As routine as you can get for the world champion. Neither player was quite at their best, but Gary Anderson wins comfortably and starts the Champions League with a 10-5 victory over Michael Smith.

No 180s for Anderson, though. That will change, I'm sure.

An excellent setup by Anderson - no maximums yet for the world champion, but a 174 followed by a double 16 puts him one leg away from victory.

Smith beginning to look a little resigned to his fate here, although he's down to a finish first and holds his throw with 87 in two darts. Much-needed for the man from St Helens.

Image source, Getty Images

Anderson has won the last two world titles, and even though he's not been at the top of his game here, he's doing just about enough. His finishing holds up again - an 82 checkout makes it 8-4.

A must-hold for Smith, and he's lost it. Anderson needs 17 darts to go two breaks clear, and it's going to be tough for Smith to get back from this.

Paul Nicholson
2010 Players Championship winner

It's very unusual for these two guys - they're two of the biggest scorers in the world. Maybe it's pre-match nerves.

Sometimes Michael's negativity creeps in and gets infectious in his game. His first darts have not been up to scratch by his standards.

Gary's already achieved so much and he's a little bit more relaxed - that might be working in his favour right now.

Anderson takes the last leg before the break and he's got a two-leg cushion.

A 180 at last! Smith hits the first maximum of the Champions League, but makes a mess of his first attempt at a finish. Luckily Anderson can't take out 161, and Smith returns to peg double one.

A 103 outshot from Anderson, again on double top, and he's halfway towards victory.

Alan Warriner-Little
2001 World Grand Prix winner

They're starting to motor now. That's why Gary Anderson is the world champion - he's relentless in his attack.

Anderson breaks back in 13 darts. Excellent stuff from the Scot.

Smith breaks the throw to level the match, taking out 62 on double top.

Image source, Getty Images

Good response from Smith, who hits a 134 to leave tops, and then takes it out at his next visit - albeit he needed all three darts before eventually landing double five.

No maximums from either player yet - surprising.

Fairly clinical from Anderson, who gets tops at the second attempt to restore his two-leg lead.

Alan Warriner-Little
2001 World Grand Prix winner

Well done, Michael Smith. He really needed that one.

The world number eight pegs his first double of the match and is on the board.

Anderson fails with double 10 for a 105 checkout, but Smith can't capitalise on tops and the Scot steps in with double one to go 2-0 up.

Anderson straight in the red bit with two 140s in a row, and takes out the leg in 14 darts. A break immediately for the world champion.

Gary Anderson has been something of a mentor to Michael Smith, and the 26-year-old from St Helens has taken the world champion's advice on board to move into the top eight of the PDC's Order of Merit.

Anderson seemed destined to be one of darts' underachievers, but the 45-year-old Scot now has a plethora of major trophies to his name, including two PDC world titles.

Should be a speedy game, this. Both players like to get on with it and both like to score heavily.

Smith to throw first. Game on!

Michael Smith is first to the enter the arena. The Cardiff crowd loving a bit of "Shut Up and Dance".

They like to "Jump Around" even more - Gary Anderson gets a huge reception.

Paul Nicholson
2010 Players Championship winner

Gary Anderson has always been an honest player. What you see is what you get. What we do know is that the scoring power he possesses has made him a world champion twice.

Michael's game is all about scoring. When he gets his scoring going, he's as good as Gary.