World Number One, Gerwyn Price may have entered the Winter Gardens to some boos from fans on his return but he left with a statement win to open his World Matchplay account.
After losing the past four years in the first round, it was a much more successful opening foray as he saw off Jermaine Wattimena 10-4 with a 96.5 average, four 180's and three ton-plus finishes with two coming to win it.
To begin the tie, Wattimena made a flying start to proceedings doubling his lead early doors over Price with the latter only averaging 81 in the early going.
Price though soon got into the tie and produced three consecutive legs to turn the tide at 3-2 up at the interval.
Wattimena returned and got back on level terms and stop the Price momentum momentarily with a 116 checkout.
Again though, Price produced a run of legs with back-to-back seeing him open up a 5-3 lead.
Wattimena produced a crucial 90 checkout to stay in the hunt at 5-4 behind before Price smashed in a 132 checkout to move 6-4 in front.
From the sublime to the madhouse as Price went 7-4 up after a multitude of missed doubles but he ended on double one.
It was much better from Price from there as he took out 87 for a 12-darter to break and followed it up with 108 to go to the brink. Another ton plus saw him finish the deal with a 127 checkout. Superb from the World Number One.
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