Dublin's Fergal O'Brien denied Peter Ebdon his first victory as world champion in a high-quality match at the LG Cup in Preston this evening.
O'Brien edged a terrific 5-4 win as both players compiled a brace of century breaks, including O'Brien's best effort of 128 to lead 2-0.
O'Brien's win now gives him a one-match edge in their 11-game career series.
"I didn't feel there was a psychological edge because I was playing the world champion," said the former British Open champion. "But it was nice to beat Peter live on television in the first event of the season.
"It was a great match to be involved in. It had everything," said the world number 23. "My attitude this season is just to go out and try to win a tournament again because you can get too caught up in the rankings.
"I know what's involved. It's just all about producing the standard you know you can produce."
O'Brien clearly wasn't suffering from an inferiority complex as he gained a 2-0 lead. Ebdon's response was to roll in 101 to open his account. Back came O'Brien with exactly 100 to lead 3-1 before Ebdon sparked a three-frame burst with a contribution of 103.
Breaks of 45 and 53 sent him ahead for the first time at 4-3 and the world champion appeared to have weathered the storm. However, if anyone can match Ebdon for grit and determination then it's O'Brien.
He took a 28-minute penultimate frame despite Ebdon's 49 and then shaded a 41-minute decider.
"I was on the ropes at 30 behind and only four reds left," agreed O'Brien. "But I managed to get back in to the game and going into the last I just thought it was nice to have a chance to win the frame."
O'Brien now plays Northern Ireland's surprise qualifier Gerard Greene for a place in the quarter-finals.