29/11/2020

King produces remarkable comeback against Heta to claim semi-final spot

Mervyn King is the first player through to the semi-finals at the Players Championship Finals after producing a remarkable comeback to see off Damon Heta.

King was 7-2 down and recovered to see off 'The Heat' 10-8 with a 100.7 average, five 180's and 55% on the doubles. Vintage display from 'The King'.

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Heta produced a superb start to proceedings taking out 108 for the opening leg against King. King led though with a break after hitting back to back legs to go ahead at 2-1.

Heta though broke back before taking out 116 to regain the upperhand at 3-2 up and he followed it up with a 70 checkout to make it a 4-2 lead as he started to gain control.

He looked to be racing towards the semi-finals as he opened up a 5-2 and a 7-2 lead with one way traffic. Was there any way back for King??

He stopped the rot with a 64 checkout but still of course had a mountain to climb but it became three consecutive legs as he closed the gap at 7-5 down.

It was four in a row to close the gap to 7-6. Heta stopped the rot to get back on track at 8-6 up but a brilliant 78 checkout to make it 8-7 saw King break and put himself on throw to level.

A fifth 180 from King left 68 as Heta pressured with a 140 but he pinned the 68 to level it at 8-8. Heta was on 80 reading to hold and King produced a clutch 104 checkout to break and go one away.

King had six darts from 182 but instead of resting on his laurels he hit a 150 to leave 32 and he pinned it first time to complete the comeback.