Ding Junhui recorded a superb maximum 147 break but was staring at a likely heavy defeat in his UK Championship second-round clash with John Higgins in Telford.
Chinese player Ding was trailing former world champion Higgins 2-0 when he produced his total clearance.
After potting 15 reds and 15 blacks, the Chinese star looked nervous as he attempted to clear the colours.
But, after stepping away from the table for a calming sip of water, he coolly potted the pink and black to rapturous applause from the crowd and opponent Higgins.
Ding moved into prime position to claim the £5,000 high break prize and £25,000 bonus for the maximum, although that money would be split if another player recorded a 147.
However, Higgins won the next frame to take a 3-1 lead into the mid-session interval, and then reeled off the next four which left Ding just two frames from defeat at 7-1 down.
Australian Neil Robertson opened up a 5-3 lead over Stephen Maguire of Scotland in afternoon action, while Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen were tied at 4-4, as were Ali Carter and Peter Ebdon.
In early-evening action, Ronnie O'Sullivan was not having everything his own way against Joe Perry and dropped the first two frames of the session to be pegged back to 5-5. Perry fired in a break of 105 in the 10th frame.
Two former world champions, Scotland's Graeme Dott and Welshman Mark Williams, were battling out another close contest and at 6-6 they faced a nervy finish to their match.
