World Snooker Championship 2024: 'Ouch!' – Stephen Maguire PUNCHES table after error

ByBen Snowball

Published 30/04/2024 at 22:52 GMT

The two tables at the World Snooker Championship are coming under heavy fire in 2024 after Ronnie O'Sullivan whacked one with his cue before Stephen Maguire landed a bruising punch on the other. Maguire needs a huge final session to book a semi-final spot in Sheffield, with the former UK champion trailling David Gilbert 10-6 in the race to 13. The pair resume their clash on Wednesday at 14:30.

Stephen Maguire one-upped Ronnie O'Sullivan's cue whack at the World Championship on Tuesday - by punching the table.

The Scot's mini meltdown began when he played a poor positional shot as he sought to overturn a 10-5 deficit to David Gilbert in their Crucible quarter-final.

First, he took a swipe at the table with his cue, then violently applied chalk to his tip. More frustration was to follow.

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"He can't disguise his annoyance, his anger," said Phil Yates on Eurosport commentary.

Already seething, Maguire played a simple safety shot to end his break before punching the table as he walked back to his chair.

"Ouch! Goodness gracious me, that must have hurt," said Dominic Dale, whose own challenge ended at the first hurdle to Kyren Wilson.

The camera zoomed in on Maguire's hand, which looked somewhat inflamed after his run-in.

• 'Can't believe it' - White reacts to cue whack and 'easy' miss from 'angry' O'Sullivan
• 'Don't like to see that' – O'Sullivan whacks cue on table after 'poor' miss

"Why does he do it? One of these days he'll regret it in a major way. Yes, show frustration, but not like that," added Yates.

"I like Maguire's passion, I just don't want to see him hurt himself."

Dale said it reminded him of an incident involving Michael Holt, who once dislocated his knuckle after hitting the table in frustration. No prizes for guessing where his nickname 'The Hitman' comes from.

Remarkably, Maguire regained his composure to take the 16th and final frame of the second session to leave him 10-6 behind Gilbert in the race to 13. They play to finish on Wednesday from 14:30 UK time.

Earlier on Tuesday, seven-time champion O'Sullivan whacked the table with his cue after missing a routine red.

'A little bit angry' - White on O'Sullivan whacking table with cue

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