Michael van Gerwen has insisted that Luke Littler is lying if he says the Dutchman is not the player he wants to avoid most at the World Darts Championship. However, the world No. 1 has already named Gerwyn Price as the man capable of giving him the hardest match. 

Van Gerwen, who lost to Littler in the final last time, kicks off his campaign against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami on another jam-packed day at Ally Pally, with Fallon Sherrock, Mike De Decker, Callan Rydz and Dave Chisnall all in action.

Meanwhile, former Worlds winner Raymond van Barneveld has hinted he could walk away from the sport after his humbling 3-0 defeat to Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont in the first round.

FOLLOW ALONG BELOW FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND LIVE SCORE UPDATES FROM ALLY PALLY