Chris Landman caused a surprise at
Lakeside by knocking defending champion
Neil Duff out of the tournament. After a thriller he brought Duff to his knees in a decisive leg.
Landman got off to an energetic start. Thanks to a 15-darter, he snatched the first set from Duff. Set two, however, went 3-2 to the Northern Irishman, before Landman managed to take the third set after a fine 11-darter. However, Landman could not enjoy the lead for long. Set four went 3-1 to Duff, who then also took the fifth set 3-1 after Landman missed a lot of darts on double 4. With a 15-darter, 'The Countryman' forced a deciding set.
In the deciding set, Duff had the advantage of starting the odd legs and the first four legs also went with the darts. A fifth leg in the seventh set was to determine which player would advance to the semifinals.
Duff started the final set scoring slightly better and he was on 42 after 12 arrows. However, he then left his two match darts unused. Meanwhile, Landman was on 69 and via treble 19 and double 6 he took care of Duff's elimination.
Among the women,
Beau Greaves managed to reach the last four very easily. Against Paula Murphy, the 19-year-old women's world champion did not surrender a leg and won her sets twice 3-0. The level difference was immense; 88 versus 63 average.
