William Hill World Championship Day Eight

CHISNALL IMPRESSES AS ANDERSON & CAVEN PROGRESS

DAVE CHISNALL laid down a marker to his William Hill World Darts Championship rivals with a brilliant second round victory on Boxing Day as defending champion Gary Anderson and Jamie Caven also enjoyed wins at Alexandra Palace.

Chisnall produced the highest average of this year's tournament so far, posting just under 103 as he defeated former Lakeside Champion Christian Kist in five sets with an excellent display.

The former World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts finalist also hit more 180s than any other player so far, hammering home 12 maximums as he moved into the last 16, where he will meet Peter Wright or Ronny Huybrechts.

"It's going to take something amazing to beat me," said Chisnall, who is yet to make it past the third round at London's Alexandra Palace.

"I think that was the best performance I've ever had here so I know I'm in good form. My next opponent doesn't even enter my head. I know I can beat anyone and I'll have to to win this tournament."

Reigning World Champion Anderson came from a set behind to defeat Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney in five sets.

The world number two produced finishes of 170 and 155 in an exciting match where four of the five sets went to deciding legs as Anderson gained revenge for his defeat to Gurney at last month's Players Championship Finals.

"It wasn't as comfortable as the scoreline suggested," admitted Anderson, who will take on Holland's Vincent van der Voort or Australia's Kyle Anderson in the third round.

"Daryl could have probably won that match but he missed a few doubles and I hit mine at the right times. I did feel a bit of pressure because it felt like the first round again but it's just another game of darts to me.

"Whatever happens here, I'll always be a World Champion. That can never be taken away from now but it would be nice to win another. To do that I just have to put the work in and concentrate on one game at a time."

Caven enjoyed a second round victory on the Ally Pally stage for the first time, dropping just one leg in a straight sets win against Ricky Evans, who was unable to repeat the epic comeback he produced to knock out world number ten Simon Whitlock before Christmas.

Caven, who has won seven PDC ranking titles, won ten legs in a row to close out an impressive success in a quick-fire contest which took only 23 minutes of playing time.

"I'm over the moon," said Caven, who will take on James Wade or Wes Newton in the last 16.

"I knew it was going to be tough and to only drop one leg is probably a little bit flattering but it's a relief for me to get through to the last 16 for the first time. I just had to block everything out and play my game and I think I achieved that."

The second round continues with a double session on Sunday with former champions Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld, and major title winners Wade and Stephen Bunting all in action.

William Hill World Darts Championship
Second Round
Saturday December 26
Ricky Evans 0-4 Jamie Caven
Dave Chisnall 4-1 Christian Kist
Gary Anderson 4-1 Daryl Gurney

Second Round - best of seven sets

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MATCH INFORMATION
Ricky Evans 0-4 Jamie Caven
SET ONE: 1-3
Caven opened the match with a 180 and won the first leg by taking out 65. He followed that with a 97 finish to grab an early break of throw but Evans hit straight back by landing double 16. Caven sealed the set, though, pegging double six.

SET TWO: 0-3
Caven continued his early dominance, pinning double 16 and double eight twice to seal the second set quickly, adding his second 180 in the process.

SET THREE: 0-3
Caven finished 76 and then punished Evans for missing double 16 when attempting a 152 finish by bedding tops. The Derby ace then bedded double 12 to move three sets clear.

SET FOUR: 0-3
Caven rattled off another three legs to make it ten on the spin and progress to round three for the first time.

Match Stats

Ricky Evans	0-4	Jamie Caven
18	100+	14
2	140+	9
0	170+	1
1	180	2
82.95	Average	91.81
47	High Finish	97
1	Breaks of Throw	7
1/5 20%	Checkout %	12/20 60%

Dave Chisnall 4-1 Christian Kist
SET ONE: 3-2
Chisnall took out 104 to win the first leg. The pair then exchanged 180s as Kist levelled but Chisnall cleaned up 60 to edge back ahead. The Dutchman restored parity again by pinning double ten but, after Kist missed the bull to win the set, the world number 13 landed tops to take the lead.

SET TWO: 3-2
Chisnall fired in his third 180 and pegged double ten to break but he missed six darts to double his lead and Kist hit tops to level. The next three legs also went against the throw as Chisnall took out 72 to win another set decider.

SET THREE: 3-0
Chisnall scored his fifth maximum before taking out 64 to go ahead. He then produced a brilliant 138 checkout to break Kist's throw before completing a fabulous third set with a 14-darter, which included back-to-back 180s.

SET FOUR: 2-3
Kist took out 81 to complete an 11-darter but Chisnall's eighth maximum helped him draw level. A ninth 180 from the St Helens ace couldn't stop Kist moving back ahead as the Dutchman followed a brilliant 177 by landing double 12. Chisnall fired in another 180 and pegged double eight to move within a leg of victory but Kist kept his hopes alive by hitting his second maximum and taking out 68 for the set.

SET FIVE: 3-0
An 11th 180 and a 98 finish saw Chisnall move ahead and he again moved within a leg of round three but this time he finished the job, adding a 12th maximum before finishing 97 to complete victory.

Match Stats

Dave Chisnall	4-1	Christian Kist
27	100+	25
12	140+	16
0	170+	1
12	180	4
102.85	Average	95.92
138	High Finish	81
5	Breaks of Throw	2
14/33 42.42%	Checkout %	7/22 31.82%

Gary Anderson v Daryl Gurney
SET ONE: 2-3
Anderson opened with seven perfect darts, including two 180s, before bedding tops to complete an 11-darter. Gurney replied with his first 180 and took out 54 to level before landing tops to move in front. Anderson then produced a sublime 100 checkout, completing the shot with two double tops but Gurney took the set thanks to an 85 finish in the decider.

SET TWO: 3-2
A fourth 180 and a brilliant 139 finish saw Gurney move ahead. Anderson levelled with a sensational 170 checkout and he took out 70 to take the lead in the set. Gurney then missed the bull for a 170 of his own before cleaning up the remaining 25 - but he missed a set dart in the crucial fifth leg as Anderson pegged double five to level the match.

SET THREE: 3-2
A 180 and a 96 checkout helped Anderson edge ahead with a break of the throw but the following three legs also went against the throw, forcing a third consecutive set-decider, in which Gurney missed four darts at doubles before the defending champion landed double ten to move in front.

SET FOUR: 3-1
Anderson's fourth 180 helped him take the lead but Gurney pegged double 12 to level. The Northern Irishman's eighth maximum proved to be in vain as Anderson landed double four. He kicked off the following leg with back-to-back 180s as he threatened a nine-darter, hitting seven perfect darts for the second time in the match before eventually sinking double four to move two legs clear.

SET FIVE: 3-2
Anderson produced a brilliant 155 finish before Gurney levelled by taking out 116. The Scotsman hit double ten to move within a leg of victory but Gurney forced another deciding leg on tops. This was the moment for Anderson to seal victory, though, as he rattled in his eighth 180 before finishing the job by landing double 12.

Match Stats