Leonard Gates won the CDC Continental Cup on Saturday night. The 53-year-old American defeated Canadian Jim Long 8-7 in the final and can thus prepare for a return to the Grand Slam of Darts. In addition, he is also guaranteed participation in the US Darts Masters next year.
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Gates started the Continental Cup (a tournament for players from the USA and Canada) on Friday with a narrow 5-3 victory against his compatriot Nick Linberg. On Saturday, he fell behind 3-1 in the quarterfinals against Doeg Boehm before winning five legs in a row to qualify for the semifinals.
'The Soulger' then won 7-5 over Alex Spellman in the semifinals, reversing a 3-1 deficit with two consecutive 12-darters followed by a 106-finish midway through the match.
Leonard Gates in action
This made for a final against Canadian Jim Long. It was Gates who got off to the best start and quickly built up a 4-1 lead. Long responded impressively to that poor start and then broke Gates' throw in 14 darts and backed that up with an impressive 15-darter to be just one leg behind.
Gates broke right back with his own 15-darter, but Long continued his pursuit of his first CDC Continental Cup title to eventually take a 7-6 lead.
Gates then made it 7-7 and so the fifteenth and final leg had to decide the match. Gates survived two matchdarts by Long to secure his second CDC Continental Cup title with a double eight.
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The experienced American - who is also participating in this year's World Darts Championship - can thus participate for the second time in the Grand Slam of Darts, which takes place from November 9 to 17 in Wolverhampton. In 2022, he made his debut at the Grand Slam of Darts, but then got stuck in the group stage.
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Leonard Gates will make his Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts return next month, after lifting his second CDC Continental Cup title in Philadelphia! 🏆🇺🇸
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