Gary Anderson began his bid for a third Paddy Power World Darts Championship crown with a dominant straight sets victory over Simon Whitlock on Saturday.

Day Two of the sport’s showpiece event saw eight matches take place across an action-packed double session at Alexandra Palace, with Anderson stealing the show on his return to the capital.

The two-time World Champion has enjoyed a stunning return to form in 2023, and he opened his latest title challenge with a demolition job against 2010 runner-up Whitlock.

Anderson enjoyed a dream start to the contest, following up a maximum in his opening visit with an 11-dart hold to fire an early warning shot to the shell-shocked Australian.

The Scot continued his rampant run to extend his winning run to five legs, and although Whitlock stopped the rot with a 106 outshot, Anderson replied with a third 180 and a 13-darter to double his lead in sets.

Whitlock threatened to reduce the arrears with a spirited third-set display, although Anderson refused to be embroiled, producing 112 and 116 checkouts in the

“It is hard to play against that. I’m expecting the 140s, 180s, the big finishes. Simon is notorious for the 170 checkouts, but he came back at the end there, so I’m glad to get over the line.

“I have said it many times. I haven’t wanted to play darts over the last three years, but win or lose, I’m enjoying the game again. I’m getting there!”

Anderson will be joined in round three by 2021 semi-finalist Dave Chisnall, who defied a sluggish start to see off Cameron Menzies in a topsy-turvy affair.

Menzies, who overcame Rusty-Jake Rodriguez on Friday’s opening night, was punished for spurning 27 darts at a double in a profligate display, despite clinching the first set without reply.

Chisnall responded by winning six of the next eight legs to move into a 2-1 lead, and after Menzies squandered five darts to force a deciding set, the Morecambe man capitalised to complete the comeback.

“I’m over the moon,” admitted Chisnall, who could potentially meet last year’s semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens in round three.

“It was a tough game for me. Cammy is a really good player, but I couldn’t find anything in that first set. 

“This is a massive tournament for me. I know I’m playing some good darts. I’ve been great on the floor and on the European Tour, but now I just want some results on the big stage.”

Connor Scutt produced a superb performance on his World Championship bow to dispatch Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk and set up a meeting against 2021 champion Gerwyn Price in round two.