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BRILLIANT BARNEY SHOCKS VAN GERWEN AS ANDERSON & LEWIS MARCH ON

DUTCH legend Raymond van Barneveld sent world number one Michael van Gerwen crashing out of the William Hill World Darts Championship after winning a seven-set thriller on Tuesday, as defending champion Gary Anderson and two-time winner Adrian Lewis eased through to the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.

Five-time World Champion van Barneveld, who last lifted the trophy in 2007, defied an average of 105.78 and a 170 checkout from by odds-on title favourite van Gerwen to move into the last eight. The former Grand Slam and Premier League champion also averaged over 100 in a dramatic contest between the best two players ever to come out of the Netherlands, taking the deciding set 3-1 as he sealed victory with a sweet 96 checkout.

"This feels like winning the title already," said van Barneveld, who will take on Michael Smith in the quarter-finals on New Year's Day. "In the first set, Michael was absolutely steaming but after that I started to believe in myself and play really well. It looks like I saved all the luck, all the pressure and all the adrenaline to play here. I am so happy - I can't even describe how this feels."

2014 World Champion van Gerwen, who had appeared in every major ranking final since being beaten in last year's Ally Pally semi-finals, was left devastated at his exit. He said: "It's always sad when you lose and this is extremely painful. It hurts a lot but Raymond played well and I missed too many important shots. I will put my feet back on the ground and get back on the practice board ready for next year."

Reigning champion Anderson, meanwhile, sent out a message to his rivals with a glittering display as he became the new 5/2 favourite with sponsors William Hill to win the title. The world number two - who lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy back in January - dropped just a single leg in a straight sets victory against Vincent van der Voort, averaging just under 102.

"It felt good and I'm still going," said Anderson, who set up a last eight showdown with James Wade. "It was almost the perfect game but Vincent took a leg near the end and got the crowd going. Credit to him, that was fantastic. It's starting to come together for me now and my nerves are gone. I'm not defending my title from last year, I'm just trying to win it this year like everybody else - that's my approach."

Two-time World Champion Lewis is yet to drop a set in this year's tournament after cruising to a four-set success against Austria's Mensur Suljovic. The Stoke ace took out brilliant shots of 121 and 161 during a win in which Suljovic failed to trouble the number five seed.

"I'm in the quarter-finals of the World Championship without losing a set - you've got to be happy with that," said Lewis, who will take on Peter Wright or Dave Chisnall in the last eight on January 1. "You've got to be on your guard against a tricky player like Mensur and I'm happy with how it went. Last year I hit a nine-darter at this stage and then went out so I much prefer not hitting one and going through."

Earlier in the day, Anderson's protege Smith produced a brilliant performance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, while Wade and Jelle Klaasen also claimed wins.

Former PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion Smith hit 12 180s in just 16 legs as he saw off Holland's Benito van de Pas in straight sets. Smith, who reach the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts last month, averaged over 100 for the second successive round to continue his impressive form.

"That performance has made me stronger in this tournament," said number eight seed Smith, who has won six PDC ranking titles. "I had fun up there and that made me play better. In the next game I'll have even more fun because I won't be the favourite so I can relax and play without pressure. If I can get my scoring and finishing together then I can go much further in this competition."

Wade is also through to the last eight after a comfortable victory against Jamie Caven, as the three-time semi-finalist earned a 4-1 success despite feeling under the weather.

"I think everyone has got a bit of a cold and I'm not feeling great so I'm pleased with how it went," said Wade, who praised the new layout of the Ally Pally arena, where the stage has been moved 90 degrees to accommodate more fans. "I think it is fantastic as the fans are closer to us now and it makes for more interaction with them."

Tuesday's play also saw the second round completed as Klaasen defeated Mervyn King 4-2 with the aid of a brilliant 170 finish to set up a tasty last 16 contest with 16-time World Champion Phil Taylor on Wednesday.

"I feel good and if I can play my own game and hit my doubles then I think I have a good chance against Phil," said Klaasen, who won two Players Championship events in 2015. "I was lucky at times in this match but I got there in the end and was pleased to get over the line. My game is more consistent now and even though it wasn't as good as the last round, I never felt like I might lose that game."

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