PHIL TAYLOR made a shock exit from the William Hill World Darts Championship after losing a dramatic tie-break against Jelle Klaasen, as Peter Wright and Alan Norris also progressed to the quarter-finals on evening of exceptional action at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday.
 
Legendary 16-time World Champion Taylor was knocked out of the tournament 24 hours after world number one Michael van Gerwen had suffered the same fate, as Klaasen produced a great escape in the final set.
 
The 2006 Lakeside Champion stunned number three seed Taylor, who missed a match dart before Klaasen overturned a two-leg deficit in the seventh set by winning four legs in a row and sealing a sensational victory with a brilliant 11-darter.
 
"This feeling is special and I'm over the moon," said Klaasen, who hit 15 180s and averaged 102.5 as he reached the last eight at Ally Pally for the first time in six years.
 
"I almost gave it away but I didn't give in and always thought I could win. Phil missed one match dart and I kept fighting and took my chance when it came.
 
"I know I can do even better than this and still have work to do so it is not time to celebrate yet, but I am very happy."
 
Taylor's hopes of lifting an unprecedented 17th World Championship trophy were dashed for at least another year and he is keen to see the back of 2015, which has left him in the unfamiliar position of not holding a single major ranking title.
 
"I'm gutted because I had chances but I have to admit that he played better than me," said Taylor, who also averaged over 100 in the excellent encounter.
 
"I've just got to leave this year behind now and look forward to next year, push on and see if I can put things right. I've got nothing but praise for Jelle. He can be a World Champion again."
 
Wright also came through a seven-set thriller as he defeated Dave Chisnall in a tie-break in another epic contest which saw both players miss darts for victory before the 2014 finalist sealed his spot in the last eight against Adrian Lewis.
 
After a sharing six sublime sets, the pair continued to produce unbelievable quality in the decider, which saw Chisnall produce finishes of 143, 80, 78 and 130 and Wright take out 100, 68, 127 and 64 with the colourful world number four eventually prevailing 6-4.
 
"I'm feeling over the moon," said number four seed Wright following the incredible battle, in which both players averaged over 102.
 
"I always find it hard to beat Chizzy. He is a fantastic player but I managed to do it. What a game of darts.
 
"I've got no idea how I held my nerve under pressure but if I could bottle it I would sell it. I'm ready for another great game against Adrian. It always is a good battle when we meet."
 
Norris continued to compile the script for a fairytale Ally Pally debut as he saw off Mark Webster in five sets to reach the last eight, hitting nine 180s in the process.
 
"It's not a bad couple of week's work," joked Norris, a former Lakeside Championship finalist who joined the PDC circuit last January by winning a Tour Card at Qualifying School.
 
"Some of the press have written me off but I'm happy to have achieved what I have and I'm happy to keep being written off. I could go even further yet."
 
There will be no play on December 31, with the quarter-finals being held on New Year's Day across two sessions, the semi-finals on January 2 and the final on January 3.
 
The order of play for the quarter-finals sees the bottom half of the draw in action in the afternoon session on January 1 with Klaasen and Norris doing battle before defending champion Gary Anderson meets James Wade.
 
The evening session will start with five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld against former World Youth Champion Michael Smith and conclude with Wright's clash with 2011 and 2012 winner Lewis.
 
Latest William Hill Outright Winner Odds
9/4 Gary Anderson
4/1 Adrian Lewis
6/1 Peter Wright
8/1 Raymond van Barneveld
9/1 Jelle Klaasen
10/1 James Wade
11/1 Michael Smith
28/1 Alan Norris
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to fluctuation. For the latest odds, see www.williamhill.com.
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Third Round
Wednesday December 30
Peter Wright 4-3 Dave Chisnall
Alan Norris 4-1 Mark Webster
Phil Taylor 3-4 Jelle Klaasen
Best of seven sets
 
Quarter-Finals Draw Bracket
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael Smith
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Alan Norris v Jelle Klaasen
 
Friday January 1 2016
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Alan Norris v Jelle Klaasen
Gary Anderson v James Wade
 
Evening Session (7.30pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael Smith
Adrian Lewis v Peter Wright
 
Quarter-Finals - best of nine sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Peter Wright 4-3 Dave Chisnall
SET ONE: 2-3
Wright broke Chisnall's throw in the opening leg by scoring his first 180 and landing a 90 finish but his opponent responded with a brilliant 121 checkout. The pair then both hit 180s as the next two legs were shared before Chisnall took out 68 to take the first set.
 
SET TWO: 3-0
An 88 finish saw Wright take the lead before he bedded double eight and double 19 to level the match.
 
SET THREE: 0-3
The pair exchanged 180s before Chisnall pegged double eight. He then landed double ten after hitting his third 180 before defying Wright's fourth maximum with a superb 160 finish.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Wright hit two more maximums and Chisnall hit one but the world number four took out 45 to move ahead. Chisnall levelled but Wright finished 88 and 20 to square up the match.
 
SET FIVE: 1-3
Chisnall took the first two legs before an eighth 180 helped Wright pull a leg back but Chisnall bedded tops to wrestle back the match lead.
 
SET SIX: 3-2
Chisnall hit two 180s and took out 76 to break. Wright crucially broke straight back with a 116 finish before taking out 84 to move ahead. The pair exchanged maximums but Chisnall moved within a leg of victory thanks to a 112 finish. Wright held his nerve to take out 68, forcing a deciding set.
 
SET SEVEN: 6-4
Chisnall took out 143 and Wright responded with a 100 finish. The pair then broke each other's throw with an 80 finish for Chisnall before Wright took out 68 to force a tie-break, where a margin of two legs was required for victory. Chisnall drew first blood with a 78 finish but missed a dart at double eight for victory in the following leg. Wright levelled and then took out a fabulous 127 to break but he then missed a dart at the bull for glory and Chisnall incredibly pulled off a 130 finish to save the game. 2014 finalist Wright broke again by cleaning up 64 and, after his opponent missed tops for a 125 finish, he landed double six to seal a sensational win.
 
Alan Norris 4-1 Mark Webster
SET ONE: 3-2
Norris broke in the opening leg but Webster responded brilliantly by taking out 130 on the bull. He then took out 74 to edge ahead but Norris hit 180s in each of the next two legs as he took the first set against the throw.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
Webster hit two maximums in the first leg as he broke with a fabulous 12-darter. The next three legs also went against the throw though before Norris held to double his lead in the match.
 
SET THREE: 0-3
Webster halved the deficit by bedding double ten in each of the three legs.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Norris hammered home his seventh 180 and then nailed tops before Webster pinned double ten again. Norris won the next two legs though as he moved within a set of a last eight place.
 
SET FIVE: 3-1
Webster took out 76 to go ahead but that was to be the last leg he would win as Norris wrapped up the victory with three straight legs, upping his 180 to count to nine in the process.
 
Phil Taylor 3-4 Jelle Klaasen
SET ONE: 2-3
The first two legs were shared before Taylor broke with a 76 finish. They both hit 180s in the following leg, which saw Klaasen break back on double three. He then hit two 180s and watched as Taylor missed a dart at the bull for the set and landed tops to move ahead.
 
SET TWO: 3-0
Taylor took Klaasen apart in the second set, hitting his second 180 before landing double eight and double top twice to level the match.
 
SET THREE: 1-3
Klaasen took out 70 and then 89 to break but Taylor replied in kind with a 70 finish of his own. The world number three then missed three darts to level the set and Klaasen punished him with a clinical kill of 68 to regain the lead.
 
SET FOUR: 3-2
Klaasen broke immediately with a ten-darter but Taylor took out 64 to level. The Dutchman finished 92 to leave himself throwing for the set but missed four darts at doubles and Taylor pegged double four and double 12 to restore match parity.
 
SET FIVE: 0-3
It was Klaasen's turn to dominate as he hit a 180 and took out 100 before landing doubles nine and six to seal the set.
 
SET SIX: 3-2
Klaasen broke on double two but Taylor took out 87 to break back in 12 darts. He then hit two 180s to move in front but Klaasen replied with his tenth maximum and pegged double seven to level. The Dutch ace then missed a dart at double 18 when trying to complete a 147 combination to win the match and could only watch as Taylor levelled the tie by landing the bed Klaasen had failed to find.
 
SET SEVEN: 2-4
Taylor looked to have taken control when he fired in his fifth 180 and took out a wonderful 126 finish on the bull to break. He then held despite another maximum from Klaasen. The 16-time World Champion missed a match dart in the following leg and Klaasen stepped in to take out the 64 combination that Taylor had missed. The Dutchman then broke by pegging double 18 to force a tie-break, with a margin of two clear legs needed for victory, in which he took out 100 before breaking to win the match with a sensational 11-darter for a fourth consecutive leg, having hit a 180 in each.

DUTCH legend Raymond van Barneveld sent world number one Michael van Gerwen crashing out of the William Hill World Darts Championship after winning a seven-set thriller on Tuesday, as defending champion Gary Anderson and two-time winner Adrian Lewis eased through to the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.
 
Five-time World Champion van Barneveld, who last lifted the trophy in 2007, defied an average of 105.78 and a 170 checkout from by odds-on title favourite van Gerwen to move into the last eight.
 
The former Grand Slam and Premier League champion also averaged over 100 in a dramatic contest between the best two players ever to come out of the Netherlands, taking the deciding set 3-1 as he sealed victory with a sweet 96 checkout.
 
"This feels like winning the title already," said van Barneveld, who will take on Michael Smith in the quarter-finals on New Year's Day.
 
"In the first set, Michael was absolutely steaming but after that I started to believe in myself and play really well. It looks like I saved all the luck, all the pressure and all the adrenaline to play here. I am so happy - I can't even describe how this feels."
 
2014 World Champion van Gerwen, who had appeared in every major ranking final since being beaten in last year's Ally Pally semi-finals, was left devastated at his exit.
 
He said: "It's always sad when you lose and this is extremely painful. It hurts a lot but Raymond played well and I missed too many important shots. I will put my feet back on the ground and get back on the practice board ready for next year."
 
Reigning champion Anderson, meanwhile, sent out a message to his rivals with a glittering display as he became the new 5/2 favourite with sponsors William Hill to win the title.
 
The world number two - who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy back in January - dropped just a single leg in a straight sets victory against Vincent van der Voort, averaging just under 102.
 
"It felt good and I'm still going," said Anderson, who set up a last eight showdown with James Wade.
 
"It was almost the perfect game but Vincent took a leg near the end and got the crowd going. Credit to him, that was fantastic.
 
"It's starting to come together for me now and my nerves are gone. I'm not defending my title from last year, I'm just trying to win it this year like everybody else - that's my approach."
 
Two-time World Champion Lewis is yet to drop a set in this year's tournament after cruising to a four-set success against Austria's Mensur Suljovic.
 
The Stoke ace took out brilliant shots of 121 and 161 during a win in which Suljovic failed to trouble the number five seed.
 
"I'm in the quarter-finals of the World Championship without losing a set - you've got to be happy with that," said Lewis, who will take on Peter Wright or Dave Chisnall in the last eight on January 1.
 
"You've got to be on your guard against a tricky player like Mensur and I'm happy with how it went. Last year I hit a nine-darter at this stage and then went out so I much prefer not hitting one and going through."
 
Earlier in the day, Anderson's protégé Smith produced a brilliant performance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, while Wade and Jelle Klaasen also claimed wins.
 
Former PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion Smith hit 12 180s in just 16 legs as he saw off Holland's Benito van de Pas in straight sets.
 
Smith, who reach the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts last month, averaged over 100 for the second successive round to continue his impressive form.
 
"That performance has made me stronger in this tournament," said number eight seed Smith, who has won six PDC ranking titles.
 
"I had fun up there and that made me play better. In the next game I'll have even more fun because I won't be the favourite so I can relax and play without pressure.
 
"If I can get my scoring and finishing together then I can go much further in this competition."
 
Wade is also through to the last eight after a comfortable victory against Jamie Caven, as the three-time semi-finalist earned a 4-1 success despite feeling under the weather.
 
"I think everyone has got a bit of a cold and I'm not feeling great so I'm pleased with how it went," said Wade, who praised the new layout of the Ally Pally arena, where the stage has been moved 90 degrees to accommodate more fans.
 
"I think it is fantastic as the fans are closer to us now and it makes for more interaction with them."
 
Tuesday's play also saw the second round completed as Klaasen defeated Mervyn King 4-2 with the aid of a brilliant 170 finish to set up a tasty last 16 contest with 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor on Wednesday.
 
"I feel good and if I can play my own game and hit my doubles then I think I have a good chance against Phil," said Klaasen, who won two Players Championship events in 2015.
 
"I was lucky at times in this match but I got there in the end and was pleased to get over the line. My game is more consistent now and even though it wasn't as good as the last round, I never felt like I might lose that game."
 
The quarter-final line-up will be completed after Wednesday's session, which also sees Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall facing off before Alan Norris takes on Mark Webster.
 
Following Tuesday's play and the drama of pre-tournament favourite van Gerwen's exit, title sponsors William Hill have now released the following Outright Winner odds:
5/2 Gary Anderson
7/2 Phil Taylor
4/1 Adrian Lewis
8/1 Raymond van Barneveld
10/1 Michael Smith
11/1 James Wade
12/1 Peter Wright
16/1 Dave Chisnall
25/1 Jelle Klaasen
66/1 Mark Webster
80/1 Alan Norris
Odds correct at time of publication and subject to fluctuation. For the latest odds, visit www.williamhill.com.
 
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Tuesday December 29
Afternoon Session
SECOND ROUND
Mervyn King 2-4 Jelle Klaasen
THIRD ROUND
Michael Smith 4-0 Benito van de Pas
James Wade 4-1 Jamie Caven
 
Evening Session
Adrian Lewis 4-0 Mensur Suljovic
Gary Anderson 4-0 Vincent van der Voort
Michael van Gerwen 3-4 Raymond van Barneveld
 
Wednesday December 30 (7pm)
Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall
Alan Norris v Mark Webster
Phil Taylor v Jelle Klaasen
 
Third Round - best of seven sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Mervyn King 2-4 Jelle Klaasen
SET ONE: 3-1
King hit a 180 before taking out 60 to break and he then landed double four to move further ahead. Klaasen hit back on double 18 but King sealed the first set by holding his throw.
 
SET TWO: 2-3
King landed two 180s and pegged double nine before taking out 84 to break. However, Klaasen stormed back, winning the next three legs to level the tie.
 
SET THREE: 1-3
The first two legs were shared before Klaasen pinned double ten and double nine to move ahead in the match.
 
SET FOUR: 3-2
King took out 82 but Klaasen produced a sensational 170 checkout in response before pinning double 18. He then missed six darts for the set, allowing King to level and take out 122 on the bull in the decider to level.
 
SET FIVE: 0-3
Klaasen landed double 18, double six and double four to rattle off three quick-fire legs.
 
SET SIX: 2-3
King won the first leg on double four but Klaasen levelled with the aid of his fifth 180 before his sixth maximum helped him edge ahead. The Dutchman missed five match darts in the next leg as King kept his hopes alive but they were dashed when Klaasen took out 56 to complete victory.
 
Michael Smith 4-0 Benito van de Pas
SET ONE: 3-2
Smith hit a 180 in all five legs as the pair exchanged breaks of throw in the first two legs before van de Pas produced a fabulous 148 finish. Smith took out 82 on the bull and then pegged double 12 for the set, completing a ten-darter which included a bounce-out as he scored 120, 180 and 177!
 
SET TWO: 3-0
Smith kicked off with an 11-darter before pinning double two to break. He then hit his eighth 180 in as many legs and finished 72 to take a two-set lead.
 
SET THREE: 3-1
Smith hit two more maximums as he broke van de Pas' throw before pegging double ten to double his lead. The Dutchman took out 69 but Smith added an 11th 180 before landing double five.
 
SET FOUR: 3-0
Smith fired in his 12th 180 but van de Pas pegged double five to go in front. However,  Smith landed double ten in each of the next three legs to reach the last eight for the first time.
 
James Wade 4-1 Jamie Caven
SET ONE: 3-1
Wade opened the match with a 180 as he went ahead but Caven levelled by taking out 60. Wade pinned double two to move back in front before breaking with a 76 finish after hitting another maximum.
 
SET TWO: 1-3
The first two legs were shared before Caven landed double ten and took out a brilliant 127 finish on the bull to level the match.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Wade fired in an 11-darter before Caven hit double eight. The world number seven then produced a fabulous 141 finish but his opponent replied with a 126 on the bull. Wade won the deciding leg on tops.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Wade broke his opponent's throw with a 66 checkout and doubled his lead by finishing 76. Caven pulled a leg back on double five but Wade pegged tops to move 3-1 up in sets.
 
SET FIVE: 3-2
Wade defied Caven's third 180 by bedding double ten. Caven responded with a 76 finish but the left-hander went ahead in a leg that saw both players hit maximums. Caven landed double ten to level the set but Wade pinned double top to move into the last eight.
 
Adrian Lewis 4-0 Mensur Suljovic
SET ONE: 3-0
Lewis hit a 180 in the opening leg, which he won on double ten. He then broke by sinking double 18 before sealing the set on double five.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
Suljovic's first 180 helped him take the first leg but Lewis responded with finishes of 40, a brilliant 121 and 48 to double his lead in the match.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Lewis raced into a two-leg lead, hitting two further maximums in the process. Suljovic pegged double ten and double four to level but Lewis landed double four to win the set.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Lewis produced a sensational 161 checkout to break but Suljovic replied by bedding his favourite double 14. Lewis got the job done though, pegging tops in each of the following two legs to move into the last eight.
 
Gary Anderson 4-0 Vincent van der Voort
SET ONE: 3-0
Both players hit 180s in the opening leg, which Anderson won on double five. The world number two added a second maximum as he broke van der Voort's throw by landing tops and he found the same bed again to wrap up the first set.
 
SET TWO: 3-0
Anderson hit double 18 either side of a 76 finish as he doubled his lead.
 
SET THREE: 3-0
Anderson pinned tops before a brilliant 121 finish saw him break his opponent's throw. The pair both hit 180s before the Scotsman pinned tops to make it nine legs on the spin.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Anderson made it 11 legs in a row when he pegged double ten and double 12 but van der Voort finally got a leg on the board by landing double 19. Anderson, though, completed the rout by bedding double five, ending the match with a 101.58 average.
 
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
SET ONE: 3-1
Van Gerwen took out 127 on the bull after setting up the shot with his first 180. His second maximum helped him double his lead but van Barneveld pegged double eight to pull a leg back. Van Gerwen landed the same double to take the first set.
 
SET TWO: 1-3
Van Gerwen hit double ten but the 2007 champion bounced back by bedding double four in a leg where both players hit maximums. He then produced a terrific 121 finish to break before landing double five to level the match.
 
SET THREE: 2-3
Van Barneveld's third 180 helped him edge ahead but van Gerwen replied with an 11-darter. The next two legs were also shared before van Barneveld took out 64 after setting it up brilliantly with a visit of 174.
 
SET FOUR: 3-0
Van Gerwen took out 77 before producing a spectacular 170 checkout. He then landed double nine to level the match at two sets apiece.
 
SET FIVE: 2-3
The first two legs were shared before van Gerwen grabbed a break of throw, only to see van Barneveld reply in kind in the following leg, taking out 124 with van Gerwen waiting on a double. He then pinned double six to move a set away from victory.
 
SET SIX: 3-2
Van Gerwen took the first two legs but van Barneveld broke back and then took out 82 to move within a leg of a famous triumph. Van Gerwen, though, produced a sensational 135 checkout to send the match into a deciding set.
 
SET SEVEN: 1-3
Van Barneveld took out 101 to edge ahead before finishing 72 to break. Van Gerwen kept his hopes alive with a sublime ten-darter but van Barneveld sealed an incredible victory with a 96 checkout after van Gerwen had missed a dart at double top. Van Gerwen ended with a 105.78 average in defeat, hitting 11 180s and a 170 checkout, while van Barneveld averaged over 100 in a heavy-scoring display.

LEGENDARY 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor moved into the third round at Alexandra Palace despite another change of equipment, as Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright enjoyed comfortable William Hill World Darts Championship wins.

Taylor, who had used a new set of darts in his first round victory over Keita Ono, reverted back to his old style of barrel but used newly designed stems as he came back from losing the first set to defeat Kevin Painter 4-1.

The number three seed - and second favourite with title sponsors William Hill to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy - hit seven 180s and took out a fabulous 170 checkout as he moved into the last 16, despite missing 34 darts at a double during the game.

"I believe that my set-up is perfect now," said Taylor, who will take on Jelle Klaasen or Meryvn King in round three. "That was a struggle and a bit of a nail-biter but that's because I've been practicing so well with these darts and that actually made me a bit nervous.

"I make these changes to make myself better and I can stick with this set-up now and concentrate on the World Championship.
"The tournament starts now. I'm excited that I know I can still compete and I just need to take my practice game onto the stage."
Two-time World Champion Lewis produced a sublime performance to dismantle Andrew Gilding in straight sets.

The world number five hit eight 180s and averaged over 103 - the second highest of the tournament so far - as he dropped just two legs in a vintage display.

"I knew I had to be on my game and I couldn't be happier," said Lewis, who is chasing a third World Championship triumph, having won the sport's showpiece title in 2011 and 2012.

"I know what quality Andrew has in his locker so I had to punish him from the start and not let him get going.

"I'm really up for this. If you can't get excited about the World Championship then you shouldn't be playing darts and I'm not here to make up the numbers - I'm here to win it."

Wright eased to a straight sets victory against Belgium's Ronny Huybrechts, setting up a tasty last 16 clash with Dave Chisnall.
The 2014 runner-up hit nine 180s and averaged just under 100 in a comfortable win to please his fans, who provided vocal support throughout the match.

"The crowd were all singing my name and I didn't want to let them down," said Wright, who is yet to drop a set in this year's tournament.
"My consistency wasn't always there but I tried to get a business head on and I got a good win in the end. Chizzy has been playing well for a long time now so I will need to turn it on for him."

Earlier in the day, Mark Webster claimed an impressive straight sets victory over Terry Jenkins as Mensur Suljovic edged a seven set thriller and Alan Norris also progressed.

Two-time Alexandra Palace semi-finalist Webster continued his recent revival as he dropped just four legs against veteran star Terry Jenkins.
The Welsh left-hander, who reached the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in October, set up a third round clash with Norris, who enjoyed a 4-1 success against Joe Murnan.

"I played steady darts and I'm pleased to be through," said Webster, the 2008 Lakeside Champion. "It didn't look brilliant but I got the job done.
"I've been working hard on getting my game right for a while now. I had issues with my technique which I'm still in the process of correcting but I'm making it work for me at the moment. The next match is a real opportunity for me or Alan and hopefully I'll take it."

Ally Pally debutant Norris hit 11 180s as he defeated Joe Murnan in five sets.

The former Lakeside Championship finalist, who won a Players Championship event in his first year on the PDC circuit, followed up his first round triumph over sixth seed Robert Thornton with another convincing display.

"A win is a win and I'm through to the last 16 so it's happy days," said Norris, who has hit two nine-darters in his first week on the PDC circuit back in January. "I've felt comfortable and confident and I'm really enjoying playing here.

"I can play better and I'll need to as the tournament goes on but if I can just improve my doubles then I can go further."
Austrian star Suljovic came out on top in a thrilling seven-set battle against a tenacious David Pallett, in a game that saw both players miss attempts at a double for nine-darters.

After six sets were shared, 2015 World Grand Prix and Players Championship semi-finalist Suljovic showed his class to win the final set, completing the victory with an 84 finish on the bull to set up a clash with Lewis on Tuesday evening.

"David is such a great player and at one point I thought 'I'm going to lose this match' but I never give up and I'm really happy that I came back and ended up winning," said Suljovic, who also missed the double for a nine-darter in Minehead last month.

"I tried to wait for his mistakes and when he did miss I waited and took my chances. I told my friends in Austria that I would hit a nine-darter so I was a little bit sad that I missed it but I will hit it next time - it will be third time lucky."

The second round concludes on Tuesday afternoon when Mervyn King takes on Jelle Klaasen, before the third round commences with five games across the two sessions which includes reigning champion Gary Anderson and the all-Dutch clash between former champions Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld.
​
William Hill World Darts Championship
Monday December 28
Afternoon Session
Alan Norris 4-1 Joe Murnan
Terry Jenkins 0-4 Mark Webster
David Pallett 3-4 Mensur Suljovic
Evening Session
Adrian Lewis 4-0 Andrew Gilding
Peter Wright 4-0 Ronny Huybrechts
Phil Taylor 4-1 Kevin Painter
Tuesday December 29
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Mervyn King v Jelle Klaasen
THIRD ROUND
Michael Smith v Benito van de Pas
James Wade v Jamie Caven
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Adrian Lewis v Mensur Suljovic
Gary Anderson v Vincent van der Voort
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Second Round - best of seven sets
Third Round - best of seven sets
MATCH INFORMATION
Alan Norris 4-1 Joe Murnan
SET ONE: 3-1
Murnan took the first leg by pinning double five but a brilliant 123 finish saw Norris level. He then hit his first 180 before taking out 60 to break and scored another maximum in the following leg, which he won with a 75 checkout.
SET TWO: 3-1
Norris pinned double six before Murnan levelled after both players hit 180s in the second leg. Norris then landed double ten and fired in his fourth maximum before pegging double 12 to move two sets ahead.
SET THREE: 3-2
Murnan took out 61 to win the first leg but Norris' fifth maximum helped him level. Murnan pegged double two but then missed ten darts for the set before his opponent hit double one and then took out 66 to make it three sets on the spin.
SET FOUR: 1-3
Murnan won the first leg by finishing 49 and he doubled his lead with a brilliant 86 checkout on the bull after the pair had exchanged maximums. Norris pulled a leg back with the aid of another maximum but Murnan sealed the set by sinking double 12.
SET FIVE: 3-1
Murnan edged ahead on double five before another 180 helped Norris complete a 12-darter. He then grabbed a crucial break of throw by taking out 70 and finished the job in the following leg when he finished 72 after adding an 11th 180.
Terry Jenkins 0-4 Mark Webster
SET ONE: 0-3
Webster pinned double ten to break his opponent's throw before landing double three. He then broke again with a brilliant 12-darter, which included his first 180 and an 81 finish.
SET TWO: 2-3
Webster took out 72 before producing a fabulous ten-darter to make it five legs in a row. Jenkins hit back by following his second 180 with a 51 finish to break. He then landed double four but missed three darts to win the set and Webster punished him by nailing double six.
SET THREE: 1-3
Webster broke on double six before his second maximum helped him double his lead in the set. He added a third 180 but Jenkins took out 70. The pair then exchanged 180s in leg four, which Webster won by taking out 81 to complete a 12-darter as he moved three sets clear.
SET FOUR: 1-3
Webster landed tops but Jenkins took out 78 to level. The Welshman got the job done though, bedding double ten and double top to seal an impressive straight sets victory.
David Pallett 3-4 Mensur Suljovic
SET ONE: 2-3
Suljovic kick-started the contest with a brilliant 160 checkout, defying a 180 from Pallett, who levelled by taking out 64. The next three legs also went with the throw as Suljovic edged the opening set.
SET TWO: 3-1
Pallett pinned tops before Suljovic levelled on double eight. Pallett then landed 24 and produced a clinical 120 checkout to secure the first break of the game.
SET THREE: 3-0
Pallett took out 81 to break before pinning double 16 and landing tops to make it six legs on the spin and move a set in front.
SET FOUR: 1-3
Suljovic went the closest to hitting a nine-dart-finish in the tournament so far as he wired double 18 after scoring 174 and 180 to set up a potential 147 finish. He did go out in ten darts before doubling his lead on double four. A 180 from Pallett helped him pull a leg back but Suljovic levelled the match by pegging double eight to take the set.
SET FIVE: 2-3
Suljovic edged a dramatic fifth set, starting with a 124 checkout on the bull. Pallett levelled on double ten and moved ahead by landing double two after both players missed a string of darts at doubles. The Austrian hit his third 180 and punished Pallett for missing four set-darts by taking out 64 to edge back ahead.
SET SIX: 3-1
Pallett pegged double eight but Suljovic levelled the set. The 25-year-old then set up a nine-dart attempt of his own, hitting back to back 180s before missing double 12 for the 141 combination. He eventually went out in 12 darts before a sixth 180 helped him restore match parity and force a deciding set.
SET SEVEN: 1-3
Pallett broke Suljovic's throw in the opening leg, thanks to a 180 and 81 finish. The Austrian ace then punished Pallett for two missed darts at double eight by cleaning up 102. He then landed double eight to move within a leg of victory and he finished 84 on the bull to reach the last 16 for the second time.
Adrian Lewis 4-0 Andrew Gilding
SET ONE: 3-0
Lewis opened the match with a maximum before adding another 180 in the opening leg, which he won in 11 darts. He then added a third 180 before taking out 84 on the bull and he made it four maximums in three legs as he quickly sealed the set, taking out 60.
SET TWO: 3-1
Lewis fired in another 180 but Gilding managed to get a leg on the board by taking out 80. Lewis landed tops in each of the next two legs and pinned double ten to take the set after adding his sixth 180.
SET THREE: 3-1
The two-time World Champion pinned double four before a seventh 180 helped him break Gilding's throw. Gilding took out 46 to pull a leg back but Lewis took out 80 to move within a set of victory.
SET FOUR: 3-0
Lewis took out 25 to break and bedded tops to take the second leg and he finished an impressive display on double 14 after adding an eighth 180, with his final average of 103.52 being the second highest so far in this year's event.
Peter Wright 4-0 Ronny Huybrechts
SET ONE: 3-1
Wright hit a 180 in the opening leg but Huybrechts finished 48 to claim first blood, before further maximums in each of the next two legs helped the 2014 finalist overturn the deficit. He went on to win the set by pegging double six.
SET TWO: 3-0
Wright landed double 18 and he fired in 180s in each of the next two legs as he finished 80 and 41 to double his lead.
SET THREE: 3-1
The number four seed added another maximum and pinned double eight before making it eight legs in a row with the aid of his seventh 180. Huybrechts stemmed the tide by landing double 12 but Wright opened a three-set lead with a 59 checkout.
SET FOUR: 3-2
Wright raced into a 2-0 lead but Huybrechts hit three 180s in the next two legs to level the set. Wright got the job done, though, taking out 96 on double 19 for a commanding victory.
Phil Taylor 4-1 Kevin Painter
SET ONE: 1-3
Painter pegged tops before hitting a 180 in the second leg, but he missed a dart to break Taylor's throw and the 16-time World Champion finished 25 to level. Painter hit back by bedding double 16 after a superb 174 set-up and the former Players Champion took out 52 to take the first set.
SET TWO: 3-2
The pair exchanged breaks of throw before Taylor landed double ten. Painter levelled the set with a brilliant 110 finish but Taylor took the set by pegging double five in the decider.
SET THREE: 3-2
Taylor went two legs clear, hitting 180s in both, before Painter took the next two to force a dramatic set decider, in which Taylor missed eight darts at double - adding to two he had missed for the set in the previous leg - but Painter missed four set darts of his own as the number three seed landed double two to move ahead.
SET FOUR: 3-1
Painter took out 116 to break but could only watch as Taylor responded in typically brilliant style, completing a maximum 170 finish to level the set. The world number three then pegged double 16 and double ten to move within a set of victory.
SET FIVE: 3-0
Taylor moved closer victory by breaking on double ten. He then hit 180s in each of the following two legs, upping his tally to seven, as he closed out the win.

ADRIAN LEWIS kicked off his bid to win a third William Hill World Darts Championship title with a straight sets win as Dutch duo Jelle Klaasen and Benito van de Pas and England's Andrew Gilding also enjoyed wins on the final night of first round action.
 
Two-time World Champion Lewis completed his victory over Jan Dekker with a brilliant 164 checkout, hitting six 180s and averaging just under 100 as he moved into the last 32.
 
"I was brilliant in patches and mediocre at times," said Lewis, who had landed a nine-darter at Alexandra Palace last year and had six perfect darts in one leg against Dekker.
 
"It's always hard in the first round but I've been putting the work in and I think it showed. I'll work even harder over the Christmas period. I'm getting there and I'll be ready for the next round."
 
Lewis will take on Gilding in the second round after the 2015 UK Open semi-finalist defeated Wales' Gerwyn Price in three sets in their opener.
 
Gilding opened the tie with a sensational 132 finish before going on to win each set in four legs.
 
"It was good start and I'm very happy with the win in the end," said Gilding, who enjoyed his first victory on the Alexandra Palace stage.
 
"I think I got a pretty bad draw in Gerwyn. I thought I'd have to average nearer to 100 to beat him but I'll take that. I'm through to the first round and that's what is important."
 
Klaasen became the only player to record a three-figure average in the pre-Christmas preliminary and first rounds as he dismantled Joe Cullen in three sets.
 
The former Lakeside Champion averaged 102.54 in a brilliant triumph, hitting five 180s in the process of setting up a tie with Mervyn King in round two.
 
"I'm happy with my performance," said Klaasen, who has won two Players Championship events during 2015.
 
"You have to play like that against players like Joe. You can't afford to give them chances. He played well but fortunately I put in a good performance and that's a great start for me."
 
Van de Pas tasted victory in the first round for the second year running as he defeated new World Youth Champion Max Hopp in four sets to move through and face Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh.
 
"I'm really happy with my performance," said the Dutch youngster, whose win included a 108 checkout.
 
"I felt good but I need to keep my form and hit my doubles better. I'll be staying here over Christmas and practising ready for the next game."
 
The action resumes with three second round matches on Boxing Day, including defending champion Gary Anderson's clash with Daryl Gurney.
 
Dave Chisnall takes on Christian Kist and Ricky Evans meets Jamie Caven, with play kicking off at 6pm following the Christmas break.
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Wednesday December 23
Andrew Gilding 3-0 Gerwyn Price
Benito van de Pas 3-1 Max Hopp
Adrian Lewis 3-0 Jan Dekker
Jelle Klaasen 3-0 Joe Cullen
 
FIXTURES - POST-CHRISTMAS
SECOND ROUND
Saturday December 26 (6pm-10pm)
Ricky Evans v Jamie Caven
Dave Chisnall v Christian Kist
Gary Anderson v Daryl Gurney
 
Sunday December 27
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Michael Smith v Steve Beaton
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Benito van de Pas
Vincent van der Voort  v Kyle Anderson
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v Stephen Bunting
James Wade v Wes Newton
Michael van Gerwen v Darren Webster
 
Monday December 28
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Alan Norris v Joe Murnan
Terry Jenkins v Mark Webster
David Pallett v Mensur Suljovic
 
Evening Session (7.30pm-11.30pm)
Adrian Lewis v Andrew Gilding
Peter Wright v Ronny Huybrechts
Phil Taylor v Kevin Painter
 
Tuesday December 29
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Mervyn King v  Jelle Klaasen
THIRD ROUND
Smith/Beaton v Van den Bergh/van de Pas
Wade/Newton v Evans/Caven
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
A Lewis/Gilding v Pallett/Suljovic
G Anderson/Gurney v van der Voort/K Anderson
van Gerwen/D Webster v van Barneveld/Bunting
 
Wednesday December 30 (7pm-11pm)
Wright/R Huybrechts v Chisnall/Kist
Norris/Murnan v Jenkins/M Webster
Taylor/Painter v King/Klaasen
 
Friday January 1
QUARTER-FINALS
Afternoon Session (1pm-4.30pm)
TBC
 
Evening Session (7.30pm-11pm)
TBC
 
Saturday January 2 (8pm-11.30pm)
SEMI-FINALS
TBC
 
Sunday January 3 (7pm-10pm)
FINAL
 
Second & Third Rounds - best of seven sets
Quarter-Finals - best of nine sets
Semi-Finals - best of 11 sets
Final - best of 13 sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Andrew Gilding 3-0 Gerwyn Price
SET ONE: 3-1
Gilding produced a incredible checkout immediately, landing bull, bull, double 16 to complete a 132 combination. He then pegged double 19 before Price pinned tops but Gilding fired in his first 180 and took out 96 to win the set.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
Gilding took out 118 but Price levelled with a 54 finish. The 2015 UK Open semi-finalist edged back ahead by bedding double five and his third 180 help to take him within a set of victory.
 
SET THREE: 3-1
The pair exchanged 180s in the first leg, which Gilding won on tops. He then finished 36 before Price pulled a leg back but Gilding completed the victory with a 70 checkout.
 
Benito van de Pas 3-1 Max Hopp
SET ONE: 3-1
Van de Pas hit a 180 in the opening leg, which he won before taking out 54 to double his advantage. Hopp cleaned up 64 but it was the Dutchman who took the set, landing double 16.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
Van de Pas took out 82 but Hopp replied with an 81 finish. The next two legs were also shared before van de Pas took out 48 to edge the second set.
 
SET THREE: 2-3
Hopp fell two legs behind but landed double ten, took out 61 and pinned double eight to pull a set back.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Van de Pas took out 108 on the bull before Hopp levelled on double six but the Dutch ace's second 180 helped him move ahead before he completed the win on tops.
 
Adrian Lewis 3-0 Jan Dekker
SET ONE: 3-2
Lewis kicked off with a 68 finish before Dekker produced back-to-back checkouts of 108 and 107. Lewis then threatened a nine-darter by starting the fourth leg with two 180s before taking out 93 to complete the leg in 11 darts. The two-time World Champion then hit a 174 and landed double five to take the first set.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
Lewis took the first two legs, hitting another maximum in the process, before Dekker pulled one back on double six. The world number five then hit his fourth 180 and finished 63 to double his lead.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Dekker went two legs ahead thanks to finishes of 32 and 114 but Lewis hit back, scoring 180s in each of the next two legs before sealing victory with a sensational 164 checkout.
 
Jelle Klaasen 3-0 Joe Cullen
SET ONE: 3-0
Klaasen took out back-to-back finishes of 97 and 78 before landing double 18 to take the first set rapidly.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
The first two legs went with the throw before Klaasen broke in a leg that saw both players hit 180s. Cullen broke back to level the set but the Dutchman produced a brilliant 12-darter, including two more maximums, to double his lead.
 
SET THREE: 3-0
Klaasen continued his dominance, taking three further legs to seal an impressive victory.

DAVE CHISNALL moved into the second round of the William Hill Darts World Championship with a straight sets victory at London's Alexandra Palace on Tuesday, while fellow seeds Terry Jenkins and Wes Newton also progressed.
 
Chisnall won every set in five legs against promising Austrian youngster Rowby-John Rodriguez, who treated the Ally Pally crowd to the first 170 finish of this year's tournament.
 
The game also saw Chisnall produce the best leg of the tournament - a ten-darter - as he moved into the last 32 with an average of 99.37.
 
"I didn't feel like a 99 average so I'm pleased with that," said Chisnall, who will take on Christian Kist on Boxing Day.
 
"I missed a few doubles but so did he, and the most important thing is getting through to round two. I've got a lot more in the tank and hopefully I'll show that afer Christmas."
 
Veteran star Jenkins came from a set down to defeat America's Darin Young, hitting eight 180s as he triumphed in four sets.
 
"I fluffed the first set but I got there in the end," said nine-time major finalist Jenkins, who will meet Mark Webster in the second round.
 
"Mark's been in good form but there is not a player out there that I haven't beaten so there's no reason I can't have a good run here."
 
Newton was admittedly below par in his victory against Spain's Cristo Reyes, avenging a sudden-death defeat at the same stage last year.
 
"It was a weird game," said Newton, who won in four sets to set up a second round tie against James Wade. "I've practised really hard for this and I've been playing well.
 
"I was practising well before the game but it just didn't happen on stage. I don't know why - maybe it was the pressure - but I won ugly and I'm through to the next round, which is the most important thing."
 
Ronny Huybrechts was the evening's other winner, coming through a five-set thriller against Dean Winstanley.
 
The Belgian ace produced stunning back-to-back checkouts of 164 and 104 to complete victory in a deciding set tie-break.
 
"I'm very happy," said Huybrechts, who will take on Peter Wright in round two for the second consecutive year. "The 164 made me believe again. I don't think I've ever hit two more important checkouts on stage.
 
"I'm playing well and I'm getting more confidence and learning all the time and I'm looking forward to the next round."
 
Wednesday sees the conclusion of first round matches as two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis, former Lakeside Champion Jelle Klaasen and new World Youth Champion Max Hopp join the action.
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Tuesday December 22
Dean Winstanley 2-3 Ronny Huybrechts
Wes Newton 3-1 Cristo Reyes
Dave Chisnall 3-0 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Terry Jenkins 3-1 Darin Young
 
Wednesday December 23 (7pm-11pm)
Andrew Gilding v Gerwyn Price
Benito van de Pas v Max Hopp
Adrian Lewis v Jan Dekker
Jelle Klaasen v Joe Cullen
 
First Round - best of five sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Dean Winstanley 2-3 Ronny Huybrechts
SET ONE: 3-0
Winstanley hit a 180 and took out 56 to win the first leg before a 96 checkout gave him a break of throw. The Yorkshireman then landed tops to win the first set.
 
SET TWO: 1-3
The first two legs were shared before Huybrechts pinned double 12 and took out 64 to restore parity in the match.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Both players hit 180s in the first two legs, which were shared before Winstanley edged ahead on double eight. He then fired in his third maximum but Huybrechts pegged double 12 to level. Winstanley produced a brilliant 120 finish to seal the set.
 
SET FOUR: 0-3
Huybrechts took the match to a deciding set with finishes of 72, 80 and 65.
 
SET FIVE: 4-6
The pair shared the first four legs, taking the match to a tie-break, where a margin of two legs was required for victory. With the match tied at four legs apiece, Huybrechts produced an amazing 164 checkout when his opponent was waiting on tops and, with Winstanley again waiting on a double, took out 104 to seal a dramatic win.
 
Wes Newton 3-1 Cristo Reyes
SET ONE: 3-2
Reyes opened with a 12-darter to break before bedding tops but he proceeded to miss seven darts for the set, allowing Newton to overturn a two-leg deficit to move a set ahead.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
The first two legs were shared and Newton then landed double 16 in each of the next two to double his lead in the match.
 
SET THREE: 0-3
Reyes hit his third 180 and pinned tops to move ahead. He hit another maximum as he doubled his lead and wrapped up the set with a 105 finish.
 
SET FOUR: 3-1
Newton took out 47 to move in front and then produced a moment of brilliance, following his only 180 with a 161 finish. Reyes pulled a leg back but Newton completed the victory with a 76 checkout.
 
Dave Chisnall 3-0 Rowby-John Rodriguez
SET ONE: 3-2
Rodriguez broke Chisnall's throw in the opening leg with a 107 finish but Chisnall replied in kind by taking out 78. The St Helens ace then went ahead by landing double five before his opponent's first 180 helped him level. Chisnall took the set, though, taking out 60 on tops.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
Rodriguez pegged double five before Chisnall produced a fantastic ten-dart leg. The Austrian youngster took out 90 to regain the lead in the set but, after Chisnall had levelled with a 100 finish, Rodriguez missed four set darts and was punished when his opponent bedded double ten.
 
SET THREE: 3-0
Chisnall took the first leg on double five before Rodriguez produced a brilliant 170 checkout and hit his third 180 as he broke his opponent's throw.  Chisnall hit his fourth 180 and landed double 18 to level before taking out 96 to win.
 
Terry Jenkins v Darin Young
SET ONE: 2-3
Jenkins hit a 180 in the opening leg but Young took out 76 before Jenkins levelled. The nine-time major finalist pegged double five to move ahead but Young levelled and took out 100 in the set decider.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
Young hit 180s in each of the first two legs, winning both, but Jenkins stormed back, scoring maximums in the next three legs as he finished 121, 104 and 32 to level the match.
 
SET THREE: 3-1
Jenkins hit his fifth 180 and took out 116 to break before sinking double five. Young took out 78 but Jenkins' seventh 180 helped him take the following leg to move ahead by a set.
 
SET FOUR: 3-2
The first two legs were shared before Young broke on double ten, only to see Jenkins hit back on tops and then take out 52 to seal victory.

WORLD GRAND PRIX champion Robert Thornton crashed out of the William Hill World Darts Championship as Alan Norris produced a classy performance on his Alexandra Palace debut on Monday night, while James Wade and Michael Smith also progressed to round two.
 
Number six seed Thornton was left stunned as former Lakeside Championship finalist Norris claimed a straight sets victory, hitting four 180s in the process.
 
"This is what you dream of," said Norris, who set up a last 32 clash with Joe Murnan. "Beating a top player in front of all these people here is just amazing.
 
"Wow. I'm loving life in the PDC. What's not to like? I was a bit nervous in places but Robert didn't play his usual game and I took advantage."
 
Wade enjoyed a convincing three-set triumph against Greece's John Michael, who had earlier hit a 161 finish in his 2-0 preliminary round win against South Africa's Warrick Scheffer.
 
The world number seven teed up a second round tie against Wes Newton or Cristo Reyes as he kept alive his hopes of lifting that elusive World Championship trophy.
 
"It's not a question of if I win it, it's a question of when," declared Wade, who has been mentored by the legendary Eric Bristow ahead of the event. "I've been a bit lazy in the past at this time of year but for the last 12 months I've worked as hard as I can, harder than I've ever worked before.
 
"People don't realise how difficult it is to get through that first round so I'm happy I've done that and I can prepare for the next one."
 
Number eight seed Smith came through a dramatic encounter with Dutch teenager Jeffrey De Zwaan, with the former World Youth Champion triumphing in a sudden-death leg after the pair had shared 12 180s.
 
Smith, who reached his first major semi-final at last month's Grand Slam of Darts, took the first set but was at risk of becoming another big-name casualty when De Zwaan won the next two.
 
He levelled the match with the aid of a brilliant 134 finish before the pair shared ten legs in set five to set up the tournament's first sudden-death decider, in which Smith took victory with a strong 14-darter.
 
"It was a nervy game at times and a brilliant game at times," said Smith, who will meet Steve Beaton in the second round. "Jeffrey is a top class player and he showed that.
 
"I could've thrown in the towel but I dug in and I'm pleased with how I held it together at the end."
 
Tuesday sees the penultimate night of first round action with former PDC major finalists Dave Chisnall and Terry Jenkins and Wes Newton all entering the fray, live on the Sky Sports Darts channel from 7pm.
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Monday December 21
Warrick Scheffer 0-2 John Michael (P)
Robert Thornton 0-3 Alan Norris
Michael Smith 3-2 Jeffrey De Zwaan
James Wade 3-0 John Michael
 
Tuesday December 22 (7pm-11pm)
Dean Winstanley v Ronny Huybrechts
Wes Newton v Cristo Reyes
Dave Chisnall v Rowby-John Rodriguez
Terry Jenkins v Darin Young
 
Preliminary Round - best of three sets
First Round - best of five sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Warrick Scheffer 0-2 John Michael
SET ONE: 1-3
Scheffer hit a 180 in the opening leg as he broke his opponent's throw but Michael pegged double one to level. He then landed double 16 to move ahead before wrapping up the first set on double six.
 
SET TWO: 0-3
Michael broke Scheffer's throw immediately and produced a fabulous 161 checkout to double his lead. The 13-time Greek National Champion then finished the job when he followed a 177 by hitting double eight.
 
Robert Thornton 1-3 Alan Norris
SET ONE: 0-3
Norris pegged double five before his first 180 helped him break Thornton's throw and he added another maximum as he won the first set in three legs.
 
SET TWO: 2-3
Norris broke the Scotsman's throw again before Thornton finally got off the mark and he landed double top to edge ahead. Norris levelled with the aid of his third 180 - and his fourth maximum, followed by an 81 finish, saw him complete an 11-darter to double his lead.
 
SET THREE: 1-3
Thornton produced a brilliant 121 finish on the bull but Norris hit back, taking out 66 to level before completing an impressive victory on double eight.
 
Michael Smith 3-2 Jeffrey De Zwaan
SET ONE: 3-1
De Zwaan took out 90 on the bull to take the first leg before Smith also landed the same target to complete a 92 checkout. The former World Youth Champion then finished 50 on tops before winning an incredible leg, which saw De Zwaan start with six perfect darts and Smith hit five treble 20s before he wrapped up the set with a clinical 101 finish.
 
SET TWO: 0-3
De Zwaan quickly reeled off three legs without reply, landing double four, double five and double two to level the match.
 
SET THREE: 1-3
De Zwaan took out 60 to break and the Dutch teenager then finished 86 on the bull before Smith pulled a leg back. De Zwaan moved ahead in the match though, pegging double 14 after hitting a 180.
 
SET FOURTH: 3-0
Smith produced a fantastic 134 checkout, completing the combination with two double tops. A 180 helped him double his lead and he then took out 105 to level the match.
 
SET FIVE: 6-5
After Smith's third 180 helped him take the first leg, De Zwaan took out 62. Smith responded with a 93 finish on the bull but the Dutchman cleaned up 56 to take the match to a tie-break, with a winning margin of two legs required.
The pair then shared four legs, the last of which ended with a sensational 128 finish from De Zwaan, and the next two legs also went with the throw to force this year's first sudden death leg.
Smith won the bull to throw first and kicked off with 125, 131 and 134 - punishing his opponent for starting the leg by scoring 29 - before nailing double four to move into round two.
 
James Wade v John Michael
SET ONE: 3-1
Wade started brilliantly, finishing 16 and 68 to take the first two legs before leaving tops after nine darts, only to miss three darts at double before Michael landed double 13. The pair both suffered double trouble in the next leg but Wade eventually pegged double five to take the set.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
Wade pinned tops in leg one but Michael took out 108 to level. The next two legs were also shared before Wade's third 180 helped him clinch the crucial fifth leg.
 
SET THREE:
Wade took the first two legs before the Southern Europe Qualifier sank double five to keep his feint hopes alive but Wade quickly killed them by landing tops to progress.

WORLD number one Michael van Gerwen survived a scare in the first round of the William Hill World Championship as German prospect Rene Eidams took him to a tie-break on Friday evening, while Kim Huybrechts and Brendan Dolan suffered first round exits at Alexandra Palace.
 
Tournament favourite van Gerwen had looked to be cruising into round two when he reeled off six straight legs to take a two-set lead but Eidams, who had defeated Thanawat Gaweenuntawong in the preliminary round, had other ideas.
 
The 26-year-old, making his TV debut, produced a brilliant 122 finish on the bull to start an incredible spell which saw him win six out seven legs to take the match into a fifth set.
 
He then took the 2014 World Champion to a tie-break with the deciding set tied after four legs but the Dutch ace produced two solid legs to avoid the prospect of an early exit.
 
"He played well but I should never have put myself in that position," said van Gerwen, who was a pre-match 1/500 odds-on favourite with William Hill to win the tie.
 
"It seemed like after his first game the nerves were gone, but after the first two sets I shouldn't have let him come back.
 
"I was always confident that I would win that match and I put in two good legs in the tie-break. It was a good lesson for me and I think it will do me good for the rest of the tournament to have been put under pressure.
 
"I'll be ready after Christmas. Don't worry about that."
 
Number 12 seed Huybrechts became the highest-profile casualty in the first round so far when he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of David Pallett, as the 25-year-old overturned a 2-1 deficit to win in five sets and reach the last 32 for the first time.
 
"I honestly didn't believe I could it," admitted an emotional Pallett, who will face Mensur Suljovic or Jermaine Wattimena in round two after finishing 132 and 122 in the final two legs to claim victory.
 
"Kim's a great player. I knew it was going to be a tough match and I'm absolutely over the moon.
 
"I managed to hang on in there and take my chances when I got them. I'm really happy and now I've got nothing to lose."
 
Kyle Anderson, meanwhile, claimed a straight sets victory against number 18 seed Brendan Dolan, hitting five 180s in the process.
 
The Australian, who hit a nine-darter at Alexandra Palace two years ago, signalled his intentions straight away when he left a double after nine darts in the opening leg, which he went on to win in 12.
 
Further finishes of 103 and 60 saw him take the first set 3-2 before he took the second by coming from a leg down, and though Northern Ireland's Dolan finished 126 on the bull to keep his hopes alive, Anderson finished 121 to seal his second round spot with a fanfare.
 
"I'm playing well and that was big for me," said Anderson, who will meet Vincent van der Voort or Laurence Ryder in the second round.
 
"I'm over here on my own doing this for my family so it means even more. I'm in the second round now and I believe that I'll get better from here."
 
In Friday's afternoon session, number 20 seed Justin Pipe was knocked out in the first round for the second successive year as he lost in straight sets to a dominant Christian Kist.
 
The Dutchman secured a pivotal break of throw in the deciding leg of the first set, sparking a run of six consecutive legs for a comfortable victory.
 
"It's an amazing win for me," said former Lakeside Champion Kist, who will take on Dave Chisnall or Rowby-John Rodriguez in the last 32 on Boxing Day.
 
"I know how good a player Justin is so it is unbelievable for me to get through. He didn't play like he can but I'm happy with my performance and I'm really looking forward to the next game."
 
Mark Webster also wrapped up a first round triumph in three sets, winning last-leg deciders in every set during his clash with Mick McGowan, who had earlier defeated Qiang Sun in a preliminary round match.
 
The two-time semi-finalist produced a fabulous 126 finish to win the first set, before a crucial 180 and 69 checkout saw him edge the second.
 
He then capitalised on a missed dart at double top in the third set decider by finding the same target to complete an impressive triumph.
 
"I haven't felt too well so I'm delighted to be through," revealed Webster, who will take on Terry Jenkins or Darin Young on December 28.
 
"It wasn't great but it was the first round of the World Championship, which is always horrible. Mick played quite well and pushed me so I'm over the moon really.
 
"I've got ten days off now so I'll go and recover and I'll definitely play better in the next round. My next opponent should not judge me on this performance."
 
His namesake Darren Webster came from a set behind to defeat John Henderson, setting up a second round clash with world number van Gerwen.
 
The 2007 World Championship quarter-finalist looked up against it when Henderson took the first set in four legs.
 
Webster raced into a two-leg lead in the second set despite his opponent starting leg two with back-to-back 180s, but the Scot pulled it back to two legs apiece before his rival took out 64 to edge the set and never looked back, producing checkouts of 116 and 100 as he won seven of the last eight legs to complete a 3-1 success.
 
"Both myself and John are much better than that," said the Norfolk ace. "I think it was just first round nerves but I can go and enjoy Christmas now and prepare for the next round.
 
"I know I'll need to bring my best game but if I do, I've got a great chance."
 
Play at Alexandra Palace continues on Saturday with another double session of action, including 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor and former finalists Kevin Painter and Simon Whitlock.
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Friday December 18
Afternoon Session
Qiang Sun 0-2 Mick McGowan (P)
John Henderson 1-3 Darren Webster
Justin Pipe 0-3 Christian Kist
Mark Webster 3-0 Mick McGowan
 
Evening Session
Thanawat Gaweenuntawong 0-2 Rene Eidams (P)
Brendan Dolan 0-3 Kyle Anderson
Kim Huybrechts 2-3 David Pallett
Michael van Gerwen 3-2 Rene Eidams
 
Saturday December 19
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Kim Viljanen v Sven Groen (P)
Steve Beaton v Koha Kokiri
Ian White v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Kevin Painter v Viljanen/Groen
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Keita Ono v Alex Tagarao (P)
Simon Whitlock v Ricky Evans
Vincent van der Voort v Laurence Ryder
Phil Taylor v Ono/Tagarao
 
Preliminary Round - best of three sets
First Round - best of five sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESSION
Qiang Sun 0-2 Mick McGowan (P)
SET ONE: 0-3
Sun suffered a shaky start, bursting 133 in the opening leg, allowing McGowan to clean up 78 for an immediate break of throw. The Irish Matchplay winner then bedded double 16 and double eight to take the set.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
McGowan won a fourth straight leg by pinning double eight but Sun finally won a leg by taking out 48 to the delight of the crowd. McGowan edged back ahead and Sun missed the chance to level when he missed double 12 for a 141 finish before busting the remaining 24 twice. McGowan then finished 80 with two double tops to move into the first round.
 
John Henderson 1-3 Darren Webster
SET ONE: 3-1
Henderson broke Webster's throw immediately by taking out 79. He doubled his lead before Webster pegged double two but the Scotsman then took out 55 to win the first set.
 
SET TWO: 2-3
Webster broke to win the first leg and opened the second with a 180. He went on to win the leg despite Henderson threatening a nine-darter with back-to-back maximums. The Scotsman halved the deficit by landing double 18 and drew level with a 50 finish but Webster clinched the set with a clinical 64 checkout.
 
SET THREE: 0-3
Webster fired in a 116 finish and followed it with a 100 checkout to break before pinning double 16 to complete a quick-fire set .
 
SET FOUR: 1-3
Webster fired in his second 180 and landed double eight to break before hitting double 18 to win a sixth consecutive leg. Henderson took out 80 to keep his hopes alive but they were ended when the 2007 quarter-finalist completed the job on tops.
 
Justin Pipe 0-3 Christian Kist
SET ONE: 2-3
Pipe took out 104 to win the first leg but Kist levelled by bedding double three. The next two legs also went with the throw, with Kist taking out 116 to square up the set and the Dutchman edged the set by breaking Pipe's throw in the deciding leg.
 
SET TWO: 0-3
Kist hit his first 180 in the opening leg and strengthened his hold on the match by winning three legs without reply.
 
SET THREE: 0-3
Kist continued his dominance with an early break of throw before bedding double eight and taking out 76, completing a run of seven straight legs to seal the win.
 
Mark Webster 3-0 Mick McGowan
SET ONE: 3-2
Every leg went with the throw as McGowan put Webster under early pressure, forcing the Welsh star to produce a stunning 126 checkout in the decider.
 
SET TWO: 3-2
McGowan moved ahead in the second set with a 13-darter but Webster went out in 12 darts in the following leg, which included his first 180 and a sharp 81 finish. The Welshman then broke his opponent's throw with the aid of another maximum but the Irishman hit back to leave himself throwing for the set. Webster produced a timely 180 to leave 69, which he finished in two darts to double his lead.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Webster went in front with a 72 finish and McGowan replied with his first 180 before pegging double 16. Webster continued his impressive finishing with a 98 checkout but McGowan again forced a deciding leg, which the two-time semi-finalist won on tops after seeing his opponent miss the same target.
 
EVENING SESSION
Thanawat Gaweenuntawong 0-2 Rene Eidams (P)
SET ONE: Both players hit 180s before Eidams went ahead by taking out 25.  After series of scrappy darts, Gaweenuntawong then pegged double one in each of the next two legs to take the lead but his German opponent hit back, landing double 16 and tops to take the set.
 
SET TWO: Eidams bedded double eight to break before the pair both landed double top. They then both missed a string of doubles in what proved to be the final leg when Eidams eventually pinned double one.
 
Brendan Dolan 0-3 Kyle Anderson
SET ONE: 2-3
Anderson made a storming start, hitting scores of 131, 180 and 174 to leave double eight which he nailed at the third attempt. Dolan levelled on double 16 but a second maximum and a 103 finish saw the Australian move back ahead. Former World Grand Prix finalist Dolan pegged tops to level again but an unorthodox 60 finish (1, 57, double 1) saw Anderson clinch the first set.
 
SET TWO: 1-3
Dolan took out 66 as the first two legs went with the throw. Anderson's third 180 then helped him break before the pair exchanged 180s in the fourth leg, which Anderson won on double one for the third time in the match.
 
SET THREE: 2-3
Dolan missed a string of doubles before Anderson landed double top to win the first leg but the Northern Irishman replied in style with a brilliant 126 finish on the bull. The  next two legs were shared before Anderson completed the win in style, following his fifth 180 with a fantastic 121 checkout.
 
Kim Huybrechts 2-3 David Pallett
SET ONE: 1-3
Pallett hit a 180 in the opening leg and went on to win it with a 64 checkout. Huybrechts went out on 72 to level but Pallett won the next two legs to clinch the set.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
Huybrechts finished 32 either side of an 81 finish from Pallett before the Belgian's first 180 helped him grab a break of throw to level up the match.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Pallett opened the set with a 180 and took the first leg by landing double top. Huybrechts replied with a 106 checkout before hitting a maximum and double ten to break. Pallett finished 32 to reply in kind but missed two darts for the set, allowing his opponent to step forward and bed tops to move ahead.
 
SET FOUR: 1-3
Huybrechts won an untidy opening leg on double one. The pair then exchanged 180s before Pallett took out 42, sparking a run of three straight legs for 25-year-old as he forced a deciding set.
 
SET FIVE: 0-3
Pallett gained an advantage by pinning tops before producing a sensational 132 finish on the bull to break Huybrechts' throw. He followed that with an equally impressive 122 checkout to complete run of six consecutive legs to seal victory.
 
Michael van Gerwen v Rene Eidams
SET ONE: 3-0
van Gerwen rattled through the first three legs, hitting his first 180 in the second and completing the third with a 116 checkout to move a set in front.
 
SET TWO: 3-0
The world number one continued his dominance with consecutive finishes of 61, 76 and 127 to complete a second set whitewash despite Eidams scoring a 180 in the opening leg.
 
SET THREE: 1-3
Eidams opened his account in style by taking out 122 on the bull to break van Gerwen's throw. The Dutchman replied in kind but Eidams pinned double 16 to break again before defying van Gerwen's second 180 with a 103 finish to take the set.
 
SET FOUR: 0-3
Eidams continued his surge as he pegged double eight and double six to move withing a leg of parity. He then missed the bull for a 161 finish but cleaned up the remaining 25 to force a deciding set.
 
SET FIVE: 4-2
The pair exchanged 180s before van Gerwen landed double 16. He then fired in his fifth maximum, only to see Eidams go out on 88. The Dutchman went back ahead but Eidams hit double four to force a tie-break, where two-clear legs were required as a margin of victory. van Gerwen produced two strong legs to seal the win, hammering home a seventh 180 before completing the triumph with a 90 checkout.

REIGNING William Hill World Darts Champion Gary Anderson eased through to the second round at Alexandra Palace with a straight sets victory over Andy Boulton, while Peter Wright and Daryl Gurney also progressed with opening night wins.
 
Anderson showed no sign of the nerves he admitted he felt on his first return to the Alexandra Palace stage since lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy almost 12 months ago as he began the defence of his title with a commanding display.
 
The Scotsman kicked off the match with back-to-back 11-darters and won seven straight legs before Boulton got off the mark with successive legs, but the world number two eventually edged the third set 3-2.
 
Boulton had earlier come back from two legs down in the deciding set of his preliminary round clash against Denmark’s Per Laursen, but was unable to upset the odds as the reigning champion moved into the last 32.
 
"All I wanted to do was get through the first round and I did that despite the nerves,” said Anderson, who averaged 99.55 in the triumph. “It’s been terrible the last couple of days anticipating something I’ve never experienced before.
 
"I didn’t want to go out in the first round after winning the trophy last year but I don’t have to worry about that, I’m through and I’m here to win.”
 
Anderson will take on Gurney in round two after the Northern Irish ace defeated Jamie Lewis in four sets in their opener.
 
Gurney, who defeated Anderson in last month's Players Championship Finals, hit five 180s in an impressive triumph and won three straight legs in a dominant first set before Lewis took the second 3-1.
 
Gurney edged the third 3-2 before taking the fourth 3-1 to finish the job.
 
"I played well in the first set but then I went off my game a little bit," said Gurney who reached the semi-finals at Minehead last month. "I could've easily lost that game and been out so I was pleased to get over the line.
 
"If I play like I can in the next game then I'm confident it will be good enough to go further."
 
2014 finalist Wright progressed into the second round after a straight sets victory against former World Youth Champion Keegan Brown.
 
Wright took the first six legs without reply to open up a two set lead before Brown finally got off the mark with a break of throw.
 
Wright broke back immediately with a brilliant 116 checkout and after the next two legs were shared, the world number four produced a fabulous finish of 131 to complete a commanding victory.
 
"Keegan is a better player than that," said Wright, who has reached the finals of the UK Open and World Series in 2015. "He didn't hit his doubles. If he had hit them it would've been a much better game than it was but I got away with it and I took it so all I can say is thank you very much.
 
"It wasn't pretty but it is a win and that's what is important. I can go away and enjoy Christmas now and come back stronger."
 
Wright will take on Ronny Huybrechts or Dean Winstanley in the next round, with that pair in action on Tuesday.
 
Friday will see the first double session of this year’s tournament with two-time semi-finalist Mark Webster in action in the afternoon before world number one Michael van Gerwen enters the fray in the evening, which also features a clash between Brendan Dolan and Kyle Anderson.
 
William Hill World Darts Championship
Thursday December 17
Andy Boulton 2-1 Per Laursen (P)
Jamie Lewis 1-3 Daryl Gurney
Peter Wright 3-0 Keegan Brown
Gary Anderson 3-0 Andy Boulton
 
Friday December 18
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Qiang Sun v Mick McGowan (P)
John Henderson v Darren Webster
Justin Pipe v Christian Kist
Mark Webster v Sun/McGowan
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Thanawat Gaweenuntawong v Rene Eidams (P)
Brendan Dolan v Kyle Anderson
Kim Huybrechts v David Pallett
Michael van Gerwen v Gaweenuntawong/Eidams
 
Preliminary Round - best of three sets
First Round - best of five sets
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Andy Boulton 2-1 Per Laursen (Preliminary Round)
SET ONE: 2-3
All five legs went with the throw as Laursen took an early advantage by pegging double ten twice before pinning tops to take the set.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
Boulton levelled the tie by dominating the second set with finishes of 24, 82 and 40.
 
SET THREE: 3-1
Laursen fired in the first 180 of the tournament and took out 80 to edge ahead.
The Dane then punished his opponent for missing five darts to level by landing double four to break but Boulton kept the match alive by eventually bedding double two after the pair struggled to close out the leg.
He then forced a last-leg decider by taking out 83 on the bull. And he completed the comeback by sinking double 16 to reach the first round proper.
 
Jamie Lewis 1-3 Daryl Gurney
SET ONE: 0-3
Gurney made an incredible start, averaging 110 in a first set whitewash in which he hit two 180s.
 
SET TWO: 3-1
Lewis upped his game and landed double nine to get off the mark. Gurney levelled after the Welshman missed double 15 for a 150 finish but Lewis took out 78 and tops to take the set.
 
SET THREE: 2-3
Lewis broke immediately but a 180 followed by a 76 finish saw Gurney reply in kind.
The next two legs went with the throw before the Northern Irishman pegged a crucial double eleven to restore a one set lead.
 
SET FOUR: 1-3
Gurney kicked off what proved to be the final set with a break of throw and doubled his advantage by landing double 16.
Lewis pulled a leg back but Gurney hit double nine to complete a leg which saw the pair exchange 180s as he became the first player to reach the second round.
 
Peter Wright 3-0 Keegan Brown
SET ONE: 3-0
Wright landed double eight to take the first leg before the pair exchanged 180s in the second, which saw the Scotsman break Brown's throw by taking out 61. Both players scored maximums again in leg three as Wright wrapped up a comfortable opening set.
 
SET TWO: 3-0
Wright continued his dominance by taking all three legs thanks to two breaks of throw despite Brown increasing his 180 tally to three.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Brown finally took a leg by breaking Wright's throw but the world number four's response was to hit back with a 116 finish. He then bedded double 16 to move within a leg of victory but Brown levelled the set by pinning double four in a leg which saw both players score 180s. Wright saved his best finish until the end, though, taking out 131 to seal his second round spot.
 
Gary Anderson v Andy Boulton
SET ONE: 3-0
Anderson teased the crowd with five perfect darts before eventually finishing 44 on tops to take the first leg. He then broke Boulton's throw with a brilliant 11-dart-leg before his second 180 helped the defending champion complete an opening set whitewash.
 
SET TWO: 3-0
Anderson fired in his third maximum before pegging double ten to break. A 78 checkout followed and the Scotsman then landed double five to double his lead in the match.
 
SET THREE: 3-2
Boulton missed his first attempt at a double in the match and Anderson capitalised by landing double ten. Boulton finally got a leg on the board thanks to a 62 finish before the world number two edged back ahead. Boulton took out 80 to keep the match alive but Anderson completed a solid victory with a 62 checkout.

​ANDERSON & WRIGHT TO KICK OFF WILLIAM HILL WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
 
GARY ANDERSON will kick off the defence of his William Hill World Darts Championship title on Thursday December 17, with the tournament's opening night also featuring Peter Wright up against Keegan Brown at Alexandra Palace.
 
Darts' biggest tournament will be played from December 17-January 3 as 72 players do battle for £1.5 million in prize money and the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy, live on the Sky Sports Darts channel.
 
The pre-Christmas action features the preliminary and first round matches, which begin on Thursday December 17 as reigning champion Gary Anderson kicks off the event against either Andy Boulton or Per Laursen.
 
A bumper opening night also sees world number four Peter Wright, the 2014 runner-up, taking on former World Youth Champion Keegan Brown and emerging prospects Jamie Lewis and Daryl Gurney do battle.
 
A double session of action on Friday December 18 will include two-time semi-finalist Mark Webster in the afternoon and 2014 World Champion Michael van Gerwen - the world number one - opening his challenge to win back the title.
 
Former finalist Kevin Painter and former Lakeside Champion Steve Beaton are in action in the afternoon session of Saturday December 19 before 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor, 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock and Holland's Vincent van der Voort enter the fray in the evening.
 
Sunday's final pre-Christmas double session includes in-form Austrian Mensur Suljovic and 2012 finalist Andy Hamilton in the afternoon session and five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld's all-Dutch clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode in the evening session.
 
The action on Monday December 21 includes three of the top eight seeds, with Robert Thornton, James Wade and Michael Smith all in action as the preliminary round concludes.
 
The final two nights of first round games feature four matches per session, including former major finalists Terry Jenkins, Dave Chisnall and Wes Newton on Tuesday December 22 and two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis on Wednesday December 23.
 
Following the Christmas break, the second round kicks off on Boxing Day evening, potentially including reigning champion Anderson, and continues with double sessions on Sunday December 27 and Monday December 28.
 
Tuesday December 29 sees the second round conclude in the afternoon session as the third round commences, with the last 16 games being concluded on Wednesday December 30.
 
The tournament's final eight players then return on New Year's Day for the quarter-finals, with the semi-finals on Saturday January 2 and the final on Sunday January 3.
 
2015/16 WILLIAM HILL WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
SCHEDULE OF PLAY
PRELIMINARY & FIRST ROUNDS
(P) Denotes Preliminary Round
Thursday December 17 (7pm-11pm)
Andy Boulton v Per Laursen (P)
Jamie Lewis v Daryl Gurney
Peter Wright v Keegan Brown
Gary Anderson v Boulton/Laursen
 
Friday December 18
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Qiang Sun v Mick McGowan (P)
John Henderson v Darren Webster
Justin Pipe v Christian Kist
Mark Webster v Sun/McGowan
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Thanawat Gaweenuntawong v Rene Eidams (P)
Brendan Dolan v Kyle Anderson
Kim Huybrechts v David Pallett
Michael van Gerwen v Gaweenuntawong/Eidams
 
Saturday December 19
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Kim Viljanen v Sven Groen (P)
Steve Beaton v Koha Kokiri
Ian White v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Kevin Painter v Viljanen/Groen
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Keita Ono v Alex Tagarao (P)
Simon Whitlock v Ricky Evans
Vincent van der Voort v Laurence Ryder
Phil Taylor v Ono/Tagarao
 
Sunday December 20
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Michael Rasztovits v Rob Szabo (P)
Andy Hamilton v Joe Murnan
Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena
Jamie Caven v Rasztovits/Szabo
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Aleksandr Oreshkin v Paul Lim (P)
Stephen Bunting v Jyhan Artut
Raymond van Barneveld v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Mervyn King v Oreshkin/Lim
 
Monday December 21 (7pm-11pm)
Warrick Scheffer v John Michael (P)
Robert Thornton v Alan Norris
Michael Smith v Jeffrey De Zwaan
James Wade v Scheffer/Michael
 
Tuesday December 22 (7pm-11pm)
Dean Winstanley v Ronny Huybrechts
Wes Newton v Cristo Reyes
Dave Chisnall v Rowby-John Rodriguez
Terry Jenkins v Darin Young
 
Wednesday December 23 (7pm-11pm)
Andrew Gilding v Gerwyn Price
Benito van de Pas v Max Hopp
Adrian Lewis v Jan Dekker
Jelle Klaasen v Joe Cullen
 
SECOND ROUND
Saturday December 26 (6pm-10pm)
Whitlock/Evans v Caven/Rasztovits/Szabo
Chisnall/Rodriguez v Pipe/Kist
G Anderson/Boulton/Laursen v J Lewis/Gurney
 
Sunday December 27
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Smith/De Zwaan v Beaton/Kokiri
White/Van den Bergh v van de Pas/Hopp
Van der Voort/Ryder v Dolan/K Anderson
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
van Barneveld/van Duijvenbode v Bunting/Artut
Wade/Scheffer/Michael v Newton/Reyes
van Gerwen/Gaweenuntawong/Eidams v Henderson/D Webster
 
Monday December 28
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Thornton/Norris v Hamilton/Murnan
Jenkins/Young v M Webster/Sun/McGowan
K Huybrechts/Pallett v Suljovic/Wattimena
 
Evening Session (7.30pm-11.30pm)
A Lewis/Dekker v Gilding/Price
Wright/Brown v Winstanley/R Huybrechts
Taylor/Ono/Tagarao v Painter/Viljanen/Groen
 
Tuesday December 29
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
King/Oreshkin/Lim v Klaasen/Cullen
THIRD ROUND
Smith/De Zwaan/Beaton/Kokiri v White/Van den Bergh/van de Pas/Hopp
Wade/Scheffer/Michael/Newton/Reyes v Whitlock/Evans/Caven/Rasztovits/Szabo
 
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
A Lewis/Dekker/Gilding/Price v K Huybrechts/Pallett/Suljovic/Wattimena
G Anderson/Boulton/Laursen/J Lewis/Gurney v van der Voort/Ryder/Dolan/K Anderson
van Gerwen/Gaweenuntawong/Eidams/Henderson/D Webster v van Barneveld/van Duijvenbode/Bunting/Artut
 
Wednesday December 30 (7pm-11pm)
Wright/Brown/Winstanley/R Huybrechts v Chisnall/Rodriguez/Pipe/Kist
Thornton/Norris/Hamilton/Murnan v Jenkins/Young/M Webster/Sun/McGowan
Taylor/Ono/Taragao/Painter/Viljanen/Groen v King/Oreshkin/Klaasen/Cullen
 
Friday January 1
QUARTER-FINALS
Afternoon Session (1pm-4.30pm)
TBC
 
Evening Session (7.30pm-11pm)
TBC
 
Saturday January 2 (8pm-11.30pm)
SEMI-FINALS
TBC
 
Sunday January 3 (7pm-10pm)
FINAL
 
FORMAT
Preliminary Round - Best of three sets. No tie-break.
First Round - Best of five sets
Second Round - Best of seven sets
Third Round - Best of seven sets
Quarter-Finals - Best of nine sets
Semi-Finals - Best of 11 sets
Final - Best of 13 sets
 
All sets are the best of five legs.
In the Preliminary Round there will be no tie-break, and should a game go to the third set, the fifth leg would be the deciding leg.
In all other rounds, a tie-break would apply in the final set only, where a player must win by two clear legs. Should the score in the final set reach 5-5, a sudden-death leg would be played.