Ratajski first through to World Championship Quarter-Finals with dramatic sudden death victory over Clemens

Krzysztof Ratajski is first through to the Quarter-Finals of the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship after a drama filled sudden death victory over Gabriel Clemens.

Ratajski survived a stunning seven match darts in the deciding leg and missed nine himself before he got over the line on double one in a closely fought tie which went right to the wire.

180 followed by 138 and double 20 as Clemens claimed an opening break. He doubled his lead with Ratajski not able to take out 167.

Ratajski missed his fourth darts at double on 64 but Clemens wasn’t down to a finish so he got his first leg on the board.

Clemens missed double 18 for a 110 and the set and Ratajski pinned 54 to make it 2-2 where he’d have the throw. Ratajski managed to claw it back and pinned double 20 for the first set.

Ratajski had a golden opportunity to break and Clemens held throw on double five finally to stop the rot. A 67 checkout saw Clemens go 2-0 up and towards the second set.

Ratajski couldn’t get a shot at 126 and Clemens pinned 25 for the second set. Clemens opened up the next set with a break but Ratajski nearly broke back missing two darts from 72 on double 12.

He did as Ratajski pinned it after missing multiple darts initially but being given the chance by Clemens who fluffed his lines.

Ratajski set up 32 from 167 which he pinned on double eight with Clemens sat waiting on double 20 to break. Clemens held with 82 to make it 2-2 and send it to a potentially pivotal decider.

Ratajski missed double 16 for a 2-1 sets lead but Clemens missed double 18 for a 150 checkout and Ratajski returned for double eight and a 2-1 sets lead.

The Polish Eagle missed two darts at double 18 and double nine for a break and Clemens held throw to go ahead in the fourth set.

Ratajski broke though to go towards claiming a 3-1 sets advantage after Clemens missed the chance to hold. He couldn’t consolidate and Clemens pinned a 59 checkout on double 10 to break back and head towards 2-2. He levelled on double six to send it to parity.

Ratajski continued not to be able to hammer home his advantage missing the chance to claim the set 3-1 and he was set for a pivotal leg in the decider. He did pin 68 though on his throw to take a 3-2 lead.

He hit the first ton plus checkout of the match pinning 127 to hold and make it 1-1. But Clemens went 2-1 up on throw as he attempted to send it all the way.

He did taking the set 3-2 to send it to a seventh and deciding set. Ratajski led on double 20 with Clemens needing to break at some point to win the match.

He was down to 164 on the Clemens throw but he was down to 110 himself if he missed which he did. But Clemens missed double 18 to level up.

Ratajski blew his opportunity once more missing a 64 checkout to go one away. He hit a 180 and an 80 checkout to go one away.

Clemens couldn’t pin a 142 on his throw but despite Ratajski finding himself in a great position, he fluffed his lines once more with two match darts and Clemens stepped in to send it to sudden death.

Ratajski regrouped and shot to the front on his darts in sudden death. He had six darts minimum at 148 and left himself on 56 from a 132 setup.

Clemens pressured with a 180 and himself received a match dart as Ratajski's doubles deserted him once more.

He went straight for double five and he put one on the wire and then went inside. Clemens couldn't believe his luck but missed three more match darts.

Ratajski made it nine missed match darts but Clemens missed another three to make it seven. The former finally got there on double one in a dramatic conclusion.

2021 PDC World Darts Championship schedule

Tuesday December 29

Evening Session (18:00 GMT)

Dave Chisnall (99.69) 4-2 (88.7) Danny Noppert (R3) (0-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 3-0)

Gabriel Clemens (92.05) 3-4 (95.76) Krzysztof Ratajski (Last 16) (2-3, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3)

Michael van Gerwen v Joe Cullen (Last 16)

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