5-time winner Michael Van Gerwen beat rival Gary Anderson, whereas defending champion Jonny Clayton scraped into the second spherical by coming from a set all the way down to defeat 2020 finalist Dirk Van Duijvenbode; Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis additionally received by way of on the World Grand Prix

Michael van Gerwen received the battle between two darting giants as he put aside a nervy begin to ease previous Gary Anderson on opening evening of the World Grand Prix.

Van Gerwen – chasing a sixth World Grand Prix success – ran out a convincing 2-0 winner in opposition to two-time World Champion Anderson in a repeat of the 2016 last.

Jonny Clayton survived a scare as he started his title defence with a comeback victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode, whereas Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis additionally progressed in Leicester.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Try one of the best of the motion from the opening evening of the World Grand Prix

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Anderson might assist however smile after he scored simply 9 in his emphatic defeat to Van Gerwen

Van Gerwen reeled off a scrappy first set with out reply, regardless of Anderson lacking darts to win each leg – squandering 11 darts at double in whole.

The Scot responded with a scientific 84 to grab management of the second set, however after firing again with a 15-dart riposte, ‘The Inexperienced Machine’ adopted up his third 180 with a 106 end to seal victory in 12 darts.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Van Gerwen booked his spot within the second spherical spot with this unbelievable 12-dart leg…

“The primary spherical on the World Grand Prix in opposition to Gary Anderson isn’t going to be straightforward,” admitted Van Gerwen, who averaged 101 in an outstanding second set show.

“You by no means know with Gary. He nonetheless has a variety of expertise and is a superb participant, so it’s important to carry out nicely.

“We each missed so many doubles within the first set, however the second set is one thing to construct on for the subsequent spherical.”

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

MVG is concentrating on extra success having already claimed victory on this 12 months’s Premier League and World Matchplay

Clayton was handed a tricky task in opposition to 2020 runner-up Van Duijvenbode within the distinctive double-start occasion, however recovered from a shaky begin to guide a showdown with Dimitri Van den Bergh on the Morningside Enviornment.

Van Duijvenbode dominated the opening exchanges, punishing a lacklustre begin from the reigning champion to attract first blood with a chic 156 checkout.

Clayton’s terrific 130 end halfway by way of set two shifted the pendulum, and as an more and more annoyed Dutchman faltered late on with ‘The Ferret’ capitalising to maneuver by way of to a gathering in opposition to Van den Bergh.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Jonny Clayton admitted he was lucky to progress by way of after a late rally noticed him defeat Dirk van Duijvenbode

“I am glad to get by way of clearly, however Dirk ought to have received that recreation,” conceded Clayton, who crushed fellow Welshman Gerwyn Worth in final 12 months’s showpiece.

“I simply could not get going tonight, however fortunately I managed to scrape by way of.

“Dimitri is a superb participant, similar to Dirk. Hopefully my recreation will enhance on Wednesday. I will come out of the blocks higher than I did tonight.”

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Van den Bergh nailed this good 81 checkout on the bullseye in his win over Dave Chisnall

Van den Bergh secured solely his second victory on the World Grand Prix stage with a deciding-leg win over two-time finalist Dave Chisnall.

World Champion Peter Wright defied a spirited fightback from Kim Huybrechts to start his bid for a maiden World Grand Prix crown with a 2-0 win in a high-quality affair.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Adrian Lewis rolled again the years by hitting the Jackpot with this majestic 152 end

And 2010 finalist Adrian Lewis made a successful return in his first World Grand Prix look since 2019, changing three ton-plus checkouts to shut out a powerful 2-0 win over Jose De Sousa, who turns into the primary seed to exit this 12 months’s match.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Chris Dobey sunk two ton-plus checkouts as he swept previous Luke Humphries

‘Jackpot’ will now play ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey, who produced a spectacular show of ending to stun Luke Humphries and safe his first win at this occasion since reaching the 2019 semi-finals on debut.

Krzysztof Ratajski and Stephen Bunting additionally progressed with 2-0 victories, beating Callan Rydz and Brendan Dolan respectively.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Dobey received the opening set with Luke Humphries with this Hollywood ending

The primary spherical motion attracts to a detailed on Tuesday evening, as world No 1 Gerwyn Worth begins his bid for a second World Grand Prix crown in opposition to German debutant Martin Schindler.

Two-time winner James Wade faces one other newcomer in Martin Lukeman, 2017 champion Daryl Gurney performs eighth seed Rob Cross, whereas Michael Smith takes on Nathan Aspinall in one other tasty tie.

Try each day Darts information on skysports.com/darts, our app for cellular units and our Twitter account @skysportsdarts. You’ll be able to watch the twenty fifth staging of the World Grand Prix ‘Double in, Double out’ set format on Sky Sports activities right through to the ultimate on October 9 in Leicester.