Wade moves into last 32 in Ladbrokes.com World Championship

JAMES WADE began his bid for Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship glory with a 3-1 victory over Steve Brown.

Wade, who reached the semi-finals last year before being defeated by Raymond van Barneveld, will now take on Michael van Gerwen in an eye-catching second round tie at Alexandra Palace.

The left-hander, seeded three for the tournament, produced his highest ever World Championship average in progressing to the last 32 - but insisted: "I will get better."

Brown started the match well with a 14-dart finish to win the opening leg, before Wade levelled matters with a 64 checkout.

The world number three seed on course for a nine-dart finish in the third leg when he hit back-to-back maximums.

Wade's attempt at a seventh successive treble 20 fell just short, but he won the leg to lead 2-1 and then landed double top in the next to wrap up the opening set.

Wade hit a purple patch in the second set winning the opening two legs with 13-dart finishes.

He then hit his fourth maximum of the game in the process of winning the third leg to take a two set cushion.

Brown managed to stop Wade's winning streak by taking the opening leg of the third set on double ten.

The Bristolian hit his first 180 of the game in the process of winning the third leg, but Wade won the fourth to go one leg away from the match.

But Brown, playing in his second World Championship, hit another maximum at the start of the deciding leg to gain an advantage and then landed double 18 to seal the set.

Wade registered his fifth 180 of the game in the process of winning the first leg of the fourth set, and then doubled his advantage with a 71 finish after his opponent missed two chances to hold throw.

That put Wade one leg away from the match again, and this time the Aldershot man made no mistake, hitting double ten to confirm victory.

"I've put in a lot of practice of the last couple of weeks coming into this tournament, and I feel better prepared than previous World Championships that I have competed in," said Wade.

"I can enjoy a good Christmas now, and will look forward to playing Michael in the next round."