World number one Michael van Gerwen has progressed through to the second round of the World Matchplay after he recorded a 10-7 win over Steve Beaton.
Van Gerwen, who won his first world title at the start of 2014, missed 24 darts at a double against Beaton, who, at several stages in the match, reduced the deficit to one leg to keep the Dutchman under pressure.
However, after Beaton had brought it back to 8-7, Van Gerwen withstood two maximums from his opponent to take the final two legs and qualify for the last 16.
Van Gerwen will now play Stoke-on-Trent thrower Ian White, who produced one of his best performances on television in running out a 10-4 victor over Terry Jenkins.
2007 winner James Wade got his Matchplay campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 10-5 triumph over Andy Smith, while Simon Whitlock hit five maximums on his way to beating Kevin Painter by a 10-6 scoreline.
Darren Plant
