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James Wade moved into the last 16 of the UK Open with a 9-5 victory against Kim Huybrechts on Saturday afternoon.

The two-time winner averaged 97, following up his impressive third round demolition of Michael Mansell, who he beat 9-1 on Friday with a 101 average.

The seven-time major winner will face Terry Jenkins on Saturday evening following the open draw, which took place after the afternoon’s action.

“It was fairly clinical on my part but I was fortunate that Kim didn’t play as well as he can,” said Wade, who won the tournament in 2008 and 2011.

“I capitalised on his performance and I’ll take it and move on to the next game.”

The first three legs went with the throw to give Wade a 2-1 lead, which he increased by taking out 70 to break his opponent’s throw.

‘The Machine’ rattled in his first 180 to help him move three legs clear before a brilliant 139 finish increased his advantage to 5-1.

Wade pinned tops to take a fifth straight leg before his second maximum sent him on the way to another break of throw.

Huybrechts then won four consecutive legs to reduce Wade’s lead to 7-5 but the world number seven stemmed the tide with the aid of his third 180, completing a 12-darter to go within a leg of victory.

And he sealed the win by bedding double six to remain in the hunt for his third UK Open title.

By Chris Murphy

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