PDC World Darts Championship Round-Up | Jonny Clayton survives Zonneveld test as Woodhouse and Ratajski also into Last 16

The first players into the Last 16 at the PDC World Darts Championship are set with Jonny Clayton joined by Krzysztof Ratajski and Luke Woodhouse.

Clayton saw off Niels Zonneveld 4-3 in a supremely tough test when he had to turn on the afterburners in the final set. He is into the Last 16 for the fifth consecutive year after edging through in a high quality contest that featured 18 180's.
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The opening set went the way of Clayton who held at 3-2 with a 12-dart 56 checkout. Zonneveld breezed into a 2-0 lead after Clayton missed 68 but the next set was far from done with Clayton breaking back for 2-1 down. Albeit Zonneveld hit a 14-darter on double eight for 3-1 and made it 1-1 in sets. Clayton swept the third 3-0 to move 2-1 up in sets. He missed a dart at 104 for an opening break in the next set to start. Zonneveld aimed to hit straight back and nailed the bull for a 126 checkout for 2-0.

A 78 checkout and Zonneveld made it 2-2. He swept the fourth 3-0. Clayton was under pressure again as Zonneveld hit a 96 checkout next set to send it all the way at 2-2. Clayton though hit a 13-darter to go 3-2 up.

Albeit Zonneveld again came back with an 81 checkout for an 11-darter to make it 3-3. But Clayton swept the next set 3-0 to win the match 4-3 and not give the Dutchman a chance of hitting back. Clutch from Clayton.

Luke Woodhouse also won through with the Bewdley ace taking down cult hero Andrew Gilding who has long been one of the favourites at Ally Pally with an adoring fanbase but they couldn't help an impressive display from 'Woody' who makes it successive Last 16 appearances.

Woodhouse started by holding and broke pinning double nine to seal the opening set. But Woodhouse hit double 10 for 1-0 to break. Woodhouse missed the chance to hold and make it 2-0 and Gilding was back breaking on double eight for 1-1.

Gilding broke with a 152 checkout at 2-1 and sealed the second set after Woodhouse missed a dart at 101. Woodhouse opened the third set with a 71 checkout to go 1-0 up. A Break then for Woodhouse who hit a 15-darter 56 checkout to go 2-0 up. He swept the set with a 68 checkout to go 2-1 up in sets. He broke on double 16 to then claim the fourth 3-0. He then hit a 90 checkout to win it with Gilding showing some resolve but unable to get the break he craved.

Firstly, Wesley Plaisier would've been kicking himself in game one as he spurned a 3-1 lead against Krzysztof Ratajski who sealed his spot in the Last 16 as the first man through in a 4-3 win.

Ratajski claimed it in a deciding set surviving three match darts also to win with a 98.4 average. The first set saw a clean sweep for Plaisier. A 92 checkout for the two-time World Master saw him break. Ratajski missed 72 to hold after Plaisier missed set darts and the Dutchman was back for 1-0.

Ratajski swept the second to hit back. Plaisier then broke on double 20 after Ratajski couldn't pin 155 and he held with an 11-darter. Ratajski missed a dart to break at the end of the set and Plaisier held for 2-1 up in the race to four. A 13-darter followed as he hit 159 from 175 to hit double eight and pinned it to make it 3-1 in sets.

Albeit back came Ratajski. Ratajski produced an epic 152 checkout to go 2-0 up and despite Plaisier sending the set to a decider, Ratajski hit a 117 checkout with Plaisier waiting. Ratajski broke with a 46 checkout in the next set and despite being broken back, Plaisier missed match darts and Ratajski nicked the set. Ratajski surged ahead as he hit double 16 in the decider at 2-1 and he managed to avert overtime to complete a heroic comeback.