HOME | Global | Tournaments | Sport | Who is Who | Miscellaneous |

WHITLOCK EDGES PAST HUYBRECHTS IN PARTYPOKER.NET EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER

SIMON WHITLOCK began the defence of his partypoker.net European Championship title with a thrilling 6-4 win over Kim Huybrechts as four-time champion Phil Taylor was also victorious on the opening night of the 200,000 pound tournament in Germany.

Whitlock had claimed his maiden major title last September when he took victory at the RWE Sporthalle, and having defeated Huybrechts in the semi-finals of that event he overcame the Belgian once again as he sealed a second round spot on Thursday night.
The Australian cruised into a 4-1 lead, but missed four darts at double ten to win a fifth leg as Huybrechts seized the initiative by winning the next three legs to level.
However, the Belgian crucially missed three darts at doubles to take the lead in the ninth, as Whitlock posted a key double nine to move 5-4 up before sealing the victory with a superb 110 checkout.

"It was probably the toughest draw I could have got in the first round because Kim's one of the best players in the world at the moment, and it was a fantastic match," said Whitlock. "Kim missed his doubles in the ninth leg and gave me my chance, and I took it. I felt as though I had to hit the 110 in that tenth leg and it was massive for me - I'd missed a couple of doubles early on but I made up for it in the leg that mattered! To get through a tough match like that will do me the world of good and it gives me loads of confidence going into the rest of the tournament. I felt a little bit of pressure coming back as defending champion but I'm feeling pretty comfortable on that stage and can't wait for the second round on Saturday now."
The second round will see Whitlock take on Colin Lloyd, who impressed with a 100 average and three 13-darters as he overcame in-form Peter Wright 6-4, sealing the victory with a 116 finish.

World Champion Phil Taylor, who won this event four times from 2008-2011, opened his bid to reclaim the title with a 6-3 win over Dutch ace Vincent van der Voort.
Taylor took the game's first three legs before van der Voort hit back with a brace, but the number one seed regained his range on doubles to move 5-2 up and, despite his opponent hitting two 180s as he tried to keep the game alive, an 88 finish saw the Stoke star into the last 16.

"I'm pleased to be through because it was a tough test for me," said Taylor. "You're always on edge in the first round because it's a short format and I know what Vincent van do if you give him a chance. I started off quite well but it was a little bit scrappy in places. I know I can relax a bit more in the second round because the format's longer, which will suit us all."
Taylor will face Ronny Huybrechts - the older brother of Kim - in the last 16 on Saturday evening, after the Belgian kicked off the tournament with a 6-3 defeat of Stuart Kellett, averaging almost 101 in a fine debut in the event.

Jamie Caven produced the night's most impressive performance with a sensational 6-0 whitewash of Dave Chisnall, hitting two 180s, a 118 finish and averaging over 106 as he stormed into the second round.
Caven, who kick-started his career with a Players Championship double in Wigan in May, now plays James Wade and said: "I'm very pleased and it was probably my best performance on TV.

"I've got a pretty good record against Dave and the pace of the game was perfect for me, and I really enjoy the match. I've practised well and was ready for that, and the important thing was getting to six first, whether that was 6-5 or 6-0!"

Wade, meanwhile, dropped only two legs in a clinical win over fellow left-hander Mark Webster, who stepped in to play in the tournament on Wednesday after Gary Anderson was ruled out through illness but was unable to upset the world number four.
Wade took the game's first three legs without reply, and eventually sealed victory with a 96 finish as he progressed to the last 16.

"I'm really happy to have won but it was a hard game for me," said Wade. "It was tough for Mark to come in at short notice but I had to go up there and do my job, and to get the win was the main thing."

Scotland's Robert Thornton defied the pain of a pulled muscle in his back to see off Brendan Dolan 6-2 as he set up a second round date with Raymond van Barneveld, the number eight seed.
"I pulled a muscle between my shoulder blades but I knew I had a job to do and I went up there and fought hard," said Thornton. "Brendan's a hard player to play against, but he missed a few doubles and I took advantage."

Van Barneveld, meanwhile, marked his return to action with a 6-1 victory over Germany's Tomas Seyler, who was punished for missing a string of doubles against the Dutch star, who has not played competitively since the UK Open having enjoyed a break in Las Vegas but kicked off the game with a 156 checkout.

The first round will conclude on Friday night in Muelheim with the remaining eight matches,

Statistics

Contact

© Global Darts. All Rights Reserved.

Impressum