Peter Wright Upset, Early Exit at World Matchplay 2024

Peter Wright, former World Matchplay champion faced another setback in 2024 losing to Andrew Gilding in the tournament’s first round in Blackpool. Peter Wright, a two-time world champion, struggled throughout the Premier League season, finishing at the bottom of the table. Despite initially recovering to level at 4-4 against Gilding, poor finishing ultimately led to his defeat, marking his earliest exit from the Matchplay since 2014.

Seventh seed Dave Chisnall also suffered a heavy defeat, falling 10-2 to Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, who dominated with a commanding 7-0 lead early on. The swift victory pleased the local crowd, allowing them to catch England’s Euro 2024 final match against Spain. Rob Cross narrowly avoided an upset, triumphing over Gian van Veen in a tense 13-12 final-leg shootout. Despite Van Veen’s missed opportunities, Cross capitalized on a crucial leg to advance.

Meanwhile, Stephen Bunting, a former BDO world champion, had to work hard for his victory, securing a 12-10 win over Ryan Joyce. In contrast, James Wade, the 2007 Matchplay champion, had a smoother path, defeating Danny Noppert 10-5. Belgium’s Dimitri van den Bergh showcased a strong performance, including a nine-darter, in his 10-6 victory over Martin Schindler while Ross Smith continued his momentum from the Players Championship with a 10-4 win over Josh Rock.

Joe Cullen rounded out the round with a comfortable 10-4 victory over Brendan Dolan, securing his place in the second round. The opening round of the World Matchplay featured both surprises and expected victories, setting the stage for further intense competition in Blackpool.