Three men to watch this week at the 2019 PDC Darts World Championship - (2025)

Updated: 19/03/2025

Eyes on Gurney, Lewis and Wade

It’s been a rip-roaring start to this year’s PDC Darts World Championships at Alexandra Palace, and the drama isn’t set to end anytime soon.

Tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen threw a 102 average in his four-set second round win over Alan Tabern.

That was beaten by reigning champion Rob Cross, with Voltage in fighting form to down the impressive Jeffrey de Zwaan.

But third seed Peter Wright is the first big-name casualty at Ally Pally. Snakebite came up against an inspired Toni Alcinas, with the Spaniard prevailing 3-1 on Sunday night.

There are plenty more thrills and spills on the way, with several big names playing their first matches of the tournament this week. Here are three to look out for…

Daryl Gurney

Fifth seed Daryl Gurney has only gone beyond the second round at the Worlds once before, but he has a great chance to go far this year.

SuperChin could meet Gary Anderson in the quarters, but first off he must beat Ross Smith on Tuesday night.

Gurney is 1/6 to go through, but Smith knocked out crowd favourite Paul Lim in round one, and has troubled Gurney in each of their four prior meetings. There’s 4/1 about Smudger causing a big upset.

James Wade

After a couple of seasons in the wilderness, James Wade looks to be returning to form. The three-time semi-finalist is in a difficult quarter, however.

His theoretical route to the quarter-finals could be; Krzysztof Ratajski, Jelle Klaasen, Simon Whitlock to be rewarded with a tussle against Michael van Gerwen.

How far will the Machine go? Time will tell. He opens his tournament on Wednesday night against the winner of Ratajski versus Seigo Asada.

Adrian Lewis

Another former regular to the latter stages at Ally Pally, Adrian Lewis hasn’t featured greatly of late, but Jackpot must never be discounted – especially at his favourite venue and in his favourite tournament.

The two-time world champion kicks off as 2/9 favourite to beat Ted Evetts on Thursday, before a potential hum-dinger with fellow world champ Raymond van Barneveld.

The crowd are sure to raise the roof when Lewis enters later this week, but after a first round exit 12 months ago, can he conjure that old magic this time around?

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

Original source: http://news.coral.co.uk/darts/three-men-to-watch-this-week-at-the-2019-pdc-darts-world-championship.html

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