Draw World Matchplay 2019: Defending champion Anderson to face Noppert, Durrant takes on Lewis in debut
PDC
The draw for the World Matchplay has been completed ahead of the showpiece event taking place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool between July 20-28.
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Gary Anderson is the defending champion at the World Matchplay with 'The Flying Scotsman' defeating Mensur Suljovic in one of the best matches ever seen in the tournament which went the longest in history. He is back this year despite not playing that often this year including not playing in the Premier League; he will face Danny Noppert who is among the debutants.
Furthermore, Suljovic will take on Jermaine Wattimena in what is bound to be a quality tie; 'The Gentle' will be hoping for a similar run to last year to arrest some poor form as of late and put himself into contention for Premier League again next year.
Mighty Mike set for tough first round test
Also, Michael van Gerwen, the number one seed will take on the evergreen Steve Beaton who has his 20th year at the Winter Gardens. Van Gerwen has form against Beaton hitting one of his best known nine-dart finishes against 'The Bronzed Adonis' back in 2012. Mighty Mike has not had the best form in spells this year; he will know if he's not on his game, Beaton will cause a first round shock.
In addition, Peter Wright will face Vincent van der Voort in a battle of the fans favourites; with the former defending large amounts of money. Another tie to look out for sees Nathan Aspinall who is set to take on Mervyn King fresh off his US Darts Masters win and 'The Asp' will be one of the dark horses in the tournament this year; especially given his TV form.
Debutants set to grace the Blackpool stage for the first time
Also, Chris Dobey has been in excellent form and he is set for a bumper tie with Rob Cross who has also been playing well; if both play to their best it could be one of the ties of the round.
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Although the real tie of the round though could come from a battle of former multiple World Champions as Glen Durrant is set to make his World Matchplay debut against Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis in a tie that fans will really look forward to.
Other debutants include Jamie Hughes who got in by the skin of his teeth with his victory at the Czech Darts Open and he has Michael Smith in his first round. Smith showed he still has form in his locker with his run to the final in Las Vegas; but he faces a in-form 'Yozza', another top tie for the first round.
In addition, Daryl Gurney vs Ricky Evans is one of the ties of the first round. Gurney and Evans are both fan favourites; with 'Superchin' mainly due to his Sweet Caroline walk-on and similar for the Kettering ace who is known for his brilliant walk-ons on the European Tour; will he bring one out on his Blackpool debut. Expect a frenetic battle between this pair.
Click here to view the field in full for this year's tournament.
Draw World Matchplay 2019
(1) Michael van Gerwen v Steve Beaton
(16) Adrian Lewis v Glen Durrant
(8) James Wade v Jeffrey de Zwaan
(9) Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena
(5) Michael Smith v Jamie Hughes
(12) Dave Chisnall v Max Hopp
(4) Gary Anderson v Danny Noppert
(13) Nathan Aspinall v Mervyn King
(2) Rob Cross v Chris Dobey
(15) Darren Webster v Krzysztof Ratajski
(7) Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting
(10) Ian White v Joe Cullen
(6) Peter Wright v Vincent van der Voort
(11) Simon Whitlock v John Henderson
(3) Daryl Gurney v Ricky Evans
(14) Jonny Clayton v Keegan Brown
(16) Adrian Lewis v Glen Durrant
(8) James Wade v Jeffrey de Zwaan
(9) Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena
(5) Michael Smith v Jamie Hughes
(12) Dave Chisnall v Max Hopp
(4) Gary Anderson v Danny Noppert
(13) Nathan Aspinall v Mervyn King
(2) Rob Cross v Chris Dobey
(15) Darren Webster v Krzysztof Ratajski
(7) Gerwyn Price v Stephen Bunting
(10) Ian White v Joe Cullen
(6) Peter Wright v Vincent van der Voort
(11) Simon Whitlock v John Henderson
(3) Daryl Gurney v Ricky Evans
(14) Jonny Clayton v Keegan Brown
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