The mission to complete the semi-final line-up in Milton Keynes starts with an absolute corker of a match.
PDC world champion and number one Michael van Gerwen was solid in the first round. Jonny Clayton put up a fight, but Mighty Mike ultimately won through. He might have to go up a notch against the in-form Mensur Suljovic. The Gentle was fantastic against Simon Whitlock; a 106 average helped him to a . The loveable Austrian will have plenty on his side here. Judging from the Friday and Saturday performances, no player has a better chance of pulling off a giant-killing. Not too many people expected Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting to be contesting a quarter-final. To be fair to Bunting, he wasn't even expected to be present. The Bullet shot down Darren Webster in a game riddled with missed darts at double. It was much the same story for Chisnall, who eventually struck the killer blow to send Daryl Gurney packing. The trebles should take a beating in this one. Doubles may not be found so efficiently.
Joe Cullen pulled off what may be considered a shock at the
Masters - when the top 16 is about, it's hard to picture a real shock unless Michael van Gerwen's the victim. Instead it was 2018 world champion Rob Cross who was downed. Cullen meets James Wade in the quarter-finals. Some might have hoped for fireworks in Wade's win over Gerwyn Price, but it was a fairly humdrum success in the end. The Machine wouldn't mind another well-oiled performance if it lands him a semi-final berth.
Taking on Cullen or Wade in the last four is either Peter Wright or Michael Smith. Smith impressed with a three-figure average against Ian White; Wright limped to a stuttering win over Adrian Lewis. The Englishman has the momentum but his Scottish foe has vowed to improve. Whoever wins will be in with a big chance of reaching the first final of the year. It's a big opportunity to make a statement early on. Smith, often a finalist last year, would be looking to go that extra step to get 2019 going in style.
The action starts at 12:45pm, with ITV4 showing every dart live.
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13:00 Dave Chisnall v Stephen Bunting 14:00 Michael van Gerwen v Mensur Suljovic 15:00 Joe Cullen v James Wade 16:00 Michael Smith v Peter Wright