Gary Anderson defeats Adrian Lewis in battle of former PDC world champions
Gary Anderson brushed aside the challenge of Adrian Lewis on day two at the PDC world darts championships, fighting back from losing the opening set to prevail 3-1.
This was a rare early meeting at Alexandra Palace between two former world champions. Lewis beat Anderson 7-5 in the 2011 final for his second title, with Anderson gaining revenge in 2016 by the same scoreline.
It was Lewis who made the stronger start here, fighting back from losing his throw to take the first set 3-2 on double top. Anderson quickly hit back with a 3-0 win in the second set, before three straight breaks at the start of the third left the Scotsman 2-1 up on his own throw.
On a checkout of 92 and with Lewis waiting on 93, Anderson hit a doubledouble 18 finish to take control of the match, and quickly closed out the win against a fading opponent. Defeat means Lewis, who posted an average of 92.07 to Anderson’s 93.74, will start next season outside the world’s top 32.
“I started slowly but I got there in the end,” said Anderson. “I’ve used new darts. They’ve been going great on the practice board and I started to get used to playing with them towards the end. I’ve got a lot of respect for Adrian and
I knew I’d be in for a tough start. “I’ll take each game as it comes,” added the No 6 seed, who faces Ian White or Chris Landman next. “I’ve not got any high hopes but I didn’t last year and I got to the final again.”
Ireland’s William O’Connor survived a fightback from US qualifier Danny Lauby to book his second-round place.
O’Connor led 2-0 but his opponent came roaring back, a 121 checkout helping him level at two sets each. The fifth set went to a deciding leg, with O’Connor landing double top under pressure to advance.
Four-times women’s BDO world champion Lisa Ashton struggled on her third attempt to reach the second round at Ally Pally, averaging just 73.99 in a 3-0 defeat to Dutchman Ron Meulenkamp, who advances to face Michael Smith. Ryan Meikle will face Peter Wright in round two after beating 16year-old Fabian Schmutzler 3-0.
In the afternoon session, Daryl Gurney came through an entertaining second-round battle with Ricky Evans. Gurney, the No 22 seed, hit an average of 95.90 in a 3-1 win – but was relieved to see Evans miss four set darts to force a decider.
“He probably should’ve won that last set but I think I deserved to win the match overall,” the Northern Irishman said afterwards. “I’m glad to be through.” Gurney will face Rob Cross,
Raymond van Barneveld or qualifier Lourence Ilagan in the last 32.
In the early first-round matches, the former BDO world champion Scott Mitchell suffered a disappointing debut, losing in straight sets to Dutch qualifier Chris Landman. Ireland’s Steve Lennon overcame Madars Razma and will next face the No 12 seed, Krzysztof Ratajski, while debutant Chas Barstow will play Michael van Gerwen after beating John Norman Jr 3-1.