Yamada defeats Meikle on PDC World Championship debut to set up tie with Webster

Yuki Yamada was an unknown of sorts before he took to the oche for his tie against Ryan Meikle with both players PDC World Championship debutants but it was the Japanese ace who moved through to the second round.

It was a nervy tie between the pair with 29 percent and 28 percent on the doubles respectively; but it was Yamada who had the edge throughout on scoring who moved through to a tie with Darren Webster.

To begin the tie, Meikle had a fine start to proceedings taking out 88 on the bullseye to claim the first leg; he followed that up with a 102 checkout to double it.

Despite that, Yamada ended up forcing a deciding leg; but this didn't prove fruitful for the Japanese qualifier as Meikle took the first set to go 1-0 up.

When they returned, Yamada though began playing brilliantly rattling in a 124 checkout; on his way to a 2-1 lead.

It went to a deciding leg again but this time Yamada was up to the task as he secured it to make it 1-1. The issue between the pair was firmly on the doubles; as Yamada missed 21 darts at double as of the third set with his scoring being the difference as he went 1-1.

Meikle edged ahead at 2-1 but it was back to back sets for Yamada as he edged towards the finishing line. He went one away to begin the next set with a 96 checkout for a 12-darter and 2-1.

Yamada couldn't pressure that much despite Meikle folding of sorts on forcing a deciding leg but he hit a clutch 83 checkout on double nine to win 3-1 in sets.

Click here for more information on the PDC World Championship which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.

PDC World Darts Championship 2020 schedule

Saturday 14 December, afternoon session

Matthew Edgar (94.73) 3-0 (84.78) Darius Labanauskas (R1)

Yuki Yamada (85.77) 3-1 (81) Ryan Meikle (R1)

14:40 – Luke Woodhouse vs Paul Lim (R1)

15:40 – Jermaine Wattimena [18] vs Luke Humphries (R2)

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