Ali Carter booked a British Open "dream draw" with world champion Mark Selby by edging out Lei Peifan 3-2 in Leicester.
Carter, a winner of four ranking titles, is chasing his first silverware for five years but Selby will have strong home backing in their second-round clash at the Morningside Arena.
"It's a dream draw for me really," world number 23 Carter told wst.tv after wrapping up victory over Chinese teenager Lei.
"I've got nothing to lose. I'm having a crack at the current world champion.
"Not many people will think I have a chance to win, but one of the few people that think I can is me. I'll turn up 10 minutes before the match and have a go."
Germany's Lukas Kleckers took the last two frames to upset Masters champion Yan Bingtao 3-2.
Stuart Bingham, the 2015 world champion, beat Robert Milkins 3-1 and Belgium's Luca Brecel defeated Barry Hawkins 3-2.
Martin Gould overcame Graeme Dott, the 2006 world champion, 3-1 with Mark King and Duane Jones beating Jamie Wilson and Nigel Bond by the same margin.
Allan Taylor, Gary Wilson, Li Hang, Michael Georgiou and Oliver Hines were also first-round winners.
The second round action began with an all-Welsh affair which saw three-time world champion Mark Williams overcome Dominic Dale 3-2.
Ben Hancorn, Liam Highfield and Stephen Maguire won by the same scoreline against Scott Donaldson, Chen Zifan and Martin O'Donnell respectively.
Iranian Hossein Vafaei kept his nerve to beat Mark Allen 3-2 as Zhou Yuelong and Jordan Brown enjoyed 3-0 victories over Andy Hicks and David Lilley.
Ireland's 1997 world champion Ken Doherty will face England's Joe O'Connor in his second round match.
