Masters Darts results: Dave Chisnall comeback stuns Daryl Gurney as Michael van Gerwen battles through

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MVG through despite double trouble

Michael van Gerwen was far from his best but still managed to begin his campaign for a fifth successive BetVictor Masters crown with a 10-5 victory over Jonny Clayton in Milton Keynes.

The world champion, who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the third time in his career on New Year's Day after a string of ominously dominant displays, missed 22 darts at doubles against the Welshman and although he still averaged an impressive 99 it was just the second time he's been below 100 in this tournament in his last 13 matches.

MVG's scoring was on point as he fired in eight 180s, with two of them coming at the start of the second leg as he threatened a nine-darter only for his eighth to miss the treble 19 bed.

The Ferret, who averaged 90 and managed just two maximums, finally got a leg on the board when 4-0 down and showed fighting spirit to stay relatively in touch at 7-5 before van Gerwen got the job done with three legs on the spin, including 11 and 12 darters.

Van Gerwen is now unbeaten in 17 matches at the Marshall Arena since the tournament's move to Milton Keynes in 2015 but knows he'll have to improve against Mensur Suljovic in Sunday's quarter-finals.

"It's not too bad but I know I can do a lot better than this - I played well in this game but I also made too many mistakes," said Van Gerwen. "I need to get out of holiday mode and start performing. My scoring was okay but I missed too many darts at a double. The form is there but I need to do more now."

Chizzy stuns Gurney

Dave Chisnall came from 5-1 and 6-2 down to claim a superb 10-8 victory over Daryl Gurney in the opening round of the BetVictor Masters on Friday night.

It was a thrilling start to the new PDC darts season in Milton Keynes, where 16 of the world's top players are vying for a top prize of £60,000 this weekend.

Chizzy, who was a Masters runner-up back in 2016, looked as though he was heading for an early exit when Players Championship Finals champion Gurney made a dominant start with three early breaks of throw and a superb 104 checkout en route to going 6-2 ahead.

However, after pulling one leg back he claimed a crucial break with a finish from 94 after Gurney blew four darts at double 16 and that proved to be the turning point.

The St Helens man, who is still searching for the first televised title of his career, maintained his momentum with a further three legs on the trot, including a 130 checkout to complete a 12-darter, as he charged 7-6 in front.

Gurney showed fighting spirit to take back-to-back legs and get his nose back in front only for Chizzy to win three on the spin, closing out the match with a 101 checkout.

"It feels good to win that," said Chisnall, who averaged 98 compared to Gurney's 94, hit most 180s with five and pinned 10 of his 28 attempts at doubles. "It was a battle and I always seem to start slowly, but he let me back in and I took my chances.

"Daryl came out firing but when I got it back to 6-4 I knew I had a chance. I don't give up and I've had a few comebacks before, so I knew I could do it.

"I've been practising a lot since the World Championship and my preparation's been good, so I just want to do it on stage now."

Suljovic soars past Whitlock

Mensur Suljovic produced a devastating performance to thrash Simon Whitlock and set up a Masters quarter-final with either Michael van Gerwen or Jonny Clayton.

In a battle between two players who fell at the first hurdle to unseeded players at the World Championship back in December, the Austrian emphatically bounced back to his best with an average of 106.

The 2018 World Matchplay runner-up, who won two titles last season, opened up with an impressive 12-darter and although Whitlock levelled the scores, he'd surge 5-1 clear with a pair of 13-darters and a clinical 81 checkout.

Whitlock was well below his usual standards, averaging just 88 and earning just five attempts at doubles, and Suljovic continued to make him pay by taking the next five legs of which four of them were achieved in 14 darts or fewer.

The Gentle, who hit four 180s and pinned 10 of his 17 attempts at doubles, said: "I'm so happy right now, it was brilliant. I was really focused on my game and my doubles were very good.

"It's the new year and I started well but Sunday is different and I have to focus and do my best."

Bull finish sees Bunting battle past Webster

Stephen Bunting came through a see-saw encounter with Darren Webster as he made the most of his late inclusion into the Masters field.

The Bullet, ranked 17th on the PDC's Order of Merit, was planning a shopping trip to Ellesmere Port with his wife this weekend but Gary Anderson's back injury meant he was given the opportunity to earn some big money instead of spending it.

If truth be told Bunting's performance was of a player not fully prepared for such an earlier expected start to his season, averaging just 87 in a error-ridden contest which saw both men miss 62 doubles between them - a Masters record.

There were moments of quality, however, such as the St Helens thrower's 90 checkout for an 11-darter to go 5-3 up and his closing 86 finish on the bullseye which sealed a quarter-final clash with Dave Chisnall on Sunday.

Bunting hit four 180s compared to a pair from Webster, who also averaged 87, while he made 10 of his 43 attempts at doubles.

"It was nervy but I'm so happy to get the win," said Bunting. "I was a bit rusty too because I only came in two days ago.

"I'd like to wish Gary a speedy recovery - you don't want to qualify like I did, but as soon as I got the call I was straight on the practice board to get ready.

"Even at 4-1 up I knew it was going to be a hard game to play because Darren's had the upper hand on me a few times.

"I've come in Gary's place but I want to go and win this now. I've got a day now to get myself ready for Sunday now."

Friday results & weekend schedule

Friday February 1
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
First Round (Best of 19 legs)

• Daryl Gurney 8-10 Dave Chisnall
• Mensur Suljovic 10-1 Simon Whitlock
• Stephen Bunting 10-9 Darren Webster
• Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Jonny Clayton

Saturday February 2
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
First Round (Best of 19 legs)

• Gerwyn Price v James Wade
• Rob Cross v Joe Cullen
• Michael Smith v Ian White
• Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis

Sunday February 3
Afternoon Session (12.45pm)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)

• Four matches

Evening Session (7pm)
Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)

• Two matches

Final (Best of 21 legs)

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

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