Skybet World Grand Prix - Friday

PHIL TAYLOR remains on course for a ninth Skybet World Grand Prix title following a 4-0 win over Adrian Lewis on Friday night, as Raymond van Barneveld, Terry Jenkins and Andy Hamilton also progressed to the semi-finals.

Taylor stormed into the last four with a straight sets win over his Stoke rival, setting up a tasty clash with in-form Terry Jenkins.

Taylor came from 2-0 down to win the first set of his quarter-final, with Lewis also missing darts for the second set as the defending champion powered to victory.

Jenkins was another comfortable winner on Friday night, defeating his Citywest Hotel flat-mate Andy Smith in straight sets.

Irish hopes in the event were ended when Jacko Barry suffered a 4-0 loss to 2008 runner-up Raymond van Barneveld, who now meets Andy Hamilton in the semis.

Hamilton booked his spot in the last four with a 4-1 win against Kevin Painter, hitting four ton-plus finishes in coming from a set down to take victory.

Skybet World Grand Prix
Friday October 9
Quarter-Finals
Terry Jenkins 4-0 Andy Smith
Kevin Painter 1-4 Andy Hamilton
Phil Taylor 4-0 Adrian Lewis
Jacko Barry 0-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Best of seven sets

TERRY JENKINS 4-0 ANDY SMITH
(3-2, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
TERRY JENKINS stormed past flat-mate Andy Smith in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

The duo are sharing an apartment for the duration of the tournament at the Citywest Hotel, but put their friendship aside on the oche as Jenkins progressed.

Jenkins edged a high-quality opening set 3-2, with all five legs going with the throw.

After the first two legs were shared, Smith hit a 180 in the third but was denied a dart at a double as Jenkins opened with a 160, hit a 177 to leave 40 and took out a 13-darter.

Smith landed a 180 to set up a double 14 finish in the fourth, and also landed a 177 score in the decider, only for Jenkins to hit double top for the set.

Smith led in the second, hitting a 180 and double top, but Jenkins levelled and then punished three misses from Smith to level with a two-dart 76.

Jenkins then landed a 180 and took out a superb 114 checkout for the second set, which proved a telling blow.

He then led in the third, hitting double top to make it seven doubles from nine attempts in the game.

Smith hit scores of 140 and 180 in taking the second leg, but missed darts to win the next two as Jenkins stepped in twice to move 3-0 up in the game.

The duo secured breaks of throw in the fourth set's opening two legs, with Jenkins then landing a 180 and double ten to lead 2-1.

He then pulled clear of Smith in leg four, and posted double top to wrap up victory.

Match Stats

Terry Jenkins	4-0	Andy Smith
22	100+	21
13	140+	10
3	180	4
28.68	Ave1	29.00
86.04	Ave3	87.00
114	High Finish	85
4	Legs Against Throw	1

ANDY HAMILTON 4-1 KEVIN PAINTER
(1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
ANDY HAMILTON came from a set down to defeat Kevin Painter 4-1 and earn a place in the semi-finals of the Skybet World Grand Prix.

Hamilton produced a devastating display of finishing to reach the last four of the double-start tournament for the first time.

Painter took the first set 3-1, with Hamilton stepping in to take the first leg against the throw before missing double 16 for the second.

Painter stepped in to break on double ten, landed a 180 in setting up a 69 finish to lead 2-1 and then took the next against the darts following a missed double ten from Hamilton.

Hamilton led in the second before Painter hit a 180 and an 85 finish to level, before the pair traded finishes of 110 and 104 respectively to remain locked, with the Stoke ace taking the decider on double 16.

Further finishes of 110 and 91 from Hamilton put him in front in the third, before Painter posted a 13-darter, setting up a double 16 finish with a 177.

But a missed double 18 from Painter cost him as Hamilton landed double 16 to move 2-1 up in the contest.

The pair traded 180s in sharing the first two legs of set four, with Painter then taking out double top to lead.

Hamilton levelled, and then a missed double 12 for a 104 finish from Painter proved costly as Hamilton landed double 16 to take a crucial 3-1 lead in sets.

Painter did lead in the fifth, but Hamilton levelled with a 120 finish, landed a 180 in taking leg three and then powered to victory with a 149 checkout for a 12-darter.

Match Stats

Kevin Painter	1-4	Andy Hamilton
20	100+	23
14	140+	15
6	180	5
28.59	Ave1	29.02
85.76	Ave3	87.05
104	High Finish	149,120,110 x2
3	Legs Against Throw	4

PHIL TAYLOR 4-0 ADRIAN LEWIS
(3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
PHIL TAYLOR remains on course for a ninth Skybet World Grand Prix title following a 4-0 win over Adrian Lewis in their all-Stoke quarter-final.

Taylor maintained his dominance over the youngster with a sensational display at the Citywest Hotel IECC.

Lewis has shown newfound maturity in winning two Players Championships recently alongside becoming a father and reaching the quarter-finals of the double-start event, but failed in his bid for a first ever televised win over Taylor.

Lewis actually led 2-0 in the first set, but Taylor hit back to snatch the deciding leg superbly and also took the second and third sets 3-2 before closing out victory.

"The final scoreline is a bit misleading because I thought Adrian played well, but the only thing that mattered is that I won," said Taylor.

"Adrian's been playing brilliantly recently and has grown up a little bit. If he'd been in the other half of the draw he may have got to the final, but he'll have plenty more chances.

"I don't think he realises how good he is, he will get to the top but he's got to be patient and work at it. He gets disappointed in himself and is his own worst enemy."

Lewis kicked off the match with a 15-darter and then broke Taylor's throw in leg two, hitting a 180 and double top.

Taylor landed a 180 in taking the third, and double top to level - but looked to have gifted Lewis a chance when he missed four darts to open the deciding leg.

However, he hit two 180s and then punished a missed bullseye from Lewis to take out double 16 for a 14-darter and the set.

Taylor also landed a 164 to win the second set's opener, but Lewis punished missed doubles to move 2-1 up - only to then waste two darts for the set in leg four.

Taylor hit double 16 to level, and then opened the decider with a 160 and 180, missing out on a potential nine-darter but landing double 16 to move 2-0 up.

The reigning champion then landed maximums in taking a 2-0 lead in set three, although Lewis hit double top to win the next two and level.

However, Taylor found another gear to open the deciding leg with a 160, and double eight earned him a three-set lead.

That proved a hammer blow to Lewis' hopes, with Taylor taking the fourth set's opener and then breaking throw, before hitting a 180 in an 11-darter to wrap up victory and a semi-final spot against Terry Jenkins.

Match Stats

Phil Taylor	4-0	Adrian Lewis
18	100+	29
14	140+	9
7	180	3
32.86	Ave1	29.76
98.59	Ave3	89.29
164	High Finish	128
6	Legs Against Throw	3

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-0 JACKO BARRY
(3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD ended Irish hopes at the Skybet World Grand Prix with a straight sets win against Jacko Barry.

Barry had defeated Mick McGowan and Steve Beaton to win through to the last eight on home soil, but was unable to repeat the magic against van Barneveld.

Barry actually won the opening leg, following three missed doubles from the Dutchman, but was denied a dart at a finish in the next three.

Van Barneveld wrapped up the set with finishes of 78, double eight and 76, for a 12-darter, in pushing ahead.

He landed a 180 in taking the second set's opener, only for Barry to twice level in taking the set to a decider.

The lorry driver from Stamullen landed a 180 in the fifth leg, but van Barneveld was first to the finish and took out double eight for a 2-0 lead.

The Dutchman led in set three on double four, but traded 180s with Barry and then missed three darts to extend the advantage as the Irishman took out double 16.

Barry then took out a fine 14-darter, but van Barneveld stepped up a gear to deny him the chance to take the set by winning the next two legs in style.

That proved a telling blow, with van Barneveld taking the first two legs of the fourth set, including a 14-darter against the throw, before hitting a fifth maximum of the match and double four to secure victory and silence the Dublin crowd.

"The crowd went mad for Jacko and it was one of the greatest games I've played in," said van Barneveld. "They were fantastic.

"Jacko deserved more than a 4-0 scoreline because he played well. I've played in front of these crowds a lot in the Premier League but it was new for him.

"I let him in to win the first leg but I was happy to win the first set. I'm pleased with how I'm hitting double 16 to start and happy with my game."

Van Barneveld takes on Andy Hamilton in the semi-finals on Saturday, and is taking nothing for granted in his bid to reach a second successive Dublin final.

"Andy scores really well and his double percentage is high, but it's a new game tomorrow and it's a 50-50 call," he added.

"He's playing great darts, he beat Phil Taylor in a Players Championship last weekend and he's a good player."

Match Stats