Gerwyn Price has been installed as the new tournament favourite at the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, after coming through his first round clash against Dutch number two Danny Noppert on the opening night in Leicester.
Noppert missed the chance to take the opening set, before 2020 champion Price reeled off five consecutive legs to make the perfect start in his bid to lift a second World Grand Prix crown.
The Welshman's win also saw him overtake reigning champion Michael van Gerwen as the tournament favourite, after title sponsor BoyleSports trimmed his outright odds into 11/4 from 10/3.
The 2021 World Champion spoke to Abigail Davies following his opening round success, and admitted he needs to improve his starting doubles ahead of a second round showdown with Krzysztof Ratajski, who accounted for two-time champion James Wade on Monday night.
“My scoring game was alright in patches,” reflected Price, who converted finishes of 112 and 101 and pinned six of his eight attempts at a finishing double.
“But just my starting doubles – I need to stop thinking too much. I think that’s just first round jitters, so I will be a lot better in the second round.
"These matches are sprints, it’s first to three in the next round, so there’s a little bit more room for error and not so much pressure.”
Seeded duo Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross were high-profile casualties at the Morningside Arena, but Michael Smith put an indifferent history at this tournament behind him, losing just one leg in his straight-sets win over Callan Rydz.
The World Champion is 5/1 third favourite behind Price and Michael van Gerwen (7/2), who faces a mouth-watering first round meeting with World Youth Champion Josh Rock on Tuesday.
All the latest odds for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix 2023 can be found here.
BoyleSports World Grand Prix Outright
11/4 Gerwyn Price
7/2 Michael Van Gerwen
5/1 Michael Smith
8/1 Luke Humphries
10/1 Gary Anderson
16/1 Dave Chisnall
20/1 Peter Wright
20/1 Jonny Clayton
25/1 Josh Rock
33/1 Stephen Bunting
40/1 bar
Odds correct at time of writing and courtesy www.boylesports.com.
Subject to fluctuation. +18 Bet Responsibly, BeGambleAware.org