Qualifier Andy Hamilton produced a brilliant display in Purfleet this afternoon to set up a third-round showdown with fellow Stoke player and defending Ladbrokes.com world champion Phil Taylor.
Hamilton, a quarter-finalist 12 months ago, outplayed world number 15 Terry Jenkins to clinch an impressive 4-1 win at the world-famous Circus Tavern.
Jenkins started like a train in his first-round win over Jimmy Mann last week - but the roles were reversed this time as Hamilton breezed through the first set with a three-dart average of 102.48.
Hamilton refused to take his foot off the pedal in the next two sets, dropping just two legs in the process, to move within one of victory.
A magical nine-dart finish was on the cards in the first leg of the third set but he missed treble 19 after seven perfect darts.
Jenkins reduced the deficit by claiming the fourth set before Hamilton, having regained his composure, closed out the match in the next with double 16.
"I felt really comfortable up there - I just felt great, admitted Hamilton," who defeated veteran Bob Anderson in the previous round.
"You have to put the practice in before this tournament and I just felt perfect today."
Looking ahead to his mouth-watering clash with Taylor, Hamilton added: "I want to see how good I am and I'm not scared of him.
"He's done everything there is to do in darts - but I'm going up there to try and beat him."
Andy 'Pie Man' Smith moved into the last 16 with a thrilling 4-3 win over American Ray Carver, surprise conqueror of 'Rocket' Ronnie Baxter in the first round.
In a see-saw encounter which went all the way to a tie-break situation, Smith held his nerve when it mattered most.
The 38-year-old Warwickshire lumberjack produced a brilliant 136 checkout before closing out the match with double eight.
"I just thought to myself 'don't give in' - I didn't want to let anyone down," said Smith, who overcame Colin Monk in his opening match.
"It's great. The fans here at the Circus Tavern are brilliant, they're the ones who keep you going.
"I've been playing brilliant darts this year, I just wanted to show it on TV. I'm not at my best yet but I'm getting there."
Smith will face former World Grand Prix champion Alan Warriner-Little in the third round after the 'Ice Man' made short work of his encounter with Canadian Gerry Convery.
Warriner-Little kicked off with a 15-darter and reeled off the next eight legs to open up a three-set lead.
Convery finally stopped the rot with a successful attempt at double eight - but it only delayed the inevitable as his opponent clinched victory with double six.
"I've had a reasonable draw but I'm just pleased to have made it through to the third round," said Warriner-Little.
