Day 3 World Championship Snooker Extra

Welcome to snooker extra where we take a nocturnal view of the match

between John Higgins and Ryan Day. Your commentary team is Ken Doherty

and Ryan Taylor. John Higgins won the toss and he

broke off and has got this first frame under way. Up against a very

tough Welshman in Ryan Day. Must have played well against you,

Ken, in the final qualifying match. Yes, he did, Dennis. A very capable

player. Three times runner-up in a ranking tournament final. Played

very, very well. Well, that's an unusual way to play

the safety shot, but it's not too bad.

Very interesting when you talk about the greatest players that have ever

played the game. Most players would use Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry,

Ronnie O'Sullivan. Steve Davis, who retired yesterday, reckons John

Higgins is the best player he has ever seen. Went on record saying

that. Yeah, you could understand a little

bit where he is coming from. Certainly got probably the best

all-round game. His record, 28 ranking titles, won four sevens in

tournaments, 616 career centuries, four-time winner of this event as

I think, over the years, that you play different players, and Ronnie

O'Sullivan, without doubt, the most talented player. But certainly John

Higgins is up there with the best. On his day, nobody likes to play

John Higgins, that's for sure. That's twice he has missed a ball

that he attempted to hit. Might have left the free ball here. And that's

unlucky. He has got the blue into the right centre here. I'm not quite

sure whether the ball has been drifting down that side of the

table, because we saw a couple of players yesterday, playing safety

shots, that missed the ball coming down the left-hand side of the

table. Well, this is the table that the players have been complaining

about. The other table, on the other side of the curtain, is playing

terrific. Very unusual to have two tables that

are identical but play totally differently. I think we've only had

two centuries on this table, whereas on the other one we've had eight

centuries so far. It tells us a little story. That's not the worst

shot Ryan Day has ever played, but it certainly up there. In the top

three! He tried to Mr red and just didn't get into the cue ball.

Dashmac to miss the red. Just tried to get by that read and have it into

the same pocket as the blue. That could be the end of the break.

Sometimes, when you play a poor shot, you are looking for some sort

of a plant or something, but you've got to forget about it, play the

safety shot. Could have played it better than

that, though. This might be a test for John Higgins group was cueing

action here. This read into the left corner. Into the right, coming off

the back cushion here, he's got to pot this.

He forced it in and can and it on the way up. That's a terrific shot.

That's an early confidence booster for the former four-time champion.

Nice little cannon onto the red, the other side of the black, to open up

the pocket. There's a whole for the black,

digging down on the cue ball. Got to play a nice little cannon into the

red above the black. Yeah, these players have played each

other 13 times. It is 9-4 to John Higgins. They've played twice in the

world Championships, one each. John won 10-9, Ryan won back in 2004, but

Ryan beat John in 2009 in the second round, 13-9. He is one of those

capable players, isn't he, Ryan Day? On his day - excuse the pun - that

he can beat anybody. Nicely played, judged that Canon

perfectly. Should be able to just push through for the black here.

He got a heavy contact there. It's prevented the white from running

round into the perfect position. It's more awkward now.

Yeah, he was on All Blacks, but he can't play for the black this time.

And there's still a couple of red is available. He has got the angle.

Well, he could have done with a few more inches up the table. Two reds

are available, but he may have two go into them now.

That was a wonderful shot. Obviously played for the black, and using the

cue ball off the pack of reds to bring more into play, but obviously

had to stay on the black. Nicely on the blue, on the right

angle as well. Down for the red directly above the black, just the

extreme red on the right-hand side. Got the choice of a couple of reds.

There is one below the pink as well. This is a very well put together

break. And it all came from that wonderful long part which we said

was a test of course, and always is, the first long pot of the session.

But his control of the cue ball has been absolutely pristine so far.

Yeah, he started the match missing two reds altogether, playing thin

safety shots. But back to vintage John Higgins - although he has been

playing well for the past couple of seasons.

This is a player that's made 616th centuries in his career.

What a nice start it would be, should he go on to make a century in

this frame. As I said, he's already scored 616 career centuries. That's

incredible, only just behind Stephen Hendry and, of course, Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Yes, Stephen is an 775. Ronnie is close to 800 now.

But the way he is cueing here and getting through the ball... A great

start. It really is. Well, he has been known, his

nickname is the Wizard of Wishaw. Certainly waving that want in his

hand this morning here in this opening frame. Fantastic start. A

great confidence booster. Very difficult to pot this red down

the cushion, if he is going to try for total clearance. Doesn't really

matter. Almost got it, but Ryan Day couldn't do anything about that.

John Higgins got a century break and Leeds 1-0.

OK, the wrong side of the blue, but what a cracking opening read that

was. Just run a little bit too far. He

wanted to be straight on this one that's above the black, so it would

drop nicely on the black, but just overrun that slightly.

As I say, he was in first on the opening frame and played a poor

positional shot. I suppose he is still getting used to the pace of

this table. Just means that he has had to leave

a slightly more difficult black then it would have been. Quite a tall

lad, Brian, over six feet tall, so he can stretch quite a way over the

table -- Ryan. Something is catching as he is

leaning across the table. He took the chalk out of his pocket. I don't

know if he is wearing a belt. Maybe a buckle. But there you go. That was

all caused by the positional couple of shots ago where he just overrun

it slightly. Just off the left jaw. I've noticed

with these pockets, they are playing slightly easier than the ones in the

qualifiers. This time John has just overrun that

slightly. I think he can screw back and avoid the pink and red and get

back for the blue. Not quite sure you'd need to be right behind the

angle. But I think he's OK. He's just had a quick look. I'm sure

the black is available into both corners. The red is just a little

bit of a distraction at the moment. But that tells you there's plenty of

room for the black to pass the red, so his plan would be the red, then

the black, then remove that read to the right of the black. He is

looking very, very sharp here this morning. He looked very relaxed up

in the players' room yesterday. He was there for most of the day

between practice sessions. I know he was a bit devastated yesterday when

his team, Celtic, lost on penalties, but he said Rangers were all over

Celtic in the first half. Used to be great when you went up to sterling

where Stephen Hendry and a lot of those Scottish players used to

practise... Not only was there snooker rivalry, but some of them

supported Celtic, some of them supported Rangers.

Well, this has been an amazing start for John Higgins. His positional

play is top drawer. He has made this break look very,

very easy, because all the time he has been so close to his object

ball. It's not been so straightforward. OK, he has had to

go in and out of baulk once, but in this frame of the first frame, he

hasn't looked like missing. OK, here's points ahead. This red

will certainly compound the end of this frame -- he is 52 points ahead.

Another century break - what a start this would be. He is 41 years of age

now, John Higgins. He is playing like he did 20 years ago.

I mean, his positioning has been impeccable. OK, he has had to go up

the table a couple of times. Well, this is as good snooker as

anyone has played so far. If he gets this tricky one, it could

be back-to-back centuries. Hit it too hard. Trying to punch it

out from the black. But it won't bother him. Still a magnificent

break of 79, and he takes frame two for a 2-0 lead.

I wonder - will John Higgins be tempted? He could take this read

on. He is just checking to see if the pink pots. If it does, the only

red is the one he could have a go at here. As I said in the opening

frame, it was a long pot. This is tougher than the one he knocked in

in the opening frame. He is the wrong side of the blue,

but he's OK. There's a red at the back of the bunch that can go. He

can go for the brown and back up for that. A little bit of margin of

error to drop on that one. The circle, if he could get the

white anywhere near the circle, he has the red at the back. If he

fancies, he could go into the bunch of the two cushions. Looks like he

will go into the Reds. Well, he has missed them. It was worth the risk.

As I say, he only had the one red open and thought, maybe I could get

the bunch open. That was very uncharacteristic from

John Higgins. Drifting down the table, we could see him at missing

the red on the left side of the table. -- see him missing the red.

One of -- one other loose red after this. Might just be wanting to go

back into the bunch. APPLAUSE

Just got into the cue ball, just wanted to not put any screw onto the

cue ball. He got into it too much. He has to try and get it to the

right centre, more difficult than it should have been. The title

opportunities that Day has to be taking against Higgins. A bit of

noise from the other table. Looks to have a straightforward

safety shot of the right side to get back down the table. -- off. He

tried it, and he's pulled it off nicely.

Picked this one are very nicely, and easy safety down the right-hand

side. Thought he might be able to take the pot on and find a gap, and

he did. He should have been in behind the green there. So fast

these tables, it is so difficult to judge that screw shot. He could have

had Higgins in all sorts of trouble there. Almost got a good cue ball,

you'll be disappointed that that rate has gone out of the left-hand

corner pocket. Might be a bit too straight to get back up to the

Brown, blue or pink. Could possibly hold for the black if he wishes.

Very good, using all of the pocket. A nice little knowledge. -- nudge.

APPLAUSE The pink might not be quite on the

spot. We will find out shortly. Just enough room, it might still be

available, looking at it. See if he can pot into the right corner. The

one to the left... He was back working at the plant. The plant is

not an absolute certainty. You needs a bit of distance between the reds

-- he. You never really settle until you get that first frame on the

board. Just want to hit on the draw with this. Pretty good. He is going

around and having a look at that plant again, he just needs to pot

the red and get a good angle on the next lakh. -- black. He is thinking

about the red, the next black, and the next round after that. Left

himself an angle on the pink. Looks a little bit straight. Not the best

shot he's ever played. Going to have to take this plant

now. As I said before, it's not dead set. A couple of inches between each

ball, which makes it more difficult. You can see how he's cueing up. You

forget about the second red. No problem.

APPLAUSE Just the wrong angle. A little bit

reluctant to play the Reg just below the black that is close to this top

cushion -- red. It looks OK. Just this red required. Well played by

Day! As he said, this will certainly

settle him down, getting the first frame on the board -- you said.

Three reds and all blacks, a possible century for Ryan Day. We

can see where those threads when the frame is over, it's amazing. --

where those reds are. This could really be a terrific match. Opening

with a century break. A break of 79 to lead 2-0, his turn to sit in the

chair for a while. Just trying to get a full ball can on that red. He

can hold for the pink, the red and the pink. Might be enough to make it

100 exactly. A good positional shot here from pink to yellow. The pink

jump slightly, took the pace out of the cue ball. A difficult yellow if

he is to make the century. Go on, get in.

APPLAUSE A lovely break of 73. Trailing by

2-1. So, Ryan Day breaks off. Last frame before the interval.

APPLAUSE A beautiful long pot. The control for the blue was

magnificent. Just cued this in beautifully. There's been a lot of

talk about Ronnie O'Sullivan. Standing in favour of a little less

than 2-1. Not so much talk about John Higgins. He is always there,

thereabouts. It might suit him, being under the radar. A good few

punters in Scotland. And a few in the rest of the UK as well. Do you

remember where you are placed when you won? I was 40-1. Quite a few

people picked up a few quid. -- you were placed. I wonder what the odds

were when you were 8-0 down. --? Good job, really getting down on the

shot. Very little movement when he delivers the cue. At's a key, have

to keep your head still. It's amazing how difficult it is --

that's. The first easy ball that John Higgins has missed in this

match. Came right across it. That crept into John's Dame a few years

ago. He would be going along playing well, then he would miss a sitter

when there was a lapse in concentration. You always have to

give 100%. I think as you get a bit older, you lose a bit of

concentration from the moment. It can be costly. What a wonderful shot

that was. One possible red at the back of the

pack. He is going to need one more good split, coming in the frame from

this angle. That rate is directly above the black. If he can get a

nice angle on that, he could pot some more reds. -- that red is. It

would have been easier to get on the one you mention. -- mentioned. But

he thought, I'm going to get on the other one. Going to have the ball

clean, just watched this shot. He played the pot down, he would have

been perfect but he knew he had this other one as an alternative. Clever

thinking. Sort of played two shots in one. I don't think you'll be

playing the can, just trying to leave himself a nice angle. When he

puts it, the cue ball will be hitting into the reds. It might

bring the pink into play. -- pots. Bringing the pink interplay, still

nicely on the ball -- into play. This looks very good, there were

only two reds behind the pink that looked a bit awkward. That gives way

to a run to the winning line in the fourth frame. If he could go to the

mid-session interval two frames up, he would be absolutely delighted. He

didn't get much of a chance at the opening frames. Just one careless

shot. Came up short, did he get a heavy contact or was it mishit? He

just decelerated on that a little bit. He won't be happy with that.

Trying to get a top so he can drop the blue in and get down to that

red. Just what it to decelerate slightly -- just watch it decelerate

flatly. Left himself a testing shot. This could be the frame ball. He

needs to get nicely on the black or blue. Not a foregone conclusion.

Played it very well. Especially that extension, there was a lot of bridge

between his hand and the cue ball. He fully committed to that. Wow. You

can't believe he got through the gap! Absently incredible how he's

gone through that gap. -- absolutely. He doesn't want to be

hitting the brown, left the red on. A bit of right side, needs to can

the red away from the pink. -- cannon. Look at this, he is tighter

to the yellow. The red has got all sorts of problems now. He would have

liked to get tighter on the yellow. If he had, it was going to be

virtually impossible to get out of this. I'd like to be blocking the

cushion on the right-hand side. Got to try and hit this and hope that he

can get it safe. From the left-hand side, there is less margin for

error. I don't even think that he can swerve around to get the angle

to come off two cushions. That's the sort of curfew tapped to get, and I

don't think he can do that. -- curve you tried to get.

Got a terrific amount of swerve to make the first angle, but

decelerated a little bit again here. What a tough shot. Tight on

the cushion. But if it goes in, completes the frame. Would you say

you would get this about four or five times out of ten? Yes. You just

want to hit it hard, give it a chance to go in. This is the type of

shot that Ryan Day is normally quite professional at. But there is a bit

of pressure on this one. Just a little bit. Didn't push the cue

through in a straight line. He's found the gap again, urging

that. Wilmot finished in a pottable position. This is slightly easier

than the one he had when the cue ball was tucked up on the cushion.

Amazing, the importance of this frame. Had a chance to take a three

- one lead. A bit of tension, it is important for him. -- 3-1. Not quite

sure why he tried to play it so hard. It could have just tried to

hit it in nicely. The harder you try to hit it, the more difficult it

becomes. Might have changed his mind. He

played a terrible safety shot. Hit the right side cushion when he

missed the pot, let's see if he gets closer this time. It is John's turn

to be in all sorts of trouble. The right of the pocket this time. John

is going to have to get a bit of swerve on the right-hand side. If he

goes down the left side of the table, that is where he would like

to hit the cushion. Just bending it slightly, then at the side... He's

actually got the perfect shot. Not enough. Foul and a miss.

Thinking about cutting the yellow in because he only needs a yellow to

leave him the snooker. It's in your hands if you put it back and it hits

the yellow and gets it safe - anything can happen. Just the yellow

to leave John needing one snooker. It would be 26 in front with 25

left. We've been talking since the

tournament started about this left-hand side cushion that's been

playing a little bit square, and the reason I say that is because, on

that occasion, the ball didn't slide of this commission. He is listed on

the short side as opposed to the wide side. Just came off a little

bit square. It's funny. John is making it board difficult for

himself. When Paul initially put it back, it was slightly easier, and

John said, it's nearer the black - I mean, snooker players are so fair.

They know that it's difficult. He was going to gain an advantage, and

he said, no, the White was nearer the black. That's how close it was

to the black. John didn't get enough side on it. A little bit nearer.

28, the difference, just 27 on, the double to clinch it. No double, but

hang on... With the snooker, Ryan Day would

have levelled it at two -2. Not quite safe just yet.

Pot the green as well, and then, if he can get himself nicely on the

brown, could quite easily get that one snooker he is waiting for. He is

such a master of the angles as well, John Higgins.

Do you think he could run tighter against the blue here? Doesn't want

the brown to go near a cushion. It's a delicate little shop, and he could

play too... I think that's what he's trying. He would have to be very

precise with it. No, he is passing the brown. Well, he tried to. But at

the snooker on the blue. Always much easier the more balls you leave on

the table to get the snooker you need, but could he finish this frame

with citric shop and pot the brown? -- a trick shot.

I'm sure he can run this through and get it behind the black, double the

brown on the table. Just tried to go twice across the

table. It would be interesting to see if he

popped the brown this time. -- pots. Well, to get the brown

behind the black... You've got the snooker behind the blue, but pretty

straightforward. Bit of a chance here to get up

behind the black. And this is a better effort. Oh...

Not quite. Not quite. That would have been a tough one had it nestled

in behind the black, so one good long pot on the brown here and we

can all go and have a cup of coffee. Well, that's not going to help his

case, John Higgins. He will be very disappointed to hit the pink. What

that does, it knocks it out of line with the black, so less of a target

now. There's an angle to go back up

behind the black again, but he will be close to potting blue if he goes

that way. Just swung it around the angles but not enough side. I

wonder, will be risky little drag shot and just leave the blue over

the pocket and maybe force John to pop the blue if he doesn't put it

himself? There's the little drag shot. Well

played. Yeah, John Higgins says enough, so

Ryan Day takes the fourth frame, and it is all square at the interval,

2-2. John gets the first frame after the

midsession interval under way. Just looking down the line of the shot,

Ryan may be able to have a go at this read, get on the black. It's

the only ball he would leave. No, it wasn't the correct angle. Going

towards the black - that was the reason he didn't have a go at it.

Well, we might finish up with a re-rack here.

Yeah, I think... Got a little bit of an early stalemate here.

This type of game will never catch on...

It's called tipping and tapping. Touching ball. And touching! Well,

have a little word with the referee and get the frame going again.

Can you imagine if we had 17 days of this sort of play? That would be

exciting, wouldn't it? Surely it can't be touching again... Touching

ball. This is a record for touching balls.

But they are gradually starting to open up, so maybe we won't get a

re-rack. I was in there with the premature

re-rack, Ken... That's touching both balls, I think.

Touching ball, both reds. Yeah! Could go off the side of the pack

here and try and get the cue ball somewhere behind the yellow. He is

taking the loose red. There will be a big cheer, I'm

sure! So, after six touching balls, we are back to normal. Might be able

to take this in the middle pocket and play for the black.

He has just had a looks to see if he has covered that one with the pink.

Into the left middle pocket. I don't... Well, he can get through to

it. I was just having a word outside

with Ryan, and apparently they have changed the cushions, so that's why

we've had such a good standard - the century from John in the opening

frame, 73, 55. So it is playing different, the table. Something had

to be done. Not the bed cloth. The cushions have been replaced.

Yeah, normal procedure would be that the players would complain all go in

and talk to the tournament director or the assistant tournament

director, Martin Clarke, who will come out and check the table. Speak

to the table fitters of course. I'm sure, because there's been so many

complaints about this table, that that's why they decided to change

it. Now, he has got a couple of loose

reds but he has a wonderful angle to go into the pack if he wishes.

Beautiful shot. Now, how is your luck? Not good. Well, it's hard to

believe. Two reds went towards this bottom left-hand corner pocket, but

just look where they landed. He couldn't have hit that much better,

could he? To land where he did and have a straightforward red. Yeah, it

was amazing, those two reds that went towards the left corner, how

they both landed on that other cushion. Very unfortunate.

He has got a red to the right middle pocket here. Didn't get the cue ball

where he intended. Yeah, these middle pockets are

tough. You've got to get it right in the heart of the pocket. If it

touches the jaw, we've seen so many raffle the jaws and come out. This

must be pretty tight as to whether this red goes to the corner. He is

coming round to have a look at the other side. I could never see from

this end - it always looks much better from the end you are

striking. He feels there's enough room... Seems to be, as long as he

puts it in the centre of the pocket or just right of

You could get a Sheffield tram through there, Ken. And the driver!

An opportunity here for Ryan. Jumping on a couple of threads here,

the one beside the pink and the one directly above the black -- red is

just nudged the pink. Just knocked the red into a potable position.

Would love to have been straight on it.

And he has overcome that one. It was the previous shot where he got a bit

too much action on the cue ball, left the blue slightly more

difficult. You'd still expect him to knock that one in.

This was the shot where he just got a bit too much on it. Just left the

blue slightly more difficult. Still expected him to knock it in, though.

John hasn't got an angle on the blue to get towards the red, forcing it

all the way around the angles. No, he had got the angle. Just to hold

this side of the blue spot. But that was about the best you could manage

there. Well, he might just be OK. Because

he thought he was going to touch the pink and the red, but if he has got

the gap here... Although the black won't go, he could get up for the

blue, but could have been in all sorts of trouble. In fact he is

having to swerve it. No, he can stab it in. That will do nicely if it

holds up. One more good positional shot and he is back in business.

That's a better shot. Nicely on the red into right-centre. Back down for

the black, and he really wants that read that to the left of the black,

closer to the left-hand corner pocket. He wants that out of the

way. Not many pots away from sinking this

fifth frame. Just touching the red but that doesn't matter. He is

playing away from it, whichever red he chooses.

I think this was an important frame for John Higgins after starting off

so well. All of a sudden he missed a couple of easy ones, and Ryan took

full advantage. Nice to get one up on the Welshman.

Yeah, he just stopped the rot, as it were. Started off very well. Ryan

Day came back strong. And it looks like John has his nose in front once

more. Just needs black or pink. He has

looked at This will leave Ryan needing a

snooker. And safely in the heart of the pocket.

There you see it, 57 ahead with only 51 remaining.

So definitely changing the cushions has made a big difference to this

table. Can he negotiate that difficult last

red, give himself a possible century?

You mentioned earlier about who holds the record of centuries at the

Crucible. John Higgins did with 14 in the year you won it, and Stephen

Hendry made 16 in 2002 here at the Crucible. Yeah, it's an incredible

achievement, that. Particularly when you consider that

some players wouldn't make that a season, so an incredible feat, 16

centuries in five matches here at the Crucible.

Exactly 100 if he cannot blue, pink and black in. -- can knock.

The ball is definitely haven't been pinging off the cushions like this

before. End set whether century break. Came

out after the midcentury interval and made another century break. He

is back in the lead. John Higgins leads 3-2.

Nine to play, of course, in this first session, and any sort of lead

for any player, I'm sure they would have been happy coming into this

session. You normally play these type of matches in little mini

sessions. First four frames, try and get a lead, particularly after that

first session. If you are 5-4 or anything better, you are pretty

happy with your day's work. Just tried to get around the back of

the black there. He has gifted John and excellent opportunity here.

Sometimes the interval can come at a good time for a player, but

sometimes at a bad time as well, and that seems to be the case at the

moment. John started off very, very well, and one day seemed to have all

the momentum. The interval came and now it has swung back towards John

Higgins. Just lost his focus a little bit at the moment, Ryan Day.

Oh, well, saying that... You don't see that many times, do you? Yeah,

he did that in the first four frames. He was flying along and, all

of a sudden, he missed an easy red, and there's an easy black, and that

sort of thing can be so costly. As I mentioned, it just seems to be that

little bit of concentration - every now and again, John loses it.

I mean, he looks at times as if he is never going to miss a shot, and

all of a sudden, he throws one like that in.

But, as you mentioned earlier in this match, Ryan has got to take

full advantage, because John won't keep making errors like that.

And you've got to punish your opponent when he slips up. Not a

good chance just yet. Only the one loose red potable, the rest are all

covering each other. So is it time to go into the bunch? Not a good one

to go into, it has to be said. So easy to stick it into the back of

the reds, if he tries to move them from the black here. That's why he

has played for the loose one. Better to go into them from the blue. But

he is not ideally on that red he played for into the right middle

pocket. APPLAUSE Not a lot he can do, he

needs a bit of angle on this. Trying to get it into the white middle

pocket. What sort of angle has he got on the pink? A little bit of

angle. Perfectly played. You could try and stop this red, just try and

stun it in. Bring another one interplay. -- into play. Almost got

a kick. Still OK, on the black. That red is still available just below

the pink into this right-hand corner pocket. Just took all the pace out

of the cue ball. This time there is no angle on the red. He will have to

go for blue, possibly. Does he has an angle to try and

disturb the red here? -- have? Too much into the side. He was never

really in position. A foul. Sometimes you can force that too

much, that's exactly what happened. Too much reaction on the cue ball.

APPLAUSE He might be up to tucked in behind

that red -- people. -- able. Good pot. Needs to cue ball to slow up --

the. These cushions are lively, very fast. You didn't expect it to come

up so far. He can just drop the blue in. The one in the right corner is a

shot to nothing. It's one of those... If you put it, you could be

on the green or brown. Not going to leave much unless it wobbles and

stays in the jaws of the pocket. If he can't see the one past the

yellow, he will have to come off the side cushion and nestle up to the

two reds. Callous. Wanted it behind those reds. His left John Higgins a

free shot here in the corner pocket. Was expecting a bit more slide of

that cushion -- off -- he's. Excellent pot. Saw that red go in

again. The middle red or close fought just below the pink, plotted

to the left-hand corner. -- middle red ball close to the four. --

potted. That one looks a little bit tight. That would have been a bonus,

it would have released the pink. This looks tight. No problem. If he

can pop the pink and get on that red directly below it... Now we are

plotting this red, it will release the other reds -- potting. John

Higgins has really cued well. He has had about three callous shots where

he lost concentration. Other than that, he has cued beautifully. Had

to century breaks and 79. -- two. APPLAUSE The key is the two reds

near the right corner pocket. It's not going to be easy to get an angle

and bring those into play. The pink is 19, the blue would be a better

one to get. He left very little margin for error if he played on the

pink. Is looking at the pink, he will have to be very precise to get

the angle. He has gone too far for the blues. He is going to have to go

for the yellow. Maybe he can hold it. It is tough to get from the blue

to the red. I think he put it at an angle. He has really got to dig into

that blue. Try to create a bit of an angle. Just over on the cue ball,

about six inches, I would say. I don't think he can get enough grip

on the cue ball. Any sort of Canada on those two reds will knock them

into the corner pocket. There has to be a shot to try and make it from

here. The pink is the obvious choice but it is very difficult.

APPLAUSE A little bit of noise from the other table. Didn't quite hit

the brown had enough -- hard. I was surprised he played that shot, I

thought he might just nestle into those two reds. He had to be so

precise with that safety shot. 21 points ahead. Just the red after

this pink will be enough. A little formation going on here. They have

each been winning two frames. But what's going to happen next? Day's

going to win two frames. To snookers needed. Barring those,

John Higgins has a two frame advantage -- two.

APPLAUSE That's enough from Ryan Day, John Higgins goes back to a two

frame lead. It's been a good quality match so far. A couple of centuries

from John Higgins. A decent standard. An excellent pot and a

beautiful kiss on the red. This time he had the angle to hold from the

black. That was dead straight on the red. Not a good pack to go into from

the black. Got a bit of an angle. Plenty of cue power, he will need it

because it is so easy to get stock on the reds. This is where the cue

power comes into its own, on this type of shot. Didn't count on the

way he intended. -- cannon. A bit careless, he should have been a lot

lower on the black so he could have stormed into the pack of reds.

That's why you could see him shaking his head. Very disappointed after

that opening red. You can see the angle, not fantastic. Needs a lot of

cue power. He needed power rather than the screw back. Very

unfortunate. It stopped him having a go at this left red to the corner.

He played in attacking safety shot -- an. I think when you play with so

much light on it, he just hit it too sick. That is why it careened into

the pink. Now he just has one shot into the left corner. If he can get

a Canada on the red, it it doesn't look as if it would go past. --

cannon. Well played. He needs to get going again.

He is having to cue ball cleaned because of the way he is going to

take this shot. He wanted to just roll in. It was John that opened all

the reds up, now he has to sit and see how many Ryan's going to knock

in. You just have to be careful here.

The reds are sort of in the way. If he pots the black into the

right-hand corner pocket... Just having a look, he's got to be quite

precise with this cue ball after potting the pink. The pink pots into

the right-hand corner pocket, that would be OK. If he could get nice

and straight on the red, he could run through to the black. He might

just squeeze it in to miss the reds below the pink. He couldn't miss

those, but he has negotiated a nice cannon on the red toehold for the

black -- to hold. Can't avoid cannoning the black.

Just has to be careful. That is not the way he wanted to cannon it. He

just stunned into the black rather than getting a bit of screw on it.

He could do with a colour safe, just as a bit of insurance. You might

think about cutting the green and coming back up to the reds. He wants

to leave the black tied up near the question. I think the only other

colour you could see is the green. There is nothing wrong with doubling

the green onto the side cushion, leaving it tight. He's had a good

think about it. Is he contemplating cutting the green in? It's a bit

risky, isn't it? It's amazing how players think completely

differently. He is trying to protect his lead. Maybe leaving the red on.

A police force your opponent into having a go. If he has a chance,

Lisa Green will be safe -- at least the green. Just a bit worried about

leaving this red on, difficult for Higgins to pot this.

Another red his flicked on to the question as a bit of insurance --

he's. -- cushion. Hasn't been a great deal of tactical play in this

match so far. Usually pretty good at this type of

shot. He hit that so hard. The only rate he could leave, he's left it.

One good angle on the blue. If John is already looking at the pink,

already looking at a few shots ahead... If not he could get on the

blue and then it cannon the pink and reds. Just enough room. That's what

John was looking out. Just moving back of a cushion. He could do with

a cue ball -- the cue ball near enough to where it is at the moment.

Faced with a tough pot to keep his comeback and this frame going. This

has to go in. Beautifully cued! Got a half chance now. Show you that

blue going right in the centre of that pocket. A couple of awkward

reds, but not a bad chance. It was so important to keep that green safe

from Ryan's point of view. Nothing pots into this left-hand corner

pocket. Just contemplating how he will go into the pink. Try and track

the loose red. Just a little flick would have been nice.

Red maybe up behind the brown, cueball.

Pretty good. A problem for Ryan Day. Moving into a possible position.

Managed to avoid the two reds. That was a terrific pot and they

deserve it kiss on the blue. Rather fortuitous and he deserved a bit of

good luck. This would be one against the head because Ryan Day was going

along very nicely and looked as if he was going to win the frame with

one visit. He will be looking for a nice angle, possibly blue or pink of

this red. Worrying about how he will get on with those two raids left of

his pink -- two reds. A bit of a bounce, is going hold up? A bit

straight on the blue and he cannot get on the reds from the blue. If

you can get behind the two reds he will have them into the same pocket.

Najim -- -- nudged in a think he is still OK.

That was a tremendous shot, he could not have cute that much better. --

cued. Yellow and green are both say. Gerry has an angle here if you chose

to move the dream. He cannot get nicely onto the yellow now. If he

can get behind the yellow when he is plotting this blue... It is the only

shot that is available to him. He needs to leave the cueball somewhere

in the vicinity of where the yellow is now. He needs to leave the

cueball somewhere where the yellow is an play the double. He has cued

at nicely. This could be the frame winner.

Pretty good effort from John Higgins considering where all the Reds were

when he came to the table, he is back in the frame. Earlier on, Ryan

Day played a safety shot and I'm back in the frame. Earlier on, Ryan

Day played a safety shot and sure he thought it was good but John Higgins

picked out a good shot. He missed that totally. The only saving grace

is that he has knocked the pink and it is not absolutely safe and that

the black is over the pocket. Not that the black is going to make any

difference. This is going to be difficult if he goes under pressure.

The blue does not go past the black so a quick look to the

scoreboard... He is going to need the brown, the blue and the pink. He

has plenty of cue power. He has a slight angle if he can force it

around. It was dead straight. This is a pretty good length with

the cueball. There is this blue pot. He has not

come out to have a look at it, he is coming around now. If he misses it,

the black. The blue from going anywhere. The White will be flying

around the table and may find it pocket. He has to be careful. He has

put so much side on that. They could be costly because if John can get in

behind the pink, the black is over the pocket. He has got an angle to

swing it around. Just near where his head is at the moment. That is where

he wants the cueball. This looks to be absolutely perfect. All the have

to do is just drop the pink in. He only needs the pink, so just roll

in. Very exciting frame of snooker. He

has managed to pinch it and he has extended his lead. A simple fact for

Ryan Day is that he needs at least one of the two remaining frames,

they will be back at 230 tomorrow to play the conclusion of this match.

A couple of raids he can go out. -- reds he has got to be careful here.

That is careless. He could have studied that a little bit longer, he

thought there was an easy and played it for a shot at nothing. He hit it

too thin and look at the chance he has left John Higgins. Probably

still reeling from losing that last frame as well. Seeing the ball and

not thinking. It was like a little Illya Chucky

played with that cannon. -- little billiard shot. People say that you

have two learn billiard before you can play snooker. Billiards are

still played at all the modern-day players would never play billiards.

Two whites and a red, a very skilful game.

John Higgins is a master pressing home his advantage. He just wants to

dish up these loose reds before he contemplates going into the red.

Just playing for the loose one, not ideally placed for those reds. In a

few shots time I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play up for

the blue to cannon into the bunch. Still to read is available, he can

to slide up past the pack and leave a choice of those two. -- still to

reds available. He has not hit it hard enough. There is such a margin

for error that. He is not happy with that one.

You just sense that he has taken control of this match. He knows the

importance of this frame as well. Every frame is important but he is

guaranteed at least three frame lead going into the session. You can

never win the match in the first session, but you can certainly lose

it. If John Higgins wins this frame from

this visit, it is a must win frame for Ryan Day. There is still a

possible comeback, 7-2 against a champion is not going to be easy.

Read on the cushion is just slightly hampering him here. He played it

well. As I mentioned earlier he has cued beautifully in this match. He

has missed some easy shots but that was just a lapse in concentration.

He has had two centuries. He is not pinging off the cushions the way the

other cushions were, 96% is high. He said the table was one of the worst

he had ever played on, and Stephen Hendry wanted to take a sledgehammer

to it. But they have put cushions on it and seemed to have solved the

problem. Those little shots are soft screw shots, a lovely shot to

watch. So skilful. It is not going to be easy but there

is enough there to make a century. You would have to get that. A

hat-trick of centuries there. What sort of angle? Canny move the red or

play behind that? -- can he. The little flick helped. He can put

this from here. He has already made two centuries so far this session

but he'll be happy with the 77 and now he goes into a 6-2 lead. He gets

the last frame of this session under way. A pretty good rake shot. --

break shot. It is a must win for way. A pretty good rake shot. --

break shot. It is a must win Ryan. He has hit that too thin and a

little bit too hard. He would still be way behind but he is in with a

shout. 7-2 is not going to be easy. Can John Higgins find the gap? He

did not get the gap. He has left himself with a bit of a tester. This

will test his killing. -- cueing. Great shot, super. It is this sort

of shot that I is practice. -- players practice. I used to practise

with John Higgins when he first turned professional. They would set

the type of shot up, only the other way around stop the long straight

pot. Stephen Hendry used to do that. They would play their all

their long and John Higgins was a practice partner of Stephen Hendry.

And Stephen Hendry was the reason that John Higgins got to be world

champion so quickly. No doubt he is one of the best

players that has ever graced the game. He has won this championship

four times. His all-round game and his temperament is top quality. He

is very good in every department. He is only behind in terms of break

building. He is as another -- he has added another couple of centuries to

his list. He has won four 7 is in tournament play as well. In fact one

of my very last matches before I retired was against John Higgins. He

never even made a maximum break in practice. I broke off and then he

knocked in his first maximum. That was my very last competitive frame.

Just before a big Stephen Hendry. -- I beat. I bet Stephen was pleased.

It is a lively crowd that because in nearly screwed that into the middle

pocket. The white almost dropped in. We will just show you the white

again, just watch the cue ball. A little bit too much screw and just

caught the little bit too much screw and just

caught jaw. He has got a good angle, not a good

pack to go into but he can do with just catching one of those reds to

bring a couple into play. He is a bit unlucky, he has got a long

straight great to go out. He could not have headed much better. --

heated. The one he is closest to go up into the corner pocket. That is a

lovely shot their, write down his cue, he has held for the pink. With

the exception of those few misses, it has been a masterclass from John

Higgins. Fantastic. From what I have seen since this

championship started on Saturday, this has probably been the best

performance from any player. Marco Fu was outstanding against Peter

Ebdon. He is going to have a lot to do in

the second session. He came back in one of the

qualifying matches from 95 down. -- 9-5. It is nice to see Alfie still

playing, he is a very talented player from London. Tremendous shot,

knocking the red of the cushion. He is going to need this pink and two

reds to make a century. Have a look at this shot again, lots of top

spin, after the cue ball slightly. We will see a number century from

John Higgins, just a couple of pots away. It is a thin one but I think

he can avoid the in off. It is not a natural to go in off the corner. He

doesn't want to finish tied on the cushion otherwise it will be a

tricky black. He will have to try and cut this in.

That is his third century. Look at that smile and John's face. He has

certainly waved his magic wand at the Crucible. He takes an overnight

lead over Ryan Day 7-2. If he could get this red to the left

of the pink, get a nice angle, I'm sure that's what he's thinking. I

know it's early and he wants to get back in the frame. If he plays the

shot you are talking about, with the two reds, he could be alongside the

blue. He could pot this red and release the only awkward red on the

table. He would want to play this red into the right-hand side cushion

first, before you go after the other two. The brown is in an awkward

position at the moment. 18 points behind. Plenty of points to play

with. He has landed perfectly on the blue to play for that red near the

right-hand cushion. I thought for a minute it was going to run a couple

of inches too far. But this is fine. The only awkward ball now is

the brown. Trying to avoid the middle pocket, I sure he'll do that

no problem. The cushion before the middle pocket. I think he's got

choices. Got very close to that middle. But it's come out absolutely

perfectly. One thing he didn't want to do is beyond this red in a

position where he had to avoid the cannon on the green. Just that

positional shot from green to brown, but that shouldn't be too difficult.

It's the only thing I can see stopping him. Just one point behind.

It means he will need up to and including the pink. It went inside

the pocket, that is why the cue ball has come so far. A bit of work to do

now with the cue ball to get the good position on the brown. That is

imperative. He's played that on the lower right-hand side. One good pot

in the brown, is he going to be hampered by the blue? No, he can cue

past it. Just over them a little bit. He pots the blue, 13 points

remaining. Still needs the pink. One question has a shot. Gotten to that

cue ball far too hard. Just a sniff of a chance. Well played! Very well

played. Keeping Ronnie O'Sullivan on his toes. Not a Reading when he was

trying to break them up -- knocked a red in. That's all they can do, take

it one frame at a time and keep potting balls. Very impressive. I

was watching days in his chair, he was breathing so deeply. Really

excited, he is coping with the pressure really well. -- Dave. He

needs to get back on an even keel. I was watching a bit of snooker a few

weeks ago. He has shown that deciding frame. He was as still as

anything, I would have been shaking and going everywhere. Not ideal on

the ground, you just wonder about how he will take it on. This match

has been all about half chances. And when you get them, taking them.

He's on the pink. Very fortunate. Just left the cue ball. A bit more

work to do. I thought this was no problem... He thought he hit that.

You never expect it to miss. Maybe just thinking too much about the

position, we see that happen all the time. You forget the pot. Lucky not

to have left anything easier than this. It wasn't easy.

APPLAUSE Did that well. Missed his first opportunity, I don't expect

him to miss this one. That could have been nice. Still on the red to

the left of the cue ball. The cue ball behind! I just got the feeling

was that the black, that they didn't have to go into the two reds. It was

sort of a hit and hope shot. Starting to fill it a little bit. --

feel. A tough shot to take on. Goes for it 100%. Wood, straight cueing

it needed. Just seemed to hit that one a bit harder than it has been --

good. Surely now a chance to win the frame from here. You are thankful

for shots like that at this level. Doesn't happen too many times.

We want more red. That would put this frame way beyond Dave Gilbert.

Didn't he cue that beautifully! I think there is a difference between

Ronnie now and a few years ago. He didn't let the brown affect him. A

few seasons ago, if he missed that, it would affect him for the rest of

the frame. I think he has learnt how to win matches. That is by not

letting anything get to you. I think he has learnt that you can do that.

It didn't matter about the yellow. Ronnie O'Sullivan one frame away

from a place in the second round. Leading by nine frames to six. Not

the best break of shot from Dave. Long pot success, 90%. That's very

good. He hadn't this one this morning until that one. It always

seems to be the way when somebody is in front. Dave Gilbert needs some

easy starters, Ronnie fortunate not to leave anything there. This isn't

the easiest return. Nice pot. Not the best safety shot.

I think it's worth it, the black is off its spot and is a big target.

Couldn't have hit it better. Absolutely plumb. Just has to be

careful if he's going to play this with the black to the same pocket. A

tough shot. He has to avoid the right middle. Well played -- plum.

Couldn't have played it better. Got all the reds now. It is all about

precise, positional play. He is looking for a red he can play to and

make the black available. He's found the gap. He is very

straight. You have to avoid the kiss on the black. I could not believe

that about 20 and the corner pocket. -- that that went in the

corner pocket. With the black available now into both corners,

this is a great opportunity. All you can do is just keep potting balls

and see what happens. It's a cliche, but one frame at a time. Try

and ignore the scoreboard. He has to try and get the snooker.

Striking the ball absolutely beautifully. Nice, tight control of

the cue ball. It didn't matter if he was on the wrong side of the blue,

because he had a red to play on quite comfortably. 59 points the

lead. Look at that, he's gone ahead in the number of balls potted. Just

this red and a colour, and the snooker will be required. It never

looked like missing. I think he's ranked in the 20s at the moment, I

think if he keeps progressing and playing like this, he will get even

better. I think the thing is, in all sports, it's just the consistency.

I've seen David play a few times, he is always consistent but then you

won't see him play for a season. He just disappears. Only needed one

snooker to tie. Still only one away from victory. Ronnie gets frame 17

under way. Just one frame away from victory. Ronnie will know that his

opponent is playing well. We's that cue ball Boeing? -- where's? --

going? The other side of the blue, he's

dead straight. Aiming for a red here. Unexpected out of that

pinpoint position. I'm surprised he didn't come down and play for the

black or the red. He wants to play for that red that's just above the

black. He's played that left-hand, and a

ton of right hand side is to get the black. I wonder what sort of

reaction he's going to get on this cue ball? Deciding to play it

gently. I thought he would have played that differently. He will be

looking to continue the break. He's not well in. You need to disturb

some more if you are going to win this visit. There it is. Snookers

will be needed, the match will be over. Going to have to bring reds

into play to get that amount of points.

Is this red to the right of the pink available? If it is, no problem. If

not, the other red is tricky. Made it look so simple. The writing is on

the ball. You just felt from that first shot that this was going to be

the time I think he should take great heart out of how he has played

in this match. He is definitely a top 16 player. No doubt about it. He

has all the ability in the world, just needs to do it more

consistently. Ronnie O'Sullivan is the last draw he wanted after

playing three difficult qualifying matches. He's not perfect, but he

only needs the red. Right in the middle of the pocket. Ronnie

O'Sullivan, always been a bit of a banana skin, this first-round match.

We seen a few go by the wayside. Not going to trip up Ronnie. I think is

average has been 14 seconds per shot. That is quick. Yesterday

afternoon it was very solid. A few funny shots. Very impressive. He

will be wishing they would all the best for the next tournament, Ronnie

was up to it! -- David. At the end of the day, Ronnie O'Sullivan

through to the second round. So, the Rocard is safely through to round

two. Thanks for watching, we will see you at ten o'clock.