There are four cracking last-16 World Matchplay ties in Blackpool on Wednesday night and we have a quartet of Winter Gardens selections. There’s already been some signature scalps in the opening round with World Championship runner-up and generational talent Luke Littler eliminated by Michael Van Gerwen, and 2018 World Matchplay Champion Gary Anderson beaten by former protégée and practice partner Michael ‘BullyBoy’ Smith.
World Matchplay: Rapid Ratajski
Krzysztof Ratajski reached the World Matchplay quarter-finals in 2020, the semi-finals in 2021 and the Polish Eagle looks booked for another big Blackpool run when he meets Andrew Gilding at the last-16 stage on Wednesday evening. The Warsaw arrowsmith was always in control of a 10-2 hammering of Dave Chisnall in round one and a 95.11 three-dart average is solid throwing.
Gilding downed two-time world champion Peter Wright in his opening Winter Gardens contest, but Snakebite is miles off his peak and Goldfinger was rarely put under pressure. The methodical approach of the East Anglian won’t faze a considered Ratajski and the Polish Eagle looks a bet giving Gilding a 2.5-leg start.
World Matchplay: Back Heavy Metal
Ryan Searle reached the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay last term and Heavy Metal has the game to be a regular contender in the latter stages of major events. Only four arrowsmiths are putting up better numbers than the Somerset man on the Pro Tour this season and Rob Cross isn’t one of them.
Cross battled to a first-round victory over Gian van Veen and that grueling 13-12 success may have left its mark on Voltage. Searle can be backed to cut the power.
World Matchplay: Mighty Mike Maximums
Michael van Gerwen produced an excellent display to beat Luke Littler in round one, but there is a different dynamic to a second-round tie against Joe Cullen and it’s a contest where Mighty Mike may face a test. Cullen hit six 180s and a 100.19 three-dart average in a 10-4 mauling of Brendan Dolan and Rockstar looked full of confidence. MVG rattled in five maximums against the Nuke and going over 10.5 in this potentially competitive best-of-21-leg second-round tie looks a bet.
World Matchplay: Dobey Delight
Michael Smith got the better of Gary Anderson in round one, but Chris Dobey looks capable of upsetting Bully Boy in Blackpool. Hollywood is a devastating scorer and the Bedlington Boy is surely on the verge of becoming a regular major tournament winner. Dobey is putting up far better numbers than Smith on the Pro Tour this season and there was a lot to like about the 34-year-old’s victory over Richie Edhouse. Take Hollywood to star in Blackpool.
World Matchplay: Wednesday Last 16 Tips
Chris Dobey to beat Michael Smith @ 2.10 with kwiff
Krysztof Ratajski -2.5 legs v Andrew Gilding @ 2.0 with kwiff
MVG v Joe Cullen Over 10.5 180s @ 1.78 with kwiff
Ryan Searle to beat Rob Cross @ 2.30 with kwiff
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