2012 Dutch Darts Masters Champion Simon Whitlock got his title defence
off to a fantastic start as he overcame qualifier Darren Johnson 6-1
in his opening encounter, whilst both Adrian Lewis and Wes Newton
averaged over 101, dropping only a leg apiece in victories over Michael
Hurtz and Mark Dudbridge respectively.
An in-form Peter Wright also impressed, landing a 160 checkout as he
came from 3-1 down to defeat former Widnes Vikings rugby league
player John Bowles 6-3.
Paul Nicholson, last year’s Dutch Darts Masters runner-up, began his bid
this time around with a 6-4 win over Peter Hudson, while Gary Anderson
overcame German Andree Welge 6-4 and Jamie Caven enjoyed a 6-2
win against Austrian World Cup ace Maik Langendorf.
John Part was amongst the highest profile casualties, the three-time
World Champion fell victom to a fine performance by Northern Ireland’s
Campbell Jackson, who claimed a 6-3 victory.
Andy Smith became the next seed to fall as he lost out 6-1 to Swindon’s
Mark Cox, whilst another former World Champion, Steve Beaton, went
out to an emerging Northern Irish prospect as he lost 6-4 to Daryl
Gurney.
James Wade made it safely through to the second round with a 6-4
victory over James Richardson, Mark Webster booked his spot with
a deciding leg victory over German qualifier Jyhan Artut and David
Pallett enjoyed a 6-4 victory over Mark Walsh.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
World Number 9 Justin Pipe was eliminated in a deciding leg by Finland’s
Jarkko Komula, and a quartet of players from Northern Ireland through
to the second round was completed by Brendan Dolan and Michael
Mansell, with the pair claiming victories over qualifiers Davyd Venken
and Tonci Restovic respectively.
Dave Chisnall, another European Tour winner this year, began his bid
for another title with a whitewash of German teenager Max Hopp,
while Kevin Painter, Ronnie Baxter and Ian White dropped only one leg
in their victories.
Joe Cullen knocked out Terry Jenkins with a 6-1 scoreline, with Michael
Barnard and Mervyn King were 6-3 winners against Dan Russell and
Stuart Kellett respectively.
The second round line-up was completed by Wolverhampton’s Wayne
Jones who overcame Paul Barham to progress to the second day of the
£100,000 event.
Second Round
World Number 3 Adrian Lewis also fell in the second round, as fellow
Stoke-based thrower Andy Hamilton hit back from 4-2 down to secure
victory over the double World Champion.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
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