Lewis wins first title in over three years with Players Championship 20 victory over Koltsov

Coming into this week, Adrian Lewis firmly had his sights set on firming his World Matchplay spot and 'Jackpot' has risen to the occasion sealing his first title since 2019 with Players Championship 20 glory against Boris Koltsov.

It will be an 18th trip to the Winter Gardens for the two-time World Champion who had to see off the likes of Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton and finally Koltsov 8-4.

Who after a year where he didn't know whether he would play any darts has reached another final which could open up further doors in his race to keep his Tour Card.

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Both sealed breaks to begin the final with Lewis pinning a 96 to make it 1-1 and he was throwing to take control missing a 122 on double 20 but he was well ahead and made it 2-1.

He weighed in with a maximum to pressure with Koltsov missing 127 on the bull to hold but Lewis messed up the finish and Koltsov made it 2-2.

Lewis missed 140 to hold but he slammed the door shut with Koltsov again way back as he made it 3-2. He followed that up with a 138 to leave 52 after 12, it did take him 16 darts in the end but he pinned double five to make it 4-2 and go halfway to the win.

Lewis missed 115 to hold though but Koltsov missed three darts to break back and Lewis opened up a three-leg gap at 5-2.

Koltsov stopped the rot on double five to make it 5-3. A 54 checkout saw Lewis go 6-3 up though. A 160 checkout from Koltsov kept him in contention at 6-4.

But it was a mere hold as Lewis went one away on double 20. He missed a match dart on 117 for the match but Koltsov could not keep it going and ‘Jackpot’ got over the line.

Results Players Championship 20

Quarter-Finals

Boris Koltsov (91.92) 6 | 5 (92.13) Krzysztof Kciuk

Martin Schindler (93.35) 6 | 2 (84.09) Steve Beaton

Adrian Lewis (99.97) 6 | 5 (96.98) Jonny Clayton

Nathan Aspinall (91.32) 6 | 5 (92.75) Jermaine Wattimena

Semi-Finals

Boris Koltsov (82.41) 7 | 3 (83.98) Martin Schindler

Adrian Lewis (98.89) 7 | 2 (94.10) Nathan Aspinall

Final

Boris Koltsov (92.73) 4 | 8 (103.04) Adrian Lewis