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Robert Thornton produced the performance of the first round at the Players Championship Finals on Friday, while Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen also progressed to the last 16 in Minehead.

Thornton averaged over 104 in his 6-3 success over Richie Burnett to set up a second round tie with van Barneveld, after the Dutchman edged past Mervyn King 6-5.

van Gerwen will meet rival Adrian Lewis in round two on Saturday after ‘Mighty Mike’ claimed a 6-1 victory against Wales’ Jamie Lewis.

Match reports are available to read on the players’ official websites via the links below.

ROBERT THORNTON 6-3 Richie Burnett

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 6-5 Mervyn King

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 6-1 Jamie Lewis

James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson were all eliminated at the first round stage, however. Wade lost a last-leg-decider to Steve Beaton while Whitlock and Nicholson were denied by Justin Pipe and Phil Taylor respectively.