ALAN TABERN fended off a fightback by Australia's Raymond Smith to set-up second round clash with Michael Van Gerwen at the William Hill World Championship.

MICHAEL BARNARD survived a gutsy fightback and six missed match darts by Jose De Souza before winning a last-leg decider.

TWO-TIME William Hill World Darts Champion Gary Anderson got his 2018/19 campaign off to a solid start at Alexandra Palace on Friday.

CODY HARRIS reflects on his first year on the PDC circuit following his first round win at the William Hill World Championship.

THE 2018/19 William Hill World Championship begins on Thursday at Alexandra Palace, London.

ROB CROSS began the defence of his William Hill World Championship title with a 3-1 victory over Jeffrey de Zwaan.

JAN DEKKER battled his way to a 3-1 victory over Lisa Ashton in round one of the William Hill World Darts Championship.

CODY HARRIS held his nerve to come through a five-set thriller with Martin Schindler in round one.

JEFFREY DE ZWAAN breezed past Nitin Kumar 3-0 to become the first winner at the 2018/19 World Championship.

The William Hill World Darts Championship begins tonight - with greater worldwide coverage than ever before.