Fired-up rocket closes in on victory

Ronnie O’Sullivan was at his scintillating best as he swept aside Stephen Maguire to take all eight frames in the opening session of the Maplin UK Championship final.

The three-time UK champion was still on top form following his stunning 147 break which clinched a 9-8 semi-final victory over Mark Selby to move into a 8-0 lead at the Telford International Centre.

Having taken all four frames before the mid-session interval, O’Sullivan repeated the feat and left the Scottish world number 10 shell-shocked.

O’Sullivan needed no time at all to rediscover his rhythm, making a break of 54 from his very first shot before sealing the frame with another run of 66.

In contrast, Maguire, who defeated Shaun Murphy in the semi-finals, began nervously and was given little chance to make his mark as ’The Rocket’ took the second with 33 and 35 breaks.

Reigning Northern Ireland Trophy champion Maguire looked the favourite to take the third as he moved into a 43-point lead, but again he was punished for over-cutting a red to the middle pocket and O’Sullivan cleaned up with a 78 clearance.

The 2004 UK winner was given a great chance to get a frame on the board when O’Sullivan inadvertently potted a red when attempting to split the pack in the final frame before the interval.

But another missed red to the centre pocket let the crowd favourite back in and a 66 break sealed a clean sweep of the opening four frames to put him in complete control.

The last time O’Sullivan competed in the UK final in 2001, he swept aside Ken Doherty 10-1, and on this form few would bet against him going one better tonight.

He encountered a problem at the start of a disjointed fifth frame, and needed three attempts to remove himself from a sticky situation at the baulk end.

There were missed pots from each player before O’Sullivan once again took the initiative. This time a break of 53 was enough to clinch it.

There was no such trouble in frame six, however, and O’Sullivan needed no second invitation after the Scot hit the jaws with his first green.

O’Sullivan clocked up a mesmerising break of 78 to take a 6-0 lead.

Maguire found himself amongst the balls after a scrappy start to the next but, clearly shaken, he underhit a routine red with the rest on 24, allowing O’Sullivan yet another half-century.

The break came to an end with a missed plant on 52, but when Maguire missed a long red, it opened the doors for an astonishing seventh straight frame.

And O’Sullivan sealed a clean sweep in the final frame of the afternoon with commanding stints of 40 and 30, and now needs just two frames from a possible 11 when they resume at 8pm tonight.