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Last Updated: Saturday, 23 April, 2005, 16:45 GMT 17:45 UK
Davis completes amazing comeback
By Phil Harlow
BBC Sport at The Crucible

Steve Davis
Davis never lost faith, even at six frames behind Holt
Steve Davis produced one of the best fightbacks of his career to defeat Michael Holt 13-10 and earn his first Crucible quarter-final since 1996.

The 47-year-old six-time champion had trailed 8-2 in the second session, but called on all his vast experience to gradually eat into his opponent's lead.

Resuming 9-7 behind, Davis won the first frame to keep the pressure on.

The demonstrative Holt claimed the 18th, but Davis proceeded to take five straight frames for a famous victory.

Davis, who now faces John Higgins or Shaun Murphy in the last eight knowing his place in the top 16 is safe for next season, described his performance as his "best-ever comeback here".

I feel for Michael because I know what it's like
Steve Davis
"At 8-2 down I had just missed an easy chance and the wheels had started falling off," he said.

"I thought I could lose 13-2 the way it was going because I had lost touch with him.

"But then he left me a more difficult chance and I thought that if I was going to get back into it I had to take it.

"Fortunately I hit it well, potted it and won the frame. That got my spirits up a bit and I don't really know what happened after that.

"Michael was showing a lot of emotion and frustration because the match was slipping away from him and I kept plugging away. I feel for him because I know what it's like."

Holt was scathing about his own performance and admitted he had failed to cope with the psychological pressure as Davis worked his way back into the game.

"I missed a black off the spot at 8-3 and I'm still annoyed about that now," said Holt after the match.

"It was all downhill from then really. I was so angry that I missed an easy black being careless - I actually hate myself for it.

"I'm my own worst enemy most of the time and I have to change that."


S DAVIS (Eng) 13-10 M HOLT (Eng)

53-58 (58) 126-11 (118) 79-6 32-63 0-99 (86) 42-60 15-79 (75) 8-63 0-100 (100) 45-75 62-15 114-2 (114) 88-41 72-0 76-46 0-114 (114) 70-20 4-71 78-17 (54) 81-5 68-43 68-38 (54) 64-1




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