Nathan Aspinall cruised to a 4-0 win over Andrew Gilding to reach the last 16 of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
It is the first time in five years that Aspinall has reached the third round and he will now face Riccardo Pietrecko in the last 16.
It wasn’t the best start by either player in the final contest of the afternoon match on the 11th day, but it was Aspinall who jumped out, with two break points to take her to a scrappy first set.
The second set followed in similar fashion to the first, with Aspinall up to 86 per cent in doubles as she capitalized on her opportunities, a crucial break in the third set cementing a 3-0 lead for The Asp.
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Nathan Aspinall took out his first 100+ checkout against Andrew Gilding as Asp’s 101 checkout saw him 3-0 up against Goldfinger.
With the finish line in sight and knowing he would just have to hold his throw, Aspinall held his throw twice and then broke ‘Goldfinger’ to wrap up a comprehensive victory on top.
“I’m glad I was able to finish. I usually finish badly because of that. Usually my goal is gone,” Aspinall said Sky Sports following his victory.
“Guild didn’t play very well there. I don’t care about averages, I don’t care about numbers. I’m last 16, England-Germany.
“I think the last six months have been very flat when I’ve been playing and tonight I made a conscious effort to try to get that fire back in my stomach and I think you saw that from the start.
“I was giving a little bit more emotion tonight and that was for me to try and get the adrenaline going because I was very flat.
“It wasn’t my best performance. I finished fantastic again but we have to get the goals, I’ll be hard to beat.”
In the opening game of the afternoon match. Ryan Joyce produced a sensational performance in the doubles to reach the fourth round after a thrilling 4-3 tie-break victory over Ryan Searle.
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Ryan Joyce beat Ryan Searle’s return to win 4-3 to advance to the fourth round.Joyce also hit an impressive 113 cash and there was a riot from Searle as he missed a 20 to leave the tops, all in the final set.
It was a toss-up for the first nine legs, allowing Joyce to take the first set with her toss and Reelentless then pounced on the decider in the second to break the toss and take a 2-0 lead.
However, Searle battled back and found two breaks of his own throws to level the tournament at 2-2, his doubles at a clinical 50 per cent and average of 114.24 in the third set that put him back in contention.
Joyce came back at him, however, winning five legs in a row and with the match level at 3-3, a sensational 113 in the seventh set tie-break gave Jordy the advantage to close out his favorite D18 for the match.
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Ryan Searle is fighting to stay alive in the sixth set as he cashes in a massive 124 on the bullseye against Ryan Joyce.
Pietrzko showed his class as he secured a 4-1 win over Scott Williams to reach the last 16 for the first time in his career.
The atmosphere was electric inside the Ally Pally for this clash, with the German contingent of the crowd rooting for their latest contender as the English fans stood behind Williams.
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Riccardo Pietrecko fires a massive 129 in the bullpen, then hits a superb 121 to win against Scott Williams in their World Darts Championship third round clash.
It was Pietrecko who got on top early and held a 1-0 lead before breaking Williams to take a 2-0 lead, and Shaggy hit back in the third set to take a 3-1 lead at 2 -1.
The 2024 semi-finalist got himself into the match, but Pietrzko took over in the 4th set, breaking the throw and then pinning a 129 on the bull to sweep the set and stay one away from victory.
He then continued in the same vein and wrapped up the win in brilliant style, taking out a bull, T13 and D16 for 121 and the win.
What’s next?
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Watch every nine shots at the PDC World Championship
The evening session on Saturday December 28 is live from 19:00 Sky Sports With Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Chris Dobey and Josh Rock all in action.
Then there’s another jam-packed double session live at Alexander Palace on Sunday 29 December Sky Sports.
The night is headlined by Luke Humphreys v Peter Wright, Jonny Clayton v Gerwyn Price and Ricky Evans v Robert Owen live from 7pm.
Also taking place in the afternoon from 12.30 are Geoffrey de Graaf v Paolo Nebrida, Kevin Deutz v Krzysztof Ratajski and Dimitri Van den Bergh v Callan Rydz.
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