Tuesday 4 October 2016 10:47, UK
Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor are the headline acts on another busy night of World Grand Prix action in Dublin.
Defending champion Robert Thornton and two-time Grand Prix winner James Wade crashed out on a dramatic opening night and the two favourites in van Gerwen and Taylor will hope to avoid the same fate.
Eight first round matches will be played at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin completing the opening phase of the prestigious and unique double start competition and the action gets underway at 7pm on Sky Sports 1.
Taylor kicks off his bid for a 12th title in this format with a match against Steve West who has enjoyed some good form in the Players Championship tournaments over the last couple of weeks, but the Power is the hot favourite to start with a win.
The 16-time world champion has looked back to his very best in recent weeks, winning the inaugural Champions League of Darts last weekend, and crucially the hunger for success remains and is arguably stronger than ever.
In an exclusive interview Taylor told Sky Sports earlier this week: "I've altered things again in my personal life and it's working for me," he said. "I'm practicing differently. My mind has cleared up, I feel fitter and healthier than I have since I was 20."
Not to be outdone, world number one Van Gerwen will begin his bid for a third Grand Prix title when he takes on the Bronzed Adonis Steve Beaton.
MVG has been cleaning up on the floor tournaments but was disappointed to miss out to Taylor at the Champions League and his record in Dublin is pretty formidable.
The darting maestro has reached three of the last four finals in Ireland and claimed two titles in 2012 and 2014 while he will be determined to avenge his defeat in last year's final to Robert Thornton.
2013 finalist Dave Chisnall will kick off the evening's action when he takes on Robbie Green and they will be followed onto the oche by the first of the home favourites in Mick McGowan who meets James Wilson.
Austria's Mensur Suljovic takes on another man who will want to delight the home fans in the shape of Daryl Gurney before eighth seed Michael Smith faces Alan Norris.
Simon Whitlock takes on talented youngster Joe Cullen before Taylor meets West and then van Gerwen takes on Beaton before the final match of the evening.
Bringing the curtain down on the first round action will be The History Maker Brendan Dolan.
The 2011 runner-up, who became the first man to record a nine-dart finish in a double start leg in the year he made the final, faces the ever-colourful Peter 'Snakebite' Wright in what promises to be one of the matches of the opening round.
You can follow all the action on Sky Sports 1 from 7pm on Monday night.
