29/01/2021

Lewis sets up Anderson clash with thrilling win over Smith, Gurney digs deep to defeat De Zwaan

Adrian Lewis is back to winning ways on TV starting 2021 with an impressive return at The Masters defeating Michael Smith in a thrilling battle.

Lewis will face off against Gary Anderson in a real blast from the past after defeating 'Bully Boy' who produced some exquisite finishing including two 170's but it was a 97 average and three 180's en route to a 6-5 win which saw 'Jackpot' over the line.

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Lewis took the opening leg but Smith produced a hold in style with the first 170 checkout of the new season to make it 1-1. 'Jackpot' replied though with an 11-darter to go 2-1 up in a high quality start.

A second 180 left 82 with a break of throw opportunity for Lewis but he missed double 20 to go 3-1 up.

Smith returned with one at double 20 from 66 which he missed and Lewis was back for double 10 and a break.

Smith replied with a stunning 132 checkout on the bull to make it 2-3 and followed it with another 170 to make it 3-3. A third maximum though saw Lewis leave 61 with a missed double four but he was back to pin double two to go 4-3 up.

Smith's ridiculous finishing continued with a 150 to hold throw but Lewis went one away from the second round with a 93 checkout.

Smith sent it all the way on double 16 but Lewis had the throw. He was first to a finish on 125 with Smith unable to get down to a finish. He left 40 for the win pinning double five last dart in hand to win through.

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While for Daryl Gurney, he is also through having had to dig deep to defeat debutant Jeffrey de Zwaan.

De Zwaan made it 4-3 and 5-4 after going 3-1 down but Gurney had the pivotal throw in the deciding leg.

Gurney missed bull for a 167 checkout but was back to hold eventually on double two. De Zwaan busted as he looked to hold but he continued to get further away and Gurney hit double 16 to break and head 2-0 up.

A 108 checkout threatened to see Gurney run away with it as he went into a 3-0 lead. He missed bull for an 86 checkout to break again and De Zwaan finally got on the board at 3-1 down.

Gurney drifted into single one going for a 124 and his double trouble continued as he missed two at double 16 for a 4-1 lead at the break.

De Zwaan broke on double 18 last dart in hand from 66 to leave it handily placed at 3-2 to Gurney. The latter missed double 20 to break and De Zwaan reset himself and pinned the same target last dart in hand to make it 3-3.

He claimed a 13-dart break to suddenly turn it round and make it 4-3. Gurney stopped the rot to put it back on serve at 4-4.

But a 92 checkout saw De Zwaan break again to go one away at 5-4. It was sent all the way to a decider though with Gurney having the throw. It proved pivotal as Gurney got over the line on double 16.