Summary

  • Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler 10-6 to progress to second round of World Matchplay in Blackpool

  • Michael Smith and Ryan Searle through after wins over Gary Anderson and Damon Heta

  • Defending champion Nathan Aspinall and world champion Luke Humphries among players also into round two

Live Reporting

Timothy Abraham

  1. Join us later in the week...

    Michael van Gerwen celebratesGetty Images

    Disappointing for fans of Luke Littler to see him crash out, but no shame in losing to someone of Michael van Gerwen's calibre.

    There's still plenty of big names left in the World Matchplay - including world champion Luke Humphries - and we'll be back with live text commentary of the latter stages of the tournament towards the end of the week.

    You can read a report from tonight's match between Littler and Van Gerwen here...

  2. World Matchplay round two fixtures and order of play

    Tuesday, 16 July

    Session starts at 19:00 BST

    Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith

    Nathan Aspinall v James Wade

    Luke Humphries v Stephen Bunting

    Jonny Clayton v Dimitri Van den Bergh

    Wednesday, 17 July

    Session starts at 19:00 BST - exact order of games to be confirmed

    Krzysztof Ratajski v Andrew Gilding

    Michael van Gerwen v Joe Cullen

    Michael Smith v Chris Dobey/Ritchie Edhouse

    Rob Cross v Ryan Searle

  3. Result: Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Michael van Gerwen has faced Luke Littler 10 times, winning on six occasions.

    The teenager will have to go away and lick his wounds after a first-round exit here.

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    That's how to win! Never write off The Green Machine.

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  5. Michael van Gerwen's reward for knocking out Luke Littler is a second-round match with England's Joe Cullen.

  6. Result: Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Luke Littler might be the teenage prodigy but 35-year-old Michael van Gerwen is still a top player on his day even if his form coming into the World Matchplay has been iffy.

    Both players averaged over 100 in that match but it was the Dutchman who held his nerve at the crucial moments.

  7. 'This means a lot to me'

    Result: Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Michael van Gerwen talking to Sky Sports: "It is always enjoyable playing game of these standards. He is incredible, but you have to face it and you can't let yourself down. I've had a holiday but I worked hard on my holiday. This means a lot to me because I've been going through a rough time, so to actually do something good and be rewarded for all your hard work is always nice.

    "I don't have to prove a point but it is nice when you play well and average over 100. That is an incredible feeling. That is what you hope to continue for the rest of the tournament."

  8. Result: Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Michael van Gerwen is just doing his post-match interview. We'll have his thoughts shortly.

  9. Result: Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

    That was business and professional from Michael van Gerwen. He knows that is big.

  10. Result: Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Dan Dawson
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    Michael van Gerwen has silenced the doubters.

  11. Van Gerwen knocks out Littler

    Van Gerwen 10-6 Littler

    Messy darts from Luke Littler leaves MVG with 170 but after two trebles he cannot make the bull.

    Littler affords him a second visit, though, and Michael van Gerwen nails double eight to win it.

    A 10-6 victory for the Dutchman who punches the air with delight.

  12. Van Gerwen 9-6 Littler

    Double 16 to go within one leg of knocking out Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen hits it with his second dart.

  13. Van Gerwen 8-6 Littler

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

    There are some really casual visits from Luke Littler, which I have to say I'm not really enjoying. I don't think I've seen that from him before.

  14. Van Gerwen 8-6 Littler

    Michael van Gerwen chunters to himself.

    Luke Littler faces 138 but fluffs his second dart. He gets away with it, though, as MVG fails to take his chance and Littler checks out 73 finishing with a bullseye.

  15. Van Gerwen 8-5 Littler

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

    The thing with Luke Littler is if he has a two-minute spell he'll be level.

  16. Van Gerwen 8-5 Littler

    Dan Dawson
    Commentator on Sky Sports

    This is majestic. The machine is well-oiled. He is running and purring.

  17. Van Gerwen 8-5 Littler

    Luke Littler leaves himself double top after a quickfire 12th leg and bangs it at the first time of asking.

    However, Michael van Gerwen ruthlessly closes out 146 with a double 16 in the next leg. He's on song.

  18. Van Gerwen 7-4 Littler

    Michael Van Gerwen has concentration etched on his face after the interval. He knows if Luke Littler gives him a sniff he has to take it.

    The Dutchman nails a 180 to tee up a 94 checkout and closes it out with double top.

  19. Van Gerwen 6-4 Littler

    Wayne Mardle
    Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

    I thought it would an edgy affair and it is and isn't. It is littered with some absolute brilliance though.

  20. Van Gerwen v Littler

    Which way is this one going? Hard to call at the moment. It's waiting for either player to explode.