Steve Davis will take on Ronnie O'Sullivan in a mouth-watering tie in round one of the 2011 UK Championship in York next month.

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Six time world champion Davis secured his place in the prestigious ranking event with a 6-2 win over Andrew Higginson on Thursday afternoon, setting up a potential classic against another of the game's all-time greats.

The Nugget had defeated Ian McCulloch by the same scoreline a day earlier and rolled back the years with a superb display against PTC event winner Higginson to book his place at the York Barbican in December.

Davis stormed into a 3-0 lead at the South West Snooker Academy, after producing some fine potting and equally good safety play, however Higginson fought back to 5-2, before Davis sealed the win in frame nine.

The result means he is likely to climb the rankings after following up his run to the final of the World Seniors Championship at the weekend.

He will take on The Rocket - Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round of the main event on Sunday December 4 over a relatively long format at the newly revamped York Barbican.

Elsewhere people's champion Jimmy White narrowly missed out on the chance to qualify after he was beaten by Jamie Jones in a final frame decider on Tuesday evening.

The Whirlwind came back from behind to force the game into a decider at 5-5, but young Welshman Jones held his nerve to produce a fine break of 66 and book his place in the final qualifying round.

Fellow legend Tony Drago also exited the event, losing 6-3 to Jamie Burnett, who knocked in high breaks of 70 and 81.

Stephen Hendry survived his qualifier against Gerard Greene, ensuring his attendance at the UK Championship with a 6-2 victory. The result means he will take on fellow Scot Stephen Maguire on the opening night in York.

The full draw and schedule of play for the UK Championship will be confirmed following the completion of the qualifiers on Wednesday evening.