O'Sullivan was beaten in last year's Grand Prix final

The early stages are played in a round-robin format, with 48 players split into eight groups of six.

O'Sullivan hit back from a frame down to win 3-1, while defending champion John Higgins beat James Wattana 3-0.

World champion Graeme Dott got off to a losing start, beaten 3-0 by China's Ding Junhui.

Highlights: Grand Prix round-robin stage

"I would rather play all my matches today but, if I'm being honest, I can't see myself winning my other four matches," said Dott. "I feel completely lost out there.

"It's just horrible. I can't moan at the way I've played because I've done nothing wrong.

"I don't want to sound too controversial but these matches are far too short."

All matches are played on a best-of-five frames basis, with the top two in each group going through to the last 16 when the event reverts to a knockout format.

Dott's fellow Scot Stephen Hendry started well, beating Mark Selby 3-2.

Ken Doherty recovered from 2-1 down to edge Nigel Bond 3-2, while Mark Williams was sunk 3-0 by Stuart Bingham in the season's first major tournament.

Former UK winner Stephen Maguire, one of five Scots competing in their home country, won his first match, a comfortable 3-0 victory over former UK amateur champion Mark Allen.

World Championship runner-up Peter Ebdon was beaten 3-2 by Gloucester's Robert Milkins.

And Welsh Open winner Stephen Lee was a 3-2 winner over Basildon's Stuart Bingham, who lost his first game after a 3-0 win over Welshman Mark Williams earlier in the day.