Labanauskas edges deciding set in comeback win over debutant O'Shea at PDC World Darts Championship

Darius Labanauskas is a previous Quarter-Finalist at the 2022/23 PDC World Darts Championship and after a poor year will look to revive his fortunes at the Alexandra Palace.

'Lucky D' began his campaign with victory over John O'Shea, a debutant at the Ally Pally who hit five 180's but missed 22 darts at doubles and this was seen with a comeback win for the Lithuanian who came from 2-0 down to prevail and will now face Ross Smith.

An 83 checkout saw Labanauskas take an early break. He followed it up with a 158 checkout on double 19 to hold.

A 112 checkout saw O’Shea get on the board with a hold. He hit a second maximum but missed a break chance and Labanauskas returned after initially missing one at 100 only to miss two more.

O’Shea as a result sent it the distance. He messed up on 72 to not get a set dart but Labanauskas missed 105 on double 20 and ‘The Joker’ returned for the set on double five.

O’Shea hit 100 to make it 2-2 and force the decider. He missed three set darts but returned with Labanauskas unable to hit gold with a 144 and he went 2-0 up.

Labanauskas began the third set breaking throw and held on double five. O’Shea held with a 55 checkout on double 20. ‘Lucky D’ missed 144 but returned for double 12 to go 2-1 down in sets.

Labanauskas missed 101 for an opening hold and O’Shea hit double two to break. ‘Lucky D’ returned for double 20 to break back.

O’Shea missed two darts to break again and Labanauskas went one away from 2-2 in sets. O’Shea responded with a 75 checkout on the bull to send it to a decider.

Labanauskas missed 56 for the match but O’Shea messed up 88 and the Lithuanian sent it the distance. He hit double five last dart to start the decider with a break and held with a 70 checkout.

A second 180 for Labanauskas was followed by missed match darts and O’Shea hit a 120 checkout to keep himself in it. Labanauskas missed 92 for the match but two went for O’Shea only for the former to return to sneak a last dart double eight.