Jimmy White's run at the Shanghai Masters was brought to grinding halt by Mark King in a 4-5 loss in the last 32 yesterday.

White had won four matches to get to the first-round proper of the tournament at the Shanghai Grand Stage, but hit a skid against world No. 15 King, despite taking a 2-0 lead.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (L) also marched into the last 16 with a 5-2 triumph over Stuart Pettman. [Xinhua]

The 46-year-old, who narrowly avoided relegation from the professional circuit last season, looked in good shape when he led 4-3, but King battled back to win the final two frames and take his place in the last 16 against Mark Selby.

Selby beat another Englishman Judd Trump 5-1, with breaks of 75, 75, 85, 88 and 105.

Ronnie O'Sullivan also marched into the last 16 with a 5-2 triumph over Stuart Pettman.

O'Sullivan stepped up a gear after Pettman leveled at 2-2, making breaks of 60, 73 and 86 to set up a clash with Joe Perry, who had little trouble beating former World Championship runner-up Matthew Stevens 5-1.

John Higgins held off a strong fightback from Tom Ford to book his place in the last 16 with a 5-4 victory.

Defending champion Dominic Dale crashed out after losing a final-frame decider to veteran Steve Davis, while Australian Neil Robertson beat Dubliner Fergal O'Brien 5-2 and Stephen Hendry lost 4-5 to Ricky Walden.

Earlier in the day, China's Liang Wenbo won his second match inside 24 hours when he beat youngster Mark Allen 5-2 in the final match of the wildcard round.

Liang, 21, had only finished off his victory over Thailand's Atthasit Mahitthi in the third round of qualifying at midnight on Monday.

(Shanghai Daily October 1, 2008)