2016 Tokyo Darts Masters round 1: Taylor and MvG in same half

Chizzy comes in to this tournament in high spirits after winning the recent Players Championship Ten in Barnsley, and kicks off the session against local qualifier Inoue, who he is heavily odds-on at 1/33 to beat.

While Inoue claimed a soft tip title in Malaysia in September, he could only take a sole leg of Stephen Bunting in this event last year. The gulf in quality between most of the local Japanese stars and the PDC’s top eight really is noticeable, and in-form Chisnall is 11/5 to whitewash his first opponent.

Raymond van Barneveld v Keita Ono

Ono (9/1 match shout) is a slight step up in class to Inoue, having played the last PDC World Championship, and may be able to claim at least a leg or two off the mercurial Barney (20/1 tournament chance) in his maiden Tokyo Darts Masters.

Dutch great Van Barneveld has shown glimpses of his best this current World Series of Darts, though is yet to reach a final in 2016, and so is 10/3 to win 6-2.

Peter Wright v Chikara Fujimori

Snakebite reached the final here last time out, before being narrowly edged out 8-7 to Taylor, though is yet to reach a semi this series so far.

Fujimori, though, was notably poor in his battle here with Van Gerwen in 2015, averaging just 70 on his way to being whitewashed, so back Wright to do the same at 11/5.

Phil Taylor v Haruki Muramatsu

Defending champion Taylor (5/2 to retain the title) has been handed one of the more challenging battles against four-time PDC World Championship participant Muramatsu, though shouldn’t have too much trouble.

The Power has faced Hal three times before, winning all three of course including twice to nil. But Muramatsu claimed a leg off the 16-time world champ in a 2013 World Cup of Darts singles match, so Taylor is 15/8 to beat him 6-1.

Adrian Lewis v Tsuneki Zaha

Like Ono, Zaha is playing in this event for the first time after missing out last year, so will be understandably nervous going up against double world champion Lewis.

Jackpot (11/1 tournament fourth favourite), who got to the final in Auckland this year, beat another qualifier in the 2015 Tokyo Masters, so is 6/4 to whitewash Zaha too.

James Wade v Masahiro Hiraga

Wade is the least fancied of the eight seeded stars to lift this title according to Coral’s odds of 25/1, despite reaching the semis at both Auckland and Shanghai this year and only missing out on getting to the final by legs on both occasions.

Hiraga is new to this competition, but as The Machine conceded two legs to Morihiro Hashimoto last year he is a tempting 2/1 price to win 6-1 this time.

Michael van Gerwen v Masumi Chino

Of course, Van Gerwen goes into this competition as the even-money favourite, having just claimed the China World Series title, though he didn’t have it all his way in the opening round.

The legendary Paul Lim took four legs of MvG, while upcoming opponent Chino lost 6-2 to Taylor in Tokyo last year. Mighty Mike is, therefore, 7/4 to triumph 6-1 too.

Gary Anderson v Seigo Asada

Anderson is the only multiple World Series winner in 2016, though couldn’t manage three in a row as he bowed out in the quarters in Shanghai.

The Flying Scotsman and current word champion is 7/2 to claim the Tokyo crown, or 7/2 to beat Asada 6-2. Japanese star Asada, nicknamed The Ninja, is perhaps the highest profile name of his compatriots, and reached the last 16 at the 2014 World Masters.

First round draw

Gary Anderson v Seigo Asada
Raymond van Barneveld v Keita Ono
Adrian Lewis v Tsuneki Zaha
Peter Wright v Chikara Fujimori
Michael van Gerwen v Masumi Chino
Dave Chisnall v Shintaro Inoue
James Wade v Masahiro Hiraga
Phil Taylor v Haruki Muramatsu

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Coral’s top tip: Anderson is a tasty 7/2 to beat Asada 6-2.