SIMON WHITLOCK 2-1 TERRY JENKINS

SIMON WHITLOCK 2-1 TERRY JENKINS
(3-1, 2-3, 3-0)
SIMON WHITLOCK held off the challenge of two-time finalist Terry Jenkins to win through to the second round of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 2-1 victory at the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday night.

The Australian set up a second round date with Mark Hylton on Thursday night courtesy of the win, although he was made to work hard after Jenkins hit back to win the second set.

Jenkins had opened the game well by winning the opening leg, and he hit a 180 on his way to setting up 36 in the second, only for Whitlock to finish a brilliant 158 to get off the mark.

Double ten against the throw put Whitlock into the lead, and he hit a 180 of his own and double top to take the set.

He also led twice in the second to move a leg away from the win, only for Jenkins to hit a 180 in setting up a double 15 finish to level and force the set into a fifth leg.

Jenkins looked to have blown his chance to keep the game alive when he miscounted on 147 and missed double 16 instead of throwing for double 18 - but Whitlock missed three match darts and the English star hit the correct bed to level the contest.

Whitlock, though, opened the decider with a 14-dart leg, and when Jenkins missed four darts at double 18 he stepped in to finish 74 for a 2-0 lead and double eight to secure the victory.

"I'm happy to get the win but I think I can play better," said Whitlock. "I missed a few starts and a few finishes, but it's a tough format and, as the tournament progresses, the doubles will start to come.

"I felt like I was a bit rushed out there because Terry goes at 100 miles an hour and I got caught up in it and had to slow myself down. The 158 turned the game in my favour and slowed him down, although he got back level in the second set too."

Whitlock now faces emerging left-hander Mark Hylton on Thursday, and added: "I've never played Mark before but he had a great comeback against Mark Walsh and has been playing some great darts this year."

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock	2-1	Terry Jenkins
11	100+	22
11	140+	4
1	180	2
28.28	Ave1	28.40
84.85	Ave3	85.19
3	Breaks of Throw	1
158	High Finish	36
12/33 - 36%	Starting Doubles	12/25 - 48%
8/18 - 44%	Finishing Doubles	4/13 - 31%