JOE Cullen made a superb start to the Betfred World Matchplay, as he started the biggest major tournament of the darting summer with a bang.

The Bradford ace has been out of form, with matters away from the oche, namely his two sisters being ill, affecting his performances over the last few months.

But speaking to the T&A ahead of the Matchplay, which is being held at its traditional Winter Gardens venue in Blackpool, he insisted he felt confident and happy going forward, with his siblings seemingly on the mend.

And he took that positive attitude into his tournament opener against Brendan Dolan on Sunday night.

Faced with a tough task against the world number 28, Cullen romped to a 10-4 win over his Irish opponent, averaging an impressive 100.19 in doing so.

Joe Cullen had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand after a superb display on Sunday evening.Joe Cullen had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand after a superb display on Sunday evening. (Image: Taylor Lanning/PDC.)

The Wyke star got stronger and stronger as the match went on, consolidating an earlier break in with a superb 11-darter in the 10th leg to lead 6-4.

He then landed his first ton-plus checkout of the night, taking out 117 to establish an unassailable 8-4 advantage.

Cullen backed that up by nailing the bullseye to complete a 130 finish against the darts to move to the brink of victory, before closing out the game with ease.

He faces a tough ask in his next match though, a last-16 clash with Dutch superstar, and second seed, Michael van Gerwen.