Dirk van Duijvenbode is into the third round at the 2021/22 PDC World Darts Championship after seeing off Boris Koltsov in a tie break thriller at the Alexandra Palace.
Van Duijvenbode recovered from 2-1 down against Koltsov in a tungsten tussle full of testosterone in one of the best games so far in the tournament.
Van Duijvenbode punished just 28% on the doubles from Koltsov to claim the opening set in a deciding leg. But on return, the Russian responded well breezing through the second set to draw level at 1-1.
The impetus was on the side of 'The Viking' who defied a fifth 180 from Van Duijvenbode to close out the third set 3-1 and it looked like he was on his way to a potential victory.
But after losing the fourth set, he missed five darts at double which saw Van Duijvenbode claim the first leg of the fifth set.
It was time for 'The Titan' to miss doubles with four squandered and Koltsov made it 1-1. Van Duijvenbode went one away with a 72 checkout but a tiebreak was forced as Koltsov found double eight.
Van Duijvenbode was the first to strike going one away with a 70 checkout to hold throw. After Koltsov squandered yet more darts, Van Duijvenbode smashed in double 19 to claim it.