REPORTS from Saturday's quarter-finals at the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.
PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Simon Whitlock 13-16 Scott Waites (Match 11)
Terry Jenkins 16-9 Robert Thornton (Match 12)
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Raymond van Barneveld 16-6 Kevin Painter (Match 10)
Phil Taylor 16-7 Tony O'Shea (Match 9)
Best of 31 legs
Click here for a quarter-final photo gallery
SCOTT WAITES 16-13 SIMON WHITLOCK
SCOTT WAITES produced the performance of his career to reach the semi-finals of the 2009 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a 16-13 victory over Simon Whitlock.
The Yorkshireman, who has now guaranteed himself £25,000, will take take on either Terry Jenkins or Robert Thornton on Sunday afternoon.
Both players held throw at the start of the match before Waites put together consecutive 12-dart finishes for a 3-1 lead.
Whitlock hit back by taking the next two legs to level at 3-3, which included an 11-darter in the sixth leg.
Waites led again by converting an 87 finish for an 11 darter of his own, but missed a dart at double nine for a 5-3 lead and Whitlock landed double five for 4-4.
Whitlock then led for the second time in the opening by hitting double 12 but Waites quickly levelled with a 108 checkout.
Waites hit two maximums in the process of regaining the lead. He then won the next two legs to increase his lead to 8-5 despite the Australian hitting a maximum in each of those legs.
Waites took a 9-5 lead before Whitlock managed to take the 15th leg, only after Waites missed a chance to pull further away.
Whitlock broke his opponent's throw in the next leg and then landed double top to reduce the deficit to 9-8.
But Waites, who defeated Gary Anderson in a thrilling second round clash on Friday night, put together a run of four winning legs to pull away again.
He broke Whitlock's throw in the 19th leg by hitting double 15, and then hit a fantastic 144 checkout to lead 13-8.
Waites had two darts at double 16 to continue his winning of legs, but those attempts where off-target and Whitlock converted a two-dart 60 finish.
The Australian, who defeated Waites in the group-stages, earlier in the week, then landed another two-dart 60 finish, followed by a 14-darter to keep himself in the game at 13-11.
Whitlock then won the next leg to reduce the deficit to one, but Waites hit a maximum to lead 14-12 and win his first leg in five.
Whitlock landed a 102 checkout to win the 27th leg, but Waites hit his a eighth maximum of the game in a 14 darter to move to the brink of victory.
Whitlock had three chances to keep the match alive, and Waites stepped in to land double 18 and continue his dream run.
"It was a big struggle all the way through but I'm delighted to have won." said Waites.
"After about the tenth or 11th leg I got a couple of legs against the darts and got the lead, but Simon never gave in and was always on my tail."
Whitlock said: "Scott was just too good in the end, he was brilliant."
"I missed a few doubles that I'd been hitting earlier in the week and Scott took his chances, especially when I feel asleep a bit in the middle. I hung in there and got it close but could never quite get back level with him."
Match Stats
TERRY JENKINS 16-9 ROBERT THORNTON
TERRY JENKINS remains on course for a second successive appearance in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts final following a 16-9 win over Robert Thornton at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Jenkins will now take on Scott Waites in Sunday's semi-finals following a strong display to end the Scotsman's challenge.
Jenkins came out of the blocks fast, winning the opening leg in 12 darts. He broke Thornton's throw to with a 64 finish, and the Herefordshire man hit double 18 in the next for a 3-0 lead.
Thornton got himself into the game by winning the fourth leg, after Jenkins missed a dart to increase his lead, but the sixth seed restored his three-leg advantage by hitting double six.
Jenkins broke throw for the time in the game to win the sixth leg, and followed that by landing double top in increasing his lead to 6-1.
Jenkins hit his second 180 of the game in the eighth leg, but Thornton won it with a 110 checkout to win just his second leg of the game.
Thornton missed three chances to reduce the gap to 6-3 and Jenkins made the Scotsman pay by hitting double 10.
Jenkins hit double top to win the tenth leg and double top came to his aid again to move Jenkins into a 9-2 lead.
The Scotsman hit his maximum of the match in the process of winning the 12th leg, and then produced a 13-dart finish to reduce the gap to 9-4.
Thornton continued the fightback by converting a 77 finish to continue the fightback, but Jenkins took a 10-5 lead in the next leg, by hitting double 10.
Thornton, who came through a deciding-leg to defeat Darin Young, in the previous round, won the next two legs, to cut the deficit to three legs and give himself a fighting chance.
But Jenkins put together legs of 12, and 15 darts, before winning the next two legs to move 14-7 ahead and within sight of victory.
Thornton stopped the rot by hitting double five with his last dart, but Jenkins hit his seventh maximum of the match in taking the 23rd leg, and move one leg away from victory.
Thornton kept the match going with an 81 finish on the bullseye, but Jenkins closed out the game by in the next by hitting his favourite double top to set up a semi-final clash with Scott Waites.
"I've been impressed with the way Robert's played this week, and I had to play well to beat him," said Jenkins. "I got a good start and it paid off."
A disappointed Thornton said, "I couldn't get going at the start and Terry came out firing."
"I had no answer and left myself too much to do, but I am starting to play well again."
Match Stats
EVENING SESSION
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 16-6 KEVIN PAINTER
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD reached the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts for the first time thanks to a 16-6 drubbing over Kevin Painter.
The Dutchman, produced his best display of the week and will now take on either Phil Taylor or Tony O'Shea.
Painter won the first leg with a 15-dart finish, before Van Barneveld won the next, which included the first maximum of the game.
Van Barneveld broke his opponent's throw to win the third leg, only for Painter to break-back when he hit double eight.
Painter, who defeated Kirk Shepherd in last 16 encounter on Thursday night, regained the lead with a clinical two-dart 91 finish, only for van Barneveld levelled with a 12 darter.
The Dutchman then won the seventh leg against the darts after Painter was guilty of missing two opportunities at doubles.
Van Barneveld moved 5-3 ahead but Painter showed some class in the ninth leg, winning it in 13 darts.
Van Barneveld then stepped up gear and took five legs without reply.
He landed double nine to win the tenth leg, before breaking throw with a 90 finish.
The five time world champion then landed double nine for the third time in the game after Painter two more opportunities at doubles. That was then followed by a fantastic 156 checkout to lead 9-4.
A 13-dart finish put Van Barneveld further clear, but the former world championship finalist mangaed to stop the rot by winning the 15th leg, landing double eight for a 15 darter.
The next two legs where shared before Van Barneveld hit a two-dart 80 finish.
Van Barneveld hit double eight to move 14-6 ahead, and then produced a clinical 11 darter to move one leg away from the match.
And Van Barneveld soon put Painter out of his misery by coverting a two-dart 79 finish to move into the semi-finals.
After the match Van Barneveld said: "I am very pleased with the win and I finished very well.
"I felt sorry for Kevin. It wasn't his night tonight as I know what he can do."
Painter was disappointed with his display after a bright start to the tournament, admitting: "I felt brilliant going out there, but I hit nothing.
"I just couldn't hit the treble 20 often enough. Things just didn't happen for me tonight."
Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 16-7 TONY O'SHEA
PHIL TAYLOR maintained his quest for a third consecutive PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts title with a 16-7 triumph over Tony O'Shea.
Taylor will now take on Raymond van Barneveld in a mouth-watering semi-final clash, who impressed in his victory over Kevin Painter, earlier on Saturday evening.
O'Shea held his own in the early part of the game, but Taylor's consistent high scoring proved to be too much for the Lakeside runner-up.
"It was a really good game, and we both enjoyed it. Both of us clicked up there and Tony really pushed me," said Taylor.
"He's got a lot of bottle and never gave up, and his got a massive of winning at the Lakeside.
"I can't wait to play Barney. It should be a fantastic match."
Taylor hit a maximum in taking the opening leg, and did the same in the second, breaking throw with a 76 finish.
The Stoke ace looked odds on to take a 3-0 lead. But three missed darts at doubles allowed O'Shea to pinch the leg.
Taylor restored his two leg advantage with a 14-dart finish, but O'Shea kept in touch by winning the next in 11.
O'Shea then squared the game at three apiece with a 96 finish, but Taylor regained the lead when he hit double 20.
The Stockport man continued his solid finishing by taking out 86 in two darts to level again. But Taylor won the next two legs with finshes of 72, and 74, to lead 6-4.
He then increased the lead to 7-4, despite O'Shea hitting two maximums. But Taylor suffered a dose of his own medicine in the next leg as O'Shea hit a 13 dart-leg, despite two maximums from his opponent.
Taylor held throw to win the next leg, and then upped the pace by taking the next two legs in 13, and 12 darts.
O'Shea fired his fifth maximum of the contest in winning the 16th leg, but Taylor fired an 11 darter to lead 11-6.
Taylor kept up the momentum winning the next two legs with comfort to move seven clear of O'Shea.
The fourteen-time world champion then hit a wonderful 134 checkout in the 20th leg, after O'Shea had hit two 180s.
Taylor converted a 65 finish to move one leg away from victory, but O'Shea showed fighting spirit by taking out an 81 finish on the bullseye, after Taylor had missed one dart for the match.
But Taylor made no mistake in the next leg and landed double 16 to confirm victory.
After the match O'Shea said: "Once again, I really enjoyed myself on the big stage tonight.
"It's been my first time here and I hope it's not my last. I've had a fantastic time."
Match Stats
PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Simon Whitlock 13-16 Scott Waites (Match 11)
Terry Jenkins 16-9 Robert Thornton (Match 12)
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Raymond van Barneveld 16-6 Kevin Painter (Match 10)
Phil Taylor 16-7 Tony O'Shea (Match 9)
Best of 31 legs
Click here for a quarter-final photo gallery
SCOTT WAITES 16-13 SIMON WHITLOCK
SCOTT WAITES produced the performance of his career to reach the semi-finals of the 2009 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a 16-13 victory over Simon Whitlock.
The Yorkshireman, who has now guaranteed himself £25,000, will take take on either Terry Jenkins or Robert Thornton on Sunday afternoon.
Both players held throw at the start of the match before Waites put together consecutive 12-dart finishes for a 3-1 lead.
Whitlock hit back by taking the next two legs to level at 3-3, which included an 11-darter in the sixth leg.
Waites led again by converting an 87 finish for an 11 darter of his own, but missed a dart at double nine for a 5-3 lead and Whitlock landed double five for 4-4.
Whitlock then led for the second time in the opening by hitting double 12 but Waites quickly levelled with a 108 checkout.
Waites hit two maximums in the process of regaining the lead. He then won the next two legs to increase his lead to 8-5 despite the Australian hitting a maximum in each of those legs.
Waites took a 9-5 lead before Whitlock managed to take the 15th leg, only after Waites missed a chance to pull further away.
Whitlock broke his opponent's throw in the next leg and then landed double top to reduce the deficit to 9-8.
But Waites, who defeated Gary Anderson in a thrilling second round clash on Friday night, put together a run of four winning legs to pull away again.
He broke Whitlock's throw in the 19th leg by hitting double 15, and then hit a fantastic 144 checkout to lead 13-8.
Waites had two darts at double 16 to continue his winning of legs, but those attempts where off-target and Whitlock converted a two-dart 60 finish.
The Australian, who defeated Waites in the group-stages, earlier in the week, then landed another two-dart 60 finish, followed by a 14-darter to keep himself in the game at 13-11.
Whitlock then won the next leg to reduce the deficit to one, but Waites hit a maximum to lead 14-12 and win his first leg in five.
Whitlock landed a 102 checkout to win the 27th leg, but Waites hit his a eighth maximum of the game in a 14 darter to move to the brink of victory.
Whitlock had three chances to keep the match alive, and Waites stepped in to land double 18 and continue his dream run.
"It was a big struggle all the way through but I'm delighted to have won." said Waites.
"After about the tenth or 11th leg I got a couple of legs against the darts and got the lead, but Simon never gave in and was always on my tail."
Whitlock said: "Scott was just too good in the end, he was brilliant."
"I missed a few doubles that I'd been hitting earlier in the week and Scott took his chances, especially when I feel asleep a bit in the middle. I hung in there and got it close but could never quite get back level with him."
Match Stats
|
Simon Whitlock |
13-16 |
Scott Waites |
|
41 |
100+ |
35 |
|
22 |
140+ |
28 |
|
5 |
180 |
9 |
|
31.92 |
Ave 1 |
32.24 |
|
95.75 |
Ave 3 |
96.72 |
|
102 |
High Finish |
144,121,108 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Darts |
7 |
TERRY JENKINS 16-9 ROBERT THORNTON
TERRY JENKINS remains on course for a second successive appearance in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts final following a 16-9 win over Robert Thornton at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Jenkins will now take on Scott Waites in Sunday's semi-finals following a strong display to end the Scotsman's challenge.
Jenkins came out of the blocks fast, winning the opening leg in 12 darts. He broke Thornton's throw to with a 64 finish, and the Herefordshire man hit double 18 in the next for a 3-0 lead.
Thornton got himself into the game by winning the fourth leg, after Jenkins missed a dart to increase his lead, but the sixth seed restored his three-leg advantage by hitting double six.
Jenkins broke throw for the time in the game to win the sixth leg, and followed that by landing double top in increasing his lead to 6-1.
Jenkins hit his second 180 of the game in the eighth leg, but Thornton won it with a 110 checkout to win just his second leg of the game.
Thornton missed three chances to reduce the gap to 6-3 and Jenkins made the Scotsman pay by hitting double 10.
Jenkins hit double top to win the tenth leg and double top came to his aid again to move Jenkins into a 9-2 lead.
The Scotsman hit his maximum of the match in the process of winning the 12th leg, and then produced a 13-dart finish to reduce the gap to 9-4.
Thornton continued the fightback by converting a 77 finish to continue the fightback, but Jenkins took a 10-5 lead in the next leg, by hitting double 10.
Thornton, who came through a deciding-leg to defeat Darin Young, in the previous round, won the next two legs, to cut the deficit to three legs and give himself a fighting chance.
But Jenkins put together legs of 12, and 15 darts, before winning the next two legs to move 14-7 ahead and within sight of victory.
Thornton stopped the rot by hitting double five with his last dart, but Jenkins hit his seventh maximum of the match in taking the 23rd leg, and move one leg away from victory.
Thornton kept the match going with an 81 finish on the bullseye, but Jenkins closed out the game by in the next by hitting his favourite double top to set up a semi-final clash with Scott Waites.
"I've been impressed with the way Robert's played this week, and I had to play well to beat him," said Jenkins. "I got a good start and it paid off."
A disappointed Thornton said, "I couldn't get going at the start and Terry came out firing."
"I had no answer and left myself too much to do, but I am starting to play well again."
Match Stats
|
Terry Jenkins |
16-9 |
Robert thornton |
|
35 |
100+ |
31 |
|
15 |
140+ |
21 |
|
7 |
180 |
4 |
|
31.22 |
Ave 1 |
31.15 |
|
93.66 |
Ave 3 |
93.46 |
|
91 |
High Finish |
110 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Darts |
2 |
EVENING SESSION
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 16-6 KEVIN PAINTER
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD reached the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts for the first time thanks to a 16-6 drubbing over Kevin Painter.
The Dutchman, produced his best display of the week and will now take on either Phil Taylor or Tony O'Shea.
Painter won the first leg with a 15-dart finish, before Van Barneveld won the next, which included the first maximum of the game.
Van Barneveld broke his opponent's throw to win the third leg, only for Painter to break-back when he hit double eight.
Painter, who defeated Kirk Shepherd in last 16 encounter on Thursday night, regained the lead with a clinical two-dart 91 finish, only for van Barneveld levelled with a 12 darter.
The Dutchman then won the seventh leg against the darts after Painter was guilty of missing two opportunities at doubles.
Van Barneveld moved 5-3 ahead but Painter showed some class in the ninth leg, winning it in 13 darts.
Van Barneveld then stepped up gear and took five legs without reply.
He landed double nine to win the tenth leg, before breaking throw with a 90 finish.
The five time world champion then landed double nine for the third time in the game after Painter two more opportunities at doubles. That was then followed by a fantastic 156 checkout to lead 9-4.
A 13-dart finish put Van Barneveld further clear, but the former world championship finalist mangaed to stop the rot by winning the 15th leg, landing double eight for a 15 darter.
The next two legs where shared before Van Barneveld hit a two-dart 80 finish.
Van Barneveld hit double eight to move 14-6 ahead, and then produced a clinical 11 darter to move one leg away from the match.
And Van Barneveld soon put Painter out of his misery by coverting a two-dart 79 finish to move into the semi-finals.
After the match Van Barneveld said: "I am very pleased with the win and I finished very well.
"I felt sorry for Kevin. It wasn't his night tonight as I know what he can do."
Painter was disappointed with his display after a bright start to the tournament, admitting: "I felt brilliant going out there, but I hit nothing.
"I just couldn't hit the treble 20 often enough. Things just didn't happen for me tonight."
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
16-6 |
Kevin Painter |
|
20 |
100+ |
21 |
|
20 |
140+ |
16 |
|
8 |
180 |
3 |
|
32.95 |
Ave 1 |
30.34 |
|
98.84 |
Ave 3 |
91.03 |
|
156 |
High Finish |
91 |
|
6 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |
PHIL TAYLOR 16-7 TONY O'SHEA
PHIL TAYLOR maintained his quest for a third consecutive PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts title with a 16-7 triumph over Tony O'Shea.
Taylor will now take on Raymond van Barneveld in a mouth-watering semi-final clash, who impressed in his victory over Kevin Painter, earlier on Saturday evening.
O'Shea held his own in the early part of the game, but Taylor's consistent high scoring proved to be too much for the Lakeside runner-up.
"It was a really good game, and we both enjoyed it. Both of us clicked up there and Tony really pushed me," said Taylor.
"He's got a lot of bottle and never gave up, and his got a massive of winning at the Lakeside.
"I can't wait to play Barney. It should be a fantastic match."
Taylor hit a maximum in taking the opening leg, and did the same in the second, breaking throw with a 76 finish.
The Stoke ace looked odds on to take a 3-0 lead. But three missed darts at doubles allowed O'Shea to pinch the leg.
Taylor restored his two leg advantage with a 14-dart finish, but O'Shea kept in touch by winning the next in 11.
O'Shea then squared the game at three apiece with a 96 finish, but Taylor regained the lead when he hit double 20.
The Stockport man continued his solid finishing by taking out 86 in two darts to level again. But Taylor won the next two legs with finshes of 72, and 74, to lead 6-4.
He then increased the lead to 7-4, despite O'Shea hitting two maximums. But Taylor suffered a dose of his own medicine in the next leg as O'Shea hit a 13 dart-leg, despite two maximums from his opponent.
Taylor held throw to win the next leg, and then upped the pace by taking the next two legs in 13, and 12 darts.
O'Shea fired his fifth maximum of the contest in winning the 16th leg, but Taylor fired an 11 darter to lead 11-6.
Taylor kept up the momentum winning the next two legs with comfort to move seven clear of O'Shea.
The fourteen-time world champion then hit a wonderful 134 checkout in the 20th leg, after O'Shea had hit two 180s.
Taylor converted a 65 finish to move one leg away from victory, but O'Shea showed fighting spirit by taking out an 81 finish on the bullseye, after Taylor had missed one dart for the match.
But Taylor made no mistake in the next leg and landed double 16 to confirm victory.
After the match O'Shea said: "Once again, I really enjoyed myself on the big stage tonight.
"It's been my first time here and I hope it's not my last. I've had a fantastic time."
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
16-7 |
Tony O'Shea |
|
22 |
100+ |
21 |
|
20 |
140+ |
19 |
|
7 |
180 |
8 |
|
34.78 |
Ave 1 |
31.92 |
|
104.34 |
Ave 3 |
95.75 |
|
134 |
High Finish |
96 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Throw |
2 |