Ronnie O'Sullivan stayed on course to capture one of the few titles to elude him thanks to a top class display in Cardiff tonight.
The former world, UK and Masters champion lit up the Welsh Open with a 5-2 quarter-final victory over Paul Hunter.
Hunter, who edged O'Sullivan 5-4 en route to his second Welsh Open crown in 2002, could not have wished for a better start as he dominated the opening two frames to quickly establish a 2-0 lead.
He was also in first with 48 in the third but missed a testing red to a baulk pocket and O'Sullivan converted his first clear-cut scoring chance of the match into an effortless 90 clearance.
It proved the turning point as O'Sullivan then produced an avalanche of breaks to cross the winning line without further loss.
O'Sullivan will play local hope Dominic Dale in tomorrow night's semi-final.