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Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen to meet in World Matchplay first round

Littler handed blockbuster draw on World Matchplay debut
© Reuters
Luke Littler is handed a first-round date with Michael van Gerwen at the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen have been drawn to face each other in the World Matchplay first round.

Heading into the Blackpool showpiece as an unseeded player, there was always the possibility of the 17-year-old being handed a date with one of the sport's biggest names on his debut.

However, the Premier League champion would get the most high-profile of the lot with three-time winner Van Gerwen standing in his way in the last 32.

The pair feature in a stacked bottom half of the draw where former world champions Michael Smith and Gary Anderson will also play each other.

Rob Cross - the 2019 winner - is also lurking in that quarter and will face young Dutch star Gian van Veen, and whoever prevails from that goes onto meet either Damon Heta or Ryan Searle.

Luke Humphries celebrates winning the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship on January 3, 2024© Sky Sports

Who will Humphries play?

In the top half of the draw, 2024 world champion Luke Humphries has been handed a showdown with Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko.

Stephen Bunting or Ryan Joyce would await in the second round should he emerge victorious, while Jonny Clayton - who won Wednesday's final Players Championship event prior to this competition - will meet Raymond van Barneveld.

Gerwyn Price goes up against Daryl Gurney, Nathan Aspinall takes on Luke Woodhouse and former winner James Wade faces Danny Noppert.

The tournament at the Winter Gardens is due to get underway on July 13.

World Matchplay first-round draw

Luke Humphries vs. Ricardo Pietreczko
Stephen Bunting vs. Ryan Joyce
Jonny Clayton vs. Raymond van Barneveld
Dimitri van den Bergh vs. Martin Schlinder
Gerwyn Price vs. Daryl Gurney
Ross Smith vs. Josh Rock
Nathan Aspinall vs. Luke Woodhouse
Danny Noppert vs. James Wade
Michael van Gerwen vs. Luke Littler
Joe Cullen vs. Brendan Dolan
Dave Chisnall vs. Krzysztof Ratajski
Peter Wright vs. Andrew Gilding
Michael Smith vs. Gary Anderson
Chris Dobey vs. Ritchie Edhouse
Rob Cross vs. Gian van Veen
Damon Heta vs. Ryan Searle

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Michael van Gerwen celebrates winning his quarter final match against Peter Wright on March 23, 2023
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