Price sets up Van Duijvenbode clash after World Darts Championship classic against Huybrechts

Gerwyn Price is into the Last 16 of the PDC World Darts Championship and will take on Dirk van Duijvenbode in another testosterone filled battle after a tungsten treat against Kim Huybrechts on the Alexandra Palace stage winning 4-3 in sets.

Price was sent all the way to a sudden death leg and produced when it mattered most to down the Belgian who continues his resurgence in an epic display.

Price negated a usual slow start as he swept the opening set averaging 105.7 only for Huybrechts to draw level with a 147 checkout to make it 1-1 as he grew into the game.

He led from there hitting a 120 checkout in the decider to regain the lead and make it 2-1 in sets but Price soon responded claiming the fourth set with a 130 checkout as he celebrated furiously in front of a partisan crowd.

To begin set five, Huybrechts missed a 120 checkout for a break but Price had the tricky double three to aim at and busted. Only to return anyway with Huybrechts missing three at double 10.

He followed that up with a 112 checkout to make it 2-0 and he was one away from a 3-2 sets lead. This was sealed with a 120 checkout as he went one set away.

Price missed 73 for an opening break and Huybrechts replied on double 16 to hold throw. He replied though straight away on double 20.

A 139 leave left 40 for Huybrechts as he went 2-1 up with another hold. After a poor start, Huybrechts pounced only for Price to reply straight away with a 180.

But it was a fifth maximum for Huybrechts who was first to a finish on Price’s throw only to spurn darts to break and it was a 120 checkout for ‘The Iceman’ again to make it 2-2.

Huybrechts had to serve it out to stay in the tournament and he did taking out 70 to make it 3-3. First blood went to Price who pinned double 20 to hold and go 1-0 up.

Price had darts to break from a 56 checkout but Huybrechts missed a 62 checkout anyway which allowed the former back for double 10 and a 2-0 lead and he was now one away from the match.

A poor leg for Price saw Huybrechts pin double 16 to break and go 2-1 up and it went to a potential tiebreak as a result.

A sixth 180 sent Huybrechts down to 49 with Price not on a finish and he hit double eight to send it all the way.

Price finally kicked into gear but missed two at double 20 to hold but Huybrechts missed double nine to break and ‘The Iceman’ smashed in double five to go one away.

They both had needle to end the leg as Price over celebrated and Huybrechts complained to referee Kirk Bevins. It was the Belgian who levelled up again on double eight and he received a shot on 80 to break after Price couldn’t hit 115.

Huybrechts missed two darts though and on we went as Price hit double four to make it 4-3. The former hit another 180 and left 121 to hold but he left 43 which he pinned on double eight to make it 4-4.

Huybrechts kicked in with a 171 and had a shot at 94 before leaving 40 to break which he couldn’t take. Price returned as a result to hold on double 20 to go one away at 5-4.

Huybrechts looked to send it to sudden death and smashed in a 180 only to follow with a trebleless visit. He got away with it though and hit a 180 to pull away once more.

151 played 114 as Huybrechts was first at the latter which he pinned on double 20 to send it all the way.

Price began with a 140 on his throw followed by 134 as he headed towards the finishing line with Huybrechts not able to mount a comeback. But the former couldn’t leave a finish with a slack visit.

‘The Iceman’ returned for 102 to leave 76 with Huybrechts down to 112. He had a match dart which he pinned at double 20.