Nicholson, who reached the European Championship quarter-finals on the Maritim Hotel stage two years ago, dropped just one leg as he swept past Stephen Hardy, sealing a 6-1 win with a 127 finish.

Belgian ace Huybrechts laid down the gauntlet to brother Ronny - who plays Peter Wright - by winning through to the second round with a 6-1 romp against Steve Maish, hitting four 180s and a 170 checkout in a fine display.

PHIL TAYLOR is bidding to win a seventh McCoy's Premier League Darts title at The O2 on Thursday - but will face fierce competition for the £150,000 first prize from Dutch pair Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld and 2009 champion James Wade at the London venue.
World Champion Taylor will take on Dutch rival van Barneveld in Thursday's opening semi-final in front of 10,000 fans at The O2, as he bids to retain the prestigious title.

THE world's top eight darts players are to visit Dubai this year for the $250,000 Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, which will be played on May 23 & 24 at the Dubai Tennis Stadium as the first leg of the PDC's World Series of Darts.

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, the reigning and 16-time World Champion, will head the field of eight players who will compete in the knockout event, the first-ever professional darts tournament to be held in Dubai.