Mark Webster clinically knocked out Gary Anderson at the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts on last night, as Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Robert Thornton overcame scares to reach the quarter-finals in Wolverhampton.
Number two seed Anderson had been bidding to add the Grand Slam of Darts title to the World Championship and Premier League wins he has claimed during 2015.
However, his challenge at the Wolves Civic came unstuck against an inspired Webster, whose recent revival continued as he hit ten doubles from only 14 attempts in a fine display.
Early finishes of 92, 80 and 96 from Webster moved him 3-1 up before he took out 127 on the bull to lead 6-2.
Anderson finished 120 and an 11-darter either side of a 108 checkout from the left-hander, but he was crucially unable to break Webster’s throw as the Welshman held his nerve to secure his last eight spot.
“I’m really pleased, I did a professional job and I’m over the moon,” said Webster, nicknamed Spider. “I knew I had to do something out of the ordinary – I wasn’t going to have a 108 average so I had to finish well and take my chances and I did that.
“Gary still averaged 103 but he didn’t play like he can, and I’ve beaten all the top players when they don’t bring their A-game. I can compete with their B-game and I’ve done it again tonight.
“Once I got a lead I defended that lead very well and I’m pleased. I can play a lot better than that, but I got the job done so I’m happy.
“It’s a massive scalp, he’s the World Champion and a good player and I knew I had to finish well to beat him.”
Webster now takes on Raymond van Barneveld, who won six successive legs to come from 7-4 down to defeat James Wade 10-7 in their second round contest.
Wade opened the match with two 180s and also landed an 11-dart finish as the pair shared the opening six legs, with van Barneveld finishing 98 and 84 before the left-hander took out 80 for a 4-3 lead and double eight to break throw.
A 95 checkout saw van Barneveld hit back, but Wade won the next two for a 7-4 lead only to see the 2012 champion to begin his fightback on double five and then defy 180s from his rival in the next two legs by taking out 120 and tops to level.
He then posted three 140s to move ahead for the first time at 8-7, before punishing seven missed doubles from Wade across the next two legs to secure victory.
“I’m really happy and I’m still dreaming about winning the trophy again,” said van Barneveld. “In the first ten legs James hit everything but I said to myself to take more time to focus and concentrate, and they went in.
“Suddenly from 7-4 down it was seven-all, then I broke his throw. Maybe James thought he was already there but I never gave up.
“James started really well and produced some class darts but he missed a lot of doubles at the end. He still played a good game but was missing doubles.”
Phil Taylor overcame a major scare to remain on course for a seventh Grand Slam of Darts title by coming from 4-0 down to defeat Terry Jenkins 10-6 in their repeat of the 2008 final.
Taylor seemed on course for a shock exit after Jenkins stormed into an early lead, but the 16-time World Champion showed his experience to win ten of the next 12 legs to progress.
Jenkins made a brilliant start, punishing seven missed doubles from Taylor to win the opening leg and hitting two 180s as he won three more legs to open up a 4-0 lead.
Taylor though, finished 97 to get off the mark and then took out 52, double 16 and 68 to level before extending his run to six successive legs as he moved 6-4 up.
Jenkins took out 158 to win his first leg in seven and then levelled, but Taylor moved back in front and then completed a killer 116 checkout to open up an 8-6 lead, before finishing double 16 and 99 to book a quarter-final spot.
“It was a scrappy match and it was all about survival,” admitted Taylor. “Missing seven darts at a double in the first leg threw me, and my head was gone.
“When I was 4-0 down I had to relax and try to enjoy it. It didn’t seem to click for me on stage but it’s just one of those things.
“My finishing came back better and the 116 was a good shot after he had the 158, which was a belter, so I’m just relieved to have got the win in the end.”
Robert Thornton won through to the quarter-finals for the second time in three years as he held off Robbie Green’s fightback to claim a narrow 10-8 victory and set up a last eight contest with Taylor on Friday.
Thornton made a superb start with finishes of 96 and 160 in the opening two legs and also finished double four and tops for a 4-0 lead before Green kick-started his challenge with a 170 finish.
Thornton – October’s World Grand Prix champion – took out another 96 finish as he traded legs with Green, who hit back from 7-3 to 7-6 with a 13-darter, double eight and a 95 bull finish.
The Scot, though, finished a key double ten to deny Green the chance to break and landed two more timely maximums when throwing first to close out the win.
“I’m just happy to get into the next round,” said Thornton. “We’ve played each other a few times in the last year and tonight it was a battle, and I wanted it that little bit more.
“The 170 kick-started Robbie and I know how good a player he is, but he never got going fully and I capitalised, and I held my throw after that. My 180s came in at the right time and I hit my doubles well.
“There’s nothing wrong with my confidence and I know I can go up there and play darts as well as anybody, and I’m enjoying it.”