The PDC’s inaugural European Tour event provided many highlights for some of MODUS’ top stars, including James Wade’s run to the final and a Simon Whitlock nine-darter in the Austrian Darts Open.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Wade was denied victory by Justin Pipe at the Arena Nova in Wiener Neustadt, as ‘The Machine’ lost out in a high-quality final on Sunday evening, despite posting an impressive average of 105.56

Wade, who had seen off Kim Huybrechts on Sunday afternoon, also beat Wes Newton and Dave Chisnall before eventually succumbing to Pipe in the final, in which ‘The Machine’ hit a ten-darter.

The world number three takes home £7500 in prize money as runner up, along with a confidence boosting run ahead of his McCoy’s Premier League showdown with Phil Taylor on Thursday.

Raymond van Barneveld also enjoyed a good run in Austria. The Dutchman reached the semi-finals, where he produced a sensational 170 checkout, only to be denied by Pipe.

‘Barney’ had beaten Welsh pair Mark Webster and Richie Burnett on his way to the last four. His attention also turns to Birmingham, where he faces Gary Anderson in the Premier League on Thursday.

Simon Whitlock provided one of the best moments of the weekend when he produced a perfect nine-dart leg in his last 32 defeat to Joe Cullen. ‘The Wizard’ goes into his Premier League match at the NIA, needing just a point against Andy Hamilton to secure a semi-final spot.

Michael van Gerwen posted  two ton-plus averages before being edged out by a single leg in the last 16, while Webster grabbed two wins, including a 6-0 whitewash in round two, before being stopped by ‘Barney’.

Credit must also go to young Arron Monk for running van Barneveld close in their first round match. The 2011 PDC under-21 World Champion was narrowly beaten 6-4 by the Dutch darting legend.

By Chris Murphy

Raymond van Barneveld and James Wade both booked their places in the quarter-finals of the PDC’s inaugural European Tour event, with third round victories on Sunday afternoon.

‘Barney’ posted an impressive 102.47 average in a 6-2 triumph over Mark Webster in the Austrian Darts Open, while Wade swept past Kim Huybrechts 6-1.

But Youth World Championship finalist Michael van Gerwen was edged out 6-5 by James Richardson.

Van Barneveld raced into a three leg lead, hitting a 121 finish in the third, to take control against Webster.

The left-hander, from Wales, checked out 71 in one of the two legs he won, but a rampant ‘Barney’ went on to set up a quarter-final clash with another Welshman, Richie Burnett.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Wade faces Wes Newton in the last eight on Sunday evening, after ‘The Machine’ claimed a commanding victory over Kim Huybrechts.

The world number three hit two 180’s and a one-hundred checkout in his success over the much-fancied Belgian.

Van Gerwen hit an impressive eleven 140’s in his match against Richardson but lost out in a last leg decider.

Joe Cullen, Justin Pipe and Dave Chisnall complete Sunday evening’s quarter-final line-up, with the semi-finals and final taking place immediately after at the Arena Nova.

By Chris Murphy

Austrian Darts Open – European Tour Event One
Third Round Results
Richie Burnett 6-3 Dean Winstanley
Mark Webster 2-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Joe Cullen 6-4 Mark Walsh
Gary Anderson 2-6 Justin Pipe
James Richardson 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Kevin Painter
Wes Newton 6-3 Denis Ovens
James Wade 6-1 Kim Huybrechts

Quarter-Finals

Richie Burnett v Raymond van Barneveld
Joe Cullen v Justin Pipe
James Richardson v Dave Chisnall
Wes Newton v James Wade