LONDON - Chinese debutant Zhao Xintong was ousted from the opening round of the Snooker Masters after losing to veteran John Higgins 6-2 on Monday.

Zhao, 24, clinched his maiden pro title at the UK Championships one month ago and leaped to the top 16 in the world rankings to earn a berth at the Masters for the first time.

While facing the 46-year-old Higgins, Zhao Xintong drew with the world number six 1-1 after playing a century in the second frame but lost the following three in a row

While facing the 46-year-old Higgins, Zhao drew with the world number six 1-1 after playing a century in the second frame but lost the following three in a row.

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Zhao managed to pull one back in the seventh frame, but could not hold back the four-time world champion to victory in the next frame.

"John played really well. When I made a century in the second frame, I thought I could win. But after that he didn't give me many chances," Zhao was quoted by the Snooker World Tour website.

"I hope I will be back here next year," added the world number nine whose compatriot Yan Bingtao had also suffered a first-round defeat in the most prestigious snooker invitation event.

Yan, 21, was crowned at last year's Masters as a debutant but failed to defend his title after being beaten by Mark Williams 6-4 on Sunday.