"It's not going the way I want it. Yesterday only I got the darts I used tonight": Van den Bergh admits form isn't going to plan after manufacturer change

Averaging 97.20, the highest average of the tournament so far, Dimitri van den Bergh comfortably dispatched Lourence Ilagan and set a marker down, announcing himself as one of the favourites for overall victory. "I'm on the up, look at how I've played today."

After losing in the first round last year to Florian Hempel, the pressure was on van den Bergh to not fall at the first hurdle again this time around. "A lot of people asked me about last year's World Championship," the Belgian said. "I've always been playing really well at the Worlds I've just not got the wins on my side. I feel comfortable, I give my best and I never give up."

Notable about van den Bergh's performance in his victory were the new set of darts the Belgian was using. Speaking in his post-match interview, van den Bergh revealed the first time he played with that set of darts was only the day before. "Yesterday only I got the darts I used tonight," he said. "I've used these darts and I've only got them yesterday. Just look at that, I've got no idea what I can do but today is a good start."

With his victory securing what all the players in the PDC World Darts Championships hope for, a post-Christmas return to the Ally Pally, van den Bergh now has over a week to prepare for Round 3 where he will face one of Krzysztof Ratajski, Danny Jansen or Paolo Nebrida. "Tomorrow I'll have a bit of a family day then it's back on the board."