Jonny Clayton eased into the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals after a 10-2 defeat of Tyrone's Nathan Rafferty.
The Coalisland native took his two legs with finishes of 124 and 106, but a 104.30 average for Clayton meant he was always in control and will meet Gerwyn Price, who survived a scare against Bradley Brooks, for a place in the semi-finals.
The 47-year-old will now be looking to replicate last month's World Grand Prix final win over his Welsh World Cup team-mate when they clash on Friday.
𝟭𝟮𝟰 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 17, 2021
A second ton-plus finish of the match for Rafferty, this time a 124 checkout and he stops the rot! pic.twitter.com/5oNE9Zn0eL
"We will be best of friends after the match, but it will be a battle when we're on stage," said Clayton.
"I've got so much respect for Gezzy; he's the world number one for a reason and I will have to be at my very best to beat him.
"I just keep taking each game as it comes, and I'm really enjoying myself. I still feel nervous but it doesn't show in my darts."
Elsewhere James Wade and Rob Cross will meet in Friday's other quarter-final tie after convincing recording victories over Rowby-John Rodriguez and Ryan Joyce respectively.
The £550,000 tournament continues on Thursday, with the remaining four last 16 ties.
History-maker Fallon Sherrock will face Mensur Suljovic in a repeat of their World Championship classic, before Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson meet in a clash of all-time greats.
Jose de Sousa continues his title defence against world number two Peter Wright, while Michael Smith and Joe Cullen open up the night's action.
