Van Barneveld not taking Meikle clash lightly: "Definitely not to be underestimated"

Saturday night, Raymond van Barneveld's first opponent at the World Darts Championship was announced. In first round, Ryan Meikle triumphed against Lisa Ashton.

Van Barneveld followed the match between his possible opponents in the car heading to London. The five-time world champion saw Meikle take a 2-0 lead against Ashton, but in the end 'The Barber' needed a five-setter to deal with the four-time women's world champion.

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''It was a great match. It looked like Ryan got over it pretty easily. He was scoring steady, but a small mistake caused Lisa to step in. In the last set she didn't play so well,'' Van Barneveld analyzed to the AD.

The five-time world champion is certainly not going to underestimate Meikle heading into their match on Tuesday, December 20. ''Meikle is a serious opponent and definitely not to be underestimated so I have to prepare well'' said the 55-year-old Hague native.

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