Davis Reaches Another Snooker Landmark

The legend that is Steve Davis booked his 30th appearance in the televised stages of the World Championships yesterday.

The 52-year-old Romford potter displayed some fantastic snooker to best world number 42, Adrian Gunnell, 10-4. Davis made his first appearance at the Crucible back in 1979 and has extended his own record of number of appearances by another year.

In recent times Davis has struggled with his snooker, but on this occasion he looked in control after knocking in an 88 break to lead 6-3 at the interval. Gunnell did pull one back but Davis showed his class to win the 13th frame with a break of 96 and then the 14th frame to win the match and book his place at snooker’s most famous haunt.

Davis told Worldsnooker.com “”I felt like a player today and I got myself up for it, Adrian said it was the best he’d seen me play for a couple of years, and I’d have to agree with that. Every trip to the Crucible is special, especially for me at this stage in my career.

“I changed my grip to one Alex Higgins used to use and I felt solid on the shot. I went out there to fight my snooker heart out. If I can keep playing like that, then who knows? My arm wasn’t inhibited, it was a joy.

“There was a time in the 1980s when I thought I was unbeatable, I didn’t think anyone would ever be able to raise the standard. Then a young man from Scotland (Stephen Hendry) rammed that down my throat. My objective is to play at the Crucible at a greater age than Stephen will ever do, and I’ve extended that by one extra year now.”

Other winners from the final qualifying round included crowd favourite Liang Wenbo. The young Chinese star has now made this his third consecutive appearance at the Crucible after demolishing Rod Lawler 10-2. The 2008 quarter-finalist will be looking to find the same form again on snooker’s biggest stage.

Fergal O’Brien defeated former Crucible semi-finalist Alan McManus 10-4, and in a nine-hour marathon Marcus Campbell beat Matthew Stevens 10-9 to get to the Crucible.

In the final qualifying match of the day Mark Davis continued what is his most successful professional year to date with a 10-7 victory over Dave Harold.

Matches continue today and tomorrow (8th & 9th March).

Image:  Worldsnooker.com