Well unfortunately Kim Huybrechts lost yesterday, the even bigger travesty being that I was at work whilst it was taking place so didn't get to see the ample (I'm sure) crowd shots over to where Dana would have been sat
His conqueror, Andy 'The Hammer' Hamilton averaged over 102 though and is playing well so deserved his victory. I was able to catch the last three sets of a magnificent scrap between John Part of Canada and England's James Wade. This was another to go right the way to the very end as neither could gain a two leg advantage in the final set (although both players had a chance too) and so it went to sudden death at five legs all.
James Wade came through it to book his place in the semi-finals and set up a meeting with the winner of the evening match between Terry Jenkins and current champion Adrian Lewis.
First match of the evening saw Simon Whitlock take on Gary Anderson. Personally, I would have loved to have seen this as the final, and I would be quite happy to see either win the tournament as I like both players a lot. It looked to be a close match on paper. The oche proved a different matter though as the Wizard of Oz ran out a comfortable 5-1 winner and yes, Anderson went 1-0 up!! It should have been a lot closer as, apart from the first set, Anderson failed to take his chances on his doubles.
Anderson was also visibly becoming agitated about having to wait for Whitlock to retrieve his darts and return (the broken ankle of the Australian obviously slowing him down). For me that ultimately led to his downfall and Gary needs to learn to adjust to other players styles and not let it affect his own game.
So pleased for Skippy (or should that read Hoppy
) though. I really hope he can go all the way and win it. Perhaps that is because I'm married to an Ozzie, but even discarding that, I just like the way he plays the game and his demeanor.
Final game of the night saw Adrian Lewis defeat the Bull 5-3 in a match which saw Lewis come out of the starting blocks like a rocket. Jenkins never gave up, but he just couldn't cope with 'Jackpot's' scoring and finishing. At 3-0 up it looked like a whitewash on the cards. The Bull had only won two legs in the first three sets, though he did boast a 100% checkout in those!
However Jenkins kept going and remarkably pulled it back to three sets all as Lewis' game suddenly faltered. Despite some jitters though Lewis came back and closed the game out 5-3. He then chose the post match interview to have a pop at the crowd for booing him and 'disrespecting the World Champion'.
I've got news for you Adrian, they have been doing that throughout the tournament to so many players. If you don't like it, revert to the BDC format! I don't agree with a lot that goes on from the crowds in the PDC, but it is the same for all players with the noise levels and shouting. Having a go at the paying public will only intensify the levels at which they have a pop at you.
