MARK DUDBRIDGE 4-0 ALAN TABERN
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1)
MARK DUDBRIDGE cruised into the last 16 of the Ladbrokes..com World Darts Championship with a straight sets victory over Alan Tabern.
Dudbridge, last year's beaten finalist, struggled to overcome American Darin Young in the first round, but looked in confident mood against the St Helens-based qualifier.
The Bristolian was in top form with his doubles, and quickly established himself by racing to the first set.
He also took the second 3-0 before Tabern managed to open his account in the third - but Dudbridge hit back to move to within a set of the match.
The number ten seed then wrapped up the win in style with a 131 finish in the fourth set to set up a third round meeting with Kevin Painter.
"That was a nice result for me," said Dudbridge. "Alan didn't hit much but for periods in the match I didn't allow him to.
"I knew I had to be dominant and show the experience I've got. Dropping two legs was great and I'd take that every time.
"I'll take one round at a time and I've got Kevin Painter next. That won't be easy, he's a class act and we're friends off the oche.
"Kevin's a great player, but he's going to have something to beat because I feel I've come into a bit of form.
"I practised hard with Bob Anderson for six weeks before the tournament, and a lot of people said it was too much. Maybe it was, but I got through the first round, took it easy over Christmas and it worked tonight."
Match Stats
Mark Dudbridge |
4-0 |
Alan Tabern |
24 |
100+ |
16 |
13 |
140+ |
10 |
2 |
180 |
1 |
31.54 |
Ave1 |
28.20 |
94.61 |
Ave3 |
84.61 |