• World Darts Championship

Lewis shows champion's steel to beat Painter

Adrian Lewis was put to the test by Kevin Painter but came through in style © PA Photos

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• News: Whitlock wizardry propels him into quarter-finals
  

Adrian Lewis showed the mettle of a reigning champion to beat Kevin Painter and reach the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Lewis won 4-2 to set up a clash with Dutchman Michael van Gerwen but he suffered a mid-match wobble allowing his opponent back into it.

Lewis raced into a 2-0 lead, not even allowing Painter one attempt at a double in the first set, but "The Artist" took the initiative in the third and built a two-leg lead.

Lewis hit his trebles to put the pressure on but Painter took the set with a nervy 68 checkout. That gave the Essex player more confidence and he held his nerve again in the next set to level the match 2-2.

But Lewis was not about to crumble and showed why he has won the past two editions of the tournament in coming from one leg down to win three consecutive legs and the set. From there "Jackpot" saw the game out to mark a timely return to form before Saturday's quarter-final with Van Gerwen.

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld completely dominated Gary Anderson to win 4-0 in his third round match, proving the pre-match predictions of a seven-set classic to be extremely wide of the mark.

Anderson went into the game with his Achilles heel being an inability to hit his doubles at the crucial moment but it was his all-round game which was shown up.

Van Barneveld will now play Simon Whitlock, who won a thrilling contest with Dave Chisnall in the afternoon session, on Friday and the Dutchman is in a confident mood ahead of the match.

"When I saw the draw I thought 'wow, it's really hard for my opponent'," joked Van Barneveld.

"I played well I am enjoying myself and I am thinking [in the] best of nine sets against Simon, I am going to enjoy it. Me and Simon have battled so many times on Saturday games in these tournaments so I'm going to enjoy it.

"Simon is beatable…If I hit my doubles. He's a fantastic player and I love him, he's a good mate of mine. I have to outscore him. You have always got chances and every time you get chances you have to hit them and that's what I did today."

Van Barneveld's compatriot Michael van Gerwen prevailed against Englishman Colin Lloyd 4-1.

"Mighty Mike" lived up to his nickname by ignoring a fractured foot and an Achilles injury, in different legs, to win easily but not comfortably.

The Dutchman was visibly in pain when walking between the oche and the board but now has a day of much-needed rest before his quarter-final against Lewis.

Afternoon session: Whitlock wizardry propels him into last eight

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