DEFENDING Sky Bet World Grand Prix champion Colin Lloyd narrowly avoided an upset on the first night of his defence of the title at Dublin's Citywest Hotel.
Lloyd took on local qualifier Tom Kirby in Monday's best-of-three-set first round of the double-start tournament, and trailed following the first set.
The world number one battled back to level matters before the game eventually went to a deciding leg - when Lloyd showed his class to move into round two.
"It was probably the toughest game of my career," said the 32-year-old from Essex. "Its always difficult defending a tournament and I found out tonight that it's very hard.
"With hindsight, I look back and I could have gone out, but it's about getting through that first game and I can look forward to the next round now."
World number five Wayne Mardle produced an impressive display to defeat Lionel Sams 2-0, dropping just one leg in his opener.
However, big names Roland Scholten and John Part were knocked out of the event in their clashes with Dennis Priestley and Steve Beaton.
Alex Roy defeated Alan Warriner-Little 2-0, while Gary Welding - who reached the quarter-finals 12 months ago - defeated fellow qualifer Kevin Harris.
Wes Newton, who suffered a broken collarbone just six weeks ago, overcame qualifier Steve Hine, and the evening's final game saw Irishman Keith Rooney delight the home crowd by coming from a set down to defeat James Wade.
Match Reports
John Part 0-2 Steve Beaton - Report
Wes Newton 2-1 Steve Hine - Report
Kevin Harris 0-2 Gary Welding - Report
Wayne Mardle 2-0 Lionel Sams - Report
Colin Lloyd 2-1 Tom Kirby - Report
Roland Scholten 1-2 Dennis Priestley - Report
Alex Roy 2-0 Alan Warriner-Little - Report
James Wade 1-2 Keith Rooney - Report
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