Jimmy White held off the challenge of Barry Pinches to book his place in the third round of the China Open. The 42-year-old won the fifth frame on a re-spotted black and a snooker and sealed the 5-3 win on the yellow when Pinches threatened a comeback.
"The first-round match is so important in terms of the ranking points so hopefully I can relax a bit," he said.
Mark Williams also won through after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over China's Liang Wen Bo.
The 17-year-old was no match for the Welshman, who needed just an hour to record victory.
Williams is starting to hit form after a poor start to the season which saw him win only one match in the opening six tournaments.
But he stopped the slump by reaching the last four of the Irish Masters in Dublin earlier this month.
"I played quite well. Getting to the semi-finals of the Irish Masters gave me a lot of confidence," he said.
Meanwhile Chris Small criticised the 'circus' atmosphere at the China Open after slumping to a 10th straight defeat against Telford's Adrian Gunnell.
Small, who has not won a match since the final qualifying round of last year's World Championship, was fuming after he lost 5-3.
There were constant interruptions from noisy crowds, a fused light and cameras clicking as players lined up shots. "It was a joke," Small said. "It was like a circus out there. Neither of us could concentrate."
 |  It was a very good result for me because Quinten is a tough competitor |
John Higgins needed only 85 minutes to beat Leicester's Tom Ford 5-1.
The world number five, winner of the event six years ago when it was staged in Shanghai, revealed he was planning to take advantage of the event's new location in Beijing.
"I'm going to take a trip to the Great Wall now," he said. "I've never been there and when you're here you've got to see it."
Ken Doherty also progressed but only after a hard-fought 5-2 victory over Australia's Quinten Hann.
The Dubliner almost claimed his first 147 maximum in tournament play in the opening frame but after potting 15 reds and 14 blacks, he missed a black off its spot with the remaining colours well placed.
"It's the same old story, missing a black cost me," he said. "Not making the maximum was really disappointing but the most important thing was the win.
"It was a very good result for me because Quinten is a tough competitor."
Doherty now faces Stephen Lee, who comprehensively defeated Bahrain's Habib Subah 5-0.
Marco Fu also reached the third round with a 5-3 triumph over Kobkit Palajin of Thailand.
MMIX
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