Indeed, things are getting a little too heated in the audience.

Referee Paul Collier issues a warning to the fans to stop shouting out.

Good call. We want an atmosphere but it's not a pub here.

It's getting to that stage where the crowd is cheering every Selby miss and every Murphy pot.

They want as long a final as possible - it would be over by the mid-session interval if Selby wins this one and the next two as well, remember.

And now loud oohs as the Magician goes in off a red while attempting to dislodge another from the cushion near the middle pocket.

He's closed the gap to 48-30, though - anyone's frame now.

Image source, Getty Images

He's getting the rub of the green, as well right now, is the Jester.

Mark Selby plays a nice pot with the rest and kisses the yellow to leave it on, just like he did at the start of this break with the brown.

The break is up to 44 but he over-cuts a red - here's Shaun Murphy's chance...

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

Mark Selby has every facet in the game covered - safety, long potting, scoring power, cue ball control.

And of course he's blessed with a wonderful temperament - put that all in the mix and he's one of the greats of all-time, without a shadow of a doubt.

What a shot from Mark Selby. He's in the groove now.

A stray red in the centre of the table is cut, paper-thin, into the opposite middle pocket.

Selby then gets a couple of lucky ricochets off the knuckle off the other middle bag before kissing the brown.

Shaun Murphy can only sit and watch and hope.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Mark Selby is so difficult to play. He is just a tremendous match-player.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Shaun did all the hard work and missed a pink you would expect him to get. Mark Selby just mopped up.

If you watched the green baize game in the 1980s, then the upcoming Gods of Snooker programme on the BBC will be right up your street.

Check out the trailer below.

Speaking of the gods of snooker...

Are the snooker gods on Mark Selby's side?

He plays one of those tricky reds along the bottom cushion at pace.

It catches the jaw and has no right dropping but after wobbling from side to several times, it does.

Three reds remain and Mark Selby will need them all.

Two are in awkward positions near cushions. Shaun Murphy is praying they bail him out right now.

Alan McManus
Former Masters champion on BBC Two

History tells us Mark Selby is a very warm favourite because he seems to grow in stature and strength as a final goes on.

But the form Shaun Murphy is in, he’s definitely not out of this, that’s the general feeling.

But there’s a proviso to that – he can’t miss easy chances and that was one of them.

Shaun Murphy finally gets into prime position after a series of excellent, tricky pots.

Then he misses a relatively straightforward pink.

His face as he departs the table tells all - he knows that could be massively costly.

Alan McManus
Former Masters champion on BBC Two

Wow what a pot. That was absolutely extraordinary.

Or you could just forget the safety battle and crash in an absolutely ridiculous long red.

Shaun Murphy chooses that course of action.

Both players know the importance of this opening frame of the evening, particularly Shaun Murphy - a 15-11 deficit against Mark Selby should surely be a bridge too far.

They are embroiled in a safety battle with the yellow and green close to each other a few inches off the baulk cushion - whoever gets the cue ball in behind those will be in charge.

There are strict protocols for fans attending, including the requirement to show evidence of a recent negative coronavirus test.

There are important rules for players and officials to follow too - as referee Desislava Bozhilova demonstrates below.

Each player has their own rest for the longer shots and all surfaces and implements are frequently cleaned.

Image source, WST/Benjamin Mole

So much work has gone into the holding of this tournament and the welcoming back of fans.

The number of spectators has increased with each round and it's such a reaffirming feeling of semi-normality to see the Crucible packed for this fantastic final.

Image source, Getty Images

Shaun Murphy is taking John Parrott at his word thus far.

A wonderful long red, his umpteenth of the match.

He tries to go into the pack off the blue and is unlucky he doesn't land on an easier red.

He pots it and then the yellow but goes in off! The reds are safe, though, so no huge damage done.

John Parrott
1991 world champion on BBC Two

Shaun Murphy has to make Mark Selby uncomfortable. Get in early, attack, open the reds and don’t play any tactical games with Mark Selby as you’ll come out second best.

And feed off this Crucible crowd – give them plenty of fist pumps tonight and who knows maybe this Magician might pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Image source, BBC Sport