Can Gary Anderson make it a hat-trick of World Championship crowns?
The Team Unicorn superstar is the sponsors second favourite as he bids to reach a fourth straight Alexandra Palace final and win the biggest prize in World Darts for a third time.
Anderson has been having treatment on the back injury he suffered six weeks ago and is ready to go and will start his campaign with a real tough test against either Canadian Jeff Smith or PDC Unicorn Development Tour winner Luke Humphries on Saturday night.
On Thursday night Unicorn youngster Ted Evetts made his World Championship debut and it was a tough baptism for the 20-year-old.
He was beaten 3-0 by Gerwyn Price.
Evetts was clearly edgy at the start. You can't blame him on the biggest darts stage in the world!
Price won the opening four legs of the match but missed opportunities from the Welshman allowed 'Super Ted' back-to-back legs. Evetts actually threw for the second set and he was sat on 32, only for Price to hit D2 and then win the set in a deciding leg.
Price breezed through the third set averaging 102 to Evetts' 85 but the Team Unicorn starlet will be better for his first experience of the Worlds and he will be back for more, that's for sure!
Also on the opening night, defending World Champion Michael van Gerwen came through a tricky test as he beat fellow Dutchman Christian Kist 3-1. Van Gerwen had to play well, averaging 107 as he hit five 180s and three ton plus finishes.
Meanwhile, can Chris Dobey end Phil Taylor's career as a professional on Friday night? The Unicorn youngster is aiming for a big upset!
Also on Saturday, Joe Cullen faces Jermaine Wattimena with the Unicorn man determined to have a great run at this World Championship.
And remember there will be daily news updates from the Ally Pally here on the Unicorn website throughout the World Championship.
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
