Number four seed Anderson and Dutchman Klaasen played out a match packed with quality which saw both players average over 100 and combine for a brilliant 20 180s - with 14 coming from the Scot as he averaged 103 and checked out 126 in a superb comeback win.
The 2011 finalist was staring down the barrel of defeat at 3-1 down in sets and 2-1 behind in the fifth set until he hit the bull for an 84 finish with Klaasen sat on 89 for the match.
Anderson then claimed that set and then went on to win a high-quality sixth set 3-1, with a barrage of 180s and three 80-plus finishes forcing a deciding set.
Although Klaasen finished a 13-darter to level in the final set, it was Anderson who had the final say as he 126 checkout for a 12-darter to move to the brink of victory before landing two 180s in a remarkable 11-darter to win the game in style.
Having lost to van Gerwen from 3-1 up in last year's tournament, Anderson turned history on its head with the triumph as he moves through to a third round tie against Cristo Reyes or Kevin Painter.
"I'm not sure where that comeback came from," admitted the Scot. "At 3-1 down I was just focusing on winning a set, I thought winning two is better than just one in the match.
"I managed to somehow pinch that fifth set and then from there I started to really enjoy it, and the darts started to flow a bit better. I was hitting big scores and finishing big as well.
"Jelle was banging in the big scores early on and taking out his doubles so there wasn't really too much I could do about it, I just had to hang on in there and wait for a chance.
"The practicse seems to be paying off; the 180s haven't been there all year really but if they're going to come back and I can continue to do well on the doubles then I'm in business."
Reigning champion van Gerwen overcame a fast start and some stubborn resistance from German qualifier Sascha Stein to win his second round match 4-1.
The Dutch star lost the first set of his match with Stein, who matched him stride-for-stride in the early stages, before the world number one he pulled away for victory.
Van Gerwen finished with eight 180s and an average of just under 100 as he set up a third round encounter with an in-form Terry Jenkins.
"He played well to be fair," said van Gerwen after the match. "For a qualifier he did very well in this tournament and put me under pressure.
"He did very well against me, even in the second set when I was well ahead he put me under pressure. I knew I was going to win in the end but all credit to Sascha Stein.
"There's a lot more pressure on me in these games when everyone expects me to win, so I'm happy to get through them and into the next round.
"My game is in good shape, it's all there i just need to go away and prepare for the next one."
Another Dutchman, Alexandra Palace debutant Benito van de Pas, produced another shock result as he dumped out number eight seed Dave Chisnall with a 4-2 win in their second round clash.
The 21-year-old knocked out Paul Nicholson in the first round, but produced an even bigger upset as he twice came from behind to send Chisnall packing.
Van de Pas finished behind Chisnall in almost all of the post-match statistics, but when it mattered he produced the goods to move into the last 16.
A 91.44 average for van de Pas was below Chisnall's 93.08, and with four 180s he was also one worse off than his opponent, but finishes such as his best of 127 helped him book a third round clash with Robert Thornton on Monday.
"That's the best win of my life," said a delighted van de Pas. "To win a game like that on the big stage at the World Championship is where you make your name in darts, it's a dream for me.
"I've learned a lot playing in the floor tournaments this year, I've lost some close games and learned now how to fight hard and I was able to use that and bring my 'A' game to the big stage this time.
"This has been my dream to be here winning games and the dream now continues. It'll be tough to play against Robert, but I'll give it my best and we'll see what happens."
In the afternoon session, Terry Jenkins won 12 legs without reply and came within a whisker of a nine-darter during an impressive 4-0 victory in the second round over Laurence Ryder, while Robert Thornton and Peter Wright also secured comfortable wins.
Derby-born Australian Ryder shocked Justin Pipe in the first round but could not live with Jenkins, who averaged 96.45 and hit seven 180s while only occasionally struggling on doubles.
Jenkins also hit a 164 finish, but it was the fifth leg of the match that almost yielded a second nine-darter in as many years for Jenkins, who hit a perfect leg in last year's event only to later lose to Per Laursen.
The Ledbury star hit back-to-back 180s, another treble 20 and treble 19 in the 141 combination he needed for another perfect leg, but was only just the wrong side of the wire on double 12 to agonisingly miss out on the achievement.
Ryder hit a single 180 and missed all six of his efforts at double as Jenkins secured a possible third round tie against defending champion Michael van Gerwen with an impressive performance.
"It was close wasn't it," Jenkins said of his nine-dart effort. "I looked at it first and thought it might have gone in, but it was close.
"After hitting a nine-darter here last year I really thought I could do it again, so I wasn't scared as I lined up the 141 - I was expecting to hit it."
Jenkins - the runner-up in the UK Open and European Championship this year - added of a possible third round clash with van Gerwen: "Michael's an awesome player and I'll have to play like I did today to stand a chance of beating Michael in the next round.
"But I've played well today so I'll keep practising as normal and fingers crossed I can play that way again. I've been on the board an hour a day and that seems to be working just fine for me
"I'll go into the game with no pressure on my shoulders at all, I won't be expected to win I suppose but I've beaten Michael before and I've got nothing to prove up there so I'll not be feeling the pressure at all."
Robert Thornton made it into the third round for the fifth time as he kicked-off the resumption of the tournament after Christmas with a commanding straight sets demolition of Ronnie Baxter.
Thornton averaged 93.78 and hit seven 180s and 11 140s in a tremendous scoring performance, as he managed to miss 27 doubles and still make it through without dropping a set.
Baxter hit three 180s, but paid the price for 20 missed doubles during the game, picking up just four legs in the match.
Thornton almost raised the roof as he hit back-to-back 180s to start a leg in the third set, but after the seventh treble 20 he was just millimetres outside of the treble 19 on a prospective nine-darter.
Having never made it beyond the third round at Alexandra Palace, Thornton will try and break that run against either Dave Chisnall or Benito van de Pas on Monday.
"In some of the legs I had chances to win a set and I missed a couple of doubles," said Thornton. "Ronnie missed more doubles than me and he's usually a bit better than that on them so I'm happy to have made it through into the next round.
"We had over a week there in between matches and thats probably a bit too long, I'm lucky I had my grandkids to think about and keep me busy over Christmas.
"Then when you get here it's all business again, and I'm glad it's not too long now until the next game on Monday."
Last year's beaten finalist, Peter Wright, was made to work harder in the third game of the afternoon, but in the end he also made comfortable progress into round three with a 4-1 win over Ronny Huybrechts.
Wright averaged 95.52 and threw three 180s but the real quality was in his finishing, as he hit three ton-plus checkouts and just over 46 percent of his chances at doubles.
Huybrechts had an 87.52 match average, equalled Wright's 180 tally and hit a 104 checkout of his own, but his scoring was always just a few notches behind the number five seed.
The Scot now moves on to a third round encounter with either Andy Hamilton or Kyle Anderson on Tuesday.
"It was a hard battle," said Wright. "I got very emotional up there because of all these fans singing my name, I was filling up with tears up there because I'm not used to it!
"It's so great getting all the support from the crowd and I came out feeling fantastic, but the emotion I got from the crowd took over and I found it hard to concentrate.
"I averaged 95 and I've not played well yet in this tournament but I'm through to the next round so I can only improve and get better."
The second round continues with another double session on Sunday, kicking off as 2012 finalist Andy Hamilton meets Australian Kyle Anderson, before 2004 runner-up Kevin Painter plays Spanish newcomer Cristo Reyes and Ian White faces Kim Huybrechts.
Phil Taylor continues his bid for a 17th World Championship when he plays Mark Webster in the evening session, with two-time champion Adrian Lewis meeting World Youth Champion Keegan Brown and Darren Webster up against Dean Winstanley.
On The Wire - Episode Seven, Saturday December 27
Dan Dawson with Rod Harrington
Featuring day seven review, match reaction from Gary Anderson, John McDonald hosts Walk-On Girls vs Dancing Girls, the Werner Ladders is (finally) unwrapped, and Rod shows us how to make money!
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LIVE SCORES
If you can't watch the William Hill World Darts Championship, follow the latest scores at the PDC Live Scores Website - http://live.dartsdata.com
EVENT PROGRAMME
The William World Darts Championship programme is available from sellers in the Fans Village at Alexandra Palace, costing £5.
The programme will also be available to purchase online through Programme Master at this link .
WILLIAM HILL WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP
Second Round
Saturday December 27
Afternoon Session
Robert Thornton 4-0 Ronnie Baxter
Terry Jenkins 4-0 Laurence Ryder
Peter Wright 4-1 Ronny Huybrechts
Evening Session
Dave Chisnall 2-4 Benito van de Pas
Michael van Gerwen 4-1 Sascha Stein
Gary Anderson 4-3 Jelle Klaasen
Best of Seven Sets
MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESION
ROBERT THORNTON 4-0 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-0, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
ROBERT THORNTON made it into the third round of the William Hill World Darts Championship for the fifth time as he kicked-off the resumption of the tournament after Christmas with a commanding 4-0 demolition of Ronnie Baxter.
Thornton averaged 93.78 and hit seven 180s and 11 140s in a tremendous scoring performance, and despite missing 27 doubles he still make it through without dropping a set.
Baxter hit three 180s for an 84.48 average but was way down at just over 16 percent on his doubles when hitting just four of 24 as he could pick up just four legs in the match.
Thornton almost raised the roof as he hit back-to-back 180s to start a leg in the third set, but after the seventh treble 20 he was just millimetres outside of the treble 19 on a prospective nine-darter, but he was left to celebrate a fine win.
Having never made it beyond the third round at Alexandra Palace, Thornton will try and break that run against either Dave Chisnall or Benito van de Pas on Monday.
Former UK Open champion Thornton opened up with a 13-darter and hit two 180s in the next as he breezed through the opening set 3-0, and started the second set with a 14-darter.
Baxter finally got a leg on the board in the next but another Thornton 180 left him with tops, and a 13-darter next put him 2-0 up.
The third set opened with Baxter first to a finish as he landed a maximum, but a 180 from Thornton - leaving himself four - applied the pressure before he stepped in to punish misses from his opponent on double two.
Tops for a 14-darter moved Thornton two legs up before Baxter hit back in the third, only for Thornton to throw two 180s to set up a possible nine-darter in leg four.
He landed another treble 20, but narrowly missed out on the treble 19, although he would return to post double 16 for a ten-darter to seal the set, and in the fourth Baxter could not get close enough again as Thornton took it 3-1 to cruise into the last 16.
"In some of the legs I had chances to win a set and I missed a couple of doubles," said Thornton. "Ronnie missed more doubles than me and he's usually a bit better than that on them so I'm happy to have made it through into the next round.
"We had over a week there in between matches and thats probably a bit too long, I'm lucky I had my grandkids to think about and keep me busy over Christmas.
"Then when you get here it's all business again, and I'm glad it's not too long now until the next game on Monday."
Match Information
First Set 3-0 - A 13-darter is a great way to start for Thornton, and he follows up with two 180s in the second for the break, and seals a quick set in the third - Baxter doesn't get a shot at double.
Second Set 3-2 - More competitive from Baxter, who gets his first leg on the board and then leads 2-1 as Thornton misses doubles. A 180 leaves tops for Thornton to level before a 13-darter takes the set.
Third set 3-1 - Baxter should win the first leg but misses three at tops after a 180 from Thornton leaves him on double two, which he finishes. Baxter gets it back to 2-1 but Thornton just misses treble 19 when on a nine-darter, before taking out for a ten-darter for the set.
Fourth Set 3-1 - Three breaks to open up the set, leaving Thornton 2-1 ahead after he hits 135 to leave double 16. Baxter misses three darts to stay in the match and Thornton returns to book his place in round three.
Match Stats
| Robert Thornton | 4-0 | Ronnie Baxter |
| 24 | 100+ | 17 |
| 10 | 140+ | 6 |
| 1 | 170+ | 0 |
| 7 | 180 | 3 |
| 93.78 | Average | 84.48 |
| 40 | High Finish | 48 |
| 7 | Breaks of Throw | 3 |
| 12/39 - 31% | Checkout % | 4/24 - 17% |
TERRY JENKINS 4-0 LAURENCE RYDER
(3-0, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
TERRY JENKINS won 12 legs without reply and came within a whisker of a nine-darter during an impressive 4-0 victory in the second round of the William Hill World Darts Championship over Laurence Ryder.
Derby-born Australian Ryder shocked Justin Pipe in the first round but could simply not live with Jenkins, who averaged 96.45 and hit seven 180s while only occasionally struggling on doubles.
Jenkins, who took under half an hour to win the match, also hit a 164 outshot, but it was the fifth leg of the match that almost yielded a second nine-darter in two years for Jenkins, who hit a perfect leg in last year's event only to lose his first round game to Per Laursen.
The Ledbury star hit back-to-back 180s, another treble 20 and treble 19 in the 141 combination he needed for another perfect leg, but was only just the wrong side of the wire on double 12 to agonisingly miss out on the achievement.
Ryder hit a single 180 and missed all six of his efforts at double as Jenkins secured a possible third round tie against defending champion Michael van Gerwen.
Jenkins started with a 180 in the first leg to take the early lead, and he started the second in exactly the same manner before hitting 59 to finish, before a 102 checkout in the third leg saw him capture a comfortable first set.
Another 180 at the start of the second got Jenkins off the mark, before that sparkling leg almost brought about his second nine-darter in as many years. Jenkins returned to win that leg and completed the second set by taking out 74.
Tops gave Jenkins a seventh leg on the spin, with Ryder stranded on ten after missing three double fives, and an 81 two-dart finish followed before a 180 set up a superb 164 finish for the third set.
The fourth set followed the same pattern, with a 60 finish on tops putting Jenkins ahead, a 180 helping him to a 36 finish in the second and double 18 sealing the match in just 29 minutes of playing time.
"It was close wasn't it," Jenkins said of his nine-dart effort. "I looked at it first and thought it might have gone in, but it was close.
"After hitting a nine-darter here last year I really thought I could do it again, so I wasn't scared as I lined up the 141 - I was expecting to hit it."
Jenkins - the runner-up in the UK Open and European Championship this year - added of a possible third round clash with van Gerwen: "Michael's an awesome player and I'll have to play like I did today to stand a chance of beating Michael in the next round.
"But I've played well today so I'll keep practising as normal and fingers crossed I can play that way again. I've been on the board an hour a day and that seems to be working just fine for me
"I'll go into the game with no pressure on my shoulders at all, I won't be expected to win I suppose but I've beaten Michael before and I've got nothing to prove up there so I'll not be feeling the pressure at all."
Match Information
First Set 3-0 - Jenkins kicks off with a 180 as he breaks in the first leg, and starts the second in the same manner before taking out 59. A 102 outshot claims the set.
Second Set 3-0 - A 180 to start the set gives Jenkins the first leg. He almost hits a nine-darter in the next as he just misses double 12 by a whisker wth the crowd on their feet. A 74 outshot in the third makes it another clean sweep.
Third Set 3-0 - Three missed double fives from Ryder allow Jenkins to break. An 81 outshot with two darts gives him the second and a 164 on the bull gives him a ninth leg on the spin.
Fourth Set 3-0 - A 60 outshot on tops starts things off, a 180 in the next and double 18 makes it 2-0 and double 18 seals a whitewash.
Match Stats
| Terry Jenkins | 4-0 | Laurence Ryder |
| 13 | 100+ | 15 |
| 9 | 140+ | 8 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 7 | 180 | 1 |
| 96.45 | Average | 86.69 |
| 164 | High Finish | - |
| 6 | Breaks of Throw | - |
| 12/29 - 41% | Checkout % | 0/6 - 0% |
PETER WRIGHT 4-1 RONNY HUYBRECHTS
(3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)
LAST year's beaten finalist Peter Wright made comfortable progress into round three of the William Hill World Darts Championship with a 4-1 win over Ronny Huybrechts.
Wright averaged 95.52 and threw three 180s but the real quality was in his finishing, as he hit three ton-plus checkouts and was just above 46 percent on doubles overall.
Huybrechts had an 87.52 match average, equalled Wright's 180 tally and hit a 104 checkout of his own, but his scoring was always just a few notches behind the number four seed.
The Scot now moves on to a third round encounter with either Andy Hamilton or Kyle Anderson on Tuesday.
Wright ran away with the first set quickly, but Huybrechts answered in the next with the same 3-1 scoreline.
The Belgian never got a look-in in the third set as Wright caught fire, taking out 144 in the first leg befire hitting a 121 checkout - with Huybrechts on a finish - to double his advantage and also add the third to settle it.
A 104 checkout got Huybrechts away in the fourth, but a 180 helped Wright level before a third big finish of 111 put him ahead and tops gave him the set.
After trading legs in the fifth, Wright threw a ten-darter in the next, scoring 180, 140, 165 and double eight to go a leg away from the match.
Huybrechts bravely levelled with a 180 and 47 checkout, but throwing for the match Wright made no mistake, hitting a crucial 140 to set up a 24 which he took out with ease.
"It was a hard battle," said Wright. "I got very emotional up there because of all these fans singing my name, I was filling up with tears up there because I'm not used to it!
"It's so great getting all the support from the crowd and I came out feeling fantastic, but the emotion I got from the crowd took over and I found it hard to concentrate.
"I averaged 95 and I've not played well yet in this tournament but I'm through to the next round so I can only improve and get better."
Match Information
First Set 3-1 - Huybrechts misses three doubles to let Wright in for the first leg, but levels straight away. Wright hits tops and double 12 to claim the set.
Second Set 1-3 - Wright misses doubles as Huybrechts goes in front, but a 180 and double 16 level for the Scot. The same combination puts Huybrechts back in front and he then takes the set.
Third Set 3-0 - Wright hits a brilliant 144 to win the first leg, and follows up with a 121 to thwart a Huybrechts 180. Wright seals the set 3-0.
Fourth Set 3-2 - A 104 finish puts Huybrechts ahead before Wright levels with a 13-darter and then takes out 111 to move 2-1 up, before landing tops for the set.
Fifth Set 3-2 - Wright takes the match. A ten-darter in the third leg is the highlight, having scored 180, 140, 165 before hitting double eight. A 180 helps Huybrechts level, but Wright hits 1 4 0 to leave 24 and takes it out with ease.
Match Stats
| Peter Wright | 4-1 | Ronny Huybrechts |
| 23 | 100+ | 27 |
| 24 | 140+ | 9 |
| 0 | 170+ | 1 |
| 3 | 180 | 3 |
| 95.52 | Average | 87.52 |
| 144 | High Finish | 104 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 13/28 - 46% | Checkout % | 7/17 - 41% |
EVENING SESSION
DAVE CHISNALL 2-4 BENITO VAN DE PAS
(3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 1-3, 1-3, 2-3)
BENITO VAN DE PAS produced another shock result at the William Hill World Darts Championship as he dumped out number eight seed Dave Chisnall with a 4-2 win in the second round.
The 21-year-old Dutchman knocked out Paul Nicholson in the first round, but produced an even bigger upset as he twice came from behind to send Chisnall packing.
Van de Pas finished behind Chisnall in almost all of the post-match statistics, but when it mattered he produced the goods to move into the last 16 on his Alexandra Palace debut.
A 91.44 average for van de Pas was below Chisnall's 93.08, and with four 180s he was also one worse off than his opponent, but finishes such as his best of 127 helped him book a third round clash with Robert Thornton on Monday.
Chisnall swept the first three legs in style with a 12-darter capped by a 72 finish on the bull the highlight in the second leg.
Van de Pas responded by edging the next 3-2 after Chisnall missed double 18 for the set, but the St Helens man again claimed a 3-0 set with a 12-darter and back-to-back 180s to move back ahead at 2-1.
A 127 finish gave van de Pas the advantage in the fourth, and he added a 180 and 74 finish and a double 15 to level the match again.
When van de Pas hit double nine at the start of the fifth set he led for the very first time in the match, and he made it count with a 96 finish in the next and then claimed the set despite a 114 checkout from Chisnall.
Chisnall found another purple patch at the start of the sixth set, with a 180 and a break of throw helping him into a 2-0 lead, but after missing the bull for the set van de Pas swooped to hit tops to hit back.
The Dutchman then took out 77 for a break to level the set, and when throwing for the match he made no mistake by hitting double eight on his third attempt for a famous win.
"That's the best win of my life," said a delighted van de Pas. "To win a game like that on the big stage at the World Championship is where you make your name in darts, it's a dream for me.
"I've learned a lot playing in the floor tournaments this year, I've lost some close games and learned now how to fight hard and I was able to use that and bring my 'A' game to the big stage this time.
"This has been my dream to be here winning games and the dream now continues. It'll be tough to play against Robert, but I'll give it my best and we'll see what happens."
Match Information
First Set 3-0 - Blistering start from Chisnall who takes out 31 on double eight for the opener. A 12-darter follows with a 180 and 72 outshot on the bull before a double four in the third takes the set.
Second Set 2-3 - There's a fightback from van de Pas, who takes out 68 to stay in the set after Chisnall misses double 18 for 3-1. Van de Pas then clinches the decider to level the match.
Third Set 3-0 - A 12-darter and a 66 finish is followed by two 180s and a finish on double two for Chisnall, who seals the set without reply with a 61 checkout.
Fourth Set 1-3 - Van de Pas takes out 127 to go ahead in style, before a 180 and 74 finish restores his lead at 2-1. Double 15 seals the set to level again.
Fifth Set 1-3 - Van de Pas moves ahead for the first time in the match with a double nine in the first leg. A 180 and 96 checkout doubles his lead before Chisnall answers with a fine 114. Van de Pas takes the set, though, at the fifth attempt.
Sixth Set 2-3 - Incredible stuff as van de Pas comes from 2-0 down to win the set and the match. Chisnall hits a 180 and double top for a break and double 18 to go 2-0 ahead. Van de Pas hits back with tops after Chisnall missed a dart for the set. He then hits 77 to level, and lands double eight at the third time of asking to complete a famous win.
Match Stats
| Dave Chisnall | 2-4 | Benito van de Pas |
| 34 | 100+ | 28 |
| 13 | 140+ | 16 |
| 0 | 170+ | 2 |
| 5 | 180 | 4 |
| 93.08 | Average | 91.44 |
| 114 | High Finish | 127 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 12/29 - 41% | Checkout % | 12/39 - 31% |
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 4-1 SASCHA STEIN
(1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)
DEFENDING champion Michael van Gerwen overcame a fast start and some stubborn resistance from German qualifier Sascha Stein to win his second round match 4-1 at the William Hill World Darts Championship.
The world number one lost the first set as Stein matched him stride-for-stride in the early stages, before the Dutchman pulled away for victory.
Van Gerwen finished with eight 180s and an average of just under 100 as he set up a third round encounter with in-form Terry Jenkins, a repeat of October's European Championship final which the Dutch star won.
Van Gerwen hit three 180s in the first set alone, but won just one leg thanks as missed doubles allowed Stein to take advantage, with a 180 and 76 checkout giving him a surprise first lead.
The champion hit back by taking the second set 3-1, despite Stein this time throwing three 180s, only to miss three doubles to level the set in leg four as the Dutch ace capitalised.
From there the pressure looked to ease slightly on the number one seed - he took all three legs of the third set as Stein struggled to keep up, and finishes of 83 and 86 helped him to the fourth despite the German providing the highlight with a "Shanghai" 120 checkout.
Stein made a game of it in the fifth set, with an 80 finish and an awkward double 19 making it 2-2 in reply to a 14-darter with a 74 checkout by van Gerwen, but it was the favourite who cleaned up the deciding leg to go through.
"He played well to be fair," said van Gerwen after the match. "For a qualifier he did very well in this tournament and put me under pressure.
"He did very well against me, even in the second set when I was well ahead he put me under pressure. I knew I was going to win in the end but all credit to Sascha Stein.
"There's a lot more pressure on me in these games when everyone expects me to win, so I'm happy to get through them and into the next round.
"My game is in good shape, it's all there i just need to go away and prepare for the next one."
Match Information
First Set 1-3 - Is another upset on the cards? Stein checks out 59 for an opening break, then holds with double ten after van Gerwen misses three doubles. Tops gets van Gerwen on the board but a 180 and 76 checkout gives Stein the set.
Second Set 3-1 - Not as easy as the score suggests. Van Gerwen races into a 2-0 lead with a 180 and a 76 finish. Stein replies with a 180 and a 32 checkout, but then misses three darts for the fourth leg after back-to-back 180s, and a relieved van Gerwen takes the set on double 16.
Third Set 3-0 - Van Gerwen is hitting his stride now, landing a 180 in the first, and being able to go all the way down to double one for the second. A 52 checkout puts him ahead in the game at 2-1.
Fourth Set 3-1 - Van Gerwen takes control with an 83 finish for a break in the first and an 86 checkout to double his lead. Stein pulls out a "Shanghai" 120 to stay in the set, but a 180 and double eight hand it to van Gerwen.
Fifth Set 3-2 - A 180 helps van Gerwen go in front, but an 80 outshot levels for Stein. Van Gerwen hits a 14-darter on a 74 finish and lands a 180 in the next, but Stein stays in the set with an awkward double 19. Van Gerwen, though, wins the decider to claim the match.
Match Stats
| Michael van Gerwen | 4-1 | Sascha Stein |
| 23 | 100+ | 33 |
| 18 | 140+ | 9 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 8 | 180 | 4 |
| 99.87 | Average | 89.09 |
| 86 | High Finish | 120 |
| 3 | Breaks of Throw | 1 |
| 13/34 - 38% | Checkout % | 7/17 - 41% |
GARY ANDERSON 4-3 JELLE KLAASEN
(3-0, 2-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
GARY ANDERSON came from 3-1 down to defeat Jelle Klaasen 4-3 in a classic second round tie at the WIlliam Hill World Darts Championship in the match of the tournament so far.
Number four seed Anderson and Dutchman Klaasen played out a match packed with quality, which saw both players average over 100 and combine for a brilliant 20 180s.
Anderson averaged 103, hit 14 maximums and checked out 126 in a decent outing on the doubles, recording over 47 percent of his finishes.
The Scot, though, was still staring down the barrel at 3-1 down in sets and 2-1 behind in the fifth set until he hit the bull for an 84 finish with Klaasen sat on 89 for the match.
Anderson then claimed that set and then went on to win the next two with a barrage of 180s and three 80-plus finishes - along with his 126 - to secure a remarkable victory and a third round tie against Cristo Reyes or Kevin Painter.
It was a frantic pace set by two of the fastest throwers on the circuit, and with darts flying everywhere Anderson came away with a 3-0 scoreline in the opening set when hitting the only 180 and checking out 84.
Klaasen survived five Anderson 180s - including three in a row over two legs that the Scot lost - to pinch the second, hitting a 13-darter and a maximum of his own after Anderson had gone from 2-0 down to level thanks to finishes of 79 and 82.
Former Lakeside Champion Klaasen was throwing superbly himself, and after an Anderson 14-darter in set three the Dutchman took three successive legs to claim the set, and followed it up by winning the decider in the fourth after starting off with an 11-darter.
Klaasen then looked on the brink as he went 2-1 up in set five, but when looking like going out Anderson responded with the bull for an 84 finish, and another maximum was followed by a double five finish as he claimed the set from nowhere.
Anderson then hit top gear, firing in two 180s and finishes of 81, 86 and 84 to level a thrilling match at three sets apiece.
A nervy opener went to Anderson to start the final set, and after Klaasen levelled with a 13-darter, 126 put the Scot on the brink before he claimed the win in style by throwing two final 180s in a brilliant 11-darter.
"I'm not sure where that comeback came from," admitted Anderson. "At 3-1 down I was just focusing on winning a set, I thought winning two is better than just one in the match.
"I managed to somehow pinch that fifth set and then from there I started to really enjoy it and the darts started to flow a bit better. I was hitting big scores and finishing big as well.
"Jelle was banging in the big scores early on and taking out his doubles so there wasn't really too much I could do about it, I just had to hang on in there and wait for a chance.
"The practicse seems to be paying off; the 180s haven't been there all year really but if they're going to come back and I can continue to do well on the doubles then I'm in business."
Match Information
First Set 3-0 - Quick start from Anderson as he runs away with the set with a 48 checkout and an 84 in the third leg, which also featured a 180.
Second Set 2-3 - Quality from both men. Back-to-back 180s from Anderson not enough as Klaasen hits a 13-darter. Another 180 makes it three in successive visits from the Scot, but again Klaasen wins the leg, taking out 54. Further 180s and 79 and 82 finishes level for Anderson but Klaasen takes the decider with a 180 and a 45 finish.
Third Set 1-3 - Klaasen takes the lead despite Anderson hitting a 14-darter. A 177 helps him to level, a 90 checkout puts him ahead and a 180 and 36 outshot hands him the set.
Fourth Set 2-3 - Klaasen lands a 180 in an 11-darter and a 56 finish doubles the lead, but after missing four darts for the set Anderson hits back to level. However, a 180 in the decider helps Klaasen to set up double 18 to clinch the set.
Fifth Set 3-2 - A 90 finish puts Anderson ahead, but Klaasen gets two legs to sit one away from the match - only for Anderson to pull out an 84 checkout on the bull to stay in it, and a 180 and double five to pinch the set.
Sixth Set 3-1 - Anderson is flying now, with two 180s and three 80-plus finishes pulling him level to force a final set decider.
Seventh Set 3-1 - Klaasen can do nothing about it as Anderson takes out 126 to go 2-1 ahead and then pulls out an 11-darter, featuring two 180s, for the match.
Match Stats
| Gary Anderson | 4-3 | Jelle Klaasen |
| 33 | 100+ | 44 |
| 17 | 140+ | 16 |
| 1 | 170+ | 3 |
| 14 | 180 | 6 |
| 103.02 | Average | 100.72 |
| 126 | High Finish | 90 |
| 6 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 17/36 - 47% | Checkout % | 13/45 - 29% |