Snooker: Davis comfortable in victory: Champion form denies comeback by Bond

STEVE DAVIS remained firmly on course for his fourth major title in six weeks at the Sky Sports International Open in Plymouth yesterday.

Davis advanced to the semi-finals of the pounds 150,000 ranking tournament with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Nigel Bond, the ninth seed.

'I really do feel comfortable at the table and I'm enjoying it all so much,' said Davis, who has lost only once in his last 19 matches. 'It's a nice attitude to have and one which you can't just turn on and off like a tap. I couldn't ask for any better preparation for the World Championship.'

Davis, who has won the European Open, British Open and Benson and Hedges Irish Masters titles since the middle of February, appeared to be coasting through when he led 3-0.

But the 35-year-old, who had breaks of 62, 55 and 38, missed a straightforward pink at a crucial moment in fourth frame and Bond cleared the colours to pinch it on the black.

Bond also won the fifth with a break of 75 before Davis stopped the rot by launching a 52 break in the next with a two-ball plant.

Davis won a dour 44-minute eighth frame to set up a best of 11 frames semi-final against Tony Jones or Ken Doherty.