partypoker.com World Grand Prix QFs

 

World number seven Chisnall produced arguably the finest performance of his career so far as he hit ten 180s and held off van Gerwen’s fightback from two sets down to rally and claim a five-set victory.

The St Helens ace will now play Pipe for a place in Sunday’s final at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, but was able to savour a memorable win over the Dutch star.

Chisnall left the reigning champion reeling by taking the first set without reply, hitting 180s in all three legs, before taking the second set 3-1 by continuing his brilliant start.

Van Gerwen began his comeback by winning the third set 3-2, taking out a superb 127 finish in the deciding leg, only for Chisnall – a former Lakeside Championship runner-up and UK Open semi-finalist – to land an 11-darter as he moved 2-0 up in the fourth set.

Van Gerwen hit back to level as Chisnall missed one match dart, at double 16 in leg four, before the world number two took out 92 to win the set and level the game.

Chisnall, though, steadied himself by winning the opening two legs of the deciding set in 13 and 15 darts, and after van Gerwen won leg four, he posted a tenth 180 of the game and finished double ten to seal a fine victory.

“I’m over the moon, I can’t believe it,” said Chisnall. “This is my best win because I knew that if I produced what I can do then I’d have a chance, and I played well.

“Michael didn’t play his best darts and even when he came back I felt I was scoring better than him. I’m really happy to be through and I’ve not shown my best yet – but that was close to it.

“You have to have a good start against Michael because if you don’t, he’ll get confidence from you not hitting your doubles, but I was building confidence from him not hitting his doubles.

“I’ve beaten Phil Taylor in the World Championship before and now I’ve beaten Michael here, so I’ve shown that I can beat the two best players in the world.”

He added: “I’m going to take one step at a time, relax on Saturday and see how I go on against Justin. I’ve played Justin a lot of times before and I’ll just focus on my own game, but it will be one of the biggest matches of my career.”

Pipe’s earlier 3-1 win over Andy Hamilton put him into the semis against Chisnall – with the winner not only guarateed a place in the World Grand Prix final but also a spot in next month’s William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.

Pipe, who had not dropped a set in his victories over Andy Smith and Adrian Lewis, also won six of the game’s first seven legs as he took a two-set cushion against Hamilton.

The UK Open finalist hit back to take the third 3-1, but Pipe won the fourth set in a deciding leg to seal his place in only a second major televised semi-final.

“It’s a massive win for me,” said Pipe. “We’re both grinders and I’ve learned a lot from Andy, and I’m so happy to beat him and reach the semi-finals.

“I think it’s the biggest win of my career. Last night was massive to beat Adrian, and this is huge – it means a huge amount to me to be in the semi-finals. It shows how far I’ve come in the game in the last three years.

“I’ve got a big task in the semi-finals and it’s going to be hard to beat Dave – but I can do it and I’ll be confident.”

Pipe had endured personal tragedy earlier this year when his brother Mark passed away suddenly in June, and he added: “Losing Mark was very hard and it would be amazing if I could win this tournament and dedicate it to him because he’s a driving force for me.”

Saturday’s other semi-final will feature ten-time World Grand Prix winner Phil Taylor taking on two-time finalist James Wade.

Taylor booked his place in the last four with a comfortable straight sets victory over Gary Anderson with an imperious display.

The World Champion took the opening set in 12, 13 and 13 darts and took the second set 3-1, and though Anderson kicked off the third with a 160 finish, Taylor won the next three legs to seal the win.

“I wanted to lay down a marker and it was important to win that first set and put him under pressure, which I did,” said Taylor. “It was a tough match but Gary missed a few crucial doubles and let me off.

“Gary’s a great player, world class, and I want to shake him sometimes! He could be better than me, he’s a better 180 scorer and when he hits his doubles then you might as well go home, but I took advantage tonight.”

Taylor added: “It will be tough in the semi-finals but I’d love to go on and win this tournament now.

“James is there and thereabouts in every event and it’s probably better for me to be playing him because I know what he’s capable of. I’ve played him many times so I know what to expect.”

2007 and 2010 champion Wade showed his class by twice coming from a set down against Simon Whitlock before winning a sudden-death leg in their clash with a 101 checkout.

Whitlock took the first set 3-2 before the left-hander won the second 3-1 to level, landing a 106 finish along the way, only for the Australian to punish his missed doubles by sweeping through set three without reply.

Wade, though, took out 160 as he won set four in a deciding leg, after Whitlock missed the bull to claim victory, as the game went into a fifth set.

Whitlock led 2-1 to move once again to the brink of victory, but Wade hit two 180s in a 12-darter to send the game into a one-leg shoot-out before progressing to the semis with a 101 checkout.

“I’m very happy,” said Wade. “Maybe I was a bit lucky but I hit the right shots at the right times, and that’s a good sign.

“I’m making myself dig deep; I’m not starting off with big shots but I’m due a good game and I’m looking forward to the semi-finals.”

The format for Saturday’s semi-finals sees the games extend to the best of nine sets at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel. Tickets are available from the Citywest Hotel by calling 01 401 0500 or in person from 6pm on the Saturday and Sunday.

Watch Live
Coverage is live on Sky Sports HD in the UK & Ireland, and internationally through the following broadcasters:
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Sport1 Germany
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OSN Middle East
Plus coverage is also live for www.LIVEPDC.TV International Pass Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands)

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Tickets
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partypoker.com World Grand Prix
Friday October 11
Quarter-Finals
Andy Hamilton 1-3 Justin Pipe – Pipe Video
James Wade 3-2 Simon Whitlock – Wade Video
Phil Taylor 3-0 Gary Anderson – Taylor Video
Michael van Gerwen 2-3 Dave Chisnall – Chisnall Video

Semi-Final Order of Play
Dave Chisnall v Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor v James Wade

New Target Darts Catalogue

For all that’s interested the new Target Catalogue can be found here: http://your-brochure-online.co.uk/the_edition_2013_target_brochure_final/HTML/index.html

Nothing really to shock you in it apart from the back page does seem to indicate that Mr Taylor will be joining them although there are various rumors some saying he will and other saying he wont.

Super Taylor’s BetVictor World Matchplay Win

PHIL TAYLOR claimed a 14th BetVictor World Matchplay title and a record-breaking sixth successive victory in the tournament with a stunning 18-13 defeat of Adrian Lewis in Sunday’s final at the Winter Gardens.

Taylor’s domination of the £400,000 event continued with a relentless performance, maintaining an average of over 110 for the duration of a remarkable final.

He ended the game with an average of 111.23, a record in the 20 World Matchplay finals, and also took out three ton-plus checkouts at key moments during a superb contest.

Lewis played his part with an incredible 19 maximums in defeat, and ended the game with an average of almost 106, but was left to rue a typical mid-game surge from Taylor which turned the game on its head.

Lewis had hit his first 180 in the game’s opening leg, which Taylor won in 13 darts only for the world number three to repay the favour in the second.

Taylor also landed a 177 and took out 88 on the bull to win the third in 12 darts, but Lewis finished 87 to level and punished a miss at the middle double from the reigning champion to break with an 81 checkout in leg five.

Lewis then posted a 180 as he took a 4-2 lead, and the next four legs were shared to leave the 28-year-old 6-4 up.

Taylor, though, found another gear to turn the game on its head with an incredible six-leg burst to put himself in command at 10-6, starting the run with double eight before taking out 130 and 123 in successive legs and an 11-dart finish.

Lewis ended the charge by hitting double one after landing the first of eight 180s in as many legs during a sustained burst as he looked to hit back, winning four legs out of five as he pulled back to trail just 11-10.

However, he missed one dart at tops to square the match as Taylor hit double four to break in the 22nd leg, before legs of 13, 12 and 14 darts moved him 15-10 up.

Lewis then punished missed doubles from Taylor to win the next two legs with back-to-back 14-darters, and the fightback continued as he took out 127 on the pull to pull back to 15-13.

He added a 177 in the next leg, but missed three crucial darts at double 12 to allow Taylor back in on double one, before the World Champion finished 136 to move 17-13 and defied two 180s from Lewis by hitting his ninth of the game before sealing a brilliant victory with a 13-dart leg on tops.

“It was tough and it’s probably one of the best finals I’ve ever been involved in,” said Taylor. “It was a great final and there were two winners there.

“I knew that Adrian would throw a lot of 180s but my game plan was to hit the 140s and 137s and the odd 180 to keep him under pressure. I had to keep pounding him, and it felt that every time I turned around he was hitting a 180.

“He was phenomenal and I’ve never played anyone like him because it’s very difficult to keep up with him. He was superb.

“When I was 6-4 down I settled down a little bit and threw probably two seconds slower than I had been, because I’d been tending to rush in and I was getting involved with the crowd and with Adrian.

“It’s such a special venue for me and it’s fantastic for me to win this title again. It’s getting harder and harder every year, but it will be hard for it to get any better than this.”

Lewis picked up £50,000 as runner-up, but was unable to follow up his recent European Championship victory by claiming back-to-back majors.

“I threw everything at him but he put me under so much pressure,” said Lewis. “I gave it my all but I fell short at the end, and Phil showed what a great champion he is.

“Phil’s averaged 111 over 31 legs and there will never be another Phil Taylor. He’s amazing and it was a great final to be involved in.

“I’ve had a brilliant couple of weeks and my form’s been superb. I’ve still got a lot more gears yet but I’ll stay focused on what I’m doing.

“I’m really pleased to have reached the final here, and I’ve got lots to look forward to in the rest of the year, starting with going to Australia for the Sydney Darts Masters and then the World Grand Prix in Ireland.”

BetVictor World Matchplay Night Four

PHIL TAYLOR’S bid to win a 14th BetVictor World Matchplay title continued with a dramatic 14-12 second round win over Terry Jenkins on Tuesday night, as he was joined in the quarter-finals by Justin Pipe, Simon Whitlock and James Wade.

Taylor has not tasted defeat on the Winter Gardens stage since losing to Jenkins in the 2007 semi-finals, and the pair again enjoyed a classic duo which the Ledbury ace – a two-time runner-up in Blackpool – threatened to win.

Taylor had led 9-5 at one stage, with his average peaking at 110 during a thrilling opening, only for Jenkins to win five successive legs to move 10-9 up.

He also led 11-10 and sent the game into a tie-break at 12-all, only to miss three darts to move a leg away from the win as Taylor pounced, breaking throw on tops to put himself 13-12 up before hitting two 174s in a 12-dart finish as he edged through.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have come through that,” admitted Taylor. “It was probably the best winning leg I’ve played, to hit two 174s in that situation.

“Terry came back superbly because I’d got him at 9-5; it was all over and anybody else would have buckled. He dug in and came back, and I let it get to me a little bit because it was a bit of a shock for me and I didn’t expect Terry to go in front.

“He made it a fantastic game and he’s showing that’s the way he can play after not being on top form for about a year. He’s on his way back again.

“We were nicking legs from each other and a ton was a bad score in the end. I was thinking I might be going home tomorrow but I had to dig deep and take advantage when he made a mistake.”

Taylor now plays Taunton’s Justin Pipe in Thursday’s opening quarter-final, after the number nine seed won through to the last eight for a second successive year with an equally dramatic 13-9 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld earlier on Tuesday.

Van Barneveld looked set to put himself into the last eight of the event when he hit back from 7-4 down to win five successive legs and take command of a classic match.

Pipe – who had earlier hit checkouts of 170 and 129 on the bullseye – clawed back level at nine-all by winning the next two legs, before hitting double one to regain the lead at 10-9.

The Taunton thrower then took his tally of 180s to seven for the match as in a run of legs of 14, 14 and 13 darts to claim a precious quarter-final berth.

“It’s probably the best win of my career,” said Pipe, who will also jump above van Barneveld to eighth in the PDC Order of Merit following the victory. “Raymond’s such a legend and a great ambassador so it’s brilliant to beat him.

“When he got in front of me I had to play one leg at a time and stay focused. To win six legs in a row against Raymond is amazing because he’s so tough to beat.

“I’m in my second consecutive quarter-finals in the World Matchplay and it’s an amazing achievement for me – but I want to go all the way.”

The other quarter-final will see James Wade – the 2007 champion – take on Simon Whitlock in a clash of the players seeded fourth and fifth for the £400,000 event.

Wade came from 6-3 and 8-5 down to claim a brilliant 13-8 win over Scottish ace Gary Anderson, whose record of not yet winning past the second round in Blackpool continued.

Anderson had hit finishes of 121 and 120 as he took command in the game, but Wade won seven successive legs as he turned a three-leg deficit into a 12-8 lead – with a superb 11-darter putting him into a lead which he would never lose as he went on to seal victory with a 69 checkout.

“I had to come back to beat John Part in the first round and this was always going to be another battle,” admitted Wade. “I did a good job tonight and I’m really happy to be through.

“I knew that if I held in there when Gary got ahead of me that I’d get my opportunities, and I took them well. My games keep getting harder and I’m looking forward to playing Simon on Thursday now; he’s a different player to Gary and I’ll have to improve.”

Whitlock, meanwhile, also had to come from behind before he claimed a 13-10 victory over Kevin Painter to reach the last eight for a third time in four years.

The Australian trailed 3-1 and 6-5 to Painter, who hit five 180s in the first half of the contest only to see Whitlock win four successive legs to swing the game in his favour at 9-6.

Painter threatened to hit back, taking out 122 at one stage, but Whitlock followed an earlier key 96 finish by taking out 91 to seal the victory.

“I’m over the moon,” said Whitlock. “That was such a tough game – Kevin’s a warrior who’s been around for so many years and he’s a legend.

“I’ve watched him play for the last 20 years and I’m very happy to win that match.  There was a big moment in the 14th leg where Kevin missed and I levelled to go to seven-all, and I knew that was my chance.”

The second round concludes on Wednesday evening, with world number two Michael van Gerwen facing Peter Wright, new European Champion Adrian Lewis meeting Brendan Dolan, Jamie Caven playing Dave Chisnall and Andy Hamilton meeting Ian White in an all-Stoke battle.

TV Coverage
The BetVictor World Matchplay will be screened live in the following areas:
Sky Sports HD across the UK & Ireland
RTL7 in the Netherlands
Sport1 in Germany
OSN across the Middle East
FOX SPORTS Australia
Sky New Zealand
LIVEPDC.TV – live for International Pass Subscribers, highlights for all subscribers

Live Scores
Follow Live Scores from the BetVictor World Matchplay through the PDC Live Scores website at http://live.dartsdata.com/

Get Involved
Join in the conversation during the BetVictor World Matchplay through the PDC’s Social Media channels:
www.twitter.com/OfficialPDC – use the hashtag #BetVictorMatchplay
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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.

Smith receives sponsorship from world champion

SIXTEEN-TIME world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor has thrown his weight behind Swindon darts player Dennis Smith’s bid to force his way back up the PDC rankings.

The pair have been close friends for more than 20 years and now Taylor, who won the UK Open in Bolton recently, has stepped in to sponsor the former world number five and help him break back into the top 32.

Taylor is convinced his old friend still has what it takes to compete at the top of the sport, and hopes by taking the financial pressures of competing on the tour away from him, Smith will be able to concentrate on simply playing darts.

 “I’ve sponsored Dennis because I love him to bits, and I think he is a great lad, a great player and a lovely person, and I hope he does really well,” he told the Advertiser.

“He’s taken his time and he’s had to build himself back up again, and he’s doing it, he’s qualifying for the majors now and he is giving people a good game, so he shouldn’t be so hard on himself because it’s still early doors.

“I will keep backing him, and maybe we should practice together a little bit more, but he is one of my best friends on the circuit, a proper friend.

“When I play him he is still my friend, but I try and beat him 9-0 like he would me, or at least I hope he would.

“He needs to keep what he’s doing and get more and more confidence back, and that is all he has to do.

“I wouldn’t back him if I didn’t think he could do it, although it may take another 12 months or so, but if he keeps going and works hard then he will be alright.”

Smith, who has started the 2013 season in good form, is flattered by the support his friend has given him, and believes his passion for the sport will help him get back to where he once was.

“It’s great to be able play darts without any financial pressure on my back, and I listen to Phil and take his advice because he is obviously the best there is,” he said.

“He inspires you with the way he plays and everyone always writes him off and he proves them wrong, and he just goes to show what you can achieve if you work hard.

“Phil has known me for years and knows I am not just playing darts to have some fun and sign a few autographs, and he knows I love the game and have a passion for it, and he knows I will listen.

“It’s nice to be able to get on with it and play darts, and to have someone behind you who can have a word and help out is great.”

Smith is in action in a European Tour qualifier in Crawley tonight before he takes part in the Players Championship at the K2 Centre over the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday represents the last chance to earn money towards qualifying for the World Matchplay, with Smith needing a strong weekend to make it.