:00:42. > :00:47.More action from the Betfair World Snooker Championship here at the
:00:47. > :00:52.Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Our featured matches the opening session
:00:52. > :00:58.between Neil Robertson and Robert Milkins. Roberts arrived on the back
:00:58. > :01:08.of winning the China open in March. Wilkins ended Jimmy White's run in
:01:08. > :01:14.
:01:14. > :01:18.the qualifiers. We start on the forward to. Milkins has had a new
:01:18. > :01:21.lease of life over the last few years playing some great stuff
:01:21. > :01:28.against one of the favourites of the tournament, Neil Robertson, who has
:01:28. > :01:33.been world champion before. I have Stephen Hendry with me and we have
:01:33. > :01:41.to be a little bit careful with Milkins, he is very dangerous.
:01:41. > :01:47.Yes, very much so. Knocked out the fans favourites, Jimmy White, in the
:01:47. > :01:57.last round in Sheffield. When the draw came out, he could not have
:01:57. > :01:57.
:01:57. > :02:07.picked a much tougher one with Neil best in this match to have any
:02:07. > :02:36.
:02:36. > :02:43.snooker on the big occasions. Great records in the UK, the Masters and
:02:43. > :02:48.the world championship. That is the first mistake by Milkins. How about
:02:48. > :02:55.this for a first rate in the first frame? Yes, hit the wrong ball,
:02:55. > :02:59.didn't he? Just caught the first red and didn't play that so it is an
:02:59. > :03:03.excellent opportunity for Milkins to get his hand on the table. Even
:03:03. > :03:13.though he has been here many occasions, you always need those
:03:13. > :03:17.
:03:17. > :03:22.single ball potter, I think this gentleman is now. His break skills
:03:22. > :03:28.have improved tremendously over the years.
:03:28. > :03:38.Can you describe to me what a single ball Potter is, please?
:03:38. > :03:40.
:03:40. > :03:50.When you are playing match shot to potting a huge percentage of long
:03:50. > :03:50.
:03:50. > :04:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:04:48. > :04:53.don't think he has come high enough to get back on the black. He is
:04:53. > :04:56.wearing a pair of new shoes today. The carpet is very slippy so he has
:04:56. > :05:06.to be careful when stretching. You can see your face in those, very
:05:06. > :05:17.
:05:17. > :05:27.get to get a colour at all here. Maybe he feels he can't even pot the
:05:27. > :05:27.
:05:27. > :06:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:06:10. > :06:17.is feeling today. A very positive shot in the first round of the world
:06:17. > :06:21.championship. He is a little lucky not to have an
:06:21. > :06:28.easier pot than this. Get it around three cautions and he would expect
:06:28. > :06:38.to have another part at least. That is the end of break, just playing a
:06:38. > :06:38.
:06:38. > :08:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:08:33. > :08:41.he will be taking it on. He doesn't the safety now. He should get a good
:08:41. > :08:46.wide here. It is amazing how he has never been
:08:46. > :08:56.a journey man. The last two or three seasons he has really come to
:08:56. > :09:05.
:09:05. > :09:15.hand there. That plant was on. He did not raise his hand to say it was
:09:15. > :09:28.
:09:28. > :09:38.a fluke. A little bit careless by pot, wasn't it. He must have had a
:09:38. > :09:38.
:09:38. > :11:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:11:04. > :11:10.black not being available, that is why he is having to cut back. He
:11:10. > :11:17.can't get onto a colour. Usually you would be airing on the
:11:17. > :11:21.side of missing its same, but completely? Then you could adjust
:11:21. > :11:26.accordingly on the next shot. He unfortunately has not left
:11:26. > :11:29.anything. You should know where to aim this time providing the referee
:11:30. > :11:35.puts the cue ball in the correct place.
:11:35. > :11:41.Not terribly important, the red, but it is important to get the pink in
:11:41. > :11:51.the right place. He is just having a look at where they were before. Not
:11:51. > :12:16.
:12:16. > :12:20.touching the red, so it has to be same shot. His choice of two reds to
:12:20. > :12:25.get back into the baulk. He has to be careful he does not play the same
:12:25. > :12:30.shot again because he could leave an easy red. He came very low last time
:12:30. > :12:40.and it looks to be lower this time as well. Hit them both at the same
:12:40. > :12:41.
:12:41. > :13:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:13:22. > :13:29.time. I think it was red first, so afternoon how quick Robert Milkins
:13:29. > :13:39.is. He does not mess about when he gets going. That was an excellent
:13:39. > :14:18.
:14:18. > :14:25.single ballpark? I don't think so because he is going to play the blue
:14:25. > :14:30.here. We will just have to agree to differ on the single ballpark
:14:30. > :14:34.analogy. It was a great part, I agree with
:14:34. > :14:39.you and he is undoubtedly the best at that kind of shot at the moment.
:14:39. > :14:44.A kiss on the pink and leaving the blue to play to the two reds and
:14:45. > :14:48.that will complete the game out. There is every chance, actually,
:14:48. > :14:53.that would potting the blue and kissing those two reds, he could
:14:53. > :14:59.free the black. At the moment, paint out of play and you rarely see a
:14:59. > :15:09.player win again on blues alone. It may be worth playing that cannon.
:15:09. > :15:22.
:15:22. > :15:32.Just having a look at the two reds Lucky enough to get on something
:15:32. > :15:32.
:15:32. > :16:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:16:20. > :16:25.Robertson. He had to do a job. He doesn't looked edgy at all. I have
:16:25. > :16:35.seen one or two top players looking edgy in the first round already. He
:16:35. > :17:05.
:17:05. > :17:11.work into coming to Sheffield. He is striking the ball beautifully.
:17:11. > :17:21.Allegedly he does not like to get up to early to play and practice. He
:17:21. > :17:33.
:17:33. > :17:40.obviously a chance to win the frame now. This black will be a frame
:17:40. > :17:48.ball. Good performance, this so far. A couple of bits of good fortune,
:17:48. > :17:51.but after that he has cued very nicely.
:17:51. > :17:55.Not the start that Milkins was after. He would have been hoping
:17:55. > :18:05.that Neal would be nervous and edgy in the first round, but he was
:18:05. > :18:11.
:18:11. > :18:15.suggest Robert getting to the table and potting a few balls getting his
:18:15. > :18:23.ongoing. That is presuming that Neal breaks down. Normally he likes to
:18:23. > :18:27.pot every ball on the table. Yes, I think it is key with it being
:18:27. > :18:32.the first frame that you do not let Robert have practised time. He is
:18:32. > :18:42.still a little cold at the moment. He will be a little bit annoyed,
:18:42. > :18:42.
:18:42. > :19:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:19:51. > :19:56.Robert. The fluke was the thing that Can't cue any better than that. This
:19:56. > :20:06.is another one he needs to cue perfectly, but not this time. Her
:20:06. > :20:10.
:20:10. > :20:18.fabulous break of 78. That break was very good form as he breaks off in
:20:18. > :20:28.frame two. Good to see what Robert Milkins has now after sitting out
:20:28. > :21:04.
:21:04. > :21:10.centre, should he want to play straight to that corner. He would
:21:10. > :21:13.have to be quite accurate with the cube although. Just to follow
:21:13. > :21:23.through with a touch on the right-hand side. Square the line of
:21:23. > :21:24.
:21:24. > :21:29.the cue ball back up. He could not have placed that in a better
:21:29. > :21:33.position. Now, if the red above the black pots the left corner, he would
:21:33. > :21:43.have two have an angle of that to nudge the red to the right of the
:21:43. > :21:58.
:21:58. > :22:02.Looks just about OK, as well. He needs to hit this thick. He could
:22:02. > :22:07.have done with another two into the pace on the cue ball. He needs to
:22:07. > :22:17.come another few inches down. He needs to make sure he does not take
:22:17. > :22:17.
:22:17. > :23:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:23:00. > :23:10.push the red out of the corner, but it didn't work. Just going round to
:23:10. > :23:38.
:23:38. > :23:42.safety shot and swing the cue ball round, but red and blue are in the
:23:42. > :23:52.way to be absolutely sure of getting the white. He is a very aggressive
:23:52. > :23:52.
:23:52. > :24:02.player, Robert. That is why he has played the three and if this runs,
:24:02. > :24:02.
:24:02. > :25:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:25:02. > :25:12.it is very good. Very good if it to hit the right-hand side of the
:25:12. > :25:36.
:25:36. > :25:40.first red, not the left-hand side of Milkins there. The cue ball should
:25:40. > :25:50.have been in behind the green. About a foot to the left from where it is
:25:50. > :25:54.
:25:54. > :26:04.safety shot. He can't play the two reds below the pink. If he plays the
:26:04. > :26:12.
:26:12. > :26:18.two reds on the cushion, he will well. It may just run up to them.
:26:18. > :26:25.Need to rely on the table to be pretty true and it was. I think that
:26:25. > :26:35.is a very negative shots to play. You should really be in trouble. He
:26:35. > :26:48.
:26:48. > :26:58.keeps giving Robert Milkins the pink. The cue ball is further over
:26:58. > :27:21.
:27:21. > :27:30.to the centre of the table. If he to go straight into the bunch of
:27:30. > :27:33.reds here and play for the loose one.
:27:33. > :27:39.Played the correct aggressive shot. Not as good a contact as he might
:27:39. > :27:43.have liked. A little bit unfortunate not to win anything, but he did
:27:43. > :27:53.strike the pack in the correct place. Caught the first red just a
:27:53. > :27:57.
:27:57. > :28:05.blue in playing this safety shot, he does not want to cannon into the
:28:05. > :28:15.green either. Nothing has gone right so far for Rod Milkins. Has not done
:28:15. > :28:15.
:28:15. > :29:41.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:29:41. > :29:51.that with a lot of right-hand side. Obviously, Robert cannot see the
:29:51. > :29:51.
:29:51. > :30:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:30:46. > :30:50.red that is next to the pink or he Neil Robertson is looking at the
:30:50. > :31:00.red on the black cushion closest to the left hand corner. He's just
:31:00. > :31:00.
:31:00. > :32:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:32:03. > :32:08.checking to see what he is going to He can't afford to let the cue ball
:32:08. > :32:18.bounce off the baulk cushion because the red next to the pink
:32:18. > :32:19.
:32:19. > :32:29.might be available. It has got to Has he gone far enough? No, that
:32:29. > :33:02.
:33:02. > :33:12.Robertson has won the second safety He cut it very thin, and as you can
:33:12. > :33:15.
:33:15. > :33:25.Not easy to see where the car was going to come from. He could stun
:33:25. > :33:26.
:33:26. > :33:35.for the black to the right centre but that is not easy by any stretch.
:33:35. > :33:45.He will have to hit it really hard It is not straightforward, this
:33:45. > :33:59.
:33:59. > :34:03.opportunity. Looking to play a free That was a lovely little short.
:34:03. > :34:08.Played the red in-off the red that was over the pocket. I did not
:34:08. > :34:18.think there was room for that first red to go past. It gives him a good
:34:18. > :34:54.
:34:54. > :34:59.I don't know whether he can get If he plays it slow enough to get
:34:59. > :35:06.on to the then the red to the right of the black should pot. That could
:35:06. > :35:15.beat a possible chance of winning the frame. -- lead to a possible
:35:15. > :35:25.chance. Robert Milkins has just played one bad safety shot and has
:35:25. > :35:36.
:35:36. > :35:41.the possibility of going 2-0 behind. He has to be patient, Robert. That
:35:42. > :35:46.is not one of his strongest attributes. Sometimes, if he's not
:35:46. > :35:56.playing well, his temper can let him down. But it is a long match.
:35:56. > :36:00.He is going to get chances. You can't spend too much time dwelling
:36:00. > :36:10.on your past mistakes. You're not in the right frame of mind when you
:36:10. > :36:22.
:36:22. > :36:28.Just trying to make sure that he can get onto this cut red and get
:36:28. > :36:38.the cannon and still on the black. We don't know door, if he can play
:36:38. > :36:43.
:36:43. > :36:49.the cannon on was two was. -- we don't know if he can play the
:36:49. > :36:59.cannon on those two reds. These next two shorts, we will know
:36:59. > :36:59.
:36:59. > :38:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:38:16. > :38:22.whether he can win the frame at A little lower on the black know.
:38:22. > :38:32.He can still hold it or go in and out of baulk, whichever way he
:38:32. > :38:37.fancies playing it. The red will slow the cue ball down and now it
:38:37. > :38:41.is a frame winning chance. Well what is sitting in his chair
:38:41. > :38:51.shaking his head. He has only played one bad shot in two frames
:38:51. > :39:27.
:39:27. > :39:37.and he is 2-0 behind. He knows that This is impressive stuff by Neil
:39:37. > :39:40.
:39:40. > :39:44.Robertson. He has worked this out Before he plays each shot, he works
:39:44. > :39:54.everything out to make sure he is 100% in his mind on what is
:39:54. > :39:57.
:39:57. > :40:07.He could not strike the ball any better than he is doing at the
:40:07. > :40:07.
:40:07. > :40:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:40:51. > :40:57.You cannot do much better than this. Two visits, two frames. He has
:40:57. > :41:07.already had 44 centuries this season and 27 Crucible centuries.
:41:07. > :41:08.
:41:08. > :41:18.He has been in great form or you. That will please him greatly. He is
:41:18. > :41:23.
:41:23. > :41:26.playing well, and Robert Milkins It is a big edge been the best
:41:26. > :41:31.players in the world and having people being frightened to play
:41:31. > :41:37.against you sometimes, but it will not be the case in the tournament -
:41:37. > :41:42.- 4 Robert. He has only played Neil Robertson ones and he lost that
:41:42. > :41:52.match. He has played all the top players and the world, at one time
:41:52. > :42:29.
:42:29. > :42:34.He has its Likud Neil behind the yellow but I would rather have put
:42:34. > :42:43.the cue ball tight on the baulk cushion. He will have a two-cushion
:42:43. > :42:53.escape here. And that is very well played. The chance of a pot to the
:42:53. > :43:27.
:43:27. > :43:33.Last time Robert came to the table he had a chance from the blue to go
:43:33. > :43:39.into the reds and get onto a red. This time Neil Robertson has put
:43:39. > :43:45.the black safe. Everything is a little bit awkward at the minute.
:43:45. > :43:53.He can play for them loose red and try and bring pink and back --
:43:53. > :43:58.black into play. He got the pink in play, he has caught the black
:43:58. > :44:08.slightly move, and he has not got onto a red. Quite an aggressive
:44:08. > :44:12.
:44:12. > :44:17.shot, but nothing happening for him He is not being rewarded at the
:44:17. > :44:25.moment for playing the right shots. He has to be patient. Chances will
:44:25. > :44:35.come. He cannot afford to play careless safety shots like that. He
:44:35. > :44:55.
:44:55. > :45:00.has to find that baulk cushion Obviously the black being tied up
:45:00. > :45:08.is stopping him going for one of these long reds down the left-hand
:45:08. > :45:14.side. The middle red of the CRUSE on the left-hand side looks like he
:45:14. > :45:24.can get the white back to where it is no. Or maybe he has spotted
:45:24. > :45:30.
:45:30. > :45:40.The very unusual. I do not understand that shot. And I am sure,
:45:40. > :45:51.
:45:51. > :45:57.He did not want to play in the baulk because the red is over the
:45:57. > :46:01.right corner pocket, but it is a negative shot to play. The red
:46:01. > :46:10.closest to the cue ball pots to the right corner but then it will be
:46:10. > :46:16.hard to get up for the blue. In an exhibition a practice match he
:46:16. > :46:22.would have played it by now, but at 2-0 down, he's finding things
:46:22. > :46:32.difficult. There is a possibility of potting it with the cannon on
:46:32. > :46:44.
:46:44. > :46:49.He wanted to play the cannon on that red to the right of the black
:46:49. > :46:59.but tied we think the natural angle was there to do that. -- I don't
:46:59. > :47:03.
:47:03. > :47:13.think. How do you cover this red to Like this, I would say - excellent
:47:13. > :47:52.
:47:52. > :48:02.I was about to suggest that the slow you play that shot, the more
:48:02. > :48:03.
:48:03. > :48:08.of the chance of this were taking. -- the swerve taking. I don't know
:48:08. > :48:14.whether the black will go back on its own spot quite easily. But he
:48:14. > :48:18.would like to move the red away from the black. He can screw this
:48:18. > :48:28.end and play the cannon on the red and be on two reds into the middle
:48:28. > :48:36.
:48:36. > :48:43.but he needs to clear that red away He took a chance, and it was a very
:48:43. > :48:47.good shot, but unfortunately the red stayed on the cushion. He needs
:48:47. > :48:57.a good pot now to keep this break going, either the one to the middle
:48:57. > :49:11.
:49:11. > :49:21.He needs to play this with right hand side to miss the kiss on the
:49:21. > :49:26.
:49:26. > :49:36.red to the left of the black. Well It is not getting any easier, this
:49:36. > :49:51.
:49:51. > :49:56.break, is it? Now a tester of a You can see how easy a style Robert
:49:56. > :50:02.Milkins has. He just went down and played that as if it was a practice
:50:02. > :50:08.match. He just gets down and hits it. It is sometimes a bad thing,
:50:08. > :50:12.but that is how he plays. It is good to watch when he gets going.
:50:12. > :50:18.The green being off its spot will help you because it will go round
:50:18. > :50:28.and pass the green short if he hits it properly. He creates a lot of
:50:28. > :50:39.
:50:39. > :50:42.cue ball movement. He has got a -- quick cue. Lots of players play
:50:42. > :50:52.with a 9-pin the litre cue tip, but the one he uses is a lot thicker
:50:52. > :50:57.
:50:57. > :51:07.than most. -- 9-10 millimetre. If he can make this into a frame-
:51:07. > :51:12.
:51:12. > :51:19.winning break, we're going to have He looks to be striking the ball
:51:19. > :51:29.very well. An excellent touch through to the black spot. And that
:51:29. > :51:51.
:51:51. > :51:55.blue that he played going round the He played that well, with enough
:51:55. > :52:05.pace that the cue ball slightly follow-through which means that he
:52:05. > :52:36.
:52:36. > :52:43.is on this red to the left corner. He was a little bit careless there
:52:43. > :52:53.more to get a better angle on the black, but he has played it well.
:52:53. > :52:59.
:52:59. > :53:05.He has got a little wry smile on You can't get a much better
:53:05. > :53:15.standard than this, so 4. Both players hitting the ball very well
:53:15. > :53:15.
:53:15. > :53:25.indeed. -- so far. They are making the game look ridiculously easy at
:53:25. > :53:29.
:53:29. > :53:36.This is an excellent chance of his first Crucible century. It is his
:53:36. > :53:46.second appearance here. It is an excellent chance. He has surpassed
:53:46. > :53:54.
:53:54. > :53:59.his highest break from his previous He does not appear to want to make
:53:59. > :54:09.century, given how relaxed he is. There have been at 12 Crucible
:54:09. > :54:09.
:54:09. > :54:19.centuries in the first few days. He generates so much movement. He hits
:54:19. > :54:20.
:54:20. > :54:24.There could have been three centuries in this match so far, but
:54:24. > :54:33.Robert Milkins makes the highest break of the match so far, to make
:54:33. > :54:39.it 2-1. The referee asking the crew to be quiet as Neil Robertson gets
:54:39. > :54:46.frame four under way. You do not like to be 2-0 in front and then
:54:46. > :54:53.going to the interval 2-2, because you like to take a lead into the
:54:53. > :54:56.next session. Yes, it feels like an opportunity lost. But it is when
:54:56. > :55:03.you have had lots of chances yourself and thrown frames away
:55:03. > :55:09.that you go back feeling irritated at the interval. Neil Robertson
:55:09. > :55:15.will still be in a positive frame of mind. This is one of his
:55:15. > :55:21.trademarks - he expects to get these. He would do well to get
:55:21. > :55:26.round the back of the red on the far right hand side. He pots a
:55:26. > :55:36.large percentage of those when he plays at General pace, but he had
:55:36. > :55:40.
:55:40. > :55:45.This red obviously passes the green. This is a great chance for Robert
:55:45. > :55:55.Milkins. He may take the chance of playing through the gap between
:55:55. > :56:00.
:56:00. > :56:10.these reds to get on the red just What kind of shot as that? He
:56:10. > :56:10.
:56:10. > :56:20.underhit that by about a foot. was playing the shot you suggested
:56:20. > :56:20.
:56:20. > :57:14.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:57:14. > :57:19.to try to get on the red above the Having a look to see if the pink
:57:19. > :57:23.will still pot, and that will help if it does. It is all about the
:57:23. > :57:31.river of the black. If he can get on the pink exec we straight he can
:57:31. > :57:41.get onto that red and if it is not top side of the blue, he will not
:57:41. > :57:44.
:57:44. > :57:54.be happy chappie. It is amazing how many times that happens. The amount
:57:54. > :57:59.
:57:59. > :58:07.of times that players underhit it, He has played for the other red. He
:58:07. > :58:12.will want to land high on this red that is above the black. He is a
:58:12. > :58:18.beautiful striker of the cue ball. I had not seen him play much, but
:58:18. > :58:25.he's -- he strikes the ball as good as anybody. He has been trying to
:58:25. > :58:35.get on this red for the last six shots. He could just clear forcing
:58:35. > :58:39.shot and play on to the right. -- play a forcing shot. He has decided
:58:39. > :58:49.against it. He has a little bit of work to do to get onto the next red,
:58:49. > :59:00.
:59:00. > :59:03.cushion into the pack. He is now looking at the yellow. He has to
:59:03. > :59:09.play a cannon of some sort if it wants to keep this play going. I
:59:09. > :59:19.would play the green. Yes, there is a big target of green
:59:19. > :59:24.
:59:24. > :59:29.and blue. A bigger target off the if you don't catch the painful in
:59:29. > :59:34.the face, you have a good chance going off.
:59:34. > :59:40.The yellow is not a bad choice. If he keeps the black in his eye line,
:59:41. > :59:44.anywhere near the black or cannon the black, he knows that the bottom
:59:45. > :59:50.red pot he could come by the black at a certain place. He has decided
:59:50. > :00:00.on the blue so is playing some sort of cannon. That is the one Stephen
:00:00. > :00:10.
:00:10. > :00:20.was talking about. A few slides by, the minute, Robert and he should be
:00:20. > :00:54.
:00:54. > :00:57.of situation, getting up behind the green is no real advantage. You
:00:57. > :01:07.would rather let see the reds, wouldn't you?
:01:07. > :01:14.
:01:14. > :01:22.Absolutely. Making your opponents roll into the two reds in the pink
:01:22. > :01:27.spot. He would have preferred, almost, to finish between brown and
:01:27. > :01:32.green. He is just looking at the plant. Surely he won't play that
:01:32. > :01:42.unless it is a certainty. It is dead set. We have a picture from another
:01:42. > :02:04.
:02:04. > :02:10.camera angle. He might take this on. angle, doesn't it?
:02:10. > :02:20.That is close enough for me, that one.
:02:20. > :02:30.
:02:30. > :02:34.It looks like he is reluctant to playing the plant. Didn't play the
:02:34. > :02:44.plans, he hit the wrong ball. I bet he wishes he could have that shot
:02:44. > :02:49.
:02:49. > :02:59.baulk. He will have to try to kiss the red to the black -- to the right
:02:59. > :03:18.
:03:18. > :03:25.then he would take the blue onto the yellow pocket, but a bit too
:03:25. > :03:29.awkward. Then again, that is a little bit careless. This red below
:03:29. > :03:39.the pink main part to the right corner. If we can see enough of it.
:03:39. > :03:52.
:03:52. > :03:58.It looks like he is playing the red kiss on the green, of course. He
:03:58. > :04:03.played a short similar to this in frame to when he hit a safety shot
:04:03. > :04:06.half draw and hit the jaws. He has to be careful not to hit one of
:04:06. > :04:16.these reds too thick and leave the white in the middle of the table
:04:16. > :04:16.
:04:16. > :05:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:05:20. > :05:26.to leave that red on, but he covered it. In fairness, it looks to be a
:05:26. > :05:32.very good safety. The reds on the right-hand side with the blue. You
:05:32. > :05:38.can see him with his head going down because he thought he left the pot
:05:38. > :05:43.on, but he got the pace right. He can get back into a similar position
:05:43. > :05:53.to what he is in now. He has to be at least that wide otherwise he will
:05:53. > :05:53.
:05:53. > :06:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:06:40. > :06:50.long red up, but there may be a gap between the pink and the blue to get
:06:50. > :07:07.
:07:07. > :07:17.to the reds to the right of the two through. Can he not go the other
:07:17. > :07:18.
:07:18. > :07:25.side of the brown? Does not look like it from there.
:07:25. > :07:31.No, he hit the wrong red. You can tell by the reaction, he is not
:07:31. > :07:36.impressed. To be honest, Robertson was
:07:36. > :07:46.fortunate not to have left anything on after such a poor safety shot. He
:07:46. > :07:46.
:07:46. > :08:53.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:08:53. > :08:57.thought he could pocket, but hit the glance, but they are stopping the
:08:57. > :09:01.black from potting and the pink is out of the way to a similar
:09:01. > :09:06.situation to frame one where he needs to get black into play. He
:09:06. > :09:16.could risk doing it now playing the cannon into the two reds at the
:09:16. > :09:22.
:09:22. > :09:27.that was putting reds onto the cushion, but he has managed to do
:09:27. > :09:33.that tumbled the blackout. Still won't play for the black because
:09:33. > :09:36.when it spots it will still be blocked up.
:09:36. > :09:41.That is the beauty of the top players. They see a chance to win
:09:41. > :09:51.the frame, but a lot of players would not want to play that
:09:51. > :09:54.
:09:54. > :10:02.best chance to win the frame in one visit. Those are the shots you have
:10:02. > :10:12.to play. You keep just taking what is available. You can come unstuck a
:10:12. > :10:26.
:10:26. > :10:33.here. But it is blocked up if it is re-spotted. He will probably play on
:10:33. > :10:40.the right-hand side and go back out for the blue. He played the natural
:10:40. > :10:44.angle, but did not plan to catch the red. He has been very fortunate.
:10:44. > :10:54.Looking at Robert in his seat shaking his head as he finished plum
:10:54. > :11:03.
:11:03. > :11:09.blackspot would help here. Oh, hasn't played it. That takes potting
:11:09. > :11:19.the black out of the equation, you see.
:11:19. > :11:23.
:11:23. > :11:33.Could play a cannon now run the back behind the back of the black with a
:11:33. > :11:46.
:11:46. > :11:51.touch on the left-hand side. Back up This would have been a lot easier,
:11:51. > :11:54.but it has worked out so that he is not able to get on the black. It is
:11:54. > :12:04.essential to get high on the blue and then play the run on the
:12:04. > :12:39.
:12:40. > :12:46.rid of this red, but he is getting weird of it at the right time.
:12:46. > :12:53.Right back into the frame and has become favourite to win it now. Oh,
:12:53. > :13:02.until then. Played the full ball cannon and did not get it right. He
:13:02. > :13:07.can still wallet in, but played the full cannon not the quarter cannon.
:13:07. > :13:12.OK, it was thicker than it looks from the commentary position. The
:13:12. > :13:19.green is the key ball for Milkins. The only problem is, Robertson is
:13:19. > :13:23.left-handed which makes the green and little easier.
:13:23. > :13:33.Something is amusing Robert. He is always smiling sat in his chair and
:13:33. > :13:39.
:13:39. > :13:47.chair. Obviously, being a left-hander the green will be more
:13:47. > :13:57.comfortable than it would be to a right-handed player. He has a
:13:57. > :14:07.
:14:07. > :14:10.potting the green, but judging the pace on the cue ball for the brown.
:14:10. > :14:15.It is about the only place it is no good, isn't it, tight on the
:14:15. > :14:25.cushion. Any sort of bounce would have been easy to play for the
:14:25. > :14:41.
:14:41. > :14:51.brown, but he may have to play into brown miscible. Without the kiss, it
:14:51. > :15:22.
:15:22. > :15:25.would have been unmissable. He will aggrieved. Robertson will be pretty
:15:25. > :15:35.pleased having won the open two frames without giving Robert Mattar
:15:35. > :15:44.
:15:44. > :15:49.the chance. -- Robert much of a these players. Robert Milkins shakes
:15:49. > :15:59.his head. Robertson did what he had to do. Milkins check -- trails at
:15:59. > :16:27.
:16:27. > :16:37.it is not a straightforward safety. The angle is going back towards the
:16:37. > :16:37.
:16:37. > :17:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:17:21. > :17:31.yellow area where it should be. Not does not win the frame on this
:17:31. > :17:31.
:17:31. > :18:39.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:18:39. > :18:47.make the frame safe. He won't need the yellow. 26 points in front. Lack
:18:47. > :18:52.34, so just the red. Not a bad kick. He may have to play the cannon into
:18:52. > :19:02.the red now. You wanted to just roll the black in, but that may not be an
:19:02. > :19:02.
:19:02. > :20:14.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:20:14. > :20:24.catch it correctly, but it was a Robertson the chance to play red and
:20:24. > :20:44.
:20:44. > :20:48.the black here. Kiss on the brown is on. He may have to it at pace
:20:49. > :20:55.between the brown and the green. If the black was on its pot, it should
:20:55. > :20:59.be no problem, but whether black is, he could snooker himself. To the
:20:59. > :21:03.natural angle, kissing into the brown is why he is looking at the
:21:03. > :21:13.possibility of going round the back of the green. He must pot the black,
:21:13. > :21:31.
:21:31. > :21:40.black was on its pot, it would be so easy to get at. If he misses it, it
:21:40. > :21:50.is end of the frame. The pink is the easier shot, but he won't win with
:21:50. > :21:50.
:21:50. > :24:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:24:14. > :24:17.that cushion. We had a lot in the Selby game last evening when it came
:24:18. > :24:27.click off this top cushion, there is another example. That finished about
:24:28. > :24:32.
:24:32. > :24:42.a foot higher than it should have, cushions every three days. They used
:24:42. > :25:04.
:25:04. > :25:09.here. Playing at a more crisp pace. He would like to leave an angle high
:25:09. > :25:12.on the black here, although, but I would add to play in the pack from
:25:12. > :25:17.high on the cushion. It is always good to play in the pack when there
:25:17. > :25:24.is one loose red. It takes a scenario out stunning
:25:24. > :25:31.into them. He has not played it very well and will have to run round to
:25:31. > :25:41.cushions or screw back. Because it is at the bottom of the pack,
:25:41. > :25:57.
:25:57. > :26:05.playing this next shot will spread and bundles of top spin so the cue
:26:05. > :26:11.ball hit the pack at topspin. Took the cue ball careering forwards. You
:26:11. > :26:16.are never entirely sure what colour you are going to be on, but he will
:26:16. > :26:19.be delighted with that result. I think you will be tied up when it is
:26:19. > :26:29.potted here, but he won't be bothered about that because the
:26:29. > :26:48.
:26:48. > :26:58.black pot to the left corner so no problem just going off one cushion.
:26:58. > :27:07.
:27:07. > :27:17.So you would have to say, this looks slight sign of danger, not playing
:27:17. > :27:54.
:27:55. > :28:00.well and losing of frame, is to tournament is 142 by Judd Trump.
:28:00. > :28:10.There is a possibility of 144 on the table at the moment if he takes one
:28:10. > :28:10.
:28:10. > :29:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:29:22. > :29:29.It is interesting to Huw you see about Neil Robertson getting down
:29:30. > :29:38.to pot the black, which would give him another century. Look at that
:29:38. > :29:43.cushion again. There is another shot where he has swung of a foot
:29:43. > :29:53.further than he meant to. He might have to go and down twice to get to
:29:53. > :29:59.
:29:59. > :30:06.I think he can hold this. He can afford one pink, if he does get
:30:06. > :30:16.another big bounce off the cushion. He's on the pink, that's fine, but
:30:16. > :30:26.
:30:26. > :30:36.Ricky Walden must have thought that his 140 would be in with a chance
:30:36. > :30:57.
:30:57. > :31:07.of winning the big break. But now, The angle was just about cookie,
:31:07. > :31:23.
:31:23. > :31:32.but he's going to have to play it The highest break is purely cash.
:31:32. > :31:38.You are playing for money. There is a golden cue this year. You get a
:31:38. > :31:48.prize as well. Trust me, he's not thinking about that cue. It is
:31:48. > :32:06.
:32:06. > :32:12.There is the bounce again. And now, This will be the highest Crucible
:32:12. > :32:22.break of his career if this pink and black goes in. Well played,
:32:22. > :32:29.
:32:29. > :32:39.140 was not enough, 142 was not enough, will 140 ft be enough? The
:32:39. > :32:44.
:32:44. > :32:54.highest break of the tournament so You will Watson breaks off with two
:32:54. > :33:00.range remaining in this first I would have to say that I agree
:33:00. > :33:10.with you. If Robert Wilkins has any aspirations of winning this match
:33:10. > :33:20.
:33:20. > :33:26.he needs both of these frames. -- You can see the frustration in his
:33:27. > :33:36.face. The fact that he knows that Neil Robertson is 96 times at the
:33:37. > :33:39.
:33:39. > :33:47.100 going to knock this in. -- out And there is the four times out of
:33:47. > :33:54.100 that he doesn't, so Robert Milkins could be given a chance.
:33:54. > :33:59.You would have put your house on Neil Robertson potting that.
:33:59. > :34:07.Perhaps those scrappy frames have affected him. This is a nice chance
:34:07. > :34:12.for Robert to get his cueing arm going. He doesn't take much out of
:34:12. > :34:22.himself. He's a very quick player. He could win this frame in six or
:34:22. > :34:52.
:34:52. > :35:02.An opportunity to go into the bunch here. Three open reds he can play
:35:02. > :35:18.
:35:18. > :35:28.We've seen that a few times today from both players. Didn't see much
:35:28. > :35:29.
:35:29. > :35:39.of a jump from the black. Just have to trust Robert that he got a bad
:35:39. > :35:53.
:35:53. > :36:03.The bunch of reds will be opened up here with this safety shot.
:36:03. > :36:03.
:36:03. > :37:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:37:02. > :37:05.Important to get a good white - and Getting to the three reds below the
:37:05. > :37:14.pink would be an ideal choice if he can get off of the left-hand
:37:14. > :37:24.cushion with loads of sight. If he has to swerve it is a lot more
:37:24. > :37:53.
:37:53. > :37:59.That is nowhere near. Foul, and a That was careless from Neil, wasn't
:37:59. > :38:09.it? It was a long way from the desire of safety shot he played off
:38:09. > :38:27.
:38:27. > :38:35.These reds a beautifully placed for a sizeable break. -- are
:38:35. > :38:45.beautifully placed. I think he needs a to win the frame at this
:38:45. > :38:45.
:38:45. > :40:54.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:40:54. > :41:01.visit, not only for the frame, but Stephen mention that if he wins the
:41:01. > :41:11.next frame, that takes it-5-4, and Neil Robertson can then think that
:41:11. > :41:18.
:41:18. > :41:28.Well, barring snookers, Robert Milkins has reduced the deficit to
:41:28. > :41:29.
:41:29. > :41:39.55 victory. Although we will Robertson is going to carry on. --
:41:39. > :42:03.
:42:03. > :42:13.This is an excellent opportunity for Neil Robertson to pot four reds
:42:13. > :42:28.
:42:28. > :42:31.I suppose it would be easy to get in behind the pink rather than the
:42:31. > :42:35.black but it depends on the position he gets in the next couple
:42:35. > :42:45.of shots whether it is the one on the cushion of the one near the
:42:45. > :42:54.
:42:54. > :42:57.pink. -- or the one near the pink. Robert Milkins got himself a nice
:42:57. > :43:02.little break of 45 there, and now he's going to be snooker the next
:43:02. > :43:12.time he comes to the table. It is just a case of how difficult the
:43:12. > :43:18.
:43:18. > :43:26.If it is on the cushion I can't see importing anything, if it is off
:43:26. > :43:31.the cushion, it is missable. It has kicked. That was a shame. He's
:43:31. > :43:41.giving in. He did not get the snookers he needed, so Robert
:43:41. > :43:42.
:43:42. > :43:45.Milkins has closed the gap to trail by two frames, at 5-3. So, a big
:43:45. > :43:55.frame for Robert Milkins, he breaks off in the final frame of the
:43:55. > :43:56.
:43:56. > :44:01.session. If he can get out of this 5-4 down, he will be delighted. And
:44:01. > :44:06.Neil Robertson will be disappointed with a 5-4. At some stages this
:44:06. > :44:16.afternoon he has looked fantastic and at other times he has looked
:44:16. > :44:30.
:44:31. > :44:40.You can see again when he senses a bit of danger. He can step up a
:44:40. > :44:50.gear and producer big break when it really matters. -- produce a big
:44:50. > :45:26.
:45:26. > :45:34.He did not get into the cue ball, did he? A lot of screw shots, the
:45:34. > :45:44.white ball has not been reacting in the way that the players expect. He
:45:44. > :45:44.
:45:44. > :45:54.will be moving reds, so it could Maybe not. Robert Milkins has been
:45:54. > :45:56.
:45:56. > :46:02.given a lifeline. He will be just dropping this red in. For an angle
:46:02. > :46:06.on the black to clear into the pack. But it is quite a narrow pack from
:46:06. > :46:13.that direction. There is a good chance of the cue ball disappearing
:46:13. > :46:20.up to the baulk end. He will try to get the cue ball to the right hand
:46:20. > :46:28.side cushion. That is what he is playing - off the cushion and into
:46:28. > :46:35.the bunch of reds. He would like to get the middle of those three reds
:46:36. > :46:44.to the right of the pack. You would have been playing that a lot harder
:46:44. > :46:48.than that. It is strange. He has played a few shots into the pack-
:46:48. > :46:58.day and has played them full strength. I assume that he was
:46:58. > :47:14.
:47:14. > :47:18.frightened of the cue ball There is nothing like a bit of luck.
:47:18. > :47:28.And the way that Robert is shaking his head he probably feels he has
:47:28. > :47:37.
:47:37. > :47:43.not had much luck this afternoon, The two West to the right of the
:47:43. > :47:53.pack, he will be hoping one of them pots to the left corner. Depending
:47:53. > :48:01.
:48:01. > :48:08.He has got the left-hand side on it, but just a little bit too much
:48:08. > :48:16.angle. He can pot the red but it is closer to the red than he wanted it
:48:16. > :48:25.to be, which makes it missable. He has missed it, as well. Has he
:48:25. > :48:35.covered it? Maybe the one of the balls is changing. -- run of the
:48:35. > :48:35.
:48:35. > :50:27.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:50:27. > :50:31.He was a bit unfortunate to leave the cue ball tight to the side
:50:31. > :50:41.cushion. It limits what Neil Robertson can do positionally. That
:50:41. > :51:17.
:51:17. > :51:22.is why he may not take the pot on He can't hit the edge of the pack
:51:22. > :51:32.near the pink. You can just about get through to the red that's an
:51:32. > :51:36.
:51:36. > :51:43.open play, but can he leave it safe He has left the red at the bottom
:51:43. > :51:53.of the bunch to the right corner. It is a big shot, it could be a
:51:53. > :52:02.
:52:02. > :52:11.chance to win the frame of this goes in. -- if this goes in. Can't
:52:11. > :52:21.see him going for a pot from here - it will be cue ball behind blue,
:52:21. > :52:21.
:52:21. > :53:38.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:53:38. > :53:47.Now, I think it may have always been a snooker but the double kiss
:53:47. > :53:57.on the green made sure of it. That is about as good as he could have
:53:57. > :53:57.
:53:57. > :54:51.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:54:51. > :55:01.Now this is a chance for Robert. Will he play the shot to nothing
:55:01. > :55:15.
:55:15. > :55:24.and swing it out for the green, He may have second prize here, he
:55:24. > :55:31.dead straight pink. There is pressure on this one. Very well
:55:31. > :55:39.done. A simple shot to the corner and he will be nicely on the pink
:55:39. > :55:49.and then four reds and colours will leave them only one behind going
:55:49. > :55:56.into tomorrow's session. Considering Robertson has made such
:55:56. > :56:06.high breaks, to come out of the session trailing 5-4, he has done
:56:06. > :56:11.
:56:11. > :56:18.If I was in Neil Robertson's shoes, to be 5-2 up and only have a 5-4
:56:18. > :56:28.lead, I would not be happy. Although you are in front, it is a
:56:28. > :56:28.
:56:28. > :57:52.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds
:57:52. > :57:57.He will be very pleased with himself. His head has been shaking
:57:57. > :58:01.when things have not been going right but he has had a good put of
:58:01. > :58:09.fortune in the last couple of frames, and you can see what kind
:58:09. > :58:19.of player he is when things are going right - excellent potter.
:58:19. > :58:25.
:58:25. > :58:31.Exhibition shot here, try to hit Neil Robertson will be very
:58:31. > :58:36.disappointed, to be 5-2 in front and come out 5-4. The handshake
:58:36. > :58:42.will come, it has been a very good session of snooker, scrappy in the
:58:42. > :58:47.middle but very good at the event, we will worsen will be disappointed