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HUYBRECHTS AIMING FOR ANDERSON AS BARNEY KO'S LEWIS IN DUBLIN

KIM HUYBRECHTS has targeted World Champion Gary Anderson after setting up a clash with the Scot at the Unibet World Grand Prix, as Dutch duo Raymond van Barneveld and Benito van de Pas also moved into the quarter-finals in Dublin.

Belgian ace Huybrechts recorded the highest average so far in this year's double-start tournament with a 98.47 mean in his impressive 3-0 second round whitewash of Stephen Bunting at the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday. Huybrechts hit his starting double in his first visit to the oche in all 11 legs of the contest, winning the first five without reply on his way to a two-set cushion before coming from a leg down in the third to seal victory with a trio of 14-dart finishes.
The 30-year-old from Antwerp now meets world number two Anderson in Thursday's quarter-finals, and is aiming to continue his challenge for a maiden major title in the 400,000 pound event.

"I'm really happy with that performance," said Huybrechts, who needed only 22 minutes of playing time to see off 2014 semi-finalist Bunting. I don't think I missed three starting doubles and that's very important in this format and I played really well; my doubles were going well and the 180s and 140s were good. You want to perform in the major tournaments, that's what we're all trying to do. I've underperformed lately but I'm feeling good and feeling confident so let's bring it on."


Anderson was also in impressive form as he overcame namesake Kyle Anderson 3-1 in their second round clash, averaging almost 97 and bouncing back from losing the third set to seal victory by winning the fourth without reply.
The Scot immediately set his sights on Thursday's tie against Huybrechts, saying: "He's won the last few games against me too so I'll be trying to put that right. Kim played well tonight, absolutely brilliant, so it's going to be a tough one. I'll be up for it though because Kim celebrates over the top - it does get on my wick and even he knows it."

Another impressive performer was two-time World Grand Prix finalist Raymond van Barneveld, who overcame Adrian Lewis in straight sets to move into the last eight. The result hinged on the deciding leg of the opening set as the Dutchman punished five missed doubles from Lewis to claim the lead, and the five-time World Champion pulled clear to win six of the next seven legs as he progressed to face van de Pas.

"I felt comfortable and I was never nervous, and tonight was my night," said van Barneveld, who also impressed with a 97.90 average. "It was a solid game and I'm very pleased with the result. Adrian started really well and was leading but I nicked that last leg, that was a really important leg in that first set. After that I wanted to keep putting him under pressure and that's what I did."
Van de Pas is appearing in the last eight of a major championship for only the second time, but van Barneveld added: "It's good for Holland and I'm going to prepare myself the same as I did tonight. Benito is not in the quarter-finals for nothing, he's a quality player who's played well in the last two or three years and I don't underestimate players any more. I hope to win one or two tournaments this year, and I think it's possible. If you keep on believing in yourself you can achieve everything you want, but I've got Benito in the quarter-finals and I'm not looking any further than that."



Van de Pas came from a set down against another two-time Dublin finalist, Terry Jenkins, as he continued his emergence with a strong performance.
"I'm very pleased," said the 23-year-old. "It's my second major quarter-final now and I'm happy with that. For me it's a great win - the main goal this year was to get into the top 16 but I'm looking forward to the next game. I hope I can keep this going - I'm feeling good and I'm looking forward to it."

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