Deadly Dean Winstanley equalled the tournament's highest checkout of 160 en-route to an impressive 3-1 victory over Dutch qualifier Joey ten Berge.
Sporting a colourful red and white shirt with a striking dartboard motif emblazoned across the front and the white rose of Yorkshire on his sleeve, last year's runner-up and third seed needed just 41 minutes to dash the hopes of the talented 26-year-old.
The South Yorkshire player signalled his title intentions, annexing the opening leg against the throw, defending it in the next and then firing in a spectacular set-winning 160 checkout – two treble 20s and a faultless double tops finish for a 1-0 match lead after just seven minutes play.
Winstanley waded in to take the opening two legs of the next set, narrowly missing double tops for a 120 checkout. He missed bull for 125 in the next plus further darts for double 15 as Ten Berge finished off 60 with double tops. A 180 steered the Dutchman to the fourth who followed up with a further maximum in the fifth leg, the third seed holding his nerve to edge into a 2-0 match lead with double five.
The Doncaster sharpshooter took the opening leg of the third set against the throw helped with a 180, another maximum giving him a 2-1 set lead, notching a third 180 in the fourth leg but failing to clinch a match-winning 66 checkout with double tops. Ten Berg swooped to clinch the set.
Winstanley took the opening leg of the fourth set with the throw, Ten Berg blazing back with a 12 darter after narrowly missing back-to-back 180s. Winstanley notched double five as the Dutchman failed to pressurise. the shot.
The third seed missed double tops for a further match-winning attempt, Ten Berge pouncing to finish off 45 with double 16 but the big scores deserted him the next as the South Yorkshire sharpshooter booked his place in the last 16 with double 18
