17-year-old Liam Davies kicks off his quest for qualification in the World Snooker Championship on Monday, drawing inspiration from Luke Littler’s remarkable performance at Alexandra Palace. Davies, who secured his spot on the professional tour for the next two seasons after clinching the European Under-21 title, now aims to make his mark at the prestigious Crucible Theatre.
While the task ahead is daunting, the young Welsh talent believes he can excel in the intense environment of the championship qualifiers. In 2022, Davies made history as the youngest player to win a World Championship match at just 15 years old, defeating Aaron Hill and Fergal O’Brien before narrowly losing to Jordan Brown in a deciding frame.
Reflecting on his aspirations, Davies draws parallels to Littler’s unexpected journey to the World Darts Championship final at the age of 16. He emphasizes the importance of taking each shot and game as they come, acknowledging the unpredictability of sport. Davies stresses the significance of his opening match, recognizing the financial and psychological boost that a victory would provide.
In his debut qualifying match, Davies faces Australian professional Ryan Thomerson, with the winner advancing to meet Jimmy Robertson in the subsequent round. The road to qualification is arduous, with formidable opponents awaiting at every stage, including the likes of Matthew Stevens and potentially Jack Lisowski.
As Davies aptly acknowledges, the challenge ahead is indeed “really, really tough.” Yet, armed with determination and inspired by past feats, he embarks on his journey with optimism and resilience, knowing that anything is possible on the green baize of the Crucible.
