Newton and Whitlock Cruise Through, A Stuttering Lewis Progresses

The World Champion manages to get into the third round with the lowest average of all the second round winners so far, 87.95. Although he concluded the night against Denis Ovens, Simon Whitlock's 96 average and Newton's impressive 99 average were much better performances.

Lewis has been given the same fortuitous draw as Taylor, because if either had played better, in form players, they would not have got into the third round and will need to improve when they meet Kevin Painter and Robert Thornton respectively. Despite being under par, Lewis won the first five legs before making six out of seven to go 2-0 ahead.

Ovens managed to wake up in the third set and proved how badly Lewis was playing by taking the third set without conceding. The following sets did improve somewhat and were much closer. Ovens took a 2-1 lead in the set, but Lewis responded to take the fourth set. A 113-checkout was probably the highlight of the match. It came from Ovens to level the fifth set and take it into a deciding leg. Lewis managed to take it to win the match 4-1.

The night began with Newton against one of the shock victors of the first round, Scott Rand. An impressive 144-checkout gave Newton a 2-1 lead in the opening set before the Warrior took it in the deciding leg. Newton then hit a 143-checkout to begin the second set and he then found another impressive 133-checkout to win the second set 3-1.

Newton then missed nine darts at the double to allow Rand to level the third set. Rand then managed to force a deciding set before Newton again took it to go within a set of victory. That looked to break Rand as Newton steam rolled through the fourth set and sealed victory without conceding.

It was similar story for Whitlock who won the battle of the Wizards against Colin Osborne. Whitlock began the match by taking the first set without conceding. Osborne replied with the first two legs of the second set, but Whitlock managed to level with a 164-checkout before taking the deciding leg to double his advantage.

The third set was Osborne's turn to force a deciding leg after finding himself 2-1 behind. But Whitlock again managed the deciding leg to go within a set of victory. Just like Rand, that seemed to deflate Osborne as Whitlock ended how he finished, by winning a set without conceding to win the match 4-0.