Stephen Maguire emerged victorious after a gripping, nerve-wracking decider against Elliot Slessor, securing his place in the main draw of the UK Championship. The match was a dramatic, four-hour contest that culminated in a tense final frame. Maguire, a former world number two, faced a surge from Slessor, who rallied from a 4-2 deficit to take the lead at 5-4. This shift in momentum heightened the pressure on Maguire as Slessor had already amassed five half-century breaks throughout the match, bringing him tantalizingly close to victory.
However, the tide turned in the final moments of the battle. Despite Slessor’s earlier success, Maguire exhibited remarkable composure during the decisive frame. The contest reached a defining moment when Slessor left an opportunity with a reachable yellow ball, which Maguire seized with determination. He kept his nerve and potted virtually all of the remaining balls except for the black, sealing a hard-fought 6-5 win and a spot in the UK Championship’s main event.
In a parallel qualifying match, Jackson Page also clinched his place in the main draw by defeating Hossein Vafaei with a convincing score of 6-2 at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. This achievement marks Page’s fifth appearance at the prestigious Triple Crown event. Notably, it is the first time he has qualified since the tournament was condensed from a 128-player format to a mere 32.
For Vafaei, last year’s semi-finalist who bowed out against reigning champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, this loss is particularly poignant, marking the first time since 2014 that he has failed to contest the UK Championship. Page, showcasing his talent, controlled the match from the outset, exhibiting skillful breaks of 60, 77, and 64 that propelled him to a 3-1 lead at the interval.
The momentum momentarily shifted when Vafaei made a brief comeback to narrow the deficit to 3-2 after the break. However, Page responded with a brilliant break of 93 to regain a two-frame advantage. With another solid performance, he made a half-century break in the next frame, putting him just a single frame away from victory. Finally, Page cruised over the finish line with a respectable break of 58, solidifying his place in the UK Championship.
In another thrilling encounter, former world champion Stuart Bingham showcased his experience and class by overpowering Jimmy Robertson. Bingham displayed exceptional form, establishing a commanding 4-0 lead during the interval with breaks of 53, 79, 74, and 71. Upon returning to the table, he completely dominated the proceedings, completing a 6-0 whitewash that confirmed his rightful spot in the tournament’s main draw.
Additionally, Jak Jones also made a name for himself by clinching a spot in the last 32 after a stellar performance in his final qualifying match against Fan Zhengyi. Jones excited the crowd with an impressive century break of 101 to finish with an overall score of 6-3. Not only did he shine with that tenacious century, but he further distinguished himself by responding powerfully to Zhengyi’s notable break of 115 during their match. Although Jones faced a brief setback, surrendering two frames in succession, he demonstrated resilience and ultimately sealed the contest with ease.
The upcoming UK Championship, being one of the most esteemed events in the snooker calendar, promises an exciting lineup. Fans can eagerly look forward to watching and streaming the matches live on Webpressnews and discovery+, with talented players like Maguire, Page, Bingham, and Jones set to showcase their skills on the grand stage.
