Perth Masters: Dutch duo Barney and Van Gerwen highlight quarters
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There was just one shock in the first round of this year’s Perth Masters event, the first of three 2015 World Series of Darts tournaments Down Under this month, as Australian Kyle Anderson edged out Stephen Bunting 6-5.
Besides that, though, the other Oceanic qualifiers were largely easily dispatched, including Aussie World Cup duo Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson.
Coral now preview the quarter-final stage that takes place on Saturday, August 15th in this three-day competition, which is now first to eight legs.
Phil Taylor v Kyle Anderson
Defending champion and number one seed Taylor (5/2 title chance) has been given the easiest of routs to the semi-final, after he thrashed New Zealand’s Craig Caldwell in his opener to set up a quarters clash with world number 43 Anderson.
The Power (1/6 odds-on favourite) has faced the Perth-born Aussie (4/1) just twice before, but both times in the latter’s home country where he beat him at the 2013 and 2014 Sydney Masters.
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
This will be the duo’s first meeting in a World Series of Darts event, but 36th on the PDC circuit.
World Championship and Premier League title holder Anderson edges their head-to-heads 18-14, and has won 10 of the last 11 against double champion of the world Lewis (8/5 to victory), so is odds-on at 1/2 to beat him again.
Only Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have won World Series of Darts titles to date, but Anderson is the 9/2 third-favourite to break that record.
Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
Van Barneveld, usually a slow starter in matches and currently in a bad run of form, came out the blocks almost straight away against highest-profile Oceanic qualifier Whitlock, and eventually saw him off 6-3.
Both players averaged around 100 in a top quality encounter, which shows that Barney still has some fight left in him despite his advancing years.
He next happens to face a fellow Dutchman who is almost half his age and world number one, Van Gerwen, though, who is the heavy 2/9 favourite to win this quarter-final. But Barney is temptingly priced at 10/3 to come through this duel and face one of the following duo in the semis.
Peter Wright v James Wade
Scotsman Wright has had a terrific year to date, despite not winning any top-end events, after finishing runner-up in the Coral UK Open, World Cup of Darts and Japan Masters in 2015, while also reaching the last four in the recent World Matchplay – a career best.
Snakebite now has the chance to get to the semis here too, but first has to beat Blackpool Winter Gardens finalist Wade. It seems that Coral can’t separate the duo, who are both priced at 10/11 for victory, but back Wright who is 12/1 to go all the way and win the title.
Coral’s betting tip – Van Barneveld was looking back to his best against Whitlock, so is a great shout at 10/3 to beat compatriot Van Gerwen.
