Judd Trump reached the last 16 of the Bulgarian Open after coming from behind to beat 2006 world champion Graeme Dott 4-3 in Sofia.
The Englishman had already produced a sterling display to overcome another Scot in John Higgins 4-1 with the aid of two centuries and a maximum attempt.
He looked in danger of going out in his next encounter and was within a few balls of defeat to Dott when he found himself 3-2 down.
However, the 25 year-old won a tight sixth frame before booking his place in Sunday’s final day with a run of 59 in the decider.
The former champion, who has played much better this season compared to last having already collected the Australian Open title in July, will play Michael Wasley with four more wins needed on the last day’s action to gain more silverware.
Elsewhere, 2002 world champion Peter Ebdon reached the fourth round of a European Tour event for the second successive tournament with a hat-trick of 4-1 victories over Paul Davison, Chris Melling and Gerard Greene.
Ebdon will play Joe Perry, who had a much tougher time of it on Saturday as he required all seven frames in each of his three ties to advance to this stage.
Meanwhile, Ricky Walden and Martin Gould will battle for a quarter-final spot after coming through against the talented young Oliver Lines and Jamie Jones respectively while Michael White and Jimmy Robertson completed the last 16 line-up.
Amateur TJ Dowling was the last remaining Irishman in the draw but was heavily beaten by Jamie Cope in the first round 4-0.
