The Main Event
Michael van Gerwen is ready for the “different kind of pressure” presented by the PDC World Darts Championship as he opens his bid for a fourth title.
The Dutchman is no longer the dominant force in world darts – he hasn’t triumphed at Alexandra Palace since 2019 – but as the world number two he will be among the favourites over the next fortnight in north London.
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He starts his campaign against Keane Barry tomorrow night and Van Gerwen claims he is happy to be in the mix, rather than the outstanding candidate to land the trophy.
He said: “I don’t know if I am the favourite. Luke Humphries is playing some really good darts, he’s has had some fantastic results recently. I’m one of the favourites, everyone wants to beat me. The pressure is on everyone. I am looking forward to it.
“If you look at my game overall [this season], I have played some really good games, some good averages, some good performances.
“Humphries, [Peter] Wright, [Gerwyn] Price, you have loads of tests. The Worlds is a different kind of pressure but I am looking forward to it.”
Van Gerwen ought to have too much for Barry, who saw off Reynaldo Rivera 3-1 in round one.
The Irishman was pleased to get through to have a crack at Van Gerwen but accepts he will have to play better against ‘Mighty Mike’.
“The game will suit me more,” he said. “There’s no pressure on me so I’m just going to go up and enjoy myself. I know I’m capable of winning. I’ll need to play a lot better though.”
🗣️ “I’ll need to be a lot better on Tuesday!”
Keane Barry looks ahead to a second round clash with Michael van Gerwen… pic.twitter.com/RujqsGYwIb
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 16, 2023
The afternoon session is highlighted by James Wade. The experienced world number 13 opens against Matt Campbell.
Order of Play
Afternoon Session (from 1230)
Ian White v Tomoya Goto
Ritchie Edhouse v Jeffrey De Graaf
Keegan Brown v Boris Krcmar
James Wade v Matt Campbell
Evening Session (from 1900)
Steve Beaton v Wessel Nijman
Mike De Decker v Dragutin Horvat
Ricardo Pietreczko v Mikuru Suzuki
Michael van Gerwen v Keane Barry
How to Watch
The PDC World Darts Championship is being screened on Sky Sports in the UK. You can watch the afternoon session on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena from 1230 (UK time). The evening session is on Sky Sports Arena from 1900 and Sky Sports Main Event from 2230.
Predictions
Van Gerwen should ease through, and send a message to his fellow competitors that he still poses a real threat. Wade should not have any issues against Campbell either.
Elsewhere, expect wins for White, Edhouse, De Decker and Pietreczko.
