Niels Zonneveld triumphs in incredibly dramatic finale to take first World Darts Championship win

PDC
Sunday, 17 December 2023 at 22:04
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Niels Zonneveld has secured his first victory at the PDC World Darts Championship via a dramatic 3-1 win over Darren Webster
Starting the match much the better player, Niels Zonneveld raced through the opening set, taking it by three legs to nil and in the process winning the first set of his Ally Pally career after successive 3-0 defeats in the last two years.
With both players missing a handful of chances in the opening leg of set 2, Zonneveld eventually took it on double 2 for a fourth straight leg. That soon became five on the spin via double 4 before Webster finally got himself on the board in the third leg of the second set. Holding throw in the next leg in 14 darts, Webster was right back in the contest. Despite Webster's mini fightback, the set would go to the Dutch left-hander. 2-0 Zonneveld at the second break.
Webster opened up set 3 with a 24 dart hold of throw under zero pressure from Zonneveld. Backing that up with a break in leg 2, the experienced Englishman was then throwing for the set. Unable to capitalise however, Zonneveld broke straight back and then with a hold of his own, moved a leg from victory. Webster would be the one to prevail in the decider however, nailing double top to get back to one set behind.
As the tension levels began to rise, both players traded holds of throw to start the fourth set. With Zonneveld 2-1 up in the set, the Dutchman pressured the Webster throw heavily, firing in his third 180 of the match. Webster though held firm and kept his throw, sending the set to a fifth leg. In an incredible finale, Zonneveld took the win with his 8th match dart after Webster had missed a handful at double himself.

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