BDO World Darts Championship: Glen Durrant and Scott Waites advance
Scott Waites and Glen Durrant both impressed as they marched into round two of the BDO World Darts Championship.
Waites, winner of the title in 2013 and 2016, held off a spirited effort by Ross Montgomery in a game defined by quality darts from the former at big moments.
The 40-year-old took out 133 to steal the second leg of the match before hitting double 11 for the set, with checkouts of 68 and 56 helping him to edge the second.
Montgomery registered his high checkout of the match in the first leg of set three, hitting double 15 for 90, and went on to take the set to reduce the deficit.
And when he levelled up the fourth set to force a deciding leg, in which he had the darts, it looked as though the Scottish thrower would square the match up at 2-2.
Waites, though, had other ideas, producing the sort of leg which shows why he's a cut above most on the circuit when on top form. Throws of 95, 177 and 137 left him on 92, which he took out in two darts to seal a 3-1 victory.
Durrant, meanwhile, was far too good for Gary Robson in a 3-0 stroll.
The defending champion said he was inspired by PDC semi-finalist Jamie Lewis as he coasted to victory on his return to the stage on which he was a convincing winner of the 2017 final.
Durrant averaged 95.29 in advancing to the last 16, where he'll face either Darryl Fitton or Justin Thompson.
Also on Sunday afternoon, Chris Harris beat Umit Uygonsozlu 3-2 in their preliminary encounter to earn a clash with Dean Reynolds, with the winner to face Waites in the second round.
In the evening, seventh seed Wesley Harms was a surprise casualty as he went down 3-1 to Wayne Warren.
A former quarter-finalist at the World Darts Trophy but now in the twilight of his career, Warren had found a return to something approaching his best form in 2017 and it showed here, as he advanced to the second round for the first time in three attempts.
Next for him will be a clash with Willem Mandigers.
Dennis Nilsson put his experience to use to beat promising youngster Jeffrey Sparidaans 3-0 in their preliminary match, while Derk Telnekes impressed as he saw off Dutch compatriot Chris Landman by the same scoreline.
Sunday January 7
Afternoon Session (1pm)
First/Preliminary Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Channel 4
- (1) Glen Durrant 3-0 Gary Robson
- Umit Uygunsolzlu 2-3 Chris Harris (P)
- (5) Corrine Hammond 1-2 Fallon Sherrock (Best of 3 sets)
- (5) Ross Montgomery 1-3 Scott Waites
Evening Session (7pm)
First/Preliminary Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: BT Sport
- Dennis Nilsson 3-0 Jeffrey Sparidaans (P)
- (8) Sharon Prins 2-0 Maria O'Brien (Best of 3 sets)
- Chris Landman 0-3 Derk Teinekes (P)
- (7) Wesley Harms 1-3 Wayne Warren