Van Gerwen breezes past Szaganski, Cross, Wade and Humphries also among early winners at Players Championship 8

The action has begun in Niedernhausen at Players Championship 8 with Michael van Gerwen through his opening hurdle despite only averaging 88.4 in the process.

Van Gerwen took out Radek Szaganski 6-1 to begin his day as the second seed as he looks to avenge a poor end to yesterday when he lost out to Gary Blades.

Also through includes Rob Cross who will feel aggrieved after missing handfuls of match darts yesterday that Gerwyn Price went on to win and he saw off Jose Justicia 6-4.

Luke Humphries saw off Thomas Lovely and James Wade, the only other Premier League player barring Price and Van Gerwen this weekend also saw off Steve West.

Price comes into proceedings later today after receiving a first round bye as he looks to make it back-to-back.

Krzysztof Ratajski 6 | 3 Shaun Wilkinson

Daryl Gurney 6 | 5 Michael Flynn

Rob Cross 6 | 4 Jose Justicia

Stephen Bunting 6 | 1 Damian Mol

Damon Heta 6 | 5 Jason Lowe

Steven Noster 6 | 5 Ross Smith

Michael van Gerwen 6 | 1 Radek Szaganski

Danny Noppert 6 | 5 Nathan Rafferty

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6 | 3 Darren Webster

Brendan Dolan 6 | 3 Daniel Klose

Jose de Sousa 6 | 5 Ron Meulenkamp

James Wade 6 | 3 Steve West

Luke Humphries 6 | 3 Thomas Lovely

Jermaine Wattimena 6 | 5 Chris Dobey