JAMIE Cope kept his Grand Prix title hopes alive in Glasgow last night with a gutsy 5-3 victory against Welshman Ryan Day.

The Longton potter was in trouble at 3-2 down to Day, the world number six, in their first-round clash at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.

But Cope, a Grand Prix runner-up in 2006, held his nerve to stage a fine comeback and booked his place in the last 16 stage of this year's £502,100 tournament.

"I'm pretty pleased with the way I fought back to be honest," reflected Cope.

"I started well enough, but then he [Ryan] played well for a couple of frames and took his chances.

"But I knew that if I got chances then I was confident of taking them. Luckily I got a few.

"Ryan's a really good player, but I've been working hard since the last tournament in Shanghai and feel good about my chances.

"You always want to get your first round match out of the way and then get yourself into the tournament, I've done that now."

Day, a three-time ranking event finalist, looked to be favourite to win the opening frame after a break of 64, but Cope won it on the final black ball.

And the 24-year-old doubled his lead by winning a scrappy frame after both players traded safety exchanges.

However, Day hit back and won three frames on the spin to lead for the first time in the best-of-nine frame contest.

Breaks of 134 and 73 made it 2-2 at the interval, before Day won the first frame after the resumption to edge ahead.

But Cope proceeded to dig deep and managed to string together three frames of his own in succession.

Runs of 45, 64 and 67 did the trick as Cope deservedly progressed the next phase.

Now he must wait until tomorrow (Tuesday) evening to find out who he will play next with a live random draw being used at this season's tournament.

"I don't really mind who I play, I never do," added Cope. "It's good to get this win under my belt, I'm just going to be looking to get another win and push on.

"I've got fond memories of when I got to the Grand Prix final, I know that I can win a title this season."