Davis through in China

The St Leonards cueman overcame Dechawat Poomjaeng 5-3, ending a winless run in World Snooker events stretching back to January.

Davis, the world number 16, lost the opening frame 91-4 after his 72nd-ranked Thai opponent knocked in a break of 68, but hit back by winning three in a row to lead 3-1 at the interval.

A run of 51 gave him the second 67-0 and Davis then bagged the third 84-64 despite all of his opponent’s points coming in a single visit. A break of 81 gave Davis the fourth 81-13.

Poomjaeng won the first frame after the resumption 68-12, but Davis restored his two-frame cushion at 4-2 by winning the sixth 72-1 aided by a 60. Poomjaeng stayed alive by taking the seventh 71-0 with all his points coming in a single visit only for Davis to compile a 71 of his own to capture the eighth 108-0.

Davis is hoping for a good run in the far east in an effort to be seeded for next month’s World Championship. He will face 42nd-ranked Jack Lisowski, who stunned world number one Judd Trump yesterday, in the last 16 tomorrow morning.

Bexhill-based Jimmy Robertson has just started his first round match against world number three Neil Robertson. Jimmy will be hoping to reproduce the scintillating form that brought him three century breaks, including a tournament best 142, in his wildcard round victory over Wang Yuchen on Monday.