VICTOR CHANDLER WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP

Cardiff International Arena / Day 8 - Saturday July 8th
Quarter Final Results - Comment & Quotes

Corey Deuel (USA) bt Steve Davis (Eng) 11 - 7

DAVIS OUT, DEUEL IN!
Steve Davis, who has given so much value for money here this week at the Victor Chandler World Pool Championship, today met his nemesis this evening at the Cardiff International Arena as he went out the tournament to one of pool's rising stars Corey Deuel (USA) 11 - 7.

The Quarter Final match was much anticipated by a packed arena and Davis came out firing. Deuel appeared to be extremely nervous at the outset and some elementary errors set Romford Slim up for a 4 - 0 lead.

Davis, who performed his now-familiar caged animal routine between racks, looked composed and in control as he cashed in on Deuel's mistakes. As the match progressed, though, the 22 year-old from Columbus, Ohio found his feet and began to give the Nugget a run for his money.

At five racks apiece and Corey coming on strong, Davis had to fight hard to stay with him. They stayed together at 7 - 7 and then the Prince of Pool took over, running the next four racks to take the match and a semi-final show down with Fong Pang Chao, the dead eyed shooter from Chinese Taipei.

Understandably young Mr Deuel was delighted at the finish; " I was so nervous at the beginning as I had never played anyone of Steve's calibre from the world of snooker. I expected him to play perfect and at the start I didn't think that I had a chance to win.

" I've watched Steve all week and he's had a brilliant run but I'm glad that run's ended here. I lost on the TV table to Rob McKenna in the group stages but I played horrible then and didn't prepare well at all.

" Today, though, I didn't over practice or wear myself out mentally. After the nervous start I took something from the fact that Pagulayan, Kucharo and Wiseman were in there cheering for me. It was good to see a few American flags flying as well.

" Chao seems to be the best player I've seen in the tournament so tomorrow I've got to try and keep control. I'm not bothered by some of the jumping jack stuff he's been doing this week. He can do that to me because, I tell you, I won't care. " I've always dreamed of being World Champion since I was a kid so I'll be playing as hard as I can."

For Steve Davis the dream is over but his enthusiasm for 9-ball is undiminished; " The experience and thrill of competing here has been priceless. In a way, it's been a walk into wonderland.

" I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bitterly disappointed at losing, although I'm proud of my achievements here this week. I think the last seven days have changed my perception of myself as a pool player.

" Technically, I've got lots to learn. There are positional shots that the Americans and Asians don't have to think twice about that I'm struggling with. It's tough looking three shots ahead, but my breaking improved throughout the week and that was a big plus point.

" All this leaves me with the dilemma of how much time I now devote to 9-ball. Practising with Steve Knight would be an option as well as travelling abroad to play in competition. I think I could hold my head high overseas as a pool player.

" This is a mentally stimulating sport for me, more so than snooker in many ways. It suits my mind more.

" My abiding memory this week though was my match with Efren. Those sort of comebacks are one in a million. He could have lead 8 - 2 and won 999 times out of 1000 but that was the 1000th  time. What a week!"

send by luke.riches