28/12/2020

King produces superb display to dump out Grand Slam champion De Sousa

Mervyn King is through to the Last 16 at the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after storming past Grand Slam champion, Jose de Sousa in a 4-0 sets win.

King produced one of his best TV displays averaging towards 120 in parts of the tie but he concluded on 103 with eight 180's and 57% on the doubles as he sets up a potential tie with Gerwyn Price.

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King hit the front first in the opening set holding throw on double 10. De Sousa fired his first maximum in to begin the second leg and pinned double 20 with no need to hit the 81 initially.

It was a third already for De Sousa as his average went up to 112 but he couldn’t break as King left 24 which he pinned after De Sousa missed a dart to break.

De Sousa’s doubles were deserting hit and King struck with a 78 checkout to claim the opening set 3-1.

This continued as he missed three at double 20 and King pounced breaking throw to open the second set. Another 180 and his average climbing to 107 saw his confidence increase and he pinned 165 to leave double eight and he pinned double four to claim it and go on the brink of a 2-0 lead.

It was a fourth maximum for King as he pinned 81 to continue his momentum into clean sweeping the set.

King’s excellence continued as he went 2-1 up going for a 3-0 lead. But in a pivotal leg upcoming, De Sousa pinned 80 to send it all the way.

After a poor start to the leg, King hit 137 to leave 60 which he pinned to claim the three set lead. A 14 darter saw King romp towards the winning line and a break of throw.

De Sousa aimed to claim a bit of hope with an 84 checkout left to break back. His miscounting cost him though as he thought he had double 20 left and so didn’t get a shot.

King returned with double 12 to go 2-0 up and one away from the match. He had to wait though for his throw as De Sousa got a leg back. A 180 brought his average up and towards the victory and despite pressure from De Sousa, he pinned double four to win through.