World number two Peter Wright cruises through to second round of World Matchplay
World number two Peter Wright cruised through to the second round of the World Matchplay Darts at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
His 10-2 victory over Danny Noppert featured a 99.7 average and included three 180’s and a 121 checkout.
𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 👏
Peter Wright eases through to round two with a comprehensive 10-2 success against Danny Noppert!
📺 Sky Sports Arena✍ Live blog: https://t.co/Go9qS9pgfz#️⃣ #WorldMatchplay pic.twitter.com/3pF6l7HJur
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) July 18, 2021
Luke Humphries caused the biggest shock of the tournament so far when he beat world number four James Wade.
The former world youth champion finished with a 101 average as he scored eight 180’s in a confident 10-3 victory.
Michael Smith started to find form again in a 10-7 win over debutant Ryan Searle.
𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗚𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛!
Michael Smith gets the job done against Ryan Searle to advance to the second round. pic.twitter.com/ho89SOC0PX
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 18, 2021
Jose De Sousa’s win included a 116 checkout, as he comfortably beat Gabriel Clemens 10-2 to progress through to the next round to set up a match against Smith.
Joe Cullen brought an end to his five-match losing streak with a close-fought 10-8 victory over Chris Dobey.
𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛!
What a game and what a last leg…
Joe Cullen ends a losing run of five games at the World Matchplay by beating Chris Dobey 10-8 to reach the Second Round.
Look what it means to him 💪 pic.twitter.com/lIBkVEXzVU
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 18, 2021
Rob Cross, who was world champion in 2019, started the campaign with a 10-8 win over debutant Ross Smith.
He finished the match with a 100 average and will take on Callan Rydz in the last 16, who beat Glen Durrant 10-6.
In the first match of the day, Krzysztof Ratajski beat Brendan Dolan 10-4.