‘I kept seeing gravestones’ – Stephen Maguire and Ding Junhui react to World Snooker Championship qualification

Two of the biggest names in World Snooker Championship qualifying made it to the Crucible on Tuesday night as Stephen Maguire and Ding Junhui survived Judgement Night Part One.

Maguire came through a tough test against Zhou Yuelong, winning 10-7, while Ding downed the current World Seniors champion by the same scoreline.

With Maguire a former world number two and Ding having topped the rankings, both will be players that the seeded players will be very keen to avoid on Thursday’s draw for the Crucible first round.

The Scot was just relieved to put the qualification process behind him and a contest with Zhou which left him with some dark visions.

‘It was just a dog fight from start to finish,’ he said. At 7-4 I maybe could have pulled away, but he just kept clearing up. It’s tough out there.

‘I had to [show patience] because I was gone. The last frame there I was perfect in the balls three or four times and I just kept seeing gravestones and skulls.

‘It was just hard, snooker players understand what it’s like.’

Stephen Maguire wants heads to roll at 'garbage' World Snooker Championship qualifiers

World Snooker Championship: Ken Doherty makes his tips for Crucible success

Scott Donaldson returns to Crucible after vaccine side effect left him fearing for career

Maguire had been very critical of the set-up at the qualifiers after his first win over Zhang Jiankang and he is clear that he wants to return to the top 16 as soon as possible to avoid the process again.

‘I don’t want to be here ever again, I really don’t,’ he said. ‘But neither does Ding. I don’t think anyone wants to be here.’

Ding started well against Lilley, going 2-0 up but then found himself 7-4 down before winning six frames on the spin to book his Crucible spot.

He