World Series of Darts Finals - Day 2, Quarterfinals

QUARTER-FINALS ROUND-UP
PHIL TAYLOR, Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis produced outstanding displays to progress to the semi-finals of the Unibet World Series of Darts Finals on Sunday afternoon.

Taylor, who won three of the international World Series events in Japan, Perth and Sydney earlier in 2015, continued his challenge to claim the £30,000 first prize in Glasgow with a clinical 10-3 quarter-final win over Stephen Bunting. Taylor took the opening five legs without reply and also led 7-1 as a 121 checkout saw him pull clear, and though Bunting hit a 128 bullseye finish in a brief rally, the 16-time World Champion proved too strong. Taylor now faces Peter Wright in the semi-finals as the tournament's decisive final session kicks off on Sunday evening, and is aiming to go all the way to another victory at the Braehead Arena.

"Going 5-0 up was important but Stephen didn't give up," said Taylor. "He's a good player and a good lad and he's getting back to his best. It's a great challenge tonight and I'd love to win this title."

Wright also averaged over 100 as he defeated James Wade 10-6 in their last eight contest, although the Scottish-born ace did much of the damage as he led 5-1 and 9-3. Wade checked out 161, 96 and tops to win three legs to reply, but Wright - June's Japan Darts Masters runner-up - followed an eighth 180 with a 74 checkout as he secured his last four spot.

"I've played James a lot this year and he's playing some fantastic darts, but he missed some doubles today and I took advantage of it," said Wright. He was coming back and I know how he can reel off the legs, so I was happy to get over the winning line."

World number one Michael van Gerwen's bid to win a third successive televised tournament saw him come from 8-6 down to win 10-8 in a high-quality contest with Dutch rival Raymond van Barneveld. Van Gerwen took out finishes of 146 and 126 as he shared the opening eight legs, before van Barneveld's 127 bull checkout helped him to break throw as he moved 7-4 up. Van Gerwen's ten-dart finish was followed by another bullseye from van Barneveld as he took out 81 to lead 8-6, only for van Gerwen to turn the game on its head with legs of 13 and 12 darts before punishing single misses from his rival in the next two to seal victory with a 106.42 average.

"Raymond played well but I felt more comfortable as the game went on and I'm really happy with how I played," said van Gerwen, who won the Dubai Darts Masters title in May. "The 106 average was massive but I needed to do that and I hope I can carry this on in the semi-finals and final."

Lewis, meanwhile, was back to his brilliant best as he averaged over 105 in a 10-6 win over Terry Jenkins, who had knocked out World Champion Gary Anderson on Saturday and landed eight 180s in another strong display. Lewis, though, took six legs from seven as he turned an early 2-1 deficit into a 7-3 lead, before holding off Jenkins' rally to close out the win and progress to a clash with van Gerwen.

/ "Terry was hitting 180s pretty much every time I looked up and he was at his best there, so I'm happy to get over the line," said Lewis. "I finished number two in the World Series rankings and I've done half of the job, now it's time to finish it off tonight."


Statistics - Quarterfinals
Ave180sDoublesPlayervPlayer Ave180sDoubles
97.3136/16Wade 6:10Wright101.12810/20
104.18371 %Taylor 10:3Bunting94.5353/10
105.1976/13Lewis 10:6Jenkins 100.6883/11
103.4958/18v.Barneveld 8:10v.Gerwen106.42710/18








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