PDC World Matchplay 2019 preview and schedule - Tuesday 23 July

The first round of the PDC World Matchplay 2019 is no more.

We move swiftly on to round two, where the ten remaining seeds and six non-seeds making up the last 16 will scrap it out for quarter-final spots. The World Matchplay quarter-finals will be completely new to whoever wins the first of Tuesday's four ties.

Smith out to stop Hopp

Michael Smith's record in Blackpool before 2019 was: first round, second round, first round, second round, first round, second round. Jamie Hughes threatened to perpetuate the pattern, but Smith bounced back in fine style.

Like Smith, Max Hopp showed a real knack for hitting doubles when they were needed most. It helped him outlast Dave Chisnall, who was scoring better but giving up chances all too frequently. Hopp is a serious threat when his confidence is high - hang in and pick up any scraps dropped by Smith, and he'll be very confident of springing another shock.

Two seeds meeting in the second round is a rarity, mostly due to every seed below Simon Whitlock in 11th being knocked out. James Wade and Mensur Suljovic - at eight and nine respectively - haven't been handed a supposedly easier tie. Both are aware that a quarter-final against Michael van Gerwen or Glen Durrant is in the offing, and their World Matchplay hopes hang on an ability to build momentum.

Wade struck exactly 50 per cent of his darts at double and averaged 96.16; it's almost the definition of solid darts. Suljovic was slightly better in both regards during a strangely hot-tempered win over Jermaine Wattimena. It's not just their seedings which points to this being too close to call.

Big names need to up games

Gary Anderson notched up four maximums and a 160 check in a 10-6 defeat of Danny Noppert, without ever leaving second gear. The question is: was that because the Flying Scotsman didn't need to, or because he couldn't? The Scot admitted that he's still on the comeback trail after a fairly miraculous recovery from serious injury.

Anderson can't afford to slack as he takes on Mervyn King, who put in one of the performances of the round against Nathan Aspinall. A 100 average, seven 180s, and 10 successful darts at a double out of 16 - two of which sealed ton-plus checkouts - all give a man repeatedly labelled the PDC's 'biggest moaner' something to feel very happy about. Anderson tends to be better on his doubles than Aspinall was on Saturday, which could force King to up his game yet further.

Heading into the World Matchplay, one of the big-time PDC events, and playing two-time world champion Adrian Lewis, Glen Durrant surely couldn't have expected things to go so smoothly. Duzza averaged 101.05 and never looked threatened in the slightest by the 16th seed. It was a memorable debut and a sign that nobody should worry the Middlesbrough ace.

Of course, if anyone were to worry him, it'd be the world number one. Michael van Gerwen knows he needs to make improvements on a scrappy win over Steve Beaton (and his form in general). But the Dutchman is focused and is the sort of player who learns from his mistakes. With any luck, both bring their A-game - that would make this tie an absolutely World Matchplay classic.

Tuesday schedule

Second Round
19:10 Michael Smith v Max Hopp
20:10 James Wade v Mensur Suljovic
21:10 Gary Anderson v Mervyn King
22:10 Michael van Gerwen v Glen Durrant