MARK HYLTON 3-1 SIMON WHITLOCK

(1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
MARK HYLTON produced the biggest victory of his career, sending world number five Simon Whitlock crashing out of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 3-1 triumph at Dublin's New Citywest Convention Centre.

The left-hander from Rugeley followed up June's run to the quarter-finals of the Speedy Hire UK Open by winning through to the last eight of his second major in style at the double-start event.

Having defeated Mark Walsh on his World Grand Prix debut on Sunday, Hylton was superb in seeing off the number five seed, who suffered a last 16 loss for the second successive year in Ireland.

Whitlock had made a strong start, hitting a 171 in taking the opening leg, and after trading double ten finishes with the left-hander he hit a 180 nd double four to secure the opening set 3-1.

The Australian also hit a 180 and double ten to break in the second set's opener, but three misses at double 16 in the next allowed Hylton in to level with a 79 finish on double 11 before leading by winning the third.

Whitlock finished 124 on the bull to square the set, but Hylton took the decider on double five to level the game.

Hylton made a brilliant start to the third set to take the lead for the first time, hitting 180s in the first two legs, which he won with a 68 finish and a 14-darter.

Whitlock landed a 180 in taking the third, but Hylton wrapped up the set 3-1 with a brilliant 13-darter, opening with a 160 and hitting a 180 before landing double 12.

Whitlock produced a superb leg to win the fourth set's opener, hitting back-to-back 180s and double 16 for an 11-darter.

However, he missed double 15 as Hylton levelled before wasting his chance in the third - missing three darts at doubles to leave six, before hitting a single 15 instead of single two to set up double two on his return to the oche.

Hylton pounced on double top, and hit a 180 in the next in setting up 92 to secure a famous victory.

"I'm really proud of myself and it feels fantastic to be in the quarter-finals," said Hylton. "I knew I had a tough game and it was a great one to be involved in.

"I've not been feeling 100 percent because I've had a bit of 'flu this week, but I tried my hardest and although there were some erratic darts there were some very good darts at crucial times.

"It was similar to the game against Mark Walsh on Tuesday, I lost the first set and thought I was going to get a thrashing. I got back into it, kept my composure and put Simon under some pressure, and hit the doubles when it mattered.

"It was an up-and-down game, and he hit a lot of 180s but when he did hit a big score I would hit back with a big shot."

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock	1-3	Mark Hylton
17	100+	16
11	140+	15
6	180	5
28.57	Ave1	28.54
85.71	Ave3	85.61
3	Breaks of Throw	4
124	High Finish	92
17/42 - 40%	Starting Doubles	17/44 - 39%
7/20 - 35%	Finishing Doubles	10/26 - 36%