Gerwyn Price made an impressive start to his quest for a maiden World Matchplay title with a comfortable 10-3 defeat of Stephen Bunting.
The Bullet was pumped up from the get go, receiving a warm welcome from the Winter Gardens crowd, and eased to a 2-nil lead.
2022 finalist Price was however not going to let Bunting get away with things, and levelled proceedings quickly.
An 11 dart leg followed from the Welshman to close session one, before Bunting equalised scores at 3-3.
Regrettably for Bunting, Price was finding his stride. A relentless succession of legs followed: not of the highest quality, but just enough. 3-3 became 8-3 Price, the former world champion in command.
And he was in a strong position to break throw again, before double trouble set in. Regretfully for Bunting, he was suffering from similar issues, and Price tidied up in the madhouse.
Now one away, the match was within his grasp. A 180 to leave double 18 wasn’t enough to hold off a Price tops to win the match, the biggest rout of the evening so far.
An average just over 96, it was nothing too showy, but he will be well in the knowledge that the peak of his powers must come a week on Sunday.
Speaking of his next round tie, Price said:
“Joe played well, and Mike De Decker is a great player. He is definitely a different animal and it will be interesting to see how he handles it and takes his chances.”
—–Ends—–
Images: Taylor Lanning / PDC
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