Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

That's unforgivable from John Higgins. That's the easiest ball we've seen missed in this match. He can't believe it.

A few nerves for both players in this first frame.

Shaun Murphy misses a pink into the middle, before John Higgins fails to make him pay with a routine black which rattles the jaw of the corner pocket.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins has more chance of winning with his B-game. If Shaun Murphy plays how he did against Zhao Xintong he wins but if he is below that I'm not sure he's going to beat John.

Shaun Murphy ups his break to 54 as he eyes this first frame before a ring tone belting out bagpipes interrupts play.

Was it the tune to the Family Ness? Or The Proclaimers?

Not sure. Either way the referee gives a terse reminder to those watching inside the Crucible.

An early miss from John Higgins on a red opens the door for Shaun Murphy.

He sets about building a sizable break - he's up to 45 and counting with the black in play.

Joe Perry
Former World Championship semi-finalist on BBC Two

Both players have had the opportunities to get a lead in this match but have left the other player back in. Whoever can grasp the nettle and when they are on top, stay on top, will come through this one.

Right, both players were introduced to the crowd.

Shaun Murphy has just broken with his own inimitable fashion.

Shabnam Younus-Jewell
BBC Sport snooker reporter at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

I've been looking at how the rankings will change for the player who lifts the World Championship title this year.

If John Higgins wins, he'll move up from world number five to number two. If Shaun Murphy triumphs he would also jump to number two from eighth.

Meanwhile,Wu Yize could climb from 10th to fourth and Mark Allen could rise to fourth from 14th although if Higgins reaches the final, he would end up fifth.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

This is the moving session in this match. If I'm one of these two players I am wanting to get a 6-2 win tonight. Or at least 5-3 to get some sort of lead going into tomorrow. In these long matches it's important to set yourself targets.

We are now hearing the walk out for John Higgins vs Shaun Murphy will be at 19:20.

Image source, Getty Images

Fresh faced and a lot more hair gel.

John Higgins and Shaun Murphy faced each other in a World Championship final back in 2009. Higgins emerged victorious on that occasion with an emphatic 18–9 win.

The pair have won five world titles between them, yet neither has claimed the famous trophy since Higgins secured his fourth in 2011.

The semi-final between John Higgins and Shaun Murphy is delicately poised at 8-8 after a captivating second session at the Crucible this morning.

In contrast to the opening to their match on Wednesday, Higgins appeared the stronger of the two players in their early exchanges.

The four-time world champion ruthlessly punished a missed black from Murphy to take the opening frame with a break of 72.

Englishman Murphy, who is looking to end a 21-year wait for his second Crucible crown, delivered the perfect riposte with an 88 as he took two of the next three frames to draw level at 6-6.

When Murphy failed to convert a plant to the right middle, his error was again exploited, with Higgins enjoying a run of 57 to edge back in front.

The 50-year-old Scot then knocked in a wonderful break of 86 off the back of a brave long red to open up a two-frame advantage.

However, Murphy took a scrappy 15th frame and turned the tables on his opponent to restore parity when Higgins missed a tricky red with the rest down the left cushion.

Image source, Getty Images

The fallout from that remarkable, and at times bizarre, frame will doubtless continue.

But that's not the end of proceedings by any stretch this evening.

We have the third session of John Higgins vs Shaun Murphy coming up. Coverage has just started on BBC Two and the iPlayer.

Because of that elongated frame between Wu Yize and Mark Allen the players are due out in the Crucible at 19:17.

Kyren Wilson
2024 World Championship winner on BBC Two

I think Marcel Eckardt [the referee] should've called that a lot earlier

That game was going nowhere, quite painful, but the fight and determination from Mark Allen is still incredible.

The fans who watched that session were left short changed in terms of the number of frames they watched, with the extra two frames set to be added on tomorrow evening.

However, you wonder if they will go away with a 'I was there' moment.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at the Crucible Theatre

There we have it folks - the longest frame in Crucible history is now 100 minutes and 21 seconds.

It beats the previous mark of 85 minutes and 22 seconds, set by Mark Selby and Yan Bingtao in 2022.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

In a nutshell that frame is an embarrassment to snooker, and the referees' and the players' association need to try to work out a way so that never happens again.

Mark Allen bungles a snooker which leaves Wu Yize with an opportunity to pot the pink.

It looks like the Chinese player is just attempting to get the ball over the pocket but ends up giving it enough power for it to just about roll in.

Seven frames all heading into tomorrow.

Wu Yize plays a brilliant escape shot off the cushion to give the pink a gentle kiss.

What a totally bonkers frame of snooker this has been.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

This is unbelievable.

What a shot Mark Allen has produced there - that has got to be the shot of the championship.

This has already been one of the most remarkable frames played at the Crucible.