23/12/2020

Aspinall produces brilliant fightback to deny Waites in World Championship thriller

Nathan Aspinall is through to the Third Round of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after producing a brilliant fightback to deny Scott Waites 3-2.

Aspinall was 2-0 down in sets and had to survive four match darts from 'Scotty 2 Hotty' who seemed to have the initiative but he forced a sudden death leg to force a brilliant conclusion from the Stockport ace.

He hit 48% on his doubles with three ton plus checkouts including a high checkout of 160 in an Alexandra Palace thriller.

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Waites produced a sublime start to the tie taking the first set 3-1 with a 108.7 average and 3/3 on the doubles as he took the game to the former UK Open champion.

Aspinall sprung to life in the second set producing a brilliant 160 checkout for 2-2 but Waites was there to double his lead by claiming it in a decider on double 18 as he went one set away from dumping out ‘The Asp’.

But his momentum was halted as Aspinall hit back to claim the third set 3-1 and get off the mark and it was soon 2-2 with a 104 checkout to break en route to a 3-1 set win as he looked to complete an unlikely comeback.

Waites was down to 48 after nine darts on the Aspinall throw and looked to break to put himself in pole position but instead it was the Stockport ace who produced a stunning 150 checkout to hold throw.

A 180 followed by double four for Waites saw him hold throw and make it finely poised. Was it going to sudden death?

Aspinall suddenly had six at 154 and left 25 but Waites produced a sublime 125 checkout with bullseye, 25, bullseye to break and go one away.

Aspinall was on 170 and 122 left 75 for Waites but he missed one dart at double 20. He missed three more match darts and Aspinall was back to force a decider where he had the darts.

A poor 57 followed by 28 gave Aspinall a healthy lead as he started with a 140. He left 83 with Waites back on 282 and set up double 16 from there. He pinned double eight second dart in hand to complete the fightback.