There are three places in the Betfred World Matchplay up for grabs at this weekend’s Czech Darts Open, as the race for Winter Gardens qualification reaches its climax.
Continue reading “World Matchplay Qualification Update!”
The 2018 BetVictor World Matchplay gets underway at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in just under a fortnight’s time. Josh’s Dartistry picks out four of the most intriguing first-round ties and runs the rule over the respective tussles…. Continue reading “World Matchplay 2018: The Four Standout Ties!”
Phil Taylor bid an emotional farewell to the World Matchplay by claiming an unprecedented 16th Winter Gardens title, after producing an imperious display to thrash Peter Wright 18-8 on a memorable night of action in Blackpool on Sunday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Finals Day Report!”
Phil Taylor’s World Matchplay fairy-tale continued as he recorded one of the finest victories of his illustrious career to dismantle Michael van Gerwen and set up a semi-final showdown against his former protégé Adrian Lewis at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Friday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Day Seven Report!”
Phil Taylor punished missed doubles from his old adversary Raymond van Barneveld to set up a quarter-final showdown with defending champion Michael van Gerwen, as Adrian Lewis and Alan Norris also triumphed on a dramatic night of action at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Wednesday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Day Five Report!”
Michael van Gerwen kicked off his bid for a third consecutive World Matchplay crown with a comprehensive win over former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting, as Adrian Lewis, Rob Cross and Simon Whitlock all recorded victories on the final night of first-round action at the Winter Gardens on Monday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Day Three Report!”
Phil Taylor kicked off his final World Matchplay campaign with victory over Gerwyn Price, to set up an enthralling second-round showdown with his old rival Raymond van Barneveld after a thrilling double-session at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Day Two Report!”
Former champion James Wade and Scottish stars Gary Anderson and Peter Wright will open the BetVictor World Matchplay on Saturday July 22nd, whilst defending champion Michael van Gerwen will begin his title defence on Monday 24th July, after the schedule of play was confirmed last week. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay Schedule of Play!”
The 2016 World Matchplay kicks off on Saturday evening, and Josh’s Dartistry casts his eye over the favourites, the contenders, the dark-horses, as well as the seeds under pressure. It promises to be a fantastic tournament at the Winter Gardens!
The Favourites:
Michael van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen is the favourite to retain his BetVictor World Matchplay title. He faces seven-time Pro Tour winner Jamie Caven in round-one, but ‘The Green Machine’ will be confident of progressing.
‘Jabba’ has only once gone beyond round-one at the Winter Gardens, and if MvG progresses, he will face either his good friend Vincent van der Voort, or Kyle Anderson in the last 16. Van Gerwen claimed victory in the recent Shanghai Darts Masters, but the world number one wasn’t in vintage form throughout the World Series.
Gary Anderson
World champion Gary Anderson will enter this tournament with real self-belief. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ has won three of the four World Series titles in 2016, beating Van Gerwen in two of those finals. The Scot is one of the select few who relishes the challenge of facing MvG, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see these two face off in the final.
However, Anderson has been handed a difficult first-round assignment, against former Lakeside world finalist Alan Norris. Norris has been in fine form in the last 6 months and this promises to be a quick-fire contest. Anderson suffered a shock second-round defeat to Mensur Suljovic last year, so he’ll be determined to make amends this time around.
The field for the 2016 World Matchplay was confirmed after the conclusion of the Players Championship double-header in Barnsley. Robbie Green secured a last-gasp qualification with a fine run to the quarter-finals at the Metrodome on Sunday afternoon.
A 32-player field will compete in the BetVictor World Matchplay from July 16-24 at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, as the top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit will be joined by 16 qualifiers from the rolling one-year ProTour Order of Merit.
Green will be making his long-awaited Blackpool return, having lost 10-7 to Bob Anderson in round-one of the World Matchplay twelve years ago, back in 2004. Green’s run to the last eight in Players Championship 11 saw him pip Rowby-John Rodriguez for the final qualification spot, which will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Austrian.
There will also be three debutants in this year’s competition. Former World Championship finalist Alan Norris has been rewarded for his remarkable Pro Tour consistency, having finished 4th on the Pro Tour Order of Merit.