DING Junhui was the victim of a massive upset on the first day of the Betway UK Championship as he lost 6-5 to world number 130 Leo Fernandez.

China’s Ding seemed to be flying into the last 64 at the Barbican when he led 5-1, but the world number three saw his lead crumble as 41-year-old Fernandez scored the best win of his career.

It’s a familiar feeling for Ding at this tournament as, despite winning the title in 2005 and 2009, he has suffered surprise defeats in recent years to James Cahill, Adam Duffy and Jamie Jones.

Ding has been suffering from an eye infection in recent weeks but his vision seemed intact in the first six frames as he rattled in breaks of 60, 55, 80, 91, 66 and 87 to go 5-1 up.

Sussex-based Fernandez, who turned pro in 1995, made a 47 clearance in frame seven and that turned the match. He won two more scrappy frames then made an 80 in the tenth for 5-5.

Fernandez built a 55-1 lead in the decider, then Ding had a chance to clear but failed to nudge the pink off the side cushion in potting the blue. Ding played safe but left his opponent a tough pot to a centre pocket, and Fernandez dropped it in to clinch victory.

“It’s my best moment in snooker for sure,” said Fernandez, who has never been beyond the last 16 of a ranking event. “At 5-1 down I was thinking about the train journey home. I tried to stay calm and enjoy it."

Ryan Day saw off Jamie Curtis-Barrett 6-0, a result which boosts his hopes of qualifying for the Masters in January.

China’s Zhao Xintong edged out Rory McLeod 6-5, while Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh beat Elliot Slessor 6-5 with a run of 99 in the decider.

Marco Fu top scored with 110 in a 6-2 win over Nigel Bond, and Mark King made a 98 in a 6-0 win over Boonyarit Keattikun.