Kyren Wilson opened his account at the 2019 Six Red World Championship with a 5-2 victory over Anthony McGill on Monday in Thailand.
The defending champion tops Group A after the opening day to give himself a strong chance of qualifying for the knockout stages later this week.
Passakorn Suwannawat, one of many home players featuring in this year’s draw, was the other early winner in Group A as he held off fellow amateur Mohammed Shehab in a gruelling battle that lasted the distance.
Alongside Wilson, four other former six red winners were able to get off the mark after the first of three round-robin ties.
Mark Williams overcame Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in a repeat of the 2017 final to top group H alongside Graeme Dott, who beat Ng On Yee.
Mark Selby dropped only a single frame as he began Group D confidently, with Gary Wilson also notching up a point after pipping Akani Songsermsawad 5-3.
Stephen Maguire, champion five years ago in Bangkok, hammered Luca Brecel in a whitewash display that was matched by Chinese amateur Wu Yize in Group B.
Finally, 2016 champion Ding Junhui edged Joe Perry 5-3 but lies in second place in Group C on frame difference following Noppon Saengkham 5-1 defeat of women’s world champion Reanne Evans.
The remaining groups in the Six Red World Championship all feature prominent names who could challenge for the title.
John Higgins and Yan Bingtao each recorded respective 5-3 scorelines to move ahead in Group E while Ryan Day and David Gilbert enjoyed success in Group F – the latter with a 5-3 triumph against recent world seniors champion Jimmy White.
In Group G, there were wins on the first day for Ali Carter, who beat Ken Doherty 5-3, and former runner-up Stuart Bingham.
The action continues on Tuesday with the next round of league fixtures.
