Kyren Wilson secured his place in the last eight of the Masters with a 6-4 defeat of Zhang Anda at Alexandra Palace.
The current world champion was a long way from his brilliant best, but held his nerve well to win two frames on the bounce having watched Zhang level the match with a terrific century in frame eight.
In fact, a pair of 69 breaks were the best Wilson managed all afternoon, the first of which came in frame four as he cleared expertly to win the frame on the final black after Zhang had established a 64-point lead.
Nevertheless, Zhang rallied brilliantly to win the next two frames, runs of 65 and 83 allowing him to pull the score back to 3-3.
The nip and tuck continued as Wilson again moved ahead, Zhang perhaps a little unlucky when going in-off when in the balls and apparently well set.
But this latest setback didn't stop Zhang producing a total clearance just minutes later, levelling the scores once more.
However, the Chinese wasn't able to take his chances in the next two frames, Wilson putting his experience to good use and grinding out only his fourth ever win at the Masters.
Kyren Wilson advances to the final 8 📈
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 15, 2025
The world champion meets Brecel or Wakelin next...#MastersSnooker pic.twitter.com/JVHMiTdrfy
“Every credit to Zhang, I thought he played fantastic,” Wilson told BBC Sport.
“I’ve never seen such a consistent display of long potting and it wasn’t like I was leaving the same long one, it was a variety of different long shots he was nailing every time
“I was petrified every time a ball stuck out because he was potting it. I managed to do something right because I almost got him to punch the table!
“I just had to hang on in there and try to nick the odd frame. You’ve just got to hold your nerve, you can’t back away from a big shot. You’ve got to commit to it.
“I love playing here. I’ve had a couple of close calls over the past few years. I hate going out of this tournament early so hopefully it keeps going.”
Brecel beats Wakelin
Wilson will face Luca Brecel in the quarter-finals after the Belgian claimed a hard-fought 6-3 win over Chris Wakelin.
Brecel struggled for consistency but pulled off a number of extraordinary shots during the match, most notably a deep screw with side on the brown in the opening frame.
“That’s what happens when you keep getting out of position,” Brecel said modestly. “Things to work on but happy with the win.
“This is very special; I think it’s more nerve racking than the World Championship to be honest. I’m enjoying it very much, just need to play a bit better to have a chance here but can only get better now.
“The form is coming. I don’t know when, but it’s coming.”
