Pretend we're in Blackpool: The key to success for Simon Whitlock as darts' World Matchplay leaves 'home' for the first time

Australian Whitlock won the opening match to begin the nine-night tournament and revealed: “It was strange at first but I pretended I was at Blackpool and that I had the crowd there.

“That’s what kept me going – it felt like I was in front of a crowd with the noise.”

Whitlock reached the second round for a fourth successive year with a 10-4 victory over Ryan Joyce.

The inspiration of Blackpool worked well as the 16th seed opened with a 180 and proceeded to win the opening three legs.

Joyce cut the deficit to one but two-time semi-finalist Whitlock regained control with four straight legs before sealing his spot in the second round to face favourite Michael van Gerwen on Tuesday.

World number one van Gerwen overcame Brendan Dolan 10-7 to begin his quest for a third World Matchplay title, pulling clear from 5-5.

The Dutchman had seemed on course for a comfortable night as he opened up an early 4-1 lead but Dolan, from Northern Ireland, hit back with 13 and 14-dart legs only to rue his missed double for a 6-5 lead.

Van Gerwen said: “A win is a win but I made it hard work for myself and I struggled. At 4-1 I needed to keep the pressure on Brendan and I didn’t. I have to do better but I’ve got two days to rest and prepare for the next game.”

Former champion James Wade held off Keegan Brown’s gutsy fightback from 4-0 down before edging out the former World Youth Champion 12-10 in a tie-break.

After his brilliant opening session, the 2007 winner then found himself 5-4 down to Brown from the Isle of Wight, who later edged ahead 7-6.

Three straight legs took Wade within one of victory only for Brown to win the next three.

Wade held his nerve with two double-eight finishes and said: “It should have been over and done with a lot quicker but I’m happy to win.

“I believe that when all players are going for it, this is the hardest (event) to win.”

Wade will next face 2018 winner Gary Anderson, who pulled clear to defeat Justin Pipe 10-5.

Pipe overcame cellulitis in an elbow to make his World Matchplay return following a two-year absence, but he was punished for missed doubles after leading 3-2 and levelling at 5-5.

Two-time World Champion Anderson said: “You can usually have a bit of banter with the crowd, so it was strange but the more we play the better I’ll get.”

The other match on the opening night saw Polish ace Krzysztof Ratajski average 107.5 in beating Jermaine Wattimena 10-4.

Champion Rob Cross begins his defence against German debutant Gabriel Clemens in one of five first-round matches scheduled for Sunday evening.