White had failed to win a knock-out match in any other ranking event

The 44-year-old failed to qualify for next month's World Championship but saw his luck change in China.

After beating Peng, White went straight into the last 16 after Stephen Lee withdrew for personal reasons.

Elsewhere, Chinese favourite Ding Junhui reached the last 32 with a 5-3 victory over England's Adrian Gunnell.

And Liu Chuang, a 16-year-old from the Liaoning Province, set up a dream tie with Ronnie O'Sullivan by beating Devon left-hander Andy Hicks 5-4.

Ulsterman Joe Swail defeated Jin Long 5-4 and Stoke's Jamie Cope saw off Yang Qintian 5-1.

White said after his match: "At my age you can play well one day, then badly the next.

"I've got three days now to practise at the hotel and make sure I play well on Thursday. I still love this game and I'll keep playing as long as I enjoy it."

Favourites in action

O'Sullivan's meeting with Chuang looks the pick of Tuesday's games as "the Rocket" begins his final tournament before next month's 888.com World Championship.

The former world champion has a chequered history in this event and defeat to the local amateur would be one of the all-time snooker shocks.

O'Sullivan lifted the trophy in 2000 but his recent record has been less than impressive. In fact, the Essex man has not taken to the overseas ranking events with any great relish.

He did not enter the 2005 China Open, having been whitewashed 5-0 by Graeme Dott in that season's Malta Cup. Last year, he did not enter the Malta Cup but made it to Beijing and promptly suffered a 5-0 defeat to Thailand's James Wattana.

In January, after a 12-month absence and fresh from his Saga Masters success, he returned to Malta but lost his opening game to Michael Holt.

As well as O'Sullivan, four of the other title favourites are also in action on Tuesday: Stephen Hendry, Graeme Dott, John Higgins and Australian Neil Robertson, who is going for a third ranking title of the campaign.

Monday results:
(best of nine frames)

Wild card round:
Jamie Cope (Eng) 5-1 Yang Qintian (Chn)
Mei Xiwen (Chn) 5-2 Alfie Burden (Eng)
Joe Swail (NI) 5-4 Jin Long (Chn)
Xiao Guodong (Chn) 5-3 Tom Ford (Eng)
Li Hang (Chn) 5-4 Ian Preece (Wal)
Yu Delu (Chn) 5-1 Shailesh Jogia (Eng)
Jimmy White Eng 5-2 Zheng Peng (Chn)
Liu Chuang (Chn) 5-4 Andy Hicks ( Eng)