JOHN HENDERSON 3-2 WES NEWTON

(3-2, 3-2, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1)
SCOTTISH ace John Henderson secured another PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix shock with a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Wes Newton as the second round at the New Citywest Convention Centre began in dramatic fashion.

Dublin debutant Henderson took the first two sets 3-2 to lead in the first-to-three contest, only for the number seven seed to roar back and level.

Henderson, though, recovered from some nervy moments to prevail in the decider and move into the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The Scot hit back from 2-1 down in the opening set to edge ahead, with a brace of double top finishes seeing him take the lead against the in-form UK Open runner-up.

Newton hit 180s in winning the first two legs of the second set, finishing 105 in the latter, only to miss doubles in the next two as Henderson landed double nine and a 70 finish to level.

Newton landed a 177 in the set's decider, but Henderson was first to a double and posted tops for a 66 checkout to double his advantage.

The Fleetwood ace kicked off the third superbly with a 14-darter to break throw, and he hit double five and a 71 finish to win the set without reply and begin his fightback.

Tops gave him the lead in the fourth set, but Henderson finished 90 on double 15 to level and punished 11 missed starting doubles from Newton to win the third - although he almost allowed his opponent back into the leg by missing five finishing doubles of his own.

The fourth leg saw Henderson struggle to open as Newton levelled the set, hitting a 180 and double 16, before the world number seven took the set in style, opening the fifth leg with a 153 anf finishing double ten for a 13-darter.

Henderson found another gear to win the first two legs of the deciding set, hitting double ten and double top, with Newton missing three darts to level.

Newton hit a 180 in the third and was on hand when Henderson missed double 16 for a 112 game shot, with double eight with his final dart seeing the Fleetwood thrower keep the match alive.

But when he missed six opening doubles in the next, Henderson settled his nerves and hit double top to seal a dramatic win.

"At 2-0 up I wanted to get the third set over with and go and relax but Wes fought back really well," said Henderson, who hails from Huntly in Aberdeenshire.

"All year I've been getting in front of people and I've let them back in, and I'm thinking about it now. Thankfully I got the winning double, but it was hard work.

"Wes didn't get going and I was waiting for him to come back at me because he's been great when we've played previously. Playing guys like this is making me raise my standard.

"Winning a second round game is brilliant - I've not done it too often but I'm getting used to the stage. Since I joined the PDC it's been fantastic, I've qualified for the UK Open and the World Matchplay and now I'm in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.

"It's probably the biggest night of my career on Friday. This is where every player wants to be and whoever I play it will be one of the biggest games of my life and I'm really looking forward to it."

Match Stats

Wes Newton	2-3	John Henderson
17	100+	29
11	140+	15
5	180	1
26.83	Ave1	25.86
80.50	Ave3	77.59
7	Breaks of Throw	7
105	High Finish	90
22/52 - 42%	Starting Doubles	22/58 - 38%
11/35 - 31%	Finishing Doubles	11/28 - 39%