This Weekend on BBC Sport

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	RISHI PERSAD AT THE WORLD SNOOKER Playing at the Crucible provides the ultimate test of character, temperament and mental strength and John Higgins has all of those in droves. To keep your concentration and playing standards up for such a prolonged period is a difficult art and it can take its toll, but Higgins's stamina has amazed me. His epic wins over Mark Selby and Jamie Cope must have taken it out of him, yet he has shown no sign of this at all and Mark Allen now has a mountain to climb if he is to beat the Scotsman and reach the final. I'm surprised Allen hasn't made more of a fist of it so far. He seemed unsettled by the extra humidity in the Crucible on Thursday and the slow cloth seemed to knock him out of his stride. I expect the other semi between Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson to go to the wire. Murphy has gone through some difficult times on and off the table but he burst back into life at the UK Championship and is coming to the boil nicely here. Robertson is such a great talent and crowds are drawn to him. He suffered a bit of criticism from people that said his safety play was poor and he played too quickly. He slowed down and was more measured but felt it made him play worse, so he has reverted to his old style and is reaping the benefits. It has been so refreshing to see so many young players making their mark at what has been one of the best world championships in memory. The standard of play has been top notch and with the likes of Allen, Robertson, Jamie Cope and Mark Selby, the game looks to have a rosy future. That said, I'm backing Higgins's priceless experience to see him lift his third world title. Enjoy the weekend, Rishi Rishi Persad presents coverage of the World Snooker final on BBC TV. Rishi was talking to Paul Birch THIS WEEKEND ON BBC SPORT  All the TV and radio times SNOOKER  bbc.co.uk/snooker Saturday World Championship (1000-1300 BBC Red Button/online; 1300-1630, BBC One/online; 1630-1730, BBC Two/online; 1900-2200, BBC Two/online). Sunday World Championship final (1400-1725, BBC Two/online; 2000-2300, BBC Two/online). World Championship final concludes on Monday at 1400-1645, BBC Two/online and 2000-2300, BBC Two/online. FOOTBALL  bbc.co.uk/football Saturday Football Focus (1210, BBC One/online); Premier League commentary (1245 & 1500, BBC Radio 5 Live/online); Final Score (1430, BBC Red Button/online; 1630, BBC One/online); Match of the Day (2230, BBC One/online). Sunday Match of the Day repeat (0735, BBC One/online); 5 Live Final Score (1300, BBC Red Button/online); Championship commentary (1315, BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online); Premier League commentary (1330 & 1600, BBC Radio 5 Live/online); Match of the Day 2 (2200, BBC One/online). MOTOGP  bbc.co.uk/motorbikes Saturday MotoGP: Jerez - qualifying (1200-1500, BBC Red Button/online); Qualifying re-run (1500-0300, BBC Red Button). Sunday MotoGP: Jerez - 125cc and 250cc races (0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online); 125cc and 250cc races re-run (1200-1200 Monday, BBC Red Button); Live race (1230-1400, BBC Two/online); MotoGP Extra (1400-1430, BBC Red Button/online); Race looped (1500-1100 Tuesday, BBC Red Button). OTHER SPORT  bbc.co.uk/othersport Saturday Rugby league: Wigan v St Helens (1855-2045, BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online). Sunday Boxing: Ricky Hatton v Manny Pacquiao (0300, BBC Radio 5 Live/online); Rugby union: Heineken Cup semi-final - Cardiff v Leicester (1510-1645, BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online); Rugby league: Catalans v Leeds (1645-1845, BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online). Rugby league's Super League Show is on Monday at 1215-1300 on BBC One North and then 0315-0400 on BBC Two. ...AND ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK  bbc.co.uk/sport Snooker's new aggressive breed  How a new generation of player has emerged Crucible pictures  Photos from the 2009 World Snooker Championship
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In tonight's programme

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	THURSDAY 30 APRIL - 22.30 GMT - BBC TWO PRESENTER KIRSTY WARK Hello, In honour of the fact that tonight we have an interview with Carol Ann Duffy, the first female Poet Laureate in the 341-year history of the post, the e-mail is coming to you in haiku today: Spending cuts on mind Crick and Urban talk defence Should Trident face axe? Go to our website Click on What Would You Cut link Tell us your cut plan Sri Lanka crisis Looking at new attack claim Did troops bomb haven? Carol Ann Duffy First time female laureate Talks to Kirsty Wark Please join us tonight 10.30pm on Two That's BBC Two Newsnight website Click here Missed Newsnight? Click here to watch online Newsnight Blogs Join the debate
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