Richard Mann previews Friday night's semi-final match between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Maguire.
Ronnie O'Sullivan produced a snooker masterclass on Thursday night when powering past Xiao Guodong to seal a semi-final clash with Stephen Maguire in the World Grand Prix.
O'Sullivan lit up the Preston Guild Hall with a stunning display, making four century breaks on his way to a 5-0 whitewash, and the Rocket is a 2/7 shot to book his place in yet another ranking trophy final.
If O'Sullivan turns up in the same sort of form tonight, it is hard to envisage Maguire being able to cause an upset but the Scotsman has enjoyed a very good week himself and will head into this clash full of confidence.
Maguire has experienced an upturn in fortunes in recent months, only finding O'Sullivan too strong in the semi-finals of the UK Championship and making the last eight of Scottish Open subsequently.
Defeats of Li Hang, Michael Georgiou and Shaun Murphy here confirm he has his game in excellent working order and last night's defeat of the latter was no mean feat given the season he has enjoyed.
He won't be fazed by meeting O'Sullivan but the Rocket remains the dominant force in the game, his three ranking title victories this season clear illustration of that, and Maguire will need to produce his best performance of the campaign if he is to reward those who decide to take the 3/1 about him progressing.
Maguire (+2.5) is available at 10/11 and that gives his supporters a little more breathing space in a match which could prove more competitive than many might expect.
Posted at 1410 GMT on 23/02/18.
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