Anderson coasts past Dolan in World Championship opener as Rydz enjoys dream debut

Gary Anderson avoided becoming the latest seeded casualty at the World Championship as he swept aside Brendan Dolan in straight sets, while Callan Rydz, Vincent van der Voort and William O’Connor also advanced.

Anderson recovered from a slow start which saw him average just 79 in the opening set as he averted a potential upset at the hands of the methodical Northern Irishman.

The two-time World Champion grew into the match, piling in seven 180s and landing a 144 checkout on his way to a commanding victory for the loss of just one leg.

“I’ve been playing really well on the practice board but I went up there tonight and I was nowhere near it in the first set because of nerves,” said Anderson.

“But there were some good signs there, the 180s and 140s are coming back and there were a few moments when I felt in full flow up there.

“I’ve not had a lot of stage time this year so I’m a bit out of practice and because of that I felt so nervous walking on stage.

“I’ve had four days solid on the practice board and I’ve been really happy with the way they’re going so hopefully we will see that come out in the rest of the tournament.”

Keane Barry became the third youngest player to compete in a PDC World Championship but was whitewashed 3-0 by a ruthless Van der Voort.

The first two sets both went to a deciding leg, with the Dutchman drawing upon his experience to peg crucial doubles at key moments and keep Barry at bay.

The young Irishman averaged 91.72 on his Ally Pally debut, hitting three 180s but he was powerless to stop the Van der Voort assault, and he will now face tenth seed Dave Chisnall in Round Two.

“It definitely wasn’t a comfortable game to play in, I’m so happy to win,” said Van der Voort.

“Keane is a quality young player with so much potential, the way he hits the treble 20 is frightening.

“But at the key moments he didn’t deliver and thankfully I managed to hit the big shots at the right moments.

“I’m known as a quick player but at one point I thought ‘I need to slow down’ because he’s playing too fast for me!

“Dave is a great player, he’s in the top ten in the world so I will be giving everything I have to win that one.”

Callan Rydz enjoyed a debut to remember as he came through a dramatic sudden-death leg with Steve Lennon.

Rydz celebrates a landmark win (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

World Cup of Darts runner-up Steve Lennon crashed out at the first hurdle as he squandered a one set lead in an eventual sudden death defeat at the hands of debutant Callan Rudz.

Lennon coasted to the opening set without reply before 21-year-old Rydz reeled off six consecutive legs of his own to lead 2-1.

The fourth set was also won to nil by Lennon to take the tie to a decider, and after Rydz took the first two legs, Lennon produced back-to-back 15-darters to take the match all the way to a last-leg shoot-out.

Rydz was first to a finish but the Northumbrian wired the bullseye for a 161 checkout, meaning Lennon had a chance to take out 87.

The Irishman missed two match darts at double 18, allowing Rydz a shot at 25 for the match which he took with a last dart double two.

There was better fortune for Lennon’s World Cup partner William O’Connor, who breezed past experienced Fin Marko Kantele 3-0.

Despite not being at his best, O’Connor managed to land six 180s and never allowed Kantele a way into the contest, and he will now await world number three Gerwyn Price in the Second Round.

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William Hill World Championship 2019/20 Results

Monday December 16

First Round

Steve Lennon 2-3 Callan Rydz
William O’Connor 3-0 Marko Kantele
Vincent van der Voort 3-0 Keane Barry
Gary Anderson 3-0 Brendan Dolan (Second Round)