2007 888.com World Championship

MATCH BY MATCH LIVE MATCH NOTES [CLICK ON MATCH FOR LIVE COMMENTARY, NEWS, QUOTES]

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MATTHEW STEVENS

v

SHAUN MURPHY

Quarter Final 3

(Best of 25 frames, 3 sessions)

Tuesday 1 May 10.00

Tuesday 1 May 19.00

Wednesday 2 May 14.30

Good morning and welcome to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.  Today's matches are the commencing frames in the quarter-finals.  This match between Matthew and Shaun, has the distinct possibility of becoming a classic match.  Shaun gets us underway in frame one, although it is not too long before Matthew is at the table, and has started to make a break,  which quickly builds up to 39, having picked off most of the loose the reds and has a slightly opened pack to develop the frame.  The match on Table 1 this morning, is between Anthony Hamilton and Stephen Maguire, and like this match, could prove to be an interesting encounter. Matthew ends his break on 46 with a safety shot. A poor safety shot by Shaun allows Matthew to return to the table, to start on break number two, to make a break a get his score up to 68.  Shaun gets to the table with six points, and five reds remaining, and is forced to play a safety shot.  Shaun can still win in this frame, although it will take some skill to pot the reds and get on the black, to get his points up. A safety exchange is underway, with both players having settled quickly, to the now familiar surroundings. Matters are compounded for Shaun as he mis-cues and the cue-ball, after leaving the bed of the table, hits the pink in a foul stroke. Matthew comes to the table and makes a winning break of 22 to take the first frame in the match.

As Alan Chamberlain sets the table for frame 2, it is a good opportunity to tell you about our latest exclusive competition we are running with 888.com.  Entry is simple, by clicking on any of the competition links, with the eventual winner will receive a pair tickets for the final two sessions of the final, on Monday 7th May.  The question is simple, add up all the points that will be scored in all of matches played tomorrow and Thursday. Frame 2 gets underway, and both players exchange some fine safety shots. Shaun makes the first error, leaving Matthew a choice of two reds. Shaun's safety play has been adequate this morning, but will need to improve if he is to stop Matthew from taking advantage of the errors. Matthew works to get rid of the loose reds, and soon sees the break reach 58.  This looks like it could be a frame winning break, the turns up the temperature in sizzling snooker as he makes a massive break of 118.  He is now 2-0 in front.

Frame 3 begins, and Shaun needs to pot some balls in this frame, to get his campaign started in this match. Both players are capable of making good come-backs, although both would prefer to avoid having to win large number of frames at a time in order to remain in the match. Matthew pots a red before playing the cue-ball slightly behind the yellow.  Shaun has a chance to pot a long red into the black corner pocket, although he still has not got started this morning, and misses by a considerable distance. Matthew comes back to the table and starts to score again. As the break continues, it is a good chance to remind you that GCS Gallery contains pictures of the players and the action from the matches, along with some views of Sheffield, and is well worth a visit. The break gets to 54 and it looks like the match will go 3-0 after this visit, although on 64, the break ends.  Shaun comes to the table, and for the first time in the match, pots a red. The break climbs to 24 as Shaun plays an excellent safety to snooker Matthew tight behind the pink, which is sitting on the side cushion, with the red near the yellow.  Matthew misses, and although a miss cannot be called, now leaves Shaun only requiring one snooker as the scores stand at 66-28.  Shaun pots the yellow and green, and put Matthew into one of three snookers that are required.  The first snooker is successful, and Matthew concedes 4 points, although does pot the brown in a subsequent visit to take the frame.

Matthew breaks-off in frame four, which could see him going four frames up in little over an hour.  Shaun has at least managed to get some table time in the last frame and started to score, but will be looking to the interval to seek some solace and time to recompose himself for the second four of the session.  Matthew, plays a very positive red, before being unlucky in after potting the yellow, sends the cue-ball in-off one of the corner pockets. However, he is certainly cueing well this morning and looks very confident. Reports of all the matches in this years 888.com world championship are available on conclusion of every match on the GCS news pages. After a short exchange of safety play, Matthew returns to the table and pots another long red. The break does not continue, as Matthew fails to cut the black into the left black corner. The frame score is delicately balanced at 12-5 to Stevens, as Murphy comes to the table and plays a red then black.  This could be a chance for him to register his first frame. Shaun has sprung into action in this frame, and gets his break up to the half-century point, as he takes the frame with a break of 82.

As we go into the interval break, we say a special good morning to all our fans who are viewing form across the world, with a very special sain baina uu (Сайн байна уу) to our Mongolian viewers. Live commentary returns very soon, as we wait to see whether Shaun will continue to make his comeback in the game, or whether Matthew will pull away, taking more frames.

The players and referee, Alan Chamberlain return to the arena and frame 5 gets started, with Matthew, as in the previous frames, being the first to open the scoring.  The break gets to 11, before Matthew has no choice but to play a safety shot. Both players take time to exchange safety play. Shaun replies by making a break to get his score to 44, although Matthew is quick to pass the Shaun's score and make a break of 43.  The score is now 54-44 to Matthew as Shaun comes to the table to pot the last red, before playing the green with the colours remaining.  He takes the frame after clearing the colours to the pink with a break of 18, to get another frame back, now trailing at 3-2.

Frame six gets underway with Shaun now looking in fine form.  Matthew has missed a couple of opportunities in the last couple of frames to extend his lead and will now have to concentrate on avoiding Shaun getting too much dominance in the match. Matthew, again opens the scoring in this frame, and the break gets to 38, with Matthew having taken all the loose reds.  A good shot to open the pack will be required after playing the black.  He opens the pack slightly and, although is hampered by awkward cueing, continues his break. A bad contact on 62, threatens to end the break, but after having the cue-ball cleaned, goes on to pot the blue into the green pocket. The break passes the century point, to come to an end on 108, Matthew's second of the match so far.

Frame 7 sees Shaun immediately take the opportunity to get a break of 34, following a decent safety shot by Matthew.  Matthew comes to the table and pays and attacking shot to put a long red into the green pocket, however in missing it, he leaves Shaun with two choice as to which red he plays to open another break. Shaun plays an excellent shot in potting the green, sending the cue-ball up to split the pack, although he is unfortunate in not leaving himself in an easier position to take the next red.  A great recovery sees a red being played along the top cushion, before falling into the black right corner pocket. On 19, after potting a black, Shaun send the cue-ball back into the pack, opening the pack into much better positions, and suddenly the frame is looking ever more likely to go to the Winston player. In reaching a break of 35, the frame has gone safe, as Shaun ends the frame with a break of 89, to come within one fame of Matthew. 

As we go into the final frame of the session, you can make a comment about this match, or take part in our many debates and discussions by joining the GCS Forum, which includes stories and news from around the world. This is an important frame for both players, Matthew could end the session leading by two frames, or if Shaun can continue his goof form, could end the session, level at 4-4. The frame gets underway with both players exchanging safety shots. Shaun faces some difficulty in his shot, after Matthew has put the cue-ball behind the green.  Shaun rolls the white off one cushion to end it coming into the pack, forcing Matthew to reply with another safety.  Matthew sends the cue-ball back into Baulk as the safety shots are exchanged. Matthew has managed to get six points on the scoreboard, although the frame remains tense as both players look to get an opening.  Matthew is faced with a tough shot, cutting a red into the black left pocket.  The black is out of commission, hugging the left cushion, and the pink is on the blue spot, with the blue going on the black spot, a sign of the state of the table.  Matthew is not able to continue with the break.  Shaun has a real opportunity to level the match, as the break gets up to 26, before missing a red. Matthew comes to the table but cannot get a decent break, managing to get the score back.  Murphy is left with an easy red and soon gets a break going to score 33 points, putting the frame beyond Matthew's reach, who shakes hand with both Shaun and Alan Chamberlain, leaving the arena with the scores level at 4-4. This match resumes at 1900(BST) tonight.

Live coverage of this afternoon's matches gets underway at 1430(BST) when we see the other two quarter-final matches begin, where on Table 1, we see the first eight frames of the eagerly anticipated Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins match, while on Table 2, Ali Carter and Mark Selby begin their match.

You join us for the second session of this enthralling match between Shaun and Matthew with the frames being level, it will be interesting to see whether they come back rejuvenated after a relaxing afternoon. Shaun immediately sets the standard for the match with a break of 43. Matthew is in a stop of trouble, as in playing a safety shot from a Chinese snooker misses the pack on his first attempt, although corrects it in attempt number two, with the cue ball coming to rest on the side of the pack. Matthew gets Shaun into a Chinese snooker with the cue-ball sitting in front of the green.  Although Shaun hits the red, he leaves an easy opening for Matthew to get back into the frame, with a lowly break of 8, but lays a snooker.  In this return to the table, Shaun misses the red, and has to play a second attempt after the miss is called.  The second attempt comes out better, having played off three cushions to hit the red. The red is in a tricky position to play from, however, Matthew successfully takes the risk and it pays off. Matthew gets to within 5 points of Shaun, but has a hard red to play into the corner left pocket. He makes it look easy, and with one red now remaining, and the break climbing up to 42, surpassing Shaun, it could become enough to win the frame at the visit. He misses the pink to end the break on 61, and now leads the frame 69-47.  Shaun requires two snookers and both colours to now win the frame, and will be disappointed if he does not win the frame, after having started it with a good lead. It only takes a couple of safety shots, before Matthew pots the pink to win the frame.

Frame 10 starts and both players exchange a fair number of safety shots, refusing to play attacking shots, although Shaun has managed to take an early red.  The match is interesting, as both players are similar in the sense that both a heavy scoring potters and both like to play attacking safety, although Shaun fairs better in the safety play department. The safety shot continue to be exchange in this very tactical dominating early start to frame 11, which is a good chance to remind you our latest exclusive competition closes at midnight.  The competition is being run in conjunction with 888.com and the eventual prize winner will receive a pair of tickets to both sessions of the final on Monday, for the already sold-out match. As we come back to the commentary, Matthew has been working hard to get a break of 27, before being unlucky in the cue-ball taking a strange bounce off the side cushion, and loosing its momentum. This frame has not been the fastest, are both players have become bogged down in a continuing safety exchange, although in fairness, both players are trying hard.  Meanwhile, on the other table is loud applause, meaning that one of the players have past the previous high break, which will have really turned up the heat in sizzling snooker. Shaun is at the table, and after potting three reds, has the break up to 17.  It is not long before he has cleared Matthew's 29 point lead to make a break of 31, before concentrating too much on position rather than the pot. Matthew returns to the table and manages to pot a red before snookering Shaun on the remaining two reds. Shaun has to playoff at least two cushions, opting to go off four, but misses the lower of the two positioned reds. The balls are replaced and attempts two and three do not hit the red. The ball is replaced and we get up to attempt number seven which is still also unsuccessful.  Matthew sits in his chair accepting the points. Shaun eventually hits the red on attempt eight. Matthew plays another shot to put Shaun behind the yellow, near the bottom cushion, although this will not take eight tries. Matthew now leads the frame 58-31 as he plays another safety shot.  The frame time shows 34.47 minutes of play so far in this frame, which is clearly the longest these two have taken, but it has been an interesting test of their ability to perform under the additional stress of such a tactical encounter. Shaun misses he red and in a double blow the white goes in-off, leaving Matthew with a red into the green pocket from in-hand.  Matthew pots the red and clears the colours to the pink to win the longest frame of the match at just under 50 minutes.

Shaun leaves the arena for a few moments, as both players will be eager to re-compose themselves as such a long frame.  Shaun returns to the arena, and break-off in frame 11. After the cursory opening exchanges, Shaun has a slender 5-0 lead, until he is very unlucky, as in potting a red into the middle, sends the cue-ball up the table into the black left pocket.  Stephen cannot maximise from the misfortune. The red balls are all heading towards the same corner of the table, as the players exchange safety shots.   Shaun makes a break of 38 to get an upper hand in the frame, although it is not too long before Matthew is back in the frame with a break to get the score to 38-37.  Shaun is back at the table, and a break of 21 gets him onto the final colours, still requiring the yellow and green, which he takes to make the frame safe and wins the frame 68-37 to trail the match 6-5.

The final frame before the interval gets going, and both players will be looking to take this frame, hopefully in a quicker frame, than the last two, and both being able to play in a more fluent frame.  This session has developed at a pace which is completely the opposite to what these players would have wished, and will be hoping that it returns to a more attacking session when they return.  Stevens has a slight 10-5 lead over Murphy, although at this early stage, both players have made unforced errors, which will not help their confidence.  Matthew finds his confidence growing as his break reaches the mid-century and gets past the point of no return in this frame as his break ends on 62. Shaun needs snookers as he returns to the table, although he pots two of the remaining three reds, and a couple of colours to get a break up to 16 before attempting to snooker Matthew.  Matthew makes a break of 17, to go into the interval, leading 7-5.

The players return from the interval, and a rejuvenated Matthew is keen to get the scoring open, as he comes to the table and starts to compile a break. the reds remain close together, and will have to be developed, although it is not going to happen on this visit, as Matthew misses the black to end the break on 20. Shaun immediately comes to the tale and it is not too long before he has past Matthew's break and has his scoring account up to 39.  He will need to work extremely hard to make this a frame winning visit, although he pots the blue to open three of the remaining four reds nicely.  One other red remains on the side cushion. The break climbs to reach 52, before Shaun misses a blue off its spot into the middle pocket.  This will be a chance for Matthew to get back into this frame as he takes the first red, before snookering Shaun some way behind the brown. Shaun spends some time to study the shot. Shaun makes a great effort, although leaves the red available to the black left pocket for Matthew.  It is a long shot, but it goes down as Matthew goes on to clear the colours to snatch the frame 54-52.

As the table is set up by referee Alan Chamberlain, it is a good chance to remind you of the Global Cue Sports Gallery, which has images from all the action at the 888.com world championship in Sheffield.  Matthew comes to the table and starts play in frame 14, although after a couple of shots, by both players, they quickly decide on having the balls re-set and starting the frame again. So, Matthew starts us off again for the second time in frame 14.  Matthew opens the scoring in the frame until on 24, he pots the blue, playing the cue-ball into the pack. only to hit the red at the apex, knocking it towards the left black pocket, and it goes into the pocket. A small consolation is that the cue-ball ends in a safe position, and Shaun his forced to play a safety. Matthew returns to the table and again starts a break. Matthew plays a great shot to pot the black, opening a red, as the break reaches 14. The break climbs to 29 and seems to be progressing well, with the chance to get this frame safe as each shot is played. As the break gets to 52, three reds remain, and Matthew attempts a long one into the green pocket.  It wobbles in the jaws, and rolls along the bottom cushion.  The break of 52 is enough to extend his lead to 9-5 as Shaun Concedes the frame.

As we go into frame 15, we say a special Hello and welcome to our viewers in California, who are joining us to watch the developments in tonight's two matches. We do have a visitors book on the front page, and all viewers can leave comments. Viewers can also join our lively forum and keep up to date on discussions about all cue-sports, as well as news from around the world. Both players exchange some safety shots, however Matthew is unlucky to leave a red over the right black pocket.  It is not as easy as it looks, and Shaun attempts to play to hold position on the black, and forgets to concentrate on the pot first.  The mistake is punished as Matthew opens a break. He works hard to keep position as the break climbs to 38, but cannot continue with the break as he plays a safety. The safety exchange continues. A fabulous long red by Matthew opens his again. This break ends the frame as it reaches 57.  Shaun is now trailing by five frames as we go into the last frame of the session.

Frame 16 is started by Matthew with a good safety shot.  Shaun will have to do everything he can to win this frame to reduce his deficit going into tomorrow's session recommences tomorrow morning at 1000(BST) . With it being such an important frame, both players are not taking any unnecessary risks to leave their opponents with any opportunities. Matthew is first to score although does not land on a colour.  He subsequently returns to the table and makes a superb break which quickly passes the 50 mark to compile a frame winning break of 81.  He goes into tomorrow's final session with an 11-5 lead.

This match recommences tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1000(BST) to be played to its conclusion.

You join us at the Crucible for the conclusion of this match, and as Shaun gets the play underway, he has a long road to travel to get back in the match as he currently trails 11-5.  Matthew is now only two frames away from gaining a place in the semi-finals, and both players will be certainly highly motivated going into this final possible 9 frames. After a couple of safety shots by each player, Shaun gets the scoring underway. Shaun looks to be in good form, but will need a good shot to open the nine clustered reds, after picking off the loose reds. When the break gets to 25, there are no more loose reds, and Shaun plays an attacking safety shot, to release another four reds and putting the cue-ball into baulk.  Matthew also plays an attacking safety to further split the reds, with the cue-ball coming to rest near to the baulk line. Matthew attempts a long red into the black right pocket, which leaves Shaun with an opportunity to extend his lead as he starts his second break of the game. It is not long before Shaun gets the break clears the table with a break of 92, to set the standard for the game, as he starts his recovery, to come back to 11-6.

As the table is prepared for frame 18, it is a good chance to remind you that after the match, there is a press conference with the players, and full reports of the matches appear in the GCS news pages. Matthew gets the frame started and both players take the opportunity to exchange safety shots.  Although Shaun pots a single red, Matthew has a little more look in getting a break of 8, before having to play a safety.  Shaun comes to the table and misses an attempted pot, as Matthew is presented with a real opportunity to make a good break. Matthew takes his time to study the options before each shot, but misses a red to end his break on 17. Shaun has a chance to score, but the opening red wobbles in the jaws of the pocket, and is left for Matthew to pot to start his third scoring visit in this frame. This is turning into a real opportunity for Matthew to make, although a lapse in concentration on the pot, again ends the break on 33.  Shaun comes to the table trailing 58-1, but starts to make a break.  It wont be enough for him to win the frame at this visit as a red and black are very close to each other on the top cushion. Shaun plays a couple of unbelievable shots to develop the red into play and keep the frame alive.  With one red remaining he can now win the frame at this visit. Shaun takes all the remaining balls, and snatches the frame from Matthew, to take the second frame of the session.  Matthew will be disappointed at the way he gave that frame away. 

Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins continue to battle it out on Table 1 this morning, with their score at 4-6. We return to our table as the frame commences, and it is Matthew who is first to start the scoring. The cushions seem to be playing inconsistently today, sometimes bouncing-off, which is concern to the players, as they are never really certain what the affect will be as they try to maintain position. It has not been too much of a problem for Matthew so far as the break climbs to 51 and counting.  He will have to be careful, that if he looses position, he does not play a shot, like the previous frame, where he leaves an easy chance for Shaun. Matthew has to return to his seat after missing a black off its spot to end the break at 52. Shaun is left with an opportunity, and as he glides around the table, he oozes confidence as he starts to reply.  This frame could be a repeat of the last frame, and Shaun could again pinch the frame from Matthew, however on 34 has to play a safety shot, putting Matthew into a good snooker.  Matthew spends some time in weighing up his options for the shot.  There are several choice to hit the red, but to get it safe and leave it good cue-ball, is another matter. Matthew makes an attempt, but misses the red, and the cue-ball is replaced. Attempt two is no better and leaves a free ball for Shaun, who pots the brown and then plays the yellow to get on the last red, now only trailing  by 7 points.  Matthew gets a final chance in this frame, as Shaun missed the last red, and left it hanging over the pocket.  Matthew pots it, to play the blue into the yellow pocket. He pots the yellow, green, brown to get a 22 point lead in the frame, with Shaun coming to the table requiring one snooker, as only three balls remain.  Shaun pots the blue. Matthew plays safe and in every visit, keeps the distance between the pink and black and cue-ball as much as possible, making it difficult for Shaun to lay the snooker. With the cue-ball near the black left pocket and the pink up between the green and brown spots, Matthew plays a superb shot to pot the pink and win the frame.  He is now within one frame of a place in the semi-final.

Matthew comes to the table to break off in frame 20, and Shaun is under immense pressure to win the frame, if he wants to come back after the interval break to continue his attempt to progress into the semi-final. Matthew is first to pot a red in this frame, although at 24 points, is forced to consider playing a safety shot.  Matthew has been a runner-up in this competition on two previous occasions, in 2000 and 2005. He finds a truly spectacular plant, to pot another red, but is then forced to play a safety shot, ending his break on 25. Shaun can only reply this time with a safety shot. The black and pink are in poor positions for either player at this point in the frame, with the yellow also hampering the blue into the middle. Matthew picks off another red, but the cue-ball comes to rest near the yellow side cushion.  he is forced to play the brown, knocking the green into a safe position.  With so much at stake in this frame for both players, it will be a tussle for either to gain the upper hand. The cue-ball rolls in-off into the yellow pocket, with Shaun being awarded the points from the foul. Shaun pots a long red, and is able to get a chance at the pink, which goes in.  The nine reds are not in the best of positions, although Shaun finds his way to pot another red. The cue-ball ends up near the jaw of the middle pocket, and Shaun can do nothing , but roll the cue-ball to touch the yellow. Matthew has a look at what he can try, and it looks like he will go for a one cushion escape or swerve shot, to hit a loose red. He opts to play off one cushion, and hits the red. Shaun can see a red to the black right pocket and it goes in, however the position on the pink, is a tricky cut and Shaun may consider cutting the yellow back into the middle pocket.  He assesses the two shots before deciding to play the pink, which he rolls into the black left. Another red and pink get the frame scores level at 26-26, as Shaun continues to extend his break. Shaun ends the break, having got the score to 40-26 in his favour. Four reds remain, and all are near cushions, making difficult pots. Shaun plays one of the reds across the table, now three reds are clustered together near the black left pocket. The three reds near the left corner, now become four as Shaun knocks the loose red in towards the other three. A risky plant pays off for Matthew as he pots a red, and plays the pink, taking the next red, before getting onto another pink.  All of a sudden the points are again level at 40-40 and this could be a golden opportunity for Matthew. He moves around the table swiftly, sensing the impending victory that awaits him. The final red and pink get the break to 28, with the colours remaining. Matthew plays a safety shot to put the yellow on the top cushion.  Shaun misses the yellow, and hits the pink on the way back down the table.  Matthew has cue-ball replaced and Shaun gets a second attempt.  He hits it, but Matthew may feel confident as the yellow can cut into the black left. He opts for a safety shot. Matthew has a 20 point lead in this frame, as both players tread carefully. Shaun pots the yellow, but cannot clearly see the green which is nestled behind the brown. He does hit it, and sends the green to the yellow side cushion. Matthew replies by putting the green on the bottom cushion. The tactical exchange continues. A pivotal moment is reached, as Shaun puts the cue-ball behind the black which is up towards the green pocket, with the brown obstructing the route to the cushion to hit the green which is two the left of the spotted pink.  Matthew plays off three cushions, and fails to contact the green.  The cue-ball is replaced. Matthew is a lot closer in his second attempt, but again misses.  Referee Alan Chamberlain is satisfied that the attempt was good enough, and only calls a foul. Shaun cannot capitalise from the position, but is lucky as the safety shot he plays, sends the cue-ball towards the bottom cushion, which clips the brown at the last moment, snookering Matthew again.  Matthew tries, but fails to hit as a miss is called, he does hit the green on the second attempt. Shaun now trails by only six points with the score at 54-60. Shaun gets another snooker, and Matthew is again in trouble, as he fails to hit the green. the cue ball is replaced between the brown and black.  Matthew has to be careful, in playing off the cushion, as the middle pocket is a big target. Shaun pots the green to go 61-60 in front. The brown follows, along with the blue and pink to survive this frame and return after the interval.

If you have not had a chance to see the pictures from Sheffield, now is a good chance to visit the Global Cue Sports Gallery, to see some of the pictoral highlights from this year's 888.com World Championship, while we have the interval break of 15 minutes.

Frame 21 gets the second, and possible five frames started, as we wait to see whether Shaun is living on borrowed time, or whether he can win all five of these frames.  After a couple of safety shots, Matthew pots the opening red in the frame. Matthew, knows that he just has to be patient as opportunities will present themselves throughout all of the remaining frames, although will have to concentrate on the potting, rather than focusing on the cue-ball position, as he misses the second black, having played if from its spot, ending the break on nine. However, the safety shot is good, and Shaun could face some problems in hitting the reds as he is snookered behind the green.  He spends some time looking at the shot, and considers the best way to execute the shot, without leaving Matthew an opportunity.  Shaun plays off two cushions, as the miss is called.  Matthew looks to pot a red to the right middle pocket. The pot on the black is easy, but Matthew has a difficult cueing position. Matthew pots the black, but is unfortunate as the cue-ball follows the black into the pocket. Shaun gets to the table and plays a red and black. The break ends as Shaun takes a slim 15-14 lead. The players exchange safety shots, with the majority of the reds on the left hand side of the table. Shaun picks off a red and then plays the yellow into the green pocket. This break could build up into a good lead for Shaun. The break soon gets to 40, and this is rapidly becoming a chance for Shaun to take the frame. Four reds remain as Shaun pots one to put the frame into the snookers required stage. He scores a break of 61, to get the frames back to 12-9.  

Matthew breaks-off in frame 22, and with Shaun having won four of the five frames this morning, Matthew will be getting a little anxious to get a second win to put the game to bed.  Matthew gets to the table and sinks a red and pink, before potting another red, only to have the cue-ball end up slightly behind the black ball. He will play a safety on the black and will have to wait a little longer. Shaun plays a safety, just checking to see whether he has left anything for Matthew, who chooses to play a safety shot. As Matthew looks at his options in coming to the table, the dividing wall is raised, to signal the end of the session in the Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins match. Matthew pots a red, but misses the black.  Shaun immediately comes to the table and starts a break to gets some points on the board. Shaun soon catches up to Matthew, although it is still early days in the frame. Shaun builds the break to reach 54 as the frame now looks a formality for Shaun, as with 2 reds remaining, leads by 39 points. A red and blue put the frame safe, and the break eventual ends with a clearance of 94.  Shaun gets the match back to within two frames, as Matthew's lead is reduced to 12-10.

The game is now a best of three match, and Shaun Murphy is looking increasingly likely, to take the game to the final frame, as in winning five out of six frames, has made four breaks over 50, with two in the nineties.  Matthew will be coming concerned as he watches his chances get slimmer. A concerted effort by either player in this frame, could see fortunes reversed.  Shaun gets the scoring underway in the frame, with a four cushion fluke, but cannot not anything to develop the break. A mistake by Matthew gives Shaun an opportunity, which he is quick to grasp, although the cue-ball goes in-off the middle pocket on 22, bringing this visit to an unexpected end. Matthew seems to be struggling as Shaun is gaining the upper hand in this match, although Matthew manages to pot a good long red to start a break. Matthew is very unlucky as he pots the blue to come off two cushions to try and split the pack of reds open.  the cue-ball rolls past all the reds, and Matthew's break end on 18.  The score is 24-18 to Murphy and seven red remain, however the spotted blue is hampered by the pink, reducing the possibility of using either of the balls to develop a high scoring break. Matthew attempts to play a long red, and in missing the pot, leaves Shaun with a good opportunity.  Shaun can only manage 8 points from this visit. A safety exchange is underway.  A mistake by Shaun results in the points from the foul being added to Matthew's score, but more importantly a chance for Matthew turns into a break of 11.  He now leads the frame 33-32, as the red shakes hands with the middle pocket. Shaun cannot play anything but an attacking safety when he returns, and Matthew comes back to the table and pots a red, the break ends on 15 with a missed pot on the black.  Shaun has to come to the table and play the last red down the cushion. he can play the cue-ball along the top cushion to pot the black, but the white ends up directly behind the yellow on the bottom cushion. This frame is becoming very tight as Shaun now trails 40-48 with only the colours remaining. Shaun pots the yellow, green, brown, before he fails to pot the blue, going 1 point in front, as he puts the blue safe. The pair exchange safety shots, until a mistake by Shaun leaves Matthew with a chance, who misses the pot and leaves Shaun to pot the blue and pink to take the frame and now only trail by 1 frame.  A clenched fist from Murphy demonstrates that he knows that if he continues to keep the pressure on Stevens, he can go on to win the match.

Frame 24, gets this Crucible thriller ever-closer to a possible one frame shoot-out.  If Murphy can take this frame, he will surely be the favourite to win the match, as Matthew has struggled to find fluent form throughout the course of this match. Matthew's luck does not get any better for him, after in potting a great red, sees the cue-ball come off two cushions to rest on the side of the pack.  to make matters worse, he nominates green as a safety shot and misses it. Matthew fails to hit the green and the miss is called. Shaun has the cue-ball replaced, and on his second attempt, Matthew again chooses the green, and is successful in making contact, but leaves a long red available for Shaun.  Shaun plays a red and blue and sees the cue-ball rest in the jaws of the black left corner pocket, forcing him to play a safety shot from a loose red on the left of the pack. Matthew manages a break of 7 but fails to have made the most of his opportunity, as Shaun returns to the table to open another break. This could be a good effort from Shaun if he does not loose position. Position is not the problem, as Shaun misses the pot on the blue. The frame is topsy-turvy with both players not being able to maximise their opportunities. They must both be feeling the pressure, as it increases. Murphy has the advantage in the frame as the scores stand at 16-14.  A safety exchange continues, as both players have managed to take the odd red, and get the score to 25-19 to Murphy.  It is a very low scoring frame, as only three reds remain. This frame edges to its conclusion in a very tense encounter. Shaun manages to clear the remaining reds and pots the yellow, green, brown and blue to make a break of 21 to win the frame.  

Frame 25 starts, as the match is to be settled on a one frame shoot-out. Shaun will undoubtedly fancy his chances in winning the match now, having won the last six frames. As we wait for Matthew to return to the arena, we take the chance to make a special welcome to everyone who joins us, especially to our viewers who have followed the duration of this match in Fornevu, Norway.  The climax frame gets underway, as Shaun pots the first balls in the frame, and Matthew is forced to watch, hoping that he will get a chance to return to the table.  The break gets to 21, and Shaun could make a sizeable break at this visit. Murphy a devout Christian, will certainly be saying some silent prayers to himself as he hopes every ball he attempts is potted.  He gets the break to 44 and slightly loses position, being forced to tap a red, to send the cue-ball back into baulk, resting near the bottom cushion, behind the pink, which is spotted on the yellow spot. Matthew attempts a long pot, and is lucky in not leaving Shaun with much of an opportunity. Shaun spends a moment to look what he can play. Shaun plays a safety, again sending the cue-ball back into baulk, this time behind the spotted green very close to the bottom cushion. The safety exchange continues. Shaun pots an excellent red to re-start his scoring. The break is building and this is becoming a real chance for Shaun to make a frame winning break, at worst he should get to the snookers required stage from this visit. The frame is put beyond Matthew's reach as Shaun makes a break of 43. Matthew shakes Shaun's hand as he concedes the match.  Shaun enjoys a minute in the arena to celebrate his victory, as the first man through to the semi finals in this year's 888.com world championship.   

Live commentary continues at 1430(BST) with the conclusion of the Stephen Maguire/Anthony Hamilton match, in which Stephen has a narrow 9-7 lead, while on Table 2, the second session of the Ali Carter/Mark Selby match gets underway with Mark having a 5-3 advantage.

FRAME SCORES

1. 97(46)-4

2. 118(118)-0

3. 70(64)-37

4. 12-86(82)

5. 54(43)-68

6. 108(108)-0

7. 0-123(89)

8. 25-59

FRAME SCORES

9. 75-(61)-47(43)

10. 89-31

11. 37-68

12. 89(62)-21

13. 54-52 (52)

14. 76(52)-5

15. 95(57)-0

16. 81(81)-0

FRAME SCORES

17. 0-117(92)

18. 58-64(64)

19. 73(52)-50

20. 60-76

21. 14-76(61)

22. 15-94(94)

23. 48-60

24. 19-47

25. 0-87(44,43)

WINNER

QUOTES

SHAUN MURPHY

"This morning I got up thinking today was a different day. Yesterday he completely outplayed me."

"I did my best but I never truly believed I could win the match today. I’m absolutely stunned."

"At about 12-7 I started to think I could win this. It’s no secret that Matthew doesn’t like leading."

"If I could win a frame it could shake him a bit."

"He was playing for a lot more than I was – he was playing for his top 16."

"If I could just put pressure on him."

2He could see a massive lead being eroded. He did have his chances, he did have shots for the match."
"I thought about Doherty winning his semi-final match against Hunter years ago when he was so far behind."

"It’s a great honour, I’m really chuffed. It s the best I’ve played. I’m very pleased that the stuff I’ve been working on has finally come good."

"Carter and Selby have probably played better than me but I’m in the semi-final. It will be a tough match tomorrow."

"I know them both very well – I ‘m particularly friendly with Selby. His manager Mukesh Parmar was my pro when I was growing up as a kid."
"I came to the tournament wanting to play on the one table situation again. I just wanted to get to the semis or the final."

"When the curtain went up - because the other match finished early - I said come on now this is what it is all about. That really spurred me on."

MATTHEW STEVENS

"It's a bit of a shock really. I had the game won at 11-5. I just couldn’t finish it off."

"I missed a few chances, I should have won 13-7. I had enough chances to win."

"I had the match won but just couldn’t get over the line. I’ve done that a few times. I didn’t get a chance in the last frame."
"Shaun kept getting one back. I'm obviously devastated but that's the way it goes."

"I won the game last night in my mind. Funny things happen in snooker."

"I know I’m capable of winning this. I’m going to put a lot of work in this summer and make sure I qualify for this next year."

"Even coming here today I felt good. Give credit to Shaun, he played well - I don’t see why he can't go on to win it – he’s done it before."