BetVictor World Matchplay Day Five

SULJOVIC STUNS ANDERSON AS TAYLOR SUFFERS NEAR-MISS FOR NINE-DARTER
 

MENSUR SULJOVIC stunned World Champion Gary Anderson with a 13-9 victory at the BetVictor World Matchplay on Wednesday night as Phil Taylor missed double 12 for a nine-darter in joining James Wade and Dave Chisnall in the last eight in Blackpool.

A thrilling night of second round matches saw Austrian ace Suljovic reach only his third PDC major quarter-final as he followed up his runs in the 2014 and 2015 UK Opens with the biggest win of his career.

Having knocked out James Wade in reaching the third round of the 2011 World Championship, Suljovic will now take on the left-hander in Friday's World Matchplay quarter-finals after holding his nerve to see off the World Champion.

After Suljovic - who overcame Terry Jenkins in round one - took the game's opening leg, Anderson finished tops and 98 to move 2-1 up, but that proved the only time the Premier League champion would lead in the contest.

Suljovic won the next three to move 4-2 up, landing a 100 finish with two double tops in the sixth leg, and after Anderson took out 70 and 81 to square the game again the Austrian pulled away.

A 104 checkout was followed by two legs out of three where Suljovic finished double ten to punish misses from Anderson as he moved into an 8-4 advantage, and though the Scot replied in leg 13 a 76 checkout gave the qualifier a ninth leg.

Double 18 gave Anderson two of the next three legs as he pulled back to 10-7, but he paid for missing four doubles in leg 18 as Suljovic was given a reprieve on double two.

Double 14 put the Austrian to the brink of victory at 12-7, and though Anderson punished his missed five match darts in the next two legs, Suljovic regained his nerve to post double 14 once again as he sealed his place in the Blackpool quarter-finals.

"Beating James Wade in the World Championship was my greatest win before this, but this beats that," said Suljovic, speaking through a translator.

"Gary is one of the best players in the world and the World Champion, so I was very nervous at the end on the checkouts to beat him. I had to stay calm and concentrate and I did that, and I'm so happy right now."

The defeat ended Anderson's hopes of claiming a fourth major title inside 12 months, and he admitted: "I had no rhythm - it wasn't my kind of game.

"He banged in the 180s and took the shots out when he needed to. He played well and did the job but I think I spent more time standing behind him than I did playing darts and I didn't know whether to play fast or slow.

"I've been enjoying my darts and it's a shame when I get up there and don't enjoy a game but I'm still trying to win and I'm really looking forward to Australia now."

Suljovic now faces 2007 World Matchplay champion Wade in Friday's quarter-finals, after the left-hander overcame Brendan Dolan 13-8 to extend his amazing record of reaching at least the quarter-finals in every visit to the Winter Gardens since his debut in 2006.

After taking out 148 in winning the opening three legs without reply and a 13-darter to move 4-1 up, Wade would never trail in a typically clinical and consistent display.

Dolan took the sixth leg, but Wade hit tops and then broke on double four to move 6-2 up and defied a 64 finish from the Northern Irish ace with back-to-back legs to take an 8-3 cushion.

Dolan cut that gap to two legs in his best spell of the match as three successive legs included a marvellous 170 checkout, but Wade's 105 to respond saw the fightback stopped in its tracks.

Wade then finished a 14-darter on tops and took out 150 for an 11-6 advantage, with a 14-dart leg from Dolan then bettered by a 13-dart finish from Wade as he moved to the brink of victory.

Tops kept Dolan in the game, but his rally was brief as Wade landed his trusted double top to seal his place in the last eight for a tenth successive World Matchplay.

"The scoreline was close but it could easily have gone Brendan's way," said Wade.

"I was expecting Brendan to play at a different level and hit the 180s at the wrong time for me, and he didn't. I wanted to play a little bit better than I did, but I did enough.

"I didn't really get going but the 105 finish was the best three darts I threw in the game."

Wade added: "Mensur is almost fearless. If you put him on a three-dart finish with one dart at a double and he's very similar to me - give him one dart at a double and he'll hit it.

"I think he's just starting to bloom into the player that he can be."

Reigning World Matchplay champion Taylor remains on course to claim his eighth successive, and 16th overall, World Matchplay title following a rollercoaster 13-6 win over Stoke rival Hamilton.

However, the game was almost crowned with Taylor's third Winter Gardens nine-darter as the Stoke legend began the fourth leg with two 180s and then hit a seventh treble 20 and the treble 19 on the 141 combination.

Unlike his quarter-final against Chris Mason in 2002 and last year's second round against Michael Smith, Taylor this time pulled his dart at double 12 inside his intended target - and went on to lose the leg as Hamilton finished an 11-darter of his own.

That squared the contest at two-all, despite Taylor having opened with an 11-dart finish as he led 2-0, though the world number two responded to win four legs without reply in 15, 15, 13 and 13 darts to move 6-2 up.

Two misses at double 16 in the ninth leg, though, allowed Hamilton to hit back and the two-time Blackpool semi-finalist then took the next three to level the contest at six-all as Taylor suffered further double trouble.

The 13th leg, though, proved decisive as Hamilton missed three darts at doubles across two visits to move in front, allowing Taylor to post a third-dart double six to move 7-6 up.

Legs of 13 and 11 darts moved him clear and he followed up a double 16 finish with another 11-darter to lead 11-6, before hitting double 16 and double ten to take the run to seven successive legs in sealing his quarter-final place.

"It was an up and down game to be honest, and missing the nine-darter knocked me off my stride," conceded Taylor. "I was so confident of hitting the double 12 that it put me off!

"I started feeling sorry for myself and he came back to six-all, and I had to knuckle down and get on with the job.

"I'm getting there; my practising is brilliant, I'm doing everything right and it's coming together. My darts are going all around the wires at times, but we'll get there, trust me."

Taylor now takes on Chisnall in Friday's quarter-finals in a repeat of the 2013 World Grand Prix and 2014 Grand Slam of Darts finals, with the St Helens ace having edged out World Youth Champion Keegan Brown 13-11 in a thriller.

Chisnall started the better, finishing a 14 darter and a 136 checkout to move two legs up before Brown showed his talent with two 180s in a 14-darter as he got off the mark.

Chisnall took the fourth leg to lead 3-1, but the Isle of Wight youngster responded in style by landing 180s in the next three legs to move ahead before finishing double 18 and a 13-darter for a 6-3 cushion.

Chisnall's 88 checkout on the bull was bettered by a 114 finish on the middle double by Brown as he moved 7-4 up, with Chisnall's first 180 coming in the eighth leg as he reduced the gap once again.

Brown finished 82 on tops for an 8-5 cushion, but Chisnall capitalised on missed doubles to claim the next before taking the next four without reply - landing legs of 12 and 11 darts in the process - as he moved back ahead at 10-7.

Brown hit back but was crucially unable to claim the break to draw level as Chisnall added a 13-darter before double four sealed his spot in the last eight for a third successive year.

"It's a very important win for me," said Chisnall. "Keegan's a good player and he got into the lead but I wasn't hitting my scoring and I missed a few doubles, but once I started hitting the 180s his head went down a little bit.

"I seem to panic early in games, but when it's the best of 25 legs you've got more time to get into the game and I always feel like my game will come through in the later stages, and it does."

Chisnall added: "I've played Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals for the last two years and even though I lost I've played really well against him, so it's nice to be playing a different player - even though it's Phil!"

The quarter-finals kick off on Thursday as world number one Michael van Gerwen takes on Stoke's Ian White, with number five seed Peter Wright up against Welshman Gerwyn Price, the former rugby player who is appearing in the last eight of a major event for the first time.

The BetVictor World Matchplay will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland and worldwide through the PDC's series of broadcast partners, as well as through www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers.

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BetVictor World Matchplay
Wednesday July 22
Second Round
Dave Chisnall 13-11 Keegan Brown
James Wade 13-8 Brendan Dolan
Phil Taylor 13-6 Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson 9-13 Mensur Suljovic

Thursday July 23 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright v Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen v Ian White

Friday July 24 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals
James Wade v Mensur Suljovic
Phil Taylor v Dave Chisnall

MATCH INFORMATION
Dave Chisnall v Keegan Brown
1-0 - Chisnall breaks throw in the opening leg by finishing double eight for a 14-dart finish.
2-0 - Chisnall takes out a brilliant 136 finish to double his lead.
2-1 - Brown lands two 180s in a 14-darter as he gets off the mark on double 16.
3-1 - Brown misses three darts at doubles to level across two visits, as Chisnall lands double eight for a third time in the game.
3-2 - Brown fires in his third 180 before posting double 16 to hit back.
3-3 - Brown posts another maximum and escapes with the leg on double eight, with Chisnall missing four darts at doubles to punish his opponent.
3-4 - Brown kicks off with a 180 before landing double three to move ahead for the first time.
3-5 - Chisnall's missed doubles are punished as Brown finishes double 18 to move two legs clear.
3-6 - Double 12 gives Brown a fifth successive leg.
4-6 - Chisnall hits back by taking out 88 on the bull.
4-7 - Brown replies with a bullseye finish of his own, taking out 114 to regain his three-leg lead.
5-7 - Chisnall fires in his first 180 of the game before finishing 70 on double 16 to respond.
5-8 - Brown takes out 82 on tops to hold throw.
6-8 - Chisnall lands a 180 before both players miss doubles in two visits, with the Premier League star eventually claiming the leg on double four.
7-8 - Chisnall breaks to reduce the gap to one leg, hitting his third 180 in four legs before taking out 87 on double 18.
8-8 - Chisnall takes out 16 to level the match.
9-8 - Chisnall regains the lead by landing his fourth maximum and taking out double 16 to break throw.
10-8 - Chisnall this time lands two 180s before finishing double 16 to move two legs ahead.
10-9 - Brown wins his first leg in five, with Chisnall missing tops to finish 115 to allow the youngster in on double ten.
11-9 - Double ten sees Chisnall move two legs away from the win.
11-10 - Brown responds on double ten, but still needs a break of throw to level.
12-10 - Chisnall moves a leg away from victory by finishing double ten.
12-11 - Chisnall opens the leg with a 180, but misses one match dart at tops to allow Brown back in on double 16 to keep the game alive.
13-11 - Chisnall secures victory as he lands double four to move into the quarter-finals with a gritty comeback win.

Match Stats

James Wade v Brendan Dolan
1-0 - Double ten gives Wade the opening leg of the contest.
2-0 - Wade breaks in style, opening with a 171 score before taking out 148 on tops.
3-0 - Wade claims a third successive leg.
3-1 - Dolan finishes 76 on double eight to claim his first leg of the game.
4-1 - Tops gives Wade a three-leg cushion once again.
4-2 - Double two sees Dolan hit back.
5-2 - Wade finishes 64 on tops to move three legs clear.
6-2 - Wade lands a third-dart double four to break throw and take a four-leg cushion.
6-3 - Dolan responds immediately with a break of throw, finishing 64 on double eight.
7-3 - Wade takes out double ten to restore his cushion with another break of throw.
8-3 - Wade finishes 60 on tops to take a five-leg lead.
8-4 - Wade lands a 180 but misses his chance to extend his advantage as Dolan takes the leg.
8-5 - Dolan becomes the first player in this year's event to take out the maximum 170 checkout, bringing the Winter Gardens crowd to its feet.
8-6 - Dolan claims a third successive leg by finishing 56 on tops.
9-6 - Wade halts his rival's fightback with a fine 105 checkout.
10-6 - Double top sees Wade move three legs away from a quarter-final spot.
11-6 - Wade checks out 150 with a spectacular treble 20, bullseye, double top combination.
11-7 - Dolan lands his second 180 of the game before finishing double 16 to hit back.
12-7 - Dolan hits a 174 score to leave 32, but Wade has already left 40 and hits tops for a 13-darter to move to the brink of victory.
12-8 - Wade misses match darts at double top and ten, allowing Dolan in on tops to keep alive his hopes.
13-8 - Wade produces a brilliant 180 to leave 24, and though he initially misses three match darts at double 12, he returns to hit the bed to seal his spot in the last eight.

Match Stats

Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
1-0 - Taylor lands a 180 before finishing 32 for an 11-darter to break throw immediately.
2-0 - Double 16 sees Taylor double his lead.
2-1 - Hamilton takes out 60 on tops to claim his first leg.
2-2 - Taylor misses double 12 for a nine-dart finish - then loses the leg! The reigning champion lands two 180s before landing treble 20 and treble 19 before pulling his dart at double 12 inside the outer ring - and three further misses at double six allow Hamilton to finish 81 for an 11-darter to break throw and level.
3-2 - Taylor takes out 88 on double 14 to regain the lead with a break of throw.
4-2 - Double eight sees Taylor move two legs clear once more.
5-2 - Taylor finishes double 16 for a 13-darter to extend his advantage to three legs.
6-2 - Hamilton misses the bull, and Taylor repeats his double 16 finish to win a fourth straight leg.
6-3 - Taylor misses two darts at double 16, allowing Hamilton a let-off from two earlier missed doubles as he returns to land double one to hit back.
6-4 - Hamilton misses the bull for a 170 checkout, but is able to return and finish double eight to break throw and continue his revival.
6-5 - Double five sees Hamilton reduce the gap to one leg.
6-6 - Taylor's double trouble continues as he is unable to take four chances to win the leg, allowing Hamilton back in on double ten to level the game with his fourth straight leg.
7-6 - Hamilton misses darts at the bull, double eight and double four to move ahead, and Taylor steps in to finish a third-dart double six to regain the edge.
8-6 - Double 18 sees Taylor move back into a two-leg lead.
9-6 - Taylor scores 180, 100 and 180, and though Hamilton fires in a 170 to leave 40, the reigning champion finishes double 16 for an 11-darter to win a third straight leg and break throw.
10-6 - Hamilton misses double nine to break throw, and Taylor steps in on his trusted double 16.
11-6 - Taylor finishes 85 to win his fifth successive leg.
12-6 - Taylor moves a leg away from victory by finishing double 16.
13-6 - Taylor finishes 65 on double ten to seal victory with a run of seven successive legs.

Match Stats

Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic
0-1 - Anderson lands a 180, but Suljovic breaks throw immediately on double eight.
1-1 - The pair trade maximums before Anderson hits tops to level.
2-1 - The World Champion finishes 98 on double 19 to move ahead.
2-2 - Suljovic lands a 177 score before double 16 levels.
2-3 - Anderson sees his chance to edge back ahead slip away as Suljovic punishes him on double 14 with another break of throw.
2-4 - Suljovic takes out 100 with two double tops to move two legs clear.
3-4 - Anderson hits back with a 180 before finishing 70 on double ten.
4-4 - The Scot levels by finishing 81 to break throw.
4-5 - Suljovic hits back immediately with a fine 104 checkout.
4-6 - Anderson misses three darts to level the game, allowing Suljovic back in on double ten.
4-7 - Suljovic hits tops to move three legs clear.
4-8 - Anderson's missed doubles across two visits are punished as Suljovic again steps in on double ten.
5-8 - Double 14 sees Anderson hit back.
5-9 - Anderson opens with a 177, but Suljovic lands a 180 before taking out 76 to regain his four-leg lead.
6-9 - Suljovic misses two darts at double 16, allowing Anderson in to pin double 18 to hit back.
6-10 - Anderson lands a maximum, but the Austrian takes out 50 on double 16 to move four legs clear once more.
7-10 - The roles are reversed as Suljovic lands a maximum before Anderson takes out 87 in two darts to respond.
7-11 - A dramatic leg sees both players land 180s before suffering double trouble, with seven misses from Suljovic being followed by four from Anderson as the Austrian returns on double two to move two legs away from a huge win.
7-12 - Anderson lands his eight 180, but a miss at tops allows Suljovic in to finish double 14 to break throw and move to the brink of an amazing victory.
8-12 - Anderson fires in another maximum before punishing a missed match dart from the Austrian - at double 14 - by taking out tops.
9-12 - Anderson misses further doubles across two visits, but Suljovic sees a further four match darts go begging to allow the Scot back in to finish a third-dart double five to stay in the game.
9-13 - Suljovic takes out double 14 to claim another brilliant win and reach the quarter-finals.

Match Stats

BetVictor World Matchplay
Outright Winner Odds
10/11 Michael van Gerwen
15/8 Phil Taylor
8/1 James Wade
12/1 Peter Wright
14/1 Dave Chisnall
50/1 Ian White
50/1 Mensur Suljovic
80/1 Gerwyn Price
Odds courtesy www.betvictor.com and subject to fluctuation.