James Wade remains on course to become World Champion for the first time after cruising past Steve Farmer to reach the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes World Championship at the Alexandra Palace.

The 28 year old has already won most major titles, and he moved a step closer to adding the biggest of them all to his impressive roll of honour by winning in straight sets for the second consecutive game.

The Machine got the ball rolling by hitting double five and then pounced on a bizarre miscount from Farmer; The Train hit 180 when he had 176 left, before Wade set up double top and hit it for an early break of throw. The UK Open champion then hit double ten to wrap up the first set.

Farmer hit double sixteen to get a leg on the board before Wade hit back with a tidy 96 checkout. The Machine hit a 180 before taking out 70 in two darts to break the throw. He then hit double ten once again to seal a two set advantage.

Wade just missed double top for a 120 finish, allowing Farmer to sneak a break of throw. Farmer then held to edge closer to pulling a set back, but Wade hit double top in both of the next two legs to derail The Train’s charge. The six-time major champion then hit double two to take the third set.

Farmer won the first two legs of set four to go within one leg of winning a set again. Wade hit straight back once more, hitting double eight for an instant break of throw, before hitting his third 180 on his way to levelling the set. The Machine finished the job in style by hitting a brilliant 116 checkout to book his place in the last eight.

Wade will continue his pursuit of the title when he meets former World Champion John Part in tomorrow’s quarter-final.

By Chris Murphy

Three MODUS’ players are bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes World Championship on Thursday at the Alexandra Palace.

James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson are all in third round action, and all of them have a realistic chance of being crowned World Champion for the first time.

Whitlock is the player of the tournament so far, having shown fantastic form in his first two matches despite struggling with a broken ankle. The Wizard posted the highest average of the tournament in his first round demolition of Dennis Smith, before brushing aside Steve Beaton in round two. The Australian faces Michael van Gerwen in the evening session.

James Wade is in action in the afternoon when he aims to take a step closer to adding to his already impressive trophy cabinet. The PDC’s second most successful player ever takes on Steve Farmer, and will be hoping to build on convincing victories over Petri Korte and Jelle Klaasen.

Following Wade is Paul Nicholson. The Asset produced a clinical display to beat Alan Tabern in straight sets on Tuesday night. A similarly ruthless performance would surely see Belgian number one Kim Huybrechts become his next victim.

The three MODUS players are arguably showing the best form of all the players in their quest for glory, having all come through the first two rounds comfortably whilst over title candidates have wobbled.

www.modusdarts.tv will provide updates and reports of their progress throughout the day.

Simon Whitlock cruised through to round three of the Ladbrokes World Championship with another fine performance.

The Wizard, still recovering from a broken ankle, cemented his status as the player of the tournament so far by defeating Steve Beaton convincingly at the Ally Pally.

Whitlock showed once again that he has the game to beat anyone and has to be regarded as one of the major contenders to become World Champion in the New Year.

Beaton hit the bullseye to win the opening leg with Whitlock waiting to pounce. He then broke The Wizard’s throw to double his advantage before The Australian hit double six to save the set. Whitlock then took out a smart 100 finish to level up proceedings before completing the turn around in style. He hit his first 180 and double twelve to take the first set.

Whitlock opened the second set with his second maximum before hitting double eight to hold his throw. He then hit double top to break Beaton’s throw, after setting it up with a brilliant 170. The Wizard wrapped up the set by winning a sixth consecutive leg.

The world number five hit double four for a break of throw to kick off set three, before finding double 15 to double his advantage. Whitlock hit another maximum but his eight-leg long winning streak was halted by The Adonis, who held his throw, before sneaking a break to level the set. Beaton then took out 108 to pull a set back.

Whitlock produced a solid 14 darter to win the first leg of the fourth set. He immediately doubled his advantage with a fabulous eleven dart leg against the throw. Beaton managed to break back and then took out 121 to draw level.  The Wizard bounced back by hitting double top to restore a two set lead.

Beaton held his throw in the first leg of set five before Whitlock produced another superb eleven darter to do the same. The Adonis edged back in front and Whitlock levelled, taking out 60 to leave himself a leg away from victory. The Australian hit double top to seal another break of throw and book his place in the last 16.

Whitlock will play Michael van Gerwen tomorrow evening.

By Chris Murphy