Machin books Quarter-Final with McGuirk as De Graaf sails through Lakeside opener

There was success for Peter Machin, Aileen de Graaf and Jason Brandon all in reaching ther Quarter-Finals of the 2024 WDF World Championship at Lakeside as Thursday afternoon concludes.

Machin, the former BDO World Trophy champion will now face off against Shane McGuirk after winning nine out of the last 10 legs to see off Cliff Prior 3-1. After losing the opening set, Machin returned levelling the tie up with finishes of 97 and 113 claiming it 3-0.

It became a procession from this point onwards as Machin hit superb combination checkouts of 112 and 76 on his way to taking the third set 3-1.

He eased towards the finishing line sweeping the final set 3-0 with a 15-darter to start followed by a break of throw. It was a 20 darter to finish but Prior had no answers. He now faces the hotly tipped Irishman.

While Aileen de Graaf, the 2023 finalist sailed through to the last eight defeating Mayumi Ouchi in straight sets to reach a ninth Lakeside Quarter-Final.

She made a strong start taking the first set 3-1. Ouchi got more of a hold in the second set but De Graaf was in particular quality on her own throw including to win it averaging 93 in hitting a 16-darter pinning double 18 with Ouchi way back as she was throughout on the Dutchwoman's darts.

Jason Brandon has made a real impression thus far on his debut and he wiped the floor with Sybren Gijbels ending the run of the Belgian in a supreme 3-0 win. He averaged 87, only bettered by Schweyen and McGuirk thus far in the round. Starting the tie, he pinned 96 and 124 to breeze through the opener 3-0. Before it went all with the throw.

Brandon though pinned 72 to double his lead as he went 2-0 up. After losing the opening leg of what was the final set, it was a procession as he won legs in 16, 17 and 15 breaking throw before consolidating with a 171, 140 and double 20 last dart in hand. Superb from the American.