RICHIE BURNETT 3-1 DENIS OVENS

(2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
RICHIE BURNETT'S incredible revival continued as he defeated Denis Ovens 3-1 to reach his first major quarter-final since 2004 at the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix.

The Welshman - who had dropped out of the world's top 150 just over a year ago - was a last-ditch qualifier for the double-start tournament in Dublin when he won a Players Championship event in Holland a fortnight ago.

However, he followed up his defeat of world number four Gary Anderson in the first round but coming from a set down against Ovens on Thursday night to set up a quarter-final with emerging left-hander Mark Hylton as he continues his return to darts' big-time.

The Welshman started brightly, responding to Ovens winning the opening leg by posting 180s in the next two which he won with a 14-darter and a 94 checkout.

Ovens broke back immediately with an 11-dart finish, and then won the opening set on double top to edge into the lead.

Burnett posted a 180 in taking the opener to set two on double 16, and although Ovens levelled he would win the next two, firstly with double top after his opponent hit a maximum before then punishing 14 missed opening doubles from the Hertfordshire ace with double eight to take the set.

Ovens' double trouble continued in the third set's opener as he missed nine to begin the first leg, which Ovens took in 14 darts before finishing double 16 for a 13-darter to lead 2-0.

Ovens replied by winning the third, but Burnett posted another double top finish to secure the set and move 2-1 up in the contest.

Ovens won an edgy opener to set four on double ten to break, but when he missed two darts to win the second Burnett levelled on double five before finishing a fine 13-darter to move a leg away from victory.

Ovens hit a 180 in taking the fourth to keep the game alive, and the pair raised the standard in the set's deciding leg.

Burnett opened with a 120, which was matched by Ovens before the pair traded 140s. The Welshman powered in a fifth 180 of the game to leave 20 after 12 darts, and although Ovens hit a 145 to leave 36 they proved to be his final darts as Burnett hit double ten to move into the last eight.

"I'm still taking it all in," admitted Burnett afterwards. "It's fantastic to be back.

"It's tough playing in the floor tournaments but that's built my confidence up and, after six or seven years away from playing on the stage, it's taken me a while to get used to it again.

"I find it really hard to get a rhythm in this format but I just played the board and got the win. Denis is a lovely guy and I've got great respect for him. Like Gary he's a great sportsman and I enjoyed playing him.

"It was tough and I felt nervous because the pressure was on me after what happened in the first round.

"I've got the attitude that you've got to go for it, and when the darts go in it felt great. Denis started coming back at me in the fourth set but when I left the double ten for the match I knew I wouldn't miss it."

Match Stats

Richie Burnett	3-1	Denis Ovens
18	100+	22
13	140+	14
5	180	2
29.45	Ave1	27.06
88.36	Ave3	81.17
4	Breaks of Throw	2
94	High Finish	86
18/41 - 44%	Starting Doubles	18/61 - 30%
11/24 - 46%	Finishing Doubles	7/21 - 38%