World Darts Championship: James Wade eases into second round

James Wade reached the PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals in 2009, 2012 and 2013

Sixth seed James Wade moved into the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship with a 3-1 victory over Jamie Lewis at Alexandra Palace.

The Englishman, who has reached three semi-finals, averaged more than 97.

"It wasn't the best game in the world," Wade, 31, told Sky Sports. "He didn't play his best darts."

Former BDO World Champion Mark Webster beat Ron Meulenkamp 3-1 to set up a second-round clash with 16-time world champion Phil Taylor.

Wade will meet Stephen Bunting in the second round if the 27th seed beats the winner of the qualifying match between Jermaine Wattimena and Robert Marijanovic on Monday.

Wade said of their possible meeting: "(Bunting) will be thinking more about me than I will about him."

Kevin Painter, who was runner-up in 2004, beat Russian Boris Koltsov 3-1 while Dean Winstanley beat Wayne Jones 3-2 in an all-English clash.

Australian Paul Nicholson, who was a quarter-finalist in 2009, was surprisingly beaten 3-2 by Benito van de Pas. The Dutchman will now play Dave Chisnall, who thrashed Ryan De Vreede 3-0.

Northern Ireland's Michael Mansell was beaten 3-0 by 18th seed Kim Huybrechts, of Belgium, while 15th seed Ian White beat Greek qualifier John Michael 3-1.