Maguire Closes In On Top 16 Return

We are now halfway through the last 16 at the 918.com German Masters and already we can see that a number of the ranking permutations outlined in my previous post earlier in the week have now been resolved.

Despite his defeat to Stephen Maguire this evening, Mark Selby is guaranteed to remain in top spot, but nearest challenger Stuart Bingham now has the opportunity to gain some ground when he plays Ryan Day tomorrow afternoon.

2015 finalist Shaun Murphy had the opportunity to equal his career-high ranking of number three this week, but his opening day defeat to Ben Woollaston means that he will have to wait a little longer if he is to do so.

Similarly, Mark Allen’s early exit to Mark Joyce this morning means that he will remain ranked outside of the top eight after this event, although he is also guaranteed to not fall any further.

Perhaps the most significant remaining point of interest is that of Scotland’s Stephen Maguire, who following his win against defending champion Mark Selby this evening moves to within £250 of reclaiming a top 16 place at the expense of Michael White.

Irrespective of whether he is able to do so by defeating Graeme Dott tomorrow evening, having earned £7,500 this week he has already given his hopes of a top 16 seeding for the Betfred World Championship a boost in Berlin

Similarly, fellow quarter-finalist Martin Gould has also strengthened his position and together with Kyren Wilson, Graeme Dott and Ryan Day, could also still break into the top 16 by winning the title this week.

To see how the rankings are shaping up with three days to go at the 918.com German Masters, please click here.