James Wade came through a tough 10-7 battle against Jermaine Wattimena to make it through to the second round of the World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
2007 World Matchplay champion Wade is looking to finally clinch the Phil Taylor trophy once again after finishing runner-up in this tournament on six occasions in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2025.
On his 21st Matchplay appearance, Wade had the early advantage as he took four legs on the spin in the first session to take a comprehensive 4-1 lead, Wattimena's levels sub-par for the TV stage.
The Dutchman came through with a flurry of strong legs and two breaks of throw which helped him battle back to 5-4.
Despite the resurgence, Wade capitalised when Wattimena's level faded away for a second time, allowing 'The Machine' to take out three legs in a row for an 8-4 advantage.
It was then a tense few legs as breaks of throw were traded, Wade eventually clinching tops for the win in Blackpool.
Wade was, as ever, honest in his assessment of his own performance, declaring that he was "rubbish".
"I was really, really lucky. I didn't do what I normally do," Wade told Your Site.
"I slowed him down, not purposely, but he pushes and pushes, as he has done the last four games between us.
"I slowed myself down and walked around rather than speeding up.
"In the end, the proof was in the pudding.
"It's hard to process. I normally go so fast playing Wattimena, and this time I thought: 'I'm going to do what I want to do, not what you want me to do.'"
He will face Ryan Searle who came through with a 10-6 win over William O'Connor.
O'Connor, who was on his Matchplay debut, was put to the sword by Searle early on as some clinical doubling and two breaks of throw had him 6-1 in the lead in no time.
The Irishman did battle back to bring the game to 8-6 but it was not enough as Searle found his trebles once again to secure the result, taking it out on tops.
Gian van Veen showed some incredible finishing in a 10-6 win over Krzysztof Ratajski in what was a confidence boosting win for the world No 3.
Ratajski had beaten Van Veen less than a week ago on the way to winning his third Euro Tour title in Leverkusen but Van Veen showed why he is one of the world's best in Blackpool, especially on the outer ring.
Two early 144 checkouts set the precedent and a huge 160 checkout in the 13th leg for a break of throw set the Winter Gardens alight.
The 'Polish Eagle' did keep coming throughout the contest, but was always kept at least three legs away from Van Veen as he just defended his own throw incredibly well.
"Everyone knows I have been struggling the last few months, and I just needed that win today," Van Veen told Your Site.
"My finishing got me through that game today.
"I am finishing really well, my scoring needs to be up there the next round.
"It is very important to have a good run. I have been up and down.
"To go deep here would mean so much confidence for myself going into the back end of this year."
He faces Wessel Nijman after the Dutchman showed why he has been the player to beat in 2026 with a comprehensive 10-5 win against Dave Chisnall.
Nijman has won eight titles in 2026, but the Matchplay marked the tournament at which it was time to convert his floor form into a big stage performance.
That he did when he picked up the first four legs and got as far as 6-1 in front. Chisnall did manage to pick up a few legs on the way but after nullifying 'Chizzy's' break of throw, Nijman held his throw all the way to a brilliant 108 checkout for victory.
Michael van Gerwen ground out a nervous win over Andrew Gilding, while Gary Anderson delivered his best-ever World Matchplay performance on Sunday afternoon in Blackpool.
Van Gerwen, who narrowly missed D12 for a nine-darter in the sixth leg, averaged less than 95 in a 10-6 victory over the dogged Gilding who refused to surrender the lead in the first half of their round one contest.
Earlier, former world champion Anderson delivered the best performance of the tournament so far in a 10-2 thrashing of Ryan Joyce.
The Scotsman averaged just under 110 - his best in 18 years of playing at the Winter Gardens - and delivered spectacular finishes of 144 and 141 to win.
He will take on Jonny Clayton in the next round, who rounded out the afternoon session with a 10-7 win over Damon Heta, holding off a fight back from 'The Heat' with a 121 finish on the bullseye then a 144 finish to win the contest Clayton's stand out moments.
In the first game of the day, the 13th seed Chris Dobey missed four match darts before losing 13-11 to Dirk van Duijvenbode, Dobey paying for missing 29 doubles in the game.
The first round of the World Matchplay Darts continues on Monday with four more big games coming your way, live on Your Site from 7pm.
Ross Smith opens the show against Kevin Doets, as Gerwyn Price then starts his Matchplay campaign against German No 1 Martin Schindler.
2024 Matchplay champion and World No 2 Luke Humphries headlines the evening with a mouth-watering clash against Cameron Menzies.
Danny Noppert then rounds out the evening when he takes on 'Voltage' Rob Cross.
Who will win this year's World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Your Site. .
