2021 UK Open Fifth Round Draw confirmed: Van Gerwen to face Suljovic, Price sets up quick fire clash with Evans

The draw for the fifth round has been confirmed at the 2021 UK Open after the conclusion of play on the opening day at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.

The likes of Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, Dimitri van den Bergh, Glen Durrant and Nathan Aspinall all fell by the wayside on the opening day.

But Michael van Gerwen is still among those involved and will face Mensur Suljovic after overcoming Scott Mitchell in a tough battle to begin his UK Open title defence.

As is Gerwyn Price who saw off Peter Hudson fairly comfortably and he will now face Ricky Evans in what is bound to be a rapid fire clash tomorrow afternoon.

Michael Smith will take on Grand Slam champion, Jose de Sousa after both came through UK Open thrillers against Joe Cullen and Mervyn King.

Similarly, Rob Cross who came through a tough tie with a comeback win over Andy Hamilton will take on James Wade who came through a thriller with Ryan Joyce.

Scott Waites will face Devon Petersen in what is bound to be a quality affair as is Darius Labanauskas facing Simon Whitlock.

Luke Humphries had one less game today due to Justin Pipe's positive Covid test and he saw off Kim Huybrechts. A high quality encounter awaits against Ryan Searle.

Recent first time ranking winner Callan Rydz faces Dutch Giant, Martijn Kleermaker. While another Dutchman in Ron Meulenkamp will attempt to end the run of the brilliant Alan Soutar.

Soutar defeated Raymond van Barneveld, Mickey Mansell and Stephen Bunting today to continue his brilliant two weeks which saw him impress at Q-School and the Super Series.

He has taken that into the UK Open and has made his mark on his televised PDC debut.

As has John Brown. While his father Steve was timed out losing track of time practicing earlier, the younger half of the family duo has been brilliant.

He is through to face Chris Dobey as the only first round starter still involved.

Other ties include Dave Chisnall who ended Peter Wright's campaign facing Danny Noppert and Daryl Gurney facing Gabriel Clemens.

As well as the player known by many as potentially the best on tour so far this year, Jonny Clayton. The red hot Ferret will face Dirk van Duijvenbode in what is bound to be a thriller.

While to round it off, Krzysztof Ratajski will face Madars Razma, Peter Jacques has a tie against Max Hopp and Luke Woodhouse faces Brendan Dolan.

All will be played tomorrow afternoon with the board allocations released in due course.

Scott Waites v Devon Petersen

Darius Labanauskas v Simon Whitlock

Rob Cross v James Wade

Luke Humphries v Ryan Searle

Gerwyn Price v Ricky Evans

Michael Smith v Jose de Sousa

Callan Rydz v Martijn Kleermaker

Alan Soutar v Ron Meulenkamp

Chris Dobey v John Brown

Luke Woodhouse v Brendan Dolan

Peter Jacques v Max Hopp

Dave Chisnall v Danny Noppert

Michael van Gerwen v Mensur Suljovic

Daryl Gurney v Gabriel Clemens

Jonny Clayton v Dirk van Duijvenbode

Krzysztof Ratajski v Madars Razma