Davis breaks into world's top 20

The St Leonards cueman moved into the top 20 of the world rankings for the first time and compiled the 100th century break of his career.

Davis began his Euro Players Tour Championship event one campaign in Furth with a 4-0 whitewash of Wladimir Pondmarenkski featuring that hundredth hundred '“ a 117.

He then saw off 24th-ranked 2003 UK Champion Matthew Stevens 4-1 and 66th-ranked Jamie Jones 4-2 before being edged out 4-3 by 26th-ranked six-time World Champion Steve Davis in the last 16.

The 38-year-old nevertheless, lies 11th on the PTC order of merit with the top 24 at the end of the 12 events '“ six in England and six on the continent - advancing to contest the televised finals next spring.

Jimmy Robertson, from Bexhill, began with a 4-0 whitewash of Alex Taubman helped by a 58 break and then had a walkover against 2nd-ranked three-time World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan before losing 4-1 to 57th-ranked Alfie Burden in the last 32.

Hastings-based amateur Jamie Walker also lined-up in Germany, beating Thomas Valentin 4-0 in the first round of pre-qualifying before losing by the same score to Lasse Munstermann in the second stage.

The full articles will appear in Friday's Observers.