Derry's Daryl Gurney beat Ricky Evans at the PDC World Matchplay, while world number three Gerwyn Price crashed out as he suffered a shock first-round loss to Dutchman Danny Noppert.
Gurney enjoyed a hot-streak of five consecutive legs to eventually run out a comfortable 10-5 winner against Evans.
Gurney, a World Matchplay semi-finalist in 2017 and 2019, became embroiled in a battle across the opening ten legs of the contest, which saw ten consecutive holds of throw.
However, after the second interval it was one-way traffic as two-time TV champion Gurney punished Evans' six missed double attempts to book his place in the last 16.
GURNEY WINS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 20, 2020
Daryl Gurney strolls into the second round as he closes out a comfortable 10-5 victory over Ricky Evans! pic.twitter.com/sTr74hHtrl
"I'm thankful to get the win because that's the kind of game I would have lost a few years ago," Gurney conceded.
"Whenever I have a break I seem to play better, but those 14 or 15 weeks I had off was the biggest break I've ever had and it was welcome.
"I need to sharpen up but I'm very glad to be in the next round. There's something about this event - I always hang in there and give myself an opportunity."
PRICE IS OUT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 20, 2020
Danny Noppert compounds Gerwyn Price's Matchplay misery as he eliminates the third seed with a 10-7 victory! pic.twitter.com/MGpBdqo1os
Price was defeated 10-7 by Noppert, who registered five 180s en route to victory.
The 29-year-old, playing his second World Matchplay tournament after debuting last year, said on pdc.tv: "It is a big win, I'm a really happy man.
"He didn't play his best game, and it wasn't my best game but I'm really happy to win. I believe that I can beat everyone if I play at my best level."
Noppert's compatriot Vincent Van Der Voort also advanced into round two after he defeated Dave Chisnall 10-6 - ending a nine-year wait for a win in the competition.
Chisnall, ranked 10th in the world, was 5-4 up before his opponent turned things around, and Van Der Voort said: "I haven't felt this good for 10 to 15 years - the break has given me four months sleeping in my own bed and even though I still have some back pain it's a lot better."
Former finalist Adrian Lewis booked his place in the last 16 as the two-time world champion beat Steve Beaton 11-9.
Monday's action at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes also saw Joe Cullen get past Ian White 13-12.
Tuesday's order of play
1x First Round, 4x Second Round Matches
Nathan Aspinall v Dimitri Van den Bergh (R1)
Michael Smith v Mensur Suljovic
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Michael van Gerwen v Simon Whitlock
Gabriel Clemens v Krzysztof Ratajski
