World Matchplay Darts: Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler as Michael Smith beats Gary Anderson | Darts News

Michael van Gerwen beat Luke Littler 10-6 in their highly-anticipated first-round clash at the World Matchplay on Monday.

In the 10th meeting between the pair, Van Gerwen proved his critics wrong after his disappointing form this year and denied Littler his first win on debut at the Winter Gardens.

Van Gerwen was visibly emotional after the match and will face Joe Cullen in the second round.

“It’s always fun to play games at that standard,” said Van Gerwen. “You know you’re going to face someone with incredible talent, but you have to face it. You can’t let yourself down and you have to work for it. I’m glad it paid off.

“I have a few days off. I train really hard every day. This means a lot to me.

“I’ve had a hard time, everyone knows that. To do something good and get a reward for your hard work is always good.”

It was a strange match as Littler got the first break to go 2-1 up with Van Gerwen looking to be in early trouble.

However, the Dutch immediately bounced back, winning the next three legs to take a 5-2 lead.

Both players scored heavily, averaging around 110 in the middle of the match, as they went into the break again 6-4 up.

A checkout 146 from Van Gerwen to continue the throw gave him an advantage 8-5 as now wayward Littler could not break back and broke himself again in the last leg.

Smith overcame a slow start to see off Anderson

Another big match on Monday saw Michael Smith fight back from 3-0 down against Gary Anderson to win 10-5 in a battle between former world champions.

Smith won seven legs in a row to lead 7-3 as Anderson appeared to be unhappy with some fans who jeered Scotland, at one point marking ‘2-1’ in reference to the scoreline when England lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Smith, who had the best result of runner-up in the Matchplay in 2019, was in incredible form as he dropped just two more legs.

“3-0 down, I didn’t play well. I had two shots at 85 but the thing that bothered me was that I kept hitting five,” he said.

“He dropped me and then won the next five or six legs and kept going. I tried too hard (early). that’s it’.

“He took control over me and then a lot started. You can see him shushing because it’s not good. I wanted me and Gary we are the best.”

Smith will go up against Chris Dobey in the last 16, after the player nicknamed ‘Hollywood’ defeated Ritchie Edhouse in a grueling final match of the night 10-7.

Earlier, Ryan Searle produced a brilliant display to eliminate Australian No 1 Damon Heta 10-4.

What happened on Tuesday in World Matchplay?

The second round begins on Tuesday in World Matchplay, with Gerwyn Price facing Ross Smith in the last 16 match at 19:00 – live on Sky Sports Main Event and Action.

Defending champion Nathan Aspinall played James Wade, then world champion Luke Humphries took on Stephen Bunting in a thrilling match.

In the final match of the night, Jonny Clayton meets Dimitri Van den Bergh, who will be booed by the nine darter at the weekend.

World Matchplay continues on Tuesday at 19:00 as the second round begins live on Sky Sports Main Event and Action. Get instant access to World Matchplay for £26 with NOW.

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