2007 888.com World Championship

QUALIFYING RESULTS  - CRUCIBLE RESULTS - GALLERY - INFORMATION - ROAD 2 VICTORY - HISTORY - SIZZLING SNOOKER - RANKINGS

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JOHN HIGGINS

v

MARK SELBY

FINAL

(Best of 35 frames, 4 sessions)

Sunday 6 May at 1500

Sunday 6 May at 2000

Monday 7 May at 1500

Monday 7 May at 2000

You join us live from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, affectionately known as the "Home of Snooker", and for the next two days it will become the "Theatre of Dreams" for one of these two players. Mark Selby, the 23 year old from Leicestershire, is certainly living out his dream, as he makes his first appearance in a final at the Crucible, certainly earning his place in the finals after winning matches against Stephen Lee, Peter Ebdon and Ali Carter, before clinching his place in the final in winning the very close 17-16 match against 2005 World Champion, Shaun Murphy. Mark becomes only one of three players to have got into the final after playing in the qualifying rounds of the tournament and joins, Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy in achieving this honour. Mark also comes into the final having already lifted the 888.com Silver Chip for Outstanding Performance, decided by a panel of experts from the Snooker Writers Association. Meanwhile, John Higgins comes into the final already having gained the top spot on the Professional Ranking List. John notched up wins against Michael Holt, Fergal O'Brien, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Maguire to reach his third World Championship Final. This should be an exciting final, and there should be lots of thrills and spills on the way to victory.

Richard Beare, introduces match referee, Eirian Williams, who is officiating in his third World Championship Final, to the packed Crucible.  Richard introduces the "Jester from Leicester", Mark Selby before announcing  the "Wizard of Wishaw" who is going for his eighteenth ranking title, John Higgins.  The players have the traditional photo-call, shaking hands in front of the trophy, before the trophy is placed in its plinth near the baulk end of the table, reminding the players what they are playing for.  The winner will also receive a cheque for £220,000, with the runner-up getting £110,000. Referee Eirian Williams settles the crowd as John Higgins comes to the table to break off in frame one of eight frames in this opening session. After a safety shot by Mark, John opens the scoring in the frame. The opening break of the match climbs to 37, before a safety shot is required. The players exchange some safety shots, as they settle down in what could be a marathon run of 35 frames. Mark is unlucky as a thick contact sees the cue-ball clip the blue, to leave John with another opening to score more points. A misjudgement by John after potting a red, leaves the cue-ball not on any colour, and John has to play a safety shot. A great shot from John, sees the cue-ball travel the length the of table to pot a red, from the middle of the pack, into the left corner. John can see the black that goes into the black right, but opts to play a safety, putting the cue-ball behind the brown. The shot pays off, as Mark attempts to play off three cushions, to get the cue-ball to come to rest on the left hand side of the pack. It takes three attempts to get it perfect. Mark trails by 59 points, before a long pot into the green pocket gets his scoring underway in this frame. Both players continue to exchange safety shots until Mark picks off a red.  He plays a good safety shot to put the cue-ball just behind the black which is sitting near the side cushion on the black corner pocket. John makes his first attempt, with the cue-ball coming off one cushion, misses the reds.  His second attempt sees the pink being hit first, knocking the reds out of position. The miss is called, and as Mark asks for the shot to be taken again. There is much hilarity as Eirian Williams sets off to replace the balls, which is by no means an easy task. He has to rely on his marker, Alan Chamberlain, to provide video assistance to help in replacing the balls. John plays the shot a different way, and hits the red. The short interlude, that took place in the replacement of the balls, will help both players to settle down. Mark is able to take some advantage as he gets into his stride and starts to make another break. With one red remaining on the table, John has winning the frame at 59-25, as both players are vying to take the frame. John pots the last red and takes the brown into the middle, before clearing the yellow to brown, to win the first frame.   

A good break-off shot by Mark gets the action underway in the second frame. As the players exchange safety shots at the beginning of the frame, it is a good chance to remind you that Mark features in the Road to Victory, which catalogues the complete action of this year's tournament, from the very first match at the qualifying rounds that were played at Pontin's, through to the final today. The tactical shots continue to be exchange, although it will not be long before one of the players gets an opportunity to make a good break, as the pack of reds become more loose and open with every shot that is played. Mark gets the scoring underway in the frame, but on reaching 18, misses a black of its spot, in concentrating more on position, than the pot itself. John is left with a chance to cut a red into the middle right, but a kick prevents it from happening. Mark takes the chance to start another break. The break comes to its conclusion as Mark is not able to split the pack of reds open in potting the yellow. Mark is punished after the careless safety shot, as in leaving a red over the middle right, John gets his scoring underway, but it is short-lived as he only scores a break of seven. Mark seems to be out of sorts at the minute, as he is not getting much luck in the shots he is playing, and is leaving opportunities. John starts to stamp his authority on the game, as he getting his break to 22, wipes out Mark's 29-7 earlier lead. John ends the break on 31 with a superb snooker. Mark escapes from it and in playing a good shot, leaves neither of the two remaining reds in pottable positions. Another tactical battle is being fought, with both John and Mark playing and returning excellent safety shots.

As the exchange continues, we are pleased to say "ni hăo" to our viewers in China, especially in Shenzhen.  We also have a special visitor viewing form Lapland, who is taking a keen interest in the match. Mark plays an excellent pot across the table to pot the last red. The scores stand at 38-32 to Mark, although a lapse of concentration by Mark, sees the yellow being left over the middle. John pots it along with the green and the remaining colours to the pink, to win the frame, and get his lead to 2-0.   

I apologise, as I forgot to say hello to our visitors from all over the rest of the world. We are being viewed by 107 countries at the moment, and to all our viewers I say hello and a special welcome. The table is set and as both players return into the arena, John gets frame three started. No sooner, has the frame started and John has scored four points. Although Mark is two frames down at present, he does not seem unduly worried. He is a great character, and knows that he has t pace himself over this long match, and providing he does not let John develop a very big lead, will be happy to move up through the gears. Neither player has made a break over 50 yet, but I'm certain that we will see many big breaks in the duration of the match, as both players are more than capable. Selby has already already made ten centuries so far in the tournament. It will not be too long before we see some action in sizzling snooker. The players are busy exchanging safety shots, although a shocking fluke by Mark breaks the stalemate and gets his scoring started, but has no choice but to play a safety shot after potting the red. A safety shot by John, sees Mark come back to the table, immediately potting a red, the break starts to build up and reaches 22. After a few shots, a lapse in concentration by Selby gives Higgins a chance to get started in the frame. A poor attempt at a straightforward pot, ends the break on 14, with Mark coming to the table to pot a red. The break gets to 23, and this could be a good chance for Mark to get a really good lead in this frame. The break ends on 28, and Mark is very unlucky as he leaves a red on, although John misses it.  The score is 57-19 to Mark as he pots the penultimate red, meaning John will require snookers if he returns to the table. It is not required as Mark clears the table with a 38 break, to win the frame and reduce the deficit to one frame. 

Frame four gets underway, after just over 90 minutes of play in the opening three frames, and both players will be eager to clinch this frame before heading off for the 15 minute interval. A good opening by Higgins pays off, as Selby fails to escape, playing off two cushions fails to hit a red and a miss is called. Higgins has the cue-ball replace, and Selby is again unsuccessful. The referee warns Selby that he must hit a ball-on in this visit or he will lose the frame. Mark changes his mind and opts to play a different shot. He hits the red, but the cue-ball follows on into the black right corner, conceding another foul.  Very unlucky. Matters are made worse, when playing from in-hand, John starts to open a break which is soon sees his score start to climb, to lead the frame 25-0. Mark comes to the table and offers an immediate reply of four. Mark seems to be getting a grip on the frame, as another break is underway and gets to 33, as it looks to continue. Mark registers the first half-century break in the match, as he receives 50, and it looks likely it will be a chance to win the frame. The break ends on 67 as Mark does level the scores as the players leave for the interval. 

The players return from the interval, and it is not too long before an early scare for Selby, as in failing to hit a ball-on on two attempts, is warned that if he does not hit the red on the next attempt, he will lose the frame.  He changes the shot, and hits the red on the third attempt. He does recovery and it is not too long before he is at the table, having made a break of six. A lot of safety shots are exchanges, with the reds all over the table. John trails by 16-10, but whoever gets to pot and find position on a colour to get a break going will have a good chance. Mark gets a good break started and it starts to climb, reaching 29, as he takes advantage of the very split reds on the table. The break passes the half-century, and gets to the point where John will require snookers if he contemplates returning to the table. Mark looks very composed at the table as he clears the table with a break of 116, the first century of the match, and more importantly, gets him one frame in front. 

Frame 6 gets going and John is not dazed by Mark's lead as he quickly sets out to level the scores. After a couple of safety shots by both players, John gets in with a chance to develop a good break. It is not long before the break reaches double figures. He opens the pack and the break climbs to 36, as Eirian tells someone to switch off their mobile phone. John is giving a fluent performance in this frame as the break passes the half-century stage at 52, and looks like it could well challenge Mark's previous break. It seems that we are going to be turning the heat up in sizzling snooker a few times now the players have become more relaxed. The break reaches 69 and the crowd show their appreciation as he gets the frame safe. He has potted 13 reds, 9 blacks, 1 pink and 3 blues, although he misses the penultimate red as it wobbles to end the break on 90. The frames are again level.

The penultimate frame of the session is started when John breaks-off and gets the cue-ball back into baulk. Mark can only reply with a safety shot. John picks of a good red to start scoring, and is certainly looking a completely different player, than the one who started the session.  Although the strain and stress of all the previous matches may still be fatiguing him, he looks to have found a burst of energy, to look comfortable at the table. John is unlucky as he cannot get a position to split the pack, and has to send the cue-ball up the table in a decent safety, ending the break on 39. Mark replies by potting a red straight away, but cannot keep position on the black, as he knocks it towards the top cushion. He sends the cue-ball up behind the yellow. It does not prove good enough, as John pots a red and his potting success of 91% looks to be edging higher as the reaches 21, before he watches as the cue-ball rolls into the black right corner pocket. The four points in fouls sees Mark now trailing 5-70. Four reds remain, meaning that Mark will need all the balls plus two four point snookers. The tactical exchange is broken, when Mark pots a red, brown, red, pink, red and pink before playing a safety shot. John takes the last red and wins the frame having made a break to the pink, to now lead by one frame.

As the table is set for the final frame, it is an opportunity to remind you that you can see pictures of today's action, along with pictures from the other matches at Sheffield in Global Cue Sports Gallery. This is a very break frame for both players as it means the difference between starting the frame level, or John going into tonight's second session with a slim two frame majority. After the normal opening exchange of safety shots, John gets the scoring underway in the frame, and as he moves quickly around the table, looks confident that this will become a decent break. It soon reaches 25, and John will have to play a good shot in the next couple of shots to get the reds split open. There are still a couple of loose reds, although John is not able to maintain the momentum of the break as it comes to its conclusion at 32. Mark makes an early attempt to get some more points on the board, although has to watch as a red wobbles in the black right corner. As John pots the next red, the scores are 37-4 to John, and he is scoring again. It results in a break of 6.  Mark is resigned to his chair again as another visit at the table by John yields more points, climbing past 20, as the break continues, Mark is sitting ready with his cue extensions to leave the arena, as the break continues to climb to its conclusion of 44. John takes a 5-3 lead going into tonight's session which sees our live commentary continue at 2000(BST).

Good evening, welcome back, the evening session is about to start... we have another eight frames this evening... John Higgins led 5-3 after this afternoon's opening skirmishes... The final started slowly and then burst into life when Mark Selby fired in a century to lead 3-2... that seemed to bring John Higgins out of his shell as he responded with a 97 break to draw level and he won the next two frames as well...

Frame 9: John Higgins breaks off to get the evening's proceedings underway... and the good safety forces an early error from Selby... he's double-kissed a red and left it on for John... a little nudge of the pack from the blue and he's opened up several reds and with the black on its spots, this is a reasonable scoring chance... John Higgins looks well focussed tonight... In no time at all Higgins has moved on to 35 with seemingly no effort... but this time he's hit the pack a lot firmer and as he reaches the 50 mark he should clinch the frame here... and as I say that he loses his white and has to take brown to centre and has over hit that positional shot... but he's found a good red and now he's on to 69 and only 67 left, a very nice start tonight for John Higgins... the break ends at 75 so no century this time, but you can keep up to date with all the Crucible centuries this year, including 11 by Mark Selby, on our Snooker Sizzler...

Frame 10: Selby's break-off has brought a red down the table and an easy red to centre for John Higgins... and he's split the pack open from the blue, the black is still in the open so another great chance for Higgins to continue his break-building... in fact it's a frame-winning opening and he's already moved along to 30... Mark Selby has only played two shots so far tonight and the sort of form John Higgins is in now, he will have to make the best of any chance that comes his way, if a chance comes his way... Higgins lost position slightly but a brilliant red, dead-weight, to recover position... and 62 now, just two more reds needed... he's landed on the side cushion so a good pot needed and it sails into the centre... well there's an error, he's missed the red on 70 and there's still 75 on, that will give encouragement to Mark Selby... but his attempted long red to the green pocket goes wide and just this red to secure the frame for Higgins, which he misses to the centre... now this is a slightly easier red for Selby... he's tried to force an angle to get on the black and landed right on top of it, he can't pot it so he needs a snooker, Higgins leads by 61 now with only 59 left... Despite a kick, Higgins slots home a red and he's moved another frame ahead at 7-3...

Frame 11: Selby's safety has left a red visible and that's all Higgins needs right now, he rifles that red home and manoeuvres position onto the black, but he's left it in the jaws and here's a starter for Mark Selby... he's wasted no time is scattering the pack everywhere, he's adopting the positive approach still... he's going all round the table taking lower value colours at the moment but the black is open and if he can get on it, the reds are waiting... oh he's so unlucky, he's take a long blue with the rest and the kick has stopped the white dead and cost him any sort of position on a red... so only 24 and he's furious... he's taking on a very hard long red and he's missed it, he should have played safe and waited for another chance... he's left reds everywhere now for John Higgins... John could punish Mark severely here for his little rush of blood... he's calmly picking his way through the traffic and has compiled 29 so far... the lead is now 53-24 and this now looks like 6 consecutive frames for John Higgins... Selby now needs snookers and he wont get a chance to play for them as Higgins has disposed of the reds and is perfect on the green as the break reaches 75... just enough points to make a century... which he does and that's the 65th century this year, and it's the 91st century John Higgins has made at the Crucible, he made 14 in 1998, the year he won the Championship. The record total for centuries is 68, made in 2002, the year that Stephen Hendry compiled 16 and that is also the target figure for the most made any year by a player... Selby is closed to that target with 11 centuries so far.

Frame 12: Well that is a simply brilliant red by Selby but he's run behind the black, he just can't made it happen at the moment and he's played safe... Another superb red by Selby, having to cue over the yellow... this time he's on the baulk colours and he has to split the pack and he's run past it...  and now he's got a tough safety shot... now John Higgins rifles home a wonderful red and he's landed nicely on the blue... it's a bit like a shoot-out at the moment... he can't get the next red, cueing down with power and the chance goes back to Selby... his position has gone wrong as he tried to push a red into play and the break ends at 12... well now Higgins has gone in-off can Selby find a red and get going here... he's clipped a thin red in and this pot will get the black onto its spot so now he's got a bit of a chance... he's opened a 40 point lead but still needs three more reds to secure the frame... he's run out of position and the break ends at 40, but he leads 61-6 with 67 points still on the table... Higgins misses the red to one top pocket and flukes it in the other... but he's not got position, he gestures at the offending cushion bounce, he's got a very thin red with the rest which he get, but now he's not got on a baulk colour... Selby is now faced with an escape from behind the green... so Selby's 46 lead is open to attach, now only 42 as he misses the escape... Higgins has 51 points at his disposal... another miss and there's a red on for Higgins... and although he still trails he's got all the balls on and if he gets good position on the last red he should win the frame, what a terrible blow to Selby this could be... Higgins is 18 points behind and on the yellow... he's slightly the wrong side of the blue so harder to get to the pink now... he's left a longish pink... perfect and the black follows, Higgins lead 9-3 at the interval and he's won all four tonight...

Frame 13: The players return from the interval, can Mark Selby make any inroads into John Higgins' lead... Selby certainly looks keen, he's walked up to break off, when in fact, it's John Higgins' turn to break... Higgins' break leaves most reds tightly packed, only two have escaped the bunch... good safety by Selby covers all the reds... Higgins' escape has slip off the bunch and left a red on... Selby's left it in the pocket opening waiting for Higgins to pounce... he does but takes the chance of trying to split the reds and doesn't get on a colour... Selby's hit the brown with his safety and that's left a red for John Higgins to get a break underway... and that break passes the 50 mark and well on course to win the frame... an unexpected miss by Higgins on 58... the red is on for Selby... he's made 38 now, he's got a tough final red... he's missed it but gets a snooker, a bit of luck at last for him... Higgins still leads 59-38... and there's another snooker by Selby... this isn't easy... Higgins misses and leaves a free ball, but no pot on so Selby has it replaced... miss number two, and three... and now he's left the red on... that leaves Selby only 9 points in arrears... pink is going to be the only problem as it sits in the middle of the baulk cushion and Selby will need the pink to win the frame... he's on the pink.. and at last he wins a frame...

Frame 14: Higgins is right back in the groove again, potting the opening red and working round the open reds as he moves along to 22... Higgins doesn't like that centre pocket, he's missed another red into the same pocket, having made 36... Selby can't capitalise... a rare tactical exchange now as both payers seek the cover of the top cushion with open reds near the centre pocket... Higgins finds one of them, brilliant pot... the break reaches 22 and the lead is 58 but he's not on a red now... there are still 6 reds on the table, 75 points... Selby misses a red and here's the chance for Higgins to put the frame beyond doubt... down goes the frame ball red and it's another frame on the board for John Higgins, he leads 10-4...

Frame 15: Selby misses a long red but leaves nothing as the penultimate frame of the night is underway... a thundering red by Higgins yields no benefit for him but he's laid a snooker... from which Selby leaves a red on... an extended rest shot keeps the break going on to 25... Higgins progresses smoothly along to 45 and already this looks like another frame in the bag... it's been virtually one-way traffic tonight, but Higgins lost position there and misses a very hard red as his break ends at 53, but he also erred on the side of safety and took the white back to the baulk cushion... Selby tries a tough long red and it doesn't drop for him... he'll be glad to get this session over... I suppose we have to look at heavy final defeats if John Higgins keeps this sort of form going... Steve Davis beat John Parrott 18-3 in 1989 and that's the widest margin of a Crucible final... In 1993 Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White 18-5... There's a possible plant here for Higgins but he couldn't quite make that... he's got away with that... he leads 63-0, still 6 reds left, but not in good positions... Selby's slotted a good long red but no position, but he can gain the upper hand in the safety... Selby finds another red, he needs good colours now as he's 63-2 down with only 59 left  after this colour... now he's got all the reds reasonably in the open and if he gets them then the green cold be the problem ball later in the frame... it's on the side rail above the yellow spot... he's played a great shot to get behind the last red... he's got to pot it right down the rail... but he's made 30 now and is back in the frame, although the red fails to drop, he gets it safe... Higgins goes in off and the red is on for Selby, so he's got a last gasp chance to clinch the frame... he's played a good shot to dislodge the green but he's pushed it past the middle pocket and it's a tough pot to the corner... he's 20 behind and still needs the remaining colours... Higgins misses the green and this is a realistic chance for Selby to clear the colours... he didn't get on the brown but he's played a good safety... and what a fabulous pot on the brown but he's ended up touching ball on the blue... he's having no luck whatsoever today... Selby lays a snooker on the blue, Higgins fails to escape, 5 valuable points which means Higgins now needs blue and pink, while Selby still needs all three balls... Higgins hits it at the second attempt... Selby's attempt pot blue misses and the white travels into the pocket instead... that means Higgins only needs the blue again... what a shot from Higgins, right round the table and tight behind the pink... Selby misses it and leaves free ball, but that's not much value to Higgins so it's going back... he must hit this or he'll need a snooker, he's 18 points behind now... he's hit it but he can only tie the frame now... Higgins turns the screw a little tighter with another snooker... Selby misses it... and Higgins now leads 11-4...

Frame 16: Into the last frame of the night... can Mark Selby retrieve anything from a pretty bad night... Higgins rifles home the opening red but didn't get position... this time Selby's safety gifts an easy red for Higgins... he can't turn that into a scoring chance so back to the baulk cushion again... this time he can and Higgins moves along to 27 and a 37 point lead... and with little further fuss it's going to be 12-4 for John Higgins and he'll sleep well tonight... can he finish off in style with another century..., 86 now and on the yellow... and there it is, 106 exactly... join us on Monday at 15.00.

Good afternoon and welcome back to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for the third session of the Final in the 888.com World Championship. We start out today with John have dominated the last session, to storm ahead from 5-3 at the end of the first session, into a 12-4 lead. Unless Mark can get into his stride, very early in the game, we could see John ending this year's final during the course of this session, with a complete session to spare. The last time the Final was ended with a complete session to spare was in 1993, when Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White. Only time well tell whether the 23 year old Leicestershire Potter, can pull off one of the greatest recoveries in the history of the World Championship.  Richard Beare, has welcomed the referee and players into the arena, and we settle back in our chairs, in great anticipation, of watching many twists and turns in this third session of eight frames.

The players shake hands next to the trophy in front of a crowd of photographers, and the packed audience at the Crucible are cheering and clapping and shouting words of encouragement to both players, as Eirian Williams tries to settle them down, before John comes to the table to break-off in frame 17. There is some sad news, as we learn that Clive Everton, prominent commentator and editor of Snooker Scene, has taken a tumble and broken his hip, ending up in a Sheffield Hospital. We wish Clive a speedy recovery back to full health. Mark is unlucky in his opening shot, as he clips the pink before he hits the pack. A miss is called, and Mark gets the audience laughing, as he looks set to enjoy the remaining frames of the match. John is able to start scoring and reaches 30, before the break ends. Mark tries a tricky red into the middle right, before potting the green to get his break underway. It is not long before Mark reaches 29, to reduce the number of trailing points to only seven. A missed pot by John gives Mark anther opportunity to start a break. He plays a fast red into the right middle, to hold position on the blue.  He is unlucky, as he does not leave himself on the next red and has to play a safety shot. With the score reaching 36-35 to John, both players exchange attacking safety shots, until John is unlucky to see the cue-ball go into the black right corner pocket. Mark takes the lead for this first time in this frame. He pots a red and blue, with another red and blue to et a good position onto one of three remaining reds. The break reaches 27 as he pots the last red. A black gets his break up to 34, before he plays a safety shot on the yellow to end his break.  John does not come back to the table a he concedes the frame from his chair.

Mark comes to the table to break-off in frame 18, and having taken the opening frame, looks quite settled and relaxed. Another good three frames would see him get to the interval only trailing by four frames. Mark pots the first red, although cannot hold the cue-ball for position to pot a colour, as the cue-ball rolls to the top cushion. Safety play dominates the proceedings at the moment. Mark gets another chance to get some points on the score board, as he gets a chance to get a break going. A good shot to cut the black into the corner pocket gets the break up to twelve, and it is continuing. Mark is working hard to keep the break going, and just to be certain that he is demonstrating his ability to the packed Crucible crowd, he pots two reds in one shot, to get the break up to 35, and if it continues, could become a great chance for him to take this second frame of the session. The break reaches 70, and now that the frame is safety in Selby's hands, he can concentrate on building a big break, which may even see the temperature go up in sizzling snooker. The break gets to 109, before an attempt at an exhibition pot on the black, does not work out, but he does win the frame, and now trails 12-6.

Mark is certainly providing some entertainment, as in being relaxed around the table, he is making thrilling snooker happen, by living up to his nickname of the Jester from Leicester. Perhaps at this point in the game he is able to relax and enjoy it more as the pressure of getting over the winning line is a long way off, and before he thinks about that, has to get the frame scores level.  He is certainly playing very positive.  John on the other hand has a lot of pressure as he tries to avoid seeing his massive lead diminish, as well as trying to get closer to getting across the winning line. Frame 19 will come out in someone's favour as the players exchange tactical play. John gets a break of five to get the scoring underway, although it is not long before the safety exchange re-commences. John finds a second chance to get a break underway and it soon gets to 25, before missing a pot on the black. Mark spends a moment to way up the options, before playing a safety shot to send the cue-ball into baulk. John leads 31-0 as the players exchange attacking safety shots, although he does take his next chance to pot a red and snooker Mark behind the brown.  Mark will have to escape by playing off two cushions, but decides to play off three, and misses all the reds. The cue-ball is replaced and attempt two, played the same way, is successful, with the cue-ball ending up in baulk. Mark pots a great red and the break soon reaches 41, passing John's points and pots the last red to get the break to the half-century mark. After potting the pink, Mark is 20 points ahead as he pots the yellow and green, to get the frame to the snookers required stage. John stays in his seat to concede the frame.   

In winning the first three frames, Mark has quelled any speculation that there may not be an evening session. We get to the frame before interval, and this is a big frame for both players, Selby can take it to reduce his deficit to four frames, or Higgins can increase to five, and get one step closer to the winning line. John has not really got started in these opening frames, and will be relieved to get into the interval to fully compose himself. After a couple of shots, Mark gets the scoring underway in frame 20. Some good recovery shots keep the break going and Mark has soon potted 5 reds and 5 blacks, to reach 40 points. The break continues and gets up to 62, before Mark misses a red into the middle. John can only respond with a safety.   Mark resumes the scoring with a shot, what can only be described as the shot of the championship, to pot a long red, before a black and red, get the frame safe. John comes back to the table, as Mark failed to hit a red, although in returning to the table, pots another long red, to end the frame, going into the interval having won the first four frames of this session. Live coverage will resume after the 15 minute interval.

Before the players enter the arena, Jimmy White is introduced by the TV presenter, to share his thoughts with the television audience. John is first back into the arena closely followed by Mark, and finally Eirian Williams. Eirian settles the capacity audience and John gets the second set of four frames underway in this third session. If Mark can take another two or three frames, he will certainly start to pile the pressure onto John, he will also get back on track to see his dream come true, in picking up the World Championship trophy. Mark gets the scoring underway, although cannot keep control of the cue-ball to get a position on to a colour, and plays a safety shot.  John replies with a safety shot, and for the first time today, gets the cue-ball to rest on the bottom cushion, as his previous attempts have always fell short of the bottom cushion, in the baulk area. As the safety shots are exchanged, it is a good chance to remind you that you can see pictures of all the action from the Crucible and sites of Sheffield in the Global Cue Sports Centre Gallery. A number of safety shots are being exchanged, as neither player has been able to find an opening pot.  After John misses a tricky shot into the black right corner, he leaves the cue-ball near the blue, with a chance for Mark to pot a red into the green pocket before being forced to play the blue into the black left pocket. It will be hard to keep a break going as the black is not in a good position and the pink is a tricky shot, what will require pinpoint accuracy.  The break gets up to 12, as Mark looks to get rid of some of the intervening red balls. The break continues and reaches 19. A tactical encounter commences. John is unlucky as he watches the cue-ball, after hitting a red, falls into the black left. Mark now leads in the frame 24-0. He plays a great shot to put the white behind the yellow on the bottom cushion, snookering John on all the reds. John plays a good escape, although Mark can see a red into the black right. He plays it straight into the black right pocket, not even touching the jaws as it bangs in off the pocket. The break reaches 13 and having potted it black sees it going on the green spot, the highest available spot that is not occupied. He clears the red off the black spot, and gets a perfect position on the green spotted black, to pot it to get the break to 27. The statistics tell us that it is now over one hour since John potted a ball, and the break continues to get past the point where it becomes safe. It only remains to be seen how high it will go. It ends on 42, and Mark is now only three frames behind John, after winning all five frames so far this afternoon.

Mark is in fabulous form, as he is coming back into the game.  John really needs to get some scoring started, or he risks seeing Mark getting the opportunity to end this session level at 12-12.  This comeback by Mark is proving to really excite the capacity audience and spectators following the match.  This could be one of the greatest comeback's in the games history. A under-par shot by Mark, gives John a chance to pot a red, and find a gap between the open reds to land on the black, which is also potted. A tricky cut on the next red does not pot for John, ending the break at 8. The pressure is piling on John as Mark has a chance to get a lead in this frame, as he can see the red John failed to pot. Mark pots the red to get a break underway, and some good shots see it rise to 33, he is really enjoying this position, and it is showing as he is playing well, and enjoying his time at the table. A great plant, keeps the break going as he gets the break to 49.  There is now a real possibility as Mark can win the frame at this visit. A horrible kick makes the cue-ball jump as it contacts the pink, and although the pink drops, leave Mark in a position where he cannot really play a red to continue the break.  As he rolls the cue-ball into the nearest red, the break ends on 56. They both exchange safety shots, but John is the player under the most pressure as he has only managed to score 84 points this afternoon, compared to Mark's 509 points, a clear indication of who has been dominant during the afternoon. A tussle is underway. There is still some mileage in this frame, as 67 points remain, although an in-off by John, sees four points going to Mark, who now leads the frame 61-8. John pots a red before potting the blue. Another red and pink are played, although he lands in a bad position on the next red. A good recovery sees him get onto the black, before taking the penultimate red. Another blue gets a good position on the last red before playing the green to get the break to 31, with the colours remaining. He pots the yellow and green before playing a safety shot on the brown to end the break at 36. Both players continue with excellent safety shots, as Mark only requires one ball, while John requires them all. The atmosphere inside the arena is electric, more so when John pots the brown.  He now trails 48-61, with 18 points remaining. Mark replies with a great blue ball into the green pocket, as John now trails by 18 points with only 13 remaining, although a great effort by John sees the cue-ball going behind the black with the pink on the bottom cushion.  The safety shots resume, as the frame duration reaches 44 minutes. Mark pots the pink to end the frame. A instruction from the tournament director, ends the session at the conclusion of the frame, to give the players a good rest between the sessions.  It does however mean that tonight's session will be extended to twelve frames, which will inevitably add to the thrills and excitement of this final. Mark Selby returns at 2000(BST) having reduced his deficit to only two frames.

Frame 23: As the match was cut short by two frames this afternoon, we still have a possible 13 to play tonight, who will be lucky... who will be the champion... what more dram can unfold in this most dramatic match... There's nowhere to go now but forward to the line.... There is no other night like this in snooker... the Crucible is packed to the rafters and both players are given a rapturous reception as they make their way into the arena... Will the interval have made a difference to this match... a run of six frames by Mark Selby and John Higgins totally out of sorts... now we have a real match on tonight, John's lead is whittled down to a mere two frames... Can Selby keep up his form of this afternoon or will Crucible nerves kick in again... I'd like to take this opportunity of wishing our colleague Clive Everton a very speedy recovery after his unfortunate accident last night... Clive slipped in his shower and has broken his hip... he is resting today in Sheffield Hospital and will have an operation tomorrow... Get well soon Clive... Good safety from both players give them a chance to settle back into the match, no pot to go for yet... John Higgins attempted a long red, dead-weight, it doesn't drop and there is a possible pot to centre, but it is not easy... well Selby made it look easy and he's on a baulk colour... and his next red, a super pot to the yellow pocket, gets him on the black and that spots and is available so this is now a chance to garner a good few points...  he's smacked into the reds from the blue and is left with a very tricky red to centre... he's not going to take unnecessary risks and opts to take the white back to the baulk cushion, but he's got 25 useful points on the board... this time Selby's pushed the boat out, missed a long red by a wide margin and gifted an opening to John Higgins... he's wasted no time in moving on to 33 and looks to be back to his fluent best tonight... up to 47 and 22 ahead and that means he won't need the last red which is near a rail... he should win the frame from here, a great positional shot to get behind the red he needs as he progresses to 57... just a colour and Selby will need a snooker... well how he's done that... he's potted the colour, screwed in off in the middle and left a free ball... what a let off for Selby... so Higgins leads 58-29 there is one red left and Selby now has a bonus red and colour... he can still win the frame... Selby can't get on the last red which is close to the black, so he lays the snooker and we'll have some tense tactical play now... Higgins leads by 26 so he still only needs red and colour... but he's failed to escape... Selby's having it replaced... Selby is only 22 down now... Higgins misses again... this is only a one-cushion escape from behind the black to the top cushion... back it goes again... 18 the difference.... third time lucky but Selby holds the upper hand in the safety at the moment... this is a chance for Selby to pot the red but it's a very hard pot to yellow pocket... he's missed and it's pottable to centre for Higgins... he gets the red and is favourite again to take the frame... just yellow and green for Higgins to break Selby's run of winning frames.... and there it is, how relieved he will be... normal service resumed for Higgins...

Frame 24: All of a sudden John Higgins finds his form as he strokes home an excellent long red, but not on the black so can't make a break here... this time Higgins rattles a red and leaves a mid-range chance for Selby... unlucky for Selby as he splits the pack off the black and is left tight on the cushion with a very hard red, which doesn't drop but he hasn't done too much damage... Higgins attempts pot cum safety and doesn't get either... another mid-range red for Selby to attack... he doesn't get that one but again hasn't left much... it's Selby's turn to hit a bad safety and leave a red for Higgins... there are several open reds for John and if he pots this black, he'll have that back on its spot... a reassuring long red to the yellow pocket keeps the break going... he progresses to 21 with a delicate cannon to hold for black... key shot now as the next red should disturb the pack but now he's got a hard colour... in fact he's got no colour and the breaks ends at 43... it's rare to see the top players taking the risk of splitting reds off a red and he paid the penalty there... Selby finds a plant but his white ends up back on the baulk cushion... a red pops out from Higgins' safety but Selby has missed it and this is a chance for Higgins' to clinch the frame and open a comfortable four frame cushion... well he's missed a blue so a let off for Selby... Higgins leads 51-17 with two reds left... it's all about who wins the safety exchange... Selby holds the aces at the moment as Higgins misses a thin edge... and again and he'll be warned now, and his opponent wags his finger at him and tells him, John and Mark find it very amusing, referee Eirian Williams isn't quite so sure the player should be doing his job for him, he must hit the red or lose the frame... Higgins made certain that time hitting the red very thick... but safe enough... so still two reds left, Higgins leads 51-29... and Higgins lays a tough snooker, this is neither easy to hit nor to get safe... a miss called... and another... and miss number three... John Higgins lead grown to 35, he only needs the red now... this time Selby hits them... and he's not left a pot... Higgins leaves a glimmer of a red and Selby smacks it into the top pocket, there could be another swing in this frame yet... Selby will have to pot a long yellow and it's hard to keep the white for the green as that sits on the baulk cushion... fabulous shot... down goes the green but he's got a horrible shot on the brown... and an amazing thin brown and right round the table and plumb on the blue... he needs pink and black to pull a frame back that looked totally lost... brilliant effort by Selby...

Frame 25: Mark Selby stomps a red into the top pocket but there's no position, but a very satisfying sign of good cueing... and there's an equalling good pot by John Higgins, a red at a very narrow angle down the rail and black to follow... a chance for the Scot... he won't get much reward as his attempt to split the reds doesn't leave a pot, 20 points and not a very good safety shot... now yellow and blue are on the baulk cushion and pink in baulk also, so whoever gets in just has the black to play off... Selby missed a pot there and Higgins gets another chance, but misses an easy red to centre... that's better as Selby thumps another red into the top pocket... a little chapter of accidents for both players in this frame as Selby's now gone in-off in potting the black and attempting to split the reds, which he by-passed, came all round the table and into the middle pocket... no pot on for Higgins who produces a perfect length safety... but this time he's hit the reds very thick and opened them wide but it leaves a difficult red for Selby... too difficult this time and he's left it on to the centre... John Higgins is powering towards the line in this frame to re-open a three frame buffer... the break is on to 48, the lead 73 and that's the frame...

Frame 26: John Higgins is growing in confidence again, he's found a double out of the pack to get a break started... he's only made 9 before missing a hard blue... worse still he's left red to centre for Selby to get underway again... and he's not hanging about, Selby is still playing very positively as he moves along to 25... position has gone astray off the next black so Selby takes his 32 points and plays safe... while the players exchange safety shots it's a brief chance to say good evening to our global visitors enjoying the coverage from all points of the globe... good evening in particular to the Americas - Mexico, Brazil, Canada and many cities in America including Denver, New York, Dallas... no more safety shots now as Selby plays an amazing plant cum cannon to the centre pocket, he didn't hold back, he'd have left everything on if that hadn't wriggled into the pocket... after a lot of thought he can't find a colour to pot and plays safe, so a lot of effort for one point, but Selby leads 33-9, but not for long as Higgins has fluked a red... but he's missed the brown by quite a way and doesn't land on his intended red... but there is another red for Selby... these balls are not ideally situated but Selby's lead is now 40, he needs to find another red off this brown and the frame should be his... and it will be now as Higgins trails by 49 points with only 43 left, unless Higgins can get a snooker... Higgins has potted red and pink, he'll try for a snooker and possible free ball off the last red... it will be hard now as Selby has snookered Higgins... no problem with that escape, but now Higgins has left the red on for Selby, who rather strangely chooses to play safe... the interval follows this frame and there will be a possible nine frames after the final interval... Selby may regret not attempting that pot and Higgins lays an excellent snooker and Selby's hit the blue... now he's turned the tables on Higgins, but easy enough to hit, but not so easy to get safe and here's another chance for Selby... cracking pot and that IS the frame this time... so off for the final interval...

Frame 27: the players return to the arena and they could have a very long night yet, a possible nine frames still to be played... quite a long safety battle at the start of this frame, but here's a red for John Higgins to attempt... and he misses it... and we are having a re-rack as the safety was going nowhere... it's going to be an even later night now... don't even think of going off to bed, or to work, depending where you are in the world... this could be one of the most exciting Crucible final evenings we've enjoyed... we've restarted and Higgins has snookered Selby on all the reds... an easy escape... several safety shots but the packs hasn't loosened much... somehow Selby has bent round the black to pot the opening red of the frame... he's slipped out of position having made 24  and is forced to retreat to baulk, but he's left a red possible for Higgins... Down it goes, he'll need a long blue to continue and now he's in reasonable position... and better now off that pink as it's open a few more reds.... but the split goes wrong and the break ends at 35.... Selby played a great safety shot but without getting a snooker and Higgins pots a brilliant red, but he can't get a colour so back to the safety... not for long, another red for Higgins, same result as before he's not on a colour... Now Higgins has found another red but the balls have gone scrappy now... he's 44-24 ahead now but misses that black and there's an easy red for Selby and two left after that... the colours are in a mess so a clearance is far from easy... green is near the cushion at the black end of the table, the pink is up on the brown spot and brown is off its spot behind the yellow... Selby's cleared the reds, he's 4 points ahead on the yellow... he's missed the yellow, at pace, with the rest... the green is the problem ball... and that's forced Higgins to miss the yellow as he tries to get position.... good safety from Selby and equally so by Higgins... this frame is very tense now and very crucial... the difference will be between 14-13 and 15-12 and this frame could be pivotal to the outcome of the Championship... the tense safety continues... Higgins has the upper hand as he has Selby snookered at the moment... good escape and the drama continues on the yellow.... and on and on as the tensions builds by the minute... and we've had quarter of an hour on the yellow alone in this frame now... the green is still safe... the scores are now level on the yellow as Selby played the yellow as if snookered and missed it by a millimetre... the safety is just so good from both players that it's hard to see when this yellow will ever be potted, they've now been playing for twenty minutes on the yellow... now at last here's a chance and it falls to John Higgins as Selby mis-hit that shot... but the safety battle will resume on the green as there wasn't a pot on... John Higgins is now 2 points ahead... Higgins lays a snooker on the green, not hard to hit but, as always, it's about getting it safe... which Selby manages... another snooker by Higgins, he's holding the aces at the moment... and again Selby hits the green and gets it safe... this is superb safety play.... that is a brilliant pot on the green by Selby, but he can't pot the brown, but can lay a snooker... so he now leads by one point after 50 minutes of play in this frame... it's the longest frame of the match and the longer it goes the more you feel the outcome of the match hinges on this frame... John Higgins fails to escape from the snooker.... it goes back, the lead grows to 5 points... miss number two... 9 points up... it goes back again... Higgins could hit this off one cushion but he's trying to come off two... he misses for the third time and it's replaced again... 13 points is the lead for Selby, four misses, 17 points and if he leaves the brown on, that will be all Selby needs.. well it had to happen, Higgins has potted it out of the snooker and snookered himself on the blue... he's missed the blue and after all that the score is 72-54 in Selby's favour... Selby dumps Higgins in another snooker on the blue... a chance at the blue for Selby and he's slotted it home, he's won the frame and closed the gap to just one frame... just what will this mean in the context of the match...

Frame 28: Selby gets the frame underway... two good safety shots already by each players.... Selby's left his white short this time, a tough opening red faces Higgins... and that's a superb pot, he's the wrong side of the blue but can get in and out of baulk without a problem... the white is careering round the table off these shots, but he's got on a red each time so far and now he's got the black onto its spot... 21 points on the board and he'll need to split the pack now... he's not on the reds, white has landed on the side cushion near the middle pocket... so the break ends at 28 and he runs to the top cushion... they resume conventional safety from the baulk cushion... not close enough to the baulk rail from Higgins and Selby fires home a long red... he's chipped in a thin black and will have to play the next red from distance... he's hit that too well and ended up touching the black, end of break... Higgins has hit his safety too thin, but the reds are getting pushed to one side of the table a bit, the pink is guarding that corner pocket and the black is not on its spot, yellow is safe... Selby's safety cuts off the route to the pack, Higgins has a tough shot here to keep the reds safe.. an even better shot from Higgins who gets the white tight behind the brown... and that produces the opening Higgins needed and he's rattled in 21 points already to add to his earlier 28... he's lost position on 28, so he leads 56-9 with 4 reds left and he's put the blue safe as well... there's an error by Selby, a chance for Higgins to close out the frame... Higgins misses a red with the rest so Selby breathes again... and he can get back into the frame here... he's made 24 so far, wipes down his cue and sets himself to take on a double... it stays out, breaks ends, we're onto the last red, Higgins leads 56-33, will he take on the long red... yes he will and it flies in, he's not on a colour unless he takes on a long brown, but he'll play safe and he puts the green safe now and snookers Selby... It looks like frame to Higgins with a 24 point lead and the balls in bad positions... fabulous escape, just a roll away from getting a snooker back... but the yellow is on... and down it goes, Selby needs a snooker now... the clock ticks past Midnight (BST) in the Crucible and it really is one of the late great Crucible thrillers.... Selby is pursuing the snooker he needs, not got it yet but still good safety from both players... Higgins gets the green this time and opens a two frame gap once again at 15-13...

Frame 29: Selby gets us underway with a brilliant long red and gets no reward in the form of a colour... the white goes tight to the baulk cushion... another amazing pot by Selby and he's screwed back to get on the blue... he's caught the pack wrong and the white has rebounded to the baulk cushion... he's chipped another red in, brown follows and a chance now to get into decent position... he's split the reds again and even though the black only goes in one pocket, this now looks like a very good chance... he's already on 21... a difficult pink to centre eludes him and that's end of break at 43... there's a red for Higgins and he's nicely on the brown, one good positional shot and he'll have a great chance... and he has, he's in perfect position, he's made 19, but the problem will be the last red which is still covered by the black... now he can move that red, and with two reds left he's only 16 behind... if he can get position from the blue to the last red Higgins will be favourite to win the frame... and he clears with 57, quite superb...

Frame 30: That is quite simply the best pot of the championship, an amazing red by Selby, a masse sends the red the full distance of the table into the yellow pocket... he doesn't manage to land on a colour... Higgins' turn to play a brilliant shot as he gets a snooker behind the yellow from his safety shot... Selby escapes and a tactical exchange ensues... Selby attempted a four ball plant and the red hovered and didn't drop... but he's covered that red... no problem for Higgins who rifles home a long red... Higgins looks very calm and this is a pretty good chance, if he could produce a frame-winning break here, he'll stand just one frame from the title... Higgins moves along to 30 and he's got plenty to add... he's got his second wind and looks strong now... If John Higgins become King of the Crucible again, then without a doubt Mark Selby will be the Court Jester... he's never lost his sense of humour, he's still smiling, still entertaining and even took time to sign autographs between frames... who said there were no characters in the game these days... Higgins is closing in on the frame, he's up to 60 and needs one more red... the break reaches 74, the frame is safe and John Higgins needs one to become Champion for the second time... he's going to make a century now and that ties the all-time record of 68, which was set in 2002... and he finishes with a 129 clearance which is century number 68 on our Sizzler...

Frame 31: Higgins has really found his range with his safety as he puts Selby in all sorts of trouble... the only shot he can see is a possible plant, about a six ball plant.. and he's got it... they should be playing "The Entertainer" when Selby is at the table... but he's missed the yellow at pace... he's landed right in the middle of the reds and there's one on for Higgins, which he floats to the centre pocket... is this the beginning of the end for Mark Selby... the black didn't spot so it's up on the yellow spot, Higgins will have to build the break off the pink... Higgins moves along to 33, he's got the reds spread and with each red potted another one becomes open... 50 now and six reds left, so he needs two more reds to clinch the 2007 888.com World Championship title... and there it is, he's 63 up with 59 on, there's no way back for Selby now... Congratulations to John Higgins, World Champion and World No. 1... John Higgins collects the cheque for £220,000, will Mark Selby takes £110,00 as runner-up... the £10,000 high break prize was won by Ali Carter for his superb 144 total clearance. We hope you've enjoyed our extensive coverage... stay with GCS for a Super Summer of Snooker, starting this Thursday with PIOS Event 8.

2007 888.com WORLD CHAMPION

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