Hendry: Davis must improve

Steve Davis believes he has been playing some of the best snooker of his glittering career at the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York this week – but it may not be good enough to clinch the title.

That is the view of Stephen Hendry, whom Davis beat 9-6 to secure his 100th career final appearance tomorrow against either Joe Perry or Chinese teenage sensation Ding Junhui.

Davis, 48, has rediscovered the old magic and is back in his 80s groove, having compiled his highest competitive break for 23 years, a 145 as he dethroned title-holder Stephen Maguire.

But even though the ‘Nugget’ is oozing confidence after finding a new way of lining up shots that is proving highly successful, his former arch-rival Hendry thinks he still needs to improve to land a seventh UK title 18 years after his last one.

“Steve is phenomenal, I’ve nothing but admiration for him,” said the seven-times former world champion. “I hope he wins it now, but I think he will need to score heavier to do so.

“I don’t remember him making many big breaks against me and he was a bit edgy getting over the line. I didn’t put him under enough pressure. But in every other department he is playing great.”

Not since 53-year-old Rex Williams reached the final of the 1986 Grand Prix has a more senior figure than Davis contested the showdown at a ranking tournament.

“I’m having to pinch myself that I’ve got through but I’ll be ready for the final,” said Davis, who described his semi-final victory over Hendry as having put one over his “nemesis”.

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball better now than I’ve ever done, and if I had done in the 1980s what I’m doing now then I would have fancied being more accurate. I know it sounds stupid but I really feel quite accurate at the moment.

“I’m not having any negative thoughts. I’m just playing without thinking about what could happen and which is the best frame of mind to be in – I’m just playing the balls. Every chance I get I just become immersed in the game.”