Steve Davis crashed out of the Malta Cup at the first hurdle today after a shock defeat to wildcard Andrew Higginson.
The veteran, a six-time world champion, slipped to an agonising 5-4 reverse at the Hilton Conference Centre in Portomaso.
But there was happier news for fellow world champion Peter Ebdon, who, trailing 4-1 to wildcard David Roe, battled his way into the last 16 with a brave 5-4 victory.
However, it was Davis' dismal loss which was the talk of the tournament, especially as it looked as though the Essex potter was mounting a match-winning comeback.
Higginson took a deserved 2-0 lead with breaks of 54 and 48, but 49-year-old Davis hit back to level matters with a run of 48 and by pinching a scrappy fourth frame.
But Widnes-based Higginson, the provisional world number 77, pocketed breaks of 56, 54 and 48 to re-establish his two-frame cushion.
Davis kept cool under pressure and produced excellent breaks of 59 and 79 to set up a nail-biting decider.
But Higginson sunk a high-pressure 67 break to book his place in the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time.
Victory for the 29-year-old has earned a showdown with defending champion Ken Doherty in the next round on Thursday night.
Doherty dug deep for a 5-3 victory over another veteran, Derbyshire's Nigel Bond, to secure his passage through to the next round.
And the popular Irishman, who had breaks of 134, 67, 40 and 38, admitted the support of a vocal crowd had spurred him on to victory.
'I always get a food reception from the crowd. There's always a lot of ex-pats here, so I get good support, which is great.
'Every time I've come here I've had a really good time. I had a great time last year when I won - and there's no reason why I can't win it again.
'They're very hospitable, the Maltese. There a passionate crowd and I think all the players, not just myself, get a great welcome when we come out here.'
Meanwhile, Maplin UK champion Ebdon was understandably relieved after his gutsy comeback against veteran Roe. His opponent raced into a 4-1 lead with breaks of 63, 40 and 58.
But last year's World Championship runner-up, who makes no secret of his desire to play longer matches, hit back in style.
Breaks of 50, 60, 39, 46 and 63 saw the provisional world number four level, before a classy 88 break in the deciding ninth frame secured victory.
'It was tough,' admitted Ebdon. 'Dave played very solidly. I thought if he had potted a pink in the final frame, then he'd have probably gone on to win.
'I didn't feel too much early on, but at 4-2 down I felt a little surge of adrenaline. Fortunately I just got going in time! David controlled the match until it was 4-2.'
