Michael van Gerwen started his quest for a fourth PDC World Championship title by routing Lewy Williams, with the Dutchman dropping only one leg en route to a commanding 3-0 win.
Van Gerwen had to withdraw from final yr’s occasion after being struck down by Covid-19 however he’s among the many favourites to regain the Sid Waddell Trophy after claiming 4 main titles in 2022.
He despatched a warning to his rivals at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday evening, averaging 101.84 as he put his overmatched Welsh opponent to the sword to cruise into the third spherical. The 2014, 2017 and 2019 champion will tackle both Austria’s Mensur Suljovic or Belgium’s Mike De Decker subsequent Wednesday.
“It wasn’t perfect but I think I played quite well,” Van Gerwen instructed Sky Sports. “I had to work hard for it, a performance like this doesn’t come from nothing.
“It gives me a lot of pleasure to be back on this stage, Ally Pally has a special place in my heart. To receive such an amazing reception from the crowd means a lot to me. I’m always trying to play darts at the highest level I possibly can. I know what I’m capable of.”
Dave Chisnall – who beat Van Gerwen en route to the semi-finals two years in the past – earlier defeated fellow Englishman Andrew Gilding 3-1 in a match the place each gamers recorded seven 180s.
Mervyn King, a quarter-finalist 12 months in the past, withstood a fightback from Danny Baggish, who battled from 2-0 down to power a decider solely to undergo a 3-2 defeat.
There had been additionally wins for Stephen Bunting, Gabriel Clemens, Josh Rock and Darius Labanauskas.
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