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