Reigning PDC World Champion Gerwyn Price is through to the quarter final of this year’s tournament, after beating Dirk van Duijvenbode 4-1. A series of spectacular ton-plus finishes saw ‘The Iceman’ recover from losing the first set.
Van Duijvenbode nicked the first set right from under the Welshman’s nose. Price had multiple set darts, but could not make them count. ‘The Titan’ hit tops to knock down 57 and take the lead. Price sprung into action, and whitewashed the Dutchman in the second set. Price began dusting off the big finishes, with a 100, a 132 and a 164 all falling. The latter, finished expertly on bull, was the best darts of the night.
The reigning world king ended up taking twelve straight legs to recover from his first set setback, and will play Michael Smith in the quarter final.
Michael Smith beat Jonny Clayton 4-3 for the dubious honour of meeting the reigning champion in the quarter-final, after an absolute thriller that required a tiebreaker. Clayton raced out of the blocks, averaging 107 to take a superb opening set.
The Welshman doubled his lead, and improved his average to 110, to take the second and put himself halfway to a place in the quarters. The high-scoring continued, as Michael Smith began to battle back. A 105 average in the third saw him get his foot in the door, and when he levelled Alexandra Palace came unglued.
‘Bully Boy’ took his third in succession to lead for the first time in the match, and a real classic was unfolding. The sixth set was a real battle, with a huge 161 finish from Clayton followed by a lovely 121 checkout from the St Helens man. The maximums were flowing, and these two gladiators would rack up 23 between them before this thriller was through.
Clayton took the sixth to bring about the decider this classic battle deserved. Both men held their nerve, and their throw, as the tiebreaker rolled on with Smith finally coming out on top in a gripping match. The 31-year-old will surely give Price all he can handle when they meet.
The final match of the third round opened proceedings at Ally Pally. Gary Anderson completed a spectacular comeback to beat Ian White 4-3. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ lost the first three sets, before fighting back in an incredible display.
The two-time World Champion had opportunities in the first, with White missing fifteen darts on doubles. Anderson could not capitalise though, and found himself a set behind. ‘Diamond’ took all three legs of the second set, and the upset looked on. Anderson showed signs of life with a huge 111 finish in the opening leg of the third, but White hit a 124 finish to take the set. It was a moment that would have broken the spirit of many players, but not a decorated veteran like Anderson.
Anderson pulled the next two sets back, enjoying some good fortune at times as White missed a number of match darts. Another 111 finish drew the match level, bringing the pro-Anderson crowd to its feet in superb scenes. The momentum belonged to the Scotsman, and it carried him through to complete a remarkable comeback and win 4-3.