Michael van Gerwen has fired back at Peter Wright in spectacular fashion after the Scot suggested his eyesight was failing.
The Dutchman, who split from wife Daphne earlier this year, couldn't resist a cheeky dig about his love life when responding to Wright's comments.
"If you look at my new dates here and there, I don't think there's anything wrong with my eyes," Van Gerwen said. "I keep getting compliments."
But he wasn't done there. The three-time world champion went even further, dismissing his rival entirely.
Michael van Gerwen hit back at Peter Wright, who accused the Dutchman of losing his eyesight
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"He can't even win a raffle these days anymore," Van Gerwen added. "To speak the name of Peter Wright is a waste of my breath."
Wright had earlier taken aim at his Dutch rival, claiming that Van Gerwen's vision was deteriorating with age.
"I think MVG's vision is probably going — but he won't admit it," Wright said, suggesting that younger players were benefiting from better eyesight compared to his generation.
The timing of these barbs is particularly spicy, as both men could be on course to meet in the third round at Alexandra Palace.
For that clash to happen, Wright must first get past German qualifier Arno Merk after his comfortable 3-0 win over Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
Michael van Gerwen survived a first-round scare against Japanese qualifier Mitsuhiko Tatsunami
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Van Gerwen, meanwhile, awaits the winner of Friday's match between William O'Connor and Krzysztof Kciuk.
Van Gerwen's path to a potential Wright showdown wasn't exactly smooth sailing, though.
The world number three found himself in real trouble against Japanese qualifier Mitsuhiko Tatsunami on Thursday, losing five of the opening six legs.
"That was really difficult. I don't know what happened. I started off really c**p," Van Gerwen admitted to Sky Sports. "My first darts were constantly underneath and above. Nothing really worked."
The Dutchman eventually found his rhythm, rattling off six of the next seven legs to turn the match around.
Despite Tatsunami threatening a decider in the fourth set, Van Gerwen held his nerve to seal a 3-1 victory.
Peter Wright beat trans player Noa-Lynn van Leuven 3-0 in the first round
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Van Gerwen is clearly eager for the potential meeting with his Scottish rival.
"I would love to play Peter Wright," the Dutchman declared. "I hope he has a big mouth like he's had for past two weeks. I keep smashing him in exhibitions."
Wright will need to overcome Merk in round two to keep the dream clash alive, while Van Gerwen must navigate past either O'Connor or Kciuk.
It's been a tough year for Van Gerwen both on and off the oche, having reached last edition's final only to lose to Luke Littler, but he's clearly not short on confidence heading into the business end of the tournament.