Welsh Open finalist Stephen Maguire has commented on 's alleged lack of etiquette during their semi-final clash in Llandudno. 'On Fire' came back from 3-2 behind to beat Carter 6-4 on Saturday, and he said 'The Captain' played a big role spurring him on to victory.

Eurosport commentator Alan McManus - who reached the Welsh Open final on two occasions - mentioned Carter's habit of putting the rest away with some vigour mid-match. And it seems Maguire was in agreement after taking umbrage with his opponent's manner around the table.

After going in at the break trailing by a frame, Maguire was by far the better player in the second half of their showdown. And he was passionate in his post-match breakdown of Carter's clunky methods once done with any apparatus.

"The rests were getting thrown about, the extensions were flying under the table," Maguire said on Eurosport. "I felt like saying to the ref, 'Let him pick them up'. It made things a wee bit easier. I thought: 'Is that how you act?'"

Genuine rivalries aren't quite as common in snooker as they once might have been. However, Maguire was glad to be given a bit of personal motivation to get the better of his opponent.

The pair were drawn at three frames apiece when Carter displayed one such example of clanging the rest back into its holster. So much so that McManus thought to comment at the time.

"Never liked the way Ali Carter throws that rest in the hooks, I must confess," said McManus on commentary. "Just putting it out there. No need for it. No need for it."

Fans on social media were divided over the matter, however. Some agreed Carter could have been more careful in his approach, while many suggested McManus was being overly sensitive.

"I'm no fan of Ali, but why would you even say that?" asked one fan on X. "Talk about being impartial!" Another added: "Doesn't even put it down that aggressively."

Maguire's reward is a finale against Mark Selby as he aims to win his first ranking title since the 2020 Tour Championship. However, 'The Jester from Leicester' looks like a tough man to beat after triumphing 6-3 over 2023 world champion Luca Brecel.