Gary Anderson takes aim at ‘numpty’ Wayne Mardle after reaching last eight of World Darts Championship

Frustrated: Gary Anderson was unhappy at the pace of play in his match against Mensur Suljovic
Frustrated: Gary Anderson was unhappy at the pace of play in his match against Mensur Suljovic
PA
Tom Doyle31 December 2020

Gary Anderson powered into the last eight of the PDC World Championship with a 4-0 whitewash of Devon Petersen and then took aim at commentator Wayne Mardle.

Afterwards the Scottish two-time champion, who was fuming at Mensur Suljovic's slow pace in the previous round, gave former pro Mardle both barrels.

"Wayne Mardle's comment the other night, 'if you're playing a player and you need to put him off, slow him down', that's coming from a commentator on Sky," Anderson said at his press conference.

"My way of playing darts is you go there to try to outscore him, to outplay him, to out-finish him.

"Now Wayne's telling everyone if you've got a problem with a player slow him down, or do what you can to put him off. What a numpty!

"That's great for television, and great to tell kids what to do, isn't it? Proud of you Wayne."

Earlier, Anderson had told Sky Sports: "I'm nowhere near where I should be playing but next year I'll start from scratch and get myself back to it. This run is a real bonus for me.

"I heard Rod Harrington say I should retire. I was thinking about it, but not now! You've got me for a long time, I'm here for the duration, whether it's two years, three years of 10 years, I'll be here."

Anderson will face Dirk Van Duijvenbode, who knocked out 12th seed Glen Durrant in a final-leg shootout.

Premier League champion Durrant led 2-0 and 3-1 but Dutchman Van Duijvenbode pegged him back and sealed a dramatic 4-3 win on double six.

Third seed Gerwyn Price powered past Mervyn King 4-1 and Dave Chisnall earned a last-eight meeting with top seed Michael Van Gerwen after beating Dimitri Van Den Bergh 4-2.

Daryl Gurney underlined his title credentials with a 4-2 win over Vincent Van Der Voort and Stephen Bunting beat Ryan Searle 4-3.

Additional reporting by PA.

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