Hempel sends Brown to Q-School with thrilling sudden death win at PDC World Darts Championship, set to face Humphries

Florian Hempel has sent Keegan Brown to Q-School in January with 'The Needle' losing his professional status after a 3-2 win for the German ace in a tense sudden death tie at the 2022/23 PDC World Darts Championship.

One of the closest matches yet in the tournament, Hempel finished on seven 180's despite missing 17 darts at the doubles throughout but after a superb run last year, he will face Luke Humphries.

Brown began missing two darts for a break and Hempel hit double eight. He broke with a clinical 120 checkout and was throwing for the set.

Brown missed 132 on the bull to break but returned for double eight to seal it and go 2-1 down. Hempel missed 71 for the set and Brown held for 2-2. An 89 checkout sealed the set for Hempel though.

Brown missed 115 for a hold but Hempel couldn’t get a shot at 104 and ‘The Needle’ sealed a hold. Brown missed 158 on double 19 and double four after Hempel missed 100 and the German ace hit double 13 for 1-1.

Hempel pinned double 20 to break and go one away. But Brown hit a 180 and 87 checkout for 2-2 and was throwing for a set back which he sealed on double six.

Brown hit 124 on the bull to break only for Hempel to hit back on double 10. A 50 checkout on double 16 saw Hempel go one away from 2-1 in sets. Brown sent it to a decider.

Hempel missed the bull for the set off 65 but Brown made a fatal error on 66 going in single eight. Only to return anyway with two darts missed for the set and Brown hit double four.

A 72 checkout on double six saw Hempel break but Hempel missed 76 for 2-0 albeit he returned with Brown not pouncing for a break back. Hempel hit double two for 2-0. A 91 checkout on double 10 saw Hempel send it all the way.

Brown missed 90 for a break and Hempel hit 87 on double five. Brown stayed involved but Hempel went one away on double 18.

Brown couldn’t find 120 and Hempel missed double five on 79 for the match. Brown sent it all the way as a result. A 180 was pinned but two match darts went albeit he returned for double eight.