2015 Unibet Masters First Round

JENKINS KO'S TAYLOR IN UNIBET MASTERS AS WADE REIGNS OVER KING ONCE AGAIN
 

TERRY JENKINS knocked Phil Taylor out of The Unibet Masters with a 10-7 first round at ArenaMK on Saturday night as reigning champion James Wade began his title defence with a 10-3 win over Mervyn King.

Jenkins picked up only his fourth career victory over the 16-time World Champion as Taylor - competing for the first time since the World Championship final - suffered an off-night on his doubles.

Taylor missed seven darts at doubles as Jenkins won the opening five legs without reply before the Stoke great's switch from aiming at the double 16 area of the board to tops helped him hit back to 7-3.

He then finished 68, an 11-darter and double eight as he reduced the gap to 7-6, only for Jenkins to deny him the chance to level by taking the next two before going on to seal victory.

"I'm happy to beat Phil, but I'm also disappointed with the way I played," said Jenkins. "I've been smashing everything in practice so it was frustrating for me that I didn't play as well as I wanted to - but I did enough.

"Phil is still the man to beat and when Phil came back I just knew that I had to hold my throw and I managed to do that.

"I'm looking forward to the quarter-finals and I'm hoping I can relax and get into the game a bit because if I take my practice game onto stage I can win this."

Reigning Masters champion Wade overcame King 10-3 in their repeat of last year's final, avoiding a repeat of their dramatic clash in Edinburgh with a confident display.

Wade took the game's first five legs without reply in a superb opening, taking out 115 and 130 as well as an 11-darter before King took two of the next three to hit back.

Wade then finished 108 and 138 to restore his cushion at 8-2, and though King traded 14-darters with his rival it was the left-hander who finished 94 to seal his quarter-final spot.

"Mervyn wasn't confident tonight and I could read that in his body language, so when I hit those first two finishes it seemed to rock him a little bit," said Wade.

"My finishing and scoring will have to be a little bit better, but I'm happy to still be in the tournament and I'm enjoying it."

New World Champion Gary Anderson overcame some dodgy doubling as he defeated Andy Hamilton 10-2 to begin his challenge to win a third successive major event.

The Scot now takes on Wade in the quarter-finals, and said: "I'm pleased to get that out of the way

"It's been a busy few weeks and my preparation hasn't been great, so I'm pleased to get through that game because I was panicking a bit beforehand. You want to win and play well, but the main thing is I'm through to Sunday."

World number one Michael van Gerwen also made his return to action - following a post-World Championship holiday in the Maldives - with a 10-5 defeat of Wes Newton.

"In patches I played alright but I know I can play a lot better," said van Gerwen. "The most important thing is that I'm through but I need to do better and it will be a big test tomorrow - I can't make too many mistakes.

"It would be great to win this event but I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me because there are eight great players left."

In Saturday's afternoon session, Dave Chisnall kicked off the event with a superb 10-5 win over Robert Thornton on Saturday afternoon, as Peter Wright, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld joined him in the quarter-finals at ArenaMK.

Chisnall produced one of his finest TV performance as he averaged 106.30 and landed ten doubles from 14 attempts in a clinical win over the world number eight.

Chisnall took the game's opening four legs without reply - following up a 14-darter with three successive 13-dart legs - and landed his first six darts at a double in the game.

Thornton, though, had pulled back to 6-3 at that stage and also staed in double at 8-5 before Chisnall took out 87 and 127 in successive legs to secure his quarter-final place against either Michael van Gerwen or Wes Newton.

"After the World Championship I was a bit disappointed in my game, but I've worked on my game and I played well today," said Chisnall.

"My doubles have been quite good in my last few competitions and my scoring was up there today too so I'm very happy with that.

"I'm here to win and I was ready today, and the hard work showed so I want to carry this on now."

Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis were also in impressive finishing form as they set up a tasty quarter-final clash with wins over Brendan Dolan and Ian White respectively.

Wright dropped only one leg as he stormed past Dolan 10-1, winning the opening nine legs without reply - the highlight being a 117 finish to accompany three 180s.

Dolan took leg ten on double eight, but any hopes of a fightback were short-lived as Wright landed tops to seal victory, having hit 50 percent of his chances at a double.

"I've been working since the World Championship on a new set-up, so that I can score better and get less deflections, and they've been going pretty well," said the former World Championship finalist.

"It wasn't a bad performance but it can be better and I'll work on that, and I'm still in the tournament.

"Brendan didn't play as well as he can but it's not about the other player, it's about me going through and preparing myself for the quarter-finals."

Lewis, meanwhile, hit ten doubles from 15 attempts in his 10-4 win over Stoke rival Ian White, who was unable to fight back after seeing the reigning UK Open champion take a four-leg lead.

2013 Masters finalist Lewis took out 153 and 106 as he took command early on, and he then replied to a 104 finish from White with checkouts of 103 and 135 to book his spot in the last eight.

"I missed too many doubles in the World Championship but my finishing today was very good and I improved that today," said Lewis. "I've put a lot of work in over the last couple of weeks and I feel good about my game.

"Ian's a lot better than he showed today and I took full advantage and I'm looking forward to Sunday now."

Reigning Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld defied a 167 checkout from Simon Whitlock in the opening leg of their game to take a 10-7 win over the gritty Australian.

Van Barneveld replied to his opponent's opening salvo by taking five successive legs to move into a lead he would never lose.

Whitlock hit back to 6-3 and 7-5 but was unable to level as van Barneveld, aided by a key 111 checkout, held on to move through to meet either Phil Taylor or Terry Jenkins.

"Simon hit a fantastic 167 in the first leg but I had to stay focused," said van Barneveld. "Simon's always a fighter and he's awesome, and I know he'll get back there.

"I know what I can do. I hit many 180s and scored well but my game isn't there yet and I have to get stronger. I'm happy to be through and I'll prepare for the quarter-finals now."

The £200,000 tournament concludes on Sunday, with the afternoon's quarter-finals followed in the evening session by the semi-finals and final at ArenaMK, live on ITV4.

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2015 Unibet Masters
Saturday January 31
Afternoon Session
4x First Round Games
Peter Wright 10-1 Brendan Dolan
Robert Thornton 5-10 Dave Chisnall
Adrian Lewis 10-4 Ian White
Simon Whitlock 7-10 Raymond van Barneveld

Evening Session
4x First Round Games
James Wade 10-3 Mervyn King
Phil Taylor 7-10 Terry Jenkins
Gary Anderson 10-2 Andy Hamilton
Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Wes Newton

Sunday February 1
Afternoon Session (12.45pm-5pm)
Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright v Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Terry Jenkins v Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade v Gary Anderson

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Semi-Finals
van Gerwen/Chisnall v Wright/Lewis
Jenkins/van Barneveld v Wade/Anderson

Final
v

Format
Quarter-Finals - Best of 19 legs
Semi-Finals - Best of 21 legs
Final - Best of 21 legs

Unibet Odds
Quarter-Final Match Odds
17/10 Peter Wright v 1/2 Adrian Lewis
7/25 Michael van Gerwen v 14/5 Dave Chisnall
6/4 Terry Jenkins v 1/2 Raymond van Barneveld
6/4 James Wade v 1/2 Gary Anderson

Tournament Outright Odds
9/5 Michael van Gerwen
11/4 Gary Anderson
11/2 Adrian Lewis
9/1 James Wade
11/1 Raymond van Barneveld
16/1 Peter Wright
16/1 Dave Chisnall
22/1 Terry Jenkins
Odds courtesy www.unibet.co.uk and subject to fluctuation. Over-18s only. Please gamble responsibly.

MATCH INFORMATION
AFTERNOON SESSION
Peter Wright v Brendan Dolan
1-0 - Dolan lands a 180, but misses double 16 to break as Wright returns to finish double eight as he holds throw.
2-0 - Double 16 sees Wright break throw to double his lead.
3-0 - Wright fires in a 180 and finishes double 16 to win his third leg.
4-0 - Dolan misses tops to hit back, and Wright capitalises with double seven for another break of throw.
5-0 - Wright lands his second 180 of the game before finishing double 16 to claim a fifth successive leg.
6-0 - Wright kicks off the leg with a maximum before finishing 117 on tops to continue his charge towards victory.
7-0 - Dolan's double troubles continue as he misses four chances to claim his first leg of the game, with Wright also missing three darts across two visits before returning to land double eight and win his seventh leg of the game.
8-0 - Dolan misses darts at double top and ten - taking his total of misses for the match to eight - as Wright steps in to finish 49 on double 16 and move two legs away from the win.
9-0 - Wright returns from a miss at the bullseye to finish double eight, putting himself to the brink of a place in the quarter-finals.
9-1 - Dolan misses the bull to finish 88, but Wright misses a match dart at tops to allow him back in to land double eight and finally claim a leg.
10-1 - Dolan is unable to finish 90 to continue his revival, and Wright pins tops to seal a heavy victory.

Match Stats

Robert Thornton v Dave Chisnall
0-1 - Chisnall makes a superb start, finishing 100 for a 14-darter.
0-2 - Chisnall breaks throw by landing tops.
0-3 - The St Helens man lands a 180 before finishing double 16 to maintain his brilliant opening.
0-4 - Thornton misses four darts at doubles, and Chisnall capitalises by finishing double four to maintain his flawless record on the doubles and break once more.
1-4 - Thornton finishes 51 on tops to claim his first leg of the game with a 14-darter.
2-4 - Chisnall lands a 180, but Thornton continues his revival with a 95 checkout.
3-4 - Thornton lands two 180s in an 11-dart leg as he cuts the gap to one leg.
3-5 - Thornton misses the bull for a 170 finish to level the game and is unable to square the contest on his return, allowing Chisnall to post double 12.
3-6 - Chisnall lands double 18 to maintain his amazing perfect record on doubles as he moves three legs clear again.
4-6 - Chisnall misses a double for the first time in the game - at the bull for a 127 finish - as Thornton takes out tops with his third dart at the bed to hit back.
4-7 - Another superb leg from Chisnall sees him fire in two 180s before taking out 96 on double eight.
4-8 - Chisnall posts double top with his third dart at the bed.
5-8 - Thornton responds with a 180 and tops.
5-9 - Chisnall finishes 87 on double nine for an 11-darter.
5-10 - Chisnall takes out 127 to seal a superb performance - ending with a 106.30 average and ten doubles from 14 attempts.

Match Stats

Adrian Lewis v Ian White
1-0 - Lewis breaks throw immediately by taking out 96.
2-0 - The world number four finishes 106 as he doubles his lead.
3-0 - Lewis' fine finishing continues as he checks out 153 on double 18 to move three legs up.
4-0 - White fires in the game's first 180, but pays for failing to finish off the leg as Lewis wins his fourth successive leg.
4-1 - White finishes 80 on tops as he hits back by winning his first leg of the game.
5-1 - Lewis lands a 180 and double four to regain his cushion.
5-2 - White replies with a maximum and a 104 finish.
6-2 - White fires in a 177 to leave 24, only to see Lewis take out 103 on tops to win an important leg.
6-3 - White finishes double ten with his third dart at the bed as he cuts the gap to three legs once more.
7-3 - Lewis lands his second 180 of the game to leave 68, which he finishes on tops to move three legs away from victory.
7-4 - Tops for White sees him respond.
8-4 - Lewis finishes 70 on double eight to regain his cushion.
9-4 - Lewis takes out a superb 135 on tops as he moves to the brink of victory.
10-4 - Lewis lands his third 180 before finishing tops to complete a strong victory.

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock v Raymond van Barneveld
1-0 - van Barneveld lands a 180 in the opening leg, but Whitlock - using a new set of darts - takes out a sensational 167 finish to draw first blood.
1-1 - van Barneveld finishes 40 to level.
1-2 - The Dutchman moves ahead with a fine 13-darter, landing double 19.
1-3 - van Barneveld initially misses five darts at doubles before returning to land double four to win a third successive leg.
1-4 - van Barneveld lands a 180 and finishes 96 on tops to move three legs clear with a 12-darter.
1-5 - The Premier League champion lands two 180s in the leg and finishes double eight to win his fifth leg.
2-5 - Whitlock initially misses double eight to finish 87 before returning to hit the bed to respond.
2-6 - Whitlock lands his first 180 of the game, only to see van Barneveld land double five.
3-6 - van Barneveld hits his sixth maximum, but misses his chance as Whitlock returns on double four.
4-6 - Whitlock's revival continues as he wins his third leg in four.
5-6 - van Barneveld returns from the advertising break wearing glasses - but Whitlock reduces the gap to just one leg by posting double ten.
5-7 - Double ten for the Dutchman denies Whitlock the chance to level.
5-8 - van Barneveld takes out 111 to move three legs clear.
5-9 - The Dutchman takes his third successive leg as he moves to the brink of victory.
6-9 - Whitlock returns on double ten as he keeps his hopes alive.
7-9 - van Barneveld misses two match darts at double 18, allowing Whitlock in to finish 101 to hit back again.
7-10 - van Barneveld this time seals victory, landing double ten.

Match Stats

EVENING SESSION
James Wade v Mervyn King
1-0 - Wade makes a superb start to the rematch of the 2014 Unibet Masters final, taking out 115 on double top
2-0 - Wade scores 171 before King posts a 180, only for the left-hander to finish 130 on the bull to double his lead.
3-0 - Wade pins double top with his third dart at the bed as he moves three legs up.
4-0 - The reigning champion lands his first maximum before completing an 11-darter on tops.
5-0 - Wade misses tops for a 142 finish but returns to hit the bed to win a fifth successive leg.
5-1 - King lands his second maximum of the game, and finishes double eight to win his first leg of the contest.
6-1 - Wade fires in a 180 to give himself enough breathing space to initially miss four doubles before returning to land double two.
6-2 - King misses the bull and two further darts to win the leg, but Wade agonisingly misses six darts at tops as his opponent returns on double eight to claim his second leg.
7-2 - Wade takes out his third ton-plus finish of the game, checking out 108 on tops.
8-2 - Wade now finishes 138 with a superb combination of two treble 19s and double 12.
9-2 - Wade finishes a 14-darter to move a leg away from victory.
9-3 - King keeps his hopes alive by finishing 61 for a 14-darter of his own.
10-3 - Wade takes out 94 for another 14-dart leg as he books his place in the quarter-finals.

Match Stats

Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins
0-1 - Taylor lands a 180 in the opening leg but misses two darts at double 16, allowing Jenkins in to take the opener on double five.
0-2 - Jenkins finishes 100 with two double tops to break throw and double his lead.
0-3 - Jenkins now takes out 116 on double 18 as he moves three legs clear of the 2013 Masters winner.
0-4 - Taylor misses the bull and two darts at double eight, allowing Jenkins to capitalise again, this time on double ten.
0-5 - The pair trade 180s before Taylor misses two further doubles - this time at double 16 to finish 92 - as Jenkins steps in on double five to win his fifth successive leg.
1-5 - Taylor lands his third 180 of the game, and finishes 52 on tops to claim his first leg of the contest.
1-6 - Taylor posts a fourth maximum, but Jenkins finishes a fine 134 on double ten as he regains his five-leg lead.
2-6 - Taylor finishes double top again as he continues his revival.
2-7 - Jenkins replies with a 180 before finishing a third-dart double top to move three legs away from victory over the world number two.
3-7 - Tops sees Taylor claim his third leg of the game.
4-7 - Taylor breaks throw, finishing 68 on double four.
5-7 - Taylor wins his third successive leg in style with an 11-darter, which also features his fifth 180.
6-7 - Taylor wires the bull for a 170 finish, but returns to land double eight as he reduces the gap to one leg with another break of throw.
6-8 - Jenkins breaks back immediately to deny Taylor the chance to level matters.
6-9 - Taylor opens with 180 and 140, but misses double 16 and eight once again, allowing Jenkins back - after his previous miss at double 14 for a 121 finish - to land double seven, moving a leg away from the win.
7-9 - Jenkins lands his third 180, but is left waiting on 90 as Taylor finishes 60 on tops.
7-10 - Jenkins finishes 76 on tops to seal victory over the 16-time World Champion.

Match Stats

Gary Anderson v Andy Hamilton
1-0 - Both players land 180s in the opening leg before missing doubles on two visits apiece, with the new World Champion landing double one to draw first blood.
1-1 - Hamilton finishes 80 on double ten to level.
2-1 - A third successive leg goes against the throw as Hamilton is punished for more missed doubles as Anderson lands double ten.
3-1 - Tops sees Anderson hold throw and open up a two-leg lead.
4-1 - Anderson scores three 140s in the leg before taking out double six for a 13-darter to break throw again and move three legs clear.
5-1 - Anderson lands a 180 and tops to win his fourth successive leg.
5-2 - Double ten sees Hamilton hit back.
6-2 - Anderson initially misses tops but returns to finish double five to regain a four-leg lead.
7-2 - Tops sees the Scot push clear with another break of throw.
8-2 - Anderson's favoured double top sees him move two legs away from the win.
9-2 - Anderson once again finishes double top, and the break of throw edges him to the brink of victory.
10-2 - Anderson lands his fourth 180 of the game before finishing double ten to set up a tasty quarter-final against reigning champion James Wade.

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen v Wes Newton
1-0 - van Gerwen misses the bull for a 170 and two further darts to win the opening leg, but Newton then misses the bull to take out 121 as the Dutchman finally wins the opener on double eight.
2-0 - van Gerwen breaks throw with a 14-darter on double eight.
2-1 - Newton hits back by landing tops for a break of throw of his own.
3-1 - van Gerwen finishes 74 on tops to regain his cushion.
4-1 - The Dutch ace finishes 58 on tops as he moves three legs clear.
5-1 - van Gerwen takes out 106 as he continues his charge.
6-1 - The world number one wins his fourth successive leg, finishing tops to open a five-leg lead.
6-2 - Newton hits back with a 96 checkout.
6-3 - Newton opens with a 180 before winning the leg with a 122 finish on the bull.
7-3 - Double 18 denies Newton a third successive leg, as van Gerwen moves four legs clear again with a brilliant ten-darter which featured scores of 180, 140 and 145 before taking out 36.
8-3 - van Gerwen holds throw with a 14-darter to move two legs away from the quarter-finals.
8-4 - Newton hits back to win his fourth leg of the game with a 14-dart finish of his own.
9-4 - Double five moves van Gerwen to the brink of victory.
9-5 - Double nine sees Newton keep his hopes alive.
10-5 - The pair trade 180s, but Newton is unable to finish 40 to allow van Gerwen in to seal the win on double 13.

Match Stats