Brendan Dolan reckons that nearly man James Wade could be the player to beat at the World Darts Championship.
Two of the favourites were knocked out in round three with Raymond van Barneveld stunning compatriot and tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen, and Jelle Klaasen knocking out 16-time champion Phil Taylor in another classic at Alexandra Palace in London.
The championship, with a winner's cheque of £300,000 up for grabs, is now wide open with holder Gary Anderson installed as the new favourite.
Standing in the Flying Scotsman’s way in this afternoon’s quarter-finals is 32-year-old Wade, aka The Machine, who has won eight major PDC titles but has never made the final of the showpiece event, although he has contested three semi-finals since 2009.
Fermanagh’s Dolan, beaten in the first round by Kyle Anderson, told RTÉ Sport: “I think James Wade will not be far away.
“I think his game has improved immensely in the last 12 months. He has the experience of getting to the semi-finals and he’s won what, seven or eight TV majors.
“He has that experience behind him, he’s never won the Worlds but I think he’ll do well in them.
“I’d say out of the top three lads, I’d say James would be another one to consider,” added the History Maker.
.@raybar180 @jackpot180 @bullyboy180 @jameswade180 @garyanderson180 @jelleK180 @snakebitewright @mfnw180 ...@rod180 https://t.co/31zIsELsSr
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 31, 2015
Alan ‘Chuck’ Norris was beaten 5-4 by Klaasen in the first of this afternoon's matches.
The evening session sees Van Barneveld take on Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith, and Adrian Lewis plays Peter Wright.
