Debutant Hempel produces incredible display to dump out Van den Bergh at PDC World Darts Championship

Florian Hempel only took up darts four years ago but is into the Last 32 of the PDC World Darts Championship after dumping out Dimitri van den Bergh at his first hurdle on the Alexandra Palace stage.

Hempel showed no nerves as he stunned the fifth seed with a 98 average, five 180's, 75% on the doubles and high checkouts of 104 and 100.

He will now play Devon Petersen or Raymond Smith with a real chance to make it to the Last 16 on debut. What a story for the former handball player.

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Van den Bergh pinned a 180 to begin the tie and was pressured by Hempel. He missed a 129 to claim the opening leg but Hempel missed 130 on the bull allowing the Belgian back for the opening leg.

Hempel began his throw with a 180 but handed Van den Bergh the first chance to break and he couldn’t pin 77. This allowed Hempel back for a 51 checkout and 1-1.  

A 180 saw Hempel in pole position for the break but he made a mistake in going for 91 and handed Van den Bergh a hold on double 18.

It was a poor leg from both but a 96 checkout saw Hempel draw level with Van den Bergh throwing for the set. A 180 which was the 300th of the tournament and a 46 checkout saw Hempel claim the set.  

Van den Bergh produced a break and a 12-dart hold as he looked to level up in the tie. Before he sealed 142 for the set. He took the first leg of the third set with a 70 checkout.  

A 104 checkout saw Hempel hit back. He was down at 89 in case Van den Bergh couldn’t pin 80 and the Belgian missed it and he claimed it to go one away from a 2-1 sets lead. He pinned double 18 to go 2-1 up in sets.

A 100 checkout saw Hempel go 1-0 up as he was throwing for the set and he followed that up with an 86 checkout. He confirmed it with a 64 checkout.