Incredible Kevin Painter comeback denies near-100 average Jim McEwan in Circus Tavern epic after Mark Dudbridge battles past spirited Glen Durrant

Mark Dudbridge and Kevin Painter have closed out the opening day of the 2024 World Seniors Darts Championship at the Circus Tavern with wins over Glen Durrant and Jim McEwan.

After a rough couple of years, 'Duzza' showed some signs of the form that took him to a trio of Lakeside titles earlier in this one. After moving 2-1 up however, the frailties of recent times returned for Durrant, and the ever-solid Dudbridge was on hand to repeatedly capitalise on some wayward 'Duzza' darts to seal the win 3-2.

In the final tie of the night, McEwan started with what were some of the best darts ever seen on the WSDT. Racing through the first two sets, the Scot took all six legs averaging over 109! When he took the first leg of set 3 it looked it might be all over quickly but Painter showed fight to reel off the next three legs and half his deficit.

The defiance continued from Painter in set 4 too. With the set going to a deciding leg, McEwan, who was still averaging over a ton, missed double top for a match winning 142. Painter then levelled the match with a stunning 140 checkout via two double tops. With the momentum now well and truly on the side of Painter, 'The Artist' took a 2-0 lead in the deciding set. And despite some double trouble on the final hurdle, Painter managed to complete the incredible comeback for a 3-2 win.