ALEX Davies begins his williamhill.com UK Championship campaign tonight with a first-round contest against Fergal O’Brien.

The Clacton professional will be out for revenge, as it was the Irishman who knocked him out of snooker’s inaugural Indian Open.

O’Brien eliminated the 26-year-old after a 4-1 defeat in October, so Davies will be keen to put the record straight when the pair lock horns at the York Barbican.

Tonight’s match gets under way at 7.30pm, with the winner going on to meet either fellow Essex cueman Mark King or Ross Muir.

This is Davies’ first season back on the main tour, having regained his place in May as a result of winning five matches at the Q School event.

Colchester-born Ali Carter opens his account with a match against Thailand’s Ratchayothin Yotharuck.

The pair meet at 9.30am on Thursday, with the winner facing either Jimmy Robertson or China’s Li Yan.

Carter was involved in a thrilling match at the 888casino Champion of Champions event in Coventry, on Friday.

He lost 6-5 to world number one Neil Robertson in an absorbing and high-class Group Four final.

The williamhill.com UK Championship starts today and ends on December 8, with a top prize of £150,000.

There will also be a £55,000 bonus available for a 147 maximum break.