Paul Hunter put a brave face on his latest Crucible collapse as Matthew Stevens progressed to the last eight of the Embassy World Championship in Sheffield on Saturday

Stevens rallied from 10-6 and 12-10 down to deny Yorkshireman Hunter on the last pink of a 40-minute deciding frame.

For Hunter, it was a bad case of deja vu after losing 17-16 to Ken Doherty in the 2003 semi-final after being 15-9 up.

For Stevens, it was a change of fortune after losing a series of close matches at the famous venue, including his 18-16 final defeat to Mark Williams four years ago.

And despite his latest heartbreak Hunter hugged his best pal at the end of a dramatic match in a show of real sportsmanship.

It contrasted sharply with Ronnie O'Sullivan's black mood during his obscene-gesture littered victory over Andy Hicks the previous day.

"Paul was the man to beat because I think he's one of the top two in the world," said Stevens, avenging his defeat at the same stage of last year's event and clinching a quarter-final against Joe Perry.

"To be honest I thought I was going to lose 13-10 or 13-11 because Paul had a couple of chances.

"But he gave me a lifeline and I managed to take it. But at the end it was just like the Taylor/Davis world final.

"We were just going for our shots. Anything that was sticking out we just tried to force the issue.

"At 12-12 anything can happen but I was shaking like a leaf on the last blue because I could have missed anything.

"I've lost some close ones here over the years so it's nice to be on the winning end for a change."

Hunter, who began the final session with a four-frame advantage, messed up his best opportunity in the 23rd frame when missing a match-ball pink.

Stevens superbly potted the same ball into a middle pocket and added the black to keep the game alive.

He clinched the penultimate frame 61-31 before coming from 45-0 down in the decider as Hunter began to feel the pressure.

"I'm going out to get seriously drunk tonight," said Wembley Masters champion Hunter. "But it's not the end of the world.

"I've got my wedding to look forward to next month and I hope Matthew brings out the trophy.

"I'm going to be back here next year and I believe I will win the title one year."

Stephen Hendry had already completed the opening session of his second-round game before the real drama unfolded 'next door'.

The seven-times world champion could meet Stevens in the final though he first has to see off Norwich qualifier Barry Pinches to reach the last eight.

Hendry resumes on Sunday night with a 5-3 lead over Jimmy White's conqueror after leading 2-0 but then falling 3-2 behind.