John Higgins 4-1 Stephen Maguire - A solid performance from Higgins tonight. Maguire gave him too many chances in some of the frames tonight, but there were also periods of Higgins brilliance such as the 136 in the fourth and the 64 in the second. Bit of a blow for Maguire after good recent form but with top players choosing not to play, it would not surprise me if he went to Gibraltar and took home the trophy.
Frame 5 - It's been a slightly more scrappy start to frame five with Maguire having a few half chances and missing a couple. His demeanour does not suggest signs of a fightback either. Higgins is in now but cannot make the most of his opening. He's quickly back in though after cutting a red in from distance. Another chance to close out the win.
Frame Higgins - When I said I thought Higgins would surge ahead here I was not saying it lightly. A trademark Higgins break from start to finish and it all culminates in a 136 total clearance. There seems to be something about Wales that gets him going. 3-1 Higgins.
Frame 4 - Rather naively earlier on Twitter I commented that I thought Maguire would win tonight. He may still do but Higgins is in control right now. A miss from Maguire on a tricky mid distance red allows Higgins in first in frame four, and this is the point in the match where Higgins will look to really surge ahead. He's into the reds on 33 and now has the balls set nicely for a frame winning contribution.
Frame Higgins - Higgins leads by 37 with 43 left on when a cannon on one of the final two reds pushes it to the cushion. He misses it playing with safety in mind and actually gets a snooker in the process. Maguire misses twice and therefore needs snookers himself. Maguire gets a snooker but shortly after Higgins pots a good red from mid distance which keeps Maguire in his seat. 2-1 Higgins.
Frame 3 - Been a few errors at the start of this frame with both players having chances and missing when they're in. Higgins though is the man at the table now and looks good again to get his second frame on the board.
Frame Higgins - A very entertaining start to this game. As expected Higgins took his second opportunity and a comfortable contribution of 64 was more than enough to level the match up in the early stages. 1-1
Frame 2 - First chance fell to Higgins in the second frame but a missed black on 16 soon has Maguire back to the table. There was a red close to the corner but another blocking it's path, but Maguire's attempted plant ends up not being that close. Higgins then is straight back in and uses the black over the corner as security to get the reds open from the one over the pocket. Should level the scores now.
Frame Maguire - A fluke on the third to last red for Maguire keeps Higgins firmly in his seat. A good start for the man who needs wins to get to the Crucible automatically. 1-0 Maguire
An excellent long pot and handy nudge from the middle pocket jaw gets Maguire back in scoring once again. The three reds on the bottom cushion looked awkward, but the furthest left was potable, and a delicate black down the cushion to follow should see Maguire clinch frame one.
Frame 1 - An early chance for Higgins breaks down early after a missed red with the rest and extensions. That's left Maguire in and with reds well placed he'll be looking to continue his good recent form and capture the opening frame. Surprisingly though he's run out of position on 23 and been forced to play safe.
Some questionable TV scheduling means that the best match of the entire round in my opinion on paper is going out on table 4. Last week's Grand Prix semi finalist and 2013 champion Stephen Maguire meets multiple Welsh Open winners John Higgins. This all Scottish clash has just got underway.
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