Michael van Gerwen made a winning start to his challenge to take the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a defeat of Paul Lim, as Vincent van der Voort, Mark Walsh and Scott Rand brought the first round to a close with victories.
Number seven seed van Gerwen Ipictured), the second favourite to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on New Year’s Day following a tremendous 2012, took on veteran star Lim in their first round contest at Alexandra Palace last night.
Lim had impressed in his 4-1 preliminary round victory over Malaysia’s Mohd Latif Sapup, and shared the first four legs of his clash with van Gerwen before the Dutch ace edged the opening set.
Van Gerwen then took the third set 3-1, and although Lim fired in a 170 checkout in the fourth, the Dutchman edged the set to complete the triumph.
“I’m not overly impressed with my performance, but I won in straight sets, so that’s a good feeling,” said van Gerwen. “Paul played well and put me under quite a bit of pressure and we enjoyed the game.
“It’s good to get the first round out of the way and I will now prepare for my next game against Peter Wright on Sunday.”
Vincent van der Voort gave the Alexandra Palace crowd double Dutch delight with his straight sets defeat of debutant Stuart Kellett.
The quick-fire former UK Open finalist lost only four legs as he sealed a second round clash with another Ladbrokes World Championship newcomer, Dean Winstanley, on Sunday.
“It’s great to be back in London again and to play in front this crowd, who give me so much support,” said the former UK Open finalist.
“I’ve had a difficult year with a combination of injury and a loss of form, so to win tonight takes a great deal of pressure of my shoulders.
“I feel much more relaxed now and feel that I will play better against Dean Winstanley in my next match, as Dean is playing great and is always up for a battle.”
Coventry’s Scott Rand condemned Kim Huybrechts, the recent Players Championship Finals runner-up in Minehead, to defeat in a thrilling five-set encounter.
Huybrechts, playing only nine days following the death of his father, won the game’s first set in style with a superb 127 checkout and also took the third without reply – hitting legs of 14, 14 and 13 darts – to lead 2-1 in the contest.
However, Rand hit back superbly to take the fourth set 3-1 and came from a leg down in the decider to secure a high-quality victory.
“I’ve timed this performance very well as I don’t think I’ve played anywhere near that level this year, said a delighted Rand. “I had a car crash in January and it’s only recently that I’ve been able to throw without pain again.
“I enjoyed the experience here last year, and I feel that helped me. I love playing on the big stages and I feel that’s where I produce my best game.”
Former UK Open runner-up Mark Walsh was the night’s other winner, claiming his second round spot against Justin Pipe courtesy of a 3-1 defeat of Darren Webster, a former quarter-finalist who was returning to the big stage.
Walsh won six of the game’s first seven legs to take command, and although Webster hit back to take the third set, the Hertfordshire ace was too strong in taking the fourth for the triumph.
“I’m pretty pleased with my performance tonight, considering it’s the first round of the biggest tournament in the game,” said a delighted Walsh. “My finishing was pretty good and I was happy with my scoring in the first two sets.
“I dipped off in the third set and let him back into the game a bit, so I’m glad I closed it off at the end and I’m happy with how it went.
“Justin will be tough opponent in the next round. He’s been very impressive over the last couple years, so I know that I’m in for a hard game.”