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.
