'Is that how you act?' - Stephen Maguire shocked by Ali Carter’s antics in heated Welsh Open semi-final
Published 16/02/2025 at 09:22 GMT
Stephen Maguire is through to the final of the Welsh Open after defeating Ali Carter 6-4 to set up Sunday's final against Mark Selby. But the final-four contest was far from plain sailing for the Scotsman, who had to contend with some distracting behaviour from his opponent throughout the evening contest - although both saw the funny side of a spirited encounter that featured flukes aplenty.
'The rest was getting thrown about!' - Maguire calls out Carter's behaviour in semi-final win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stephen Maguire has made it through to the final of the Welsh Open at the expense of Ali Carter, winning 6-4 as he seeks a first ranking title since 2020.
While on paper Maguire might have a tougher time of it against Mark Selby in the final, in reality the match could prove simpler for the Scotsman than the bizarre semi-final.
Maguire was forced to contend with accidental snookers, fluke shots and a few chuckles in a see-sawing encounter, but mostly he had to deal with some interesting behaviour from his opponent - Carter letting his frustrations get the better of him throughout a closely-fought match.
It was Carter who fluked a triple-cross red in the fourth frame when leading 2-1, before missing to leave Maguire a chance to go into the break all square at 2-2, which he took.
At that point, the entertaining match looked to be relatively good-humoured, with both players exchanging smiles - but that was all about to change.
With Maguire getting his nose in front at 4-3 and then 5-3, the moment got the better of Carter, which only helped his opponent.
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'Surely not?' - Maguire has Carter chuckling with 'unbelievable' long red
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I found it easier playing him because the rests were getting thrown about, the extensions were flying under the table," Maguire said after the match.
"I felt like saying to the ref, 'Let him pick them up'. They were getting thrown everywhere."
He added: "It made it a wee bit easier. I thought, 'Is that how you act? Give it a change.'"
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When asked if he was ‘proud’ of how he kept his cool against an opponent clearly losing theirs, Maguire showed plenty of good humour by joking:
"Listen, going forward, I don’t know. Tomorrow I could wreck the place."
Maguire plays Selby in the final, and will go in as the underdog. But he did make it clear that he thrives against the bigger players, finding it easier to get motivated when the stakes are that bit higher.
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'Wow' - Carter flukes astonishing cross-triple in Welsh Open semi
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I don’t want to change anything, just deal with the final and win or lose. I’ll be hitting the road as soon as the match is done tomorrow.
"I find it easier playing somebody I respect - it’s going to sound terrible - rather than any qualifiers.
"I don’t think I’m anything special by the way, but I prefer to play people that I know I have to be up for it. I know I have to play well rather than, ‘Maybe if I play okay I’ll get through’. Maybe that’s why."
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