World Series of Darts

Three-time World Champion Van Gerwen is the reigning champion as he returns to the Globox Arena in Hamilton on August 26-27, having prevailed at the same venue in 2019.

Putting his recent form behind him the reigning WSoD Finals champion stormed to an 8-1 victory over James Wade in Wollongong.

Michael van Gerwen was dumped out of the Palmerbet New South Wales Masters at the hands of hometown hero Simon Whitlock

Meanwhile, Women's World Matchplay champion Sherrock meets World Series debutant Mal Cuming, a former Lakeside Championship qualifier.

“I am a winner, not a loser. Of course, when I lose I am sick, but I am a winner and I love to win trophies.

Asked if this meant he was on the way back, van Gerwen said: “You said that wrong, I am not on the way back, I am back and they know I am the boss.

Whitlock channelled the spirit of Australia’s World Cup of Darts triumph to complete an emphatic 6-2 victory over Wade and Queenslander Gordon Mathers made it three wins for the qualifiers with a 6-3 defeat of Fallon Sherrock.

Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock will open the PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters against Gerwyn Price and James Wade respectively on Friday

Eight players secured places at next month's World Series of Darts Finals, which takes place at AFAS Live in Amsterdam from September 16-18.