It is an indication of how Mark Williams has played since winning his second world title in 2003 that he came into the Travis Perkins UK Championship fearing for his place in the game's top 32.
The Welshman need not have worried though, as he quickly dismissed Nottingham's Michael Holt 9-2 to ease his way into the third round of the York event.
It also strengthened his haul of ranking points, which had been severely hampered by a first-round exit at this season's Grand Prix.
"I'm pleased to get a win really," said the number 10 seed.
"I needed a win really badly. I didn't want to lose my first game here after losing in the last one, and I had a slight look at my ranking as well. If I'd have lost here then I'd probably have been out of the 32.
"It wasn't back to the old Mark Williams but it was 100% better than what I have been. I'm just happy to have got a win and hopefully it will take a bit of pressure off myself."
