JOE Perry's love affair with York and the UK Snooker Championship continued after he demolished Michael Judge 9-1 in the first round at the Barbican Centre.

Perry, a semi-finalist at York in both the last two years, took a 7-1 lead into the second session and mopped up Judge in just 25 minutes to force a meeting with Barry Hawkins in the second round today.

The provisional world number 14 had fired breaks of 60, 75, 93, 125 and 66 in the first session to put himself in the driving seat.

And Perry, who lost in the last four to eventual champion Ding Junhui last year and to David Gray 9-8 in 2004, said the York tournament seemed to come at a time when he was "relaxed".

"It seems to work out that I do well here," he said. "I don't expect to repeat the feats of the year before but I really like the city and the surroundings.

"It might be the time of year. I tend to be relaxed for some reason.

"I played exceptionally well (in the first session). The damage was done. It's hard to get yourself motivated when you're 7-1 behind. It's nice to win comfortably for a change. I've won a lot of matches here in the last two years and my easiest was 9-6 so it's a bit of a rarity for me."

Elsewhere at the Barbican, Thailand's James Wattana fell at the first hurdle, losing 9-5 to Mike Dunn, while Dave Harold set up a clash with seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry thanks to a 9-7 victory over Robert Milkins.

Harold, who celebrates his 40th birthday when the pair come together, said it's the best possible present.

"Playing Stephen Hendry on Saturday, my 40th birthday, will be a bit special. That's what you play the game for - to play the top players at the top venues and I can't wait for it," said the Stoke potter and world number 35, who wrapped up his win with a break of 102.

"I've been putting the hours in and I feel comfortable with my game."

Alan McManus booked a date with 2005 world champ Shaun Murphy after seeing off qualifier Marcus Campbell 9-5.

Meanwhile, snooker's big guns enter the fray today as the competition hits the second round stage.

Steve Davis, last year's beaten finalist, faces Jamie Burnett, who clinched a 9-3 win over Andy Hicks with a final frame break of 104.

Mark Williams is in action against Gerard Greene, while Ronnie O'Sullivan will be aiming to repeat the form which saw him whitewash Jimmy White 7-0 in last Sunday's Premier League final when he meets Ricky Walden, who saw off Ian McCulloch 9-6.

Peter Ebdon, the 2002 world champion, faces a tough test against Mark Selby, who dispatched John Parrott 9-1 on Monday night, and Stephen Maguire, who won in York in 2004, is up against Joe Swail, the 9-7 conqueror of Joe Delaney.