Wade out

James Wade has been dumped out of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at the second round stage.

The world number two, who was one of the favourites to win the tournament in Ladbrokes Darts Betting, was below-par as he lost 4-2 to Mensur Suljovic on Tuesday evening.

Those looking at the lads cup championship note that the result has enhanced Phil Taylor’s odds as favourite to win his 16th World Championship, which have narrowed from 5/6 to 8/11.

Suljovic, the world number 47, took the first set and Wade soon found himself trailing 2-1 as he struggled to combat the Austrian’s methodical style.

However, he presented an opening to the Englishman in the fourth set, missing two shots at double six to allow Wade to equalise.

Suljovic was not to be deterred though and took the decisive fifth set, despite missing seven doubles. He then wrapped up the win as Wade’s game fell to pieces.
Speaking to Sky Sports 3 after his historic victory, Suljovic found it hard to conceal his delight.

He said: "I feel like never before in my life.

"I'm so pleased and over the moon. This is the best moment of my career. I don't have the words."

Simon Whitlock has moved to 11/2 joint second favourite with Raymond van Barneveld to clinch the title after he emphatically dismissed Denis Ovens 4-0.

Whitlock was ruthless as he constrained Ovens to just two legs. The Australian was runner-up to Taylor at last year’s tournament and is hoping to go one better this time around.

Speaking after the match, he admitted that winning the world title is his aim.
He said: "I started a bit slow but knew I was going to play well because over the last 10 days I've been putting a lot of time in on the board.

"I've been working hard for this. We're all working hard and all want the same thing."

Even those focusing on the lads cup championship event know that Taylor is the man to beat though and he enters the second round fray later on Wednesday when he faces Peter Wright (Taylor 1/50, Wright 10/1 – Ladbrokes Match Betting).