Defending champion Kyren Wilson and Graeme Dott secured their places in the second stage of the Championship League in Leicester.
Wilson looked comfortable in his opener against Dylan Emery on Thursday, winning his only match of the afternoon session 3-1.
The 29-year-old survived a scare in his second match against Ben Hancorn after the 2020 English Amateur Champion took the opening frame and left Wilson needing two snookers in the second frame.
However, Wilson got the required snookers to steal the frame and draw level, before going on to notch another 3-1 win. He then saw off Sam Craigie 3-0 to top the group.
"It was a bit of a struggle all day to be honest, the first tournament back. It's been a long break since the World Championships. Just trying to blow away the cobwebs. Delighted to get through that one," Wilson told championshipleaguesnooker.co.uk.
Dott sealed his passage to the second stage by winning both of his afternoon matches 3-1 against Si Jiahui and Iulian Boiko, before a draw with Robbie Williams saw the Scot get the point he required to top the group.
Top seed Stuart Bingham is set to start his campaign on Friday.
