30/12/2020

Chisnall survives fightback from Van den Bergh to set up Van Gerwen clash

Dave Chisnall is through to the Quarter-Finals of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship in the last game of darts this year after surviving a fightback from Dimitri van den Bergh.

Chisnall went 3-0 up but from there was embroiled with a tense battle with the World Matchplay champion which he edged through in the end. He hit seven 180's to 12 from Van den Bergh with 50% on the doubles and a high checkout of 144.

The St Helens ace averaged 101 to Van den Bergh's 102 and now he will face off against Michael van Gerwen who is a familiar foe for Chisnall but one who he will have to be at his best to beat.

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Chisnall hit the front to begin the tie smashing in a brilliant 144 checkout to punish Van den Bergh’s missed doubles to take the first set 3-1 with a 107 average.

The St Helens ace piled in a 180 to begin Van den Bergh’s throw but the Belgian pinned 92 for a 12-dart leg. A 53 checkout though saw Chisnall level it up at 1-1.

A 106 checkout saw Chisnall go 2-1 up with a break and on the verge of a two set lead. Chisnall made a mistake on 100 going into the one but Van den Bergh missed two to send it all the way and the St Helens ace made no mistake on double 18 to make it 2-0.

Chisnall finished on double four to begin the third to go ahead. Van den Bergh fired himself up with a 180 to begin his throw and he hit another from there but pinned 44 to make it 1-1.

He followed that up with an 82 checkout for a break to make it 2-1. A 52 checkout saw Chisnall break back though as he had throw to potentially go 3-0 up.

A 134 from Chisnall to leave 60 made Van den Bergh need 161 for the set but he missed bull. As a result, Chisnall returned to the board and pinned double 20 to go one set away.

Van den Bergh pinned 44 to gain breathing space to begin the next set in a must win for the Belgian. Van den Bergh was on 95 for a break but despite Chisnall pressuring with a 180, the World Matchplay champion pinned it on double 18 for a break and to go one away from a set back.

Van den Bergh pinned a ninth 180 and hit a 72 checkout to claim a set back. He continued his revival with a 121 checkout on the bull.

A 180 followed by double 20 saw Chisnall claim a break back. A hold would send him to the brink but he missed double 20 for a 120 to go one away.

Van den Bergh took advantage to make it 2-1. It was a tense leg for both. Chisnall left himself 72 but he missed double 20. Van den Bergh was back for double six for the set.

Van den Bergh missed six for the opening leg in the sixth set and Chisnall came back to break after initially missing a 45 checkout himself.

Van den Bergh pinned 88 though to claim a break back with Chisnall sat on 52. Chisnall had a shot at 72 to break again but once again had issues on double 20.

But Van den Bergh missed three at double 12, Chisnall missed another three and the battle continued.

The Belgian missed another three but he was back for five and he pinned double two to go one away where he would have the throw. A brilliant 102 checkout including bull to set up double 16 saw Chisnall finally over the line.