14/12/2019

Humphries defeats Wattimena in sudden death thriller to move into Third Round at PDC World Championship

After a brilliant afternoon session of darts at the 2020 PDC World Championship, Luke Humphries brought the curtain down superbly defeating Jermaine Wattimena in a last leg sudden death thriller.

Humphries after coming from a set down was firmly in the box seat to win it in normal time; but Wattimena came back to force a sudden death shootout between the pair which went to the last leg and despite Wattimena pressuring, 'Cool Hand Luke' lived up to his moniker; to reach the Third Round for a second year running.

Wattimena made a typically smooth flying start to proceedings winning three consecutive legs to wrap up the set in double quick time; with 3/3 on the doubles.

Humphries was in a good mood too though and showed that with back-to-back 12 darters to go 2-1 up; he finished the second set with an 11 darter to square it up with some absolutely stupendous darts.

He went ahead for the first time in a match; but Wattimena was on his coat tails and went into the lead again; with a clinical 110 checkout to move 2-1 ahead and he secured the third set from there to regain the upperhand.

Humphries went 2-1 up in a role reversal in the requisite set breaking through and himself wrapped up the set 3-1; to give the fans a darting delight of a final deciding set. It was a darting delight as Humphries went one away very quickly; with an 87 checkout but Wattimena never gave up forcing a decider to mean it has to be won by two clear legs.

It was 'Cool Hand Luke' who gained the initiative in this part of the contest going back ahead at 3-2 in the tiebreak. Despite that he made a real mess of the finish and Wattimena went 3-3.

He regained the lead; but again Wattimena held to make it 4-4. It was the Dutchman's chance to win as he took out 98 for a 12 dart break; but in a match of this quality, it was befitting of sudden death and that is exactly what happened.

As a result they would now throw for the bull; it was Humphries who held his nerve to defeat Wattimena and move through to the third round.

Click here for more information on the PDC World Championship which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.