PDC World Championship: Michael van Gerwen secures quarter-final spot
Tuesday 30 December 2014 10:49, UK
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen moved into the quarter-finals of the World Championship after a 4-1 win over Terry Jenkins.
The Dutchman raised his game against the 16th seed and pulled clear in the closing sets to secure a showdown with Robert Thornton at Alexandra Palace.
With Prince Harry in attendance, Van Gerwen produced his trademark high-tempo start, breezing through the opening set.
Jenkins narrowly missed out on a nine-darter at the weekend and came roaring back in the second set, taking out 116 to level the match.
The pair continued to trade legs in thrilling fashion, with Van Gerwen forging a 2-1 lead before 'The Bull' battled into a 2-0 advantage in the fourth set.
But Van Gerwen seized upon stray darts from his opponent, opening up a 3-1 advantage with three straight legs and quickly clinched victory in the next set.
"Terry did well, but I thought he played better in the fourth set. He was 2-0 ahead," said van Gerwen.
"That was a big key moment in the game and that hurt him.
"You need to feel comfortable and relaxed to beat Terry Jenkins in the last 16. I feel confident, I feel good."
Earlier in the night, James Wade crashed out of the tournament after a 4-1 defeat against Stephen Bunting.
Wade failed to live up to his status as sixth seed and could not match the Merseysider's nerveless finishing.
A superb 161 checkout sealed the opening set and Bunting later took out 144 during his stroll to victory.
In the final match, Thornton proved a class above Benito van de Pas, who had sent out two seeds in the previous rounds.
The Dutchman had dealt with Paul Nicholson and Dave Chisnall, but could not gain a foothold as Thornton finished calmly throughout a 4-0 victory.
When asked about another meeting with van Gerwen, the Scot said: "Another Dutchman. We’ve had a few battles, me and Michael.
"I don’t see this one being any different, but I need to brush up on my scoring a little bit. It was little bit ragged up there."
