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Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen and Mark Webster were the top performers on day two of the Austrian Darts Open in Wiener Neustadt, while Simon Whitlock was denied victory despite hitting a fabulous nine-dart finish.

James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld also progressed into the last 16 of the PDC’s first European Tour Event on Saturday.

Whitlock produced the highlight of the day with his sensational perfect leg, hitting two maximums before finishing 141 with treble 20, treble 15, and double 18. But ‘The Wizard’ lost out to emerging young talent Joe Cullen.

Whitlock admitted: “The nine-darter was great but it also made the game so much harder for me because of the celebration. Joe was sensational and deserved to win, but to hit the nine-darter and lose is disappointing.”

Youth World finalist Michael van Gerwen posted the highest average of the day, beating Friday’s top performer Colin Lloyd with a superb 104.7, in a victory that took less than fifteen minutes to complete.

‘Mighty Mike’ faces James Richardson in round three on Sunday afternoon.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Webster also stormed through to the third round as he whitewashed Alan Tabern 6-0. The Welshman’s win sets up a tasty all-MODUS affair with Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16, after ‘Barney’ saw off the challenge of Colin Osborne.

“Colin played well and deserved to be ahead but I’m pleased with how I played,” said van Barneveld.

“I know I can play better but I’m really happy to be back on Sunday and I need to keep my focus, but I’ll give it everything I can to win.”

Wade beat Steve Beaton 6-4 to set up a clash with Kim Huybrechts, who triumphed over Vincent van der Voort, while Co Stompe was eliminated by Gary Anderson.

Play on Sunday sees the third round played in the afternoon session before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place in the evening at the Arena Nova, with the finalist claiming a £15,000 first prize.

By Chris Murphy

European Tour Event One – Austrian Darts Open
Saturday April 28
Second Round results (Involving MODUS players)
Mark Webster 6-0 Alan Tabern
Vincent van der Voort 0-6 Kim Huybrechts
Gary Anderson 6-2 Co Stompe
James Wade 6-4 Steve Beaton
Colin Lloyd 1-6 Michael van Gerwen
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Colin Osborne
Simon Whitlock 4-6 Joe Cullen – Simon Whitlock hits nine-dart finish

Sunday April 29
Third Round Fixtures
Mark Webster v Raymond van Barneveld
James Richardson v Michael van Gerwen
James Wade v Kim Huybrechts