Aspinall answers doubters after World Matchplay win over Cullen

Nathan Aspinall opened his World Matchplay campaign with a 10-5 first-round win over Joe Cullen at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, then used the victory to answer critics who had questioned his form.

The 35-year-old, ranked 15th in the world, produced a 167 checkout on his way into the first interval and described the performance as one of his better recent displays. He has played relatively little darts in recent weeks.

Aspinall hits back at doubters

Speaking after the match, Aspinall said he had grown tired of reading online suggestions that he had retired or was finished, and that he had put in extra practice during the week. He said the result meant a great deal to him given other things going on at home, and praised Cullen, a close friend, for the way he accepted the defeat.

Aspinall also said a morning session with his hypnotherapist had helped him identify an issue affecting his throw, and that a relaxed day with family and friends left him feeling calm going into the game. He pointed to that relaxed mindset as a factor in how he played.

Littler awaits in round two

Defending champion Luke Littler began his title defence with a 10-6 win over Niko Springer at the same venue, setting up a second-round meeting with Aspinall.

• Aspinall beat Joe Cullen 10-5 in the first round at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool
• The win featured a 167 checkout as he moved into the first break
• Aspinall is ranked 15th and had played little competitive darts recently
• Defending champion Luke Littler opened with a 10-6 win over Niko Springer
• Aspinall and Littler will meet in the second round

Littler has carried strong form into the event, having retained his World Championship title in January and won the UK Open in March. The second-round match will give Aspinall an immediate measure of whether the improvement he described in Blackpool can hold up against the defending champion.