28 Dec 2014

Darts champion progresses

1:29 pm on 28 December 2014

The defending champion Michael van Gerwen is through to the third round of the World Professional Darts Championship in London after beating the German qualifier Sascha Stein 4-1.

The Dutchman lost the first set but recovered to set up an encounter against England's Terry Jenkins.

World Darts champion Michael van Gerwen.

World Darts champion Michael van Gerwen. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jenkins did not lose a leg in trouncing Australian qualifier Laurence Ryder 4-nil.

Fourth seed Gary Anderson of Scotland beat Jelle Klaasen of the Netherlands 4-3.

Anderson was 3-1 down but finished strongly to beat Klaasen who won the rival BDO World Championship in 2006.

In other matches, Benito van de Pas of the Netherlands beat English eighth seed Dave Chisnall 4-2.

Ninth seed Robert Thornton of Scotland beat England's Ronnie Baxter, while Scot Peter Wright, runner-up to Van Gerwen last year, scored a 4-1 win over Belgium's Ronny Huybrechts.