Ronnie Baxter edged past former Ladbrokes World Darts Champion Dennis Priestley with a 3-1 victory in their first round meeting, as Simon Whitlock, Justin Pipe and Colin Lloyd joined him in the last 32.
Baxter, the five-time major finalist, had seemed on course to cruise into the last 32 of the £1 million tournament when he won the first two sets of his contest with veteran star Priestley.
However, the 62-year-old – returning to the Alexandra Palace stage after missing out last year as he winds down his professional career – showed his customary grit to take the third set and lead 2-0 in the fourth.
Baxter, though, stepped in to save the set before punishing missed doubles from Priestley to level in the fourth leg, and sealed victory on double ten.
“I could have made it much easier for myself but I’m so glad to get over the finishing line,” admitted Baxter, who now faces Kevin Painter.
“I missed a few doubles to win the game and let him back in, and when you give him a chance he usually takes it. I was preparing myself for a fifth set, though, so I was grateful that Dennis gave me the opportunity to close out the match.”
Two-time World Championship Priestley will continue to pick and choose where he competes on the PDC ProTour next year, and admits that this may not have been his last appearance on the Alexandra Palace stage.
“To come back and play in another World Championship is a great achievement for me,” said Priestley.
“Ronnie was marvellous in the first set and he was hard to deal with early on, but I didn’t panic and managed to get myself back into the game, but I wasn’t good enough to finish the job.
“I’d love to be back here in 12 months if I qualify and I’ll have a look at the calendar in the New Year. I could be back next year but it’s not my main aim.
“I don’t have the enthusiasm to practice as much any more – I’m just as keen to have a game of cards – but I don’t like losing and when I get up there and, even in the face of adversity, I still want to try and pull things back.”
2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock, a semi-finalist last year, began his challenge to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy with a comfortable 3-0 win over Japanese number one Haruki Muramatsu.
Muramatsu had whitewashed New Zealand’s Dave Harrington in the preliminary round earlier, but was unable to defeat another Antipodean as Whitlock took all three sets 3-1.
“I’m happy with that,” said Whitlock. “The first games are always hard and he played some good darts, but I was pleased with my performance.
“I’ve put a lot of work in during the last six weeks and I think I can go all the way this year – I’ve prepared well and I know I can win this.
“I can’t look too far ahead because Colin Osborne’s playing well and I’ll have to improve on this performance to defeat him at the weekend.”
Number 11 seed Justin Pipe dropped only two legs in his straight sets victory over 2007 semi-finalist Andy Jenkins as he progressed to the last 32.
“I’m delighted to get through the first round with a win,” said Pipe. “I lost focus in the third set, to that’s a bit disappointing and I’ll work on my mental focus before the second round.”
Former world number one Colin Lloyd was the night’s other winner as he came from 2-1 down in sets to edge out top American Darin Young in a final set tie-break.
Young finished 101 and 144 in taking the opening set 3-1 and also led 2-0 in the second before Lloyd took the next three legs – including a 114 finish – to level.
The left-hander edged the third set, but Lloyd took the fourth without reply, hitting a 124 finish along the way, and them came from 4-3 down in the decider to win a tie-break 6-4 and set up a second round date with Mark Webster.
“It was a great battle and I’ve proved something to myself by digging out the result,” said Lloyd. “It was tough going but I’m so happy and relieved to go through.
“I played some good darts in patches and there are a lot of positives to come out of it, but I lost the first and third sets by throwing some iffy darts and I know I’ve got to get out of the blocks quicker on Saturday against Mark.”