Vive la France as Thibaut Tricole edges Mario Vandenbogaerde for history-making win at the Ally Pally

With the second week of action at the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship beginning, France's Thibaut Tricole has secured a history-making 3-1 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde in a game of fine margins.

Making history as the first Frenchman to compete at the Alexandra Palace, Tricole was looking to prove himself on the biggest of stages and quickly raced into a two-nil lead in the opening set. Vandenbogaerde though, wouldn't be swayed. The Belgian kept his composure and bounced back, reeling off the next three legs without reply to take the opening set.

Set 2 was another extremely close fought affair. Again going the distance, this time it was 'the French Touch' who prevailed. After Vandenbogaerde had missed set darts, Tricole secured the set although his reaction of giving a big thumbs down perhaps summed up what he'd thought of his performance so far.

More missed darts from the Belgian to begin set 3 were punished again by Tricole who bagged a 21-dart break of throw. A fifteen dart hold for Tricole followed, his fifth straight leg. Vandenbogaerde stopped the rot with a hold of his own and then with a brilliant 101 finish, the third straight set went to a decider. Although Vandenbogaerde had the darts, Tricole, via his third 180 of the match took control and moved 2-1 ahead in sets.

Pinning 68 for the first leg of the fourth set, Tricole continued his positive momentum. Despite a few missed in the next leg, Vandenbogaerde eventually nailed double 5 to level up the set. When Vandenbogaerde missed tops in the following leg however, he wasn't able to get away with it this time as Tricole punished. When the Belgian held in leg 4 another deciding leg was required. Both players looked incredibly nervous and trebles were few and far between in leg 5, eventually it was Tricole who took it to progress to round 2.