Simon Whitlock produced a sensational display of darts as he demolished Ronnie Baxter with a 10-1 victory to reach the last eight of the Players Championship Finals.

‘The Wizard’ entertained a delighted crowd at Butlins, Minehead as he put on an exhibition of heavy scoring and fantastic finishing in his second round triumph on Saturday evening.

Whitlock averaged almost 110 and hit a magnificent 170 checkout as he moved into the quarter-finals.

“That’s my best performance on TV,” said Whitlock, who recently won his first PDC major title, the European Championship.

“I’d lost to Ronnie a couple of times on TV so I was very focused.

“I’ve been playing very well the last few months and been very solid so I’m feeling good and confidence is high.

“Winning the first major was massive for me and my belief.

“I’ve been putting a lot of practise in and it’s making all the difference.”

‘The Wizard’ got off the mark on double top before pegging double twelve for a break of throw.

Whitlock pinned tops for another break and his first 180 helped him race into a 4-0 lead.

Baxter pulled a leg back but the Australian brilliantly produced back to back eleven dart finishes to go 6-1 in front.

The number two seed pinned double eight to move further ahead before a fabulous 122 checkout on the bull gave him another break of throw.

‘The Wizard’ then produced a moment a pure magic with a sensational 170 checkout, which moved him within a leg of victory.

He wrapped up a wonderful win, hitting double six to set up a quarter-final tie with Gary Anderson.

Mervyn King also won his second round match, defeating Steve Beaton 10-7.

King faces Justin Pipe in the quarter-finals.

Robert Thornton and Michael van Gerwen were denied last eight places, however.

Thornton lost out to Anderson in an all Scottish affair while van Gerwen slipped to a 10-8 defeat at the hands of Andy Hamitlon.

Sunday sees the conclusion of the 2013 Players Championship Finals, with the quarter-finals taking place in the afternoon session before the semi-finals and final are played out in the evening.

By Chris Murphy

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock, Michael van Gerwen and Robert Thornton all won through to the last 16 of the Players Championship finals with well-earned victories on Friday.

The trio, who have each won their first PDC major title this year, all moved a step closer to a second televised triumph with first round wins at Butlins, Minehead.

Whitlock won the last three legs of his contest against Jamie Caven to progress, finishing the match with a brilliant 111 checkout.

van Gerwen ended reigning champion Kevin Painter’s title defence with a 6-3 success, which included three 180s and a 123 finish from the in form Dutchman.

Thornton was particularly impressive as he swept past Mark Walsh with a 6-1 victory.

The Scotsman faces compatriot Gary Anderson in round two on Saturday afternoon.

Whitlock takes on Ronnie Baxter on Saturday evening, when van Gerwen will face Andy Hamilton for a place in the quarter-finals.

Paul Nicholson was unfortunate to miss out on a last 16 spot as ‘The Asset’ was edged out in a last leg decider by Baxter, while James Wade, Vincent van der Voort, Mark Webster and Raymond van Barneveld also suffered first round defeats.

Mervyn King came out on top in a tight encounter against Terry Jenkins, with ‘The King’ sneaking the last leg to set up a second round clash with van Barnveld’s conqueror Steve Beaton.

Saturday sees the second round action take place over two session before the tournament reaches its conclusion on Sunday.

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock 6-3 Jamie Caven

Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Kevin Painter

Robert Thornton 6-1 Mark Walsh

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC