• World Darts Championship

Favourable draw for Taylor, Huybrechts brothers set for battle

ESPN staff
December 2, 2013
Phil Taylor beat Michael van Gerwen to win the World Darts Championship at the start of the year © PA Photos
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Reigning world champion Phil Taylor has been handed an opening round tie against either Rob Szabo or Ian Moss at the World Darts Championship, while the Huybrechts brothers of Kim and Ronny were drawn to face each other.

Taylor defeated Michael van Gerwen to lift the title for the 16th time, and 'The Power' goes into the tournament at the Alexandra Palace on the back of losing in the final of the Players Championship Finals to Van Gerwen on Sunday.

Van Gerwen has a tie against either Zoran Lerchbacher or Ben Ward, but the story to emerge from the draw is the showdown between Kim and Ronny Huybrechts, who faced each other at the Grand Slam and will once again do battle on the oche.

Two-time champion of the world Adrian Lewis will face Dennis Smith, while fourth seed Simon Whitlock has a match against Ross Smith.

In other selected first round ties, Paul Nicholson faces Stuart Kellett, Richie Burnett has Dean Winstanley - the player who hit a nine-darter at the Ally Pally last year.

Five-time champion of the world Raymond van Barneveld faces Jamie Lewis, with Gary Anderson facing Mark Dudbridge in a tussle between two former finalists.

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