Ronnie Baxter won his first PDC event for 18 months – to inflict more American heartache on James Wade. It is the second time Wade has reached a Pro Tour Final in the USA in the last few weeks and lost! He was beaten by Wayne Mardle at the Peachtree event in Atlanta and now in Chicago, Baxter won the Windy City Players Championship by 3 sets to 1……Wade took the first set, only to see Baxter hardly miss on the doubles.
Wade though, won’t be too disappointed….he is still in terrific form after his victory at the World Matchplay and is looking in good shape for the big events to come over the next few months – the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and of course, the World Championship at the Alexandra Palace.
Wade took out Colin Lloyd in the semi-finals but Unicorn stablemate Kevin Painter will be kicking himself, because he had chances to beat Baxter at the same stage and was 2 sets to 1 up against ‘The Rocket’
Baxter made it a hat-trick of Unicorn scalps, by seeing off Peter Manley in the quarter-finals.
Ray Carver lost in the 2nd Round – beaten 3-2 by fellow American Jim Widmeyer but has still done enough to qualify for the World Championship…..it’s been a good year for Unicorn’s US star and he has finished second in the American Order of Merit behind Gary Mawson….both have secured their spots at the Ally Pally in December.
Terry Jenkins lost to Steve Brown at the last 16 stage…..Painter beat Andy Hamilton 3-0 in the 4th Round….In Round three, Wes Newton and John Part both lost 3-2 against Denis Ovens and Adrian Gray respectively…..Colin Osborne went down 3-2 to Bristol’s Steve Brown in the 2nd Round, while Bob Anderson fell at the first hurdle – losing 3-1 to American Brian Blake.
Results – Last 16:
James Wade 3-0 Denis Ovens
Losers - £300
Quarter-finals:
James Wade 3-0 Adrian Gray
Losers - £600
Semi-finals:
James Wade 3-1 Colin Lloyd
Losers - £1,250
Final:
Ronnie Baxter 3-1 James Wade
Winner - £5,000
Runner-up - £2,500
BY STUART PYKE
