Match Reports from the 888.com World Snooker Championship
Maguire Magic
Stephen Maguire 7 – 2 Joe Perry
Stephen Maguire made a steady start to his fourth Crucible campaign, and finished the first session in style to take control of the match.
With the frame scores level, Maguire carved a good chance for himself in the third frame. He began to knock off reds and blacks, and a murmur went around the theatre as the crowd sensed an opportunity for a 147.
A missed red put pay to the maximum, but his 64 helped give him the lead. The 26-year-old played the more consistent snooker, and took the fourth with another break over 50.
Perry was a quarter-finalist here three years ago, and although he showed flashes of form, the Englishman was unable to sustain a challenge. He took the fifth to get within one, but from there Maguire took over.
The Scot rattled off the final four frames to move well clear, allowing his opponent to score just 17 points.
It will be a steep hill to climb for Perry, when they resume play.
By David Pritchard
