Defending champion Clayton launches Masters title defence with deciding leg win over Van den Bergh

Jonny Clayton is through to the Quarter-Finals of the 2022 Masters after seeing off Dimitri van den Bergh 10-9 in his opener in Milton Keynes.

Clayton, the defending champion launched his breakout year last time out by winning this tournament and produced a 100.6 average and an 88 checkout in the decider to end the run of 'The Dreammaker'.

At the first interval, Clayton claimed a 3-2 lead with a 101 checkout. But he didn’t streak away as Van den Bergh took out 68 to square it up at 3-3.

Clayton kept his advantage but Van den Bergh found double 10 for parity at 5-5 at the interval. On return, Clayton was back for a 104 checkout and a 7-5 lead to break throw but found himself staring down at parity as Van den Bergh hit back to make it 7-6.

Clayton hit back though with a 111 checkout. Van den Bergh hit a fourth 180 but Clayton set up 60 to go one away and Van den Bergh couldn’t produced 134 allowing ‘The Ferret’ to go one away.

Van den Bergh missed 82 for the hold but returned to hit double 20 with Clayton unable to take out 138 for the match.

It was back-to-back for Van den Bergh who broke to go 9-8 behind. Clayton had six darts though from 201 to seal it. He missed double 16 from 101 though and Van den Bergh took out 87 for 9-9.

Van den Bergh hit his sixth 180 but a timely maximum from Clayton brought him down to 88 which he pinned on double 12 for the victory.