A look at the career of one of snooker’s greatest, Steve Davis
Steve Davis is one of the greatest players the game of snooker has ever produced. He is a man who holds the record of winning the maximum professional awards than any other sportsman.
A six-time world champion, two-time runner-up, seven-year world number one and the sport’s first millionaire was born on 22 August, 1957 in Plumstead, London.
He started his professional career in 1978 and won the first world championship in 1981 against Doug Mountjoy.
Steve Davis was the first player ever to make a televised 147 at the Lada Classic in 1982. He was the most dominating snooker player in the 1980’s.
He also has been known as the best safety player ever in the game of snooker which he used against most of the big guns that is why he was still ranked in the top 16 players even at the age of 50.
One of the most memorable matches he has ever played is 1985 World Cup final against his opponent Dennis Taylor. There was a record audience of 18.5 million people who were glued to their televisions and it was also voted as the 9th greatest sporting
moment ever by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Steve was the defending champion in the 85’s final which also is known as the ‘Black Ball Finish’ against Dennis Taylor in a best-of-35 frame match. Steve completely outplayed his opponent Dennis winning seven frames straight making his lead 7-0 which then
was extended to 8-0 before the evening session.
However, after the session was resumed Dennis clawed his way back to trail 7-9. The players traded frames from 11-11 when again Steve went ahead by 17-15. Dennis Taylor also with all his zeal, energy and strength bounced back once again and equalled the
score by 17-17 and the match went into the final frame.
It was probably the longest match of the championship which went on for 68 minutes. Pressure on both the players was noteworthy. They kept on playing safety shots for quite an amount of time and from yellow to black it took them more than 25 minutes.
Steve had a lead of 13 points when Dennis failed to play a good safety shot and gave an easy yellow to his opponent. Steve playing a rest shot potted it and tried for snooker on green which he got but not the way he meant. Taylor made it but on the very
next shot it was fluked by Steve.
Steve needed only the brown now and Taylor on the other side required all the balls. After exchanging safety a few safety shots Taylor potted the difficult brown, blue and pink in a row and tried for a black’s double which was missed.
Both players had their chances to pot it but the amount of pressure they were in did not allow them. It was until Steve missed a very easy black, which he might have not missed otherwise, leaving Dennis Taylor with a simple shot.
The underdog Dennis Taylor became the world champion for the first time there. The 1985 final is remembered even now as one of the greatest finals ever played.
To memorize this great final in 2010 a re-match between these two players was held.
The 53-year-old Steve Davis with his vast experience is now a television analyst and an occasional commentator for BBC’s snooker coverage. He also a member of the world snookers governing body and looks after different aspects of game.
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