Whitlock raced into a 3-0 lead and despite Joyce coming back, the Aussie ace was always in control and claimed it 10-4 with five 180's and a high checkout of 92.

Both players started well in a high quality first leg hitting a 180 apiece but it was Whitlock who took out 78 for the lead. He doubled this with a second 180 and an 84 on the bull to make it 2-0 and break Joyce's throw.

Whitlock got away with it surviving a dart at double 20 and missing eight missed darts at double but 'The Wizard' held to make it 3-0 and ask the question early on.

He missed 80 for 4-0 and Joyce returned to claim his first leg with a 108 checkout. The Newcastle ace missed 109 hitting the wire on double 16 but Whitlock couldn't punish with 90 on the bull and Joyce hit double eight to make it 3-2.

Joyce missed two darts to level and suffered another break at 4-2 behind and this was extended with the former missing double 19 for a 118 finish and Whitlock returned to make it 5-2.

He missed the bull on 132 to impart a further break but Joyce made a mess of 18 which allowed Whitlock to make it 6-2.

At the next break, Joyce broke a duck of four consecutive Whitlock legs to stay alive at 7-3 down but he missed an 80 checkout to go one away prolonging the tie.

Joyce missed one at double 16 and Whitlock went one away from there at 9-4 up as he looked to finally finish proceedings off. He did so hitting a 13 darter to move through.

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Simon Whitlock (89.96) 10-4 (90.11) Ryan Joyce
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