Bar one red, everything is out in the open.

Decent chance for Yan, who is already up to 27.

S.U.P.E.R.B.

Yan strokes in a excellent long red and follows it up by absolutely smashing the yellow into the right middle to send the white spiralling down the table onto his next red.

That 48-point lead Higgins had does not look that great now.

No. He loses position after rolling in his fifth black.

A safety it is, with a 48-point lead.

Five reds, four blacks. Could Higgins make a maximum?

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

That was a cracking shot. It was not straightforward. It was played with a lovely touch. He could not hit that one any better.

John Higgins knows the score. He knows this is a very important juncture in the match. This visit will get every little bit of concentration.

Just when Yan thought things could not get any worse, Higgins tucks him up behind the green.

Two misses and eight points to Higgins later, he leaves a plant to the left middle bag that the Scot gloriously knocks in. Another frame here will guarantee him a lead going into this evening's final session.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins is just starting to get some breathing space. He will be feeling a lot better about himself. Yan Bingtao started like a dream but it is now falling apart.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

Big moments now these next two frames for Yan, 6-2 down will be too big a mountain to climb.

Higgins has taken three frames in a row and he will only get stronger, you know he won't weaken.

For Yan, you have not got the experience of playing in major final and he is struggling a bit, what do you do mentally to turn it around? You can't flick a switch and turn it on. He is getting chances and has to concentrate as hard as he can.

John Higgins has need two good chances but it looks as though he is going to put this frame to bed at the third time of asking.

A superb shot on the brown, to take the cue ball round the angles. He misses an easyish green on the colours but a break of 37 seals the frame

Have just seen a long pot success graphic showing Higgins at 17% and Yan at 25%.

Who would have thought it.

John Higgins looks like he as playing himself as much as Yan here.

Dennis Taylor
1985 world champion on BBC Two

John Higgins looked up to the heavens. What a chance he let slip there.

That's a nightmare for Yan, who blasts into the pack off the black but then finds his options limited to a tricky red to left the left middle.

He gets that all wrong, leaving the red in the process but Higgins can only knock in a measly 12 before losing control of the cue ball. Dreadful.

Back to matters at hand and Yan is in pole position after knocking a red into the left middle and taking on a very positive green into the right middle from behind the baulk line.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

It is something that Stephen wants to do to just see if he can test himself again and get a cue action that works under pressure. I know exactly how it feels. It would be nice to get some play before the World Championships.

Stephen Hendry
Seven-time world champion on BBC Two

I did say that if I was drawn to play in January I would pull out because I have not played, I am not ready. I would just embarrass myself. I might embarrass myself in March but I definitely would this week with no practice.

I want to be able to at least give myself a chance of playing quite well. If you have not practiced you can't go in against these guys and expect to do anything so that was my reason.

The aim is to play at Sheffield again. That's my goal. To try and possibly play in the World Championships again would be incredible. I have to play before that. I can't just go there cold. The Welsh Open in February is looking an option.

There will be players queuing up to commentate again. I have had great support and great best wishes It is not a full-time comeback I must stress that.

Before we get going again, Stephen Hendry has been discussing his potential return to the professional ranks.

As I mentioned earlier his comeback has been put on hold after he elected not to play in the Pro Series, which starts on Monday. But it sounds like it might not be too far off...

Higgins has not put a foot wrong here.

What a way to start. One chance and a break of 98. He leads for the first time in the match.

Early chance for John Higgins to capitalise after Yan misses another long red to the bottom right corner.

The players are back and we have a change in the commentary box.

John Parrot and Dennis Taylor are on duty. Ken's probably off to do some weights judging by that picture Stephen Hendry posted.

Looks like Yan Bingtao wants to brush up on a few things.

Got to be honest, it is slightly weird to see him on the practice table right behind Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry

Image source, BBC Sport