There are two sessions of darts on Sunday as the World Matchplay continues at a fast pace. The first round continues at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in the afternoon session with four more matches on the card as eight players look to make it into the second round of the competition.
Stephen Bunting vs Mensur Suljovic
The afternoon begins with one of the matches of the round as the former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting takes on arguably the most improved player in the game over the last 18 months in Mensur Suljovic.
It was on this stage that the Austrian’s improvement really came to the fore when he made the quarter final here taking out both Terry Jenkins and Gary Anderson on his way to defeat to James Wade in the quarter final. Stephen Bunting went out in the first round of this tournament last year and has been fairly disappointing in the big events since then.
Bookmakers have this match priced up as a 50/50 and that is how I see it too. If I was forced to edge one way or the other it would be on Suljovic just because Bunting is a rhythm player and he isn’t going to get much of that here but it has the feel of a trappy match about it so I’ll sit this one out accordingly.
Kim Huybrechts vs Gerwyn Price
Kim Huybrechts has finally fired himself into life with that run to the semi-final of the World Cup of Darts alongside his brother. Since then he has performed very well on the floor but one man who knows all about performing well on the floor is the man he takes on here in Gerwyn Price.
Price has already won two floor tournaments this year and is starting to establish himself as a leading player in the game. Although he made the quarter final here 12 months ago you would have to say Price hasn’t yet cracked it on TV but once he gets used to darts on the stage if his floor form is anything to go by a monster could be unleashed.
This is another match which I’m struggling to decide which way I think it will go but unlike the other match I don’t see as much potential for this one to be won quickly. This could be the tightest match of the tournament so far because they both score solidly and finish well and they both have that grit and determination to do well which can keep this close. I’m sensing there won’t be a lot in this so over 16.5 legs feels right to me here.
Terry Jenkins vs Justin Pipe
The third match of the afternoon is one between two men whose best is probably behind them now but one of them is going to pocket second round prize money here at least and maybe revive themselves a little bit.
Neither man has been pulling up any trees on the floor circuit although Jenkins probably has the better of the form in that domain. Given that Justin Pipe has only made one quarter final in 13 months he has done mighty well to make it here but I’m not convinced he will go a lot further although the fact he has won the last three meetings between the two does put me off backing Jenkins.
Terry Jenkins does have tendencies to miss a lot more doubles than he did in his prime so I’m tentatively going to swerve backing him here even though I want to back him based if nothing else on his excellent record here. It is a busy day though so I can sit this one out and that’s what I’ll do.
Ian White vs Daryl Gurney
Six months ago this would have been the match of any first round but Daryl Gurney’s form has slipped a little bit since then whereas Ian White’s form is getting stronger and stronger. Indeed the Englishman won the last Players Championship tournament which is an excellent indication of his form right now.
That was White’s second title of the year to go along with a couple of semi-finals and a raft of quarter finals so there is no disputing the form of the Diamond. I’ve mentioned a few times that he is underrated as a player and that appears to be the case still.
Daryl Gurney made some big strides towards the end of last year but the World Cup of Darts aside where he has a partner he hasn’t been to the quarter final of a tournament since March which isn’t how he would have liked to have kicked on.
This was always going to be a tough match up for Gurney because Ian White is a relentless scorer who puts you under pressure on doubles and Gurney has been known to crack on them in the past. If Gurney was in top form this could have kicked off in a big way but he isn’t so I fancy White might come through here with a shade in hand.
Tips
WON – Back K.Huybrechts vs G.Price – Over 16.5 legs for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Skybet
Back it here:
WON – Back I.White (-2.5 legs) to beat D.Gurney for a 4/10 stake at 2.55 with Bwin
Back it here:
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