REPORTS, results and reaction from Friday's first round action at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The final eight first round games take place at Alexandra Palace with four matches in the afternoon, and four games in the evening session.
Watch Live Coverage on www.worldchampionshipdarts.tv
Follow the action in DartsTV with live audio commentary and a free live scoreboard - click here to visit DartsTV
2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship
First Round
Alan Warriner-Little 3-1 Shi Yongsheng
Colin Osborne 1-3 Erwin Extercatte
Andy Smith 2-3 Mensur Suljovic
Steve Beaton 3-0 Steve Evans
Evening Session (7pm start)
Ronnie Baxter 3-2 Dan Olson
James Wade 3-0 Steve MacArthur
John Part 3-1 Charles Losper
Mark Dudbridge 3-1 Steve Hine
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
ERWIN EXTERCATTE 3-1 COLIN OSBORNE
(3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
COLIN OSBORNE was sent crashing out of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship by Dutch youngster Erwin Extercatte.
The Dutchman, a 4-1 outsider before the match, defied ten maximums from Osborne to continue his march in the event, having whitewashed Kiwi Alan Bolton in the preliminary round.
Osborne, a quarter-finalist last year, was in superb scoring form during the match, but was unable to produce the doubles when it mattered most.
The opening two legs were shared and Osborne then took the lead with a fantastic 12-dart finish, which included two maximums.
He then had opportunities to take the first set in the fourth leg but paid for missed doubles as Extercatte levelled and then held his throw to take the lead.
Osborne won the second set without reply from his opponent, despite Extercatte having opportunities in all three legs.
The Derby thrower took the lead at the start of the third set and then doubled his advantage completing a 56 finish.
However, Extercatte came back to level the set with a 75 finish and then hit a two-dart 68 checkout to regain the lead.
Both players hit big finishes at the start of the fourth set. Osborne, a 144 to win the first leg and Extercatte a 147 in the second.
The Dutchman then took the lead to go one leg away from the match and made Osborne pay for more missed doubles to land an 85 finish to claim a superb victory.
Match Stats
MENSUR SULJOVIC 3-2 ANDY SMITH
(3-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-1)
AUSTRIAN qualifier Mensur Suljovic stunned Andy Smith to move into round two of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The GDC number one showed his class with a gritty display to come from behind and move into the last 32.
He came from 2-1 down to win the first set in a decider, and also led 1-0 in the second set before Smith took three successive legs to square the game.
The third set went with the throw to see Smith take the set 3-2 and move 2-1 up in the game, punishing Suljovic missed doubles in two legs.
The fourth also went all the way to a decider, with Smith then missed darts for victory in the final leg as Suljovic landed top to stay in the contest.
A classy 15-darter put him in front in the fifth set, and he crucially made Smith pay for missed doubles to extend his lead.
Smith kept himself in the game when Suljovic was off-target on double top for the win, but the newcomer produced two maximums in the next before securing his place in the last 32.
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Match Stats
STEVE BEATON 3-0 STEVE EVANS
(3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
STEVE BEATON enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over debutant Steve Evans in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Beaton did not play to his best, but his opponent had a nightmare day on the doubles to allow the former World Champion easy passage into the last 32.
Beaton started the match well, hitting a maximum in the first leg and then landing double six to break throw immediately.
He then punished Evans for missed doubles in legs two and three to take the first set without reply.
Beaton then opened up a 2-0 lead in the second set, hitting a maximum in both legs.
The Welshman hit back to break the throw in the third leg, but Beaton landed an 82 finish in the next with Evans waiting on 40 to double his lead.
The third set proved to be nightmare for Evans, missing sixteen attempts at doubles and Beaton took advantage of the Welshman's mistakes to take his place in the second round.
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Match Stats
RONNIE BAXTER 3-2 DAN OLSON
(3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 4-2)
RONNIE BAXTER overcame the Canadian challenge of Dan Olson in another final-set thriller at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The Lancastrian went ahead twice during the match, but was pegged back by the plucky Canadian, who put in an impressive display on his World Championship debut.
Olson started superbly with a 180 in the opening leg, but it was Baxter who took the lead with a 118 finish.
He then went on to take the first set without reply, hitting a 104 checkout to clinch it 3-0.
Olson hit a 120 checkout to start of the second set and then took a 2-1 lead when he landed double eight.
Both came close to completing big finishes in the fourth leg but it was the Canadian who levelled up, hitting double four.
The opening two legs of the third set where shared before Baxter stepped up a gear to claim the set, hitting a two-dart 74 checkout and a 13-dart finish in the fourth to regain his lead.
Olson missed two darts to take the opener to the fourth set, and Baxter made the Canadian pay to break the throw, then taking the next leg to claim a fourth straight leg.
However, Olson came back to win the next three to take the contest to a decider, despite Baxter having three darts for the match.
The Canadian continued his good run to take the opening leg of the final set and then hit a maximum in the second, but he could not capitalise and Baxter levelled up.
Baxter then took the next leg to establish a 2-1 advantage but Olson hit back, landing double 16 to extend the match.
But Baxter's experience proved crucial and he took the next two legs in 15, and 16 darts to book a place in the next round.
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Match Stats
JAMES WADE 3-0 STEVE MacARTHUR
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
JAMES WADE powered past Steve MacArthur to book his second round berth at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The World Number Three was in fine fettle to begin his bid for a third successive Sky Sports-televised major title, following his World Matchplay and World Grand Prix successes this year.
He overcame a rocky start, with Australian star MacArthur missing four darts to win the first leg before being given little chance in the remainder of the contest.
Wade stepped in on double ten to win the opener, and then took the next four on double top, including a 120 finish, to take the first set and a 2-0 lead in the second.
Wade's superior scoring even allowed him the opportunity to miscount in the next and still return to land double four for a two-set lead.
Scores of 170 and 136 set up finishes for Wade in the next two before MacArthur finally got off the mark, taking out double eight to save the match as the Englishman waited on 40.
But Wade wasted little more time in setting up a second round clash with Steve Beaton by landing his favoured double top to seal the win.
"It's the opening game and you're always nervous - you just want to get the win under your belt and I can have a good Christmas now," said Wade.
"It's a massive event and the one everyone wants to win. It's brilliant."
Wade also revealed he will be practising on Christmas Day to stay focused on his title bid.
"I've heard Phil Taylor talking about doing it for years and I can see what he means because you have to do if you're going to be that successful," added Wade.
"It's a case of enjoying your Christmas dinner, having a drink and then getting on the practice board."
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
Match Stats
JOHN PART 3-1 CHARLES LOSPER
(3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2)
JOHN PART came through a close encounter with South African Charles Losper to reach round two at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Losper, the Emperors Palace South African Open winner who appeared in the Grand Slam of Darts last month, put in an excellent performance against the two-time World Champion.
The first set proved to be a close affair, with each leg going the way of throw, Part landing double ten in the decider to take the lead.
The Canadian missed chances to break the throw at the start of the second set and Losper hit double eight to take the leg.
The next three legs where shared, meaning that the second set also went to the deciding leg.
Part created an opportunity to give himself a 2-0 lead, but failed to convert and the South African hit double top to level up.
Part opened up a 2-0 lead at the start of third set, but Losper won the next leg, which included a maximum.
Part closed out the third set to take a 2-1 lead, landing a two-dart 64 checkout, with his opponent waiting on 80.
The Canadian started well in the fourth set, hitting a 116 checkout to break the throw and then followed that with a 62 finish to move one leg away from victory.
But Losper hit back, landing a 94 checkout in the third leg and then levelling up the set after Part missed five opportunities to win the match.
Part put that disappointment behind and hit scores of 180 and 140 in the fifth leg, followed by double eight to end the South Africans hopes.
"It was a really good game," said Part. "He represented himself well and is a very good dart player.
"He showed experience and took advantage so many times. I always had the edge, I wasn't playing and stroked a few 140s and the odd 180, and was mostly hitting my finishes.
"I was a little nervous because I knew he was playing well and capitalising if I missed. It was a great first round test for me I can relax over Christmas now.
"I'm staying over in London, I play again on Boxing Day so I'll see a few films, have some time on the practice board and enjoy Christmas Dinner!"
Losper said: "I'm proud of myself. I didn't think I would perform as well as I did, especially against a former World Champion.
"I think I did pretty well under the circumstances and I kept up with him with the scoring.
"The Grand Slam was an eye-opener for me but I was amazed when I got here and saw the set-up - we're not used to anything like this in South Africa, it's tremendous.
"When I got back from the Grand Slam I practised for two or three hours a day when I wasn't working, and it shows I've improved a lot since then.
"Hopefully I will have a good year and I'll definitely be back!"
Match Stats
MARK DUDBRIDGE 3-1 STEVE HINE
(3-1, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)
MARK DUDBRIDGE defeated qualifier Steve Hine 3-1 in the first round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Dudbridge lived up to his Flash nickname with flashes of his talent during the course of the match.
The man from Bristol took the first two legs of the contest, despite Hine having a dart in each to complete big checkouts.
Dudbridge missed an opportunity to wrap up the set in the next leg and Hine cashed in, landing double top.
The 2005 finalist made no mistake in the next, converting a 90 checkout to take a 1-0 lead.
The opening two legs where shared at the start of the second, then Dudbridge took a 2-1 advantage with a fantastic 11-dart finish to break the throw.
However, the Coventry man immediately broke back to level the set and stepped in, after Dudbridge missed a dart for a 71 finish, to take the set.
Hine then missed a series of doubles in the third set, allowing Dudbridge to open a 2-0 lead before double ten gave him the set and a 2-1 lead.
Dudbridge took the first two legs of the fourth set, to go one away from victory, but Hine put in an 11-dart finish of his own to reduce the deficit with a 100 finish.
Both players missed opportunities to win the fourth leg, but it was Dudbridge who held his nerve to land double ten and book a place in the second round, where he will face Ronnie Baxter.
"It wasn't easy at all and there were a lot of occasions when Steve missed a few doubles," said Dudbridge.
"It was the last game of the first round and I've seen a lot of seeds go out. I was the favourite and I know what Steve can do, so I was nervous.
"I checked out really well in the first set but hit some good shots when I needed to."
Dudbridge has enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent years, but is confident he can enjoy a successful World Championship.
"There is belief there and I know what I can do," he said. "Sometimes it does get frustrating but I've proved I can do it at the top level and that I can beat the best players.
"That was a tough match for me because I was expected to win, it was a fantastic new venue but I felt comfortable on the oche and had no problems.
"Doubles has been my problem for the past few years but I was checking out well, so I'm happy."
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
Match Stats
The final eight first round games take place at Alexandra Palace with four matches in the afternoon, and four games in the evening session.
Watch Live Coverage on www.worldchampionshipdarts.tv
Follow the action in DartsTV with live audio commentary and a free live scoreboard - click here to visit DartsTV
2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship
First Round
Alan Warriner-Little 3-1 Shi Yongsheng
Colin Osborne 1-3 Erwin Extercatte
Andy Smith 2-3 Mensur Suljovic
Steve Beaton 3-0 Steve Evans
Evening Session (7pm start)
Ronnie Baxter 3-2 Dan Olson
James Wade 3-0 Steve MacArthur
John Part 3-1 Charles Losper
Mark Dudbridge 3-1 Steve Hine
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
ALAN WARRINER-LITTLE 3-1 SHI YONGSHENG
(3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)
ALAN WARRINER-LITTLE overcame a scare from China's Shi Yongsheng to progress to round two at the 2008 Ladrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Yongsheng left the former World Grand Prix champion stunned by taking the second set of their contest and also leading in the third, before the experienced Englishman pulled through for the win.
"I've never been so nervous in all the years I've been playing," admitted Warriner-Little.
"I've had so many first round defeats in TV tournaments recently and I didn't know what to expect from Shi.
"Everyone expected me to win it but it was hard. He won the second set, but I came strong in the end and you can settle down after your first match."
The Lancastrian started strongly, taking the opening set without reply.
The Chinese number one had opportunities to win the opening leg of the second set, but made too many errors and Warriner-Little made him pay, landing double top.
Yongsheng then started to make his mark in the contest landing double nine to win his first leg of the match and then taking the lead with an 84 finish.
Warriner-Little levelled the set, hitting tops for an 80 checkout, but missed two darts at double sixteen to extend his advantage and the Chinese player stepped for the set.
Yongsheng then broke the throw at the start of the fourth hitting a superb 119 finish to take the lead for the first time in the match, but Warriner-Little broke back immediately to level up.
He then took the lead, and won the set landing a 60 checkout, to regain the lead.
Warriner-Little then took control at the start of the fourth set, hitting a 12-dart leg and then a two-dart 66 checkout to one leg away from victory.
Yongsheng managed to pull one leg back but Warriner-Little took the fourth with a 108 checkout to win the match and book a second round clash against Peter Manley on Saturday afternoon.
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Match Stats
|
Alan Warriner-Little |
3-1 |
Shi Yongsheng |
|
17 |
100+ |
17 |
|
11 |
140+ |
8 |
|
3 |
180 |
0 |
|
26.99 |
Ave1 |
25.46 |
|
80.98 |
Ave3 |
76.38 |
|
108 |
High Finish |
119 |
ERWIN EXTERCATTE 3-1 COLIN OSBORNE
(3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
COLIN OSBORNE was sent crashing out of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship by Dutch youngster Erwin Extercatte.
The Dutchman, a 4-1 outsider before the match, defied ten maximums from Osborne to continue his march in the event, having whitewashed Kiwi Alan Bolton in the preliminary round.
Osborne, a quarter-finalist last year, was in superb scoring form during the match, but was unable to produce the doubles when it mattered most.
The opening two legs were shared and Osborne then took the lead with a fantastic 12-dart finish, which included two maximums.
He then had opportunities to take the first set in the fourth leg but paid for missed doubles as Extercatte levelled and then held his throw to take the lead.
Osborne won the second set without reply from his opponent, despite Extercatte having opportunities in all three legs.
The Derby thrower took the lead at the start of the third set and then doubled his advantage completing a 56 finish.
However, Extercatte came back to level the set with a 75 finish and then hit a two-dart 68 checkout to regain the lead.
Both players hit big finishes at the start of the fourth set. Osborne, a 144 to win the first leg and Extercatte a 147 in the second.
The Dutchman then took the lead to go one leg away from the match and made Osborne pay for more missed doubles to land an 85 finish to claim a superb victory.
Match Stats
|
Colin Osborne |
1-3 |
Erwin Extercatte |
|
14 |
100+ |
12 |
|
6 |
140+ |
16 |
|
10 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.11 |
Ave1 |
30.86 |
|
90.33 |
Ave3 |
92.58 |
|
144 |
High Finish |
147 |
MENSUR SULJOVIC 3-2 ANDY SMITH
(3-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-1)
AUSTRIAN qualifier Mensur Suljovic stunned Andy Smith to move into round two of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The GDC number one showed his class with a gritty display to come from behind and move into the last 32.
He came from 2-1 down to win the first set in a decider, and also led 1-0 in the second set before Smith took three successive legs to square the game.
The third set went with the throw to see Smith take the set 3-2 and move 2-1 up in the game, punishing Suljovic missed doubles in two legs.
The fourth also went all the way to a decider, with Smith then missed darts for victory in the final leg as Suljovic landed top to stay in the contest.
A classy 15-darter put him in front in the fifth set, and he crucially made Smith pay for missed doubles to extend his lead.
Smith kept himself in the game when Suljovic was off-target on double top for the win, but the newcomer produced two maximums in the next before securing his place in the last 32.
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Match Stats
|
Andy Smith |
2-3 |
Mensur Suljovic |
|
34 |
100+ |
22 |
|
16 |
140+ |
8 |
|
2 |
180 |
5 |
|
27.04 |
Ave1 |
27.75 |
|
82.08 |
Ave3 |
82.60 |
|
88 |
High Finish |
111 |
STEVE BEATON 3-0 STEVE EVANS
(3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
STEVE BEATON enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over debutant Steve Evans in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Beaton did not play to his best, but his opponent had a nightmare day on the doubles to allow the former World Champion easy passage into the last 32.
Beaton started the match well, hitting a maximum in the first leg and then landing double six to break throw immediately.
He then punished Evans for missed doubles in legs two and three to take the first set without reply.
Beaton then opened up a 2-0 lead in the second set, hitting a maximum in both legs.
The Welshman hit back to break the throw in the third leg, but Beaton landed an 82 finish in the next with Evans waiting on 40 to double his lead.
The third set proved to be nightmare for Evans, missing sixteen attempts at doubles and Beaton took advantage of the Welshman's mistakes to take his place in the second round.
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Match Stats
|
Steve Beaton |
3-0 |
Steve Evans |
|
10 |
100+ |
13 |
|
5 |
140+ |
9 |
|
4 |
180 |
1 |
|
25.66 |
Ave1 |
25.19 |
|
76.99 |
Ave3 |
75.56 |
|
82 |
High Finish |
20 |
RONNIE BAXTER 3-2 DAN OLSON
(3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 4-2)
RONNIE BAXTER overcame the Canadian challenge of Dan Olson in another final-set thriller at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The Lancastrian went ahead twice during the match, but was pegged back by the plucky Canadian, who put in an impressive display on his World Championship debut.
Olson started superbly with a 180 in the opening leg, but it was Baxter who took the lead with a 118 finish.
He then went on to take the first set without reply, hitting a 104 checkout to clinch it 3-0.
Olson hit a 120 checkout to start of the second set and then took a 2-1 lead when he landed double eight.
Both came close to completing big finishes in the fourth leg but it was the Canadian who levelled up, hitting double four.
The opening two legs of the third set where shared before Baxter stepped up a gear to claim the set, hitting a two-dart 74 checkout and a 13-dart finish in the fourth to regain his lead.
Olson missed two darts to take the opener to the fourth set, and Baxter made the Canadian pay to break the throw, then taking the next leg to claim a fourth straight leg.
However, Olson came back to win the next three to take the contest to a decider, despite Baxter having three darts for the match.
The Canadian continued his good run to take the opening leg of the final set and then hit a maximum in the second, but he could not capitalise and Baxter levelled up.
Baxter then took the next leg to establish a 2-1 advantage but Olson hit back, landing double 16 to extend the match.
But Baxter's experience proved crucial and he took the next two legs in 15, and 16 darts to book a place in the next round.
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Match Stats
|
Ronnie Baxter |
3-2 |
Dan Olson |
|
35 |
100+ |
23 |
|
11 |
140+ |
12 |
|
4 |
180 |
6 |
|
30.10 |
Ave1 |
28.39 |
|
90.31 |
Ave3 |
85.17 |
|
118,104 |
High Finish |
120,113 |
JAMES WADE 3-0 STEVE MacARTHUR
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
JAMES WADE powered past Steve MacArthur to book his second round berth at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The World Number Three was in fine fettle to begin his bid for a third successive Sky Sports-televised major title, following his World Matchplay and World Grand Prix successes this year.
He overcame a rocky start, with Australian star MacArthur missing four darts to win the first leg before being given little chance in the remainder of the contest.
Wade stepped in on double ten to win the opener, and then took the next four on double top, including a 120 finish, to take the first set and a 2-0 lead in the second.
Wade's superior scoring even allowed him the opportunity to miscount in the next and still return to land double four for a two-set lead.
Scores of 170 and 136 set up finishes for Wade in the next two before MacArthur finally got off the mark, taking out double eight to save the match as the Englishman waited on 40.
But Wade wasted little more time in setting up a second round clash with Steve Beaton by landing his favoured double top to seal the win.
"It's the opening game and you're always nervous - you just want to get the win under your belt and I can have a good Christmas now," said Wade.
"It's a massive event and the one everyone wants to win. It's brilliant."
Wade also revealed he will be practising on Christmas Day to stay focused on his title bid.
"I've heard Phil Taylor talking about doing it for years and I can see what he means because you have to do if you're going to be that successful," added Wade.
"It's a case of enjoying your Christmas dinner, having a drink and then getting on the practice board."
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
Match Stats
|
James Wade |
3-0 |
Steve MacArthur |
|
19 |
100+ |
15 |
|
4 |
140+ |
5 |
|
1 |
180 |
0 |
|
29.94 |
Ave1 |
25.22 |
|
89.82 |
Ave3 |
75.66 |
|
120 |
High Finish |
16 |
JOHN PART 3-1 CHARLES LOSPER
(3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2)
JOHN PART came through a close encounter with South African Charles Losper to reach round two at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Losper, the Emperors Palace South African Open winner who appeared in the Grand Slam of Darts last month, put in an excellent performance against the two-time World Champion.
The first set proved to be a close affair, with each leg going the way of throw, Part landing double ten in the decider to take the lead.
The Canadian missed chances to break the throw at the start of the second set and Losper hit double eight to take the leg.
The next three legs where shared, meaning that the second set also went to the deciding leg.
Part created an opportunity to give himself a 2-0 lead, but failed to convert and the South African hit double top to level up.
Part opened up a 2-0 lead at the start of third set, but Losper won the next leg, which included a maximum.
Part closed out the third set to take a 2-1 lead, landing a two-dart 64 checkout, with his opponent waiting on 80.
The Canadian started well in the fourth set, hitting a 116 checkout to break the throw and then followed that with a 62 finish to move one leg away from victory.
But Losper hit back, landing a 94 checkout in the third leg and then levelling up the set after Part missed five opportunities to win the match.
Part put that disappointment behind and hit scores of 180 and 140 in the fifth leg, followed by double eight to end the South Africans hopes.
"It was a really good game," said Part. "He represented himself well and is a very good dart player.
"He showed experience and took advantage so many times. I always had the edge, I wasn't playing and stroked a few 140s and the odd 180, and was mostly hitting my finishes.
"I was a little nervous because I knew he was playing well and capitalising if I missed. It was a great first round test for me I can relax over Christmas now.
"I'm staying over in London, I play again on Boxing Day so I'll see a few films, have some time on the practice board and enjoy Christmas Dinner!"
Losper said: "I'm proud of myself. I didn't think I would perform as well as I did, especially against a former World Champion.
"I think I did pretty well under the circumstances and I kept up with him with the scoring.
"The Grand Slam was an eye-opener for me but I was amazed when I got here and saw the set-up - we're not used to anything like this in South Africa, it's tremendous.
"When I got back from the Grand Slam I practised for two or three hours a day when I wasn't working, and it shows I've improved a lot since then.
"Hopefully I will have a good year and I'll definitely be back!"
Match Stats
|
John Part |
3-1 |
Charles Losper |
|
17 |
100+ |
18 |
|
13 |
140+ |
9 |
|
4 |
180 |
4 |
|
31.36 |
Ave1 |
28.40 |
|
94.08 |
Ave3 |
85.21 |
|
112 |
High Finish |
94 |
MARK DUDBRIDGE 3-1 STEVE HINE
(3-1, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)
MARK DUDBRIDGE defeated qualifier Steve Hine 3-1 in the first round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Dudbridge lived up to his Flash nickname with flashes of his talent during the course of the match.
The man from Bristol took the first two legs of the contest, despite Hine having a dart in each to complete big checkouts.
Dudbridge missed an opportunity to wrap up the set in the next leg and Hine cashed in, landing double top.
The 2005 finalist made no mistake in the next, converting a 90 checkout to take a 1-0 lead.
The opening two legs where shared at the start of the second, then Dudbridge took a 2-1 advantage with a fantastic 11-dart finish to break the throw.
However, the Coventry man immediately broke back to level the set and stepped in, after Dudbridge missed a dart for a 71 finish, to take the set.
Hine then missed a series of doubles in the third set, allowing Dudbridge to open a 2-0 lead before double ten gave him the set and a 2-1 lead.
Dudbridge took the first two legs of the fourth set, to go one away from victory, but Hine put in an 11-dart finish of his own to reduce the deficit with a 100 finish.
Both players missed opportunities to win the fourth leg, but it was Dudbridge who held his nerve to land double ten and book a place in the second round, where he will face Ronnie Baxter.
"It wasn't easy at all and there were a lot of occasions when Steve missed a few doubles," said Dudbridge.
"It was the last game of the first round and I've seen a lot of seeds go out. I was the favourite and I know what Steve can do, so I was nervous.
"I checked out really well in the first set but hit some good shots when I needed to."
Dudbridge has enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent years, but is confident he can enjoy a successful World Championship.
"There is belief there and I know what I can do," he said. "Sometimes it does get frustrating but I've proved I can do it at the top level and that I can beat the best players.
"That was a tough match for me because I was expected to win, it was a fantastic new venue but I felt comfortable on the oche and had no problems.
"Doubles has been my problem for the past few years but I was checking out well, so I'm happy."
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
Match Stats
|
Mark Dudbridge |
3-1 |
Steve Hine |
|
19 |
100+ |
17 |
|
7 |
140+ |
8 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
28.49 |
Ave1 |
27.69 |
|
85.46 |
Ave3 |
83.07 |
|
113 |
High Finish |
100 |