Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Lewis strolls through as King survives scare
TWICE winner Adrian Lewis eased into the second round of the William Hill World Darts Championship with a 3-0 win over Magnus Caris.
Despite missing 14 doubles inside the opening six legs, Lewis saw off Caris with little fuss, hitting five maximums as he lost just four legs.
Indeed even with his early problems finishing, the fifth seed from Stoke threw a three-dart average of 93.25.
Lewis will face Joe Cullen in the second round after he disposed of Australian sensation Corey Cadby in an explosive contest.
Cullen progressed past the first round for the first time at Alexandra Palace when he fought back after losing the first set to triumph 3-1 in a match which saw 11 180s.
He took the second set with a 117 checkout.
Although his 21-year-old opponent, who had recorded a highest ever preliminary round three-dart average of 102.48 in a straight-set demolition of China’s Qiang Sun, took the first leg of the third against the throw, he won the next three to set up victory in the fourth.
There had been drama earlier when the experienced Mervyn King was almost dumped out at the first hurdle by debutant Steve West.
It came on a night when Professional Darts Corporation chairman Barry Hearn revealed the 2017 winner will receive prize money of £400,000, an increase of £50,000.
The 22nd seed was staring a whitewash in the face when, with West having been on a nine-darter, he produced a 136 checkout to rescue himself and then edged the third set. He levelled at 2-2 with 140, 95 and 106 finishes.
In an epic tie-break, during which both men struggled to hit their doubles, West missed with two match darts in the sixth leg and King edged home 6-4.