Ladbrokes World Championship Day Nine

REIGNING CHAMPION Adrian Lewis' bid to win a third successive Ladbrokes World Darts Championship continued as he saw off plucky Denis Ovens on Saturday, as Kevin Painter, Colin Lloyd, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock and Wes Newton also enjoyed victories at Alexandra Palace.

Lewis followed up his first round victory over Gino Vos with a 4-1 defeat of veteran Denis Ovens as he set up a last 16 clash with Kevin Painter following the Christmas break.

The 27-year-old was again below his best, averaging only 88 and hitting five 180s, but said: "It wasn't brilliant but I got the job done and I'm pleased to be through.

"I hit the crucial shots at the right time, but I've got to improve if I'm going to keep the title and the important thing is that I'm through.

"I've got a few days over Christmas where I'll be back on the practice board to prepare for Kevin and I'm looking forward to it. I watched Kevin's game earlier today and he's in fantastic form so I'll be ready for him."

2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock swept past Colin Osborne in straight sets to set up a third round clash with Dave Chisnall courtesy of a second solid performance at Alexandra Palace.

The Australian lost only four legs and took out a 164 checkout as he progressed, and admitted: "It was a fairly solid display and I'm happy with the way things have been going.

"I had to dig deep in the second set, but apart from that I felt pretty comfortable. I expected more from Colin because he played very well in his first round match but he didn't perform tonight.

"I'll need to improve against Dave Chisnall because he's a superb player and we've had some good battles recently. He hits a lot of 180s and I need to do the same sort of thing, otherwise he's going to try to bully me.

"I'm looking forward to having Christmas at home [in Hampshire] and I'll be practising hard."

Number six seed Wes Newton was the night's most impressive performer at Alexandra Palace as he overcame Scott Rand 4-0.

Newton, September's European Championship finalist, hit finishes of 144, 143 and 133 as well as five 180s, and restricted Coventry's Rand to just five legs as he moved into the last 16.

"I'm very pleased with that performance," said Newton, who will play either Justin Pipe or Mark Walsh in the third round after Christmas.

"I didn't realise the performance was that good but I was really focused tonight. Scott had played well to beat Kim Huybrechts in the first round so I knew I had to come out and get on top of him, and I took out some big finishes.

"I felt good but I still think I've got more in the locker and I'm getting better with each round at the moment. I've been to a few TV finals and I'm used to the big stage now, and I know I've got the game to go a long way here."

Earlier in the day, Raymond van Barneveld continued his challenge to regain the title with victory over Brendan Dolan.

Van Barneveld had been the stand-out performer in the first round with his 108 average in a victory against Michael Smith, but found the going tougher against Northern Irish ace Dolan.

Van Barneveld cruised through the first set before doubling his advantage, but the former World Grand Prix finalist hit back to take the third.

The Dutch legend, a five-time World Champion, edged a crucial fourth set in a deciding leg and took the next 3-1 seal his place in the last 16.

"I'm really happy to be through," said van Barneveld. "I was pleased with how I played at the start but I lost my way for a while and my concentration seemed to drift.

"I know what Brendan can do because he always fights back, but the fourth set was huge and I got a lot of confidence from that.

Van Barneveld now plays Gary Anderson in the last 16 after the festive break, and added: "I'm going straight back to Holland to spend Christmas with my family and although I'll be getting some rest I will be practising too for the game with Gary.

"He's a great player and he showed what he can do by hitting 19 180s on Friday. In Holland we usually have fireworks on December 31, but I think there will be fireworks between us on December 27!"

2004 finalist Painter, meanwhile, emerged a 4-3 winner in his clash with Ronnie Baxter, who hit 14 180s to his opponent's 11 in a high-scoring contest.

After sharing the first two sets, Painter took six successive legs to move 3-1 up only for Baxter to reply with eight legs in a row as he levelled and then edged two legs clear in the deciding set.

Painter, though, found a second wind to win the next four legs without reply as he sealed his place in the third round, where he meets either reigning champion Adrian Lewis or Denis Ovens.

"It was an incredible game to be involved in, but I thought I'd thrown it away," said Painter. "Somehow I managed to recover and get myself together and I showed i can battle with the best of them.

"I took out a couple of good finishes at vital times and that's what saw me through."

Former world number one Lloyd defeated two-time semi-finalist Mark Webster 4-2 but had to hold off the Welshman's fightback before securing his place in the last 16.

The 2005 World Matchplay champion will now play either Michael van Gerwen or Peter Wright in the third round, and said: "It was a real struggle to get over the winning line but I got there, and it's a great feeling to know that I'm coming back here after Christmas.

"I don't think that I deserved to be 3-0 up, but I was more than happy to accept that and I knew I had to make it count."

Justin Pipe and Mark Walsh will open Sunday's play at Alexandra Palace, with the remaining four second round games to be followed by the first two games from the third round before the tournament finishes for a three-day Christmas break.

Dean Winstanley, who enjoyed a debut victory over Mervyn King in the event, then meets Dutch ace Vincent van der Voort before world number three James Wade plays Steve Beaton.

Number seven seed Michael van Gerwen's clash with Peter Wright in the evening session concludes the second round before the third round begins with the games between Andy Hamilton and Terry Jenkins and Phil Taylor's meeting with Robert Thornton conclude the pre-Christmas action.

Watch Live!
The Ladbrokes World Darts Championship will be live in its entirety on Sky Sports HD, with the semi-finals and final also on Sky 3D.

Fans can also watch live coverage through the following international broadcasters:
RTL7 Netherlands
Sport1 Germany
Fox Sports Australia
Sky New Zealand
OSN across Middle East
Sport1 Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary
LIVEPDC.TV - fans outside of the UK, Ireland and Holland can watch the entire tournament live through LIVEPDC.TV with an International Pass subscription - and there's currently a special two-for-one offer for fans to sign up to LIVEPDC.TV !

Highlights from every game are also available in LIVEPDC.TV on a 24-hour delay basis.

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Join the conversation on Twitter throughout the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship by using #Ladbrokesdarts.

Don't forget to follow the PDC's @OfficialPDC Twitter page and our OfficialPDC Facebook page , as well as see video interviews throughout the event on our YouTube channel .

Live Stats
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Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Saturday December 22
Afternoon Session
3x Second Round
Kevin Painter 4-3 Ronnie Baxter
Mark Webster 2-4 Colin Lloyd
Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 Brendan Dolan

Evening Session (7pm)
3x Second Round
Wes Newton 4-0 Scott Rand
Simon Whitlock 4-0 Colin Osborne
Adrian Lewis 4-1 Denis Ovens

Kevin Painter 4-3 Ronnie Baxter
(3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-0, 1-3, 0-3, 4-2)
KEVIN PAINTER kept alive his hopes of winning a maiden Ladbrokes World Darts Championship title by overcoming Ronnie Baxter 4-3 in a dramatic second round encounter at Alexandra Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The 2004 finalist impressed as he took charge of the contest, which had been finely balanced at one set apiece before Painter won six successive legs to forge a 3-1 advantage.

Baxter, though, hit back superbly and took eight legs without reply as he firstly levelled the contest before moving 2-0 up in the deciding set.

But under immense pressure, Painter produced a run of four straight legs to win an enthralling contest and end Baxter's hopes, despite the Blackpool ace hitting 14 maximums.

"It was an incredible game to be involved in, but I felt I'd thrown it away when I was 2-0 down in the final set," admitted Painter, who will now face Adrian Lewis or Denis Ovens for a place in the last eight.

"Somehow, I managed to recover and get myself together. I took out a couple of good finishes at vital times and that’s what saw me through."

Painter started well with a solid 13-darter, before Baxter won the second with a 15-dart finish, despite a 180 from his opponent.

Baxter hit a maximum in the next but five missed darts at doubles to break proved costly, as Painter took out 74 on tops.

Painter, who defeated Leung Chun Nam on the opening night of the tournament, broke throw in the next leg thanks to an accurate attempt at double 16, which sealed the set and an early lead.

Baxter hit a 180 in the process of taking the opening leg of the second set and then broke in the next, as the Blackpool man fired in another maximum.

Baxter let two chances to win the set slip in the third leg, and Painter capitalised by landing double 18 with his third dart.

Baxter, who defeated two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley in his first round match, recovered well from the mistakes of the previous leg as he won the fourth leg in just 11 darts to level the match.

Baxter hit a fifth 180 in as many legs to kick off the third set, but it was not enough to win the opening leg as Painter registered a fantastic 151 checkout.

The 2004 finalist continued the superb finishing as he took 94, comprising a single 20, double 18 and double top combination, before converting a 116 checkout to win the set without reply.

Both players missed an opportunity to make a winning start to the fourth set before Painter won the opener on double eight, to take his fourth successive leg.

Painter started the next leg with a 180 only for Baxter to hit back with a maximum of his own, but it was the former Players Championship Finals winner who took the leg in 13 darts before he landed double eight in the third to move two sets clear.

Baxter was off-target with three darts at doubles to stop the rot at the start of the fifth set, and Painter made his opponent pay by hitting double top to win a seventh consecutive leg.

Painter hit scores of 140 and 180 in the next, but it wasn't enough to win another leg as Baxter levelled with a 13-dart finish.

Three 180s were hit in the third leg – two from Baxter – and the number 18 seed hit double four to edge in front, after Painter missed two opportunities at double eight.

Baxter then hit double ten in the fourth leg to win the set, and kept his run going as he won the first leg of the sixth set by landing double top at the first time of asking.

Baxter repeated the trick to win the second, after Painter missed a dart at the bullseye, but four missed darts from the Blackpool thrower allowed his opponent an opportunity to win his first leg in six.

However, Painter was unable to land his one chance at double 18, and Baxter held his nerve to hit double ten to force a deciding set.

Four missed darts at doubles from Painter allowed Baxter to break throw at the start of the final set, before he hit two 180s in taking the second to move to the brink of completing a remarkable comeback.

Painter replied with a 14-darter of his own to win the third, and he won a tense fourth leg by hitting double 12 to send another second round encounter into a tie-break situation.

Painter hit double two to lead the set for the first time, and he forged ahead in the sixth leg with a 170 score, to leave 11, and he hit double four to come out victorious.

Baxter admitted: "My scoring was really good for most of the match, especially when I got back to three all, but in the final set my accuracy with the first dart deserted me.

"Credit to Kevin though, he did take out good finishes when it was needed."

Match Stats

Colin Lloyd 4-2 Mark Webster
(3-2, 3-0, 3-2, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1)
COLIN LLOYD produced a fine display to defeat Mark Webster 4-2 in the last 32 of the 2013 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

The former world number one will now meet Michael van Gerwen or Peter Wright in the third round after Christmas, after holding off Webster's fightback at Alexandra Palace.

Lloyd took a crucial first set by punishing three misses from Webster with a 117 checkout, and took the next two sets to assume a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Welshman staged a mini-fightback by taking the next two sets, after Lloyd missed chances to win the match 4-1, but the former World Matchplay champion made no mistake in the fifth set, and sealed victory with a fabulous ten-dart finish.

"I don't think that I deserved to be 3-0 up, but I was more than happy to accept it and I knew that I had to make it count," said a delighted Lloyd.

"I did find it a struggle to get over the winning line - which does tend to happen to me quite often - but I got there and it's a great feeling to know that I'm coming back here after Christmas."

Lloyd hit double ten to hold throw in the opening leg, after Webster missed four chances to secure an early break.

Webster, who defeated Ian White with a fine display in the first round, took out 69 in two darts to win the second leg and followed that with an excellent 129 checkout, finishing on the bullseye, to claim the third.

Webster missed one dart at the bullseye in the fourth, and Lloyd hit double 16 with his third dart to level before the former Lakeside Champion hit back-to-back 180s to take command of the deciding leg.

However, Webster let two more chances to win the set slip away, and Lloyd made his opponent pay for those mistakes as he took out a 117 finish to snatch the opening set.

Lloyd broke throw to begin the second set in a positive fashion, after Webster was off-target with four chances to hold throw.

Lloyd hit tops at the first time of asking to win the second leg and the Colchester ace won the third leg, with the aid of a maximum, to leave Webster trailing 2-0.

Lloyd produced a solid 15-dart finish to win the opening leg of the third set but missed dart at double 11, for a 124 checkout, in the next to allow Webster in to win his first leg in seven on tops.

Lloyd missed three more chances in the third leg, but Webster was unable to capitalise as his attempt at bullseye was just off-target, and the Essex ace returned to hit double eight.

Lloyd missed the bullseye for a 170 checkout in the next leg, and Webster posted double ten to hit back, but Lloyd landed a 180 and took out 78 on tops to take the set.

The Welshman kicked off the fourth set by converting a 68 finish, before breaking his opponent's throw with a clinical 14-darter.

Webster, twice a semi-finalist at Alexandra Palace, then won the third leg on double 14 to win the set without reply and reduce the deficit.

Both players held throw in the opening two legs of the fifth set, and Lloyd continued that trend as he won the third with a 74 finish, completed on tops, to move a leg away from victory.

Webster, though, took out a 13-darter to win leg four and stepped in to punish three missed match darts, all at double top, from Lloyd by finishing 110 to take the set.

Lloyd quickly put those errors behind as hit an 11-darter to start the sixth set in superb fashion, and he then took out a 74 finish to edge closer to victory.

Webster hit double top to win the third leg after Lloyd missed a fourth opportunity to win the match, but the Essex man made no mistake in next, as he hit a brilliant ten-darter to wrap up the match superbly.

Match Stats

Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 Brendan Dolan
(3-0, 3-1, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
FIVE-TIME World Champion Raymond van Barneveld set-up a mouth-watering last 16 clash with number four seed Gary Anderson by overcoming Brendan Dolan 4-1 at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship on Saturday.

The Dutchman - who averaged a superb 108 in his first round win over Michael Smith - started the better of the two as he won six of the first seven legs of the match in the process of taking the first two sets.

However, van Barneveld's standard dropped as Dolan won the next five legs to hit back, and the former World Grand Prix finalist and was on the verge of levelling the match at two sets apiece when van Barneveld hit double 19 to move 3-1 up.

That proved to be decisive, as the 2007 World Champion won the fifth set to end Dolan's hopes at Alexandra Palace.

"I was very happy with how I was playing at the start and managed to take a 2-0 lead," said van Barneveld. "I lost my way for a while and my concentration seemed to drift, and Brendan took advantage of that.

"Hitting the double 19 to win the fifth set was really big for me and I drew a lot of confidence from that."

He added: "I'm going back home for Christmas against my match for some relaxation and rest, but I will be practising and preparing properly too for the challenge I face against Gary Anderson in the next round.

"Gary's a great player and I have great respect for him. I think the two of us will create fireworks when we play each other next Thursday."

Van Barneveld took an immediate break of throw by finishing 74 to win the first leg and then won the next two legs with back-to-back 13-dart finishes to win the opening set in double-quick time.

The second set began with both players struggling to find the winning double as van Barneveld missed five chances, only for Dolan to be off-target with nine attempts, allowing the Dutchman back in to land double two.

Dolan continued to struggle in the second leg as he was off-target with five more opportunities, but van Barneveld was unable to capitalise as he returned to hit double eight.

That gave the former World Grand Prix finalist his first leg, before van Barneveld hit a 14-darter to win the third leg and then posted double 16 in the next to take the set, after Dolan let four chances at double 16 slip away.

Dolan started much more positively in the third set as he hit double 12 to win just his second leg of the contest, before breaking throw by taking out 100 in two darts.

Dolan then hit an excellent 124 checkout, completed on the bullseye, to win the set without reply and reduce van Barneveld's advantage.

The Northern Irish ace, who defeated debutant Mark Jones in the first round, continued his good form at the start of the fourth set as he hit an 11-darter to secure the first leg, before taking out 103 to win his fifth success leg.

Van Barneveld took out 62 to win the third leg, and then edged the fourth with a 93 finish, landing a pressure third dart on double 18 with Dolan waiting on a double.

The deciding leg saw Dolan hit a 180 to leave 81 after nine darts, but van Barneveld responded with a 180 of his own before stepping in after his opponent was unable to take out the finish to land double 19 at the first time of asking to assume a 3-1 lead.

The fifth set began with Dolan landing tops, but van Barneveld levelled with a 13-darter and then posted double nine to move a leg away from the win, which he secured in the next leg with a 14-dart finish.

Match Stats

Evening Session
Wes Newton 4-0 Scott Rand
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0)
WES NEWTON breezed into the last 16 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace with a impressive straight sets victory over Scott Rand.

Rand did little wrong, but was powerless to stop a rampant Newton, who hit three ton-plus finishes and ended the match with a three-dart average of over 99 - after averaging over 100 for most of the game.

"I'm very pleased with that performance," said Newton, who will play either Justin Pipe or Mark Walsh in the third round after Christmas.

"I didn't realise the performance was that good but I was really focused tonight. Scott had played well to beat Kim Huybrechts in the first round so I knew I had to come out and get on top of him, and I took out some big finishes.

"I felt good but I still think I've got more in the locker and I'm getting better with each round at the moment. I've been to a few TV finals and I'm used to the big stage now, and I know I've got the game to go a long way here."

Rand, who knocked out Wes Newton in the first round, hit a 180 with his first three darts of the contest before Newton won the first leg by hitting double 12, and after the Coventry ace levelled it was the European Championsihp finalist who edged the third with a fantastic 144 finish.

The Fleetwood ace produced more high scoring in the fourth leg to leave 64 after nine darts, only to miss to darts at double 12 to win the set, allowing Rand in on double five.

Newton posted his second maximum in the deciding leg before going on to hit double 16 to take an early lead, and end a high-quality set of darts.

Rand hit a 180 at the start of the second set but Newton took out a superb 143 checkout to win the opening leg against the darts.

Rand secured an immediate break back despite a 180 from his opponent, but the number six seed edged ahead once again as hit double top to complete a 13-darter and he then landed his his ton third plus checkout of the match as he took out 133 to leave Rand trailing by two sets.

Newton continued the superb standard at the start of set three as he scored 140, 180 and 140 before taking the first leg with a 12-darter.

Newton hit a 177 to take command of the second leg, but nine missed darts at doubles proved expensive as Rand hit double nine to level.

Newton posted double eight to regain the lead before Rand won the fourth leg, hitting double nine for the second time in the set to level.

Newton kicked off the decider with a brace of 140s to pull clear, but Rand hit a score of 170 to apply pressure - but when the Fleetwood ace missed a dart at tops he was unable to capitalise as the world number six eventually posted double five to take a three-set cushion.

Newton powered on the in fourth set as he broke throw in the first leg with a 74 finish and won the next two legs with finishes of 77 and 68 to round off a fine performance.

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock 4-0 Colin Osborne
(3-0, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
SIMON WHITLOCK eased into Ladbrokes World Darts Championship's third round with a straight sets victory over Colin Osborne at Alexandra Palace on Saturday.

The Australian, who was the runner-up in 2010, dropped just four legs against the Derby thrower, and will now face Dave Chisnall after Christmas to compete for a place in the last eight.

"It was a fairly solid display and I'm happy with the way things have been going," said Whitlock. ""I had to dig deep in the second set, but apart from that I felt pretty comfortable.

"I expected more from Colin because he played very well in his first round match but he didn't perform tonight.

"I'll need to improve against Dave Chisnall because he's a superb player and we've had some good battles recently. He hits a lot of 180s and I need to do the same sort of thing, otherwise he's going to try to bully me.

"I'm looking forward to having Christmas at home [in Hampshire] and I'll be practising hard."

Whitlock won the opening leg by taking out 61 to complete a 15-dart finish, before recording a 104 checkout to break throw in the second.

The Australian, who defeated Japan's Haruki Muramatsu in the first round, let three chances to win the set go begging in leg three, but Osborne was unable to set up a shot at a double and Whitlock returned to hit double two for the early advantage.

He then missed three darts to win the second set's opener as Osorne landed double four to get his first leg on the board.

The former UK Open finalist then recorded a 180 in the second leg and doubles his advantage by taking out 66 in two darts, after Whitlock missed two more darts at doubles.

Whitlock took out a two-dart 76 finish to win the third leg against the throw before hitting a superb 164 checkout to take the fourth and level.

Osborne held advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but Whitlock produced the more consistent scoring and hit a two-dart 65 finish to double his lead.

Both players held throw at the start of the third set, and Whitlock continued the trend as he hit double top, despite a 180 from his opponent, to lead 2-1.

Osborne hit double ten to win the fourth leg, but Whitlock posted the same double in the fifth for a 14-dart finish as he moved a set away from victory.

Whitlock converted a 68 finish to make a good start to the fourth set, and the European Champion took out 64, which included a 180, in the second before punishing a miss at double eight from Osborne to seal victory on tops.

Match Stats

Adrian Lewis 4-1 Denis Ovens
(3-0, 3-1, 0-3, 3-2, 3-2)
DEFENDING CHAMPION Adrian Lewis maintained his bid for a third successive Ladbrokes World Darts Championship title by overcoming Denis Ovens 4-1 in their second round contest at Alexandra Palace on Saturday night.

Lewis never hit top gear during the contest but did more than enough to secure the victory, and will now play Kevin Painter in the last 16 following the Christmas break, after the 2004 runner-up defeated Ronnie Baxter earlier in the day.

"It wasn't brilliant but I got the job done and I'm pleased to be through," said Lewis. "I hit the crucial shots at the right time, but I've got to improve if I'm going to keep the title and the important thing is that I'm through.

"I've got a few days over Christmas where I'll be back on the practice board to prepare for Kevin and I'm looking forward to it. I watched Kevin's game earlier today and he's in fantastic form so I'll be ready for him."

Lewis held throw to win the game's opening leg on double six and then broke by landing tops at the fifthattempt, to leave Ovens immediately under pressure.

The three-time UK Open semi-finalist continued to struggle to find any kind of rhythm in the third leg, and Lewis hit double eight at the first time of asking to wrap up the opening set.

Lewis, who defeated Gino Vos in his opening game, broke his opponent's throw with a 15-dart finish at the start of the second set and the defending champion then took out 72 on double top to win a fifth straight leg.

Ovens hit double 16 to win his first leg of the contest to pull back to 2-1, but Lewis took the next in 14 darts to secure the second set.

Lewis was off-target with six darts at doubles at the start of the third set, and Ovens capitalised by hitting tops to win only his second leg of the game.

Ovens then hit tops for a second leg running, as he converted an 80 finish, to take the next leg before Lewis hit the first 180 of the contest to take command of the third - only to miss four doubles as Ovens finished 98 to take the set.

Lewis found his groove at the start of the fourth set as he hit back-to-back 180s in a 12-dart finish, but a missed dart at tops in the next allowed Ovens level on double five.

Ovens hit a 61 finish, on double 18, to take the third leg before Lewis won the fourth on double ten to force a deciding leg, which he opened with two 140s and won on double 11 to restore his two-set advantage.

Both players recorded 180s at the start of the fifth set before Lewis claimed the opening leg with a 64 finish, with Ovens levelling on double 18 before the Stoke ace hit the same bed to move to the brink of victory.

Lewis looked on course to complete the win as he left 26 in the fourth leg, but Ovens had other ideas as he hit an excellent 113 checkout to keep his slim hopes alive.

Lewis, though, held the advantage of throw in the fifth leg and he made that count with a 65 finish to ensure his last 16 spot.

Match Stats