Antrim's Mark Allen coasted to a comprehensive 10-3 victory over Welshman Ryan Day at the Betfred World Championship.
Allen held a 6-3 lead heading into the second session at the Crucible and won all four frames before the mid-session interval to advance.
Allen, who won nine frames in a row having been 3-1 down to Day at one point, said: "That was only my C game there today.
"I'm nowhere near my best yet and, if I bring my best in this two weeks, then I expect to be here at the end of the two weeks."
On the other table, two of Day's compatriots got their first-round match under way, with two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens establishing a 7-2 lead over Mark Williams, the 2000 and 2003 champion.
The winner of that contest will face the victor from O'Sullivan-Steadman in round two.
Meanwhile, a moment of absent-mindedness potentially cost Ding Junhui £30,000 at the Crucible this morning, as the 28-year-old botched an eminently achievable maximum opportunity in his 10-7 victory over Mark Davis.
China's world number three was trailing 5-3 and was at the table on a break of 96 when he inexplicably screwed back for the blue ball instead of playing for the black.
The apparent lapse in concentration left the audience stunned, while Ding covered his head in his hands then proceeded to smile after realising his error.
Following his mistake, Ding regained his composure and went on to eliminate the man who had ended Ken Doherty’s Crucible hopes in the final qualifying round.
Ding admitted he did not realise he had been on course for a maximum break until the crowd gasped after the shot which put him on the blue.
"It doesn't happen until I know it's a 147. I just kept scoring and trying to make centuries and heavier breaks and put him under pressure," Ding told a press conference.
"Until the last red I potted and then I heard the noises and looked at the scoreboard. I tried to make it difficult for myself, and that's it!
"I just make centuries. I didn't know, really. I didn't even think about playing for a 147 but to keep going and keep potting the balls."
Ding will play John Higgins in the next round, and added: "I've played him many, many times. I've learned a lot from him. I've got more confidence to play him now."
Two-time finalist Ali Carter, given the all-clear from lung cancer in December, made a winning start to his campaign as he completed a 10-5 win over veteran Scot Alan McManus.
Carter finished the job from a 6-3 overnight lead to set up a last-16 meeting with Australia's 2010 champion Neil Robertson, the world number four.
"I didn't feel as if I played great, but I competed in all departments and won quite convincingly in the end," Carter told a press conference.
"I have some good memories here - the only thing I have left to do is win it, and that's what I'm here to do."
Ronnie O'Sullivan, who played in just his socks for a spell during his opener against Craig Steadman, built up a 7-2 overnight lead against the qualifier.
