Wade mounts comeback to edge out De Zwaan in sudden death thriller

Wade was 9-6 down and seemingly on his way out to the Dutchman who similar to last year really impressed but in typical Machine fashion, he sent it to a tiebreak. From there he won in the second sudden death leg of the tournament taking out 80 to win 13-12 and move through to face either Mensur Suljovic and Jermaine Wattimena next.

To begin the tie, Wade enjoyed a brilliant start to the tie smashing in a 160 checkout to claim the first leg but it was soon 1-1 with De Zwaan firing in 76 for 1-1.

'The Machine' missed D19 for a 155 checkout following that and De Zwaan was there to pick up the pieces and go 2-1 ahead. He extended that lead to 3-1 with a brilliant 119 on the bull.

Wade responded to go 3-2 behind at the interval but De Zwaan went two ahead again despite both players exchanging 180's, both players though missed doubles which proved costly for Wade with JDZ coming back to hit double five.

He maintained that two leg cushion despite being nearly ten behind in the averages to Wade at 5-3 up. Wade missed more darts this time for a 124 checkout and De Zwaan as a result extended his lead to 6-3 with another break.

Misses this time from the Dutchman allowed Wade back in before the interval which pinned a 116 checkout to perfection to go only two behind.

De Zwaan though rendered that irrelevant with a break back with a fifth 180 and a 73 checkout. Wade broke and held his throw though to go only one behind but JDZ surged again holding his throw to go 8-6 up.

He went 9-6 up hitting double eight to go one away from another big win on the Winter Gardens stage. JDZ went high on the doubles though in the requisite leg to win and Wade clawed another leg back.

A brilliant 68 checkout saw Wade close in at 9-8 behind an another match dart was missed by De Zwaan meaning he took it to a tiebreak. It was four legs in a row for Wade as he went 10-9 up but a poor leg against throw meant JDZ stayed in it at 10-10.

Wade missed a first match dart in a 117 outshot and De Zwaan sent it to parity again at 11-11. A misfortunate Robin Hood for Wade allowed JDZ in to claim a potentially pivotal break which saw him hit an 11 darter. De Zwaan had the throw but fluffed his lines again allowing Wade in to send it to sudden death. Wade used his experience to hold his throw and edge over the line.

Click here for more information about the World Matchplay, including the prize money breakdown, schedule and format.

First Round
James Wade (96.16) 13-12 (95.26) Jeffrey de Zwaan
20:10 Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena
21:10 Michael van Gerwen v Steve Beaton
22:10 Adrian Lewis v Glen Durrant

https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1153028728428961792