Veteran Dominic Dale remained on course to become the first home winner of the BetVictor Welsh Open this century as he beat Jak Jones 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals in Llandudno.
Love is in the air for the 52-year-old as his passion for snooker has been rekindled by the interest of new girlfriend Anne. And there could be no more romantic finish to the tournament than Dale lifting the trophy on Sunday, which would make him the first Welsh winner since Mark Williams in 1999.
A break of 89 helped two-time ranking event champion Dale to a comfortable victory over Jones, setting up a meeting with Elliot Slessor on Friday afternoon.
"I hadn't practised much for the last five years, but then I met Anne last summer," said Dale. "We met on a night out in Stroud - she is an artist and I love art so we are very compatible. She is French and knew nothing about snooker, but then she discovered her father loves it and watches on Eurosport. She has learned about the game and is really intrigued by it. Between the two of them, they wanted me to recommit and put more effort in. I am playing for three hours a day now and I'm having my best season for many years. I have been sending her pictures of Llandudno this week and I think she would love to come if I get further.
"To win another ranking title would be unthinkable for me, at my age. But to do it in the Welsh Open would be the icing on the cake. I'm not playing well enough to win it, but if I can find my best game it is possible."
World number three Mark Allen, chasing a third title of the season, whitewashed Robbie Williams 4-0 with a top break of 110. The Northern Irishman said: "I have come here to win, it would be great to add another Home Nations title to my cabinet. I don't feel happy with where my game is, but I am happy with my mental attitude. I am fighting for everything out there, choosing the correct shots and giving it my best."
On Friday at 12pm, Allen faces a tremendous quarter-final with John Higgins, who triumphed 4-3 in an epic battle with Matthew Selt which lasted three hours and seven minutes. Scotland's Higgins, who has a record five Welsh Open titles under his belt, came from 3-1 down to 3-3, then got the better of a 42-minute decider. Selt had a chance for victory but missed a tricky cut-back yellow to a baulk corner with the scores tied 41-41, and Higgins cleared to the blue to reach his 139th ranking event quarter-final.
Having won ten consecutive matches in this event, Robert Milkins saw his streak ended by a 4-0 reverse against Gary Wilson. Defending champion Milkins was out of sorts and managed a top break of just 21, as BetVictor Scottish Open champion Wilson continued his bid for back-to-back Home Nations titles.
World Champion Luca Brecel made it to the last eight of a ranking event for the first time this season, beating Tom Ford 4-1 with a top run of 65. The Belgian's next opponent will be Martin O'Donnell, who saw off Marco Fu 4-2. Slessor fired breaks of 129, 62, 88 and 77 as he beat Fan Zhengyi 4-3.