Four-time world snooker champion John Higgins impressed in a 5-3 win over Tom Ford at the Australian Goldfields Open in Victoria.
Scotland's Higgins won the first frame with a break of 69 before Ford levelled with a run of 90. The next two frames were shared, then Ford threatened an upset when he took the fifth frame on the final black to lead 3-2.
But Higgins, one of the sport's all-time greats, won the last three frames, knocking in breaks of 49, 91 and 89. In the last 16, he will meet England's Robert Milkins, who beat China's Liang Wenbo 5-3.
The world-ranking event, beginning on Monday at Bendigo Stadium, brings together 32 of the world's leading professionals to compete for prize money of $500,000.
The surprise result of the day was a 5-2 defeat for world No.9 Mark Allen by No.31 Fergal O'Brien. Irishman O'Brien came from 2-0 down to win five frames in a row with breaks of 74, 72, 103 and 72.
Both of the Australian wildcards went out without winning a frame as Johl Younger lost 5-0 to Dominic Dale and Matthew Bolton was downed by Andrew Higginson by the same scoreline.
England's Higginson will face home favourite Neil Robertson on Wednesday evening. Melbourne-born Robertson gave his confidence a boost by winning the Wuxi Classic title in China on Sunday and will be aiming lift the trophy in Bendigo for the first time.
Matthew Stevens beat Luca Brecel 5-3 while Mark Joyce saw off Ryan Day 5-3.
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