Jonny Clayton insists enjoyment is the key as he prepares to take on his darting hero Gary Anderson for a place in the Betfred World Matchplay quarter-finals on Tuesday. Clayton will play 2018 champion Anderson in a blockbuster round two tie at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, as two of the sport’s most experienced stars go head-to-head. […]
Jonny Clayton insists enjoyment is the key as he prepares to take on his darting hero Gary Anderson for a place in the Betfred World Matchplay quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Clayton will play 2018 champion Anderson in a blockbuster round two tie at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, as two of the sport’s most experienced stars go head-to-head.
The Welsh number one began his bid to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy with a 10-7 victory over Damon Heta, converting a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts to break the Australian’s spirited resistance.
Anderson, meanwhile, produced a staggering 109.96 average – the eighth-highest in World Matchplay history – in his 10-2 demolition of Ryan Joyce.
“Gary Anderson is one of my heroes,” admitted Clayton, who has won 10 of his 22 meetings against the Scottish icon.
“He’s one of the best players that has ever thrown a dart, so I’m going up against my hero and one of the best ever.
“I hope it’s going to be a belter. There will be total respect from both of us and whoever plays better will win; hopefully it’s me!”
Clayton has performed superbly in the first half of 2026, reaching the last eight of the World Darts Championship and UK Open, while also enjoying a successful return to the Premier League fold.
The 51-year-old finished second in the league phase following a quartet of nightly wins, before succumbing to Luke Humphries in an absorbing contest on Finals Night.
Having also featured in a hat-trick of ranking finals this season, Clayton has provisionally reclaimed a place in the world’s top four, and now he’s dreaming of adding the World Matchplay crown to his illustrious CV.
“I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying darts, and that helps my game,” declared Clayton, the 2023 World Matchplay runner-up.
“I don’t put any pressure on myself. I’m out to win every trophy, every major, every game, but I’m realistic and that doesn’t happen.
“You have to learn how to lose sometimes in order to win. It’s just reality, and if I don’t perform then I’m going home.
“Everybody can play darts in this tournament. It’s probably one of the best line-ups I’ve been part of in Blackpool, so it’s going to be tough, but hopefully it’s my year.”
Anderson was irrepressible in his opener on Sunday afternoon, registering his best performance on the Empress Ballroom stage to reaffirm his title credentials.
The two-time World Champion converted consecutive 144 and 141 finishes in the closing stages of the contest, having raced into a 6-1 lead with an average of almost 113.
“You get those days sometimes where you can throw with your eyes shut and hit everything, and that was one of those days,” admitted Anderson – one of six World Matchplay champions left in the field.
“I’ve missed a lot of tournaments this year. I play when I can, and honestly I came here not knowing what to expect.
“The next game will be a completely different game, so we’ll see what happens.”
2026 Betfred World Matchplay
Tuesday July 21 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Jonny Clayton v Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Littler v Nathan Aspinall
Josh Rock v Stephen Bunting
Best of 21 legs