RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD overcame a scare before he defeated Katsuya Aiba 6-4 in the first round of the Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters on Saturday.

PETER WRIGHT is aiming to avoid a "potential banana skin" when he faces Haruki Muramatsu in the Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters on Satuday night.

THE draw for the Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters has handed Michael van Gerwen a clash with Chikara Fujimori, while Phil Taylor will take on Masumi Chino when the PDC World Series of Darts event begins on Saturday.

GARY ANDERSON is aiming to pick up his first World Series of Darts triumph when he competes in the Zipang Casino Japan Darts Masters this weekend.

THE entries for the Players Championship double-header in Wigan on July 4-5 have been confirmed.

SKY SPORTS have been rewarded for their coverage of the William Hill World Darts Championship at the prestigious Broadcast Digital Awards.

LOZ RYDER has earned a spot in August's TABtouch Perth Darts Masters through the DPA Australian Grand Prix Order of Merit.

PLAYERS are reminded of entry deadlines for the PDC ProTour and European Tour on Tuesday and the PDC Unicorn Development Tour on Friday.

MICHAEL SMITH has hailed his International Darts Open success as one of the highlights of his career.

MICHAEL Smith sealed the second European Tour title of his career as he defeated Benito van de Pas to win the International Darts Open in Riesa.