Dolan wins hard fought battle with King to reach last 16 for first time at PDC World Darts Championship

Dolan streaked to the first two sets with a 3-1 set win and a 99 average; with over 60% on the doubles as he continued where he left off against Joe Cullen. He doubled that lead with a deciding leg with him capitalising on a piece of misfortune with King’s back giving him problems. King opened up the next set by holding his throw but Dolan brought it back to parity with a 117 finish. For King despite that brilliant finish from 'The History Maker', he secured the set in a deciding leg as he put the back problems at least for the time being behind him. Dolan started to miss and this allowed in the next set King to capitalise to make it 2-2 with an early break being the key. In the next set, Dolan started by breaking the throw of King on double 16; this continued with a hold of throw to put the tie back in his favour. King pressured with a break of throw himself. He did so to pull it back with an 80 finish on the bull. This meant the Northern Irishman had to break to win the set and he did so hiting a 180 on the way to claiming a 3-2 lead. In the following set, Dolan hit a clutch 105 finish to hold his throw; as a result he went one away. As well as that this was his fifth ton plus finish of the match. King started well in the next leg to hold his throw and put real pressure on Dolan to finish the job. He did so pinning double 16 to come through a really hard fought clash. for more information about the PDC World Darts Championship, including schedules and the prize fund breakdown. ​ Afternoon session schedule Vincent van der Voort (92.47) 3-4 (97.87) Chris Dobey (R3) (1-3, 2-3, 0-3, 3-2, 3-0, 0-3, 1-3) Brendan Dolan (95.73) 4-2 (92.22) Mervyn King (R3) (3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-2) 15:00 James Wade vs Keegan Brown (R3) ​