Maguire starts with 4-2 win

Tony Drago's chances of reaching the knock-out stages of the Malta Cup at the Hilton Conference Centre took a nosedive yesterday as he went down to Stephen Maguire 4-2.

The other local player in the tournament, Alex Borg, suffered the same fate in the evening session. He went down for the second time this week, losing 5-1 to Allister Carter in a Group One match.

Maguire picked up two points after beating Drago but admitted it wasn't his best performance.

"A win's a win, it's a good start but it was a wee bit embarrassing," he told worldsnooker.com.

"It's great match practice and a chance to try a few different things. I changed the tip the night before and tried a different queuing but I'll think I'll go back to play the way I normally do."

Maguire took the first three frames with a top run of 52 but Drago, watched by Archbishop of Malta Paul Cremona, responded with a 57 and claim his first frame of the tournament.

Drago celebrated in style, with his cue held aloft above his head. He was clearly inspired and made 54 in the next before missing the blue.

Maguire, the provisional no.2 then showed the kind of form that has elevated him to that position, clearing to the pink to claim the frame and the win with a 72.

Drago did have the satisfaction of taking the last frame but Maguire won the points.

From the same Group Three, Shaun Murphy collected his second win of the tournament with a 4-2 win over Mark Selby.

Despite his four points Murphy is aware that frame difference might be a factor.

"I played well and enjoyed the match, to get to four was pleasing but it was just a shame I couldn't make it five as frame difference is so important," said Murphy.

"I must be somewhere near the top of the group but I've still got two tough matches ahead of me," admitted Murphy.

The first frame was a real safety exchange that lasted just under 44 minutes, but it went in favour of Murphy and he added a 73 in the next before the recently crowned SAGA Insurance Masters Champion got on the scoreboard, with the aid of a run of 65.

Murphy re-established his two-frame advantage and secured another two points courtesy of breaks of 74 and 55.

Selby made a 76 on route to taking the last frame but is facing an uphill task to progress from the group.

Doherty beats Lee

Earlier, Ken Doherty collected win number two after coming back from the brink to triumph 4-2 against Stephen Lee. The Dubliner has four points from his two games but the manner of his win was more pleasing.

"I thought he was going to make it 3-3 but he missed the blue, it was good to get a win although I thought he played well," said Doherty.

"Hopefully, I've turned the corner and playing well as my Top 16 place is in jeopardy, " Doherty said.

The other match in Group Two saw Swail play his first against Marco Fu.

Fu went on to claim his first points of the tournament with a 5-1 victory. That lifted him to third place behind Doherty and Neil Robertson who also has one win but enjoys a better frame difference.

Results

Group 1: Higgins vs Day 4-2; Carter vs Borg 5-1.

Group 2: Doherty vs Lee 4-2; Swail vs Fu 1-5.

Group 3: Maguire vs Drago 4-2; Murphy vs Selby 4-2.

Group 4: Dott vs Junhui 3-3; Williams vs Dale 2-4.

Playing today

Noon: Hendry vs Drago; Murphy vs Maguire.

2 p.m.: Dott vs Williams; Ebdon vs Dale.

6 p.m.: Perry vs Borg; Higgins vs Carter.

8 p.m.: Doherty vs Swail; Robertson vs Fu.