Ding Junhui came from 4-1 down to lead Chris Wakelin 5-4 after the opening session of the International Championship final in Nanjing.
Chinese legend Ding is searching for a first win on home soil in seven years, while Wakelin is bidding for his first ever title triumph in a full format tournament, having previously won the Shoot Out.
It has already been a momentous week for Wakelin, who was tearful after his semi-final victory against Xiao Guodong. That meant he burst into the world's top 16 for the first time in his career and secured an automatic slot at the upcoming UK Championship. He was in dreamland when he secured a 4-1 lead this afternoon. Breaks of 63, 92, 85 and 64 helped the Englishman take a firm grip of proceedings.
World number nine Ding last lifted silverware at the 2019 UK Championship and he powered his way back into contention this afternoon. Runs of 57 and 80 helped him to draw level and with the last frame of the session in the balance, he pounced on a missed last red by Wakelin to clear and finish 5-4 up.
They return to play the best of 19 encounter to a conclusion later today, with the winner taking home £175,000.