Defending champion Anderson claims comfortable win over Noppert to start campaign in Blackpool

Anderson lost concentration towards the end; but he surged ahead to dispel the comeback from the Dutch debutant and give himself some good match practice after not a lot of game time so far this year due to injury

To start the contest off, Noppert struggled massively and Anderson punished him despite not playing to his best himself going 3-0 up in double quick time.

'Noppie' finally got off the mark at 4-1 down in what was relief for the debuting Dutchman. Despite that though Anderson raced into a 6-1 lead capped off by a 135 checkout on the bull.

Despite that though the match wasn't over yet; as despite Anderson smashing in a 111 checkout to go into the break with the upperhand, missed doubles allowed the former Lakeside finalist back into it with a break of throw at 7-5 behind.

Anderson continued to lose concentration and Noppert went to 7-6 behind. Anderson though was playing the better of the two still though and he stopped the rot to go 8-6 up. He turned on the style with a 160 checkout to go 9-6 up and from there secured the victory. A tie against Mervyn King awaits next for the Flying Scotsman.

Click here for more information on this year's World Matchplay.

First Round
Nathan Aspinall (102.96) 5-10 (100.55) Mervyn King
Gerwyn Price (92.02) 12-13 (95.11) Stephen Bunting
Gary Anderson (93.75) 10-6 (87.77) Danny Noppert
22:10 Rob Cross v Chris Dobey

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