Darts Federation of Australia

DAVIES IN DETERMINED MOOD
By Gavin Worley, PA Sport

Wales' Ritchie Davies (pictured) believes he is capable of defeating reigning champion Tony David in their Embassy World Championship quarter-final clash on Thursday night.

The computer engineer from Aberdare clinched his place in the last eight with a superb 3-0 win over former champion John Walton.

He already has experience of playing David at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, having lost out to the Australian in the first round 12 months ago.

However, the 31-year-old gave a good account of himself that night and feels he has the game to trouble David.

"If I can play as well as I can do, I can beat anyone," said Davies. "I'm not frightened of anyone and everyone knows that if my darts go in on the day they will have to play extremely well to beat me.

"Because I played Tony in the first round last year, I'm looking forward to it. I had a good couple of chances and missed some doubles.

"I'm pretty sure I can keep last night's standard up. My darts have been going well for a long time now and I've been doing a lot of practice.

"I'm capable of beating him and I think Tony knows that because he had a hard game last year. I haven't really had a bad game in this tournament and, if I can keep on playing the way I am, I think it will be a very good game."

David, meanwhile, feels he is capable of retaining his title.

"I'm confident," said David, who defeated Dutchman Vincent van der Voort in the second round.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say I'm going to win it because all the players here are
100 per cent capable.

"But if I play my game and get up and do what I do, I can win it again."
In the remaining second-round matches, John Burton and former champion Raymond van Barneveld kick off the action tonight in what promises to be a good encounter.

Burton outplayed Darryl Fitton in the first round before clinching a 3-1 success while Barneveld proved too strong for Matt Clark and won by the same margin.

Robert Wagner, a former body builder from Austria who now lives in Norway, produced a back-flip
after edging through his first round game and now faces Belgium's Erik Clarys.

Tony O'Shea, meanwhile, will be attempting to avenge last year's defeat to Colin Monk, when he failed to close out the match with double top. His opponent went on to reach the semi-finals before losing to Mervyn King.

Last year's runner-up King, who looked impressive in his first round win over Steve Coote, will play Dennis Harbour in the last of tonight's games.

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