Chisnall reaches quarter-finals in Tokyo

The Morecambe ace gave the losing finalist a tough test in Japan on Thursday, but the world number one averaged almost 102 to win won of the games of the tournament 8-6.

Chisnall hit six doubles from eight attempts and led 6-4, but van Gerwen strung together four legs in a row, with the aid of some heavy scoring, to take the tie away from the Englishman.

The resort thrower had earlier seen off home favourite Shintaro Inoue 6-1 in the opening round, averaging 96.64.

Chisnall saw his throw broken in the opening leg as Inoue took the lead - to the delight of the crowd inside the Yoyogi Olympic Hall - but then strung together six legs in a row, including an 11-darter, to take the win as he hit 42 per cent of his double attempts.

Gary Anderson backed up his PDC World Series of Darts wins in Dubai and Auckland by claiming the title with an 8-6 defeat of van Gerwen in the final.

The triumph was Anderson’s third win from four World Series events this year, with the other going to van Gerwen in Shanghai a fortnight ago.

Next up for Chisnall and the stars of the PDC is the BetVictor World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The Morecambe ace kicks off his campaign on Saturday night as he takes on Benito van de Pas in the final game of the opening session.

The prestigious £450,000 tournament, televised live on Sky Sports, sees 32 players competing for the title with reigning champion van Gerwen taking on Jamie Caven.