PDC World Championship Preview - Day 11, evening session

The evening session on day 11 of the World Championship is an absolute treat. The second round comes to a close with the world number two taking on a player who put in the performance of a lifetime in the first round. Then two world champions kick off the last 16, one taking on a compatriot who is yet to drop a set, and the other clashing with a man who never lacks in self-belief. There could be fireworks at the Ally Pally.

It is pleasing to see that Peter Wright has not been seriously affected by the gallstones that almost ended his World Championship dream before it started. In fact, he claimed the break did him some good. The world number two was not exceptional in round one, but was still professional in a 3-1 defeat of Diogo Portela. The average, just short of 98, is at least ten points short of what Wright can do. Snakebite will be looking to set up a last 16 tie against Alan Norris or James Richardson with a minimum of fuss.
Hoping to make life tough for the UK Open champion is Jamie Lewis, one of the three players to win both a preliminary round tie and their first round game. The Welshman edged past Kenny Neyens, but came into his own against compatriot Jonny Clayton. A 99 average, featuring five maximums and a 50 per cent doubles success rate, ensured a fantastic 3-0 win. Lewis struck 11 and 12 dart legs in multiple sets, taking important legs quickly to shock the 31st seed. A repeat would push Wright all the way, but anything less could allow him safe passage.

Two Dutch behemoths collide in the perfect opening to the third round, as Raymond van Barneveld meets Vincent van der Voort. The two are friends and have played each other many times, so each knows the other's game inside out. There will be no surprises. Van der Voort has been the most impressive performer at the World Championship so far, relatively speaking. The Dutch Destroyer was unseeded but wiped out Dave Chisnall and Steve Beaton, whitewashing the eighth and 25th seeds. A potential quarter-final meeting with best friend Michael van Gerwen is all the motivation van der Voort could need.
But it's never easy against the master, van Barneveld. The five-time champion is always devastatingly consistent, and has brought that skill to the Ally Pally once more. In both his 3-0 win over Richard North and the 4-1 defeat of Kyle Anderson, Barney averaged 102. If he is left on double 16, the words 'game shot...Raymond van Barneveld' are a mere formality most of the time. This tie is hard to call. Both will be confident, and both will have a massive quarter-final in their sights. Out of many brilliant matches so far, this could rank up there with the best.

The sport of darts might just be a bit too easy for Michael van Gerwen. After a 106.17 average accounted for Christian Kist in the first round, a ridiculous 108.65 left James Wilson eating the Dutchman's dust. Van Gerwen produced a rare whitewash, not allowing Lethal Biscuit to steal even a single leg in the entire match. Wilson, who averaged 96 himself, only got three chances to do so across 12 legs. The last time van Gerwen failed to average a ton or more in the World Championship was in the first round against Rene Eidams, two years ago. He averaged 99.
Gerwyn Price was happy to bear all in a very revealing article in the Times this week. The naked truth for the Welshman is that this is the tallest of tasks. But Price is one of the most confident players in the world, aside from Mighty Mike himself. He is never overawed. Ted Evetts and Ian White could both have been banana skins, but were swatted aside. Any mistake the pair made was punished by the Iceman. He will need to be just as cool in taking advantage of any opportunity van Gerwen presents. Should he present any, of course...