Gregory Gaultier and Nick Matthew were convincing winners in the Tournament of Champions first round on Saturday.
French second seed Gaultier was impressive in a crushing 11-1 11-7 11-2 victory over Hong Kong's Max Lee in New York.
Champion in 2009, Gaultier has been runner-up at the past two editions of the tournament at Grand Central Terminal.
He will face Tom Richards in the second round after the Englishman brushed past Botswana's Alister Walker 11-6 11-6 11-5.
Matthew, the English third seed, was tested early before beating countryman Daryl Selby 12-10 11-7 11-6.
The 2012 champion, and three-time runner-up, will face Egypt's Omar Mosaad in the second round.
Mosaad overcame countryman Mohamed Abouelghar 11-3 8-11 11-3 11-4.
Peter Barker and Miguel Rodriguez set up a second-round clash.
England's Barker beat Frenchman Gregoire Marche 11-6 11-5 11-3, while Rodriguez was too strong for Joe Lee in a 12-10 11-4 11-7 win.
German Simon Rosner fought his way past South African Stephen Coppinger 10-12 11-4 11-7 12-10 and France's Mathieu Castagnet defeated Diego Elias 11-3 11-7 3-11 11-5.