The full results, round-ups and highlights from the 2019 Betfred World Matchplay, which took place in Blackpool from July 20-28.
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The biggest darts event of the summer at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool has concluded, with Rob Cross becoming the ninth player to get his hands on the trophy.
Voltage's victory over Michael Smith also sees him add this prestigious title to this 2018 world championship crown, which makes him the fourth player to achieve this feat behind Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson.
Here, you can look back at how the drama unfolded with all the results and links to daily reviews and highlights.
World Matchplay Darts: Draw & Tournament Bracket
The 16 seeded players were paired with the 16 qualifiers from the one-year ProTour Order of Merit.
SCROLL FURTHER DOWN FOR DAY-BY-DAY RESULTS, HIGHLIGHTS & ROUND-UPS
- (1) Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Steve Beaton
- (16) Adrian Lewis 4-10 Glen Durrant
- (8) James Wade 13-12 Jeffrey de Zwaan
- (9) Mensur Suljovic 10-1 Jermaine Wattimena
- (5) Michael Smith 10-7 Jamie Hughes
- (12) Dave Chisnall 9-11 Max Hopp
- (4) Gary Anderson 10-6 Danny Noppert
- (13) Nathan Aspinall 5-10 Mervyn King
- (2) Rob Cross 10-3 Chris Dobey
- (15) Darren Webster 5-10 Krzysztof Ratajski
- (7) Gerwyn Price 12-13 Stephen Bunting
- (10) Ian White 10-0 Joe Cullen
- (6) Peter Wright 10-5 Vincent van der Voort
- (11) Simon Whitlock 10-8 John Henderson
- (3) Daryl Gurney 10-7 Ricky Evans
- (14) Jonny Clayton 8-10 Keegan Brown
ROUND TWO
- (1) Michael van Gerwen 11-13 Glen Durrant
- (8) James Wade 13-11 Mensur Suljovic (9)
- (5) Michael Smith 12-10 Max Hopp
- (4) Gary Anderson 8-11 Mervyn King
- (2) Rob Cross 11-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Stephen Bunting 14-12 Ian White (10)
- (6) Peter Wright 11-2 Simon Whitlock (11)
- (3) Daryl Gurney 11-9 Keegan Brown
QUARTER-FINALS
- Glen Durrant 16-7 James Wade (8)
- (5) Michael Smith 16-11 Mervyn King
- (2) Rob Cross 16-14 Stephen Bunting
- (6) Peter Wright 13-16 Daryl Gurney (3)
SEMI-FINALS
- Glen Durrant 10-17 Michael Smith (5)
- (2) Rob Cross 17-15 Daryl Gurney (3)
FINAL
- (5) Michael Smith 13-18 Rob Cross (3)
🏆🎯 Rob Cross overcomes Michael Smith's gutsy comeback to become World Matchplay champion!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 28, 2019
👏 The 2018 World champion has now won the two biggest prizes in the sport!pic.twitter.com/aqXgaJTxP2
World Matchplay Darts: Daily Schedule & Results
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth additional leg is sudden-death
Saturday July 20 (1900 BST)
First Round (best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Nathan Aspinall 5-10 Mervyn King
- Gerwyn Price 12-13 Stephen Bunting
- Gary Anderson 10-6 Danny Noppert
- Rob Cross 10-3 Chris Dobey
Gary Anderson hits nine-darters here when he's at his best, so we'll just have to settle for 160 checkouts when he's not. pic.twitter.com/rfgsNdDwCx
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 20, 2019
Sunday July 21
Afternoon Session (1300 BST)
First Round (best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Darren Webster 5-10 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Dave Chisnall 9-11 Max Hopp
- Ian White 10-0 Joe Cullen
- Michael Smith 10-7 Jamie Hughes
Ouch.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 21, 2019
Ian White-washes Joe Cullen 10-0 at the World Matchplay.pic.twitter.com/R3WnT05Ygu
Evening Session (1900 BST)
First Round (best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- James Wade 13-12 Jeffrey de Zwaan
- Mensur Suljovic 10-1 Jermaine Wattimena
- Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Steve Beaton
- Adrian Lewis 4-10 Glen Durrant
💪 James Wade fought back from 9-6 down and survived five match darts before winning a sudden death leg!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 21, 2019
😯 Big celebrations at the end there!pic.twitter.com/h5rggIOkGG
Monday July 22 (1900 BST)
First Round (best of 19 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Jonny Clayton 8-10 Keegan Brown
- Simon Whitlock 10-8 John Henderson
- Daryl Gurney 10-7 Ricky Evans
- Peter Wright 10-5 Vincent van der Voort
This 164 checkout helped Peter Wright win his 19th match on the trot and he's averaged over 100 in 10 of them, including tonight.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 22, 2019
No need to change his darts anytime soon.pic.twitter.com/Y1Fil05sGx
Tuesday July 23 (1900 BST)
Second Round (best of 21 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Michael Smith 12-10 Max Hopp
- James Wade 13-11 Mensur Suljovic
- Gary Anderson 8-11 Mervyn King
- Michael Van Gerwen 11-13 Glen Durrant
The three-time BDO world champion beats the three-time PDC world champion in a World Matchplay epic for the ages!
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 23, 2019
To think this is Glen Durrant's Blackpool debut and his first season in the PDC. Incredible player. What a moment.pic.twitter.com/14Klh9BV3m
Wow, the King's still got it hasn't he? At 53 he knocks out defending champion Gary Anderson to reach his first TV quarter final since the 2016 World Matchplay.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 23, 2019
Anyone fancy him to finally win a first PDC TV title?!pic.twitter.com/0aWulbHYkp
Wednesday July 24 (1900 BST)
Second Round (best of 21 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Daryl Gurney 11-9 Keegan Brown
- Stephen Bunting 14-12 Ian White
- Rob Cross 11-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Peter Wright 11-2 Simon Whitlock
Not sure what I enjoyed most, the actual 170 checkout or Wayne Mardle's bullish psychic commentary.pic.twitter.com/ePhLIYdTXo
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 24, 2019
Thursday July 25 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Michael Smith 16-11 Mervyn King
- Glen Durrant 16-7 James Wade
Twenty Two missed darts at doubles in one leg!
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 25, 2019
But you've got to love the way Mervyn King got the crowd going before finally getting out of the madhouse! Great sportsmanship too from Michael Smith despite all the pressure.pic.twitter.com/DPPE6LcXZY
🙌🎯 What a way for Glen Durrant to complete a demolition job against James Wade!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 25, 2019
👌Treble 19, Double Tops, Double Tops!
👏 Duzza is into the semi-finals of his debut World Matchplay! pic.twitter.com/KmuxEUx3Cp
👏 What an incredibly humble guy Glen Durrant is as he "dares to dream" of World Matchplay glory.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019
❤️ An emotional @Duzza180 opens up about his remarkable journey and winning the hearts of the nation's darts fans... pic.twitter.com/7tBUbcf4rq
Friday July 26 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 31 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Rob Cross 16-14 Stephen Bunting
- Peter Wright 13-16 Daryl Gurney
🏆 2018 World Champion
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019
🏆🤔 2019 World Matchplay champion?
⚡️ Two more wins and Rob Cross will have lifted the two biggest prizes in darts...and it's still only his third year as a pro!
📽️👍 @RobCross180 gives his reaction to tonight's victory... pic.twitter.com/gzLGHJn7c5
💪 Daryl Gurney proved, again, he's the man for the big stage!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019
📽️🤫 Two-time major winner @Superchin180 talks about silencing some 'two-faced' experts (but not our @ChrisHammer180 who tipped him for glory at 25/1!), being regarded the outsider & defying his own negativity... pic.twitter.com/dnLPwbSgQa
👏🎯 Daryl Gurney and Peter Wright served up a real treat at the World Matchplay!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019
💪 Averages
Wright 104.57
Gurney 101.86
🙌 180s
Wright 12
Gurney 9
👍 In the end it was @Superchin180 who emerged triumphant 16-13 to reach the semi-finals! pic.twitter.com/7manIUK4EX
🎣⚡️ Rob Cross catches the Big Fish at the World Matchplay! pic.twitter.com/fId13eEfDw
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2019
Saturday July 27 (1900 BST)
Semi-Finals (best of 33 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Rob Cross 17-15 Daryl Gurney
- Glen Durrant 10-17 Michael Smith
⚡️ Best darting comeback ever??
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 27, 2019
🎯 Rob Cross 14-7 down to Daryl Gurney
🎯 Took 16 legs to hit first 180
🎯 Won 11 out of 12 legs
🎯 The last nine legs on the spin #WorldMatchPlayDarts pic.twitter.com/Cbs5BtwM81
🙌 Simply brilliant stuff from @BullyBoy180 to book his spot in the #WorldMatchPlay final v Rob Cross
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 27, 2019
🏆 Who'll take home the Phil Taylor trophy??pic.twitter.com/KxfFkWpilD
Sunday July 28 (1900 BST)
Final (best of 35 legs)
TV Channel: Sky Sports
- Michael Smith 13-18 Rob Cross
🏆🎯 Rob Cross overcomes Michael Smith's gutsy comeback to become World Matchplay champion!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 28, 2019
👏 The 2018 World champion has now won the two biggest prizes in the sport!pic.twitter.com/aqXgaJTxP2
Click here for final predictions & guide
Sky Bet's World Matchplay Pre-Tournament Odds
Michael van Gerwen will head the World Matchplay betting, with Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, Michael Smith and Peter Wright also among the favourites.
Click here for all the pre-tournament Sky Bet odds
Where can I watch the World Matchplay on television?
The BetVictor World Matchplay will be broadcast on Sky Sports from July 20-28.
Can I still buy tickets for the World Matchplay?
Tickets are available through the Winter Gardens Box Office via Ticketmaster at this link.
Alternatively, tickets are available via SeeTickets at this link or by calling 0844 871 8807.
World Matchplay Format
- First Round - Best of 19 legs
- Second Round - Best of 21 legs
- Quarter-Finals - Best of 31 legs
- Semi-Finals - Best of 33 legs
- Final - Best of 35 legs
The World Matchplay is played in a legs format. Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth additional leg is sudden-death. For example, should a First Round game (best of 19 legs) reach 12-12, then the 25th leg would be the final and deciding leg.
Prize Fund
- Winner - £150,000
- Runner-Up - £70,000
- Semi-Finalists - £50,000
- Quarter-Finalists - £25,000
- Second Round Losers - £15,000
- First Round Losers - £10,000
- Total - £700,000
World Matchplay History
Since the World Matchplay was first held back in 1994, when Larry Butler beat Dennis Priestley, there has only been eight different winners of this PDC major.
Unsurprisingly the most dominant player in its 21-year history is Phil Taylor with 15 titles while Michael van Gerwen and Rod Harrington are the only other players to have lifted the trophy more than once.
The Power hit the first ever nine-dart finish to be broadcast live on UK television during the 2002 World Matchplay while he repeated the feat during the 2014 edition on his way to a seventh-straight Blackpool title.
The previous year he'd managed an astonishing three-dart average of 111.23 during his final victory over Adrian Lewis.
Taylor's seven-year winning streak from 2008 to 2014 was ended in 2015 when Michael van Gerwen emerged triumphed with a 18-12 victory over James Wade before winning it again 12 months later.
The Dutchman was favourite to defend his crown for a third time but Taylor had other ideas as he knocked him out en route to winning an emotional 16th title before his retirement.
The final of 2018 ended up being one of the most dramatic in the tournament's history, with Gary Anderson clinching the title for the first time thanks to a 21-18 victory over Mensur Suljovic.
Past Finals
Final scores in legs
- 1994 - Larry Butler 16-12 Dennis Priestley
- 1995 - Phil Taylor 16-11 Dennis Priestley
- 1996 - Peter Evison 16-14 Dennis Priestley
- 1997 - Phil Taylor 16-11 Alan Warriner
- 1998 - Rod Harrington 19-17 Ronnie Baxter
- 1999 - Rod Harrington 19-17 Peter Manley
- 2000 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Alan Warriner
- 2001 - Phil Taylor 18-10 Richie Burnett
- 2002 - Phil Taylor 18-16 John Part
- 2003 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Wayne Mardle
- 2004 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Mark Dudbridge
- 2005 - Colin Lloyd 18-12 John Part
- 2006 - Phil Taylor 18-9 James Wade
- 2007 - James Wade 18-7 Terry Jenkins
- 2008 - Phil Taylor 18-11 James Wade
- 2009 - Phil Taylor 18-4 Terry Jenkins
- 2010 - Phil Taylor 18-12 Raymond van Barneveld
- 2011 - Phil Taylor 18-8 James Wade
- 2012 - Phil Taylor 18-15 James Wade
- 2013 - Phil Taylor 18-13 Adrian Lewis
- 2014 - Phil Taylor 18-9 Michael van Gerwen
- 2015 - Michael van Gerwen 18-12 James Wade
- 2016 - Michael van Gerwen 18-10 Phil Taylor
- 2017 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Peter Wright
- 2018 - Gary Anderson 21-19 Mensur Suljovic
World Matchplay Most Titles
- Phil Taylor - 16
- Michael van Gerwen - 2
- Rod Harrington - 2
- Gary Anderson - 1
- Larry Butler - 1
- Peter Evison - 1
- Colin Lloyd - 1
- James Wade - 1
