Callan Rydz is into the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship for the second time in his career. 'Riot' has seen off the challenge of Robert Owen 4-3 and will now face either Michael van Gerwen or Jeffrey De Graaf in the last eight.
It's fair to say not many would have had Owen vs Rydz down as a potential last 16 clash at the Ally Pally this year, but the quality of both players has shone brightly at this tournament. Owen shined in the opening leg too, taking out a stunning 120 finish. The Welshman took the opening set as well, nailing double top for an early 1-0 advantage.
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Rydz had come into this one as a pretty heavy favourite. But after missing a set dart at the bull in leg 4 and a set dart at double 12 in the fifth leg of set 2, 'Riot' found himself 2-0 down to the faultless Owen. Both averaging around the 100 mark, Owen being more deadly on the doubles was pretty much the only separating factor, as evidenced by him pinning the bullseye for the second set.
In set 3, again a deciding leg was required to settle things. After four straight breaks of throw, it was Owen who threw first leg 5 and the Welshman had first dart at a double too, wiring double 10 for a 140 checkout. Although Rydz couldn't punish, Owen made a mess of the cleanup on double 5 and this time Rydz was on hand, to get himself the third set and halve his deficit in the match at 2-1.
Kicking off set 4 with a stylish 112 checkout, Rydz was really starting to motor now. Breaking in the next leg before securing a comfortable hold in leg 3, Rydz had levelled the contest back up at 2-2, quick as a flash.
The Rydz momentum continued to pick up steam in set 5 too as 'Riot' broke throw in the opening leg and then as double trouble began to creep dangerously into Owen's game, Rydz doubled his advantage in the next leg. A handful more missed darts at double came for Owen in the next leg and as Rydz punished he took a third successive set and nudged into a 3-2 lead.
Owen bounced back strongly to get set 6 underway, breaking and then holding to go 2-0 up. Although Rydz pulled one back in leg 3, Owen took the set without issue in leg 4, squaring things back up at 3-3 and forcing a deciding set.
Owen had the chance to continue the momentum but then spurned multiple darts at double in leg 1 of set 7, allowing Rydz to go a break of throw up. Impressively though, Owen again put the disappointment quickly out of mind, firing in six perfect darts to pressure the Rydz throw. Although a nine-darter didn't come, the Welshman took the leg to make it 1-1. As the tension levels began to really ramp up, Owen then missed a dart for 2-1 and again Rydz punished to break the Welshman's throw and nudge back infront. This time Rydz held throw in turn too, to take a thrilling victory.
RYDZ LEADS!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2024
It's three sets in succession for Callan Rydz as he turns this tie around, and now needs one more for a place in the Quarter-Finals!
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