Mark Selby knocked in a quality 147 break but it was Neil Robertson who edged their Champion of Champions clash 4-3.
Selby's maximum came in the second frame, Robertson having won the first, and the Leicester man banged in another century to draw level at 2-2.
When he took the next to move in front for the first time it appeared as though he'd be progressing to this evening's group decider, but Robertson rallied with a break of 72 before taking a tight deciding frame.
It's the second time in seven days that the Australian has fought back to beat his good friend Selby, having rallied to win at the International Championship last week.
Robertson will face Mark Allen for a semi-final place, after the Northern Irishman beat Barry Hawkins 4-2.
Allen registered breaks of 140, 102, 86 and 76 in a high-class game in which each frame produced a break of 75-plus.
On the other side of the draw, Ronnie O'Sullivan will face defending champion Shaun Murphy in Friday's first semi-final with Kyren Wilson awaiting either Robertson or Allen.
Monday November 5
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Thursday November 8
Friday November 9
Saturday November 10
Sunday November 11