Searle edges past Huybrechts to equal best World Championship run

Ryan Searle is through to the Last 16 at the 2020/21 PDC World Darts Championship for the second time in three years after edging past Kim Huybrechts in a 4-2 win.

Searle went 2-0 up but ended up embroiled in a battle with Huybrechts right to his last leg win but won through to a potential tie against James Wade or Stephen Bunting.

Searle started well and missed 170 for a break but set up 25. He pinned double four next time around with Huybrechts well back and allowed an early break for ‘Heavy Metal’ as he went towards the opening set.

He went drift into double five going for a 72 checkout but hit a 14 checkout (10, double two) to head into a set lead.

Searle left 18 but decided to split it and it was the wrong decision as Huybrechts returned to hold throw with a 60 checkout.

Both players exchanged 180’s but it was Huybrechts who broke to make it 2-0 after Searle missed another opportunity in the form of double 10.

A 174 saw Huybrechts first to a finish at 134 and he missed double 16 to claim it. Searle had asked the question with a 180 but again missed darts, this time one at double 20 off a 102 checkout and the tie was level at 1-1 in sets.

Searle attempted to make early in roads in the third set with a 180 and left 60 albeit with Huybrechts hitting 121 to leave 24.

Searle drifted into one on the 60 but he pinned double 20 last dart in hand to hold. Dusting himself off after the second set disappointment, he pinned double 20 to go 2-0 up with a break and was on the verge of a 2-1 lead.

Huybrechts couldn’t pin 96 to break back but he had three at double 18 with Searle missing two on double 20. He switched and it didn’t pay off as Searle pinned double five last dart in hand to claim the set.

A 180, 140, 134 left 47 after nine darts from Searle and he pinned 47 to go ahead. He didn’t go for the 101 but it didn’t matter as Huybrechts missed 118 and Searle hit double 20 last dart in hand to hold and go one away from a 3-1 lead.

A 68 checkout from Huybrechts saw him hold and keep himself in the set. He began to gain confidence and was first a finish on Searle’s throw leaving 81 in a brilliant response.

He missed double 12 twice but he returned with three clear at double 12. He couldn’t take this opportunity though, neither could Searle at 68 but he was given three more at double 10 and he pinned it second time round to make it 3-1.

Huybrechts missed a dart at double 20 to break but Searle’s two at double 20 couldn’t stick and Huybrechts was back on double 10 to lead.

Searle couldn’t produce on Huybrechts throw and a 180 followed by double eight saw him two up. Searle needed to respond to not be swept aside in the fifth set.

He did and nearly with style as he missed 144 for double nine to break. Huybrechts dragged his dart down though off a 120 but was given another opportunity as Searle busted 18 on double 18. Huybrechts pinned double 16 to make it 3-2 in sets.

Searle went perfect into a 140 checkout but drifted into double five and Huybrechts pinned double 18 to continue his momentum and go one up.

Searle disrupted this with a 118 checkout on double 19 to hold throw. Huybrechts replied in kind with a 140 to go 2-1 up and one away from levelling the match.

Back came Searle with a sixth 180 followed by a seventh. But he missed the eighth dart at the perfect leg. He pinned 40 though to send it to a decider.

Either Searle would win or Huybrechts would send it all the way. Another 180 followed for Searle as he looked to take the game to Huybrechts.

A ton saw Searle leave 70 with Huybrechts needing to apply pressure and hope. Searle missed double 20 for the match and with Huybrechts on 54, a potential lifeline was coming.

An unfortunate bounceout came for Huybrechts and Searle replied with double 10 to win through.

Krzysztof Ratajski (89.94) 4-0 (92.30) Simon Whitlock (3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)

Kim Huybrechts (90.03) 2-4 (91.79) Ryan Searle (0-3, 3-0, 0-3, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3)

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jermaine Wattimena