Fu sees off Davis

Hong Kong cueman Marco Fu dumped out veteran Steve Davis at the SAGA Insurance Masters today.

The world number 27’s 6-2 win at Wembley booked a last-16 showdown with Australian Neil Robertson tomorrow night.

“Steve had his chances, but he missing a lot more than he usually does,” reflected Fu, who was given a wildcard entry to this season’s event.

“I relied mostly on Steve’s errors. I was missing chances, so I hope I can play better in my next match.

“I lost the cue ball too much during the middle of the match – but overall I thought I played okay.

“I think I’ve prepared myself well for the Masters this time. It’s my first win at the Masters.

“It’s not a ranking event, but I really want to do well here.”

Fu pinched a scrappy opening frame 64-22, before pocketing a break of 52 to edge two frames clear of the three-time Masters winner.

Golden oldie Davis – who will now resume his BBC commentary duties – rallied with a composed break of 62 to reduce his arrears, but Fu led 3-1 at the interval thanks to a break of 76.

Davis sunk a run of 50 to win the first frame after the restart, but Fu went 4-2 ahead thanks to a break of 104.

Fu won the next 61-35, before clinching a workmanlike victory with a break of 67. It left a “frustrated” Davis to reflect what might have been.

“I was so frustrated out there,” said Davis.

“I had a good chance to make it 3-3 and missed an easy black.

“The best thing to try and do is just to laugh – there’s not much more you can do.

“Just as it looked as though I was getting back in the match, I tripped at the first hurdle.

“Marco wasn’t playing his best – he looked as though he was trying to get his game together. I struggled with the table – I was running out of the position too much.”