Lewis still feels he’ll hit jackpot
ADRIAN LEWIS has vowed to put things right after sensationally crashing out in the first round of the World Darts Championship.
The No7 seed, dubbed the Jackpot, lost 3-1 to German qualifier Kevin Munch after leading 1-0.
Lewis had returned to the sport after a back operation in the summer but could not respond as Munch smashed in eight 180s in the performance of his career. Lewis, 32, a double world champion, tweeted: “Gutted to go out. I gave it my all building up to the World Championships. I’ll put it right this season.”
Munch, 27, recently gave up his job as a landscape gardener to try to make a career in darts and what an impact the move has had.
He now meets the winner of tonight’s all-Spanish clash between Cristo Reyes and Toni Alcinas in the second round next week. Munch, who reached this second-round stage six years ago, was as stunned as Lewis to have knocked him out.
He had checkouts of 158, 118 and 124 and said: “I can’t believe it. It feels so amazing. I was so confident in that moment and not scared of him.
“I didn’t realise the fans were so loud but I do now. I will relax and practise for the second round now. It’s the biggest win in my career. I am very proud.” Munch celebrated after a night in which he had first beaten Russia’s Aleksandr Oreshkin 2-0 in their qualifier.
Reyes, 30, will be favourite against Alcinas, which is first on this evening. He is the No26 seed and reached the third round on his World Championship debut three years ago.
Alcinas, 38, is back at the Alexandra Palace for the first time six years after regaining his tour card in January.