LEWIS KEEPS BULL AT BAY AS WADE EDGES SUDDEN-DEATH THRILLER WITH PART
REIGNING Ladbrokes World Darts Champion Adrian Lewis held off a thrilling Terry Jenkins fightback to reach the semi-finals of the £1 million tournament as James Wade edged out John Part in a classic and Andy Hamilton and Simon Whitlock joined them in the last four at Alexandra Palace.
Lewis looked on course to storm into the semis when he powered to the first three sets with a brilliant opening to the match, taking nine out of 11 legs.
Jenkins, though, won the fourth set and kick-started his fightback by coming from 2-0 down in the fifth, winning six straight legs to level the game.
Lewis won a crucial seventh set 3-1 and then came from a leg down in the next to seal victory and set up a semi-final with world number three James Wade on Sunday.
2010 runner-up Whitlock, meanwhile, set up a semi-final against Andy Hamilton with his 5-1 win over last year's beaten finalist Gary Anderson, who had been the favourite with sponsors Ladbrokes going into the quarter-finals.
The Scot took the game's first set but would win only seven more legs in the match as Whitlock took five successive sets to storm to victory, continuing to defy the discomfort of his recovering broken ankle.
Left-hander Wade had earlier won his second World Championship semi-final place with victory over Canadian ace John Part in a sudden-death thriller.
Part hit back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, before Wade levelled and forced a decider which went all the way to an 11th leg which the world number three took with a fine 14-darter.
Hamilton powered to a 5-1 win over Belgium's Kim Huybrechts in the other quarter-final, hitting 11 180s, three ton-plus finishes and averaging over 102.
Lewis is now the 13/8 favourite with sponsors Ladbrokes to lift the £200,000 title on January 2, with Whitlock 9/4, Wade rated at 5/2 and Hamilton the 6/1 outsider in his bid for a first major title.
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Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Quarter-Finals
Friday December 30
Afternoon Session
Andy Hamilton 5-2 Kim Huybrechts
John Part 4-5 James Wade
Evening Session
Simon Whitlock 5-1 Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis 5-3 Terry Jenkins
Best of nine sets
Click here for Quarter-Final Photo Gallery
AFTERNOON SESSION
ANDY HAMILTON 5-2 KIM HUYBRECHTS
(3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1)
ANDY HAMILTON reached his second World Championship semi-final courtesy of a 5-2 victory against Belgium's Kim Huybrechts in the first quarter-final of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.
The Stoke ace produced a fine display to reach the last four, which included 11 maximums, three ton-plus finishes and a three-dart average of over 102.
Hamilton took early command by taking the first two sets before Huybrechts won the third without reply to get back into the contest.
The number 17 seed, though, pulled away again by taking the next two sets to lead 4-1 and, after Huybrechts kept fighting by taking the sixth, hit three maximums to end the newcomer's spirited challenge.
"I played a good game again today and I still feel incredibly focused and relaxed," said Hamilton, who will now face either Simon Whitlock or Gary Anderson for a place in the final.
"It's been a childhood dream to win this title, and I have visions of picking it up on Monday night.
"If I keep producing the good averages that I have achieved in my previous couple of matches then I have nothing to worry about."
Hamilton, who overcame Dave Chisnall in the third round, hit a two-dart 98 finish to take the first leg before Huybrechts landed double three to win the second.
The Stoke ace broke Huybrechts' throw for the second time in the set with a 100 checkout, and a 13-darter in the fourth leg gave Hamilton the first set.
Both players held throw at the start of the second set, before Huybrechts won the third leg against the darts with an 84 finish, completed on double 11.
Hamilton hit back immediately with a 14-dart finish in the fourth leg, and a 180 from the 2007 World Championship semi-finalist, followed by a 67 finish, secured a two-set lead.
Huybrechts, who defeated Paul Nicholson with a fine display to reach this stage, won the first leg of set three after Hamilton was guilty of wasting several chances at doubles.
The Belgian then hit double eight to claim the second, and took the next with the aid of two maximums to win the set and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Huybrechts took his fourth successive leg by converting an 84 finish to take the first leg of the fourth set, before Hamilton hit double ten to level.
Hamilton then hit a two-dart 80 finish to take the third leg, and won the set in style with a superb 122 checkout to restore his two-set advantage.
Hamilton broke throw at the start of the fifth set by hitting double eight, after Huybrechts was off-target with a dart at bullseye for a 167 checkout.
The second leg also fell the way of the Stoke thrower before he fired in two 180s in the next, followed by an 84 finish, to move 4-1 ahead.
Both players hit maximums in the first leg of set six, but Huybrechts won it against the darts with a 128 checkout, and then landed double 20 to take the second.
Hamilton hit double 16 to take the third leg but Huybrechts took out 62 to win the set and reduce the deficit to 4-2.
Hamilton started set seven in positive fashion, as he recorded checkouts of 110 and 96 to move a leg away from victory.
Huybrechts hit double top at the first time of asking to win the third, only for Hamilton to fire another maximum, before taking out an 84 finish to triumph.
Huybrechts, who has made his breakthrough in 2011, said: "These last couple of weeks have been a great experience for me.
"It's the biggest achievement of career to date and I am extremely happy, despite today's loss.
"Andy was the better player today. He's had some tough games in the previous rounds and deserves to go all the way in this competition.
"I hope to be back on the big stages again very soon. I have new sponsors and I'll be playing the whole circuit for the next two years, so I hope to improve and possibly go further in this event."
|
Andy Hamilton |
5-2 |
Kim Huybrechts |
|
38 |
100+ |
36 |
|
15 |
140+ |
16 |
|
11 |
180s |
4 |
|
34.01 |
Ave 1 |
30.57 |
|
102.04 |
Ave 3 |
91.72 |
|
122, 110, 100 |
High Finish |
128 |
|
8 |
Legs Against Throw |
5 |
|
16/35 - 46% |
Finishing - % |
11/24 - 46% |
JAMES WADE 5-4 JOHN PART
(3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1, 6-5)
JAMES WADE came out on top against John Part in one of the greatest games ever seen in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a 5-4 triumph in the quarter-finals.
The match was a repeat of their classic quarter-final encounter back in 2008, which Part won 5-4 before going on to claim his third World title, and lived up to its billing throughout a dramatic two hours
Wade led the match 3-1 in the early stages, taking nine of the first eleven legs of the match to establish early control.
However, Wade missed a chance to move 4-1 ahead, and the three-time World Champion threw superb darts to take the next three sets and lead 4-3.
Wade won the eighth set before edging a dramatic deciding set in a sudden-death shoot-out, which he won with an 85 finish to reach the World Championship semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
"The 85 finish was fantastic, and I'm delighted to have hit that treble 15 under pressure to leave the opportunity at double top," said a delighted Wade, who will now face either Adrian Lewis or Terry Jenkins.
"I had a great start to the match and felt like I had established control, but before I knew it, John was 4-3 ahead and I was struggling.
"I did recover from that and I'm delighted to be in with a chance of becoming World Champion."
Wade, who had dropped just one set in his previous three matches, made a quickfire start to the game by taking the first set without reply.
The seven-time major champion hit double ten at the first attempt to take the opening leg, and followed that by breaking throw in the second.
Wade took the third leg to claim the set before Part managed to get off the mark at the start of set two by landing double top to hold throw.
Wade hit double top to claim the second leg, but missed two darts at the same double in the next, which Part edged on double five.
The world number three hit an 82 finish to win the fourth leg before the Canadian ace took out a fantastic 167 checkout to win the set and the match.
Wade won the first leg of set three on double ten, and then claimed the second against the darts by taking out 65.
The Aldershot star then produced a confident 13-dart finish, which was completed by hitting double ten for the second time in three legs, to lead 2-1.
Wade made an excellent start to the third set by taking out finishes of 108 and 140 to claim the opening two legs.
Wade continued the high standard by landing double top at the first attempt to win his sixth successive leg and move 3-1 up.
Wade, who won a second UK Open title in June, hit a 103 finish to take the first leg of set five, before Part landed double ten in the next to win his first leg in eight.
Wade took out 84 to win the third leg, but missed a dart at the bullseye to take the set in the next, with double five from part forcing a fifth leg.
The deciding leg saw Part hold his nerve to convert a 97 finish, landing double top with a pressure third dart whilst Wade was waiting on the same double.
The Canadian made an excellent start to the sixth set by taking the first leg and then hit a 116 checkout, capitalising two missed darts at double ten from Wade.
Part kept up the momentum by taking out 75 to win the set and leave the match finely balanced at three-all.
The opening two legs of the seventh set where shared after both players hit double top, before Wade won the third with an 82 finish, which included a maximum.
Part hit a 180 of his own in the process of taking the fourth leg, before a dramatic deciding set saw both players miss a dart for the set, before the Canadian returned to hit tops to lead the match for the first time.
Wade made a good start to the eighth set by taking the opening two legs, which included an 81 finish in the second.
Part hit double top to win the third, but the Canadian missed two darts at double 16 in the fourth, and Wade took the chance to hit double top to send the match into a deciding set.
Wade missed two darts at doubles to win the opening leg, but Part missed one chance at double 16, allowing him to return and hit double five.
Part hit double 16 to claim the second before a tense third leg saw the three-time World Champion miss four chances to break throw and Wade hit double two.
Part posted back-to-back maximums in the process of taking the fourth leg, before Wade hit a fantastic 124 checkout to win the fifth.
The sixth leg saw Wade agonisingly off-target with two darts to win the match, and Part kept his composure to hit double two.
The Canadian secured a vital break of throw by taking out 64, only for Wade to hit back superbly and take the eighth leg with a 108 finish.
Wade fired in back-to-back 180s in a 12-darter to move a leg away from the match, but Part hit double top at the first attempt to force a sudden-death shoot-out.
Wade won the advantage of throw but consistent scoring from the Canadian saw him 40 after 12 darts, having left the double when he was unable to finish 128.
Wade, though, stepped up to take out 85 for a 14-dart finish to end an enthralling contest and seal a place in the last four.
"It was a great standard from both of us, said Part. "I live to play games like this and I give great credit to James for the way he played.
"Without question, this is the greatest game I've ever lost!"
John Part
4-5
James Wade
42
100+
62
26
140+
31
9
180s
9
30.88
Ave 1
31.64
92.64
Ave 3
94.92
167, 116
High Finish
140, 124, 108x2, 103
4
Legs Against Throw
6
18/46 - 39%
Finishing - %
24/54 - 44%
EVENING SESSION
SIMON WHITLOCK 5-1 GARY ANDERSON
(1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2)
SIMON WHITLOCK reached the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a fine 5-1 victory against Gary Anderson.
Whitlock had come into the tournament unfancied to make an impact after spending almost two months sidelined ahead of the event with a broken ankle sustained at the end of October.
However, he produced another determined effort to see off Anderson, who won the first set of the match but missed 29 darts at doubles as Whitlock claimed the next five sets to win the match.
"I've got belief in myself at the moment, and I'm not letting my ankle problem be a handicap to me," said Whitlock, who is looking to play in his second World Championship final in the space of three years.
"I think Gary struggled with the pace of the game a little because I was having take more time with my throw, because of the injury.
"Gary missed a lot of doubles which made it easier for me, but I concentrated on my darts and enjoyed the game. I fully believe I can win this World Championship now."
Anderson hit a maximum in the process of taking the first leg of the match before Whitlock levelled by taking the second on double top.
The Premier League Darts champion, who defeated Colin Lloyd in the third round, hit a 151 checkout to take the third leg and landed double five in the next to establish an early advantage.
Whitlock, who was taken to a final set by Michael van Gerwen in his third round match, hit double 18 to take the opening leg of set two, and after both players traded 180s in the next he took out a fabulous 121 checkout, finishing on the bullseye.
Anderson broke his opponent's throw in the third leg, by landing double top with his third dart, and then won the fourth in 13 darts.
Whitlock held advantage of throw in the deciding leg, and he made that count with an accurate attempt at double four to take the set and level the match.
The start of set three saw Anderson miss five chances to win the first leg, but Whitlock missed four of his own to allow him to return and hit double one.
Whitlock landed double top to take the second leg in 13 darts, and the third also fell the way of the Australian as he took out 74 after Anderson wasted five darts at doubles.
Anderson missed a dart at the bullseye in the fourth leg, and Whitlock landed double eight to seal the set and lead the match 2-1.
Whitlock hit two maximums in the process of taking the first leg of the fourth set, and then landed double 16 with his first dart to take the second.
Anderson broke back with a 14-dart finish to win the third, and then hit double top to win the fourth leg, before Whitlock kicked-off the fifth with a 180.
That maximum pushed the 2010 runner-up to a finish first, and he hit double seven to take the set and move two clear of Anderson.
Whitlock capitalised on two more missed darts at doubles from his opponent to make a winning start to the fifth set, before Anderson hit a 177 at the start of the second leg.
The Scot was again first to a finish, but a missed dart at double top was punished by Whitlock, courtesy of an 81 finish.
That put the Australian in command of the set, and an accurate attempt at double ten in the third leg put Whitlock 4-1 ahead with a second 14-darter against the throw to leave him a set away from the semi-finals.
Anderson took the opening two legs of the sixth set with finishes of 68 and 76, before Whitlock hit another 14-dart finish to take the third.
The fourth leg saw Anderson off-target with five chances to win the set, and Whitlock hit double two with his third dart to level.
Anderson hit a 180 in the fifth leg, but a missed dart at tops proved expensive as Whitlock landed double eight to secure the match.
Whitlock now meets Andy Hamilton in the semi-finals, having lost 17-15 to the Stoke ace in the World Matchplay quarter-finals in July when his opponent won nine successive legs to come from 15-8 down to take victory.
"Andy Hamilton will be a tough opponent in the semi-finals," added Whitlock. "He's playing some fantastic darts at the moment, and he seems to thrive under pressure.
"I don't want to get in a close match with him because Andy is one of the best players when it gets in a tight match, as he's shown in the last few matches here.
"I want to get revenge for that but it's nice to see him playing well because he's a fantastic player and a really good friend as well."
Anderson admitted: "I was miles off and deserved to get beaten. I wasn't good enough on the night and I'll put it behind me now and move on to next year."
|
Simon Whitlock |
5-1 |
Gary Anderson |
|
35 |
100+ |
30 |
|
13 |
140+ |
19 |
|
8 |
180s |
6 |
|
31.75 |
Ave 1 |
31.10 |
|
95.24 |
Ave 3 |
93.29 |
|
121 |
High Finish |
151 |
|
6 |
Legs Against Throw |
4 |
|
16/38 - 42% |
Finishing - % |
10/39 - 26% |
ADRIAN LEWIS 5-3 TERRY JENKINS
(3-1, 3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 2-3, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1)
ADRIAN LEWIS remains on course to defend his Ladbrokes World Darts Championship title after overcoming the challenge of Terry Jenkins with a 5-3 quarter-final victory at Alexandra Palace.
Lewis romped into a three-set lead and lost just two legs in the process before Jenkins fought back to win three of his own to leave the match finely balanced.
However, Lewis managed to win six of the next eight legs to end Jenkins hopes of claiming a first major title and progress to a semi-final with number three seed James Wade.
"I had to dig really deep to pull that off," admitted Lewis. "I lost my way during the middle of the match, but I pulled myself together and got the job done, which I'm delighted with.
"Terry came back brilliantly and every dart I threw for a while in those three sets was on the wire. Terry put me under pressure but, as soon as I'm under pressure, I fire."
Lewis, who enjoyed a straight-sets victory against Wayne Jones in the last 16, started the match in excellent fashion by taking first two legs with finishes of 89 and 101.
Jenkins managed to win the third leg on double top, after Lewis missed the bullseye for the set, but the Stoke star made no mistake in the next leg as he recorded a 71 finish to take first blood.
The second set began with Jenkins hitting double top, before Lewis left a chance of hitting a nine-dart finish after kicking-off the second with back-to-back 180s.
His hopes of achieving that feat for the second time in as many years at Alexandra Palace where ended when his seventh attempt at the treble 20 was off-target, but he posted double four to win the leg and then broke throw for a 2-1 lead.
Lewis added another maximum in the fourth leg, and secured the set by landing double ten to move 2-0 up.
The defending champion's high standard continued into the third set as he hit a 13-dart finish to take the first leg, followed a clinical 76 checkout in the second.
Lewis then hit double 18 to win the third set without reply, and took out an 87 finish for a 12-darter to claim his sixth leg in a row at the start of the fourth.
Jenkins stopped the rot with a 117 finish to win just his third leg of the match, and the Ledbury man then recorded a 14-darter in the next.
Lewis was off-target with a dart at bullseye to take the fourth leg and Jenkins managed to hit double five to reduce the match score to 3-1.
Lewis won the opening two legs of set five, which included a 136 in the second to break his opponent's throw with another 12-darter.
Lewis also hit a 180 in the third leg, but a missed dart at double top for the set, allowing Jenkins to step in on double 12.
Jenkins then hit double 15 to win the fourth leg against the darts, and he took the decider by hitting double ten to edge closer to Lewis at 3-2.
He then made a positive start to set six by taking the first leg, after Lewis was off-target with two darts at doubles.
The tenth seed hit double top at the first time of asking to take his fifth leg in a row, and then won the set in style with a two-dart 100 checkout to level the match.
The seventh set started in sensational fashion, as players kicked-off with 180s, and Lewis managed to take the opening leg on double five to end Jenkins' run of six winning legs.
Jenkins won the second in 13 darts, but missed a chance to break throw in the third as he missed a dart at tops for 104 checkout.
Lewis hit double ten to win the leg and then took out double eight at the first time of asking to take the set and lead 4-3, after Jenkins crucially missed three darts at double top to force a deciding leg.
Jenkins won the first leg of the eighth set, courtesy of accurate dart at double ten after Lewis missed two chances for a break of throw on tops.
Lewis regained his range on tops to win the next two leg, and when Jenkins missed four chances to force a deciding leg, the reigning champion made him pay by finishing 90 with a bullseye-double top combination to seal victory in style.
Lewis, who now faces James Wade for a place in the final, added: "James has a very good record against me, but he has never won a World Championship and I have, so that gives me the advantage."
Jenkins said: "Adrian started off like a train and there wasn't much I could do.
"I wasn't playing that badly and when I got back to three-each he was gone, but then I couldn't find that treble 20. He started to crumble but I couldn't make it count and if I'd have played a steady game he might not have come back.
"I'm a bit disappointed about losing it now and I feel I had my chances. I've had a good tournament, my form's come back and I feel confident that I can be dangerous next year."
|
Adrian Lewis |
5-3 |
Terry Jenkins |
|
36 |
100+ |
34 |
|
23 |
140+ |
27 |
|
11 |
180s |
5 |
|
30.80 |
Ave 1 |
30.73 |
|
92.41 |
Ave 3 |
92.19 |
|
136, 101 |
High Finish |
117, 100 |
|
8 |
Legs Against Throw |
4 |
|
18/49 - 37% |
Finishing - % |
13/32 - 41% |
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