STUART BINGHAM wants to continue being the underdog when he takes on Stephen Maguire in today’s second round match.

The 36-year-old is in the form of his life, having made his breakthrough when winning the Australian Goldfields Open and shocking Judd Trump to win the Premier League.

Having eased past Jack Lisowski 6-2 in his opening match, he takes on the 2004 champion Maguire, who hit three centuries in four frames in his 6-2 trouncing of Fergal O’Brien.

The sponsors, williamhill.com, have made Maguire the 8-11 favourite, and that’s just fine with Bingham.

“I didn’t watch any of his match but I saw he had three tons,” he said of Maguire. “Obviously it is going to be hard playing him. We’ve had our battles over the years and he’s hit form himself. He’s won this tournament before so I’ll look forward to it.”

When asked who he thought would be the favourite, Bingham added: “Hopefully him because I am doing well as the underdog. I don’t know how the bookies will price it. Maybe he will be a slight favourite with (his position in) the rankings.

“If I hit a bit of form I know I can win a match, whoever it is. He may get himself up a bit more because I am the man on form. Steve’s a great match player. It’s going to be a hard game.”