The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsWorld Champion Gary Anderson was the latest seed to exit the competition as he was brushed aside by Ian White in an incredible game in Dublin, where both averaged 97 on double-start.
Robert Thornton booked his place in the quarter-finals following a straight sets victory over Justin Pipe. ‘The Force’ secured his first TV win since the 2014 World Championship in the first round, but failed to perform at his best as he was beaten in straight sets.
Thornton took a scrappy first set, but the second set was far from scrappy, the Scot taking out 127 on the Bull and then a tidy 120 to secure the second set 3-0. He then we get on to close out the match again a usually consistent Pipe who never found top form on the Dublin stage.
Mensur Suljovic’s debut at the World Grand Prix in Dublin has been one to after beating Simon Whitlock in straight sets, but it isn’t over yet as he faces Vincent van der Voort in the quarter-finals following a high-quality victory over Aussie ace Whitlock.
The Suljovic D14 hitting was sublime throughout and his double-hitting to win legs was superb as well, winning the first set on his favourite D14. The Austrian produced a moment of quality to win the second set, hitting a maximum before nailing D16 to double his advantage. He was in cruise-control from there, winning the match in straight sets.
Vincent van der Voort dumped Phil Taylor out of the competition in round one, and came up against an out of sorts Terry Jenkins. Wayward darts plagued Terry’s game throughout at van der Voort continued his excellent run at the World Grand Prix.
The big Dutchman powered his way into taking the first set without reply from Jenkins, and took out 149 to win the second set, with Jenkins averaging in the mid-sixties! Van der Voort took the first two legs in the third set, Jenkins replied to force a decider, but the Dutchman came through in the end for a straight sets win.
Gary Anderson and Ian White were involved in the match of the tournament so far and it was the World Champion who bit the dust in the final second round match. Stoke star White took the first set under pressure, but back came Anderson to take out 96 and break the throw in the second set.
White came back to force a decider, but it was the World and Premier League Champion who levelled up the clash. Both players nailed checkouts under pressure in the third set, but it was White who held his nerve to lead 2-1. The fourth set went to a last-leg decider, and after Anderson missed two set darts, White was there to convert and win the match in a game that included and incredible nineteen 180s.
