James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld set up a tantalising Quarter-Final clash at the European Darts Open with wins in Sunday afternoon's third round, as James Hubbard sealed his place in the World Matchplay with victory over Mark Walsh.
Wade and Barney have contested many epic battles over the years and are certain to contest another thriller in Dusseldorf this evening.
Left-hander Wade progressed to the last eight of the European Tour event with a strong display to defeat Andy 'The Pie Man' Smith 6-2 in the third round.
The Machine, who sealed victory with a shanghai 120 finish, hosts Barney after the five-time World Champion defeated fellow Dutchman Gino Vos by the same scoreline, taking out 156 and averaging almost 104 in a strong performance despite trailing 2-1 in the early stages.
"I'm looking forward to playing James - we always have cracking matches," said van Barneveld. "To average nearly 104 was fantastic for me."
Popular Australian star Simon Whitlock delighted the German crowd with a 6-3 win over UK Open champion Robert Thornton, setting up another tasty quarter-final against Dave Chisnall.
St Helens hotshot Chisnall, German Darts Championship runner-up in Berlin a fortnight ago, defeated Mark Dudbridge 6-2 to win through to the last eight, averaging 100 and hitting five 180s in a strong display.
James Hubbard ensured he will make his debut at this year's World Matchplay by seeing off Mark Walsh 6-3, continuing his rise with a strong display and breaking down in tears after producing a superb 110 finish for victory.
Hubbard still has the £15,000 first prize in the European Darts Open in his sights first, and will meet Richie Burnett in the last eight, after the in-form Welshman completed a 6-2 win over Michael van Gerwen with a 156 finish.
Colin Osborne also impressed, averaging 101.68 in a whitewash of Swindon's Johnny Haines to claim his second 6-0 victory of the tournament, and he now plays Mervyn King in the opening quarter-final after securing his own
Betfair World Matchplay place.
King edged past Steve Beaton 6-5 in a deciding leg, although later results meant that Beaton retains his qualifying place for the World Matchplay later this month.
Joe Cullen also held on to his place amongst the 16 qualifiers from the ProTour Order of Merit, but Peter Wright will miss out on a Blackpool place following Hubbard's 6-2 win over Mark Walsh. The world's top 16 along with the 16 qualifiers await their Matchplay destiny when the draw is conducted at the end of play this evening.
The tournament will play to a conclusion on Sunday evening, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final at the Maritim Hotel in Dusseldorf.
European Darts Open - European Tour Event Three
Third Round Results
Mervyn King 6-5 Steve Beaton
Colin Osborne 6-0 Johnny Haines
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Robert Thornton
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Mark Dudbridge
James Wade 6-2 Andy Smith
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Gino Vos
James Hubbard 6-3 Mark Walsh
Richie Burnett 6-2 Michael van Gerwen
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals
Mervyn King v Colin Osborne
Simon Whitlock v Dave Chisnall
James Wade v Raymond van Barneveld
James Hubbard v Richie Burnett
Semi-Finals
King/Osborne v Whitlock/Chisnall
Wade/van Barneveld v Hubbard/Burnett
Final
Dave Chisnall 7/2
James Wade 4/1
Raymond van Barneveld 4/1
Simon Whitlock 9/2
Mervyn King 8/1
Richie Burnett 12/1
Colin Osborne 16/1
James Hubbard 20/1
