Van Gerwen surged away at the end but Dolan kept getting proceedings back to parity and was a few darts away especially in the early going from potentially making a shock win a possibility.

Despite that though it is the World Number One who is through 10-7 with a 100 average and he will hope to provide a benchmark display when he takes on Whitlock who he has a very good record against. 'The Wizard' saw off Ryan Joyce in tonight's opener.

To begin the tie, Dolan took the opening leg and could have been 2-0 up had he took opportunities with two darts missed at a double but it was soon 2-1 instead with a 17 darter from the World Number One who broke the throw.

The History Maker put himself down to a break opportunity but missed multiple opportunities including busting on 14 and this allowed Van Gerwen to hold. 'Mighty Mike' began to strike hitting a 12 darter to go 4-1 up with an 81 checkout.

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Dolan returned to break throw with an 18 darter but Van Gerwen didn't allowed him any chance of getting back towards level terms as he pinned 52 to go 5-2 up and keep himself clear.

The Northern Irishman had a chance at another break being given the chance of a 70 checkout and it's one he gratefully took. From 8 legs, there was an astonishing 5 breaks of throw but could Dolan get towards parity?

He held his throw after Van Gerwen missed the bull for a 161 checkout pinning double 16 for 5-4. It was parity soon after with an excellent 128 checkout, was there trouble in store for Van Gerwen?

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Dolan missed double 18 for a 109 checkout which allowed Van Gerwen to break again at 6-5. After a brilliant effort from Dolan to make it parity, there was daylight at 7-5 with an 82 checkout.

A clutch 48 checkout with MVG sat on 68 saw Dolan at one behind again. The former missed a 120 checkout but despite Dolan missing darts initially to make it parity, it was a break after MVG himself missed darts at the double.

A poor leg once again undid Dolan's hard work and it was another break again who hit a 28 checkout to make it 8-7 and he was soon one leg away as he began to get stronger as Dolan faltered.

Dolan missed double 12 for a 141 and he missed further chances to hold and Van Gerwen closed it out with a 57 checkout.

Click here for more information about the World Matchplay, including the tournament bracket, TV coverage and prize money breakdown.

Simon Whitlock (89.96) 10-4 (90.11) Ryan Joyce
Krzysztof Ratajski (107.53) 10-4 (96.47) Jermaine Wattimena
James Wade (96.54) 12-10 (98.65) Keegan Brown
Michael van Gerwen (100.34) 10-7 (91.88) Brendan Dolan
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe

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