I backed Ross Smith for 5+ 180s in his opening game of the tournament against Kevin Doets and he cleared that line with ease across 16 legs with 7+ 180s.

Smith was very impressive in that game, averaging 100.55 to beat Doets, with his opponent also averaging in excess of 100. 

Smith is very reliable when it comes to maximums, he’s averaging 0.33 180s per leg across the last 12 months and maintained an average of 0.43 180s per leg in his opener - a rate that is only matched by Luke Littler.

I can’t quite believe how this game has been priced.

Nijman is a 1.57 favourite despite never going past the Round of 16 at a major tournament. 

There’s no doubt that he’s an impressive player, but I still think Van Veen has an edge here and would also consider looking at him to win, which is available at 2.38.

Van Veen hasn’t been at his best over the last few months, but crucially has experience of going deep at major tournaments - reaching the final of the World Championships as well as winning the European Championship last year. 

Van Veen saw off Ratajski in his opener, who is an awkward opponent and beat Van Veen just a week ago on the European Tour, so Van Veen did well to hold his nerve in that game. 

The doubles could be the difference here, Van Veen is the best finisher around at the moment for me and the 66% on the doubles he managed against Ratajski reflects that.

Rob Cross looks really good at the moment. 

He’s been impressive for the last few months but his display against Noppert in the first round shows that he’s back to a very dangerous level.

He hit a brilliant 128 checkout in that game, ending on the bull, and should have really followed that with a 170 which he chose to set up for a more favourable finish.

Price had to battle from behind to overcome Martin Schindler in the first round, running out an 11-9 winner with both players hitting a 100+ checkout.

I’m always keen to back Wade in the big major tournaments. 

He’s still playing at a very good level and I think this format suits him. He saw off Jermaine Wattimena in the first round, hitting 7+ 180s as he came away a 10-7 winner. 

This development in his scoring has meant that Wade can now live with the new generation of darts players and he still has the same confidence at the back end of legs to make him effective. 

Ryan Searle has plenty of talent but often lacks the discipline and motivation to put together a deep run at a major tournament.

Wade reached the final of the World Matchplay last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as one of the final players left in the field this time around.