LEWIS KO's DE SOUSA! A fine performance from Adrian Lewis sees him dump out sixth seed Jose de Sousa. #WGPDarts | R1 📺 bit.ly/WGP22Live
Adrian Lewis marked his return to the World Grand Prix for the first time in three years with victory over Jose de Sousa in straight sets.
Lewis produced a vintage display at times with a 94.7 average with 67% on the doubles and will now face Chris Dobey with a real chance to make strides in Leicester.
Lewis opened up with a 152 checkout on double 16 to break throw. A 78 checkout saw De Sousa hit back to make it 1-1.
A 180 and 135 saw De Sousa continue to warm into the tie and he pinned 46 to seal it and go 2-1 up. Lewis sent it all the way though on double 20. ‘Jackpot’ though produced when it mattered most with a 101 checkout to seal the opening set.
De Sousa broke to begin set two on double 20. He went one away from the set but a 147 checkout saw Lewis make it 2-1. Double 10 was pinned by Lewis to make it 2-2 and he was throwing for the match.
De Sousa started with a 160. Lewis hit a 180 but didn’t leave a finish only for De Sousa to reply with the same.
‘The Special One’ left 101 but couldn’t get a dart and Lewis had a shot at 70 which he pinned on double eight.
While despite some issues on the doubles early on, Michael van Gerwen made light work of Gary Anderson 2-0 in a tie which did not produce the brilliance that it potentially had on paper.
Anderson was out of sorts throughout and Van Gerwen will now face Stephen Bunting in the second round.
Anderson missed 130 on the bull to seal the opening leg and subsequent darts after initial double trouble from the Dutchman and Van Gerwen got away with it.
It was similar in the second leg with Van Gerwen missing darts to hold and Anderson missed chances to break allowing Van Gerwen finally back for double one to make it 2-0 before sealing it.
A 70 checkout saw Van Gerwen open the second set with a hold and Anderson replied on double 20 to finally get a leg on the board.
After Van Gerwen missed double 10, Anderson hit an 84 checkout to make it 2-1 but Van Gerwen was still throwing for the win and he hit 106 to seal it.
LEWIS KO's DE SOUSA! A fine performance from Adrian Lewis sees him dump out sixth seed Jose de Sousa. #WGPDarts | R1 📺 bit.ly/WGP22Live