Stevens makes Crucible

The two-time finalist, who held a 5-4 lead after the first interval, had to fight back from 9-8 down at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield to win 10-9 and secure his place at the Crucible.

O'Brien looked the form player in the final session as breaks of 100, 70, 85 and 82 put him in charge but a superb 129 from Stevens sent it to a decider.

The Welshman then roared back from 59-1 down in the final frame and broke all the way to the black to make it 59-53. A safety exchange followed but he finally pocketed the black to move on.

Stevens was joined in the main draw by fellow Welsh player Ryan Day who had breaks of 127 and 122 on his way to a 10-7 win over China's Liu Chuang.

Judd Trump also moved on with a 10-4 win over David Gilbert, while Scotland's Marcus Campbell denied Matthew Selt a Crucible debut as he picked up a 10-6 victory.

Ryan Day 10 - 7  Liu Chuang

Judd Trump 10 - 4 David Gilbert

Matthew Stevens 10 - 9  Fergal O'Brien

Marcus Campbell 10 - 6 Matthew Selt