Davis makes valiant title defence

The St Leonards player reached the semi-finals of the General Cup in Hong Kong at the end of last week after winning group A.

World number 17 Davis began the group stage with a 4-0 win over 14th-ranked Joe Perry featuring breaks of 74 and 110.

Runs of 97 and 63 helped him into a 3-0 lead in his next match against 63rd-ranked Jimmy White only to lose the next four for a 4-3 defeat.

Davis also went 3-0 up in his final group match against 11th-ranked Ricky Walden aided by a break of 104. Although Walden pulled one back, Davis this time completed a 4-1 victory.

His hopes of retaining the title, however, were ended by a 6-2 loss against 15th-ranked Ali Carter, who was playing in his first tournament since treatment for lung cancer. Carter went on to beat ex-world champion Shaun Murphy 7-6 in yesterday’s (Saturday’s) final.

Davis, 42, is due to compete in Asian Tour event two this week before turning his attention to the International Championship next week.