PDC World Darts Championship day four: James Wade and Dave Chisnall crash out in round one

World Darts Evening session round-up

Chizzy crashes out

The seeds continued to struggle in the early stages of the World Championship as Dave Chisnall was dumped out after losing 3-0 to Vincent van der Voort.

The veteran Dutchman looked in great touch having recovered from a back issue that had almost forced him into retirement and the eighth seed at Ally Pally this year was no match for him on the big stage.

Van der Voort averaged 98.9, hit six 180s and nailed nine of his 16 attempts at doubles, which included double five to checkout 130 following two treble 20s.

Chisnall, who has endured a poor season by his high standards, only managed a brace maximums and was left to rue losing the opening two sets on deciding legs.

A year ago Van der Voort had considered his future in the sport due to a long-standing back injury, but reaped the rewards of his physiotherapy programme in a straight sets victory.

Van der Voort, who celebrates his 43rd birthday on Monday, admitted that he had been talked out of quitting the sport by his family after losing in the first round a year ago.

"At one point I thought I better just give up," he added. "I've been practising and doing everything I can, sometimes four or five hours a day doing rehab, being dedicated just to play well.

"I was ready to give up but my wife said give it one more go because in two or three years you'll regret it. I said I'd give it two years, try my hardest and if it's not there pack in, but right now I think I'll stay a little bit longer."

Steve Beaten is up next for van der Voort.

Wade ousted at first hurdle

There was a big surprise in the second game of the evening session as 11th seed James Wade was beaten by former World Youth champion Keegan Brown in a five-set thriller.

Neither player came into the clash with much form behind them after disappointing campaigns but produced a gripping spectacle for the Alexandra Palace fans.

Brown blitzed through the opening set 3-0 only for Wade to take the second 3-2 thanks to clinical checkouts of 110 and 72.

The third set also went the distance, with the unseeded 25-year-old prevailing with a timely 13-dart leg although he went off the boil in the next as seven-time major Wade forced a deciding set.

Trailing 2-1 with the darts, the Machine managed only two big trebles in six visits as Brown swooped in to punish with a break which earned him a second-round clash with Zoran Lerchbacher.

"It feels good, words are very hard to describe it at the moment," said a delighted Brown. "James is my hero, along with Phil Taylor, so it's just brilliant.

"I've played well in the last six months to get to this stage and I just thought take your time, don't rush, don't throw hot potatoes, just relax. And I got the job done."

Diamond too bright for Harris

Ian White avoided being the fourth seed of the day to crash out as he defeated Cody Harris 3-1 in the final match of the night.

Diamond posted an average of 96.89 - over 10 points more than the New Zealaner - while he hit four 180s and took out 10 of his 18 attempts at doubles.

Harris can leave with his head held high having nailed two ton+ checkouts in the five legs he won, with the highest being a superb 121.

Harris reaches first round

There was a lively start to Sunday's later action as Cody Harris progressed from his preliminary round with a 2-1 success over Willard Bruguier.

The New Zealand thrower set up a clash with Ian White after an entertaining showdown against the American which saw him claim the deciding set 3-0 in legs.

World Darts: Afternoon session round-up

Lewis slays fellow Welsh dragon

Jamie Lewis reminded fans of his huge potential as he produced a breathtaking display in a 3-0 victory over Jonny Clayton.

The 26-year-old Welshman has struggled to make an impression on the big stage since reaching the World Grand Prix quarter-finals back in 2015 and had to resort to the last-chance saloon qualifying event in Milton Keynes last month to book his place here.

Having earlier seen off Kenny Neyens 2-1 in the preliminary round, Lewis was underdog against the widely tipped Clayton, who was recently an impressive runner-up to Michael van Gerwen at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead.

But Lewis made a mockery of the odds as he unleashed a torrent of high-scoring and lethal finishing against his stunned compatriot.

He averaged 99.02, helped along by five maximums, while he hit nine of his 18 attempts at doubles, including a shot at the bullseye to take out 130 in the third set.

Chuck chops down Viljanen

Alan Norris eased into round two of the World Darts Championship with few problems as he brushed aside Kim Viljanen 3-0.

The 15th seed raced through the opening set 3-0 without his Finnish opponent managing a single attempt at a double but the second was a much tighter affair as Viljanen emphatically got over his early nerves.

He followed up a 13-darter with a 12-darter to go 2-0 up only for Norris to hit back with back-to-back legs, including a fine checkout from 81 on the bullseye.

Chuck then punished Viljanen five missed darts at a double to take the deciding leg while impressive checkouts of 80, 120 and 85 saw him win the third set 3-1.

Anderson shakes off Terrier

Australian star Kyle Anderson was well below his best but punished Peter Jacques for a host of missed doubles as he progressed 3-1 at Alexandra Palace.

The Auckland Darts Masters champion struggled to get his usual high scoring in full flow as he averaged 93.08 but was far more clinical on his finishing, hitting 11 of his 20 attempts at doubles.

Huddersfield thrower Jacques initially showed few signs of nerves on his Alexandra Palace debut when checking out from 75 to take the opening leg only for Anderson to storm back with three legs in succession, including a checkout from 109.

The 24th seed was soon up against it in the second set as the Terrier moved 2-0 up but after Anderson had pulled one back, he missed four darts at a double to level the match.

Anderson punished him by pinning double eight to checkout from 78 before taking the decider on 80.

To his credit Jacques managed to get a set on the board after edging a deciding leg in the third but ran out of steam in the fourth as Anderson polished it off 3-0.

Lewis overcomes slow start

Jamie Lewis booked a first-round meeting with Jonny Clayton later in the afternoon as he defeated Kenny Neyens 2-1.

His Belgian opponent blasted out of the blocks with two 180s in a 14-dart opening leg and soon doubled his advantage before Lewis nailed a 147 checkout and followed it up with two more legs on the bounce.

Lewis missed a match dart in the second set as Neyens stayed alive in the tournament with the help of 62 and 74 checkouts but the Welshman took the decider 3-0, finishing things off with a stunning 10-darter.

Sunday's results

Afternoon Session
First Round (Best of 5)/Prelim (Best of 3)

• Kenny Neyens 1-2 Jamie Lewis (P)
• Alan Norris 3-0 Kim Viljanen
• Kyle Anderson 3-1 Peter Jacques
• Jonny Clayton 0-3 Jamie Lewis

Evening Session
First Round (Best of 5)/Prelim (Best of 3)

• Willard Bruguier 1-2 Cody Harris (P)
• James Wade 2-3 Keegan Brown
• Dave Chisnall 0-3 Vincent van der Voort
• Ian White 3-1 Cody Harris

Related darts links

• World Darts Championship schedule, results & TV guide
• World Championship tournament predictions
• Sky Bet's World Darts Championship odds
• PDC tournament calendar & results for 2017