Anderson dumps out Wade

Anderson: Impressive win

Grand Slam of Darts results:
G Anderson 10-8
R van Barneveld 10-4 D Young
T Jenkins 10-8 R Thornton
D Fitton 10-8 D Ovens

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Gary Anderson produced the result of the evening as he overcame a nine-darter from James Wade to seal his place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a 10-8 victory.

Wade capped a comeback from 5-3 down to move 7-5 up with his first televised perfect leg, hitting back-to-back 180s before landing treble 20, treble 19 and double 12.

However, that was not enough for the UK Open champion, who saw Anderson hit five 180s in as many legs to pull through for victory.

The opening exchanges were even, however after five legs it was Wade who held a slender 3-2 lead.

Anderson hit back and went on to reel off three successive legs as the duo traded 180s, giving the 2007 semi-finalist a 5-3 cushion before three successive double top finishes from Wade - including checkouts of 102 and 101 - put him 6-5 up.

'The Machine' then brought the Wolverhampton Civic crowd to its feet with his stunning nine-darter, only for missed doubles in the next to allow Anderson to reduce the deficit to 7-6.

Unbeaten

Both players then exchanged legs, however Anderson took the final three in scintillating fashion to secure his place in the last eight.

"James wasn't at his best," said Anderson. "He is a heavy scorer but he never got going and I'm pleased to be through to the quarters."

Raymond van Barneveld made light work of Darin Young as he breezed to a 10-4 win in their last 16 match-up.

Having progressed through the group phase unbeaten, van Barneveld showed his title credentials with a strong display to end the American's hopes.

After Young shared the opening two legs, van Barneveld found another gear to reel off five successive legs in storming clear.

Young punished misses from the Dutchman in leg eight to win a second leg, only for 'Barney'to reply with a brilliant ten-darter and a 110 finish to lead 8-2.

Young took the next two, including a 12-darter, but any hope of a comeback was quickly snuffed out by van Barneveld, who hit a 174 to leave a 110 finish, which he took out on double 16.

He then opened the next with a maximum, and defied a 180 from Young to wrap up victory on double 16.

"I felt pretty confident and am happy to be through," said van Barneveld. "It wasn't my best display but I gave myself a rest day on Wednesday and maybe that showed.

Admirable

Terry Jenkins was given a scare as he came from 5-2 down to beat Robert Thornton 10-8 in a mini-epic at Wolverhampton.

Jenkins looked on course to exit the tournament when the in-form Scot powered into the lead, but landed nine maximums in pulling back to take the win.

After trailing 5-2, missed doubles from Thornton in the next two legs allowed Jenkins to cut the gap to one leg, before a 118 finish put Thornton 6-4 ahead.

Jenkins, though, lifted his game to hit 180s in the next three legs as well as regaining his touch on double top to lead for the first time at 7-6.

'The Bull' held his nerve admirably after sneaking ahead and sealed a dramatic victory on double nine.

"I've been close for the last couple of years but had a bad spell in the first half of 2008 and think I'm coming back into form," said Jenkins.

"I was a bit slow in my scoring in the first for or five legs but then I kept hitting 180s in legs and losing legs! But I'm happy to be through."

The other game of the evening was equally dramatic, Darryl Fitton and Dennis Ovens putting on another classic encounter before the former edged through 10-8.

Fitton, World Masters runner-up, scored heavily throughout and held his nerve to take out tops after 'The Heat' had fought back from 7-3 down.