World Matchplay: Top Five Matches in 2018

Gary Anderson, Joe Cullen (PDC)

We continue the countdown to the 2019 Betfred World Matchplay by taking a look back at the best matches from last year's tournament.

5. Kim Huybrechts 13-12 John Henderson (First Round)

July 23, 2019 was a historic day in the career of Kim Huybrechts as he ended a six-year wait for a first win at the World Matchplay.

The Belgian did it in thrilling style, surviving a match dart Huybrechts in a dramatic deciding leg before finding double eight to come out on top of a high class contest which saw 13 180s and five ton-plus finishes.

4. Dave Chisnall 11-8 Michael Smith (Second Round)

At 7-1 down Dave Chisnall was a distant second best in the all-St Helens clash, before producing a sensational comeback to book his place in the quarter-finals for a fifth time.

Chisnall rallied to reel off ten of the next 11 legs in spectacular style, ending the game with a 103.02 average to stun Smith.

Jeffrey de Zwaan (PDC)

3. Jeffrey de Zwaan 10-6 Michael van Gerwen (First Round)

Jeffrey de Zwaan produced one of the biggest shocks ever seen at the Winter Gardens by dumping out two-time Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen on the opening night of the 2018 event.

With Van Gerwen not at his usual brilliant best, the Dutch youngster took full advantage, firing in a game-changing 121 checkout to level the tie at 6-6.

De Zwaan then reeled off the next four legs to raise the roof at the Winter Gardens and claim a win over Van Gerwen in a televised event for the second time in four months.

2. Gary Anderson 21-19 Mensur Suljovic (Final)

Gary Anderson lifted the trophy on the Winter Gardens stage for the first time after beating Mensur Suljovic 21-19 in a nerve-shattering tie-break.

The longest-ever Blackpool final saw Anderson on the brink of glory at 17-13 up, before Suljovic reeled off five straight legs, putting him 18-17 up as a capacity Winter Gardens crowd held its breath.

Anderson regained his composure to move 19-18 up, but saw a dart at the bull for the title bounce out as Suljovic kept his hopes alive, only for the Scot to claim the next two legs and seal glory on double ten.

Gary Anderson (PDC)

1. Gary Anderson 19-17 Joe Cullen (Quarter-Final)

Two rounds earlier, Anderson raised the roof at the Winter Gardens with a nine-dart finish in his incredible 19-17 victory over Joe Cullen on an unforgettable night.

There was never more than a leg to separate the pair throughout a captivating contest, with Cullen growing in belief as the tie unfolded in only his second TV quarter-final.

Cullen landed a 170 checkout to take a 10-9 lead, and found double top with his last dart in hand to break throw and go 15-14 up.

However, Cullen went on to miss two match darts, at double 18 and double nine, the second of which saw a fly go across his eye-line as the drama intensified.

Anderson capitalised, hitting double top to level once again at 15-15 to send the game into a tie-break before the pair exchanged two holds of throw each to leave the match finely poised at 17-17.

The two-time World Champion, though, found a way to win the next two legs, hitting double top once again to seal a famous win.

The Betfred World Matchplay will be held from July 20-28 at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Broadcast live on Sky Sports, the tournament will see 32 players competing across nine days.

Tickets are still available.