O'Sullivan pots a stunning long red and has a chance for a frame-winning break that would have taken him ahead for the first time in the final.

But, after only scoring 11, he screws the cueball back, all the way into the middle pocket. Perry's turn.

Pete Jenks: Snooker final evenly poised. Should make for an enjoyable final session.

Danny Myers: Last session under way. Will we see this one go down to a final frame decider?

O'Sullivan, who normally plays the game right-handed, shoots at a red with his left and misses, before Perry can only pot one before opting for safety.

Shortly after, after 10 minutes of play, it is 2-2. Cagey.

The first ball potted in the evening session comes from Ronnie O'Sullivan, and it is a special long pot. But he can't build on it and has to play safe, with the cue ball then snuck up behind the green.

And we are back in action. It is a full house at Alexandra Palace and both players get a great reception from the fans.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

Milling around back stage, I have bumped into a couple of celebrities.

Jay (Jamie Borthwick) from Eastenders is here, who is a self-professed snooker nut. "I love it," he says.

A man taking a break from the world of politics is also in attendance. Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband is hoping Ronnie O'Sullivan wins tonight.

So what have you been doing during the break between this sessions?

This seven-year-old has been working on his long potting. The lad's got potential.

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Did you miss any of the action earlier today?

Well, don't worry as here is a two-minute round-up of what happened. You're welcome.

BBC Two

We are back live on BBC Two so press the play button at the top of the page to watch all the action.

So, where were we?

Welcome back to our coverage of the Masters final and it is all square at 4-4 between Joe Perry and last year's champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Both men need six frames to become the champion.

We could have a maximum of 11 frames tonight, it could be a dramatic evening.

So, what happens now? Well, everyone gets a breather for a few hours before we all meet back up at 19:00 GMT.

We will play to a finish tonight so we will have a minimum of six frames and a maximum of 11. Make sure you don't miss out, it's going to be a great evening.

So get some rest, get some supplies and join us later on.

MirrorImages: This is a brilliant come back by Ronnie O'Sullivan at 4-4, he's going to win the #Masters, external I can feel it!

Maria Hedley: Excellent session of snooker. Level at 4 all. Very much looking forward to tonight's finale!

Daniel H: It's a very close game. I can't pick a winner.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

If you let a big fish off the hook, you might not see him again.

Joe Perry felt the pressure but he's got two or three hours before he walks out again as the underdog once more, so he's back to square one and that's not the worst thing.

Ronnie will have been stimulated by that session. He was alert at the end, sometimes he looks a bit bored, but he didn't there. He will have enjoyed the challenge.

Lifeline wasted. Perry puts too much juice on the black, which was on its spot, and too make things worse he nudges the red over the pocket.

This time O'Sullivan makes him pay to ensure we end the afternoon session tied at 4-4.

But wait just a minute. O'Sullivan is on a break of 55, well placed to wrap up the frame until this slow-rolled blue into the middle stays out. A lifeline.

Image source, .

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

It looks like Ronnie's will to win has overtaken his need to entertain. Winning is the most important thing to him and it looks like he is getting into gear now.

So how will Joe Perry assess this session? At the start of the day, he surely would have taken a share of the eight frames. But he has had chances to go in the break with a lead.

But in this eighth frame, the last of the afternoon session, O'Sullivan is in control.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Ronnie had a little bit more adrenaline there and smelt a bit of blood, just a little nick from Joe Perry but he pounced. He'll be feeling much happier.

It's never easy playing catch-up but he's not shown frustration, is waiting for his chances and now they are starting to come. I think he's past the challenge of trying to win pretty.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Joe Perry will be kicking himself if this session ends all-square at 4-4 because he's had the chance to go into the evening session with a lead. 

Ronnie hasn't been great but his matchplay has been OK - you can't have your best form every session you play.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has won two in a row. Shots like this show why.