Maguire and Hendry Fly the Flag at Sheffield

Stephen Maguire and Stephen Hendry have filled two of the eight quarter final spots at the 2008 World Snooker Championship. However, former World Champions John Higgins and Graeme Dott have both crashed out.

Stephen Hendry turned back the clock to make his way into his 17th World Snooker Championship Quarter Final. After coming through his 1st round match 10-9 against Northern Irishman Mark Allan which has been dubbed “the best match of the tournament so far”, Hendry then went on to demolish China’s Ding Junhui 13-7. The 39-year-old, who is bidding for a record 8th World Title, is now 3rd favourite to win the tournament and will face Welshman Ryan Day in the quarter finals.

The form man of the tournament is Stephen Maguire. After two routine wins against Englishman Anthony Hamilton (10-3) and Austrailian Neil Robertson (13-7), the 27-year-old will face Joe Perry in the quarter finals. Maguire form has been impressive enough to joint favourite with Ronnie O’Sullivan to win the tournament.

Defending champion and World Number 1 John Higgins went out to Welshman Ryan Day in the second round, going down 13-9. Higgins had defeated another Welshman – Matthew Stevens 10-5 in the first round, but was subject to the shock of the tournament so far. His victor Ryan Day will hope to repeat his victory against Stephen Hendry in the quarter finals.

Graeme Dott, who decided at the last minute to compete in the World Championship was knocked out in the first round. The 2006 World Champion is suffering from depression but decided to participate despite experts’ advice not to. However, there was some hope for the future in Dott’s performance despite losing 10-7 to Englishman Joe Perry.

Maguire Wins in China

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 8^th 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.