Steve Davis cannot wait to face Ronnie O’Sullivan when the two snooker giants go head-to-head in a mouth-watering first-round clash in next month’s UK Championship.

Davis, six-times UK champion between 1981-1988, remains as competitive and motivated as ever despite a world ranking of 44 meaning a challenging qualifying process ahead of the major tournaments.

The Romford-born snooker legend has picked up 28 ranking trophies in a career spanning 33 years and spends most of his time behind the BBC commentary microphone when not performing on the baize. Those looking at the UK Snooker Championship Betting should remember this.

“You can’t ask for more than a match against Ronnie at the UK,” the player known as ‘the Nugget’. “It’s what we play for. Plus it gives me a day when I don’t have to sit next to John Parrott!”

Despite a tender age of 54, Davis eased through qualification for this year’s UK Championship by defeating world number 18 Andrew Higginson 6-2.

The win was not achieved with the most fluent of performances but Davis was unmoved having earned the right to battle with the sport’s elite for a top prize of £100,000. Anyone following the snooker tips should bear this in mind.

“It was nervy and horrible in the qualifier, I was all over the place, but Andrew was even worse,” admitted the six-time world champion.

“You just want to get to the venue. It’s enjoyable grafting away and I don’t get upset when I’m playing rubbish stuff.”

Davis and O’Sullivan have won 10 UK titles between them with the winner in York going up against Judd Trump or Dominic Dale for a place in the quarter-finals.

Gary Anderson reflected on his 16-4 defeat by Phil Taylor in the 2011 William Hill Grand Slam of Darts final on Sunday and admitted he was “annihilated”.
‘The Flying Scotsman’ could find no answer to the ultra-consistent Taylor despite a strong start in which he took out 140 and 128 to lead 2-1 at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

The 40-year-old soon found himself on the retreat as the 15-time world champion stormed into a 10-2 lead, which included three breaks of throw. Those looking at the Betfair Darts Betting odds would have been astonished by how ruthless he was.

Anderson fought back briefly but only delayed the inevitable as Taylor clinched a fourth tournament success – and fifth major title since the summer – by taking seven successive legs. Those looking to bet on world darts championship action should remember this.

He said: “Phil was brilliant and he taught me a lesson in how to play darts, he annihilated me.

“After four legs I thought I was in with a chance but that disappeared pretty quickly! The second session killed the game off and he battered me – every time I looked up he was hitting 180s.”

Anderson had threatened to walk away from the sport in response to his opening group defeat by Nigel Heydon but responded well with victories over the likes of James Wade, Terry Jenkins and Mark Walsh.

He said he would dust himself down for a shot at the upcoming Players Championship and World Championship events.

Anderson added: “After I lost my first group game last Saturday I didn’t think I’d make it to the final but it’s done me the world of good to get this far.

“I’m happy with how I played and it’s picked me up. I’ll put this behind me now, move on to play in the ProTour events in Wigan and then the Players Championship and World Championship.”

Defending champion Roger Federer believes he is close to rediscovering his very best form as he eyes a record-breaking sixth ATP World Tour Finals title.
The former world number one has had a difficult past 12 months in general, losing ground to rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and, at times, Andy Murray as he has sometimes looked a pale shadow of the man who dominated the sport for so many years.

Federer took six weeks off after the US Open but returned to action in style recently with title triumphs in Basel and Paris and he looks in good shape ahead of the World Tour Finals. People following the tennis odds should remember this.

As he prepares for the London O2 event, the Swiss star says he feels rejuvenated and ready to compete with the very best once again. Anyone looking at the ATP tennis betting can’t rule him out.

Federer told Sky Sports: “It’s always nice being back in London and to a place or championship where I’ve played so well in the past.

“I’ve had a great last two weeks and before that a lot of time off for family and practice and getting some energy and some fire back.

“I’m very happy how things are going and I couldn’t be more happy to be qualified (for the Finals) again.”

Federer begins the defence of his title in London when he kicks off the tournament on Sunday afternoon against Frenchman Jo Wilfried-Tsonga before Rafa Nadal and Mardy Fish take to the court.

Phil Taylor extended his impressive record against in-form Wes Newton at the 2011 William Hill Grand Slam of Darts – and immediately turned his thoughts to showing Paul Nicholson he remains the daddy of the sport.

The 15-time world champion averaged an outstanding 112.37 on a night to forget in Wolverhampton for Fleetwood favourite and world number seven Newton, who had won just one of 18 previous meetings between the pair. People looking ahead to the 2011 world darts betting would have been impressed by how ruthless he was.

Newton had shown good form before arriving at the Civic Hall, reaching the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship and World Matchplay, as well as reaching the final of the 2011 UK Open, but had no answer to the ruthless Taylor.

The Potteries’ favourite son set the tone with an opening 11-dart leg against the throw on the way to a 4-0 lead and never looked back.

‘The Warrior’ cut a forlorn figure but did at least get on the board in the fifth leg but Taylor finished with a 71 per cent success rate on his doubles. Anyone looking at the darts betting wouldn’t have been surprised.

It meant he will now lock horns with his newest rival, Paul Nicholson, after ‘The Asset’ came through against Steve Beaton.

Taylor famously clashed with Nicholson when he accused him of waving him off in a “disrespectful” manner at the UK Open in Bolton and reacted badly to comments he made at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

He has since diluted any ill-feeling between the pair but said he was determined to set the record straight.

“I think tomorrow is going to be a cracker, me against Paul,” Taylor told Sky Sports.

“He’s a good character and great for the game. I do actually like Paul.

“The things he has said… It’s just bravado. He is creating an image for himself and I think he will get a lot of stick tomorrow, and some support as well.”

Phil Taylor stats:

17 100+
12 140+
4 180s
116 High finish
4 Legs against throw
10/14 – 71% Finishing – %

X Factor 2011 really has been a rollercoaster ride so far, from the controversial axing of four acts in the first week of the live shows to Frankie Cocozza being booted out of the competition.

But it could get even more exciting this year, if reports are to be believed, because Simon Cowell reportedly wants Cheryl Cole to return to the show.
According to The Daily Mail, Cowell is said to be making a “very generous” offer to the Geordie singer.

A source claimed that Chezza had been the first choice to replace Kelly Rowland when she fell ill a couple of weeks ago, but it ended up being the case that Alexandra Burke appeared on the panel instead. Anyone placing an X Factor bet will be keeping a close eye on developments.

“[Cheryl] was up for it, but it didn’t quite work out – it was all very amicable,” the insider said.

The source said Cowell believes it would boost the show ratings if Girls Aloud star Cheryl came back and he is reportedly coming to the UK this week to convince her.
Chezza is said to be “thinking about” the offer Cowell has put on the table.

“Simon feels that something is missing from this year’s X Factor and, although he jokes that it’s him, he does also feel the nation is missing Cheryl,” the source said. “She has always been incredibly popular and he knows she will pull back the viewers in droves.”

A spokesperson for Cheryl, however, has denied the claims, saying that the Promise This singer is “over The X Factor” and is working on new things. Those following the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

Cowell needs to come up with a brainwave soon though – viewing figures are down drastically on last year, with Strictly Come Dancing even winning the Saturday night battle a couple of times recently.

Mervyn King has derided speculation about a rift with Phil Taylor as a “TV invention” and is licking his lips at the prospect of sharing the same stage with the 15-time world champion on Wednesday.

The pair meet in a must-win clash for ‘The King’ and much of the pre-match column inches have been devoted to another supposed ‘grudge match’ between two of the sport’s veterans.

King and Taylor infamously clashed during an incident in the 2009 Premier League season and refused to speak to each other for a while after. Fans of darts betting will know all about it.

Taylor accused King of throwing a dart over his shoulder as he stooped to pick up one of his flights on the oche and it led to a short period of animosity between the pair.

King insists he has no axe to grind and does not have any issues with Taylor – apart from wanting to beat him.

“I have the utmost respect for Phil as a player,” said the 2010 Players Championship finalist.

“As a person, I don’t know him that well because I don’t go down the pub with him or anything and our paths only cross at tournaments.

“But I’ve no axes to grind with him, and any so-called rivalry between us was just a TV invention as far as I’m concerned.”

King has often been cast as the pantomime villain and even took to wearing ear plugs at one stage to block out barracking from the Premier League crowds. Those following the World Darts betting will be keeping an eye on his form.

He told The Mirror: “I don’t mind a bit of banter, but my alleged antagonism with Phil was blown way out of proportion. I’ve played in ‘grudge’ matches against him where I didn’t even know there was a grudge.

“I was booed the other night – I don’t know what that was all about – but I don’t think the crowd are quite as vicious as they used to be.

“Put it this way, it’s not like a Premier League crowd. These people come to watch the darts, not just get drunk and hurl abuse at anyone.”

King, who has been playing through the pain of a chronic injury, has beaten Taylor five times in 32 meetings in all competitions.

Andy Murray will have to overcome world number one Novak Djokovic after being drawn in the same group as the Serb for the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

The Scot has been handed a difficult-looking draw and is also in the same group as world number five David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych – who was responsible for ending his long unbeaten streak when he knocked him out of the Paris Masters last week. Those looking at the tennis odds will know how hard that group looks.

Murray will finally hope to get the better of Djokovic, who has enjoyed an incredible year after kicking it off in style when beating the British number one in the Australian Open final back in January.

One thing Murray does have in his favour, though, is that Djokovic is currently struggling with a shoulder injury and might not be fully fit for London if he is carrying the problem that eventually forced him to retire early in Paris before his quarter-final match. Anyone following the ATP tennis betting will have to keep an eye on Djokovic’s fitness.

In the other group for the O2 event, meanwhile, long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will face each other and they have been drawn alongside Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and American Mardy Fish.

Five-time ATP World Tour Finals winner Federer has rediscovered the sort of form that made him a feared world number one in the past and arrives in London following a 12-match unbeaten run that has taken him to consecutive titles in Basel and Paris.

Sapnish star Nadal decided to sit out the Paris tournament last week in order to be fully fit and, hopefully, ready to shine in London.

Group A: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych.

Group B: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mardy Fish.

There’s no doubt about it, the Strictly judges are most famous these days for being, well, Strictly judges!

After all, how many of us (then…) non-dance enthusiasts had really heard of Len Goodman before Series 1 started back in May 2004, when newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky danced her way to victory?

And what qualifies Len Goodman to be the show’s Head Judge?

In his pre-Strictly days, London-born Len was a professional ballroom dancer, dancing judge, and coach. So he knows what he’s talking about. Those looking at the Strictly Come Dancing betting should remember this.

Len first started dancing at the age of 19 after working for a short period as an apprentice welder. In fact, Len only first started to dance to help him recuperate from an injury to his foot sustained whilst playing football.

But dance was clearly his true vocation. He became a successful dance professional before retiring in his late twenties at the start of the 1970s after winning the British Championships at Blackpool.

If there’s one thing Len knows inside out, it’s ballroom dancing – and, of course, he now judges the American dancers on Strictly’s equivalent in the USA; “Dancing with the Stars”.

Australian judge Craig Revel Horwood, meanwhile, started his dance career in Melbourne, before moving to London’s bigger stages where he worked as a dancer and choreographer. In fact, Craig’s West End credits include “Spend Spend Spend” and “My One and Only”. He was nominated in the Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography for both shows. Those looking at the Strictly Come dancing winner odds would be right to be impressed.

Everyone’s favourite judge Bruno Tonioli was a member of the Paris dance company La Grande Eugène before joining the Lindsay Kemp Company.

He also worked as a freelance dancer and as a choreographer for various music videos, stage shows, and tours for artists including Freddie Mercury Tina Turner, Sir Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Bananarama and many more.

Last but not least, baby of the group of judges and the most generous with the points, Alesha Dixon shot to fame with pop group Mis-Teeq, but the trio separated in 2005.

Alesha continued as a solo artist, but it was her appearance and eventual victory in Strictly’s Series 5 with dance partner Matthew Cutler in 2007 that put her right back on the celebrity map.