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Painter found the sparkle to see off Mervyn King, while Part looked mean and moody in beating Colin Lloyd and Taylor was too good in the all-Unicorn affair against Gary Mawson.

So, it will be another massive clash between those two great rivals Taylor and Part in the quarter-finals!

But star of the show was Kevin Painter, who produced his best performance for nearly four years to clinch his place in the quarter-finals. He came from 4-1 down, blitzed the 180s and blitzed Mervyn King.

There is no doubt the Unicorn star is back to his very best…..he certainly hasn’t played as well in a big TV ‘Major since that epic World Championship Final, when he lost a last leg shoot-out to Taylor in 2004.

That’s how good Painter was in booking his date in the quarter-finals against Gary Anderson, who he beat 5-1 in the group stages.

Unbelievably, he found himself 4-1 down despite hitting four maximums in the first four legs of the match. So often, Painter beats himself up when things are going wrong – but not this time!

King just couldn’t cope with the Painter scoring. ‘The Artist’ won eight of the next 11 legs, including the last five of the match. He finished with nine 180s, a 98 average and won the match in style, with a fantastic 120 check-out.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found myself 4-1 down but I knew I had the game to win it. It is the best I have played for a long time and it is good to show people that I can still throw darts like that,” he said.

Painter added: “When I am playing well, I don’t fear anyone and at the moment, I have my head straight and everything feels right, so watch out!”

And of course, he has also guaranteed himself at least £10,000 for reaching the last eight, which is some achievement, when you consider Painter was the last man to seal his place in the 32-man field.

John Part is getting better and better as the tournament goes on and he stamped his class on his clash with Colin Lloyd.

He calls himself ‘slow start Part’ and after losing the opening two legs, the Canadian found his range to storm into a 5-2 lead, including a 118 finish. He was still missing too many doubles and Lloyd pegged it back to 6-4, with a brilliant 150 check-out, followed by a 99.

Part replied with a 13-darter and went 9-5 ahead, averaging 98 but he stuttered over the finishing line…..he missed four darts for the match and allowed Lloyd to bring it back to 9-7, before Part finally hit double 18 to reach those quarter-finals.

“I played well and wasn’t too worried about those misses, because I felt good and I knew it would come but I know I will have to vastly improve the finishing against Phil!”

Gary Mawson was terrific against Taylor but ultimately, Unicorn’s American No.1 had no answer to ‘The Power’ despite the 13 times World Champion being way off the radar on his doubles.

Taylor banged in a 103 average, hit six perfect darts in one leg but he won’t be happy with a 29 per cent check out rate – 10 successes from 35 attempts.

Mawson hit finishes of 95 and 136 and if he plays as well at the World Championship next month, he will cause a few upsets along the way.

In the other match BDO star Gary Anderson hung on to beat Roland Scholten. He led 4-1 and 9-3 but the Dutchman refused to throw the towel in. Anderson hit a brilliant 158 along the way.

Thursday’s 2nd Round results:

Kevin Painter 10-7 Mervyn King
Roland Scholten 7-10 Gary Anderson
John Part 10-7 Colin Lloyd
Phil Taylor 10-4 Gary Mawson

Friday’s Quarter-Final line-up (best of 19 legs):

Jelle Klaasen v Kevin McDine
Andy Hamilton v Terry Jenkins
Kevin Painter v Gary Anderson
John Part v Phil Taylor

BY STUART PYKE

Photo courtesy of Chris Sargeant