STEPHEN Maguire is hoping he has not blown his best chance of winning the Betfred.com World Championship snooker title.

Glaswegian Maguire crashed out in a disap-pointing 17-12 semi-final defeat to Englishman Ali Carter at the weekend having been hotly-tipped to triumph.

And, having now lost both of his Crucible semis, the Scot doubts whether he will ever get a better opportunity to win the green baize game's biggest prize.

"I hope I can come back and win it, but it's going to get tougher now," admitted Maguire. "I missed a real big opportunity.

"I'll get over it, I'm a big boy, but I have definitely missed a big chance to get my hands on the trophy."

Maguire reached two major ranking finals this season, but lost them both. His confidence took a hit, but none more so than losing to Carter.

"I've had a lot of lows this season and a lot of kickings, but not getting to the final is a bad result for me," added Maguire.

"It seems as though I've just taken a hit after hit. I'm just glad the season's all over for the next few weeks, I need a rest. I wouldn't say I played great snooker to get to the semi-finals, but I just didn't perform when it mattered.

"It starts to hurt after a while if you get so close and then don't go on to win it. I've lost two finals this season and had a lot of kickings."

Victory for Maguire would have seen him play Ronnie O'Sullivan in this year's final, but he doesn't believe his conqeuror has any chance.

"Ali won't win," said Maguire. "He didn't play well against me and, over the long final, Ronnie won't let him off the hook like I did."

O'Sullivan took a 10-7 advantage into today's opening session.