Former champion Ding Junhui was beaten 6-3 by Joe Perry in the first round of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.

England's Perry stroked in breaks of 79 and 104 to lead, before going 4-2 ahead after nicking the sixth frame on the final black.

China's Ding won the next frame by a point, but Perry clinched the two he needed including a century to advance.

Two-time champion John Higgins was knocked out of the tournament after losing 6-4 to Mark Allen.

The match began with real quality, Scotland's Higgins making two centuries and Allen one as the pair were locked at 3-3.

Allen went 5-3 up and although Higgins got one frame back with a break that ended with a missed yellow when on for a 147, the Northern Irishman sealed the win.