SEEDS tumbled on a day of upsets at the William Hill World Darts Championship on Sunday as Keegan Brown shocked James Wade, Vincent van der Voort dumped out Dave Chisnall and Jamie Lewis ousted Jonny Clayton at Alexandra Palace.
Former World Youth Champion Brown produced his biggest result of the year to confirm his return to form by overcoming number 11 seed Wade in five sets. Brown like he meant business from the start as he continually moved ahead of Wade before clinching a thrilling 3-2 victory. It was a ruthlessly clinical opening from Brown as he averaged over 107 when taking all three legs in a total of 42 darts and including a 124 finish as he took the first set. The chips were down for Wade later in the match and he came out fighting by dominating the fourth set to force a decider, but it was all Brown in that fifth set as he powered away to a famous victory. "It feels good, words are very hard to describe it at the moment," said a delighted Brown. "James is my hero, along with Phil Taylor, so it's just brilliant. "I've played well in the last six months to get to this stage and I just thought take your time, don't rush, don't throw hot potatoes, just relax. And I got the job done." Zoran Lerchbacher is next up for Brown, who could be asking for even more time off from his work as a laboratory technician on the Isle of Wight with the draw now so open. He added: "I'm going back to work on Tuesday to ask for the rest of the week off as holiday, and then I'll practice; just practice, that's all I've got to do." Eighth seed Chisnall followed Wade out of the tournament in the evening session's next match as Vincent van der Voort played one of his best matches on the big stage A year ago Van der Voort had considered his future in the sport due to a long-standing back injury, but reaped the rewards of his physiotherapy programme in a straight sets victory. The speedy Dutchman hit six 180s and seven 140s to outdo the usually heavy-scoring Chisnall, with Van der Voort also finishing sharply as he took nine of 16 double chances. Van der Voort, who celebrates his 43rd birthday on Monday, admitted that he had been talked out of quitting the sport by his family after losing in the first round a year ago. "At one point I thought I better just give up," he added. "I've been practising and doing everything I can, sometimes four or five hours a day doing rehab, being dedicated just to play well. "I was ready to give up but my wife said give it one more go because in two or three years you'll regret it. I said I'd give it two years, try my hardest and if it's not there pack in, but right now I think I'll stay a little bit longer." Sunday's afternoon session saw another seeded player exit the event, as Jonny Clayton failed to reproduce the form which saw him finish the Players Championship Finals as runner-up last month in his loss to Jamie Lewis. Lewis - who came through the PDPA Qualifiers to snatch an Ally Pally spot - started his day off with a preliminary round success over young Belgian Kenny Neyens, before returning later on to win his all-Welsh with Clayton. "I've been in the PDC now for five years and I've still not really shown what I know I can do," admitted Lewis. "It is about time I do it so hopefully this week might be the chance. "I've not had a great year on the tour. I thought I'd blown it and I had one chance left at Milton Keynes in the qualifiers so I thought I'd go and give it my best because I know I can play as good as anybody." Ian White avoided an upset as the 17th seed saw off New Zealand number one Cody Harris with a 3-1 victory. Harris had earlier come through a preliminary round game with American Willard Bruguier and shared the opening two sets with White before the number 17 seed pulled away for victory. Kyle Anderson warned his rivals that he is targeting the quarter-finals at least after he earned a gritty 3-1 success over Yorkshire debutant Peter Jacques, with the Australian insisting he's solved his double troubles. "I don't like to come across as cocky but I've seen the bracket and I've got the confidence in myself to get to at least the quarters to be honest," said the Auckland Darts Masters winner. Alan Norris beat Kim Viljanen 3-0 in a match that was tougher than the scoreline suggests, but Norris always had the upper hand despite a spot of trouble on his favourite double top, which he solved in the final set. "Kim's a quality player," said Norris. "I think he's won seven out of the ten Scandinavian tournaments this year, but I'm getting more and more experience. "I'm up there on ProTour events, I'm up there on the stage nearly every month, with these guys it's still once a year or twice a year." Monday's play sees number five seed Mensur Suljovic take on 2004 World Championship finalist Kevin Painter, while World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney plays Ronny Huybrechts and Mark Webster takes on either Hong Kong's Kai Fan Leung or Singapore's Paul Lim. William Hill World Darts Championship Preliminary & First Rounds Sunday December 17 Afternoon Session Kenny Neyens 1-2 Jamie Lewis (P) Alan Norris 3-0 Kim Viljanen Kyle Anderson 3-1 Peter Jacques Jonny Clayton 0-3 Jamie Lewis Evening Session Willard Bruguier 1-2 Cody Harris (P) James Wade 2-3 Keegan Brown Dave Chisnall 0-3 Vincent van der Voort Ian White 3-1 Cody Harris Monday December 18 (7pm) Kai Fan Leung v Paul Lim (P) Mensur Suljovic v Kevin Painter Daryl Gurney v Ronny Huybrechts Mark Webster v Kai Fan Leung/Paul Lim Preliminary Round - Best of three sets First Round - Best of five sets Match Reports Afternoon Session Kenny Neyens 1-2 Jamie Lewis (2-3, 3-2, 0-3) JAMIE LEWIS survived a a flying start from Kenny Neyens to win their preliminary round match 2-1 and sett up an all-Welsh clash with Jonny Clayton later on Sunday afternoon. Belgian debutant Neyens came bursting out of the traps with a 180 on his first throw, and he added a second maximum in a 14-dart opening leg. He added the second leg as well before Lewis woke up and hit a 'snooker maximum' 147 checkout which kick-started his challenge and prompted a three-leg burst that gave him the set from seemingly nowhere. A 13-darter made it four on the spin for Lewis but as he charged towards the finish line young Belgian Neyens kept himself in the tournament with gutsy 62 and 74 checkouts to claim the second set in a decider. Lewis had missed a match dart in the second set, but made no mistake in the next as he took all three legs of the third and finished with a wonderful ten-darter to book his place in the first round. Alan Norris v Kim Viljanen (3-0, 3-2, 3-1) ALAN NORRIS enjoyed a largely comfortable William Hill World Darts Championship first round victory as he beat Kim Viljanen 3-0 at Alexandra Palace. Former Lakeside Championship finalist Norris had to work harder at times than the whitewash suggests, especially in a tough second set as Finland's Viljanen finally found some form. Norris raced through the opening set with ease but Viljanen found form in a major way with two great legs, including a 12-darter, putting him 2-0 up. Norris responded to level and Viljanen then missed five darts for the set allowing Norris to pinch it, and that represented Viljanen's last chance as Norris cleaned up the third set with a flourish. "Kim's a quality player," said Norris. "I think he's won seven out of the ten Scandinavian (events) this year, but I'm getting more and more experience. "I'm up there on ProTour events, I'm up there on the stage nearly every month, with these guys it's still once a year or twice a year. "I know Kim well, he's a great player but he didn't perform to what he can. At 2-0 down in the second set I wasn't at the races but he gifted me one to get me back in the match. "That was a big turning point because he's got the set in the bag, he had darts to win it 3-0 but I got it back on track so I'm very happy." Kyle Anderson 3-1 Peter Jacques (3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0) AUSTRALIAN Kyle Anderson secured his spot in the second round of the William Hill World Darts Championship with a gritty 3-1 win over Yorkshire's Peter Jacques. The Auckland Darts Masters winner made his superior finishing count as Jacques had two more shots at double and one more 180 than Anderson, but could not find that consistency on his Alexandra Palace debut. Anderson made his tournament experience count and that, along with his 53 percent checkout ratio booked him a second round date with either Raymond van Barneveld or Richard North. Jacques took the opening leg with a 75 outshot but Anderson replied to rattle off the next three legs, including a 109 finish, to take the first set. Huddersfield's Jacques looked a new man in the second set as he sprinted 2-0 in front but could not take advantage as Anderson hit a 70 checkout followed by a 14-dart leg to double his lead. Anderson again had to come from behind in the third, hitting a 12-darter when he needed it most to level it up at 2-2, but this time it was Jacques who bagged the decider to get a set on the board. It was a mere temporary reprieve though for Jacques, who hit 180s in consecutive legs only to lose those legs to Anderson in 17 darts each, before the Australian polished off the match with a second 60 finish of the set. "As you do you look down the line of your bracket and I have," said Anderson. "I don't like to come across as cocky but I've seen the bracket and I've got the confidence in myself to get to at least the quarters to be honest." An improvement on hitting the doubles has given Anderson a new-found confidence that he can make a big impact on the event this year. "I've always know my capabilities and my power scoring, my trouble has always been doubles," he added. "It's nothing else but the doubles, if you look at all my games I'm scoring brilliantly but I miss doubles and it brings my average down, and if you don't hit doubles you don't win. "People look at me and think if I don't hit my doubles then they'll be OK, but now I'm starting to hit my doubles and they're starting to think differently and that brings pressure on them." Jonny Clayton 0-3 Jamie Lewis (1-3, 1-3, 2-3) JAMIE LEWIS completed a super Sunday at the William Hill World Darts Championship as he secured a second win of the day with an impressive 3-0 victory over Jonny Clayton in the first round. Lewis has been talked up as a potential star in recent years, and after a disappointing 2017 will enjoy his Christmas dinner in Cardigan with an eye on his second round tie following a productive day at Alexandra Palace. Lewis' preliminary round defeat of Kenny Neyens set up an all-Welsh clash with his good friend Clayton, who was well fancied after a runner-up performance at the Players Championship Finals but could just not getting going in this event. Clayton tried to lay down a marker in the opening leg with his first 180, but Lewis responded with a maximum of his own on the very next throw - and he was the one to build on that by taking out a superb 126 for a 12-darter. That earlier preliminary round win may have warmed Lewis up nicely, as he then closed out the first set with a brilliant 11-darter after Clayton had to take out 104 just to get off the mark. Lewis could not keep up his 101 average in the second set, but the result was the same as he doubled his lead despite handing a leg to Clayton with three missed double 16s, as he returned to hit that same double in the next leg to move two sets up. Clayton managed to bag two legs in the third set, but Lewis always looked the stronger as he hit 180s in all three legs he won - highlighted with a 130 finish and a closing 11-darter to clinch the match. "I'm over the moon," said Lewis, who will face either Peter Wright or Diogo Portela on December 27. "It's been a tough day, playing the preliminary round and then playing a good friend of mine in Jonny - it's something I was hoping to come here and do. "I've not had a great year on the tour, I thought I'd blown it and I had one chance left at Milton Keynes in the qualifiers so I thought I'd go and give it my best because I know I can play as good as anybody. "I'm getting more used to the stage now, I'm getting a bit more confident in myself and my ability. "I've been in the PDC now for five years and I've still not really shown what I know I can do, so it is about time I do it. Hopefully this week might be the chance." Evening Session Willard Bruguier 1-2 Cody Harris (P) (2-3, 3-2, 0-3) CODY HARRIS fought off a stern challenge from Willard Bruguier to earn a place in the first round as he kicked off the Sunday evening session at the William Hill World Darts Championship. It was nip-and-tuck between the two, but the New Zealander finished strongly against the North American Champion to earn a tie with Ian White. There was only a whisker between the two averages with Harris just slightly over 84, and their checkout percentages were almost identical, but the DPNZ Qualifier's three 180s provided an extra scoring boost that Bruguier couldn't match. The two swapped breaks of throw in the first set before a nervy ending saw Harris miss a host of chances before finally nailing his double to clinch the opener. Bruguier responded and emerged with a 3-2 win in the second set with Harris tightening up on his finishes, but the Kiwi regained his composure in the decider to claim all three legs and move into the first round on his Alexandra Palace debut. James Wade 2-3 Keegan Brown (0-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 1-3) KEEGAN BROWN produced the biggest upset so far of the 2017/2018 William Hill World Darts Championship as he put out 11th seed James Wade in a five-set thriller at Alexandra Palace. Former World Youth Champion Brown looked like he meant business from the start as he moved ahead of the left-hander, and Wade was continually playing from behind. It was a ruthlessly clinical opening from Brown, as he averaged over 107 when taking all three legs in a total of 42 darts and including a 124 finish to claim the first set. The second was tighter, with both men taking out pressure finishes until Brown produced the first minor slip and Wade stepped up to take out 72 in the decider to level the match. Wade applied more pressure in the opening of the third set, but Brown responded well by taking out 102 for a 12-darter to level up the set, and despite the three-time semi-finalist replying with a 90 checkout on the bull it was Brown who kept his nerve to edge the decider. The chips were down for Wade and he came out fighting by dominating the fourth set to force a decider, but it was all Brown in that fifth set as he powered away to a famous victory. "It feels good, words are very hard to describe it at the moment," said a delighted Brown. "James is my hero, along with Phil Taylor, so it's just brilliant. "I've played well in the last six months to get to this stage and I just thought take your time, don't rush, don't throw hot potatoes, just relax. And I got the job done. "I just had to relax and enjoy the moment in front of this brilliant crowd." Zoran Lerchbacher is next up for Brown, who could be asking for even more time off from his work as a laboratory technician on the Isle of Wight with the draw now so open. He added: "I'm going back to work on Tuesday to ask for the rest of the week off as holiday, and then I'll practice; just practice, that's all I've got to do." Dave Chisnall 0-3 Vincent van der Voort (2-3, 2-3, 0-3) VINCENT VAN DER VOORT produced one of his finest William Hill World Darts Championship performances as he ousted eighth seed Dave Chisnall with a brilliant straight sets victory in their first round encounter. The speedy Dutchman hit six 180s and seven 140s to outdo the usually heavy-scoring Chisnall, and Van der Voort was also finishing sharply as he took nine of 16 double chances. Van der Voort has struggled with his well-publicised back problems, but he has rarely played any better on the Alexandra Palace stage and he came within a couple of darts of posting his first winning 100 average at the tournament. It was the usual Van der Voort rapid-fire from the start, but Chisnall is no slouch himself and he pushed his rival all the way in the first two sets only to come unstuck in the fifth leg of both. Chisnall only got six shots at a double in the 13 legs played in the match, and Van der Voort capitalised in the third set by claiming all three legs - including a crowd-pleasing 130 outshot - on the way to a commanding win which sets up a tie with Steve Beaton. Van der Voort, who celebrates his 43rd birthday on Monday, had considered quitting the sport after a first round exit 12 months ago, but admitted that his hard work to recover from his back problem was paying off. "At one point I thought I better just give up," he added. "I've been practising and doing everything I can, sometimes four or five hours a day doing rehab, being dedicated just to play well. "I was ready to give up but my wife said give it one more go because in two or three years you'll regret it. She got in my brain a bit. We opened up a darts shop in Holland and she said to go and practice there. "I said I'd give it two years, try my hardest and if it's not there pack in, but right now I think I'll stay a little bit longer. "I've done a lot of really, really hard work getting my back sorted. I did everything I could to come back and my wish was to come back here to this stage and play well again." Ian White 3-1 Cody Harris (3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0) IAN WHITE avoided a potential upset at the William Hill World Darts Championship as he overcame New Zealand's Cody Harris 3-1 in the first round. The 17th seed averaged 96.89, hit four 180s and took out ten of his 18 shots at double, but had a job on to shake off the dogged Harris, who had come through the preliminary round earlier in the night. White threatened a nine-darter in the second leg with a 180 and 177 start, but settled for a 12-darter on the way to a comfortable first set. New Zealand number one Harris came into the match in the second set, as he claimed three straight legs to level the tie against a bewildered White, who was 11 points ahead in the averages but level in sets. Harris then made it four legs in a row to start the third set, but two 180s helped White claim three straight legs himself to regain the advantage. The stubborn resistance of Harris was broken in set four, and White reeled off the final three legs as he booked a second round clash with Gerwyn Price. "I knew Cody can play but it was a long day for him - he'd played in the preliminary round earlier and maybe that took its toll in the end," said White. "I'd seen a few seeded players go out earlier in the night and I've not necessarily had the luck this year. "My form's been there but I've not had the results, and I was hoping that my luck might change and that's starting to happen. I wanted to get through tonight and I can get myself ready for what should be a good game on Friday."
0 Comments
PHIL TAYLOR endured more than a few nervy moments before defeating Chris Dobey 3-1 as he started the final William Hill World Darts Championship campaign of his legendary darting career.
The 16-time World Champion is hoping to make a fairytale ending to his amazing career, but was made to sweat just to get through the opening game of his farewell appearance at Alexandra Palace. All eyes are on the 57-year-old this year and perhaps the enormity of the situation hampered him in his first outing - and he admitted he was struggling a bit for energy. "I lacked a bit of energy against Chris tonight, I slacked a little bit and it's not me. I'm tired," said Taylor. "I never used to be like that before, I could win a tournament and then play another tournament, it's strange. I've got a few days off now to get ready for the next one." It was a very un-Taylor-like start as young star Dobey threatened to be the ultimate party pooper by going 1-0 and 2-1 up early on, but Taylor settled to bag the next two legs and win the opening set against the throw. It was more routine for Taylor in the second set as Dobey offered little resistance - apart from taking one leg when he hit a 180 and 60 outshot - as a 3-1 scoreline left the Stoke legend on course for a straight sets win. Dobey led at the start of set three, with Taylor taking out 105 in leg four to level with the tie's first ton-plus finish - but just as he prepared to close out the win the Bedlington thrower produced an 11-darter to extend the contest. Dobey really started the nerves jangling around Alexandra Palace in the fourth set as a 104 checkout saw him break the throw for a 2-1 lead to put him on the brink of levelling up the match - only to miss two shots at double 16 for the set. Taylor took all three darts to hit double 16 to level it up, and made no mistake in the final leg - to his and the crowd's relief - as he booked his place in the second round. "There was a lot of pressure on me, but to get through Chris Dobey [was good]," said a relieved Taylor. "When they keep on about the future of darts, that's your fella I think. "And you've got Dimitri [Van den Bergh] as well, they're lovely kids and they're the ones to push the game on I think." Taylor admitted the prospect of retirement is a tough one, but that it's even harder playing in the big events and not finding that all-conquering form of old. "The fire's gone," he added. "I want to win, I've still got the fire in the belly to win, it's just the old utensils are not working as good as they used to. It's awful, it's killing me. "And you know by my interviews, I have been very critical of certain players, sometimes justified maybe sometimes not. I've been a little bit bitter and I'm gutted that I can't play what I can, and that's what's killing me really. "I'm really trying so hard and I can't do what I used to do. So I've got to shut up now." New World Youth Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh is aiming high after he produced a 104.17 average - the fifth best first round effort in tournament history - to see off former Stephen Bunting 3-1, despite the former Lakeside Champion hitting a 170 checkout. "My ambition, the way I'm feeling, I'm ready for something big," said Van den Bergh. "My dad says I am and when my dad says it, then it's true. "So I'll keep working and I'm going for the quarter-finals at least, and if I get to the quarter-finals I'm definitely going for more, I never give up." Well-fancied debutant Rob Cross showed glimpses of what he can do in his 3-0 victory over preliminary round winner Seigo Asada - hitting back-to-back 180s in the last two legs as he finished with an impressive 104.12 average. "I've had a two-week build-up leading into this and I think there was a bit of pressure and that showed in the first set," said the European Championship finalist. "It gradually got better. "People who you talk to were buzzing for this two months ago and I didn't understand - and now I do. It's a phenomenal place, I absolutely love it. It's brilliant, very special." Japanese qualifier Asada had earlier overcome Australia's Gordon Mathers 2-1 in a sudden-death leg to secure his spot in the first round as the pair made their World Championship debuts. Saturday sees two sessions of action at Alexandra Palace with Mervyn King, Robert Thornton and Benito van de Pas in action in the afternoon session, while two-time World Champion Gary Anderson and Jelle Klaasen open their challenges in the evening session. William Hill World Darts Championship First Round Friday December 15 Seigo Asada 2-1 Gordon Mathers (P) Stephen Bunting 1-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh Phil Taylor 3-1 Chris Dobey Rob Cross 3-0 Seigo Asada Saturday December 16 Afternoon Session (12.30pm) Brendan Dolan v Alan Ljubic (P) Benito van de Pas v Steve West Mervyn King v Zoran Lerchbacher Robert Thornton v Brendan Dolan/Alan Ljubic Evening Session (7pm) Jeff Smith v Luke Humphries (P) Joe Cullen v Jermaine Wattimena Jelle Klaasen v Jan Dekker Gary Anderson v Jeff Smith/Luke Humphries Preliminary Round - Best of three sets First Round - Best of five sets Match Reports Seigo Asada 2-1 Gordon Mathers (1-3, 3-0, 3-2) SEIGO ASADA secured a first round date with Rob Cross after surviving an entertaining late comeback from Gordon Mathers to win their preliminary round clash in a sudden-death leg. After Asada won the opening leg, Mathers - the 2017 DPA Australian ProTour champion - went on to claim the next three legs and the opening set, and there looked like only one winner. Japanese qualifier Asada had other ideas though, breaking the throw in the opening leg of the second set with a 46 checkout before sealing the set 3-0 thanks to a 120 finish. A 16-dart leg followed by a 110 checkout made it five straight legs for Asada and put him on the brink of victory, but he missed two darts for the match and Mathers hit double 16 to save himself. Mathers then produced an 11-darter to level the match and force a winner-takes-all final leg, but it was Asada who held his nerve to set-up his big game later in the night. Stephen Bunting 1-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh (2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3) NEW World Youth Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh produced a sparkling first round performance as he overcame former Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting 31 in an impressive display. Van den Bergh averaged 104.17 - the fifth-highest first round average in tournament history - and hit five 180s in an entertaining win that saw Bunting hit four 180s of his own and three ton-plus finishes, including a maximum 170, but still end up on the losing side. Van den Bergh came flying out of the traps with a 13-darter, but Bunting responded with a 100 outshot and capitalised and three missed doubles to make it two quick legs to go ahead. A 180 from Van den Bergh saw him earn a break back straight away to level up, before taking the decider and claiming the opening set with a 100 average. The young Belgian blazed through a top-quality second set with a scorching 116 average - Bunting himself averaged 101 and hit a maximum 170 but could only win one leg as finishes of 127, 72 and 88 put Van den Bergh two sets up. Bunting came out fighting in the third as he made the most of a suddenly nervous looking Van den Bergh, who missed four shots at double and despite clawing one leg back was unable to salvage the set as the St Helens ace hit back against the throw. Bunting then opened set four with a 144 finish and took out 96 to move 2-1 up, but Van den Bergh levelled by finishing 76 before landing two 180s in the deciding leg to tee up double three as he sealed the win. "I'm definitely happy with that," said the 23-year-old. "It's a winning average so that's very important to me, but winning today on my father's birthday that means more. "He's the reason I play darts, he had ten years in a row playing in the national team of Belgium so, of course it inspires me. "Everybody handles pressure in their own way but I'm playing the game that he taught me - he gave me some basic instructions and that's what I've used here. Sometimes I looked over at my dad and his eyes, that's what made me strong again in this game. "My ambition, the way I'm feeling, I'm ready for something big. My dad says I am and when my dad says it, then it's true. "So I'll keep working and I'm going for the quarter-finals at least, and if I get to the quarter-finals I'm definitely going for more, I never give up." Phil Taylor 3-1 Chris Dobey (3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2) PHIL TAYLOR endured more than a few nervy moments before defeating Chris Dobey 3-1 as he started the final William Hill World Darts Championship campaign of his legendary darting career. The 16-time World Champion is hoping to make a fairytale ending to his amazing career, but was made to sweat just to get through the opening game of his farewell appearance at Alexandra Palace. All eyes are on the 57-year-old this year and perhaps the enormity of the situation hampered him in his first outing - and he admitted he was struggling a bit for energy. "I lacked a bit of energy against Chris tonight, I slacked a little bit and it's not me. I'm tired," said Taylor. "I never used to be like that before, I could win a tournament and then play another tournament, it's strange. I've got a few days off now to get ready for the next one." It was a very un-Taylor-like start as young star Dobey threatened to be the ultimate party pooper by going 1-0 and 2-1 up early on, but Taylor settled to bag the next two legs and win the opening set against the throw. It was more routine for Taylor in the second set as Dobey offered little resistance - apart from taking one leg when he hit a 180 and 60 outshot - as a 3-1 scoreline left the Stoke legend on course for a straight sets win. Dobey led at the start of set three, with Taylor taking out 105 in leg four to level with the tie's first ton-plus finish - but just as he prepared to close out the win the Bedlington thrower produced an 11-darter to extend the contest. Dobey really started the nerves jangling around Alexandra Palace in the fourth set as a 104 checkout saw him break the throw for a 2-1 lead to put him on the brink of levelling up the match - only to miss two shots at double 16 for the set. Taylor took all three darts to hit double 16 to level it up, and made no mistake in the final leg - to his and the crowd's relief - as he booked his place in the second round. "There was a lot of pressure on me, but to get through Chris Dobey [was good]," said a relieved Taylor. "When they keep on about the future of darts, that's your fella I think. "And you've got Dimitri [Van den Bergh] as well, they're lovely kids and they're the ones to push the game on I think." Taylor admitted the prospect of retirement is a tough one, but that it's even harder playing in the big events and not finding that all-conquering form of old. "The fire's gone," he added. "I want to win, I've still got the fire in the belly to win, it's just the old utensils are not working as good as they used to. It's awful, it's killing me. "And you know by my interviews, I have been very critical of certain players, sometimes justified maybe sometimes not. I've been a little bit bitter and I'm gutted that I can't play what I can, and that's what's killing me really. "I'm really trying so hard and I can't do what I used to do. So I've got to shut up now." Rob Cross 3-0 Seigo Asada (3-1, 3-2, 3-2) WELL-FANCIED debutant Rob Cross made a winning start to his William Hill World Darts Championship campaign as he finished strongly in a 3-0 win over game qualifier Seigo Asada. It's unusual for a debutant to be amongst the tournament favourites, but Cross' stellar year had seen him amongst the front runners for the title before the former electrician had even thrown a dart at Alexandra Palace. The number 20 seed is a four-time winner on the PDC circuit in his first year as a professional leading to his lofty reputation entering the tournament - and although he took time to find his stride he finished with a flourish. Cross claimed the game's opening set with a 3-1 scoreline to put himself in command and settle any debut nerves, but the second set was a much more lively affair as Asada hit legs of 12 and 15 darts. Cross found form when he needed to though, finding back-to-back 12-darters of his own at 2-1 down to clinch the set on a brilliant 121 checkout. Asada stuck to his guns and took the opening two legs of the third set courtesy of 70 and 120 checkouts, before Cross found his best darts with seven perfect arrows on the way to an 11-darter. Back-to-back 180s in the next helped Cross to seal a 3-0 victory that looked more comfortable on paper than it was in reality. "I've had a two-week build-up leading into this and I think there was a bit of pressure and that showed in the first set," said the European Championship finalist. "It gradually got better. "People who you talk to were buzzing for this two months ago and I didn't understand - and now I do. It's a phenomenal place, I absolutely love it. It's brilliant, very special." ENDS MICHAEL VAN GERWEN hit a 180 with the opening three darts of the defence of his William Hill World Darts Championship before defeating Christian Kist 3-1 with the third-best first round average in tournament history.
Van Gerwen hit the ground running on the opening night of the tournament in some style as he produced a standard-setting 106.17 average to fire out a warning to his rivals that he will not be relinquishing his title easily. That opening 180 helped Van Gerwen take the first leg in 14 darts before he followed up with a 15-darter and capped off the first set with a 12-darter, highlighted with a 141 finish. Kist needed to reply with in a 13-darter just to finally get a leg on the board as he went two sets down, but in a quality third set Kist withstood two 12-darters, two 180s and a 138 checkout from Van Gerwen to reduce the deficit to 2-1. That sniff of danger was all the reigning champion needed though to move up another gear as he checked out 114 at the start of the fourth set, and once in front he never looked back as he powered to the winning line and set up a second round clash with James Wilson. "It's always nice to come back to Alexandra Palace for the World Championship and a great game like this to start the tournament off is good for your confidence," said Van Gerwen, who has now won 30 successive matches. "I also want to say well done to Christian Kist as well because he put me under pressure, he played well, he had over a 100 average. It was a nice start for me and I'm glad I won this game. "I knew my form was there but at some points it didn't really come out. I can't really complain because I think I put on a fantastic performance for everyone and also for myself - it's a nice way to start off the tournament, it gives you a good feeling. "I know what he can do, lately he's been struggling with a bit of trouble with his arm, but I think he's over it because he played a great game - I think anyone else he would have played tonight he would have given them a great game, but I did an step extra when I had to. "It was a phenomenal performance for the first round as the first round is always difficult. I like to start straight away in top gear because if you underestimate people they can kill you - you have to perform round after round, game after game and leg after leg because it's the most important tournament of the year." Next up for Van Gerwen on December 22 is James Wilson, with the Huddersfield thrower coming out on top in his first round encounter with Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski - the reigning World Masters winner - with a 3-1 victory. "It's a good win for me and I've got massive confidence going forward," said Wilson. "I wasn't nervous but I was getting a few bounce outs and I had to put it in my mind that it wasn't me. "I tried throwing a bit harder and they just went haywire, so I just went back to my natural throw and hope that they went in and stayed in." Former Lakeside Champion Steve Beaton kicked-off this year's event on his 27th straight World Championship appearance with a reasonably comfortable 3-1 victory over Irish debutant William O'Connor. "I know William can play well," said Beaton. "But I sneaked the first set and I thought after I got the second set, he didn't get off the stage - he tried to get himself focused. "I thought the last two sets we both played how we can play. He's just got to learn, I mean I'm still learning! I still get the butterflies and I'm tense and everything. "I couldn't believe the ending there, we were both banging them in and I just came out on top." UK Open finalist Gerwyn Price closed the opening night as he enjoyed his first-ever World Championship victory by overpowering youngster Ted Evetts during his 3-0 straight sets victory. Development Tour product Evetts won through the PDPA Qualifier in Milton Keynes last month to secure his World Championship debut, but the 20-year-old struggled to settle on the big stage against the more experienced Price. "I was anxious all day and I'm just thankful to play well tonight and come through the game," said Price. "I haven't won a game on that stage so I put the pressure on myself to be honest. "I felt good when I was practicing and I felt good when I was up there. It could have gone to 1-1 in the second set but fortunately I came through that. "I put pressure on myself in this event because I hadn’t won a game, I've lost first round for the first three years so I felt it. I don't feel like that at any other tournament. "At the UK Open I'd never really come through a first round but once I did that I made the final, so the rest better watch out!" The action continues at Alexandra Palace on Friday when legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor opens his challenge in the 57-year-old's final tournament before retiring by taking on youngster Chris Dobey. Stephen Bunting takes on new World Youth Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh, while shooting star Rob Cross makes his World Championship debut against the winner of the preliminary round tie between Japan's Seigo Asada and Australia's Gordon Mathers. William Hill World Darts Championship First Round Thursday December 14 Steve Beaton 3-1 William O'Connor James Wilson 3-1 Krzysztof Ratajski Michael van Gerwen 3-1 Christian Kist Gerwyn Price 3-0 Ted Evetts Best of five sets Match Reports Steve Beaton 3-1 William O'Connor (3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 3-1) Veteran star Steve Beaton made a winning start to his latest William Hill World Darts Championship campaign with a reasonably comfortable 3-1 victory over debutant William O'Connor. The 53-year-old former Lakeside Champion, making his 17th appearance in the event and 27th straight World Championship challenge overall, was outscored early on and only hit three 180s to O'Connor's five, but made the most of some shaky double hitting by the Irishman. O'Connor missed 16 shots at double in the first set after looking good with a 14-darter early on, and he found it hard to shake off the after-effects of those misses as he lost the second set without getting a dart at double. Beaton was still not scoring heavily though, averaging just around 80, and O'Connor regained his confidence to average 105 when taking out 97 and then 86 for a 13-darter to sweep the third set and get on the board. Both men hit some decent form in the fourth set but it was Beaton who took command at 2-0 before O'Connor took out a classy 155 checkout to stay alive. O'Connor then opened leg four with a 180, but Beaton responded in style with a maximum of his own and took out 52 to ensure he avoided a sixth first round exit to move into the last 32 at Alexandra Palace. "I know William can play well," said Beaton. "But I sneaked the first set and I thought after I got the second set, he didn’t get off the stage - he tried to get himself focused. "I thought the last two sets we both played how we can play. He's just got to learn, I mean I'm still learning! I still get the butterflies and I'm tense and everything but I love it. "I couldn't believe the ending there, we were both banging them in and I just came out on top." James Wilson 3-1 Krzysztof Ratajski (1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2) Number 32 seed James Wilson won a hard-fought battle with Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski 3-1 to book his place in the second round of the William Hill World Darts Championship. The 45-year-old, now known as the Lethal Biscuit, was the underdog with the bookies against World Masters winner Ratajski and those odds looked justified as the Polish thrower hit an 11-darter in the opening leg en route to taking the first set with the minimum of fuss. Wilson was scoring well, though, and hit 12 tons in the second set alongside finishes of 87 and 60 to scrape the set 3-2 and level the match. More big scoring moved Wilson 2-0 up in the next, but he let Ratajski back into the set with three missed doubles, before settling himself in leg four to go ahead 2-1 in sets. Ratajski hit six perfect darts in a powerful start to the fourth set, which strangely included the first four legs all going against the throw. Ratajski missed double 16 for the set to stay in the match, and after Wilson took that leg the writing was on the wall as the Huddersfield man took out a 95 finish to seal a 3-1 victory and passage into the second round. "It's a good win for me and I've got massive confidence going forward," said Wilson. "I wasn't nervous but I was getting a few bounce outs and I had to put it in my mind that it wasn't me. "I tried throwing a bit harder and they just went haywire, so I just went back to my natural throw and hope that they went in and stayed in." Michael van Gerwen 3-1 Christian Kist (3-0, 3-1, 2-3, 3-0) Defending champion Michael van Gerwen produced the third highest first round average in tournament history as he made a flying start to his William Hill World Darts Championship campaign with a high-quality 3-1 victory over Christian Kist. On another night, against another opponent, former Lakeside Champion Kist would have had a great chance of winning with his 100 average, but Van Gerwen's blistering 106.17 was just too hot to handle. The reigning champion came bursting out of the traps and hit a 180 with his first visit of the tournament and cleaned up a 14-dart leg after Kist missed the bull and a double four to hold his throw. Kist's solid start continued, but another shot at the bullseye was all he got as Van Gerwen produced a 15-darter and capped off the set with a 12-darter highlighted by a 141 finish to take the opener with a 109 average. A closer contest in the second set saw Kist land a 13-darter to finally get a leg on the board but, as Van Gerwen's level dropped just a touch the Vroomshoop ace was left cursing a missed double 16 as the top seed took out 74 for the set. The third set was one of real quality from both men as they combined for four 180s, three 12-darters and a 138 checkout. Van Gerwen answered Kist's opening 12-darter with one of his own and then capped a second leg with a 138 outshot, but could not stop Kist from taking the set as the underdog showed real belief that he could cause a huge upset. That sniff of danger was all Van Gerwen needed, though, to move up another gear as he checked out 114 at the start of the fourth set, and once in front he never looked back as he powered to the finish line and set up a second round clash with James Wilson. "It's always nice to come back to Alexandra Palace for the World Championship and a great game like this to start the tournament off is good for your confidence," said Van Gerwen, who has now won 30 successive matches. "I also want to say well done to Christian Kist as well because he put me under pressure, he played well, he had over a 100 average. It was a nice start for me and I'm glad I won this game. "I knew my form was there but at some points it didn't really come out. I can't really complain because I think I put on a fantastic performance for everyone and also for myself - it's a nice way to start off the tournament, it gives you a good feeling. "I know what he can do, lately he's been struggling with a bit of trouble with his arm, but I think he's over it because he played a great game - I think anyone else he would have played tonight he would have given them a great game, but I did an step extra when I had to. "It was a phenomenal performance for the first round as the first round is always difficult. I like to start straight away in top gear because if you underestimate people they can kill you - you have to perform round after round, game after game and leg after leg because it's the most important tournament of the year." Gerwyn Price 3-0 Ted Evetts (3-0, 3-2, 3-1) Gerwyn Price moved into the second round of the William Hill World Darts Championship for the first time as he proved far too strong for youngster Ted Evetts during his straight sets victory. Development Tour product Evetts had won through the PDPA Qualifier to earn a World Championship debut, but the 20-year-old struggled to settle on the big stage against the more experienced Price. The Welshman stamped his authority on the match with a 180 on his first throw, and he added a second during a comfortable set as he won all three legs. Price made it four legs on the bounce before Evetts finally made his mark on the contest, and once on the board he quickly added a second and had a sniff of the set before the UK Open finalist took the decider for a 2-0 lead. Although Evetts showed great heart to take out 76 to stay in the match in the third set it was not enough as Price sealed the 3-0 win as he finished with a 101.55 average. "I was anxious all day and I'm just thankful to play well tonight and come through the game," said Price. "I haven't won a game on that stage so I put the pressure on myself to be honest. "I felt good when I was practicing and I felt good when I was up there. It could have gone to 1-1 in the second set but fortunately I came through that. "I put pressure on myself in this event because I hadn’t won a game, I've lost first round for the first three years so I felt it. I don't feel like that at any other tournament. "At the UK Open I'd never really come through a first round but once I did that I made the final, so the rest better watch out!" Written by Paul Higham for the PDC ENDS THE biggest-ever William Hill World Darts Championship begins on Thursday, with Michael van Gerwen beginning his title defence at Alexandra Palace ahead of Phil Taylor's final-ever professional tournament before he retires from the sport.
A field of 72 players from 24 countries will be in action across the Christmas and New Year period at Alexandra Palace, with a record £1.8 million in prize money on offer. The tournament will also mark the final challenge for legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor ahead of his impending retirement, with the 57-year-old having dominated the sport since 1990. Taylor begins his challenge against youngster Chris Dobey in the first round on Friday, having been installed at 10/1 with sponsors William Hill to end his career with a "dream" 17th World Championship success. "It's been a fantastic year and I've enjoyed it so much and to end it I'd love to go and have a good run at the World Championship," said Taylor. "Winning it would obviously be the best way to go out, but I'll just go there to enjoy it and do my best. "There's been no pressure on me this year, I've not been worried about rankings or things like that, so I've been able to enjoy myself a bit more." Reigning World Champion Michael van Gerwen begins his bid for a third Alexandra Palace title on Thursday's opening night, as he takes on fellow Dutchman Christian Kist. Former Lakeside Championship winner Kist has struggled with an arm problem throughout 2017, with Van Gerwen being an odds-on favourite with William Hill to win both his first round tie and the tournament on January 1. "I played a special World Championship last year and I want that feeling to continue," said Van Gerwen. "This is the biggest tournament in darts and it means so much to win it. "There will be pressure on me but I'm comfortable with that and I'm getting used to it. Everyone is playing well now but I believe in myself and I have to focus on my own game. "I can only focus on Christian because he's shown in the past how good he can be on his day. He's had some injury problems so you don't know what he will do, but I have to concentrate on myself and make sure that I don't make any mistakes." The opening night also sees veteran star Steve Beaton, the 1996 Lakeside Champion, making his 17th appearance in the event as he takes on Irish debutant William O'Connor. Beaton was a quarter-finalist in the recent Players Championship Finals, and said: "I'm feeling great after the last event, and I played well in Minehead. "This is a fantastic tournament and one that we all look forward to all year, so it's exciting. It will be a hard game against William because he's been playing well recently, so I'll have to be ready for it." Thursday's action also sees UK Open finalist Gerwyn Price playing Warwickshire youngster Ted Evetts and James Wilson, the number 32 seed, taking on Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski. Taylor's opening tie on Friday is accompanied by Stephen Bunting taking on Dimitri Van den Bergh and debutant Rob Cross - the number 20 seed following an amazing debut year as a professional - playing either Siego Asada or Gordon Mathers. "I'm really excited," said Cross, a former electrician from Hastings. "Everything's been new for me this year and I've really enjoyed it, and hopefully that will be the same at the World Championship. "Everyone's told me what a fantastic tournament it is and I can't wait to experience it, but I'll be staying focused on my game too. I don't know much about my potential opponents so I'll just make sure that I get my preparation right." Play continues with two sessions per day on Saturday and Sunday, with evening sessions continuing from Monday through to the first round's conclusion on Thursday December 21. The second round is split across the Christmas period, with the tournament progressing through to the semi-finals on December 30 ahead of the final on January 1. Coverage of the William Hill World Darts Championship will be broadcast live on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel from December 14-January 1. Worldwide coverage through the PDC's series of international broadcast partners includes a new deal with BBC America to screen the tournament in the USA. William Hill World Darts Championship Preliminary & First Rounds (P) denotes Preliminary Round Thursday December 14 (7pm) Steve Beaton v William O'Connor James Wilson v Krzysztof Ratajski Michael van Gerwen v Christian Kist Gerwyn Price v Ted Evetts Friday December 15 (7pm) Seigo Asada v Gordon Mathers (P) Stephen Bunting v Dimitri Van den Bergh Phil Taylor v Chris Dobey Rob Cross v Seigo Asada/Gordon Mathers Saturday December 16 Afternoon Session (12.30pm) Brendan Dolan v Alan Ljubic (P) Benito van de Pas v Steve West Mervyn King v Zoran Lerchbacher Robert Thornton v Brendan Dolan/Alan Ljubic Evening Session (7pm) Jeff Smith v Luke Humphries (P) Joe Cullen v Jermaine Wattimena Jelle Klaasen v Jan Dekker Gary Anderson v Jeff Smith/Luke Humphries Sunday December 17 Afternoon Session (12.30pm) Kenny Neyens v Jamie Lewis (P) Alan Norris v Kim Viljanen Kyle Anderson v Peter Jacques Jonny Clayton v Kenny Neyens/Jamie Lewis Evening Session (7pm) Willard Bruguier v Cody Harris (P) James Wade v Keegan Brown Dave Chisnall v Vincent van der Voort Ian White v Willard Bruguier/Cody Harris Monday December 18 (7pm) Kai Fan Leung v Paul Lim (P) Mensur Suljovic v Kevin Painter Daryl Gurney v Ronny Huybrechts Mark Webster v Kai Fan Leung/Paul Lim Tuesday December 19 (7pm) Aleksandr Oreshkin v Kevin Munch (P) John Henderson v Marko Kantele Raymond van Barneveld v Richard North Adrian Lewis v Aleksandr Oreshkin/Kevin Munch Wednesday December 20 (7pm) Xiao Chen Zong v Bernie Smith (P) Michael Smith v Steve Lennon Simon Whitlock v Martin Schindler Justin Pipe v Xiao Chen Zong/Bernie Smith Thursday December 21 (7pm) Cristo Reyes v Toni Alcinas Kim Huybrechts v James Richardson Darren Webster v Devon Petersen Peter Wright v Diogo Portela Format Preliminary Round - Best of three sets First Round - Best of five sets THE biggest-ever William Hill World Darts Championship begins on Thursday, with Michael van Gerwen beginning his title defence at Alexandra Palace ahead of Phil Taylor's final-ever professional tournament before he retires from the sport.
A field of 72 players from 24 countries will be in action across the Christmas and New Year period at Alexandra Palace, with a record £1.8 million in prize money on offer. The tournament will also mark the final challenge for legendary 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor ahead of his impending retirement, with the 57-year-old having dominated the sport since 1990. Taylor begins his challenge against youngster Chris Dobey in the first round on Friday, having been installed at 10/1 with sponsors William Hill to end his career with a "dream" 17th World Championship success. "It's been a fantastic year and I've enjoyed it so much and to end it I'd love to go and have a good run at the World Championship," said Taylor. "Winning it would obviously be the best way to go out, but I'll just go there to enjoy it and do my best. "There's been no pressure on me this year, I've not been worried about rankings or things like that, so I've been able to enjoy myself a bit more." Reigning World Champion Michael van Gerwen begins his bid for a third Alexandra Palace title on Thursday's opening night, as he takes on fellow Dutchman Christian Kist. Former Lakeside Championship winner Kist has struggled with an arm problem throughout 2017, with Van Gerwen being an odds-on favourite with William Hill to win both his first round tie and the tournament on January 1. "I played a special World Championship last year and I want that feeling to continue," said Van Gerwen. "This is the biggest tournament in darts and it means so much to win it. "There will be pressure on me but I'm comfortable with that and I'm getting used to it. Everyone is playing well now but I believe in myself and I have to focus on my own game. "I can only focus on Christian because he's shown in the past how good he can be on his day. He's had some injury problems so you don't know what he will do, but I have to concentrate on myself and make sure that I don't make any mistakes." The opening night also sees veteran star Steve Beaton, the 1996 Lakeside Champion, making his 17th appearance in the event as he takes on Irish debutant William O'Connor. Beaton was a quarter-finalist in the recent Players Championship Finals, and said: "I'm feeling great after the last event, and I played well in Minehead. "This is a fantastic tournament and one that we all look forward to all year, so it's exciting. It will be a hard game against William because he's been playing well recently, so I'll have to be ready for it." Thursday's action also sees UK Open finalist Gerwyn Price playing Warwickshire youngster Ted Evetts and James Wilson, the number 32 seed, taking on Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski. Taylor's opening tie on Friday is accompanied by Stephen Bunting taking on Dimitri Van den Bergh and debutant Rob Cross - the number 20 seed following an amazing debut year as a professional - playing either Siego Asada or Gordon Mathers. "I'm really excited," said Cross, a former electrician from Hastings. "Everything's been new for me this year and I've really enjoyed it, and hopefully that will be the same at the World Championship. "Everyone's told me what a fantastic tournament it is and I can't wait to experience it, but I'll be staying focused on my game too. I don't know much about my potential opponents so I'll just make sure that I get my preparation right." Play continues with two sessions per day on Saturday and Sunday, with evening sessions continuing from Monday through to the first round's conclusion on Thursday December 21. The second round is split across the Christmas period, with the tournament progressing through to the semi-finals on December 30 ahead of the final on January 1. Coverage of the William Hill World Darts Championship will be broadcast live on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel from December 14-January 1. Worldwide coverage through the PDC's series of international broadcast partners includes a new deal with BBC America to screen the tournament in the USA. William Hill World Darts Championship Preliminary & First Rounds (P) denotes Preliminary Round Thursday December 14 (7pm) Steve Beaton v William O'Connor James Wilson v Krzysztof Ratajski Michael van Gerwen v Christian Kist Gerwyn Price v Ted Evetts Friday December 15 (7pm) Seigo Asada v Gordon Mathers (P) Stephen Bunting v Dimitri Van den Bergh Phil Taylor v Chris Dobey Rob Cross v Seigo Asada/Gordon Mathers Saturday December 16 Afternoon Session (12.30pm) Brendan Dolan v Alan Ljubic (P) Benito van de Pas v Steve West Mervyn King v Zoran Lerchbacher Robert Thornton v Brendan Dolan/Alan Ljubic Evening Session (7pm) Jeff Smith v Luke Humphries (P) Joe Cullen v Jermaine Wattimena Jelle Klaasen v Jan Dekker Gary Anderson v Jeff Smith/Luke Humphries Sunday December 17 Afternoon Session (12.30pm) Kenny Neyens v Jamie Lewis (P) Alan Norris v Kim Viljanen Kyle Anderson v Peter Jacques Jonny Clayton v Kenny Neyens/Jamie Lewis Evening Session (7pm) Willard Bruguier v Cody Harris (P) James Wade v Keegan Brown Dave Chisnall v Vincent van der Voort Ian White v Willard Bruguier/Cody Harris Monday December 18 (7pm) Kai Fan Leung v Paul Lim (P) Mensur Suljovic v Kevin Painter Daryl Gurney v Ronny Huybrechts Mark Webster v Kai Fan Leung/Paul Lim Tuesday December 19 (7pm) Aleksandr Oreshkin v Kevin Munch (P) John Henderson v Marko Kantele Raymond van Barneveld v Richard North Adrian Lewis v Aleksandr Oreshkin/Kevin Munch Wednesday December 20 (7pm) Xiao Chen Zong v Bernie Smith (P) Michael Smith v Steve Lennon Simon Whitlock v Martin Schindler Justin Pipe v Xiao Chen Zong/Bernie Smith Thursday December 21 (7pm) Cristo Reyes v Toni Alcinas Kim Huybrechts v James Richardson Darren Webster v Devon Petersen Peter Wright v Diogo Portela Format Preliminary Round - Best of three sets First Round - Best of five sets |
Archives
April 2020
|