Whitlock Looking To Set Up Anderson Clash

2010 World Championship Finalist Simon Whitlock will attempt to kickstart his campaign for the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship on the opening night, as the biggest tournament in darts fast approaches.

The Wizard who has appeared at the Alexandra Palace consecutively since his run to the Final, will look to set up a clash with former back-to-back World Champion Gary Anderson in the 2^nd Round as he faces Paolo Nebrida of the Philippines, on Friday.

The popular Aussie will hope to reach the 2^nd Round for a 3^rd consecutive year, having defeated another player from the Philippines in Christian Perez last year, clinching a 3-2 victory before losing by the same scoreline against Jose de Sousa in the Last 64.

The Australian international will want to replicate the form he showed at the start of the year, reaching the Final of Pro Tour Event 2 where he faced another Winmau player in Danny Noppert. Whitlock was in top form to defeat Luke Humphries 7-4 in the Semi Finals with an average of 100.30.

The former Ally Pally finalist also defeated Dutch duo Raymond van Barneveld and Richard Veenstra, as well as Dave Chisnall in a positive outing for the 53-year-old at the time, back in February.

Simon impressed once earlier in the year more when he played in Australia for the PDC World Series, defeating World Matchplay Champion Nathan Aspinall in a last leg decider at the 2023 New South Wales Darts Masters in Wollongong.

The Wizard beat 3 Time World Champion Michael van Gerwen in the same fashion back in 2022, showcasing in front of his home fans that he can still produce performances to beat the sports very best.

He faces Paolo Nebrida who made his debut at Alexandra Palace last year, losing in the opening round also in a last set decider by Dutch international and former Pro Tour Finalist Danny Jansen.

The Philippines international qualified for the 2024 World Darts Championship via finishing 3^rd on the PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit and will hope for a better outcome this time around on the world stage.

The 2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship begins on Sky Sports Darts Live from 18:30 with play set to start from around 19:15. Cameron Menzies will face Rusty-Jake Rodriguez in the other match in the 1^st Round on the opening night, with a 2^nd Round matchup against 3 Time 2023 Euro Tour winner Dave Chisnall the prize for the winner.

Kevin Doets and recent Grand Slam Quarter Finalist Stowe Buntz will open the biggest tournament in darts, with the winner set to return later in the night to face World Number 1 and Defending Champion Michael Smith.