Match Reports: Day One at the 888.com World Championship
Back To Work For Davis
Steve Davis 9 – 10 John Parrott
John Parrott needed a cool head and a slice of luck to stave off a dramatic comeback from Steve Davis.
By winning the final two frames of the first session, Davis kept his opponent in sight, and he carried that momentum with him into the deciding session. Breaks of 69 and 70 helped him to win the first three frames, squaring the match at 6-6.
Parrott responded brilliantly to win three of his own with 79, 80 and 64 to get one frame away from victory at 9-6.
The six-time world champion refused to go away, and he fought his way back once again. A break of 96 made it 9-9 and sent the match into a deciding frame.
Both players had chances to win it, but the match swung on a piece of ill fortune for Davis. Attempting to cut a long red into the top left corner, the cue ball came off the top cushion and rolled into the right middle pocket.
Parrott finished the job to win an entertaining match, and sent Davis back to the BBC couch.
