Zhao Xintong tops Chris Wakelin and will face Ding Junhui at World Snooker Tour Shanghai Masters

Second-seeded home hope Zhao Xintong defeated England's Chris Wakelin 6-2 in the round of 16 at the World Snooker Tour (WST) Shanghai Masters in east China's Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday, advancing to the quarterfinals where he will meet veteran compatriot Ding Junhui.

The last time Zhao faced Wakelin, he came away with a 13-5 win in the World Snooker Championship quarterfinals in England in May. In this rematch more than two months later, the two players sat level at 2-2 after the first four frames. But the 28-year-old Chinese star rolled in a century break of 103 in the fifth to take the lead, before extending his advantage to 4-2 with a break of 65 in the sixth.

He didn't leave anything to chance and sealed the deal 6-2 to secure his 10th win since the World Championship.

Zhao will take on seventh-seeded Ding for a spot in the last four. Knowing how eye-catching the match will be, he said he wants to give his best performance against the 38-year-old former World No. 1.

"I know everybody is looking forward to the showdown between Ding and me," Zhao noted. "And I believe that as long as I can perform to my level and deliver an exciting match for the fans, that will be more than enough."

In another match on the day, China's Xiao Guodong upset Scottish fifth seed John Higgins 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.

Higgins, who won the World Open and Tour Championship earlier this year, started the contest by jumping out to a 2-0 lead. But the 36-year-old Xiao launched a fierce counterstrike, firing in three century breaks of 113, 111, and 104 to move to the verge of victory, after going in front 5-4 following the ninth frame.

Although Higgins started the 10th frame with a 41-point break, Xiao responded with a run of 80 to seal the deal, ending his four-loss streak to "The Wizard of Wishaw." His opponent in the last eight will be England's Ali Carter, who stunned fourth-seeded Mark Williams of Wales 6-5 in the round of 16.