Gary Anderson triumphed in a gripping seven-set contest against Jermaine Wattimena at Alexandra Palace, advancing to the last 16 of the World Darts Championship. The match, filled with drama, saw Anderson secure a 4-3 victory, clinching the decisive set 5-3 in legs. The former two-time world champion showcased his talent with an impressive average of 102.24, including 14 maximums and a high checkout of 124.
Anderson’s performance began strongly as he won the first set 3-1, despite Wattimena’s attempts to rally back with three maximums. The Dutch player struggled with his doubles, missing ten crucial darts, which allowed Anderson to seize an early lead. Wattimena responded by taking the second set without reply, showcasing his own skills, but Anderson quickly regained control with an extraordinary average in the third set.
Decisive Moments in a Tense Match
The match turned tense as Wattimena missed two set darts in the fourth set. Anderson capitalized on this, moving ahead by two sets. However, the contest took a dramatic twist when Anderson missed three match darts, allowing Wattimena to take the fifth set with an 87 finish. Despite the pressure, Anderson fought back in a topsy-turvy sixth set, where Wattimena managed to force a final set after surviving yet another match dart.
“It’s hard but what a game,” Anderson reflected after the match. “I bottled the nine-dart attempt. I got excited, and it’s not often I get excited.”
As the seventh set unfolded, both players exchanged blows. At 3-3 in the tie-break, Anderson missed a chance for a nine-dart finish but ultimately secured the win by pinning double one, marking a significant victory in his career.
Cross Advances to Face Littler
Meanwhile, Rob Cross, the 2018 world champion, showcased his prowess by defeating Australia’s number one, Damon Heta, in a commanding 4-0 victory. Cross, maintaining a stellar average of 101.3, capitalized on Heta’s struggles with doubles, effectively punishing him throughout the match. This win sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown against defending champion Luke Littler.
Cross acknowledged Littler’s reputation, stating, “Luke Littler is the best player in the world at the minute for a reason,” as he expressed confidence in his ability to compete at a high level in their upcoming clash.
In another standout performance, Ryan Searle dominated German number one Martin Schindler, achieving a perfect whitewash with a stunning average of 102.3 and a high checkout of 151. Searle’s nine consecutive legs underscored his dominance, setting him up for a match against James Hurrell, who eliminated Stephen Bunting.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement continues to build at Alexandra Palace, with former world champions Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen also set to compete in the third round. With matches running until January 3, 2024, fans can look forward to more thrilling darts action throughout the championship.
