The World Championship returns from the Christmas break with another host of darting drama. There was little drama for James Wade against Vincent Van Der Voort or for Wes Newton against Mark Walsh. But Simon Whitlock needed to fight tooth and nail to see off a plucky Dave Chisnall.
A 157-checkout from Chisnall levelled the opening set before Whitlock took it with the deciding leg. With all five legs going with throw in the first set, it was perhaps a surprise to see the first two legs in the second set go against it. The Australian missed three darts in both the third and fourth legs to allow Chisnall to level the match.
Whitlock came back to trounce Chisnall in the third set without conceding. Only for Chisnall to retaliate by taking the fourth set without conceding to make it 2-2. Chizzy missed three darts in the third leg of the fifth set but he couldn't avoid losing it without winning a leg to find himself 3-2 behind. But Chisnall responded again by taking 76-out on the bull in the opening leg. Chisnall then missed three darts to take the set without conceding and a 126-checkout from Whitlock forced a deciding leg. Chisnall again regained his composure to take the leg and force a fifth and final set.
Whitlock began that set like a train, winning the first leg with a ton checkout before making it 2-0 with a fantastic 130-finish after Chisnall missed two darts at the double. But again Chisnall fought back and ended up forcing a tie-break situation before taking a 3-2 lead. An incredible 152-checkout from Whitlock again levelled the match and that seemed to break Chizzy's heart as Whitlock would take the next two legs to stumble into the next round.
Van Der Voort didn't really deserve to lose the match against Wade without winning a set, but missed doubles cost him dear. Just like in the last round, Wade started the match on fire, quickly winning the opening set without conceding. The Machine made it four straight legs before the Dutchman took a 2-1 lead in the second set. But Van Der Voort would then miss three darts in each of the following two legs to win it and ultimately found himself 2-0.
Van Der Voort began the third set with a 108-checkout before also taking the second leg. But Wade responded to force a deciding leg. The Dutchman would then miss two more darts to win a set, before Wade moved into a 3-0 lead. It would be a case of deja vu in the fourth set as Van Der Voort took the opening leg before missing three darts in both the third and fourth legs to allow Wade to win it 3-1 and progress into the quarters.
Newton will face Wade in the last eight after seeing off the in form Walsh. Special Brew took the opening leg in the first set before needing to set up a deciding leg which Newton would end up winning. Walsh did win the opening leg in the second set but Newton would then fire six straight legs to surge into a 3-0 lead.
Walsh would take the lead twice in the fourth set before Newton force a second deciding leg. The Warrior would end up missing a dart at the bull to win the match and Walsh managed to force another set. With momentum now in his court, Walsh took the opening two legs in that set before Newton fought back to take it 3-2 and go through.
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