Max Baulcomb reports on the Grand Prix as the countdown begins to the World Championships in London over Christmas.
The first round of the World Grand Prix Darts in Dublin provided no shocks as all the darting heavyweights made it through to the last 16.
Defending champion Phil Taylor eased into the next round with a 2-0 win over Steve Beaton who never looked like causing an upset. Despite the comfortable score line, The Power wasn’t at his ruthless best as he made slow starts to a couple of the double-in legs and also missed four darts at the double in the first leg of the second set. Taylor is sure to improve and will fancy his chances again in the next round as he takes on Andrew Gilding.
World champion Michael van Gerwen won the battle of the Dutchman beating Vincent van der Voort 2-0. It was a solid performance from van Gerwen who only lost one leg in the entire match and managed to hit a starting double within three darts every leg. There’s still plenty more to come from the world number 1 and he’ll be looking to step it up in the later rounds.
Gary Anderson produced another terrific performance to beat crowd favourite Brendan Dolan 2-0, averaging 99 in the process. Anderson set himself up for victory when he reeled off an 11-darter to break Dolan’s throw in the second set. On this form the Scot is much fancied to go all the way in this tournament.
Another player returning to form is James Wade who was simply too good for Andy Smith. Wade was clinical on double top throughout the match and that was enough to record a 2-0 win.
In the pick of the rest of the opening round fixtures, Raymond van Barneveld came from behind emphatically to beat Dave Chisnall 2-1. Barney looked out of sorts at the start losing the first set 3-0, but produced some magical darts in the second and third sets averaging well over 100 to claim the win.
The most entertaining match of the first round involved world number three Adrian Lewis as he rode his luck against Daryl Gurney scraping through with a 2-1 victory. Gurney missed three darts to win the match and Lewis punished him by winning a last-leg decider.
Essex-born Kevin Painter saw off Andy Hamilton 2-1 in a close encounter. Painter’s form was hot and cold throughout the match as he raced into a 1-0 lead before missing double after double and subsequently losing the second set. The Artist made no mistake in the deciding set, however, as he wrapped up the match by winning three consecutive legs.
Other notable contenders who made it through were Stephen Bunting, Peter Wright and Dean Winstanley, who will all feel capable of putting together a decent run in this tournament.
Robert Thornton, Terry Jenkins, Michael Mansell, Mervyn King and Richie Burnett make up the rest of the last 16.