Players Championship Finals: Michael van Gerwen hits eight 180s in victory over Raymond van Barneveld

Michael van Gerwen hit eight 180s as he defeated fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 in the first round of the Cash Converters Players Championship Finals.

The reigning world champion landed an 11-dart leg as he took an early 3-2 lead before then moving up a gear, hitting two 180s in leg six and a 128 checkout in the seventh before finishing with double 10 to seal victory.

"I'm really happy with my performance," said van Gerwen, who averaged 105.80. "My finishing was good and I hit the big scores at the right time tonight, so it was a good display.

"It was a good win to start the tournament and this is something I can build on now. I can relax now and prepare for Saturday night now because I've got to take each game one at a time."

It was a good win to start the tournament and this is something I can build on now. I can relax now and prepare for Saturday night now because I've got to take each game one at a time.

Van Gerwen will meet Terry Jenkins in the second round on Saturday after the Ledbury thrower recorded an impressive 6-3 win over Kim Huybrechts.

Number one seed Gary Anderson matched van Gerwen's eight maximums and averaged 110.62 - the highest of the first round - but was still taken to a deciding leg by Christian Kist.

The Dutch debutant saw an early 2-0 lead wiped out as Anderson posted legs of 11 and 12 darts to edge ahead, only for Kist to take out 121 for a 12-darter to move 5-4 up.

But Anderson took the final two legs, punishing Kist for a missed match dart at the bull as the Scot hit double tops for a 13-darter.

"I played some fantastic darts but Christian kept up with me and played really well," said Anderson. "I hit him with everything and he kept coming back so it's a relief to get through."

Three-time Players Championship Finals winner Phil Taylor averaged 107.97 as he saw off Ronnie Baxter to move through to a second round date with Mervyn King.

Taylor continued the form which had won him the Grand Slam of Darts title with a relentless display of scoring, including legs of 12, 14 and 15 darts to lead 4-1.

Baxter took out 101 to hit back, but Taylor landed a 177 on his way to winning leg seven before firing in a 13-dart leg to seal a 6-2 win.

James Wade suffered a shock 6-4 defeat to Jelle Klaasen while there were also first-round wins for Peter Wright, Adrian Lewis and Andy Smith, who claimed his first victory over former World Youth champion Michael Smith.