Aaron Hill booked his place in the last 32 of the Wuhan Open with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Ben Woollaston.
The Cork man raced into a 2-0 lead before his English opponent pulled one back. From there though he was in command, taking the frame he needed with a break of 54.
Hill now awaits the winner of the John Higgins versus Martin O'Donnell match.
Mark Allen also advanced but was pushed all the way by Mark Joyce.
Allen, who will begin his attempt to win a third Northern Ireland Open on the bounce later this month, trailed by a frame at three stages but crucially delivered when it mattered, winning the last two to advance.
Elsewhere there was disappointment for Ken Doherty as he fell to world number one Ronnie O'Sullivan in a final qualifying match which was held over to the main venue.
The Dubliner won the opener but the seven-time world champion was in impressive form, reeling off the next five frames with breaks of 88, 89 and 82.
The Rocket's victory means that he remains on top of the rankings for now, but could be usurped by Allen if the Antrim Town man was to lift the trophy on Sunday.
