Grand Slam of Darts - Report Quarterfinals
WINSTANLEY and HAMILTON REACH WILLIAM HILL GRAND SLAM OF DARTS SEMI-FINALS
Dean Winstanley and Andy Hamilton won through to the semi-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with 16-12 victories over Kevin Painter and John Part respectively on Saturday afternoon.
Yorkshireman Winstanley, the former Lakeside Champion, took a fine win over Painter to reach his first major semi-final since joining the PDC circuit in January.
The 31-year-old trailed 3-2 early on but took six of the next seven legs to assume command at 8-4, taking an advantage he would never lose as he set up a semi-final with either Scott Waites or Michael van Gerwen on Sunday afternoon.
"I'm over the moon to get past Kevin and I never gave in," said Winstanley. "It was a great game and a big tussle, but he let me off in a few legs. "I stole a few legs from Kevin but there's got to be a thief in a game and it was me today. The last few legs were some of the hardest I've ever played. When I got a few legs ahead I was worried that he'd come back and it was so hard. "I'm going to go up there tomorrow and enjoy the semi-final. I know I can do it and I'm looking forward to the game."
Painter was punished for a total of 30 missed doubles from 42 attempts during the game, and admitted that Winstanley's superior finishing was pivotal.
"I think I lost the game by giving Dean five legs in the middle of the game and I gave the game away really," said Painter. "Every time I got myself in a decent position I missed my doubles. "I don't know how I lost the game because my scoring was good and every time I walked up to a double I thought I was going to get it and it just wasn't to be. "It's frustrating but every time I missed, he checked out."
2007 Grand Slam of Darts finalist Hamilton, meanwhile, remains on course to at least match that achievement at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall following his 16-12 defeat of three-time World Champion Part.
Hamilton did much of the damage early on by punishing a slow start from the Canadian legend to lead 7-2, and although Part pulled back from 14-7 down to trail 14-9 and 15-12, the Stoke ace eventually hit the double to put himself into the last four with a 103 checkout.
"I eventually got there and I'm delighted to be in the semis," said Hamilton. "John fought back well at me and I thought I was going to give the game away at one stage, but I'm really pleased with my performance. "I'm probably not the best front-runner so perhaps when I got five or six legs clear but once I got in front it was always going to be hard to peg me back. "I took out some good finishes there and I was pleased with how I wrapped it up with a 12-darter and the 103 finish. "I've just got to focus now on the next game. I know I can get to the final here, and I can't wait for tomorrow."
DOUBLE DUTCH IN WOLVERHAMPTON AS BARNEY & VAN GERWEN REACH SEMI-FINALS
Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen completed the semi-final line-up at the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with brilliant victories over Christian Kist and Scott Waites on Saturday night.
Five-time World Champion van Barneveld took a superb 16-10 win over Lakeside Champion Christian Kist in their all-Dutch quarter-final clash at the Wolves Civic.
Van Barneveld hit 12 180s and averaged more than 110 during much of the game as he took an initial 7-2 lead and then moved 13-7 up as he pushed towards the semis. Kist took his tally of 180s to ten as he fought back, but van Barneveld sealed victory with a 12-dart finish to win through to the semi-finals for the second time in Wolverhampton, where he now plays Andy Hamilton.
"I'm really played well and it was an amazing game," said van Barneveld, who ended with a 100.57 average. "The first ten legs were awesome for me and I was in the mood tonight - I'm playing at my level again. "My doubles were great and I felt really comfortable. I'm really happy with the darts after changing to use 23 gram darts, and I believe in myself again. "Christian played some awesome darts and I've got a lot of respect for him. He's got a lot of bottle and he's done really well to reach the quarter-finals this week, and I think he's a fantastic player."
He added: "Andy and me have had many great battles in the past and I've got a good record against him but that doesn't mean anything. "He's really consistent at the moment and it's anybody's game tomorrow, but hopefully I will get into the final, and it would be very emotional for me if I can win this tournament now."
Van Gerwen, meanwhile, continued his bid for a second successive major title as he ended 2010 champion Scott Waites' hopes of a second Grand Slam triumph with a 16-12 victory in their clash.
The Dutch star followed up Thursday's sensational defeat of Phil Taylor with another superb performance, although Waites played his part in a high-paced thriller. Van Gerwen hit a 170 checkout as he led 4-1 initially before Waites took six out of the next seven legs to move 7-5 up. An incredible run from van Gerwen, though, saw him take eight successive legs to take control of the game, hitting a second 170 finish of the match and averaging 119 in an amazing spell to move 13-7 up. Waites hit back to 13-10 but could never pull back closer than within three legs as van Gerwen eventually closed out another great victory on double eight.
"Scott's been in great form this week and it was a very difficult game for me," said van Gerwen. "I made it hard for myself by missing some doubles, but my scoring was there and I hit some great finishes when I had to. "Scott played very well but when I was 7-5 down I was positive and I produced my best spell of the game - but that was only eight legs and I hope I can play that well all the way through the game in future. "I'm very happy with this win and I hope I can carry this on in the next game because Dean Winstanley will be a tough opponent in the semi-finals."
Waites, the 2010 Grand Slam champion, had defeated Phil Taylor as he topped Group A and admitted: "It was a great game to play in and I enjoyed it, despite the defeat. "Michael came out much fast than I did and he's playing incredibly well. I missed a few doubles and Michael took advantage. He played better than me and deserved to be the winner but I've got a lot of positives to take from the tournament. "I topped the group and bagged a win on the big stage against Phil Taylor, so it's been great for me."