A review of Monday's action at the William Hill World Darts Championship as Gary Anderson hit a 170 checkout in a trademark thriller while Dave Chisnall lost to Jeffrey de Zwaan.
Peter Wright rounded off a quite incredible first half of the PDC World Championship with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Seigo Asada that featured no fewer than seven 100+ checkouts and a mid-game change of darts.
There had been a delay to proceedings due a power cut at the Alexandra Palace following Gary Anderson's dramatic five-set thriller with Ryan Searle, and while Sky Sports took the opportunity to fittingly play a rerun of a Phil Taylor classic, former electrician Rob Cross won Twitter to partially make up for his early exit from the tournament, which now takes a three-day break until Friday.
Luckily I’m free right now for any electrical work you need. https://t.co/DLYKE2yJ1F
— Rob Cross (@RobCross180) December 23, 2019
We’ve had a power cut at The Palace. Peter Wright v Seigo Asada game has been delayed. You will not miss a thing @SkySportsDarts pic.twitter.com/6yVbNbfuov
— Dave Clark (@DaveClarkTV) December 23, 2019
Eventually the final match began, with Cross thankfully not required to make the drive from Hastings, and despite a plucky challenge from Asada, Snakebite battled his way through to set up a last 16 meeting with Jeffrey de Zwaan.
The world number seven hit eight of the 10 maximums in the match and averaged 94.42 - which he'll need to improve upon against the explosive young Dutchman - while he made three of the ton+ finishes, including the highest of 157.
Those stats took the tally of 180s hit in a dramatic day of six matches to a whopping 75 and the number of the three-figure outs to an astonishing 27.
💯👏 On an incredible day of 27 ton+ checkouts, there were seven in Peter Wright's victory over Seigo Asada!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 23, 2019
🐍 Snakebite's magnificent 157 being the highest of his three...pic.twitter.com/lB6yyv4WPa
Wright, who wouldn't even be still here had it not been for a quite incredible comeback against another PDC Asian Tour star in Noel Malicdem last time out, survived a set dart in a pretty ropey opener to take it 3-2.
Unimpressed with his performance, Snakebite bizarrely changed his darts and it didn't pay off at first with a number of poor scoring visits in the opening two legs of the next set and although he found his range to level it up, he then missed a costly double in the decider.
Asada responded to the Scotsman's Shanghai finish from 120 with the first of his four 100+ checkouts but it didn't stop him losing the third set 3-1.
116 CHECKOUT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
A first ton-plus finish of the match for Asada saves the third set! pic.twitter.com/taA2mTqg1j
The fourth set was a similar story for the Japanese thrower, who is planning on entering Q School in January after another impressive showing at the highest level, as he lost it 3-1 despite another fine finish from 104.
Spectacular finishing continued into the fifth set, with the 2014 finalist completing a fine 12-darter with a 131 checkout only for Asada to respond from 103 to make it 1-1.
131 CHECKOUT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
What a brilliant checkout that is as Peter Wright takes out 131 on D16 to break the throw in the opening leg of the fifth set! pic.twitter.com/YECnW4dbsl
The World Cup winner, who has won four individual titles this season including the televised German Darts Masters, pulled his 157 out of the bag to force a decider in the set before coming agonisingly close to the eighth 170 of the tournament and second of the day after Gary Anderson during his 4-3 win over Ryan Searle.
It would have also been the second 'Big Fish' to win a match, with Ricky Evans also a achieving the feat in round two, but he couldn't find the bullseye and Asada punished him with a finish from 96.
SEIGO SAVES THE MATCH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Asada holds his nerve to take out 96 to again move within a set of Wright! pic.twitter.com/xooguvhLiJ
That high was short lived as he spurned three darts at doubles in the opening leg of the sixth set although he did make up for it with his fourth 100+ checkout of the match.
130 FINISH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
A SEVENTH ton-plus finish in this match as Asada levels the sixth set... pic.twitter.com/gjWQR52vl9
Wright was not to be deterred and rattled off a pair of 15-darters to seal his place in the last 16 for the sixth time in his career.
WRIGHT WINS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Peter Wright defeats Seigo Asada 4-2 in a battle with SEVEN ton-plus finishes! pic.twitter.com/kyFY7scDnR
The 2016 UK Open champion, who has finished runner-up in 12 other majors including this season's Champions League of Darts and the Grand Slam of Darts, will return to the oche on Saturday night.
Gary Anderson threw a record-breaking 170 checkout at the PDC World Darts Championship and then had to produce a stirring comeback to avoid a shock exit at the hands of Ryan Searle.
It was the seventh 'Big Fish' caught since Michael van Gerwen hit the first on day one - the most in a single tournament - although it didn't prevent him losing the second set as the world number 52 levelled the scores.
🎣1⃣7⃣0⃣🙌 Gary Anderson catches the record-breaking seventh Big Fish of this year's World Championship!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 23, 2019
1⃣ Michael van Gerwen
2⃣ Ryan Searle
3⃣ Ben Robb
4⃣ Steve Beaton
5⃣ Ricky Evans
6⃣ Glen Durrant
7⃣ Gary Andersonpic.twitter.com/RoHxNLiEod
Anderson, who had only won the opener after Searle missed three darts at double in the deciding leg, then found himself behind in sets when the Somerset thrower followed up a 104 checkout with an 11-darter en route to taking the third 3-1.
BREAK!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Ryan Searle lands a 104 checkout to lead the third set and break the Anderson throw. pic.twitter.com/0dPasID6Gf
Despite a clinical 13-darter at the start of the fourth set, Anderson was struggling to find any rhythm and allowed Searle to win each of the next three legs in 15 darts or more.
The Flying Scotsman has endured a largely miserable season by his sky high standards - albeit some of it being down to injury problems - but refused to bow out with a whimper as his rallying comeback began.
Anderson won the next set 3-1 with the help of a pair of 84 checkouts while he maintained his motoring momentum with an 11-darter in the sixth, which he took by the same scoreline.
ANDERSON SAVES THE MATCH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
A quick-fire set from Anderson keeps him in this match but Searle has the darts in the sixth! pic.twitter.com/b1EZEAHOP9
The 49-year-old, who is bidding to become the third three-time world champion behind Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, raced through the decider 3-0 although it could have been different had Searle not missed two darts at tops in the second leg.
🙌 The real Gary Anderson is back!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 23, 2019
🚂 The Flying Scotsman was 3-1 down despite his 170 checkout, but he produced an inspired comeback to win 4-3 and reach round four.pic.twitter.com/EAO8UnfrHl
Dave Chisnall's dreams of a first world championship are over after losing one of best third-round matches in the tournament's history.
Chizzy, who is yet to win any major title that his career richly deserves, averaged almost 102, hit 10 maximums, threw a 161 checkout and enjoyed the unanimous support of a partisan crowd, but it still wasn't good enough to deny an inspired Jeffrey de Zwaan.
The Dutchman pulled the plug on an electric atmosphere by racing through the deciding seventh set by averaging 115 with his 39 darts, which included just 10 in the second leg, before the crowd gave both players the rousing reception they deserved.
😩 Dave Chisnall averaged 101, hit 10 180s, a 161 checkout and had an incredible crowd behind him...but his World Championship dream is over.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 23, 2019
👏 The sensational Jeffrey de Zwaan averaged 106.33 in a breathtaking 4-3 victory.pic.twitter.com/4qJ5y2UBPs
De Zwaan's match average was a tournament high 106.09 thanks to long periods of sustained scoring power that included 31 scores of 140 or more as well as consistent finishing, pinning 15 of his 28 attempts at doubles.
The Dutchman, who reached the 2018 World Matchplay semi-finals, is still just 23 but if he can keep pulling out performances like these it might not be too much longer before he's challenging another certain Dutchman for top honours.
He also showed great character to respond so brilliant to the Ally Pally shaking moment when Chisnall took out 341 in six darts, including a 161 checkout for a second successive 12-darter in the sixth set that he won to force the decider.
🙌 What. A. Match.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 23, 2019
💛😲 Dave Chisnall takes out 341 in six darts (180 and a 161 checkout) and both players are averaging over 100!
🤩 Magic darts!pic.twitter.com/olnHrQnUFX
De Zwaan had also strung a pair of 12-darters together in a mesmerising spell in the fifth set, which he won 3-1 after Chisnall's other 100+ checkout of the match.
The opening four sets of the match were all won against the throw, with De Zwaan storming through the first 3-1 while the St Helens man stormed back after a sloppy start to pinch the next with a 72 checkout in the deciding leg.
Just 41 darts were required from the Black Cobra to win three successive legs in the third set as Chizzy's throw was broken twice and although his comeback was equally emphatic with a 3-0 scoreline in the fourth, it would ultimately prove in vain.
What a day. Six games, three final set deciders, 75 180s and 27 ton+ checkouts...including a record-breaking 170. Happy Dartmas.pic.twitter.com/XxVINgcdo9
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) December 23, 2019
Darren Webster came one dart away from hitting the 10th perfect leg in PDC World Darts Championship history in an enthralling defeat to a resurgent Adrian Lewis.
The Demolition Man, who has never managed a televised nine-darter, was leading 3-2 in sets at the time but after seven treble 20s - and a treble 19, he narrowly missed double 12 on the inside.
It would have put him halfway towards the £100,000 jackpot on offer for a pair of perfect legs in the tournament but unless it had inspired a different result, his elimination would have ended that hope anyway.
👏🎯 Adrian Lewis v Darren Webster had almost everything!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 23, 2019
💪 Jackpot's comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-3
1⃣8⃣0⃣ 14 maximums
💯 Six 100+ checkouts (142, 140, 132, 124 x2, 108)
🤝 Great sportsmanship
😩 And agonisingly close to this...pic.twitter.com/pNtwDGf832
Webster pinned the target on his next visit to move one leg away from a place in the fourth round for the second time in three years, only for Lewis to snatch the decider and push the match into a fifth set.
As tension grew, the sky high standards of earlier in the match dropped but it was no less compelling to watch as Jackpot came from 2-0 down with a pair of 13 darters and one in 15 to lead 3-2, before closing it out with a 78 checkout with Webster waiting on tops.
WHAT A MATCH!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
With six ton-plus finishes, D12 missed for a nine-darter and a rollercoaster affair, Adrian Lewis wins one of the matches of the tournament so far!
Has anyone caught their breath yet? pic.twitter.com/whNXwVmxtc
The nine-darter attempt was part of an incredible sixth set that will be etched in the annals of Ally Pally for quite some time.
It started when Lewis followed up a 132 checkout with another from 124 to complete a 12-darter, only for Webster to come back with a finish from 142 and then his near miss perfect leg.
BACK-TO-BACK HUGE FINISHES!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Incredible finishing from Adrian Lewis as he adds a 124 to his 132 in the previous leg! pic.twitter.com/tWLzzMKEEj
WHAT A SET THIS IS!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
After a 132 and a 124, Webster hits a massive 142 checkout! Crazy stuff here at Ally Pally! pic.twitter.com/5xBCbs9kcZ
Lewis went on to seal it with a 16-darter as Webster waited for his chance on 96 before his final set comeback put him through to the fourth round.
It's no wonder he later described it as one of the best games he's ever played in.
“One of the best games I’ve ever played in”
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Adrian Lewis reflects on his thrilling tie-break victory over Darren Webster pic.twitter.com/rftCZNyCJv
With PDC chairman Barry Hearn watching intently in the arena, you have to wonder whether a few more performances like this could even give him an outside chance of getting back in the Premier League next season, although perhaps only a spot in the final will achieve that.
Webster, who has reached the quarter-finals twice in the 2007 and 2018 editions, flew out of the blocks in terms of the set score as he defied an 11-darter from Lewis to take the first 3-2 having initially blown a 2-0 lead while he added a second with the help of a 124 finish on the bullseye - his first of four 100+ checkouts in the match.
BULLSEYE!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
A brilliant 124 checkout for Webster who takes the 2-0 lead in the second set! pic.twitter.com/QdzEDCyRxS
However, at 2-2 in the third set, the 51-year-old from Norwich spurned three darts at double having been pressured by a Lewis maximum, and Jackpot came back to half the deficit.
LEWIS IS FIRED UP 🔥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Adrian Lewis punishes Webster's three clear darts missed at D12 for the set and gets himself back in this match! pic.twitter.com/vcP8SxwpRQ
The 2011 and 2012 champion looked in real danger of falling two sets behind again as Webster chalked up another big checkout - this time from 108 - to move 2-0 up.
108 OUT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Webster takes a commanding lead in the fourth set with a big 108 checkout! pic.twitter.com/nf7l5BcAOu
But the 34-year-old forced another deciding leg after surviving a set dart and made the most of it with a clinical finish from 91.
LEWIS LEVELS IT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
From two sets down, Adrian Lewis has levelled this match up at two sets apiece! pic.twitter.com/YgXzzozlT4
The Demolition Man wasn't done yet, firing in a 140 checkout that Lewis had no choice but to applaud before a finish from 72 saw him restore his overall match lead.
140 CHECKOUT!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
A huge 140 finish from Webster to save the set and even Adrian Lewis had to applaud that! pic.twitter.com/9ZfyR6ZW2r
The pair then played out 'that' sixth set before Lewis' stirring comeback in the seventh as he set up a clash with Dimitri Van den Bergh, who defeated Luke Humphries.
Lewis, who has been moving in the right direction in 2019 after a tough couple of the seasons, has now reached the fourth round for the second year in a row but he'll be desperate to go even further and remind the world just why he's one of the most naturally talented players of all time.
Luke Humphries is through to the fourth round of the World Darts Championship for the second successive year after an impressive 4-2 victory over young German star Nico Kurz.
The World Youth champion, who defeated Rob Cross en route to the quarter-finals 12 months ago, is one win away from achieving the same feat, with Kim Huybrechts standing in his way.
Humphries was pushed hard by the 22-year-old debutant, who had earlier upset the odds to defeat James Wilson and Joe Cullen, and had to come from 2-1 down before reeling off three sets in a row.
HUMPHRIES WINS IT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Luke Humphries recovers from a set down to defeat dangerous German youngster Nico Kurz 4-2. pic.twitter.com/b9wOKN80Ev
The Newbury thrower averaged a little less than Kurz's mark of 96.16 with 94.8 but his eight 180s were six more than his opponent while he pinned 15 of his 35 double attempts as the German spurned 15 of his 25.
Humphries raised the roof in the opening match of the afternoon session when a 124 checkout saw him move 1-0 up in sets.
124 FOR THE SET!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
What a way to win the set as Luke Humphries takes out 124 to enter a 1-0 lead over Nico Kurz! pic.twitter.com/5bcz0HMFFK
Kurz held his nerve to draw level by winning the second set on a deciding leg and then a pair of 13-darters helped him take the third 3-1 as another upset looked on the cards.
Humphries added to his 100+ finishes with another from 122 on the bullseye to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the fourth set, which he won 3-0, but the fifth went the distance.
BULLSEYE!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Humphries adds a 122 to his 124 checkout as he leads 2-0 in the fourth set! pic.twitter.com/EWx0i9Bh14
After pinching it with his last dart in hand, with Kurz waiting on 42, the 24-year-old stormed through the next 3-1 to seal victory although there was still time for the young German to bring the crowd to their feet.
131 CHECKOUT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Incredible finish from Kurz who takes out 131 to save the match but Humphries is now throwing for victory... pic.twitter.com/SAkfVCYRpy
Dimitri Van den Bergh showed more flashes of his potential to be a star of the sport as he came through a tough test with flue stricken Luke Woodhouse to reach the last 16.
The former two-time world youth champion was not quite at the same level which helped him record the highest average of the tournament of 103.81 on Saturday against Josh Payne, but he still managed to throw four 100+ checkouts and hit six 180s in a promising display.
Van den Bergh made his intentions clear early on with a 128 checkout on the bullseye in the opening set that he won 3-1, although Woodhouse found the middle of the board for a 126 in the second.
BULLSEYE!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Van den Bergh hits the bull for a huge 128 to take a 2-1 lead in the opening set! pic.twitter.com/ObPKxR8hDx
126 ON THE BULL!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Another bullseye finish sees Woodhouse take the lead in the second set! pic.twitter.com/jXOrpIosor
That would prove to be in vain as the 25-year-old won it 3-1 to double his set lead while a brilliant 112 finish helped him take command in the third, as a whitewash was threatened.
Van den Bergh is on FIRE!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
He takes the lead in the third set with a brilliant 112 finish! pic.twitter.com/invljVQpwW
Despite his illness, the conqueror of Paul Lim and Michael Smith battled back to half the deficit in sets only for Van den Bergh to hammer in another ton+ checkout - this time with the Shanghai of 120 - on his way to taking the fourth set 3-2.
SHANGHAI!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Van den Bergh doesn't look pleased with himself but he's just taken out his third ton-plus finish of the match to lead 1-0 in the fourth set! pic.twitter.com/xywNqPk91S
Woodhouse, who averaged 90.41 and threw two fewer 180s with four, kept fighting and took out 117 in a fifth set that he won 3-1 to keep himself alive.
He stayed on stage during the break and it must've helped him as he opens the fifth set with a 117 finish! pic.twitter.com/oIdypFkjiL
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Van den Bergh then trailed 2-0 in the sixth set, but a 110 checkout completed a timely 12-darter before punishing Woodhouse for a missed doubles in each of the next two legs to progress.
VAN DEN BERGH WINS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2019
Dimitri Van den Bergh wins an absolute battle against Luke Woodhouse! pic.twitter.com/jQ17jDqgYC
Monday December 23
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Third Round (Best of 7 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
Evening Session (1900)
Third Round (Best of 7 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
Friday December 27
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Third Round (Best of 7 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
Evening Session (1900)
Third Round (Best of 7 sets)
Fourth Round (Best of 7 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
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