China Open match discussions thread

[Mal]

9-9. And now the decider where the pressure is on both. Maguire has beat Murphy before in a decider earlier this season.

[João]

I'll be really gutted if Maguire doesn't make it. But on the bright side beating Murphy on a decider can taste even better. Come on Stephen!!!

[PaulTheSoave]

Yes, NI semi final, 6-5 and I was there!

[PaulTheSoave]

First blood to Mag. He belts one in!!

[Ekphantos]

Now, that was some reaction by Maguire there... pure frustration

[TheStranger]

Maguire runs off a break of 35 to open the decider, before making contact with the pack to leave very few options available for Murphy to start breakbuilding.

Murphy pots a red to begin his run at the table; however his break ends when he cannot pot the blue to top right.

Maguire pots a red and then gently runs the white to contact the blue, putting Murphy in a very precarious spot, playing from behind with the title on the line.

Shaun plays a beautiful double to get the white to zig zag with just enough velocity to contact reds on the lower end of the table.

Maguire responds by moving the white back behind the baulk line.

Murphy pots a red long and now appears to be going for a contact shot with the green on the near end. The white is now nestled between the blue and green, so Maguire will now be presented with a double situation himself.

Maguire avoids a foul by hitting the red on the lower right...but leaving a good opportunity for Murphy to swoop in and begin another break.

Shaun took the lead with a break of 38, but a long pot is available for Maguire to close in on the prize. He opts for a contact shot instead and Murphy returns to the table.

Murphy leaves Maguire snookered behind the black now. Stephen plays the red to lie along the baulk line, leaving Murphy with only one long option for potting.

Murphy misses the long pot; Maguire powers through with a long pot of his own to start a new break.

Maguire lays down a beautiful safety, putting a pink and black behind the lone red remaining for Shaun Murphy.

Murphy is able to three-cushion the white into the red, but Maguire now has the long pot available to retake the lead. While his pot attempt to lower left was not successful, the angle Murphy has to take on the red there doesn't result in a pot either.

Maguire now on his second turn after that leaves the red safe on the top of the table. Murphy successfully executes the contact shot.

After more tactical play, Maguire executed another good snooker on Murphy, leaving the red in front of the black.

Murphy makes contact and Maguire responds by getting the white to the top rail.

Shaun's attempt at the long pot is unsuccessful and the red kisses the black enough to give Maguire a clear shot at the bottom left pocket, which he does not miss.

Maguire has retaken the lead with the pink. Break of 7 so far.

Into the colors now with Maguire leading by 6; he uses the rest to send the green into the top right pocket. He's in very good position to end the match.

[PaulTheSoave]

40-37 and where green and blue are we could be in for a little while!

[pekmez]

i think china open goes to murphy.. i hope i am wrong but thats reallity

[João]

Come on! I need to use the toilet.

[wildhoney28]

Come on Shaun!!!

[PaulTheSoave]

Suspense, really great finish of the tournament. Lets hope for a respotted black!

[João]

Maguire on the table and scoring, woo.

Edit: WHAT A SHOT ON THE YELLOW BY MAGUIRE!!

[Marc]

what a shot from maguire to move the green

but he still needs this tricky blue

[João]

Congratulations Stephen!

[Shaggy365]

Yellow > Green. Wow
Got the blue. Murphy needs a snooker on pink. Not easy