King produces comeback to defeat Barauskas in decider, Kuivenhoven edges past Worsley

Mervyn King is successfully through to a tie with Michael van Gerwen at the European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen. but had to produce a comeback to see off Mindaugas Barauskas 6-5.

The Lithuanian acclimatised well on his European Tour debut going 2-0 up with a break of throw. He then extended his lead to 3-1 with a 14-dart hold of throw and looked to be heading to the finishing line with another hold to make it 4-2.

But King restored it to parity after Barauskas missed three darts at double and King took out 72 to make it 4-4. From there they both held to force a decider and King produced an exceptional 101 with bullseye, 19, double 16 to win through.

Maik Kuivenhoven is also through after a 6-4 victory over Jonathan Worsley which was a game of breaks of throw.

It was three in a row to start the game as Kuivenhoven led 2-1 and this continued until 3-2 before the Dutchman made it 4-2 after missing 147 but taking out double eight.

Worsley came back to make proceedings interesting with a break of throw to make it 4-4 but Kuivenhoven pounced on missed doubles from the Welshman to make it 5-4 and he concluded it from there with a 13-darter.

European Darts Grand Prix Schedule

Friday October 16

First Round

Afternoon Session (12:00 GMT)

Maik Kuivenhoven (89.85) 6-4 (81.3) Jonathan Worsley

Mervyn King (99.15) 6-5 (86.71) Mindaugas Barauskas

Ricardo Pietreczko v Luke Woodhouse

Kai Gotthardt v David Evans

Scott Waites v Jason Lowe

Nico Kurz v Stefan Bellmont

Darius Labanauskas v Michael Unterbuchner

Harry Ward v Devon Petersen