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MARK Selby eased his way into the final of the Masters here at Wembley with a comfortable 6-3 victory over Stephen Maguire.
Selby, who has appeared in the last two Masters finals, winning one and losing in last years final was far too solid for the incosistent Maguire who flattered to deceive in his match against the 2008 champion.
Selby claimed the opening frame only for Maguire to respond by taking the second. The thrid was a scrappy affair, blighted by missed chances on both sides. But ultimately it was Selby's nerve who held the stronger as he fired in a decisive break of 38 to give himself a 2-1 lead.
Yet Maguire refused to be intimidated by Selby and constructed a frame winning break of 140 to equal the tournament high break prize and send himself to the interval at 2-2.
And it was Maguire who had the first opportunity on the resumption. Striking in a long straight red, but then missed a blue to the corner. With the balls in pottable positions it was a surprise to see Mark only make 34. Still, Selby's tactical game was strong enough to force a mistake from the Scotsman, when in going for a risky red saw the cue ball double kiss it and bounce into a easy starter for the Leicester man. This time there was no mistake as Selby made 84 to regain the lead at 3-2.
Maguire though had no intention of going nowhere without a fight. Selby though gave him a helping hand with a missed easy red. Maguire doesn't need charity of this description and rattled in a break of 99 to level at 3-3. But just as many were thinking that Maguire may take control of the match it was Selby who put his foot on the accelerator and sprinted into a 4-3 lead with a 91 after Maguire had returned the generosity of Selby with some of his own in taking on a low percentage cut red to the corner. From there Maguire crumbled. Catching a safety far too thickly Selby made 21 from his first visit to the table. He was soon back at the table, and even more quickly back in his seat after potting the black he also managed to knock in a red similtaniously. As both players missed a hatful chances apeice sooner or later it seemed that Selby would punish Maguire. And that is exactly what happened when Maguire missed another sitter of a red to let Mark in for 51.
Demoralised Maguire then gifted Selby first chance in the ninth frame when he managed to bring the red and cue ball into the baulk half of the table and leave them in line for the centre pocket. From it Selby made 38 before returning to the safety of the baulk cushion. Pushed into trying to wrest the initiative Maguire made his final mistake of the night when he bungled an attacking safety shot and Selby finally put Stephen out of his misery with a decisive break of 55 to book a place in the final against Ronnie O'Sullivan- and with it a repeat of last years Masters final that Ronnie triumphed in.
Suzy Jardine
Selby, who has appeared in the last two Masters finals, winning one and losing in last years final was far too solid for the incosistent Maguire who flattered to deceive in his match against the 2008 champion.
Selby claimed the opening frame only for Maguire to respond by taking the second. The thrid was a scrappy affair, blighted by missed chances on both sides. But ultimately it was Selby's nerve who held the stronger as he fired in a decisive break of 38 to give himself a 2-1 lead.
Yet Maguire refused to be intimidated by Selby and constructed a frame winning break of 140 to equal the tournament high break prize and send himself to the interval at 2-2.
And it was Maguire who had the first opportunity on the resumption. Striking in a long straight red, but then missed a blue to the corner. With the balls in pottable positions it was a surprise to see Mark only make 34. Still, Selby's tactical game was strong enough to force a mistake from the Scotsman, when in going for a risky red saw the cue ball double kiss it and bounce into a easy starter for the Leicester man. This time there was no mistake as Selby made 84 to regain the lead at 3-2.
Maguire though had no intention of going nowhere without a fight. Selby though gave him a helping hand with a missed easy red. Maguire doesn't need charity of this description and rattled in a break of 99 to level at 3-3. But just as many were thinking that Maguire may take control of the match it was Selby who put his foot on the accelerator and sprinted into a 4-3 lead with a 91 after Maguire had returned the generosity of Selby with some of his own in taking on a low percentage cut red to the corner. From there Maguire crumbled. Catching a safety far too thickly Selby made 21 from his first visit to the table. He was soon back at the table, and even more quickly back in his seat after potting the black he also managed to knock in a red similtaniously. As both players missed a hatful chances apeice sooner or later it seemed that Selby would punish Maguire. And that is exactly what happened when Maguire missed another sitter of a red to let Mark in for 51.
Demoralised Maguire then gifted Selby first chance in the ninth frame when he managed to bring the red and cue ball into the baulk half of the table and leave them in line for the centre pocket. From it Selby made 38 before returning to the safety of the baulk cushion. Pushed into trying to wrest the initiative Maguire made his final mistake of the night when he bungled an attacking safety shot and Selby finally put Stephen out of his misery with a decisive break of 55 to book a place in the final against Ronnie O'Sullivan- and with it a repeat of last years Masters final that Ronnie triumphed in.
Suzy Jardine