Davis confirms his top 16 spot

Steve Davis’ opening win in the Daily Record Players Championship last night will not go down as one of his most memorable matches - but it will ensure his place in the world's top 16.

Steve Davis’ opening win in the Daily Record Players Championship last night will not go down as one of his most memorable matches.

But in the context of his season a 5-3 victory over promising Australian Neil Robertson was an invaluable one for the six times world champion.

Davis next plays Wembley Masters runner-up Paul Hunter or 17-year-old Chinese starlet Ding Junhui.

But the 46-year-old Essex legend is not too concerned after cementing his place in the world’s top 16 for another 12 months.

“I assumed that was the case,” grinned the ‘Nugget’ after taking the last two frames to halt Robertson’s mini revival.

“You always start looking at the rankings at this stage of the season when we are near the world championship.

“It is exciting to have a reason to be in the top 16. And I knew if I won this match it would be difficult for a lot of people to catch me.

“You should not be looking over your shoulder when you are playing a game of snooker because that is when the problems start. You start tripping over your own feet.

“But it is nice going to Sheffield knowing you don’t have to worry about the top 16,” added the provisional world number 12.

Jimmy White enters the fray at Glasgow today with his place in the potting premiership not guaranteed. So, the 41-year-old European Open finalist cannot afford any slip-ups against youngster Shaun Murphy.

White’s young London pal David Gray also plays his opening game in the tournament. And Gray may feel aggrieved he is not the number one seed – an honour that has gone to world champion Mark Williams.

Last year he defeated Mark Selby in the final when the event was known as the Scottish Open and played at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre.

But the 2004 competition has been deemed a new tournament and Gray does not get any special preference.

World number one Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan, two of the favourites for the first prize on Sunday, remain in contention for the title. But both needed deciders to see off Rod Lawler and Ryan Day respectively.

O’Sullivan won his last frame with an excellent 82 break. In contrast, Williams fell over the line when he potted the last black.

Lawler though had only himself to blame. He made two centuries and a superb 65 clearance to lead 4-3 but lost his bottle with the winning post in sight.

“The last frame was all about pressure,” said Williams. “For the first four frames Rod played as well against me as anyone has ever done.”

Peter Ebdon, the recently crowned Irish Masters champion, started in Glasgow where he left off in Dublin – with a victory. The world number seven from Wellingborough knocked out Essex rival Stuart Bingham.

He now faces Scotsman Graeme Dott, who defeated Hong Kong’s Marco Fu 5-3.