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.