Arron Monk pushed Kevin Painter all the way in a high quality first round tie at Alexandra Palace, but was unable to overcome the in-form world number nine.

Monk, 21, produced flashes of brilliance despite defeat and further enhanced his profile as a star of the future.

Monk almost made a show-stopping start, just missing the bull for a 161 finish before Painter hit double eight for an early break. The Artist hit double top to open up a two leg lead but Monk hit back with his first maximum, followed by a 58 checkout to reduce the deficit. Monkey was unlucky to miss double top when going for a 103 checkout to save the set, before his opponent found the same bed to claim it.

The under-21 World Champion found the bull to take out 86, as he grabbed a break of throw in the first leg of set two, but he was unfortunate to hit the 25 when needing bull again to hold. Painter hit double two to break him back and held his throw to go in front. Monk hit another 180 on his way to taking the next leg, setting up a decider for the set, but the Players Championship winner held to double his lead.

Monk opened the third set with a third maximum and took out 70 to win the first leg. Painter levelled the score before Monkey cheekily hit two doubles to take out 82, after missing his shot at the bullseye. The Artist checked out 64 to leave the 21 year old throwing to save the match. He did save it, putting together a great leg when he needed to, to deservedly take the set.

Painter held his throw in the first leg of set four before Monk hit double five to level. The 2004 runner up hit double 16 to edge ahead again. Monk produced a brilliant twelve dart leg to keep himself in the match, but Painter hit double 16 again to ensure it was him that would progress to round two.

By Chris Murphy

Mervyn King won all nine legs as he booked his place in round two of the Ladbrokes World Championship with a comfortable win over Geoff Kime.

The 2009 semi-finalist wasted no time in putting his below-par opponent to the sword, averaging nearly a hundred and hitting two thirds of his doubles in a resounding victory.

The King made a solid start, hitting his first 180 on his way to winning the first leg against the throw. He then hit double 14 to take the next leg before breaking Kime again to go a set up in next to no time.

The former World Masters champion continued to show his superiority, hitting another 180 in the first leg of set two as he took a fourth consecutive leg. That soon became three maximums and five straight legs as King took out 82 to break the Kime throw once more. He went on to hold his throw, hitting double top to move a step closer to a second round place.

The Australian looked set to avoid the whitewash when he had darts at a double in the first leg of the third set. King made him pay for missing when he hit double eight to break again. Kime missed three more darts at a double and King showed no mercy, as he hit double ten to win the match in straight sets, and legs.

King will face will face either Colin Osborne or Michael van Gerwen on December 28^th.

By Chris Murphy

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