KEVIN PAINTER 4-3 WES NEWTON
(1-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 4-2)
KEVIN PAINTER battled his way to a 4-3 victory over Wes Newton to reach round three at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The former finalist showed all his fighting qualities to move into the last 16, trailing for the first 28 legs of the match before finally going ahead in the final set - and claiming victory in a tie break.
Newton, the rising star from Blackpool, took out 140 to win the opening leg and won the first set 3-1.
He also led 2-1 in the second before paying the price for missed doubles, with Painter hitting a 116 finish to level the match.
The pair shared the next two sets before Newton moved back in front at 3-2 by winning three successive legs.
Painter - who defeated Newton's younger brother Dale in the first round - refused to lie down, and hit a 12-dart leg to start the next set before taking two of the next three to send the game into a decider.
After Newton won the first leg, Painter took two to break his opponent's throw and go 2-1 up.
Newton broke back by landing a pressure double 20, but was punished for further misses as Painter stepped in to win the next two legs and the match.
"I was chasing the game all the way through and was never ahead until the last set," he said. "It was a such tough game.
"Wes played some fantastic darts and pushed me all the way, but I was always confident I'd get through the match.
"I fight all the way and was always chasing, but I will never roll over and that showed. I wasn't firing on all cylinders early on, but I know I can improve.
"Every set he started until the last one, he held his own throw but I always felt I would get through.
"I didn't push hard enough at times and it was only when I made it 3-3 - after I gave myself a good grilling behind the stage - that I was able break his throw.
"I'm pleased to get through but I knew Wes was going to be difficult. Sometimes you get funny scenarios with the draw, and Wes and Dale are good players but I'm happy to still be here in the tournament.
"If I am going to get beaten, someone is going to have to play well, and I certainly won't roll over."
Newton added: "It was an awesome match.
"There was nothing in it all the way but I had a few chances at the end and didn't take them. That last dart can win you games and Kevin took it - and I hope he does well in the tournament now."
Match Stats
|
Kevin Painter |
4-3 |
Wes Newton |
|
45 |
100+ |
35 |
|
19 |
140+ |
29 |
|
6 |
180 |
2 |
|
28.89 |
Ave1 |
28.79 |
|
86.67 |
Ave3 |
86.36 |