Ronnie O'Sullivan comes back to win thriller against Sunny Akani

Akani got off to the better start, knocking in a break of 74 in the second frame to take a 2-0 lead.

But O'Sullivan hit back with breaks of 121 and 98 to level things up before the first interval.

The 22-year-old was not shaken, though, winning back-to-back frames to restore his advantage.

Again O'Sullivan clawed his way back, forcing a concession, then a double-kiss from Akani handed him the opportunity to move back to parity.

The Thai was not to be discouraged, hitting a stunning break of 128 to go within a frame of victory.

Then in a nail-biting penultimate frame, the momentum swung back and forth, with Akani potting the blue as well as his intended green when on the verge of wrapping up the win, and then O'Sullivan missing the pink before exchanging rueful smiles with his opponent as they moved into a decider.

It was the 42-year-old who finished strongest, though, and the pair shook hands warmly at the conclusion of an intriguing encounter.