A stern test for Gerwyn Price... The Iceman comes through a tough first round match by clinching a deciding set victory over Jamie Lewis
Gerwyn Price is through his opening test at the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship but had to overcome a real scare against compatriot, Jamie Lewis.
Price came from a set down and wasn't at his best throughout but won through 3-2 in a deciding set after being troubled at times by a resurgent 'Fireball'.
Lewis had a dream start to proceedings with 'Fireball' capitalising on a poor start from Price to take the first set 3-1 with the latter only averaging 77.5.
It was four consecutive legs for Lewis as he took the first in the second set with an 88 checkout.
But Price took his first leg on double one and after stopping the rot, he took the second set to make it 1-1 with a 3-1 sets win upping his average to 84.5 in the process.
He hit the front in the third set with a 104 checkout but missed three darts at the double and this allowed Lewis back for double two to make it level.
But a 73 and a sensational 160 checkout saw him claim the set as he looked to diminish the hopes of Lewis.
These hopes weren't diminished though with Lewis hitting back with a 110 checkout to hit the front in the fourth set and it was soon 2-0 with a break with double 10 after Price missed two darts at double for a 97 checkout.
But while Price went off the boil, he came back to life in the deciding set with a fatal 116 checkout to break and a 60 checkout finished on double 20 concluded the tie for 'The Iceman'.
Krzysztof Ratajski (100.41) 3-0 (96.12) Ryan Joyce (R2) (3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
Ian White (102.86) 1-3 (101.56) Kim Huybrechts (R2) (1-3, 2-3, 3-1, 2-3)
Gerwyn Price (91.97) 3-2 (90.46) Jamie Lewis (R2) (1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 0-3, 3-0)
Gabriel Clemens v Nico Kurz (R2)
A stern test for Gerwyn Price... The Iceman comes through a tough first round match by clinching a deciding set victory over Jamie Lewis