Martin Lukeman progresses past Haupai Puha and into the second round at the World Darts Championship

Martin Lukeman has progressed to the second round at the PDC World Darts Championship via a very accomplished performance, to win 3-1 over Haupai Puha.

In the penultimate matchup of the Monday evening session, former Euro Tour finalist Lukeman was in no mood to mess about as he raced through the opening set with legs of 17, 19 and 15 to take an early lead.

Although Puha did get his first leg on the board in set 2, Lukeman continued to dominate and with his average around about 95, the Englishman made it 2-0 in sets relatively comfortably.

As the New Zealander fired in the first maximum of the match in the opening leg of set 3, Puha finished it off in 13 darts to take a lead in the set. With the set going on throw, a fifth and deciding leg was needed. Puha had the darts and firing in a maximum he really took control. Despite a couple of misses at the double, the Kiwi held firm to take the set and half his deficit.

Lukeman held throw in the opening leg of set 4 and after pressuring the Puha throw in the following leg, he nailed double 12 to break and move just one away from the second round. Kicking off the next leg with a 180, Lukeman was accelerating towards the finish line. With his first match dart, the Englishman sealed the deal for a 3-1 win.