CLAYTON BATTLES THROUGH! 🏴 Jonny Clayton produces when he needed it most to avoid a tie-break against Gabriel Clemens. 📺 bit.ly/WM23Live | #WMDarts R1
Jonny Clayton has completed the line-up for the last sixteen at the World Matchplay. In the last game of the first round, he saw off Gabriel Clemens.
The manner of victory, however, left something to be desired. Clayton averaged below 85 for much of the match, but Clemens could not take advantage of that. After the first session, Clayton led 4-1 despite an average of 79, while moments later he was 8-4 ahead with an 82 average.
At the end of the match, Clemens seemed to take advantage of Clayton's off-day and 'The German Giant' brought the match back to 9-8. On the spur of the moment, however, Clayton stood his ground and threw an 11-darter to avoid a tiebreak.
The tournament will be broadcast in full on Sky Sports going between Action and Main Event.
From Saturday, July 15 through Wednesday, July 20, broadcasts will begin around 7 p.m. ET. In addition, on Sunday, July 16, there will be an afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. After the second round, the starting time of the evening sessions moves up one hour.
On Sunday afternoon, July 24, the second edition of the Women's World Matchplay is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. Here, eight ladies will compete for the title at the most important women's tournament in the PDC.
After the World Darts Championship, the World Matchplay is the ranking tournament with the largest prize pool at the PDC. A total of 800,000 pounds of prize money is up for grabs at this event.
All 32 participants are guaranteed £10,000 in prize money. This could eventually add up to a check of as much as £200,000 for the darter who gets to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday, July 23.
CLAYTON BATTLES THROUGH! 🏴 Jonny Clayton produces when he needed it most to avoid a tie-break against Gabriel Clemens. 📺 bit.ly/WM23Live | #WMDarts R1