GERWYN Price began his campaign to regain the world number one spot with a hard-fought win over Martin Schindler.

Markham’s Price is through to the second round of the Betfred World Matchplay in Blackpool after a 10-8 win over Martin Schindler on Monday.

After a slow start from both players, Schindler landed a 141 checkout to break throw and level at 5-5.

Schindler – making his Winter Gardens debut – twice held his throw to lead 6-5 and 7-6, before Price struck back-to-back 11-dart legs to take a crucial 9-7 advantage.

Schindler kept fighting, taking out 91 to stay alive, but Price shut the door on the German with a 91 checkout of his own to book his place in the last 16.

"I think I put myself under a lot of pressure by letting him off early on," Price said.

"Sometimes that's what I need to get myself going and I was playing some good darts by the end of the match.

"I've not been playing very well the last couple of months, as everybody knows, but today I came out fighting.

"I want to win this tournament and get back to world number one, back to where I think I deserve to be, but I'll have to come through a few tough games to do that."

The Welshman will continue his quest for a first World Matchplay title against Dave Chisnall in the second round, after the five-time quarter-finalist showed his battling qualities in a 10-7 victory over Kim Huybrechts.

On his first Winter Gardens appearance since 2018, Huybrechts impressed and kept in touch with Chisnall in a game riddled with breaks of throw.

With the scores level at 7-7, Chisnall held his nerve, winning the next three legs to deny his Belgian opponent what would have been a second World Matchplay win in eight appearances.

Also on Monday, Rob Cross produced a remarkable comeback from 8-2 down to defeat Chris Dobey 11-9, after reeling off six successive legs to level at eight-all.

The tournament is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.