Kyren Wilson holds a slender 5-4 lead over Judd Trump after the first session of the Xi'an Grand Prix final.
From 3-2 down, Wilson took three of the last four frames as he looks to build on his World Championship success with silverware early on in the new season. First to ten frames takes the trophy at the new ranking event and £177,000 top prize.
Kettering's 32-year-old Wilson is aiming for his seventh ranking title and second in China, having landed his first crown at the 2015 Shanghai Masters. Victory at the Crucible in May was the best moment of his career, and Wilson is proving this week that he can manage the added expectation that comes with being World Champion. After a slow start to the season, notably losing 6-0 to Zhou Yuelong in the first round of the Shanghai Masters, he has kickstarted his campaign in Xi'an. He will remain number three in the world regardless of today's result.
Trump is seeking a 29th ranking title, which would put him fourth on his own on the all time list, ahead of Steve Davis (28) and behind only Ronnie O'Sullivan (41), Stephen Hendry (36) and John Higgins (31). Victorious in Shanghai last month, the Bristol cueman is unbeaten so far this season, winning ten matches out of ten, and he has won 24 of his last 25 matches in China. The 35-year-old is already sure of eclipsing Mark Allen at the top of the world rankings, even if he has to settle for the £76,000 runner-up prize.
Wilson took the opening frame on the colours before Trump replied with a break of 114, his first century of the tournament. After sharing the next two, Trump made a 62 to lead 3-2. Wilson responded with 135 and 75 to go 4-3 up, before Trump's 76 left them level. The concluding frame of the session latest 42 minutes and came down to the colours. Trump looked favourite when he converted a thin cut on the brown to a centre pocket but, trailing 39-41, he then marginally under-cut the blue to a top corner. Wilson knocked in blue and pink to go ahead.
They resume at 7.30pm local time (12.30pm BST). Watch the action live and free on Matchroom Live.