Grand Slam of Darts: Ted Hankey goes slow to seal last-16 place in
Ted Hankey admitted his mind games played a part in defeating Michael Smith and sealing his passage to the knockout stages of the Grand Slam of Darts.
Shropshire darter Hankey beat the World Youth Champion 5-1 in the winner-take-all contest last night.
Hankey now meets Simon Whitlock tomorrow night as the tournament continues at Wolverhampton Civic Hall and he will be looking to cast his own spell on 'the Wizard'.
The fast pace of Smith was clearly dented as the Shropshire darter, based in Aqueduct, slammed the breaks on at the oche and it was all part of Hankey's game plan.
He said: "I feel good but I was lucky really, he missed a few doubles and I cleaned up. I am quite happy, I scored pretty well but not as well as I wanted to.
"Michael is a great young player but he didn't seem that comfortable on the stage with me, I have got a lot of time for him but I slowed the game down and did what I had to win.
"I don't think I broke any rules and I played some good darts myself, I walked out there and hit a 180 straight away.
"I have got another day to get ready for my next match and I am nowhere near playing my best darts. When I do, I can compete with anybody but I am just plugging on at the minute."
Elsewhere, defending champion Raymond van Barneveld crashed out of the tournament with a group stage defeat to Mervyn King.
Mark Webster won a nine-sart shootout against Wes Newton to qualify for the knockout stages in Wolverhampton. The remaining group matches take place tonight.
