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INCREDIBLE VAN GERWEN LEADS CHARGE AS DUTCH DOMINATE

WORLD NUMBER ONE Michael van Gerwen produced an astonishing display as he moved into the last 16 of the William Hill World Darts Championship, while fellow Dutch stars Raymond van Barneveld, Vincent van der Voort and Benito van de Pas also enjoyed wins at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

Van Gerwen recorded the third highest average in PDC World Championship history, posting 109.23 as he demolished Darren Webster in straight sets in under 20 minutes of playing time. Van Gerwen, who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy in 2014, also produced four ton-plus finishes including a 160 as he set up a third round showdown with five-time World Champion van Barneveld.

"I played an excellent game and I'm really happy with my performance," said van Gerwen, who survived a scare in his first round match when German qualifier Rene Eidams took him to a tie-break. "It was my goal to be good from the start to the end and I managed to do that. After this performance I'm going into the game against Raymond with lots of confidence. Everything was perfect in this match but I need to look forward. My eyes are already to looking to Raymond and he knows that."

Van Barneveld came through a seven-set thriller to defeat Stephen Bunting on the Ally Pally stage for the second consecutive year. The five-time World Champion defied 15 180s from Bunting as he hit five finishes of over 100 in an exciting encounter, which went all the way to a deciding set tie-break.

"I think this was one of the weirdest games of my career," said van Barneveld, who had become a Granddad for the first time earlier in the day. "He hit so many 180s and I think I am the lucky one tonight. Maybe he should've won and I know that I have to improve my game. I can play a lot better than this. My daughter gave birth this morning so I haven't had much sleep and maybe I was lacking a bit of energy but I'm through and it is a very happy day for me."

James Wade enjoyed a straight sets triumph against struggling Wes Newton and is yet to drop a set in this year's tournament ahead of his last 16 clash with Jamie Caven, who has also played and won seven sets so far.

"I played well in the first couple of sets but overall I did enough to win," said Wade, who has won multiple major titles but is yet to be crowned as World Champion. "It's onwards and upwards now and I'm looking forward to the next match. If I play my game I'll win and if I don't I won't, but that's probably the same for Jamie."

Earlier in the day, Michael Smith displayed his title credentials as he moved into the last 16 with an impressive victory. The number eight seed averaged over 100 in a 4-2 defeat of former Lakeside Champion Steve Beaton to reach round three for the third time in as many years.

"I'm happy with my performance and to get the win," said Smith, the former PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion. "I'm still in the tournament and I'm getting nearer to my best form so the signs are there for me and that's good. "Steve hit me with everything at times but I took my chances when he did let me in and I held my nerve. I know I can win this tournament, I just have to keep working hard and improving."

Smith will take on van de Pas in the third round after the 22-year-old Dutch ace saw off Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh in six sets.

"What a game - I had to fight so hard for that," said van de Pas, who recovered from losing the first set to win a high-quality encounter. "I'm playing well at the moment but I really had to produce quality at the right moments to beat Dimitri. Now I need to relax and rest and focus on my match against Michael Smith. I can't let myself look any further than that."

2015 World Championship quarter-finalist van der Voort came from two sets behind to defeat Australia's Kyle Anderson 4-2. The quick-fire ace hit nine 180s in a fabulous fightback, which he sealed with a spectacular 134 checkout to bring the sell-out Ally Pally crowd to its feet in celebration with the popular Dutchman.

"Mentally, it was a very good performance," said van der Voort, who meets defending champion Gary Anderson in the last 16. "Coming from two sets down is very difficult so I'm pleased with myself for that. I felt like I deserved to win at least one of the first two sets and it can be easy to let that get to you but I didn't today. Gary is an amazing player and he's not the World Champion for no reason, but I've beaten him before and I can do it again if I can raise my game."

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