KIM HUYBRECHTS 4-1 JAMES RICHARDSON

KIM HUYBRECHTS continued his dream Alexandra Palace debut at the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship, with a 4-1 victory over giant-killer, James Richardson.

The match was finely balanced at one set apiece before the Belgian powered through the next three sets by taking nine of the next thirteen legs to progress - ending the match with three-dart average over 95.

Huybrechts, who has only dropped one set in this tournament so far, will face either Paul Nicholson or Alan Tabern for a place in the last eight.

Both players held throw at the start of the match by hitting double 16 before Huybrechts, who recorded an impressive victory over Brendan Dolan in the first round, took out 66 to win the third leg.

Richardson hit a pressure double 10 in the next, with his opponent waiting on double 16, but the Belgian hit double eight in the fifth leg to win the set, after both players had missed previous opportunities to claim an early lead.

Richardson, who recorded a famous victory against five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, hit double 16 to make a positive start to the second, before Huybrechts held throw to take the second.

The Belgian missed three darts to break throw in the third leg, which Richardson won by landing double four with his third dart.

The Northamptonshire player then won the set with a superb 140 checkout, to win the set and level the match.

Huybrechts hit a maximum in the process of winning the first leg of set three, and then hit a 100 checkout to take the second.

Richardson hit-back well by taking the next leg, with an 80 finish against the darts, and then won the fourth on double 18.

However, Huybrechts hit a clinical 12-dart finish in the deciding leg to lead the match for the second time, before starting the fourth set with a 14-darter.

Huybrechts hit double 16 to take the second and then won his fourth leg in a row, by hitting the same bed, to move two sets clear of Richardson.

The Belgian hit double 10 to make a winning start to the fifth set before Richardson stopped the rot by taking out 62 to win the second.

Huybrechts won the third leg to move within touching distance of victory but Richardson won the fourth, courtesy of landing double 10 with his third dart, after his opponent missed a dart at double top for the match.

Huybrechts missed another dart for the match in the deciding leg, but Richardson was off-target with his attempt at double 16 and the Belgian returned to hit double 12 with his third dart.

"I was feeling really good out there, and I played well tonight," said a delighted Huybrechts.

"The crowd was very much with James, but I kept my head and got the win. I'm really looking forward to my next match now."

After the match Richardson admitted: "Kim was by far the better player tonight, and outplayed me for much of the game."

I wasn't affected after the huge reaction after my win over Raymond van Barneveld. I felt ready for the challenge, but lost to the better player on the night."