Stuart Bingham bounced back from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Crucible to reach the second round of the Daily Record Players Championship in Glasgow today.
Bingham, the world number 43 from Basildon, defeated Northern Ireland number one Joe Swail 5-4.
The Scottish event is the last tournament of Bingham's campaign after he was beaten in the Embassy World Championship qualifiers in February.
And Bingham, who beat Stephen Hendry at the Crucible in 2000, is determined to prolong the season with an extended run.
"This is like my world championship and I hope I can stay around for as long as possible," he said. "I was gutted not to make it to Sheffield but that's the way it goes. That's how snooker is."
Bingham knocked in a 144 total clearance as he built a 3-1 lead before Swail levelled at 3-3 and again at 4-4. Bingham's 49 break put him 62-8 ahead in the decider and he clinched victory with a run of 45 after Swail missed a simple black with a chance to clear up.