World champion Zhao Xintong missed a straightforward final pink as he closed in on a 147 during a 5-3 victory over Iulian Boiko at the Wuhan Open.
Zhao, who made back-to-back breaks of 132 and 134, the latter in his near-miss, rounded off the win with a visit of 122.
Defending champion Xiao Guodong had earlier made a maximum 147 in his 5-0 demolition of former women's world champion Mink Nutcharut.
The Chinese player told the World Snooker Tour's official website: "I feel very happy to be back at my lucky place. Last year I won my first ranking title here and now returning again feels so familiar, almost, like it was only yesterday.
"To make a 147 here today - and my first ever maximum break in China - was really special. I was thrilled to achieve that during the match."
World number one Judd Trump eased into the second round with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Farakh Ajaib.
Trump was already leading 3-1 when he put together a break of 130, and eventually clinched victory with a half-century in the sixth frame.
Elsewhere, there were first-round wins for Mark Allen over Hewen Tang and Ding Junhui against Hao Zhang.
In the second round, three-time world champion Mark Williams made a century break in each of the first three frames on his way to a 5-3 victory over fellow Welshman Liam Davies, while Mark Selby scored five half-centuries as he saw off Michael Holt 5-2.
There were wins too for Marco Fu over Jimmy White, Jak Jones against Xu Si and Gary Wilson, who made two 100-plus breaks as he whitewashed Lyu Haotian.
Barry Hawkins saw off Jamie Jones in a final-frame decider and Jackson Page beat Ali Carter.
Tomorrow, Allen returns to the table against Zak Surety with fellow Antrim man Jordan Brown taking on Shaun Murphy. Meanwhile, Aaron Hill faces a tough opener against 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson.
