Luke Humphries defeats former Betfred World Matchplay champion James Wade on all-action second day of Blackpool darts

Humphries gained revenge for March's loss to Wade in the UK Open final with a nerveless display at the Winter Gardens, where the former World Youth Champion averaged 101 in a 10-3 defeat of the 2007 champion.

Humphries raced into leads of 2-0 and 6-1 to take control of the contest, with Wade finishing 148 to hit back, but the youngster went on to close out an impressive victory.

"It was a very tough draw," said Humphries. "James played well in the UK Open final but it wasn't about revenge - he didn't play his best darts there.

"I got in front of him early on and punished his mistakes. I felt that there was a lot more to give and I had a few slack darts, but my doubles were good at the right times and I can't be too critical of myself."

Humphries has reached four finals in 2021 in establishing himself inside the top 32, and added: "I've been working hard and I think it's paying off. This is just the start, I feel like there are better performances to come. I just seem at home on the big stage and I produce my best darts."

Number two seed Wright's bid to claim a maiden World Matchplay title began in comfortable fashion as the 2017 finalist cruised past Danny Noppert with a 10-2 success.

After Noppert won the opening leg, Wright claimed six in a row - including back-to-back 13-darters and a 105 finish - to pull away from the Dutchman.

Noppert hit back with a 13-darter of his own, but a 121 finish from Wright proved key in ending his hopes as four further legs booked the Scot's last 16 date with Joe Cullen.

"It's a win for me but Danny had lots of darts at doubles and let me off," said Wright, who averaged 99.75.

Cullen celebrated a 10-8 win over Chris Dobey in emotional fashion following arguably the tie of Sunday's double session.

Cullen landed a 10-darter and an 11-dart leg as he took an early 4-2 lead, before Dobey won three in a row to move ahead and also held a 6-5 advantage.

Cullen, though, showed the form which has earned him two ProTour titles in 2021 so far by moving back ahead at 9-7, taking out a key 97 finish after Dobey missed the bull for a 161 checkout to level.

Double ten kept Dobey in the contest, but Cullen was first to a finish in the next and double eight moved him into the last 16 for a third time in four years.

"It's so nice to get the win," said Cullen. "I've played some great games but I've always been on the wrong end of them, so to come out on the right end of them is really pleasing."

2019 runner-up Michael Smith returned to winning ways with a 10-7 defeat of Ryan Searle.

Debutant Searle shared the game's opening six legs, but saw Smith take out 136 in a run

"I'm happy with how I battled through," said Smith. "This shows how far I've come - I know it wasn't a great game but I don't think I dropped my head once and I showed grit.

"I was really nervous - I've not played on stage in front of fans for a long time and 800 sounds like 10,000!"

Smith will now meet Jose de Sousa, after the Premier League finalist swept aside German number one Gabriel Clemens 10-2.

De Sousa won the opening seven legs, and although Clemens produced a 13-darter as he threatened a fightback,the Portuguese claimed his maiden victory in the event.

"It's the first time I've played here and my first win in the World Matchplay, so I'm more than happy," said De Sousa.

Glen Durrant became the first seeded player to exit this year's World Matchplay, losing 10-6 to debutant Callan Rydz.

Two-time semi-finalist Durrant found himself 5-0 down to Rydz after missing doubles in each leg.

A supportive Winter Gardens crowd cheered him back to 7-4 but Rydz regained his nerve to close out the victory.

"I came here as a fan four years ago and loved it, and it felt amazing to win," said Rydz. "I haven't played in front of fans since the UK Open last year so it's great to see them back."

Rydz will now take on 2019 World Matchplay winner Cross, who overcame a tough test against Ross Smith to progress by a 10-8 scoreline.

Debutant Smith showed no Winter Gardens nerves with legs of 14, 14 and 13 legs as he took an early 3-1 lead, only to see Cross storm back with six legs in a row.

Smith pulled back to 7-6, 8-7 and 9-8, but Cross crucially denied him the chance to level as double 16 saw him close out the win with a 100 average.

Cross said: "I think I made myself nervous but it's amazing to be back here - the last time I walked out here I won it. Everything that I've missed for the last 16 months was here so I'm very grateful."

Krzysztof Ratajski progressed beyond the first round for a third successive year by defeating Brendan Dolan 10-4, producing the first ton-plus average of the tournament.

Poland's Ratajski was in ruthless mood as he claimed seven of the first nine legs, all being won in between 11 and 15 darts.

"I know Brendan and I know what he can play, so I'm really happy to win," said Ratajski, who now meets Humphries. "It's one of the most important tournaments of the year so a win here is like many wins in other tournaments. I feel good and I know I can play at a high level."

The first round concludes on Monday with the remaining four ties, headlined by two-time champion Michael van Gerwen's meeting with Damon Heta.

2018 champion Gary Anderson plays Stephen Bunting, Daryl Gurney meets Ian White and Nathan Aspinall comes up against Mervyn King.

SUNDAY'S FIRST ROUND RESULTS

Session one

Krzysztof Ratajski 10-4 Brendan Dolan

Callan Rydz 10-6 Glen Durrant

Rob Cross 10-8 Ross Smith

Luke Humphries 10-3 James Wade

Session two

Joe Cullen 10-8 Chris Dobey

Michael Smith 10-7 Ryan Searle

Peter Wright 10-2 Danny Noppert

Jose de Sousa 10-2 Gabriel Clemens

Monday's first round games (from 7pm)

Daryl Gurney v Ian White

Nathan Aspinall v Mervyn King

Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta

Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here