Gary Anderson is the top seed at the second big World Series tournament of 2017 in China. 

The Team Unicorn star will face Wei Hong Li in the 1st Round at the Shanghai Masters on Thursday. Wei Hong came third in the Chinese qualifying event which was held at the Pullman Hotel South on Wednesday afternoon. 

Anderson of course, is looking to make it back-to-back World Series titles after his brilliant win over Michael van Gerwen in Dubai in May. He could face Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals. 

"It is really important for the global game that we are here to play and to promote the sport," Anderson said. "The standard of darts in China is certainly improving. It is a great experience for all the players as well."

He added: "I have no doubt that in the future we will see world class players from this part of the world. They are already investing in the future with academies for the kids and darts is definitely on the up and up here in China."

Fellow Unicorn ace James Wade will take on a young man who is being tipped as the future of darts in China....Xiao Chen Zong is only 19, but is rated very highly and he was the runner-up in the qualifying tournament. 

Shanghai Darts Masters 1st Round (best of 11 legs):

Gary Anderson (1) v Wei Hong Li (China)
Raymond van Barneveld v Cheng An Liu (China)
Gerwyn Price (4) v Royden Lam (Hong Kong)
Dave Chisnall v Paul Lim (Singapore)
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Hai Long Chen (China)
Phil Taylor v Hyun Chul Park (Korea)
Peter Wright (3) v Haruki Muramatsu (Japan)
James Wade v Xiao Chen Zong (China)

By STUART PYKE in Shanghai


Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC

Posted in Unicorn Darts