World Matchplay Darts: Michael van Gerwen beats Raymond van Barneveld

Three-time winner Michael van Gerwen made it through to the second round of the World Matchplay despite a below-par display against Raymond van Barneveld, while Gerwyn Price overcame Daryl Gurney in a heated encounter in Blackpool.

Van Gerwen said he “made things difficult for himself” before eventually seeing off fellow Dutchman Van Barneveld 10-6 in an error-strewn match at the Winter Gardens.

“Raymond didn’t play his A-game, but I was more annoyed with my own game because I know I could do better,” he told Sky Sports.

“This is a tournament I love to play. I have won it three times. It is always an intense crowd. Everything is perfect. But when you don’t play perfect it is really annoying.

“We all know I am a winner. I don’t like losing. But maybe this is the start of something really nice.”