:00:40. > :00:43.Hello, welcome to the first World Championship Snooker Extra from the
:00:43. > :00:48.2013 Betfair World Snooker Championship from the Crucible
:00:48. > :00:58.Theatre in Sheffield. This is the first round match between Ricky
:00:58. > :01:00.
:01:00. > :01:04.Walden and Michael Holt. Michael Holt's latest debut in 2005.
:01:04. > :01:14.Similar Crucible experience for both players. Your commentators are
:01:14. > :01:43.
:01:43. > :01:49.If the cue ball hadn't gone into the pocket, it would have been
:01:49. > :01:59.easier for Michael Holt. Still, he has this long red. This will
:01:59. > :02:20.
:02:20. > :02:30.He has left an opportunity for Ricky Walden. He may be able to
:02:30. > :02:44.
:02:44. > :02:48.Very tough to score, just the two open reds. He will need an angle to
:02:48. > :02:58.get into the cluster of reds, he needs to get the black into play at
:02:58. > :03:30.
:03:30. > :03:36.the earliest opportunity. Otherwise Didn't quite get into the cue ball,
:03:36. > :03:46.he needed a lot of side. It is still on. If he misses it, he will
:03:46. > :03:46.
:03:47. > :03:56.A little bit surprised he didn't try to get the red into the
:03:57. > :04:23.
:04:24. > :04:30.That was a surprise. Probably concentrating on position, not
:04:30. > :04:40.looking at the red. It is so easy to do so the rate on that shot. If
:04:40. > :04:48.
:04:48. > :04:58.First frame. You don't settle until halfway through this Mini session
:04:58. > :05:31.
:05:31. > :05:41.This will be beneficial if he can He felt he did not have the angle.
:05:41. > :05:46.Doesn't look like there is anything I'm not saying there is anything
:05:46. > :05:56.wrong with this safety shot but he could definitely have played, well,
:05:56. > :05:56.
:05:56. > :06:49.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:06:49. > :06:56.he has brought some reds into play. He can see the edge of the one just
:06:56. > :07:06.below the pink. At least, he thinks he can, he is having a close look.
:07:06. > :07:14.
:07:14. > :07:24.Decided he can. He has played this very well, this could be very close.
:07:24. > :07:24.
:07:24. > :08:30.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:08:30. > :08:36.Unlucky. It has still left him A little bit more pace, that would
:08:36. > :08:46.have been right behind the brown. The pink is on its spot, just
:08:46. > :09:09.
:09:09. > :09:16.covering the red below. He is in a What a shot he has pulled out
:09:16. > :09:21.there! He couldn't have played that much better. He was in a bit of
:09:21. > :09:27.trouble but found a wonderful pot. He has opened up the black, and
:09:27. > :09:31.look at all of the reds now. From a frame which 30 seconds ago was dead,
:09:31. > :09:37.it looks like it should be a frame- winning opportunity. As you rightly
:09:37. > :09:47.said, fortuitous to get a kiss, but he would have been on the pink
:09:47. > :09:47.
:09:47. > :10:59.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:11:00. > :11:09.I do not think the yellow passes. So, blue. In and out of baulk. It
:11:10. > :11:31.
:11:31. > :11:35.This is what you dream about, having the balls in this situation.
:11:35. > :11:41.When you are nervous, the first frame of the morning. You pray for
:11:41. > :11:51.an opportunity to score. He has got that now. He only leads by 27, he
:11:51. > :12:13.
:12:13. > :12:18.Have you played a key very much? He has been a great player for a
:12:18. > :12:23.number of years, he has established himself as a top 16 player.
:12:23. > :12:33.played him in Beijing recently, he knocked me out in the first round
:12:33. > :12:34.
:12:34. > :12:44.5-2. He won in Shanghai a few years previously. As we see here, he
:12:44. > :12:45.
:12:45. > :12:50.plays very fluently, very quick. He has a nice touch. He is very
:12:50. > :12:58.prolific scoring. Sometimes, against the bigger player, he may
:12:58. > :13:02.lack a bit of confidence. Without a doubt, I suggest he is one of the
:13:02. > :13:10.top 10 players in the world in the break-building department. He may
:13:10. > :13:20.lack a bit of confidence at times. Very few players have the full
:13:20. > :13:32.
:13:32. > :13:37.package, have everything. He has He has played 147 as well. In 2011.
:13:37. > :13:43.He is very capable. As we are seeing, he has polished these quite
:13:43. > :13:48.nicely, kept the cue ball in complete control. You mentioned how
:13:48. > :13:57.quick he was, the pace around the table. A player when he is in full
:13:57. > :14:07.flight, around 16 seconds a shot, which is very quick. This has been
:14:07. > :14:25.
:14:25. > :14:35.Just enough on the table. What a shame. It would have been great to
:14:35. > :14:45.start with a attention. -- with a century. But he takes the frame.
:14:45. > :14:52.REFEREE: Second frame. Ricky Walden. So, Ricky Walden breaks off. Not a
:14:52. > :15:02.very good break. As John Virgo would say, what ever you do, don't
:15:02. > :15:08.
:15:08. > :15:14.It is a straight forward shot, the break off, but you don't want to
:15:14. > :15:24.give an easy opening red. He was unlucky there. The yellow or green
:15:24. > :15:58.
:15:58. > :16:04.It was the better choice for position but he hit it poorly. What
:16:04. > :16:14.an easy opening this is now, red, straight forward stun shot for the
:16:14. > :16:45.
:16:45. > :16:51.black. He could find himself 40 At the beginning of this match, we
:16:52. > :17:01.did speak about easy chances. At the moment, Michael Holt hasn't
:17:02. > :17:28.
:17:28. > :17:32.settled and has gifted Ricky Walden This is the key shot, he would have
:17:32. > :17:39.liked to leave an angle but he hasn't got it so it is important to
:17:39. > :17:46.finish low or high on the black. Ricky is running through. There is
:17:46. > :17:56.an angle to get into the gap. If he can arc the cue ball and hit the
:17:56. > :18:12.
:18:12. > :18:22.Which is what he has done, he is on The cue ball went first and barked.
:18:22. > :18:22.
:18:22. > :19:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:19:23. > :19:30.Unlucky to get -- not to get on one He doesn't have the ideal angle on
:19:30. > :19:35.the blue so he has to be careful he does not snooker itself on the pink,
:19:35. > :19:45.which I think he just about has done. He can cut the one in the
:19:45. > :20:01.
:20:01. > :20:08.It looks like he is a bit too straight on the black. He would
:20:08. > :20:12.have liked an angle to go into the red. It makes it a little more
:20:12. > :20:22.difficult. He can't really go up for the blue. He might try to hold
:20:22. > :20:25.
:20:25. > :20:31.That looks pretty good. It looks like the two reds which are to the
:20:31. > :20:41.right of the pink spot. If he can hit them flush on the first, it
:20:41. > :20:55.
:20:55. > :21:00.will send the bottom one to the REFEREE: File. -- Foul.
:21:00. > :21:06.You may say that was unlucky but a professional of that standard, that
:21:06. > :21:16.was a poor shot. He wanted to go into the pack. He went into the
:21:16. > :21:22.
:21:22. > :21:32.side of them which is why he lost That looks pretty good, a good pace
:21:32. > :21:45.
:21:45. > :21:53.and a good line, an excellent shot This is one possible escape route.
:21:53. > :22:03.The top cushion. He has decided against that. This is more tricky,
:22:03. > :22:16.
:22:16. > :22:21.two cushions. If he uses too much -- may pot. Into the bottom left-
:22:21. > :22:31.hand corner pocket. That wasn't a great escape. You can see it
:22:31. > :22:51.
:22:51. > :22:58.There is no real pressure, he can Played it a little harder than I
:22:58. > :23:08.would have done. But still near the brown. He is OK. On the yellow. A
:23:08. > :23:41.
:23:41. > :23:45.key shot, he can get back into the An angle on the pink would be
:23:45. > :23:51.lovely to bring those three reds into play, but he has gone too far.
:23:51. > :24:01.He will have to play for the loose red now. The one behind the pink
:24:01. > :24:01.
:24:01. > :25:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:25:00. > :25:05.definitely pots. He has managed to He should be OK as long as he
:25:05. > :25:12.doesn't get too much side to get onto the red in the opposite corner.
:25:12. > :25:17.He has played it nicely. Obviously, the key shot is getting onto the
:25:17. > :25:24.red with an angle, to get on to the black. Anything but straight should
:25:24. > :25:34.be OK. Not perfect on the black. But, at least, it takes the
:25:34. > :25:59.
:25:59. > :26:09.equation of been straight out of It was possible to hit it too well,
:26:09. > :26:30.
:26:30. > :26:37.which is what he has done, straight A good shot here on the yellow. And
:26:37. > :26:41.the frame will be at his mercy. It didn't go into the centre of the
:26:41. > :26:51.pocket and you can see from the reaction of the cue ball, a bit of
:26:51. > :27:00.
:27:00. > :27:06.tension in his arm, he overhit it Brown, blue and pink required. This
:27:06. > :27:11.would be a really good steel for Michael Holt. Ricky had 76 in the
:27:11. > :27:18.first, this has undoubtedly been the best break of the match, under
:27:18. > :27:28.the most pressure. 50 behind, looking like going 2-0 behind. This
:27:28. > :27:35.
:27:35. > :27:41.Welcome to the missed blue club. Goodness me. He took his eye off it,
:27:41. > :27:47.there is no excuse. He was wondering whether to play two
:27:47. > :27:53.cushions, one cushion, he got done without making his mind up.
:27:53. > :28:03.costly that may prove to be. A good shot required to control that ball,
:28:03. > :28:15.
:28:15. > :28:21.Four points ahead, Walden. Pink, to The pink goes in, in a frame when
:28:21. > :28:26.it looked like Ricky Walden was going to lose but a bad missed blue
:28:26. > :28:36.by Michael Holt has gifted Ricky Walden another frame. He goes into
:28:36. > :28:42.
:28:42. > :28:47.REFEREE: Frame three, Michael Holt to break. He will be very
:28:47. > :28:53.disappointed, Michael Holt. He knows that was a very easy miss. As
:28:53. > :28:58.you can see when he stands shaking his head, he is a player who wears
:28:58. > :29:08.his heart on his sleeve. I think this is a very important frame for
:29:08. > :29:21.
:29:21. > :29:31.What a fantastic opening red from Ricky Walden. Required really good
:29:31. > :29:36.
:29:36. > :29:41.That has worked out a treat. Fantastic shot. For the people
:29:41. > :29:47.watching, you played at this magnificent venue many times, in a
:29:47. > :29:53.morning session, what was in your routine? What time did you get up?
:29:53. > :30:00.Most players will have been up at 7:30am, early breakfast, get a
:30:00. > :30:06.little bit of fresh air, and get down here around 9am. Practicing on
:30:06. > :30:14.the practice table. Just behind the arena. They have three practice
:30:14. > :30:19.tables at the back. They will be waking up, to get fresh enough.
:30:19. > :30:29.When you knew you had a 10 am session, did you practice before at
:30:29. > :30:39.10am? Not really. I did, to get the mind set for that early start.
:30:39. > :31:16.
:31:16. > :31:24.Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Ricky Walden is looking good again
:31:24. > :31:32.now. A couple of loose reds. Anything on the pink is good. It is
:31:32. > :31:39.not one of those shots way you have to play at 100 mph. He is fortunate
:31:39. > :31:49.there. He did not screwed into it like the players normally did. He
:31:49. > :31:49.
:31:49. > :32:58.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:32:58. > :33:08.knew that it was split and he just He is just citing up where he wants
:33:08. > :33:11.
:33:11. > :33:17.to leave the cue ball. Nice angle now on the black. If he goes into
:33:17. > :33:27.the pack on the right-hand side, he will still have the red on the
:33:27. > :33:43.
:33:43. > :33:53.You always have to be on the right It looks like he is playing really
:33:53. > :34:20.
:34:20. > :34:29.Going into a couple of reds around the pink. He will need a bit of
:34:29. > :34:33.luck for position. That was controlled nicely. He is nice to
:34:33. > :34:41.watch when he gets in among the balls. He gets on with it and he
:34:41. > :34:49.tries to win the frame in one visit. He will take a risk early on in a
:34:49. > :34:59.break, getting reds into play. That blue will live in his mind for a
:34:59. > :34:59.
:34:59. > :35:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:35:46. > :35:50.That gives him a good chance of a century. Moving that red has got to
:35:50. > :35:58.give him a good chance of getting the upper two. It looks like being
:35:58. > :36:08.a bit scrappy at first. It took some effort to get into open play
:36:08. > :36:11.
:36:11. > :36:18.He made a break of 76 in the first round, Ricky Walden. He should have
:36:18. > :36:28.made a century. A break of 55 in the second frame and 90 art and
:36:28. > :36:29.
:36:29. > :36:39.counting here. -- and 90 and counting here. A possible one for 0
:36:39. > :36:45.
:36:45. > :36:55.here. -- 140. I would expect at least 145 TB their highest break. -
:36:55. > :37:01.
:37:01. > :37:05.Nothing gives you a thrill more. All of the centuries in the
:37:05. > :37:15.tournaments around the world but a crucial century at the Crucible,
:37:15. > :37:27.
:37:27. > :37:37.-- buzz. And there is an unusual prize for the highest break, a
:37:37. > :37:54.
:37:54. > :38:00.It does not matter who you are playing. If you are playing as well
:38:00. > :38:06.as witty at the moment, you can beat anybody. Started with 76, then
:38:07. > :38:16.a 55 and a magnificent break which could be a tournament winner. He
:38:17. > :38:39.
:38:39. > :38:49.Weetch saw a look of determination saying come on, -- we saw a look of
:38:49. > :39:17.
:39:17. > :39:26.determination, saying come on, you He did not have the angle to try
:39:26. > :39:31.and hold it for a little nudge off the black. But it shows you how
:39:31. > :39:41.well he is playing, knocking thoses in. He has done a few of them in
:39:41. > :39:48.
:39:48. > :39:56.this match so far. That is a pretty As you said, it is very important
:39:56. > :40:03.for Michael Holt's... Trying for damage limitation. Trying to get a
:40:03. > :40:13.few frames on the board. He might settle even for a 6-3 deficit at
:40:13. > :40:22.
:40:23. > :40:32.Always importer to treat every session like a miniature match. --
:40:33. > :40:34.
:40:34. > :40:43.it is always important. If you can come out of this 3-2, 4-1 would be
:40:43. > :40:47.a big bonus. That would be a dream land. You can just forget about
:40:47. > :40:57.those four and try and win this session 3-2 and you would be more
:40:57. > :40:58.
:40:58. > :41:07.than happy. The body language tells you it could be a macro curry ball
:41:07. > :41:17.plant. -- a three ball plant. You can see it slightly to the right of
:41:17. > :41:17.
:41:17. > :42:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:42:19. > :42:23.No problem with the pot. If he can kiss the reds to the right of the
:42:23. > :42:33.pink he has got a chance of staying on the pink. He needs a decent pace
:42:33. > :42:36.
:42:36. > :42:42.because he cannot afford for it to roll work macro. -- role off.
:42:42. > :42:46.might be able to stay on the pink if he can kiss the reds. That is
:42:46. > :42:56.not the way he would have played it but he will be happy with that. You
:42:56. > :42:58.
:42:58. > :43:03.have got to make sure that you popped the object ball. -- pot.
:43:03. > :43:11.on reflection, it is 4-0 in favour of Ricky Walden and he has got
:43:11. > :43:15.decent breaks. He has not been outplayed in all departments. He
:43:15. > :43:21.has had three long ones that he should have got and an easy blue in
:43:21. > :43:25.the second frame. At this level, you cannot afford to make mistakes.
:43:25. > :43:35.It is purely mistakes that have cost him at the moment. He has not
:43:35. > :43:44.
:43:44. > :43:54.He is blessed with an awful lot of power. He can play those shots as
:43:54. > :44:15.
:44:15. > :44:24.He is not guaranteed to get good position here. He cannot hold for
:44:24. > :44:34.the blues so he has to go for the brown wore the green. -- brown, or
:44:34. > :44:34.
:44:34. > :45:27.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:45:27. > :45:33.I am sure the two reds will pot into the bottom corner pocket. What
:45:33. > :45:43.will happen when he gets that red, the black will release into the
:45:43. > :45:51.
:45:51. > :45:56.pocket that the red has just gone He has just got to judge this and
:45:56. > :46:02.pot the black off the top cushion. Try and go for the two reds close
:46:02. > :46:10.together above the black spot. That will hold of the key ball for one
:46:10. > :46:20.of these reds, left, all right of the black. That is pretty good.
:46:20. > :46:28.
:46:28. > :46:34.Excellent shot. He judged that And as you said, when he gets in
:46:34. > :46:44.around this pink and black, he will score very quickly. He has got a
:46:44. > :46:44.
:46:44. > :46:47.good pace around the table. He has played nice nudges and cannons.
:46:47. > :46:54.is one of these players that practices a lot as well. He does
:46:54. > :47:02.not leave it alone for a few days. He plays almost every day. People
:47:02. > :47:08.ask how do you practise? He just makes you play those stuns. You can
:47:08. > :47:12.try and clear up using one cushion, or more. There are always different
:47:12. > :47:17.ways for players of this class to make a century break. They have to
:47:17. > :47:27.give themselves targets. Maybe claim all pink, all blue, give
:47:27. > :47:28.
:47:28. > :47:32.yourself targets. But you are playing screws all the time. And it
:47:32. > :47:40.helps you control the cue ball. That is the most important one on
:47:40. > :47:48.the table. He has got it on a string at the moment. It makes the
:47:48. > :47:53.breaks so much easier. You cannot win a match in the first session
:47:53. > :48:03.but you can lose 1. And as far as Michael Holt is concerned, you have
:48:03. > :48:11.
:48:11. > :48:18.to get something from recession. -- The two reds above the black, the
:48:19. > :48:28.right and one will certainly popped. -- the right hand one will
:48:29. > :48:38.
:48:38. > :48:42.These are the shots that you play all the time. Just trying to keep
:48:42. > :48:47.the cue ball about one foot away from the object all the time and
:48:47. > :48:57.that is what makes break-building so good, when you have got that
:48:57. > :49:05.
:49:05. > :49:15.He has already made a break of 140. He has got a possibility of making
:49:15. > :49:18.
:49:18. > :49:23.another century here. 17 centuries so far this season. But he will be
:49:23. > :49:30.a bit disappointed with that. But he will be happy to have another
:49:30. > :49:40.frame on the board. The match goes on for Ricky Walden. He goes into a
:49:40. > :49:45.
:49:45. > :49:51.REFEREE: Frame six, Ricky Walden to break. Four more frames to play in
:49:51. > :50:01.this session, no tree. And Michael needs at least two free to stay in
:50:01. > :50:02.
:50:02. > :50:12.the match. -- not three. Michael needs at least three in order to
:50:12. > :50:12.
:50:12. > :51:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:51:07. > :51:11.He just lost the cue ball slightly. He has to get on but you cannot go
:51:11. > :51:21.through all of the other reds. I did not think he can generate
:51:21. > :51:25.
:51:25. > :51:35.enough power on that cue ball to He has decided against it. There is
:51:35. > :51:35.
:51:35. > :51:45.no point in playing at shot if you cannot get on to a colour. -- that
:51:45. > :51:45.
:51:45. > :52:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:52:44. > :52:47.When you are in good form you get a kiss on the yellow and finish in to
:52:48. > :52:55.the brown in the corner but when you are struggling, it is not easy
:52:55. > :53:05.to roll up to be alive. He played it nicely. Things are not quite
:53:05. > :53:05.
:53:05. > :54:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:54:21. > :54:27.He has got on to the top side of the blue which is key for that shot.
:54:27. > :54:35.When you are behind you are trying to win the frame in one visit. A
:54:35. > :54:45.lot of players would have gone into the reds there. Still not perfect
:54:45. > :54:53.
:54:53. > :55:03.on this red. He might have to come He has deliberately left an ankle
:55:03. > :55:03.
:55:03. > :55:10.late to get back into them and he has got an angle on the black. If
:55:10. > :55:17.he can hit that with stun... He has screwed it. And you get that kind
:55:17. > :55:24.of reaction. If he had played the stun it would have gone into that
:55:24. > :55:32.corner and it is a much easier shot. You cannot afford to miss that at
:55:32. > :55:42.this level. He has taken his eye of the pot a few times. That blue has
:55:42. > :55:49.
:55:49. > :55:59.And again we saw that he missed the black. He used a lot of false and
:55:59. > :56:14.
:56:14. > :56:20.took his eye of the pot again. -- He is having a look to see if he
:56:20. > :56:30.can get on the black but he can drop that red, certainly. He is
:56:30. > :56:33.
:56:33. > :56:41.He might take the opportunity... He might hit the blue but he has got
:56:41. > :56:51.the opportunity and angle to go into the reds. He does not have to
:56:51. > :57:03.
:57:03. > :57:10.Unlucky with that. He played exactly the shot you suggested and
:57:10. > :57:17.he looks certain to bring four reds into play. How has he moved just
:57:17. > :57:27.one from there? Amazing! Unless you play that is perfectly, you are not
:57:27. > :57:27.
:57:27. > :59:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:59:21. > :59:31.guaranteed to get on to it nicely. This is possibly his last chance in
:59:31. > :59:41.
:59:41. > :59:51.the frame. Ricky possess macro lead is 30. -- Ricky's. This is a chance
:59:51. > :59:59.
:59:59. > :00:09.That's not the best, he overrun that. He doesn't want the pink to
:00:09. > :00:43.
:00:43. > :00:53.He has played the cannon, he played That was an excellent shot.
:00:53. > :00:55.
:00:55. > :01:02.Slightly two inches harder than he Red, colour, and one more red, will
:01:02. > :01:12.be enough. What angle has he got on the blue? Too hard. Not guaranteed
:01:12. > :01:44.
:01:44. > :01:50.I suppose the straight forward shot is the black but you don't want to
:01:50. > :01:54.bring the black back down to the other end of the table. That is
:01:54. > :02:04.what he has done, tried to put the black out of commission, I don't
:02:04. > :02:29.
:02:29. > :02:35.He needs to make contact with this because, where the black is, he
:02:35. > :02:45.would have to say he needs a snooker. This is the angle he is
:02:45. > :02:49.
:02:49. > :02:59.trying to negotiate, just below the REFEREE: Foul.
:02:59. > :03:11.
:03:11. > :03:18.There should have been a miss called? You can't call a miss
:03:18. > :03:28.when... It if you can tie, then you can call a miss. That is why it
:03:28. > :03:29.
:03:29. > :03:36.He must play the safety shot now. He is in a commanding position now
:03:36. > :03:44.with the black in the baulk area. Michael Holt would need three reds,
:03:44. > :03:49.three colours, all the colours, to tie.
:03:49. > :03:59.There is a chance he can take this on. As long as he misses a kiss on
:03:59. > :04:03.
:04:03. > :04:08.the blue. He can stun it around He played it two cushions. Not
:04:08. > :04:18.guaranteed to get on to black. When things are going against you, it is
:04:18. > :04:28.
:04:28. > :04:35.You heard a sigh from Michael Holt saying, that is enough. Another
:04:35. > :04:45.frame on the board for Michael Walden. The Michael Holt, it is
:04:45. > :04:50.Three more frames to go, can Michael Holt win all three? That is
:04:50. > :05:00.possibly the equation he has to have any chance in this match. We
:05:00. > :05:00.
:05:00. > :06:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:06:26. > :06:34.couldn't see him coming 7-2 behind. When you are playing well, these
:06:34. > :06:38.are Eddie. When you are 6-0 behind, it is not. This is probably the
:06:38. > :06:44.loneliest place in snooker. When you are playing bad at the Crucible,
:06:44. > :06:49.for some reason, you just disappear. Yes. It can be the greatest place
:06:49. > :06:55.to play but when you are sitting in that chair, as Michael Holt is now,
:06:55. > :07:03.he can't believe how far he has missed it. The pressure just bills.
:07:03. > :07:13.It is a venue like no other. The Crucible nerves get to everybody at
:07:13. > :07:14.
:07:15. > :07:23.some stage. Two tables. A packed audience here, the first day. It's
:07:23. > :07:28.a very true saying. Here, in commentary, until you get that
:07:28. > :07:38.first frame on the board, you never really settled down into a match,
:07:38. > :07:50.
:07:50. > :07:58.and Michael Holt is feeling that at A little unlucky there, he played
:07:58. > :08:08.the screw around the black -- back of the red and just flicked the red.
:08:08. > :08:12.
:08:12. > :08:22.Just looking at the safest place to try to cover the red up in the
:08:22. > :08:26.
:08:26. > :08:32.baulk area. He can do that from the I can only presume that has run off.
:08:32. > :08:37.Michael Holt... As you can see he is amazed by that has finished. Can
:08:38. > :08:47.you believe that? He completely mishit it and covered the pocket
:08:48. > :08:48.
:08:48. > :09:47.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:09:47. > :09:53.with the yellow. That is very He just lost a bit of concentration.
:09:53. > :09:58.Michael is bemoaning his ill- fortune at the previous shot.
:09:58. > :10:08.Difficult to stay competitive. An easy safety shot for tricky, the
:10:08. > :10:08.
:10:08. > :11:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:11:21. > :11:31.fact he has left his hand on the A great pot. Perilously close to
:11:31. > :12:00.
:12:00. > :12:10.He has an angle on the blue which I don't blame him, it pours a tough
:12:10. > :12:10.
:12:10. > :12:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:12:56. > :13:00.One of those bandanas would suit you, Kent! -- Ken! Let us have
:13:01. > :13:07.another look that those ladies in the front row. Look quite nice,
:13:08. > :13:17.actually. Explaining to her daughter but they are on television
:13:18. > :13:19.
:13:19. > :13:24.That was the first relatively easy shot that reiki has missed. They
:13:24. > :13:34.you are. When you are struggling and things are not going well,
:13:34. > :13:36.
:13:36. > :13:46.anything goes wrong. You would Why me? We have all said that a few
:13:46. > :13:53.
:13:54. > :14:02.Amazingly enough, will already been to frame seven, that is the first
:14:02. > :14:06.long red that Ricky Walden has missed. He has been superb so far.
:14:06. > :14:16.He would like to get the cue ball into the jaws of the baulk pocket,
:14:16. > :14:16.
:14:16. > :16:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:16:04. > :16:14.but how does he get there? There's This looks to be a half chance.
:16:14. > :16:17.
:16:17. > :16:24.Just enough room to slide by the There wasn't an awful lot of room.
:16:24. > :16:30.No problem getting on took a red. But black and pink? He needs a big
:16:30. > :16:40.break here, he hasn't made a break above 49 since the second frame.
:16:40. > :17:01.
:17:01. > :17:07.Since then, he hasn't made any That is no good. Just a little bit
:17:07. > :17:17.straight. He will have to go in and out of baulk, a lot of top spin. He
:17:17. > :17:25.
:17:25. > :17:35.could drop it in. Coming around the When you are 6-0 down, this will
:17:35. > :17:44.
:17:45. > :17:49.Yes, look where the red has gone. Everything he is missing, he is
:17:49. > :17:54.knocking over one pocket, leaving an easy opening for Ricky Walden.
:17:54. > :18:04.He never got in position during that break. He was struggling with
:18:04. > :18:06.
:18:06. > :18:10.It is his turn out to bring the blue and pink into play. When you
:18:10. > :18:20.are playing well, you seem to get there. In saying that, he can't
:18:20. > :18:20.
:18:20. > :19:05.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:19:05. > :19:14.play the cannon unless he plays The key shot. He needs a half ball
:19:14. > :19:24.to play the cannon into the red and Just a gap between those reds way
:19:24. > :19:30.
:19:30. > :19:36.he can play that cannon. Having a A perfect angle. If he catches the
:19:36. > :19:41.red half ball, he will bring pink and black into play. He played the
:19:41. > :19:51.cannon but unfortunately hit the wrong ball. He didn't get into the
:19:51. > :19:52.
:19:52. > :20:02.He actually hit the first red which he wanted to miss. Still brought
:20:02. > :20:02.
:20:02. > :21:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:21:28. > :21:35.A clever shot from a Ricky Walden - - from Ricky Walden, he has covered
:21:35. > :21:45.all of the reds here. Pretty straightforward, the side cushion,
:21:45. > :22:01.
:22:01. > :22:11.But, the problem is, he may find Back in behind the black. A bit too
:22:11. > :22:25.
:22:25. > :22:28.It is not too bad. He didn't get the desired snooker behind the
:22:29. > :22:35.black. It came off the cushion quickly, the cue ball. He's
:22:35. > :22:38.certainly got the cue ball tight enough to the cushion that it makes
:22:38. > :22:48.it a little more difficult. He can't get the cue ball back behind
:22:48. > :23:00.
:23:00. > :23:04.the black again. Will he be tempted No, straight forward safety shot.
:23:04. > :23:11.It's one of those where he wasn't gaining an advantage from playing
:23:11. > :23:16.the safety shot, it was like a containing shot. Faced with a
:23:16. > :23:23.difficult safety shot. As long as he covers the red with the brown in
:23:23. > :23:33.the baulk area which I think he has done. 8 1/2 she safety shot now for
:23:33. > :24:05.
:24:05. > :24:09.You can see that was a really tough safety shot. He wasn't gaining the
:24:09. > :24:16.advantage, he'd just had to play a containing shot. The fact buckle
:24:17. > :24:26.covered the red with the brown and found the baulk cushion -- the fact
:24:27. > :24:37.
:24:37. > :24:47.It is one of those times when you want to get out of the auditorium.
:24:47. > :24:47.
:24:47. > :25:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:25:46. > :25:51.APPLAUSE well done, having missed a relatively straightforward red in
:25:51. > :26:01.his previous visit, he has found one there.
:26:01. > :26:14.
:26:14. > :26:21.Come on, Michael, let us have a 60 Trying to get on to the pink. He
:26:21. > :26:31.has been struggling with the cue ball. Getting into an ideal
:26:31. > :26:31.
:26:31. > :27:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:27:25. > :27:35.A nice frame winning break here His best break has been 49, in the
:27:35. > :27:58.
:27:58. > :28:08.A little bit straight on the black. I'm not sure whether he has the
:28:08. > :28:14.
:28:14. > :28:21.angle. He just managed to do it, he 35 points in front. One red, and a
:28:21. > :28:25.high value colour. And I am sure he will get a warm round of applause.
:28:25. > :28:29.It's not been a match where Ricky Walden has deserved to be 6-0 in
:28:29. > :28:36.front. Michie has played exceptionally well but you can't
:28:36. > :28:46.expect to beat a top player to 0. A big frame. That looks like it is
:28:46. > :28:53.
:28:53. > :28:58.frame over. As long as he makes APPLAUSE he thinks he has won the
:28:58. > :29:04.frame but, please do not miss the red. Otherwise Ricky will carry on.
:29:04. > :29:14.He is a lovely chap, buckle, I have got a lot of time for him, he is a
:29:14. > :29:16.
:29:16. > :29:26.good kid. The -- Michael. He needs to concentrate on winning the next
:29:26. > :29:35.
:29:36. > :29:43.two, to have a chance of winning He has got a frame on the board and
:29:43. > :29:53.he is now trailing 6-1. REFEREE: Frame eight. Ricky Walden
:29:53. > :29:58.
:29:58. > :30:08.to break. Well, there you go. What a good referee she is, Willie was
:30:08. > :30:11.
:30:11. > :30:16.saying, and she forgets to put the But she had the foresight to see
:30:16. > :30:24.that it was not on the spot, just in time. I am not sure if that is a
:30:24. > :30:34.foul any more. It was if it was put on the wrong spot and now it is a
:30:34. > :30:35.
:30:35. > :30:45.referee error, which is a good will. -- regulation. Does not need to
:30:45. > :30:45.
:30:45. > :31:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:31:33. > :31:39.kiss the blue, otherwise it will The bottom red will pot but this is
:31:39. > :31:46.a wonderful pack to get into. It looks like he is clear enough to
:31:46. > :31:52.play it. He played it in such a way that he knew that he would slide by
:31:52. > :31:57.the pack. He played that really well. Still sliding by the reds.
:31:57. > :32:07.Excellent position and unfortunate not to have brought more than two
:32:07. > :32:21.
:32:21. > :32:28.What kind of angle does he have all this blew? Not great by the look of
:32:28. > :32:38.how he is holding his cue. We can see from that angle that it looks
:32:38. > :33:02.
:33:02. > :33:07.A good pot needed to keep the break A good recovery. And the pink is in
:33:07. > :33:17.the middle. He could play the stun below the pink and bring a couple
:33:17. > :33:34.
:33:34. > :33:44.He played the cannon. He does not appear to have got on anything.
:33:44. > :33:44.
:33:44. > :35:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:35:33. > :35:43.Just did not quite get enough I think that second Test -- second
:35:43. > :35:58.
:35:58. > :36:05.-- second kiss. That angle is very thin. He managed to get at the back
:36:05. > :36:15.of the pack. Is anything available from this blue? I am not sure if
:36:15. > :36:25.
:36:25. > :36:29.The way that he has played that it obviously does. He played it well.
:36:29. > :36:39.Just enough pace for the blue route to reach the pocket and hold for at
:36:39. > :37:01.
:37:01. > :37:07.He wants to get that black back on I think it will get past the red it
:37:07. > :37:12.into the back corner pocket. He will take that red close to the top
:37:12. > :37:22.cushion and then tried to create an angle for the black on the next one
:37:22. > :37:31.
:37:31. > :37:41.after this. But he must be low on Somewhere in this position on that
:37:41. > :37:47.
:37:47. > :37:57.He has got to hit the red above the black with plenty of power. Lost
:37:57. > :38:05.
:38:05. > :38:15.the cue ball a little bit. Just a quarter ball on bat red. -- that
:38:15. > :38:17.
:38:17. > :38:24.And that was a good pot but he got a very quick bounce. That is the
:38:24. > :38:30.first sign of bad contact we have had. Usually it will come off at
:38:30. > :38:34.the same speed that it goes on but it has come off a lot quicker. You
:38:34. > :38:41.would think that he would still take on the black. But he is
:38:41. > :38:47.looking at the pink in the middle. And now looking at the safety. The
:38:47. > :38:57.fact that he is 60 in front, he might think it is too risky. Is he
:38:57. > :39:00.
:39:00. > :39:10.I think that he will put the green on the side cushion and wait for
:39:10. > :39:19.
:39:19. > :39:25.He is playing a different shot. Putting the blues safe. He might
:39:25. > :39:35.have got it safe but I would not say it is his best shot. He is
:39:35. > :39:44.
:39:44. > :39:50.leaving a heart on the red. Just above the black. -- heart. -- cut.
:39:50. > :40:00.He needs that green to come to his rescue and I did not think that it
:40:00. > :40:02.
:40:02. > :40:12.has done. If he gets on to a colour this will be frame seven for Ricky
:40:12. > :40:14.
:40:14. > :40:19.Walden and he could not have played it better. Perhaps that will
:40:19. > :40:29.fortunate... Perhaps a bit fortunate that it played on to that
:40:29. > :40:54.
:40:54. > :41:04.There was a slight chance Michael would have carried on if he had
:41:04. > :41:18.
:41:18. > :41:28.Michael said yes to Michaela Tabb. He has conceded the frame. Ricky
:41:28. > :41:32.
:41:32. > :41:42.Walden moves into a 7-1 lead. This is the last frame. He must win,
:41:42. > :41:47.
:41:47. > :41:57.Michael Holt. Just checking the Michael Holt getting the final
:41:57. > :42:06.
:42:06. > :42:16.He might be forced into playing a pot. The black is what he is going
:42:16. > :42:26.
:42:26. > :42:36.for, or the one in the middle. It It was a good shot. He had to hit
:42:36. > :42:36.
:42:36. > :43:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:43:56. > :44:03.Looking at that angle, it looks possible. He is definitely on this
:44:03. > :44:09.red. He could have a go for the pot. It is almost like a shot two
:44:09. > :44:19.nothing here. Sometimes it can be quite difficult passing a ball on
:44:19. > :44:24.
:44:24. > :44:34.the way. It can Arnside is likely but he has refused it. -- distract
:44:34. > :44:47.
:44:47. > :44:51.A very clever safety shot. He actually made sure that he played
:44:51. > :44:59.around the back of the black. And he has played it very well and
:44:59. > :45:09.covered the right hand side of the table. This is a very good safety
:45:09. > :45:09.
:45:09. > :46:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:46:23. > :46:33.The fact that... When he gets rid of the red above the black, that
:46:33. > :46:36.
:46:36. > :46:42.Regardless of what happens in this frame, it has been a fantastic
:46:42. > :46:52.session for Ricky Walden. He pinched the second frame and made a
:46:52. > :46:53.
:46:53. > :46:59.break of 140 and put himself in line for the Golden cue prize. And
:47:00. > :47:09.this is the man that is suffering, Michael Holt. It is a lonely place
:47:10. > :47:10.
:47:10. > :47:16.when the one losing. It looks like these two can plant into the bottom
:47:16. > :47:20.corner pocket. If he can take it arm. He could go into them and
:47:20. > :47:30.bring more into play. He could get back on the blue but for some
:47:30. > :47:39.
:47:39. > :47:44.He could not have played that any better. Not only was it delicate
:47:44. > :47:50.but he got on to the top side of the blue and he could not have
:47:50. > :48:00.picked it up and put it better by hand. He decided to play for the
:48:00. > :48:14.
:48:14. > :48:24.Perfect position again on the blue. He can use the reds and bring it
:48:24. > :48:29.more into play from that shot. I think the red above the black will
:48:29. > :48:39.pot as well. He could go into them if he wanted but I do not think he
:48:39. > :48:58.
:48:58. > :49:02.I think it is important, if you are going to get to the latter stages,
:49:02. > :49:12.to try and give yourself a chance and do that because close matches,
:49:12. > :49:13.
:49:13. > :49:23.it can be tiring. And if you can get it down early, it will do you
:49:23. > :49:26.
:49:26. > :49:36.He looks a bit disappointed with his position. He is not on anything
:49:36. > :49:36.
:49:36. > :49:45.easy. He has not got a lot of room to go in between the black and red.
:49:45. > :49:52.So much so that he has missed. Surely he has not got away with
:49:52. > :49:59.that. Yes, he can see that red quite easily. From our position
:49:59. > :50:04.sometimes it does not look like that. Plenty of room. Well, Michael,
:50:04. > :50:14.this is probably the last chance in this match. This is a frame that
:50:14. > :50:14.
:50:14. > :51:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:51:57. > :52:05.What an excellent shot this was. One good cannon is all he needs
:52:05. > :52:11.here. Anything but a full ball. Half either side is all right. He
:52:11. > :52:17.should definitely be pushing the red towards the middle. He should
:52:17. > :52:26.definitely stun. If it is screwed back, he could get back towards the
:52:26. > :52:32.black spot. Played it nicely. Well done. He should win the frame now.
:52:32. > :52:41.Just watch that you bowl. It hits the pack and goes again. Lovely.
:52:41. > :52:51.Very well controlled. -- just watch the cue ball. That was careless,
:52:51. > :53:04.
:53:04. > :53:14.wasn't it? You should guarantee He needed a nice kiss on the red
:53:14. > :53:34.
:53:34. > :53:42.and he has got it. He can get on to He needs that to travel a little
:53:42. > :53:51.bit and I think it has done. If he can cannoned into these, he will be
:53:51. > :54:01.in a perfect position. Four reds and four colours and he will have
:54:01. > :54:02.
:54:02. > :54:07.won the last frame in this session. And he can open up the bottom of
:54:07. > :54:14.these three reds as well. He has just got to keep control of that
:54:14. > :54:24.cue ball. It is a big frame for Michael Cole. And he is still going
:54:24. > :54:24.
:54:24. > :55:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 52 seconds
:55:04. > :55:11.to be 7-2 down if he wins this. -- Would you believe it? He has missed
:55:11. > :55:21.a few relatively easy pots in this match but that has cost him. Now we
:55:21. > :55:22.
:55:22. > :55:31.are looking at possibly being even further behind. A chance that it
:55:31. > :55:41.could go 8-1. My goodness me, that was a bad miss. He has got a chance,
:55:41. > :55:45.
:55:45. > :55:54.Ricky Walden. Trailing by 24. Look at that miss from Michael cold. --
:55:54. > :56:04.Michael Holt. We have all been there, haven't we? If he can make
:56:04. > :56:12.the cannon on the yellow... He has not kissed the red? Goodness me.
:56:12. > :56:22.What a result. This is going nowhere. There was no way he was on
:56:22. > :56:44.
:56:44. > :56:50.12 behind. Two including the pink will suffice for Ricky Walden. With
:56:50. > :56:56.this angle, he does not want to be straight on this green. That is not
:56:56. > :57:06.the angle that he desired. It will be more difficult to get close to
:57:06. > :57:13.
:57:13. > :57:23.this brown. He has got cue power. And this brown is not easy with a
:57:23. > :57:26.
:57:26. > :57:32.long rest. Would you screw this in, Ken? I think he can certainly screw
:57:32. > :57:37.it in. And he does not have to get right up close to the blue. The
:57:37. > :57:45.most important thing is to pot the brown and leave yourself some sort
:57:46. > :57:55.of shot. He can get into this very easily. He is blessed with cue
:57:56. > :58:00.
:58:00. > :58:10.And there you see it. War to a shot. -- what a shot. Excellent. In fact
:58:10. > :58:18.
:58:18. > :58:28.it was overscrewed. One good shot This will be a bitter pill for
:58:28. > :58:34.
:58:34. > :58:42.Michael Holt to swallow. He adds And they use it. -- and there it is
:58:42. > :58:47.and what a marvellous session on the opening day at the Crucible. He
:58:47. > :58:53.the opening day at the Crucible. He is leading 8-1. A pretty impressive