Stephen Maguire and fellow Scot John Higgins shared the opening eight frames in the best-of-33 semi-final in the 888.com World Championship in Sheffield.

Maguire dominated the early part of the session and led 3-1 at the interval but the trend was reversed when the players returned to the table.

Higgins was favourite with the bookmakers to triumph against Maguire. But the 26-year-old, who burst on to the snooker scene three years ago when he won the 2004 UK Championships, has given every indication in this tournament he is back to his best.

Maguire, appearing in his first world semi-final, was first into his stride as the competition reverted to the one-table format at the Crucible Theatre. A red down the rail into the right black pocket was the opening pot in an impressive 85 break.

The second frame was more nip and tuck with Higgins first in with a run of 55 before a poor safety shot allowed Maguire back in contention with a 45 before he ran out of position on the final red.

Higgins, appearing in his first world semi-final for six years, looked set for a comfortable clearance on the colours before unintentionally clipping the pink. But the 1998 champion, nicknamed the Wizard of Wishaw, did eventually level matters with a fine cut on the same ball into the yellow pocket.

Maguire registered his sixth century of the tournament in the next frame to regain the initiative. He snookered Higgins behind the yellow after an initial 27 and, when the 31-year-old failed to escape, took full advantage with a 102 clearance.

Maguire made Higgins pay for another error in the final frame before the interval. He failed to pot a slow red into the black pocket and Maguire needed no second invitation in compiling 79.

Higgins dominated the opening two frames after the break to such an extent that Maguire failed to pot a ball. His decision to play safe early in the fifth proved justified as a break of 113 - the fifth century of the competition for Higgins - halved the deficit.

Then a run of 68 in the next left Maguire leaving snookers as Higgins levelled the match at 3-3. The penultimate frame of the session spanned 45 minutes and there was some excellent safety play from both players before runs of 42 and 26 from Maguire edged him back in front, before Higgins again tied matters.