Tony Drago yesterday fended off a fightback from Derby's David Roe to squeeze through 9-8 and progress to a match with Alan McManus tomorrow in the last 32 in York.
Drago, who was 5-3 up after the first session on Monday, led 7-3 before Roe reeled off five frames in succession with a top break of 93.
The Malta professional then levelled with a 71 before edging the deciding frame on the yellow.