Ding Junhui’s attempt to defend his Masters title came to an abrupt end as the Chinese star was beaten by Ronnie O’Sullivan in their first-round clash at London’s Alexandra Palace yesterday.

Ding beat Marco Fu 10-4 in the first ever all-Asian Masters final last year, but the world number nine found four-time champion O’Sullivan too hot to handle.

O’Sullivan thrilled a packed crowd in the first match played at the tournament’s new home after its move from Wembley, claiming the final two frames to win 6-4 and finishing off with a classy 125.

O’Sullivan had led 4-1 and looked to be cruising to the last eight, but Ding’s fightback began with a fluked red and levelled the match.

However, with the support of the London crowd firmly behind him, former world champion O’Sullivan rediscovered his best form.

A break of 51 set him up to regain the lead before the century – almost a total clearance but the black stayed up – put an impressive seal on his success.

O’Sullivan will face either UK champion Judd Trump or Stuart Bingham in his next match on Thursday.

Trump, meanwhile, is optimistic his safety-second approach can continue to pay rich dividends at the Alexandra Palace.

The UK champion and World Championship runner-up has earned over £400,000 in the past year after finally delivering on the potential which was obvious from his early teenage years.

Trump heads into the event plotting another swashbuckling show. He has developed a happy knack of winning frames at one visit, so playing a guarded game has not been his style.

“I’m getting a lot of chances and taking them but there will be a time when safety play has to come in,” Trump said.

“Of the competitions I’ve played in, I’m doing well or winning 50% at the moment and that brings a lot of confidence and I’m taking more shots on.

“My game has improved by 50% since this time last year and the confidence I’ve got is the main part of that.”