Jonny Clayton storms into World Matchplay 2026 second round with Van Gerwen, Anderson

Jonny Clayton powered past his first-round opponent to secure his spot in the second round of the 2026 World Matchplay in Blackpool on Friday evening.

The Welshman booked his place in the last 16 alongside Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson after a dominant display on Day 2.

What happened in Jonny Clayton’s match?

Clayton faced Gian van Veen in a high-octane clash that stretched to 10-6 in the Welshman’s favour. The Dutch qualifier pushed hard, but Clayton’s precision on the doubles kept him ahead throughout. Van Veen managed a late surge, but Clayton sealed the win with a 121 checkout on the bullseye.

Why it matters for Jonny Clayton

This result keeps Clayton’s title hopes alive in the 2026 World Matchplay. The Welshman, ranked 11th in the PDC Order of Merit, now eyes a clash with a seeded player in the next round. His form this week has silenced critics questioning his consistency in the majors.

Clayton’s route to the second round set up a potential blockbuster tie. The draw pairs him against a top-eight seed, meaning another scalp could be in sight. His ability to grind out tight legs will be tested again on Saturday.

What comes next for Jonny Clayton?

Clayton returns on Saturday afternoon for his second-round match. The session starts at 1pm BST in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. A win would send him into the quarter-finals and keep his ranking ambitions on track.

The tournament’s prize purse has already risen to £800,000 for the champion, up from last year. Clayton, 38, knows every leg counts-another deep run could vault him back into the top 10.

Day 2’s other headlines

Michael van Gerwen lit up the evening session with a near-nine-darter against Ross Gilding. Gary Anderson eased past Luke Humphries 10-4. The afternoon session saw Ryan Searle outplay William O’Connor 10-6. Eight first-round ties remain to be decided on Saturday.