Betfred World Matchplay 2023 Draw | Van Gerwen to begin title defence against Dolan
The draw for the 2023 World Matchplay has been confirmed, with Michael van Gerwen launching the defence of his title against Brendan Dolan in Blackpool.
The 30th edition of the prestigious tournament will see 32 players battle it out for an £800,000 prize fund at the Winter Gardens from July 15-23.
The top 16 players in the main Order of Merit are joined in the field by 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Order of Merit.
Van Gerwen, who lifted the Phil Taylor Trophy for a third time 12 months ago, will open up against Northern Irish stalwart Dolan – making his ninth World Matchplay appearance.
Arguably the stand-out tie of the First Round ties sees 2018 champion Gary Anderson, unseeded for the first time since 2010, up against five-time quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall.
Last year’s runner-up Gerwyn Price will take on 2019 quarter-finalist Stephen Bunting, while reigning World Champion Michael Smith will meet veteran star Steve Beaton – who is competing in his 22nd World Matchplay.
A further four former champions are among the field; Peter Wright meets UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, James Wade faces Chris Dobey, Dimitri Van den Bergh plays Ross Smith and Rob Cross takes on Daryl Gurney in a repeat of their epic 2019 Semi-Final.
2010 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld will mark his first World Matchplay appearance in five years with a tie against former major finalist Ryan Searle.
World Youth Champion Josh Rock will make his World Matchplay debut against Australian number one Damon Heta, while Belgium’s Mike De Decker will also take to the Winter Gardens stage for the first time against 2018 quarter-finalist Joe Cullen.
Recent World Cup winner Jonny Clayton will face German number one Gabriel Clemens, as sixth seed Luke Humphries comes up against former Grand Slam champion Jose de Sousa.
Two-time quarter-finalist Nathan Aspinall meets Polish ace Krzysztof Ratajski, former UK Open champion Danny Noppert takes on German number two Martin Schindler, and three-time TV finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode faces Belgian star Kim Huybrechts.
The tournament schedule of play will be confirmed in due course.
Betfred World Matchplay 2023 Draw
Michael Smith (1) v Steve Beaton
James Wade (16) v Chris Dobey
Danny Noppert (8) v Martin Schindler
Nathan Aspinall (9) v Krzysztof Ratajski
Gerwyn Price (4) v Stephen Bunting
Joe Cullen (13) v Mike De Decker
Rob Cross (5) v Daryl Gurney
Dave Chisnall (12) v Gary Anderson
Peter Wright (2) v Andrew Gilding
Ryan Searle (15) v Raymond van Barneveld
Jonny Clayton (7) v Gabriel Clemens
Dimitri Van den Bergh (10) v Ross Smith
Michael van Gerwen (3) v Brendan Dolan
Damon Heta (14) v Josh Rock
Luke Humphries (6) v Jose de Sousa
Dirk van Duijvenbode (11) v Kim Huybrechts
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