Mike Gillet, Cliff Prior and Nicole Regnaud keep World Championship hopes alive at Lakeside

Mike Gillet made a good start to his participation in the 2024 WDF World Championship at Lakeside on Sunday night. In the first round of the tournament in Frimley Green, the Welsh darter won 2-0 in sets over Ky Smith.

Gillet was the second player, after Shane McGuirk, to manage to record an average above 90. He threw an average of 91.64 per turn, compared to 74.18 for his Australian opponent. The first set was a 3-1 win for Gillet, who managed to throw two 14-darters, among other things. Gillet then took the lead in the second set with a 16-darter, before Smith took the second leg. Gillet then finished it off nicely with two 15-darters.

Cliff Prior advanced to the third round at Lakeside at the expense of Scott Walters. In a second round match the Englishman won 3-1. The first set went to Walters, who took the first leg with a 26-darter and then produced two 18-darters. Then came an important second set, which Prior won 3-2. The latter then won both set three and set four 3-0.

In the women's tournament, Nicole Regnaud advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Wendy Harper. The 25-year-old New Zealander won 2-0 in sets over her compatriot. In the last eight, Regnaud will face the winner of the duel between Deta Hedman and Kirsty Hutchinson.