Brendan Dolan, famed for hitting the first double-start 9 darter of the World Grand Prix, kick started his 2023 competition in dramatic fashion.
The Winmau veteran recovered from a slow start, and from a set down, to beat 2020 Runner Up Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-1 on the opening night in Leicester.
The History Maker has shown he can ruffle a top players feathers in televised competition after beating Michael van Gerwen 10-7, in the opening round of the Dutchman’s World Matchplay defence earlier in the year at the Winter Gardens.
Having gone a set down to the 3-time 2023 Pro Tour winner, Dolan responded well and lost just one of the remaining 7 legs in the contest, booking his place in the Last 16 where he will face World Number 1 Michael Smith who beat Callan Rydz 2-0 later in the session.
The Northern Irishman hit the first 9 darter on double start back in 2011, in beating James Wade in Dublin after hitting the bullseye to complete a 161 checkout and history at the Citywest Hotel.
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2020 Winner Gerwyn Price opened his campaign with an 88+ average in beating former UK Open winner Danny Noppert 2-0, on a double start format.
The Welshman was in no mood to mess about as he searches a second World Grand Prix crown, including two ton plus checkouts in the opening set, before wrapping up a 2-0 win after taking the second set without reply from opponent Danny Noppert.
The Iceman moves onto the Last 16 where he will face German Darts Open champion Krzysztof Ratajski, who recovered from a set down to beat James Wade earlier on at the Morningside Arena.
Elsewhere, World Matchplay Champion Nathan Aspinall fell to an early exit at the 2023 World Grand Prix, with former BDO World Champion Stephen Bunting picking up a 2-1 win.
World Number 6 Rob Cross is also out after losing consecutive sets against UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, with Goldfinger winning 2-1 in the last match of the night.
The action continues Tuesday in Leicester, with defending champion Michael van Gerwen opening his campaign against World Youth Champion Josh Rock.
Former Masters Champion Joe Cullen opens the night against Mike de Decker, with the Rockstar beating his Belgian opponent in the First Round at the World Matchplay earlier in the year.
2023 Boylesports World Grand Prix Results: Day 1
Last 32:
Brendan Dolan 2-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gary Anderson 2-1 Jose de Sousa
Krzysztof Ratajski 2-1 James Wade
Martin Schindler 2-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Stephen Bunting 2-1 Nathan Aspinall (5)
Gerwyn Price (4) 2-0 Danny Noppert
Michael Smith (1) 2-0 Callan Rydz
Andrew Gilding 2-1 Rob Cross (8)
Day 2 Order of Play:
Joe Cullen v Mike de Decker
Dave Chisnall v Luke Woodhouse
Damon Heta v Ryan Searle
Dimitri van den Bergh v Chris Dobey
Peter Wright (3) v Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Josh Rock
Jonny Clayton (7) v Ross Smith
Luke Humphries (6) v Daryl Gurney
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
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