The reds are starting to disappear, Ding Junhui is up to 55 but loses control of the cue ball...

It's all about positioning, this game, and he breaks down after adding another red.

Stephen Maguire comes back to the table, takes almost a couple of minutes and then decides to have a bash at something your average club player wouldn't even look at.

It does not end well. but Ding can only add another six points. Maguire now needs three four-point snookers mind.

Bob McFeil: Nothing like watching snooker on a gloomy Sunday afternoon with a cuppa. Perfect.

Is he going in off? No. That's a touch fortunate for Ding Junhui, who gets lucky with a safety at the start of the second frame.

Stephen Maguire has another chance after sinking a long red but then breaks down on seven. The Scot just can't get going. Ding then feathers in a cut a lot of players would refuse.

Has he got his cueing arm going?

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Understandably there were a few mistakes, perhaps the nerves are a little bit bare in the final.

Stephen Maguire would find it hard to come out firing like he did against Mark Allen yesterday.

He's looked very focused throughout the tournament and you'd hate for there to be an anti-climax after yesterday. That would be really disappointing. It happened to me when I reached the final against Ding in 2005.

Ken Doherty
1997 world champion on BBC Two

I don't think we will have too many frames like that because they will both go for their shots. They will want more open frames.

But it will be a shock for Stephen Maguire to have missed that black off the spot.

It was almost 30 minutes but Ding Junhui gets over the line.

Ding Junhui looks like he has got this in the bag.

The Chinese player knocks a long red into the top legft corner pocket and follows up a couple of shots later with a brilliant rest shot on another red.

That should let him go through the gears to mop up all the colours.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at the York Barbican

It's not going as expected so far.

We were all looking forward to a 'break fest' but this opening frame has been very cagey.

Stephen Maguire, who is wearing black trainers, suffered a fractured foot in China in October and says it has been causing him some discomfort during the tournament.

There's no sign of him hobbling yet though, as he gets back out of his chair. He's not up for long though with a cannon on the blue ending his chance to add to a break of 13.

Bit of a scrappy one this.

Oh that's horrible. Ding Junhui misses a red down the rail.

It's one of those horrible ones, that you have to hit 100% perfect to get the ball to roll down the cushion. Instead he's miles off and the ball skews horribly away.

Has he got a few jitters? Still he's got a 25-point lead to show for his efforts.

Ouch, Stephen Maguire breaks down on 23, rattling a black in the jaws of the left corner pocket.

Ding Junhui is in prime position if he can knock in a long red. Will probably have to stun this and he does, superbly.

Big chance.

Nine minutes down and Stephen Maguire finally knocks in the first red of the frame.

Maguire made two centuries and three further breaks of 50 or more to trounce Northern Ireland's Mark Allen 6-0 on Saturday.

And he's in among the balls here as well, this on Saturday's form is a pretty good chance to take the opening frame.

Kevin: And we’re under way. I’m not talking to anyone this afternoon. You need anything oops I’m unavailable. This should be a cracking final on the baize. Good luck to all.

Pretty solid start from Ding Junhui and Stephen Maguire.

The reds are split nicely but so far both players are looking good with their safety. A nice tactical start, just what I'd hoped for.

Image source, Getty Images

The handshakes and photographs are done and it looks like we're ready to go. Ding Junhui is going to get us under way.

The players are making their way into the arena in York.

The atmosphere is bubbling.

Stephen Maguire has lost his last six meetings against Ding Junhui, so is probably under no illusions how tough this is going to be.

Steve Davis
Six-time world champion on BBC Two

Both players have thrown themselves on to the practice tables and are reaping the rewards.

It'll be tough for Stephen Maguire to repeat the form of his 6-0 win over Allen last night but I don't think anyone knows who is going to win this.

They are both mentally strong because of the hard practice they have put in. There is no substitute for bashing balls into pockets hour after hour.

What separates them? It's impossible to say. It could just be the run of the balls.

Two-time winner Ding Junhui, has hardly had a stellar season.

The 32-year-old was beaten in the first round of three events, and last won a ranking title over two years ago.

Just listening to him a moment ago, he talked about 'confidence' issues. I wonder which Ding we will see today?