Young McGill Earns His Respect | Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Anthony McGill | 2014 UK Championship QF S2

Second session of this quarterfinal. That red is potable into the middle pocket. Not ideal, he hasn't got a clue where the cue ball is going to go. Might just miss the brown if he does pot it. And Mike... Well, ****. You could stand there for another year and a half and you couldn't pull that shot off. Yeah, those are the shots that test the old cue action and he's so good at that and he hasn't got away with it, he's flicked the yellow. That's a bit unlucky to stick it up. It's amazing even for the top players when you get out onto the match arena on television those shots become more difficult. He played in such a way that that was the only one he was going to leave but unfortunately every now and again you do leave it. That's the element of luck in the game of snooker. Seven. Black out of commission. But Ronnie's always very clever when it comes to getting it back into play. About from here. That's going to be tough. Lost control of the fraction. Oh, what a shot. Thirteen. Well, it's hard to describe how hard he had to hit this. You can see both the red and the white jumping around the table but he can get the black into play in a couple of shots' time. If this bounces far enough, but he's let it go again. Ronnie's wanted to be on this red to pot it and just nudge the red to the left of the black away. He can't do it now. I thought he was going to go into the pack off that blue. Nineteen. I wonder if he had that again. Would he play it the same way? No, he was trying to get on the blue and he would have went into the pink and reds this time but he was trying to get the black into play but he just didn't get the position required. This has got to be very accurate. I think he played it very well. What a nice shot. He's now through the gap. He's given himself an outside chance of keeping the break going. Well, that's just a spectacular shot. Twenty-four. It would be a spectacular shot with your normal hand but the last two shots he's played with his left hand. He's quite amazing. That's pretty good. He had a margin for error. He's got the red above the black or this one. Thirty. Just the one to the left of black. Just a slight awkward one. And that's the one he's played for immediately to clear the black for both corner pockets. Thirty-eight. I don't think there's many players in the game who would have been able to salvage this break like Ronnie O'Sullivan has. It looked like he was out of position and out of position by enough that he was going to come unstuck but one good split on the pack. Have the patience to leave it until he has to play the split Other players wouldn't risk leaving it to the last minute. Fifty-three. Confident that he can get the right angle on the black. And here's the frame winner coming up. If this goes right. Well, it's a little awkward. Sixty-one. Staying close to the cushion. So this red, he left a can on the other so not guaranteed to get nicely on the colour that he'll need to win the frame. But he's played it with lots of pace. So just the black needed. And there it is. A couple of the shots he's played in this break with his left hand. Sixty-nine. Well, they were exceptional. I can tell you that. This is the one here played with the opposite hand. Fabulous. Seventy-six. As I mentioned, ninety-eight. Before the mid-session interval and now this. The rocket certainly has taken off. Eighty-four. Eighty-five. You see how fluidly and effortlessly now he's playing the game of snooker. Makes you realise how difficult it is for his opponent who had his best chances perhaps in this match to keep him under wraps earlier. Ninety-one. And now, from Anthony McKeel's perspective. Ninety-eight. It's going to be like stopping a runaway horse. Well, that really is a fabulous century break from Ronnie O'Sullivan. That's his fourth in this year's UK Championship. A hundred and three. A hundred and seven. He made 53 centuries last season just at nineteen. Well, that one there makes it twenty for this season. A hundred and twelve. A hundred and eighteen. Well, what a way to start after the mid-session interval. One mistake from Anthony McKeel. He had to sit in his seat and watch Ronnie O'Sullivan clear up with that fabulous break of a hundred and twenty-five. Well, now then, Anthony. You can see Ronnie's long putt success rate was at thirty-three percent. One. He wanted to be further out into the table but shouldn't be a problem getting on that red that's to the right of the blue. That's okay. There's a couple of reds available. Nine. Quite a sizable break here just to get that confidence going. Because he hasn't had a chance Fourteen. In the last two frames. Fifteen. Twenty-two. There's a red in the middle of the pack. Looks like it also might pot into the right corner. Twenty-three. That's in preference to going into the pack off the black. So, a fraction of right-hand side perhaps. Just a fraction. Oh, he's changed his mind. He had the perfect angle. Thirty. Looked like he'd set up to play the run-through. Yeah, I think he had looked at your shot. And then he thought, well, listen, I might not get a better chance. And he certainly opened them up nicely, didn't he? Perhaps it was where he left the cue ball that made his mind up. Thirty-eight. This would be an excellent frame to win in this visit. It really would be. Oh, no. Oh. Anthony McGill. Thirty-eight. Do you know, that seemed to drift slightly there. The way the old cloths used to play with an up. Let's have a look at it again. There it looked not too bad. And then all of a sudden, just the last six inches or so. Yeah. Well, it was never in the heart. The last thing you want to do is leave Ronnie O'Sullivan in a position to counter-attack. It looked as if Anthony was going to level. Six. Ronnie enjoys the challenge of winning a frame when the scores are not in his favour. Seems to focus his attention on the situation. Which seems to me, Dennis, like he enjoys solving the puzzle of two red suns, side cushion safe. How can I clear up from here? Yeah, he'll have one eye on those reds. He'll already be working out in his mind as he's concentrating on these colours, how he's going to go about moving those. Maybe the one next to the pink is available. He's got that red over that middle pocket that he can... Twenty-three. ...utilise to try and break a red open, knowing full well that that red over the middle is there. Potable. Yeah, the pink's the ball that you want to move the reds. And he's got an angle on the pink to bring that one, the right side of the table, into play. Thirty-seven. Thirty-eight. Well, that's perfectly played. Forty-three. And if he doesn't get that red out on the side cushion, of course, being left-handed as well, he can just drop him behind it. I still think, yeah, he's looking to move that. And as he overscrews it slightly, he was trying to leave an angle on the blue, but he's gone too far. Forty-four. But he can get there from the yellow. Of course he can, but he's overdone it, has he? No, he's unlucky. He was just a fraction away of playing that perfectly. Brilliant shot. Brilliant shot. That red was so far up the cushion, he decided it was worthwhile attempting to shift it. So unlucky. Daniel Sullivan. Forty-six. That'll do very nicely, acknowledged by Ronnie, as long as it doesn't bounce. Yeah, well played. He needed to hit it a bit harder, and obviously a bit fuller, to get the stun effect. I'll tell you what, it's so nice to see this young man smiling out there. He's up against Ronnie O'Sullivan, who gets a flick on the pink, and has got a snooker. Well, it's a containing shot. He's got plenty of other options, he doesn't have to play that. He did try that, and just didn't catch hold of it as he intended. Oh, nice use of the black ball. That's the shot that's available to him. Can he get enough side on it, and get somewhere near the line? Where's the red going now? He needs to finish tight on that cushion. And he has, it's safe. Foul on this. Oh, he's had a result there. He's got it, but he's hit it a bit hard. Where's that red? Oh, it's flicked the pink, and it's gone safe. He didn't want to risk that, and this looks pretty good. Oh, it's just gone slightly too far, I think. Took the putt on. And that was a difficult one. That was a risk. Didn't need to play that shot. Very aggressive. Well, what a test now for Anthony McGill. One good putt here. Not only has he missed it, he's... Well, it's not right over the pocket. One. Gone a bit too far to get over the side of the table, to leave an easy green. And now, is he trying to get over there? No. Has he gone too hard? He has. Seven. Oh, I think he sort of rushed it in the end. And that's not... I don't think it's a snooker, is it? He might just have got one. He'd be disappointed with that. Great shot. Key shot coming up. Foul on this. That's where he needs to go. And he's unlucky. I'll tell you what. If he hits that a little bit harder, it goes in. But he was in a terrible position there. Ronnie sort of tapped the table as if... Yeah, he can putt the green, but can he get on the brown? Looks like he can. Oh, he's missed it with all the side. He's missed it and hit it coming backwards. Would you believe it? Big error. Second time he's played a shot where it seems like he's... He's cues... And his tips push the ball out a long way to the side. He missed a red into this top right-hand corner. It was like that. But that's a massive error. Seven. Well, he's going to need the black also. Twelve. He wants to get a little bit closer to this black to make it slightly easier for himself. And he has got closer to the black. In fact, he can reach round without needing the rest. What a frame for this young man to draw level. Just the black needed. And in goes the black. Ronnie mishits the shot on the green. Anthony Miguel took full advantage. And he's now all square with Ronnie O'Sullivan. There they are. Just a few days ago, he was talking about leaving this championship because of the pain in his ankle. And he seems to be moving reasonably freely now even though there is a fracture to his ankle. He's making the most of it here. But as the guys have said, he's in a fight here. Three frames all. Frame seven coming up. And it's Ronnie who gets frame seven underway. I remember when I first turned professional, I met the great Joe Davis who was the king of snooker. Twenty years undefeated champion. Met him at Pop Black and a little bit of advice he gave me. He said, you play the percentages. You know, you win. But I suppose that's changed somewhat. The players are thinking now they've got a 50% chance of getting it safe if they take the risky one on. Anthony McGill is getting some inspiration from his opponent here because all of a sudden, Ronnie's confidence in his long game has evaporated. Anthony McGill sensed that. He's been very unlucky with that split. Not easy to play a safety shot either. An outrageous two-ball plant. Screwed back to safety. That's a monster shot. It's on. And well played. Because the blue is over the corner pocket. My apologies for saying screw back down to bulk. He committed even better than that. Kubel just running down the table more than he wanted. Eleven. He's on one. I didn't know that one went. Hang on, Steve. He's not only on it, he can flick the other red out of the way and bring the pink into play. Twelve. All of a sudden, things are opening up here for the young man. It's going to be tough. Just the pace once again. The red's gone on the pink spot. Does the pink go on the black spot? It's messed things up. Eighteen. So, obligated to work off the blue now. Nineteen. Twenty-four. Twenty-five. He's playing for this red that's on the pink spot. There's no way through to cannon the black and red because of this red. This time, he can get a nice angle on the blue. Let's see what sort of angle he's got on this. Thirty-one. He's gone straight, so he'll just have to play for the two reds there that are together on the right side of the table. Thirty-six. He needs one more good shot. No. Now we see Ronnie play that shot. Thirty-six. If he can get to the blue. You can see the disappointment there. That could finish awkward. One. Got to be a little bit careful. He's quite close to it. That's pretty good. But there's no way through. Let me show you that shot again. I said there's no way through to that cannon because if he's nicely on the blue here, he might be able to play the cannon this time, but if not, he'll remove the red that's near the pink spot, and then... So, he's got to get the right side of the blue. Don't think that red next to the pink is available. If it is, he could change his plan. Thirteen. If the red's available, that's what he's looking at now. And it does go. So, yep. What a great touch he showed earlier on. A very deft little nip on the cue ball to keep it under control when he was close to the blue. Has he come far enough here? Yes, just a bit of side spin. Three reds have stayed safe on the top cushion, though. Some hope for Anthony McGill. Twenty-four. Twenty-five. Just make sure he gets a good angle on the black to develop the difficult reds. Thirty-three. Pockett seems to be accepting the shot as long as you don't touch the near cushion there. No problem there. Forty-one. Well, you couldn't be closer. Three frames each, 41 points each. We'll see where he leaves the cue ball, what his intentions are. Forty-nine. He can move it now. So this is a key shot coming up. Anthony knows if he gets this right, he might stay in his seat. Oh, he's played that beautifully. Fifty-six. Fifty-seven. Well, this definitely is a key shot now. He's missed it. Ooh. Ronnie O'Sullivan. That's the first time we've seen Ronnie react like that. It was a key shot. And you don't see him react like this, or haven't done for quite a while. Can you get your breath? Well, how has Anthony missed that? He's looked so composed throughout. It's the simplest of pots. He's on the green. That is just pure pressure there. Well, amazing. He missed the black off the spot, but what a yellow. So Anthony has missed a trick here. Ronnie was angry with himself, and he should have punished him there. Nine. Another big turning point in this quarterfinal. Do you know, I wonder whether the shock of Ronnie's outburst put the heat on Anthony McGill in a bizarre way. Well, whatever. Anthony would be very disappointed in Ronnie O'Sullivan as he leaves the arena. I have a chance here. He can swing the white around the back of the black and reds. Excellent shot. It's not on it, I think. Yeah, he's OK. Four. Think if he had finished on the blue and then cannoned those three reds near the pink, but the white's gone too far. That's very nicely played. Six. Seven. I wonder will he try that nice little cannon onto those three reds and pink. He'd be guaranteed to be on a red. I mean, he could just concentrate on blues, which it looks as if he may do, or he's still got the opportunity to do that. It's only if he's the right angle does he start going into them. 13. Picks balls off so well. Doesn't necessarily need to all the time. Oh, great shot. Fantastic cue power. And a little bit unlucky. He's not better on the yellow. That's exactly how he played it. Probably hoping to get on the blue. Got a hold of it too well. 21. 22. He's making the cue ball move pretty easily around the table now. He's just a fraction shy. Not good. Now it's a big decision to go for this. Just grimaced. 27. Does he play the pot? He's going to collide with the other reds. He could just about get past. 28. Now he can cannon into the reds near the ones near the black. Oh, that's a great shot. Very unlucky. Very unlucky indeed. Ronnie O'Sullivan. 33. It looks as if he can see enough of this to flick it in. He might bring the pink and reds into play if he pots it. I'll tell you what, he's had so much bad luck. 1. I mean, he's played a great pot there. Anthony McGill, 1. Oh, he's centred into the green. That's careless. That's very careless. That's what he thinks of it. This would be a good pot for Anthony McGill to pull out, giving himself a chance and a realistic chance. It does depend on whether that red is available next to the brown. He wouldn't have to do a lot with the balls. 5. We might find out after this next shot if that red next to the brown pots. It obviously does. 12. Even though these two reds look in difficult positions, they're not badly set up. Oh, he's played a poor shot there, I think. He needed to be a little bit further over, so he's messed things up a fraction. Tough pot with the rest. Great shot with the rest. 16. He's obviously very, very good with the rest. And what a frame this will be for Anthony to win and level at 4-0. Still a big clearance. He's not perfect on the blue in and out of bulk, avoiding the colours. He's done that successfully. I don't think he's going to be missing this yellow. 28. The exact same shot as the one he missed previously. Look at that. No problem this time. There's four in front. Green, brown and blue needed. Oh. Oh, it's going to stay there. Anthony McGill. He can't believe it. This time he misses the green. It's half in the pocket. It was a bad yellow. He didn't screw back far enough. He put a little bit of pressure on the green. Quiet down, please. Thanks. Rony O'Sullivan. 3. Getting out of trouble in this match, not by his own making, as much as a joint effort struck that well. Well, what a difference that has just made. 12. Just the pink needed. Anthony. 18. Should have been all square, but missing that easy green opened the door for Rony O'Sullivan. He's absolutely made a complete hash of that shot. He just hit it far too thick. Now, this is a bit of a tester for Anthony. Six. He'll test his cue action under severe pressure now. Five, three down. Well done. Terrific shot. And he's got an angle on the blue. He's got back in prime position. He could pop the red and shift the red away from the black spot. Got to be a bit careful. 13. 20. Not too sure if there's a plant into the right corner. He's just spotted it now. Probably walk round the table, have another look from the other side. Well, that's nice. He could actually play that plant and open up the pack, because he'd have to play the plant at an angle. No problem either way. Couldn't have played it any better. It's showing great character here is Anthony. He showed tremendous character in his previous round when he defeated his boyhood hero and practice partner John Higgins in the deciding frame. And he's not finished yet. Make no mistake about it. 43. 44. Considering breaking open the pack of reds with a power run through. Just trying to work out how much power he needs. Doesn't think he can guarantee how they're going to come out. So plays for the loose red. He's going to need one more good red. 59. He's got an angle on the pink this time. He's a bit further away from the pink. A bit more pressure on the pot, but you'd expect him to get it. Left himself one of those little tricky ones along the cushion. Superb. 66. Keeping himself in contention. He's got a chance to win the last three frames. 74. He's mentally very strong, this boy, you can tell. 88. 89. He's got to make a century this year in the UK championship. 96. 97. Well done, Anthony McGill. 103. Doesn't matter about missing him. He's backwards against the wall. And what a response. He's come up with a century break. His first of this year's championship. And he's now still in this match. But he's still a frame behind at 54. To Ronnie O'Sullivan. It's not the way to keep your opponent on the back foot. Poor break off. Well, gasps from the audience. That's a shot that Ronnie normally would knock in. But he's got away with it. He could quite easily have left that red once he missed it. He's hit this a little hard. He's hit it a little hard. Surely he hasn't left a pot. He's anxiously looking there. And he just hit that one a little harder than he intended. Oh. Well, Ronnie thought he could see that. And he's hit the wrong red. Well, all of a sudden. There's all sorts happening out there. Thought he could see enough of that but caught the other red. One. He's got plenty of cue power. He can disturb reds. He's got one available. The split not go right. And that particular shot. He didn't use or utilize his cue power. Somehow he thought he was going to be on that red regardless. He didn't want to find that little gap. And sure enough he did. And stuck right in the middle of them. Anthony McGill, eight. No, surely. What a shot. One. That is the shot of the match so far. At that angle to knock that red in the middle is unbelievable. A couple more shots. You may see this develop quite nicely for Ronnie O'Sullivan. Deliberately played low on this too. 16. Now really try and do some damage. 24. The pink's potable into both corners. And he could realistically use either black or pink. In splitting open that pack of six reds. 25. Once again he wants a guarantee when he does have to split them he's on a red. That I think is the difference between Ronnie O'Sullivan going into the pack and others. 31. 32. He's got the angle now. You know it's one good shot. But they're not a good bunch to go into from here. But he may take the chance now. No he's going to hang on. Maybe do it from the pink. 39. 40. Still got the loose red. He still won't do it unless he absolutely nailed on knows he's going to be getting a red out. I'm just wondering if that red at the back of that bunch is available into the right corner. If it is he may not have to cannon into them. But if that red goes. 47. He won't have to go into the bunch. I don't think if he's dead straight on the pink that is an error. He's got to play one good shot here. But we know that that red is available. And a couple of shots time. 54. And he's nicely on the brown. I think to get up to that position he's got quite a margin for error here. Anywhere up around that circle. And he's got that red. It's just about perfect. 58. And a little nudge to bring another red out. But he can't get on that. So this will give him the match. If he puts the black, opens the red. It's all over. Is he on a red? He's got one to the middle pocket. He's 58 ahead. He only needs this. And the black. 67. He's closed out this potential banana skin of a match. With sheer class. He's seen his opponent make a century break to keep himself in the match. And how did he respond? 75. With a frame and match winning break. But every credit to Anthony McGill. He really has made Ronnie work here this afternoon. And he's given a terrific account of himself. And I'm certainly looking forward to seeing a lot more from young Anthony. I like his attitude. I like his game. But it's all about the rocket now. Finishing style. 91. Of course he can. It's not easy, though. 97. Well, no century break. Ronnie O'Sullivan. 97 with a frame and match. This is a terrific match. Well done, Anthony McGill. Yes, Ronnie O'Sullivan through to his eighth United Kingdom semifinal. And his first is 2009, in fact. But look at this fella. What a wonderful, wonderful amount of entertainment. This guy has given us today. He's only 23 years of age. This is the first time we've really. He's even clearing up there. That's very kind of you. Well done, Anthony. You know, that just shows the humility of this young man. What a wonderful afternoon he's had out here. He's been too long at the billiard hall.