A bumper Sunday session at Blackpool with eight games completed at the iconic Winter Gardens in the 2023 Betfred World Matchplay

Defending Champion Crashes Out

Michael van Gerwen came into his match against Brendan Dolan as a favourite to win the tournament never-mind this opening round match. The History maker did not seem phased by the challenge and got to work quickly extending a lead and holding the three time world champion at bay.

The defending champion simply could not get going in the early stages with Dolan leading 4-1 at the first break. At this stage MVG was not creating himself enough chances having only four darts at double in the first five legs and missing all but of them. The Dutchman however looked galvanised coming back into the second session taking the first leg with an outstanding 132 checkout. The comeback was short-lived and whilst MVG was able to level the match up at 6-6, Dolan found another break of throw to go 8-6 ahead and from there was able to hold his throw twice for a 10-7 victory and what is surely the biggest upset we will see in this year’s tournament.

World Number One Dispatches Beaton

Just moments after seeing the biggest upset of the year so far, the highest and lowest ranked players in the tournament took to the stage. Michael Smith was not at his best in the opening session but a massive 161 checkout sealed a 4-1 lead at the first break with Beaton struggling to find his rhythm. the pattern continued into the second session with Beating continuing to struggle to hold the Bully Boy at bay we entered the second break with Smith comfortably 8-2 ahead. The demolition continued with Smith needing just two more legs to dispatch The Bronzed Adonis and book his place in round two.

Cool Hand Cruises Past The Special One

Luke Humphries ascent to the very top of the sport of darts continued this evening as he moved into number 5 spot in the order of merit with a dominant 10-2 victory over Jose de Sousa. The Portuguese just could not get close to Humphries, only getting 10 darts at a double in the whole game, evidently only able to pin two of them. Humphries on the other hand was electric and looked comfortable on the Winter Garden stage, averaging just shy of 102, the Englishman will continue to be tipped to go deep into the tournament.

The Asp Punishes The Pole

Nathan Aspinall opened his 2023 Betfred World Matchplay campaign with a fairly comfortable victory. Krzysztof Ratajski was unable to match the outstanding doubling of the Englishman. Aspinall posted a doubling average of 47% leaving him ahead at both breaks. Ratajski tried to fight his way back into the game but his doubles let him down and the opportunity to draw the tie level slipped away and Aspinall was able to coast to the 10 leg target and set up a second round match with Danny Noppert

Afternoon Session

Chris Dobey and Damon Heta got their first wins at the Winter Gardens on an entertaining afternoon at the Winter Gardens

When Damon Heta drew Josh Rock we knew it was going to be intriguing tie and Heta didn’t want to just take on Rock but the whole of the Winter Gardens with an Ashes related walk on.

There was nothing to split the pair after six legs before Heta upped the heat on the stage and reeled of the next five legs.

Josh Rock fired in a special 125 checkout but the fightback was a little too late and Heta continued the strong Australian summer with a first round win.

Chris Dobey got his first win at the Matchplay at his fifth attempt defeating the 2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade.

Double Dutch

It was also Dutch Delight early on Sunday with Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode both winning.

Noppie opened up on Sunday afternoon and had to fend off a fightback from The Wall.

Danny Noppert had checkouts of 115 and 112 and should have won by a more convincing score line but missed darts at the business end allowed the score line to look better for the German.

Dirk van Duijvenbode come through the battle against Kim Huybrechts with 12-10 over the Belgian.

Dirk had survived match darts against Huybrechts and he wasn’t convinced by the celebrations of Kim Huybrechts.

2023 Betfred World Matchplay July 16

Afternoon Session 

4x First Round

Danny Noppert 10-8 Martin Schindler

Dirk van Duijvenbode 12-10 Kim Huybrechts

Damon Heta 10-5 Josh Rock

Chris Dobey 10-8 James Wade

Evening Session

4x First Round

Nathan Aspinall 10-7 Krzysztof Ratajski

Luke Humphries 10-2 Jose de Sousa

Michael van Gerwen 7-10 Brendan Dolan

Michael Smith 10-2 Steve Beaton