Pro Snooker Blog

Name: Paul Davies

DOB: June 22nd, 1970

Nationality: Welsh

Turned Pro: 1991

Highest Ranking: #35 (1990-8, 2006/7)

Current Ranking: #54

Highest Break: 147 (1992 DDO Masters)

Career Highlights: 1991 Dubai Duty Free Classic Semi Finalist, 1993 Asian Open Semi Finalist, 1997 Regal Welsh Open Quarter Finalist

Career summary

An ever-present on the main tour since 1991, Paul’s best results came in first few seasons as he reached two semi-finals at the 1991 Dubai Classic and the 1993 Asian Open and moved up into the world’s top 40.

Since then though, highlights have been few and far between as he has failed to get this far again in a ranking event and his ranking has hovered around the 60 mark for most of the time. He did come close to making a debut at the B&H Masters in 1997 when he reached the final of the qualifying tournament but was denied by Andy Hicks who won 9-6.

Recent form

Approaching his 40’s, Paul has had a couple of decent runs during the last couple of seasons, qualifying for both the TV stages of both the Grand Prix and the UK Championship in 2007, losing out 9-5 to Shaun Murphy in the latter.

2008/9

The 2008/9 season was a solid enough one for Paul as he consolidated his place on the main tour, though he did lose four of his eight opening round matches which prevented him from really challenging for a top 48 spot.

The highlight of his season came at his home tournament, the Welsh Open, when he defeated Patrick Wallace, Jimmy Michie and notably Barry Hawkins to qualify for the TV stages. Once there though he was taught something of a lesson by world number 4 Mark Selby who whitewashed him 5-0 to bring his run to an end.

He did however continue to perform well at the World Championship qualifiers, defeating Lewis Roberts and Jimmy Michie again to move into the last 48. Though he fell to Jamie Cope in the final round, he had at least improved his one-year-ranking significantly and given himself a better chance of retaining his tour place next season.