Michael van Gerwen puts down a marker at the World Darts Championship as Rock and Chisnall also advance
Tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen breezed through to the Third Round of the World Darts Championship after a blistering opening salvo at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday.
Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen issued an immediate statement of intent with a 3-0 demolition of Lewy Williams in less than 20 minutes.
After dropping his only leg of the match in the first set, Van Gerwen swiftly went through the gears, averaging an incredible 125 in set two with legs of 13, 12 and 11 darts.
The world number three ended the match with a 101.8 average, his 34th ton-plus average on the Ally Pally stage and the highest winning average of the tournament so far.
“It wasn’t perfect but I think I played quite well,” said Van Gerwen. “I had to work hard for it, a performance like this doesn’t come from nothing.
“It gives me a lot of pleasure to be back on this stage, Ally Pally has a special place in my heart.
“To receive such an amazing reception from the crowd means a lot to me.
“I’m always trying to play darts at the highest level I possibly can; I know what I’m capable of.
“I don’t have to play well for them to fear me, that makes it even better for myself.”
Emerging sensation Josh Rock also made it through to the Last 32 in rapid fashion, taking less than 25 minutes to defeat Callan Rydz in straight sets.
Northern Ireland’s Rock, who is now rated as joint-fourth favourite to lift the title on his World Championship debut, made light work of last year’s quarter-finalist.
Though the tie between two of the sport’s brightest young talents didn’t live up to its billing, Rock was in control of the contest throughout as he dropped just four sets against an out-of-sorts Rydz.
“I’m happy to win but I’m still disappointed that I haven’t produced my best game yet,” admitted Rock.
“I’m frustrated but it’s hard when you’re on that stage, you try that extra bit harder because we’re all here to be World Champion.
“I was expecting Callan to play a lot better than he did; once I knew he wasn’t up to his usual standard I slacked off mentally which was a mistake.
“I’m going to go away and enjoy Christmas with my family and I know I will be far better when I come back after the break.”
Former semi-finalist Dave Chisnall recovered from a set down to deny Andrew Gilding 3-1 in a high quality encounter.
After Gilding had taken the opening set, Chisnall hit back with a blistering 119 average in set two to draw level.
Chisnall won last-leg deciders in each of the final two sets to ensure his passage into Round Three – where he now meets Stephen Bunting.
“I knew Andrew was going to pay well so I had to be on my A-game,” said Chisnall, who landed seven maximums.
“It’s pleasing to have played so well for most of the game. I feel really good, I couldn’t wait to get on that stage and it showed in my performance.”
Bunting also landed seven 180s and two-ton plus checkouts on his way to a 3-1 win over Leonard Gates.
American fan-favourite Gates, who overcame Geert Nentjes in Round One, continued to shine on his Alexandra Palace debut, sealing the opening set with a 101 checkout.
Both players were blighted by bouts of missed doubles in the second set, though Bunting dug deep to square up the contest.
Former semi-finalist Bunting took the third set 3-1, before landing a 124 checkout on his way to wrapping up victory in set four.
Veteran Mervyn King held off a comeback from Danny Baggish to close out a 3-2 victory in a gripping contest.
Last year’s quarter-finalist King won deciding legs in the opening two sets to open up a 2-0 lead, only for Baggish to fight back to win back-to-back sets and force a decider.
The American took the opening leg of the final set, before King won the next three – each in 15 darts or fewer – to book his place in the Third Round.
“I’m just pleased to get through, it’s nice to get over the line even though I felt I made it a lot harder than it should have been,” said King.
“I could have won it in three or four sets, but to win it in five is fine.
“My whole year has been terrible to be honest – I’ve been trying so hard and getting nowhere, but now I have the chance to put that right with a run here.”
Gabriel Clemens impressed in a straight sets rout of William O‘Connor to reach the Last 32 for the third consecutive year.
Clemens clinched the opening two sets in deciding legs to take a commanding lead, with O’Connor missing two darts at double 18 for the first set.
The German number one pressed home the advantage in the third, sealing it without reply to confirm his progression after the Christmas break.
Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas fought back from two sets down to edge past John O’Shea 3-2 in Wednesday’s opening tie.
Former quarter-finalist Labanauskas, who hit a nine-darter in last year’s event, lost the deciding legs of the opening two sets to trail 2-0 to Irish debutant O’Shea but battled back in style to progress to a second round tie with European Champion Ross Smith.
Martijn Kleermaker enjoyed straightforward progression with a 3-0 victory over Xicheng Han in the final tie of the first round.
Kleermaker, who reached the last 16 of last year’s event, made light work of Chinese debutant Han, dropping just two legs on his way to a comfortable victory.
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World Darts Championship 2022/23 Day Seven Results
Wednesday December 21
Second Round
Afternoon Session
John O’Shea 2-3 Darius Labanauskas (R1)
Martijn Kleermaker 3-0 Xicheng Han (R1)
Callan Rydz 0-3 Josh Rock (R2)
Dave Chisnall 3-1 Andrew Gilding (R2)
Evening Session
Mervyn King 3-2 Danny Baggish (R2)
Gabriel Clemens 3-0 William O’Connor (R2)
Michael van Gerwen 3-0 Lewy Williams (R2)
Stephen Bunting 3-1 Leonard Gates (R2)
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