Cullen hits back at criticism on form after opening World Matchplay win: "That's why they're sat in the commentary box and not on stage"

Joe Cullen in one of the ties of Sunday's double session at the World Matchplay saw off Chris Dobey 10-8 in a high quality encounter.

By his own admission, Cullen has dealt with personal issues away from darts as of late and was pleased as a result to move through.

"A lot's been going on away from darts for me personally so to get a win like that, on a stage like that against a good friend like that, it does mean a lot," said Cullen post match.

"I've been looking forward to a distraction to be honest, I was looking forward to a distraction in Coventry and it didn't quite pan out but not everything pans out in life. Definitely I think pulling out the last ProTour was a great decision."

"Chris is a really good friend of mine and you could see at the end, he was so gracious in defeat which I would expect nothing more from someone like him."

Criticism from pundits and commentators

Throughout the coverage, there was a lot made about Cullen seemingly being out of form but 'The Rockstar' took issue at that.

"I've had three bad competitions and people are writing me off so don't think I didn't see the people from Sky saying Chris Dobey will probably turn Joe over because he's had three bad games at a Super Series. There's a performance like that in me everytime and that's nowhere near my A game."

"There's a reason they're critics. There's a reason these former players, there's people playing that are older than they are and doing a good job. There's a reason they're sat in the commentary box."