Overview
- The opener at Alexandra Palace starts at 20:00 local time and airs on Sport1 and DAZN.
- Merk faces Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts, a rematch of their 2010 Lakeside qualifier that Merk won 2–1.
- He said he was "mega happy" about being chosen for the first match despite being a debutant.
- Germany fields a record eight players at this edition, with Merk potentially meeting former champion Peter Wright on 23 December if he advances.
- The first session also features Michael Smith vs. Lisa Ashton and titleholder Luke Littler vs. Darius Labanauskas.