Evening session results: Gian van Veen 4-1 Madars Razma, Luke Humphries 4-2 Gabriel Clemens, Michael van Gerwen 4-1 Arno Merk
Afternoon session results: Martin Schindler 0-4 Ryan Searle, Damon Heta 0-4 Rob Cross, Gary Anderson 4-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Cross sets up last-16 tie against defending champion Luke Littler
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Van Gerwen 2-1 Merk (1-1)
Arno Merk quit darts for a long time in his 20s, only returning to major competition a couple of years ago. He looks at home here.
A 78 visit though gives impetus to Van Gerwen, who knocks in 140 to leave 81.
But he does not get it! And Merk cleans up.
Van Gerwen 2-1 Merk (1-0)
Arno Merk is a former youth champion, this sort of run on the biggest stage has been a while coming. And now the crowd are firmly on his side.
Van Gerwen leads off in this leg, and suffers a bounce-out! His frustrations will only grow.
Merk is looking for a 132 finish here... 25, T19, just wide of the Bull!
Van Gerwen cleans up, but he is in a contest now.
Van Gerwen 2-1 Merk (1-3)
Arno Merk is certainly enjoying himself - at 33, this has been a long-awaited debut on the biggest stage.
And van Gerwen can't finish 63, leaving Merk with set darts...
Sealed with D16!
Well, well, well.
Van Gerwen 2-0 Merk (1-2)
Arno Merk has made more 100-plus visits than van Gerwen, but is well behind in the real big daddy scores.
Merk meanwhile is gesturing to the crowd, geeing them up. Will he get a response?
The German is on a Shanghai finish, and lands it! That's a second ton-plus finish of the set for Merk, he is finally a presence in this game.
Van Gerwen 2-0 Merk (1-1)
Van Gerwen responds with 180, his fifth maximum of the match. It is those occasional big scores that are stopping Merk making a real impact.
175 from MvG sets up three at D8 - landed in two.
That's an 11-dart leg.
Van Gerwen 2-0 Merk (0-1)
Right, can Arno Merk make this a match? He's still only averaging in the 80s.
Van Gerwen meanwhile is still frustrated by his performance, he's coming in with the odd duff visit.
And he is punished as Merk pulls out a 145 finish!
Van Gerwen 2-0 Merk
Michael van Gerwen is averaging 97.56 after the first two sets. Good, could be better.
The real trick for him has been in check outs, making six from nine. It means Arno Merk isn't even getting realistic half-chances.
Van Gerwen 2-0 Merk (3-0)
Image source, Getty ImagesArno Merk is only getting the odd look here and there, the Dutchman keeping him at arms' length.
But visits of 39 and 57 from van Gerwen, is he leaving the door open?
Not now, a timely maxi celebrated by the third seed - before he sets up three at tops.
The first is in single 20, but then he lands in D10.
Quite straightforward for the three-time world champion so far.
Van Gerwen 1-0 Merk (2-0)
Van Gerwen won't be comfortable here, but he's keeping a measure of control.
A 78 finish breaks the Merk throw.
Van Gerwen 1-0 Merk (1-0)
Image source, PA MediaMvG leads off in set two, and looks disgusted as he chucks 60.
He is sparked back to get to a finish first, with three at D8.
But Merk is on 150... lands the T20 then is a millimetre away from D15.
Van Gerwen survives.
Afternoon session (12:30) - all third round
Justin Hood v Ryan Meikle
Ricky Evans v Charlie Manby
Nathan Aspinall (15) v Kevin Doets
Evening session (19:00)
Josh Rock (11) v Callan Rydz - third round
James Hurrell v Ryan Searle (20) - fourth round
Luke Littler (1) v Rob Cross (17) - fourth round
Van Gerwen 1-0 Merk
A reminder that there are 160 world ranking places between these players.
Arno Merk improved after a slow start, but already the gap looks like a chasm.
Van Gerwen 1-0 Merk (3-1)
Now Arno Merk is rolling, he lands his first 180 of the match.
Van Gerwen can't land the big fish, gives Merk a chance at 164... close but no cigar.
And the third seed lands D18 for the set.
Van Gerwen 0-0 Merk (2-1)
The trademark headbutt motion from Van Gerwen as he lands another maxi. He's less impressed as he follows that with three singles, and then a visit of 42.
Merk responds with a good visit, two into T19. That leaves him on a 73 finish.
He gets a dart at tops - missed.
But MvG can't punish, and Merk is on the board. Good man.
Van Gerwen 0-0 Merk (2-0)
Image source, Getty ImagesMvG's first time leading a leg, and he opens with 180. That's how you do it.
He sets himself up with three at D18, as Merk just starts to find a few trebles.
But it has been a very easy start from van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen 0-0 Merk (1-0)
Arno Merk's opening visit yields 41. Yikes. He follows that with 59 and 66.
Michael van Gerwen is first to a finish against the head, setting himself up on three at tops.
Secured.
Van Gerwen 0-0 Merk (0-0)
Michael van Gerwen averaged over 100 against William O'Connor last time out. Will that MvG be back again tonight?
Arno Mark throws first, game on.
Van Gerwen v Merk
The winner of this match does indeed face a very in-form Gary Anderson in round four.
An enticing prospect, whoever progresses.
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If MVG wins later, early prediction that his game against Anderson will be match of the tournament.
Jack, Belfast
Van Gerwen v Merk
Wayne Mardle
Former World Matchplay finalist on Sky Sports
Michael van Gerwen needs to go about his work consistently, rather than being up and down. That is no good for anyone.