Davis confident he can beat Lee

STEVE DAVIS has been breaking records throughout a professional career stretching back over a quarter of a century. Davis is the oldest player at this season’s Embassy World Championship, though he still has some way to go to improve on namesake Fred’s record of competing at the Crucible, aged 69.

However, his achievement at regaining his top 16 status at the age of 45 in an era dominated by players nearly 20 years his junior may never be surpassed. While there are a clutch of professionals arriving in Sheffield fretting about their ranking for next season (including Jimmy White) six-times world champion Davis is not one of them. He is provisionally 12th after last week’s Scottish Open having started the campaign in 25th position.

“I’m in a no-lose situation,” agreed the Essex legend, who faces deposed LG Cup and Scottish Open champion Stephen Lee in his first match.