Kurz battles past returning finalist Hamilton

Nico Kurz is through to the second round of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship with a 3-1 sets win over the returning Andy Hamilton.

Kurz will now face his compatriot and the current German Number One in Gabriel Clemens as he halted the charge of 'The Hammer' who was competing in his first PDC World Championship in five years.

It was a cagey affair to begin the tie but it was the German Superleague winner who claimed it in the deciding leg despite both players only averaging 81.

He broke throw in the first leg of the second set with a brilliant 134 checkout but he missed two darts to claim the set and Hamilton claimed a reprieve to level the tie up.

But Kurz went towards the brink by claiming the third set 3-1 as he regained upperhand. He broke to begin the fourth set on double 10 after Hamilton missed double 20 for a 160 checkout and went one away as a result.

This proved pivotal as Kurz pinned a 60 checkout to claim victory and send the former finalist home.

2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Saturday December 19

Evening Session (18:00 GMT)

Andy Hamilton (82.15) 1-3 (87.89) Nico Kurz (R1) (2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 1-3)

Andy Boulton v Deta Hedman (R1)

Damon Heta v Danny Baggish (R1)

Michael van Gerwen v Ryan Murray (R2)