Mark Dudbridge, runner-up to Phil Taylor in 2005, looked back to somewhere near his best in a 3-1 victory against John Kuczynski of the United States.

Better finishing in an entertaining contest proved the key for Dudbridge.

"There has been a lot of pressure on me because of my recent performances on TV," said the 33-year-old from Bristol, who meets Andy Hamilton in an attractive second-round tie on Boxing Day.

"I've had a tough time of it and the truth is that I haven't been performing to my potential. I was so apprehensive before I went out there, but if I can keep calm I can cause a lot of trouble."

Fourth seed Roland Scholten had things all his own way against Canada's Ron Miller, who took the opening leg but lost the next nine to go down 3-0.