Day 10 darts evening session review: Phil Taylor survives scare

Adrian Lewis 4-0 Andrew Gilding (3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 3-0)

Jackpot got off to a barn-storming start with two maximums within minutes, whittling the first leg down to 41, which he then dispatched as part of an electric 11-dart opener.

Ready for this evening session? Up first, @jackpot180 takes on @Goldfinger180. Here’s how the two compare: pic.twitter.com/RR2DhmEAei

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

Lewis continued in that vein, perhaps sending a power scoring message to title rival Michael van Gerwen, after the Dutchman’s own oche extravaganza the night before. The Englishman swept to the first set unopposed in just 41 darts, including a checkout on the bull, as Goldfinger struggled to exert any influence on the game.

Gilding eventually managed to grab a leg in the second set, but it was a mere consolation prize and small annoyance for rampant Jackpot, who galloped on to a 2-0 lead and it was a similar story for the third.

VERY convincing from @jackpot180 as he wins in straight sets. This guy will take some beating in this years #WHDarts https://t.co/ad8G8xMArI

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

Goldfinger continued to be confined to the margins of the match, as Lewis closed in on a fantastic fourth set with some fluid throwing to clinch a last 16 meeting with Mensur Suljovic.

WINNER! @jackpot180 through to the second round with a storming victory over Andrew Gilding. #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/S9wK99H3ZQ

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

Peter Wright 4-0 Ronny Huybrechts (3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)

Dressed rather conservatively for his standards, sporting a luminous yellow Mohawk and black, yellow, grey pattern pants, Snakebite also surged ferociously toward the first leg finish line. Though, the Scot slipped up crucially with three missed darts to allow Huybrechts first blood, indicating it may not all be one-way traffic.

HEAD TO HEAD | Up next, @snakebitewright takes on Ronny Huybrechts. Here’s how the two compare: #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/b3Qcz7yfFt

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

Wright rectified his error in the second leg and, once underway, sped to set spoils, but was still far from his scintillating best. There were promising sparks from Snakebite as he stretched his sets lead, but also palpable frustration from the world number four.

It was much more a case of cruise control for Wright in the last two sets, though The Rebel provided little resistance despite a late rally and, with Dave Chisnall to tackle next, Snakebite (18/1 to win the World Darts Championship) needs to channel his inner venom.

Phil Taylor 4-1 Kevin Painter (1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)

On the trail of his 17th World Championship title, titan Taylor was the recipient of an ecstatic Ally Pally in full song, but overwhelmingly let old foe Painter pinch the first leg.

Phil Taylor enters the Ally Pally stage for the second round… #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/HNz6WZpYqu

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

The Power pulled one back, but confident opponent The Artist edged ahead yet again to put the all-time great under some serious early pressure. Seemingly shell-shocked Taylor’s scoring was all over the place, and eventually he surrendered the first set.

It just got worse after the break for The Power, who was suffering a serious outage, as Painter once again pulled ahead. It took all of Taylor’s tenacity to hit double five and level sets, after scuppering endless chances to kill the deciding leg, but his vital finish turned the tide.

GAME ON! Phil Taylor v Kevin Painter is underway… #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/35A1DtpMod

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

For the first time in the tussle, the decorated dartsman took a lead, checking out on double tops for the first leg, which was then tellingly followed up by a timely couple of 180s.

Another fluffing of lines did allow The Artist a second stroke at the set, but the pair missed an incredible hat-full of chances between them, with The Power winner almost by default.

TAYLOR WINS! @PhilTaylor defeats @OfficialKP180 4-1 to reach the last 16 of this #WHDarts ….again pic.twitter.com/YjnxcNBhnb

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2015

An overdue spark of quality from Taylor meant the final 4-1 scoreline disguised a truly disappointing darting display, and much tougher challenges, in the form of Mervyn King or Jelle Klaasen, await.

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