Michael van Gerwen has been forced to dig deep and discover some of his best finishing to prevent a scare against Jamie Hughes about the World Grand Prixs coming night.
Having maintained his title Van Gerwen is expecting to defend the name for the first time and despite being far from his best he managed to find a way to conquer on debutant Hughes.
He was given a 2-1 lead but Hughes hit back in style settling in to his stride by A from MvG.
After Van Gerwen missed three darts for the opener, then Hughes stepped in to leave the world no more 1 looking at a second first-round depart in three years.
When he needed to the Dutchman found his a 108 end gave him the next set and parity in the contest before punishing.
With his competitor ongoing to fritter away his opportunities, Van Gerwen stepped up to snare 135 and move within a leg of the game that he gobbled up.
Next up is fellow Dutchman Jeffrey p Zwaan, the Dutchman was too great at the Grand Prix with made his debut in 35, for an out-of-sorts Steve Beaton who made his 16th appearance.
De Zwaan won five of those six legs to shore to a showdown with the world , that he beat at a Matchplay thriller this past year.
Anderson eases into second round
Gary Anderson kicked off his bid with a victory against Keegan Brown, that had been left to rue missed opportunities.
The Flying Scotsman is seeking to finish the season on a high having experienced the early months of the effort disrupted with a spine injury and using only reached the final before he is eager to add another brand new trophy.
The Scot coasted into the very first group and despite facing more of a battle in the second he managed to take the chances that came his manner, trapping half his 15 effort at double in comparison with Brown who missed 15 darts to assert a leg.
Chris Dobey is likely when their World Championship showdown 12 months past is anything to go by, to provide a rest that is stiffer. Hollywood appreciated a great debut, rebounding back from dropping the opening leg against Ricky Evans for a victory.
A match that saw both players begin in style never truly caught fire within an astonishing Dobey won five of the next six legs to record a triumph and leaveRapid Ricky looking for a win at the Grand Prix.
Bully Boy following titanic tussle
Michael Smith has never been beyond the second round along with his attempt to win a first key name survived a scare against Simon Whitlock.
Bully Boy, beaten in World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay finals within the last 18 weeks, was staring down the barrel with a surprise exit against the 2017 runner-up before edging a final leg shoot-out.
Having lost the first group, Smith trailed before locating his shape thanks to some conclusion that put the road with him into a level contest.
The Wizard fought back although with Whitlock starting to flounder, Smith was helped by an ever better 155 right to an early lead and with seen Bully Boy overlook two darts for the game.
Smiths good friend and practice partner Ian White will provide the opposition after winning a striking match against Joe Cullen, coming from the brink of defeat to capture a 2-1 win and a spot in the past 16.
Cullen was walloped 10-0 by White at the World Matchplay this year but seemed to have made amends when he reeled off five straight legs to stand on the brink of a surprise triumph.
But having stopped the corrosion White maintained five to level the match at one set each and every stand inside a leg of success himself.
There was time for drama though as White missed eight darts to secure the triumph to see Cullen overlook darts himself to remain alive and Diamond finally caught the winning double of asking at the ninth time.
Wade survives Hendo evaluation
James Wade underlined his credentials as a competition for another title with a 2-1 victory win to place his recent Grand Prix struggles behind him.
Even the 2007 and 2010 winner has dropped in the first round in each of the last four years, actually since beating Gary Anderson in the 2014 semi-final, he is without a win at the tournament however he came through a rounder on opening night.
Without causing a dart at a dual against Hendo whod finished the predominate of MvG here two decades ago wade grabbed a great 142 check-out on his way into the set.
Along with the Scot served note of another surprise when he edged Another group closed the contest with a refined third set which put a date with Mervyn King who produced a battling display out World Youth champion Dimitri Van den Bergh
Having overlooked a dart to the series, King allowed Van den Bergh to level at 2-2 and then pinch the guide with a 105 finish to follow his previous 112.
King rescued his best for when the Belgian was 2-0 ahead after which matched The Dreammakers 112 on his approach to taking the second set.
A 13-darter from 2012 runner-up King kept the game alive and then a dazzling 133 end set up the decider.
The Darts Show podcast team will take you behind the scenes with a flavour of the action and a range of guests also also would be in Dublin for the week.
Wayne Mardle, Colin Lloyd and Mark Webster will be part of our policy and you are going to be able to grab up with a recap of this nights activity and a look at whats to come.
Coverage of the World Grand Prix proceeds on Monday night from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Main Event and operates during the week up until Saturdays final from the Citywest Hotel
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