 | World Championship - 1st Round - Men
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19/04/2008 | ||||||||
J.Higgins
M.StevensComments
- - Thanks for joining me this evening; make sure you stick around for all the latest news and reports from the Crucible.
- 10-5 There is is; Higgins closes out a tough first match...he'll be glad to get through that one against five-time semi-finalist Stevens.
- 9-5 Superb break of 120 from Higgins moves him to within a frame of becoming the first man into the second round...
- - The players are back after their mid-session interval...has Higgins managed to talk himself into finishing off this match?
- 8-5 Higgins finally hits some form with a fine break of 71 before missing a long red...Stevens steps up, but fails on his first colour before conceding...3-1 mini-session to Stevens as the players take a 15-minute break...
- 7-5 Another frame to Stevens...remarkable comeback this one...that's three on the trot...the Welshman ground out a very scrappy frame, and Higgins needs to dig in.
- 7-4 A poor safety shot from Higgins allows Stevens the chance to finish the frame...which he does with some style...with 41 until the brown...the lead is down to just three frames...
- 7-3 Stevens makes 58 before missing a red to the middle to allow Higgins a chance in the 11th frame...
- 7-3 Stevens makes 52 to clinch the first frame of the second session...Higgins had a couple of chances in that frame, but didn't take them...Stevens is going to have to put a couple more on the board to put any sort of pressure on Higgins...
- - Hi there; welcome to our coverage of the second session of this intriguing first-round clash between two-time champ Higgins and serial semi-finalist Stevens...
- 7-2 HIGGINS gets back in again to polish off the frame and he holds a 7-2 lead at the end of the first session. Great stuff from the defending champion who should be able to finish the job this evening. Join us for that and in the meantime enjoy comments from Robertson v Bond which is still LIVE !!
- 6-2 Stevens in big trouble now because HIGGINS is building again - oh but he misses a red while on 60 so a glimmer of hope still for Stevens.
- 6-2 HIGGINS misses a pink while on 85 but it is FIVE frames in a row now for the defending champion.
- 5-2 HIGGINS turns down a maximum chance by taking a blue but he is still building another frame winning break.
- 5-2 A potted white from HIGGINS seems to let STEVENS in, but the Welshman opts for an ill-advised double. He misses, and the defending champ duly clears up to take a commanding three-frame lead.
- 4-2 Two reds remain and it has turned into a safety battle, with one red one the bottom cushion and the other lodged behind a bunch of colours. HIGGINS leads 44-38 so all to play for.
- 4-2 A slip by STEVENS denies him a potentially frame-winning break as he misses a long blue and lets HIGGINS in facing a 9-38 deficit.
- 4-2 STEVENS takes over two minutes to decide on a safety shot and then still leaves a red on - but Higgins can only make one before missing a blue. STEVENS now in with a chance of his own.
- 4-2 Three frames in a row for HIGGINS now as he gets back in after another mistake by Stevens. A break of 54 sees him clinch the frame.
- 3-2 Early break of 36 for HIGGINS but he will be disappointed as he missed a cannon onto the red after potting the black which ended the break.
- 3-2 HIGGINS quickly wraps up the first frame after the restart. He gets in after a poor saftey from Stevens and polishes off a frame winning break of 83 before missing a red with the rest. He takes the lead for the first time in the match.
- - So that brings up the mid session interval.
- 2-2 Stevens lets HIGGINS in one too many times and the Scot takes the frame. We are level and this match already has the feel of one that could go the distance.
- 1-2 Another mini break for HIGGINS but again he has to play safe, still he has a 34-23 lead with two reds left on the table.
- 1-2 Tight frame here - STEVENS leads 23-7 as they exchange safety shots.
- 1-2 STEVENS can only make 17 - he has just potted another red but again he has lost position so we could be back to a safety battle.
- 1-2 Poor break from Higgins and STEVENS is in for another chance.
- 1-2 14 reds and 14 blacks from STEVENS (although to be fair he fluked the last black after he missed it only to see it roll into the middle pocket) but as we suspected he couldn't do anything with the red on the cushion and the break ends on 112. Still - he takes the lead and the Welshman who has never lost a first round match here is looking very good.
- 1-1 Seven reds and seven blacks for STEVENS in this frame but there is a red on the cushion just past one of the middle pockets on the baulk colours end.
- 1-1 HIGGINS clears up for a break of 88 to level matters up - this could be a long one you feel. They will play nine frames in this opening session and then to a finish tonight.
- 0-1 HIGGINS is back in again now building a break and should be able to take the frame at this visit.
- 0-1 HIGGINS break ends at 37 as he loses position and he may see that as a chance lost.
- 0-1 HIGGINS with a chance to build his first break of the tournament after Stevens catches a red too heavy while trying to play safe.
- 0-1 While trying to play safe - Higgins cannons a red against the black which then drops in. The cue ball didn't get back to balk either and STEVENS is able to pick up enough change to take the first frame.
- 0-0 STEVENS loses position after potting a pink and has to play safe after a break of 46.
- 0-0 STEVENS making good progress in this opening frame - he is is wracking up a potential frame winning break after getting in early - some great positional play from the Welshman too.
- 0-0 Great reception for the players as they come out...and Stevens has got us underway.
- - First round matches are best of 19 - and all tournament you can follow every match here on eurosport.yahoo.co.uk so if you want to follow LIVE comments from the Robertson v Bond match then just click on that game to your right.
- - Welcome snooker fans to this mouth watering first round clash between defending champion John Higgins and two-time finalist Matthew Stevens. 17 days of high quality snooker action starts here.