PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts - Day One

REPORTS and results from the opening day of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

The opening day sees all 32 players compete in the first round robin fixtures at the Wolverhampton Civic.

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PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts
Schedule of Play
Saturday November 15
Afternoon Session (12pm-5pm)
Denis Ovens 5-2 Adrian Lewis
Andy Hamilton 5-3 Brian Woods
Robert Thornton 5-3 Gary Mawson
John Part 5-1 Anastasia Dobromyslova
Phil Taylor 5-0 Phill Nixon
Colin McGarry 5-4 Mark Webster
Kevin Painter 2-5 Darryl Fitton
Terry Jenkins 4-5 Darin Young

Evening Session (6pm-11pm)
Vincent van der Voort 4-5 Andy Jenkins
Wayne Mardle 0-5 Kevin McDine
James Wade 5-1 Niels de Ruiter
Gary Anderson 4-5 Paul Nicholson
Raymond van Barneveld 5-1 Kirk Shepherd
Alan Tabern 5-3 Simon Whitlock
Mervyn King 5-1 Michael van Gerwen
Colin Lloyd v Wes Newton

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DENIS OVENS 5-2 ADRIAN LEWIS
DENIS OVENS punished a below-par showing from Adrian Lewis to make an ideal start to the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a 5-2 victory.

Lewis, the runner-up in the recent European Championship, kicked off the contest with a 24 score and never hit his stride to leave himself needing wins over James Wade and Niels de Ruiter in his remaining games to progress.

Ovens took out 94 to win the opening leg and then double ten to move 2-0 up before Lewis landed a maximum to set up a 43 finish, which he clinically finished with his first dart.

While double 12 pushed Ovens 3-1 up, Lewis replied with a 12-darter, including a 180, to pull back to one leg behind.

Ovens moved a leg away from the win on double 18, and hit the same bed to secure victory after four missed darts at a double from the Stoke youngster.

"I'm very happy with the win," said Ovens. "I started well and was pleased with my finishing, and it should be a great group now."

Lewis admitted: "I never got going and instead of being a BMW I was a Ford Fiesta today!

"Denis played well and hit some good shots but it wasn't the real me and it was a bad day. I know I have to win my next two games now and that's the challenge for me."

Match Stats

ANDY HAMILTON 5-3 BRIAN WOODS
ANDY HAMILTON overcame Brian Woods 5-3 to make a winning start in the 2008 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Hamilton who went all the way to the final before falling to Phil Taylor was in excellent form ending up with a three-dart average of 105.64.

Woods, making his debut in the event, started slowly and Hamilton took an early lead.

However Woods settled in the second leg converting a 'Shanghai' 120 finish to level at 1-1.

Hamilton hit a maximum in the third leg to regain the lead and hit a 12-darter completed by a 130 checkout to establish a 3-1 lead.

Woods hit-back with an 11-dart finish of his own, but Hamilton hit another 12 dart-leg, this time hitting a 136 finish.

Woods took the seventh leg with a 'showpiece' 90 finish which included two double tops. He then had a dart at double top to take the match into a deciding leg.

But he failed to convert and Hamilton landed double ten at the first time of asking to end the plucky challenge of Woods.

Match Stats

ROBERT THORNTON 5-3 GARY MAWSON
ROBERT THORNTON overcame the challenge of American Gary Mawson in the opening Group E clash in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

The American made the better start taking the opening leg with a two dart 60 finish.

But the Scotsman, who reached the Semi-Finals of the European Darts Championship a couple of weeks ago, took the next two legs, landing double four on both occasions.

He then stepped up a gear hitting a 124 finish on the bull to build a 3-1 lead.

Mawson, who was playing through the pain of a broken toe, took the fifth leg and landed a fantastic 152 checkout to level the game at 3-3.

But Thornton powered through the next two legs hitting a 104 checkout and a two dart 65 finish to come through.

"The toe wasn't a factor, Robert was better than me," said Mawson, who suffered the injury when his Harley Davidson motorbike fell on his foot.

"It's not over though, it's a round robin format and tomorrow's another day. I've beaten Barney before so he won't hold any fear when we eventually meet and I've got my own destiny in too much."

Match Stats

JOHN PART 5-1 ANASTASIA DOBROMYSLOVA
JOHN PART won the battle of the World Champions with Anastasia Dobromyslova - but not without some nervous moments.

The Russian-born Women's World Champion threatened to cause a major upset when she was first to a finish in the opening two legs of the contest - only to miss a total of nine darts at a double.

Part stepped in to win both legs for a 2-0 lead, and won the third before Dobromyslova landed double 16, ironically at the first time of asking after a 110 score left 32, to get off the mark.

But Part took the next two legs to ensure an opening victory, with Wayne Mardle and Kevin McDine to follow in Group D.

"I missed my doubles and that was the difference," said Dobromyslova. "It's the most important part of the game and I know I can do better, and I'll be back on the practice board."

Part was full of support for Dobromyslova, saying: "I lost my first game last year and still won the group so Anastasia has still got a chance.

"In the same way I'm not through with one win, but I'm very happy to have that win and can settle down for the next game now."

Match Stats

PHIL TAYLOR 5-0 PHILL NIXON
DEFENDING CHAMPION Phil Taylor made a brilliant start to his challenge in the 2008 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a whitewash of Phill Nixon.

Taylor showed no mercy in seeing off the former BDO World Championship runner-up with a 107.36 average, and used 15 darts or less in every leg.

A 177 set up a double 12 finish for a 13-darter in the opening leg, with double 16 and double nine following as he moved 3-0 up - with Nixon's only chance being one missed dart at a double for a 116 finish.

He missed doubles in the fourth before double 18, for a 13-darter, gave him a 4-0 lead, and he secured the win with a superb 113 checkout, ending once more on double 18.

"I had the shot at the 116 finish but other than that Phil didn't give me a chance," admitted Nixon. "I must do better and have to win my next two games now, it's as simple as that."

Taylor said: "I put Phill under pressure from the start and am very happy with my performance. It's good to get off to a winning start and I can relax now."

Match Stats

COLIN McGARRY 5-4 MARK WEBSTER
NORTHERN IRELAND'S Colin McGarry defeated reigning BDO World Champion Mark Webster in a final-leg decider in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Webster who failed to through the group-stages in last year's inaugural event will now face a tough challenge to reach the knock-out phase.

McGarry, making his first TV appearance since the 2004 PDC World Championships, came out fast and established a 3-0 lead.

He took the first leg with throw and then broke the Welshman after he missed three darts at doubles.

A 71 finish increased McGarry's advantage before Webster opened his account in the match landing double ten.

Webster hit the only maximum of the contest in the fourth leg, which he won on double ten. He then levelled matters by landing double top.

McGarry, who won a place in this tournament by finishing as runner-up in last month's ITV Wildcard Qualifier took the seventh leg to stop Webster's winning streak.

But Webster hit an 80 finish to ensure the game would go the full-distance.

McGarry had advantage of throw, and the man from Larne made that count by getting to the double first and landing double top to record an excellent win.

After the match Webster said: "I started slowly and it's very hard to come back from 3-0 down. I didn't play well at all and I have to rectify that on Sunday and Monday or I'll be going home early."

"Colin has a great chance now if he plays like that in his remaining games and he'll be full of confidence, but I've got to pull something out of the bag," Webster added.

Match Stats

DARRYL FITTON 5-2 KEVIN PAINTER
DARRYL FITTON defeated Kevin Painter 5-2 in the opening clash of Group H in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Painter missed key doubles at crucial moments and will now have to work hard to gain one of the qualification places from his group.

Fitton broke throw in the opening leg after both players missed numerous chances to win it.

The man from Stockport then doubled his lead when he hit double top.

However, Painter quickly hit back. He won the third leg after his opponent missed opportunties to take a 3-0 lead, and then levelled the match when he landed double sixteen.

Painter failed to take out doubles to level the match again in the sixth leg and Fitton landed double twelve to regain the lead.

The Stockport man then landed double top for a 4-2 lead, to go one leg away from the match.

Both players hit maximums in the seventh leg but it was Fitton who hit double top for an 80 finish to register a debut victory in the Grand Slam.

Match Stats

DARIN YOUNG 5-4 TERRY JENKINS
DARIN YOUNG caused a major upset at the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a deciding-leg victory over the world number five Terry Jenkins

Jenkins, who reached the Quarter-Finals last year appeared to be coasting to a comfortable victory when he led 3-0. But Young took five of the next six legs to snatch victory.

The American was unable to make much impression in the early exchanges as the man from Ledbury took out finishes of 60 and 80 in taking the first three legs.

Young then began to hit his stride. He hit a 174 to leave double twelve, which he duly converted to win his first leg.

He then hit a fabulous 11-darter in the fifth leg followed by a maximum in the sixth to level the game at 3-3.

Jenkins stopped the rot by breaking throw for a 4-3 lead, but Young immediately broke back by landing double ten.

And with advantage of throw in the deciding-leg, Young took out a 79 finish to round of an amazing win.

"Terry gave me some chances there and I managed to take advantage," said Young. "I hit some good darts and to beat a man of his calibre means a lot to me."

Jenkins said: "I started well and everything was going well for me but Darin played some brilliant darts to come back.

"It's going to be hard now but I'm playing well and just can't seem to win. It's frustrating but I'll keep trying and hopefully I can get back winning." 

Match Stats

ANDY JENKINS 5-4 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
ANDY JENKINS came back from 4-2 down to defeat Vincent van der Voort in the 2008 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Van der Voort had a dart for the match in the eighth leg but the man from Portsmouth survived that moment and went on to win his first match in Group A.

In a tight opening to the match both players held their throw in the first four legs. In the fifth leg Van der Voort made a surge when he broke throw by landing double 19.

He then went 4-2 up with the aid of the maximum and finishing the leg on double five.

Jenkins took the seventh leg with a 64 finish and then landed double twelve to take the match the full-distance after the Dutchman missed a dart at bull for the match.

Jenkins consistent scoring in the final leg proved vital. And despite a maximum from Van der Voort, Jenkins landed double top to pinch the win.

"It was a very close game and in the end it probably came down to me winning the bullseye to throw first," said Jenkins.

"Vincent's a very good player and we both know this would be an important game in our group, so there was a lot of pressure."

Van der Voort added: "We both didn't play our best and maybe I was lucky to be level at 2-2 and he was lucky to get it back to four-all.

"It's hard being a short format and you can't settle, but at 4-2 I felt good and somehow it got away from me."

Match Stats

KEVIN McDINE 5-0 WAYNE MARDLE
KEVIN McDINE opened up his 2008 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts challenge with a whitewash victory over Wayne Mardle.

McDine, who made a career breakthrough in this event last year, when he reached the Semi-Finals won comfortably without really hitting top form.

McDine broke throw straight away after both players missed a number of chances, the Irthlingborough based player landing double one.

McDine hit a maximum in the second leg and then won the third after Mardle missed three darts at doubles.

The next two legs proved comfortable for McDine as his opponent failed to get going.

He hit a 65 finish for 4-0, and took the match by landing double ten for the second time in the contest.

"I'm pleased to win but I don't feel I played well at all," said McDine. "Wayne didn't perform and I didn't respond, so I'll have to raise my game 20 percent against John Part.

Mardle admitted: "If I play like that against Anastasia on Sunday she'll win.

"I was rubbish. I was watching Kevin and studying his action and I lost concentration, which I shouldn't have done".

Match Stats

JAMES WADE 5-1 NIELS DE RUITER
JAMES WADE came through his first match in Group G with a comfortable victory over Holland's Niels de Ruiter in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Wade never had to find top gear in the match as his opponent struggled to find form on the big stage.

The Aldershot man broke throw in the first leg and then doubled his lead with a 101 finish.

The Dutchman stemmed the tide briefly in the third leg with a two dart 73 finish to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Wade took the next two legs to go 4-1 ahead, and then won the match in some style with a 15 dart-leg.

Match Stats

PAUL NICHOLSON 5-4 GARY ANDERSON
AUSTRALIAN Paul Nicholson won an enthralling encounter against last year's semi-finalist Gary Anderson at the Wolverhampton Civic.

Nicholson, making his first TV appearance made a flying start, hitting a maximum with his first three darts and following that with a 140 checkout to take the lead.

He led the match 4-2 before Anderson pegged back to force a final leg before the Australian came through.

He doubled his lead but the Scotsman quickly hit back to level the match at 2-2, hitting a 170 checkout in the fourth leg.

In the fifth leg Anderson allowed Nicholson to regain the lead after he missed six darts at doubles.

Nicholson then restored his two leg advantage hitting his second maximum of the game in the process.

Anderson won the seventh leg with a 71 finish and he then levelled at 4-4 after Nicholson missed five opportunities to win the match.

In the deciding-leg Anderson had the throw but Nicholson grabbed the advantage when he hit two 140s.

But as the tension grew Anderson clawed his way back and had a dart at double sixteen for victory. But he was unable to convert and Nicholson landed double ten to record a famous win.

"I was trying to have some fun with the crowd at the start and they didn't quite take it that way," admitted Nicholson. "I didn't forecast that reaction and it backfired a bit.

"It got to me when I was on a double for the match and I missed, but I'm chuffed that I got the chance in the last leg."

Match Stats

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 5-1 KIRK SHEPHERD
FIVE TIME WORLD CHAMPION Raymond van Barneveld put in an impressive performance to defeat an under-par Kirk Shepherd 5-1 in the 2008 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Barneveld ended the match with a three-dart average of 100.38 and hit five out of seven doubles during the contest.

He broke throw at the start with a 56 finish and quickly took the next leg to put the World Championship runner-up under pressure.

Barneveld continued on in similar fashion to build a 4-0 lead, hitting finishes of 76 and 65. His opponent not having an opportunity at a double.

Shepherd opened his account in the fifth leg landing double eight at the first time of asking.

But Barneveld quickly wrapped up the win in the next leg with a classy 11-dart finish.

"To average 100 and have five from seven doubles is a great start for me," said van Barneveld. "At 4-0, Kirk started to play like a player who reached the World Championship Final, but darts is strange game.

The Dutchman will play Robert Thornton on Sunday who won the other Group E encounter earlier this afternoon.

"I need to focus on my next game now because Robert had a good win over Gary Mawson".

Match Stats

ALAN TABERN 5-3 SIMON WHITLOCK
ALAN TABERN began his PartyPoker.com Grand of Slam of Darts campaign with a 5-3 victory over Simon Whitlock.

Both players where making their debut in the Grand Slam of Darts and it was the Englishmen who edged out the Australian.

Whitlock started in confident mood with a maximum in the opening leg before winning it in 12 darts.

Tabern levelled-up and then broke throw with a 71 finish.

But Whitlock did not let Tabern get away and brought the score back to two apiece with a 96 checkout.

Tabern, currently ranked nine in the world, put in an important surge mid-way through the match taking the next two legs to go one away from victory.

He had two darts to win 5-2 but he missed both and Whitlock stepped in by landing double nine to keep his hopes alive.

The St Helens man missed two further opportunities to close out the match in the seventh, but the Australian was too far behind and Tabern came back to land double sixteen.

"I missed a few doubles but seemed to do that when I was under no pressure," When Simon played the game we know he can play I reacted and started hitting my doubles - maybe I'm better with just one dart at a double!"

Whitlock added: "I started great but dipped off and Alan picked his game up, and he punished me."

Match Stats

MERVYN KING 5-1 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
MERVYN KING put in a solid performance to beat the young Dutchman Michael van Gerwen 5-1 in their opening match at the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.

Van Gerwen hit three maximums in the match, but could only convert one of his six double opportunities and proved to be his downfall.

King opened up an early 3-0 lead, taking advantage of Van Gerwen's missed doubles.

Van Gerwen took the fourth leg when he landed double eight, but it stemmed the tide only briefly.

King, who is world ranked number 12 after an impressive on the PDC Pro Tour in 2008, went 4-1 up, kicking-off with a 177 and going on to land double twelve.

The man from Norfolk quickly wrapped up victory in the sixth leg to defeat Van Gerwen for second time in two years at the Grand Slam of Darts.

A disappointed Van Gerwen said: "I missed my doubles in early legs and it cost me.

"It wasn't my best but it's a short format and I made it a difficult year for myself."

King said: "Michael will bounce back and can still get through from his next two games. It's pleasing to get the win and I've put myself in a good position but I can do it better."

Match Stats

WES NEWTON 5-4 COLIN LLOYD
WES NEWTON won a final-leg shoot-out against Colin Lloyd at the 2008 PartyPoker.net Grand Slam of Darts.

Newton, who won the ITV Wildcard Qualifer last month to qualify for this event, led 2-1, and 4-3, before coming through.

Both players missed chances to win the opening leg, but Newton landed double three to lead.

Lloyd took out a 90 finish to level, before Newton broke throw once again after Lloyd has missed three darts to win the leg.

The man from Essex hit-back to win the fourth, and fifth legs in 13, and 14 darts respectively, to lead 3-2.

But Newton took the next two legs, capitalising on five missed doubles in each leg by Lloyd to go one leg away from victory.

Lloyd recovered to take the eighth leg to send the game into a deciding leg by hitting double top.

In the deciding-leg Newton hit a superb 170 to leave 32, and he managed to land double sixteen on the last dart, with his opponent waiting on 20.

"Standard-wise it was a poor game but I'll take a win any day of the week," said Newton. "We didn't find our range up on stage but I hung in there.

"Over the last month or so I've played really well and I am expecting a lot from myself this week, and I'll take this win and try to build on it."

Match Stats