World Series of Darts Finals: Michael van Gerwen faces Gerwyn Price or Steve Beaton
Mensur Suljovic or Robert Thornton to meet Phil Taylor
Monday 7 November 2016 17:35, UK
Michael van Gerwen will begin his defence of the World Series of Darts Finals against either Gerwyn Price or Steve Beaton this weekend.
The £155,000 tournament begins at Glasgow's Braehead Arena on Saturday, November 5 and the Dutchman will face either Wales' emerging star Price or former Lakeside world champion Beaton on Saturday night, with that pair facing off in the afternoon's opening session.
'Mighty Mike' claimed a thrilling 11-10 win over Peter Wright in last year's inaugural World Series Finals, which are the culmination of the annual worldwide tour.
The World Series has seen events held in Dubai, Auckland, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney and Perth this year, with Van Gerwen topping the rankings after his two victories and runs to three other finals.
He averaged a mind-blowing 111.62 en route to winning the European Championship title against Mensur Suljovic last weekend.
Joe Cullen and Joe Murnan will play off for the right to take on two-time world champion Gary Anderson - who is seeded second after winning three World Series events this year - while either in-form Austrian Mensur Suljovic or Borders thrower Robert Thornton will meet Phil Taylor.
Last year's beaten finalist Wright will come up against either Daryl Gurney or emerging English ace Josh Payne, who won his first senior PDC title earlier this year.
Jelle Klaasen or Kim Huybrechts will face Dave Chisnall, while either Germany's Max Hopp or Spain's Cristo Reyes take on Adrian Lewis.
Either Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan or Australian ace Simon Whitlock will play Raymond van Barneveld, while youngster Benito van de Pas or former World Youth Champion Michael Smith will meet Shanghai finalist James Wade.
The tournament concludes on Sunday, with the quarter-finals in the afternoon session and the semi-finals and final in the evening session.
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