Mark Selby beats Stephen Maguire to win second Welsh Open title

“It’s great to see Stephen back in finals, four years is way too long, he’s a class act and I’m one of his biggest fans.

“This week I won a lot of key frames when I’ve been 40 or 50 points behind, that’s been the difference.”

The four-time world champion took a 2-0 lead to start the match, before Scotland’s Maguire won his frame thanks to a break of 60.

Selby responded with a break of 78 to restore his two-frame lead, but Maguire levelled the match at 3-3 before the break in play.

The pair alternated the next six frames, with Selby taking a slender lead on three occasions only to be pegged back by Maguire.

With the final finely poised at 6-6, Selby won back-to-back frames in which Maguire failed to pot a ball – including the final’s biggest break of 128.

And with the game on the line in the 15th frame, a missed pot on the black ball by Maguire handed control to Selby.

And although Selby could not clear the table, his 59-point lead was enough to seal the frame and the Welsh Open title.

“I had a good week, I’ve enjoyed myself, and I have just come up short in the end,” said Maguire.

“There’s nothing you can do when he’s potting all the balls, all credit to Mark.”