Peter Wright has survived a huge scare in seeing off Noel Malicdem in a thrilling sudden death leg in one of the matches of the 2020 PDC World Championship so far.
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Wright was 2-1 up and seemingly cruising towards victory but Malicdem showed some real steel in bringing it back to 2-2, as did 'Snakebite' as he survived the revival from the Filipino thrower and took the bull in the sudden death leg which proved to be the difference.
Wright claimed the first set with ease doing it in consecutive legs with an average of 94 and two 180s as his new darts went well at times to begin the match.
Malicdem started to go on fire as a result though hitting a fourth 180 and from there claiming the set in a deciding leg to give Wright something to really think about.
He continued in that good vein going forward hitting a 106 checkout to level the next set up at 1-1. Wright countered with a 110 checkout to move 2-1 up and he claimed the set from there after going seven perfect darts into a nine-darter.
Wright went one away from victory in the next set; he seemed to be on his way to the victory but a flourish from Malicdem which saw him pounce on missed match darts from Wright saw him pin double two to make it a deciding set.
The Filipino thrower continued in that vein hitting a 60 checkout for a break of throw; as well to seize the initiative in the decider.
Wright missed the chance to break back; Malicdem held throw on double 10 to go one away from an unlikely victory. Malicdem fluffed his lines; this allowed Wright to hold throw and keep it alive.
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A 140 checkout saw Wright send it to a tiebreak; as he came from the jaws of defeat. He hit a 104 checkout to go one away from there.
Wright missed double 19 for a 158 and Malicdem replied with double 20 to level it up and send it clear once again. The former hit a 174 to leave double 16 in clutch fashion; but a 140 from Malicdem put pressure on him which he answered with double eight.
Malicdem missed double 16 for the hold but Wright couldn't finished 123 meaning Malicdem sent it further again. He missed double 13 for a 146 checkout; but Wright couldn't finish a 111 checkout, Malicdem couldn't do it though; despite some brilliant markers and Wright hit double 10.
A 64 finish saw the Filipino ace force the decider, Wright though hit the bull to claim the throw. He started the leg with a 180 and he hit a 140 from there to go towards the finish and he claimed the victory.
Click here for more information on the PDC World Darts Championship, which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.
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PDC World Darts Championship 2020 schedule
Friday December 20, evening session (Second Round)
Nathan Aspinall (95.38) 3-1 (90.92) Danny Baggish
Joe Cullen (92.47) 1-3 (93.05) Nico Kurz
Max Hopp (90.03) 3-2 (84.73) Benito van de Pas
Peter Wright (96.53) 3-2 (93.77) Noel Malicdem
Joe Cullen (92.47) 1-3 (93.05) Nico Kurz
Max Hopp (90.03) 3-2 (84.73) Benito van de Pas
Peter Wright (96.53) 3-2 (93.77) Noel Malicdem
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1208172879482892288?s=20
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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