Ian White storms to victory on day two of the Betfred World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens

White – a two-time European Tour winner this year – opened with an 11-dart leg which featured two 180s, and also twice punished Cullen’s missed doubles on the way to a 5-0 lead.

He also took out a 121 finish in leg seven, and capitalised on seven further misses from Cullen in the next two legs before taking out 80 to complete a comfortable win.

Krzysztof Ratajski enjoyed a winning debut at the Matchplay, defeating Darren Webster 10-5.

Polish number one Ratajski settled the better to open up a 3-1 lead before Webster hit back to level at three-all with a 105 checkout.

The next four legs were traded before Ratajski edged 6-5 up on double 16 and then punished three misses from Webster to open up a two-leg advantage.

The four-time ranking event winner then pulled clear with the next three legs to set up a second round tie with Rob Cross on Wednesday.

Max Hopp came from 7-4 down to defeat Dave Chisnall 11-9 in a thrilling tie-break as the German ace progressed to round two.

A tight opening to the contest saw Hopp take out 128 on his way to a 3-2 lead only for Chisnall to land six perfect darts in one of two 11-darters as he moved 7-4 up.

Hopp, though, pounced on three misses from Chisnall with a key 96 finish in a run of four straight legs as he edged 8-7 up, before holding his nerve on a 100 checkout to level at nine-all to force a tie-break.

He then made Chisnall pay for six misses to move 10-9 up, and when the five-time quarter-finalist missed double 10 in the next, the former world youth champion landed double five to seal the win.

Michael Smith came from 6-3 down to defeat Jamie Hughes 10-7.

Hughes opened with a nerve-settling 12-darter and led 4-1 before a 128 checkout for a 12-darter saw him go 6-3 up.

Smith landed legs of 11 and 12 darts to inspire a run of five straight legs as he powered into an 8-6 lead, and though Hughes briefly responded, checkouts of 120 and 130 sealed victory.