PDC Order of Merit: Michael van Gerwen has virtually lost second spot, Ross Smith may dream of top-10 debut

The second round of the World Matchplay is over and that means the first changes are visible on the PDC Order of Merit. Eight players are still in the race for the title at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Top favorite Luke Humphries remains the world number one after this tournament anyway. 'Cool Hand Luke' lost in the first round of the World Matchplay two years back and thus has hardly any prize money to defend. A title at the Winter Gardens would only further increase the lead over his closest pursuers.

Michael van Gerwen started the tournament as world number two, but has lost the second spot to Michael Smith for the time being. Van Gerwen took the title at the World Matchplay two years ago, and thus must defend the prize money won at that edition. 'Mighty Mike' can only take over the second spot from Smith if he takes the title again, but then 'Bullyboy' may not get past the quarter-finals.

Rob Cross is going to rise in the world rankings no matter what after the World Matchplay. 'Voltage' has temporarily traded the sixth spot for the fourth position. With a title in Blackpool, Cross can significantly narrow his gap to Smith and Van Gerwen in particular.

Dimitri van den Bergh has virtually lost one spot on the PDC Order of Merit. If 'The Dreammaker' manages to shock Humphries on Thursday night, he will have his ninth spot back. Upon reaching the final, a sixth spot glows, while a title could even put Van den Bergh in the top four of the world rankings.

Ross Smith has a milestone to reach anyway, as he lands at his highest ever ranking after the World Matchplay. That is now the eleventh spot, where he started the tournament as number thirteen in the world. If "Smudger" manages to advance even further, an entry into the global top-10 or even into the world's top five beckons when he wins his second major title in Blackpool.

Then Smith will first of all have to deal with Wade, the lowest-ranked player in the world ranking still in the tournament. In any case, "The Machine" has already overtaken Gary Anderson on the PDC Order of Merit, but will be eager to make some more strides. Reaching the semifinals will put him back in the top-20, while Wade will even return to the top-16 if he reaches the final. Should Wade take the title, the left-handed darter will jump back into the top-10 in one fell swoop.

The last remaining quarterfinalist is Andrew Gilding, who is virtually in spot eighteen. That is already two spots higher than the position he started the tournament with. Gilding will need to reach at least the final to move up even further. Then 'Goldfinger' will end up in place thirteen or fourteen (depending on Wade's result). With a sensational title, Gilding will make his debut in the top-10 of the world rankings.

Source: Dartsrankings.com