Phil Taylor and Paul Nicholson will collide in a huge grudge match at the European Championship in Dusseldorf.
Nicholson faces the Power after war of words in Blackpool
Phil Taylor and Paul Nicholson will collide in a huge grudge match at the PartyPoker.net European Championship in Dusseldorf after both men completed convincing second round wins.
Defending champion Taylor defeated Mervyn King 10-3 to register his 17th straight European Championship win, to follow Nicholson's 10-4 win over Terry Jenkins at the sold-out Maritim Hotel venue.
Nicholson has had some strong words to say about the World number one at the World Matchplay recently, but only served to fire-up the 15-time world champion to go on and win in Blackpool.
"Everyone wants to watch us play each other now, it's something not to be missed," said Taylor. "Paul played really well and was very calm, and I'm sure he'll bring his best game.
"I moved through the gears nicely today and will be right up there tomorrow so it'll be great to watch."
Dream
Taylor accused Nicholson of trying to use his name to secure a Premier League place, but now he will have the chance to let his darts do the talking.
"My life is really good right now," said Nicholson. "I'm happy and I'm fit and you can't ask for more than that.
"I'm living my dream - I know I can beat anybody and getting into the top ten in the world is already the biggest achievement of my career."
Taylor got straight into the groove against King with two ton visits and a maximum before taking out 121 - and that was the first of three legs on the bounce for the Stoke ace as he powered past King with an average just shy of 103.
The key to Nicholson's win was his heavy hitting of 140s to streak away from Jenkins after the pair shared the opening four legs.
Dominant
Simon Whitlock cruised into the quarter-finals with a dominant 10-2 victory over Colin Lloyd in the opening match of the afternoon session. The Australian all but sealed victory in the opening stanza by taking the first five legs, and with the score at 6-2, he took four on the trot to stroll into Sunday's action.
The Australian will face Peter Wright in Sunday's quarter-finals after Snakebite stunned Gary Anderson in the final second round clash of the afternoon session.
The in-form Scot held a 4-2 lead of Wright but the Lowestoft man punished Anderson for missing doubles, taking out 121 to level at five-each and then repeating the trick in the 14th leg to move 9-5 ahead.
Wright had a dart at tops to take out 114 to win in real style, but it did not cost him as he returned to register his fifth leg in a row to cap a remarkable comeback.
Lewis wins
In the evening session, Adrian Lewis reached the quarter-finals with a 10-5 win over Dave Chisnall.
The World Champion was tied at 5-5 against the St Helens man, but when they returned from the break Lewis fired in four 180s and took out 146 and 104 as he won five legs in a row.
He then clinched the match with a 123 checkout to send a message to the rest of the field with a 105.80 average - with the eight players in action on Saturday averaging 100.14 between them.
Lewis will face Kim Huybrechts in the quarter-finals after the Belgian won a tense match with Wes Newton 10-8.
"It was a fantastic match, one that deserved a nine-darter," said Lewis.
"I've never played Dave on TV and he's got a lot of bottle. I'm just happy to get through that. I don't know much about Kim but he's done well to get past Wes so I will have to be at the top of my game because he's bound to be on a high."
Wade victory
World number three James Wade admitted Ronnie Baxter let him off in their second round clash as he battled back from 3-0 down to win 10-7.
Wade now faces Raymond van Barneveld after the Dutchman treated the German crowd to superb display of finishing in his 10-5 win over Mark Walsh.
"Mark started really well so I had to play that well to get through, those 121 checkouts were so crucial," said Van Barneveld.
"Playing James is always 50-50, last week he beat me in the World Matchplay, but I'm feeling confident and relaxed."
