Davis knocks in brilliant 143 break

The St Leonards potter, a professional since 1991, fashioned a brilliant run of 143 at the International Open, equalling his feat at the China Open in 2010.

It was also the joint highest of the tournament with world number one Neil Robertson, who compiled a 143 of his own against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

Davis’s break came in the fifth frame of his second round match against Stuart Carrington, putting him 4-1 up en route to a 6-3 victory. Davis also had runs of 71, 69, 60 and 54 against his 106th-ranked opponent.

His progress was halted in the last 16 a day later, however, by a 6-1 loss at the hands of an in-form Liang Wenbo, who had knocked out world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the second round.

Davis led in both of the first two frames only to lose them and Chinese cueman Wenbo, ranked 32, proceeded to hit breaks of 74 and 88 to lead 5-0. Davis made a 74 to stave off the whitewash, but Wenbo compiled a 78 in the next to finish the job.

The 41-year-old Davis had previously beaten English amateur Oliver Brown 6-4 in round one. Davis edged the opener on the black and went on to lead 3-1 with a top break of 51. He then lost three in a row before winning three on the bounce - aided by runs of 54 and 52 - to seal victory.

World number 13 Davis will be back at the table in European Tour event on Friday morning. His opening opponent is Thai cueman Dechawat Poomjaeng.