Wade edges Wattimena as Van Veen and Searle advance at World Matchplay

James Wade reached the second round of the World Matchplay with a 10-7 win over Jermaine Wattimena at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, on what was his 21st appearance at the tournament.

The 2007 champion, a six-time runner-up at the event, made a fast start by taking four legs in a row to lead 4-1. Wattimena responded with two breaks of throw to close to 5-4, but Wade pulled clear again with three straight legs for an 8-4 advantage. The Dutchman kept the contest alive by trading breaks late on before Wade finished on tops.

Wade was blunt about his own display afterwards, describing it as "rubbish" and telling Sky Sports he had been "really, really lucky". He said he had deliberately slowed the match down rather than being dragged into Wattimena's preferred pace, adding that he wanted to play the game on his own terms.

Searle sets up Wade meeting

Ryan Searle will face Wade next after a 10-6 victory over William O'Connor. Matchplay debutant O'Connor fell 6-1 behind as Searle landed clinical doubles and two breaks of throw, and although the Irishman fought back to 8-6, Searle recovered his scoring form and closed out the match on tops.

Van Veen finds his range

Gian van Veen, the world No 3, beat Krzysztof Ratajski 10-6 in a result he will view as a confidence boost. Ratajski had got the better of him less than a week earlier while winning a third Euro Tour title in Leverkusen, but Van Veen's finishing in Blackpool proved decisive, with two early 144 checkouts setting the tone.

• James Wade beat Jermaine Wattimena 10-7 on his 21st Matchplay appearance
• Wade faces Ryan Searle, a 10-6 winner over debutant William O'Connor
• Gian van Veen defeated Krzysztof Ratajski 10-6 with a strong display on the outer ring
• Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson were also among Sunday's first-round winners

What's next

The tournament continues at the Winter Gardens, with the second round tightening the field and Wade's meeting with Searle the standout tie from his section. The World Matchplay runs in Blackpool until July 26.