Darts results: Gerwyn Price wins on opening night of World Matchplay in Blackpool

By Sporting Life

Darts

Sun July 18, 2021 · 3y ago

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton set up an all-Welsh tie at the Betfred World Matchplay with opening-night wins in Blackpool on Saturday.

The World Cup-winning pair will now clash on Tuesday night after breaking their respective losing streaks as the World Matchplay returned to the Winter Gardens.

World champion Price had not won in the event since 2016, but came from 2-0 down to defeat Jermaine Wattimena 10-4, checking out 132, 108 and 127 as he pulled clear in the latter stages.

Premier League winner Clayton, meanwhile, erased the memory of three previous first-round exits by claiming a maiden win in the event with a 10-7 defeat of another Dutchman, Dirk van Duijvenbode.

The pair's second round date will be the highlight of Tuesday's last 16 ties, with Price insisting that their friendship will be forgotten when they step on stage.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁!

It's like he's never been away from the big stage...

A huge statement from Gerwyn Price as he seals a 10-4 victory over Jermaine Wattimena with a brilliant 127 finish to win it. pic.twitter.com/oGetqJUXCa
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 17, 2021

"Jonny's a great friend of mine but I know if I play my A-game then it doesn't matter who I play," said Price. "The only enemy I've got up there at the moment is myself.

"I just concentrate on my own game and if I play well, then I definitely win. I haven't played much this year and coming into this I'm not very confident."

"I started off really slowly and had to fight my way back into the game. I hit some big doubles but I was nowhere near how I can play.

"I know where I've gone wrong in the past but I'm here to win it. If I can win this, the rest of the year is looking good."

First win for Clayton

Clayton settled the better against Van Duijvenbode by opening up a 3-1 lead, only for the debutant to hit back as he followed up a 164 finish in taking a 5-4 lead.

Clayton then won four legs in a row to pull clear, and maintained that advantage to progress to the last 16 for the first time in the event.

"My confidence is massive and I'm flying high," said Clayton. "I know my game is there but I still had that little monkey on my back, and hopefully I can go on and win it now.

"Dirk is a very good darts player and he wasn't going to back down because I'm the Premier League champion. I held my nerve and got over that winning line."

Looking ahead to his tie with Price, Clayton added: "I'm here to win that trophy. I don't care if he's world number one, when we go on that stage we're enemies.

"We're there to do a job and I'm here to pick a trophy up. I'm not here to make up the numbers."

Chizzy digs deep

Dave Chisnall enjoyed his first World Matchplay win since 2018 as he overcame Vincent van der Voort 10-8 in the tournament opener.

Van der Voort led 2-1 early on, but Chisnall took out 124, 161 and 100 as he moved into a 5-3 advantage, defying a 129 combination from the Dutchman.

Chisnall also led 7-5 before Van der Voort levelled after 16 legs in a tight contest, but the five-time quarter-finalist took out 76 to break the deadlock and double ten to seal victory.

The night's action was preceded by a special moment as reigning champion Dimitri van den Bergh took to the stage to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy in front of the Blackpool crowd, returning to beat Devon Petersen 10-5 and round things off.

Carl Fletcher's day one accumulator came in thanks to wins for Price, Van den Bergh and Clayton - click here for daily previews, analysis and best bets throughout the tournament