WDF World Championship Round-up | Ben Robb comes unstuck against 19-year-old wonderkid as Scottish duo succumb to defeat in Ladies event at Lakeside

The quarter-finals at the WDF World Championship have got underway with some big results in Lakeside. Some of the matchup favourites failed to progress, while other familiar names continued their campaign at the iconic venue in Frimley Green.

Ben Robb's title ambitions have come crashing down after a 4-2 defeat to 19-year-old Jenson Walker. Robb had been one of the standout players throughout the week but found himself under the cosh in the early stages of this quarter-final. A 100 checkout from Walker saw him break back, and he was able to hold on to take the first set, pinning a 109 outshot to wrap things off in style. Walker had previously knocked out Aussie Raymond Smith in a surprising victory. He was targeting another Down Under victim and was halfway to completing this feet after completing a terrific comeback from 2-0 down.

The New Zealander got himself back on track with a whitewash set to move within one of the Englishman. The fourth set offered another close finish, with Robb culminating in the madhouse as he got over the line to draw this match level. Just as quicky as he found himself level, Robb was once again behind. A quickfire three legs from Walker saw him take the lead back, with Robb showing his frustration at his under-par performance. An 80 checkout in three moved him to the brink. A missed match dart on tops strayed into the single fives, offering Robb the chance to stick around. Five more match darts came and went, but Walker was able to complete the job on double two.

Both James Beeton and Sybren Gijbels were playing in their first World Championship quarter-final. One of them would continue their stunning display at Lakeside, and it would be Gijbels who came out on top in a comprehensive 4-1 win. After finding himself a break down in the first set, the Belgian did brilliantly to dig himself out of a hole to take the early advantage. It would be premature as Beeton levelled up the scoreline, taking out checkouts of 96 and 75. It would be the last set he managed to get in this event, with Gijbels the more clinical player. He almost instantly propelled himself back in front. It was a set which saw a brace of 100 checkouts. The Englishman began set four with a ton+ checkout, taking out 105 ahead of a final-leg shootout. Beeton had the hold of throw but could not use it to his advantage. Gijbels took out 78 to move him within one of a final four spot. He comfortably saw the match out, and will return to the Lakeside stage as a world champion semi-finalist, with a place in the final on the line.

The number two seed Lorraine Hyde suffered huge disappointment after she succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Priscilla Steenbergen. The World Masters champion began on the backfoot, finding herself 2-0 down, The Dutchwoman had the chance to see out the set but missed darts on the outer ring. Hyde clawed her way back into it and managed to take the first set. She would not get a close to doubling her lead after checkouts of 78 and 140 put Steenbergen on the way to levelling this quarter-final. She would throw first in the third set, and it would come in key with the pair unable to find any joy on each other’s throw. This left her one set away from making the semi-finals for the first time in her career. She would do it in style, sweeping up the final three games amid more sloppy darts on doubles by Hyde to secure a spot in the final four.

There was more disappointment for Scotland as Sophie McKinlay failed to get a set on the board in a 3-0 defeat to Deta Hedman. It was on paper destined to be a closely fought tie, but in the end the Englishwoman ran away with it. After the pair traded breaks, Hedman managed to keep her cool and edge ahead after a tight first set. She clinched an early break in the second set, capitalising on her Scottish opponent ahead of a leg marred by numerous missed doubles. Hedman eventually got over the line before taking the second set. This was completed after McKinlay narrowly missed the bull for a 121 to force another deciding leg. The sixth seed kept the pressure on the third seed, breaking at the start of the third set. She would be ultimately dragged back by Headman who saw the game out, taking out 60 in two to put her into the final four. A three-time runner-up could this be the year Hedman succeeds at Lakeside.

There was one boys match to be played in this afternoon session, with Mason Teese coming back from a set deficit to dispose of Hungarian Benedek Szabo 2-1 and to go through to the semi-finals. The number three seed went into it as the favourite but was under pressure after blowing a 2-0 lead in the first set. Teese managed to find a way to get himself back into the match, finally getting himself some daylight over his opponent to take the second set before going 2-1 up in the third. On his rivals throw, Teese had his eyes on the prize and took out 57 in two, continuing his progress in the event.