Glen Durrant has gone some way to avenging his World Matchplay semi-final defeat to Dimitri van den Bergh with a 6-3 win over the Belgian on the opening night of the World Series of Darts Finals.
Durrant reeled off four straight legs from 3-2 down to see off Van den Bergh – with the latter as was referenced in the PDC Autumn Series had a knee brace after an injury he suffered after his win in Milton Keynes. Next for the Premier League leader is Michael van Gerwen as they renew hostilities.
Neither player was at their best in the opening exchanges but it was Durrant who took the opening leg before Van den Bergh levelled it up with an 11-darter in the form of an 82 checkout.
They went in at the break still on throw but Van den Bergh held the edge with a 3-2 lead with an 85 average, punishing only 20% on the doubles from Durrant.
Durrant though returned from the break and started to play better claiming a pivotal break to go 4-3 up before suddenly going one away taking out 65 on double four to make it 5-3.
Again on Van den Bergh’s throw, he produced a 15-darter with a 79 checkout to make it four legs on the spin and claim victory over the World Matchplay champion.
Steve Beaton is also through after battling past Simon Whitlock in a last leg thriller which saw 'The Bronzed Adonis' edge past 'The Wizard' and set up a clash with Rob Cross tomorrow.
Beaton looked to win at 5-4 up but a clutch 108 checkout saw Whitlock send it all the way in a leg where he had the throw but the former Lakeside World Champion produced a brilliant last leg to win through.
Whitlock started the better of the two and claimed a 120 checkout to double his lead over Beaton in the early going. Beaton responded with a 104 checkout to break back for 2-1. At the break though, Beaton kept in touch at 3-2 behind with both players averaging mid 80’s.
When they returned, Beaton returned to make it three legs on the spin for ‘The Bronzed Adonis’ claiming a break to go 4-3. Whitlock broke back with a 180 followed by an 86 checkout to square it up at 4-4.
The breaks continued though as Beaton took out 104 to break again and go one away at 5-4. He couldn’t serve out the match though despite being sat on 32 as Whitlock smashed in a 108 to force a decider.
Beaton missed double 12 for a 144 for victory but was left on double 12 which he pinned first time for victory.
Click here for more information about the World Series of Darts Finals , including the tournament bracket, prize money breakdown and TV Guide.
Schedule World Series of Darts Finals 2020
Friday September 18 (1900 BST)
First Round
Harry Ward (85.35) 2-6 (91.43) Darius Labanauskas
Ian White (89.72) 5-6 (89.41) Damon Heta
Cody Harris (89.72) 6-2 (78.92) Dave Chisnall
Vincent van der Voort (95.94) 6-0 (83.73) Joe Cullen
Jeff Smith (86.57) 6-5 (85.11) Fallon Sherrock
Krzysztof Ratajski (99.71) 6-3 (102.64) Mensur Suljovic
Glen Durrant (95.82) 6-3 (85.88) Dimitri Van den Bergh
Simon Whitlock (85.38) 5-6 (89.23) Steve Beaton
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