FIVE-TIMES darts world champion Raymond van Barneveld was at his irrepressible best as he stormed into the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship at Alexandra Palace with a 4-1 trouncing of Wes Newton.
Van Barneveld had little trouble taking the first set 3-1 as Newton missed two vital doubles and it was more of the same in the second set, with his opponent three times missing double five to slump to 2-0 behind.
The big Dutchman stuttered in the
third, with Newton taking advantage calmly to get on the scoreboard at 2-1.
But there were no further slip-ups as van Barneveld allowed his rival only one leg in the final two sets.
Fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen turned in another fine performance to despatch countryman Jan van der Rassel 4-0, taking the final two sets without conceding a leg.
Having outclassed Colin Lloyd in the first round, Klaasen has not lost a set in this year's event.
He hit seven 180s and tied up the decisive fourth set with a cool 12-dart finish.
Qualifier Tony Ayres was 2-1 up against Andy Hamilton and seemingly on the road to scoring a huge upset before the seventh seed roared back to take the tie.
Hamilton won three consecutive sets – losing only three legs in the process – to leave with a 4-2 win.
Ronnie Baxter also put in a strong display after slipping behind early.
He lost the first set 3-1 to Denis Ovens but soon rediscovered his best form to take the next four unanswered, claiming all three legs in the second and fifth sets.
American Bill Davis twice took the lead in the first match of the afternoon session, but he too saw an advantage overturned as Barrie Bates wrapped up a 4-2 win to reach the last 16.
Mark Walsh threatened a surprise result against Mervyn King, but succumbed 4-2 after taking two of the first three sets.
