The top quarter of the World Matchplay draw is in the spotlight in the evening session of play on Sunday which means that we will get to see the world number one Michael van Gerwen for the first time this week.
He is the headline act on the card but we have the beaten finalist from last year, three other world champions and a former winner of this event all on show on what should be a stellar evening of tungsten tossing.
James Wade vs Jeffrey de Zwaan (H2H: 4-0)
The opening match of the night sees the man whose Blackpool record stands up to most in James Wade taking on a player who surprised the world in this competition last year in the form of Jeffrey de Zwaan.
If Wade needed any reminding of the potential of the Dutchman then he only needs to look back to 12 months ago when he took out Michael van Gerwen, Adrian Lewis and Dave Chisnall to make the semi-final. Wade will need to be careful but he has seen this all before and you would expect his experience to come out on top in the end, but we should get a really entertaining contest to start the evening. I’m tempted to get involved in the 180s in some way but not enough to pull the trigger.
Mensur Suljovic vs Jermaine Wattimena (H2H: 5-0)
The second match of the night sees the beaten finalist from 12 months ago in Mensur Suljovic taking on the man who made his debut in the World Cup last month in the form of Jermaine Wattimena in what could be the ultimate clash in styles.
I don’t think too many people will be surprised that Suljovic has won all five of their previous meetings because his steady throwing style just can’t suit Wattimena. Interestingly four of the five matches between them have been on stage with Suljovic winning those 3-1 (sets), 6-2, 6-1 and 6-2. Wattimena got closer in their floor meeting but lost 6-5. That suggests that Wattimena isn’t quite used to the stage yet and doesn’t get on with Suljovic’s pace. Given that most of the Dutchman’s better form has come much earlier in the season and that there are signs Suljovic is hitting top form for these big events coming up, the Austrian to win and cover 2.5 legs looks the way forward to me.
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Michael van Gerwen vs Steve Beaton (H2H: 17-4)
The third match of the evening is where we get to see the early form of the world number one Michael van Gerwen who will be looking to get past this stage for the first time in two years when he takes on the former world champion Steve Beaton in the opening round.
Beaton is having a much improved season and has already made a semi-final and quarter final on the European Tour as well as the last eight in the UK Open. You get the feeling that at this stage of his career he is free rolling which makes him a dangerous customer. He will either be getting MVG at the right time or the wrong time here. The right time in that van Gerwen has looked way off the pace, making just one final in his last eight events either side of the Premier League, or a bad time in that a backlash is coming. I’m not into predicting which one it will be so I’ll sit this out but will be a keen observer into the form of the world number one.
Adrian Lewis vs Glen Durrant (H2H: 2-1)
The big match of the evening is the final one where the former champion of the world Adrian Lewis begins his quest for a first World Matchplay title when he takes on the current BDO champion Glen Durrant who will be making his debut in the tournament.
Lewis has had a torrid time of it over the last couple of years or so, to the extent that he goes into this match as a clear underdog but in his first true PDC huge event it will be interesting to see how Durrant goes here. His record at the Grand Slam will be fine but he wasn’t favourite in too many matches in that tournament against players the calibre of Lewis.
Importantly for Lewis fans, there were signs that he was returning to form in a Players Championship event in midweek and the thing we know about great champions is that the big stages and huge matches tend to bring out their best form. I don’t see Durrant backing down here so I would be surprised if we don’t get more than 16.5 legs in what could be a true Matchplay first round classic if both bring their best games with them.
Tips
WON – Back M.Suljovic (-2.5 legs) to beat J.Wattimena for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Betway
Back him here:
Back A.Lewis vs G.Durrant – Over 16.5 legs for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Coral
Back it here:
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