Two-time winner Adrian Lewis eased into the second round of the William Hill World Darts Championship with a 3-0 victory over Magnus Caris on Monday night.
Despite missing 14 doubles inside the opening six legs, Lewis saw off Caris with little fuss, hitting five maximums as he lost just four legs.
Indeed even with his early problems finishing, the 31-year-old fifth seed from Stoke threw a three-dart average of 93.25.
"I think it was a very professional performance," Lewis said afterwards.
"It wasn't a world-beating performance but I thought I did the job. I can play better, don't get me wrong.
"It's the first round, everybody is a bit nervous. It's a tough tournament. I feel great."
Lewis will face Joe Cullen in the second round after he disposed of Australian sensation Corey Cadby in an explosive contest.
INTERVIEW | Adrian Lewis is a man on a mission to lift a 3rd #WHDarts World title pic.twitter.com/9qhLVE3Y6G
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2016
Cullen progressed past the first round for the first time at Alexandra Palace when he fought back after losing the first set to triumph 3-1 in a match which saw 11 180s.
He took the second set with a 117 check-out and although his 21-year-old opponent, who had recorded a highest ever preliminary round three-dart average of 102.48 in a straight-set demolition of China's Qiang Sun, took the first leg of the third against the throw, he won the next three to set up victory in the fourth.
There had been drama earlier when Mervyn King was almost dumped out at the first hurdle by debutant Steve West on a night when Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) chairman Barry Hearn revealed the 2017 winner will receive prize money of £400,000, an increase of £50,000.
The 22nd seed looked was staring a whitewash in the face when, with West having been on a nine-darter, he produced a 136 checkout to rescue and then edge the third set, and then levelled at 2-2 with 140, 95 and 106 finishes.
In an epic tie-break during which both men struggled to hit their doubles - West missed with two match darts in the sixth leg - it was King who eventually edged home 6-4 to his immense relief.
