Joe Perry from Chatteris dumps UK snooker champion Ding Junhui from the Masters at Alexandra Palace

Former finalist Joe Perry from Chatteris pulled off one of the shocks of the season when dumping current UK champion Ding Junhui from this year's Masters on Sunday.

Chinese star Ding was fresh from winning the UK Championship in York last month but 45-year-old Perry – who reached the 2017 Masters final – prevailed 6-3 after taking a close opening frame.

The Fenland potter told the BBC: "It feels like a long time since that final.

"But I was just so pleased to get back in the top 16. I'm 45 now and it's getting harder. These young players are so good.

"So I just tried to make the most of it and enjoy it, and I really did."

Ding hit a 135 break in frame two but he was never ahead.

The veteran Perry, the world number 16, compiled breaks of 71, 93 and 83 to seal victory.

Perry will now play either Shaun Murphy or world number one and defending champion Judd Trump in the quarter-finals.

Mark Selby went out to Ali Carter who was a replacement for Ronnie O'Sullivan, who chose not to play in the tournament.