Emma Paton is the regular hostess during darts tournaments broadcast live on Sky Sports. Paton will be on show again in Blackpool, starting tonight and she has given a look ahead to the upcoming 2024 World Matchplay.
Paton begins her analysis first Sky Sports with the world number one and world champion, Luke Humphries. "The world number one was a semi-finalist in Blackpool last year but this time you'd back him to not only make it out of this section and to make the final four again, but considering how he's been playing over the past 10 months, I'd predict Cool Hand to make the final this time. And then... who knows," Paton previews. "Masters champion Stephen Bunting is in this section too. The Bullet averaged a whopping 117.12 on the European Tour last month and will be one to look out for, as will last year's runner-up Jonny Clayton, and it looks like he's finding form at the right time after picking up a ranking title just last week. The Ferret's first task though? Getting past Raymond van Barneveld in round one."
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In the second quarter of the draw are Gerwyn Price - a finalist two years ago - and defending champion Nathan Aspinall. As Paton notes however, with both there are question marks heading into Blackpool this year. "Price withdrew from the World Cup just two weeks ago, suffered a couple of early exits at last week's Pro Tour events and has a tough opener with Daryl Gurney, while Aspinall is struggling with an elbow injury that could really derail the back end of his year so it will be interesting to see how both get on," she explains.
"The standout tie of this quarter has to be Josh Rock against Ross Smith - two of the big scorers who should produce fireworks on the Winter Gardens stage," Paton continues. "They've met once this year - that was last month on the European Tour. They both averaged over a ton, hit nine 180s between them and the match went down to a decider, so more of that please!"
The absolute top affair in the first round however, is of course, the clash between Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler. "Yes, on Monday night, get the popcorn out because Michael van Gerwen, the second seed and three-time champion, meets the most exciting player on the planet in Luke Littler. They've met nine times this year already - on the World Series and in the Premier League - and it's 5-4 to MvG but this is different, this is the Matchplay! It's going to be a cracker!" Paton assesses.
Also on the menu Monday night: Gary Anderson against Michael Smith in another mouthwatering first round contest. "The highlight from this bottom quarter sees 2018 Matchplay champion Gary Anderson take on 2023 World Champion Michael Smith. While Anderson is the unseeded player, he's got the highest average of anyone on the tour over the past 12 months and could produce something special at a magical venue," Paton analyses. "And why aren't we talking more about Rob Cross at the moment!? Voltage has been playing at such a consistent level for a prolonged period, he picked up a title in New York just last month and I think he just might be one to watch in Blackpool."
As far as who will lift the Phil Taylor Trophy though? "Is it boring to say Luke Humphries? Oh well, I'm saying it!" Paton predicts. "The world number one and world champion is playing some brilliant darts at the moment, he was dazzling at the World Cup just a matter of weeks ago and I don't see that form coming to an end any time soon. I mentioned previously he had a run to the semi-finals last year so we know he's not phased by the venue or the crowd in Blackpool, and he certainly won't feel any pressure being the top seed, if anything he'll relish it! Cool Hand for the win!"
SCHEDULE! 🎯 The revised first round schedule for the 2024 @Betfred World Matchplay has been confirmed! Confirmation that the afternoon session on Sunday July 14 will begin at 1200 BST, with the evening session getting underway from 1630 BST! 👉 bit.ly/24WMSchedule
