Day 3 darts review: White and The Wizard ousted by young-guns

Kim Viljanen 2-1 Sven Groen (2-3, 2-3, 3-0)

Part of a crop of promising Dutch youth, Groen’s strong and consistent finishing initially stood out next to Finn Viljanen, as he took out 110 to storm ahead in sets.

It was a high quality preliminary rumble, but calculated, calm Viljanen fought back to go into the driving seat for the decider and ultimately took the match with double 16, as it proved to be a steep learning curve for Ally Pally debutant Groen.

Steve Beaton 3-0 Koha Kokiri (3-2, 3-1, 3-2)

The Kiwi promised to prove a sticky opponent for veteran pro Beaton on Ladies Day, as The Bronzed Adonis continually found himself playing catch-up in the early exchanges. Kokiri came within an agonising inch of claiming first set bragging rights, but Beaton pulled it out of the bag to snatch it on tops and set himself up nicely for a second.

Revived after the break with 121 on the bull, Beaton quashed The Kiwi’s resistance to make it 2-0, and kept up his ruthless scoring streak to pull out into a strong lead as Kokiri began to stumble. Eventually finishing fantastically on 164 for a 3-0 whitewashing, the tanned Englishman deserved a rare televised win, but The Kiwi was unlucky to go home empty-handed.

Finishing with style!! A HUGE 164 finish for @stevebeaton180 https://t.co/fKTQahDGUf

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2015

Ian White 1-3 Dimitri van den Bergh (3-2, 1-3, 0-3, 2-3)

Diamond dazzled with a dozen-dart leg to go ahead, despite fledgling Belgian thrower Van den Bergh’s delightful dancing walk-on. The Dreammaker was not to be put off, and gave White a real scare, but missed four darts as experience eventually won out for first blood.

Van den Bergh (a 50/1 outsider to win quarter 1) brought his best darts to level sets, before breezing ahead of a ruffled White, to whitewash in the third. Diamond’s averages fell dramatically under unceasing pressure, as The Dreammaker took a deep breath before taking double 16 for the match, his debut in the tournament.

“I am a top 16 player NOW!” – the young van den Bergh is FULL of confidence….and dance moves…as he progresses https://t.co/FBj6WXDMkf — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2015

Kevin Painter 3-0 Kim Viljanen (3-0, 3-1, 3-1)

Painter expertly brushed aside Viljanen for the opening set, clocking-up three 180s before snatching double 16 to go 2-0 up as his Finnish opponent struggled to stay in the game.

“BOOM!” @OfficialKP180 seals the win and we will see him after Xmas. How far can the veteran go this year? #WHDarts https://t.co/oYEyzyFJfG

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2015

The Artist truly made the board his canvas, making it three set in a row without reply as he hit double five to finish the game. Dauntingly, Phil Taylor may await after Christmas.

Evening session

Keita Ono 2-0 Alex Tagarao (3-0, 3-1)

Looking like a well-coiffed J-Rock star, Tokyo-born tungsten talent Ono took to the Ally Pally stage impressively, with his snappy shots putting Filipino thrower Tagarao firmly in the shade.

The Samurai struck quickly and ruthlessly to snare the opening set, though Tagarao took his first chance at doubles to get back in the game, but blew a try at tops to go two legs ahead, leaving the door open for his East Asian opponent to smoothly speed in front. Soft-tip champion Ono then piled on the pressure, hitting double tops to secure a return versus Taylor.

Simon Whitlock 2-3 Ricky Evans (3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 2-3, 4-6)

Englishman Evans lived up to nickname Rapid as he was quick out of the blocks, but Whitlock weaved his magic with two magnificent 180s to ensure he took first set spoils. There was further wizardry, as the pair tremendously went toe-to-toe, with Whitlock scoring superbly and The Rapid staying with him all the way.

Eventually, The Wizard went two sets clear, but missed two darts for the match, allowing Evans another opportunity to jostle for a deciding leg, which he clinched.

It proved a turning point in a tussle full of twists, as Evens drew even after Whitlock made a hash of two chances to take the bull. It was a trend that continued; everything The Wizard could do, Evans could equal. Something had to give and it did, as Evans blew a 132 checkout despite striking two brilliant bulls, but responded with grit to take it to tie-break.

This thriller went all the way to the wire, with Whitlock stunned as Rapid smashed home two treble 20s and a double five for a famous win.

Vincent van der Voort 3-0 Loz Ryder (3-1, 3-0, 3-1)

The Dutch Destroyer unleashed a whirlwind of fizzing darts with his famous fast throwing style, and his barrage caught Ryder on the hop, to allow Van der Voort to pocket the opening set with relative ease.

Once Van der Voort got a grip on the game he never looked back, dispatching on double 16 to go 2-0 up, before settling the third in similar style and leaving Loz floundering in his wake after putting just a single leg on the board.

WINNER! @VvdV180 is through to the second round with victory over Laurence Ryder. #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/2OH29WSzrU

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2015

Phil Taylor 3-0 Keita Ono (3-1, 3-0, 3-0)

Taylor could not have failed to register the king’s welcome he received at the Ally Pally, and the 16-time world champion took the first set with a little huff and puff, as The Samurai managed to at least deliver a one leg blow.

Still, The Power was apparently bedding in new darts, and grew into the game accordingly, striking those all too familiar deadly doubles to coolly school his young Japanese opponent and complete a whitewash in the second set. Not too shabby, but fans had to wait until the third set to see some of that old magic, as Taylor took a leg with a wonderful 167 checkout, followed up by his first maximum and eventual victory to nil.

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