Stevens can't seize Day

The 29-year-old Stevens - who has slipped to 21 in the provisional world rankings after a disappointing two seasons - finally got going to take the third, although he then allowed a glorious chance to level go begging to give Day a 3-1 lead going in to the mid-session interval.

Although Stevens closed the gap once more, a break of 63 took Day to within a frame of the match, which he closed out in a tense eighth in which Stevens again had chances.

Day, 26, will play Fergal O'Brien in the last 16.

"It was a big game for both of us in terms of the top 16," said Day. "We are the best of mates so it's awkward to play Matthew. We shared a drink last night, we're not the sorts to avoid each other before a match.

"But once we got out there I was determined to win. I'm feeling relaxed and hopefully I can go on from this and get further in the tournament."

In Wednesday's other afternoon matches, former World Champion Shaun Murphy edged a nine-frame thriller against Steven Lee, while Graeme Dott knocked in runs of 66, 53, 135 and 44 in a high-quality defeat of Tom Ford.