Paul Hunter admits Mark Williams is his bogey player but the laid-back Leeds star usually reserves his best form for the world champion at the Masters.
Hunter denied Williams the 2002 Wembley title and this afternoon he ended the defending champion's reign at the quarter-final stage.
In a rollercoaster clash at the Conference Centre, he led 3-1, trailed 5-4 but then claimed the final two frames for a semi-final against John Higgins or Stephen Lee.
Williams, whose form has dipped since he lifted the LG Cup last October, looked to have lost his chance in the final frame as Hunter knocked in a 63 break to lead 63-16.
The world number eight missed a red into the green pocket and Williams sensed a reprieve, reaching 22 and needing to pot the colours to steal the match by two points. But he missed the final yellow and conceded a couple of minutes later as Hunter sank yellow and green.