Lewy Williams was very impressive in round one at Alexandra Palace (Picture: Getty Images)
Welsh prospect Lewy Williams has set up a clash with Michael van Gerwen at the World Darts Championship in style and is full of confidence ahead of his meeting with the tournament favourite.
The 20-year-old stormed through his first round tie with Niels Zonneveld at Alexandra Palace, beating the Dutchman 3-0, averaging a shade under 93 and missing double 12 for a 9-darter along the way.
The young Welsh star gets a crack at the man most are tipping to win the title next month and he is not afraid of the three-time champion.
He has good reason not to be, having beaten MVG in their first ever meeting last year, and after losing their last battle, Williams is hoping to move ahead in their head-to-head again.
‘I don’t fear anyone. Michael van Gerwen’s a quality player, everyone has said he’s on the downfall but he’s not, he’s won four majors this year,’ said Williams.
‘But I’ll go into it with full confidence and if he’s not on his game then I hope I’ll capitalise on that and maybe push him and get the win.
‘I’ve got that experience of playing him, it was actually my first day on the pro tour I played him, in the third round I beat him 6-5.
Michael van Gerwen has had a fabulous season and is hot favourite to win a fourth world title (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I was so nervous playing him, I couldn’t stop looking at the back of his shirt, thinking “oh my gosh I’m playing Michael van Gerwen!”
‘Then I thought, right sort it out, beat him 6-5. Next time he beat me 6-2, I think, so it’s 1-1, let’s see who goes 2-1 up.’
The youngster showed how relaxed he is on the big stage when it was put to him by Sky Sports that he has Van Gerwen next after beating Zonneveld, he joked that he had never heard of the Dutchman.
‘Who’s that, sorry?’ Williams asked. ‘I think that’s every kid’s dream. When I started playing darts my dream was to get to Ally Pally, never mind against the best player in the world at the minute.
‘It’s a dream come true for me, I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going.’
Williams is back on the stage to take on Van Gerwen, who will be playing his first match in the event, on Wednesday evening in north London.
MORE : Peter Wright to try new darts after leaving unhappy with opening World Darts Championship display
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‘I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going.’
