Snooker: Higgins and Maguire Deadlocked As Semi-final Heads for Tense Finale

John Higgins and Stephen Maguire remain deadlocked at 8-8 after the second session of their gripping world championship semi-final in Sheffield. The Scottish pair resumed at 4-4 and shared the next eight frames in the best-of-33 showdown and there is every likelihood of a close finish tomorrow afternoon.

The initial session had been high on quality with two centuries and four other 50-plus breaks but it was a more nervy affair today, with several unforced errors when the duo returned to the table. Maguire won the 32-minute opener with the aid of a 31 after Higgins played a poor safety shot on the final yellow and left it hanging over the middle pocket.

Higgins, the 1998 world champion, was quickly back on level terms with a 90 break in frame 10, but his opponent again nosed ahead with a run of 63 in frame 11 proving decisive. Higgins responded and, although breaking down on 45, Maguire was unable to capitalise after going in off with the cue ball after potting a red.

The Wizard of Wishaw went ahead in the match for the first time in frame 13 with the help of a 52 which left Maguire needing snookers. Higgins had chances to win the next frame after an early run of 41 and with Maguire not having the run of the balls on several occasions. But the 26-year-old hung on in there and a clearance from green to black levelled proceedings.

A ding-dong encounter swayed back into Maguire's favour when a superb long red into the green pocket set him on his way to a 62 break in the penultimate frame of the session. But Higgins ensured parity by closing out frame 16 with a 34.