MICHAEL VAN GERWEN kicked off the BetVictor World Matchplay with a hard-fought win over Steve Beaton on Saturday, as Ian White, Simon Whitlock and James Wade enjoyed first round victories.

THE 2014 BetVictor World Matchplay begins on Saturday as 32 players compete for a record prize fund in Blackpool - read our preview here.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is the 2/1 pre-tournament favourite to win the BetVictor World Matchplay in Blackpool next week, with reigning champion Phil Taylor 7/2 to win a 15th Winter Gardens title.

INFORMATION for the BetVictor World Matchplay, including schedule of play, format, prize money and ticket information.

PETER WRIGHT believes that he will get "better and better" after claiming the biggest title of his career in the build-up to the BetVictor World Matchplay.

JAMIE CAVEN is hoping to take his impressive recent form on the European Tour into the BetVictor World Matchplay next week.

MARK McGRATH has won the DPNZ Qualifier to secure a debut at the William Hill World Darts Championship in December.

WARREN PARRY has secured the DPNZ Wildcard place in the Sydney Darts Masters after coming through the qualifying event in New Zealand.

PETER WRIGHT won the European Darts Open in Dusseldorf on Sunday to pick up his first European Tour title after a 6-2 defeat of Simon Whitlock in the final.

WORLD CHAMPION Michael van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis were knocked out of the European Darts Open following brilliant displays from Jamie Caven and James Wade in the third round in Dusseldorf.