Maguire takes control
Stephen Maguire showed why he is the bookmakers’ hot favourite for the Travis Perkins UK Championship by taking firm control of his quarter-final against Stephen Lee in York today.
The 23-year-old Glaswegian, who has beaten world number one Ronnie O’Sullivan in the last two tournaments, stormed 6-2 ahead despite losing the opening two frames.
When ninth seed Lee began in fine style it looked as though Maguire, runner-up in the British Open on the eve of this event, was set to be given a severe examination of his credentials.
But the 30-year-old from Wiltshire suddenly lost his form completely and struggled to pot even the simple balls as Maguire moved into overdrive.
The world number 24, who is up to a provisional seventh in the ranking list having won the European Open in March, knocked in breaks of 72, 64, 62 and 60 as he raced into the lead.
He saved the best for last, however, closing the session with a brilliant 141 total clearance and ending the frame with a mammoth 151 points due to gaining 10 in fouls.
