MICHAEL VAN GERWEN will begin his defence of the BetVictor World Matchplay title against Jamie Caven at Blackpool's Winter Gardens later in July, as 15-time champion prepares to face last-gasp qualifier Robbie Green.

COLOURFUL Peter Wright impressed in his opening match of the Zipang Casino Tokyo Darts Masters beating Chiara Fujimori 6-0, as all eight Japanese players were eliminated on the opening day of the PDC World Series of Darts event.

REIGNING champion Phil Taylor faces top Japanese ace Haruki Muramatsu when the 2016 Zipang Casino Tokyo Darts Masters begins on Wednesday.

REIGNING champion Michael van Gerwen has been installed as the 11/10 favourite to win the BetVictor World Matchplay ahead of this year's championship in Blackpool from July 16-24.

THE field for the 2016 BetVictor World Matchplay has been confirmed following the Players Championship double-header in Barnsley - with Robbie Green snatching qualification on the final day before the cut-off for the prestigious Sky Sports-televised event.

IAN WHITE won his second Players Championship title of 2016 with a 6-3 victory over Joe Cullen in Sunday's final at the Barnsley Metrodome, as Robbie Green snatched qualification for the BetVictor World Matchplay.

DAVE CHISNALL produced a brilliant display to defeat Steve Beaton 6-2 in the final of Players Championship Ten to claim the £10,000 prize at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday.

LIVEPDC.TV Subscribers will get the chance to put their questions to Raymond van Barneveld ahead of the PDC World Series of Darts event in Tokyo.

NINE players, including Betway World Cup of Darts stars Daryl Gurney, Kyle Anderson and Devon Petersen, enjoyed double success in Friday's European Tour UK Qualifier double-header in Barnsley.

PICTURES from the 2016 Shanghai Darts Masters at the Pullman Hotel Shanghai South.