The dartboard returned to our screens tonight as the 2011 World Grand Prix kicked off in dramatic fashion. Dublin is the host and the Grand Prix shares a special set of rules, it is set play and the first round is first to win two sets (first player to win three legs wins the set). But it also double to start which can take away the throwing first advantage, the advantage now comes if your opponent fails to start with their first three darts.
The night started with Ireland's own Brendan Dolan who had a tough opposition in the shape of Wayne Jones. Dolan last won a match in this tournament in 2004 but was able to change that tonight. He took the first set 3-1 before winning the deciding in the second set to progress into the next round.
Next saw Scotland's John Henderson progress into the second round in his début season in the PDC. His opponent was Justin Pipe and was unlucky in both sets as Henderson managed to win both deciding legs to win the match 2-0.
It was also a first win in this tournament for Vincent Van der Voort. The crowd's favourite was up against tough opposition, Kevin Painter. The Dutchman stormed out of the traps to take the first set without conceding before Painter took him to a deciding leg in the second set which Van der Voort was able to win.
Wes Newton continued his brilliant season but only just against Colin Lloyd. Lloyd did actually take the first set via the deciding leg but he failed to win another leg afterwards as Newton took the second and third sets 3-0 to win the match 2-1.
The shock of the night saw World Champion Adrian Lewis get knocked out by Darth Maple John Part. Lewis looked in good form after taking the first set without conceding. Jackpot then had chances to win the second set but squandered them, allowing Part to win the deciding leg to take into the deciding set. With momentum on his side, Part then won the third set 3-1 to evict the World Champion from the competition.
James Wade kicked his tournament of with a decent victory over Steve Brown. The heavy favourite took the first set 3-1 before dismantling Brown 3-0 in the second set to ease into the next round.
Raymond Van Barneveld survived a tough match against Mervyn King in a match where neither player deserves to lose in the first round. Barney secured a crucial 100 checkout to steal the first set in the deciding leg. King hit back in the second set with a 116 checkout but that would be the final leg he would win as Barney secured the second set 3-1.
The final match of the night saw Ireland's William O'Connor get overpowered by the Pie Man Andy Smith. Despite winning the first leg, O'Connor lost the first set 3-1. Smith then repeated the punishment in the second set to progress into the second round.
No comments:
Post a Comment