Big problems with his doubles led to Oxfordshire hope Dennis Smith bowing out meekly 3-0 to Andy Hamilton in the first round of the World Championships at Alex-andra Palace on Saturday night.

Smith, who made his County Championship debut for Oxon this season, landed only a miserable three of 29 doubles.

This was a big blow as 12th seed Hamilton was in no great form himself and gave Smith lots of chances.

But the Oxon ace, renowned for his sedate play could not take them.

After winning the opening leg, Smith lost the next six in a row.

He found his touch in the third set, which he had a chance to take.

But after more missed doubles, he watched as Hamiltton checked out with 106 for victory.

Meanwhile, the 2005 runner-up Mark Dudbridge came from behind to eliminate Alex Roy, winning their duel 3-1.

Roy hit two 180s in the opening leg, on his way to taking the first set convincingly, but his standards slipped and Dudbridge improved markedly to dominate the rest of the contest.

Adrian Lewis, a 3-0 winner against Tony Eccles in his opener, awaits Dudbridge in the second round after Christmas.

Australian Simon Whitlock, who stormed through to the final last year, where Phil Taylor denied him a first world title, returned for another crack at glory.

The Sydney-born 41-year-old, fourth on the PDC order of merit brushed aside Welsh gardener Steve Evans 3-0.

In the final match of the night, Gary Anderson did not lose a leg as he coasted past Japan's Morihiro Hashimoto.

Oxon’s other representative Kirk Shephard was in was in action against Wayne Jones.