Day 11 World Championship Snooker Extra

Hello and welcome. Extended highlights of the sniko

championship. The feature or the final match seemed Barry Hawkins

take on Marco Fu. All eyes will be on Barry Hawkins to

see how he plays this afternoon after that unbelievable win against

Ronnie O'Sullivan. It does take a little bit out of it but he must be

delighted to be here. Hard to pick a winner out of these two, John? It

should be a good matchup. 6-54 Barry Hawkins. -- 6-5. 2013, Barry won all

three of them. It is a good point you make, last night historic

victory, you need to put that at the back of your mind. He had not beaten

him for a long time. A big turnaround in form but you have to

forget about it today. APPLAUSE. That was a useful little

flick off the yellow. There is a path on the right-hand side of the

table. They are both attacking players, terrific builders and also

good in the tactical department. That has certainly opened the reds

up. A bit of mishit that one. Try to get the big Mac... -- cueball. It

does not seem to travel very far for either of these this is the first

test of the afternoon. He has passed with flying colours. Always nice to

knock a long word in. A little bit of a conflict in the Griffith 's

household. You have Terry walking with Hawke and is and his son

working with Marco Fu. When he moved back to Hong Kong, he took over

looking after him. But Ronnie paid tribute to Barry, said he played

very well. He wanted the scrappy frame. We always talk about that, if

you win the scrappy frame is important. Barry just delighted to

play like he can against Ronnie. Such a talent Ronnie O'Sullivan, it

could be intimidating. Especially if you have a poor record against

someone before first time, in quite a while, Barry Hawkins played as

well as he can do, and it was against Ronnie.

Mmm. I would have fancied him knocking that one in.

Not the best shot in the world there, from Marco. A bit bemused. He

should have been back in the table. He will have to take the pink to

avoid the yellow which is off its spot slightly which might help a

little bit to get him back in towards the reds.

Absolutely brilliant in his opening match, Marco Fu beating Peter well.

Peter saying he never felt as though he got a shot. His playing was

effortless. When he plays like that, he can beat anybody in the game. I

think he's one of the most underestimated match players. He's a

quiet, unassuming man. He wants to win.

I am not trying to be clever but if I was in Barry Hawkins's camp, I

would be happy. It was quite an emotional victory over Ronnie

O'Sullivan, and it can take a bit out of it. Players will not be

playing this evening so they can have a rest and come back tomorrow

so if I was Barry, something like 4-4, would not be a bad result.

Obviously, he would like to be in front. But if he was all square at

the end of the session, I think it would be satisfied with that. A

great chance for Marco. There you see it. These are pots that Barry

knew he should be taking if he had not missed the red along the

cushion. 22. Just left himself a little awkward, this. Just slightly

off straight. It looks like a black is likewise. Even though there is

plenty of distance between the reds, a nice positional shot. You cannot

play a run through there. Foles. That was a little beauty.

Terrific amount of back spin. He pulled it back far enough to

generate the screw back. It is a very elaborate cue action. A little

bit like James used to do. It is a carbon copy of James Wattana. At

would have been unfortunate not to be on a red since he has played that

shot. It is a cracking chance. He will kick himself if he did not

win the frame here. Nice chatting to Danny Willett.

Smarty, they call him. Just chatting the difference between the snooker

and golf and the big difference is what you are watching here. You make

a mistake, as Barry did, and you have to go back to your seat and sit

there and you can do anything about it as your opponents keeps going.

The black that he had earlier. Since then he has had to sit and watch top

it is the one thing I enjoy playing golf, you play your own ball. Here

he have to sit and suffer stop I wouldn't mind you play my bowl at

golf, John. LAUGHTER. 51. Taken at these very well so far stop

as I mentioned earlier, the cue ball is not seem to move very far at all

when both of these players are playing. Other players you see the

cue ball whizzing around the table but these two, it is very good, very

controlled. A few pots away from taking this opening frame. His soap

consistent, is Marco. 34 centuries last season. 36 this year. He has

made 403, that is going some, in his career. He didn't know himself. One

of the matches he passed the 400. He would be please, not many players

achieve that. Yes, he is just a lovely person to have around the

snooker. Will talk about nicknames, Marco does not think there should be

nicknames when players are introduced. A chance, if he gets

split correct here, that he could start the match with a century

break. Wouldn't that be something. No. He concentrated on the cannon,

didn't get the cannon so now he stays in his seat and the best

possible start for Marco Fu. He leaves one frame to zero.

Well, that was unusual for someone like Marco to hit the break so

poorly. Got the red backup... Got away with it. Yes, nearly contacted

the second one. Players generally played the outside red.

And, immediately, missing that long pot, he has left Marco in with a

decent chance early on in the second frame.

APPLAUSE. I think it is important for Barry Hawkins to get off to a

reasonably good start after that fabulous win we have been talking

about. The last thing you want to do is lose the first to or three frames

and start thinking about how you beat the favourite. It is all mind

games sometimes, in this game of Speaker. -- snooker Stephen

mentioned early before we came on air, it is not the physical aspect

but the mental aspect. It had not beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan for a long

time and to beat him at the Crucible was a great result. It must have

been difficult for him to sleep last night. Sometimes it is difficult to

actually get to sleep and you have to go back to work the next day and

start all over again. He is at the Crucible Theatre. An early tee shot

coming up now. If he pots the blue and hits the people ball, he can

open all the game here. That is the tournament balls potted by other

players, 621. That is amazing. Well, he has hit the pink nicely. Yes, he

did not hit the pink absolutely full ball but it was good enough. He just

called it three quarters ball. Because of that, not as many of the

reds spread out. I just wondering, Dennis, if there was a shot on. He's

bound to be on pink or blue... Oh, he got it to the vote still not too

bad. He tried to open the cluster. If he hit the middle red,... Clever

shot. Good call, John, he seemed to get a little bit right-hand side,

which he did not want. APPLAUSE. Not the best. He

concentrated so much on the pot, he does not have a good cue ball. A

very difficult read up into the right corner pocket. I do not think

it goes past the peak. He has had a quick glance. This other one is a

very acute angle in the right middle pocket. It looks easy from that

picture but you have to be absolutely spot-on. And that is

spot-on. APPLAUSE. Good pot. These balls are

just awkward. APPLAUSE. Fought in a cluster, they

will not pot. -- four in a cluster. He has tried to force this out but

that is not ideal. You have to be very accurate with these if he is

going to take the red down the cushion. The problem with these, if

they do go in... -- do not go in... If he could somehow... You can only

see a little bit of the red... But if he could cannon that it would

open all the reds are. He needs to keep all his concentration on the

pot because he is guaranteed a cannon and if he flicks that one,

you could really open them up. You see, he caught the one that just in

front of it. He is still OK. He has won parts of the pink but he did try

to cannon E. He just clipped the one nearest the lack that he is still

OK. -- the black.. You mentioned it before, Dennis, the

middle pocket. This one just catches the bumper. Two draws and it has

missed. -- draws. Trust me, that is an acute angle to

the middle pocket. He certainly got away with one of

their, Marco. All he could do was play safe. The problems. First look

to get anywhere near the back area. Too many balls spread out. If he

screwed off the closest, he would have the scent and other red of the

table. He is looking at the plant. Every chance of sending one red into

another red. You would have to be careful he could bring a red back up

the table. Past the blue and through the reds on to the black? I do not

know. The possibility, Dennis. Good call, John. That is what he is

trying. As you can see, though, he has just flicked the reds there. It

was a shot to nothing until he just glanced at the reds are there to put

one on for the left middle. That was amazingly well thought out until

this happen. OK, these are not give Ms into the middle pocket but it is

a chance. Mmm. I think the green is coming to

his rescue. He just needs an easy start to get his cue action going.

Normally expecting the dog that one in but he has not settled here. Oh,

that will give him bit of confidence as Marco cued right across that.

Fancied him for this but did not cue it very well. Yes, most unusual for

him. Left him with a slightly tricky one. But this is a big chance for

him if he can drop this in. Pink waiting over the centre pocket.

Well, that's surprising. That could be the end of the second frame so

that's a couple of chances are that Barry has let slip. I think... Well,

he is so good with the rest, it you do not expect him to do that. It is

only his second missed. That was his chance to get back into this frame.

If I was Marco Fu I would dissent think this was a very big session.

Last night, Barry Hawkins went past Ronnie O'Sullivan and all the signs

are he is not quite recovered from that match so if Marco can kick on,

he could give himself a good head start. You need to make the most of

it. Six. Seven. Great chance for 2-0, this.

Without really being at his best. A break of 73, the first frame was a

very good. I do not think he is enamoured with that positional shot

either. That is a lapse in concentration with that shot for

Marco. Did not intended to finish quite like this.. Having a quick

look around the scoreboard. He is 62 in front so a couple of more pots.

If you pots at the red and the peak, snooker 's needed. -- the pink. The

way the match has gone so far, if I was Marco will be trying as hard as

possible to keep Barry Hawkins of the table as much as possible. He

has not got going yet, Barry. All the players play this longer

matches. For France. He set a target of 3-1. If you win four that's a

bonus. -- four frames. APPLAUSE.

A little bit of rest since his previous match for Marco. It looks

pretty fresh out there. Doesn't really matter about that. He

has conceded the second frame and the man from Hong Kong leads 2-0.

Once again, the balls are not too bad. I think he can get through to

the one on the left-hand corner but he is looking at the safety shot. He

knows he is not cueing well so he is refusing it. And he has hit this a

little bit too hard. It will be interesting to see if Marco takes

that on. The reason Harry did not take that and, he is bound to be

leaving Marco in the balls but he has lost a little bit of confidence

and that is why he has played the safety shot. Let's see what happens

here. APPLAUSE. He is probably thinking to

himself, I should have had a go at that long one. I suppose, John, you

start thinking to yourself, I missed a few, I 2-0 down, don't miss the

long one but sometimes you have to play the natural game. Yes. Some

days you are right and some days are you a wrongful top at the moment, he

is just a little bit off. It doesn't take much at the level we are

playing, we are down to the quarter-finals, after all. You do

not get too many shots in a session. Well, that is a bad mess, if he has

got away with that, then I think he is very fortunate. That wasn't

difficult. The reds have blocked the path of the easy starter. Barry has

discovered to hang in there until he gets a big chance amongst the

balls. Well, what a kiss that was. Split

the two reds and finish there. It is lovely. There we go. Good pot.

Cannons into the two reds. Opens them up and perfect on the pink.

Lovely. Just a little bit short with the cue

ball though. Ideally on the role you would like to have just coral either

side of it. -- just gone. Hasn't happened so far today as yet. Well,

at the moment, last night is taking its toll.

Usually keeps very still but there was a bit of movement on that shot.

In the chance now for Marco. He has got the perfect angle. He could

cannon into the black and red here and open the game up. It looks as if

he is just going to concentrate on the single red, but he has quit to

get into those. Or will he get a better angle? -- he has got to. He

has a slightly bigger target now. The pink and black will be readily

available. He has good to get into them somehow. That should be now. He

has got the perfect angle if he pots the blue anywhere near the black, he

could even open the reds up and both pink and black ear. -- here. It has

finished awkwardly. "High-value colours up, but he has been a bit

unlucky. -- it has opened both. Very unlucky.

That was a bad piece of fortune. He didn't want to move.

Good pot but the cue ball is in the middle of no man's land. Could go

for the blue, Barry, but he has got a black to take on, but this is

tricky. The way everything has gone the way everything has gone this

afternoon so a good shot. Can't quite reach, so just a little

extension on the end of the cue. Bigshot coming up, really. -- big

shot. Normally wouldn't have been saying

that, but you can just see what is going on at the moment. You're

trying as hard as you did last night, but it is just not happening.

And possibly, you are just trying that little bit too hard. When you

miss a few, the harder you try, the tougher this game becomes at times.

Good pot. Tricky. If I was Marco Fu, I would be trying doubly hard here.

It is not many times you turn up to a quarter-final and your opponent is

struggling as much as Barry Hawkins is at the moment. Every session in

this match would be completely different, so when you have got your

opponent in trouble, keep them there. All the great champions, all

the multiple winners, when they smelt danger, they made the most of

it. I think therefore Sophia was never

give a sucker an even break. -- their philosophy. Steve Davis

throughout the 80s, Stephen Hendry throughout the 90s. When they have

got you on the rack, they really pressed home and that is where you

have got to do, in any sport. -- that is what you have got. He hasn't

missed too much, Marco, just a couple of little shot see has let

your straight. I mean, they are not sitting all that well here, but well

enough to not have to play any cannons just yet. -- astray.

I think he has got a slight angle on the pink. The red that the pink

would be passing looks to be available into the same pocket, if

he can just follow through on leave that one. You can see it there, he

has got the angle to do that. In fact, he has punched it in to get

back for the other one, which is just as good. That was very well

played, excellent shot. Perfect on the outside red. Still sitting up

for the pink. He could play a run through if you want softer side

cushion. -- if he wants off the side. I think the red might be an

acute angle so he might play for the one behind the black spot instead.

He is looking to that red in the middle but he is going to be further

away from it. He might elect to play the one that is further away from

the blackspot. Just needs this red with a colour.

No, in fact he was going to need one more red after the pink, so he has

let that chance slip away. Now, this would really be a huge

confidence booster if he could pinch this frame.

Yes, that is typical when you are struggling. A nice pot on the blue

and open up the side cushion for the reds. Got the one cannon he didn't

want. When you are playing well and everything is in full flow, you will

play that cannon. When you are scrapping for a bit of form,

everything seems to go awkward. Good safety shot though.

Good shot. It is just going to flip off the black there and go into or

is the pocket. I think he can get past the pink. He

could be sending the red over towards the black and reds.

Obviously didn't fancy that. He might be over in that position. Not

quite, but he has got an angle to get round to a similar position

here. Swing the White in between the pink and black, win the blue. You

have diskette to be a little careful with laying the shot.

All departments at the moment are bit of a struggle for Barry. His

safety, which is usually fantastic is out of kilter. Another chance for

Marco. If anything, he hit that too well. Look at the cue ball now. 33

in front. The pink if it is dead straight is going to be difficult.

Just a slight bit of an angle but even then, it needs good cueing,

tucked up on that push on. -- cushion. Can he find that red?

Teapots won more red, he is 39 in front. -- if he pots one.

He would be delighted if he could get out of this first session format

-4, if he is 3-0 down now, which is looking likely, he will definitely

be delighted. Barring a couple of sneakers, Marco Fu is going to lead

three Mac-0. -- snookers. 3-0. I am afraid at the moment, mentally,

Barry Hawkins is really struggling. That shot was nowhere near his usual

standard. Doesn't matter about the yellow,

Barry walks out the Crucible arena and Marco Fu will be absolutely

delighted he leads 3-0. Marco Fu breaks off in frame for Mac. He will

be delighted with the scoreline. In the first frame he played pretty

well with a break of 73 but since then he hasn't had to be anywhere

near his best. Hawkins has been struggling a bit. Feeling the

effects of last night, if you ask me. He has got to get to work again.

Might turn into a bit of a scrappy frame, to red is already up the

other end of the table. -- two reds. It all depends on the angle. If it

was dead straight, he may be tempted. No, he is screwing it back.

It was like the last frame in his match against Ronnie O'Sullivan, it

was a little bit like this, he never got a shot for three frames. It

suited him, it gave him a chance to settle down again. It did, but

didn't he take that chance as well when they came up as well? Ronnie

O'Sullivan played very well in that match. Yes, there were five or six

reds tied up with the yellow is at the moment. Five or six between the

pink and black and Barry potted a fantastic one into the right corner

past the green as we look at it and got himself a nice 50 point

advantage, which paved the way for that victory. The likes of that shot

as well. The cue ball should be tight on the cushion. Having a

little smirk to himself, Barry, doesn't quite know what is going on

at the minute. That is where the cue ball should be

going. Tight to the cushion. I think it is OK just at the moment, he has

still got the red to run to, to leave it safe. The safety is on,

which is behind the blackspot area. You can roll two. The one to the

right of that gorgeous leave the thing. -- or just. Looking to see

the could leave the cue ball up there and what of position he would

leave. He is reluctant to just roll to the red again.

Here is OK, heading towards the pocket but he is OK. That would be

the last thing he wanted, to see the white go in. -- he is OK.

I was looking at those two reds before. The fact that shot is being

played there, not anywhere near pocket. I wouldn't fancy making it

from the cue ball being so far down in the yellow pocket, so I think you

will be leaving that one alone. -- I think he. Look at the plans again.

Just wondering if you please the red on the right, is it a deadweight

shot? This is risky, he has a red he can play. But what a shot. Very

risky, but what is the reward going to be? Because the planet wasn't on,

as you could clearly see. -- plant. To make it from where he was with

the cue ball was fantastic. Yes, totally agree. He has finished

awkward. He has got another one that he can maybe take to get up for the

blue or pink. Funny thing is, he has slightly lost position but it could

work in his favour. If he plays this across the table and gets the pink

and pots that, then he is a brilliant chance. If he can get on

pink ear, this is fantastic for him. -- pink here. Just slightly hampered

with the cue, it may make and take the brown instead. -- make him.

Ideally, Marco would love to be able to get that pink back up the table.

It would just make the breaks summer Chizzy. -- so much easier. He had a

quick look at the black and it seems to be available into the left

corner. That is what he is looking at. Probably that is the reason he

is not concentrating on getting the pink back on its spot. He would have

needed it if that black had been tied up. One of those situations

where if you could drop on it without having to do anything, it

was ideal. A couple of shots ago, he definitely played on it, he just got

hampered cueing wise. The problem there is, where he has left the cue

ball, black only goes in one of the top two pockets as you mentioned. It

is not ideal position wise on that now. That was a little careless

positional shot. He didn't get the white where he wanted. It has made

it difficult now. He is having to take a more difficult blue.

Is he going to drop on the red? Have to go back for the blue again

though. Wow, what a difference that made. He has just been scrapping for

position here, he has not quite have the cue ball in the last five shots

in this break. This time he has got the white where

he wanted it. What a start that would be.

He was seven time world champion Joel Pulman, unbelievable voice,

commentated for the BBC. He has done well with this break,

Marco. You see the balls spread around the table but initially he

had the cue ball under the greatest of controls. Nice to keep it going.

Just has got to not do anything stupid here. Keep your focus. A

dream start in the quarter-final would be 4-0. Already in the match,

you would have your opponent up against it.

Played many sessions in this wonderful auditorium when things

have been going all right and well but plenty of sessions where they

haven't and sometimes, a little bit of self preservation, to get out of

a session a little better than you should have done could help the

match. Barry Hawkins needs to win the next session at least 3-1, have

a good nights rest because at the moment he is second best. It has

been a long ten years since Marco Fu has been on this stage and the world

Championships. After this semi-final back in 2006, he has lost in three

second round matches. Last couple of years he lost in the second round

but what a start the season for him. The interval coming up after this

after this break. The frame will be over. You can eat as many Swedes as

you want in the interval. Frame ball, you would think. And it is

straight in the middle of the pocket. Without any major accidents,

it will be 4-0 at the interval. And he is doing what you have to do. We

mentioned about the great champions playing in this place, when they are

on top, they maintain the pressure on you. Marco has done very well

here. He can sense Barry Hawkins is not at the races. When you get to

the quarter-final stages, you feel that you are halfway through the

championship. When you get to the quarters, that is when the

nitty-gritty really starts. It does not matter about the blue.

Barry has had in now. It has been the worst possible start for Barry

Hawkins. He has not settled at all and Marco Fu goes to the interval

leading 4-0. Barry Hawkins breaks off in the

frame five and fair to say, so far in this match, he has just not got

going. Marco Fu has been doing what he has had to. His opponent

struggling a little bit after last night efforts. 13-12 in a thriller.

Good shot on the green. Already a decent chance here. Maybe not to win

the frame but certainly get a few points on the board.

This is a typical examples showing you how important that break shot

is. Look at the points scored. Three more comfortable reds

available. Great chance now because he has a

red away from the bunch. Another good pack much to open but should

still finish nicely. Almost going to have this one. He did not get quite

into them as much as he intended. . Wanted more of a stun shot into them

rather than screwing them back. Would not ordinarily be a problem

chipping this in the corner but a little bit worried about the cue

ball. Trying to hold the white. Yes, that is what he has played. He did

not want that to happen. He was wanting that bred to be the one he

potted after the blue. A bit unfortunate, that. He cannot believe

he popped that and that acute angle. Well, he is lucky to hit the yellow

because he missed the blue a mile. He held his hand up and apologise.

It is not want to ease up. Marco Fu really wants to push on here because

it is only matter of time before Barry Hawkins settles down, you

would feel. He's just all over the place at the

moment. These safety shots, nothing working for him at present. He needs

an easy chance just to settle down. APPLAUSE. Excellent safety from

Marco. He needs to be a bit careful playing

the safety, the cue ball could go to the corner pocket. Contemplating

whether to run into the pack instead but he is going to play this. He has

two be careful about the jaws. Pretty good effort, that.

Makes a good to get in the Hind, the blue is pretty good if he can go to

the other side of the table, which he has elected to do.

APPLAUSE. You imagine Barry needs something easy to get himself

going. The shot he is looking at is far

from easy. As we swing around, we can see that

read, not the sort of shot you want to be attempting when you are 4-0

Hind. Playing the safety shot. Better late this time with the

safety. APPLAUSE.

Yes, well played, there. The green and brown, quite a big target. One

of the players are to get the cue ball behind. Marco would do well to

do it from there. People do well not to leave the pot

unless he gets the cue ball absolutely varied on the cushion

gets something behind it. -- buried. Yes, here is your chance,

Barry. Marco purposely tried to move the

red that was available but in fact he has cannoned it and left an easy

one. -- easier. Good pot needed. Good position

needed. There is the pot and it is nicely on

the blue. First bit of a chance he has had for a while, John. It was a

good shot, that. To get the cue ball onto the blue. Excellent. Don't know

whether his position is OK, is it? A have just sneaked through. Yes, you

can just see it. He can see the red and the left-hand side of the black.

Yes, this is remarkable. Trying to nudge that read but one cannoned

into it is easier. Just shows you the importance about getting the cue

ball tight and the cushion and the safety shots. Because Marco Fu could

not cue it... Well... I did not expect that one either. It is not

good to watch when this is happening. A player that played so

well just last night and he is smiling fair, Barry. I mean, just

such a talented player and he cannot get himself going. Talking about

someone who has had two semifinals and a final in the last two years at

the Crucible is. Genuinely has a chance of winning the championship.

It just shows you, this game... You only have to be a little bit off and

it finds you out. There is no margin for errors. It is all fractions in

snooker and if you are slightly off, and you can miss the easiest of

shots. Not going to be easy for Marco Fu, here. He has a ready got a

28 point advantage. One good shot to get in the black and then he can

cannoned in the reds. Is afraid that he can take quite easily now. -- it

is a frame. No. Potted that on the wrong side of

the pocket. I was going to say, he would be hoping the red was not

straight. He did not want to be straight because it is difficult to

get the screw back onto that Distin spot and back into the red. --

distance. He potted it into the right side, he

wanted it on the left. This is tough. Oh, well played! Well

played. If the cannons to reds here, it could be and of frame. Yes, that

was a beauty, wasn't it? Just cannons right in between the two

reds and it is frame over, you would say.

APPLAUSE. Perfect. Beautiful little cannon that and all made possible,

of course, by that excellent shot in the middle pocket. But that was

lovely. And already, a couple of more shots and Marco Fu is going to

guarantee himself a lead going into this next session because he will be

5-0 up. Amazing scoreline, do not think could have addicted that. --

predicted. I am wondering what the odds would have been against that

happening. That definitely guarantees 5-0.

Really worrying times for Barry Hawkins. You cannot win the match in

the first session but you can certainly lose it. 7- one. The next

three frames in this session are massive.

At the start of this match, it was evenly matched. Barry, 6-5. But the

last three times they have played, Barry won all three. But this is not

the start he was after. I think he has got to definitely win two of the

last three frames, Dennis, all he has mountains to climb. -- or.

63. APPLAUSE. Such a brilliant

temperament, Marco Fu. You would not know if he was leading 5-1 all

losing 5-1, the expression stays the same. -- or. A little exhibition

positional shot, there. All the way around the houses. Came up a little

bit short but it does not matter whether the black goes in or not.

The back for good measure. And, well, that rate of 81 extends his

lead, it is now, believe it or not, 5-0!

Marco Fu, frame six, 5-0 ahead. Knocked out the champion five times

at the Crucible. Barry Hawkins has just got to get a couple of frames

from somewhere and that is a great start. A great pot.

That is a bit of a confidence booster. It is not a good chance

just yet for him. Well... What did he do there? Did he get a kick or

did he not line it up? I honestly doubt know. He's looking at the

cushion. It was the weirdest thing. It is like a complete miscue. A

completely skew and he was looking at the side cushion. He is shaking

his head. He cannot believe what he has done himself.

That was our very good shot from Marco. The black is out of

commission. The pink is available in the corner but there is a red there.

He is perfect and the blue. Marco is having a look to see whether the

black would sneak through but I do not think so. And also, the bottom

red of the pack, whether he could play a little cannon to open it up

but... It is not a great chance just yet. But I bet Marco could not

believe he was going back onto the table. He has played a poor

positional shot there, though. He cannot get to the correct side of

the blue. That was a little bit careless. He had to play up for the

pig, for the middle. It was not his intention but it could turn out to

be to his advantage. Can he get through to the black, John? Maybe he

can! As I said, he had a little look at it before. Not that cannon.

Although it looks like he has lined up the red and to the middle pocket,

there is very little pocket you can see. We write his cue here. Is it

fair? No. -- is it there. He has left the red at the back. That is

careless. That is actually a very poor shot he has played, there. He

has just turned a free shot into one that is very expensive.

Yes, pull shot from Marco but there is pressure on these black. He left

the bottom red when he missed it. He could have still taken the red and

with a little sun shot and would not have left anything. All right,

Barry, time to go. That was well played, under the circumstances. It

may have looked like straightforward black when you are down in the

quarter-final, nothing is easy. 16. I cannot believe I saying this

but this is his highest break of the match, believe it or not.

23. So cue ball in good position now.

Good positional shot, really. And that is a lovely little play. Could

not have played that any better. Lovely contact on the pink, opening

the reds out. A great chance this again his first frame and the ball

but even that, Dennis, has gone a little too far. He has given himself

a bit to do. Has to play at cannon to make short the white has not run

away to the table. Nicely played. 36.

Well, at the moment every shot is looking difficult. How has he left

the cue ball there? Had not think it can believe it himself, the moment.

All the time, the pressure is adding up because the cue ball is not in a

great position. 43. Good recovery but awkward and

the yellow again. -- and the yellow. Barry Hawkins, 43. It is 43 but he

was looking to secure the frame with that chance but kept getting himself

out of position. I have had a few of these sessions

myself over the years and they are tough when they come. You need to

get a bit of self-preservation and scrap something out of it, when you

are not feeling right. When you cannot hit the middle of the cue

ball consistently, your opponent is on top, but you simply have to get

something out of the session. And there is no hiding place out there,

John. You are and your own, sitting there at the Crucible Theatre with

800 people. To start to feel a little bit embarrassed, making

mistakes you were not making in the last round. He has to sit there and

hope that it turns around. That is the thing about it being an

individual sport. You cannot pass the ball to your mates. It all down

to you. Yes, sometimes that can be the

loneliest seat in the world. He will automatically finish on the black.

The thing is, Dennis, he played a plank exactly like this -- plant. He

would be thinking he would be getting this one. Get set. Ashe it's

hit. -- it's hit. He could leave it for the middle. The only thing is,

the yellow is up behind the blackspot, so there is no easy way

to the winning post on this frame. All the time he is getting some

points, he has over screwed that one. One thing you don't want to do

there is go past the blue. Just had to leave that low. Pot the blue, up

towards the red, but now, you see the side coming off, just fizzes it

off. Too high and the position is gone. But he is in the frame in a

frame he didn't look like he was going to be in a minute ago. If he

had have been on the blue, he could have potted the white and left it

there. You didn't make the clearance but he

has cut himself right back in the frame. Only eight points behind. It

is one of those sessions that I can see Barry Hawkins coming out,

hitting it in sticking their head up. -- and sticking the head up. It

is not bad, he will settle for this. The only problem here is, Marco

could swing this around the angle to get in behind the green. The red

should stay somewhere near where it is at the moment. Didn't attempt to

get in behind the green, but it's not bad. He tried to use blue and

pink for lining up. Vigo, he stuck it up. You can just

see the way it is going in the sessions. Marco Fu, what chance this

is to go 6-0 up. Well, it is all going to be about yellow to green.

He can take the yellow, he will come back on its spot. He is on the black

Kia. It just depends how he feels is the easier shot to get him on to the

green. I don't think that first shot was a particularly good one. He

would love to be on the yellow more easily than this. He has left

himself a bit more to do from yellow to green.

Still got a chance in this frame, Barry Hawkins. It is not

straightforward. This is the key shot.

He'd love to play it without using the rest. He is going to get as

little extension. It is just about knocking the agreement. Just make

sure of the pot. He can play nice and slowly, give the pocket every

chance. No, it is a lifeline. What a chance

for Barry Hawkins. He didn't really get it into the jaws of the pocket.

You never really settle until you get your first frame on the board

and he has been handed a gift. Marco Fu will be kicking himself because

he had his opponent right on the rack. Barry Hawkins won't believe

his luck to be going back to the table. Must have thought it was all

over. That red in the middle, his positional shot wasn't very good.

For me, that would have been frame over. Barry Hawkins is going to get

his first frame on the board. He is not going to bother with the black.

A big smile from Barry Hawkins, at last, he has got a frame on the

board, he still trails 5-1. It is Barry Hawkins who breaks off. He is

a bit amused as to his performance today, Barry. He has left Marco with

chances. Not easy, of course. These are two very big frames in this

opening session. Marco doesn't need to get too anxious thinking he

should have won the last frame. You have discovered to forget about it

and play every ball in front of you as it is every frame as it is. But

the scoreboard take care of itself. -- let the scoreboard. That was

absolutely terrific. He couldn't pot that without the little swerve shot.

Just have a look at the white, see how it bends around the yellow? All

done with mirrors, that. Well, let's see how confident Barry is feeling

after winning the last frame. That's a bit more like it. Perhaps he has

over screwed it. He hit it the best so far. Is it too good. Just a

safety coming up. It has been a horrible session all round for Barry

Hawkins, this. He has just to keep any on in there and get something

out of it. -- keep hanging on. Would never wanted to have left

Marco this red. That is handy. Bear in one shot lies the difference.

What that has done, given him a chance to pot blue and get onto the

red next to the black. That really was a little nudge off the corner of

the pocket. It couldn't have worked out better.

Has it covered it? Think he is OK the way he is walking around, but he

looked a bit anxious for a second. Only just.

We are talking quite a bit about Barry Hawkins not being at the races

today. Marco Fu has gone about his business, if it doesn't come out of

this session at least 6-2 ahead, he will consider it a poor afternoon

really. You would think he would deserve to be four frames ahead.

Always interested in the psychology of these long matches. You're just

trying to press your advantage home. You have the scope to try and keep a

lid on it. Whether you are in front or behind really, but it is

difficult to do. He has let that one run away. That

is about 12 inches up the table further than he intended. Look at

the angle he has left himself. The plant is going to be a bonus. This

is a plant to the rescue. He got the pink. He has played for

the black but I think the pink goes. I am not so sure it does damage.

That last shot was a shocker from Marco. It has to be said. What a

recovery that is. That is a billion baht. Wonderful cueing. He must have

been disappointed not to have been on the black but to put that behind

him and pot that in so well, it is a testament to his great temperaments.

You can just sense that Marco Fu is realising these two frames are

enormous. And if he can win them both, he can book himself another

match. I think the red just to the right of

the pink is able to be potted. Side cushion, a little bit of run inside

will stop that will be the red Marco will play on. Yes. The running side,

that is where he hit it on the right side and the ball comes further up

the table than it would do without the side on the ball. I was going to

say, we haven't had too many kicks, but that was a monster. This

completely took office in as he hit it. Look at that jump off the bed of

the table. It has just messed up his position. There was only one red

available. Into the right corner, everything else is blocking each

other. He has a choice of shots it, he can play a little stunned

COMMENTATOR: Stunt or run through for the black. I don't blame him,

that would have been my preferred choice of shot. The problem is, how

does he get on the next red here? Maybe he can play in ball this off

the cushion and back over. He has gone around the angles. It has come

up a little bit short at it was still a good shot. You did like to

punch them. You could always tell when you on the next table. You

could hear them hitting the back of the pocket. Now it just goes quiet.

This has been a fabulous break, it really has, from Marco Fu. He knows

the importance of the session. Nose at the moment he has got his

opponent in big trouble. He has made breaks of 73. He is

doing what he needed to do. Just one pot away of leaving the snooker

required and he hasn't played a good shot. We were just saying how well

he was doing on the one sure he needed to get around was the last

one. Just caught the knuckled at the pace kept it in. It was a clever

shot. Even if he had have missed that, it was still a good shot. Good

play to put the black safe. Barring snookers, Marco Fu extensively now

looks like 6-1. -- ostensibly. Could bring the black into play here. Two

snookers needed. There was funny, Marco played the safety shot but

unfortunately, there was a perfect plant right on top of the black.

Barry has played a very good shot there.

Won't be too bothered with his cue ball at the moment in this.

Just a final formalities of this frame. Keeping the pressure on his

opponent, Barry Hawkins. We have a massive frame coming up at the end

of this session. It is definitely 6-1. Barry Hawkins has got to win

the last. He has got Barry Hawkins in all sorts of trouble is Marco Fu

takes a 6-1 lead. -- as Marco. It has to be said, Marco is getting the

break of shot much better than Barry. He is coming up short on

leaving a possible pot on all the time. For some reason he is not

getting an outsider in his record shots. Marco is. -- break off.

This is about a length, he has pushed the red towards the pocket.

-- up as a length -- a better. He is playing for the black. He has

played it perfectly. Just struck to that end. Wonderful. It really was

wonderful. I hated those shots, they were horrible. He played that

superbly well. Dropped it in, perfectly on the black. They require

very good cueing, those. And I can see at least 40 points available

before he has to move anything. Look at that, he has spotted 169 balls to

Barry's 32. It has been a bad day at the office for Barry Hawkins because

that is what we call the arena here when you are at the table, it is

your office, it is your place of work. He hasn't turned up for work

today, hasn't Barry. The people watching will think, how did he

knock out Ronnie O'Sullivan last night? This is a tough old place to

play. The effort he put in last night to knock out the rocket, five

times champion of the world, was a pretty big effort. When you wake up

in the morning, you have got to go back to work again. It is a proper

test. Well, he put everything into that and he had to lift his head to

get the one required. He could've worked out a lot than this. He has

got one to the left middle, a possibility to get on the black.

Just wondering whether he can actually get on the Blacky without

having to get a cannon. Looks like he might cannon the red to the left

of it. And he did cannon at, but only faintly. He was a good shot

that. -- cannon it. Play it with top spin, let the white take care of

itself. Is it there? He has overdone it. He has overcooked it. Well, is

that our pot available? Yes, there is one to the right middle pocket.

This is a must win frame for Barry Hawkins. Maybe he can't get to the

potting angle. If he has got away with this, Marco, he has had a

result and a half. Isn't it amazing, when the session is not going your

way. For Barry Hawkins to come to the table with all those reds spread

out after the shot Marco has played, to not have a red to go

out... Huge shot for Barry Hawkins, this. Not quite.

Marco does have a red into the centre but when we say that, it

sounds like it's easy, it's not. Back and he is on the black, it is a

free shot. How close is this one? He thought he had got that. He thought

he knock to that end, I did. I was right behind the shot. I thought, he

has got the scene. What a great effort that was. -- got this in.

Brilliant try, that was so close. Actually, it was that close, that is

why it has stayed near the pocket. When you six -1 down, you haven't

had things for you, not the most appetising of shots that red, even

though it looks near the corner pocket.

And the funny thing is, even if he took the red, do not think it would

be on the black. I don't know, this is not great. Cueing up, showing

that if he left the cue ball and that corner of the table, he might

get a safety shot and, at the same time, he might just pop this in the

middle pocket. Oh, unlucky, but he has the cue ball where he wanted. I

think he has covered the one in the fright Corner. The last two shots

have been brilliant attempt, like these two boys. I thought this was

going to be in. It was the pace, the one beforehand, from Marco. He

played one of those earlier today and it vanished to drop in. Looking

whether he can paint one onto the other and, if it leaves the cue ball

where the Brownies, he would not cover the other pocket so in the

sing choice of shot, this. APPLAUSE. Well, it is a beauty, it

really is. Using the ground to snooker the red that was over the

Konta pocket. He knew if he got the plant he got the ground. That was a

brilliant plan. That was a plant that could pave the way to him

taking this last frame. He is already 30 in front and look at

where he is sitting. What a session from the man from Hong Kong. Black

over the pocket which even you could knock in, Dennis. You might, John, I

think I might miss it. Angles for the red into the middle but also

played position. I do not know those two reds... The cue ball could be

perfect there. Just having a look at it, Marco. He has landed on that

one. It is a bonus. Just over two hours, Marco has not been hanging

around. Barry hasn't been to the races, in this session.

He is going to have enough to think about what he knows, he has been

here. It is three sessions. You could easily do the same thing in

the third session but what Battle or that it would be. It looks like he

is going to be six behind, instead of four behind. I am pretty short

Barry Hawkins will be in a better frame of mind tomorrow, in his

approach to the match. He would have had a good nights sleep and the

Rugby O'Sullivan match would have been forgotten about. -- rummy. --

rummy. It can happen in three sessions, in the quarter-final to

come back. Just played in an area to leave

himself options. APPLAUSE.

Mmm. Just a little bit careless that last positional shot. Still OK but

it could have been a lot easier. Just a little bit of doubt about

that one. A query as to whether he can maintain position with the other

reds. He drops this one instead. 28. Quietly efficient, isn't he? Marco

Fu. Cue ball control excellent. Heavy break-builder. The last few

frames I have been impressed with him because he missed agreed

earlier, it'll clock he was going to go 6-and kneel in front, only gave

the frame to Barry Hawkins but since then he has been in control, putting

pressure on his opponent. One good positional shot here. A couple of

more balls and Barry Hawkins is staring down the barrel of 7-1. A

couple of world ranking titles, Marco. His class in Australia, 2013.

Every player's condition when they turn professional is to win a title

here at the Crucible Theatre stop well and his way to give himself a

chance this year, the way his plan. He was hugely impressive in his

first round against Peter. He hit the ball as good as anyone in that

round. He has or has been a class act, and underestimated. Not by the

players, they know how good he is because he has beaten every one of

them. He could play, this boy, don't worry about that. Doesn't matter the

fact he has run out of position here, the cannon did not wake up but

the green is blocking the path so it will be difficult but, as they say,

it does not really matter. Barry Hawkins comes forward to shake the

hand of Marco Fu. Only a frames played in this session and bad start

from Marco Fu. I bet it it cannot believe it. But he is in the lead,

believe it or not by 7-1. This match, the Scottish Deby. We joined

it in frame six. He cannot go through to the

right-hand side of the pack. Kush in first. Not option to play a good

safety. And this type of shot, the pace is

instinctive but if you drop shot a few times, you try to hit a bit

harder which is not really the best thing to do because it will happen

by itself. Just asking to come and look at this agreed. -- green.. That

is not too bad. APPLAUSE. Better pace.

APPLAUSE. He will be happy now. You can have the brown and yellow in a

minute. Three times on the trot. LAUGHTER. Pushing the red away from

the black so he can still get there. Played one cushion this time, rather

than two. He has been here three times. Of

course, that red has come away from the Kush and mouth stop maybe it

will catch the edge of the pack. Looking at the gap between brown and

yellow and blue. He feels he can get to the edge of the pack and the

middle red the one he can hit. Fail, and a miss. He is playing that John

Higgins will play a pot. -- praying.

Blue is going to be available. He is looking down there again. There is

one red that looks as if it could but it is very tight. It looks from

the commentary box as if it can pot that. Oh, no. This will be fun. All

right, how many reds were moved? I think it was about four. You can get

it through the gap of the yellow but obviously more reds being moved.

They are having a little chat together. Good friends on and off

the table. We will have a little look at the

original to seek how many reds have been moved.

Not too many reds have been moved. For me, he could have played the

same shot. Not worried about reds on the left-hand side.

The red has to be put back in the right place.

This red was underneath those two, was its?

That is the original. It is important that he can get through

the gap of the blue and the yellow. I think it has to go a fraction to

the left. I agree, he can definitely get

through the gap but he needs to move the cue ball.

APPLAUSE. Obviously cutting it to seek. --

thick. John Higgins, one. John Higgins has

had a fantastic season at this moment in time, McManus is going to

take advantage. You will not have John Higgins playing like this

tomorrow. It is very good news the way things have gone so far.

Not a straightforward plot, this. He would like to get the red left of

the black, if he could. A little lucky he did not get the contact. At

first glance, there is nothing on now. Six. A bright green. -- rye

grin. This is more difficult now. Somehow he managed it.

He can get past the brown for one of the reds in the corner. Such is the

side of the reds and black on the way down. Oh, no. A little bit of a

miss with that woman. -- that one. You would not believe it was the

same player that played the first four frames. For both of them.

If anything, it would give you confidence which you need when you

are struggling, it is your opponent missing as well. McManus has missed

3-4 pots in a row. It will give Higgins confidence. When you're

playing well, hitting frames, but then the Demons come along from

somewhere and every shot looks like the hardest you have ever played.

This is one of those places where even the black off the spot looks

difficult. LAUGHTER. Extreme. That is a bit better. --

16. 25. He would like to have been

slightly straight on this blue but now he will probably have to play

the loose red. APPLAUSE. The lead goes to 34.

John Higgins break over 30 cents the 63 he made in the first frame. They

say, nothing like a good start. And that is a bit better.

38. Not a nice place to be, in the chair. See things slip away.

A bit more difficult now, for John stop not quite short if he can get

on to this red. 47. A nice handle on the brown, he

can play on to the red and pink. Just depends how he feels stop he

has played the one at the back Kush. -- cushion.

John Higgins, 51. APPLAUSE.

Looking to play the cross double, if the misses the two reds, he will

play the cross double. It was a dangerous play and it has

cost him. Where is the cue ball going? That is

a little unlucky. Just slightly misjudged. 59 point infra and with

59 on. John Higgins hoping he pops this red to level the scores at 3-3.

APPLAUSE. Beautiful. Struck that really nice.

John has found a bit of his form. They both lost it for a little

while. The concession comes from John

Higgins now in his chair. Alan a little concerned with his neck. It

seemed OK in frames two, three, four.

That gives him a few choices. This is right in the heart of the pocket.

Green is his choice. I thought that John Higgins won his

last two championships without playing anywhere near his best form.

It is a great achievement to be honest about it. But he does have

spells in and out in his game but when he is good, you know he is

very, very good and a potential winner of this championship this

year. A lot of the seeds have been out. Just the one remaining loose

red now so he needs that angle to get the ability to smash into the

bunch. Sitting on the blue would have been the better choice. That is

the first bad bounce we have had today. He played for that red in the

middle, that shows you how bad that bounce has been. He has been

struggling a little bit. It seems he has got his form back. On the table

messes him up. -- vendor -- then the.

There doesn't appear to be a gap available. That is why he has played

a safety. Red and pink causing the problem for

this third safety shut. There is obviously quite a big gap between

red and pink but it is still very hard to judge.

There you go. He is looking for a ball behind the green. He would like

to get two, but I can't see an angle getting there. Taking a while to

decide what to do here. He is not the kind of player to just hit and

hope with the snookers. Is it may be time for a hit and hope? I can't see

how he can get to that red. Excellent shot. Mind you, I think

this red passes into the middle pocket. That is why he has a wry

smile. He got unlucky there are bit. Hit it fractionally too full I

should say. This is good stuff. Good safety play. The boys are both

looking as though they are going to make a few when they get in. John

will be absolutely delighted. Kept off the table for the first four

frames. Went into his shell a bit in frame five. Scrappy frame. He now

looks almost certain to go 4-3 in front.

Certainly got some sort of rhythm back now, has John. And frame five

he really struggled until he made that 32 to get back into the game.

The 3-1 behind he was looking like McManus would pull away. Just a

little bit too low on the blue. Might swing it around to two

cushions behind. Not perfect. 59 as the lead, surges to make more reds,

two colours. He can't be behind going into tomorrow's second

session. -- so, just two. Just one more red needed, so he

won't be doing anything heroic here with this red.

He missed a black like this in frame five, but it didn't cost him. He'll

be delighted, because he has not played one in the session at all.

Just gone off the ball little bit, has that young man. Higgins has a

chance to reply with his own 100 here. Purposely playing for the pink

so he can bring the red into play. If this kiss goes right, he is on

for number six. John Higgins is coming into a bit of form now. He

has won three on the trot now. John Higgins the happier of the two

players at the moment. He has been through his little bad run in this

session but looks a lot and now. -- a lot better. I think if Alan gets

this frame he will be more than happy.

Could have been a fraction higher to make the cannon into the pack easy.

Didn't expect and to miss that. Seems to have heard something in the

auditorium, don't know what it is. He was awesome in the first four

frames. Never missed the ball. All of a sudden, the world is on his

shoulders. Not the best angle on the pink. That

has turned out well. He had a few choice is there, he could have

kissed it. Lives in a few choices. Please it nicely. He has left

himself straight on the pink again. He is blessed with 20 of cue power.

He can get back out to the loose red on the right-hand side. He dismayed

shone in -- he just made sure that when he came over left there was a

choice of two reds. You have a slight angle on this site. Not been

timing it that great this afternoon. They think he delivered his entry to

make sure he didn't cannon into the red he was playing for. It was

perfect the way it turned out. Gave him the opportunity to loosen a few

reds from the pack. When he went to the bounce, he didn't get one. Yes,

he had about six or seven inches to play with there, didn't he? He can

screw it back and play it as a shot to nothing for the pink. That is a

mile away. He'll be pretty pleased to get out of this session, if

possible, 5-3. 42 points in front. Shaking his head. Not happy with

that so far. Should have found the cushion them, even if he didn't get

it high and the pin. Should have left the cueball tight on this

cushion. Put a few of these rates perhaps in a safer position. He

could follow up a touching ball behind the pink, after he has

apologised. There are no friends out there.

A little too full. The only saving grace is the cueball is not far off

the cushion. Let John Higgins run through this red on to the blue or

is he going to cannon near the red? He played that well. Knew he was

going to cannon it. Left himself an angle on the blue. And playing that

red, he has pushed the other red on to the side cushion, so in case he

misses while Alan is still in the frame, that red has gone safe. I

would expect him to put another two reds from here, with colours. Play

for the green. He left a bit of difference between the red in the

centre. He is looking down there as you can see. Made that look easy. .

One raw red should be enough to seal it now. -- one more red. Without

having to do too much, he has got himself in front in this first

session. Yes, that should seal it now. I can't see how I'm getting up

and slogging through this phase. He had a bit of trouble with his neck.

John Higgins will be delighted. 5-3 in front in this session. STUDIO:

And that match resumes later this morning at 10am when we are back on

BBC Two. With further coverage of the 2016 Betfred snooker World

Championship. .