Mark Webster held his nerve to stop a Stephen Bunting fightback and book his place in the second round of the World Grand Prix with an impressive victory in Dublin on Sunday.
Webster lost the opening leg but bounced back to win the next three, moving a set ahead.
But the Welshman surrendered a 2-1 lead in the second set as Bunting forced the match into a decider.
Former Lakeside Champion Webster then produced some killer finishing to pile the pressure on his opponent, taking out 70 and 104 to go two legs in front in the final set.
And he punished Bunting for missed doubles in the following leg by taking out tops for the win.
“I really enjoyed that,” said Webster, who faces Adrian Lewis in the last 16 on Tuesday.
“It was a big game but I’ve never lost to Stephen before and I was confident and I thought I did okay.
“Stephen missed too many doubles but when he got back to one set all and it was big, mentally, to get back on top and knock the stuffing out of him in the final set.
“I’m in the last 16 and I’m really pleased.”