Nothing to fear.. nothing to prove
WORLD SNOOKER Maguire insists he’s found form to make a big impact Murray’s Barcelona comeback
STEPHEN MAGUIRE insists he has nothing to prove at the World Championship.
An ever-present in the game’s elite top 16 over the past decade, the fiery Milton potter was forced to qualify for the first time since 2005.
Despite slipping to 24th in the rankings, Maguire powered past three qualifiers to reach the main stages and then dumped out fellow Scot Anthony McGill on the opening day.
The former world No.2 said: “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Deep down I don’t fear anyone. I’ve beaten all of the top players at their best.
“What people say in the papers and stuff like that doesn’t interest me. I’ve got an inner circle and I couldn’t care less about anyone outside of that circle.
“I believe if everything clicks then I can go deep here.
“You need a bit of luck, no doubt about it, but I believe I can go far.
“The deeper you go the more confidence you get.”
All three Scots – Maguire, fourtime winner John Higgins and 2006 champ Graeme Dott – are in the easier bottom half of the draw.
And that half has opened up after pre-tournament favourite Judd Trump lost in one of the biggest shocks in Crucible history to 1000/1 outsider Rory McLeod.
The unexpected result means Maguire, 36, will take the first of three trips to ‘The Dentist’ today, with the other two sessions being played tomorrow and Monday, when he takes on McLeod for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The Englishman garnered the unflattering nickname when compatriot Ricky Walden likened playing the plodding 46-year-old to having your teeth pulled out.
Maguire said: “I’ll be thinking a lot when he’s at the table.
“Rory’s hard work, he’s a hard match player. I’ll have to be patient, very patient.
“He won his three qualifiers then beat the tournament favourite so all credit to him.”
Despite the criticism he has received from other players on the tour, McLeod won’t be changing his pedestrian style for anyone.
The Wellingborough veteran insisted: “You’re not playing for £20 here. The fastest, most talented players don’t always win. Why play a shot in 10 seconds when you need 15?”
Higgins will be delighted after escaping the first session only two frames behind good pal Mark Allen.
The Wishaw Wizard hung on to the Northern Irishman’s coat-tails to trail 5-3 after being outplayed.
The close mates will battle out another eight frames this morning before playing to a finish tonight.
Ronnie O’Sullivan resumes this morning needing just three more frames for victory.
The Rocket’s arch rival Shaun Murphy mounted a mini revival from 6-2 and 8-3 down to finish 10-6 down.
Meanwhile, Larkhall cueman Dott begins his second-round duel against Barry Hawkins tomorrow.
Dott backs himself in the longer-frame format and said: “There’s more chance of me getting to 10 or 13 first than four I think.” ANDY MURRAY will play next week’s Barcelona Open to clock up muchneeded clay-court time ahead of next month’s French Open.
The world No.1 made a late decision to play in Spain after a shock defeat at the hands of Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the last 16 of the Monte Carlo Masters. Murray had been scheduled to play in just Madrid and Rome ahead of the Roland Garros Grand Slam.
He suffered an elbow injury in March and only returned from a five-week lay-off on Wednesday.
Murray’s great rival Novak Djokovic also failed to shine in Monte Carlo. He lost 6-2 3-6 7-5 to David Goffin in the quarter-finals yesterday.
Meanwhile, Great Britain will hope they are not blown away by a Romanian storm as they try to end a 24-year wait to reach the elite level of the Fed Cup.
Preparations for the World Group II play-off in the Black Sea resort of Constanta have been disrupted by high winds, rain and even snow.
Captain Anne Keothavong said: “It hasn’t been ideal.
“Yesterday was a complete wash-out, we were practising in the indoor bubble.
“It’s cold, it’s wet, the conditions will be heavy but we’re ready.” HITMAN Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Marcos Rojo will miss the rest of Manchester United’s season after suffering knee injuries.
Both were hurt during the Europa League win over Anderlecht on Thursday.
Ibrahimovic, 35, may now have even played his last game for United as his contract expires this summer.
After their 2-1 win over the Belgians, United were paired with Spaniards Celta Vigo in the semis.
The other clash sees Dutch side Ajax taking on French aces Lyon.
The Champions League semi-final draw provided a mouth-watering Madrid derby with Real facing Atletico. And Juventus will battle Monaco.