Maguire looks to improve

UK Championship semi-finalist Stephen Maguire has admitted his form will have to improve if he is be the last man standing at Telford's International Centre this week.

Maguire continued his bid to provide a fitting tribute to his grandfather Paddy, who died last week, by moving into the last four with a 9-5 success over Peter Lines.

The Scot, bidding to add to his previous UK title success in 2004, has enjoyed a welcome return to winning ways in Shropshire this week after struggling for form recently and slipping down from two to seven in the provisional rankings. But he is aware the hard work is only just starting.

"I thought my form was getting better before I struggled a bit in the last session last night," said Maguire.

"But I'm in the semi-finals of the UK so there is something there.

"Nobody has really fired on all cylinders against me yet so if somebody scores very heavy then I need to improve."

Maguire will take on Chinese sensation Ding Junhui in tomorrow's first semi-final.

The clash will represent a meeting of previous champions with Ding winning in 2005.

He edged past Ali Carter after a nail-biting 9-8 victory last night - and came close to winning a £25,000 bonus for a maximum break.

Ding made a 147 against John Higgins at the same venue in the same tournament 12 months ago - and was on course to repeat the feat in frame 10 of his game with Carter.

He successfully potted 12 reds and 12 blacks and appeared to have fate on his side as he fluked one red and was successful with an audacious double on another. But his luck ran out on 96 as he ran out of position on the 13th red and failed with a tricky, long pot.