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Biography: |
David joined the professional ranks in 1996 with an
outstanding amateur record behind him. He was runner up in the
1994 IBSF world under-21 championship and then, in 1995 won
the English amateur title, the youngest ever winner, and was runner-up in the European
amateur.
In his first season on the pro tour he reached the last 16 of
the German Open and the last 32 in the UK Championship to
achieve an initial ranking of 152. In 1997/98 he failed to
reach at least the last 64 in only two ranking events and
reached the Crucible stage of the world championships. That
took him up to 61st but the following season he only got past
the qualifying twice and his progress was halted, just moving
up one place. He did, however win the Benson & Hedges
championship giving him a place at the Masters at Wembley.
1999/2000 was a bit of a mixed bag for David. He qualified for
the latter stages of five events and that included the world
championship where, on his second visit to the Crucible, he
caused a major upset by beating Ronnie O'Sullivan to reach the
last 16. That pushed him up to 52nd and after five times
reaching the last 32 during the following season he was in the
top 32 at number 30.
The 2001 European Open gave him only his third last-16 place
and so it was something of a surprise when, in the Scottish
Open, he beat John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and holder, Peter
Ebdon, to reach his first ranking final. Although he lost to
Stephen Lee he collected his biggest pay cheque of £42,500. He
again qualified for the final stage of the world championship
and climbed the rankings to number 19.
The 2002-3 season saw Gray realise two major achievements. He
lifted the 2003 Regal Scottish title and earned a place in the
Top 16 for the first time.
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