The Nugget secured his place in the final stages of the European Open in Torquay in March thanks to a comfortable victory over Scunthorpe’s Couch, and will face Mark Williams in the last 32.

Six-times world champion Davis started the season at No 25 but has climbed to 13 on the latest list thanks largely to a run to the semifinals of the LG Cup and now seems odds-on for a return to the top section.

Earlier John Parrott’s Blackpool blues continued as he lost 5-0 to Barry Pinches in the final qualifying round.

The former world champion from Liverpool went down 5-1 to Barry Hawkins in the Regal Welsh last Friday and showed no improvement. Parrott plays his Irish Masters qualifier on Friday and is desperate for a win to keep his season alive.

Another defeat on Friday could endanger his chances of keeping his place in the top 32.

Pinches, the world No 56, took a scrappy first frame today then added the second with a break of 55. Parrott led 68-0 in the next but fouled the pink then saw his opponent clear the table with 67 to snatch it. Pinches made it 4-0 and rounded off the match with a glorious 140 total clearance the highest break of the event so far.

In another match Malta’s Tony Drago beat Scotland’s Marcus Campbell 5-2 with a top break of 87, and Finland’s Robin Hull beat Thailand’s James Wattana with runs of 81, 54 and 91.