Judd Trump, the qualifier who has become a serious contender for Crucible glory, sprinted 7-1 clear of Graeme Dott to close in on a place in the semi-finals of the Betfred.com World Championship.
The youngest man in the tournament, 21-year-old Trump strongly believes he can land the title, even though he was an 80/1 shot just a month ago.
That price has been slashed to 6/1 after his surprise first ranking event triumph at the China Open plus wins in Sheffield against Neil Robertson, Martin Gould and the opening session of his clash with Dott.
Dott, who was runner-up to Robertson last year and champion in 2006, was outshone by the man 12 years his junior and might have trailed 8-0 but managed to sneak the fourth frame from 68-0 behind.
Trump had breaks of 68, 86, 64, 58 and 55 as he left Dott in his seat for most of the session, with the Scot now requiring a strong display on the resumption this evening to replenish his hopes of reaching the final four.
The match concludes on Wednesday, unless Trump gets to the 13 required for victory in the eight they play tonight (Tuesday).
Wales' two-time former champion Mark Williams engineered a 5-3 lead from the opening session of his match against Northern Ireland's Mark Allen.
Williams took the opening frame on a re-spotted black, added the second with a run of 73, and after Allen had cut his lead with a break of 78, a 125 from the Crucible veteran restored his two-frame advantage.
He pulled four clear after breaks of 78 and 66, but Allen, who overcame Matthew Stevens and Barry Hawkins in final-frame deciders to reach the last eight, saved his best potting form for the final two frames, rolling in 100 followed by 102.
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