Ding Junhui of China competes during a match against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England at Snooker Masters 2024 in London, Britain, Jan 8, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

LONDON  Chinese ace Ding Junhui made a sensational maximum 147 break in the opening round at the Snooker Masters on Monday, despite his opponent Ronnie O'Sullivan reaching the quarterfinals 6-3 at last.

Ding, 36, missed his fourth UK Championship title after losing to O'Sullivan in the final last month and seemed helpless as he trailed behind the world number one 4-0 on Monday.

Unexpectedly, Ding found his way to come back after the interval and recovered to one game behind at 4-3. He even scored a break of maximum in the seventh frame, the fourth 147 break in Masters history and the 195th in snooker history.

Ronnie O'Sullivan of England competes during a match against Ding Junhui of China at Snooker Masters 2024 in London, Britain, Jan 8, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

However, the 48-year-old O'Sullivan was too sharp to surpass. The Rocket then played two centuries to seal his victory 6-3.

READ MORE: Snooker: O'Sullivan beats Ding to become oldest UK champion

Later on Monday, Ali Carter saw off veteran Mark Williams 6-4.