Welshman Mark Williams leads 5-4 after the opening session of the Grosvenor Casinos Champion of Champions, but a brilliant fightback from his opponent Xiao Guodong has left the match in the balance.
Both players are seeking a maiden title in the event, having only won their first matches in the tournament this week. Williams was beaten in the first round in each of his previous three attempts, while Xiao is competing for the first time, having earned his place with victory at last month's Wuhan Open.
It was Williams who came flying out of the traps this afternoon. He compiled breaks of 65 and 91 on his way to establishing a commanding 5-0 lead. Things looked even more bleak for Xiao when the Welshman led the sixth 55-0. However, he battled back into the frame and crucially took it on the black to reduce his arrears.
Xiao followed that up with runs of 101 and 110 on his way to making it four on the bounce to get out of the session just one behind at 5-4. They return to play the best of 19 encounter to a conclusion from 7pm. The winner will pocket a top prize of £150,000.