Fergal edges Hawkins to progress

The popular Dubliner punched the air in delight after he downed Dartford's Hawkins after a gripping best-of-19 frame battle at the famous Crucible Theatre.

Scroll down to read more:

A pressure break of 41 did the damage in the deciding frame as the world number 45 claimed a dramatic 10-9 victory and a showdown with Scot John Higgins or Englishman Michael Holt in the next phase.

"I had a Peter Ebdon moment in the last frame," said O'Brien, referring to the 2002 world champion's reaction at beating Stephen Lee 13-12 in the last 16 of the 2001 World Championship.

"It was such a relief to win, it was a great shot to do it."

O'Brien pocketed a difficult long red along a side cushion to put the frame out of Hawkins' reach barring a snooker.

And having missed out on Crucible qualification in 2003, 2004 and last year, no wonder the 34-year-old O'Brien was delighted with his victory.

"I played well all day and in those situations you've got to fight for everything," added O'Brien. "I'm just so happy to be in the next round."

An understandably deflated Hawkins, who battled back from 9-6 down to force a decider, admitted a bad bounce off the top cushion had cost him dear.

"The bounce I got was ridiculous, it took me out of position and then I missed," admitted Hawkins.

"I fancied clearing up when I got in the balls in that last frame, but the luck wasn't with me.

"I haven't played well all season, but it's horrible having come back from 9-6 down to level at 9-9...and then get beaten."

O'Brien started the better of the two players in the concluding session and compiled breaks of 120, 80, 68 and 64 to power towards the winning line.

But the former British Open winner missed an excellent chance to go 9-5 ahead, and Hawkins reduced his arrears to 8-6 with a 64 break.

Further runs of 129, 78 and 66 followed as Hawkins then won three frames on the spin at 9-6 down to leave a nerve-racking finish.