Steve Lennon was unable to cause a shock as Michael van Gerwen started the defence of his Interwetten German Darts Championship in Hildesheim with a 6-3 victory.
The Dutchman was not at his vintage best, but reeled off the last four legs to progress to finals day, which will see the last-16 round played onwards through to a finish.
Daryl Gurney also made an early exit, going down 6-3 to European champion Ross Smith, a late replacement for Gerwyn Price this weekend.
World champion Michael Smith survived a tremendous fightback from Alan Soutar to book his place in the last 16.
Smith had looked to be coasting towards a comfortable victory after opening up a 4-0 lead before Soutar started a superb recovery - the Scot landing six 180s to turn the match around at 5-4.
However, after Soutar had missed a chance at match darts, Smith took out 80 in the deciding leg to edge through 6-5.
Home favourite Gabriel Clemens delighted the crowd as he won six of the last seven legs to complete a 6-2 victory over top seed Dave Chisnall.
World number three Peter Wright beat Chris Dobey 6-2 before newly-crowned World Grand Prix champion Luke Humphries defeated Boris Krcmar 6-2, throwing five 180s with an average of 106.
Joe Cullen had kicked off the evening's action with a 6-4 victory over Arron Monk and will go on to play Van Gerwen in the last 16.
James Wade edged out Nathan Aspinall 6-4 despite the World Matchplay champion averaging 102 and landing five maximums.
Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko also progressed to the last 16 after he beat compatriot Martin Schindler 6-2.
In the afternoon session, host nation qualifier Nico Kurz had the Halle 39 crowd on their feet as he stunned Welshman Jonny Clayton in a deciding leg and will face Wright in the next round.
Rob Cross, runner-up last year, will take on Michael Smith in the last 16 after he fought back from 4-2 down to beat World Youth Championship finalist Gian van Veen 6-5.
Second seed Damon Heta saw off Darryl Pilgrim 6-4, George Killington averaged 103 in his convincing 6-0 win over below-par Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode and Jules van Dongen swept past world number nine Danny Noppert 6-2.
Martin Lukeman landed six maximums to defeat Ryan Searle 6-4, while Stephen Bunting finished off with a 126 checkout on the bullseye in his 6-2 win over World Youth Championship winner Josh Rock.
