REPORTS from Tuesday's final third round games at the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Alexandra Palace hosts the remaining games from the last 16, as players bid to join Phil Taylor and Barrie Bates in the quarter-finals.
Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Third Round - Tuesday
Paul Nicholson 4-2 Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King 4-1 Dennis Smith
Co Stompe 4-0 Wayne Mardle
Evening Session
Jelle Klaasen 4-1 Andy Hamilton
Raymond van Barneveld 4-3 Ronnie Baxter
James Wade 4-0 Vincent van der Voort
Reaction
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Photo Gallery
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Click here to visit MatchroomBets.com
PAUL NICHOLSON 4-2 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(2-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
PAUL NICHOLSON continued his superb run at the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with an excellent 4-2 victory over Dennis Priestley.
Nicholson came from behind for a second game in succession to end Priestley's hopes of claiming a third world title.
Priestley had opportunities to take 3-1 lead in the match, but those chances went begging and the Yorkshireman was left to rue those mistakes as Nicholson pushed on to claim victory.
"It's tremendous to be in the last eight," said Nicholson, the Australian number one who now meets either James Wade of Vincent van der Voort on Friday.
"I have had one goal, to make the semi-finals and eight James or Vincent had better watch out because I am going to be more aggressive than ever.
"I am going to be dangerous, and I get to play at night-time which means I can practice more before my game, which is even better for me."
While Nicholson was opened his clash with Priestley with a maximum, he found himself behind after missing one dart at double top in the deciding leg of the first set.
The 58-year-old hit maximums in each of the opening two legs of set two, winning them with 13 and 14 darts respectively to edge clear.
Nicholson managed to hit a 72 finish to win the third leg, but Priestley hit two maximums in a 12-darter to win the next and extend his advantage to 2-0.
Nicholson began the comeback by breaking his opponent's throw at the start of the third set.
He then won the second leg with a 118 checkout, which was followed by a 13-dart finish to reduce the arrears in style.
Nicholson hit his second maximum of the game at the start of the fourth, but it was Priestley who won the leg by hitting a showpiece 100 checkout, which included two double tops.
The Britsh-born Australian converted a 104 checkout to the level the set, but fell behind once again after he missed three darts at doubles to take the third leg.
But Priestley suffered the same fate in the fourth, missing three darts to take the set, and Nicholson landed a pressure double four with his last dart to keep the set alive.
Nicholson, who defeated Adrian Gray and Adrian Lewis to reach the last 16, then landed double 16 in the deciding leg, with Priestley waiting on a two-dart finish to level the game.
From then on Nicholson only conceded one more leg as he romped home to victory.
He opened up a 2-0 lead in set five before Priestley managed to win the third leg in 13 darts.
But Nicholson replied in kind to win the set and take the lead for the first time in the match.
Nicholson hit a maximum in the course of taking the opening leg of the sixth set and went on to win the second after a tiring Priestley was unable to land the three attempts he had at double top.
That took him one leg away from the match and the end was swift as he managed to hit a 62 finish to claim a quarter-final berth.
"You cannot describe what it is like playing one of your heroes," said Nicholson. "It is kind-of surreal, a privilege frankly just to be there, and to beat him? I cannot describe that.
"I had a shocking first two sets and when I got used to Dennis' pace I settled myself down and felt more comfortable."
Priestley said: "I did alright but I could not keep it going.
"I was disappointed not winning the fourth set because I should have taken that. That was the turning point.
"I did quite well in 2008 but today, 2-0 up and should have gone 3-1 up, knocks all the shine and takes all the gloss of what I have achieved this year."
Priestley added that he was impressed by Newcastle-born Nicholson, who has won 15 events on the DartPlayers Australia circuit in 2008 and shown his talents on the big stage at Alexandra Palace.
"We have found a good player," he said. "He has everything by the looks of it, and I am quite impressed.
"If he keeps going like that and does not get any batterings that knocks your confidence, we could be seeing a future World Champion."
Match Stats
MERVYN KING 4-1 DENNIS SMITH
(3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
MERVYN KING moved into the quarter-finals of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Dennis Smith.
Qualifier Smith, who came from 3-0 down to defeat Kevin McDine in his previous match, found the world number 12 too much of an obstacle to overcome this time around.
The first set proved to be a tight affair with the opening four legs all going with throw, and in the decider King continued that trend with a 14-dart finish to take an early lead.
The Norfolk thrower then took a 2-0 advantage at the start of the second set, hitting a maximum in the second leg.
Smith won the third leg after King missed two darts to win the set, and the Swindon thrower then hit an excellent 121 checkout finishing on the bullseye.
But King hit his third maximum of the game in the deciding leg, which he took in 15 darts to extend his lead to 2-0.
King, who defeated Mark Walsh in his second round game, led the third set 2-1, and then hit a 109 finish in the fourth leg to win the set and move further ahead.
Both players held throw in the opening two legs of the fourth leg, before King had opportunities to break throw in the third.
Those opportunities where off-target and allowed Smith to take a 2-1 lead, before he took the set on double eight.
King took the opening leg of the fifth set before Smith landed double three to level.
King went ahead again to go one leg away from the match and converted a 76 finish to book a quarter-final encounter against Barrie Bates.
"I got the win, and sometimes you have to win ugly, but today was one of those wins," said King.
"A match average below 90 isn't good and my finishing wasn't great. Dennis was under-par and he let me in, but I felt so good and it didn't happen the way I wanted it to.
"I take each game as it comes and every day is different. That game has gone now and Thursday against Barrie Bates is a new game."
Smith conceded: "I probably had my chances in the first two sets but Mervyn is a quality player and I was probably lucky to get away with a set.
"I was over the moon to qualify because I've had a couple of years playing bad darts and it's given me a new lease of life.
"I was quite lucky to be here, let alone in the last 16. It was a great feeling to beat Terry Jenkins and then to beat Kevin McDine was a great feat.
"I knew I couldn't go 3-0 down against Mervyn, because he would do a proper job and he did that."
Match Stats
CO STOMPE 4-0 WAYNE MARDLE
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
WAYNE MARDLE'S hopes of Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship glory were shattered in a straight sets defeat to Co Stompe on Tuesday afternoon.
The flamboyant world number seven, a five-time World Championship semi-finalist, failed to rekindle the form which saw him defeat Robert Thornton in round two as the Dutchman progressed to the quarter-finals.
Stompe, who has already defeated Andy Jenkins and Alan Tabern will now take Phil Taylor on New Year's Day - in a repeat of the recent German Darts Championship final which he won.
Both players hit maximums in the opening leg of the match, but it was Mardle who won it by breaking throw.
Stompe hit back to level and then won the third leg by landing double two to take a 2-1 lead, with Mardle levelling in 13 darts but waiting on a finish when the Dutchman took out double six for the first set.
The five-time world semi-finalist started the second set well with a 14-darter, but missed three chances to break throw in the second and further opportunities in the third to allow Stompe to lead 2-1 before wrapping up the set on double 16.
In the third set Stompe landed double top in consecutive legs to build up a 2-0 before Mardle took out a 106 finish to hit back.
Mardle then won the fourth with a 66 finish, but Stompe survived the mini fightback with an excellent 72 finish to go 3-0 up.
In set four, Mardle won the first leg on double top, but Stompe took the next two with 14-dart finishes to move a leg away from the match.
Mardle managed to win the fourth leg on double 18, but Stompe was not to be denied and hit his third 14-dart finish of the set to claim a famous victory.
"The crowd expected him to beat me, especially after the way he beat Robert Thornton, I think the pressure got to him," said Stompe.
"I had to go out, win the first set and shut the crowd up. You don't want to play two players - one is hard enough!"
Mardle conceded: "Co kept mopping up what I left and normally the game would come out nip and tuck, but today was not my day.
"I find it incredible that I've lost 4-0 when I was the better player. I should have been two sets up, but you go through peaks and troughs and at the moment I'm going through a trough."
Match Stats
JELLE KLAASEN 4-1 ANDY HAMILTON
(3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
JELLE KLAASEN won a thrilling to encounter to end the hopes of Stoke ace Andy Hamilton with a 4-1 victory to reach the quarter-finals of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The Dutchman - the 2006 Lakeside champion - defied 11 maximums from his opponent to reach his first PDC World Championship quarter-final with another impressive showing.
Klaasen won the first leg before Hamilton began the second leg by hitting seven treble 20s in succession.
His nine-darter attempt ended with his missed dart at the treble 19, but he won the leg in 11 darts to level.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs and that sequence continued as Klaasen took the deciding leg to open up an early lead.
Hamilton hit his fourth maximum of the game in the opening leg of the second set, which he took in 11 darts, before Klaasen levelled by converting an 80 finish.
The Dutchman missed four darts to break throw in the third leg and Hamilton capitalised to lead 2-1 in the set.
He recorded another maximum in the fourth leg, but missed a dart at double 16 for the set and Klaasen managed to level - before being punished for two missed darts for the set as Hamilton levelled the game.
Klaasen led the third set 2-1 despite three maximums from Hamilton before taking the fourth to break throw for the first time in the contest.
Hamilton opened up the fourth set with an 11-dart finish, before Klaasen won the next two legs, breaking throw in the third leg with a clinical two-dart 74.
The Dutchman missed two darts for the set in the fourth leg, but Hamilton was unable to convert his attempt at double 16 and Klaasen returned to hit double ten and increase his lead to 3-1.
Hamilton broke Klaasen's throw for the first time in the match at the start of the fifth set, but was unable to hold the advantage as the Dutchman immediately hit back to win the second, and then went on to take the third leg to go within touching distance of victory.
Hamilton hit an excellent 14-dart finish to win the fourth but missed four darts to win the set and let Klaasen in to hit double ten and seal a great victory.
"It was very tough and it could have gone 4-1 to Andy," said Klaasen. "He scored very well but my finishing was good again.
"I'm very happy with how the tournament is going and it feels great to be in the quarter-finals - but I want to go further."
Match Stats
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-3 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 6-5)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD edged a sudden death shoot-out against Ronnie Baxter to keep his hopes of a sixth World Championship title alive at Alexandra Palace.
The five-time World Champion fell 3-2 down and survived three match darts from Baxter, who produced one of his finest displays on television for some time only to fall to the narrowest of losses.
The victory for van Barneveld now means that he will face fellow countryman Jelle Klaasen in the quarter-finals, a repeat of their clash in the 2006 Lakeside final.
Van Barneveld missed opportunities to break his opponent's throw in the opening leg but won the second with a superb 10-dart finish.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs, and had chances to the set in the decider, but it was the Dutchman who came through by landing double ten to take the lead.
Van Barneveld broke throw at the start of the second with a 14-dart finish, but Baxter broke back with a two-dart 81 finish and won the third leg with a 13-darter to go 2-1 up in the set.
In the fourth leg van Barneveld missed two darts at doubles and Baxter landed double seven to square the game.
Van Barneveld hit a 141 checkout to take the first leg of the third set, and was on course for a nine-dart finish in the second after back-to-back maximums.
But after landing his seventh treble 20, his attempt at treble 19 was off-target, although he went on to win the leg and take a 2-0 lead.
Baxter won the third leg in 15 darts, but van Barneveld took the fourth with an 86 finish to win the set and regain the lead.
Both players held their throws in the opening two legs of the fourth set, before van Barneveld won the third leg against the darts with a superb 12-dart finish.
But van Barneveld missed two darts at doubles for a 3-1 lead, allowing Baxter to win the fourth leg.
And the Dutchman was made to rue those opportunities further as the Baxter hit a fantastic 123 checkout, finishing on the bullseye to level the game for the second time.
The Lancastrian, bouyed by winning the fourth set, then opened up a 2-0 lead in the fifth set, hitting a 14-dart finish in the first leg and converting a 65 checkout in the second.
Van Barneveld stemmed the tide briefly by hitting double nine to win the third leg, but Baxter hit a 95 finish to go ahead 3-2 and lead for the first time in the match.
Van Barneveld reacted well in the sixth set, hitting his seventh maximum of the game in the first leg and then breaking throw in the second with a fine 116 finish.
Baxter won the third leg with a 65 finish, but the Dutchman won the next by landing double 16 to take the match into a decider.
Baxter broke throw at the beginning of the final set and then won the second to go one leg away from the match, before van Barneveld won the third with a 76 finish.
Baxter missed a dart at bullseye which would have given him the match and van Barneveld landed a pressure double 18 with his last dart to take the match into a tie-break situation.
Baxter broke throw in the fifth leg but van Barneveld replied in kind to hit back and take the sixth leg.
Baxter missed a dart at double top to break again in the seventh, before the Dutchman landed double 18 with his last dart to take a 4-3 lead in the set.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs to give van Barneveld a 5-4 lead, before a sixth maximum of the contest from Baxter helped him set up a double six finish to send the game into a sudden-death leg.
Baxter won the advantage of throwing first and hit a maximum, but as the tension grew he missed two darts at double eight for victory, and van Barneveld hit a two-dart 60 finish to end an epic.
"I was close and the two darts at double eight left my hand clean, but didn't go in," said Baxter. "Raymond hit the doubles and deserved to win.
"I'm enjoying my darts and letting go now. I felt right going into the game tonight and enjoyed the game, and the results will come."
Match Stats
JAMES WADE 4-0 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
(3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
JAMES WADE claimed a quarter-final berth at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championshiop with a 4-0 victory over Vincent van der Voort.
The UK Open champion failed to hit top gearm but van der Voort was unable to repeat to kind of form that saw him defeat Colin Osborne in the previous round.
Wade broke throw at the start of the match but failed to capitalise on that by missing three darts at tops for a 2-0 lead and van der Voort levelled.
The world number three broke the Dutchman's throw for a second time in the set by hitting double five and then went on to take the fourth leg and go 1-0 ahead.
Van der Voort won the first leg of the second set against the darts, but Wade broke back on double ten.
He then won the next two legs, hitting a two-dart 60 checkout to extend his lead to 2-0.
Wade had opportunities to take a 2-1 lead in set three, but missed two darts at double top and van der Voort stepped to go ahead in the set.
Wade hit an excellent 124 finish on the bullseye to take the fourth leg, and then won the fifth in 14 darts to increase his lead to 3-0.
In the fourth the opening three legs went with throw, giving Wade a 2-1 lead before van der Voort hit double 18 to take the fourth leg.
Despite a maximum, he was unable to land double 19 to keep the match alive and Wade stepped up to land double 18 and claim a straight sets victory to set up a quarter-final against Paul Nicholson.
"I'm frustrated because I'm playing badly but still winning," said Wade. "I know I have to step up my game but I'm rtying as hard as I can and my preparation is perfect.
"It's only a matter of time before it clicks in and I'll be back producing what I know I can do."
Match Stats
Alexandra Palace hosts the remaining games from the last 16, as players bid to join Phil Taylor and Barrie Bates in the quarter-finals.
Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Third Round - Tuesday
Paul Nicholson 4-2 Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King 4-1 Dennis Smith
Co Stompe 4-0 Wayne Mardle
Evening Session
Jelle Klaasen 4-1 Andy Hamilton
Raymond van Barneveld 4-3 Ronnie Baxter
James Wade 4-0 Vincent van der Voort
Reaction
Audio interviews with selected players are available in PDCtv
Photo Gallery
Click here for a Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship Photo Gallery
Matchroom Bets Blog
A Matchroom Bets blog will be available from Alexandra Palace throughout the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Click here to visit MatchroomBets.com
PAUL NICHOLSON 4-2 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(2-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
PAUL NICHOLSON continued his superb run at the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with an excellent 4-2 victory over Dennis Priestley.
Nicholson came from behind for a second game in succession to end Priestley's hopes of claiming a third world title.
Priestley had opportunities to take 3-1 lead in the match, but those chances went begging and the Yorkshireman was left to rue those mistakes as Nicholson pushed on to claim victory.
"It's tremendous to be in the last eight," said Nicholson, the Australian number one who now meets either James Wade of Vincent van der Voort on Friday.
"I have had one goal, to make the semi-finals and eight James or Vincent had better watch out because I am going to be more aggressive than ever.
"I am going to be dangerous, and I get to play at night-time which means I can practice more before my game, which is even better for me."
While Nicholson was opened his clash with Priestley with a maximum, he found himself behind after missing one dart at double top in the deciding leg of the first set.
The 58-year-old hit maximums in each of the opening two legs of set two, winning them with 13 and 14 darts respectively to edge clear.
Nicholson managed to hit a 72 finish to win the third leg, but Priestley hit two maximums in a 12-darter to win the next and extend his advantage to 2-0.
Nicholson began the comeback by breaking his opponent's throw at the start of the third set.
He then won the second leg with a 118 checkout, which was followed by a 13-dart finish to reduce the arrears in style.
Nicholson hit his second maximum of the game at the start of the fourth, but it was Priestley who won the leg by hitting a showpiece 100 checkout, which included two double tops.
The Britsh-born Australian converted a 104 checkout to the level the set, but fell behind once again after he missed three darts at doubles to take the third leg.
But Priestley suffered the same fate in the fourth, missing three darts to take the set, and Nicholson landed a pressure double four with his last dart to keep the set alive.
Nicholson, who defeated Adrian Gray and Adrian Lewis to reach the last 16, then landed double 16 in the deciding leg, with Priestley waiting on a two-dart finish to level the game.
From then on Nicholson only conceded one more leg as he romped home to victory.
He opened up a 2-0 lead in set five before Priestley managed to win the third leg in 13 darts.
But Nicholson replied in kind to win the set and take the lead for the first time in the match.
Nicholson hit a maximum in the course of taking the opening leg of the sixth set and went on to win the second after a tiring Priestley was unable to land the three attempts he had at double top.
That took him one leg away from the match and the end was swift as he managed to hit a 62 finish to claim a quarter-final berth.
"You cannot describe what it is like playing one of your heroes," said Nicholson. "It is kind-of surreal, a privilege frankly just to be there, and to beat him? I cannot describe that.
"I had a shocking first two sets and when I got used to Dennis' pace I settled myself down and felt more comfortable."
Priestley said: "I did alright but I could not keep it going.
"I was disappointed not winning the fourth set because I should have taken that. That was the turning point.
"I did quite well in 2008 but today, 2-0 up and should have gone 3-1 up, knocks all the shine and takes all the gloss of what I have achieved this year."
Priestley added that he was impressed by Newcastle-born Nicholson, who has won 15 events on the DartPlayers Australia circuit in 2008 and shown his talents on the big stage at Alexandra Palace.
"We have found a good player," he said. "He has everything by the looks of it, and I am quite impressed.
"If he keeps going like that and does not get any batterings that knocks your confidence, we could be seeing a future World Champion."
Match Stats
|
Paul Nicholson |
4-2 |
Dennis Priestley |
|
30 |
100+ |
29 |
|
20 |
140+ |
18 |
|
5 |
180 |
6 |
|
32.47 |
Ave1 |
31.68 |
|
97.40 |
Ave3 |
95.05 |
|
118,104 |
High Finish |
100 |
MERVYN KING 4-1 DENNIS SMITH
(3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
MERVYN KING moved into the quarter-finals of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Dennis Smith.
Qualifier Smith, who came from 3-0 down to defeat Kevin McDine in his previous match, found the world number 12 too much of an obstacle to overcome this time around.
The first set proved to be a tight affair with the opening four legs all going with throw, and in the decider King continued that trend with a 14-dart finish to take an early lead.
The Norfolk thrower then took a 2-0 advantage at the start of the second set, hitting a maximum in the second leg.
Smith won the third leg after King missed two darts to win the set, and the Swindon thrower then hit an excellent 121 checkout finishing on the bullseye.
But King hit his third maximum of the game in the deciding leg, which he took in 15 darts to extend his lead to 2-0.
King, who defeated Mark Walsh in his second round game, led the third set 2-1, and then hit a 109 finish in the fourth leg to win the set and move further ahead.
Both players held throw in the opening two legs of the fourth leg, before King had opportunities to break throw in the third.
Those opportunities where off-target and allowed Smith to take a 2-1 lead, before he took the set on double eight.
King took the opening leg of the fifth set before Smith landed double three to level.
King went ahead again to go one leg away from the match and converted a 76 finish to book a quarter-final encounter against Barrie Bates.
"I got the win, and sometimes you have to win ugly, but today was one of those wins," said King.
"A match average below 90 isn't good and my finishing wasn't great. Dennis was under-par and he let me in, but I felt so good and it didn't happen the way I wanted it to.
"I take each game as it comes and every day is different. That game has gone now and Thursday against Barrie Bates is a new game."
Smith conceded: "I probably had my chances in the first two sets but Mervyn is a quality player and I was probably lucky to get away with a set.
"I was over the moon to qualify because I've had a couple of years playing bad darts and it's given me a new lease of life.
"I was quite lucky to be here, let alone in the last 16. It was a great feeling to beat Terry Jenkins and then to beat Kevin McDine was a great feat.
"I knew I couldn't go 3-0 down against Mervyn, because he would do a proper job and he did that."
Match Stats
|
Dennis Smith |
1-4 |
Mervyn King |
|
25 |
100+ |
33 |
|
19 |
140+ |
14 |
|
2 |
180 |
3 |
|
27.68 |
Ave1 |
29.96 |
|
83.05 |
Ave3 |
89.88 |
|
121 |
High Finish |
109 |
CO STOMPE 4-0 WAYNE MARDLE
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
WAYNE MARDLE'S hopes of Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship glory were shattered in a straight sets defeat to Co Stompe on Tuesday afternoon.
The flamboyant world number seven, a five-time World Championship semi-finalist, failed to rekindle the form which saw him defeat Robert Thornton in round two as the Dutchman progressed to the quarter-finals.
Stompe, who has already defeated Andy Jenkins and Alan Tabern will now take Phil Taylor on New Year's Day - in a repeat of the recent German Darts Championship final which he won.
Both players hit maximums in the opening leg of the match, but it was Mardle who won it by breaking throw.
Stompe hit back to level and then won the third leg by landing double two to take a 2-1 lead, with Mardle levelling in 13 darts but waiting on a finish when the Dutchman took out double six for the first set.
The five-time world semi-finalist started the second set well with a 14-darter, but missed three chances to break throw in the second and further opportunities in the third to allow Stompe to lead 2-1 before wrapping up the set on double 16.
In the third set Stompe landed double top in consecutive legs to build up a 2-0 before Mardle took out a 106 finish to hit back.
Mardle then won the fourth with a 66 finish, but Stompe survived the mini fightback with an excellent 72 finish to go 3-0 up.
In set four, Mardle won the first leg on double top, but Stompe took the next two with 14-dart finishes to move a leg away from the match.
Mardle managed to win the fourth leg on double 18, but Stompe was not to be denied and hit his third 14-dart finish of the set to claim a famous victory.
"The crowd expected him to beat me, especially after the way he beat Robert Thornton, I think the pressure got to him," said Stompe.
"I had to go out, win the first set and shut the crowd up. You don't want to play two players - one is hard enough!"
Mardle conceded: "Co kept mopping up what I left and normally the game would come out nip and tuck, but today was not my day.
"I find it incredible that I've lost 4-0 when I was the better player. I should have been two sets up, but you go through peaks and troughs and at the moment I'm going through a trough."
Match Stats
|
Wayne Mardle |
0-4 |
Co Stompe |
|
29 |
100+ |
24 |
|
16 |
140+ |
11 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.73 |
Ave1 |
31.01 |
|
92.18 |
Ave3 |
91.02 |
|
106 |
High Finish |
72 |
JELLE KLAASEN 4-1 ANDY HAMILTON
(3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
JELLE KLAASEN won a thrilling to encounter to end the hopes of Stoke ace Andy Hamilton with a 4-1 victory to reach the quarter-finals of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The Dutchman - the 2006 Lakeside champion - defied 11 maximums from his opponent to reach his first PDC World Championship quarter-final with another impressive showing.
Klaasen won the first leg before Hamilton began the second leg by hitting seven treble 20s in succession.
His nine-darter attempt ended with his missed dart at the treble 19, but he won the leg in 11 darts to level.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs and that sequence continued as Klaasen took the deciding leg to open up an early lead.
Hamilton hit his fourth maximum of the game in the opening leg of the second set, which he took in 11 darts, before Klaasen levelled by converting an 80 finish.
The Dutchman missed four darts to break throw in the third leg and Hamilton capitalised to lead 2-1 in the set.
He recorded another maximum in the fourth leg, but missed a dart at double 16 for the set and Klaasen managed to level - before being punished for two missed darts for the set as Hamilton levelled the game.
Klaasen led the third set 2-1 despite three maximums from Hamilton before taking the fourth to break throw for the first time in the contest.
Hamilton opened up the fourth set with an 11-dart finish, before Klaasen won the next two legs, breaking throw in the third leg with a clinical two-dart 74.
The Dutchman missed two darts for the set in the fourth leg, but Hamilton was unable to convert his attempt at double 16 and Klaasen returned to hit double ten and increase his lead to 3-1.
Hamilton broke Klaasen's throw for the first time in the match at the start of the fifth set, but was unable to hold the advantage as the Dutchman immediately hit back to win the second, and then went on to take the third leg to go within touching distance of victory.
Hamilton hit an excellent 14-dart finish to win the fourth but missed four darts to win the set and let Klaasen in to hit double ten and seal a great victory.
"It was very tough and it could have gone 4-1 to Andy," said Klaasen. "He scored very well but my finishing was good again.
"I'm very happy with how the tournament is going and it feels great to be in the quarter-finals - but I want to go further."
Match Stats
|
Andy Hamilton |
1-4 |
Jelle Klaasen |
|
25 |
100+ |
28 |
|
14 |
140+ |
17 |
|
11 |
180 |
5 |
|
31.58 |
Ave1 |
30.67 |
|
94.74 |
Ave3 |
92.02 |
|
68 |
High Finish |
80 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-3 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 6-5)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD edged a sudden death shoot-out against Ronnie Baxter to keep his hopes of a sixth World Championship title alive at Alexandra Palace.
The five-time World Champion fell 3-2 down and survived three match darts from Baxter, who produced one of his finest displays on television for some time only to fall to the narrowest of losses.
The victory for van Barneveld now means that he will face fellow countryman Jelle Klaasen in the quarter-finals, a repeat of their clash in the 2006 Lakeside final.
Van Barneveld missed opportunities to break his opponent's throw in the opening leg but won the second with a superb 10-dart finish.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs, and had chances to the set in the decider, but it was the Dutchman who came through by landing double ten to take the lead.
Van Barneveld broke throw at the start of the second with a 14-dart finish, but Baxter broke back with a two-dart 81 finish and won the third leg with a 13-darter to go 2-1 up in the set.
In the fourth leg van Barneveld missed two darts at doubles and Baxter landed double seven to square the game.
Van Barneveld hit a 141 checkout to take the first leg of the third set, and was on course for a nine-dart finish in the second after back-to-back maximums.
But after landing his seventh treble 20, his attempt at treble 19 was off-target, although he went on to win the leg and take a 2-0 lead.
Baxter won the third leg in 15 darts, but van Barneveld took the fourth with an 86 finish to win the set and regain the lead.
Both players held their throws in the opening two legs of the fourth set, before van Barneveld won the third leg against the darts with a superb 12-dart finish.
But van Barneveld missed two darts at doubles for a 3-1 lead, allowing Baxter to win the fourth leg.
And the Dutchman was made to rue those opportunities further as the Baxter hit a fantastic 123 checkout, finishing on the bullseye to level the game for the second time.
The Lancastrian, bouyed by winning the fourth set, then opened up a 2-0 lead in the fifth set, hitting a 14-dart finish in the first leg and converting a 65 checkout in the second.
Van Barneveld stemmed the tide briefly by hitting double nine to win the third leg, but Baxter hit a 95 finish to go ahead 3-2 and lead for the first time in the match.
Van Barneveld reacted well in the sixth set, hitting his seventh maximum of the game in the first leg and then breaking throw in the second with a fine 116 finish.
Baxter won the third leg with a 65 finish, but the Dutchman won the next by landing double 16 to take the match into a decider.
Baxter broke throw at the beginning of the final set and then won the second to go one leg away from the match, before van Barneveld won the third with a 76 finish.
Baxter missed a dart at bullseye which would have given him the match and van Barneveld landed a pressure double 18 with his last dart to take the match into a tie-break situation.
Baxter broke throw in the fifth leg but van Barneveld replied in kind to hit back and take the sixth leg.
Baxter missed a dart at double top to break again in the seventh, before the Dutchman landed double 18 with his last dart to take a 4-3 lead in the set.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs to give van Barneveld a 5-4 lead, before a sixth maximum of the contest from Baxter helped him set up a double six finish to send the game into a sudden-death leg.
Baxter won the advantage of throwing first and hit a maximum, but as the tension grew he missed two darts at double eight for victory, and van Barneveld hit a two-dart 60 finish to end an epic.
"I was close and the two darts at double eight left my hand clean, but didn't go in," said Baxter. "Raymond hit the doubles and deserved to win.
"I'm enjoying my darts and letting go now. I felt right going into the game tonight and enjoyed the game, and the results will come."
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
4-3 |
Ronnie Baxter |
|
49 |
100+ |
43 |
|
33 |
140+ |
24 |
|
8 |
180 |
7 |
|
32.85 |
Ave1 |
31.76 |
|
98.56 |
Ave3 |
95.27 |
|
141,116 |
High Finish |
123 |
JAMES WADE 4-0 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
(3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
JAMES WADE claimed a quarter-final berth at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championshiop with a 4-0 victory over Vincent van der Voort.
The UK Open champion failed to hit top gearm but van der Voort was unable to repeat to kind of form that saw him defeat Colin Osborne in the previous round.
Wade broke throw at the start of the match but failed to capitalise on that by missing three darts at tops for a 2-0 lead and van der Voort levelled.
The world number three broke the Dutchman's throw for a second time in the set by hitting double five and then went on to take the fourth leg and go 1-0 ahead.
Van der Voort won the first leg of the second set against the darts, but Wade broke back on double ten.
He then won the next two legs, hitting a two-dart 60 checkout to extend his lead to 2-0.
Wade had opportunities to take a 2-1 lead in set three, but missed two darts at double top and van der Voort stepped to go ahead in the set.
Wade hit an excellent 124 finish on the bullseye to take the fourth leg, and then won the fifth in 14 darts to increase his lead to 3-0.
In the fourth the opening three legs went with throw, giving Wade a 2-1 lead before van der Voort hit double 18 to take the fourth leg.
Despite a maximum, he was unable to land double 19 to keep the match alive and Wade stepped up to land double 18 and claim a straight sets victory to set up a quarter-final against Paul Nicholson.
"I'm frustrated because I'm playing badly but still winning," said Wade. "I know I have to step up my game but I'm rtying as hard as I can and my preparation is perfect.
"It's only a matter of time before it clicks in and I'll be back producing what I know I can do."
Match Stats
|
James Wade |
4-0 |
Vincent van der Voort |
|
31 |
100+ |
27 |
|
11 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
6 |
|
30.25 |
Ave1 |
30.39 |
|
90.76 |
Ave3 |
91.18 |
|
160,124 |
High Finish |
81 |