World Snooker Championship star sends commentators wild with 'unbelievable' shot
The shot amazed everyone inside the Crucible for the first-round match.
Snooker ace Stephen Maguire wowed the crowd and the commentators during Sunday’s World Championship clash against Ali Carter. The Scot recorded a surprise win against the ninth seed and will face either Shaun Murphy or Lyu Haotian in the next round.
Few expected Maguire to have the beating of Carter heading into the match-up, but in the end, it was a comfortable enough win for the world No.28. With the scores locked at 7-7, Maguire won the final three frames of the night to book his place in the last-16.
But it was a shot from the 13th frame, when the scores were tied at 6-6 that amazed those watching inside the Crucible. With no clear sight of the object ball, Maguire performed an unbelievable escape from a snooker, helping to keep hopes of progression alive.
Famed for his tricky escapes from such positions, Maguire cannoned the cue ball off the jaws of the top right pocket, before sending it flying towards the opposite side of the table, where it miraculously connected with a red ball after coming off another two cushions. It was a fortunate but stunning escape against the world No.9.
Ironically, it didn’t help Maguire out too much in that particular frame, with Carter keeping his cool to go 7-6 in front. However, the 43-year-old would fight back, winning the next four to triumph over his seeded opponent.
It marked back-to-back first-round defeats for Carter, who spoke about his disappointment post-match. Offering up a harsh assessment to Eurosport, The Captain dubbed his showing against Maguire the ‘worst match’ he’s played all season.
They call it a ?????????????????????????????????????????? for a reason...
— Eurosport (@eurosport) April 21, 2024
Stephen Maguire with a great escape from Ali Carter's snooker!#CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/0s8bt8Q5Mg
Don't miss...
Snooker star complains World Championship venue 'smells bad' in furious rant [QUOTES]
Ronnie O’Sullivan backed by rival he told to 'sort his life out' in snooker row [LATEST]
World Snooker Championship results as Mark Selby dumped out [UPDATE]
He said: “Yeah no good at all was I? Hung in there the whole time, done well to be 7-7, playing probably the worst match I’ve played all season, really struggled. Probably nothing left in the tank at the end of the season, disappointing. I thought Stephen played well, it was a tough match really, I just didn’t make the most of my chances then the game hits you where it hurts.
“He had three or four lashes at long balls, got away with it every time had a couple of massive flukes when it looked like I was getting a stranglehold on the match, that’s all it takes sometimes. On any given day it can go wrong for you, that wasn’t my day today, disappointed with my performance. But we look forward to a few months off now and come back stronger next year."