Stephen Maguire is being accused of giving up during his match against Dave Gilbert at the Crucible.

In a surprising turn of events, Stephen Maguire decided to end his match with Dave Gilbert earlier than expected. Both Steve Davis and Ken Doherty were taken aback by Maguire's sudden concession, believing that he could have still turned the game around with just one snooker needed. However, Gilbert ultimately emerged victorious with a score of 13-8, securing his spot in the semi-finals for the second time in his career.

The match began on Tuesday morning with Gilbert dominating the table, leaving Maguire trailing behind with a score of 7-1. Despite his valiant efforts to make a comeback, Maguire ultimately fell short and needed one snooker in the final frame. In a somewhat surprising move, he potted the yellow ball and then offered Gilbert his hand, effectively ending the game.

Both six-time world champion Steve Davis and 1997 world champion Ken Doherty were taken aback by Maguire's decision. Davis expressed his confusion, stating that it was "weird" for Maguire to concede when he still had a chance to make a comeback. Doherty echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that anything could have happened in that final frame and it was important to never give up.

This was not the first time that Gilbert had shaken hands with his opponent needing just one snooker, as Luca Brecel did the same in the first round. Gilbert shared his surprise at Maguire's decision, stating that he would buy him a pint if they ever crossed paths. He also expressed his admiration for Maguire and his talent, acknowledging that the decision to concede was ultimately up to his opponent.

When asked about his decision to concede, Maguire explained that the position of his white ball made it impossible for him to snooker Gilbert. He also expressed his frustration with his overall performance in the match, as he missed several opportunities to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2012.

Despite his disappointment, Maguire admitted that he believed he was going to win the match and that he still had the drive and determination to succeed. However, this loss served as a reminder for him to stay grounded and continue working hard to achieve his goals.

On a separate note, Jak Jones caused a major upset at the Crucible by defeating Judd Trump. In an interview, Jones shared his disbelief at beating the former world champion. Trump, on the other hand, stated that this loss served as a wake-up call for him and that he was grateful for the opportunity to improve his game.

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