ON-SONG VAN GERWEN & TAYLOR INTO UNIBET EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINALS
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Phil Taylor laid down the challenge to their rivals at the Unibet European Championship with huge averages in second round victories at the Ethias Arena on Saturday.
Reigning European Champion van Gerwen continued his bid to retain the title with a classy 10-3 win over Spain's Cristo Reyes, hitting five 180s and averaging 106.81 with the best display so far in this year's event.
The world number one led 3-0 before Reyes took out 83 to get off the mark, and the Tenerife-based thrower lost another three legs before finishing 96 and 88 to win two out of three and threaten a fightback at 7-3.
Van Gerwen, though, halted the response in its tracks with a stunning ten-darter which he followed up with legs of 11 and 14 darts to seal a quarter-final place.
"I think it was a fantastic performance and it's a great feeling - but I know there's more in the tank because I can play better than this," said van Gerwen.
"There's a lot more to come but I need to show it. It's a fantastic tournament to win and it will be a cracking game in the quarter-final."
Taylor, meanwhile, had earlier averaged 105.25 in his 10-5 defeat of Michael Smith, having opened the contest in blistering fashion by winning the opening four legs with the aid of a 180 in each and legs of 11, 14, 13 and 12 darts.
Smith hit back to win five of the next seven as he cut the gap to 6-5, but crucially the former World Youth Champion missed four darts to level the game in the 12th leg.
Taylor punished him with a 100 finish, then took out 98 for an 8-5 lead and a killer 161 checkout before a 97 combination sealed the four-time European Champion's place in the last eight.
"I started off well but then let Michael get back into the game," said Taylor. "He missed his chance to go six-all and that 100 finish changed the game.
"I'm playing brilliantly, better than ever, and it's coming together for me, and if I don't win then it's not for the lack of trying, but the standard now is higher than ever and it's brilliant. It's an exiting time for darts."
Taylor's quarter-final opponent will be the 2013 European Champion Adrian Lewis, who hit a ten-dart leg of his own in a 10-7 win over Justin Pipe.
After Pipe won the opening leg, Lewis edged 2-1 up and shared the opening eight legs before a superb 119 checkout from his opponent saw him regain the lead at 5-3.
Lewis replied with scores of 180 and 174 in the tenth leg, which he won in 13 darts, only for Pipe to finish 90 on the bull to move 6-5 up.
Another 13-darter from Lewis levelled, and a sensational ten-dart leg - as he scored 140, 180, 145 and finished double 18 - edged the two-time World Champion back ahead at 7-6.
Pipe levelled with a 106 checkout, but Lewis' 128 finish for a 12-darter was followed by back-to-back 14-dart legs as he wrapped up victory in style by taking six of the final eight legs.
"Justin's a really solid player and a tough competitor, and he hit some really good finishes," said Lewis.
"It was nip and tuck and I couldn't get going for a while, but in the last five legs I hit top gear and as soon as I hit that I knew I'd win, and I want to keep this going now."
Heavy-scoring Dave Chisnall produced a scintillating display to defeat St Helens rival Stephen Bunting 10-6, landing ten maximums and averaging almost 104 in a high-quality contest which saw the former Lakeside Champion reply with seven 180s of his own.
The tone for the match was set in the opening leg as both players landed maximums, with Chisnall leading only to then fall 3-1 down as Bunting posted an 11-darter in taking control.
Chisnall then replied with a 12-darter and a 117 checkout in a run of four straight legs as he moved 5-3 up and into a lead he would never relinquish.
Bunting replied with a 14-darter and a 142 checkout as he won three of the next five, but he was crucally never able to draw level before a superb 12-darter from Chisnall, which featured two 180s, gave him an 8-6 cushion.
The pair traded 180s in the 15th leg as Chisnall posted a 13-darter to open up a three-leg lead before he landed a tenth maximum and double ten to secure the win and a tasty quarter-final match-up against van Gerwen.
"We both played well and it was a good game," said Chisnall. "Once I went 6-4 up I thought it was important to get two legs in front of him because he was right behind me, but I held it from there.
"I'm feeling good and I'm looking forward to the quarter-finals now. I'm playing well but having a few snatchy moments, and I've been working on that - but it's a part of my game and sometimes they go in!"
World Champion Gary Anderson moved into the European Championship quarter-finals for only the second time as four ton-plus checkouts helped him to see off Simon Whitlock's gutsy challenge in a see-saw encounter.
Australian ace Whitlock, the 2012 European Champion, twice led by two legs but saw a mid-game surge from Anderson, who took four straight legs to move from 5-3 down to 7-5 up, prove crucial before late finishes of 101 and 136 completed the win.
Whitlock had claimed the opening two legs with third-dart finishes, at double ten and double 18, before Anderson took out his first big checkout, of 125, to get off the mark.
He landed a 180 as he levelled before hitting double five to move 3-2 up, only for Whitlock to reply with three successive legs of 11 darts - including six perfect darts in one - 14 darts and 15 darts, with a 122 checkout, moved him 5-3 up.
Anderson replied with legs of 15, 14 and 13 darts as he regained the lead, hitting a 105 checkout in the process, before double five put him into a 7-5 advantage.
Whitlock took out 75 to respond and shared the next two before a 101 finish from Anderson took him to the brink of victory at 9-7, with double four keeping the Australian alive before the pair traded 180s in leg 18 only for a 136 checkout to seal the number two seed's last eight spot.
"It was a scrap so I'm glad I came out with the win," said Anderson. "It wasn't the game I was expecting but my form's going well and it's good to still be in the hunt here.
"Things are going well so far this weekend and it would be good to keep this going on Sunday now and I'll get myself ready for the quarter-finals."
Jelle Klaasen also landed four ton-plus checkouts as he moved through to meet Anderson, as the Dutchman reached the last eight for the third successive European Championship with a 10-5 win over James Wade.
Klaasen landed an early 114 finish to lead 2-1 before Wade, inspired by an 11-darter and two 180s in as many legs, edged in front.
Klaasen though, finished 70 to level and took out legs of 12 and 14 darts to open up a 5-3 lead, with Wade replying with a 117 finish of his own only to miss tops to level in a key tenth leg.
Klaasen took that leg and the next before finishing 118 to move 8-4 up, and though Wade finished 84 on the bull to respond, checkouts of 114 and 158 helped the Dutch ace wrap up the win.
"My finishing was brilliant but it needed to be against James and I'm happy with those big finishes," said Klaasen.
"I can score better and be more consistent, but I took all the chances I got and you have to do that against James. I'll have to hit my trebles a bit better against Gary, but I feel confident and I hope I keep on finishing like this."
Peter Wright - who captured the spirit of Halloween with a typically outlandish look - ended home hopes in the £300,000 tournament with a 10-8 win over Kim Huybrechts in a high-quality contest.
Huybrechts had been the sole Belgian representative in the 32-player field for the PDC's first major televised event in the country, but saw a late surge from the world number four deny him a spot in the final day of action.
Wright stormed out of the blocks with finishes of 120 and 62 to lead 2-0, only for Huybrechts to land three 180s in as many legs as he moved 3-2 up.
Wright then levelled with two 180s as the maximums continued to flow, while a 118 finish from Huybrechts was countered by a 13-dart leg from the Scot as the next eight legs were shared to leave the scores tied at seven-all.
Double seven then edged Huybrechts ahead, but he then missed the bull to move 9-7 up as Wright levelled on double 18 before taking out 116 and 101 to defy further 180s from the Belgian and seal his quarter-final spot.
"Kim played some awesome darts and that was a battle," said Wright. "He was hitting me with everything but he missed a few doubles and I took my chances.
"He'll be back because he's a great player, but I was the lucky one to win today."
An emotional Huybrechts admitted: "It's the first time we've had a big event like this in Belgium so it's extra painful to lose because I wanted to do well, but I did my best and I wasn't good enough tonight.
"I had some small chances, but that's what the game's about and if you don't take your chances you end up losing."
Wright now faces an all-Scottish quarter-final with John Henderson, who reached the last eight for only the second time in a major PDC event with a comfortable 10-2 win over Rowby-John Rodriguez.
The Austrian youngster had defeated Christian Kist in Friday's first round, but was unable to regain that form as Henderson secured safe passage.
Henderson finished 126 for the opening leg and landed two 180s in the next three as he took a 4-0 lead before double 18 saw Rodriguez win his first leg of the contest.
Henderson, though, took the next four without reply to continue his charge at 8-1, and a 108 finish from Rodriguez only briefly stemmed the tide as the Scot finished double nine and tops in the next two to complete the win.
"I started off so well and Rowby didn't turn up like I was expecting him to," said Henderson. "I'm happy to get through that and I'm pleased with how I'm playing.
"I'm buzzing at the moment but I want to go as far as I can tomorrow. It's fantastic to be in the last eight of a TV event, and you never know what can happen on the final day."
The tournament will conclude on Sunday, with the quarter-finals in the afternoon session and the semi-finals and final in the evening session at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt.
Tickets for the Unibet European Championship are still available, and can be purchased through www.pdc-europe.tv .
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Unibet European Championship
Saturday October 31
Second Round
Afternoon Session
John Henderson 10-2 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Stephen Bunting 6-10 Dave Chisnall
Adrian Lewis 10-7 Justin Pipe
Gary Anderson 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Evening Session
Peter Wright 10-8 Kim Huybrechts
Phil Taylor 10-5 Michael Smith
Michael van Gerwen 10-3 Cristo Reyes
James Wade 5-10 Jelle Klaasen
Sunday November 1
Afternoon Session (1.45pm-6pm local time, 12.45pm-5pm UK time)
Quarter-Finals
John Henderson v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson v Jelle Klaasen
Adrian Lewis v Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs
Evening Session (8pm-12am local time, 7pm-11pm UK time)
Semi-Finals
van Gerwen/Chisnall v Henderson/Wright
Anderson/Klaasen v Lewis/Taylor
Best of 21 legs
Final
v
Best of 21 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
John Henderson v Rowby-John Rodriguez
1-0 - Henderson starts where he left off against Robert Thornton in the first round - with a ton-plus finish - as a 126 checkout moves him ahead.
2-0 - The Scot lands a 180 and tops for a break of throw.
3-0 - Rodriguez misses double 11 to get off the mark, and double ten gives Henderson his third leg.
4-0 - Henderson lands another maximum before hitting a third-dart double four to continue his fine start.
4-1 - Rodriguez finally gets off the mark, landing a third-dart double 18 to punish four misses at tops from the Scot.
5-1 - Double ten restores Henderson's advantage.
6-1 - The Scot finishes 56 on tops to move five legs clear.
7-1 - Rodriguez misses the bull to take out 122 and is also unable to finish two further darts, at double eight and double four, allowing Henderson in on tops again.
8-1 - The pair trade 180s before Henderson lands double top to move two legs away from the quarter-finals.
8-2 - Rodriguez takes out 108 as he claims his second leg of the contest.
9-2 - Henderson lands double nine to move to the brink of victory.
10-2 - Double top seals victory for Henderson as he reaches his second major quarter-final.
Match Stats
| John Henderson | 10-2 | Rowby-John Rodriguez |
| 20 | 100+ | 12 |
| 4 | 140+ | 2 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 3 | 180 | 1 |
| 84.38 | Average | 73.43 |
| 126 | High Finish | 108 |
| 5 | Breaks of Throw | 1 |
| 10/23 - 43% | Checkout % | 2/9 - 22% |
Stephen Bunting v Dave Chisnall
0-1 - Both players land 180s in the opening leg, but Bunting misses three doubles to punish Chisnall, who hits double five for an early lead.
1-1 - Bunting levels by landing tops.
2-1 - The pair again trade 180s before Bunting finishes an 11-darter to edge in front.
3-1 - Double 12 sees Bunting move two legs clear.
3-2 - Chisnall lands a maximum before finishing tops for an 11-darter.
3-3 - Double two sees Chisnall break throw to level.
3-4 - For a third time in the game, the pair trade back-to-back maximums, with Bunting's miss at double seven allowing Chisnall in to finish double eight to regain the lead.
3-5 - Both players once again land 180s in the same leg, with Chisnall then taking out 117 for a 12-dart finish.
4-5 - Bunting finishes tops for a 14-darter to hit back.
4-6 - Chisnall fires in his sixth 180 as he regains his cushion.
5-6 - Double 16 sees Bunting respond.
5-7 - Chisnall finishes double five to edge away once more.
6-7 - Bunting follows a 180 with a brilliant 142 checkout to stay in touch with his rival.
6-8 - Chisnall opens with two maximums, and though he is unable to complete a nine-darter, a 12-dart leg moves him closer to the win.
6-9 - The pair trade maximums once again as Chisnall edges to the brink of victory.
6-10 - Chisnall hits his tenth 180, and posts double ten to seal his spot in the quarter-finals.
Match Stats
| Stephen Bunting | 6-10 | Dave Chisnall |
| 17 | 100+ | 14 |
| 13 | 140+ | 12 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 7 | 180 | 10 |
| 102.27 | Average | 103.86 |
| 142 | High Finish | 117 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 6 |
| 6/11 - 55% | Checkout % | 10/21 - 48% |
Adrian Lewis v Justin Pipe
0-1 - Pipe finishes 40 to break throw immediately.
1-1 - Lewis breaks back by hitting tops.
2-1 - Double eight edges Lewis into the lead.
2-2 - Lewis' missed bull is punished by Pipe, who fires in double 18.
3-2 - Lewis returns from another missed bull to finish double eight to regain the lead.
3-3 - Pipe fires in a third-dart double 16 to square the game again.
4-3 - Lewis lands double five to edge back ahead.
4-4 - Pipe finishes 60 on tops to level.
4-5 - Pipe breaks throw with a superb 119 finish on double 13.
5-5 - Lewis breaks back as he lands scores of 180 and 174 before hitting tops in a superb response.
5-6 - Pipe fires in a 180 and lands the bull to break throw and move back in front.
6-6 - Lewis hits back to level as a fourth straight leg goes against the throw.
7-6 - Lewis fires in another 180 to edge back in front.
7-7 - Lewis lands a maximum, but misses double 16 as Pipe finishes 106 on double 13 to level matters.
8-7 - Lewis hits a 174 before taking out 128 for a 12-dart finish.
9-7 - Lewis lands another 180 before hitting tops to finally put daylight between the pair.
10-7 - Double 16 seals Lewis' place in the quarter-finals as he bids to win back the title he previously claimed in 2013.
Match Stats
| Adrian Lewis | 10-7 | Justin Pipe |
| 15 | 100+ | 25 |
| 17 | 140+ | 9 |
| 2 | 170+ | 0 |
| 4 | 180 | 1 |
| 101.07 | Average | 88.15 |
| 128 | High Finish | 119 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 3 |
| 10/18 - 56% | Checkout % | 7/12 - 58% |
Gary Anderson v Simon Whitlock
0-1 - Double ten gives Whitlock the game's opening leg,
0-2 - The 2012 champion finishes double 18 with his third dart as he moves two legs up.
1-2 - Anderson takes out 125 on tops to get off the mark.
2-2 - The World Champion hits a 180 and double ten to level.
3-2 - Whitlock is unable to capitalise on four missed doubles from Anderson, who returns on double five.
3-3 - Whitlock opens with six perfect darts of two 180s, with Anderson landing a maximum in reply but unable to prevent the Australian taking the leg.
3-4 - Anderson hits a 180 but it comes too late as Whitlock finishes double top for a 14-darter.
3-5 - Whitlock takes out 122 on double seven to open up a two-leg lead once more.
4-5 - Anderson wins his first leg in four as he takes out 105 on tops.
5-5 - The Scot draws level by holding throw.
6-5 - Lewis lands a 180 before punishing a miss at the bullseye from Whitlock by hitting tops to break throw.
7-5 - Anderson recovers from three initial missed doubles by hitting double five to move two legs clear with his fourth in a row.
7-6 - Whitlock wins his first leg in five as he responds.
8-6 - Whitlock misses a chance to level as one dart at double five lands low, allowing Anderson back in to finish double two.
8-7 - Whitlock lands a 180, and recovers from two missed doubles to punish Anderson's miss at tops by landing double four.
9-7 - Whitlock fires in another maximum, but Anderson finishes 101 to move a leg away from victory.
9-8 - Double four from Whitlock keeps alive his chances.
10-8 - The pair trade 180s before Anderson seals victory in style with his fourth ton-plus finish of the game, taking out 136 to book a semi-final spot.
Match Stats
| Gary Anderson | 10-8 | Simon Whitlock |
| 29 | 100+ | 21 |
| 9 | 140+ | 11 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 6 | 180 | 5 |
| 96.28 | Average | 93.47 |
| 136 | High Finish | 122 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 3 |
| 10/25 - 40% | Checkout % | 8/23 - 35% |
Evening Session
Peter Wright v Kim Huybrechts
1-0 - Huybrechts lands an early 177, but Wright finishes 120 to claim the opening leg.
2-0 - Both players post 180s before Wright finishes 62 on double 16 to move two legs up.
2-1 - Huybrechts posts his second 180 before double seven gets him off the mark.
2-2 - Huybrechts scores three 140s before punishing Wright's wired double top by hitting double six to level.
2-3 - Huybrechts hits two 180s in the leg before Wright lands a 177 to leave 24, but he is left to watch on as the Belgian hits double four to edge in front.
3-3 - Wright opens with six perfect darts of two 180s, and though a nine-darter goes begging, he finishes double 16 for an 11-darter to level.
3-4 - Huybrechts hits another maximum, and is handed a let-off as Wright misses double 16, allowing the Belgian back in on tops.
4-4 - Both players land 180s as Huybrechts levels the contest.
4-5 - Huybrechts finishes 118 on double 19 to move back in front.
5-5 - Huybrechts' heavy scoring continues with another maximum, but he misses tops for a 107 finish to allow Wright in on double five.
5-6 - Double eight edges Huybrechts back into the lead.
6-6 - Wright replies on double 16.
6-7 - The cat-and-mouse continues as double 16 puts the Belgian a leg clear.
7-7 - Wright opens with a 180 before finishing a 13-darter on double 19.
7-8 - Double seven moves Huybrechts ahead once more.
8-8 - Huybrechts wires the bull for a 132 finish, and Wright hits double 18 to tie up the contest.
9-8 - Huybrechts hits a 180 but misses tops, and Wright breaks throw with a superb 116 checkout on tops.
10-8 - Huybrechts opens with his ninth 180, but Wright lands a 180 to leave 101 and punishes another missed bull from the Belgian by taking out the combination on double 16 to claim a brilliant win, ending with a 102.93 average.
Match Stats
| Peter Wright | 10-8 | Kim Huybrechts |
| 25 | 100+ | 14 |
| 15 | 140+ | 10 |
| 1 | 170+ | 1 |
| 6 | 180 | 9 |
| 102.93 | Average | 96.65 |
| 120 | High Finish | 118 |
| 2 | Breaks of Throw | 1 |
| 10/16 - 63% | Checkout % | 8/25 - 32% |
Phil Taylor v Michael Smith
1-0 - Taylor lands an early 180 before finishing 87 for an 11-darter.
2-0 - Another maximum from Taylor is followed by a 68 checkout on double four.
3-0 - Taylor posts a third 180 in as many legs before hitting double 16 to win a third straight leg.
4-0 - Taylor's incredible start continues as he opens with a 180 and adds scores of 140 and 135 in a 12-darter.
4-1 - Smith lands a 180, and when Taylor misses the bull to finish 84 the former World Youth Champion gets off the mark with a 70 checkout.
4-2 - Smith continues his revival by hitting another maximum and an 82 finish.
5-2 - Tops sees Taylor restore his three-leg lead.
5-3 - Double five sees Smith claim his third leg out of four.
6-3 - Taylor finishes double two to win his sixth leg of the contest.
6-4 - Smith's revival continues as he takes a fourth leg.
6-5 - Taylor misses double 16, and Smith takes out double ten to pull back to just one leg behind the world number three.
7-5 - Smith posts his third 180, but misses four darts to level the contest as Taylor steps in to finish 100 on double top.
8-5 - Taylor finishes 98 on double 12 to move three legs clear once again.
9-5 - A sensational 161 checkout sees Taylor move to the brink of victory.
10-5 - Taylor takes out 97 on tops to confirm his quarter-final place against Adrian Lewis, ending with a 105.25 average, the highest so far this weekend.
Match Stats
| Phil Taylor | 10-5 | Michael Smith |
| 21 | 100+ | 20 |
| 11 | 140+ | 12 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 5 | 180 | 3 |
| 105.25 | Average | 98.53 |
| 161 | High Finish | 110 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 10/20 - 50% | Checkout % | 5/13 - 38% |
Michael van Gerwen v Cristo Reyes
1-0 - van Gerwen lands an early 180, and when Reyes misses darts at double 18 and double nine, the Dutchman recovers from earlier misses to finish double two.
2-0 - An 80 checkout sees van Gerwen break throw on tops.
3-0 - The Dutchman lands another 180 as he claims a third straight leg.
3-1 - Reyes takes out 83 on double 16 to claim his first leg.
4-1 - van Gerwen lands third maximum, and when Reyes misses the bull to hit back, double 16 puts the world number one into a three-leg lead.
5-1 - Double 16 gives the world number one a four-leg lead.
6-1 - van Gerwen takes out 80 on double ten to win a third straight leg.
6-2 - Reyes takes out 96 on double 18 to respond with his second leg of the game.
7-2 - Double seven restores van Gerwen's five-leg lead.
7-3 - van Gerwen hits a 180 but misses the bull to take out 121, allowing Reyes in for an 88 finish on double seven.
8-3 - van Gerwen kicks off with a 180 and takes out a brilliant ten-dart leg on tops.
9-3 - An 11-dart finish moves van Gerwen a leg away from the win.
10-3 - Double eight sees the reigning champion continue his bid to retain the title in winning fashion, ending with a 106.81 average.
Match Stats
| Michael van Gerwen | 10-3 | Cristo Reyes |
| 14 | 100+ | 17 |
| 13 | 140+ | 9 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 5 | 180 | 1 |
| 106.81 | Average | 91.65 |
| 81 | High Finish | 96 |
| 3 | Breaks of Throw | 0 |
| 10/19 - 53% | Checkout % | 3/7 - 43% |
James Wade v Jelle Klaasen
1-0 - Wade holds throw to claim the opening leg of the game.
1-1 - Double nine allows Klaasen to level.
1-2 - Klaasen finishes 114 to break throw and move ahead.
2-2 - Wade breaks back immediately with the aid of a 180.
3-2 - Both players land maximums, but Klaasen misses three darts at double 19 to allow Wade in on double ten.
3-3 - Klaasen hits back to level.
3-4 - Klaasen lands two 180s in the leg as he breaks to regain the lead.
3-5 - Double 18 moves Klaasen into a two-leg lead.
4-5 - Wade finishes 117 on tops to respond with his first leg in four.
4-6 - Klaasen lands a 180, and when Wade misses tops to level, double ten gives the Dutchman the leg.
4-7 - Klaasen moves three legs clear by finishing double top.
4-8 - The Dutch ace finishes 118 on double 19 to move two legs away from the win.
5-8 - Klaasen lands his sixth 180, but Wade finishes 84 on the bull to respond.
5-9 - Wade fires in a fourth 180, only to see Klaasen take out 114 to edge towards a quarter-final place.
5-10 - Wade misses the bull to keep his hopes alive, and Klaasen completes the win in stunning fashion by taking out 158 on double 19.
Match Stats
| James Wade | 5-10 | Jelle Klaasen |
| 26 | 100+ | 16 |
| 7 | 140+ | 8 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 4 | 180s | 6 |
| 95.76 | Average | 99.76 |
| 117 | High Finish | 158 |
| 1 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 5/13 - 38% | Checkout % | 10/18 - 56% |