2010 world champion Neil Robertson completed a 10-4 victory over Ken Doherty, who took the 1997 title, at the World Championship in Sheffield.
Dubliner Doherty entered the session 7-2 in arrears and Australian Robertson soon set up a second-round clash with David Gilbert.
Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry overcame a wobble to convert his 8-1 overnight lead over Stuart Bingham to a 10-4 victory.
When the evening's opening three frames went to Bingham, it raised the prospect of a comeback, but Hendry soon quashed that and goes on to tackle defending champion John Higgins.
Robertson, who lost to Judd Trump to relinquish his title in round one last year, said after tonight's win: "It's nice playing this year without being the defending champion. It's nice coming in under the radar."
Hendry made the 10th Crucible 147 in yesterday's opening session against Bingham, and reasoned that it was difficult to hit the same heights tonight.
The 43-year-old Scot, who finished off Bingham with a break of 96, said: "Everyone wants to be 8-1 up but it's hard to have the same intensity you had at the start of the match. I was pretty flat tonight and I think it showed. But I finished it off well.
"Overall I played really well in the match, topped off by the maximum which I'm delighted about.
"Now it's John and I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to it."
