Former World Grand Prix winner Gerwyn Price will open his 2023 campaign on the opening night from the Morningside Arena in Leicester, against recent Players Championship 22 winner Danny Noppert.
The Iceman included his best finish in the Premier League earlier in the year and has achieved 2 tournament victories on the PDC European Tour, retaining the International Darts Open whilst also winning the European Darts Open in the space of a week.
The Welshman topped the Premier League ahead of reigning World Champion Michael Smith, achieving his first place at Finals Night where he missed out in the Final against Michael van Gerwen.
Danny Noppert impressed at the recent World Series of Darts Finals, averaging over 105 in beating compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode in the opening round in front of a lively AFAS Live in Amsterdam.
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The Freeze continued his strong form in the recent Pro Tour triple header, including a 102.34 average in defeating World Number 1 Michael Smith 7-1 in the Semi Finals of Players Championship 22, before beating former BDO World Champion Christian Kist 8-7 in the Final.
Danny lost out to eventual winner Jonny Clayton in the 2021 World Grand Prix Semi Finals, falling to a 4-1 defeat in sets before The Ferret beat opponent Price 5-1 in the Final, averaging 94 in both matches.
The contest tonight will be a best of 3 sets battle in Leicester, as the First-Round action starts with Brendan Dolan who hit the maiden 9 darter of the tournament opening the tournament against 2020 Runner Up Dirk van Duijvenbode.
The action starts from 6pm live on Sky Sports, as Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross all start their 2023 World Grand Prix campaigns.
2023 World Grand Prix: Dat 1 Order of Play
Last 32:
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Brendan Dolan
Jose de Sousa v Gary Anderson
Krzysztof Ratajski v James Wade
Martin Schindler v Raymond van Barneveld
Nathan Aspinall (5) v Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Price (4) v Danny Noppert
Michael Smith (1) v Callan Rydz
Rob Cross (8) v Andrew Gilding
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC
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