World Matchplay
“I’ve put a lot of hard work in to get here, but now I’m here I want to
win the tournament because this is one of the most prestigious titles
in the PDC. I’ve got to raise my game even more to compete at the top
level, but this is a good start.
“Nights like this make the switch worthwhile. I was very nervous today
but I’m sure that now I’ve played my first game and my debutant nerves
have gone I should be fine.”
Robert Thornton was the next seeded player to exit the tournament
in the opening round as his miserable record in Blackpool continued.
Neither Thornton nor his opponent Paul Nicholson ever quite hit top
gear, prompting Nicholson to have an altercation with the crowd during
the closing stages of the match, although it was the Aussie-Geordie
who claimed the ultimate victory 10-8.
Ian White faced what many observers thought would be a tough opening
round encounter when he took on former finalist Terry Jenkins, but
the Raging Bull failed to find top form and White emerged with a
comfortable 10-4 victory to book his spot in the second round.
White was soon joined by Simon Whitlock who overcame Kevin Painter
10-6. Whitlock had showed glimpses of his best form in the weeks
running up to Blackpool and an excellent first round performance only
served to back this up.
The Wizard landed five 180s and a 154 checkout on his way to the
second round where he would face Raymond van Barneveld.
Barney booked his spot in the last sixteen courtesy of a win over his
close friend and countryman Vincent van der Voort in a match that
both men struggled to find top gear. Barneveld eventually emerged
with a 10-4 win, but the match was hardly vintage stuff.
World Number One Michael van Gerwen
got his campaign off to a winning
start as he defeated Steve
Beaton 10-7. The match
“I thought that
there might be a
nine-darter against
Michael because
he’s a really good,
up-and-coming
player and one
to watch for the
future - he doesn’t
give in”
Phil Taylor