SIMON WHITLOCK 9 – 5 JUSTIN PIPE
Simon Whitlock made it through to the last 16 of the Speedy Services UK Open with an impressive 9-5 success over Justin Pipe on Saturday afternoon.
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
‘The Wizard’, who has made a semi-final and two finals in TV tournaments so far this year, outscored his much-fancied opponent at Bolton’s Reebok Arena.
“Justin is one of the hardest players to play,” said Whitlock, who averaged over 95. “I just did enough to win and I’m really pleased to have beaten him.
“I feel good about myself and hopefully I can get a rhythmn going. I’m here to win and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t even turn up.”
Whitlock broke the Pipe throw in the opening leg, before holding to double his lead.
Pipe held his throw before ‘The Wizard’ did the same, hitting a 124 checkout to restore his advantage.
‘The Force’ pulled it back to 3-2 before breaking back to level the match.
The ‘Wizard’ broke back immediately though, cleaning up 25 after a heavy scoring leg, before Pipe restored parity once again.
The run of breaks continued as Australian ace Whitlock edged back in front, before holding his throw to go 6-4 up.
The beared to be feared then clinched another break of throw and closed in on victory by holding.
Pipe kept his chances alive by hitting double 18, but Whitlock took out 86 to clinch victory and book his place in the last 16.
By Chris Murphy