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[Applause]
Technique world chion
[Applause]
John well good morning everybody welcome
back to the English Institute of sport
today snooker’s Arena of dreams and we
have fantastic drama ready to unfold
over the next 12 hours we’ve got one
former Champion two former
semi-finalists two potential debutants
and six nationalities on display and
once again we are joined by the darling
of Dublin Ken they were literally
queuing out onto the road this morning
there is such a buzz around this place
eight men already through to join the
top 16 in tomorrow morning’s draw live
on five live 8:45 don’t miss it and
another 8 spots up for grabs today is
going to be huge yeah absolutely some
great matches in store and the crowds
have you’ve been talking about they’ve
been here all week they really have
supported this event it’s got bigger and
better every single year and the
facilities as the players said yesterday
uh are fantastic you know and uh it’s
great to hear the players say say that
positive things but yeah the facilities
out there the tables are great conducive
to good breaks and good snooker and
that’s what we’ve been seeing all week
and today will be no different lots of
nerves lots of tension lots of drama and
lots of great snooker as well I totally
agree it feels like this is a ranking
event all of its own even though it’s
the leadup to The Crucible now where
were you yesterday you missed some
cracking matches here is the recap Jack
lasowski took on Matthew Stevens and the
jackpot was in very very good form
remember 17th in the world only just
failed to make it through automatically
but he’s in tomorrow morning’s draw so
to is Jack Jones excellent performance
from him Leo Chan has made it through as
well really good performance Steven
Maguire threw for a 20th Crucible
campaign only about a dozen players have
made it that many times onto the biggest
stage of all he was delighted to get
through three centuries on the way as
well Stuart Bingham back to his big
scoring best the champion from 15
survived a 73 nerveless match against
Carrington and did so yesterday Dominic
Dale will be back at the cruci bow for
the first time since his run to the
quarters 10 years ago and Robbie
Williams is back for the first time in
eight years he came through a Monumental
match and Ricky Wen semi-finalist from
2013 beat the battler from Hastings in a
tense decider Mark Davis misses out but
Warden is in the
draw it was brilliant yesterday Ken and
today promises to be even better and I
guess from a journalistic point of view
all eyes on Robertson against Jamie
Jones on table one front and center it’s
extraordinary when you think how much
Robo has won over the last few years
that he has to go through qualifying but
rankings don’t like
absolutely yeah I mean he’s had a over
the last probably year you know a very
very Lan time for his own standards very
very high standards there’s another good
match another great player as well the
same vaf but yeah Robertson and Jamie
Jon should be a cracker but there’s lots
of great cracking matches noton sangam
can he make a maximum today and maybe
get that prize of £
147,000 that would be quite Sensational
it really would and what a match that’s
going to be against Jackson pagee that’s
on the second page Scott Donald against
Ryan Day vafa against Jiang Jun he’s one
of two potential debutants and we’ve
never had a year without a debutant and
watch out C we against Wu Isen that’s
massive absolutely yeah and that is one
match I’m going to keep my eyes on
because two cracking players young
Chinese great prospects and not only for
today but also for the future potential
world champions those those two alone so
that’s going to be a cracking match we
mentioned Jackson pagee and nananan
they’re one all in their head-to-heads
Joo Conor surprisingly has never made it
to The Crucible he’s taking on Matthew S
trying to get back there for the fifth
time C Pang and Pang Junu so guaranteed
a Chinese representative at The Crucible
from those two and apparently this could
be Cup pang’s last ever match well not
though if he makes it through to The
Crucible where he last played 12 years
ago in 2012 and Xiao gong against Dave
Gilbert whoever could forget that
incredible semi-final that Gilbert lost
out just to to to to John Higgins by
just a single frame this has got the
makings of a great day yeah I mean I
think it’s more the same of yesterday
yesterday was great snooker great drama
lots of close matches and I think uh
today will be very diff uh very similar
uh but all always will be on table one
to see how Robertson copes against Jamie
Jones who has a good record and and has
being a bit of a joint killer in the
world championship and particularly at
The Crucible so a big big match there in
table one yes because although he’s
never beaten Neil Robertson he has
beaten Shawn Murphy twice at The
Crucible well Ken will be a assisted
guided no less by the big dawn of the
commentary box he’s in position we had
two points last night and then very
abstemiously we went to bed not together
uh he’s in the Box he’s ready to go he’s
going to be a brilliant 12 hours good
morning sir to the one and only Dave
henden thank you rob understated as ever
uh yes well what a day we’ve got what a
day as you say big crowds here big
expectation big matches this is tables 1
to four nil Robertson Jamie Jones on the
main table Ryan D SC Donaldson svi Jang
jeun and C Jo Wi
wuiz on tables 1 to
four and tables 5 to8 Jackson paage no
and senam chai Pang Pang xung Su Jo
Connor Matt selt and Jong and Dave Gil
but all dreaming all hoping to get to
The Crucible into the draw in the
morning let’s go to table one then a lot
of interest of course is nil Robertson I
mean the fact that he’s in the
qualifying seems bizarre but results
don’t lie points have come off points
haven’t gone back on and that’s why he
had to come to the qualifying for the
first time since 2006 very strong
performance against ZX shur three
centuries
102 and he said himself the arena
actually helps you know there’s a lot of
room around the table it feels like
you’re at a main venue and he’s a heavy
favorite here Ken but obviously this is
the match he’s got to get through yeah
and I think that’s important you know
and particularly for someone like Neil
Robertson who’s used to the big crowds
used to the big Arenas the fact that
this arena is designed uh you know so
nicely uh great room around the table as
you say it’s got the TV lights the table
which I played on myself is running
beautifully and uh yeah it’s not like
you know the old cubicle days you know
of of been in praten or up in the guilt
Hall even at times when we used to
qualify up there for the old for the
world championship it was a little bit
more cramped a little bit more compact
but now it’s it’s it’s almost like a
proper TV venue and uh yeah great
conditions and it’s great as I said to
Rob great to hear all the players
commend the conditions you know I’m
saying how well they how well they are
they’re nice and the tables are running
beautifully and uh yeah they’ve done a
great
job Jeremy Jones a tough opponent but it
is 7n to Robertson on the head to-head
and in fact one of those meetings was at
The Crucible 102 in 2015 so you know
that everything points to a Robertson
win apart from I guess just the pressure
of the match but as I say coped very
well with it in the previous
round as we start our coverage as ever
do get in contact you can tweet myself
Ken and Rob I’m Dave henden Ken is at
Ken doy 1997 Rob is at Rob Walker TV and
wil nukor at
wwst and we look forward to hearing
where you’re watching from and any
thoughts on today’s matches who you’d
like to come through who you’d like to
see draw each other as well we already
know eight qualifiers of course from
yesterday what sort of matchups you’d
like to see it will all be revealed well
this time to tomorrow we’ll know yeah
yeah Jack LC J Trump John Higgins St
Maguire friends reunited oh yes
absolutely has a chance at a possible
red here into the left corner
well that was
a long way away he felt it was worth
taking on because it was great value you
see where he left the Q ball didn’t
think he was going to be leaving
anything but of course that red coming
back into the Packers left the gap for a
red into the left
Center I think it’s important for Neil
Rob to you know forget sort
of you know everything that about coming
back to the qualifiers once he gets his
head around there because it it will be
a shock to the system no doubt you know
oh that looked like it rolled out the
way he was
gesturing and he’s left
it yeah it’s got to be the hard part uh
for Robertson is about it is psyche and
uh his mentality you know because coming
from the heights that he’s achieved and
listen Robertson is one of the best
players that’s ever played the
game so it’s a bit of a fall for him to
come back to these qualifiers so
mentally he has to get through
that yeah this is the round that
obviously is the pressure one
with 10 frames needed to reach The
Crucible or not be part of it when it
starts on Saturday it’s as simple as
that
Jamie Jones has played there five times
he was a quarter finest on his debut in
2012 he’s had some good wins there
actually quite a sort of combative
character around the table like watching
him eight obviously queuing right under
that left
eye
[Applause]
Y and what an opportunity you know to
sell down into the match here for Jamie
Jones Robertson well he be very
disappointed missing that red into the
middle felt like it sort of rolled a
little bit towards that far bump but
yeah wonderful opportunity here for
Jamie
Jones it’s very important when you’ve
had such a bad record as he does against
his opponent there Robertson that you
really want a good start a good fast
start here for Jamie Jones just to give
him a little bit of conf confidence put
his opponent under a little bit of
pressure and to try and win frames from
situations like this in one visit very
very
[Applause]
important but we want to keep across
because all the action for you so we
can just drop in on what could be the
first frame to finish this morning this
is tab Lake Dave Gilbert former
semi-finalist he’s up against ja gong
quite a diff difficult one to call this
I think but he played well against David
Lily 104 in the last round at Gilbert
and uh just looking to to settle in and
make a nice break in frame
one Gilbert has played at the cruci ball
nine
times yeah I like watching Dave Gilbert
play lovely kst
just nice free flow on
action oh well is that not commentator’s
course I don’t know what
is a little click of the fingers as he
goes back to his seat as I say that’s
just a chance to settle but
disappointing
Miss he certainly hasn’t left anything
easy here I mean this red it does cut
into the bottom right corner pocket
but Q Ball’s going to be traveling a
pace not able
to control it maybe have to play it off
maybe three cushions for a ball
Coler two three as he he got to stop
short at the B line yeah he’s done well
there good
shot played three times at the Cruis not
since 2018 actually so six years since
Shong last stepped out there we saw we
had a chat in with with Dominic last
night after his match and he was he was
buzzing wasn’t he to be back there after
10 years oh what have a doubt yeah and
what a great story it is I mean 52y old
Great Character domic very eccentric of
course but yeah still a wonderful
character and a wonderful player still
playing to a very high standard into his
50s and uh yeah it’s going to be a great
story for
him Joong hoping that red just below the
pink pots into the left
[Applause]
corner and of course you can play for
blue here just stun into the pink open
the pink and that red just to the left
of the red that he’s going to
play and then all of a sudden well this
could be a wonderful chance of a steal
[Applause]
f
now if he’s got the angle he can just
stun either behind this red or play it
for the left middle so into the corner
or left middle whichever he prefers play
it for the corner he’s
okay and that red that’s close to the
left hand side cushion there’s plenty of
room behind that
so it won’t be too bothered about
that May’s a Miss from Dave Gilbert
and good chance for good long
here yeah he’s got a very steady style
he doesn’t rush into shots he doesn’t
sort of he’s not an emotional sort of
player but he’s very effective he’s had
a maximum in competition and twice
runner up in a ranking event including
the Shanghai
Masters yeah he’s very steady Disney and
and uh but he’s a very straight qist
just watch his back arm here look how
straight it is onto the
Q nice setup very simple
economical Q action
play that
nicely now the key one po this red get a
nice angle on pink or
black try and get in behind the red it’s
close to that left hand side cushion
I think black had favor here because
he’s got more options with the black
with the
pink only play it into the bottom left
corner so anywhere between the cushion
and the red would be good with the Q
ball
oh that’s just
amazing an inch or two shorter an inch
or two farther and it was perfect that’s
possibly the worst place he could have
landed still has a pot to the right
center but certainly missable now and
not guaranteed
to be on a
color think we just stay with this Dave
will we and see if he just pots this red
if he pots this this red I think he’ll
he go on and win the
frame not to
be so Gilbert 21 in front reliev to have
another chance to put the frame away
a lot of interest of course on Neil
Robertson we’ll be back with this match
shortly but Jamie Jones he didn’t win
the frame at the first chance when
Robertson missed that red to the middle
but he got back in and this is a strong
start from the Welshman he’s going to
win this opening frame he wants to take
the game to Robertson today a lot of
talk about his opponent he wants to get
to the cruise bow on his own terms of
course
61 yeah and he’s a he’s a confident sort
of player isn’t he confident in his own
ability believes himself that’s half the
battle playing any
sport I’m not afraid of taking on the
big the big names on the big
stage we saw that with some of his
performances at The
Crucible 67
okay well it’s going to be one nil I can
tell you Dave Gilbert’s won that frame
we were watching as well let’s try and
get as much action in as possible table
five is no and senom Jackson pagee no
and Sen the maximum man of course from
the last round brilliant stuff of course
he makes another one he gets the 147,000
bonus he’s up here against Jackson page
and well yeah not ideal on this still
needs brown and blue yeah just left that
QQ ball a bit short
now even if he pots this brown he’s got
to be careful Q Ball racing around the
table got to be careful to the right
center pocket
here quick glance of the score he’s 13
points in the
lead needs this blue
good shot right in the middle of the
pocket and a straightforward pink to
follow and up on sangham made that
magnificent 147 in the last round has
won the first
frame well yeah let’s
uh while we start our coverage look back
on this these these were the closing
moments of the maximum he seem to
control things really well the pink Neil
F always makes the point he’s never on
it spot in a 147 it’s always something
to sort of think about but he’s very
cool character isn’t he very calm and uh
well just a lovely bloke actually yeah
lovely guy very humble always smiling
and that was a lovely shot wasn’t not on
the brown I mean he’s perfect on the
blue just to hold it for the pink nice
on the Pink as
well stretch a little bit but being a
right-hander it’s okay it’s on his good
side
14 oh he just want to be nice on the
black not bringing up any memories Ken
for you but it’s actually a very similar
black to the one I missed you know he’s
got a bridge off the cushion yeah and he
played it the way I played it which is
possibly the wrong way but he he got it
I missed it and he got it wonderful what
a great occasion for him yeah look at
lovely lovely guy I think everybody’s
pleased for him all right day here last
year against Scott Donaldson made a 146
and of course Scott sadly was not
feeling well at four nearly retired ill
they were meeting
again Ryan day is a real stwart of The
Crucible he’s played there 14 times
three quarterfinals to his name 18 in
the world he can actually get back in
the top 16 even though he’s not at the
best of Seasons really just the vages of
the points coming on and off he’s not
many points coming off so if he
qualifies he could actually get himself
back in the
16 as you can can see he 10 points in
front in frame
one it doesn’t like the angle on that
brown so
maybe can’t get close to these two Reds
might have to play the red from distance
just make sure the brown leave a long
red
he’s another player in the molden and we
saw some yesterday the likes of Dominic
and Ricky Walen really established
players very accomplished tourament
winners experience to play at the Cruis
bow Stuart Bingham dangerous basically
is what I’m saying if they
qualify C that nicely didn’t he nice
angle on the black as well yeah
completely agree cuz he’s got
experience you see this look at how well
he queed
this stay nice and still Q went through
a lovely straight
line so 22 points so still a little bit
of work to do he’s straight on this red
he’s going to have
to like might screw it in up for the
blue now just tried to make sure of it
41 so left himself the reason I thought
he play for the blue is the blue would
have been easier but this a little
tester
particularly sort of for frame
ball oh just wriggled in but in
nonetheless and good pot from Ryan
Day Scott Thon needs a
snooker yeah so one snooker needy and uh
we’ll let you know how Scott gets on
he’s going to be in one actually as he
comes to the table so not going to be
easy but let’s go to Joo Conor and Matt
selt now Conor made an 88 break in frame
one of course he is looking to play at
the cruise bow for the first time
there’s only him and Jiang xun who could
be debutants now all four potentials
lost
yesterday mat selt has uh a few
crucibles under his
belt four in
fact but it would be massive for Joe Aon
man maxam of course this season in the
Championship League the 200th in snooker
history he’s been in a ranking final of
course the Scottish open last season
lost to Gary
Wilson yeah very steady
a accomplished
player Joe Connor very methodical takes
his
time no good didn’t like that pink too
straight on it I don’t think he’s left
anything but Miss Pink another
nonetheless and a missed chance
[Applause]
okay well a bit of a false Dawn in that
frame for Joe but uh we’ll see plenty of
this match as the day goes on let’s go
back to table one though Jamie Jones
very strong
start he knows as I say a lot of the
focus he’s kind of on his opponent he
doesn’t care about that he’s here to do
a job himself he had a 79 break in the
end in that frame thanks for the
messages we had so far by the
way just going through them here we’ve
got Ryan Brennan says he’s got these
earphones in listening while working and
that’s in inverted
commas Robo getting through to face
Trump or
Ronnie and uh Maguire against hi and C
all we against brael that’ll be a
rematch they’ be the dream first round
matchups he says Kelly Barker been
watching in the office since last week
working hard until 11: this morning but
now winding down with the snooker it’s
the way to do it winding down at 11:00
in the morning wow down is the L Daniel
doing some University work and watching
the qualifying looking forward to some
close
games we’ve got Ryan in uh slightly
murky doish in Devon interested in Ryan
Day Scott dson we just seen the end of
that frame of course or actually Scott’s
playing on for
Snookers there’s one Martin Elliot all
the way in Manila in the Philippines
enjoying the snooker Martin Elliott
there
and Derby 1999 watching from anry in
Liverpool brilant I hope he’s not still
uh waiting for his horse to come in is
he it ain’t going to win now Johnny
Wyatt in eastborn in East sus we’ love
to see CJ we do
well great Q action have a great day
thank you Johnny thank you to you all
and we’ll keep across the messages but
CJ we’s lost the first frame to w we
will see some action from that one in
due course
CH Pang has won the first frame against
Pang Jung
Su and Jang Jan has won the opener
against as Veri that’s a very
interesting one not a lot he’s obviously
known about him really new professional
just
18 not been past the last 64 of a
ranking event until getting to this
stage of the world championship but all
of that makes him dangerous really but
of an unknown
quantity H to be a heavy favorite there
but there’s no certainties the world
championship qualifies
and as we watch Jamie Jones PRS around
the table he sort of bounces around
doesn’t
he pffs his chest out when he plays and
he’s one of these confidence players
though you know he could get on a little
roll good another a good chance here for
frame winning
break and this what he needed to do
just to let his opponent
know now the attention is all on you but
I get me chance I’m going to take it so
beware not afraid of the big names Jamie
Jones got to be careful though that’s a
big waste
coat particularly the back of it there’s
some flaps on that isn’t there hey
I’ve seen Ro there airplanes with
smaller flaps than the back of that
wayco well it kind of always looks
really determined he’s got a great one
of these with a great March around the
table Jamie but already he’s looking
confident here 79 in the first great
chance to go 2N up
got into that a little bit that key
ball yeah still
okay from a hot bed of course in Neath
in South Wales went to the same school
as two of the players Michael White and
Daniel
Wells yeah they like the Three
Musketeers those Lads aren’t they they
always around with each other at
tournaments lovely Lads lovely part
actually NE played there in another
exhibition
ah lovely spot played with Daniel Wells
and nice little
town hot better snooker love their
snooker down there so
Wales Don is watching in Belfast he says
I’m a massive snooker fan my birthday’s
on Saturday can I get a mention well
consider consider it done happy birthday
Don you can get a mansion but you can’t
get a ticket we can’t even get tickets
coming down
this time the Q ball has just
ran a little bit too far he’s
mispositioned so good safety shot 44o
lead happy birthday d by the
way jimy the running mushroom the
running mushroom was watching from
Germany people all over the world as far
as where it was the soul yesterday Korea
New Zealand Charlotte Illinois in
America South Africa yeah and I’m sure
there’ll be plenty watching in China as
well and this is an all Chinese Affair C
we semi-finalist to course last year
will yiza who qualified lost to nil
Robertson actually and he’s very highly
rated and he’s won the first and he’s in
in the
second just slightly lost his way though
as we pick it up 4 yeah a little Shake
of the head he played Neil Robertson who
in two of the last three frames made two
14 sixes against him Welcome to The
Crucible but he’s much uh he’s improving
all the time he got to the semis of the
wien open this season yeah
really good young Prospect plays up in
dinging we Academy I see him up there
daily with his
father
diligent practicer on the tables up
there oh he’s over cut that is he oh
well good shot two for the price of
one now a little tester blue up to the
green pocket but if it goes in that’s
2-0
these are two wonderful prospects these
two players look at that how well he cue
that but yeah of of all the Chinese the
young Chinese players coming through now
I think these two Lads here are possibly
55 The Pick of the
bunch one from Victoria Academy that’s
CJ and of course we use it from ding we
Academy got and Jang as well a little
bit older but these are what age would
these be 80 and 19 though well will is
20 21 but you know it’s it’s a good age
to be isn’t it because you can still
improve I remember Alan mcmanis played
woa when woo I think might have been a
wild card he was only would have been
about 16 and Allan said he’s a player he
could see it in him
yeah yeah he’s definitely a player
and of course well how well did CJ Wei
play in the world championship last year
so close to getting to the final 154
ahead of Luca
brel look at that for a shot beautiful
61 forced it in of two cushion perfect
on the
red
62 yeah great
start still needs blue and one more red
to take a two-nil
lead another lovely positional shot
67 okay so Snookers required but I don’t
think C is going to get the chance to
play for them it’s going to be 2-0 and a
fast start from wuiz of course there’s
another very interesting Chinese player
in action Jiang xan he’s just 18 first
season Pro 111 in the world he’s won the
first against aain Veri and he’s got a
chance here Ken already for
2-0 he’s come all the way from round one
yeah
amazing nice young lad lovely Q
action playing without any fear or even
acknowledgement of the occasion which is
so refreshing to see in a way you know
just absolutely loving it
loving the
challenge I’m sure there will be a
little bit of nerves there’s no doubt
but at the
moment well that one’s just gone
slightly
wrong what makes him dangerous okay he’s
not quite played that well but he’s got
no mental scars from the world
championship he’s got no Crucible scars
no losing in the final round three times
nothing like that so he’s just it’s kind
of not quite a free hit but he’s not the
same as some of the other guys yeah it’s
a good
point this is very dangerous very
dangerous shot to take on
here yeah was it worth it as he got
cover he might have got cover with the
blue you know no he has been very
fortunate he couldn’t quite accept the
fact he’ lost position but of course
he’s a young guy and they tend to go for
their
shots well let’s we want to see as many
matches as possible so uh we’re going to
just drop in on another all Chinese
Affair Pang jangu and Cha Yu Pang now CH
ping he’s One n up and close to 2 N in
fact we it he just needs this blue to
get to the snooker required stage he
hasn’t played at The Crucible since 2012
in fact he’s only played there once so
for sorry 12
years the biggest gap between first and
second appearances is 13 years Jamie
berett and Barry
pinches and the Rob Walker was alluding
to the suggestions this is actually
going to be his last event sort of
thinking of packing it in well we’ll see
how he might that might change if he
gets on a run at The Crucible yeah to
him about that actually he’s thinking of
uh you know moving back to China be with
his family and of course play on the the
pool circuit Chinese pool circuit that
Mark Williams spoke about
Manchester couple of weeks ago it’s
becoming very
lucrative lots of big tournaments lots
of money and of course the fact you can
understand it can’t you because he be
close to his friends and family I think
he’s got a young family yeah so that’s
important well 57 in front and that hang
is
conceded I can tell you wo is have made
a 131 against C Joi so looking good this
is table five n and Sen we saw one won
that first frame but the next one frame
two in the balance against Jackson P
page 22 in
front as we pick it up here he’s on a
break of
29 and has just potted a red
so yeah well that’s that’s the
difference really didn’t try anything
sort of bold there as closed the
shop rather than sort of trying an
exhibition Brown to get on the
red whereas we saw of course young Jang
Jun pushed the boat out a little
although he’s back in actually in that
[Applause]
frame Jackson paage we saw the world
open get to the semis lost out to Jud
Trump but that was his best run and that
was because recently best run in a
ranking event just a few weeks
ago oh now this will be a free
ball so sensible safety shot is giving
him this chance he’s 27 in
front so if you potted blue and black
it’d be 35 in front with 35 on Blue
obviously counts as a red
so that’s what he’s thinking pop the
black and sangam can only
tie yeah small Target this red
though and once
again yeah because of it was so
difficult to get to the red he just
played for the red to lay another
snooker behind the brown
[Applause]
got to hit
it and he’s gone around the back of it
so it’s looking like it’s going to be
one each
here Neil Robertson is uh in in on the
in frame two on table one it’s a free
ball actually here so he’s looking like
PA’s
frame so let’s go back to table
one here is Neil Robertson it’s not an
easy table this obviously but he got
himself back into the frame Jamie Jones
broke down as we saw earlier
well Neil Robertson of course he already
come through a match he’s always
interested to listen to Great talker and
he was talking to Rob about uh well
about events that have led him
here look at the TS I missed like
because obviously I had the PLAYERS
Championship two championship all the
winners points all coming off um you
know but if you look at the you know
I’ve missed too many events I’ve missed
the Grand Prix players champs two champs
this season the two last you know so in
you rack up a couple other tournaments
I’ve missed through illness and whatever
you know getting up towards like 10 plus
ranking events I’ve missed last two
season you can’t really do that you
can’t afford to do that so um you know
that that’s next season I don’t want to
miss anything if I can help
it just while we watch this Frame a few
more messages Derek’s in
Vietnam he says if Robertson loses will
he be the best player not to make it to
The Crucible well he’d be it’d be a
shock I
guess uh yeah probably be after me I
suppose
yeah I he joking Richard pu says I’m
enjoying the coverage this undoubtedly
will be the toughest set of qualifiers
ever world champions ranking event
winners and young
talent What’s the record for the first
round qualify winners at The Crucible
perhaps the 6 might challenge that I’ll
look that up in the almanac shortly
Richard yeah
I think there yeah there’s a lot to be
said well the standard is getting better
every year isn’t it you know
so it could be one of the
uh the hardest and toughest
draws in Judgment Day and the final day
the qualifying yeah so many good
players well this Frame is going to take
a while to resolve itself so let’s uh
get to table two Ryan down a big break
reminder they played last year and Scott
had to pull out after four frames but
within those four frames Ryan D had a
146 and again he’s bringing the big
stuff right away this for a
century yeah good stuff from Ryan Day
classy
player he’s just got a little sort of
glimpse of the crowds in there da look
they absolutely packed not a not a seat
available on those front
tables just while we watch this Jack is
watching in sunish lowestoft looking
forward to another exciting judgment D
bet on Jang Anda to win at a good price
yeah great interview with Dominic
yesterday lovely is back at The Crucible
he’s certainly a character you’re not
wrong there
Jackie and it’s good to see according to
Rob Walker that he’s back in love he has
a new Love and he’s making him play
better snooker how’s that we’re all
happy for Dominic
maybe his uh walk on music might be J
you remember
that is your D that would be a good walk
on music
[Music]
for
123 reminder the draw will be tomorrow
morning 8:45 UK time live on the BBC 5
live and the website you can 129
hopefully access Where You Are 136 for
Ryan Dave if this black goes in terrific
stuff so
2-n and it’s also 2-0 on table four Wu
yiza is already 31 in front here so he
made that terrific
131 and well what a start from him C Jo
we of course such a memorable qualifier
last year I mean arguably should have
been in the final but for that comeback
from Luka belli would have been can he
get back
there firstly he’s got to keep this man
away from the table yeah what a
blistering start for
mua two n up on 39 already this match is
not going to be slow that’s for
sure whatever
[Applause]
happens play for the the red just below
the pink there just wanted to be
straighter on it may have to go into the
pink could take this other red into the
bottom corner but doesn’t want to get
the rest and extension out so he might
have to pot this red just play A little
nudge off the
pink back up for
blue ly Harris is watching from
Brookville oh
he’s heading to war soon he says and
we’ll be watching it from there all
these people have got great jobs haven’t
they I must say everybody we talking to
it are either watching it and work on
the laptops on the phones while working
great jobs he
have yeah let’s hope none of them are
sort of heart surgeons or anything
yeah I’m just going to go into the a put
a few stance in but just keep that
laptop there will you just it’s
33 I can’t believe he missed that red
hold on just get that stent in there
yeah do you mind holding that laptop on
your knees while I just cut you open
there yeah good luck you don’t
mind C Jo wi just been kept completely
cold in this match this is how your
dream is starting
just as you say that the Q ball has
drifted towards that
red and has come really
awkward he bridging over the red he it’s
very easily missed he’s got to be
careful here yeah it’s just a bit of
unnecessary sort of jeopardies injected
into this just as he looked certain to
win the frame
well if this red passes into this bottom
left hand corner
here no he’s coming back to look at this
s of red but this is very
missable dangerous
shot very dangerous shot
we
58 so good 58 break but could have been
a lot
better okay well we’ll pick this one up
in due course see if CJ we can get back
into it but uh lots happening all around
the tables we want to keep you across
this is table seven Jo Conor already W
up against Matt cell trying to book his
Crucible debut 41 in front in frame two
needing a couple of Reds here for
2-n quite a few meetings actually selts
3-1 up on their personal head-to-head
but this the biggest match they played
because of what it’s
in big screen is up in chudah square
just outside The Crucible in fact that
hopefully this is going out on it and
they’ll be showing the matches of course
throughout the championship they really
make an effort here in Sheffield I was
reading in the local paper actually this
morning about the local businesses all
saying they love the snooker of course
you know it’s basically a month now
where people come to the city and spend
money yeah absolutely well I’ve been
living here for the last couple of years
and yeah you can tell the the sense of
excitement um what snooker brings to the
city you
know people from all around the world
that brings a lot of money to the local
shops and businesses and restaurants
hotels are always full
restaurants even the local barber he
loves it
[Applause]
Taylor
Taylor hard to get a booking in there
when The Crucible is on dive I think
even you go in there now and again there
once every three years
yeah so he’s over the line here blw over
the pocket it’s going to be 2-0 to O
Conor but what about table one that’s
been seesaw frame that’s second and
Jamie Jones has his chance to go tunil
up
here and put Neil Robertson under some
early
pressure and even though he won quite
convincingly in his for round match n
Robinson against Zach shorty he started
off slow he won the first couple of
frames but he was edgy in those
frames don’t need that Zach show he
didn’t convert his
chances JY Jones
is looks like he’s going to convert his
and he’s putting Neil Robinson under
early pressure in this
match got a quick glance at the
score 16 points to the
good yellow will be a in it’s just part
of the red yellow or
green and then yellow and green again
14
big early moment I think this Frame was
in the balance Neil Robertson looking
to do what he’s so good at which is take
control of matches but he’s been unable
to do that Jamie Jones looking very
determined here he needs the green to
lead by 23 with 22 remaining and
effectively a two-nil lead
and there it is yeah good stuff very
good stuff from Jamie Jones so far
Robbie Watson watching him from Sunny
commentry he’s getting married this year
best of luck to you Robbie more
importantly best of luck to your
fiance as long as you’re not getting
married during the World Championship
that would be a school boy era wouldn’t
it have the laptop to G down the
oil well
it’s very early it’s best in 19 but a
little bit of concern for
Robertson just fact the picked up how
determined his opponent he’s looking
here Jamie Jones 2-0
28 well have a listen to this tweet
Jamie says my wife would love to know
Ken is your hair natural I mean how how
rude could you be
Jamie
34 he says I’m 33 and I’m already
growing well sorry to hear that Jamie
but
yeah what an
insult well meanwhile Jamie Jones just
cleared up nicely big crowd in watching
and
uh this was shy play to free this red
that was key to him winning the frame
that’s a great shot wasn’t it wonderful
[Applause]
shot now on Friday night here at the Cru
bow before begins there is a special
event inside the Cru ball
theater very special live editionuk
Club oh my goodness me hit the food into
the kangaro M from somewhere away I
shouldn’t be laughing why my laugh it’s
pretty horrendous and Snook that could
be prowling anywhere here looker
[Applause]
brael now this is table two Scott
donalson 2-n down to Ryan day but with a
chance here in frame
three he got donison 50 in the world he
has played a couple of times at The
Crucible but not since
2022 Big Joe Perry though in the last
round in fact he’s beaten Peter lons and
Joe Perry two very experienced
campaigners so that’ll serve him well
playing Ryan day of course he made a
century
already just I’ll run through the scores
actually while we watch this just
let you know what’s happening Jamie
Jones 2 upon nil Robertson 2-0 here
today over Donaldson 2-0 Jun over
Hussein V two- nil wuiz over cji one
each Jackson page and no senom 2 N chai
Pang over Pang jangu 2-0 Jo o Conor over
Matel and 2-n Dave Gilbert going 3-0
over xong
Dons just looking to get a foothold here
in this match after the the bad memories
of last year was a shame what
happened he’s from Perth in Scotland
although there was a tourament can’t
remember which one it was where he was
introduced to being from Perth Australia
which is a little further from
home bit of a difference there
here in mileage as well as the weather
I’m
sure 54
Brian’s watching in Malmo in
Sweden the highlight of judgment today
so far he says he was Dominic Dale’s
face when Rob Walker mentioned his
future
father-in-law yeah yeah yeah we also got
uh someone watching in
Luxembourg who uh plays in Rudy in
Luxembourg plays in some of the Belgian
events 61
67 that should be Scott on over the line
let’s just see this
pot and it goes so it’s going to be 2-1
and as I say he’s on the scoreboard and
feeling better about things Dave
Gilbert’s made a good start on table
eight against Shong he’s Tun Up and uh
as we join it here’s 51 in front with 51
on so just looking for one more red in
the yellow sa fish favors him as
well oh what a PO that is yeah lovely
shot
it looks to be playing pretty well as
has talked about his
lovely free flow and Q action da
Gilbert quite long
16
okay so it’s going to be 3-0 great start
for
Gilbert and framing the balance here
Jackson paage and KN and senom on table
five one each in the match senom with
the chance to go
2-1 a chance to take this red out as
well while potting this red knock the
red over the middle pocket
oh we tried
it be disappointed actually because that
was a really good opportunity he has an
opportunity with the pink now but bit
more
difficult oh this is a great effort this
is a brilliant shot what a shot
oh that was just
quality beautiful touch lovely
pace and now should win the frame from
that and it’s
worth deserves probably to win the frame
from playing a shot like that was
beautiful yeah we don’t do the Hot Shots
here but that might have been on the
real just thinking about Dominic’s walk
on music what about John Paul young
lovers in the air right
that came in from Ryan rydale who’s
watching
yeah great karaoke song that love us in
the
air Dominic is quite an accomplished
singer as well he loves the L CHS
doesn’t he he certainly does bit of
Elvis He was like he was like his own
juke box at the shootout every interview
we did was a new
song I asked him once did he like Elvis
he says
uhhuh he’s here all week
folks yeah so senam over the line here
2-1 but Neil Robertson in early trouble
as we saw 2-0 down he is in first in
frame three here against Jamie Jones
just looking to impose himself a little
on this match made three centuries
beating Zach sh
102 although he did start a little slow
in that one but let’s see there’s plenty
of time of course and he can use his
experience it’s worth saying though at
this early juncture the last time he
missed out on The Crucible was back in
2004 so it’s been 20 years he’s been
there every year since mostly as a seed
of course first time in qualifying since
2006 and of course for so many of those
years he’s been one of the two or three
favorites of course 2010
Champion hasn’t been in the one table
setup for a decade
though right now he just wants to be in
the two table
setup yeah and I think that’s what I was
talking about earlier once he gets his
head around that you know because it is
a bit of a culture shock coming back to
the qualif fors for someone who’s been
so most successful as Robertson hasn’t
50 as I said and I don’t say it likely
one of the best players that’s ever
played the
game and a lot of boys of the top 16
will be watching today as well they they
want to see does he get through because
he’s definitely one
that they’ll want to
avoid in the draw if he
does but he’s going to have to come
through a tough match against Jamie
Jones
that’s it if he qualifies he’s the
number one player you want to avoid
clearly but he’s got to get through
first this is his own sort of Battle
Before the main event on
Saturday he was talking positively about
his game he just reached the semis of
the World open in fact probably should
have got to the final lost out to
ding pretty uproar scenes there ding was
sced off by uh swap team police swap
team because the crowd was so jubilant
at his
victory worth saying mentioning ding of
course when he had to qualify in 2016 he
got to the
final 23
nice tweet from the the Mariners down in
tqu says great coverage list in from the
English Riviera and Devon I’m looking
forward to seeing the draw
[Applause]
tomorrow yeah keep the tweets coming in
great to hear from wherever you are in
the world what you’re
doing whether you’re in work or you’re
dussing or sking off or where you’re
watching it you’re found your laptops 29
TVs YouTube Facebook Discovery and match
room isn’t it there y all the
platforms there you see look at that
lovely crowds great atmosphere great for
the players as well I think that’s
important you know that you know these
people are Avid snooker fans but they’re
coming out to watch quality snooker 12
for the whole day both sessions Great
Value but it’s important
important not only for the fans but for
the players you know there’s a great
atmosphere it’s a great sense of
occasion this judgment day and it’s
great to have crowds here you know well
Robertson disappointed I guess to lose
position but just
uh safety and to have to be patient
well we’ll just leave this one for now
and go over to Table Six which is a
close frame cha Pang two up on Pang
jangu Pang made his debut at The
Crucible last year played Rono Sullivan
on day one and actually after a slow
start Play well in the evening session
only lost
107 25 in and he’s going to get a chance
at this yellow which of course is all he
needs to win his first
frame just looking at the scores put him
27 in front with 25
on yeah nicely played and he’s on the
Green so just settle him into the match
just winning a
frame it’s all you’re really looking to
do early on is just to get
involved of course he did reach a
ranking final last year the wst classic
in Leicester lost to Mark Selby not a
televised event it was streamed but it
was put on to replace the Turkish
Masters yeah you look at his hand as
Bridge hand it’s very very similar I
mean he plays ding is a good friend of
his and he helps him out quite a bit
we’ll just have a look at Pang Jong
xu’s Bridge hand might not see it here
on on the rail but maybe see it when he
plays the pink very very similar to ding
very similar style not as sort of free
flowing with his Q action a little bit
more methodical than thinging but just
watch his Bridge hand and his finger
particularly now off the rail again just
a minute I mention ITR two rail shots I
mean how’s my
farm we’ll have to come back to that
one yeah so 2-1 he’s on the scoreboard
and there’ll be plenty more chances to
observe him as the day goes on Dave
Gilbert’s made a blistering start look
at this 3-0 and in for 4-0 against
Shong they Gilbert looking to book a a
10th appearance at The
Crucible just looking to
press on here interval coming up doesn’t
want to open the door give jagong a bit
of confidence going to the break give
him things to think about instead just
looking
for nice positional shot here wow really
got some action onto the
white yeah t might actually work out
even better he’s trying to split up the
Reds but he’s got close enough to this
red left hand side of the table that he
could have a go it up into the green
he’s just having a look to see is there
anything that he’s going to be leaving
should he take this red on I think the
only red he could leave is is the one
he’s he’s
playing this goes
in at the moment he’s knocking in
everything but tough shot this looks
wide but he’s played it just have a look
how he’s played it very
cleverly getting the cover should he
miss and that’s exactly what he’s got
unless there’s a gap don’t tell me
there’s a gap between the green and the
blue I know JV says there’s always a gap
but at this
time well he’s having a good look at
it sure he can’t get through blue and
green can
he maybe not to pot
it yeah just to play safe oh it’s going
close to the
middle oh he’s unlucky there it’s a good
shot
tell no sangam he just had four Reds
four blacks early on against Jackson P
broke down though obviously if he makes
another maximum he gets the the massive
bonus the
147,000 so Dave Gilbert not 40 up yet
but a good lead there now Neil Robertson
just looking to win his first frame and
here he is ahead in frame three against
Jamie Jones not too much more to do 46
in front 59
on
19 so red and the black
here just checking that on the scores
red and black would leave jamy Jones
there needing a
snooker oh but but here Robertson well
have you ever seen Neil Robertson Miss
such an easy red I mean he’s complaining
to himself he’s gesturing like it’s
rolled off but
can’t all TN off this never looked into
me there always to that
jaw oh man what a chance he’s missed
there okay he’s still got a lot of work
to do Jamie Jones but he’d be just
delighted to get back into the chair and
to see his opponent Miss shots like that
well that’ll only give him
confidence and eat away at that man’s
confidence as well that will really
annoy
him yeah just needed red and black
unbelievable I mean why don’t you just
stun it
in like if you only need the red and
black just stun it in take the if there
is a possible roll off take it out of
the equation you know that they’re
simple straightforward things that you
would teach any sort of young snooker
player never mind someone of his
experience but he can’t take advantage
of
it Jam that’s a let off massive yeah
that could have been a big blow to land
but he’s not Landed It
Robertson just needs to take a breath
here and it should be
2-1 well we’re still on the topic of
Dominic D walker music as Rob Walker
joins us in the in the studio having a
look at the sneaker but uh walk on music
for Dominic Dale somebody shouted in um
say la in you it says he love from be
witch that could be a good
one be in the L Us in the air yeah what
at this rate there’ll be an album
released of Dominic’s Wong songs might
be a double
anyway Neil Robertson has got more
serious things to think about right now
and he can forget about the ready Miss
because it doesn’t look like it’s going
to cost
Hime I said Jam what about Jam you
remember that song years ago Dominic
Dale Nows that I’m sure he probably
knows the words of it as well probably
he could he could probably sing
it so that black should get him over the
line but it’s been a difficult start
Jamie Jones ruin a serious chance there
to really twist the knife in this
match
[Applause]
n
yeah well that should be enough I think
Jamie Jones will play on for Snookers
but well in fact he hasn’t you can see
so 47 in it 35 on it concs nil Robertson
he wasn’t clean by any means but he has
won his first frame we’re still very
early on in all of these matches of
course a lot of drama still to come
remember they play nine frames and then
they’re back at 5:00 this evening to
play to a finish you can see the pat
crowd here as Rob said they’ve been
queuing up outside the English Institute
of sport here in Sheffield for quite a
while before the doors opened not
wanting to miss any of the action and
there’s plenty of action to keep across
it looks by the way like Gil but is
going to go for up we saw him aheading
that frame and he looks like he’s about
to get over the line so great start for
him we’ve got no and senar two one up as
we saw against Jackson page W is a 3-0
over C we Jiang jeun 2- nil over Hussein
vfi but as I say we are in the early
stages of these matches but now let’s go
back to the studio and join
Rob thanks very much Dave before we get
into some analysis Ken you’ve just
thought of another Dominic Dale
me vle Vu V Vu
[Music]
Vu we’ll park that one for now uh Ken
it’s great to see you on such top form
it’s just is an exciting day and it’s a
a privilege and a pleasure to be here
now back onto the snooker and I know
you’re not allowed to have favorites and
so on but in some ways I’d love to see
Dave Gilbert uh back at The Crucible you
know he when he plays well he’s
absolutely irresistible to watch and
what a start he’s made in this match
yeah good start he’s scening up possibly
going looks like going forn up yeah but
just want to have a look at his Q action
Rob now watch on the take back now you
see he’s very unusual to other players
watch how far the que goes back it comes
all the way back to sort of the the
grill between his thumb and his and his
uh index finger and it’s very very
unusual which means you got to be so
accurate because the queue is coming
back a long way and it’s also gone
forward forward a long way now if normal
players they’d only sort of bring it
back a little bit but he brings it all
the way the tip almost comes back to
here which is very very unusual but very
effective he’s got a lovely free flowing
style he had worked uh with Steve FY I’m
not quite sure where he still working
with him yet so he has used this sort of
sight R method and I think over the last
few years and we saw how well he played
in the in that semi-final that you
mentioned against John Higgins just
losing out by the odd frame but yeah
when he gets on a roll very quick score
beautiful to watch watch really good Q
action very steady on the shot as well
very important and uh yeah very
effective but very unusual well and and
he and that’s one of the reasons why
he’s brilliant to watch he can be very
hard on himself and he can seem to
implode a little bit when when things go
wrong but he is absolutely in the groove
at the moment now a beautiful shot to
bring you here noon Sanam with the rest
I think Jackson paage and no on Sanam
has got the makings of a match that
could go all the way and this was a
moment of perfection from the Thailand
player was yeah lovely shot with the
rest I mean he he tried to knock out the
red with a red but just have a look at
this and it’s not only getting the red
out but just look at how delicate it was
the pace was absolutely perfect the
connection on the red was perfect and
perfectly played to leave the red into
the middle and go on and win the frame
from that position but yeah wonderful if
that was if we had a Hot Shots
compilation that would be right up there
with one of them well and he’s putting
himself in the conversation I know uh
you know sha Murphy and Karen Wilson
always talk you know they trade a bit
banter about who’s best with the rest
that shot from knom was was pretty
special now just before we head back to
to Dave what a missed opportunity for
Jamie Jones when Neil broke down on that
red Jamie had a great chance and that
would have hurt to go three and yeah
absolutely a wonderful chance and these
are the chances that you know when he
sees Neil Robertson sort of chering T
what the what was the red in the first
frame and he’s taught that red rolled
off as well but to be honest Neil looks
a little bit edgy you know and Jamie
should pick up on that he should sense
that and that was a wonderful
opportunity but he missed an easy red
didn’t he you know and he started
kicking himself and Robinson came in and
it’s now 2-1 but yeah interesting sort
of uh little sort of body languages
between the both players already early
in that and there’s a lot of nerves out
there a lot of tension and even the
great players which Robertson is uh he
he’s feeling a little bit of tension out
there at the moment huge prize on the
line eight men will be joining 24
currently in tomorrow morning morning
draw back to you Dave oh yeah we’re just
going to Table Six CU Chie Pang was on a
maximum while you were chatting but he
can’t stay on the black so we’re not
going to see another 147 here but he
just wants to win the frame of
course and he’s a couple of balls from
doing
that well he’s going to play the Black
actually he is going to play the Black
so he’s going for the maximum he’s not
won the frame
yet he’s obviously said his stall out
here he wants the 147
and didn’t goes the black but he’s lost
the white looking for a
cannon surely that’s the end of it now
unless he can fashion some sort of plant
here well I’m just looking at Two Reds
there da have are a plant into or can he
make the plant he’s having a look at it
now he just wanted to clip that red just
he didn’t need to hold the QQ ball now
he’s looking at the plant
I mean a lot of players would have sort
of maybe played for the blue there and
just to make sure and try and get
another red make sure the frame but if
he takes this plant on it’s very
dangerous but maybe his mindset is if
this is his last match or possibly
unless he qualifies that you know he’s
going to he’s going to go for the
maximum so a different sort of uh
philosophical approach
well he’s determined to try and keep
this going so here we go he hasn’t won
the frame yet there’s still 75
on yeah so as I say he hasn’t won the
frame yet but we saw what was in his
mind there
oh it’s just a crazy shot to take on I
tell you what he might r
that yeah now see his Bridge hand there
he see the way is sort
of four four finger and index finger
just slightly raised I mean when you
watch ding J we play it’s very very
similar his index finger is slightly
raised off the bay and he does a very
similar thing there you see it
look as I said he plays in ding we’s
Academy he’s very close to ding thing oh
well can you believe it oh ooh not a
happy chappie yeah does need Snookers In
fairness but a little bit of uh
frustration boiling up so 3-1 to Chai
ping at the interval
so Neil Robertson’s on the
scoreboard let’s see the early throws
here of this next frame let’s just see
if winning that frame settle settles him
down it took a bit of winning let’s be
honest n
16
he’s got to play this with the
rest maybe if he has small little
extension he might be reaching is quite
a
tall quite a tall person well over 6
foot so not too
bad and nicely controls 17 very nice
nicely on the
black just run through the scores while
we watch this as we two on here to Jones
two-nil to Ryan day and Snook is
required sorry 2-1 to Ryan Day against
Scott Donaldson snook is required by
Donaldson so it’s looking like 3-1 still
two nil Jang xun has for five which we
will get to shortly W is a 3-0 up on C
Joi no senam 31 upon Jackson page chai
Pang as we know 3-1 upon Pang Junu Jo
Conor 3-0 up on Matt SEL Dave skill but
did win that fourth FR four on Jia
[Applause]
gong well let’s have a look at table
three because Jang xan a real surprise
package he’s come through from round one
be amama am sakosh fangen course a
ranking event winner Sam craigy and here
he is against Hussein V one of the
favorites to qualify but it’s
2-0 looking to bring this red away from
the cushion and try and go three
up and that is what he’s done he’s
brought it away yeah he’s played that
nicely hasn’t he I mean this is quite
incredible score line not a lot of
people would have expected this
but said this young man playing without
fear just really join the the challenge
of it not really thinking too much about
the the enormity of the the situation
and it’s very refreshing to see lovely Q
action 1 points in the lead so yellow
and
green and brown required
got a slight angle on this yellow I’m
just wondering does he have to use the
cushion or just kind of checking the
scores can he just screw back without
hitting the cushion just for the green
doesn’t want to really go near the
blue well that’s
okay and the good thing for Jiang xong
is it if he gets close enough to Brown
just dropped the brown in he doesn’t
need to get on the
blue there’s only 10 players have played
at the Cru bow who’ve been either 17 or
18 years of age Luca prel the youngest
he Jang here is 18 so it be
extraordinary really if he qualified
completely out of nowhere
but he’s made a great start
here and there’ be no heroics with this
blue he’d be just rolling it you would
expect just roll it in or over the
pocket would be
perfect well that’s what he should have
done but two Snookers needed the fight
he St where he is
[Applause]
okay let’s go back to Neil Robertson and
Jamie Jones Robertson still on this
break of 41 which is also the
[Applause]
lead oh this is a lovely shot that could
be a frame winner that’s good aggressive
stuff from Robertson 48 playing to his
strengths
and Poise to make a big break here now
it’s worth saying he made three
centuries against zaku and that’s taken
his tally in the world championship to
99 over the years so this could be his
100th World Championship Century there’s
only five players who’ve made that many
in the
tournament you can probably name them
but I’ll do it for you if you want
Steven Steven Henry John Higgins Ronnie
Sullivan Mark Selby and Sh Murphy have
all made 100 centuries in the world
championship that’s qualifying and
Crucible so this should be the moment if
Neil could do it here he loves his stats
57 he’d probably be
aware but the main thing is he’s got
back into this match because Jamie Jones
when Robertson missed that red to this
left corner in the last frame Jamie
Jones had a chance to clear up for 3-0
it didn’t happen and Robertson now the
danger Ken he starts to he starts to
motor yeah we start of 64 just settled
in I said and I look I know it’s an old
cliche but it’s so very true you know
you don’t settle until you get that
first frame on your board you see the
effects of just getting that frame so
important and now we can relax and try
and concentrate
on first of all winning the frame and
then
concentrate on the Sentry 65
not say Robertson was sort of taken for
granted going to The Crucible but he was
so used to being there as a seed he’s
had to rethink really his whole approach
but still a chance to prove to everybody
as if it was needed what a fantastic
player he is problem is when you’re such
a a regular winner you’re judged to very
high standards you’ve only got to dip
off a little bit and suddenly the
question marks are there but it’s in his
hands to turn it all
around yeah
71 quite an occasion wasn’t it when he
made that Century of centuries in the
season first person to ever do that that
was against Jud Trump in the uh at the
world championship a few years ago
now to Trump emulated that
Fe
72 they’re the only two players aren’t
they in the history of the game that
have achieved that yeah the the amount
of just pure concentration you need to
keep making them you know match after
match I mean there was one match a best
of seven in that season he made four in
four frames
yeah 79
18 so just starting to play with a bit
more freedom I think it was a key shot
when he went into the Reds he he set his
store that okay no more sort
of hesitancy I’m going to go for it and
because that’s his best game absolutely
yeah that’s love to see Neil Robertson
when he’s playing at this sort of
pace 8 it’s been times during his career
where he’s been sort of over
ponderous and shut time is
gone
out got bigger and bigger
but I maybe he’s just realized that he’s
a better player he just looks a lot more
Freer a lot more
confident when he’s playing at you know
20 21 seconds maybe a
shot well here we go this black is for
his 100th Century in the world
championship over the years he didn’t
particularly want to come to qualifying
but he’s starting to play the sort of
snooker we used to seeing from Neil
Robertson a little Landmark moment for
him only the sixth player to have made
100 centuries in this great world
championship 1003 yeah well
done nice
record missed that one but 103 and it’s
22 at the
interval make it exactly halfast you
going to be practice room L and senam of
course 3-1 up he made the maximum in the
previous round we could hear here now
from Thailand’s nopenena
but the first question has got to be
about the maximum the 147 what a place
to do it um yeah I’m really so happy
because um actually before I got to
China M have a little bit problem about
the far so after that I I got to fix it
and then I come here I I can’t practice
well because a little bit short than
before so I feel like no have any follow
to and my C Ball wasn’t good so not I’m
not feeling like confident but I’m
surprised I make 147 in a match I
surprised and the reaction from the
crowd here at the English Institute was
fantastic you got a huge reception when
the Black went in yeah I’m very very
excited after I part the back I’m so
happy and everybody like oh come on come
on so I like this is like football
stadium you know like come on come on so
so happy to be to be
here now table three h needs to get
involved in this match he’s 3-0 down to
Jang xan but as you can see he’s at the
table early in frame
four trying to get the Reds open didn’t
quite work out in fact he hasn’t worked
out at
all and the white is going in and the
red has come up the table that’s
Calamity for Hussein Veri nothing’s
going for him today
good chance for janon
there okay let’s go to table seven see
what’s happening between Matt selt and
Joe Connor Joe Connor in again yeah
chance for 4-0 this is
yeah not a sort of score line I
certainly would have predicted at the
beginning okay Joe Connor probably
slight
favorite but
uh mat selt well he’s just got to be
patient at the
moment Joe Conor making all the running
here and another good chance here look
at the way the reds are
spread what a blow this would be
go foral up into the mids session
interval lots to contemplate for Matt
selt should he lose this good
opportunity for Joe Connor
here yeah he’s uh very well regarded
because he’s been in the final the
ranking event he got to the PLAYERS
Championship semi-finals which obviously
is a very elite tournament just
16 that was the last season this season
hasn’t been quite so Stellar but because
he’s not over yet he did reach the fin
fin actually the championship league not
a ranking tourament but he made the
200th maximum in snooker history there
lost out to Mark Selby in the final but
won a lot of matches got a lot of
confidence on board in that
event but of course would love as Alloa
players would to walk out at The
Crucible for the first
time’ be one of those he probably draw
Selby wouldn’t he we s we we have
feelings about who might draw each other
just the the sort of friends and people
from the same area yeah
am I right in saying he’s a bit of a
Jujitsu fan or some sort of martial arts
isn’t it that he he practices quite a
bit Yeah times have changed since the of
the the wonet years they players are all
very conscious about their Fitness now
I exercise every morning Dave up down up
down then the other
eyelid
so nicely on the the red try and Stor
between qall between so you’d have a
choice of maybe pink or black here may
may just hold for the black he needs a
little angle on one of the colors so he
can get over to the right hand side of
the table for his next
red he played for the black but the
angle that was always the problem he
just had a stun in between pink and
black he he could have had the choice of
two but
now didn’t pull that q b back far
enough so he could just get close to the
red you’ll have to play it sort of from
mid distance
50
yes so big shot in this frame in this
match already Matt s desperate to get in
he has been in of course in this
Frame and he’s going to be in
again at least back at the table just a
say we’ve got uh 1 2 3 4
five six matches at the interval or
sorry five matches at the interval
so actually moving pretty quickly again
it was quite an early finish really last
night it was done by sort of
9:00 now s can trap him here put him in
trouble was going close to that corner
pocket good shot there from Matel yeah
you
saw Jo Connor just look away sort of in
disgust of that missed opportunity and
it was down to that penultimate red he
just didn’t get nice on the
black instead of stunning in between
pink and black giving himself some
options so now he’s in a bit trouble
here just where he looks at this Ken
James Cook is watching from the Guardia
airport in New York City waiting for a
flight to Colorado
wow I thought you were going to say he
was waiting for a flight to Sheffield a
minute now can he hit this and get it
safe there’s a lot of real around the
back of that red could miss
it oh that’s
nowhere and if it goes in
off who’s well he hasn’t left the free
balls
so Matel we’ll take this red
on so matell knocks the red in well he’s
not happy with this oh no well
he will let you know Matt if he’s not
happy and he’s done it there could still
take the green
on okay well let’s go to Table Three
because we want to keep
across the the match as well it’s a big
one against yangang xan another
potential debutant ra desperate to win a
frame he got a chance here although that
could have worked a bit
better2 it’s under it right now against
the very dangerous opponent he won’t
know much
about who’s playing pretty good
stuff yeah he’s not happy is he just
came sort of that red was in his way to
take on this red into this left corner
pocket it’s just sort of bridging over
it
slightly so he may take the red into
this right corner pocket bit of a
stretch
well when you’re 3-0 down in the world
championship you don’t really need to be
facing these sort of shots this is of
course
missable but he hasn’t missed it if he’s
anything and we know he’s passionate hin
Veri and as we watch this let’s listen
to what he said after his last match
how close are you to your best form this
season do you think it’s hard to say
because uh when I really want to play
you know I can I can play really well
but mentally it’s hard to put myself in
that kind of
situation and uh but I will finding the
way to how to perform like that more and
more it’s just a matter of time as I
said every time it’s just a matter of
time I’m getting used to everything now
and then I’m learning lots of things so
I’m not going to drop any more
information and yeah it’s something
between me and my mind myself and my
friends yeah I’m not going to say what
I’m doing when what I’m not doing well
the very best of luck in Judgment Day
one match to go and you’re in the main
draw for the cruising thank you so much
Rob and thanks everyone who’s supporting
us love you all sh yeah one match to go
but in in that match that we’re watching
he’s in a bit of trouble
here yeah
under little bit of
pressure massive frame
this last one across midsection
interval it’s
opponent jangan
grow ever more on confidence
hand very close to that
CR referee keeping a good eye on
that
no so chance
missed we’ve had a few more messages and
we’re trying to keep across them all
we’ve got Willie here watching Spain
working and watching the snooker with my
10-year-old boy Manuel doesn’t get
better than that and then he says Ken
are you stick with 10 hog this summer oh
good question Willie good question we’ll
have to wait and see what happens on
Saturday against Coventry come on man
united get into the final of the FA Cup
that’s all we have to that’s all our
hopes are pinned on with the rest of the
season Willie I hope you enjoy watching
United although I don’t think any of us
have the last little while but we’ll
cling on to the fa C
hopes and thanks to Stacy as well for
saying loving the commentary the human
mix with stats in general commentary is
impeccable thoroughly enjoyable great
Duo how about that we could take this on
the road
Ken
yeah on the road to nowhere Dave that’s
another CH might be Roy walk on music
well I tell you what he’s been lucky
here there’s young jangan things just
going for him he could easily let a red
on
there hin obviously 27 in front so not
much more to do but needs to see a ball
first leeo saying about Dominic walk on
he said how about Jola Taxi by Vanessa
parade for when he walks out the Cru bow
with the
trophy J taxi yeah I remember that song
sort of giv me age away
there Vanessa parody wasn’t she married
to Johnny de at one stage absolutely see
it’s lots of information here isn’t
there yeah about all sorts of things now
then he hasn’t been lucky this time he
has left a red on so can
thei win his first frame here
yeah there was another song Somebody
tweeted in what about she by Charles
Azore or Elvis Costello I think he sang
that as well didn’t he
sh I’m really interested to know now
what it’s going to be when he play
I like v v what about you well Dominic
is he he likes his Opera doesn’t he I
wouldn’t be surprised if he went a bit
sort of old school and surprised us all
meantime hold on is it in it is wow that
could be a big moment for the
fight that is unbelievable isn’t it I he
needed something to happen and it
happened how lucky was he
there
12 yeah I mean it’s basically one in the
frame of see snook is needed but only
one only one snooker needed so he’s got
to be
[Applause]
careful
oh that is not good now you got a you
could play the snooker here or you could
try and get on the black and maybe play
a snooker on the yellow I mean it’s it’s
important that he gets a black with the
last Red at some stage if so why not now
it’s a good opportunity
forward red get on the black and then
play for a snooker on on the yellow pink
is in a good spot for
Snookers yeah good
choice one four points snooker and then
of course all the colors only to toy
so opportunity here when put this black
door
well I’m going to make way for Rob
Walker and uh it’s an interesting stage
isn’t it we sort of quite a few matches
back from the interval but some big
couple of hours ahead in this first
session yes Dave enjoy your lunch we’ll
see you back in a little while as Rob
and I will discuss more walk- on
possibilities for Dominic Dale please
keep them coming in we’re having a bit
of fun about it you know domic DS might
wonder why we’re talking about it well
he has a new girlfriend and R Walker
reckons that’s why he’s playing so well
cuz he’s in love look at that for a
shot he’s a little bit unlucky
actually little bit tighter to that pink
and this would have been very difficult
to hit one cushion for
hus he’s got
it yes I keep your tweets coming in I
delighted to as a lot of people tweeting
in watching the SN all around the world
different parts let us know where you’re
watching from where are you watching it
in
work
wherever and we’re coming up
with just having a bit of fun I suppose
coming up with possible tunes for
Dominic though walk on music what do you
ex think it will be I think being the
space man maybe space a what about space
a David Bowie yes but then the man who
fell to her I just think the the the um
the nod to his uh new love life is uh it
would be quite
funny he certainly generated a fair
amount of banter what about snooker’s
lothario snooker’s Romeo the spaceman
Dominic
Dale
okay yeah as I said that that pink is in
a a good spot for Snookers so
the saying has got to be aware of that I
I would try
and well maybe in or over the pocket for
the
grain try and force his young opponent
to pot the green and less colors to
maybe snaker from
well C Pang is back at the table against
Pang Jun suu leading 3-1 and he’s on a
break of 38
so perhaps we’ll have a little look over
at Table
Six as this might take a while here on
three
now we’ve had a message from Matthew
large visiting The Crucible on Monday
morning hoping to see the spaceman
perhaps he’ll break out for some Tom
Jones well
maybe or C
Pang is now broken down he was on a
break of
38 Pang Jung suu needs to do something
here
to stop the rot
well this is an incredible score line on
table four CJ Wii who got to the
semi-finals last year it’s 40 down to Wu
we was talking about Wu I mean he’s a
wonderful Prospect but already making
his Mark in the snooker cira even at his
very young age and look at that score
line 4-0 now we talk this was one of the
cracken matches to have a look at today
both great Prospect
and potential someday world champions
I’ve no doubt about
that didn’t expect this for a score line
though 40 will is
it
amazing last year he beat Alan
Taylor Chan Pang Fay Chris Wakeland and
then lost to Neil Robertson 103 bidding
for his second
Crucible there were some Minds though
when he made the semis of Wuhan beating
Marco Ryan day Steven McGuire before
losing to J Trump trump of course was on
the middle of that incredible
three Three Tournament winning
run so when he gets on a roll Woo is it
he is dangerous Ivan heritz was
reminding me that we we’d been talking
about his nickname snooker’s fizzer woo
Yer and when he’s quick he really is
absolutely brilliant to watch I like
that snakers fiz will use
it and he’s played well that red in the
middle the previous red and that little
black there what a
shot
37 when he gets going Rob I tell you
I’ve watched him quite a bit over the
last like couple of years cuz I see him
practicing with his father
in in the academy on Sheffield Al said
he’s a very Aid very diligent hard
worker oh we could have hit that just a
little bit harder I got a full ball
contact as opposed to maybe a quarter
ball would have been better could have
played it a bit firmer it’s gone
slightly
wrong maybe on this red into the right
center but bridging over the red is uh
very
missable same the same F did indeed get
that that frame so they’ve gone off for
a break it’s 3-1 Jamie Jones and Neil
Robertson have resumed on table one and
Jam’s at the table on a break of 19
remember missed that opportunity to
punish Neil Robertson’s missed red to
the bottom left and that could have put
him three- nil up all of a sudden ped
back to two all but he is at the table
the Welshman on that break of
19 Dave Gilbert and xuong are back in
action on table eight Gilbert took all
four frames in their first mini session
and he has a lead of 39 points in the
fifth so the semi-finalist on six years
ago is going very well indeed on eight
but let’s just stay with this and see
whether wuiz can continue to turn the
screw on last year’s semi-finalist CJ we
yeah that was a really good red okay
didn’t have a great angle in the brown I
had to try and force the the angle of
the Q ball towards these two Reds we
still in good position as we look him
look at him switching the left hand I
mean so an important shot but he’s very
confident with the left hand
here oh maybe a
mistake and well he’s been so lucky
there that could have been so much more
straightforward for C
we lots of messages coming in keep them
keep them rolling in on Twitter or X
whatever you want to call it Callum says
surely the spaceman needs to come out to
the rocket man I think Ken’s mentioned
that Keith Hopkins it’s got to be Love
Struck by Madness hasn’t it and how
about this from Martin Leed I’ve got
YouTube on the TV and match room on the
phone I’m sipping a hot chocolate with
Bailey’s in Sydney great to see Robo
coming back into the match although by
the way Martin his opponent Jamie Jones
oh it wriggles in his opponent Jamie
Jones now on a break of 32 but they’re
locked at two frames a piece uh Martin
lead saying what time is the draw for
The Crucible will it be televised I’m
not sure whether you be able to see it
Martin because it’s on the red button in
Britain and it will be on the BBC sport
website whether that goes Global BBC
sport I’m not sure but you probably will
be able to find an opportunity to tune
in on five live local time in Great
Britain it’s qu to 9 tomorrow morning
and we will have the full draw and I
believe Mark Allen is flying over uh
from belast to be with us at the BBC
studios in uh in sford to give his
thoughts on whoever he
draws yeah it’s going to be very
exciting tomorrow morning
now can
he I don’t think that red is pable but
what he could do he could try and maybe
disturb red and green from the black and
if not just get that cuq ball
somewhere up into the bulk area and well
he could lay a very very difficult
sneaker for his opponent yeah he’s
looking to see there a red pot I don’t
think the red pots but but if he gets
that QQ ball up into the bulk area he
could lay a really really difficult
snooker and be well have the full
advantage by the way Jackson page has
just pulled one back he now Trails 32
instead of 3-1 against noon Sanam and
Dave Gilbert is just about getting to
frame ball for the fifth he’s on a break
of 29 he’s ahead by 68 on table 8 as
Jamie Jones is also closing in on frame
ball on table one break now 63 remember
they’re two frames a
piece Dave Gilbert playing very very
well there table
eight not a great shot from CJ quite
short with the Q ball so he couldn’t get
the QQ ball tight behind the grain but
well he settled for that it’s a full
ball
snaker we’ll just stay with this for the
time being just see what happens see how
it unfolds and then we’ll move around
Rob what’s you
think yes well in
fact gong is back at the table Gilbert’s
mini break has come to an end he needs
one
snooker Jamie Jones barring a snooker is
over the line in the fifth yep and he’s
now got another red so that will be that
so 3-2 the Welshman will Edge in front
once
more can he cut this red in he’s going
for it he’s got to be careful of the Que
B oh no how
unlucky oh and look where the yellows
landed you never know where that Cub’s
going to finish when it’s racing around
the table no control over it but that is
highly unlucky free ball I’m sure is it
could be a free
ball that was seriously unlucky for sea
we yeah what does he do here though
that’s the
question what can he do
play the free ball leave the Q ball down
this end of the
table leave his opponent snooper or does
he the Applause by the way is for Jamie
Jones on table one he’s taken the fifth
with a century still has one red left on
the table this is an excellent Break by
the Welshman and a good
response from uh from seeing Neil
Robertson draw level
from two from two n
up why don’t we go and have a quick look
just to see what the state of the table
is over on eight between sha gong and
Dave Gilbert Gilbert is just about over
the
line he really has started this match
fabulously four on the
spin against the former
Shanghai Masters runner up and shoot out
runner up
well good D just going to 60 behind just
59 on the table so snaker is required
let’s have a little W around shall we
let’s go back to that uh let’s see Scott
Donson Ryan Day what’s happening over
there in table
two cuz this could take a little while
yeah let’s have a look Ryan day back
in tree one up what’s happened
there as a ran across the the Slate line
is that what he’s looking
at that was quite unusual wasn’t it
Rob very very unusual especially for
somebody as composed as Ryan and I was
talking to Ivan in The Press Room Ken
Ryan can go missing from tournament to
tournament but when it clicks he’s a
very very heavy scorer when he gets his
rhythm going as he proved when he won
the what was it his fourth ranking title
at the the British Open beating Mark
Allen a couple of years ago yeah totally
agree very talented player but you’re
right you can go miss him for a little
while and but when he does come back and
he’s playing well he’s a match for
anybody trying to play on the blue there
but look at that where the Q ball is
finished the red is blocking the PAAD
for the blue he has a well a pink that
he could cut in but once again not 100%
sure with the Q
ball let’s go back to that table four
shall we cuz I think CJ is still in a
bit of trouble with the snooker hasn’t
been resolved yet he’s trying to get out
of snooker right next to the the yellow
and the black oh great shot yes he hit
it he hit the yellow what a shot that
was what an escape just gray as the
yellow before the
black and referee Queeny li who was all
the way from China was right on the case
there she did a great job at the tour
championships in she really enjoyed that
week yeah and it’s great you know for
and indeed for Peggy who’s over
here to get the opportunity and
particularly for Queeny first time you
know in the UK getting the opportunity
for a major championship very
confident referee great experience of
course referees a lot of the tournaments
if not the all over in China the big
ones oh he’s missed
that
Miss and a free well as well so wow what
a turn
around well he needs this C
we struggling to get on terms with his
compatriot desperate to give himself an
opportunity to replicate that incredible
run to the semis last year he he’s
really under it here it might be one of
these where he might not take okay he’s
looking at maybe positioning the Q ball
down on this left hand side but he might
not take the free ball here cuz it’s be
an easy enough snooker to escape from
but if he knocked the yellow around the
table left the Q ball where the yellow
is if he could do that then it’ll be a
much better choice of shot I
feel what’s he going to
do or he could well what about playing
off the pink R and trying to get the QQ
ball next to the black that would be a
very very difficult Escape then slow off
the Ping try and Nestle that Cube ball
just short of the black or beside the
black you see this shot okay he’s got
the SN but it’s a straight forward
Escape
here but maybe the next shot when he
comes back to the table he could be in a
bit of trouble
he’s played it well he played it
well
huge huge number of messages yeah still
coming in most of them involving Dominic
Dale uh Chris Dunn from Norwich the home
of Barry pinches he says The Look of
Love for Dominic Dale very much enjoying
watching the snooker here how about Must
Be Love from um Madness I know you
mentioned Madness earlier but what about
Must Be Love that would be a good one as
well one of their best songs in fact I
was listening to that this morning in
the apartment getting ready along with
um baggy
trousers Pat cauri enjoying the
commentary in the snooker L from a wet
and rainy
Dublin hope it stays raining so I can
stay
in Charlie McCormick uh says how about
Right Said Fred I’m Too Sexy oh my God
that outrageous images of Dominic Dale
he he I re I reckon he’d pouette down
the
tunnel yeah that would be right up his
street actually I think that’s a really
good show so far well done that would be
ridiculous uh by the way uh Jackson paig
at the very Split Second I say that
Jackson paage was on a break of 27
having reduced the rear from 3-1 to 3-2
but his break has come to an end he
still leads by those uh 27 points Xiao
gong is battling on in the fifth frame
against Dave
Gilbert right let’s move around cuz this
Frame is is taken a little bit long
let’s go back to table one let’s see
what’s happening with Neil Roberts and
Jamie
Jones well an absolutely tremendous
break a 135 from Jamie Jones to
reestablish the single frame
Advantage Neil Robertson with the first
opportunity in the sixth let’s stay with
this and just see how comfortable Neil
Robertson looks around the table 23
three time ranking event
winner twice a champion of champions
twice a Masters winner one of the finest
our sport has ever produced and I think
everybody has been surprised to see him
hit hit the
doldrums but embracing the challenge
here 10-2 against Zach shity but he’s
not having it all his own way here
against Jamie
Jones yeah and that wasn’t a great shot
look how far the Q ball is from the red
I
mean should have
been so much
closer yeah is he on this red to cut in
into this left corner
pocket let’s take the more difficult one
needs to be queued well
this oh that’s a wonderful shot great
shot from Neil Robertson and a nice
angle on the black it doesn’t have to go
into the pack
but he’s got a wonderful angle and an
opportunity to do so he’d still be on
the red into the left
corner doesn’t like
it he’s got to take the opportunity
surely to go into the pack
okay taking his
time oh well can you believe he found
that Gap he’s okay but that was well it
was hard to believe have a look at this
gun right through the gap of the red and
the
pack
amazing good afternoon good afternoon to
Olivia Judgment Day stream getting me
through my final week of my Master’s
dissertation PS how about living deida
locer Ricky Martin for Dominic Dale
question for you Ken from Pat who was
the same uh chap who mentioned about
rainy
Dublin he’s noticed a lot of players
when they strike the Q ball the tip of
the queue Rises at the tip end were we
not Tau to keep the que level throughout
always wondered about this yes
absolutely yeah I think if you keep it
level and watch this see how level he
keeps it there Robertson one of the
straightest sort of Q actions in the
business he doesn’t
raise the tip in I think when you raise
the tip in what happens is you lose that
little bit of extra power 3 so you got
to keep it on a plane as long as
possible so you get perfect and the
right strike on the Q ball and the right
reaction as well when you need it and
Neil Robertson is a great exponent of
that
te wonderful Q action lovely and
straight has been struggling a little
bit with this break but he’s still going
strong he’s bridging over here he’s got
a possibility of red with the rest as
well now after we’ve seen Neil Robertson
strike this we need to head over to
table seven because Matt selt whisper it
quietly has a chance of you know what
let’s go over to table seven if we may
just asking our directors I know we’re
leaving Neil Robertson on this break of
38 but on seven here he is
well we’ve already
had a Max from noon
sanan Matt selt under some pressure from
Jo o Conor so at the very least whatever
happens with this attempt at history
he’s reduced his
deficit can he keep this
going oh we jinxed
him so no maximum for Matt
selt Neil Robertson’s break has come to
an
end right let’s go back to let’s go over
to table eight if we may jiau is
still trying to uh wrestle his way back
into this
Frame remember Dave Gilbert was first in
to the table so let’s let’s head
over there we are
now Dave Gilbert has been on the verge
of securing this fifth frame for about
10 to 12 minutes but just can’t quite
get over the line
oh wonderful shot he got within range
elong to need just well he could have
won the frame so he obviously got a
snooker but now needs a snooker once
again 28
behind 25 remaining so one four point
snooker
required the same V on a break of 30 4
remember he Trails the wouldbe debutant
Jang Yun
31 let’s go back to Jackson page shall
we up on sangham 3-2 at the moment
27 left on the
table 31 ahead Jackson page so maybe all
square there Baron snooker from up on
sang ham
well may you had was a Jackson page five
so that was a foul so that means it will
be all square three a piece where we go
next
R CJ we has got his first frame on the
board so it’s 41 to W it
now yes he desperately needed
that let’s go back to table one will we
let’s see what’s happening with Neil
Robertson and Jamie Jones
yes car in fact that Ripple of applause
Neil Robertson has just absolutely
drilled a long red into bottom right
here it
is trying to once again draw level as he
did from 2-0 down heading into the mid
session break and then we had that
marvelous 135 from Jamie Jones
Robertson’s never lost to Jamie Jones
he’s won seven matches between them but
Jamie is a world champion ship
quarterfinalist who’s beaten Shawn
Murphy twice at The Crucible and he I
just get the sense I about you Ken I
think Jamie really suits the longf frame
format he loves the best of 19s and the
best of 25s and he won’t believe he
won’t be overw by Robertson and he would
have been looking forward to this match
yeah absolutely uh I think he he’s a big
time player loves the world championship
loves the you know the best of
19s and uh yeah he would have looked at
a pun this match even though it was just
the toughest draw that he could have
faced but he he would have looked at it
as a
challenge as I said he’s he’s beaten and
taken some big scalps in his time and
particularly you know The
Crucible he had some good runs there
some good wins and
uh he started off really well in this
match went 2-0 up had a chance for 3-0
missed it but Robertson a stting to find
his range now which may be concerning
for Jamie Jones but it’s only going to
get back on level terms should he win
this Frame so long long way to go but
Jamie Jones definitely not over or no
way it’s not in his makeup Rob not in
his
makeup Dave Gilbert did eventually get
that frame of course so he’s five and0
wo is a 4-1 up on SI we
the same
F has a lead of 50 in the fifth against
janun let’s stay with this just to see
whether Neil Robertson gets himself over
the line and draws
level Jackson p is going to draw level
on
five it’ll be three a piece between the
Welshman and the player from
Thailand I just I just got a feeling
that Jackson and noon is as destined to
go all the way the last two times
they’ve met they’ve been deciders allbe
over best of seven and he has now won
that fifth the sixth rather so three a
piece how about Table Six looks like
it’s getting interest on the colors
there Pang xong XU is 10 points ahead of
cang
so this is quite
interesting 10 ahead needs yellow green
and
brown oh lovely
shot lovely lovely
shot I like Pang Jung Shu Ken I remember
commentating on him I don’t think I was
in the box with you behind closed doors
at Milton keing when Pang beat Steven
Maguire a couple of years ago in the in
the UK Champs he he’s he’s not afraid of
the big names and had an excellent run I
know Dave was alluding to the fact that
he made the wst classic final against
Mark Selby yeah last year I there’s
something about Pang xang Shu I like
watching him yeah he’s very steady isn’t
he as I said he similar sort of bridge
hand to dinghong Wei tries to style
himself a little bit on dinghong Wei but
is a little bit more
methodical bit slower but he’s got a
wonderful queue
action and
like a lot of the Chinese players in
Sheffield and bemy dingon we and and
Victoria’s diligent diligent Walker on
the practice table hours and hours he’d
spending
there he’s got a back to within one
frame where we going next let’s go back
to uh should we go back to table one
let’s see how near Robertson has got on
there in that
FR yes Robertson on the verge of
securing this
Frame nip and Tuck here after that
missed opportunity from Jamie to go 3-0
up two a piece
3-2 new Robertson
32
Jamie barring
Snookers has been pegged back to all
square brilliant to have so many people
here in all the years we’ve covered
Judgment Day and and done the qualifiers
before we called it Judgment Day I can
never remember such a big queue of
people waiting to get in it’s been well
advertised it’s been sensibly priced and
we’ve got big names it’s not just Neil
Robertson on table one taking on Jamie
Jones We’ve got some cracking players
all across the eight tables just having
a laugh here Rob someone’s s newsers has
texted about a possible song choice for
D McDale
because of his French girlfriend he goes
what about French kissing in the
USA I I don’t think uh mid afternoon on
the BBC I’m not sure they’ go for that I
don’t think so though I I wouldn’t put
it past Dominic to try and grab the
microphone when he comes out he’s an
absolute Beast he might sing his own
walker
music one thing’s for certain he’ll
savor every second of that walk on the
first time whe be you know bring
bringing back great memories of his run
to the quarters when he last came to The
Crucible 10 years ago um why don’t we
nip over to table four C are we having
rescued a frame for 4-1 is now at a
decent looking break of 39 so let’s head
over to
four captured the Public’s imagination
with that run to the semis
last
year beat Shaw Murphy 109 then beat the
Milkman 137 McGill 13312 and had that
massive lead what was he 135 up against
Luca 154
154 needed two more for a place into the
it was the greatest comeback ever in the
history of The
Crucible amazing 11 frames behind
he won 1 out the 14 remaining frames
Luca and what a what a amazing
comeback it was as though it was as
though he was blessed last year remember
when Williams pegged him back to 11 a
piece and everybody thought oh you know
great effort from Luca you know having
overcome Ricky Walen for his first
Victory on The Crucible stage and he and
he was nerveless for the last two what
was he 106 down against yeah yeah 1
seven in a row and he’d only do you know
the most incredible thing about that I
think he had a 10:00 in the morning
session against Ronnie he’d only driven
back from Belgium for the start of the
match at 2:00 that morning yeah crazy
just everything about it was so
unorthodox incredible well that’s what
the world championship does doesn’t it
it throws up wonderful matches great
memories and that’s what The Crucible
does and there’s a lot of talk about you
know Ronnie say the in the I’ve seen
some headlines about maybe moving the
world championship away from Sheffield
he doesn’t like it there he says but I
think it’s just wonderful it’s the home
of the World Championship it’s got the
great history and there’s no other place
like it and can create the drama that it
does the crowds proximity of the
spectators to the players everything
about it you know the two table setup
the screen and then of course when it
goes down to one table it’s just very
very special venue and no matter how
much money people offer or countries
offer around the world I don’t
think it should ever M from The Crucible
don’t know what your own thoughts on but
that’s just my own personal feeling I I
would really really miss it if if it
left Sheffield I really would I I I love
this city my wife’s from just down the
road in Chesterfield first time I ever
met my mother-in-law was in uh a
restaurant mamar and Leon uh my wife
came up for a couple of nights and came
out on the Lash this is way back in the
day when we first met in 2009 and I’ve
just got so many personal as well as
professional memories attached to this
city I I really do think Sheffield is a
very very special place and I’m not just
saying that I I would I would really
really miss the world championship if if
it moved elsewhere it’s just woven into
the fabric of the event and by the way
Ryan Day is on a break of 50 3 edging
towards what he hopes will be a 4-2 lead
over Scott Donaldson xuong we know he’s
lost five on the spin against Dave
Gilbert but he’s on a break of 51 looks
like he’s giving himself a platform to
At Last get a frame on the ball despite
the fact that Gilbert’s guaranteed to uh
to lead ahead of the second
session3 and what a wonderful break this
is 110 when he puts the blacks off
possible 145 here for
CJ let’s just stick with this before we
move
around what a great break what a great
comeback as well 4-0 down of course one
a close fifth frame on the
colors nice to see this red go in yeah
oh that’s unlucky he was up barer wasn’t
he but still a wonderful break 110 for
CJ Wei and he closes the Gap to two
let’s go where are we going to go why
don’t we head over to table eight and
see if Xiao gong can actually get
himself a frame on the board against
Dave Gilbert We join him on a break of
52 Ryan day’s Break by the way has come
to an end he still has a sizable lead
he’s 45 up but plenty still on on table
two but this is this is an important
visit here for Xiao
gong yeah and another X XEL Vincente is
watching from Portugal he says six
countries for now guaranteed and the
2024 World Championship we could have
three more Thailand Iran and Australia
if they all win yeah it’s
possible let us know where you’re
watching the Judgment Day all around the
world we’ve had people as far away as
New Zealand and Sol and Korea
Japan America Cape Town we’ve had a
whole host of messages one of the
biggest talking points it seems is not
going to be whether Ron O Sullivan can R
can can land a record establishing
eighth World title it’s what warcom
music to Dominic Dale’s going to have
yeah yeah that’s the boring question
isn’t it keep them coming in we’re
having a bit of fun with it let us know
what your song choice for Dominic Dale
would be now that he’s in love with a
French girlfriend and a possible future
father-in-law called Jaa well he rebuked
I I said to him about the future
father-in-law and he he said what really
I said well you got 20,000 to spend
you’d have 30 if you won the uh won your
first round match a quick update on the
scores we’ve got Jamie Jones and Neil
Robertson locked together at three a
piece on table one same scenario Jackson
paage and noton Sanam on table five Ryan
Day leading
3-2 against Scott Donaldson he had a
break of 53 but it’s Donaldson at the
table now on two on a break of 24 hin
vfi
has weathered the storm he’s now back to
3-2 against the youngster Jang xun and
he’s at the table just at the beginning
of a break of
15 sear we has come from 4-0 down to 4-2
we’ve seen that one C pangs 32 up
against Pang Jung
suu Jo o Conor leading 3-2 against Matt
selt Gilbert’s 5 nil up but of course
it’s about to go 51 so great
drama and lots to continue enjoying here
I’m going to swap seats Ken Do’s off for
a quick sandwich although he’s a man
who’s fueled by life so I don’t think
he’ll need much to eat to get himself
back in the groove Dave henden is uh
suitably refreshed and ready for the
second half of the afternoon so it will
be over to him momentarily as we swap
seats here at the English Institute
just want to see
one 22
[Applause]
okay so 5-1 it is to Dave Gilbert let’s
continue our coverage here on the second
Judgment Day with a big match for husse
vfi here against a dangerous young
opponent but vfi may be just starting to
exert a bit of
experience trying to make it
3-3 it’s taking him a little while to
settle into this match against xang xun
but he seems to have done so
now well that’s the good thing about
longer matches of course a lot of the
matches these guys play during the
season are short and you know obviously
the best of seven it would have been
looking not good for H but it’s time for
things to change and just to get a sort
of run of frames Together Jack Jones
actually yesterday was 4-2 down to show
you long and he won the last eight
frames to win
104 I must admit Dave I’m a bit of a
purist I love the longer frame formats
because generally I know this might
sound a bit straightforward
generally the best players win because
they can survive you know a run of bad
luck and three lost frames on the bounce
where of course in a best of seven you
can’t the match will be over that’s
right and also it’s the challenge not in
this round but the world championship at
The Crucible of an overnight position
how do you deal with being 63 up 63 down
or whatever it is that also is part of
the world championship
challenge obviously this match being
played all in the same day now then this
could have worked out a bit better he’s
50 in
front so taking the red to far
corner to try and continue this
break oh he knew he got it he knew he
got it he stru that nicely he’s a very
confident character isn’t he you know
he’s a bit he is a bit of a character
full stop we know obviously what
happened last year but that’s all in the
past now he’s bringing something
different to the sport he will be joined
next season by armir sarosh he played in
the qualifiers but he’s got on the tour
through the Q tour which is qualifying
toour so it’ll be another Iranian
professional to join h next
season
60 he’s a very popular guy Hussein I
know all the ITV crew really enjoy
working with him he’s had a couple of
deep runs in ITV events and he and he
just what I like about watching
Hussein the bigger the stage the more
he’s up for it it’s not an arrogance but
he loves taking on the big names and
he’s not afraid to try and shine when
he’s under a lot of pressure yeah yeah
and in a funny way it’s it’s the
opposite today that he’s playing a sort
of lesser known player and he’s the one
who is the the big scalp so he’s having
to deal with that different situation
but he’s dealing with it pretty well now
these are good signs for theight
who should already be over the line in
this Frame 64 in front already the blue
and it’s three Snookers
needed so he’s looking like
33 and Jo Connor
he’s hoping for 4-2 over Matt selt of
course he was uh in control at the
interval Matt
selt was in the early throws of a
maximum bid this
Frame picking it up at quite a vital
stage he’s 30 in front with 35 on but uh
he’s just potted a red in fact he just
needed to get on a color but he can take
the pink on if he pots the pink then s
will need a
snooker red on the cushion so he
obviously not going to leave that that
ftable but the pink nod in it was half a
snooker as well he’s played so
he’s thinking a lot about the QQ ball
there and just keeping C under the
Kos okay Ken’s still having a lot of fun
he’s just posted if you follow Ken he’s
kend 1997 on Twitter
it’s gone wrong for Matt selt uh Ken
posted a picture of Elvis in his
absolute pump imagining uh Dominic
standing at the top of the stairs and uh
really giving it the big one white suit
and all let’s
see well s has to hit it this time of
course 34
behind but of course the problem he’s
gone with Pace just hoping for
separation between Cub ball and red but
obviously if he leaves the red on then
he going to be frame over anyway so he’s
under it
here here we go
then must hit it must get it
safe not quite sure it’s quite back in
the right spot Tatiana walliston the
referee just a slight adjustment the
player will always obviously know having
played the shot
initially so as I say only moved
marginally playing this with a lot of
side good hit and well he’ll be happy
enough with this I
think well I say that
actually you can see it I thought it was
going to be a snooker now can he pop
this it’s not easy to the
middle what he doesn’t want is to leave
selt any sort of chance to make a
clearance
so playing the snooker behind the pingle
trying to he didn’t get it
though Scott Donaldson by the way on a
break of 28 trying to draw level with
Ryan
day he’ll be having an attempt at the
green with the rest into the green
pocket key moments for him because he
was being blasted off the table early on
by Ryan
and we’ll just see this shot from Matt
selt and then why don’t we go and have a
quick look and see whether Scott
Donaldson can indeed draw level in fact
looks as though yes he’s
uh just missed the uh the green with the
rest but key moments in this match he’s
done well to uh to pull himself back in
touch against Ryan day I think Ryan had
a 135 or 13 six on route to his two-nil
lead Scott replied with a 1-1 with 110
this could be a big moment for Donaldson
to try and draw level yeah Ryan day it’s
a bit like sh Bingham he’s on his day
very heavy scorer so donalson has to
stay with him he has to make it
difficult although this is difficult for
him because because he snoer on the
green Robertson’s on a break of 40 by
the way on table one three a piece him
and Jamie Jones but let’s stay with this
just for a moment see whether Scott
Donaldson can draw
himself
level he’s played it
nicely yeah these close frames obviously
they they make a difference
psychologically because there always
frames where both players would have had
a chance to win them you the big breaks
are all very well and obviously they’re
also confidence builders in a different
way but it’s when you’ve had chances to
win a frame you don’t put them away you
then have to deal with that mentally
going into the next frame of course
that’s more of a challenge in the these
long
matches Gilbert’s on a break of 38
having seen xuong finally get one on the
board turning 5 n to 5-1 Gilbert’s
playing really well guaranteed a lead
but by how much we’ll keep you posted on
that one but let’s stay with this on
table two for now
okay well it’s a bit of a standoff here
so Neil Robertson and jamy Jones very
interesting match because Robertson with
the Sentry Jones hit back with one and
this is Neil Robertson trying to hit
back again and go four three
up good match this very high
quality
61 yeah Robertson made 103 that was his
H 100th World Championship century but
in the next frame Jamie Jones a
135 Robertson dominated the sixth and
look set to win the
seventh
62 Jamie Jones is a really good test for
Neil Robertson because I know he’s never
beaten him and he’s lost seven times
to the Aussie but Jamie likes taking on
the big names and this if Neil Robertson
comes through this test he’ll be fully
in the groove and he is a nightmare draw
tomorrow morning at quarter to 9 if he
wins this match well that’s what I’m
looking forward to Rob if he’s in the
draw because of course you’re going to
be there sort of comparing it and just
the reaction whoever is’s drawn against
but certainly if it’s one of the real
big hitters and O Sullivan a trump a
Selby brassel maybe then that is uh a
big moment isn’t it for
those well and if you add into the mix
those who came through yesterday you
know Stuart Bingham I know he’s had a
torrid time on the table over the last
few months but won two fine matches to
get himself in the draw once again
Steven Maguire has been to The Crucible
well it will be his 20th occasion twice
a semi-finalist multiple
quarterfinalist there’s some really
really big names Jack lazowski
magnificent against Matthew Stevens
yesterday there are some very very high
quality players and I know you could
always argue that but it feels as though
whoever the 16 on who’ve come through
the two judgment days it’s an
exceptional year of qualifiers and I
wonder whether we could get close to a
record Dave of eight top seeds falling
in the first round proper maybe maybe
indeed Robertson has just left himself
awkward here he’d love another Century
well he’s determined to make
[Applause]
it
90 so by the way Ryan Day won that frame
against Donaldson they were battling on
the green Ryan day one it’s a 42 we’re
going to leave Robertson here because we
want to show you matell who has a chance
to steal this Frame against Jo o
Conor remember he was in that snooker he
had to hit it second time and he
did was 3-0 to okona and S didn’t make
much impact on the first three frames
but he’s got a chance here to level
up the pink obviously the key ball
here but actually blue is not in a bad
spot really to bring it off the
cushion Robertson’s made the
[Applause]
ton well in fact he’s gone to move it
there he felt he could still go on the
green and he’s sort of given himself a
kick as a result not landing on it saw
the chance
and well sick is saying he got the I
mean the Pink’s come off nicely but he’s
just not on the Green
[Applause]
4-3 Jackson p over KN and senom it’s
going to be another big night obviously
these matches concluding this evening
we’ll have the interviews with the
winners and then of course we’ll have
our 32 for The Crucible oh this needs to
go past the
middle
just nothing if not demonstrative uh
Matt selt
sense a bit of a shift in momentum on
table three will stay with this one just
for a while but husin V having drawn
level against the Chinese youngster Yang
Jun he’s at the
table trails in the frame but good
looking opportunity for the Prince of
Persia great recovery from Jackson pagee
3-1 down against noon now leading 4-3
they’ve got a little bit bogged down on
table eight Gilbert leading 5-1 he was
on a a break but it’s uh it’s got a
little bit Scrappy in that
one Neil Robertson in front from 2-0
down remember Jamie Jones missed an
opportunity to punish a Robertson
mistake in the third 3-0 and it could
have been a completely different
complexion on that
match yeah those early frames as you say
can be very significant Now Matt s with
a chance at the green 24 behind 25
on ooh he doesn’t want the knuckle yeah
he’s left the green on so Jo Conor needs
this for a 4-2
lead Matt very much assuming this Frame
is over he’s put his que down and sat
down
yeah so it’s going to be 4-2 to Conor
three frames remain in that session but
uh of course Joe Conn’s one potential
debutant the other is Jang xan and he’s
been pegged back here 3-3 with oan vfi
course the other good thing about the
format because they play nine frames
someone’s going to be in front so it’s
just getting that Advantage isn’t it and
I always think at this stage if you can
get to 53 the last frame’s massive with
the chance for 63 if it’s 44 it doesn’t
seem as big but that’s the the sort of
beauty of the format
really they knew what they were doing
all those years ago when they dreamt to
the world championship format up it’s
barely changed in 40 years
really if it ain’t broke don’t fix it
absolutely right now then he’s just left
this a bit awkward this pink little cut
back playing a
cannon but needs to pop the Pink as well
of course
oh beautifully done there Dave beautiful
yeah sorry he decided to take the white
round the table but great
shot question for you from
James what’s the latest stage of the
world championship that two qualifiers
have ever met so Terry won as a
qualifier in 79 Murphy in ‘
05 would it have been a late meeting for
one of those two perhaps well the year
um ding qualified and got to the final
he played angles didn’t he Al at Manis
in the semis and Allan wouldn’t have
been a top 16 player
then
so yeah they played in the semi finals
those two eight years ago I mean that
yeah that that’s I suppose it was a bit
of an anomaly that Ding had to come
through the qualifiers and I know
that’ll be in the back of Neil
Robertson’s mind that uh ding in
inexplicably fell out of the 16 and and
and arrived at The
Crucible raring to
go Kelly Barker had the answer to that
one what was Kelly’s answer yeah she she
said um she thought it was possibly Ding
and mcmanis I’m just scrolling up and
catching up on that well Kelly of course
proof reads The Crucible out on that to
Chris Downer so she’s across all the
stats just well a same the fire just
starting to take a bit of control in
this match he’s starting to look more
comfortable and as I say now it’s about
just getting that lead coming back
tonight chance for six3 for him and
suddenly he’s feeling comfortable
again if he can ever feel comfortable in
these
qualifiers Martin laon’s put put another
one in the mix here what about when Fred
Davis and Perry mans met in the semis in
78 yeah but that’s further away than
2016 good knowledge though liking liking
the knowledge liking the knowledge oh
there’s a lot of very knowledgeable
snooker fans out there for
sure anyway it’s looking like uh 43 just
needs this
red so hin just steadying the ship
against a difficult opponent to play new
kid on the bay but H fight 43 it would
seem now now then there’s an all Chinese
affair on table four CJ we and W Giza
and CJ we just missing that red with the
rest actually as we come over 4-2 down
eight points down that was his chance to
close to
4-3 after all the heroics and emotion of
last year obviously be disappointed
wouldn’t need to miss out this year at
The
Crucible he gained he gained a little
bit of a cult following amongst British
sports fans as did Tai one of our uh one
of our key photographers and overseas
broadcasters he he was he was drawn in
to do so many of the um live interview
translations and they they cut rather
two rather different physical characters
Tai is probably about 5′ three and C we
I think it’s about my height it’s about
63 yeah Tai shangi one of the legends of
uh the Chinese stuga media was here
actually this
week taking photographs and his other
work now Bo is it has a chance at the
red well this last red obviously the
blacks in the way for left corner so
it’s only going to pop to right corner
he doesn’t have necessarily have to play
to get on it just try and leave himself
in a position to play good safety
well he’s doing his best to try and get
on it and he’s missed the
blue these are key moments in this match
obviously if he were to make it 5-2 then
he’s got a chance for big lead coming
back this evening
there’s not much being turned down in
this match two young players like going
for their shots and he’s got away with
that there’s always a degree of safety
to that the white was going back down to
bulk bit of a slow frame on table eight
but Dave Gilbert’s managed to find his
way back in good opportunity for him to
turn 51 into
61 let’s check in on the 20 2018
semi-finalist wears his heart and his
sleeve a little bit like Matt selt but
this is a good chance for Dave a really
good chance and
as Dave was just saying if you get to
five pretty quickly you’ve got an
opportunity to to get most of the hard
work done ahead of that second session
and that’s certainly the position that
Dave Gilbert’s putting himself in at the
moment yes and it’s a real challenge for
your opponent just to stay in touch it’s
a long way back back so it’s about
damage limitation for chuong if Gilbert
as seems likely now wins this Frame just
two more
pots he’s looking confident I saw him
right before play began he would just
sat quietly not getting involved in any
chat just getting himself into the right
Zone to come out and play and it
certainly
worked because he’s looking good here
and I mean we seem to say about all of
them but another tough qualifier if he
gets through Dave Gilbert as you say
semi-finalist everyone knows what player
is he been as high as 10 in the world
it’s worth remembering not the best sort
of couple of years but he’s got the
pedigree certainly to do some
damage couple of years ago you know Dave
when he was you know off the back of
that world semi I think he’s had a
couple of Masters semis I I he’s such an
accessible person he’s he’s got that
touch of the every man about him you
know he’s very self
self-deprecating very humble but
extremely talented if he won a big one
he would become a massive star I think
he really would because of his
Personality yeah well this absolutely I
totally agree this frames one yeah he’s
down to earth and that’s true of so many
players isn’t it you know they’re
relatable
people anyway that’s going to be 61
today but this back to this table where
Wu yiza just needed the brown to take
the frame he hasn’t potted it so this is
now real drama on this table C
we be delighted to see him miss it now
then is he going to take this on to
right middle hold for the
blue the black of course on the cushion
makes it more difficult there but the
frame could have been over so big shot
here C
Joi who came within two frames at the
final a year ago
oh well done he wasn’t sure was he he
stayed down he wasn’t sure if that was
going to hold its
line so now it’s about leaving the angle
on the pink for the black on the
cushion St ing accusingly at the at the
C Ball why haven’t you run on a bit
Let’s see we saw him magic so much up
last year not only at the cruise
actually to qualify it was quite
eventful but here we go this Frame it
could easily been
52 see Jo we hanging in
there giving himself every chance on the
black big shot in this
match he’s not played his best stuff yet
but if he can just pop this things could
turn around for him
and it wriggles in it wriggles
[Applause]
in here we go another black ball finish
on table six for you Pang Junu looking
to make it three3 with cha
Pang oh it’s one of these sort of
ticklish ones isn’t it slight cut back
nicely done well drama wherever you look
Rob absolutely brilliant and do you know
what I think that could really hurt woo
iser that Miss Brown could and and the
brilliant way in which he uh finish the
uh finished the frame off C we reducing
AAR now trailing by just one Jamie Jones
got to the table first in this eighth
frame he had a break a 20 and then that
came to an end we’ll stay with this for
a little bit but we’ll keep half an eye
on noon Sanam who’s trailing 4-3 against
Jackson paage having LED 3-1 and he’s on
a break of
31 on table five but we’ll just stay
with this just for a moment but massive
moment for the former semi-finalist C we
against wo is a staring at a guaranteed
deficit and all of a sudden he’s back to
within
one
four question emps and flows of momentum
and that’s what Judgment Day so exciting
Yeah question from Stuart he says why is
no one from the United States played at
The Crucible is snooker not popular
there well it’s not as popular as a lot
of other sports in America they there
are pockets all puns intended um of
places in the States where people play
Alan Morris runs the US Association and
of course they have had Ahmed aled on
tour actually this season and a few
players in the past but uh I think
everyone would love snooker to be big in
America for sure one day maybe an
American will play
there pool of course nine ball pool in
particular is uh is a popular Q Sport in
the
states 19 Matt selt on a break of 17 on
table
seven trailing Joo Connor 42 sanam’s
break is
still 20 going he’s now up to 45 on
table five trying to draw level again
with Jackson
Paige we’re edging towards the end of
some of these first session
matches let’s stay with this these are
key moments for Jamie
Jones who was within a whisker of moving
three frames in front and is now trying
to halt
the sizable momentum of his opponent
Neil Robertson well he just overrun
this he’s just seeing can he still pot
it he sort of walked around thinking he
couldn’t and I still I think he still
thinks he can’t unless he can just bend
it a little
bit well he’s going to make some sort of
attempt I
think well he’s still I mean if you
don’t think it goes it probably
doesn’t never in doubt
28 there we are he he he stealed himself
to play it didn’t
he I know what you mean though Dave
sometimes you get the feeling with
players that they almost Force they’re
so desperate for the pot to be on they
almost convince themselves it is on when
it
isn’t thankfully for Jamie Jones he
could just pot it so he’s still in
business here 50 in
front as he attempts to level the match
and then really whoever wins the last
frame it doesn’t feel as significant but
obviously you want to be in front either
way 36 what we’re seeing though is that
Neil Robertson is certainly not having
things his own way here Jones just again
didn’t quite bring the white back far
enough so suddenly needs the rest on
this
black 51 in front so he still needs a
red he’s seeing if that’s a plant that
would
help but first he needs to pop the black
I say a plant I mean the reds are a long
way
apart is the black in it is so is he
going to play this plant as you can see
that it’s going to have to be made
there’s a good distance between
them and 43 Robertson can still win this
Frame
good pot on the black he would have
blocked the pocket had he missed
that here we go well he’s going to play
it big
shot this is
Bal this is very bold from the former
quarterfinalist 12 years ago Robertson
looking over his shoulder and seeing the
red go in every credit jamy Jones didn’t
back away so 59 in front 51 on and
looking like
44 so we’ll uh leave this table and
we’ll be back to watch some of the last
frame but Matt
cell we saw disappointment as he fell to
level up at 33 but he’s got a chance
here to win frame seven 39 in
front mat selt has played four times at
The Crucible not won a match there
yet lost out to Mark Selby last year in
round
one although he made quite a good
comeback actually in that one as I
recall beat Aaron Hill 10-4 in the
previous
round I remember speaking to him after
he qualified last year Dave and he said
he said he feels
that at that point obviously he was
becoming a four-time crucible appearance
holder he feels he should have been at
The Crucible many more times than that
it’s it’s easy said than
done could have beaten Barry Hawkins
back in 2015 Barry ended up winning that
one 109 and then beat him more
comprehensively 103 in the first round
six years later but not easy to rack up
these appearances especially coming
through Judgment Day I mean we’ve seen
not just these two days but across the
qualifying how hard it is just to get
out of this never mind start winning
matches at The
Crucible coming into today there’ve been
105 centes in the qualifi this year
including the 147 I mean that’s an
amazing standard and Matt selt may be
adding to that list here he’s got these
Reds open
so another match that’s going to be
pretty close I think coming back
tonight Ryan D just potted the black to
lead Scott Donson 52 black ball frame
but 5-2 to Ryan Day
maybe when this break comes to an end
maybe we should have a look at table
three Hussein V has been under some
pressure from Jiang Jun but he’s on a
break of 34 currently leading four
frames to three so edging his way
towards a guaranteed lead in the second
session after coming under real pressure
from the wouldbe debut ton
yeah he’s responding though isn’t he you
know he’s uh he’s been impressive
actually not panicking you know when he
went couple down early on knowing that
this is a marathon not a Sprint at the
world
championship and look it’d be great for
Jiang xan and great for the torment if
he got through but H Veri definitely
enhan his events he’s a bit of a
character he doesn’t mind ruffling a few
feathers here and there as well all adds
to the publicity
plus of course he’s representing proudly
Iran he was so emotional when he secured
his Crucible debut a couple of years ago
wasn’t he black black ball in the
decider it was absolutely
incredible yeah he got briefly into the
top 16 but he’s 19 now which is why he’s
having to qualify as he plays a lovely
Cannon
[Applause]
give himself every chance of going two
in front and then of
course there’s a lot on the last frame
of the
afternoon I’m just keeping half an eye
on Jackson Paige against noon
shanam there a chance for Jackson paage
to Nick the 8 frame and move 53 in
front just the colors left on the table
yeah let’s drop in on that Rob because
as you say there’s a chance here for
Jackson to go 53 and then we’ll be back
with the fight see if he can do the
same so just needs the green oh sorry he
20 behind he needs them all as the green
just struggled in a little bit but the
last four basically on their
spots because he came good in the world
open recently in China in Yan got to the
semis was a rather bizarre start to the
semi finally cut his finger getting
getting his C out of his case and needed
a plas it was on his mind he was also
playing Jud Trump which didn’t
help and lost heavily but it was a
terrific torment for him of course
played The Crucible two years ago be
Hawkins pink and black for a 5-3
lead doesn’t mess around ases he just
gets on with it
Jackson were you surprised at how good
he was in China I suppose it had been
coming for a while hadn’t it you know
we’ve been waiting for it to happen I
think everyone recognizes how talented
he was but he beat Selby in Higgins you
know big wins as he knocks the black in
to lead
5-3 so let’s go back to Table Three
where we just left it a moment ago and
we’re just back in
time to see if a f can take the frame he
needs two more pots
it’s been a very interesting session and
of course uh in many ways the real drama
to come this evening as these matches
are resolved it be 5:00 local
time yes we’ll have interviews with all
the winners and don’t worry we’ve got a
uh we’ve got a plan if we have multiple
matches finishing very very close
together you will see the interviewee
for the first couple of SEC seconds and
then if there is something else seismic
happening on a table that’s about to
come to a conclusion uh we will carry on
the interview but switch the
pictures to the table in question as
they all Edge towards a finish we had
quite a few matches finishing close
together last night as is inevitably the
case and I know we spoke about it last
night Dave I think it’s a good tactic to
go for a 5m start of course it gives
everyone audience us and players
included a shorter break between the
afternoon and the evening session but it
means there’s a better chance that it
all finishes at a sensible
time indeed that was uh well it doesn’t
matter actually he’s taken eight points
off the table and gone it off so it’s
going to be
5-3 so let’s go to CJ and Wu iser in the
eighth frame here CJ we fighting back in
this
one leading by 34 here
yeah we saw that big moment will is are
missing the brown in the last frame and
C Jo we making a good clearance it
wasn’t straight forward and now maybe
just starting to feel like his old self
again he knows there’s quite a bit of
expectation on him after last year
people sort of uh just expected after
that he was going to S he was in a final
this season of course the German Masters
lost a trump as a lot of people have
done this season but other than that
it’s been relatively quiet so he’d love
to get back to The Crucible he was 4-0
down here he made a 110 break in frame
six won that last frame on the black as
we saw and has every chance now to level
up and so from 4-0 down he could even be
in front coming back this
evening that brown felt very very big
indeed it was right there waiting for
him Woo is it by the way Xiao gong’s on
a break of 36 he’s waited a long time to
get a frame on the board he’s 61 down to
Dave
Gilbert we might have a little look at
that one after we see
see we getting
himself definitively across the line
here for four a piece he’ll be feeling
much better about this match from 4-0
down four in reply on the spin showing
his class last year’s
semi-finalist yeah I mean he did play so
well there last year and uh okay turned
around it wasn’t to be but he’s young
enough to bounce back from it so this
red well he’s already 56 in front so
that should be sufficient for
44 Ryan Day leading 52 on table two he’s
at the
table2 on a break of 19
h jungu on a break of 28 on table 63 a
piece cang upang started the match 3-0
he’s come back to three a
piece he’s done enough 59 break he was
disappointed to miss that but he’s done
enough so from 4-0 down C Joe has come
back strongly to level at
44 Shong on a half century on table
eight let’s head over to table eight
shall
we J Gilbert’s still in a commanding
position but
Jong giving himself a platform to just
rescue this session a little towards the
end exactly he damage limitation and 63
you’ve got to leave thinking well it
could have been a lot worse that’s the
attitude to have and equally Dave
Gilbert might be thinking it could have
been a lot better for
him I think obviously well 9 N 81 72 you
know it’s it’s very hard to come back
from those positions but we’ve seen a
lot of comebacks from
63 6-1 here Mark Allen Trail ding Jon
Wei didn’t in the UK final last season
and won 107 so you know it’s happened so
many times before just got to have that
belief not give
in In This Very mentally demanding sport
of
snooker well what about Willow at the
tour champ seven on the spin against Ron
O Sullivan who hadn’t lost a final this
season it’s uh amazing what can happen
in these
matches just needs this blue to live by
71 is 67 on and then big last frame Bou
just trying to as I say stay in some
sort of touch
not much down yet by the way in the last
frame between Robertson and Jones it’s
just 6-3 to Robertson in in that frame
four each of course in the match
itself noon sanam’s got the first chance
in the last frame of this session
against Jackson page and it’s an
important one for the Thailand player
trailing 53
71 once the extra red in because that
should stop any playing on for
snoopers if not then obviously Gilbert
will come back to the table so this red
to seal the frame once and for all and
make it
6’2 and it’s not there so as I say
Gilbert will surely play on from here
yeah and he’s given himself a chance
just to clear a few Reds
away if you can take it down to the last
Red then you know there is a chance to
win the frame
so Gilbert looking to get back into the
frame this is a very interesting match
now C Jo we wuiz who’s a little unlucky
to go in off there but things have
turned there haven’t they it was 4-0 to
Wu yiz it’s 44 CJ we of course lit up
the Cru bow last year play some dazzling
snooker take it all the way to the
semi-finals where of course he played
Luca
prel just remind ourselves think a
defensive shot is coming
next it’s a risky business trying to
predict what these two players are going
to do is he sighting the blue or the
green
well that is absolutely
outrageous
outrageous so even go for
this let alone get it goodness
me well we s of Saw CJ we long potting
in stereo there didn’t we one from last
year one from this year he’s got himself
in from the in off from W is
it so anyway we’ll come back to this
shortly and see how he gets on but Ryan
day is making his move isn’t he won that
last frame on the black against Scott
Donaldson 57 to the good here in this
next frame so just pulling away
last frame of the session would become
massive for Scott Donaldson to try
and hold on to Ryan day’s coattails not
on Sanam by the way it’s on a break of
44 now 45 trying to take the last of the
session against Jackson page on five
we’ll stay with this one just for a
moment to see whether Ryan does indeed
go 62 and then after that perhaps it’ll
be useful to head over to table five
well he’s going to just close the shop
here push it safe Snookers required so
it should be
62 so why don’t we have a look at table
five then not on
Sanam on a half
century Big Frame this for him
Dave exactly yeah I mean it’s always big
53 last frame for both players one can
pull away the other can Peg them back
and then not quite starting level terms
but it’s very much anyone’s coming back
this
evening in this race to 10 of saying Cal
because he’s already made the maximum so
it’s been a memorable qualifying
competition for him four Crucible
appearances to his name because he
reached his first ranking final this
season at the Scottish open where he
lost to Gary Wilson his victory over
John Higgins actually was uh quite a
beautiful moment he was in tears at the
end he loves John looks up to John
was sort of hugging him and the crowd
really took to him but Gary Wilson quite
rightly wasn’t going to get involved in
that sentiment in the final he was there
to do a job and he did that very nicely
because he seeded this year Gary
Wilson Gary’s victory was extraordinary
at the Scottish open wasn’t it because
by his own admission he said he didn’t
really have much form going into his
title defense and he had a couple of
wobbly wins early on and then got better
and better as the week progressed yeah
it was was uh quite incredible to defend
the title now then this is frame ball
nicely
done so we’ll leave this one it’s going
to be 54 coming back but Jo o Conor he’s
on reds and
blacks on table
seven Matt selt actually himself had uh
sort of go a maximum
earlier Jo Conor’s made one this
season in the uh Championship League I
think I’m going mad there’s not enough
points on there’s not enough points on
there’s a 139 on you see it’s all this
excitement Rob he’s gone to my head I
need to lie down you do it’s been a long
couple of days the most prolific snooker
commentator in the business pride of ITV
pride of eurosort not on Sanam we’ve
just seen getting himself back to within
one and Joo Conor close to guaranteeing
himself a lead ahead of the second
session and remember there’s never been
a year Dave surprised me with this stat
always bang on when it comes to his
statistics I can’t believe there’s never
been a year at The Crucible without a
debut ton so Jo o Conor needs to try and
do the business if indeed Hussein vafa
denies the other potential debutant Jang
Y and vafa leads him 53 at the moment
yeah apologies for that I was just
trying to make sure everyone was paying
attention there but anyway Joe it’s a
couple of balls from making it 53
setting up another big last frame of the
session he’s such a impressive player I
think he’s got such calm about the way
he goes about things he doesn’t rush
into shots he just focuses on each shot
in turn bit like Jiang Ander actually
Jiang Ander because he got himself in
the top 16 want a
torment maybe similar sorts of
players once they get into that zone
it’s hard to knock them out of it now he
needs this
pink and Snook as required
just keep half an eye on table six just
blue pink and black remaining on the
table cup Pang and pangong SE three a
piece theirs is probably the slowest of
the uh matches so
far well that was fry ball that he’s
missed so this not done yet
[Applause]
yeah it’s another black ball finish we
saw Pang pop the black in the previous
frame didn’t we and he’s seven in front
so this could still be a resp
spot needs the blat for the frame but if
not CH pen can force a respot Peggy
League trying to get people to stay
still stay still
is it there is it there it’s there so
hu with a dramatic last ball goes 43 in
front against Chu
ping well Kent is suitably refreshed
after a I suspect a coffee in a baguette
as we Edge towards the end of this first
session the 1997 Champion Dand we’ll
retake his hot seat and don’t worry when
we come back for the second session you
will get all of Ken’s analysis and
insight and we’ll have interviews with
every single one of the eight men soon
to join the 24 others in tomorrow’s draw
quarter to nine five
live thank you rob enjoy your sausage
roll or whatever you’re having for lunch
and
Ken returns to his rightful place at the
cold face yeah so Jo Connor here missed
the pink for this Frame and uh
Matel can still win it needs to find a
way in
first yeah tall order isn’t
it tall order 64 behind 67
remaining oh he’s playing the double
kiss Lely shot nicely
executed not a shot that you would very
often but very well played there Matt
selt so what have they missed Dave you
missed load you’ve missed black ball
finishes big breaks drama excitement the
usual stuff really and a few more walk
on shes for Dominic yeah and what a what
a comeback from uh well two great
comeback CJ Wii who was 40 down looks to
be going like 54 up and what about H
baay it was 3-0 down could have gone 4-0
and it’s now 53 up
yeah let’s see if we can get C Jo we as
you say coming back and looks like it’s
about to go 54 up against W is here we
go already one snooker needed but that
red makes sure so there was a big moment
there a couple of frames ago where wuga
had a brown that he didn’t pop and to
see here made a a a tricky little
clearance it wasn’t straightforward but
he cleared up and he just checking the
scores but already Snak is needed yeah
and what a comeback I mean totally
frozen out those first four frams we use
it very dominant but what a comeback it
just shows you the character and
temperament of this young
man oh wonderful prospects great
addition to the tour okay well the snook
is needed there so that’s going to be 54
to C J we let’s see if Xiang xun can win
this last frame against to F these long
matches they they e and flow or they can
do and you have to sort of cope with
both okay he was on Top early on then he
went behind but if he wins this Frame
it’s all to play for
again got a tweet from Mike who’s
watching an Eagle Lake uh near Houston
in
Texas SN yeah he says say hello to good
friend Andy Playford is in Crawley so
there you go hope you’re enjoying the uh
Judgment Day as we close out this first
session wonderful performance from this
young man as well Jang je just 18 years
of age is he yeah all new to him first
season on
tour and of course even whatever happens
this match I mean he sort of guaranteed
what is it 15,000 D so that will help
boost them the rankings as well so great
forare for
him and that red should secure the frame
55 to the good so this is going to be a
belt in last session isn’t it see if he
can get to the cruise b or whether husse
fi will take his place in the draw B
like yesterday isn’t it I mean there so
many close matches okay there’s going to
be 54 either way Jones and Robertson 54
Jackson P against n
one it’s going to be 54 to CJ we of
course against W use it and this one
will be 54 to say so very close matches
going to be a great finale tonight well
that plant makes absolutely
[Applause]
sure so we’ll leave this with the
knowledge that the five will be five for
up but what about nil Robertson and
Jamie Jones this has been a long last
frame actually and you can see not much
down actually just uh 23 points
scored miss four each in the match
itself Jamie Jones NE Robertson in a
spot of father
here hang on got two mess well referee
yamb has sorten us out got a message
from Brenan Larin who’s watching in
Sydney Australia I don’t think you could
I think you could hit the knock the
right KN but not past
it join goldridge Brandon and just to
say CJ Wii made 112 there in the last
frame so very strong finish of two
centuries coming back from 4-0 down to
lead wers at
5-4 brilliant St yeah Jamie thank
you and Harry vo the Mattis uh from
Greece is watching hope you’re enjoying
it
Harry oh this is short
again he’s getting to swear not the pace
Jamie Jones for
a look at that well let’s just jump back
to Table Three because this is a nice
moment for Jiang xan he needs the brown
for a century to finish the afternoon oh
well
played yeah great
performance and a big frame as well cuz
he was leading three nil wasn’t he so to
lose five in a row
come back with this
well it’s fantastic give him a good
boost for this evening
session yeah he’s just letting off a bit
of steam here and showing thei that he’s
not let his head
drop as he ends the session on a high
terrific break from xianan the Save five
54 up but all to play for when they come
back later
on but let’s go back to Neil Robertson
and Jamie Jones Robertson still trying
to hit this red Jamie Jones it’s a bit
of a head
scratcher yeah
Jamie doesn’t want to obviously leave
him in here it’s a delicate little shot
he’s playing to rest up to it face looks
better here very
good Ryan Brennan uh has tweeted in he
said uh talking about Walk-Ons for
Dominic Dale how about Tom Jones Sex
Bomb
really
sexxx rest of us I don’t think the rest
of us would love it but s Dominic D
would love that one
Ryan there’s been so many Tunes
suggested he’ll have to start his walk
on from this in Institute of sport about
three miles
away the anticipation for Dominic Dale
to walk down those stairs into the cruci
and wonder what his choice of music will
be toic
as he years I’m sure it would
be pretty left field I would imagine
what do you think oh guaranteed
eight so Jamie Jones with a chance to
end the afternoon on top
here we were all wondering exactly what
sort of match this would be but of
course Jamie so experienced 70 on the
head to head to Neil Robertson so
obviously that was in his favor
including a 10-2 win at the Cru bow in
2015 but this round this
final qualifying round Judgment Day
whatever you want to call it just brings
the pressure onto
everybody
14 15 just want to mention John McBride
who’s messaged in John’s a player
himself in in Ireland and he said I’m
grateful to be sitting here watching the
qualifiers I was told last December I
had weeks to live but here I am 4 months
later still fighting well John you’re
part of the sneer community and uh great
to hear from you yeah I didn’t know that
John I’m sorry to hear that but I’m glad
that you joined the ner and still kick
in best of luck 22 lovely man John M
loves the snoker
23 now he needs one more red after this
blue be 55 in front with the
blue so get on the red on the left hand
side as he just drops his
chalk two pots for a 54 lead
oh we’s got into it too much
but may have the red to the right center
but might give it a Miss might not take
it
on got
a 5 59
remaining keep
tight could take the red arm no one
could only leave the
red but it’s far from Easy very
risky he’s got to get the red away from
the corner pocket whatever he does the
red that he’s closest
to want to going off that would be a
disaster jimy Jones 28 robber okay he
hasn’t left anything but was valuable
for points there so it gives n Robertson
a little bit more leeway should he get a
chance nobody leave this table
all eagly waiting to see what’s going to
happen big favorite near Robertson
amongst the crowd
obviously where the balls are Jones is a
favorite here but he’d be bit of a sick
if he lost this frame obviously you’d
have a few hours to think about that
either way it’s a big night to come for
these two this
evening for everyone here at the English
Institute of sport
[Applause]
where can we go next Dave because this
is going to maybe take a little bit of
time what about Joe Conor
Matel that’s table seven let’s have a
look at table s see what’s happening
over
there yeah Joe
Connor looking to make it 63 here not
too much more to
do yeah nice little Cannon there wasn’t
it on the
red been a hard fought match this isn’t
it both very steady players
very take the time
I think any any player coming in like
any sort of a lead going into the second
session a 54 but a six treay well it’s a
you know really that’s a bonus you
know also think if you can end the
session well you know with a big break
it just sends you out the venue feeling
good doesn’t it yeah of course it does
yeah or if you either you know you win
it with a big break or sometimes what’s
even better is that you win it from a
sort
of a long way back or we WI a close
round where you’ve cleared up on the
colors or you’re 50 behind you cleared
up with 60 something like that that
that’s sometimes can be even more
heartful to your
opponent it’s funny when you get like a
player knocks in the Sentry off your
break or something like that it doesn’t
feel as bad as when you’ve had a chance
to win the frame and you didn’t take it
and your opponent steps in that that’s
more crushing for for a snooker player I
can tell you Neil Robertson needs two
Snookers now in that ninth frame he’s 57
behind 51 on so it’s looking like 54
Jones this is just awkward he’s not the
tallest I think it’s fair to say but
just trying to keep still on the shot
here bit like me Dave I used to have a
part time job standing web cakes when I
was
[Applause]
younger yeah is fight for Jamie Jones
over nil
Robertson making sure that black a
little bit short on the red but should
be should be a problem
just got to be careful here don’t take
your ey off the
red yeah noce shot so that should be the
frame where should we go what about
table two
though yeah it’ be good to see Ryan Day
who looks like he’s about to go 72 up
against Scott
Donaldson that is a big lead isn’t it
wow here we go yeah looks like he’s
about there actually
black would make sure yeah that’s pretty
commanding another very experienced
campaigner Ryan day looks like be
joining the likes of Ricky Walden and
Dominic and some of the other qualifiers
from yesterday he made it through
Maguire Bingham these players who’
played a lot of crucibles
yeah don’t think that’s going to matter
he may play on here but he doesn’t want
the red in that’s the thing you want the
free ball at this stage so it’s surely
going to be Ryan D
Frame yeah way too much to difference
48 yeah so let’s let’s just see if Joe o
Conor can make this Sentry just to end
the session on a real high not just 63
but how he’s won the frame
he led 3-0 so he’s got his three frame
lead restored from earlier
on6 as you say a lot of these matches
could e and flow that’s I think that’s
the beauty of the the best of 19s of
course at one stage a few years ago you
know these qualifiers were only best of
11 so it was great that you know
true players board and the players
themselves that we got a back to to the
best of night in I think it’s just makes
makes it so much better all the players
will play as we see the Sentry go there
good performance from Joe
Conor so yeah entry to finish five uh
6-3 to joob Connor and Dave Gilbert
would love 72 but Shong who was 61 down
he’s in here with a chance to maybe pull
this one back
16 and just going back to the you know
back to the qualifiers a few years ago
where it was only best of 11s day but it
didn’t just seem the same as you know
the best of n is so much more of a a
better match
and even think Judgment Day takes on a
even better significance because of the
the best of nans well part of the yeah
exactly part of the interest I think in
these matches is actually the gap
between sessions you know how you
feeling what mood are you in as you
leave what mood are you in as you arrive
again that’s all part of the test of
long matches it’s all part of the story
isn’t it and the test you’re dead right
and how it can
[Applause]
affect even having a 63 lead that soon
evaporate when you come back for the
second
[Applause]
session only two matches now remaining
they Gilbert gong and of course K Pang
and pangu still only in eight frame
there you like this tweet to Ken from
David he says I’m one of the few that
has a fullsize table in my house in New
York I’d love a light live stream
challenge with Ken oh there you go would
he pay Aires as well yeah yeah yeah you
book the flights I’ll be on the
way Start Spreading the News
oh tried to just knock the black towards
the corner pocket but caught the the red
too full and of course he sned himself
on the black now can’t possibly take
this pink
on very very risky what a chance it was
there to well if not win the frame would
certainly put himself in a really strong
position now and just have to contend
with a a safety shot
yeah well it’s a big chance but not to
be so this is such an important frame
now it’s the only other match still on
is 4-3 Pang jungu against cha Pang but
we’ll stick with this for now because
uh obviously Gilbert can still get that
72 lead and Jong would be ruin the
missed opportunity that he just had in
that case
yeah well watching this little safety Jo
I just want a little shout out to my a
good friend of mine fin Ruan who owns
cross gun snooker Club of course in
Dublin 66 years old the snooker Club is
happy birthday to
uh bbar as the owner and of course all
the members
there great traditional snooker
club right on the
canal f
for the old M Joy jail
so Gilbert in with the initial red still
needs good queing
here on this green and that’s a lovely
shot
actually giving himself a chance here to
open a 72 lead coming back tonight
got a decent angle on black or pink
maybe to get close to
the red just to the right of the
pink try and stun in behind
it yeah lovely
shot maybe actually got into it too much
would have like to have been a bit
straighter on a slight angle
no oh wow how about that for a slice of
Fortune could have easily left that for
gong that
red he’s on the other red which means
that well at least he can take this red
off the off the cushion and bring it
into play cuz he’s got going to need it
Jong if he gets another
chance try stun that red up towards the
gra pocket
here good
shot any other interesting or funny
tweets they have the suggestions for
Dominic that has walk on or anything
else well the I like this one actually
from Ryan he said I’ve loved every
minute of the coverage in the commentary
you’re all completely Bonkers especially
Ken well I think that’s what makes
judgment D the more enjoyable yeah yeah
nothing new there
then oo that was so close this time I
think he’s going to leave it is he is
that red going to keep traveling
no once again he’s been
fortunate
good slowly comes to the table
one question has been asked actually Ken
do you have a a prediction of who’s
going to win the World Championship o
yeah well obviously the men in form are
you know ronio Sullivan Jude Trump of
course Mark
Allen um I like I mean Luca brael
The Crucible course of course we we did
mention it yesterday you know and and
that’s the going to be the Bing question
how is he going to cope coming back as
defending Champion he he hasn’t played
well this season there’s no doubt maybe
only you know a couple of appearances
and invitations in the final so it’ll be
interesting to see how he’s going to
cope I’d like to see him do it I’d like
to see somebody Break The Crucible
course and if anybody could do it then
you know I would like to see LCA but I
think it’s going to be between us
Sullivan Mark Allen Jude Trump Mark
Selby I
think but you never know I mean we who
would have predicted luk Rell last year
but I don’t know I think there’s
something about Ronnie this year he
wants that eight doesn’t he you know
and maybe it might be written in the
stars room
yeah as he got away with it is it his
turn to get away with it this time well
he hasn’t he’s left
it so Dave Gilbert 13 in
front with his chance now to open a
pretty commanding Advantage Ryan Day 72
upon Scott
donalson we’ve got a 6-3 Joo Connor all
the rest are close but
Gilbert looking to extend the lead to
five here and be just three away from
The
Crucible well he was actually hoping to
get on the black there and the little
kiss on the pink is it dead straight if
it’s dead straight then he can’t get on
the
red I always look at the body
language of a player so he’s obviously
let me see might be on the
black can’t tell that camera
angle if he was on the black he could
try and pot the black and knock the
red on and off the cushion and maybe
into a better position
but from where he was gesturing maybe
he’s just like going to yeah he is on
the black so he’s going to play the the
red maybe from mid distance
eight he will look at the scores 21 in
the lead so red and pink or red and
black will be enough he won’t need the
yellow
oh wow he has got away with it this time
he’s going to leave it so a chance for
gong
yeah what a dramatic Prime to end their
session was not too close with that is
the Green
in well it feels like a decider he’s
actually to decide whether it’s 72 or
63 now then again Gilbert 21 in front
red to
middle so we’ll need brown and
yellow he made a very confident start
this afternoon he’s left this a bit
awkward though this yellow still needs
this in oh yeah I don’t like this I mean
okay he only needs the yellow but this
is you see he’s coming around to have a
look at the angle it’s into a blind
pocket which means you can’t see the
pocket when you’re down on the shot
so and it’s not a shot that you can
really hit hard you you just got to try
and trickle this yellow towards the
pocket and give it a chance to go
in if he digs
down on the
yellow and it’s missable now what he’s
doing there he’s gesturing and he’s
going to try and go for the yellow into
its pocket and try and hide the Q ball
behind the blue should he miss it
playing two shots in one here but it’s
missable this
yellow yeah and have a look at the Q
ball look where the Q ball was going how
do you missed it it was well worked out
simple
grain and that should be 72 what a
lead yes he was 5 nil up so he’s got
that five frame lead back it’s been a
hard thought on this but Gilbert has a
lot of breathing space now coming back
this evening they’ve got just over two
hours to uh get themselves ready for the
final session a good start early start
needed course by Chong
so we’ve got as Gilbert poers the pink
in for a 72 lead we’ve got one more
match on table six it’s all Chinese Fair
we’ve seen Pang junju win two frames on
the black there and this is what’s
happening now he’s 4-3 up 22 in front in
frame eight so they’ve still got another
one to play after this this although
it’s a discretion of the tourament
directors they may possibly bring them
off we’ll see give them a bit of time
that’s in their hands but this R still
in the balance it was
3-1 to uh CH ping in this but Pang has
fought back oh
dear well it could have been worse I
guess
well double kiss not quite sure
where everything’s going to finish he
has left this red potable
CH Pang hasn’t played at The Crucible
since 2012 that’s his only appearance
Pang was there last year on his debut
lost day one to Rono Sullivan 107 played
well in the last session but not the
first to go there in session one and
just feel a bit
overall good pot so 25 the lead with the
pink
it’s a bit of Steal about Pang I think
he’s 27 in the world that’s his highest
ever ranking he was in a final last
season he’s not been actually the best
season this year just won last six at
the International Championship but he’s
one of those players you know cause
players problems for sure he’s only 24
still
improving yeah very steady isn’t
he oh that was a bit of a fast one not
as
usual slow back swing but very very fast
on the back swing
good
shot he’s been a it’s not too bad that
kiss actually I was going to say he’s
been a little bit unlucky but I think
the yellow passes the
blue into the middle pocket
well this Frame is tagging some winning
isn’t it one way or another real
scrapfest just want to thank everyone
for your uh contributions we’ll be back
of course for the last session later
where we’ll be following all these
matches to a conclusion we’ll be hearing
from the winners and looking ahead to
the draw
tomorrow yeah and thanks for all the
tweets and messages on
X or Twitter it’s formerly known as or
Instagram keep them coming we love your
tweets your messages where you’re from
where you’re watching it where you’re
dusing skying off
work and if you’re not just sitting at
home watching it and I’m glad you’re
enjoying it we’re enjoying it we’re
enjoying the excitement all
part the excitement of this wonderful
championships Joe Davis it was his bir
due today he would have been
124 was it 123 123 there you
go yeah he uh almost the same age as Rob
[Laughter]
Walker let’s just see Pang can knock
this in 24 in front yes he can that’s a
great
pop now the yellow would mean he would
need yellow
again yeah Joe Davis started all this
1927 first champion in fact before that
he wrote to the Billards authorities to
try and get the world championship on
and they said there wasn’t enough
interest well times have changed times
have changed yeah and of course didn’t
he commission that the cup for what was
it6 10 Shillings or something like that
yeah yeah and we still play for that Cup
today since 1926
27 yeah amazing wonderful story and a
beautiful cup it is
now this yellow is for a 5-3 lead and it
goes two good pots there the red and
that yellow as well so it’s going to be
5-3 but all these matches of course are
going to resume later and there plenty
to play for the several very close and
it’s going to be an exciting night Ken
absolutely
yeah it was last night as well wasn’t it
I’ve got a replica of the cup and it was
made and it’s it was the best I think it
was the best thing I’ve ever one of the
best investers I’ve ever bed but it was
made from a a company right here in
shefeld as well so just thought I’d let
you know that they not that you’re
really interested but there you go no
that’s nice to know Sheffield steel
Sheffield steel well it’s not made of
steel but you know it’s silver the H I’m
not that cheap you know unlike unlike
you in 1997 he not made of
steel anyway panga shown a bit of Ste
here and
uh he’s going to be 53 in
front with one frame still to play but
uh it’s in fact uh yeah they all going
to play the frame I think but we’re
going to start to wrap up our coverage
of the first part of Judgment Day here
it’s been a fascinating session and we
can wrap it all up now with Rob
Walker thanks very much to Dave and to
Ken doti what a shift they’ve both put
in they’ll be heading off for a little
break and we will be back at 5:00 you
won’t miss a single beat the draw
tomorrow quarter to n 5 live it’ll be on
the red button and it will be streamed
on the BBC sport website as well couple
of these matches are quite one-sided
Ryan day and Dave Gilbert Just Three
frames away from securing their place in
the draw remember we’ve got six
different nationalities on display
here’s a quick recap as to what you may
have missed over this first session over
the last couple of hours well all eyes
were on Jamie Jones and Neil Robertson
Jamie Jones got off to a fantastic start
taking the first two should have taken
the first three Neil Robertson bounced
back but Jamie leading 5-4 Scott
Donaldson’s under huge pressure he lost
the first two against Ryan Day managed
to drag another frame back onto the
board but Ryan day is just three frames
away from a 15th appearance at The
Crucible going very well
indeed Jang Jun started really well
against Hussein vfa put 3-0 down Hussein
19th player in the world in rankings
leads 5-4 CA we Wu yiza well Wu yiza was
miles in front and then cja Wei after
Wu’s Miss Brown managed to turn it round
leading
54 great match that
one KN on
Sanam and Jackson pagee just one frame
between
them Jackson pagee worthy of that lead
especially coming back from 3-1 down
noton remember had a 147 earlier on in
qualifying here at the English Institute
of
sport C you Pang and Pang jungu well C
Pang took the first three but Pang jungu
has really shown his class he’s had a
couple of good runs in recent years made
the final of a wst classic against Mark
Selby he’s leading 5-3 Joe o Conor up
against Matthew
selt took the first three s managed to
bounce back to three a piece but o’
Conor is good value for that 6-3 lead
remember he’s never appeared at The
Crucible and Dave Gilbert 72 up against
Xiao gong last frame of the session was
a really big one between those two 63
would have given Xiao gong a much better
chance but 72 Dave Gilbert on the verge
of securing another place at The
Crucible and remember he made his debut
back in 2017 he’s been around a while
and was within a single frame of making
the final when he lost out to John
Higgins when he was 139 up it was one of
the most amazing deciders I’ve ever been
part of or certainly to interview at the
end right then it is time for a break
you will not miss a single interview one
session to go after 8 and a half
blistering days of qualifying here at
the English Institute of sport The
Crucible is about three miles that way
it’s tantalizingly close join us at 5 to
find out who will complete the lineup
for this year’s kazoo World snooka
Championship photograph will be taken
with
go thank you okay deep breath now
remember your
[Applause]
Technique Kazo
[Applause]
one hand
17 Comments
Can i get a hell yeah👌
Is there an easy way to watch the draw tomorrow having trouble finding the channel?
i cant watch the matches in crucible for free right? im from asia
Thank you, WST, for finally providing a way to reliably watch snooker in the USA! A strong endorsement for continuing your Youtube livestreaming of our favorite sport.
my vote Dale’s walk on song would be ‘Miserlou’ by (yeah) Dick Dale. Spaceman has to do Pulp Fiction intro tho as he walks on: holding his cue as if it were a gun, shouting out loud “Everybody cool it, this is a robbery. Any of you f*cking pricks move, I’ll execute every mortherf-ing last one of ya”, Dick Dale song starts blasting through sound system (taararararaararaaa ho ho ho). Wouldn’t that be best snooker walk on ever? 🤣🔥
Great coverage ,watching in sunny Spain.
3:24:52
The message you just shared in this video is truly touching. Agree with that.
The Dominic Dale thing is getting boring.
NR IS REALLY BORING
10 am here in NZ., coffee and snooker what could be better
USA ❤s SNOOKER
Ken D should give Jan Verhass some tips on hair preservation😅😂
Be good to see Jamie take Neil.
Ken Was getting a bit annoying there with his never-ending walk-on music thing. Stick to snooker commentary, mate, you're not funny enough as a comedian. 🙂
Robertson out 😂😂😂😂😂
Jees would you please stop talking sometimes and concentrate on the game in front of you? Not interested in all the stats thanks. Just want to watch a game that flows. Honestly it's like im watching the poker tour.
I really don't like this trend of Jeremy Coney style commentating where every scenario under the sun is brought up and analyzed.
Thank you so much WST!! Also watching through matchroom