Maguire first into final

Scotland's Stephen Maguire is the first player through to this year's Maplin UK Championship final after he beat former world champion Shaun Murphy.

The Glasgow professional gave himself a commanding 7-1 lead after the afternoon session of their best-of-17 frame clash at the Telford International Centre.

And although Rotherham's Murphy, the provisional world number one, hit back to win four frames from the evening session, it was Maguire who progressed with a deserved 9-5 victory at this year's £590,400 tournament.

"You come back from 7-1 once in a lifetime, all I had to do was plod away and wait for my chances," reflected Maguire, who will now play either crowd favourite Ronnie O'Sullivan or last season's World Championship runner-up Mark Selby in this year's final.

"I knew I had to play strong. I've said all week that I'd have to improve to beat top players and he's provisionally number one, so you don't get any tougher than that.

"The crowd were behind him because he was the underdog, but fair play to them because even when I was clearing up at the end they seemed to enjoy themselves."

This year's winner will pocket £100,000 and the runner-up £46,000 worth of prize money.

However, with the greatest respect to Selby, Maguire would love to lock horns with 'The Rocket' in this year's showcase.

"If it is Ronnie I hope he plays his best because it's the biggest test for me this week," added Maguire.

"He's played the best this week. I'd like to play Ronnie in the final."