Second Round
Michael van Gerwen was without doubt the star of the second round, the Dutchman averaged nearly 110 as he whitewashed Colin Osborne in only thirteen minutes.
Photo: Mike Glover/UK Darts Magazine
Van Gerwen hit three 180s and a 116 finish as he took the opening four legs without reply, he then took out 96 to win a fifth leg before landing two more maximums in an 11-darter to complete a comprehensive win. Andy Hamilton too produced some impressive form as he sailed past home nation favourite Jyhan Artut, indeed the German was forced to land a 146 checkout to get his only leg of the match on the board as he slumped to a 6-1 defeat at the hands of ‘The Hammer’. Simon Whitlock was busy living up to his billing as the number two seed for the event, and he too progressed to the third round without too much difficulty. The Australian dropped only one leg as he raced to a 6-1 victory over Mark Dudbridge. Daryl Gurney was competing in his first European Tour event, but if he was nervous it didn’t show as he secured a 6-3 victory over the experienced Ronnie Baxter. Justin Pipe and Kevin Painter too were showing signs of coming into form at the right time, the former inflicted a 6-1 defeat on Dennis Smith, whilst the latter produced a fine display to eliminate Wes Newton. Dave Chisnall was still busy doing things the hard way, not only did he require a second last leg decider of the weekend to overcome Arron Monk he also had to produce a comeback from 5-3 down to force that deciding leg. In the end though experience told and Chisnall made it safely through to the second round. Chisnall’s reward for his fightback was to be a third round encounter with Paul Nicholson after the Australian landed an 11-darter and two 13-darters on his way to a 6-2 victory over Matthew Edgar. Two experienced hands in the form of Andy Smith and Steve Beaton also booked their places in the third round after victories over Darren Webster and Mervyn King respectively, meanwhile Peter Wright continued his excellent progress with a 6-3 defeat of German qualifier Michael Hurtz. Terry Jenkins slumped to a defeat at the hands of a resurgent Jelle Klaasen and Steve Brown impressed with a 6-2 win over Ian White. One of the more impressive displays of the round was that of Richie Burnett, ‘The Prince of Wales’ coming
“I was in the zone, my finishes were good and I took my chances”
Andy Hamilton