Wright plays down Matchplay favourite tag after exits of Smith, Price and Van Gerwen: "My preparation wasn’t ideal"

Peter Wright has shaken off the favourite role for overall victory at the World Matchplay. After the elimination of Michael Smith, 'Snakebite' is the highest-seeded player still in the tournament. Rivals Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price have also been eliminated.

Despite winning the Nordic Darts Masters and Czech Darts Open, Wright is going through a difficult season. He finished last in the Premier League Darts and is throwing far below the level we have seen from the Scot in recent years, as such he's keen not to put too much pressure on himself in Blackpool.

“Normally I come here saying I’m going to win it, but my preparation wasn’t ideal,” Wright said on the PDC website. “I was on a holiday cruise and I wasn’t allowed to take my darts on, so I hadn’t thrown a dart for about 16 days before this week. I definitely feel refreshed and I enjoyed the break, but it isn’t suiting my game. I have tried a different tactic this year, taking time off before tournaments and missing lots of ProTours during the Premier League, but obviously it hasn’t worked."

The world number two will take on Ryan Searle in the second round of the World Matchplay on Wednesday night. Searle previously impressed by winning with a 105 average in his opening-round victory over Raymond van Barneveld.

“We all know that Ryan Searle is a brilliant dart player, but every game is different and I’m looking forward to Wednesday," Wright says of the tie. “Michael van Gerwen going out has blown the tournament wide open, and I remember [in 2021] when I sneaked through the back door and won it! Nobody will notice me in my crazy outfits and crazy hairstyle, and hopefully I can do the same again!”