The Second Round reaches its conclusion at the 2022 World Matchplay in Blackpool on Wednesday with eight heavy hitters aiming…
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Betfred World Matchplay Darts | Day Five Preview and Order of Play
Dirk van Duijvenbode celebrates (Photo by Chris Sargeant/Tip Top Pics)
The Second Round reaches its conclusion at the 2022 World Matchplay in Blackpool on Wednesday with eight heavy hitters aiming to keep their seaside dreams alive.
Three former winners of this prestigious title were among the first players to progress to the Quarter-Finals at the Winter Gardens on Tuesday, and a host of decorated darters now aim to accompany them.
Arguably the stand-out tie of Night Five sees two prolific power-scorers collide as Michael Smith takes on Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Smith, runner-up here in 2019, began his latest quest for an elusive maiden major title with a terrific comeback win over Andrew Gilding on Saturday, recovering from 8-4 down to win seven of the next eight legs and clinch a tie break triumph.
Smith lost out in a second World Championship final in January, breaking the tournament 180s record in the process, before again being denied glory in the UK Open final, but did go on to win the US Masters in New York last month.
The world number three has also picked up a European Tour title and three ProTour titles this season and has reached at least the Quarter-Final stage in each of his last three Matchplay appearances.
Van Duijvenbode secured his second PDC ranking title earlier this year and registered his first win on this iconic stage at the expense of Ryan Searle with a 103.6 average.
The Dutch World Cup star was runner-up in last month’s Dutch Masters World Series event and comes up against ‘Bully Boy’ for the first time in a ranked televised major.
World number two Gerwyn Price steps up his quest for a first Matchplay crown with a clash against multiple major finalist Dave Chisnall.
Price, who has never been beyond the Quarter-Final stage of this event, opened up with a 10-8 victory over German debutant Martin Schindler on Monday, averaging 99 in the process.
The reigning Grand Slam champion has picked up a European Tour title and a ProTour title this term and was runner-up alongside Jonny Clayton for Wales in the recent World Cup of Darts.
Chisnall, the number 15 seed, is an ever-present at the World Matchplay since 2011 and has five Quarter-Final appearances to his name.
Runner-up at The Masters in January, ‘Chizzy’ remains in pursuit of an elusive maiden major title and defeated Kim Huybrechts 10-7 in Round One.
Price aims to continue his strong record against Chisnall (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)
The opening match of the night sees two-time major champion Daryl Gurney take on reigning UK Open champion Danny Noppert.
Gurney is unseeded in the draw having dropped to 24th in the Order of Merit, but boasts a solid record on this stage with two Semi-Final appearances to his name.
Superchin defeated 2018 champion Gary Anderson 10-7 in Round One but will be keen to improve on his match average of 92.
Number 11 seed Noppert is making his fourth consecutive World Matchplay appearance but is yet to progress beyond the Last 16, however he is enjoying the most clinically consistent spell of form of his career so far.
The Dutch star reeled off six consecutive legs from 6-4 down to dispatch Brendan Dolan in his opener with a 100.7 average and is now looking to send home another Northern Irish stalwart.
Rob Cross, the 2019 champion, faces another tough encounter against former Grand Slam champion Jose de Sousa.
Cross, who has suffered defeat in three European Tour finals this year, pulled off a remarkable fightback from 8-2 down to defeat Chris Dobey 11-9 earlier in the week.
The 2018 World Champion and reigning European Champion is now looking to progress beyond the Second Round stage for only the second time in six appearances.
De Sousa, meanwhile, overcame German number one Gabriel Clemens in Round One for the second successive year and is now eyeing a place in the Last Eight here for the first time.
The former Premier League finalist, however, has struggled for both form and consistency this year and is yet to make a final on both floor and stage.
The action gets under way from 7pm BST, with all matches to be contested over the best of 21 legs.
All matches must be won by two clear legs, with a match being extended if necessary for a maximum of six extra legs before a sudden death leg is required.
WATCH DAY FIVE OF WORLD MATCHPLAY DARTS STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)
Betfred World Matchplay 2022 Day Five Schedule
Wednesday July 20
Second Round
7.15pm Daryl Gurney v Danny Noppert
8.15pm Jose de Sousa v Rob Cross
9.15pm Gerwyn Price v Dave Chisnall
10.15pm Michael Smith v Dirk van Duijvenbode
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