Snooker: O'Sullivan denies Davis

Ronnie O'Sullivan launched a stirring comeback in Cardiff last night to deny Steve Davis his first ranking title in nine years.

Davis looked set to clinch the Welsh Open when he led 8-5 but O'Sullivan won the last four frames to land the £52,000 top prize a 9-8 winner. Davis threatened to race away with the final as he opened a shock 4-1 lead. A 40 clearance in the opening frame, followed runs of 74 and 42 carried the 46-year-old 3-0 ahead. O'Sullivan closed to 4-2 before ending the session with back-to-back centuries of 125 and 139 to leave the match all square.

Davis won the first two frames of the final session but then O'Sullivan rediscovered his touch to fly through the 11th frame. Davis fought back to make it 7-5, then 8-5.But O'Sullivan closed to make it 8-7, then produced a steely 48 clearance to take the final its full distance before winning the nervy decider.