has a
3:35:30 > 3:35:34complete block. That is what has happened in the last few frames.
3:35:34 > 3:35:40Played a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes. Perfect to make the frame
3:35:40 > 3:35:47in the break there. Now he finds himself one behind with two to play.
3:35:47 > 3:35:51It's interesting for me, he has been 4-2 down, it looks like he's going
3:35:51 > 3:35:59out of the tournament but suddenly, can he get over the line?He needs
3:35:59 > 3:36:05this frame to make progress to the last 32. What a scalp Shaun Murphy
3:36:05 > 3:36:13would be for this fellow. Back we go.
3:36:13 > 3:36:20How many times have we seen in the past, Shaun Murphy, when he is put
3:36:20 > 3:36:24under pressure, produces some of his best snooker, but Liam is in with a
3:36:24 > 3:36:29great chance now, but do not rate of Shaun Murphy, that is one thing for
3:36:29 > 3:36:32sure.
3:36:46 > 3:36:51How close was that? He has not got away with it. What a great effort
3:36:51 > 3:37:01this was. Liam is already looking around the black spot area. He is
3:37:01 > 3:37:04thinking a few shots ahead.
3:37:12 > 3:37:17He knows if he can get on the red that is closest to the black in a
3:37:17 > 3:37:22few shots time, he could have the black in play. Meanwhile, he needs
3:37:22 > 3:37:31some good pots to get him into that position.Well, he's certainly would
3:37:31 > 3:37:36have liked to be more straightforward and the pink. He is
3:37:36 > 3:37:40slightly the wrong side of it, taking the cue ball away from the
3:37:40 > 3:37:40reds.
3:37:52 > 3:37:56It did look slightly thick. When he played the shot.
3:38:05 > 3:38:07He has missed a golden opportunity.
3:38:20 > 3:38:25Can Shaun Murphy respond? He has done it so many times throughout his
3:38:25 > 3:38:36career. This tournament will mean so much to him. Especially as a former
3:38:36 > 3:38:42UK champion. Time to dig deeper.
3:38:49 > 3:38:56He is not sure if that red goes past the black. He is also thinking about
3:38:56 > 3:39:01the shots ahead. Let's have a look. Sometimes when they are almost
3:39:01 > 3:39:05touching it is difficult to know, but the black does not go, so the
3:39:05 > 3:39:11red must. Having said all that, he has left himself the wrong side of
3:39:11 > 3:39:16the boy. He has got enough power to swing this around, but it should
3:39:16 > 3:39:23have been much easier than this. Had he gone past the blue spot, it would
3:39:23 > 3:39:29have been easy. Now he has to play this with lots of power and avoid
3:39:29 > 3:39:31the baulk colours.
3:39:35 > 3:39:48How is your lot, Shaun? -- your luck.Not very good. That was
3:39:48 > 3:39:52desperately unlucky. If fantastic shot, lots of power and left-hand
3:39:52 > 3:39:56side, desperately unlucky.
3:40:00 > 3:40:05I think from the previous shot on the red, when Shaun finished the
3:40:05 > 3:40:10wrong side of the blue, plus the blue that he missed in the previous
3:40:10 > 3:40:14flame where the blue did not reach the pocket, it gives an indication
3:40:14 > 3:40:18of how the heavy this table is playing. It changes through the
3:40:18 > 3:40:23match. At the beginning, it looked better than it played last night,
3:40:23 > 3:40:27but it has been quite evidently playing heavy, and Shaun has
3:40:27 > 3:40:31struggled because of that.
3:40:59 > 3:41:13That was far from easy. There is a pot that Liam can go for. The one to
3:41:13 > 3:41:17the left of the three pots.
3:41:22 > 3:41:27He will automatically drop on the blue or possibly the pink.
3:41:34 > 3:41:43It is not a great chance just yet. The black is awkward. The pink is
3:41:43 > 3:41:47pottable, but not in the ideal position.
3:41:55 > 3:41:59He may have to leave himself with the tricky black in a couple of
3:41:59 > 3:42:04shots time. He can pot the blue and get up for the reds near the black
3:42:04 > 3:42:05spot.
3:42:11 > 3:42:15He could have done with coming further up the table.
3:42:21 > 3:42:30This really would be another shock. If Liam Highfield can manage to hold
3:42:30 > 3:42:41himself together and win this frame. And with the shocks of Mark Selby,
3:42:41 > 3:42:45the defending champion, losing in this tournament, are we seeing
3:42:45 > 3:42:54conditions playing a big part in these results? I believe we are. It
3:42:54 > 3:42:58is certainly hard work for the players. The balls are playing
3:42:58 > 3:43:06heavier than normal. We have had quite a few big bounces and kicks
3:43:06 > 3:43:11and it is disconcerting for a player to try and keep your concentration
3:43:11 > 3:43:17when the cue ball keeps going into positions that you do not expect.
3:43:17 > 3:43:30Very often through no fault of your own. This is not ideal for Liam. He
3:43:30 > 3:43:35is faced with a difficult pot. Whichever of these two he decides to
3:43:35 > 3:43:36play.
3:43:41 > 3:43:49That is a very good pots. Well played.What a key shot coming up as
3:43:49 > 3:43:55we show you that pot that went right in the centre of the pocket. It did
3:43:55 > 3:44:00not touch the sides. If the next shot work site, what a chance he
3:44:00 > 3:44:05could have. The pink and black are not ideally placed, but he can open
3:44:05 > 3:44:07up the reds.
3:44:12 > 3:44:19How lucky is Liam? He has won to the right middle pocket. He has opened
3:44:19 > 3:44:28up the reds. They are all pottable. There is lots of pressure on this
3:44:28 > 3:44:33red to the centre. If he gets it, he knows he should win the match. Well
3:44:33 > 3:44:34played.
3:45:09 > 3:45:13He has got work to do with the cue ball because he is quite straight.
3:45:13 > 3:45:19He will play this with power. That was the problem.
3:45:24 > 3:45:25would be for this fellow. Back we go.
3:45:25 > 3:45:29That is pure tension there. That is all that is. You could see the cue
3:45:29 > 3:45:35did not go through in a straight line. Just a little ahead of
3:45:35 > 3:45:49themselves, it is understandable. It is a huge match for Liam.
3:46:00 > 3:46:06Needs the angle to helping out. If he kisses the brown, he is OK.
3:46:06 > 3:46:13APPLAUSE The White was heading into the
3:46:13 > 3:46:19corner there. But that angle on the middle pocket helps things.
3:46:26 > 3:46:30Shaun knows how tough it is to win the frame that gets you over the
3:46:30 > 3:46:36line. His more experienced and he knows that Highfield will be under
3:46:36 > 3:46:46it.Dennis, I do not honestly believe that Shaun felt he would get
3:46:46 > 3:46:52another chance in this match, when the red went into the right centre,
3:46:52 > 3:47:07he probably thought that was it. So, this is an unexpected opportunity.
3:47:10 > 3:47:15He may be hampered slightly, here, because of the green.He's got to
3:47:15 > 3:47:27get some action on the cue ball. He took the other red, he has played a
3:47:27 > 3:47:41little too card. To take that blue up into the corner now.
3:47:42 > 3:47:45The pink back on the spot in a couple of shots time would really
3:47:45 > 3:47:56help the situation.
3:47:56 > 3:48:06Amazing. The Rolls-Royce cue action has let him down on a pretty
3:48:06 > 3:48:10straightforward pot there. He was looking at the paint a few shots
3:48:10 > 3:48:26ahead. -- pink. It's another chance for Liam Highfield.At this stage,
3:48:26 > 3:48:30this player's career, a chance of taking a big scalp, everything is
3:48:30 > 3:48:39not straightforward. Straightaway, he has left himself almost straight
3:48:39 > 3:48:46on this red, meaning he has to get a lot of action on the cue ball. It's
3:48:46 > 3:48:53amazing. It is all about the tension at the moment, causing these slight
3:48:53 > 3:49:03errors.
3:49:05 > 3:49:15Shaun did look at the pink, when he was at the table. Peter has told us
3:49:15 > 3:49:19a good few times how tight the middle pockets are. You don't want
3:49:19 > 3:49:30to play this with too much pace.
3:49:40 > 3:49:47He will need both reds for this match. And it isn't going to be
3:49:47 > 3:49:57easy.
3:50:01 > 3:50:11Once again, that was just pressure. So close. Didn't even hit the jaws,
3:50:11 > 3:50:21really.
3:50:25 > 3:50:32Could have done without the kiss on the brown there.Yes, not the best
3:50:32 > 3:50:36safety shot in the world from Shaun Murphy. At a time when he needed a
3:50:36 > 3:50:55really good safety shot. That is a wonderful pot.Well, Shaun will be
3:50:55 > 3:51:00getting quite anxious, let me show you that terrific long pot, he needs
3:51:00 > 3:51:06that brown to get onto the red. If he can finish 18 inches either side
3:51:06 > 3:51:14of the red... This looks pretty good to me, if it bounces off the
3:51:14 > 3:51:27cushioning, he is in pretty good shape. An excellent shot!
3:51:29 > 3:51:34As we show you the positional shot again committee still needs this red
3:51:34 > 3:51:39and any colour above yellow would leave Shaun needing a snooker. This
3:51:39 > 3:51:48is the key... No! That is just pure tension and pressure.Liam
3:51:48 > 3:52:03Highfield, five.So near and yet so far from this upset here.
3:52:09 > 3:52:20It's not a straightforward table to clear up from. A lot of tension at
3:52:20 > 3:52:31there for both players.
3:52:49 > 3:52:58He has hit it a little too hard now. It's just about OK? I think he can
3:52:58 > 3:53:01take it in the left corner but it could have been a lot easier than
3:53:01 > 3:53:07this, Peter.It certainly could have been. It is a good angle. Should be
3:53:07 > 3:53:18on the brown, if he gets it. A great shot! Unfortunately, he could not
3:53:18 > 3:53:28control the cue ball.It was as if he put everything into the pot
3:53:28 > 3:53:36there. Look where he has finished. I think once he knew he potted the
3:53:36 > 3:53:39green, he knew that he would be on the brown but look where he
3:53:39 > 3:53:49finished.
3:53:57 > 3:54:00If this was in practice, Shaun Murphy would probably cut the brown
3:54:00 > 3:54:13in. But this is not practice.
3:54:13 > 3:54:26He needs to pull up a little bit. And get past the blue.
3:54:48 > 3:54:56Now, where is the brown going? Where is that brown going? It's going to
3:54:56 > 3:55:12be all about the black... Forward we could see enough of that to pot it.
3:55:20 > 3:55:27I am thinking here of a couple of frames ago. Shaun missed the red in
3:55:27 > 3:55:32the same position as the black. If he parts the blue and drops in
3:55:32 > 3:55:36behind the black, it will not be easy. Interesting to see if he
3:55:36 > 3:55:40leaves some angle on the pink to bring the black into play.I was
3:55:40 > 3:55:47just going to suggest that, he has got that angle... He has the ankle
3:55:47 > 3:55:58to move the black if he wants to.
3:55:59 > 3:56:02If he plays to drop behind the black, he needs to be right behind.
3:56:02 > 3:56:12He has played the cannon. This is a really, really tough black. If he
3:56:12 > 3:56:17decides to take it on, that is. There's an awful lot of pressure on
3:56:17 > 3:56:27this. This is really tough...
3:56:28 > 3:56:37Make your mind up time for Shaun Murphy. It's a cross table double on
3:56:37 > 3:56:52Dennis.He may have looked at that but it is all down to how he feels.
3:56:53 > 3:56:58It might be on, Peter... Almost, he always knew that he could get it
3:56:58 > 3:57:12safe. So, here we go. We have the tensions of the black bull fight.
3:57:12 > 3:57:16One player, and the other in a match to stay in it. A double-kiss but it
3:57:16 > 3:57:34isn't bad. Will he get the chance to shut the match out? A good shot from
3:57:34 > 3:57:45Shaun, acknowledged by Liam, tapping the table.
3:57:46 > 3:57:55Ooh... What a time to catch the jaw of the middle pocket.He has had a
3:57:55 > 3:58:00couple of golden opportunities to knock Shaun Murphy out. This is the
3:58:00 > 3:58:05black catching the middle pocket... And in it goes. Somehow, Shaun
3:58:05 > 3:58:11Murphy has kept himself in this year's bet where UK championship, to
3:58:11 > 3:58:16all of the world it looks like he was out but no wonder he is smiling,
3:58:16 > 3:58:22we are down to a decider!A grimace from Shaun, he is riding his luck
3:58:22 > 3:58:27but it's great to have a chase for the black ball!It's very exciting.
3:58:27 > 3:58:27A brilliant
3:58:27 > 3:58:29the black ball!It's very exciting. A brilliant friend of snooker. A lot
3:58:29 > 3:58:36of things happening. When he played on the pink, I thought he would drop
3:58:36 > 3:58:39behind the black but then he decided to play the other shots too. He
3:58:39 > 3:58:45would be delighted with the final frame decider. I think Liam
3:58:45 > 3:58:53Highfield would rue the last read that he missed out. The match was
3:58:53 > 3:59:02all over, it's a very small marriage, if he is never out of it,
3:59:02 > 3:59:05he has all the more experience than Liam Highfield. Liam Highfield
3:59:05 > 3:59:11absolutely kicking himself.The tension was palpable and he's also
3:59:11 > 3:59:18in the remaining matches. He won his first world title earlier in the
3:59:18 > 3:59:33season. This is for 125. Does not bother to pot that one. Six frames
3:59:33 > 3:59:38to three, and he was cruising at one point in that match, actually, Luca
3:59:38 > 3:59:44Brecel, he beat Aditya Mehta of India. He is a very likeable
3:59:44 > 3:59:50character. Many people would be delighted he got that victory.He's
3:59:50 > 3:59:54turned himself into a much better player. Always able to pot and score
3:59:54 > 3:59:59but wide open. He has been on the circuit and has had enough
3:59:59 > 4:00:03experience to know that yes, everybody has to play some kind of
4:00:03 > 4:00:07safety shot. Now we know what the game is about, he is very dangerous.
4:00:07 > 4:00:13And he is full of confidence.On the belt he feels ten foot tall,
4:00:13 > 4:00:17strutting around, feeling great. He makes the game look easy and he is
4:00:17 > 4:00:21so quick. He can score and win a frame in five or six minutes. Great
4:00:21 > 4:00:25to watch.
4:00:25 > 4:00:29He won the China championship in August and became the first European
4:00:29 > 4:00:33continental player to win a world ranking title. He was the youngest
4:00:33 > 4:00:37ever to make it through to the Crucible. It seems ridiculous to
4:00:37 > 4:00:40think that was only five or six years ago.He has been around for a
4:00:40 > 4:00:49long time. I played him as a young kid, he was about ten years old. Yet
4:00:49 > 4:00:54-- I said, what can you do? Pot if you balls. He potted everything. I
4:00:54 > 4:00:59thought that he was going to be something special. It has taken a
4:00:59 > 4:01:04while. People have been too shrewd, they have waited for him, but he is
4:01:04 > 4:01:10a talent.Luca will now play Matt King. He wrapped up his victory
4:01:10 > 4:01:14today. So close to 147. He will play
4:01:14 > 4:01:16today. So close to 147. He will play Luca Brecel, but all eyes in the
4:01:16 > 4:01:21arena are on this one. Shaun Murphy, Liam Highfield, will the world
4:01:21 > 4:01:26number six prevail? This has been an almighty struggle and it has gone
4:01:26 > 4:01:29down to the wire. If final frame decider.
4:01:34 > 4:01:40Look where the cue ball has finished. Not where Shaun was
4:01:40 > 4:01:45intending. He tried to get the white close to the cushion. We will show
4:01:45 > 4:01:55you the break again. Once again, a red right up against the black, but
4:01:55 > 4:01:59more importantly for Shaun, the white went right up against the
4:01:59 > 4:02:09green. This is in no man's land. REFEREE: Foul and a miss. He cannot
4:02:09 > 4:02:14come off the cushion and nestle into the pack because of the reds either
4:02:14 > 4:02:19side of the bunch. He is trying to get up against the one to the left
4:02:19 > 4:02:29of the black. He might need a fewer attempts to get there. -- a few
4:02:29 > 4:02:36attempts. As I say, that was a bonus for Shaun to finish tied against the
4:02:36 > 4:02:45green. Can they get closer this time? Better pace. REFEREE: Foul and
4:02:45 > 4:02:46a miss.
4:02:51 > 4:02:56As I say, it could cost him a few points. He has got to get this just
4:02:56 > 4:03:03right. He does not want to hit it too hard and put Shaun in.
4:03:18 > 4:03:23That is the right line, but is it hard enough? Not quite, but if he
4:03:23 > 4:03:28can remember the line. That time it was perfect, but not quite enough
4:03:28 > 4:03:31pace.
4:03:49 > 4:03:54Better pace this time. Well played. APPLAUSE
4:04:11 > 4:04:15I think the crowd at the York Barbican are really enjoying this
4:04:15 > 4:04:17one.You can feel the tension out there.
4:04:33 > 4:04:38Yes, no distractions now. Play is finished on the other three tables.
4:04:38 > 4:04:39Much better for the players.
4:04:54 > 4:05:00We have had a bit of everything so far in this match, fantastic pots,
4:05:00 > 4:05:07incredible misses, cut fingers, and blues that have failed to reach the
4:05:07 > 4:05:08pocket.
4:05:13 > 4:05:19Of course, we must not forget that Liam almost struck the referee with
4:05:19 > 4:05:25his cue when he pulled it away from the table. She was right behind him.
4:05:25 > 4:05:32A referee who is one of the top referees in the game now. She has
4:05:32 > 4:05:34done a great job here.
4:05:44 > 4:05:48Once again, he has not quite a few of those in, but it is tough for
4:05:48 > 4:05:53Liam. He is sitting in his seat and he knows that he should have won the
4:05:53 > 4:05:55match in the previous frame.
4:06:02 > 4:06:07It is a bit tight as to whether that pots. If he hits the red and the
4:06:07 > 4:06:14black at the same time, it is a foul shot. That is what would happen.
4:06:32 > 4:06:36A good safety shot from Shaun Murphy. Lots of pressure on every
4:06:36 > 4:06:38single safety shot knife.
4:06:43 > 4:06:52-- shot now.As John Parrott always says, in a deciding frame, all you
4:06:52 > 4:06:56want is one chance. Who will get the first chance?
4:07:01 > 4:07:07This is a little gem. If he missed the brown, he would have had a
4:07:07 > 4:07:20snooker a game. -- a snooker again. A good opportunity to possibly get
4:07:20 > 4:07:21the cue ball behind the brown.
4:07:28 > 4:07:34Unlucky. Good effort. I am wondering if we will see a Shaun Murphy
4:07:34 > 4:07:39special. There is quite a bit of pressure on Shaun, but at this type
4:07:39 > 4:07:42of shot, he is one of the best in the game.
4:07:46 > 4:07:51You have got the perfect picture. Can he deliver the cue in a straight
4:07:51 > 4:08:02line. There is the answer. The first chance falls to the floor -- to the
4:08:02 > 4:08:13former UK campaign.-- champion. Shaun will be looking to move the
4:08:13 > 4:08:16red away from the black as soon as he possibly can.
4:08:24 > 4:08:29He can get to that red from either the yellow of the green. He needs to
4:08:29 > 4:08:31be accurate with his positional play.
4:08:42 > 4:08:48Yes, we did see that red previously. I do not think it goes. Maybe that
4:08:48 > 4:08:54is why he did not play to get on it. It was very tight. I think he can
4:08:54 > 4:08:56get through for the one to the right middle pocket.
4:09:07 > 4:09:14I mean, they are not ideally placed. The reds are open, but they are all
4:09:14 > 4:09:23covering each other, somewhat. We will find out now if that red pots
4:09:23 > 4:09:28next to the black. He has got the other one above it. I do not think
4:09:28 > 4:09:32he can get on that even if he finished short so he has to leave it
4:09:32 > 4:09:33for the time being.
4:09:41 > 4:09:47That helped his cause, somewhat. But once the pain goes back on its part,
4:09:47 > 4:09:52it is still not going to be available into old pockets. -- in
4:09:52 > 4:09:53the pink.
4:10:00 > 4:10:05He has just got to sit there and hope that something will go wrong
4:10:05 > 4:10:12for Shaun. I think it has gone wrong straightaway. It is not too bad.
4:10:12 > 4:10:16Let's have a look. Yes, he is OK.
4:10:22 > 4:10:31It looks as if he can play for the blue. But there are a fewer
4:10:31 > 4:10:41obstacles in the way. -- a few obstacles.
4:10:46 > 4:10:52He wants to be ultra-careful. He does not want to get down and cannon
4:10:52 > 4:10:58a red and put himself out of position.This is the hardest thing
4:10:58 > 4:11:02about our incredible game. Liam Highfield is really struggling in
4:11:02 > 4:11:10his seat. He is really going through it. It is such a tough game to
4:11:10 > 4:11:18handle mentally. You have got to be so strong, because disappointments
4:11:18 > 4:11:21always far outweighs the victories. It is very difficult to handle.
4:11:26 > 4:11:35When you have not taking your chances, it is even tougher.Shaun
4:11:35 > 4:11:41Murphy is calling on all his experience. You could tell by the
4:11:41 > 4:11:45expression on his face when he left the arena when he levelled that he
4:11:45 > 4:11:51was just pleased to still be in this year's UK Championship. Now he is
4:11:51 > 4:11:53well on his way to victory.
4:12:00 > 4:12:08Already 37 in front. He had to get himself in the perfect position to
4:12:08 > 4:12:13get on the red next to the black. This time I think he has just about
4:12:13 > 4:12:20managed it. Yes, that is exactly where he needed the cue ball.
4:12:37 > 4:12:43Well, hang on a minute, Liam. Let's have a look at what Shaun has done
4:12:43 > 4:12:53with this positional shot. Is he OK? He wanted to cannon that pink.
4:12:53 > 4:13:06Football. -- full ball. They are all covering each other so maybe it is
4:13:06 > 4:13:12not over yet for Liam Highfield. Shaun was looking at the plant
4:13:12 > 4:13:18having run out of position. That would be very dangerous. I think he
4:13:18 > 4:13:21can play the red with the rest and screw the cue ball around the ankles
4:13:21 > 4:13:26with lots of right-hand side and play that as a shot to nothing. If
4:13:26 > 4:13:31the red was in he could play the snooker behind a baulk colour,
4:13:31 > 4:13:36potentially the brown. I think that is the value short, certainly with a
4:13:36 > 4:13:4245 point lead. -- value shot. He needs to play this with pace.
4:13:51 > 4:13:57The red does not go. He just playing the safety shot.I thought the red
4:13:57 > 4:14:07went. My apologies.So, he is in the driving seat, but it has to be said,
4:14:07 > 4:14:16he should have shot out in the match. He knows that.That has
4:14:16 > 4:14:22thrown a lifeline to Liam that he did not expect to be getting. For
4:14:22 > 4:14:26all the world, he would have been convinced, sitting in his seat, that
4:14:26 > 4:14:33he would be out of this year's Betway UK Championship. This is a
4:14:33 > 4:14:34tough pot.
4:14:42 > 4:14:54That could be the end.That was a massive shot that he took on. He is
4:14:54 > 4:15:00normally so good at it, but under these conditions, and with what has
4:15:00 > 4:15:03happened in the previous frame, where he knows that he should have
4:15:03 > 4:15:12won the match. But every credit to Shaun Murphy. He thought he was on
4:15:12 > 4:15:14his way out, but far from it now.
4:15:25 > 4:15:26He has come up a little
4:15:26 > 4:15:29He has come up a little short here. Should have been straight on this
4:15:29 > 4:15:36red, to make it as easy as possible for himself.
4:15:39 > 4:15:46I think he got a miscue there. But it was the positional shot, still
4:15:46 > 4:15:50did not expect him to miss it but what a time to miscue it.This match
4:15:50 > 4:15:56has had a bit of everything. Playing a deep screw shot with a lot of
4:15:56 > 4:16:09left-hand side. The miscue at a vital time. Another lifeline. Karen
4:16:09 > 4:16:16Highfield take the opportunity this time? -- can Highfield take the
4:16:16 > 4:16:26opportunity this time? It is there. Well played.I've been around the
4:16:26 > 4:16:31blocks a few times that I am starting to perspire in the
4:16:31 > 4:16:38commentary box, this is getting very exciting... We thought it was over
4:16:38 > 4:16:41in the last frame, we thought it was over there and that then there was
4:16:41 > 4:16:56the miscue from Shaun. What else is in store?
4:17:09 > 4:17:12These balls may look straightforward. This is a huge test
4:17:12 > 4:17:22of character. For Highfield. He will be under incredible pressure out
4:17:22 > 4:17:27there. Did not cue that very well either. Some heavy contact. But it
4:17:27 > 4:17:41goes to show what pressure can do. This time he had the red up the
4:17:41 > 4:17:45other end of the table and it came to his rescue. If he can keep going,
4:17:45 > 4:17:55the key ball is the red next to the brown. A long way to go before he
4:17:55 > 4:18:06gets to the final red, but the chance is there.I'm surely would be
4:18:06 > 4:18:11delighted to get that far, Dennis. And potentially, play a snooker. He
4:18:11 > 4:18:19has not played this very well. Did not play that very well at all.
4:18:19 > 4:18:35Losing the cue ball there. This red is no guinea, with the rest... If he
4:18:35 > 4:18:44misses it, it will stay right out of the pocket -- this red is no gimme.
4:18:44 > 4:18:54Well played... That was a bit of pressure. He's gone a little too
4:18:54 > 4:19:00far, he has to take the blue into the corner but should be able to get
4:19:00 > 4:19:06on the red, both are available. Better there than the middle pocket.
4:19:06 > 4:19:23No problem there. So far so good. He is looking at the black to make sure
4:19:23 > 4:19:44he can pass the red.Must be tight, which is why he plays for the pink.
4:19:47 > 4:19:55Got a kick and heavy contact there. Going to play him, Liam, for that.
4:19:55 > 4:20:03Let's have another look... The pink laptop off its spot. Unbelievable.
4:20:03 > 4:20:13-- the pink sprang off its spot. 18 points behind. The red next to the
4:20:13 > 4:20:19Bradl is still going to be the key ball.Dennis, I think there could
4:20:19 > 4:20:30still be some drama left in this match yet.
4:20:33 > 4:20:40If he does not get on the red to take the pot, it's an easy snooker
4:20:40 > 4:20:44behind the brown.Make sure you have plenty of chalk on the tip, he is
4:20:44 > 4:20:59going to have to play this with a lot of screw and side.
4:21:00 > 4:21:06He would have preferred a better angle than this, Dennis. This is a
4:21:06 > 4:21:13lot of key power. He is going to need all of it here.Where he points
4:21:13 > 4:21:16the tip of the cucumber he isn't even going to take the black one but
4:21:16 > 4:21:22surely he can go up the other end of the table? If he does not get on the
4:21:22 > 4:21:27red, he will leave himself in such a position he won't get the snooker.
4:21:27 > 4:21:39You don't want to overthink it. He is not taking the pot on.It is a
4:21:39 > 4:21:49tough one to hit.It is, Dennis. But, should he hit the red, where
4:21:49 > 4:21:55the yellow and the pink are, he may even flick a snooker. I wouldn't be
4:21:55 > 4:22:03surprised with how this much has gone so far.A trick shot here...
4:22:03 > 4:22:08Best of luck to the referee, to put these back. But it's a free ball,
4:22:08 > 4:22:13Shaun Murphy may take the black, and have a quick look at the scoreboard.
4:22:13 > 4:22:28He could take the black as the extra red. 23 is the difference. The black
4:22:28 > 4:22:43only counts as a point. He will still need that last red.
4:22:43 > 4:22:50Oh, dear! He has looked at the referee and he says, yes please!
4:22:50 > 4:23:01Well, we could be here for a while! But they've got the monitor to help.
4:23:01 > 4:23:08I cannot really see it...He had a choice, he could have potted the
4:23:08 > 4:23:20black, played the blue down and got the snooker on the last round. Liam
4:23:20 > 4:23:33Highfield is in such a hole here.
4:23:34 > 4:23:39I mean, 23 is the difference, if he were to miss again. Could only
4:23:39 > 4:23:51afford two more misses. Sitting in his seat and reflecting on what has
4:23:51 > 4:23:55just happened. Should have been in the next round!He has really been
4:23:55 > 4:24:00through it in this match.I feel sorry for him because he has done so
4:24:00 > 4:24:08well, going to win three in a row and then looking like he got a
4:24:08 > 4:24:21victory, it would have been terrific to knock out the former champion.
4:24:30 > 4:24:37This is tough for the referee and the marker with the monitor. So many
4:24:37 > 4:24:44balls moved. We can show you where they were originally. That is the
4:24:44 > 4:24:54position. Yes, they will get there eventually but the shot that Liam
4:24:54 > 4:25:02was trying, he was trying to hit it and make the angle. It wasn't a
4:25:02 > 4:25:05natural angle as he was trying to get out of the snooker. He tries to
4:25:05 > 4:25:11come off the side cushion, you are swerving the ball. We can show you
4:25:11 > 4:25:16it again. This was the attempt. Not a natural angle. He was trying to
4:25:16 > 4:25:25make it. He had too much on it. That's why he hit the green.Playing
4:25:25 > 4:25:31the deep screw shot off the green side cushion. Just to square the
4:25:31 > 4:25:39angle up.It's a shame the match will finish with this, that's the
4:25:39 > 4:25:44last thing that you want to see. You cannot blame Sean, he's completely
4:25:44 > 4:25:50in the driving seat, he knows what has gone on in this match. All he is
4:25:50 > 4:25:56concerned about is getting into the next round. He has one foot there
4:25:56 > 4:26:07already. We cannot be too far from it now...We could see a fracture of
4:26:07 > 4:26:15the red, and we cannot see it any more... I wonder, let's have a
4:26:15 > 4:26:21look... It is pretty good, this. That is not bad...Give me the
4:26:21 > 4:26:31picture...Yes, I think you are almost there. Yes, that looks good
4:26:31 > 4:26:42to me. And I think, really, our referee deserves a round of applause
4:26:42 > 4:27:01here! APPLAUSE Thank you.Well done! Yes... Liam
4:27:01 > 4:27:06comes to the table, will he attempt the same shot again? I hope he does
4:27:06 > 4:27:17not hit the green again... Just a double-check but I think it is
4:27:17 > 4:27:27almost spot on. This is like a trick shot that he is trying here. Ooh! He
4:27:27 > 4:27:34may go back again. At least it is a bit easier to replace this time.
4:27:34 > 4:27:45Once again, a free ball. Now, 27 is the difference. Looking to pot the
4:27:45 > 4:27:51blue. He would still need the final red, if he were to come up for the
4:27:51 > 4:28:01black. It's a shame, the outcome of this terrific match, that it will be
4:28:01 > 4:28:08decided on a few missed shots. But, those are the rules. Third time
4:28:08 > 4:28:40lucky for Liam.Foul. Miss.Now... If he misses this time... If Shaun
4:28:40 > 4:28:44takes the black as a free ball, he would need that difficult last red
4:28:44 > 4:29:00now... Once again, he is putting them back in.Would you just check,
4:29:00 > 4:29:05please?If he misses the right this time, he would be 35 behind. 35 on
4:29:05 > 4:29:20the table if he does not hit one of the higher value colours.
4:29:21 > 4:29:28There is no other easy escape route. He will get such a raw if he escapes
4:29:28 > 4:29:39from it, it is a tough shot. That he is attempting... -- he will get such
4:29:39 > 4:29:45a roar.Needs to hit slightly further up the cushion, for all of
4:29:45 > 4:29:50the screw and the back spin that he is playing... That is brilliant...
4:29:50 > 4:30:02Ooh! Will it come to the rescue? He has! He looks at John and he smiles!
4:30:02 > 4:30:07Suddenly, there are smiles all round. What is going to happen next
4:30:07 > 4:30:13in this match?
4:30:13 > 4:30:19This is a brilliant escape, having to make the cue ball band to strike
4:30:19 > 4:30:24the red. When it was over the pocket, he thought, that is the end,
4:30:24 > 4:30:28and he looked down the line and he has got the snooker.
4:30:43 > 4:30:4931 the difference. Plenty of tension.Playing the cue ball up and
4:30:49 > 4:30:55down, the red across the table behind the black. This is an
4:30:55 > 4:30:58absolute corker. What a shot.
4:31:09 > 4:31:11Well, what a finish to this match.
4:31:17 > 4:31:23If he can kick this from behind, he can get a snooker behind the black.
4:31:23 > 4:31:32He has hit to the black.REFEREE: Miss. And it is a free ball. He can
4:31:32 > 4:31:36play the yellow and get the yellow into play and get in behind the
4:31:36 > 4:31:49pink. In fact, he can see enough of the pink to take on the pot.Would
4:31:49 > 4:31:55you be taking this on? There is a chance that he did not think he was
4:31:55 > 4:31:59going to get into this situation. It is there.
4:32:07 > 4:32:12All of a sudden, he is right back in this deciding frame. What a finish.
4:32:31 > 4:32:38He did well to play for the gap between the pink and the brown. The
4:32:38 > 4:32:47balls are at his mercy. Can he hold himself together? He could knock out
4:32:47 > 4:32:48the former UK champion.
4:32:58 > 4:33:05He needs it to stop. He has gone too far. The brown slightly in the way
4:33:05 > 4:33:14of potting the blue. Just that little bit of adrenaline. He would
4:33:14 > 4:33:18have been much better finishing shorter because he had the brown or
4:33:18 > 4:33:24the pink. He just over a slightly. Can they avoid the colours and get
4:33:24 > 4:33:25back to the yellow?
4:33:29 > 4:33:32He needs to miss the black. He has not.
4:33:51 > 4:33:52This looks OK.
4:34:06 > 4:34:10Shaun, as we showed you the gap, at the moment needs yellow, green and
4:34:10 > 4:34:13brown to seal victory.
4:34:24 > 4:34:30With 12 points the difference, if Liam can get a chance, he will not
4:34:30 > 4:34:37need the difficult black.Yellow to pink would be enough. There have
4:34:37 > 4:34:43been so many twists and turns towards the end of this match. It
4:34:43 > 4:34:48has been quite incredible. Unbelievable drama. The Betway UK
4:34:48 > 4:34:50Championship.
4:35:01 > 4:35:05You see, he cannot screw this yellow and miss the pink and leave the
4:35:05 > 4:35:09white on the cushion. He is concerned that the yellow does not
4:35:09 > 4:35:17go into the black. He needs to be careful. He just decided on a
4:35:17 > 4:35:24containing safety. It is all right. It might have handed the advantage
4:35:24 > 4:35:30to Liam. If he can get a good cue ball in behind the pink or start
4:35:30 > 4:35:34behind the black. He had a couple of options. That is OK.
4:35:42 > 4:35:49-- or stop behind the black. No matter how good a player you are, to
4:35:49 > 4:35:53come off the cushion, and strike the yellow and get it safe, you need
4:35:53 > 4:35:56some good fortune. Just trust to luck.
4:36:03 > 4:36:05The yellow does cut.
4:36:14 > 4:36:18This is very thin. He is playing it with right-hand side, which means he
4:36:18 > 4:36:28will have to play two overcut it, to allow for the throw. He did not. Can
4:36:28 > 4:36:36you believe this match? Quite incredible. The reason why the
4:36:36 > 4:36:41yellow when the egg was because of the right-hand side that he imparted
4:36:41 > 4:36:45on the cue ball. Can Shaun Murphy play a good positional shot?
4:36:51 > 4:36:57It is too hard, much too hard. He still needs the green and the brown.
4:37:01 > 4:37:07Well, the number of times we have told you that this is the best
4:37:07 > 4:37:11player in the game that has ever been using the rest. Does he need it
4:37:11 > 4:37:12now?
4:37:23 > 4:37:29Is a good green. Good cueing needed on the brown.
4:37:41 > 4:37:47He just pushed a cue through in a straight line. The man in the
4:37:47 > 4:37:51studio, John Parrott, was brilliant at this.He needs to get this
4:37:51 > 4:37:55because he could be moving the black away from the cushion. Like -- that
4:37:55 > 4:38:03is why he played a dead weight. What a great shot.
4:38:09 > 4:38:14Sometimes you get confused, reckoning the score, but Liam does
4:38:14 > 4:38:17need a snooker.
4:38:23 > 4:38:28As Peter said, we have had absolutely everything in the
4:38:28 > 4:38:32deciding frame. Surely Liam cannot get to the snooker and keep it
4:38:32 > 4:38:39going. He has potted the blue when he did not want to. It is going to
4:38:39 > 4:38:45be tough to get a good snooker with the black as it is. He could get a
4:38:45 > 4:38:49possible snooker. He has not hit it hard enough.
4:39:03 > 4:39:11What an incredible deciding frame. That was a great match in the end.
4:39:11 > 4:39:16Liam Highfield, he was 4-2 down, he won three frames in a row and he
4:39:16 > 4:39:21looked like he was going to knock out Shaun Murphy, but in the end,
4:39:21 > 4:39:22Shaun scrapes over the
4:39:22 > 4:39:25out Shaun Murphy, but in the end, Shaun scrapes over the line, 6-5.My
4:39:25 > 4:39:29goodness, nothing like a bit of Sunday afternoon drama. I know this
4:39:29 > 4:39:34is a time of seasonal gifts but that was bordering on the ridiculous.
4:39:34 > 4:39:37What an extraordinary last few frames. You watch this game for
4:39:37 > 4:39:42hours and hours, you see all these matches, and you never know what is
4:39:42 > 4:39:46coming up. That was a brilliant frame of matchplay snooker. He was
4:39:46 > 4:39:54in Alcatraz, Highfield. There was no way he was getting out. He looked in
4:39:54 > 4:39:59trouble, one shot turns it around, and the snookers Shaun. What has
4:39:59 > 4:40:04cost, the shot on the last red, to not get on a colour correctly was a
4:40:04 > 4:40:09stinker. That will really hurt him. He just needs to land on a colour.
4:40:09 > 4:40:18If he gets on the brown paint he had a chance of a clearance. A great
4:40:18 > 4:40:21green from Shaun. Especially when he left the cue ball in the cushion.
4:40:21 > 4:40:25The green was a wonderful shot, with running side. With the brown, he
4:40:25 > 4:40:30knows he will get a cannon on the black, so is the object ball does
4:40:30 > 4:40:35not going, he will leave the black. All these things are going through
4:40:35 > 4:40:41your brown and a final frame decider.Shaun Murphy is through.
4:40:41 > 4:40:47What an almighty scare. He is on his way just now. Do you kick on or puff
4:40:47 > 4:40:52out your cheeks and thank the stars that you are there?Absolutely. He
4:40:52 > 4:40:55will go home and relax and think, I should have been out of this
4:40:55 > 4:41:00tournament. I have seen loads of people do it in the past, when they
4:41:00 > 4:41:04should have gone out in around, and they come back and win the event.He
4:41:04 > 4:41:11has got to count his blessings. 3-1 up, 4-2 up. It ends like this.
4:41:11 > 4:41:20Hello.Congratulations. That was a bit lively.It was never in doubt.
4:41:20 > 4:41:24My goodness. Well done.Why do you do this to yourself? I have got no
4:41:24 > 4:41:30idea. I do not drive. Even in that frame, I was thinking, do I put the
4:41:30 > 4:41:36ball safe. He had everybody. I should have put the black safe, the
4:41:36 > 4:41:40blue.You were so comfortable and then you find yourself having to win
4:41:40 > 4:41:46the last couple of frames.What went wrong? I do not know. I was trying
4:41:46 > 4:41:52to work it out. Mark Selby summed it up yesterday. If you do not play
4:41:52 > 4:41:57somewhere near their best, you lose. The game is so tough. With the brown
4:41:57 > 4:42:02to win, I cannot avoid the black. That is my only saviour.The ball is
4:42:02 > 4:42:07almost turn on you. It turned when you live the blue over the pocket.
4:42:07 > 4:42:11You have come too short. That is a lack of concentration. You were
4:42:11 > 4:42:18thinking you had position. When it happened it never forgive you.That
4:42:18 > 4:42:22is the equivalent of a professional golfer chanting the trip. I have not
4:42:22 > 4:42:28played a shot like that since I was ten.It was horrific. Then there was
4:42:28 > 4:42:32the snooker that Liam was trying to get out of on the last red. You must
4:42:32 > 4:42:37have thought you had him but he got out of Alcatraz on that one.From a
4:42:37 > 4:42:40mathematical point, I am looking at the scoreboard going, here's missed
4:42:40 > 4:42:46a red. I have got to move the red myself. He is in trouble. I would
4:42:46 > 4:42:53have loved another ball safe. In the end, I did not fancy it.I think you
4:42:53 > 4:42:58did the right thing. To come out of that snooker was hard but to get
4:42:58 > 4:43:01another snooker, it is just one of those things, you cannot account for
4:43:01 > 4:43:06that. You have done the right thing by putting it back in.You have done
4:43:06 > 4:43:10it, you're through. What will you aim to do better in the next round?
4:43:10 > 4:43:17I will try not to leave balls in front of the pocket. I thought I
4:43:17 > 4:43:21played all right. I scored well in the balls and was hitting it nicely
4:43:21 > 4:43:26but I need to tighten up on the mistakes.Well done. Thank you for
4:43:26 > 4:43:30sprinting into share your relief with the nation.We will see you in
4:43:30 > 4:43:32the next round. Go and have a lie down.
4:43:36 > 4:43:41This is what else is happening today. Ronnie O'Sullivan is through,
4:43:41 > 4:43:45no problems against Michael Georgiou. A different story for
4:43:45 > 4:43:48Shaun.
4:43:54 > 4:44:02The only one not there, Alan McManus. That is going to be the man
4:44:02 > 4:44:06that Shaun faces, it will either be Alan McManus Jimmy Robertson.It
4:44:06 > 4:44:11looks like it is going to a final frame decider. We will see you later
4:44:11 > 4:44:15on for the highlights. There is more light snooker on the red button and
4:44:15 > 4:44:23on the BBC Sport website. We will mop you down. I buy. -- goodbye.