James Wade and Kim Huybrechts both made impressive starts to their William Hill World Darts Championship campaigns with victories over Jamie Lewis and Michael Mansell, while Dave Chisnall was a 3-0 winner over Ryan de Vreede.
Wade showcased his credentials with an impressive display during a 3-1 win over Welshman Jamie Lewis, when he averaged just over 97
The three-time semi-finalist also hit four 180s and 17 140-plus scores to see-off a spIrited challenge from the 23-year-old, who was making his third appearance at Alexandra Palace.
Lewis was not overawed and averaged almost 88, hit three 180s and impressive checkouts of 141 and 125 as he levelled the match at a set all.
Six straight legs from Wade proved to be the difference though, as he responded to losing the opening leg of the third set by powering into round two.
“It wasn’t an amazing game but I’m through, I’m happy, and I’m in the next round and the turkey will taste amazing this Christmas,” said Wade, the number six seed who could face reigning Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting in the second round.
“I haven’t said this enough before but that win is partly thanks to the crowd – they’re amazing and they give you that extra ten percent.”
Wade added: “I’ve played Stephen two or three times recently, I’ve not turned up and we’ve still had close games so if I end up playing hinm we’ll just wait and see what happens. But for now I’m just thinking about being happy and looking forward to Christmas.”
Huybrechts was also impressive in his 3-0 victory over Mickey Mansell in the first round, as he joined brother Ronny in the last 32.
The Belgian star recorded an average of just under 100 despite hitting just a single 180, with his 16 140-plus scores showing some tremendous consistency throughout the match.
Huybrechts started the first leg off looking good as he took it with double 16 after throwing a 177. Mansell hit his first 180 in the next, but two 140s led to Huybrechts hitting double 18.
Mansell took out 101 to get his first leg on the board, but another 180 in the fourth leg was not enough to prevent Huybrechts taking the set with an early 103 average.
Huybrechts landed another 177 in the opening leg of the second set, but Mansell hit back to level after the Belgian missed doubles to take the lead.
Mansell then hit 180s in the next two legs, which were shared, and even when he scored well in the next Huybrechts beat him to the punch by taking out 108 for the set.
Huybrechts hit a 13-darter and Mansell a 14-darter with a 180 as they battled out the opening legs of set three, and the Belgian upped his game even more with a 12-darter to put him on the brink of victory.
His first 180 only came in what proved to be the final leg of the match, which led to him being able to take out 80 to secure a place in the second round.
“I did enough to win and to get through the first round is good enough for me,” said Huybrechts. “The first set was good to win so after that I was happy enough, but you want to win every set that you play, it’s all so important.
“Mickey’s a good player and he’s given me some good games in the past so I was aware of how good he can be. I was a bit worried about the 180s, I kept missing the last dart but to get one in the last leg was great.
“My overall scoring was good and what’s really important is the doubles and I was happy with them.”
Dave Chisnall secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Ryan De Vreede as he progressed to face another Dutchman, Benito van de Pas.
Chisnall averaged 86.08 and hit three 180s, despite having to come from behind after debutant De Vreede took out double 16 for the opening leg.
Chisnall replied with a 56 finish on tops, before he took out 74 for a break of throw in the leg three, while both men hit 180s in the fourth before the number eight seed claimed the set without missing a double.
Chisnall started off the second set in the same fashion as he checked out 116 to remain perfect on doubling out, and although he did lose his range slightly on the finishing, a pair of double fives put him into a two-set lead.
The Grand Slam finalist, though, encountered some troubles in set three with a series of untimely bounce-outs, including one when he landed a double to win a leg only to see an earlier scoring dart fall out of the board before being retrieved, allowing De Vreede to ghost in and hit tops.
Another dart dropped out for Chisnall as De Vreede went 2-1 in front, but after the Dutchman missed a set dart Chisnall levelled before hitting 65 in the fifth leg to take the match.
“It’s my own fault really,” said Chisnall, of his darting troubles. “I changed my darts before the match, when I was practising they were sticking in fine but the points just weren’t working during the game.
“I just need to rough up the points a bit really, I didn’t think I’d need to but I’ll learn from it and know for next time. I didn’t play too badly and I’m just relieved to get through to the next round in the end.”
Ian White will take on Huybrechts in round two after seeing off Greek qualifier John Michael 3-1 in their first round encounter, after the debutant enjoyed a fine display to defeat Finland’s Jani Haavisto 4-1 in the preliminary round.
White averaged 86.72 and hit three 180s with a highest finish of 101 as the number 15 seed began his bid to at least match his trip to the quarter-finals of the event last year.
White opened up with the first leg, but Michael was well suited to the big stage and took out 49 in the next to level the match. White moved 2-1 in front before taking out 31 in the fourth to clinch the opening set without too much of a fuss.
Michael, a 13-time Greek national champion, showed just why he’s won so much in his home country with a “Shanghai” 120 finish to start the second set, showing he meant business.
White, though, was also showing good form and reeled off three straight legs to double his advantage, the highlight being a 101 outshot in the second leg before a 180 and 120 left him with double eight.
Another 180 helped White move ahead in the third set, but he missed three doubles as Michael levelled, before a 106 finish gave the Greek a 2-1 lead, and double tops completed the comeback set.
White took out 76 in the fourth to try and extinguish the Michael comeback, and a 177 followed by double eight helped even further.
Michael took out 64 to threaten a comeback but White put the game to bed and sent him into a second round encounter with Huybrechts.
“After seeing a few other seeds being knocked out by qualifiers it was in the back of my mind, and John played well in his preliminary round game,” said White.
“At the end of the day I’m through but I did step off a little bit. I’m through to play Kim and I know I’ll have to step it up a bit. Once you get past the first round you’re more relaxed, and it should be a cracking match against Kim.”