Mervyn King rallied from a 3-0 deficit against Raymond Smith to win 4-3 and go to the quarterfinals for the first time in 13 years.
Smith appeared to be on his way to continuing his magical run as he controlled the opening exchanges, winning three of the first four sets to put himself on the verge of his largest triumph.
King, who fought back from 2-0 down to defeat Ryan Joyce 3-2 in the second round, demonstrated his never-say-die attitude by winning six of the next seven legs to force a final set.
King started the final with a 124 checkout on the bull before blasting off the next two legs to secure the win.
“I could feel the atmosphere building and building as I made my comeback,” King told Sky Sports.
“It was nice to be able to dig in and take advantage of it.
“I’ve got the game to make the final. It just depends if my proper game turns up.”
Callan Rydz's eye-catching run continued with a 4-1 hammering of Alan Soutar to get to his second TV quarter-final.
The fast-throwing 23-year-old dropped his opening set of the tournament against Soutar, an exciting rookie, but came back to win 12 of the next 13 sets in a merciless performance.
After a 4-3 comeback victory over Chris Dobey, Luke Humphries advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time in four years.
Humphries came back from a 3-1 deficit to force a deciding set in one of the tournament's most exciting matches.
Humphries landed the opening break of throw on a 117 checkout, but Dobey broke right back and then held to pull within a leg of victory.
Humphries scored a crucial 14-dart break and then found double one with his sixth match dart.
There was more incredible drama at Alexandra Palace as Gary Anderson eventually beats Rob Cross to reach the Quarter-Finals.
In the end it was a 4-3 victory for Anderson, who was in cruise control at 3-1 but was pushed all the way.
James Wade enjoyed a simple passage through, dropping just four legs as he breezed past Dutch debutant Kleermaker 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in five years.
Peter Wright is also through to the quarter finals after as resounding 4-1 win over Ryan Searle.
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