Wuxi Classic: Ding Junhui beaten by Joe Perry in second round

The 38-year-old made light work of former UK and Masters champions Ding on his way to a 5-1 win, quickly building a 2-0 lead with a top break of 69 only for Ding to take the third frame with a 79 clearance.

But the Cambridgeshire potter dominated the next two frames with scores of 71 and 80 and recovered from 54-0 down in the sixth to book his place in the last 16 with a run of 70.

"I'm really pleased with the way I played," Perry told World Snooker's official website. "I rate Ding very highly and I knew I would have to play well to win.

"I have played him here in the past and I've suffered with the pressure and the big crowd. Tonight I just felt very composed and relaxed. If I keep playing well then who knows what might happen this week."

Ding said: "Joe played really well and made the most of every chance. He could have beaten anyone today.

"I made 40s and 50s then broke down, and I wasn't able to control the delicate shots very well.

"But this defeat doesn't bother me that much because Joe played better. There's always someone you don't know or you're not familiar with in your way."

Robertson, Higgins march on

Earlier in the day, Neil Robertson and John Higgins safely negotiated their passages into the last 16.

World number one Robertson reeled off the last three frames to ease out Martin Gould 5-2, while Higgins was a 5-1 winner over Dechawat Poomjaeng, who proved a crowd favourite at the World Championship in Sheffield in April.

Runs of 86, 88 and 77 gave China Open champion Robertson the spoils this afternoon before the Australian sent a warning to his rivals.

Higgins lost the first frame against Poomjaeng, but the Scot quickly recovered and breaks of 138, 70, 55 and 75 saw him saunter through to the next round.

Former two-time world champion Mark Williams edged out plucky Jack Lisowski in a final-frame thriller.

Williams lost three of the first four frames against Lisowski but the 21-year-old was powerless to stop the loss of the next two frames and although he took the match to a decider, the Welshman ultimately prevailed.

Home favourite Cao Yupeng also battled back from 3-1 down to win 5-4 against World Championship finalist Barry Hawkins.

David Morris, who earned a tour place through Q School last month, reached the last-16 of a ranking event for the first time after defeating Gerard Greene 5-2. Breaks of 77, 51 and 103 proved crucial for the Irishman.

Matthew Stevens advanced courtesy of a 5-3 triumph over Liang Wenbo, Anthony Hamilton cruised past Stuart Bingham 5-2 and Jimmy White failed to build on his win over Ricky Walden after suffering a 5-3 loss against Robert Milkins.

Peter Lines and Ben Woollaston eased past Andrew Higginson and Joel Walker 5-2 respectively, while Mark King squeaked past Marco Fu, who battled back from 4-1 down before losing the decider.

Ali Carter enjoyed top runs of 75, 51, 74 and 73 on his way to a 5-0 success over China's Lyu Haotian and David Gilbert's 5-2 victory over Alan McManus was highlighted by breaks of 106, 73, 66 and 100.

And elsewhere, Yixing semi-finalist Scott Donaldson beat Jimmy Robertson 5-4.