Painter produced a piece of artistry as he fended off Mark Dudbridge in one of the best ties of the tournament so far 3-1 with six 180's and a high checkout of 151 en route.
This after he started slowly and was 1-0 in sets and 2-0 down to 'Flash' who looked potentially set to live up to his moniker and end the charge of 'The Artist' comfortably.
But he snatched the deciding leg with a 98 checkout to make it 1-1 and pivotally in the next set, Painter stole it after Dudbridge missed two darts at double 16 in a real turning point as Painter went into the lead.
In the end after a second double 20 on the 100 checkout went begging, Painter returned for 54 with the trademark snarl at the board and hit double 20 to seal a superb win.
But in Thornton next, he takes on the player who has been the benchmark at the Circus Tavern this weekend once again and a player who defeated Painter last year to reach the final.
He finally lost a set in the tournament against Neil Duff but despite that produced the best seen so far in a 3-1 sets win with six 180's and a 98.7 average. 'The Thorn' is set to go 500 miles back with the title again seemingly.
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The start was blistering as he produced a 107.5 average to begin with four 180's in a set and this came down but he still eased into a 2-0 lead.
Only for Duff to show some fight and resolve to snatch a set back but pinning his double 20, Thornton took the tie in the following set. The man to beat again?
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Top dog last year, and he's on course to do it again 🥀
Robert Thornton will be returning this evening against Kevin Painter.
Repeat or Revenge?🎯.
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