Deta Hedman produced a spirited fightback but was unable to claim victory over
Andy Boulton with 'X Factor' claiming a 3-1 victory to move through to Round Two.
Boulton will now face Stephen Bunting in the second round but Hedman showed a good account of herself alongside Lisa Ashton pushing Adam Hunt all the way earlier in the tournament.
'The Heart of Darts' struggled to begin the tie with Boulton stealing the first leg after Hedman hit a 180 but squandered five darts at double.
Her average sat at 72 and Boulton sat at 1-0 up after sweeping the first set. He began to get into cruise control as he doubled his advantage without dropping a leg in the opening two sets and he headed towards the finish.
But Hedman began to ask the question by claiming her first leg and swept the third set herself to make it interesting at 2-1.
Boulton though went 2-0 up in the next set with a break of throw on double 12 and to finish it was an 11 darter on double eight with Hedman sitting on 25.
2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule
Saturday December 19
Evening Session (18:00 GMT)
Andy Hamilton (82.15) 1-3 (87.89) Nico Kurz (R1) (2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 1-3)
Andy Boulton (90.65) 3-1 (79.92) Deta Hedman (R1) (3-0, 3-0, 0-3, 3-0)
Damon Heta v Danny Baggish (R1)
Michael van Gerwen v Ryan Murray (R2)