Dekker victorious in double-Dutch World Championship tie

Jan Dekker sealed a spot in the PDC World Championship second round thanks to a surprise 3-1 victory over fellow Dutchman Jelle Klaasen. With the 12th seed defeated, Dekker will take on youth sensation Dimitri van den Bergh in the last 32, after a win in which the 27-year-old's finishing proved vital.
Klaasen looked up for it from the very first visit, breaking the Dekker throw immediately and holding without his compatriot getting close to a double. A first 180 punished yet more slack scoring from Dekker, who was struggling to find his feet. This time, Dekker had a chance to check out, but once he missed double 16 for a 104 finish, Klaasen landed double 10 to take the first set without hassle.
The 2016 World Championship semi-finalist landed double four with his last dart in hand to deny Dekker a chance to break early in the second set. Players Championship quarter-finalist Dekker held, and then put the pressure on with a maximum. That pressure told; Klaasen could not finish. Dekker, on 100, could. 'Double' Dekker has never had many problems on the outer ring, and more efficient finishing levelled matters. 1-1, and all to play for.
A maximum was the perfect way for Dekker to kick off the first leg of the third set; a 128 checkout was the perfect way to end it. The tide had well and truly turned. The world number 48, so strong on his doubles, showed a superb clinical side. Klaasen's darts were beginning to drag, the big scores not flowing with the same regularity. But Klaasen always has something in the locker - a 101 finish levelled the tie. But Dekker again went one better, landing Shanghai to retake the lead. The parade of ton-plus finishes couldn't last forever, though. 74 was all Dekker needed to go 2-1 up, having won six of the last eight legs.
Spurred into life, Klaasen started the fourth set with five perfect darts. After a flirtation with the wrong double, the 33-year-old was able to hold off his junior compatriot. Dekker made it seven successful doubles out of 10 with a 56 finish, before Klaasun spurned about as many attempts en route to retaking the lead in the set. The biggest weapon in Klaasen's arsenal, the power scoring, needed to be deployed. And so it was. A 180 set up 124, but Klaasen fluffed his lines. The usually reliable Dekker missed double 16 twice but, when Klaasen entered the madhouse and did not return, a third chance was taken greedily. Tasked with sealing the win against the throw, Dekker did not falter. He will fancy his chance in the last 32, even if van den Bergh is in hot form.