Gerwyn Price won the all-Wales battle as he beat World Cup winning partner Jonny Clayton to keep on track for a hat-trick of Grand Slam titles.
The 35-year-old triumphed 5-3, twice coming from behind in their Group G clash.
Price, who survived four match darts in his opening game against Japan’s Mikuru Suzuki, will face Ryan Joyce in his final group game.
“It’s never easy playing Jonny, he’s a top player and being World Cup partners we’re close,” said the Markham darter.
https://twitter.com/PDC_Cymru/status/1328829076845580293
“I wasn’t myself on the stage last night so I had to make sure I got myself going tonight.
“I still know I can play a lot better than I did tonight and hopefully I will show my best form over the next few days.”
Pontyberem’s Clayton, who won the World Cup with Price in Austria earlier this month, opened up a 2-0 lead.
World No 3 Price hit back with a 121 finish and got it back to 2-2 before Clayton regained the lead with a 75 checkout.
But Price got into his stride win three legs in a row to edge closer to the last 16.
Joyce, who lost 5-4 to Clayton, beat Suzuki 5-1 in the other group game at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.
In Group H, Wales’ reigning BDO world champ Wayne Warren lost his second match of the tournament 5-3 to Ricky Evans.