2016 Coral UK Open quarters preview: Lynn gets Green Machine reward

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | March 5, 2016

2016 Coral UK Open

Three first-time major quarter-finalists feature

What a fantastic advert for the sport the Coral UK Open has been, as once again it has lived up to its nickname of being the FA Cup of darts.

Already, we have witnessed super shocks, early round battles of titans and even a nine-darter. Read on to find out which stars achieved the above for our preview of the quarter-finals draw on the last day of the major televised event in Minehead…

Jelle Klaasen v Kyle Anderson

The Netherlands’ Klaasen (8/15 favourite with Coral) and Australian Anderson (6/4) are first up on the stage on Sunday afternoon, after they defeated respective tricky opponents Adrian Lewis and Benito van de Pas in the fifth round.

Despite Anderson playing in his first ever major quarter-final, it is the Aussie who actually boasts a 2-1 winning record over 2006 BDO world champion Klaasen, including beating him most recently at UK Open Qualifier last month.

This duel has the potential to be the closest clash of the round, with the duo being most similar in ability out of the draw, and so the more experienced Cobra is 7/1 for a 10-8 victory this time.

Peter Wright v Joe Cullen

As Snakebite (2/9) still hunts his first-ever major televised title, he’ll be happy to have drawn Bradford-born Cullen (10/3), who has never reached this stage of a premier event. Last year’s runner-up is 9/1 to go all the way this time.

Both have knocked out decent opposition so far, with Wright eliminating veteran trio Steve Beaton, Terry Jenkins and Darren Webster, while Cullen defeated the likes of Alan Norris and Stephen Bunting.

INTERVIEW | A determined Joe Cullen delighted to have reached his first ever TV Quarter-Final. #UKOpenhttps://t.co/Kk4PmDINju

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 5, 2016

Premier League Scottish thrower Wright has a 4-2 record over The Rockstar, but the Yorkshireman won their last meeting back in 2014. That is unlikely to happen again, however, and Snakebite should see Cullen off for a second time at the UK Open, after doing so in 2011.

Michael van Gerwen v Barry Lynn

A binman by day, the hugely confident Riley qualifier Lynn has arguably been the talk of the tournament, after not only beating but smashing his way past world champion Gary Anderson 9-3 in the fourth round.

He now faces the other man whose name has been on everyone’s lips after his thrilling nine-darter against another qualifier Rob Cross on Saturday afternoon, world number one and title holder Van Gerwen.

NINE DARTER: Here is the video of MVG's 9 darter at the Coral UK Open.

Scenes!!!!! https://t.co/86EdAGfZmZ

— Coral (@Coral) March 5, 2016

Essex-born Lynn was drawn the Green Machine after stating following his triumph over The Flying Scotsman that the Dutchman was the only man he feared, so it was surely fate that the duo had to meet.

How apt it is, though, that in light of MvG’s perfect leg, Lynn has decided to walk on to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 for the Sunday showdown.

In other likenesses, the famous Austrian composer’s piece of music happened to be a first – the same with Lynn being in unchartered waters – as the piece he wrote was the first ever symphony with vocals parts.

Lynn has certainly looked composed himself, managing a rare 125 checkout (bull, 25, bull) in his victory over Stuart Kellett.

VINE: A show-piece 125 checkout to win it for Barry Lynn! #CoralUKOpen https://t.co/L88jtO7uah

— Live Darts (@livedarts) March 5, 2016

But back to the match itself, if you do fancy another incredible shock win by Lynn, who will take away a career best £10k prize-money at least whatever the result, then take a tempting price of 20/1.

Van Gerwen is the overwhelming odds-on 1/100 favourite for a reason, though, being in unworldly form of late, that has also seen him fire four 170 checkouts this tournament already. He is a more tempting 4/1 price to whitewash the Englishman 10-0, bringing him back down to earth.

Phil Taylor v Mark Webster

In the last battle of the session, two former world champions meet, although one just happens to be the best of them all, Taylor (9/2 title second-favourite).

After a poor 2015 by his standards, The Power has looked back to his best this year, and has dealt with two Dutch giants – Raymond van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort – this UK Open already.

Welshman Webster’s route to this stage has been far more straightforward, with Matthew Edgar, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Mensur Suljovic being his challengers so far.

The Spider (4/1 match shout) has beaten Taylor (1/6) just twice in 21 attempts, and has lost each of their last 13 head-to-heads – the most recent coming in the semis of a UK Open Qualifier in February.

SCHEDULE: Here's the @Coral UK Open Quarter-Finals order of play & Sunday's session schedule pic.twitter.com/abs3V71Vev

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 5, 2016

2016 Coral UK Open Sunday schedule and Saturday results

Fourth round results

Benito van de Pas 9-3 Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright 9-5 Terry Jenkins
Michael van Gerwen 9-5 Rob Cross – MvG hits a nine-darter
Phil Taylor 9-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Stephen Bunting 9-6 Jamie Caven
Vincent van der Voort 9-2 Andy Jenkins
Adrian Lewis 9-6 John Henderson
Barry Lynn 9-3 Gary Anderson
Joe Cullen 9-6 Alan Norris
Mark Webster 9-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Stuart Kellett 9-5 Michael Smith
Jelle Klaasen 9-8 Joe Murnan
Kim Huybrechts 9-3 Justin Pipe
Kyle Anderson 9-2 James Wilson
Darren Webster 9-8 Ricky Evans
Mensur Suljovic 9-8 Ryan De Vreede

Fifth round results

Joe Cullen 9-7 Stephen Bunting
Phil Taylor 9-7 Vincent van der Voort
Jelle Klaasen 9-7 Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen 9-2 Kim Huybrechts
Mark Webster 9-5 Mensur Suljovic
Barry Lynn 9-3 Stuart Kellett
Peter Wright 9-5 Darren Webster
Kyle Anderson 9-2 Benito van de Pas

Sunday quarter-finals (12:45-17:00)

Jelle Klaasen v Kyle Anderson
Peter Wright v Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen v Barry Lynn
Phil Taylor v Mark Webster

Sunday evening session (19:00-23:00)

Semi-finals
Final

Format

Quarter-finals – Best of 19 legs
Semi-finals – Best of 19 legs
Final – Best of 21 legs

Related

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