De Sousa delights with superb display to down Clemens at World Matchplay

Monday, 18 July 2022 at 22:17

Jose de Sousa is the latest player through to the second round of the World Matchplay after producing a superb 10-6 win over Gabriel Clemens on Monday evening.

'The Special One' lived up to his moniker in sealing it with a 136 checkout averaging 93, pinning six 180's and hitting 43.5% on the doubles defying eight maximums from 'The German Giant'.

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De Sousa took out 94 to lead early on with both sealing holds at 2-1 but he streaked away from there going 4-1 up on double 18. On return, Clemens hit a 92 checkout and broke throw to go only one behind only for De Sousa to pin double 10 to break back immediately and he was throwing for a 6-3 lead.

Double 18 saw De Sousa stop Clemens return to the tie as he went 6-3 up. A 180 and double 20 saw De Sousa continue his dominance to make it 7-3.

A 180 and double six saw Clemens seal a break back at 7-4 down. His comeback continued with a hold of throw on double eight to make it 7-5.

He missed a 124 checkout though and De Sousa went two from the finishing line at 8-5. 121 was missed for a break for De Sousa to go one away but he was well ahead and pinned double nine and was throwing for the win.

Clemens missed darts to break but De Sousa had his second dart going double double on 100 for the win and the German picked his pocket to make it 9-6. He missed multiple darts to break again and De Sousa produced an incredible 136 checkout to seal it.