• European Darts Championship

Lewis whitewashed by White

Adrian Lewis has never won the European title © PA Photos

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Reigning two-time world champion Adrian Lewis saw his pursuit of a maiden European Darts Championship title destroyed on Friday by a whitewash from Ian White in Muelheim.

Lewis, a runner-up in the event in 2008 and 2011, was handed a first-round test against the man he recently defeated in the final of the German Masters in Stuttgart. On that occasion Lewis won 6-3 to pick up his first European Tour title, but on this occasion he was hammered 6-0.

White has been in fine form recently, reaching the German Darts Masters final a fortnight ago - where he lost to Lewis - and a Players Championship final last weekend, but he admitted: "It's amazing and I would never have expected to win 6-0 - I'm lost for words!

"Everything went for me tonight and I couldn't seem to miss. I took my chances and the first leg was pretty important because it settled me down and maybe Adrian started to think about his game after missing those doubles. I'm enjoying my darts at the moment and everything's going well for me."

There were no such troubles for Raymond van Barneveld, who turned on the style to beat Terry Jenkins 6-1. Van Barneveld introduced himself to the 180s early in the contest to fly into a 2-0 advantage, and he maintained a 100 per cent checkout ratio throughout the contest to progress.

The Dutchman now plays fellow countryman Michael van Gerwen in the last 16 on Saturday night, and admitted: "I've been playing so well in practice and working really hard on my finishing, and it's great to take that onto stage."

Simon Whitlock is safely through to the next round after he saw off Mark Walsh 6-2. Whitlock, a 2011 European semi-finalist, claimed the third leg against the darts with a double-eight, after which he never looked troubled in a clinical performance.

He was joined in the next stage of the competition by Colin Lloyd, who beat James Wade 6-3. Wade, twice a UK Open winner, fell behind early against his fellow countryman, and Lloyd peppered the treble-20s en route to one of the most significant results of the evening.

Earlier in the night, Michael van Gerwen threw away a 5-2 lead but was then saved by a missed 52 checkout from Andy Smith in a 6-5 victory, Richie Burnett beat Co Stompe 6-3 and Dave Chisnall emerged victorious 6-3 against Gino Vos.

"My performance was brilliant and I feel great, but it would have been unbelievable if I'd lost that game!" Van Gerwen said. "After going 4-1 up I should have made it easier for myself but Andy played really well."

There was also a win for Kim Huybrechts against Vincent van der Voort in the final match of the evening. Huybrechts triumphed 6-4 to become the last man to book a place in round two.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.