PDC World Championship Preview - Day 9, Afternoon Session

After eight days of drama on the Ally Pally oche, the first round is over. Three of the preliminary qualifiers have made it into the second round, but 12 seeds tumbled after some record-breaking action. With spots in the last 16 of the biggest event in world darts up for grabs, things have now got serious. You can win a first round game with a stroke of luck or a standout performance, but it takes class to sustain a run. Three seeded players and three unseeded players meet on the afternoon of day nine hoping to ensure a return to the Palace after Christmas.

Gerwyn Price has already made personal history. The Welshman had lost in the first round of all of his World Championship outings before a 3-0 win over Ted Evetts. A 101 average, the fourth-highest of the tournament, meant the Iceman ended his jinx in some style. A Premier League spot seems a formality for Price now, after the exits of Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Dave Chisnall. But he needs a decent run to cement his place. Bar the UK Open, Price has not got past the second round of any major in the last 12 months.
Ian White forms quite the obstacle for Price, though he also has struggled in majors away from Minehead. Thanks to the demise of Lewis and Phil Taylor's retirement, White is on the verge of being darting hub Stoke-on-Trent's top-ranked player. He wasn't at his best against Cody Harris, but a 3-1 defeat of a potential giant-killer was made better by more fine form on the doubles. There are few in the game more reliable on tops and tens, meaning Price will have to be flawless. Considering Michael van Gerwen potentially lies in wait in the next round, flawlessness is a virtue worth fine-tuning as soon as possible.

Going into the World Championship, one of the most likely 'shocks' was Vincent van der Voort taking out Dave Chisnall. The Dutch Destroyer did just that, thrashing the eighth seed 3-0 to seal a second round spot. Van der Voort reacted angrily to comments made by Co Stompe in the aftermath, and he is in a defiant mood. A strong 98.90 first round average is an excellent springboard. Perhaps a last 16 meeting with fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld is in the offing.
Never underestimate Steve Beaton though. A man with a throw almost as silky-smooth as his hair, Beaton opened the tournament what seems like a lifetime ago with a win over William O'Connor. But form isn't on the Bronzed Adonis' side. His last foray past the second round was a full 13 years ago. He has gone out in the second round in seven of his last 10 World Championship campaigns - and the first round in the rest. Another seed could tumble here, unless the world number 25 can arrest his shocking Ally Pally streak.

Jelle Klaasen vs Stephen Bunting was the tie expected to end the afternoon session, but both have fallen by the wayside. World number 12 Klaasen crashed out at the hands of one of the most lethal finishers on the Tour, Jan Dekker. 2017 has been a year of gradual but marked improvement for the Dutchman, culminating in what could yet be a superb World Championship run. A potential tie against Mensur Suljovic or Robert Thornton must wait, however; first Dimitri van den Bergh has to be dealt with.
The precocious Belgian is one tough opponent, however. World Youth champion van den Bergh opened the tournament with a brilliant win over Bunting, averaging over 104. Only Michael van Gerwen, the defending world champion, managed a higher average. Right now, the world is at his feet. There have even been murmurs of a possible Premier League spot. The Dream Maker could yet turn his own dreams into reality, but has to be consistent on the doubles presently against Dekker. If he isn't, Double Dekker will pounce.