Nathan Aspinall is into the Quarter-Finals at the 2020 PDC World Championship after defeating Gary Anderson in a 4-2 win.
Aspinall hit eleven 180's as well as a 98 average to claim a brilliant win as he goes a step closer to replicating his run of 12 months ago and potentially book a Premier League spot.
Anderson produced the goods in a deciding leg set win to start proceedings in the contest and despite Aspinall hitting an 11-dart break on tops, it was the former who won the first set with an 111 average and two 180's as he looked good in the early going.
Aspinall though despite that claimed an early break of throw and doubled his lead from there to force the initiative. At the fifth attempt, Anderson held throw on the double 12 which won him the World title and the impetus was now on Aspinall to claim the set.
Anderson hit a timely third maximum with Aspinall on 164 and he left himself 128 which he hit to level it up. 'The Flying Scotsman' had the throw in the next leg and a two set lead was looking likely.
The former went inside double 15 for the set and Aspinall levelled it up. Anderson left the board seething that he let the opportunity slip.
Anderson played better to begin the next set as despite Aspinall hitting a third 180, Anderson sunk double 18 to go one up. He missed a big number on a finish and Aspinall himself punished with a 100 checkout but despite that it was once again a deciding leg.
It was one that Anderson played poorly in and despite Aspinall having some woes in finishing it off, he eased through the set in a decider to go 2-1 up.
An excellent readjustment for bull, double 16 as he hit double eight, double eight saw Aspinall nick an early break. Anderson though left himself the Motown shot, four tops and he got the break back.
Anderson had his issues leaving himself a make able finish but when Aspinall buckled, he cleaned up 94 to go 2-1 up. A 109 finish saw Aspinall hold his throw despite not having an excellent leg himself. Anderson pinned double 20 to make it 2-2 though.
The duo exchanged breaks in the opening stanza of the requisite set with Anderson hitting a 12 darter but Aspinall went 2-1 up hitting a tenth 180 and tops for a 13-darter. This sent it to a decider but it was one where Aspinall had the throw.
Aspinall missed double eight for a 136 but Anderson could not get into a 170 checkout. This allowed 'The Asp' to pin double four to regain the lead.
To begin the next set, Aspinall broke to gain the lead and went to within one of victory when Anderson began to flag.
Aspinall had a comedy of errors as he hit bull then double eighteen when going for a 65 checkout. Anderson went one behind as a result.
The former had a match dart going the brilliant double 18, double 20 way for 96 but he had another go after Anderson couldn't break and he converted last dart in hand.
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World Darts Championship, which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.
PDC World Darts Championship 2020 schedule
Friday December 27, evening session (19:00 GMT start)
Gerwyn Price (104.20) 4-0 (94.59) John Henderson (R3)
Gary Anderson (97.42) 2-4 (97.97)
Nathan Aspinall (R4)
21:45 Michael van Gerwen vs Stephen Bunting (R4)
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