World Number One Wright battles back to deny Schindler, Clayton eases past Waites

Peter Wright has his first win as World Number One after losing to Jonny Clayton during the week in the Premier League and he was nearly on the end of a defeat to German home hope, Martin Schindler.

Schindler stormed into a 4-1 lead but Wright produced five consecutive legs to battle through 6-4 with a 156 checkout en route.

Like alluded to, Schindler was 4-1 up and averaging 108 and was seemingly cruising towards an upset defeat but Wright came back to level up at 4-4 including a 156 checkout which proved pivotal.

Schindler missed the bull for a 90 checkout as he looked to get back on track and go 5-4 up. Wright took aim at 36 and went into single four but missed two at double 16. ‘The Wall’ returned and didn’t use the guide presented on double eight and Wright punished to go one away with a break at 5-4.

Wright was first to throw for the match as he missed 126. Schindler missed the bull for a 122 and Wright hit double three for the win.

He is joined in the Last 16 by Jonny Clayton who was too good for Scott Waites in a one-sided 6-2 victory for 'The Ferret'.

Clayton sealed an early break and consolidated with a hold on double 20 to go 2-0 up. Waites was well back on his throw and an 81 checkout on double 12 saw Clayton pinch a 3-0 lead and breeze away early on.

He began his throw with a 180 as he looked to consolidate and again was given time with Waites back on 300+ and he laid up 84 to leave 32 which he pinned for a 4-0 lead.

A 180 and double four saw Waites get a leg back to hold throw. It was another maximum for Clayton who pinned double 12 from there to go one away. 

Waites hit double 10 to hold again but Clayton was throwing for the match albeit he missed match darts and ‘Scotty 2 Hotty’ couldn’t take advantage though allowing ‘The Ferret’ to return for double four.