A review of Monday's action at the PDC William Hill World Darts Championship, where Gerwyn Price came through a five-set thriller.
- 2021 World Darts draw and schedule
- Scroll down for results and averages
Price gets it right at last
Gerwyn Price survived a serious scare to beat Jamie Lewis 3-2 and reach the third round at Alexandra Palace.
One of the pre-tournament favourites heading into the event and a semi-finalist last year, Price was some way below his best in a patchy and sometimes careless performance which he'll need to leave behind him in order to lift the trophy on January 3.
For now though he at least remains in the competition, something which appeared far from certain as a rejuvenated Lewis forced a deciding set, before making one mistake too many and allowing his compatriot to take advantage.
It was hard on Lewis, who dominated the first set and took out 110 as he won all three legs in the fourth, but as the prospect of causing an upset became real, his darts became errant.
In the final set, Price was under pressure on his own throw only for Lewis to go bust when attempting to take out 68. Lewis then missed three darts at double 16 on his throw, and the 116 finish which Price conjured proved a killer blow.
Beginning what proved to be the final leg with throws of 177 and 140, Price hit tops for a 60 having earlier taken the second set with a 160, this collection of clinical finishes masking an otherwise errant performance.
"That wasn’t my greatest performance and I probably got a bit lucky in that last set," confessed Price. "I couldn’t get going for whatever reason and he let me in when he bust 68 but I did what I do and took advantage.
"It’s not a brilliant start but I have to give credit to Jamie. He gave me a good game and I feel like I can grow into this tournament."
Living the Huy life
Kim Huybrechts was one of the standout performers in round one and he carried that form over to round two and a 3-1 defeat of Ian White.
Both players averaged over 100 in a quality game which began with the pair exchanging big finishes as Huybrechts took the first set, and ended when the Belgian edged the fourth.
Perhaps this was White's career in microcosm, some quality darts undermined by 24 misses at double - whereas his opponent hit 10 out of 10.
Whatever the case, the signs are that Huybrechts' dedication to a more purposeful practice regimen are paying off and he's a threat to all on this form, having hit eight maximums and held firm just as White threatened a fightback.
"I’m over the moon after beating one of the best players in the world," said Huybrechts.
"Ian is an amazing player and he played well so I’m so happy with this win. I’ve been putting so much hard work in and it is paying off big time.
"I feel amazing after this and am not even thinking about the next match yet. I’ve put everything into this win but I will rest, practice and come back even better after Christmas."
In the first match of the evening and indeed the day, Krzysztof Ratajski was a comfortable 3-0 winner against Ryan Joyce for all the scoreline was harsh on the losing man.
The Polish Eagle won the first two sets in deciding legs and, with darts in hand for the third, took care of business with few alarms.
And in the last game on the oche, Gabriel Clemens threw six maximums and hit two 100-plus finishes in a 3-1 defeat of the promising Nico Kurz, who again showed his potential in a decent performance which included a 161 checkout.
Monday's results and Tuesday order of play
Monday December 21
Evening Session (1800 GMT)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Krzysztof Ratajski (100.41) 3-0 (96.12) Ryan Joyce (R2) (3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
- Ian White (102.35) 1-3 (101.59) Kim Huybrechts (R2) (1-3, 2-3, 3-1, 2-3)
- Gerwyn Price (91.97) 3-2 (90.46) Jamie Lewis (R2) (1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 0-3, 3-0)
- Gabriel Clemens (95.70) 3-1 (89.98) Nico Kurz (R2) (3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Tuesday December 22
Afternoon Session (1200 GMT)
Second Round (Best of 5 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Brendan Dolan v Edward Foulkes (R2)
- Joe Cullen v Wayne Jones (R2)
- Simon Whitlock v Darius Labanauskas (R2)
- Adrian Lewis v Danny Baggish (R2)