UK Championship: Stephen Maguire under cloud despite win

Stephen Maguire said he could give up snooker after a recent defeat in Coventry

Stephen Maguire joked that he might need professional help to lift the gloom that has descended over him because of his recent snooker form.

The 33-year-old Scot fought back from 3-0 down to defeat Yu Delu 6-4 in the UK Championship's second round in York.

But he admits that he is not feeling much better about his game since suggesting earlier this month he might quit if his form does not improve.

"Maybe I need a sport psychologist or something," said Maguire.

"I wear my heart on my sleeve and get down on myself.

"During a match, sometimes it's me against me against him."

Maguire won the UK championship in 2004, has been ranked as high as second in the world, was tipped by five-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan to "dominate the game for a decade" but has slipped down to his lowest ranking of number 14 in the world.

The Scot said he would prefer to forget his comments about quitting after losing 4-1 to Judd Trump in the Champion of Champions Group Two semi-final in Coventry,

"It hurts when you get beat, but I probably shouldn't open my mouth," he said.

"But, if I'm really bad and not competing, I am not one to hang about.

"I'll play, but I'll think about doing something else on the sidelines if things get too bad."

Maguire, who has only one leading title win in six and a half years, says he will take confidence from his comeback against China's Yu Delu, who is ranked 49.

"I didn't play well and feared the worst at 3-0 down, but I just managed to stick with it and his game faltered at the end, which helped me," he said.

Maguire next takes on former world number one Mark Williams, the Welshman currently ranked 18.

"He is one of the legends of the game, so it will be a tough match if he's on form," admitted the Scot.

"I heard they are re-covering the tables - the tables need done. That was basically unplayable that table there.

"So hopefully, if the table's nice, me and Mark can probably play okay and it should be a good game."