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Gerwyn Price’s Australian Darts Masters defence begins on Friday, when he takes on Joe Comito in the opening round.

World number six Price, from Markham, beat Luke Littler 8-1 in last year’s final in Wollongong.

This year’s competition gets underway on Friday August 8, finishing a day later on Saturday August 9.

The tournament will see eight of the world’s top stars battling it out against eight top talents from Oceania.

Price, who prevailed in July’s Poland Darts Masters, is hoping to add to his impressive World Series haul on his return down under.

“I think there’s a lot of players in this tournament that are playing some really good darts,” conceded the 2021 World Champion, a quarter-finalist in the recent World Matchplay.

“You’ve got the two Lukes, Josh [Rock] – Damon Heta has been playing pretty well all season, and I think I’m playing some decent stuff at the minute.

“Everybody seems to be firing, so it will be a tough one to win this year.

“The main thing is I’m enjoying playing, I’m more positive in my mindset and I’m actually enjoying the travelling too which helps.”

First round fixtures

• Mike De Decker v Brandon Weening;
• Gerwyn Price v Joe Comito;
• Stephen Bunting v Brody Klinge;
• Luke Humphries v Jonny Tata;
• Damon Heta v James Bailey;
• Luke Littler v Haupai Puha;
• Josh Rock v Simon Whitlock;
• Chris Dobey v Tim Pusey.