Class field makes for fascinating World Matchplay, says Rod Harrington

A focused Phil Taylor can bounce back from European Championship disappointment to seal a 14th World Matchplay crown, says Rod Harrington.

The Power suffered a shock defeat to Ronny Huybrechts in Germany last weekend but Harrington, who himself won the Matchplay title in 1998 and 1999, expects reigning world champion Taylor to return to his very best when the second most prestigious event in darts gets underway in Blackpool on Saturday July 20.

“Phil is really up for it,” Harrington told Sky Sports News after making the draw for the 20th BetVictor World Matchplay.

“He didn’t play too well last weekend but before that he’s been playing exceptional.

“Given the way he won the UK Open and the way he beat Michael van Gerwen, it is hard to see anybody outside of Phil if he gets his mind on track.”

Taylor has been drawn to face Stuart Kellett in round one at the Winter Gardens. Harrington expects the 16-time world champion to prevail but warned 31-year-old Kellett will not be daunted by his tough task.

“Stuart is one of the up and coming young professionals and he’s not scared of Phil,” he said.

“He’ll get up there and take the game to Phil there’s no question, but Taylor’s going to be hard to beat.”

Peak

However, Harrington says Taylor won’t have it all his own way, with the World Matchplay field as strong as it has ever been.

Michael van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis are among the bookies’ favourites to dethrone Taylor, but Harrington says there are plenty of other players hitting top form at just the right time.

“We have the 32 best performing pros at the time in Blackpool and so many of them are really peaking,” he said.

“As well as Van Gerwen, Lewis and Taylor, don’t forget Snakebite Peter Wright, Jamie Caven is playing exceptional, Kevin Painter is playing well and there are so many players who can put their name on this title.”

Special

But whatever the outcome, Harrington is convinced the tournament will deliver another fascinating week of action and drama.

The event is hugely popular with fans and players alike and Harrington was full of praise for the competition.

“The crowd make it special,” he said.

“They’re up there on their holidays so they’re in a party mood and they’re darts fans, too. When you walk into that arena and see the high ceiling it just makes it special, it really does.

“This is getting closer and closer to the World Championship. Phil Taylor says it is his favourite tournament and it has that spark of specialness.”

Watch the World Matchplay live on Sky Sports HD from Saturday July 20

via Class field makes for fascinating World Matchplay, says Rod Harrington | Sky Sports.

Brilliant Lewis Is European Champion

ADRIAN LEWIS won his third major title in style with a superb 11-6 win over Simon Whitlock in the partypoker.net European Championship final in Germany on Sunday night.

The 28-year-old from Stoke, twice a runner-up in the event, followed up victories over Andy Hamilton and Michael van Gerwen on the final day of the £200,000 tournament by producing a superb showing against reigning champion Whitlock in the decider.

The two-time World Champion took six of the final’s first seven legs to assume command at 6-1 and he also led 9-3 after taking out a 125 finish before Whitlock threatened another fightback.

The Australian had come from 9-3 down in his quarter-final with Jamie Caven to take victory and took the next two legs, but was only able to win three in reply against Lewis, who held his nerve to claim the £50,000 first prize.

“It means a lot to me and it’s very special to win this title,” said the 28-year-old. “I’ve had some ups and downs for the last 18 months and I’m on the up again.

“I know that I’ve got more gears too, and I’m getting there, and it’s great to be winning again. I’ve been working hard, got my rhythm back and the results are coming for me now.

“I went into the final full of confidence after beating Michael, I knew I was playing well and I did a job on Simon. I’ve lost a couple of times in the final to Phil Taylor, so to win this is a massive achievement.”

Lewis took out 106 to win the final’s opening leg, and though Whitlock hit a second 180 of the game to level, Lewis landed a 12-darter to move 2-1 up, tops in the next two legs, 11 to win the sixth and 81 for an 11-darter in moving 6-1 ahead of the Australian.

Lewis also hit a 180 in the eighth leg, but missed two darts to extend his lead as Whitlock hit back on double nine before he also posted double eight to step in and pull back to 6-3.

Lewis, though, continued his heavy scoring with ‘maximum’ scores of 180, 174 and 180 in taking the next three legs, hitting a 125 checkout in the process as he moved 9-3 up.

He added his fifth maximum of the game in leg 13, but missed his chance to home in on the victory as Whitlock broke by taking out 60 and then finished double six to kick-start his challenge.

Double three moved Lewis to the brink of victory at 10-5, after he had scored 171 earlier in the leg, and he landed another 180 in the next only to see miss one match dart, at double seven, as Whitlock finished double ten for a 14-darter to keep his hopes alive.

Lewis, though, kicked off the next leg with a 177, and despite missing one further match dart, at double five to take out 89, the Australian was unable to check out the bull for a 161 finish to continue the fightback as the world number three returned on double five to seal the title.

“I tried my best but Adrian was superb tonight,” said a gracious Whitlock. “I had a couple of chances here and there that I missed, and he was too good.

“That was Adrian at his best and it’s great to see him back playing so well. When he’s on form it’s always going to be hard to beat him but I tried my guts out.

“I’ve played really well throughout this tournament and I’m thrilled to bits to have reached the final. It’s not bad being the runner-up and I had a great go at defending my title, but Adrian was the better player and he was just too good in the final.”

Whitlock had ended the hopes of both Huybrechts brothers during the event, following up his first round defeat of Kim by ending Ronny’s thrilling run in the semi-finals – after the Belgian knocked out Stuart Kellett, Phil Taylor and Robert Thornton.

“Ronny played really well against me and what a great tournament he had,” added Whitlock. “Beating Phil Taylor and Robert Thornton is huge for him and he’ll kick on from here.”

Huybrechts – who only turned professional in January when he won a Tour Card at Qualifying School – will actually return to his ‘day job’ in Antwerp on Monday at 8am when he is back organising the distribution of industrial-size coffee machines.

“It’s been a brilliant weekend,” said Huybrechts. “I did my best in the semi-final but Simon was too strong and he deserved to win.

“I’m so happy with how this tournament has gone for me. To get to the semi-finals is a great achievement.”

Van Gerwen, meanwhile, had to settle for reaching the semi-finals as he bidding to win yet another title this year – but his run to the last four included a sensational win over Jelle Klaasen in Sunday afternoon’s quarter-finals.

He also hit nine 180s and a 150 checkout in his semi-final with Lewis, but paid for allowing the Stoke ace into leads of 4-1 and 8-3 as the world number three eventually sealed victory with a 160 finish.

“It was a great game for everyone watching but I’m very disappointed to lose,” said van Gerwen. “I missed five darts to level at four-all, which was important at the end, but it’s a plus for me that I came back like I did.

“I threw a great 150 finish to stay in the match when I was 10-7 down, but then he hit a 160 in superb style and there’s not much you can do against that. He was more dominant than me today, but I’m looking forward already to the World Matchplay in a couple of weeks.”

partypoker.net European Championship
Semi-Finals
Ronny Huybrechts 7-11 Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen 8-11 Adrian Lewis
Best of 21 legs

Final
Simon Whitlock 6-11 Adrian Lewis
Best of 21 legs

Match Information
Semi-Finals
Ronny Huybrechts v Simon Whitlock
0-0 – Ronny Huybrechts wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 – Whitlock breaks throw immediately by landing double 18 at the second time of asking.
0-2 – Whitlock lands double ten to win the second leg.
1-2 – Whitlock posts a 180 to leave 18, but Huybrechts holds his nerve on tops to hit back.
1-3 – Huybrechts misses three darts to level, and Whitlock finishes tops for a third leg.
1-4 – Whitlock takes out 87 on double 18 for an 11-darter.
1-5 – The Australian wins a third successive leg to move four clear.
2-5 – Huybrechts misses tops for a 160 finish, but Whitlock is unable to capitalise with three darts at double ten to allow the Belgian back in to take his second leg of the game.
2-6 – Whitlock takes out 72 on tops to win a sixth leg.
3-6 – Double six sees Huybrechts continue to battle.
3-7 – Whitlock fires in a 177, and though Huybrechts hits a 180 to leave a finish, the Australian lands tops for a 13-darter to regain his four-leg cushion.
4-7 – Huybrechts hits tops to reply.
4-8 – Huybrechts opens with a 180, but Whitlock scores a 171 and, although he misses the bull for a 170 finish, he lands double four to win an eighth leg.
5-8 – Double 16 sees Huybrechts hit back.
5-9 – Whitlock opens with two 180s, and though a possible nine-darter goes begging, the reigning champion moves two legs away from the final with tops.
6-9 – Huybrechts posts double 18 to win his sixth leg of the game.
7-9 – The Belgian breaks throw for the first time in the match, with Whitlock opening a 180 only to see his opponent finish 150 on double 15.
7-10 – Whitlock hits a 180 to leave 32, and when Huybrechts wires tops for an 80 finish, the reigning champion lands double 16 for a 13-darter to move to the brink of victory.
7-11 – Whitlock posts 174 to leave 40 and seals victory on tops with another 13-darter.

Match Stats

Ronny Huybrechts	7-11	Simon Whitlock
18	100+	10
16	140+	12
1	170+	3
2	180	5
94.86	Average	96.14
150	High Finish	87
1	Breaks of Throw	3
7/14 – 50%	Checkout %	11/22 – 50%

Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
0-0 – Adrian Lewis wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 – Lewis opens with a 13-darter, finishing tops to lead.
0-2 – The number three seed breaks throw with a 14-dart finish as he takes out 100 on tops.
0-3 – Lewis hits a 180, with van Gerwen replying with a 177 only to miss two darts at tops to punish a miss from his opponent, who returns to land double eight.
1-3 – Double 16 sees van Gerwen get off the mark.
1-4 – Lewis finishes 85 for a 14-darter on tops to regain his three-leg cushion.
2-4 – Lewis hits a 180 before van Gerwen replies in kind, and when the English ace is unable to take out 81, the world number two posts double six for his second leg of the game.
3-4 – van Gerwen breaks for the first time, hitting a 180 and punishing a miss at tops from Lewis – for a 112 finish – by landing double ten.
3-5 – van Gerwen opens with 140 and 180, but misses five darts at doubles to allow Lewis in to take out 93 on double 18 to break back.
3-6 – Lewis finishes 78 on tops to regain his three-leg cushion.
3-7 – Both players kick off with 180s, but van Gerwen misses tops to take the leg and Lewis breaks again by landing double ten.
3-8 – Double ten for Lewis sees him move three legs away from the win.
4-8 – van Gerwen hits a 180 and double eight to win his fourth game.
4-9 – Both players land 180s, and to complete the leg Lewis takes out 141 – for a 12-darter – to continue his great run.
5-9 – Double five sees van Gerwen hit back.
6-9 – The Dutchman breaks throw by finishing double eight.
7-9 – van Gerwen wins a third successive leg, scoring 180, 140, 134 and double eight for a 12-darter, despite Lewis replying with a maximum.
7-10 – Both players open with 180s and Lewis lands a second to set up a possible nine-darter, hitting a seventh treble 20 but missing the treble 19 – although he returns to land double ten for a 13-darter.
8-10 – Lewis scores 140, 140 and 135 to be first to a finish, missing the bullseye for victory before van Gerwen takes out 150 on double 15 to keep his hopes alive in amazing fashion.
8-11 – van Gerwen hits his ninth 180 and Lewis replies with his eighth to leave 160 – and he takes out the finish to win through to the final.

Match Stats

M v Gerwen	8-11	Adrian Lewis
20	100+	17
11	140+	16
1	170+	0
9	180	8
99.05	Average	100.34
150	High Finish	160, 141, 100
2	Breaks of Throw	3
8/26 – 31%	Checkout %	11/22 – 50%

Final
Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis
0-0 – Adrian Lewis wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 – Whitlock fires in a 180, but Lewis takes out 106 on tops for a 12-darter to make a brilliant start.
1-1 – Whitlock posts a second 180 and hits tops to level.
1-2 – Lewis opens with a maximum and takes out 85 on tops to land another 12-darter.
1-3 – Lewis hits a 171 score, and when Whitlock wires tops to finish 74, Lewis takes out tops for a break of throw.
1-4 – Lewis is first to a finish, but misses two darts at tops – only for Whitlock to miss two darts at double 12 to break back, and Lewis hits tops at the third time of asking to move three legs up.
1-5 – Lewis wins a fourth successive leg by taking out 36 as he maintains an average of 109.
1-6 – Whitlock fires in his third 180 of the game, but Lewis takes out 81 on double 12 to move five legs clear.
2-6 – Lewis lands a 180 but misses two darts to win the leg, and Whitlock hits back on double nine.
3-6 – Lewis misses six darts to win a dramatic leg across three visits, with Whitlock bursting his score on 81 and then missing the bull before returning to land double eight.
3-7 – Lewis hits his third 180 of the game, and when Whitlock misses double 18, the Stoke ace hits double 16 to break back immediately.
3-8 – Lewis’ charge towards a third major title continues as he scores 174 to leave 125, which he takes out on tops.
3-9 – Lewis lands a 180 to leave 45, and is let in on tops when Whitlock misses a second bullseye to finish 120.
4-9 – Lewis hits a fifth maximum of the game, but misses his chance to win a tenth leg and Whitlock pegs double ten to hit back with his fourth leg.
5-9 – Whitlock posts double six to take a fifth leg and pull back towards his opponent.
5-10 – Lewis hits a 171 to leave 12, but misses five darts at doubles – only for Whitlock to miss tops to take out 80 and let him back on double three.
6-10 – Lewis posts his sixth 180 of the game, but misses double seven for the victory on an 86 finish, and Whitlock lands double ten to stay in the game.
6-11 – Lewis opens with a 177, but misses double five to take out 89 – but when Whitlock misses the bull for a 161 checkout, the Stoke star returns on double five for the title.

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock	6-11	Adrian Lewis
23	100+	19
17	140+	13
0	170+	4
3	180	6
99.59	Average	103.34
60	High Finish	125, 106
2	Breaks of Throw	4
6/20 – 30%	Checkout %	11/33 – 33%

 

partypoker.net Euro Champs – Day One Results

SIMON WHITLOCK began the defence of his partypoker.net European Championship title with a thrilling 6-4 win over Kim Huybrechts as four-time champion Phil Taylor was also victorious on the opening night of the £200,000 tournament in Germany.

Whitlock had claimed his maiden major title last September when he took victory at the RWE Sporthalle, and having defeated Huybrechts in the semi-finals of that event he overcame the Belgian once again as he sealed a second round spot on Thursday night.

The Australian cruised into a 4-1 lead, but missed four darts at double ten to win a fifth leg as Huybrechts seized the initiative by winning the next three legs to level.

However, the Belgian crucially missed three darts at doubles to take the lead in the ninth, as Whitlock posted a key double nine to move 5-4 up before sealing the victory with a superb 110 checkout.

“It was probably the toughest draw I could have got in the first round because Kim’s one of the best players in the world at the moment, and it was a fantastic match,” said Whitlock.

“Kim missed his doubles in the ninth leg and gave me my chance, and I took it. I felt as though I had to hit the 110 in that tenth leg and it was massive for me – I’d missed a couple of doubles early on but I made up for it in the leg that mattered!

“To get through a tough match like that will do me the world of good and it gives me loads of confidence going into the rest of the tournament.

“I felt a little bit of pressure coming back as defending champion but I’m feeling pretty comfortable on that stage and can’t wait for the second round on Saturday now.”

The second round will see Whitlock take on Colin Lloyd, who impressed with a 100 average and three 13-darters as he overcame in-form Peter Wright 6-4, sealing the victory with a 116 finish.

World Champion Phil Taylor, who won this event four times from 2008-2011, opened his bid to reclaim the title with a 6-3 win over Dutch ace Vincent van der Voort.

Taylor took the game’s first three legs before van der Voort hit back with a brace, but the number one seed regained his range on doubles to move 5-2 up and, despite his opponent hitting two 180s as he tried to keep the game alive, an 88 finish saw the Stoke star into the last 16.

“I’m pleased to be through because it was a tough test for me,” said Taylor. “You’re always on edge in the first round because it’s a short format and I know what Vincent van do if you give him a chance.

“I started off quite well but it was a little bit scrappy in places. I know I can relax a bit more in the second round because the format’s longer, which will suit us all.”

Taylor will face Ronny Huybrechts – the older brother of Kim – in the last 16 on Saturday evening, after the Belgian kicked off the tournament with a 6-3 defeat of Stuart Kellett, averaging almost 101 in a fine debut in the event.

Jamie Caven produced the night’s most impressive performance with a sensational 6-0 whitewash of Dave Chisnall, hitting two 180s, a 118 finish and averaging over 106 as he stormed into the second round.

Caven, who kick-started his career with a Players Championship double in Wigan in May, now plays James Wade and said: “I’m very pleased and it was probably my best performance on TV.

“I’ve got a pretty good record against Dave and the pace of the game was perfect for me, and I really enjoy the match. I’ve practised well and was ready for that, and the important thing was getting to six first, whether that was 6-5 or 6-0!”

Wade, meanwhile, dropped only two legs in a clinical win over fellow left-hander Mark Webster, who stepped in to play in the tournament on Wednesday after Gary Anderson was ruled out through illness but was unable to upset the world number four.

Wade took the game’s first three legs without reply, and eventually sealed victory with a 96 finish as he progressed to the last 16.

“I’m really happy to have won but it was a hard game for me,” said Wade. “It was tough for Mark to come in at short notice but I had to go up there and do my job, and to get the win was the main thing.”

Scotland’s Robert Thornton defied the pain of a pulled muscle in his back to see off Brendan Dolan 6-2 as he set up a second round date with Raymond van Barneveld, the number eight seed.

“I pulled a muscle between my shoulder blades but I knew I had a job to do and I went up there and fought hard,” said Thornton. “Brendan’s a hard player to play against, but he missed a few doubles and I took advantage.”

Van Barneveld, meanwhile, marked his return to action with a 6-1 victory over Germany’s Tomas Seyler, who was punished for missing a string of doubles against the Dutch star, who has not played competitively since the UK Open having enjoyed a break in Las Vegas but kicked off the game with a 156 checkout.

The first round will conclude on Friday night in Muelheim with the remaining eight matches, including world number two Michael van Gerwen’s clash with Belgium’s Kurt Van De Rijck.

Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis faces Austria’s Mensur Suljovic, 2012 European Championship finalist Wes Newton meets Jelle Klaasen and Andy Hamilton will take on Terry Jenkins.

Finland’s Jani Haavisto opens up against Justin Pipe, German teenager Max Hopp plays Paul Nicholson, Ronnie Baxter faces Mervyn King and Kevin Painter will come up against three-time World Champion John Part.

Click here for Robert Thornton Video Interview
Click here for Simon Whitlock Video Interview

TV Coverage
The tournament is being screened live in its entirety in the UK & Ireland online through www.LIVEPDC.TV. Coverage is also being broadcast from all evening sessions live on ITV4.

The partypoker.net European Championship is also being shown worldwide through RTL7 in the Netherlands, Sport1 in Germany, Fox Sports in Australia and via Sky New Zealand.

Live Scores
Follow live scores from the partypoker.net European Championship through the PDC Live Scores Website.

Get Involved
Stay in touch with the very latest from the partypoker.net European Championship throughout the weekend through the OfficialPDC Social Media Channels:
Twitter.com/OfficialPDC – use the #partypokerDarts
Facebook.com/OfficialPDC
YouTube.com/OfficialPDC

partypoker.net European Championship
Schedule of Play
Thursday July 4
8pm-12pm Local Time (7pm-11pm UK Time)
First Round x8
Stuart Kellett 3-6 Ronny Huybrechts
Jamie Caven 6-0 Dave Chisnall
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Peter Wright
Robert Thornton 6-2 Brendan Dolan – Video Int
Simon Whitlock 6-4 Kim Huybrechts – Video Int
Phil Taylor 6-3 Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld 6-1 Tomas Seyler
James Wade 6-2 Mark Webster

Match Information
Stuart Kellett v Ronny Huybrechts
0-1 – Huybrechts makes a fine start by taking out 24 for a 14-darter.
0-2 – Huybrechts breaks throw by superbly finishing 121 on the bullseye.
1-2 – The high standard continues as Huybrechts opens with a 180, but when he misses three darts at a double, Kellett finishes 64 on double eight to break throw.
1-3 – Kellett misses a dart at double 16 to level with a 110 finish, and the Belgian takes out 66 on double 18 to regain his two-leg lead.
1-4 – Huybrechts lands another maimum and finishes tops to move three legs clear.
2-4 – Kellett hits back by landing double eight.
3-4 – Double 16 sees the UK Masters finalist hit back with a break of throw.
3-5 – Huybrechts lands a 180 but opens the door for his opponent by missing the bull for another 121 finish, but Kellett is also off-target on the middle double to allow the Belgian in to move a leg away from victory.
3-6 – Double eight sees Huybrechts seal his place in the last 16.

Jamie Caven v Dave Chisnall
1-0 – Caven breaks throw immediately with a fine 14-darter, hitting double 18.
2-0 – Chisnall hits a 180 but misses tops for a 105 finish, allowing Caven back in to hit tops for a 13-darter.
3-0 – Caven lands a maximum and breaks again on double top to move three legs up.
4-0 – Caven hits another 180, and posts double 16 for a 13-darter to continue his sensational start – tipping his average to above 115.
5-0 – Chisnall posts his second maximum of the game, but can only watch on as Caven takes out 118 on tops to win a fifth straight leg.
6-0 – Chisnall, needing 124, hits a treble 20 but misses the single 14 to leave the bullseye to keep his hopes alive, and Caven seals a brilliant whitewash win by finishing double eight for a 106.09 average and safe passage into the second round.

Colin Lloyd v Peter Wright
0-1 – Wright makes a strong start by opening with a 13-darter, which he completes on tops.
1-1 – Lloyd lands a 180 as he hits back to level.
2-1 – Tops sees the Essex thrower break to move ahead.
2-2 – Wright hits back by finishing 84 on the bullseye.
3-2 – Lloyd moves back ahead by hitting tops for a 13-darter.
4-2 – Lloyd finishes another 13-dart leg on tops to move two clear.
4-3 – Wright finishes 157 superbly to retain his flawless finishing ratio as he hits back.
5-3 – Lloyd opens with a 171 and also lands a 180 before pinning double seven for another 13-darter to move a leg away from the win.
5-4 – Wright takes out 86 on double 16 to keep his hopes alive.
6-4 – Lloyd seals victory with a superb 116 checkout, finishing on tops.

Robert Thornton v Brendan Dolan
1-0 – Thornton opens well, breaking throw by landing a 180 and double 12.
2-0 – The Scot again hits double 12 at the first time of asking to move two legs up.
3-0 – Thornton takes out 80 on tops to move three legs clear.
4-0 – Thornton lands double nine to win a fourth successive leg – despite being in obvious pain from a pulled muscle in his upper back.
4-1 – Thornton posts a maximum, but misses tops for a 116 finish to allow Dolan back in, following a miss at double 16, to win his first leg.
5-1 – The Scot hits a 180 to leave 100, and takes out the finish to move to the brink of victory.
5-2 – Double 16 from Dolan sees him hit back.
6-2 – Dolan opens with a 180 and is given a chance to continue his fightback when Thornton misses two darts at double ten for the match, but the Northern Irish ace misses double 16 and the former UK Open champion hits double ten to progress.
Click here for Robert Thornton Video Interview

Simon Whitlock v Kim Huybrechts
0-1 – Huybrechts opens the game by landing double 16.
1-1 – Whitlock misses double 16 for a 152 finish, but Huybrechts is unable to capitalise with two darts at double 12 and the reigning champion hits double eight to level.
2-1 – Whitlock lands scores of 180 and 140 to be first to a finish, initially missing three darts at double nine but being allowed back by a miss at tops from Huybrechts to finish double four.
3-1 – Double ten sees the Australian move two legs clear.
4-1 – Huybrechts misses the bull for a 126 finish and is unable to clean up as Whitlock returns to pin double 18 for a three-leg cushion.
4-2 – Huybrechts lands a 180 and punishes four misses from Whitlock at double ten by stepping in on double eight to hit back.
4-3 – Both players post 180s, but Huybrechts takes a key leg on double eight, with Whitlock waiting on 20.
4-4 – Huybrechts adds his third maximum, and holds his nerve with a third-dart double five to level the contest.
5-4 – Whitlock lands a maximum to leave 147, but misses double 18 for the combination – only for Huybrechts to miss double 12, six and three to allow the reigning champion back in to post double nine for a break of throw to regain the lead.
6-4 – Whitlock takes out 110 on double 18 to seal a great win.
Click here for Simon Whitlock Video Interview

Phil Taylor v Vincent van der Voort
1-0 – Taylor takes the opening leg on double two to make a winning start.
2-0 – van der Voort lands a 180 but misses a dart to level, and Taylor steps in on double eight.
3-0 – van der Voort this time misses double nine, and Taylor again makes him pay, this time by taking out 100 on tops.
3-1 – Taylor this time misses his doubles, and van der Voort takes out 68 on double eight to hit back with his first leg of the game.
3-2 – Taylor misses two darts at tops, and van der Voort punishes him by landing the same bed to reduce the gap to one leg.
4-2 – Taylor regains his range on tops to regain his cushion over the Dutchman.
5-2 – The four-time European Champion takes out 70 in two darts to move a leg away from the win.
5-3 – van der Voort opens with a 180 and 140 and posts double nine to keep the game alive with a 14-darter.
6-3 – van der Voort lands a 180, but Taylor finishes 88 on double seven for the win.

Raymond van Barneveld v Tomas Seyler
1-0 – van Barneveld, making his first competitive appearance since the UK Open last month, takes the opening leg with a brilliant 12-darter, landing a 180 and a 156 finish.
1-1 – Seyler is initially off-target with his doubles before levelling the game.
2-1 – van Barneveld posts a 180 and double four to move back ahead.
3-1 – Double four again helps the Dutchman as he breaks throw to lead by two legs.
4-1 – van Barneveld misses double eight for a 136 finish, but has enough cushion to return on double four.
5-1 – The Dutch ace lands a 180, and when Seyler misses double 12 with three darts, he steps in on double eight to move a leg away from the win.
6-1 – van Barneveld seals the win with a 68 finish, as double four once again helps him to progress into the last 16.

James Wade v Mark Webster
1-0 – Wade finishes 80 on tops to make a confident start to the game.
2-0 – Wade scores 140 and 180 before winning the leg on double two.
3-0 – Wade initially misses tops to finish 90, but again has enough cushion to return and hit the winning double at the second time of asking.
3-1 – Webster takes out 32 to pick up his first leg of the game.
4-1 – Wade fires in a 180 and pins tops to regain his cushion with a 13-darter.
4-2 – Webster hits back to reduce the gap on tops.
5-2 – Webster, who hits a 180, misses a dart at the bullseye to finish 85, and Wade returns from a miss at tops to land double ten.
6-2 – Webster lands another maximum, but misses darts at double 16 and eight, and Wade finishes 96 for a 14-darter to seal the triumph.

Match Stats

Ave	180s	Doubles				Ave	180s	Doubles
93.77	0	3/8	S Kellett	3-6	R Huybrechts	100.97	4	6/15
106.09	2	2/10	J Caven	6-0	D Chisnall	96.04	1	0/1
100.65	2		C Lloyd	6-4	P Wright	98.48	0
95.05	3	6/13	R Thornton	6-2	B Dolan	88.85	1	2/6
94.93	3	6/20	S Whitlock	6-4	K Huybrechts	94.31	3	4/18
96.24	0	6/18	P Taylor	6-3	V v d Voort	92.77	3	3/8
87.28	3	6/18	R v Barneveld	6-1	T Seyler	81.61	0	1/17
95.41	2	6/13	J Wade	6-2	M Webster	91.10	2	2/10