Former world champion John Higgins got his Irish Masters campaign off to a winning start in Citywest today with a 5-2 defeat of Robert Milkins.
The world number four made top breaks of just 60 and 55 during a low-key performance.
Higgins has not won a title since winning the Irish Masters last year and his last ranking success came at the British Open of October 2001.
The 27-year-old is yet to reach a quarter-final in a ranking event this season and was far from impressed by his first-round performance.
"It was pretty shocking really," Higgins said. "I didn't play well at all. It was just lucky for me that Robert didn't play to the standard he has done all season.
"I'm struggling confidence-wise and that's the main reason. The only way I can get it back is by winning matches against the top players, which I haven't been doing recently.
Matthew Stevens, another top player who has struggled this season, reached the second round with a 5-2 victory over Scotland's Drew Henry.
World number 12 Graeme Dott became the first high rank player to bow out when he was beaten 5-1 by fellow Scot Jamie Burnett.
PA