MARVELLOUS Michael van Gerwen claimed his first BetVictor World Matchplay title with a brilliant 18-12 win over James Wade in Sunday's final at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

The Dutch star, 26, erased the memories of last year's tears in defeat to Phil Taylor with a magical display to defeat Wade, the 2007 World Matchplay winner who was seeking his second Blackpool title.

Wade had ended Taylor's seven-year reign as World Matchplay champion in Saturday's semi-finals, but was unable to repeat the performance against the world number one as van Gerwen scooped the £100,000 first prize.

After sharing the first ten legs, a five-leg burst from van Gerwen - including checkouts of 127 and 144 - saw him pull clear to lead 10-6 and take a cushion which he would never relinquish as he charged to glory.

"This is fantastic, amazing for me and it's a wish come true," said an emotional van Gerwen afterwards. "It means a lot to me because after the World Championship this is the biggest ranking event.

"It's totally different to last year. Everybody could see how emotional I was after that game and it means a lot to me to win this trophy.

"I knew what I had to do but we both struggled a bit and couldn't get going for some reason, maybe the pressure of holding this title. James' scoring power wasn't there and he was hanging in there in the game with his finishing.

"He's a difficult player to play against but my scoring was loads better than James' and I wanted to take advantage of that. It doesn't matter how you win a final, to win a final feels great."

After celebrating in front of a capacity 2,000 fans in Blackpool, he added: "The crowd were fantastic and I'm really glad to have won this trophy in front of a crowd like this."

An edgy opening saw van Gerwen break throw immediately before Wade levelled with a 68 finish and then took out double six to lead 2-1.

Van Gerwen fired in a 180, the first of four in as many legs, as he took the fourth, but Wade punished missed doubles from the Dutchman to take a 4-2 cushion.

The tables were turned as Wade missed tops in the seventh leg to allow van Gerwen back in on double 16 before tops from the Dutchman levelled, and the next two were shared before a 107 finish put the 2007 champion 6-5 up.

Van Gerwen's response, though, was clinical as he took out 127 for a 12-darter to level, double eight and double 16 to move 8-6 up, a fabulous 144 finish and 80 on double ten to win five straight legs and open up a 10-6 lead in the blink of an eye.

Wade took two of the next three, despite a 13-darter from van Gerwen, before a missed bullseye from the left-hander for a 167 finish allowed the Dutchman to land double 18 for a 12-8 advantage.

Although Wade took the next to punish missed doubles from van Gerwen, the top seed finished 72 to restore his lead and double 16 in successive legs to move 15-9 up.

Wade claimed two of the next three to stay in the hunt, but an eighth 180 of the game helped van Gerwen move 17-11 up, and despite double ten keeping the left-hander's hopes alive, another maximum helped him set up tops for a 14-darter to seal glory.

Wade's defeat saw him lose out for a fifth time in the final in Blackpool, and he conceded: "It's an honour to be in the final but I let myself down a little bit. From start to finish I struggled, and I wasn't good enough.

"I'm devastated, because I know I was good enough to win that final but I laid down and got steamrollered.

"I'm happy to be in the final and to mix it with the best players in the world again, but I'm not happy with how I played. It's almost as if someone cut my arm off, and the most simple shots became hard work.

"I expected Michael to come out all guns blazing and he didn't do it, but he did it when it mattered. He's a true champion and he did a job against me and won quite comfortably.

"I'm really happy with how it's gone this week and I can take positives from the other games this week, but hats off to Michael."

Van Gerwen's victory also means that he has moved, for the second time, beyond £1 million on the PDC Order of Merit after taking his prize money in ranking events for the past two years to £1,059,750.

Van Gerwen was also immediately installed as the 13/8 favourite with sponsors BetVictor to retain the World Matchplay title next summer.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Sunday July 26
Final
Michael van Gerwen 18-12 James Wade

MATCH INFORMATION
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
0-0 - James Wade has won the bullseye and will throw first.
1-0 - van Gerwen breaks throw, with Wade missing the bull to allow the Dutchman to finish a superb 13-darter on double 18.
1-1 - van Gerwen lands the game's first 180, but misses double 18 to finish 109 as Wade steps in to break with a 68 finish to level on double five.
1-2 - Double six sees Wade move ahead.
2-2 - van Gerwen opens with a maximum before finishing double eight to square the game.
2-3 - The Dutchman lands his third 180, but misses three darts at double nine across two visits to claim another break of throw, allowing Wade in on double ten to regain the edge.
2-4 - Both players fire in maximums before another miss from van Gerwen - as he wires tops to finish 80 - allows Wade to take out a two-dart 61 combination on double 18 for another break.
3-4 - van Gerwen posts his fifth 180 of the game before Wade this time wires tops for an 80 finish, with the Dutchman stepping in to break back with a 68 checkout on double 16.
4-4 - van Gerwen finishes 56 on tops to hit back.
4-5 - Both players miss their chance to take the leg across two visits before Wade finally pins double one to avoid a break.
5-5 - Wade wires the bullseye for a 161 checkout, and van Gerwen lands tops to level once more.
5-6 - van Gerwen lands a 174 score to leave 146, but misses double 16 to finish the combination as Wade steps up to take out 107 on tops.
6-6 - The world number one replies with a 127 checkout.
7-6 - van Gerwen finishes a third-dart double eight to break throw and move back ahead.
8-6 - Double 16 sees van Gerwen move two legs clear of his rival.
9-6 - van Gerwen claims his fourth successive leg with a brilliant 144 checkout.
10-6 - van Gerwen kicks off with a maximum before finishing 80 on double ten to win his fifth straight leg.
10-7 - van Gerwen opens with a 177 score, but Wade finishes 68 on double ten to hit back with his first leg in six.
11-7 - The Dutchman begins a third successive leg with a "maximum" as he hits a seventh 180, and though Wade replies with a 174 score, van Gerwen finishes double eight for a 13-darter.
11-8 - Wade lands a 180 as he responds with his eighth leg of the game.
12-8 - Wade misses the bull to take out 167, and van Gerwen lands double 18 for a 14-darter to regain his four-leg cushion.
12-9 - Wade's revival continues as he punishes van Gerwen's missed doubles by landing double ten.
13-9 - van Gerwen finishes 72 on double 12 to move five legs away from the title.
14-9 - van Gerwen claims a big break of throw, initially missing the bull for a 170 finish before returning to land double 16, leaving Wade waiting on 16.
15-9 - Double 16 for a 14-darter moves van Gerwen three legs away from claiming glory.
15-10 - van Gerwen misses tops for a 120 finish, and Wade replies on double five.
16-10 - Double 16 sees van Gerwen edge towards victory.
16-11 - Wade pins double ten to hit back again.
17-11 - van Gerwen lands his eighth 180 before finishing 58 to move a leg away from the title.
17-12 - Wade lands his third 180 of the game as double ten keeps his hopes alive.
18-12 - van Gerwen lands his ninth 180 of the game before finishing tops for a 14-darter to complete glory and become the BetVictor World Matchplay champion.

PHIL TAYLOR'S seven-year reign as the BetVictor World Matchplay champion was sensationally ended by James Wade with a stunning 17-14 semi-final victory at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday night, as Michael van Gerwen overcame Peter Wright to join him in the final.

Taylor had been undefeated since 2007 in the prestigious World Matchplay and was bidding to win the title for an eighth successive year and a 16th time in total after battling through to the last four.

However, Wade - who went on to win the title in 2007 after Terry Jenkins had knocked out Taylor - held his nerve to claim a memorable triumph as he put himself into the final in Blackpool for a sixth time.

Wade had levelled twice after trailing 3-1 and 7-5 before moving into a lead he would never relinquish at 13-10 and 16-12 before holding off Taylor's late rally to end his 38-game winning record on the Winter Gardens stage.

Finishes of tops, double 18 and double seven gave Taylor three of the first four legs, and after Wade hit back with a 120 finish an outstanding ten-darter put the reigning champion 4-2 up.

Taylor then opened leg seven with 180 and 140, but a 168 score from Wade applied the pressure before he punished a miss at double 13 by hitting tops for a 13-darter to hit back.

Taylor produced a fine 12-darter to take a 5-3 lead, but Wade responded with a 180 in a 14-darter before breaking throw on tops - after his opponent missed the same bed - to level.

Taylor took the next two with the aid of 180s for a 7-5 cushion, but the left-hander again hit back as he took the next four legs - punishing missed doubles from the Stoke great in three - to move 9-7 up, with 76 and 64 combinations proving key in that run.

Wade then missed two darts to extend his advantage as Taylor finished 97 with a single 19, double 19 and double top checkout, and a 14-darter which included a second 177 opening of the game saw him level at nine-all.

The next two were also traded before Taylor's miss at tops in the 21st leg allowed Wade in on the same bed to edge 11-10 up, and he then finished 84 and 65 to pull three legs clear.

Taylor kicked off the next with a 174 score as he replied with an 11-darter before the duo traded 180s as double ten moved Wade 14-11 up, only for the left-hander to miss the bull for a 161 checkout as his opponent took leg 26.

Wade, though, won the next two with a 13-darter and double six, after a 177 score left 24, as he moved to the brink of victory at 16-12.

The tension rose as he missed eight match darts at doubles in leg 29, with Taylor staying in the hunt with double 16 before finishing double six to pull back to 16-14.

Wade, though, regained his composure with scores of 140, 174 and 140 to pull clear in the next leg and finished tops for a 12-darter to complete a famous triumph.

"Phil's beaten me so many times so I'm a bit numb, but I'm really happy," said Wade. "I didn't expect Phil to play like that but I've beaten him and can look forward to the final.

"I've not played my best but I caught a man when he is struggling, and Phil doesn't normally struggle here so I'm very grateful; it's a big weight off my shoulders.

"He didn't score or finish like he normally would; in patches he did but I stuck with him until ten-all and it seemed to break him a little bit.

"I've got the self-belief at the moment. I've had hidings from Phil, been up there before and he's punched me all around the stage and normally he beats me and beats me, and this time he didn't have any big punches in him.

"I came here tonight and had a good idea of what was going to happen, and I thought I was going to play much better. I hit probably six finishes with my last darts.

"I missed a few match darts and hoped I hadn't messed it up, but it's hard to beat a great player like Phil Taylor - what he's done in darts will go down in history."

Wade will be appearing in his sixth World Matchplay final on Sunday night, and added: "I wanted to play Phil Taylor this week and Michael too, because I'm feeling good and I want to play against the best."

Van Gerwen booked his place in the final for a second successive year with a 17-12 win over Wright in their last four contest, as he seeks to go one step further and claim the title to erase the memories of his loss to Taylor 12 months ago.

Van Gerwen has since claimed major ranking titles at the World Grand Prix, European Championship, and UK Open, and continued his challenge for a first World Matchplay win with a dominant display against Wright.

The Scot shared the opening six legs in a high-quality start, but was blown away by a five-leg burst as the Dutchman pulled into a lead which he would never lose.

After double 18 gave Wright the opener, van Gerwen hit two 180s in an 11-darter to level, the Scot finished 86 on the bull for a 12-darter and the world number one finished 90 on double ten to level.

Wright then traded 180s with van Gerwen as a 14-darter moved him 3-2 up, but the Dutchman levelled with a 104 checkout - after his opponent missed the bull - before breaking with a 13-darter to move 4-3 up.

Van Gerwen then finished 72, 90 and 56 as the opened up a 7-3 cushion before Wright took two of the next three to pull back to 8-5.

Tops from van Gerwen punished Wright in the next, before the number five seed produced an outstanding 161 checkout to hit back to 9-6 - only for his rival to finish double eight and double ten to move five legs clear.

Wright won two of the next three to hit back to 12-8, and after van Gerwen finished double ten and double one for a 14-8 lead, his revival continued with double 19, double 12 and an 11-darter to reduce the gap to just three legs.

The next, though, went to van Gerwen as he edged out to 15-11, with the pair trading 180 as Wright finished a second 11-darter in three legs to win his 12th leg of the contest.

However, van Gerwen fired in his tenth 180 in a 13-darter to move to the brink of victory, and sealed his spot in the final with a stunning ten-dart finish which featured scores of 174 and 171.

"This is fantastic for me," said van Gerwen. "It was a great performance and though I can do better than this, but I really enjoyed this win.

"Peter is a good player but today he wasn't as good in his doubles and his finishes at the right moments, and I'm glad I did. Going 7-2 up made the game and after that deep inside my heart I knew I was not going to lose the game.

"It's a fantastic feeling and I hope I can carry this on for the final. I'm feeling really good."

Van Gerwen had been left in tears following last year's defeat to Taylor, but will now focus on a different opponent - Wade - in this decider.

"In one way it's a bonus but I also wanted to play Phil because revenge would be nice!" he said. "I'm a big favourite against James but he played phenomenal darts to beat Phil and I have to prepare myself as well as possible because he's a fantastic player.

"I want to use my confidence in the next game and do my own thing and try to beat him. I've never won this tournament and he has, so it's my turn!

"It would be really special to win and I hope I can see myself holding the trophy tomorrow night."

Van Gerwen is the 1/4 favourite with sponsors BetVictor to win Sunday's final, with Wade rated at 100/30 having been a 28/1 chance pre-tournament, while a nine-dart finish in the final is 12/1.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Saturday July 25
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 14-17 James Wade
Michael van Gerwen 17-12 Peter Wright

Sunday July 26 (7pm)
Final
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Best of 35 legs

MATCH INFORMATION
Phil Taylor v James Wade
1-0 - Taylor breaks throw immediately, finishing 53 on tops.
1-1 - Wade initially misses tops to finish 101, but Taylor is off-target with two darts at double 16 to allow the left-hander back in on double ten to break back and level.
2-1 - Wade misses two darts at tops, and Taylor capitalises for another break of throw on double 18.
3-1 - Double seven sees Taylor open up a two-leg lead.
3-2 - Taylor is unable to finish 90, and Wade takes out 120 on tops to hit back.
4-2 - Taylor produces a brilliant ten-darter, scoring 177, 140 and 168 before pinning double eight to regain a two-leg lead.
4-3 - Taylor opens with 180 and 140, but misses double 13 to finish 81 to allow Wade to follow a superb 168 set-up with tops for a 13-darter.
5-3 - Taylor lands another maximum as he completes a 12-darter on double 16.
5-4 - Wade posts his first 180 before finishing double ten for a 14-darter.
5-5 - Taylor misses tops for a 106 checkout, allowing Wade in to hit the same bed to break throw and level.
6-5 - Taylor breaks throw to regain the lead, landing a 180 and finishing 96 on double 18.
7-5 - The reigning champion lands his fifth 180 before taking out double four to move two legs clear again.
7-6 - Wade initially misses double 12, but returns on double six to hit back.
7-7 - Taylor misses double 14 and double seven to finish 88, with Wade stepping in to break throw and level by finishing 76 in two clinical darts.
7-8 - Wade fires in his second 180 of the game, and when Taylor wires double five to take out 89, the left-hander finishes 64 on tops to move ahead for the first time.
7-9 - Both players land 180s, with Taylor being first to a finish only to miss three darts at doubles across two visits, allowing Wade to finish double three to move two legs clear with another break of throw.
8-9 - Wade misses double top and ten to move three legs clear, and Taylor steps in to finish 97 with a classy single 19, double 19, double top combination.
9-9 - Taylor opens with another 177 before finishing double eight for a 14-darter to square the contest.
9-10 - Wade lands his fourth 180 before hitting tops to edge back in front.
10-10 - Taylor levels a tight contest by posting double 16.
10-11 - Taylor is unable to land a second double top to finish 100, and Wade steps in to hit the bed to move back ahead.
10-12 - Wade breaks throw for a fifth time in the game, taking out 84 on double 11 for a superb 12-darter.
10-13 - Taylor is unable to finish 139, and Wade steps in to finish 65 on double four as he moves three legs clear.
11-13 - Taylor kicks off with a 174 and adds scores of 140 and 122 before finishing 65 on tops for an 11-darter.
11-14 - Wade's 180 is followed by a maximum from Taylor, who is unable to finish 122 to break throw as the 2007 champion returns on double ten.
12-14 - Taylor opens once more with a 180 and adds scores of 134 and 137, with a miss at double 16 then allowing Wade a shot at 161 - only for the left-hander to wire the bull for a 161 checkout as the Stoke ace returns on double eight to hit back.
12-15 - Wade moves two legs away from victory - which would end Taylor's amazing reign in Blackpool - by finishing tops for a 13-darter.
12-16 - Wade scores 177 to leave 24 before finishing double six to move one leg away from the win.
13-16 - Wade is first to a finish, but misses eight match darts across three visits as Taylor scrambles in double 16 to keep his title hopes alive.
14-16 - Double six for a 14-darter sees Taylor continue his fightback.
14-17 - Wade kicks off with 140 and 174 before ending Taylor's amazing reign at the Winter Gardens by hitting double top for a 12-darter.

Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
0-1 - Double 18 gives Wright the game's opening leg.
1-1 - van Gerwen fires in six perfect darts with two 180s before finishing 76 for an 11-darter to level.
1-2 - Both players hit 180s before Wright finishes 86 on the bull for a 12-dart leg.
2-2 - van Gerwen takes out 90 on double ten to hit back again.
2-3 - The pair trade 180s again before Wright finishes a 14-darter to edge back in front.
3-3 - Wright misses the bull to finish 121 for a break of throw, and van Gerwen takes out 104 to level.
4-3 - The pair swap maximums for a third time in the game as van Gerwen breaks for the first time on double 14 for a 13-darter, punishing a miss at double nine from Wright.
5-3 - Wright opens with a maximum, but van Gerwen finishes 72 on double six.
6-3 - The Dutchman's charge continues as he finishes 90 on double ten for a second time in the game.
7-3 - van Gerwen takes out 56 on tops to claim a fifth successive leg.
7-4 - Double 16 sees Wright hit back.
8-4 - van Gerwen restores a four-leg cushion on tops.
8-5 - Double ten for Wright sees him claim a fifth leg.
9-5 - Wright misses his chance to break as van Gerwen steps in on tops.
9-6 - A sensational 161 checkout from Wright sees him close the gap to three legs.
10-6 - Wright misses double 18 for a 153 checkout, and van Gerwen pins double eight to capitalise.
11-6 - van Gerwen hits a 180 and double ten to move five legs clear.
11-7 - Four missed doubles from the Dutchman allow Wright to hit back on double eight.
12-7 - van Gerwen finishes a 14-darter on double eight.
12-8 - Wright lands a 180 before finishing 81 on the bull for a 12-darter.
13-8 - Double ten sees van Gerwen regain his edge.
14-8 - van Gerwen takes the leg on double one to move three legs away from the final.
14-9 - Wright hits back with a 180 and double 19.
14-10 - Double 12 sees Wright break throw.
14-11 - The pair trade 180s before Wright claims his third successive leg with an 11-darter.
15-11 - Wright lands a 180, but van Gerwen takes out double four to edge closer to victory.
15-12 - Both players land 180s before Wright finishes double 12 to hit back.
16-12 - van Gerwen hits his tenth maximum before double 16 moves him to the brink of victory.
17-12 - The Dutchman seals victory in brilliant fashion with an ten-dart finish, scoring 140, 174 and 171 to set up double eight as he moves into the final for a second successive year.

PHIL TAYLOR and James Wade will clash in the BetVictor World Matchplay semi-finals on Saturday night after enjoying victories over Dave Chisnall and Mensur Suljovic respectively in their quarter-final contests at the Winter Gardens.

Taylor's bid to win an amazing eighth successive World Matchplay, and a 16th triumph in total in Blackpool, continued as he saw off Chisnall 16-8 with his most clinical display of this year's event so far.

Chisnall out-scored his rival with nine 180s to Taylor's six, but four key ton-plus checkouts helped the Stoke great pull clear in mid-game before he went on to seal the win.

Chisnall actually took the game's opening leg with a 13-darter against the throw - but it would prove to be the only time he led during the contest as Taylor levelled and then finished a 14-darter to move 2-1 up.

Chisnall levelled with another 13-darter, but Taylor found another gear to hit an 11-darter - where the players traded 180s - before breaking throw by taking out 130 for a 12-darter to lead 4-2.

Double nine gave Taylor the next before Chisnall traded 12-dart finishes with his rival, only for another 130 checkout to put the world number two 7-3 up.

The next two were shared before Taylor pulled clear with six straight legs, which saw him land a brace of 68 checkouts before finishing 161 and 100 to leave the St Helens man trailing 14-4.

Chisnall rallied to win four of the next five to keep his feint hopes alive, but Taylor was ruthless in sealing victory, scoring a 180 and a 177 in a 12-darter as double 16 secured his spot in the last four.

"I hit my finishes well tonight and I want to kick on now," said Taylor, who is now unbeaten in 38 games on the Winter Gardens stage since 2007.

"Dave makes you nervous and puts you under pressure from the very start. The only way to beat Dave is to try and match him when he hits the big scores, and he's a great player.

"I'm going up there to try my best in every game and it's not about winning a 16th title here or an eighth in a row, it's just about winning this tournament."

2007 World Matchplay winner Wade remains on course to reach his sixth final at the Winter Gardens following his 16-11 win over gutsy Mensur Suljovic, who hit back from a seven-leg deficit to cause the left-hander some nervous moments.

After Wade took out double ten to break in the opening leg, Suljovic hit the same bed to level before finishing 101 to lead 2-1.

Wade, though, levelled before moving back ahead with a 13-darter, and after the Austrian landed two 180s in taking leg six, finishes of 108 and 48 moved the left-hander into a 5-3 lead.

Suljovic posted double 18 to hit back, but Wade landed 180s as he took the next two and finished 64, 86, 74 and 104 in a run which took him out to a 12-5 advantage.

Suljovic, though, responded in a similarly clinical fashion as he took six of the next seven legs - including a 116 finish - to pull back to 13-11, but the Austrian crucially missed one dart to cut the gap to one leg.

Wade stepped in to finish 74, once again in two darts, to take a 14-11 lead and then hit his favoured tops in the next two to book his semi-final place.

"I'm happy to have walked off stage a winner but I couldn't get going enough and it didn't quite come together for me," said Wade. "I couldn't find that extra gear and I thought I was going to, especially when I went 10-5 up.

"He didn't lay down or make it easy and I knew that would be the case. When I went 10-5 up I probably should have done the job done a little bit quicker, but I did enough.

"I was never really worried about losing the game but I eased up. I thought it was going to be really close but I'm happy because I won."

Wade has been defeated in four Blackpool finals by Taylor, but overcame his great rival in the World Grand Prix and The Masters last autumn and is in confident mood ahead of their semi-final.

"I know he will play extraordinary darts so if I beat him I've got to play brilliantly and I think at the moment I've got the game to beat him when he's playing well," Wade added.

"It hasn't come out and we can all talk, but I know I'm good enough to beat him at the moment when he's playing well, and I'm in a better place than I've ever been."

Taylor added: "James was brilliant tonight and he held his nerve and did the business. I'll be giving it everything and I'll fight him to the death.

"I think everybody's in for a treat because it's going to be two cracking semi-finals."

Saturday's other semi-final will see world number one Michael van Gerwen - last year's beaten finalist in Blackpool - take on number five seed Peter Wright, who is bidding to claim his first major title.

Van Gerwen remains the favourite to take the title with sponsors BetVictor, at 4/5, with Taylor now 7/3 to continue his incredible Winter Gardens success, with Wright 10/1 and Wade 11/1 to lift the trophy on Sunday night.

Taylor is a 2/9 favourite going into his semi-final with Wade (10/3), while van Gerwen is 1/6 ahead of his clash with Wright, who is 4/1 to reach the final.

The BetVictor World Matchplay will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland and worldwide through the PDC's series of broadcast partners, as well as through www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Friday July 24
Quarter-Finals
James Wade 16-11 Mensur Suljovic
Phil Taylor 16-8 Dave Chisnall

Saturday July 25 (7pm)
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright

Format
Semi-Finals - Best of 33 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth "extra" leg is sudden-death. There will be no re-throw for the bull in this instance. For example, should a Semi-Final (best of 33 legs) reach 19-19, then the 39th leg would be the final and deciding leg.

MATCH INFORMATION
James Wade v Mensur Suljovic
1-0 - Suljovic misses two darts at double 18 to claim the opening leg, and Wade finishes double ten to break throw immediately.
1-1 - Wade misses five darts at his favoured double ten, allowing Suljovic in to break back by taking out 60 on double ten.
1-2 - Suljovic finishes 101 to move ahead.
2-2 - Wade returns from two misses at double 12 to land double three as he squares the game.
3-2 - Wade pins double top for a 13-darter to break and regain the advantage.
3-3 - Suljovic lands two 180s in the leg, and though he initially misses two darts at double 14, Wade's miss at double eight to finish 96 allows him back in on double seven.
4-3 - Suljovic misses tops to take out 76, and Wade breaks throw once more by taking out 108 on double 18.
5-3 - Wade lands a 171 score before posting double ten to move two legs clear.
5-4 - Double 18 sees Suljovic respond.
6-4 - Wade posts his second 180 of the game before landing tops to regain his edge.
7-4 - Both players land 180s before Wade pins double ten to move three legs clear with another break of throw.
8-4 - Wade finishes 64 with a two-dart combination of treble eight and tops to continue his surge.
8-5 - Wade misses tops to finish 107, allowing Suljovic in to take out 42 on double 14 to win his first leg in four.
9-5 - Wade takes out 86 on double 16 in two clinical darts to move over halfway towards victory.
10-5 - Wade's charge continues with a fourth 180 and a two-dart 74 checkout.
11-5 - Wade finishes 104 on tops to take a six-leg cushion.
12-5 - Double 17 sees the left-hander move four legs away from the semi-finals.
12-6 - Wade misses darts at double ten and five, allowing Suljovic back in to claim his first leg in five on double one.
13-6 - Suljovic misses the bull for a 161 checkout and then is unable to land two darts at double eight, with Wade capitalising on tops.
13-7 - Wade misses tops to allow Suljovic in to hit the same bed to hit back.
13-8 - Suljovic opens with a 180 before finishing 48 on double 14 to continue his revival.
13-9 - The Austrian takes out a fine 116 checkout to win his fourth leg from five as he continues his fightback.
13-10 - Suljovic closes the gap to three legs by finishing 76 on tops.
13-11 - Suljovic wins his fifth straight leg, punishing a miss at tops from Wade by hitting the same bed to take out 56.
14-11 - Suljovic misses his chance to reduce the gap to one leg when he misses double 14 to take out 94, allowing Wade in to finish 74 in two darts to claim his first leg in six.
15-11 - Tops moves Wade a leg away from the semi-finals.
16-11 - Wade finishes a 14-darter on his favoured double top as he secures his last-four place to continue his love affair with the World Matchplay.

Phil Taylor v Dave Chisnall
0-1 - Chisnall finishes 36 to break in the opening leg.
1-1 - Double eight sees Taylor level the contest.
2-1 - Taylor moves ahead by finishing 56 on tops.
2-2 - Chisnall lands a 180 and tops to square the game.
3-2 - Both players land 180s before Taylor edges back ahead.
4-2 - Taylor takes out 130 on the bull to break throw and move two legs clear.
5-2 - Chisnall lands another maximum, but Taylor takes out double nine with his third dart as he takes a three-leg cushion.
5-3 - Chisnall fires in a fourth 180 in five legs before taking out 121 on the bull to respond.
6-3 - The pair trade maximums before Taylor finishes 75 on tops to regain his advantage.
7-3 - Taylor finishes 130 for the second time in the game, this time on double five, to move four legs clear.
8-3 - Double 16 sees Taylor win a third successive leg.
8-4 - Chisnall claims his first leg in four as seven missed doubles across three visits from Taylor allow him back in on double one.
9-4 - Taylor lands a 180 before finishing 68 on tops to regain a five-leg cushion.
10-4 - Taylor moves six legs clear, opening with a 180 before taking out 49 on double 16.
11-4 - Taylor takes out 68 on double two to extend his cushion.
12-4 - Taylor finishes 161 to continue his charge towards the semi-finals.
13-4 - Double 18 moves Taylor three legs away from the win.
14-4 - Taylor finishes 100 as he claims a sixth successive leg.
14-5 - Chisnall lands a 180 and takes out double eight to hit back.
14-6 - Chisnall claims a second successive leg by landing double 16 to continue his revival.
15-6 - Chisnall hits a 180 but misses double 16 to claim another leg, allowing Taylor to finish tops to move to the brink of victory.
15-7 - Chisnall posts his ninth maximum before taking out 66 on double 18 to claim his third leg in four.
15-7 - Taylor misses two match darts, at double 19 to finish 95, and Chisnall lands double ten to keep the game alive.
16-8 - Taylor seals victory in style, opening with a 180 and adding a 177 before finishing double 16 for a 12-darter to book his place in the semis against James Wade.

Latest BetVictor Odds
Tournament Winner
4/5 Michael van Gerwen
7/4 Phil Taylor
10/1 Peter Wright
11/1 James Wade

Semi-Final Match Odds
2/9 Phil Taylor
10/3 James Wade

1/6 Michael van Gerwen
4/1 Peter Wright
Odds courtesy www.betvictor.com. Please gamble responsibly.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN turned on the style with the fourth highest average in BetVictor World Matchplay history as he swept Jamie Lewis aside 13-2 on Tuesday night, as Gerwyn Price stunned Adrian Lewis to join Peter Wright and Ian White in the quarter-finals in Blackpool.

World number one van Gerwen was at his brilliant, ruthless best as he powered past Lewis with a 110.93 average, which has only been bettered by Phil Taylor - on three occasions - in the 22-year history of the event.

Although Lewis shared the first two legs, he had no answer to van Gerwen's brilliant scoring and clinical finishing as the Dutchman reeled off nine successive legs.

The run included finishes of 100 - with two double tops - 91, 89 on the bull, 87 and 86 as well as an 11-dart finish, two 12-darters and four 14-dart legs.

Lewis landed double 11 to hit back in the 12th leg with a sparkling 13-darter, but van Gerwen landed 180s and another 11-darter in the next two legs to move 12-2 up before adding a 174 score to leave 32 as he sealed victory in style with a 13-dart finish.

"It's a statement to myself and the rest of the players," said van Gerwen. "Jamie was scoring okay but I didn't give him any chances and my finishing went in brilliantly, and I want to keep going like this.

"You don't do this average every day and it makes it a bit special - but it was only one game.

"I'm already looking forward to Thursday against Ian White and I want to concentrate on that and make sure I perform really well."

Van Gerwen will now take on Ian White in the quarter-finals, after the number nine seed produced an outstanding comeback to defeat Simon Whitlock 13-9 by reeling off seven successive legs.

A tight contest saw the opening ten legs all won with the throw, as White hit a 113 checkout and Whitlock fired in four 180s, before the Australian took three in a row to claim an 8-5 advantage.

White replied with a 13-darter before Whitlock enjoyed six perfect darts for the second time in the game, and though he again missed out on a nine-dart finish the Australia did take the leg for a 9-6 lead.

White, though, took out tops to hit back and then landed 180s in the next three legs to put himself ahead for the first time at 10-9.

He then finished 104 and traded 180s with Whitlock as he moved 12-9 up before landing double ten to move into the quarter-finals in Blackpool for the first time.

"It feels great and I'm delighted to be in the quarter-finals," said White, who knocked out Stephen Bunting in the first round. "I'm happy with the way things are going at the moment.

"I thought I was dead and buried at 9-6 and it just wasn't going right for me. but I wanted to take one leg at a time, and when I got back to nine-all I knew I could do it.

"I wanted to keep pressurising him and he didn't reply. The 180s came back towards the end and I was taking the doubles out in one dart."

World number four Adrian Lewis was sensationally knocked out 13-10 by Welsh newcomer Gerwyn Price, the former rugby ace who will compete in his first major quarter-final on Thursday night.

Price matched the two-time World Champion blow for blow during a thrilling opening, sharing the first four legs before taking three in a row to lead 5-2 with an in-running average of over 111.

Lewis hit back with an 11-darter, only to see Price take four of the next five to edge himself into a 9-4 advantage as the pair traded 13-dart legs.

Lewis landed scores of 177 and 180 in the next two legs as he pulled back to 9-6, only for Price to land double top to win three of the next four as he moved to the brink of the biggest win of his 18-month career.

Two missed match darts in the next allowed Lewis in on double two to keep his hopes alive, before he landed another 180 in a brilliant 12-darter and then hit double ten to pull back to 12-10.

Price, though, kicked off the next leg with a 180 - his eighth, to match Lewis' tally - before fittingly landing a third-dart double top to claim a famous win.

"It's unbelievable," said Price, who only joined the PDC circuit in January 2014. "My goal initially was to get through the first round and get my first win on TV, and today I just wanted to play well.

"I think I out-played Adrian for most of the game, apart from the last couple of legs where he came back, so I'm chuffed to bits. I wasn't nervous but maybe there was a bit of white line fever and he kept putting me under pressure.

"On Sunday I struggled with my scoring but my finishing got me through but tonight it came together. It hasn't sunk in yet - I can't wait to do it all again on Thursday."

Price now faces Peter Wright, the number five seed who held off the challenge of Andrew Gilding to reach his first World Matchplay quarter-final with a 13-7 win.

Gilding took out 100 for an 11-darter to open the game and also led 2-1 before Wright levelled and then broke with double 12 to move 3-2 up.

Gilding took out 121 and 74 to remain locked at four-all, but Wright found an extra gear to claim two big breaks of throw in a four-leg burst to move 8-4 up, hitting legs of 11, 12 and ten darts in the process and twice hitting seven perfect darts, missing treble 19 on both occasions in his bid for a nine-darter.

Gilding finished tops to win two of the next three legs to stay in touch at 10-7, but a 68 checkout gave Wright breathing space before he sealed victory with legs of 13 and 14 darts, which both featured 180s, as he moved into the last eight.

"It's fantastic to be through," said Wright. "There were patches of what my game should be all the time, and that's why I'm disappointed with my average but it's a win and I can improve now.

"I used to practice with Andrew before he turned professional with the PDC and he used to beat me all the time and I know how good he is but I got on top of him at the end."

The second round concludes on Tuesday, with the four games including reigning champion Phil Taylor's all-Stoke battle with Andy Hamilton.

2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade is up against Brendan Dolan, while World Champion Gary Anderson faces Austria's Mensur Suljovic and Dave Chisnall takes on World Youth Champion Keegan Brown.

Van Gerwen's victory has seen him cut to Evens with sponsors BetVictor to take the title on Sunday night, with Taylor the 10/3 second favourite and Anderson 4/1/

Wright's win has seen him reduced to 9/1 for the title, with White 33/1 and Price 50/1 following their second round victories.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Tuesday July 21
Second Round
Peter Wright 13-7 Andrew Gilding
Simon Whitlock 9-13 Ian White
Michael van Gerwen 13-2 Jamie Lewis
Adrian Lewis 10-13 Gerwyn Price

Wednesday July 22 (7pm-11.30pm)
Second Round
Dave Chisnall v Keegan Brown
James Wade v Brendan Dolan
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic
Best of 25 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth "extra" leg is sudden-death. There will be no re-throw for the bull in this instance. For example, should a Second Round game (best of 25 legs) reach 15-15, then the 31st leg would be the final and deciding leg.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Outright Winner Odds
Evens Michael van Gerwen
10/3 Phil Taylor
4/1 Gary Anderson
9/1 Peter Wright
16/1 Dave Chisnall
20/1 James Wade
33/1 Ian White
50/1 Gerwyn Price
66/1 Keegan Brown
100/1 Brendan Dolan
125/1 Andy Hamilton
200/1 Mensur Suljovic
Odds courtesy www.betvictor.com and subject to fluctuation.

MATCH INFORMATION
Peter Wright v Andrew Gilding
0-1 - Gilding makes an outstanding start, scoring 140, 121 and 140 before finishing 100 for an 11-darter to claim the opener.
1-1 - Wright takes out 41 on double eight to level.
1-2 - Tops sees Gilding move back ahead.
2-2 - Wright finishes 65 to square the contest once more.
3-2 - Wright breaks throw for the first time by landing double 12.
3-3 - Wright misses double eight to take out 127, and Gilding finishes 121 on the bull to break back and level.
4-3 - Wright scores 180 and 171 during the leg, and though he initially misses his chance to take the leg, Gilding is unable to land tops for a 110 finish as the number five seed returns to break once more on double six.
4-4 - Wright misses five darts at doubles to open up a two-leg lead, allowing Gilding in to take out 74 to level.
5-4 - Wright lands a maximum before completing an 11-darter on double 16 to break again and regain the lead.
6-4 - Wright tees up a possible nine-dart finish with two 180s, and lands a seventh perfect treble 20 before missing the treble 19 - but returns to finish another 11-darter to pull two legs clear of his rival.
7-4 - The former World Championship finalist continues his charge with another maximum before landing double six to move three legs clear.
8-4 - Wright again lands seven perfect dart, again missing out on a nine-dart finish on the treble 19 of the 141 combination - with Gilding landing a maximum in reply but only able to watch on as his opponent finishes double 16 for a ten-darter.
8-5 - Gilding wins his first leg in five by taking out 68 on tops.
9-5 - Wright escapes from two missed doubles when Gilding is unable to land a brace of darts at tops, with the colourful Scot returning on double six.
9-6 - Wright misses the bull for a 121 checkout, with Gilding stepping in this time to post tops as he cuts the gap to three legs.
10-6 - Wright kicks off another leg with a maximum - his eighth - before landing double nine to move three legs away from the quarter-finals.
10-7 - Gilding responds by finishing 86 on double eight.
11-7 - Wright finishes 68 on double 16 to edge closer to victory.
12-7 - Wright kicks off with a maximum and finishes double 18 to move to the brink of victory.
13-7 - Wright takes out 77 on double ten to move through to the quarter-finals for the first time.

Simon Whitlock v Ian White
1-0 - Whitlock holds throw in the opening leg by finishing double ten.
1-1 - The Australian lands a 180 before White levels by taking out 40.
2-1 - Double ten sees Whitlock edge back ahead.
2-2 - White finishes 56 on double ten as he squares the game.
3-2 - Whitlock takes out 32 to move himself back in front.
3-3 - Whitlock misses the bull to finish 126, and White steps in to check out 113 on double 18.
4-3 - Whitlock lands a 180 and double 14 to edge back ahead.
4-4 - White fires in a 174 score before double 16 levels.
5-4 - Both players open with 180s before Whitlock lands another maximum to set up a possible nine-darter - hitting a seventh treble 20 before missing the treble 15 on the 141 combination, although he returns to claim the leg.
5-5 - White levels once again, this time hitting tops.
6-5 - Whitlock edges back in front.
7-5 - The game's first break of throw goes to Whitlock, who capitalises on White's missed doubles by finishing 66 on double 16.
8-5 - White opens with a 180, but Whitlock wins his third successive leg by finishing 40.
8-6 - White fires in a 180 before taking out double eight for a 13-dart finish.
9-6 - Whitlock tees up a possible nine-darter for the second time with two 180s, this time missing the seventh treble 20 before he again returns to take the legs.
9-7 - Tops sees White reduce the gap to two legs once more.
9-8 - White fires in a 180 before claiming his first break of throw in the game by landing double 16.
9-9 - White lands his fifth maximum and has enough breathing space to initially miss three doubles across two visits before returning on double seven to level.
9-10 - White posts his sixth 180 of the game and claims a fourth successive leg by posting double two to punish four misses from Whitlock.
9-11 - White's run continues as he takes out 104 on double 16 to move two legs clear.
9-12 - Both players land their seventh 180 of a fine contest before White takes out 46 on double 16 to move to the brink of victory.
9-13 - White initially misses one match dart, at tops to finish 114, but returns to land double ten to seal his first quarter-final in Blackpool.

Michael van Gerwen v Jamie Lewis
1-0 - van Gerwen makes an ideal start with a superb 13-darter as double 16 gives him the lead.
1-1 - van Gerwen opens with a 180, but Lewis levels on double ten.
2-1 - The top seed holds throw to regain the edge.
3-1 - van Gerwen lands a 177 before finishing 86 for a break of throw.
4-1 - van Gerwen misses the bull for a 170 finish, but returns to take out double eight for a three-leg lead.
5-1 - van Gerwen scores 170 during the leg before taking out 91 in two darts to win a fourth straight leg.
6-1 - A fifth consecutive leg goes to the world number one as he fires in a 180 and double four.
7-1 - van Gerwen finishes 87 on double nine to continue his charge.
8-1 - The Dutchman's relentless finishing continues as he takes out 100 with two double tops.
9-1 - Lewis misses the bull, allowing van Gerwen to take his eighth straight leg on double four.
10-1 - Lewis leaves 36, only to see van Gerwen power home the bull to finish 89.
10-2 - The pair trade 180s before both missing the final double for a ton-plus checkout, and Lewis then returns to win his first leg in ten by posting double 11.
11-2 - van Gerwen posts his fourth 180 before a third-dart double five moves him two legs away from the win.
12-2 - Lewis' second 180 of the game is followed once again by a maximum from van Gerwen, and when the Welsh youngster misses double nine to finish 85, the top seed takes out 82 with a bullseye, double 16 combination. Lewis' average is now above 100 despite winning just two legs, with van Gerwen around 110!
13-2 - van Gerwen piles in a 174 score to leave 32 before finishing a 13-darter on double 16 to seal an outstanding victory with a 110.93 average - the fourth highest in World Matchplay history.

Adrian Lewis v Gerwyn Price
0-1 - Lewis lands a 180, but Price takes out 75 to break throw in the opening leg.
1-1 - Both players land 180s, and when Price misses tops to take out 116 the Stoke ace finishes 81 on double 13 to break back and level.
2-1 - Price fires in a 180 to leave 87, only to see Lewis take out a brilliant 136 checkout.
2-2 - Price takes out 76 on tops to square the contest.
2-3 - Price posts another 180 as he leaves 60, and when Lewis misses the bull the Welshman capitalises on tops to break and regain the lead.
2-4 - Tops to complete a 43 checkout sees Price move two legs clear.
2-5 - Price posts his fourth 180 of the game and then takes out 81 on double 12 to break throw once more - taking his average to 111.43.
3-5 - Lewis hits back superbly with a maximum of his own before checking out 81 on double 12.
3-6 - Price responds with his fifth maximum before double eight sees him break throw and regain his cushion.
3-7 - Price posts another 180 and then finishes double ten to move four legs clear of the world number four.
4-7 - Double 18 sees Lewis hit back.
4-8 - Lewis fires in a 180, but Price is first to a double and lands double five to move four legs clear.
4-9 - Price breaks throw with a third-dart double top to extend his advantage.
5-9 - Lewis kicks off with a 177 and goes on to break throw to reduce the gap to four legs.
6-9 - Both players land 180s, with Lewis returning from a missed bullseye to finish double eight for a 14-darter.
6-10 - Price initially misses the bull to finish 130, but Lewis is unable to take out 98 to allow the Welshman back in on tops.
7-10 - Lewis fires in tops to hit back.
7-11 - Price moves two legs away from victory by finishing 65 on tops.
7-12 - The Welshman moves a leg away from a huge win, capitalising on Lewis' missed bullseye by finishing 82 on tops.
8-12 - Lewis lands a 180 but misses five darts at double 16 and eight - only for Price to miss two match darts, allowing the former finalist back on double two to stay in the game.
9-12 - Lewis opens with his eighth 180 of the game before taking out 100 with two double tops to continue his revival.
10-12 - Lewis misses tops to finish 157, but Price misses a single 16 to leave tops to allow the world number four back on double ten to reduce the gap to two legs.
10-13 - Price opens with a 180, and when Lewis misses double 18 to finish 109, the Welshman takes his chance to claim victory by pinning a third-dart double top to reach the quarter-finals on his World Matchplay debut.

PHIL TAYLOR began his quest to win the BetVictor World Matchplay for an incredible 16th time with a crushing 10-2 win over John Henderson on Monday night, as Andy Hamilton, Keegan Brown and Dave Chisnall joined him in the second round.

Taylor, unbeaten at the Winter Gardens since 2007, kicked off his challenge in the £450,000 event in ideal fashion by seeing off the Scottish qualifier with a comfortable victory.

Taylor kicked off three of the opening four legs with 180s as he established a 3-1 lead, and extended the gap to five legs before Henderson hit back to trail 6-2.

Taylor hit a fourth maximum as he regained his five-leg lead and then clinically took out 109 and 64 to move 9-2 up and landed another 180 before sealing victory with two double eights to finish 32.

"It was a good win and I did what I set out to do," said Taylor. "John's a better player than he showed tonight but you've got to attack your opponent and put them under pressure.

"I knew John was a little bit under pressure from the beginning so I tried to speed him up a bit and push him.

"This is my favourite venue and I love the tournament, and I feel comfortable here so it's great to still be in the hunt."

Taylor's second round opponent will be Stoke rival Andy Hamilton, who caused an upset by knocking out five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld with a fine 10-7 victory.

Hamilton had claimed the final ProTour qualifying place in the tournament and was the 750/1 outsider to claim the title with sponsors BetVictor ahead of the event - but has seen those odds slashed to 125/1 following the win.

Checkouts of 96 and 158 in the first two legs gave him an ideal start, and though van Barneveld hit back to 3-2, Hamilton took the next five legs without reply - landing a 13-darter and three 180s in the process - as he moved 8-2 up.

Van Barneveld won the next three to spark a revival, and after Hamilton landed a 180 and a 91 finish to move 9-5 up, he took out 48 and 96 to cut the gap to two legs.

Hamilton, though, proved too strong in the next and landed double nine to complete a win which could kick-start his year, after dropping to 20th on the PDC Order of Merit.

"It was always going to be a tough game but I knuckled down, and this event and this venue seems to bring the best out of me," said Hamilton.

"I love this tournament, I love Blackpool and I love this crowd and it brought back some great memories for me getting back on that stage. The 96 and the 158 got me going and I controlled the game from there.

"The last six months have been a horrible time for me but there's more to come and if I play well I can give Phil a good game on Wednesday. Hopefully I can progress from what I've done tonight and be more consistent, but my game's getting there."

Earlier, Premier League semi-finalist Dave Chisnall edged out Jamie Caven 13-11 in a tie-break as the pair slugged out a 24-leg thriller.

Although Caven held a slender 2-1 lead early on, following a break of throw in leg three, Chisnall hit back to take a 6-4 advantage with the aid of a 13-darter and a 14-dart finish.

Caven took the next two to level at six-all, with the next six legs all going with the throw to send the game into a tie-break at 9-9, leaving a player needing to win by two clear legs.

The pair traded tops finishes and then shared the next two legs to remain locked at 11-all as Chisnall twice missed a single match dart, with double nine then seeing the number seven seed move 12-11 up and to the brink of victory.

With Caven throwing to force a sudden-death 25th leg, Chisnall kicked off with 140, 180 - his 13th of the game - and 135 to leave 46, and eventually sealed victory at the eighth attempt.

"It was a funny game but a good game before me because I won," said Chisnall. "Hats off to Jamie because he played well and kept plodding on and hitting his doubles and pulling it back, but thankfully I broke his throw in the last leg.

"I had a feeling that the game was going to go all the way because he's a great player. Sometimes I was in control but I was probably under pressure more than Jamie because I was almost always in the lead.

"My scoring's never a problem but sometimes it's my doubles which are a bit dodgy, but luckily I won tonight and that's all that matters."

Chisnall now faces World Youth Champion Keegan Brown, who enhanced his growing reputation as a contender at darts' highest level with another composed performance, as he followed up his giant-killings at the Grand Slam of Darts and World Championship by claiming another big-name victim.

Thornton had gone into the event on a high following last weekend's European Tour triumph in Dusseldorf, but never recovered from seeing Brown take an early 5-1 lead as he suffered a sixth straight first round exit in Blackpool.

After Brown opened the game with a 14-darter, Thornton replied with a 12-darter only to see the Isle of Wight youngster win the next four to pull clear.

Thornton replied with finishes of 70, 40 and 62 as he reduced the gap to 5-4, but was crucially denied a chance to level as Brown fired in a 180 in a 14-darter to regain breathing space.

A 102 finish put him 7-4 up and he also took out another 14-darter to lead 8-5 before landing the bullseye to move to the brink of victory at 9-6.

Battling Thornton landed a 180 and finished 78 on tops to stay in the hunt, but Brown clinically sealed victory with another bull checkout, this time taking out 87 to seal his second round spot.

"I'm over the moon," said Brown. "I came here 12 years ago and watched Phil Taylor and Wayne Mardle in the final and thought it would be brilliant to play on that stage on day, and I've done that now.

"Robert's a player with Premier League experience so I wanted to get into him quickly and to take the first session 4-1 meant I could relax. Robert showed his class when he came back at me but thankfully I got there at the end.

"This is the hardest tournament to qualify for every year so I wanted to relax and play like I can do. To be in the last 16 makes me so happy."

The second round kicks off on Tuesday, with world number one Michael van Gerwen up against Welsh ace Jamie Lewis in their last 16 clash.

2013 World Matchplay finalist Adrian Lewis is up against another emerging Welsh star in Gerwyn Price, while Peter Wright takes on Andrew Gilding and Simon Whitlock faces Ian White.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Monday July 20 
First Round
Robert Thornton 7-10 Keegan Brown
Dave Chisnall 13-11 Jamie Caven
Phil Taylor 10-2 John Henderson
Raymond van Barneveld 7-10 Andy Hamilton

Tuesday July 21 (7pm-11.30pm)
Second Round
Peter Wright v Andrew Gilding
Simon Whitlock v Ian White
Michael van Gerwen v Jamie Lewis
Adrian Lewis v Gerwyn Price

Wednesday July 22 (7pm-11.30pm)
Second Round
Dave Chisnall v Keegan Brown
James Wade v Brendan Dolan
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic

Second Round - Best of 25 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth "extra" leg is sudden-death. There will be no re-throw for the bull in this instance. For example, should a Second Round game (best of 25 legs) reach 15-15, then the 31st leg would be the final and deciding leg.

MATCH INFORMATION
Robert Thornton v Keegan Brown
0-1 - Thornton lands a 180, but Brown replies with a 168 score to leave 16 before finishing double four for a 14-darter.
1-1 - The pair trade 180s before Thornton finishes 81 on the bull to level with a 12-darter.
1-2 - Brown finishes 32 as he edges back ahead.
1-3 - Brown fires in a 180 before finishing 41 on double 16 to break throw and move two legs up.
1-4 - Brown lands tops to take his third successive leg, maintaining an average of 103.
1-5 - Thornton wires the bull to finish 86 and also misses double four with two darts to allow Brown a let-off as he returns from two earlier missed doubles to finish double ten.
2-5 - Thornton claims his first leg in five by finishing 70 on double ten.
3-5 - Brown is punished for being unable to land double 18 as Thornton steps in on tops.
4-5 - Thornton claims a third successive leg with a break of throw, finishing 62 on double 14.
4-6 - Brown kicks off with 140 and 180 before claiming a key leg with double tops for a 14-darter.
4-7 - Thornton lands a 180 but Brown holds throw to move three legs up with a 102 finish.
5-7 - Brown lands a 180, but misses tops to allow Thornton back in on double two.
5-8 - Brown kicks off with a 174 score as he regains his cushion with an 87 checkout for a 14-darter.
6-8 - Double five sees Thornton hit back.
6-9 - Brown moves a leg away from a debut victory by taking out 85 on the bull.
7-9 - Thornton lands a fourth 180 before finishing 78 on tops.
7-10 - Brown seals victory by taking out 87 on the bullseye, condemning Thornton to a sixth first round exit in Blackpool.

Dave Chisnall v Jamie Caven
1-0 - Caven misses two darts at double 14 to steal the opening leg, allowing Chisnall back on double nine.
1-1 - Caven levels by hitting double nine.
1-2 - The pair trade 180s before Caven punishes missed doubles from Chisnall with a break of throw.
2-2 - Chisnall lands a 180 before finishing double 16 for a 13-darter to break back.
3-2 - Chisnall fires in his third maximum in as many legs, before again hitting double 16 as he moves back in front.
3-3 - Tops sees Caven level.
4-3 - Caven is unable to take out 100, allowing Chisnall back in to take out 80 on tops.
4-4 - Chisnall lands another maximum, but he misses three darts at double 18 and nine to break throw as Caven capitalises on double six.
5-4 - Chisnall fires in his sixth 180 before double 16 moves him back into the lead.
6-4 - A seventh 180 of the game pushes Chisnall ahead, and he finishes 60 on tops to break throw and take a two-leg lead with a 14-darter.
6-5 - Chisnall misses one dart at double 16, and Caven finishes double two to break.
6-6 - Chisnall fires in yet another maximum, but Caven levels the game with double top.
7-6 - Chisnall regains the lead by holding throw.
7-7 - Chisnall lands a ninth 180, but is again punished for a trio of misses at double 18 and nine as Caven lands tops to avert a break and square the contest.
8-7 - A tenth 180 of the game moves Chisnall clear, before double eight edges him back ahead.
8-8 - Caven lands a maximum in reply - only his second of the game - before finishing 55 on double ten to level.
9-8 - Caven misses tops for a break of throw, and Chisnall lands a third-dart double five to move a leg away from victory.
9-9 - Caven posts his third 180, with Chisnall missing one match dart as he is unable to hit double ten for a 140 finish, allowing the Derby ace to finish double two and force a tie-break.
10-9 - Chisnall regains the lead, landing his 11th 180 of the game before hitting tops.
10-10 - Chisnall lands another 180, his 12th, to leave 64 but sees another match dart go begging as he is unable to land double 16, allowing Caven to finish 60 on tops.
11-10 - Caven lands a 177, but Chisnall finishes tops to edge back ahead once more.
11-11 - Double eight sees Caven level once more.
12-11 - Chisnall once again misses double 18 and nine, but is given a let-off to return on double nine.
13-11 - Chisnall produces the killer blow, scoring 140, 180 and 135 to leave 46, and though he initially misses four further match darts, Caven is unable to land the bull to force a deciding leg, and the St Helens man finally lands double eight to claim a thrilling win.

Phil Taylor v John Henderson
1-0 - Taylor kicks off the game with a 180 before finishing double eight to take the opening leg.
2-0 - The reigning champion opens with another maximum before landing double two to break throw.
2-1 - Henderson lands his first maximum before capitalising on two missed doubles from Taylor to land double ten to get off the mark.
3-1 - For a third time in the game, Taylor opens a leg with a 180 before he posts double eight to move two legs clear.
4-1 - Taylor endures some further double trouble before moving three legs clear on double ten.
5-1 - Taylor lands double 16 to win his third successive leg.
6-1 - Taylor clinically finishes 62 on double 16 to move five legs clear of the Scot.
6-2 - Henderson lands his second 180 before posting double 13 to hit back with his first leg in five.
7-2 - Taylor fires in his fourth maximum before taking out a third-dart double ten to regain his five-leg lead.
8-2 - Taylor finishes 109 on double 16 to move two legs away from the win.
9-2 - Taylor moves to the brink of a second round place by finishing 64 in two darts on double eight.
10-2 - Taylor lands his fifth 180 of the game before punishing a miss at tops from Henderson by sealing victory with two double eights.

Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton
0-1 - van Barneveld kicks off the game with a 180, but Hamilton claims an immediate break of throw by finishing 96 on double nine.
0-2 - Hamilton doubles his lead with a superb 158 checkout.
1-2 - Hamilton misses his chance to capitalise on two misses from van Barneveld, who returns to claim his first leg of the contest.
1-3 - Hamilton takes out 68 o double four to regain his advantage.
2-3 - van Barneveld hits back by finishing 74 on double 12.
2-4 - Hamilton takes out double 18 for a 13-dart finish.
2-5 - Hamilton fires in his first 180 before breaking throw with double 16.
2-6 - Another maximum pulls Hamilton ahead before he finishes double 16 again to claim a third successive leg.
2-7 - van Barneveld misses his chance to respond, and Hamilton returns on double ten to claim another leg.
2-8 - Hamilton lands his third 180, and though he misses tops, a miss at double eight from van Barneveld allows him back in to claim a fifth straight leg and close in on victory.
3-8 - Hamilton misses double 15 for a 150 checkout, and van Barneveld steps in to post double five to respond with his first leg in six.
4-8 - Both players land 180s before van Barneveld returns from a miss at double 18 to punish Hamilton for a treble of missed doubles.
5-8 - Double nine sees van Barneveld claim his third successive leg to halve the deficit.
5-9 - Hamilton finds another gear to land his fifth 180 before taking out 91 for a 12-darter to halt hit rival's comeback and move to the brink of victory.
6-9 - Hamilton initially misses double 14 for a spectacular 148 checkout, and is then unable to finish double 14 and seven as van Barneveld lands double 16 to keep the game alive.
7-9 - van Barneveld takes out 96 on double 18 to win his fifth leg out of six to continue his battle.
7-10 - Hamilton initially misses double nine to finish 123, but returns to hit the bed at the second time of asking to secure a memorable win.

THE BetVictor World Matchplay kicks off on Saturday, with Phil Taylor bidding to win the prestigious £450,000 tournament for an incredible 16th time at Blackpool's Winter Gardens against a field which features world number one Michael van Gerwen and World Champion Gary Anderson.

Taylor has endured remarkable success since the World Matchplay's inception, and victory in the nine-day event would see the Stoke legend equal his tally of World Championship victories.

A win in Blackpool would also extend Taylor's winning streak to eight years in the World Matchplay, with his current seven-title run beginning in 2008 and featuring 35 matches unbeaten.

Taylor begins his challenge at the Winter Gardens in Monday's final session of first round games as he takes on Scotland's John Henderson, but the 54-year-old is in confident mood following last month's Japan Darts Masters win.

"The World Matchplay's a great tournament and a venue I love to play at - there's something a bit special, magical even, about the Winter Gardens," said Taylor.

"It's been a really successful venue for me and it's my favourite; the atmosphere is superb and the fans are really special. I love the World Matchplay and hopefully this can be another great year for me.

"I've been practising really well and I'm looking forward to getting up on stage on Monday night against John, although it's going to be a really tough match because he's been in great form this year."

Saturday's opening night features world number one van Gerwen, the Dutchman who lost out to Taylor in last year's final in Blackpool - only to bounce back with victories in the World Grand Prix, European Championship, The Masters and UK Open since.

"I think that experience has made me stronger and I'm even more focused and desperate to win the World Matchplay this year," said van Gerwen, BetVictor's pre-tournament favourite who plays emerging Dutch youngster Benito van de Pas.

"It's a huge target for me. Three years ago I reached the quarter-finals, two years ago the semi-finals and last year the final, so this year I'm determined to go one step further.

"I've had a great year so far but I want to do well at the World Matchplay and I'm working hard to get ready for it."

Saturday's opening night also features a clash between two stars of this year's Premier League, as flamboyant Peter Wright takes on Belgium's Kim Huybrechts, who has reached two finals on the circuit in the past month.

"It's evenly matched and has the makings of a great game," said Huybrechts, who lost out 10-4 to Wright in Blackpool two years ago.

"Although I've been just outside the top 16 of the world, I was the number one qualifier in the ProTour rankings so whoever drew me would probably say it's a tough first round match.

"We've both played in the Premier League this year and we're players who love to feed off the crowds and show our emotions. The last time we played, in the Premier League, it was a really tight game that Peter only won 7-5, and I think it will be just as close in Blackpool."

Australian star Simon Whitlock kicks off the event against Holland's Jelle Klaasen - who won his first ranking title since 2007 at a Players Championship earlier this month - before 2013 finalist Adrian Lewis takes on Bolton-based debutant Joe Murnan.

"For me this is the best tournament there is, I love the World Matchplay," said Lewis, who was a quarter-finalist on his debut in 2005 and a semi-finalist in 2007 and 2011.

"Some players will say the World Championship is the highlight, but for me this tops the lot. There is a real darts crowd at the Matchplay and the Winter Gardens is an incredible venue to play in."

Sunday sees a double session of first round action, including Scottish star Gary Anderson beginning his bid to add the World Matchplay title to the World Championship, Premier League and Players Championship Finals titles he has picked up in the past year.

"It's an exciting prospect," said Anderson, who takes on veteran star Steve Beaton. "I've been enjoying the year so far and I'm sure it will be the same in Blackpool.

"I'll be giving it my best and to be honest I'm looking forward to every tournament I play in at the moment."

2007 champion James Wade, the only other former World Matchplay winner in the 32-player field, opens up against Australian debutant Kyle Anderson, while two-time finalist Terry Jenkins takes on Mensur Suljovic.

Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan is up against Dutchman Vincent van der Voort, while Mervyn King and Andrew Gilding clash, Stoke's Ian White faces Premier League ace Stephen Bunting, Justin Pipe meets Welsh youngster Jamie Lewis and former World Youth Champion Michael Smith meets ex-Welsh rugby player Gerwyn Price.

Alongside Taylor's meeting with Henderson on Monday night, five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld begins his bid to reach a second Blackpool final against Andy Hamilton, a two-time Winter Gardens semi-finalist.

Grand Slam of Darts runner-up Dave Chisnall will face Jamie Caven, while 2012 UK Open champion Robert Thornton - who won last week's European Tour event in Dusseldorf - plays debutant Keegan Brown, the reigning World Youth Champion from the Isle of Wight.

The BetVictor World Matchplay will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland and worldwide through the PDC's series of broadcast partners, as well as through www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers.

BetVictor World Matchplay
Saturday July 18 (7pm-11pm)
First Round
Simon Whitlock v Jelle Klaasen
Peter Wright v Kim Huybrechts
Michael van Gerwen v Benito van de Pas
Adrian Lewis v Joe Murnan

Sunday July 19
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
First Round
Mervyn King v Andrew Gilding
Ian White v Stephen Bunting
Justin Pipe v Jamie Lewis
Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
First Round
Brendan Dolan v Vincent van der Voort
Terry Jenkins v Mensur Suljovic
Gary Anderson v Steve Beaton
James Wade v Kyle Anderson

Monday July 20 (7pm-11pm)
First Round
Robert Thornton v Keegan Brown
Dave Chisnall v Jamie Caven 
Phil Taylor v John Henderson
Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton

Tuesday July 21 (7pm-11.30pm)
Second Round
Wright/Huybrechts v King/Gilding
Whitlock/Klaasen v White/Bunting
Van Gerwen/Van de Pas v Pipe/J Lewis
A Lewis/Murnan v Smith/Price

Wednesday July 22 (7pm-11.30pm)
Second Round
Chisnall/Caven v Thornton/Brown
Wade/K Anderson v Dolan/van der Voort
Taylor/Henderson v van Barneveld/Hamilton
G Anderson/Beaton v Jenkins/Suljovic

Thursday July 23 (7pm-10pm)
Quarter-Finals x2

Friday July 24 (7pm-10pm)
Quarter-Finals x2

Saturday July 25 (7pm-10pm)
Semi-Finals

Sunday July 26 (7pm-9pm)
Final

Format
First Round - Best of 19 legs
Second Round - Best of 25 legs
Quarter-Finals - Best of 31 legs
Semi-Finals - Best of 33 legs
Final - Best of 35 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth "extra" leg is sudden-death. There will be no re-throw for the bull in this instance. 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 - £100,000
Runner-Up - £50,000
Semi-Finalists - £27,000
Quarter-Finalists - £17,500
Second Round Losers - £10,000
First Round Losers - £6,000
Total - £450,000
* In addition, should a player achieve a nine-dart finish during this event, a bonus of £15,000 will be paid. Should more than one player achieve a nine-dart finish, this would be shared on a pro-rata basis.

Pre-Tournament Odds, courtesy www.betvictor.com
15/8 Michael van Gerwen
10/3 Phil Taylor
6/1 Gary Anderson
14/1 Dave Chisnall
14/1 Adrian Lewis
25/1 Peter Wright
25/1 James Wade
33/1 Michael Smith
40/1 Stephen Bunting
40/1 Raymond van Barneveld
50/1 Kim Huybrechts
66/1 Ian White
66/1 Robert Thornton
80/1 Simon Whitlock
80/1 Mervyn King
80/1 Jelle Klaasen
80/1 Terry Jenkins
100/1 Keegan Brown
125/1 Vincent van der Voort
125/1 Justin Pipe
125/1 Brendan Dolan
150/1 Benito van de Pas
150/1 Jamie Caven
200/1 Andrew Gilding
200/1 Kyle Anderson
300/1 Gerwyn Price
300/1 Mensur Suljovic
400/1 Steve Beaton
500/1 John Henderson
500/1 Joe Murnan
500/1 Jamie Lewis
750/1 Andy Hamilton
Odds courtesy www.betvictor.com and subject to fluctuation.

THE inaugural World Series of Darts Finals will be held at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow on November 21-22.

The expansion of the World Series of Darts will see five tournaments held this year, with May's Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters and last weekend's Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters followed in August by events in Perth, Sydney and Auckland.

Each World Series event offers ranking points for finishing positions, with the final top eight from the rankings progressing to compete in the World Series of Darts Finals.

That event - with play being held in two sessions per day on November 21-22 - will also feature 16 qualifiers from around the world, with details to be confirmed in due course.

The World Series of Darts Finals will see the PDC return to Glasgow's Braehead Arena, which previously hosted the Jocky Wilson Cup event in 2009 between Scotland and England.

With World Champion Gary Anderson and Sunday's Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters runner-up Peter Wright both hailing from Scotland and Robert Thornton leading the country's batch of other PDC stars, Scottish darts has never been as strong.

In addition, Edinburgh has previously hosted The Unibet Masters, while the Betway Premier League events in Glasgow and Aberdeen both attract huge crowds each year.

"Scottish fans love their darts and this will be another fantastic opportunity for them to see the greatest players in the sport up close and personal in November," said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

"The World Series of Darts as a concept has grown incredibly over the past three years since we first held events in Dubai and Sydney, and with Japan, Perth and Auckland also on the calendar in 2015 it was a natural development to create the World Series of Darts Finals.

"Alongside the top eight stars from the five events this year, we'll also have a series of 16 qualifiers from around the world who will again be hoping to show their talents on the big stage."

Hearn added: "It's great to be returning to the Braehead Arena. The atmosphere when we staged the Jocky Wilson Cup at the venue six years ago was amazing and showed the passion which Scottish fans have for the sport - it promises to be a memorable weekend."

Phil Taylor's win in the Japan Darts Masters, allied to his runner-up finish in Dubai a month ago, has seen him move clear at the top of the World Series of Darts Rankings, ahead of Dubai winner Michael van Gerwen.

Ticket information for the World Series of Darts Finals will be announced at www.pdc.tv/tickets once finalised.

World Series of Darts Ranking Points
Winner - 12 Points
Runner-Up - 8 Points
Semi-Finalists - 5 Points
Quarter-Finalists - 3 Points
First Round Losers (Last 16) - 1 Point

Latest World Series of Darts Rankings
20 Phil Taylor
17 Michael van Gerwen
11 Peter Wright
10 Gary Anderson
8 Adrian Lewis
6 James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Stephen Bunting
1 Haruki Muramatsu, Morihiro Hashimoto, Sho Katsumi, Masumi Chino, Yuki Yamada, Chikari Fujimori, Shintaro Inoue, Katsuya Aiba
Following Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters