Last year's Grand Slam runner-up James Wade has qualified for the knock-out stages of the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton.
The Unicorn man will face Daryl Gurney in the last 16 after grabbing a lifeline on Tuesday night.
He needed Robbie Green to lose against Australian Peter Machin.....a Green win and it was just about all over but he didn't get going and was beaten 5-3.
So that meant Wade has to beat Phil Taylor to qualify and despite being far from his best, that's exactly what he did!
"Neither of us played very well," he said. "I just had to stay focused on my game and forget about how Phil was playing and I produced the darts at the end of the match when I needed to. I am relieved and I know I can play much better,"
Taylor was off the pace and Wade was 2-1 up with a break of throw. He then missed five darts for a 3-1 advantage as Taylor levelled. The 5th leg was crucial. Taylor missed two darts and Wade nailed d18 to grab the lead again.
The Unicorn star then hit his first 180 of the tournament to go 4-2 in front. A second maximum set up the chance for a 5-2 win which would have seen him top the group, but he wired D12 for a 144 finish!
Wade though responded superbly with a third 180 and a brilliant 12 dart leg to seal that 5-3 victory to put him through.
Wade showed great character and deserves his place in the last 16.
Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Darren Webster beat Mark Webster in a dramatic 9 dart shoot-out after they finished level on points and leg difference in the group.
It came down to the very last dart. Darren was 54 points behind but incredibly hit T19 to squeeze through by just three points!
Full last 16 draw - Wednesday:
Mensur Suljovic v Berry van Peer
Stephen Bunting v Peter Wright
Gary Anderson v Michael Smith
Glen Durrant v Dave Chisnall
Thursday:
Rob Cross v Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen v Steve Lennon
Daryl Gurney v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Darren Webster
Story from STUART PYKE at the Grand Slam of Darts
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
