The world champion threatened to mount a comeback against Davis after closing to 4-3 from 4-0 behind, before the world No. 64 from Hastings claimed the last two frames with breaks of 59 and 107 to book a meeting with Pang Junxu in the last 32.
The defeat means Brecel cannot topple Ronnie O’Sullivan from top spot when the International Championship trophy and £175,000 first prize is claimed on Sunday, but Judd Trump and Mark Allen remain in the hunt for the coveted spot.
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‘Sparkling’ O’Sullivan levels against Joyce with century break
World No. 4 Mark Allen is 85,000 points behind O’Sullivan, but can still claim the world No. 1 spot for the first time in his career if he repeats his 2018 International Championship title triumph on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman began his campaign by winning the final five frames in a 6-3 victory over Oliver Lines.
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O’Sullivan beats Joyce at International Championship
“Judd has got himself well into the conversation having won the last three ranking tournaments,” Allen told reporters.
“He wasn’t on anyone’s lips at the start of the season. It shows what can happen in the game. It is a good story, but we just have to concentrate on going out there and winning matches.
“If I win matches and tournaments, then the ranking will take care of itself.”
English, Wuhan and Northern Ireland Open winner Trump appears best placed to end his two-year absence from top spot knowing that a run to the semi-finals would be good enough if O’Sullivan fails to make it beyond the last eight.
Latest world rankings
- 1. Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 888,000
- 2. Judd Trump (Eng) 878,000
- 3. Luca Brecel (Bel) 876,500
- 4. Mark Allen (NI) 803,000
- 5. Mark Selby (Eng) 610,500
