Whitlock hits 9-darter in Austria

Simon Whitlock reached his second final of the weekend and opened it with a nine-darter from in the opening leg against world Number 1 Phil Taylor.
The Australian came out of the blocks all guns blazing with back-to-back maximums. He then hit another treble 20 which was followed by deadly arrows at treble 15 and double 18, to complete a dream start for the World Championship finalist.
It was the third nine-dart finish recorded in the last four Pro Tour events - Andy Hamilton and Co Stompe having achieved the same feat in Wigan, last weekend.
The Australian moved 2-0 ahead courtesy of a 13-dart-finish, but in third leg he missed four darts at doubles to move further clear of his opponent, and Taylor took the chance to open his account.
The World Champion then won the fourth leg in 15 darts to square the game at two apiece and he then took the lead for the first time with a 74 finish to win the fifth.
Whitlock hit-back by hitting his sixth maximum of the game in an 11 darter to win the leg but Taylor regained the lead in the seventh leg to go 4-3 up. Taylor then hit fantastic ten-dart finish to break throw and move one leg away from victory.
In the next leg Taylor was waiting on 40 for the match but Whitlock managed to keep his hopes alive by recording a 112 checkout.
In the tenth leg, Whitlock had the advantage of throw but one dart at double top to take match to a deciding leg and Taylor hit the same bed to secure his fifth Pro Tour title of 2010.