Lewis whitewashes Gilding to storm into World Matchplay second round

Adrian Lewis produced a stunning whitewash of BetVictor World Matchplay debutant Andrew Gilding to  storm into the second round in Blackpool yesterday evening, as Stephen Bunting, Mervyn King and Gary Anderson completed the first round with victories.

World number three Lewis, last year’s beaten finalist at the Winter Gardens, averaged 110 in a ruthless demolition of the newcomer from Suffolk, who was limited to just two darts at a double during the 21-minute contest.

After winning the opening leg on double 19, Lewis hit a 180 as he doubled his lead and posted the first of two 11-dart finishes as he took control at 3-0.

He then punished a miss at tops from Gilding, to complete a 100 finish, in the fourth, hit back-to-back 14-dart legs to lead 6-0 and then took out 97 for a seven-leg cushion.

Lewis then fired in his second 11-darter, which was followed by a brilliant ten-dart finish which featured scores of 180, 134 and 171 before he hit double eight to win his ninth leg – despite Gilding landing his second maximum in reply.

He then secured the victory in style, opening the tenth leg with a 177 score before taking out 83 for a 14-darter to complete a brilliant display.

“I’ve never played Andrew before but he’s beaten some top names and I knew I had to be ready tonight, so I’m really pleased with that,” said Lewis, whose pre-tournament odds of 8/1 have been slashed to 13/2 following the win.

“I’ve been working really hard for the last few weeks and I know my form’s fantastic and I’m feeling very confident. That was probably me at about 80 percent and I think I can do better than this.

“It could have been a higher average – I was hitting 140s where I was getting the first two darts perfect in the treble 20 and missing with the third, so if I turn the 140s into 180s I could probably average 130!

“I’ve lost to Phil Taylor with a 111 average before and I averaged 107 against him and lost in the final last year, so I’m not taking anything for granted, but I believe I can win this tournament.”

Lewis now meets Mervyn King in the second round on Wednesday, after the former World Matchplay semi-finalist averaged an impressive 101 in his 10-4 defeat of Kim Huybrechts.

The Belgian was in touch with King at 5-4 following a nip-and-tuck opening half of the game – with King taking out an 82 finish and a pair of 81 checkouts at key times – before the Englishman pulled clear with five straight legs to claim the win.

“I came out to win and did a really good job, and the 101 average is a bonus,” said King. “I’ve been working really hard for the last few weeks and months and it’s nice to get up there and show people what I can do.

“Hopefully that can carry on but there’s a lot of darts to be played yet and I won’t look any further than this.

“Winning one of these major PDC tournaments is my aim. I’ve been close a few times now, but Adrian is on top of his game. If he carries on like he did tonight when we play on Wednesday then I’ll have to really dig in, and it will be a good game.”

Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting enjoyed a superb World Matchplay debut as he overcame number six seed Peter Wright, the World Championship finalist and Premier League star who went down 10-6.

Bunting settled any nerves quickly by taking a 2-0 lead – capitalising on a miss at tops from Wright in the opener before taking out 70 on the bull in leg two – and after his opponent cut the gap to 4-3, the St Helens ace took the next three to pull clear.

Bunting landed a 13-darter as he exended his lead to 9-5, and though Wright hit the bull to keep his hopes alive, the fightback was brief as the PDC newcomer finished 72 to complete a memorable Winter Gardens debut.

“I couldn’t have asked for much better from my debut game,” said Bunting. “It was an achievement just to qualify for this tournament, but to beat a player like Peter is great for me because he’s a fantastic player.

“I scored well and just want to sharpen up a bit on my doubles. The crowd got me through that game and the atmosphere was amazing, and even though I was nervous I did the job.

“I’ve put a lot of hard work in to get here, but now I’m here I want to win the tournament because this is one of the most prestigious titles in the PDC. I’ve got to raise my game even more to compete at the top level, but this is a good start.

“Nights like this make the switch worthwhile. I was very nervous today but I’m sure that now I’ve played my first game and my debutant nerves have gone I should be fine.”

Bunting will now face former Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson in the second round, after the Scot overcame Jamie Caven 10-8 in a tight contest.

The pair shared the opening six legs before Caven landed double 16 and then took out 132 on the bull to break and move 5-3 up – only for Anderson to break back immediately with a 145 checkout before levelling.

The next four legs also went with the throw before Anderson broke to lead for the first time at 8-7, with Caven missing three darts at tops before seeing his opponent pin double 12 to move ahead for the first time.

He then landed tops for a 9-7 cushion, and though Caven hit back in the next Anderson proved too strong as he finished 80 to progress to the last 16.

“It was one of those games where it was going to be about one break of throw or one mistake,” said Anderson. “Jamie broke me early on and I broke him straight back but when it was seven-all and I got the break then I wanted to have a big push.

“Things are going well for me so far this year and it’s been a while since I played like this on stage. It’s starting to come good again and I’m enjoying it again.

“It should be a great game in the second round against Stephen and I’ll just play my own game. Stephen’s new in the PDC but he’s going to be buzzing.”

The second round begins on Tuesday, with World Champion Michael van Gerwen – the 2/1 tournament favourite with sponsors BetVictor – taking on Ian White in a tasty contest.

Andy Hamilton opens up against Dave Chisnall before 2007 champion James Wade meets Richie Burnett, and Australian ace Simon Whitlock, the number four seed, then plays Premier League Darts champion Raymond van Barneveld.

 

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