–
–
Michael van Gerwyn to face Adrian Lewis in opening round of World Matchplay in Blackpool – Live on Sky Sports
–
Michael Van Gerwyn has a great first-round match with Adrian Lewis in the World Match Play in Blackpool, while defending champion Peter Wright faces Madras Razma.
Van Gerwyn is best known for his first Premier League title since June 2019, equaling Phil Taylor’s six-crown haul.
The Dutchman is now aiming for victory in his third game at the Winter Gardens Blackpool and first since 2016 when he opened his campaign against 2013 finalists Lewis.
Please use Chrome to access the video player
<video id="id_39cf742f-ea28-4d5c-98ce-5364e34f3769" data-embed="default" data-application-id="" class="video-js sdc-site-video__tag" controls="" playsinline="" />
–
—
–
–
See all nine hits in World Matchplay
–
–
The two-time world champion has shown signs of his past glory in recent months as the 37-year-old claimed his first title in more than three years when he won the Players 20 Championship in Barnsley on Sunday.
The field consists of the top 16 PDC Medal of Merit and 16 ProTour Medal of Merit qualifiers, while the tournament’s prize money has increased to £800,000, a £100,000 increase on the 2021 edition.
It includes a whopping £200,000 for the winner and champion Peter Wright – also world champion and world number one – entered to defend his title.
‘Snakebite’ will begin his quest to become the fourth player to retain the title against Latvia’s Madara Razma, one of four debutants in the 32-man field, while world No. 2 Gervin Price begins his first World Matchplay title against the German newcomer. Martin Schindler, while 2019 runner-up Michael Smith fights against Andrew Gilding.
2018 champion Gary Anderson takes on a tough opener against two-time semi-finalist Darryl Gurney with Premiership runner-up Joe Cullen facing Australian World Cup winner Damon Hight.
