Unibet World Grand Prix Day One

ANDERSON LAYS DOWN MARKER IN UNIBET WORLD GRAND PRIX
 

GARY ANDERSON set his sights on Unibet World Grand Prix glory with an impressive opening to this year's double-start event in Dublin, as reigning champion Robert Thornton and two-time winner James Wade crashed out at the Citywest Hotel.

World Champion Anderson was at his composed best as he averaged almost 97 in a fine performance to sweep past Jamie Caven in straight sets, dropping only one leg in the process.

The Scot opened with seven doubles from 11 attempts and also finished 112 and 124 as he moved into the last 16, where he meets Australian ace Kyle Anderson on Tuesday.

"It would be nice to win this event - especially with my reputation on doubles, but the class of players is so high now that you've got to take each game as it comes," said Anderson.

"I take my hat off to Kyle because he's left his family in Australia and come to the UK to play darts and that shows the kind of head he's got on his shoulders.

"He wants to make a living and be a name in darts, so it's going to be a tough one but I'm looking forward to it.

"I've not played much darts in the past few weeks but I'm happy with the way the darts are going now."

Australian thrower Anderson celebrated his World Grand Prix debut with a narrow 2-1 win over Cristo Reyes, claiming victory in the deciding leg of the final set as a 171 score set up tops.

The opening night was an unhappy one for 2015 World Grand Prix champion Robert Thornton, who lost out over three sets to Stephen Bunting as the former Lakeside Champion came from a set down to take victory.
 


Bunting now plays Belgium's Kim Huybrechts - who stared defeat in the face as he came from a set down to defeat Ian White - in Tuesday's second round, as he aims to push towards a first PDC major title.

"Coming into this tournament it was such a difficult game," said Bunting, a semi-finalist two years ago. "Robert's not been playing his best lately but he saves his best for here so it's good to get over the line.

"In the last couple of months my form has been coming back, my scoring's back and I'm hitting my doubles and I can look forward to the next game. I've got to raise my game but I'll keep doing what I do and hopefully it's good enough on the day."

Two-time World Grand Prix winner Wade also exited at the first round stage as he lost in the deciding leg of his three-set contest with Terry Jenkins in a repeat of the 2007 final.

"It's pleasing to win because I've been playing so well lately but not scraping the win," said Jenkins. "James is a tough player to beat, especially on double-in, but I kept the pressure on him and it worked.

"Maybe this is a turning point so hopefully I can carry this on. When I get on that board I feel so good but I know I've got a tough game next."

Jenkins' second round opponent will be emerging Dutchman Benito van de Pas, who dropped only two legs as he defeated Gerwyn Price in straight sets.

2010 finalist Adrian Lewis impressed with a 2-1 win over Jelle Klaasen as he moved through to a meeting with another former World Grand Prix runner-up, Raymond van Barneveld.

"It was a great game for both of us and to get the result, when Jelle was playing well, is a big thing for me," said Lewis. "My starting doubles were really good and my darts were going nicely - I can't ask for any more than that."

Van Barneveld hit finishes of 164 and 130 as he defeated 2012 runner-up Mervyn King in straight sets.

"The double start is an extra handicap so it's tough but it's nice to win in Ireland again because it's been a couple of years," he said. "I'm looking forward to playing Adrian - everyone's beatable and hopefully I'm playing well.

"I've finished well in the last couple of weeks. If I keep Adrian under pressure maybe I can go all the way. I'm not there yet but the confidence is coming back."

The first round concludes on Monday night live on Sky Sports, with the eight matches including world number one Michael van Gerwen's meeting with Steve Beaton and 11-time champion Phil Taylor up against Dublin debutant Steve West.

Ireland's Mick McGowan meets another debutant, James Wilson, while world number five Peter Wright faces Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan and number eight seed Michael Smith plays Alan Norris.

The event's other Northern Irish qualifier, Daryl Gurney, plays Austrian Mensur Suljovic, 2013 finalist Dave Chisnall takes on Robbie Green and Joe Cullen plays Simon Whitlock, Saturday's Players Championship winner.

For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.ie or call the Citywest Hotel Box Office on 00353 (0)1 401 0505 .

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2016 Unibet World Grand Prix
Sunday October 2
First Round x8
Kyle Anderson 2-1 Cristo Reyes
Ian White 1-2 Kim Huybrechts
James Wade (6) 1-2 Terry Jenkins
Gerwyn Price 0-2 Benito van de Pas
Adrian Lewis (3) 2-1 Jelle Klaasen
Robert Thornton (7) 1-2 Stephen Bunting
Gary Anderson (2) 2-0 Jamie Caven
Mervyn King 0-2 Raymond van Barneveld

MATCH INFORMATION
Kyle Anderson v Cristo Reyes
First Set
0-1 - Reyes takes out 63 for and opening leg hold.
1-1 - 78 on tops for Anderson to level up.
1-2 - The pair miss chances to take the leg before Reyes moves in to hold throw.
1-3 - 92 on double eight as Reyes takes the first set.
Second Set
1-0 - 68 on tops for Anderson.
2-0 - Double ten for Anderson to double his advantage.
2-1 - Double six for Reyes to put the pressure on Anderson.
2-2 - Reyes level here as he takes out 100 on tops. Anderson missed one for the set.
3-2 - Anderson takes the set on double nine with the last dart in hand.
Third Set
0-1 - Reyes holds on double four.
1-1 - Level as Anderson pins double two.
2-1 - 85 on the bull for Anderson to break and move one leg away from the second round.
2-2 - Anderson misses five match darts allowing Reyes to break throw.
3-2 - 171 to leave tops for Anderson, who takes it out at the first attempt.

Match Stats
Kyle Anderson 2-1 Cristo Reyes
13 100+ 17
8 140+ 12
2 170+ 0
1 180 0
81.69 Average 78.59
85 High Finish 100
3 Breaks of Throw 3
14/30 - 47% Starting Doubles 14/39 - 36%
7/24 - 29% Finishing Doubles 7/25 - 28%

Ian White v Kim Huybrechts
First Set
1-0 - White away with a hold on double eight.
2-0 - White has the break of throw on double four as Huybrechts misses two to hold.
2-1 - 78 on tops as Huybrechts breaks back.
2-2 - Huybrechts level despite only averaging 68. He hits double 16.
3-2 - White takes the first set as he pins double four with his last dart in hand.
Second Set
1-0 - White breaks in the opening leg of the set as he takes out 40 on double ten.
2-0 - Tops for White as he takes a commanding lead.
2-1 - Huybrechts holds throw as he takes out 72 on tops.
2-2 - 60 on tops for Huybrechts to break the White throw.
2-3 - Huybrechts takes the set on double 16.
Third Set
1-0 - Wight holds throw as he takes out 52 on double 16.
1-1 - 78 on tops for Huybrechts to draw level.
1-2 - Huybrechts leads for first time in the match as he pins tops.
1-3 - Double eight for Kim Huybrechts as he seals the win.

Match Stats
Ian White 1-2 Kim Huybrechts
18 100+ 15
8 140+ 5
0 170+ 0
1 180 0
77.72 Average 80.90
52 High Finish 78
2 Breaks of Throw 3
14/29 - 48% Starting Doubles 14/37 - 38%
6/18 - 33% Finishing Doubles 8/15 - 53%

James Wade v Terry Jenkins
First Set
1-0 - Double ten for Wade as he starts with a hold.
2-0 - 60 on tops for Wade to break throw.
2-1 - 56 on tops as Jenkins breaks back.
2-2 - Tops for Jenkins again as he levels the score.
3-2 - Wade claims the set on double ten.
Second Set
1-0 - An early break in the second set for Wade as he takes out 40 on tops.
1-1 - 90 on the bull for Jenkins to break back.
1-2 - Double ten gives Jenkins the lead in the second set.
1-3 - 76 on double eight gives Jenkins the set.
Third Set
1-0 - 60 on tops for Wade to move ahead.
1-1 - Wade fires in a maximum but it isn't enough as Jenkins takes out 66 on double 18.
2-1 - Wade one away as he takes out 96 on double eight.
2-2 - In to a decider we go as Jenkins hits double four.
2-3 - James Wade is out as Jenkins hits tops to seal a big win.

Terry Jenkins Video Interview
Match Stats
James Wade 1-2 Terry Jenkins
14 100+ 16
15 140+ 12
0 170+ 0
3 180 3
87.79 Average 91.36
96 High Finish 90
2 Breaks of Throw 4
14/44 - 32% Starting Doubles 14/27 - 52%
6/13 - 46% Finishing Doubles 8/11 - 73%

Gerwyn Price v Benito van de Pas
First Set
0-1 - Tops for van de Pas as he holds throw.
1-1 - Double ten for Price to level the score.
1-2 - Double two for van de Pas to take the lead again.
1-3 - The opening set got to van de Pas as he takes out 40 on tops.
Second Set
0-1 - 41 on double 16 gives van de Pas a break.
0-2 - van de Pas hits his first 180 before hitting double four.
1-2 - 41 on double ten for Price.
1-3 - Double eight seals the win for Benito van de Pas.

Match Stats
Gerwyn Price 0-2 Benito van de Pas
9 100+ 10
6 140+ 4
0 170+ 0
0 180 1
72.00 Average 77.33
41 High Finish 41
0 Breaks of Throw 2
8/34 - 24% Starting Doubles 8/26 - 31%
2/8 - 25% Finishing Doubles 6/19 - 32%

Adrian Lewis v Jelle Klaasen
First Set
1-0 - Double 16 for Lewis as he opens with a hold.
2-0 - An early break for Lewis as he takes out 116 on tops.
3-0 - Lewis wraps up the set with a massive 157 checkout.
Second Set
0-1 - Klaasen hits tops to hold throw.
1-1 - 41 on double 16 for Lewis.
1-2 - Lewis misses the bull before Klaasen takes out 86 on double seven.
2-2 - Double 16 as Lewis levels the set.
2-3 - Lewis misses a match darts at double 13, and Klaasen takes out 105 to save the game and claim the set to level.
Third Set
1-0 - 62 on tops edges Lewis in to the lead.
1-1 - Double 18 for Klaasen as he levels the score.
2-1 - Tops for Lewis to move one away from the second round.
3-1 - Lewis in to round two as he takes out 45 on double 16.

Adrian Lewis Video Interview
 
Match Stats
Adrian Lewis 2-1 Jelle Klaasen
20 100+ 16
9 140+ 4
0 170+ 0
4 180 2
91.60 Average 89.42
157 High Finish 105
2 Breaks of Throw 0
12/28 - 43% Starting Doubles 12/23 - 52%
8/13 - 62% Finishing Doubles 4/6 - 67%

Robert Thornton v Stephen Bunting
First Set
0-1 - Tops gives Bunting a hold to start the match.
1-1 - 125 on tops levels the score for Thornton.
2-1 - Thornton breaks the throw taking out 62 on tops.
3-1 - 67 on double eight gives Thornton the opening set.
Second Set
0-1 - 105 on double 16 gives Bunting the break of throw.
0-2 - Thornton misses a dart at tops allowing Bunting to hold on double 16.
1-2 - A thirteen dart hold of throw as Thornton hits tops.
1-3 - Bunting responds with a 12 darter of his own to take the second set.
Third Set
0-1 - Tops for Bunting as he moves in to the lead.
1-1 - Thornton level as he hits double ten.
1-2 - Bunting one away as he hits double eight after hitting his fourth maximum.
1-3 - Last years champion is out. Bunting punishes Thornton for missed doubles as he hits double eight to secure the win.

Stephen Bunting Video Interview
 
Match Stats
Robert Thornton 1-2 Stephen Bunting
14 100+ 16
9 140+ 6
0 170+ 1
1 180 4
85.19 Average 90.18
125 High Finish 105
1 Breaks of Throw 2
12/27 - 44% Starting Doubles 12/32 - 38%
5/16 - 31% Finishing Doubles 7/19 - 37%

Gary Anderson v Jamie Caven
First Set
1-0 - Anderson holds throw as he hits tops.
2-0 - Tops again for Anderson as he breaks the Caven throw.
3-0 - Anderson in the madhouse but he takes it out to seal the set with a 98 average.
Second Set
1-0 - 112 on double 16 for Anderson to break.
1-1 - Caven breaks back as he takes out 76 on double eight.
2-1 - 124 on double 11 for Anderson to break again.
3-1 - 84 out to seal the win for Gary Anderson with a 96.92 average.

Gary Anderson Video Interview
 
Match Stats
Gary Anderson 2-0 Jamie Caven
15 100+ 8
4 140+ 6
1 170+ 0
0 180 1
96.92 Average 85.71
124 High Finish 76
3 Breaks of Throw 1
7/11 - 64% Starting Doubles 7/15 - 47%
6/14 - 43% Finishing Doubles 1/5 - 20%

Mervyn King v Raymond van Barneveld
First Set
0-1 - A nervy start as van Barneveld holds after 22 darts as he hits double five.
1-1 - King level as he takes out 41 on double 16.
1-2 - King crashes in a maximum before van Barneveld takes out 130 on the bull.
1-3 - The first set goes to van Barneveld as he takes out 48 on double 16.
Second Set
1-0 - King holds throw on double 16.
1-1 - Double ten for van Barneveld as he levels the second set.
1-2 - 164 on the bull for van Barneveld to break throw and move one leg away from the second round.
2-2 - 88 on double 14 as King breaks back.
2-3 - 80 on double ten sets up a second round clash with Adrian Lewis for Raymond van Barneveld.

Raymond van Barneveld Video Interview
 
Match Stats
Mervyn King 0-2 Raymond van Barneveld
6 100+ 8
5 140+ 8
0 170+ 0
4 180 2
88.94 Average 84.24
88 High Finish 164
1 Breaks of Throw 3
9/17 - 53% Starting Doubles 9/25 - 36%
3/10 - 30% Finishing Doubles 6/12 - 50%