Mark Allen was edged out 10-8 by world number one Judd Trump in their last-16 clash of the Sportsbet.io Tour Championship in Manchester.
The Antrim native made all the early running by racing into a 4-0 lead.
Allen, ranked 15th in the world, came from 59-0 down to take the opening frame, then took the next three on the colours with a top break of just 38 to assume a solid lead.
Trump however rallied to reel off the next four frames, helped by runs of 71, 104 and 88.
Allen made breaks of 121 in the ninth and 12th frames, but Trump then crafted 114 and 86 to edge back in front at 8-6 before eventually getting over the line with another century.
Wu Yize will return on Tuesday evening with a 6-2 advantage over Chris Wakelin, having made five half-century breaks.
Earlier at Manchester Central, Barry Hawkins came from 3-2 down to hold a 5-3 lead over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh – who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan in last week’s World Open final – and will play to a finish during Tuesday’s afternoon session.
