WAYNE MARDLE 3-1 BRIAN ROACH
(3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)
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WAYNE MARDLE overcame the challenge of Australian Brian Roach to move into the second round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Mardle has reached the semi-finals of the last two World Championships, and remains on course in his challenge to go even better this time around.
The world number five took the first set without reply as Roach struggled to adapt in his debut on the big stage.
Roach hit back at the start of the second set by taking the first two legs, including a 13-darter, before Mardle landed a 160 checkout on his way to levelling matters.
The Australian, though, won the deciding leg to level the contest at 1-1.
Mardle, though, stepped up a gear in the third and led 2-0 before landing six perfect darts in the next leg - missing out on a nine-darter but wrapping up the set.
He then took the fourth set 3-1 to secure his place in the last 32.
"It was a good win because the first round is tough nowadays," said Mardle. "I'd never seen Brian before and I had to introduce myself to him beforehand.
"I watched him practice and he was playing great, but I've managed to get the first game out of the way and I'm into the tournament now.
"In the first set I was mediocre and won it easily, in the second I had six darts to win it, but there was no urgency in my game.
"After that I was okay but I should be more experienced to get rid of that and it was perhaps a weakness, but I'll take a positive that I did the job and saw him off.
"I've been feeling really good about my game for the past few weeks and I want to reach the final. There are loads of great players in my half of the draw but I'll let them worry about me."
Roach admitted: "I enjoyed it but it was a bit daunting being up there for the first time.
"It was hard from the start and I don't think I ever got used to being up there, but if I come back next year I would learn greatly from that experience."
Match Stats
|
Wayne Mardle |
3-1 |
Brian Roach |
|
14 |
100+ |
16 |
|
12 |
140+ |
3 |
|
5 |
180 |
2 |
|
28.64 |
Ave1 |
24.67 |
|
85.93 |
Ave3 |
74.00 |