World Darts Championship: Ricky Evans stuns Dave Chisnall as Rob Cross clears Alexandra Palace | Darts Information

Dave Chisnall crashed out of the World Darts Championship after struggling a dramatic ultimate defeat to Ricky Evans, whereas former world champion Rob Cross was additionally eradicated in a outstanding session at Alexandra Palace.

Chisnall gained the primary set of a topsy-turvy match, however needed to recuperate from a 2-1 defeat to increase their epic conflict to a ultimate set, the place each gamers survived match darts to qualify for additional legs.

Evans shot a check-out 110 on his technique to a lead and noticed Chisnall recuperate from a stunning counting error over a ton and over to carry the throw, with “Speedy Ricky” then claiming the ultimate stage of the match to ship one other seed heading for an early exit.

An epic pre-Christmas session noticed Daryl Gurney win the ultimate set towards Florian Hempel and world junior champion Gian Van Veen eradicated by Ricardo Pietreczko, earlier than Cross was overwhelmed 3-1 by Scott Williams within the ultimate match of the night.

Cross’s early exit made him the 14th seed to be eradicated within the Spherical of 64 of this yr’s match, the best ever at this stage in match historical past, with Williams being overwhelmed by eventual champion Luke Humphries in final yr’s semi-final. – the final to say their place within the third spherical.

An early Christmas traditional in an unimaginable session

Evans introduced vacation cheer along with his Christmas-themed t-shirt and the Shakin Stevens observe, just for Chisnall to take management early by opening with a 12-dart break and holding again the throw within the subsequent.

Chisnall responded to Evans’ beautiful checkout of 126 and missed ‘Massive Fish” try by profitable the set with a 15 dart, however wasted a set dart on D5 within the latter a part of the second to permit ‘ Speedy Ricky” to interrupt the throw and stage it. .

Evans took the lead by sealing the third set with a 13-darter, however noticed Chisnall hit again with a clear sweep within the fourth, with “Chizzy” having to come back from behind 3 times to steer a gripping ultimate set.

Each gamers missed the match darts throughout a chaotic closing sequence, the place Evans prolonged the match with a outstanding 110 check-out to get again, then discovered a 17-dart maintain to place a leg away.

Chisnall survived an ill-timed, miscounted end to search out the ‘Mad Home’ on his subsequent go to and drive the set to an eleventh and ultimate stage, the place Evans gained the tops to attain a 52 and spark wild celebrations.

“I performed towards a world-class darts participant there and I performed fairly nicely,” Evans stated. instructed Sky Sports activities. “It is good to say I gained a match and performed nicely – usually that is boring! I want I had overwhelmed Chizzy 3-0 as a result of then my ticker would beat somewhat slower!”

Gurney survives scare as Cross advances

One other upset was anticipated when Gurney misplaced a set to Hempel, who was on the verge of profitable the second set when the Northern Irishman shot a checkout of 156 to interrupt with a 15-darter and tie the match.

Hempel gained the second set on straight legs and got here inside one leg of victory throughout a good fourth set, earlier than Gurney delivered consecutive 13-dart legs to stage the match, then break the German in the beginning of the final set.

Gurney held the throw within the subsequent on track to shut out a hard-fought victory, leaving him to face seventh seed Jonny Clayton within the third spherical, whereas Cross was one other big-name exit after a disappointing loss to Williams.

Cross held the throw within the ultimate leg of the primary set earlier than Williams grabbed the second with a 14-dart maintain in one other decisive leg, with the competition additionally threatening to go the gap when Cross made a 130 test in the beginning of the third set.

Williams gained the subsequent three units to advance a set, capitalizing on a poor end from Cross, earlier than securing victory within the subsequent set – and avenging his defeat to the Englishman two years earlier – by eliminating a 14-darter on high within the ultimate leg.

Elsewhere, Van Veen missed eight darts to interrupt his opponent in a disjointed opening leg and noticed Pietreczko race by means of the opening set, though he responded by firing an excellent 12-dart haul with a check-out of 127 on his path to stage the competitors within the second. .

Pietreczko regained the lead by capturing a 122 in a straight-legged third set, then broke Van Veen with a 16-darter and held the throw within the subsequent to achieve the third spherical for the second yr in a row.

Clayton beats the epic ultimate stage and Rock breaks

Clayton gave the impression to be headed for the end line when he gained six rounds in a row, just for Mickey Mansell to power a deciding set, then produce beautiful scores of 136 and 154 to maneuver nearer to victory.

The Welshman gained the subsequent two legs to increase the competition and each gamers missed the match darts, taking the set to a shootout within the ultimate finish, the place he capitalized on the darts to discover a approach over the road.

Elsewhere, Josh Rock beat Rhys Griffin 3-0, shedding simply two matches to arrange a last-16 tie with Chris Dobey, whereas the opposite two seeds in motion on Monday afternoon additionally certified.

Polish #1 Krzysztof Ratajski beat Alexis Toylo 3-1 and Andrew Gilding beat Martin Lukeman by the identical scoreline, with Ratajski now going through Kevin Doets – who knocked out former world champion Michael Smith – and Gilding taking up Nathan Aspinall.

When does the third spherical happen?

Darts returns after Christmas on December 27, with 4 consecutive days of double classes at Alexandra Palace ending the third and fourth rounds on December 30.

World #1 Luke Humphries performs Nick Kenny and reigning Premier League champion Luke Littler takes on Ian White, whereas Michael van Gerwen takes on Brendan Dolan and fellow former world champion Gerwyn Worth entertains Joe Cullen.

They’ve a free night on New Yr’s Eve earlier than the quarter-finals which is able to happen over two classes on New Yr’s Day, with the semi-finals on January 2 and the ultimate on Friday January 3.

The total each day schedule for this yr’s match could be considered here.

Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match solely stay till January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and many other top sports with NOW