PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix. Night Two

DENIS OVENS 2-0 JAMIE CAVEN
(3-1, 3-2)
DENIS OVENS won his first game in the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix since 2003 with a straight sets first round defeat of Jamie Caven at the New Citywest Convention Centre on Tuesday.

Ovens won only his third game in 11 appearances in the double-start event with a confident triumph to condemn Caven to a first round loss for the third straight year.

Ovens kicked off the match with a break of throw on double eight, and when Caven missed eight darts to open the second leg he moved 2-0 up on double top.

Caven hit a 180 and double eight to get off the mark in leg three, but Ovens pulled clear in the fourth before hitting double five for the set.

The Derby ace came to life at the start of the second set by hitting a brilliant 170 finish to take the first leg, and he opened the next with a 152 score.

Ovens, though, replied superbly with scores of 180 and 177 to set up a double 16 finish to break back and level.

Caven then added a 115 checkout to lead 2-1, and a maximum edged him ahead in the fourth leg, but he missed four doubles to punish slopping finishing from Ovens as the Stevenage ace returned to post double four.

Ovens then edged clear in the set's deciding leg, and hit double top to end his run of seven successive Citywest defeats.

"I started well but I was in a commanding position and nearly gave it back to Jamie," said Ovens. "I enjoyed it and the leg where I hit 180 and 177 was nice.

"I've been here so many times that I probably deserved a win here! I've come up against some great performances in the last few years and it's heartbreaking to lose seven years in a row, but it's great to win here again."

Match Stats

Jamie Caven	0-2	Denis Ovens
8	100+	10
8	140+	9
2	180	1
25.75	Ave1	27.47
77.25	Ave3	82.42
2	Breaks of Throw	3
170, 115	High Finish	59
9/33 - 27%	Starting Doubles	9/22 - 41%
3/10 - 30%	Finishing Doubles	6/20 - 30%