Finals, Snooker News

Maguire Crowned Six Red World Champion

Stephen Maguire has won the 2014 Six Red World Championship after a thrilling 8-7 victory over Ricky Walden in Thailand.

Photo courtesy of Monique Limbos
Photo courtesy of Monique Limbos

The Scot came from 5-2 and 7-5 down to pip his English opponent in an exciting affair that would befit any major final.

Maguire started the match slowly, going down 2-0 and then, despite getting back on level terms briefly, found himself three back and in danger of succumbing to a rout.

Walden would have been the clear favourite having won the event in its inaugural staging back in 2008 and also reaching the final two years later.

However, Maguire dug deep and began to cue the ball well in the following frames.

When the 33 year-old fought back with some good breaks to get within one after 11 frames the Glaswegian appeared to be grasping control of the affair, but a shocking missed green off the spot allowed Walden in to regain his advantage.

Maguire, though, failed to let his head go as he has so often in the past and when he won the next two to force a decider he was undoubtedly the favourite.

That said, with £50,000 at stake, Maguire ensured the almost capacity crowd were left on the edge of their seats for that little bit longer as he missed championship ball red to allow Walden in for a reprieve.

The former Shanghai Masters champion, a tournament that gets under way on Monday, almost took it but narrowly missed the yellow and left it over the bag to allow Maguire to seal the match and collect the trophy under tense circumstances.

A successful enough staging of the short format event then ends with a worthy champion.

Maguire always said that he wanted to be world champion before he reached the age of 30.

Well, he has long passed that mark and this may not be the world title he was hoping for but, perhaps with the confidence success can bring, this can be a stepping stone to the Crucible crown that has eluded him in his career so far.

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