Michael van Gerwen (5/1 outright) overcame old rival Adrian Lewis 10-7 to book his place in round two of the Betfred World Matchplay.
The contest between “MvG” and “Jackpot” was the standout tie from a stacked first round though it perhaps didn’t live up to the high quality that was promised.
A late surge from the Dutchman saw him defeat Lewis but with an average of just over 89.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3lE4-BcEEI?feature=oembed
He is just recovering from wrist surgery and will need to perform better against Joe Cullen (12/1 outright) who thrashed Damon Heta 10-2, winning nine consecutive legs during the match.
World Matchplay Betting Odds
The standout performance on Sunday came courtesy of Dirk van Duijvenbode (14/1 outright) who averaged 103 in beating Ryan Searle in a quality first match of the day.
The “Titan” sealed his success with a brilliant 138 checkout and will face Michael Smith (7/1 outright) who was taken to a tie break by Andrew Gilding before finally getting over line 11-9 – despite being 8-4 down at one point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceD3RvRNOkU?feature=oembed
Former UK Open winner Nathan Aspinall (14/1 outright) put on a fine display to beat one of the pre-tournament favourites Luke Humphries 10-5 with a 95 average.
James Wade, Daryl Gurney, and Danny Noppert (Wade 20/1, Gurney 33/1, Noppert 12/1) all secured their path to round two on a busy Sunday of action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAn3ADK-6V4?feature=oembed
Monday brings the first round to a conclusion in Blackpool with Gerwyn Price hoping to regain some form when he faces German Martin Schindler (Price 2/5, Schindler 19/10 – match betting).
The “Iceman” has only two PDC titles to his name this year and struggled through his Premier League campaign with a wrist injury.
Former Matchplay champion Rob Cross faces Chris Dobey (Cross 8/15, Dobey 6/4 – match betting) in round one while Portuguese star Jose De Sousa is another man hoping to claw back his form from last year as he faces Gabriel Clemens (De Sousa 4/6, Clemens 6/5 – match betting).
Dave Chisnall, still looking for a first TV major, rounds off the evening with a tie against Belgian Kim Huybrechts (Chisnall 2/5, Huybrechts 19/10 – match betting).
Darts Betting Odds