Tokyo Darts Masters - Day 2

Schedule and Results - Quarterfinals
Gary Anderson 8:3 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Lewis 8:6 Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen 8:6 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 8:7 Phil Taylor


Schedule and Results - Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson 8:5 Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen 8:3 James Wade
Final
Gary Anderson 8:6 Michael van Gerwen

ANDERSON BEATS VAN GERWEN TO CLAIM THIRD WORLD SERIES TITLE OF 2016
WORLD CHAMPION Gary Anderson backed up his PDC World Series of Darts wins in Dubai and Auckland by claiming the Zipang Casino Tokyo Darts Masters title with an 8-6 defeat of Michael van Gerwen in Thursday's final. The triumph was Anderson's third win from four World Series events this year, with the other going to van Gerwen in Shanghai a fortnight ago before the pair progressed to meet in the decider at Tokyo's Yoyogi Olympic Hall.

Anderson and van Gerwen put on a thrilling show for the enthusiastic Japanese crowd, with men averaging over 100 in a match that went with the throw until the 11th leg, including a 161 checkout from the Scot. That key first break in leg 11 saw Anderson hit tops to move ahead of van Gerwen, and the Scot backed that up with a hold of throw to make the score 7-5. Van Gerwen, who was looking to make it back-to-back World Series titles, took the score to 7-6 and had two darts at double 16 to take the match to a deciding leg, only to see Anderson take out 108 on tops to claim the victory.

Anderson had begun the evening with a very impressive 8-3 quarter-final win over Raymond van Barneveld, averaging 103 and hitting almost 60 percent of his attempt at a double as he led from the first leg to the last.
He then moved into the final with an 8-5 victory over Adrian Lewis in a repeat of their final in Auckland last month. World Champion Anderson lost the opening two legs before stringing together a run of six in a row as he put distance between himself and Lewis. Lewis battled to get back into the match, but Anderson was too strong as he ended the contest with an average of 104.71.

The win sees Anderson continue his fine international form ahead of his return to the UK to take part in the forthcoming BetVictor World Matchplay in Blackpool. "It's great to win here," said the Scot. "I was really impressed with the Japanese guys this year, they're getting better and better. "The win gives me confidence, and I'm looking forward to going home to relax and prepare for Blackpool, which should be a cracking tournament."

Van Gerwen had faced a tough test from Dave Chisnall in his quarter-final, but averaged almost 102 to see off a strong challenge from his rival in one of the games of the tournament. Chisnall hit six doubles from eight attempts and led 6-4, but van Gerwen strung together four legs in a row, with the aid of some heavy scoring, to take the tie away from the Englishman.
Van Gerwen then secured his place in the final with a comfortable 8-3 win over James Wade in their repeat of the Shanghai Darts Masters final, which also saw the Dutchman win by the same margin. The world number one hit over 60 percent of his double attempts and two 180s as he led from the first leg onwards, but he was unable to repeat the success in the final despite another strong performance.

"I had two chances to break his throw, but well played to Gary who was stronger tonight," said the world number one. "That 108 from Gary at the end was special, but I'll get ready for the World Matchplay now because it's been a long tour for us."

In the evening's other quarter-finals, Lewis overcame Peter Wright with a narrow 8-6 triumph.
The pair traded breaks throughout the match, but a 132 checkout on the bull from Lewis at 6-5 swung the game in his favour, and he admitted: "That was a massive moment. I hit the 25 and didn't fancy it at all - when the treble 19 went in I fancied it even less but I moved across and in it went!"

Reigning champion Phil Taylor was also knocked out in the quarter-finals, as he and Wade produced a classic on the Tokyo stage, with the left-hander claiming a dramatic 8-7 win despite never leading the match until he sunk the winning double in the deciding leg of a game where both players averaged over 100.

The PDC World Series of Darts continues next month when the players travel to Australia for back-to-back tournaments, with the Ladbrokes Sydney Darts Masters being held at The Star Casino from August 18-20 before the TABtouch Perth Darts Masters takes place at the PCEC from August 25-27.

"I'm really pleased," said Anderson. "I started off well but went to sleep on the doubles - I was scoring well and the doubles came good at the end. I'm happy with this win - I played well last night and played okay tonight but it's a different day tomorrow and hopefully it comes together. Barney's playing well so I know what I've got to do and I'm looking forward to it."

Van Barneveld, the 2015 runner-up, continued his impressive run in Auckland as he followed up Friday's win over New Zealand number one Cody Harris with a 101 average as he overcame Dave Chisnall 10-5 to set up a semi-final with Anderson. The Dutchman broke in the game's opening leg and pulled clear in mid-game with a four-leg burst to move from 5-4 up to 9-4, with a 12-darter from Chisnall seeing him respond before van Barneveld hit a fourth 180 and a 96 finish as he sealed the win.

"Last year was great getting to the final and I'd love to do even better and win tomorrow, but it will be hard because this is the best players in the world," said van Barneveld. "My darts are going fantastic, the trebles and doubles are going well. It's going well for me so far, I'm feeling confident and energised and I know what I can do."





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