So it will be an all-Unicorn 2nd Round clash between Gary Anderson and Jeffrey de Zwaan at the World Grand Prix on Tuesday.
Anderson swept aside Welshman Jonny Clayton despite his troublesome back and De Zwaan got the better of Kim Huybrechts in their all Unicorn affair on the opening night.
But sadly Joe Cullen is on his way home after losing to Dutchman Ron Meulenkamp.
De Zwaan was sensational again. Put him on a big stage in a TV ‘Major’ and he comes alive.
He blew ‘The Hurricane’ away in just 15 minutes beating Huybrechts by two sets to nil. The Belgian won only two legs.
De Zwaan hit four 180s in the opening set and averaged nearly 100 with a double start! Remember he has already beaten Michael van Gerwen twice in TV ‘Majors’ this year at the UK Open and then on his run to the semi-finals of the World Matchplay where he lost a thriller to Anderson!
Gary was far too good for Clayton at the City West on Sunday night.
He lost the opening leg of the match after missing five darts at doubles but after that Clayton didn’t get a look in. Anderson reeled off six straight legs to get the job done with the minimum of fuss.
For Cullen, a big missed opportunity....after losing the opening set in three straight legs, he hit back superbly to take the second set without reply. The Unicorn man then went ahead for the first time as he took the first leg of the deciding set.
The turning point came in the third leg. Cullen had the throw but after Meulenkamp piled the pressure on with a superb 171, Joe missed three darts at D12 and D6 and paid the ultimate price as his opponent pinched the leg and then sealed the win on D5.
Elsewhere on the opening night, defending champion Daryl Gurney and tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen were comfortable winners over John Henderson and Steve Lennon respectively.
Sunday 1st Round results:
Jeffrey de Zwaan 2-0 Kim Huybrechts
Ron Meulenkamp 2-1 Joe Cullen
Darren Webster 2-0 Stephen Bunting
Ricky Evans 1-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Dave Chisnall 2-0 Max Hopp
Daryl Gurney 2-0 John Henderson
Michael van Gerwen 2-0 Steve Lennon
Gary Anderson 2-0 Jonny Clayton
Three more Team Unicorn stars enter the fray on Monday night in Ireland. Michael Smith takes on Adrian Lewis in a mouth-watering 1st Round clash, while Ian White faces Josh Payne and former WGP champion James Wade plays Mensur Suljovic.
Story from STUART PYKE in Dublin
Photos courtesy PDC
