Stephen Maguire hits back to make winning start to title defence at Championship League snooker as Ali Carter progresses

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Stephen Maguire lost his first match at the Championship League on Saturday before hitting back in style to win Group 19 at the season's first ranking event in Leicester. Two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter also progressed with an unbeaten run.

Watch as Maguire eats fly off table during quarter-final at Crucible

Video credit: TNT Sports

Former UK champion Maguire is defending the title at the city's Mattioli Arena following a 3-1 win over Joe O'Connor in last year's final, with the competition running from June 22 until July 15.

Maguire sealed his spot in the last 32 with a superb 125 break in a 3-0 win over Robbie Williams after a 3-0 victory over three-time women's world champion Ng On Yee helped him recover from a 3-1 loss to Anton Kazakov in his tournament opener.

The Scotsman, who finished two points clear of Williams and Kazakov, will join Gary Wilson, Stan Moody and Dylan Emery in Group C of the last-32 stage.

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Carter, winner of the event two years ago, opened his account by coming out on top in Group 12 as he remained undefeated.

A 3-0 win over Patrick Whelan 3-0 and a 3-1 victory over Leone Crowley was followed by a 2-2 draw with Jamie Jones, who he edged out on frame difference to advance after both men finished on seven points.

Carter soaks up the applause after stunning fluke - ‘Maybe his name’s on the trophy!’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carter will next face Chris Wakelin, David Gilbert and He Guoqiang in Group E.

Stuart Bingham takes to the table in Group 11 on Monday with the 2015 world champion facing Jordan Brown, Mark Joyce and Mateusz Baranowski.

2025 Crucible winner Zhao Xintong, who is chasing the world No. 1, is also involved, coming up against Simon Blackwell, Gao Yang and David Grace on July 9.

Kyren Wilson, a two-time Championship League winner, was forced to withdraw from the tournament last month after his house was burgled during his match with Haydon Pinhey.

The 32 group winners will contest eight groups of four between July 10-14, with two final groups of four and the title match taking place on July 15.

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