Colin Lloyd 2-1 Tom Kirby (1-3, 3-1, 3-2)
Sky Bet World Grand Prix First Round
DEFENDING Sky Bet World Grand Prix champion Colin Lloyd survived a huge scare before defeating Tom Kirby 2-1 in their first round clash.
Irish qualifier Kirby, who lives just 12 miles from the Citywest Hotel and was backed by a vociferous home support, stunned the world number one by winning the first set.
Lloyd took the opening leg with a brilliant 146 checkout, but was unable to stop Kirby's charge as the home favourite won three successive legs.
Lloyd won the second set 3-1 to take the game into a decider, and looked on course to avoid a slip-up when he took the first two legs of the final set.
But Kirby then hit back to square up the set before Lloyd - aided by a 160 to open the final leg - finally booked his place in round two.
"It was probably the toughest game of my career," said the 32-year-old from Essex. "Its always difficult defending a tournament and I found out tonight that it's very hard.
"Tom threw some great darts and he had the crowd behind him, which made it a great match.
"With hindsight, I look back and I could have gone out, but it's about getting through that first game and I can look forward to the next round now.
"I know how well I can play and I've been doing that of late. I couldn't get the double to get away at times, but when I do that I can score."
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