Phil Taylor and two-time defending champion Raymond van Barneveld both cruised through to the fourth round of the UK Open.
But upsets aplenty in third round
Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld made winning starts in their respective quests for the Blue Square UK Open title in Bolton on Friday night.
Taylor produced a 104 average in his 9-3 win over John Ferrell, while defending champion van Barneveld was a 9-0 victor against Tony Ayres.
But there were upsets aplenty, with two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley, 2004 UK Open champion Roland Scholten and former world number one Colin Lloyd all crashing out.
"It was a good start for me but I'll get better as the tournament progresses," said Taylor. "I was looking round at what was happening in the other games so I have to concentrate more on Saturday."
Taylor will meet Jamie Harvey in the last 32, while van Barneveld meets Irishman Jason Barry.
World number one van Barneveld looked to have put his disappointing Premier League Darts campaign behind him in beating Ayres, with the Dutchman saying: "I played well and my doubles were brilliant. I love this tournament but I'm still only in the last 32."
Vincent van der Voort came from 4-1 down and took eight successive legs in dumping Lloyd from the tournament, while Stoke qualifier "Nutty" Nigel Birch sent Priestley packing with a 9-8 defeat.
Scholten lost 9-4 to 2005 runner-up Mark Walsh, with former BDO world number one Robert Thornton progressing with a 9-7 victory against Michael van Gerwen and Gary Mawson doing the same with a 9-7 win over Alex Roy.
Lewis pips Mardle
The game of the evening eventually went the way of Adrian Lewis, who hit eight 180s as he came from 8-7 behind to beat Wayne Mardle in a deciding leg.
World Champion John Part included a 167 finish in his 9-2 win over Colin Monk, while two other top five players, James Wade and Terry Jenkins, were also impressive in beating Justin Pipe and Andy Smith.
But, having won through from Thursday's first round, young Bradford postman Joe Cullen lost 9-5 to Chris Mason.
