Flying Dutchman at the Pally

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Raymond van Barneveld came back from the brink to beat Michael Smith and reach the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship.

Van Barneveld, who won the last of his five world titles in 2007, lost the first three sets and was 2-0 down in the decider but won four legs in a row to set up a last-four clash with Adrian Lewis.

Smith won the opening set on a deciding leg after Van Barneveld had missed the bull on a 170 checkout.

The Dutchman won only one leg in the next two sets but stormed back to lead 4-3 as Smith’s early confidence drained away. However, the 25-year-old from St Helens was not finished and won the eighth set against the throw before opening up what appeared a decisive 2-0 lead in the decider with a 130 checkout.

He had one dart at double top for the match in the next leg but missed it and did not get another chance as Van Barneveld showed all his experience to clinch an unlikely victory.

The 48-year-old, who beat the favourite for the title, Michael van Gerwen, in the previous round, told Sky Sports: “He hit so many good finishes. When I was 3-0 down it felt like it wasn’t going to happen.

“I blew it on my own throw and at 2-0 down [in the deciding set] I was thinking, ‘Here we go again.’ I kept believing and made some really crucial doubles.

“I can’t describe how happy I am. It could be my year. It’s all about belief and about fighting back.”

Lewis dropped his first sets of the tournament against Peter Wright but ran out a 5-2 winner. Wright had one dart at double top to pull it back to 4-3 but missed it, allowing the No5 seed to secure his passage through to the next round.

The defending champion, Gary Anderson, is again in great form and was agonisingly close to a nine-dart finish in a 5-1 victory over James Wade.

The Scot threw eight perfect darts in the second leg of the second set but missed his attempt at double 12. It was the only disappointment for Anderson in a dominant performance. After sealing his progression to the last four, he said: “It’s going all right so far and I’m happy. I’ve felt comfortable and confident ever since I got the first game out of the way. It was a good performance, although it would have been nice to have hit the nine-darter – but I’m sure that there will be one or two before the end of the tournament.”

Alan Norris was also a double 12 away from a nine-dart finish in his match with Jelle Klaasen but, unlike Anderson, did not have a victory to celebrate.

Norris led 4-3 but Klaasen won the final two sets as he followed up his victory over Phil Taylor by booking a semi-final meeting with Anderson.

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Barneveld Beats van Gerwen

Raymond van Barneveld beat the world No1, Michael van Gerwen, 4-3 in a thrilling match at Alexandra Palace to reach the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship.

In a classic and dramatic affair between the two Dutchmen Van Gerwen won a competitive opening set with a powerful display before watching Van Barneveld level by winning the second as both averaged over 104.

Van Gerwen levelled again after Van Barneveld took a 2-1 lead, before once more falling behind.

Throwing a 121 checkout, with Van Barneveld on three match darts, Van Gerwen made it 3-3 under intense pressure, before his rival eventually secured victory. Van Gerwen’s average of 105.78 is the highest ever for a loser in the event. Van Barneveld will next meet Michael Smith.

Gary Anderson had earlier won 4-0 against Vincent van der Voort to progress to a quarter-final fixture against James Wade. The Scot dropped only one leg in a dominant performance.

Adrian Lewis secured a similarly one-sided victory, also winning 4-0, against Mensur Suljovic. Lewis is yet to drop a set and lost only four legs against Suljovic. He will meet Peter Wright or Dave Chisnall on Friday.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon Wade continued his pursuit of a first final at Alexandra Palace with a 4-1 defeat of Jamie Caven.

Having convincingly won his first set, Wade allowed Caven to level at 1-1 in the second before rediscovering improved form thereafter to secure his spot in the quarter-finals.

Smith had been far more impressive. In one of the competition’s most one-sided contests he overcame Benito van de Pas 4-0.

Jelle Klaasen also won, outlasting Mervyn King 4-2 in the day’s first contest, concluding the final session of the second round.

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Barney Beats Bunting at Palace

Former winner Raymond van Barneveld is through to the last-16 at the World Darts Championship after beating Stephen Bunting 4-3 in an absolutely enthralling Alexandra Palace encounter.

Bunting hit 15 maximums in a brilliant display but still could not see off Van Barneveld, who eventually hit double-top to win in extra legs, having taken out five ton-plus checkouts in the match.

After Bunting won the first set, Van Barneveld romped through the second 3-0 to level things up.

Bunting was unfazed though and he reeled off three legs in a row to move into a 2-1 lead, only to be pegged back once again as Van Barneveld took out finishes of 121 and 96.

There was a Raymond van Barneveld masterclass at Ally Pally as he hit five hundred-plus checkouts in his 4-3 victory over Stephen Bunting

There was a Raymond van Barneveld masterclass at Ally Pally as he hit five hundred-plus checkouts in his 4-3 victory over Stephen Bunting

The pair had served up a classic in last year's quarter-finals and they were at it again in set five, which Van Barneveld won when he produced a brilliant 12-dart leg to win the decider.

Bunting easily took set six to make it 3-3 however and a thrilling final set then played out, with Van Barneveld hitting a massive 71 checkout under huge pressure at one point.

The set reached 2-2 and, after narrowly holding throw, Van Barneveld clinched victory when Bunting finally faltered in the sixth leg of a tremendous final set.

The pair sportingly embraced at the end of what will unquestionably go down as one of the best darts matches of the year.

Van Barneveld said: "I'm the lucky one tonight, I think Stephen should have won.

"I was so tired, maybe this belly is still full from Christmas. I tried to keep on going. He played well but I could have played a lot better than this and I'm lucky."

Bunting was gracious in defeat and added: "It was a fantastic game again, we always have really good games, and now I hope he goes all the way and goes on to win it."

Van Barneveld will play his countryman Michael van Gerwen in the next round, after the world No 1 rocked his way to straight sets victory over Darren Webster in the final game of the night.

Van Gerwen averaged 109.23 - the fourth highest in World Championship history - hit four ton-plus checkouts and six maximums to book his spot in round three in just 17 minutes.

Things were also straightforward for James Wade on night nine of the tournament as he eased past Wes Newton in straight sets.

The Machine has been tipped for a shot at the title this year under the mentorship of darts great Eric Bristow and the Aldershot thrower made light work of an out-of-sorts Newton, who averaged just 84.89 to Wade's 92.84, only managing 12 ton plus scores to Wade's 21.

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Thornton Overpowers Taylor in Final

Scotland's Robert Thornton shocked Phil Taylor 11-5 in the final of the Speedy Services UK Open in Bolton to win his first major title.

The 15-time world champion was attempting to win his fifth UK Open title but he had no answers to the rampant Scotsman in a one-sided final.

Taylor led 2-0 in the best-of-21 leg final but the wheels came off his challenge in the third leg as he missed 10 darts at a double and Thornton hit double one to get on the board.

The Stoke veteran steadied the ship to lead 3-2, but from there on it was almost all one-way traffic.

Thornton hit double top to break and lead 4-3, then took out 106 to lead 5-3. That quickly became 9-3 as Taylor continued to wobble on the finishes as Thornton took ruthless advantage.

Taylor did manage to win the 13th leg but Thornton continued to hold with ease and at 10-5 he hit a 121 checkout with a bullseye finish to take the title.

He also wins £40,000 and a place in the Grand Slam of Darts.

"I'm very proud," Thornton told Sky Sports. "My kids are going to be up jumping all over the place.

"To just get to the final, I was happy enough. To win it... it's just unbelievable."

Taylor added: "He caned me to be honest with you, and I think he deserved it."

Earlier, Taylor had wasted little time seeing off Denis Ovens in the semi-finals.

Taylor raced into a 7-0 lead and although Ovens briefly rallied, he closed out the match 10-2.

Thornton's semi against Dave Chisnall was a closer affair as the match went with the darts for the first five legs.

But Thornton moved 5-2 ahead and never looked likely to be caught, eventually winning 10-4.

Taylor Sponsors Dart Talent

Fifteen-time world champion Phil Taylor is to pay for 16 aspiring darts players of all ages and abilities to compete for places on the professional circuit.

His Team Taylor scheme will see the players sent to the Professional Darts Players Association Qualifying School.

“I'll know as soon as I see them. It is like a young kid kicking a football around in the street, you can see if they have the ability”Phil Taylor

They will be selected from competitions and regional finals to be held in Rileys clubs across the UK.

"It could be anybody. There will be 16 qualifiers that go through to Q School," Taylor said.

"Let's hope that in that number is the next up and coming player."

The sport's popularity is at an all-time high and Taylor is keen to take advantage of the situation.

The 51-year-old is encouraging people of all ages to take part and thinks the next star of the sport might never have played before.

He added: "We are looking for someone who is like a sponge, so to speak, in that they soak up information and advice and we can help develop them.

"It doesn't matter what age they are or what their ability is.

"I'll know as soon as I see them. It is like a young kid kicking a football around in the street, you can see if they have the ability.

"The aim is to help them develop the talent they have."

Jocky Wilson 1950 - 2012

Former world darts champion John Thomas Wilson has died at the age of 62.

Wilson, who won world titles in 1982 and 1989, had recently been suffering with a lung disorder and died at home in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

The Scotsman was rarely seen in public having retired from the sport in 1996.

A statement on the official Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Twitter page read: 'We are very saddened to hear of the death of former World Champion Jocky Wilson. Simply devastated. #RIPJocky'

Wilson turned professional in 1979 and enjoyed a stellar career through to his retirement in 1996.

He reached at least the quarter-finals of every World Championship between 1979 and 1991 and was a four-time British champion between 1981 and 1988 and a three-time Scottish Masters champion.

Wilson's career saw him challenge Englishman Eric Bristow and John Lowe for the sport's major honours before his retirement.

His first victory in the World Championship came in 1982 when he beat Lowe 5-3 in the final.

Seven years later, he beat his other great rival Bristow 6-4, in a match where the 'Crafty Cockney' had recovered from 5-0 down to find himself at 5-4 and 2-2 in the tenth set. Fellow stars from the world of darts paid tribute to Wilson.

He was a founding member of the Professional Darts Corporation, established in 1993.

Two time World Championship runner-up Bobby George wrote on his Twitter page: 'Farewell John Thomas (Jocky) Wilson. We had some great times together will never forget you and your toothless grin! Great £darts #legend'

Current PDC star Wayne Mardle Tweeted: 'Jocky Wilson the darting legend has passed away. What a character, I loved watching him play'

Wilson was Scotland's first darts world champion but in 1996 he withdrew into a council flat aged 45 and admitted: 'I'm all washed up and finished with darts.'

Within two years, he was declared bankrupt, and was forced to survived on disability allowance, living as a recluse in a one-bedroom flat back on the council estate where he grew up.

In 1996 Wilson said: 'I've been let down once or twice in my life, but I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. There's only one person to blame for the situation I'm in, and that's me.'

In an interview with the Observer in 2007, former close friend Jimmy Skirving said: 'You could always rely on him but I can assure you Jocky was taken advantage of. Once he won a holiday and some suitcases. He got home with neither - he sold the holiday for 50 quid and the cases for a tenner.'

Wilson was married to Argentinian-born Malvina, and had three children, a daughter Anne Marie, and two sons John and William.

G'Day in Glasgow for Whitlock

Simon Whitlock silenced a sell-out crowd at Glasgow's SECC with an 8-6 victory over Scotland's Gary Anderson on Week Six of the McCoy's Premier League.

The win moves Australian Whitlock up to second place in the table, however he is once again playing second fiddle to Phil Taylor, who romped to a sixth successive victory.

Taylor averaged 106 en route to a comfortable 8-3 win over Andy Hamilton, however another Stoke thrower props up the table after Adrian Lewis crashed to an 8-6 defeat at the hands of the resurgent James Wade.

The remaining match in Glasgow saw fan-favourite Raymond van Barneveld pick up his second win of the season courtesy of an impressive 8-5 triumph over Kevin Painter.

But it was local player Anderson who the majority of the 8,000-strong crowd wanted to see prevail, however the Scot failed to follow the script as he succumbed to the unflappable Whitlock.

Both players missed chances as the opening two legs went against the darts and Whitlock's profligacy then handed Anderson the third leg and a 2-1 lead.

The next three legs went with the darts - Whitlock nailing a 164 finish in the fourth leg - before the Australian gained the upper hand with what proved to be the match-winning break in the first leg after the interval.

He followed that up with a 105 finish to extend his lead to 5-3 and then comfortably held on as the remaining legs saw no further breaks.

League leader Taylor maintained his unbeaten record in the competition and opened up a four-point lead at the top with a comfortable 8-3 victory over Hamilton.

The world No.1 was not at his record-breaking best although he still averaged 106 and hit 50 per cent of his doubles in the battle of the Stoke throwers.

Taylor captured the opening leg in 13 darts but World Championship runner-up Hamilton levelled with a superb 150 finish before breaking for a surprise 2-1 lead.

Finishes of 60 and 72 put Taylor back in the ascendancy and he nailed his second 13-darter to move 4-2 ahead at the interval.

The first two legs after the restart were shared and Taylor then landed his only 180 of the night on his way to securing the ninth leg.

A break in the 10th leg ended any hopes of a Hamilton comeback and Taylor wrapped up the victory with his highest finish of the night - 104 in the 11th leg.

In-form Wade earlier avenged his World Championship semi-final defeat to Adrian Lewis in the opening match of the night.

The Aldershot-based left-hander let a 5-1 lead slip against the world champion at Alexandra Palace but he was always in command as he secured an 8-5 victory.

The defeat left bottom-of-the-table Lewis still seeking his first win of the tournament, while 2009 champion Wade has now notched three straight victories after losing his first three games.

Dutchman Van Barneveld then capped off an entertaining evening with a 8-5 win over Painter.

The popular Dutchman was roared on by the sell-out crowd at the SECC and took advantage of some crucial misses by the Englishman in a match that featured nine breaks of throw.

The momentum appeared to be with Painter when he landed a superb 157 finish in the fourth leg and followed up with his second break to lead 3-2.

There were two further breaks either side of the interval and Van Barneveld broke again in the eighth leg after Painter had missed the bull for a 130 finish.

Hankey Could Lead BDO Exodus

Ted Hankey could be the first of many players to make the switch from BDO to PDC according to darts supremo Barry Hearn.

The 43-year-old made the decision following his semi-final defeat at Lakeside to Christian Kist.

"I'll miss this place but it's time to move on," he said.

Hearn told BBC Radio 5 live: "I think Hankey and possibly several of the bigger BDO players will join the Q [qualifying] school in a week's time."

He added: "Darts is an exploding sport, there's huge amounts of opportunity, huge amounts of money and there's no surprise these players are making the move."

Fifteen-time world champion Phil Taylor recently urged Hankey to join him on the PDC circuit, saying: "Ted should show some bottle, come over and have a go. We're both Stokies and I want him to come over."

The PDC was first formed in 1992 with just 16 players, there are now over 400.

Hankey is the latest big name player to make the switch, the last one being Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld in 2006, after 15 years on the tour.

The Stoke born player made his debut in the BDO World Championships in 1998, reaching the quarter finals.

His first title came two years later beating Ronnie Baxter 6-0 in the final.

He reached the final again 12 months later, losing to John Walton before winning a second title in 2009 beating Tony O'Shea 7-6.

Hearn predicts that "The Count" will be a big hit.

"He's a big character and he's going to be a big success in the PDC circuit," he said.

"He's got something about him.

"That's the thing about sport these days is that the characters who play the game make it more exciting for the punters to go and watch and of course if they play at the highest level then they're a valuable addition."

PDC v BDO

In 1992, 16 of the world's top players formed a breakaway organisation, the World Darts Council (WDC), but continued to play in the BDO until 1993.

The WDC, later the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), held its own version of the world championship in 1994.

Former BDO world champions who made the switch to the PDC are John Lowe, Eric Bristow, Keith Deller, Bob Anderson, Phil Taylor, Dennis Priestley, John Part, Richie Burnett, Steve Beaton, Raymond van Barneveld, Jelle Klassen and Mark Webster.

Only four players have won both BDO and PDC world titles - Dennis Priestley, Phil Taylor, John Part and Raymond van Barneveld.

Lewis the Winner at Ally Pally

Adrian Lewis retained the PDC World Championship title with a convincing 7-3 win over Andy Hamilton at Alexandra Palace.

There was little to choose between the duo from Stoke in the early stages, but Lewis pulled clear from 4-3 to take his second title.

"I don't think the win has sunk in, it's title number two and I'll have a lot more," said Lewis, 26.

When asked how many times he can win the event, he said: "At least 10."

Hamilton commented: "It's been a great week for me. I wanted to win the final so badly but I'm happy to be here.

"Keep watching me. Next year I'll be back again and hopefully I'll be winning it then."

Lewis, who beat Gary Anderson in the 2011 final, led from the off but was pushed close by his opponent, who was appearing in his first final.

Lewis saw three darts bounce out in the first three legs of the match but hit back from the disappointment to take the first set with a 122 checkout in the fifth leg.

The defending champion hit the first 180 of the match in the second leg of the second set, enabling him to take it against the darts - but Hamilton won the set 3-1 to level the contest at 1-1.

He then began the third set with a maximum before Lewis almost replicated the nine-dart finish he produced in last year's final. On this occasion he missed double 12 - but hit it two darts later.

Lewis was gradually establishing control and soon moved into a 3-2 lead.

Hamilton struggled in the closing stages of the sixth set, with Lewis nailing double 15 to go 4-2 clear.

But the 44-year-old responded, taking the opening leg of the seventh set, winning the second leg against the darts and holding the advantage to win the set and reduce the deficit to 4-3, despite a 180 from Lewis.

That confidence boost was short-lived though, as Lewis dominated set eight, hitting double 11 - the same double which won him the title last year - to win the fourth leg and restore his two-set advantage at 5-3.

Lewis set himself up for another nine-dart finish with successive 180s at the start of the third leg in the ninth but missed the opportunity, although he was able to break after Hamilton had missed double 16.

Hamilton did respond with double eight but Lewis produced a 118 checkout to snatch the set and move to within one of the title.

Hamilton took the first two legs of the 10th set but Lewis won the third and the next against the darts to move close to victory.

Both players started the fifth leg with 180s and after each had missed doubles, Lewis struck double top to wrap up the success.

It was an excellent end to the tournament for Lewis, who had to battle back twice in previous rounds to reach the final.

He was two sets down in the first round before beating Nigel Heydon and he found himself 5-1 down to James Wade in the semi-final before staging an amazing comeback.

Lewis added: "The fightback against James last night won me the tournament. I believed in myself."

Lewis Makes Comeback at PDC

The reigning world champion, Adrian Lewis, produced a remarkable comeback in his PDC World Championship semi-final win over James Wade amid farcical scenes at Alexandra Palace.

Lewis won 10 legs in a row to come from 5-1 down to beat Wade 6-5 and book a final meeting with Andy Hamilton but it looked for such a long time as if his opponent would be going through.

Wade had a dart to win the match in the eighth set but broke down, allowing Lewis in to check out on 98, and the Stoke thrower did not lose a leg after that, whitewashing Wade in the final three sets.

As a backdrop to the drama on stage, there was the sideshow of the players leaving the arena for a 20-minute period early in the game, with both complaining about a breeze.

Wade was 2-0 up at the time and, with Lewis clearly angry at both the conditions and the now customary abuse he was taking from the crowd, he could have been forgiven for attempting to carry on.

He did not, though, and ultimately paid the price as he melted down to allow Lewis in. "That was the best win of my career, definitely," said Lewis afterwards.

"Fair play to James, he could have won that 6-0. I love him to bits and told him this is the start of a rivalry. But that shows why I am world champion."

On his escape from defeat, when Wade slipped wide of double 18, Lewis added: "He had one dart in his hand, he missed double 18 and I knew it was do or die. That shows why I am the champion. There's no reason why I will not retain my title. I am the best in the world."

It was Wade who looked the world's premier player early on, though, as he went 2-0 up. The problems then started, with both men noticing a breeze on stage and Lewis's complaints seeming to carry more weight than his opponent's. They both left the arena, only for Wade to return and practise alone before Lewis could be persuaded to restart.

When they did, Lewis got up and running and got back to 2-1, before Wade stormed ahead and moved to within inches of what would have been a maiden final appearance. He barely missed a double until, in that crucial eighth set, he broke down on 18 chasing a 121 winning checkout.

That allowed Lewis to notch a 98 and he never looked back afterwards, cantering through to a stunning 161 finale.

Earlier in a dramatic day Hamilton won a thrilling semi-final against Simon Whitlock. He took the first set 3-0 and was within a whisker of finishing 124 to take the second but his final dart narrowly missed the bull and a relieved Whitlock took the leg and the set at the fifth time of asking.

Hamilton took the third leg of the third set and added the next to move 2-1 ahead while the next two sets were shared. Hamilton took a 2-0 lead against the throw in the sixth but Whitlock responded well to take the set 3-2 and level the match.

That sparked a surge from the Australian, who extended his winning run to nine legs as he took the next two sets 3-0 to move within a set of victory at 5-3.Hamilton's head had dropped and, needing treble 17 to set up a shot for the next leg, he hit two. Whitlock, however, missed double 10, allowing the Stoke thrower finally to get on the scoreboard again.

It proved pivotal as Hamilton went on to take the set and took a tense third leg en route to winning the 10th to level at 5-5. Whitlock trailed 2-1 in the final set but held his nerve for a 68 finish to take the match to 5-5, 2-2 – meaning a two-leg winning margin was needed to finish the match.

Hamilton went 3-2 ahead and, though Whitlock responded with an immediate 180, an 82 finish took Hamilton into the final. "I'm quite emotional, I'm speechless," he said afterwards. "Simon pushed me so hard, I had to take those check-outs out to win the game. He's an awesome player and with a broken foot as well. There's one game left now and, if I grit my teeth and fight, I could win it."

G'Day for Simon Whitlock

Simon Whitlock withstood a terrific fightback from Michael van Gerwen to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a 4-3 victory over the Dutchman.

Whitlock looked to be cruising to an easy win as he took advantage of an erratic display early on from van Gerwen to pull into a 3-0 lead.

Van Gerwen kicked off the match with a maximum on his first visit but still ended up losing the leg after missing four darts at a double.

That rather summed up his display for the first three sets as he mixed numerous 180s with even more missed doubles allowing the clinical Whitlock to take complete control.

With the darts in the fourth set, the Australian looked poised to close out the match, especially after taking the opening leg.

But van Gerwen suddenly found his form and, after hitting back in the next, he checked out 72 and then 53 to get on the board at 3-1.

That breathed renewed life into the contest as the resurgent Dutchman began to find the accuracy on his doubles to match his heavy scoring.

After taking the last two legs of the fifth set to stay alive, he breezed through the sixth without dropping a leg to level at 3-3 with Whitlock suddenly cutting a fragile figure.

But, having got back on terms, the Dutchman lost his way in the decider after being broken in the opening leg.

Whitlock checked out 96 to move within one of victory and then, after van Gerwen missed a dart at tops to stay alive, took out 52 to get over the line.

"Relief is the biggest thing, Mikey came back at me so well and he played some fantastic darts - I've just got to take my hat off to him," the Australian told Sky Sports afterwards.

Of his broken ankle, he added: "The ankle feels good actually, the pain disappears when you win!

"I believe I can win this tournament now, I'm throwing good darts, you've just got to believe in yourself."

Anderson in a hurry

Gary Anderson conjured a quite sensational display to seal a showdown with Whitlock in the next round as he brushed aside Colin Lloyd 4-1.

The Scot started sluggishly and was rather fortunate to pinch the first set after hitting double-one in the deciding leg.

But he then produced an extraordinary display of darts to double his advantage, producing legs of 11, 12 and then 10 darts to wrap up the set in just 4 minutes and 13 seconds with a three-dart average of 125.5.

His standards slipped in the next as he required a whole 5 minutes and 23 seconds to extend his lead to 3-0, this time averaging 107.

The Scot took the opening leg of the fourth to make it eight legs in a row, but Lloyd showed some character to stop the rot and even fought back to take the set against the darts.

But it proved a temporary reprieve as Anderson rediscovered his flow in the next, taking it three legs to nil to clinch victory and finish with an overall three-dart average of 101.

The Scot said afterwards: "We're warming up now, I struggled the first two games but I think I've woken up so we'll see what happens now. I'm looking forward to it."

Of his clash with Whitlock he added: "He's doing alright for playing on one leg, if it's that sore I'll give it a kick and really see how sore it is!"

Easy for Hamilton

The other match of the evening session was a far less tense affair as Andy Hamilton comprehensively beat Dave Chisnall 4-0.

Chisnall never came close to hitting the heights of his victory over 15-time world champion Phil Taylor in the previous round and departed the tournament with barely a whimper.

Indeed, Chisnall managed just five legs in the entire contest as he was blown away by Hamilton who now meets Belgium's Kim Huybrechts in the last eight.

The decisive moment of the match came in the second set when, having taken out 127 to move two legs to one ahead, Chisnall allowed Hamilton to come from way back to steal the final two legs and the set - the Hammer checking out 120 to ease 2-0 up.

From that point he was always in control and almost closed out the match with a 170 finish only to hit the inner ring with his third dart. But he duly returned a couple of visits later to seal a facile triumph.