Anthony Hamilton and Joe Swail could not be separated after the penultimate session of their second-round meeting at the World Championship.

A close finish is in prospect tonight after Nottingham-based Hamilton recovered from 6-3 down to level at 8-8.

Swail, who defeated Ken Doherty in his first match, made a half century in each of his frame successes with a best of 98.

In contrast, Hamilton, responsible for the demise of six-times world champion Steve Davis, compiled just two runs of 54 and 63.

They play a possible nine further frames tonight with a place against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals at stake.