Saturday 25 April 2015 15:04, UK
World No 5 Barry Hawkins was pushed all the way by Matthew Selt before edging a final-frame decider to make the second round of the World Championship.
It was an easier opening round contest for Neil Robertson on Monday, easing to the three frames required to complete a 10-2 rout over Welsh qualifier Jamie Jones to follow up his fireworks on Sunday which included a 143.
Stuart Bingham was another top player to avoid a shock from qualifier Robbie Williams. The world No 10 trailed 5-4 but fought back with a 69 to level at the start of the evening session and after taking five out of the six frames, edged through 10-7 despite a battling show from Williams.
It was a stunning effort by Selt who needed a miracle after Sunday's poor opening session, trailing 7-2, and although the world No 30 took two frames on Monday, Hawkins still looked set for a comfortable victory at the Crucible.
But Selt had other ideas and pulled it back to 9-9 thanks to five breaks in excess of 50, including a 94 to set up the thrilling finale.
And it was Hawkins stuck in the chair again at the start of the 19th frame, only for his opponent to miss an early red to allow the 2013 runner-up to step in and wrap up a very nervy victory.
Hawkins, who will next play Mark Allen or Ryan Day, told the BBC: "Matt played some great stuff and put me under pressure, but I don't feel like I was squandering chances.
"To come through like that is a great feeling and I am delighted. There is nothing worse than when someone is coming back at you like that and they are growing in confidence. I was pushed all the way but played some good stuff."
China's Ding Junhui begun his campaign in Sheffield in shaky fashion, losing the first four frames against Mark Davis before hitting back to trail 4-3 at the end of their first session.
Ali Carter, recently getting the all-clear from cancer, got his first-round match against Alan McManus under way in the evening session and will be favourite to take on Robertson in round two after building a 6-3 lead against the Scottish veteran.
