Davis, who turned professional the year Hunter was born, went on to pay a glowing tribute to the Leeds starlet.

Hunter now meets world champion and world number one John Higgins for a place in Sunday's final.

"I do like the way Paul plays snooker," said Davis, who was beaten 9-4.

"He has got some great qualities. He pots a good pressure ball, doesn't make too many mistakes and is an excellent safety player.

"As an all-rounder he is close to being perfect. But I didn't really put him under any pressure.

"The harder I tried the worse I got and he reacted well to what little I had to throw at him."

'Sweating a bit'

Hunter, who beat Davis and Higgins on his way to the Welsh Open title in Newport last season, laid the foundation for victory in a one-sided first session.

Davis won only one frame - and that on the black - as he trailed 7-1.

But that was as close as he got and breaks of 52 and 51 gave Hunter another famous scalp after his third round win over Jimmy White.

"I knew he would try to slow me down in the first session," said Hunter.

"But when he started to quicken up and win a few frames I was sweating a bit.

"When I beat John at the Welsh Open I was the underdog in my first final. No-one expected me to win and I will just hopefully approach the match in the same way."

Football during interval

World champion John Higgins staged a spirited comeback against John Parrott.

He reached the semi-finals with a 9-6 victory over Parrott, who had earlier fought back from being 5-3 down to 6-6.

But Higgins then picked off three frames without reply to progress in the tournament.

"Even at six-all I felt really good," said the 23-year-old from Wishaw.

"I came in at the interval relaxed. I watched a bit of football and knew I could still win the match.

"I've got loads of respect for John. With all his TV work you would think it would take the edge off his game.

"But he seems to keep getting the results and he is a dangerous opponent."

It leaves Higgins just two wins away from joining Parrott, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis as the only players to have won the World and UK titles in the same year.

Trying to miss game

Stoke City have been missing one of their greatest fans in the past month, season ticket holder and first time semi-finalist Dave Harold.

Harold is hoping he will not be in a position to watch Brian Little's Second Division title-chasers again at Wycombe this weekend.

The in-form world number 19 takes on Welshman Matthew Stevens after a 9-5 victory over Matthew Couch when he won six frames without reply from being 9-5 down overnight.

"I've not seen the boys for ages and that means I must be doing something right with my snooker," Harold said after his 9-4 success over Irishman Fergal O'Brien.

"But I've got a ticket for the FA Cup at Swansea next Saturday."

Harold says that married life and the help of new coach Mike Smith have been responsible for his upsurge in form this season.

"I feel settled at home and that is reflected in my snooker. Last season I went to tournaments on my own and didn't enjoy it.

Dubliner O'Brien came from 7-3 down to beat Ken Doherty 9-7 in the previous round. But clearly he had used up all his lives against the former world champion.

"I've had a good run but you always feel disappointed leaving a tournament without winning it," said sad O'Brien.