Cullen survives comeback to see off Clayton in deciding leg thriller

Friday, 09 October 2020 at 23:31

Joe Cullen is through to his first ever World Grand Prix Quarter-Final after seeing off Jonny Clayton in a thrilling last leg decider to finish the latest night in Coventry.

Cullen went 2-0 up in sets and went one away from victory before Clayton mounted a comeback forcing a deciding leg which 'The Rockstar' came through against his good friend.

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Cullen took the opening set with a one-sided affair to begin proceedings averaging 96 and 3/4 on the doubles as he took it without reply.

He hit back-to-back 180's to begin the next set but Clayton took out 130 on the bull to level it up at 1-1. Cullen took out 65 to move 2-1 up and his dominant start continued by making it 3-1 with 6/8 on the doubles.

He went one away from there with 80% on his finishing doubles. But Clayton began his revival as he took out 66 in the deciding leg to save the match.

He took out 108 to break throw and lead in the fourth set and he made it back-to-back sets to put himself on level terms.

Cullen hit the front in the deciding set from there though and he was soon back at one away with a 2-1 lead with a break. He couldn't finalise proceedings though from there as he pressured with a 180 but Clayton landed double 16 to force a deciding leg.

It was Cullen though who finally got over the line with a 74 checkout to finish it off 3-2 after initially relinquishing his lead.

World Grand Prix 2020 schedule

Ryan Joyce (88.22) 2-3 (91.37) Dave Chisnall (3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 2-3, 0-3)
Gabriel Clemens (78.92) 0-3 (92.88) Jeffrey de Zwaan (0-3, 2-3, 0-3)
Gerwyn Price (95.42) 3-0 (85.59) Kim Huybrechts (3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Joe Cullen (92.13) 3-2 (84.32) Jonny Clayton (3-0, 3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2)

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CULLEN EDGES IT! That win means so much to Joe Cullen as he comes out on top in a nail-biting encounter with his good friend Jonny Clayton, hitting a crucial 180 to set up 74 in the deciding leg!