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German Darts Masters: MVG and Phil Taylor ease through as Peter Wright survives a scare
Peter Wright survived a scare to reach the second round of the German Darts Masters in Dusseldorf but Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor enjoyed easier wins.
Snakebite escaped with a 6-5 win from his clash with Dragutin Horvat after the qualifier came from 5-1 down to force a decider, landing a brilliant 110 checkout in the 10th leg.
Wright was first to a finish as he left 56 after 12 darts but eventually scrambled home on double five after Horvat missed tops for what would have been a remarkable win.
The UK Open champion told the PDC: "I felt good even when he came back at me. He can play good darts and he showed that but I felt I had enough in the locker. Maybe I'm lucky to be through but I'd love to go on and win this now."
Wright will next meet Mensur Suljovic at the Castello Arena after the Austrian also claimed a 6-5 victory over Auckland Darts Masters champion Kyle Anderson.
A high-quality opening saw Suljovic's 14-darter cancelled out by a 12-dart finish from Anderson, before the Champions League of Darts winner took tour of the next five to open up a 5-2 lead.
Anderson took out 96 for another 12-dart finish before double 16 broke to reduce the gap to 5-4 before taking out 68 to force a decider, only to see the Austrian land double 16 to finally close out the win.
"It was a crazy game," said Suljovic. "I was so nervous at the end but I'm happy. Kyle is a great player but I've been in perfect form and it's a good win."
World number one van Gerwen travelled to the World Series of Darts event despite suffering from bursitis in his left ankle, having previously overcome the problem during June's World Cup of Darts to take the title, but he defied any discomfort to beat local prospect Martin Schindler 6-2.
He began his bid for glory with a 180 and a 124 finish in a 12-dart leg, and despite missing 13 darts at doubles in mid-game recovered to seal the win.
Berlin's Schindler, 21, was in touch at 3-2, but double eight edged Van Gerwen clear before he recovered from a bounce-out to finish 107 with treble 19 and the bull to lead 5-2 before sealing the win on double 12.
Van Gerwen now takes on James Wade in Saturday afternoon's quarter-finals, after the left-hander produced a stunning six from six on his doubles to defeat Kevin Munch 6-2.
The double top bed took a battering as Wade clinically saw off Munch to secure his quarter-final place, with the first seven legs of the contest ending on tops.
"I'm happy for a change," admitted Wade, who averaged over 101. "The hunger is back and it's the first time it's been back for a long time, but I've been working hard and although it's a big hill to climb I'm taking steps."
Gary Anderson ended the hopes of German number one Max Hopp by claiming a 6-3 victory as he began his bid for a third World Series win of the year.
The Flying Scotsman next takes on Raymond van Barneveld in a rematch of August's Perth Darts Masters final, after the Dutchman overcame Stefan Stoyke 6-3.
Phil Taylor's bid to say a competitive farewell to Germany with victory began as he defeated Robert Marijanovic 6-2.
The Power next meets World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney, who produced an assured display to whitewash German Superleague winner Maik Langendorf 6-0.
Gurney opened the match with a 127 bull finish and took out 67 and double nine to lead by three legs, before punishing a total of eight misses by Langendorf in the next two as he moved 5-0 up, before double ten sealed the win.
"The scoreline was 6-0 but it didn't feel that easy," said Gurney. "Maik could have won a couple of the legs so I'm happy to get through it. I really enjoyed it and it was a good atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
The tournament concludes on Saturday, with the quarter-finals in the afternoon session and the semi-finals and final in the evening session.
German Darts Masters: Results & Schedule
Friday October 20
Evening Session
First Round (Best of 11 legs)
- Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Stefan Stoyke
- Daryl Gurney 6-0 Maik Langendorf
- James Wade 6-2 Kevin Munch
- Kyle Anderson 5-6 Mensur Suljovic
- Gary Anderson 6-3 Max Hopp
- Peter Wright 6-5 Dragutin Horvat
- Phil Taylor 6-2 Robert Marijanovic
- Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Martin Schindler
Saturday October 21
Afternoon Session (1400 local time, 1300 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
- Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld
- Peter Wright v Mensur Suljovic
- Phil Taylor v Daryl Gurney
Evening Session (2015 local time, 1915 BST)
Semi-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
- Two matches
Final (Best of 21 legs)
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2