Ronnie O'Sullivan and Andy Hicks finished level in their Embassy World Championship second round clash at the Crucible tonight.
Both tried to the edge in the first session to their best-of-25-frames match but Hicks ensured the 'Rocket' did not win the mind games - or the battle on the baize.
An incident-filled session ended at 4-4 with O'Sullivan chalking up two centuries and Hicks one as they slugged it out.
O'Sullivan was back at the table just a day after completing his first round win over Stephen Maguire, a victory overshadowed by an obscene one-finger gesture in the middle of the match.
The world number three kept his hand firmly on his cue today though he clearly riled Hicks by walking out of the arena in frame three with his opponent still at the table.
But Plymouth-based Hicks - who stood toe-to-toe with Quinten Hann on Sunday with the Australian threatening to take him outside for a fight - was not to be upstaged.
So, with O'Sullivan putting the final touches to frame four, Hicks stood up, told referee Paul Collier he was conceding the frame and went off for his interval break.
However, there was no hint the matter would escalate into another near brawl. Indeed, the duo later sat side-by-side, chatting amicably while the balls were being re-racked for another frame.
Paul Hunter sent John Parrott back to his television couch after completing victory in the penultimate first-round match.
Parrott made the most of his 21st successive Sheffield appearance but Masters champion Hunter eventually gained a 10-7 victory.
The 1991 winner said: "I was like an old boxer who had the ringcraft but didn't have a punch."
Indeed, the 39-year-old Liverpudlian made just two half-centuries in the five-hour contest while Hunter knocked in two tons, including a tournament high of 132, plus other runs of 71, 55, 64, 58 and 90.
Veteran Parrott continued: "It was all about containment, especially in the first session on Wednesday. I didn't want to find myself 7-2 or 8-1 down.
"The 14th frame was massive because I bossed it entirely before twitching on one into the middle. However, Paul comes out with a lot of credit. There were a couple of outrageous blacks he potted I wouldn't have wanted to get for my life. And I'm sure he will be better for a tough match like that."
Hunter now plays his best pal Matthew Stevens for a potential quarter-final against defending champion Mark Williams.