:00:23. > :00:33.The very high standard continues. Stephen Maguire has had two
:00:33. > :00:40.
:00:40. > :00:44.centuries, both 101. He has had a You have to say, this has been an
:00:44. > :00:50.excellent break. Joe Perry has gone in first, made a break of 30, and
:00:50. > :00:58.the balls were not ideally situated. He played it really well. Not
:00:58. > :01:01.bothered about a black. Stephen bothered about a black. Stephen
:01:02. > :01:08.Maguire now leads 5-2 with one more to play in this session. That last
:01:08. > :01:15.frame of the opening session went to Paris courtesy of a break of 82.
:01:15. > :01:21.-- to Joe Perry. Still all to play for. Don't forget you can see more
:01:21. > :01:25.of the match between Neil Robertson and Gilbert next. We will be back
:01:25. > :01:31.on BBC Age before a huge match-up between John Higgins and Stephen
:01:31. > :01:41.Hendry, and on BBC Two at 1pm for the second session between Stephen
:01:41. > :01:41.
:01:41. > :03:58.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:03:58. > :04:02.Maguire and Joe Perry. For now, Welcome to snooker Extra. Basics
:04:02. > :04:08.saw the start of the second round and tonight we are concentrating on
:04:08. > :04:12.the clash between 2010 world champion Neil Robertson and David
:04:12. > :04:18.Gilbert, on his way to the second round for the first time in his
:04:18. > :04:27.career. Gilbert is snookered. Commentary from Steve Davis and
:04:27. > :04:37.COMMENTATOR: He could hit the pink if he misses the reds. He doesn't
:04:37. > :04:50.
:04:50. > :05:00.Of course one of the anomalies of this rumours that they use the
:05:00. > :05:18.
:05:18. > :05:28.He looks to have more or less got Any shot Robertson takes on to try
:05:28. > :05:30.
:05:30. > :05:37.-- is a risk. The thin cut into the right-hand corner, apart from being
:05:37. > :05:47.not guaranteed, you won't know where the cue ball is going.
:05:47. > :05:51.
:05:51. > :05:59.Thinking of playing the red on the right-hand side. He has to be
:05:59. > :06:03.careful he doesn't legit towards the left-hand corner pocket. That
:06:03. > :06:10.is why he purposely played it thick into the black, and he couldn't
:06:10. > :06:15.have made a better job of it than that. Not a good shot. But he was
:06:15. > :06:20.so concerned about the red he played, knocking it over the left
:06:20. > :06:30.corner, that he has played a nothing safety, really, and this
:06:30. > :06:43.
:06:43. > :06:53.Didn't get the pot. There was half a chance but you just feel that
:06:53. > :07:00.
:07:00. > :07:04.Dave needs to get those half He's going to get another one now.
:07:04. > :07:09.These reds along the top cushion - if the red is tight along the top
:07:09. > :07:12.cushion, it is a lot easier than when they are just off. The problem
:07:13. > :07:22.for Gilbert is that he has to get position on the black so he has to
:07:23. > :07:25.
:07:25. > :07:35.hit this more firmly than he would He tried to go for the top cushion
:07:35. > :07:41.
:07:41. > :07:48.but played it very well. Now this It is always that little bit easier.
:07:48. > :07:53.You just have to keep them clinging to the cushion. An important chance.
:07:53. > :08:01.The first frame of the match - we have a long way to go in these
:08:01. > :08:11.second round matches, best of 25, first-13. No matter how long the
:08:11. > :08:13.
:08:13. > :08:19.match is, you can't beat a good He is already out of position. Not
:08:19. > :08:28.getting hold of the balls, perhaps his arm a bit tight. Has to get
:08:28. > :08:38.position on the blue - this would It looks to beat inch-perfect on
:08:38. > :09:06.
:09:06. > :09:16.the blue. A lovely little gap to Regardless of the length of the
:09:16. > :09:16.
:09:16. > :09:59.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:09:59. > :10:06.match, it's a great feeling to get He used all the pocket for that one.
:10:06. > :10:16.Just compose yourself - really missed this. He knows it. That is
:10:16. > :10:35.
:10:35. > :10:39.why he is taking a little bit of He played the correct shot there, a
:10:39. > :10:49.positive shot to screw into the reds. Now a realistic frame-winning
:10:49. > :11:12.
:11:12. > :11:22.chance. He can be forgiven of just A fraction of body and head
:11:22. > :11:30.
:11:30. > :11:34.movement in Dave's action, but He is down quick. Perhaps straight
:11:34. > :11:43.on this black and he would have liked. The deep screw in the right-
:11:43. > :11:48.hand side. That was the problem - if anything, just slightly to the
:11:48. > :11:55.side of straight. A little bit awkward now. The 38 point lead. Two
:11:55. > :12:02.reds needed. He has played that well. The cannon nicely to finish
:12:02. > :12:12.on the pink. One more red, and Neil Robertson, world number three, will
:12:12. > :12:18.
:12:18. > :12:23.Would you believe it? Just that pink and one more red. I can't
:12:23. > :12:32.believe that entered his mind. But he can't afford to miss shots like
:12:32. > :12:39.that. What a pity. It's the biggest match, certainly the highest
:12:39. > :12:43.profile match, of Dave Gilbert's professional career. He won't be
:12:43. > :12:53.feeling so good now. You know full well with a player like Neil
:12:53. > :13:03.
:13:03. > :13:06.Robertson, every chance, he's going He has had a look at this red,
:13:06. > :13:11.wondering whether to play for the pink. You would think he has to
:13:11. > :13:15.play for the pink and the red just above it, the corner pocket. You
:13:16. > :13:25.can see where he wants to leave the cue ball. He has got to remove that
:13:26. > :13:27.
:13:27. > :13:33.This will be a body blow, even early on, Dave Gilbert. If he wins
:13:33. > :13:43.the frame, you can forget about the missed pink. If you lose it, it
:13:43. > :13:47.will be very hard to put it out of The only saving grace for Dave
:13:47. > :13:51.Gilbert I can see is the fact that Neil Robertson is left-handed and
:13:51. > :14:01.will have to play the red down the cushion with the rest, but it's
:14:01. > :14:11.
:14:12. > :14:19.pretty close to that pocket, so it There probably is a place on the
:14:19. > :14:29.table where Neil can reach over and leave himself a cut on the red on
:14:29. > :14:36.
:14:36. > :14:46.the side cushion. Depends on the The closer he can get to this red,
:14:46. > :14:51.
:14:51. > :14:56.I wouldn't say that is inch-perfect. He has got a little bit of work to
:14:56. > :15:00.do with the cue ball here. 26 points behind. He could have been a
:15:00. > :15:07.little bit straight on the blue but he had to guarantee the angle of
:15:07. > :15:17.course. Hit it with a bit of pace, you would have thought, to bring it
:15:17. > :15:20.
:15:21. > :15:24.away from the cushion. And that's what made it missable. It looks
:15:24. > :15:31.like he played it with a bit of side, which made it a little bit
:15:31. > :15:39.more difficult, but this will cut, I think, into the right middle. It
:15:39. > :15:44.is a thin one. Just needs this red and a colour. This is a lot more
:15:44. > :15:54.difficult than the pink he missed. But he will just be pleased to get
:15:54. > :16:09.
:16:09. > :16:13.It was a thin one. You may be wondering why he didn't play it to
:16:13. > :16:23.the far right corner but, if you have a thin one like that, you just
:16:23. > :16:28.
:16:28. > :16:38.feel that, as soon as you can, you He was probably a bit fearful of
:16:38. > :16:45.
:16:45. > :16:55.He is obviously feeling the tension This looks like a good safety shot
:16:55. > :17:00.It slowed up a bit more than I thought. Perhaps the cushions are
:17:00. > :17:05.not bouncing like they were at the end of last night's play. Let's
:17:05. > :17:09.hope not because it was definitely - I wouldn't say becoming
:17:09. > :17:19.unplayable, but it was very difficult to judge how it was going
:17:19. > :17:48.
:17:48. > :17:52.to come off the cushions. Hopefully He didn't play that, but not too
:17:52. > :18:02.sure if he will settle for it or not. He has given Neil Robertson a
:18:02. > :18:10.
:18:10. > :18:20.chance but it is very missable. The past -- the part of the cue ball is
:18:20. > :18:31.
:18:31. > :18:41.Even though Dave Gilbert has a 26- point lead, you would feel that it
:18:41. > :19:05.
:19:05. > :19:09.is a one-shot situation for both It is always risky to send it
:19:09. > :19:19.towards the pocket, but just not confident enough he was going to
:19:19. > :19:20.
:19:20. > :19:30.get the yellow to cover the path to And of course the age-old problem -
:19:30. > :19:32.
:19:32. > :19:39.can you get it safe? He will settle Nice flick on the blue. A very good
:19:39. > :19:46.chance for Dave Gilbert to try to use the brown, blue, pink and black
:19:46. > :19:56.to line up a snooker, send the red ball off four cushions, stun behind
:19:56. > :19:56.
:19:56. > :20:36.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:20:36. > :20:41.the ball colours. Play it up the Well this red go in? It over the
:20:41. > :20:46.middle, but Karen Dave Gilbert get past the yellow? That is the
:20:46. > :20:54.question. -- can Dave Gilbert get past the yellow? That is the
:20:54. > :21:00.question. He can, and he only needs the red and a colour. So he won't
:21:00. > :21:05.be winning this frame in style because he has missed a couple of
:21:05. > :21:15.opportunities but he can put those out of his mind now he has got the
:21:15. > :21:17.
:21:17. > :21:21.In all honesty, apart from that missed pink, he has cute very
:21:21. > :21:27.smoothly. It was imperative on this table. Once you have started
:21:27. > :21:37.hitting the ball too hard, you get less chances for the ball to go in
:21:37. > :21:41.
:21:41. > :21:51.the pocket, and it starts bouncing As we say, a long way to go, but
:21:51. > :22:01.
:22:01. > :22:08.you can't beat winning the first He is not bothered about the black.
:22:08. > :22:18.Neil Robertson loses the first frame.
:22:18. > :22:22.
:22:22. > :22:27.UMPIRE: Second frame, Neil So Neil Robertson breaks off in
:22:27. > :22:32.frame two. He didn't have much chance in the first frame. He had
:22:32. > :22:38.one decent chance when he went into the cluster but he wasn't able to
:22:38. > :22:48.develop the reds into a frame winning position. He won't be too
:22:48. > :22:55.
:22:55. > :23:01.The idea about that shot - if you are going to miss it, hit it on the
:23:01. > :23:06.thin side. If you hit it on the thick side, the cue ball won't go
:23:06. > :23:16.back to the baulk end. It stays in the middle of the table and the red
:23:16. > :23:20.
:23:20. > :23:25.A little bit careless to kiss the brown. He has got a nice angle on
:23:25. > :23:29.it, he can still hit the cue ball down this end. He is just checking
:23:29. > :23:39.if the red to the right of the black will go to the left corner.
:23:39. > :23:45.
:23:45. > :23:55.Very nicely judged. That was all about pace. Until you have truly
:23:55. > :23:59.
:23:59. > :24:06.settled down in a match, those I think the red just to the right
:24:06. > :24:10.of the black will go. The reason he didn't play it that time - it is
:24:10. > :24:15.one where you need to be nicely behind it. I think it will go but
:24:15. > :24:25.he could go into the main bunch of reds, or he could play for that red
:24:25. > :24:30.
:24:30. > :24:35.He played the cannon and that worked out nicely because he has
:24:35. > :24:41.removed the red just to the right of the black, and that opens the
:24:41. > :24:46.chance of that happening. Couldn't have worked out better. But I think
:24:46. > :24:51.at the moment the black is not available into either corner pocket,
:24:51. > :25:01.so, until he plays the cut into the corner pocket, it is not the best
:25:01. > :25:05.of chances just yet, but it is a He has got to try to generate
:25:05. > :25:09.enough power while bridging over the reds to get up for the blue, I
:25:09. > :25:16.would imagine. Unless there are other balls that will go other than
:25:16. > :25:21.the red on the left corner. He might be able to sneak this red
:25:22. > :25:27.pass the red into the right corner, but perhaps a little deft shot to
:25:28. > :25:32.sneak back for the pink - not clear-cut here. Certainly not
:25:32. > :25:42.clear-cut which balls go and which don't. Does this go past the pink
:25:42. > :25:57.
:25:57. > :26:01.Took more time than I thought he Anyway, it is imperative, you would
:26:01. > :26:07.have thought, to go for one of these reds blocking of the black.
:26:07. > :26:17.It makes things that much more comfortable with regards to making
:26:17. > :26:17.
:26:17. > :26:22.Quite a clever little shot. No guarantee in position on a red into
:26:22. > :26:30.the corner, which will open up the black into one pocket, but also
:26:30. > :26:35.opening the pink into the corner And nice judgement of pace. The
:26:35. > :26:45.correct side of the blue. It takes all of the aggravation out of the
:26:45. > :27:09.
:27:09. > :27:12.break, not having to go in and out Many different ways to go about
:27:12. > :27:22.break-building in a situation like this. Some slightly more accurate
:27:22. > :27:47.
:27:47. > :27:51.So far, Neil Robertson has not put APPLAUSE.
:27:51. > :27:55.Not quite as well played but he still has a choice of reds. Still
:27:55. > :28:05.has a bit of work to do with the cue ball to guarantee nice position
:28:05. > :28:36.
:28:36. > :28:43.Couldn't have played it better. You'd expect him to win the frame
:28:43. > :28:53.now at this visit. If he is at the top of his game - I've no doubt he
:28:53. > :28:54.
:28:54. > :28:59.has arrived here in Sheffield with that gained in A 1 order. He is the
:28:59. > :29:06.sort of player who bills himself up for to bigger, longer events, and
:29:06. > :29:10.it suits his game as well. Of course, won the Masters. A
:29:10. > :29:17.tremendous performance in that tournament. One of the great
:29:17. > :29:23.matches when he beat Judd Trump into semis. Of course he came here
:29:23. > :29:29.last year as defending champion and lost out to Judd Trump. At the time,
:29:29. > :29:36.it seemed a bit of a surprise, but the way Judd carried on throughout
:29:36. > :29:46.that tournament... He has a few scores to settle, and the
:29:46. > :30:26.
:30:26. > :30:36.Australian mentality - they don't The pink will put him 68 points in
:30:36. > :30:36.
:30:36. > :31:18.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:31:18. > :31:28.Apt. I thought forces and it was a century. He is sure we'd Dave
:31:28. > :31:46.
:31:46. > :31:50.Gilbert that if he gets a chance he Eight good break. Dave Gilbert
:31:50. > :32:00.could bottled bliss. He is one of the few people he can break off
:32:00. > :32:00.
:32:00. > :32:07.without leaving the chance of a bottle. He has done it a game.
:32:08. > :32:17.Maybe one or two of the other professionals will take note. Let's
:32:18. > :32:18.
:32:18. > :32:28.have a look. Get the videos ready. How does he do it? They did not
:32:28. > :32:49.
:32:49. > :32:55.A tough shot. When they to knock them in it looks as though they
:32:56. > :33:05.were in no danger. When you miss it but that bar he beat the double-
:33:06. > :33:30.
:33:30. > :33:40.He just played that tried shot. It went off by the time it reached the
:33:40. > :33:49.red and are of a cut it. That is the modern day way. He totally
:33:49. > :33:54.committed himself to the shot and the pot. An early chance for Dave
:33:54. > :34:04.Gilbert to ratified the recent damage to his cue action. --
:34:04. > :34:07.
:34:07. > :34:11.rectify.. He is obligate to push a red back into the pack. He Peakin
:34:11. > :34:21.get the correct position on this black from the red he may be able
:34:21. > :34:24.
:34:24. > :34:34.to pot the black and open a few Fractionally overscrewed for that
:34:34. > :34:44.
:34:44. > :34:50.On the red. He will have to go for the blue. Normally you think of the
:34:50. > :34:57.blue is the best way to go in. If you just separate it slightly it
:34:57. > :35:07.makes it more difficult. First of all you need a good angle on the
:35:07. > :35:29.
:35:29. > :35:39.blue. Then the red that has just Once again not the ideal angle to
:35:39. > :35:46.
:35:47. > :35:55.It would be very nice for Dave Gilbert's confidence if he could
:35:55. > :36:05.make a frame winning break here. A few mistakes in the early part of
:36:05. > :36:12.
:36:12. > :36:22.That is nice. He has enough of an angle to go into the red. He needs
:36:22. > :36:30.
:36:30. > :36:35.We got the power and he got into the reds. Because he had to force
:36:35. > :36:45.it a bit he just did not get into the reds he would like. -- would
:36:45. > :36:55.
:36:55. > :37:05.have liked. He did not release A good shot. That was an excellent
:37:05. > :37:20.
:37:20. > :37:26.It looks to be just about nicely placed on a red to be able to roll
:37:26. > :37:36.through for a pot on the blue. He's just low enough down the table to
:37:36. > :37:49.
:37:49. > :37:59.He missed one earlier. But do not expect him to miss this one.
:37:59. > :38:03.
:38:03. > :38:09.just has to catch that red ball in Those three reds on the left-hand
:38:09. > :38:16.side of the table Armour bit of insurance. This is the biggest
:38:16. > :38:24.match he has played in his life. It just takes a bit of pressure off
:38:24. > :38:34.him. He can win the frame with the four reds in the middle of the
:38:34. > :38:34.
:38:34. > :40:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:40:10. > :40:16.This frame is it sewn up now. 75 Let us hope that he - I thought he
:40:16. > :40:26.would make a century there but a quite good score. Dave Gilbert
:40:26. > :41:05.
:41:05. > :41:15.This will be a shot from Neil Robertson. To pot this red and get
:41:15. > :41:34.
:41:34. > :41:44.on a colour. I do not think the Does it go in the middle?
:41:44. > :41:45.
:41:45. > :41:53.Perhaps he was trying the pink in the yellow pocket. I also think
:41:53. > :42:03.that it would making certain that he potted the red. The red was
:42:03. > :42:18.
:42:18. > :42:23.That is why he's such a dangerous player. They were not many balls on
:42:23. > :42:33.the table he can not pot. He'd look at in the way of his positional
:42:33. > :42:47.
:42:47. > :42:51.shot. He is looking at a long screw It is always a bit unlucky when you
:42:51. > :43:01.do stick end of the red up. You cannot guarantee where the balls go
:43:01. > :43:01.
:43:01. > :43:52.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:43:52. > :43:59.A kiss on the yellow will help. If He will do well to make 30 points.
:43:59. > :44:09.Beyond the advantage is that if the pink goes into the left corner then
:44:09. > :44:13.
:44:13. > :44:23.he has the pink to play with. We It looks like the pink spot is
:44:23. > :44:39.
:44:39. > :44:49.He has got a nice touch to his game. I have not seen him play a great
:44:49. > :44:50.
:44:50. > :45:00.deal. He strokes able nice and firmly. I would imagine he is very
:45:00. > :45:27.
:45:27. > :45:32.It is not to bed. They raised one or two of loose reds. If he screws
:45:32. > :45:42.back for the pink in the same pocket he would have the rite angle
:45:42. > :46:21.
:46:21. > :46:30.He must feel there is a red He wants to be in other six inches
:46:30. > :46:40.up the table. Then the tee mac reds to the black would be available.
:46:40. > :46:45.
:46:45. > :46:55.They all seem to be covering one Trying to make something happen
:46:55. > :46:56.
:46:56. > :47:06.using all that pace. It through the pink complete the off side. A bit
:47:06. > :47:20.
:47:20. > :47:30.A very acute angle to come into the To some degree he has to trust that
:47:30. > :47:36.
:47:36. > :47:46.It went in and he breathed a sigh of relief as though he was
:47:46. > :48:00.
:48:00. > :48:10.The black is only available into the right corner. I do not think he
:48:10. > :48:16.
:48:16. > :48:26.is perfect on this. He now has the If he could get to this said the
:48:26. > :48:39.
:48:39. > :48:48.table and pot the blue he could get A change of plan. He would have
:48:48. > :48:57.liked to have been a bit closer to the cushion. Even knew he was
:48:57. > :49:07.touching the side cushion. He has spotted something. He had a look
:49:07. > :49:12.
:49:12. > :49:22.around and then found a spring in He might be playing the blue. We
:49:22. > :49:28.
:49:28. > :49:38.It is not as I'd deal is situation to try and win the frame in one
:49:38. > :49:47.
:49:47. > :49:57.visit. He will now try and split open the balls. Not much of a gap.
:49:57. > :50:09.
:50:09. > :50:19.I think he convinced himself there Bit 80s. These are horrible shots.
:50:19. > :50:32.
:50:32. > :50:42.To judge the potting angle it can He played it really well. He is not
:50:42. > :50:52.perfect on the blue but he will settle for that. He is playing the
:50:52. > :50:59.
:50:59. > :51:06.green. I cannot blame him. Now he's It was made easier by the fact the
:51:06. > :51:11.green was not on its spot. Plenty of room to manoeuvre. He can
:51:11. > :51:21.consider himself unlucky in that playing the excellent burst shot he
:51:21. > :51:29.
:51:29. > :51:39.did not disturb the reds further The cue ball was a bit closer to
:51:39. > :51:45.
:51:45. > :51:51.the cushion than he would have Always remembering that the black
:51:51. > :52:01.is only available to the right corner pocket. He has a nice angle
:52:01. > :52:24.
:52:24. > :52:28.There will be cries of buckets everywhere in the snooker clubs. We
:52:28. > :52:38.noticed that the tables were pulling towards the top cushion.
:52:38. > :52:46.
:52:46. > :52:52.A massive difference when balls are rolling along the top cushion. It
:52:52. > :52:59.makes the table a much easier. Particularly when they go in-off
:52:59. > :53:09.the wide dual. He is looking as to whether he can slip the red back in
:53:09. > :53:18.
:53:18. > :53:28.the pocket. An enormous risk to Are you brave enough? It looks on.
:53:28. > :53:35.
:53:35. > :53:45.It might be a fraction wide. With a bit more pace he can throw what
:53:45. > :53:48.
:53:48. > :53:58.wider. To some degree he has to play a safety shot. BP is not
:53:58. > :54:14.
:54:14. > :54:22.I do not think he will play for the colour. What a shot. He deserves to
:54:22. > :54:31.win the frame now. It did not look like he had even considered it an
:54:31. > :54:39.It just shows you that if you give it enough thought a little bit of
:54:39. > :54:49.inspiration can come into your mind. A marvellous chance now. The frame
:54:49. > :54:50.
:54:50. > :54:57.is almost over. I do not suppose He knows he's playing one of the
:54:57. > :55:03.best players in the world. That can sometimes relax you because you get
:55:03. > :55:07.the feeling that your best is not going to be good enough. The point
:55:07. > :55:17.is that you still have to produce. He has done that in his first
:55:17. > :55:29.
:55:29. > :55:39.He made a break of 76. Good stuff He has missed it but for a few
:55:39. > :55:43.
:55:43. > :55:53.snookers it is going to be 3-1.4 Smith is required. -- four snookers
:55:53. > :55:57.
:55:57. > :56:07.Neil missed a chance in the first frame. Perhaps a positional mistake
:56:07. > :56:20.
:56:21. > :56:30.in this one and he will be staring Such a big target. Both players
:56:31. > :56:59.
:56:59. > :57:05.looking to see if there is a gap. I He has his -- he has hit it but can
:57:05. > :57:15.he get it safe? It David Gilbert knocks this red in will be on our
:57:15. > :57:17.
:57:17. > :57:27.way to the dressing room before the In it goes. An interesting bocce
:57:27. > :57:57.
:57:57. > :58:07.The brown in it and that is enough for Neil Robertson. The world
:58:07. > :58:30.
:58:30. > :58:39.number three in a spot of bother. Dave Gilbert has just broken off
:58:39. > :58:48.once again. He has left nothing. He has snick it Neil Robertson on all
:58:48. > :58:58.the rest. Now you can see the situation. It is just a case of
:58:58. > :59:34.
:59:34. > :59:39.Be any danger could be his if he The reason why Dave Gilbert didn't
:59:39. > :59:48.try to get down the table there, he wasn't sure he could avoid getting
:59:48. > :59:58.on the pink, so sacrificing the tactical advantage. Not too much
:59:58. > :00:14.
:00:14. > :00:24.damage is going to be done with the An excellent safety shot. His
:00:24. > :00:26.
:00:27. > :00:36.safety has been absolutely If you avoid the baulk colours, you
:00:37. > :00:42.
:00:42. > :00:48.Just missed the pink. UMPIRE: Touching ball. A nice, easy
:00:48. > :00:58.pass back to the baulk end. Once it is deemed to be touching the red,
:00:58. > :01:26.
:01:26. > :01:31.Keeping that cue ball glued on the There's a red that went towards the
:01:31. > :01:41.right corner pocket, but excellent work on the cue ball, and the
:01:41. > :01:52.
:01:52. > :02:02.Because that red was in such a dangerous position, the risk of
:02:02. > :02:02.
:02:03. > :02:06.trying to get the cue ball back to the baulk end.... Of course, a very
:02:06. > :02:10.easy shot for Neil Robertson to put a ball near the pocket, but then he
:02:10. > :02:15.doesn't put his opponent under pressure. A chance of the safety
:02:15. > :02:25.shot to keep the red over the pocket and keep the heat on his
:02:25. > :02:25.
:02:25. > :02:35.If he has found the right spot, he will have the blue and yellow to
:02:35. > :02:37.
:02:37. > :02:43.So often these days it is all about potting position. With the modern-
:02:43. > :02:50.day players, safety is overrated, but I haven't told these two loads
:02:50. > :02:56.today. They've done some great stuff. Absolutely. There is a
:02:56. > :03:02.possibility for a three-ball plant. It would be far away, this. I'm not
:03:02. > :03:12.sure whether it is latched on, Well, it was.
:03:12. > :03:13.
:03:14. > :03:18.If that was on before Neil Robertson played the safety shot,
:03:18. > :03:24.it was a big mistake. My memory is not good enough for that. Was it
:03:24. > :03:31.there? I think it probably nudged into that position because he
:03:31. > :03:41.played the safety of that side of the red. Always got to be careful,
:03:41. > :03:50.
:03:50. > :03:54.He could put an eight ball plant Well, he got the plant into the
:03:54. > :04:00.middle pocket, but sometimes it can be helpful. That time he could have
:04:00. > :04:10.done without it. He had enough for the cue ball to come in and out of
:04:10. > :04:28.
:04:28. > :04:34.the baulk cushion to be nicely on a Once again, found that area that
:04:34. > :04:38.covers the path to this pocket in the right corner. You asked the
:04:38. > :04:48.question, Steve, and let's have a look. That's what made the plant,
:04:48. > :05:12.
:05:12. > :05:22.It would appear that Neil Robertson has actually got Dave Gilbert in a
:05:22. > :05:26.
:05:26. > :05:36.He is going to be leaving the ball in the middle pocket. He gets the
:05:36. > :05:41.
:05:41. > :05:51.It is a little easier to miss than it would have been if he had a bit
:05:51. > :06:30.
:06:30. > :06:37.There is a red to the right corner that goes. He has certainly opened
:06:37. > :06:44.this frame up now. Up until now, Dave Gilbert has kept Neil
:06:44. > :06:54.Robertson under wraps, hasn't he, John? Hasn't happened often. He has
:06:54. > :07:00.
:07:00. > :07:07.The one to the left corner - that one was on. He is just about on the
:07:07. > :07:11.green. Trying to do a lot with the cue ball here. He knew it was going
:07:11. > :07:21.to kiss the second red. He knew the most important part of the job was
:07:21. > :07:23.
:07:23. > :07:27.In one respect he has a green that he can miss here, but it depends
:07:27. > :07:35.how he decides to play the positional part. He could power
:07:35. > :07:40.into the shot. The pink helps, the pocket being beget as well, but
:07:40. > :07:50.very rarely do you seen Neil Robertson rolling one. Very nicely
:07:50. > :07:52.
:07:52. > :08:02.struck, that was. Made that look Frame-winning chance, I think. Very
:08:02. > :08:05.
:08:05. > :08:09.early call. But not wrong, surely, John? Tell me I'm not wrong. No. I
:08:09. > :08:12.do get criticised for saying it is a frame-winning chance but, when we
:08:12. > :08:19.are looking at it from the perspective of the players are on
:08:19. > :08:29.the table, Neil will be looking at this as an opportunity to win the
:08:29. > :08:32.
:08:32. > :08:38.Can he get through to the pink? I'm surprised he played it like that.
:08:38. > :08:44.He had a red to the opposite corner. I don't know what he was thinking
:08:44. > :08:49.of. Maybe he thought, if he played the red to the right corner and
:08:49. > :08:53.played up for the pink, the pink might go to the black spot and tie
:08:54. > :09:03.things up - I don't know. If he can get through to the pink, he is
:09:04. > :09:30.
:09:30. > :09:36.That frame-winning chance you were Well, he will be very happy how he
:09:36. > :09:39.has gone about this. There have been a couple of shots that seem to
:09:39. > :09:49.have been strange. He could have played that pink and come up the
:09:49. > :09:58.
:09:58. > :10:08.It is not good on the colour, so that could be the end of the break.
:10:08. > :10:13.
:10:13. > :10:17.He has got a very thin green. And a very missable brown should he want
:10:17. > :10:27.to continue the break. Surely rolling up behind the pink gives
:10:27. > :11:06.
:11:06. > :11:11.Even though Dave Gilbert is behind the pink, in trouble, he will still
:11:11. > :11:21.be pleased he has got back to the table. There is a chance to get out
:11:21. > :11:30.
:11:30. > :11:35.of trouble - where is another You like that, do you? OK... Yeah,
:11:35. > :11:42.well, I think if he hits the red full ball, I don't think he leaves
:11:42. > :11:52.anything. Going down the other side of the table, he will do well not
:11:52. > :12:08.
:12:08. > :12:18.Creeping round. I think we can just get enough of that red that is
:12:18. > :12:23.
:12:23. > :12:31.closest to the left middle. He can He does play those shots well when
:12:31. > :12:40.he is near the cushion. Another one he plays well - the deep screw back
:12:40. > :12:50.with side spin. It widens the angle off the cushion. To try to get as
:12:50. > :13:03.
:13:03. > :13:13.He is OK. The green spot is not available but the only other spot
:13:13. > :13:14.
:13:14. > :13:24.that is available, the yellow spot - this is his second decent
:13:24. > :13:51.
:13:51. > :13:55.He'd like to be on the black. I And the black going on the pink
:13:55. > :14:05.spot will be no problem whatsoever. It is available into the baulk
:14:05. > :14:37.
:14:37. > :14:46.It has to be said, another frame- It would appear that normal service
:14:46. > :14:52.has been resumed. Neil into his stride. A very confident pace
:14:52. > :15:02.around the table. You always feel with Neil Robertson, he fancies his
:15:02. > :15:23.
:15:23. > :15:28.potting on the table. A bit of a Thinks long and hard about the
:15:28. > :15:38.angle he wants to leave on the black. I would assume it is exactly
:15:38. > :15:42.
:15:42. > :15:52.where he wants to be. Just a little He didn't play that kiss but it is
:15:52. > :15:56.
:15:56. > :16:02.not too bad as it turns out. The The problem is, he wouldn't... I
:16:02. > :16:09.don't know. He is 47 in front. He could play for the yellow but he
:16:09. > :16:14.decided to go for the black. Even though the yellow would tie the
:16:14. > :16:24.green up near its own spot, he can win the frame quite comfortably
:16:24. > :16:35.
:16:35. > :16:45.with this red in the middle of the This to go 63 in front with just 59
:16:45. > :16:46.
:16:46. > :16:56.So maybe the reason he didn't play for the yellow, he didn't want to
:16:56. > :16:58.
:16:58. > :17:08.tie it up and spoil the chance of a I know that is thinking a little
:17:08. > :17:22.
:17:22. > :17:26.bit out of the box but, there you It's not as if he led Neil in with
:17:26. > :17:36.a missed shot. He was in trouble, he was trapped, and didn't manage
:17:36. > :17:51.
:17:51. > :18:01.to escape from the snooker without Just needs a slight angle on the
:18:01. > :18:26.
:18:26. > :18:31.Just didn't screwed back far enough on the blue. Once again, very good
:18:31. > :18:37.off the cushion, playing with pace. There's an example - is it going to
:18:37. > :18:42.be hard enough? He may be snookered with the blue is re- spotted. He
:18:42. > :18:47.might just be able to sneak this yellow in. It is immaterial, the
:18:47. > :18:57.frame is over, but he would like to make a century if he could. And
:18:57. > :19:11.
:19:11. > :19:15.every chance he will. Just gets the Well, it is a foul, is it? But that
:19:15. > :19:25.was an excellent contribution from Neil Robertson. He was always in
:19:25. > :19:25.
:19:25. > :20:15.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:20:15. > :20:24.control of that frame and he now He is knocking that red towards the
:20:24. > :20:28.corner. If the brown has come to his rescue, you have got to say it
:20:28. > :20:38.is a little bit fortunate, but every credit for getting a good cue
:20:38. > :20:40.
:20:40. > :20:47.Yes, if you sort of get the ball on the bottom cushion, those baulk
:20:47. > :20:57.colours do cover a fair bit of the top part of the table. Is he
:20:57. > :20:59.
:20:59. > :21:05.He did, and he saw it was a big pocket, and in all honesty I know
:21:05. > :21:10.the pace kept it out but how it kept it out I don't know. That was
:21:10. > :21:20.a great attempt from Dave Gilbert there. He can consider himself
:21:20. > :21:22.
:21:22. > :21:28.unfortunate that the red stayed I think Neil Robertson suspected he
:21:28. > :21:37.would be going into the pack there, perhaps even staying on the black.
:21:37. > :21:47.As it is, he's got second best, I suppose. At least he is in open
:21:47. > :21:47.
:21:47. > :22:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:22:33. > :22:36.Of all the places in all the world, He will be a little bit
:22:36. > :22:42.disappointed, Neil Robertson, he didn't make more than that, but
:22:42. > :22:51.just a couple of inches out on the positional side of the shot -
:22:51. > :22:56.that's what stopped him in his The chance to play an aggressive
:22:56. > :23:00.safety off the side of the pack. This will split the reds everywhere
:23:00. > :23:10.and he can get the cue ball off the face of the brown here, down beside
:23:10. > :23:14.
:23:14. > :23:20.the green even. This hit that -- mishit. The first poor safety
:23:20. > :23:24.shot Dave Gilbert has played in this match. No real excuse. The
:23:24. > :23:33.hand on the table - just caught the first red much too thin. That's why
:23:33. > :23:40.he cannoned the blue. As you say, Steve, you can count on one hand
:23:40. > :23:50.the poor safety shots he has played. But it only takes one in a frame
:23:50. > :24:00.
:24:00. > :24:10.No guarantees of position now for There's a horrible situation. Now
:24:10. > :24:10.
:24:10. > :24:16.what do you do? The red, begging to be potted, but a risky colour. He's
:24:16. > :24:26.going to go for the yellow. He is one of these players that you just
:24:26. > :24:28.
:24:28. > :24:35.don't fancy him missing it, do you? -- at cueing. You don't fancy him
:24:35. > :24:39.missing those. Just a superb shot there. So important to be able to
:24:39. > :24:49.knock those balls been, and he did it positively as well. Got down
:24:49. > :25:12.
:25:12. > :25:22.Since easy for this shot to have gone wrong. He is in prime position,
:25:22. > :25:22.
:25:22. > :27:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:27:06. > :27:11.building up ahead of Speed now. -- There is one loose red but he has a
:27:11. > :27:17.nice cannon and a 46-point lead. He is not going to do it with just one
:27:17. > :27:22.loose red so he can't refuse this opportunity. If he catches the top
:27:22. > :27:26.red fault in the face, he should be on the other one. Not too hard.
:27:26. > :27:31.Played it with more pace than I thought he would have done, and now
:27:31. > :27:36.he is left with a tricky shot. He has got this red to the right
:27:37. > :27:41.corner, this one off the top cushion. Against the cushion, it's
:27:42. > :27:51.not easy. I'm surprised he played with that much pace but I suppose
:27:52. > :27:58.
:27:58. > :28:03.he expected to hit the red full in Wonderful. Wonderful play. So
:28:03. > :28:07.difficult when you are tight on the cushion like that. As we have
:28:07. > :28:17.mentioned the cut, particularly playing them with pace - just no
:28:17. > :28:51.
:28:51. > :28:59.problem. An excellent striker of All right, I lost my confidence a
:28:59. > :29:04.bit... But when you see Neil Robertson play like this, this is
:29:04. > :29:08.what is the worry for his opponent, and Dave Gilbert knows - he may
:29:08. > :29:14.never have played him before but he will have watched him on to
:29:14. > :29:19.television and he will know what a great builder he is, all round
:29:19. > :29:24.player, and he is just sat there, when you leave a chance, thinking,
:29:24. > :29:29."I've lost the frame". There are not many balls you don't expect him
:29:29. > :29:36.to pot. The initial yellow he potted to keep this break going was
:29:36. > :29:41.absolutely superb. Here's an early shout for you - Neil Robertson,
:29:41. > :29:51.2012 world champion. Is that barely enough for you? Year. That's your
:29:51. > :29:56.
:29:56. > :30:00.We are always asks who our selections are. I always saying
:30:00. > :30:08.Ronnie will give the world of beating. Judd Trump may be
:30:08. > :30:13.favourite. Never discount John Higgins. The two I went for are
:30:13. > :30:23.Neil Robertson - I thought he was a very big contender - and my other
:30:23. > :30:36.
:30:36. > :30:46.one went out in the first round, He has come out after the interval
:30:46. > :30:57.
:30:57. > :31:07.28th century of the ball Championship. He 211th of his
:31:07. > :31:07.
:31:07. > :31:13.career. T think it is harder to pick each champion of the snooker
:31:14. > :31:23.championship for the Grand National? I would have to say the
:31:24. > :31:53.
:31:53. > :32:03.That was unbelievable. The brown They cannot remember seeing a
:32:03. > :32:07.
:32:07. > :32:11.player for many years. Every time Dave Gilbert has played safe. He
:32:11. > :32:21.hit that one Dennis -- that will bit to be thin. Has it gone far
:32:21. > :32:28.
:32:28. > :32:38.He just needed end of the roll of the ball. He has to be careful he
:32:38. > :32:46.does not need -- leave the red on. He is getting a bit of bad luck. He
:32:46. > :32:53.is getting so close to the pots. They are wobbling and staying there.
:32:53. > :32:59.Neil Robertson can easily come off a side cushion and pop this red.
:32:59. > :33:05.The only part they could go wrong is the positional pot. Fully
:33:06. > :33:15.expecting him to pot this red. would think he would buy one on to
:33:16. > :33:20.
:33:20. > :33:30.Maybe that is the secret. To that we've him a clear pot, leave him a
:33:30. > :33:44.
:33:44. > :33:54.plant. His way was much more That one went in. A very get double
:33:54. > :34:02.
:34:02. > :34:07.He has to leave himself on the He played it just as you said.
:34:07. > :34:13.Considering he has not had much table time in the two previous
:34:13. > :34:21.frames and Ronnie scored five points that was an excellent shot.
:34:21. > :34:31.Can he make the most of this opportunity? A decent one. A black
:34:31. > :34:31.
:34:31. > :35:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:35:25. > :35:31.You can see Neil Robertson in the It keeps yourself involved. It
:35:31. > :35:38.gives you an idea of what helps and what does not. Other players just
:35:38. > :35:48.look down on the floor and try and ignore what is happening. What ever
:35:48. > :35:52.
:35:52. > :36:02.If he was to win this frame the Ritz and the one more frame to be
:36:02. > :36:04.
:36:04. > :36:11.played in the session. Eight frames When you get to the final session
:36:11. > :36:21.there will be nine. If he can win this he will not be behind going
:36:21. > :36:34.
:36:34. > :36:44.It is quite nice to have the red over the yellow pocket as a last
:36:44. > :37:00.
:37:00. > :37:10.gasp insurance policy. He would He has not hit that hard enough.
:37:10. > :37:15.
:37:15. > :37:25.was quick. It was imperative he got He has got the red at the far end
:37:25. > :37:27.
:37:27. > :37:36.of the table. He is so straight on this black. He is considering the
:37:36. > :37:41.red on the left-hand side of the It is one of the reasons why a
:37:41. > :37:51.place to not like to leave the shot just a -- smash into the pack and
:37:51. > :37:51.
:37:51. > :38:39.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:38:39. > :38:46.He had the perfect line but was Is there any value? There might be,
:38:46. > :38:56.looking at the way the pack is lying. The first thing he has to do
:38:56. > :39:01.
:39:02. > :39:11.For a second he was looking to screw into the reds. He is turning
:39:12. > :39:23.
:39:23. > :39:33.He'll be disappointed he did not win the frame there and then. What
:39:33. > :39:50.
:39:50. > :39:57.Tee mac reds on the side cushion and a green. No heroics necessary
:39:57. > :40:07.at the moment. He would like to change the position of the balls
:40:07. > :40:18.
:40:18. > :40:28.before he starts going for the big An attacking safety shot from Neil.
:40:28. > :40:33.
:40:33. > :40:43.If he hits it in it will not end up on in the 10 side cushion. He could
:40:43. > :41:09.
:41:09. > :41:15.It puts pressure on you to find the I'm not too sure he has a very good
:41:15. > :41:25.safety shot. He has been presented with a long pot. He might decide to
:41:25. > :41:45.
:41:45. > :41:55.He was undecided there. It is not a good safety. The red on in the 10
:41:55. > :41:57.
:41:57. > :42:07.He might as well go for the long ball. He does not want to but he
:42:07. > :42:12.
:42:12. > :42:22.will have to. He will have to fully I was not looking, did it going?
:42:22. > :42:32.
:42:32. > :42:42.I wonder if he can move the green Does he take the green out of the
:42:42. > :42:46.
:42:46. > :42:52.It was risky. It was. Now he is on the red. He could finish up near
:42:52. > :43:02.the cushion straight on this red. He has the two other obstacles to
:43:02. > :43:11.
:43:11. > :43:21.were become. It is not an easy He would do well to win the frame
:43:21. > :44:00.
:44:00. > :44:08.Favourable of applause from the Unfortunate before Neil Robertson
:44:08. > :44:18.even though he collided with the green he did not give it into play.
:44:18. > :44:45.
:44:45. > :44:55.There is a chance to move the red There is one obstacle that has been
:44:55. > :44:55.
:44:55. > :45:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:45:43. > :45:53.So far this is fantastic. A chance If he plays that he will have to
:45:53. > :46:04.
:46:04. > :46:14.He has got it. He won the problem He only has to pot the red for
:46:14. > :46:29.
:46:29. > :46:39.Apart from the tricky red along the top cushion - if they just off the
:46:39. > :46:46.
:46:46. > :46:56.cushion they can be missed. The All of a sudden he has moved up a
:46:56. > :47:15.
:47:15. > :47:21.Table one seems tighter than this. If he had missed the yellow it
:47:21. > :47:31.would have been straight. It would not have got onto the green. Now he
:47:31. > :47:31.
:47:32. > :47:41.may be able to bring the green into He has missed it. How many times do
:47:41. > :47:46.I see that? It is not a frame winner. He had the chance to pot
:47:46. > :47:54.the yellow and get behind the green. He decided a more aggressive option
:47:54. > :48:04.of trying to clear the green from the cushion. Eight reprieve for
:48:04. > :48:19.
:48:19. > :48:29.Dave Gilbert. -- a reprieve for He's he's naked on the green? --
:48:29. > :48:35.
:48:35. > :48:42.Neil Robertson can say he is quite happy the yellow went into the
:48:42. > :48:52.middle pocket. Some separation between the white and green. Trade
:48:52. > :49:04.
:49:04. > :49:14.He might be able to. I do not know about the swerve. You have to hit
:49:14. > :49:24.
:49:25. > :49:34.If he were going to hit it full, Neil Robertson comes to the table
:49:35. > :49:59.
:49:59. > :50:09.He did not draw the cue back Nicely on the blue which would put
:50:09. > :50:37.
:50:37. > :50:43.The way the play sees it he is He will just roll the pink in and
:50:43. > :50:53.that is the frame in the bag. Neil Robertson came out from a 3-1
:50:53. > :51:16.
:51:16. > :51:26.Dave Gilbert has got to win this frame to draw level at the end of
:51:26. > :51:36.
:51:36. > :51:44.He has joined the big boys now at Crucible Theatre. He has done well
:51:44. > :51:49.so far. It is new territory for Dave Gilbert. He is feeling the
:51:49. > :51:59.heat all of a sudden after a great session. That is what it is like
:51:59. > :52:06.
:52:06. > :52:13.A match that is guaranteed a three session match over two days.
:52:13. > :52:19.Everybody says he does play it as a mini session. Once a player gets in
:52:19. > :52:29.full stride as Neil Robertson is here you are sat in your seat for a
:52:29. > :52:37.few frames. You begin to lose some rhythm. It is all with Neil
:52:37. > :52:47.Robertson at the moment. This will be his third red. And his third
:52:47. > :53:10.
:53:10. > :53:20.He has got the loose red by the blue. He can pot the black and
:53:20. > :53:21.
:53:21. > :53:31.split into the reds or two bit of He will not be happy with that
:53:31. > :53:39.
:53:39. > :53:43.He may have gone into them. It was all reds and blacks up until then.
:53:43. > :53:53.He has got the perfect position you smash
:53:53. > :53:54.
:53:54. > :54:04.smash into the pink and bring the He did not quite connect with the
:54:04. > :54:10.pack of reds perfectly. Has he got an easy one? He did not connect
:54:10. > :54:20.with the pink properly. You have to hit it full in the face to get the
:54:20. > :54:28.
:54:28. > :54:38.full effect. Reporting options. -- The one by the pink spot would be
:54:38. > :54:54.
:54:54. > :55:03.It is going to take a shot to get on to the black. Just looking at
:55:03. > :55:13.the end result of it he make it rather than on the left-hand side.
:55:13. > :55:14.
:55:14. > :55:24.It is a thin cut. Not all the pocket is available. It could be a
:55:24. > :55:27.
:55:27. > :55:37.He could play the safety at the bottom of the table. He could put
:55:37. > :55:42.
:55:42. > :55:52.the brown on the side cushion for A very risky shot on the black. He
:55:52. > :55:55.
:55:55. > :56:05.does not need to play this shot. He wants to. I am surprised he is
:56:05. > :56:12.
:56:12. > :56:19.I am not surprised he got it though. How is that for confidence. Neil
:56:19. > :56:29.Robertson is currently the second favourite for the event. What a
:56:29. > :56:34.
:56:34. > :56:44.performance he has shown. Absolute Dave Gilbert must be wondering what
:56:44. > :56:53.
:56:53. > :57:00.He will not be displeased. He has nothing to reproach himself for.
:57:00. > :57:10.The last black that Neil Robertson played - he would be sat there
:57:10. > :57:20.
:57:20. > :57:30.To turn around this match from 3-1 behind in the way he has done it is
:57:30. > :57:37.
:57:37. > :57:47.He has done it aggressively. That is a fair point. He has not clawed
:57:47. > :58:04.
:58:04. > :58:14.his way back into which. He made it He just did not give the middle of
:58:14. > :58:28.
:58:28. > :58:38.I get the feeling there is a century break he. �200 going to the
:58:38. > :58:38.
:58:38. > :59:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 136 seconds
:59:19. > :59:28.He needs the blue to keep the break It keeps us into her speck
:59:28. > :59:34.interested if he runs out of positions occasionally.