Davis: I can’t believe I won

Mark Davis admitted he couldn't believe he won after beating Joe Perry 6-5 in round three of the Coral UK Championship

The 42-year-old world no.19 from St Leonards beat Perry 6-5 last night (Tuesday) in a marathon battle for a place in the last 16 at the Barbican, but Davis admitted he was nowhere near his best form.

After Perry had gone 4-2 up, Davis dug in to bring it to 5-5 on the black before grinding out the result in the deciding frame – much to his delight and wonder.

“I hate saying I played bad when I’ve won as it’s disrespectful,” he said. “But I probably dragged Joe’s level down to mine to be honest.

“I was trying my hardest and it’s been a struggle all week, but I can’t believe I won. It’s an absolute mystery how that happened as I was struggling so badly.

“But I’m absolutely delighted to get through and now I’ll have to improve because you can only win against Joe like that one time in a thousand and I was very fortunate. I’m lucky to still be here.

“It’s not often I say it, but I’m proud of myself to dig in and get through. Inside I was really struggling with my game, and I battled and hung in even though it was very hard going.”

Davis will be back at the table tonight from 7pm as he takes on James Cahill for a place in the quarter-finals. The 18-year-old Cahill, ranked 100 in the world, stunned world number three Ding Junhui 6-5 in an epic encounter last night.

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