Whitlock survives comeback from Pipe in thriller, Gurney ends O'Connor's World Matchplay hopes

Whitlock started proceedings off with an early break of throw taking out 94 and from there raced into a 4-0 lead with a 105 average and having hit 4/6 of his doubles.

Pipe didn't give up though and took out 96 for an 11-darter to make it 4-1. 'The Force' from there reeled off three more legs to level up the match including breaking the throw.

It was five in a row for Pipe who hit double three to move to within a leg of a superb comeback win at 5-4. Whitlock sent it to a decider though but it was Pipe who was throwing for the match. 'The Wizard' denied Pipe in the end breaking throw to claim the win in the decider.

Gilding in his tie with Aspinall started the better of the two but 'The Asp' took out 118 to break the throw and level up at 2-2. 'Goldfinger' hit back with a 119 checkout on the bull to lead 3-2 and more breaks occurred with Gilding leading 4-3.

He moved ahead further hitting a fourth 180 and a 62 finish to go 5-3 up. Aspinall claimed one more leg but Gilding finished the match with Aspinall having numerous bounce-outs throughout leading to more criticism of the boards.

Gurney started clinically taking out 140 for the first leg but it ended up a close affair between the two with 'Superchin' winning 6-4.

This also ends the hopes of O'Connor now reaching the World Matchplay with the pressure eased on the likes of Keegan Brown who plays later.

Click here for more information about the PDC European Tour, including the format, calendar and the prize fund breakdown.

Jonny Clayton (88.93) 2-6 (91.81) Jermaine Wattimena
Darren Webster (90.73) 4-6 (92.3) Danny Noppert
Simon Whitlock (94.43) 6-5 (97.81) Justin Pipe
Nathan Aspinall (87.53) 4-6 (92.11) Andrew Gilding
Daryl Gurney (91.48) 6-4 (86.96) William O'Connor
14:30 Ian White v Karel Sedlacek
15:00 Steve Beaton v Ron Meulenkamp
15:30 James Wade v Mervyn King

https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1144965801700671489