Liam Maendl-Lawrance did not have the most ideal start to his
Lakeside debut, both in the start to the match and also his equipment as the German star was stuck using another players' darts, but still prevailed 2-1 in sets against Mike Gillet.
Maendl-Lawrance who has featured heavily on the European Tour this season and has been familiar for his slow playing style which has irked some opponents has slightly picked up the pace as has been noted in his SDC appearances.
But also comes into Lakeside with a spot at next year's tournament set and also having won three titles so pedigree for the rising German. But he did not have his darts shirt or darts having to seemingly use ones from Jim Widmayer instead with all different flights. Likelihood being of them getting lost in transit on a plane.
But despite that, he prevailed. It was a closely fought clash with neither having a break of throw which meant that Gillet having started the contest prevailed in the opening set. Maendl-Lawrance took the second also 3-2 before he then struggled to get over the line, but chance after chance after going 2-0 down to come back into the tie was fruitless for Gillet who could not take advantage. While Maendl-Lawrance who some see as a potential outsider this week has stamped his card early.
Kirsty Hutchinson was next up and on paper against a World Masters semi-finalist in Mayumi Ouchi, it was potentially a tricky assignment.
But Hutchinson who reached the final last year losing out to Beau Greaves made light work of Ouchi in a 2-0 win. Unseeded this year, she will face sixth seed Wendy Harper in the next round, with Lisa Ashton likely looming in the semi-finals.
Three Swedes are now through to the second round, with Edwin Torbjornsson putting in the display of the tournament so far to teach Laszlo Kadar known as 'The Teacher' a lesson. It was an 85 average for Torbjornsson and next up now is Jelle Klaasen after he opened up with a 2-0 sets win.
