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Paul Nicholson hailed the influence of Michael van Gerwen’s recent rise to form after defeating the home favourite in the second round of the Dutch Darts Masters in Nuland, while Simon Whitlock, Arron Monk and Andy Jenkins also won through to the last 16 on Saturday.

Nicholson triumphed 6-4 against the newly-crowned World Grand Prix champion, who has won six PDC events in total so far this year, setting up a third round clash with German teenager Max Hopp on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m delighted to have won because this is the first time in the five European Tour events this year that I’ve made it to the Sunday,” Nicholson told the PDC’s official website.

“I came into the game with no pressure because Michael is in such great form and I relaxed and enjoyed the match.

“Michael is inspiring people to play better at the moment, including me, and he’s also taking Dutch darts forward. He’s a great example for all young players coming into the game.

“It will be the other way around when I play Max because all the pressure is on me, but Max is what German darts has been looking for now for a number of years, a future superstar, and I’m excited to be playing him.”

Hampshire youngster Monk will face Andy Hamilton in the last 16 after the former under-21 World Champion defeated Vincent van der Voort 6-5, producing a 13 dart finish in the deciding leg.

Australian star Whitlock, the reigning European Champion, eased through with a 6-2 win over Alan Tabern, while Jenkins continued to make his mark on the £82,100 tournament with a 6-4 success over James Hubbard.

‘The Wizard’ will take on Ian White in the last 16, while Jenkins faces Wayne Jones.

Dutch pair Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompe were eliminated from the tournament though, despite the latter hitting a maximum 170 checkout against world number one Phil Taylor.

The remaining 16 players will battle it our for the £15,000 first prize over two sessions on Sunday, with the third round taking place in the afternoon before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played out in the evening.

Sunday October 28
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Third Round
Phil Taylor v Andy Smith
Andy Jenkins v Wayne Jones
Max Hopp v Paul Nicholson
Andy Hamilton v Arron Monk
Simon Whitlock v Ian White
Johnny Haines v Jamie Caven
Kim Huybrechts v Colin Osborne
Steve Brown v Mark Walsh

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals

Taylor/Smith v Jenkins/Jones

Hopp/Nicholson v Hamilton/Monk

Whitlock/White v Haines/Caven

Huybrechts/Osborne v Brown/Walsh

Semi-Finals
Final

By Chris Murphy

Book tickets to see some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Carlsberg Masters, Birmingham on Friday December 7.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld, Vincent van der Voort and Co Stompe all delighted their home crowd with victories in the first round of the Dutch Darts Masters on Friday.

Mervyn King, Andy Jenkins, Paul Nicholson, Simon Whitlock, James Hubbard and Arron Monk all also progressed to the last 32 of the PDC’s fifth and final European Tour event of the year in Nuland.

van Gerwen, who won his first PDC major title at the World Grand Prix a fortnight ago, enjoyed a 6-4 triumph over Peter Hudson.

The world number eight will face Paul Nicholson on Saturday after ‘The Asset’ saw off Ross Smith 6-3.

“It was a difficult game because this is my first tournament in Holland for a year and there was a bit more pressure than normal on me,”  van Gerwen told the PDC’s official website.

“I wasn’t nervous but I wanted to show everyone in Holland what I can do and how well I’ve been playing in the last few weeks.

“I’m happy to win the game but it wasn’t easy because Peter is a good player. I wasn’t brilliant in every leg, but a win is a win and I’m looking forward to playing against Paul.

“I know him very well and he’s a very good guy, but tomorrow he’s my enemy! If I can go all the way and win this weekend too it would be fantastic and my confidence is high at the moment but I will just play my game and take each game one at a time.”

van Barneveld came back from 3-1 down to record a 6-3 victory against Mick Todd.

The five-time World Champion will take on Johnny Haines on Saturday evening.

van der Voort faces Monk after the ‘Dutch Destroyer’ whitewashed Bernd Roith, while Monk claimed an impressive triumph over John Part, defeating the three-time World Champion 6-4.

Stompe set up a second round clash against world number one Phil Taylor, after a 6-2 win against Terry Temple on Friday afternoon.

King, who will play Ian White on Saturday, stormed past Ronny Huybrechts with a 6-1 victory, while Jenkins claimed a notable success over Justin Pipe, beating the world number eleven 6-2.

‘Rocky’ will face Hubbard in the last 32, after the World Youth Champion defeated Denis Ovens by the same scoreline.

European Champion Whitlock was a 6-4 victor against Denmark’s Per Laursen. ‘The Wizard’ faces Alan Tabern in the second round.

Saturday sees round two take place over two sessions, as the field chasing the £15,000 first prize is reduced to 16.

By Chris Murphy

Book tickets to see some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Carlsberg Masters, Birmingham on Friday December 7.

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Tickets are on sale to see some of the best darts players on the planet, including five major champions, at an exclusive non-televised professional event in Birmingham on December 7.

The stars, including world number three James Wade, winner of seven major titles, and five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, will be showing their skills at The Birmingham Ballroom in the inaugural Carlsberg Masters.

They will be joined by reigning European Champion Simon Whitlock, recently-crowned World Grand Prix Champion Michael van Gerwen and another former World Champion, Mark Webster.

Quick-fire Dutchman Vincent van der Voort will also be competing on the night, as will Belgian ace Kim Huybrechts.

Completing the star-studded line up will be former under-21 World Champion Arron Monk, alongside two local qualifiers, who will be attempting to topple the professionals.

Sky Sports’ Rod Harrington will also be in attendance as a VIP host, as top class darts heads to Birmingham.

George Noble of  MODUS darts said: “This really is an incredible line-up and will be the best darts event Birmingham has seen since the Premier League.

“You don’t get this opportunity in any other sport. We are bringing some of the top players on the planet to more intimate surroundings, for the entertainment of local darts fans.

“All of the players will be determined to hit top form here as it is their warm-up for the World Championship.

“And, with the calibre of players on show, it has the makings of a truly special night.”

A range of tickets (starting at £20) for this unique sporting spectacle are set to sell out very quickly and are available by calling 08450 180 180 or via www.dartshop.tv

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW.