Simon Whitlock is the first player through on the opening day of World Matchplay action with a potential tie with Michael van Gerwen awaiting next after a comfortable win over Ryan Joyce.

Whitlock raced into a 3-0 lead and despite Joyce coming back, the Aussie ace was always in control and claimed it 10-4 with five 180's and a high checkout of 92.

Both players started well in a high quality first leg hitting a 180 apiece but it was Whitlock who took out 78 for the lead. He doubled this with a second 180 and an 84 on the bull to make it 2-0 and break Joyce's throw.

Whitlock got away with it surviving a dart at double 20 and missing eight missed darts at double but 'The Wizard' held to make it 3-0 and ask the question early on.

He missed 80 for 4-0 and Joyce returned to claim his first leg with a 108 checkout. The Newcastle ace missed 109 hitting the wire on double 16 but Whitlock couldn't punish with 90 on the bull and Joyce hit double eight to make it 3-2.

Joyce missed two darts to level and suffered another break at 4-2 behind and this was extended with the former missing double 19 for a 118 finish and Whitlock returned to make it 5-2.

He missed the bull on 132 to impart a further break but Joyce made a mess of 18 which allowed Whitlock to make it 6-2.

At the next break, Joyce broke a duck of four consecutive Whitlock legs to stay alive at 7-3 down but he missed an 80 checkout to go one away prolonging the tie.

Joyce missed one at double 16 and Whitlock went one away from there at 9-4 up as he looked to finally finish proceedings off. He did so hitting a 13 darter to move through.

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

Schedule World Matchplay 2020

Saturday July 18
First Round

Simon Whitlock (89.96) 10-4 (90.11) Ryan Joyce
Krzysztof Ratajski v Jermaine Wattimena
James Wade v Keegan Brown
Michael van Gerwen v Brendan Dolan
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe

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