Gerwyn Price and Daryl Gurney involved in heated exchange at World Matchplay
The duo exchanged a tense handshake after Price wrapped up victory on double 12, before Gurney seemingly objected to his opponent's on-stage theatrics.
Gurney had slipped to a 6-2 deficit but sparked hope by claiming the ninth leg, marking the moment by copying Price's signature fist-pumping routine.
The Derry native came within one dart of drawing level at 8-8 before Price, the 2022 runner-up, kept his composure to break clear and secure the win.
Antrim's Josh Rock – Gurney's partner in last month's World Cup of Darts triumph – enjoyed greater fortune as he stormed to a comprehensive 10-5 victory over 14th seed Ross Smith.
Rock rattled off the opening five legs without allowing his rival a glimpse of a finishing double, with the 24 year old completing proceedings with a blistering 104 average to exact revenge for last year's first round defeat to the same opponent.
Rock's reward is a clash with Michael van Gerwen, who laboured through a taxing 10-6 success against veteran Dutch adversary Raymond van Barneveld.
Van Gerwen, a three-time champion, profited from a string of squandered opportunities by his rival and admitted he derived little pleasure from his display.
"I made it so difficult for myself and when you make it difficult it's a hard game," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. "From the position I'm coming from, I didn't play a lot of tournaments, and that makes it hard. We all know I'm a winner, I hate losing, and I think it's the start of something nice."
In the first match of the tournament's third day, sixth seed Chris Dobey managed to secure a 10-5 victory over Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko.
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