John Higgins posted the highest break of the tournament in the opening session of the LG Cup final against Mark Williams in Preston this afternoon.
But when the match resumes tonight triple crown winner Williams is in pole position to claim another major title.
Already holder of the World, UK and Masters trophies, the Welsh left-hander stands to complete a clean sweep of BBC TV's televised tournaments.
Despite a magnificent 142 total clearance in frame four, Higgins trails 5-3 in the first-to-nine race. The Scot's superb break should now take a Stg£5,000 high break bonus after superseding Ken Doherty's 140.
But he would much rather clinch his first ranking title for two years and deny Williams moving even further clear in the world rankings.
The world number one already has a lead of more than 6,000 points. And by extending his winning run to 10 matches Williams would move him third alongside Higgins on 15 ranking titles.
By his own admission Williams started the week poorly and was perhaps fortunate to reach the business end of proceedings. However, he began to flow against Irishman Doherty in the semi-finals, winning 6-3, and carried on his form into today's final.
In just 32 minutes he took a 3-0 lead with breaks of 74, 83 and 65. His last effort might have been transformed into a maximum break but for a kick.
Higgins, a 9-8 winner over Williams in the 1999 Grand Prix final at Preston, finally made a breakthrough with his superb clearance. Williams should have restored his three-frames cushion in the next after Higgins missed the final green.
However, for once, the Welshman's accuracy was lacking and he fluffed the last black. He then conceded the frame before Higgins had chance to pot the ball.
There was nothing wrong with his aim though in the sixth as he compiled a sublime 127 to lead 4-2. Higgins got out of jail when Williams missed a yellow into a middle pocket in the seventh, putting the frame safe with a reply of 84.
The last frame of the afternoon - at 25 minutes - was the longest of the session. Both had opportunities before a Higgins error trying to sink a blue at 30-40 proved decisive. Williams requires four of this evening's remaining nine frames to pocket the Stg£82,500 winner's cheque.