Van Gerwen survives scare against Hughes, Anderson comes through unscathed versus Brown

The first day of action is complete at the World Grand Prix in Dublin with Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson rounding out proceedings.

Van Gerwen had a really poor start to his tie against Jamie Hughes though losing the first set and missing five set darts in the process handing Hughes the initiative with the Tipton ace claiming the opening foray and something to build on.

MVG though returned to proceedings sealing the second set in style with a 108 checkout but he knew there was still some work to do.

Hughes returned to clinch the opening leg of the final set but this didn't last long in the turning point of the tie with Van Gerwen returning to make it 1-1.

In the following leg, 'Yozza' had one last throw of the dice going seven darts into a nine-dart finish but Van Gerwen in typical fashion hit a 135 checkout on the bull to break throw and lead 2-1. From there he claimed the victory to survive the scare.

Then it was the turn of Anderson who saw off Keegan Brown in an unscathed start to his campaign for 'The Flying Scotsman'.

Anderson clean sweeped the first leg as he pounced on a poor start from Brown who failed to start legs well. Brown though finally secured his first leg and poor doubling aside, he could of pegged it back.

He wasn't done though and Anderson himself missing doubles for the match allowed Brown to send it to a decider. Despite that though, Anderson secured his victory and looked good in his first outing at the CityWest.

Click here for more information about this tournament, the only one to feature double start on the PDC Tour.

Day One schedule

Ricky Evans (79.08) 0-2 (89.5) Chris Dobey
Mervyn King (88.03) 2-1 (84.95) Dimitri Van den Bergh
Joe Cullen (84.44) 1-2 (85.95) Ian White
Jeffrey de Zwaan (88.67) 2-0 (73.68) Steve Beaton
James Wade (86.15) 2-1 (82.79) John Henderson
Michael Smith (83.39) 2-1 (77.96) Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen (84.59) 2-1 (85.08) Jamie Hughes
Gary Anderson (84.26) 2-0 (81.5) Keegan Brown