Gary Anderson enjoys blistering start at the World Matchplay as Van Gerwen, Wade and Van Veen also advance

Gary Anderson produced his best-ever performance at the World Matchplay to thrash Ryan Joyce in the opening round on Sunday, as Michael van Gerwen and James Wade also advanced in Blackpool.

Day Two of the summer’s showpiece saw eight first round ties take place across a bumper double session at the Winter Gardens, as Anderson kicked off his campaign in vintage fashion.

The 2018 champion recorded the eighth-highest average in World Matchplay history, averaging 109.96 in his 10-2 demolition of a helpless Joyce.

Anderson was irrepressible from start to finish, producing consecutive 144 and 141 checkouts to cap off his best display on the iconic Empress Ballroom stage.

“You get those days sometimes where you can throw with your eyes shut and hit everything, and today was one of those days,” admitted the two-time World Champion.

“I’ve missed a lot of tournaments this year. I play when I can, and honestly I came here not knowing what to expect.

“The next game will be a completely different game, so we’ll see what happens.”

Anderson’s reward will be a blockbuster showdown against 2023 runner-up Jonny Clayton – who ran out a 10-7 winner against Australian number one Damon Heta.

Despite storming into an 8-3 lead, the world number five was forced to defy a spirited fightback from Heta, wrapping up proceedings with a majestic 144 checkout.

“I loved every second of that,” said Clayton – a semi-finalist in Blackpool 12 months ago.

“This is the best venue in darts, and I’m a proud man to be standing here with a win to my name.

“Gary Anderson was my hero in darts. I think it’s going to be a battle of the old boys, but I hope it’s going to be a belter.”

Meanwhile, Van Gerwen recovered from a slow start to see off Andrew Gilding 10-6, overturning a 4-1 deficit to set up a clash with fellow countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Van Gerwen missed double 12 for a spectacular nine-darter in leg six of the contest – sparking a timely turnaround which saw him win nine of the last 11 legs to close out victory.

“It was a strange game,” conceded Van Gerwen, who is targeting a fourth Matchplay crown.

“I think I had some really good patches and some really poor patches, but when you win the game, that’s the most important thing.

“This was a good win for myself. There is still a lot more in the tank, and I hope I can show that later in the tournament.”

Van Duijvenbode won through an epic encounter against Chris Dobey, surviving four match darts and defying 13 maximums from the Bedlington ace to prevail in a tense tie-break.

Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman capped off a terrific day for Dutch darts, defeating Krzysztof Ratajski and Dave Chisnall respectively to set up a tantalising tussle on Wednesday evening.

Van Veen produced a finishing masterclass to account for Poland’s premier player Ratajski, converting a brace of 144 checkouts and a spectacular 160 in the process.

“I think everyone knows I’ve been struggling in the last couple of months,” revealed the European Champion, who pinned 67 per cent of his attempts at the outer ring.

“I just needed that win here today. I started off really well but my finishing got me through that game.

“My scoring needs to improve in the next round, but I’m really happy with this win and hopefully I can continue further like this.”

Nijman – a winner of eight ranking titles in 2026 – enjoyed similarly serene progress, averaging 98 in sweeping aside five-time quarter-finalist Chisnall.

Wade and Ryan Searle will also go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals, after the pair recorded hard-fought wins against Jermaine Wattimena and William O’Connor respectively.

2007 champion Wade – also a six-time runner-up in Blackpool – began his 21st consecutive World Matchplay campaign with a typically tenacious 10-7 success against Wattimena.

The decorated left-hander– aided by a clinical 116 finish – established an early four-leg cushion, before crashing in seven maximums to round off an efficient all-round display.

Searle also delivered the goods against debutant O’Connor, converting 56 per cent of his attempts at double to sink the Irish number one, who landed eight 180s in defeat.

Betfred World Matchplay 2026 Day Two Results

Sunday July 19

First Round

Afternoon Session
Chris Dobey 11-13 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gary Anderson 10-2 Ryan Joyce
Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Andrew Gilding
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Damon Heta

Evening Session
Ryan Searle 10-6 William O’Connor
James Wade 10-7 Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen 10-6 Krzysztof Ratajski
Wessel Nijman 10-5 Dave Chisnall