Part paired with Davis for title defence

John Part will begin the defence of his Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship against American Bill Davis, while Phil Taylor drew qualifier Steve Grubb for the first round of the tournament.

Canadian Part claimed his third World Championship title 12 months ago, and meets US number two Davis in an all-North American battle at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Phil Taylor, the 13-time world champion, will take on Somerset-based qualifier Steve Grubb in his opening contest, while number two seed Raymond van Barneveld meets another new face, Newcastle’s Mark Stephenson.

World number three James Wade takes on Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan, while Terry Jenkins drew resurgent Dennis Smith.

Kirk Shepherd, last year’s runner-up, was handed a tough task against Dutch left-hander Jan van der Rassel, and another Dutch star, Co Stompe, drew Andy Jenkins.

Former world number one Colin Lloyd meets 2006 Lakeside champion Jelle Klaasen in a repeat of their recent meeting in the first round of the European Championship.

Female Russian star Anastasia Dobromyslova, the current women’s world champion who has joined the PDC, meets Holland’s Remco van Eijden in the preliminary round, with the winner taking on Tony Eccles.