Davis cannot bear to look (Getty Images).
DAVIS BOWS OUT
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Steve Davis' playing engagement at the Embassy World Championship is finished
for another season after Stephen Lee won the last four frames to complete a 10-6
first round victory.
Davis fancied his chances of upsetting the world number seven from Trowbridge,
and for a good proportion of what turned out to be a six-hour slog he kept pace
with his Wiltshire rival.
But Lee, beaten by the six-time champion in last month's Irish Masters, was
not to be denied again.
From 6-6 he picked up the tempo and booked a place in the second round against
Jimmy White or James Wattana.
Davis, back at the Crucible for the first time since 2000, had no complaints
at his defeat.
"There were four or five frames that could have gone either way and I didn't
win enough of those," said the 45-year-old Essex ace.
"But Stephen cued superbly in the second session and he deserved to win.
"I played okay but nothing better than okay. I'm a bit disappointed because
my expectations weren't just to turn up, but to win.
"However, it's still a great thrill to play here. And as long as they don't
change the set-up completely then I will be here next season as I don't have to
qualify.
"All credit to Stephen. He has struggled this season but he played well when
he needed to.
"But I have got back in the top 16 and I might break open a bottle of
champagne to celebrate."
Davis was ahead only twice in the match, though he led 5-4 after the first
session.
Unfortunately for the six-times champion he couldn't score heavily enough to
cause an upset.
His best break of the final session was just 36 as Lee responded with runs of
61, 39 and 81.
"You need to win the frame in one visit because the standard is so high,"
said Lee. "Stephen Hendry showed that the other night.
"I probably won the safety exchanges with Steve and he couldn't make the most
of his opportunities.
"In the end I just scraped over the line. Steve is a great player and I knew
I was going to be in for a battle.
"That's the way it turned out but at least I'm still in the tournament."
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