Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Daryl Gurney all avoided upsets on the opening night of the World Grand Prix in Dublin.
Scroll down for full draw, odds, updated schedule & results
World number one van Gerwen was famously shocked by 400/1 tournament outsider John Henderson on opening night of the unique double-start major 12 months ago while this year he's twice fallen at the first hurdle to Jeffrey de Zwaan in the UK Open and World Matchplay.
The pre-tournament favourite, who also suffered disappointment at last weekend's Champions League of Darts, was in no mood to be upset again as he produced a ruthless performance on his finishing doubles, hitting six out of seven of them.
MVG averaged 92 while Lennon, who struggled on his starting doubles, managed only 77 and didn't win a leg.
"There are a lot of people saying Gary Anderson is the best player in the world right now, what do you say to that?" 💬
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) September 30, 2018
"I beat him yesterday?"😉
Watch it all live on Sky Sports Arena or join us on our live blog right here ✍ https://t.co/A6muWRlHRl pic.twitter.com/rTtKUmuodE
Gary Anderson defied apparent back pain to defeat debutant Jonny Clayton 2-0 and get his Dublin campaign off to a smooth start.
The Flying Scotsman, who won the UK Open, World Matchplay and Champions League of Darts for the first time this season, is also looking to add a maiden World Grand Prix to his glittering CV.
Anderson averaged only 88 but won six legs on the trot after spurning five darts at a double in the opener.
Defending champion Daryl Gurney didn't need to be at his best to see off last year's giantkiller Henderson.
The Northern Irishman, who defeated the Highlander in the semi-finals en route to his maiden TV title here 12 months ago, only hit a single 180 and averaged 88 but his finishing proved to be the difference, pinning six of his nine attempts.
Henderson never got going and missed nine of his double attempts as he failed to get close to the performance which saw him beat MVG in 2017.
SUPERCHIN MAKES IT THROUGH | He beats John Henderson to set up a match with Ron 'the Bomb' Meulenkamp 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Ui4TFInDco
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 30, 2018
Raymond van Barneveld survived a scare against Ricky Evans as he won an entertaining clash 2-1.
Barney coasted through the first set as Evans struggled badly to hit starting doubles but his fast-throwing opponent bounced back to level the match before missing double 16 for a 111 checkout which would have put him one leg from victory.
Van Barneveld responded by taking out 164 on the bullseye for 1-1 in the deciding set before breezing throw the final two legs for a place in the last 16.
WHAT A CHECKOUT 🔥 | Barney takes out a massive 164 to go one a piece in the third set pic.twitter.com/JGeTCf1xNN
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 30, 2018
The only shock of the night was the highly-fancied Joe Cullen suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Ron Meulenkamp.
The Bradford man, who was so impressive at this year's World Matchplay where he lost a quarter-final epic to nine-dart hero Gary Anderson, averaged just 78 and only hit four of his 19 attempts at finishing doubles as his Dutch opponent made him pay.
BACKWARDS 170 | Something a little fancy from Joe Cullen 😉 pic.twitter.com/pTlQavUyUF
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 30, 2018
Dave Chisnall enjoyed a welcome return to form with a thumping 2-0 victory over debutant Max Hopp.
Chizzy, who hasn't won a title this year, endured a miserable Champions League of Darts last weekend but looked much better in Dublin with an average of 93 that was boosted by four 180s while he hit just under 50% of his doubles and had a high checkout of 100.
Jeffrey de Zwaan produced one of the performances of the night as he averaged a highly-impressive 97 in a 2-0 demolition of Kim Huybrechts.
The young Dutchman, who has also won a maiden PDC title this year aside from his two major victories over MVG, only dropped two legs as he proved he's up for more heroics on the televised stage.
De Zwaan hit four 180s and pinned six of his 12 attempts at doubles, leaving Huybrechts with no answer.
The highest average of the night was achieved by Darren Webster with 98 while he also hit 50% of his doubles in a 2-0 victory over Stephen Bunting. He'll play MVG next.
World Grand Prix: Daily schedule & results
Sunday September 30
First Round (Best of three sets)
- Jeffrey de Zwaan 2-0 Kim Huybrechts
- Ron Meulenkamp 2-1 Joe Cullen
- Darren Webster 2-0 Stephen Bunting
- Ricky Evans 1-2 Raymond van Barneveld
- Dave Chisnall 2-0 Max Hopp
- Daryl Gurney 2-0 John Henderson
- Michael van Gerwen 2-0 Steve Lennon
- Gary Anderson 2-0 Jonny Clayton
Monday October 1 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
First Round (Best of three sets)
- Jermaine Wattimena v Mervyn King
- Josh Payne v Ian White
- Danny Noppert v Gerwyn Price
- Peter Wright v Steve West
- Rob Cross v Steve Beaton
- Mensur Suljovic v James Wade
- Simon Whitlock v James Wilson
- Michael Smith v Adrian Lewis
Tuesday October 2 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Second Round (Best of five sets)
- Dave Chisnall v Raymond van Barneveld
- Gary Anderson v Jeffrey De Zwaan
- Daryl Gurney v Ron Meulenkamp
- Michael van Gerwen v Darren Webster
Wednesday October 3 (7pm)
Second Round (Best of five sets)
- Suljovic/Wade v Payne/White
- Cross/Beaton v Noppert/Price
- Wright/West v Wattimena/King
- Whitlock/Wilson v Smith/Lewis
Thursday October 4 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-Finals (Best of five sets)
- 4 x Matches
Friday October 5 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Semi-Finals (Best of seven sets)
- 2 x Matches
Saturday October 6 (8pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Final (Best of nine sets)
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
