Saturday 31 December 2011

ANDY HAMILTON 5-2 KIM HUYBRECHTS

ANDY HAMILTON reached his second World Championship semi-final courtesy of a 5-2 victory against Belgium's Kim Huybrechts in the first quarter-final of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

The Stoke ace produced a fine display to reach the last four, which included 11 maximums, three ton-plus finishes and a three-dart average of over 102.

Hamilton took early command by taking the first two sets before Huybrechts won the third without reply to get back into the contest.

The number 17 seed, though, pulled away again by taking the next two sets to lead 4-1 and, after Huybrechts kept fighting by taking the sixth, hit three maximums to end the newcomer's spirited challenge.

"I played a good game again today and I still feel incredibly focused and relaxed," said Hamilton, who will now face either Simon Whitlock or Gary Anderson for a place in the final.

"It's been a childhood dream to win this title, and I have visions of picking it up on Monday night.

"If I keep producing the good averages that I have achieved in my previous couple of matches then I have nothing to worry about."

Hamilton, who overcame Dave Chisnall in the third round, hit a two-dart 98 finish to take the first leg before Huybrechts landed double three to win the second.

The Stoke ace broke Huybrechts' throw for the second time in the set with a 100 checkout, and a 13-darter in the fourth leg gave Hamilton the first set.

Both players held throw at the start of the second set, before Huybrechts won the third leg against the darts with an 84 finish, completed on double 11.

Hamilton hit back immediately with a 14-dart finish in the fourth leg, and a 180 from the 2007 World Championship semi-finalist, followed by a 67 finish, secured a two-set lead.

Huybrechts, who defeated Paul Nicholson with a fine display to reach this stage, won the first leg of set three after Hamilton was guilty of wasting several chances at doubles.

The Belgian then hit double eight to claim the second, and took the next with the aid of two maximums to win the set and reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Huybrechts took his fourth successive leg by converting an 84 finish to take the first leg of the fourth set, before Hamilton hit double ten to level.

Hamilton then hit a two-dart 80 finish to take the third leg, and won the set in style with a superb 122 checkout to restore his two-set advantage.

Hamilton broke throw at the start of the fifth set by hitting double eight, after Huybrechts was off-target with a dart at bullseye for a 167 checkout.

The second leg also fell the way of the Stoke thrower before he fired in two 180s in the next, followed by an 84 finish, to move 4-1 ahead.

Both players hit maximums in the first leg of set six, but Huybrechts won it against the darts with a 128 checkout, and then landed double 20 to take the second.

Hamilton hit double 16 to take the third leg but Huybrechts took out 62 to win the set and reduce the deficit to 4-2.

Hamilton started set seven in positive fashion, as he recorded checkouts of 110 and 96 to move a leg away from victory.

Huybrechts hit double top at the first time of asking to win the third, only for Hamilton to fire another maximum, before taking out an 84 finish to triumph.

Huybrechts, who has made his breakthrough in 2011, said: "These last couple of weeks have been a great experience for me.

"It's the biggest achievement of career to date and I am extremely happy, despite today's loss.

"Andy was the better player today. He's had some tough games in the previous rounds and deserves to go all the way in this competition.

"I hope to be back on the big stages again very soon. I have new sponsors and I'll be playing the whole circuit for the next two years, so I hope to improve and possibly go further in this event."

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