Williams opened proceedings reeling off three straight legs to see off Vincent van der Voort 6-3.
'The Dutch Destroyer' showed an early glimmer making it 3-3 with a 164 checkout but a 14-dart 96 checkout followed by a break of throw on double 20 from Williams saw him en route to sealing the win. He will face home hero Martin Schindler tomorrow.
While tomorrow afternoon, Nathan Aspinall will face Menzies after the Scot saw off a struggling Daryl Gurney. It was a real scrap with both averaging in the mid 80's but it was the Scot who prevailed 6-4.
Rounded off by the resurgent Beaton who saw off Simon Whitlock in one of the ties of the opening round. He faces 16th seed Jose de Sousa on Sunday after two bullseye finishes en route to a 6-5 win.
This was back-to-back which saw Beaton come from 3-1 down to make it 3-3 with 84 and 128 and it was holds from there but with Whitlock way back, Beaton could afford to miss multiple match darts before hitting double 16.
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WILLIAMS WINS! 🏴
Jim Williams kicks off Saturday evening's action with a 6-3 success against Vincent van der Voort, reeling off three straight legs to complete victory!
🔜 Daryl Gurney v Cameron Menzies
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