World Matchplay news: Jonny Clayton admits Blackpool win would be one of his greatest achievements
- Seb Sternik
- 16 July 2022
Jonny Clayton revealed he will tackle the World Matchplay one game at a time as he looks to improve his record at the Winter Gardens.
In four previous Matchplay appearances, Clayton has only managed to register one win.
That solitary victory came against Dirk van Duijvenbode during the 2021 edition of the event.
Clayton was unable to back up his first-round win with a lengthy run, as he was knocked out in his next match by compatriot Gerwyn Price.
This weekend, the 47-year-old will begin his campaign against Rowby-John Rodriguez. Both men recently shared the oche as the Austrian picked up a rare victory over Clayton during a World Cup of Darts singles match.
"I am determined. The World Matchplay is my favourite tournament," said the Welshman, who will take on Van den Bergh or Rydz if he progresses to round two.
DRAW BRACKET 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 11, 2022
Here's how the draw shapes up for the 2022 @Betfred World Matchplay, starting this Saturday on July 16
Some absolutely incredible first round ties! pic.twitter.com/WNmlVd08zo
"I'm going to take every game as it comes, and I've got a massive job to do on Saturday night, because Rowby is playing really well.
"Winning the World Matchplay would be right up there with my best achievements, because you have to play your socks off to beat the world's best dart players."
Clayton arrives in Blackpool having performed well at the two most recent Players Championship events.
🏆 DOLAN DOES IT! 🏆
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 11, 2022
Brendan Dolan wins the final match before the World Matchplay, sweeping the title at Players Championship 21, defeating Jonny Clayton 8-5 in the final!
A ninth PDC title for Dolan! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LcGDgPKSya
One of them saw the Welshman reach the final before losing 8-5 against Brendan Dolan.
A day earlier, the former Premier League winner reached the quarter-final before being knocked out by eventual champion Adrian Lewis.
Those two runs helped to end a few disappointing weeks for Clayton who lost the World Cup of Darts final to Australia, before bowing out in the first round of four successive events - the Dutch Masters, European Darts Matchplay, Players Championship 18 and Players Championship 19.
