Gerwyn Price survived four match darts to begin his quest for a hat-trick of Grand Slam titles with a victory.
The 35-year-old beat Japan’s reigning women’s world champ Mikuru Suzuki 5-4 at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.
Price will now face Jonny Clayton in his next Group G game after his World Cup winning team-mate also came through in a nine-leg thriller against Ryan Joyce.
But Wales’ other hope, 500/1 shot Wayne Warren was beaten 5-0 in his group opener by Nathan Aspinall.
Price, the pre-tournament favourite, averaged less than 89 against Suzuki who he beat on his way to the title last year.
And after being taken to a decider, Price eventually triumphed after seeing Suzuki missed those far darts that would have given her a shock victory.
“I like the (group) format of the Grand Slam, so if you lose one game you’re not out,” Price had admitted before the tournament started.
Now he faces an all-Wales battle in his second group game against Pontyberem’s Clayton who saw off Joyce thanks to a 116 check-out in the deciding leg.
THE FERRET BAGS THE POINTS @JonnyClay9 begins his #GSOD2020 campaign with a hard fought 5-4 victory over Ryan Joyce.
‘The Ferret’ hit his only maximum at a crucial point in the deciding leg before pinning a 116 checkout to take the two points!
🎯🏴 pic.twitter.com/lsQTNOtGeR
— Darts Cymru (@DartsCymru) November 16, 2020
“Going into the World Cup, Jonny and me were favourites and I like that tag,” said the 35-year-old.
“It gives you a little boost, a bit of confidence knowing not only am I confident but other people are confident in my ability.
“Hopefully I can go out and play like a favourite and win again.
“Any event is nice to win but to win the Grand Slam three in a row, only the likes of Michael (Van Gerwen) and Phil Taylor have won three in a row.
“It would be a bit of history – but not only that it fills my bank up as well.”
World No 3 Price would edge closer to that coveted spot of world No 1 if he pockets the £125,000 winner’s cheque a third Grand Slam title would bring.
It would also depend then on how he, world No 1 van Gerwen and reigning world champ Peter Wright do at the worlds which start next month.
“I need to do well in the Grand Slam,” added Price. “I think any of the top three, if they win the worlds they are going to be No 1 so it doesn’t really matter about the other tournaments.
“You want to have good runs and make things a bit easier, but Michael is defending £500,000 and I’m not sure what Peter is defending.
“But if either I or Peter wins it and Michael doesn’t have a very good run then any of us could be No 1.
“It’s a good end for the year coming up – very exciting for me and Peter and a bit of pressure for Michael.”