Competing in the 9Club Shoot Out for the first time since 2011, Neil Robertson enjoyed a successful return as he beat Simon Blackwell to reach the second round.
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The former World Champion had not entered the unique event for 13 years until he decided to take the plunge this time in Leicester. And a break of 57 helped set up a last 64 tie with Jackson Page.
"I was a bit nervous, playing in this for the first time in a long while," said the Australian. "I found a bit of rhythm in the balls and made a good break. When I potted the first red, people were chanting 'we want a 147!' My strategy this season is to enter everything, it gives me more chances to go deep and there are ranking points up for grabs. It's a brilliant event, even when I was not playing I always tuned in and watched. It has brought some of the most exciting moments we have ever had in the sport, and it helps bring in new fans."
Elliot Slessor beat Mostafa Dorgham 7-1 in the lowest scoring match in the history of the tournament. A cagey safety exchange left the score at 0-0 after seven minutes, before Dorgham potted a red, and he led 1-0 with less than a minute to go. Slessor then missed a red to a baulk corner but fluked another to centre, and added blue and red for victory. Ali Carter won another low scoring affair, beating Chris Wakelin 17-2.
India's Kreishh Gurbaxani, making his debut in the event, got the better of a thrilling finish against Lei Peifan. Gurbaxani made a break of 37, then Lei replied with 45 and looked in control until he missed the black, leading 51-45. After taking red and black to lead by two points, Gurbaxani survived a battle on the yellow over the last minute as Lei couldn't pot it to force a blue ball shoot out.
Ukraine's Iulian Boiko knocked out Jack Lisowski while Jamie Jones made a break of 84 to beat Rory Thor. Round two takes place on Friday, with the 32 winners going through to the final day on Saturday.