JAMES WADE produced a stirring comeback from three sets down as he edged out Andy Smith in a seven-set thriller at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship on Monday, as Adrian Lewis and Mervyn King set up a tasty third round clash at Alexandra Palace with victories.
World number six Wade, a three-time World Championship semi-finalist, again showed his class under the most extreme pressure as he stared defeat in the face for a second successive round before emerging victorious.
The left-hander had seen Darren Webster miss six match darts in their first round clash, and this time punished Smith for two wasted opportunities to take victory in a dramatic deciding set of their game.
Smith had produced some superb finishing as he won the game's first three sets, twice a set in a deciding leg and also hitting a 161 finish in taking the second set 3-1.
Wade hit back to win the fourth set 3-1 and repeated the scoreline in the fifth, before claiming the deciding leg of set six to send the match all the way.
Smith took a 2-1 lead in the final set, only to miss two match darts at double 16 to allow Wade to hit tops to level and keep the game alive, before finishing 122 on the bull and 100 with two double tops to complete a gutsy fightback.
Two-time World Champion Lewis posted the highest average of the tournament so far at 103.68 in a superb 4-1 win over Vincent van der Voort.
The Stoke star, seeded third for the event, produced a stunning 146 finish to win the deciding leg of the game's opening set before sweeping through the second without reply.
Van der Voort produced some fine darts to win set three 3-0, hitting legs of 13 and 14 darts in the process, but saw his chance to level the contest in the fourth snatched away as Lewis followed up an 11-darter earlier in the set by taking out 112 for a 12-dart leg in the decider.
Lewis then took out 125 to lead with another 12-darter in the fifth set, and took his tally of 180s for the match to nine as he moved 2-1 up before finishing 85 to complete the win.
Former semi-finalist King booked his place in the third round against Lewis with a 4-2 victory over youngster Ricky Evans in a quick-fire contest.
After King took the first set 3-1, Evans landed a 138 finish in edging the second in a deciding leg to level, before the Norfolk ace - a two-time Lakeside Championship finalist - won the third set in a fifth leg.
Evans again hit back to level the game, taking the fourth set without reply in a brilliant set, which included a showpiece 125 finish of bullseye, outer bull and bullseye.
King raised his game to win the fifth set 3-0, and though the World Youth Championship finalist finished 120 to lead 2-1 in the sixth, the number 14 seed took the next two legs to seal his last 16 spot.
The Ladbrokes World Darts Championship resumes on Friday following a three-day break for Christmas, with only one second round game yet to be played as Justin Pipe takes on Devon Petersen in the opener.
The third round then begins as Wes Newton meets Robert Thornton in a clash of the players seeded eight and nine before Richie Burnett plays Ian White in Friday's final afternoon session game.
The evening session sees World Youth Champion Michael Smith, who knocked out reigning champion Phil Taylor in the second round, taking on Peter Wright, former World Champions Mark Webster and Raymond van Barneveld meeting and Simon Whitlock's clash with Kevin Painter.
Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Monday December 23
James Wade 4-3 Andy Smith
Mervyn King 4-2 Ricky Evans
Adrian Lewis 4-1 Vincent van der Voort
All games the best of seven sets, best of five legs per set
MATCH INFORMATION
JAMES WADE 4-3 ANDY SMITH
(2-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2)
JAMES WADE came through a major scare for the second successive game to come from three sets down to defeat Andy Smith 4-3 in the last 32 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.
Wade fell three sets down and survived two missed match darts from his opponent in the fourth leg of the deciding set, before coming through 4-2 in the tie-break.
The first two legs of the match were shared before Wade broke throw with a fine 13-darter, only for Smith to hit back to win the fourth leg in 12 darts.
The set's deciding leg saw Smith miss two chances to win the set, only for Wade to miss two attempts at double 12 for a 1-0 lead, to allow his opponent to return and hit double four.
Wade won the first leg of the second with an excellent 103 finish, only for Smith to hit back and win the next three legs to take the set, with that run featuring a fantastic 161 checkout to break throw.
Smith held a 2-1 advantage in set three before Wade drew level on double ten, only to agonisingly miss the same double in the decider for a 128 checkout, allowing the Studley ace a shot at double 12 for a 3-0 lead, which he duly converted.
Wade dropped the opening leg of the fourth set but won the next three, hitting a 13-darter in the third leg, before sealing the set with a 68 finish to hit back.
The three-time semi-finalist broke throw at the start of the fifth by hitting double 18, but failed to convert that advantage as Smith finished a 15-darter to level.
Wade edged ahead once again by taking out a 78 finish to win the third leg, before closing out the set in the next.
The first two legs of the sixth set were shared before Wade hit double 11 to edge ahead after Smith missed double eight for a 96 finish.
Wade missed double top to win the set in the next, allowing Smith to edge the leg on the same double, before the world number six won the deciding leg to force a seventh set.
Smith moved 2-1 up in the decider as he moved a leg away from victory for a second time, but two attempts to win the match on double 16 went begging, and Wade hit double top to stay in the game.
After avoiding that narrow escape, Wade then landed checkouts of 122 and 100 - completed with two double tops - to secure his place in the third round.
Match Information
First Set
0-1 - Smith hits double top to hold throw with Wade waiting on a two-darter.
1-1 - Wade hits his favourite double ten for a 14-dart finish.
2-1 - The world number six breaks Smith's throw by hitting tops for a 13-darter.
2-2 - Smith hits back well as he posts a 180 before landing double eight to complete a 12-dart finish.
2-3 - Wade throws first in the decider but that advantage is wrestled away by Smith, who hits a 180. However, the number 27 seed fails with two chances to win the set only for Wade to miss two attempts at double 12 and allow his opponent to edge the set on double four.
Second Set
1-0 - Wade takes out a 103 finish on double 16, in a leg which featured a 174 score from Smith.
1-1 - Smith levels by hitting double eight with his first dart.
1-2 - Smith breaks throw with a fantastic 161 checkout.
1-3 - The number 27 seed hits double ten to leave Wade trailing by two sets.
Third Set
1-0 - Smith misses two chances to hold throw and those errors are punished by Wade, who takes out a 74 finish.
1-1 - Smith hits double 16 for a 62 finish.
1-2 - Wade posts a 180 but Smith wins the leg on double five with an accurate third dart.
2-2 - The seven-time major champion lands double ten, with Smith waiting on 40.
2-3 - Wade fires in a second maximum but wires double ten for 128 checkout, and Smith keeps his composure to take out 56 and move further ahead.
Fourth Set
1-0 - Wade holds throw on double five to make a positive start to the set.
1-1 - Wade is off-target on double top for a 160 checkout, allowing Smith to hit the same double and draw level.
2-1 - Wade hits an excellent 174 to leave 32, which he takes out at the first attempt on double 16 for a 13-darter.
3-1 - The number six seed takes out a 68 finish to reduce the deficit by winning his first set of the game.
Fifth Set
1-0 - Wade misses two attempts at double 18 but gets a reprieve after Smith is unable to land double 16 for a 94 finish, and the left-hander returns to hit double 18 and break throw.
1-1 - Smith hits a 180 in the process of the leaving 32 after 12 darts, before hitting double eight to break back.
2-1 - Wade takes out a 78 finish on double top to break his opponent's throw for the second time in the set.
3-1 - Wade hits a fourth 180 before hitting double top at the first time of asking to cut the gap to one set.
Sixth Set
1-0 - Wade hits double ten at the first attempt to hold throw.
1-1 - Smith confidently takes out a two-dart 70 finish, on double eight.
2-1 - Wade hits double 11 after Smith misses a dart at double eight for a 96 finish.
2-2 - Smith misses a dart at tops only for Wade to miss one chance at the same double to win the set, and the Studley ace lands double ten to move a leg away from the match.
3-2 - Wade hits double top at the first attempt to set up a final set.
Seventh Set
0-1 - Smith hits the corner of the double 18 bed to hold throw.
1-1 - Smith posts a 180 but Wade wins the leg by taking out 56 in two darts on double top.
1-2 - Wade is unable to set up a double for a 100 finsh and Smith hits double eight to move a leg away from victory once again.
2-2 - Smith hits a brilliant 180 to leave 42 after nine darts, but fails with two nervy attempts at double 16 and Wade stays alive by hitting tops.
3-2 - Wade converts an excellent 122 checkout on the bullseye to move ahead in the set.
4-2 - The number six seed ends the game with a clinical 100 checkout, featuring two double tops, as he completes a brilliant fightback.
Match Stats
| James Wade | 4-3 | Andy Smith |
| 53 | 100+ | 44 |
| 19 | 140+ | 24 |
| 1 | 170+ | 1 |
| 5 | 180 | 6 |
| 91.86 | Average | 90.04 |
| 122 | High Finish | 161 |
| 6 | Breaks of Throw | 4 |
| 18/32 - 56.25% | Finishing - % | 15/33 - 45.45% |
MERVYN KING 4-2 RICKY EVANS
(3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2)
MERVYN KING ended the brave challenge of youngster Ricky Evans with a 4-2 victory in the second round of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
The match was finely balanced at two apiece before King moved 3-2 ahead, winning the fifth set comfortably, and then produced a timely run of form to overturn a 2-1 deficit in the sixth set to progress to the last 16.
King won the opening set by a 3-1 margin, which featured a 110 checkout in the first leg, before Evans edged the second in a tense deciding leg, after King missed two chances to double his lead.
King opened up a 2-1 lead in the third set before Evans responded with a solid 15-dart finish, only for King to hold throw in the decider on double top.
Evans, though, stormed back to win the fourth set and level at two apiece, with the run including a brilliant 125 checkout of bullseye, outer bull and bullseye in the second leg.
King responded well and stopped Evans in his tracks by taking the fifth without reply, to move ahead for the third time in the match.
Evans led the sixth set 2-1, thanks to a 120 finish in the third leg, before King found form with a 14-darter to win the fourth leg and a trio of 140 scores in the decider before hitting double 13 to win the match.
Match Information
First Set
1-0 - King hits a clinical 110 finish to start the game after Evans misses his chance to break throw.
1-1 - Evans hits double ten to draw level.
2-1 - The Kettering youngster hits a 180, but misses a dart at the bullseye for a 122 finish allows King take out a 62 finish.
3-1 - Evans wastes four opportunities to set up a deciding leg and King hits double eight to draw first blood.
Second Set
0-1 - Evans takes out a two-dart 60 finish on double top.
0-2 - The 23-year-old takes out a brilliant 138 checkout to break throw.
1-2 - Evans misses a dart at tops to win the set, allowing King to edge the leg and break back.
2-2 - King hits double four to force a deciding leg.
2-3 - Evans posts a fourth 180, but a missed dart at double top gives King a chance for a 2-0 lead. However, the 2009 semi-finalist fails with two attempts at doubles and Evans hold his nerve to hit double ten with a pressure third dart.
Third Set
1-0 - Both players struggle to find the winning double before King hits double five to hold throw.
1-1 - Evans takes out a 62 finish to draw level.
2-1 - King hits double two to edge ahead again.
2-2 - High scoring from Evans sees him leave 40 after 12 darts, before hitting double top with his third dart.
3-2 - King takes command of the leg as he kicks off with two 140s before taking the set on double top.
Fourth Set
0-1 - Evans takes out a 70 finish to make a positive start to the set.
0-2 - The Kettering ace converts a brilliant 125 checkout, courtesy of bullseye, outer bull and a second bullseye.
0-3 - Evans completes an excellent set of darts with a clinical 79 finish on double top.
Fifth Set
1-0 - King hits double eight for a 14-dart-finish.
2-0 - The number 14 seed secures a break of throw, as he hits double eight for a second leg running to take out a 67 finish.
3-0 - King posts his sixth 180 of the game before hitting double 12 to edge ahead for a third time.
Sixth Set
0-1 - Evans hits double top to record a 13-darter.
1-1 - King takes out a 98 finish on double 16 to draw level.
1-2 - Evans hits a ninth 180 and follows that with a clinical 120 finish.
2-2 - King holds throw on double 18 to win the leg in 13 darts.
3-2 - King finds form at the perfect time with a trio of 140 scores before hitting double 13 to seal victory.
Match Stats
| Mervyn King | 4-0 | Ricky Evans |
| 30 | 100+ | 29 |
| 23 | 140+ | 13 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 6 | 180 | 9 |
| 94.81 | Average | 94.40 |
| 110 | High Finish | 138 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 14/36 - 38.89% | Finishing - % | 11/30 - 36.67% |
ADRIAN LEWIS 4-1 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
(3-2, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
ADRIAN LEWIS produced a brilliant display to dismiss Vincent van der Voort in the second round of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a 4-1 triumph as he hit the first ton-plus average of this year's event.
Lewis fell 2-1 down in the opening set before recording a 104 finish to win the fourth leg before taking the fifth with a brilliant 146 checkout to claim the set.
Lewis then won the second without reply, only for van der Voort to reply in kind by taking the third set, which included an excellent 14-darter in the third leg.
The world number three established a 2-0 lead in the fourth set, hitting an 11-darter in the second leg, only for van der Voort to win the next two and draw level.
Lewis, though, won the set with a 112 finish to restore his two-set cushion, before taking out a 125 checkout to start the fifth set in style.
The second leg also fell the way of the Stoke ace before van der Voort took out a two-dart 67 finish to keep his hopes alive.
The fourth leg saw van der Voort miss one dart at double 12 for a 93 finish, and Lewis closed out the game by taking out 85 on double five.
“Vincent played brilliantly tonight and I’m delighted to have come through with a 4-1 win,” said the two-time World Champion, whose 103.68 average is the highest of this year's tournament so far.
Match Information
First Set
0-1 - Lewis misses one dart at tops to break and van der Voort hits the same double to lead.
1-1 - The world number three levels as he converts an 84 finish on the bullseye.
1-2 - van der Voort defies a 180 from his opponent by landing double 16 with his third dart.
2-2 - Both players record maximums before Lewis hits a 104 finish.
3-2 - Lewis wins the set with a fantastic 146 checkout.
Second Set
1-0 - Both players posts 180s before Lewis hits a 74 finish.
2-0 - Maximums are again record by both players, before Lewis breaks throw on double nine after van der Voort misses three chances to hold.
3-0 - Lewis hits a clinical 13-dart finish to move two sets clear.
Third Set
0-1 - van der Voort holds throw to make a positive start to set three.
0-2 - The Dutchman lands double five with his third dart, capitalising on three missed darts at doubles from his opponent.
0-3 - van der Voort hits a 177 score to leave 24, which he takes out on double six to reduce his arrears.
Fourth Set
1-0 - Lewis wastes two chances to win the leg before returning to hit double six, after van der Voort misses one dart at the bullseye.
2-0 - van der Voort starts the leg with a 180 before Lewis replies with one his own, and the Stoke ace adds a 171 score before hitting double eight for a superb 11-dart finish.
2-1 - The Dutchman hits double top at the first attempt to keep the set alive.
2-2 - van der Voort lands double 16 for a 14-darter to draw level.
3-2 - Lewis holds throw with a clinical 112 finish to restore his two-set advantage.
Fifth Set
1-0 - Lewis hits a seventh maximum before taking out a 125 finish to win the leg against the darts.
2-0 - The number three seed hits double ten to go a leg away from victory, hitting another 180 in the process.
2-1 - van der Voort keeps his hopes alive as he takes out a two-dart 67 finish.
3-1 - The Dutchman fails to land double 12 for an 83 finish, and Lewis takes out 85 on double five to round-off a fine performance.
Match Stats
| Adrian Lewis | 4-1 | Vincent van der Voort |
| 23 | 100+ | 27 |
| 14 | 140+ | 12 |
| 2 | 170+ | 2 |
| 9 | 180 | 5 |
| 103.68 | Average | 99.47 |
| 146 | High Finish | 67 |
| 4 | Breaks of Throw | 2 |
| 12/26 - 46.15% | Finishing - % | 8/18 - 44.44% |
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