Six-time world snooker champion Steve Davis continued his improbable and crowd-pleasing run through the field of established 9-ball stars Thursday night by toppling Germany's Ralf Souquet, 9-6, to advance to the final 16 at the Victor Chandler World Pool Championship in Cardiff, Wales.

After beating defending champion Efren Reyes of the Philippines Wednesday night, the 43-year-old Davis knocked off his second consecutive former world champion in his come-from-behind win over Souquet. (Souquet won the WPA title in 1996.)"I'm very pleased and excited because this is such a wonderful tournament," said Davis, who trailed 5-3 before capitalizing on an uncharacteristic Souquet gaffe and at least one forunate roll.

"The difference is so minute at this level. Ralf made a great jump shot [at 7-6], but got hooked on the leave. Otherwise, it may be a different game."

Souquet then badly botched a safety effort on the 1 ball in the final game and never returned to the table."I made a few mistakes," admitted Souquet, recent winner of the BCA U.S. Open 14.1 Championship. "Steve deserved to win. He certainly knows the game better than he did a year ago."

"I'm learning," said Davis. "Ralf is such a strong player, and the match got pretty tactical at some points. I'm still guessing at some of the tactical nuances, but I'm learning."Davis advances to play Japan's Kunihiko Takahashi, his third consecutive former world champion (1998). Takahashi whitewashed England's Steve Knight, 9-0, earlier Thursday.

In another Thursday evening matchup, Earl Strickland rebounded from a slow start and a 4-0 deficit to beat 26-year-old Londoner Kevin Smith, 9-7.

Round of 32 - July 5

Earl Strickland (USA) def. Kevin Smith (ENG) - 9-7

Steve Davis (ENG) def. Ralf Souquet (GER) - 9-6

Jon Kucharo (USA) def. Chris Melling (ENG) - 9-5

Oliver Ortmann (GER) def. Niels Feyen (HOL) - 9-6

Johl Younger (AUST) def. Young-Hwa Jeong (KOR) - 9-6

Rudolfo Luat (PHIL) def. Takeshi Okumura (JAP) - 9-6

Ismael Paez (MEX) def. Hoa-Ping Chang (TAI) - 9-5

Peter Nielsen (DEN) def. Shin-Young Park (KOR) - 9-6