DING Junhui has taken a slender 5-4 overnight lead against former champion Stuart Bingham in the first round of the World Championships.
The Basildon based Bingham, who won the title in 2015, had to come through qualifying after dropping out of the top 16.
And he showed his intent with a superb 131 break in the opening frame and another of 129 helped him move 3-1 ahead at the mid-session interval.
However, Ding, the world number nine and runner-up at the Crucible to Mark Selby in 2016, returned with intent, as clearances of 105 and 86 levelled the match, which will be concluded on Tuesday.
Another half-century break saw Bingham edge in front at 4-3, only for Ding to respond again – and then edge the ninth frame 54-45 on a fluked final black along the top cushion.
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