Jimmy Gratton 5-4 Jamie Sampson
Derby’s Jimmy Gratton just edged a thriller against Jamie Sampson that went right down to the pink in the deciding frame.
Gratton took the first two frames before Sampson pulled one back. Gratton then won the fourth before Sampson upped his game and won the next three to lead 4-3. Gratton dug deep to take the next and set up a thrilling decider.
The deciding frame was nip and tuck and both players missed relatively simple pinks at the death. Nerves play a big part at this stage of any match but Gratton managed to keep calm enough to sink the match ball pink.
Gratton now plays either Kyren Wilson or Chris Keogan in the quarter-finals.