William Hill World Championship Day Two

VAN GERWEN AVOIDS SHOCK EXIT AS SEEDS TUMBLE

WORLD number one Michael van Gerwen survived a scare in the first round of the William Hill World Championship as German prospect Rene Eidams took him to a tie-break on Friday evening, while Kim Huybrechts and Brendan Dolan suffered first round exits at Alexandra Palace.

Tournament favourite van Gerwen had looked to be cruising into round two when he reeled off six straight legs to take a two-set lead but Eidams, who had defeated Thanawat Gaweenuntawong in the preliminary round, had other ideas.

The 26-year-old, making his TV debut, produced a brilliant 122 finish on the bull to start an incredible spell which saw him win six out seven legs to take the match into a fifth set.

He then took the 2014 World Champion to a tie-break with the deciding set tied after four legs but the Dutch ace produced two solid legs to avoid the prospect of an early exit.

"He played well but I should never have put myself in that position," said van Gerwen, who was a pre-match 1/500 odds-on favourite with William Hill to win the tie.

"It seemed like after his first game the nerves were gone, but after the first two sets I shouldn't have let him come back.

"I was always confident that I would win that match and I put in two good legs in the tie-break. It was a good lesson for me and I think it will do me good for the rest of the tournament to have been put under pressure.

"I'll be ready after Christmas. Don't worry about that."

Number 12 seed Huybrechts became the highest-profile casualty in the first round so far when he suffered a shock defeat at the hands of David Pallett, as the 25-year-old overturned a 2-1 deficit to win in five sets and reach the last 32 for the first time.

"I honestly didn't believe I could it," admitted an emotional Pallett, who will face Mensur Suljovic or Jermaine Wattimena in round two after finishing 132 and 122 in the final two legs to claim victory.

"Kim's a great player. I knew it was going to be a tough match and I'm absolutely over the moon.

"I managed to hang on in there and take my chances when I got them. I'm really happy and now I've got nothing to lose."

Kyle Anderson, meanwhile, claimed a straight sets victory against number 18 seed Brendan Dolan, hitting five 180s in the process.

The Australian, who hit a nine-darter at Alexandra Palace two years ago, signalled his intentions straight away when he left a double after nine darts in the opening leg, which he went on to win in 12.

Further finishes of 103 and 60 saw him take the first set 3-2 before he took the second by coming from a leg down, and though Northern Ireland's Dolan finished 126 on the bull to keep his hopes alive, Anderson finished 121 to seal his second round spot with a fanfare.

"I'm playing well and that was big for me," said Anderson, who will meet Vincent van der Voort or Laurence Ryder in the second round.

"I'm over here on my own doing this for my family so it means even more. I'm in the second round now and I believe that I'll get better from here."

In Friday's afternoon session, number 20 seed Justin Pipe was knocked out in the first round for the second successive year as he lost in straight sets to a dominant Christian Kist.

The Dutchman secured a pivotal break of throw in the deciding leg of the first set, sparking a run of six consecutive legs for a comfortable victory.

"It's an amazing win for me," said former Lakeside Champion Kist, who will take on Dave Chisnall or Rowby-John Rodriguez in the last 32 on Boxing Day.

"I know how good a player Justin is so it is unbelievable for me to get through. He didn't play like he can but I'm happy with my performance and I'm really looking forward to the next game."

Mark Webster also wrapped up a first round triumph in three sets, winning last-leg deciders in every set during his clash with Mick McGowan, who had earlier defeated Qiang Sun in a preliminary round match.

The two-time semi-finalist produced a fabulous 126 finish to win the first set, before a crucial 180 and 69 checkout saw him edge the second.

He then capitalised on a missed dart at double top in the third set decider by finding the same target to complete an impressive triumph.

"I haven't felt too well so I'm delighted to be through," revealed Webster, who will take on Terry Jenkins or Darin Young on December 28.

"It wasn't great but it was the first round of the World Championship, which is always horrible. Mick played quite well and pushed me so I'm over the moon really.

"I've got ten days off now so I'll go and recover and I'll definitely play better in the next round. My next opponent should not judge me on this performance."

His namesake Darren Webster came from a set behind to defeat John Henderson, setting up a second round clash with world number van Gerwen.

The 2007 World Championship quarter-finalist looked up against it when Henderson took the first set in four legs.

Webster raced into a two-leg lead in the second set despite his opponent starting leg two with back-to-back 180s, but the Scot pulled it back to two legs apiece before his rival took out 64 to edge the set and never looked back, producing checkouts of 116 and 100 as he won seven of the last eight legs to complete a 3-1 success.

"Both myself and John are much better than that," said the Norfolk ace. "I think it was just first round nerves but I can go and enjoy Christmas now and prepare for the next round.

"I know I'll need to bring my best game but if I do, I've got a great chance."

Play at Alexandra Palace continues on Saturday with another double session of action, including 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor and former finalists Kevin Painter and Simon Whitlock.

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William Hill World Darts Championship
Friday December 18
Afternoon Session
Qiang Sun 0-2 Mick McGowan (P)
John Henderson 1-3 Darren Webster
Justin Pipe 0-3 Christian Kist
Mark Webster 3-0 Mick McGowan

Evening Session
Thanawat Gaweenuntawong 0-2 Rene Eidams (P)
Brendan Dolan 0-3 Kyle Anderson
Kim Huybrechts 2-3 David Pallett
Michael van Gerwen 3-2 Rene Eidams

Preliminary Round - best of three sets
First Round - best of five sets

MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESSION
Qiang Sun 0-2 Mick McGowan (P)
SET ONE: 0-3
Sun suffered a shaky start, busting 133 in the opening leg, allowing McGowan to clean up 78 for an immediate break of throw. The Irish Matchplay winner then bedded double 16 and double eight to take the set.

SET TWO: 3-1
McGowan won a fourth straight leg by pinning double eight but Sun finally won a leg by taking out 48 to the delight of the crowd. McGowan edged back ahead and Sun missed the chance to level when he missed double 12 for a 141 finish before busting the remaining 24 twice. McGowan then finished 80 with two double tops to move into the first round.

Match Stats

Qiang Sun	0-2	Mick McGowan
12	100+	9
1	140+	3
0	170+	0
0	180	0
64.73	Average	74.19
48	High Finish	80
0	Breaks of Throw	3
1/9 - 11.11%	Checkout %	6/16 - 37.5%

John Henderson 1-3 Darren Webster
SET ONE: 3-1
Henderson broke Webster's throw immediately by taking out 79. He doubled his lead before Webster pegged double two but the Scotsman then took out 55 to win the first set.

SET TWO: 2-3
Webster broke to win the first leg and opened the second with a 180. He went on to win the leg despite Henderson threatening a nine-darter with back-to-back maximums. The Scotsman halved the deficit by landing double 18 and drew level with a 50 finish but Webster clinched the set with a clinical 64 checkout.

SET THREE: 0-3
Webster fired in a 116 finish and followed it with a 100 checkout to break before pinning double 16 to complete a quick-fire set .

SET FOUR: 1-3
Webster fired in his second 180 and landed double eight to break before hitting double 18 to win a sixth consecutive leg. Henderson took out 80 to keep his hopes alive but they were ended when the 2007 quarter-finalist completed the job on tops.

Match Stats

John Henderson	1-3	Darren Webster
13	100+	27
12	140+	13
0	170+	0
2	180	3
81.06	Average	87.83
80	High Finish	116
2	Breaks of Throw	4
6/13 - 46%	Checkout %	10/27 - 37%

Justin Pipe 0-3 Christian Kist
SET ONE: 2-3
Pipe took out 104 to win the first leg but Kist levelled by bedding double three. The next two legs also went with the throw, with Kist taking out 116 to square up the set and the Dutchman edged the set by breaking Pipe's throw in the deciding leg.

SET TWO: 0-3
Kist hit his first 180 in the opening leg and strengthened his hold on the match by winning three legs without reply.

SET THREE: 0-3
Kist continued his dominance with an early break of throw before bedding double eight and taking out 76, completing a run of seven straight legs to seal the win.

Match Stats

Justin Pipe	0-3	Christian Kist
9	100+	20
4	140+	9
0	170+	0
0	180	1
75.55	Average	93.95
104	High Finish	116
0	Breaks of Throw	4
2/4 50%	Checkout %	9/22 40.91%

Mark Webster 3-0 Mick McGowan
SET ONE: 3-2
Every leg went with the throw as McGowan put Webster under early pressure, forcing the Welsh star to produce a stunning 126 checkout in the decider.

SET TWO: 3-2
McGowan moved ahead in the second set with a 13-darter but Webster went out in 12 darts in the following leg, which included his first 180 and a sharp 81 finish. The Welshman then broke his opponent's throw with the aid of another maximum but the Irishman hit back to leave himself throwing for the set. Webster produced a timely 180 to leave 69, which he finished in two darts to double his lead.

SET THREE: 3-2
Webster went in front with a 72 finish and McGowan replied with his first 180 before pegging double 16. Webster continued his impressive finishing with a 98 checkout but McGowan again forced a deciding leg, which the two-time semi-finalist won on tops after seeing his opponent miss the same target.

Match Stats

Mark Webster	3-0	Sun/McGowan
18	100+	16
8	140+	8
0	170+	1
3	180+	1
89.58	Average	85.88
126	High Finish	56
2	Breaks of Throw	1
9/15 60%	Checkout %	6/17 35.29%

EVENING SESSION
Thanawat Gaweenuntawong 0-2 Rene Eidams (P)
SET ONE: Both players hit 180s before Eidams went ahead by taking out 25. After series of scrappy darts, Gaweenuntawong then pegged double one in each of the next two legs to take the lead but his German opponent hit back, landing double 16 and tops to take the set.

SET TWO: Eidams bedded double eight to break before the pair both landed double top. They then both missed a string of doubles in what proved to be the final leg when Eidams eventually pinned double one.

Match Stats

Thanawat Gaweenuntawong	0 - 2	Rene Eidams
10	100+	13
4	140+	2
0	170+	0
1	180	1
63.64	Average	69.25
58	High Finish	40
2	Breaks of Throw	3
3/25 12%	Checkout %	6/29 20.69%

Brendan Dolan 0-3 Kyle Anderson
SET ONE: 2-3
Anderson made a storming start, hitting scores of 131, 180 and 174 to leave double eight which he nailed at the third attempt. Dolan levelled on double 16 but a second maximum and a 103 finish saw the Australian move back ahead. Former World Grand Prix finalist Dolan pegged tops to level again but an unorthodox 60 finish (1, 57, double 1) saw Anderson clinch the first set.

SET TWO: 1-3
Dolan took out 66 as the first two legs went with the throw. Anderson's third 180 then helped him break before the pair exchanged 180s in the fourth leg, which Anderson won on double one for the third time in the match.

SET THREE: 2-3
Dolan missed a string of doubles before Anderson landed double top to win the first leg but the Northern Irishman replied in style with a brilliant 126 finish on the bull. The next two legs were shared before Anderson completed the win in style, following his fifth 180 with a fantastic 121 checkout.

Match Stats

Brendan Dolan	0 - 3	Kyle Anderson
18	100+	14
7	140+	11
2	170+	1
1	180	5
87.19	Average	90.64
126	High Finish	121
0	Breaks of Throw	1
5/22 22.73%	Checkout %	9/28 32.14%

Kim Huybrechts 2-3 David Pallett
SET ONE: 1-3
Pallett hit a 180 in the opening leg and went on to win it with a 64 checkout. Huybrechts went out on 72 to level but Pallett won the next two legs to clinch the set.

SET TWO: 3-1
Huybrechts finished 32 either side of an 81 finish from Pallett before the Belgian's first 180 helped him grab a break of throw to level up the match.

SET THREE: 3-2
Pallett opened the set with a 180 and took the first leg by landing double top. Huybrechts replied with a 106 checkout before hitting a maximum and double ten to break. Pallett finished 32 to reply in kind but missed two darts for the set, allowing his opponent to step forward and bed tops to move ahead.

SET FOUR: 1-3
Huybrechts won an untidy opening leg on double one. The pair then exchanged 180s before Pallett took out 42, sparking a run of three straight legs for 25-year-old as he forced a deciding set.

SET FIVE: 0-3
Pallett gained an advantage by pinning tops before producing a sensational 132 finish on the bull to break Huybrechts' throw. He followed that with an equally impressive 122 checkout to complete run of six consecutive legs to seal victory.

Match Stats

Kim Huybrechts	2 - 3	David Pallett
28	100+	24
14	140+	15
1	170+	0
4	180	5
92.66	Average	91.43
106	High Finish	132
3	Breaks of Throw	4
8/25 32%	Checkout %	12/32 37.5%

Michael van Gerwen v Rene Eidams
SET ONE: 3-0
van Gerwen rattled through the first three legs, hitting his first 180 in the second and completing the third with a 116 checkout to move a set in front.

SET TWO: 3-0
The world number one continued his dominance with consecutive finishes of 61, 76 and 127 to complete a second set whitewash despite Eidams scoring a 180 in the opening leg.

SET THREE: 1-3
Eidams opened his account in style by taking out 122 on the bull to break van Gerwen's throw. The Dutchman replied in kind but Eidams pinned double 16 to break again before defying van Gerwen's second 180 with a 103 finish to take the set.

SET FOUR: 0-3
Eidams continued his surge as he pegged double eight and double six to move withing a leg of parity. He then missed the bull for a 161 finish but cleaned up the remaining 25 to force a deciding set.

SET FIVE: 4-2
The pair exchanged 180s before van Gerwen landed double 16. He then fired in his fifth maximum, only to see Eidams go out on 88. The Dutchman went back ahead but Eidams hit double four to force a tie-break, where two-clear legs were required as a margin of victory. van Gerwen produced two strong legs to seal the win, hammering home a seventh 180 before completing the triumph with a 90 checkout.

Match Stats