Day 2 World Championship Snooker Extra

Snooker Extra, extended highlights of Day 2 of the World Championship.

Our feature match from the first round is Ricky Walden taking on

Robbie would yums from the were Ralph. Ricky made the semifinals at

The Crucible in 2013. Your match commentators are John Virgo and

Stephen Hendry. Robbie Williams breaks off. I have

watched him two or three times on TV and to be honest he is a little bit

like a rabbit in the headlights. Not able to play the form he probably

would expect. Let's see if he is getting more comfortable out there

in the main arena against Ricky Walden, who has shown some good form

in the last couple of tournaments. He lost in the final in the last

ranking event to Judd Trump. That was in China.

That was turned out OK for Robbie. The brown has come to his rescue.

Always dangerous when you knock a red towards a corner. Just looking

at the ranking of the two, Ricky Walden comes in to this tournament,

ranked world No. 9 and Robbie Williams is ranked No. 57, but they

have met on two occasions and they have got one victory each.

Trying to drop that in and stay on the black. A risky shot to play.

Yeah. It was a confident shot to play, wasnt it? Very aggressive,

play fogger the black straightaway. I don't think it was a path to get

the cue ball back up the table, so he was forced in it. Now that he's

missed it, he is gifted a chance to Ricky Walden, but he's not taken

that. You just see this red. It just

catches the top jaw and once it did that, it was never going to drop. On

a fraction, but that is enough to keep it out of the pocket.

Not always a certainty to judge how it comes out of the pocket when the

red is over the hole, but he's played it well. So this could be a

nerve-settler. If you just watch the red just flick

the cushion there. Once that happens, as I say, they don't drop.

A great chance here to get a good start in this match. If he was

straight on this red, he could run it through and play for the black

again. He's not got that angle. He may have to go for blue cover here.

Went for the blue, but just short of pace. Just short of pace, so what

was a good chance he's just made that a little more difficult. Just 3

inches short of where he needed that cue ball to be.

APPLAUSE He didn't get a good position on the

blue, but it has to be said, quite a way away with that pot. It is a bit

of a local derby this year now. Robbie Williams is from the Wirral

and not far away Ricky Walden hails from Chester.

That was a good escape route. Well played. Good shot.

APPLAUSE Maybe there is a red just above the

black that is available? So I don't think the miss will be taken. You

would have to say it is a nervous start from the world No. 9, the top

seed in this match. Easy red missed in the beginning.

That safety shot. He is a bit of an enigma, Ricky

Walden. He either looks like a world beater or sometimes he looks like he

is ranked 50 times lower. Yeah. I always feel with Ricky he gets in

his own way sometimes. I always think he's at his best when he is

playing flu weptly and he is such a quick scorer and then sometimes he

just seems to get bogged down. Exactly. Too much care and

attention. All right, give it care and attention, but not too much.

He needs to be on the blue and I don't think he's run quit far

enough, has he? No. It is a bit more difficult now. If he was

right-handed, the brown wouldn't be a problem, but being left-handed -

that is why he is playing the green. A bit to do with the cue ball.

That was a don't shot. It needed to travel another foot or so. Same sort

of shot here. Well, obviously the black goes. I

presumed the black didn't go to the red corner.

APPLAUSE . Absolutely.

He's had two decent chances, has Robbie, and independent made the

most of them. -- and independent made the most of them.

A debut referee here on this match. Greg Culliquo.

He needs to do a delicate job of putting the black as close to his

spot as he could because he's no other spots available. That is the

black tied up. He may decide to cannon into the pink here. That

brings the pink free. APPLAUSE

Free for Robbie to play. You wouldn't put anything past, Ricky

Walden. One of THE very best players. As Stephen and I were

mulling over. He just seems sometimes to look for problems that

aren't there. When he is fluent, as I said, he scores very quickly,

indeed. Wrong side of the blue. I don't

necessarily think that was his fault. I don't think that was the

best of contact when the cue ball hit the red. But you would rather

have an angle like this, than be just off straight. You should be

able to get in between the groan and brown here. A touch of left-hand

side. I was going to say yellow and brown, John. I meant to say -- It is

a bit early, is it? That was the shot I was going to say and he's

played it well. He might just be hampered to get the cue ball out to

the black in the same pocket. The red is left to the cue. He may be

able to pot that and just get out enough.

There was a gap. This is tough. Unless he's going to play to the

black from the middle. Ricky Walden, 26. I didn't expect him to miss it.

I can only assume the black went into the opposite corner. I have to

say when he played the cannon into those reds, he was a little unlucky,

but once again catching that top jaw, they are not going to go in if

that happens. That wasn't the best Robbie has

played. Risky. APPLAUSE

The potting has taken him away from the red. The pink is in the way.

Drop this in off the cushion for a red to left corner.

APPLAUSE He's travelled about 3 feet too far

there. He may have got a fast bounce. We

were doing the job last night. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt

because he overhit that so much. It is a nervey first frame from both

players. Where is the cue ball going? Foul.

That was unlucky. Well, he does have a red in the

middle of the table that is cuttable into the right corner. He knows the

cue ball is going back to the ball again, so he has a chance to leave

anything. APPLAUSE

If he can get it on the brown, he's got a chance of the green to the

middle, but you just fell that he needs the cue ball on the left-hand

side of the table to be on a red. Well, he feels as though he can get

on this one and he's played that nicely. Don't want too big a bounce.

That is unfortunate. 4. He played that really nicely and unlucky not

to be on the red. Without the kiss on the groan d,

that was a pretty good safety shot from Ricky Walden. When you are

going to cross the ball like that, it is so ceasey to catch them too

thick. -- so easy to catch them too thick. If nothing pots to the right

corner, Robbie Williams can just play this open red up and down.

Leave the cue ball on the black cushion. That seems the easiest

route. APPLAUSE

He went straight past the blue. Quite a good amateur record, has

Robbie. He was part of the England Amateur Team that won the 2012

European Team Championship. 2012 he qualified through Cue School so you

can bet your life he knows his way around a table. That is something

that you don't see so much nowadays. People get spotted very early on and

they don't really have an amateur career, as such.

APPLAUSE Yeah, he's obviously a very good

player because he seems to qualify for most events at the TV stages.

But, as I said earlier, he's just not been able to produce that form

on TV as yet. This is a big step up, The Crucible.

APPLAUSE Trust in the table here. It went

pretty straight. It did, didn't it? Fair play.

APPLAUSE It is level. There have been

complaints about the cushions, but it is level. Yes.

That is a bit short of pace. That is careless. No way he should have left

that there. There we go. Just playing the roller.

Ricky Walden is going to be punished for that, I think.

APPLAUSE Finished up choice of yellow or

green. The red, he obviously would like to get on. That is the one that

is up from the one that is tight to the cushion. The way this is

running, he's played this absolutely perfectly. Good shot. Yeah, that was

a lovely shot. 4. He hit that very well.

APPLAUSE Once the red is gone he clears the

red and hits the black for in the same pocket. I don't know if that

was overhit and came off the cushion fast and went on. This has to be

timed very well. If it is straight, just cue the ball back in a straight

line for the red next to the black. That was straight. Has he come for

enough? He would have given it a bit extra. He certainly struck it well.

But this red, he would have liked to have been a little bit straighter

and then it would have been unmissable. He's got a 26-point

lead. Yeah, nice shot.

APPLAUSE Right in the heart of the pocket. A

quick glance at the score board. A good, clean pot. Now, a colour and

one more red and a colour to leave Ricky Walden favourite for this

match needing the snooker. Poor safety to leave Robbie Williams

in for this chance. I don't know if the blue into the

centre is a natural angle to cannon the red closest to the right corner.

That is what he is trying. Don't miss the blue.

Never guaranteed an easy pot, that was the only problem. I don't think

is any way he will put the red along the black cushion. That would cost

him the frame if he missed that. 32 points in front. As I say,

another red and a colour, but he's got an easy safety shot here.

Just be careful you don't pot the black.

APPLAUSE Robbie Williams, 14. Big favourite

to take this opening frame now. Another very poor safety shot from

Ricky. His last two safety shots have been very average, to be kind.

If he pots the blue, he is 38 points in front with 35 remaining. Looks a

formality. Just confirmation of that, but he

would love to pot this red and then he won't be having any anxiety about

his opponent getting snookers. That should keep Ricky Walden in his

seat for the rest of this frame. He's struck the ball pretty well in

this first frame, Robbie Williams. Obviously independent made any big

breaks. It has been a decent performance and that is the first

goal in this match taken care of, get a frame and a board as soon as

possible. Now he can relax and try and play his best snooker. Who knows

what can happen. It didn't match the pink. Talking

about safety shots, Robbie Williams was given the opportunity. He needed

both of them, but in the end he ran out a very comfortable winner with

that opening frame. 1-nil. He cut that safety shot a little bit

too thin. Nearly cannoned into the blue and he's left his red on. I

think there is enough room to play the pot in around the back of the

black. Quite a tricky positional shot,

this. He has an angle if he wanted to go into the bunch, but there is a

good chance that would fire the black up even more. He is not

guaranteed to get on a red here. That is why he's played that shot.

He's hit it well. I think he's on a red to left corner as well. A good,

confident shot that, from Robbie. That first frame has certainly

settled him down. You can always tell when a player, if you like,

plays the right shot. There was always a chance there, a bit lower

down, he may have released the black and not let red away. Good, positive

thinking. Now, is that pink? Did the pink go

into the middle? He is not on it now. Will he be tempted by the blue?

I think so. I think the way that he started, he looks to be quite an

aggress I player. -- aggressive player. This is the

only shot here, I think. A APPLAUSE A good stroke. A lot of this is from

winning the first frame, John. Now it looks like he's relax need the

match. We always say you never really relax until you get the first

frame by your name on the score board and a couple of nice pots he's

pulled out here. Has he got an angle to cannon that red second to the

left of the black. If he had potted the reds in the

middle of the pocket, he would have cannoned that red. Yeah, just

misjudged how the path of the cue ball. As you say, if it had hit the

red in the middle of the pocket it would have taken a different line,

but I don't think he will be scoring now. Brown ball.

Robbie Williams, 12. APPLAUSE

If we just have a look at this. It just went in the sort of left side

of the pocket, as we looked. Always looking to get the cue ball

back, but it certainly would have been a bonus if the red had dropped.

Once you cop a ball in the front of the face, you leave your opponent

with a chance invariably with his hand on the table. He has to avoid

that right centre pocket. Put it in the left-hand side.

APPLAUSE He's let the cue ball run away a

little bit. He didn't strike that one as well as he would have liked.

Roll it behind the yellow now. He didn't get the snooker. They look

easy, those, don't they? When you have got a bit of tension in the

arm, there is always tension in the arm at The Crucible. It is a

first-round match. It was a delicate shot.

Ricky was expecting that ready play to run into another one and to run

safe, but he's hit it and that ball lass come down to the centre where

the cue ball is, Ken. It was tricky that one because the

cue ball was running away and he didn't really have an idea where it

would end up. Disappointing miss, though, after the way that he

started the frame. He would love to get the blue on

this spot. That would open up things a little bit more.

I think he's overdone this. He is just about OK. Has he landed

slap-bang in the middle of nowhere? Surely not.

Well, he can't get to the one in the left and he can't get to the one -

that is unbelieve ail where he's finished. Of all the places in all

of the world, he had to finish up there.

Yeah, that was a poor shot. Sometimes you play those shots and

you think, "There is no way I am going to land there" and then it

happens. LAUGHS

. You just play the cue ball into an area thinking you are bound to be on

something. I don't blame him giving this a bit

of thought, but he's got to sneak off the red and play safe. He's got

to be careful that red in the right centre doesn't leave a possible cut

on that red. Ricky Walden. You have to say Ricky was unfurther Mate

there. -- unfortunate there. You are very kind, John. Known for it. Known

for it. -- unfortunate there. You are very kind, John. Known for it.

Known for it. Bad shot for me. I am not kind.

LAUGHS . You got to be careful here.

He's got that cue ball back to the ball, Ken. You couldn't play the

shot any better than that. APPLAUSE

He knows his way around a table, does Robbie.

Obviously, this red just above the black won't cut back into the left

corner. It is one you need to get. Where is the cue ball going to

finish? Is it going to be on anything? Once again, the ball is

not running kind. You could question the fact that he

played it so hard. Just a delicate little touch up to the green. Robbie

Williams, one. The way the Reds are spread now, the

colours are slowly but surely becoming available. Ricky has to be

very careful here. He left a chance for Robbie. You can so in the fraum

quit easily, as we look at the -- frame quite easily, as we look at

the virtual image. Tight up against the green. I can't see much else,

but it is in hope here. I love the hit and hope, but I can't see how he

is going to get this safe, to be honest with you. I can't see how he

can hit a red and not leave a pot on. I could draw you a few lines.

But, I don't think they would help. I am going to come up with one now.

Just to entertain Stephen. That's a Superman logo, isn't it? I

don't even think Superman could get out of this without leaving a red

on. He's having a look. For the white line all the way.

He is having a go. He's going to miss that red in the middle. He's

playing it pacey, but he still hit that red. He got it safe. I don't

believe it. I do not believe it! APPLAUSE

The things that happen on the snooker table. It is only 12 x 4.

He's flicked the red, he's flicked the black, he's be hind the red and

behind the black. Amazing! Amazing! Fair play to Robbie. He showed no

emotion whatsoever. Inside he must be devastated with

the result of that shot. Trying to get in behind the brown. Caught the

red a little bit too thick. APPLAUSE

Good shot. He rolled it in nicely. Oh, well,

he's missed the green. As you saw and rightly said, Stephen, it is

showing up on the table. Looks very edgy at the start of this match.

When you consider most of the season they play the best of sevens. The

best of 19 for the seed seems to be a short match. It is amazing how the

mind can play tricks with you. I am sure he will settle down eventually,

but he doesn't want to drop too many frames behind.

OK, he's got the blue. A bit of pressure on this.

He rolled it in A frame-winning chance now. The last

thing you want to do - we will watch this shot - this was more tricky

than it looks. There was a bit of pressure on it, but the last thing,

as a seed in the favourite, is let your opponent get confident. You are

supposed to stamp your authority on the match and your lesser-known

opponent as soon as possible. He's not doing that at the moment. He

looks like the qualifier. Looking at the start when they

played, the major tournament they played in was the UK Championship

which has been reduced to Best of 11, but Ricky only managed to bet

Robbie by six frames to five. It was a close contested affair.

This has been made a more difficult chance. A little bit of a fast

bounce off that cushion there. Dead straight in his groan. This is tough

to get on a red. The fact he's given it a lot of

thought tells me he must be too straight. He is a little thin on the

blue. He doesn't fancy the pot. The green is unmissable. # I saw it

happen. It has happened again now. I know the ball was bouncing, but this

was right in the heart of the pocket, wasn't it? Yep. I have to

say that - I was with you, John, the blue that jumped out of the middle

pocket last night, that one, that is scandalous, to be fair at these

tables at a World Championship. Ricky Walden at the moment can't

find the middle of the pockets. He's getting angry now. He threw his

extension now. He is starting to get fuss straighted. It hasn't worked

out to He caught that a little bit too

thin. It seemed to fly off that top cushion. He may have been fortunate

to think that the pink is blocking the path. But if Robbie Williams, if

he decides not to take the pot on the red that is on the other side of

the blue, if he stuns it and misses contact with the other side of the

brown, he could have Ricky in trouble here. This red needs to

bounce, though. It has just about run safe.

Something went bump. Anybody hurt? APPLAUSE

He got the boab news of the double kiss, the second kiss, he would have

been on nothing but for the second kiss. Let's have a look at this

again. He knocks the red to the cushion. The red comes back. He

knocks the cue ball perfect on the black. Good spots and he deserved a

bit of luck. To be fair, though, Robbie Williams has had two very

good chances. All right, they weren't an ideal situation, but he

didn't make the most of them, so he was always open to this

counterattack. Nine. The red is close to the pink. He

needs to get that into the play. The black will make the points all

square in this frame. Not quite hard enough. The red will pot. But it is

tricky now. As I say, points all square. It will still be a big ask

to win the frame at this visit. This is a tough shot and of course the

green tied up. Good shot.

APPLAUSE You won't see many frames in this

World Championship when all of the Reds have been potted and the scores

are only 2 #, 28. It gives you a clue what sort of frame this has

been. Ricky won't care. All he is thinking about is getting that frame

on the board. Deliberately played, this frame and

the yellow. That was a good shot off the black there. It is always

difficult when playing this type of shot. Where you are trying to knock

the green to, you try to knock it over the middle. You are just trying

to disturb it and hope you leave yourself with a pot on. He's got the

natural angle to pot the yellow and disturb the green.

I would have played it a bit firmer than that. 33. . Even if he made

contact with the green, independent certain what you will be on. You can

only assume he was just playing to be shortly green and lay the snoker

behind the blue. He's come too -- snooker behind the blue. He's come

too far. He can still play the snooker, the but...

You see, he has given this a lot of thought. It looks straightforward to

me. Just bump the green off the side cushion, play a little bit of top

and get the snooker behind the blue. Has he got the snooker? Ricky

Walden. That is a shocker. I am with you, just dolly it off the cushion.

It didn't look a tough shot. Well, if he's even left Robbie Williams a

chance of a swerve, it is a bad shot. He has. If he hits it, you

think he would pot it and beyond the brown.

Another very, very loose shot for Ricky Walden. He had control of the

table and gave it back. Yeah, I think he just tried to make

the snooker too difficult or just played the actual, the exact shot,

whereas the important thing was just snokerring Robbie. -- snookering

Robbie. We always say it at the end of a frame, a snooker is so veil

because even if your opponent hits it, he is not certain to get it

safe, but obviously not a good angle on this brown to get on the blue.

Trying to force it. He's had a result. He's had a result there.

He's got on the blue and now it is making an awkward cueing for Ricky.

The easiest way to get it safe is to hit the brown straight on and put it

on the cushion. If he tries to be clever, this could go wrong. The

only way to cut the brown thin and bring the cue ball back up the

table. That is a little bit dodgy when you are bridging over d the --

over the blue. At this stage, just get the brown safe. I agree,

Stephen. That is the No. 1 priority because if he left the pot on the

brown. APPLAUSE

I see no problem playing the brown up and down. It is in across the

brown, in fact, you could do that. Mmm. He's seen problems, though,

Ricky. This is what sometimes happens in his game. He gets a bit

bogged down. He's played the thin safety. Yeah.

Our stats people back stage didn't play the pot there.

This is a good line. This is a good line. Just a fraction lard, though.

A good effort. Ricky Walden, six points in front. He needs the brown

and blue. Robbie Williams needs up to and including the pink.

APPLAUSE Yeah, that is as good a safety shot

he's played so far in this match, Ricky Walden.

It is one of those type of shots you want to play harder so it bounces up

the side cushion. Still not a Ghan I tee to pot this brown and get a good

position on the blue. There is a bit of hope for Robbie Williams still.

There is a bit of hope for Robbie Williams still. This brown does pot

to the right centre, but he would love a bit of brown on it. This is

definitely missable. The pace you have to play, you think you are

guaranteed to stick it up if you miss it. He needs the blue. That is

what may tempt him to play into this right corner. If he gets a run it

should run along the top cushion and of course if it goes in, he whips

the frame. Is it middle or corner? For the frame?

And in goes the pink. He will be pleased to have his first

frame on the scoreboard. And he now levels 1-1.

Well, that's a bonus. And also a bonus, kissing the blue full in the

face. There's always a chance of that, don't get me wrong. But now

it's gone in, and he's nicely on the brown, obviously it's still a

difficult opportunity. Pink and black out of commission. These three

up near the cushion. He's trying to bring them into placement he's

trying to bring them into play. And it's just one of those matches, the

way that it started. I'm not being funny - I think the balls are

winning at the moment. They just don't seem to be running kindly for

either player. And that can happen. And it's frustrating when it does.

That's why you need experience. And to show a bit of patience.

Well, this one needs good cueing. A follow-flew off two cushions, to get

the cue ball back up the table. Many always looks worse when you

miss the shot, these long shots, because the balls start going around

the table. It looks like you've hit it too hard. But that was not good

timing at all. And there is another chance for

Ricky, but you have to say they're just not good chances. No matter -

or how easy the starter is, the colours, the high-value colours,

very awkward. Playing for the black. Has he got enough side on? Got some

side on, but... Again, just finished slightly awkward. And the red, once

the black goes back in its spot, the red in the open won't pot to left

corner. He's gonna have to play a bit of pace to get the cue ball out.

And that was nicely played. It wasn't that difficult a shot, but

just the way the game has been going.

This red along the top cushion... It's one of those that I always say,

if they're tight to the cushion, they're easy. Just off the cushion

like this, very, very missable. You've gotta be so accurate with

this. It's 50-50 for me, this, if he plays it with any kind of pace.

Well, he's played it lovely. He gave it every chance to drop.

That good red puts him now just one point behind.

Came a little bit too straight on the black. Six points, the lead,

now. Looking for - oh, well, choices here. Other than play the pot. And I

don't really see one. I don't really see an easy safety shot. You may as

well play the pot. There's every chance you could cover it. If you

try and get too cute and play safe, you could leave the red.

Gotta play the pot here. It's a tough one. And he's having a problem

just getting his bridge hand, because the cue ball is so close to

the side cushion. And that's why he changed his mind in the end, and I

tell you what, he's glad he did. Because he's played it well. I think

he was intent on playing the pot on the red, but once you couldn't get

his hand comfortable, he opted for the safety. Shouldn't be too

difficult to swerve around this, strike him down. Watch the left-hand

side, watch this cue ball bounce and swing.

Played it well. But, of course, the age-old problem

- it's can you get it safe? And this red is left on, six points to lead.

So, he's gonna need the awkward blue near the pot cushion. Missed a red.

Seeing the reaction there. He's still frustrated out there.

Well, very careless to get the double-kiss. He's just put his hand

up, so he's fluked the snooker. That was a poor safety from Robbie.

Well, that was a nice, controlled swerve. That's the best you can hope

for. As I say, when you're snookered, it's not hitting so much,

it's trying to move the object ball safe. He did that.

Well, look at that. You could hear that cue ball bounce off the top

cushion there, couldn't you? It went, "Boinge!"

You won't remember the magic roundabout. Zebeddy - boing! Yeah, I

do. You do? Oh, there you go. Oh, this is close. That's close. So,

we'll give him the benefit of the doubt, he knows he's gonna go close

to pocket. He played one in the last frame.

There's always a chance, and you know you're gonna get the cue ball

back to the baulk end, and you would be unlucky if it stays in the jaws

of the pocket. Not good on the green. You would think, if you were

feeling confident, pot the yellow, yellow back on its spot, if he

knocks this yellow in, he will be a frame-winner, you would have

thought. He's not there. But it's gonna run

safe. He missed it. The yellow could have

gone anywhere. Now, where is this yellow ball

going? Is it gonna run past the middle? He needs it to. Just about

got it safe. When you get to this stage of frame,

when you're down to the colours, a snooker can be so advantageous. It

can really swing the frame in your favour. And Robbie Williams has got

the snooker there. Can Ricky hit the yellow and get it safe?

He's playing a direct swerve. He needs to get plenty on this.

He's got it safe. But Robbie Williams has still got the

initiative leer. -- initiative here. APPLAUSE

It was a risky shot. The problem is, if you miss it, a perfect example

there, and you hit the wrong jaw, it will come back towards the cue ball.

So, this is half a chance, if Ricky does decide to take the pot on.

Pots the yellow, doesn't have to do much with the cue ball to have

position on the green. Seven points, the lead. Yellow, green, brown and

blue needed. And in goes the yellow. And the fact

that he only needs the blue to clinch this frame, he won't have to

be playing a pacy blue to get up on the pink.

Well, he wouldn't be happy with that. He's asked for the cue ball to

be cleaned immediately. But did it kick? Well, maybe a slight jump. I

don't know. But he's gonna have to play a good shot now to get up and

down the table, back for the blue. Yeah. Looks like four cushions...

So, 16 ahead. This blue to go 21 points ahead, with only 13

remaining. He's potted it nicely. Scpra quick

glance at a scoreboard -- and a quick glance at a scoreboard.

So, two snookers needed. Pink over the pocket, a little nod of

concession there from Robbie Williams.

APPLAUSE Maybe just settling down. He leads

by two frames to one. Straightaway, the black is blocked

up. He could play the cannon off the cushion here. The red to the right

of the black. APPLAUSE

It's a long blue. To the yellow pocket.

APPLAUSE He's just lost it.

That is amazing. He's missed the blue. He's left himself a red to the

left corner. Where has the blue gone? Up and down the table and

blocked the path for that red. Considering Ricky would have been

disappointed not to have had a go at that red, he's played a good safety

there. Not the best of safeties that time

from Ricky Walden. So, there's a chance this pots. And the only one

he'd leave is the one he's playing, you would have thought, so he can go

for it with confidence. Yeah, nearly part of this match, he

was knocking a few good long ones in, Robbie. Seems to have dried up

now, his long potting, which isn't a good sign.

Not really in the jaws. Nice, aggressive safety shot there

from Ricky Walden. Bringing the black into play, opening the reds

up. That's the right way to play safety shots.

This may go close, this plant, into the left corner. It depends on how

thick he hits this red. Yep, he got it.

APPLAUSE Robbie Williams.

He played a good safety shot, but unfortunate to leave that plant. And

now, having played the positive safety shot to open the reds up,

he's now in trouble because of it. There's an obvious line, but I'm not

certain how much he can get to that side cushion. If he can get past the

yellow. He's looking to the one place, the

top cushion. But I think the blue may just get in the way of this. So,

he's not following my line. He's gonna come and try and avoid the

blue. Yeah, I thought the blue would be in the way. The problem with

playing that way, you can always drift past it.

So close, wasn't it? So close. But this is the problem with this shot.

That's what he's playing, but when he comes off that second cushion,

it's gonna get very close to blue. Not guaranteed to get this safe.

Because when you're in this sort of situation, in this type of snooker,

you're looking for a red that, if you hit it, you'll leave it safe.

And I'm not certain he can guarantee this, being safe. And as I say, I

still would be concerned about catching the blue.

Now, is he gonna be tempted with this red along the top cushion? No.

Can't blame him. He's got Ricky in all kinds of trouble there.

Yeah, I think our referee will have to have a look at where the blue is.

I'm not certain it was there. Ricky just asking him to check where

the blue was. That's where it was. So, he wants to be a little bit

left, a little bit towards us. A little left, a little left.

Not - back a bit, back a bit. Back a bit. Back a bit.

APPLAUSE it does make a big difference, this.

Because that blue, as I say, when we saw it before, on Ricky's last

attempt to escape it, it is important where that blue is. That

looks OK now. We'll have a look at the original.

There's the original. And there it is now. Looks perfect. Well spotted,

referee. But can he avoid the kiss on the

blue? Well, he can if he gives it that

high. Well, I think he flicked the red there. He did. He just feathered

the red. But he's left to pot on. He just feathered this red. The red

hardly moved. But it's a hit. Now he's gotta make the most of

these opportunities, has Robbie. That cue ball just about stopped in

time. This is the fourth frame and we've still not had a break over 40.

Has to take advantage of these chances. If he's got any hope of

winning this match. Looks to be a bit straight, but he

would love to go around the around the reds and the black to the left

corner. Yeah, that was very lucky, because

that's not the shot he played. He miepght even have an angle to cannon

away from the black -- might. Very nice. Yeah. A real bonus, that.

Left it perfect. Pot the red, can knob the red. And be nicely on the

-- cannon the red. And be nicely on the black.

LAUGHTER Oh! Well. Robbie Williams, 12. Just

as he was playing that, you could hear some... Some distraction from

the other side. But I didn't expect him to miss that. Did he play it

with a trace aside and just got a heavy contact? Yeah, I think you've

gotta give him the benefit of the doubt there.

APPLAUSE Now, surely we're gonna see, as we

watch that black - he pointed the cue there, so he got a kick. Surely

we're gonna see 33 break being beaten here.

APPLAUSE Well, no, we're not.

LAUGHS amazing.

Well, there's the high break - 33. Ricky Walden. 25, Robbie Williams.

And it's not as if they've not had opportunities here. The chances have

been coming thick and fast. And even that, you see, I'm not

certain - to play on the pink like that... Well, it's not too bad. But,

you know, a little bit more effort to try and get a straighter pink.

Yeah. It's almost - to be hard, it's almost amateurish. It's like he's

making sure the pot is timed, he's not thinking about two shots ahead,

getting the angle and colour for the next red.

A nice pot there. But I think when the pink is respoted, it might tie

up a couple of these reds. He needs to play this well.

Now he's underhit it. Is he just about the on the red? Well, he must

be, because he's getting down to play it. Just on it.

Left himself a nice angle on the blue. May decide to play a little

cannon on those three reds just below the pink. Unless one of them

pots. The fact he's left-handed, he may play for the one - he's played

your shot, John, he's played the cannon. He's played it well.

That was a good shot. Yep. Wouldn't expect any mistakes

from here. Although, we've said that before.

Well, I would hazard a guess that Ricky Walden will go straight to the

practice table and then to try and get some rhythm. Because it has been

very poor from him this morning, from both players, really. But for

someone ranked nine in the world, and, as I said before, he has been

in good form. He was in the final of the last ranking tournament.

Yeah. And I think he - was it the World Show Open or the Grand Prix?

He got to the final of. So, he's had a good season. But I agree with you.

I mean, Robbie Williams, it's understandable, it's only his

third-ever appearance here. But Ricky Walden, he's had had the

experience of being to semifinals and the like.

And that pink, as you see, clinches the frame more or less. 63 ahead.

Just 51 remaining. No heroics with this. Just rolled it in. That will

mean he will not be coming back to the table.

Well, decided to play it firm. But I think Ricky's had enough. He does

concede. He's going back to the dressing-room. And I agree, probably

to the practice table. We go to the mid-session interval two apiece.

Midsession interval over. And you would have thought that both players

will be hoping to improve on what we saw in the first four frames of this

match. Just the one break over 40. Robbie Williams hoping for a

touch-in ball here. Touching both balls. Touching both sfwhauls

anyway, he is deemed to have hit -- balls? Anyway, he is deemed to have

hit it. An easy return to the cushion, you would have thought.

It's one of those situations where you'd rather not snooker your

opponent, because it's an easy escape. Big target. Whereas when you

force them to play safe, they could make a mistake.

Certainly found the path around the back of the black. And there is a

snooker. As I say, shouldn't be too much difficulty in hitting the reds.

That's the wrong red to hit. Well, I was gonna say that he may have left

the red to the right middle, but he's just about covered the pot

angle. Just can't get to that red. Touch-in ball. So, once again, easy

path back to the baulk end. Didn't catch that quite as intended.

And he's left this pot on. The problem is with it, you have to play

it and just hope for a position on a colour.

Gonna be very difficult to avoid the other reds.

Just don't want miss the pot. -- just don't miss the pot.

Now, you need a bit of luck. Well, he's left himself a pink to the far

right corner. A bit of pressure on it. Doesn't have to do anything with

the cue ball to be on the next red. But, of course, if he misses the

pink, that went over there for his opponent.

Yeah, solid. APPLAUSE

Pink looks like it's available to the right corner.

So, a chance to score, the end to the left middle. So, a chance to

score a few points here in this frame, before he has to think about

going into the pack. He's just let that cue ball run, just let it run

loose. Yeah, it looks such a simple shot,

but it's just a poor shot. You're always putting yourself under

pressure to play a good positional shot the next time. Should never be

bridging over. Still expect him to get it.

Try and make this game as easy as possible. He's back in good position

now. He has got an angle, to fall into

the reds and disturb a few, if he wants. But there's enough loose reds

at the moment. Nice. Might have to start thinking about it sooner

rather than later, when he's going to go into the bunch.

So, one more red after this one. And going into the pack off the blue.

Where the pink is, if he hits the pink full in the face, it might not

open the reds that much. Well, he's gonna have to play for

the remaining loose red here. Yes. Well, is he gonna play the cannon

off two cushions? That's what he's attempting. Wow. And it's worked out

nicely. Worked out very nicely, thank you. Great shot.

Plenty of left-hand side to generate that pace around the corner of those

cushions. May choose to play the same shot

here, the opposite side of the table.

The red to the right of the pink is the one he's looking at, because

he's left-handed. He can get on that one nicely. And the cue ball is

going through a gap between the four reds and the red next to the pink.

So, not a guaranteed position here. Has to hit this well.

Pressure on this pink. Yeah. A bit adverse to hitting it maybe as

firmly as that. This frame could be decided by this pot.

Yeah, cued it nicely. Cued it very nicely. So, he's got the frame at

his mercy now. APPLAUSE

And just underhit that slightly. But he's OK.

Just taking a moment or two, just letting the noise settle down. A big

chance, this. This is better from Robbie Williams.

The first 50 break of the match. Can't see any problem with the next

three reds. Would like to win this in one visit

with a big break. Give him so much confidence. Looking for this pink.

One more red to clinch the frame. Spur assist Ricky on, I was

thinking. The fact his opponent is starting to score. Yeah, you find

that sometimes. One player struggles and it drags the other one down. And

the opposite, as you said - one player plays well, it can inspire

the other player. As you said before, sometimes the

balls dictate as well, don't they, John?

That didn't go in. A 67-point lead. 59 remaining. Should be enough for

3-2. Where's the cue ball going? Oh! So

close to the black. He's looked up to Robbie Williams,

said, "That's enough for me." And Robbie Williams gratefully accepts

it. So, Robbie Williams now leads 3-2.

Take your seats quickly, please. Thank you.

A decent break-off shot there from Ricky Walden. Nine frames is played

in this first session. Short of pace there. Very tentative.

So, here's a chance for Ricky Walden early on in the frame.

As we said before, with Robbie Williams, it's nice to win a frame

in one visit. Here's a chance for Ricky now, being

presented that fairly comfortable red. And that was a poor safety and

that was Robbie's reaction. He's got an angle on a blue, but he

won't be going into the pink this time. I think he will just stand off

the black cushion for the red that's between the black and the pink, in

the open to the left corner. Well, and he has put in a cannon. And this

could go wrong. Touching ball. OK. He's got the red

to the left middle. But he's badly hampered for that. Can't get to the

easy red to the left corner. May have to just resort to a safety.

Good chance. Not scoring off them at the moment.

Ricky Walden, 6. Tried to get in behind the yellow, but I don't think

he's quite managed it. Well, the fact that Robbie is looking on the

other side of the table to come off the right-hand side cushion and

nestle in to close to below the pink, doesn't mean that he can't hit

all of this red. It's a big target, though. You would be surprised if he

left anything. There is where twaxts it's a lot

closer to the yellow than -- it was. It's a lot closer to the yellow than

where the referee has got it. A lot closer.

It makes a difference, because he's trying to get the speed by putting

the right-hand side on, well, he's certainly had enough this time. But

he's missed his target. Oh, well! He will settle for that. Didn't hit

that well. And he's got it safe. Well, there's another example of

Ricky's poor safety. I mean, to catch the bump in the middle pocket

when you're that close to the red, just planting off it, is

unforgivable, really. Yep. His head has looked scrambled

from frame 1, today, Ricky. He's just not been on at all. Very

surprising. Robbie Williams, one. Really gotta

be taking those chances, Robbie Williams, because you wouldn't

expect Ricky to keep playing like this. He's got a great opportunity.

He can take a lead into the second session, Robbie Williams.

Well, that was onto outrageous fluke. There's no way he played

that. He caught the red much too thick.

And was lucky enough for it to knock the other one in the pocket and

finish nicely on the blue. Could that just be that little bit of good

fortune that turns things around for Ricky? Because normally, as we said

at the start of the match, this these types of positions he's such a

quick scorer. But it's not happened so far in the match.

Well, it did jump, but I've gotta be honest with you, he didn't really

seem to strike it that well. Yeah, I was just about to say, in

the sixth frame, I can't remember Ricky having a chance in the balls

with the black yet in this match. And I'm with you, John, that black

didn't fly off the table like they normally do when you hit them at

that pace and you get a kick. I just think he's not playing with any

authority at the moment. It's hard to describe in words. This

is one of the top players in the world, make no mistake.

APPLAUSE But he's not producing it so far.

And as Steven said, it's up to Robbie Williams now to make hay

while the sun is shining. Yeah, you're looking at a player there

who's been to the final in the last two tournaments before coming here.

He looks to have no confidence whatsoever.

Is this a World champ inspect, John? Yeah, yeah. Well, only the World

Championship, only can you have this effect on players. And that's the

only excuse I can think of. There it is. The Crucible. Crowd so

close. And if you're not playing well, it feels worse than anywhere

or any venue in the world. APPLAUSE

a good, solid pot. Just pot the blue, play a little plant on those

two reds near the right middle. That shouldn't be a problem.

In chances, it has to be said, for Robbie Williams are just coming

thick and fast. He doesn't have to do anything. Just has to get out of

his seat and come to the table and pot balls. Gotta take the risk here,

go into the pink. You'd think he's bound to be on that red at least to

the right middle. Yeah, well done.

Just, he can't really play the cue ball exactly where he wants now,

because he's hampered. But you would think he's gonna be on a colour,

play off two cushions. Played for the red to the right

corner. He may have gone to the left corner here. The one immediately

above the black. But, of course, in playing that, he

can play with a little bit more freedom, go back up for green or

brown. Yeah, nice pot.

APPLAUSE And he's got a better angle on the

brown now. And there's a few loose reds in the middle of the table.

He's three points in front. Could chance this.

Well, I have no idea what he played for there. The red that's to the far

right of the table, closest to theile right-hand side cushion, was

the one he should have been playing for off two cushions. I can only

assume he played for the red closest to the cue ball and he's overhit it.

Yeah, but still it was a strange red to play for. Just had to get the cue

ball in the middle of the table somewhere and would have had a

chance for red. APPLAUSE

Well, that's a bit more like it. Good pot. Not ideal on the brown.

But that's as good a shot as he's played in the match so far. Just has

to concentrate on the pot here. It's gonna be automatically on the red.

You can't see anything going wrong from this position. But the way he's

been playing so far, nothing's guaranteed.

Just one point behind now. So, this black will put him in front,

points-wise. And there's enough loose reds in the middle of the

table, if he gets those he will get to the snookers required stage.

Can't see a problem, but... We've said that a few times this morning.

So, this pink and one more red. This is a bit more like it from Ricky

Walden. This is what we expected. It's been a time coming, though. And

now snooker is required for Robbie Williams, who will be a bit

disappointed to have lost this frame, because he had a couple of

good chances. Poor positional shots let him down.

Well, it's taken six frames, but that's a bit more like the Ricky

Walden we expect. APPLAUSE

That's more like it. Robbie Williams missed an opportunity there. We're

now all square again. Three apiece. Thank you. Frame 7. Robbie Williams

to break. APPLAUSE

A big roar from the other side. That's the problem of the Crucible

Theatre there. You see it, just that thin partition. And you get all the

reaction from the other table. And that was a poor break-off shot from

Robbie. Maybe will be punished for it, because there were certainly

signs in the last frame that Ricky Walden was getting his act together.

Although, he's not landed good there. In fact, you'd think the only

one, or only colour, he could pot if he could reach it t I think he'd

play the brown. It needs to be played at a lot of pace to try and

disturb the reds, because there's nothing available at the moment.

Lots of pace needs to be put into this shot.

Well, there wasn't a lot of pace and he missed a brown, by a long way.

Foul. Well, that was careless. Straightforward. Run to the baulk

end to find the pocket. Not good. Well, considering the noise coming

from the other side of the arena, that was a good shot. I think he had

have been waiting for the noise to die down, but he knocked it in

nicely on the black. Oh, and that was unlucky. It was unlucky that.

And he's gone into it with lots of pace and the cue ball just stuck.

Let's have a look why. Mmm. Caught one red and then caught the other

one full, dead on the white completely. A little unlucky.

Couldn't do much else, really. Couldn't play to the baulk end

because of that red near the baulk cushion. So, most of safety is gonna

be played to this end of the table now.

Oh, where's the yellow ball going? Oh.

If that would have dropped, it could have been costly.

If you can get the cue ball tight to the top cushion, then you get an

advantage. But Robbie Williams won't be at an advantage with that one.

But he may have left a pot on here. Red to the middle. One to the far

right corner. OK, risky. But you just feel at the moment that

Ricky, he's just getting dragged down to this. He needs to make

things happen. I don't think he was too happy with

the contact there. Did we spot anything? Not really.

Although, in the way he jumped up, he felt that the red went straight

on. Mmm. The pot in with Robbie at the

moment has dried up. I fully expected him to get that.

So, a red to the middle, a dangerous one missed by Ricky Walden. Next

time he comes to the table, a nice, easy starter. It's been that type of

match so far. Yeah, it looks like Robbie Williams, I mean, I don't

know what kind of character he's like off the table, but when he gets

chances, he doesn't seem eager to get to the table and take advantage.

He seems to be very - almost too relaxed out there. You know, as your

opponent is missing like this, you've gotta be jumping out of your

seat and getting to the table. Yeah, of course, David Coleman, the

great BBC commentator, used to always say, "He's not pogzed for

being here today!" -- apologised for being here today!" I sense what

you're saying. He's not coming to the table with a great amount of

purpose. He's, like, apologetically coming to the table. You've gotta

look at it as your stage and go on there and perform.

27. Positional shot. Should have been using the rest for this red.

Well, every time you think that Ricky is just starting to find his

rhythm, he throws in a miss like that.

No bad contact there. Just a bad shot.

One. A big ask to win the frame from this

visit. But certainly a chance to get right

back in it. As Ricky ponders that missed pink.

Eight. Yeah, I don't think we can repeat

what Ricky's saying to himself in that chair. No. A little shake of

the head. A raise of the eyebrows. Closed off this red now. Robbie will

have to play for the yellow, because the yellow is blocking at least two

reds to that corner pocket. Tried to take the opportunity to

bring the brown into play. I don't blame him for that. He was always

gonna play the yellow. And always gonna be on it. But he tried to

bring the brown into play. But now he's not done that, it's gonna be

very difficult to win the frame at the visit.

So, think to yourself, "We're getting right back in it." These

three reds in the open, three reasonably high-value colours.

Wouldn't have been playing for the black. I do not understand that shot

whatsoever. No. That was... I mean, I don't know

whether he was trying to tip the pink off, but it was a complete

mis-hit. Again. Quite an amateurish shot, really. Robbie Williams, 18.

Yeah, I suppose maybe he was thinking about trying to bring the

pink into play, but his main concern was that red that's tied up with the

brown. There was a few more points available, and he can't afford to be

potting reds and not getting colours.

Just trying to nestle on this red that's near the brown.

Looks like a good line, and does well. Good job.

APPLAUSE That's not bad. OK, the red in the

middle of the table, the one just above the black, is cuttable. In the

right corner. I suppose you might as well take on the pot. Nothing like

playing the safety. But if the red goes in, you get control of the

table. But much too thick. So, two reds, two blacks, would put

Robbie Williams right back in this frame.

He would want to be a little bit careful now, will Ricky. He does not

want to bring the brown and red into play. He may just be able to hit the

red this side of the brown, thin enough to avoid running into the

other red. He's got a 23-point lead. He wants to keep it tight. Well, he

didn't avoid the kiss on the other red. He nearly fluked it. It is safe

enough. Green and blue have come to his rescue.

Just coming off the ball cushion and nestling up to this red. Just to

contain his safety, but I don't see what else - well, he could knock the

other red to the side cushion. APPLAUSE

Just coming down do a have look. There is a pot he could pot this red

closest to the corner, cushioned first. He will be thinking about it.

The only thing worrying me at the moment, Stephen, is when he is

playing these half-hearted shots - and I mean that in the best possible

way half-hearted - he is just hitting them firm and hoping if he

doesn't go right, he gets away with it - he doesn't seem to have any

control over the shot. OK, it wasn't easy to come off cushion first and

pot it, but play it with a bit more conviction than that. Lucky to get

it safe. Once again, not the best safety from

Ricky Walden. His safety play has been - well, poor, to put it mildly.

APPLAUSE One. It looks like the yellow will

be the ball. I think he's got a slight angle on it so he can go for

the red that is partly covered by the pink. It is one of them, if you

didn't get on the red correctly, you can always play the snooker. He is

looking at the blue, so maybe he's got an angle on the blue to rescue

for this red. He's had a look at that red just below the pink. He has

got a nice angle on the blue. APPLAUSE

He hit it nicely. OK, you wouldn't like to be this close to the

cushion, but I don't think he has to do much with the cue ball. Roll the

red in. It is bound to be on a colour.

That was a dent shot on the blue, wasn't it? I expected him to play

for the red in the green pocket, but he got on it perfectly. The obvious

problem is the brown. The first job is to get an angle on the green to

get onto that brown. And the brown will always be difficult because -

that seemed like a heavy contact. You can forget about the brown

because he is hampered by the pink now. He reduced his risk to just 12

points. -- he's reduced the race to just 12 points.

Stunning the green hoping to get the snooker behind the blue. Well, in

the end, he decides to play the pot. I thought it was a certain snooker.

Robbie Williams. If he stunned the green. He fancied going for it.

Where that brown is, particularly for Robbie Williams, because he

needs the remaining colours to pot that brown with pace to get on the

blue. It will be very difficult. On the other hand, of course, Ricky

Walden only needs green and brown. That gives him a big advantage. He's

got the snooker. You can't really roll to the dead

weight. If you do, you are asking for trouble. You roll with pace and

hope you can get it safe. Hope you can get it safe. If you don't get it

safe, oh, you leave it in a position where your opponent can pot the

green, but can't get on the brown and that looks like the scenario.

If Ricky does pot the green, then he obviously will be bringing the brown

away from the cushion with the safety. It is new anyone's frame,

really. I think if he can pot the groan, bring the cue ball back to

where the green is and then play the brown down the table, but he is not

taking the green on. I think a moss positive shot would have been to get

the brown away from that cushion. -- a more positive shot would have been

to get the brown away from the cushion. He could have played the

brown off two cushions and put the brown somewhere up near the black

and got a good safety. He didn't get much advantage from that shot,

Ricky. APPLAUSE

And now no advantage from it. If he plays the groan direct, it looks

like it will go somewhere near the brown. -- green direct, it looks

like it will go somewhere near the brown.

It is not too bad. You have got to be careful when playing this one and

you don't get the double kiss. That has worked out very nicely. It

couldn't have worked out better because he's released the brown now!

The brown isn't as difficult as it was.

APPLAUSE So this frame is new well and truly

in the balance. Well, he may have played the

double-kiss safety. It's worked out all wrong with the cue ball running

into the pink. What a chance now for Robbie Williams. He can regain the

lead again. APPLAUSE

This blue will make the points all square. So pink and black for an

unexpected win. Ricky Walden has had so many chances in this frame, he

will be very disappointed to have lost it.

But the writing looks on the wall now.

Well, that is the frame. Ricky Walden. He left it slip away. He

always looked in control, but in the end a couple of poor safety shots

and Robbie Williams goes if front once again, 4-3. Wald Wal wald to

break. -- Ricky Walden to break. Scheduled two more frames to play in

this match. A bit thin. Look at it bounce off

the cushion. It flew off the cushion. You can hear it. The

cushion is loose. You are getting a sound which you wouldn't normally

get. Can we hear it? You see, boing. Yep, it takes you by surprise. It

absolutely flew. I know he hit the red much thinner than he needed to,

red much thinner than heneeded to, needed to, but...

APPLAUSE There was nothing wrong with that

strike. I mean, I suppose you could say why not play for the black?

Possibly the black doesn't pop. That was an excellent shot from Robbie

Williams. Going back to this table, John, we

watched some matches yesterday and today. It looked a shocker to me.

Two balls have bounced out of the pockets and cushions are bouncing

all over the place. All of the years we have been coming here to The

Crucible, you would think they would have found the secret now to have

the tables in good nick. Wow, that is a disappointing miss. Robbie

Williams, 4. He's missed a good chance there, has Robbie. If he had

won this frame, he would have been certain to take the lead into the

second session. That is a good chance gone begging.

I don't understand it. He's won the last frame, he pinched the last

frame, which should make him feel good. He had a great opening red.

And then - I just don't understand it. I am sure he doesn't either.

Always spare a thought for the player because they have got such

great ability, these guys. Sometimes it is a shock to the system when it

is not happening out there in the arena. That is what the major

championships can do to you. But, just going back to the tables,

we have the table heaters now and everything else. Maybe they will

settle down. Maybe it is just the First Couple of days.

It is the same table, same manufactured table, they have been

using all season and from what I have been seeing, the tables have

been playing beautifully. I spoke to Marco Fu in the players'

lounge at the interval of this match and he said the other table in

another area was beautiful yesterday. He won 10-2, so you are

going to say that, but he said the other table was lovely. It is

strange to have all of the materials are exactly the same for both

tables, but for one to play like this, badly, is very strange.

He's got a nice angle on the blue. We questioned earlier on when Robbie

Williams had his chance when the black was available. I don't think

it will go into the left corner now anyway with that red near the top

cushion, top but... That is why, Ricky, the first

opportunity getting rid of this red and if the black is going to be

available. It looks as though there may be enough of the black sticking

out. It will be tight, wouldn't it, if you played for the black?

He's put himself under pressure in this match, Ricky Walden. 4

portfolio 3 down. He needs the last two -- 4-3 down. He needs the last

two frames to at least go into the second session with a load. Maybe

the pressure is what he need -- lead. Maybe the pressure is what he

needs to get his A game back. If he lands on a red, this has been an

excellent result, opening the black up. 26. Fair play for him for taking

that risk. He thought, well, I am not going to win the frame unless I

get that black into play. It was a risky shot to consider, but if he

can knock this red in, he will reap the rewards.

Oh, played the cannon on the red just above it. He is still on the

black, but if it had got the cannon on the second red, the red that is

just the other side of the black. He just brushed past it. He may have to

play the pink to the middle. Unless he plays for the red in bulk off the

black here, which I think he is going to have to do.

The red is oos easy enough. I know he will before using the reds. If he

doesn't make contact with one of the bulk colours, he should be on one

nicely. He would be looking for a nice angle

on a bull colour, but I looks like the blue is the better angle. That

will bring him down to the Reds. It is one of these occasions you would

like the blue to be straight. Maybe the fact that it isn't is making him

think about another one. There is a couple of also reds either side of

the black. He calls for a precise positional shot. That is why he is

favouring the blue. He feels like he's got more control over the cue

ball. No. He is saying it wasn't a good reaction, but, let's have

another lock. They are always going to lift up a little bit.

Particularly when you are striking down slightly. I don't think he is

cueing as smooth as he would normally. No, I still believe, it is

not an opinion shared by many professionals, that a lot of the

kicks are caused by bad cueing. This is a plan to be taking on,

isn't it? Dear me. Such a distance between the two balls. This will be

some shot. And is!

You deserve everything you get after that, my man. That was great. Yeah,

that was brilliant. It really was. So much distance between the two

reds. 8. That was a fantastic shot. Can he take advantage?

This would be a blow to Ricky Walden. I am just thinking, maybe

that red at the bottom of that cluster of five may just be

available into the same pocket as the black here. He can play for the

one near his hand. He decided to play the cannon. Well, he saw the

shot like that. But it's not worked out well. 16. Yeah, just didn't

quite get enough action on the cue ball. Just to get away from that red

that he ended up touching. Robbie Williams, 16. A decent

safety. Yeah. You can see him being a tough

nut to crack, particularly if he scores when he gets in. His safety

play has been pretty good. Well, a lot better than his opponent, let's

put it that way. His safety success is 88%. Ricky Walden is down at 74%.

This is Ricky's view. He can only hit the red. To get back to the

ball, he would have to catch it very thing. -- thin.

Well, h decided to play it a bit thicker and looks as though he's

played it very well if the cue ball slows up.

APPLAUSE He did that very well. He played to

come off the two cushions. He just stopped in time. Robbie is having a

look at the possibility here of a three-ball plant, is he? If he take

it on, he needs to get it because it is not a shot for nothing. No.

APPLAUSE Well, he didn't look around and put

his hand up to apologise so maybe he thought there was half a chance of

that red going in off the other. He would be a better man than I am to

see that. But he is on the green. Now, he Fridays to run past that red

or -- now, he needs to run past that red or is it full? It is full. He is

into the middle. 4. He couldn't play for the pink

because he felt, particularly being left-handed, he would be the wrong

side. He's just got to judge this cue shot or stun off the side

cushion for these three reds in a row. I am sure two of them pot.

He will have to play the one with the red now. Into the right corner.

It is imperative after potting this red to get a nice angle on the

colour because those three reds in the line, two of them definitely

available into the left corner, but that is about all. He could just

play a little cannon through the gap of the reds for the black here. He

is playing with topspin. Those are always dodgy shots to play and

didn'tened up very nice on a colour either. If he played that positively

with a stun, I think it made the pot easier. It was quite interesting. We

talk about Shaun Murphy as one of the best rest players in the game

and you always say because he cues them as he would normally, that

means when you play with the reds you need to have your elbow high.

His elbow was very low there. A great opportunity missed and it

looks like licky has landed perfect on this pink to rescue across for a

red into the same pocket. -- to rescue across for a red into

the same pocket. The chances have been coming thick and fast and you

just don't count your chickens the way it has been going because you

never know what can be missed. Se you never know what can be missed.

Get my drift? Ricky Walden, 7. I just can't believe how bad a shot

that was. Look where the cue ball has ended up. Ricky Walden has just

been nowhere today. Very surprising. You couldn't ask for a better spot

than this. It is adjacent to the brown. That won't be a problem

positional wise. When Robbie pots this black, he will have a one point

lead. Normally, you would consider just playing a little cannon here

and potting the black, cannon the pink.

He decided he didn't want to risk that and he's underhit it. OK, the

red is still cuttable, but he should have played it more positively than

that. Play it firm enough if you don't get the cannon on the pink. At

least you run a bit further up the table. But it has gone in. How is he

for position? Not great. Not great. That was the problem. If he had

better position on the red, he would have had better position on the

colour. The problem is he's got to avoid the

pink and the right middle pocket to get back on the yellow. If he can

get enough bottom on the cue ball he can try to come the left-hand side

of the pink as we look at it, screwing off two cushions. He is

independent even going to play the brown. He is just playing the

safety. -- not even going to play the brown. He is just playing the

safety. Now Ricky Walden not only hit this yellow, but can you keep it

safe? Nope, he's left it. So another

chance for Robbie the win this frame.

A good solid pot. To be guaranteed add lead to go into the second

session of this plach. Just have to be careful he -- this match. Just

have to be careful he doesn't cannon a blue. It's a little bit tricky,

this shot. If he just plays it dead weight off the cushion, he's gonna

have an angle on the brown. He's a little bit concerned about

it. Make certain of the green, whatever you do.

Five. Well, it's not too bad, because he's left-handed. I think he

can just about reach. Brown and blue needed.

Nine. Tight to the cushion. Doesn't make this blue any easier. But he

doesn't need the pink. So, all your efforts into potting this one ball.

APPLAUSE And in it goes. So, this is another

frame you could say slipped away from Mal Walden. Boys, he's had a

bad morning. -- from Ricky Walden. Boys, he's had

a bad morning. Robbie Williams now leads by five

frames to three. More importantly, we want more frames to be played in

this session. Guaranteed a lead going into the final session.

Thank you. The last frame of the session. Robbie Williams to break.

A massive frame for Mal Walden in the cob text for Ricky Walden in the

context of his World Championship. Ricky Walden in the cob text for

Ricky Walden in the context of his World Championship.

A voice in the wilderness shouts, "Come on, Ricky!" Like a scene from

Eastenders. Quiet, please. Mmm. That was a big deceleration

from Ricky there. That's what happens. You miss it thin. You don't

get a positive strike on the cue ball.

APPLAUSE That's a decent first shot. He plays

those shots well, those mid-range pots. He hits them well.

Good shot. APPLAUSE

Those are tough when you're down on the cue ball like that. He really

cued it well. May have to go up for the blue to be guaranteed a good

position. I don't think he would want to risk playing for the pink.

Oh, well, once again. How many times do we see, from both players, they

play a good shot, you think, "OK, they've found themselves and got

themselves in a good situation," and miss an absolute sitter. No rhyme or

reason. Oh, he knew he potted the yellow

one. He didn't want to. He wasn't playing the pot.

Missed the red on the way up. Caught it on the way back. But the first

look, maybe no harm done. APPLAUSE

Well, it went in. Made an horrendous sound when the cue ball hit the red.

But that won't bother him. It went in. Brown ball.

You can tell with the sounder this, look, when they hit - boom! It was

more of a smack. Than a click. Oh, and another very poor... Well,

lucky... Where's the cue ball going? Well, I suppose, in a way, he may

have preferred it to have gone in the pocket. I think this red just to

the right of the yellow will go. And there's a possibility here of a

plant. To the right corner. You would have to be certain, though.

This is a tough pot. But lots of reward if he can knock it in.

Brilliant. APPLAUSE

That was a much better pot. Really good. Well, I know there's not a lot

on these tables, but when you're playing slightly across and close to

the cushion to find the hearts of the pocket, super shot.

I was just about to say, just looks like he's starting to know that he's

got an advantage in this match, and he's gotta push forward and win this

last frame. And then, well, I mean he's missed it by so far. Was it a

kick? Mmm. The frustration. The frustration, you can see it there as

he brushed his forehead. Maybe he played it with a little trace that

sent the yellow straight on. There has been so many that you don't know

whether it was a bad contact or just a bad shot. We don't know.

Well, the fact that Ricky is walking around the table means he's on the

black. So, this now... Well, we keep saying it, gotta take this chance to

win the frame. But the way the frames are going, you could get

another two or three chances to win it. But he wants to win it as

quickly as possible. He's played that very well. And

played absolutely perfectly. But as we've seen so far in this

match, we'll take nothing for granted. Got plenty of action on

that cue ball. The backspin threading the white through the

reds. And it couldn't have landed better.

All you've gotta do is just mind your work and not make any silly

mistakes. Yeah.

Yeah, playing this red because it's a natural angle. Just a drop on the

black to the same pocket. There's plenty of pressure on Ricky

Walden this break. Plenty of pressure.

6-3 down in the first round would not be a good place to be.

Yeah. And I think the fact that he's played so poorly in the first eight

frames, you can't just flick it on like a light switch. He's gotta

really dig in here to make the most of this opportunity. And he will

still be disappointed at the end of it, because he will be a frame

behind going naturopathy important final session. -- going into the

important final session. These first-round matches, first to ten,

remember. 32. Well, that's nudged them all into

the open now, with a 33-point lead. Surely he won't make any mistakes

here. 49. That wasn't in the middle of the

pocket, but it's gone in. You would think now, just one good

positional shot and he's gonna win this final frame.

And that's not am good positional shot.

52. 45 points, the lead. 59 remaining.

Will there still be a twist to this frame? And as Steven has said, it's

a big one for Ricky Walden. Don't want to go into that final session,

which, funnily enough, is tomorrow evening. Doesn't want to go with a

3-frame deficit into that. And if he makes a mistake here, every chance

his opponent could pinch the frame from him.

In the end, nowhere near the pocket. 52.

Been given a chance, Robbie. Can you take it?

No. Pity. That was a golden opportunity to really punish Ricky

Walden. Yeah. You know, tough match. What's you've gotta do. You've gotta

take these chance. -- chances. Good shot.

APPLAUSE So, this black. To be 53 points in

front with just 51 remaining. Well, he won't be happy with his

performance, Ricky Walden. But the way the frames have gone, he could

have been more than one frame behind at the end of this session. Nine. He

will be thinking he could have been a few frames in front.

Played some good shots, played some good safety. I think that's what has

given the advantage at the end of this session. Robbie has played some

good safety. 60. But he won't be getting back to the table now. Well,

he will, only to shake hands and go up to the dressing-room.

I suppose, all in all, considering how big a favourite Ricky Walden was

at the start of this match, he will settle for being a frame in front.

33. So easy, this game, when it doesn't really matter, isn't it?

Well, didn't matter about the blue. APPLAUSE

At the end of the day, I think that's a fair reflection of what

we've seen in this first session. Robbie Williams, the young man,

leads Ricky Walden, from Chester, by five frames to four.

So, another seed under pressure here at the Crucible. We'll be back later

today at 10 o'clock on BBC Two for more live coverage of the 2016

Betfred World Snooker Championships. We shall see you then. From all of

us here, goodnight.