Stephen Maguire got his preparation for the World Snooker Championship off to the perfect start after winning the China Open in Beijing. Maguire defeated 2005 World Champion Shaun Murphy in a nail biting 10-9 victory.
The win moved Maguire closer to the Official World Number 1 title after already winning the Northern Ireland Trophy in November. As long as the 27-year-old progresses further in the World Championship than Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaun Murphy then he will take top spot.
In the Beijing Students University Stadium, Maguire overcame Fergal O’Brien 5-3 in the first round, Barry Hawkins 5-2 in the second round, Nigel Bond 5-0 in the quarter final, and Ryan Day 6-5 in the semi final. In the 6-5 win over Day, Maguire potted a maximum 147, which was only the second in his career – his first being made in 2000. It was the first in an Asian tournament which was televised and also the first in an Asian ranking event.
That maximum break of 147 gave the former World Amateur Champion £22,000 in prize-money, along with the £48,000 for winning the tournament. £70,000 for a week’s work is pretty good if you can earn it.
According to the Provisional World Rankings, Maguire has been the most successful player in the 2007/2008 season by racking up 20,975 points, compared with nearest rival Ronnie O’Sullivan who has amassed 20,400. The rankings are calculated over 2 years, and because Murphy and O’Sullivan had more successful seasons in 2006/2007, then Maguire must progress further than them in the final tournament of the season to claim the title of World Number 1.
Maguire faces Anthony Hamilton in the 1st round of the World Championship which starts on the 19th of April. He is one of 4 Scots trying to take the title of World Champion. Stephen Hendry is gunning for a record 8th World Championship and will take on Mark Allan in the 1st round. Defending champion John Higgins will look to take a third title as he takes on Matthew Stevens in the 1st round. The fourth player is 2006 World Champion Graeme Dott who will take on Joe Perry in the 1st round.
Maguire is currently joint 3rd favourite with the bookmakers (Coral) for the World Championship at 8-1, but will be hoping to defy the odds and win his first World Championship and become Number 1 in the World.
Lion Rampant Sports 
