Night one of the 2010 UK Open was one of few shocks with Peter Manley the highest profile casualty of the early rounds. Tonight sees the leading 32 qualifiers join last night’s victors in the third round.Wayne Mardle’s prize for reaching this stage is a date on the main stage with Phil Taylor whilst Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson face off in what is likely to a blistering encounter. Taylor’s main rivals, James Wade & Simon Whitlock, meet Steve Hine & young Reece Robinson respectively.
Kirk Shepherd v Paul Nicholson
It’s almost two and a half years since Kirk Shepherd stumbled through to the inaugural World Championship Final at Alexandra Palace and save for an act of revenge on eventual winner John Part at this year’s flagship event; the 23-year old has struggled to make an impact and is ranked just outside the world’s top 40. His floor form on the PDC tour this season has been below par with the Midlander progressing beyond the last 64 on just 3 occasions from 22 attempts. He faces PDC major winner Paul Nicholson on board two this evening. The Australian has had a steady if unspectacular six months on tour since lifting the £60,000 Players Championship and was a 6-4 winner over Dave Smith in Thursday’s second round. Admittedly a fan of the bigger stage, the world number 17 should see plenty of interaction with the hoards surrounding the secondary board this evening and he looks a solid shout at 4/9 to see off Shepherd.
Andy Smith v Colin Lloyd
Colin Lloyd’s credentials were flagged up in our outright preview and Blue Square may have taken a chance on their 4/7 offering as ‘Jaws’ takes on Andy Smith. The ‘Pieman’ is an ever present at the big PDC events without ever making a real impact at the latter stages. Since a quarter final placing at the opening tour event of the season in Gibraltar, Smith’s best return has been one runner up spot (to Wes Newton) in Wigan six weeks ago amongst a flurry of last 16/32/64 exits. With the humidity expected in the arena at the Reebok tonight, the big man may struggle over the best of 17 legs against a bang in form Colin Lloyd. The former world number one is part of a cluster of players hovering around the world’s top 8 who harbour real hopes of inclusion in next year’s Premier League and we like the look of the 4/7 about ‘Jaws’ biting into the pie.
Mark Webster v Tony Eccles
Amongst those being backed in the Outright market throughout yesterday was 2008 BDO World Champion Mark Webster and his followers will be please at landing this plum third round tie. ‘Webby’ has made moderate progress in the PDC ranks, helped considerably by his £60,000 3rd place finish at this year’s World Championship. His performances there and indeed in other big TV tournaments such as the Grand Slam lead us to believe that he is a man for the big occasion. A couple of Pro Tour semi finals a month ago add weight to the argument and he should be too strong for Tony Eccles tonight. Eccles has slipped out of the world’s top 32 in the last twelve months and is another man yet to reap major dividends from the tour this season with just two Quarter Final placings to his name. It’s the ‘Viper’s’ fourth attempt at cracking Bolton and as of yet, he has failed to make it past this stage. Webster is a general 1/2 shot which represents excellent value.
Ronnie Baxter v Chris Thompson
‘Rocket’ Ronnie Baxter has been one of the real success stories in 2010. A welcome return to the elite grouping of the Premier League has seen the Lancastrian re-claim the big stage like a breath of fresh air. In truth, he was desperately unlucky not to qualify for finals night at Wembley after stringing together wins and 95+ averages in the middle sector of the league. This experience should hold him in good stead as he takes on the solicitor from York Chris Thompson. ‘Tommo’ is no slouch on the oche, proved by his Quarter Final place here two years ago but the fact remains that the Harry-Hill lookalike remains outside of the world’s top 50 despite the potential to go much higher. A semi final in Derby in February is his best return of 2010 and he’s since failed to negotiate the last 32 on all but two occasions. Sportingbet and Stan James are standing firm on their 1/2 about Baxter so the advice is to snap this up before they relent.
Verdict
Paul Nicholson to beat Kirk Shepherd at 4/9 (Wlliam Hill)
Colin Lloyd to beat Andy Smith at 4/7 (Blue Square)
Mark Webster to beat Tony Eccles at 1/2 (Various)
Ronnie Baxter to beat Chris Thompson at 1/2 (Sportingbet & Stan James)
