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Michael van Gerwen celebates at the Ally Pally (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

PDC World Darts Championship day one: Michael van Gerwen averages 106 in victory over Christian Kist

09:33 · FRI December 15, 2017

Michael van Gerwen averaged over 106 as he beat Christian Kist to advance to round two of the PDC World Darts Championship. Here's a full review of opening night at the Alexandra Palace.

MVG given test by Kist

Michael van Gerwen responded to some brilliant darts from Christian Kist to safely advance to round two of the PDC World Darts Championship thanks to a 3-1 victory.

The defending champion had been long odds-on for a straight-sets win and appeared on course as he took out 141 for the opening set before taking the second for the loss of just a single leg.

Kist was throwing superbly, however, and an average north of 111 in the third set saw him deservedly win it 3-2 to briefly raise hopes of an upset.

Van Gerwen, who had taken out 138 in the fourth leg of that third set, had other ideas as he bagged another big checkout (114) to open the fourth.

🎯 MVG 3-1 Kist
👊 Average: 106
🙌 180s: 4
👌 100+ checkouts: 141, 138, 114

And Kist also averaged over 100 👏#LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/NBm9gcSne3
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 14, 2017

By now, Mighty Mike had finally broken the back of his opponent and he raced to the fourth and final set without dropping another leg.

Kist was beaten with an average of 100.23 by an opponent who topped 106 in an ominous display for his rivals, one in which van Gerwen appeared to have an extra gear when needed.

The two-time world champion told Sky Sports: "It is always nice to come back to the Alexandra Palace for the World Championship. A great game like this to start off a tournament is always nice for your confidence.

"I also want to say well done to Christian Kist. He put me under pressure and played well. It was a nice start for me. I am really glad I won this game."

Sky Bet, who have boosted the odds of every player in the draw, make van Gerwen 8/11 favourite to successfully defend his title.

Wilson outguns well-backed Ratajski

James Wilson denied gambled-on Krzysztof Ratajski in an enthralling 3-1 victory on day one of the PDC World Darts Championship.

Ratajski was backed into favouritism before the off and it looked well-placed money as he raced to the first leg in just 11 darts before taking the opening set with an average of just over 97.

That would prove to be as good as it got for the 40-year-old, however, as Wilson's heavier scoring proved decisive.

The Englishman took a tight second set by holding in the final leg, before breaking in the opening leg of the third set as he took control of the match, pressing on to take it 3-1.

James Wilson was a convincing winner

Wilson was now throwing first in the fourth set but was broken as Ratajski threatened a fightback, but now it was the Pole's turn to give away his advantage as Wilson broke back, before two more breaks saw Wilson throw for the match.

This time, Ratajski was unable to raise an effort, ultimately being punished for eight visits in succession without a three-figure score as Wilson ruthlessly wrapped things up with a 12-dart leg.

Wilson threw five 180s and averaged almost 98 in an impressive display which he'll likely need to better in round two where van Gerwen lies in wait.

The Beat goes on

Steve Beaton won the opening match of the World Championship, seeing off a wasteful William O'Connor 3-1.

The match came alive in set four as O'Connor hit 115 to earn of a stay of execution before Beaton began the fourth leg of the set with five perfect darts, his sixth sailing high of the treble-20 bed.

When O'Connor missed bullseye - just as he had in the very first leg of the match - Beaton stepped in to hit double 10 and progress to the second round.

We'll be seeing The Bronzed Adonis again 👍🎯#lovethedarts pic.twitter.com/RaDQMuC2aT
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 14, 2017

Although the scoreline suggests a largely one-sided affair, O'Connor was left to rue a series of missed opportunities having more than matched Beaton in the scoring stakes, hitting six of the nine maximums in the game.

The Irishman missed 14 successive darts at double in the first set, six to break the throw in leg three and eight to hold in leg four, and perhaps they could be traced back to his decision not to go for bullseye and a 164 finish with Beaton labouring.

Much more experienced than his rival and certainly on this stage, Beaton took full advantage and having won the first set, was absolutely dominant in the second, taking out 131 as his opponent failed to set up a single opportunity to win a leg.

O'Connor, however, found his range as he raced to the third set, hitting three of just four chances, and briefly looked like he might take the match the distance when recovering again in the fourth.

Ultimately, though, it was Beaton's greater confidence come the crunch which made the difference in a 3-1 win.

"The last two sets, I thought we both played how we can play," Beaton told Sky Sports.

"I still get the butterflies. I'm getting paid for something I enjoy - if I can carry on for another 20 years I'll be happy!"

Beaton is 300/1 for a shock victory, the same price quoted about fellow Thursday winner, Wilson.

Price is all right on the night

The first whitewash of the championship came in the final game of day one as Gerwyn Price beat Ted Evetts 3-0.

Price hit four 180s and averaged 101.55 as he advanced to the second round for the first time in his career, sweeping aside his young, inexperienced opponent in a one-sided affair.

The 16th seed is drawn to be van Gerwen's third-round opponent and on this evidence would pose a challenge to any player, even one so impressive as the reigning champion.

Evetts struggled to match the relentless scoring of his opponent but did himself credit, hitting three doubles from just four attempts without ever threatening an upset.

Price is considered by some to be one of the dark horses at Alexandra Palace, despite the prospect of facing van Gerwen in the third round, and is 175/1.