Gunnell set for biggest night

On-song Shropshire star Adrian Gunnell was today preparing for the biggest night of his snooker life – and a match against his childhood idol.

Gunnell will take on six-time world champion Steve Davis at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, with a place in the quarter-finals of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix at stake.

And the Telford cueman's confidence is sure to be sky high after he caused a sensational upset by knocking out world No 3 and 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy, from Sheffield, in front of the television cameras last night.

Gunnell ranked his 5-3 success over Murphy as the biggest of his career and enjoyed brief celebrations with close friend and Masters champion Mark Selby, who was in the arena watching the match, and John Parrott – who also reached the second round last night.

And he is now excited about the prospect of a first ever meeting with the legendary Davis.

"I'm really looking forward to it – and it's going to be great to play Steve for the first time," said Gunnell from his Glasgow hotel today.

"He was my hero when I was a kid and he was the reason I got into the game.

"I used to watch him on the TV for hours on end.

"When he lost the world championship final on the last black in the last frame to Dennis Taylor in 1985, it was almost as though I had lost it – I was that upset.

"It will be great to play him but I can't get too involved in the tactical stuff.

"I usually fancy myself in a safety battle against most players – but Steve Davis isn't most players when it comes to safety."

Victory for Gunnell, in a game which will be shown live on the BBC from 7pm, will see him reach the quarter-final of a ranking tournament for the first time in his 14-year professional career.

Before that, he will savour his success over Murphy which came despite what Gunnell insisted was a below par performance.

"I was probably playing at about 40 per cent but it's a massive win – probably the best of my career," said the 36-year-old.

"I feel really good and my confidence is really high."

By JAMES GARRISON