In what's already shaping up to be one of the best major tournaments in recent memory, round 1 of the 2024 PDC World Matchplay has officially come to a close, and now only 16 players remain in the running to lift the illustrious Phil Taylor trophy.
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Defending champion Nathan Aspinall survived a scare against Luke Woodhouse to progress in night one's main event.
Meanwhile Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price both looked imperious in their pursuit of a first Matchplay title, dispatching Ricardo Pietreczko and Daryl Gurney respectively.
And the resurgent Jonny Clayton took the win in a titanic tussle with Raymond Van Barneveld.
Ross Smith produced one of the standout performances of the first round, averaging over 70% on his doubles in a 10-4 win over Josh Rock.
James Wade, making his 19th consecutive appearance at the Matchplay, was also incredibly clinical as Danny Noppert became the first seed to fall at the hands of the 2007 champion.
Read More: 5 Players Who Could Win The 2024 World Matchplay
Dimitri Van den Bergh continued his brilliant 2024 by hitting the first 9 darter on the Winter Gardens stage since 2022 as he triumphed in an all European affair against the much-fancied Martin Schindler.
And the Bullet Stephen Bunting may have been taken close to the limit by Ryan Joyce, but a monstrous 164 checkout helped the reigning Masters champion progress.
Sunday evening's opening game saw us witness one of the greatest games in tournament history, as Rob Cross survived six match darts to beat Gian Van Veen in a sudden death leg 13-12, in a match where the young Dutchman found the Bullseye four separate times.
Joining Cross in round 2 from Saturday's early session were Andrew Gilding, who dominated Peter Wright to send 'Snakebite' home, Joe Cullen who beat Brendan Dolan, and Krysyztof Ratajski, who ended Dave Chisnall's hopes of that elusive first major.
In the clash between two Pro Tour winners, Ryan Searle's monstrous good finishing made all the difference against Damon Heta.
A World Cup rematch between Michael Smith and Gary Anderson had to see one of the favourites exit early, and unfortunately it was the Flying Scotsman, as a stellar run of 10 legs from 12 saw the Bully Boy produce his best ever performance on the Blackpool stage.
In the premier game of the first round, Michael Van Gerwen, so rarely the underdog, overcame the odds against Luke Littler to ensure the 17-year-old sensation enjoyed no dream debut.
And finally, perennial dark horse Chris Dobey had to dig deep to take out Ritchie Edhouse, who could not take out another big name like he has so often done on the Euro Tour this season.
By Jaspar Shepherdson
(@jasparshepmedia on X/Twitter and Instagram)
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