Category: Snooker

We will be back at 12:45pm on Friday with the first eight frames of Ronnie O’Sullivan against Gary Wilson in the first semi-final. Mark Williams v Mark Allen is the second semi-final on Saturday. Should be an exciting finale to the penultimate event of the season.

A quite magical break of 127 from Allen to complete the victory in style as he eases through to the last four and a match with Mark Williams on Saturday.

Chance for Mark Allen to finish off this match with a century break. Which is a great way to get the job done.

Superb mid-range red from Allen to bring up the 50. Lands perfectly on the black, and this looks like game over. Allen heading for a semi-final with Mark Williams on Saturday. Ding will rue some bad run of the ball in this match.

Allen has picked up his pace around the table. Ding again can’t crack on after holing a long red and Allen is back at the business end of the baize. Would dearly love to get this quarter-final won right here, right now.

A steady break of 56 from Mark. Just when he needed it most. Fair enough, reds were left when he arrived at the table, but they still have to be put away. Allen moves one up with a possible two to play.

Ding producing a stunning red, but can’t land on an easy colour and is forced to take on a tough yellow to baulk pocket. Rattles the jaws and there is a red waiting for Allen at the other end of the table. This match right in the balance, but the Northern Irishman is among the balls here.

Ding first to the punch in this 17th frame as he slides in a tough red along the top cush. And he is back up the table for the blue. That is very, very nice indeed. Deciding to get back on the front foot here. But he misses a tough red above the black off cushion. Well, what a let-off for Allen, who is quickly back out of his seat to poke in a red to left centre.

Allen slots an excellent pink to move seven points clear with seven left up. So coming down to a black-ball game, but at least Allen gets two bites at the cherry. So to speak. Ding leaves a black near green bag. But it is tough cueing off the top cushion. And he can’t slot it. Ding slides in the black brilliantly to left centre. So we will have the re-spotted black here. But a poor safety shot by Ding sticks up the black over the green pocket. Which Allen slots. We are level at 8-8.

An inspired rearguard action from Ding in this frame as he reaches 34 and the final red on the table. Then comes up with a brilliant snooker behind the yellow. Stunning opening pot on a red to get that break started and the final black was excellent too. Allen misses the red and is snookered before he hits the black the second time in failing to escape from a snooker. And he sticks up the red. So what a steal this could be here for Ding. Every chance heading for the colours. But he misses the final tough pink trailing by a point. More drama. They both need the pink.

A delightful knock of 61 from Allen becomes 68 when the black disappears, but the Antrim man can’t open the cluster of five reds open off the side cushion. Just the safety to come. Still enough on table for Ding to win the frame. So Allen must be careful.

Ding in early with a long red, but is sitting back down seconds later as another rest shot lets him down. Poor miss on red, and Allen responds by nudging in a tricky red having to bridge over another red.

A 67 break to go with the earlier 59 and that is just the job for Ding, who needs two more frames to set up a semi-final with Mark Williams on Saturday afternoon.

Ding finalising this frame in his favour. Very, very nice from the Chinese snooker icon. Likes to get on with it pace at too when he’s in the mood.

Well, didn’t expect that. Allen knocks a red in off another red near a top bag, but he then misses a tricky brown off the spot and that provides Ding with the chance to edge ahead again.

A runaway victory for Williams on the other main table, but this one is a real battle. Ding on a break of 45 in this 15th frame. Reaches 59 before he misses tricky red with the rest. Still, a very handy lead in the frame.

This result also means Ronnie O’Sullivan will be world No. 1 at the World Championship later this month.

This match is soon to be a historical fact. Williams with a first win over Trump since the last four of the German Masters in 2018. Willo to meet Ding Junhui or Mark Allen in the second semi-final on Saturday.

Judd providing a rearguard action in this 14th frame until he misses a blue across the table trying to drop it in. Is this the end of the road for Trump? Feels like it. And looks like it too.

Table not the most reactive in the world, but doesn’t matter to Williams, who seems to be on the brink of victory until Mark misses the black off spot. Still not a done deal.

Williams in among them again here in the frame he needs for victory. Superb red floated in before he adds a delightful cutback on black. Williams mastering the conditions and table as much as his opponent this evening.

Well, both men missing chances with Trump clubbing a red into the left centre jaws. Williams steps in with an excellent cameo in the 40s to move to within one of victory. Judd enduring a forgettable evening.

Mistakes from both players this evening with the highest break being only 42. Williams missing black off the spot after carving out a decent chance with red using rest. The errors still make it very watchable though. And bang on cue, Trump misses a straight red on 23.

Another superb shot by Williams to tie up Trump behind the green. White flies down a left centre bag as he tries to escape from the snooker before the Welshman takes out the long red and black for an 8-4 lead at the mid-session interval with Judd giving the nod. Two frames away from a place in the last four.

Reds are disappearing rapidly here as break reaches 25. Williams has got the slow walk on. Which is always a good sign of how he is feeling. In goes the blue, and suddenly Trump needs a snooker. An excellent 36 break there.

Judd butchers the escape from deep in trouble in baulk to stick up a red, and suddenly Williams has the chance to build a lead. Not easy with pink in baulk and black tied up.

Another tactical error by Judd to leave a red for Willo to slot, but he isn’t on the next colour. A safety to follow. Williams then drops in a long red before again rolling up behind the pink in baulk. Dominating these scrappy frames, but they all count.

Both men going to audacious attempts at pots, but getting lucky not to leave anything to their opponent. Another bout of safety on the go to sort out the next chance.

Allen wins three frames on the trot to level up against Ding on the other main showpiece table with a 142 break in the 10th frame the highlight of his recovery from 6-3 behind.

Well, Judd bangs home a long red to get started, but ends up screwing the white into the right centre pocket off yellow seconds later. They are huge frames, but this one has a real tense vibe off it. Willo tucks away a lovely long red of his own.

Judd clears to the pink, and he wins the 11th frame to close to 7-4 behind. What a huge frame. One more coming up before the mid-session interval.

Into the lead. Just has to be mindful of his business to see out this frame. Looking very, very good out there. Positive too in his shot selection. But he then misses red to left middle when he looked certain to move 8-3 clear. Only a 42 break. Well, that could be a huge error. Trump slots red in response. Chance to steal this one.

A few nice shots from Judd, but out of position on 18 and the safety is forced upon him. Looks a tad disillusioned as a red to a top bag again misses the potting angle. Williams then produces a stunning shot to slot red and hole black to left middle. White runs into the pack of reds, and they open perfectly. Glorious chance to move five frames ahead. Willo on the move.

But he again loses control of the white on only 12 and is forced to run safe. Story of the day really for Judd, who then slams in a long trademark red seconds later.

Mark goes for a long red and in it goes, but just overcuts a tricky red along top cush seconds later. Trump getting plenty of vocal support as he tries to claw his way back into this quarter-final. Judd’s highest break in this match is 81. Would dearly love a one-visit hit here.

Williams has now won five frames in this match that could have gone either way. Three on the black, one on the pink and one on the blue. Lovely composure to see off the colours in a frame that looked finished. Suddenly moves 7-3 ahead in Manchester. Judd not enjoying this experience.

Another stunning shot by Williams to slam in a red with the rest before coming around the angles to spring the yellow of cushion. In goes the blue, but the double on red is nowhere near the yellow pocket. Leaves the red, but Judd is well off the potting angle. Looks utterly deflated. And Mark crunches red into the right middle. Well, what a chance for another steal here.

Back in the frame with a 28 break before he is forced to run safe. Two reds left up here. So could be another gripping finish to this 10th frame.

Trump not looking at all happy with his display so far. Inching 54-0 clear with six reds left up. Both men missing balls at the moment before Trump chips a red safe, but he leaves a red for Williams to attack and he buries that with some relish. Willo looking to launch the counter attack. Not an easy table to win the frame from this visit, but we thought that against Tom Ford the other night in the final frame.

Early chance for Williams as he drops in a red to right centre, but a foul is called on him for touching a red as he cued over the pack. Trump quickly into his stride by holing a long red. How costly is touching the red going to be for the Welshman? Trump negotiates a nice plant on two reds to keep the break going. But can’t land on a colour. Just the safety to follow from the 2019 world champion.

Real drama ending that frame. Williams escapes from a snooker, but sees white drop in green bag. Trump rattles jaws with long green before Willo produces brilliant double on green. In goes brown to right middle before blue and pink are floated in. Williams strolling back to his chair with a three-frame lead in this quarter-final. 6-3 the lead.

Trump taking out the final two reds. Uses the final red to release the brown from side cushion, but can’t land on the yellow nicely. So in goes the yellow, but another safety to follow on green. Vital frame in progress here coming down to the final five balls.

Williams looking very sharp indeed. Picking up from where he left off this afternoon. But he is straight on the pink. So opts to run safe rather than taking the extra six points. Knocks brown safe, but is inches away from a long red as it sticks in the jaws. Judd takes a red and a black, but nothing else doing at this visit.

Brilliant long red by Williams to a top pocket before he rolls up behind the blue. Trump coming off three cushions to escape. And is twice just shy of connecting. But gets there the third time. Williams drops in red along top cushion, and is out for the pink. Super pot. Well, what a chance this is here for the Welshman. Out of nowhere.

Stunning pot on a longish red by Judd during his second trip to the table, but doesn’t land on a colour. Just the safety to follow. Table nicely set for whoever can get in among these balls.

Trump looking to make a fast start to the night after Williams fails to slot a long red.

Off we go then for the ninth frame of the day in this one. What is this contest going to throw up? Williams halfway up the hill to the 10-frame winning mark. Another full house inside Manchester Central for this.

Mark Williams holding a 5-3 lead over Judd Trump heading for home this evening. First man to 10 frames will book a spot in Saturday’s semi-final. Enjoy this remarkable 66 break from Williams in the final frame of his 10-9 victory over Tom Ford in the first round. Saying it is a bit special doesn’t do it justice.

Gary Wilson claimed the final three frames from 8-7 behind to dump Zhang Anda and secure a semi-final with snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan on Friday. Closing breaks of 94, 85 and 50 were good enough for the Scottish Open champion to advance against the International champion after they resumed at 4-4.

Join us again this evening at 6.30pm BST for the end of Trump 3-5 Williams and Ding 5-3 Allen.

Zhang Anda 8-10 Gary Wilson

A curious session – Judd could’ve, maybe should’ve won all the frames he lost, but Mark has looked the more assured player and earned his lead – it might’ve been even bigger. Most importantly, though, it’s been another intense, exciting match and I’ve not a clue what’s going to happen tonight on the resumption.

Mark does not get his three snookers.

Oooh yeah! Judd sends a black spinning to the green bag, but he misses the black so Mark keeps playing, chasing three snookers.

Snookered by the yellow, Mark misses twice meaning he need all the remaining reds, with blacks, and the colours, to force a re-spot.

Judd knows a red leaves Mark needing a snooker, and also that it’ll take a miracle clearance to stop him winning this frame. But he can’t get the ball he needs, he then moves the black and leaves a red, the table suddenly looking tastier – despite two reds on the right rail, near left corner. This is another it’d sicken Judd to lose.

Mark sinks a red, making others pottable in the process then, rather than take on a pot, he develops the black.Of the four remaining reds, one is on black cush and two are close, also close together.

Judd takes a red and knocks the black towards the side – there are 67 points left.

Judd’s been really patient here – he’s gone up a level since the interval – and he despatches an awkward red into right corner. But then he misses a blue to the middle – a shot that way easier than others he’s sunk in this break – by far, and we’re back playing safety, Mark J still well in the frame.

Judd slides to left corner and adds the brown, pokes down black bridging awkwardly, and cuts back the next ball. He’ll go into the pack off the blue – and with the pink out of the road, he’s got a big target – but his next pot, with the rest will be fiddly. Nevertheless he sinks it nicely, sends blue to the green, and he is now in prime position.

Very quickly, we’re tapping about, and the players agree a re-rack.

Zhang Anda 5-7 Gary Wilson

A run of 81 and Judd will feel much, much better – though he still trails by two.

Judd forces himself to pot his way out of trouble, as is his wont – there’s no one better at that – and he looks more like his old self as he races through this break. It feels like he’s taking less time over his shots and generally enjoying being out there more than before.

Judd smokes a starter into the corner but lands on nowt, playing safe off the green, but he gets another go, ramming in another, and a friendly kiss off the blue allows him to stay at the business end.

Zhang Anda 5-6 Gary Wilson

You bet he can! Single-ball pressure-pots, there’s no one better, and the 4-1 lead reflects his superiority to this point.

But then he leaves the yellow and Mark sends it down, the green too; if he can steer brown into yellow, the frame will likely be his… and it’s there! The blue follows, and Judd will feel he’s surrendered another. But can TWPM cut-back the black he needs…?

Eesh, Judd makes a mess of a red to left corner, but allowed back in, he gently cannons the penultimate red off black cush and sees it away. But he attempted double on the final ball stays out; no matter, Mark leaves him a cut across the table and into the green bag. Except in cutting it down fast, as he knew he had to, he goes in-off into the opposite middle … but otherwise he gets away with it because his opponent can’t slide yellow into centre.

Mark, though, is a snooker genius and crafts a lead, but not much more, then Judd gets in again, and if he can just nick this one, he’ll feel like one behind after five is a very generous interpretation of how this match has gone so far. He soon runs out of position, though, so this looks like being another protracted frame.

NO WAY! Judd misses a sitter of a black off its spot – this is not at all good from him – but there’s not loads for Mark to go at.

Foul-miss from Mark and though Judd misses a starter – to his disgust – he soon gets another go though when Mark does likewise, quickly building a lead.

Zhang Anda 5-5 Gary Wilson

Mark gets a double-kiss needing a snooker and concedes. Judd’s on the board and he really needed that. The players go off for the interval; we’ll be back in 15.

Mark jams one in the jaws of left corner so Judd tidies it … but leaves himself a disgusting blue, having to force it right-centre from very close by; he plays it beautifully but after what’s happened to him this afternoon, he’ll want to do plenty to make the frame safe.

There’s a red next to the black on the top rail and another near the side; Judd goes at it righty … and it zips out of the jaws. He just can’t get it going, and now he faces another fight to get on the board.

Mark runs out of position so plays safe then Judd misses to left corner; no problem, he soon snicks in a starter and brushes the pack of the blue, rifling in the next ball and setting up a frame-clinching clearance. Let’s see…

Stephen still can’t believe the shot Judd played on the pink that handed over the foul, but Judd has more pressing concerns no, a gorgeous diagonal starter teased down left corner sending Mark away again.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Thinking for Judd to do. He had no business losing that frame, and he keeps at it, he’ll be too far behind to come back.

Goodnes me! Mark nails a double and he’s perfect on the black!

Mark lays a few snookers, Judd escapes … and then misses a thin contact he had no need to play! Both remaining balls and Mark nicks it! What an oversight that was, he could just’ve sent the pink up the table and left the white near the baulk rail.

Of course, the longer format is not only great because it’s great but because it gets us in the mood for the Cruce, and both these men will fancy winning it. Judd’s often been beaten by cannier players over the stretch, but he’s improved a lot in that aspect and if he’s on, he’s a great chance. But he can’t flick the final red into potting position – “quite an easy shot,” says Stephen – and a cannon on the blue knocks it safe. But look at that! Mark strokes a delectable red into the yellow bag – wow! – and if he can get on the blue it’ll be 3-0. And he does … but in the process he misses the brown. How often do we see that?! So Judd, only needing one more ball, responds with a snooker, Mark misses with his escape, and he’ll be relieved even though we play on.

This game! Just as Stpehen’s extolling him, he botches a black off its spot and already, this feels like a significant visit for Judd.

I said earlier Judd wasn’t unfazed and he tries a double, getting nowhere near and leaving Mark a starter to left corner. There are plenty of reds to sustain him, and he moves about the table the white under his spell.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Scrappy ones or one-visiters, Mark J isn’t bothered. An 81 and he’s two in front.

Liberating a few more reds, Mark now looks good for the frame, a total artist. He nudges balls free, pots them, and Judd will have to play well to beat him – and even then he might not.

Mark cracks a starter into left corner amd he’s away, picking at loose reds as he does.

Zhang Anda 4-4 Gary Wilson

Judd tries to look nonplussed but you can tell that revolted him.

Judd gets close to sinking pink in left-middle – he ought to have put this out of its misery tiiiime ago – and then he goes in-off! Mark needs only the pink, and it’s over the yellow bag!

Look at that! Mark drains brown and promotes blue, but binning it and getting on the pink won’t be easy … but he tries a double … and misses. Judd, though, botches a pot he shouldn’t to end the frame – pressure, already – and the chase is on. The standard hasn’t been the highest, but if this frame is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat today.

Look at that! From close by but diagonally above, Mark careeses the penultimate red from behind and sends it along black cush to right corner, then makes his way over to the last and drains oit. By the looks of things, this frame will be decided by the blue stuck on the side rail.

Narrowing the gap, Mark leaves himself a minging cut-back from on black cush and doesn’t get close, then twice foul-misses; when he hits, Judd makes sure to remove the next red, spanks in a green – that’s some remarkable cue-power – only to land behind the green, forced to play safe.

Losing ideal position, Judd has to take on a green with the rest, sunk nae bother, but he lands on the side of the yellow so that’s probably end of break. Except, with no safety on, he has no choice but to try a tight pot to left corner … and he misses by miles, leaving one that Mark strokes to left-centre. Stealing frames this this one is something out of which he’s a made a career.

Starter to Judd and though it’s not an easy table, he shouldn’t run out of position when he does and, perhaps distracted, he leaves a starter … but because Mark misses it, it works out well for him and he gets on to the black, replaced just below the pink, and things looks a little easier now.

Pre-match, Mark said he’ll definitely be playing next term but this might be his last ITV tournament; if he wins here he qualifies for the Champion of Champions, so we’ll see. In comms, Stephen says Mark is perhaps the smartest snooker player we’ve ever seen, who plays shots he doesn’t see and absolutely has the best temperament in the history of our sport; he texted him after his ludicrous dish and TWPM repsonded saying he wasn’t sure where it’d come from, he was dead on his feet. Anyway, it’s a tactical start to the match.

Judd Trump v Mark J Williams, best of 19; ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Welcome to live coverage from the Tour Championship as focus shifts to the quarter-finals.

Judd Trump returns to action to face Mark Williams, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Play gets underway in Manchester at 1pm and we will have live text coverage right here.

Starter to Judd and though it’s not an easy table, he shouldn’t run out of position when he does and, perhaps distracted, he leaves a starter … but because Mark misses it, it works out well for him and he gets on to the black, replaced just below the pink, and things looks a little easier now.

Pre-match, Mark said he’ll definitely be playing next term but this might be his last ITV tournament; if he wins here he qualifies for the Champion of Champions, so we’ll see. In comms, Stephen says Mark is perhaps the smartest snooker player we’ve ever seen, who plays shots he doesn’t see and absolutely has the best temperament in the history of our sport; he texted him after his ludicrous dish and TWPM repsonded saying he wasn’t sure where it’d come from, he was dead on his feet. Anyway, it’s a tactical start to the match.

Judd Trump v Mark J Williams, best of 19; ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Welcome to live coverage from the Tour Championship as focus shifts to the quarter-finals.

Judd Trump returns to action to face Mark Williams, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Play gets underway in Manchester at 1pm and we will have live text coverage right here.

Mark Williams holding a 5-3 lead over Judd Trump heading for home this evening. First man to 10 frames will book a spot in Saturday’s semi-final. Enjoy this remarkable 66 break from Williams in the final frame of his 10-9 victory over Tom Ford in the first round. Saying it is a bit special doesn’t do it justice.

Gary Wilson claimed the final three frames from 8-7 behind to dump Zhang Anda and secure a semi-final with snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan on Friday. Closing breaks of 94, 85 and 50 were good enough for the Scottish Open champion to advance against the International champion after they resumed at 4-4.

Join us again this evening at 6.30pm BST for the end of Trump 3-5 Williams and Ding 5-3 Allen.

Zhang Anda 8-10 Gary Wilson

A curious session – Judd could’ve, maybe should’ve won all the frames he lost, but Mark has looked the more assured player and earned his lead – it might’ve been even bigger. Most importantly, though, it’s been another intense, exciting match and I’ve not a clue what’s going to happen tonight on the resumption.

Mark does not get his three snookers.

Oooh yeah! Judd sends a black spinning to the green bag, but he misses the black so Mark keeps playing, chasing three snookers.

Snookered by the yellow, Mark misses twice meaning he need all the remaining reds, with blacks, and the colours, to force a re-spot.

Judd knows a red leaves Mark needing a snooker, and also that it’ll take a miracle clearance to stop him winning this frame. But he can’t get the ball he needs, he then moves the black and leaves a red, the table suddenly looking tastier – despite two reds on the right rail, near left corner. This is another it’d sicken Judd to lose.

Mark sinks a red, making others pottable in the process then, rather than take on a pot, he develops the black.Of the four remaining reds, one is on black cush and two are close, also close together.

Judd takes a red and knocks the black towards the side – there are 67 points left.

Judd’s been really patient here – he’s gone up a level since the interval – and he despatches an awkward red into right corner. But then he misses a blue to the middle – a shot that way easier than others he’s sunk in this break – by far, and we’re back playing safety, Mark J still well in the frame.

Judd slides to left corner and adds the brown, pokes down black bridging awkwardly, and cuts back the next ball. He’ll go into the pack off the blue – and with the pink out of the road, he’s got a big target – but his next pot, with the rest will be fiddly. Nevertheless he sinks it nicely, sends blue to the green, and he is now in prime position.

Very quickly, we’re tapping about, and the players agree a re-rack.

Zhang Anda 5-7 Gary Wilson

A run of 81 and Judd will feel much, much better – though he still trails by two.

Judd forces himself to pot his way out of trouble, as is his wont – there’s no one better at that – and he looks more like his old self as he races through this break. It feels like he’s taking less time over his shots and generally enjoying being out there more than before.

Judd smokes a starter into the corner but lands on nowt, playing safe off the green, but he gets another go, ramming in another, and a friendly kiss off the blue allows him to stay at the business end.

Zhang Anda 5-6 Gary Wilson

You bet he can! Single-ball pressure-pots, there’s no one better, and the 4-1 lead reflects his superiority to this point.

But then he leaves the yellow and Mark sends it down, the green too; if he can steer brown into yellow, the frame will likely be his… and it’s there! The blue follows, and Judd will feel he’s surrendered another. But can TWPM cut-back the black he needs…?

Eesh, Judd makes a mess of a red to left corner, but allowed back in, he gently cannons the penultimate red off black cush and sees it away. But he attempted double on the final ball stays out; no matter, Mark leaves him a cut across the table and into the green bag. Except in cutting it down fast, as he knew he had to, he goes in-off into the opposite middle … but otherwise he gets away with it because his opponent can’t slide yellow into centre.

Mark, though, is a snooker genius and crafts a lead, but not much more, then Judd gets in again, and if he can just nick this one, he’ll feel like one behind after five is a very generous interpretation of how this match has gone so far. He soon runs out of position, though, so this looks like being another protracted frame.

NO WAY! Judd misses a sitter of a black off its spot – this is not at all good from him – but there’s not loads for Mark to go at.

Foul-miss from Mark and though Judd misses a starter – to his disgust – he soon gets another go though when Mark does likewise, quickly building a lead.

Zhang Anda 5-5 Gary Wilson

Mark gets a double-kiss needing a snooker and concedes. Judd’s on the board and he really needed that. The players go off for the interval; we’ll be back in 15.

Mark jams one in the jaws of left corner so Judd tidies it … but leaves himself a disgusting blue, having to force it right-centre from very close by; he plays it beautifully but after what’s happened to him this afternoon, he’ll want to do plenty to make the frame safe.

There’s a red next to the black on the top rail and another near the side; Judd goes at it righty … and it zips out of the jaws. He just can’t get it going, and now he faces another fight to get on the board.

Mark runs out of position so plays safe then Judd misses to left corner; no problem, he soon snicks in a starter and brushes the pack of the blue, rifling in the next ball and setting up a frame-clinching clearance. Let’s see…

Stephen still can’t believe the shot Judd played on the pink that handed over the foul, but Judd has more pressing concerns no, a gorgeous diagonal starter teased down left corner sending Mark away again.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Thinking for Judd to do. He had no business losing that frame, and he keeps at it, he’ll be too far behind to come back.

Goodnes me! Mark nails a double and he’s perfect on the black!

Mark lays a few snookers, Judd escapes … and then misses a thin contact he had no need to play! Both remaining balls and Mark nicks it! What an oversight that was, he could just’ve sent the pink up the table and left the white near the baulk rail.

Of course, the longer format is not only great because it’s great but because it gets us in the mood for the Cruce, and both these men will fancy winning it. Judd’s often been beaten by cannier players over the stretch, but he’s improved a lot in that aspect and if he’s on, he’s a great chance. But he can’t flick the final red into potting position – “quite an easy shot,” says Stephen – and a cannon on the blue knocks it safe. But look at that! Mark strokes a delectable red into the yellow bag – wow! – and if he can get on the blue it’ll be 3-0. And he does … but in the process he misses the brown. How often do we see that?! So Judd, only needing one more ball, responds with a snooker, Mark misses with his escape, and he’ll be relieved even though we play on.

This game! Just as Stpehen’s extolling him, he botches a black off its spot and already, this feels like a significant visit for Judd.

I said earlier Judd wasn’t unfazed and he tries a double, getting nowhere near and leaving Mark a starter to left corner. There are plenty of reds to sustain him, and he moves about the table the white under his spell.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Scrappy ones or one-visiters, Mark J isn’t bothered. An 81 and he’s two in front.

Liberating a few more reds, Mark now looks good for the frame, a total artist. He nudges balls free, pots them, and Judd will have to play well to beat him – and even then he might not.

Mark cracks a starter into left corner amd he’s away, picking at loose reds as he does.

Zhang Anda 4-4 Gary Wilson

Judd tries to look nonplussed but you can tell that revolted him.

Judd gets close to sinking pink in left-middle – he ought to have put this out of its misery tiiiime ago – and then he goes in-off! Mark needs only the pink, and it’s over the yellow bag!

Look at that! Mark drains brown and promotes blue, but binning it and getting on the pink won’t be easy … but he tries a double … and misses. Judd, though, botches a pot he shouldn’t to end the frame – pressure, already – and the chase is on. The standard hasn’t been the highest, but if this frame is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat today.

Look at that! From close by but diagonally above, Mark careeses the penultimate red from behind and sends it along black cush to right corner, then makes his way over to the last and drains oit. By the looks of things, this frame will be decided by the blue stuck on the side rail.

Narrowing the gap, Mark leaves himself a minging cut-back from on black cush and doesn’t get close, then twice foul-misses; when he hits, Judd makes sure to remove the next red, spanks in a green – that’s some remarkable cue-power – only to land behind the green, forced to play safe.

Losing ideal position, Judd has to take on a green with the rest, sunk nae bother, but he lands on the side of the yellow so that’s probably end of break. Except, with no safety on, he has no choice but to try a tight pot to left corner … and he misses by miles, leaving one that Mark strokes to left-centre. Stealing frames this this one is something out of which he’s a made a career.

Starter to Judd and though it’s not an easy table, he shouldn’t run out of position when he does and, perhaps distracted, he leaves a starter … but because Mark misses it, it works out well for him and he gets on to the black, replaced just below the pink, and things looks a little easier now.

Pre-match, Mark said he’ll definitely be playing next term but this might be his last ITV tournament; if he wins here he qualifies for the Champion of Champions, so we’ll see. In comms, Stephen says Mark is perhaps the smartest snooker player we’ve ever seen, who plays shots he doesn’t see and absolutely has the best temperament in the history of our sport; he texted him after his ludicrous dish and TWPM repsonded saying he wasn’t sure where it’d come from, he was dead on his feet. Anyway, it’s a tactical start to the match.

Judd Trump v Mark J Williams, best of 19; ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Welcome to live coverage from the Tour Championship as focus shifts to the quarter-finals.

Judd Trump returns to action to face Mark Williams, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Play gets underway in Manchester at 1pm and we will have live text coverage right here.

Mark Williams holding a 5-3 lead over Judd Trump heading for home this evening. First man to 10 frames will book a spot in Saturday’s semi-final. Enjoy this remarkable 66 break from Williams in the final frame of his 10-9 victory over Tom Ford in the first round. Saying it is a bit special doesn’t do it justice.

Gary Wilson claimed the final three frames from 8-7 behind to dump Zhang Anda and secure a semi-final with snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan on Friday. Closing breaks of 94, 85 and 50 were good enough for the Scottish Open champion to advance against the International champion after they resumed at 4-4.

Join us again this evening at 6.30pm BST for the end of Trump 3-5 Williams and Ding 5-3 Allen.

Zhang Anda 8-10 Gary Wilson

A curious session – Judd could’ve, maybe should’ve won all the frames he lost, but Mark has looked the more assured player and earned his lead – it might’ve been even bigger. Most importantly, though, it’s been another intense, exciting match and I’ve not a clue what’s going to happen tonight on the resumption.

Mark does not get his three snookers.

Oooh yeah! Judd sends a black spinning to the green bag, but he misses the black so Mark keeps playing, chasing three snookers.

Snookered by the yellow, Mark misses twice meaning he need all the remaining reds, with blacks, and the colours, to force a re-spot.

Judd knows a red leaves Mark needing a snooker, and also that it’ll take a miracle clearance to stop him winning this frame. But he can’t get the ball he needs, he then moves the black and leaves a red, the table suddenly looking tastier – despite two reds on the right rail, near left corner. This is another it’d sicken Judd to lose.

Mark sinks a red, making others pottable in the process then, rather than take on a pot, he develops the black.Of the four remaining reds, one is on black cush and two are close, also close together.

Judd takes a red and knocks the black towards the side – there are 67 points left.

Judd’s been really patient here – he’s gone up a level since the interval – and he despatches an awkward red into right corner. But then he misses a blue to the middle – a shot that way easier than others he’s sunk in this break – by far, and we’re back playing safety, Mark J still well in the frame.

Judd slides to left corner and adds the brown, pokes down black bridging awkwardly, and cuts back the next ball. He’ll go into the pack off the blue – and with the pink out of the road, he’s got a big target – but his next pot, with the rest will be fiddly. Nevertheless he sinks it nicely, sends blue to the green, and he is now in prime position.

Very quickly, we’re tapping about, and the players agree a re-rack.

Zhang Anda 5-7 Gary Wilson

A run of 81 and Judd will feel much, much better – though he still trails by two.

Judd forces himself to pot his way out of trouble, as is his wont – there’s no one better at that – and he looks more like his old self as he races through this break. It feels like he’s taking less time over his shots and generally enjoying being out there more than before.

Judd smokes a starter into the corner but lands on nowt, playing safe off the green, but he gets another go, ramming in another, and a friendly kiss off the blue allows him to stay at the business end.

Zhang Anda 5-6 Gary Wilson

You bet he can! Single-ball pressure-pots, there’s no one better, and the 4-1 lead reflects his superiority to this point.

But then he leaves the yellow and Mark sends it down, the green too; if he can steer brown into yellow, the frame will likely be his… and it’s there! The blue follows, and Judd will feel he’s surrendered another. But can TWPM cut-back the black he needs…?

Eesh, Judd makes a mess of a red to left corner, but allowed back in, he gently cannons the penultimate red off black cush and sees it away. But he attempted double on the final ball stays out; no matter, Mark leaves him a cut across the table and into the green bag. Except in cutting it down fast, as he knew he had to, he goes in-off into the opposite middle … but otherwise he gets away with it because his opponent can’t slide yellow into centre.

Mark, though, is a snooker genius and crafts a lead, but not much more, then Judd gets in again, and if he can just nick this one, he’ll feel like one behind after five is a very generous interpretation of how this match has gone so far. He soon runs out of position, though, so this looks like being another protracted frame.

NO WAY! Judd misses a sitter of a black off its spot – this is not at all good from him – but there’s not loads for Mark to go at.

Foul-miss from Mark and though Judd misses a starter – to his disgust – he soon gets another go though when Mark does likewise, quickly building a lead.

Zhang Anda 5-5 Gary Wilson

Mark gets a double-kiss needing a snooker and concedes. Judd’s on the board and he really needed that. The players go off for the interval; we’ll be back in 15.

Mark jams one in the jaws of left corner so Judd tidies it … but leaves himself a disgusting blue, having to force it right-centre from very close by; he plays it beautifully but after what’s happened to him this afternoon, he’ll want to do plenty to make the frame safe.

There’s a red next to the black on the top rail and another near the side; Judd goes at it righty … and it zips out of the jaws. He just can’t get it going, and now he faces another fight to get on the board.

Mark runs out of position so plays safe then Judd misses to left corner; no problem, he soon snicks in a starter and brushes the pack of the blue, rifling in the next ball and setting up a frame-clinching clearance. Let’s see…

Stephen still can’t believe the shot Judd played on the pink that handed over the foul, but Judd has more pressing concerns no, a gorgeous diagonal starter teased down left corner sending Mark away again.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Thinking for Judd to do. He had no business losing that frame, and he keeps at it, he’ll be too far behind to come back.

Goodnes me! Mark nails a double and he’s perfect on the black!

Mark lays a few snookers, Judd escapes … and then misses a thin contact he had no need to play! Both remaining balls and Mark nicks it! What an oversight that was, he could just’ve sent the pink up the table and left the white near the baulk rail.

Of course, the longer format is not only great because it’s great but because it gets us in the mood for the Cruce, and both these men will fancy winning it. Judd’s often been beaten by cannier players over the stretch, but he’s improved a lot in that aspect and if he’s on, he’s a great chance. But he can’t flick the final red into potting position – “quite an easy shot,” says Stephen – and a cannon on the blue knocks it safe. But look at that! Mark strokes a delectable red into the yellow bag – wow! – and if he can get on the blue it’ll be 3-0. And he does … but in the process he misses the brown. How often do we see that?! So Judd, only needing one more ball, responds with a snooker, Mark misses with his escape, and he’ll be relieved even though we play on.

This game! Just as Stpehen’s extolling him, he botches a black off its spot and already, this feels like a significant visit for Judd.

I said earlier Judd wasn’t unfazed and he tries a double, getting nowhere near and leaving Mark a starter to left corner. There are plenty of reds to sustain him, and he moves about the table the white under his spell.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Scrappy ones or one-visiters, Mark J isn’t bothered. An 81 and he’s two in front.

Liberating a few more reds, Mark now looks good for the frame, a total artist. He nudges balls free, pots them, and Judd will have to play well to beat him – and even then he might not.

Mark cracks a starter into left corner amd he’s away, picking at loose reds as he does.

Zhang Anda 4-4 Gary Wilson

Judd tries to look nonplussed but you can tell that revolted him.

Judd gets close to sinking pink in left-middle – he ought to have put this out of its misery tiiiime ago – and then he goes in-off! Mark needs only the pink, and it’s over the yellow bag!

Look at that! Mark drains brown and promotes blue, but binning it and getting on the pink won’t be easy … but he tries a double … and misses. Judd, though, botches a pot he shouldn’t to end the frame – pressure, already – and the chase is on. The standard hasn’t been the highest, but if this frame is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat today.

Look at that! From close by but diagonally above, Mark careeses the penultimate red from behind and sends it along black cush to right corner, then makes his way over to the last and drains oit. By the looks of things, this frame will be decided by the blue stuck on the side rail.

Narrowing the gap, Mark leaves himself a minging cut-back from on black cush and doesn’t get close, then twice foul-misses; when he hits, Judd makes sure to remove the next red, spanks in a green – that’s some remarkable cue-power – only to land behind the green, forced to play safe.

Losing ideal position, Judd has to take on a green with the rest, sunk nae bother, but he lands on the side of the yellow so that’s probably end of break. Except, with no safety on, he has no choice but to try a tight pot to left corner … and he misses by miles, leaving one that Mark strokes to left-centre. Stealing frames this this one is something out of which he’s a made a career.

Starter to Judd and though it’s not an easy table, he shouldn’t run out of position when he does and, perhaps distracted, he leaves a starter … but because Mark misses it, it works out well for him and he gets on to the black, replaced just below the pink, and things looks a little easier now.

Pre-match, Mark said he’ll definitely be playing next term but this might be his last ITV tournament; if he wins here he qualifies for the Champion of Champions, so we’ll see. In comms, Stephen says Mark is perhaps the smartest snooker player we’ve ever seen, who plays shots he doesn’t see and absolutely has the best temperament in the history of our sport; he texted him after his ludicrous dish and TWPM repsonded saying he wasn’t sure where it’d come from, he was dead on his feet. Anyway, it’s a tactical start to the match.

Judd Trump v Mark J Williams, best of 19; ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Welcome to live coverage from the Tour Championship as focus shifts to the quarter-finals.

Judd Trump returns to action to face Mark Williams, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Play gets underway in Manchester at 1pm and we will have live text coverage right here.

But he again loses control of the white on only 12 and is forced to run safe. Story of the day really for Judd, who then slams in a long trademark red seconds later.

Mark goes for a long red and in it goes, but just overcuts a tricky red along top cush seconds later. Trump getting plenty of vocal support as he tries to claw his way back into this quarter-final. Judd’s highest break in this match is 81. Would dearly love a one-visit hit here.

Williams has now won five frames in this match that could have gone either way. Three on the black, one on the pink and one on the blue. Lovely composure to see off the colours in a frame that looked finished. Suddenly moves 7-3 ahead in Manchester. Judd not enjoying this experience.

Another stunning shot by Williams to slam in a red with the rest before coming around the angles to spring the yellow of cushion. In goes the blue, but the double on red is nowhere near the yellow pocket. Leaves the red, but Judd is well off the potting angle. Looks utterly deflated. And Mark crunches red into the right middle. Well, what a chance for another steal here.

Back in the frame with a 28 break before he is forced to run safe. Two reds left up here. So could be another gripping finish to this 10th frame.

Trump not looking at all happy with his display so far. Inching 54-0 clear with six reds left up. Both men missing balls at the moment before Trump chips a red safe, but he leaves a red for Williams to attack and he buries that with some relish. Willo looking to launch the counter attack. Not an easy table to win the frame from this visit, but we thought that against Tom Ford the other night in the final frame.

Early chance for Williams as he drops in a red to right centre, but a foul is called on him for touching a red as he cued over the pack. Trump quickly into his stride by holing a long red. How costly is touching the red going to be for the Welshman? Trump negotiates a nice plant on two reds to keep the break going. But can’t land on a colour. Just the safety to follow from the 2019 world champion.

Real drama ending that frame. Williams escapes from a snooker, but sees white drop in green bag. Trump rattles jaws with long green before Willo produces brilliant double on green. In goes brown to right middle before blue and pink are floated in. Williams strolling back to his chair with a three-frame lead in this quarter-final. 6-3 the lead.

Trump taking out the final two reds. Uses the final red to release the brown from side cushion, but can’t land on the yellow nicely. So in goes the yellow, but another safety to follow on green. Vital frame in progress here coming down to the final five balls.

Williams looking very sharp indeed. Picking up from where he left off this afternoon. But he is straight on the pink. So opts to run safe rather than taking the extra six points. Knocks brown safe, but is inches away from a long red as it sticks in the jaws. Judd takes a red and a black, but nothing else doing at this visit.

Brilliant long red by Williams to a top pocket before he rolls up behind the blue. Trump coming off three cushions to escape. And is twice just shy of connecting. But gets there the third time. Williams drops in red along top cushion, and is out for the pink. Super pot. Well, what a chance this is here for the Welshman. Out of nowhere.

Stunning pot on a longish red by Judd during his second trip to the table, but doesn’t land on a colour. Just the safety to follow. Table nicely set for whoever can get in among these balls.

Trump looking to make a fast start to the night after Williams fails to slot a long red.

Off we go then for the ninth frame of the day in this one. What is this contest going to throw up? Williams halfway up the hill to the 10-frame winning mark. Another full house inside Manchester Central for this.

Mark Williams holding a 5-3 lead over Judd Trump heading for home this evening. First man to 10 frames will book a spot in Saturday’s semi-final. Enjoy this remarkable 66 break from Williams in the final frame of his 10-9 victory over Tom Ford in the first round. Saying it is a bit special doesn’t do it justice.

Gary Wilson claimed the final three frames from 8-7 behind to dump Zhang Anda and secure a semi-final with snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan on Friday. Closing breaks of 94, 85 and 50 were good enough for the Scottish Open champion to advance against the International champion after they resumed at 4-4.

Join us again this evening at 6.30pm BST for the end of Trump 3-5 Williams and Ding 5-3 Allen.

Zhang Anda 8-10 Gary Wilson

A curious session – Judd could’ve, maybe should’ve won all the frames he lost, but Mark has looked the more assured player and earned his lead – it might’ve been even bigger. Most importantly, though, it’s been another intense, exciting match and I’ve not a clue what’s going to happen tonight on the resumption.

Mark does not get his three snookers.

Oooh yeah! Judd sends a black spinning to the green bag, but he misses the black so Mark keeps playing, chasing three snookers.

Snookered by the yellow, Mark misses twice meaning he need all the remaining reds, with blacks, and the colours, to force a re-spot.

Judd knows a red leaves Mark needing a snooker, and also that it’ll take a miracle clearance to stop him winning this frame. But he can’t get the ball he needs, he then moves the black and leaves a red, the table suddenly looking tastier – despite two reds on the right rail, near left corner. This is another it’d sicken Judd to lose.

Mark sinks a red, making others pottable in the process then, rather than take on a pot, he develops the black.Of the four remaining reds, one is on black cush and two are close, also close together.

Judd takes a red and knocks the black towards the side – there are 67 points left.

Judd’s been really patient here – he’s gone up a level since the interval – and he despatches an awkward red into right corner. But then he misses a blue to the middle – a shot that way easier than others he’s sunk in this break – by far, and we’re back playing safety, Mark J still well in the frame.

Judd slides to left corner and adds the brown, pokes down black bridging awkwardly, and cuts back the next ball. He’ll go into the pack off the blue – and with the pink out of the road, he’s got a big target – but his next pot, with the rest will be fiddly. Nevertheless he sinks it nicely, sends blue to the green, and he is now in prime position.

Very quickly, we’re tapping about, and the players agree a re-rack.

Zhang Anda 5-7 Gary Wilson

A run of 81 and Judd will feel much, much better – though he still trails by two.

Judd forces himself to pot his way out of trouble, as is his wont – there’s no one better at that – and he looks more like his old self as he races through this break. It feels like he’s taking less time over his shots and generally enjoying being out there more than before.

Judd smokes a starter into the corner but lands on nowt, playing safe off the green, but he gets another go, ramming in another, and a friendly kiss off the blue allows him to stay at the business end.

Zhang Anda 5-6 Gary Wilson

You bet he can! Single-ball pressure-pots, there’s no one better, and the 4-1 lead reflects his superiority to this point.

But then he leaves the yellow and Mark sends it down, the green too; if he can steer brown into yellow, the frame will likely be his… and it’s there! The blue follows, and Judd will feel he’s surrendered another. But can TWPM cut-back the black he needs…?

Eesh, Judd makes a mess of a red to left corner, but allowed back in, he gently cannons the penultimate red off black cush and sees it away. But he attempted double on the final ball stays out; no matter, Mark leaves him a cut across the table and into the green bag. Except in cutting it down fast, as he knew he had to, he goes in-off into the opposite middle … but otherwise he gets away with it because his opponent can’t slide yellow into centre.

Mark, though, is a snooker genius and crafts a lead, but not much more, then Judd gets in again, and if he can just nick this one, he’ll feel like one behind after five is a very generous interpretation of how this match has gone so far. He soon runs out of position, though, so this looks like being another protracted frame.

NO WAY! Judd misses a sitter of a black off its spot – this is not at all good from him – but there’s not loads for Mark to go at.

Foul-miss from Mark and though Judd misses a starter – to his disgust – he soon gets another go though when Mark does likewise, quickly building a lead.

Zhang Anda 5-5 Gary Wilson

Mark gets a double-kiss needing a snooker and concedes. Judd’s on the board and he really needed that. The players go off for the interval; we’ll be back in 15.

Mark jams one in the jaws of left corner so Judd tidies it … but leaves himself a disgusting blue, having to force it right-centre from very close by; he plays it beautifully but after what’s happened to him this afternoon, he’ll want to do plenty to make the frame safe.

There’s a red next to the black on the top rail and another near the side; Judd goes at it righty … and it zips out of the jaws. He just can’t get it going, and now he faces another fight to get on the board.

Mark runs out of position so plays safe then Judd misses to left corner; no problem, he soon snicks in a starter and brushes the pack of the blue, rifling in the next ball and setting up a frame-clinching clearance. Let’s see…

Stephen still can’t believe the shot Judd played on the pink that handed over the foul, but Judd has more pressing concerns no, a gorgeous diagonal starter teased down left corner sending Mark away again.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Thinking for Judd to do. He had no business losing that frame, and he keeps at it, he’ll be too far behind to come back.

Goodnes me! Mark nails a double and he’s perfect on the black!

Mark lays a few snookers, Judd escapes … and then misses a thin contact he had no need to play! Both remaining balls and Mark nicks it! What an oversight that was, he could just’ve sent the pink up the table and left the white near the baulk rail.

Of course, the longer format is not only great because it’s great but because it gets us in the mood for the Cruce, and both these men will fancy winning it. Judd’s often been beaten by cannier players over the stretch, but he’s improved a lot in that aspect and if he’s on, he’s a great chance. But he can’t flick the final red into potting position – “quite an easy shot,” says Stephen – and a cannon on the blue knocks it safe. But look at that! Mark strokes a delectable red into the yellow bag – wow! – and if he can get on the blue it’ll be 3-0. And he does … but in the process he misses the brown. How often do we see that?! So Judd, only needing one more ball, responds with a snooker, Mark misses with his escape, and he’ll be relieved even though we play on.

This game! Just as Stpehen’s extolling him, he botches a black off its spot and already, this feels like a significant visit for Judd.

I said earlier Judd wasn’t unfazed and he tries a double, getting nowhere near and leaving Mark a starter to left corner. There are plenty of reds to sustain him, and he moves about the table the white under his spell.

Zhang Anda 5-4 Gary Wilson

Scrappy ones or one-visiters, Mark J isn’t bothered. An 81 and he’s two in front.

Liberating a few more reds, Mark now looks good for the frame, a total artist. He nudges balls free, pots them, and Judd will have to play well to beat him – and even then he might not.

Mark cracks a starter into left corner amd he’s away, picking at loose reds as he does.

Zhang Anda 4-4 Gary Wilson

Judd tries to look nonplussed but you can tell that revolted him.

Judd gets close to sinking pink in left-middle – he ought to have put this out of its misery tiiiime ago – and then he goes in-off! Mark needs only the pink, and it’s over the yellow bag!

Look at that! Mark drains brown and promotes blue, but binning it and getting on the pink won’t be easy … but he tries a double … and misses. Judd, though, botches a pot he shouldn’t to end the frame – pressure, already – and the chase is on. The standard hasn’t been the highest, but if this frame is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat today.

Look at that! From close by but diagonally above, Mark careeses the penultimate red from behind and sends it along black cush to right corner, then makes his way over to the last and drains oit. By the looks of things, this frame will be decided by the blue stuck on the side rail.

Narrowing the gap, Mark leaves himself a minging cut-back from on black cush and doesn’t get close, then twice foul-misses; when he hits, Judd makes sure to remove the next red, spanks in a green – that’s some remarkable cue-power – only to land behind the green, forced to play safe.

Losing ideal position, Judd has to take on a green with the rest, sunk nae bother, but he lands on the side of the yellow so that’s probably end of break. Except, with no safety on, he has no choice but to try a tight pot to left corner … and he misses by miles, leaving one that Mark strokes to left-centre. Stealing frames this this one is something out of which he’s a made a career.

Starter to Judd and though it’s not an easy table, he shouldn’t run out of position when he does and, perhaps distracted, he leaves a starter … but because Mark misses it, it works out well for him and he gets on to the black, replaced just below the pink, and things looks a little easier now.

Pre-match, Mark said he’ll definitely be playing next term but this might be his last ITV tournament; if he wins here he qualifies for the Champion of Champions, so we’ll see. In comms, Stephen says Mark is perhaps the smartest snooker player we’ve ever seen, who plays shots he doesn’t see and absolutely has the best temperament in the history of our sport; he texted him after his ludicrous dish and TWPM repsonded saying he wasn’t sure where it’d come from, he was dead on his feet. Anyway, it’s a tactical start to the match.

Judd Trump v Mark J Williams, best of 19; ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

Welcome to live coverage from the Tour Championship as focus shifts to the quarter-finals.

Judd Trump returns to action to face Mark Williams, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Play gets underway in Manchester at 1pm and we will have live text coverage right here.

Effortlessly clearing a path for the back to both corners, he picks off loose balls, no need to break the cluster, and his ability to nagivate a route through a break, removing the right balls in the right order, is unparalleled.

Ronnie’s first go at a long pot and he doesn’t get that close, but when Ali gets in, in a lovely position about the black spot, he misses a sitter of a red! That is going to cost him.

Ronnie is wearing a brown-gold short and old-skool big bowtie, Doug Mountjoy-style; I wonder what he means by that. Anyroad Ali spanks in a starter but lands on nothing, then sticks a safety behind the green which Ronnie escapes well. He looks dialled-in here, and will know Ali’s never beaten him in a last-eight or better. But Ali’s having the season of his life, lead 6-3 in the Masters final and played beautifully last evening, so.

All cordial so far.

A genius in a grudge match? Oooh yeah! Lucky us!

Welcome to live coverage from the Tour Championship as focus shifts to the quarter-finals.

Ronnie O’Sullvan is in action against old rival Ali Carter, with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.

Play gets underway in Manchester at 1pm and we will have live text coverage right here.

Stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live on