PDC World Darts Championship Round-Up | Joe Cullen upsets favourite tag of Bradley Brooks as Nitin Kumar makes Ally Pally history

Joe Cullen and Nitin Kumar starred as the PDC World Darts Championship continued on Sunday afternoon with some of the best matches so far at the Alexandra Palace in a session which perhaps on paper wouldn't have produced those kinds of displays.
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Cullen did very much his modus operandi with 'The Rockstar' widely written off compared to his opponent Bradley Brooks who has had a bit of a breakout year on the tour including winning his first title. Perhaps it was right that Cullen didn't receive big billing.

But he also has a bit of a habit of upsetting the apple cart such as last year when he faced Wessel Nijman and stormed out the interview room after proving the media wrong in the run-up.m Whether he does similar again remains to be seen. But he certainly proved a point in disposing of Brooks in what was a 3-0 win for Cullen.

To start he took advantage of a missed dart at double from Brooks which could've prolonged it to take the first set 3-1 with two 180's and 50% on the doubles. It was a lot less tight in the second set as Cullen took control.  He hit a 94 checkout for an 11-darter. He followed that up on double 16 for a 13-darter to break with Brooks merely sat on 89. Then it was double seven to nick the set. One away in quick time.

It was even quicker to win it. He broke again hitting a 47 checkout after Brooks missed 102 and he was 2-1 up in a race to three before adding the rubber stamp with a 12-dart 116 checkout. He hits a 97 average and 'Bamm Bamm' leaves winning just two legs.

But while it was Cullen's match that received top billing. It was Nitin Kumar that starred with 'The Royal Bengal' who has appeared multiple times at Ally Pally before and only just won a set last year gaining adulation from the crowd and he was rewarded with history.

Kumar received chants all afternoon of 'Kumar again ole ole' as he faced the usually stoic Richard Veenstra who perhaps on paper was the worst player to face when it came to him keeping his cool only really beaten in the Dutch stakes in that department by Danny Noppert.

But it was Kumar who showed pure ice as he was nearly flawless on doubles and in a match that was seen as anything but a classic on paper ended up being so as it went the distance and the fans were rewarded with a spectacle. He becomes the first ever Indian to win at the Alexandra Palace and a new hero is born.

To start, Kumar produced a superb 180 to leave double 12 and he broke Veenstra on double three for 1-0. 72 to leave double 16 for Kumar and he was one away. A 137 from 161 to leave double 12 for the set. Veenstra though hit back with a 142 checkout to hold. Kumar missed 67 for the set on double 16 but Veenstra missed darts for 2-2 and the Indian hit double eight for the opener.

Veenstra hit back at the start of the second set and despite a 180, Veenstra followed 142 with 110 for 2-0. A 180 for the steely Veenstra saw him leave 62 and he pinned it for the second set.

Kumar broke and followed it up with a 65 checkout as the crowd roared for him. A superb 144 though from Veenstra saw him aim to shut the door. Kumar couldn't get near 142 but Veenstra was forced to chase around and he couldn't win the set and Kumar returned for 78 as he went 2-1 up. Kumar sat on 75 but Veenstra hit 117 to break. Veenstra pinned double 16 and made it 2-0. A 126 checkout saw Veenstra win the set and he was throwing for it at 2-2 in set five. 

Veenstra missed two darts to go ahead and Kumar stared down at 84. He pinned double 20 to break and he let out a brilliant roar. Veenstra missed double 11 for a 124. Kumar couldn't get a shot at 156 but put pressure on. Veenstra missed double 11 and Kumar hit double 18 to go one away. Veenstra nearly hit a nine-dart finish but it was Kumar next leg that secured the heroics.

Also this session Ritchie Edhouse has gone home with Jonny Tata accounting for him. The Kiwi truck driver has always been a player to watch without getting the rub of the green results wise and he did this time as he sealed a superb win.

To start, Tata took a look at 131 but he left 56 leaving Edhouse needing 160. But the Kiwi missed two darts and Edhouse returned to break for 1-0. Tata missed the lot at double 20 next leg and Edhouse hit 98 on double 19 for a hold for 2-0.

Edhouse missed 77 for the set but Tata finally got on the board with an 84 checkout for 2-1. Edhouse had the darts for the set. Edhouse missed another set dart and Tata got a go at 76. But double 20 was not his friend again as he missed a dart for 2-2 and Edhouse returned.

Only for Edhouse to miss more as Tata drifted in the double 20 last dart to make it 2-2. Double eight for Tata saw the turnaround complete. Tata missed 121 to complete the second set but despite pressure, he returned for double 18 to claim it. Edhouse missed double 20 to prolong the game in the next set in a portion where he kept missing which sums up his season and Tata took it. He now likely faces Ryan Meikle.

While Dom Taylor lost only one leg against Oskar Lukasiak and put on a show with an 85 average, three ton plus checkouts and nearly 50% on the doubles. He is certainly one to watch this tournament while the Swede who struggled at times with his throw couldn't get near him.