Chris Landman is the next player through to the Quarter-Finals at the 2020 BDO World Championship after defeating Ben Hazel in a 4-3 victory.
Landman was 3-1 down and seemingly heading out of the tournament but two quick sets saw the Dutchman wrestle control away from Hazel and it was close from there but it was the former who came through to cement his best run in the tournament against the impressive debutant.
Hazel started well and in the next leg hit a 180 and 140 en route to leaving 56 for a break but Landman left himself on 48 to hold throw which he hit after 'Mr Ben' missed the mark. It was 1-1 as a result in the early going.
A 14-darter from Hazel saw him hit a 92 checkout to go one away from the first set. Landman hit a 64 checkout to send it all the way.
Another 180 on throw saw Hazel leave 93 and with Landman well back he set up a 48 outshot which he hit for the set.
It was very close in the next set with Landman taking it on his throw to make it 1-1. Despite that, Hazel wrestled back control after taking the fifth set to a decider and he went one away from there to the Quarter-Finals on debut.
Landman though replied with two quick sets to send it all the way to a decider. It was now up to 'Mr Ben' to keep focused after the interval.
Hazel went 2-1 up in the decider and hit a timely 180 but Landman left himself 58 which he pinned to tie it up at 2-2. A 140 in the next leg left Landman on double eight to break and go one away but it was Hazel who did so to make it 3-2.
Landman though turned the tide in this sudden death situation to make it 4-3 and go one away himself. From there the turnaround was complete and Landman was through.
Click here to view the Eurosport TV schedule for this tournament.
BDO World Darts Championship 2020 preview
Wednesday, January 8
Afternoon session (from 13:00)
Wayne Warren (92.69) 4-1 (95.58) Andy Hamilton (R3) Lorraine Winstanley (73.17) 2-0 (73.84) Casey Gallagher (R1 women) Chris Landman (87.18) 4-3 (83.93) Ben Hazel (R3) Evening session (from 7 p.m.)
Wesley Harms vs Scott Waites (R3)
Scott Mitchell v Michael Unterbuchner (R3)
Richard Veenstra vs David Evans (R3)
https://twitter.com/BDOdarts/status/1214955922973478913?s=20