Defending Lakeside champion Neil Duff survives scare as Danny Lauby casts aside Leonard Gates in all American duel

The Quarter-Finals are now set at the 2023 WDF Lakeside World Championship with defending champion, Neil Duff set to face Chris Landman and Danny Lauby will take on Jelle Klaasen in the same section which will be played tomorrow.

Duff was facing off against Martyn Turner and averaged 87 in victory in a tough 3-2 win for the Northern Irishman.

It was rock solid in the opening exchanges as they headed to the break with neither player surrendering a break of throw. All ten legs went with the darts although Duff survived three set darts before pinning double 20 to level up at 1-1.

Turner survived six set darts from Duff next up and won three legs in a row the latter with a 116 finish to move ahead once more. But Duff was next to punish as Turner missed three at double 20 to send it the distance and he sealed the set 3-1 to send it into a decider. Missing darts to stay alive, Duff finally got over the line to avert a potential shock.

USA's Greatest Game taken by Lauby

While the next match dubbed as The USA's Greatest Game on social media saw doubles partners and two of their highest hopes (Stowe Buntz aside) face off as Danny Lauby prevailed in straight sets 3-0 over one of the favourites for the title in Leonard Gates.

Gates who looked ropey at times in his opener missed too many darts at doubles and couldn't unlock his scoring power, while Lauby was a lot more consistent.

Opening the tie, Gates seemingly had the opening leg sewn up but fluffed his first six darts before finally hitting the seventh for a break after Lauby missed bull for 127. Gates missed 84 on the bull for a break but returned with double 12 missed by Lauby for 141. He missed more darts though and Lauby returned to make it 1-1.

Gates was broken after missing 82 on the bull and Lauby was throwing for set one. Lauby though missed 90 for the set only for Gates to offer a second chance and his compatriot did not spurn it.

Gates missed bull for 126 to break to begin set two and he continued to miss darts at doubles as Lauby held on double five. He doubled up and was throwing for a two set lead. A 68 checkout sealed it for Lauby.

A 95 checkout on the bull saw Gates hold to begin set three. A 124 checkout on the bull saw Lauby go one away. Lauby missed two match darts but Gates missed two and the former returned for the win.