 | World Championship - 1/2 F. - Men
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02/05/2008 | ||||||||
S.Hendry
R.O'Sullivan
Comments
- - So what a performance from O'Sullivan - he moves into the final with a session to spare. Ali Carter or Joe Perry will be the "lucky" soul who gets to face him.
- 6-17 BUT O'SULLIVAN HAS THE WIN - Hendry pots to the black - but with the pink at the brown spot he had a really tough positional shot to get on the black. He left himself a very tough pot - and he saw it rest in the jaws. He doesn't even make Ronnie pot the black - he concedes. O'Sullivan wins with a session to spare.
- 6-16 O'Sullivan just needs the final red and the colour but he pots the cue ball on the last red !! Hendry can come back in and nick the frame.
- 6-16 After a safety exchange Ronnie O'Sullivan is now in again and this could be the frame that ends the match.
- 6-16 But Hendry misses a tough cut on 31 after failing to get a good position after potting a pink. But then O'Sullivan misses a black after potting a red. He is very lucky NOT to leave a red on though.
- 6-16 O'Sullivan misses the first black of what could have been a big break and he is REALLY disappointed - you would think he is 16-6 down! Hendry has a chance to build now.
- 6-16 And O'Sullivan gets a break of 56 this time which is enough to take the frame. Two flukes let him in but there is nothing lucky about the scoreline - O'Sullivan has just been superb in this match and is now just ONE frame away.
- 6-15 ANOTHER FLUKE FROM O'SULLIVAN - this time a red kisses the blue and drops in.
- 6-15 O'Sullivan plays safe after losing position on 15.
- 6-15 O'Sullivan gets to build thanks to a FLUKE - he misses a red into one of the bottom pockets - it then rolls towards the opposite bottom pocket and it looks like it is going to pot the yellow that is rested there - instead it kisses the yellow out of the way and drops in.
- 6-15 Break of 123 from O'Sullivan - simply sublime - he missed the pink but no matter - this stunning performance continues. He needs just two more frames now.
- 6-14 There could be another big break for Ronnie here - he is on 42 and the reds are nicely spread for him.
- 6-14 Back underway and Hendry has missed an early long red - chance for O'Sullivan.
- 6-14 And Hendry can't get out of the snooker straight away and decides to concede the frame. O'Sullivan needs just three more frames to win - but can he get them this evening. Time for the mid-session interval.
- 6-13 O'Sullivan with a break of 68 before having to play safe. Only 67 left on the table though.
- 6-13 Hendry misses a red into the middle pocket and he should have got that. O'Sullivan now has a chance to build.
- 6-13 The Hendry fight back is on!! He break to 46 to take his second frame in a row. Eurosport expert commentatory and former World Champion Joe Johnson reckons that Ronnie O'Sullivan may be playing with a new tip.
- 5-13 Hendry sees the cue ball go in between a tiny gap between two reds when trying to get out of a snooker - very unlucky. But O'Sullivan can only build a break of 15 before missing a blue - Hendry back in now.
- 5-13 Hendry opens the reds but can't find a pot on and has to play safe after a break of 54.
- 5-13 And Hendry could be in again here after another SUPERB long pot - he is getting agressive now.
- 5-13 The break ends at 85 but that is enough for Hendry to stop the O'Sullivan run at 12. Key frame coming up now - Hendry needs to build on that effort.
- 4-13 Good stuff here from Hendry - 56 and counting...
- 4-13 Good long pot from Hendry which sets him up nicely for a potential big break.
- 4-13 JUST AMAZING STUFF FROM O'SULLIVAN - a clearance of 126 takes the frame and that makes is 12 frames in row. Have we ever seen a day of snooker like this from one player at the Crucible?
- 4-12 But O'Sullivan has got in first and is building a potential frame winning break.
- 4-12 O'Sullivan with a great long pot and then he just tips the cue ball behind the green for snooker - Hendry gets out it though.
- 4-12 And Ronnie has got us underway...
- 4-12 Welcome back to this evening session from the Crucible - remember it could all end tonight after that amazing session from Ronnie this morning. Hard to believe that O'Sullivan was losing this match 4-1 at one stage.
- - Thanks for joining me for this extraordinary session of snooker...make sure you come back for this afternoon's second semi-final...
- 4-12 ...Hendry can't get the snooker...Ronnie rolls in the pink to seal the session whitewash!
- 4-11 O'Sullivan steps up...and, wouldn't you know it, makes a superb 70 up to the final brown...Hendry comes to the table needing a snooker...
- 4-11 Hendry is on a break of 44...but he hasn't been lucky off the split into the pack...and he has to play safe...
- 4-11 ...STUNNING! The break ends on the final red at 85, but the way the balls were positioned, Ronnie's effort there was easily as good as those two total clearances in the previous two frames...incredible stuff.
- 4-10 Hendry averts the danger of breaking the record for most unanswered points with a fine long red...
- 4-10 ...INCREDIBLE! A 135 total clearance...a third straight frame won by O'Sullivan when Hendry hasn't potted a ball...
- 4-9 ...another frame secure...the break is up to 80, with four reds remaining...
- 4-9 ...Hendry has to hope again...he leaves Ronnie another half-chance, similar to the last frame...a red cut back into the corner...and O'Sullivan is on his way...
- 4-9 ...Sweet Valley High! That was an effortlessly brilliant break from the genius that is O'Sullivan...a total clearance of 133, made in no time whatsoever...
- 4-8 ...O'Sullivan pounces on a half-chance from Hendry's opening shot, a missed long red...and a few minutes later, the frame is secured...the break is on 69 and counting...
- 4-8 The players are back after their short interval...has Hendry been able to get himself together after Ronnie's rocket start...
- 4-8 ...another super break, 87, up to the final three reds...and O'Sullivan wins the fourth frame of the session...they go off for their mid-session break with Ronnie holding a four-frame lead...
- 4-7 ...O'Sullivan sticks Hendry in a snooker...he misses first time...hits the second, but leaves it over the corner...Ronnie steps up to clinch another frame...that's six frames in succession for O'Sullivan
- 4-6 O'Sullivan moves in front in the frame with a break of 57 before leaving himself a tricky final red with the rest...he misses, bringing Hendry to the table 22 points behind with 35 on...
- 4-6 Hendry makes a solid 35...before a really surprising miss, hitting the wrong red as he tried to fire one into the corner...a chance for O'Sullivan to nick another frame...although the reds are still going to need some work...
- 4-6 ...Hendry tries to come off the cushion to knock the blue in...but he misses it completely...Ronnie knocks in the blue...and the pink with the rest...
- 4-5 ...it looks as though Ronnie is going to steal it...but he jaws the final blue! Fortunately for O'Sullivan, he covers the blue with the pink...tough shot for Hendry now...
- 4-5 ...but Ronnie can't capitalise as he misses a blue to the yellow pocket...allowing Hendry to step up...but then Hendry misses a red into the middle! Another chance for O'Sullivan!
- 4-5 Hendry makes 53...but he needs several pieces of good fortune to keep it going as he loses the cue ball...he leaves a red on to the middle attempting a long effort down the table to keep it going...Ronnie will be eying a steal, here...
- 4-5 ...the break ends at 93...he can't get position on the final red on the cushion, so the century eludes him...still, he goes ahead for the first time in the match...
- 4-4 ...the frame is secured with a superb display of control with the white...10 reds with plenty of pinks, thanks to the black being tied up...
- 4-4 ...Hendry gives O'Sullivan eight points in failing to get out of a snooker...and eventually Ronnie gets in amongst the reds when Hendry misses a long one...
- 4-4 The players have been introduced into the arena...the break-off has been made...we're underway...
- - Hello there; welcome back to our coverage of this second session of an intriguing semi-final...
- 4-4 Well well. O'SULLIVAN claims the eighth and final frame of the session to bring the match level. It couldn't be more intriguingly poised. HENDRY was superb at the start of the match, but failed to maintain his momentum. O'SULLIVAN has failed to hit the heights he's capable of so far, but still he's level! Thanks for joining me. We'll be back tomorrow with the second session.
- 4-3 O'SULLIVAN misses black and stalls at 46. That was another bad miss, careless. HENDRY knocks in a red and he's away.
- 4-3 O'SULLIVAN is threatening to level the match here. He's made 24 so far and looks well-placed to see the frame home.
- 4-3 O'SULLIVAN pulls back to 4-3, without ever really playing to his potential. HENDRY has let it slip a little here, he looked for a moment like securing a sizeable first session lead.
- 4-2 32 and out. Bad miss on a red to the middle. That was bread and butter stuff for O'SULLIVAN and he faltered.
- 4-2 RONNIE makes the first strides in frame seven. The reds are still mostly in break position, but he's picking them off expertly.
- 4-2 O'SULLIVAN nicks another one back. That was an important frame, neither player looked entirely comfortable, but RONNIE gets it.
- 4-1 HENDRY is tucked up behind the green in baulk and fails once, twice, thrice to escape. "Settle down please" orders the matach referree to the crowd. Fourth time lucky!
- 4-1 And you thought O'SULLIVAN cornered the market on flair! HENDRY swerves to bag yellow. After a few missed opportunities, HENDRY wraps up the frame and takes a commanding 4-1 lead.
- 3-1 HENDRY has all the colours on their spots to win the frame...but NO! The yellow goes begging.
- 3-1 Jinxed! O'SULLIVAN falters at 64. HENDRY has a chance.
- 3-1 We're under way after the mid-session interval and O'SULLIVAN bags an early couple of reds and blacks. 147 anyone? Bit early for that, but stranger things have happened.
- 3-1 O'SULLIVAN snatches the frame and he's finally on the board. The way he's played he has to be happy with 3-1. HENDRY has looked the better player so far, and forced his opponent in mistakes.
- 3-0 HOORAH HENDRY! Nice pun, you have to admit, and entirely appropriate after his lovely red to the middle followed by devilish snooker behind the black. O'SULLIVAN escapes.
- 3-0 Topsy turvy stuff. HENDRY misses and O'SULLIVAN lives to fight another day.
- 3-0 OH YES! HENDRY with a double into the middle to give himself the advantage once more. That was the stuff of smoky pubs and pool tables.
- 3-0 HENDRY with a mistake. Psycholigically this is a massive chance for O'SULLIVAN. He goes for a shot to nothing, and misses. Luckily it was a shot to nothing!
- 3-0 RONNIE is finally starting to click, but he misses a pink to the middle. He leads 32-0, but HENDRY has a glorious chance to whitewash the opening half of the first session.
- 3-0 The pair were exchanging snookers there, before O'SULLIVAN rather rushed his escape and let HENDRY in. The Scot finished with aplomb. 3-0.
- 2-0 HENDRY goes ahead in frame three. He leads 69-29, and leaves O'SULLIVAN snookered.
- 2-0 HENDRY is in the balls once more. But no! He misses a straightforward red. "Come on Ronnie" comes the familiar refrain from the gallery. O'SULLIVAN sinks a red, and he's off and running.
- 2-0 HENDRY flukes the blue, and after some one-sided sparring slides in the pink to take the second frame. Almost an hour gone, just one frame played.
- 1-0 O'SULLIVAN gets VERY VERY LUCKY. He tried a fine cut into the middle, missed, but the blue somehow stayed safe. He trails by 13, with blue, pink and black remaining.
- 1-0 O'SULLIVAN makes 22, but fouls. HENDRY leads 51-22 and plays a neat safety back to baulk.
- 1-0 HENDRY wobbles a red, and RONNIE is back in. But he misses.
- 1-0 Mistake from O'SULLIVAN, who tries to cosy up the reds but lacks finesse. HENDRY bags in a red.
- 1-0 140! What an opening salvo from HENDRY. Cool, calm and collected. Bish bash bosh. 1-0.
- 0-0 Half-century for HENDRY, who succeeds in opening up the remaining reds.
- 0-0 Cagey stuff so far. HENDRY is first on the board, with the reds reasonably well spread. Good chance here.
- 0-0 We've got a right cracker on the cards here. Rocket Ronnie, the people's champion, up against a veteran enjoying a return to form. If Hendry goes on to win the tournament he'll be the oldest champion in 30 years.
- 0-0 Good afternoon and welcome to eurosport.yahoo.com's live coverage of Stephen Hendry against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-finals of the World Championships. Play gets under way at 14:00 (BST)