• World Matchplay

Wade and Van Gerwen through at World Matchplay

James Wade had raced into a 6-1 lead before finally beating Andy Smith 10-5 © PA Photos

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James Wade survived a fightback from Andy Smith to eventually secure a 10-5 victory and move into the second round of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The 2007 winner pounced after Smith missed five darts at doubles to take out tops and power into a 6-1 lead as he looked to be proceeding to a routine victory.

Smith valiantly fought back to 7-5 but then missed four darts at tops as Wade opened up a three-leg cushion before going on to progress.

Earlier in the night, world champion Michael van Gerwen battled to a 10-7 win against Steve Beaton.

The Dutchman had led 5-2 after hitting double 10 to win a third successive leg. Beaton then took out 122 on the bull to break and pull the score back to 5-4.

But Van Gerwen hit a maximum and finished double eight to go three legs clear once again. Beaton hit back again for 8-7 but Van Gerwen hit double 18 to move one leg from the win and then hit double 10 to progress.

Van Gerwen next faces Ian White, who kicked off the evening with a superb 10-4 win against two-time World Matchplay finalist Terry Jenkins.

Jenkins fought back to 3-2 after losing the first two legs, but White pulled away by taking the next four legs. Jenkins hit a 180 and finished tops to win his first leg in four but White pulled away again with tops moving him to the brink of victory at 9-3.

However, White missed the bull for a 93 finish and the match, with Jenkins keeping his hopes alive. The respite was brief, though, as White took out 60 to seal the victory, hitting 10 doubles from 14 attempts and averaging 100.

Elsewhere, Simon Whitlock raced into a 3-0 lead on his way to a 10-6 victory against Kevin Painter.

Painter had squared the match at 3-3 and even took out 92 on the bullseye to move in front for the first time. However, Whitlock came back, posting double eight to regain the lead at 6-5. He then took another two legs for an 8-5 lead and saw out the win, landing a fifth 180 before taking out 111.

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