PieMan Through To Next Round

ANDY SMITH 2-0 WILLIAM O'CONNOR
(3-1, 3-1)
TWO-TIME PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix quarter-finalist Andy Smith ended the hopes of Ireland's William O'Connor with a straight sets victory.

Limerick's O'Connor was looking to delight the home crowd by progressing to the last 16, but was punished for missed doubles as Smith set up a second round contest with Raymond van Barneveld.

O'Connor took the game's opening leg on double six to settle any early nerves, but failed to kill off the second as Smith stepped in to level before the Englishman powered in a 13-darter to lead 2-1.

Smith missed three darts to open in the fourth leg, but four successive ton-plus scores helped him set up double four to win the set, after O'Connor wasted three darts to level.

Smith hit a 180 in a 15-darter to kick off the second set, and doubled his lead in the next leg before O'Connor landed tops to save the match in the third leg.

However, Smith made him pay for two further misses in the next by hitting double four to seal the set 3-1 and safe passage into the second round.

"I know Willie's a good player and the crowd would be on his side, but winning the first set gave me the edge and I put the pressure on him," said Smith.

"He could have won the first set but I sneaked it and got the job done. I'm happy with that and I like this event and the format.

"Where I was brought up in Studley we played 301 leagues with a double-start, so I'm pretty confident getting away.

"When I play Barney I tend to play really well and beat him or really rubbish and get bashed, and hopefully I can give him a game this time. To win a tournament like this, you have to beat class players like Barney and it would be a big feather in my cap."

Match Stats

William O'Connor	0-2	Andy Smith
11	100+	11
6	140+	7
0	180	2
28.15	Ave1	28.74
84.46	Ave3	86.21
40	High Finish	40
1	Breaks of Throw	3
8/22 - 36%	Starting Doubles	8/20 - 40%
2/11 - 18%	Finishing Doubles	6/20 - 30%