Chris Landman survives slow start to deny Thomas Junghans in epic as Dennis Nilsson ends run of Alexander Merkx

As the afternoon session concludes at the 2023 WDF Lakeside World Championship, Dennis Nilsson and Chris Landman are the next two through to the Quarter-Finals in Frimley Green.

Nilsson was part of a real glut of Swedish talent at this year's tournament impressing and the former Strongman was thus for Alexander Merkx who came into this year's Lakeside as a potential outsider after displays on the MODUS Super Series.

But the power scoring of Nilsson who hit five maximums saw him prevail 3-1 in sets. To start the tie, it was fine margins as Merkx missed three at double 11 to take it 3-1 and Nilsson hit 78 in two darts from there to claim it. Merkx levelled it up from there kicking off the second set in 16 and 13 darts before hitting double eight for a successful repost. But the afterburners went on and Nilsson edged the next set 3-2 with an 84 checkout.

Nilsson initially went 2-0 up but a 118 from Merkx kept it interest only for Nilsson with a 13-darter to claim it.

Following that was Chris Landman facing off with Swiss ace, Thomas Junghans. Both have been some of the best in this tournament so far so a barnstorming tie was expected.

At least at the start though, that wasn't the case. Both players were averaging below 70 and could not find their scoring. But it still sat at 1-1 in sets. It was Landman who initially caught light hitting three maximums in a set and both began to find the treble more often.

He looked like he was going to end the run of the Swiss ace and Landman initially had the darts to win it 3-1, but was sent to a deciding set. Again he had them at 2-0 up and hit an 84 checkout as he aimed to finally seal it.

Landman missed double 13 for a 146 for the match and Junghans took his chance as he did last set to make it 2-1. But it was Junghans this time who faltered as Landman was given six darts at 139 to seal the win and he did so sealing it 3-2 to move into the Quarter-Finals.