Two-time UK champion Mark Williams survived a tough examination from unknown Hamza Akbar before going through to the second round of this year's tournament in York.
The 1999 and 2002 winner was 4-0 up against Pakistan's only professional before Akbar roared back to just 5-4 behind.
Welshman Williams' experience told, though, and he got over the line - not that he was too worried about being the victim of a shock.
"I'm lucky in that I've always played the balls rather than the player," he told World Snooker's official website.
"My attitude has always been that the worst thing that can happen is you lose and you go home, which doesn't bother me that much."
Brazil's Itaro Santos was sent packing 6-1 by Ricky Walden, while there were also wins for Gerard Greene, Ryan Day, Zhou Yuelong, Jimmy Robertson, Michael Holt and Mike Dunn.
Shaun Murphy defeated local amateur Ashley Hugill 6-1, showing no mercy to the 21-year-old as he racked up seven breaks in excess of 50.
"I'm lucky in that I've always played the balls rather than the player"
A fine 102 was his best knock, with Hugill overwhelmed by the 2005 World Champion.
"I played well," Murphy said afterwards on www.worldsnooker.com.
"I didn't give Ashley a chance to get going because with the new kids you never know what you're going to get."
Ali Carter was a popular winner, coming from 2-1 down to see off Alfie Burden 6-4, while two older faces had differing fortunes.
Peter Ebdon was a 6-0 winner over Lyu Chenwei but James Wattana was thumped 6-1 by Joe Perry.
Jamie Burnett looked good as he ran up six scores above 50 to see off the challenge of Sanderson Lam, while Ross Muir caused an upset as he dumped out Mark King in a decider.
"I treat every ball the same, whether it's practice or the UK Championship. It seems to be working so far," said the Scot.
Jamie Cope beat Rory McLeod 6-5 and Yu Delu pipped Michael Wasley.
Greene also progressed to the second round with a 6-0 win over Michael Leslie in York.
Forty-two-year-old Greene, who is based in Kent but represents Northern Ireland, compiled breaks of 138 and 93 as he disposed of the Scotsman’s challenge with ease.
The world ranked number 46 will pay either David Gilbert or Jason Weston in the last-64 stage.
Elsewhere, there was a major first-round shock when amateur Adam Duffy beat two-time champion Ding Junhui 6-2 in yesterday’s action.
Antrim's Mark Allen (ranked 11) starts his campaign against Zhao Xintong tomorrow, while Dubliner Fergal O'Brien (31) faces Thor Chuan Leong.
Ken Doherty (47) and Joe Swail (58) won their opening games yesterday but David Morris (57) was beaten.
In Wednesday's evening session, pre-tournament favourite Judd Trump progressed as expected, beating Hammad Miah 6-1.
"It was a weird win, he beat me in the PTC and I knew he could play a bit so it was always going to be tough," Trump said.
"A lot of people have raised their game against me this season but I feel like I'm playing well and have practised hard for this one."
Ben Woollaston beat Steven Hallworth by the same scoreline.
