Gerwyn Price welcomes crowd support in first-round win at World Championship
The Welshman was roared on by the the crowd at Alexandra Palace.
Gerwyn Price romped to a 3-0 win over Adam Gawlas to ease into the second round of the World Championship on Tuesday.
Price, who was roared on by the the crowd at Alexandra Palace, bagged six 180s before closing out the win with his second 120 checkout of the evening.
Despite missing 17 of his 26 attempts at doubles, he scored a 96.44 average to set up a second-round meeting with Wesley Plaisier.
“I don’t usually get this (crowd support), so thank you very much,” he told Sky Sports.
“The fans have been great for me the last 18 months, two years, and to come here and get the support like I have, as you can hear now, still they’re chanting my name.
“Honestly, if I win the million (first prize), it’s not going to change my life, but I want to win trophies.
“I want to be back in the top four in the world and be where I think I deserve.
“As long these are where they are with me, I think I can win everything, so thank you very much.”
Danny Noppert recovered from a slow start to produce a fine win over Jurjen van der Velde, finally triumphing 3-1 after the fourth set.
A strong finish saw him throw four perfect darts at the start of the final leg to get down to 47 after nine darts.
Van der Velde had arrived on stage with a can of insect spray after issues on Monday with a wasp at the venue but it was not enough to keep him in contention, Noppert missing two match darts in the final leg before claiming victory.
Ricardo Pietreczko saw off the impressive Jose de Sousa 3-1 to seal his place in the second round, while Joe Comito upset Niko Springer 3-1 in the last match to finish.
