Grand Slam of Darts - Report Day 4

WINSTANLEY STUNS WHITLOCK AS WAITES TOPPLES TAYLOR TO PROGRESS
Dean Winstanley produced a superb performance to knock Simon Whitlock out of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Tuesday night as Scott Waites joined Phil Taylor in the last 16 with a win over the reigning champion in their final group match.

Winstanley was in sensational form as he won a second successive game to book his place in the second round of the £400,000 event in dramatic fashion after losing his opening game to Kevin Painter on Saturday. The former Lakeside Championship finalist's 5-1 win over Whitlock, which saw him average 100, knocked the Australian out on leg difference as Painter joined Winstanley in qualifying from Group C.
"It's been a rollercoaster and I showed tonight what I can do," said Winstanley. "I lost my first game and then won my second, and I went up on stage angry inside tonight, and if I can keep that fire I'll be dangerous. "Simon brings the best out of me and I've got so much respect for him and unfortunately for him I got on top of him. I'm really up for this tournament and I want to go up on stage and bring my best darts out."
Painter had defeated World Youth Champion James Hubbard 5-3 in their game earlier in the evening, but was still left facing an anxious wait before his place in the second round was confirmed. Painter will now play Mervyn King in the last 16 on Thursday, after the Norfolk thrower topped Group D with three wins from as many games after overcoming 2010 runner-up James Wade 5-2 in their contest, eliminating the PDC world number three.

"It's a nice feeling to get through after being knocked out in the groups last year," said King. "I feel as though I could have played a lot better in all three games, but it was enough to take care of the opponents that I had to play. "I think there's so much more to give and hopefully the longer I stay in, the more chance there is for me to show my A-game. It's nice to get into the knockout stage now and it's an added incentive for me to turn it up a notch."

King is joined in qualifying from Group D by former World Youth Champion Arron Monk, who won his second game with a 5-1 defeat of Dutchman Jan Dekker to progress to the last 16 for the first time in three years at Wolverhampton.
"To get through is a dream come true," said the 22-year-old. "I got a great result tonight, as I did against James on Saturday, and I'm delighted. "I've got through by not playing my best yet, so it's a bonus and hopefully I'll show my true darts now. When it's first to five you're under pressure, but now I've got more time and can settle in and bring my best darts through."

Meanwhile, 2010 Grand Slam winner Scott Waites caused a huge upset in Group A, producing a thrilling performance to defeat reigning champion Phil Taylor 5-2, averaging 102.77 and hitting a ten-dart leg as he avenged his loss to the Stoke ace in the 2009 final. The win saw Waites, who had lost his opening group game on Saturday to Mark Webster, top Group A on leg difference and means that he now faces Robert Thornton in the last 16.
"It's great to get on that stage and to play Phil Taylor, and to get a result at the end of it is brilliant," said Waites. "I felt quite comfortable and my darts went for me, so I'll take that into the next game. "I can't believe I've topped the group after losing my first game - just to qualify is an achievement - but I'll get out there and play my heart out on Thursday."

Thornton had booked his spot in the second round in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 win over Steve Beaton, who missed three match darts at double top in the deciding leg as the Scot condemned him to a third straight defeat.
"I'm glad Steve missed the double top at the end, but that's darts," said Thornton. "I'm happy to get through. Scott's a great player and he came from 8-0 down to win this tournament, so I know it will be tough on Thursday. "I like the longer format, because it means you can lose the first couple of legs and not worry too much about it, but I'll be going all out."

Thornton finished second in Group B, with Michael van Gerwen sealing a third straight victory by seeing off Ted Hankey 5-0, completing the win with a 130 finish on the bullseye. Van Gerwen, last month's World Grand Prix champion, now plays Taylor on Thursday night in an eagerly-awaited contest, with the Dutch ace having been on top form in recent months.
"I'm very happy to win all three games and to finish at the top of the group, and I'm looking forward to the next round to play Phil," said van Gerwen. "I like to play Phil and I know he likes to play me - it will be cracking game. "I've been getting better step by step and he's always the man to beat. I'm in form at the moment, so it will be an amazing game to watch and for us to play in."
Van Gerwen's Dutch compatriot Co Stompe ended the round-robin phase with a 5-2 win over Webster in the night's other contest, and although he finishes bottom of Group A is determined to build on the victory.
"Hopefully I can build on this performance now and use it going into the World Championship, and I can start again in January," he said. "It's been a hard year for me but my game's coming back in parts."







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