Saturday 24 December 2016 09:29, UK
Darren 'The Demolition Man' Webster continued his remarkable World Championship form by wrecking Simon Whitlock's hopes at Alexandra Palace while reigning world champion Gary Anderson and former two-time winner Adrian Lewis breezed through.
Friday's evening session opened with 2010 finalist Whitlock up against Webster and crushed his hopes with a 4-0 whitewash to potentially set up a meeting with world No 1 Michael van Gerwen.
The Norfolk thrower, who knocked out Stephen Bunting in the first round, broke Whitlock's throw with a neat 81 finish to win the opening set with an average of 108.08.
Former European champion Whitlock found himself two sets down after failing with a 'Shanghai' attempt while the 48-year-old cleaned up with double top before raising a glass to the Ally Pally crowd.
'The Wizard' was being dismantled as Webster won the third set with a 112 finish before cleaning up with a stunning 140 to wrap up the match.
"I felt good and was really happy with the performance," said Webster, who finished with an 104.64 three-dart average, eight maximums and 66 per cent on the doubles. "That's me on the floor and better. It was my best performance on telly and I know I'm playing well. If you're not hungry then you might as well not be here."
Webster, who lost out to Van Gerwen in the Players Championship semi-finals after leading the Dutch star 6-0 in the their race to 11 legs, says he will ready for the Dutchman should he meet him in the next round.
"Michael has won 25 tournaments this year. I will say they never thought The Titanic would sink, but it did sink. I've got six days to become an iceberg and do it," he added.
Back-to-back world champion Anderson averaged 102.58 on his way to a comfortable 4-0 victory over former UK Open semi-finalist Andrew Gilding.
Golden boy Anderson, who celebrated his 46th birthday on Thursday, set up a meeting with 15th seeded Dutchman Benito van der Pas after firing six maximums as well as enjoying checkouts of 134 and 132 against the beleaguered 'Goldfinger'.
"Benito played well [against Terry Jenkins], but he's got another game to play - tomorrow it a different day," said 'The Flying Scotsman'.
Former two-time champion Lewis was in tip-top form to dispatch 'The Rockstar' Joe Cullen with an immaculate 102.65 three-dart average, 44 per cent on the doubles and five 180s.
After taking the opening set, the Stoke-on-Trent marksman took the next with an exhibition 161 outshot and then stepped on the gas to complete a handsome win.
Lewis, who will play the winner of the match between five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld or Alan Norris, means business at Alexandra Palace, saying: "I'm sending a message to myself. It was a good, solid performance, so yeah, happy. I'll do three or four hours practice on Christmas Day now."
You can see all the action from the Alexandra Palace on Sky Sports Darts HD. Don't forget, you can send us your comments throughout this year's tournament by tweeting us @SkySportsDarts ... #LoveTheDarts
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