Van Gerwen and Anderson complete routine wins to end first night at World Grand Prix

Van Gerwen did not drop a leg, while not playing the best and getting past that is probably the confidence boost that he needs. In terms of stats it was 86% on the finishing doubles for Mighty Mike who started off racing into the lead; with 100% on his doubles not giving Lennon a real chance.
A 92 average with 1 180 proved enough for MVG who goes on to face Darren Webster who put in a similar performance tonight. Astonishingly though it is his first win in a TV ranking tournament for 10 months with his last win coming at the World Championship in December.
This run has of course seen him lose in tournaments such as the UK Open and World Matchplay; but now he has gone through, he will aim to get stronger.

As will Gary Anderson who saw off Jonny Clayton only dropping one leg himself on the way to an imperious victory. There might have been concerns pre match about the fitness of the multiple TV title winner in 2018; after he pulled out of Saturday's Players Championship 20 but he soon shunned that after the first leg. It was only an 88 average though for ‘The Flying Scotsman’; but he did enough to make it through with 32% on his checkouts with as a result him missing 24 doubles in 7 legs. He will next face Jeffrey de Zwaan in a repeat of multiple Pro Tour finals and the World Matchplay semi-final this year. for more information about the World Grand Prix. Jeffrey de Zwaan (97.87) 2 (3) 0 (88.45) Kim Huybrechts Ron Meulenkamp (85.88) 2 (3) 1 (78.54) Joe Cullen Darren Webster (98.02) 2 (3) 0 (82.38) Stephen Bunting Ricky Evans (78.89) 1-2 (91.91) Raymond van Barneveld Dave Chisnall (92.03) 2-0 (80.34) Max Hopp Daryl Gurney (88.36) 2-0 (87.94) John Henderson Michael van Gerwen (92.97) 2-0 (77.84) Steve Lennon Gary Anderson (88.91) 2-0 (79.12) Jonny Clayton