The PDC world darts championship reaches the quarter-finals
Wednesday 31st December 2008
The third round of the PDC world darts championship saw some nail-biting games with Raymond Van Barneveld pushed to a final set decider before taking out Ronnie Baxter of England by four sets to three. Elsewhere we saw Phil Taylor take out Kevin Painter by four sets to one, Wayne Mardell beaten by Co Stompe four sets to love and Mervyn King take out his fellow English compatriot Dennis Smith by four sets to one.
Elsewhere Jelle Klaasen managed to defeat Andy Hamilton also by four sets to one, even though Hamilton bagged a hatful of 180s. Dennis Priestley was beaten four two by Australia's Paul Nicholson and the last quarter-final place was taken by James Wade who defeated Vincent van der Voort by four sets to love.
While darts has never been a major pastime on TV there has been immense interest in this year's PDC World Championship and the ever creative production skills of Sky TV have added to the mix. Phil "the Power" Taylor is still the odds-on favourite to take the crown and Raymond Van Barneveld is still the second favourite despite his close call with England's Ronnie Baxter. The championship is set to finish on 4 January in what should be an excellent final.
