Clinical Gerwyn Price through to World Championship quarters

World number three Price saw off Mervyn King in five sets with with three ton-plus checkouts and a double success rate of 52 percent in a convincing victory.

The 35-year-old from Markham won by three sets in a high quality affair, in which no leg took more than 16 darts to complete.

Price had edged past Jamie Lewis and Brendon Dolan in nervy encounters but was far more convincing to make the quarter-finals.

"I felt quite comfortable for most of the match but it was little bit patchy at times," said Price, who will take on Daryl Gurney in the last eight in the New Year's Day evening session.

"Mervyn wasn't quite as good as he has been in the last few weeks and I took advantage.

"I just did what I do best and finished well. I never felt under pressure. I hit at the right time and he missed at the wrong time.

"Daryl is a fantastic player and I'll have to be at my best to beat him but I'm determined to go on and win the tournament because I've got my eyes on that world number one spot."

Gerwyn Price reacts during his match with Mervyn King during day thirteen of the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.

Price hit double top to win each of the first four legs, which included combination checkouts of 148 and 115, but only claimed one of the first two sets as King edged the second in a deciding leg.

Last month's Players Championship Finals runner-up King took the lead in set three with a 106 finish, only to see Price win the next three legs to regain the advantage.

The Welshman then took out 93 in the deciding leg of the fourth set to move into a 3-1 lead as he edged towards a second successive World Championship quarter-final.

A fabulous 116 checkout moved Price 2-1 ahead in set five and a leg away from the win, which he wrapped up in the next leg after King missed three darts to stay in the tie.

Dangerous Gurney underlined his title credentials with a 4-2 win over Vincent Van Der Voort

Two-time champion Gary Anderson roared into the last eight and then took aim at commentator Wayne Mardle.

The 50-year-old also ruled out any talk of retiring while once again playing down his chances of a third title despite a 4-0 whitewash of Devon Petersen.

South African Petersen had a glimmer of hope with a dart at double 16 to take the third set.

But he missed to allow Anderson in to take out 74 with two darts en route to a ninth Alexandra Palace quarter-final.

Afterwards the Scot, 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.

Dave Chisnall earned a last-eight meeting with top seed Michael Van Gerwen after beating Dimitri Van Den Bergh 4-2 and Stephen Bunting beat Ryan Searle 4-3.