St Leonards-based Davis completed a magnificent 10-6 victory at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield this afternoon (Monday) to move into the last 16 of the sport’s blue riband event for the third time in his career. Leading 6-3 from the first session yesterday afternoon having trailed 2-0, world number 16 Davis lost the opening frame this afternoon 96-4 with Higgins ominously knocking in a break of 92. Davis edged the next 63-57, however, despite all of his opponent’s points coming in one visit. Although Higgins bagged the 12th frame 101-29 thanks to a run of 69, Davis rattled through the 13th 87-0 courtesy of an 81 to lead 8-5 at the interval. Six Reds World Champion Davis moved within a frame of victory by bagging the next 77-21 and although Higgins stayed alive by taking the 14th frame 82-4 with the aid of a 50, Davis finished the Scot off by clinching the 16th 92-24 courtesy of an 87. The 40-year-old’s reward is a second round meeting with Stuart Bingham or Sam Baird in a best of 25 frames encounter which will get under way at 10am on Sunday.