Results: Danny Noppert 2-3 Justin Hood, Gary Anderson 3-1 Connor Scutt, Michael van Gerwen 3-1 William O'Connor, Josh Rock 3-0 Joe Comito
Sixth seed Noppert beaten by world number 86 Hood in classic match which went to sudden-death leg
Two-time champion Anderson averages more than 105 in impressive victory
Three-time winner Van Gerwen and 11th seed Rock comfortably through to round three
Third round to begin on 27 December after three-day break
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Van Gerwen 2-0 O'Connor (0-1)
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
If the eye problem continues, it's unlikely Willie gets back into this... but it's unlikely that Michael lets him back into this.
Image source, PA MediaVan Gerwen 2-0 O'Connor (0-1)
Michael van Gerwen, while Willie O'Connor struggled, average north of 107 in set two. Nothing any opponent can do about that.
O'Connor leads off in set three with 140. Better.
And the Irishman gets to a 70 finish, converted cleanly.
Van Gerwen 2-0 O'Connor (3-0)
Willie O'Connor averaged 100.54 in the first set, but 75.46 in the second.
He was visibly struggling.
Is Alan from Dorset (see 21.34) ok? It’s the darts not snooker! The players thrive off the atmosphere!
Mallen, Brighton
Let's get Alan to the Ally Pally and change his mind!
Sean
Van Gerwen 2-0 O'Connor (3-0)
Now a bounce-out for O'Connor, followed by a 180 for Van Gerwen. When it rains, it pours - the Irishman is waving his hands at the board.
Van Gerwen pounds in a 98 finish and in no time at all is one set from the last 32.
Van Gerwen 1-0 O'Connor (2-0)
Image source, PA MediaFour legs on the spin for Van Gerwen, and Willie O'Connor has the body language of a man under pressure. It also looks like the Irishman might have a problem with his left eye, which isn't ideal.
O'Connor is chuntering to himself, and is simply unable to land any big scores all of a sudden.
MvG needs 138 to break - not taken, and O'Connor comes close to 148 from nowhere!
But Van Gerwen sees it off and does break.
Van Gerwen 1-0 O'Connor (1-0)
MvG is in the mood now - the first visit of the second set, 180.
He races to a finish with Willie O'Connor in his dust, setting himself up three arrows at D16.
Just one required.
Van Gerwen 1-0 O'Connor (0-0)
The winner of this match faces German qualifier and debutant Arno Merk in round three.
Merk thoroughly merked an off-colour Peter Wright earlier.
Van Gerwen 1-0 O'Connor (3-2)
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
That is fantastic from Michael and he knows - that probably felt like a bit of a pinch.
Willie will not be happy, he dominated proceedings and was 2-0 up in the set, but lost legs three, four and five.
Michael is off and running in this second-round contest.
Van Gerwen 1-0 O'Connor (3-2)
Image source, PA MediaWillie O'Connor averaged over 100 in that opening set, and had double the 140-plus visits than Michael van Gerwen managed.
He may rue failing to convert that set.
Van Gerwen 1-0 O'Connor (3-2)
All on this, and Willie O'Connor throws first.
A visit of 55 from van Gerwen, how costly might that be?
O'Connor has a finish of 130 to seal the set - but the trebles have deserted him, leaving Van Gerwen a chance off 89.
And he pinches it! That's a sickener for O'Connor.
Van Gerwen 0-0 O'Connor (2-2)
Better from O'Connor, banging in the first 180 of the match - followed by 140.
However MvG responds with a maximum of his own. This match is cooking now.
Van Gerwen needs 47, or O'Connor is in... he's left 16 after nine darts.
But MvG keeps his cool.
Van Gerwen 0-0 O'Connor (1-2)
Can O'Connor hold to take the first set? Early visits of 60, 42 and 59 are not welcome.
It allows Michael van Gerwen to reset his sights at the trebles, and move onto 54 to break back.
Not taken! Two misses at tops gives O'Connor a chance...
But he passes up a set dart, and on we go.
Van Gerwen 0-0 O'Connor (0-2)
Michael van Gerwen meanwhile hasn't got going yet, he's not hitting the trebles with regularity.
Willie O'Connor us first to a finish, and while he can't land 157, van Gerwen is nowhere near 164.
So O'Connor needs 97 - but misses twice at tops.
But Van Gerwen drags his response, allowing WOC back in to steal!
Van Gerwen 0-0 O'Connor (0-1)
Willie O'Connor gets us going. Will he keep his nerve in the biggest game of his career so far?
The early signs are good with plenty of trebles landed, he moves onto a finish with MVG still a way back.
Three at D16 for the Irishman - the second one is in.
Van Gerwen v O'Connor
Image source, PA MediaThree-time world champion Michael van Gerwen gets the big intro from master of ceremonies John McDonald.
He enters to his usual Seven Nation Army, accompanied with personalised chant from the crowd.
Van Gerwen v O'Connor
Can Willie O'Connor be the latest underdog to progress? It would be the biggest shock of the Championships so far if he does so.
No faulting his walk-on music - Zombie by The Cranberries. Certified tune.
Brilliant to see so many underdogs going through this year, the darts is epic
John, Derby
Van Gerwen v O'Connor
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
[Whether Willie O'Connor can repeat his excellent first-round display] is the question - it was an outlier of a performance.
He hasn't produced it before on the world stage. Until he does it again, it will always be a one-off.
Will he do it again? I think he'll fall short of it, but as a guide, if he was to average something north of 95, it might be good enough anyway.
Michael van Gerwen has gears, his highest gear is way higher than Willie's, but he's got to find it.