Defending champion Wright safely through World Championship opener with victory over West

Defending champion Peter Wright not only brought a Grinch themed outfit to the Alexandra Palace but also an opening victory over Steve West as the first night of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship concludes.

After his elaborate walk-on, it was soon down to business for the defending champion as he took the opening set without reply 3-0 with a 102.5 average.

This continued with the second set continuing to go to script as he failed to drop a leg and looked to be heading towards the third round with ease.

But West finally got off the mark kicking off back-to-back 180's and hitting double 20 for a 13-darter to lead. He doubled his lead with a 72 checkout as he began to settle but was it too little, too late?

Wright would have thought so as he hammered in a 144 checkout to trail 2-1 but West wrapped it up from there to make it 2-1 in sets and potentially embroil Wright in a battle.

'Snakebite' though aimed to return the momentum in his favour as he hit a 101 finish to lead in the opening leg of the fourth set. It did as he hit a 71 checkout to go one away and he concluded proceedings from there to stop the late comeback.

2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Tuesday December 15

Steve West (90.75) 3-0 (80.59) Amit Gilitwala (R1) (3-0, 3-1, 3-0)

Steve Beaton (84.14) 0-3 (89.16) Diogo Portela (R1) (1-3, 1-3, 1-3)

Jeff Smith (85.44) 3-1 (88.11) Keane Barry (R1) (3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2)

Peter Wright (92.6) 3-1 (88.82) Steve West (R2) (3-0, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0)