Ando admits it's a "horrible game"

GARY ANDERSON admits that double starts is a “horrible game” before facing his protege Chris Dobey.

The Flying Scotsman takes on Geordie stablemate Dobey in the BoyleSports World Grand Prix in Dublin tonight.

Ando cruised past Keegan Brown on Sunday night in the opening round but revealed he is not a fan of this unique tournament.

He said: “I don’t feel too bad. I’m kind of struggling to get back into it. I’ve got new 21 gram darts and they are going well.

“To be honest double starts is a horrible game. It’s bad enough trying to finish a game on doubles but to start it’s tougher. But we got there.

“There were a few times on tops I missed and Keegan kicked off but he never followed it up so I got there.

“The first round is just six legs. You can actually play six legs and you’re through or you're out, it’s that bad.

“I think I’ve done OK on the Pro Tours. I think I had a 105 average and still got skelped, that’s no nice!

“My game’s not 100 per cent but it’s getting there. I’ve got these lighter darts, been using them for two weeks and they are going well. I’m just happy to get past the first round.”

Anderson takes on Dobey who he narrowly beat in the World Championships last December, both players are in the Dunvegan Darts team managed by Tommy Gilmour in Glasgow.

But Ando also revealed he is toiling to get his mind right back into the game after such a long time out with a back injury at the start of 2019.

He added: “Chris will be up for it. He’s one of the young guns. Like I say, it’s a double start if I kicks in first he’s in trouble, likewise is he kicks in first I’m in trouble. That’s the way this game goes.

“I’m struggling to get interest and hunger back but when I get up there I want to play. It’s a weird kind of situation to be in.”

Michael van Gerwen was bullish despite a big scare against Jamie Hughes and now faces his bogey player Jeffrey de Zwaan, who knocked him out of the UK Open and Matchplay last year.

Four-times Grand Prix winner MVG admitted: “I feel really good. I didn't really perform but I did some phenomenal things in patches and that made me win this game - the 135 hurt him so much.

“Jamie played well, especially for his first time in this event. I was struggling at times and I can do a lot better than this, but it's a short format so it's difficult. I will win back-to-back this year - simple.”

Tuesday October 8 (7pm start, Sky Sports)

James Wade v Mervyn King

Michael Smith v Ian White

Michael van Gerwen v Jeffrey de Zwaan

Gary Anderson v Chris Dobey

Words: Phil Lanning

Pictures: Taylor Lanning