Jimmy White won his first ranking event match since the China Open in April after a dramatic 6-5 victory over Alex Davies at the Metrodome in Barnsley.
Coming from 4-2 and 5-4 down, the ‘Wind’ fought gallantly and just about squeezed past his fellow Englishman in a frenetic final frame that went down to the colours.
It ensures that the 10-time ranking event champion will be on the plane to Chengdu for the International Championship, a lucrative tournament in which the money earned will be invaluable come the end of the season.
White is currently dangling around the precious top 64 places in the world rankings, the magical cut-off point at which players either automatically regain their pro card for the following campaign or suffer relegation.
Triumphs like this one for the 52 year-old are priceless, and the manner in which he prevailed in a tight contest should stand White in good stead considering he had already lost three deciding frame encounters already this season.
Meanwhile, there were no shocks on the second day to rival the unexpected demise of defending champion Ding Junhui on Monday.
Recent Shanghai Masters champion Stuart Bingham held off a strong challenge from Michael Wasley, winning with a 6-4 scoreline, while four-time world champion John Higgins saw off Stuart Carrington 6-2.
It was even easier for former Crucible runner-up Barry Hawkins, who demolished Ratchayothin Yotharuck 6-0.
Along with White, there were three other clashes that went the distance and there were mixed emotions for the Chinese faithful.
Teenager Lu Haotion looked on course to beat Ryan Day but, after forcing a decider, a 64 in the last spared the Welshman’s blushes after a high-scoring affair.
Day’s compatriot Jamie Jones, a former World Championship quarter-finalist, also compiled a telling break of 80 in the last frame to overcome Zhang Anda.
Li Hang had better fortune, though, and held off a spirited comeback from Gary Wilson – 5-2 quickly became 5-5 – to eventually get over the winning line in the 11th frame with a break of 75.
Elsewhere, Scot Alan McManus continued his good form with a 6-2 win over Michael Georgiou while there were victories for Mark Davis, Martin Gould, Dechawat Poomjaeng, Kyren Wilson and Nigel Bond as well.
Michael Holt suffered one of the rare upsets of the day, succumbing to a 6-4 defeat to Sam Baird, while Zak Surety and amateur Oliver Brown beat Mark King and Jamie Cope respectively.
On Wednesday, Irishmen David Morris and John Sutton are in action.
