MATCHPLAY MEMORIES! 🏆 To mark the 30th staging of the Betfred World Matchplay, which gets underway this Saturday, we're looking back at some of the tournament's most iconic moments. First up, a trip back to 1994 as American Larry Butler became the first champion...
Nicholson doubts Wright's chances at World Matchplay: "We still don't really know which Peter Wright will show up"
PDCSaturday, 15 July 2023 at 19:00
The World Matchplay kicks off tonight in Blackpool. Peter Wright won this tournament in 2021 by defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh in the final.
Wright meets Andrew Gilding, who won the UK Open earlier this year, in the opening round this year. "We still don't really know which Peter Wright will show up after a very up-and-down season and although Andrew Gilding isn't in premium form, he won't be perturbed by this test." Nicholson told Sportinglife.
Also in the same quarter of the table is Raymond van Barneveld, who is making his first appearance at the World Matchplay since 2018 and will take on Ryan Searle in his opening match. "I think Ryan Searle v Raymond van Barneveld has got plenty of legs in it and there is a danger Barney could get swept away with the romantic side of his comeback. If he brings his focus, anything is possible. Another big stage 9-darter even. Ryan is still seen as a threatening player but he's gone under the radar so far with some of the darts he's playing so this clash really could go either way."
On the other side of this quarter of the table sit with Jonny Clayton and Dimitri Van den Bergh.
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