Maplins UK Championship finalist Stephen Maguire is hoping for some fireworks at the Telford International Centre, declaring: “Bring on the Rocket!”Maguire booked his passage to tomorrow’s showpiece final with a 9-5 victory over former world champion Shaun Murphy.
His opponent at the climax of the £590,400 tournament will be decided tonight, with Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby meeting in the second semi-final.
But it is O’Sullivan who the Scot is gunning for, adding: “He’s the player who’s been in the best form all week.
“If it’s him I have to play then I hope he plays his best because it’s the biggest test for me. I’d actually like to play him.
“My record against him is not good, but when he’s beaten me it’s only been by the odd frame.”
Maguire, who will jump to provisional world No 1 if he wins tomorrow’s final - or if O’Sullivan is knocked out today - also joined a long list of players this week to pay tribute to the Shropshire fans who have flocked to the Telford venue.
Maguire is now just one game away from becoming only the 11th player in the history of the game to win back-to-back ranking tournaments, following on from his success in the Northern Ireland Trophy.
“To get to any final is a great feat in itself,” he added. “I’ve got a good record in finals and I want to keep that going.”
Tomorrow’s final - which is played over the best of 19 frames - gets under way at 2pm at the International Centre, with the second session beginning at 8pm.
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