STEVE DAVIS, who has failed to win an event since the Regal Welsh Open of January 1995, faces Dubliner Ken Doherty in the Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge which gets under way at Birmingham today.
Davis, one of 12 leading cuemen, faces the Irish star with renewed self belief after an impressive performance in the Dr Martens European League last week.
The former world champion fired in three century breaks, including a 139 total clearance, on the way to beating John Higgins 6-2.
Higgins begins 1997 eager to end 11 titleless months during which he has suffered a series of crushing disappointments and frustratingly narrow defeats.
But if the Scot is to bring the curtain down on a barren spell stretching back to last season's International Open, he must first crash through a growing psychological barrier.
From October 1994, when he lifted the Skoda Grand Prix trophy, to that International Open Triumph last February, Higgins won five major titles.
Even in April, when Nigel Bond defeated him 9-8 on the final black of the British Open final after requiring a snooker, it was thought only a temporary setback for the 21 year old from Wishaw.
However, more soul destroying reversals followed, particularly his 13-12 quarter final loss against O'Sullivan at the Embassy World Championships.
And only five weeks ago, Higgins again watched in despair as the chance to collect another coveted piece of the game's silverware slipped from his grasp when he lost 10-9 to Hendry in a dramatic climax to the UK Championship.
Higgins, one of four players seeded through to the quarterfinals, faces Darren Morgan or compatriot Alan McManus tomorrow as his bid to earn a £100,000 donation for the Birmingham Settlement gets underway.
Heading bookmakers lists will be Hendry, winner of the inaugural charity Challenge in 1995.
The six times world champion, seeking a 60th career title, is also excused first round duty and enters the fray tomorrow attempting to reach the semi finals at the expense of Bond or wild card entry Alain Robidoux.
