Anderson and Chisnall Take Centre Stage On Double Session Saturday

Two time champion Gary Anderson starts his quest for a third title on Saturday evening while Dave Chisnall aims to put a disappointing 2023 in major tournaments behind him when he kicks off his tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Evening Session

‘The Flying Scotsman’ has had somewhat of a renaissance in 2023, with 3 Players Championship titles and a runner spot in another, and has been seen as a value bet for many considering that form. He pushed man of the moment Luke Humphries at the Grand Slam of Darts before falling to a 16-14 defeat in one of the matches of the year and will be hoping to reproduce similar form at the Palace.

He takes on Simon Whitlock in the final match of Saturday evening’s session, the Aussie having come through a deciding set battle against Paolo Nebrida of the Philippines on Friday night. ‘The Wizard’ will have to produce a better performance than he did in that match to live with Anderson.

Before that encounter, ‘Yozza’ Jamie Hughes opens the evening session against Canadian David Cameron in what looks to be a close game to call. The winner of that clash will face Krzysztof Ratajski on Friday evening.

Next up, Keane Barry takes Reynaldo Rivera of the Philippines for the right to play Michael van Gerwen. Irishman Barry suffered an opening round defeat to South African Grant Sampson in the first round last year and will be hoping to avoid a similar result here.

Then the enigmatic Scott Williams starts his campaign against Haruki Muramatsu of Japan. Williams came out on top of one of the matches of the opening round in the 2023 tournament, beating Ryan Joyce and will be hoping to set up a tie against Danny Noppert by overcoming Muramatsu, who is making his first appearance in the first round since 2013 and is yet to win a set in his three appearances to date.

Afternoon Session

It’s been the case of ‘Chalk and Chizzy’ for Dave Chisnall in 2023, 3 European Tour victories somewhat papering over the cracks of a disappointing record in major tournaments, a disappointing 3rd round exit at Ally Pally in a thriller to Stephen Bunting setting the tone for the year. A win and a runner up in the final Players Championship weekend of the year suggested that the man from St. Helens may be coming into some form, before a group stage exit at the Grand Slam of Darts and a Last 16 exit to Luke Woodhouse at the Players Championship finals.

He faces Cameron Menzies after the likeable Scot came through his Friday night opener against Rusty-Jake Rodriguez without dropping a set. If both players get going, it could be maximums aplenty.

Opening the session is a clash between Lee Evans and Sandro Eric Sosing of the Philippines, both players making their debuts at the Palace with the winner facing the unenviable task of going up against Luke Humphries.

Next, Connor Scutt faces Polish player Krzysztof Kciuk. Kciuk is a regular teammate of Krzysztof Ratajski in the Poland World Cup of Darts team but is making his first appearance at the Worlds since a preliminary round appearance in 2010. The winner of that tie faces former world champion Gerwyn Price on Monday evening.

American Jules van Dongen gets underway against Darren Penhall of Australia in the third match of Saturday afternoon. This is another match that sees both players making their first appearance at the Worlds, with the winner going on to face Joe Cullen on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday’s Order of Play

Afternoon Session

Lee Evans v Sandro Eric Sosing (R1)

Connor Scutt v Krzysztof Kciuk (R1)

Jules van Dongen v Darren Penhall (R1)

(11) Dave Chisnall v Cameron Menzies (R2)

Evening Session

Jamie Hughes v David Cameron (R1)

Keane Barry v Reynaldo Rivera (R1)

Scott Williams v Haruki Muramatsu (R1)

(21) Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock (R2)