Davis black-balls Small to advance

STEVE DAVIS black-balled Scotsman Chris Small to defeat to reach his second quarter-final of the season.

Davis, playing some of his finest snooker for years, dealt the Edinburgh professional two crushing blows by stealing frames four and five in black-ball finishes.

“That more or less killed me off,” agreed Small, who must pick himself up for next month’s Scottish Open in his home city.

Davis, though, after his 5-1 victory, has not finished with business at the Citywest Hotel.

He lost in the last four of the LG Cup last October and is trying to win his first major title since 1997. “I suppose I’m an 8-1 chance now and I guess you could make a case for everyone who is left in the tournament,” added the six-times world champion.

“I’m never surprised by good form but I’ve been frustrated by bad form,” said Davis, whose fine results this season have taken him back into the top 16.

“I said I would retire when my ranking was higher than my age, so I’m not doing too badly.

“It wasn’t what I expected to happen this season. But as soon as I started to play well it was a weight off my shoulders. I didn’t think I would have predicted getting back in the top 16 this season.

“I didn’t even look at it as an ambition of mine.”

Davis twice punched the air after winning his black-ball games, leaving Small to say: “He just loves it.

“His safety play is brilliant. He had me in knots.

“There are not many players who can outclass me in the safety department, but he did.”

Davis now meets the winner of tonight’s last 16 match between defending champion John Higgins and Anthony Hamilton.