PDC China Premier League: Zong follows nine-darter with Night Six success

Xiaochen Zong (Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Xiaochen Zong continued his blistering form to prevail on Night Six of the PDC China Premier League on Tuesday.

Zong celebrated a trio of 5-1 victories to claim the spoils in the latest night of PDC China Premier League action, to extend his lead at the top of the table ahead of the final week of league action next Tuesday.

Reigning champion Zong has been the dominant force within Chinese darts over recent years, storming to last year's title courtesy of an extraordinary 23-match winning run.

The 24-year-old created another slice of history last weekend, achieving perfection against Lihao Wen at ProTour Event 6, to become the first player to hit a nine-darter in a PDC China streamed event.

Zong maintained that sparkling form on Tuesday to clinch his fourth win in the space of six league nights, dispatching Chengan Liu, Wen and Xicheng Han to guarantee top spot ahead of the Play-Offs.

Zong - who was beaten by Liu in last week's Night Five final - avenged that defeat in spectacular style, averaging 103.75 and firing in 11 and 12-dart legs to cap off a stellar display.

The two-time World Championship qualifier then eased past Wen in the last four, reeling off five consecutive legs from 1-0 down to set up a showdown against Han, in a repeat of last year's final.

Han recorded 5-2 wins over Erlin Ju and Bin Zheng to seal a spot in Tuesday's showpiece, but despite a sluggish start, Zong reeled off four straight legs - featuring a 108 finish -  to complete another 5-1 success.

Following the conclusion of Night Seven next week, the top four players in the league table will progress to the Play-Offs, and the two Play-Off finalists will represent China at the 2023 World Cup of Darts in June.

The PDC China Premier League returns for Night Seven on Tuesday February 21, and coverage will be broadcast through PDCTV for all subscribers worldwide, with the action commencing at 1900 CST (1100 GMT).

PDC China Premier League
Night Six - February 14
Quarter-Finals

Xiaochen Zong 5-1 Chengan Liu
Lihao Wen 5-1 Wenge Xie
Xicheng Han 5-2 Erlin Ju
Bin Zheng 5-2 Jianjun Jia

Semi-Finals
Xiaochen Zong 5-1 Lihao Wen
Xicheng Han 5-2 Bin Zheng

Final
Xiaochen Zong 5-1 Xicheng Han

2022/23 PDC China Premier League
Event Dates

February 21 - Night Seven
February 26 - Play-Offs (Semi-finals & Final)

Competitors
Xiaochen Zong
Xicheng Han
Chengan Liu
Bin Zheng
Lihao Wen
Wenge Xie
Jianjun Jia
Erlin Ju

Format
League Nights - best of nine legs
Play-Offs - semi-finals best of 19 legs, final best of 21 legs

League Phase Point Scoring
Champion: 5 points
Runner-up: 3 points
Semi-finalists: 2 points
Top four at end of regular season will advance to Play-offs

Prize Fund
Champion: $1,500 & qualification for World Cup of Darts
Runner-up: $1,000 & qualification for World Cup of Darts
Semi-finalists: $500
Quarter-finalists: $200
League phase event winner bonus: $100
Total: $5,000