23/11/2020

De Sousa reaches maiden TV final on Grand Slam debut with Whitlock win

Jose de Sousa's rapid rise continues with 'The Special One' booking his spot in a maiden TV final at the Grand Slam of Darts on his debut in the tournament.

De Sousa claimed it 16-12 over Simon Whitlock with a 97 average and eight 180's en route as the curse of Michael van Gerwen continues with 'The Wizard' unable to follow up his victory last night.

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Whitlock and De Sousa produced a brilliant start with the former going 3-2 up at the first interval with a 112 average and four 180's. The latter on the other hand had a 98 average and two 180's.

'The Wizard' continued to move clear when they returned and broke the throw to make it 5-2 with another 180 followed by an 89 checkout for a 12-darter.

De Sousa though began to come back and broke with successive 180's and double 16 for an 11-darter and to trail 5-3. It was soon 5-4 with a hold seeing De Sousa stay in proceedings.

Whitlock though continued to lead at 6-4 going into the next interval albeit with that pressure being applied by De Sousa.

This pressure told as De Sousa broke with 92 on two double 18's to square it up and he hit the front from there at 7-6.

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It was another break following that to make it 8-6 as he firmly hit the front. Whitlock steadied proceedings with a 76 checkout to make it 8-7 but when they returned from the interval, a break was found again by De Sousa to make it 10-8.

De Sousa stopped Whitlock's route back into the tie with a 121 to regain a two leg cushion at 11-9 and edged further closer with a 99 taken out on tops to make it 13-10.

Whitlock wasn't out of it hitting a 140 checkout to make it 13-11 but De Sousa made his task harder with a 121 checkout for 14-11.

Five missed darts for Whitlock passed him by and De Sousa then broke throw with double six to go one away.

Drama though ensued as De Sousa missed five at double and Whitlock got off the hook to make it 15-12.

De Sousa hit 171 to leave 32 and Whitlock missed a 114 checkout which allowed 'The Special One' to hit it first time next time around.