PHIL TAYLOR will begin his quest for a tenth stanjames.com World Matchplay title against Robert Thornton.

 

Taylor has drawn the Scottish qualifier as he begins the defence of his World Matchplay title at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 19-26.

 

Taylor and Thornton will clash on Monday July 20, with the winner taking on either Kevin Painter or local favourite Wes Newton in the second round.

 

World number three Raymond van Barneveld, the Las Vegas Desert Classic runner-up on Sunday, has drawn fellow Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in the first round.

 

James Wade, who has appeared in the last three World Matchplay finals and took victory in 2007, begins his bid for another title against Jamie Caven.

 

2005 champion Colin Lloyd drew Wayne Jones, while three-time finalist Dennis Priestley takes on Denis Ovens.

 

Canadian John Part, the number four seed, will take on quick-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort, while Adrian Lewis meets Co Stompe.

 

Gary Anderson, who headed the 16 qualifiers from the Players Championship Order of Merit, will make his World Matchplay debut against Andy Hamilton.

 

Lowestoft’s Peter Wright qualified for his World Matchplay debut with a run to the semi-finals of the Las Vegas Players Championship on Tuesday, and he drew number five seed Terry Jenkins.

 

Tickets for the stanjames.com World Matchplay are still on sale, by visiting the Winter Gardens Box Office or calling 0844 856 1111.

 

stanjames.com World Matchplay

Draw & Tournament Bracket

Phil Taylor (1) v Robert Thornton

Kevin Painter (16) v Wes Newton

Adrian Lewis (8) v Co Stompe

Colin Lloyd (9) v Wayne Jones

Mervyn King (5) v Mark Dudbridge

Colin Osborne (12) v Steve Beaton

John Part (4) v Vincent van der Voort

Wayne Mardle (13) v Tony Eccles

James Wade (2) v Jamie Caven

Andy Hamilton (15) v Gary Anderson

Ronnie Baxter (7) v Jelle Klaasen

Alan Tabern (10) v Andy Smith

Terry Jenkins (6) v Peter Wright

Dennis Priestley (11) v Denis Ovens

Raymond van Barneveld (3) v Michael van Gerwen

Mark Walsh (14) v Andy Jenkins

 

stanjames.com World Matchplay

Schedule of Play

First Round

Sunday July 19 (7pm start)

Adrian Lewis v Co Stompe

Colin Lloyd v Wayne Jones

Mervyn King v Mark Dudbridge

 

Monday July 20 (7pm start)

Kevin Painter v Wes Newton

Colin Osborne v Steve Beaton

Phil Taylor v Robert Thornton

Wayne Mardle v Tony Eccles

 

Tuesday July 21 (7pm start)

Andy Hamilton v Gary Anderson

John Part v Vincent van der Voort

James Wade v Jamie Caven

Ronnie Baxter v Jelle Klaasen

 

Wednesday July 22

Afternoon Session (1pm start)

Alan Tabern v Andy Smith

Terry Jenkins v Peter Wright

Dennis Priestley v Denis Ovens

Mark Walsh v Andy Jenkins

 

Evening Session (7pm start)

Raymond van Barneveld v Michael van Gerwen

Second Round

Lewis/Stompe v Lloyd/Jones

Taylor/Thornton v Painter/Newton

 

Thursday July 23

Afternoon Session (1pm start)

King/Dudbridge v Osborne/Beaton

Part/van der Voort v Mardle/Eccles

T Jenkins/Wright v Priestley/Ovens

 

Evening Session (7pm start)

Baxter/Klaasen v Tabern/Smith

van Barneveld/van Gerwen v Walsh/A Jenkins

Wade/Caven v Hamilton/Anderson

 

Friday July 24

Afternoon Session (1pm start)

Quarter-Finals

King/Dudbridge/Osborne/Beaton v Part/van der Voort/Mardle/Eccles

T Jenkins/Wright/Priestley/Ovens v van Barneveld/van Gerwen/Walsh/A Jenkins

 

Evening Session (7pm start)

Wade/Caven/Hamilton/Anderson v Baxter/Klaasen/Tabern/Smith

Taylor/Thornton/Painter/Newton v Lewis/Stompe/Lloyd/Jones

 

Saturday July 25 (7pm start)

Semi-Finals

 

Sunday July 26 (7pm start)

Final

 

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