December 2011

Simon Whitlock cruised through to round three of the Ladbrokes World Championship with another fine performance.

The Wizard, still recovering from a broken ankle, cemented his status as the player of the tournament so far by defeating Steve Beaton convincingly at the Ally Pally.

Whitlock showed once again that he has the game to beat anyone and has to be regarded as one of the major contenders to become World Champion in the New Year.

Beaton hit the bullseye to win the opening leg with Whitlock waiting to pounce. He then broke The Wizard’s throw to double his advantage before The Australian hit double six to save the set. Whitlock then took out a smart 100 finish to level up proceedings before completing the turn around in style. He hit his first 180 and double twelve to take the first set.

Whitlock opened the second set with his second maximum before hitting double eight to hold his throw. He then hit double top to break Beaton’s throw, after setting it up with a brilliant 170. The Wizard wrapped up the set by winning a sixth consecutive leg.

The world number five hit double four for a break of throw to kick off set three, before finding double 15 to double his advantage. Whitlock hit another maximum but his eight-leg long winning streak was halted by The Adonis, who held his throw, before sneaking a break to level the set. Beaton then took out 108 to pull a set back.

Whitlock produced a solid 14 darter to win the first leg of the fourth set. He immediately doubled his advantage with a fabulous eleven dart leg against the throw. Beaton managed to break back and then took out 121 to draw level.  The Wizard bounced back by hitting double top to restore a two set lead.

Beaton held his throw in the first leg of set five before Whitlock produced another superb eleven darter to do the same. The Adonis edged back in front and Whitlock levelled, taking out 60 to leave himself a leg away from victory. The Australian hit double top to seal another break of throw and book his place in the last 16.

Whitlock will play Michael van Gerwen tomorrow evening.

By Chris Murphy

Paul Nicholson produced a display of real quality to defeat Alan Tabern in straight sets in the second round of the Ladbrokes World Championship.

The bad boy of darts inflicted relentless punishment on his opponent by consistently outscoring The Saint and dropped just three legs as he reached the last 16 at the Alexandra Palace.

Nicholson made a strong start, hitting his first 180 in the opening leg, which he went on to win by hitting double sixteen at the first time of asking. He then hit double eight to secure an early break of throw before holding his throw to take the first set in no time at all.

The Asset showed no sign of letting up and broke the Tabern throw immediately in the second set. He then took out a neat 106 finish to win a fifth consecutive leg before breaking again to take a two set lead.

Nicholson hit his second maximum in the first leg of set three, but Tabern found double four to get himself off the mark. The Asset replied by taking out 80 in two darts to break his opponent back and regain control of the set. The Australian then hit double nine to hold before The Saint levelled the set. Nicholson produced another maximum in the deciding leg before hitting double four to increase his lead to three sets.

Nicholson took out 48 to grab another break of throw in the opening leg of the fourth set before a fantastic 112 checkout left him within a leg of victory. The Asset started the next leg with another 180 but Tabern prolonged the inevitable by holding his throw for just the second time. Nicholson wasted no time in finishing the job, hammering in a fifth maximum before hitting double 16 to book his place in round three.

Nicholson will play Kim Huybrechts on Thursday.

By Chris Murphy

James Wade produced an impressive performance, as he beat former World Champion Jelle Klaasen in straight sets to move a step closer to winning the elusive Ladbrokes World Championship title.

The Machine scored well and showed some ruthless finishing, especially on double ten, to book his place in round three.

Wade held his throw comfortably in the opening leg and his first maximum helped him grab a break of throw straight after. His second 180 soon followed as he wrapped up the first set, hitting double ten to win each leg.

The Machine continued his perfect success rate on that double, grabbing a break of throw and then holding, hitting the same bed both times. Klaasen got a leg on the board before Wade hit double top to take set two.

Wade was unlucky to miss double 16 for a 146 checkout before Klaasen got a break of throw in the first leg of set three. The former BDO World Champion then hit double eight to double his lead. The Machine hit back with another perfect dart at double ten before hitting double top for a break of throw. He completed a comeback in the set, hitting double ten yet again to take a three set lead.

The UK Open winner hit double top to grab and early break in the fourth set, before another maximum followed by a 46 checkout left him within a leg of round three. The Matador held his throw, but he was only delaying the inevitable as Wade produced a brilliant eleven dart leg to keep his title hunt on course.

His third round match will be played on Thursday December 29^th.

By Chris Murphy

There is little time to recover from a breathtaking first week, as round two of the Ladbrokes World Championships begins tonight.

MODUS have helped provide some of the many highlights of the best first round ever seen at the Alexandra Palace, with some stunning performances. Most notably, that of Simon Whitlock who stole the show last night, dropping only one leg and producing the best average of the tournament so far, despite having to play with a broken ankle. The Wizard will be looking to work his magic again when he faces Steve Beaton on December 28^th.

The second round gets underway this evening with Robert Thornton hoping to spring an upset against defending World Champion Adrian Lewis. The Thorn returned to form with a convincing 3-1 victory over Ian White on Saturday to set up the clash with Jackpot, who survived a first round scare.

World number three James Wade will be looking to build on a solid first round showing when he faces Jelle Klaasen tomorrow. The Machine sealed a comfortable first round win over Petri Korte on Monday night and will hope to take another step closer to adding the World Championship to his impressive collection of major titles, with victory against the fast-throwing Dutchman.

The fastest player in the world is back in action after Christmas; Vincent van der Voort hit eleven 180s in his rampant victory over Mark Hylton. The Dutch Destroyer takes on Andy Hamilton in the afternoon session on Tuesday December 27^th.

Proceeding Van der Voort is another Dutchman who produced a convincing performance last week. Co Stompe beat Michael Smith in straight sets on Tuesday to set up a clash with The Bull, Terry Jenkins.

It’s clobbering time in the evening session when Paul Nicholson takes centre stage. The Asset dispatched of Mensur Suljovic on Saturday with a strong first round performance. He will be hoping to inflict similar punishment on Alan Tabern in his quest to win a second major title.

Whitlock faces Beaton the following afternoon after another player who produced a brilliant first round performance, Mervyn King, is back on the oche. The King threw his crown into the ring as a major contender for the title by winning every single leg in a resounding first round triumph over Geoff Kime. King plays Michael van Gerwen in round two.

www.modusdarts.tv will continue to provide reports and updates throughout the Ladbrokes World Championship.

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock refused to let his broken ankle derail his chances of winning the Ladbrokes World Championship with the performance of the tournament so far.
The Wizard may have limped onto the stage but hit the ground running at the Alexandra Palace with a three nil demolition of Dennis Smith.
The wounded Wizard put on a real magic show as he hit a 105 average to book his place in round two, dropping just one leg en route.
Whitlock began with a break, this time in darting terms, when he won the opening leg against the throw. He opened the second leg with back to back 180s on his way to doubling his early lead. Smiffy pulled a leg back with a twelve darter before Whitlock hit double top to wrap up the set.
The Wizard opened the second set with a fabulous eleven dart leg before breaking the throw to take control. He hit another maximum and almost took out a spectacular 164 finish on his way to winning the leg that claimed a second set.
Whitlock hit his fourth maximum before producing a stunning 125 checkout to break Smith’s throw in the first leg of set three. Another two maximums helped leave the Australian a leg away from victory as he hit a brilliant eleven darter. The Wizard hit three treble 19’s to set up a finish before hitting double top to break again, winning the set and the match in sensational style.
Whitlock’s performance, which included seven 180s and an incredible sixty percent checkout success rate, is sure to have put paid to any suggestion that he wasn’t ready for the tournament. He will face Steve Beaton on Wednesday 28th December.

James Wade and Mervyn King powered through to the second round of the Ladbrokes World Championship on Monday evening, but Arron Monk was eliminated despite a fine performance.

MODUS put on a show at the Alexandra Palace as King lead the charge with a ruthless performance against Geoff Kime. The world number 16 got his campaign off to a perfect start, winning every single leg to claim victory over the Australian.

Wade brushed aside a gallant challenge from Petri Korte to keep alive his hopes of being crowned World Champion. The Machine produced a sequence of fine finishing to progress to round two in a confident and comfortable manner.

Monk showed why big things are expected of him in the future as he took a set off newly crowned Players Championship winner Kevin Painter. The 21 year old provided tough opposition for The Artist and produced moments of sheer class, including an audacious double-double finish. Monkey can consider himself unfortunate to have run into an in-form opponent, who is ninth in the rankings, but showed he is ready to mix it with the world’s best players.

King will return to the oche on December 28^th with Wade in action the following day.

By Chris Murphy

James Wade began his campaign to claim an eighth major, and first Ladbrokes World Championship title, with a convincing win over Petri Korte at the Ally Pally.

Wade produced a string of clinical finishes and looked comfortable throughout, despite his opponent’s valiant performance.

The Machine wasted no time in winning the first set. He hit double top with his first attempt in the opening leg, and quickly doubled his lead by hitting double ten to break the throw. He then produced a nice 88 finish to go a set in front in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Korte got a leg on the board before Wade hit back with another successful shot at double top. He then hit the bull for a stunning 95 finish to break his opponent again. The Machine continued to finish brilliantly as he took out 70 in two darts to double his lead.

Korte, who had won a preliminary round match earlier in the evening, took out 71 to break Wade’s throw and take the lead in the third set. He then hit the bull to leave himself a leg away from taking a set off the UK Open winner. Wade was as deadly as ever on double ten, hitting that bed to take the next leg. He then hit his first 180 but his Finnish opponent did win the set by holding is throw with a 94 check out.

Wade went two legs behind in the fourth set thanks to a 112 and a 106 checkout from Korte. The Machine avoided a deciding set though, as he won the next three legs to book his place in round two. He hit double five to break the throw before hitting double top to level the set. Wade fittingly ended with another fabulous finish, this time 115, to break again and win the match.

Wade will be in second round action on December 29^th.

By Chris Murphy

Arron Monk pushed Kevin Painter all the way in a high quality first round tie at Alexandra Palace, but was unable to overcome the in-form world number nine.

Monk, 21, produced flashes of brilliance despite defeat and further enhanced his profile as a star of the future.

Monk almost made a show-stopping start, just missing the bull for a 161 finish before Painter hit double eight for an early break. The Artist hit double top to open up a two leg lead but Monk hit back with his first maximum, followed by a 58 checkout to reduce the deficit. Monkey was unlucky to miss double top when going for a 103 checkout to save the set, before his opponent found the same bed to claim it.

The under-21 World Champion found the bull to take out 86, as he grabbed a break of throw in the first leg of set two, but he was unfortunate to hit the 25 when needing bull again to hold. Painter hit double two to break him back and held his throw to go in front. Monk hit another 180 on his way to taking the next leg, setting up a decider for the set, but the Players Championship winner held to double his lead.

Monk opened the third set with a third maximum and took out 70 to win the first leg. Painter levelled the score before Monkey cheekily hit two doubles to take out 82, after missing his shot at the bullseye. The Artist checked out 64 to leave the 21 year old throwing to save the match. He did save it, putting together a great leg when he needed to, to deservedly take the set.

Painter held his throw in the first leg of set four before Monk hit double five to level. The 2004 runner up hit double 16 to edge ahead again. Monk produced a brilliant twelve dart leg to keep himself in the match, but Painter hit double 16 again to ensure it was him that would progress to round two.

By Chris Murphy

Mervyn King won all nine legs as he booked his place in round two of the Ladbrokes World Championship with a comfortable win over Geoff Kime.

The 2009 semi-finalist wasted no time in putting his below-par opponent to the sword, averaging nearly a hundred and hitting two thirds of his doubles in a resounding victory.

The King made a solid start, hitting his first 180 on his way to winning the first leg against the throw. He then hit double 14 to take the next leg before breaking Kime again to go a set up in next to no time.

The former World Masters champion continued to show his superiority, hitting another 180 in the first leg of set two as he took a fourth consecutive leg. That soon became three maximums and five straight legs as King took out 82 to break the Kime throw once more. He went on to hold his throw, hitting double top to move a step closer to a second round place.

The Australian looked set to avoid the whitewash when he had darts at a double in the first leg of the third set. King made him pay for missing when he hit double eight to break again. Kime missed three more darts at a double and King showed no mercy, as he hit double ten to win the match in straight sets, and legs.

King will face will face either Colin Osborne or Michael van Gerwen on December 28^th.

By Chris Murphy

World number three James Wade takes centre stage tonight at the Ladbrokes World Championship. The Machine forms the final part of a MODUS triple-bill at the Alexandra Palace, with Mervyn King and Arron Monk also in action.

Wade, who won the UK Open earlier this year, will face the winner of a preliminary round match, as he bids to add the World Championship to his impressive collection of major titles.

King, who beat Phil Taylor at the Players Championship, will be hoping to build on his recent good form with a win over Australian Geoff Kime.

Following The King is the player who was crowned PDC Under-21 World Champion in January, Arron Monk. He takes on Players Championship winner Kevin Painter in a highly anticipated clash. Mark Walsh lies in wait for Monkey, should he manage to topple the world number nine.

Wade will then begin his campaign against either Per Laursen or Petri Korte.

By Chris Murphy