Matt Campbell will face Ryan Searle on Sunday afternoon in the second round at the PDC World Darts Championship after he took down Mensur Suljovic in a deciding set on Thursday night 3-2.
Campbell who was lucky to be at the tournament after qualifying through the last gasp qualifier also was dealt a blow as he won the North American Championship but wasn't eligible to gain the rewards as he had held his Tour Card for more than two years.
He also has not been in great form on the tour for a while either and so didn't qualify by right. But getting through the last gasp qualifier, he forced his spot and has made the most of it against the Austrian.
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Campbell started the better of the two with the Canadian number one edging the first set in a deciding leg. He pinned double 20 to claim it having also landed a 116 checkout during the opener.
The Gentle hit back though in a hard to call clash from the get go as he secured the second set on double 16 for parity. Both were averaging around the 88 mark and had hit two 180's a piece so very much evenly matched.
But Campbell was clinical in two out of the remaining three sets at different junctures. He went 2-1 up with a 160 checkout being the best moment of the match as he sent out a statement to Suljovic of come and match this winning it without reply to go back in front.
Suljovic though did respond. He edged the fourth set in a deciding leg and sent it all the way. The Austrian though was breezed past in said deciding set. Campbell sealed the win with an 89 checkout using the bull to do so. This after Suljovic had hit 180 albeit to leave an outside shout of 125 in the end which he didn't get a shot at anyway. He never trailed in the tie and now faces Ryan Searle.
Canada's Matt Campbell just too strong for Mensur Suljovic.
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2024
He never trailed in the match and now sets up a clash with Ryan Searle!
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