Davis determined to make mark in Wales

After the exits of seven members of the world’s top eight in Cardiff this week, one of snooker’s elder statesmen will take centre stage at the Welsh Open today.

Steve Davis has remained standing while the seeds have fallen in the first ranking event of 2004 and the 46-year-old legend will be bidding for a place in the 99th final of his professional career when he takes on Hong Kong’s Marco Fu.

Davis, who beat John Higgins 5-2 on Thursday, defeated Robert Milkins 5-4 in the quarter-finals yesterday.

The six-times former world champion, whose last ranking title was the 1995 Welsh Open, has become a regular in 9-ball pool tournaments in recent years but Davis insists that snooker is still his first love.

“People have seen me playing 9-ball and assume I’m just a part-time snooker player but it’s only because the pool is repeated so much,” Davis said.

“I’m still a snooker player – I don’t even practise for pool tournaments.

“There’s still nothing quite like going the full distance in a tournament. I love the build up of excitement and the thrill of winning matches.”

Fu reached the fifth ranking event semi-final of his career by dumping out defending champion Stephen Hendry.

The world number 19 trailed Hendry 4-2 but won the last three frames to go through a 5-4 winner and defeat the Scot for only the second time in nine meetings.

Ronnie O’Sullivan appears in his third successive ranking event semi-final of the season when he faces outsider Dominic Dale tonight.

O’Sullivan reeled off five frames on the spin to blast past Paul Hunter 5-2 in the quarter-finals.

The ‘Rocket’ is notorious for his mood swings but has so far made it through the week without suffering any mental strife.

He said: “I feel happy, although I could wake up tomorrow in bits. I’m getting through all that stuff and finding out what’s important to me.

“The game is something I play for fun. If I can express myself then it’s great; if I can’t then it’s still great.

“I’m not chasing anything and I’m not worrying about anything. I’m just enjoying being me and that’s more important than snooker.”

Welshman Dale is appearing in his first ranking tournament semi-final since the 2000 Thailand Masters after beating Alan McManus 5-4 in the quarters.

The surprise winner of the 1997 Grand Prix, Dale started the week languishing in 39th place in the provisional rankings.

In November’s UK Championship, he was beaten 9-7 from 7-1 up by McManus, but has returned to form in his own backyard, knocking out world number one Mark Williams in the last 16.

“I’m not as used to playing under TV conditions as the top players, which is why I’ve been so inconsistent,” Dale said.

“I’m through to the semis so it’s a great tournament for me, but the pressure is still on because I want to get to the final.”