Maguire scores 147 on way to final

Stephen Maguire pocketed a memorable 147 maximum as he battled his way past Ryan Day and into tomorrow's Honghe Industrial China Open final.

The Glaswegian cueman held his nerve to clinch a dramatic 6-5 victory over Welshman Day, winning the match on the final blue ball in a final-frame decider.

It was in the second frame that the Scot wrote his name in the record books however, his superb total clearance the first ever to be compiled in a ranking tournament in Asia.

After spreading the reds perfectly early in the frame, this season's Northern Ireland Trophy champion took just over 13 minutes to clear all 15 reds and 15 blacks, as well as the colours.

It was the second 147 of Maguire's career, eight years after his maximum in the qualifying rounds of the Scottish Open.

Thailand's James Wattana is the only other professional player to have made an official maximum in Asia, at the 1997 China International. However, that tournament was not a ranking event, nor was it televised.

Maguire's achievement has seen him join three other players who have registered maximums this season.

Scottish compatriot Jamie Burnett, from Glasgow, Leicester's Tom Ford and crowd favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan (twice) have all compiled 147s.

Maguire's 147 was the 61st in snooker history, the 38th in a ranking event and now the fifth of the season.

If his break is not bettered, the world number 10 will walk away with an additional £22,000 (€27,775) worth of prize-money. There is £2,000 (€2,525) for the highest break and £20,000 (€25,250) for the 147.

Having also reached the Maplin UK Championship final, Maguire has now secured his passage through to three ranking event finals, a clear indication he is back to his best form.

"It was a good match to be involved in," said a delighted Maguire. "It was obviously a bit tense at the end, so it was good to get over the line."

"It was brilliant to get a 147, apart from winning tournaments it is the best feeling ever. They don't come along very often, so I'll have to savour this moment for as long as possible.

"Potting the last black was just great. I wasn't nervous, but I had to compose myself because it was a pressure shot.

"When I potted the pink I was thinking: 'Great, I can go and buy a new car'. I was perfect on the black, but when I got down I had to step back and go again even though the black was unmissable."

Maguire started with a 51 break before his maximum helped him double his advantage.

But Day, runner-up at this season's Shanghai Masters, hit back with breaks of 104 and 89 to level.

It got even better for the world number 16 as he moved 4-2 ahead after winning a scrappy fifth frame. Maguire faltered on a break of 46 before a run of 70 saw Day edge two frames clear.

However, back came Maguire with breaks of 61 and 75 to level proceedings, before runs of 31 and 34 helped him re-establish the lead.

Day forced a decider by winning the next frame with a cool 63 break, only for Maguire to make sure of victory in the next.

Both players had breaks, Maguire a 58 and Day 40, but with just the colours remaining it was the Scot who held his nerve to win on the final blue ball.

Maguire will now play either Masters and Welsh Open champion Mark Selby or this season's Malta Cup champion Shaun Murphy in tomorrow's best-of-19 showcase final.

This year's winner will pocket £50,000 (€63,124), with the runner-up set to take home £25,000 (€31,562).

Understandably disappointed having come within a frame of reaching back-to-back finals in China, Day reflected: "I'm disappointed because I played quite well.

"We both had a run of a few frames but I had a chance to clear up at the end so I'm a little disappointed."