MVG and VdVV Through, Huybrechts Out as First Round Concludes

The final day of first round matches took a rather European twist with Michael Van Gerwen, Vincent Van Der Voort and Kim Huybrechts all in action. The two Dutchman managed to through without conceding a leg while Huybrechts suffered a shock defeat. There was also a return to the oche for 58-year old Paul Lim, making his 19th appearance on the world stage.

The Singaporean faced Malaysia's Mohd Latif Sapup in the preliminary qualifier and, after sharing the opening two legs, Lim rolled back the years by winning it 4-1 to set up the tie against Michael Van Gerwen. Lim is credited with the first nine darter in World Championship history in 1990 and hasn't featured on the world stage since 2001, but the Soft-Tip Champion would take two of the first three legs against the Dutchman.

Van Gerwen, like most so far this round, was extremely below par but he did recover to take the opening set in the deciding leg. Lim once again rolled back the years with a superb Shanghai 120-checkout to kick off the second set. Van Gerwen recovered once again to win the set 3-1 and go within a set of victory. The first man to hit a nine darter then became the first man to hit a 170-checkout in this year's tournament to level the third set. Van Gerwen retaliated with a 116-checkout before again taking the set in the deciding leg to book his place against Peter Wright in the second round. The Dutchman will be looking to improve on his doubles as he only hit nine out of 37 against Lim.

It was just as much of a battle for Van Der Voort against Stuart Kellett. Kellett levelled the opening set before the Dutchman won it 3-1. Kellett then had to level the second set to force a deciding leg in the second set before Van Der Voort once again took it. The Dutchman would then win the game in four legs to set up a tough match against Dean Winstanley.

The surprise of the night saw Huybrechts lose to an impressive Scott Rand. Rand was two darts away from a nine darter in the third leg, but the Belgian stole the show with a 127-checkout to take the set without conceding. Rand responded with a 107-checkout in the second leg of the second set before levelling the match, also without conceding in the set.

Huybrechts made it 2-0 in another set that only lasted three legs. The Belgian would level the fourth set at 1-1 before Rand took the set to force a deciding set. Huybrechts looked to gain momentum by taking the opening leg of the set but Rand came back and won the set 3-1 to progress to the next round.

Mark Walsh is the final name in the second round. He faced Darren Webster and took the opening set without conceding. Webster finally put a leg on the board before Walsh made it 2-0 with a 3-1 second set victory. Walsh levelled the third set before Webster recovered to win it 3-1 and take the set. Walsh then went 2-0 up in the fourth set before taking it 3-1 to advance into the second round.