Winmau MvG Diamond Edition Dartboard

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The pair exchange 180s midway through this leg to get the crowd on their feet but it's MVG who takes the leg with a superb 13-darter to level the set. Following the conclusion of the first round, the last 16 will take place across Wednesday October 4 and Thursday October 5, before the quarter-finals are staged on Friday October 6. It’s still been a great tournament for Van Gerwen, who played his best darts in maybe five years, but in the end he met somebody who could live with his scoring and even surpass it. Smith wasn’t always at his best in this tournament – he was 3-1 down to Martin Schindler in the last 32 – but he peaked when it mattered. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't feeling 100 per cent," said Van Gerwen. "If I thought I couldn't really compete at 100 per cent, there's no point being here." Dirk van Duijvenbode and Brendan Dolan open the tournament in a battle of the former finalists, as two-time runner-up Raymond van Barneveld makes his double-start return against Germany’s Martin Schindler.

Looking ahead to facing Smith, he said: "I've stayed in the UK to get myself prepared and now I'm looking forward to Thursday night. Aspinall's third 180 - which came after dropping his third dart - puts him in pole position to hold his throw and although MVG puts on pressure with his second, the Asp pinds double eight with his last dart in hand after his opponent had spurned an effort at tops. This really is a frightening standard from van Gerwen as scores of 120, 97, 140, 128 leave him 16, which he takes out at the first attempt for a 13 darter. He's averaging just a shade under 100 right now. Never expected this outcome as I thought I did everything in my possibility to avoid it. Also ain’t got any symptoms.It is phenomenal - Peter Wright's a two-time World Champion. He is a big inspiration for me, hence the [colourful] attire. The standard of darts from both players is extremely high right now and a wonderful visit of 171 from MVG leaves him 32, which he takes out for a classy 14-darter. The Asp looks as though he's carved out a pressure-free dart at a double to break MVG until the Dutchman throws a 180 to leave himself 30 - but nevertheless he pins double 16 with his first attempt for a classy and nerveless 13 darter. Michael is a fantastic player and when he gets on the roll like that he's hard to contain," said Price. "It just didn't happen for me tonight. He's a deserved winner."

Second seed Price, who was aiming to become the first Welshman to win the title, was fired up and his trademark roar reverberated around the Winter Gardens as he took his chances on the doubles to keep the upper hand. A 116 finish from Buntz was the perfect response, just as Wright appeared set to find a foothold, and the American dominated leg six to complete the biggest upset of the first day's play in Wolverhampton.Van Gerwen was also full of praise for Aspinall's return from a serious wrist injury which kept him sidelined for six weeks at the start of 2022. It's hard enough averaging over 90 for one match of double-start darts - even in the first round - so for Michael van Gerwen to be at 93 after 15 sets across his four matches shows just how dominant he's been this week.