Grand Slam of Darts - Report Day 2, Afternoon

WINNING DEBUT FOR KIST IN WILLIAM HILL GRAND SLAM AS LEWIS IS EDGED OUT
Christian Kist made a superb debut in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with a 5-1 win over home favourite Wayne Jones on Sunday afternoon - but rival World Champion Adrian Lewis suffered defeat to Tony O'Shea in Wolverhampton.
Dutch star Kist, who won the Lakeside Championship in January by defeating O'Shea, took only 11 minutes to see off Jones in their opening group game at the £400,000 event. The victory sets up his first-ever clash on Monday night with Holland's five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld - who whitewashed Mark Walsh earlier on Sunday in a similarly impressive performance at the Wolves Civic.
"It was a great moment for me and it's fantastic to win," said Kist. "I was a little nervous for this game but I controlled it well. "I'm confident and I feel good, and I hope I'll win my second game. It should be a great game - it will be the first time I've played Raymond and I'm looking forward to it."

Van Barneveld hit a 141 finish as he saw off last year's semi-finalist Walsh with a strong display, as he bids to erase the memory of a group stage exit 12 months ago.
"The 141 in checkout in the opening leg was a real confidence boost for me and I kicked on from there," said van Barneveld. "That was a really good win today and I'm looking forward to playing against Christian. "I'd never even met him before today and I'm curious about playing him. There's so much talent in Holland and he's doing well."

PDC World Champion Adrian Lewis, meanwhile, was edged out 5-4 in his Group E opener against Tony O'Shea, who took victory with a superb 12-dart finish in the deciding leg, hitting his fifth 180 of the match before taking out 86 on the bull.
"It's a great start," said O'Shea. "The last leg showed how important it is to win the bullseye before the game, and I had the throw and threw a 12-darter, which takes some beating. "I'm still the underdog but every game's a tough game and that's why this is probably my favourite tournament, because you get three games against great players, and over those games you get to show how you can play."

Lewis now face a key three-time World Champion John Part on Monday night as he bids to follow up last year's run to the semi-finals with further success in Wolverhampton - and he insists he can still go on to top Group E.
"I was pretty patchy and it's my own fault really because I missed two darts at double four to win it [in the penultimate leg] - but at the end of the day it's not the end of the tournament," said Lewis. "I'll come back fighting, and if I play my best I'll win my group. I wasn't at my best today and Tony took his chances, but I've got to improve on that."


Part was also a 5-4 loser as he was edged out in a deciding leg by last year's runner-up Gary Anderson, who was sporting a garish new shirt but also averaged over 95 in a strong performance as he punished the Canadian for missing two match darts.

"I enjoy coming here and I've got good memories after my run to the final last year," said Anderson. "I'm a bit fortunate that John missed those two darts at double six and I had a few iffy doubles in the middle of the match, but it's a good win."

Dutch debutant Wesley Harms, a Lakeside Championship semi-finalist in January, impressed on his first Grand Slam appearance with a 102 average in defeating former finalist Terry Jenkins 5-2.
"I played good darts today and think I can improve in my next two matches," said Harms. "I didn't feel nervous, I'm enjoying my darts and playing well."
Harms will now meet Wes Newton on Monday night, after the European Championship finalist opened up with a 5-2 victory over Welsh left-hander Martin Phillips.
"I started well to go 2-0 up but Martin came back well to level - I didn't realise how quick a thrower he was and I had to step back and slow myself down," said Newton. "I didn't let it put me off though and it's a good start." Br/>
Brendan Dolan and Andy Hamilton both picked up 5-2 wins in their Group F openers, with Northern Ireland's Dolan seeing off Paul Nicholson and 2007 runner-up Hamilton overcoming Barrie Bates.
"I was a bit nervous as it's my first time back here for a couple of years, so I'm pleased to win my first game," admitted Hamilton. "I'm a former finalist so I know I can do well in this competition and it's good to get the win."







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