Already, we have witnessed super shocks, early round battles of titans and even a nine-darter. Read on to find out which stars achieved the above for our preview of the quarter-finals draw on the last day of the major televised event in Minehead…
Jelle Klaasen v Kyle Anderson
The Netherlands’ Klaasen (8/15 favourite with Coral) and Australian Anderson (6/4) are first up on the stage on Sunday afternoon, after they defeated respective tricky opponents Adrian Lewis and Benito van de Pas in the fifth round.
Despite Anderson playing in his first ever major quarter-final, it is the Aussie who actually boasts a 2-1 winning record over 2006 BDO world champion Klaasen, including beating him most recently at UK Open Qualifier last month.
As Snakebite (2/9) still hunts his first-ever major televised title, he’ll be happy to have drawn Bradford-born Cullen (10/3), who has never reached this stage of a premier event. Last year’s runner-up is 9/1 to go all the way this time.
Both have knocked out decent opposition so far, with Wright eliminating veteran trio Steve Beaton, Terry Jenkins and Darren Webster, while Cullen defeated the likes of Alan Norris and Stephen Bunting.
INTERVIEW | A determined Joe Cullen delighted to have reached his first ever TV Quarter-Final. #UKOpenhttps://t.co/Kk4PmDINju
Premier League Scottish thrower Wright has a 4-2 record over The Rockstar, but the Yorkshireman won their last meeting back in 2014. That is unlikely to happen again, however, and Snakebite should see Cullen off for a second time at the UK Open, after doing so in 2011.
Michael van Gerwen v Barry Lynn
A binman by day, the hugely confident Riley qualifier Lynn has arguably been the talk of the tournament, after not only beating but smashing his way past world champion Gary Anderson 9-3 in the fourth round.
He now faces the other man whose name has been on everyone’s lips after his thrilling nine-darter against another qualifier Rob Cross on Saturday afternoon, world number one and title holder Van Gerwen.
NINE DARTER: Here is the video of MVG's 9 darter at the Coral UK Open.
Essex-born Lynn was drawn the Green Machine after stating following his triumph over The Flying Scotsman that the Dutchman was the only man he feared, so it was surely fate that the duo had to meet.
How apt it is, though, that in light of MvG’s perfect leg, Lynn has decided to walk on to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 for the Sunday showdown.
In other likenesses, the famous Austrian composer’s piece of music happened to be a first – the same with Lynn being in unchartered waters – as the piece he wrote was the first ever symphony with vocals parts.
Lynn has certainly looked composed himself, managing a rare 125 checkout (bull, 25, bull) in his victory over Stuart Kellett.
But back to the match itself, if you do fancy another incredible shock win by Lynn, who will take away a career best £10k prize-money at least whatever the result, then take a tempting price of 20/1.
Van Gerwen is the overwhelming odds-on 1/100 favourite for a reason, though, being in unworldly form of late, that has also seen him fire four 170 checkouts this tournament already. He is a more tempting 4/1 price to whitewash the Englishman 10-0, bringing him back down to earth.
Phil Taylor v Mark Webster
In the last battle of the session, two former world champions meet, although one just happens to be the best of them all, Taylor (9/2 title second-favourite).
After a poor 2015 by his standards, The Power has looked back to his best this year, and has dealt with two Dutch giants – Raymond van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort – this UK Open already.
Welshman Webster’s route to this stage has been far more straightforward, with Matthew Edgar, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Mensur Suljovic being his challengers so far.
The Spider (4/1 match shout) has beaten Taylor (1/6) just twice in 21 attempts, and has lost each of their last 13 head-to-heads – the most recent coming in the semis of a UK Open Qualifier in February.
2016 Coral UK Open Sunday schedule and Saturday results
Fourth round results
Benito van de Pas 9-3 Simon Whitlock Peter Wright 9-5 Terry Jenkins Michael van Gerwen 9-5 Rob Cross – MvG hits a nine-darter Phil Taylor 9-3 Raymond van Barneveld Stephen Bunting 9-6 Jamie Caven Vincent van der Voort 9-2 Andy Jenkins Adrian Lewis 9-6 John Henderson Barry Lynn 9-3 Gary Anderson Joe Cullen 9-6 Alan Norris Mark Webster 9-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode Stuart Kellett 9-5 Michael Smith Jelle Klaasen 9-8 Joe Murnan Kim Huybrechts 9-3 Justin Pipe Kyle Anderson 9-2 James Wilson Darren Webster 9-8 Ricky Evans Mensur Suljovic 9-8 Ryan De Vreede
Fifth round results
Joe Cullen 9-7 Stephen Bunting Phil Taylor 9-7 Vincent van der Voort Jelle Klaasen 9-7 Adrian Lewis Michael van Gerwen 9-2 Kim Huybrechts Mark Webster 9-5 Mensur Suljovic Barry Lynn 9-3 Stuart Kellett Peter Wright 9-5 Darren Webster Kyle Anderson 9-2 Benito van de Pas
Sunday quarter-finals (12:45-17:00)
Jelle Klaasen v Kyle Anderson Peter Wright v Joe Cullen Michael van Gerwen v Barry Lynn Phil Taylor v Mark Webster
Sunday evening session (19:00-23:00)
Semi-finals Final
Format
Quarter-finals – Best of 19 legs Semi-finals – Best of 19 legs Final – Best of 21 legs
