Grand Slam of Darts - Report Day 1
TAYLOR MAKES STRONG START AS THORNTON WHITEWASHES HANKEY IN WILLIAM HILL GRAND SLAM OF DARTS
Reigning champion Phil Taylor made a winning start to his bid for a fifth William Hill Grand Slam of Darts title on Saturday night, but two-time World Champion Ted Hankey was whitewashed by Robert Thornton as the £400,000 event began at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.Taylor defeated Dutch ace Co Stompe 5-2 in their opening Group A fixture to make a fine start to the round-robin stage of the tournament, averaging just over 100 in a confident performance.
"I'm really pleased with that and it's a good start for me," said Taylor, who now plays Mark Webster on Sunday evening. "I've had a really good preparation for this and it would mean a massive amount to me to keep the title. "It was important to get a win because I know it will be hard again on Sunday night against Mark because he played really well today."
Welsh left-hander Webster enjoyed a confidence-boosting 5-3 win over 2010 Grand Slam of Darts champion Scott Waites in their opener at the Wolves Civic, taking an early 3-0 lead which proved crucial in the final outcome.
"It's a tough group so it's great to get off to a winning start," said Webster. "I slackened off a bit towards the end but that's to be expected because I've not been winning many games as of late. "I closed it out for a change and I can build on that."
UK Open champion Robert Thornton made a brilliant start to Group B with a whitewash of Ted Hankey in their opening clash, as the two-time Lakeside Champion was punished for missed doubles in all five legs by the clinical Scot.
"It was one of those nights where my doubles just wouldn't go in," said Hankey. "That's been the story of my year, but tomorrow's another day and the great thing about this tournament is that I've got two more matches to put it right."
Thornton will now play Michael van Gerwen in Sunday's second fixtures, after the World Grand Prix winner defeated Steve Beaton 5-2 with a brilliant 103 average.
"It's an important start for me because it takes the pressure off," said van Gerwen. "I'm glad to win the first game and I played well, and I hope I can continue this and get another good result tomorrow night."
Simon Whitlock and Kevin Painter were the opening winners in Group C, with the latter being pushed all the way by Dean Winstanley before edging a 5-4 victory with a superb 14-darter in the decider.
"There was a lot of tension - I think we were both very nervous," admitted Painter. "I started well and it was a bit patchy after that, but I did what I needed to in the final leg."
European Champion Whitlock, meanwhile, was a 5-2 winner against World Youth Champion James Hubbard in their opener.
"James is an excellent player and I've practised with him recently so I know how well he's been playing, and I'm very pleased to get to the win," said Whitlock. "It's important in the round-robin format to get that win under my belt, and it should be a great game with Kevin tomorrow."
Mervyn King and Arron Monk were the winners in the Group D openers, with King sweeping past Dutchman Jan Dekker 5-1 with a strong performance.
"To come away with a victory from your opening game is fantastic," said King. "It's always important to get the first win under your belt and I can build on this."
Former World Youth Champion Monk, meanwhile, defeated 2010 runner-up James Wade 5-1 in what he admitted was one of the biggest results of his fledgling career.
"To beat a player like James, who I believe is the second best in the world, in that manner on the big stage is a dream come true," said the 22-year-old. "I've been in good form recently and I went on stage with bags of confidence."