HE narrowly failed to calm the Whirlwind, now Pickering potter Paul Davison comes up against one of the greatest snooker players in the history of the game.

He has been drawn against seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry in the first round of the European Players’ Tour Championship in Belgium this weekend.

Davison will tackle Hendry, who has won 36 ranking tournaments, in a best of seven frames encounter in Bruges fresh from appearing in front of the TV cameras at the World Open in Glasgow.

The 38-year-old lost 3-1 to Jimmy White in a game which could have gone either way. After taking the first frame thanks to a 60 break, Davison had chances in all of the next three before bowing out.

While he admitted he was looking at what might have been, the chance to lock horns with Hendry provided immediate focus after his initial disappointment.

“I enjoyed it,” he said.

“It was great walking on to music and I felt absolutely great. I had been hitting the ball really well in practice and I didn’t expect to lose.

“It would be nice to get under the lights and on the television a bit more often.

“The lights didn’t bother me at all and neither did the crowd or the cameras.”

On Hendry, Davison added: “He’s fantastic.

“I have got the utmost respect for him. I love watching him play and I can’t wait to play him. I am really looking forward to it.

“If I play like I can, I think I have got a chance.”