World number three James Wade takes centre stage tonight at the Ladbrokes World Championship. The Machine forms the final part of a MODUS triple-bill at the Alexandra Palace, with Mervyn King and Arron Monk also in action.

Wade, who won the UK Open earlier this year, will face the winner of a preliminary round match, as he bids to add the World Championship to his impressive collection of major titles.

King, who beat Phil Taylor at the Players Championship, will be hoping to build on his recent good form with a win over Australian Geoff Kime.

Following The King is the player who was crowned PDC Under-21 World Champion in January, Arron Monk. He takes on Players Championship winner Kevin Painter in a highly anticipated clash. Mark Walsh lies in wait for Monkey, should he manage to topple the world number nine.

Wade will then begin his campaign against either Per Laursen or Petri Korte.

By Chris Murphy

MODUS celebrated a hat-trick of wins on Saturday as Paul Nicholson, Vincent van der Voort and Robert Thorton all earned places in round two of the Ladbrokes World Championship.

Nicholson came through a potentially tricky tie with Mensur Suljovic unscathed and Van der Voort hit many a maximum to beat Mark Hylton in the evening session. Thornton had earlier seen off the challenge of Ian White.

The Asset made sure he wasn’t going to be Suljovic’s latest scalp, and a characteristically ruthless performance ensured he never looked in danger of suffering a shock defeat. He beat the Austrian 3-1 to set up a post-Christmas clash with Alan Tabern.

Van der Voort lived up to his ‘Dutch Destroyer’ nickname in his 3-2 triumph over Hylton. He hit a sensational eleven 180s to ensure he will be at the Ally Pally after Christmas.

The Thorn showed flashes of his former self with some high scoring and neat finishing to set up a second round tie against defending World Champion Adrian Lewis.

By Chris Murphy