Thursday 22 December 2016 08:29, UK
Three-time semi-finalist James Wade, Mensur Suljovic and Robert Thornton all moved safely through to the second round at the PDC World Darts Championship on Wednesday.
Number six seed and multiple major winner Wade was in effortless mode on the oche as he romped past Belgium's Ronny Huybrechts 3-0.
The former Premier League, UK Open, Grand Slam and World Matchplay champion found himself a break down in the first set, but turned on the afterburners to power through with a combination of some big scores and lethal finishing on the doubles.
'The Rebel' Huybrechts was broken in the third leg of the next with Wade nailing a 'Shanghai' finish on his way to taking the set and he finished off the contest with a sublime 141 out-shot and is rewarded with a showdown against Steve Beaton.
"I've been practising well," Wade, who averaged 93.83, told Sky Sports Darts. "My chances here are nothing to do with my results in other tournaments. What I've being doing in practice is a little bit special and it stands me in a good place for the rest of the tournament. I can enjoy my Christmas dinner now."
European Championship finalist Suljovic produced a lacklustre display with an average of just 88, but still won 3-0 against Ron Meulenkamp.
The Dutch left-hander, who beat Stephen Bunting and Gary Anderson at the Players Championship last month, failed to hit his numbers and was punished.
Suljovic, playing in his ninth World Championship, was involved in a scrappy first set but fought back from 2-0 down to snatch it. The Austrian moved up a few gears in the next to whitewash his disheartened opponent and he moved through to the next round with another clean sweep in the third set.
Number nine seed and two-time quarter-finalist Thornton had major problems nailing his doubles in the match against Austria's Zoran Lerchbacher, who defeated Plymouth's Simon 'The Mirror Man' Stevenson 2-1 in the preliminary round clash earlier in the night.
The 2015 World Grand Prix Champion struggled throughout a slow-burner of a contest, but still managed to win in straight sets.
He will face Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney next and the Borders thrower expects a tough match.
"I know how Daryl plays," said Thornton, who hit four maximums during his win. "We've had some crackers in the past and no doubt the next one will be the same."
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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