Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood quickly set about resurrecting their Volvo World Match Play Championship hopes when the second day began at Finca Cortesin Golf Club.
Both of the European Ryder Cup stars had lost their opening games on Thursday, but with the new group format still had a chance of making the last four.
Westwood, who finished six down against India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, started brightly against fellow Englishman Ross Fisher to go two up through six holes.
Having not carded a birdie in his opening round, the Portugal Masters winner had three in succession from the second followed by an eagle three on the par five fifth.
Fisher had defeated Camilo Villegas in his opening encounter, but the Colombian was also fighting back strongly to go one up after five on Singh.
If things stayed as they were Group D would go right to the wire, with all four players on two points going into the final round of contests this afternoon.
In Group C Stenson recovered well from his first day defeat to Simon Dyson by going three up on Masters Tournament winner Angel Cabrera.
The Argentine would still be able to make the semi-finals with a defeat as he recorded a win over Rory McIlroy in his first match.
But the Northern Irishman was in danger of joining Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer in being eliminated after two games as he trailed Dyson by one.
Should Dyson secure victory, he would be favourite to progress in Group C.
Groups A and B were due to come to a climax in the afternoon session.
Anthony Kim looks well placed in Group A after winning both of his first two games, and a half would be enough for him to go through against Scott Strange.
But if the Australian were to win then he and Retief Goosen would have a chance of progressing.
In Group B Oliver Wilson and Robert Allenby are set to meet for a last four spot, with the winner going through and Wilson taking top spot if he secures a half.
