Stephen Maguire potted a memorable 147 as he battled his way past Ryan Day to reach the China Open final. The Glaswegian held his nerve to clinch a dramatic 6-5 victory over Welshman Day, winning the match on the blue in a final-frame decider. But it was in the second frame that the Scot wrote his name into the record books with the first-ever clearance in a ranking event in Asia. He now faces Shaun Murphy after the Englishman’s 6-3 win over Mark Selby. It was not plain sailing for Murphy, who battled back from 3-2 behind to beat compatriot and this season’s Masters and Welsh Open winner Selby at the Beijing Sports Gymnasium.

Selby pocketed breaks of 54, 95 and 132 for a 3-2 lead, but saw Rotherham professional Murphy progress to the final thanks to breaks of 64, 73 and 77. “I’m very pleased to win and to be in the final,” said Murphy. “Now I’ve got the chance to win a trophy. “I showed a lot of patience tonight. Mark is a fantastic player but I decided to hang back and wait for him to make the mistakes.” A disappointed Selby reflected: “I struggled throughout the match, apart from one frame. Shaun wasn’t brilliant either but he deserved to win.” Murphy may have to up his game against Maguire, whose maximum was the second of his career – the first coming in the Scottish Open in 2000. His 147, the 38th in a ranking event and the fifth of the season, will earn him an additional prestige.

Stephen Maguire
Ryan Day

Eight of the game’s best players compete in a one day, single frame knockout inspired by BBC’s original Pot Black series. London’s RAC club is the venue. Pot Black Cup 2006 – 08 – QF4a Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty.

Billiards Jeanette Lee on Inside POOL Xtreme Pressbox by Inside POOL Magazine video

www.alex0paul.blogspot.com

When Snooker Ruled the World. TV documentary looking back at the golden era of the sport during the 1970s and 1980 when players such as Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis were in their prime.

www.alex0paul.blogspot.com

When Snooker Ruled the World. TV documentary looking back at the golden era of the sport during the 1970s and 1980 when players such as Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis were in their prime.

www.alex0paul.blogspot.com

When Snooker Ruled the World. TV documentary looking back at the golden era of the sport during the 1970s and 1980 when players such as Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis were in their prime.

Eight of the game’s best players compete in a one day, single frame knockout inspired by BBC’s original Pot Black series. London’s RAC club is the venue,

www.alex0paul.blogspot.com

When Snooker Ruled the World. TV documentary looking back at the golden era of the sport during the 1970s and 1980 when players such as Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis were in their prime.

When Snooker Ruled the World. TV documentary looking back at the golden era of the sport during the 1970s and 1980 when players such as Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis were in their prime.

snooker pot black 2007 finale part1