Matthew Stevens leads Jimmy White by 5-3 at the mid-session interval of their UK Championship semi-final at the Barbican Centre in York.
The Welshman showed no little style and confidence as he rushed into an early 4-1 lead over the perennial White during the pair's first session.
The seasoned campaigner White pulled a frame back before Steven's quickly replied in kind.
The closing frame of the session was a sea-saw affair which kept a hushed Barbican audience on the edge of their seats. A 'shot of the session' long pot from White, however, secured him victory, and may mark a change of match momentum, heading in this evening's second session.
The match resumes at 6.45pm.
The second semi-final, between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry, takes place tomorrow.