In-form Raymond van Barneveld coasts to PDC second round

Raymond van Barneveld

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld eased into the second round of the PDC World Championship with a 3-0 win over Michael Smith.

The Dutchman, 45, was beaten by James Richardson in the first round in last year's tournament.

But the 2007 PDC champion, who won the Grand Slam of Darts in November, threw eight maximums as he overpowered Smith.

Last year's finalist Andy Hamilton and fourth seed Gary Anderson also reached the second round.

Eighth seed Van Barneveld lost the first leg of the match but responded with an 11-dart finish to win the second leg and swept to the first set.

He was seven darts into a nine-dart finish in the second set before missing the perfect checkout, but did not let his standards slip, finishing with an average of 108 and hitting 75% of his doubles.

Van Barneveld told Sky Sports: "Last year I was in shock when I lost to (James) Richardson. I was devastated and thinking I was going to work hard and play every single tournament and dig in.

"When I lifted that trophy a month ago I thought I could beat anyone in the world playing like that.

"I can play at this level in every single round and that's what I want to do."

Hamilton reached the second round with a 3-1 win over Richardson, Van Barneveld's 2011 conqueror.

Richardson missed two double chances to tie 2-2 with Hamilton before slipping to defeat.

Anderson overcame a spirited performance from world number 235 Jani Haavisto to beat the Finn 3-1 in a high-quality contest.

Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan overcame debutant Mark Jones 3-0 to win through to the second round.