Co stomps on Mardle dream

Stompe: Quarter-final run

Third Round Results:
D Priestley 2-4 P Nicholson
M King 4-1 D Smith
W Mardle 0-4 C Stompe

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Co Stompe produced a scintillating display of darts to send Wayne Mardle crashing out of the World Championship after a 4-0 thumping at the Alexandra Palace, while Paul Nicholson saw off Dennis Priestley.

The lanky Dutchman was solid enough as Mardle crumbled on the stage he loves so much, and 'Hawaii 501' could just not get going as set after set went the way of his opponent.

Stompe has been a surprise package at the tournament and he now takes on Phil Taylor in the semi-finals after his crushing victory.

"This was definitely one of the best wins of my career, especially with that crowd out there who were unbelievable," Stompe told Sky Sports after the game.

"I knew they'd all be supporting Wayne but I played well and it was just a shame that Wayne didn't play as he can - I watched him against Thornton and he played unbelievably well and thought I was in for a tough game.

"I think I've really matured over the last six months in the PDC, you don't get any easy games. I used to be a nervous wreck going up on stage for big TV games but now I've settled right down."

Aussie on a roll

Nicholson's World Championship odyssey rolls on into the quarter-finals after the Geordie-turned-Australian came from two sets down to Dennis Priestley 4-2.

Veteran Priestley looked in top form as he stormed into a 2-0 lead in the first third round game of the day at Alexandra Palace.

Australian number one Nicholson hit back straight away though and won all three legs of the third set to get on the board, before quickly levelling the match at 2-2.

Nicholson was improving set after set, while Priestley was struggling to maintain his flying start, and the 29-year-old made it tell by going ahead for the first time at 3-2, and Mexborough veteran had no answer as Nicholson sealed a place in the last eight.

"I knew it was going to be a slower game and I knew I might start differently and I did - I played shocking in the first two sets," Nicholson told Sky Sports after the game.

"It's kind of surreal for someone like me to actually get the opportunity to play Dennis on the biggest stage of all. It's a privilege just to be up there but to beat him - I can't even describe that.

"Everybody I've spoken to this week I've said I've got one goal and that's to make the semis so they better watch out - I'm going to be dangerous."

King marches on

Former Lakeside finalist Mervyn King booked a quearter-final date with Barries Bates after beating Dennis Smith.

King had few problems as he recorded a comfortable 4-1 victory over Smith, who had bounced back to form at the tournament.

Smiffy showed few signs of his earlier form as The King powered into a 3-0 lead, although Smith did manage to pull a set back for 3-1.

After letting his doubles slip during that fourth set, King regained his top form to see-off Smith's fightback and seal his place in the last eight.