UK Darts Issue 12 - March 2014 | Page 12

UK Open Quarter Finals World Champion Michael van Gerwen held off a gutsy display from Ian White before claiming a 10-8 victory, with the Stoke ace taking out 141 early on only to see the Dutchman follow checkouts of 124 and 113 by sealing the win with a 109 finish. “In some moments there I felt great, maybe too good, but Ian did well,” said van Gerwen. Jenkins continued his fine run of form with a 10-4 defeat of Brendan Dolan, hitting five 180s and a 126 checkout in moving towards the eighth major final of his career. “Brendan’s a tough player to play against Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig but I put him under pressure throughout the game,” said Jenkins. “I was really relaxed and kept my cool - I usually let the other bloke back in when I get ahead but I did a good job here.” “I was really relaxed and kept my cool - I usually let the other bloke back in when I get ahead but I did a good job here” Terry Jenkins “Fingers crossed I can make the final tonight because this is one of the few majors where I haven’t reached the final yet - and it would be great to win it.” Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis was in scintillating form as he followed up Saturday night’s big win over Raymond van Barneveld with a 10-3 defeat of Austria’s Mensur Suljovic. “I’ve reached a couple of quarter-finals before in this event but never the semi-finals so it’s a new step for me,” said Lewis. “I feel good and my form’s fantastic, so I want to go on and win the tournament now.” Lewis now plays Mervyn King, who continued to defy the pain of sciatica in his back with a 10-6 win over Kevin Painter as he remains in the hunt for his first PDC major title. Painter won the game’s opening two legs and hit four 180s, but was unable to match his opponent’s consistency as King moved into the last four. “Kevin started well but I got into a rhythm and took my chances well,” said King. “I’ll have a rest before the semi-finals and I’m looking forward to tonight. “My back has been giving me a lot of grief for 18 months but it’s getting sorted now, and although I’m stiff now it’s more a ‘getting better’ “Kevin started well but I got into a rhythm and took my chances well” Mervyn King