Ding edges clear of Davis

Steve Davis must overcome a 5-3 deficit against young pretender Ding Junhui if his 100th career final appearance at the Travis Perkins UK Championship is to end in an emotional triumph.

The 48-year-old, who has rediscovered his brilliant best in York this week, matched the Chinese teenager blow for blow until he missed a fine chance in frame eight to level it up going into tonight’s final session.