Vintage Steve Davis into Crucible quarter-finals
Steve Davis produced one of his finest victories for a number of years after beating defending world champion John Higgins 13-11 in an enthralling last-16 encounter at the snooker world championship.
Davis had led after the end of the opening two sessions, 6-2 and 9-7. Resuming the final session this morning, Higgins got into his stride first, and made breaks of 70 and 115 to level the match, and allowed no pot for Davis to go at.
Frame 19 was a topsy-turvy affair. Higgins missed an unexpected blue to the left middle, and that left Davis to make a clearance of 46.
The frame before the mid-session interval was critical for both players. Davis broke down on a break of 49 which allowed Higgins to make a comeback of 41. However, Higgins had a kick on the final blue, and the Nugget managed to restore his two-frame advantage.
The 52-year-old nearly pulled away by three frames, but he missed a red when he was in control, and Higgins pounced on the mistake with a well-constructed 59, and then levelled the match again with a break of 56.
Frame 23 saw Higgins get in first with a long distance red, but the world champion missed a decisive black, and Davis was able to make 35 and pinch the frame.
The Wizard of Wishaw was under pressure, and it showed in the next frame. He uncharacteristically missed easy balls, and when Davis doubled the last brown into the middle pocket and released the blue, he knew he was through. Both players received a standing ovation after providing a sensational match for the Crucible faithful.
"I always thought he was going to win the match - we've seen John pull it out of the fire so often I thought he was going to do it again.
"He didn't get going enough and kept giving me hope. I still thought he was going to get over the line, but somehow I dragged up some pots. It used up everything, I'm glad I've got a couple of days off,” said Davis.
Davis will now play Neil Robertson in the quarter-finals, who produced a tremendous comeback against Martin Gould to beat him 13-12, having been 6-0, 11-5 and 12-10 behind.
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